bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The relationship between lateral meniscus shape and joint contact parameters in the knee: a study using data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative
Authors: Zhang Kai Yu , Kedgley Angela E , Donoghue Claire R , Rueckert Daniel , Bull Anthony MJ
Published: January 2014

Introduction

The meniscus has an important role in force transmission across the knee, but a detailed three-dimensional (3D) morphometric shape analysis of the lateral meniscus to elucidate subject-specific function has not been conducted. The aim of this study was to perform 3D morphometric analyses of the lateral meniscus in order to correlate shape variables with anthropometric parameters, thereby gaining a better understanding of the relationship between lateral meniscus shape and its load-bearing function.

Methods

The lateral meniscus (LM) was manually segmented from magnetic resonance images randomly selected from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI) non-exposed control subcohort. A 3D statistical shape model (SSM) was constructed to extract the principal morphological variations (PMV) of the lateral meniscus for 50 subjects (25 male and 25 female). Correlations between the principal morphological variations and anthropometric parameters were tested. Anthropometric parameters that were selected included height, weight, body mass index (BMI), femoral condyle width and axial rotation.

Results

The first principal morphological variation (PMV) was found to correlate with height (r = 0.569), weight (r = 0.647), BMI (r = 0.376), and femoral condyle width (r = 0.622). The third PMV was found to correlate with height (r = 0.406), weight (r = 0.312), and femoral condyle width (r = 0.331). The percentage of the tibial plateau covered by the lateral meniscus decreases as anthropometric parameters relating to size of the subject increase. Furthermore, when the size of the subject increases, the posterior and anterior horns become proportionally longer and wider.

Conclusion

The correlations discovered suggest that variations in meniscal shape can be at least partially explained by the levels of loads transmitted across the knee on a regular basis. Additionally, as the size of the subject increases and body weight rises, the coverage percentage of the meniscus is reduced, suggesting that there would be an increase in the load-bearing by the cartilage. However, this reduced coverage percentage is compensated by the proportionally wider and longer meniscal horn.
Randomized Controlled Trial of Expressive Writing for Patients With Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Milbury Kathrin , Spelman Amy , Wood Christopher , Matin Surena F. , Tannir Nizar , Jonasch Eric , Pisters Louis , Wei Qi , Cohen Lorenzo
Published: January 2014

Purpose

This randomized controlled trial examined the quality-of-life benefits of an expressive writing (EW) intervention for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and identified a potential underlying mechanism of intervention efficacy.

Patients and Methods

Patients (N = 277) with stage I to IV RCC were randomly assigned to write about their deepest thoughts and feelings regarding their cancer (EW) or about neutral topics (neutral writing [NW]) on four separate occasions. Patients completed the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI), Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36 (SF-36), and Impact of Event Scale (IES) at baseline and 1, 4, and 10 months after the intervention.

Results

The mean age of participants (28% stage IV; 41% female) was 58 years. Multilevel modeling analyses, using a Bonferroni-corrected α = .021 for six outcomes adjusted for the correlation among outcomes, revealed that, relative to the NW group, patients in the EW group reported significantly lower MDASI scores (P = .003) and higher physical component summary scores on the SF-36 (P = .019) at 10 months after the intervention. Mediation analyses revealed that significant group differences for MDASI scores at 10 months were mediated by lower IES scores at 1 month after the intervention in the EW group (P = .042). No significant group differences were observed in the BFI, CES-D, PSQI, and mental component summary of the SF-36.

Conclusion

EW may reduce cancer-related symptoms and improve physical functioning in patients with RCC. Evidence suggests that this effect may occur through short-term improvements in cognitive processing.
Reforming the institutional framework for environment and sustainable development: Rio+20’s subtle but significant impact
Authors: Ivanova Maria
Published: January 2014

Reform of the institutional architecture for environment and sustainable development was one of the two main agenda items at the Rio+20 Conference. In the environmental field, Rio+20 provided a new impulse of power for the United Nations Environment Programme to fulfil its well-thought-out visionary mandate rather than motivation for creating a new institutional structure. In the sustainable development field, it offered an opportunity to formally launch a transformational reform process across several United Nations institutions – most prominently, the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD) and the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) – and begin a new effort at establishing global goals for sustainable development. The results are significant as they concluded a multi-year intergovernmental effort at reforming the environmental institutions and provided a solid political launching platform for the sustainable development reform process. This was possible because there was a clear mandate for reform. Leadership was consistent, and, over the years, systematic accumulation of information and knowledge about the substance and the process of reform took place. The confluence of these elements combined with the concrete political opportunity that Rio+20 provided, allowed for institutional learning through an iterative process and pushed for political outcomes.
Realising Rio principles through sustainable energy solutions: Application of small hydropower (SHP) in China and other developing countries
Authors: Liu Heng , Esser Lara J. , Whiting Kai
Published: January 2014

Small hydropower (SHP) is a proven low impact, small-scale, rural electrification technology that has been shown to help shape communities that have applied sustainable energy solutions in the last decades. Using China as a successful example of rural electrification, this article examines SHP’s progress and challenges internationally regarding policy, implementation and development. The article concludes that continued triangular cooperation among developing countries (South–South), developed countries (North–South) and international organizations for technology transfer and capacity building should support the transition from individual pilot SHP projects towards the successful implementation of full SHP programmes, while using existing capacities as far as possible.
Absolute convergence of multiple Fourier–Haar series
Authors: Gogoladze Larry , Tsagareishvili Vakhtang
Published: January 2014

The class of functions of s variables

H

α
/
s

(
s
)

$H_{\alpha /s}^{(s)}$

is defined. For the functions of this class, Sász's theorem for s-dimensional Fourier–Haar series is proved. When

α
=
1

$\alpha =1$

, it is shown that the obtained theorem is best possible for general complete orthonormal systems.
Inelastic Neutron Scattering (INS) Study of Low Frequency Vibrations and Hydrogen Bonding of (E)-Benzil Monoxime
Authors: Rachwalska Małgorzata , Natkaniec Ireneusz , Zborowski Krzysztof , Hetmańczyk Łukasz , Urbanek Zbigniew
Published: January 2014

(E)-benzil monoxime (or (E)-monoxime of 1,2 diphenyloetandion), which
is the subject of this paper, belongs to the family of bioactive
organic substances. Many of them have been investigated for many years
by inelastic, incoherent neutron scattering spectroscopy (IINS) but
the investigation of (E)-benzil monoxime is absent from
literature. Therefore (E)-benzil monoxime has been investigated using
infrared, and IINS spectroscopy. Dimers of (E)-benzil monoxime were
considered using B3LYP functional (connection of Becke and
Lee–Yang–Parr functionals) combined with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis
set method of quantum chemistry in order to improve the results
obtained for a single molecule. In (E)-benzil monoxime, extra bands
corresponding primarily to hydrogen bond vibrations (γ bending
out of plane of hydrogen bond at 312.3, 372, 470.5, 578.3, 703.5,
748.7, 780.4 cm
–1, σ stretching of hydrogen bond
bridge at 124.3, 140.9, 176.5, 190.1, 223.6, 259.1, 290.5, 501.8,
623.5 cm
–1, δ bending in plane of hydrogen bond
at 1102.4, 1371,1452,1535, 1630.6 cm
–1, λ
bending of hydrogen bond bridge at ca. 40 cm
–1, ν
stretching band OH at 3397 cm
–1) have been
identified. Some of them could be discovered only by using IINS method
and this is the main result of this work. Additionally we'd like to
compare the structure of the compound and the structure of oximes
previously investigated by us . Taking into account the structure and
IINS results for three oximes investigated by us, we can estimate the
difference of hydrogen bond power in those three oximes. Hence the
power of hydrogen bond in the (E)-benzil monoxime seems to be the
smallest in the group of the three compounds: (E)-benzil monoxime,
(E)-2-hydroxyimino-2-cyanoacetic acid ethyl ester (2-oxime), acid K
salt of 2-oxime.
Silicon Nanodot Layers for Photovoltaic
Application: Size/Density Control and Electrical
Properties
Authors: Stegemann Bert , Čermák Jan , Rezek Bohuslav , Kočka Jan , Schmidt Manfred
Published: January 2014

Fabrication of Si nanodot single layers under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV)
conditions is achieved by decomposition and self-organized growth from
thermally deposited non-stoichiometric SiO
x
(x < 2)
precursor layers provided with an ultrathin SiO2 capping layer
due to phase separation upon appropriate in situ annealing. The
kinetics of the thermal decomposition of the constituting Si suboxides
(Si
n+, n = 0…4) into Si nanodots and the
surrounding SiO2 matrix is analyzed in situ by X-ray
photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) as a function of the annealing
temperature. The maximum size and the density of the nanodots are
varied by adjusting the stoichiometric coefficient x and the layer
thickness. Thus, the electronic nanodot properties and the interlayer
transport properties can be controlled. For initial compositions (x
ranging from 0.9 to 1.4) and layer thicknesses (3 to
10 nm), phase separation was completed at
850 ℃. The phase separation revealed by XPS is
directly correlated with electrical properties as derived from atomic
force microscopy measurements detecting surface potentials (KFM) and
local conductivity (CS-AFM) across individual nanodots.
An Automated Monitoring System to Measure Shrinkage of Cement-Based Materials in Multiple Environments
Authors: Xiao-Dong Wen , Wei-Ping Zhou , Bao-Guo Ma , Guo-Song Li
Published: January 2014

An automated monitoring system was developed for the measurement of shrinkage of cement-based materials. This system combines continuous dynamic measurements conducted on multi-group samples, the use of non-contact measurements and environment simulation technology. An automated data analysis method was developed and used to obtain shrinkage values. Furthermore, a correction method is proposed in an effort to calibrate these measurements. The early-age and long-term shrinkage behavior of multi-group samples were investigated by the use of this system under specific testing environments. This was done in an effort to understand the influence of climatic variations on shrinkage deformation properties. These experimental data can be used in numerical models to estimate shrinkage of similar specimens.
Environmental Method Against Icing for Road Pavements: Development of New Testing Equipment and Proposal of a New Abrasive Material
Authors: Saltan Mehmet , Varış Meriç , Ertem F. Selcan
Published: January 2014

In cold regions, snow and ice during winter can pose serious risks to road surfaces and driving conditions. Icing always occurs on roads during winter. Heavy snow and freezing temperatures result in slippery road pavements. Driving on these surfaces is difficult and may cause heavy traffic and vehicular traffic accidents. Under such conditions, drivers should drive slowly and be prepared for delays. Icing reduces the friction between tires and the pavement surface, which increases the risk of accidents. Winter maintenance is highly important for icy pavement surfaces. Winter maintenance practices include plowing, sanding to improve traction, and applying winter anti-icing liquids that melt snow and ice on a road surface to prevent them from sticking. The combinations of practices used at each site may vary according to climate, traffic, and storm conditions. Road salt can melt snow and ice effectively, but it causes severe rust damage to vehicles, degrades road surfaces, corrodes bridges, and harms roadside vegetation. Therefore, the application of an abrasive granular material is important for preventing snow and ice from sticking to a road surface. However, sand, which is the most commonly used abrasive material, tends to be easily removed from the road surface by traffic. This study introduces new low-cost testing equipment, namely, the Ice Melter Experiment Mechanism (IMEM), which is used to evaluate abrasive materials for snowy or icy pavement surfaces and a new abrasive material that cannot be easily removed from road surfaces. In this study we tested the performance of IMEM and analyzed the results. The operational process of IMEM is also elaborated.
Laboratory Investigation on Microwave Deicing Function of Micro Surfacing Asphalt Mixtures Reinforced by Carbon Fiber
Authors: Wang Zhenjun , Gao Jie , Ai Tao , Zhao Peng
Published: January 2014

Traffic accidents occur frequently during snowfall and freezing rain in winter. Therefore, it is desirable that snow and ice be removed effectively and rapidly without using chemical salt or mechanical devices. In this paper, the influences of carbon fiber with different contents on mechanical properties, microwave reflectivity, and microwave deicing time of micro surfacing asphalt mixtures were investigated. The results indicate the percentage of carbon fiber has significant influences on the mechanical properties of the mixtures. The flexural strength of the mixtures with 0.75 % carbon fiber was 1.5 times and the compressive strength with 0.45 % was 1.3 times higher than those of the mixtures without carbon fiber. At the percentage of 0.45, the minimum reflectivity was reached as –13.5 dB in the frequency range of 2.3–2.6 GHz. The carbon fiber addition can evidently enhance the ability of the mixtures to absorb the microwave. The deicing time keeps decreasing as the carbon fiber percentage increases from 0.15 % until 0.45 %; then increases gradually and rises sharply until 0.75 %. The minimum deicing time reaches 55 s for the mixtures with 0.45 % carbon fiber. The lower the microwave reflectivity is, the shorter the deicing time. The thickness of ice is also found to be an important factor affecting the deicing time of the mixtures. The mixtures with around 15 mm thick ice obtain the shortest deicing time.
The Boom List
Authors: Staff Boom
Published: January 2014

A list of nine things to do, see, read, and hear in California in early 2014.
Postcards from the future
Authors: Miller Kristin
Published: January 2014

This article contemplates the way Northern and Southern California have been used in science fiction films since the 1970s. Continuing a trend the author traces to the 1940s novels Earth Abides and Ape and Essence, Northern California represents possible utopian futures while Southern California represents dystopia. The article includes a photo essay featuring science fiction film stills held up against their filming locations in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
California: The Planet of the Future
Authors: Robinson Kim Stanley
Published: January 2014

Boom interviews prolific science fiction writer Kim Stanley Robinson about writing, California, and the future. Topics of discussion include utopian and dystopian visions of the state, the Sierra Nevada and Sacramento Delta, the Orange County of Robinson’s youth, how California’s landscape and environment have informed science fiction, terraforming, utopia, dystopia, and finding a balance between technology and environmentalism.
Face the People and Speak
Authors: Rumsey Abby Smith
Published: January 2014

In a world of increasing specialization, everyone is a non-expert in many fields crucial for public understanding and decision-making. The author—an expert on scholarly communication in the current era of rapid technological and institutional change in higher education—argues that the most important change needed in communications between specialized fields of expertise and the rest of society is not technological. It is the willingness to accept the responsibility to translate expertise and engage in crucial public conversations.
PANDER transgenic mice display fasting hyperglycemia and hepatic insulin resistance
Authors: Robert-Cooperman Claudia E , Dougan Grace C , Moak Shari L , Athanason Mark G , Kuehl Melanie N , Bell-Temin Harris , Stevens Stanley M , Burkhardt Brant R
Published: January 2014

PANcreatic-DERived factor (PANDER, FAM3B) is a novel protein that is highly expressed within the endocrine pancreas and to a lesser degree in other tissues. Under glucose stimulation, PANDER is co-secreted with insulin from the β-cell. Despite prior creation and characterization of acute hepatic PANDER animal models, the physiologic function remains to be elucidated from pancreas-secreted PANDER. To determine this, in this study, a transgenic mouse exclusively overexpressing PANDER from the endocrine pancreas was generated. PANDER was selectively expressed by the pancreatic-duodenal homeobox-1 (PDX1) promoter. The PANDER transgenic (PANTG) mice were metabolically and proteomically characterized to evaluate effects on glucose homeostasis, insulin sensitivity, and lipid metabolism. Fasting glucose, insulin and C-peptide levels were elevated in the PANTG compared with matched WT mice. Younger PANTG mice also displayed glucose intolerance in the absence of peripheral insulin sensitivity. Hyperinsulinemic–euglycemic clamp studies revealed that hepatic glucose production and insulin resistance were significantly increased in the PANTG with no difference in either glucose infusion rate or rate of disappearance. Fasting glucagon, corticosterones, resistin and leptin levels were also similar between PANTG and WT. Stable isotope labeling of amino acids in cell culture revealed increased gluconeogenic and lipogenic proteomic profiles within the liver of the PANTG with phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase demonstrating a 3.5-fold increase in expression. This was matched with increased hepatic triglyceride content and decreased p-AMPK and p-acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase-1 signaling in the PANTG. Overall, our findings support a role of pancreatic β-cell-secreted PANDER in the regulation of hepatic insulin and lipogenenic signaling with subsequent impact on overall glycemia.
Corpos masculinos no campo da saúde
Authors: Gomes Romeu , Granja Edna Mirtes dos Santos , Honorato Eduardo Jorge Sant'Ana , Riscado Jorge Luís de Souza
Published: January 2014

O artigo objetiva analisar a literatura específica acerca do corpo masculino e suas relações com o campo da saúde. Espera-se que, a partir desta análise, possam ser estabelecidas hipóteses ou pressupostos como ponto de partida para futuras intervenções e pesquisas acerca do assunto. Metodologicamente, o estudo consiste numa revisão bibliográfica de cunho qualitativo, focalizando artigos disponíveis na Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS). Em termos de resultados, destacam-se três temas que sintetizam a análise das fontes: Corpos generificados; Corpos masculinos em meio a transgressões e marginalização, e As reduções do corpo masculino e do cuidar de si. Conclui-se que o olhar da saúde sobre os corpos dos homens pode promover um melhor cuidar de si quando consegue construir e reconstruir o masculino, superando modelos excludentes, monolíticos e redutores que regem o ser homem e o ser mulher.
Alimentação escolar como espaço para educação em saúde
Authors: Fernandes Ana Gabriela de Souza , Fonseca Alexandre Brasil Carvalho da , Silva Adilson Aderito da
Published: January 2014

Ao considerar a escola como um espaço para a educação em saúde, as merendeiras ocupam lugar central no debate por serem as responsáveis diretas pelo preparo da alimentação. Assim, o presente estudo tem por principal objetivo indicar as possibilidades da participação dessas importantes componentes nos processos educativos, reconhecendo que elas não se resumem a indivíduos que desenvolvem mera atividade no "espaço cozinha-refeitório". De modo a atingir sua consecução, utilizou-se uma abordagem quantitativa, com base no método de pesquisa Survey: Para delineamento dos dados, foram realizadas análises descritivas, além do teste de associação Qui-Quadrado e métodos de análise fatorial. Por fim, identificaram-se alterações em algumas características socioeconômicas e na forma de contratação das merendeiras. No entanto, também restou comprovado que o reconhecimento de seu papel como agente da educação em saúde ainda depende de uma série de transformações na estrutura, valores e concepções sobre o relevante trabalho que desenvolvem e as mais eficazes formas de sua inserção no ambiente escolar.
Fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento de crianças atendidas em Unidades de Saúde da Família, ao final do primeiro ano de vida
Authors: Ribeiro Débora Gerardo , Perosa Gimol Benzaquen , Padovani Flávia Helena Pereira
Published: January 2014

O objetivo deste artigo é verificar fatores de risco e proteção para o desenvolvimento de crianças de 1 ano, atendidas em unidades de saúde da família. Estudo transversal com 65 crianças de aproximadamente 1 ano, atendidas em duas Unidades de Saúde da Família, e suas respectivas mães. Avaliou-se o desenvolvimento através de um teste de screening para rastreamento de risco. As mães responderam a uma entrevista e ao SRQ-20 para identificar indicadores de transtorno mental comum (TMC). Realizou-se análise descritiva dos dados e procedeu-se a análise estatística inferencial. Estavam em risco para o desenvolvimento global 43,1% das crianças e as áreas mais afetadas foram linguagem e motricidade fina; 44,6% das mães pontuaram para indicativo de transtorno mental comum, quando a criança tinha 1 ano. Na análise bivariada, depressão referida, tabagismo, infecções na gravidez, TMC após o nascimento e trabalhar fora associaram-se significativamente com o desenvolvimento da criança. Após os ajustes, apenas TMC apresentou-se como fator de risco e trabalhar fora fator de proteção. Para aumentar as chances de sucesso de programas direcionados a crianças com risco para o desenvolvimento em unidades de saúde parece importante ter dois focos: a estimulação da criança e a saúde mental materna.
Análise espacial dos aglomerados de nascimentos ocorridos em hospitais SUS e não SUS do município de São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Santos Patrícia Carla dos , Silva Zilda Pereira da , Chiaravalloti Neto Francisco , Almeida Marcia Furquim de
Published: January 2014

O objetivo deste estudo é avaliar a distribuição espacial de nascidos vivos (NV) do município de São Paulo (MSP), verificar se há dependência espacial, identificar possíveis diferenças no perfil dos nascimentos e avaliar as distâncias percorridas entre os domicílios e os hospitais do parto. Foram estudados os NV ocorridos em hospitais de alta complexidade, quatro SUS e quatro da rede não SUS no MSP em 2008. Foram georreferenciados 46.190 NV: 48,8% em hospitais SUS e 51,2% não SUS, estes representaram 27,9% do total de NV do MSP. Os NV de hospitais SUS formaram dois aglomerados com elevada proporção de domicílios com renda de 1/2 a 2SM, concentração de favelas e altas taxas de natalidade. Os NV de hospitais não SUS formaram um aglomerado na região central do MSP, onde há elevada proporção de domicílios com renda > 10 SM e baixa natalidade. Foram encontradas diferenças estaticamente significantes das características maternas, da gestação e do parto entre os NV de hospitais SUS e não SUS e da frequência de gemelaridade. Não houve diferença na prevalência de baixo peso e pré-termo. Os resultados mostraram existir diferenciais no perfil dos aglomerados de NV, que refletem as desigualdades das condições de vida do MSP.
Fatores que influenciam a adoção de ferramentas de TIC nos experimentos de bioinformática de organizações biofarmacêuticas
Authors: Pitassi Claudio , Gonçalves Antonio Augusto , Moreno Júnior Valter de Assis
Published: January 2014

O objetivo deste artigo é identificar e analisar os fatores que influenciaram a adoção de ferramentas de Tecnologias de Informação e de Comunicação (TIC) nos experimentos de Bioinformática do Instituto Nacional do Câncer (Inca). Trata-se de um estudo de campo único descritivo e exploratório, dentro da tradição qualitativa. As evidências foram coletadas principalmente em entrevistas de fundo com os gestores de áreas da Coordenação Geral Técnico-Científica e da Divisão de Tecnologia da Informação do Inca. As respostas foram tratadas pelo método de análise de conteúdo do tipo categorial. As categorias de análise foram definidas a partir da revisão da literatura e consolidadas nos sete fatores do Modelo Tecnologia-Organização-Ambiente (TOE) adaptado para este estudo. O modelo proposto permitiu demonstrar como atuam no caso do Inca os fatores que impactam a adoção das complexas TIC usadas nos experimentos de Bioinformática, contribuindo para investigações em duas áreas de importância crescente para o Complexo Econômico-Industrial de Saúde brasileiro: a inovação tecnológica e a Biotecnologia. Com base nas evidências coletadas, uma questão é formulada: em que medida o alinhamento dos fatores pertinentes à adoção das TIC nos experimentos de Bioinformática pode aumentar a capacidade de inovar de uma organização biofarmacêutica brasileira?
Toothache and social and economic conditions among adolescents in Northeastern Brazil
Authors: Noro Luiz Roberto Augusto , Roncalli Angelo Giuseppe , Mendes Júnior Francisco Ivan Rodrigues , Lima Kenio Costa de , Teixeira Ana Karine Macedo
Published: January 2014

The scope of this study was to correlate toothache with social and economic conditions, access to oral health facilities and the lifestyle of adolescents in Sobral in the state of Ceará. It was conducted as a cross-sectional analytical study with a sample composed of 688 adolescents. The prevalence of toothache in the study group was 31.8%. A chi-square test of association was performed to measure the relationship between independent variables and toothache, estimating the prevalence ratio by Poisson regression. The factors that demonstrated the closest relationship with toothache were cavity severity, the reason for dental treatment being related to urgency, frequency of dental appointments and the distribution of toothbrushes at school. It was observed that the high prevalence of dental pain in adolescents is directly linked to the access conditions, as well as the characteristics of the actions developed by the health services. Just as there is a need for the deployment of services related to health promotion, based on equity and integration, it is necessary to introduce emergency services to intervene not just to curtail crippling pain, but also as a mechanism to stimulate the development of procedures for the prevention of oral diseases.
Sucesso na manutenção do peso perdido em Portugal
Authors: Vieira Paulo Nuno , Teixeira Pedro , Sardinha Luís Bettencourt , Santos Teresa , Coutinho Sílvia , Mata Jutta , Silva Marlene Nunes
Published: January 2014

O objetivo deste trabalho é descrever a metodologia do Registo Nacional de Controlo do Peso e descrever os participantes quanto à sua história individual e familiar relacionada com o peso, tentativas anteriores de redução deste e caraterização psicossocial. A amostra inclui 198 adultos (idade: 39,7 ± 11,1anos; IMC: 26,0 ± 3,9kg/m2), 59% mulheres, que completaram um questionário abordando questões demográficas, motivações e atitudes, e estratégias de perda e de manutenção do peso. Os participantes reportaram uma perda do peso média de 17,4kg e uma duração média de manutenção do peso perdido de 29 meses. Relativamente ao número de tentativas de redução do peso reportadas, 73% indicou ter iniciado uma dieta no máximo por três vezes e 34% reportou ter tentado perder peso apenas uma vez no passado. Este estudo irá permitir conhecer com mais detalhe e representatividade as caraterísticas e as estratégias adoptadas por estas pessoas bem sucedidas na manutenção do peso perdido no longo prazo e contribuir para identificar variáveis preditoras da gestão bem sucedida do peso a longo prazo.
Diagnóstico das práticas de alimentação complementar para o matriciamento das ações na Atenção Básica
Authors: Mais Laís Amaral , Domene Semíramis Martins Álvares , Barbosa Marina Borelli , Taddei José Augusto de Aguiar Carrazedo
Published: January 2014

A alimentação complementar adequada e oportuna é essencial para o crescimento e o desenvolvimento saudáveis da criança, sendo a Atenção Primária à Saúde, em especial os Núcleos de Apoio à Saúde da Família, o lócus ideal para o desenvolvimento de ações pertinentes a esta prática. Estudo transversal com aplicação de questionário para mães e avaliação antropométrica de 324 crianças visou desenvolver um escore de inadequações na alimentação complementar e estudar suas relações com variáveis socioeconômicas, clínico-epidemiológicas e nutricionais. Para quantificação das inadequações alimentares foi criado um escore por meio do Método Delphi. Foram observadas altas frequências para todas as inadequações, especialmente na introdução tardia de sólidos (80,2%), precoce de açúcares/engrossantes (78,1%) e precoce de líquidos (73,5%). Entre as variáveis mais significantemente associadas com o escore estão desmame precoce do aleitamento materno exclusivo (p = 0,000) e total (p = 0,005), ausência de companheiro (p = 0,001) e a mãe ser chefe da família (p = 0,025). A utilização do escore identifica situações de maior risco para subsidiar as ações prioritárias da assistência nutricional, especialmente para promover o trabalho matricial.
Chromatographic analysis of immobilized cefotaxime
Authors: Stirbet Daniela , Litescu Simona-Carmen , Radu Gabriel-Lucian
Published: January 2014

The aim of the present work was to widen the application of an in-house
developed fast, flexible and sensitive high performance liquid chromatography
(HPLC) method to the assessment of cefotaxime sodium from aqueous samples.
The method was applied to establish the release profile of cefotaxime sodium
immobilised in MCM-41 nanoparticles using pH controlled release in aqueous
medium. The analytical method proved to be sensible, repeatable (RSD < 1.5 %)
and reproducible (RSD < 1 %) in the concentration range studied (0.01-10
?g?mL-1), limit of detection and limit of quantification were 0.036 and 0.12
?g?mL-1 respectively, suitable for the analysis of release of a single active
ingredient, having a short analysis time (10 minutes).
Modeling Spatial Innovation Diffusion from Radiocarbon Dates and Regression Residuals: The Case of Early Old World Pottery
Authors: Silva Fabio , Steele James , Gibbs Kevin , Jordan Peter
Published: January 2014

This article introduces a method of exploratory analysis of the geographical factors influencing large-scale innovation diffusion, and illustrates its application to the case of early pottery dispersal in the Old World. Regression techniques are used to identify broad-scale spatiotemporal trends in the innovation's first occurrence, and regression residuals are then analyzed to identify geographical variation (climate, biomes) that may have influenced local rates of diffusion. The boundaries between the modeled diffusion zones segregate the western half of the map into a Eurasian hunter-gatherer pottery-using zone affiliated by cultural descent to the Siberian center of innovation, and a lower-latitude farming and pastoralist zone affiliated by cultural descent to the north African center of innovation. However, the correlation coefficients suggest that this baseline model has limited explanatory power, with geographical patterning in the residuals indicating that habitat also greatly affected rates of spread of the new technology. Earlier-than-predicted ages for early pottery tend to occur in locations with mean annual temperature in the range approximately 0–15°. This favorable temperature range typically includes Mediterranean, grassland, and temperate forest biome types, but of these, the Mediterranean and the temperate deciduous forest biomes are the only ones on which regression residuals indicate earlier-than-predicted first observed pottery dates.
14C Dating and Material Analysis of the Lime Burial of Cova de Na Dent (Mallorca, Spain)
Authors: De Mulder Guy , Hayen Roald , Boudin Mathieu , Van den Brande Tess , Decq Louise , Burguera Magdalena Salas , Ramis Damià , Borms Herlinde , Van Strydonck Mark
Published: January 2014

Lime burials are a characteristic phenomenon of the protohistoric funerary tradition on the Balearic Islands. At Cova de Na Dent, a lime burial has been sampled for analysis. The lime burial was made up of lime and fragmented bones. Six layers were sampled and described in the laboratory according to their color, the consistency of the deposition, and the aspect and quantity of the bone fragments. Bone samples and lime were dated. The lime was analyzed by using petrographic analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, and simultaneous thermal analysis. The results show that the bones were cremated in the presence of crushed rock carbonate. The14C dates on the lime suggest an earlier chronology for this ritual, starting in the Bronze Age, as generally is accepted.
Radiocarbon Distance Between Calendar Dates
Authors: Walanus Adam , Nalepka Dorota
Published: January 2014

The calibration procedure, and especially the nonlinear shape of the calibration curve, makes analyzing a possible dating result a far from straightforward process. This is especially so if the goal is to distinguish between two relatively close events. Proposed herein is a calculator, or alternatively a graph, which enables reading of the difference between two radiocarbon ages corresponding to their expected calendar ages. The result may surprise the less experienced14C users. Such a calculation also indicates the time periods with high or low potential for application of the wiggle-matching method.
Challenging the Traditional Chronological Framework of Funerary Rituals in the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt Region: 14C Results from the Site of Lummen-Meldert (Belgium)
Authors: De Mulder Guy , Creemers Guido , Van Strydonck Mark
Published: January 2014

Archaeologists tend to use typochronological frameworks to date their sites. These are based on the appearance of certain cultural markers such as grave types or houseplans. In the Meuse-Demer-Scheldt region, a chronological framework is used for the cremation cemeteries from the Middle Bronze Age until the Late Iron Age based on the size, number, and presence of different types of cremation graves. Radiocarbon dating of cremated bone from the small cemetery at Lummen-Meldert dates this site to the Late Bronze Age. These results challenge the hypothesis that small cremation cemeteries with mostly “unurned” graves date to the Middle Iron Age. The cremation graves without an urn and grave goods are a specific category that has to be dated by absolute dating methods such as 14C. The results also suggest a connection with the funerary traditions in the Atlantic region.
The 1st Millennium AD Mediterranean Shipbuilding Transition at Dor/Tantura Lagoon, Israel: Dating the Dor 2001/1 Shipwreck
Authors: Lorentzen Brita , Manning Sturt W , Kahanov Yaacov
Published: January 2014

During the 1st millennium AD, a fundamental set of changes in ship design, building methods, and sequence of construction took place in the Mediterranean. This process is known as the “Transition in Construction.” Before the Transition, ship hull design was based longitudinally on the ship's strakes (“shell-first”). By about the mid-1st millennium AD, the concept and construction of ship hulls had changed and were based on the ship's frames (“frame-based”). The Transition was a complex, nonlinear evolution. High-precision dating of the construction and service period of ships built during the 1st millennium is essential for elucidating the Transition process. Such dating precision is possible using radiocarbon wiggle-matching and Bayesian analysis techniques. The following study uses these techniques to determine the construction, launch, and final voyage (wrecking) dates of Dor 2001/1, a Byzantine shipwreck from northern Israel that was built based on frames. The results indicate that Dor 2001/1 was likely constructed and launched in the first third of the 6th century AD and was wrecked no later than AD 540. This is one of the earliest frame-based ships found in the Mediterranean so far. Dor 2001/1 is therefore an important shipwreck in understanding the Transition, since it provides evidence that frame-based hulls were already being built by the mid-1st millennium AD, about 500 yr earlier than has been commonly accepted.
A New Database Program Installed at the SUERC Radiocarbon Laboratory
Authors: Tripney Brian G , Naysmith Philip , Cook Gordon T
Published: January 2014

The SUERC Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory has recently replaced its spreadsheet-based record keeping with a new database program, custom designed to help laboratory staff manage the high throughput of nearly 5000 cathodes in the past year. The system can accept data from a variety of sources in addition to manual entry; experimental results can be uploaded from spreadsheets, while integration with graphitization lines means that graphite yields are automatically recorded. The system is able to pass 14C results directly to OxCal v 4 for calibration, with the resulting plots incorporated into the dating certificates issued to submitters. There are also benefits to submitters, with electronic sample submission both eliminating transcription errors and speeding up the logging-in process, which keeps turnaround times down. For bone samples, data on collagen yields are now stored electronically and are more readily obtainable from the laboratory. The new SUERC Radiocarbon Dating Laboratory database will make a significant contribution to maintaining the high quality of results produced by the laboratory, aiding staff in tracking sample progress, and monitoring quality assurance (QA) samples going through the laboratory, eliminating transcription errors, and making communication easier between laboratory staff and sample submitters.
A New Perception of the Late Bronze Age Chronology in Belgium
Authors: Leclercq Walter
Published: January 2014

Since Marcel Edouard Mariën and his 1952 masterpiece synthesis Oud-België van de eerste landbouwers tot de komst van Caesar, the beginning of the Late Bronze Age in Belgium has been situated around 1100 BC, corresponding to the phase Ha A2. The scarcity of artifacts from Reinecke's phases Bz C and Ha Al seemed to confirm this theory. Based on an axe's hoard (Maaseik, Belgium) and the presence of grooved ware, the potential existence of a Bz D/Ha Al phase has been suggested but certainly not certified. Currently, a large campaign of analyses on bones from several Late Bronze Age sites is shedding new light on Bronze Age chronology.
Regional variations and age-related changes detected with magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the brain of healthy dogs
Authors: Ono Kaori , Kitagawa Masato , Ito Daisuke , Tanaka Natsumi , Watari Toshihiro
Published: January 2014

Objective—To investigate age-related and regional differences in estimated metabolite concentrations in the brain of healthy dogs by means of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS).

Animals—15 healthy Beagles.

Procedures—Dogs were grouped according to age as young (n = 5; all dogs were 2 months old), adult (5; mean age, 4.5 years), or geriatric (5; all dogs were 12 years old). Imaging was performed by use of a 1.5-T MRI system with T1- and T2-weighted spin-echo and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequences. Signal intensity measurements for N-acetyl aspartate, creatine, choline, and lactate-alanine (the spectroscopic peaks associated with alanine and lactate could not be reliably differentiated) were determined with MRS, and areas under the spectroscopic peaks (representing concentration estimates) were calculated. Ratios of these metabolite values were compared among age groups and among brain regions with regression analysis.

Results—The choline-to-creatine ratio was significantly higher in young dogs, compared with other age groups. The N-acetyl aspartate-to-choline ratio was significantly lower in young dogs and geriatric dogs than in adult dogs. When all age groups were considered, the choline-to-creatine ratio was significantly higher and N-acetyl aspartate-to-choline ratio was significantly lower in the frontal lobe than in all other regions. The N-acetyl aspartate-to-creatine ratio was significantly lower in the cerebellum than in other regions.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Metabolite ratios varied significantly among age groups and brain regions in healthy dogs. Future studies should evaluate absolute concentration differences in a larger number of dogs and assess clinical applications in dogs with neurologic diseases.
Computational Method for Calculation of Blast Pressure outside Vented Suppressive Shield Containers
Authors: Abdelalim Omar , Braimah Abass , Halim Abd El Halim O. Abd El
Published: January 2014

Vented suppressive shield (VSS) containers have traditionally been used to store hazardous materials, especially explosives, and to attenuate the blast pressure and impulse outside the shield. VSS containers also eliminate the primary fragment hazard associated with accidental explosions. Most VSS containers are designed from experience and observations of container test programs. This design process, however, limits the designer's ability to economize on materials or use suppressive shield configurations other than those used in the test programs. The aim of this study is to investigate the interaction between the blast waves and the structural steel elements used in VSSs. This paper investigates the effect of different VSS sections (configurations) in the attenuation of blast pressure outside the container and develops semiempirical equations that can be used to predict blast pressure and impulse outside VSS containers. AUTODYN, a commercial software package, was used to model the explosive detonation process and the evolution of the blast wave and its interaction with the VSS. Different VSS configurations, which ranged in complexity and included single- and multilayer shields, were studied. The single- and multilayer VSSs were compared and used to develop semiempirical equations to predict the pressure and impulse outside the VSS container. The proposed equations were compared with the results obtained from a previous experimental test program and showed a very good correlation.
Proof-of-Concept Study for a Roadway Reservation System
Authors: Su Peng , Park Byungkyu (Brian) , Lee Joyoung , Sun Yixin
Published: January 2014

Learning from the success of reservation systems in industries, including the airline and hotel industries, transportation engineers have considered the use of a roadway reservation concept. Vehicles are traditionally allowed to use freeways on a first-come, first-served basis. In the proposed roadway reservation system, vehicles reserve a spot on the freeway in advance, and this reservation allows them to use some segments of the freeway within a certain period of time. Because the number of reservations issued by the roadway reservation system is controlled, this concept can be used to maintain a certain level of service on a freeway. Emerging vehicle-to-infrastructure and vehicle-to-vehicle communication technologies make the roadway reservation concept feasible. This study conducted a proof-of-concept test to investigate the potential benefits of a roadway reservation system. A VISSIM traffic network with a 20-mi-long two-lane freeway and some arterials served as the simulation test bed. The reservation algorithm was applied to a carefully designed baseline, and the results of the reservation scenario and the baseline scenario were compared. The reservation scenario outperformed the baseline scenario according to total delay time and emissions. When travel demand was 30% higher than capacity, the total delay time was 58.6% less and carbon dioxide emissions were 18.3% less in the reservation scenario than in the baseline scenario. Although this proof-of-concept study did not consider some practical issues, the proposed roadway reservation system outperformed the baseline scenario to such an extent that it provides strong evidence that the proposed reservation system has a promising future and deserves more attention, including feasibility testing for implementation.
Evaluation of a Methodology for Scalable Dynamic Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks in a Well-Calibrated Test Bed for Vehicular Mobility
Authors: Mudigonda Sandeep , Fukuyama Junichiro , Ozbay Kaan
Published: January 2014

Vehicles that communicate with one another (connected vehicles) are becoming more ubiquitous each year, and the increase in mobile computing is allowing the proliferation of possible applications for connected vehicles. Many of these applications require vehicles to be connected continuously to the communication infrastructure. This connection could result in congestion of the communication network. This study evaluates a novel dynamic grouping methodology that combines vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication schemes for optimal use of the communication infrastructure. The methodology for dynamic grouping of instrumented vehicles was implemented in a realistic and well-calibrated microscopic traffic simulation for application to the collection of sensor data. A 66% to 91% reduction in the load on the communication infrastructure was achieved by dynamic grouping for systematic aggregation of vehicular information. Use of the maximum bandwidth showed that name–address mapping was scalable. The dynamic grouping methodology is thus scalable and achieves a negligible loss of data quality compared with that in a scenario in which each vehicle connects to the communication infrastructure independently. The scalability was shown by the generation of response surfaces for the load on communication channels for different market penetration and communication ranges. The quality of the data was validated by use of the reported speed and estimated travel times over the network. On average, the error in speed was 5.5% to 8%, with far less bandwidth used with the dynamic grouping approach. The travel time along different paths was shown to be within 5% under regular conditions and within 10% under conditions of nonrecurrent congestion.