bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eruption chronology of the first deciduous teeth in children born prematurely with birth weight less than 1500g
Authors: F. Neto Pedro Garcia , Falcao Mario Cicero
Published: March 2014

Objective: To describe the eruption chronology of the first deciduous teeth in premature infants with birth weight less than 1500g and to compare it according to gender and nutritional status at birth. Methods: Longitudinal study including 40 low birth weight premature infants of both genders. The tooth was considered erupted when the crown went through the gum and became part of the oral environment. The comparison of the eruption chronology in relation to gender and among children appropriate or small for gestational age was done by Student's t-test, being significant p<0.05. Results: The eruption of the first tooth (teeth) occurred, on average, with 11.0±2.1 months of chronological age and with 9.6±1.9 months corrected for prematurity. The first erupted teeth were the lower central incisors. The average eruption for males was 9.7±1.9 and, for females, 9.5±1.9 months, both corrected for prematurity (p=0.98). The average eruption in children with birth weight appropriate for gestational age was 10.1±1.4 months; for small for gestational age, it was 9.4±2.2, also corrected for prematurity (p=0.07). Conclusions: The average eruption age of the first teeth, corrected for prematurity, was 9.6 months. Sex and nutritional status at birth did not change the eruption chronology.
Plasma concentrations of retinol in obese children and adolescents: relationship to metabolic syndrome components
Authors: Teske Marcia , Melges Ana Paula B. , Souza Fabiola Isabel S. de , Fonseca Fernando Luiz A. , Sarni Roseli Oselka S.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To evaluate obese children and adolescents' retinol plasma levels and to correlate them with metabolic syndrome components. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 61 obese children and adolescents (body mass index Z score - ZBMI>+2). Pubertal development, arterial blood pressure, body weight and height for nutritional classification and waist circumference were obtained. A 15mL blood sample was collected (after a 12-hour fasting in a low luminosity room) for retinol determination (cut-off inadequate if <30µg/dL), lipid profile (HDL-c, LDL-c, and triglycerides), oral glucose tolerance test (fasting and 120 minutes) and for high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Spearman correlation and multiple linear regression were used in the statistical analysis. Results: Mean age was 10.7±2.7 years. There was a predominance of male gender 38/61 (62%) and pre-pubertal 35/61 (57%) subjects. The average plasmatic retinol was 48.5±18.6ug/dL. Retinol deficiency and severe obesity were observed in 6/61 (10%) and 36/61 (59%), respectively. Glucose level at 120 minutes was the independent and predictive variable of plasma retinol levels [β=-0.286 (95%CI -0.013 - -0.001)]. Conclusions: An independent and inverse association between plasma retinol levels and glucose tolerance was observed, suggesting an important contribution of this vitamin in the morbidities associated to obesity in children and adolescents.
Body image in different periods of adolescence
Authors: Miranda Valter Paulo N. , Conti Maria Aparecida , Carvalho Pedro Henrique B. de , Bastos Ronaldo Rocha , Ferreira Maria Elisa C.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To analyze body image in different periods of adolescence. Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled students aged ten to 19 years old of public schools in small districts of Minas Gerais, Southeast Brazil. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), the Body Dissatisfaction Assessment Scale for Teenagers and the Silhouette Scale for Teenagers (SST) were used. Adolescence phases were classified according to the subjects' ages. Weight and height were measured in order to calculate the body mass index and the nutritional status. Results were analyzed by logistic regression. Results: The study emolled 531 teenagers (318 females). The average age was 15.6± 2 .2 years and 84.6% were eutrophic. The prevalence of body dissatisfaction varied from 28.9% (BSQ) to 78.9% (SST). Overweight adolescents presented greater dissatisfaction (BSQ: OR 3.66, p<0.001; SST: OR 4.108, p<0.001). Dissatisfaction also occurred for females and those at the early adolescence (p<0.05). Conclusions: A low prevalence of dissatisfaction with the body image was observed among adolescents in small towns of Minas Gerais; however, most of them wished a different silhouette than the current one. The results showed that younger adolescents had higher dissatisfaction than their peers, as well as female and overweighed adolescents.
Selenium deficiency and the effects of supplementation on preterm infants
Authors: Freitas Renata Germano B. O. N. , Nogueira Roberto Jose N. , Antonio Maria Angela R. G. M. , Barros-Filho Antonio de Azevedo , Hessel Gabriel
Published: March 2014

Objective: This study aimed to review the literature about blood concentrations of selenium associated with gestational age, feeding, supplementation and related clinical features in preterm infants. Data sources: Systematic review in the following databases: MEDLINE, PubMed, Google academics, SciELO. org, ScienceDirect (Elsevier) and CINAHL-Plus with Full Text (EBSCO). Articles published up to January 2013 with the keywords "selenium deficiency", "selenium supplementation", "neonates", "infants", "newborn" and "preterm infants" were selected. Data synthesis: The studies reported that low blood selenium levels are associated with increased risk of respiratory diseases. Preterm infants, especially with low birth weight, presented lower selenium levels. Selenium deficiency has also been associated with the use of oral infant formula, enteral and parenteral nutrition (with or without selenium addition). The optimal dose and length of selenium supplementation is not well-established, since they are based only on age group and selenium ingestion by breastfed children. Furthermore, the clinical status of the infant affected by conditions that may increase oxidative stress, and consequently, selenium requirements is not taken into account. Conclusions: Prematurity and low birth weight can contribute to low blood selenium in premature infants. Selenium supplementation seems to minimize or prevent clinical complications caused by prematurity.
Telehealth application on the rehabilitation of children and adolescents
Authors: Santos Maria Tereza N. dos , Moura Sarah Costa D. O. , Gomes Ludmila Mourao X. , Lima Ana Henriques , Moreira Rafaela Silva , Silva Caroline Duarte , Guimaraes Eliane Marina P.
Published: March 2014

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the telehealth initiatives in telerehabilitation practices in children and adolescents from zero to 18 years old. Data sources: Randomized and controlled clinical trials published in the past ten years (January 2002 to February 2012) in Medline/PubMed, Medline/BVS, PEDro and Cochrane Library databases. The descriptors "telemedicine", "rehabilitation" and "telehealth" were used in three different languages (English, Portuguese and Spanish). Data synthesis: From the 20 studies found in the literature, nine were included in this review. Most of the studies showed that telerehabilitation is able to produce better results in the treatment when compared to the traditional methods, providing less frequency of symptoms, better disease control, better quality of life and greater adherence to treatment. Conclusions: Telerehabilitation is a viable and effective strategy in the treatment of common diseases in children and adolescents. However, there are few studies on the subject in this age group. Although telehealth is already consolidated worldwide, there are no studies in Brazil that used the telerehabilitation in children and adolescents, which reinforces the need for more research and investments.
A construção do discurso agroecológico no Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST)
Authors: Borsatto Ricardo Serra , Carmo Maristela Simões do
Published: March 2014

Na última década, o Movimento dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem-Terra (MST), que luta pela reforma agrária no Brasil, vem mudando de forma radical o seu discurso para uma proposta mais coerente com as diretrizes preconizadas pela agroecologia. Neste contexto, o intuito do presente trabalho foi o de compreender, a partir de uma abordagem teórico-histórica, a apropriação do conceito agroecologia como bandeira na luta pela reforma agrária defendida pelo MST. Para tanto, partiu-se de revisões sobre as concepções clássicas relativas ao papel do campesinato nas sociedades contemporâneas e buscou-se realizar "pontes teóricas" com os discursos e as ações praticadas pelo MST em sua história, baseando-se em análise documental. Por fim, este artigo conclui que a defesa da agroecologia no MST, baseada em um discurso chayanoviano, está em curva ascendente, em contraponto ao discurso antes vigente de coletivização e fomento de grandes unidades de exploração agrícola especializadas de inspiração no marxismo ortodoxo. Aponta-se, também, que a agroecologia, para o MST, vai muito além da dimensão produtiva, agregando forte questionamento político.
Elasticidade-preço da demanda por etanol no Brasil: como renda e preços relativos explicam diferenças entre estados
Authors: Orellano Veronica Fernandez , Souza Alberto De Nes de , Azevedo Paulo Furquim de
Published: March 2014

Este artigo estuda a demanda por etanol no Brasil no período 2001-2009, considerando as características regionais de renda e de preços relativos. Essas características explicam variação relevante na elasticidade-preço da demanda, aspecto até então desconsiderado em estudos anteriores. Foi estimado um modelo econométrico a partir de um painel de dados estaduais mensais, no qual variáveis instrumentais foram usadas para controlar a endogeneidade na análise da demanda. Conclui-se que a demanda é mais elástica em estados mais pobres e em que o preço relativo está próximo a 70%, a taxa técnica de substituição entre etanol e gasolina, parâmetro relevante para as decisões de consumo de proprietários de veículos flex-fuel. Essas regiões apresentam maiores elasticidades-preço da demanda, em última análise, por conta de diferenças logísticas e tributárias, as quais definem o preço relativo. Esses resultados diferem daqueles obtidos por Salvo e Huse (2013), pois identificam diferenças regionais que independem da heterogeneidade das preferências dos consumidores, mas decorrem da configuração logística e de renda. Os resultados sugerem implicações para as políticas tributária e de infraestrutura logística, as quais, ao afetarem o nível de preços relativos de etanol e gasolina, afetam a sensibilidade da demanda com relação às variações de preço.
Origens, evolução e tendências da indústria de máquinas agrícolas
Authors: Vian Carlos Eduardo de Freitas , Andrade Júnior Adilson Martins , Baricelo Luis Gustavo , Silva Rodrigo Peixoto da
Published: March 2014

O presente trabalho contribui com o estudo da gênese e da evolução histórica da indústria de máquinas e implementos agrícolas, destacando o papel de algumas empresas e como suas estratégias moldaram a estrutura produtiva e de mercado atuais, um "oligopólio diferenciado-concentrado mundial". Do ponto de vista metodológico, este é um texto qualitativo-quantitativo, exploratório e descritivo. A pesquisa bibliográfica mostrou que existiam poucos trabalhos sobre a evolução da estrutura de mercado e das empresas atuantes neste segmento, o que gerou a necessidade de um levantamento exploratório de dados e uma ampla revisão de literatura. O texto mostra a importância do progresso técnico e dos ganhos de escala no processo competitivo deste setor. O trabalho conclui que o setor tem as características de um oligopólio diferenciado-concentrado, sendo a inovação e a diferenciação de produtos através da fidelização dos clientes à marca de dois importantes instrumentos competitivos, assim como as economias de escala e escopo. Outra característica fundamental é o caráter global desta concorrência, com poucas empresas com atuação mundial e muitas com atuação regional ou local.
Mensuração das elasticidades-preço da demanda, cruzada e renda no mercado de etanol brasileiro: um estudo usando painéis cointegrados
Authors: Cardoso Leonardo Chaves Borges , Bittencourt Maurício Vaz Lobo
Published: March 2014

A futura escassez das fontes fósseis de energia não é opinião partilhada por toda a academia, mas a necessidade de fontes energéticas renováveis é, sim, um consenso. Com base nisso, o etanol de primeira geração a partir da cana-de-açúcar brasileira se torna uma excelente alternativa energética por apresentar melhores indicadores nos quesitos intensidade em terras, custo de produção e redução de CO2 em relação a outras culturas para produção de etanol. Porém, não há estudos que estimem a demanda de longo prazo utilizando dados em painel e que obtenham estimativas regionais para as cinco regiões brasileiras. Diante de tal lacuna, este artigo tem por objetivo estimar as elasticidades-preço, renda e cruzada da demanda por etanol, tanto no curto quanto no longo prazo. As estimativas são feitas para todo o Brasil e para as cinco regiões brasileiras, no período de julho de 2001 a julho de 2011, com bases mensais. São usados dados em painel, e as estimativas utilizam como principais estimadores o General Least Squares (GLS) com correção para heterocedasticidade para encontrar as relações de curto prazo e Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares (DOLS) para as de longo prazo. Os resultados indicam que o etanol é um bem elástico a preço, com elasticidade por volta de -1,42 e -3,30 para o curto e longo prazo, respectivamente, e que as elasticidades-preço e cruzada de curto prazo aumentaram no período pós-flex.
Importância dos setores agroindustriais na geração de renda e emprego para a economia brasileira
Authors: Costa Cinthia Cabral da , Guilhoto Joaquim José Martins , Imori Denise
Published: March 2014

Medidas de incentivo à demanda por alguns produtos industriais têm sido realizadas pelo governo brasileiro. Entretanto, o País é reconhecidamente competitivo na sua produção agrícola, e políticas de incentivo à demanda dos mesmos não têm sido estabelecidas na mesma magnitude daquelas dos produtos industriais. Este trabalho teve como objetivo verificar se o aumento de demanda sobre os produtos industriais incentivados pelo governo causam maiores impactos na economia do que incentivos em setores agrícolas, brutos ou processados, o que justificaria a escolha dos setores beneficiados pelas políticas recentes no País. Observou-se que os impactos econômicos positivos provocados por choques em setores da agroindústria (agrícolas processados) foram superiores àqueles provocados pelo choque nos setores industriais avaliados. Entre os setores agrícolas, verificou-se que, para um mesmo tamanho de área cultivada no País, os impactos na economia podem ser de 2 a 4 vezes maiores se o produto for processado do que se considerarmos o aumento de demanda apenas do produto bruto. Portanto, incentivos sobre a demanda pelos produtos agroindustriais brasileiros podem gerar maior crescimento e emprego no Brasil do que o aumento de demanda por bens industriais.
Técnicas de recuperación de información aplicadas a la construcción de tesauros
Authors: Urdiciain Blanca Gil , Sánchez Jiménez Rodrigo
Published: March 2014

El artículo propone la aplicación de un conjunto de técnicas propias del ámbito de la Recuperación de Información a la elaboración de Tesauros. Las propuestas que se presentan se aplicaron en la selección de la terminología, en la categorización de términos mediante clusters, y en el establecimiento de relaciones semánticas entre los términos, por procedimientos de similitud, que dieron como resultado un Tesauro de Comercio Exterior, de 7.790 términos. De tales resultados se puede concluir que las técnicas utilizadas simplifican de forma considerable las tareas para la recopilación de la terminología, y pueden suponer una mejora de la calidad del Tesauro resultante, en tanto que permiten el análisis de las condiciones de la colección para la que se utilizará el Tesauro, así como aportar información extra a los expertos que es difícilmente obtenible de forma manual.
Elements of social representation theory incollaborative tagging systems
Authors: Marchiori Patricia Zeni , Appel Andre Luiz , Bettoni Eduardo Michellotti , Tsunoda Denise Fukumi , Alcântara Frank Coelho de
Published: March 2014

This article discusses the information representation process based on the Moscovici's Social Representation Theory and domain analysis in Information Science. The aim was to identify mechanisms and constituent dimensions of social representation in collaborative tagging systems/social bookmarking systems. Scientific knowledge was defined as the object/phenomenon of representation in these systems; and the tag as the shareable structure of meaning that connects participants and resources. The empirical research involved descriptive statistical techniques applied to a corpora of tags available in CiteULike, which is a social tagging system developed for the academic community. The data analysis, performed in a sample of groups derived from the dataset, showed that the users' reuse of their own tags resembles the anchorage mechanism. The reuse of tags by other participants - in the same group - reveals some evidence of the objectification mechanism. Some speculation arose about the cognitive effort made by the individual, under group influence, with regard to the tagging activity, user's choice of resources, and sharing styles. Further studies on social bookmarking systems depend both on a "gain scale" of users and items tagged, requiring techniques and procedures redesigned by Information Science, Statistics, Network Analysis, Linguistics/Sociolinguistics and Social Psychology.
A representação descritiva e a produção literária indígena brasileira
Authors: Franca Aline , Silveira Naira Christofoletti
Published: March 2014

A partir da contextualização do surgimento da literatura indígena, este artigo apresenta os aspectos relevantes à elaboração da representação bibliográfica das obras literárias indígenas do Brasil, a fim de assegurar uma representação documental digna. Esse tipo de literatura caracteriza-se por criações de caráter oral ou escrito, coletivas ou individuais, sendo estabelecida, pensada e estruturada a partir de padrões culturais e elementos estilísticos dos povos indígenas. Objetiva-se discutir a relação entre as publicações literárias indígenas e os aspectos relativos à sua representação bibliográfica. Quanto à metodologia, recorreu-se a pesquisas em catálogos online de acesso público a fim de recuperar registros bibliográficos a serem analisados. Utilizou-se o método bibliográfico de forma exploratória visando reunir conceitos antropológicos e dados sobre grupos indígenas do Brasil. Sua base teórica fundamenta-se a partir dos conhecimentos em Representação Descritiva, especialmente nas obras de Mey e Silveira. Conclui-se que o bibliotecário torna-se o agente essencial para garantir a representação documental adequada e fiel aos documentos indígenas, para que estes possam relacionar-se com os outros itens do catálogo de uma Unidade de Informação, expondo todo seu potencial informativo.
Testes para a seleção de populações de cenoura visando ao vigor e à longevidade das sementes
Authors: Martins Cibele Chalita , Silva Norberto da , Machado Carla Gomes
Published: March 2014

Populações de cenoura com sementes de maior qualidade fisiológica e potencial de armazenamento são de interesse para as empresas de sementes e horticultores. Assim, verificou-se a eficiência de alguns testes para a seleção de populações de cenoura com maior vigor e longevidade das sementes. Sementes de 50 progênies de meio-irmãos de cenoura tipo Brasília foram avaliadas quanto à massa de cem sementes, primeira contagem de germinação, germinação, dormência, envelhecimento acelerado com água e com solução saturada de NaCl. As sementes foram armazenadas com teor de água de 6,1±0,3% em embalagem hermética nas temperaturas de 15 e 25oC por 12 meses e a germinação foi avaliada trimestralmente. Os dados experimentais foram avaliados quanto à variância e correlações fenotípicas, genotípicas e ambientais; herdabilidade; coeficiente de variação genética e ganho por seleção. A seleção baseada na massa não deve ser utilizada, pois aumentaria a ocorrência de dormência nas sementes da geração seguinte. Os testes da primeira contagem, de germinação e de envelhecimento acelerado com água ou solução salina saturada podem ser utilizados para selecionar populações de cenoura com sementes de maior vigor e longevidade. O ganho genético estimado com a seleção para a germinação após 12 meses de armazenamento a 25°C foi de 14%.
Decomposição da fitomassa de plantas de cobertura e liberação de nitrogênio em função da quantidade de resíduos aportada ao solo sob sistema plantio direto
Authors: Acosta José Alan de Almeida , Amado Telmo Jorge Carneiro , Silva Leandro Souza da , Santi Anderson , Weber Mirla Andrade
Published: March 2014

O sucesso do sistema plantio direto (SPD) está alicerçado na rotação de culturas, que proporciona elevada adição de diferentes tipos de resíduos culturais ao solo. Entretanto, cada resíduo cultural tem uma cinética específica de decomposição, o que é determinante na mineralização e imobilização líquida de nitrogênio (N) no solo. Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a taxa de decomposição e a liberação de N de plantas de cobertura de inverno, quando diferentes quantidades de fitomassa da parte aérea foram aportadas à superfície do solo. O experimento foi conduzido em Argissolo arênico na área do Departamento de Solos da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM), com delineamento experimental de blocos ao acaso, com três repetições, durante as safras de 2003/04 e 2004/05. Avaliou-se a decomposição e liberação de nitrogênio (N) dos resíduos de aveia preta, nabo forrageiro e ervilhaca através de bolsas de decomposição contendo quantidades equivalentes a 3, 6 e 9 Mg ha-1 de matéria seca e dispostos em parcelas com 80 m², contendo os mesmos níveis de resíduos das bolsas. As coletas das bolsas foram realizadas aos 7, 14, 28, 42, 63, 84, 113 e 141 dias após o manejo das plantas de cobertura. As quantidades de resíduos aportadas não influenciaram as taxas de decomposição. Entretanto, os processos de mineralização e imobilização de N foram afetados pelo nível de aporte de resíduos e governados, principalmente, pela relação C/N. A maior taxa de decomposição dos resíduos e a maior liberação de N seguiram a ordem: ervilhaca, nabo forrageiro e aveia preta. A relação C/N dos resíduos influenciou a magnitude dos compartimentos lábil e recalcitrante da fitomassa das plantas de cobertura.
Determination of Prognostic Factors in Japanese Patients With Advanced Gastric Cancer Using the Data From a Randomized Controlled Trial, Japan Clinical Oncology Group 9912
Authors: Takahari Daisuke , Boku Narikazu , Mizusawa Junki , Takashima Atsuo , Yamada Yasuhide , Yoshino Takayuki , Yamazaki Kentaro , Koizumi Wasaburo , Fukase Kazutoshi , Yamaguchi Kensei , Goto Masahiro , Nishina Tomohiro , Tamura Takao , Tsuji Akihito , Ohtsu Atsushi
Published: March 2014

Background.

In advanced gastric cancer (AGC), no globally accepted prognostic scoring system has been developed. Therefore, we explored baseline prognostic factors in Japanese AGC patients using the data from a randomized controlled trial, Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG) 9912, which investigated the efficacy of systemic chemotherapy as a first-line treatment.

Patients and Methods.

Prognostic factors and prognostic indices for overall survival were screened and evaluated in patients enrolled in JCOG9912 using the Cox proportional hazard model. The Royal Marsden Hospital prognostic model was also applied to the JCOG9912 trial.

Results.

A total of 650 (92.3%) of the 704 patients randomized in the JCOG9912 trial, for whom complete data were available for multivariate analyses, was included in the present study (5-fluorouracil arm, n = 215; irinotecan plus cisplatin arm, n = 216; S-1 arm, n = 219). The median survival time (MST) for all patients was 11.8 months. To construct a prognostic index, we selected four risk factors by multivariate analysis: performance status ≥ 1, number of metastatic sites ≥ 2, no prior gastrectomy, and elevated alkaline phosphatase. MSTs were 17.0 months for patients categorized into the low-risk group, who had zero or one risk factor (n = 225); 10.4 months for patients in the moderate-risk group, who had two or three risk factors (n = 368); and 5.0 months for patients in the high-risk group, who had all four risk factors (n = 57).

Conclusion.

In the present study, we propose a new prognostic index for patients with AGC. This can be used for more appropriate patient stratification in future clinical trials.
Self-Reported Financial Burden and Satisfaction With Care Among Patients With Cancer
Authors: Chino Fumiko , Peppercorn Jeffrey , Taylor Donald H. , Lu Ying , Samsa Gregory , Abernethy Amy P. , Zafar S. Yousuf
Published: March 2014

Background.

Health care-related costs and satisfaction are compelling targets for quality improvement in cancer care delivery; however, little is known about how financial burden affects patient satisfaction.

Methods.

This was an observational, cross-sectional, survey-based study assessing patient-reported financial burden (FB). Eligible patients were ≥21 years with solid tumor malignancy and were receiving chemotherapy or hormonal therapy for ≥1 month. The Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire Short-Form assessed patient satisfaction with health care. Subjective FB related to cancer treatment was measured on a 5-point Likert scale.

Results.

Of 174 participants (32% response rate), 47% reported significant/catastrophic FB. Participants reported highest satisfaction with interpersonal manner and lowest satisfaction with financial aspects of care. In adjusted analysis, high FB was negatively associated with general satisfaction (coefficient: −.29), satisfaction with technical quality (coefficient: −.26), and satisfaction with financial aspects of care (coefficient: −.62). Older age was associated with higher scores in all satisfaction subscales except patient-physician communication and financial aspects. Annual household income of <$20,000 was associated with lower satisfaction scores in all subscales except time spent with doctor. High FB was not associated with patient satisfaction scores for accessibility and convenience, communication, interpersonal manner, or time spent with doctor.

Conclusion.

FB is a potentially modifiable correlate of poor satisfaction with cancer care including general satisfaction and satisfaction with the technical quality of care. Addressing cancer-associated FB may lead to improved satisfaction, which in turn can influence adherence, outcomes, and quality of life.
Species‐level and community‐level responses to disturbance: a cross‐community analysis
Authors: Supp Sarah R. , Ernest S. K. Morgan
Published: March 2014

Communities are comprised of individual species that respond to changes in their environment depending in part on their niche requirements. These species comprise the biodiversity of any given community. Common biodiversity metrics such as richness, evenness, and the species abundance distribution are frequently used to describe biodiversity across ecosystems and taxonomic groups. While it is increasingly clear that researchers will need to forecast changes in biodiversity, ecology currently lacks a framework for understanding the natural background variability in biodiversity or how biodiversity patterns will respond to environmental change. We predict that while species populations depend on local ecological mechanisms (e.g., niche processes) and should respond strongly to disturbance, community‐level properties that emerge from these species should generally be less sensitive to disturbance because they depend on regional mechanisms (e.g., compensatory dynamics). Using published data from terrestrial animal communities, we show that community‐level properties were generally resilient under a suite of artificial and natural manipulations. In contrast, species responded readily to manipulation. Our results suggest that community‐level measures are poor indicators of change, perhaps because many systems display strong compensatory dynamics maintaining community‐level properties. We suggest that ecologists consider using multiple metrics that measure composition and structure in biodiversity response studies.
Development of decision support system for managing and using recreational beaches
Authors: Deng Zhiqiang , Namwamba Fulbert , Zhang Zaihong
Published: March 2014

The paper presents a decision support system (DSS) for managing and using recreational beaches. The DSS consists of (1) a sensor-assisted water quality monitoring system, (2) a multiple linear regression (MLR) model, developed with the Virtual Beach (VB) program, for predicting enterococci levels, and (3) a web-enabled Geographic Information System (GIS) platform for displaying beach water quality conditions. The MLR model was tested using a total of 945 sets of environmental and bacteriological data collected over 6 swimming seasons. It is found that the MLR model is capable of correctly predicting over 88% of beach advisories and over 80% of no advisory events. The web-enabled GIS platform has nowcasting and forecasting functions. The nowcasting function reduces the decision-making time from current 2–3 days to near real-time while the forecasting function changes the decision-making time from current 2–3 days behind to 1–3 days ahead of actual use of beaches, greatly improving the decision-making in beach management and reducing potential health risks of fecal pollution to beachgoers. While the DSS was specifically developed for the Holly Beach, USA, the methods used in this paper are generally applicable to other coastal beaches.
Strategies investigation in using artificial neural network for landslide susceptibility mapping: application to a Sicilian catchment
Authors: Arnone Elisa , Francipane Antonio , Noto Leonardo V. , Scarbaci Antonino , La Loggia Goffredo
Published: March 2014

Susceptibility assessment of areas prone to landsliding remains one of the most useful approaches in landslide hazard analysis. The key point of such analysis is the correlation between the physical phenomenon and its triggering factors based on past observations. Many methods have been developed in the scientific literature to capture and model this correlation, usually within a geographic information system (GIS) framework. Among these, the use of neural networks, in particular the multi-layer perceptron (MLP) networks, has provided successful results. A successful application of the MLP method to a basin area requires the definition of different model strategies, such as the sample selection for the training phase or the design of the network structure. The present study investigates the effects of these strategies on the development of landslide susceptibility maps by applying different model configurations to a small basin located in northeastern Sicily (Italy), where a number of historical slope failure events have been documented over the years. Model performances and their comparison are evaluated using specific metrics.
Examining differences in streamflow estimation for gauged and ungauged catchments using evolutionary data assimilation
Authors: Dumedah Gift , Coulibaly Paulin
Published: March 2014

Data assimilation has allowed hydrologists to account for imperfections in observations and uncertainties in model estimates. Typically, updated members are determined as a compromised merger between observations and model predictions. The merging procedure is conducted in decision space before model parameters are updated to reflect the assimilation. However, given the dynamics between states and model parameters, there is limited guarantee that when updated parameters are applied into measurement models, the resulting estimate will be the same as the updated estimate. To account for these challenges, this study uses evolutionary data assimilation (EDA) to estimate streamflow in gauged and ungauged watersheds. EDA assimilates daily streamflow into a Sacramento soil moisture accounting model to determine updated members for eight watersheds in southern Ontario, Canada. The updated members are combined to estimate streamflow in ungauged watersheds where the results show high estimation accuracy for gauged and ungauged watersheds. An evaluation of the commonalities in model parameter values across and between gauged and ungauged watersheds underscore the critical contributions of consistent model parameter values. The findings show a high degree of commonality in model parameter values such that members of a given gauged/ungauged watershed can be estimated using members from another watershed.
Optimization of water distribution for open-channel irrigation networks
Authors: Hong Sothea , Malaterre Pierre-Olivier , Belaud Gilles , Dejean Cyril
Published: March 2014

Water distribution for open-channel irrigation networks is more and more complex due to increasing constraints on water resources and changing demand patterns, whereas the performance of such systems is expected to increase. In this regard, an optimization approach is developed in order to schedule a fair scenario of water distribution among different users, where water demand is formulated in term of start time, duration and flow rate. This study investigates how to optimize the water distribution over a finite scheduling horizon while respecting the constraints linked to the system. The optimization approach forces the scheduled start time and the volume to be closer to the demanded ones, to minimize water losses and to reduce manpower. The constraints take into account the flow routing processes, the physical infrastructure, the available water resource, and the gate keeper timetable. The numerical resolution is done by using an optimization software IBM-Ilog Cplex. The method is then illustrated with the scheduling of off-take withdrawals for a typical traditional open-channel network: a lateral canal of the Gignac canal, in southern France.
Adaptive locally constrained genetic algorithm for least-cost water distribution network design
Authors: Johns Matthew B. , Keedwell Edward , Savic Dragan
Published: March 2014

This paper describes the development of an adaptive locally constrained genetic algorithm (ALCO-GA) and its application to the problem of least cost water distribution network design. Genetic algorithms have been used widely for the optimisation of both theoretical and real-world nonlinear optimisation problems, including water system design and maintenance problems. In this work we propose a heuristic-based approach to the mutation of chromosomes with the algorithm employing an adaptive mutation operator which utilises hydraulic head information and an elementary heuristic to increase the efficiency of the algorithm's search into the feasible solution space. In almost all test instances ALCO-GA displays faster convergence and reaches the feasible solution space faster than the standard genetic algorithm. ALCO-GA also achieves high optimality when compared to solutions from the literature and often obtains better solutions than the standard genetic algorithm.
An integrated cellular automata evolutionary-based approach for evaluating future scenarios and the expansion of urban drainage networks
Authors: Sanchez Arlex , Medina Neiler , Vojinovic Zoran , Price Roland
Published: March 2014

The paper describes and demonstrates an integrated cellular automata evolutionary-based approach for evaluating future scenarios including the expansion of urban drainage networks. The approach can be used to derive a drainage network layout based on future land use scenarios. Two techniques are used to derive the layout of the system: one using agent-based modelling and the other using similar principles built as a set of raster operations within ArcGIS. The tools and models are applied to a case study in Birmingham, UK. The results show that both techniques perform well for carrying out a scoping analysis at an urban scale. The case study shows that the application of the proposed approach for simulating urban growth processes and the consequent expansion of the drainage networks can achieve promising results. The interconnected drainage model for Birmingham shows that future developments will contribute further to flooding problems if no improvements are made to the existing drainage system. The same approach can be used to identify those drainage system elements that require immediate attention and which need to be replaced in order to improve the overall system performance.
Estimation of the water footprint of sugarcane in Mexico: is ethanol production an environmentally feasible fuel option?
Authors: Haro María Eugenia , Navarro Ines , Thompson Ralph , Jimenez Blanca
Published: March 2014

Energy policies are taken throughout the world to reduce fossil fuel emissions from transportation sources. Agriculturally based biofuels are currently the only alternatives to liquid fossil fuels. However, as biofuel production spreads, so too do its cascading impacts on environment and food security. This paper analyzes the impact of Mexican ethanol-sugarcane policy on water resources. The water footprint of sugarcane (WFsc) was quantified for an agricultural region in Jalisco, Mexico, and used to estimate anthropologic water demand and stress index. This analysis was performed using historical climate data, and for projected changes under scenarios A2 and B1, using ECHAM and GFDL models. The average historical water footprint of sugarcane was estimated as 104.9 m3/ton, total average water demand as 152.3 Mm3/year and a historical water scarcity index as 59%. Under climate change, the footprint might increase 2% by 2020 and 3–4% by 2050. The available water is predicted to fall 4–7% by 2020, and 6–8% by 2050, with negative effects on water stress. Due to the strong influence of local factors on water footprint and stress, additional research is needed for all Mexican sugarcane regions, in order to evaluate the feasibility of the policy regarding the use of ethanol for transportation.
Coping with climate change in Amsterdam – a watercycle perspective
Authors: van der Hoek Jan Peter , Hartog Paulien , Jacobs Eilard
Published: March 2014

Amsterdam has the ambition to develop as a competitive and sustainable European metropolis. Water and Amsterdam are closely related, and water and climate change are closely related. Therefore, to be sustainable and economically strong, it is necessary for Amsterdam to anticipate the changes in climate that will take place in the Netherlands during the coming decades. Waternet, the watercycle company of Amsterdam and surroundings, has built a response strategy focusing on water management to contribute to the aim of making Amsterdam ‘waterproof’ for the next decades. This response strategy has two building blocks: adaptation and mitigation. With respect to adaptation the focus is on safety against flooding, discharge of rainwater without nuisance for the public, ecological healthy water in compliance with the European Water Framework Directive, a reliable drinking water supply in compliance with the Dutch Drinking Water Regulations and the European Drinking Water Directive, and an efficient and effective wastewater treatment in compliance with the European Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive. With respect to mitigation the focus is on energy recovery from the watercycle and nutrient recovery from wastewater. The strategy is carried out in close cooperation with partners on a regional level and a national level.
The Role of Savoring in Work-Family Conflict
Authors: Camgoz Selin Metin
Published: March 2014

Building on positive psychology research, I examined savoring as an important positive psychological asset of the individual, and investigated its impact on work-family conflict (WFC). Data were gathered from 354 dual-earner couples working in different organizations. Hierarchical regression
analyses revealed that savoring was negatively related to WFC, indicating that individuals who are high in the capacity for overall savoring, experience lower levels of work-family conflict than do those low in that capacity. When I considered the components of savoring, I found that WFC was
also negatively associated with savoring the moment, but not associated with savoring through anticipation and savoring through reminiscence. I have contributed to the literature by presenting empirical evidence supporting the impact on WFC of individuals' beliefs about their ability to savor
positive circumstances.
Tourist Segmentation in Taiwan's Wineries: A Cultural Perspective
Authors: Chen Huei-Ju , Sasias Mathilde
Published: March 2014

We examined the segmentation of wine tourists in Taiwan in relation to their cultural values and lifestyle, and conducted a cultural comparison of wine drinking values and lifestyle between the results of Western and Taiwanese studies. The results of factor analysis and a 2-step cluster
analysis of 428 wine tourists at the Shin-Yi and Shu-Sheng wineries showed that wine tourists can be categorized into 3 groups: conservative, hedonistic, and reward seeking. Our findings may assist Taiwanese winery owners to utilize marketing strategies that consider the lifestyle and cultural
values of wine tourists, so that the appeal of the wines and wineries will be increased.
Exploring the Development of Perfectionism: The Influence of Parenting Style and Gender
Authors: Hibbard David R. , Walton Gail E.
Published: March 2014

In this study we explored the associations between different combinations of the parenting characteristics of demands and warmth, and distinct dimensions of perfectionism. A secondary purpose was to examine whether or not these associations vary by gender. Results indicated that an
authoritarian parenting style was associated with more maladaptive aspects of perfectionism (e.g., concerns about mistakes, doubting one's abilities), whereas authoritative parenting seemed to buffer individuals from these maladaptive aspects. In general, indulgent parenting was associated
with fewer feelings of criticism from parents, whereas neglectful parenting was related to more feelings of criticism. None of the parenting styles, however, was related to adaptive perfectionism (e.g., personal standards, organization). Apart from a few noteworthy exceptions, patterns of
association were similar for males and females.
Development of a Scale to Measure the Critical Thinking Disposition of Medical Care Professionals
Authors: Yuan Shao-Ping , Liao Hung-Chang , Wang Ya-huei , Chou Ming-Jen
Published: March 2014

Our aim was to develop the Critical Thinking Disposition Assessment (CTDA) scale to assess medical care professionals' or students' level of critical thinking disposition and to validate the psychometric properties of this instrument. A total of 775 medical care professionals and students
agreed to respond to the survey instrument. Exploratory factor analysis extracted 3 factors; systematicity and analyticity, inquisitiveness and conversance, and maturity and skepticism, accounting for 63.40% of the variance. The final scale comprised 19 statements rated on a 7-point Likert
scale. Reliability analysis produced Cronbach's alpha coefficients ranging from .86 to .94 for the 3 factors and the overall scale, indicating acceptable reliability for the instrument. The concurrent validity analysis was also conducted to compare the instrument with other measures. In light
of these findings, the CTDA was found to be a valid and reliable instrument to measure the critical thinking disposition of medical care professionals and students.
How Retaking the Entrance Examination Can Enhance Student Quality of Life at University
Authors: Lee Sanghun , Jung Taeyun
Published: March 2014

We examined how the experience of retaking the college entrance examination (RCEE), along with levels of resilience and social support, affect individuals' experience of life change at university, their satisfaction with university life, and how meaningful they perceived their lives
to be. We analyzed survey data from 524 university students in Korea (204 men and 320 women; 203 students with RCEE experience and 321 students with no RCEE experience). Results showed that students with RCEE experience underwent a positive life change, and that resilience and good social
support led to a synergistic effect of the RCEE experience on the change. Furthermore, the RCEE experience, being resilient, and having a high level of social support resulted in those students having an increase in satisfaction with, and finding greater meaning in, university life. These
results are discussed in terms of growth following adversity.
Evaluation of laser beam interaction with carbon based material - glassy carbon
Authors: Janicijevic Milovan , Sreckovic Milesa , Kaludjerovic Branka , Dinulovic Mirko , Karastojkovic Zoran , Jovanic Predrag , Kovacevic Zorica
Published: March 2014

Laser beam interaction with carbon based material (glassy carbon) is analyzed
in this paper. Nd3+:YAG laser beam (1.06?m i.e. near infrared, NIR range) in
ms regime with various energy densities is used. In all experiments, provided
in applied working regimes, the surface damages have occurred. The results of
laser damages are analyzed by light and electron scanning (SEM) microscopies.
Program Image J is executed for quantitative analysis of generated damages
based on micrographs obtained by light and SEM microscopes. Temperature
distribution in exposed samples is evaluated by numerical simulations based
on program packages COMSOL Multiphysics 3.5 in limited energy range.
Influence of pin geometry on mechanical and structural properties of butt friction stir welded 2024-T351 aluminum alloy
Authors: Radisavljevic Igor , Zivkovic Aleksandar , Grabulov Vencislav , Radovic Nenad
Published: March 2014

The aim of this work was to investigate the combined effect of small
difference in pin geometry, together with rotation and welding speed on the
weldability, mechanical and structural properties of FSW 2024-T351 Al
plates. The only difference in tool pin design was the shape of thread:
regular and rounded. Specimens were welded using rotation rate of 750
rev/min and welding speeds of 73 and 93 mm/min. In all four cases, specimens
were defect free, with good or acceptable weld surface. Modification in pin
design showed strong influence on macro structure and hardness distribution.
Weak places are identified as low hardness zone, close to the nugget zone
and are in good agreement with fracture location in tensile testing. Weld
efficiency, as a measure of weld quality, are better in case of 310 tool,
while UTS values can differ up to 13% for the equal welding parameters.
Therefore, it can be assumed that small modification in tool design,
particularly in pin geometry, can have great influence on weld formation and
mechanical properties.