bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Defend Your Manhood and Womanhood Rights”
Authors: Labode Modupe
Published: April 2015

This article analyzes African Americans’ protest against the movie The Birth of a Nation in Denver in 1915 and the protest’s impact on the May 1916 municipal election, in which African Americans shifted their support from the Republican to the Democratic mayoral candidate. This essay contributes to the scholarship on African American activism during “the long civil rights movement” and the role of the idea of respectability in that activism. This essay first argues that protests against this film had political as well as cultural significance. African Americans’ political activism in the West furthers our knowledge of black activism in the early twentieth century. Finally, this essay contributes to understanding the local roots of African Americans’ shift from the Republican to the Democratic Party during the early twentieth century.
The meaning of care for operating room nursing
Authors: Salbego Cléton , Dornelles Carla Da Silveira , Greco Patrícia Bitencourt Toscani , Pradebon Vania Marta , Alberti Gabriela Fávero
Published: April 2015

Objective: to understand the meaning of care for nursing technicians who work in the Surgical Center of a general hospitalin the western border of Rio Grande do Sul/Brazil. Methods: this is a qualitative research, with an exploratory and descriptiveapproach. The technique used for data collection was a semi-structured interview and notes from the field diary wereavailable for support. The respondents were eight nursing technicians of the Surgical Center. Results: it can be emphasizedthat participants value psychological, social and affective aspects of patients and their families, also expressing a holisticview in regards to caring for themselves or others. Conclusion: in the referred unit, care is an activity involving multipleaspects, patients, families and staff. The meanings valued by professionals reveal detachment from technical aspects to valuepsychological, social and emotional aspects of care.
Epidemiology of psychological development disorders in adolescents: use of alcohol and other drugs
Authors: Rocha Fábio Vinícius , Oliveira Roberto Lazzarini de , Brum Daniella Almeida Silva , Cavalcante Ricardo Bezerra , Machado Richardson Miranda
Published: April 2015

Objective: to identify the personal and clinical characteristics of adolescents alcohol and other drugs’ users with PsychologicalDevelopment Disorders. Methods: this retrospective study analyzes the care of the Psychosocial Care III Center. Results: fromthe 415 adolescents treated, 52.3% were female; 89.9% were between 12 to 14 years old, 51.6% attended by court order,28.2% had “Unspecified Disorder of Psychological Development”; 32.3% used multiple drugs. Being between 12 and 14 yearsof age meant 2.5 and 1.5 times more risk of having Psychological Development Disorders, respectively. Cocaine/crack userswere more likely (4.27 times) to receive the diagnosis of “Psychoactive Substance Use.” Conclusion: adolescents are treated inaccordance with the law, which requires treatment for social living inadequacies due to high use of cannabinoids, and there isa difficulty of professionals in treating Psychological Development Disorders.
Infections related to health care in nurses’ education
Authors: Giroti Suellen Karina de Oliveira , Garanhani Mara Lúcia
Published: April 2015

Objective: to analyze the introduction of the theme infections associated to health care in nurses’ education. Methods: thisis a qualitative study, with documentary analysis of 16 interdisciplinary modules of a nursing integrated curriculum from aState University in Paraná, conducted in 2013. Results: in the first year of the course there were no references to infections.From the second to the fourth years there were 44 entries that approached: hand washing, actions to prevent infections innewborns, children, adults, pregnant women and surgical patients in different health environments, biosecurity, RegulatoryStandard n. 32, dental-medical-hospital supplies processing, among others. One highlighted strengths and flaws on theapproach of this theme in many moments of an integrated curriculum. Conclusion: the infections associated to healthcare, given their relevance and complexity, should be introduced in a transversal and continuous way in nurse’s education,providing nursing students with a reflexive and critical learning.
Development of a Nursing protocol for childcare consultations
Authors: Gubert Fabiane Do Amaral , Santos Daisyanne Augusto dos Sales , Pinheiro Maria Talyta Mota , Brito Larissa Ludmila Monteiro de Souza , Pinheiro Sarah Rayssa Cordeiro Sales , Martins Mariana Cavalcante
Published: April 2015

Objective: to present a Nursing protocol for childcare consultations based on the Nursing Model of Roper-Logan-Tierney.Methods: for its development, the following items were carried out: literature review, selection and reading of materialsconsidered important in the area of children’s health. Results: it was carry out the textual development of the protocoldivided into five chapters, according to milestones of the infant’s growth and development; inclusion of variables –protocol questions, separated according to life activities recommended in the Nursing model; and content evaluation bynine investigators using the Content Validity Index, with most items presenting an index greater than 0.80. Conclusion:the produced protocol is relevant to support childcare Nursing consultations, enabling standardized directed care andcomprehensive care of children’s health in their first months of life.
Professional practice environment and burnout among nurses
Authors: Gasparino Renata , Guirardello Edinêis De Brito
Published: April 2015

Objective: to evaluate the professional practice environment of nurses, their relationship with burnout syndrome and thedifferences among three institutions. Methods: a cross-sectional study developed at one secondary and two tertiary hospitals,with 278 nurses, who filled the Nursing Work Index Revised – Brazilian Version and the Maslach Burnout Inventory. Results:most of these nurses showed job satisfaction and good quality of health care, while few informed intentions to leave theirjobs. When comparing the institutions, the secondary level one had more autonomy in nursing practice, more control overthe work environment, better relationship with physicians, and lower levels of emotional exhaustion. Conclusion: thesefindings contribute for the implementation of changes to improve the nursing professional practice, enabling to achieve thesatisfaction of those involved in the process, such as patients, professionals, and institutions.
Nursing diagnoses in hospitalized elderly, according to the International Classification of Nursing Practice
Authors: Andrada Marina Moralles Caldeira de , França Marlon , Alvarez Angela Maria , Hammerschmidt Karina Silveira de Almeida
Published: April 2015

Objective: to identify the nursing diagnoses characteristic of hospitalized elderly at the Medical Clinic of a university hospitalin southern Brazil, according to the International Classification of Nursing Practice, version 1.0. Methods: it is a descriptive,cross-sectional study involving 24 elderly. Results: 158 nursing diagnoses were obtained gathered in 23 groups, groupedinto 14 macro-groups presented by similarities: cardiovascular system, impaired self-care, compromised respiratory system,impaired locomotion system, risk of infection, altered dietary patterns and body weight, impaired endocrine system, alteredgastrointestinal system, committed genitourinary system, altered neurological system, compromised perceptive system,sensorial system, altered cutaneous and hydric system and affected thermal regulatory system. Conclusion: the hospitalizedelderly experienced physiological and pathological alterations and the gerontologist nurse can contribute with the planningaimed at maintaining the physical integrity of the elderly in an individualized and complete manner.
Health-related quality of life of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy
Authors: Paula Juliana Maria de , Sawada Namie Okino
Published: April 2015

Objective: to evaluate the health-related quality of life of patients with head and neck cancer during radiotherapy treatment.It was carried out with 41 patients between 2009-2010 in central radiotherapy. Methods: this is a longitudinal study. It wasused the Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy Head and Neck. The predominance of cases were male, with a mean age of62 years. Results: in the 5 domains assessed, the one that was more affected was the “physical well-being”, which is directlyrelated to the side effects of treatment. Conclusion: the symptoms caused by the treatment are negatively associated withthe Quality of Life Related to Health Care, so it is important that the health care team assess and identify the needs of thepatient, allowing him to have a monitor that meets your needs and minimize symptoms.
Prevalence of phlebitis in adult patients admitted to a university hospital
Authors: Souza Angela Elisa Breda Rodrigues de , Oliveira João Lucas Campos de , Dias Denise Costa , Nicola Anair Lazzari
Published: April 2015

Objective: to identify the prevalence of phlebitis, related to demographic and clinical variables, in peripheral intravenoustherapy in adult patients admitted to a university hospital in Paraná, PR, Brazil. Method: this is an observational research,cross / prospective with a quantitative approach, carried out in three units of the hospital. Data collection took place fromOctober 2012 to August 2013, using a form to extract demographic and clinical variables from patients suitable to preestablishedeligibility requirements. For analysis, we used the calculation of point prevalence. Results: from 221 analyzedby venous access, there were 42 with presence of the clinical criteria definition of phlebitis. It was found a prevalence ofphlebitis in men; with evolution degree of 2; venous punctures were located on the back of the hand; 22G caliber/diametercatheters; with residence time of three days. Conclusion: It was concluded that through the prevalence of known phlebitis,nursing actions for the prevention and management of the event can be (re)designed.
Cognitive assessment of elderly people in outpatient care
Authors: Zortea Bruna , Gautério-Abreu Daiane Porto , Santos Silvana Sidney Costa , Silva Bárbara Tarouco da , Ilha Silomar , Cruz Vânia Dias
Published: April 2015

Objective: to evaluate the cognitive state of elderly people under outpatient care; investigate the association betweenthe cognitive state and the socio-demographic variables, health conditions, number of medications and adhesion to thetreatment. Methods: this is a cross-sectional, exploratory, and descriptive study, with a quantitative approach, conductedwith 107 elderly people undergoing outpatient care in a university hospital in the south of Brazil. The following variableswere used: gender, age, marital status, income, schooling, occupation, preexisting noncommunicable diseases, number andtype of prescribed medications, adhesion, mini mental state examination and cognitive status. Data were analyzed throughinferential and descriptive statistics. Results: The prevalence of cognitive deficit was of 42.1% and had a statisticallysignificant connection with schooling, income, marital status, hypertension and cardiopathy. Conclusion: nurses canintervene to avoid the increase of cognitive deficit through an assessment of the elderly people, directed to facilitativestrategies to soften this deficit.
Novel inflammatory biomarkers in primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Christensen M H E , Fenne I S , Nordbø Y , Varhaug J E , Nygård K O , Lien E A , Mellgren G
Published: April 2015

Objective

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) has been associated with low-grade inflammation and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the study was to investigate systemic levels of pro-inflammatory proteins that previously have not been examined in patients with PHPT. The selection of the pro-inflammatory biomarkers included in this study, MMP9, S100A4, S100A8/A9 and the receptors sCD14 and RAGE, was based on a previous microarray screen of mRNAs in adipose tissue from PHPT patients.

Design

A prospective study was conducted on a total of 57 patients with PHPT and a control group of 20 healthy blood donors.

Methods

PHPT patients with normalisation of serum calcium levels after parathyroidectomy were followed for 6 months. Forty-two patients participated in the longitudinal study, in which blood samples were taken at inclusion, and 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery.

Results

We observed increased serum levels of MMP9 (P=0.029), S100A4 (P<0.001) and sCD14 (P=0.002) in the 57 patients with PHPT compared to the control-group. During 6 months of follow up, S100A4 (P=0.022) and sCD14 (0.002) decreased significantly, while serum levels of MMP9 increased (P=0.025).

Conclusions

The results demonstrate an increased inflammatory response in PHPT patients shown by elevated MMP9, S100A4 and sCD14 at inclusion. During the 6 months of follow-up, MMP9 increased further, possibly due to the tissue repair process after parathyroidectomy. S100A4 and sCD14 decreased after surgery demonstrating a partial reversal of the systemic inflammation.
MoO3 incorporation in alkaline earth aluminosilicate glasses
Authors: Tan Shengheng , Ojovan Michael I , Hyatt Neil C , Hand Russell J
Published: April 2015

Alkaline earth aluminosilicate glasses (AeAS) with different MoO3 additions have been produced and assessed. MoO3 solubility increases with the equimolar substitution of smaller to larger alkaline earths and reaches 5.34 mol% in magnesium aluminosilicate glass (MAS). All visibly homogeneous glasses are X-ray amorphous, while the partially crystallised glasses exhibit some small X-ray diffraction peaks which are probably due to corresponding molybdates. The addition of MoO3 decreases glass transition and crystallisation temperatures and creates two broad Raman bands which are assigned to vibrations of MoO42‒ tetrahedra. The intensities of these bands increase along with MoO3 incorporation until the maximum solubility is reached. Electron microscopy shows that these separated particles are spherical, with sub-micron diameters and are randomly dispersed within glass. The separated phases are formed through liquid-liquid separation and thereafter crystallisation. Overall AeAS glasses look quite promising for molybdate immobilisation with MAS glasses being particularly attractive.
About U(t) form of pH-dependence of glass corrosion rates at zero surface to volume ratio
Authors: Ojovan Michael I. , Lee William E.
Published: April 2015

The pH-dependence of glass corrosion rates has a well-known U-shaped form with minima for near-neutral solutions. This paper analyses the change of U-shaped form with time and reveals that the pH dependence evolves even for solutions that have pH not affected by glass corrosion mathematically corresponding to a zero surface to volume ratio. The U(t) dependence is due to changes of concentration profiles of elements in the near-surface layers of glasses in contact with water and is most evident within the initial stages of glass corrosion at relatively low temperatures. Numerical examples are given for the nuclear waste borosilicate glass K-26 which is experimentally characterised by an effective diffusion coefficient of caesium DCs = 4.5 10-12 cm2/day and by a rate of glass hydrolysis in non-saturated groundwater as high as rh = 100 nm/year The changes of U-shaped form need to be accounted when assessing the performance of glasses in contact with water solutions.
Glass Degradation in Performance Assessment Models1
Authors: Ebert William L.
Published: April 2015

The interface with reactive transport models used in performance assessment calculations is described to identify aspects of the glass waste form degradation model important to long-term predictions. These are primarily the conditions that trigger the change from the residual rate to the Stage 3 rate and the values of those rates. Although the processes triggering the change and controlling the Stage 3 rate are not yet understood mechanistically, neither appears related to an intrinsic property of the glass. The sudden and usually significant increase in the glass dissolution rate suggests the processes that trigger the increase are different than the processes controlling glass dissolution prior to that change. Application of a simple expression that was derived for mineral transformation to represent the kinetics of coupled glass dissolution and secondary phase precipitation reactions is shown to be consistent with experimental observations of Stage 3 and useful for modeling long-term glass dissolution in a complex disposal environment.
Religion Clichés
Authors: Eaghll Tenzan
Published: April 2015

Framed as a critique of a 1972 article by Ninian Smart, this essay seeks to expose some of the popular and academic clichés associated with the study of religion. Exploring the historical and philosophical context of clichés such as religion is the sacred or religion is about peace, the author suggests that the academic study of religion is intertwined with a series of essentializations that obscure the political context of the religious education. The essay is simultaneously an attempt to update the list of clichés first identified by Smart, and to expose the philosophical and political assumptions represented by the study of religion.
Calibração de sondas capacitivas, funções físico-hídricas e variação do armazenamento de água em um argissolo cultivado com palma forrageira
Authors: Primo Jorge Torres de Araújo , Silva Thieres George Freire da , Silva Sérvulo Mercier Siqueira e , Moura Magna Soelma Beserra de , Souza Luciana Sandra Bastos de
Published: April 2015

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, realizar a calibração de três sondas capacitivas, visando a utilizá-las na definição de funções físico-hídricas e na análise da variação espacial e temporal do conteúdo (q) e do armazenamento de água, em um Argissolo Vermelho-Amarelo, cultivado com três clones de palma forrageira, no Semiárido pernambucano. O estudo foi executado numa área experimental situada em Serra Talhada, PE. Para isso, foi realizada a calibração de três sondas capacitivas, usando-se dados de densidade aparente do solo, de umidade gravimétrica e de frequências relativas, em cinco condições de umidade do solo. Aplicou-se o método do perfil instantâneo, para determinação do fluxo vertical de água, e do potencial matricial de água no solo. Em seguida, analisou-se a variação espaço-temporal do q e do armazenamento de água no solo. As medidas de frequência relativa das sondas capacitivas apresentaram elevada relação com os dados de q (R2 > 0,87). A partir do método do perfil instantâneo, foi possível determinar as funções da condutividade hidráulica e do potencial total de água no solo, em relação ao q, com elevados coeficientes de determinação (R2 > 0,91). Não houve diferenças significativas do q entre os clones de palma forrageira.
Survival analysis: a tool in the study of post-harvest diseases in peaches
Authors: Nesi Cristiano Nunes , Shimakura Silvia Emiko , Ribeiro Junior Paulo Justiniano , Mio Louise Larissa May De
Published: April 2015

Survival analysis is applied when the time until the occurrence of an event is of interest. Such data are routinely collected in plant diseases, although applications of the method are uncommon. The objective of this study was to use two studies on post-harvest diseases of peaches, considering two harvests together and the existence of random effect shared by fruits of a same tree, in order to describe the main techniques in survival analysis. The nonparametric Kaplan-Meier method, the log-rank test and the semi-parametric Cox's proportional hazards model were used to estimate the effect of cultivars and the number of days after full bloom on the survival to the brown rot symptom and the instantaneous risk of expressing it in two consecutive harvests. The joint analysis with baseline effect, varying between harvests, and the confirmation of the tree effect as a grouping factor with random effect were appropriate to interpret the phenomenon (disease) evaluated and can be important tools to replace or complement the conventional analysis, respecting the nature of the variable and the phenomenon.
Produção de mudas de melancia em diferentes ambientes e de frutos a campo
Authors: Oliveira Anne Mellisse Diaz , Costa Edilson , Rego Norton Hayd , Luqui Laís de Lima , Kusano Daniel Makoto , Oliveira Elisa Pereira de
Published: April 2015

A melancia ocupa lugar de destaque entre as principais olerícolas produzidas e consumidas no Brasil e, na olericultura, a produção de mudas em ambientes protegidos é a metodologia mais utilizada. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o desempenho dos cultivares de melancia "Crimson Sweet" e "Fairfax" na produção de mudas, em ambiente protegido, e de frutos, em condições de campo, na região do cerrado sul-mato-grossense. Na fase de mudas, o experimento foi conduzido em três ambientes protegidos. Cada ambiente foi considerado um experimento, conduzido no delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com seis repetições. Em seguida, realizou-se a análise conjunta. No campo, o delineamento utilizado foi o de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância e, as médias, ao teste de Tukey. As melhores mudas foram formadas na estufa plástica. O cultivar "Fairfax" apresentou mudas de melhor qualidade. No campo, os cultivares apresentaram frutos com diâmetros e biomassas similares.
Crescimento, índices fisiológicos e produtividade de cultivares de feijoeiro sob diferentes níveis de adubação
Authors: Santos Letícia Andriani dos , Soratto Rogério Peres , Fernandes Adalton Mazetti , Gonsales Jaqueline Regiani
Published: April 2015

Conhecimentos sobre o acúmulo e a distribuição da fitomassa do feijoeiro comum, sob diferentes níveis de adubação, podem auxiliar no manejo da cultura. Este trabalho objetivou avaliar o crescimento, os índices fisiológicos e a produtividade de cultivares de feijão, sob diferentes níveis de adubação NPK. O experimento foi conduzido em um Nitossolo Vermelho distroférrico, no município de Botucatu, SP, no delineamento experimental de blocos casualizados, em parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas por seis tratamentos ('Pérola', sem adubação; 'Pérola', com 50% da adubação recomendada; 'Pérola', com 100% da adubação recomendada; 'IAC Alvorada', sem adubação; 'IAC Alvorada', com 50% da adubação recomendada e 'IAC Alvorada', com 100% da adubação recomendada) e, as subparcelas, por sete épocas de coletas no decorrer do ciclo. A adubação NPK aumentou os acúmulos de matéria seca, os componentes da produção e a produtividade de grãos dos cultivares Pérola e IAC Alvorada de forma semelhante. O cultivar IAC Alvorada apresentou maiores índices de área foliar e matéria seca de folhas, quando comparados com os de Pérola, sob adubação NPK recomendada, porém, sem esses índices refletirem-se em maior produtividade de grãos. O máximo acúmulo de matéria seca foi alcançado aos 80 DAE e a maior taxa de crescimento da cultura ocorreu aos 55 DAE, independentemente do tratamento.
Growth and yield of corn hybrids in response to association with Azospirillum brasilense and nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Marini Deniele , Guimarães Vandeir Francisco , Dartora Janaína , Lana Maria do Carmo , Pinto Júnior Artur Soares
Published: April 2015

There is a growing interest in optimizing the positive effects of the association between Azospirillum bacteria and corn crop in order to reduce the use of nitrogen fertilizers. This study aimed to evaluate the inoculation efficiency of an A. brasilense-based commercial product in association with different rates of nitrogen fertilization in two corn genotypes. The experiment was arranged in a 2 x 2 x 5 factorial randomized block design, with four replications. The treatments consisted of two corn hybrids (30F53 and CD386); with and without inoculation with a commercial product based on A. brasilense and five nitrogen rates (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 kg ha-1). The variables plant height, basal stem diameter, leaf area, shoot dry matter, leaf nitrogen content, length and diameter of the cob, weight of 100 grains and grain yield were evaluated. Inoculation with A. brasilense provided increases of 11 and 12% in leaf area and shoot dry matter, respectively. There were differences in the response of the corn hybrids for most variables and the increase in nitrogen supply provided increments in the growth and yield of corn.
Association among body composition, muscle performance and functional autonomy in older adults
Authors: Gonçalves Bruno Lucas , Guimarães Fernando Silva , Souza Marcel Lima Lessa de , Ferreira Arthur de Sá , Mainenti Míriam Raquel Meira
Published: April 2015

Introduction Decrease in muscle mass and increase in body fat are important changes that occur with aging. Strength decline and worse resistance to fatigue can lead to a decreased functional autonomy of the elderly. Objective The present study aimed to verify the existence of a relationship between body composition, muscle strength, lower limbs fatigue and functional autonomy in active elderly women. Materials and methods The sample consisted of 29 elderly women with a mean age of 68.2 (± 7.3) years. Body composition was analyzed by total and segmental bioelectrical impedance. Muscle fatigue was assessed using electromyography, through the analysis of median frequency and root mean square during a 60-second sustained isometric knee extension contraction, at 50% of the maximum voluntary isometric contraction. Functional autonomy was assessed by using the Latin American Development Group for Maturity (GDLAM) protocol. Results There were significant correlations between height and strength (r = 0.49), age and lean body mass (r = -0.42), body fat percentage (BF%) and GDLAM tests (r = 0.39-0.41). The lean body mass was positively correlated with strength (r = 0.55), but not with resistance to fatigue. Conclusion The lean body mass of the analyzed sample was found to be associated with the performance on the maximum strength test, but not with the performance on the resistance to fatigue test. This shows that these two parameters (strength and fatigue) are independent of one another. Elderly women with higher BF% showed worse performance on the GDLAM tests. This evidences that individuals with high adiposity levels tend to have a more limited functional autonomy.
Use of audiovisual media for education and self-management of patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – COPD
Authors: Schäfer Janaína , Carvalho Lisiane Lisboa , Miranda Natacha Angélica da Fonseca , Vitiello Isabel Pommerehn , Paiva Dulciane Nunes , Silva Andréa Lúcia Gonçalves da
Published: April 2015

Introduction Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is considered a disease with high morbidity and mortality, even though it is a preventable and treatable disease. Objective To assess the effectiveness of an audiovisual educational material about the knowledge and self-management in COPD. Methods Quasi-experimental design and convenience sample was composed of COPD patients of Pulmonary Rehabilitation (PR) (n = 42), in advanced stage of the disease, adults of both genders, and with low education. All subjects answered a specific questionnaire before and post-education audiovisual session, to assess their acquired knowledge about COPD. Results Positive results were obtained in the topics: COPD and its consequences, first symptom identified when the disease is aggravated and physical exercise practice. Regarding the second and third symptoms, it was observed that the education session did not improve this learning, as well as the decision facing the worsening of COPD. Conclusion COPD patients showed reasonable knowledge about the disease, its implications and symptomatology. Important aspects should be emphasized, such as identification of exacerbations of COPD and decision facing this exacerbation.
Balance assessment in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Pedrozo Michelle Difante , Silveira Aron Ferreira da
Published: April 2015

Introduction Body balance is one of the most important functions of the organism and is directly associated with quality of life. Thus, given that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) causes pulmorary alterations as well as several systemic complications, it is extremely important to make a careful investigation of its implications for body stability. Objective To assess the balance of individuals with COPD by using Foam-Laser Dynamic Posturography. Materials and methods 29 patients (19 men and 10 women; mean age 64.72 ± 7.67 years) who were former smokers and had COPD GOLD II and III were selected to participate in the study group. The control group was composed of 24 individuals (12 women and 12 men; mean age 63.58 ± 8.17 years) who did not have COPD. To assess the balance of participants, we used Foam-Laser Dynamic Posturography. Results With regard to the Foam-Laser Dynamic Posturography test, we found no significant differences (p < 0.05) between the experimental and the control group when compared to the variables of the SOT tests (SOT I to VI) or to the variables of the sensory analysis, i.e., somatosensory, visual and vestibular functions, and visual preference. Conclusion This study demonstrated that subjects with and without COPD showed a similar performance in the Foam-Laser Dynamic Posturography test.
Clinical evaluation of balance in hemiparetic adults: a systematic review
Authors: Bambirra Carla , Rodrigues Maria Cecília de Betsan , Faria Christina Danielli Coelho de Morais , Paula Fátima Rodrigues de
Published: April 2015

Introduction Hemiparesis is a common post-stroke impairment often associated with balance deficits. Standardized instruments for balance assessment may be useful in identifying individuals at risk of falling and evaluating intervention outcomes. Objectives To identify instruments with adequate psychometric properties and clinical application to assess balance in hemiparetic cases within the scope of physiotherapy and to verify tools most frequently used in studies that evaluated the effects of therapeutic interventions in order to improve the balance of hemiparetic patients. Methods A search was conducted in the Medline, Lilacs, PEDro, and Web of Science databases by two independent researchers, who selected and analyzed studies that evaluated the reliability and validity of balance assessment instruments and intervention results. Results and discussion The Berg Balance Scale was the most frequently used instrument in the intervention studies. Nine single-task tests (timed up and go, functional reach test, step test, four-square step test, side step test, supported standing balance, standing arm raise, static tandem standing, and weight shifting) and six multiple-task tests (Berg balance scale, Brunel balance assessment, Fugl-Meyer Assessment/balance section, mini balance evaluation systems test, and postural assessment scale for stroke patients) demonstrated adequate psychometric properties and clinical applications to assess balance in hemiparetic individuals. Conclusions The Berg Balance Scale had the most widely studied psychometric properties and was the most frequently used scale in the intervention studies. Further studies are required to validate and adapt other instruments for the Brazilian population.
Situation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in a medium-sized municipality in the Ribeira Valley, São Paulo
Authors: Tamasia Gislene dos Anjos , Venâncio Sonia Isoyama , Saldiva Silvia Regina Dias Medici
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the situation of breastfeeding and complementary feeding in the city of Registro, São Paulo. METHODS: This cross-sectional study collected sociodemographic and feeding information of infants aged less than one year who participated in the 2011 multiple vaccine campaign. Breastfeeding and complementary feeding were analyzed by indicators proposed by the World Health Organization. The association between outcomes (exclusive breastfeeding and introduction to complementary feeding) and the explanatory variables (maternal and child characteristics) was investigated by the Poisson model with a robust error variance. RESULTS: We analyzed 713 children. The prevalence of exclusive breastfeeding was 50.0%. Children who were breastfed exclusively on the first day at home (PR=2.40; 95%CI=1.42-4.06) and not given pacifiers (PR=1.95; 95%CI=1.153.30) were more likely to be exclusively breastfed. The complementary feeding indicators showed that 62.1% of the children aged 6 to 8.9 months consumed fruit plus savory mashes. None of the explanatory variables was significantly associated with this outcome. CONCLUSION: The study identified inappropriate infant feeding practices. Such studies can contribute to the proposal of policies, which is particularly important in an unfavorable social development context characterized by the study city.
Food habits of hypertensive and diabetics cared for in a Primary Health Care service in the South of Brazil
Authors: Lima Lena Azeredo de , Nedel Fúlvio Borges , Olinto Maria Teresa Anselmo , Baldisserotto Julio
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE: Describe the eating habits of hypertensive and diabetic individuals, classify their adequacy according to the Ministry of Health's Food Guide for the Brazilian Population and determine the association between adequate diet and the health problems under investigation. METHODS: Descriptive study from the baseline of a longitudinal study begun in 2011, with a sample of hypertensive and diabetic patients from a Primary Health Care facility in Southern Brazil, interviewed at home. RESULTS: A total of 2,482 people were interviewed, of which 66.5% were hypertensive, 6.5% diabetic and 27.1% suffered from hypertension and diabetes. Of those interviewed, 29.6% had inadequate eating habits, 46.9% partially inadequate and 23.4% had adequate diets. Low fiber intake was identified along with high consumption of soda, sugar, salt and saturated fat. The most adequate diet was associated with poor health status and the prevalence of inadequate diet was 30.0% higher among those who were only hypertensive. CONCLUSION: According to Ministry of Health guidelines, the eating habits of diabetic and hypertensive subjects are inadequate. The association between adequate diet and the health problems studied indicated a delayed improvement in diet, suggesting an urgent need for preventive and effective interventions to promote healthy eating.
In vitro propagation of Cyrtopodium saintlegerianum rchb. f. (orchidaceae), a native orchid of the Brazilian savannah
Authors: Rodrigues Lennis Afraire , Paiva Neto Vespasiano Borges de , Boaretto Amanda Galdi , Oliveira Janaína Fernanda de , Torrezan Mateus de Aguiar , Lima Sebastião Ferreira de , Otoni Wagner Campos
Published: April 2015

In order to enable production of large quantities of plantlets for reintroduction programs, as well as economic exploration, Cyrtopodium saintlegerianum seeds were sown on Knudson culture medium. After seed germination, the protocorms were inoculated on Knudson culture medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The obtained shoots were individually inoculated in Knudson supplemented with gibberellic acid (GA3) in order to promote elongation. Seedlings were evaluated and then transplanted into trays containing commercial substrate Plantmax(r)-HT, or crushed Acuri leaf sheath. Auxin/cytokinin ratio influenced in vitro propagation of C. saintlegerianum, resulting in increased shoot number when 2.0 mg L-1 BA was added to the culture medium in the absence or presence of 0.5 mg L-1 NAA. This species proved to be promising for massal in vitro multiplication. Despite having incremented in vitro shoots elongation, the use of GA3 is unnecessary since it contributed negatively in the acclimatization of plants.
Storage and germination of seeds of Handroanthus heptaphyllus (Mart.) Mattos
Authors: Tonetto Thaíse da Silva , Araujo Maristela Machado , Muniz Marlove Fátima Brião , Walker Clair , Berghetti Álvaro Luís Pasquetti
Published: April 2015

The aim of this study was to determine the substrate and the most suitable sowing method for germination, as well as the environment for storage of Handroanthus heptaphyllus seeds (ipê-roxo), and infer the health quality provided by different packaging. Experiment 1 has assessed the treatments (substrates - blotting paper, filter paper, vermiculite, sand, besides paper roll; and sowing methods - among and on the substrates). Experiment 2 has assessed storage in three environments (air conditioned room - 18 °C and 49% of relative humidity (RH); cold and wet chamber - 8 °C and 80% RH; and dry and cold chamber - 7.5 ºC and 55% RH) , for 300 days. Handroanthus heptaphyllus seed germination test can be performed using seeding among blotting paper, vermiculite, on sand, between sand, on vermiculite and between filter paper. The storage of the seeds in plastic bags kept in an air conditioned room and/or in a dry and cold chamber is suitable for the preservation of Handroanthus heptaphyllus seeds for a period of 300 days. The packaging in a dry and cold chamber environment has provided a lower incidence of fungi associated with the Handroanthus heptaphyllus seeds.
Factors associated with arterial stiffness in children aged 9-10 years
Authors: Batista Milena Santos , Mill José Geraldo , Pereira Taisa Sabrina Silva , Fernandes Carolina Dadalto Rocha , Molina Maria del Carmen Bisi
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE To analyze the factors associated with stiffness of the great arteries in prepubertal children.METHODS This study with convenience sample of 231 schoolchildren aged 9-10 years enrolled in public and private schools in Vitória, ES, Southeastern Brazil, in 2010-2011. Anthropometric and hemodynamic data, blood pressure, and pulse wave velocity in the carotid-femoral segment were obtained. Data on current and previous health conditions were obtained by questionnaire and notes on the child’s health card. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify the partial and total contribution of the factors in determining the pulse wave velocity values.RESULTS Among the students, 50.2% were female and 55.4% were 10 years old. Among those classified in the last tertile of pulse wave velocity, 60.0% were overweight, with higher mean blood pressure, waist circumference, and waist-to-height ratio. Birth weight was not associated with pulse wave velocity. After multiple linear regression analysis, body mass index (BMI) and diastolic blood pressure remained in the model.CONCLUSIONS BMI was the most important factor in determining arterial stiffness in children aged 9-10 years.
Alterations in psychosocial health of people affected by asbestos poisoning
Authors: Clemente Miguel , Reig-Botella Adela , Prados Juan Carlos
Published: April 2015

OBJECTIVE To analyze the state of psychosocial and mental health of professionals affected by asbestos.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted with 110 professionals working in the Ferrolterra region of Spain, who were affected by asbestos poisoning. This group was compared with a group of 70 shipyard workers with no manifestation of work-related diseases. All the participants were male with a mean age of 67 years. This study was conducted in 2013, between January and June, and used the SCL-90 questionnaire by Derogatis as its primary measure for research. This questionnaire consists of 9 variables that measure psychosomatic symptoms. In addition, an overall index of psychosomatic gravity was calculated. The participants were also asked two questions concerning their overall perception of feeling good. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and logistic regression.RESULTS Participants affected by asbestos poisoning showed high occurrence rates of psychological health variables such as somatization, obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, psychoticism, and global severity index.CONCLUSIONS Social interaction as a differentiating factor between workers affected by work-related chronic syndromes as compared to healthy participants will possibly aid in the development of intervention programs by improving the social network of affected individuals.
The metagenomic approach and causality in virology
Authors: Castrignano Silvana Beres , Nagasse-Sugahara Teresa Keico
Published: April 2015

Nowadays, the metagenomic approach has been a very important tool in the discovery of new viruses in environmental and biological samples. Here we discuss how these discoveries may help to elucidate the etiology of diseases and the criteria necessary to establish a causal association between a virus and a disease.
Política e/ou Política,
Authors: Nancy Jean-Luc
Published: April 2015

Na entrevista publicada em francês sob o título de Politique et Amitié, Derrida diz: "O próprio 'político' é um filosofema - e finalmente muito obscuro." Esta obscuridade não se dissipa certamente facilmente, e talvez nada mesmo, porque é a síntese das três obscuridades temíveis do "comum", do "poder" e do "sentido". Mas é possível, pelo menos, introduzir uma distinção entre a política compreendida como assunção d'"o ser do homem na sua relação ao ente" e a política compreendida como a esfera particular encarregada de manter aberto o acesso a uma tal relação. Isto faz uma enorme diferença e, no entanto, nós empregamos a palavra com os dois valores alternados, ou então confundidos. Se uma diferença vem à luz, não é senão entre uma "política" restrita, governamental, "politiqueira" mesmo, e a grande "Política". O que se encetou com a democracia.
Understanding the risks from extreme rainfall
Authors: Tye Mari R.
Published: April 2015

Empirical engineering design based on single ‘fail safe’ target return periods is not appropriate in a non-stationary future climate. Extreme responses to rainfall are very likely to increase under climate change, posing increased hazards to critical infrastructure and the most vulnerable sectors of society. Structures with long life spans require reasonable estimates of the hazards that will be faced now and in the future, necessitating some assessment of future rainfall extremes. Such challenges are not new. Although future climate conditions may be unprecedented, techniques to optimise water management and minimise risk in more extreme climate regimes are not. Designs that account for future climatic extremes could benefit from other countries' experiences of highly variable extreme rainfall. This paper synthesises the physical mechanisms leading to extreme rainfall, and their representation in climate models. It then summarises recent observed changes in extreme rainfall and the anticipated future changes in response to changing climate conditions. Finally, it discusses ways in which different measures of extreme rainfall, such as seasonality and intensity, can be used to inform designs for future flood resilience.
Improved softened truss model for RC circular columns under combined torsion and axial compression
Authors: Mondal Tarutal Ghosh , Prakash S. Suriya
Published: April 2015

The presence of torsional loading significantly alters the behaviour of reinforced concrete (RC) members. Although a number of studies have addressed flexure, shear and torsion independently, investigations on such loads in combination are scarce. The combination of torsion and axial load has not been investigated adequately, despite its frequent occurrence in bridge columns during earthquakes. Furthermore, the softened truss model (STM) was developed to predict the torsional response of square sections and it cannot be directly used for circular sections. In addition, the tensile capacity of concrete was ignored in the original STM, which resulted in less accurate predictions. The present study focuses on the development of improved analytical models for RC circular columns under combined torsion and axial compression. The developed model is validated with test data and a parametric study is carried out to investigate the effect of various transverse reinforcement ratios and levels of axial compression. The results indicate that the developed model is able to predict the global behaviour reasonably well. The effect of transverse reinforcement and axial compression is also in agreement with the experimental results.
Stoichiometric homeostasis predicts plant species dominance, temporal stability, and responses to global change
Authors: Yu Qiang , Wilcox Kevin , Pierre Kimberly La , Knapp Alan K. , Han Xingguo , Smith Melinda D.
Published: April 2015

Why some species are consistently more abundant than others, and predicting how species will respond to global change, are fundamental questions in ecology. Long‐term observations indicate that plant species with high stoichiometric homeostasis for nitrogen (HN), i.e., the ability to decouple foliar N levels from variation in soil N availability, were more common and stable through time than low‐HNspecies in a central U.S. grassland. However, with nine years of nitrogen addition, species with highHNdecreased in abundance, while those with lowHNincreased in abundance. In contrast, in climate change experiments simulating a range of forecast hydrologic changes, e.g., extreme drought (two years), increased rainfall variability (14 years), and chronic increases in rainfall (21 years), plant species with the highestHNwere least responsive to changes in soil water availability. These results suggest thatHNmay be predictive of plant species success and stability, and how plant species and ecosystems will respond to global‐change‐driven alterations in resource availability.
Soil nitrogen affects phosphorus recycling: foliar resorption and plant–soil feedbacks in a northern hardwood forest
Authors: See Craig R. , Yanai Ruth D. , Fisk Melany C. , Vadeboncoeur Matthew A. , Quintero Braulio A. , Fahey Timothy J.
Published: April 2015

Previous studies have attempted to link foliar resorption of nitrogen and phosphorus to their respective availabilities in soil, with mixed results. Based on resource optimization theory, we hypothesized that the foliar resorption of one element could be driven by the availability of another element. We tested various measures of soil N and P as predictors of N and P resorption in six tree species in 18 plots across six stands at the Bartlett Experimental Forest, New Hampshire, USA. Phosphorus resorption efficiency (P < 0.01) and proficiency (P = 0.01) increased with soil N content to 30 cm depth, suggesting that trees conserve P based on the availability of soil N. Phosphorus resorption also increased with soil P content, which is difficult to explain based on single‐element limitation, but follows from the correlation between soil N and soil P. The expected single‐element relationships were evident only in the O horizon: P resorption was high where resin‐available P was low in the Oe (P < 0.01 for efficiency, P < 0.001 for proficiency) and N resorption was high where potential N mineralization in the Oa was low (P < 0.01 for efficiency and 0.11 for proficiency). Since leaf litter is a principal source of N and P to the O horizon, low nutrient availability there could be a result rather than a cause of high resorption. The striking effect of soil N content on foliar P resorption is the first evidence of multiple‐element control on nutrient resorption to be reported from an unmanipulated ecosystem.