bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Relações entre práticas educativas parentais e rendimento acadêmico em crianças
Authors: Toni Caroline Guisantes de Salvo , Hecaveí Vanessa Aparecida
Published: January 2015

As práticas educativas parentais são as formas utilizadas pelos pais para contingenciar o comportamento dos filhos. Dessa perspectiva, o objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a correlação entre estilos parentais e desempenho acadêmico; assim, as notas escolares das crianças nas disciplinas de matemática e português foram registradas. Participaram deste estudo 203 crianças com idade entre oito e onze anos, de ambos os sexos, que cursavam entre 3° e 5° ano de duas escolas municipais localizadas no interior do Paraná. Os participantes responderam ao Inventário de Estilos Parentais. Foram encontradas correlações entre as práticas educativas e o rendimento acadêmico, em especial com as práticas maternas. Foram observadas diferenças significativas nas médias das práticas educativas e estilos parentais referenciadas por estudantes com alto e baixo rendimento escolar. As práticas educativas maternas e paternas foram consideradas preditoras do rendimento acadêmico. Discute-se a importância das práticas parentais, em especial as maternas, no desenvolvimento acadêmico de crianças.
Development of cold and drought tolerant short-season maize germplasm for fuel and feed utilization
Authors: Carena Marcelo J
Published: January 2015

Maize has become a profitable alternative for North Dakota (ND) farmers and ranchers. However, U.S. northern industry hybrids still lack cold and drought stress tolerance as well as adequate grain quality for ethanol and feedstock products. Moreover, there is a need to increase the value of feedstock operations before and after ethanol utilization. The ND maize breeding program initiated the development of hybrids with high quality protein content through the Early Quality Protein Maize for Feedstock (EarlyQPMF) project. The North Dakota State University (NDSU) maize breeding program acts as a genetic provider to foundation seed companies, retailer seed companies, processing industry, and breeders nationally and internationally. In the past 10 years, NDSU was awarded 9 PVP maize certificates and released 38 maize products. Within those, 13 inbred lines were exclusively released to a foundation seed company for commercial purposes. In addition, 2 hybrids were identified for commercial production in central and western ND.
Search for sources of resistance to Fusarium wilt (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum) in okra germplasm
Authors: Aguiar Frederick Mendes , Michereff Sami Jorge , Boiteux Leonardo Silva , Reis Ailton
Published: January 2015

Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. vasinfectum (FOV) is one the most destructive okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) pathogens in Brazil. Fifty-four okra accessions were evaluated for resistance to FOV. Greenhouse screening was initially carried out with one FOV isolate ('Fus-194'). Inoculation (in all assays) was carried out with 21-day-old plantlets, using the root-dipping inoculation technique. Thirty-three accessions displaying differential responses in the first screening were re-evaluated in two additional assays, using two FOV isolates ('Fus-194' and 'Fus-201'). Twelve accessions were rated as highly to intermediately resistant to 'Fus-194' during the dry/moderate temperature season, whereas nine accessions were classified as highly to intermediately resistant to 'Fus-201'. In the assay carried out in the wet and warm season, 72% of the accessions were classified as having high and intermediate resistance to 'Fus-194', and 32% were resistant to 'Fus-201'. The accessions 'Santa Cruz-47', 'BR-2399' and 'BR-1449' were the most promising resistance sources.
Parental selection of wheat lines based on phenotypic characterization and genetic diversity
Authors: Casassola Alice , Brammer Sandra Patussi , Chaves Márcia Soares , Wiethölter Paula , Caierão Eduardo
Published: January 2015

Parental selection is an important step in breeding programs, and genetic variability increases the chances of obtaining variance in progenies. The objectives of this study were to phenotype 29 wheat genotypes and determine the genetic variability among them, in order to identify potential parental lines for breeding programs at Embrapa Wheat. For phenotyping, traits such as plant height, cycle and grains characteristics were assessed and the data were analyzed by the Euclidean distance. The genetic distance was estimated using 97 microsatellite molecular markers and the data were analyzed by Nei72 coefficient. The average distance observed for phenotyping was 10.1, and the genetic distance was 31 %. SSR markers were efficient for selecting genetically diverse genotypes despite their phenotypic similarity, and lines PF 9027, PF 950351, PF 030132, PF 979002, PF 040488 and IWT 04019 can be used as parental for future crosses, since they have genetic diversity and suitable agronomic traits.
Evaluation of sugarcane genotypes and production environments in Paraná by GGE biplot and AMMI analysis
Authors: Mattos Pedro Henrique Costa de , Oliveira Ricardo Augusto de , Bespalhok Filho João Carlos , Daros Edelclaiton , Veríssimo Mario Alvaro Aloiso
Published: January 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate sugarcane genotypes for the trait tons of sugar per hectare (TSH), stratifying five production environments in the state of Paraná. The performance of 20 genotypes and 2 standard cultivars was analyzed in three consecutive growing seasons by the statistical methods AMMI and GGE Biplot. The GGE Biplot grouped the locations into two mega-environments and indicated the best-performing genotypes for each one, facilitating the selection of superior genotypes. Another advantage of GGEBiplot is the definition of an ideal genotype (G) and environment (E), serving as reference for the evaluation of genotypes and choice of environments with greater GE interaction. Both models indicated RB006970, RB855156 and RB855453 as the genotypes with highest TSH and São Pedro do Ivai as the environment with the greatest GE interaction. Both approaches explained a high percentage of the sum of squares, with a slight advantage of AMMI over GGE Biplot analysis.
IPR 103 - Rustic dwarf arabic coffee cultivar more adapted to hot regions and poor soils
Authors: Sera Tumoru , Sera Gustavo Hiroshi , Fazuoli Luiz Carlos
Published: January 2015

'IPR 103' was derived from a cross between "Catuaí" and "Icatu". 'IPR 103' is a medium size dwarf cultivar with high rusticity, partially resistant to coffee leaf rust with late ripening. This cultivar is more adapted to hot regions and poor soils. It presents partial resistance to necrosis and mummification of young fruits on field conditions.
Telessaúde: avaliação da eficácia da teleconsulta na programação e adaptação de aparelho de amplificação sonora individual
Authors: Campos Patrícia Danieli , Ferrari Deborah Viviane
Published: January 2015

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a eficácia da teleconsulta para a programação, verificação e adaptação do aparelho de amplificação sonora individual (AASI). MÉTODOS: Cinquenta participantes com deficiência auditiva (idades entre 39 e 88 anos), com média dos limiares audiométricos entre 30 e 68,75 dBNA, foram alocados em dois grupos (randomização estratificada), controle (n=25) e experimental (n=25), submetidos respectivamente à consulta face a face e teleconsulta síncrona com video interativo e controle remoto de aplicativos. Foram realizadas a programação e verificação do AASI (medidas com microfone sonda) e orientação dos participantes quanto ao uso e cuidados com o dispositivo. O tempo para os procedimentos foi cronometrado. Após as consultas um avaliador, cego quanto aos grupos, aplicou o teste de percepção da fala Hearing in Noise Test (HINT) Brasil. Aproximadamente um mês após as consultas, foi verificado o tempo diário de uso do AASI e administrado o questionário International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA). RESULTADOS: Maior tempo para a programação e verificação e menor tempo para orientação foi observado para o grupo experimental. Não houve diferença entre grupos no tempo total do atendimento. A equiparação das medidas com microfone sonda aos respectivos targets de amplificação foi similar para os dois grupos. Não houve diferença entre os grupos quanto aos resultados do HINT-Brasil (silêncio e ruído), o tempo médio de uso diário do AASI e resultados do IOI-HA. CONCLUSÃO: A teleconsulta é um procedimento eficaz para a programação, verificação do AASI e orientação de usuários quando serviços face a face não estiverem disponíveis.
Limiares auditivos em crianças expostas a mercúrio no período pré-natal
Authors: Dutra Marilene Danieli Simões , Cavadas Marcia , Jesus Iracina Maura de , Santos Elisabeth Oliveira , Silva Evelyn Almeida da , Câmara Volney de Magalhães
Published: January 2015

OBJETIVO: Avaliar os limiares auditivos de crianças com histórico de exposição ao mercúrio durante o período pré-natal. MÉTODOS: Foram avaliadas 90 crianças com idades entre 8 e 10 anos, de ambos os gêneros, categorizadas em dois grupos de acordo com os níveis de exposição pré-natal ao mercúrio. O grupo de estudo foi composto por 57 crianças que apresentaram níveis de mercúrio no cordão umbilical iguais ou superiores a 8 µg/L, e o grupo de comparação por 33 crianças que apresentaram níveis de mercúrio no cordão umbilical inferiores a 8µg/L. Os procedimentos incluíram um questionário, audiometria tonal liminar, pesquisa do limiar de recepção de fala e análise das doses de mercúrio no cordão umbilical coletadas ao nascimento. RESULTADOS: O grupo de estudo apresentou mediana de mercúrio no cordão umbilical de 14,63 µg/L, e mediana dos limiares tonais das frequências de 500 Hz, 1 kHz e 2 kHz de 10 dB em ambas orelhas. O grupo de comparação apresentou mediana de mercúrio no cordão umbilical de 4,88 µg/L, e mediana dos limiares tonais das frequências de 500 Hz, 1 kHz e 2 kHz de 10 dB em ambas orelhas. Quando comparados os limiares auditivos, tanto pela média tritonal quanto para cada frequência isoladamente, não foram observadas diferenças significativas entre os grupos. CONCLUSÃO: As crianças apresentaram limiares auditivos dentro dos padrões de normalidade e não foi observada diferença significativa entre os limiares auditivos das crianças expostas e não-expostas ao mercúrio no período pré-natal.
Habilidades sociais em crianças disfônicas
Authors: Silva Maíra da , Batista Ana Priscila , Oliveira Jáima Pinheiro de , Dassie-Leite Ana Paula
Published: January 2015

OBJETIVO: Obter e analisar os dados de avaliação das habilidades sociais de crianças disfônicas. MÉTODOS: Trata-se de um estudo prospectivo transversal. Participaram 38 crianças, com faixa etária entre 7 e 11 anos, estudantes de uma mesma escola pública, que foram divididas em dois grupos: Grupo Estudo (GE) - 19 crianças disfônicas; Grupo Controle (GE) - 19 crianças não disfônicas. Os grupos foram pareados por gênero e faixa etária. Foram excluídas do grupo estudo crianças com histórico de quaisquer problemas vocais de origem orgânica, de acordo com questionário de identificação e investigação de saúde geral e vocal, respondido pelos responsáveis. Todas as crianças foram submetidas à aplicação do Inventário Multimídia de Habilidades Sociais para Crianças (IMHSC), composto por 21 situações de interação social, representadas por fotos, protagonizadas por uma criança. Diante de cada situação, o participante deveria optar por uma das três possibilidades de atitudes, se estivesse no lugar do protagonista. Cada resposta corresponde a um dos três tipos de reações: assertiva, passiva e agressiva. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente. RESULTADOS: Não houve diferença no resultado da avaliação de habilidades sociais entre os grupos, ou seja, crianças do GE e GC apresentaram escores semelhantes referentes à assertividade, agressividade e passividade. Por consequência, não houve diferença nas subescalas do inventário referentes às habilidades sociais. Quanto ao GE, não houve relação entre os escores obtidos no IMHSC e o grau de alteração vocal. CONCLUSÃO: Não é possível determinar comportamentos específicos em crianças disfônicas, no que se refere às habilidades sociais.
Acompanhamento do aleitamento materno no tratamento de crianças com fenilcetonúria
Authors: Lamônica Dionísia Aparecida Cusin , Stump Marisdalva Viegas , Pedro Karla Panice , Rolim-Liporacci Maura Contieri , Caldeira Ana Cláudia Gandara Casarin , Anastácio-Pessan Fernanda da Luz , Gejão Mariana Germano
Published: January 2015

A fenilcetonúria (PKU) ocorre na incapacidade para transformar fenilalanina em tirosina, trazendo efeitos tóxicos para o sistema nervoso central. Tradicionalmente, no tratamento da PKU, o aleitamento materno é substituído por fórmula láctea. Este estudo verificou os efeitos do aleitamento materno como fonte de fenilalanina no desenvolvimento de crianças com PKU. Participaram dez lactentes com PKU, que iniciaram o tratamento com a introdução de fórmula láctea antes dos 30 dias e que mantiveram o aleitamento materno por no mínimo 30 dias de vida após o início dos procedimentos. Os procedimentos basearam-se em estimar a ingestão de leite materno, com margem segura da concentração da fenilalanina, calculando o volume gástrico e oferecendo inicialmente fórmula láctea, seguida do aleitamento materno em demanda livre, em todas as mamadas. O tempo de amamentação variou de um mês e cinco dias a 14 meses. Os controles sanguíneos foram semanais. Se o nível sérico da fenilalanina estivesse >2 mg/dL e <6 mg/dL mantinha-se a prescrição; se estivesse <2 mg/dL, diminuía-se a fórmula láctea em 25%, aumentando indiretamente o aleitamento materno; se estivesse >6 mg/dL, aumentava-se a fórmula em 50%. Avaliou-se os níveis de fenilalanina, aplicou-se a Early Language Milestone Scale e Passos Básicos do Desenvolvimento. Foram considerados adequados aqueles lactentes que apresentaram índices normativos em todas as avaliações. Dos lactentes, 80% conseguiram manter limites seguros da fenilalanina e desenvolvimento nos índices normativos. Há viabilidade da continuidade do aleitamento materno no tratamento de crianças com PKU desde que os níveis de fenilalanina sejam rigorosamente controlados e que os efeitos do aleitamento materno para o desenvolvimento infantil sejam verificados.
Análise sistemática dos benefícios do uso do implante coclear na produção vocal
Authors: Coelho Ana Cristina , Brasolotto Alcione Ghedini , Bevilacqua Maria Cecília
Published: January 2015

OBJETIVO: Realizar uma revisão sistemática de pesquisas relacionadas às características vocais de crianças ou adultos com deficiência auditiva usuários de implante coclear. ESTRATÉGIAS DE PESQUISA: Foi realizada uma busca com os descritores voz, qualidade da voz e implante coclear, e seus respectivos correspondentes na língua inglesa, nas bases de dados Web of Science, Bireme, portal de teses e dissertações da USP e banco de teses e dissertações da CAPES. CRITÉRIOS DE SELEÇÃO: Os critérios adotados incluíram título condizente com a proposta deste estudo, casuística necessariamente englobando crianças ou adultos com deficiência auditiva de grau severo a profundo, pré ou pós-linguais, usuários de implante coclear e que tenham passado por análise perceptivo-auditiva e/ou acústica da qualidade vocal. RESULTADOS: Vinte e sete trabalhos foram classificados seguindo-se os níveis de evidências e indicadores de qualidade empregados pela American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA). Os desenhos dos trabalhos analisados foram considerados de média e baixa evidência científica. Seis trabalhos foram classificados como nível de evidência IIb, 20 como III, e um como IV. CONCLUSÃO: A qualidade vocal da criança ou adulto com deficiência auditiva usuário de implante coclear tem sido estudada em pequena escala. Não há um número efetivo de estudos com alto índice de evidência que demonstrem com precisão os efeitos do implante coclear na qualidade vocal desses indivíduos.
Determining the probability of cyanobacterial blooms: the application of Bayesian networks in multiple lake systems
Authors: Rigosi Anna , Hanson Paul , Hamilton David P. , Hipsey Matthew , Rusak James A. , Bois Julie , Sparber Karin , Chorus Ingrid , Watkinson Andrew J. , Qin Boqiang , Kim Bomchul , Brookes Justin D.
Published: January 2015

A Bayesian network model was developed to assess the combined influence of nutrient conditions and climate on the occurrence of cyanobacterial blooms within lakes of diverse hydrology and nutrient supply. Physicochemical, biological, and meteorological observations were collated from 20 lakes located at different latitudes and characterized by a range of sizes and trophic states. Using these data, we built a Bayesian network to (1) analyze the sensitivity of cyanobacterial bloom development to different environmental factors and (2) determine the probability that cyanobacterial blooms would occur. Blooms were classified in three categories of hazard (low, moderate, and high) based on cell abundances. The most important factors determining cyanobacterial bloom occurrence were water temperature, nutrient availability, and the ratio of mixing depth to euphotic depth. The probability of cyanobacterial blooms was evaluated under different combinations of total phosphorus and water temperature. The Bayesian network was then applied to quantify the probability of blooms under a future climate warming scenario. The probability of the “high hazardous” category of cyanobacterial blooms increased 5% in response to either an increase in water temperature of 0.8°C (initial water temperature above 24°C) or an increase in total phosphorus from 0.01 mg/L to 0.02 mg/L. Mesotrophic lakes were particularly vulnerable to warming. Reducing nutrient concentrations counteracts the increased cyanobacterial risk associated with higher temperatures.
Documenting stewardship responsibilities across the annual cycle for birds on U.S. public lands
Authors: La Sorte Frank A. , Fink Daniel , Hochachka Wesley M. , Aycrigg Jocelyn L. , Rosenberg Kenneth V. , Rodewald Amanda D. , Bruns Nicholas E. , Farnsworth Andrew , Sullivan Brian L. , Wood Chris , Kelling Steve
Published: January 2015

In the face of global environmental change, the importance of protected areas in biological management and conservation is expected to grow. Birds have played an important role as biological indicators of the effectiveness of protected areas, but with little consideration given to where species occur outside the breeding season. We estimated weekly probability of occurrence for 308 bird species throughout the year within protected areas in the western contiguous USA using eBird occurrence data for the combined period 2004 to 2011. We classified species based on their annual patterns of occurrence on lands having intermediate conservation mandates (GAP status 2 and 3) administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the United States Forest Service (USFS). We identified species having consistent annual association with one agency, and species whose associations across the annual cycle switched between agencies. BLM and USFS GAP status 2 and 3 lands contained low to moderate proportions of species occurrences, with proportions highest for species that occurred year‐round or only during the summer. We identified two groups of species whose annual movements resulted in changes in stewardship responsibilities: (1) year‐round species that occurred on USFS lands during the breeding season and BLM lands during the nonbreeding season; and (2) summer species that occurred on USFS lands during the breeding season and BLM lands during spring and autumn migration. Species that switched agencies had broad distributions, bred on high‐elevation USFS lands, were not more likely to be identified as species of special management concern, and migrated short (year‐round species) to long distances (summer species). Our findings suggest cooperative efforts that address the requirements of short‐distance migratory species on GAP status 2 lands (n = 20 species) and GAP status 3 lands (n = 24) and long‐distance migratory species on GAP status 2 lands (n = 9) would likely benefit their populations. Such efforts may prove especially relevant for species whose seasonal movements result in associations with different environments containing contrasting global change processes and management mandates.
Experimental reduction of winter food decreases body condition and delays migration in a long‐distance migratory bird
Authors: Cooper Nathan W. , Sherry Thomas W. , Marra Peter P.
Published: January 2015

Many tropical habitats experience pronounced dry seasons, during which arthropod food availability declines, potentially limiting resident and migratory animal populations. In response to declines in food, individuals may attempt to alter their space use to enhance access to food resources, but may be socially constrained from doing so by con‐ and heterospecifics. If social constraints exist, food declines should result in decreased body condition. In migratory birds, correlational evidence suggests a link between body condition and migration timing. Poor body condition and delayed migration may, in turn, impact fitness in subsequent seasons via carry‐over effects. To determine if winter food availability affects space use, inter‐ and intraspecific competition, body composition (i.e., mass, fat, and pectoral muscle), and migration timing, we experimentally decreased food availability on individual American Redstart (Setophaga ruticilla) territories in high‐quality mangrove habitat. Redstarts on control territories experienced ~40% loss of food due to the seasonal nature of the environment. Redstarts on experimental territories experienced ~80% declines in food, which closely mimicked natural declines in nearby, low‐quality, scrub habitat. Individuals on food‐reduced territories did not expand their territories locally, but instead either became non‐territorial “floaters” or remained on territory. Regardless of territorial status, food‐reduced American Redstarts all deposited fat compared to control birds. Fat deposits provide insurance against the risk of starvation, but, for American Redstarts, came at the expense of maintaining pectoral muscle. Subsequently, food‐reduced American Redstarts experienced, on average, a one‐week delay in departure on spring migration, likely due to the loss of pectoral muscle. Thus, our results demonstrate experimentally, for the first time, that declines in winter food availability can result in a fat–muscle trade‐off, which, in turn, delays departure on spring migration. Previous work has demonstrated that, for each day delayed after the first male arrival on the breeding grounds, American Redstarts experience an 11% decrease in the chance of successfully reproducing. Therefore, such delays in departure likely lead to fitness costs for migratory birds. Because tropical seasonal forests are expected to become drier in response to global climate change, Neotropical migratory bird populations may experience significant winter food limitation, further exacerbating population declines in the coming decades.
Beyond dichotomous life histories in partially migrating populations: cessation of anadromy in a long‐lived fish
Authors: Bond Morgan H. , Miller Jessica A. , Quinn Thomas P.
Published: January 2015

Across animal taxa, migration allows individuals to exploit habitats and resources that predictably vary seasonally in suitability. Theory predicts that the “decision” to migrate or not is shaped by the relative fitness costs and benefits of exhibiting a given life history. Adoption of a migratory strategy is widely thought to reflect a dichotomous outcome; individuals are either resident or migratory, and continue to exhibit this life history until death. In fishes, anadromy and freshwater residency represents a well‐studied life history dichotomy. Resident individuals may adopt a migratory life history later in life, but migratory individuals are not known to abandon this pattern. Here, we investigated the fitness benefits, as measured by body size, of residency and anadromy in a salmonid fish, Dolly Varden, Salvelinus malma, in Alaska, and reveal a novel life history: cessation of migration by older, larger individuals. Otolith microchemical analysis of Dolly Varden showed that while most fish migrated to sea at least once in their lives, lifelong resident fish exist in streams with close proximity to the ocean. Moreover, the probability of seaward migration in any year of life decreased annually after an individual's fourth year, and no fish migrated after their eighth year, while the oldest fish were captured in their 11th year. Migration conferred a size advantage in young fish, but the size benefits of marine foraging declined in older fish, at which time fish increasingly “retired from anadromy.” Additionally, measurement of both natal otolith chemistry and the gonadosomatic index indicated a continued contribution to lifetime fitness, rather than senescence, in retired individuals. We suggest that the novel life history of reversion to residency by older fish is viable because foraging opportunities are subsidized by the predictable annual supply of energy‐rich eggs and carcasses of spawning Pacific salmon.
Bioclimatic mapping as a new method to assess effects of climatic change
Authors: Gopar-Merino Luis Fernando , Velázquez Alejandro , de Azcárate Joaquín Giménez
Published: January 2015

Rigorous mapping of climatic patterns outstands as one of the mayor issues concerning climatic change. This paper investigates the extent of the bioclimatic approach to develop a rigorous cartographic methodology to express climatic diversity patterns. Michoacan, Mexico was chosen to represent a region of complex geo‐ecological layout where the Nearctic and Neotropical biogeographical realms converge. Bioclimatic indices were computed and their spatial expression was processed in a Geographic Information System. Ground verification was performed at 93 sites across the province. In addition, from 2010 until 2012, more than 2000 kilometers of roads were surveyed to gather data on isobioclimate boundaries. In total, one macrobioclimate, two bioclimates, four thermotypes, five ombrotypes and 14 isobioclimates were distinguished in Michoacan. The Tropical pluviseasonal bioclimate was the predominant bioclimate, covering 56.17% of the province. The Tropical xeric covers 43.82% and the Tropical pluvial is practically negligible, covering 0.01% of the entire province. The relevance of the outcome is discussed in light of its potential use for assessing likely effects of climatic change.
Study of an Optimum Design Method for Links
Authors: Hu Shujun , Wang Zhan
Published: January 2015

Under severe earthquakes, eccentrically braced frames might experience large inelastic deformations, and the
inelastic action is restricted primarily to the ductile links. In order to study the reasonable design method for links, seventy
analyses of links are conducted to investigate the effect of different flange width-thickness ratio and length, fifty links are
also designed to study the influence of stiffeners spacing, stiffeners thickness and placing on side(s), and thirty-six links
are designed to consider the effect of axial loads, which are all based on the material properties of Q235 steel. The
accuracy of finite element models is verified using the experimental data during cyclic loading. Numerical analysis results
show that the flange width-thickness ratio of short and long links can be relaxed to 10√235/fy , and stiffeners can only be
placed on one side. However, the flange width-thickness ratio of intermediate links is limited to 8√235/fy , and stiffeners
should be placed on both sides due to the unstable behavior. Stiffener thickness has no significant influence on the
performance of links with varying length. Unlike short links, intermediate and long links are susceptible to the axial
forces. Then an optimum design method is proposed by analyzing the main influencing factors, so links can have good
ductility and stiffness at high load levels.
The large-scale multi-story housing extensions as a prevaling expression of the post-socialist urban transformations. The case study of the neighborhood Stara Zeleznicka Kolonija, the city of Nis
Authors: Vranic Petar , Vasilevska Ljiljana , Haas Tigran
Published: January 2015

This study considers how unstructured extensive housing upgrading has
influenced social relations within fully upgraded multi-story housing areas
during post-socialist urban transformations in the city of Nis. Two
perspectives were adopted in the analysis: the evaluation of the planning and
management of the upgrading process, and changes in the social relation in
respect to changes in the built environment and social structure within the
neighborhood after upgrading. The investigation is based on a triangulation
approach relying on interviews, policy and regulation reviews, and
observations. The research was carried out as a case study, analyzing the
upgrading process at the city level but elaborating its effects on the
example of the neighborhood of Stara Zeleznicka Kolonija (SZK). The research
suggests a regressive approach to the planning of the upgrading process with
critical implications both for community life in the fully regenerated
neighborhoods, and the quality of the built environment. The research also
indicates that within an inconsistent legislative environment, market-driven
housing regeneration processes may lead to generic development with the
denial of local social and physical specificities.
Contemporary problems of planning and development of elderly care facilities
Authors: Ilic Marija , Cekic Nikola
Published: January 2015

The location of the facility greatly influences its attractiveness to the
residents, as well as its commerce, accommodation and service fees, and
reasonability of services at the wider location, i.e. the rentability of
investment. The location and urban parameters influence the form of the
facility: vertical development is limited by the location, whereas horizontal
development is characteristic of the facilities located in rural areas and
the suburbs. Conclusively, it is obvious that the analysis of the parcel and
determining the optimal location is of crucial importance. Apart from the
general factors influencing the choice of the optimal location, there exist
certain specific location parameters relevant to the urban, suburban and
rural context. The city municipality is supposed to take responsibility, or
have the greatest impact on the choice of location of the elderly care
facility. The optimal number of residential units - the capacity of the
facility - is determined by the choice of location with a reasonable spatial
coverage, and amenities servicing the elderly on a wider location. In this
way, the capacity of the facility is integrated into the spatial planning,
while the interests of the investors are being harmonized with the interests
of the community.
The scenario method in urban planning
Authors: Stojanovic Milica , Mitkovic Petar , Mitkovic Mihailo
Published: January 2015

Scenario planning techniques are increasingly gaining attention in the
process of spatial and urban planning because of their usefulness in times of
uncertainty and complexity. Scenario planning encourages strategic thinking
and helps to overcome thinking limitations by creating multiple futures. In
this way, it can help to shape the future according to the values and desires
of society. Although scenario planning has been used a lot in the business
world, there are scarce examples of its application in the field of urban
planning. One of the reasons for this is the huge variety of methods and
tools with no general guidelines for the implementation of the appropriate
procedure and techniques for constructing scenarios in urban planning.
Although each exercise of scenario planning must be unique in its context and
actors, the methodological approach may be similar. For this reason, the main
goal of this paper is to systematize the known methods for scenario
construction, emphasize the featured techniques and tools, and consider the
possibility of applying scenario methods in the contemporary city planning.
Environmental assessment of the hydraulic structures by various artificialization parameters
Authors: Markovic Milica , Markovic-Brankovic Jelena
Published: January 2015

The natural rivers and their flood areas are among the most complex and
diverse ecosystems in the world. Traditional structural solutions in river
training works are focused on basic requirements as flood protection,
littoral zone protection, river bed protection, providing the space for
economic development. In this study a method of anticipated assessment of
certain physical impact of designed river training works is presented,
perceived as global effect of river bed artificialization. The method mainly
serves to compare the various possible solutions of river training works,
based on the ?artificialization parameter? also named ?global impact GI?.
Effect of bitumen emulsion on mechanical performance of cold asphalt mixtures
Authors: Miljkovic Miomir
Published: January 2015

Implementation of innovative material and evaluation concepts in pavement
construction industry is important to reduce the negative environmental
impacts. The objective of this paper is to review the recent scientific
developments in characterising the effect of bitumen emulsion properties on
the performance of cold asphalt mixtures. The experimental approach was based
on the indirect tensile testing of the standardised bitumen emulsion mortar
specimens. The major finding is that there is a continuous change in
mechanical properties and the mode of fracture on the long-term basis.
However, the ratios of the considered fracture performance-related parameters
indicated that the change in the mode of fracture from ductile to brittle is
not that direct, and the reason for this could be in the relation between the
development of the adhesion and the residual binder viscosity. As a step
towards fundamental understanding of the contribution of adhesion, further
research should be focused on the interaction between cement hydration,
binder droplets, and emulsifier.
Application of new active thermally enhanced insulation material (PCM) - STOREPET
Authors: Djordjevic Djordje , Avramovic Biljana , Stojic Dragoslav , Tamburic Jasmina
Published: January 2015

Lightweight constructions represent an economical alternative to traditional
buildings, one of whose main drawbacks is the very high energy load needed to
keep internal comfort conditions, as they are unable to curb rapid variations
of temperature. When compared to heavier weight materials buildings, it is
estimated that to maintain a thermally comfortable temperature range of
18-24?C, low weight materials use between 2 and 3 times the heating and
cooling energy needed by a heavy weight material construction. The research
concept is based upon the fact that outdoor/indoor heat exchanges (which play
a significant part of lightweight buildings cooling and heating loads) can be
potentially controlled by a new fiber insulation that possesses a thermally
active heat storage capacity. During the day, when temperature rises, the
peak loads can be largely absorbed by a PCM (Phase Change Material) -
enhanced fiber insulation layer, only to be slowly discharged back to the
environment later (during the night time, when outside temperature drops),
without affecting the interior building energy balance, as it is aided by the
presence of an standard low heat transfer fiber insulation layer. This
approach will provide a much slower response of the building envelope to
daily temperature fluctuations, helping in maintaining inside temperature in
a comfortable range and thus avoiding the need for extra energy consumptions
to accomplish it. Effective levels of indoor comfort will be also guaranteed
by the well known fiber materials excellence, when it comes to reduce
airborne noise transmission and its superior performance upon controlling the
sound resonance in construction cavities. Development of such material is in
final phase in frame of European FP7 project STOREPET (FP7-SME-2011-2,
Proposal 286730). Project participant from SEE is Construction Cluster
?Dundjer? from Nis. Development and application of project results will be
presented in this paper.
Analysis of meteorological and agricultural droughts in Serbia
Authors: Milanovic Mladen , Gocic Milan , Trajkovic Slavisa
Published: January 2015

Drought represents a combined heat-precipitation extreme and has become an
increasingly frequent phenomenon in recent years. In order to access the
entire analysis of drought, it is necessary to include the analysis of
several types of drought. In this paper, impacts of meteorological and
agricultural drought were analyzed across the Standardized Precipitation
Index (SPI) and Agricultural Rainfall Index (ARI) on the territory of Serbia
for the period from 1980 to 2010. For both types of drought, year 2000 is
notable as the year when most of the observed stations had the highest
drought intensity. It was found that meteorological drought for year 2000 has
a higher intensity in the central and southeastern parts of the country, as
well as in the north. Of all the stations, the highest intensity of
meteorological drought was observed at Loznica station in 1989. Agricultural
drought in 2000 had the lowest intensity in western Serbia.
Biosorption of selected heavy metals by the biomass of the green alga Spirogyra sp.
Authors: Matei George , Kiptoo Jackson , Oyaro Nathan , Onditi Anam
Published: January 2015

In this paper, the influence of contact time, initial pH and metal ion
concentrations on the adsorption properties of a freshwater green alga
(Spirogyra sp.) biomass was studied. Several model solutions of selected
heavy metals (Cd, Cu, Cr, Pb) were put into contact with the green
algae-based sorbent for different time periods. After the treatment, the
concentrations of heavy metals in model solutions were determined using
flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) and inductively-coupled
plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to reveal which functional groups were
responsible for the green algae biosorption properties. Adsorption
capacities were found to be 22.52, 38.19, 35.59 and 94.34 mg/g for Cd, Cr,
Cu and Pb, respectively, at contact times of 15-50 minutes and initial metal
ion concentrations of 500-700 ?g/g. The optimum pH for biosorption of Cd,
Cr, Cu and Pb were 5.5, 5.8, 5.9 and 5.0, respectively. The biosorption
process followed second order kinetics and fittedthe Langmuir isotherm
model. Biomonitoring studies suggested the possible use of this freshwater
green algaas a bioindicator, with mean concentration factors for the
selected elements in the range of 367-7154.
Thermodynamics of micellization of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide in propylene glycol-water mixture: A conductivity study
Authors: Janosevic-Lezaic Aleksandra , Paunovic Nikola , Pejic Natasa
Published: January 2015

Micellization of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (syn.
cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) in propylene glycol-water (30% v/v)
binary mixture, as well as the thermodynamic properties of the resulting
micelles, were investigated by electrical conductivity measurements. The
conductivity data were used to determine both the critical micellar
concentration (CMC) and the micellar ionization degree (?) of CTin the
temperature range 298.2-310.2 K. The equilibrium model of micelle formation
was applied in order to obtain the thermodynamic parameters (the standard
molar Gibbs free energy, ?Gm0, enthalpy, ?Hm0 and entropy, ?Sm0) of the
micellization process. The values of DGm0 and DHm0 were found to be negative
at all investigated temperatures, while the values of ?Sm0 were positive and
became more positive as temperature increased. A linear dependence between
?Sm0 and ?Hm0, i.e. an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect, was observed.
Canonical approach to the closed string non-commutativity
Authors: Davidovic Ljubica , Nikolic Bojan , Sazdovic Branislav
Published: January 2015

We consider the propagation of the closed bosonic string in the weakly curved
background. We show that the closed string non-commutativity is essentially
connected to the T-duality and nontrivial background. From the T-duality
transformation laws, connecting the canonical variables of the original and
T-dual theory, we find the structure of the Poisson brackets in the T-dual
space corresponding to the fundamental Poisson brackets in the original
theory. We find that the commutative original theory is equivalent to the
non-commutative T-dual theory, in which Poisson brackets close on winding and
momenta numbers and the coefficients are proportional to the background
fluxes.
Supermassive binary black holes - possible observational effects in the x-ray emission
Authors: Jovanovic Predrag , Popovic Luka
Published: January 2015

Here we discuss the possible observational effects in the X-ray emission from
two relativistic accretion disks in a supermassive binary black hole system.
For that purpose we developed a model and performed numerical simulations of
the X-ray radiation from a relativistic accretion disk around a supermassive
black hole, based on the ray-tracing method in the Kerr metric, and applied
it to the case of the close binary supermassive black holes. Our results
indicate that the broad Fe K? line is a powerful tool for detecting such
systems and studying their properties. The most favorable candidates for
observational studies are the supermassive binary black holes in the galactic
mergers during the phase when the orbital velocities of their components are
very large and exceed several thousand kms -1.
Killing forms on toric Sasaki-Einstein spaces
Authors: Visinescu Mihai
Published: January 2015

We summarize recent results on the construction of Killing forms on Sasaki-
Einstein manifolds. The complete set of special Killing forms of the
Sasaki-Einstein spaces are presented. It is pointed out the existence of two
additional Killing forms associated with the complex holomorphic volume form
of Calabi-Yau cone manifold. In the case of toric Sasaki-Einstein manifolds
the Killing forms are expressed in terms of toric data.
Does clinical experience affect the reproducibility of cervical vertebrae maturation method?
Authors: Rongo Roberto , Valleta Rosa , Bucci Rosaria , Bonetti Giulio Alessandri , Michelotti Ambrosina , D'Antò Vincenzo
Published: January 2015

Objective: 

To assess interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility of the cervical vertebrae maturation method (CVMM) among three panels of judges with different levels of orthodontic experience (OE).

Materials and Methods: 

Fifty individual lateral cephalograms of good quality with complete visualization of cervical vertebrae 1 to 4 were selected. Thirty clinicians, divided according to their OE into three groups (junior group, JU, OE ≤ 1 year; postgraduate group, PG, 2 ≤ OE ≤ 4 years; specialist group, SP, OE ≥ 7 years), evaluated the cephalograms in two sessions (T1 and T2) at 3 weeks apart. Kendall's W and weighted Cohen's kappa (κ) coefficients were performed to assess interobserver and intraobserver agreement. The level of significance was set as P < .05. For both the interobserver and the intraobserver datasets, the percentage of perfect agreement (PPA) and the number of stages apart for each disagreement were calculated.

Results: 

Kendall's W at T1 was SP  =  0.61, PG  =  0.70, and JU  =  0.87; at T2 it was SP  =  0.78, PG  =  0.85, and JU  =  0.86. The percentage of total interobserver perfect agreement (Inter-PPA) was 42.3% at T1 and 46.3% at T2. The JU group had the highest Cohen's κ coefficient at 0.78, while the PG and SP had coefficients of 0.64 each. The percentage of total intraobserver perfect agreement (Intra-PPA) was 54.2%.

Conclusions: 

The reproducibility of the method was not improved by the level of orthodontic experience. The group with the lowest level of orthodontic experience had the best performance.
Examining Relations between Locus of Control, Loneliness, Subjective Well-Being, and Preference for Online Social Interaction
Authors: Ye Yinghua , Lin Lin
Published: January 2015

The unprecedented popularity of online communication has raised interests and concerns among the public as well as in scholarly circles. Online communications have pushed people farther away from one another. This study is a further examination of the effects of online communications on well-being, in particular: Locus of control, Loneliness, Subjective well-being, and Preference for online social interaction. Chinese undergraduate students ( N = 260; 84 men, 176 women; M age = 20.1 yr., SD = 1.2) were questioned about demographic information and use of social media as well as four previously validated questionnaires related to well-being. Most participants used QQ, a popular social networking program, as the major channel for online social interactions. Locus of control was positively related to Loneliness and Preference for online social interaction, but negatively related to Subjective well-being; Loneliness (positively) and Subjective well-being (negatively) were related to Preference for online social interaction; and Loneliness and Subjective well-being had a full mediating effect between the relationships of Locus of control and Preference for online social interaction. The findings of the study showed that more lonely, unhappy, and externally controlled students were more likely to be engaged in online social interaction. Improving students' locus of control, loneliness, and happiness may help reduce problematic Internet use.
The Role of Word Choice and Criterion on Intentional Memory
Authors: Toyota Hiroshi
Published: January 2015

The relationship between the criterion for choosing and the self-choice effects (greater recall in a self-choice compared to a forced-choice condition) on intentional memory was examined. Thirty-three female nursing school volunteers were administered 24 word pairs in a 2 × 2 design to assess the influence of motivation upon free recall. When word pairs were presented to participants, they were asked to choose a word to-be-remembered, either in a self-choice condition or a forced-choice condition. Words chosen by the participants were recalled more often than those chosen by the experimenter (forced choice). Thus, the self-choice effect was greater for words chosen with a self-reference criterion compared to a metamemory criterion, supporting the integration hypothesis as the origin of the self-choice effect.
From Traditional Drug Design to Catalytic Metallodrugs: A Brief History of the Use of Metals in Medicine
Authors: Bradford Seth S. , Cowan J. A.
Published: January 2015

Traditional drug design has been effective in the development of therapies for a variety of disease states but there is a need for new approaches that will tackle new challenges and complement current paradigms. The use of metals in medicine has resulted in several successes and allows for the introduction of properties that cannot be achieved by use of organic compounds alone, but also introduces new challenges that can be addressed by a careful understanding of the principles of inorganic chemistry. Toward this end, the unique structural and coordination chemistry, as well as the reactivity of metals, has been used to design novel classes of therapeutic and diagnostic agents. This review briefly summarizes progress in the field of therapeutics, from the earliest use of metals to more recent efforts to design catalytic metallodrugs that promote the irreversible inactivation of therapeutically relevant targets.