bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AUTOMEDICAÇÃO EM IDOSOS DE UM PROGRAMA SAÚDE DA FAMÍLIA, BRASIL
Authors: Moutinho Monteiro Sally Cristina , Azevedo Luzimeire Santos de , Pereira Belfort Ilka Kassandra
Published: July 2014

Na população idosa, estudos apontam a predominância do uso de medicamentos prescritos, bem como consumo de medicamentos sem prescrição de um profissional de saúde habilitado (automedicação), o que leva a potenciais riscos de interações com os medicamentos prescritos, reações adversas e intoxicações. O presente estudo teve como objetivo identificar a prevalência da automedicação, os fatores determinantes nesta prática, e os principais medicamentos consumidos sem prescrição médica em uma população de idosos. Estudo transversal, com amostra aleatória simples realizada em uma Unidade de Estratégia de Saúde da Família de São Luís/MA. Foram entrevistados 100 idosos (63% do sexo feminino e 37% do sexo masculino), onde 72% referiram uso contínuo de pelo menos um medicamento, desses 33% relataram consumo exclusivo de medicamentos prescritos e 67%, uso simultâneo de prescritos e não prescritos. Os medicamentos sem prescrição mais utilizados foram os analgésicos (46,15%) e os anti-inflamatórios (22,31%). As causas mais citadas para a prática de automedicação foi à dor (65,26%), seguida da febre (16,26%) e gripe (7,37%). Verificou-se que há grande prevalência da automedicação neste grupo, sendo os analgésicos os mais utilizados e a dor é o sintoma mais relatado no que concerne à automedicação. Deste modo, a atenção farmacêutica deve ser considerada uma das prioridades no atendimento aos idosos, com intuito de garantir o acesso adequado aos medicamentos e o uso racional desses.
Factors related with students' foreign language achievement
Authors: Vatanartıran Sinem , Dalgıç Gülay , Karadeniz Şirin
Published: July 2014

This study aims to identify the predicting variables of Turkish 7th grade students for their foreign language achievements. In order to project the variables that could be related with students' achievement in a foreign language test, Multi Linear Regression Analysis was employed. The results reveal that region, gender, family education level, family income level, attitude, and out-of-school activities explain students' foreign language achievement to the degree of 16% in Turkey at country level (F= 77.791, R= .398, p=.000). All of these variables predict the foreign language achievement meaningfully in a positive direction at least at p<.05 significance level. The model formed of these variables create meaningful results for all geographical regions except for East and South Eastern Anatolian regions, where the results were not meaningful at p<.05 significance level.
ANIMAL MODELS OF DISEASE: Classification and etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats
Authors: Nelson Richard W , Reusch Claudia E
Published: July 2014

Diabetes mellitus is a common disease in dogs and cats. The most common form of diabetes in dogs resembles type 1 diabetes in humans. Studies suggest that genetics, an immune-mediated component, and environmental factors are involved in the development of diabetes in dogs. A variant of gestational diabetes also occurs in dogs. The most common form of diabetes in cats resembles type 2 diabetes in humans. A major risk factor in cats is obesity. Obese cats have altered expression of several insulin signaling genes and glucose transporters and are leptin resistant. Cats also form amyloid deposits within the islets of the pancreas and develop glucotoxicity when exposed to prolonged hyperglycemia. This review will briefly summarize our current knowledge about the etiology of diabetes in dogs and cats and illustrate the similarities among dogs, cats, and humans.
Pediatric Post-Acute Care Hospital Transitions: An Evaluation of Current Practice
Authors: O’Brien Jane E. , Dumas Helene M. , Nash Carol M. , Burke Sharon A. , Holson Debbie C. , Mast Joelle , Pelegano John , Simpser Edwin F. , Traul Christine , Whitford Kathleen
Published: July 2014

Objectives:

After discharge from an acute care hospital, some children require ongoing care at a post–acute care hospital. Care transitions occur at both admission to the post–acute care hospital and again at discharge to the home/community. Our objective was to report the current practices used during the admission to and discharge from 7 pediatric post–acute care hospitals in the United States.

Methods:

Participants from 7 pediatric post–acute care hospitals completed a survey and rated the frequency of use of 20 practices to prepare and support children and their families during both admission to the hospital and at time of discharge to the home/community. For consistency with existing literature, practices were grouped into 4 previously reported categories: assessment, communication, education, and logistics. Descriptive statistics were used to report the frequency of use within practices and between hospitals.

Results:

Only 2 of 10 admission practices and 3 of 10 discharge practices were reportedly “always” used by all hospitals. Assessment and communication practices were reported to be more frequently used (57%–100% of the time) than education and logistic procedures. Between hospitals, only the reported frequency of use of the discharge practices was statistically significantly different (P = .03).

Conclusions:

Variability exists in transition practices among 7 post–acute care pediatric hospitals. This report is the first known to detail the frequency of use of admission and discharge practices for pediatric post–acute care hospitals in the United States.
Subcutaneous Treprostinil for Pulmonary Hypertension in Chronic Lung Disease of Infancy
Authors: Ferdman Dina J. , Rosenzweig Erika B. , Zuckerman Warren A. , Krishnan Usha
Published: July 2014

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) associated with chronic lung disease of infancy can be a life-threatening disease affecting an increasing number of former premature infants. There is a need for improved delivery of targeted PAH therapies for this subgroup of patients who have severe and persistent PAH despite standard respiratory care for chronic lung disease. Currently infants who have severe PAH despite oral or inhaled therapy receive continuous intravenous prostanoid therapy (mostly epoprostenol), which is complicated because of the need for central venous access and associated catheter-related complications. We present a series of 5 infants who were successfully treated with a continuous infusion of subcutaneous treprostinil, which is a longer-acting prostanoid with similar hemodynamic effects. There were improvements in echocardiographic assessment of right ventricular function and estimated pulmonary hypertension, and in respiratory support required within weeks of therapy. Unlike commonly in adults, these 5 infants had no instances of severe site erythema, bleeding, bruising, or infection. In our experience with 5 former extremely preterm infants who had PAH associated with chronic lung disease, subcutaneous treprostinil was safe, efficacious, and well tolerated. We believe that subcutaneous treprostinil can be beneficial in a select group of former premature infants who have chronic lung disease and severe pulmonary arterial hypertension who have not responded adequately to conservative therapies.
Videoconferencing to Reduce Stress Among Hospitalized Children
Authors: Yang Nikki H. , Dharmar Madan , Hojman Nayla M. , Sadorra Candace K. , Sundberg Diana , Wold Gary L. , Parsapour Kourosh , Marcin James P.
Published: July 2014

OBJECTIVES:

Family-Link is a videoconferencing program that allows hospitalized children and their parents to virtually visit family members and friends using laptops, webcams, and a secure Wi-Fi connection. We evaluated the association of Family-Link use on the reduction in stress experienced by children during hospitalization.

METHODS:

We offered Family-Link to pediatric patients who had an expected length of hospitalization equal to or greater than 4 days. We measured the stress levels of hospitalized children at admission and discharge using the previously published Parental Stress Survey. We used propensity score matching and multivariable linear regression methods to evaluate the relationship between the use of Family-Link and stress experienced by children during hospitalization.

RESULTS:

We included a total of 367 children in the study: 232 Family-Link users and 135 non–Family-Link users. Using the propensity score matching method, we found that the use of Family-Link was significantly associated with a greater reduction in overall mean stress compared with non–Family-Link users among the cohort of patients who lived closer to the hospital and had shorter lengths of hospitalization (β = 0.23; 95% confidence interval, 0.03 to 0.43; P < .05). In this cohort, the reduction in overall mean stress was 37% greater among Family-Link users than non–Family-Link users.

CONCLUSIONS:

The use of videoconferencing by some hospitalized children and families to conduct virtual visits with family and friends outside of the hospital was associated with a greater reduction in stress during hospitalization than those who did not use videoconferencing.
Gerenciando a diversidade cultural: experiências de empresas Brasileiras
Authors: Fleury Maria Tereza Leme
Published: July 2014

Apesar do contexto cultural diversificado em que atuam as empresas brasileiras, o tema diversidade cultural é recente em sua agenda. Surge em subsidiárias de empresas americanas, em um primeiro momento, por pressão da matriz e, em seguida, ligado à necessidade de criar vantagens competitivas desenvolvendo competências diversas; não acontece por imposição legal, como ocorre nos EUA e no Canadá. Partindo da elaboração de um referencial conceitual sobre diversidade cultural e seu gerenciamento, este artigo apresenta os resultados obtidos por meio de uma pesquisa realizada com empresas brasileiras e mediante um estudo de caso mais aprofundado.
Medindo o capital intelectual
Authors: Joia Luiz Antonio
Published: July 2014

Pesquisas vêm sendo conduzidas a fim de definir um caminho confiável e factível para avaliarem-se os ativos intangíveis de uma empresa. Vários modelos foram desenvolvidos, embora ainda haja problemas a resolver. Neste artigo, apresenta-se um modelo heurístico que considera o vínculo entre o Capital Intelectual e a Estratégia Empresarial, de modo que se avaliem os ativos intangíveis de empresas, ao longo do tempo, segundo a estratégia de negócios implantada. Como estudo de caso, o modelo é aplicado a uma empresa atuante na indústria de magnésio. Expõe-se, também, a "Armadilha da Defasagem de Tempo", mostrando-se os erros de concepção que surgem numa abordagem estática, ao invés de dinâmica, para valoração dos ativos intangíveis. Tendências futuras e algumas conclusões importantes nessa área são relatadas.
Climas éticos e comportamentos de cidadania organizacional
Authors: Rego Arménio
Published: July 2014

O estudo analisa as relações entre cinco climas éticos e quatro Comportamentos de Cidadania Organizacional (CCO). A amostra é composta por 269 díades superior-subordinado. Cada subordinado descreveu as suas percepções de climas éticos; os seus CCO foram relatados pelo respectivo superior. Os dados sugerem o seguinte: a) as pessoas retraem-se na execução de CCO quando denotam elevadas percepções do clima auto-interesse; b) algo similar ocorre com o clima leis/códigos; c) as mulheres e os homens reagem distintamente ao clima lucros; d) os padrões de reação dos colaboradores fabris e não-fabris também divergem. Os resultados indicam a necessidade de se desenvolverem pesquisas que testem a existência de variáveis moderadoras na relação climas-CCO.
Etnografia e cultura organizacional: uma contribuição da antropologia à administração de empresas
Authors: Ofenhejm Mascarenhas André
Published: July 2014

O artigo discute as contribuições da antropologia à administração de empresas a partir da análise do conhecimento produzido por seu método clássico, a etnografia, em uma abordagem interpretativa. Partindo da identificação das diferenças entre as abordagens típicas da administração e da antropologia em relação ao conceito de cultura, o artigo distancia-se da primeira e trata de mostrar como o método etnográfico pode ser útil para uma interpretação minuciosa da dinâmica sociocultural em uma organização ou em parte dela, proporcionando um conhecimento mais aprofundado da atuação humana nesse contexto e um quadro mais realista dos desafios com os quais os administradores defrontam-se diariamente.
Captação de recursos por fundos de investimento e mercado de ações
Authors: Zoratto Sanvicente Antonio
Published: July 2014

O presente artigo analisa a relação contemporânea e defasada entre fluxos de entrada e saída de recursos nos fundos de ações no Brasil e o desempenho de alguns ativos fundamentais, tais como o Índice Bovespa, a taxa de câmbio comercial e a taxa de juros no mercado interbancário. Os principais objetivos do trabalho são (1) encontrar evidências de que o fluxo de recursos depende do desempenho desses ativos, com particular atenção para o Índice Bovespa, e (2) verificar se as estatísticas de captação de recursos podem ser utilizadas para prever preços futuros, principalmente o valor da carteira do Índice Bovespa. Com o auxílio de diversas ferramentas de análise de séries temporais, são obtidos resultados que indicam haver evidências da dependência entre captação de recursos e desempenho do Índice, mas que o conhecimento do fluxo de recursos não ajuda a prever seu o desempenho futuro, resultado compatível com a eficiência semiforte do mercado brasileiro de ações.
Estrutura de governança e valor das companhias abertas brasileiras
Authors: Silveira Alexandre Di Miceli da , Barros Lucas Ayres B. de C. , Famá Rubens
Published: July 2014

A governança corporativa visa a aumentar a probabilidade de os fornecedores de recursos garantirem para si o retorno sobre seu investimento, por meio de um conjunto de mecanismos no qual se inclui o Conselho de Administração. Este artigo investiga se a estrutura de governança foi relevante para o valor das companhias abertas no Brasil entre 1998 e 2000. Três variáveis de governança foram consideradas: separação dos cargos de diretor executivo e presidente do conselho (DE), tamanho do conselho (TOT) e grau de independência do conselho (INDEP). Utilizou-se uma regressão múltipla do tipo seção transversal. DE foi a variável com os resultados mais importantes, apresentando evidência de que, em média, as empresas que têm pessoas distintas ocupando os cargos de diretor executivo e presidente do conselho são mais valorizadas pelo mercado.
A compra por impulso em ambientes on-line
Authors: Costa Filipe Campelo Xavier da , Larán Juliano A.
Published: July 2014

Este estudo tem como propósito avaliar os antecedentes e as conseqüências da compra por impulso em lojas virtuais da Internet. Para tanto, foi desenvolvido um modelo teórico que procura apresentar as relações existentes entre o ambiente de loja (site), a impulsividade individual, a circulação na loja (navegação no site) e a realização de compras impulsivas. A partir de uma pesquisa survey realizada com compradores de produtos pela Internet, por meio de modelagem de equações estruturais, foi evidenciado que o ambiente do site afeta o nível de impulsividade, a navegação no site e a ocorrência de compras por impulso, bem como se encontrou uma relação entre compra por impulso e emoções positivas. Elementos ambientais que influenciam a compra por impulso foram identificados e rotas para futuras pesquisas apresentadas, juntamente com implicações acadêmicas e gerenciais dos resultados.
Análise de competências organizacionais na internacionalização de empresas da cadeia coureiro-calçadista
Authors: Dal-Soto Fábio , Laureano Paiva Ely , Swirski de Souza Yeda
Published: July 2014

Este estudo analisa o processo de internacionalização de empresas de médio porte da cadeia coureirocalçadista, localizadas no Vale dos Sinos, região Sul do Brasil. São analisados os casos de duas empresas do elo componentes para calçados, indicadas por empresários da cadeia coureiro-calçadista como as mais destacadas do Vale dos Sinos em práticas de internacionalização no referido elo. O objetivo do estudo é identifi car os recursos que essas empresas mobilizam para desenvolver o processo de internacionalização. O conceito de competências organizacionais provê a base teórica para a interpretação dos dados. Os resultados mostram que a internacionalização dessas empresas apóia-se em uma combinação de recursos associados a três competências: (a) domínio da tecnologia de processo; (b) capacidade de entender os mercados e (c) a habilidade de agregar parceiros. Os casos reforçam o entendimento da internacionalização como um processo de aprendizagem que, aqui, corresponde à exposição dessas empresas a demandas de clientes internacionais desde os anos 1980, por força da dinâmica da cadeia produtiva do setor de calçados.
Subjetividade e segurança do trabalho: a experiência de um grupo de mútua ajuda
Authors: Bouyer Gilbert Cardoso , Barbosa Eduardo
Published: July 2014

Este trabalho investigou a relação entre subjetividade e segurança do trabalho no setor de manutenção de uma empresa de mineração de grande porte. Verificou que a experiência com um grupo de mútua ajuda pode ser usada como instrumento de melhoria da segurança do trabalho. Foi estudado um grupo de mútua ajuda denominado Programa Hoje Não, composto por 35 trabalhadores do setor de manutenção. Os métodos empregados foram entrevistas conforme os modelos da psicodinâmica do trabalho e da psicossociologia, além da clínica do trabalho e da análise ergonômica do trabalho. Com as técnicas do Pro-grama Hoje Não, aplicadas no grupo, o número de acidentes foi reduzido até atingir valores nunca alcançados em 11 anos.
Fuzzy claim reserving in non-life insurance
Authors: de Andrés-Sánchez
Published: July 2014

This paper develops several expressions to quantify claim provisions to
account in financial statements of a non-life insurance company under the
hypothesis of a fuzzy environment. Concretely, by applying the expected value
of a fuzzy number and the more general concept of value of a fuzzy number to
the ANOVA claim predicting model [2] we estimate claim reserves to account in
insurer?s balance sheet and income account.
Induced intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted averaging: Weighted average operator and its application to business decision-making
Authors: Shouzhen Zeng , Qifeng Wang , Merigó José , Tiejun Pan
Published: July 2014

We present the induced intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted
averaging-weighted average (I-IFOWAWA) operator. It is a new aggregation
operator that uses the intuitionistic fuzzy weighted average (IFWA) and the
induced intuitionistic fuzzy ordered weighted averaging (I-IFOWA) operator in
the same formulation. We study some of its main properties and we have seen
that it has a lot of particular cases such as the IFWA and the intuitionistic
fuzzy ordered weighted averaging (IFOWA) operator. We also study its
applicability in a decision-making problem concerning strategic selection of
investments. We see that depending on the particular type of I-IFOWAWA
operator used, the results may lead to different decisions.
A novel educational game for teaching emotion identification skills to preschoolers with autism diagnosis
Authors: Christinaki Eirini , Vidakis Nikolas , Triantafyllidis Georgios
Published: July 2014

Emotion recognition is essential in human communication and social
interaction. Children with autism have been reported to exhibit deficits in
understanding and expressing emotions. Those deficits seem to be rather
permanent so intervention tools for improving those impairments are
desirable. Educational interventions for teaching emotion recognition should
occur as early as possible. It is argued that Serious Games can be very
effective in the areas of therapy and education for children with autism.
However, those computer interventions require considerable skills for
interaction. Before the age of 6, most children with autism do not have such
basic motor skills in order to manipulate a mouse or a keyboard. Our approach
takes account of the specific characteristics of preschoolers with autism and
their physical inabilities. By creating an educational computer game, which
provides physical interaction with natural user interface (NUI), we aim to
support early intervention and to enhance emotion recognition skills.
Evaluation of fluid production and seroma formation after placement of closed suction drains in clean subcutaneous surgical wounds of dogs: 77 cases (2005–2012)
Authors: Shaver Stephanie L. , Hunt Geraldine B. , Kidd Scott W.
Published: July 2014

Objective—To evaluate fluid production and factors associated with seroma formation after placement of closed suction drains in clean surgical wounds in dogs.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—77 client-owned dogs with a subcutaneous closed suction drain placed following a clean surgical procedure.

Procedures—Medical records (January 2005 to June 2012) were reviewed, and signalment, site of surgery and underlying disease process, histologic evaluation results, total drain fluid production, fluid production rate (mL/kg/h) at 12-hour intervals, cytologic evaluation of drain fluid, and development of dehiscence, infection, or seroma were recorded. Associations among variables were evaluated.

Results—The most common complication was dehiscence (n = 18), followed by seroma (14) and infection (4). Dogs that developed a seroma had significantly greater total drain fluid volume relative to body weight and greater fluid production rate at 24 and 72 hours as well as the last time point measured before drain removal. Dogs in which drains were removed when fluid production rate was > 0.2 mL/kg/h (0.09 mL/lb/h) were significantly more likely to develop a seroma.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Seroma formation was more common in dogs with a higher rate of fluid production relative to body weight, but was not associated with the number of days that a closed suction drain remained in situ. Dogs may be at greater risk of seroma formation if their drains are removed while drainage is still occurring at a rate > 0.2 mL/kg/h.
Cyclophosphamide intoxication because of pharmacy error in two dogs
Authors: Wells Jennifer E. , Sabatino Bethany R. , Whittemore Jacqueline C.
Published: July 2014

Case Description—An 8-year-old spayed female Yorkshire Terrier and 5-year-old castrated male West Highland White Terrier were evaluated because of cyclophosphamide intoxication subsequent to pharmacy error. Both dogs received cumulative doses of approximately 1,080 mg of cyclophosphamide/m2 after cyclophosphamide was erroneously dispensed instead of cyclosporine by different pharmacies.

Clinical Findings—Both dogs became lethargic, and 1 dog also had anorexia, vomiting, and diarrhea within 2 days after initiation of cyclophosphamide administration. The other dog developed anorexia on the seventh day after initiation of cyclophosphamide administration. The dogs were evaluated by their primary-care veterinarians 9 and 11 days after administration of the first dose of cyclophosphamide, and both had severe leukopenia and thrombocytopenia.

Treatment and Outcome—One dog was treated on an outpatient basis with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and an appetite stimulant. The other dog was more severely affected and was hospitalized for 7 days, during which it was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobials, gastroprotectants, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and cryopreserved platelet and packed RBC transfusions. Both dogs fully recovered after treatment.

Clinical Relevance—This was the first report of survival for dogs with inadvertent prolonged cyclophosphamide intoxication subsequent to pharmacy error. Although the 2 dogs had similar clinical signs and clinicopathologic findings, the severity of disease and treatment required differed for each dog. Dogs can recover from prolonged cyclophosphamide intoxication provided appropriate supportive care is administered.
The family structure and cultural practices of Garo community in Bangladesh: An overview
Authors: Jalil Md Abdul , Oakkas Mohammad Ali
Published: July 2014

The Garo is one of the marginalised ethnic minority groups in Bangladesh originally migrated from Tibet. They have been living in the different areas of Bangladesh for few centuries with mainstream Bengali community. However, they hold distinct cultural tradition and social system not consistent with mainstream Bengali people although they frequently interact with each other. Based on ethnographic study, the present paper argues that although Garo’s traditional family pattern and cultural practices are changing gradually largely because of frequent interaction with mainstream Bengali people and influence of Christianity, traditional norms and practices still dominate their family and cultural life to a considerable extent.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hjsa.v5i0.7042 Himalayan Journal of Sociology & Anthropology-Vol. V (2012) 95-110
Influence of Beam Geometry and Aggregate Size on the Flexural Strength and Elastic Moduli of Cement-Stabilized Materials
Authors: Mbaraga Alex N. , Jenkins Kim J. , van de Ven Martin
Published: July 2014

Because of the depletion of good-quality materials, the use of cement stabilization for subbase and base layer materials often offers a feasible solution. As with all pavement materials, the design inputs must be determined, and this process requires comprehension of material engineering properties such as flexural strength and elastic moduli. Usually, four-point beam loading is preferred for flexural testing because the test simulates the stress–strain gradient as generated within a pavement layer. However, beam geometry, maximum aggregate particle size, and test configuration influence property measurements, which affect the mechanistic design input values. This study examines the influence of beam geometry and aggregate particle size used with respect to the span–depth ratio in the four-point beam test in monotonic loading. An increase in beam depth at a fixed loading span was shown to result in a decrease in flexural strength and elastic modulus but an increase in beam shear stresses. However, an increase of the span–depth ratio significantly reduced the resultant shear stresses in the beam. Additionally, the presence of large aggregate particles in a small beam generated localized zones of weakness, which significantly influenced the resultant flexural strength and elastic modulus.
Parametric Analysis of Resilient Modulus Modeling for Recycled Asphalt Pavement in Base Layer
Authors: Noureldin Ehab M. , Abdelrahman Magdy
Published: July 2014

The resilient modulus (MR) has been found to be the most important parameter in the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for the base layer. A literature review showed that the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in the base layer had many economic and structural benefits. The prediction of MR with the specific MEPDG model for the base layer mixed with RAP was found to be reliable for several field conditions. However, further studies of the MEPDG model are needed for an understanding of the physical meaning of each parameter in the model. The most important factor affecting MR for the base layer is the state of stresses, especially the confining pressure. This type of state of stresses was found in previous research to be more effective than deviator stresses. The present study focuses on the parametric analysis of each constant in the model versus various confining pressure states under various field conditions and at various RAP concentrations. This parametric analysis is compared with the traditional granular coarse aggregates used for the base layer before RAP is used so that any difference in the physical meaning when RAP is mixed in the base layer blend can be determined. The prediction of MR by the MEPDG model appears to be sound for RAP, but only with confining pressure levels below 10 psi and without significant variation in water content and maximum dry density. Freeze–thaw cycles do not negatively influence the prediction of MR for both RAP and granular coarse aggregates.
Decision Methodology for Temperature Control of Pavements
Authors: Brown Henry , Kraus Matthew , Bowders John
Published: July 2014

About 2.5 million miles of paved roads, which would cover an area about the size of the state of Georgia, exist in the United States. Pavements accumulate and dissipate solar energy in daily cycles. The increased heat in the pavement has many detrimental effects, including the accelerated degradation of the pavement, which results in increased costs to departments of transportation, and urban warming, which results in increased costs for cooling nearby inhabited structures and possibly contributes to microclimate change. Techniques such as heat exchangers that capture heat energy and transfer it to other forms of energy can reduce the extreme temperatures in pavements. Laboratory and some small-scale field trials of these systems have been conducted; however, the technology has not received wide implementation to date. Challenges to such implementation include limited documentation on the effectiveness of pavement cooling, a lack of accepted standard designs, a lack of evidence of long-term performance, the need for more efficient heat exchangers, and the cost of the system. Technological developments are rapidly overcoming the challenges, and the potential benefits of energy recovery are significant and include extended pavement life, reduced energy consumption in areas surrounding the pavement, improved air quality, the production of energy that could be used for other applications, and reduced microclimate impacts. This paper presents a decision methodology that would help designers and stakeholders evaluate, in terms of performance and cost measures, alternatives for systems to control pavement temperatures.
Guideline update for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 16: Bone graft extenders and substitutes as an adjunct for lumbar fusion
Authors: Kaiser Michael G. , Groff Michael W. , Watters William C. , Ghogawala Zoher , Mummaneni Praveen V. , Dailey Andrew T. , Choudhri Tanvir F. , Eck Jason C. , Sharan Alok , Wang Jeffrey C. , Dhall Sanjay S. , Resnick Daniel K.
Published: July 2014

In an attempt to enhance the potential to achieve a solid arthrodesis and avoid the morbidity of harvesting autologous iliac crest bone (AICB) for a lumbar fusion, numerous alternatives have been investigated. The use of these fusion adjuncts has become routine despite a lack of convincing evidence demonstrating a benefit to justify added costs or potential harm. Potential alternatives to AICB include locally harvested autograft, calcium-phosphate salts, demineralized bone matrix (DBM), and the family of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs). In particular, no option has created greater controversy than the BMPs. A significant increase in the number of publications, particularly with respect to the BMPs, has taken place since the release of the original guidelines. Both DBM and the calciumphosphate salts have demonstrated efficacy as a graft extender or as a substitute for AICB when combined with local autograft. The use of recombinant human BMP-2 (rhBMP-2) as a substitute for AICB, when performing an interbody lumbar fusion, is considered an option since similar outcomes have been observed; however, the potential for heterotopic bone formation is a concern. The use of rhBMP-2, when combined with calcium phosphates, as a substitute for AICB, or as an extender, when used with local autograft or AICB, is also considered an option as similar fusion rates and clinical outcomes have been observed. Surgeons electing to use BMPs should be aware of a growing body of literature demonstrating unique complications associated with the use of BMPs.
Guideline update for the performance of fusion procedures for degenerative disease of the lumbar spine. Part 17: Bone growth stimulators as an adjunct for lumbar fusion
Authors: Kaiser Michael G. , Eck Jason C. , Groff Michael W. , Ghogawala Zoher , Watters William C. , Dailey Andrew T. , Resnick Daniel K. , Choudhri Tanvir F. , Sharan Alok , Wang Jeffrey C. , Dhall Sanjay S. , Mummaneni Praveen V.
Published: July 2014

The relationship between the formation of a solid arthrodesis and electrical and electromagnetic energy is well established; most of the information on the topic, however, pertains to the healing of long bone fractures. The use of both invasive and noninvasive means to supply this energy and supplement spinal fusions has been investigated. Three forms of electrical stimulation are routinely used: direct current stimulation (DCS), pulsed electromagnetic field stimulation (PEMFS), and capacitive coupled electrical stimulation (CCES). Only DCS requires the placement of electrodes within the fusion substrate and is inserted at the time of surgery. Since publication of the original guidelines, few studies have investigated the use of bone growth stimulators. Based on the current review, no conflict with the previous recommendations was generated. The use of DCS is recommended as an option for patients younger than 60 years of age, since a positive effect on fusion has been observed. The same, however, cannot be stated for patients over 60, because DCS did not appear to have an impact on fusion rates in this population. No study was reviewed that investigated the use of CCES or the routine use of PEMFS. A single low-level study demonstrated a positive impact of PEMFS on patients undergoing revision surgery for pseudarthrosis, but this single study is insufficient to recommend for or against the use of PEMFS in this patient population.
High-Energy, Multicolor Femtosecond Pulses from the Deep Ultraviolet to the Near Infrared Generated in a Hydrogen-Filled Gas Cell and Hollow Fiber
Authors: Motoyoshi Kazuya , Kida Yuichiro , Imasaka Totaro
Published: July 2014

We investigate four-wave mixing in hydrogen gas using a gas cell and a hollow fiber for the generation of high-energy, multicolor femtosecond (fs) optical pulses. Both a hydrogen-filled gas cell and hollow fiber lead to the generation of multicolor fs pulses in a broad spectral range from the deep ultraviolet to the near infrared. However, there is a difference in the energy distribution of the multicolor emission between the gas cell and the hollow fiber. The hydrogen-filled gas cell generates visible pulses with higher energies than the pulses created by the hollow fiber. We have generated visible pulses with energies of several tens of microjoules. The hydrogen-filled hollow fiber, on the other hand, generates ultraviolet pulses with energies of a few microjoules, which are higher than the energies of the ultraviolet pulses generated in the gas cell. In both schemes, the spectral width of each emission line supports a transform-limited pulse duration shorter than 15 fs. Four-wave mixing in hydrogen gas therefore can be used for the development of a light source that emits sub-20 fs multicolor pulses in a wavelength region from the deep ultraviolet to the near infrared with microjoule pulse energies.
Catalytic Activity of Mono- and Bi-Metallic Nanoparticles Synthesized via Microemulsions
Authors: König Ramona , Schwarze Michael , Schomäcker Reinhard , Stubenrauch Cosima
Published: July 2014

Water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsions were used as a template for the synthesis of mono- and bi-metallic nanoparticles. For that purpose, w/o-microemulsions containing H2PtCl6, H2PtCl6 + Pb(NO3)2 and H2PtCl6 + Bi(NO)3, respectively, were mixed with a w/o-microemulsion containing the reducing agent, NaBH4. The results revealed that it is possible to synthesize Pt, PtPb and PtBi nanoparticles of ~3–8 nm in diameter at temperatures of about 30°C. The catalytic properties of the bimetallic PtBi and PtPb nanoparticles were studied and compared with monometallic platinum nanoparticles. Firstly, the electrochemical oxidation of formic acid to carbon monoxide was investigated, and it was found that the resistance of the PtBi and PtPb nanoparticles against the catalyst-poisoning carbon monoxide was significantly higher compared to the Pt nanoparticles. Secondly, investigating the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol,we found that the bimetallic NPs are most active at 23 °C, while the order of the activity changes at higher temperatures, i.e., that the Pt nanoparticles are the most active ones at 36 and 49 °C. Furthermore, we observed a strong influence of the support, which was either a polymer or Al2O3. Thirdly, for the hydrogenation of allylbenzene to propylbenzene, the monometallic Pt NPs turned out to be the most active catalysts, followed by the PtPb and PtBi NPs. Comparing the two bimetallic nanoparticles, one sees that the PtPb NPs are significantly more active than the respective PtBi NPs.
Parylene C-Based Flexible Electronics for pH Monitoring Applications
Authors: Trantidou Tatiana , Tariq Mehvesh , Terracciano Cesare , Toumazou Christofer , Prodromakis Themistoklis
Published: July 2014

Emerging materials in the field of implantable sensors should meet the needs for biocompatibility; transparency; flexibility and integrability. In this work; we present an integrated approach for implementing flexible bio-sensors based on thin Parylene C films that serve both as flexible support substrates and as active H+ sensing membranes within the same platform. Using standard micro-fabrication techniques; a miniaturized 40-electrode array was implemented on a 5 μm-thick Parylene C film. A thin capping film (1 μm) of Parylene on top of the array was plasma oxidized and served as the pH sensing membrane. The sensor was evaluated with the use of extended gate discrete MOSFETs to separate the chemistry from the electronics and prolong the lifetime of the sensor. The chemical sensing array spatially maps the local pH levels; providing a reliable and rapid-response (<5 s) system with a sensitivity of 23 mV/pH. Moreover; it preserves excellent encapsulation integrity and low chemical drifts (0.26–0.38 mV/min). The proposed approach is able to deliver hybrid flexible sensing platforms that will facilitate concurrent electrical and chemical recordings; with application in real-time physiological recordings of organs and tissues.
Essai de formulation systématique d'un mode d'approche du paysage (A test to express a landscape conception by a systemic formulation)
Authors: Brossard Thierry , Wieber Jean-Claude
Published: July 2014

Résumé. - Le paysage est le signe d'un système de forces en action, un spectacle visible et un objet plus ou moins clairement perçu. Les auteurs en tirent une cartographie des combinaisons de composants, qui reflète la sensibilité fonctionnelle, et une autre du paysage visible, dont on tire la sensibilité visuelle. Ils tentent de formuler explicitement leur conception du système « Paysage Visible ». Cette démarche semble être fructueuse : elle permet l'étude d'objets complexes par approches emboîtées, elle oblige à plus de logique dans les recherches, elle doit assurer un meilleur équilibre des faits pris en compte, enfin, elle peut être dynamique.
Mise en évidence des niveaux d'échelle dans l'étude des milieux intégrés (Spitsberg) (Scale levels in studying a Spitsberg tundra)
Authors: Brossard Thierry
Published: July 2014

Résumé. - A partir d'un exemple appliqué à un micro-milieu de toundra au Spitsberg l'auteur présente une méthode d'analyse des effets d'échelle. Les traits principaux en sont les suivants : - échantillonnage du terrain, - observation normalisée selon une grille de maille variable, - traitement mathématique et cartographique.
Essai de quantification des caractères d'un paysage (Région de Saint-Arnoult, Yvelines, France) (An attempt at quantifying the characteristics of a landscape : Saint-Arnoult region, Yvelines, France)
Authors: Jeanjean Véronique
Published: July 2014

L'auteur expose la méthode d'estimation des paysages proposée par G. Neuray et l'applique à une petite région du sud des Yvelines, puis en tente une appréciation critique.
Quelques réflexions à propos de la politique togolaise de développement rural mise en œuvre au cours de la décennie 1980 (Some thoughts about the politics of rural development in Togo during the 1980's)
Authors: Akibodé A.K.
Published: July 2014

In Togo, agriculture accounts for 35 percent of the GNP, 30 percent of export products and 80 percent of the people's occupations. The urban people per capita income is about four times higher than that of the rural people ; as a result the agriculture sector represents only a demand worth US$ 60 millions per an in terms of buying power. It has been estimated that, through the 1980s, the annual income of the 270,000 farmers families of whom a census was taken, amounted to US $216 millions for a 39 percent market réintégration ratio.

From 1975 to the mid-1980s two ministries were exclusively in charge of the rural development at the level of the political establishment, namely the Ministry of Rural Development wich was essentially responsible for the incentives to production, and the Ministry of Rural Life Planning whose major responsibilities included questions relating to agricultural economy, infrastructure, raw materials supply and environmental protection.

From the ministries down to the international organisations and NGOs in charge of the implementation of the development projects in the rural sector, the State organisations that are operational in the agricultural sector are poorly coordinated. Up to the end of the 1980s, Togo had no central planning for the rural development in the shape of budget endowments allocated to the investments in favour of certain particular objectives. The different countries and donor organisations keep on implementing rural development projects in their «sphere of intervention» alongside a series of projects initiated by the State of Togo. This study purports to be a review of the activities conducted in favour of the development of the togo- lese rural world throughout the 1980s.
Découverte de nouvelles moraines faillées dans l'Apennin central (Italie) (Discovery of new faulted moraines in the central Apennines (Italy))
Authors: Jaurand Emmanuel
Published: July 2014

L'analyse stéréoscopique et l'enquête géomorphologique de terrain ont permis à l'auteur de découvrir deux nouveaux cas de moraines failiées dans l'Apennin central (Italie). Dans le massif abruzzais du Velino, un vallum du Würm récent a été dénivelé par une faille d'au moins 20 m de rejet. Dans les Sibillini (Apennin ombro-marchesan), le lac de Pilato est barré par un abrupt de faille de 15 m de haut inscrit dans une moraine latérale de retrait. Ces nouvelles observations attestent l'ampleur de la tectonique post-glaciaire et conduisent à reconsidérer la part de l'érosion glaciaire dans la morphogénèse du haut Apennin central.
Organisation de Siemens et télécommunications dans une grande entreprise internationale (Organisations of Siemens and telecommunication in a big international firm)
Authors: Lestrade Marc
Published: July 2014

Au sein d'une grande entreprise internationale comme Siemens, on observe à la fois une tendance à la centralisation pour réaliser des économies de fonctionnement et à la décentralisation pour être au plus près du client. Sur le plan des télécommunications, cela se traduit par l'adoption de trois systèmes de télécommunications adaptées à des échelles spatiales différentes et à des volumes d'échange également différents. Le système WAN (Wide Area Networks) correspond aux communications internationales à faible débit ; le système MAN (Metropolitan Area Network) est utilisé pour les communications à plus fort débit entre les différents services de l'entreprise ; le système LAN (Local Area Network) est utilisé pour les gros débits au sein d'un même service. Il est possible qu'une nouvelle technique ATM à l'essai (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) permette de simplifier au moins partiellement ce schéma d'organisation de l'espace d'échange au sein de l'entreprise.
L'agriculture périurbaine : analyse d'une marginalité (Suburban agriculture : analysis of a marginal phenomenon)
Authors: Prost Brigitte
Published: July 2014

Là où la pression urbaine est la plus forte, l'agriculture est en marge. Elle ne relève plus vraiment du système rural de production territoriale, elle est trop en dépendance à l'intérieur du système urbain. Elle est menacée au sein d'un espace périurbain trop convoité. Le maintien d'une agriculture périurbaine passe par l'affirmation de celle-ci au sein d'un nouveau système territorial dont la cohérence tient à la place acquise par l'agriculture.
Impact du développement de Bangui (R.C.A.) sur le paysage périurbain (Suburban landscape of Bangui (R.C.A.) : the impact of urban growth)
Authors: Baticle Yves
Published: July 2014

Du fait de l'essor spectaculaire de sa population, la ville de Bangui a un impact négatif sur le paysage suburbain. Les besoins en bois ont conduit à un recul de la forêt équatoriale vers le sud qu'on peut évaluer à 20 km en quarante ans.
Une agriculture périurbaine en voie de banalisation : l'exemple amiénois (Turning suburban agriculture into a common practice : the example of Amiens city)
Authors: Limouzin Pierre
Published: July 2014

Excepté la zone maraîchère qui est en très net recul, l'extension spatiale de la ville d'Amiens n'a pas changé les caractéristiques de l'agriculture périurbaine qui ne sont pas différentes de celles de l'agriculture picarde.
Improved Insulin Secretion by Autologous Islet Transplantation, Compared to Oral Antidiabetic Agents, after Distal Pancreatectomy
Authors: Yoon Ji Won , Jung Hye Seung , Jang Jin Young , Kim Min Joo , Kim Jung Hee , Ohn Jung Hun , Kim Jae Hyeon , Lee Hak Mo , Kim Hyo Cheol , Lee Kyoung Bun , Choi Seung A , Kim Sun-Whe , Park Kyong Soo
Published: July 2014

In this study, the effects of autologous islet transplantation (ITx) were compared to those of oral antidiabetic drugs (OAD) after distal pancreatectomy (NCT01922492). We enrolled nondiabetic patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy for benign tumors. In the ITx group, islets were isolated from the normal part of the resected pancreas and implanted via the portal vein. Patients who did not receive ITx were regularly monitored and were enrolled in the OAD group if diabetes mellitus developed. The OAD group was treated with metformin with or without vildagliptin. Metabolic parameters were monitored for 12 months postoperatively. Nine patients in the ITx group and 10 in the OAD group were included in the analysis. After 12 months, hemoglobin A1c significantly increased by 5% of the baseline in each group. Area under the curve for blood glucose (AUCglucose) of the 75-g oral glucose tolerance test increased similarly in the immediate postoperative period in both groups but significantly reduced only in the ITx group thereafter. Insulinogenic index (INSindex) significantly decreased from 25.6 ± 18.9 to 4.7 ± 3.7 in the OAD group, while no significant change was observed in the ITx group (from 15.0 ± 4.5 to 11.0 ± 8.2). In the multiple regression analysis, ITx was an independent factor for changes in AUCglucose and INSindex. In addition, changes in INSindex in the ITx group after postoperative 6 months were associated with the efficacy of islet isolation, amount of grafts, and peak serum HMGB1 and VEGF levels after ITx. ITx was superior to OAD in maintaining insulin secretory capacity and glucose tolerance after distal pancreatectomy.