bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bright-Field HER2 Dual In Situ Hybridization (DISH) Assay vs Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization (FISH)
Authors: Gao Faye F. , Dabbs David J. , Cooper Kristine L. , Bhargava Rohit
Published: December 2013

Objectives:

To compare the INFORM HER2 bright-field dual in situ hybridization (DISH) DNA probe cocktail assay with the PathVysion fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay on 103 invasive breast carcinomas with a 2+ score on immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Methods:

The cases were categorized as positive, equivocal, or negative for HER2 gene amplification using the 2007 American Society of Clinical Oncology/College of American Pathologists (ASCO/CAP) HER2:CEP17 ratio criteria and also based on mean HER2 gene copies/cell. The third criterion used a HER2:CEP17 ratio of 2 to categorize cases as positive or negative.

Results:

The agreement between FISH and DISH was 85% using the 2007 ASCO/CAP ratio criterion, 79% using the mean HER2 gene copies/cell criterion, and 92% using the 2.0 cutoff HER2:CEP17 ratio criterion. In addition, 20 known IHC 3+ breast carcinomas analyzed by DISH showed clusters of the HER2 gene consistent with unequivocal amplification.

Conclusions:

Despite some technical and interpretational issues associated with DISH, it compares favorably with FISH in this group of challenging breast cancer cases.
Histopathologic Findings of Small Renal Tumor Biopsies Performed Immediately After Cryoablation Therapy
Authors: Tayal Shalini , Kim Fernando J. , Sehrt David , Miano Roberto , Pompeo Alexandre , Molina Wilson
Published: December 2013

Objectives:

To evaluate the histopathology of small renal tumor biopsies following cryoablation.

Methods:

We retrospectively evaluated small renal tumor biopsy specimens after cryoablation treatment for renal cell carcinoma and determined the ability to differentiate tumor types, effect on nuclear grading, immunohistochemical staining, and if the number of freeze cycles affected interpretation.

Results:

Of the biopsy specimens, 66% were diagnostic of tumor and 34% showed normal renal parenchyma. Tumor subtype was determined in 91% of diagnostic cases. Nuclear grading was affected due to freeze effect, complicating the assessment of chromatin pattern and nucleolar details at low magnification. In particular, the distinction between Fuhrman nuclear grades I and II was compromised; these were designated as low nuclear grade. Immunohistochemical staining was retained similar to untreated tumors. Tumor subtyping was not affected after one or two freeze cycles.

Conclusions:

Biopsies performed immediately after cryoablation can be used to render an optimal histologic diagnosis.
Pathology Consultation on HbA1c Methods and Interferences
Authors: Rhea Jeanne M. , Molinaro Ross
Published: December 2013

Objectives:

To review the various hemoglobin (Hb) A1c methods, with a focus on interferences resulting from Hb variants.

Methods:

HbA1c is a marker used for the diagnosis and management of diabetes. Each available HbA1c method has advantages and challenges, such as its susceptibility to interferences.

Results:

The presence of Hb variants and/or abnormalities in RBC turnover cannot only interfere analytically with HbA1c measurements but also may affect the clinical interpretation of HbA1c values.

Conclusions:

Familiarity with the advantages and challenges of the various methods used for HbA1c testing is essential when establishing therapeutic management and goals based on HbA1c results, especially in populations with a high prevalence of Hb variants.
Teachers’ perceptions of factors affecting the educational use of ICT in technology-rich classrooms
Authors: Badia Antoni , Meneses Julio , Sigalés Carles
Published: December 2013

Introduction. The purpose of this study is to identify the main factors that influence teachers' decision-making regarding the educational use of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies) in technology-rich classrooms.Method. We collected data for 278 teachers in Catalonia (Spain) working in eight primary and secondary education schools rich in educational technology. The specific questionnaire used to that end includes an extensive range of items to obtain information about the teachers' perceptions of the factors influencing the use of ICT in the classroom.Results. We have identified and characterized five factors that influence the educational use of ICT in these classrooms, which in this study we call: utility and educational setting, teacher support, availability and access in the classroom, technological expertise and access outside the classroom.Conclusion. These results may be useful for fostering improved integration processes for ICT in the classroom, and also for focusing teaching training about this content.
Cognitive Abilities, Adjustment and Parenting Practices in Preschoolers with Disruptive Conduct Problems
Authors: Fernández-Parra A. , López-Rubio S. , Mata S. , Calero M. D. , Vives M. C. , Carles R. , Navarro E.
Published: December 2013

Introduction. Conduct problems arising in infancy are one of the main reasons for which parents seek psychological assistance. Although these problems usually begin when the child has started school, in recent years a group of children has been identified who begin to manifest such problems from their earliest infancy and whose prognosis seems to be particularly negative.Method. The participants in this study were 175 preschoolers aged between 4 and 5 years with and without conduct problems. Learning-related cognitive abilities, attitudes and parenting practices were assessed in all cases.Results. The results demonstrate differences between the two groups in all the aspects studied here, making it clear that these types of problems have a significant impact on family life and quickly become generalized to different contexts of child functioning.Discussion and Conclusion. Prescholres with conduct problems have difficulties in mastering certain cognitive abilities and in acquiring attitudes towards learning. The study also highlights the importance of parental strategies for disciplining their children and their expectations regarding their child’s capacities.
Examining the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale in the Italian Context: A Factorial Validity Study
Authors: Fraire Michela , Longobardi Claudio , Prino Laura Elvira , Sclavo Erica , Settanni Michele
Published: December 2013

Introduction. A growing body of literature suggests that the quality of teacher-child relationships is a determining factor in children’s competence in social-emotional, behavioral functioning, and academic skills. Most of the research on student-teacher relationships has relied on these relationship perceptions. A well-known instrument to assess these perceptions is the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale (STRS). Up to now, only a few studies have focused on the cross-cultural validity of the STRS. To date, only one study have examined the factorial confirmatory validity in the United States. In the European context, other investigators have examined and confirmed the applicability of the STRS in Spain, Greece and in the Netherlands.Method. The purpose of this study is to examine the factorial structure validity of the Student-Teacher Relationship Scale) in the Italian schooling system on a sample consisting of 1256 children, ranging in age from 3 to 9 years, and 210 teachers.Results. The parameter estimates obtained from confirmatory factor analysis identified items with low factor loadings, suggesting that content revision is required for these items on the original version of the STRS, which comprises 28 items. Exploratory factor analysis showed that the deletion of 6 items from the scale offered a good model fit, suggesting that the remaining 22 items reliably and validly measure the constructs for the whole sample: closeness (α = .85), conflict (α = .92), and dependency (α = .69).Discussion and Conclusion. These findings might be attributed to the difference between Italian teachers’ cultural backgrounds and the original cultural context of the STRS. This study provides implications for construct validity research and substantive research using the STRS, given that the STRS is used extensively in intervention and research in early childhood education. On the basis of the obtained results, the questionnaire seems to be a adequate instrument to study the teacher-pupil relationship, both as a monitoring scale of a given relationship and as a way to help teachers achieve more awareness of their educational skills
Vitamin D and neuropathy
Authors: Putz Zsuzsanna , Martos Tímea , Németh Nóra , Körei Anna Erzsébet , Szabó Márta , Vági Orsolya Erzsébet , Kempler Miklós Soma , Kempler Péter
Published: December 2013

Diabetes is a widespread disease and, therefore, studies dealing with diabetes and its complications are very important for public health. Numerous reports link vitamin D deficiency to the increased risk of diabetes mellitus and complications such as neuropathy. However, there are limited and conflicting data available on vitamin D deficiency in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Studies in type 2 diabetics confirmed the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and incidence of neuropathy. Recent reports suggest a relationship between the incidence of plantar ulcers and vitamin D deficiency. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154(51), 2012–2015.
Clinical evaluation of two parathyroid hormone assays in the context of vitamin D supply in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Kovács László , Virágh Éva , Balogh Dóra , Kálmán Bernadette , Lőcsei Zoltán , Toldy Erzsébet
Published: December 2013

Introduction: Parathyroid hormone levels provide important information in chronic renal failure. Aim: To compare parathyroid hormone levels measured by two assays in correlation with vitamin D supply. Method: Parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxi-vitamin-D were determined in 104 patients (31 patients with chronic renal failure without renal replacement therapy, 36 patients treated with peritoneal dialysis and 37 patients treated with hemodialysis). Results: Good correlation was found between results of the two parathyroid hormone methods, but the intact parathyroid hormone levels were higher than the biointact values. 87% and 13% of the patients had vitamin-D deficiency and insufficiency, respectively. The frequency of serious vitamin-D deficiency was higher in the peritoneal dialysis than in the hemodialysis group. Intact parathyroid hormone levels were different in dialysed patients having vitamin-D-deficiency and insufficiency, and the difference was higher for the biointact than intact values. Negative correlation was detected between biointact parathyroid hormone and 25-hydroxivitamin-D in the hemodialysis group. Conclusions: Biointact parathyroid hormone levels better reflect the vitamin D supply and bone metabolism than intact levels, especially in hemodialysed patients. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154(51), 2025–2036.
Chemical stability of epoxy functionalizations of graphene: A density functional theory study
Authors: Zhou Si , Bongiorno Angelo
Published: December 2013

Density functional theory and statistical calculations are combined to address the chemical stability and structure of epoxy functionalizations of single-layer graphene. Our computations show that at oxidation levels of O:C<0.5, the Gibbs free energy of formation per epoxide amounts to about 0.6 eV, and the structure of the epoxy functionalizations presents local order and long-range disorder. The positive energy value indicates that in air at p=1 bar and room temperature, epoxy functionalizations of graphene are unstable and prone to spontaneous reduction. Our calculations show also that formation and release of O2 is a slow process whose kinetics is controlled by large energy barriers, the formation of very stable intermediate species, and unlikely electronic transitions.
Tradução e validação da escala Partner Communication Scale – versão brasileira com adolescentes do sexo feminino
Authors: Gubert Fabiane do Amaral , Vieira Neiva Francenely Cunha , Pinheiro Patrícia Neyva da Costa , Oriá Mônica Oliveira Batista , Ferreira Adriana Gomes Nogueira , Arcanjo Gabriele Vasconcelos
Published: December 2013

O objetivo do estudo é descrever o processo de adaptação e validação da escala Partner Communication Scale -PCS com adolescentes do sexo feminino em Fortaleza, CE. Pesquisa metodológica, de abordagem quantitativa, realizada com 313 adolescentes, entre 14 a 18 anos, que já haviam tido o primeiro intercurso sexual. O processo de adaptação transcultural seguiu as etapas: tradução, retrotradução, avaliação das traduções por um comitê de juízes e teste da versão pré-final. A escala foi aplicada com um questionário sociodemográfico e de variáveis sexuais e reprodutivas, via computador, em novembro/2010 a janeiro/2011. A confiabilidade foi verificada por meio do teste alfa de Cronbach (0.86) e demonstrou que pode ser aplicada no cenário da atenção primária à saúde, durante as consultas de enfermagem ao adolescente, e que permite identificar fatores que dificultam/facilitam a comunicação, principalmente em relação às DST/HIV. A escala mostrou-se adequada para verificar a comunicação entre os parceiros sexuais na adolescência.
Health risk behavior pattern among students from Cartagena, Colombia: prevalence and associated variables
Authors: Cogollo Zuleima , Gómez-Bustamante Edna Margarita
Published: December 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence and variables associated with the pattern of risky health behavior (PRHB) among adolescent students in Cartagena, Colombia. A cross-sectional study was designed to investigate PRHB in a random cluster sample of students from middle and high schools. The associations were adjusted by logistic regression. A total of 2,625 students participated in this research, with ages from 10 to 20 years, mean=13.8 years (SD=2.0), and 54.3% were women. A total of 332 students reported PRHB (12.7%, 95%CI 11.4–14.0). Age over 15 years (OR=2.19, 95%CI 1.72–2.79), not being heterosexual (OR=1.98, 95%CI 1.36-2.87), poor/mediocre academic performance (OR=1.87, 95%CI 1.47–2.38), family dysfunction (OR=1.78, 95%CI 1.40–2.28) and male gender (OR=1.58, 95%CI 1.24–2.01) were associated with PRHB. One in every eight students presented a PRHB. It is important to pay greater attention to students who are over 15 years of age, male, not heterosexual, with a poor/mediocre academic performance and a dysfunctional family.
Paralisia cerebral tetraplégica e constipação intestinal: avaliação da reeducação intestinal com uso de massagens e dieta laxante
Authors: Faleiros-Castro Fabiana Santana , Paula Elenice Dias Ribeiro de
Published: December 2013

A constipação intestinal afeta 74% dos indivíduos com paralisia cerebral. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar resultados das intervenções de enfermagem no tratamento da constipação intestinal associada à paralisia cerebral. Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo, prospectivo e comparativo (antes-depois). A amostra foi composta por 50 pacientes com paralisia cerebral tetraplégica e constipação intestinal. As principais orientações conservadoras foram: consumo diário de alimentos laxantes e óleos vegetais, aumento da ingestão hídrica e execução de manobras intestinais diárias. Houve alívio total ou parcial da constipação em 90% dos participantes, com melhora de aspectos da qualidade de vida, como sono, apetite e irritabilidade, além de diminuição significativa de sangramento retal, fissura anal, retenção voluntária de fezes, choro e dor ao evacuar. Apenas 10% necessitaram de medicações laxantes. Recomenda-se que medidas conservadoras sejam preferencialmente utilizadas para o tratamento da constipação intestinal associada à paralisia cerebral e que medicamentos sejam apenas adjuvantes, quando necessário.
Convivendo com hepatite: repercussões no cotidiano do indivíduo infectado
Authors: Teston Elen Ferraz , Silva Regina Lúcia Dalla Torre , Marcon Sonia Silva
Published: December 2013

Estudo descritivo, exploratório, de abordagem qualitativa, desenvolvido com o objetivo de identificar as alterações no cotidiano do indivíduo com hepatite. Os dados foram coletados em outubro de 2011, junto a 12 pacientes com hepatite B e/ou C, por meio de entrevista semiestruturada e submetidos à análise de conteúdo do tipo temática. A maioria dos indivíduos tinha o diagnóstico de hepatite B. O tempo de diagnóstico variou de menos de 6 meses até 12 anos e o diagnóstico foi feito principalmente por meio da doação de sangue. Somente dois pacientes faziam uso de Interferon. Os relatos deram origem a duas categorias, as quais evidenciam sentimentos e reações experimentados pelos entrevistados, bem como alterações em alguns hábitos de vida. Concluiu-se ser necessário aos profissionais de saúde atentar para a complexidade que envolve os fenômenos concernentes ao processo de adoecimento e vivência com a hepatite.
Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária em uma metrópole brasileira
Authors: Rehem Tania Cristina Morais Santa Barbara , Oliveira Maria Regina Fernandes de , Amaral Tereza Cristina Lins , Ciosak Suely Itsuko , Egry Emiko Yoshikawa
Published: December 2013

Este estudo tem como objetivo descrever o perfil das Internações por Condições Sensíveis à Atenção Primária (ICSAP) no município de Curitiba no período de 2005 a 2007. Foi realizado um estudo ecológico, com dados obtidos no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares. Para análise, foi utilizada a estatística descritiva. Observou-se que em Curitiba as ICSAP seguem tendência de estabilização, sendo as causas mais frequentes a angina e a insuficiência cardíaca, maior frequência para o sexo feminino e a faixa etária ≥ 65 anos. Os resultados observados assemelham-se aos de outros estudos e foram, quase na totalidade, altamente significativos do ponto de vista estatístico. Entretanto, devem ser vistos com cuidado, pois se se trata de um indicador que apresenta algumas limitações, dentre as quais a própria confiabilidade do diagnóstico e o uso de dados secundários.
Perfil, competências e fluência digital dos enfermeiros do Programa de Aprimoramento Profissional
Authors: Tanabe Lyvia Pini , Kobayashi Rika Miyahara
Published: December 2013

Estudo descritivo, exploratório, realizado na cidade de São Paulo, que objetivou identificar o perfil, as competências e a fluência digital do enfermeiro aprimorando para uso da tecnologia no trabalho. A população composta por 60 aprimorandos do Programa de Aprimoramento Profissional respondeu um questionário com dados sobre o perfil, a fluência digital e as competências profissionais. Verificou-se que 95,0% dos participantes eram do sexo feminino, 61,7% na faixa etária entre 23 a 25 anos, 75,0% graduados em escolas públicas, 58,3% cursando enfermagem cardiovascular, 98,3% teve contato com recursos computacionais na graduação; 100,0% possuía computador em casa; 86,7% acessava a internet diariamente; 96,7% utilizava o Messenger e 58,3% apresentava grau intermediário de conhecimento e habilidade em informática. As competências profissionais requeridas frente à tecnologia referiram-se ao saber ser inovador, criativo, atualizado para conhecer e gerenciar programas e saber utilizar os recursos tecnológicos.
Construção de subconjuntos terminológicos: contribuições à prática clínica do enfermeiro
Authors: Clares Jorge Wilker Bezerra , Freitas Maria Célia de , Guedes Maria Vilaní Cavalcante , Nóbrega Maria Miriam Lima da
Published: December 2013

A Classificação Internacional para a Prática de Enfermagem (CIPE®) é um sistema de classificação unificador dos elementos da prática de enfermagem (diagnósticos, resultados e intervenções), que possibilita elucidar elementos da linguagem própria da Enfermagem por meio da construção de subconjuntos terminológicos. Neste ensaio reflexivo, destacam-se aspectos relevantes para a construção de subconjuntos terminológicos CIPE®, bem como suas contribuições para a prática clínica do enfermeiro. Discute-se a elaboração de subconjuntos como ferramenta que contribui para a universalização da linguagem da Enfermagem, facilita o processo comunicativo, bem como o avanço científico e tecnológico da profissão. Portanto, incentiva-se seu uso por enfermeiros de todo o mundo.
Custo econômico do tratamento das úlceras por pressão: uma abordagem teórica
Authors: Silva Ana Júlia , Pereira Sandra Martins , Rodrigues Alexandre , Rocha Ana Paula , Varela Jesuína , Gomes Luís Miguel , Messias Norberto , Carvalhal Rosa , Luís Rui , Mendes Luís Filipe Pereira
Published: December 2013

O presente artigo consiste numa abordagem teórica sobre a problemática dos custos económicos das úlceras por pressão. Parte-se do conhecimento do problema, numa perspetiva conceptual, para, de seguida, apresentar resultados de estudos de prevalência, a partir dos quais foram delineados estudos de impacto económico. O objectivo deste artigo é o de reflectir sobre os custos económicos associados às úlceras por pressão, quer numa perspetiva global, considerando a repercussão financeira, quer numa vertente personalista, atendendo aos custos intangíveis. Relativamente ao impacto económico das úlceras por pressão, foi efectuada uma estimativa ao nível da Região Autónoma dos Açores do custo total do tratamento por ambiente de cuidados. Nos cuidados domiciliários o custo com o tratamento de todas as categorias é calculado em 7.086.415 euros; nos cuidados hospitalares, em 1.723.509 euros, e nos cuidados prestados em lares de idosos, em 1.002.562 euros. Nos Açores, a estimativa do custo total do tratamento das úlceras por pressão, considerando todas as suas categorias, ronda os 9.812.486 euros. Quanto ao impacto emocional associado, este tem elevados custos para pessoa e para os familiares, nomeadamente pelo sofrimento gerado. De facto, as úlceras por pressão acarretam elevados custos económicos associados ao tratamento, bem como custos intangíveis pelo sofrimento vivenciado por pessoas e cuidadores.
Women working at university restaurants: life and work conditions and gender-based violence
Authors: Venancio Kelly Cristina Maxima Pereira , Fonseca Rosa Maria Godoy Serpa da
Published: December 2013

This is an exploratory and descriptive study with a quantitative approach that aimed to understand the social production and reproduction processes of women working at university restaurants and the occurrence and the magnitude of gender-based violence committed against them by their intimate partners. The data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The analysis categories used were social production and reproduction, gender and gender-based violence. The interviewees held a subordinate social position during the productive and reproductive periods of their lives. Approximately 70% reported having experienced gender-based violence from an intimate partner (66% psychological violence, 36.3% physical violence and 28.6% sexual violence). Most of the health problems resulting from violence were related to mental health. The results indicate that the situation requires immediate interventions, mostly guided by the instrumentalization of these women and the support by the state and the university as appropriate to address violence.
Use of health services by residents at a seniors-only living facility
Authors: Teston Elen Ferraz , Rossi Robson Marcelo , Marcon Sonia Silva
Published: December 2013

The objective of the study was to compare the use of medical and dental services by seniors residing at a seniors-only living facility and in the general community. It was a quantitative study, among 50 residents of the living facility and 173 in the general community. The data were collected between November 2011 and February 2012 through a questionnaire, and subjected to statistical analysis. Performance of clinical exams and satisfaction with health services was greater among seniors living in the general community; however, physical therapy treatment was more common among those living in the facility. The use of medical and dental services showed a statistically significant difference. The seniors in both groups need oral health monitoring and those living in the facility also require coverage by the Family Health Strategy. The presence of professionals with the right profile to adequately serve residents and the network of available services are determining factors for the success of this new housing policy.
Ability for self-care and its association with sociodemographic factors of people with spinal cord injury
Authors: Coura Alexsandro Silva , Enders Bertha Cruz , Franca Inacia Satiro Xavier de , Vieira Caroline Evelin Nascimento Kluczynik , Dantas Dandara Nayara Azevedo , Menezes Dayane Jessyca Cunha de
Published: December 2013

This study aimed to verify the association between self-care ability and sociodemographic factors of people with spinal cord injury (SCI). It was a cross-sectional study, conducted in 2012, in all 58 Basic Health Units of Natal/RN, Brazil. Seventy-three subjects completed a sociodemographic form andSelf-Care Agency Scale. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS,including Cronbach’s Alpha, Chi-square, Fisher’s and contingency coefficient tests. The Cronbach's alpha was 0.788. The result verified that sex (p = 0.028), religion (p <0.001), education (p = 0.046), current age (p = 0.027), SCI time (p = 0.020) and the SCI type (p = 0.012) were variables associated with self-care ability of the subjects. It was concluded that sociodemographic factors may interfere with the self-care ability of persons with SCI, and nurses should consider this aspect during the execution of the nursing process.
Development of assistive technology for the visually impaired: use of the male condom
Authors: Barbosa Giselly Oseni Laurentino , Wanderley Luana Duarte , Reboucas Cristiana Brasil de Almeida , Oliveira Paula Marciana Pinheiro de , Pagliuca Lorita Marlena Freitag
Published: December 2013

The objectives were to develop and evaluate an assistive technology for the use of the male condom by visually impaired men. It was a technology development study with the participation of seven subjects. Three workshops were performed between April and May of 2010; they were all filmed and the statements of the participants were transcribed and analyzed by content. Three categories were established: Sexuality of the visually impaired; Utilization of the text, For avoiding STDs, condoms we will use, divided in two subcategories, Concept discussion and Text evaluation; and Construction of a simple penile prosthesis. The knowledge transmitted related to STD, the utilization of the condom on the penile prosthesis made by the subjects themselves, and the interaction during the workshops were effective factors for the study. In the context of sexual health, the necessity of developing works involving the visually impaired was noted, addressing sexually transmitted diseases and focusing on the use of the condom by this population.
Knowledge and attitudes of nurses towards alcohol and related problems: the impact of an educational intervention
Authors: Soares Janaina , Vargas Divane de , Formigoni Maria Lucia Oliveira de Souza
Published: December 2013

An exploratory study of quasi-experimental approach that aimed to verify the impact of an educational intervention on attitudes and knowledge of nurses towards alcohol use and associated problems. The sample included 185 nurses, divided into two groups: 84 submitted to a training course and formed the experimental group. Data were collected through a knowledge survey and an attitude scale. The attitudes of the participants of both groups were positive. There were no significant differences between groups in relation to knowledge. The strongest predictors of positive attitudes were possessed preparation to act with chemical dependents (OR = 2.18), "have received increased workload during graduation on the theme, 'alcohol and other drugs'" (OR = 1.70), and "completed graduate school" (OR = 2.59). The educational intervention had a positive impact on the attitudes of nurses towards alcoholics, work and interpersonal relationships with such clientele.
The use of the quality model of Parasuraman, Zeithaml and Berry in health services
Authors: Pena Mileide Morais , Silva Edenise Maria Santos da , Tronchin Daisy Maria Rizatto , Melleiro Marta Maria
Published: December 2013

This is an article about the theoretical model for assessing quality in health services proposed by Parasuraman, Zheitaml and Berry, in order to measure the degree of satisfaction of users. This model is based on the analysis of expectations and perceptions of users of health services, by means of five dimensions: tangibility, reliability, responsiveness, assurance and empathy. From the difference between what is expected by the user and the service offered, gaps or shortcomings are derived that may be the main obstacle for users to perceive the provision of such services with quality. It was observed that the use of the psychometric scale called Service Quality (SERVQUAL) in some studies about satisfaction, obtained very favorable results in the institutions in which it was employed. The analysis revealed the need to improve the existing models of evaluation, as well as the importance of measuring user satisfaction in health institutions.
Use of Safety Measures, Including the Modified World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist, During International Outreach Cleft Missions
Authors: Patel Krishna G. , Eberlin Kyle R. , Vyas Raj M. , Hamdan Usama S.
Published: December 2013

International surgical outreach missions have become increasingly common within the surgery community. Untoward events in this setting, although rare, can be prevented by careful planning and the use of quality assurance guidelines designed to prevent such complications. The surgical safety checklist is widely accepted in most developed health care practices, but is used variably by international mission groups. This article outlines the quality assurance guidelines used, including a modified World Health Organization safety checklist and illustrated patient instruction forms, to provide a standardized means of delivering sound surgical care in the setting of short-term international cleft lip and/or palate missions.
A new species of tapir from the Amazon
Authors: Cozzuol Mario A. , Clozato Camila L. , Holanda Elizete C. , Rodrigues Flávio H. G. , Nienow Samuel , de Thoisy Benoit , Redondo Rodrigo A. F. , Santos Fabrício R.
Published: December 2013

All known species of extant tapirs are allopatric: 1 in southeastern Asia and 3 in Central and South America. The fossil record for tapirs, however, is much wider in geographical range, including Europe, Asia, and North and South America, going back to the late Oligocene, making the present distribution a relict of the original one. We here describe a new species of living Tapirus from the Amazon rain forest, the 1st since T. bairdii Gill, 1865, and the 1st new Perissodactyla in more than 100 years, from both morphological and molecular characters. It is shorter in stature than T. terrestris (Linnaeus, 1758) and has distinctive skull morphology, and it is basal to the clade formed by T. terrestris and T. pinchaque (Roulin, 1829). This highlights the unrecognized biodiversity in western Amazonia, where the biota faces increasing threats. Local peoples have long recognized our new species, suggesting a key role for traditional knowledge in understanding the biodiversity of the region.
Does Arctic sea ice reduction foster shelf–basin exchange?
Authors: Ivanov Vladimir , Watanabe Eiji
Published: December 2013

The recent shift in Arctic ice conditions from prevailing multi‐year ice to first‐year ice will presumably intensify fall–winter sea ice freezing and the associated salt flux to the underlying water column. Here, we conduct a dual modeling study whose results suggest that the predicted catastrophic consequences for the global thermohaline circulation (THC), as a result of the disappearance of Arctic sea ice, may not necessarily occur. In a warmer climate, the substantial fraction of dense water feeding the Greenland–Scotland overflow may form on Arctic shelves and cascade to the deep basin, thus replenishing dense water, which currently forms through open ocean convection in the sub‐Arctic seas. We have used a simplified model for estimating how increased ice production influences shelf–basin exchange associated with dense water cascading. We have carried out case studies in two regions of the Arctic Ocean where cascading was observed in the past. The baseline range of buoyancy‐forcing derived from the columnar ice formation was calculated as part of a 30‐year experiment of the pan‐Arctic coupled ice–ocean general circulation model (GCM). The GCM results indicate that mechanical sea ice divergence associated with lateral advection accounts for a significant part of the interannual variations in sea ice thermal production in the coastal polynya regions. This forcing was then rectified by taking into account sub‐grid processes and used in a regional model with analytically prescribed bottom topography and vertical stratification in order to examine specific cascading conditions in the Pacific and Atlantic sectors of the Arctic Ocean. Our results demonstrate that the consequences of enhanced ice formation depend on geographical location and shelf–basin bathymetry. In the Pacific sector, strong density stratification in slope waters impedes noticeable deepening of shelf‐origin water, even for the strongest forcing applied. In the Atlantic sector, a 1.5× increase of salt flux leads to a threefold increase of shelf‐slope volume flux below the warm core of Atlantic water. This threefold increase would be a sufficient substitute for a similar amount of dense water that currently forms in the Greenland, Iceland, and Norwegian (GIN) seas but is expected to decrease in a warming climate.
Food predictability determines space use of endangered vultures: implications for management of supplementary feeding
Authors: López-López Pascual , García-Ripollés Clara , Urios Vicente
Published: December 2013

Understanding space use of free‐living endangered animals is key to informing management decisions for conservation planning. Like most scavengers, vultures have evolved under a context of unpredictability of food resources (i.e., exploiting scattered carcasses that are intermittently available). However, the role of predictable sources of food in shaping spatial ecology of vultures has seldom been studied in detail. Here, we quantify the home range of the Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), a long‐lived raptor that has experienced severe population decline throughout its range and is qualified as endangered worldwide. To this end, six adults were tracked by satellite telemetry in Spain during the breeding season, from 2007 to 2012, recording 10 360 GPS locations. Using Resource Utilization Functions, we assessed the topology of the Utilization Distribution, a three‐dimensional measure that shows the probability of finding an animal within the home range. Our results showed how food availability, and principally, how food predictability, determines ranging behavior of this species. Egyptian Vultures showed consistent site fidelity across years, measured as the two‐ and three‐dimensional overlap in their home ranges. Space use varied considerably within the home range and remarkably, places located far from nesting sites were used more frequently than some areas located closer. Therefore, traditional conservation measures based on establishing restrictive rules within a fixed radius around nesting sites could be biologically meaningless if other areas within the home range are not protected too. Finally, our results emphasize the importance of anthropogenic predictable sources of food (mainly vulture restaurants) in shaping the space use of scavengers, which is in agreement with recent findings. Hence, measures aimed at ensuring food availability are essential to preserve this endangered vulture, especially in the present context of limiting carrion dumping in the field due to sanitary regulations according to European legislation.
Some remarks about the classical foundations and contemporary trends of reconceptualizing citizenship
Authors: Vasiljevic Jelena
Published: December 2013

The paper explores some of the key historical and theoretical traditions of
thinking about citizenship, basic tensions and problems inherent to the
concept itself, as well as the main contemporary challenges. After presenting
key problems that stem from the classical liberal and republican traditions -
complemented by a discussion of citizenship within the nation-state framework
- the paper turns to an overview of the main contemporary challenges and
debates aiming at reconceptualizing the concept itself and including it into
novel and different political and theoretical frames.
Who is (still) afraid of queer: Homosexual and transgender strategies of star trek
Authors: Drezgic Rada , Krstic Predrag
Published: December 2013

This text gives a critical account of various, often conflicting
interpretations of slash fiction - stories based on characters from popular
TV show, The Star Trek, written (and read) by fans. What makes slash fiction,
a subgenre of fan fiction, specific is a homoeroticization of characters that
in the original narratives are either explicitly or implicitly heterosexual.
Whether such ?homoerotic pairing? has any foundation in the original Star
Trek narrative, remains an open question. Answers to this question vary
greatly. An affirmative answer, however, begs a further question: whether
these narratives are ?homosexual representations? in a strict gay/lesbian
sense? The authors propose that slash represents a non-hegemonic narrative
which transgresses borders (of the medium, genre, gender, sexuality etc.) set
up in the original narrative - queering, reexamining thus both sex and
gender.
The thermal degradation of some polymeric di-alkyl esters of itaconic acid
Authors: Popovic Ivanka , Katsikas Lynne
Published: December 2013

One group of polymers that may help relieve the dependence on crude oil is
based on itaconic acid, the biotechnological production of which has become
feasible. Itaconic acid and its derivatives can easily be incorporated into
polymers and may serve as a substitute for petrochemically derived acrylate
or methacrylate monomers. The applications of polymers based on itaconic
di-esters depend largely on their thermal stability. The thermal stability of
poly(di-itaconates) is dependent, not only on the general structure of the
monomer repeating unit, but also on the structure of the ester substituent.
Depolymerization, initiated by b-scission or random main chain scission, is
the dominant thermolysis mechanism in most cases. The depolymerization of
poly-(di-itaconates) may be accompanied by de-esterification, elimination,
cross-linking, random main or side chain scission and carbonization.
Comparison of the thermal degradation mechanism of polymeric di-esters of
itaconic acid to that of corresponding poly(methacrylates) confirms the
viability of substituting poly(methacrylates) by poly(di-itaconates).
Incentives for Tax Planning and Avoidance: Evidence from the Field
Authors: Graham John R. , Hanlon Michelle , Shevlin Terry , Shroff Nemit
Published: December 2013

We analyze survey responses from nearly 600 corporate tax executives to investigate firms' incentives and disincentives for tax planning. While many researchers hypothesize that reputational concerns affect the degree to which managers engage in tax planning, this hypothesis is difficult to test with archival data. Our survey allows us to investigate reputational influences and, indeed, we find that reputational concerns are important—69 percent of executives rate reputation as important and the factor ranks second in order of importance among all factors explaining why firms do not adopt a potential tax planning strategy. We also find that financial accounting incentives play a role. For example, 84 percent of publicly traded firms respond that top management at their company cares at least as much about the GAAP ETR as they do about cash taxes paid and 57 percent of public firms say that increasing earnings per share is an important outcome from a tax planning strategy.

JEL Classifications: D83; G31, M41.

Data Availability: Survey responses are confidential. Other data are available from public sources identified in the paper.
Continuous Auditing and Continuous Monitoring in ERP Environments: Case Studies of Application Implementations
Authors: Singh Kishore , Best Peter J. , Bojilov Mario , Blunt Catherine
Published: December 2013

The need for continuous auditing and continuous monitoring (CA/CM) has increased in the global digital economy. Modern computer-based systems make it possible to measure and monitor business processes at an unprecedented level of detail in a real- or near real-time basis. This empowers auditors to become increasingly dependent on computer technology and software tools. While there is a growing body of literature related to this domain, there is a need for empirical evidence from actual implementations that document these systems in detail. In this research, we perform such an investigation on three CA/CM systems, namely SAPSECURE, CAMAP, and Bagheera-S™.
Effectiveness of the Reverse Bending and Straightening Tests in Detecting Laminations in Wires for Civil Engineering Applications
Authors: Adewole K.K. , Bull S.J.
Published: December 2013

The reverse bending and straightening test is conducted on wires used for civil engineering applications to detect laminations which can pose a threat to the integrity of the wires. The FE simulations of the reverse bending and straightening of wires with laminations revealed that the reverse bending and straightening test is only effective in revealing or detecting near-surface laminations with lengths from 25mm located up to 30% of the wire’s thickness and may not be an effective test to detect mid-thickness, near-mid-thickness, and short near-surface laminations with lengths below 15mm. This is because wires with mid-thickness, near-mid-thickness and short nearsurface laminations will pass through the reverse bending and straightening procedures without fracturing and therefore mid-thickness, near-mid-thickness and short near-surface laminations may go undetected. Consequently, other in-line non destructive testing methods might have to be used to detect mid-thickness, near-mid-thickness and short near-surface laminations in the wires.
Transient Analysis of Heat Transfer Across the Residential Building Roof with Pcm and Wood Wool- A Case Study by Numerical Simulation Approach
Authors: Prakash D. , Ravikumar P.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, transient analysis on heat transfer across the residential building roof having various materials like wood wool, phase change material and weathering tile is performed by numerical simulation technique. 2-dimensional roof model is created, checked for grid independency and validated with the experimental results. Three different roof structures are included in this study namely roof with (i). Concrete and weathering tile, (ii). Concrete, phase change material and weathering tile and (iii). Concrete, phase change material, wood wool and weathering tile. Roof type 3 restricts 13% of heat entering the room in comparison with roof having only concrete and weathering tile. Also the effect of various roof layers’ thickness in the roof type 3 is investigated and identified that the wood wool plays the major role in arresting the entry of heat in to the room. The average reduction of heat is about 10 % for an increase of a unit thickness of wood wool layer.
Risk of Alterations to Project Documentation on an Example of Environmental Engineering Construction
Authors: Rybka I. , Bondar-Nowakowska E.
Published: December 2013

Investor bears responsibility for proper preparation of the investment process. One of his tasks is to prepare the project documentation and obtaina building permit. Frequently, during his work, there are situations and events whose im pact interferes with the design solutions. Regardless of reasons, alterations to a project constitute a source of cost risk. In each case, the Investor should be prepared for this type of a risk. Exposure to risk should be taken into account in the planning stage of the investment. Also, a model of investment execution should be chosen at this stage. The type of model is associated with the distribution of risk throughout the project. The aim of this paper is to identify events that generate risk related to alterations to Project Documentation in the context of the selection of the investment executionmodel.
Research on the Portuguese Building Stock and Its Impacts on Energy Consumption – An Average U-Value Approach
Authors: Sousa J. , Bragança L. , Almeida M. , Silva P.
Published: December 2013

The article aims to evaluate the Portuguese building stock energy policies and strategy for energy saving in buildings among the EU members. It was found out the average heat transfer coefficients of the main structural elements of Portuguese Buildings and analyzed the U-values of this elements considering different time periods. The fundamentals of this study were funded by the Agency for Development and Innovation (ADI) and co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER) through the Operational Program for Competitiveness Factors (POFC) assigned to the Building Physics and Construction Technology Laboratory with the reference SB Tool SPT_2011_4.
Evaluation of Distance Between Pedestrian Crossings by Students in One of the Polish Cities
Authors: Kruszyna M.
Published: December 2013

In this paper, the distances between pedestrian crossings in twenty one places in the city of Wrocław, together with their evaluation by the researched groups of students, were analyzed. The database created from the collected questionnaires contains a set of two-dimensional variables: the distance between crossings and the rating of the students. The database set was analyzed using a fuzzy data mining approach to create particular clusters. Various numbers of clusters were analyzed, and the division of data into three clusters made it possible to relate the analysis to the LOS methodology. Each variable was enriched with a third dimension representing a membership value. The obtained evaluated distances are similar to values recommended in literature, although the distances highly evaluated by the students do not often occur in reality. This might suggest that there is the need to create new crossings, especially in the city centre, where pedestrian trafic is or should be important.
On The Eneström-Kakeya Theorem
Authors: Liman A , Rasool Tawheeda , Shah WM
Published: December 2013

In this paper we present some interesting generalizations of Eneström-Kakeya type results concerning the location of zeros of a polynomial in the complex plane. We relax the hypothesis and put less restrictive conditions on the coefficients of the polynomial, and thereby generalize some classical results. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v10i0.8067   BIBECHANA 10 (2014) 71-81
The effect of tantalum addition on the corrosion behavior of W-xTa alloys in 1 M NaOH solution
Authors: Baral Susil , Bhattarai Jagadeesh
Published: December 2013

The role of tantalum addition on the corrosion behavior of the sputter-deposited nanocrystalline and amorphous W-xTa (x=8-77) alloys was studied in 1 M NaOH solution open to air at 25°C using corrosion tests and electrochemical measurements. Tungsten and tantalum metals act synergistically in enhancing the corrosion resistant properties of the W-xTa alloys and hence addition of 23 at% or more tantalum to the alloys were found to be effective to lower the corrosion rate of the alloys than those of alloy-constituting tungsten and tantalum elements. The corrosion rates of the W-xTa alloys containing 23-77 at% tantalum are nearly two orders of magnitude lower than that of tungsten and even slightly lower than that of tantalum in 1 M NaOH. Addition of tantalum metal in W-xTa alloys is effective for ennoblement of the open circuit corrosion potential of the tungsten metal in 1 M NaOH solution 25°C.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v10i0.8363 BIBECHANA 10 (2014) 1-8