bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O ensino médio: órfão de idéias, herdeiro de equívocos
Authors: Castro Claudio de Moura
Published: June 2008

Ensino Médio, ponto de encontro das muitas contradições do ensino brasileiro, tem papéis demais. Pode-se dizer que é um nível em crise permanente. O dilema mais grave do médio está entre preparar a metade dos alunos para o trabalho e a outra metade para o superior. São coisas díspares, com maiores distâncias entre valores e atitudes funcionais em cada uma das opções. O ensino médio herda todas os problemas de qualidade do fundamental e soma a eles um modelo inédito no mundo: não há caminhos alternativos nem entre escolas com perfis diferentes (modelo europeu) nem a possibilidade de trilhar trajetórias divergentes dentro da mesma escola (modelo americano). Há amplo debate sobre as múltiplas saídas para o nosso ensino médio. Algumas grandes linhas podem ser sugeridas, justamente por lidarem com erros flagrantes, cuja correção se faz necessária. Mas, mais cedo ou mais tarde, porém, será preciso ter a coragem para resolver o impasse de um sistema único que, na teoria, oferece a mesma escola para todos e, na prática, não oferece nada para ninguém, nem um ensino que preste. Ademais, ainda, discrimina os mais pobres. Só o Brasil apresenta esse sistema. Só o Brasil paga o preço dessa utopia impossível.
Education reform, race, and politics in Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Reiter Bernd
Published: June 2008

This article discusses the main findings and conclusions from my field research evaluating education reform in the state of Bahia, Brazil. Data collection was done during two exploratory research trips to Salvador, the state capital, in 2001 and in 2005. The Bahian Education Reform, initiated by the state government in 1999 and funded to a great extent by the World Bank, has achieved some very significant goals, most importantly the expansion of high school education and the broadening of access to primary education in areas where access was far from universal. My research nevertheless points to some sever shortcomings, namely with regard to the situation of Afro-Brazilians. Structural racism provides one of the strongest explanations for this shortcoming. Structural racism in Bahia lowers teachers' and principals' expectations about the potential for academic achievement of poor Afro-Brazilians; structural racism widens the gap between students and principals, contributing to a mutual alienation of this two groups and jeopardizing the creation of strategic alliances and synergies inside schools; and it alienates schools from neighborhoods, impeding meaningful community and parental involvement in school management. Finally, the low recognition that public teachers receive from society as a whole, reflected by low salaries, and a general lack of institutional incentive structures that reward outstanding performance and sanction under-average performance have transformed Bahian public education into a desperado system, where the motivations of teachers and students are systematically grinded and their hopes frustrated.
Mudanças nas concepções do professor do ensino fundamental em relação à inclusão após a entrada de alunos com deficiência em sua classe
Authors: Monteiro Ana Paula Húngaro , Manzini Eduardo José
Published: June 2008

As concepções dos professores podem determinar as atitudes sociais em relação à inclusão do aluno com deficiência na sala de aula. Dentre dessa temática, pode-se questionar: a concepção de inclusão do professor do ensino regular muda no decorrer do ano letivo após a entrada de alunos com deficiência? Assim, objetivou-se identificar a existência de mudanças de concepções do professor do ensino regular em relação à inclusão. Participaram do estudo cinco professores do ensino regular que atuavam em sala de aula com pelo menos um aluno com deficiência, em três escolas de Município do interior Paulista. Os dados foram coletados durante um ano letivo por meio de três procedimentos: entrevista não-estruturada; segmento bimestral das informações por meio de cadernos de conteúdo e entrevista semi-estruturada, ao final do ano. Os dados foram tratados por meio da técnica designada como análise da enunciação. Dessa análise, foram estabelecidas classes e subclasses, aferidas por juízes para verificar o grau de concordância da análise. Os resultados mostraram mudanças de concepções nas subclasses: expectativa em relação à inclusão do aluno com deficiência no ensino regular, experiência em relação à inclusão, perfil do aluno para ser matriculado no ensino regular; ritmo de aprendizagem do aluno com deficiência na sala de aula regular, avaliação da aprendizagem do aluno com deficiência, dificuldades em lidar com a diversidade, dificuldade em lidar com a disciplina/comportamento do aluno com deficiência e dificuldade para ensinar o aluno com deficiência. Conclui-se que a entrada, por si só, do aluno com deficiência no ensino regular não garantiu a mudança de concepção dos professores.
Características das interações entre alunos com Síndrome de Down e seus colegas de turma no sistema regular de ensino
Authors: Teixeira Fernanda Cascaes , Kubo Olga Mitsue
Published: June 2008

A inclusão de pessoas com necessidades especiais no sistema regular de ensino é um dos mais importantes desafios vivenciados, principalmente, por educadores. Os estudos sobre as características da interação entre alunos com e sem necessidades especiais possibilitarão realizar ações planejadas para a promoção de relacionamentos afetivos entre pessoas com e sem necessidades especiais e a compreensão de suas repercussões sociais. Foram participantes 103 colegas de turma de alunos com Síndrome de Down estudantes de uma escola regular de uma cidade do sul do País. Em um questionário com perguntas estruturadas os participantes indicaram o nome de até três colegas de turma classificados por eles nas categorias: amigo; não amigo; fará uma faculdade e não fará uma faculdade. Foi constatado que quanto maior o desenvolvimento acadêmico e o grau de participação nas atividades escolares, maior será a possibilidade do aluno com a síndrome ser considerado amigo por seus colegas. Ainda que ele participe das mesmas atividades e apresente um nível de desenvolvimento acadêmico semelhante ao apresentado pelos alunos da série que freqüenta, seus colegas apresentam uma expectativa negativa quanto à possibilidade dele fazer uma faculdade. Em nenhuma das categorias investigadas (amigo, não amigo; fará uma faculdade e não fará uma faculdade) os alunos com a síndrome são os que recebem as maiores quantidades de indicações. Isso significa que nas turmas investigadas há alunos que são mais reconhecidos por seus colegas de turma, tanto forma positiva quanto negativa, que os alunos com a síndrome.
Autologous transplantation of bone marrow mononuclear stem cells by mini-thoracotomy in dilated cardiomyopathy: technique and early results
Authors: Kalil Renato Abdala Karam , Ott Daniele , Sant'Anna Roberto , Dias Eduardo , Marques-Pereira João Pedro , Delgado-Cañedo Andrés , Nardi Nance Beyer , Sant'Anna João Ricardo Michelin , Prates Paulo Roberto , Nesralla Ivo
Published: June 2008

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVES: There are few studies concerning bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMC) transplantation in cases of nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy. This study describes a novel technique of BMMC transplantation and the results up to one year after the procedure. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a case series to evaluate the safety and viability of the procedure, at Instituto de Cardiologia do Rio Grande do Sul. METHODS: Nine patients with symptomatic dilated cardiomyopathy, functional class III/IV and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 35% received BMMC (9.6 ± 2.6 x 107 cells) at 20 sites in the ventricular wall, by means of thoracotomy of length 5 cm in the fifth left intercostal space. Echocardiograms and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were performed. RESULTS: There were no major complications. The functional class results for the first six patients (preoperatively and at two, four, eight and twelve-month follow-ups, respectively) were: [IV-2, III-4] to [I-5, II-1] to [I-3, II-3] to [I-2, II-3] and [I-2, II-3]. Echocardiograms showed LVEF: 25.9 ± 8.2; 32.9 ± 10.4; 29.4 ± 7.2; 25.1 ± 7.9; 25.4 ± 6.8% (p = 0.023); and % left ventricular (LV) fiber shortening: 12.6 ± 4.4; 16.4 ± 5.4; 14.3 ± 3.7; 12.1 ± 4.0; 12.2 ± 3.4% (p = 0.021). LV performance variation seen on NMR was non-significant. CONCLUSION: Intramyocardial transplantation of BMMC in dilated cardiomyopathy cases is feasible and safe. There were early improvements in symptoms and LV performance. Medium-term evaluation revealed regression of LV function, although maintaining improved functional class.
Tepid sponging plus dipyrone versus dipyrone alone for reducing body temperature in febrile children
Authors: Alves João Guilherme Bezerra , Almeida Natália Dornelas Câmara Marques de , Almeida Camila Dornelas Câmara Marques de
Published: June 2008

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE: The role of tepid sponging to promote fever control in children is controversial. We did not find any studies reporting on the effectiveness of tepid sponging in addition to dipyrone. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of tepid sponging plus dipyrone with dipyrone alone for reducing fever. DESIGN AND SETTING: A randomized clinical trial was undertaken at Instituto Materno-Infantil Professor Fernando Figueira, Recife, Pernambuco. METHODS: Children from six months to five years old with axillary temperature greater than 38 ºC in the emergency ward between January and July 2006 were eligible. One hundred and twenty children were randomly assigned to receive oral dipyrone (20 mg/kg) or oral dipyrone and tepid sponging for 15 minutes. The primary outcome was mean temperature reduction after 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 minutes. Secondary outcomes were crying and irritability. RESULTS: 106 children finished the study. After the first 15 minutes, the fall in axillary temperature was significantly greater in the sponged group than in the control group (p < 0.001). From 30 to 120 minutes, better fever control was observed in the control group. Crying and irritability were observed respectively in 52% and 36% of the sponged children and in none and only two of the controls. CONCLUSIONS: Tepid sponging plus dipyrone cooled faster during the first 15 minutes, but dipyrone alone presented better fever control over the two-hour period. Tepid sponging caused mild discomfort, crying and irritability for most of the children.
The risk of tripping accidents on public footways
Authors: Bird S.
Published: June 2008

Highway authorities maintain footways in a safe condition following a regime of regular inspections, repairing hazardous defects found and resurfacing at less frequent intervals. The interval between inspections depends on the footway usage, and the reaction time for repairs depends on the hazard posed by the defect as well as the footway usage, reflecting the relative risk of an accident. Currently, these intervals are determined by judgement and this paper describes how the risk can be quantified. Records of third-party claims were examined for factors that influence numbers of accidents, including pedestrian age, defect size and footway construction. Statistics of accidents requiring hospital treatment and the results of medical research into walking provided further insight. By making a number of assumptions, a relationship between risk and defect height was derived. The cost to society of a footway accident was also determined. Thus, for a given footway network and maintenance regime, the likely number of accidents and their cost can be calculated. This enables highway authorities to compare the costs of different maintenance regimes with the benefits of accidents prevented. Collecting further data in a standard format would enable refinement of the model.
Safety chain approach in flood risk management
Authors: ten Brinke W. B. M. , Saeijs G. E. M. , Helsloot I. , van Alphen J.
Published: June 2008

Historically, the Dutch have placed strong emphasis on prevention (building dikes) in their flood risk management policy. However, in current public debate it is questioned whether this historically grown flood risk policy is still the best protection policy for the country in the 21st century. In this paper, the so-called safety chain approach is used to address this question. The safety chain distinguishes between five links or phases of risk and crisis management: pro-action, prevention, preparation, response and recovery. This approach is used to evaluate flood risk management policy in several countries and to perform a cross-national comparison. The international comparison supports the hypothesis that the safety chain approach is a useful tool for policy evaluation and that valuable lessons can be drawn from different approaches in other countries. Furthermore, it is found that the Dutch flood defence strategy, focused on prevention, cannot be replaced by measures in other links of the chain. This strategy can, however, be broadened by more pro-active measures and additional efforts on preparation, response and recovery. By doing so, the consequences of possible flooding would be better taken into account and the policy focus would shift from managing the probability of flooding to managing flood risk (i.e. both the probability and consequences of flooding).
On Exact Solutions for Dividend Strategies of Threshold and Linear Barrier Type in a Sparre Andersen Model
Authors: Albrecher Hansjörg , Hartinger Jürgen , Thonhauser Stefan
Published: June 2008

For the classical Cramér-Lundberg risk model, a dividend strategy of threshold type has recently been suggested in the literature. This strategy consists of paying out part of the premium income as dividends to shareholders whenever the free surplus is above a given threshold level. In contrast to the well-known horizontal barrier strategy, the threshold strategy can lead to a positive infinite-horizon survival probability, with reduced profit in terms of dividend payments. In this paper we extend several of these results to a Sparre Andersen model with generalized Erlang(n)-distributed interclaim times. Furthermore, we compare the performance of the threshold strategy to a linear dividend barrier model. In particular, (partial) integro-differential equations for the corresponding ruin probabilities and expected discounted dividend payments are provided for both models and explicitly solved forn= 2 and exponentially distributed claim amounts. Finally, the explicit solutions are used to identify parameter sets for which one strategy outperforms the other and vice versa.
A Note on a Recent Paper by Zaks, Frostig and Levikson
Authors: Schmidt Klaus D.
Published: June 2008

In the present paper we give a short proof of a result of Zaks, Frostig and Levikson [2006] on the solution of an optimization problem which is related to the problem of optimal pricing of a heterogeneous portfolio.
Membrane bioreactors as core technology for water loop closure in a maltery
Authors: De Wever Heleen , Boënne Wesley , Danau Michel , Vanderspiegel N. , Lambert Kris , Hardy Koen , Limbos Jan
Published: June 2008

This paper reports on the potential for water reuse in the malting sector. Core unit of a treatment train to close the water loop was a membrane bioreactor (MBR). Three different commercial submerged membranes were compared in terms of their fouling potential in this application. In a second step, MBR permeate was subjected to reverse osmosis (RO) and several oxidation processes. Neither the MBR permeate nor the RO permeate or oxidized water streams showed an adverse effect on malt quality. The worst case scenario was then tested in a closed water loop over several malting cycles at pilot scale and the effect on water and malt quality investigated.
Wind effects on retention time in highway ponds
Authors: Bentzen T. R. , Larsen T. , Rasmussen M. R.
Published: June 2008

The paper presents results from an experimental and numerical study of wind-induced flows and transportation patterns in highway wet detention ponds. The study presented here is part of a general investigation on road runoff and pollution in respect to wet detention ponds. The objective is to evaluate the quality of long term simulations based on historical rain series of the pollutant discharges from roads and highways. The idea of this paper is to evaluate the effects of wind on the retention time and compare the retention time for the situation of a spatial uniform wind shear stress with the situation of a “real” spatial non-uniform shear stress distribution on the surface of the pond. The result of this paper shows that wind plays a dominant role for the retention time and flow pattern. Furthermore, the results shows that the differences in retention time between the use of uniform and non-uniform wind field distributions are not significant to this study.
Sterols: a tracer of organic matter in combined sewers
Authors: Zgheib S. , Gromaire M. C. , Lorgeoux C. , Saad M. , Chebbo G.
Published: June 2008

The important organic pollution of combined wet weather flows (WWF), its acute impact on receiving waters have been widely demonstrated. The main three possibly origins for this organic pollution are: runoff water (streets and roofs), wastewater and erosion of sewer sediments in combined sewer system. This work, for tracing the origin of organic particles bound in combined sewer system, has been focused on the innovative use of sterols. So, eight sterols have been selected and analysed for each kind of sample. Results are represented in contents of sterols (μg g−1) and in sterol profiles (%).The comparison of contents and profiles leads the separation between two groups: runoff water, characterized by the total absence of coprostanol, epicoprostanol and coprostanone, and the group of sewer deposits (gross bed sediment (GBS), organic layer (OL), biofilms) and wastewater. Moreover, sewer deposits and wastewater can be distinguished by their sterol contents and profiles. To evaluate their contribution to WWF a comparison between sterol signatures is done which shows that these effluents have a strong similarity in profiles and in contents of sterols to the organic layer.
Predicting Ecstasy Use among Young People at Risk: A Prospective Study of Initially Ecstasy-Naive Subjects
Authors: Vervaeke Hylke K. E. , Benschop Annemieke , Van Den Brink Wim , Korf Dirk J.
Published: June 2008

Our aim is to identify predictors of first-time ecstasy use in a prospective study among young people at risk. As part of the multidisciplinary Netherlands XTC Toxicity Study (NeXT), we monitored 188 subjects aged ≥ 18 who were ecstasy-naive at baseline but seemed likely to start taking ecstasy in the near future. After an 11- to 26-month follow-up period, 160 respondents remained (85.1%; mean age 21.0 years, 58.1% females): 65 who took ecstasy at least once (ecstasy users) and 95 non-users. At baseline and four times during follow-up, respondents completed self-report questionnaires. Cox regression analysis was used to examine the effects of baseline respondent characteristics on incident ecstasy use. Development of peer group ecstasy use was analyzed by logistic regression. Intention to use ecstasy, low education, and current weekly cannabis use independently increased the hazard rate for first ecstasy use. Although ecstasy use among peers at baseline was not a predictor, the proportion of ecstasy users with ecstasy-using peers increased markedly during the study. Our results suggest that targeted prevention activities should focus in particular on young people who have strong intentions to take ecstasy, especially if they are also regular smokers of cannabis.
Prevention of Methamphetamine Abuse: Can Existing Evidence Inform Community Prevention?
Authors: Birckmayer Johanna , Fisher Deborah A. , Holder Harold D. , Yacoubian George S.
Published: June 2008

Little research exists on effective strategies to prevent methamphetamine production, distribution, sales, use, and harm. As a result, prevention practitioners (especially at the local level) have little guidance in selecting potentially effective strategies. This article presents a general causal model of methamphetamine use and harms that reflects the available findings from either research specific to methamphetamine or from alcohol and other illegal drugs, and suggests prevention approaches and strategies that communities might use based upon research evidence and experience. Community methamphetamine prevention can use the public health and safety perspective applied to other substance abuse prevention. Analyses of the complex system of intermediate variables that interact to affect methamphetamine use and harms suggest that multiple reinforcing prevention interventions may have the greatest potential effectiveness.
Adoption of Evidence-Based Practices among Substance Abuse Treatment Providers
Authors: Haug Nancy A. , Shopshire Michael , Tajima Barbara , Gruber Valerie , Guydish Joseph
Published: June 2008

This research was conducted at a Substance Abuse Forum designed to address local community needs by focusing on Evidence-Based Practices (EBPs) in addiction treatment. The purpose of the study was to assess substance abuse treatment professionals' readiness to adopt EBPs, experience with EBPs, and attitudes toward EBPs, as well as agency support for EBPs. A total of 119 addiction treatment providers completed pre-test measures, and 82% completed a post-test. Eighty-three percent of participants reported using some EBPs in the past year, and 75% reported currently using EBPs. Participants who were currently licensed or certified in addictions had less negative attitudes toward EBPs than those without credentials. While respondents reported agency support for EBPs, most expressed interest in further training. This study underscores the movement toward EBPs in addiction treatment and the need for effective dissemination and training in this area.
Manifestation of a Chiral Smectic C Phase in Diphenylbutadiene‐Cored Bolaamphiphilic Sugars
Authors: Das Suresh , Gopinathan Narayan , Abraham Shibu , Jayaraman Narayanaswamy , Singh Madan K. , Prasad S. Krishna , Rao D. S. Shankar
Published: June 2008

A series of symmetrical bolaamphiphiles possessing a diphenylbutadiene core and glucopyranoside head groups linked together by oligomethylene spacers, were synthesized and their thermotropic liquid crystalline properties investigated by polarized light optical microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X‐ray diffraction and electro‐optic switching. In spite of the presence of chiral centers, amphiphilic sugars in general do not exhibit macroscopic chirality and this phenomenon is attributed to strong hydrogen bonding between sugar head groups resulting in microphase‐segregated layer like arrangements. In the present study all the molecules investigated exhibited the smectic C* phase, i.e., tilted lamellar phase with macroscopic chiral ordering of the molecules. The stability of this phase increased with increase in the length of the oligomethylene spacers. Whereas for derivatives with spacers containing ≤4 methylene groups, the smectic C* phase was observed only in the cooling phase, for those containing spacers with ≥5 methylene groups this phase was observed both in the heating and cooling cycles. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of these materials suggest that the unusual observation of macroscopic chirality in these bolaamphiphiles containing free hydroxyl groups could be attributed to self‐aggregating behavior of the diphenylbutadiene core.
Combined pure red cell aplasia and autoimmune hemolytic anemia in systemic lupus erythematosus with anti‐erythropoietin autoantibodies
Authors: Hara Akinori , Wada Takashi , Kitajima Shinji , Toyama Tadashi , Okumura Toshiya , Kitagawa Kiyoki , Iwata Yasunori , Sakai Norihiko , Furuichi Kengo , Higuchi Masato , Kaneko Shuichi
Published: June 2008

A 42‐year‐old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia. Her bone marrow was almost normocellular and erythroblasts were nearly absent. Laboratory data showed elevated levels of lactate dehydrogenase and positive findings on Coombs' tests. On the basis of these findings, her anemia was diagnosed as the overlap of pure red cell aplasia with autoimmune hemolytic anemia. Radioimmunoprecipitation assay revealed that her serum was positive for anti‐erythropoietin antibodies before therapy. Furthermore, the autoantibodies inhibited proliferation of an erythropoietin‐dependent cell line in a dose‐dependent manner. Immunosuppressive treatment improved the anemia accompanied with disappearance of the autoantibodies. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Am. J. Hematol., 2008.
So you still want judicial review of your arbitration award?
Authors: Erickson Helena Tavares
Published: June 2008

In the wake of the Supreme Court's Hall Street Associates decision rejecting arbitration judicial review, Helena Tavares Erickson, of New York, discusses the option of appellate arbitration.
Donor information for CPR's corporate leadership awards dinner
Authors: Bleemer Russ
Published: June 2008

Information on tables and donations for CPR's Corporate Leadership Awards Dinner in October; CPR's IDN podcast series update; more online training and meeting highlights, and a new CPR video on managing claims.
Gene expression study on peripheral blood identifies progranulin mutations
Authors: Coppola Giovanni , Karydas Anna , Rademakers Rosa , Wang Qing , Baker Matt , Hutton Mike , Miller Bruce L. , Geschwind Daniel H.
Published: June 2008

Peripheral blood is a readily available tissue source allowing relatively noninvasive screening for a host of medical conditions. We screened total‐blood progranulin (PGRN) levels in 107 patients with neurodegenerative dementias and related conditions, and 36 control subjects, and report the following findings: (1) confirmation of high progranulin expression levels in peripheral blood; (2) two subjects with reduced progranulin levels and mutations in the PGRN gene confirmed by direct sequencing; and (3) greater PGRN messenger RNA levels in patients with clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. This proof‐of‐principle report supports the use of gene quantification as diagnostic screen for PGRN mutations and suggests a potential role for progranulin in Alzheimer's disease. Ann Neurol 2008.
Consensus of multi‐agent linear dynamic systems
Authors: Wang Jinhuan , Cheng Daizhan , Hu Xiaoming
Published: June 2008

In this paper the consensus problem is considered for multi‐agent systems, in which all agents have an identical linear dynamic mode that can be of any order. The main result is that if the adjacent topology of the graph is frequently connected then the consensus is achievable via local‐information‐based decentralized controls, provided that the linear dynamic mode is completely controllable. Consequently, many existing results become particular cases of this general result. In this paper, the case of fixed connected topology is discussed first. Then the case of switching connected topology is considered. Finally, the general case is studied where the graph topology is switching and only connected often enough. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Comparison of three orientation agreement strategies in self‐propelled particle systems with turn angle restrictions in synchronous and asynchronous settings
Authors: Samiloglu Andaç T. , Gazi Veysel , Koku A. Bugra
Published: June 2008

In this study, we compare three different orientation agreement strategies of multi‐agent/particle systems under different conditions. We investigate the behavior of multi‐agent systems utilizing these strategies with different combinations of the following properties: (i) the multi‐agent systems may be synchronous or asynchronous, (ii) they may travel in bounded or unbounded regions and (iii) the mobile agents may have turning speed restrictions. The agents/particles are assumed to move with constant speed and update their orientation of motion based on three different strategies. Based on these strategies, simulations are performed and the effects on the clustering performance are investigated. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley and Sons Asia Pte Ltd and Chinese Automatic Control Society
Butanol, ‘a superior biofuel’ production from agricultural residues (renewable biomass): recent progress in technology
Authors: Qureshi Nasib , Ezeji Thaddeus C.
Published: June 2008

This article reviews bioconversion of plant materials such as wheat straw (WS), corn stover (CS), barley straw (BS), and switchgrass (SG) to butanol and process technology that converts these materials into this superior biofuel. Successful fermentation of low‒value WS makes butanol fermentation economically attractive. Simultaneous hydrolysis, fermentation, and product recovery has been successfully performed in a single reactor using WS and C. beijerinckii P260. Research on the production of butanol from other agricultural residues including CS, BS, and SG has steadily progressed. Use of several product‒recovery technologies such as liquid‒liquid extraction, gas stripping, perstraction, and pervaporation has been successfully applied in laboratory‒scale bioreactors. It is expected that these recovery technologies will play a major role in commercialization of this fermentation. By employing in line/in situ product‒recovery systems during fermentation, butanol toxicity to the culture has been drastically reduced. In addition to the use of low‒cost plant materials for the production of this biofuel, process integration is expected to play a major role in the economics of this product. © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
Resonance light‐scattering enhancement effect of the protein–Y3+–TTA–SLS system and its analytical application
Authors: Guo Changying , Wu Xia , Xu Wei , Yang Jinghe
Published: June 2008

In this paper, a sensitive resonance light scattering (RLS) method for the determination of protein is reported. In the Tris–HCl (pH 7.50) buffer, protein enhanced the RLS intensity of the Y3+–2‐thenoyltrifluoroacetone (TTA)–sodium dodecyl sulphate (SLS) system. The enhanced RLS intensities were in proportion to the concentrations of proteins in the range 8.0 × 10−9–1.0 × 10−5 g/mL for BSA, 1.0 × 10–8–1.0 × 10−5 g/mL for HSA and 1.0 × 10–8–1.0 × 10−6 g/mL for EA, and their detection limits were 5.0, 5.4 and 6.7 ng/mL, respectively. Actual samples were satisfactorily determined. The interaction mechanism was also studied. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Long-term wound advantages of the laparoscopic approach in rectal cancer
Authors: Laurent C , Leblanc F , Bretagnol F , Capdepont M , Rullier E
Published: June 2008

Background

No long-term advantage of the laparoscopic approach has been demonstrated in colorectal surgery. This study compared the risk of incisional hernia between laparoscopic and open surgery for rectal cancer.

Methods

Between 1994 and 2004, patients who had restorative mesorectal excision for rectal cancer by laparoscopy were compared with those treated by open surgery. Follow-up was prospective, and incisional hernia was considered to be any abdominal wound dehiscence occurring at the midline, extraction, trocar or ileostomy site. Cumulative risks of hernia were evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and compared with the log rank test.

Results

Some 155 patients had a laparoscopic and 165 an open procedure. The two groups were similar in terms of age, sex, body mass index, tumour stage, loop ileostomy and morbidity. The conversion rate was 20·6 per cent. The rate of incisional hernia in all patients was 11·4 per cent at 1 year, 21·1 per cent at 2 years and 23·7 per cent at 5 years. The rate of hernia at 5 years was significantly lower in the laparoscopic than in the open group (13·0 versus 33·0 per cent; P < 0·001). The rate of hernia due specifically to the laparoscopic procedure (extraction and trocar sites) was ten times less than that after a primary or secondary open procedure (2·1 versus 16·1–33·1 per cent; P < 0·001).

Conclusion

The laparoscopic approach decreases the risk of long-term incisional hernia following restorative mesorectal excision for rectal cancer. The benefit is most apparent in patients without conversion or postoperative complication.
Artificial neural networks in pancreatic disease
Authors: Bartosch-Härlid A , Andersson B , Aho U , Nilsson J , Andersson R
Published: June 2008

Background

An artificial neural network (ANNs) is a non-linear pattern recognition technique that is rapidly gaining in popularity in medical decision-making. This study investigated the use of ANNs for diagnostic and prognostic purposes in pancreatic disease, especially acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer.

Methods

PubMed was searched for articles on the use of ANNs in pancreatic diseases using the MeSH terms ‘neural networks (computer)’, ‘pancreatic neoplasms’, ‘pancreatitis’ and ‘pancreatic diseases’. A systematic review of the articles was performed.

Results

Eleven articles were identified, published between 1993 and 2007. The situations that lend themselves best to analysis by ANNs are complex multifactorial relationships, medical decisions when a second opinion is needed and when automated interpretation is required, for example in a situation of an inadequate number of experts.

Conclusion

Conventional linear models have limitations in terms of diagnosis and prediction of outcome in acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer. Management of these disorders can be improved by applying ANNs to existing clinical parameters and newly established gene expression profiles.
The impact of published recommendations on the management of penetrating abdominal injury (Br J Surg 2008; 95: 515–521)
Authors: Watson N F S , Coleman J P , Robinson M H , Maxwell-Armstrong C A
Published: June 2008

The Editors welcome topical correspondence from readers relating to articles published in the Journal. Responses should be sent electronically via the BJS website (www.bjs.co.uk). All letters will be reviewed and, if approved,appear on the website. A selection of these will be edited and published in the Journal. Letters must be no more than 250 words in length.
The neuronal organization of a unique cerebellar specialization: The valvula cerebelli of a mormyrid fish
Authors: Shi Zhigang , Zhang Yueping , Meek Johannes , Qiao Jiantian , Han Victor Z.
Published: June 2008

Photomicrograph of a Golgi cell from the valvular ridge of the cerebellum of a mormyrid fish (Gnathonemus petersii). The cell was filled with neurobiotin in a transverse slice of the valvular ridges and the neurobiotin was revealed with red fluorescent dye. Nissl counterstaining is shown in green. The cell was photographed in a slice of 200 μm using a confocal laser scanning microscope. The cell body is located in the basal region of the ganglionic layer. Several smooth primary dendrites arise from the molecular side of the soma and give off secondary and tertiary branches irregularly. The dendrites become thinner and smoother as they extend further into the molecular layer. The thick axon arises from the granular layer side of the soma and projects into the granular layer where it branches extensively. En passant synaptic boutons are visible on the axonal branches. The large ball‐like ending of the main axon is probably a cut branch of the axon at the edge of the slice. J. Comp. Neurol. 509: 449‐473, 2008. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
A mouse model of fragile X syndrome exhibits heightened arousal and/or emotion following errors or reversal of contingencies
Authors: Moon J. , Ota K.T. , Driscoll L.L. , Levitsky D.A. , Strupp B.J.
Published: June 2008

This study was designed to further assess cognitive and affective functioning in a mouse model of Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the Fmr1tm1Cgr or Fmr1 “knockout” (KO) mouse. Male KO mice and wild‐type littermate controls were tested on learning set and reversal learning tasks. The KO mice were not impaired in associative learning, transfer of learning, or reversal learning, based on measures of learning rate. Analyses of videotapes of the reversal learning task revealed that both groups of mice exhibited higher levels of activity and wall‐climbing during the initial sessions of the task than during the final sessions, a pattern also seen for trials following an error relative to those following a correct response. Notably, the increase in both behavioral measures seen early in the task was significantly more pronounced for the KO mice than for controls, as was the error‐induced increase in activity level. This pattern of effects suggests that the KO mice reacted more strongly than controls to the reversal of contingencies and pronounced drop in reinforcement rate, and to errors in general. This pattern of effects is consistent with the heightened emotional reactivity frequently described for humans with FXS. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 50: 473–485, 2008.
Application of parallel tabu search‐based hierarchical optimization to distribution system service restoration
Authors: Furuta Atsuhiro , Mori Hiroyuki
Published: June 2008

This paper proposes a hybrid method of hierarchical optimization and parallel tabu search (PTS) for distribution system service restoration with distributed generators. The objective is to evaluate the optimal route to recover the service. The improvement of power quality makes the service restoration more important. Distribution system service restoration is one of the complicated combinational optimization problems that are expressed as nonlinear mixed integer programming. In this paper, an efficient method is proposed to restore the service in a hierarchical optimization with PTS. The proposed method is tested in a sample system. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 164(4): 15–23, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ eej.20463
Characteristics evaluation of a CO2‐capturing power generation system with reheat cycle utilizing regenerative oxygen‐combustion steam‐superheater
Authors: Sik Pak Pyong
Published: June 2008

A new CO2‐capturing power generation system is proposed that can be easily realized by applying conventional technologies. In the proposed system, the temperature of medium‐pressure steam in a thermal power plant is raised by utilizing an oxygen‐combusting regenerative steam‐superheater. The CO2 generated by combusting the fuel in the superheater can be easily separated and captured from the exhaust gas at the condenser outlet, and is liquefied. The superheated steam is used to drive a steam turbine power generation system. Using a high‐efficiency combined cycle power generation system as an example, it is shown that the proposed system can increase the power output by 10.8%, and decrease the CO2 emissions of the entire integrated system by 18.6% with a power generation efficiency drop of 2.36% compared with the original power plant without CO2 capture, when the superheated steam temperature is 750 °C. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(1): 35–41, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20575
Increasing the audio watermark data rate in the construction of ubiquitous acoustic spaces
Authors: Modegi Toshio
Published: June 2008

We propose “Ubiquitous Acoustic Spaces,” in which each sound source can emit some address information with audio signals and allow automatic access to its related cyber space, using handheld devices such as cell phones. In order to realize this concept, we have considered three types of extraction methods: acoustic modulation, audio fingerprints, and audio watermarking. We have proposed a novel audio watermarking technique, which allows contactless asynchronous detection of embedded audio watermarks through speaker and microphone devices. However, its embedding data rate was around 10 bps, which was not sufficient for embedding generally used URL address texts.

Therefore, we have extended the embedding frequency range and proposed a duplicated embedding algorithm, which uses both the previously proposed frequency division method and the temporal division method together. By these improvements, the possible embedding data rate could be extended to 61.5 bps, and we could extract watermarks through public telephone networks, even from a cell phone sound source.

In this paper, we describe our improved watermark embedding and extracting algorithms, and present experimental results on watermark extraction precision under several audio signal capturing conditions. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 165(1): 42–51, 2008; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience. wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20758
Supplemental dietary flaxseed oil affects both neutral and phospholipid fatty acids in cultured tilapia
Authors: de Souza Nilson E. , Stevanato Flávia B. , Garcia Edivaldo E. , Visentainer Jeane E. L. , Zara Ricardo F. , Visentainer Jesui V.
Published: June 2008

This work aimed to evaluate the neutral lipid (NL) and phospholipid (PL) classes in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) muscle tissue. Tilapias were raised in captivity for a period of 5 months with increasing levels (0, 1.25, 2.50, 3.75, and 5.00%) of flaxseed oil [source of α‐linolenic acid (LNA), 18:3n‐3] in substitution for sunflower oil (control). The NL/PL ratio was 1.9, and 45 fatty acids were determined for both classes of lipid. The class totals of n‐3 acids always increased in all treatments, while the totals for n‐6 acids always decreased (p <0.05). For a given level of flaxseed oil, the LNA contents were consistently higher, including EPA (20:5n‐3) and DHA (22:6n‐3). Arachidonic acid (20:4n‐6) remained high in the PL but was reduced as levels of dietary flaxseed oil were increased. The n‐6/n‐3 ratios decreased significantly with the rise in flaxseed oil content in all treatments, and highly unsaturated fatty acid contents increased with the levels of flaxseed oil. Overall, the influence of flaxseed oil on the fatty acid composition in the contributing NL and PL classes was to increase n‐3 PUFA, thus raising the nutritional value of this freshwater fish meat and, consequently, contributing to the health of consumers.
N‐3 enrichment of pork with fishmeal: Effects on production and consumer acceptability
Authors: Sioutis Stelios , Coates Alison M. , Buckley Jonathan D. , Murphy Timothy W. , Channon Heather A. , Howe Peter R. C.
Published: June 2008

This study aimed to develop pork products of acceptable organoleptic quality enriched with long‐chain n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (LC n‐3 PUFA). Female pigs were fed a finisher diet containing 15% PorcOmega™ tuna fishmeal or a commercial diet. Pigs and rations were weighed weekly. The feed conversion ratio was significantly lower in pigs fed fishmeal than in controls (2.61 ± 0.01 versus 2.96 ± 0.06, p <0.05). After 6 weeks, the pigs were butchered and the fatty acid contents of selected pork products were analyzed by gas chromatography. Shelf life was tested by thiobarbituric acid‐reactive substances (TBARS), initially and after 5 days of cold storage, and sensory qualities were evaluated after cooking. LC n‐3 PUFA contents of pork products from pigs fed fishmeal were higher than in controls (steak 300%, stir‐fry 250%, diced 520%, mince 480%, sausage 360%; p <0.05 in all cases). There were no differences between n‐3‐enriched and regular pork in either TBARS content of stored raw products or sensory characteristics after cooking. Incorporating fishmeal in the finisher diet resulted in greater feed efficiency and production of nutritionally enhanced pork products with organoleptic profiles and stability comparable to those of regular pork.
Functional glutamate transport in rodent optic nerve axons and glia
Authors: Arranz Amaia M. , Hussein Ali , Alix James J. P. , Pérez‐Cerdá Fernando , Allcock Natalie , Matute Carlos , Fern Robert
Published: June 2008

Recent findings suggest that synaptic‐type glutamate signaling operates between axons and their supporting glial cells. Glutamate reuptake will be a necessary component of such a system. Evidence for glutamate‐mediated damage of oligodendroglia somata and processes in white matter suggests that glutamate regulation in white matter structures is also of clinical importance. The expression of glutamate transporters was examined in postnatal Day 14–17 (P14–17) mouse and in mature mouse and rat optic nerve using immuno‐histochemistry and immuno‐electron microscopy. EAAC1 was the major glutamate transporter detected in oligodendroglia cell membranes in both developing and mature optic nerve, while GLT‐1 was the most heavily expressed transporter in the membranes of astrocytes. Both EAAC1 and GLAST were also seen in adult astrocytes, but there was little membrane expression of either at P14–17. GLAST, EAAC1, and GLT‐1 were expressed in P14–17 axons with marked GLT‐1 expression in the axolemma, while in mature axons EAAC1 was abundant at the node of Ranvier. Functional glutamate transport was probed in P14–17 mouse optic nerve revealing Na+‐dependent, TBOA‐blockable uptake of D‐aspartate in astrocytes, axons, and oligodendrocytes. The data show that in addition to oligodendroglia and astrocytes, axons represent a potential source for extracellular glutamate in white matter during ischaemic conditions, and have the capacity for Na+‐dependent glutamate uptake. The findings support the possibility of functional synaptic‐type glutamate release from central axons, an event that will require axonal glutamate reuptake. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Chromium (VI)‐induced oxidative stress and apoptosis is reduced by garlic and its derivative S‐allylcysteine through the activation of Nrf2 in the hepatocytes of Wistar rats
Authors: Kalayarasan Srinivasan , Sriram Narayanan , Sureshkumar Ananthasadagopan , Sudhandiran Ganapasam
Published: June 2008

Chromium (VI) compounds are genotoxic and carcinogenic in a variety of experimental systems. Garlic and its derivatives possess antioxidant properties to scavenge the toxic radicals. The mechanism by which garlic induces the antioxidant and phase II enzymes during oxidative stress‐induced apoptosis is not known. This study aims to evaluate the protective role of aqueous garlic extract (AGE; 200 mg kg−1 b.w.) and S‐allylcysteine (SAC; 100 mg kg−1 b.w.) on potassium dichromate‐induced apoptosis and oxidative stress in the hepatocytes of Wistar rats. Activities of liver marker enzymes such as aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were found to be increased in the serum of chromium‐induced group, whereas administration of garlic extract and SAC restored the enzymes to near normal status. The activities of enzymic antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase), non‐enzymic antioxidants (vitamin C and vitamin E) and the levels of reduced glutathione were found to be decreased, while an increase in lipid peroxidation (LPO) and reactive oxygen species were observed in the liver tissues of chromium‐induced group. Administration of AGE and SAC reversed the status of these parameters substantially. Histological and transmission electron microscopic studies support our findings. Confocal microscopic analysis using annexin‐V showed the involvement of apoptosis. Further, the expression of a novel transcription factor, nuclear factor‐E2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) was investigated using Immunofluorescence and Western blotting. The results show the promising role of Nrf2‐mediated antioxidant defense of AGE and SAC against chromium toxicity. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.