bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Thixotropic Hardening Behaviour of a Low Plasticity Dredged Marine Silt
Authors: Chee-Ming Chan  , Adib Syazwan Ahmad Shakri
Published: December 2014

An alternative to solve the problem of disposing dredged marine sediments (DMS) in open sea, which could lead to undesirable contamination and destruction of the marine ecosystem, is to reuse the material in reclamation works. For such applications, it is important to determine the time required for strength gain of the relocated DMS. A lab-based study was conducted to simulate and examine the post-consolidation hardening of DMS when placed as a backfill with relation to time. A separate series of tests were also carried out on the DMS being lightly solidified with cement, with the purpose of identifying potential shortening of the waiting period. The DMS sample was prepared at different water contents based on the soil's liquid limit (LL = 54.5 %), i.e. 0.90, 1.25 and 1.81LL. The undrained shear strength was measured using the laboratory vane shear (VS) test. Complementary fall cone (FC) tests were conducted for additional information on the improved remoulded strength and stiffness of the DMS. The results showed that the strength and stiffness (cone penetration resistance) of the relocated DMS could effectively improve with time, though the rest period required is shorter for a sample with lower initial water content. On the other and, light cementation shortened the rest period, and significantly improved the strength and stiffness at dosages as low as 5 % (as per dry weight of the soil). Overall the study gave an overview of the reusability of DMS as a backfill material in reclamation works, whether with or without lightly induced solidification, depending mainly on the limitations of rest period available.
Spatial Variation of Textural Parameters in a Small River: An Example from Khurar River, Khajuraho, Chhaterpur District, Madhya Pradesh, India
Authors: S. Kanhaiya  , B.P. Singh
Published: December 2014

Texture (grain size) is one of the many parameters, which is used in determining depositional environments of sediments and sedimentary rocks. In the present investigation, texture was analysed from sixteen stations in the Khurar River, Madhya Pradesh, India. Here, grain size analysis was carried out employing mechanical sieving method using a sonic shaker. Frequency and cumulative frequency curves were prepared from the grain size data on centimetre and arithmetic probability papers, respectively. The phi values were determined and used to calculate the statistical parameters such as mean, standard deviation, skewness and kurtosis. It is found that the mean size value varies from-0.63to 0.80 with a graphic mean distribution ranging from -0.27 to 0.40 ϕ, indicating that the size of the river sand is very coarse to coarse-grained. The standard deviation (sorting) shows a range of 0 .69 to 1.65 ϕ. The skewness values of the sediment samples range from 0.19 to 0.29 ϕ, thus, indicating the presence of fine fraction to near-symmetrical fraction in the population. The kurtosis varies between 1.03 and 1.09 ϕ, indicating that 25% of the samples are leptokurtic, 6.25% are very leptokurtic, 50% are mesokurtic and 12.5% are platykurtic. The platykurtic nature in few cases suggests mixing of sediments from two sources. Bivariate plots prepared combining various textural parameters were used to interpret their behaviour in the river sediments. C-M plot was also prepared to understand the dominant mode of sediments transportation in the Khurar River. In this river, all the sediments are dominantly characterized by the rolling process of transportation. This study reveals that sorting varies from poorly sorted to moderately well sorted in the course of the river may be because of dominance of winnowing and selective sorting in the lower reaches of the river.
Penecontemporaneous Deformational Structures in the Glauconitic Sandstone, Semri Group (Vindhyan Supergroup), Sonbhadra District, Uttar Pradesh, India and their Structural Analysis
Authors: C.K. Singh  , K. Mohan  , B.P. Singh
Published: December 2014

The Glauconitic sandstone is well exposed in the Newari area of Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh, India. Conjugate pairs of kink bands are confined within the laminated sandstone and are present half km west of Newari near the confluence of a tributary with the Son river. The conjugate kink bands are plunging at 130 and 360 in SE (S580E) and NE (N560E). This shows that ephemeral compressional stress regime was responsible for the development of conjugate set of kink bands. The stress axis would have been oriented from NE-SW direction. A major fault F1 passes through the glauconitic sandstone in the west of the Newari village. This fault is a reverse fault and strikes at N25ºW - S25ºE. Another fault F2 oblique to F1 passes in the direction N70ºE-S70ºW. In view of the fact that the kink bands are confined within the laminated sandstone, it is inferred that they have been formed as a result of penecontemporaneous deformation and suggest seismic activities that might have occurred around 1080±40 Ma ago as a result of activation of the faults present in the Newari area of the Sonbhadra district, Uttar Pradesh, India those may be companion faults of the Son-Narmada Fault system.
Nuclear Systems for Hydrogen Production: State of Art and Perspectives in Transport Sector
Authors: Lorenzo Castagnola  , Guglielmo Lomonaco  , Riccardo Marotta
Published: December 2014

A technologically feasible transition towards a realistic and sustainable hydrogen economy (i.e. on large scale and without carbon dioxide emissions) could be made through the use of nuclear energy. In fact, nowadays hydrogen production methods without the employment of fossil fuel represent only a low share of the total production; but the use on large scale of hydrogen produced by â€œcarbon-basedâ€ sources is neither environmentally nor economically meaningful.In the present paper, besides a deep evaluation of the state of art of hydrogen production methods via nuclear source, it has been proposed an energy scenario analysis (based on the hydrogen produced by the thermo-chemical Iodine-Sulfur process fed by High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) included in a symbiotic nuclear fuel cycle), focused on the China region, that would meet the sustainability criteria in both the energy and environmental domains for transport sector.
Computation of Ancillary Service Requirement Assessment Indices for Load Frequency Control in a Restructured Power System using SMES Unit and SCES Unit
Authors: I.A. Chidambaramand  , N.D. Sridhar
Published: December 2014

To ensure a quality power supply the power system should not only match the total generation with total load and the associated system losses but also should emphasis better Ancillary Services. Even small disturbances to the power system can result in wide deviation in system frequency and quick restoration process are of prime importance not only based on the time of restoration and also should ensure stability limits. This paper proposes various design procedures for computing Power System Ancillary Service Requirement Assessment Indices (PSASRAI) for a Two-Area Thermal Reheat Interconnected Power System (TATRIPS) in a restructured environment. As simple conventional Proportional plus Integral (PI) controllers are still popular in power industry for frequency regulation as in case of any change in system operating conditions new gain values can be computed easily even for multi-area power systems, this paper focus on the computation of various PSASRAI for Two Area Thermal Reheat Interconnected Power System in restructured environment based on the settling time and peak undershoot concepts of control input deviations of each area. Energy storage is an attractive option to augment demand side management implementation, so storage devices like Super Capacitor Energy Storage (SCES) and Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) unit can be efficiently utilized to meet the peak demand. So the design of the Proportional plus Integral (PI) controller gains for the restructured power system without and with the storage units are carried out using Bacterial Foraging Optimization (BFO) algorithm. These controllers are implemented to achieve a faster restoration time in the output responses of the system when the system experiences with various step load perturbations. In this paper the PSASRAI are calculated for different types of possible transactions and the necessary remedial measures to be adopted are also suggested. If PSARAI based on settling time lies between 1 to 1.5 and if PSARAI based on peak undershoot is less than 0.2 distributed generation has to be incorporated and if the limit exceeds then the system becomes vulnerable and may result to black outs.
Analytical and Comparative Study of a Mini Solar-Powered Cogeneration Unit Based on Organic Rankine cycle for Low-Temperature Applications
Authors: Muhsen Habka  , Salman Ajib
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we analyze characteristics of a small Combined Heat and Power (CHP) system based mainly on Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) and heating plant in actual series connection regarding the low-temperature heat carrier heated by purely solar flat collector field. Simultaneously and for specific power production, comparison of this layout with stand-alone ORC, and with the traditional ORC-CHP imposing gain of condenser heat for heating aims, in second step, has been conducted. For evaluation, energetic and design criteria have been determined opposite the heating effects and also temperatures of the heat source and sink. The simulations addressed interesting optimization ratios till 24 % for the power unit throughout this series CHP utility versus single power generation at the same conditions tested. Moreover, the high heat source temperatures and CHP ratios improve the performance of the overall series plant, while the high supply and return temperatures have negative effects. Finally, the ORC-CHP scheme handled here highlights distinctive exploitation aspects and more suitability in wide range of application in comparison to yielding the high-temperature condensation heat of ORC, especially at low ambient temperatures, high supply and heat source temperatures. So, it can be advised to be adopted instead of the two other strategies.
A Comparison of ree Chromogranin A Assays in Patients with Neuroendocrine Tumours
Authors: Hoej Lise Brehm , Parkner Tina , Knudsen Cindy Soendersoe , Grønbaek Henning
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims: Chromogranin A (CgA) is the most important general tumour marker used in the diagnosis and follow-up of patients with neuroendocrine tumours (NET). Chromogranin A assays may have different sensitivities, which is of importance for the clinical diagnosis and handling of NET patients. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical sensitivities of three different CgA assays in NET patients.Methods: We measured CgA level in 42 NET patients (male/female: 23/19, median age: 63 years, range 29- 85 years). Twenty-five patients had liver metastases, eight had local disease, and nine were disease free after surgery. We studied an in-house RIA: RH RIA assay (Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark); NEOLISATM (Euro Diagnostica, Malmö, Sweden) and EURIA CgA RIA (Euro Diagnostica, Malmö, Sweden).Results: The RH RIA assay showed a clinical sensitivity of 97%, while the NEOLISA and EURIA assays both showed similar clinical sensitivities of 79%. Patients with liver metastases had significantly higher CgA levels compared to disease free patients by all three assays (P<0.001), but only the RH RIA assay was able to discriminate between patients with liver metastases and with regional disease (P<0.01).Conclusion: Chromogranin A measurements are significantly assay-dependent and caution should be applied in the interpretation of CgA measurement for assessment of NET status. The in-house RH RIA assay was better at predicting NET status than the NEOLISA and EURIA assays.List of abbreviations: CgA: chromogranin A; EURIA: Eurodiagnostica, radioimmunoassay; GFR: glomerular filtration rate; NEOLISA: Eurodiagnostica, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; NET: neuroendocrine tumour; PET-CT: positron emission tomography; PPI: proton pump inhibitor; RH RIA: Rigshospitalet, radioimmunoassay ; SPECT-CT: single photon emission computed tomography.
Acute Colonic Diverticulitis: Diagnostic Evidence, Demographic and Clinical Features in ree Practice Settings
Authors: Iyer Rajan , Longstreth George F. , Chu Li-Hao , Chen Wansu , Yen Linnette , Hodgkins Paul , Kawatkar Aniket A.
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims: Diverticulitis is often diagnosed in outpatients, yet little evidence exists on diagnostic evidence and demographic/clinical features in various practice settings. We assessed variation in clinical characteristics and diagnostic evidence in inpatients, outpatients, and emergency department cases and effects of demographic and clinical variables on presentation features.Methods: In a retrospective cohort study of 1749 patients in an integrated health care system, we compared presenting features and computed tomography findings by practice setting and assessed independent effects of demographic and clinical factors on presenting features.Results: Inpatients were older and more often underweight/normal weight and lacked a diverticulitis past history and had more comorbidities than other patients. Outpatients were most often Hispanic/Latino. The classical triad (abdominal pain, fever, leukocytosis) occurred in 78 (38.6%) inpatients, 29 (5.2%) outpatients and 34 (10.7%) emergency department cases. Computed tomography was performed on 196 (94.4%) inpatients, 110 (9.2%) outpatients and 296 (87.6%) emergency department cases and was diagnostic in 153 (78.6%) inpatients, 62 (56.4%) outpatients and 243 (82.1%) emergency department cases. Multiple variables affected presenting features. Notably, female sex had lower odds for the presence of the triad features (odds ratio [95% CI], 0.65 [0.45-0.94], P<0.05) and increased odds of vomiting (1.78 [1.26-2.53], P<0.01). Patients in age group 56 to 65 and 66 or older had decreased odds of fever (0.67 [0.46-0.98], P<0.05) and 0.46 [0.26-0.81], P<0.01), respectively, while ≥1 co-morbidity increased the odds of observing the triad (1.88 [1.26-2.81], P<0.01).Conclusion: There was little objective evidence for physician-diagnosed diverticulitis in most outpatients. Demographic and clinical characteristics vary among settings and independently affect presenting features.Abbreviations: AD: acute colonic diverticulitis; BMI: body mass index; CT: computed tomography; ED: emergency department; IBS: irritable bowel syndrome; ICD-9-CM: International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical Modification; IP: inpatient; KPSC: Kaiser Permanente Southern California; OP: outpatient.
Disappearance of an Advanced Adenomatous Colon Polyp aer Intratumoural Injection with Viscum album (European mistletoe) Extract: a Case Report
Authors: Von Schoen-Angerer Tido , Goyert Andreas , Vagedes Jan , Kiene Helmut , Merckens Harald , Kienle Gunver S.
Published: December 2014

Background & Aim: Extracts of Viscum album (European mistletoe) have immune-stimulatory and cytotoxic effects, with trials showing a well-established effect on the quality of life and prolonged survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. Regression of tumours following intratumoural injection with Viscum album extract has been documented in individual cases. However, its influence on colon polyps has not been investigated.Case presentation: We present the case of a 78-year-old Caucasian male who had undergone hemi-colectomy for a stage IIIC colon cancer but who refused adjuvant chemotherapy. Five years later a newly detected highgrade dysplasia colon adenoma was discovered; however, the adenoma could not be resected endoscopically and the patient did not consent to surgery. Intratumoural injections with Viscum album L extract (Quercus; Iscador®Qu) were administered twice in an attempt to limit tumour growth. Eight months after the second intratumoural injection the adenoma had disappeared and biopsy revealed no intraepithelial dysplasia or adenoma.Conclusions: This is the first report showing complete regression of a colon adenoma after intratumoural injection with Viscum album extract. Prospective studies should evaluate if the treatment effect is reproducible and if this approach could be a useful pre-operative measure for colon adenomas too large for endoscopic resection.
Non-invasive Biomarkers in Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitisinduced Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Voiculescu Mihai , Nanau Radu M. , Neuman Manuela G.
Published: December 2014

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is by far the most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting adults as well as children. Under the term of NAFLD there is a wide spectrum of diseases ranging from simple steatosis to the non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which can progress to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Several mechanisms have been described to influence the progression of the disease from the benign NAFL to the aggressive NASH. The imbalance between pro- and anti-oxidant mechanisms and between pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines is thought to play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NAFLD and disease progression toward NASH and fibrosis. The present review intends to look at some of the mechanistic biomarkers to be employed in establishing an early diagnosis in HCC derived from NASH.Abbreviations: ANGPT: angiopoietin-2; AFP: α-fetoprotein; ALT: alanine aminotransferase; AST: aspartate aminotransferase; CI: confidence interval; COL: collagen; DCP: des-carboxyprothrombin; γGT: gamma glutamyl transpeptidase; HBV: hepatitis B virus; HCC: hepatocellular carcinoma; HCV: hepatitis C virus; HR: hazard ratio; ITG: integrin; LAM: laminin collagen genes; MMP: matrix metalloproteinase; MS: metabolic syndrome; NAFLD: non-alcoholic fatty liver disease; NASH: non-alcoholic steatohepatitis; PDGFRA: platelet derived growth factor receptor-α
Clinical Usefulness of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine Needle Aspiration for Gastric Subepithelial Lesions Smaller than 2 cm
Authors: Akahoshi Kazuya , Oya Masafumi , Koga Tadashi , Koga Hidenobu , Motomura Yasuaki , Kubokawa Masaru , Gibo Jyuya , Nakamura Kazuhiko
Published: December 2014

Background & Aims: There is no evidence of postoperative metastasis of gastric gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) smaller than 2 cm. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical usefulness of endoscopic ultrasound guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for gastric subepithelial lesions (SELs) smaller than 2 cm.Patients and methods: Using a prospectively maintained EUS-FNA database, 90 consecutive EUS-FNAs of gastric hypoechoic solid SELs smaller than 2 cm diagnosed by EUS were evaluated retrospectively. The reference standards for the final diagnosis were surgery (n=44) and/or clinical follow-up (n=46) using esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), CT, and/or ultrasonography (US). Additionally, immunophenotyping of specimens obtained by EUS-FNA and surgical resection specimens were compared.Results: The diagnostic rate of EUS-FNA for gastric hypoechoic solid SELs smaller than 2 cm was 73% (66/90). Histological diagnosis of EUS-FNA showed 47 (52%) malignant SELs (44 GISTs, 1 glomus tumor, 1 SEL like cancer, and 1 malignant lymphoma), 19 (21%) benign SELs (14 leiomyomas, 4 ectopic pancreas, and 1 neurinoma), and 24 (27%) indeterminate SELs. In 44 surgically resected cases, the diagnostic accuracy of EUS-FNA using immunohistochemical analysis was 98% (43/44). There were no complications. Appropriate 5 out of 66 SELs (98%) diagnosed by definitive EUS-FNA. After surgery, there was no recurrence of malignant SELs.Conclusions: EUS-FNA is an accurate and safe method in the pre-therapeutic diagnosis of gastric SELs smaller than 2 cm. EUS-FNA for gastric SELs smaller than 2 cm is a promising way to permit early management of patients with gastric SELs including GIST.Abbreviations: EGD: esophagogastroduodenoscopy; EUS: endoscopic ultrasonography; EUS-FNA:endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration; GIST: gastrointestinal stromal tumor; HPF: high power field; SEL: subepithelial lesion; SMT: submucosal tumor.
Audiovisualización del papel. Usos del código QR para innovar en la industria periodística impresa
Authors: Meneses Fernández María Dolores , Martín Gutiérrez Jorge , Álvarez Martín Esther
Published: December 2014

El código de respuesta rápida QR es una tecnología reciente en proceso de desarrollo y aplicación continua. Su carácter novedoso excusa el aún insuficiente conocimiento y aprovechamiento por el periodismo impreso, frente a su normalización en publicidad y marketing, dos sectores de la comunicación social en los que calan antes las tecnologías de visualización emergentes. La fase de expansión periodística del QR, en la que se encuentra ahora, comienza a ofrecer ejemplos de uso innovador para la industria editorial, los profesionales del periodismo en papel y los lectores. Esta investigación se justifica por el potencial info-comunicativo que brinda este sistema de visualización a un sector en crisis: el periodismo impreso. Los autores exponen los beneficios derivados de las sinergias entre el papel y lo audiovisual, gracias a las tecnologías de la información y la comunicación, más acordes con la misión de garantizar el derecho a la información, frente a los malos augurios que se le presuponen a la prensa. Para ello se basan en el estudio de casos, ejemplificados con cabeceras de referencia internacional, nacional y local. También es objetivo de este artículo contribuir a mitigar la escasa bibliografía académica y profesional sobre la aplicación de las tecnologías de visualización emergentes en el periodismo impreso, en concreto del código QR.
Entrepreneurship and Decision- Making in Latin America
Authors: Merigó José M. , Peris-Ortiz Marta
Published: December 2014

The principal purpose of this paper is to analyze different methods for decision making, with a focus on entrepreneurship in Latin America. Decision-making methods may be informed by aggregation operators that are based on the use of probabilities, weighted averages (WAs) and generalized aggregation operators. The paper presents a new generalized probabilistic weighted averaging (GPWA) operator that unifies WAs and probability in the same formulation, considering the degree of importance of each concept used in the analysis. The fundamental advantage of this approach is that it includes a wide range of particular cases including the probabilistic weighted averaging (PWA) operator, the probabilistic weighted geometric averaging (PWGA) operator and the probabilistic weighted quadratic averaging (PWQA) operator. Quasi-arithmetic means are used to obtain the Quasi-PWA operator and to generalize the approach, which is then applied to a set of hypothetical entrepreneurial investment decisions in a politically unified Latin American region.
Culture and Entrepreneurship: The Case of Latin America
Authors: Fernández-Serrano José , Liñán Francisco
Published: December 2014

The aim of this paper is to contribute to an increased knowledge of the cultural values and the entrepreneurial activity that are present in countries with different levels of development. Within the group of developing countries, we focus our analysis on the case of Latin America.The study uses data from the Schwartz value survey (svs) to measure cultural values, and Global entrepreneurship monitor (Gem) for information regarding entrepreneurship. The results show that cultural variables, together with the rate of entrepreneurial activity, clearly distinguish developing countries from developed ones. Higher entrepreneurial activity is found in countries with lower levels of development; however, the cultural value dimensions of autonomy and egalitarianism are associated with higher development levels. In the specific case of Latin America, the results reveal the existence of two groups of countries. Firstly, Bolivia, Peru and Venezuela have higher rates of entrepreneurship and, at the same time, a greater prevalence of some cultural values (notably embeddedness, but also Hierarchy). In contrast, another group of countries in the region—Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica and Mexico—is characterized by the presence of opposing cultural values (autonomy and egalitarianism), more in line with those corresponding to developed countries.The paper concludes with a discussion of the results, including some interesting implications, from both academic and policy perspectives. In the case of Latin America, a certain combination of cultural values (embeddedness and egalitarianism) may be leading to higher start-up rates. Thus, promoting these values could contribute to entrepreneurship and economic development.
Influência da densidade do solo no desenvolvimento inicial do pinhão-manso cultivado em Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico
Authors: Ohland Tatiane , Lana Maria do Carmo , Frandoloso Jucenei Fernando , Rampim Leandro , Bergmann Jaqueline Regina , Cabreira Danielle Tesche
Published: December 2014

Este trabalho teve por objetivo avaliar a influência da densidade do solo no desenvolvimento inicial da cultura do pinhão-manso. O experimento foi realizado em vasos de 10,6 dm³, em casa de vegetação. O solo utilizado foi o Latossolo Vermelho eutroférrico de textura argilosa, coletado em Marechal Cândido Rondon - PR. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, composto por cinco níveis de densidade do solo (1,08; 1,22; 1,36; 1,50 e 1,64 kg dm-3), com quatro repetições. Após 120 dias da emergência das plantas, foram efetuadas as avaliações biométricas e as relativas ao do tecido vegetal. Houve redução de 25% da altura das plantas, na densidade de 1,64 kg dm-3, quando,comparada com a da densidade de 1,08 kg dm-3. Para o comprimento radicular, a redução foi de aproximadamente 24 , 35 , 54 e 66 % para as densidades de 1,22; 1,36; 1,50 e 1,64 kg dm-3 respectivamente, quando comparadas com o da densidade de 1,08 kg dm-3. A limitação do desenvolvimento da parte aérea ocorreu a partir da densidade estimada de 1,26 kg dm-3, com redução do número de folhas, da área foliar e da produção de matéria seca da parte aérea. O desenvolvimento do sistema radicular e o conteúdo de P e K nas plantas de pinhão-manso reduziram-se linearmente com o aumento da densidade do solo.
Biomassa seca acumulada, partições e rendimento industrial da cana-de-açúcar irrigada no Semiárido brasileiro
Authors: Silva Thieres George Freire da , Moura Magna Soelma Beserra de , Zolnier Sérgio , Souza Luciana Sandra Bastos de
Published: December 2014

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, determinar parâmetros de crescimento e de rendimento da cana-de-açúcar cv. RB92579, sob regime de irrigação, no Semiárido brasileiro, visando a avaliar o desempenho desta cultura nas condições edafoclimáticas locais. Foram avaliados o acúmulo de biomassa seca e as suas respectivas partições, durante dois ciclos consecutivos de cana-de-açúcar (soca e ressoca), além dos indicadores de rendimento e de qualidade da cultura ao final do período experimental. Em ambos os ciclos, foram realizadas dez coletas de amostras para se determinar a biomassa seca de seis componentes estruturais dos perfilhos (folhas verdes, bainhas, parte emergente, pseudocolmos, folhas e bainhas mortas e colmo). A cana-de-açúcar apresentou elevado acúmulo de biomassa seca da parte aérea da planta, com valor médio de 6.493 g m-2 para os dois ciclos de cultivo. No início do seu crescimento, os fotoassimilados foram destinados prioritariamente às folhas verdes, bainhas, parte emergente e pseudocolmos. Em fase posterior de crescimento, os fotoassimilados passaram a ser utilizados na formação dos colmos. Os resultados obtidos foram muito semelhantes para os ciclos de soca e ressoca. Os modelos ajustados para descrever a evolução da biomassa seca e de suas respectivas partições apresentaram ajustes satisfatórios, em função dos dias após o corte. O elevado rendimento industrial (133,88 ± 40,84 t ha-1) e a alta concentração de sacarose por biomassa seca (0,34 ± 0,10 g g-1) proporcionaram valores elevados de produção de açúcar (17,75 ± 4,44 t ha-1) e de álcool (12,73 ± 3,23 t ha-1), indicando alto desempenho produtivo da RB92579 para a região.
Hydraulic conductivity in response to exchangeable sodium percentage and solution salt concentration
Authors: Paes Jefferson Luiz de Aguiar , Ruiz Hugo Alberto , Fernandes Raphael Bragança Alves , Freire Maria Betânia Galvão dos Santos , Barros Maria de Fatima Cavalcanti , Rocha Genelício Crusóe
Published: December 2014

Hydraulic conductivity is determined in laboratory assays to estimate the flow of water in saturated soils. However, the results of this analysis, when using distilled or deionized water, may not correspond to field conditions in soils with high concentrations of soluble salts. This study therefore set out to determine the hydraulic conductivity in laboratory conditions using solutions of different electrical conductivities in six soils representative of the State of Pernambuco, with the exchangeable sodium percentage adjusted in the range of 5-30%. The results showed an increase in hydraulic conductivity with both decreasing exchangeable sodium percentage and increasing electrical conductivity in the solution. The response to the treatments was more pronounced in soils with higher proportion of more active clays. Determination of hydraulic conductivity in laboratory is routinely performed with deionized or distilled water. However, in salt affected soils, these determinations should be carried out using solutions of electrical conductivity different from 0 dS m-1, with values close to those determined in the saturation extracts.
Phytomass production and nutrient accumulation by green manure species
Authors: Mangaravite José Carlos Soares , Passos Renato Ribeiro , Andrade Felipe Vaz , Burak Diego Lang , Mendonça Eduardo de Sá
Published: December 2014

Green manuring is recognized as a viable alternative to improve nutrient cycling in soils. The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytomass production and nutrient accumulation in shoots of the summer green manures jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) DC.], dwarf pigeon pea (Cajanus cajanvar var. Flavus DC.), dwarf mucuna [Mucuna deeringiana (Bort) Merr] and sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.), under nitrogen fertilization and/or inoculation with N-fixing bacteria. A split plot design was arranged with the four Fabaceae species as main plots and nitrogen fertilization (with and without) and inoculation with diazotrophic bacteria (with and without) as the subplots, in a 2² factorial. The experiment was arranged as a randomized complete block design with four replications. In the conditions of this trial, the sunn hemp had the highest production of shoot phytomass (12.4 Mg ha-1) and nutrient accumulation, while the dwarf mucuna had the lowest production of shoot phytomass (3.9 Mg ha-1) and nutrient accumulation. The results showed no effect of nitrogen fertilization or inoculation with N-fixing bacteria on the production of shoot phytomass and nutrient accumulation, except for inoculation without nitrogen fertilization, resulting in greater P accumulation (p <0.05) in the sunn hemp and greater Zn and Mn accumulation in the dwarf mucuna. These findings indicate that N fertilization or inoculation with N2-fixing bacteria for Fabaceae are low efficiency practices in the edaphoclimatic conditions of this study.
Solubilization of diabase and phonolite dust by filamentous fungus
Authors: Brandão Juliana Andréia Vrba , Lopes-Assad Maria Leonor Ribeiro Casimiro , Ceccato-Antonini Sandra Regina
Published: December 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the fungus Aspergillus niger strain CCT4355 in the release of nutrients contained in two types of rock powder (diabase and phonolite) by means of in vitro solubilization trials. The experimental design was completely randomized in a 5 x 4 factorial design with three replications. It was evaluated five treatments (phonolite dust + culture medium; phonolite dust + fungus + culture medium; diabase powder + culture medium; diabase powder + fungus + culture medium and fungus + culture medium) and four sampling dates (0, 10, 20 and 30 days). Rock dust (0.4% w/v) was added to 125 mL Erlenmeyer flasks containing 50 mL of liquid culture medium adapted to A. niger. The flasks were incubated at 30°C for 30 days, and analysis of pH (in water), titratable acidity, and concentrations of soluble potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and manganese were made. The fungus A. niger was able to produce organic acids that solubilized ions. This result indicates its potential to alter minerals contained in rock dust, with the ability to interact in different ways with the nutrients. A significant increase in the amount of K was found in the treatment with phonolite dust in the presence of the fungus. The strain CCT4355 of A. niger can solubilize minerals contained in these rocks dust.
Caracterização de frutos, sementes, plântulas e germinação de Jeniparana
Authors: Silva Rejane Maria da , Ribeiro Rayane de Tasso Moreira , Coutinho Diógenes José Gusmão , Silva Suzene Izídio da , Gallão Maria Izabel
Published: December 2014

Gustavia augusta L., conhecida popularmente como jeniparana, é uma espécie arbórea neotropical, que ocorre nas florestas Atlântica e Amazônica. Considerando-se a abundância dessa espécie na floresta Atlântica e a fragilidade e fragmentação desse ecossistema, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, caracterizar seus frutos, sementes, germinação e plântulas, acrescentando informações para subsidiar estudos sobre sua conservação e utilização. Os frutos maduros foram coletados em fragmentos de floresta Atlântica, no município de Paulista, PE. Em seguida, foram realizadas análises morfológicas e biométricas dos frutos, sementes e plântulas da espécie. O fruto de G. augusta é um pixídio globoso, anfissarcídio, pentalocular, indeiscente. A semente é exalbuminosa, estenospérmica, trisseriada, bitegumentada e a massa de cem sementes desse lote foi de 47,95 g. A germinação da espécie é do tipo hipógea, com o tegumento aderido aos cotilédones na fase inicial do crescimento da plântula, que tem início a partir do quinto dia após a semeadura, em condições de laboratório. O tempo médio e o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) foram de 14 dias e 0,87, respectivamente. A plântula com 40 dias apresenta todas as estruturas, sendo classificada no tipo morfofuncional fanerohipógeo-armazenador (PHR).
Atenolol prevents the formation of expansive hematoma after rhytidoplasty
Authors: Moreira Amanda Castilho , Moreira Marcio , Gurgel Sanderland José Tavares , Moreira Yasmin Castilho , Martins Eguimar Roberto , Hartmann Raphael Chalbaud Biscaia , Fagundes Djalma José
Published: December 2014

Objective: To evaluate the perioperative use of atenolol in reducing the incidence of hematoma after rhytidoplasty.Methods: Between January 2007 and February 2013, 80 patients were randomized into two groups: Group A (n = 26) received perioperative atenolol in order to maintain heart rate (PR) around 60 per minute; Group B (n = 54) did not receive atenolol. Both groups underwent the same anesthetic and surgical technique. We monitored blood pressure (BP), HR, hematoma formation and the need for drainage. Patients were followed-up until the 90th postoperative day. The variables were compared between the groups using the ANOVA test. Continuous variables were presented as mean ± standard deviation and the differences were compared with the Student's t test. Values of p d" 0.05 were considered significant.Results: In group A the mean BP (110-70mmHg ± 7.07) and HR (64 / min ± 5) were lower (p d" 0.05) than in group B (135-90mmHg ± 10.6) and (76 / min ± 7.5), respectively. There were four cases of expansive hematoma in group B, all requiring reoperation for drainage, and none in group A (p d" 0,001).Conclusion: The perioperative use of atenolol caused a decrease in blood pressure and heart rate and decreased the incidence of expanding hematoma after rhytidectomy.
Evolution in the profile of thyroid cancer cases treated in an oncology reference service: what changed in the last 20 years
Authors: Lira Renan Bezerra , Carvalho Genival Barbosa de , Gonçalves Filho João , Kowalski Luiz Paulo
Published: December 2014

Objective: To evaluate the characteristics of thyroid carcinoma cases treated at a reference hospital for cancer between 2008 and 2010.Methods: we studied 807 cases and analyzed the following clinicopathologic variables: symptoms, risk factors, diagnostic tests, staging, histological type, treatment performed and complications.Results: Females were more affected, with 660 cases (82%). The average age at diagnosis was 44.5 years. Prior exposure to ionizing radiation was reported by 22 (3%) patients, a family history of thyroid cancer by 89 (11%), and 289 (36%) individuals reported other types of cancer in the family. The fine needle aspiration biopsy was the main parameter for surgical indication and was suggestive of carcinoma in 463 patients (57%). Papillary carcinoma was the most common histological type, with 780 cases (96.6%). There were 728 (90%) total thyroidectomies, 43 (5.3%) reoperations or partial thyroidectomies followed by totalization, 23 (2.8%) extended thyroidectomies and only 13 (1.6%) partial thyroidectomies (lobectomy with isthmectomy). Neck dissection associated with thyroidectomy was done in 158 patients (19.5%). We observed a predominance of tumors classified as T1 in 602 (74.6%) patients. Transient hypocalcemia was the most frequent complication.Conclusion: The results show that the worldwide increase in the incidence of thyroid cancer has changed the profile of patients seen at a referral service. In addition, there were changes in the type of surgical treatment used, with increased use of total thyroidectomy in relation to partial and subtotal ones, and decreased use of elective neck dissections.
Correlation between the Alvarado Scale and the macroscopic aspect of the appendix in patients with appendicitis
Authors: Sousa-Rodrigues Célio Fernando de , Rocha Amauri Clemente da , Rodrigues Amanda Karine Barros , Barbosa Fabiano Timbó , Ramos Fernando Wagner da Silva , Valões Sérgio Henrique Chagas
Published: December 2014

Objective: To evaluate the possible association between the scale of Alvarado (EA) and macroscopic appearance (MA) of the appendix in patients with acute appendicitis.Methods: after receiving the diagnosis of acute appendicitis, EA data were collected. During appendectomy, MA data were collected. Data from patients without appendicitis were excluded. The Spearman correlation test was used to compare EA with Appendix MA (p < 0.05). Other variables were represented by simple frequency. The confidence interval (CI) of 95% was calculated for the correlation test.Results: Data were collected from 67 consecutive patients. The mean age was 37.1 ± 12.5 years and 77.6% of patients were male. The Spearman correlation test used for EA and MA was + 0.77 (95% CI 0.65-0.85, p < 0.0001).Conclusion: although correlation was not perfect, our data indicate that a high score on the scale of Alvarado in patients with appendicitis is correlated with advanced stages of the inflammatory process of acute appendicitis.
The effects of supraphysiological supplementation of b-carotene in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR and SHR-sp)
Authors: Fiorelli Stênio Karlos Alvim , Vianna Lúcia Marques , Oliveira Carlos Alberto Basílio de , Fiorelli Rossano Kepler Alvim , Barros Bernardo Cunha Senra , Almeida Camila Rodrigues de
Published: December 2014

Objective: to investigate the effect of administration of supraphysiological âcaroteno on biological parameters (ectoscopy and blood pressure), laboratory (malondialdehyde) and histological (liver and carotid arteries) of spontaneously hypertensive rats prone to stroke (SHR-sp).Methods: we used 36 male rats were divided into three groups, each containing 12 rats Wistar, SHR and SHR-sp, subdivided into six control animals and six animals treated with supraphysiological doses of âcaroteno for two periods of ten weeks interspersed with one week interruption. In the experiment were assessed daily physical examination and blood pressure (plethysmography). At sacrifice, blood was collected for measurement of serum malondialdehyde, liver and carotid arteries for histological examination.Results: temporary change in color of the fur, decreased significantly (p<0.0001) blood pressure (20mg supplementation âcaroteno) and serum levels of malondialdehyde (p<0.05) and increased amount of elastic fibers in the carotid wall of SHR and SHR-sp.Conclusion: supplementation of supraphysiological âcaroteno caused no toxic effects, showed positive response in the modulation of blood pressure and lower serum malondialdehyde. No significant morphological changes were found in both groups, except an increase in the number of elastic fibers in the muscle layer carotid suggesting elastosis in SHR and SHR-sp.
The principle of autonomy in Brazil: one needs to discuss it ...
Authors: Ugarte Odile Nogueira , Acioly Marcus André
Published: December 2014

The principle of patient autonomy is a cornerstone of bioethics. According to this concept, patients should be given the power to make decisions related to their treatment. It is an important component of modern medical ethics, which has received much interest in current literature. However, the rate of participation of patients and their willingness to participate are variable according to the cultural, social and family environments in which they are inserted. The aim of this paper is to promote a brief descriptive review on autonomy, the preferences of patients and the use of informed consent as an instrument for the exercise of autonomy in literature, and to stress the lack of debate, as well as the pressing need for discussion of these current issues nationwide.
Quality of aged shoulder from lambs fed with different oldman saltbush hay levels (Atriplex nummularia)
Authors: Alvarenga Tharcilla Isabella Rodrigues Costa , Borba Hirasilva , Moreno Greicy Mitzi Bezerra , Araújo Gherman Garcia Leal de , Mello Juliana Lolli Malagoli de , Dourado Rita de Cássia , Barbosa José Carlos , Souza Pedro Alves de
Published: December 2014

This study assessed the effects of different levels of oldman saltbush hay and ageing time on the physical characteristics of Santa Inês lamb meat. Sixty shoulders from 32 male lambs fed with 30, 40, 50 or 60% oldman saltbush hay for 60 days were vacuum-packaged and stored in a refrigerator at 0 ± 1°C for 0, 7 or 14 days of ageing. The shear force, cooking loss and water holding capacity were 3.06kgf cm-2, 37.28% and 76.71%, respectively, and there were no significant changed by studied factors (P>0.05)
Produção e qualidade de frutos de mirtileiros sob diferentes intensidades de poda
Authors: Souza André Luiz Külkamp de , Pereira Robson Rodrigues , Camargo Samila Silva , Fisher Doralice Lobato de Oliveira , Schuch Márcia Wulff , Pasa Mateus da Silveira , Schmitz Juliano Dutra
Published: December 2014

O sistema de poda do mirtileiro (Vaccinium ashei Read) utilizado no país se fundamenta em estudos realizados em locais com condições edafoclimáticas distintas da nossa realidade. Assim, foram avaliadas diferentes intensidades de poda de frutificação em dois genótipos de mirtileiro, e seus efeitos na produção e na qualidade dos frutos. O experimento foi conduzido em pomar comercial, localizado em Pelotas-RS. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos casualizados completos, em esquema fatorial (2x4), com quatro repetições. Plantas de sete anos de idade, do grupo Rabbiteye, cultivares 'Briteblue' e 'Woodard', foram submetidas às intensidades de poda leve, moderada, drástica e sem poda (testemunha) nos anos de 2010 e 2011, no período de repouso hibernal (primeira quinzena de agosto). Foram avaliadas a produção média por planta, sendo estimada a produtividade por área, peso fresco, diâmetro, teor de sólidos solúveis, pH e acidez titulável dos frutos. De acordo com os resultados, a intensidade de poda tem efeito sobre a antecipação da colheita. Com a decorrência de uma maior intensidade de poda, houve uma tendência de aumento do tamanho dos frutos. Para mirtileiros Briteblue, há decréscimo de produtividade, conforme se aumenta a intensidade de poda. Mirtileiros Briteblue são mais produtivos e apresentam maior matéria fresca de fruto do que Woodard.
Caracterização da madeira de quatro espécies florestais
Authors: Motta Javan Pereira , Oliveira José Tarcísio da Silva , Braz Rafael Leite , Duarte Ana Paula Coelho , Alves Rejane Costa
Published: December 2014

O conhecimento das relações existentes entre a estrutura anatômica da madeira com suas propriedades físicas ou mecânicas é importante para seu uso adequado. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a anatomia microscópica e propriedades físicas da madeira de quatro diferentes espécies florestais. A madeira estudada foi proveniente das seguintes espécies: Cedrela fissilis (Cedro), Híbrido clonal Eucalyptus urophylla × Eucalyptus grandis (Eucalipto urograndis), Hovenia dulcis (Uva do Japão) e Gallesia integrifolia (Pau d'alho). Para a determinação da retratibilidade, utilizou-se a norma MB26/40 da ABNT (1940); as dimensões lineares foram obtidas com palmer, precisão de 0,001mm. O estudo da anatomia da madeira seguiu as recomendações da norma de procedimento em estudos de anatomia de madeira, da COPANT (1974) e também da IAWA (1989). Os caracteres anatômicos avaliados foram: diâmetro tangencial (µm) e frequência de vasos (nomm-2); comprimento de fibra (µm), diâmetro de lume (µm) e espessura de parede de fibra (µm); altura (µm), largura (µm) e frequência de raios (nomm-1). Os valores do coeficiente anisotrópico foram de 1,16; 1,77; 1,81 e 1,84 para a madeira de C. fissilis, H. dulcis, Híbrido clonal e G. integrifolia, respectivamente, demonstrando que a madeira de C. fissilis possui elevada estabilidade dimensional e as demais madeiras, valores aceitáveis para esse coeficiente.
Enxofre elementar no manejo do pH de substrato orgânico alcalino
Authors: Boaro Vinicius , Schwarz Sergio Francisco , Souza Paulo Vitor Dutra de , Soares Wagner , Lourosa Gil Vicente
Published: December 2014

Embora existam recomendações agronômicas consolidadas para a elevação do pH de substratos orgânicos, poucas são as informações disponíveis para a redução. Porém, a crescente utilização de matérias-primas alternativas às tradicionais torna necessário o emprego de métodos para diminuição do pH, já que alguns materiais com boas características físicas e biológicas são alcalinos e incompatíveis com o cultivo da maioria das espécies. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram verificar a eficiência do enxofre elementar (S0) na diminuição do pH de um substrato orgânico alcalino e avaliar um critério para determinação da dose a ser adicionada. Para tanto, testou-se a mistura de cinco doses de S0 a um substrato comercial composto por casca de eucalipto compostada (0, 4, 8, 12 e 16g S0 dm-3 de substrato), com base no valor do seu poder de neutralização (PN). Avaliou-se o pH e a condutividade elétrica (CE) dos substratos. Observou-se que o S0 é eficiente na redução do pH de substratos orgânicos, mas acarreta aumento da CE. O PN do substrato é um critério confiável para balizar a determinação da dose de S0 a ser utilizada.