bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Visual acuity trade-offs and microhabitat driven adaptation of searching behaviour in psyllids (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Aphalaridae)
Authors: Farnier Kevin , Dyer Adrian G. , Taylor Gary S. , Peters Richard A. , Steinbauer Martin J.
Published: April 2015

Insects have evolved morphological and physiological adaptations in response to selection pressures inherent to their ecology. Consequently, visual performances and acuity often significantly vary between different insect species. Whilst psychophysics has allowed for the accurate determination of visual acuity for some Lepidoptera and Hymenoptera, very little is known about other insect taxa that cannot be trained to positively respond to a given stimulus. In this study, we demonstrate that prior knowledge of insect colour preferences can be used to facilitate acuity testing. We focus on four psyllid species (Hemiptera: Psylloidea: Aphalaridae), namely Ctenarytaina eucalypti, C. bipartita, Anoeconeossa bundoorensis and Glycaspis brimblecombei, that differ in their colour preferences and utilization of different host-plant modules (e.g. apical buds, stems, leaf lamellae) and test their visual acuity in a modified Y-maze adapted to suit psyllid searching behaviour. Our study reveals that psyllids have visual acuity ranging from 6.3° to 8.7°. Morphological measurements for different species revealed a close match between inter-ommatidial angles and behaviourally determined visual angles (between 5.5°and 6.6°) suggesting detection of colour stimuli at the single ommatidium level. Whilst our data support isometric scaling of psyllids eyes for C. eucalypti, C. bipartita and G. brimblecombei, a morphological trade-off between light sensitivity and spatial resolution was found in A. bundoorensis. Overall, species whose microhabitat preferences require more movement between modules appear to possess superior visual acuities. The psyllid searching behaviours that we describe with the help of tracking software depict species-specific strategies presumably evolved to optimize searching for food and oviposition sites.
Modification of Activated Carbon for the Adsorption of Humic Acid
Authors: Eustáquio H.M.B. , Lopes Christian W. , Rocha Rafael S. da , Cardoso Brena D. , Pergher Sibele B.C.
Published: April 2015

Commercial activated carbon treated with sulphuric and phosphoric acids was used to remove humic acids (HAs) from water. To achieve this goal, the iodine indices of treated and untreated materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction and nitrogen physisorption. Adsorption assays for HAs evaluated the quantities adsorbed after a fixed time. Temporal evolution of HA adsorption was determined from the adsorption kinetics. Experimental results indicated that the sulphuric acid treatment was more efficient and had a higher HA adsorption at each time point evaluated. Evaluating the specific area helped to verify this fact, reflecting the number of mesopores in the used material.
Purification of Anti-Interleukin-6 Monoclonal Antibody Using Precipitation and Immobilized Metal-Ion Affinity Chromatography
Authors: Bresolin Iara Rocha Antunes Pereira , Bresolin Igor Tadeu Lazzarotto , Pessoa Adalberto
Published: April 2015

Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been widely used in immunodiagnostic and clinical tests, whose applications require a high level of purity. As a result, several stages of purification are required in the downstream processing of MAbs. The objective of this study was to recover and purify an anti-interleukin-6 MAb from cell culture supernatant by a combined method involving precipitation and immobilized metal-ion affinity chromatography (IMAC), aiming its subsequent application in diagnostic kits. Experimental results suggest that it is possible to purify MAbs by precipitation with ammonium sulphate at 20–40% saturation, followed by adsorption on IMAC with immobilized Zn(II). The MAbs were obtained with a purity of 100% and a purification factor of 24.2, proving the feasibility of the method.
Study of Acetylsalicylic Acid Adsorption Using Molecular Sieves
Authors: Assumpção G.A. , Poço J.G.R. , Fernández-Felisbino R. , Cardoso D. , Gomes E.L.
Published: April 2015

Molecular sieves can be used as a host matrix to encapsulate several drugs. Here, we studied the adsorption of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in HUS-Y, HZSM-5 and silicalite-1 zeolites, as well as in the mesoporous sieve Si-MCM-41, and compared their adsorption capacities. The materials used generally presented good performance for ASA adsorption. Among the zeolites studied, HZSM-5 adsorbed large amounts of drug than the others. The Si-MCM-41 samples synthesized with fumed silica presented better adsorption performance than those synthesized with tetraethyl orthosilicate. The best mesoporous sample for adsorption synthesized with fumed silica was chosen for the kinetic assay. The adsorption kinetics of ASA for this sample fitted well to a second-order model. The initial loading rate and diffusion coefficient for the ASA–mesoporous sieve system were 0.153% (mg ASA)/(mg solid/minute) and 5.02 × 10−17 m2/s, respectively. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and nitrogen physisorption.
Removal and Recovery of Silver by Dynamic Adsorption on Bentonite Clay Using a Fixed-Bed Column System
Authors: Cantuaria M. L. , Nascimento E. S. , Neto A. F. Almeida , Santos O. A. A. dos , Vieira M. G. A.
Published: April 2015

Several studies have focused on the removal and recovery of precious metal ions from industrial wastewater due to their environmental and economic importance. Adsorption on bentonite clays has been shown to possess a high removal potential for several metal ions. We herein investigated the dynamic adsorption of silver using a fixed-bed column and a calcined bentonite clay called Verde-lodo as an adsorbent. A fluid dynamic study was performed to evaluate the adsorption system's metal-ion removal capacity (qu and qt), the mass transfer zone and the percentage of total removal according to different effluent's flow. Adsorption–desorption cycles were carried out using nitric acid as an eluent to evaluate the useful lifetime of the column. The breakthrough curves were fitted to the Bohart–Adams model (quasichemical). Moreover, the zeta potential was analyzed to explain the difference between the removal capacity obtained for the static and dynamic systems.
Ceramic Material for Sound Absorption
Authors: Iannace Gino
Published: April 2015

The acoustic correction of large places for low frequency components can be obtained by inserting acoustic resonators. This paper reports the realization and the experimental verification of acoustic resonators obtained with ceramic material. The sound absorption is obtained by drilling the specimens of ceramic material with a hole size of 2 mm and 5 mm and a thickness of 3.0 cm, 2.0 cm and 0.6 cm. The sound absorption of perforated plates is based on the principle of Helmholtz resonators, which, however, are effective only on narrow frequency bands; so to make the phenomenon of absorption more effective and to increase the range in absorption frequency perforated panels are made, mounted at a suitable distance from a rigid surface. The measurements of the sound absorption coefficient were performed with an impedance tube (Kundt tube) with an internal diameter of 10 cm and with the validity of the measurement of the absorption coefficient in the range of 100 Hz – 1.0 kHz. The measurements of the absorption coefficient were performed, for each specimen, creating a cavity of air between the sample and the behind rigid surface, with the following thicknesses: 25 cm, 20 cm, 15 cm, 10 cm and 5 cm. As expected, for the same specimen, the peak of the absorption coefficient shifts to higher frequencies on decreasing size of the cavity between the specimen and the rigid wall.
Demonstration Study on the Large-Scale Battery Energy Storage for Renewables Integration
Authors: Chang Byunghoon , Kim Chulwoo , Kim Taekyun , Jeon Woongjae , Shin Seongsik , Han Hyungyu
Published: April 2015

The penetration level of the renewable energy resources has been expected to increase rapidly in several years as government has strongly encouraged those through various policies such as the RPS (Renewable Portfolio Standards) and feed-in tariffs. Because the performance of power system is sometimes critically constrained by stability characteristics, it is very challenging for system operator to realize such a high penetration of the renewable energy resources in power system. It has been proposed that the large-scale Energy Storage Systems (ESS) can be applied to the power system for stabilizing the power supply and improving the energy efficiency ratio by using the stored electrical power in the period of high demand for electricity. To implement the large capacity and improve the effectiveness of the lithium-ion battery ESS, it has been constructed 4MW/8MWh ESS test-bed and developed the operation technology of ESS. In this paper, a demonstration study scheme on the large-scale Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) is proposed to verify the effectiveness and to estimate the performance of BESS.
Statistical Analysis of Non-Stationary Waves off the Savannah Coast, Georgia, USA
Authors: Yang Xiufeng
Published: April 2015

The statistical characteristics of short-term wave records collected from a wave buoy deployed off the coast of Savannah, Georgia, USA are analyzed. The statistical distribution of observed surface elevation is derived and compared with theoretical estimations. The minimum length of time series for stationary conditions is specified using a synthetic approach. A new technique that considers the variability of different dimensionless parameters has been introduced to improve the theoretical distributions of wave crests, troughs and heights. The observed distributions of wave crests and troughs are computed and compared with the Rayleigh distribution as well as the Tayfun distribution. The characteristic wave heights of measured data are compared with those estimated from the Boccotti distribution over different time intervals. The empirical estimation of expected maximum wave heights as a function of the number of waves is examined using a statistical approach, and compared with results from both Boccotti and Tayfun models using the newly introduced technique. Conclusions concerning the efficacy and applicability of theoretical distributions to real ocean wave conditions are summarized.
Pequenas empresas e a tecnologia de informação: o caso da Happening
Authors: Dos Santos Heloísa Mônaco
Published: April 2015

Com apenas três anos de existência, uma pequena empresa já fez vários investimentos em TI: site institucional, ferramenta de e-mail marketing, sistema ERP... Agora, ela passa por um período de transformação que tende a alterar suas necessidades de tecnologia.DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n2c12 http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n2c12
Cortaram o orçamento! Implementando novas estratégias na visão de dirigentes do campus de um Instituto Federal
Authors: Da Luz Cláudio Luiz Melo
Published: April 2015

Uma instituição federal de ensino superior enfrenta um corte de orçamento. Como o diretor geral deve agir em meio à incertza e a cobranças de servidores e alunos?DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n2c15http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n2c15
Teaser Propaganda: uma história de cocriação e engajamento (Notas de ensino)
Authors: Nascimento Ademir Macedo , Correia Neto Jorge da Silva , Bobsin Debora
Published: April 2015

DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n2n10 http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n2n10
The expansion of community banks in Brazil: discovering Palmas’ methodology	(Notas de ensino)
Authors: Christopoulos Tania Pereira , Pozzebon Marlei
Published: April 2015

DOI: 10.12660/gvcasosv4n2n16 http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/gvcasosv4n2n16
Case Report: Bone fragment in the third ventricle of a 22 year-old woman
Authors: Munakomi Sunil , Srinivas Balaji , Cherian Iype
Published: April 2015

Here we present a very rare case of a woman with a bone fragment in the third ventricle of the brain following compound-depressed skull fractures due to a road traffic accident.

There are only few case reports of bullets and textiloma being removed from the third ventricle. Following operative removal of the fragment, the patient was started on cortisol, mineralocorticoid and thyroid hormone replacement. However, the patient eventually died of the severe traumatic hypothalamic insult.
Learning User Real-Time Intent for Optimal Dynamic Web Page Transformation
Authors: Ding Amy Wenxuan , Li Shibo , Chatterjee Patrali
Published: April 2015

Many e-commerce websites struggle to turn visitors into real buyers. Understanding online users’ real-time intent and dynamic shopping cart choices may have important implications in this realm. This study presents an individual-level, dynamic model with concurrent optimal page adaptation that learns users’ real-time, unobserved intent from their online cart choices, then immediately performs optimal Web page adaptation to enhance the conversion of users into buyers. To suggest optimal strategies for concurrent page adaptation, the model analyzes each individual user’s browsing behavior, tests the effectiveness of different marketing and Web stimuli, as well as comparison shopping activities at other sites, and performs optimal Web page transformation. Data from an online retailer and a laboratory experiment reveal that concurrent learning of the user’s unobserved purchase intent and real-time, intent-based optimal interventions greatly reduce shopping cart abandonment and increase purchase conversions. If the concurrent, intent-based optimal page transformation for the focal site starts after the first page view, shopping cart abandonment declines by 32.4% and purchase conversion improves by 6.9%. The optimal timing for the site to intervene is after three page views, to achieve efficient learning of users’ intent and early intervention simultaneously.
A Mixed Value and Policy Iteration Method for Stochastic Control with Universally Measurable Policies
Authors: Yu Huizhen , Bertsekas Dimitri P.
Published: April 2015

We consider stochastic optimal control models with Borel spaces and universally measurable policies. For such models the standard policy iteration is known to have difficult measurability issues and cannot be carried out in general. We present a mixed value and policy iteration method that circumvents this difficulty. The method allows the use of stationary policies in computing the optimal cost function in a manner that resembles policy iteration. It can also be used to address similar difficulties of policy iteration in the context of upper and lower semicontinuous models. We analyze the convergence of the method in infinite horizon total cost problems for the discounted case where the one-stage costs are bounded and for the undiscounted case where the one-stage costs are nonpositive or nonnegative.

For undiscounted total cost problems with nonnegative one-stage costs, we also give a new convergence theorem for value iteration that shows that value iteration converges whenever it is initialized with a function that is above the optimal cost function and yet bounded by a multiple of the optimal cost function. This condition resembles Whittle’s bridging condition and is partly motivated by it. The theorem is also partly motivated by a result of Maitra and Sudderth that showed that value iteration, when initialized with the constant function zero, could require a transfinite number of iterations to converge. We use the new convergence theorem for value iteration to establish the convergence of our mixed value and policy iteration method for the nonnegative cost case.
Technology Shocks, Technological Collaboration, and Innovation Outcomes
Authors: Schilling Melissa A.
Published: April 2015

In the early to mid-1990s, technology alliances suddenly surged to unprecedented levels—roughly 300% growth per year from 1990 to 1995—and then declined just as precipitously. This massive increase in alliance activity caused the crystallization of a giant component in the global technology network that connected a large portion of the world’s firms, government labs, universities, and other organizations. However, when alliance activity declined, the component disintegrated. What caused this spike in alliance activity? And did this large-but-transient change in collaboration activity leave any enduring effect? The data here suggest that a major technology shock may have provoked this alliance surge. A technology shock may simultaneously unleash significant innovation opportunities while creating great uncertainty in the economic environment. Though it is well known that firms often use alliances both to respond to uncertainty and facilitate innovation, little is known about how technology shocks affect the collaboration behavior of firms and how these two factors separately influence innovation outcomes. I integrate an inductive study of collaboration activity and a technology shock with existing research on economics, alliances, and networks to build a set of arguments about how technology shocks will influence alliance behavior, how changes in alliance behavior will influence the global technology collaboration network, and about how each of these changes is likely to influence the innovative outcomes of firms. I then explore the separate and joint effects of the technology shock and collaboration activity on innovation using a large sample panel study of patenting by North American firms.
A Branch-and-Cut Algorithm for the Single Truck and Trailer Routing Problem with Satellite Depots
Authors: Belenguer José Manuel , Benavent Enrique , Martínez Antonio , Prins Christian , Prodhon Caroline , Villegas Juan G.
Published: April 2015

In the single truck and trailer routing problem with satellite depots (STTRPSD), a truck with a detachable trailer based at a main depot must serve the demand of a set of customers accessible only by truck. Therefore, before serving the customers, it is necessary to detach the trailer in an appropriate parking place (called either a satellite depot or a trailer point) and transfer goods between the truck and the trailer. This problem has applications in milk collection for farms that cannot be reached using large vehicles. In this work we present an integer programming formulation of the STTRPSD. This formulation is tightened with several families of valid inequalities for which we have developed different (exact and heuristic) separation procedures. Using these elements, we have implemented a branch-and-cut algorithm for the solution of the STTRPSD. A computational experiment with published instances shows that the proposed branch-and-cut algorithm consistently solves problems with up to 50 customers and 10 satellite depots, and it has also been able to solve instances with up to 20 satellite depots and 100 clustered customers.
The Baby Room Project: Findings and implications
Authors: Goouch Kathy , Powell Sacha
Published: April 2015

Approximately half a million babies (under two-years-old) experience some kind of formal childcare in England, but who looks after them and what do they do with them all day in baby rooms in nurseries?
‘Compassion costs nothing’—the elephant in the room?
Authors: Sawbridge Yvonne , Hewison Alistair
Published: April 2015

Compassion is central to the work of practice nurses. Yvonne Sawbridge and Dr Alistair Hewison explore the emotional labour involved in providing compassionate care
Butterfly community assemblages in relation to human disturbance in a tropical upland forest in Ghana, and implications for conservation
Authors: Addo-Fordjour Patrick , Osei Benjamin A. , Kpontsu Elizabeth A.
Published: April 2015

The present study determined butterfly diversity, species composition and abundance in different forests of varying human disturbance intensities in the Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Ghana (i.e. non-disturbed, moderately disturbed and heavily disturbed forests). Vegetation characteristics and butterflies were sampled within ten 50 m × 50 m plots in each forest type. The study revealed that butterfly Shannon diversity index was similar in the non-disturbed and moderately disturbed forests although it was significantly lower in the heavily disturbed forest. Butterfly abundance differed significantly among all the forest types. Significant relationships were detected between some vegetation characteristics, and butterfly diversity and abundance (P<0.001). Using Non-metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) and cluster analysis, three main butterfly assemblages were identified on the basis of species composition, with each one in a particular forest type. Furthermore, butterfly species composition differed significantly among the forest types (ANOSIM; P<0.0001). The intermediate form of human disturbance in the moderately disturbed forest maintained butterfly diversity, suggesting that management efforts aimed at butterfly conservation should be geared towards protecting forests from excessive human disturbance; selective logging is recommended.
Sarah Turner – Eco-artist and designer through craft-based upcycling
Authors: Sung Kyungeun , Cooper Tim
Published: April 2015

Sarah Turner is an eco-artist and designer who practices craft-based upcycling with waste plastic bottles and cans to create lighting, sculpture and decorative home interior products. Since 1998, her enthusiasm, creativity and good will have allowed her to gain several high-profile client commissions and to win awards from design, innovation and business competitions. The aim of this portrait is to introduce Sarah’s work and shed light on the resources, knowledge and skills involved in her practice and on the barriers to and drivers for her craft-based upcycling. We consider that Sarah’s work could be one of the stepping stones for a shift towards more sustainable craft practice, both in the United Kingdom and beyond. By exploring the right ingredients for craft-based upcycling, barriers liable to be faced and key drivers that stimulate motivation, we hope that this portrait will inspire and attract more designers and makers to embed upcycling in their future practice.
Tactile augmentation: A multimethod for capturing experiential knowledge
Authors: Groth Camilla , Mäkelä Maarit , Seitamaa-Hakkarainen Pirita
Published: April 2015

The experiential knowledge of practice resides within the practitioner and is out of the immediate reach for other researchers. Only when practitioners have an intrinsic motivation to research and make their practice explicit can their embodied experiential knowledge reach an outside audience. The present case study is an attempt to access and understand such experiential knowledge in the act of throwing clay on a potter’s wheel. To enhance her tactile sensitivity and awareness, one of the researchers has thrown porcelain clay blindfolded for five days. Her experience has been documented and reflected upon through diaries, a Contextual Activity Sampling System (CASS-Query) and videos that include thinking aloud accounts. The findings reveal that the researcher was able to articulate her tactile experiences and share her experiential knowledge to a greater degree than before. Patterns in the making, such as dividing hands into categories of active and perceiving, and metaphorical language use were identified that may be of value in an educational setting. Feelings were acknowledged as major contributors to risk assessment and decision-making in the material problem-solving process. We propose the multimethod approach developed through this study for researcher-practitioners to capture and analyse their sensory experiences and experiential knowledge of a making situation when researching their practice.
Um novo olhar sobre os riscos? O exemplo das cheias rápidas (flash floods) em domínio mediterrâneo
Authors: Rebelo Fernando
Published: April 2015

A análise de um risco clássico no domínio mediterrâneo, o risco de cheias rápidas, bem conhecido na região de Lisboa, conduz a uma reflexão sobre a importância das acções humanas como factor agravante dos processos potencialmente perigosos e ao mesmo tempo como responsáveis pelas vulnerabilidades. Um novo olhar sobre os riscos vai por isso no sentido do respeito pela legislação existente relacionada com ordenamento do território, bem como na preparação dos agentes de protecção civil para a percepção do perigo e para a gestão da crise.
Processos de perigosidade natural no município de Câmara de Lobos – Madeira. Contributo para a gestão do risco e da emergência
Authors: Abreu Uriel , Oliveira Tavares Alexandre , Rodrigues Domingos
Published: April 2015

O presente estudo aborda a área temática dos riscos naturais, no Município de Câmara de Lobos, nomeadamente uma análise dos processos de perigosidade natural, na qual serão identificados os elementos socioeconómicos/ estruturais com maior grau de exposição. Tem como objectivo a optimização das políticas de gestão do território, através da aplicação de um sistema de gestão municipal do risco e de emergência.
Os locais de interesse geológico do cabo Mondego. Proposta de recuperação das pedreiras tendo em atenção os riscos geomorfológicos identificados
Authors: Correia Rocha João Nuno
Published: April 2015

Na Serra da Boa Viagem – Figueira da Foz – está implantada uma indústria extractiva cuja actividade tem contribuído para a destruição de parte do seu sector ocidental – o Cabo Mondego. Os profundos impactes decorrentes da extracção do calcário são visíveis ao longo das vertentes adjacentes ao Monumento Natural do Cabo Mondego, contribuindo para a desvalorização desta Área Protegida e comprometendo o seu usufruto público.O presente trabalho tem como objectivo principal propor algumas estratégias que possibilitem a reconversão, recuperação e revitalização das áreas de pedreira, conferindo-lhe novas funções e valorizando as suas potencialidades. Pretende-se, de igual modo, potenciar os valores patrimoniais reconhecidos – geológico, biológico e arqueológico industrial –, projectar cenários que permitam o desenvolvimento de actividades científicas, turísticas e lúdicas e desenvolver estratégias de valorização e protecção daquele Património Natural.
Segurança humana e protecção civil na sociedade do risco: a crise do modelo estatocêntrico na(s) segurança(s)
Authors: Amaro António
Published: April 2015

O Estado estatocêntrico tem condições para garantir, por si só, a segurança humana face à grande diversidade de vulnerabilidades sociais e ecológicas? O modelo de gestão humanocêntrico é mais adequado à protecção dos cidadãos na sociedade contemporânea? Ou seja, no centro está a protecção dos cidadãos ou dos Estados? A Protecção Civil baseada em bombeiros voluntários tem condições para proteger e socorrer, com prontidão os cidadãos?
Estado nutricional en adultos mayores mexicanos: estudio comparativo entre grupos con distinta asistencia social
Authors: Osuna-Padilla Ivan Armando , Verdugo-Hernandez Sonia , Leal-Escobar Gabriela , Osuna Ramirez Ignacio
Published: April 2015

Introducción: Evaluar la presencia de desnutrición y obesidad en adultos mayores con distintos tipos de apoyo social en Sinaloa, México.Material y métodos: Estudio comparativo, observacional, prospectivo y transversal en 91 adultos mayores. Se determinó el peso corporal, la estatura y medidas antropométricas. Se aplicó el Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Se estimaron los promedios y las desviaciones estándar, así como la distribución de las diferencias entre las mediciones antropométricas y los resultados del MNA de las distintas poblaciones. Se analizaron los datos con las pruebas de Kruskal-Wallis y Ji-cuadrado. Se utilizó el coeficiente de Pearson para evaluar la correlación entre indicadores antropométricos con MNA. Se consideró significancia estadística un valor de p<0.05.Resultados: La muestra estudiada incluyó 91 adultos mayores: 35 usuarios de una casa de día, 28 miembros de un centro cultural, y 28 residentes de dos asilos. Se observó una prevalencia de desnutrición del 32,1%, 14,3% y 3,5% en institucionalizados, casa de día y adultos independientes, respectivamente. Un 93,2 % de la población estudiada padecía acúmulo de grasa a nivel visceral según el índice de cintura talla (ICT). El índice de masa corporal (IMC) y la circunferencia de la pantorrilla (CP) se correlacionaron significativamente con MNA (p<0.05).Conclusiones: Se observó una mayor prevalencia de desnutrición en la población residente de asilos y en los usuarios de casas de día, principalmente en mujeres y población mayor de 80 años de edad. El exceso de tejido adiposo prevalece en la tercera edad. Es necesaria la implementación de estrategias nutricionales específicas para este grupo de edad.
Valoración nutricional, evaluación de la composición corporal y su relación con el rendimiento deportivo en un equipo de fútbol femenino
Authors: González-Neira María , San Mauro-Martín Ismael , García-Angulo Belén , Fajardo Diana , Garicano-Vilar Elena
Published: April 2015

Introducción: En el fútbol femenino, cumplir con los requerimientos nutricionales podría influir positivamente en el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar la ingesta nutricional y la composición corporal (CC), comprobando su relación con el rendimiento deportivo.Material y métodos: Estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo y correlacional, realizado en 17 jugadoras del equipo semiprofesional de Torrelodones C.F. de Madrid. Se determinó el peso y la talla y se calculó el índice de masa corporal (IMC). La CC se determinó mediante bioimpedancia eléctrica (BIA). La ingesta nutricional se analizó a través de un registro dietético semanal (valorado a través del programa DIAL) y el test KIDMED. Se determinó el volumen máximo de oxígeno (VO2 máx) a partir de la prueba Course-Navette y se realizó el test de percepción subjetiva de esfuerzo (PSE).Resultados: IMC: 22,80±2,9kg/m2; masa grasa: 24,51±5,5%; y masa magra: 43,6±2,9kg. La ingesta energética fue de 1901±388kcal. El aporte de hidratos de carbono supuso el 40,3±5,6%, las proteínas el 15,9±3,29% y las grasas el 41,8±4,1% de las kcal totales. Existió una relación inversa entre IMC y peso, y los valores de VO2 máx. Hubo una pérdida de peso significativa después del entrenamiento (p=0,003) y del partido (p=0,008).Conclusiones: La alimentación fue inadecuada en las jugadoras, no correspondiendo la ingesta de nutrientes con sus requerimientos, a pesar de entrenar en un equipo semiprofesional. Debido a la importancia que la nutrición juega en la competición y rendimiento deportivo, se debe seguir trabajando para una recomendación adecuada en este colectivo. Comentarios en: http://dx.doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.19.4.159Comentarios en: http://dx.doi.org/10.14306/renhyd.19.4.203
El papel del movimiento sanitario internacional en el desarrollo de la profesión de Dietista-Nutricionista en España
Authors: Trescastro-López Eva María
Published: April 2015

Durante la Primera Guerra Mundial y la posguerra, el hambre y la desnutrición cobraron gran importancia y estos problemas atrajeron la atención de gobiernos y organismos internacionales. Entre 1920 y 1930 se fue configurando en el contexto internacional una nueva cultura de la nutrición y a partir de este momento la nutrición y la dietética se convirtieron en un tema a tratar y empezaron a perfilarse las políticas nacionales e internacionales en nutrición. Durante el período de entreguerras, la mayoría de los países crearon sus servicios de higiene de la alimentación y pusieron en marcha institutos nacionales de nutrición. En dichos escenarios asistenciales e investigadores se desarrollaron los primeros procesos de profesionalización de los Dietistas-Nutricionistas. Fue en el contexto del abordaje comunitario de los problemas nutricionales, cuando se perfiló la necesidad de contar con profesionales capacitados para aplicar los conocimientos de la nutrición. Este hecho favoreció su creación y lo hizo ligado al abordaje de la problemática de la malnutrición desde la perspectiva colectiva, sin olvidar sus inicios en el ámbito de la atención al paciente hospitalizado y la nutrición clínica. La nutrición logró su ruta de diferenciación profesional sobre todo en el contexto de la salud pública.
Streamrate stagnation-point flow of a nanofluid on a stationary cylinder
Authors: Amerian Vahid , Mohammadiun Hamid , Mohammadiun Mohammad , Khazaee Iman
Published: April 2015

The steady-state, viscous flow of Nanofluid in the vicinity of an axisymmetric stagnation point of a stationary cylinder is investigated. The impinging free-stream is steady and with a constant strain rate . Exact solution of the Navierâ€“Stokes equations is derived in this problem. A reduction of these equations is obtained by use of appropriate transformations introduced in this research. The general self-similar solution is obtained when the wall temperature of the cylinder is constant. All the solutions above are presented for Reynolds numbers ranging from 0.1 to 1000 and selected values of particle. For all Reynolds numbers, as the particle fraction increases, the depth of diffusion of the fluid velocity field in radial direction, the depth of the diffusion of the fluid velocity field in -direction, shear-stresses and pressure function decreases.
New method for rapid diagnosis of Hepatitis disease based on reduction feature and machine learning
Authors: Khorashadizade Nahid , Rezaei Hassan
Published: April 2015

Hepatitis disease is caused by liver injury. Rapid diagnosis of this disease prevents its development and suffering to cirrhosis of the liver. Data mining is a new branch of science that helps physicians for proper decision making. In data mining using reduction feature and machine learning algorithms are useful for reducing the complexity of the problem and method of disease diagnosis, respectively. In this study, a new algorithm is proposed for hepatitis diagnosis according to Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Error Minimized Extreme Learning Machine (EMELM). The algorithm includes two stages; in reduction feature phase, missing records were deleted and hepatitis dataset was normalized in [0,1] range. Thereafter, analysis of the principal component was applied for reduction feature. In classification phase, the reduced dataset is classified using EMELM. For evaluation of the algorithm, hepatitis disease dataset from UCI Machine Learning Repository (University of California) was selected. The features of this dataset reduced from 19 to 6 using PCA and the accuracy of the reduced dataset was obtained using EMELM. The results revealed that the proposed hybrid intelligent diagnosis system reached the higher classification accuracy and shorter time compared with other methods.
Regression of a Large Congenital Hepatic Arteriovenous Malformation
Authors: Agha Hala Mounir , Zakaria Rania , Mostafa Fatma Alzahraa , Hamza Hala
Published: April 2015

Congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformations are rarely seen in association with persistent neonatal pulmonary hypertension. We report the case of a full-term female newborn who presented with heart failure and respiratory distress soon after birth. Echocardiographic investigation revealed severe persistent pulmonary hypertension and patent ductus arteriosus. Here we report spontaneous regression in size of both the feeder vessel and the vascular bed of the congenital hepatic arteriovenous malformation. We postulate that our conservative use of oral heart failure therapy, in the form of diuretic agents and captopril, decreased the congestion and diameter of the affected vessels.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Left Pulmonary Artery-to-Pulmonary Vein Fistula and Its Successful Surgical Repair in a Neonate
Authors: Ostras Oleksii , Kurkevych Andrii , Bohuta Lyubomyr , Yalynska Tetyana , Raad Tammo , Lewin Mark , Yemets Illya
Published: April 2015

Pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is a rare disease. To the best of our knowledge, prenatal diagnosis of a fistula between the left pulmonary artery and the left pulmonary vein has not been described in the medical literature. We report a case of the prenatal diagnosis of a left pulmonary artery-to-pulmonary vein fistula, followed by successful neonatal surgical repair.
Prosthetic Valve Endocarditis with Valvular Obstruction after Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Pabilona Christine , Gitler Bernard , Lederman Jeffrey A. , Miller Donald , Keltz Theodore N.
Published: April 2015

Patients with severe aortic stenosis who are at high risk for open-heart surgery might be candidates for transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). To our knowledge, this is the first report of Streptococcus viridans endocarditis that caused prosthetic valve obstruction after TAVR.

A 77-year-old man who had undergone TAVR 17 months earlier was admitted because of evidence of prosthetic valve endocarditis. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a substantial increase in the transvalvular peak gradient and mean gradient in comparison with an echocardiogram of 7 months earlier. A transesophageal echocardiogram showed a 1.5-cm vegetation obstructing the valve. Blood cultures yielded penicillin-sensitive S. viridans. The patient was hemodynamically stable and was initially treated with vancomycin because of his previous penicillin allergy. Subsequent therapy with levofloxacin, oral penicillin (after a negative penicillin skin test), and intravenous penicillin eliminated the symptoms of the infection.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement is a relatively new procedure, and sequelae are still being discovered. We recommend that physicians consider obstructive endocarditis as one of these.
Minimal Use of Fluoroscopy to Reduce Fetal Radiation Exposure during Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation of Maternal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Authors: Raman Ajay Sundara , Sharma Saumya , Hariharan Ramesh
Published: April 2015

Electrophysiologic procedures in the young engender concern about the potential long-term effects of radiation exposure. This concern is manifold if such procedures are contemplated during pregnancy. Catheter ablations in pregnancy are indicated only in the presence of an unstable tachycardia that cannot be controlled by antiarrhythmic agents. This report describes the case of an 18-year-old pregnant woman and our stratagem to minimize irradiation of the mother and the fetus.
Papillary Fibroelastoma of the Aortic Valve: Analysis of 21 Cases, Including a Presentation with Cardiac Arrest
Authors: Ikegami Hirohisa , Andrei Adin-Cristian , Li Zhi , McCarthy Patrick M. , Malaisrie S. Chris
Published: April 2015

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma is a rare, benign tumor, arising predominantly from cardiac valves. This tumor can cause a variety of symptoms due to thromboembolism. We describe our single-center surgical experience with papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve.

From April 2004 through June 2013, 6,530 patients underwent cardiac surgery. Of those, 6,098 patients were included in the final analysis. Twenty-one patients (0.34%) underwent surgical resection of 30 papillary fibroelastomas of the aortic valve.

Most patients (67%) were incidentally diagnosed to have cardiac papillary fibroelastoma. The usual symptom was cerebral infarction (in 5 of 7 symptomatic patients). A rare presentation of papillary fibroelastoma in one patient was cardiac arrest caused by left main coronary artery ostial obstruction. Tumor size was not related to patient age (Pearson correlation coefficient, 0.34; P=0.13). Neither the number of tumors (1.43 ± 0.72 vs 1.43 ± 0.62) nor tumor size (8.14 ± 2.42 vs 8.07 ± 3.31 mm) was significantly different between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. All lesions were resected by means of the simple shave technique. There were no operative or 30-day deaths. Follow-up echocardiograms showed no tumor recurrence (mean follow-up duration, 17 ± 14 mo).

We identified no significant relationship among tumor size, number of tumors, symptoms, or patient age. Because simple shave excision of the tumor can be safely achieved without evidence of tumor recurrence, we conclude that surgical resection can be reasonable in asymptomatic patients.
Measuring Extreme Market Risk: The Sri Lankan Context
Authors: Wijeyakulasuriya D. A. , Wickremasinghe W. N.
Published: April 2015

Many empirical studies have been carried out in developed and emerging markets using methods to account for extreme market risk. A front-runner in the methods used is Extreme Value Theory (EVT). In this study, these methods are applied to the All Share Price Index (ASPI) of the Colombo Stock Exchange (CSE) to obtain risk forecasts for VaR (Value at Risk) and ES (Expected Shortfall) at 99% confidence level. Recognizing the merits of both conditional and unconditional models for risk measures the most suitable unconditional model and conditional model are found for the ASPI. Contrary to other studies the Historical Simulation method was found to be more appropriate for obtaining static estimates than the static EVT model. The Two-Step Approach of McNeil and Frey which combines EVT and Generalized Auto-Regressive Conditional Heteroskedasticity (GARCH) methodologies was found to be the most appropriate conditional model. Backtesting of models is done using a binomial test, Christoferssen’s conditional coverage test and McNeil and Frey’s ES test.
“Marxism” as Tradition in CCP Discourse
Authors: Strafella Giorgio
Published: April 2015

This study discusses how the Chinese Communist Party has fashioned “Marxism” as a tradition during the last three decades. I argue that its leaders have invented the tradition of Sinicised Marxism by means of a ritualised repetition that emphasises a largely factitious continuity with the purpose of legitimising the Party, justifying policy changes and winning factional struggles. The point is corroborated by an analysis of the invocation of “Marxism” during key political phases in the reform era when the pretence of continuity became crucial for the CCP, including 1978–1985, 1992–1995 and the Eighteenth Party Congress of 2012. The article shows how, in the debates on “the criterion of truth” and “Marxist humanism”, the reformists endorsed a re-definition of Marxism that aimed at saving communism from radical Maoism and legitimising the new policies. Next, I examine texts from the beginning of the second reform period, when official propaganda strove to justify the roll-out of a market economy by portraying “pragmatism” as the essence of Marxism. Finally, I analyse how Party-state leaders have invoked Marxism around the time of the last leadership transition. The article suggests that such a use of “Marxism” in contemporary official discourse originates from Mao Zedong Thought as well as in a gradual hollowing out of the concept. As a result it sheds light on the ideological undertows of China’s contemporary socio-political history and on the chances of future political change.
Animalism and Person Essentialism
Authors: Sharpe Kevin W.
Published: April 2015

Animalism is the view that human persons are human animals – biological organisms that belong to the species Homo sapiens. This paper concerns a family of modal objections to animalism based on the essentiality of personhood (persons and animals differ in their persistence conditions; psychological considerations are relevant for the persistence of persons, but not animals; persons, but not animals, are essentially psychological beings). Such arguments are typically used to support constitutionalism, animalism’s main neo-Lockean rival. The problem with such arguments is that they wrongly assume that animalism is incompatible with our essentially being psychological beings. In this paper, I discuss a formulation of animalism, what I call psychologically-serious animalism, according to which human persons are essentially human animals and essentially persons. I show how the availability of this neglected formulation of animalism undermines objections based on the essentiality of personhood.
Development of sustainable resource based poly(urethane-etheramide)/Fe2O3 nanocomposite as anticorrosive coating materials
Authors: Shaik Mohammed Rafi , Alam Manawwer , Alandis Naser M.
Published: April 2015

Linseed polyetheramide (LPEtA) resin was synthesized by the condensation polymerization of N-N-bis (2-hydroxyethyl) linseed oil fatty amide (HELA) with pyrogallol. The residual hydroxyl groups of LPEtA resin were further modified with isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI) to obtain linseed poly(urethane-etheramide) (ULPEtA) via addition polymerization. ULPEtA was modified with iron oxide nanoparticles in different weight percent (0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt%, 0.3 wt% and 0.4 wt%) producing ULPEtA/Fe2O3 nanocomposite. Spectroscopic characterization of HELA, LPEtA and ULPEtA was carried out by using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (13C-NMR) techniques. Physicochemical and physico-mechanical properties of LPEtA and ULPEtA were carried out by using standard methods. Thermal stability and anticorrosion performance were assessed by thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry (TGA/DSC) and potentiodynamic polarization. The corrosion behavior of ULPEtA/Fe2O3 nanocomposite coatings on mild steel was investigated in different corrosive environments (3.5 wt% HCl, 5.0 wt% NaCl, 3.5 wt% NaOH, and tap water) at room temperature. Surface morphology study was performed through scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). Coating properties such as gloss, scratch hardness, flexibility and impact resistance were evaluated using standard methods. The results of this study showed that ULPEtA/Fe2O3 nanocomposite coatings exhibit good physico-mechanical, anticorrosive properties and can be safely used up to 220°C.
Effect of compatibilizer on the properties of PBS/lignin composites prepared via a vane extruder
Authors: Liu Huan Yu , Chen Fu Quan , Guo Rui Biao , Zhang GuiZhen , Qu JinPing
Published: April 2015

Maleic anhydride (MAH) grafted polymers and silanes have been used as the compatibilizer in poly (butylene succinate)/lignin (PBS/lignin) composites. Compatibilized composites were fabricated by a novel vane extruder (VE). The effects of MAH grafted and coupling agent on the mechanical, thermal property, rheological property and water absorption of PBS/lignin were investigated. The results showed that the use of MAH grafted polymers and silanes resulted in significant improvements in flexural property, tensile modulus and tensile strength. Furthermore, MAH grafted polymers and silanes exhibited some improvement on the properties of vicat softening temperature as well as water absorption. The composites treated by MAH grafted polymers and silanes showed non-Newtonian behaviors from rheological tests. A better interfacial adhesion between lignin and matrix was observed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) of the compatibilized composites.
Phonological processes in Portuguese children with speech sound disorders
Authors: Jesus Luis M. T. , Lousada Marisa , Domingues Diana , Hall Andreia , Tomé David
Published: April 2015

This study investigates the nature of phonological impairment in 20 pre- and early school Portuguese children with phonologically based Speech Sound Disorders (SSD). The phonological profile of these children was compared with the performance of 232 younger typically developing (TD) controls. Results showed differences in phonological acquisition of children with phonologically based SSD, namely a low percentage of correct consonants score and a higher percentage of occurrences of typical phonological processes. Children with phonologically based SSD also used phonological processes (e.g., backing and initial consonant deletion) that are considered unusual in normally developing children and were not observed in the TD group. Results for SSD children also showed that early acquisition consonants were substituted by later acquisitions. Children with SSD presented differences in phonological acquisition, unusual phonological processes, and replaced early acquisition consonants by later acquisition consonants. This knowledge is useful for speech and language therapists in the diagnosis and treatment of SSD.