bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O equilíbrio de Nash como uma solução para o conflito entre eficiência e custo na escolha de sistemas de tratamento de esgoto sanitário com o auxílio de um modelo de tomada de decisão
Authors: Leoneti Alexandre Bevilacqua , Oliveira Sonia Valle Walter Borges de , Oliveira Marcio Mattos Borges de
Published: April 2010

A escolha de estações de tratamento de esgoto pode, dentre outras coisas, envolver um conflito entre a eficiência e o custo, pois para o menor custo possível esta escolha também deverá satisfazer várias exigências ambientais. Para auxiliar na escolha de uma estação de menor custo, um modelo baseado em técnicas de tomada de decisão foi desenvolvido por Oliveira (2004). Todavia, se não forem levados em consideração os outros critérios envolvidos, a interação entre os tomadores de decisão e suas respectivas estratégias podem fazer com que a escolha do sistema de tratamento não seja a mais adequada. Para estes casos, o equilíbrio de Nash pode oferece uma solução, construída com base na interação entre os jogadores, a qual poderia satisfazer razoavelmente os interesses conflitantes. Desta forma, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi, com base nos dados de saída do modelo de Oliveira (2004), encontrar o equilíbrio de Nash para propor uma solução para o conflito entre a eficiência e o custo nas escolhas do sistema de tratamento de esgoto sanitário. A comparação entre os diferentes resultados alcançados, quando apenas considerado o critério de menor custo ou de maior eficiência, demonstrou que a adoção do equilíbrio de Nash pode ser uma alternativa viável para solucionar o conflito entre a eficiência e o custo nas escolhas das estações de tratamento de esgoto sanitário.
Análise psicolinguística e cognitivo-linguística das provas de habilidades metalinguísticas e leitura realizadas em escolares de 2ª a 5ª série
Authors: Cunha Vera Lúcia Orlandi , Capellini Simone Aparecida
Published: April 2010

OBJETIVOS: analisar o desempenho de escolares de 2ª a 5ª série do ensino fundamental em provas de habilidades metalinguísticas e leitura segundo critérios psicolinguísticos e cognitivo-linguísticos e verificar similaridade e diferenças entre as análises. MÉTODOS: participaram 120 escolares de 2ª a 5ª série do ensino municipal, de ambos os gêneros, na faixa etária de sete a 12 anos de idade, divididos em 4 grupos de 30 escolares de cada série. Os escolares foram submetidos à aplicação de provas de habilidades metalinguísticas e de leitura. RESULTADOS: houve diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos nas habilidades metalinguísticas, nas regras de decodificação de palavras reais e pseudopalavras para todas as variáveis na leitura de palavras reais, com exceção do erro tipo Recusas, com médias superiores para Tentativas de Som Mal Sucedidas e Falha na Aplicação de Regras Ortográficas, indicando que esses tipos de erros foram os de maior ocorrência. Na leitura de pseudopalavras houve diferença estatisticamente significante em Tentativas de Som Mal Sucedidas, indicando que os escolares apresentaram desempenho inferior na decodificação de palavras que exigiram a utilização de informação fonológica. CONCLUSÃO: a adoção de critérios psicolinguísticos ou cognitivo-linguísticos na avaliação da leitura de palavras e pseudopalavras juntamente com a avaliação das habilidades metalinguísticas fornecem subsídios para a compreensão de como o escolar vem processando os complexos princípios do sistema de escrita do português do Brasil, além de dar o suporte necessário à compreensão das dificuldades específicas apresentadas pelos escolares, orientando o profissional fonoaudiólogo em relação aos objetivos precisos no seu atendimento.
Medidas vocais acústicas na doença de Parkinson: estudo de casos
Authors: Ferreira Fernanda Vargas , Cielo Carla Aparecida , Trevisan Maria Elaine
Published: April 2010

TEMA: características vocais acústicas de indivíduos com Doença de Parkinson (DP). PROCEDIMENTOS: estudo de casos, estatística descritiva; cinco pares de parkinsonianos e controle, três masculinos e dois femininos, entre 36 e 63 anos. Avaliação otorrinolaringológica, fonoaudiológica, voz analisada pelo Multi-Dimensional Voice Program Advanced Model 5105 da Kay Pentax®. RESULTADOS: a f0 das mulheres adultas de meia-idade com DP ficou na faixa masculina e a f0 dos controles no limite inferior da faixa feminina. Nos demais sujeitos, que eram homens de diferentes idades, a f0 foi normal; houve aumento de todas as medidas acústicas principalmente nos sujeitos com DP de todas as faixas etárias estudadas. CONCLUSÃO: o processo de envelhecimento e suas consequências parecem atuar como fator interferente nas modificações acústicas da voz, mas, aparentemente, a DP e a idade precoce de seu aparecimento podem acentuar tais alterações, repercutindo de forma negativa na fonação.
Habilidades de ordenação e resolução temporal em crianças com desvio fonológico
Authors: Santos Júlia Larissa Ferreira dos , Parreira Letícia Maria Martins Vasconcelos , Leite Rita de Cássia Duarte
Published: April 2010

OBJETIVO: verificar o desempenho de crianças com transtornos fonológicos em testes de ordenação e resolução temporal. MÉTODOS: a amostra foi composta por 12 indivíduos, de ambos os gêneros, com idade entre 5 e 13 anos, com diagnóstico de desvio fonológico. Os indivíduos foram submetidos à anamnese, meatoscopia, audiometria tonal via aérea e óssea, PCC (porcentagem de consoantes corretas), e o RGDT (teste de detecção de gaps) e o PPS (teste de padrão de sequência). RESULTADOS: em relação ao grau de severidade, verificou-se que 67% apresentaram desvio fonológico médio e 33% médio-moderado. Em relação aos testes RGDT e PPS, os sujeitos apresentaram respostas dentro dos padrões normativos estabelecidos pela literatura, em ambos os testes. Na comparação entre o desempenho no teste PPS e o grau de severidade, observou-se que quanto maior o grau de severidade, pior o desempenho do indivíduo no teste, o mesmo não foi observado em relação ao RGDT. CONCLUSÕES: a amostra estudada apresentou desempenho adequado nos testes de processamento temporal. Entretanto, os resultados evidenciaram que existe uma relação estatisticamente significante entre a severidade do desvio e o desempenho no teste PPS, demonstrando a influência da severidade do desvio no desempenho dos indivíduos, considerando a habilidade de ordenação temporal.
Relação entre habilidades de processamento auditivo e funções neuropsicológicas em adolescentes
Authors: Prando Mirella Liberatore , Pawlowski Josiane , Fachel Jandyra Maria Guimarães , Misorelli Mari Ivone Lanfredi , Fonseca Rochele Paz
Published: April 2010

OBJETIVO: averiguar a existência de relações entre o desempenho em testes de processamento auditivo e em tarefas cognitivas. MÉTODOS: participaram 12 adolescentes com desenvolvimento típico, estudantes de terceiro ano do Ensino Médio de escolas privadas do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, examinados com uma bateria de testes de PA(C) e com o Instrumento de Avaliação Neuropsicológica Breve Neupsilin. Foram realizadas análises de correlação de Pearson e análises qualitativas intertestes para comparação do desempenho na avaliação do PA(C) e na avaliação neuropsicológica. RESULTADOS: da bateria de testes PA(C), os Testes SSI - MCI - Teste de Sentenças Sintéticas com mensagem competitiva ipsilateral, SSW - Teste de Dissílabos Alternados e o teste Dicóticos de Dígitos apresentaram correlação forte significativa positiva (coeficiente de correlação de Pearson) com os subtestes do Neupsilin: atenção - contagem inversa, percepção de faces, linguagem oral automática e repetição, memória verbal episódica e memória de trabalho - span auditivo de palavras em sentenças. Alguns testes do PA(C) apresentaram maior frequência de dissociações com subtestes neuropsicológicos. As correlações encontradas indicam que os testes de PA(C) e as tarefas neuropsicológicas parecem examinar algumas habilidades cognitivas subjacentes em comum. As dissociações observadas sugerem que os processamentos auditivo e neuropsicológico são relativamente independentes e a análise intertestes do desempenho dos participantes na avaliação do PA(C), comparada ao desempenho na avaliação neuropsicológica, confirma os resultados encontrados para as questões anteriores. CONCLUSÃO: ressalta-se a necessidade de se pensar o contexto da administração dos testes de PA(C), considerando-se a relação de complementaridade da avaliação neuropsicológica e do exame de processamento auditivo.
Long-term evaluation of physical activity habits after epilepsy surgery
Authors: Leite Adriana , Scorza Fulvio Alexandre , Albuquerque Marly de , Cukiert Arthur , Baldauf Cristine , Argentoni-Baldochi Meire , Baise-Zung Carla , Arida Ricardo Mario
Published: April 2010

OBJETIVES: Studies have shown that people with epilepsy have a low degree of participation in physical activities. The purpose of this study was to assess the physical exercise habits in patients after epilepsy surgery using a standardized questionnaire. MMETHODOLOGY: The study population consisted of 102 patients submitted to cortico-amigdalo-hippocampectomy. A questionnaire was designed to assess physical activities participation before and after surgery. Patients were classified as physically active, inadequately active or sedentary. The questionnaire was applied pre-operatively and after a mean of 47 months post-operatively. RESULTS: Forty eight per cent of the patients participated in physical activities before surgery and 56% of them did so post-operatively. No considerable changes in physical activity participation were observed after surgery. Additionally, the frequency they needed supervision during exercise, were advised by a physician not to practice exercise or cautioned by a relative or friend against participation in sports did not change significantly after successful epilepsy surgery. Less exercise-related seizures occurred postoperatively. CONCLUSION: Difficulties adapting to seizure freedom and psychosocial and psychiatric co-morbidity might be important factors interfering in these physical activity habits. A multidisciplinary approach might be the only way to try to alter some aspects of these patients' postoperative life style.
Adaptação transcultural para o português brasileiro do instrumento The Epilepsy Beliefs and Attitudes Scale (Ebas) - Adult Version
Authors: Zanni Karina Piccin , Matsukura Thelma Simões , Maia Filho Heber de Souza
Published: April 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: o desconhecimento acerca da epilepsia tem fomentado o interesse em desenvolver ferramentas voltadas para detecção das crenças e atitudes da comunidade em geral acerca da doença. OBJETIVO: apresentar o processo de adaptação transcultural do instrumento The Epilepsy Beliefs and Attitudes Scale (EBAS) - Adult Version e uma versão em português para uso no Brasil. MÉTODO: o processo de adaptação envolveu a equivalência conceitual, de itens, semântica e operacional. RESULTADOS: os conceitos apreendidos foram considerados pertinentes à nossa cultura e seus itens adequados quanto à sua capacidade de representar tais conceitos na população-alvo, além de apresentar boa equivalência semântica entre a versão final em português e o original. CONCLUSÃO: o instrumento mostrou-se adequado para uso na população em geral e seus resultados serão revistos em estudos futuros a luz de avaliações psicométricas.
Anticonvulsant property of N-salicyloyltryptamine: evidence of enhance of central GABAergic neurotransmission
Authors: Quintans-Júnior Lucindo J. , Silva Davi A. , Siqueira Jullyana S. , Araújo Adriano A.S. , Guimarães Adriana G. , Araújo Rafael A.N. , Araújo Demétrius A.M. , Souza Maria de Fátima V. , Gutierrez Stanley J.C. , Barbosa-Filho José M. , Almeida Reinaldo N.
Published: April 2010

AIM: In the present study we verified the anticonvulsant properties of the new tryptamine analogue, N-salicyloyltryptamine (NST), in rodents. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the evaluation of the anticonvulsant activity, NST protected the animals from the incidence of seizures induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and picrotoxin (PIC), in doses of 100 and 200 mg/kg. NST (100 and 200 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly eliminated the extensor reflex of maximal electric-induced seizure tests in 40% of the experimental animals. However, in the PTZ model FLU (10 mg/kg, i.p.), an antagonist of the benzodiazepine (BZD) site in the GABA A-BZD receptor complex, inhibited the prolongation of seizure latency induced by NST. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated an anticonvulsant activity of the new analogue that could be, at least in part, associated to the involvement of the GABAergic mechanism.
Aspectos educacionais na epilepsia
Authors: Magalhães Lucas Vilas Bôas , Fernandes Paula Teixeira , Li Li Min
Published: April 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: A epilepsia é uma condição neurológica comum, mas infelizmente ainda tem lacunas no conhecimento, no diagnóstico e no tratamento, apresentando inúmeras repercussões econômicas e psicossociais. OBJETIVO E METODOLOGIA: Este artigo enfatiza o aspecto educacional da epilepsia, partindo do pressuposto de que ainda falta muita informação sobre epilepsia para a sociedade, e isso inclui profissionais em geral (da saúde, da educação, da área social), pessoas da comunidade, pacientes, familiares e também a mídia em geral. RESULTADOS E CONCLUSÃO: Diante deste cenário, a Comissão de Ensino da Liga Brasileira de Epilepsia pretende promover um processo de ampliação do entendimento médico e psicossocial da epilepsia, com ações que enfatizem a formação de pessoas capacitadas para o manejo desta condição.
Instituições, cultura e desenvolvimento sustentável na bacia cultural do Araripe
Authors: Lustosa Frederico
Published: April 2010

Este artigo discute as relações entre instituições, cultura e desenvolvimento sustentável, a partir da análise de uma experiência de planejamento que toma a cultura regional como referência. Trata-se de analisar um projeto de desenvolvimento regional, cuja mola propulsora é a promoção da cultura em todas as suas dimensões, para discutir as condicionantes culturais e os limites normativos do institucionalismo na promoção do desenvolvimento. A região escolhida para esse exercício é o Araripe, território que fica na confluência das divisas dos estados do Ceará, Paraíba, Pernambuco e Piauí, no Nordeste do Brasil.
O desenvolvimento tecnológico e o pequeno produtor rural: construção, desconstrução ou manutenção da sua identidade?
Authors: Mendes Luciano , Ichikawa Elisa Yoshie
Published: April 2010

O objetivo deste artigo é compreender a influência do programa de desenvolvimento tecnológico denominado Arenito Nova Fronteira no processo de construção, desconstrução ou manutenção da identidade do pequeno produtor rural da região de Umuarama (PR). Para tanto, foi realizado um estudo sobre a identidade, na perspectiva de vários autores, transitando nos contextos filosófico, sociológico e psicológico, com a intenção de extrair os pressupostos que guiam esses campos. Assim, a técnica de entrevista utilizada seguiu a temática da história de vida, pois a identidade toca em aspectos como a continuidade do sujeito no contexto social. Com esse arcabouço teórico e metodológico foram entrevistados cinco pequenos produtores rurais de Umuarama, para que falassem de suas histórias de vida. Os resultados mostram que, após a implantação do programa Arenito Nova Fronteira na região, esses pequenos produtores entraram num processo de desconstrução de suas identidades, pelo fato do programa não ter atendido aos seus anseios e necessidades.
Análise sequencial de políticas públicas nas abordagens da ciência política e da gestão (Management)
Authors: Tinoco Dinah dos Santos
Published: April 2010

Dois principais modelos ou esquemas de análise se destacam na análise das políticas públicas: o modelo sequencial e sistêmico e o modelo estratégico. Este trabalho tem por objetivo compreender o modelo de análise sequencial a partir de duas principais abordagens identificadas na literatura francesa: a da ciência política, chamada políticas públicas, e a do management, ou gestão pública. Inicialmente, buscou-se estabelecer as origens e a caracterização dessas abordagens na França, seguida da utilização comparativa das principais categorias analíticas que guiaram a análise: problemáticas, processos e métodos. Os resultados mostraram que as duas abordagens apresentam diferenças e semelhanças, além de interdependências e interações. Uma diferença fundamental refere-se ao caráter normativo e prescritivo da abordagem do management, centrado nas "boas práticas", aspecto contestado pela abordagem da ciência política, cujos principais expoentes são acadêmicos preocupados principalmente com o conhecimento da ação pública, e não com a sua intervenção. A conclusão mostra que preceitos do new public management se impuseram às "ações públicas" contemporâneas, conduzindo à interação crescente entre as abordagens.
DamIP: A novel method to identify DNA binding sites in vivo
Authors: Xiao Rui , Roman-Sanchez Ramon , Moore David D.
Published: April 2010

Identifying binding sites and target genes of transcription factors is a major biologic problem. The most commonly used current technique, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), is dependent on a high quality antibody for each protein of interest, which is not always available, and is also cumbersome, involving sequential cross-linking and reversal of cross-linking. We have developed a novel strategy to study protein DNA binding sites in vivo, which we term DamIP. By tethering a mutant form of E. coli DNA adenine methyltransferase to the target protein, the fusion protein introduces N-6-adenosine methylation to sequences proximal to the protein binding sites. DNA fragments with this modification, which is absent in eukaryotes, are detected using an antibody directed against methylated adenosine. For an initial test of the method we used human estrogen receptor α (hERα), one of the best studied transcription factors. We found that expression of Dam-hERα fusion proteins in MCF-7 cells introduces adenosine methylation near a series of known direct hERα binding sites. Specific methylation tags are also found at indirect hERα binding sites, including both primary binding sites for the ER interactors AP-1 and SP1, and promoters that are activated by upstream ER bound enhancers. DamIP provides a new tool for the study of DNA interacting protein function in vivo.
PPARγ1 and LXRα face a new regulator of macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and inflammatory responsiveness, AEBP1
Authors: Majdalawieh Amin , Ro Hyo-Sung
Published: April 2010

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ1 (PPARγ1) and liver X receptor α (LXRα) are nuclear receptors that play pivotal roles in macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation; key biological processes in atherogenesis. The activation of PPARγ1 and LXRα by natural or synthetic ligands results in the transactivation of ABCA1, ABCG1, and ApoE; integral players in cholesterol efflux and reverse cholesterol transport. In this review, we describe the structure, isoforms, expression pattern, and functional specificity of PPARs and LXRs. Control of PPARs and LXRs transcriptional activity by coactivators and corepressors is also highlighted. The specific roles that PPARγ1 and LXRα play in inducing macrophage cholesterol efflux mediators and antagonizing macrophage inflammatory responsiveness are summarized. Finally, this review focuses on the recently reported regulatory functions that adipocyte enhancer-binding protein 1 (AEBP1) exerts on PPARγ1 and LXRα transcriptional activity in the context of macrophage cholesterol homeostasis and inflammation.
IGF system and ovarian folliculogenesis in dog breeds of various sizes: is there a link?
Authors: Reynaud Karine , Chastant-Maillard Sylvie , Batard Séverine , Thoumire Sandra , Monget Philippe
Published: April 2010

The IGF system plays a crucial role in ovarian folliculogenesis, and changes in IGF-binding protein (IGFBP) levels modulate IGF bioavailability. Data from various mammalian models suggest a link between body size, IGF1 in serum and female reproduction parameters. Among the vertebrate species, the dog exhibits the widest span in body height. Height is known to be positively correlated with the concentration of serum IGF1. In this work, the ovarian physiology of 40 bitches exhibiting a wide span of height, and breed type was investigated. IGF1, IGF2, IGFBP3, estradiol (E2), and progesterone concentrations in plasma and preovulatory follicular fluid were quantified. A total of 455 follicles, 2–8 mm in diameter, were recovered at the preovulatory stage, measured, and punctured. Intrafollicular levels of IGF1 were positively correlated with plasma levels, and plasma IGF1 levels were positively correlated with both bitch height and weight. The concentrations were threefold higher in large dogs compared with small dogs. A positive correlation between intrafollicular and plasmatic IGFBP3 levels and a positive correlation between plasmatic IGFBP3 levels, and both height and weight of the bitches were observed. The number of preovulatory follicles and the diameter of the three largest follicles were positively correlated with bitch height. E2 intrafollicular concentrations were higher in preovulatory follicles from small animals than in those from large animals. In conclusion, the strong variability in height between dogs appeared to be associated with dramatic differences in IGF1, and IGFBP3 levels, in both plasma and follicular fluid. These differences were associated with significant differences in some functional aspects of ovarian follicles.
Discrete and continuum analysis of localised deformation in sand using X-ray μCT and volumetric digital image correlation
Authors: HALL S.A. , BORNERT M. , DESRUES J. , PANNIER Y. , LENOIR N. , VIGGIANI G. , BéSUELLE P.
Published: April 2010

The objective of this work was to observe and quantify the onset and evolution of localised deformation processes in sand with grain-scale resolution. The key element of the proposed approach is combining state-of-the-art X-ray micro tomography imaging with three-dimensional volumetric digital image correlation techniques. This allows not only the grain-scale details of a deforming sand specimen to be viewed, but also, and more importantly, the evolving three-dimensional displacement and strain fields throughout loading to be assessed. X-ray imaging and digital image correlation have been in the past applied individually to study sand deformation, but the combination of these two methods to study the kinematics of shear band formation at the grain scale is the first novel aspect of this work. Moreover, the authors have developed a completely original grain-scale volumetric digital image correlation method that permits the characterisation of the full kinematics (i.e. three-dimensional displacements and rotations) of all the individual sand grains in a specimen. The results obtained using the discrete volumetric digital image correlation confirm the importance of grain rotations associated with strain localisation.
On the evolution of stress and microstructure during general 3D deviatoric straining of granular media
Authors: THORNTON C. , ZHANG L.
Published: April 2010

The paper presents results of periodic cell simulations on a polydisperse system of 27 000 elastic spheres. In order to explore general three-dimensional stress space an initially isotropically compressed system is subjected to radial deviatoric strain paths and the corresponding stress and fabric responses are illustrated. It is shown that two parameters can be identified that characterise the stress and fabric respectively during general three-dimensional straining. Each parameter, when plotted against deviatoric strain, provides a unique evolution curve, irrespective of the loading direction. It is demonstrated that, for general states of stress, the magnitude of the deviatoric stress is entirely due to the strong force chains that constitute the sub-network of contacts transmitting greater than average contact forces. It is also demonstrated that the relationship between the Lode angle for stress and the Lode angle for strain can be characterised by the curvature of a circular arc and, for radial deviatoric straining, this constitutes a flow rule that defines the relationship between the directions of the stress and strain-rate vectors. Furthermore, by plotting the characteristic stress parameter against the curvature of the circular arc flow rule, a simple scaling law is obtained.
Evolution of force chains in shear bands in sands
Authors: RECHENMACHER A. , ABEDI S. , CHUPIN O.
Published: April 2010

Precise knowledge of the post-peak constitutive response occurring within shear bands in sands is of keen interest in geomechanics, particularly for accurate modelling of progressive failure phenomena. There is mounting evidence that the displacement field within shear bands in sands is non-uniform and distinguished by distinct meso-scale features: namely, particle force chains. Experimental validation of such features will help elucidate the precise nature of the deformation field within shear bands. This paper presents experimental evidence of the kinematic signatures of force chain activity within shear bands in sands. The meso-scale kinematics are quantified from digital-image-correlation-based, grain-scale displacement analyses performed on digital images of specimens undergoing plane strain compression. As in previous work, the data reveal distinct, systematic patterns in the kinematics along the length of the shear band, which serve as indirect evidence of force chain build-up and collapse. Herein, local volume changes are shown to integrate into this pattern. Temporal changes in these patterns with the progress of deformation are also tracked. It is argued that the changes observed in the kinematics from softening to critical state provide a physical, meso-scale explanation for the progress of global stress–strain response through the post-peak regime.
A microstructure approach to the sensitivity and compressibility of some Eastern Canada sensitive clays
Authors: DELAGE P.
Published: April 2010

Investigation of micro–macro relationships in soils most often concerns granular soils in which both the elemental unit (the grain) and the physical laws governing inter-grain interactions appear to be better known. The situation is different for clays because the elementary unit and the inter-unit interactions at the micro-scale are more difficult to characterise. In fine-grained soils, it has been shown that an intermediate level, corresponding to the way clay and fine-grained particles are arranged together, had to be considered so as to link microscopic features to macroscopic behaviour. An investigation of the change in microstructure during compression carried out some time ago on a sensitive clay from Canada demonstrated that studying the changes in pore size distribution provides a satisfactory description of microstructure changes during compression. The analysis is applied here to six other sensitive clays. First, a careful examination of the intact and remoulded microstructure is conducted in order to understand better the relationship between microstructure and sensitivity. Second, an interesting correlation between the compressibility coefficient and the slope of the cumulative pore size distribution curve is observed in Champlain clays. This confirms the analysis conducted that compression in loose, low-plasticity soils can be attributed to the progressive and ordered collapse of pores, starting from the largest existing ones and progressively affecting smaller and smaller pores. A conclusion drawn from this work is that a micro–macro analysis in terms of changes of a rigid fragile porous matrix appears to be more relevant than a standard analysis based on the behaviour of individual grains, where the grains are taken to be the relevant elemental microstructure unit (a unit difficult to identify in natural clay soils). Also, further insight is provided for the interpretation of microstructure effects through comparing the compression curves of intact soil samples to those of remoulded samples.
Experimental assessment of 3D particle-to-particle interaction within sheared sand using synchrotron microtomography
Authors: HASAN A. , ALSHIBLI K.A.
Published: April 2010

The paper presents a quantitative assessment of particle orientation, contacts and spatial variation of void ratio in a sand specimen loaded under plane-strain conditions. The specimen has a prismatic shape, and measures 57 mm wide × 121 mm long × 180 mm high. It was prepared using a dry natural silica sand known as F-75 Ottawa sand at a dense packing, and was sheared until failure. The specimen failed along a well-defined single shear band. It was then stabilised by slowly percolating a low-viscosity epoxy. Cylindrical subsamples 8 mm in diameter and 50 mm high were cored from the stabilised specimen at regions of interest for further investigation. A synchrotron X-ray microtomography technique was used to acquire high-resolution three-dimensional images of the cores. The scans have a voxel size of 15·06 μm, which is high enough to visualise individual sand particles. Post-scanning analyses included mapping the spatial distribution of void ratio and particle contacts inside and outside the shear band. A good correlation was found between void ratio and particle contacts. Statistical distributions of particle orientation within and outside the shear band were calculated: they show that most particles inside the shear band orient in the x–y plane towards the y-axis, which is perpendicular to the shear band with angle λ in the range 70–90°. Particles outside the shear band have no preferred orientation in the x–y plane, and form chains with preferred angles of 30–60° from the direction of the applied major principal stress.
On settlement of stone column foundation by Priebe's method
Authors: Ellouze S. , Bouassida M. , Hazzar L. , Mroueh H.
Published: April 2010

Several contributions have been suggested to estimate the assumed linear elastic settlement of foundations on columnar reinforced soils. A number of authors have considered the so-called Priebe's method, which has been extensively used worldwide, and they have made suggestions especially for soft clays reinforced by stone columns. This paper first offers a critical analysis of the semi-empirical Priebe method by pointing out some inconsistencies related to assumptions made and the theoretical derivation of the settlement formula. A discussion of the limitation of Priebe's method for settlement estimation of foundations on soft soil reinforced by stone columns, with respect to other methods is included. Second, a comparison has been undertaken between predictions by Priebe's method and other design methods for three stone column projects in which some in situ data were recorded. On the basis of the studied case histories, it is concluded that recourse to other available and simple methods of design is more suitable than the use of Priebe's method.
Settlement prediction for soft ground improved by columns
Authors: Chai J. C. , Miura N. , Kirekawa T. , Hino T.
Published: April 2010

A simple method of calculating the consolidation settlement of soft subsoil improved by a floating cement-stabilised column–slab system subjected to embankment loading has been proposed, and the method has been applied to three case histories in Fukuoka, Japan. The proposed method adopts the methodology of treating a part of the soil–cement column improved layer with a thickness of Hc as an unimproved layer and calculating its compression using the properties of the soft soil only. Based on coupled finite-element analysis results using a unit cell model, two bilinear functions with variables of the improvement area ratio (α) and the improvement depth ratio (β) by the columns have been proposed to determine the value of Hc. Both the proposed method and the method currently used in Japan (proposed by the Japanese Institute of Construction Engineering (JICE)) were used to calculate the settlement (compression) of the soft layers for three case histories in Fukuoka, Japan. Comparing the calculated results with the field values shows that the proposed method yielded much better predictions than that of the JICE method. It is suggested that the proposed method can be used to design the improvement of soft clayey ground using the floating cement-stabilised column–slab system.
Using reinforced soil systems in hammer foundations
Authors: Heidari M. , El Naggar M. H.
Published: April 2010

Forging hammers produce powerful short-period impact loads. A mounting system or a properly designed foundation could be used to transmit the shock to the soil and lessen its effects on the surroundings. The supporting foundations must be designed to reduce the vibration amplitude and the forces transmitted to the soil medium in order to meet serviceability and stability requirements. Soil reinforcement may be used to improve the performance of the foundations supporting shock-producing equipment. This paper investigates the effect of soil reinforcement on the performance characteristics for different configurations of shock-absorbing foundations. The results demonstrated the efficiency of soil reinforcement in improving the performance of foundations subjected to impact load. A parametric study was conducted and a set of charts was established as practical guidance for the design of soil reinforcement schemes.
Cementation liquefaction remediation for existing buildings
Authors: Mitrani H. , Madabhushi S. P. G.
Published: April 2010

Many typical liquefaction remediation techniques are not appropriate for application under existing buildings and more novel techniques are required. This paper describes centrifuge tests investigating the performance of cementation as a liquefaction remediation method. Two soil profiles with the same superstructure were tested under earthquake shaking. The first profile consisted of a deep layer of loose, liquefiable sand. The second comprised a shallow layer of loose sand overlying dense sand. Centrifuge tests were carried out with a cemented zone underneath the structure, through the full depth of the liquefiable layers and also partial depth. The superstructure was modelled as a single-degree-of-freedom system. It is found that a cemented zone through the full depth of a liquefiable layer results in considerable reduction of structural settlements. Increased magnitude and higher frequency accelerations are transmitted to the structure but, depending on the building characteristics, it is likely that improved overall seismic performance can be achieved. Improvements in structural settlements can also be obtained with partial-depth remediation, if the depth of the cemented zone is greater than the depth of liquefaction. This type of remediation seems to have little effect on the accelerations transmitted to the structure.
Lightweight fill using sand, polystyrene beads and cement
Authors: Abdelrahman G. E.
Published: April 2010

A laboratory study on the formation of a lightweight fill material for embankments on weak soils is reported in this paper. The proposed material is made by blending sandy soil with expanded polystyrene beads and a stabilising material such as cement. The effects that the different compositions and ratios between the beads and cement mixed with sand have on the maximum dry density, optimum moisture content, ultimate shear stress and angle of internal friction of the lightweight mixture were studied. It was observed that the density of the lightweight mixture can be effectively controlled by the amount and density of beads used. With the inclusion of 0·3 to 3% of beads (to sand by weight), the bulk density of the lightweight mixture formed can be reduced to 0·85–1·8 kg/m3. The shear strength and stiffness of the lightweight mixture can be controlled by adjusting the amount of cement used. Cement was used to compensate for shear strength losses due to the addition of beads in the ratio of 3 to 10% (by sand weight). Adding cement to the beads and sand mixture increased the shear strength parameters and maximum dry density and decreased the optimum moisture content.
Discharge estimation in small irregular river using LSPIV
Authors: Sun X. , Shiono K. , Chandler J. H. , Rameshwaran P. , Sellin R. H. J. , Fujita I.
Published: April 2010

This paper reports on an estimation method used to quantify discharge in the small irregular channel of the River Blackwater, using large-scale particle image velocimetry (LSPIV). The test reach (250 m × 60 m) consists of relatively straight and multiple meander channels, with a bankfull depth of 0·90 m and a base width of 4·25 m. Water surface velocities were measured by LSPIV at three sections along the river. Acoustic Doppler velocimeter (ADV) was also used on two occasions to measure velocity profiles for the validation of water surface velocities of LSPIV. In addition to this field work, velocity data derived from a 1:5 physical model of the river were available to compare with the field data. A comparison between the LSPIV data and ADV data was made and agreement was confirmed. The discharge correction factor method was suggested to estimate the discharge in the river. Discharge correction factors of 0·90–1·05 and 1·10–1·15 were proposed for inbank and overbank flow conditions respectively.
Numerical modelling of flood flows over irregular topography
Authors: Wang X. , Cao Z. , Pender G. , Neelz S.
Published: April 2010

In solving the hyperbolic equations of environmental shallow water flows, computational difficulty arises when the topography is irregular. In particular, under a conventional operator-splitting framework, a very small time step is often necessary to ensure stability, and this limitation on the time step is dictated by the magnitude of the source terms in relation to the irregular topography and inevitably increases the computational cost. Here a practically efficient finite volume algorithm is presented for solving the hyperbolic equations of shallow water flows. The numerical solution is achieved under an operator-splitting framework, a second-order weighted average flux (WAF) total variation diminishing (TVD) method along with the Harten Lax van Leer (HLL) approximate Riemann solver for the homogeneous equations, and a Runge–Kutta scheme for the ordinary differential equations of source terms. For numerical stability, a self-adaptive time step method is proposed under the Runge–Kutta scheme. Numerical tests for a case of glacier-lake outburst flooding demonstrate that the present model is essentially free from the restriction on time step arising from irregular topography, and therefore computational efficiency is substantially enhanced. The model is benchmarked with an urban flooding event in Glasgow, UK, and the modelling results are in reasonable agreement with those attained by others from the Flood Risk Management Research Consortium, UK.
Smoke, mirrors, and mislabeled cod: poor transparency in the European seafood industry
Authors: Miller Dana D , Mariani Stefano
Published: April 2010

Accurate seafood labels can play a role in encouraging sustainable fisheries operation, by helping consumers to correctly identify the origins of seafood products, and thereby allowing them to make informed, responsible purchasing decisions. Yet, the renaming and mislabeling of seafood – as a consequence of ineffective regulations or poor policy implementation – remain serious problems. Here, we show that 39 out of 156 (25%) cod and haddock products, randomly sampled from supermarkets, fishmongers' shops, and take‐away restaurants throughout Dublin, Ireland, were genetically identified as entirely different species from that indicated on the product labels, and therefore were considered mislabeled under European Union (EU) regulations. More significantly, 28 out of 34 (82.4%) smoked fish samples were found to be mislabeled. These results indicate that the strict EU policies currently in place to regulate seafood labeling have not been adequately implemented and enforced. Although the problem of seafood mislabeling has recently been brought to public attention in North America, we show here that product mislabeling is also an issue in Europe. We suggest that – through sustained consumer misinformation – mislabeling may hamper efforts to allow depleted cod stocks to recover.
Children’s Exposure to Intimate Partner Violence: Relations Between Parent-Child Concordance and Children’s Adjustment
Authors: Hungerford Anne , Ogle Richard L. , Clements Caroline M.
Published: April 2010

The current study examined the extent to which seventy-five 5- to 13-year-old children and their mothers agreed about whether children had been exposed to intimate partner violence (IPV) and the association between parent–child agreement and children’s psychological adjustment. One type of disagreement (i.e., parents failed to report IPV exposure that children reported) was associated with children’s perceptions of less positive family relationships. Parents of these children, however, reported fewer child adjustment problems than did parents who agreed with their children about children’s IPV exposure. The findings suggest the importance of obtaining children’s reports of their own exposure to IPV in addition to parental reports. Moreover, parent–child concordance with respect to children’s IPV exposure may be an important variable to examine in understanding variations in children’s adjustment.
Medication Safety in the Elderly: Translating Research Into Practice
Authors: Lindenberg Julie A.
Published: April 2010

In 1999, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) reported that medication errors are the most common error in health care. If medication-related problems were ranked as a disease by cause of death, it would be the fifth cause of death in the United States. The elderly, a rapidly increasing segment of the population, are at greatest risk for adverse drug events. Suboptimal prescribing in the elderly may involve overuse (poly-pharmacy), the use of inappropriate drugs, and/or omission of drugs that are indicated. The provision of quality care requires that clinicians recognize and prevent drug-related problems in the elderly.
Temporal validation of an estimator for successful breeding pairs of wolves Canis lupus in the U.S. northern Rocky Mountains
Authors: Mitchell Michael S. , Gude Justin A. , Ausband David E. , Sime Carolyn A. , Bangs Edward E. , Jimenez Michael D. , Mack Curt M. , Meier Thomas J. , Nadeau M. Steven , Smith Douglas W.
Published: April 2010

Model‐based predictors derived from historical data are rarely evaluated before they are used to draw inferences. We performed a temporal validation, (i.e. assessed the performance of a predictive model using data collected from the same population after the model was developed) of a statistical predictor for the number of successful breeding pairs of wolves Canis lupus in the northern Rocky Mountains (NRM). We predicted the number of successful breeding pairs, β, in Idaho, Montana and Wyoming based on the distribution of pack sizes observed through monitoring in 2006 and 2007 (β̂), and compared these estimates to the minimum number of successful breeding pairs, βMIN, observed through intensive monitoring. βMIN was consistently included within the 95% confidence intervals of β̂ for all states in both years (except for Idaho in 2007), generally following the pattern β̂L (lower 95% prediction interval for β̂) < β̂MIN < β̂. This evaluation of β̂ estimates for 2006 and 2007 suggest it will be a robust model‐based method for predicting successful breeding pairs of NRM wolves in the future, provided influences other than those modeled in β̂ (e.g. disease outbreak, severe winter) do not have a strong effect on wolf populations. Managers can use β̂ models with added confidence as part of their post‐delisting monitoring of wolves in NRM.
A comparison of green‐winged teal Anas crecca survival and harvest between Europe and North America
Authors: Devineau Olivier , Guillemain Matthieu , Johnson Alan R. , Lebreton Jean‐Dominique
Published: April 2010

The impact of waterfowl harvest on the dynamics of duck populations remains incompletely understood. While wide‐scale monitoring and management programs have been set up in North America, far less has been done in Europe where populations and harvest are essentially managed at country level with a sole focus on population size. Hence, comparing North American waterfowl populations with European waterfowl populations could be useful in suggesting flyway‐scale management options in Europe. In our paper, we analyse historical capture‐recapture‐recoveries data for the European tealAnas crecca creccaand we compare the computed survival and harvest rates to those obtained from a North American recovery data set for the green‐winged tealAnas crecca carolinensis, its sister taxon. During 1960‐1976, the annual probability of survival was slightly lower in Europe (average over sexes: 0.485 ± 0.101) than in North America (0.545 ± 0.010 for both sexes). Assuming a 30% ring reporting rate, our estimate of the annual harvest rate was about three times higher in Europe (average over sexes: 0.178 ± 0.051) than in North America (average over sexes: 0.071 ± 0.014). Although the European population increased over the study period and continues to do so, such a hunting pressure may potentially reduce our flexibility in managing this population due to uncertainties such as environmental changes, and have deleterious effects in the long term. We use our results to discuss waterfowl research and management in Europe. Initiating studies to estimate ring reporting rate would be an essential first step to properly evaluate the impact of harvest on the dynamics of the teal population in Europe.
Assessment of digital image analyses for use in wildlife research
Authors: Mott Cy L. , Albert Scott E. , Steffen Michael A. , Uzzardo John M.
Published: April 2010

Due to the decreased cost and increased availability of digital camera technology, digital image analyses are rapidly replacing traditional caliper‐based approaches to wildlife morphometry. The substitution of image‐based measurement methods over those utilizing calipers is based on the assumption that both methods are comparable with respect to accuracy, precision, time required and inter‐observer variation, yet this hypothesis has not been explicitly tested. In this article, we evaluate these aspects of each method using three life stages of the marbled salamander Ambystoma opacum. We found that digital image‐based measurements were significantly more accurate, faster to obtain, and resulted in reduced inter‐observer measurement variation relative to caliper measurements, yet the former was associated with reduced precision among repeated measurements relative to the latter. Based on our observations, we recommend that digital image‐based measurements represent a useful alternative to caliper measurements and are particularly useful for organisms that pose risks to investigators, normally maintain non‐linear body orientations, or cannot easily be removed from their habitat.