bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estudo de validação e fidedignidade de escalas de silhuetas brasileiras em adolescentes
Authors: Laus Maria Fernanda , Almeida Sebastião Sousa , Murarole Mariana Barticiotti , Braga-Costa Telma Maria
Published: January 2014

Objetivou-se avaliar a validade de construto e a fidedignidade das escalas de silhuetas de Kakeshita (2008) em adolescentes brasileiros. Após a condução do teste-reteste em 112 participantes com intervalo de um mês, os resultados demonstraram que as escalas foram capazes de discriminar os diferentes grupos de estado nutricional em ambos os sexos; apresentaram coeficientes de correlação entre IMC real, IMC atual e insatisfação e coeficientes de correlação intraclasse elevados, comprovando que o instrumento é apropriado para avaliar a imagem corporal nessa faixa etária.
Antecedentes de comportamentos de busca de emprego na transição da universidade para o mercado de trabalho
Authors: Magalhães Mauro de Oliveira , Teixeira Marco Antonio Pereira
Published: January 2014

Esta pesquisa investigou variáveis pessoais e situacionais relacionadas a comportamentos de busca de emprego. Participaram 253 universitários ao final da graduação, que responderam a escalas de lócus de controle, autoeficácia, apoio social, independência e motivação nas transições de carreira, além de medidas de necessidade financeira, valores de carreira, avaliação pessoal do mercado de trabalho e de comportamentos de busca de emprego. Análises de regressão indicaram que lócus de controle, apoio social e necessidade financeira foram os melhores preditores desses comportamentos. Indivíduos que priorizaram a estabilidade no emprego apresentaram maior necessidade financeira, externalidade de controle e maior frequência de busca de emprego. Implicações teóricas e práticas dos resultados são discutidas.
Abordagem comunicativa, argumentação e objetivos didáticos: um episódio de sala de aula de física gerenciado por um estagiário
Authors: Vieira Rodrigo Drumond , Nascimento Silvania Sousa do
Published: January 2014

Neste trabalho, apresentamos análises articuladas de um episódio de regência em sala de aula de física do ensino médio e da sua utilização como instrumento formador em uma disciplina de Prática de Ensino de Física. O objetivo principal é discutir, pelas articulações das análises, as relações, no discurso, dos elementos da tríade analítica abordagem comunicativa/argumentação/objetivos didáticos. As análises demonstram que o papel da argumentação e os objetivos didáticos correlatos, no discurso de sala de aula, não são suficientemente claros para os sujeitos investigados. Nessa perspectiva, o equívoco dos licenciandos, em confundir explicação com argumentação, remete a necessidades formativas que devem enfatizar quais objetivos didáticos as situações argumentativas podem cumprir em sala de aula e como essas situações podem ser identificadas, promovidas, mantidas e gerenciadas pelos professores. Concluímos levantando as implicações dessa análise e perspectivas para a pesquisa e para o ensino de física e ciências.
O elemento financeiro e a Educação para o Consumo Responsável
Authors: Saleh Abdala Mohamed , Saleh Pascoalina Bailon de Oliveira
Published: January 2014

Neste artigo, discute-se o aspecto financeiro, no âmbito da Educação para o Consumo Responsável. Descreve-se, didaticamente, o cenário financeiro atual, no qual se sobressai a crise financeira mundial. A crise influencia o movimento de estímulo e contenção das economias mundiais e tem reflexos nos padrões de consumo, podendo, em situações de oferta indiscriminada de crédito, favorecer o superendividamento das famílias. Nesse contexto, em 2010, surge, no Brasil, a Estratégia Nacional de Educação Financeira - ENEF, um programa de Estado que visa a educar financeiramente a população. Discutese, brevemente, esse programa e assume-se a posição de que a educação financeira deve ser inserida no âmbito do consumo responsável, o qual engloba as vertentes meio ambiente, saúde, publicidade, direito e ética. Analisam-se quatro exemplos de fatos/situações noticiados pela mídia, a fim de evidenciar a complexidade envolvida no consumo. Finalmente, situa-se a relação entre a educação para o consumo e o sentido de educação freiriano.
Liberalismo igualitário e ação afirmativa: da teoria moral à política pública
Authors: Feres Júnior João , Campos Luiz Augusto
Published: January 2014

O presente artigo examina a hipótese de que a teoria política e moral do liberalismo igualitário serve de justificação para políticas de ação afirmativa de recorte étnico-racial, hipótese essa que tem sido assumida como verdadeira por acadêmicos e importantes operadores do direito em nosso país. Buscamos estabelecer como autores fundamentais do liberalismo igualitário, como John Rawls, Ronald Dworkin, Thomas Nagel e Robert Taylor, trataram a questão das políticas de discriminação positiva. O método usado é a interpretação textual, tomando cuidado de trabalhar o mais próximo possível da linguagem e dos conceitos nos próprios textos dos autores e cobrindo a evolução do tema na obra de cada um, particularmente na de Rawls. Pretendemos mostrar que há uma gradação de opiniões em relação à questão, que vai da defesa à rejeição de tais políticas, passando por posições intermediárias que justificam algumas modalidades de ação afirmativa, mas não outras. Portanto, não há uma relação unívoca entre a teoria política e moral do liberalismo igualitário e a justificação de políticas de ação afirmativa de recorte étnico-racial, a despeito do senso comum e do fato de teóricos do liberalismo igualitário e defensores da ação afirmativa partilharem o mesmo lugar no espectro político das democracias liberais.
Alimentação e comensalidade entre os Kanamari da Amazônia Ocidental
Authors: Costa Luiz
Published: January 2014

Este artigo analisa o impacto das relações assimétricas de "maestria" na criação e na perpetuação do parentesco. Seu foco etnográfico são os Kanamari, povo de língua katukina da Amazônia ocidental, que distinguem entre duas modalidades de distribuir e consumir comida: "alimentação", designando uma relação assimétrica de dependência; e "comensalidade", implicando relações mútuas de partilha de comida. A segunda categoria de relações deriva da primeira, que é a base a partir da qual o parentesco kanamari se constitui. A maestria é, desta forma, lógica e ontogeneticamente anterior à mutualidade. O artigo explora essa anterioridade através de uma análise das práticas de criação de xerimbabos, e dos laços entre mães e filhos e chefes e seguidores. Explora, ainda, a relação entre "alimentação", "comensalidade" e "predação", afirmando que, para os Kanamari, a alimentação é o meio para se transformar a predação em comensalidade.
Abordagem Freudo-Frankfurtiana, pesquisa-ação e socioanálise: uma proposta alternativa para os Estudos Organizacionais
Authors: Paula Ana Paula Paes de
Published: January 2014

Este artigo propõe uma reflexão acerca da abordagem freudo-frankfurtiana e a estratégia de pesquisa que dela deriva, articulando a metodologia de pesquisa-ação à socioanálise de René Lourau. A abordagem freudo-frankfurtiana que apresentamos realiza uma reconstrução epistemológica, evidenciando a proximidade entre a epistemologia frankfurtiana e a epistemologia freudiana, para elaborar um suporte teórico-analítico que instrui essa metodologia. Argumentamos que tal abordagem e metodologia propiciariam uma conjunção entre teoria e práxis, uma vez que promovem uma profunda interação entre pesquisador e pesquisados, além de ter a emancipação como um dos valores que norteiam a investigação. Nosso objetivo é buscar um saber e uma construção de conhecimento para os estudos organizacionais orientados pelo interesse emancipatório que seja tecnicamente aplicável e guie a atividade prática/comunicativa. Com o propósito de apresentar esta proposta alternativa para os estudos organizacionais, neste artigo, primeiramente apresentamos e discutimos a abordagem freudo-frankfurtiana, realizando uma reconstrução epistemológica. Na segunda parte, sistematizamos um suporte teórico-analítico a partir do qual elaboramos a estratégia de pesquisa anteriormente mencionada. Em seguida, apresentamos nossas considerações finais, concluindo que apontamos saídas para a pesquisa organizacional que privilegiam a prática e a emancipação, pois recomendamos que as investigações tenham um objetivo de conhecimento, mas, também, um objetivo prático, de modo que o analista organizacional pactue com o grupo ou organização abordados, sem deixar de incentivar sua autonomia, indicando quais são as metas coletivas da investigação, qual é o plano de ação a ser implementado e, ainda, realizando uma avaliação coletiva dos resultados.
Fundamentalismo da gestão encontra a descolonialidade: repensando estrategicamente organizações familiares
Authors: Faria Alexandre , Wanderley Sergio
Published: January 2014

Por não terem sido convertidas pela globalização neoliberal em organizações de mercado governadas pelos fundamentos da visible hand, em desacordo com o fundamentalismo da gestão, organizações familiares continuam tendo papel estratégico no (e para o) resto do mundo. Engajamo-nos na opção descolonial para analisar neste artigo a trajetória de marginalização de organizações familiares no campo da gestão e, em especial, em gestão estratégica. Ao enfocar o âmbito da gestão estratégica da geopolítica do conhecimento em gestão, o artigo mostra que as seguidas crises da globalização neoliberal ocidental, liderada pelos EUA, e a correspondente ascensão do resto do mundo criaram condições tanto para a descolonização do campo da gestão quanto para o fortalecimento do fundamentalismo da gestão. Propomos, então, a descolonização da gestão e a desmarginalização das organizações familiares por meio da construção de uma área de estudo em estratégia no (a partir do) Brasil que problematize a gestão estratégica da geopolítica do conhecimento em gestão.
Aprendizagem enquanto produção conjunta de conhecimento: avançando tarefas e alcançando entendimentos satisfatórios na fala-em-interação
Authors: Kanitz Andréia , Frank Ingrid
Published: January 2014

Esta pesquisa parte do entendimento de aprendizagem como produção conjunta de conhecimento que é tornada pública na medida em que participantes dão conta de um objeto de aprendizagem emergente de suas atividades (ABELEDO, 2008). Analisa-se um segmento interacional em que pesquisadores de um laboratório de engenharia produzem conhecimento em conjunto. Argumenta-se que, nesse segmento, os participantes tornam relevante, em suas ações, dois componentes dessa produção que não aparecem na definição de Abeledo (realizada em cenário escolar): (i) a produção de um avanço relevante para o andamento das tarefas concretas em que estão engajados; e (ii) a satisfação com o que construíram em conjunto. A descrição realizada contribui com a discussão acerca de modos de organização e de fomento de instâncias de produção conjunta de conhecimento em cenário de sala de aula por meio de tarefas concretas que orientem e mobilizem os participantes em torno de um empreendimento comum.
Performance of soybean plants as function of seed size: II. Nutritional stress
Authors: Soares Marcos Morais , Oliveira Glauter Lima , Soriano Paulo Emídio , Sekita Marcelo Coelho , Sediyama Tuneo
Published: January 2014

The high quality seed is an input with invaluable for obtaining soybean crops with higher yields; for it reflects the results of high investments in research of modern technologies, which will be converted into high productivity levels. Thus, the aim of this study was assessing performance of soybean seeds, sorted by size, and grown in soils with different phosphorus levels. To this, seeds of two soybean cultivars (MSoy 9144RR and MSoy 8527RR) were sorted with aid of circular screens with perforations of 5.5 mm and 7.5 mm in diameter. Sowing was carried out into plastic pots, with 3.0 dm³ substrate capacity each, containing a Red-Yellow Oxisol, fertilized with increasing phosphorus dosages (50, 100, 200, 300 and 400 mg. Kg-1), and performed under greenhouse environmental conditions. Seed size did not significantly influence the values obtained to the variables analyzed; however, to the larger seeds there was a trend of increase on these values. There was also a trend of increase on these values to all variables assessed when the dosages of phosphorus in the soil were increased.
Percepção da fala em presença de ruído competitivo: o efeito da taxa de modulação do ruído mascarante
Authors: Advíncula Karina Paes , Menezes Denise Costa , Pacífico Fernando Augusto , Griz Silvana Maria Sobral
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Este estudo investigou o efeito das diferentes taxas de modulações do mascaramento na magnitude do masking release. MÉTODOS: Quinze indivíduos jovens, com audição normal, foram submetidos ao teste de reconhecimento de sentença na presença de ruído, utilizando as listas de sentenças do HINT-Brasil. Foram obtidos limiares de reconhecimento de fala em presença de ruído estável e ruído modulado, em diferentes taxas de modulação (4, 8, 16, 32 e 64 Hz). A magnitude do masking release foi obtida para cada modulação e foi realizada a análise comparativa dos resultados. RESULTADOS: Os achados demonstraram melhores limiares de reconhecimento de sentenças quando o ruído mascarante foi modulado em 4, 8, 16 e 32 Hz e piores limiares quando o ruído mascarante estava estável e em 64 Hz. No que diz respeito à análise da relação sinal/ruído, foram observados, no presente estudo, maiores valores para as tarefas que envolvem reconhecimento de sentenças com ruído estável, seguidos das tarefas que envolvem reconhecimento de sentenças com ruído modulado em 64 Hz, e menores valores para as tarefas que envolvem reconhecimento de sentenças com ruído modulado em 32, 16, 8 e 4 Hz, respectivamente. CONCLUSÃO: A magnitude do masking release para sentenças não se diferencia com taxas de modulação em amplitude entre 4 e 32 Hz. No entanto, quando a taxa de modulação é elevada a 64 Hz, a magnitude do masking release diminui.
Correlação entre perda auditiva e indicadores de risco em um serviço de referência em triagem auditiva neonatal
Authors: Barboza Ana Carolina Sena , Resende Luciana Macedo de , Ferreira Daniele Barreto Cunha , Lapertosa Cláudia Zanforlin , Carvalho Sirley Alves da Silva
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Verificar a ocorrência de perda auditiva e a sua correlação com os indicadores de risco, em bebês de um Serviço de Referência de Triagem Auditiva Neonatal. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo com casuística composta por 3151 prontuários de bebês, dos quais 803 apresentaram indicadores de risco para a deficiência auditiva. O estudo foi realizado em um Serviço de Referência em Triagem Auditiva Neonatal de um Hospital Universitário na cidade de Belo Horizonte (MG). A coleta dos dados abrangeu o período de janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2010. RESULTADOS: No grupo sem indicadores de risco, a ocorrência de perda auditiva foi de 1,04%, sendo 0,04% do tipo neurossensorial e 0,99% do tipo condutiva. No grupo com indicadores de risco, a ocorrência de perda auditiva foi de 8,38%: 3,10% do tipo neurossensorial e 5,27% do tipo condutiva. Na etapa de acompanhamento, uma criança (0,33%) obteve diagnóstico de perda auditiva neurossensorial de grau moderado bilateral. Os indicadores de risco mais frequentes na população estudada foram a permanência em UTI neonatal por mais de cinco dias, com 43,47%, seguido de uso de ototóxicos, 29,81% e ventilação mecânica, 28,88%. Foi observado que crianças com suspeita de síndromes têm 18 vezes mais chance de apresentar perda auditiva neurossensorial. CONCLUSÃO: A ocorrência de perda auditiva foi maior no grupo de crianças com indicadores de risco. O indicador de risco que apresenta correlação com a presença de perda auditiva neurossensorial é a suspeita de síndromes. Verifica-se a necessidade de desenvolvimento de ações de promoção da saúde para diminuição dos indicadores de risco encontrados na população atendida.
Adaptação do Inventário Parental "Language Use Inventory (LUI)" para crianças entre 18 e 47 meses para o Português Europeu: Estudo Piloto
Authors: Guimarães Cristiana da Silva , Cruz-Santos Anabela , Almeida Leandro
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: A aquisição e o desenvolvimento da linguagem resultam da interação da criança com o meio ambiente. As interações sociais cotidianas com as pessoas e a comunicação com outros permitem que a criança adquira linguagem, sendo a pragmática o sistema de regras que suporta o uso comunicativo da linguagem. A identificação e a avaliação de crianças em risco de desenvolverem transtornos de linguagem são cruciais, tendo em vista a intervenção precoce eficaz. Tendo em vista a relevância da pragmática como componente da linguagem e a escassez, em Portugal, de instrumentos de avaliação da linguagem validados para idades precoces, a finalidade deste estudo consistiu na tradução, adaptação e validação do instrumento Language Use Inventory (LUI), para o português europeu. O LUI é um inventário parental que avalia o desenvolvimento da pragmática entre os 18 e os 47 meses. MÉTODOS: Foram adotados todos os procedimentos recomendados pelas diretrizes internacionais sobre a adaptação de testes, culminando em estudo piloto com uma amostra de 120 inventários, respondidos pelos pais/cuidadores de crianças portuguesas da referida faixa etária. RESULTADOS: Os coeficientes de consistência interna (Alfa de Cronbach) para a versão portuguesa do LUI situaram-se em 0,97 para a escala total e entre 0,71 e 0,96 para as subescalas. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados preliminares da adaptação do LUI-Pt para crianças portuguesas sugerem a validade interna dessa escala.
Queixas fonoaudiológicas e verificação da fala de indivíduos com diagnóstico de ardência bucal e xerostomia
Authors: Pastana Silvana da Gama , Cantisano Marília Heffer , Bianchini Esther Mandelbaum Gonçalves
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Investigar as queixas das funções orais em presença dos sintomas de ardência e secura bucal e analisar as alterações da fala em seu aspecto articulatório. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 66 indivíduos com idade entre 30 e 78 anos, divididos em três grupos: grupo ardência bucal, grupo xerostomia e grupo sem sintomas bucais. Foram realizadas entrevistas, exame clínico da cavidade oral e gravação da fala, com utilização de fichário evocativo. RESULTADOS: A característica comum nos dois primeiros grupos foi a presença do sintoma de secura bucal. Na localização dos sintomas, o grupo xerostomia apresentou maior quantidade de estruturas afetadas pelo sintoma. As queixas mais referidas por esse grupo foram cansaço e força na fala e força e engasgos à deglutição. A queixa de força foi significativa, na comparação com grupo de ardência bucal, com aumento do sintoma provocado pela função de fala. Dos sujeitos que se queixaram de boca seca, como sintoma principal, ou associado, a maioria apresentou ruídos durante a fala. O grupo xerostomia apresentou maior ocorrência desse ruído. Não foram evidenciadas alterações fonéticas nos grupos de sintomas bucais. CONCLUSÃO: Das queixas envolvendo as funções orais, falar e deglutir com força foram as mais referidas pelos indivíduos do grupo xerostomia. Observou-se a presença de estalidos na fala da maioria dos sujeitos com o sintoma de secura bucal. Apesar das sintomatologias apresentadas e do número de estruturas orais afetadas, não houve evidência de alteração fonética nos indivíduos com sintomas bucais.
Total Nonstructural Carbohydrate Trends in Deeproot Sedge (Cyperus entrerianus)
Authors: King Jonathan R. , Conway Warren C. , Rosen David J. , Oswald Brian P. , Williams Hans M.
Published: January 2014

Native to temperate South America, deeproot sedge has naturalized throughout the southeastern United States. Often forming dense, homogenous stands, deeproot sedge has become widespread, invasive, and potentially harmful ecologically throughout the coastal prairie ecoregion of Texas. Possessing characteristics (rapid growth, generalized habitat requirements) of other weedy congeners (purple nutsedge and yellow nutsedge), its relatively recent expansion highlights the critical need to develop effective control techniques and strategies for this species throughout this endangered ecoregion. Research was performed to delineate total nonstructural carbohydrate (TNC) trends in deeproot sedge rhizomes for development of a phenologically based schedule for herbicide applications and mechanical treatments. Overall, TNC levels were greatest in May to August and lowest from October to January, regardless of study area. Apparently, deeproot sedge exerts little energy into seed production because TNC levels were continually replenished throughout the growing season. As such, foliar-herbicide application throughout the growing season should achieve total plant kill. Conversely, deeproot sedge rhizome TNC levels never fell below 30%, even during winter, which indicates that winter mechanical treatments or winter prescribed fires will not be effective because substantial rhizome reserves are present to support resprouting during the next growing season. Beyond a priori prevention, sequential herbicide applications combined with integrated, sequential, prescribed fire and herbicide treatments will be needed for long-term deeproot sedge control throughout its geographic range.
Cost/Benefit Analysis of Managing Invasive Annual Grasses in Partially Invaded Sagebrush Steppe Ecosystems
Authors: Sheley Roger , Sheley Jordan , Smith Brenda
Published: January 2014

Our objective was to evaluate the cost/benefit of a single herbicide application or targeted grazing of invasive annual grasses during restoration of partially invaded sagebrush steppe ecosystems used for livestock production. The cost/benefit model used is based on estimating the production of vegetation in response to implementing management and modeling cost/benefit economics associated with that prediction. The after-tax present value of added animal unit months (AUMs) obtained was lower than the present value of after-tax treatment costs after 20 yr for a single herbicide treatment, but higher than the present value of after-tax treatment costs for the grazing management scenario. Even at the highest weed utilization level, the value of added AUMs did not offset the cost of the treatment after 20 yr. However, the grazing treatment resulted in a value of added AUMs higher than the costs after 20 yr. Depending on the invasive weed utilization level, break-even points with targeted grazing occurred at anywhere from the first year to 7 yr. This assessment clearly shows that grazing management can be economically viable for managing annual grass-infested rangeland. In the future, models like the one used here can be improved by incorporating the rangeland management and restoration benefits on the wide variety of goods and services gained from rangeland.
When Is the Best Time to Emerge: Reproductive Phenology and Success of Natural Common Waterhemp (Amaranthus rudis) Cohorts in the Midwest United States?
Authors: Wu Chenxi , Owen Micheal D. K.
Published: January 2014

Although the prolonged emergence pattern of common waterhemp is well known, its effect on flowering phenology and success is less well understood. The ecological significance of later common waterhemp cohorts could have been underestimated. Ecological knowledge of common waterhemp, such as reproductive phenology and success, would help us better understand the invasiveness of this weed and thus facilitate the development of more targeted control methods. Field studies were conducted at Ames, IA, to evaluate temporal variation in flowering phenology (e.g., date of flower initiation, number of flowering plants per day) and reproductive success (e.g., seed production) of natural common waterhemp cohorts. Later-emerging common waterhemp cohorts flowered quicker and had a relatively shorter flowering period than early cohorts. Common waterhemp cohorts showed very large variations for the duration of their vegetative phases, indicating different photoperiod sensitivity among cohorts. Furthermore, common waterhemp cohorts exhibited a pulsed flowering pattern, which was probably influenced by temporal distribution of rain events; up to seven distinct flowering pulses within 40 d were observed in 2009, and about eight flowering pulses scattered over a 60 d period were observed in 2010. Common waterhemp maintained high seed production throughout the growing season. Seed production for the entire cohort was influenced more by emergence timing, whereas individual plant fecundity was more affected by plant population densities. Common waterhemp demonstrates strong phenological plasticity by evolving a pulsed flowering pattern, which rendered it plastic enough to tailor flowering to variable environmental conditions thus facilitating effective pollination. Common waterhemp later cohorts have a strong seed production potential, which may be ecologically significant with regard to herbicide resistance evolution.
Weed Community Dynamics and Suppression in Tilled and No-Tillage Transitional Organic Winter Rye–Soybean Systems
Authors: Bernstein Emily R. , Stoltenberg David E. , Posner Joshua L. , Hedtcke Janet L.
Published: January 2014

Grower adoption of no-tillage (NT) approaches to organic soybean production has been limited, in part because of the perceived risks of ineffective cover crop management and lack of season-long weed suppression. We conducted research in 2008 and 2009 to assess those risks by quantifying the effects of winter rye cover-crop management (tilling, crimping, or mowing), soybean planting date (mid May or early June), and row width (19 or 76 cm) on weed recruitment, emergence patterns, season-long suppression, and late-season weed community composition in transitional organic production systems. The weed plant community consisted largely of summer annual species in each year, with velvetleaf or common lambsquarters as the most abundant species. Seedling recruitment from the soil seedbank varied between years, but velvetleaf recruitment was consistently greater in the tilled rye than in the NT rye treatments. Weed emergence tended to peak early in the season in the tilled rye treatment, but in the NT rye treatments, the peak occurred in mid or late season. More-diverse summer annual and perennial species were associated with the NT rye treatments. Even so, weed suppression (as measured by late-season weed shoot mass) was much greater in crimped or mowed rye NT treatments than it was in the tilled treatment. Weed suppression among NT rye treatments was greater in 19- than in 76-row spacing treatments in each year and was greater for mid May than it was for early June planted soybean in 2009. The NT planting of soybean into standing rye before termination (crimping or mowing) facilitated timely planting of soybean, as well as effective, season-long weed suppression, suggesting that those approaches to rye and weed management are of less risk than those typically perceived by growers. Our results suggest that NT systems in winter rye provide effective weed-management alternatives to the typical tillage-intensive approach for organic soybean production.
Ethical Considerations for the Clinical Oncologist in an Era of Oncology Drug Shortages
Authors: Jagsi Reshma , Spence Rebecca , Rathmell W. Kimryn , Bradbury Angela , Peppercorn Jeffrey , Grubbs Stephen , Moy Beverly
Published: January 2014

Shortages of injectable drugs affect many cancer patients and providers in the U.S. today. Scholars and policymakers have recently begun to devote increased attention to these issues, but only a few tangible resources exist to guide clinical oncologists in developing strategies for dealing with drug shortages on a recurring basis. This article discusses existing information from the scholarly literature, policy analyses, and other relevant sources and seeks to provide practical ethical guidance to the broad audience of oncology professionals who are increasingly confronted with such cases in their practice. We begin by providing a brief overview of the history, causes, and regulatory context of oncology drug shortages in the U.S., followed by a discussion of ethical frameworks that have been proposed in this setting. We conclude with practical recommendations for ethical professional behavior in these increasingly common and challenging situations.
Patient Perspective on Survivorship
Authors: Al-Amoudi Samia
Published: January 2014

A doctor recounts her own experience as a cancer survivor and patient advocate. She is working to spread awareness, break cultural barriers against discussion of breast cancer, and empower Saudi women with knowledge about their health care needs and rights.
Novel alliance completes Springfield's new rail link in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Josey Peter , Burton Troy
Published: January 2014

Springfield is a new town being built south-west of Brisbane, Australia to accommodate Queensland's fast-growing population. A road and rail transportation corridor has been developed to service this and other new residential communities in the region. This paper describes the design development of the final 10 km stage of the Springfield rail link, which was delivered at the end of 2013 using an innovative ‘competitive alliance’. As reported, significant benefits and value for money were achieved for both for the client and state government using this procurement route.
How Britain's construction industry will be transformed by 2025 – and the reasons why
Authors: Hansford Peter
Published: January 2014

Last year the UK government and the construction industry launched a radical new strategy for the sector entitled Construction 2025. The government's chief construction adviser Peter Hansford explains why it is needed and what it involves.
Microstructural analysis of time-dependent cracking in shale
Authors: Pellet Frederic L.
Published: January 2014

This paper analyses crack patterns in argillaceous rocks induced by time-dependent mechanical loadings. To achieve this, thin sections were extracted from specimens after strain-rate-controlled compression tests and creep tests. The microstructural observations, made using an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope, highlighted the fact that the crack patterns and failure modes of the specimens are dependent on the rate of loading. For slow-loading rates, the macroscopic deformations appear to be mainly due to the development of a sub-vertical network of persistent macrocracks in the argillaceous matrix, whereas for the fast-loading tests, a second network of microcracks appears, controlled by the rock’s structural anisotropy. When the specimens undergo fast loading, the observed failure is more brittle with cataclastic deformation and grain crushing in evidence within the samples. Observations of the crack width and crack orientations clearly show how the crack patterns influence rock properties such as permeability, which is a key parameter in the damage zone that develops around many geo-engineering structures.
Personalised travel plans in the workplace: a case study
Authors: Bartle Caroline , Avineri Erel
Published: January 2014

Workplaces are facing the challenge of sustainable auditing and reducing land dedicated to car parking. Personalised travel planning enables employees to evaluate the full range of alternatives to the car for their journey to work. However, the uptake and effectiveness of such a service may be strongly influenced by the social and organisational context of individual workplaces. This paper draws out findings on the importance of social context from a case study of user involvement in the development of an innovative, web-based tool to generate personalised travel plans. Interviews were held with the innovators, with travel coordinators and with users of the tool in three pilot organisations. Travel coordinators saw the personalised travel planning tool from the perspective of a corporate strategy to reduce carbon dioxide emissions – in some cases as a ‘carrot’ to balance the ‘stick’ of higher parking charges. Among some employees, this made it a focal point for dissatisfaction with employers' wider transport measures. However, staff involved in change management saw it as an effective way of informing employees, often promoting its diffusion within workplace practice. The findings offer a number of good practice points to designers of innovative transport tools and organisations interested in taking them up.
Water resource assessment along the Blue Nile River, north Africa with a one-dimensional model
Authors: Ali Yasir S. A. , Crosato Alessandra , Mohamed Yasir A. , Wright Nigel G. , Roelvink J. A.
Published: January 2014

The water resource of the Blue Nile River in north Africa is under increasing pressure due to rapid population growth and economic development. The situation is aggravated by a lack of coordinated management and governance, partly caused by incomplete knowledge of the water supplies, uses and needs. Proper water management is particularly important now, considering the recently completed and planned mega dams on the Blue Nile River network. This paper reports on the construction of a one-dimensional hydrodynamic model covering the entire Blue Nile River system, from Lake Tana to the confluence with the White Nile, with the aim of quantifying water availability throughout the year, for different conditions. The work included an extensive field measurement campaign along the Blue River and its tributaries, both in Ethiopia and Sudan. Calibrated and validated with independent datasets, the model was used to quantify water uses in the period 2008–2010, which were then compared with the official figures. The results show that the dry season is characterised by extra water losses that should be taken into account when quantifying water needs, especially during the filling up phase of new reservoirs.
Age, sex, and breeding status shape a complex foraging pattern in an extremely long‐lived seabird
Authors: Jaeger Audrey , Goutte Aurélie , Lecomte Vincent J. , Richard Pierre , Chastel Olivier , Barbraud Christophe , Weimerskirch Henri , Cherel Yves
Published: January 2014

Evidence of age‐dependent changes in foraging behavior of free‐ranging individuals is scarce, especially at older stages. Using the isotopic niche as a proxy of the trophic niche during both the breeding (blood) and inter‐nesting (feather) periods, we report here empirical evidence for age‐, gender‐, and breeding status‐dependent foraging ecology and examine its potential consequences on subsequent reproduction and survival in an extremely long‐lived species, the Wandering Albatross (Diomedea exulans). Immature Wandering Albatrosses of both sexes forage in the subtropics (δ13C) and feed at the same trophic position (δ15N) as the adults. In contrast to immature birds, adult females forage, on average, at more northern latitudes than males, with both sexes feeding in the subtropics during the inter‐nesting period, and males, not females, favoring subantarctic waters during incubation. In contrast to adult females, males show a unique pattern among birds and mammals of a continuous change with age in their main feeding habitat by foraging progressively farther south in colder waters during both the breeding and inter‐nesting periods. In males, foraging at higher latitudes (lower feather δ13C values) is associated with a lower probability of breeding during the following years compared to other birds, but with no effect on their probability of surviving. Foraging in cold and windy waters may be linked to foraging impairment that might explain different life history trade‐offs and lower investment in reproduction with age. This key point requires further longitudinal investigations and/or studies examining foraging success and the energy budget of birds feeding in different water masses.
Guided Bone Regeneration Using Nanocrystalline Calcium Sulfate Bone Graft in an Extraction Socket: A Case Report
Authors: Mazor Ziv , Horowitz Robert , Chesnoiu‐Matei Ioanna , Mamidwar Sachin
Published: January 2014

Introduction: The use of bone grafts to replace the lost bone in extraction sockets is commonplace today. This helps to maintain the height and width of the bone for eventual placement of dental implants.

Case Presentation: A 41‐year‐old female patient presented to a private clinic with a hopeless tooth #31. Atraumatic extraction was performed. The socket was cleaned. Infected, inflamed tissue, as well as remnants of periodontal ligament, were removed. The site was thoroughly irrigated and decorticated. Particles of nanocrystalline calcium sulfate (nCS) were mixed with saline to form a putty. nCS putty was then lightly condensed in the extraction socket with a plastic instrument and a plugger. The site was closed with a barrier membrane. Radiographs were taken before and after the surgery. The patient was followed regularly. Four months after grafting the socket, two dental implants were placed in the healed socket. A small core of the bone from the grafted socket was obtained before implant placement and was analyzed histologically and histomorphometrically. Socket healing was uneventful. Histologic analysis demonstrated robust bone regeneration in the socket, and histomorphometric analysis showed 52% bone and 48% soft tissue. One hundred percent of the bone was vital. Implants were restored 4 months after placement.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the effective use of nCS for guided bone regeneration in a molar extraction socket.
Hosoya-Diudea polynomial in hyper structures
Authors: Vlad M. P. , Diudea M. V.
Published: January 2014

Hosoya polynomial counts finite sequences of distances in a graph G; more exactly, it counts the number of points/atoms lying at a given distance in G. The polynomial coefficients are calculable by means of layer/shell matrices. Shell matrix operator enables the transformation of any square matrix in the corresponding layer/shell matrix, thus generalizing the local property counting according to its distribution by the distances in G. This represents the “Hosoya-Diudea” generalized counting polynomial. We applied this theory to several hypothetical nanostructures with icosahedral symmetry.
The content of fagopyrin and polyphenols in common and tartary buckwheat sprouts
Authors: Kreft Samo , Janeš Damjan , Kreft Ivan
Published: January 2014

Dried buckwheat herb is used in medicinal products whereas fresh green plant parts, especially sprouts, are consumed as a vegetable. The herb contains fagopyrins, which cause sensitivity to light after ingestion. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of different growing conditions and the development phase on the content of fagopyrin and phenolic compounds in buckwheat sprouts. Total flavonoid and total phenol contents, fagopyrin content and antioxidant activity were determined spectrophotometrically. Fagopyrin and flavonoids were located almost exclusively in cotyledons. Based on a comparison to hypericin toxicity, the recommendable intake of buckwheat sprouts was estimated to be less than 40 g per day.
Preparation and evaluation of chitosan based thermoreversible gels for intraperitoneal delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)
Authors: Depani Bhavesh P. , Naik Anuja A. , Nair Hema A.
Published: January 2014

Sterile thermoreversibly gelling systems based on chitosan- glycerol phosphate were developed for intraperitoneal delivery of the antineoplastic agent 5-FU. The formulation was evaluated for gelling characteristics and in vitro drug release. Drug free gels were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity in L-929 mouse fibroblast cells. Drug loaded gels were subjected to acute toxicity studies in Swiss albino mice via intraperitoneal route and efficacy studies via intratumoral injections in subcutaneous colon carcinoma bearing BALB/c mice. The formulations gelled reversibly in 8 min at 37 °C and provided prolonged release of the drug. Drug free systems showed dose dependent cytotoxicity in fibroblast cells, while in vivo studies revealed a 2.8-fold increase in LD50 of 5-FU administered intraperitoneally as the developed system. Tumor volume measurements showed comparable efficacy of 5-FU administered as gel and commercial injection with a greatly improved safety profile of the former as adjudged from mortality and body weight measurements.
Design and in vivo evaluation of emulgel formulations including green tea extract and rose oil
Authors: Yapar Evren Algin , Ýnal Özge , Erdal M. Sedef
Published: January 2014

Prevention of skin aging and its treatment is an emerging field for development of new formulations in cosmetics. Accordingly, plant extracts with antioxidant properties are beneficial cosmetic ingredients for this purpose. This study was aimed at developing a stable and easily manufactured emulgel including green tea extract and rose oil that is effective on the barrier function and hydration of the skin. An emulgel formulation containing 20 % green tea extract and 5 % rose oil was designed as a result of pre-formulation studies. Physicochemical characterization, in vitro stability studies, in vivo water content of the stratum corneum and transepidermal water loss studies were carried out afterwards. In vivo studies on ten female subjects were evaluated by using non-invasive skin bioengineering techniques. Finally, a cosmetically acceptable, stable and effective emulgel formulation for skin barrier function with good hydrating properties was obtained for skin hydration, protection and anti-aging purposes.
Cytoprotective potential of anti-ischemic drugs against chemotherapy-induced cardiotoxicity in H9c2 myoblast cell line
Authors: Feridooni Tiam , Mac Donald Chris , Shao Di , Yeung Pollen , Agu Remigius U.
Published: January 2014

To investigate potential prevention or attenuation of anti- cancer drug induced cardiotoxicity using anti-ischemic drugs, a rat myoblast (H9c2) cell line was used as our in vitro cardiac model. Irinotecan and doxorubicin were found to be cytotoxic for the H9c2 cell line with IC50 of 30.69 ± 6.20 and 20.94 ± 6.05 mmol L-1, respectively. 5-Flurouracil and cladribine were not cytotoxic and thus IC50 could not be calculated. When 100 mmol L-1 doxorubicin was incubated for 72 hours with 50 mmol L-1 diltiazem, 100 mmol L-1 dexrazoxane and 100 mmol L-1 losartan, respectively, there was a 58.7 ± 10.2, 52.2 ± 11.7 and 44.7 ± 5.4 % reduction in cell death. When 200 mmol L-1 irinotecan was incubated for 72 hours with 100 mmol L-1 dexrazoxane, losartan and diltiazem, respectively, a 27.7 ± 6.9, 25.6 ± 5.1, and 19.1 ± 2.3 % reduction in cell death was observed. Our data suggests that losartan and diltiazem were as effective as dexrazoxane in protecting the cells against irinotecan- and doxorubicin-induced cell toxicity. These findings offer potential uses of anti- -ischemic drugs for ablation of cytotoxicity in response to mitochondrial injury, thereby improving patient outcomes and reducing health-care costs.
Lipid-based systems as a promising approach for enhancing the bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs
Authors: Čerpnjak Katja , Zvonar Alenka , Gašperlin Mirjana , Vrečer Franc
Published: January 2014

Low oral bioavailability as a consequence of low water solubility of drugs is a growing challenge to the development of new pharmaceutical products. One of the most popular approaches of oral bioavailability and solubility enhancement is the utilization of lipid-based drug delivery systems. Their use in product development is growing due to the versatility of pharmaceutical lipid excipients and drug formulations, and their compatibility with liquid, semi-solid, and solid dosage forms. Lipid formulations, such as self-emulsifying (SEDDS), self-microemulsifying SMEDDS) and self- -nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (SNEDDS) were explored in many studies as an efficient approach for improving the bioavailability and dissolution rate of poorly water-soluble drugs. One of the greatest advantages of incorporating poorly soluble drugs into such formulations is their spontaneous emulsification and formation of an emulsion, microemulsion or nanoemulsion in aqueous media. This review article focuses on the following topics. First, it presents a classification overview of lipid-based drug delivery systems and mechanisms involved in improving the solubility and bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. Second, the article reviews components of lipid-based drug delivery systems for oral use with their characteristics. Third, it brings a detailed description of SEDDS, SMEDDS and SNEDDS, which are very often misused in literature, with special emphasis on the comparison between microemulsions and nanoemulsions.
Investigation of probability density functions in modeling sample distribution of surface electromyographic (sEMG) signals
Authors: Guia Rosa Igor Da , Cavalcanti Garcia Marco Antonio , De Souza Marcio Nogueira
Published: January 2014

The surface electromyography signal (sEMG) has been typically modeled as a Gaussian random process. However, some authors have reported that the probability density functions (pdfs) associated with the sample distribution of sEMG signal exhibits a more peaked shape than one could expected for a Gaussian pdf. This work aimed to reinvestigate the profile of the sEMG pdfs during five different load levels of isometric contractions of biceps brachii muscle, and compared the adequacy of four different pdfs (Gaussian, Logistic, Cauchy, and Laplacian) in describing the sample distribution of such signal. Experimental pdfs were estimated for each subject and load condition. The comparison between experimental pdfs obtained from sEMG data of forty volunteers and four theoretical pdfs was performed by fitting these functions to its experimental counterpart, and using a mean absolute errors in the assessment of the best fit. On average, the Logistic pdf seemed to be the best one to describe the sample distribution of sEMG signal, although the probabilistic results, considering binomial trials, were significant for both Gaussian and Logistic pdfs.
Evolutionary computing approaches to optimum design of fuzzy logic controller for a flexible robot system
Authors: Subudhi Bidyadhar , Ranasingh Subhakanta
Published: January 2014

This paper presents the design of a Fuzzy Logic Controller (FLC) whose parameters are optimized by using Genetic Algorithm (GA) and Bacteria Foraging Optimization (BFO) for tip position control of a single link flexible manipulator. The proposed FLC is designed by minimizing the fitness function, which is defined as a function of tip position error, through GA and BFO optimization algorithms achieving perfect tip position tracking of the single link flexible manipulator. Then the tip position responses obtained by using both the above controllers are compared to suggest the best controller for the tip position tracking.
Control methods for PWM rectifier cooperating with variable speed PM generator
Authors: Mazgaj Witold , Szular Zbigniew , Węgiel Tomasz
Published: January 2014

The paper deals with cooperation between pulse width modulation (PWM) rectifier and variable speed synchronous generator which is applied especially in small water or wind plants. In such applications, the synchronous generator, which is usually permanent magnet (PM) generator, rotates at a variable speed which depends on water or wind energy. Therefore, this energy should be converted to the parameters of the three-phase power grid with the use of a power electronic unit. The main aim of the control strategy is to transfer a maximum possible amount of energy produced by the water turbine or the wind turbine connected to a synchronous generator. The second purpose of the control method is to decrease the amount of higher harmonics of generator currents. The paper describes two basic methods which are used in control systems of the PWM rectifiers. The first one is the sinusoidal PWM method, and the second method relates to the hysteresis switching of the PWM rectifier transistors. A significant part of the paper is devoted to control principles of the PWM rectifier which cooperates with a variable speed PM synchronous generator. Special attention is paid to higher harmonics of PM generator currents with respect to individual methods.