bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling, analysis, and co-simulation of cable parallel manipulators for multiple cranes
Authors: Zi Bin , Zhang Long , Zhang Dan , Qian Sen
Published: August 2014

With the increase of the weight and volume of building components, the collaborative working of multiple cranes is necessary when one crane cannot meet the lifting requirement sometimes. This paper is devoted to model and analyze a type of cable parallel manipulators for multiple cranes (CPMMCs). The CPMMCs have better lifting capability than a single crane and can be applied in complex lifting tasks. Kinematics and dynamics of the end-effector of the CPMMCs are studied and the reachable workspace is carried out additionally. Considering the requirements of large output torque, large motion scope etc. the hydraulic drive mode is adopted. The bond graph method is applied for the analysis of hydraulic systems. Subsequently, the AMESim models for the hydraulic systems are constructed. The performance of the CPMMCs and the accuracy of the models are verified by co-simulation under working conditions.
Ethical challenges in everyday work with adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Solvoll Betty-Ann , Hall Elisabeth OC , Brinchmann Berit Støre
Published: August 2014

Background:

Healthcare providers caring for learning-disabled individuals in institutions face challenges of what is right or wrong in their daily work. Serving this group, it is of utmost importance for the healthcare staff to raise awareness and to understand how ethical values are at stake.

Research question:

What ethical challenges are discussed among healthcare providers working with adults with learning disabilities?

Research design:

The study had a qualitative and investigative design.

Participants and research context:

The study was conducted in a community institution for adults with learning disabilities. Participants were healthcare providers joining regular focused group discussions. Two groups participated and each group consisted of six participants. The conversations were taped and transcribed.

Ethical considerations:

The study was reported to Norwegian Social Science Data Services and was approved by the regional ethics committee.

Findings:

Findings are presented in four themes: (a) feeling squeezed between conflicting actions, (b) being the client’s spokesman, (c) searching shared responsibility, and (d) expecting immediate and fixed solutions. The healthcare providers wanted to be the clients’ advocates. They felt obliged to speak up for the clients, however, seeking for someone with whom to share the heavily experienced responsibility. Data likewise revealed that the group discussions created expectations among the healthcare providers; they expected smart and final solutions to the problems they discussed.

Discussion:

The discussion focuses on everyday ethical challenges, the meaning of being in-between and share responsibility, and the meaning of ethical sensitivity.

Conclusion:

Ethical challenges can be demanding for the staff; they might feel squeezed in-between contradictory attitudes or feel alone in decision-making. Frequent conversations about ethical challenges do not solve the ethical problems here-and-now, but they do visualize them. This also visualizes the staff’s need for support.
Barriers to and Facilitators of the Acceptance Process for Individuals With Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Mizock Lauren , Russinova Zlatka , Millner Uma Chandrika
Published: August 2014

The process of acceptance of mental illness is a central component of recovery and has been linked to functioning, illness management, and quality of life. A number of barriers and facilitators have been theorized as impacting this process. This study was conducted with 30 participants with serious mental illness (a major psychiatric disorder with impairment in multiple areas of functioning) to elicit the barriers to and facilitators of the acceptance of mental illness. Grounded theory methodology was utilized to analyze the 30 semistructured interviews. Results revealed barriers to and facilitators of acceptance of mental illness at the micro level (cognitive, emotional, behavioral, identity-related), meso level (relational), and macro level (cultural, systemic). Clinical and research implications are discussed with regard to facilitating acceptance of mental illness.
Exploitation of the linear theory in the non-linear modelling of soft tissue
Authors: Murphy JG , Saccomandi G
Published: August 2014

It is shown here how the linear theory of incompressible, transversely isotropic elasticity can positively influence the choice of strain-energy function of the non-linear theory so that the corresponding models of the mechanical response of biological soft tissue have a motivation based on mechanics. Specifically, it is shown that the structures of the linear theory have non-linear counterparts that could prove useful in the modelling of the moderate strain regime of soft tissue and that the recovery of the linear theory when the non-linear theory is restricted to infinitesimal deformations has important consequences for the choice of the strain-energy function.
Early and Concurrent Features of ADHD and Sensory Over-Responsivity Symptom Clusters
Authors: Ben-Sasson Ayelet , Soto Timothy W. , Heberle Amy E. , Carter Alice S. , Briggs-Gowan Margaret J.
Published: August 2014

Objective: This study aimed to characterize clusters of children based on ADHD and sensory over-responsivity (SOR) symptoms, and to compare their markers. Method: Parents of 922 infants completed the Infant–Toddler Social and Emotional Assessment (ITSEA) Sensory Sensitivity, Attention, and Activity/Impulsivity scales at three time points during early childhood and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and SensOR inventory during elementary school age. Results: Four school-age clusters emerged from the CBCL ADHD and SensOR scores: (a) elevated SOR symptoms only ( n = 35); (b) elevated ADHD symptoms only ( n = 38); (c) elevated ADHD and SOR symptoms (ADHD + S, n = 35); and (d) low ADHD and SOR symptoms ( n = 814). The SOR and ADHD + S clusters had higher early Sensitivity scores than the ADHD and Low clusters. The ADHD and ADHD + S clusters differed from the SOR and Low clusters in their early Attention and Activity/Impulsivity scores. Conclusion: SOR and ADHD symptoms occur independently and consistently over time.
Boundaries between Adult and Youth Drinking as Expressed by Young People in Italy and Finland
Authors: Rolando Sara , Törrönen Jukka , Beccaria Franca
Published: August 2014

The study applies the concept of boundary work, as developed by Lamont and Molnár to analyze how young people perceive adult drinking. It is based on eight focus groups involving young people aged 17 to 24 years conducted in Torino (IT) and Helsinki (FI). The study contributes to understand why different orientations towards heavy drinking persist in the two geographical regions. In Italy young people draw explicit boundaries between theirs’ and adults’ drinking and between proper and deviant drinking, so that their boundary work results in producing social norms that are shared with adults, except for drunkenness, which is seen as normal for young people but not for adults. In Finland young people distance themselves from adults’ drinking situations, and describe them in terms of light versus heavy drinking, yet without making distinctions between proper and improper drinking in each situation, thereby articulating an absence of explicit norms against drunkenness.
‘In or Out’—On the Dynamic between Acceptance and Rejection and its Influence on Health in Adolescent Girls
Authors: Flacking Renée , Jerdén Lars , Bergström Erik , Starrin Bengt
Published: August 2014

Adolescent girls’ subjective health, or well-being, is of international concern as the frequency of psychological and psychosomatic complaints is continuously increasing in several countries world-wide. The causes of this development are still obscure. The aim of this study was to explore well-being and strategies for increased well-being among adolescent girls. Grounded Theory method was used, in which in-depth interviews were held with 18 adolescent girls, 17–18 years of age. Results showed that striving for acceptance and avoiding rejection were central for their well-being. When rejection was experienced, emotions of stress–shame were recognized, a phenomena we call the stress–shame cycle. In the struggle to prevent rejection and to become accepted, the girls strived to boost their social attractiveness by impression management.
Within-generation social mobility in Australia: The effect of returning to education on occupational status and earnings
Authors: Chesters Jenny
Published: August 2014

The link between social origin and education is well established and, despite the expansion of tertiary education, researchers have found little evidence that increasing opportunities for post-school study have been distributed equally among different social strata. Unlike their counterparts in many other advanced economies, Australians have the opportunity to return to education at any time during the life course. The flexibility of the Australian education system and the preparedness of older Australians to return to education provide an opportunity to examine whether returning to education and graduating with a new qualification after the age of 25 is associated with achieving upward social mobility. Using data collected by the Household Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) survey between 2001 and 2010, this article examines whether mature-age graduates enjoy increased earnings and occupational prestige and achieve within-generation social mobility.
Development and Preliminary Evaluation of an Adaptation of Word Identification Fluency for Beginning Readers in New Zealand
Authors: Schaughency Elizabeth , McLennan Kathryn M. , McDowall Philippa S.
Published: August 2014

A New Zealand (NZ) version of Word Identification Fluency (NZWIF) was administered to 120 children in their second school year at the beginning, middle, and end of the year, along with a curriculum-based measure of oral passage reading fluency at mid- and end-year. Outcome measures included standardized and high-stakes school-used indicators of literacy achievement. NZWIF generally correlated robustly, concurrently and predictively with criterion measures. Overall, NZWIF performance improved across the year. Performance, and change in performance, varied for students who were and were not judged to be making adequate reading progress. Although at-risk readers performed more poorly at each time point, predictive relations of earlier NZWIF performance, subsequent NZWIF growth, and the interaction of earlier performance and growth to later outcomes varied as a function of proficiency and time of year. Findings extend the evidence-base for curriculum-based word reading measures in beginning reading, and reinforce the need for a developmental approach to assessment research and practice.
Health-Related Quality of Life of Future Physicians at a Medical School in the Philippines
Authors: Domantay John Anthony A.
Published: August 2014

Medical students are trained to maintain the health of patients, but such training may have undesirable effects on medical students’ personal health. This study therefore aimed to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of medical students and to determine the factors that are associated with the students’ HRQOL. The target population included all students enrolled at the Saint Louis University School of Medicine in Baguio City, Philippines, during school year 2012-2013. The measurements included the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaire for HRQOL, Beck Depression Inventory, abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory, Perceived Stress Scale, Holmes and Rahe Stress Scale, and self-report items for other exposure variables. A total of 527 medical students participated in the study. The mean scores in all of the eight domains of HRQOL ranged from 51.36 to 85.83. The highest mean scores were along the areas of physical functioning (85.83) and bodily pain (69.20), whereas the lowest mean scores were in the areas of vitality (51.72) and role limitations due to emotional problems (51.36). Depression, stress, and burnout were associated with lower scores in most of the domains of HRQOL. Medical students in our school are generally in a satisfactory state of functional health and well-being, but have a lower level of mental health as compared with physical health.
Therapeutic Opportunities for Self-Control Repair in Addiction and Related Disorders
Authors: Bickel Warren K. , Quisenberry Amanda J. , Moody Lara , Wilson A. George
Published: August 2014

Contemporary neuroeconomic approaches hypothesize that self-control failure results from drugs annexing normal learning mechanisms that produce pathological reward processing and distort decision making as a result from the dysregulation of two valuation systems. An emphasis on processes shared across different diseases and disorders is at odds with the contemporary approach that assumes unique disease etiologies and treatments. Studying trans-disease processes can identify mechanisms that operate in multiple disease states and ascertain if factors that influence processes in one disease state may be applicable to all disease states. In this article we review the dual model of self-control failure, the Competing Neurobehavioral Decision System approach, the relationship of delay discounting to the relative control of these two systems, and evidence that the executive system can be strengthened. Future research that could result in more potent interventions for executive system improvement and potential constraints on the repair of self-control failure are discussed.
What are the impacts of nature conservation interventions on human well-being: a systematic map protocol
Authors: Bottrill Madeleine , Cheng Samantha , Garside Ruth , Wongbusarakum Supin , Roe Dilys , Holland Margaret B , Edmond Janet , Turner Will R
Published: August 2014

Background

International policy has sought to emphasize and strengthen the link between the conservation of natural ecosystems and human development. Furthermore, international conservation organizations have broadened their objectives beyond nature-based goals to recognize the contribution of conservation interventions in sustaining ecosystem services upon which human populations are dependent. While many indices have been developed to measure various human well-being domains, the strength of evidence to support the effects, both positive and negative, of conservation interventions on human well-being, is still unclear.

Methods/Design

This protocol describes the methodology for examining the research question: What are the impacts of nature conservation interventions on different domains of human well-being in developing countries? Using systematic mapping, this study will scope and identify studies that measure the impacts of nature conservation interventions on human well-being at local to regional scales. The primary objective of this study is to synthesize the state and distribution of the existing evidence base linking conservation and human well-being. In addition, a theory of change approach will be used to identify and characterize the causal linkages between conservation and human well-being, with attention on those studies that examine the role of ecosystem services. Key trends among the resulting studies will be synthesized and the range of studies organized and presented in a graphical matrix illustrating the relationships between types of interventions and types of outcomes. Results of the study are intended to help conservation and development practitioners and the academic community to improve research studies and conservation practices in developing countries in order to achieve both conservation and human well-being outcomes.
Cochlea sparing effects of intensity modulated radiation therapy in head and neck cancers patients: A long-term follow-up study
Authors: Theunissen Eleonoor AR , Zuur Charlotte L , Yurda Marta Lopez , van der Baan Sieberen , Kornman Anne F , de Boer Jan Paul , Balm Alfons JM , Rasch Coen RN , Dreschler Wouter A
Published: August 2014

Background

Radiation to the inner ear may lead to (irreversible) sensorineural hearing loss. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term effect of radiotherapy on hearing in patients treated with Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), sparing the inner ear from high radiation dose as much as possible.

Methods

Between 2003 and 2006, 101 patients with head and neck cancer were treated with IMRT. Audiometry was performed before, short-term, and long-term after treatment. Data were compared to normal hearing levels according to the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO). Statistical analysis was done using repeated measurements. None of the patients received chemotherapy.

Results

In 36 patients an audiogram at long-term follow-up (median 7.6 years) was available. The mean dose to the cochlea was 17.8 Gy (1.0-66.6 Gy). A hearing deterioration of 1.8 dB at Pure Tone Average (PTA) 0.5-1-2 kHz ( p = 0.11), 2.3 dB at PTA 1-2-4 kHz ( p = 0.02), and 4.4 dB at PTA 8-10-12.5 kHz ( p = 0.01) was found. According to the ISO, the expected age-related hearing loss was 2.7, 4.8, and 8.8 dB at PTA 0.5-1-2 kHz, 1-2-4 kHz, and 8-10-12.5 kHz, respectively.

Conclusions

After IMRT with radiation dose constraint to the cochlea, potential long-term adverse effects of IMRT remained subclinical. The progressive hearing loss over time was mild and could be attributed to the natural effects of ageing. Therefore, we recommend that a dose constraint to the cochlea should be incorporated in the head and neck radiotherapy protocols.
Impact of the Addition of Carboplatin and/or Bevacizumab to Neoadjuvant Once-per-Week Paclitaxel Followed by Dose-Dense Doxorubicin and Cyclophosphamide on Pathologic Complete Response Rates in Stage II to III Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: CALGB 40603 (Alliance)
Authors: Sikov William M. , Berry Donald A. , Perou Charles M. , Singh Baljit , Cirrincione Constance T. , Tolaney Sara M. , Kuzma Charles S. , Pluard Timothy J. , Somlo George , Port Elisa R. , Golshan Mehra , Bellon Jennifer R. , Collyar Deborah , Hahn Olwen M. , Carey Lisa A. , Hudis Clifford A. , Winer Eric P.
Published: August 2014

Purpose

One third of patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) achieve pathologic complete response (pCR) with standard neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT). CALGB 40603 (Alliance), a 2 × 2 factorial, open-label, randomized phase II trial, evaluated the impact of adding carboplatin and/or bevacizumab.

Patients and Methods

Patients (N = 443) with stage II to III TNBC received paclitaxel 80 mg/m2 once per week (wP) for 12 weeks, followed by doxorubicin plus cyclophosphamide once every 2 weeks (ddAC) for four cycles, and were randomly assigned to concurrent carboplatin (area under curve 6) once every 3 weeks for four cycles and/or bevacizumab 10 mg/kg once every 2 weeks for nine cycles. Effects of adding these agents on pCR breast (ypT0/is), pCR breast/axilla (ypT0/isN0), treatment delivery, and toxicities were analyzed.

Results

Patients assigned to either carboplatin or bevacizumab were less likely to complete wP and ddAC without skipped doses, dose modification, or early discontinuation resulting from toxicity. Grade ≥ 3 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were more common with carboplatin, as were hypertension, infection, thromboembolic events, bleeding, and postoperative complications with bevacizumab. Employing one-sided P values, addition of either carboplatin (60% v 44%; P = .0018) or bevacizumab (59% v 48%; P = .0089) significantly increased pCR breast, whereas only carboplatin (54% v 41%; P = .0029) significantly raised pCR breast/axilla. More-than-additive interactions between the two agents could not be demonstrated.

Conclusion

In stage II to III TNBC, addition of either carboplatin or bevacizumab to NACT increased pCR rates, but whether this will improve relapse-free or overall survival is unknown. Given results from recently reported adjuvant trials, further investigation of bevacizumab in this setting is unlikely, but the role of carboplatin could be evaluated in definitive studies, ideally limited to biologically defined patient subsets most likely to benefit from this agent.
The logic of causal propositions
Authors: Kiczuk Stanisław
Published: August 2014

The first part of the paper_ outlines the development of causality in Greek philosophy. Some remarks are made on how some medieval philosophers approached to the problem. The paper shows also how modern philosophy understood causation. The paper inquires into the characteristics of causal relation as it is accepted in the domain of modern and recent physics.In the second part of the paper one finds some remarks concerning the programme of construing a new system CI of logic of causal propositions. This system is adequate to the manner in which causality is presented in physics. The system CI is being construed to characterize the connective of relativistic conditionals ‘$\rightsquigarrow$’ by means of the methods of recent logic. This connective should be read as follows: ‘if …, then for that reason …’. The arguments of the connective ‘$\rightsquigarrow$’ may be propositional formulas describing a particular event. The new system of non-classical logic is based on the classical propositional calculus, on the one of systems of temporal logic, and on a system ZI of logic of change. The findings concerning causation, as outlined in the first part of the paper, constitute descriptive semantics of the system CI presented in the second part of the paper. This system may play a positive role in the indirect justification of theorems in philosophy in a broad sense.
Quantified temporal alethic-deontic logic
Authors: Rönnedal Daniel
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this paper is to describe a set of quantified temporal alethic-deontic systems, i.e., systems that combine temporal alethicdeontic logic with predicate logic. We consider three basic kinds of systems: constant, variable and constant and variable domain systems. These systems can be augmented by either necessary or contingent identity, and every system that includes identity can be combined with descriptors. All logics are described both semantically and proof theoretically. We use a kind of possible world semantics, inspired by the so-called T × W semantics, to characterize them semantically and semantic tableaux to characterize them proof theoretically. We also show that all systems are sound and complete with respect to their semantics.
Monitoring of lobectomy in cystic fibrosis with electrical impedance tomography – a new diagnostic tool
Authors: Lehmann Sylvia , Tenbrock Klaus , Schrading Simone , Pikkemaat Robert , Antink Christoph Hoog , Santos Susana , Spillner Jan Wilhelm , Wagner Norbert , Leonhardt Steffen
Published: August 2014

Electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a radiation-free technique generating cross-sectional images of the lung. EIT visualizes global and regional ventilation by illustrating the distribution of electrical bioimpedance. With an electrode belt around the patient’s thorax, rotating injection-couples of a harmless alternating current allow voltage measurement of the remaining electrodes. This enables the reconstruction of a tomogram with highly dynamic changes within ventilation. We report on a female six-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis and complete destruction of the upper and middle lobe of the right lung. Lobectomy, a rare therapeutic option in patients with cystic fibrosis that needs to be considered in cases of severe localized destruction, was performed. We show a pre- and postoperative documentation of static (radiology) and dynamic investigation tools (spirometry) in correlation with EIT as a new non-invasive and radiation-free diagnostic tool for this patient group.
Apparent phenotypic anticipation in autosomal dominant connexin 26 deafness
Authors: Sokolov Meirav , Brownstein Zippora , Frydman Moshe , Avraham Karen B.
Published: August 2014

Background: Connexin 26 (GJB2) mutations are associated with various types of hearing loss, either without associated symptoms or with skin disease, constituting a form of syndromic hearing loss. These mutations can lead to deafness in either a recessive or a dominant autosomal form of inheritance.

Methods: Ascertainment of a Jewish Ashkenazi family with nonsyndromic hearing loss led to the construction of a pedigree for a four-generation family, with hearing loss detected in three successive generations. The entire coding region of the GJB2 gene was amplified and sequenced by Sanger sequencing.

Results: Audiological analysis revealed that the age of onset and severity of hearing loss were earlier and more severe, respectively, in each successive generation of an Ashkenazi Jewish family. A mutation, c.224G>A, leading to missense p.Arg75Gln was detected only in the affected members of the family.

Conclusions: The entire coding region of GJB2 should be checked in hearing-impaired patients by Sanger sequencing, rather than examination only of the two most prevalent mutations, regardless of mode of inheritance or ethnicity. Furthermore, predictions regarding phenotype based on genotype can be difficult to make due to clinical variability in multigenerational families, as demonstrated in the family presented in this study.
A case of pediatric ectopic thyroid in lateral lymph nodes
Authors: Baek Min Kwan , Kim Dong Young , Woo Joo Hyun
Published: August 2014

On average, ectopic thyroids are positioned in the embryotic decent path that emerges as a lingual thyroid or a thyroglossal duct cyst. It is uncommon for ectopic thyroids to be located in the lateral neck, which only represents 1%–3% of all cases. Any ectopic thyroids that emerge in the posterior lateral neck in pediatric patients should be regarded as an extremely unique case. We report a 13-year-old boy with ectopic thyroid tissue in the cervical lymph nodes with orthotopic euthyroid thyroid. The masses were located on the left posterior triangle area, which were confirmed as histologic benign thyroid tissue without any malignancy in the head and neck. Authors suggest that this case supports the benign lymphatic transport theory of lateral ectopic thyroid.
Fetal complications due to intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Šimják Patrik , Pařízek Antonín , Vítek Libor , Černý Andrej , Adamcová Karolína , Koucký Michal , Hill Martin , Dušková Michaela , Stárka L’uboslav
Published: August 2014

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common liver disorder of pregnancy. Diagnosis is based on the clinical picture, particularly the presence of pruritus with a deterioration of liver function tests, and typically elevated serum levels of total bile acids. ICP manifests in the second half of pregnancy, predominantly during the third trimester. Symptoms of the disease resolve spontaneously after delivery. Etiology is still not fully understood. Genetic defects in specific transport proteins, elevated levels of sex hormones, and various environmental factors are thought to play a role in the development of this disorder. Although practically benign for the pregnant woman, ICP represents a serious threat to the fetus. It increases the risk of preterm delivery, meconium excretion into the amniotic fluid, respiratory distress syndrome, and sudden intrauterine fetal death. Identifying fetuses at risk of ICP complications remains challenging. The ideal obstetrical management of ICP needs to be definitively determined. The aim of this review is to summarize the current knowledge on fetal complications of ICP and describe management options for their prevention.
A Special Majority Cabinet? Supported Minority Governance and Parliamentary Behavior in the Netherlands
Authors: Otjes Simon , Louwerse Tom
Published: August 2014

This article studies how the presence of the supported minority government Rutte-I affected patterns of legislative behavior. On the basis of the literature on minority cabinets, one would expect that during supported minority cabinets parliamentary parties cooperate more often across the division between coalition and opposition than under multiparty majority cabinet rule. Examining almost 30,000 parliamentary votes between 1994 and 2012, this study finds that on a host of indicators of coalition-opposition-cooperation, there was less cooperation “across the aisle” during the Rutte-I cabinet than during any cabinet before it. We explain this with reference to the encompassing nature of the support agreement as well as the impact of the cabinets’ ideological composition.
CULTURA ORGANIZACIONAL EM INSTITUIÇÕES MILITARES DE ENSINO
Authors: Costa Jurandir Andrade , Araújo Nilson , Danjour Miler Franco , Oliveira Patrícia Whebber S. de
Published: August 2014

O presente estudo apresenta como objetivo, identificar a cultura organizacional presente no Centro de Formação e Aperfeiçoamento da Polícia Militar do Estado do Rio Grande do Norte – Brasil (CFAPM) a partir do modelo dos estilos de funcionamento organizacional de Paz e Mendes. Para tanto, se utilizou de uma pesquisa do tipo descritiva, classificada como sendo um estudo de caso e de natureza predominantemente quantitativa, realizado com 59 policiais militares que trabalham no CFAPM, possibilitando a identificação da cultura organizacional e as relações existentes entre as variáveis sócio demográficas dos indivíduos estudados. Os dados foram tratados por meio de técnicas de estatística, Teste Qui-quadrado, o Teste Exato de Fisher e a Analise de Correspondência. Os resultados obtidos indicaram a predominância do estilo cultural afiliativo a partir da percepção dos policiais pesquisados e apontaram uma significativa relação entre as variáveis sócio demográficas e os estilos culturais, de forma a identificar que tal predominância foi apontada por 55,9% dos policiais, e que esta se deu em todas as características gerais, percebendo-se que a cultura organizacional absorve influência de acordo com a variação de tais características. Por fim, conclui-se que o presente estudo identifica que o estilo cultural predominante no CFAPM é o afiliativo, o qual possui características de um padrão coletivista, tendo como subcultura o estilo empreendedor.
FERRAMENTAS DE BENCHMARKING COMO DIFERENCIAL COMPETITIVO EM EMPRESAS DE FASTFOOD NA CIDADE DE NATAL-RN
Authors: Pires de Souza Ricardo , Hékis Hélio Roberto , Derick O. de Medeiros Diego , Bezerra Furtado Silva Igor , De Melo Duarte Borges Thyago
Published: August 2014

É notório, na contemporaneidade, o aumento da procura pelos produtos disponibilizados pelas redes de fastfood, gerando consequentemente o crescimento econômico das organizações do setor. Logo esse trabalho objetiva demonstrar o sistema de monitoramento de arranjos produtivos – SIMAP as empresas estudadas para que estas possam vislumbrar novas atividades de gestão com o intuito de ter um diferencial competitivo. Para alcançar esse objetivo utilizou-se a metodologia exploratoria explicativa, com estudo de caso nas empresas Pittsburg e McDonald´s na cidade de Natal-RN, obtendo-se as informações através de questionário semi-estruturado. Analisando-se os dados, percebeu-se que as empresas estudadas, encontram-se acima da média das empresas dos setor cadastradas no SIMAP. Em comparação cruzada entre as empresas estudadas, observou-se que a empresa Pittsburg possui pontos a aperfeiçoar, nos diversos indicadores de gestão, em especial no indicador sistema de gestão integrada, no qual essa empresa ficou abaixo de 25%. Observou-se também que em relação a gestão financeira, a empresa Pittsburg esta melhor qualificada perante sua concorrente McDonald´s. Ficou evidenciado que as empresas estudadas estão em conformidade com os requisitos mínimos exigidos pelos seus clientes.
COMPORTAMENTO DE CADEIAS DE SUPRIMENTOS OBSERVADOS EM CLUSTER: ESTUDO DE CASO EM UMA EMPRESA CALÇADISTA
Authors: Da Silva Rosnaldo Inácio , Hermann Filipe Felhberg , Sellitto Miguel Afonso , Pereira Giancarlo Medeiros , Borchardt Miriam
Published: August 2014

A literatura aponta diferentes modelos de arranjos produtivos segundo sua complexidade, incluindo cadeias de suprimentos, redes de cooperação, cadeias produtivas, arranjos produtivos locais, até os clusters. O objetivo deste artigo foi apresentar um caso em um cluster no qual foram observados comportamentos comumente relatados na literatura sobre cadeia de suprimentos. Tal comportamento tem surgido em um ambiente típico de cluster, que mescla competição e colaboração (a coopetição). Foram estudados os relacionamentos que se estabeleceram entre uma empresa líder no cluster, que passou a assumir papel semelhante ao de empresa focal em cadeia de suprimentos, e alguns de seus fornecedores, que assumiram atitudes cooperativas tal como observado em operações de fornecimento de matérias-primas em cadeias de suprimento.
GESTÃO DE RECURSOS HÍDRICOS NO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE: UMA ANÁLISE DA IMPLEMENTAÇÃO DA POLÍTICA HÍDRICA
Authors: Oliveira Marcos Antônio de , Barbosa Erivaldo Moreira , Dantas Neto José
Published: August 2014

O estudo analisa as medidas adotadas pelo poder público estadual para a implantação de um novo modelo de gestão hídrica, o modelo sistêmico, introduzido pela política nacional de recursos hídricos. O objetivo principal é analisar o processo de implementação desse novo modelo no âmbito do estado do Rio Grande do Norte, a partir da sistematização dos mecanismos gerenciais em funcionamento e à luz da legislação vigente. A abordagem é fruto de uma pesquisa exploratória realizada a partir de documentos impressos e eletrônicos e em ampla legislação federal e estadual sobre a matéria. Os aspectos mais relevantes para a compreensão da temática são os aspectos legais, nas esferas federal e estadual, a (re) estruturação dos órgãos públicos estaduais que atuam na gestão das águas e a organização dos comitês de bacias hidrográficas. Constata-se que a gestão hídrica estadual apresenta fortes traços do modelo econômico-financeiro, baseado em planejamento estratégico, instrumentos econômicos e tecnocracia. Não obstante, o arcabouço normativo e as iniciativas do estado, embora marcadas pela morosidade, indicam a possibilidade de mudança para o modelo sistêmico, fundado na gestão democrática, participativa e deliberativa.
ARARUNA: IDENTIDADE CONSTRUÍDA E SIGNIGIFACADOS REVELADOS NO ESPAÇO VIVIDO
Authors: Martins Josenildo da Silva , De Melo Evaneide Maria
Published: August 2014

Os estudos geográficos realizados a partir da análise da relação espaço e cultura já constituem uma linha de pesquisa consolidada no cenário internacional. No Brasil, é a partir de 1990 que a produção começa a ser evidente. Este trabalho contribui para essa evidência, visto que, pouco mais de duas décadas depois, apreende parte significativa dessas produções, quer seja no contexto nacional, quer seja no internacional, para analisar a dimensão cultural do espaço vivido pelo grupo Araruna. A representação espacial da realidade vivida pelo grupo se apresenta na forma de monumento, forma espacial traduzida na sede do grupo, que materializa parte de sua cultura e constitui base de sua identidade.
ESTUDO ANALÍTICO DO PROCESSO LICITATÓRIO AMBIENTAL PARA EMPREENDIMENTOS EÓLICOS NO ESTADO DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE
Authors: Bezerra Marcelo Hugo de Medeiros , Melo Carolina de Sousa Martins , Nunes Mariana Medeiros de Araujo , Mesquita Thiago de Paula Nunes
Published: August 2014

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar o processo licitatório para parques eólicos no estado do Rio Grande do Norte. Para tal finalidade, foram utilizados três critérios: tempo de tramitação, custos monetários e complexidade. Para a coleta de dados foi aplicado um questionário fechado com o gestor de uma empresa de consultoria ambiental e realizada uma entrevista semiestruturada com o subcoordenador de licenciamento de parques eólicos do IDEMA. Além disso, o sítio eletrônico do IDEMA também foi fonte de informação para chegar aos resultados finais da pesquisa. Como resultado, pôde-se constatar que o processo licitatório tem como a etapa mais complexa, devido ao estudo ambiental requisitado, a Licença de Instalação. Conclui-se que o estudo ambiental é fator de maior influência no processo licitatório nos três aspectos estudados e que a Licença Prévia é fator decisivo para a continuidade ou não do processo de licença. Outro ponto conclusivo é a falta de padronização do processo nacional de licenciamento ambiental, sendo fonte de uma série de entraves enfrentados pelo empreendedor.
PERCEPÇÃO AMBIENTAL DE DIFERENTES ATORES SOCIAIS SOBRE O LAGO DO ABREU EM FORMOSA ? GO
Authors: Suess Rodrigo Capelle , Bezerra Rafael Gonçalves , Sobrinho Hugo de Carvalho
Published: August 2014

Pesquisas sobre percepção ambiental são importantes para investigação de conhecimentos, valores, opiniões, atitudes e expectativas que as pessoas têm em relação ao seu local de moradia, visto que cada ser humano percebe, reage e responde de maneira diferente ao ambiente em que vive. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho teve por objetivo analisar a percepção ambiental dos diferentes atores sociais sobre o Lago do Abreu em Formosa-GO. Para isso, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas tanto com moradores quanto com frequentadores do local, além de registros fotográficos e observações realizadas no local de estudo. Os principais problemas expostos pelos entrevistados foram descuido e descaso com a paisagem, com a infraestrutura, com a segurança, com o meio ambiente e com a limpeza. Estes problemas foram constantemente atribuídos ao Poder Público como o principal gerador. Nessa perspectiva, espera-se que o poder público e os moradores assumam o compromisso de zelar por esta importante área cultural arraigada de sinais de sua identidade, localizada no município de Formosa-GO.
VARIABILIDADE DA PRECIPITAÇÃO E DO NÚMERO DE DIAS COM CHUVAS DE DUAS CIDADES DISTINTAS DA PARAÍBA
Authors: Tavares Diniz Júlio Mannuel
Published: August 2014

Na região Nordeste do Brasil é característica a significativa variabilidade espacial e temporal da precipitação pluvial, proveniente da atuação de diferentes sistemas meteorológicos. Em determinadas localidades do estado da Paraíba são comuns a ausência de chuvas durante períodos prolongados, ocasionando graves problemas para a sociedade e para os ecossistemas naturais. Neste sentido, o presente trabalho tem como objetivo a avaliação da precipitação e do número de dias com chuvas observados em duas cidades distintas da Paraíba. Os dados utilizados foram fornecidos pelo Instituto Nacional de Meteorologia e são provenientes de observações realizadas entre os anos de 2002 e 2011. A partir da análise dos resultados, verificou-se que o total de chuvas anuais e mensais observado em João Pessoa é bastante superior ao de Campina Grande. Em ambas as localidades, as chuvas apresentaram-se mais abundantes e regulares no primeiro semestre do ano, com valores máximos em torno do mês de Junho.
INSTITUCIONALIZAÇÃO DE POLÍTICAS PÚBLICAS DE PROMOÇÃO DA IGUALDADE DE GÊNERO: SISTEMATIZANDO TRAJETÓRIAS DE INCIATIVAS NACIONAIS E INTERNACIONAIS
Authors: Momo Denise Cristina , Paiva Juarez Azevedo de , Ribeiro Abdon Silva da Cunha , Cardoso Bruno Luan Dantas , Souza Washington José de
Published: August 2014

A experiência da mulher na esfera privada no âmbito do trabalho altera relações intrafamiliares permitindo-lhes maior liberdade, autonomia e independência. As desigualdades, socialmente construídas, de interiorização do papel da mulher, por sua vez, redundam em discriminações, dificuldades de inserção e valorização do trabalho feminino no mercado, inclusive com salários comparativamente inferiores em relação ao homem, e dificuldades de acesso a serviços, além de cotidiano penoso no âmbito da esfera doméstica. As ações governamentais, as políticas públicas e os programas desenvolvidos pelos governos federais, estaduais e municipais, no âmbito das relações de gênero, são, assim, relevantes na amenização das desigualdades. É este, pois, o objeto do presente texto, que discute a institucionalização de políticas públicas para a construção da igualdade de gênero e a relevância que assume o Estado no papel de incorporar e provocar o viés das relações de gênero em ações e debates públicos. No Brasil, a formulação e implementação do Plano Nacional de Políticas para Mulheres foi, neste sentido, de fundamental importância para balizar ações a serem desenvolvidas pelos governos no fomento a iniciativas de igualdade nas relações entre homens e mulheres. Todavia, as medidas até agora tomadas, são insuficientes à superação de barreiras que têm raízes culturais em várias nações do mundo e, em especial, no Brasil.
UMA ANÁLISE DO PLANO DE RECUPERAÇÃO DE ÁREA DEGRADADA COM VEGETAÇÃO DE MANGUE NO RIO APODI MOSSORÓ DO PROJETO MARGEM VIVA
Authors: Laurentino Izabela Costa , Souza Samir Cristiano
Published: August 2014

Por muito tempo o meio ambiente foi considerado como fonte inesgotável de recursos, sendo tal pensamento, incrementado pelos processos de desenvolvimento tecnológico, econômico e também pelo aumento das salinas e viveiros de carcinicultura. Este último tem sido considerado um dos principais causadores de degradação ambiental, pois não se tratam somente de intervenções isoladas, mas sim de mudanças em todo o funcionamento do ecossistema local. Este trabalho analisa um levantamento ambiental a fim de propor para a referida área um PRAD – Plano de Recuperação de Área Degradada, utilizando como técnica o reflorestamento adensado com espécies nativas do entorno (espécies de Mangue), visando não somente recuperar a fauna e flora local, mas também o patrimônio paisagístico/ambiental e consequentemente amenizar os impactos ambientais.
DISPONIBILIDADE E VALOR NUTRITIVO DA VEGETAÇÃO DE CAATINGA NO SEMIÁRIDO NORTE RIOGRANDENSE DO BRASIL
Authors: Souza Cicilia , Barreto Hilton Felipe , Gurgel Valnir , Costa Francisco
Published: August 2014

O objetivo desse trabalho foi avaliar a disponibilidade, valor nutritivo e a qualidade dos estratos herbáceo, arbustivo e arbóreo de um fragmento da caatinga no sertão do Rio Grande do Norte. Foram traçados 24 transectos imaginários, marcando-se pontos de observação a cada 4 metros, totalizando 576 pontos amostrais. Para amostragem do estrato herbáceo, foi utilizado um quadrado de 1m², sendo feita uma projeção de dois metros de altura para a amostragem do estrato arbustivo-arbóreo. Para identificação das espécies, utilizou-se o nome comum e, posteriormente, obteve-se o nome científico. Foram identificadas 11 espécies, pertencendo a 7 famílias, com predomínio das Leguminosae, sendo 4 arbustivas e 4 arbóreas. A disponibilidade de fitomassa do componente vegetativo variou de 1219,95 (Julho/2010) a 722,28 (Janeiro/2011) kg de matéria seca (MS) por hectare. Apesar da disponibilidade de fitomassa ser relativamente alta no período de transição chuva/seca, apenas uma pequena porcentagem do material encontrado pode ser considerada como forragem, havendo contribuição da serapilheira.
GEOGRAFIZANDO O FUTEBOL: DO GLOBAL AO LOCAL
Authors: Cayo Israel Campos
Published: August 2014

O futebol é um dos mais populares esportes do Planeta, e principalmente do Brasil. Nesse País, encontra-se uma grande quantidade de territórios que possuem sua gestão voltada para o esporte, mas pouco tem-se conhecimento sobre como ele vem se organizando no espaço desde suas origens na Inglaterra urbana-industrial se difundindo pelos demais continentes, até chegar ao Brasil e por conseguinte a Natal-RN. O presente artigo apresenta uma reflexão de como o futebol se apresenta do local para o global, para isso, iremos analisar como o futebol deixou de ser um esporte das altas classes inglesas e se tornou o mais popular esporte do mundo, esse recorte histórico terá informações sobre um olhar geográfico onde mostraremos a expansão do futebol, bem como os organismos que tornaram possível essa expansão, saindo da Inglaterra para suas colônias e por conseguinte para o Brasil, por fim chegando a Natal-RN, acabando por se tornar um dos fenômenos que explicam a organização territorial atual.
CARACTERIZAÇÃO SOCIOECONÔMICA DOS AGRICULTORES FAMILIARES PRODUTORES E NÃO PRODUTORES DE MAMÃO IRRIGADO NA AGROVILA CANUDOS, CEARÁ MIRIM (RN)
Authors: Rebouças Maria Agripina , Antunes de Lima Vera Lucia
Published: August 2014

A economia da agrovila Canudos está baseada na agricultura familiar, principalmente na produção de mamão irrigado. O objetivo deste estudo foi a caracterização socioeconômica dos agricultores familiares da agrovila Canudos, assentamento Rosário, localizado no município de Ceará Mirim, Rio Grande do Norte, fazendo uma comparação entre as famílias produtoras e não produtoras de mamão. Os dados da pesquisa de campo foram obtidos por intermédio de entrevistas para preenchimento de formulários com perguntas abertas e fechadas aplicadas aos agricultores familiares da agrovila Canudos, e considerou as variáveis: produção agrícola, faixa etária, escolaridade, renda familiar, transporte e infraestrutura do assentamento. A Agrovila Canudos abriga 40 famílias e, destas, dezesseis produzem mamão papaia numa área coletiva de 10 hectares. Todos os trabalhos são executados pelos membros da família, distribuídos entre homens, mulheres e, em alguns casos, por jovens que dividem o dia entre a escola e o trabalho. Em relação à renda familiar, 65% das famílias, apresentaram renda média variando de um até três salários mínimos, sendo 61,5% destes produtores de mamão e 38,5% não produtores. Observou-se ainda que os não produtores apresentaram renda familiar mais baixa. Quanto à infraestrutura, a agrovila Canudos apresenta precariedade no atendimento à educação, saúde, transporte e coleta de lixo. Conclui-se, portanto, que os agricultores familiares produtores apresentaram uma situação econômica, em certa medida, favorável em virtude da produção de mamão irrigado, quando comparados com os não produtores.
CARACTERÍSTICAS DO COMÉRCIO INFORMAL DE PLANTAS MEDICINAIS NO MUNICÍPIO DE LAGOA NOVA/RN
Authors: Rocha Francisco Angelo Gurgel da , Araújo Leysa Silva Guedes de , Lima Tuiza Galgani Dantas , Silva Edyjancleide Rodrigues da , Silva Patrícia Adriana , Gundim Milena Khrislaine de Medeiros , Araújo Magnólia Fernandes Florêncio de , Leão Costa Nilma Dias
Published: August 2014

O uso de plantas medicinais está presente na cultura de todos os povos, sendo a sua comercialização principalmente realizada em feiras livres. As condições de higiene inadequadas presentes nos pontos de venda, associadas à crença de que “o natural não faz mal”, podem resultar em agravos à saúde dos consumidores. Objetivamos caracterizar o perfil socioeconômico dos comerciantes de plantas medicinais do município de Lagoa Nova/RN, descrevendo seus métodos de armazenamento e exposição, bem como suas crenças em relação à segurança no uso de tais recursos terapêuticos. Foram realizadas entrevistas, orientadas por formulário estruturado. Dos entrevistados, 60% eram negros, 20% pardos e 40% brancos; o sexo masculino predominou, com frequência correspondente a 60% dos casos. A transmissão do conhecimento etnobotânico e do ponto de comercialização eram predominantemente familiar, atingindo percentual de 80%. As condições estruturais e de higiene nos pontos de venda eram precárias. Os entrevistados desconheciam os riscos potenciais à saúde dos usuários presentes no uso inadequado de plantas medicinais.