bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabalho e gênero: a produção de masculinidades na perspectiva de homens e mulheres
Authors: Eccel Claudia Sirangelo , Grisci Carmem Lígia Iochins
Published: October 2012

Neste artigo, analisam-se as relações de gênero no trabalho na ótica da masculinidade e propõe-se uma ampliação do foco dos estudos de gênero na Administração no Brasil. Ainda que os sujeitos masculinos do trabalho sejam amplamente estudados, é importante considerá-los da perspectiva de gênero e não apenas como sujeitos-padrão do trabalho, norma da qual as mulheres se distanciam. A presente pesquisa objetivou analisar como os ideais de masculinidade hegemônica engendrados em uma organização afetam a construção de estilos de vida de homens e mulheres. Os dados analisados à luz das teorias pós-estruturalistas indicaram que o contexto organizacional atua na produção e valorização de determinados estilos de masculinidade que se tornam hegemônicos em detrimento de outros. Além disso, as análises possibilitaram a compreensão das dinâmicas da masculinidade na organização pesquisada mediante os processos de subjetivação. Como contribuição teórica para os estudos organizacionais, esta pesquisa possibilita um olhar sobre as relações de poder e hierarquização entre as masculinidades, e não apenas a dominação do masculino sobre o feminino.
Subvertendo o desejo no teatro das organizações: problematizações contemporâneas sobre o desejo e a expansão da vida nas relações de trabalho
Authors: Souza Eloisio Moulin de , Bianco Mônica de Fátima
Published: October 2012

Este artigo pretende problematizar a concepção de desejo contida nas abordagens estruturalistas e pós-estruturalistas, colocando o desejo como objeto fundamental da análise contemporânea das relações de poder no local de trabalho, enfatizando a incapacidade do conceito estruturalista de desejo no processo de construção e catalisação de espaços laborais que promovam a expansão da vida. . Para tanto se realizou uma pesquisa qualitativa fundamentada na análise bibliográfica sobre o desejo, focando-se em Freud e no estruturalismo de Lacan, bem como no pós-estruturalismo de Deleuze, Rolnik e Foucault, salientando-se que este artigo adota uma concepção pós-estruturalista de desejo. Conclui-se que as teorias psicanalíticas modernas (Freud), estruturalistas (Lacan), bem como os trabalhos organizacionais de Chanlat e Dejours que utilizam a psicanálise em suas análises, ao definirem o que é desejo acabam criando fatores inibidores e despotencializadores do processo ético-político-estético de expansão da vida no local de trabalho. Diferentemente, o pós-estruturalismo, ao definir o desejo como social, capaz de construir e desconstruir realidades, consegue potencializar e problematizar a complexidade que envolve a expansão da vida no trabalho e na sociedade contemporânea.
As redes sociais dos empreendedores na formação do capital social: um estudo de casos múltiplos em municípios do norte pioneiro no estado do Paraná
Authors: Ducci Norma Pimenta Cirilo , Teixeira Rivanda Meira
Published: October 2012

Quando as redes sociais, construídas pelos contatos formais e informais, contribuem para o alcance dos objetivos dos empreendedores, essas redes são seu capital social (BURT, 1992). Este trabalho tem como objetivo compreender como as redes sociais são utilizadas pelos empreendedores na construção do seu capital social. Especificamente, analisam-se quais os tipos de redes desenvolvidos pelos empreendedores e quais os recursos acessados através desses relacionamentos na criação e desenvolvimento do negócio. Realizou-se um estudo qualitativo de casos múltiplos em três empreendimentos localizados na região norte pioneiro do Paraná. As evidências foram coletadas por meio de entrevistas semiestruturadas com os empreendedores, observação e análise de documentos. Os resultados do trabalho sugerem que nas duas fases dos negócios, de criação e desenvolvimento, a rede social dos empreendedores permitiram acesso aos diferentes recursos que influenciaram de forma significativa na trajetória e nos resultados alcançados. Ainda, partindo da ideia de que capital social é o benefício que pode ser derivado da rede social, é procedente afirmar que os diferentes recursos acessados pelos empreendedores do estudo contribuíram para a formação do seu capital social.
Escolhas linguísticas, custos políticos e gerenciamento da imagem corporativa: o caso da Aracruz Celulose S.A.
Authors: Pagliarussi Marcelo Sanches , Ribeiro Jusmeire Fieni , Silva Alfredo Rodrigues Leite da , Silva Júnior Annor da
Published: October 2012

Discussão sobre o processo de construção de sentido nos relatórios anuais corporativos com base na relação entre as escolhas linguísticas realizadas e os custos políticos a que uma empresa está submetida. As proposições teóricas desenvolvidas mediante a adoção da perspectiva teórico-metodológica da gramática funcional foram confrontadas com dados empíricos. Foram analisados as Mensagens da Administração e os Sumários Executivos contidos nas seções narrativas dos relatórios anuais, de 1998 a 2007, da Aracruz Celulose. O foco da análise foi a interpretação das funções sintático-semânticas como meio para a construção de sentido desses documentos. A escolha da empresa foi motivada pelo seu histórico de lucros elevados e adoção de políticas voluntárias de divulgação financeira, além de custos políticos elevados relacionados a assuntos ambientais e conflitos de demarcação de terras indígenas. Os resultados indicam a tentativa da empresa em priorizar e enfatizar sua identidade institucional ao intensificar, circunstanciar e reforçar suas atitudes, em vez de informar de maneira neutra suas realizações ou planos. No eixo temático relacionado aos conflitos com as comunidades indígenas, foi notória a intenção de expor o seu ponto de vista institucional, impondo ao leitor seu modo particular de perceber os fatos, sem observar a neutralidade desejável no compromisso informacional dos relatórios anuais.
Contribuições da fenomenologia para os estudos organizacionais
Authors: Boava Diego Luiz Teixeira , Macedo Fernanda Maria Felício
Published: October 2012

Este artigo discute elementos que viabilizam outra possibilidade de compreensão dos fenômenos administrativos, através de uma descrição propedêutica da fenomenologia e do método fenomenológico. Objetiva-se, assim, apresentar as principais contribuições e possibilidades da fenomenologia para os estudos organizacionais. Aprofunda-se em considerações sobre a fenomenologia em geral e os diversos tipos de métodos fenomenológicos em particular, buscando esclarecer sobre a filosofia existente nesses temas, para auxiliar os pesquisadores em seu labor diário. Discorre-se também sobre a redução, que na verdade são duas: a eidética e a fenomenológica. Tais reduções são vitais para retirar o homem de sua atitude natural. Outro assunto aqui abordado é a transposição do método fenomenológico do campo filosófico para o campo da pesquisa empírica. Diante dessa contextualização, tem-se o último assunto a ser abordado, que vai diretamente ao encontro do objetivo desta pesquisa, discutindo-se a utilização da fenomenologia no contexto da administração. A título de ilustração, são apresentados diversos estudos que têm a fenomenologia como tema, bem como um método fenomenológico empírico específico da área de estudos organizacionais. Dessa maneira, a temática neste artigo é situada, sendo preciso agora avançar em direção a outras possibilidades.
Competências empreendedoras e processos de aprendizagem empreendedora: modelo conceitual de pesquisa
Authors: Zampier Marcia Aparecida , Takahashi Adriana Roseli Wünsch
Published: October 2012

Ao constatar que os empreendedores são indivíduos com características inovadoras, proativas e com facilidade em identificar novas oportunidades, surge a necessidade de entender como eles desenvolvem tais competências. Visitando a literatura percebe-se que existem evidências da inter-relação entre os processos de desenvolvimento de competências empreendedoras e de aprendizagem empreendedora, que os sustentam. Assim, torna-se imprescindível compreender como ocorrem esses processos. Dessa forma, o objetivo do presente estudo é contribuir para o avanço na literatura de empreendedorismo, apresentando um modelo conceitual de pesquisa que integra modelos de competências empreendedoras e de processos de aprendizagem empreendedora. Este artigo, de cunho teórico, resulta de extensa pesquisa bibliográfica e apresenta os resultados obtidos até então, uma vez que pesquisas empíricas para sua validação estão em processo.
Por uma nova interpretação das mudanças de paradigma na administração pública
Authors: Andion Carolina
Published: October 2012

O objetivo deste ensaio é identificar e aprofundar a análise dos paradigmas presentes no campo teórico da administração pública no Brasil. Além de salientar as transformações, trata-se de demonstrar a continuidade paradigmática presente nos estudos do campo em questão. A hipótese central deste texto é de que, embora tenhamos assistido a mudanças paradigmáticas nas duas últimas décadas, o campo da administração pública ainda é dominado - assim como nas ciências sociais e na teoria de organizações - por uma concepção funcionalista da ciência. Para demonstrar essa hipótese, utilizamos a seguinte metodologia para construção do argumento epistemológico e consequentemente para elaboração deste ensaio: (i) Partimos de um diálogo com o trabalho de Keinert (1994, 2000), fazendo uma leitura que aponta os limites e busca complementar o mesmo; (ii) examinamos criticamente a trajetória do campo da administração pública no Brasil e as diferentes correntes teóricas que o compõem, com base no modelo de paradigmas construído por Burrell e Morgan (2008); (iii) analisamos então quatro correntes principais que compõem hoje o campo, as quais denominamos de Estadocêntrica; Pluralista; Nova Administração Pública e Novo Serviço Público, caracterizando cada uma delas e identificando os paradigmas nos quais elas estão ancoradas. Para concluir, apresentamos uma síntese, demonstrando o predomínio do paradigma funcionalista no campo da administração pública brasileira e chamando a atenção para a necessidade de se pensar novos caminhos metateóricos pouco explorados (CALDAS, 2007), tendo como inspiração referenciais críticos e interpretativos.
Novas gerações no mercado de trabalho: expectativas renovadas ou antigos ideais?
Authors: Cavazotte Flávia de Souza Costa Neves , Lemos Ana Heloisa da Costa , Viana Mila Desouzart de Aquino
Published: October 2012

Em meio a transformações nas carreiras e relações produtivas na atualidade, (BALASSIANO e COSTA, 2006; DUTRA, 2010), uma nova geração de profissionais está entrando no mercado de trabalho. Essa geração tem sido caracterizada pela literatura não acadêmica como sensivelmente diferente das antecessoras (ALSOP, 2008; MUNRO, 2009). No entanto, em estudos científicos, as diferenças observadas parecem bem menos acentuadas (CENNAMO e GARDNER, 2008; WONG, GARDINER, LANG et al., 2008). As mudanças no âmbito das carreiras e o ingresso no mercado de trabalho dessa nova geração motivaram a realização deste estudo que objetivou conhecer as expectativas de jovens profissionais em formação quanto às recompensas tangíveis e intangíveis que desejam obter no trabalho, através de entrevistas com estudantes do curso de graduação em Administração de universidades privadas do Rio de Janeiro. Diante de uma pergunta ampla acerca do que desejariam encontrar nas organizações, jovens com idades entre 20 e 28 anos revelaram seus sonhos e anseios. A análise dos relatos sugere que há mais em comum entre os membros da geração Y e seus antecessores do que a literatura não acadêmica nos faria crer. As observações desta pesquisa oferecem suporte à noção de que jovens funcionários talvez estabeleçam contratos psicológicos que favorecem o prazer, a liberdade e o envolvimento social. Ao mesmo tempo indicam que o novo parece coexistir com o tradicional, pois anseios contemporâneos combinam-se a desejos comuns às gerações anteriores, reforçando a percepção de que existem expectativas relacionadas ao trabalho que subsistem, a despeito de mudanças objetivas na esfera produtiva.
A survey of failures of bridge falsework systems since 1970
Authors: André João , Beale Robert , Baptista António M.
Published: October 2012

Bridge falsework systems are frequently used during the construction, rehabilitation and retrofit works of bridge structures. These structures have a significant impact on the cost, construction rate and construction safety of the supported permanent structures. However, the relevant stakeholders often do not consider them to be as important as permanent structures, and in recent years a high number of accidents involving bridge falsework systems have been reported, particularly in the developing world. In order to increase the safety and the efficiency of these systems it is certainly beneficial to learn from past failures. In this paper, a survey of the failures of bridge falsework systems since 1970 is presented. The data will provide useful statistics for risk assessments when considering the potential consequences associated with failures of bridge falsework systems.
Briefing: Waste management in Manchester, UK – planning for success
Authors: Mitchell Keith
Published: October 2012

The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority in the UK set out in 2003 to make a significant move up the waste hierarchy. With a population of over 2·27 million people and an annual municipal waste volume of up to 1·5 Mt across nine local authorities, Europe’s largest ever public sector waste procurement project was an ambitious programme from the start. The plans included the development of a range of new facilities which would process Greater Manchester’s municipal waste for the next 25 years and lead the way in intelligent waste resource management.
Limits to the critical raw materials approach
Authors: Buijs Bram , Sievers Henrike , Tercero Espinoza Luis A.
Published: October 2012

The issue of a secure supply of raw materials has regained importance in recent years. A prominent feature of the current discussion has been the identification of ‘critical raw materials’ and of adequate measures to reduce their ‘criticality’. This paper explores the definition, uses and limitations of lists of critical raw materials as a policy tool today and in a historical perspective. It becomes clear that the underlying issues affecting security of supply tend to persist while the identity of the ‘critical’ raw materials changes due to changing market conditions. The usefulness of shortlists of critical raw materials as a policy instrument therefore depends not only on the degree to which a particular methodology reflects the underlying issues but also on the timeframe chosen for the analysis.
Briefing: Minerals security of supply: a geological perspective
Authors: Gunn Gus , Bloodworth Andrew
Published: October 2012

For more than 200 years many authors have expressed concern about the adequacy of natural resources to support economic growth and the spread of prosperity. Most of these predictions, however, are unnecessarily alarmist and are based on over-simplistic analysis of mineral reserve and consumption data. In fact, despite rapidly increasing demand, continued scientific and technological innovations have ensured that economic development has never been constrained by lack of mineral resources. However, ‘critical metals’, so-called because of their growing importance in new and green technologies and the high risk of supply shortage, present a particular problem because our knowledge of them is limited and many are by-products of major industrial metals. There is now an urgent need for research on all aspects of the lifecycles of these metals to ensure their future availability.
Contribution of different effluent organic matter fractions to membrane fouling in ultrafiltration of treated domestic wastewater
Authors: Zheng X. , Croue J. P.
Published: October 2012

In the present work, effluent organic matter (EfOM) in treated domestic wastewater was separated into hydrophobic neutrals, colloids, hydrophobic acids, transphilic acids and neutrals and hydrophilic compounds. Their contribution to dissolved organic carbon (DOC) was identified. Further characterization was conducted with respect to molecular size and hydrophobicity. Each isolated fraction was dosed into salt solution to identify its fouling potential in ultrafiltration (UF) using a hydrophilized polyethersulfone membrane. The results show that each kind of EfOM leads to irreversible fouling. At similar delivered DOC load to the membrane, colloids present the highest fouling effect in terms of both reversible and irreversible fouling. The hydrophobic organics show much lower reversibility than the biopolymers present. However, as they are of much smaller size than the membrane pore opening, they cannot lead to such severe fouling as biopolymers do. In all of the isolated fractions, hydrophilics show the lowest fouling potential. For either colloids or hydrophobic substances, increasing their content in feedwater leads to worse fouling. The co-effect between biopolymers and other EfOM fractions has also been identified as one of the mechanisms contributing to UF fouling in filtering EfOM-containing waters.
Parental Emigration and Conceptions of Better Futures in Ecuador
Authors: Rae-Espinoza Heather
Published: October 2012

Ideas about best practices for children's futures shape global and local, lay and expert, and personal and clinical discussions. Debates can evolve around sociocultural and political dividing lines. In Ecuador, transnational families and non-émigré families espouse contrasting ideas on whether parental emigration constitutes a better life for children or not. Through data from ethnographic interviews over three years of fieldwork, this article details the differing local cultural expectations of how to provide ‘better childhoods’. The two perspectives contrast on the effects of parental emigration on children. However, these local cultural expectations share similar underlying concerns regarding discipline, education, kinship roles and family devotion. A long-standing cultural logic permeates these ideologies of children's needs as traditional perspectives combine with globalized experiences in a culture of migration. Conceptions of ‘better’ childhoods can be enriched through understanding how people negotiate local cultural knowledge with global experiences.
Internal Audit Assistance and External Audit Timeliness
Authors: Abbott Lawrence J. , Parker Susan , Peters Gary F.
Published: October 2012

Professional standards guide external auditors to consider the effect of the client's internal audit work and opportunities to utilize the direct assistance of the internal audit function when planning and conducting audits. We examine the effect of internal audit assistance on external audit timeliness via the extent of external audit delay. We hypothesize and find that internal audit assistance is negatively associated with external audit delay. We also document moderating relationships between internal audit assistance and other internal audit environment characteristics, such as the extent of internal control reliance, coordination with the external auditor, and the investment in internal audit quality. Overall, our findings have implications for firms and external auditors who are evaluating the role and use of internal audit functions. Namely, our findings suggest that internal audit assistance may not only result in audit cost savings, but also in greater audit efficiencies. These findings are particularly germane given the challenges faced by external auditors in the form of greater audit requirements, shorter regulatory filing deadlines, resource constraints, and audit fee pressures.
The Effect of Workload Compression on Audit Quality
Authors: López Dennis M. , Peters Gary F.
Published: October 2012

This study investigates whether workload pressures, as proxied by the audit busy season (i.e., December fiscal year-end date) and auditor workload compression (i.e., relative concentration of companies with the same fiscal year-end date in an auditor's client portfolio), affect audit quality. Using a sample of 8,384 firm-year observations during the period 2006–2009, we find that busy season companies exhibit greater magnitudes of abnormal accruals and are more likely to meet or beat certain earnings benchmarks. Additional tests show that these associations are enhanced by the degree of auditor workload compression. Prior experimental and survey research indicates that workload pressures lead to dysfunctional behaviors and lower audit quality among individual auditors. Our archival findings suggest that these pressures can transcend the quality control mechanisms of a firm, affecting quality at the audit engagement level.
Thermal decomposition of lanthanide(III) complexes of bis-(salicylaldehyde)-1,3-propylenediimine Schiff base ligand
Authors: Taha Ziyad , Ajlouni Abdulaziz , Al-Mustafa Jamil
Published: October 2012

The thermal decomposition of lanthanide complexes, with a general formula: [LnL(NO3)2](NO3), where Ln = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Tb, Dy, and Er; and L = bis-(salicyladehyde)-1,3-propylenediimine Schiff base ligand, was studied by thermogravimetric (TG) and derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) techniques. The TG and DTG data indicated that all complexes are thermostable up to 398 K. The thermal decomposition of all Ln(III) complexes was a two-stage process and the final residues were Ln2O3 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, Er), Tb4O7, and Pr6 O11. The activation energies of thermal decomposition of the complexes were calculated from analysis of the TG-DTG curves using the Kissinger, Friedman, and Flynn-Well-Ozawa methods.
Enantioselective extraction of hydrophilic 2-chloromandelic acid enantiomers by hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin: experiments and modeling
Authors: Zhou Cong-Shan , Xu Ping , Tang Ke-Wen , Jiang Xin-Yu , Yang Tao , Zhang Pan-Liang
Published: October 2012

Enantioselective extraction of hydrophilic 2-chloromandelic acid (CMA) enantiomers from organic to aqueous phase with hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD) as the selector was investigated. Equilibrium of the extraction system was modeled using a reactive extraction model with a homogeneous aqueous phase reaction. The influence of important process variables on the extraction efficiency, such as the type of the organic solvent and β-cyclodextrin derivatives (β-CDs), concentration of the selector, pH and temperature, was investigated by experiment and modeling. Important parameters of this model were determined experimentally. Results showed that the experimental data agree with the model prediction perfectly and the model was further applied to accurately predict the extraction efficiency influenced simultaneously by pH and the concentration of HP-β-CD. Combining the experiment and the model data, the best extraction conditions were: pH of 2.5, HP-β-CD concentration of 0.05 mol L−1, and temperature of 5°C, providing the enantioselectivity of 1.285 and the performance factor (pf) of 0.011.
Synthesis, characterisation, and DC conductivity of polyaniline-lead oxide composites
Authors: Parveen Ameena , Dashpande Raghunandan , Ahmed Shakeel , Roy Aashis
Published: October 2012

The polyaniline-PbO composites of various mass fractions were prepared by in situ polymerisation. The prepared samples were characterised by FTIR, and the dominant peaks confirmed the formation of polyaniline-PbO composites. The SEM study shows a granular agglomerated morphology, and increases with an increase in the lead oxide mass % in polyaniline. Direct current (DC) conductivity (σ DC) was studied as a function of temperature (T). From these studies, it was found that conductivity increased at higher temperatures due to the polarons hopping from one localised state to another. DSC studies reveal, the decrease in peak temperature from 273°C (pure PANI) to 169.2°C, 193.5°C, 218.4°C, 235.2°C, and 224.2°C, respectively for the various mass fractions (10 %, 30 %, 20 %, 40 %, and 50 %) of polyaniline-PbO composites.
Bullying Explains Only Part of LGBTQ–Heterosexual Risk Disparities
Authors: Robinson Joseph P. , Espelage Dorothy L.
Published: October 2012

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) experience higher rates of victimization by bullying than do their heterosexual-identified peers. In this article, we investigate the extent to which this difference in rates of victimization can explain LGBTQ youths’ greater rates of suicidal ideation, suicide attempts, and unexcused absences from school. Our sample consisted of 11,337 students in Grades 7 through 12 from 30 schools in Dane County, Wisconsin. Using both multilevel covariate-adjusted models and propensity-score-matching models, we found that although victimization does explain a portion of the LGBTQ–heterosexual risk disparities, substantial differences persist even when the differences in victimization are taken into account. For example, LGBTQ-identified students were 3.3 times as likely to think about suicide ( p < .0001), 3.0 times as likely to attempt suicide ( p = .007), and 1.4 times as likely to skip school ( p = .047) as propensity-score-matched heterosexual-identified students within the same school who reported equivalent levels of peer victimization. Moreover, in our propensity-score-matched samples, we found substantial differences in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts at both higher and lower levels of victimization. This consistent pattern of findings suggests that policies aimed simply at reducing bullying may not be effective in bringing LGBTQ youth to the level of their heterosexual peers in terms of psychological and educational outcomes. Additional policies may be needed to promote safe, supportive school environments.
First- Through Eighth-Grade Retention Rates for All 50 States
Authors: Warren John Robert , saliba jim
Published: October 2012

How many students repeat a grade each year? How do retention rates vary across states and over time? Despite extensive research on the predictors and consequences of grade retention, there is no systematic way to quantify state-level retention rates; even national estimates rely on imperfect proxy measures. We present a conceptually simple method—based on publicly available data that are routinely collected each year—that describes retention rates at the state and national levels. After describing and validating this method, we use it to report first- through eighth-grade public school retention rates for 2002–2003 through 2008–2009 for the entire country and for each state.
To Know Is Not Enough
Authors: Ball Arnetha F.
Published: October 2012

In this 2012 American Educational Research Association (AERA) Presidential Address, the author considers this year’s conference theme—how to take what we know from research and put it to effective (policy and practice) use. The essay challenges members individually and collectively to improve the connection. She reflects on the history of AERA as an organization, why many seminal research studies fail to get relevant uptake, several models that are instructive in considering the translation process, and comments on several of the papers commissioned by AERA, in advance of the 2012 meeting, which also address different aspects of the translation challenge. The author highlights her own model of change, which she refers to as the Model of Generative Change, and explains the stages or phases of generativity that can be experienced in the research lives of education researchers.
Nervus intermedius dysfunction following Gamma Knife surgery for vestibular schwannoma
Authors: Park Seong-Hyun , Lee Kyu-Yup , Hwang Sung-Kyoo
Published: October 2012

Object

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the function of the nervus intermedius, the nonmotor component of the facial nerve, following modern Gamma Knife surgery (GKS) for the treatment of vestibular schwannoma.

Methods

Sixty-five consecutive patients at our center underwent GKS as a primary treatment option for vestibular schwannoma between 2005 and 2010. The authors interviewed patients with a functional questionnaire to evaluate the function of the nervus intermedius before and after radiosurgery from their subjective point of view. Data from 50 patients treated using GKS for a unilateral vestibular schwannoma were obtained.

Results

Nine (18%) of 50 patients presented with at least one preradiosurgical disturbance of the nervus intermedius caused by the vestibular schwannoma itself, with dysfunctions of lacrimation, salivation, nasal secretion, and taste. Of the 41 patients without preradiosurgical disturbances, 9 (22%) experienced the onset of at least one new disturbance after GKS. Specifically for each dysfunction, of the 45 patients without a lacrimal disturbance before GKS, 5 (11.1%) had a new lacrimal disturbance after GKS. New onset of a salivary disturbance after GKS was reported in 3 (6.2%) of 48 patients. In 1 patient (2%), increased nasal secretion was noted 1 year after GKS. Five (10.6%) of 47 patients without a preradiosurgical taste disturbance experienced the symptom after GKS. No facial palsy developed in any patient before or after GKS. There was no significant correlation between postradiosurgical nervus intermedius dysfunction and tumor size, margin dose, or patient age.

Conclusions

The authors demonstrated that 22% of patients undergoing modern GKS for vestibular schwannoma experience various disturbances of nonmotor components of the facial nerve as a result of the radiosurgery. Through this study, we can provide useful information about the likelihood of certain postradiosurgical symptoms for vestibular schwannoma.
Extensively Drug-Resistant (XDR) Tuberculosis: A Review
Authors: Ahmed JU , Musa AKM , Hossain D , Rahim MA , Shaheen AKM , Uddin KN
Published: October 2012

Extensively drug-resistant (XDR) tuberculosis is defined as disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis with resistance to at least isoniazid and rifampicin, any fluoroquinolone, and at least one of three injectable secondline drugs (amikacin, capreomycin, or kanamycin). This definition in immensely valuable for more uniform surveillance in varied international settings. The prevalence of tuberculosis drug resistance has risen to the highest rate ever recorded. Although the gold standard for drugsusceptibility testing has been the agar proportion method; due to its time consumption, more sensitive, specific and rapid diagnostic tests are required. It is difficult to differentiate XDR tuberculosis from non-XDR tuberculosis clinically, although the former is associated with greater morbidity and mortality. The treatment of XDR tuberculosis should include agents to which the organism is susceptible, and should continue for a minimum of 18-24 months. However, treatment continues to be limited in tuberculosisendemic countries largely because of weaknesses in national tuberculosis health-care models. The ultimate strategy to control drug-resistant tuberculosis is one that implements a comprehensive approach incorporating innovation from the political, social, economic, and scientific realms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v1i1.12386 Birdem Med J 2011; 1(1): 30-36
A Case Report On Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Safder AMB , Mir SA , Miah BM , Tamanna RJ , Mohibullah AKM
Published: October 2012

A 32 year-old primigravida with gestational diabetes & subclinical hypothyroidism on replacement therapy and no previous cardiac problem, developed features of shock few hours after elective caesarian section at term, in the absence of any chest pain or palpitation. Following resuscitation she developed features of acute left ventricular failure. ECG showed nonspecific T changes, chest x-ray revealed enlarged cardiac shadow with pulmonary congestion, arterial blood gas analysis was normal with supplemental oxygen. Serial cardiac markers were normal & serum d-Dimer was negative. Echocardiogram revealed dilatation of all cardiac chambers with global hypokinesia & severe left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction. She was diagnosed as a case of peripartum cardiomyopathy and treated conservatively with medications. Her condition improved dramatically & she became symptom-free by the 5th post-operative day (POD) and subsequently discharged on 9th POD. Follow-up echocardiogram after 6 weeks revealed regional wall motion abnormality, normal chamber dimensions and fair LV systolic function. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v1i1.12387 Birdem Med J 2011; 1(1): 37-42
Names of the Reviewers of Articles in Vol.1(1)
Authors: Editor The
Published: October 2012

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v1i1.12401 Birdem Med J 2011; 1(1): 58
Mabbe's Maybes: A Stuart Hispanist in Context
Authors: Yamamoto-Wilson John R.
Published: October 2012

James Mabbe (c.1571–c.1642) remains a somewhat enigmatic figure. While the paucity of detail about his personal life once led to speculation that he might have been working secretly for the English government, more recent evidence has emerged that he spent time in prison as a Catholic spy. Valuable insights can be gained from a study of his choice and treatment of texts for translation in the context of his diverse network of friends, patrons, and dedicatees, and from considering his corpus as a whole (including his less well known translations), which seems to suggest a sociopolitical agenda. Ultimately, though, he continues to fascinate precisely because of the ambiguities that surround him; Mabbe's work has a mysterious quality, a différance that defies stable reconstruction.
Social Media and Experiential Ambivalence
Authors: Davis Jenny
Published: October 2012

At once fearful and dependent, hopeful and distrustful, our contemporary relationship with technology is highly ambivalent. Using experiential accounts from an ongoing Facebook-based qualitative study (N = 231), I both diagnose and articulate this ambivalence. I argue that technological ambivalence is rooted primarily in the deeply embedded moral prescription to lead a meaningful life, and a related uncertainty about the role of new technologies in the accomplishment of this task. On the one hand, technology offers the potential to augment or even enhance personal and public life. On the other hand, technology looms with the potential to supplant or replace real experience. I examine these polemic potentialities in the context of personal experiences, interpersonal relationships, and political activism. I conclude by arguing that the pervasive integration and non-optionality of technical systems amplifies utopian hopes, dystopian fears, and ambivalent concerns in the contemporary era.
Leptospirosis Outbreaks in Nicaragua: Identifying Critical Areas and Exploring Drivers for Evidence-Based Planning
Authors: Schneider Maria Cristina , Nájera Patricia , Aldighieri Sylvain , Bacallao Jorge , Soto Aida , Marquiño Wilmer , Altamirano Lesbia , Saenz Carlos , Marin Jesus , Jimenez Eduardo , Moynihan Matthew , Espinal Marcos
Published: October 2012

Leptospirosis is an epidemic-prone zoonotic disease that occurs worldwide. In Central America, leptospirosis outbreaks have been reported in almost all countries; Nicaragua in particular has faced several outbreaks. The objective of this study was to stratify the risk and identify “critical areas” for leptospirosis outbreaks in Nicaragua, and to perform an exploratory analysis of potential “drivers”. This ecological study includes the entire country (153 municipalities). Cases from 2004 to 2010 were obtained from the country’s health information system, demographic and socioeconomic variables from its Census, and environmental data from external sources. Criteria for risk stratification of leptospirosis were defined. Nicaragua reported 1,980 cases of leptospirosis during this period, with the highest percentage of cases (26.36%) in León, followed by Chinandega (15.35%). Among the 153 municipalities, 48 were considered critical areas, 85 were endemic and 20 silent. Using spatial and statistical analysis, the variable presenting the most evident pattern of association with critical areas defined by top quintile of incidence rate is the percentage of municipal surface occupied by the soil combination of cambisol (over pyroclastic and lava bedrock) and andosol (over a volcanic ashes foundation). Precipitation and percentage of rural population are also associated with critical areas. This methodology and findings could be used for Nicaragua’s Leptospirosis Intersectoral Plan, and to identify possible risk areas in other countries with similar drivers.
Oxidant Stress and Signal Transduction in the Nervous System with the PI 3-K, Akt, and mTOR Cascade
Authors: Maiese Kenneth , Chong Zhao Zhong , Wang Shaohui , Shang Yan Chen
Published: October 2012

Oxidative stress impacts multiple systems of the body and can lead to some of the most devastating consequences in the nervous system especially during aging. Both acute and chronic neurodegenerative disorders such as diabetes mellitus, cerebral ischemia, trauma, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, and tuberous sclerosis through programmed cell death pathways of apoptosis and autophagy can be the result of oxidant stress. Novel therapeutic avenues that focus upon the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI 3-K), Akt (protein kinase B), and the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) cascade and related pathways offer exciting prospects to address the onset and potential reversal of neurodegenerative disorders. Effective clinical translation of these pathways into robust therapeutic strategies requires intimate knowledge of the complexity of these pathways and the ability of this cascade to influence biological outcome that can vary among disorders of the nervous system.
Potentiation of the Cytotoxic Activity of Copper by Polyphosphate on Biofilm-Producing Bacteria: A Bioinspired Approach
Authors: Müller Werner E. G. , Wang Xiaohong , Guo Yue-Wei , Schröder Heinz C.
Published: October 2012

Adhesion and accumulation of organic molecules represent an ecologically and economically massive problem. Adhesion of organic molecules is followed by microorganisms, unicellular organisms and plants together with their secreted soluble and structure-associated byproducts, which damage unprotected surfaces of submerged marine structures, including ship hulls and heat exchangers of power plants. This is termed biofouling. The search for less toxic anti-biofilm strategies has intensified since the ban of efficient and cost-effective anti-fouling paints, enriched with the organotin compound tributyltin, not least because of our finding of the ubiquitous toxic/pro-apoptotic effects displayed by this compound [1]. Our proposed bio-inspired approach for controlling, suppressing and interfluencing the dynamic biofouling complex uses copper as one component in an alternative anti-fouling system. In order to avoid and overcome the potential resistance against copper acquired by microorganisms we are using the biopolymer polyphosphate (polyP) as a further component. Prior to being functionally active, polyP has to be hydrolyzed to ortho-phosphate which in turn can bind to copper and export the toxic compound out of the cell. It is shown here that inhibition of the hydrolysis of polyP by the bisphosphonate DMDP strongly increases the toxic effect of copper towards the biofilm-producing Streptococcus mutans in a synergistic manner. This bisphosphonate not only increases the copper-caused inhibition of cell growth but also of biofilm production by the bacteria. The defensin-related ASABF, a marine toxin produced by the sponge Suberites domuncula, caused only an additive inhibitory effect in combination with copper. We conclude that the new strategy, described here, has a superior anti-biofilm potential and can be considered as a novel principle for developing bio-inspired antifouling compounds, or cocktails of different compounds, in the future.
Effects of a Novel Poly (AA-co-AAm)/AlZnFe2O4/potassium Humate Superabsorbent Hydrogel Nanocomposite on Water Retention of Sandy Loam Soil and Wheat Seedling Growth
Authors: Shahid Shaukat , Qidwai Ansar , Anwar Farooq , Ullah Inam , Rashid Umer
Published: October 2012

A novel poly(acrylic acid-co-acrylamide)AlZnFe2O4/potassium humate superabsorbent hydrogel nanocomposite (PHNC) was synthesized and its physical properties characterized using SEM, Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) and FTIR spectroscopic techniques. Air dried sandy loam soil was amended with 0.1 to 0.4 w/w% of PHNC to evaluate its soil moisture retention attributes. Effect of PHNC amendment on pH, electrical conductivity (EC), porosity, bulk density and hydraulic conductivity of sandy loam soil was also studied. The soil amendment with 0.1 to 0.4 w/w% of PHNC remarkably enhanced the moisture retention at field capacity as compared to the un-amended soils. Seed germination and seedling growth of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was considerably increased and a delay by 6–9 days in wilting of seedlings was observed in the soil amended with PHNC, resulting in improved wheat plant establishment and growth.
Phenolic Content and Antioxidant Activity of Hibiscus cannabinus L. Seed Extracts after Sequential Solvent Extraction
Authors: Yusri Noordin , Chan Kim , Iqbal Shahid , Ismail Maznah
Published: October 2012

A sequential solvent extraction scheme was employed for the extraction of antioxidant compounds from kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus L.) seeds. Yield of extracts varied widely among the solvents and was the highest for hexane extract (16.6% based on dry weight basis), while water extract exhibited the highest total phenolic content (18.78 mg GAE/g extract), total flavonoid content (2.49 mg RE/g extract), and antioxidant activities (p < 0.05). DPPH and hydroxyl radical scavenging, β-carotene bleaching, metal chelating activity, ferric thiocyanate and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances assays were employed to comprehensively assess the antioxidant potential of different solvent extracts prepared sequentially. Besides water, methanolic extract also exhibited high retardation towards the formation of hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the total antioxidant activity tests (p < 0.05). As conclusion, water and methanol extracts of kenaf seed may potentially serve as new sources of antioxidants for food and nutraceutical applications.
An Efficient Synthesis of Novel Dispirooxindole Derivatives via One-Pot Three-Component 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions
Authors: Huang Zhibin , Zhao Qian , Chen Gang , Wang Huiyuan , Lin Wei , Xu Lexing , Liu Hongtao , Wang Juxian , Shi Daqing , Wang Yucheng
Published: October 2012

A series of novel dispirooxindoles have been synthesized through three-component 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylides generated in situ by the decarboxylative condensation of isatin and an α-amino acid with the dipolarophile 5-benzylidene-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4,6-trione. This method has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, high atom economy, excellent yields, and high regio- and stereo-selectivity.
Preparation, Characterization and Efficacy Evaluation of Synthetic Biocompatible Polymers Linking Natural Antioxidants
Authors: Trombino Sonia , Cassano Roberta , Ferrarelli Teresa , Leta Sonia , Puoci Francesco , Picci Nevio
Published: October 2012

The purpose of this work was the synthesis, characterization and efficacy evaluation of new biocompatible antioxidant polymers linking trans-ferulic acid or a-lipoic acid. In particular, ferulic or lipoic acid were introduced in the preformed polymeric backbone. The new antioxidant biopolymers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography. The degree of functionalization (moles of antioxidant per gram of polymer) was determined by the Gaur-Gupta method for free amino group determination and by the Folin method for the phenolic groups. Their ability to inhibit lipid peroxidation were estimated in rat liver microsomal membranes induced in vitro by tert-BOOH (tert-butyl hydroperoxide), as a source of free radicals. The DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical-scavenging effect was also evaluated. The obtained systems, with different solubility, showed strong antioxidant and antiradical activities, suggesting potential use as packaging materials for foods, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of the synthesized polymers was also evaluated on Caco-2 cell cultures in order to verify their biocompatibility when exposed to an absorptive epithelial cell line.
Cyclooxygenase (COX) Inhibitors and the Newborn Kidney
Authors: Smith Francine G. , Wade Andrew W. , Lewis Megan L. , Qi Wei
Published: October 2012

This review summarizes our current understanding of the role of cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors (COXI) in influencing the structural development as well as the function of the developing kidney. COXI administered either during pregnancy or after birth can influence kidney development including nephronogenesis, and can decrease renal perfusion and ultrafiltration potentially leading to acute kidney injury in the newborn period. To date, which COX isoform (COX-1 or COX-2) plays a more important role in during fetal development and influences kidney function early in life is not known, though evidence points to a predominant role for COX-2. Clinical implications of the use of COXI in pregnancy and in the newborn infant are also evaluated herein, with specific reference to the potential effects of COXI on nephronogenesis as well as newborn kidney function.
Development of an Electronic Nose for Environmental Odour Monitoring
Authors: Dentoni Licinia , Capelli Laura , Sironi Selena , Rosso Renato Del , Zanetti Sonia , Torre Matteo Della
Published: October 2012

Exhaustive odour impact assessment should involve the evaluation of the impact of odours directly on citizens. For this purpose it might be useful to have an instrument capable of continuously monitoring ambient air quality, detecting the presence of odours and also recognizing their provenance. This paper discusses the laboratory and field tests conducted in order to evaluate the performance of a new electronic nose, specifically developed for monitoring environmental odours. The laboratory tests proved the instrument was able to discriminate between the different pure substances being tested, and to estimate the odour concentrations giving correlation indexes (R2) of 0.99 and errors below 15%. Finally, the experimental monitoring tests conducted in the field, allowed us to verify the effectiveness of this electronic nose for the continuous detection of odours in ambient air, proving its stability to variable atmospheric conditions and its capability to detect odour peaks.
Issues Affecting Community Attitudes and Intended Behaviours in Stormwater Reuse: A Case Study of Salisbury, South Australia
Authors: Wu Zhifang , McKay Jennifer , Keremane Ganesh
Published: October 2012

Stormwater has been recognised as one of the additional/alternative sources of water to augment freshwater supply and address the growing needs of humankind. South Australia has been a leader in the development of large-scale urban stormwater harvesting schemes in Australia for nearly 50 years and the Salisbury Local Government Area (LGA), in particular, is at the forefront of urban stormwater management and recycling, not only in the state of South Australia, but worldwide. This is mainly due to its pioneering achievements in stormwater capture and treatment through the managed aquifer recharge (MAR) process. However, there are many challenges in implementing water reuse strategies and past studies have identified public health concerns and public acceptance as major challenges. In line with this, our team conducted an internet survey to gauge the attitude and intentions of Salisbury LGA residents to use stormwater treated through the MAR process for non-potable uses. We found that respondents’ emotions and perceptions of health risk, regarding the use of treated stormwater, were closely related to the proximity of the end use to human contact. In terms of quality indicators, colour, odour, and salt levels were all seen as being important. Quality preferences were also closely related to the proximity of the end use to human contact, and reflected the use of water for indoor/outdoor purposes.