bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A model for variable phytoplankton stoichiometry based on cell protein regulation
Authors: Bonachela J. A. , Allison S. D. , Martiny A. C. , Levin S. A.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. The elemental ratios of marine phytoplankton emerge from complex interactions between the biotic and abiotic components of the ocean, and reflect the plastic response of individuals to changes in their environment. The stoichiometry of phytoplankton is, thus, dynamic and dependent on the physiological state of the cell. We present a theoretical model for the dynamics of the carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus contents of a phytoplankton population. By representing the regulatory processes controlling nutrient uptake, and focusing on the relation between nutrient content and protein synthesis, our model qualitatively replicates existing experimental observations for nutrient content and ratios. The population described by our model takes up nutrients in proportions that match the input ratios for a broad range of growth conditions. In addition, there are two zones of single-nutrient limitation separated by a wide zone of co-limitation. Within the co-limitation zone, a single point can be identified where nutrients are supplied in an optimal ratio. When different species compete, the existence of a wide co-limitation zone implies a more complex pattern of coexistence and exclusion compared to previous model predictions. However, additional comprehensive laboratory experiments are needed to test our predictions. Our model contributes to the understanding of the global cycles of oceanic nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as the elemental ratios of these nutrients in phytoplankton populations.
Using a two-layered sphere model to investigate the impact of gas vacuoles on the inherent optical properties of M. aeruginosa
Authors: Matthews M. W. , Bernard S.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. A two-layered sphere model is used to investigate the impact of gas vacuoles on the inherent optical properties (IOPs) of the cyanophyte Microcystis aeruginosa. Enclosing a vacuole–like particle within a chromatoplasm shell layer significantly altered spectral scattering and increased backscattering. The two-layered sphere model reproduced features in the spectral attenuation and volume scattering function (VSF) that have previously been attributed to gas vacuoles. This suggests the model is good at least as a first approximation for investigating how gas vacuoles alter the IOPs. The central value of the real refractive index, 1+ ε, for the shell layer was determined using a radiative transfer model and measured remote sensing reflectance, Rrs, and IOP data. For a cell with 50% vacuole volume, the mean 1+ ε value for the shell layer was 1.12. The corresponding chl a specific phytoplankton backscattering coefficient, bbφ*, ranged between 3.9 × 10−3 and 7.2 × 10−3 m2 mg−1 at 510 nm. This agrees closely with in situ particulate backscattering measurements and values reported elsewhere. Rrs simulated for a population of vacuolate cells was greatly enlarged relative to a homogeneous population. Empirical algorithms based on Rrs were derived for estimating chl a in eutrophic/hypertrophic waters dominated by M. aeruginosa. The study confirms that gas vacuoles cause significant increase in backscattering and are responsible for the high Rrs values observed in buoyant cyanobacterial blooms. Gas vacuoles are therefore one of the most important bio-optical substructures influencing the IOPs in phytoplankton.
Modelling multiple threats to water security in the Peruvian Amazon using the WaterWorld Policy Support System
Authors: van Soesbergen A. J. J. , Mulligan M.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. This paper explores a multitude of threats to water security in the Peruvian Amazon using the WaterWorld policy support system. WaterWorld is a spatially explicit, physically-based globally-applicable model for baseline and scenario water balance that is particularly well suited to heterogeneous environments with little locally available data (e.g. ungauged basins) and which is delivered through a simple web interface, requiring little local capacity for use. The model is capable of producing a hydrological baseline representing the mean water balance for 1950–2000 and allows for examining impacts of population, climate and land use change as well as land and water management interventions on hydrology. This paper describes the application of WaterWorld to the Peruvian Amazon, an area that is increasingly under pressure from deforestation and water pollution as a result of population growth, rural to urban migration and oil and gas extraction, potentially impacting both water quantity and water quality. By applying single and combined scenarios of: climate change, deforestation around existing and planned roads, population growth and rural-urban migration, mining and oil and gas exploitation, we explore the potential combined impacts of these multiple changes on water resources in the Peruvian Amazon and discuss the likely pathways for adaptation to and mitigation against their worst effects. See Mulligan et al. (2013) for a similar analysis for the entire Amazon Basin.
Use of various remote sensing land cover products for PFT mapping over Siberia
Authors: Ottlé C. , Lescure J. , Maignan F. , Poulter B. , Wang T. , Delbart N.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. High-latitude ecosystems play an important role in the global carbon cycle and in regulating the climate system and are presently undergoing rapid environmental change. Accurate land cover datasets are required to both document these changes as well as to provide land-surface information for benchmarking and initializing earth system models. Earth system models also require specific land cover classification systems based on plant functional types, rather than species or ecosystems, and so post-processing of existing land cover data is often required. This study compares over Siberia, multiple land cover datasets against one another and with auxiliary data to identify key uncertainties that contribute to variability in Plant Functional Type (PFT) classifications that would introduce errors in earth system modeling. Land cover classification systems from GLC 2000, GlobCover 2005 and 2009, and MODIS collections 5 and 5.1 are first aggregated to a common legend, and then compared to high-resolution land cover classification systems, continuous vegetation fields (MODIS-VCF) and satellite-derived tree heights (to discriminate against sparse, shrub, and forest vegetation). The GlobCover dataset, with a lower threshold for tree cover and taller tree heights and a better spatial resolution, tends to have better distributions of tree cover compared to high-resolution data. It has therefore been chosen to build new PFTs maps for the ORCHIDEE land surface model at 1 km scale. Compared to the original PFT dataset, the new PFT maps based on GlobCover 2005 and an updated cross-walking approach mainly differ in the characterization of forests and degree of tree cover. The partition of grasslands and bare soils now appears more realistic compared with ground-truth data. This new vegetation map provides a framework for further development of new PFTs in the ORCHIDEE model like shrubs, lichens and mosses, to better represent the water and carbon cycles in northern latitudes. Updated land cover datasets are critical for improving and maintaining the relevance of earth system models for assessing climate and human impacts on biogeochemistry and biophysics. The new PFT map at 5 km scale is available for download from the PANGAEA website, at: doi:10.1594/PANGAEA.810709.
Characterization of process-oriented hydrologic model behavior with temporal sensitivity analysis for flash floods in Mediterranean catchments
Authors: Garambois P. A. , Roux H. , Larnier K. , Castaings W. , Dartus D.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. This paper presents a detailed analysis of 10 flash flood events in the Mediterranean region using the distributed hydrological model MARINE. Characterizing catchment response during flash flood events may provide new and valuable insight into the dynamics involved for extreme catchment response and their dependency on physiographic properties and flood severity. The main objective of this study is to analyze flash-flood-dedicated hydrologic model sensitivity with a new approach in hydrology, allowing model outputs variance decomposition for temporal patterns of parameter sensitivity analysis. Such approaches enable ranking of uncertainty sources for nonlinear and nonmonotonic mappings with a low computational cost. Hydrologic model and sensitivity analysis are used as learning tools on a large flash flood dataset. With Nash performances above 0.73 on average for this extended set of 10 validation events, the five sensitive parameters of MARINE process-oriented distributed model are analyzed. This contribution shows that soil depth explains more than 80% of model output variance when most hydrographs are peaking. Moreover, the lateral subsurface transfer is responsible for 80% of model variance for some catchment-flood events' hydrographs during slow-declining limbs. The unexplained variance of model output representing interactions between parameters reveals to be very low during modeled flood peaks and informs that model-parsimonious parameterization is appropriate to tackle the problem of flash floods. Interactions observed after model initialization or rainfall intensity peaks incite to improve water partition representation between flow components and initialization itself. This paper gives a practical framework for application of this method to other models, landscapes and climatic conditions, potentially helping to improve processes understanding and representation.
The impact of climate mitigation on projections of future drought
Authors: Taylor I. H. , Burke E. , McColl L. , Falloon P. D. , Harris G. R. , McNeall D.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Drought is a cumulative event, often difficult to define and involving wide-reaching consequences for agriculture, ecosystems, water availability, and society. Understanding how the occurrence of drought may change in the future and which sources of uncertainty are dominant can inform appropriate decisions to guide drought impacts assessments. Our study considers both climate model uncertainty associated with future climate projections, and future emissions of greenhouse gases (future scenario uncertainty). Four drought indices (the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), Soil Moisture Anomaly (SMA), the Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) and the Standardised Runoff Index (SRI)) are calculated for the A1B and RCP2.6 future emissions scenarios using monthly model output from a 57-member perturbed parameter ensemble of climate simulations of the HadCM3C Earth System model, for the baseline period 1961–1990, and the period 2070–2099 ("the 2080s"). We consider where there are statistically significant increases or decreases in the proportion of time spent in drought in the 2080s compared to the baseline. Despite the large range of uncertainty in drought projections for many regions, projections for some regions have a clear signal, with uncertainty associated with the magnitude of change rather than direction. For instance, a significant increase in time spent in drought is generally projected for the Amazon, Central America and South Africa whilst projections for northern India consistently show significant decreases in time spent in drought. Whilst the patterns of changes in future drought were similar between scenarios, climate mitigation, represented by the RCP2.6 scenario, tended to reduce future changes in drought. In general, climate mitigation reduced the area over which there was a significant increase in drought but had little impact on the area over which there was a significant decrease in time spent in drought.
Towards modelling flood protection investment as a coupled human and natural system
Authors: O'Connell P. E. , O'Donnell G.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. Due to a number of recent high profile flood events and the apparent threat from global warming, governments and their agencies are under pressure to make proactive investments to protect people living in floodplains. However, adopting a proactive approach as a universal strategy is not affordable. It has been argued that delaying expensive and essentially irreversible capital decisions could be a prudent strategy in situations with high future uncertainty. This paper firstly uses Monte Carlo simulation to explore the performance of proactive and reactive investment strategies using a rational cost-benefit approach in a natural system with varying levels of persistence/interannual variability in Annual Maximum Floods. It is found that, as persistence increases, there is a change in investment strategy optimality from proactive to reactive. This could have implications for investment strategies under the increasingly variable climate that is expected with global warming. As part of the emerging holistic approaches to flood risk management, there is increasing emphasis on stakeholder participation in determining where and when flood protection investments are made, and so flood risk management is becoming more people-centred. As a consequence, multiple actors are involved in the decision-making process, and the social sciences are assuming an increasingly important role in flood risk management. There is a need for modelling approaches which can couple the natural and human system elements. It is proposed that Coupled Human and Natural System (CHANS) modelling could play an important role in understanding the motivations, actions and influence of citizens and institutions and how these impact on the effective delivery of flood protection investment. A framework for using Agent Based Modelling of human activities leading to flood investments is outlined, and some of the challenges associated with implementation are discussed.
Investigation of saline water intrusions into the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania) and two-layer flow in the Klaipėda Strait using finite element hydrodynamic model
Authors: Zemlys P. , Ferrarin C. , Umgiesser G. , Gulbinskas S. , Bellafiore D.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. This work is focused on the application of a modelling system to simulate 3-D interaction between the Curonian Lagoon and the Baltic Sea coastal waters and to reflect spatiotemporal dynamics of marine waters in the Curonian Lagoon. The model system is based on the finite element programme package SHYFEM which can be used to resolve the hydrodynamic equations in lagoons, coastal seas, estuaries and lakes. The results of a one year (2009) 3-D model simulation with real weather and hydrological forcing show that the saline water intrusions from the sea through Klaipėda Strait are gradually decreasing with distance from the sea and become negligible (average annual salinity about 0.57‰) at a distance of about 20 km to the south of Kiaulės Nugara island. Analyses of the simulation results also show this area to be highly heterogeneous according to the vertical salinity distribution. While in the deeper Klaipėda Strait (harbour waterway) differences in average salinity between near bottom and surface layers varies in the range 2–2.5‰, in the rest of the Curonian Lagoon it is less than 0.5‰. The exchange flow showed vertical structure, but was horizontally uniform with the presence of a two-directional flow that from time to time changes to either saline water one-directional flow to the Curonian Lagoon or fresh water one-directional flow to the sea. Two-directional flow duration decreases with a distance from sea entrance in Klaipėda Strait from around 180 days yr−1 close to the sea entrance to 50 days yr−1 just behind Kiaulės Nugara island. One-directional outflow duration is increasing with a distance from the sea entrance from 100 to 225 days yr−1. One-directional inflow duration occurs in the range of 70–100 days yr−1. The analysis of the ratio of buoyancy layer thickness to water depth (hb/H) and the Wedderburn number identified the main importance of wind action on the flow structure. Strong winds from the North and NW determine a barotropic inflow which is mostly responsible for the salt water intrusion into the Curonian Lagoon. Absence of wind or cross-strait wind regimes allows the maintenance of a two-layer flow typical of estuarine dynamics.
Sea-ice extent provides a limited metric of model performance
Authors: Notz D.
Published: June 2013

Abstract. We examine the common practice of using sea-ice extent as the primary metric to evaluate modeled sea-ice coverage. Based on this analysis, we recommend a possible best practice for model evaluation. We find that for Arctic summer sea ice, model biases in sea-ice extent can be qualitatively different compared to biases in the geophysically more meaningful sea-ice area. These differences come about by a different frequency distribution of high-concentration sea-ice: while in summer about half of the CMIP5 models and satellite retrievals based on the Bootstrap and the ASI algorithm show a compact ice cover with large areas of high concentration sea ice, the other half of the CMIP5 models and satellite retrievals based on the NASA Team algorithm show a loose ice cover. The different behaviour of the CMIP5 models can be explained by their different distribution of excess heat between lateral melt and sea-ice thinning. Differences in grid geometry and round-off errors during interpolation only have a minor impact on the different biases in sea-ice extent and sea-ice area. Because of regional cancellation of biases in the integrative measures sea-ice extent and sea-ice area, these measures show little correlation with the more meaningful mean absolute bias in sea-ice concentration. Comparing the uncertainty arising directly from the satellite retrievals with those that arise from internal variability, we find that the latter by far dominates the uncertainty estimate for trends in sea-ice extent and area: much of the differences between modeled and observed trends can simply be explained by internal variability. Only for the absolute value of sea-ice area, differences between observations and models are so large that they cannot be explained by either observational uncertainty nor internal variability.
Factors Considered Important for Establishing Small and Medium Enterprises by Women Entrepreneurs—A Study on Khulna City
Authors: Rahman S. M. Towhidur , Alam Md. Khasrul , Kar Shanta
Published: June 2013

Half of the population is women who need to be incorporated in nation’s workforce for the sustainable economic development. In the context of Bangladesh, the development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) can be considered as a vital instrument for poverty alleviation and can ensure the rapid industrialization. This study attempts to explore the forces that encouraged women entrepreneurs to start their SMEs. The study was made on the entrepreneurs of Khulna, a metropolitan city of the country. The data was collected through a survey on five major dimension those are assumed to have influence on entrepreneurial decision namely socio-demographic, motivational, financial, regulatory and business environmental dimensions. Respondents’ opinions from the survey were analyzed through simple descriptive statistics such as percentage and mean to draw findings. From the study it was found that women entrepreneurs in Khulna were mostly encouraged to start SMEs for motivational or pull factors such as gaining self-independence, providing financial support to family, improving quality of life and passing leisure time etc. Among the others factors found to be influential were inspiration from friends and relatives, availability of markets, profits potential etc. The study also revealed that as like other developing countries, women entrepreneurs of Khulna suffer from lack of financial support, complexity of regulatory systems, gender based discrimination, lack of adequate training facility and environmental support. Government and private initiative is important in this regard to overcome the hurdles and encouraging more and more participation of women in SME sector.
Vitamin D study in pregnant women and their babies
Authors: Al Emadi Samar , Hammoudeh Mohammed
Published: June 2013

Background and objectives: Vitamin D deficiency is very common in pregnant women. Deficiencies have been prevalent even in studies where over 90% of the women took prenatal vitamins. The current guidelines for vitamin D intake during pregnancy of 200–400 IU has little scientific support and has been recently challenged. We conducted this study to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among pregnant women and to evaluate the effectiveness and level of weekly oral 50,000 IU of vitamin D supplementation for the mother and the newborn. Setting and design: Prospective study at Hamad Medical Corporation outpatient unit and delivery room. Patients and Methods: Ninety seven pregnant women were recruited in their first trimester between December 2007 and March 2010. Weekly oral vitamin D (50,000 IU) were prescribed after an initial testing for serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, phosphorus, total protein and albumin. Other multivitamins supplementations were allowed during pregnancy. The same tests were repeated at each trimester. Umbilical cords vitamin D levels were determined at birth. Results: Out of 97 patients, 8 patients dropped out from the study for several reasons, and 19 patients had pregnancy loss. Data were available for 97 women in the first trimester, 78 women in the second trimester and 61 women in the third trimester. The mean level of vitamin D level in the first trimester and prior to starting vitamin D supplementation was 17.15 ng/ml, 29.08 ng/ml in the second trimester, 27.3 ng/ml in third trimester and 22.36 ng/ml in newborns. There were no toxic levels of vitamin D in any of the women at the second or third trimesters or in the newborns. The mean levels of vitamin D in the second and third trimester were not significantly different in those women who were taking multivitamin supplementation and those who were not. Conclusion: Weekly doses of 50,000 vitamin D during pregnancy maintains acceptable vitamin D level during pregnancy and the newborn's vitamin D level correlates with the mother's levels.
Management of Giant cell tumor occupying the 5th metacarpal bone in 6 years old child
Authors: Al Lahham Salim , Al Hetmi Talal , Sharkawy Mahmoud
Published: June 2013

Giant cell tumor of the bone (GCTOB) is a relatively uncommon tumor of the bone. It is characterized by the presence of multinucleated giant cells. Giant-cell tumor of the bone accounts for 4-5% of primary bone tumors and ∼20% of benign bone tumors. Giant cell tumors of the hand are rare, accounting for only 2–4% of all giant cell tumors.

Giant cell tumor (GCT) of the bones of the hand has some special features as compared to GCT at other sites. Because of the aggressive nature of this lesion, adequate assessment of the treatment method is required.

The aim is to eradicate the disease but preserve as much hand function as possible. Methods of treatment include curettage with or without bone grafts, local resection possibly combined with reconstruction using homologous or autologous bone, amputation, and resection of one or more rays.
What Have We Learned about LT2ESWTR Compliance?
Authors: McTigue Nancy E. , Cornwell David A.
Published: June 2013

The options chosen by and consequent experiences of some larger utilities to comply with the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule can provide valuable insights for other utilities.
21st Century Communications Could Change CCR Delivery
Authors: Harris Adrienne
Published: June 2013

Since the first Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) was delivered in 1999, smart phones, social media, high‐speed broadband, and wireless connections have changed the way we communicate. Now those technologies are changing the way CCRs may be delivered.
Justifier faussement la correction ou la non-correction d’erreurs morphosyntaxiques : réflexions métagrammaticales d’étudiants francophones universitaires en milieu minoritaire
Authors: Bernier Marie
Published: June 2013

La présente recherche jette un regard sur le savoir grammatical d’étudiants francophones de milieu minoritaire commençant des études universitaires, en étudiant les réflexions (méta)linguistiques émises par des sujets franco-ontariens au moyen du protocole de pensée à voix haute lors d’une tâche de repérage / correction d’erreurs grammaticales et textuelles. Les résultats montrent que si les sujets émettent effectivement des raisonnements métagrammaticaux, leur savoir métagrammatical s’apparente souvent à un amalgame de pseudo-connaissances, qu’il y a de sévères carences dans les connaissances déclaratives et procédurales des règles de la grammaire française, ce qui se traduit souvent par une surutilisation de procédures de substitution et la résolution plus sémantique que métalinguistique des problèmes. Ils montrent aussi que la logique de la réflexion s’apparente à celle d’étudiants de milieu majoritaire même si l’énonciation est teintée du vernaculaire, mais que le problème se trouve amplifié par le facteur sociolinguistique.
De l’insularité à la globalité : subjectivité et discours humaniste chez Édouard Glissant
Authors: Fonkoué Ramon A.
Published: June 2013

La trajectoire intellectuelle d’Édouard Glissant aura été le reflet d’un engagement qui, à l’origine insulaire, dépassa vite les confins de sa Martinique natale, débouchant sur un projet humaniste original. Si les premiers écrits de Glissant prennent un accent fanonien dans l’urgence du sujet colonial de s’affirmer, la maturation de sa pensée dénote cependant une réévaluation du discours de Fanon, de même qu’un rejet de l’humanisme rationaliste de la Modernité auquel Aimé Césaire adhéra. Progressivement, le « lieu » (terre natale) devient la matrice à partir de laquelle s’élabore la « poétique de la relation » qui ouvre sur le monde, porteuse d’un nouvel humanisme.
Desmistificação da Linguagem Clara e Objetiva na Profissão de Secretariado Executivo
Authors: Back Fernanda Cristina
Published: June 2013

O presente estudo deteve-se à análise das publicações científicas da área – livros - e procurou investigar a problemática referente à linguagem. A análise das publicações científicas detectou “brechas” na linguagem usada nessa área. Salienta-se, aqui, o grande número de manuais, o que leva a uma prática técnica desse profissional, atuante somente como executor de tarefas. Daí a importância da mudança da linguagem dos manuais, já que ela constitui sujeitos (profissionais da área de Secretariado Executivo), e tem, no caso em questão, “construído” sujeitos dominados pelo verbo imperativo e não gestores de informações. Assim, é na perspectiva de gestor da informação que se vislumbra uma mudança na identidade desse profissional, através do uso da linguagem, visto que a linguagem constitui o sujeito e, desta forma, a identidade do profissional de Secretariado Executivo.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.125
A Profissão de Secretário Executivo na Cidade de Cuiabá – Mato Grosso
Authors: Portela Keyla Christina Almeida , Mesquita Denize da Silva , Rodrigues Jéssica da Silva
Published: June 2013

Resumo: O presente artigo tem como objetivo mostrar quais os conhecimentos que a população cuiabana possui sobre a profissão e a atuação do secretário executivo no ano de 2011. A pesquisa foi realizada em alguns pontos estratégicos na cidade de Cuiabá, como praças, parques e shoppings com a aplicação de 132 entrevistas. Como aporte teórico sobre o profissional de secretariado executivo utilizou-se os autores Schumacher e Portela (2006), Garcia e D’Elia (2005), Neves (2010), Veiga (2007), entre outros. Sobre a representação social utilizou-se das teorias de Jodelet (2001) e Paredes, Oliveira e Coutinho (2006). Os resultados indicaram que a maior parte da população cuiabana não conhece as funções de um secretário executivo e nem onde este profissional atua. Dessa maneira, a pesquisa mostrou que tanto a profissão, como a formação de secretariado executivo precisa de uma divulgação maior na cidade de Cuiabá – Mato Grosso.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.136
O Secretário Executivo e a Tomada de Decisão em uma Instituição de Ensino Superior do Estado de Sergipe
Authors: Faria Daniela Amanda de Almeida , Pacheco Flávia Lopes
Published: June 2013

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo central analisar como a atuação do profissional de secretariado executivo pode influenciar no processo decisório de uma Instituição de Ensino Superior (IES) do Estado de Sergipe. Para isso, foi realizado um estudo de caso na Faculdade José Augusto Vieira (FJAV), localizada no município de Lagarto no Estado de Sergipe, junto à secretária acadêmica da instituição que é bacharel em Secretariado Executivo. Quanto à metodologia, trata-se de uma pesquisa descritiva, de natureza qualitativa. A coleta dos dados foi realizada por meio de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, com quatro profissionais da IES em estudo: a profissional de secretariado executivo, as diretoras geral e acadêmica e a auxiliar de secretaria. Os dados foram, portanto, analisados com base no conteúdo destas entrevistas, que tiveram o intuito de compreender a dinâmica do poder e da tomada de decisões existentes em torno do cargo da secretária. Os resultados tornaram possível compreender que, de forma geral, a profissional de secretariado não tem poder de decisão, mas a sua forma de atuação acaba por influenciar nas decisões da instituição, devido ao acesso privilegiado a informações estratégicas e gerenciamento das mesmas.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.141
Secretariado Executivo e Empreendedorismo: Realidade ou Utopia?
Authors: Barbosa Sheila Mara Costa , Durante Daniela Giareta
Published: June 2013

O Secretário Executivo vem ressaltando seu perfil empreendedor e intraempreendedor e, em consequência, constituindo seu próprio negócio. O presente estudo tem como objetivo evidenciar a inserção e a evolução do empreendedorismo dentro do Secretariado Executivo, bem como a interferência da formação no desenvolvimento do seu potencial empreendedor, pois ainda são poucas as pesquisas e publicações com essa abordagem e, ao mesmo tempo, é crescente a quantidade de profissionais que constituem o seu próprio negócio. A metodologia utilizada foi a pesquisa bibliográfica e o estudo de caso múltiplo com dois Secretários Executivos que gerenciam seus próprios negócios. A pesquisa classifica-se como exploratória e descritiva tendo como técnicas a coleta de dados e a entrevista. Com esse estudo percebeu-se que as características empreendedoras e intraempreendedoras são potencializadas pela formação do Secretário Executivo que, por ser ampla e agregar conhecimento de várias áreas, dá embasamento e motivação para o profissional se firmar como empresário de sucesso. Assim, o empreendedorismo é uma realidade na profissão secretarial.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.143
Entre “Colarinhos Brancos”: Alguns Indicativos para a Atuação Profissional de Secretários Executivos em Reuniões de Negócios Empresariais
Authors: Pereira dos Santos Marcos
Published: June 2013

Este artigo tem como principal objetivo apontar alguns indicativos úteis e práticos para a atuação profissional de secretários executivos em reuniões de negócios empresariais. Para tanto, inicialmente são apresentadas algumas definições conceituais de grupo social em sentido amplo. Em seguida, efetuamos comentários referentes às reuniões em grupo, enquanto atividade de cunho social. Por fim, busca-se fornecer algumas dicas auxiliares para a realização das atividades profissionais dos secretários executivos em reuniões de negócios empresariais, especificamente no que diz respeito ao cálculo de custos (tempo e dinheiro), à definição de objetivos e metas, escolha do local, utilização de equipamentos tecnológicos (recursos audiovisuais), estrutura os itens da pauta e redação final das atas, visando assim o alcance de resultados satisfatórios.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.147
Incidencia de las Reformas Territoriales sobre la Calidad de Vida de los Ciudadanos: Análisis Comparado de las Anunciadas Medidas de Reforma Local en Portugal y España
Authors: Fernández Olalla Flores , Nebot Carmen Pineda
Published: June 2013

En el presente artículo pretendemos abordar de forma comparada las reformas sobre el nivel gubernativo local recientemente anunciadas en Portugal y España, con el propósito principal de evaluar las consecuencias que pueden comportar sobre la calidad de vida de los ciudadanos. Nuestro principal foco de atención, por ser uno de los más afectados por las reformas, se circunscribe al mundo rural y con baja densidad poblacional, donde se habían asumido pretenciosos objetivos de desarrollo rural impulsados por una Unión Europea que ahora reclama recortes en las políticas públicas. Cómo combinar la atención a las necesidades derivadas de la despoblación y el envejecimiento poblacional que caracterizan al rural en la actual coyuntura económica que demanda el replanteamiento del sistema administrativo local y de las fórmulas que procuren el mantenimiento de objetivos y medidas de desarrollo ya asumidas (prestación de servicios públicos o esenciales, movilidad, envejecimiento activo, lucha contra la despoblación...) constituyen la base de nuestro trabajo. Metodológicamente afrontado desde una comparativa Portugal-España, tiene la ventaja de su fundamento en el doble enfoque politológico y jurídico que la formación de cada una de las co-autoras permite respectivamente aportar.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.154
O Secretário Executivo com Perfil de Relações Públicas
Authors: Artico Jéssica Aparecida
Published: June 2013

As diversas evoluções teórica e prática do perfil do Secretário Executivo (SE) tornam-no staff, pois atua de maneira multifuncional, como assessor e/ou gestor, na alta administração. Além disso, o profissional exerce papel de “cartão de visita” da empresa onde trabalha, visto que é a ponte de comunicação interna (entre os níveis operacional-tático-estratégico) e externa (empresa-mercado: fornecedores, clientes, parceiros – sociedade em geral), ademais de assessorar em negociações e em gestão/organização de eventos empresariais. Por isso, possui o papel de manter a identidade (o que a empresa realmente é) e estabelecer, adequadamente, a imagem (como a empresa deve ser vista perante a sociedade) da organização, considerando sua missão, visão, metas, nicho de atuação e demais quesitos relacionados. Nesse sentido, observa-se a necessidade de o SE obter conhecimentos relacionados à atuação do profissional de Relações Públicas (RP), para exercer seu papel com eficiência e eficácia. Assim, este estudo objetiva analisar o SE com perfil de RP e como essa área complementa a outra.DOI:10.7769/gesec.v4i1.90
Knowledge of accurate blood pressure measurement procedures in chiropractic students
Authors: Crosley Angela M. , Rose James R. La
Published: June 2013

Objective

Blood pressure measurement is a basic clinical procedure. However, studies have shown that many errors are made when health care providers acquire blood pressure readings. Our study assessed knowledge of blood pressure measurement procedures in chiropractic students.

Methods

This was an observational, descriptive study. A questionnaire based on one created by the American Heart Association was given to 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and final year students (n = 186). A one way ANOVA was used to analyze the data.

Results

Of the students 80% were confident that their knowledge of this clinical skill was adequate or better. However, the overall score on the knowledge test of blood pressure–taking skills was 52% (range, 24%–88%). The only significant difference in the mean scores was between the 1st and 2nd year students compared to the 3rd and 4th year students (p < .005). Of the 16 questions given, the following mean scores were: 1st year 10.45, 2nd year 9.75, 3rd year 7.93, and 4th year 8.33. Of the 16 areas tested, 10 were of major concern (test item score <70%), showing the need for frequent retraining of chiropractic students.

Conclusion

Consistent with studies in other health care disciplines, our research found the knowledge of blood pressure skills to be deficient in our sample. There is a need for subsequent training in our teaching program.
Stress in chiropractic education: a student survey of a five-year course
Authors: Hester Hilary , Cunliffe Christina , Hunnisett Adrian
Published: June 2013

Objective

Stress encompasses academic issues, such as time management, increased work load, and new subject matter, but cannot be separated from stressors, such as social adjustment and financial pressure. Our study investigated whether perceived level of academic or practical attainment and the method of study were associated with the amount of perceived stress during students” studies.

Methods

A semi-structured self–administered questionnaire was piloted and distributed to 134 students at a chiropractic college at the end of a lecture.

Results

The survey had a response rate of 81%. Students in their fourth year consistently reported the highest perceived levels of stress, with 81% feeling that their ability to study was affected by their financial situation and 56% felt overwhelmed at their ability to cope with their college workload. All year groups were stressed during their course of studies, but the stressor varies depending on the year of study.

Conclusions

Year 4 consistently demonstrated the highest levels of stress. All students, regardless of year group, experienced varying degrees of stress while studying and the central stressor changed depending on the time position within the course.
Long‐term consequences of membership in trajectory groups of delinquent behavior in an urban sample: Violence, drug use, interpersonal, and neighborhood attributes
Authors: Brook Judith S. , Lee Jung Yeon , Finch Stephen J. , Brown Elaine N. , Brook David W.
Published: June 2013

Research on stability and change in delinquent behavior over time has important implications for both the individual and the criminal justice system. The present research looks at this issue by examining the associations between the trajectories of delinquent behavior in adolescence and adult functioning. Data for the present study are from a four‐wave longitudinal study of African American and Hispanic participants. Participants provided information at mean ages 14, 19, 24, and 29. We used growth mixture modeling to extract trajectory groups of delinquent behavior in adolescence and young adulthood. Regression analyses were conducted to examine whether memberships in the trajectory groups of delinquent behavior from mean age 14 to mean age 24 were associated with violence, substance abuse and dependence, partner discord, peer substance use, and residence in a high‐crime neighborhood at mean age 29 when compared with the reference trajectory group of participants with low or no delinquent behavior. Four trajectory groups of delinquent behavior were identified: the no/low, the decreasing, the moderate, and the high persistent trajectory groups. Memberships in the trajectory groups were significantly correlated with variations in adult functioning. Memberships in some trajectory groups of delinquent behavior are significant predictors of later violent behavior, substance abuse and dependence, partner discord, peer substance use, and residence in a high‐crime neighborhood. The findings reinforce the importance of investing in interventions to address different patterns of delinquent behavior. Findings are discussed in relation to previous investigations with non‐Hispanic White samples. Aggr. Behav. 39:440–452, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
ADAMTS13 content in plasma‐derived factor VIII/von Willebrand factor concentrates
Authors: Peyvandi Flora , Mannucci Pier M. , Valsecchi Carla , Pontiggia Silvia , Farina Claudio , Retzios Anastassios D.
Published: June 2013

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a microangiopathy syndrome caused by a congenital or acquired deficiency of ADAMTS13, a plasma metalloprotease that cleaves von Willebrand factor (VWF) and thus prevents the formation of platelet‐rich thrombi in the microcirculation. TTP can be fatal if not appropriately and timely treated with the infusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) or exchange plasmapheresis, that reverse the process of microangiopathy by removing anti‐ADAMTS13 autoantibodies and replacing functional ADAMTS13. The treatment of TTP with FFP is not free from risks and must be administered in hospitals or clinics, owing to the substantial amount of plasma volume infused or exchanged and the frequent need of catheter application. Moreover, most FFPs are not subjected to treatments to remove or inactivate blood‐borne infectious agents. A number of recent reports indicate that certain plasma‐derived VWF‐factor VIII (FVIII) concentrates are clinically effective in the treatment of congenital TTP. In this study, we measured ADAMTS13 levels in various plasma‐derived VWF‐FVIII concentrates, showing that Koate®‐DVI (Grifols), contained relatively high amounts of ADAMTS13 and that Alphanate® (Grifols) was the closest other product in terms of protease content. Koate®‐DVI contains, on average (five lots tested), 0.091 ± 0.007 Units of ADAMTS13 activity per IU of FVIII. On the basis of this analysis and other reports of VWF‐FVIII concentrate utilization in congenital TTP, potential dosing, and future clinical developments are discussed. Am. J. Hematol. 88:895–898, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
CuO‐filled aminomethylated polysulfone hybrid membranes for deep desulfurization
Authors: Xia Yan , Han Guang Lu , Zhang Qiu Gen , Gong Yi , Broadwell Ian , Liu Qing Lin
Published: June 2013

CuO‐filled aminomethylated polysulfone hybrid membranes were prepared for sulfur removal from gasoline. The as‐prepared membranes were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The separation performance of the hybrid membranes was evaluated by pervaporation (PV) separation of n‐heptane/thiophene binary mixture. CuO‐filling leads to a decrease in permeation flux. The sulfur‐enrichment factor increased first and then decreased with increasing CuO loading, and it is worth noting that there is a rebound in enrichment factor above 8 wt % CuO loading. Influencing factors such as nitrogen content, feed temperature, sulfur content, and various hydrocarbons on membrane PV performance were also evaluated. Permeation flux of 23.9 kg·μm·m−2·h−1 and sulfur‐enrichment factor of 3.9 can be achieved at 4 wt % CuO loading in PV of n‐heptane/thiophene binary mixture with 1500 μg·g−1 sulfur content. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 130: 3718–3725, 2013
Potential role of tocotrienols in the treatment and prevention of breast cancer
Authors: Sylvester Paul W. , Akl Mohamed R. , Malaviya Abhita , Parajuli Parash , Ananthula Suryatheja , Tiwari Roshan V. , Ayoub Nehad M.
Published: June 2013

Vitamin E is a generic term that refers to a family of compounds that is further divided into two subgroups called tocopherols and tocotrienols. Although all natural forms of vitamin E display potent antioxidant activity, tocotrienols are significantly more potent than tocopherols in inhibiting tumor cell growth and viability, and anticancer activity of tocotrienols is mediated independently of their antioxidant activity. In addition, the anticancer effects of tocotrienols are observed using treatment doses that have little or no effect on normal cell function or viability. This review will summarize experimental studies that have identified the intracellular mechanism mediating the anticancer effects of tocotrienols. Evidence is also provided showing that combined treatment of tocotrienol with other cancer chemotherapies can result in a synergistic inhibition in cancer cell growth and viability. Taken together, these findings strongly indicate that tocotrienols may provide significant health benefits in the prevention and/or treatment of cancer when used either alone as monotherapy or in combination with other anticancer agents. © 2013 BioFactors, 40(1):49–58, 2014
Safety of snake antivenom immunoglobulins: Efficacy of viral inactivation in a complete downstream process
Authors: Caricati C. P. , Oliveira‐Nascimento L. , Yoshida J. T. , Stephano M. A. , Caricati A. T. P. , Raw I.
Published: June 2013

Viral safety remains a challenge when processing a plasma‐derived product. A variety of pathogens might be present in the starting material, which requires a downstream process capable of broad viral reduction. In this article, we used a wide panel of viruses to assess viral removal/inactivation of our downstream process for Snake Antivenom Immunoglobulin (SAI). First, we screened and excluded equine plasma that cross‐reacted with any model virus, a procedure not published before for antivenoms. In addition, we evaluated for the first time the virucidal capacity of phenol applied to SAI products. Among the steps analyzed in the process, phenol addition was the most effective one, followed by heat, caprylic acid, and pepsin. All viruses were fully inactivated only by phenol treatment; heat, the second most effective step, did not inactivate the rotavirus and the adenovirus used. We therefore present a SAI downstream method that is cost‐effective and eliminates viruses to the extent required by WHO for a safe product. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:972–979, 2013
The importance of heat flow direction for reproducible and homogeneous freezing of bulk protein solutions
Authors: Rodrigues Miguel A. , Balzan Gustavo , Rosa Mónica , Gomes Diana , de Azevedo Edmundo G. , Singh Satish K. , Matos Henrique A. , Geraldes Vítor
Published: June 2013

Freezing is an important operation in biotherapeutics industry. However, water crystallization in solution, containing electrolytes, sugars and proteins, is difficult to control and usually leads to substantial spatial solute heterogeneity. Herein, we address the influence of the geometry of freezing direction (axial or radial) on the heterogeneity of the frozen matrix, in terms of local concentration of solutes and thermal history. Solutions of hemoglobin were frozen radially and axially using small‐scale and pilot‐scale freezing systems. Concentration of hemoglobin, sucrose and pH values were measured by ice‐core sampling and temperature profiles were measured at several locations. The results showed that natural convection is the major source for the cryoconcentration heterogeneity of solutes over the geometry of the container. A significant improvement in this spatial heterogeneity was observed when the freezing geometry was nonconvective, i.e., the freezing front progression was unidirectional from bottom to top. Using this geometry, less than 10% variation in solutes concentration was obtained throughout the frozen solutions. This result was reproducible, even when the volume was increased by two orders of magnitude (from 30 mL to 3 L). The temperature profiles obtained for the nonconvective freezing geometry were predicted using a relatively simple computational fluid dynamics model. The reproducible solutes distribution, predictable temperature profiles, and scalability demonstrate that the bottom to top freezing geometry enables an extended control over the freezing process. This geometry has therefore shown the potential to contribute to a better understanding and control of the risks inherent to frozen storage. © 2013 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 29:1212–1221, 2013