bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rotatividade dos servidores de confiança no governo federal brasileiro, 2010-2011
Authors: Praça Sérgio , Freitas Andréa , Hoepers Bruno
Published: January 2013

Quais fatores determinam a rotatividade dos servidores de confiança do governo federal brasileiro? Este artigo mostra que mudanças partidárias na direção dos ministérios não necessariamente se traduzem em mudanças na composição dos cargos de confiança. Funcionários de confiança com funções de policymaking são mais afetados pela mudança de ministro do que os demais. Além disso, órgãos afetados por escândalos de corrupção tiveram uma taxa de permanência de seus funcionários de confiança maior do que a dos demais órgãos. Fica evidente a necessidade de considerar a policy expertise dos funcionários, medida em tempo de serviço público, para entender a rotatividade. O artigo aponta para a pertinência de estudar as relações "Executivo-Executivo" no Brasil.
Preparação e caracterização de biocompósitos baseados em fibra de curauá, biopolietileno de alta densidade (BPEAD) e polibutadieno líquido hidroxilado (PBHL)
Authors: Castro Daniele O. , Frollini Elisabete , Marini Juliano , Ruvolo-Filho Adhemar
Published: January 2013

Neste trabalho, foram utilizadas fibras de curauá como reforço de matriz termoplástica de biopolietileno de alta densidade. O polietileno foi obtido por polimerização de eteno, gerado do etanol de cana de açúcar. Este polímero é também chamado de biopolietileno (BPEAD), por ser preparado a partir de material oriundo de fonte natural. Desta forma, pretendeu-se contribuir para desenvolver materiais que, dentre outras propriedades, causem menor emissão de CO2 para a atmosfera na sua produção, utilização e substituição, comparativamente a outros materiais. Adicionalmente, polibutadieno líquido hidroxilado (PBHL) foi acrescentado à formulação do compósito, visando a um aumento na resistência à propagação da trinca durante impacto. Os compósitos e as fibras foram caracterizados por várias técnicas, tais como microscopia eletrônica de varredura (MEV), Calorimetria Exploratória Diferencial (DSC), Termogravimetria (TG), além da caracterização dos compósitos quanto à Análise Térmica Dinâmico-Mecânica (DMTA), propriedades mecânicas (impacto e flexão) e absorção de água. A presença das fibras de curauá diminuiu algumas propriedades do BPEAD, como resistência ao impacto. A análise de DMTA mostrou que as fibras geram material mais rígido. Pode-se considerar que a introdução de PBHL na formulação do material foi eficiente, levando a uma resistência ao impacto do compósito BPEAD/PBHL/Fibra maior do que a do compósito BPEAD/Fibra.
Desenho de placa em forma de borboleta para tratamento de fraturas do calcâneo
Authors: Yu Guangrong , Chen Kai , Yu Tao
Published: January 2013

OBJETIVO: Apresentar um desenho de placa em forma de borboleta e sua aplicação no tratamento de fraturas do calcâneo e discutir suas indicações clínicas, vantagens e desvantagens. MÉTODOS: De fevereiro de 2008 a abril de 2010, 22 pacientes com 26 fraturas intra-articulares do calcâneo foram tratados com redução a céu aberto e fixação interna com placa em forma de borboleta. Dezesseis pacientes eram homens e 6 eram mulheres, com média de idade de 36,8 anos. Onze eram pés esquerdos e 15, direitos. De acordo com a classificação de Sanders, 12 eram fraturas de calcâneo Tipo II (inclusive 3 Tipo IIa, 7 Tipo IIb e 2 Tipo IIc) e 14 eram Tipo III (inclusive cinco do Tipo IIIab, 7 Tipo IIIac e duas do Tipo IIIbc). RESULTADOS: Dezessete pacientes (21 pés) foram submetidos a acompanhamento por em média 19,2 meses. Os desfechos funcionais foram avaliados com o sistema Maryland Foot Score. Entre os nove pés com fraturas Tipo II, sete receberam escore excelente e dois, bom. Entre as 12 fraturas Tipo III, seis tiveram escore excelente, cinco, bom e uma, razoável. CONCLUSÃO: A placa em forma de borboleta é aplicável ao tratamento de fraturas do calcâneo do Tipo II e Tipo III de Sanders, com a vantagem de garantir fixação confiável, facilitar a cirurgia, produzir menos complicações pós-operatórias e produzir melhores desfechos clínicos gerais. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de casos.
Tratamento das fraturas femorais subtrocantéricas com placas de bloqueio lateral da parte proximal do fêmur
Authors: Hu Sun-Jun , Zhang Shi-Min , Yu Guang-Rong
Published: January 2013

OBJETIVO: Estudar o desfecho de fraturas subtrocantéricas de quadril tratadas com placa de bloqueio lateral da parte proximal do fêmur. MÉTODO: Revisamos retrospectivamente os resultados clínicos de 48 casos de fraturas subtrocantéricas tratadas com placas de bloqueio lateral da parte proximal do fêmur de janeiro de 2008 a maio de 2010. Registrou-se o progresso da consolidação da fratura, assim como a ocorrência de complicações. A função da articulação do quadril foi avaliada pelo índice social de Harris e o escore de mobilidade de Parker-Palmer, um ano após a cirurgia. RESULTADO: Quarenta e cinco pacientes foram acompanhados até a união da fratura ou a revisão da cirurgia. Entre os 45 pacientes, 43 atingiram a união da fratura sem outra intervenção. Trinta e oito fraturas consolidaram sem perda da posição no acompanhamento de um ano. Não houve casos de perfuração da cabeça do fêmur pelo parafuso. O escore médio do índice social de Harris foi 86,5 ± 9,8 (73 ~95). A média do escore de mobilidade de Parker e Palmer foi 7,4 ± 2,1 (3~ 9). CONCLUSÃO: A placa de bloqueio lateral da parte proximal do fêmur é o tipo de fixação interna estável e efetiva para tratar as fraturas subtrocantéricas de quadril e tem a vantagem de fixação estável, em especial em fratura da parede lateral do fêmur. Nível de evidência IV, Série de Casos.
Estudo epidemiológico das lesões do pé e tornozelo na prática desportiva recreacional
Authors: Luciano Alexandre de Paiva , Lara Luiz Carlos Ribeiro
Published: January 2013

OBJETIVO: Trata-se de estudo retrospectivo apresentando a incidência, tipo e extensão das lesões ocorridas no pé e / ou tornozelo como resultado da prática esportiva recreacional. MÉTODOS: Foram atendidos 131 pacientes, destes 123 do sexo masculino e oito do feminino, com história de trauma e dor no pé e/ou tornozelo após a prática de esportes recreacionais. A média de idade dos pacientes masculinos foi de 24,53 anos. A avaliação foi realizada através de um protocolo de pesquisa, que continha as variáveis de idade, sexo, diagnóstico e o tipo de esporte recreativo. RESULTADOS: Os esportes foram classificados, segundo a American Medical Association, que os divide em: de contato e de não contato. 82,4% da amostra praticavam esportes de contacto, contra 17,6% dos de não contacto classificados. CONCLUSÕES: A entorse do tornozelo foi significativamente o tipo de lesão mais encontrada, principalmente as do grau I e II. O futebol foi o esporte responsável pela maior incidência das lesões e dentre as suas várias modalidades prevaleceu o futsal (35%). Nos esportes de não contacto o principal esporte em ocorrências foi a corrida. Nível de Evidência IV, Série de Casos.
Hálux valgo: estudo comparativo entre duas técnicas cirúrgicas de osteotomia proximal de adição
Authors: Lara Luiz Carlos Ribeiro , Araujo Bruno Vierno de , Franco Filho Nelson , Hita Roberto Minoru
Published: January 2013

OBJETIVO: Comparar clínica e radiograficamente os resultados da correção do hálux valgo, através de duas técnicas de osteotomia de adição: uma utilizando-se da exostose ressecada e outra, mediante a fixação com placa para cunha de adição. MÉTODOS: Avaliamos 24 pés em 19 pacientes, com média de idade de 51,3 anos, portadores de hálux valgo, com seguimento médio de 50,1 meses. Submeteram-se à técnica de osteotomia de adição com exostose óssea (OAEO) 13 pés e à osteotomia de adição com placa para cunha de adição (OPCA) 11 pés. Foram avaliados no pré e pós operatório o escore AOFAS, os ângulos intermetatársicos 1 e 2, e ângulo de valgismo do hálux. RESULTADOS: Na técnica OAEO a média no pré-operatório do AOFAS foi 46,6 pontos, AIM 14º e AVH 32º, enquanto no pós-operatório AOFAS 81,3 pontos, AIM 9º e AVH 25ºcom 92,3% de resultados satisfatórios. Na técnica OPCA a média no pré-operatório do AOFAS foi 42,1 pontos, AIM 15º e AVH 29º, enquanto no pós-operatório AOFAS 77,4 pontos, AIM 11º e AMF 23º com 81,8% de resultados satisfatórios. CONCLUSÕES: Ambas as técnicas cirúrgicas mostraram-se eficazes no tratamento do hálux valgo, clínica e radiograficamente, sem diferença estatística entre elas. Nível de evidência III, Estudo retrospectivo comparativo.
Tratamento fisioterapêutico após reconstrução do ligamento cruzado anterior
Authors: Pereira Maitê , Vieira Neiva de Souza , Brandão Eduardo da Rosa , Ruaro João Afonso , Grignet Rodrigo Juliano , Fréz Andersom Ricardo
Published: January 2013

O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar se há diferença da evolução na reabilitação dos indivíduos submetidos à reconstrução do LCA através das técnicas osso-tendão patelar-osso ou enxerto quádruplo do semitendíneo e grácil através de uma revisão da literatura. Utilizaram-se as bases de dados eletrônicas: MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, COCHRANE e PEDro. Os critérios de inclusão foram: ensaio clínico randomizado e aleatório com ou sem metanálise; participantes com lesão do LCA associada ou não a lesão meniscal e que foram submetidos à ligamentoplastia e à reabilitação fisioterapêutica; intervenção cirúrgica através das técnicas de reconstrução osso-tendão patelar-osso ou enxerto quádruplo do semitendíneo e grácil; ensaios clínicos que comparem a diferença da evolução na recuperação funcional; estudos publicados nos idiomas: português, inglês e espanhol, no período de 1997 a junho de 2011. Foram encontrados cinco ensaios clínicos que preenchessem os critérios de inclusão. Não foram observadas diferenças clínicas e funcionais entre as técnicas, porém, com recomendação para uma reabilitação menos agressiva e com maior atenção no fortalecimento dos isquiotibiais quando estes são utilizados como enxerto.
Contribuições de Fisher para a compreensão do desenvolvimento da percepção corporal
Authors: Ribeiro Patrícia Russo Leite , Tavares Maria da Consolação Gomes Cunha Fernandes , Caetano Aletha Silva
Published: January 2013

O objetivo deste artigo é apresentar as ideias de Fisher sobre o desenvolvimento da percepção corporal, através da abordagem da imagem corporal. Foram consultados três livros publicados por Fisher, que não são traduzidos para a língua portuguesa. Fisher propôs que a habilidade de perceber o espaço do próprio corpo se inicia na infância, por meio das primeiras experiências corporais, evoluindo para avaliações cada vez mais complexas e processos de diferenciação eu-mundo. O conceito de fronteiras corporais proposto pelo autor complementa essas ideias. Os padrões de percepção corporal servem para específicos propósitos de defesa, pois vão informar se determinado estímulo deve ser evitado ou não. A abordagem da imagem corporal permite aos profissionais da educação e saúde atuarem de forma mais individualizada e humana.
Retratos da nação: os 'tipos antropológicos' do Brasil nos estudos de Edgard Roquette-Pinto, 1910-1920
Authors: Souza Vanderlei Sebastião de
Published: January 2013

O artigo analisa os estudos desenvolvidos pelo antropólogo Edgard Roquette-Pinto (1884-1954) acerca da classificação dos 'tipos antropológicos' do Brasil. Como cientista ligado ao Museu Nacional, o antropólogo realizou, nas primeiras décadas do século XX, um extenso levantamento de dados sobre a constituição anatômica, fisiológica e psicológica da população brasileira, estabelecendo uma classificação racial, que refletia o diálogo com a tradição científica e intelectual brasileira, mas também com a antropologia física produzida em países como Alemanha e Estados Unidos. Conforme o artigo destaca, o interesse de Roquette-Pinto consistia na elaboração de um amplo retrato antropológico do país, por meio do qual procurou revelar as características raciais formadoras do Brasil e, ao mesmo tempo, avaliar a viabilidade biológica da população, especialmente dos 'tipos mestiços'.
Entre antropologia e medicina: uma análise dos estudos antropológicos de Álvaro Fróes da Fonseca nas décadas de 1920 e 1930
Authors: Keuller Adriana Tavares do Amaral Martins
Published: January 2013

O médico e antropólogo Álvaro Fróes da Fonseca percorreu várias cidades do Brasil durante sua trajetória profissional, na primeira metade do século XX. Atuou no magistério na cadeira de Anatomia Médico-Cirúrgica, nas Faculdades de Medicina de Porto Alegre, da Bahia e do Rio de Janeiro. Como antropólogo, exerceu atividades no Museu Nacional do Rio de Janeiro e, já nos anos 1960, no Instituto de Antropologia Tropical da Faculdade de Medicina do Recife. Pretendo, neste artigo, resgatar a contribuição do estudioso no campo antropológico, analisando algumas de suas pesquisas desenvolvidas no Laboratório de Antropologia do Museu Nacional e outras publicadas no periódico dessa instituição entre os anos 1920 e 1930. Neste período, ele congregou cientistas, desenvolveu e orientou vários trabalhos no âmbito da antropologia física e dos 'tipos antropológicos', voltando-se para o desenvolvimento de métodos e índices de classificação racial, ou seja, para a produção de conceitos e técnicas que orientavam a prática antropológica. Refutou o racismo científico do período, motivo pelo qual as investigações desenvolvidas por Fróes da Fonseca refletiram sobre o 'problema da raça' e a questão da mestiçagem em prol do futuro do Brasil.
Reflexões sobre hidrelétricas na Amazônia: água, energia e desenvolvimento
Authors: Becker Bertha Koiffmann
Published: January 2013

O ensaio discute a implantação de hidrelétricas na Amazônia a partir das relações entre consumo de água e hidroeletricidade em diferentes escalas de análise, pois, se todos os lugares do planeta são afetados por processos globais, eles não o são de modo homogêneo. À escala global, domina o discurso apocalíptico de escassez crescente da água e do aquecimento global, exigindo a redução de emissões de gases de efeito estufa mediante o uso de energias renováveis e novas tecnologias. Na escala nacional, os problemas do Brasil são, pelo contrário, como gerir a abundância de água com justiça social e territorial, e como sustar a perda de 20% da energia elétrica produzida. Finalmente, é na escala regional - na Amazônia - que emergem os maiores problemas: i) o maior paradoxo entre abundância de água e inacessibilidade social ao recurso; ii) grande parte das hidrelétricas planejadas para o país será ali construída, com risco dos graves impactos conhecidos; iii) a cogitada obrigatoriedade da construção de eclusas em todas as hidrelétricas, proposta pelo setor industrial em benefício da navegabilidade dos rios, deverá propiciar, na verdade, o escoamento de commodities produzidas na região Centro-Oeste. Coloca-se, assim, para a sociedade e para o governo, a questão ética se realmente são necessárias tantas hidrelétricas na Amazônia.
Concrete renaissance: design and construction of the Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer, Ravello, Italy
Authors: Martuscelli Giampiero , Coppola Ida , Di Placido Massimo
Published: January 2013

The Auditorium Oscar Niemeyer in Ravello, southern Italy is an iconic new concrete building perched above the Amalfi coast. The €16·7 million, 400-seat venue was completed in 2010 and provides a much-needed venue for this world heritage site’s wealth of renaissance-inspired art and cultural events. The main structural feature is a 35 m vaulted roof supported on a slab cantilevering 12 m out from supporting walls, giving the building the appearance of floating in air. This paper reports on the many multi-disciplinary design and construction challenges involved in delivering this unique and geometrically complex building on a steep and confined site. A key issue was the need to respect the architectural vision while achieving an efficient and sustainable design.
Is the USA set to dominate accreditation of engineering education and professional qualifications?
Authors: Anwar Arif , Richards David
Published: January 2013

This paper examines mutual recognition of professional engineering qualifications and the globalisation of accreditation of engineering education by US organisation ABET. Scrutiny of the Washington Accord on mutual recognition and a recent attempt to gain ABET accreditation for a UK civil engineering degree programme highlights differences between ABET and the UK Engineering Council. The ambiguity of the Washington Accord also means it may be interpreted differently by signatories. It is suggested that ABET accreditation and the US professional engineer (PE) qualification may become the de-facto global standard due to lack of significant competition from the UK or Europe.
Road schemes at risk from persistently dirty diesels
Authors: Tate James
Published: January 2013

Modern diesel cars and vans pollute city air with nitrogen oxides as much as they did over 10 years ago, says James Tate of Leeds University. Urban road schemes generating extra traffic may therefore struggle to meet air quality standards unless motor manufactures start to clean up their act.
Using building information modeling on a highway project
Authors: Sibert Ben
Published: January 2013

Building information modelling (BIM) is to be implemented on all UK government construction projects by 2016 to help cut costs. Ben Sibert of Arup explains how BIM is being used on a section of the A465 highway dualling in south Wales and the lessons being learned on the way.
Latent impacts: the role of historical human activity in coastal habitat loss
Authors: Coverdale Tyler C , Herrmann Nicholas C , Altieri Andrew H , Bertness Mark D
Published: January 2013

Understanding human impacts on ecosystems is critical for conservation, but can be complicated by interactions between multiple impacts occurring at different times. Using historical patterns of ditch construction on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, we tested the hypothesis that mosquito ditches have exacerbated salt marsh die‐offs. Ditching activities occurred in the 1930s and were followed by post‐World War II shoreline development, which created > 90% of current shoreline infrastructure on Cape Cod. Recently, predator depletion caused by recreational fishing has allowed populations of a native herbivorous crab (Sesarma reticulatum) to increase dramatically, triggering herbivore‐driven cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora) die‐off at developed sites. Depression‐era mosquito ditching had little effect for decades, but accelerated subsequent die‐offs by expanding cordgrass habitat. Despite occurring decades apart, ditching interacted synergistically with shoreline development and recreational fishing to devastate ~ 55% of low marsh habitat (the narrow band of marsh grass necessary for marsh persistence and expansion). This suggests that historical human impacts can remain dormant for decades before interacting unexpectedly with modern perturbations. Such latent impacts are widespread in both marine and terrestrial habitats and may be common in other ecosystems with a history of disturbance.
Motion Cue Analysis for Parkinsonian Gait Recognition
Authors: Khan Taha , Westin Jerker , Dougherty Mark
Published: January 2013

This paper presents a computer-vision based marker-free method for gait-impairment detection in Patients with Parkinson’s disease (PWP). The system is based upon the idea that a normal human body attains equilibrium during the gait by aligning the body posture with Axis-of-Gravity (AOG) using feet as the base of support. In contrast, PWP appear to be falling forward as they are less-able to align their body with AOG due to rigid muscular tone. A normal gait exhibits periodic stride-cycles with stride-angle around 45o between the legs, whereas PWP walk with shortened stride-angle with high variability between the stride-cycles. In order to analyze Parkinsonian-gait (PG), subjects were videotaped with several gait-cycles. The subject’s body was segmented using a color-segmentation method to form a silhouette. The silhouette was skeletonized for motion cues extraction. The motion cues analyzed were stride-cycles (based on the cyclic leg motion of skeleton) and posture lean (based on the angle between leaned torso of skeleton and AOG). Cosine similarity between an imaginary perfect gait pattern and the subject gait patterns produced 100% recognition rate of PG for 4 normal-controls and 3 PWP. Results suggested that the method is a promising tool to be used for PG assessment in home-environment.
Female Auditors and Accruals Quality
Authors: Ittonen Kim , Vähämaa Emilia , Vähämaa Sami
Published: January 2013

SYNOPSIS

This paper examines the association between accruals quality and the gender of the firm's audit engagement partner. In particular, given the documented gender-based differences in diligence, conservatism, and risk tolerance, we postulate that female auditors may improve accruals quality. Using a sample of Finnish and Swedish NASDAQ OMX-listed firms, we run several alternative panel regressions of abnormal accruals on female auditor variables and firm-specific controls. The results suggest that firms with female audit engagement partners are associated with smaller abnormal accruals, thereby implying that female auditors may have a constraining effect on earnings management. In general, our findings indicate that the behavioral differences between women and men may have important implications for the quality of auditing and financial reporting.

Data Availability: The data used in this paper are derived from public sources.
Fyn Deficiency Promotes a Preferential Increase in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue Mass and Decreased Visceral Adipose Tissue Inflammation
Authors: Lee Ting-Wen A. , Kwon Hyokjoon , Zong Haihong , Yamada Eijiro , Vatish Manu , Pessin Jeffrey E. , Bastie Claire C.
Published: January 2013

Previous studies have demonstrated that Fyn knockout (FynKO) mice on a standard chow diet display increased glucose clearance and whole-body insulin sensitivity associated with decreased adiposity resulting from increased fatty acid use and energy expenditure. Surprisingly, however, despite a similar extent of adipose tissue (AT) mass accumulation on a high-fat diet, the FynKO mice remained fully glucose tolerant and insulin sensitive. Physiologic analyses demonstrated that the FynKO mice had a combination of skewed AT expansion into the subcutaneous compartment rather than to the visceral depot, reduced AT inflammation associated with reduced T-cell and macrophage infiltration, and increased proportion of anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages. These data demonstrate that Fyn is an important regulator of whole-body integrative metabolism that coordinates AT expansion, inflammation, and insulin sensitivity in states of nutrient excess. These data further suggest that inhibition of Fyn function may provide a novel target to prevent AT inflammation, insulin resistance, and the dyslipidemia components of the metabolic syndrome.
Lessons on Conditional Gene Targeting in Mouse Adipose Tissue
Authors: Lee Kevin Y. , Russell Steven J. , Ussar Siegfried , Boucher Jeremie , Vernochet Cecile , Mori Marcelo A. , Smyth Graham , Rourk Michael , Cederquist Carly , Rosen Evan D. , Kahn Barbara B. , Kahn C. Ronald
Published: January 2013

Conditional gene targeting has been extensively used for in vivo analysis of gene function in adipocyte cell biology but often with debate over the tissue specificity and the efficacy of inactivation. To directly compare the specificity and efficacy of different Cre lines in mediating adipocyte specific recombination, transgenic Cre lines driven by the adipocyte protein 2 (aP2) and adiponectin (Adipoq) gene promoters, as well as a tamoxifen-inducible Cre driven by the aP2 gene promoter (iaP2), were bred to the Rosa26R (R26R) reporter. All three Cre lines demonstrated recombination in the brown and white fat pads. Using different floxed loci, the individual Cre lines displayed a range of efficacy to Cre-mediated recombination that ranged from no observable recombination to complete recombination within the fat. The Adipoq-Cre exhibited no observable recombination in any other tissues examined, whereas both aP2-Cre lines resulted in recombination in endothelial cells of the heart and nonendothelial, nonmyocyte cells in the skeletal muscle. In addition, the aP2-Cre line can lead to germline recombination of floxed alleles in ∼2% of spermatozoa. Thus, different “adipocyte-specific” Cre lines display different degrees of efficiency and specificity, illustrating important differences that must be taken into account in their use for studying adipose biology.
The Memory Keeper
Authors: Totah Faedah M.
Published: January 2013

The public visibility and political activity of women remain contentious social issues in the Middle East. Where women are encouraged by the state to be politically active, their ensuing visibility is perceived as threatening to the local male-dominated social order, which in turn hampers their efficacy as political agents. In this article I explore political commemoration in Syria as a socially sanctioned venue for apolitical political activity that allows women nonthreatening public visibility. I focus on the work of Dr. Nadia Khost in commemorative practices in Damascus to illustrate how gender can be utilized effectively to negotiate local power hierarchies and social norms. I conclude with a discussion of the ways in which the public visibility and political activity of women are sanctioned when perceived as reinforcing rather than challenging the local sociopolitical order.
Sex, Marriage, and Eroticism in Contemporary Islamic Advice Literature
Authors: Azam Hina
Published: January 2013

The American Muslim landscape is suffused with mosque bookstores, independent book distributors, online retailers, and convention stalls offering English-speaking Muslims Islamic advice texts on a wide array of topics. Common among these popularly oriented writings are titles pertaining to veiling, gender relations, marriage, and sexuality. This paper examines this particular segment of titles in order to determine how they present a set of behaviors, thoughts, and feelings that we would recognize as erotic in nature—that is, pertaining to sexual desire and its expression, romantic attachment, and bodily pleasure. I seek to show that, despite their varied geographical and linguistic provenance, these advice tracts share a number of themes that coalesce to form an overarching discourse on eroticism. I argue that this prevailing discourse presents erotic desire, expression, and pleasure in a manner that is overwhelmingly negative. This overarching negativity is dissonant with the erotic conjugality that is frequently forwarded in this same literature as a pious ideal. This dissonance suggests a theoretical gap between more traditional notions of sexuality, marriage, and gender relations, and contemporary ideals of companionate marriage and conjugal intimacy.
Glaciological twins: basally controlled subglacial and supraglacial lakes
Authors: Sergienko Olga V.
Published: January 2013

Subglacial lakes beneath ice streams of Antarctica and supraglacial lakes observed on the flanks of the Greenland ice sheet may seem to be unrelated. The former derive their water from energy dissipation associated with basal friction, the latter from atmospherically driven surface melting. However, using numerical models of ice and water flow, it is shown here that they share a common relationship to basal conditions that implies that surface lakes (or depressions that could host lakes under warmer atmospheric conditions) and basal lakes might exist in tandem.
Mechanical properties of snow using indentation tests: size effects
Authors: Huang Daisy , Lee Jonah H.
Published: January 2013

An attempt is made to obtain and quantify the mechanical properties of two common types of seasonal snow on the ground. Different samples of natural snow whose metamorphism had stabilized (such as would remain on a road throughout winter in a cold, snowy area) were gathered and tested using mesoscale indentation tests (metrics on the order of mm to cm). Results from the stress vs displacement curves from indentation indicated that (1) first peak strength decreased, according to a power law, with increasing indenter size and was not affected by snow average grain size, (2) plateau strength decreased with increasing indenter size, and snow compaction strength might be calculated from these data, and (3) mean energy absorption density during indentation was independent of indenter size in some size ranges, and decreased with increasing indenter size in other size ranges.
Evolution of crystal orientation in snow during temperature gradient metamorphism
Authors: Riche Fabienne , Montagnat Maurine , Schneebeli Martin
Published: January 2013

The physical properties of snow are tied to its microstructure. Especially for the slow, plastic deformation of snow and firn, the crystal orientation is an important factor in addition to the geometry of the ice matrix. While micro-computed tomography measures the snow microstructure precisely, it gives no information about the orientation of the ice crystals. In this study, we applied a temperature gradient of 50 K m−1 to large blocks of undisturbed decomposed snow and sieved snow during 3 months. The mean temperature of the snow samples during the temperature gradient experiment was −20°C. Two closely spaced snow samples were taken before the experiment, then every week during the first month and afterwards every month. From each sampling, one sample was analyzed by micro-computed tomography and the other was used for thin sections. The orientation of the c-axis was measured in the thin sections using an automatic ice texture analyzer. Initial density was 30% higher in the sieved snow sample. Density and specific surface area evolved alike, while the fabric showed a different evolution between the two samples. The undisturbed snow evolved from a weak single-maximum fabric towards a weak girdle fabric, while the sieved sample showed no evolution. The undisturbed snow sample converged toward the sieved sample fabric after 6 weeks, but continued its evolution thereafter. We suggest that the main factor causing this different behavior is the difference in density and in pore size.
Characterizing the glaciological conditions at Halvfarryggen ice dome, Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica
Authors: Drews Reinhard , Martín Carlos , Steinhage Daniel , Eisen Olaf
Published: January 2013

We present a comprehensive approach (including field data, remote sensing and an anisotropic ice-flow model) to characterize Halvfarryggen ice dome in coastal Dronning Maud Land, Antarctica. This is a potential drill site for the International Partnerships in Ice Core Sciences, which has identified the need for ice cores covering atmospheric conditions during the last few millennia. We derive the surface topography, the ice stratigraphy from radar data, and accumulation rates which vary from 400 to 1670 kg m−2 a−1 due to preferred wind directions and changing surface slope. The stratigraphy shows anticlines and synclines beneath the divides. We transfer Dansgaard–Johnsen age–depth scales from the flanks along isochrones to the divide in the upper 20–50% of the ice thickness and show that they compare well with the results of a full-Stokes, anisotropic ice-flow model which predicts (1) 11 ka BP ice at 90% of the ice thickness, (2) a temporally stable divide for at least 2700–4500 years, (3) basal temperatures below the melting point (−12°C to −5°C) and (4) a highly developed crystal orientation fabric (COF). We suggest drilling into the apices of the deep anticlines, providing a good compromise between record length and temporal resolution and also facilitating studies of the interplay of anisotropic COF and ice flow.
Improving the Therapeutic Potential of Human Granzyme B for Targeted Cancer Therapy
Authors: Hehmann-Titt Grit , Schiffer Sonja , Berges Nina , Melmer Georg , Barth Stefan
Published: January 2013

Conventional cancer treatments lack specificity and often cause severe side effects. Targeted therapeutic approaches are therefore preferred, including the use of immunotoxins (ITs) that comprise cell-binding and cell death-inducing components to allow the direct and specific delivery of pro-apoptotic agents into malignant cells. The first generation of ITs consisted of toxins derived from bacteria or plants, making them immunogenic in humans. The recent development of human cytolytic fusion proteins (hCFP) consisting of human effector enzymes offers the prospect of highly-effective targeted therapies with minimal side effects. One of the most promising candidates is granzyme B (GrB) and this enzyme has already demonstrated its potential for targeted cancer therapy. However, the clinical application of GrB may be limited because it is inactivated by the overexpression in tumors of its specific inhibitor serpin B9 (PI-9). It is also highly charged, which means it can bind non-specifically to the surface of non-target cells. Furthermore, human enzymes generally lack an endogenous translocation domain, thus the endosomal release of GrB following receptor-mediated endocytosis can be inefficient. In this review we provide a detailed overview of these challenges and introduce promising solutions to increase the cytotoxic potency of GrB for clinical applications.
An Evidence-Based Exercise Regimen for Patients with Mild to Moderate Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Salgado Sanjay , Williams Nori , Kotian Rima , Salgado Miran
Published: January 2013

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurological disorder that is manifested in the form of both motor and non-motor symptoms such as resting tremor, bradykinesia, muscular rigidity, depression, and cognitive impairment. PD is progressive in nature, ultimately leading to debilitating disruption of activities of daily living. Recently, a myriad of research has been focused on non-pharmacological interventions to alleviate the motor and non-motor symptoms of the disease. However, while there is a growing body of evidence supporting exercise as a viable therapy option for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease, there is a lack of literature enumerating a specific exercise sequence for patients with PD. In this literature review, we analyze the success of specific modalities of exercise in order to suggest an optimal exercise regimen for Parkinson’s disease patients.
Partial Oxidation of n-Butane over a Sol-Gel Prepared Vanadium Phosphorous Oxide
Authors: Salazar Juan , Hohn Keith
Published: January 2013

Vanadium phosphorous oxide (VPO) is traditionally manufactured from solid vanadium oxides by synthesizing VOHPO4∙0.5H2O (the precursor) followed by in situ activation to produce (VO)2P2O7 (the active phase). This paper discusses an alternative synthesis method based on sol-gel techniques. Vanadium (V) triisopropoxide oxide was reacted with ortho-phosphoric acid in an aprotic solvent. The products were dried at high pressure in an autoclave with a controlled excess of solvent. This procedure produced a gel of VOPO4 with interlayer entrapped molecules. The surface area of the obtained materials was between 50 and 120 m2/g. Alcohol produced by the alkoxide hydrolysis reduced the vanadium during the drying step, thus VOPO4 was converted to the precursor. This procedure yielded non-agglomerated platelets, which were dehydrated and evaluated in a butane-air mixture. Catalysts were significantly more selective than the traditionally prepared materials with similar intrinsic activity. It is suggested that the small crystallite size obtained increased their selectivity towards maleic anhydride.
Biosemiotic Entropy of the Genome: Mutations and Epigenetic Imbalances Resulting in Cancer
Authors: Gryder Berkley , Nelson Chase , Shepard Samuel
Published: January 2013

Biosemiotic entropy involves the deterioration of biological sign systems. The genome is a coded sign system that is connected to phenotypic outputs through the interpretive functions of the tRNA/ribosome machinery. This symbolic sign system (semiosis) at the core of all biology has been termed “biosemiosis”. Layers of biosemiosis and cellular information management are analogous in varying degrees to the semiotics of computer programming, spoken, and written human languages. Biosemiotic entropy — an error or deviation from a healthy state — results from errors in copying functional information (mutations) and errors in the appropriate context or quantity of gene expression (epigenetic imbalance). The concept of biosemiotic entropy is a deeply imbedded assumption in the study of cancer biology. Cells have a homeostatic, preprogrammed, ideal or healthy state that is rooted in genomics, strictly orchestrated by epigenetic regulation, and maintained by DNA repair mechanisms. Cancer is an eminent illustration of biosemiotic entropy, in which the corrosion of genetic information via substitutions, deletions, insertions, fusions, and aberrant regulation results in malignant phenotypes. However, little attention has been given to explicitly outlining the paradigm of biosemiotic entropy in the context of cancer. Herein we distill semiotic theory (from the familiar and well understood spheres of human language and computer code) to draw analogies useful for understanding the operation of biological semiosis at the genetic level. We propose that the myriad checkpoints, error correcting mechanisms, and immunities are all systems whose primary role is to defend against the constant pressure of biosemiotic entropy, which malignancy must shut down in order to achieve advanced stages. In lieu of the narrower tumor suppressor/oncogene model, characterization of oncogenesis into the biosemiotic framework of sign, index, or object entropy may allow for more effective explanatory hypotheses for cancer diagnosis, with consequence in improving profiling and bettering therapeutic outcomes.
Leaf Rust of Wheat: Pathogen Biology, Variation and Host Resistance
Authors: Kolmer James
Published: January 2013

Rusts are important pathogens of angiosperms and gymnosperms including cereal crops and forest trees. With respect to cereals, rust fungi are among the most important pathogens. Cereal rusts are heteroecious and macrocyclic requiring two taxonomically unrelated hosts to complete a five spore stage life cycle. Cereal rust fungi are highly variable for virulence and molecular polymorphism. Leaf rust, caused by Puccinia triticina is the most common rust of wheat on a worldwide basis. Many different races of P. triticina that vary for virulence to leaf rust resistance genes in wheat differential lines are found annually in the US. Molecular markers have been used to characterize rust populations in the US and worldwide. Highly virulent races of P. triticina are selected by leaf rust resistance genes in the soft red winter wheat, hard red winter wheat and hard red spring wheat cultivars that are grown in different regions of the US. Cultivars that only have race-specific leaf rust resistance genes that are effective in seedling plants lose their effective resistance and become susceptible within a few years of release. Cultivars with combinations of race non-specific resistance genes have remained resistant over a period of years even though races of the leaf rust population have changed constantly.
Study of the UTMD-Based Delivery System to Induce Cervical Cancer Cell Apoptosis and Inhibit Proliferation with shRNA targeting Survivin
Authors: Chen Zhi-Yi , Liang Kun , Lin Yan , Yang Feng
Published: January 2013

Apoptosis induction by short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression vectors could be an efficient and promising strategy for cancer gene therapy. Ultrasound-targeted microbubble destruction (UTMD) is an appealing technique. In this study, we investigated the apoptosis induction and suppression of cell proliferation in vivo transfected by the UTMD-based shRNA delivery system. Nude mice with transplanted tumors of cervical cancer were randomly arranged into three groups: control group, plasmid injection and ultrasound (P + US), P + UTMD group. Expressions of Survivin and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Bcl-2, Bax, Caspase-3, Ki-67, nucleostemin (NS) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. Furthermore, microvessel density (MVD) was detected by CD34 protein expressions and apoptotic index (AI) was measured by TUNEL. As compared with those in the control and P + US groups, protein expressions of PCNA, Ki-67, Bcl-2, Survivin and NS in P + UTMD groups were down-regulated markedly, while those of Bax, Caspase-3 were up-regulated significantly (p < 0.05). MVD decreased significantly, whereas AI increased remarkably (p < 0.05). We suggested that UTMD-based shRNA delivery system could induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation significantly, without causing any apparently adverse effect, representing a new, promising technology that would be used in the future gene therapy and research.
Synthesis of Bisindolylmethanes and Their Cytotoxicity Properties
Authors: Naidu Kalla , Khalivulla Shaik , Rasheed Syed , Fakurazi Sharida , Arulselvan Palanisamy , Lasekan Ola , Abas Faridah
Published: January 2013

Polymer supported dichlorophosphate (PEG-OPOCl2) is an efficient green catalyst for the electrophilic substitution reaction of indole with aromatic aldehydes, in neat condition, to afford an excellent yield of bis(indolyl) methanes with short reaction time, at room temperature. The synthesized compounds and their anti-cancer activity are evaluated.
Quaternized Chitosan as an Antimicrobial Agent: Antimicrobial Activity, Mechanism of Action and Biomedical Applications in Orthopedics
Authors: Tan Honglue , Ma Rui , Lin Chucheng , Liu Ziwei , Tang Tingting
Published: January 2013

Chitosan (CS) is a linear polysaccharide with good biodegradability, biocompatibility and antimicrobial activity, which makes it potentially useful for biomedical applications, including an antimicrobial agent either alone or blended with other polymers. However, the poor solubility of CS in most solvents at neutral or high pH substantially limits its use. Quaternary ammonium CS, which was prepared by introducing a quaternary ammonium group on a dissociative hydroxyl group or amino group of the CS, exhibited improved water solubility and stronger antibacterial activity relative to CS over an entire range of pH values; thus, this quaternary modification increases the potential biomedical applications of CS in the field of anti-infection. This review discusses the current findings on the antimicrobial properties of quaternized CS synthesized using different methods and the mechanisms of its antimicrobial actions. The potential antimicrobial applications in the orthopedic field and perspectives regarding future studies in this field are also considered.
Improvement of the Enzyme Performance of Trypsin via Adsorption in Mesoporous Silica SBA-15: Hydrolysis of BAPNA
Authors: Li Shanshan , Wu Zhuofu , Lu Ming , Wang Zhi , Li Zhengqiang
Published: January 2013

The enzymatic performance of trypsin in hydrolysis of N-α-benzoyl-DL-arginine-4-nitroanilide (BAPNA) was improved by adsorption on Santa Barbara Amorphous (SBA)-15 mesoporous silica. The optimal immobilization conditions were screened and the properties of immobilized enzyme have also been studied. Under the optimal conditions, the immobilized trypsin displays maximum specific activity (49.8 μmol/min/g). The results also indicate that the immobilized trypsin exhibits better storage stability.
Introduction to Remote Sensing. Fifth Edition.By James B. Campbell and Randolph H. Wynne, The GuilfordPress, 2011; 662 pages. Price: £80.75, ISBN 978-1-60918-176-5
Authors: Lin Shu-Kun
Published: January 2013

A leading text for undergraduate- and graduate-level courses, this book introduces widely used forms of remote sensing imagery and their applications in plant sciences, hydrology, earth sciences, and land use analysis. The text provides comprehensive coverage of principal topics and serves as a framework for organizing the vast amount of remote sensing information available on the Web. Featuring case studies and review questions, the book’s 4 sections and 21 chapters are carefully designed as independent units that instructors can select from as needed for their courses. Illustrations include 29 color plates and over 400 black-and-white figures.
Using an Automatic Resistivity Profiler Soil Sensor On-The-Go in Precision Viticulture
Authors: Rossi Roberta , Pollice Alessio , Diago Maria-Paz , Oliveira Manuel , Millan Borja , Bitella Giovanni , Amato Mariana , Tardaguila Javier
Published: January 2013

Spatial information on vineyard soil properties can be useful in precision viticulture. In this paper a combination of high resolution soil spatial information of soil electrical resistivity (ER) and ancillary topographic attributes, such as elevation and slope, were integrated to assess the spatial variability patterns of vegetative growth and yield of a commercial vineyard (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo) located in the wine-producing region of La Rioja, Spain. High resolution continuous geoelectrical mapping was accomplished by an Automatic Resistivity Profiler (ARP) on-the-go sensor with an on-board GPS system; rolling electrodes enabled ER to be measured for a depth of investigation approximately up to 0.5, 1 and 2 m. Regression analysis and cluster analysis algorithm were used to jointly process soil resistivity data, landscape attributes and grapevine variables. ER showed a structured variability that matched well with trunk circumference spatial pattern and yield. Based on resistivity and a simple terrain attribute uniform management units were delineated. Once a spatial relationship to target variables is found, the integration of point measurement with continuous soil resistivity mapping is a useful technique to identify within-plots areas of vineyard with similar status.
Should We Trust in Values? Explaining Public Support for Pro-Environmental Taxes
Authors: Harring Niklas , Jagers Sverker
Published: January 2013

In this paper we are concerned with what explains public acceptance and support of environmental taxes. We examine findings in environmental psychology emphasizing that people’s (environmental) value-orientation is the dominant driver determining individuals’ support for pro-environmental policy instruments. We introduce a complementary model, mainly drawing upon findings in political science, suggesting that people’s support for policy instruments is dependent on their level of political trust and their trust in other citizens. More specifically, we analyze whether political trust and inter-personal trust affect individuals’ support for an increased carbon dioxide tax in Sweden, while checking their value orientation, self-interest, and various socio-economic values. We make use of survey data obtained from a mail questionnaire sent out to a random sample of 3,000 individuals in 2009. We find that apart from people’s values, beliefs, and norms, both political trust and interpersonal trust have significant effects on people's attitudes toward an increased tax on carbon dioxide.
Occurrence of Deoxynivalenol and Zearalenone in Commercial Fish Feed: An Initial Study
Authors: Pietsch Constanze , Kersten Susanne , Burkhardt-Holm Patricia , Valenta Hana , Dänicke Sven
Published: January 2013

The control of mycotoxins is a global challenge not only in human consumption but also in nutrition of farm animals including aquatic species. Fusarium toxins, such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and zearalenone (ZEN), are common contaminants of animal feed but no study reported the occurrence of both mycotoxins in fish feed so far. Here, we report for the first time the occurrence of DON and ZEN in samples of commercial fish feed designed for nutrition of cyprinids collected from central Europe. A maximal DON concentration of 825 μg kg−1 feed was found in one feed whereas average values of 289 μg kg−1 feed were noted. ZEN was the more prevalent mycotoxin but the concentrations were lower showing an average level of 67.9 μg kg−1 feed.