bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Individual Tree Competition on Diameter Growth of Silver Birch in Estonia
Authors: Maleki Kobra , Kiviste Andres , Korjus Henn
Published: July 2015

Aim of study: The present study evaluates a set of competition indices including spatially explicit indices combined with different competitor selection approaches and non-spatially explicit competition indices. The aim was to quantify and describe the neighbouring effects on the tree diameter growth of silver birch trees.Area of study: Region throughout Estonia. Material and methods: Data from the Estonian Network of Forest Research Plots was used. After quantifying the selected indices, the best non-spatial indices and spatial indices (combined with neighbour selection methods) were separately devised into a growth model as a predictor variable to assess the ability of the diameter growth model before and after adding competition measures. To test the species-specific effect on the competition level, the superior indices were recalculated using Ellenberg’s light indicators and incorporated into the diameter growth model. Main results: Statistical analyses showed that the diameter growth is a function of neighbourhood interactions and spatial indices were better growth predictors than non-spatial indices. In addition, the best selections of competitive neighbours were acquired based on the influence zone and the competition elimination angle concepts, and using Ellenberg’s light values had no significant improvement in quantifying the competition effects. Research highlights: Although the best ranking spatial competition measures were superior to the best non-spatial indices, the differences were negligible.Keywords: Competition indices; zone of influence; stem diameter increment; Betula pendula Roth.ERRATUM PDF
Dead wood characteristics influencing macrofungi species abundance and diversity in Caspian natural beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) forests
Authors: Sefidi Kiomars , Etemad Vahid
Published: July 2015

Aim of study: This study aimed to examine the dead wood inhabiting macrofungi communities occurring on dead beech and hornbeam trees in Caspian forests.Area of study: The Kheiroud forest in the north of Iran.Material and Methods: Data from 205 sampling dead tree were analyzed by means of Generalized Linear Models (GLM) to test the effects of decay stage, DBH, Length or Height on macrofungi diversity.  Additionally, tree species, dead wood size, log position, decay stage  were used as predictor factors for the number of sporocarps species (NSS) as a fungal species richness and diversity in each dead log using analysis of varianceMain results: The number of sporocarps species (NSS) varied in different dead wood size and decay classes. The different stages of decay and the different size classes of dead wood had significantly different species richness of macrofungi. Deadwood in the high-decayed stages contained the highest diversity of fungi. Most of fungi identified on both logs and snags belonged to Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. The highest value for richness and evenness indices calculated in large diameter dead wood in decay class III. The results indicated the size and decay class of dead wood describe the greatest variance of the model that means the highest number of sporocarps species inhabited on the large dead wood in advanced stage of decaying.Research highlights: Macrofungi diversity varied significantly across pieces of dead wood with downed logs, larger pieces, and wood in later stages of decay having the highest macrofungi diversity. Keywords: Caspian forest; coarse woody debris; down woody debris; Iran.
Site index model for natural stands of rebollo oak (Quercus pyrenaica Willd.) in Galicia, NW Iberian Peninsula.
Authors: Díaz-Maroto Ignacio Javier , Fernández-Parajes José , Vila-Lameiro Pablo , Barcala-Pérez Eva
Published: July 2015

Data from stem analysis of 56 dominant trees of Quercus pyrenaica Willd., in natural stands in Galicia (NW Iberian Peninsula), were used to evaluate four dynamic site equations derived with the Generalized Algebraic Difference Approach (GADA). All the equations are base-age invariant and directly estimate height and site index from any height and age. The fittings were made using a data structure involving all possible growth intervals. The GADA formulation derived on the basis of the Bertalanffy-Richards model by considering the asymptote and the initial pattern parameters as related to site productivity. It is therefore recommended for height growth prediction and site classification for natural stands of rebollo oak in Galicia. The autocorrelation was analyzed with a test of residuals using Durbin's t-test without reaching a manifest result of autocorrelation between managed data.
Crescimento em volume de Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze em três regiões do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil.
Authors: Hess André Felipe , Schneider Paulo Renato
Published: July 2015

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo estudar o crescimento de volume em função da idade da Araucaria angustifolia, nas regiões do Planalto Médio, Encosta Superior do Nordeste e Serra do Sudeste do Rio Grande do Sul. Para isso, foram gerados dados de crescimento por idade por dendrocronologia e ajustadas equações de crescimento. A equação de Backman mostrou-se eficiente com aplicação de variáveis dummy, permitindo identificar diferenças no crescimento para as regiões estudadas, indicando haver à necessidade de equações separadas para cada local, o que permite minimizar erros de estimativas. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que em cada região a espécie apresenta forma e velocidade de crescimento volumétrico diferenciado. Na Serra do Sudeste o incremento médio anual máximo foi de 0,0311 m³, aos 56 anos; no Planalto Médio foi de 0,0198 m³, aos 46 anos; e, na Encosta Superior do Nordeste foi de 0,026 m³, aos 48 anos de idade, indicando um bom potencial de crescimento médio em volume nestas regiões de estudo.
Estructura de las principales especies arbóreas en el parque cruce caballero y su similitud floristica con areas de Argentina y de Brasil.
Authors: Ríos Román Carlos , Galvão Franklin , Curcio Gustavo Ribas
Published: July 2015

El presente trabajo tuvo como objetivo estudiar la estructura fitosociológica y la similitud florística entre áreas con selvas estacionales y mixtas de Misiones, Argentina y de Brasil. El Parque Cruce Caballero tiene 522 hectáreas donde se utilizó el método de las parcelas múltiples de 20 x 10 m para árboles a partir de 5 cm de diámetro a la altura de 1,30 (DAP). Se registraron e identificaron todas las especies arbóreas midiéndose el DAP y altura en tres compartimientos ambientales considerados: Latossolo vermelho, Neossolo litólico y Gleissolo Melánico. La Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze domina el estrato superior en el primer compartimiento acompañada de Sorocea bonplandii (Baill.) W.C.Burger, Lanj. & Boer, Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart., Ocotea lancifolia Mez y Apuleia leiocarpa J.F.Macbr.. La araucaria está ausente en el Neossolo Litólico donde predominan Gymnanthes concolor Müll.Arg., Trichilia claussenii C.DC., Apuleia leiocarpa, Pilocarpus pennatifolius Lem. y Sorocea bomplandii. La araucaria está escasamente representada en Gleissolo Melánico donde predominan Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.) Brenan, Alchornea triplinervia Müll.Arg., Luehea divaricata Mart., Erythrina falcata Benth. y Myrsine gardneriana A.DC.. Comparando la similitud florística con otras áreas de la región se encontró que Cruce Caballero se asemeja a áreas con Selvas estacionales y presenta escasa similitud con a las selvas mixtas con araucaria de Brasil.
Características fisiológicas de mudas de Eucalyptus spp submetidas a estresse salino.
Authors: Mendonça Andréa Vita Reis , Carneiro José Geraldo de Araújo , Freitas Teresa Aparecida Soares de , Barroso Deborah Guerra
Published: July 2015

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar como o aumento da concentração de cloreto de sódio (NaCl) influencia o rendimento quântico potencial do fotossistema II (Fv/Fm), índice da intensidade da cor verde nas folhas (valor SPAD), área foliar, biomassa seca foliar e concentração de potássio (K) e sódio (Na) nas folhas de mudas de espécies de Eucalyptus. O experimento foi conduzido em casa de vegetação, em vasos de 11,5 L, preenchidos com areia e irrigados com solução salinizada, em Campos dos Goytacazes, RJ. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado em esquema fatorial com quatro espécies (Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus tereticornis, Eucalyptus pellita e Eucalyptus robusta) e cinco níveis de salinidade (1,4; 2,50; 4,50; 6,45 e 8,33 dS m-1), com cinco repetições. Até o nível máximo de salinidade aplicado, as mudas de Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus tereticornis e Eucalyptus robusta responderam positivamente com relação às características valor SPAD, rendimento quântico potencial do fotossistema II, biomassa seca foliar e área foliar. Essas avaliações sugerem tolerância dessas espécies às condições de salinidade impostas. Mudas de Eucalyptus pellita mostraram sensibilidade ao estresse salino. As reduções da biomassa seca e área foliar podem estar relacionadas a estratégias de resistência das plantas ao estresse salino.
Sustainable management of natural forests in pantanal region, Brazil.
Authors: Mattos Patricia Póvoa de , Salis Suzana Maria , Braz Evaldo Muñoz , Crispim Sandra Mara Araujo
Published: July 2015

The Pantanal region in Brazil has an area of 140,000 km², with approximately 30 % of natural forests distributed as deciduous, semideciduous, and forested savannas. The subregion of Nhecolandia represents 19 % of this area. There is constant concern about the sustainability of these forested areas, as there is a constant demand for wood for farm maintenance, mainly for making fence poles. The objective of this article is to indicate sustainable forest management practices in the Pantanal region of Nhecolandia. The methodology of this novel approach consisted of the recovery and organization of the available information to calculate the sustainable allowable cut per hectare, considering: cutting cycle, wood stock, periodic annual increment (PAI) in percentage of volume from the commercial or interesting species and the stand structure. For forested savannas, the diameter at breast height (DBH) of 529 trees per hectare were estimated as follows: 28 % with a DBH lower than 10 cm, 36 % from 10 to 20 cm, 21 % from 20 to 30 cm, 10 % from 30 to 40 cm and only 4 % greater than 40 cm. The estimated total volume per hectare was 84.2 m³ and the estimated basal area was 18.6 m². The forested areas of the Pantanal region present potential for sustainable use. However, due to regional characteristics and the lack of available information, an enhancement in research is recommended to establish a basic management guide to ensure its perpetuation for future generations.
Influência da inoculação de Fusarium spp. e níveis de sombreamento no crescimento e desenvolvimento da erva-mate
Authors: Poletto Igor , Muniz Marlove Fátima Brião , Ceconi Denise Ester , Mezzomo Ricardo , Rodrigues Johnathan
Published: July 2015

A erva-mate (Ilex paraguariensis A. St.-Hil.) é uma espécie amplamente cultivada no sul do Brasil e países vizinhos. Suas folhas e galhos finos, preparados segundo método apropriado, fornecem o mate ou chimarrão, o mais popular chá consumido no Brasil e exportado para todo o mundo. Com o aumento da área plantada, sobretudo na última década, os problemas fitossanitários causados por pragas e doenças aumentaram e, dentre estes, a podridão-de-raízes vem se tornando um dos principais. A doença é causada por Fusarium spp. e provoca sérios danos decorrentes da destruição do sistema radicular, ocasionando, nos casos mais graves, morte da planta. A erva-mate é uma espécie que habita o sub-bosque da mata e o cultivo de forma homogênea a pleno sol pode ser um fator estressante ocasionando menor crescimento e desenvolvimento e também torná-la mais susceptível à podridão-de-raízes. Assim, foram instalados experimentos na área do Viveiro Florestal pertencente ao Departamento de Ciências Florestais da Universidade Federal de Santa Maria com o objetivo de confirmar tais hipóteses. O experimento foi desenvolvido em um esquema fatorial (2 x 5), composto pela inoculação de Fusarium spp. e por níveis de sombreamento. Foi observado que plantas submetidas aos menores níveis de sombreamento ou a pleno sol tiveram seu desenvolvimento prejudicado e ficaram mais suscetíveis à doença. As plantas inoculadas com Fusarium spp. tiveram menor desenvolvimento em comparação com as não inoculadas, especialmente nos menores níveis de sombreamento.
A regeneração natural sob plantações florestais: desertos verdes ou redutos de biodiversidade?
Authors: Viani Ricardo Augusto Gorne , Durigan Giselda , Melo Antônio Carlos Galvão de
Published: July 2015

Se, por um lado, plantios florestais comerciais têm sido apontados como "desertos verdes", por outro, diversos estudos realizados nas últimas duas décadas demonstram o contrário, sugerindo que tais florestas podem catalisar a regeneração natural em seu sub-bosque e, assim, contribuir para a conservação da biodiversidade. Com a finalidade de obter uma visão ampla e multifacetada sobre as plantações florestais e seu potencial para a conservação e a restauração da diversidade biológica, efetuou-se a compilação dos principais resultados de estudos que tratam da regeneração natural sob plantios florestais, com destaque para os realizados no Brasil. Os resultados compilados são bastante heterogêneos, indicando que fatores históricos e ambientais, como densidade de copas e disponibilidade de luz no sub-bosque, idade do plantio, espécie florestal plantada, distância de remanescentes de vegetação nativa, manejo das florestas plantadas e histórico de utilização da área influenciam direta ou indiretamente a riqueza, a densidade e a estrutura da regeneração natural sob os plantios. No entanto, inevitavelmente, os estudos investigados reforçam a idéia de que plantios florestais comerciais podem funcionar como redutos da biodiversidade, ao menos para alguns grupos de seres vivos, e também como facilitadores da restauração ecológica de florestas nativas. Com relação ao Brasil, conclui-se que, embora abundantes, os estudos já feitos concentram-se em determinadas regiões e biomas e são, em sua maioria, descritivos. É desejável, portanto, a realização de estudos que investiguem experimentalmente os fatores específicos que influenciam a dinâmica da regeneração natural sob os plantios e sistemas de manejo que proporcionem uma combinação ótima de produção e conservação da biodiversidade. É desejável ainda que esses estudos abranjam também outras regiões fitogeográficas do País, onde plantações florestais também são expressivas.
Alternativa de modelo linear para estimação da biomassa verde de Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J.C. Wendl na existência de multicolinearidade.
Authors: Silva Adriano Victor Lopes da , Ferreira Rinaldo Luiz Caraciolo , Silva José Antonio Aleixo da , Cespedes German Hugo Guttierez
Published: July 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho foi utilizar um método estatístico multivariado como opção para estimar a biomassa verde da haste principal do bambu, Bambusa vulgaris Schrad. ex J. C. Wendl., na existência de multicolinearidade. Os dados foram provenientes de um experimento conduzido pela empresa Agroindustrial Excelsior S. A. (Agrimex) localizada no Engenho Itapirema, município de Goiana, PE. Foram utilizadas 450 hastes de bambu, que tiveram sua biomassa verde quantificada por meio do peso e mensuração de quatro variáveis independentes. Inicialmente, comprovou-se a existência da multicolinearidade por meio da matriz de correlação das variáveis independentes e pelo fator de inflação da variância e a opção utilizada foi à regressão linear com os componentes principais que tem como base a matriz de covariância. O resultado indicou que ao existir uma interpretação para os componentes principais o modelo apresenta um ajuste satisfatório aos dados, podendo ser utilizado para estimar a biomassa verde da haste principal do bambu.
Caracterização físico-mecânica do laminado colado de bambu (Dendrocalamus giganteus).
Authors: Paes Juarez Benigno , Oliveira Ana Karla Freire de , Oliveira Elisabeth de , Lima Carlos Roberto de
Published: July 2015

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo avaliar a influência do tratamento preservativo e do tipo de adesivo nas propriedades físico-mecânicas do laminado colado, confeccionado com o bambu Dendrocalamus giganteus. Para tanto, colmos de bambu foram tratados pelo método de imersão em produto químico (solução de 1% de ingredientes ativos de borato de cobre cromatado - CCB) e em água, durante 15 dias. Dos colmos tratados, foram retiradas as camadas externa e interna, obtendo-se lâminas com espessuras de 4 mm, comprimento de 45 cm e largura de 5 cm. Para a colagem das lâminas, utilizaram-se os adesivos "Cascophen RS" (resorcinol-formol) e "Cascorez-Extra" (acetato polivinílico). O adesivo à base de resorcinol-formol proporcionou maior resistência à umidade ao BLC, quando comparado àquele à base de acetato polivinílico, tendo as amostras provenientes de peças tratadas com CCB sido mais estáveis que as tratadas com água. Dentre as propriedades mecânicas testadas, o adesivo apresentou resultado significativo para o cisalhamento na linha de cola e o tratamento preservativo para o MOE. A interação dos fatores adesivo e tratamento foi significativa para o MOE, resistência a compressão paralela ao cisalhamento na linha de cola, tendo as peças tratadas com água e aderidas com resorcinol-formol apresentado melhores resultados para o MOE e compressão paralela às fibras e aquelas tratadas com CCB, para o cisalhamento na linha de cola.
Análise técnica e econômica de prestadores de serviços na colheita florestal.
Authors: Filho Abilio Donizetti de Morais , Seixas Fernando
Published: July 2015

Este estudo analisou as condições de trabalho de empresas prestadoras de serviços do setor de colheita florestal, abordando os aspectos econômicos, as condições dos equipamentos, os custos operacionais e, por fim, as oportunidades de crédito para investimento em tecnologia. Foram analisadas em profundidade cinco empresas cujo faturamento anual variou entre R$ 1.020.000,00 e R$ 4.313.000,00, com uma média de R$ 2.373.000,00. O número de funcionários ficou entre 33 e 181, sendo as empresas classificadas como: uma pequena, duas médias e duas grandes. O elevado investimento inicial necessário, juros superiores a 12% e ausência de garantias contratuais com duração compatível com o período do financiamento dificultam o acompanhamento da evolução tecnológica disponível por parte do prestador de serviços. Verificou-se também que os empresários do setor não incluem a remuneração do capital e uma correta depreciação dos bens nas planilhas de custos, prejudicando a renovação dos equipamentos e levando ao envelhecimento das máquinas utilizadas na produção, com idade média geralmente superior a 10 anos. Concluiu-se que os custos estavam acima dos valores pagos pelos serviços quando computados esses fatores citados anteriormente, com três empresas apresentando resultados negativos nas análises financeiras. Finalmente, observou-se que a mecanização proporcionou melhorias na qualidade de vida dos funcionários dessas empresas, com a renda per capita anual dos trabalhadores em torno de R$ 8.083,08.
Mercado dos produtos florestais não-madeireiros do cerrado brasileiro
Authors: Afonso Sandra Regina , Ângelo Humberto
Published: July 2015

Este trabalho traz uma análise da produção de não-madeireiros do cerrado brasileiro por meio do estudo dos principais produtos do bioma. Foram analisados o comportamento e as taxas de crescimento da produção e preços de: amêndoa de babaçu, óleo de copaíba, fibra de buriti, folha de jaborandi, casca de barbatimão, casca de angico, fruto da mangaba e amêndoa de pequi, durante o período de 1982 a 2005. Todos produtos estudados apresentaram queda na produção, com exceção do óleo de copaíba e da amêndoa de pequi, os quais apresentaram taxas de crescimento positivas: 12,9 e 8,5% respectivamente. A análise dos preços foi dificultada pela diversas variações da moeda brasileira no período, apenas as cascas de barbatimão e angico e a amêndoa de pequi apresentaram tendências significativas, sendo positivas: 10,9, 6,7 e 4,6% respectivamente. Desse estudo, concluiu-se que embora o óleo de copaíba tenha apresentado maior aumento na produção sua oferta provém em quase sua totalidade da região amazônica, assim o pequi se destacou como o principal produto do cerrado.
Diagrama de manejo da densidade para povoamento de Pinus taeda L. manejado sem desbast
Authors: Schneider Paulo Sérgio Pigatto , Fleig Frederico Dimas , Schneider Paulo Renato , Finger César Augusto Guimarães , Chaves Djalma Millers , Moreira Antônio Maurício
Published: July 2015

O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido com o objetivo de estudar a eficiência dos modelos que expressam a relação de densidade/diâmetro e autodesbaste em povoamentos de Pinus taeda L., implantados em vários espaçamentos, manejados em densidade completa, sem desbaste e altamente estocada, medida até a idade de 18 anos. Os resultados indicaram que o modelo de densidade e diâmetro de Tang apresentou boa precisão estatística, tendo apresentado: coeficiente de determinação igual a 0,99; erro padrão da estimativa igual a 0,0948; coeficiente de variação igual a 1,17%; mínima tendência com valor igual a 0,0086; e elevada eficiência, com valor igual a 0,8976. O coeficiente angular da equação de densidade e diâmetro não permitiu comprovar a universalidade da lei do autodesbaste, cujo valor do coeficiente angular é estipulado em -3/2. Com este modelo de densidade e diâmetro foram gerados seis Índices de Densidade do Povoamento (IDP), que variaram de um valor máximo igual a 1.400 até o mínimo de 600, com intervalo de classe de IDP de 200, tendo, como referência, o diâmetro padrão de 25 cm. Os Diagramas de Manejo da Densidade (DMD) da população, elaborados para as variáveis dendrométricas: diâmetro médio, área basal e volume por hectare, por IDP, apresentaram boa eficiência, com baixo erro na estimativa. Os volumes reais por hectare e os estimados no DMD apresentaram diferença absoluta de -7,39 m3ha-1 e relativa de -1,79 %, demonstrando elevada precisão do modelo de DMD. As estimativas volumétricas por hectare do DMD em relação aos valores reais apresentaram valor de Eficiência igual a 0,99, o que indica alta precisão, e valor de igual a 0,00034, não significativo a 0,01% de probabilidade, demonstrando que os valores reais e os estimados não diferem estatisticamente entre si.
O corpo, o comer e a comida: um estudo sobre as práticas corporais alimentares cotidianas a partir da cidade de Salvador Bahia
Authors: Amparo da Silva Santos Ligia
Published: July 2015

Atualmente, imagem do corpo magro, saudável, malhado, voyeur e erótico é perseguido desesperadamente pelas pessoas. É nesse contexto que Lígia Santos apresenta um mergulho investigativo sobre corporalidade e comensalidade como extensão do moderno, urbano e desigual. As dimensões sociais, inevitavelmente presentes nas questões do comer e da comida, são colocadas no ambiente cultural permitindo uma análise compreensiva. A obra apresenta reflexões sobre o corpo na contemporaneidade através de ótica das ciências sociais e das ciências da nutrição e; apesar de falar a partir de Salvador na Bahia, escapa do local para ser invadido por um processo de mundialização.
Accuracy of Anterior Superior Iliac Spine Symmetry Assessment by Routine Structural Examination
Authors: Lee Albert S. , Pyle Casey W. , Redding David
Published: July 2015

Context: Assessment of the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) is a key component in generating the pelvic diagnosis of somatic dysfunction, but studies have shown poor reliability between examiners.

Objective: To assess the influence of homogeneous training, years of experience, and eye dominance on the percentage of correctness, sensitivity, and specificity of ASIS evaluation.

Methods: Osteopathic physicians, predoctoral teaching fellows, and first- and second-year osteopathic medical students from a single teaching institute assessed 3 plastic pelvic models with ASIS anatomic landmarks set at different levels: even and 5- and 10-mm descrepancies. Dominant and nondominant eyes were used independently to assess ASIS levels.

Results: A total of 147 examiners (participants) participated in this study (66 first-year and 61 second-year medical students, 15 fellows, and 5 osteopathic physicians). The overall percentages of correct results were 31.0% (even levels), 82.8% (5-mm discrepancy), and 91.7% (10-mm discrepancy). Differences by level of training were statistically significant only for the 5-mm ASIS discrepancy, where participants with more experience performed better. The overall sensitivity was 82.8% (5-mm discrepancy) and 91.7% (10-mm discrepancy), and the specificity was 31.0%. No statistically significant differences were found in the percentage of correct results by eye dominance.

Conclusion: Assessment of ASIS is sensitive but not specific at discrepancies of 5 mm or greater. Length of experience positively influences the percentage of correct results, and eye dominance does not significantly change this outcome. This form of assessment can be used to screen for ASIS asymmetry.
Longitudinal Analyses of Presenteeism and Its Role as a Predictor of Sick Leave in Patients With Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Tran‐Duy An , Nguyen Thien T. V. , Thijs Herbert , Baraliakos Xenofon , Heldmann Frank , Braun Juergen , Boonen Annelies
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate, in a cohort of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) adequately treated with infliximab, changes over time in presenteeism and the role of presenteeism relative to that of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) in predicting sick leave.

Methods

Data were analyzed from 71 patients with paid work and taking a stable dose of infliximab participating in a 96‐week study with 5 assessment points. Covariates included presenteeism, sick leave, time, sex, age, BASDAI, BASFI, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index, and part‐ or full‐time work. Presenteeism represented the AS impact on productivity (by visual analog scale, range 0–10, where 10 = completely unproductive). Sick leave represented the number of days absent from work due to AS in the last 6 months. A linear mixed‐effects model for presenteeism, and hurdle and zero‐inflated count models for sick leave were explored.

Results

Mean ± SD presenteeism ranged from 2.2 ± 2.2 to 3.8 ± 7.8, and sick leave occurred in 8–17% of the patients during the 6‐month period. Presenteeism positively correlated with BASDAI and BASFI, but was not significantly influenced by time. The chance of incurring sick leave was affected by presenteeism but not by BASDAI and BASFI. Conditional on being absent from work, the effect of presenteeism on the length of sick leave (in days) was much stronger than BASDAI and BASFI. For presenteeism ≥5, an increase of 1 unit in presenteeism yielded an increase by 36–40% (or 2–12 days) in the length of sick leave during the following 6 months.

Conclusion

Presenteeism, even measured by a simple visual analog scale, was an important factor to explain future sick leave.
Effective Treatment for Rapid Improvement of Both Disease Activity and Self‐Reported Physical Activity in Early Rheumatoid Arthritis
Authors: Konijn Nicole P. C. , van Tuyl Lilian H. D. , Boers Maarten , den Uyl Debby , ter Wee Marieke M. , Kerstens Pit , Voskuyl Alexandre E. , Nurmohamed Michael , van Schaardenburg Dirkjan , Lems Willem F.
Published: July 2015

Objective

To investigate the longitudinal relationship between disease activity and self‐reported physical activity (PA) in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis during the first year of treatment with combination therapy.

Methods

PA was measured with the Short Questionnaire to Assess Health‐Enhancing Physical Activity at baseline, 13 weeks, 26 weeks, and 52 weeks after start of treatment in the context of the Combinatietherapie Bij Reumatoïde Artritis–Light trial. The reported PA classified patients as meeting or not meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) PA guideline (cutoff: 150 minutes of moderate‐to‐intense activity per week). Other measurements included the Disease Activity Score (DAS). Since both treatment arms showed equal treatment effect, these were analyzed as 1 group with simple before–after analyses and generalized estimating equations (GEE).

Results

In these analyses, 140 patients (86% of the trial population, 66% women, mean age 52 years) with complete data were included. At entry, 69% of the patients met the WHO PA guideline, increasing to 90% at week 13, and remaining stable at 89% after 1 year (P < 0.001). Mean DAS improved from 4.0 to 1.8 during the first year of treatment (P < 0.001). In GEE analyses, DAS decreases were significantly associated with PA increases (P = 0.008). Patients with clinically relevant responses (expressed as DAS remission, European League Against Rheumatism good response or American College of Rheumatology criteria for 70% improvement response) showed higher PA levels compared to nonresponders, regardless of the definition of response, for both the WHO and Dutch PA guideline.

Conclusion

Early rheumatoid arthritis patients using combination therapy improved both disease activity and PA, a beneficial effect persisting for at least 1 year.
Structure Analyses of Poly(styrene‐ran‐butadiene) Rubber Crosslinked by Sulfur with Small‐Angle Neutron Scattering
Authors: Takenaka Mikihito , Nishitsuji Shotaro , Amino Naoya , Ishikawa Yasuhiro , Yamaguchi Daisuke , Koizumi Satoshi , Kanaya Toshiji
Published: July 2015

The inhomogeneous structure of poly(styrene‐ran‐butadiene) (SBR) rubber crosslinked by sulfur has been investigated with the combination of Focusing small angle neutron scattering (Focusing SANS) and conventional small angle scattering (SANS) methods. A new inhomogeneous structure is found at smaller q‐region in the SBR rubber in swollen state with Focusing SANS method, in addition to crosslinked network mesh and crosslinking inhomogeneity, which have already been found in chemical gels by several authors. The new inhomogeneous structure may be originated from the inhomogeneity of Sulfur or ZnO.
Synthesis of Sunflower Oil Based Elastomer and Its Characterization by Using Spectroscopic Techniques
Authors: Purbaya Mili , Nor Hussin Mohd , Suwardin Didin
Published: July 2015

A new elastomer was successfully materialized from sunflower oil (a vegetable oil). The reaction was confirmed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Fourier Transform Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (FTNMR) methods. FTIR analysis indicated that amine functional groups appear at 3325 cm−1 representing N‐H stretching of primary and secondary amines and at 1645 cm−1 representing N‐H deformation of primary amines. The hydrogen bonding was confirmed with the appearance a broad peak in the region 2500–3800 cm−1. FTNMR analysis also show the appearance amine functional groups at peak 5.4 ppm in 1H NMR representing proton in amine functional groups and peaks at 151 ppm and 156.6 ppm in 13C NMR representing carbon in amine functional groups.
Femoral head bone viability after free vascularized fibular grafting for osteonecrosis: SPECT/CT study
Authors: Fontecha Cesar G. , Roca Isabel , Barber Ignasi , Menendez Mariano E. , Collado Diego , Mascarenhas Vasco V. , Barrera‐Ochoa Sergio , Soldado Francisco
Published: July 2015

Purpose

To evaluate femoral head bone viability following free vascularized fibular grafting (FVFG) for osteonecrosis using SPECT/CT imaging.

Methods

Ten hips (9 patients) with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) undergoing FVFG were prospectively enrolled. Four cases showed ARCO stage II, while six showed ARCO stage III. The mean age at surgery was 15.7 years (range, 13–22 years). Hip Harris Score (HHS) was measured pre‐ and post‐operative. Bone scintigraphy with SPECT/CT was performed at 2 weeks and 6 months following surgery.

Results

Mean follow‐up was 4.0 years (range, 2–5.9 years). Mean HHS increased from 37.2 to 92.3. SPECT/CT findings revealed a progressive increase of femoral head uptake in all cases, suggesting subchondral graft bone viability. No progressive deformation of the femoral head was evidenced in radiographic evaluation at final follow‐up.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates FVFG's capacity for revitalizing femoral head subchondral bone grafting in patients with ONFH, surgically treated following Urbaniak's technique. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:573–577, 2016.
2D Compound Constructed by Cu3 Units with Mixed Azido and Tetrazole Double Bridges: Synthesis, Structure, and Theoretical Study on Magnetic Properties
Authors: Cheng Min , Lu Dongmei , Ding You‐Song , Jia Qin‐Xiang
Published: July 2015

The two‐dimensional (2D) layer CuII compound [Cu3(L)2(N3)4] (1) [L = 2‐amino‐3‐(5‐tetrazole)‐methyate‐N‐pyridine] was synthesized by in‐situ hydrothermal reaction of CuCl2·2H2O, NaN3, and 3‐(5‐tetrazole)‐methyate‐N‐pyridine. The central Cu1 and Cu2 atoms are located in five‐coordinate and six‐coordinate arrangements, respectively. Three CuII ions are linked by mixed double EO (end‐on)‐azido‐tetrazole bridges to give trinuclear CuII clusters, which are further extended by EE (end‐to‐end) azido bridges to form 2D metal‐organic layers. The magnetic exchange interactions in complex 1 were investigated by DFT calculations, and the calculated exchange interaction (J = –849 cm–1) revealed that the double EO‐azido‐tetrazole bridges transmit antiferromagnetic coupling between CuII ions.
Robustness and modular structure in networks
Authors: BAGROW JAMES P. , LEHMANN SUNE , AHN YONG-YEOL
Published: July 2015

Complex networks have recently attracted much interest due to their prevalence in nature and our daily lives (Vespignani, 2009; Newman, 2010). A critical property of a network is its resilience to random breakdown and failure (Albert et al., 2000; Cohen et al., 2000; Callaway et al., 2000; Cohen et al., 2001), typically studied as a percolation problem (Stauffer & Aharony, 1994; Achlioptas et al., 2009; Chen & D'Souza, 2011) or by modeling cascading failures (Motter, 2004; Buldyrev et al., 2010; Brummitt, et al. 2012). Many complex systems, from power grids and the Internet to the brain and society (Colizza et al., 2007; Vespignani, 2011; Balcan & Vespignani, 2011), can be modeled using modular networks comprised of small, densely connected groups of nodes (Girvan & Newman, 2002). These modules often overlap, with network elements belonging to multiple modules (Palla et al. 2005; Ahn et al. 2010). Yet existing work on robustness has not considered the role of overlapping, modular structure. Here we study the robustness of these systems to the failure of elements. We show analytically and empirically that it is possible for the modules themselves to become uncoupled or non-overlapping well before the network disintegrates. If overlapping modular organization plays a role in overall functionality, networks may be far more vulnerable than predicted by conventional percolation theory.
Prognostic factors for conditional survival in patients with muscle-invasive urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with radical cystectomy
Authors: Kang Minyong , Kim Hyung Suk , Jeong Chang Wook , Kwak Choel , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Ku Ja Hyeon
Published: July 2015

Because only a few studies have evaluated conditional survival (CS) in bladder cancer patients, we examined conditional overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) in these patients after radical cystectomy (RC) and determined which prognostic variables affect CS over time. We reviewed 487 patients treated with RC and pelvic lymph node dissection at our institution between 1991 and 2012. Cox regression models were used to identify the significant prognostic factors for CS depending on clinicopathological characteristics. As survival time increased after RC, conditional OS and CSS rates increased when compared with baseline survival probability. CS more significantly improved in the patients with unfavorable pathologic characteristics. While many variables were associated with survival at baseline, only age was found to be a significant prognostic factor for 5-year conditional OS in all given survivorships. In conclusion, conditional OS and CSS probabilities significantly improved over time, with greater improvements in the cases with unfavorable pathologic features. Moreover, age remained the key prognostic factor for conditional OS estimates from baseline to 5 years after surgery. Our results provide practical survival information to guide adjustments in our current follow-up strategy for bladder cancer patients after RC.
Flow injection chemiluminescence immunoassay based on resin beads, enzymatic amplification and a novel monoclonal antibody for determination of Hg2+
Authors: Xu Mingxia , Chen Mengting , Dong Tiantian , Zhao Kang , Deng Anping , Li Jianguo
Published: July 2015

A convenient competitive immunoassay of Hg2+ using carboxylic resin beads, specific monoclonal antibody and enzymatic amplification is proposed with flow injection chemiluminescence detection.
Boron nitride zigzag nanoribbons: optimal thermoelectric systems
Authors: Zberecki K. , Swirkowicz R. , Barnaś J.
Published: July 2015

Conventional and spin related thermoelectric effects in zigzag boron nitride nanoribbons are studied theoretically within the Density Functional Theory (DFT) approach.
High-coulombic-efficiency Si-based hybrid microspheres synthesized by the combination of graphene and IL-derived carbon
Authors: Park Sang-Hoon , Ahn Dongjoon , Choi Young-Min , Roh Kwang Chul , Kim Kwang-Bum
Published: July 2015

The low initial coulombic efficiency of a Si-based anode can hinder the performance of practical full-cell Li-ion batteries (LIBs), as the irreversible capacity loss of the anode can diminish the reversible full-cell capacity and the energy efficiency.
Environmental and Pathogenic Factors Inducing Brown Apical Necrosis on Fruit of English (Persian) Walnut
Authors: Scotton Michele , Bortolin Enrico , Fiorin Antonio , Belisario Alessandra
Published: July 2015

Brown apical necrosis (BAN) is a most recently described disease affecting English (Persian) walnut fruit. BAN was only recorded in intensively managed walnut orchards and was found to be a disease complex mainly caused by Fusarium species. All fungi associated with this disease are polyphagous and ubiquitous, not specific to walnut. Consequently, BAN occurrence is more strictly dependent, than generally, on the interaction between pathological features and environmental conditions. Environmental variables identified with regression analysis showed that maximum temperature, angle of main wind direction versus tree row orientation, and orchard distance to the closest river/canal, all representative of climatic conditions occurring in the orchard, were related to fruit drop. The factor displaying the highest influence on severity of BAN fruit drop was maximum temperature and only subordinately factors are associated with relative humidity. BAN symptoms were reproduced with in planta artificial inoculation, and fruit drop of symptomatic fruit was significantly higher than that of the noninoculated trees for each type of inoculum (Fusarium semitectum, F. graminearum, and Alternaria spp.). F. semitectum and F. graminearum were more aggressive than Alternaria species, and the earliest artificial inoculations in mid-May resulted in the highest fruit drop. The extension of walnut fruit susceptibility and the conducive environmental factors to BAN are discussed.
Lymphatic transit rate as a novel predictive parameter for nodal metastasis in primary truncal skin cancers
Authors: Fujiwara Masao , Suzuki Takahiro , Takiguchi Tetsuya , Fukamizu Hidekazu , Tokura Yoshiki
Published: July 2015

Prediction of nodal metastasis in skin cancer before sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsies is ideal to avoid unnecessary SLN biopsy performance. Primary truncal skin cancers are characterized by the lymphatic flow that drains from the primary lesion, occasionally to plural nodal basins. The scintigraphic appearance time (SAT), defined as the time between radionuclide injection and first SLN visualization, can potentially predict nodal metastasis, and a short SAT is a predictive parameter for metastasis. We recently introduced a novel method to measure the lymphatic flow rate using dynamic lymphoscintigraphy exhibiting a time–activity curve in the SLN. The time at which the count reaches a plateau in the SLN is termed the scintigraphic saturation time (SST) and can be a good alternative to the SAT. Moreover, the value obtained by division of the distance between the primary lesion and the SLN by the SST was termed the lymphatic transit rate (LTR), which represents the scintigraphic saturation velocity. In the present study, we evaluated LTR as a predictive parameter for nodal metastasis. Data for 22 lymph nodes from 18 patients with primary truncal skin cancers were used. Histopathologically, nodal metastasis was determined in nine nodes of eight patients. Because the mean LTR were 1.84 cm/min in non‐metastatic SLN and 2.38 cm/min in metastatic SLN, the LTR was significantly higher in metastatic SLN than in non‐metastatic SLN. All SLN with LTR of less than 1.8 cm/min were histopathologically evaluated as non‐metastatic. The LTR may be a predictive indicator for nodal metastasis.
Test–Retest Reliability of Graph Metrics in High‐resolution Functional Connectomics: A Resting‐State Functional MRI Study
Authors: Du Hai‐Xiao , Liao Xu‐Hong , Lin Qi‐Xiang , Li Gu‐Shu , Chi Yu‐Ze , Liu Xiang , Yang Hua‐Zhong , Wang Yu , Xia Ming‐Rui
Published: July 2015

Background

The combination of resting‐state functional MRI (R‐fMRI) technique and graph theoretical approaches has emerged as a promising tool for characterizing the topological organization of brain networks, that is, functional connectomics. In particular, the construction and analysis of high‐resolution brain connectomics at a voxel scale are important because they do not require prior regional parcellations and provide finer spatial information about brain connectivity. However, the test–retest reliability of voxel‐based functional connectomics remains largely unclear.

Aims

This study tended to investigate both short‐term (∼20 min apart) and long‐term (6 weeks apart) test–retest (TRT) reliability of graph metrics of voxel‐based brain networks.

Methods

Based on graph theoretical approaches, we analyzed R‐fMRI data from 53 young healthy adults who completed two scanning sessions (session 1 included two scans 20 min apart; session 2 included one scan that was performed after an interval of ∼6 weeks).

Results

The high‐resolution networks exhibited prominent small‐world and modular properties and included functional hubs mainly located at the default‐mode, salience, and executive control systems. Further analysis revealed that test‐retest reliabilities of network metrics were sensitive to the scanning orders and intervals, with fair to excellent long‐term reliability between Scan 1 and Scan 3 and lower reliability involving Scan 2. In the long‐term case (Scan 1 and Scan 3), most network metrics were generally test–retest reliable, with the highest reliability in global metrics in the clustering coefficient and in the nodal metrics in nodal degree and efficiency.

Conclusion

We showed high test–retest reliability for graph properties in the high‐resolution functional connectomics, which provides important guidance for choosing reliable network metrics and analysis strategies in future studies.
Mitogen‐activated kinase pathway activation in epidermal lamellae in the acute stages of carbohydrate overload laminitis models and the effect of regional deep hypothermia on signalling pathways
Authors: Gardner A. K. , Kelly C. S. , van Eps A. W. , Burns T. A. , Watts M. R. , Belknap J. K.
Published: July 2015

Reasons for performing study

In sepsis models, mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are reported to incite inflammatory injury to tissues and are purported to be a therapeutic target.

Objectives

To assess MAPK signalling in lamellae in sepsis‐related laminitis (SRL) at different time points after induction of laminitis via carbohydrate overload, and to determine the effect of regional deep hypothermia (RDH) on MAPK signalling.

Study design

In vitro study using archived tissue samples.

Methods

Lamellar concentrations of MAPKs were assessed in archived lamellar samples from 2 studies: 1) the starch gruel model of SRL with 3 groups (n = 6/group) of horses (control, onset of fever [DEV] Obel Grade 1 lameness [OG1]); and 2) from limbs maintained at ambient (AMB) and hypothermic (ICE) temperatures (n = 6/group) in animals given a bolus of oligofructose. Immunoblotting and immunolocalisation were used to assess lamellar concentrations and cellular localisation of total and activated (phosphorylated) forms of p38 MAPK, extracellular‐regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2, and stress‐activated protein kinase/c‐jun N terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK) 1/2.

Results

Lamellar samples had statistically significant increased concentrations of activated ERK 1/2 at the onset of OG1 laminitis (vs. control) in the starch gruel model, but showed no significant change between ICE and AMB limbs in the RDH model. Phospho‐SAPK/JNK 1/2 exhibited a similar significant increase in the OG1 samples, but was also increased in ICE (vs. AMB) limbs. No statistically significant changes in lamellar p38 MAPK concentrations were noted.

Conclusions

Increased concentrations of activated ERK 1/2 and SAPK/JNK in the acute stages of SRL indicate a possible role of these signalling proteins in lamellar injury. Signalling related to ERK 1/2 and SAPK/JNK 1/2 pathways should be further investigated to determine if these play a detrimental role in laminitis and may be therapeutic targets to be manipulated independently of RDH.
DNA damage control: regulation and functions of checkpoint kinase 1
Authors: Smits Veronique A. J. , Gillespie David A.
Published: July 2015

Checkpoint kinase 1 (Chk1) is a master regulator of the DNA damage and replication checkpoints in vertebrate cells. When activated via phosphorylation by its upstream regulatory kinase, ATR, Chk1 prevents cells with damaged or incompletely replicated DNA from entering mitosis, and acts to stabilize stalled replication forks and suppress replication origin firing when DNA synthesis is inhibited. Chk1 blocks mitosis by maintaining high levels of inhibitory tyrosine phosphorylation of the mitotic cyclin‐dependent kinase 1; however, the mechanisms that underlie replication fork stabilization and suppression of origin firing are less well defined. Although Chk1 function is evidently acutely regulated during these responses, how this occurs at the molecular level is incompletely understood. Recent evidence that Chk1 contains a ‘kinase‐associated 1’ domain within its regulatory C‐terminal region promises new insights. Additional modifications catalysed by other protein kinases, such as cyclin‐dependent kinase 1, Akt, and RSK, can combine with ubiquitylation to regulate Chk1 subcellular localization and protein stability. Interestingly, it is clear that Chk1 has less well‐defined functions in homologous recombination, chromatin modification, gene expression, spindle checkpoint proficiency, and cytokinesis. Here, we provide an overview of Chk1 regulation and functions, with an emphasis on unresolved questions that merit further research.