bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A entrevista motivacional em tabagistas: uma revisão teórica
Authors: Melo Wilson Vieira , Oliveira Margareth da Silva , Araújo Renata Brasil , Pedroso Rosemeri Siqueira
Published: December 2008

O tabagismo é uma das principais causas de morte prematura em todo o mundo, além de ser uma das dependências de mais difícil tratamento. Uma das abordagens que vêm sendo utilizadas no tratamento da dependência do tabaco é a entrevista motivaciona, baseada no modelo transteórico proposto por Prochaska & Di Clemente. Este trabalho tem por objetivo realizar uma revisão teórica a respeito dos estágios motivacionais de mudança e do uso da entrevista motivacional breve em pacientes tabagistas. Apresentam-se, no decorrer do texto, resultados de algumas das mais importantes pesquisas realizadas na Europa e nos Estados Unidos acerca do assunto. Os resultados indicam que, apesar de a entrevista motivacional breve apresentar bons resultados no tratamento de comportamentos aditivos, quando comparada a outras modalidades de intervenção, esse sucesso não parece se estender aos resultados encontrados no tratamento do tabagismo.
Investigação em psicoterapia com crianças: uma revisão
Authors: Deakin Elisabeth Kuhn , Nunes Maria Lucia Tiellet
Published: December 2008

O objetivo deste estudo foi realizar uma revisão bibliográfica sobre as pesquisas mais recentes em psicoterapia com crianças, com ênfase na psicoterapia psicanalítica infantil. Procedeu-se à revisão de todos os trabalhos encontrados na consulta às publicações científicas indexadas de acesso on-line e aos livros-textos das áreas de avaliação de resultados de psicoterapia psicanalítica com crianças, avaliando e discutindo os aspectos metodológicos. Os resultados demonstraram que, apesar dos avanços alcançados, ainda existe uma escassez de pesquisas na área, principalmente no que diz respeito às pesquisas que comprovem a efetividade das psicoterapias de orientação psicanalítica com crianças. Por último, conclui-se que existe uma necessidade de desenvolver estudos com metodologias mais sofisticadas para avaliar os resultados de psicoterapia com crianças.
Os prejuízos funcionais de pessoas com transtorno de ansiedade social: uma revisão
Authors: Morais Luciene Vaccaro de , Crippa José Alexandre S. , Loureiro Sonia Regina
Published: December 2008

O transtorno de ansiedade social caracteriza-se pelo medo acentuado e persistente de situações sociais ou de desempenho, podendo influenciar a vida cotidiana dos portadores. Objetiva-se identificar, na literatura indexada, estudos empíricos com instrumentos de avaliação que abordem os prejuízos funcionais experimentados por pessoas com transtorno de ansiedade social no desempenho de atividades cotidianas e analisar as implicações de tais dificuldades. Procedeu-se a uma busca sistemática junto às bases de dados indexadas, identificando dez artigos, que foram agrupados em dois conjuntos: a) os relativos à proposição de instrumentos de avaliação e análise das qualidades psicométricas (n = 4); e b) os relativos ao impacto do transtorno de ansiedade social para a qualidade de vida e para as atividades cotidianas (n = 6). Os estudos psicométricos ressaltaram a pouca atenção dada a instrumentos validados para avaliar especificamente os prejuízos funcionais. Os trabalhos relativos ao impacto na qualidade de vida e nas atividades cotidianas constataram a presença de insatisfação com a vida e com a saúde em pacientes com transtorno de ansiedade social. A análise da literatura apontou para a importância da avaliação dos prejuízos funcionais do transtorno de ansiedade social no funcionamento cotidiano, por meio de medidas objetivas. Destaca-se a relevância de tais avaliações no planejamento e na intervenção de atividades voltadas ao transtorno de ansiedade social no contexto das práticas multidisciplinares de saúde mental.
Indicadores de desempenho dos Sistemas de Gestão Ambiental (SGA): uma pesquisa teórica
Authors: Campos Lucila Maria de Souza , Melo Daiane Aparecida de
Published: December 2008

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar os principais tipos de indicadores de desempenho que podem ser utilizados por empresas que possuem um sistema de gestão ambiental (SGA). Neste contexto, o artigo apresenta uma abordagem da gestão ambiental e dos indicadores de medição de desempenho, enfatizando a importância dos indicadores de desempenho ambiental para um SGA e para a organização. Trata-se de uma pesquisa teórica que investigou artigos, teses, dissertações e documentos publicados por empresas que possuem seus SGA certificados. Estes indicadores foram divididos de acordo com os requisitos da norma ISO 14001. Por fim, o artigo inicia uma discussão de como estes indicadores podem tornar-se estratégicos ou parte da estratégia ambiental de uma organização.
Gestão do conhecimento em indústria de alta tecnologia
Authors: Santos Isabel Cristina dos , Amato Neto João
Published: December 2008

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever o processo de Gestão do Conhecimento na indústria aeronáutica nacional. O problema central investigado refere-se a como uma indústria de alta tecnologia, que produz sob encomenda, com um longo leadtime, gera conhecimento, dado o rápido deslocamento das fronteiras tecnológicas. A metodologia foi pautada em pesquisa documental, na aplicação de questionários, para um grupo, e entrevistas não-estruturadas, para outro grupo, escolhidos por amostra não-probabilística. Para a análise, utilizou-se um estudo de caso. Observou-se que as inovações estão limitadas aos conteúdos conhecidos das ciências e suas aplicações, e são fortemente orientadas à melhoria contínua. A indústria é o principal agente das mudanças do setor, apoiada pelo comprometimento da organização humana que promove a adaptação da empresa aos novos requisitos e tendências do ambiente tecnológico e competitivo. Para tanto, a indústria prioriza o desenvolvimento das competências técnicas, mercadológicas e empresariais, por meio da capacitação contínua.
Produtividade e vigor do maracujazeiro-amarelo plantado em covas e plantio direto sob manejo orgânico
Authors: Araújo Neto Sebastião Elviro de , Souza Suzana Rodrigues de , Saldanha Cristina Szilagyi , Fontinele Yrle da Rocha , Negreiros Jacson Rondinelli da Silva , Mendes Roberval , Azevedo José Marlo Araújo de , Oliveira Elizangela Barboza de Lima
Published: December 2008

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o vigor e a produtividade do maracujazeiro-amarelo plantado em diferentes tamanhos de cova e plantio direto sob manejo orgânico. O experimento foi conduzido de 2005 a 2007, no Setor de Agricultura Ecológica da Universidade Federal do Acre, em delineamento de blocos casualizados, constituídos de cinco tratamentos, quatro repetições e quatro plantas por parcela. Foram avaliados cinco tipos de preparo do solo: T1 cova do tamanho do torrão (0,19 x 0,063m) com adubação em cobertura; T2 cova de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m com adubação de plantio na cova; T3 cova de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m com adubação de plantio em cobertura; T4 cova de 0,50 x 0,50 x 0,50m com adubação de plantio na cova; e T5 cova de 0,50 x 0,50 x 0,50m com adubação de plantio em cobertura. O tamanho da cova e o plantio direto não influenciaram o vigor da planta e a biomassa de raízes. O número de frutos por planta e a produtividade, na segunda e na somatória das duas safras, foram maiores com plantio direto e com covas cúbicas de 0,30m. Após dois anos de cultivo, a densidade do solo foi maior na camada de 0-5cm de profundidade num raio de 20cm da planta para o plantio em covas de 0,50m com adubação na cova e menor para o plantio direto, não havendo diferença entre os demais tratamentos. O plantio direto ou o plantio em covas pequenas com dimensões de 0,30 x 0,30 x 0,30m proporcionou maior produtividade de maracujá que o plantio em covas maiores, mesmo não influenciando o vigor das plantas e a massa seca de raízes.
Estudos no exterior e mediação de modelos institucionais: o caso dos juristas brasileiros
Authors: Engelmann Fabiano
Published: December 2008

O presente texto constitui uma análise do perfil dos estudos no exterior dos professores de mestrado e doutorado em Direito no Brasil, a partir das informações fornecidas por eles nos currículos registrados na Plataforma Lattes, do Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq), em 2006. Esses dados são analisados no contexto de uma discussão sobre os efeitos da internacionalização das perícias de gestão do Estado e dos usos das "Ciências Sociais Aplicadas", já que a utilização de tais perícias está relacionada às estratégias mobilizadas pelos agentes nas disputas pelas posições de poder e pela definição do sentido de "Estado", "política" e "justiça". Assim, pode-se elaborar hipóteses sobre a relação entre a circulação internacional de juristas brasileiros e os movimentos de importação e exportação de modelos institucionais, bem como suas repercussões no espaço jurídico e político nacionais. As reconversões de agentes - até então dedicados principalmente ao "mundo operacional" - em direção à carreira acadêmica e à produção intelectual, por meio dos investimentos em titulação de doutorado e em estudos no exterior, podem ser analisadas em estreita correspondência com a demanda pela refundamentação e com a internacionalização dos conhecimentos relacionados ao Estado e à gestão das instituições políticas e jurídicas. Da mesma forma, esse processo, no caso dos juristas, contempla a fundamentação intelectual da resistência aos modelos institucionais que apontam para o enfraquecimento dos pressupostos do Estado-nação.
Estruturas de diferença no palin, esporte mapuche
Authors: Course Magnus
Published: December 2008

Combinando dados históricos e etnográficos, este artigo explora a importância dos vários níveis de oposição dentro do esporte do palin e as práticas sociais que o cercam, nas comunidades indígenas mapuche, no sul do Chile. Empregando o conceito de afinidade potencial, procuro analisar de que modo a oposição entre identidade e diferença toma formas distintas - como a guerra, o ritual ou o intercâmbio - em níveis distintos de análise, tais como os grupos étnicos, o grupo local e a pessoa. Essa multiplicidade de oposições está relacionada com a variedade dos contextos históricos nos quais o palin tem sido importante. Concentrando a atenção na relevância das relações de alteridade dentro do palin, este artigo procura expandir para o domínio do esporte indígena a aplicação da abordagem antropológica da socialidade ameríndia, abordagem esta geralmente restrita ao parentesco e à mitologia.
Within- and between-person variations as determinant factors to calculate the number of observations to estimate usual dietary intake of adolescents
Authors: Costa Mariana de M. F. , Takeyama Lia , Voci Sílvia M. , Slater Betzabeth , Silva Marina V.
Published: December 2008

This cross-sectional study describes the variation in the dietary intake of energy and macronutrients based on estimated coefficients of within- and between-person variation and intends to calculate the number of days required to evaluate the dietary intake of adolescents in Piracicaba, Brazil. The sample was made up by ninety-two adolescents aged between eleven and sixteen years. Interviews were performed to assess demographic, anthropometric and dietary variables, which were evaluated by the answers obtained through two 24-hour recalls. Descriptive analyses were performed and variances and Coefficients of variation within- and between-person were obtained by results of one-way ANOVA. The mean energy intake observed was 2,326.2 kilocalories; mean macronutrient intake came to 89.0 grams of fatty acids, 305.3 grams of carbohydrates and 82.2 grams of proteins. Coefficients of within-person variation ranged from 36% to 45%, while between-person coefficients varied from 26% to 31%. Variance ratios ranged from 1.35 (carbohydrate) to 2.62 (protein). The lowest number of observations required to correctly evaluate the usual diet calculated (r = 0.90) was six days, for carbohydrates while the highest was eleven, for proteins. Coefficients of variation were similar to those observed in international studies. We conclude that, in this study, two observations were sufficient to obtain reasonable correlations. However, six evaluations are necessary for these adolescents in order to obtain excellent correlations.
Análise das internações hospitalares de crianças menores de um ano relacionadas a intoxicações e efeitos adversos de medicamentos no Brasil
Authors: Lessa Marise de Araújo , Bochner Rosany
Published: December 2008

O amplo uso de medicamentos sem orientação médica, quase sempre acompanhado do desconhecimento dos malefícios que pode causar, é apontado como uma das causas destes constituírem o principal agente tóxico responsável pelas intoxicações humanas registradas no país. As crianças são as maiores vítimas, pois sofrem com as conseqüências da prática da automedicação, erros de administração, prescrição médica inadequada; com a falta de pesquisas adequadas para a liberação do consumo destes medicamentos em sua faixa etária; e com a curiosidade natural da idade. Diante destes dados, objetivou-se identificar as principais classes terapêuticas presentes nas internações de crianças menores de um ano relacionadas a intoxicações e efeitos adversos de medicamentos, registradas pelo Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do SUS nos anos de 2003 a 2005. Foram analisadas 1.063 internações, sendo 151 de menores de um mês e 912 entre um e onze meses. Os antiepilépticos, sedativos-hipnóticos e antiparkinsonianos foram responsáveis por 15,2% das internações relacionadas a intoxicações e efeitos adversos de medicamentos em menores de um mês e 21,1% em crianças de um a onze meses. Os antibióticos sistêmicos responderam para essas mesmas faixas etárias por 12,6% e 18,5% das internações, respectivamente. Os analgésicos, antitérmicos e anti-reumáticos não opiáceos tiveram participação menor, com 7,3% das internações para menores de um mês e 6,6% para crianças de um a onze meses. Um grande número de casos foi observado para crianças de zero dias, levando a considerar possíveis intoxicações por via transplacentária e por aleitamento materno. Dessa forma, o estudo aponta para a importância de um bom acompanhamento pré-natal, bem como para uma criteriosa prescrição de medicamentos para a mãe e a criança.
Revisão sistemática sobre estudos de espacialização da dengue no Brasil
Authors: Araújo José Raimundo de , Ferreira Efigênia Ferreira e , Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães de
Published: December 2008

O presente estudo objetivou realizar uma revisão sistemática sobre estudos de geoprocessamento do vetor da dengue e da doença no Brasil. A busca dos trabalhos foi realizada nas bases de dados Pubmed, Bireme e Scielo. A seleção foi realizada por critérios de inclusão, sendo estes: artigos originais sobre dengue e emprego de técnicas de geoprocessamento, publicados em inglês ou português de 1998 a 2007; trabalhos de finalização de curso; e trabalhos apresentados em congresso. Trabalhos que avaliaram essa doença em outros países foram excluídos. As palavras-chaves utilizadas na identificação dos artigos foram: "distribuição espacial e dengue", "dengue e geoprocessamento", "análise espacial e dengue", "Sistema de Informações Geográficas e dengue" e suas traduções para língua inglesa. Na base de busca do Scielo foram encontrados 15 artigos, dos quais selecionou-se 8; na Pubmed 11 trabalhos foram identificados, dos quais utilizou-se 3; e na Bireme, 20 trabalhos, dos quais selecionou-se 2. A revisão realizada permitiu analisar 7 estudos de espacialização dos casos de dengue, 5 trabalhos com vetores da dengue e um estudo que avaliou os casos e os vetores, simultaneamente. Foi freqüente a não-utilização de técnicas de geoprocessamento. Aspectos sociais foram freqüentemente associados à distribuição espacial da dengue. Desta forma, concluiu-se que os estudos de espacialização da dengue no Brasil, especialmente aqueles que avaliam os seus vetores, subutilizam as ferramentas do geoprocessamento. Os aspectos socioeconômicos são importantes para o entendimento da distribuição espacial da dengue.
The birds at Ilha Comprida beach (São Paulo State, Brazil): a multivariate approach
Authors: Barbieri Edison , Paes Eduardo Tavares
Published: December 2008

Birds were censused weekly from January 1999 to January 2001 along Ilha Comprida beach, a barrier island off São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. To evaluate the similarity in the bird's species composition among the weekly surveys, species counts data were arranged on a data matrix with 144 weekly surveys, analyzed following a multivariate analysis protocol. We counted a total of 205,399 individuals and 52 species. Migratory birds were an important component of the avifauna (maximum N = 21,294 individuals and 14 species). The largest numbers of birds were observed during summer, when Nearctic migrants arrive. All 14 of the most common species were migrants, including Calidris alba, Sterna maxima, Charadrius semipalmatus, Sterna hirundo, Thalasseus maximus, Pluvialis dominica and Calidris fuscicollis. The most common residents were Thalasseus s. eurrygnathus, Larus dominicanus, Coragyps atratus, Fregata magnificens and Sterna hirundinacea. Recently, most of the peripheral area adjacent to the beach has been urbanized and rapid habitat change is progressing. In this paper, we establish a reference that will allow future comparisons to assess the impact of such urbanization on the composition of bird populations on Ilha Comprida.
Branqueamento de corais nos recifes da Bahia e sua relação com eventos de anomalias térmicas nas águas superficiais do oceano
Authors: Leão Zelinda Margarida Andrade Nery , Kikuchi Ruy Kenji Papa de , Oliveira Marília de Dirceu Machado de
Published: December 2008

A partir de 1993 foram registrados vários eventos de branqueamento de coral na Bahia, com recuperação total dos corais afetados. O primeiro registro ocorreu em Abrolhos no verão de 1993/1994, quando o percentual de colônias branqueadas variou entre 50 e 90%. No verão de 1997/1998, ocorreu no Litoral Norte da Bahia uma anomalia térmica de 1 ºC, com temperaturas medidas no campo de 29 a 30,5 ºC, o que causou branqueamento em 60% dos corais. De 1998 a 2005, foi observado que nos recifes costeiros, localizados muito próximos (<5km) ou adjacentes à costa, a permanência de anomalias térmicas de 0,25 ºC por mais de duas semanas causou branqueamento em mais de 10% dos corais. Porém para os recifes de Abrolhos, localizados a mais de 10 km da costa, apenas anomalias acima de 0,50 ºC com duração de mais de duas semanas causaram branqueamento em mais de 10% dos corais. Mussismilia hispida, Siderastrea spp., Montastraea cavernosa, Agaricia agaricites e Porites astreoides foram as espécies de coral mais afetadas pelo branqueamento e são as espécies mais freqüentes nos recifes costeiros. Todas as espécies apresentaram graus diferentes de branqueamento, "fraco" ou "forte". Nos recifes da Bahia há uma forte relação entre o branqueamento de corais e os eventos de anomalias da temperatura da superfície do mar (TSM), e os recifes mais afetados pelo branqueamento foram os recifes costeiros. Estes recifes localizados muito próximos da costa estão mais expostos aos efeitos dos impactos provenientes de processos que ocorrem na região costeira, sugerindo que, muito provavelmente, os corais mais expostos a níveis elevados de nutriente e sedimento, e variações sazonais mais altas da TSM, podem já estarem mais resistentes aos efeitos pós branqueamento como, por exemplo, doenças infecciosas e mortalidade em massa.
New record of Thalia cicar van Soest 1973 (Urochordata: Thaliacea) in the Equatorial Atlantic
Authors: Díaz Xiomara Franchesca García , Gusmão Lucia Maria de Oliveira , Neumann-Leitão Sigrid
Published: December 2008

Thalia cicar van Soest 1973 (Urochordata, Thaliacea) is considered a tropical-subtropical species, registered in the Atlantic Ocean at latitudes between 7-34º S and 6-32º N. This work enlarges the occurrence of this species for Equatorial Atlantic waters. The specimens were found in a shelf break area of the Brazilian northeastern (07º 50'-07º 70' S and 34º 23' W) during the expedition JOPS-II (Joint Oceanographic Projects II) in March 1995; and, in São Pedro e São Paulo arquipelago (0º 55' N and 29º 20' W) in May and June, 2005. These two areas are characterized by the presence of local upwelling that induces the ascent of bottom waters rich in nutrients, generating areas of larger productivity than the typically oligotrophic Equatorial Atlantic waters. The new occurrence of Thalia cicar reported in this work can be related to these more productive waters of Equatorial Atlantic. The species that is most commonly found in the Atlantic Ocean is T. democratica, and the lack of past records of T. cicar might have been caused by the taxonomic difficulties determining of the solitary and aggregate zooids of these two species. This work suggests the potential use of the ratios among tunic lengths as an additional character to differentiate T. cicar and T. democratica oozooids.
Echinodermata da Baía de Todos os Santos e da Baía de Aratu (Bahia, Brasil)
Authors: Manso Cynthia Lara de Castro , Alves Orane Falcão de Souza , Martins Luciana Ribeiro
Published: December 2008

Neste trabalho são registrados os equinodermos (exceto Holothuroidea) obtidos durante a execução do projeto "Marine Environmental Evaluation of the Todos os Santos Bay-MAREMBA" em julho/agosto de 1996 e durante o projeto "Geoecologia das comunidades bentônicas infralitorais da Baía de Todos os Santos (BTS), BA, Brasil: diversidade biótica e sedimentológica", (1997). Um total de 33 espécies pertencentes a 15 famílias foram registradas e re-descritas. A distribuição de Ophiactis brasiliensis Manso, 1988 e Amphiodia trychna H.L. Clark, 1918 é estendida para a região nordeste do Brasil. A classe Ophiuroidea foi dominante nas amostragens em termos de abundância e freqüência de ocorrência, em particular as espécies Amphiodia atra Stimpson, 1852, Amphipholis subtilis (Ljungman, 1867), Ophiactislymani Ljungman, 1871 e Ophiostigma isocanthum (Say, 1825). O asteróide Oreaster reticulatus (Linnaeus, 1758) é considerado vulnerável à exploração humana e foi escasso durante as coletas. Outras espécies encontradas na BTS, tais como os asteroides Luidia clathrata (Say, 1825) e L. senegalensis (Lamarck, 1816) e o equinóide Eucidaristribuloides (Lamarck, 1816) figuram na lista nacional de espécies de invertebrados aquáticos ameaçados de extinção.
Carcinoid Tumors
Authors: Pinchot Scott N. , Holen Kyle , Sippel Rebecca S. , Chen Herbert
Published: December 2008

Carcinoid tumors are rare, slow-growing neuroendocrine tumors arising from the enterochromaffin cells disseminated throughout the gastrointestinal and bronchopulmonary systems. Though they have been traditionally classified based on embryologic site of origin, morphologic pattern, and silver affinity, newer classification systems have been developed to emphasize the considerable clinical and histopathologic variability of carcinoid tumors found within each embryologic site of origin. These neoplasms pose a diagnostic challenge because they are often innocuous at the time of presentation, emphasizing the need for a multidisciplinary diagnostic approach using biochemical analysis, standard cross-sectional imaging, and newer advances in nuclear medicine. Similarly, treatment of both primary and disseminated carcinoid disease reflects the need for a multidisciplinary approach, with surgery remaining the only curative modality. The prognosis for patients with these tumors is generally favorable; however, it can be quite variable and is related to the location of the primary tumor, extent of metastatic disease at initial presentation, and time of diagnosis.
Characteristics and durability of cements containing fly ash and limestone subjected to Caron's Lake water
Authors: Abd-El-Aziz M.A. , Heikal M.
Published: December 2008

In most countries, limestone and pozzolanas are widely used in Portland cement because such additions increase the chemical resistance to sulfate and/or chloride attack, impermeability and lower the heat of hydration of concrete. This study aimed to investigate the effect of fly ash (FA) and limestone (LS) on the hydration and durability of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) subjected to Caron's Lake water. The results revealed that the increase of LS content increased the water of consistency (normal consistency) of cement pastes, whereas the initial and final setting times were reduced by up to 30%. The portlandite contents of mixtures containing FA decreased. At the same time, an increase of LS content from 10 to 20% decreased the portlandite content by up to 90 days. On the other hand, the portlandite content of 30% LS increased by up to 90 days. Cement pastes containing FA had the lower values of total sulfate and chloride contents than sulfate-resisting cement pastes. The compressive strength of mixture M.10 (20% FA and 10% LS) showed higher compressive strength values than the other cements when immersed in both curing media, namely tap and Caron's Lake water. It is recommended that cements that are to be used for underground concrete structures or marine structures that are exposed to sulfate-containing seawater do not contain more than 10–20% of LS.
Fate and analysis of endocrine disrupting chemicals in some sewage treatment plants in Australia
Authors: Coleman H. M. , Khan S. J. , Watkins G. , Stuetz R. M.
Published: December 2008

There are limited studies on the fate and levels of endocrine disrupting chemicals in sewage treatment plants in Australia. Research undertaken in Europe and North America has shown biologically significant levels of both oestrogenic and androgenic chemicals in sewage effluent. The aim of this work was to determine the oestrogenic and androgenic activities of raw and treated sewage from sewage treatment plants run by MidCoast Water, New South Wales, Australia. Oestrogenic and androgenic activities were measured using a yeast screen bioassay. Results showed that the raw effluent contained biologically significant levels of both oestrogenic (0.58–2.91 ng/l) and androgenic (216–480 ng/l) activities. Androgenic activity was significantly higher than oestrogenic activity, which was consistent with other Australian studies and was attributed to the higher levels of androgens in domestic waste from human excretion compared to oestrogens. Secondary treatment (using activated sludge) removed the majority of the oestrogenic and androgenic activity (up to 99%). Tertiary treatment by UV removed varying levels of oestrogenic (19–69%) and androgenic (5–55%) activities. A Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) at one of the STPs, which consists of an MBR followed by electrochlorination removed over 87% of the oestrogenic activity and over 98% of androgenic activity from raw sewage samples. However, levels which could be biologically significant still remained after secondary and tertiary treatment (>0.1 ng/l oestrogenic activity and >1 ng/l androgenic activity).
MARAPUR—a new process combination for the optimization of MBR
Authors: Klegraf F. , Lahnsteiner J.
Published: December 2008

The MARAPUR concept is a biological wastewater treatment process based on the MBR functional principle. The ultrafiltration of activated sludge takes place in pressure-driven hollow fiber membranes. The vertical membrane modules are installed compactly in a MEGAMODUL. The permeate extraction is accomplished in the cross-flow, which is supported by rinsing aeration. The main process advantages are high filtration performance, excellent operation reliability provided by wastewater fine sieving and reduced cleaning chemicals demand. Wastewater fine sieving with a mesh size of 0.25 mm is an effective measure against membrane clogging by hair and fibers.
Water environment conservation in a closed water body by high concentrated oxygen water
Authors: Imai Tsuyoshi , Watanapokasin Ramida , Reungsang Alissara , Sekine Masahiko , Higuchi Takaya
Published: December 2008

In this study, the method of using high concentrated oxygen water to purify the bottom sediment was confirmed to be effective. The high concentrated oxygen dissolver was developed and the lab scale experiment was performed. High rate, high efficiency oxygen dissolver was developed, the optimum running condition of the apparatus and the method of producing high concentrated oxygen water was discussed and determined in this study. In addition, the effective prevention of phosphorus release from anaerobic bottom sediment was also studied. As a result, it is found that high concentrated oxygen water was effective for prevention of phosphorus release from anaerobic bottom sediment. On the basis of the fundamental knowledge from the laboratory-scale study, pilot scale apparatus was set up and the pilot study was carried out. It is showed that the introduction of high concentrated oxygen water did not destroy the thermocline of dam reservoir.
Abundance exchange models of fish assemblages along the Hudson River Estuary Gradient, New York
Authors: Singkran Nuanchan , Bain Mark B.
Published: December 2008

The spatially explicit abundance exchange model (AEM) was built for four fish species: winter flounder (Pseudopleuronectes americanus), Atlantic silverside (Menidia menidia), eastern silvery minnow (Hybognathus regius), and striped bass (Morone saxatilis) along the Hudson River estuary gradient, New York. The fish and habitat data during 1974–1997 were used to develop and calibrate the AEM; and the fish data during 1998–2001 was used to validate the model. Preference indexes of fish species for dissolved oxygen, salinity, water temperature, and bottom substrates along the gradient were estimated; and these were used to compute habitat preference (HP) of the associated fish species. The species HP was a key variable in the AEM to quantify abundance and distribution patterns of the associated species along the gradient. The AEM could efficiently predict abundance and distribution patterns of all modeled species except striped bass. The model ability for predicting a local distribution range of a fish species with broad tolerance on changing environment like striped bass should be improved.
Bioremediation of trichloroethylene contaminated groundwater using anaerobic process
Authors: Chomsurin Cheema , Kajorntraidej Juthathip , Luangmuang Kongrit
Published: December 2008

Anaerobic remediation of trichloroethylene (TCE) contaminated soil and groundwater was studied in laboratory setups. In this process fermentation of polymeric organic materials (POMS) produced volatile fatty acids (VFAs) that were electron donors in reductive dechlorination of TCE. Shredded peanut shell was selected as low cost POM and the experiments were set up in 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks. In the setups, approximately 25 mg of leachate contaminated soil was used as the main source of microorganisms and about 5 g of shredded peanut shell (0.5–2.36 mm) was added to produce VFAs for dechlorination of TCE. In the first set of experiments, fermentation of soil and shredded peanut shell was studied and it was found that VFAs were produced continuously with increasing concentration (5.63 mM as CH3COOH from the first day to 17.17 in the 10th day of the experiment). During the fermentation, concentration of ammonia-nitrogen was 22–50 mg/L, the ratio of VFA to NH3 was 15.29–23.44 and pH was 5.24–6.00. These results show that the system was appropriate for microorganism activities. In the second set of experiments, TCE (∼48 mg/L) was added to the fermentation system and remediation of TCE by reductive dechlorination was studied. It was found that 0.04(±0.01) mg TCE adsorbed to a gram of soil and peanut shells at the beginning of the experiment and based on mass balance of the system, TCE concentration in water was linearly reduced at the rate of 0.0098 mg/hr.
Identification of critical source areas for non-point source pollution in Miyun reservoir watershed near Beijing, China
Authors: Ou Yang , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: December 2008

Miyun Reservoir is the major water source for Bijing, China. Currently, the water quality of Miyun reservoir is meso - trophict, mainly dur to the non-point source pollution (NPS) in the watershed. Phosphorus (P) is the limited factor. In this paper, Chaohe River basin, upstream of the Miyun Reservoir, is chosen as the study area, A modified P Index was developed to identify critical source areas (CSAs) of non-point source pollution by analyzing local hydrological and meteorological data, land use, soil, soil conservation, farmland management, population density, and livestock. The factors of livestock and population density are new factors added to the P Index system based on the actual local characteristics. It was found that the loss P from high-risk area accounts for only 7.95%. These areas are located mainly along streams. Livestock factor and the population density factor are most closely related to the CSAs downstream of Chaohe River basin. The management strategies are outlined according to the distribution characteristics of the critical source areas.
Modelling nutrient emissions and the impact of nutrient reduction measures in the Weser river basin, Germany
Authors: Hirt Ulrike , Venohr Markus , Kreins Peter , Behrendt Horst
Published: December 2008

To implement the European Water Framework Directive (WFD) into German law, measures have to be taken to reduce the unacceptably high nutrient input into rivers. To identify the most effective measures, the sources and pathways of nutrient emissions into rivers have to be quantified. Therefore, the MONERIS model is applied, which quantifies nutrients emissions into river basins, via various point and diffuse pathways, as well as nutrient load in rivers. Most nitrogen emissions come from groundwater flow (43%), tile drainages (30%), and point sources (12%), whereas most phosphorus emissions come from groundwater flow (31%), point sources (23%), erosion (13%) and overland flow (12%). Because of their great distance from the river basin outlet, the southern sub-basins Werra and Fulda-Diemel have an 8% reduction in their nitrogen loads and a 15% and 16% reduction in their phosphorus loads, respectively. This reduction is due to retention in the main part of the river Weser. For the choice of the most effective measures, the different retention in the river is relevant.
Evaluation of strips of centipede grass for sediment load reduction
Authors: Shiono Takahiro , Haraguchi Noburo , Miyamoto Kuniaki , Shinogi Yoshiyuki , Miyamoto Teruhito , Kameyama Koji
Published: December 2008

Reddish sediment runoff from agricultural fields results in coastal environmental problems in Okinawa, Japan. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of strips of centipede grass (Eremochloa ophiuroides (Munro) Hack.), a perennial turf grass, in reducing the sediment loads from farmlands. However, sufficient information has not been provided to determine the appropriate strip specifications in the grass strip design. This study evaluated centipede grass strips for reduction of reddish sediment runoff from farmlands in Okinawa, Japan. A numerical model simulating the reddish sediment transport in the grass strip was constructed to determine the sediment removal efficiency of the strip. The model was verified using data obtained from field plot experiments with the grass strips under natural conditions. The sensitivity analysis of the model showed that the length of the grass strip (i.e. the dimension of the strip in the direction of flow) and unit inflow discharge have a great effect on sediment removal efficiency. The sediment removal efficiency obtained from the model simulation increased with the length of the strip and the increment of the efficiency decreased with the length of the strip. Therefore, these results indicate that the effective and efficient length of a centipede grass strip is 3 m for the reduction of reddish sediment loads under typical farmland conditions in Okinawa.
The Need for an Internal Auditor Report to External Stakeholders to Improve Governance Transparency
Authors: Archambeault Deborah S. , DeZoort F. Todd , Holt Travis P.
Published: December 2008

SYNOPSIS: This paper considers the need for an internal audit report (IAR) to increase governance transparency for external stakeholders. While the internal audit function is an important and distinct governance mechanism, external stakeholders typically lack the direct relevant information about the function that is available to insiders from other governance mechanisms (e.g., management, audit committee, and external auditor). This information asymmetry is inconsistent with current objectives for governance, transparency, and accountability in the Sarbanes-Oxley era. We evaluate potential IAR disclosure benefits (e.g., increased transparency and accountability) and costs (e.g., increased information load, legal exposure, and reporting costs) using a literature review and the results of 18 semi-structured interviews with analysts, audit committee members, internal auditors, and policymakers. We also propose a model IAR that provides basic descriptive information about the internal audit function for stakeholders to evaluate when considering overall governance within an organization. Ultimately, we conclude that an IAR has potential to complement existing governance disclosures, increase stakeholder confidence in governance quality, and motivate internal audit diligence. However, further research is needed to guide specific report content and to evaluate benefits and costs in both voluntary and mandatory disclosure environments.
Forensic Accounting and FAU: An Executive Graduate Program
Authors: Young George R.
Published: December 2008

ABSTRACT: This paper presents a description of the executive Master's in Accounting with a concentration in forensic accounting program offered by Florida Atlantic University, an AACSB-accredited higher-educational institution located in southeast Florida. This program—the first of its kind in the United States—provides students with the option of attending lectures in person or via web conferencing. Also discussed is the impact that the model curriculum for fraud examination and forensic accounting has had on the program as well as challenges that have been met in creating and developing an executive graduate program in forensic accounting.
Clinical Prediction Rules for Physical Therapy Interventions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Beneciuk Jason M , Bishop Mark D , George Steven Z
Published: December 2008

Background and Purpose

Clinical prediction rules (CPRs) involving physical therapy interventions have been published recently. The quality of the studies used to develop the CPRs was not previously considered, a fact that has potential implications for clinical applications and future research. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine the quality of published CPRs developed for physical therapy interventions.

Methods

Relevant databases were searched up to June 2008. Studies were included in this review if the explicit purpose was to develop a CPR for conditions commonly treated by physical therapists. Validated CPRs were excluded from this review. Study quality was independently determined by 3 reviewers using standard 18-item criteria for assessing the methodological quality of prognostic studies. Percentage of agreement was calculated for each criterion, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was determined for overall quality scores.

Results

Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in this review. Percentage of agreement for individual criteria ranged from 90% to 100%, and the ICC for the overall quality score was .73 (95% confidence interval=.27–.92). Criteria commonly not met were adequate description of inclusion or exclusion criteria, inclusion of an inception cohort, adequate follow-up, masked assessments, sufficient sample sizes, and assessments of potential psychosocial factors. Quality scores for individual studies ranged from 48.2% to 74.0%.

Discussion and Conclusion

Validation studies are rarely reported in the literature; therefore, CPRs derived from high-quality studies may have the best potential for use in clinical settings. Investigators planning future studies of physical therapy CPRs should consider including inception cohorts, using longer follow-up times, performing masked assessments, recruiting larger sample sizes, and incorporating psychological and psychosocial assessments.
Evaluation of Miami–Dade Pedestrian Safety Demonstration Project
Authors: Zegeer Charles V. , Blomberg Richard , Henderson David , Masten Scott , Marchetti Lauren , Levy Marvin M. , Fan Yingling , Sandt Laura , Brown Austin , Stutts Jane , Thomas Libby
Published: December 2008

This study's purpose was to implement a comprehensive program to reduce pedestrian deaths and injuries among pedestrians in a large urban environment. Miami–Dade County, Florida, was selected as the study's focus. High-crash locations were targeted for countermeasure implementation and analysis. With pedestrian crash data (1996–2001), four zones within the county were identified as having abnormally high pedestrian crash experience. On the basis of crash characteristics and pedestrian factors (age, ethnicity), 16 education, enforcement, and engineering treatments were implemented to reduce pedestrian crashes in the four zones and countywide. A before-and-after study was used with three control groups to evaluate the effects of the pedestrian safety program on pedestrian crashes. A 3-year “after” period was used (2002–2004). Multivariate intervention autoregressive integrated moving average time-series analysis was used, along with nonparametric U-tests to test for statistically significant differences in pedestrian crash experience. Results showed that at the peak of the program effects in 2003 and 2004, the pedestrian safety program reduced countywide pedestrian crash rates by anywhere from 8.5% to 13.3%, depending on which control group was used. These effects translate to approximately 180 fewer crashes annually in the county, or 360 pedestrian crashes reduced for 2003 and 2004 combined, based on the more conservative 8.5% crash reduction. Countywide, the greatest crash reductions were found among children and adults as a result of the program. Educational and other measures to reduce crashes involving older pedestrians showed no effect. A number of lessons learned were identified for future program implementation.
Video-Based Monitoring of Pedestrian Movements at Signalized Intersections
Authors: Malinovskiy Yegor , Wu Yao-Jan , Wang Yinhai
Published: December 2008

Pedestrian and cyclist crossing characteristics are important for the design of urban intersections and signalized crossings. Parameters such as waiting time, crossing time, and arrival rate are key variables for describing pedestrian characteristics and improving crossing designs and signal timing plans. Manually collecting such data is often extremely labor intensive. Therefore, an automated computer-vision-based approach is introduced for collecting these parameters in real time with ordinary video cameras. Broadly defined pedestrian objects, including bicyclists and other nonmotorized modes, are extracted by means of the background subtraction technique and tracked through an inherent cost characteristic function in conjunction with an α-β-filter. The waiting-zone concept introduced helps provide robust pedestrian tracking initialization and parameter extraction. The proposed approach is implemented in a pedestrian tracking (PedTrack) system by using Microsoft Visual C++. Tested with real video data from three study sites, this system was proved to be effective and about 80% of pedestrian crossing events were successfully detected. PedTrack shows the potential to be a great data collection tool for nonmotorized object movements at intersections.
Corresponding Characteristics and Circumstances of Collision-Involved Pedestrians in Hawaii
Authors: Kim Karl , Yamashita Eric
Published: December 2008

Correspondence analysis is used to explore the relationships between the characteristics and circumstances of collision-involved pedestrians in Hawaii. The purpose of this study is twofold. First, it is to apply and understand how best to use a powerful exploratory data technique (correspondence analysis) for safety research. The second purpose is to understand better the nature and causes of pedestrian accidents. The circumstances associated with pedestrian fault, serious injury, and the effects of location and temporal factors are examined. Correspondence analysis is a technique that allows one to examine the relationships between various discrete or categorical variables and to consider the effects of gender, age groupings, time, and location on pedestrian fault and injury. The technique is useful not only in clarifying the important relationships but also in designing appropriate strategies and interventions for the reduction of pedestrian accidents. The analysis suggests that greater emphasis be directed toward drivers, who are 13.8 times more likely to be classified as being at fault than the pedestrian they collide with. It is also evident that there are differences between seniors and other pedestrians in terms of injuries sustained. Moreover, specified programs might be targeted to men, children, and young adults.
Risk of Pedestrian Collision Occurrence
Authors: Moudon Anne Vernez , Lin Lin , Hurvitz Philip , Reeves Paula
Published: December 2008

This individual-level case control study analyzed the risk of occurrence of a pedestrian–motor vehicle collision at a given location on a state route in King County, Washington. With the full sample of collisions (1999-2004), binomial logit models estimated the odds of collision occurrence as related to the road and the neighborhood environments and adjusting for exposure. Separate models were run for SR-99, the principal transregional arterial with four-plus lanes ( n = 826), and for all the other state routes ( n = 1,602). The strongest significant correlates of the risk of collision occurrence were the presence of crosswalks with or without traffic signals, the facility's number of lanes, and the presence of nearby retail uses. Also positively significant were the number of traffic signals and the street-block size near the location and being located outside the city of Seattle. Exposure variables including road-level measures such as average daily traffic and posted speed and neighborhood-level measures such as the number of residential units and bus ridership were significant in at least one of the models. Employment density appeared to be an unreliable measure of exposure. Other pedestrian activity generators such as educational facilities were not significantly associated with the risk of collision occurrence. The strong significance of crosswalks, whether signalized or not, indicated that engineering approaches to safety should likely be complemented by education- and enforcement-based measures. Similarly, facilities in areas with concentrations of retail should become the targets of future safety programs.