bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Comparison of Models Describing Heat Transfer in the Primary Cooling Zone of a Continuous Casting Machine
Authors: Miłkowska-Piszczek K. , Rywotycki M. , Falkus J. , Konopka K.
Published: April 2015

This paper presents the findings of research conducted concerning the determination of thermal boundary conditions for the steel continuous casting process within the primary cooling zone. A cast slab - with dimensions of 1100 mm×220 mm - was analysed, and models described in references were compared with the authors’ model. The presented models were verified on the basis of an industrial database. The research problem was solved with the finite element method using the ProCAST software package.
Analysis of Al-Cu Bimetallic Bars Properties After Explosive Welding and Rolling in Modified Passes
Authors: Mróz S. , Szota P. , Stefanik A. , Wąsek S. , Stradomski G.
Published: April 2015

The paper presents the results of the experimental tests of Al-Cu bimetallic bars rolling process in multi-radial modified passes. The bimetallic bars consist of aluminium core, grade 1050A and copper outer layer, grade M1E. The stocks were round bars with diameter 22 mm with a copper layer share of 15 and 30%. As a result of rolling in four passes, bars of a diameter of about 16.0 mm were obtained. A bimetallic stock was manufactured using an explosive welding method. The use of the designed arrangement of multi-radial modified stretching passes resulted in obtaining Al-Cu bimetallic bars with the required lateral dimensions, an uniform distribution of the cladding layer over the bar perimeter and high quality of shear strength between individual layers.
Corrosion Resistance of The Bearing Steel 67SiMnCr6-6-4 with Nanobainitic Structure
Authors: Skołek E. , Dudzińska K. , Kamiński J. , Świątnicki W.A.
Published: April 2015

The paper describes a comparative study of the corrosion resistance of bearing steel 67SiMnCr6-6-4 after two kinds of nanostructuring treatments and two kinds of conventional quenching and tempering treatments. The nanostructuring treatment consisted of austempering with an isothermal quenching at 240°C and 300°C. The conventional heat treatment consisted on quenching and tempering at 350°C for 1 h and quenching and tempering at 550°C for 1 h. Time and temperature of tempering was chosen so that the hardness of both samples (nanostructured as well as quenched and tempered) was similar. The microstructure of steel after each heat treatment was described with the use of transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was shown, that the austempering conducted at 240°C produced homogenous nanobainitic structure consisting of carbide-free bainite plates with nanometric thickness separated by the layers of retained austenite. The austempering at 300°C produced a sub-micrometric carbide-free bainite with retained austenite in form of layers and small blocks. The conventional heat treatments led to a tempered martensite microstructure. The corrosion resistance study was carried out in Na2SO4acidic and neutral environment using potentiodynamic and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) methods. The corrosion resistance of nanostructured steel samples were compared to the steel samples with tempered martensite. The obtained results indicate, that the corrosion resistance of bearing steel with nanobainitic structure is similar to steel with tempered martensite in both acidic and neutral environment. This means that the high density of intercrystalline boundaries in nanobinite does not deteriorate the corrosion properties of the bearing steel.
An optimal mass transport approach for limits of eigenvalue problems for the fractional p-Laplacian
Authors: Del Pezzo Leandro , Rossi Julio , Saintier Nicolas , Salort Ariel
Published: April 2015

We find an interpretation using optimal mass transport theory for eigenvalue problems obtained as limits of the eigenvalue problems for the fractional p-Laplacian operators as p → +∞. We deal both with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions.
Development of Smart Nanocontainers With A Zinc Phosphate Core and A pH-Responsive Shell for Controlled Release of Immidazole
Authors: Jadhav Ananda Jaysing , Karekar Sammit Ekanath , Pinjari Dipak Vitthal , Datar Yogesh Gajanan , Bhanvase Bharat Apparao , Sonawane Shirish Hari , Pandit Aniruddha Bhalchandra
Published: April 2015

A simple and flexible method has been developed to fabricate reversibly switchable nanocontainers (by layer by layer assembly) using zinc phosphate (ZP) nanoparticles as a core material and subsequent deposition of oppositely charged species of polyelectrolyte (polyaniline and polyacrylic acid) and organic corrosion inhibitor (immidazole). Immidazole was entrapped between polyaniline (PANI) and polyacrylic acid (PAA). The PAA nanovalve can control the access of immidazole molecules to and from the nanocontainers. The average particle size of the synthesized nanocontainer was found to be in the range of 250–500 nm. X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analysis (PSA), zeta potential, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the successful formation of the layered structure of nanocontainers. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to analyze the release rate of immidazole in media of different pH as a function of time. This core-shell nanostructure can have potential applications in corrosion inhibition paint formulation.
CO2 Sorption-Enhanced Processes by Hydrotalcite-Like Compounds at Different Temperature Levels
Authors: Gallucci K. , Micheli F. , Barisano D. , Villone A. , Foscolo P.U. , Rossi L.
Published: April 2015

The aim of this work is to identify solid sorbents for CO2 capture for coal and biomass syngas conditioning and cleaning by means of a sorption-enhanced reaction process. Hydrotalcite-like compounds (HTlcs) were synthesized with and without K2CO3 impregnation. Samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) porosimetry after synthesis and after capture tests, respectively. Sorption and desorption tests were performed in a fluidized bed reactor, under cyclic conditions, at two different temperature levels: 350/450°C and 600/700°C. At low temperature only the Mg–Al HTlcs K promoted samples showed stability and sorption capacity comparable with literature values. On the other hand, results at high temperature indicate that the mixed Mg-Ca-Al HTlcs samples exhibit the best behavior with the highest sorption capacity (1.7 mmolCO2/g) almost stable over 5 sorption/regeneration cycles; furthermore, addition of steam allowed increasing their reactivity by 70% compared to the dry value. This type of sorbent could be a promising candidate to prepare a bifunctional sorbent–catalyst for sorption-enhanced processes, taking place directly in the fluidized bed gasifier, or downstream the reactor for adjustment of gas composition before further conversion in gaseous energy carriers.
Hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of hydromethanolic extract of Daniella oliveri leaves in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatotoxicity in rats
Authors: Onoja Samuel Okwudili , Madubuike Gideon Kelechi , Ezeja Maxwell Ikechukwu
Published: April 2015

Background:
Daniella oliveri is a deciduous plant that is commonly found in savanna and open grassland. Various parts of the plant is used by herbalist in the management of different ailments. The present study aims at investigating the hepatoprotective and antioxidant activity of the methanolic extract of D. oliveri leaves.

Methods: The hepatoprotective activity was investigated using carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)-induced hepatotoxicity in albino rats. The antioxidant activity was determined using both in vitro (2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine photometric assay) and in vivo (malondialdehyde and catalase level assay) models.

Results: The pretreatment with extract (100, 200, and 400 mg/kg) and silymarin (100 mg/kg) produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in hepatoprotective activity when compared with the negative control group. The extract (25–400 μg/mL concentration) produced a concentration-dependent increase in antioxidant activity in 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine (DPPH) photometric assay. The IC50 of the extract in DPPH photometric assay was 400 μg/mL concentrations. The extract and silymarin showed a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent increase in catalase level in treated rats when compared with the negative control group. Also, the extract and silymarin produced a significant (p<0.05) dose-dependent decrease in malondialdehyde level in treated rats when compared with the negative control group.

Conclusions: The results of the study suggest that D. oliveri leaves has a potent hepatoprotective activity that may be linked to its antioxidant activities and validates its use in the traditional management of liver disorders.
Transport of radioselenium oxyanions by diffusion in unsaturated soils
Authors: Aldaba David , García-Gutiérrez Miguel , Abrão Taufik , Rigol Anna , Vidal Miquel
Published: April 2015

There is a lack of data on the diffusion of long-lived radionuclides in soils, especially of those originated from the leaching of
radioactive waste in waste disposal facilities. Here, the simultaneous diffusion of two radioselenium species, which were postulated to
be radioselenite and radioselenate, was examined for the first time in four soils at laboratory level by applying the planar-source
method. The Gaussian-shaped experimental diffusion profile was deconvoluted into two Gaussian functions, and then the apparent
diffusion coefficients (D
a) were quantified for each species. Radioselenate D
a values ranged from
1.4E-11 to 1.5 · 10
–10 m2 s
–1, while those of radioselenite were two orders of magnitude lower (from
5.2E-13 to 2.7 · 10
–12 m2 s
–1) for all samples and conditions tested. The radioselenite distribution coefficient
values derived from D
a correlated to soil properties, such as pH and Al/Fe mineral content, and thus were consistent with
the factors controlling the sorption of selenium species in soils.
Isolation of 163Ho from dysprosium target material by HPLC for neutrino mass measurements
Authors: Mocko Veronika , Taylor Wayne A. , Nortier Francois M. , Engle Jonathan W. , Barnhart Todd E. , Nickles Robert J. , Pollington Anthony D. , Kunde Gerd J. , Rabin Michael W. , Birnbaum Eva R.
Published: April 2015

The rare earth isotope 163Ho is of interest for neutrino mass measurements. This report describes the isolation of
163Ho from a proton-irradiated dysprosium target and its purification. A Dy metal target was irradiated with
16 MeV protons for 10 h. After target dissolution, 163Ho was separated from the bulk Dy via
cation-exchange high performance liquid chromatography using 70 mmol dm
–3
α-hydroxyisobutyric acid as the mobile
phase. Subsequent purification of the collected Ho fraction was performed to remove the α-hydroxyisobutyrate chelating agent and
to concentrate the Ho in a low ionic strength aqueous matrix. The final solution was characterized by MC-ICP-MS to determine the
163Ho/165Ho ratio, 163Ho and the residual Dy content. The HPLC purification process resulted in
a decontamination factor 1.4E5 for Dy. The isolated Ho fraction contained 24.8 ± 1.3 ng of 163Ho
corresponding to holmium recovery of 72 ± 3%.
Association Between Implementation of a Cardiovascular Step-Down Unit and Process-of-Care Outcomes in Patients With Congenital Heart Disease
Authors: Zipkin Ronen , Ostrom Kathleen , Olowoyeye Abiola , Markovitz Barry , Schrager Sheree M.
Published: May 2015

Background:

The Joint Commission’s 2009 National Patient Safety Goals aimed to improve identification of and response to clinical deterioration in hospital-ward patients. Some hospitals implemented intermediate-care units for patients without intensive care–level support needs. No studies have evaluated what effect changes associated with a move to a pediatric cardiovascular step-down unit (CVSDU) has on process-of-care outcomes.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study comparing process-of-care outcomes in units caring for children with congenital heart disease (n = 1415) 1 year before (July 1, 2010–June 30, 2011) and 1 year after (August 1, 2011–July 30, 2012) implementation of a CVSDU following the move to a new hospital building. Units caring for noncardiac tracheostomy and/or ventilator-dependent patients were used as controls (n = 606). Primary outcomes included length of stay (LOS) and transfers to higher levels of care. Secondary outcomes included rapid response team, cardiopulmonary arrest, and code blue rates. Mann-Whitney U and z tests were used for all analyses.

Results:

When compared with a medical-surgical unit, cardiac patients admitted to a CVSDU had a significantly decreased total LOS (median 7.0 vs 5.4 days, P = .03), non-ICU LOS (median 3.5 vs 3.0 days, P = .006), and rapid response team/code blue rate per 1000 non-ICU patient days (11.2 vs 7.0, P = .04). No significant differences in primary or secondary outcomes were seen within the control group.

Conclusions:

Changes associated with a new CVSDU were associated with decreased LOS and lower rates of rapid response and code blue events for patients with congenital heart disease.
Early Weight Loss Nomograms for Formula Fed Newborns
Authors: Miller Jennifer R. , Flaherman Valerie J. , Schaefer Eric W. , Kuzniewicz Michael W. , Li Sherian X. , Walsh Eileen M. , Paul Ian M.
Published: May 2015

Objectives:

To develop nomograms depicting percentiles of weight loss by hour of age for both vaginal and cesarean-delivered newborns who are exclusively formula fed.

Methods:

Data regarding delivery mode, race/ethnicity, feeding type, and weights were extracted from electronic medical records of the birth hospitalization at 14 Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals between 2009 and 2013. Newborns whose first feeding was formula from a cohort of 161 471 healthy, term, singleton neonates born at ≥36 weeks’ gestation between 2009 and 2013 were identified. Quantile regression was used to create nomograms stratified according to delivery mode; percentiles of weight loss were estimated as a function of time among formula-fed neonates. Weights measured subsequent to any breast milk feeding were excluded. Percentiles were determined through 48 and 72 hours of age for those born vaginally and via cesarean delivery, respectively.

Results:

A total of 7075 formula-fed newborns had weights recorded; 4525 were delivered vaginally, and 2550 were born via cesarean delivery. The median weight loss was 2.9% at 48 hours after vaginal delivery; weight loss >7% was rare. For cesarean-delivered neonates, median weight losses at 48 and 72 hours were 3.7% and 3.5%, respectively; weight loss >8% was rare.

Conclusions:

For newborns who are formula fed, these results provide nomograms depicting percentiles of weight loss according to mode of delivery. These plots can be used to classify early weight loss according to percentile and may enable early identification of feeding difficulties or other neonatal morbidities.
Optimal Timing of Umbilical Cord Clamping: Is the Debate Settled? Part 1 of 2: History, Rationale, Influencing Factors, and Concerns
Authors: Kim Amanda J. H. , Warren Jamie B.
Published: May 2015

In the middle of the 20th century, practices regarding the timing of umbilical cord clamping changed from delaying cord clamping to clamping the umbilical cord soon after delivery of the infant. In the last several years, interest in reviving delayed cord clamping has led to an abundance of literature on the subject. On the basis of recent research, many professional organizations in the fields of obstetrics, midwifery, and pediatrics have started to recommend the use of delayed cord clamping for at least a subset of infants. In part 1 of this 2-part review, we present the history of the delayed cord clamping debate, discuss the rationale behind the use of delayed cord clamping from a physiologic standpoint, detail the factors that affect transfusion volume during a delay in cord clamping, and examine the concerns that exist regarding the use of delayed cord clamping. In part 2, we present the evidence surrounding timing of cord clamping for the preterm and term infant and maternal outcomes. Finally, we discuss alternatives to delayed cord clamping and present a summary of unanswered questions on the subject.
Heart Rates in Hospitalized Children by Age and Body Temperature
Authors: Daymont Carrie , Bonafide Christopher P. , Brady Patrick W.
Published: April 2015

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Heart rate (HR) is frequently used by clinicians in the hospital to assess a patient’s severity of illness and make treatment decisions. We sought to develop percentiles that characterize the relationship of expected HR by age and body temperature in hospitalized children and to compare these percentiles with published references in both primary care and emergency department (ED) settings.

METHODS:

Vital sign data were extracted from electronic health records of inpatients <18 years of age at 2 large freestanding children’s hospitals from July 2011 to June 2012. We selected up to 10 HR-temperature measurement pairs from each admission. Measurements from 60% of patients were used to derive the percentile curves, with the remainder used for validation. We compared our upper percentiles with published references in primary care and ED settings.

RESULTS:

We used 60 863 observations to derive the percentiles. Overall, an increase in body temperature of 1°C was associated with an increase of ∼10 beats per minute in HR, although there were variations across age and temperature ranges. For infants and young children, our upper percentiles were lower than in primary care and ED settings. For school-age children, our upper percentiles were higher.

CONCLUSIONS:

We characterized expected HR by age and body temperature in hospitalized children. These percentiles differed from references in primary care and ED settings. Additional research is needed to evaluate the performance of these percentiles for the identification of children who would benefit from further evaluation or intervention for tachycardia.
Fishes in first order stream in Ivaí River drainage basin, upper Paraná River Basin, Paraná state, Brazil
Authors: De Araújo Maria Isabel , Delariva Rosilene Luciana , Bonato Karine Orlandi , Cristina da Silva Jislaine
Published: May 2015

Itiz Stream is a first order tributary of the Ivaí River basin, located in a rural area of Marialva municipality, Paraná state. Fish were sampled in October, November and December 2007, September 2008 and March 2009, using electrofishing and a sieve technique in three stretches along the stream. We collected 20 species belonging to 13 genera, seven families and three orders. Only Poecilia reticulata was considered non-native species and five are probably undescribed.
Birds from the endangered Monte, the steppes and coastal biomes of the province of Río Negro, northern Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Llanos Fabián A. , Failla Mauricio , García Gustavo J. , Giovine Pablo M. , Carbajal Mirta , González Patricia M. , Barreto Daniel Paz , Quillfeldt Petra , Masello Juan F.
Published: May 2015

The main ecosystem in northern Patagonia, Argentina, is the Monte, a semi-desert scrubland home to a high biodiversity. Monte is the most endangered ecosystem of southern South America, with an annual rate of clearance of the native vegetation estimated at 3.7%. Here we report the results of bird surveys carried out in the province of Río Negro, northern Patagonia. We surveyed four localities mostly dominated by the Monte ecosystem, between 1986 and 2010. Three localities are Important Bird Areas (IBAs): El Cóndor, San Antonio Oeste and Meseta de Somuncurá. The fourth locality is the Paso Córdoba nature reserve. We recorded a total of 263 bird species. The highest species richness was observed at San Antonio Oeste, followed by El Cóndor. Information regarding the period of occurrence and habitats are provided for all species and localities. Additionally, we indicated the cases in which breeding behavior was observed. This information is urgently needed for the evaluation of the consequences of habitat destruction and deterioration as well as for the success of intended remediation measures.
Amphibia, Anura, Bufonidae, Rhinella boulengeri Chaparro, Pramuk, Gluesenkamp and Frost, 2007: Distribution extension, state of Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Silva Amanda S. F. Lantyer , Lourenço-de-Moraes Ricardo , Siqueira Júnior Sérgio , Solé Mirco
Published: May 2015

Our new records from two protected areas in the municipalities of Itacaré and Uruçuca, both in southern Bahia, Brazil, extend the known distribution area of Rhinella boulengeri 180 km south from the type locality (Salvador - Rio Cururipe) and 112 km northeast from the municipality of Arataca, state of Bahia.
Physalaemus albifrons Spix, 1824 (Anura: Leiuperidae): distribution and geographic extension
Authors: Palmeira Cristiane Nikely S. , Gonçalves Ubiratan , Paz Viviane N.
Published: May 2015

We report the first record of Physalaemus albifrons in the state of Alagoas, in the municipality of Boca da Mata, Brazil.
Amphibia, Anura, Centrolenidae, Vitreorana uranoscopa (Müller, 1924): new record for the northeastern region of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Authors: Savaris Marcoandre , Lampert Silvana , Lucas Elaine Maria , Peres Angelo Vinicius da Rosa , Orsato Juliana , Rezende Élinton Luis , Argerich Grassiele Rosa
Published: May 2015

The Atlantic Forest Biome is among the world’s hotspots for biodiversity conservation and concentrates the greatest diversity of amphibians in the world. However, information on the distribution pattern of species is largely unknown in this biome. This study report new records of Vitreorana uranoscopa for northeast region of Rio Grande do Sul.
Amphibia, Anura, Hylidae, Dendropsophus rubicundulus (Reinhardt and Lütken, 1862): distribution extension in northeastern Brazil
Authors: Silva Guilherme Ramos da , Vieira Jânia Brito , Alves Margareth Ripardo
Published: May 2015

The geographic distribution of Dendropsophus rubicundulus includes Bolivia, Brazil (southeastern, central-west, northeastern and northern regions) and Paraguay. We report the second record of D. rubicundulus in Ceará state, increasing the distribution range of the species in northeastern Brazil.
New record and geographic distribution map of Microcaecilia taylori Nussbaum and Hoogmoed, 1979 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona: Siphonopidae) with notes on size and natural history
Authors: Dourado Ângelo Cortez Moreira , Monteiro Junior Cândido Rodrigues , Maciel Adriano Oliveira
Published: May 2015

Microcaecilia taylori is known to occur from the Guianan region to south of the Amazon in the state of Pará, Brazil. Here we provide a new locality record for the species, east of the Tocantins River, 190 km from the nearest record. The specimen was active under the leaf litter in daylight and is the largest specimen of M. taylori recorded to date.
Leposoma osvaldoi Avila-Pires, 1995 (Squamata: Gymnophthalmidae): New records and distribution map in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil
Authors: Kawashita-Ribeiro Ricardo A. , Arruda Luana A. G. , Carvalho Marcos A. , Silva Anelise F. , Silva Jacqueline P. , Ávila Robson W. , Morais Drausio H. , Mott Tamí
Published: May 2015

The present study provides the distribution map and reports new records of the gymnophthalmid lizard Leposoma osvaldoi Avila-Pires , 1995, from Mato Grosso state, Brazil, extending the known geographical distribution of the species ca. 42 km northeastern in straight line from the nearest record in the state.
Burnupia ingae Lanzer, 1991 (Gastropoda: Ancylidae): current distribution in Brazil
Authors: Lacerda Luiz Eduardo Macedo de , Santos Sonia Barbosa dos
Published: May 2015

This paper describes the current distribution of Burnupia ingae Lanzer, 1991, a freshwater limpet, firstly described to Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil, showing literature revision and new records, extending the geographical distribution of B.ingae to all Brazilian regions.
Survey of large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals in the Serra do Brigadeiro State Park, Minas Gerais, Brazil
Authors: Nunes André Valle , Scoss Leandro Moraes , Prado Maressa Rocha , Lessa Gisele Mendes
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to survey the species of large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals occurring at Serra do Brigadeiro State Park (SBSP). Data was compiled from two studies carried out in 2008. Data was collected through sand plots and camera traps. Thirteen species were recorded, one that had not been registered before (Leopardus wiedii) and one exotic (Canis lupus familiaris). Species richness estimate for camera trapping was 13.53±1.75. For the sand plots, estimate was lower (9±1.73 species). The low number of inventories focusing on large and medium-sized terrestrial mammals in the Mantiqueira region of the Atlantic forest and the presence of the domestic dogs within the Park limits emphasizes the need for monitoring programs to identify the major threats to preserved areas in the region.
Bats of Vieques National Wildlife Refuge, Puerto Rico, Greater Antilles
Authors: Alexander Isha R. , Geluso Keith
Published: May 2015

Herein, we present captures of bats from Vieques, a small subtropical island located southeast of Puerto Rico. We captured 82 individuals representing 4 species, including 59 Noctilio leporinus, 9 Artibeus jamaicensis, 9 Molossus molossus, and 5 Stenoderma rufum. All S. rufum and M. molossus were captured in subtropical moist forests, whereas both N. leporinus and A. jamaicensis were captured in both subtropical moist and dry forests. Sternoderma rufum is an endemic species of concern in the region. Vieques represents only the 5th island where this relatively rare species has been captured in the past 30 years. Conservation of subtropical moist forests on Vieques likely is important for the conservation and management of S. rufum and additional information about the natural history of all bats is warranted on Vieques.
A checklist of the mammals (Mammalia) from Durango, western Mexico
Authors: García-Mendoza Diego F. , López-González Celia
Published: May 2015

An updated list of the mammals of Durango state, Mexico was built from literature records and Museum specimens. A total of 139 species have been recorded, representing 28.3 % of the Mexican terrestrial mammals, and 25.1 % species more compared to the previous account. Two species have been extirpated from the state, 23 are endemic to Mexico. Four major ecoregions have been previously defined for the state, Arid, Valleys, Sierra, and Quebradas. Species richness is highest at the Quebradas, a tropical ecorregion, whereas the aridlands are the least species-rich. The Sierra has the highest number of endemic species (11) followed by Quebradas (7), Valleys and Arid (3). Despite the fact that Durango harbors one of the largest diversities of mammals of the country, conservation efforts are minimal, and the current protected areas do not include the most species-rich regions. The current rate of anthropogenic modification in the state makes urgent to put in practice already existing plans to protect Durango’s unique biodiversity.
Herpetofauna of protected areas in the Caatinga I: Raso da Catarina Ecological Station (Bahia, Brazil)
Authors: Garda Adrian Antonio , Costa Taís Borges , Roberto dos Santos-Silva Carlos , Mesquita Daniel Oliveira , Faria Renato Gomes , Conceião Breno Moura da , Soares da Silva Izabel Regina , Ferreira Anthony Santana , Rocha Stephanie Menezes , Palmeira Cristiane Nikely Silva , Rodrigues Ricardo , Ferrari Stephen Francis , Torquato Selma
Published: May 2015

We provide a list of amphibian and squamate species collected in the Raso da Catarina Ecological Station, Bahia state, Brazil, during two distinct periods. An initial visual inventory of amphibians was conducted monthly from March 2010 to February 2011, using transects in a forest and temporary ponds. The second inventory was conducted over a 30-day period between March and April, 2012, when 37 pitfall trap arrays, each consisting of four buckets and supplementary glue traps, were set in low scrub and forest, complemented by opportunistic searches. A total of 19 lizard species, two amphisbaenians, 21 frogs, and 11 snakes were recorded during the study. New records for the protected area include 10 lizards, one amphisbaenian, 15 amphibians, and 11 snakes (36 species in total). Several species typical of the Atlantic Forest were collected, reflecting the potential influence of this biome, especially in the sampled forest habitats (Mata da Pororoca).
Crustacea, Decapoda, Portunidae, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896: new record and filling distribution gaps
Authors: Rosa Leonardo Cruz da
Published: May 2015

The blue crab Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, 1896 (Crustacea: Decapoda: Portunidae) is firstly recorded from the state of Sergipe, NE Brazil, filling a gap in the species distribution along Brazilian coast.
Soft Touch or Heavy Hand? Legislative Approaches for Preventing Invasions: Insights from Cacti in South Africa
Authors: Novoa Ana , Kaplan Haylee , Kumschick Sabrina , Wilson John R. U. , Richardson David M.
Published: April 2015

The rate of transportation, introduction, dissemination, and spread of nonnative species is increasing despite growing global awareness of the extent and impact of biological invasions. Effective policies are needed to prevent an increase in the significant negative environmental and economic impacts caused by invasive species. Here we explore this issue in the context of the history of invasion and subsequent regulation of cacti introduced to South Africa. We consider seven approaches to restricting trade by banning the following: (1) species already invasive in the region, (2) species invasive anywhere in the world, (3) species invasive anywhere in the world with a climate similar to the target region, (4) genera containing invasive species, (5) growth forms associated with invasiveness, (6) cacti with seed characteristics associated with invasiveness, and (7) the whole family. We evaluate each approach on the basis of the availability and complexity of information required for implementation, including the cost of the research needed to acquire such information, the likely numbers of false positives and false negatives, the likely degree of public acceptance, and the costs of implementation. Following a consultative process, we provide recommendations for how to regulate nonnative cacti in South Africa. The simplest option would be to ban all cacti, but available evidence suggests that most species pose negligible risk of becoming invasive, making this option unreasonable. The other extreme—reactively regulating species once they are invasive—would incur significant control costs, likely result in significant environmental and economic impacts, and limit management goals (e.g., eradication might be unfeasible). We recommended an intermediate option—the banning of all genera containing invasive species. This recommendation has been partly incorporated in South African regulations. Our study emphasizes the importance of scientific research, a legal framework, and participation of stakeholders in assessments. This approach builds awareness, trust, and support, and ensures that all interests are reflected in final regulations, making them easier to implement and enforce.
Effect of dietary administration of the herbal additive siamweed (Chromolaena odorata) on growth performance and haematological changes in Clarias gariepinus fingerlings
Authors: Dada Adekunle Ayokanmi , Sonibare Oladoye Francis
Published: May 2015

This work was conducted to study the effect of diets supplemented with different levels of aqueous extract of siamweed (Chromolaena odorata) leaf powder on growth performance, feed utilization and some blood parameters of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) fingerlings in 2014 at the Federal University of Technology, Nigeria. Fingerlings of about 6.84-6.86 g were fed diets supplemented with four concentrations (0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 g) of C. odorata leaf extract powder for eight weeks. The highest specific growth rate (0.96±1.16 % day–1) and best food conversion ratio (2.87±0.26) were obtained in fish fed 0.5 g 100 g−1 C. odorata leaf extract powder diet treatment. There were significant differences in fish carcass protein, lipid or ash content among the treatments (p<0.05). No differences occurred in white blood cells among the treatments (p>0.05) but there were greater improvement in the white blood cells of fish fed on dietary C. odorata leaf extract powder compared to the fish fed the control diet. The results suggest that dietary supplementation with C. odorata leaf extract powder improved growth rate, feed utilization, white blood cells and survival of C. gariepinus fingerlings.
Responsabilidade dos Cirurgiões Dentistas Frente a Maus-Tratos Contra a Criança – Revisão de Literatura
Authors: Luis Eduardo Lamego Velasco  , Gabriela Cauduro da Rosa  , Rosane Pérez Baldasso  , Mário Marques Fernandes  , Rogério Nogueira Oliveira  , Arlete Maria Gomes Oliveira
Published: April 2015

Nos últimos anos, os casos de maus-tratos têm aumentado não só no Brasil como em todo o mundo. Neste contexto, a responsabilidade do Cirurgião-dentista é de suspeitar, identificar e relatar estes casos às autoridades competentes. O objetivo deste estudo foi destacar a responsabilidade e as atribuições legais dos Cirurgiões-dentistas frente aos maus-tratos contra a criança, bem como evidenciar a importância do diagnóstico precoce do abuso infantil. O trabalho foi realizado mediante uma revisão da literatura nas bases de dados Medline, Google, Lilacs e Bireme. Conclui-se que a ausência de uma orientação profissional nas Faculdades de Odontologia e, como consequência, a falta do conhecimento do assunto maus-tratos infantis e da legislação vigente relacionada ao tema têm contribuído para a sua negligência. É dever dos Cirurgiões-dentistas e dos demais profissionais que atuam no campo da saúde denunciar qualquer suspeita ou constatação de lesões em crianças e adolescentes.
Estimation of the Domestic Transport Performance from the Consolidated European Road Freight Transport Data
Authors: Karner Thomas , Scharl Sylvia , Weninger Brigitte
Published: May 2015

Transport statistics provide information about transport volume and performance on defined territories (e.g. for the European Union as a whole or for the individual member states) and are therefore necessary for political, economic and ecological decisions. Complying with the current European legal basis[1] the surveys for the modes of transport rail, aviation and inland waterways are performed according to the territoriality principle and hence the data on total transport volume is collected in each member state. Alone the road freight transport survey is based on the nationality principle, which means that only freight vehicles registered in the respective member state take part in the national surveys. Thus the single member states have no information about the total transport volume and performance on their own territory derived from road freight vehicles registered in other member states. In contrast the member states have information about the transport volume and performance provided by their freight vehicles in the other European countries. This situation implies a significant limitation of the usability of the results of the national road freight surveys as well as the usefulness of the modal split of the single modes of transport based solely on the national surveys.[1] Regulation (EC) No 91/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 16 December 2002 on rail statistics, OJ No L14, 21.2.2003 p 1 - 15; Regulation (EC) No 437/2003 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 February 2003 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of passengers, freight and mail by air; OJ No L 66, 11.3.2003 p 1 – 8; Regulation (EC) No 1365/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 September 2006 on statistics of goods transport by inland waterways and repealing Council Directive 80/1119/EEC, OJ L No 264; 25.9.2006 p 1 – 11; Regulation (EU) No 70/2012 of the European Parliament and the Council of 18 January 2012 on statistical returns in respect of the carriage of goods by road (recast), OJ No L 32, 3.2.2012 p 1-18
Ein Interview mit Wilfried Grossmann
Authors: Grossmann Wilfried , Müller Werner , Templ Matthias
Published: May 2015

Das Interview mit Wilfried Grossmann wurde von Werner G. Müller und MatthiasTempl am 17.2.2014 durchgeführt. Es beleuchtet das historische Klima des Statistikinstitutesan der Universität Wien, die Ausrichtung der Statistik als ”breite“ Datenwissenschaftand der Universität Wien, die Kooperation mit der TU Wien und anderen Institutionen,sowie das Verhältnis zur Statistik Austria, der Amtlichen Statistik und Universitätsstatistik.Zusätzlich wird die Rolle der ÖSG und von EUROSTAT beleuchted. Das Interviewwidmet sich ausserdem dem Studium der Statistik im Wandel der Zeit - von Lochkartenbis zur Softwareumgebung R und Big Data.Wilfried Grossmann ist Professor für Statistik am Institut für Scientific Computingund Forschungsgruppenleiter der Arbeitsgruppe Data Analysis and Computing an derUniversität Wien. Er hat ca. 100 Forschungsarbeiten publiziert im Bereich ComputationalStatistics, Statistisches Datenmanagement, Angewandte Statistik, Theoretische Statistikund Operations Research. Seine aktuellen Forschungsinteressen gelten dem StatistischenDatenmanagement und Informationssystemen, Statistical Computing im Bereich der OffiziellenStatistik, Statistical Knowledge Management, Statistik in der Lehre und Informatik,analytische Methoden der Statistik and Anwendungen moderner Methoden des DataMining.
Going with the flow or against the grain? The promise of vegetation for protecting beaches, dunes, and barrier islands from erosion
Authors: Feagin Rusty A , Figlus Jens , Zinnert Julie C , Sigren Jake , Martínez Marisa L , Silva Rodolfo , Smith William K , Cox Daniel , Young Donald R , Carter Gregory
Published: May 2015

Coastlines have traditionally been engineered to maintain structural stability and to protect property from storm‐related damage, but their ability to endure will be challenged over the next century. The use of vegetation to reduce erosion on ocean‐facing mainland and barrier island shorelines – including the sand dunes and beaches on these islands – could be part of a more flexible strategy. Although there is growing enthusiasm for using vegetation for this purpose, empirical data supporting this approach are lacking. Here, we identify the potential roles of vegetation in coastal protection, including the capture of sediment, ecological succession, and the building of islands, dunes, and beaches; the development of wave‐resistant soils by increasing effective grain size and sedimentary cohesion; the ability of aboveground architecture to attenuate waves and impede through‐flow; the capability of roots to bind sediments subjected to wave action; and the alteration of coastline resiliency by plant structures and genetic traits. We conclude that ecological and engineering practices must be combined in order to develop a sustainable, realistic, and integrated coastal protection strategy.
An Evaluation of Chronic Pain Questionnaires in the Adult Population
Authors: Deshaies Kathryn , Akhtar-Danesh Noori , Kaasalainen Sharon
Published: May 2015

Background and Purpose: Considering pain’s subjectivity, measurement and its processes are indispensable to clinicians and researchers. Development and testing methods of recently published chronic pain questionnaires were analyzed to determine the state of measurement in chronic pain. Methods: There were 8 questionnaires analyzed against 28 criteria, which combined specific testing standards and commonly accepted reliability statistics. Results: Only 1 questionnaire received a rating of good method quality. The 7 remaining questionnaires received a rating of poor method quality. Conclusions: Newly developed chronic pain self-report questionnaires revealed deficiencies in construction and testing methods. It is proposed that an adapted version of the Standards of Educational and Psychological Testing serves as a useful guide for developing and testing new health questionnaires.
Geomechanical Modelling of Cyclic Steaming Induced Surface Deformation
Authors: Shen Luyi , Schmidt Douglus R. , Dokht Ramin H. , Samsonov Sergey V. , Singhroy Vern , Shipman Todd
Published: May 2015

Cyclic Steam Stimulation (CSS) can significantly change the volume of the bitumen-bearing reservoir. Uneven uplift of overburden caused by such volume change induces noticeable stress perturbation in the structure providing containment for the steam/bitumen emulsion and may lead to material yielding in subsurface structure. To study the impact and mechanism of such a phenomenon, InSAR images of surface deformation were collected between 2010 and 2011 at a CSS operation site. These interferograms were processed to 14 snapshots of surface deformation within that period of time. We observed that heave and subsidence can occur simultaneously across one operation site, as the heated steam front moves through the reservoir. A brief review of the production history of the site indicates that the surface deformation is directly related to fluid injection and extraction. In the first step of our modelling, we invert the surface deformation to assess the extent of reservoir expansion/compaction and induced subsurface deformation. Due to the highly non-uniqueness nature of the inversion results, we carefully benchmarked the mathematical and geomechanical parameters used in the inversion process. The results from the selected inversion parameters are compared with forward modeling results to increase the confidence of the inversion scheme. Subsurface deformation is modelled sequentially through Finite Element forward modelling. The computed reservoir deformation is channeled into the commercial FEM simulation software Abaqus to assess the stress and strain of the overburden. We load the deformation computed from inversion at the reservoir/overburden interface and then simulate the corresponding stress and strain alteration of the overburden. Simulation results show that uneven uplift from reservoir expansion and compaction can alter the stress state of the overburden significantly. This study shows that with proper knowledge of in-situ geomechanical characteristics, InSAR coupled with geomechanical modelling can be a useful tool to understand injection/production monitoring data and identify possible effects of CSS operations on the structural integrity of subsurface.
Surface Soil Quality Attributes following 12 Years of Conventional and Conservation Management on Irrigated Rotations in Southern Alberta
Authors: Li Lingling , Larney Francis J. , Angers Denis A. , Pearson Drusilla C. , Blackshaw Robert E.
Published: May 2015

Rapid expansion of irrigated row crop production, viz., potato (Solanum tuberosum L.), dry bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), and sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.), in southern Alberta in the late 1990s provided the impetus for a 12‐yr (2000–2011) study to evaluate cropping systems that maintained or improved soil quality. The study compared conservation (CONS) and conventional (CONV) management in rotations of 3‐ to 6‐yr duration. Conservation management included reduced tillage, cover crops, feedlot manure compost addition, and solid‐seeded narrow‐row dry bean production. After 12 yr, particulate organic matter C (POM‐C) and N (POM‐N) showed >145% increases (POM‐C, 2.2–5.8 Mg ha−1; POM‐N, 0.20–0.49 Mg ha−1) with CONS management compared with 45 to 50% increases in total organic C and N (TOC, 10.2–15.3 Mg ha−1; TN, 1.06–1.53 Mg ha−1) and 20% increases in fine organic matter (FOM)‐C and ‐N (FOM‐C, 8.3–10.1 Mg ha−1; FOM‐N, 0.87–1.04 Mg ha−1). Aggregate stability of the pre‐wet >1‐mm fraction increased significantly from 13% under CONV to 21% under CONS management. Overall, the 5‐yr CONS rotation (sugar beet–wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–dry bean–potato–wheat) ranked highest for soil quality (100%), with CONV rotations substantially lower (33–38%). Adoption of CONS management enhanced a wide range of soil quality attributes that could safeguard sustainable expansion of irrigated specialty cropping in southern Alberta.
Hysteresis in the Soil Water Retention of a Sand–Clay Mixture with Contact Angles Lower than Ninety Degrees
Authors: Lourenço S.D.N. , Jones N. , Morley C. , Doerr S.H. , Bryant R.
Published: May 2015

Soil water retention curves (SWRCs) are usually obtained on the assumption small water menisci spread in the surface of particles yielding contact angles near zero degrees. While this is true at high water contents, where pores are filled by water or a film of water covers the particles, it is less likely for drier states, where the adhesion of water menisci to the surface of the particles is controlled by the nature of the particle surface (chemistry and surface roughness) and the presence of organic matter. Here, we investigate hysteretic effects in the relation between water content and soil particle wettability versus suction for model samples following drying and wetting paths. A comparison is done for a model material (mixture of sand and clay) with and without water repellent substances, being the samples with water repellent substances in a subcritical water repellent state (contact angles <90°). Wettability was manipulated by treatment with organic acids that mimic the chemistry of natural water repellent substances. Suction was measured directly with a high suction tensiometer and wettability via contact angles by the sessile drop method. The results revealed lower water retention and greater contact angles for the subcritical water repellent samples, following both drying and wetting paths. Hysteresis was present in the relation between the contact angles and suction for the subcritical water repellent samples.
Influence of variable heat transfer coefficient of fireworks and crackers on thermal explosion critical ambient temperature and time to ignition
Authors: Guo Zerong , Xia Quan , Yan Peiyu , Du Zhiming
Published: April 2015

To study the effect of variable heat transfer coefficient of fireworks and
crackers on thermal explosion critical ambient temperature and time to
ignition, considering the heat transfer coefficient as the power function of
temperature, mathematical thermal explosion steady state and unsteady-state
model of finite cylindrical fireworks and crackers with complex shell
structures are established based on two-dimensional steady state thermal
explosion theory. The influence of variable heat transfer coefficient on
thermal explosion critical ambient temperature and time to ignition are
analyzed. When heat transfer coefficient is changing with temperature and in
the condition of natural convection heat transfer, critical ambient
temperature lessen, thermal explosion time to ignition shorten. If ambient
temperature is close to critical ambient temperature, the influence of
variable heat transfer coefficient on time to ignition become large. For
firework with inner barrel in example analysis, the critical ambient
temperature of propellant is 463.88 K and the time to ignition is 4054.9s at
466 K, 0.26 K and 450.8s less than without considering the change of heat
transfer coefficient respectively. The calculation results show that the
influence of variable heat transfer coefficient on thermal explosion time to
ignition is greater in this example. Therefore, the effect of variable heat
transfer coefficient should be considered into thermal safety evaluation of
fireworks to reduce potential safety hazard.