bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incidência de suicídios e uso de agrotóxicos por trabalhadores rurais em Luz (MG), Brasil
Authors: Meyer Tufi Neder , Resende Ione Lamounier Camargos , Abreu Juscélio Clemente de
Published: October 2012

Este artigo apresenta um estudo sobre a incidência de suicídios em Luz (MG), verificando as eventuais relações com agrotóxicos. Para tanto, adotou-se estudo descritivo com 50 moradores de uma micro-região, entrevistados mediante questionário. Realizaram-se dosagens de acetilcolinesterase, gama-glutamil-transferase (GGT), transaminase glutâmico-oxalacética (TGO) e transaminase glutâmico-pirúvica (TGP) no soro e pesquisas nos prontuários hospitalares e no cartório do registro civil, estudando-se os casos de suicídios entre os anos de 2000 e 2004. A pesquisa nos prontuários e no cartório permitiu verificar a ocorrência de 8,1 atendimentos/mês de casos de intoxicação por agrotóxicos, sendo 19 suicídios (22,6/100.000 hab./ano) no período. Desses, 18 eram trabalhadores rurais do sexo masculino. O mecanismo de suicídio foi, em 57,9% dos casos, envenenamento com agrotóxicos. Dos entrevistados, 98% relataram usar regularmente agrotóxicos, 72% não utilizaram nenhum equipamento de proteção, 56% nunca leram as bulas e 40% afirmaram ter tido intoxicação. Encontrou-se elevação da TGO e da TGP em 33,33% dos homens e da GGT em 21,42% das mulheres e 13,88% dos homens. Não foi detectada redução da atividade da acetilcolinesterase. Constatou-se que a incidência de suicídios foi mais que o dobro da maior média estadual brasileira e que o número de atendimentos de intoxicações foi alto se comparado aos do Sinitox.
Avaliação dos riscos associados ao uso do xilol em laboratórios de anatomia patológica e citologia
Authors: Costa Karina Nunes Soares da , Pinheiro Irapuan Oliveira , Calazans Glícia Torres , Nascimento Márcia Silva do
Published: October 2012

Neste estudo, realizou-se uma avaliação do risco ocupacional relacionado ao uso de xilol, ao qual estão expostos técnicos de oito laboratórios de citologia e anatomia patológica que atendem a população do Recife e de cidades do interior de Pernambuco. A coleta das informações deu-se por meio de questionários que podiam ser respondidos marcando-se alternativas de múltipla escolha. Deu-se destaque às informações decorrentes do uso do xilol relacionadas à saúde ocupacional e à percepção de risco na manipulação e no descarte dos rejeitos. Os resultados mostraram que a utilização de equipamentos de proteção individual e coletiva está sendo negligenciada. Dentre os entrevistados, 80% observaram mudanças na saúde após alguns anos de exposição ao xilol. Mesmo assim, apenas 6,6% deles fazem controle anual da presença de xilol no organismo pela dosagem de ácido metilhipúrico na urina. Constatou-se que 76,6% dos entrevistados descartam o resíduo diretamente na pia, pois não existe um local para descarte de rejeitos. Frente aos dados encontrados, sugere-se que há necessidade de educar o trabalhador numa visão prevencionista em relação aos riscos ocupacionais e ambientais provenientes do uso deste agente químico.
A contaminação por agrotóxicos e os Equipamentos de Proteção Individual (EPIs)
Authors: Veiga Marcelo Motta , Duarte Francisco José de Castro Moura , Meirelles Luiz Antonio , Garrigou Alain , Baldi Isabelle
Published: October 2012

Este trabalho analisou a eficiência e a adequação dos Equipamentos de Proteção Individuais (EPIs) utilizados na manipulação e na aplicação de agrotóxicos nas agriculturas brasileira e francesa. Essa análise foi feita a partir de dois casos: o primeiro, na cultura de tomate numa pequena comunidade rural do Brasil e o segundo, numa vinicultura na França. As evidências encontradas mostraram que os EPIs utilizados em ambos os casos, além de não protegerem integralmente o trabalhador contra o agrotóxico, ainda agravaram os riscos e perigos, pois se tornaram fontes de contaminação. Conclui-se que, nos casos analisados, os EPIs não eliminaram nem neutralizaram a insalubridade, conforme estatui a legislação, e ainda aumentaram a probabilidade de contaminação dos trabalhadores rurais em algumas atividades. Discutiu-se, ainda, a possibilidade dos EPIs apresentarem lacunas funcionais no projeto, na concepção, no uso, na manutenção, no armazenamento e no descarte, que devem ser melhor avaliadas através de futuros estudos de desenvolvimento tecnológico.
Biological control of mycotoxin-producing molds
Authors: Medeiros Flávio Henrique Vasconcelos de , Martins Samuel Julio , Zucchi Tiago Domingues , Melo Itamar Soares de , Batista Luis Roberto , Machado José da Cruz
Published: October 2012

Mycotoxins are produced by the secondary metabolism of many fungi and can be found in almost 25% of the world's agricultural commodities. These compounds are toxic to humans, animals, and plants and therefore, efforts should be made to avoid mycotoxin contamination in food and feed. Besides, up to 25% of all harvested fruits and vegetables are lost due to storage molds and/or mycotoxin contamination and many methods have been applied to mitigate these issues, but most of them rely on the use of fungicides. Although chemicals are often the first defensive line against mycotoxigenic fungi, the indiscriminate use of fungicides are awakening the public perception due to their noxious effects on the environment and human/animal health. Thus, there is an increasing public pressure for a safer and eco-friendly alternative to control these organisms. In this background, biological control using microbial antagonists such as bacteria, fungi and yeasts have been shown to be a feasible substitute to reduce the use of chemical compounds. Despite of the positive findings using the biocontrol agents only a few products have been registered and are commercially available to control mycotoxin-producing fungi. This review brings about the up-to-date biological control strategies to prevent or reduce harvested commodity damages caused by storage fungi and the contamination of food and feed by mycotoxins.
Spatial variability of the rainfall erosivity in southern region of Minas Gerais state, Brazil
Authors: Aquino Regimeire Freitas , Silva Marx Leandro Naves , Freitas Diego Antonio França de , Curi Nilton , Mello Carlos Rogério de , Avanzi Junior Cesar
Published: October 2012

Rainfall erosivity and its spatial variability were studied for 54 pluviometric stations in Southern Minas Gerais State (48º00' - 44º00'W; 23º50' - 20º00'S), aiming to plan the land-use strategies. Therefore, erosivity factor was determined for the pluviometric stations, using long-term rainfall data sets obtained along with the Brazilian National Water Agency- ANA, which varied from 15 to 40 years. The monthly and annual erosivity indexes were generated using Fournier equation for Lavras, MG and the spatial distribution of rainfall erosivity was studied on the basis of geostatistical approaches considering only the distance which separates them, developing the isotropic experimental semivariogram. The semivariogram adjustment was done based on the Weighted Least Squares method and the spatial dependence degree. Once the structure and the semivariogram adjustment were defined, the ordinary kriging maps were created, providing erosivity spatial behavior in Southern Minas Gerais. It was observed that the Southern Minas Gerais presents high erosivity patterns, ranging from 5,145 to 7,776 MJ mm ha-1 h-1 year-1, in Ijaci (north of region) and Itajubá (southern region), respectively. Besides, it was verified that the erosivity indexes are intensely influenced by the topography, associated with climatic conditions. Higher erosivity is connected to areas with a higher altitude, such as along the Mantiqueira Range Mountain, and on high plateaus and mountain ranges in the North-Central part of the region. The geostatistical approach using long-term rainfall data in Southern region of Minas Gerais state, which is a relatively heterogeneous region in terms of altitude, soil depth and slope, showed to be adequate to the proposal of this study.
Emulsion of systems containing egg yolk, polysaccharides and vegetable oil
Authors: Souza Clitor Junior Fernandes de , Rojas Edwin Elard Garcia
Published: October 2012

This work characterizes the emulsifying properties of systems containing egg yolk (0.1; 1.0 and 2.5 % w/v) and polysaccharides (xanthan gum, carrageen, pectin and carboxymethylcellulose) and three different vegetable oils (sunflower, canola, and palm oils). Emulsifying activity and emulsion stability were measured of each combination and it was found the effect of the oil on emulsion stability correlated to the amount of monounsaturated fatty acid. Additionally, increased egg yolk concentration increased emulsifying activity by reducing coalescence of oil droplets. Lastly, 2.5% egg yolk and 0.2% polysaccharide generated emulsions with high emulsifying activity, excellent stability, and droplet size of 4.32 µm.
Motivação para o trabalho voluntário contínuo: uma pesquisa etnográfica em uma organização espírita
Authors: Piccoli Pedro , Godoi Christiane Kleinübing
Published: October 2012

Este trabalho tem por objetivo compreender os fatores que influenciam a motivação para o trabalho voluntário contínuo em um núcleo espírita localizado no sul do Brasil. O estudo foi conduzido por meio do método qualitativo, com a utilização da estratégia da pesquisa etnográfica. Foram utilizadas técnicas de observação participante e entrevista em profundidade, além da consulta a documentos e informações dos dirigentes. Para análise e categorização do material, utilizou-se um modelo analítico desenvolvido por Penner (2002), composto por características demográficas, categorias disposicionais, categorias organizacionais e identidade do papel voluntário. Constatou-se que as características demográficas não influenciam o voluntariado contínuo. No entanto, determinadas categorias disposicionais - crenças e valores pessoais, personalidade pró-social e motivos relacionados a voluntariado - denotam influenciar o fenômeno estudado. Quanto às categorias organizacionais, concluiu-se que os atributos e práticas organizacionais, também, influenciam o voluntariado contínuo. Não ficou evidenciado se o relacionamento com a organização influencia o voluntariado contínuo.
A Grounded Theory como abordagem metodológica: relatos de uma experiência de campo
Authors: Pinto Marcelo de Rezende , Santos Leonardo Lemos da Silveira
Published: October 2012

Uma vez que já é possível encontrar no Brasil alguns artigos que contemplam questões atinentes ao histórico, tipologias e principais características da grounded theory, este trabalho tem por finalidade contribuir para uma maior discussão dessa abordagem metodológica enquanto estilo de fazer pesquisa. De maneira específica, o trabalho tenta descrever uma experiência de campo e, principalmente, contar a saga de um pesquisador envolvido com o desafio de colocar a grounded theory em prática. Para isso, buscou-se dividir o trabalho em três partes distintas. Na primeira parte, apresentamos a grounded theory de uma maneira ampla, introduzindo alguns dos seus princípios fundamentais. Na segunda parte, descreve-se o trabalho de campo que foi realizado - nos moldes da grounded theory - com o objetivo de investigar a forma como os consumidores brasileiros oriundos das classes mais populares vivenciam suas experiências de consumo de produtos eletrônicos. Na terceira e última parte, são apresentadas algumas reflexões sobre as exigências práticas para a "operacionalização" de pesquisas comprometidas com o "espírito" da grounded theory, bem como as dúvidas, os dilemas, as dificuldades e as angústias vivenciadas ao longo de todo o processo de pesquisa contadas por quem passou por elas.
Jogos de empresas como componente curricular: análise de sua aplicação por meio de planos de ensino
Authors: Motta Gustavo da Silva , Quintella Rogério Hermida , Melo Daniel Reis Armond de
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste artigo é analisar a pertinência da presença de um componente curricular denominado Jogos de Empresas, nos cursos de graduação em Administração no Brasil. A revisão bibliográfica demonstra que a aplicação de jogos tem elevado potencial de contribuição para a formação em Administração, mas a presente pesquisa identificou falhas na concepção das disciplinas a ela relacionadas. Os Planos de Ensino da disciplina "Jogos de Empresas" (com algumas variações de nomenclatura) de 25 IES brasileiras foram analisados por meio de pesquisa documental. Duas abordagens distintas foram identificadas para o tratamento da disciplina Jogos de Empresas: a primeira, que trata da capacitação para que se apliquem jogos como ferramenta de ensino-aprendizagem; e a segunda, que trata da integração das diversas disciplinas específicas de gestão. A análise apontou uma distorção da interpretação institucional a respeito da importância dos jogos para a formação em Administração. Há equívoco na concepção das disciplinas, que sofrem de falta de identidade, e quanto a não aplicação dos jogos no próprio desenvolvimento de tais disciplinas. Dessa forma, este artigo é concluído com a demonstração da necessidade de um maior apoio institucional executado por meio da aquisição/desenvolvimento de recursos didáticos e da capacitação docente para que se desenvolvam jogos de empresas.
Formações discursivas de uma marca global num contexto local: um estudo inspirado no método arqueológico de Michel Foucault
Authors: Costa Flávia Zimmerle da Nóbrega , Leão André Luiz Maranhão de Souza
Published: October 2012

O advento da globalização contribui para gerar um emaranhado campo de cruzamentos culturais e, assim, permite o estabelecimento de valores universais em meios locais. Esse contexto, aliado à cultura de massas, promoveu as marcas a símbolos culturais complexos e globais. Nosso objetivo foi buscar a compreensão de como é possível uma marca transnacional se estabelecer numa cultura local reproduzindo a cultura global. Inspirados no projeto arqueológico de Michel Foucault, construímos um corpus fotográfico de práticas cotidianas de uma marca global. Tal processo se deu por meio de um trabalho de ordenação, definição e descrição, elaborado no interior do campo discursivo, pautado nas ações de marketing da marca. A análise nos revelou as formações discursivas entre culturas global e local e nos possibilitou desvelar as relações existentes nessa teia. Os resultados apontaram alguns caminhos para reflexão, tanto acerca da importância assumida pela marca na cultura quanto da forma assumida pelas sociedades ocidentais contemporâneas.
Fatores influentes e tipos de uso emergentes da construção social de sistemas de informação no setor bancário
Authors: Tavares Elaine
Published: October 2012

Este artigo apresenta os resultados de uma pesquisa realizada com o objetivo de entender em que condições se dá a construção social de sistemas de informação (SI) no setor bancário no Brasil. Foi realizada uma análise da implantação, do uso e dos processos de aprimoramento de três sistemas, usados em duas instituições bancárias. Parte-se da premissa de que a tecnologia da informação (TI) é um fenômeno socialmente construído, com uma estrutura de uso formada na prática. A coleta de dados envolveu observação direta, análise documental e 46 entrevistas. Revelou-se um processo de construção social que gerou quatro tipos de uso dos SI. A assimilação dos sistemas foi influenciada pela confluência de objetivos individuais e organizacionais e pelo tipo de treinamento aplicado. As atualizações e revisões dos sistemas parecem seguir estruturas de conformismo com o que foi instituído pela organização e de conformidade com processos de solicitações de aprimoramentos.
Desafios e condicionantes da participação social na gestão ambiental municipal no Brasil
Authors: Giaretta Juliana Barbosa Zuquer , Fernandes Valdir , Philippi Jr. Arlindo
Published: October 2012

Este artigo tem por objetivo apresentar análise dos fatores que condicionam o sucesso ou fracasso da participação social junto à gestão ambiental nos municípios brasileiros. Por meio de levantamento e análise bibliográfica do que já se produziu sobre este tema no Brasil, foi identificado um conjunto de fatores condicionantes da participação social na gestão ambiental municipal brasileira, destacando-se, como os mais citados: a questão da divulgação e acesso às informações; educação básica e cidadã; percepção de demandas locais; identidade e valorização local; e dificuldades de acesso às instituições participativas. Esses resultados vão ao encontro de uma concordância na literatura sobre o tema em questão, pois como é possível pensar a participação da sociedade neste processo sem informação? Sem educação e capacitação? Sem valorização do território? Sem descentralização do poder? Sem integração, articulação e parceria dos setores do governo entre si e com a sociedade civil? Assim, espera-se com esta pesquisa fornecer subsídios para avanço dos processos de gestão ambiental municipal fundamentado na participação social.
Building community resilience
Authors: Andrew Rob
Published: October 2012

Planning for emergencies often follows a three-stepped process – response, recovery and building future resilience. Based on recent UK flooding experience, this paper argues that communities can do a considerable amount themselves to build resilience to mitigate effects of future emergencies – and that the response and recovery stages can and should be concurrent. Recommendations are made as to how community resilience can be enhanced in advance of any emergency event and the roles for the various stakeholders are outlined. While emergencies such as flooding cannot be prevented from happening, communities that work closely together can significantly reduce the effects.
Climate change adaptation in a small Pacific island nation
Authors: Frankland Richard , Hardwick Lisa , Watkin Samuel
Published: October 2012

Kiribati, a small Pacific island nation, is at severe risk of climate change. The geography and historic, linear development of its capital on the South Tawara atoll mean that many key public assets are at risk from impacts of coastal erosion and thus vulnerable to climate-change effects. An adaptation project started in 2003, which included developing a means of assessing coastal vulnerability and a process for proactive management of the coast. Guidelines offering alternatives to traditional coastal engineering methods were provided, and practical application of these guidelines was demonstrated at selected high-risk pilot sites in 2006–2010. Appropriate technology for increasing resilience was shown through application of simple but effective tools to identify and select adaptation options; recognition that customary responses ingrained over lifetimes will not be changed by a short-term project; and use of tried-and-tested quality improvements to traditional construction techniques. Rather than introducing completely new and unfamiliar measures, the pilot works enhanced and built on existing knowledge.
Innovations in resilient infrastructure design: immersed and floating tunnels
Authors: Ingerslev Lars Christian
Published: October 2012

Immersed and floating tunnels are types of underwater tunnels: the former is buried in the bed of the waterway and the latter is not. Although the first floating tunnel has yet to be built, serious design efforts are well underway. Each type is fabricated in sections at a convenient location in the dry and then moved to its final installed location by floating at least part of the way. It is paramount that both types of structures are sufficiently resilient to preclude failure and subsequent catastrophic flooding whatever their imposed dynamic and other loadings. This paper examines these loadings and how these structures might meet their requirements for resilience within their respective transport systems. Because a risk of potential flooding exists, these requirements are somewhat different to those of land-based structures.
An innovative approach for improving infrastructure resilience
Authors: Montgomery Matt , Broyd Tim , Cornell Sarah , Pearce Oliver , Pocock David , Young Kate
Published: October 2012

Extreme weather events, such as the UK floods of 2007 and cold snap of 2010–2011, stress the importance of infrastructure systems' resilience for business continuity. The interconnected nature of critical national infrastructure and its component parts places demands on the approach used to deal with its subsequent complexity. Recognition of infrastructure as a complex adaptive system has led to the development of an innovative, systems-based methodology for sustainability assessment in the built environment. The methodology consists of a database of causal interactions which, when combined with a process, allows users to produce causal loop diagrams that identify unanticipated systemic behaviour, communicate risks, share knowledge, and identify systemic intervention points that minimise negative consequences and add value in a project context. The approach is applied to highlight the key characteristics of complex adaptive systems that critical national infrastructure exhibits and show how the technique can be used to increase infrastructure resilience and sustainability.
Engineering resilient infrastructure
Authors: Hudson Stephen , Cormie David , Tufton Edward , Inglis Stuart
Published: October 2012

In recent years high-profile terrorist attacks, industrial accidents and natural disasters have highlighted the importance of resilient infrastructure. This paper discusses the concepts and considerations associated with designing resilient physical infrastructure: the case for resilience is stated, providing a high-level overview of why it is important, the consequences of its absence and the significance of the concepts of risk and tolerance. To form the basis of design, resilience will be defined, exploring the significance of scale and understanding of the hazards. The challenges faced by the designer will be emphasised and, finally, guidance will be provided on how to incorporate better resilience into infrastructure design.
Water management institutions for more resilient societies
Authors: Muller Mike
Published: October 2012

The management of water resources under conditions of uncertainty and scarcity is a fundamental determinant of the ability of societies to withstand unexpected shocks and extreme events. Conventional approaches to water resource planning aim to create reliable supplies. Practitioners often fail to identify their contribution to the broader goal of achieving social resilience rather than just technical system reliability. Recent work on understanding resilience in socio-ecological systems as well as on the management of ‘common pool’ natural resources such as water suggests that the contribution of planning processes to social resilience may in its turn contribute to the achievement of the narrow goal of system reliability. To illustrate this, the development of the water resource infrastructure system that underpins the South African economy is described with particular attention to the institutional processes that guide project selection and system operation.
Evaluation of tyre products as ground improving geomaterials
Authors: Hazarika Hemanta , Otani Jun , Kikuchi Yoshiaki
Published: October 2012

Applications of scrap tyre-derived recycled products (such as tyre chips and tyre shreds) in geotechnical engineering projects have been increasing largely because of their potential economic and environmental benefit. This paper first addresses and evaluates two novel Japanese experiences of tyre-derived recycled products in ground improvement applications. It then discusses and evaluates the deformation mechanism of such materials through non-destructive testing techniques. Direct shear testing procedures are first described, in which sand as well as layers of sand and tyre chips were examined to compare the deformation behaviour. The shear behaviour of the materials could be investigated through X-ray computed tomography (CT) during the testing. The particle image velocimetry (PIV) technique was then used to visualise the deformation properties. In addition, triaxial shear testing of tyre chips as well as tyre chip–sand mixtures is described, in which the compressibility and the deformation of the tyre chip particles were examined by X-ray CT scanning and PIV. Based on these test results, the mechanical properties and the internal structure during the deformation of tyre chips were finally evaluated for their applications as ground improving geomaterials. Model test results indicate that the presence of tyre chips (either as cushion or as reinforcing material) could substantially reduce the earthquake-induced permanent displacement of structures. Non-destructive test results indicate that the deformation characteristics of mixtures of tyre chips and sand are different from those of pure sand. Less shear strain is generated in tyre chips and tyre chips mixed with sand than that in pure sand, and the potential of onset of localisation diminishes with decreasing sand fraction. Also, it was found that tyre chips–sand mixtures do not undergo liquefaction if a suitable mixing percentage (sand fraction) is used. Therefore, tyre chips can be successfully used as a reinforcing material to help prevent the liquefaction of sandy soils.
Geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavement in Thailand
Authors: Youwai Sompote , Kongkitkul Warat , Punthutaecha Koonnamas , Anujorn Preedithep , Jongpradist Pornkasem
Published: October 2012

This paper presents the current research and case studies regarding the use of geosynthetic-reinforced flexible pavement in Thailand. Physical model tests have been conducted to investigate the efficiency of using geosynthetics for flexible pavement, and the results indicate that geosynthetics can significantly decrease the permanent deformation of flexible pavement for new pavement and overlay subjected to cyclic loading. The permanent deformation of flexible pavement reinforced with geotextiles was significantly lower than that of flexible pavement reinforced with a geogrid. The permanent deformations of overlays reinforced with geogrids and geotextiles were approximately identical. Moreover, the shear strain base layer of reinforced flexible pavement was lower than that of pavement without reinforcement. The fabric effective factors are presented for different types of reinforcement utilised in flexible pavement design. For practical cases in Thailand, ‘paving fabric' geosynthetics have been successfully employed in highway projects for overlays on rigid pavements to reduce reflective cracking. This paper also presents the construction sequence and engineering properties of geosynthetics for reinforced flexible pavement.
Approaches to setting organism‐based ballast water discharge standards
Authors: Lee Henry , Reusser Deborah A. , Frazier Melanie
Published: October 2012

As a vector by which foreign species invade coastal and freshwater waterbodies, ballast water discharge from ships is recognized as a major environmental threat. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) drafted an international treaty establishing ballast water discharge standards based on the number of viable organisms per volume of ballast discharge for different organism size classes. Concerns that the IMO standards are not sufficiently protective have initiated several state and national efforts in the United States to develop more stringent standards. We evaluated seven approaches to establishing discharge standards for the >50‐μm size class: (1) expert opinion/management consensus, (2) zero detectable living organisms, (3) natural invasion rates, (4) reaction–diffusion models, (5) population viability analysis (PVA) models, (6) per capita invasion probabilities (PCIP), and (7) experimental studies. Because of the difficulty in synthesizing scientific knowledge in an unbiased and transparent fashion, we recommend the use of quantitative models instead of expert opinion. The actual organism concentration associated with a “zero detectable organisms” standard is defined by the statistical rigor of its monitoring program; thus it is not clear whether such a standard is as stringent as other standards. For several reasons, the natural invasion rate, reaction–diffusion, and experimental approaches are not considered suitable for generating discharge standards. PVA models can be used to predict the likelihood of establishment of introduced species but are limited by a lack of population vital rates for species characteristic of ballast water discharges. Until such rates become available, PVA models are better suited to evaluate relative efficiency of proposed standards rather than predicting probabilities of invasion. The PCIP approach, which is based on historical invasion rates at a regional scale, appears to circumvent many of the indicated problems, although it may underestimate invasions by asexual and parthenogenic species. Further research is needed to better define propagule dose–responses, densities at which Allee effects occur, approaches to predicting the likelihood of invasion from multi‐species introductions, and generation of formal comparisons of approaches using standardized scenarios.
Technology Supporting Written Productivity in Children with Learning Disabilities: A Critical Review
Authors: Batorowicz Beata , Missiuna Cheryl A. , Pollock Nancy A.
Published: October 2012

Background. Occupational therapists working with school-aged children are often in the position of recommending technology to enhance written productivity. The outcome of using technology on the writing of children with learning disabilities has not been reviewed critically, and this knowledge is necessary for evidence-based practice.Purpose. To review evidence regarding the use of technology to support written productivity in children with learning disabilities.Methods. A systematic search of seven databases, plus a manual search, retrieved 864 papers published between 1985 and March 2012. Twenty-seven papers (28 studies) met inclusion criteria.Findings. The evidence is of a moderately low level and results are inconclusive; however, trends suggest a positive influence of some technology on children's performance and behaviour. Methodological limitations exist in most studies and the description of specific technology intervention is often combined with teaching instructions.Implications. The available research is encouraging, but high-quality investigations with newer technologies are needed.
Work-Related Injuries in Canadian Occupational Therapy Practice
Authors: Dyrkacz Andrea P. , Mak Lonita Y. M. , Heck Carol S.
Published: October 2012

Background. No studies investigate work-related injuries experienced by Canadian occupational therapists.Purpose. To identify the nature and prevalence of work-related injuries, impact of practice context, cultural and structural factors that influence response to these injuries, and strategies used to manage return-to-work after injury.Methods. Members of the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists were sent an electronic survey in June 2009.Findings. Over half of the 600 respondents reported at least one injury episode. Patient-handling and equipment-related incidents accounted for the largest proportion of injuries. Almost one-third of respondents reported being threatened at work or experiencing workplace violence.Implications. Injured occupational therapists tended to minimize the extent and impact of their injuries by underreporting incidents and continuing to work after injury. These behaviours may contribute to a failure to recognize the reality of work-related injuries in occupational therapy practice and thereby limit the development of profession-specific, risk-minimization strategies.
Students' Experiences with Web-Based Alcohol Prevention: A Qualitative Evaluation of Alcoholedu
Authors: Nygaard Peter , Paschall Mallie J.
Published: October 2012

Aim:

To provide more in-depth information about students' experiences with AlcoholEdu and in particular to assess if students perceive that the course gives them tools to better control their drinking-related behavior.

Methods:

Focus group interviews with freshmen at three California universities.

Findings:

1) The course provides so much information that everyone can find some of it relevant; 2) participants prefer information presented in ways they can identify with; 3) participants report problems with surveys in the program pointing to redundancy and length; and 4) participants did not expect the course to impact their behavior relating to alcohol.

Conclusion:

AlcoholEdu provides valuable information for freshmen in college about how to avoid problems with alcohol. However, the course could have much more impact if closer to college reality.
Drinking-Smoking Status and Health Risk Behaviors among High School Students in Thailand
Authors: Saingam Darika , Assanangkornchai Sawitri , Geater Alan F.
Published: October 2012

Drinking, smoking, and health risk behaviors are significant problems for Thai adolescents. However, little is known about the association and magnitude among alcohol, tobacco, or co-using and health risk behaviors. Data of the National School Survey of 2007 were analyzed. The sample consisted of 50,033 high school and vocational college students. The interaction between gender and drinking-smoking status was significant for all health risk behaviors except for having sex and unprotected sex. Alcohol and tobacco had a stronger association with illegal substance use in boys than in girls. In contrast, their use had a stronger association with fighting, depression, and suicidal thoughts in girls than in boys. The intervention program for Thai youths in school should take into account the strong relationship between alcohol-tobacco consumption and these health risk behaviors.
The Social Psychology of Disintegrative Shaming in Education
Authors: Brown Joel H. , Clarey Amy M.
Published: October 2012

Despite considerable research concerning drug education and zero tolerance policies, few have examined their combined youth impact. Comprehensive and nationally recognized mixed method evidence is drawn from 77 school districts and 118 schools in the Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Education (DATE) evaluation. For the first time it is found that the combined negative impact of traditional prevention and intervention efforts—e.g., Life Skills Training (LST) and zero tolerance policies—are so serious that they extend into the wider conditions of educational achievement. Findings are explained by the social psychological processes of “disintegrative shaming,” where young people are to be shamed into abstinence and experiencing or witnessing school removal rather than help when needed. With more research needed the negative effects of traditional prevention and intervention— particularly salient among disproportionately affected urban/minority youth—suggest that related efforts be reconsidered together as well as part of mainstream education.
On the Reliability and Validity of Human and Lsa-Based Evaluations of Complex Student-Authored Texts
Authors: Seifried Eva , Lenhard Wolfgang , Baier Herbert , Spinath Birgit
Published: October 2012

This study investigates the potential of a software tool based on Latent Semantic Analysis (LSA; Landauer, McNamara, Dennis, & Kintsch, 2007) to automatically evaluate complex German texts. A sample of N = 94 German university students provided written answers to questions that involved a high amount of analytical reasoning and evaluation. LSA-based evaluations were compared to evaluations of six human graders. Results showed that LSA-based evaluations agreed as well with human graders as human graders agreed with each other. Agreement of human graders and LSA-based evaluations did not differ depending on the standard of comparison used by LSA, that is, whether scoring was based on one single text (“gold standard”) or on a sample of previously scored assignments (“nearest neighbors”). Moreover, LSA-based evaluations of students' assignments predicted students' results in a final exam. These results show that LSA can support university teachers in giving feedback and grading complex German texts.
Emotions Experienced by Students Taking Online and Classroom Quizzes
Authors: Stowell Jeffrey R. , Allan Wesley D. , Teoro Samantha M.
Published: October 2012

Emotions experienced during online academic examinations may differ from emotions experienced in the traditional classroom testing situation. Students in a Psychology of Learning course ( n = 61) completed assessments of emotions before and after a quiz in each of the following settings: online at their own choice of time and location; online in a library computer lab at a fixed time; and in the regular classroom setting. Students low in classroom test anxiety had significantly higher test anxiety levels when taking a quiz online, whereas students who experienced high levels of anxiety in the classroom had similarly high levels of test anxiety across all conditions. Notably, the correlation between test anxiety and performance was weaker in the online conditions than in the classroom condition. Furthermore, the online assessment of student learning may be accompanied by significant changes in emotion.
The neoliberal policy paradigm and the great recession
Authors: Stein Howard
Published: October 2012

The paper examines the relationship between neoliberal policies and the Great
Recession with a focus on the persistence of the policy paradigm in spite of
overwhelming evidence of its role in creating the crisis. These economic
problems are only the latest that have arisen in the wake of the three long
decade experiment with these policy packages. The paper investigates the
ideological, methodological, historical, theoretical, political and economic
interests underlying the perpetuation of neoliberalism.
Capital flows and economic growth across spectral frequencies: Evidence from Turkey
Authors: Yildirim Nuri , Tastan Huseyin
Published: October 2012

This paper examines interactions and feedbacks between categories of capital
flows and economic growth in Turkey for the 1992:01-2009:08 period. Our
empirical analysis is based on a new version of the causality test of John
Geweke (1982, p. 77) and Yuzo Hosoya (1991, p. 88) in the frequency domain
proposed recently by J?rg Breitung and Bertrand Candelon (2006, p. 132). In
addition, using standard methods in spectral analysis, we decompose the total
covariance between capital flows and growth across main frequency bands and
capture lead/lag interactions between them. Some of our findings are as
follows: Variance decompositions over frequency bands reveal that variations
in individual capital flow categories are largely concentrated over high
(seasonal) frequencies. The nature of the interaction/feedback between growth
and capital flows varies significantly over frequency bands and subcategories
of flows. Over business cycle frequencies, two out of four subcategories of
inflows, short-term external borrowings and portfolio investments on
government bonds, drive growth whereas the other two components, long-term
borrowings and portfolio investments on shares, are driven by growth.
Furthermore, for the post-2001 financial crisis period we found significant
bidirectional causality between long-term external borrowings and growth
whereas portfolio investments, bond flows and short-term external borrowings
do not affect growth in the long run.
Sensitivity of stock market indices to oil prices: Evidence from manufacturing sub-sectors in Turkey
Authors: Eksi Halil , Senturk Mehmet , Yildirim Semih
Published: October 2012

Crude oil price is a critical cost factor for manufacturing industries that
are of vital importance for economic growth. This study examines the
relationship between crude oil prices and the indices of seven Turkish
manufacturing sub-sectors over the period 1997:01-2009:12. The error
correction model results reveal the long term causality from crude oil prices
to chemical petroleum-plastic and basic metal sub-sectors indicating that
these sub-sectors are highly sensitive to crude oil prices. We find no causal
relationship for other sector indices for short or long time periods.
Value and power in economics
Authors: Josifidis Kosta , Losonc Alpar
Published: October 2012

In this article we rethink the field of value in economic theory. First, we
prove that the transhistorical and nominalist approaches show different
weaknesses and can not account for the constitutive dimensions of value.
Within this context, we demonstrate why value emerged in the first place and
what epistemological dimensions it provided and enabled for economic
reflexivity. In addition, we demonstrate that it is impossible to understand
inherent value as an immanent property of goods in economic transactions and
we critique the approach that renders value to the theory of price. Economic
relations reflect value-related aspects without which the relations could not
be understood. We then analyze the interrelations between power and value,
proving the constitutive dimension of power in understanding value,
demonstrated in selected examples. We treat power as a constellation in which
economic agents act on other subjects to provoke certain activity. Power may
occur only where the behaviour of subjects is not entirely determined.
Finally, one additional selected example shows the range of this theory of
power in terms of positional goods.
Freedom, life and secret of identity
Authors: Babic Jovan
Published: October 2012

Identity is a factual matter, irreducible to any set of properties, or a set of abstract rules, or principles. In addition, personal and collective identities assume a decision-making power, where such a power exists we have a form of life irreducible to any description of ?good?, making room for freedom as a capacity to set goals and attempt to realize them. This capacity as materialized is life, binding thus life, freedom, and identity as three interrelated and interdependendent parts of the same ?secret?.
The philosophy of metaphysical egoism
Authors: Bozovic Miran
Published: October 2012

Although it is George Berkeley who is usually said to have constructed perhaps the most fantastic of all metaphysical systems in the history of philosophy, nevertheless a few years before his Principles and Dialogues an even bolder and more astonishing metaphysical theory was developed in France by the so-called ?egoists?. In the eighteenth century French, the term ?go?sme (or ?gomisme) was used not only in the ethical sense, that is, to describe the selfish, self-centered behavior of those who think and speak only of themselves and believe themselves to be more important than other people, but also in the metaphysical sense, that is, to denote the extremist view that only oneself exists. All our knowledge of the early eighteenth-century egoist philosophers is based on second-hand accounts.
Reflecting the secret
Authors: Krstic Predrag
Published: October 2012

Parallel analysis of children's literature on one hand, and the crime genre on the other, positing children's and serious construction of the world and ego, outlining homology of their narrative and reconstructing social construct that follows, assumes that light could be thrown at certain particularity that is a parasite on a host whom it would like to legitimate. Juxtaposition of the two worlds, or, often, the world whiten the world visualizes the image, an inward tension and perversion of the world for which the attraction of secret service with an aspiration to public action makes it particular. The established analogy directs the attention at two points that mark particularity of the world of secrets: the protocol of the concealment and secret action and to the motives for shifting, compounding and acquiring the identity that follows.
Logos and Plato's question on method
Authors: Deretic Irina
Published: October 2012

At first glance, Plato saw 'his method' as different processes and procedures The author of the paper attempts to show that all of these procedures are interrelated and that Plato kept on elaborating, supplementing and fine-tuning his methodological reflections. The procedure of giving a definition dominates his early dialogues, as well as the questioning and refutation of the various opinions of Socrates' interlocutors. In the Meno and the Phaedo, Plato introduces and practices the hypothetical method which was used by the mathematicians of those times. The dialogue Republic represents the turning point in his methodology. Therein Plato gives the most comprehensive description of the dialectical method and, simultaneously, foreshadows the method of division which he develops and practices in later dialogues.
Leibniz's critique of Cartesian principles of motion
Authors: Jandric Andrej
Published: October 2012

Velocity of a moving body is a paradigmatic case of vector. In this paper it is argued that this conception of velocity was originally introduced by Leibniz in the context of his critique of Cartesian principles of motion. In Cartesian metaphysics velocity of a moving body is a strictly positive scalar, independent from its direction. As a result of an impact, a body can change its direction and preserve its velocity; such a change would immediately falsify the principle of continuity. In order to save the principle of continuity, Leibniz revised the notion of velocity and reduced the direction of movement to a class of newly conceived directed velocity. It is further shown that negative properties are not allowed in Leibnizian metaphysics. To reconcile the principle of continuity with apparent leaps, Leibniz was forced to deny the existence of atoms: he claimed that the monads, or the true elements of things, had to be indestructible and immaterial.
Long-term evaluation of the molar movements following Pendulum and fixed appliances
Authors: Caprioglio Alberto , Fontana Mattia , Longoni Elena , Cozzani Mauro
Published: October 2012

Objective:

To describe the molar movements and skeletal changes associated with Pendulum-fixed appliance treatment and the long-term postretention period.

Subjects and Methods:

The treatment sample consisted of 76 Class II patients, 35 males and 41 females. Lateral cephalograms were obtained at the start of treatment (T1); the end of distalization (T2); the end of orthodontic fixed appliance therapy (T3); and long-term observation (7 years 2 months later; T4). Mean age was 12 years 11 months at T1, 13 years 8 months at T2, 15 years 4 months at T3, and 22 years 5 months at T4. The average amount of Class II molar relationship was 3.1 mm, with a mean overjet of 5.9 mm at the beginning of treatment. A paired t-test was used to identify significant between-group differences between T2–T4 and T3–T4.

Results:

Distal molar movement was obtained during the distalization phase (T2), and more than half of the distalizing effect was maintained at the end of maxillary growth (T4). Most of the relapse occurred during fixed appliance therapy (T3), whereas no significant change was detected in the postretention period (T4). The molar relationship did not show any significant difference between T2 and T4. The vertical facial dimension increased during the distalization phase (T2) and fixed appliance therapy (T3) but returned to the initial values during the postretention period (T4).

Conclusions:

The Pendulum appliance induces significant dentoalveolar effects, which can be partially maintained during the long-term period. The Class I molar relationship does not change during completion of individual growth. Increase in vertical facial dimension represents a temporary effect.