bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reproductive biology of a highly endemic species: Cipocereus laniflorus N.P. Taylor & Zappi (Cactaceae)
Authors: Rego Juliana Ordones , Franceschinelli Edivani Villaron , Zappi Daniela Cristina
Published: May 2012

Cipocereus laniflorus N.P. Taylor & Zappi is an endemic species from the Serra do Caraça, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. In order to propose conservation strategies for this species, its reproductive strategies were investigated, including reproductive phenology, floral biology, floral visitors and breeding system. The flowering and fruiting period extends from May to October. Few flowers per plant open each night, producing up to 0.4 ml nectar, but 30% of them are nectarless. Probably pollen is also offered as a resource. Fruiting efficiency of C. laniflorus (47%) is close to that found in other Cactaceae species. Pollen of this species was detected in Anoura geoffroy, Soricina glossophaga and Pygoderma bilabiatum bats. Amongst the characteristics related to bat-pollination syndrome found in C. laniflorus, the cream-white colouring of the internal part of the flower, the numerous stamens and the nocturnal anthesis of short duration can be highlighted. Flowers of C. laniflorus are also visited by Nitidulidae beetles, Trigona fulviventris bees and hummingbirds, however bats are the main pollinators of this species. Finally, as a self-sterile species, C. laniflorus needs a pollinator and is more susceptible to the risk of extinction if local disturbances affect its pollination system.
Produção de néctar e visitas por abelhas em duas espécies cultivadas de Passiflora L. (Passifloraceae)
Authors: Varassin Isabela Galarda , Ximenes Brunna Maria Setti , Moreira Priscila Ambrósio , Zanon Mireille Maria Franco , Elbl Paula , Löwenberg-Neto Peter , Melo Gabriel Augusto Rodrigues
Published: May 2012

A atividade dos polinizadores é afetada pela disponibilidade de recursos. Flores que produzem mais néctar podem ser mais visitadas e assim apresentar maior produção de frutos. O efeito da produção de néctar na atividade dos polinizadores foi testado em duas espécies cultivadas de maracujá, Passiflora alata Curtis e Passiflora edulis Sims, em Morretes, Paraná. Botões foram ensacados e o néctar acumulado das flores foi coletado em intervalos de 1 h. Em P. alata o volume e a concentração de solutos no néctar aumentaram durante o período de antese, associados com o aumento da temperatura. Em P. edulis, o volume aumentou durante o período diurno da antese, e decresceu após as 18 horas. A concentração de solutos no néctar permaneceu constante. A taxa média de visitação de Xylocopa frontalis (Olivier) em P. alata foi de 1,7 visitas/100flores/hora e em P. edulis foi de 6,6 visitas/100flores/hora, sendo constante durante a antese. A taxa média de visitação de Bombus morio (Swederus) em P. alata foi de 5,8 visitas/100flores/hora, sendo mais alta no início da antese. A constância das visitas de X. frontalis deve estar associada à produção contínua de néctar em ambas as espécies de maracujazeiros. Como as espécies são xenogâmicas, a manutenção das visitas é importante para propiciar o fluxo de pólen entre indivíduos e assim garantir boa produção de frutos.
O protesto negro no Brasil contemporâneo (1978-2010)
Authors: Rios Flavia
Published: May 2012

O protesto de rua é, no presente artigo, a unidade analítica privilegiada para o estudo da trajetória política do movimento negro brasileiro contemporâneo. A análise compreende o processo político que vai desde o seu ato inaugural - que abriria as cortinas de um novo ciclo de mobilização no bojo das lutas pela liberação democrática numa sociedade fortemente mobilizada contra a ditadura -, até a institucionalização de suas demandas e lideranças políticas, estas últimas agora agentes da igualdade racial junto ao poder público instituído.
Cidade: mídia e arte de rua
Authors: Ivo Any Brito Leal
Published: May 2012

O trabalho busca, a partir do Projeto Graffita Salvador, ilustrar as complexas relações entre arte, espaço público e suas apropriações, através da dimensão midiática da cidade, permitindo o estabelecimento de nexos entre: cidade, arte, mídia e estratégia comunicacional (de empresas e do poder público). A cidade e suas apropriações constitui-se em elemento midiático estratégico e faz parte de um complexo sistema de comunicação. A arte também comunica e persuade. Ademais, as empresas e os governos vêm investindo na criação de imagens corporativas positivas junto à opinião pública, objetivado fortalecer suas imagens a partir da constituição de símbolos de referência culturais e coletivos da cidade. Num quadro de dificuldades do financiamento público, favorecem alternativas e estratégias baseadas em parcerias entre o público e o privado na gestão das cidades, reforçando-se positivamente as imagens tanto governamental (idéia de comprometimento, participação e eficiência) como empresarial (responsabilidade social). As indagações relativas ao Projeto Grafita Salvador podem ajudar na compreensão dessas dinâmicas e suas conseqüências. A partir delas é possível estabelecer-se nexos entre as estratégias de comunicação, as formas de expressão artísticas, a cidade, os movimentos sócio culturais, a arte de rua, e a constituição do espaço público e suas apropriações, no contexto contemporâneo.
Crescimento in vitro e aclimatização de Cattleya loddigesii Lindley (Orchidaceae) com carvão ativado sob dois espectros luminosos
Authors: Galdiano Júnior Renato Fernandes , Mantovani Cibele , Pivetta Kathia Fernandes Lopes , Lemos Eliana Gertrudes de Macedo
Published: May 2012

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a adição de concentrações de carvão ativado em meio de cultura ½ MS (com metade da concentração dos macronutrientes) sob dois espectros luminosos para a obtenção de plântulas in vitro de Cattleya loddigesii. Plântulas com aproximadamente 90 dias foram subcultivadas em oito tratamentos, nos quais foi testada a adição ao meio de cultura ½ MS com carvão ativado (0; 0,5; 1,0 e 2,0g L-1) e combinados sob espectro de luz branca e luz vermelha. Após 180 dias da germinação, foram mensurados dados biométricos (raiz e parte aérea), massa fresca e teores de pigmentos fotossintéticos. Em plântulas aclimatizadas em casa de vegetação, foram avaliadas a taxa de sobrevivência após 120 dias. As concentrações de clorofila total, clorofila a e carotenoides foram maiores nos tratamentos sob luz branca, enquanto a luz vermelha influenciou significativamente maior clorofila b, plântulas com menos raízes e de menor comprimento e elevada mortalidade ex vitro. A adição de 2,0g L-1 de carvão ativado ao meio de cultura e o uso de luz branca proporcionaram maior eficiência de desenvolvimento tanto para as culturas in vitro quanto para a sobrevivência ex vitro das plantas.
Distribuição do caranguejo Hepatus pudibundus (Herbst, 1785) (Crustacea, Decapoda, Brachyura) na Enseada da Fortaleza, Ubatuba (SP), Brasil
Authors: Mantelatto Fernando Luis Medina , Fransozo Adilson , Negreiros-Fransozo Maria Lúcia
Published: May 2012

Estudos acurados sobre a fauna macrobêntica e sua relação com o ambiente são importantes para a análise da função e estrutura de áreas litorâneas. A ñnalidade deste trabalho é caracterizar uma população do caranguejo Hepatus pudibundus na Enseada de Fortaleza, Ubatuba (SP), enfocando sua distribuição espacial, relacionado-a aos fatores físico-químicos (profundidade, temperatura, oxigênio dissolvido, salinidade, textura e teor de matéria orgânica do sedimento). Com um barco de pesca, equipado com duas redes de arrasto para camarão (tipo "otter- trawl"), procedeu-se a coleta dos caranguejos, efetuada mensalmente, no período de novembro/1988 a outubro/1989, em sete radiais de 1 Km cada. Foram obtidos 405 espécimes, mostrando uma abundância heterogênea. A radial IV apresentou o menor número de indivíduos, o que pode ser explicado pelas condições físicas do sedimento (bastante compactado devido a porcentagem de silte + argila) e da água (baixa salinidade). Em função dos resultados obtidos, ha fortes indícios para concluir que a Enseada da Fortaleza reúne condições favoráveis à procriação e desenvolvimento de H. pudibundus. Tais condições levam a crer que pequenas variações nos fatores bióticos e abióticos não são suficientes para alterar o padrão de distribuição desta espécie, intimamente relacionada à textura e teor de matéria orgânica do sedimento.
O Programa nacional de fortalecimento da agricultura familiar no Brasil: uma análise sobre a distribuição regional e setorial dos recursos
Authors: Azevedo Francisco Fransualdo , Pessôa Vera Lúcia Salazar
Published: May 2012

No Brasil, as políticas públicas para o espaço rural sempre tenderam a priorizar a agricultura patronal, em detrimento dos agricultores familiares. Todavia, os estudos realizados pelos órgãos FAO - INCRA deram subsídio para a criação do Programa Nacional de Fortalecimento da Agricultura Familiar (PRONAF), resultando em um novo direcionamento dos investimentos públicos, os quais passaram a contemplar o segmento dos agricultores familiares. Entende-se o PRONAF como uma política não-compensatória, que, apesar de seus problemas, tem contribuído de fato para mudanças e melhorias no espaço agrário brasileiro. Desde sua criação no final da década de 1990, o PRONAF passou por várias mudanças em sua estrutura administrativa e operacional, a fim de alcançar seus objetivos e adequar-se face a complexa realidade social agrária brasileira. Sendo assim, o presente estudo visa discutir as ações do Estado por meio desse Programa, a partir de suas linhas de atuação, bem como analisar a distribuição de suas concessões de crédito regional e setorialmente. Assim, os procedimentos metodológicos utilizados para a realização deste trabalho compreendem pesquisa bibliográfica e documental, além de pesquisa em fontes secundárias, no intuito de obter dados e informações relevantes para a análise das relações sociais estabelecidas em meio a esse processo de concretização e espacialização desse Programa. Dentre as implicações do PRONAF pode-se notar em âmbito nacional, uma diminuição da disparidade regional brasileira, bem como a preocupação que o Programa tem demonstrado com os aspectos socioculturais locais e regionais, como forma de garantir que seus investimentos perpassem a dimensão econômica, mas valorize outras dimensões, a exemplo dos elementos culturais.
A psicoterapia diante da liberdade humana: uma discussão orteguiana
Authors: Aguiar Eloisa Nogueira
Published: May 2012

O artigo aborda a liberdade humana a partir do legado filósofo de José Ortega y Gasset como possibilidade de caminho para a compreensão humana. Afinal, a psicoterapia lida essencialmente com o problema da liberdade, já que o homem responde ao que lhe vem ao encontro. O filósofo madrileno, ao colocar o homem como protagonista de sua vida, favorece a abertura a um modo específico de atenção, demarcando uma atitude clínica que renuncie qualquer redução do humano a dimensões meramente orgânicas, psicológicas ou sociais, reduzindo-o, portanto, à figura amorfa de quem, nada ou pouco, pode fazer por si mesmo.
Activity of antiretroviral drugs in human infections by opportunistic agents
Authors: Demarchi Izabel Galhardo , Cardozo Daniela Maira , Aristides Sandra Mara Alessi , Moliterno Ricardo Alberto , Silveira Thaís Gomes Verzignassi , Cardoso Rosilene Fressatti , Bertolini Dennis Armando , Svidzinski Terezinha Inez Estivalet , Teixeira Jorge Juarez Vieira , Lonardoni Maria Valdrinez Campana
Published: May 2012

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) is used in patients infected with HIV. This treatment has been shown to significantly decrease opportunist infections such as those caused by viruses, fungi and particularly, protozoa. The use of HAART in HIV-positive persons is associated with immune reconstitution as well as decreased prevalence of oral candidiasis and candidal carriage. Antiretroviral therapy benefits patients who are co-infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8), Epstein-Barr virus, hepatitis B virus (HBV), parvovirus B19 and cytomegalovirus (CMV). HAART has also led to a significant reduction in the incidence, and the modification of characteristics, of bacteremia by etiological agents such as Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase negative staphylococcus, non-typhoid species of Salmonella, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. HAART can modify the natural history of cryptosporidiosis and microsporidiosis, and restore mucosal immunity, leading to the eradication of Cryptosporidium parvum. A similar restoration of immune response occurs in infections by Toxoplasma gondii. The decline in the incidence of visceral leishmaniasis/HIV co-infection can be observed after the introduction of protease inhibitor therapy. Current findings are highly relevant for clinical medicine and may serve to reduce the number of prescribed drugs thereby improving the quality of life of patients with opportunistic diseases.
Tournefortia L. (Boraginaceae): espécies do Brasil extra-amazônico
Authors: Cavalheiro Larissa , Ranga Neusa Taroda , Furlan Antonio
Published: May 2012

Tournefortia possui cerca de 150 espécies distribuídas nas regiões quentes do mundo, principalmente nos Neotrópicos. Está sendo fornecido o tratamento necessário para identificação das espécies de Tournefortia para o Brasil, exceto região Amazônica, incluindo chaves taxonômicas e descrições. Foram encontradas as duas secções: Tournefortia e Cyphocyema, abrangendo 15 espécies e uma variedade. São apresentados comentários sobre a morfologia dos caracteres utilizados na identificação e distribuição geográfica.
Gêneros de macroliquens do campus da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Brasil - UFSCar, município de São Carlos, estado de São Paulo
Authors: Batista Gisele Gandra , Benatti Michel Navarro
Published: May 2012

O trabalho consistiu no levantamento dos gêneros de fungos liquenizados de talos foliosos, fruticosos e dimórficos que ocorrem no campus da Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Município de São Carlos, interior do Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras nas áreas urbanizadas, de cerrado, e de mata de galeria, constatando-se a ocorrência de 21 gêneros. São apresentadas descrições comentadas e uma chave de identificação para os gêneros encontrados.
Revegetação espontânea de voçoroca na região de Cerrado, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
Authors: Guglieri-Caporal Adriana , Caporal Francisco José Machado , Pott Arnildo , Vinci-Carlos Halisson Cesar , Morales Cedinara Arruda Santana
Published: May 2012

As voçorocas podem ser estabilizadas pelo restabelecimento da vegetação original ou de outro tipo de cobertura vegetal adaptada à nova condição. Este estudo teve como objetivo caracterizar a revegetação natural de uma voçoroca localizada em área de pastagem cultivada, isolada do gado, em Mato Grosso do Sul. Foram obtidos dados florísticos e fitossociológicos de maio/2009 a abril/2010, e informações referentes à biologia das espécies envolvidas. Foram encontradas 23 famílias, 49 gêneros e 71 espécies. Predominaram as herbáceo-subarbustivas (78,9%), eretas (63,4%), hemicriptófitas (43,7%) e autocóricas (60%). O período chuvoso contou com 90% das espécies em floração e 77,1% em frutificação. O atributo "solo descoberto" apresentou elevado VI (51,6%) e CR (72,50%) em maio/2009, valores gradualmente reduzidos a 34,2% (VI) e 45,3% (CR) em fevereiro/2010. Conclui-se que a revegetação natural está em curso e sugere-se que o estudo seja repetido daqui a alguns anos, para monitorar a evolução da sucessão da vegetação.
Stressors in attempted suicide by poisoning: a sex comparison
Authors: Pires Maria Cláudia da Cruz , Raposo Maria Cristina Falcão , Pires Marcela , Sougey Everton Botelho , Bastos Filho Othon Coelho
Published: May 2012

OBJECTIVE: To identify stressors in attempted suicide by poisoning and to analyze differences between men and women. METHOD: This quantitative, comparative, cross-sectional study evaluated 110 patients aged between 14 and 78 years. The following instruments used were: standardized Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) version 5.0.0 and an interview form specifically designed for the study. RESULTS: 70% of the suicide attempters were female; mean age was 28.1 years; 98.2% presented at least one psychiatric disorder. Among the stressors assessed, significant differences were observed between men and women for: not having a spouse, 72.7% among men and 54.5% among women; attempted suicide planning, 66.7% among men and 46.8% among women; being under the influence of alcohol during the attempted suicide, 51.5% among men and 26.0% among women; harmful use of alcohol, 42.4% in men and 22.1% in women; sexual abuse, 22.1% in women and 6.1% in men. CONCLUSIONS: Women presented a three times higher number of attempted suicides by poisoning. The identification of stressors with significant differences between sexes in the high-risk population here described can help define and organize strategies aimed at suicide prevention. Similar studies should be conducted in the general population.
Cyclic performance of beam–column joints with extended column fixed at base. Part I: experimental investigation
Authors: Joyklad Panuwat , Pimanmas Amorn , Dhakal Rajesh P.
Published: May 2012

The seismic performance of a non-seismically detailed reinforced concrete (RC) beam–column joint with column pinned and fixed at the base is experimentally investigated in this paper. Six half-scale RC beam–column specimens were tested to study the effect of inflection point on the cyclic behaviour of beam–column sub-assemblages. The specimens were separated into two groups. The shape of specimens in the first group was cruciform; the size of the column in those specimens was varied while the size of beam was kept nearly constant. The dimensions and reinforcing detail of specimens in the second group were identical to those in the first one except that the column was extended to the footing and fixed at the base. The main variable in this study was the relative stiffness between beam and column, which affects the position of the inflection point. The test results demonstrated a significant effect of inflection point position on the load capacity, joint shear stress and failure mode.
The effect of slope angle on propeller jet erosion near quays
Authors: Cihan Kubilay , Ozan Ayşe Yüksel , Yüksel Yalçın
Published: May 2012

The problem of propeller jet-induced erosion has significantly risen during the past three decades due to an increase in the manoeuvrability of ships. Therefore, propeller-induced scours need to be considered in the design of quay structures. In this study, the effect of slope angle on propeller jet erosion was examined. Three different slope angles of m  =  2·5, 2·0 and 1·5 were considered. Additionally, three different cases were considered, including an armoured layer with and without a toe apron and pile on an armoured layer with a toe apron. Flow velocity and scour measurements were performed in the experiments. For each slope angle, armour layer damage on the slope was defined by use of a damage level parameter. In addition, critical densimetric Froude numbers (Frd,cr) were defined for the start of damage at different slope angles.
Estimation of snag carbon transfer rates by ecozone and lead species for forests in Canada
Authors: Hilger A. B. , Shaw C. H. , Metsaranta J. M. , Kurz W. A.
Published: May 2012

Standing dead trees (snags) and downed woody debris contribute substantially to the carbon (C) budget of Canada's forest. Accurate parameterization of the C transfer rates (CTRs) from snags to downed woody debris is important for forest C dynamics models such as the Carbon Budget Model of the Canadian Forest Sector (CBM‐CFS3), but CTRs are rarely measured or reported in the literature. Therefore, forest C models generally use snag fall rates (FRs) available in the literature, as a proxy for CTRs. However, FRs are based on stem counts while CTRs refer to mass transfers. Stem mass and stem number are not linearly related, with small diameter trees representing disproportionately lower C mass transfers. Therefore this proxy, while convenient, may bias C transfer from standing dead to downed woody material. Here, we combined tree data from 10 802 sample plots and previously published species‐specific individual‐tree relationships between tree diameter (diameter at breast height, dbh) and fall rate to derive stand‐level estimates of CTRs for the CBM‐CFS3. We estimated CTRs and FRs and used the FR values to validate this approach by comparing them with standardized FR values compiled from the literature. FRs generally differed from CTRs. The overall CTR (4.78% ± 0.02% per year, mean ± SE) was significantly smaller than the overall FR (5.40% ± 0.02% per year; mean ± SE). Both the difference between FR and CTR (FR − CTR) and the CTR itself varied by ecozone, with ecozone means for CTR ranging from 3.94% per year to 10.02% per year. This variation was explained, in part, by heterogeneity in species composition, size (dbh distribution), structure, and age of the stands. The overall mean CTR estimated for the Snag_Stemwood (4.78% per year) and the Snag_Branches (11.95% per year) pools of the CBM‐CFS3 were approximately 50% and 20% higher than the current default rates used in the CBM‐CFS3 of 3.2% and 10.0%, respectively. Our results demonstrate that using CTRs to estimate the annual C transfer from standing dead trees to downed woody biomass will yield more accurate estimates of C fluxes than using a FR proxy, and this accuracy could be further improved by accounting for differences in ecozone, stand component (hardwood or softwood), or lead species.
Circulating and Urinary microRNAs in Kidney Disease
Authors: Lorenzen Johan M. , Thum Thomas
Published: May 2012

microRNAs are small, noncoding RNAs that control gene/protein expression through target messengerRNA degradation and/or inhibition of protein synthesis. An array of experimental studies has shown the importance of microRNAs for disease initiation/progression. microRNAs are generally considered to act as intracellular modulators of gene expression. However, first studies in the cancer and cardiovascular field have elucidated that microRNAs are remarkably stable in the extracellular compartment (e.g., in blood or urine). The detection and quantification of circulating microRNAs may, thus, represent a novel noninvasive tool to detect and monitor disease activity. In addition, there might be a potential biologic relevance of circulating microRNAs for cell/cell communication. The aim of the present article is to give an outline of recent work on circulating and urinary microRNAs as well as their potential paracrine activity in kidney disease.
Subclinical Cardiac Abnormalities and Kidney Function Decline
Authors: Park Meyeon , Shlipak Michael G. , Katz Ronit , Agarwal Subhashish , Ix Joachim H. , Hsu Chi-yuan , Peralta Carmen A.
Published: May 2012

Background and objectives

Clinical heart failure (HF) is associated with CKD and faster rates of kidney function decline. Whether subclinical abnormalities of cardiac structure are associated with faster kidney function decline is not known. The association between cardiac concentricity and kidney function decline was evaluated.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

This is a longitudinal study of 3866 individuals from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (2000–2007) who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease, with an estimated GFR (eGFR) ≥60 ml/min per 1.73 m2 at baseline and 5 years of follow-up. Concentricity, a measurement of abnormal cardiac size, was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging and evaluated as a continuous measurement and in quartiles. GFR was estimated by creatinine (eGFRcr) and cystatin C (eGFRcys). The association of concentricity with annual eGFR decline, incident CKD, and rapid kidney function decline (>5% per year) was investigated using linear mixed models as well as Poisson and logistic regression, respectively. Analyses adjusted for demographics, BP, diabetes, and inflammatory markers.

Results

Median decline was −0.8 (interquartile range, −3.1, −0.5) by eGFRcr. Compared with the lowest quartile of concentricity, persons in the highest quartile had an additional 21% (9%–32%) decline in mean eGFRcr in fully adjusted models. Concentricity was also associated with incident CKD and with rapid kidney function decline after adjustment.

Conclusions

Subclinical abnormalities in cardiac structure are associated with longitudinal kidney function decline independent of diabetes and hypertension. Future studies should examine mechanisms to explain these associations.
Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire
Authors: Palmer Biff F. , Glassock Richard J. , Bleyer Anthony J.
Published: May 2012

Presentation of the Nephrology Quiz and Questionnaire has become an annual tradition at the meetings of the American Society of Nephrology. It is a very popular session judged by consistently large attendance. Members of the audience test their knowledge and judgment on a series of case-oriented questions prepared and discussed by experts. They can also compare their answers in real time using audience response devices with the answers of program directors of nephrology training programs in the United States through an Internet-based questionnaire. Topics presented here include fluid and electrolyte disorders, transplantation, and ESRD and dialysis. Cases representing each of these categories along with single best-answer questions were prepared by a panel of experts (the authors). The correct and incorrect answers then were briefly discussed after the audience responses and the results of the questionnaire were displayed. This article tries to recapitulate the session and reproduce its educational value for a larger audience—the readers of the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. Have fun.
Cartographic conic projections and their appliance in national cartography
Authors: Borisov Mirko , Govedarica Miro , Petrovic Vladimir
Published: May 2012

This paper is dedicated to the mapping of conic projections and their
appliance in producing maps of our state cartography. So far they were often
applied, and will be used precisely coned, polyconed and modified polyconed
projections for the official mapping (1:500 000, 1:750 000, 1:1000 000 and
1:1500 000). In particular, they cartographic conical projection at a scale
of 1:1000 000 were taken into consideration. Those are the Lambert conformal
conical projection with two standard parallels and the Modified polyconic
projections. In addition to these cartographic conical projections, is
described Boneo`s pseudoconic equivalent projections. This is one of the
cartographic conical map projection that is commonly used in the preparation
of thematic maps as well as for atlas editions of geographic maps both in
Serbia and abroad.
Ultrasonografic monitoring of hemodynamic parameters in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with high-grade carotid stenosis prior and following carotid endarterectomy
Authors: Mitrasinovic Anka , Kolar Jovo , Radak Sandra , Nenezic Dragoslav , Kupresanin Ivana , Aleksic Nikola , Babic Srdjan , Tanaskovic Slobodan , Mitrasinovic Dejan , Radak Djordje
Published: May 2012

Background/Aim. Doppler ultrasonography is now a reliable diagnostic tool for
noninvasive examination of the morphology and hemodynamic parameters of
extracranial segments of blood vessels that participate in the brain
vascularisation. This diagnostic modality in recent years become the only
diagnostic tool prior to surgery. The aim of the study was to determine
hemodynamic status in symptomatic and asymtomatic patients with severe
carotid stenosis prior to and after carotid endarterectomy (CEA). Methods. A
total of 124 symptomatic and 94 asymptomatic patients who had underwent CEA
at the Clinic for Cardiovasculare Disease ?Dedinje? in Belgrade were included
in this study. Doppler ultrasonography examinations were performed one day
before CEA and seven days after it. The peak systolic velocity (PSV),
end-dyastolic velocity (EDV), time-averaged maximum blood flow velocity (MV),
resistance index (RI) and the blood flow volume (BFV) of the ipsilateral and
the contralateral internal carotid artery (ICA) were measured. Results.
Diabetes was the only risk factor found significantly more frequent in
symptomatic patients. There were significantly more occluded contralateral
ICAs in the group of symptomatic patients. There was a significant increase
in PSV, EDV, MV and BFV of the ipsilateral ICA after CEA and a significant
decrease in PSV, EDV, MV and BFV of the contralateral ICA after CEA. RI is
the only hemodynamic parameter without significant changes after CEA in both
groups of patients. Comparing the values of hemodynamic parameters after CEA
between the group of symptomatic and the group of asymptomatic patients no
significant differences were found. Conclusion. The occlusion of the
contralateral ICA is an important factor differentiating between symptomatic
and asymptomatic patients with severe carotid stenosis. Successful surgery
provides good recovery of cerebral hemodynamics in both symtomatic and
asymptomatic patients.
Aldose reductase inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity of pomegranate extracts
Authors: Karasu Çimen , Cumaoğlu Ahmet , Gúrpinar Ali , Kartal Murat , Kovacikova Lucia , Milackova Ivana , Stefek Milan
Published: May 2012

Aldose reductase inhibitory activity and antioxidant capacity of pomegranate extracts

The pomegranate,Punica granatumL., has been the subject of current interest as a medicinal agent with wide-ranging therapeutic indications. In the present study, pomegranate ethanolic seed and hull extracts were tested, in comparison with a commercial sample, for the inhibition of aldose reductase, an enzyme involved in the etiology of diabetic complications. In vitro inhibition of rat lens aldose reductase was determined by a conventional method. Pomegranate ethanolic hull extract and commercial pomegranate hull extract exhibited similar aldose reductase inhibitory activity characterized by IC50values ranging from 3 to 33.3 μg/ml. They were more effective than pomegranate ethanolic seed extract with IC50ranging from 33.3 to 333 μg/ml. Antioxidant action of the novel compounds was documented in a DPPH test and in a liposomal membrane model, oxidatively stressed by peroxyl radicals. All the plant extracts showed considerable antioxidant potential in the DPPH assay. Pomegranate ethanolic hull extract and commercial pomegranate hull extract executed similar protective effects on peroxidatively damaged liposomal membranes characterized by 10 < IC50< 100 μg/ml. Pomegranate ethanolic seed extract showed significantly lower antioxidant activity compared to both hull extracts studied. Pomegranate extracts are thus presented as bifunctional agents combining aldose reductase inhibitory action with antioxidant activity and with potential therapeutic use in prevention of diabetic complications.
Sensitivity of some nitrogen fixers and the target pest Fusarium oxysporum to fungicide thiram
Authors: Osman Awad , Sherif Ashraf , Elhussein Adil , Mohamed Afrah
Published: May 2012

Sensitivity of some nitrogen fixers and the target pestFusarium oxysporumto fungicide thiram

This study was carried out to investigate the toxic effects of the fungicide thiram (TMTD) against five nitrogen fixers and the thiram target pestFusarium oxysporumunder laboratory conditions. Nitrogen fixing bacteriaFalvobacteriumshowed the highest values of LD50and proved to be the most resistant to the fungicide followed byFusarium oxysporum, whilePseudomonas aurentiacawas the most affected microorganism. LD50values for these microorganisms were in 2-5 orders of magnitude lower in comparison with LD50value forFusarium oxysporum. Thiram was most toxic toPseudomonas aurentiacafollowed byAzospirillum. The lowest toxicity index was recorded forFusarium oxysporumandFlavobacterium. The slope of the curve forAzomonas, Fusarium oxysporumandFlavobacteriumis more steep than that of the other curves, suggesting that even a slight increase of the dose of the fungicide can cause a very strong negative effect. Thiram was more selective toPseudomonas aurentiacafollowed byAzospirillum, Rhizobium melilotiandAzomonas. The lowest selectivity index of the fungicide was recorded forFalvobacteriumfollowed byFusarium oxysporum. The highest safety coefficient of the fungicide was assigned forFlavobacterium, whilePseudomonas aurentiacashowed the lowest value.
Innovation in Services - Theoretical Approach
Authors: Wyszkowska-Kuna Joanna
Published: May 2012

The aim of this article is to present the evolution of theoretical studies on service innovation. The author also attempts to put these different approaches to service innovation into order and to indicate the possible forms of service innovation that emerge from these researches. In further part of the article the issue of the availability of statistical data and its relevance to the possible forms of service innovation, as well as some changes that has been implemented recently in order to improve this relevance, are discussed.
Vulnerable Groups at Lithuanian Labour Market
Authors: Moskvina Julija , Okunevičiūtė Neverauskienė Laima
Published: May 2012

Despite the economic growth and favourable situation in national labour market in 2004-2008 in Lithuania several groups of population still had restricted access to employment. The period of economic recession has revealed sore problems of vulnerable groups in the labor market. Based on statistical data and the research the dynamics of the situation of disabled, youth and older people situation in the labor market are examined in this article as well as the main obstacles to their participation. The increased number of the research aimed to analyse the situation of vulnerable groups in Lithuania and still persisting severe problems in national labour market stimulated to inventory recently cumulated knowledge about the groups that are at the high risk for unemployment. The research review covers studies conducted in the period between 2004 and 2010. It includes surveys carried out by competent researchers by the request of public authorities or other concerned authorities as well as doctoral dissertations. The groups of socially vulnerable people most often analysed in the labour market in Lithuania include the following: disabled, youth, and older people. The review showed that special research on labour market risk groups is the valuable search of information, whereas the shortage of statistical information has been noticed in the country. Further examination of the issues of the mechanisms to integrate and reintegrate the vulnerable groups into labour market is purposeful.
The Okun Misery Index in the European Union Countries from 2000 to 2009
Authors: Grabia Tomasz
Published: May 2012

The aim of the article is to present alternative measures of the economic system’s efficiency, taking into consideration, in particular, the values of the so called Okun misery index being the sum of inflation and unemployment rates. The study is composed of four main parts and a summary. The first part, introduction, discusses various measures of the economic system’s efficiency that are used in practice. Part two emphasises that the GDP per capita according to purchasing power parity still remains the most popular among those measures. Further, it presents the ranking of the European Union countries taking that measure into account, the research period being 1999- 2009. Part three points out that it is also the level of poverty (misery) that determines the economic system’s efficiency. That level can be measured by means of various indicators, among others, the so called HPI-2 index calculated by the UN. It will be the Okun misery index, however, computed as the sum of inflation and unemployment rates that will be presented as an alternative being of interest from the macroeconomic point of view. The ranking of the European Union member states according to that measure in the 2000-2004 and 2005- 2009 periods will be provided in part four. The article will end in a summary containing synthetic conclusions drawn from earlier observations.
L'Italie, la naissance de l'état d'Israël et le premier conflit israélo-arabe, 1948-1950
Authors: Tonini Alberto
Published: May 2012

Résumé La position du Gouvernement italien à l’occasion de la naissance de l’État d’Israël et le conflit qui s’ensuivit fut inspirée par le besoin de ne pas se dissocier de la ligne tenue par les alliés de l’époque, à savoir les principaux pays de l’Europe occidentale et les États-Unis. Le Gouvernement de Rome a reconnu le nouvel État neuf mois après sa création, mais dans les années suivantes, il a essayé de maintenir des relations cordiales avec tous les pays du Moyen-Orient.
L'Italie et la crise du Yom Kippour : de la guerre d'octobre à une nouvelle stratégie de coopération dans le Golfe (octobre 1973 - janvier 1974)
Authors: Petrini Matteo
Published: May 2012

Résumé L’éclatement de la guerre du Yom Kippour en octobre 1973 et la crise pétrolière suivante constituent des enjeux majeurs pour la diplomatie italienne des années 1970. Des craintes économiques liées à la dépendance énergétique, des rapports historiques avec le monde arabe et des considérations de politique interne poussent en effet le pays à adopter un point de vue partiellement en contraste avec ses alliés, et notamment avec les États-Unis. L’article a pour objectif de décrire l’attitude italienne face à la crise, de l’engagement communautaire aux initiatives unilatérales vers les pays arabes, en s’appuyant sur les documents des archives privées du ministre des Affaires étrangères Aldo Moro, un des acteurs-clés de la politique étrangère italienne pendant cette période.
Aspects nouveaux de la guerre d'Espagne : sept causes célèbres qui s'entremêlent
Authors: Pike David Wingeate
Published: May 2012

Résumé Chacune des sept causes célèbres en question a eu lieu dans les premiers mois de la guerre d’Espagne. Les sujets ont leurs similarités et leurs différences, les uns victimes des républicains, les autres, victimes des franquistes. Unamuno et Marañón, le plus grand philosophe et le plus grand médecin d’Espagne du xx e  siècle, tous deux en pleine contradiction avec eux-mêmes. Le comte de Romanones, cofondateur de la République, qui se tint à l’écart de la guerre. José Antonio Primo De Rivera, fondateur de la Phalange, qui s’opposait pourtant à la cause franquiste. Francisco Largo Calvo, fils du Premier ministre Largo Caballero, otage qui survécut à la guerre. Le duc de la Vega, exécuté pour être duc. Et Niceto Alcalá Zamora, président de la République, père d’une famille politiquement et tragiquement divisée, qui allait mourir en Argentine, dans la misère.
Substance et mouvement : Marius Victorinus et l'héritage plotinien
Authors: Lavaud Laurent
Published: May 2012

Résumé L’un des canaux par lesquels la philosophie néoplatonicienne s’est trouvée assimilée à la théologie chrétienne (et plus particulièrement la théologie trinitaire) est la lecture que le rhéteur Marius Victorinus a pu faire de l’œuvre de Plotin, fondateur du néoplatonisme. L’ontologie plotinienne exerce en effet une triple influence sur la théologie de Marius Victorinus. En premier lieu, l’articulation plotinienne entre l’ ousia et le mouvement intelligibles (qui apparaît dans le traité 43) fournit l’un des modèles possibles du rapport entre le Père et le Fils. Ensuite, la transcendance de l’Un se trouve intégrée par Victorinus au sein de la Trinité, et permet de penser l’ existentia du Père, pure de toute détermination. Enfin, le mouvement d’autoconstitution de l’Intellect plotinien, qui est la source immanente de ses propres actes, se trouve repris pour saisir la manière dont le Fils déploie et manifeste l’essence du Père.
Identité et ressemblance. Marius Victorinus, théologien et lecteur d'Aristote
Authors: Erismann Christophe
Published: May 2012

Résumé Cet article a pour but de montrer comment le penseur du IV e  siècle Marius Victorinus a utilisé une thèse de la logique aristotélicienne dans son œuvre théologique, plus précisément dans sa démonstration de l’incorrection du concept d’ homoioousion (« de substance semblable ») et dans sa défense de la justesse du concept d’ homoousion (« de substance identique ») pour parler des personnes de la divine Trinité. Marius Victorinus argumente sur la base de la définition que donne Aristote du propre de la qualité, selon laquelle il ne peut y avoir de ressemblance en matière de substance sous peine d’une confusion catégoriale, car la ressemblance appartient exclusivement à la catégorie de la qualité. Un concept postulant une similarité de substance est donc logiquement incorrect. Cette critique a le mérite de mettre en lumière la difficulté, au moins exégétique, à se réclamer des Catégories d’Aristote pour développer une théorie des universaux basée sur la ressemblance et non l’identité.
Deux interprétations du scepticisme : Marius Victorinus et Augustin
Authors: Bouton-Touboulic Anne-Isabelle
Published: May 2012

Résumé Cet article vise à réexaminer le « scepticisme » de Marius Victorinus, tel que l’avait défini Pierre Hadot, en s’appuyant principalement sur le Commentaire sur le De inventione . On constate que Marius Victorinus y infléchit le propos de l’Arpinate ; dans cet ouvrage antérieur à sa conversion, la condamnation sans appel de l’opinion, liée au monde des hommes, englobe le dogme chrétien ; Victorinus intègre certains motifs sceptiques à un propos globalement influencé par le néoplatonisme porphyrien. Dans un second temps, une comparaison est menée avec la réfutation du scepticisme par Augustin dans le Contra Academicos , écrit en 386. Même si l’on ne peut en tirer de conclusions fermes sur une influence de Victorinus, la comparaison entre ces deux œuvres sur les questions liées aux thèmes de la connaissance, sur les notions de probable, de vrai et de vraisemblable montrent des choix opposés, témoignant d’une réception différente des concepts cicéroniens en la matière.
Les outils de gestion : producteurs ou régulateurs de la violence psychique au travail ?
Authors: Chiapello Ève , Gilbert P.
Published: May 2012

Résumé Parce qu’elle représente une menace, non seulement pour la santé au travail mais aussi pour la productivité, la violence psychique au travail fait l’objet d’attentions de plus en plus vives. Parallèlement, la gestion se présente comme une pratique de plus en plus instrumentée et, semble‑t‑il, déshumanisée. Dans quelle mesure les outils de gestion participent‑ils à la violence psychique au travail. Peut‑on leur attribuer directement les manifestations de violence ? Ou doit‑on plutôt voir celles‑ci, comme la conséquence d’usages déviants ? Cherchant à éclairer ces questions, l’article présente une revue des recherches critiques construisant un lien entre les outils de gestion et la violence au travail puis en discute les enseignements. Il montre en particulier que si les outils de gestion sont parfois des vecteurs de violence, leurs usages peuvent aussi générer des régulations ayant une vertu de pacification.
Validity of the Malnutrition Screening Tool for Older Adults at High Risk of Hospital Readmission
Authors: Wu Min-Lin , Courtney Mary D. , Shortridge-Baggett Lillie M. , Finlayson Kathleen , Isenring Elisabeth A.
Published: May 2012

Malnutrition is a serious problem in older adults, particularly for those at risk of hospital readmission. The essential step in managing malnutrition is early identification using a valid nutrition screening tool. The purpose of this study was to validate the Malnutrition Screening Tool (MST) in older adults at high risk of hospital readmission. Two RNs administered the MST to identify malnutrition risk and compared it with the comprehensive Subjective Global Assessment (SGA) to assess nutritional status for patients 65 and older who had at least one risk factor for hospital readmission. The MST demonstrates substantial sensitivity, specificity, and agreement with the SGA. These findings indicate that nursing staff can use the MST as a valid tool for routine screening and rescreening to identify patients at risk of malnutrition. Use of the MST may prevent hospital-acquired malnutrition in acute hospitalized older adults at high risk of readmission.
Effect of Timing of Surgery in Partially Injured ACLs
Authors: Li Bin , Bai Lunhao , Fu Yonghui , Wang Guangbin , He Ming , Wang Jiashi
Published: May 2012

The purpose of this study was to explore the optimal timing for surgical intervention of partially injured anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL). Thirty-eight patients were divided into early (n=17) or delayed (n=21) surgery groups based on the interval between injury and surgery. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. The outcome measures used were the International Knee Documentation Committee score, Lysholm knee score, Tegner activity rating, range of motion, and arthrometer measurements. The findings of this study indicate that early surgical reconstruction of partially ruptured ACLs did not result in arthrofibrosis but may prevent secondary loosening of the intact bundles and further meniscal and chondral injury.
Diagnostic Medical Imaging Radiation Exposure and Risk of Development of Solid and Hematologic Malignancy
Authors: Fabricant Peter D. , Berkes Marschall B. , Dy Christopher J. , Bogner Eric A.
Published: May 2012

Limiting patients’ exposure to ionizing radiation during diagnostic imaging is of concern to patients and clinicians. Large single-dose exposures and cumulative exposures to ionizing radiation have been associated with solid tumors and hematologic malignancy. Although these associations have been a driving force in minimizing patients’ exposure, significant risks are found when diagnoses are missed and subsequent treatment is withheld. Therefore, based on epidemiologic data obtained after nuclear and occupational exposures, dose exposure limits have been estimated. A recent collaborative effort between the US Food and Drug Administration and the American College of Radiology has provided information and tools that patients and imaging professionals can use to avoid unnecessary ionizing radiation scans and ensure use of the lowest feasible radiation dose necessary for studies. Further collaboration, research, and development should focus on producing technological advances that minimize individual study exposures and duplicate studies. This article outlines the research used to govern safe radiation doses, defines recent initiatives in decreasing radiation exposure, and provides orthopedic surgeons with techniques that may help decrease radiation exposure in their daily practice.
Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of a Substance Use Awareness Educational Intervention for Nursing Students
Authors: Cadiz David M. , O’Neill Chris , Butell Sue S. , Epeneter Beverly J. , Basin Basilia
Published: May 2012

This article reports on a study that evaluated the effectiveness of an educational intervention, Addressing Nurse Impairment, for addressing nursing students’ knowledge acquisition, changes in self-efficacy to intervene, and changes in substance abuse stigma. A gap exists in nursing students’ education regarding the risks of addiction within the profession and how to handle a colleague suspected of having a substance use disorder. The seminar was adapted from an existing evidence-based prevention program called Team Awareness, as well as information from focus groups and a pilot test. A quasi-experimental pretest–posttest design was used to evaluate the effect of the seminar. When the control and experimental groups were compared, the results indicated that the seminar significantly affected knowledge and self-efficacy to intervene but did not significantly affect stigma. This research contributes to the body of evidence related to educational interventions for nursing students regarding substance abuse in the nursing profession.