bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Premenstrual disorder and the adolescent: clinical case report, literature review, and diagnostic and therapeutic challenges
Authors: Akgül Sinem , Kanbur Nuray
Published: November 2014

Objective:The aim of this paper is to present a case with premenstrual dysphoric disorder and to review the diagnosis from an adolescent medicine approach, discussing why diagnosis and treatment must be distinct for this age group and different from the adult approach.

Introduction:Premenstrual disorder is a periodic, recurrent, debilitating condition with either physical and/or psychological symptoms that occur during the late luteal phase of the menstrual cycle.

Case:We report the case of a 16-year-old female diagnosed with premenstrual disorder.

Discussion:Physical signs, behavioral changes, and mood disturbances that occur before menstruation have long been recognized in women, but how well is the disorder defined for adolescents? Due to the unique characteristics of teens, do the current diagnostic criteria appropriately represent this population?
Activated Carbon Prepared from Date Pits for the Retention of NO2 at Low Temperature
Authors: Belala Zohra , Belhachemi Meriem , Jeguirim Mejdi
Published: November 2014

Activated carbons were prepared from date pits by physical activation with CO2 and the textural properties were investigated by BET and D-R methods with N2 and CO2 adsorption isotherms. The interaction of the NO2 with activated carbon was examined at ambient temperature and the effect of operating conditions such as temperature and inlet gas compositions was also examined. It was observed that the development of porosity with increasing time of activation favours the adsorption capacity of NO2. The maximum adsorption capacity reached was about 107 mg/g, which is higher than several activated carbon prepared from classical lignocellulosic biomass. However, a slight decrease of NO2 adsorption capacity was observed with increasing temperature. The addition of oxygen into the inlet gas gave rise to an increase in amount adsorbed of NO2.
Utility Theory as a Method to Minimise the Risk in Deformation Analysis Decisions
Authors: Zhang Yin , Neumann Ingo
Published: November 2014

Deformation monitoring usually focuses on the detection of whether the monitored objects satisfy the given properties (e.g. being stable or not), and makes further decisions to minimise the risks, for example, the consequences and costs in case of collapse of artificial objects and/or natural hazards. With this intention, a methodology relying on hypothesis testing and utility theory is reviewed in this paper. The main idea of utility theory is to judge each possible outcome with a utility value. The presented methodology makes it possible to minimise the risk of an individual monitoring project by considering the costs and consequences of overall possible situations within the decision process. It is not the danger that the monitored object may collapse that can be reduced. The risk (based on the utility values multiplied by the danger) can be described more appropriately and therefore more valuable decisions can be made. Especially, the opportunity for the measurement process to minimise the risk is an important key issue. In this paper, application of the methodology to two of the classical cases in hypothesis testing will be discussed in detail: 1) both probability density functions (pdfs) of tested objects under null and alternative hypotheses are known; 2) only the pdf under the null hypothesis is known and the alternative hypothesis is treated as the pure negation of the null hypothesis. Afterwards, a practical example in deformation monitoring is introduced and analysed. Additionally, the way in which the magnitudes of utility values (consequences of a decision) influence the decision will be considered and discussed at the end.
Considering space weather forces interaction on human health: the equilibrium paradigm in clinical cosmobiology – is it equal?
Authors: Stoupel Eliyahu
Published: November 2014

Background: We are constantly affected by changes in space weather. The principal “players” are solar activity (SA), geomagnetic activity (GMA) and antagonistic to them, cosmic ray activity (CRA) and high energy proton flux. CRA is measured by neutron activity on the earth’s surface in imp/min. SA and GMA are linked and serve as a shield for the earth from CRA. For a long time SA and GMA were the main areas of studies. The aim of this study was to compare some effects of the mentioned forces and discuss the temporal distribution of both groups of space weather, in relation to their effects on humans.

Methods: The time distribution of GMA storms (daily) was compared with quiet (low) GMA, with higher CRA (neutron activity). Space weather data were obtained from the USA, Russia and Finland.

Results: A total of 4383 days were analyzed in the years 2000–2012. A total of 71 days (1.62%) of geomagnetic storms (GS) and 2753 days (63.8%) of quiet (I0) GMA were registered. A second study was provided including the years 1983–2007 (9131 days); here 3800 days (41.62%) were quiet GMA days and 400 storm days (4.38%). According to publications in the medical literature, many phenomena are connected with the extremes of space weather.

Conclusions: Despite a great number of publications and the significant role of GS, it is a relatively rare event and most medical emergencies and deaths occur on days of low GMA, accompanied by higher CRA (neutron activity). High neutron activity deserves more attention when analyzing space effects on human health and their mechanism of action.
Stock Exchanges as Lighthouses
Authors: Booth Philip
Published: November 2014

Over the years, it has frequently been argued by economists that lighthouses need to be provided by the state. Ronald Coase demonstrated, in fact, that they could be provided privately. The same is true of financial regulation. Though many economists, using blackboard economics, argue that financial markets need to be regulated by the state, it is found that regulatory mechanisms evolve in the market which are effective and stable. It is feasible that a central bank could also evolve as a private institution to regulate the banking sector. Nevertheless, there could be legitimate concern that such institutions will become concentrations of market power or will require legal privileges to operate. In fact, this was one of the concerns that was expressed in relation to the private provision of lighthouses. The analogy between private regulatory institutions such as stock exchanges and lighthouses is therefore remarkably close.
Diagnostic Preliminaries to Applying a Theory of Decision
Authors: Thalos Mariam
Published: November 2014

Decision theory cannot be a purely formal theory, free of all metaphysical assumptions and ascertainments. It must instead rely upon the end user for the wisdom it takes to prime the decision formalism – with principles and assumptions about the metaphysics of the application context – so that the formalism in its turn can generate good advice. Appreciating this idea is fundamental to understanding the true rivalry between evidential decision theory (EDT) and causal decision theory (CDT) in specific cases. I shall argue that no decision theory can deliver a verdict unless assumptions are made about the
In vitro degradation and bioactivity of poly(propylene fumarate)/bioactive glass sintered microsphere scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Shahabi Sima , Rezaei Yashar , Moztarzadeh Fathollah , Najafi Farhood
Published: November 2014

We developed degradable poly(propylene fumarate)/bioactive glass (PPF/BG) composite scaffolds based on a sintered microsphere technique and investigated the effects of BG content on the characteristics of these composite scaffolds. Immersion in a simulated body fluid (SBF) was used to evaluate the surface reactivity of composite scaffolds. The surface of composite scaffolds was covered with hydroxycarbonate apatite layer after 7 days of immersion. Ion concentration analyses revealed a decrease in P concentration and an increase in Si, Ca, and Sr concentrations in SBF immersed with composite scaffolds during the 3-week period. The Ca and P uptake rates decreased after 4 days of incubation. This coincided with the decrease of the Si release rate. These data lend support to the suggestion that the Si released from the BG content of scaffolds present in the polymer matrix was involved in the formation of the Ca-P layer. The evaluation of the in vitro degradation of composite microspheres revealed that the weight of scaffolds remained relatively constant during the first 3 weeks and then started to decrease slowly, losing 10.5% of their initial mass by week 12. Our results support the concept that these new bioactive, degradable composite scaffolds may be used for bone tissue engineering applications.
What, When and How? Spanish Native and Nonnative Uses of Politeness
Authors: Barros García María J. , Terkourafi Marina
Published: November 2014

The current study reports on three role-plays investigating the understanding and uses of politeness by native speakers of Spanish from Spain, native speakers of English from the United States, and nonnative speakers of Spanish from the United States. Motivated by the different characterization of Peninsular Spanish and U.S. American cultures as solidarity and distancing cultures, respectively (Hickey, 2005; Pinto, 2011), we expected that American English speakers would be more inclined towards the use of politeness strategies linked to the protection of face, while Spaniards would make more use of maneuvers to enhance face. The pertinent research question is whether learners transfer into L2 their L1 preference for face-saving, or, conversely, are able to adapt their behavior depending on the language of the interaction. Our results show that, overall, nonnative speakers still abide by the norms of their L1 to some extent, attaching more importance to the avoidance of face-threats when speaking in Spanish than native speakers do, although this preference tends to become less marked as their proficiency in the L2 increases.
Tertullian and Ancient Embryology in De carne Christi 4,1 and 19,3−4
Authors: Kitzler Petr
Published: November 2014

The purpose of this paper is to illuminate two passages from Tertullian’s De carne Christi (4,1 and 19,3−4) that are connected to the physical nativity of Christ, by examining their medical context, since they both allude to ancient embryology. First, the obscure phrase genitalia in utero elementa (4,1) is placed within the context of Galen’s theory of conception; second, Tertullian’s comments on the nature of male semen and its qualities (19,3−4) are correlated to similar concepts advocated by Aristotle and Galen.
The Pseudo-Iliberritan Canon Texts
Authors: Vilella Josep
Published: November 2014

Both lexico-syntactic analysis and comparative study of the content of the texts attributed to the supposed Council of Elvira reveal that this canonical series is the result of the compilation and modification, before the mid-6th century, of precepts from various times and places. After an introduction dedicated to the textual transmission of these canons and the methodologies applied to their study, the paper then explains the characteristics of the parts from which the extensive pseudo-Iliberritan list we have today was put together, mentioning which parts were later additions. Next, the paper focuses on disciplinary practices, demonstrating the non-unitary nature of the catalogue and providing important indications regarding the time parameters. The paper also looks at some of the conspicuous themes dealt with in the series of decrees. When these decrees are compared against the extant pool of documents, they continue to provide important details on the dates and provide a deeper understanding of various statements.
Neue griechische Fragmente des Cyrill von Alexandrien, (Pseudo-)Athanasius, Philoxenos, Severus von Antiochien und Ammonios: patristische Auslegungen zum 1. Korintherbrief (ediert aus dem Codex Pantokratoros 28)
Authors: Zawadzki Konrad F.
Published: November 2014

This paper provides the first edition of five previously unknown Greek fragments of Cyril of Alexandria, (Pseudo-)Athanasius, Philoxenos, Severus of Antioch, and Ammonios. Since all these fragments have survived only in the Codex Pantokratoros 28, in the first part of this paper the reader will find some important basic information about the age of this manuscript, its text-critical value and content. The special focus of this introductory part is on the catena commentary on 1 Corinthians which has survived in the Codex Pantokratoros 28 and from which the edited texts are. The main part of this paper presents an edition, translation, and commentary of the five fragments mentioned above. The commentary concentrates on questions concerning the authorship of the texts, their theological content and-insofar it is necessary for the proper understanding of the fragments-text-critical problems.
Why care for the poor? The role of almsgiving in Jerome’s asceticism
Authors: Dunn Geoffrey D.
Published: November 2014

The question of Christian almsgiving in late antiquity is one that has received fresh treatment recently in Richard D. Finn’s monograph, and the issue of wealth and poverty in this period is the subject of a number of current international scholarly projects. This paper considers the place of almsgiving in Jerome’s vision of asceticism found in his advice to wealthy Christians. When one reads Jerome’s letters to Furia (Epistula 54), Lucinius (Epistula 71), Oceanus (Epistula 77), Salvina (Epistula 79), Eustochium (Epistula 108), Julian (Epistula 118), Ageruchia (Epistula 123), and Demetrias (Epistula 130), where the parable of the wily manager (Luke 16:9 in particular) is employed, as well as in other letters containing ascetical advice that do not employ the parable, it would be easy to conclude that the purpose of almsgiving for Jerome was soteriological self-interest. It will be argued here that to reach such a conclusion would be to fail to appreciate his rhetorical strategies employed in these letters addressed to wealthy Christians. Jerome’s vitriolic treatise Contra Vigilantium, written for a different kind of audience and with a different purpose in mind, as recently investigated by David G. Hunter, also contains references to almsgiving. In it the poor are not simply the objects enabling the wealthy to be saved but are considered in terms of social justice and equity as subjects whose needs must be addressed.
Mechanisms of Degradation in Rheological Properties Due to Pumping and Mixing
Authors: Takahashi Keisuke , Bier Thomas A.
Published: November 2014

Excessive mixing and/or pumping can result in a degradation of rheological properties specifically for self-compacting concrete (SCC) or grouts. Consequently, adverse effects on the concrete performance and structural defects are experienced. In order to identify the dominant factors that influence the rheological properties in the process chain, our study focused on rheological behavior of cement-based grouts after mixing and pumping by examining the results from field and laboratory trials that measured the effects of several pumping parameters on grout characteristics, by describing the effects of compressive stress, shear stress, and sedimentation on grout properties at a laboratory scale, and by analyzing the results using rheographs. The underlying physico-chemical mechanisms were studied using amount of plasticizer adsorbed and specific surface area development during initial hydration. Our observations revealed that mixing and shear stress during pumping, respectively, do exhibit the most pronounced influence on the rheological properties of grouts. Pressurization and sedimentation (while grouts settle) induce only little changes. The degradation of rheological properties is explained by an increase of the specific surface area available for adsorption of plasticizer. This increase seems to be due not only to dispersion of the particles but also to an accelerated creation of pre-hydrates.
A Direct Shear Apparatus With Vibrational Loading
Authors: Taslagyan Karén A. , Chan Dave H. , Morgenstern Norbert R.
Published: November 2014

For some geotechnical design projects where soils are exposed to dynamic loads (vibrations), it becomes necessary to evaluate the strength and deformation characteristics of the soil under existing and/or anticipated vibrations. In order to investigate the effect of the vibrations on the strength and deformation properties of soils, representative samples should be collected and tested in laboratories and subjected to vibration of expected magnitudes. In this case, it is important that the laboratory equipment used is able to simulate field conditions as close as possible to provide the necessary parameters that can successfully be used in the design. A vibrational direct shear apparatus has been developed based on the conventional direct shear apparatus to evaluate the strength and deformation characteristics of soils (granular and cohesive) under a wide range of vibrational accelerations and frequencies. The apparatus makes it possible to test soils in both stress and displacement controlled modes. The design of the apparatus is such that it allows modification of the most commonly used direct shear apparatuses into the vibrational ones. The new apparatus was built and tested to prove its performance and reliability.
Developmental Analysis of Spliceosomal snRNA Isoform Expression
Authors: Lu Zhipeng , Matera A Gregory
Published: November 2014

Pre-mRNA splicing is a critical step in eukaryotic gene expression that contributes to proteomic, cellular, and developmental complexity. Small nuclear (sn)RNAs are core spliceosomal components; however, the extent to which differential expression of snRNA isoforms regulates splicing is completely unknown. This is partly due to difficulties in the accurate analysis of the spatial and temporal expression patterns of snRNAs. Here, we use high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) data to profile expression of four major snRNAs throughout Drosophila development. This analysis shows that individual isoforms of each snRNA have distinct expression patterns in the embryo, larva, and pharate adult stages. Expression of these isoforms is more heterogeneous during embryogenesis; as development progresses, a single isoform from each snRNA subtype gradually dominates expression. Despite the lack of stable snRNA orthologous groups during evolution, this developmental switching of snRNA isoforms also occurs in distantly related vertebrate species, such as Xenopus, mouse, and human. Our results indicate that expression of snRNA isoforms is regulated and lays the foundation for functional studies of individual snRNA isoforms.
Diferencias individuales en modelos animales: un enfoque para el estudio de factores neurobiológicos relacionados con depresión
Authors: Sequeira Cordero Andrey , Fornaguera Trías Jaime
Published: November 2014

El estudio de las diferencias individuales en la prueba de nado forzado (PNF) en ratas permite la identificación de factores de susceptibilidad o de resistencia en el desarrollo conductas relacionadas con la depresión. Para estudiar estas diferencias, varios grupos de ratas fueron sometidos a la PNF; posteriormente, los animales con baja y alta inmovilidad fueron comparados, lo que permitió identificar una serie de características que podrían estar actuando como factores de riesgo o de protección. Así, factores neurobiológicos como la expresión diferencial en el núcleo accumbens del receptor 1 para el factor liberador de corticotropina (CRFR1), una tasa diferencial de recambio de dopamina en esa misma región y la cinética de expresión diferencial del factor neurotrófico derivado del cerebro (BDNF) en la corteza prefrontal, podrían jugar un papel importante en la modulación de conductas depresivas. La presente revisión resume nuestros resultados más importantes en esta línea de investigación.
Abuso de Drogas: Generalidades Neurobiológicas y Terapéuticas
Authors: Velásquez-Martínez María Carolina , Ortiz Jose
Published: November 2014

El abuso de drogas es una enfermedad caracterizada por la urgencia de obtener y consumir una sustancia determinada independientemente de sus consecuencias negativas. Existen factores biológicos, sociales y psicológicos que predisponen a un individuo al abuso de drogas los adolescentes son los más vulnerables porque su cerebro no ha madurado completamente y están bajo presiones tanto sociales como psicológicas. Es por esto último que la prevención es aún más efectiva a esta edad. Las drogas de abuso alteran principalmente el sistema mesocorticolimbico; la dopamina y el glutamato desempeñan un papel importante en este circuito que normalmente median comportamientos de motivación. Se cree que las sustancias de abuso modifican este circuito usando mecanismos similares al aprendizaje normal resultando en aprendizaje disfuncional. Dichos cambios son a largo plazo y pueden ser evocados por eventos que recuerden la droga, en la ausencia de la misma. Un manejo multidisciplinario es necesario ya que el abuso de drogas tiene componentes biológicos, sociales y psicológicos. Las terapias cognitivas y comportamentales son comúnmente complementadas con agentes farmacológicos con los que se manejan los síntomas específicos de retirada y abstinencia.
Modelos cognitivos formales: Una herramienta para la integración del conocimiento en psicología cognitiva y neurociencia cognitiva
Authors: Rodríguez Villagra Odir
Published: November 2014

El objetivo de la presente revisión fue proponer algunas recomendaciones para aquellos psicólogos cognitivos interesados en incorporar el estudio del sistema nervioso en sus investigaciones. Primero, son presentadas algunas resistencias de científicos cognitivos y neurocientíficos para incorporar las teorías de la neurociencia o la psicología cognitiva en sus respectivas áreas de estudio. Luego, se exponen algunos riesgos relacionados con el atractivo de las neurociencias. Segundo, se proponen los modelos cognitivos formales como una herramienta importante en la integración del conocimiento entre la psicología cognitiva y la neurociencia cognitiva. Tercero, se presentan ejemplos de cómo los modelos cognitivos formales ayudan al razonamiento en el contexto de la investigación en neurociencia cognitiva. Finalmente, se enumeran algunas recomendaciones con el afán de promover un inicio promisorio en la investigación en neurociencia cognitiva.
Modelos animales de miedo y ansiedad: descripciones neuro-conductuales
Authors: Mora Gallegos Andrea , Salas Castillo Sofia
Published: November 2014

Los modelos animales de miedo y ansiedad se han utilizado para la comprensión de trastornos de ansiedad en humanos, sin embargo no ha sido fácil diferenciar ambos conceptos a nivel fisiológico y conductual. Una forma de modelar estos trastornos es mediante pruebas conductuales de ansiedad (como el laberinto en cruz elevado o la prueba de campo abierto) y de miedo (como el condicionamiento al miedo y la evitación activa). Además, estos modelos permiten estudiar diferentes áreas cerebrales involucradas como la amígdala, el hipocampo y la corteza prefrontal. En general, el miedo y la ansiedad se pueden considerar respuestas adaptativas normales, sin embargo niveles elevados de ambos pueden generar consecuencias perjudiciales para el individuo.
Endoscopic assisted orchiectomy in Herman’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni sp.)
Authors: Funcke S. , Ziegler L. , Lierz M. , Wüst E. , Paries S.
Published: November 2014

Objective: Male tortoises in captivity are often aggressive against other males or females, in particular during mating season related to hormonal influences (testosterone). Castration in males is the treatment of choice in many vertebrate species. A novel technique of minimal invasive castration is presented for Herman’s tortoises (Testudo hermanni).

Material and methods: The procedure was performed in ten mature males. An endoscope (2.7 mm/30° angled) was inserted into a prefemoral incision on each side. The testicle was resected after ligation of the gubernaculum testis and the spermatic cord using hemoclips.

Results: Each testicle could be removed in approximately 20 minutes. Complications like hemorrhage or damage of adjacent tissue did not occur and all animals recovered uneventfully.

Conclusions and clinical relevance: Using the bilateral prefemoral entrance offers an alternative option for orchiectomy in Herman’s tortoises without dissection of the shell. Thus complications like hemorrhage or impaired wound healing followed by sequestration of the bone flap are prevented. Because of the anatomical settings and the risk of tissue damage and time consumption, a unilateral approach is not recommended. Fasting the animals is necessary due to the voluminous gastrointestinal tract of this herbivorous tortoise and emptying the urinary bladder provides more space for manipulations in the coelomic cavity and prevents clipping and cutting of adjacent organs. The magnification via the endoscope is beneficial for orientation in the coelomic cavity, which is formed by the extremely convex carapace. Without this equipment it is challenging to visualize the dorsocaudally located gonads through the relatively small incision and the inserted instruments might block the view at the surgical field. Administration of hemoclips achieved a good hemostasis and the testicles could be resected without major blood loss. The described technique is a gentle method for resection of the testicles in this species and can be adapted to other European tortoise species of equal size.
AVALIAÇÃO DE EMPRESAS: UM ESTUDO COMPARATIVO ENTRE O MODELO DE CAPITALIZAÇÃO DOS LUCROS E O MODELO DOS MÚLTIPLOS DO FLUXO DE CAIXA
Authors: Mazzioni Sady , Dedonatto Omeri , Castro Neto José Luís de , Neis Fábio Matiello
Published: November 2014

O debate acerca dos processos de avaliação de empresas está em plena efervescência, instigado pela globalização dos mercados e pelo dinamismo do mundo dos negócios. Os fatores que contribuem de modo mais consistente para isso compreendem desde o interesse nos procedimentos de fusão, incorporação, cisão e alienação até a necessidade da informação para algum objetivo qualquer. O objetivo principal deste estudo é apresentar um enfoque no modelo de capitalização dos lucros comparativamente ao modelo dos múltiplos do fluxo de caixa, evidenciando as peculiaridades de cada proposta. O estudo de caso foi desenvolvido em uma indústria que atua na produção e comercialização de complementos alimentares. Constata-se que geralmente o processo de avaliação de empresas reveste-se de subjetividade ao se determinar variáveis, como período de projeção, valor da perpetuidade, taxa de desconto, custo de capital e custo de oportunidade da perspectiva pessoal do avaliador e tal foi constatado na empresa estudada. Verificou-se que os modelos de avaliação são complementares uns dos outros e não excludentes. Conclui-se que o processo de avaliação deve ser composto por um conjunto de métodos, responsáveis por uma avaliação mais completa e com menor risco de imperfeições na determinação final do valor de determinada empresa.
O NOVO CÓDIGO CIVIL E A SOCIEDADE LIMITADA NA REGIÃO DO MEIO OESTE CATARINENSE
Authors: Finger Junior José Ireneu , Balestrin Rubiana , Galiotto Simone
Published: November 2014

As sociedades constituídas sob a forma de cotas com responsabilidade limitada formam a absoluta maioria das empresas da região da AMMOC. Portanto, é um segmento representativo na economia regional. Estas organizações passaram a ser regidas a partir de 11 de janeiro de 2003, pelo Novo Código Civil, que revogou o antigo Decreto 3.708/1919, trazendo aos empresários a necessidade de uma adaptação à nova norma, que em alguns de seus pontos, veio gerar polêmica, pois trouxe forte impacto no quadro social e na forma com que foram constituídas anteriormente à vigência do Novo Código. O presente estudo traz uma análise efetuada em 1.061 sociedades limitadas da região da AMMOC, que teve por objetivo a observação dos ajustes efetuados nos contratos sociais, bem como as causas destes ajustes, após a vigência do Novo Código Civil. Para tanto, foi utilizada como embasamento teórico a nova legislação civil, de forma específica no que trata do direito de empresa, e demais referências bibliográficas surgidas após a vigência do novo pergaminho civilista brasileiro, que deram suporte à formulação do questionário aplicado nas empresas pesquisadas. Os resultados apontaram alguns dos fatores que proporcionaram às empresas a revisão de seus estatutos, sendo que a maioria não foi efetuada em razão da adaptação à nova norma, então exigida pelo Novo Código Civil.
SISTEMA DE CUSTOS PARA A ADMINISTRAÇÃO PÚBLICA MUNICIPAL
Authors: Alves Alexandre , Francez Zaqueu Rogério
Published: November 2014

A importância da escolha de um sistema de custos aplicado a Administração Pública Municipal deve atender características legais e peculiares da atividade. Do ponto de vista Metodológico este presente estudo demonstra a importância da implantação de um sistema de custos no ambiente da administração pública municipal. A utilização desta ferramenta de gestão, para tomada de decisão e direcionamento dos recursos públicos. Será apresentado também as metodologias de custeamento e a importância dos instrumentos de planejamento para adequação dos centros de custos. Por fim será demonstrado um método de custo adequado para desenvolver dentro das prerrogativas da administração pública.
Disturbance of wildlife by outdoor winter recreation: allostatic stress response and altered activity–energy budgets
Authors: Arlettaz Raphaël , Nusslé Sébastien , Baltic Marjana , Vogel Peter , Palme Rupert , Jenni-Eiermann Susanne , Patthey Patrick , Genoud Michel
Published: November 2014

Anthropogenic disturbance of wildlife is of growing conservation concern, but we lack comprehensive approaches of its multiple negative effects. We investigated several effects of disturbance by winter outdoor sports on free‐ranging alpine Black Grouse by simultaneously measuring their physiological and behavioral responses. We experimentally flushed radio‐tagged Black Grouse from their snow burrows, once a day, during several successive days, and quantified their stress hormone levels (corticosterone metabolites in feces [FCM] collected from individual snow burrows). We also measured feeding time allocation (activity budgets reconstructed from radio‐emitted signals) in response to anthropogenic disturbance. Finally, we estimated the related extra energy expenditure that may be incurred: based on activity budgets, energy expenditure was modeled from measures of metabolism obtained from captive birds subjected to different ambient temperatures. The pattern of FCM excretion indicated the existence of a funneling effect as predicted by the allostatic theory of stress: initial stress hormone concentrations showed a wide inter‐individual variation, which decreased during experimental flushing. Individuals with low initial pre‐flushing FCM values augmented their concentration, while individuals with high initial FCM values lowered it. Experimental disturbance resulted in an extension of feeding duration during the following evening foraging bout, confirming the prediction that Black Grouse must compensate for the extra energy expenditure elicited by human disturbance. Birds with low initial baseline FCM concentrations were those that spent more time foraging. These FCM excretion and foraging patterns suggest that birds with high initial FCM concentrations might have been experiencing a situation of allostatic overload. The energetic model provides quantitative estimates of extra energy expenditure. A longer exposure to ambient temperatures outside the shelter of snow burrows, following disturbance, could increase the daily energy expenditure by >10%, depending principally on ambient temperature and duration of exposure. This study confirms the predictions of allostatic theory and, to the best of our knowledge, constitutes the first demonstration of a funneling effect. It further establishes that winter recreation activities incur costly allostatic behavioral and energetic adjustments, which call for the creation of winter refuge areas together with the implementation of visitor‐steering measures for sensitive wildlife.
A linear time algorithm to compute the drainage network on grid terrains
Authors: Magalhães Salles V. G. , Andrade Marcus V. A. , Franklin W. Randolph , Pena Guilherme C.
Published: November 2014

We present a new and faster internal memory method to compute the drainage network, that is, the flow direction and accumulation on terrains represented by raster elevation matrices. The main idea is to surround the terrain by water (as an island) and then to raise the outside water level step by step, with depressions filled when the water reaches their boundary. This process avoids the very time-consuming depression filling step used by most of the methods to compute flow routing, that is, the flow direction and accumulated flow. The execution time of our method is very fast, and linear in the terrain size. Tests have shown that our method can process huge terrains more than 100 times faster than other recent methods.
Quick and accurate Cellular Automata sewer simulator
Authors: Austin Rebecca J. , Chen Albert S. , Savić Dragan A. , Djordjević Slobodan
Published: November 2014

As urbanisation and climate change progress, the frequency of flooding will increase. Each flood event causes damage to infrastructure and the environment. It is thus important to minimise the damage caused, which can be done through planning for events, real-time control of networks and risk management. To perform these actions, many different simulations of network behaviour are required involving complex and computationally expensive model runs. This makes fast (i.e. real-time or repetitive) simulations very difficult to carry out using traditional methods, thus there is a requirement to develop computationally efficient and accurate conceptual sewer simulators. A new Cellular Automata (CA) based sewer model is presented which is both fast and accurate. The CA model is Lagrangian in nature in that it represents the flow as blocks, and movement of the blocks through the system is simulated. To determine the number of blocks which should be moved it uses either the Manning's or Hazen–Williams equation depending on the flow conditions to calculate the permitted discharge. A case study of the sewer network in Keighley, Yorkshire, is carried out showing its performance in comparison to traditional sewer simulators. The benchmarks used to verify the results are SIPSON and SWMM5.
Data management for integrated water resources management in Central Asia
Authors: Abdullaev Iskandar , Rakhmatullaev Shavkat
Published: November 2014

Information technologies can act as technical artifacts and can facilitate stakeholder communication, supporting decision making in a complex societal context. The water sector is one such example where limited water resources are threatened by climate change and growing competition for resources between sectors, regions and countries. Attempts to improve water governance and management through information technologies have been made by international, regional and national water agencies for the last 20 years in Central Asia. However, early attempts were focused on collection, systematization and analysis of the generic data related to the water sector in the region. There are still significant gaps (technical, human and financial capacities) for application of such technologies at the lower operational levels of water management, i.e. where the full dimensions of variables, interactions and complexities are observed and, most importantly, everyday politics of water are performed. The aim of this paper is to present practical results on improving water management in Central Asia through the application of better data management tools at the operational level across diverse institutional settings, i.e. transboundary, watershed levels in the region.
Boundary conditions in finite volume schemes for the solution of shallow-water equations: the non-submerged broad-crested weir
Authors: Cozzolino Luca , Cimorelli Luigi , Covelli Carmine , Morte Renata Della , Pianese Domenico
Published: November 2014

The broad-crested weir can be regarded as a zone of rapid variation of the bottom elevation that is short with respect to the characteristic length of the considered domain, and for this reason it can be conceptually modelled as a bed step. In this paper, the solution of the Riemann problem for the shallow-water equations over a bed step is exploited in order to simulate the behaviour of the broad-crested weirs, when these are present at the boundaries of the numerical domain. The issue of the multiplicity of solutions for this special Riemann problem is discussed, and rules are given in order to pick up the congruent solution among the alternatives. Finally, the proposed approach is implemented into a finite volume model for the approximate solution of one-dimensional shallow-water equations. Several numerical tests are carried out in order to demonstrate its possibilities and promising capabilities.
Improving activated sludge classification based on imbalanced data
Authors: Qian Y. , Liang Y. C. , Guan R. C.
Published: November 2014

A fast and accurate classification method for sewage sludge biological activity classification is of great significance for wastewater treatment. However, the data are often imbalanced and the accuracy of traditional classification algorithms applied to imbalanced small classes of data is very low. Such small classes are crucial application data. Therefore, based on the analysis of eight microorganisms, a novel method is proposed in this paper for the classification of activated sludge known as balanced support-vector-based back-propagation (SV-BP) neural network. It first splits the multiclass classification problem into a plurality of pairwise classification problems and uses a support vector machine (SVM) to achieve equalization. Second, the new dataset is produced, following which back-propagation neural network (BPNN) is used for training and classification. To examine the efficiency of the model, 1731 real data points are collected from a wastewater treatment factory and divide the data into four classes with the help of wastewater experts. Based on the new model, data redundancy and noise are greatly reduced. With area under the curve (AUC) measurements, we find that the AUC of SV-BP is 6.9% higher than classical BPNN. In addition, the small-class recognition rate of SV-BP is far better than that by classical BPNN and SVM algorithms.
Centinela: an early warning system for the water quality of the Cauca River
Authors: Vélez Carlos , Alfonso Leonardo , Sánchez Arlex , Galvis Alberto , Sepúlveda Gilberto
Published: November 2014

The Cauca River is the drinking water source for 1.3 million inhabitants of the city of Cali, Colombia. Although the river discharge is sufficient to handle the water demand of the city all year long, significant water pollution events cause frequent disruption to the Puerto Mallarino Treatment Plant (PMTP) and the water supply service, with substantial social and economic impacts on the city. The sources of pollution include wastewater discharges upstream of the PMTP and important sediment transport from the upstream sub-catchments during heavy rainfall events. Both situations can lead to a closure of the PMTP when the presence of a pollution plume at its intake is evident. This paper presents the design and prototype of a water quality early warning system to anticipate the peaks of pollution in the river, in order to assist the operators in taking timely informed decisions about the operation of the treatment plant. As the published experiences of early warning systems for similar water pollution problems are very limited, the approach to solve the problem using hydroinformatics technologies is worth documenting for utility companies with a similar problem.
Remote sensing estimation of actual evapotranspiration and crop coefficients for a multiple land use arid landscape of southern Iran with limited available data
Authors: Pakparvar M. , Cornelis W. , Pereira L. S. , Gabriels D. , Hosseinimarandi H. , Edraki M. , Kowsar S. A.
Published: November 2014

The Gareh Bygone Plain is an arid area, south of Zagros Mountains, in Southern Iran, where a floodwater spreading project has been implemented for artificial recharge of groundwater. Knowledge/mapping of actual evapotranspiration for the mainland uses (natural pasture, irrigated crops and tree plantations) is of major importance for water management in this remote area. The Surface Energy Balance System (SEBS) model was used to estimate actual evapotranspiration (ET) using non-cloudy images for 32 dates of Landsat 5 TM from May 2009 to October 2010. Various improvements were required for ET computations, including relative to the very high wind speed observed. Reference ET was computed with observed weather data and SEBS products. Thus, crop coefficients (Kc) were obtained as the ratios of actual to reference ET relative to the main types of vegetation. The mid-season Kc generated with SEBS were compared with those previously obtained in the region and with those published in literature. Consumed water by cultivated crops based on SEBS compared well with applied water measurements. Coherent results were obtained which allow validating the SEBS approach for conditions of limited available data.
Application of the reaction system methylene blue B-(NH4)2S2O8 for the kinetic spectrophotometric determination of palladium in citric buffer media
Authors: Rancic Sofija , Nikolic-Mandic Snezana , Bojic Aleksandar , Djoric-Veljkovic Snezana , Zarubica Aleksandra , Jankovic Predrag
Published: November 2014

A new, simple, rapid, sensitive and selective kinetic spectrophotometric method for Pd(II) traces determination was elaborated in this paper. It is based on the catalytic effect of palladium ions upon the oxidation of methylene blue B (MBB) by (NH4)2S2O8 (APS) in citric buffer (BUF) solution. At the working temperature of 25 ?C and the wavelength of 662.4 nm, the optimal conditions for palladium determination were found. RSD value was found to be 2.6 to 4.9% for the investigated concentration range of Pd(II). Limit of detection (LD) was found to be 2.0 ng cm?3 Pd(II), and limit of quantification (LQ) is 6.9 ng cm?3 Pd(II). Only the presence of Pb2+, Hg2+ and Sn2+ in the reaction mixture interferes the determination of palladium by this method, while Au3+ and Ag+ have the catalytic effect upon the reaction rate. By this method, it is possible to determine the Pd(II) traces in the concentration range of 3.3x10?8 to 1.0x10?6 g cm?3. The method was confirmed by determination of Pd(II) traces in alloy PtRhG as well as in the powder of Pt. The obtained results were compared to those obtained by ICP-OES method and good agreement of results was found.
Finding Common Language around Educational Equity in a Neoliberal Context
Authors: Bierbaum Lauren
Published: November 2014

Since 2005, New Orleans has proved fertile ground for the most extensive education reform movement in the United States. As such, the educational landscape in New Orleans is a highly contested space. Yet stakeholders across the pro/anti-charter divide lack a fully developed language that accommodates the multi-vocality of participants contributing to dialogue(s) around neoliberal reform and grappling with the fundamental ways in which public education connects to the democratic ideal. In light of this imbalance, participants in conversations have reified adversarial positions rather than engaged with the substantive issues that ultimately will determine the success of the neoliberal reform movement.
Catholic Schools in New Orleans in the Aftermath of Hurricane Katrina
Authors: MacGregor Carol Ann , Fitzpatrick Brian
Published: November 2014

Changes in the education system following Hurricane Katrina have received considerable attention from scholars in recent years. However, the role of Catholic schools is often overlooked in such discussions of school reform, which most often concentrate on the dramatic changes in the public school sector. This oversight is significant given that some segments of Catholic schools are devoted to serving populations similar to those targeted by emerging charter schools. At the national level, Catholic schools have struggled with declining enrollments and waves of school closures since the mid-1960s. This article aims to consider how well these national trends map onto the case of New Orleans. The authors discuss both how Catholic schools in New Orleans responded to Katrina and how they have changed in the midst of ongoing educational reforms in the city. They suggest that in spite of the catastrophic effects of Hurricane Katrina on the city as a whole, the storm and ensuing changes in the provision of public education have had, with a few notable exceptions, little independent influence on the organization of Catholic schools in the city. Rather, Catholic schools in the city are faced with many of the same challenges being faced by Catholic schools across the United States.
Discipline for Students with Disabilities in the Recovery School District (RSD) of New Orleans
Authors: Jeffers Elizabeth K.
Published: November 2014

This article focuses on special education in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. After Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana's Recovery School District (RSD) took over 102 of the city's 128 schools with the stated goal of creating a ‘choice district’ for parents. This ‘choice district’ is made up of RSD direct-run schools, Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB) schools, ‘open-admissions' charter schools and selective-admissions charter schools. Obtaining entrance into the more selective schools that succeed academically has become a survival-of-the-fittest contest, as special education students are often concentrated in certain schools. This is because of entrance requirements, enrollment caps and the RSD's hands-off approach with discipline proceedings. This article first reviews the legal precedents for special education and then discusses the application of these laws in the decentralized school system within New Orleans. The article was written by a former teacher in the RSD.
The Westernization of Arab Pedagogies: Abu Dhabi Attempts to Move towards a Knowledge Economy
Authors: Chrystall Steve
Published: November 2014

As the oil reserves in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are forecast to become depleted over the next 50 to 150 years, the emirate of Abu Dhabi has set a vision to develop a knowledge economy in order to develop alternative sources of revenue in areas such as tourism, alternative energy and innovative business enterprises. Reformation of its education system is a key component of its strategy for economic development. This requires a pedagogic shift from traditional rote learning methods to more student-centered methods that foster cooperative learning and higher-level thinking skills. This article looks at the Abu Dhabi vision for a knowledge economy and raises questions as to what a knowledge economy means according to recent definitions and in relation to the specific needs of Abu Dhabi. Policies and strategies of the Abu Dhabi Education Council (ADEC) are then discussed in relation to changes in pedagogy required of the Arab teachers, how well policies and strategies match classroom practice, and some of the barriers to lasting pedagogic change. One strategy has been to replace Arab teachers with western, native English-speaking teachers. This strategy has perhaps not considered whether the successes of the western teachers in their own contexts are directly transferable to this Arab context. This raises several potential concerns, such as the lack of utilization of the existing Arab teachers, the disconnect between the Arab students' language, culture and experiences and the western teachers', and the lack of willingness to implement bilingual teaching and learning strategies as students move from Arabic as the sole mode of instruction to English as the sole mode.