bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Los debates actuales en la Sociología de la alimentación
Authors: Díaz Méndez Cecilia
Published: October 2011

El comensal tardomodemo se encuentra en una posición ambigua para tomar decisiones sobre lo que debe comer o no. Las opciones han aumentado complicando las elecciones, y las agencias generadoras de normas no ofrecen hoy una orientación inequívoca, sino más bien compleja y diversa e incluso contradictoria, sobre cómo comer bien. Elegir es cada vez más difícil y obliga a contar con criterios de consumo alimentario que permitan tomar decisiones sobre lo que es bueno para comer. Ese es el marco general sobre el que se discute hoy en la Sociología de la Alimentación. Para unos las tendencias muestran una ruptura en los comportamientos alimentarios y una pérdida de los referentes normativos sobre lo que es una buena alimentación. Otros piensan que la desestructuración alimentaria no es tan evidente, pues siguen presentes las normas sociales de los grupos de referencia que ayudan a tomar decisiones de consumo alimentario ajustadas a la norma dietética. Además de este debate sobre los efectos de la modernidad en la alimentación, desde las Ciencias Sociales se comienza a reclamar una aproximación bolista al sistema agroalimentario, que permita superar la tradicional ruptura entre el campo de la producción y el campo del consumo.
Opinión pública y representaciones sociales en torno a los alimentos transgénicos
Authors: Espeitx Bernal Elena , Cáceres Nevot Juan José
Published: October 2011

La opinión pública tiene una influencia relevante en las decisiones institucionales. En el caso de los organismos genéticamente modificados (OGM), los posicionamientos mayoritariamente opuestos que reflejan las encuestas de opinión desarrolladas en Europa han sido clave en el freno a la autorización de nuevas variedades. Sin embargo, no está claro que esas opiniones se sustenten en posicionamientos manifiestamente adversos de los ciudadanos, sino que operan en un universo social y cultural complejo, en el que la interpretación del debate se enmarca en la percepción que se tiene de la propia sociedad. Por ello conviene analizar qué representaciones sociales los OGM movilizan, para buscar las pautas que sustentan ese posicionamiento y comprobar hasta qué punto la interpretación de la opinión publica se hace verdadero eco.
Desregulación parcial y desigualdad horizontal en España
Authors: Polavieja Javier G.
Published: October 2011

En este artículo se explica cómo y por qué la política de desregulación laboral inaugurada en 1984 generó importantes desigualdades entre trabajadores de productividad equiparable. Para ello, se revisan los datos empíricos existentes sobre la distribución de oportunidades laborales entre 1984 y 1997, periodo en el que se consolida en España un mercado de estables y precarios. Dichos datos se complementan con nuevos análisis basados en la versión enlazada de la Encuesta de Población Activa. La idea central del artículo es que la introducción de los contratos temporales en un contexto institucional caracterizado por elevados costes de despido y un sistema de negociación colectiva poco inclusivo desencadena dos tipos de mecanismos que operan en el ámbito microeconómico: el efecto de incentivación y el efecto de amortiguación. Ambos efectos combinados pueden explicar el fuerte proceso de segmentación laboral observado en España entre 1984 y 1997.
El atractivo por la inmovilidad residencial entre la juventud. El caso de Galicia
Authors: García Docampo Manuel , Terrén Lalana Eduardo
Published: October 2011

En una sociedad caracterizada por la globalización y flexibilización de los mercados, por la expansión y creciente accesibilidad de las formas de transporte y comunicación, y por las políticas y modas que hacen de la movilidad un valor, la renuencia de los individuos a la movilidad residencial puede parecer un fenómeno paradójico. Pero, tal y como se refleja en diversos informes y estudios revisados en este trabajo, el atractivo de la inmovilidad parece un hecho persistente en la mayoría de los países europeos (y especialmente en los del sur). Nuestra investigación aporta datos que confirman esta apreciación para el caso de los jóvenes, cuya supuesta asociación con la movilidad es resultado de una proyección precipitada y determinista sobre los comportamientos esperados del innegable incremento de las posibilidades objetivas de movilidad propiciadas por la extensión de la red de trasportes e información. Junto a este entorno objetivo de la movilidad, sin embargo, parecen existir ciertos factores subjetivos que constituyen su entorno motivacional y que actúan en sentido contrario a las expectativas y posibilidades mencionadas. Su estudio es precisamente lo que busca una sociología de la movilidad hecha desde el punto de vista del actor.
Resolvin D1 and Its Precursor Docosahexaenoic Acid Promote Resolution of Adipose Tissue Inflammation by Eliciting Macrophage Polarization toward an M2-Like Phenotype
Authors: Titos Esther , Rius Bibiana , González-Périz Ana , López-Vicario Cristina , Morán-Salvador Eva , Martínez-Clemente Marcos , Arroyo Vicente , Clària Joan
Published: October 2011

We recently demonstrated that ω-3-polyunsaturated fatty acids ameliorate obesity-induced adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. In this study, we report novel mechanisms underlying ω-3-polyunsaturated fatty acid actions on adipose tissue, adipocytes, and stromal vascular cells (SVC). Inflamed adipose tissue from high-fat diet-induced obese mice showed increased F4/80 and CD11b double-positive macrophage staining and elevated IL-6 and MCP-1 levels. Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; 4 μg/g) did not change the total number of macrophages but significantly reduced the percentage of high CD11b/high F4/80-expressing cells in parallel with the emergence of low-expressing CD11b/F4/80 macrophages in the adipose tissue. This effect was associated with downregulation of proinflammatory adipokines in parallel with increased expression of IL-10, CD206, arginase 1, resistin-like molecule α, and chitinase-3 like protein, indicating a phenotypic switch in macrophage polarization toward an M2-like phenotype. This shift was confined to the SVC fraction, in which secretion of Th1 cytokines (IL-6, MCP-1, and TNF-α) was blocked by DHA. Notably, resolvin D1, an anti-inflammatory and proresolving mediator biosynthesized from DHA, markedly attenuated IFN-γ/LPS-induced Th1 cytokines while upregulating arginase 1 expression in a concentration-dependent manner. Resolvin D1 also stimulated nonphlogistic phagocytosis in adipose SVC macrophages by increasing both the number of macrophages containing ingested particles and the number of phagocytosed particles and by reducing macrophage reactive oxygen species production. No changes in adipocyte area and the phosphorylation of hormone-sensitive lipase, a rate-limiting enzyme regulating adipocyte lipolysis, were observed. These findings illustrate novel mechanisms through which resolvin D1 and its precursor DHA confer anti-inflammatory and proresolving actions in inflamed adipose tissue.
IFN-γ Promotes Muscle Damage in the mdx Mouse Model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy by Suppressing M2 Macrophage Activation and Inhibiting Muscle Cell Proliferation
Authors: Villalta S. Armando , Deng Bo , Rinaldi Chiara , Wehling-Henricks Michelle , Tidball James G.
Published: October 2011

Duchenne muscular dystrophy is a degenerative disorder that leads to death by the third decade of life. Previous investigations have shown that macrophages that invade dystrophic muscle are a heterogeneous population consisting of M1 and M2 macrophages that promote injury and repair, respectively. In the present investigation, we tested whether IFN-γ worsens the severity of mdx dystrophy by activating macrophages to a cytolytic M1 phenotype and by suppressing the activation of proregenerative macrophages to an M2 phenotype. IFN-γ is a strong inducer of the M1 phenotype and is elevated in mdx dystrophy. Contrary to our expectations, null mutation of IFN-γ caused no reduction of cytotoxicity of macrophages isolated from mdx muscle and did not reduce muscle fiber damage in vivo or improve gross motor function of mdx mice at the early, acute peak of pathology. In contrast, ablation of IFN-γ reduced muscle damage in vivo during the regenerative stage of the disease and increased activation of the M2 phenotype and improved motor function of mdx mice at that later stage of the disease. IFN-γ also inhibited muscle cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro, and IFN-γ mutation increased MyoD expression in mdx muscle in vivo, showing that IFN-γ can have direct effects on muscle cells that could impair repair. Taken together, the findings show that suppression of IFN-γ signaling in muscular dystrophy reduces muscle damage and improves motor performance by promoting the M2 macrophage phenotype and by direct actions on muscle cells.
Surficial geology, Kwokullie Lake, British Columbia
Authors: Bednarski J M
Published: October 2011

Kwokullie Lake map area (NTS 94P/07) covers the northeast part of the Etsho Plateau whose northern boundary is defined by a large meltwater channel that is now occupied by Kimea lake and creek at about 460 m above sea level (asl). The Kimea meltwater channel was
cut by an ancestral Petitot River that flowed westward during deglaciation when the retreating Laurentide Ice Sheet still covered the land to the north. Prior to this time (ca. 25 000-11 000 years ago), the Laurentide Ice Sheet covered the entire map area with a dominant ice flow from the northeast.
Etsho Plateau gradually rises to 720 m asl in the southeast quadrant of the map area and, although it offers some relief, most of the area is underlain by poorly-drained clayey till that is mantled by extensive organic deposits. Hummocky organic deposits containing ground various amounts of ground
ice are common on the upper plateau, especially around Kwokullie and Desan lakes, where recent disturbances have led to thermokarst terrain. Glacial flutings and drumlins concentrated on the upstream flank of the Etsho Plateau indicate that at least two distinct ice lobes emanated from the ice sheet
at some time after the glacial maximum. A persistent northern lobe was responsible for the widespread northeast ice flow however, in the southeast quadrant of the map area, it was deflected by a second lobe flowing westward up the plateau. A southwest-trending moraine system appears to mark the
interlobate boundary. Subsequent episodic retreat of the two lobes is marked by groups of recessional moraines to the north and east. There are at least two main concentrations of recessional moraines on the northern flank of the plateau. Within these moraine concentrations, cross-cutting
relationships are common, indicating that many stillstands and minor readvances of the northern lobe occurred as it thinned and retreated to the north. In general the end moraines are thin and rise above the boggy terrain with only a few metres of relief. They are composed mainly of till but, in
places, they also contain discontinuous deposits of stratified material, with minor amounts of ice-thrust glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine sediment.
Characterization and Inference of Gene Gain/Loss along Burkholderia Evolutionary History
Authors: Zhu Bo , Zhou Shengli , Lou Miaomiao , Zhu Jun , Li Bin , Xie Guanlin , Jin GuLei , De Mot René
Published: October 2011

A comparative analysis of 60 complete Burkholderia genomes was conducted to obtain insight in the evolutionary history behind the diversity and pathogenicity at species level. A concatenated multiprotein phyletic pattern and a dataset with Burkholderia clusters of orthologous genes (BuCOGs) were constructed. The extent of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) was assessed using a Markov based probabilistic method. A reconstruction of the gene gains and losses history shows that more than half of the Burkholderia genes families are inferred to have experienced HGT at least once during their evolution. Further analysis revealed that the number of gene gain and loss was correlated with the branch length. Genomic islands (GEIs) analysis based on evolutionary history reconstruction not only revealed that most genes in ancient GEIs were gained but also suggested that the fraction of the genome located in GEIs in the small chromosomes is higher than in the large chromosomes in Burkholderia. The mapping of coexpressed genes onto biological pathway schemes revealed that pathogenicity of Burkholderia strains is probably mainly determined by the gained genes in its ancestor. Taken together, our results strongly support that gene gain and loss especially in ancient evolutionary history play an important role in strain divergence, pathogenicity determinants of Burkholderia and GEIs formation.
Economic Aspects of Sanitation in Developing Countries
Authors: Van Minh Hoang , Hung Nguyen Viet
Published: October 2011

Background

Improved sanitation has been shown to have great impacts on people's health and economy. However, the progress of achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on halving the proportion of people without access to clean water and basic sanitation by 2015 has thus far been delayed. One of the reasons for the slow progress is that policy makers, as well as the general public, have not fully understood the importance of the improved sanitation solutions. This paper, by gathering relevant research findings, aims to report and discuss currently available evidence on the economic aspects of sanitation, including the economic impacts of unimproved sanitation and the costs and economic benefits of some common improved sanitation options in developing countries.

Methods

Data used in this paper were obtained from different information sources: international and national journal articles and reports, web-based statistics, and fact sheets. We used both online search and hand search methods to gather the information.

Results

Scientific evidence has demonstrated that the economic cost associated with poor sanitation is substantial. At the global level, failure to meet the MDG water and sanitation target would have ramifications in the area of US$38 billion, and sanitation accounts for 92% of this amount. In developing countries, the spending required to provide new coverage to meet the MDG sanitation target (not including program costs) is US$142 billion (US$ year 2005). This translates to a per capita spending of US$28 for sanitation. Annually, this translates to roughly US$14 million. The evidence complied in this paper demonstrates that investing in sanitation is socially and economically worthwhile. For every US$1 invested, achieving the sanitation MDG target and universal sanitation access in the non OECD countries would result in a global return of US$9.1 and US$11.2, respectively.

Conclusion

Given the current state of knowledge, sanitation is undeniably a profitable investment. It is clear that achieving the MDG sanitation target not only saves lives but also provides a foundation for economic growth.
The influence of a long-term black medic (Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crop on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and nutrient uptake in flax (Linum usitatissimum) under zero-tillage management
Authors: Turmel M. S. , Entz M. H. , Tenuta M. , May W. E. , LaFond G. P.
Published: October 2011

Turmel, M. S., Entz, M. H., Tenuta, H., May, W. E. and LaFond, G. P. 2011. The influence of a long-term black medic ( Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crop on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization and nutrient uptake in flax ( Linum usitatissimum ) under zero-tillage management. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 1071–1076. Leguminous cover crops are becoming a popular way to increase the sustainability of agricultural systems. Previously, cover crops have been found to increase colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and phosphorus and micronutrient uptake. Long-term field studies were conducted to test the hypothesis that self-regenerating black medic (Medicago lupulina cv. George) cover crops increase AMF colonization and early nutrient uptake in flax (Linum usitatissimum). Field experiments were established in 2000 (Manitoba) and 2002 (Saskatchewan) using a flax–wheat (Triticum aestivum)–oat (Avena sativa) rotation. In a second experiment, intact soil cores were harvested from the plots in spring and tested for soil disturbance and cover crop effects under controlled environment conditions (CEC). Both seedling flax crops sampled from the field in 2005 and 2006 and flax growth in CEC showed high levels of AMF root colonization, but no significant influence of the cover crop on AMF colonization by arbuscules or hyphal structures was detected. The AMF enhancing practices used in the experiments (i.e., zero-tillage and inclusion of mycorrhizal crops) may have contributed to the lack of cover crop effect on AMF colonization. The cover crop had no effect on macro- or micronutrient uptake by flax except during drought conditions (Winnipeg 2006), where flax biomass was reduced by 38% and the total uptake of N, P, Zn and Cu was decreased by 34, 30, 31 and 35%, respectively, in the medic treatment.
Male cone morphogenesis, pollen development and pollen dispersal mechanism in Ginkgo biloba L.
Authors: Lu Y. , Wang L. , Wang D. , Wang Y. , Zhang M , Jin B. , Chen P.
Published: October 2011

Lu, Y., Wang, L., Wang, D., Wang, Y., Zhang, M., Jin, B. and Chen, P. 2011. Male cone morphogenesis, pollen development and pollen dispersal mechanism in Ginkgo biloba L. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 971–981. Ginkgo biloba L. is one of the oldest gymnosperms. Male cone morphogenesis, pollen development and dispersal are important for successful pollination and reproduction. In this study, we investigated the development of male cone, pollen and the sporangial wall in detail. The results indicate that: (1) The primordia of male cones and leaves begin to differentiate in early June and remain open until the following March. The male cones then mature and release pollen in mid-April. The male cones are drooped and approximately perpendicular to the leaves during pollination. (2) The microsporocytes develop from the sporogenous cell and form a tetrahedral tetrad after two simultaneous asymmetrically meioses, then produce a matured four-cell pollen after three polar mitotic divisions. The matured pollen is hemispheric in shape with a large aperture area and three pollen wall layers; once released from the microsporangia, the pollen becomes boat-like in shape. (3) The sporangial walls are eusporangiate and consist of epidermis, endothecium and tapetum. The differentiation of the tapetum occurs separately from that of the epidermis and endothecium, and originates from the outermost layer of sporogenous cells. The sporangial walls exhibit shrinkage of the epidermis, fibrous thickening of the endothecium, and enzymic dissolution of the tapetum during pollen dispersal, which contributes to microsporangia opening. Based on these results, we conclude that there many unique and primitive characteristics of the development of the male cones, pollen and sporangial wall of G. biloba. In addition, we also found that the male cones, pollen and sporangial walls have evolved efficient structural and morphological adaptations to anemophily.
The levels of hormone and carbohydrate in autumn and non-autumn flowering tree peonies
Authors: Mornya Philip , Cheng Fangyun
Published: October 2011

Mornya, P. M. P. and Cheng, F. 2011. The levels of hormone and carbohydrate in autumn and non-autumn flowering tree peonies. Can. J. Plant Sci. 91: 991–998. This study analyzed the levels of gibberellic acid (GA3), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), cytokinin (CTK) and abscisic acid (ABA) hormones using high-performance liquid chromatography, along with the levels of sucrose, reducing sugar and starch carbohydrates by spectrophotometer during induction, initiation and differentiation stages of bud development in autumn (AFP) and non-autumn (NAFP) flowering tree peony cultivars exhibiting variations in flowering pattern. The experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replications. The variation in flowering pattern between AFP and NAFP was largely influenced by differences in GA3, IAA and CTK levels at different bud developmental stages. The flower formation cycle was completed earlier in AFP than in NAFP, hence flowering was twice annually. Cytokinin, particularly N6-(Δ2-isopentenyl)-adenosine (iPA), could be a critical hormone in autumn flowering of tree peony, as its differences in levels between AFP and NAFP remained significant across bud developmental stages. However, only GA3had negative differences across bud developmental stages, indicating that GA3levels were consistently higher in NAFP than in AFP, but the reverse holds true for CTK. The differences in GA3, IAA and CTK between AFP and NAFP were significant (P<0.05) for at least two-thirds of the bud developmental stages. Carbohydrates may not significantly influence the flowering pattern of tree peonies. Autumn flowering in tree peonies could therefore be achieved by regulating GA3, IAA and CTK levels, particularly at the induction and initiation stages of bud development to facilitate the completion of the floral formation cycle, well in advance of bud dormancy period. The findings of this study could lay the scientific basis for genetic engineering of flowering pattern of tree peonies.
Hoarseness of Voice: A Retrospective Study of 251 Cases
Authors: Singh Digvijay , Banjara Hansa , Mungutwar Varsha , Gupta Anuj
Published: October 2011

Aims

Hoarseness of voice is a common symptom in otolaryngological practice and it is the earliest manifestation of a large variety of conditions directly or indirectly affecting the larynx, ranging from benign to most malignant. This study was undertaken to find out clinical profile, predisposing factors and etiology of hoarseness of voice.

Methods

A retrospective cohort analysis was carried out in Department of ENT, Pt JNM Medical College, Raipur, in 251 cases of change in voice for 3 years duration. All cases were analyzed for detailed history and underwent pre- and postoperatively stroboscopic examination to reach the diagnosis.

Results

Total 251 cases with M:F ratio of 1.9:1 were analyzed. Patients age ranged from 11 to 80 years and majority of patients equally presented in 4th and 6th decade. Nonvocal/nonprofessional group constituted as a single largest group (85.26%). Smoking was commonest predisposing factor (44.22%) followed by vocal abuse (30.28%). Out of 251 cases, 83.67% cases were organic and 16.33% cases were functional in origin.
Management of Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis: Current Status
Authors: Handa KK , Shashidhar TB
Published: October 2011

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis is benign disorder which affects children and requires long-term multiple surgical extirpations. The authors present their experience of different techniques in 35 patients and the literature is reviewed.
Subsurface lateral flow from hillslope and its contribution to nitrate loading in streams through an agricultural catchment during subtropical rainstorm events
Authors: Zhang B. , Tang J. L. , Gao Ch. , Zepp H.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Subsurface lateral flow from agricultural hillslopes is often overlooked compared with overland flow and tile drain flow, partly due to the difficulties in monitoring and quantifying. The objectives of this study were to examine how subsurface lateral flow generated through soil pedons from cropped hillslopes and to quantify its contribution to nitrate loading in the streams through an agricultural catchment in the subtropical region of China. Profiles of soil water potential along hillslopes and stream hydro-chemographs in a trenched stream below a cropped hillslope and at the catchment outlet were simultaneously recorded during two rainstorm events. The dynamics of soil water potential showed positive matrix soil water potential over impermeable soil layer at 0.6 to 1.50 m depths during and after the storms, indicating soil water saturation and drainage processes along the hillslopes irrespective of land uses. The hydro-chemographs in the streams, one trenched below a cropped hillslope and one at the catchment outlet, showed that the concentrations of particulate nitrogen and phosphorus corresponded well to stream flow during the storm, while the nitrate concentration increased on the recession limbs of the hydrographs after the end of the storm. All the synchronous data revealed that nitrate was delivered from the cropped hillslope through subsurface lateral flow to the streams during and after the end of the rainstorms. A chemical mixing model based on electricity conductivity (EC) and H+ concentration was successfully established, particularly for the trenched stream. The results showed that the subsurface lateral flow accounted for 29% to 45% of total stream flow in the trenched stream, responsible for 86% of total NO3−-N loss (or 26% of total N loss), and for 5.7% to 7.3% of total stream flow at the catchment outlet, responsible for about 69% of total NO3−-N loss (or 28% of total N loss). The results suggest that subsurface lateral flow through hydraulically stratified soil pedons have to be paid more attention for controlling non-point source surface water pollution from intensive agricultural catchment particularly in the subtropical areas with great soil infiltration.
Hormonal contraception in thrombophilic adolescents
Authors: Rott H.
Published: October 2011

About 3.2 million women in Germany are between 14 and 19 years old representing about 19% of women. 55% of them use combined oral contraception (COC). The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the use of COC is increased 2–6 times. For thrombophilic patients depending on the kind of thrombophilic defect it is much higher. Pregnancy and postpartum period lead to a much higher increase of VTE than any COC use at all, both in women with and without thrombophilic defect. VTE risk in COC is highly dependent on the content of ethinylestradiol (EE) and the kind of progestagen used in COC. Progestagen-only contraceptives (POC) do not increase the VTE risk, since they do not activate the coagulation system. Conclusion: It is not justified to withhold any hormonal contraception to thrombophilic women, especially considering the much higher VTE risk in (maybe unintended) pregnancy. Adolescents thrombophilic women should rather be informed about the opportunity to use POC.
Satisfação de Gerentes Conduz à Maturidade em Gestão de Projetos? Um Estudo de Caso no Serpro
Authors: Santos Fabio Brito , Passos Francisco Uchoa
Published: October 2011

Este artigo faz uma avaliação do sistema de gerenciamento de projetos (GP) de software no SERPRO – Serviço Federal de Processamento de Dados, a partir da percepção de 271 profissionais que atuam em onze estados do Brasil desempenhando o papel de líder de projeto de software. O sistema de GP de software do SERPRO foi avaliado a partir de duas dimensões: a) a ferramenta tecnológica em si; e b) a maturidade organizacional em gestão de projetos. Para a avaliação da ferramenta, empregou-se um construto com 11 variáveis e igual número de indicadores. Na avaliação da maturidade, usou-se outro construto, com 7 variáveis e 21 indicadores correspondentes. As intensidades com que os sujeitos da pesquisa manifestaram-se sobre as duas referidas dimensões foram aferidas em uma escala do tipo Likert, com variação de 1 a 7. Os resultados mostraram que tanto o sistema computadorizado quanto a maturidade organizacional em gestão de projetos receberam avaliação levemente superior à média da escala, demonstrando que há espaço para melhorias naquelas duas dimensões. A estratificação da amostra em dois grupos, o dos sujeitos mais satisfeitos com o sistema e o dos sujeitos menos satisfeitos, revelou que os primeiros avaliam a maturidade organizacional de forma significativamente mais positiva do que os últimos. Essa diferença confirmou-se com a prova U de Mann-Whitney que levou a inferir sobre a possibilidade de alguma correlação entre a satisfação do indivíduo com a ferramenta e o potencial de contribuição que o mesmo pode dar para o incremento da maturidade organizacional da Instituição.DOI:10.5585/gep.v2i1.29
Avaliação do Risco Gerencial na Elaboração de Projetos de Inovação em Pequenas e Médias Empresas de Alta Tecnologia sob a Ótica da Metodologia Prism
Authors: Jerônimo Taciana de Barros , E Silva Lúcio Camara , Batista Deise de Araújo , Galvão Marcella Brito
Published: October 2011

Este estudo de caso tem o objetivo de analisar as falhas da atividade de gerenciamento de projetos em pequenas e médias empresas de alta tecnologia, utilizando a ferramenta PRISM. Essa metodologia, proposta por Gary Pan, Ray Hackney e Shan L. Pan, analisa as interações post mortem entre os componentes do projeto durante o curso de sua execução como uma relação de intercâmbio entre a organização do projeto, o sistema de informação e os seus usuários. Assim, a contribuição desse trabalho é permitir uma análise formal das relações entre a sucessão de eventos de desenvolvimento de projetos de cunho inovativo e fornecer insights sobre o sucesso potencial ou o fracasso em projetos de pequenas e médias empresas de alta tecnologia (PMET).DOI:10.5585/gep.v2i1.32
Cultura Inovadora na Pequena e Média Empresa
Authors: Mambrini Aluisio Broering , Cintho Seiji , Dattein Erni Dattein , Arias Medina Jorge Antonio , Maccari Emerson Antonio
Published: October 2011

Nas últimas duas décadas a inovação tem se mostrado um dos principais motores do crescimento econômico. A inovação está intimamente relacionada com criar valor e gerar riquezas por meio do atendimento bem sucedido às necessidades do consumidor. Dessa forma, ela não está necessariamente restrita à utilização de novos conhecimentos obtidos pela pesquisa, mas sim, ao desenvolvimento de novos produtos ou serviços que são obtidos com a utilização criativa de conhecimentos, novos ou já conhecidos. Esse trabalho teve como objetivo identificar as práticas gerenciais que promovem a cultura inovadora em pequenas e médias empresas e analisar como elas contribuem para a capacidade de inovação dessas empresas. O método de pesquisa foi o estudo de casos múltiplos com seis empresas de pequeno e médio porte que possuíam pelo menos um caso de inovação relevante em sua história. Os principais resultados apontam que entre as práticas se destacam: a) atuação em nichos altamente especializados e foco profundo nas necessidades do cliente; b) forte investimento e incorporação de novos conhecimentos fora da empresa (inovação aberta); c) rapidez e agilidade na absorção e implantação de novos conhecimentos e tecnologias; d) retenção de colaboradores; e) atuação como integradora conjugando diversos conhecimentos e tecnologias; f) gestão da informação dos conhecimentos adquiridos pela empresa; g) pouca preocupação em patentear a tecnologia; h) flexibilidade e comunicação informal, fluida e aberta entre os colaboradores da empresa o que promove a agilidade na gestão; e i) a gestão de parcerias em toda a cadeia de valor, incluindo as áreas funcionais.DOI:10.5585/gep.v2i1.34
Estratégias para Utilização das Tecnologias do Google Code no Gerenciamento Ágil de Projeto
Authors: Barata André Montoia , De Araujo Camila , Martins Guilherme Delefrate , Amaral Daniel Capaldo
Published: October 2011

O gerenciamento de projetos (GP) de produtos inovadores é caracterizado por incertezas e colaboração entre diferentes equipes. Há críticas sobre a adequação dos softwares atuais de GP e uma solução possível é explorar o conceito de Cloud Computing. Um exemplo são os aplicativos Google Spreadsheet e Google Calendar. O tema é investigado com a avaliação de estratégias de integração de dados de programação de projeto, entre um aplicativo especialmente desenvolvido pelos pesquisadores, programado em JAVA, e os aplicativos do Google, com o uso de APIs do Google Code. O artigo descreve os recursos dos aplicativos Google Gadget, Google Spreadsheet, Google Apps Script e Google Calendar, identifica possíveis estratégias de integração para uma solução de GP, descreve os resultados de um protótipo realizado e discute potenciais futuros para a aplicação. Ilustra e compara essas tecnologias e descreve o potencial para a criação de soluções de um aplicativo de gerenciamento ágil de projetos. Como resultado final, mostra a melhor estratégia que seria a utilização do Google Calendar em interação com uma ferramenta de GP, e indica pesquisas futuras para a criação de uma solução completa baseada no tema.DOI:10.5585/gep.v2i1.35
Sistemas de Indicadores de Desempenho em Projetos
Authors: Borges Julia Garaldi , De Carvalho Marly Monteiro
Published: October 2011

O presente trabalho visa propor um sistema de indicadores de desempenho de projetos, a partir da análise da importância dos critérios de sucesso em projetos. A abordagem metodológica foi a de pesquisa-ação desenvolvida em uma empresa de engenharia, com atuação em diversos setores. Foram utilizadas várias fontes de evidência, tais como análise do atual sistema de indicadores da empresa, análise dos projetos nas bases de dados e entrevistas com representantes do escritório de projetos e com gerentes de projeto. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam para a falta de amarração causa e efeito do sistema de indicadores da organização, bem como da falta de tratamento diferenciado para os diferentes tipos de projeto e de stakeholders da organização. O sistema de indicadores de desempenho proposto busca mitigar essas lacunas encontradas, cujo projeto piloto é flexível o suficiente para captar essas diferentes necessidades.DOI:10.5585/gep.v2i1.39
Beryllium Compounds
Authors: Kaczynski Donald J.
Published: October 2011

Beryllium is a hard, gray element that does not occur naturally in nature. Only two beryllium minerals are of commercial importance for the production of beryllium: bertandite and beryl.

Beryllium is found in compounds that are typed as either soluble in water or not. Beryllium oxide is the most important of these compounds. Ceramic‐grade beryllium oxide has been manufactured and beryllia ceramics offer the advantage of a unique combination of high thermal conductivity and heat capacity with high electrical resistivity. Beryllia ceramics parts are frequently used in electronics and microelectronic applications. Addition of BeO to uranium oxide pellets results in longer life of the fuel. The other beryllium compounds discussed in this article are carbide, carbonates, carboxylates, halides, hydride, hydroxide, intermetallic compounds, nitrate, nitride, oxalate, and sulfate. Beryllium‐containing materials can be potentially harmful if handled.
Self‐Healing of an Epoxy Resin Using Scandium(III) Triflate as a Catalytic Curing Agent
Authors: Coope Tim S. , Mayer Ulrich F. J. , Wass Duncan F. , Trask Richard S. , Bond Ian P.
Published: October 2011

A novel Lewis acid‐catalysed self‐healing system is investigated for implementation into epoxy‐based fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) composite materials. The catalyst, scandium(III) triflate, is selected using a qualitative approach and subsequently embedded with pre‐synthesised epoxy‐solvent loaded microcapsules, into an epoxy resin. Healing is initiated when microcapsules are ruptured at the onset of crack propagation. The epoxy monomer healing agent contained within actively undergoes ring‐opening polymerisation (ROP) on contact with the locally dispersed catalyst, forming a new polymer to bridge the two fractured crack planes. Self‐healing performance is quantified using a tapered double cantilever beam (TDCB) test specimen and the effects of microcapsule content and healing temperature and time are all independently considered. As an initial ‘proof of concept’ study, results show that a material recovery value of greater than 80% fracture strength is achieved for this novel Lewis acid‐catalysed self‐healing epoxy resin.
Lewis Award Paper: Some Perspectives on Chemical Engineering Analysis
Authors: Russell T. W. Fraser
Published: October 2011

Personal teaching experiences are discussed using an analysis logic diagram which stresses experimental efforts and the need to make students aware of uncertainties in any significant problems they will face. The critical issues are illustrated using a reactor analysis which has been made into an interactive design game for the Web. The analysis logic is also briefly illustrated for mass contactor and heat exchanger analysis. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2012
Erratum: Optical properties of nitride nanostructures
Authors: Cantarero A. , Cros A. , Garro N. , Gómez‐Gómez M.I. , García A. , de Lima M.M. , Daudin B. , Rizzi A. , Denker C. , Malindretos J.
Published: October 2011

The set of InN nanocolumn samples discussed in the article was not grown using Au as a catalyst. Instead, the growth was performed catalyst‐free by plasma‐assisted molecular beam epitaxy.
Investigation on selective adsorption of Hg(II) ions using 4‐vinyl pyridine grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber
Authors: Bozkaya Ogün , Yiğitoğlu Mustafa , Arslan Metin
Published: October 2011

In the work, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were grafted with 4‐vinyl pyridine (4‐VP) monomer using benzoyl peroxide (Bz2O2) as initiator in aqueous media. The removal of Hg(II) ions from aqueous solution by the reactive fiber was examined by batch equilibration technique. Effects of various parameters such as pH, graft yield, adsorption time, initial ion concentration, and adsorption temperature on the adsorption amount of metal ions onto reactive fibers were investigated. The optimum pH of Hg(II) was found 3. The maximum adsorption capacity was found as 137.18 mg g−1. Moreover such parameters as the adsorption kinetics, the adsorption isotherm, desorption time and the selectivity of the reactive fiber were studied. The adsorption kinetics is in better agreement with pseudo‐first order kinetics, and the adsorption data are good fit with Freundlich isotherms. The grafted fiber is more selective for Hg(II) ions in the mixed solution of Hg(II)‐Ni(II), Hg(II)‐Zn(II), and Hg(II)‐Ni(II)‐Zn(II) at pH 3. Adsorbed Hg(II) ions were easily desorbed by treating with 1M HNO3 at room temperature. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Proton conductive reinforced poly(ethylene‐co‐styrene) membranes
Authors: Annala Minna , Lipponen Sami , Kallio Tanja , Seppälä Jukka
Published: October 2011

Polymers with ionic conductivity are useful materials for ion exchange membranes, separators, and electrolytes in electrochemical cells. New ionomers are currently being sought to replace the ionomers, which contain fluorine and are harmful to environment and expensive. A new and promising ionomer is a sulfonated ethylene/styrene copolymer. A nearby alternating copolymer with styrene content of 47 mol % was polymerized with metallocene/MAO catalyst. Membranes were prepared by hot‐pressing copolymer films with a glassfiber tissue. Phenyl rings in the copolymers were sulfonated with chlorosulfonic acid as a sulfonating agent. As the alternating structure of the copolymer, sulfonic groups were evenly distributed along the membranes. The membranes were characterized by determining water uptake, ion exchange capacity, proton conductivity, and mechanical properties. The studies revealed that the sulfonated copolymers have promising properties for proton‐conducting applications. All membranes had good ion exchange capacity, ∼ 3.5 meq/g, and proton conductivity, over 50 mS/cm. Due to the high water uptake of the sulfonated copolymer, mechanical properties of the membranes were improved by using the glassfiber tissue as reinforcement. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Soybean and linseed oil‐based composites reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers
Authors: Quirino Rafael L. , Woodford John , Larock Richard C.
Published: October 2011

Composites consisting of a conjugated linseed or soybean oil‐based thermoset reinforced with wood flour and wood fibers have been prepared by free radical polymerization. The thermoset resin consists of a copolymer of conjugated linseed oil (CLO) or conjugated soybean oil (CSO), n‐butyl methacrylate (BMA), divinylbenzene (DVB), and maleic anhydride (MA). The composites were cured at 180°C and 600 psi and postcured for 2 h at 200°C under atmospheric pressure. The effect of varying filler load, time of cure, filler particle size, origin of the fillers, and resin composition has been assessed by means of tensile tests, DMA, TGA, Soxhlet extraction followed by 1H‐NMR spectroscopic analysis of the extracts, and DSC. The best processing conditions have been established for the pine wood flour composites. It has been observed that the addition of MA to the resin composition improves the filler‐resin interaction. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Sentiment strength detection for the social web
Authors: Thelwall Mike , Buckley Kevan , Paltoglou Georgios
Published: October 2011

Sentiment analysis is concerned with the automatic extraction of sentiment‐related information from text. Although most sentiment analysis addresses commercial tasks, such as extracting opinions from product reviews, there is increasing interest in the affective dimension of the social web, and Twitter in particular. Most sentiment analysis algorithms are not ideally suited to this task because they exploit indirect indicators of sentiment that can reflect genre or topic instead. Hence, such algorithms used to process social web texts can identify spurious sentiment patterns caused by topics rather than affective phenomena. This article assesses an improved version of the algorithm SentiStrength for sentiment strength detection across the social web that primarily uses direct indications of sentiment. The results from six diverse social web data sets (MySpace, Twitter, YouTube, Digg, Runners World, BBC Forums) indicate that SentiStrength 2 is successful in the sense of performing better than a baseline approach for all data sets in both supervised and unsupervised cases. SentiStrength is not always better than machine‐learning approaches that exploit indirect indicators of sentiment, however, and is particularly weaker for positive sentiment in news‐related discussions. Overall, the results suggest that, even unsupervised, SentiStrength is robust enough to be applied to a wide variety of different social web contexts.
Link prediction in citation networks
Authors: Shibata Naoki , Kajikawa Yuya , Sakata Ichiro
Published: October 2011

In this article, we build models to predict the existence of citations among papers by formulating link prediction for 5 large‐scale datasets of citation networks. The supervised machine‐learning model is applied with 11 features. As a result, our learner performs very well, with the F1 values of between 0.74 and 0.82. Three features in particular, link‐based Jaccard coefficient difference in betweenness centrality, and cosine similarity of term frequency–inverse document frequency vectors, largely affect the predictions of citations. The results also indicate that different models are required for different types of research areas—research fields with a single issue or research fields with multiple issues. In the case of research fields with multiple issues, there are barriers among research fields because our results indicate that papers tend to be cited in each research field locally. Therefore, one must consider the typology of targeted research areas when building models for link prediction in citation networks.
Development of a new lacrimal drainage conduit using POSS nanocomposite
Authors: Chaloupka Karla , Motwani Meghna , Seifalian Alexander Marcus
Published: October 2011

Lacrimal surgery in cases of severely obstructed or missing canalicular ducts is highly challenging. In these cases, the placement of a bypass tube is currently the only option to restore the drainage of tears into the nose and reduce the symptomatic watery eye. Different approaches to achieve functional drainage have been tried using blood vessels or artificial implants. The implantation of the rigid Lester Jones tube is, since its introduction in the late 1960s, the gold standard. The functional success is satisfactory. However, complication rates are high and remain, even with many modifications of the original design, a major problem. These complications include mainly the displacement and blockage of the tube, requiring regular checkups, as well as irritation of the surrounding tissue including the nose and the eye. The objective of this study was to develop a new lacrimal duct conduit (LDC) to restore structural and functional integrity of the lacrimal drainage system. The conduit is constructed with a novel polymer, polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane–poly(carbonate‐urea)urethane (POSS–PCU), that offers biocompatibility. We exploit nanotopography to evade the problems associated with current applications. A number of extrusion techniques were investigated for this purpose: ultrasonic atomization spraying, electrohydrodynamic atomization spraying/spinning, extrusion–coagulation, and high‐pressure coagulation by autoclave and casting. Finally, the coagulation and cast technique were selected to construct an LDC superior to its predecessors, and its advantages highlighted.
Minor Labdane Diterpenes from Marrubium thessalum
Authors: Argyropoulou Catherine , Karioti Anastasia , Skaltsa Helen
Published: October 2011

Five new labdane diterpenes, thessalines A, B, and D, 14β‐hydroxythessaline A, and 14β‐hydroxythessaline B (1–5, resp.) were isolated from the aerial parts of Marrubium thessalum, along with the known labdane diterpene deacetylvitexilactone (6) and the methoxylated flavones 4′,7‐dimethylapigenin and salvigenin. (3S,5R)‐Loliolide was also found in the same source. Their structures were established by 1D‐ and 2D‐NMR (COSY, HSQC, HMBC, NOESY, and ROESY) and MS analyses. The plant produces a great variety of labdane‐type diterpenes, with variations in functionalities, particularly in the side chain. Their structures could be of chemotaxonomic significance for the genus Marrubium.
Novel Terpenoids from Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana
Authors: Hsieh Chin‐Lin , Tseng Mei‐Hwei , Pan Ryh‐Nan , Chang Jang‐Yang , Kuo Ching‐Chuan , Lee Tzong‐Huei , Kuo Yueh‐Hsiung
Published: October 2011

Calocetriol (1), diacetylcalocediol (2), and ferrugimenthenol (3) were isolated from the bark of Calocedrus macrolepis var. formosana. Among them, 1 and 2 are secoabietane‐type diterpenoids, and 3, with a novel C20C10 skeleton, is classified as a meroterpenoid. The structures of 1–3 were elucidated by spectroscopic analyses, and their biological activities were also evaluated. Compound 3 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against human oral epidermoid carcinoma KB cells with an IC50 value of 9.0±0.1 μM.