bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NTPDase1 Controls IL-8 Production by Human Neutrophils
Authors: Kukulski Filip , Bahrami Fariborz , Ben Yebdri Fethia , Lecka Joanna , Martín-Satué Mireia , Lévesque Sébastien A. , Sévigny Jean
Published: June 2011

The ectonucleotidase NTPDase1 (CD39) terminates P2 receptor activation by the hydrolysis of extracellular nucleotides (i.e., the P2 receptor ligands). In agreement with that role, exacerbated inflammation has been observed in NTPDase1-deficient mice. In this study, we extend these observations by showing that inhibition of NTPDase1 markedly increases IL-8 production by TLR-stimulated human neutrophils. First, immunolabeling of human blood neutrophils and neutrophil-like HL60 cells displayed the expression of NTPDase1 protein, which correlated with the hydrolysis of ATP at their surface. NTPDase1 inhibitors (e.g., NF279 and ARL 67156) as well as NTPDase1-specific small interfering RNAs markedly increased IL-8 production in neutrophils stimulated with LPS and Pam3CSK4 (agonists of TLR4 and TLR1/2, respectively) but not with flagellin (TLR5) and gardiquimod (TLR7 and 8). This increase in IL-8 release was due to the synergy between TLRs and P2 receptors. Indeed, ATP was released from neutrophils constitutively and accumulated in the medium upon NTPDase1 inhibition by NF279. Likewise, both human blood neutrophils and neutrophil-like HL60 cells produced IL-8 in response to exogenous nucleotides, ATP being the most potent inducer. In agreement, P2Y2 receptor knockdown in neutrophil-like HL60 cells markedly decreased LPS- and Pam3CSK4-induced IL-8 production. In line with these in vitro results, injection of LPS in the air pouches of NTPDase1-deficient mice triggered an increased production of the chemokines MIP-2 and keratinocyte-derived chemokine (i.e., the rodent counterparts of human IL-8) compared with that in wild-type mice. In summary, NTPDase1 controls IL-8 production by human neutrophils via the regulation of P2Y2 activation.
Multilayered Defense in HLA-B51–Associated HIV Viral Control
Authors: Zhang YongHong , Peng YanChun , Yan HuiPing , Xu Keyi , Saito Masumichi , Wu Hao , Chen XinYue , Ranasinghe Srinika , Kuse Nozomi , Powell Tim , Zhao Yan , Li WeiHua , Zhang Xin , Feng Xia , Li Ning , Leligdowicz Aleksandra , Xu XiaoNing , John Mina , Takiguchi Masafumi , McMichael Andrew , Rowland-Jones Sarah , Dong Tao
Published: June 2011

Polymorphism in the HLA region of a chromosome is the major source of host genetic variability in HIV-1 outcome, but there is limited understanding of the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effect of protective class I alleles such as HLA-B57, -B27, and -B51. Taking advantage of a unique cohort infected with clade B’ HIV-1 through contaminated blood, in which many variables such as the length of infection, the infecting viral strain, and host genetic background are controlled, we performed a comprehensive study to understand HLA-B51–associated HIV-1 control. We focused on the T cell responses against three dominant HLA-B51–restricted epitopes: Gag327-345(NI9) NANPDCKTI, Pol743-751(LI9) LPPVVAKEI, and Pol283-289(TI8) TAFTIPSI. Mutations in all three dominant epitopes were significantly associated with HLA-B51 in the cohort. A clear hierarchy in selection of epitope mutations was observed through epitope sequencing. L743I in position 1 of epitope LI9 was seen in most B51+ individuals, followed by V289X in position 8 of the TI8, and then, A328S, in position 2 of the NI9 epitope, was also seen in some B51+ individuals. Good control of viral load and higher CD4+ counts were significantly associated with at least one detectable T cell response to unmutated epitopes, whereas lower CD4+ counts and higher viral loads were observed in patients who had developed escape mutations in all three epitopes or who lacked T cell responses specific to these epitope(s). We propose that patients with HLA-B51 benefit from having multiple layers of effective defense against the development of immune escape mutations.
Stimulated γδ T Cells Increase the In Vivo Efficacy of Trastuzumab in HER-2+ Breast Cancer
Authors: Capietto Aude-Hélène , Martinet Ludovic , Fournié Jean-Jacques
Published: June 2011

One fourth of women with HER-2+ metastatic breast carcinoma are treated with a combination regimen with trastuzumab, but the frequent resistance to this Ab requires definition of new means to improve its bioactivity. The mechanisms of action of trastuzumab involve several pathways including Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. Because human γδ T lymphocytes mediate Ab-dependent cellular cytotoxicity and can be activated further by phosphoantigens, these cells are prone to improve the efficacy of Abs, as recently demonstrated for CD20+ B cell lymphomas. Whether this concept applies as well with carcinomas remained to be demonstrated in vivo, however. In this study, we asked whether a combination of trastuzumab and phosphoantigen-stimulated γδ lymphocytes increases the efficacy of trastuzumab against HER-2+ breast carcinoma cell lines in vivo. We report that repeated infusions of this combination had a better efficacy than that of trastuzumab alone against HER-2+ mammary carcinoma xenografts in mice. In these models, reduction of tumor growth was observed together with trastuzumab opsonization of HER-2+ cells and tumor infiltration by γδ lymphocytes. In addition in humans, the mammary carcinomas of 27 of 30 patients showed significant γδ T cell infiltrates. Altogether, these findings indicate that combination of trastuzumab and stimulated γδ cells represents a new strategy to improve the efficacy of Herceptin (trastuzumab) in HER-2+ breast cancer.
The Default Mode Network in Healthy Aging and Alzheimer′s Disease
Authors: Mevel Katell , Chételat Gaël , Eustache Francis , Desgranges Béatrice
Published: June 2011

In the past decade, a “default mode network” (DMN) has been highlighted in neuroimaging studies as a set of brain regions showing increased activity in task‐free state compared to cognitively demanding task, and synchronized activity at rest. Changes within this network have been described in healthy aging as well as in Alzheimer′s disease (AD) and populations at risk for AD, that is, amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) patients and APOE‐ε4 carriers. This is of particular interest in the context of early diagnosis and more generally for our understanding of the physiopathological mechanisms of AD. This paper gives an overview of the anatomical and physiological characteristics of this network as well as its relationships with cognition, before focusing on changes in the DMN over normal aging and Alzheimer′s disease. While perturbations of the DMN have been consistently reported, especially within the posterior cingulate, further studies are needed to understand their clinical implication.
Improving Outcomes with Surgical Resection and Other Ablative Therapies in HCC
Authors: Deshpande Rahul , O'Reilly Derek , Sherlock David
Published: June 2011

With rising incidence and emergence of effective treatment options, the management of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complex multidisciplinary process. There is still little consensus and uniformity about clinicopathological staging systems. Resection and liver transplantation have been the cornerstone of curative surgical treatments with recent emergence of ablative techniques. Improvements in diagnostics, surgical techniques, and postoperative care have lead to dramatically improved results over the years. The most appropriate treatment plan has to be individualised and depends on a variety of patient and tumour-related factors. Very small HCCs discovered on surveillance have the best outcomes. Patients with advanced cirrhosis and tumours within Milan criteria should be offered transplantation. Resection is best for small solitary tumours with preserved liver function. Ablative techniques are suitable for low volume tumours in patients unfit for either resection or transplantation. The role of downstaging and bridging therapy is not clearly established.
Geology of the Aurora high-quality stratigraphic reference site and significance to the Yonge Street buried valley aquifer, Ontario
Authors: Sharpe D R , Pullan S E , Gorrell G
Published: June 2011

The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) Aurora cored borehole intersects the Yonge Street aquifer (YSA), an important groundwater source in Ontario. The borehole, sited along a 7 km long seismic profile, was drilled in order to provide data to improve sustainable
use and management of groundwater in Aurora well fields and the regional aquifer system. Results provide high-quality hydrostratigraphic reference data, geological context, and a prospecting model for this significant buried-valley aquifer. The improved conceptual hydrogeological model offers a plan
to effectively stress and assess the YSA system.
A 130 m sedimentary succession unconformably overlies subhorizontal Whitby shale and a low-relief bedrock surface with no defined valleys. Gas seeping from the shale is trapped in Thorncliffe Formation, a regional aquifer below confining aquitards. The regional aquifer occurs below ~209 m
a.s.l. and is a 80 m thick, fining-upward, sand and gravel sequence. It appears to represent a portion of a northeast-southwest-oriented channel, esker, and subaqueous fan system that fed Thorncliffe Formation aquifer sediments to the south. The newly identified aquifer system occurs above a
regional unconformity within the succession. A 25 m thick Newmarket Till and silt-clay rhythmite sequence confines this aquifer. This aquitard drapes into Aurora basin, a possible pre-existing sediment valley. High clay content in aquitard rhythmites may allow conductivity logs to map it as a marker
horizon. The overlying Oak Ridges Moraine (ORM) aquifer occurs as a 30 m thick gravel-sand-mud sequence above a second regional unconformity within the succession. This channel fill sequence is thinner than nearby 100 m thick ORM channel sediments.
Preliminary 3D geophysical modelling of the Aberdeen sub-basin, northeast Thelon Basin region, Nunavut
Authors: Tschirhart V , Morris W A , Ugalde H , Jefferson C W
Published: June 2011

The Paleoproterozoic Thelon Basin, transecting the border of Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and situated in the interior of the western Churchill Province between the Slave Province and the Snowbird tectonic zone, is both tectonically and stratigraphically
similar to the Athabasca Basin, known world-wide for its unconformity-associated uranium deposits. This paper reports a compilation and interpretation of the existing geophysical and geological data for the Aberdeen sub-basin located in the northeastern part of the Thelon Basin. Limited seismic
profiling, along with sparse borehole data, permits only broad-scale regional models of the sub-basin. An improved interpretation of the unconformity surface between the Thelon Formation and underlying basement is derived from 2D forward modelling of the regional scale gravity and aeromagnetic data.
The resulting depth-to-basement model invokes a more magnetic and dense basement which is unconformably overlain by nonmagnetic and less dense siliciclastic strata of the Thelon Formation. Limited geological constraints on the models were provided by borehole logs, seismic shot points, and physical
property attributes from the Kiggavik deposit and Athabasca Basin. Integration of the results of the model cross-sections in 3D suggests that the Aberdeen sub-basin is deeper than previously thought. Aeromagnetic data demonstrate high potential for being useful for predictive mapping of buried
basement lithological units. The gravity and aeromagnetic models set the stage for acquiring new basic petrophysical and borehole constraints to map basement rock units beneath the Thelon Basin.
Thirty-six archival stratigraphic sections in the Katherine, Little Dal, Coates Lake, and Rapitan groups (Neoproterozoic), Mackenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories
Authors: Aitken J D , Turner E C , MacNaughton R B
Published: June 2011

This Open File presents thirty-six stratigraphic sections measured by the late J.D. Aitken during studies of the Neoproterozoic Little Dal Group in the Mackenzie Mountains, N.W.T. The sections are presented in Dr. Aitken's original, hand-drafted versions, which
generally are more detailed than versions published during his lifetime. Descriptive notes were transcribed onto many of the sections by Dr. Aitken. All the informal formations currently recognized within the Little Dal Group are represented in this report. Some sections also include strata
belonging to the Katherine, Coates Lake, or Rapitan groups, or to the Twitya or Franklin Mountain formations.
Detailed outcrop measured sections of the Eocene White Lake Formation, southern Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Authors: Hamblin A P
Published: June 2011

The sedimentology of the Tertiary White Lake Formation of the Okanagan Valley of southern British Columbia has never been seriously studied, and is currently poorly-understood. For this preliminary study, three long outcrops were described in detail to provide an
initial view of these strata. Aside from minor hydrocarbon and coal exploration in the 20th C, little is known of the resource potential or groundwater potential, and these strata must be viewed as frontier prospects. However, the occurrences are located in an area of quickly increasing population
and water use, near important markets. The currently fault-bounded Okanagan Basin is narrow and elongate, geologically complex and the potential is poorly constrained. A relatively high regional geothermal gradient, abundant sandstone/conglomerate potential reservoir/aquifer facies and the location
near populous markets suggest significant potential. Facies observed in outcrop include 1) volcanic breccia debris flow conglomerate, 2) high energy braided fluvial conglomerate to pebbly sandstone, 3) fluvial sandstone, 4) pedogenically-altered overbank sandy siltstone, 5) pond/marsh carbonaceous
mudstone, and 6) lahar sandflow deposits. Facies 2 and 3 represent potential hydrocarbon reservoir/groundwater aquifer facies. Further progress in analysis and understanding will require concerted geological and geophysical field work, and several stratigraphic test wells.
Improved Range in the Return Times Theorem
Authors: Demeter Ciprian
Published: June 2011

We prove that the Return Times Theoremholds true for pairs of Lp–Lq functions, whenever .
Uniqueness Implies Existence and Uniqueness Conditions for a Class of (k + j)-Point Boundary Value Problems for n-th Order Differential Equations
Authors: Eloe Paul W. , Henderson Johnny , Khan Rahmat Ali
Published: June 2011

For the n-th order nonlinear differential equation, y(n) = f (x, y, y′, … , y(n–1)), we consider uniqueness implies uniqueness and existence results for solutions satisfying certain (k + j)-point boundary conditions for 1 ≤ j ≤ n – 1 and 1 ≤ k ≤ n – j. We define (k; j)-point unique solvability in analogy to k-point disconjugacy and we show that (n – j0; j0)-point unique solvability implies (k; j)-point unique solvability for 1 ≤ j ≤ j0, and 1 ≤ k ≤ n – j. This result is analogous to n-point disconjugacy implies k-point disconjugacy for 2 ≤ k ≤ n – 1.
On the influence of CMEs on the global 3-D coronal electron density
Authors: Kramar M. , Davila J. , Xie H. , Antiochos S.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In order to analize the influence of a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) on the coronal streamer belt, we made 3-D reconstructions of the electron density in the corona at heliospheric distances from 1.5 to 4 R⊙ for periods before and after a CME occured. The reconstructions were performed using a tomography technique. We studied two CME cases: (i) a slow CME on 1 June 2008; (ii) two fast CMEs on 31 December 2007 and 2 January 2008. For the first case of slow CME, it was found: (i) the potential magnetic field configuration in the CME initiation region before the CME does not agree with the coronal density structure while after the CME the agreement between the field and density is much better. This could be manifistation of that that the field was non-potential before the CME and after the CME the field relaxes towards a more potential state. (ii) It was shown that the dimming caused by the slow CME is not due to rotation of the corona and a line-of-sight (LOS) effect but a streamer blow out effect took place.
Analysis of climate hazards in relation to urban designing in Iran
Authors: Alijani S. , Alijani B.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In order to study the climate hazards, daily rainfall and temperature data of 61 weather stations over the country were obtained from the Meteorological Organization of Iran for the 1951–2007 period. The following indices are defined as indications of climate hazards: sultriness of the air or the heat index, cold days with minimum temperature below −5 °C, warm days with maximum temperature above 32 °C, the share of extreme rain days from the annual rainfall. The annual frequencies of these indices are analyzed and the overall hazard index is computed using the Analytical Hierarchical Process method. The results show that the southern coastal areas and central deserts are the most hazardous parts of the country, whereas, the northern Caspian coastal lands and mountainous regions experience lower hazard alerts. The problem of the northern parts is the cold days and that of the southern areas is the hot and humid days. Despite the relatively equal occurrence of torrential rains over the country, they are more harmful in the south than in the other parts of the country.
How to link soil C pools with CO2 fluxes?
Authors: Kuzyakov Y.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Despite the importance of carbon (C) pools and CO2 fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems and especially in soils, as well as many attempts to assign fluxes to specific pools, this challenge remains unsolved. Interestingly, scientists investigating pools are not closely linked with scientists studying fluxes. This review therefore focused on experimental approaches enabling soil C pools to be linked with CO2 flux from the soil. The background, advantages and shortcomings of uncoupled approaches (measuring only pools or fluxes) and of coupled approaches (measuring both pools and fluxes) were evaluated and their prerequisites – steady state of pools and isotopic steady state – described. The uncoupled approaches include: (i) monitoring the decrease of C pools in long-term fallow bare soil lacking C input over decades, (ii) analyzing components of CO2 efflux dynamics by incubating soil without new C input over months or years, and (iii) analyzing turnover rates of C pools based on their 13C and 14C isotopic signature. The uncoupled approaches are applicable for non-steady state conditions only and have limited explanatory power. The more advantageous coupled approaches partition simultaneously pools and fluxes based on one of three types of changes in the isotopic signature of input C compared to soil C: (i) abrupt permanent, (ii) gradual permanent, and (iii) abrupt temporary impacts. I show how the maximal sensitivity of the approaches depends on the differences in the isotopic signature of pools with fast and slow turnover rates. The promising coupled approaches include: (a) δ13C of C pools and CO2 efflux from soil after C3/C4 vegetation changes or in FACE experiments (both corresponding to continuous labeling), (b) addition of 13C or 14C labeled organics (corresponding to pulse labeling), and (c) bomb-14C. I show that physical separation of soil C pools is not a prerequisite to estimate pool size or to link pools with fluxes. Based on simple simulation of C aging in soil after the input, the discordance of MRT of C in pools and of C released in CO2 was demonstrated. This discordance of MRT between pools and fluxes shows that the use of MRT of pools alone underestimates the fluxes at least for two times. The future challenges include combining two or more promising approaches to elucidate more than two C sources for CO2 fluxes, and linking scientific communities investigating the pools with those investigating the fluxes.
Influence of initial heterogeneities and recharge limitations on the evolution of aperture distributions in carbonate aquifers
Authors: Hubinger B. , Birk S.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Karst aquifers evolve where the dissolution of soluble rocks causes the enlargement of discrete pathways along fractures or bedding planes, thus creating highly conductive solution conduits. To identify general interrelations between hydrogeological conditions and the properties of the evolving conduit systems the aperture-size frequency distributions resulting from generic models of conduit evolution are analysed. For this purpose, a process-based numerical model coupling flow and rock dissolution is employed. Initial protoconduits are represented by tubes with log-normally distributed aperture sizes with a mean of 0.5 mm. Apertures are spatially uncorrelated and widen up to the metre range due to dissolution by chemically aggressive waters. Several examples of conduit development are examined focussing on influences of the initial heterogeneity and the available amount of recharge. If the available recharge is sufficiently high the evolving conduits compete for flow and those with large apertures and high hydraulic gradients attract more and more water. As a consequence, the positive feedback between increasing flow and dissolution causes the breakthrough of a conduit pathway connecting the recharge and discharge sides of the modelling domain. Under these competitive flow conditions dynamically stable bimodal aperture distributions are found to evolve, i.e. a certain percentage of tubes continues to be enlarged while the remaining tubes stay small-sized. The percentage of strongly widened tubes is found to be independent of the breakthrough time and decreases with increasing heterogeneity of the initial apertures and decreasing amount of available water. If the competition for flow is suppressed because the availability of water is strongly limited breakthrough of a conduit pathway is inhibited and the conduit pathways widen very slowly. The resulting aperture distributions are found to be unimodal covering some orders of magnitudes in size. Under these suppressed flow conditions the entire range of apertures continues to be enlarged. Hence, the number of tubes reaching aperture sizes in the order of centimetres or decimetres continues to increase with time and in the long term may exceed the number of large-sized tubes evolving under competitive flow conditions. This suggests that conduit development under suppressed flow conditions may significantly enhance the permeability of the formation e.g. in deep-seated carbonate settings.
Compliant mechanisms for an active cardiac stabilizer: lessons and new requirements in the design of a novel surgical tool
Authors: Rubbert L. , Renaud P. , Bachta W. , Gangloff J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In this paper, three aspects of the use of compliant mechanisms for a new surgical tool, an active cardiac stabilizer, are outlined. First, the interest of compliant mechanisms in the design of the stabilizer is demonstrated with in vivo experimental evaluation of the efficiency of a prototype. We then show that the specific surgical constraints lead to the development of compliant mechanisms, with the design of new original mechanical amplifiers. Finally, the requirements in the design of stabilizers exhibiting a higher level of integration are outlined. Novel architectures and design procedures are actually needed, and we introduce an exploratory study with a proof-of-concept designed using the combination of ant colony optimization and classical pseudo rigid body modeling. Relative errors in the estimation of the displacement do not exceed 5%. The proposed design method constitutes an interesting approach that may be applied more generally to the design of compliant mechanisms.
Shallow circulation groundwater – the main type of water containing hazardous radon concentration
Authors: Przylibski T. A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. The main factors affecting the value of 222Rn activity concentration in groundwater are the emanation coefficient of reservoir rocks (Kem), the content of parent 226Ra in these rocks (q), changes in the volume and flow velocity as well as the mixing of various groundwater components in the circulation system. The highest values of 222Rn activity concentration are recorded in groundwaters flowing towards an intake through strongly cracked reservoir rocks undergoing weathering processes. Because of these facts, waters with hazardous radon concentration levels, i.e. containing more than 100 Bq dm−3 222Rn, could be characterised in the way that follows. They are classified as radon waters, high-radon waters and extreme-radon waters. They belong to shallow circulation systems (at less than a few dozen metres below ground level) and are contemporary infiltration waters, i.e. their underground flow time ranges from several fortnights to a few decades. Because of this, these are usually poorly mineralised waters (often below 0.2–0.5 g dm−3). Their resources are renewable, but also vulnerable to contamination. Waters of this type are usually drawn from private intakes, supplying water to one or at most a few households. Due to an increased risk of developing lung tumours, radon should be removed from such waters when still in the intake. To achieve this aim, appropriate legislation should be introduced in many countries.
Spectral methods for internal waves: indistinguishable density profiles and double-humped solitary waves
Authors: Dunphy M. , Subich C. , Stastna M.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Internal solitary waves are widely observed in both the oceans and large lakes. They can be described by a variety of mathematical theories, covering the full spectrum from first order asymptotic theory (i.e. Korteweg-de Vries, or KdV, theory), through higher order extensions of weakly nonlinear-weakly nonhydrostatic theory, to fully nonlinear-weakly nonhydrostatic theories and finally exact theory based on the Dubreil-Jacotin-Long (DJL) equation that is formally equivalent to the full set of Euler equations. We discuss how spectral and pseudospectral methods allow for the computation of novel phenomena in both approximate and exact theories. In particular we construct markedly different density profiles for which the coefficients in the KdV theory are very nearly identical. These two density profiles yield qualitatively different behaviour for both exact, or fully nonlinear, waves computed using the DJL equation and in dynamic simulations of the time dependent Euler equations. For exact, DJL, theory we compute exact solitary waves with two-scales, or so-called double-humped waves.
What Looking Backward Doesn't See:
Authors: Seth Lowenstein Adam
Published: June 2011

Edward Bellamy's influential utopian novel Looking Backward (1888) dramatizes the epistemological impact of an increasingly media-saturated urban environment on turn-of-the-century American culture and identity. Bellamy's fanciful adaptation of the telephone receives particularly careful analysis in this essay. Deprived of its transmitting function, this denatured instrument both disrupts Bellamy's utopian project and, more subtly, registers the effect of mass media technologies on the construction and coherence of subjectivity. Lowenstein ultimately argues that Bellamy's novel rehearses the displacement of an epistemology rooted in the search for ontological certainty by what Anthony Giddens calls an epistemology of social reflexivity.
Chronic Prostatitis, Cystitis, Pyelonephritis, and Balanoposthitis in a Cat
Authors: Pointer Emmy , Murray Louise
Published: June 2011

An adult, intact male domestic shorthair presented for preputial swelling and urinary incontinence. A caudal abdominal mass was palpated. A transabdominal ultrasound examination showed severe prostatomegaly with abnormal tissue extending along the urethra. The cat was euthanized due to the owner's financial constraints and the veterinarians' suspicion of a poor long-term prognosis. Biopsies showed chronic active inflammation of the prostate, bladder, kidneys, ureters, penis, and prepuce most consistent with a chronic infectious process. Reports of feline prostatic disease of any kind are rare. Chronic prostatitis may have a more favorable prognosis than feline prostatic adenocarcinoma, currently the most commonly reported disease of the feline prostate.
Equivalent Elastic Modulus of Asymmetrical Honeycomb
Authors: Chen Dai-Heng , Masuda Kenichi
Published: June 2011

The equivalent elastic moduli of asymmetrical hexagonal honeycomb are studied by using a theoretical approach. The deformation of honeycomb consists of two types of deformations. The first is deformation inside the unit, which is caused by bending, stretching, and shearing of cell walls and rigid rotation of the unit; the second is relative displacement between units. The equivalent elastic modulus related to a direction parallel to one cell wall of the honeycomb is determined from the relative deformation between units. In addition, a method for calculating other elastic moduli by coordinate transformation is described, and the elastic moduli for various shapes of hexagon, which are obtained by systematically altering the regular hexagon, are investigated. It is found that the maximum compliance and the minimum compliance of elastic modulus in one rotation of the coordinate system vary as the shape of the hexagon is changed. However, takes a minimum and takes a maximum when the honeycomb cell is a regular hexagon, for which the equivalent elastic moduli are unrelated to the selected coordinate system, and are constant with .
Gerenciamento de Riscos e Gestão de Projetos Agroindustriais através de Redes de Petri
Authors: Oliszeski Carlos Alessandro Neiverth , Colmenero João Carlos , Junior Guataçara Dos Santos
Published: June 2011

Os setores da agroindústria cada vez mais aprimoram o conhecimento tecnológico dentro de suas áreas de atuação. Não somente pela concorrência, que é cada vez mais acirrada, mas também pela simples sobrevivência no mercado. Ao se propor o planejamento para o empreendimento rural, em moldes empresariais, deve-se considerar que, nesse tipo de sistema de produção, além de haver um número muito mais significativo de variáveis aleatórias, há ainda muito menos informações prontamente disponíveis e que essas nem sempre espelham de fato a realidade, dada a sua dinâmica. A rede de Petri, por ser uma técnica que tem obtido significativos avanços onde a rede de informação é complexa e está sujeita a vários fatores, como é o caso da agroindustrial e, visando obter um melhor desenvolvimento de projetos agroindustriais, paralelamente com a diminuição dos riscos econômicos encontrados por este setor, objetiva-se com este trabalho desenvolver uma metodologia de gerenciamento de riscos baseada nos conceitos de redes de Petri, para ser introduzida na gestão de empresas agroindustriais, e que eventualmente contribua para essa área, e assim possa evoluir gradativamente para a maturidade do gerenciamento de riscos em projetos nas entidades da agroindústria.
Specialty Crops in Argentina: An Analysis of the Confectionary Sunflower Agribusiness from an Institutional Environment, Governance Structure and Modern Industrial Organization Approach
Authors: Barilatti María Mercedes , Martín Raúl Pérez San , Vilella Fernando , Senesi Sebastian Ignacio
Published: June 2011

En Argentina, a partir de la desregulación de los mercados y la implementación de la convertibilidad en los ´90, se definía un nuevo escenario para el productor agropecuario en el que era necesario incrementar beneficios a través de reducir la intermediación, agregar valor y diversificar riesgos. En respuesta a ello, los agronegocios de especialidades granarias comenzaron a tomar importancia como alternativa productiva y comercial. El objetivo de este trabajo es estudiar la performance de una especialidad granaria en Argentina, el girasol confitero, a través de la metodología propuesta por P. Joskow (1995). Esta comprende la caracterización de los eslabones que componen la cadena y las interrelaciones existentes; el estudio del entorno institucional en que se desenvuelve este agronegocio y el estudio de la dinámica entre los actores participantes. Los principales hallazgos muestran que las innovaciones institucionales fueron un disparador del desarollo de nuevos diseños organizaciones en el agronegocio del girasol confitero, basados en esquemas contractuales que sumados a ventajas comparativas permitieron un importante crecimiento de la actividad, convirtiendose Argentina en un importante jugador a nivel mundial. Aun así, se observa que existen conflictos entre los actores de la cadena, afectados por factores vinculados a la volatilidad propia del mercado y la fuerte competencia a nivel global. Esto resulta una amenaza para un mayor desarrollo de este agronegocio en Argentina, siendo necesario acciones colectivas para poder capturar mayor valor del generado por todo el sistema.

DOI: 10.5585/remark.v8i2.2132
A Gestão Colaborativa da Marca nas Redes Sociais Virtuais
Authors: Reis Clóvis , Zucco Fabrícia Durieux , Dambrós Joana
Published: June 2011

A partir do conceito de aprendizagem colaborativa ou cooperativa (processo educacional baseado no trabalho em conjunto, no compartilhamento de informações e na interdependência dos membros do grupo), o presente artigo discute a proposta de gestão colaborativa da marca nas redes sociais virtuais. Na gestão colaborativa, a estratégia de comunicação das empresas evolui do modelo de um a muitos para o modelo de muitos a muitos, numa linha de ação horizontal e em via de mão dupla.

DOI: 10.5585/remark.v8i2.2133
Estratégias de Comunicação Boca a Boca para o Turismo
Authors: Tineu Rogério , Fragoso Nelson Destro
Published: June 2011

O presente estudo trata da relevância do fenômeno da comunicação boca a boca para as relações travadas na atividade turística, em função de peculiaridades, processos comunicacionais e estratégias pertinentes à promoção do produto turístico. São apresentados, também, os diversos fatores que levam o turismo a ser uma atividade social, econômica e cultural suscetível ao boca a boca promovido de maneira informal – intencional ou não – pelos atores e formadores de opinião que atuam como emissores das mensagens que alimentam o fluxo da comunicação boca a boca, tornando conhecidas as localidades, os produtos e as pessoas, sem, para isso, serem utilizados os meios de comunicação de massa.

DOI: 10.5585/remark.v8i2.2136
Heurísticas no Consumo de Serviços de Educação Superior
Authors: Santos Mauro Jonathan Mestrinel dos , Spers Eduardo Eugênio , Ponchio Mateus Canniatti , Rocha Thelma Valéria
Published: June 2011

Embora relevante na literatura internacional, a psicologia econmica tem sido pouco explorada no mbito nacional. O objetivo deste estudo preencher esta lacuna e apresentar subsdios para o melhor entendimento dos processos decisrios do consumidor, tendo como foco emprico os servios universitrios. A pesquisa de campo baseada em situaes ou cenrios construdos hipoteticamente a partir de reviso de literatura sobre heurstica. A coleta de dados foi dividida em duas fases e conduzida junto a estudantes universitrios e profissionais do segmento educacional. Os resultados apontam indcios da presena das heursticas nos cenrios apresentados. A dificuldade em operacionalizar um mtodo de coleta confivel para um teste conclusivo sobre a presena das heursticas sugere que mais trabalhos em nvel nacional, que explorem atividades econmicas distintas, devam ser realizados. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i1.2143
Investigating the Impact of Cognitive Dissonance and Customer Satisfaction on Loyalty and Complaint Behaviour
Authors: Salzberger Thomas , Koller Monika
Published: June 2011

Desde a primeira vez que foi sugerido, o conceito de dissonncia cognitiva tem sido uma ferramenta importante no estudo do comportamento do consumidor. Entretanto, estudos longitudinais de dissonncia relacionados a outras ferramentas ps-compra como satisfao, lealdade e comportamento ps-insatisfao ainda so escassos. Isto devido, em parte, s dificuldades em quantificar concretamente a dissonncia. Baseando-se em contribuies recentes, o presente estudo trata da relao entre dissonncia e satisfao e de seu impacto na lealdade e no comportamento ps-insatisfao. Cento e vinte e cinco consumidores que compraram eletrnicos e produtos domsticos foram entrevistados duas vezes: no momento da compra e trs meses depois. Os resultados sugerem que dissonncia e satisfao so ferramentas complementares, que descrevem diferentes faces do estado mental do consumidor depois da compra. A dissonncia cognitiva e a satisfao governam um conjunto de aes. Enquanto a satisfao tem um impacto na lealdade, i.e. inteno de compra futura e boca a boca, a dissonncia cognitiva contribui para explicar o comportamento ps-insatisfao. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i1.2148
Análise do Comportamento de Compra de Três Segmentos de Consumidores nos Supermercados
Authors: Garcia Sheila Farias Alves , Gonzalez Sara , Mauad Talita
Published: June 2011

O ambiente atual caracterizado pelas mudanas estruturais do mercado, pela entrada de concorrentes internacionais e pela concentrao do setor, aponta o surgimento de um novo modelo de gesto nas organizaes varejistas, pautado pela eficincia e foco no consumidor. Os varejistas devem se adequar ao modelo de criao de valor para os clientes, o que implica conhecer profundamente o consumidor, acompanhando as suas necessidades, mudanas e tendncias, com o objetivo de se adaptar s novas exigncias do mercado. Nesse contexto, este artigo parte da necessidade, cada vez maior, de compreender e considerar o consumidor, apresentando e analisando o comportamento de trs segmentos de consumidores (idosos, sozinhos e mulheres chefes de famlia), que demonstram, segundo dados do IBGE (2005), um aumento significativo na populao (61%) nos ltimos anos. O objetivo do presente ensaio investigar o comportamento desses segmentos de consumidores que frequentam supermercados e verificar possveis estratgias e oportunidades na criao e fortalecimento de um relacionamento de valor com eles, a partir de necessidades distintas. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i1.2150
O marketing e o social nos bancos brasileiros: evidências de relações assimétricas
Authors: Moretti Sérgio Luiz do Amaral
Published: June 2011

O objetivo deste trabalho é investigar a comunicação de alguns bancos nacionais com base no apelo social ou ambiental, comparativamente a evidências de suas práticas de responsabilidade social. A principal razão para este estudo é o crescente uso desse apelo por alguns bancos, inclusive pela própria Federação dos Bancos Brasileiros (Febraban), indicando a importância do tema para os públicos envolvidos. Os últimos dados disponíveis para proceder a esta investigação estão reunidos na pesquisa Avaliação comparativa da responsabilidade socioambiental dos bancos no Brasil, realizada em 2008 pelo Instituto Brasileiro de Defesa do Consumidor (IDEC), e no Relatório Social da Febraban de 2008 sobre as práticas de Responsabilidade Social das Empresas (RSE) dos bancos associados à federação. Os resultados desses relatórios foram confrontados com a literatura sobre o tema. Pode-se observar que as práticas do setor bancário em temas como trabalhadores, meio ambiente e consumidores apresentaram resultados assimétricos negativos quando comparados com o ideal mostrado nas campanhas publicitárias. As baixas notas nas práticas relativas ao relacionamento com os consumidores naturalmente chamam mais a atenção, por se tratar da área central do próprio negócio e, sendo assim, já deveriam estar assimiladas nos procedimentos operacionais. As implicações gerenciais são muitas e servem de alerta para as empresas. As reclamações relativas ao atendimento por parte dos consumidores é um sinal de que algo não vai bem nesse setor.
Recordação e Atitudes dos Condutores em Face das Campanhas Publicitárias de Prevenção Rodoviária em Portugal – Uma Abordagem Exploratória
Authors: Fonseca Manuel José , Cardoso Paulo Ribeiro
Published: June 2011

Este estudo pretende analisar qual a recordao e principais atitudes dos condutores portugueses em face das campanhas de preveno rodoviria nacionais. No contexto de uma metodologia quantitativa foi elaborado um questionrio e administrado a uma amostra de condutores portugueses. Mais de metade da amostra no se recorda de nenhuma campanha de preveno rodoviria. Os apelos que mais influenciam o comportamento de conduo so a moderao de velocidade e o uso do cinto de segurana. A abordagem dramtica aquela que tem mais impacto e a morte de pessoas queridas ao infractor a consequncia que mais influencia os condutores.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i2.2112
Responsabilidade Social Corporativa: Um Estudo do Processo de Comunicação dos Varejistas Brasileiros
Authors: Do Prado Lucas Sciencia , Merlo Edgard Monforte , Ceribeli Harrison Bachion
Published: June 2011

Este trabalho teve como objetivo principal discutir e analisar como os dez maiores varejistas brasileiros comunicam suas aes de responsabilidade social. Foi desenvolvido um referencial terico sobre a evoluo do conceito da responsabilidade social corporativa (RSC), discutindo a teoria dos stakeholders e o conceito da RSC estratgica. A pesquisa realizada teve carter exploratrio qualitativo. Foram analisados os dez maiores varejistas brasileiros de 2008, seguindo a estrutura de comunicao de aes de RSC proposta no trabalho de Du, Bhattacharya e Sem, para a anlise dos resultados. Os dados foram coletados a partir de sites, relatrios de sustentabilidade das empresas e mdias relacionadas. Os resultados mostraram que o modelo proposto pelos autores pode ser considerado um bom referencial para a construo de mensagens no tocante a RSC. Uma contribuio para a evoluo da estrutura seria a criao um mecanismo de feedback, que poderia facilitar a compreenso das mensagens pelos seus diversos pblicos.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i2.2142
Atitude do Consumidor: Estrutura dos Modelos Teóricos
Authors: Porto Rafael Barreiros
Published: June 2011

Este trabalho visa oferecer uma organizao de teorias de atitude originada por meio de levantamento bibliogrfico da literatura de psicologia do consumidor. O pesquisador de marketing poder ver algumas limitaes e utilidades da medio do constructo - atitude - muitas vezes concebido atravs de pesquisas acadmicas com o fim de compreender o processo de compra ou escolha. Pretendeu-se prover explicaes sobre as estruturas formadoras de atitudes em modelos tericos, ofertando uma classificao de nfase de investigao emprica dos componentes da atitude. Este ensaio prope uma agenda de pesquisa na rea para que novas estratgias de investigao possam ser elaboradas em marketing.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i2.2145
Características do Marketing Moderno e Pós-Moderno Relativas ao Comportamento do Consumidor: Análise Crítica das Estratégias de Posicionamento Propostas pela Teoria do Meeting Points
Authors: Bazanini Roberto , Zanuto Renato
Published: June 2011

Em decorrncia dos avanos vertiginosos nos campos da tecnologia da informao e nos processos de comunicao, e do fenmeno da globalizao dos mercados, as teorias tradicionais do comportamento do consumidor encontram dificuldades em explicar satisfatoriamente os mecanismos do mercado, mormente nos conceitos relacionados segmentao do mercado e nos grupos de referncia. Desde a dcada de 30, quando o marketing passou a constituir disciplina autnoma em relao teoria da administrao, surgiram inmeras concepes referentes ao emprego das teorias modernas e ps-modernas relativas s estratgias de posicionamento presentes na busca pluralista pelo comportamento do consumidor em nossa contemporaneidade. Por meio de pesquisa de natureza qualitativa e amostra por convenincia com os associados da ADVB/FBM e participantes do Encontro de Profissionais de Marketing, realizado em So Paulo, buscou-se avaliar a pertinncia de uma das teorias ps-modernas, fundamentada solidamente em termos tericos: a teoria dos Meeting Points. O instrumento de coleta de dados utilizado foi a aplicao de questionrio com questes estruturadas, tendo como base as treze assertivas de Gerken que foram convertidas em treze afirmaes pontuais como variveis componentes. Os resultados da pesquisa de campo conduziram para a varivel latente que aponta para a no concordncia dos profissionais pesquisados em relao aos preceitos apresentados e, consequentemente, a no pertinncia das estratgias de posicionamento proposta pela teoria do Meeting Points em relao prtica efetiva no mercado.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i2.2160
Atividades Marcárias como Recursos de Elaboração da Face em Comunidades Virtuais de Marca: Análise de uma Comunidade Virtual de Consumidores Da Coca-Cola
Authors: Leão André Luiz Maranhão de Souza
Published: June 2011

As relaes interpessoais sofreram mudanas expressivas aps a insero da internet na vida social. Deste contexto, podemos destacar as comunidades virtuais e, mais especificamente, comunidades virtuais de marcas. Assumindo que o eu seja uma construo social promovida nas interaes sociais, este estudo objetiva analisar o comportamento verbal de participantes de comunidades virtuais de marcas em relao a estas como meio de elaborao de suas faces (Goffman, 2006). Neste sentido, assumimos a noo de o que e como dizemos as coisas so comportamentos sociais (Austin, 1990) e utilizamos o conceito de atividades marcrias, desenvolvido por Leo e Mello (2009). Para tal, selecionamos uma comunidade de consumidores da Coca-Cola como terreno investigativo, onde realizamos uma netnografia da comunicao, suportada por uma anlise de discurso funcional. Por fim, aspectos tericos e prticos so considerados.DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i2.2168
Comunicação Integrada de Marketing em Eventos Turísticos: Um Estudo da Oktoberfest de Blumenau-SC
Authors: Zucco Fabrícia Durieux , Reis Clovis
Published: June 2011

Para promover um destino turstico com sucesso fundamental desenvolver canais de comunicao com os potenciais visitantes, assim como, agentes tursticos e outras partes interessadas. O presente estudo busca aprofundar tal discusso e, tem o objetivo de analisar o processo de planejamento e implantao da comunicao integrada de marketing (CIM) na Oktoberfest de Blumenau/SC, consagrada como a segunda maior festa alem do mundo. Utilizou-se o mtodo de estudo de caso com observao das instalaes da festa e foram entrevistados profissionais diretamente envolvidos no processo de gesto da CIM, inclusive o presidente do Parque Germnica, autarquia responsvel pela organizao do evento. As atividades relacionadas CIM demonstram adequao s necessidades de manter o fluxo crescente de visitantes. DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i3.2175
Compra de Lingerie por Mulheres: Uma Proposta de Segmentação Baseada em Arquétipos
Authors: Bacha Maria De Lourdes , Strehlau Vivian Iara , Vieira Laís Duarte
Published: June 2011

O principal objetivo foi o de analisar as atitudes na compra e consumo de lingerie considerando atitudes, consumo simblico e arqutipos para desenvolvimento de proposta de segmentao. O trabalho principia com uma breve reviso terica e a seguir so apresentados resultados de pesquisa emprica quantitativa do tipo survey, cuja amostra no probabilstica por convenincia foi composta por 150 mulheres entre 18 e 51 anos. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionrio estruturado, aplicado em So Paulo, atravs de entrevista pessoal. Os dados foram analisados empregando-se estatstica uni e multivariada com anlise fatorial e de agrupamentos (cluster). Dentre os principais achados podem-se considerar a influncia de variveis demogrficas como faixa etria, renda e estado civil na freqncia de compra e tipo de lingerie, como tambm dos atributos conforme sejam para uso dirio (conforto e preo) ou ocasio especial (cor e modelo). As mulheres apresentam atitudes bastante favorveis quando s lingeries. A anlise fatorial indicou a existncia de trs fatores subjacentes que foram denominados de acordo com os arqutipos, a saber: Afrodite, rtemis e Demter e os trs agrupamentos identificados acompanham esses arqutipos como a feminista do sculo XXI (53% da amostra); a mezona (11% da amostra) e, por fim, a sedutora (36% da amostra). DOI: 10.5585/remark.v9i3.2182