bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sampling for Environmental Flow Assessments
Authors: Williams John G.
Published: September 2010

Environmental flow studies normally involve sampling. Except for hydrologically based methods, the studies usually are conducted only on part of the reach of stream to which the study results will be applied. This assumes that the study sites, or the samples, are representative of the stream as a whole. There is no way to be sure of this without studying the whole stream, but it is possible to estimate how close the study results and the “true” results are likely to be, if the study uses a probability (random) sampling design that allows for estimating confidence intervals. Sampling designs that allow for interval estimates of statistics are normal in science, but, strangely, not in environmental flow studies. Here, I describe and discuss some appropriate sampling designs and related considerations in the context of environmental flow studies. I then describe and critique the sampling in some recent studies using the Physical Habitat Simulation System (PHABSIM), the method most commonly used in the United States, which I describe briefly for readers not familiar with it. Finally, I explain why deliberate selection of samples gives biased results, and describe the experience that persuaded statisticians of this fact early in the twentieth century.

la evaluación de caudales ambientales comúnmente implica actividades de muestreo. Con excepción de los métodos hidrológicos, los estudios normalmente se realizan sólo en una parte de la extensión total de un río, sobre la cual los resultados serán aplicables. Esto supone que los sitios de estudio, o las muestras obtenidas, son representativas del cauce entero. No hay forma de tener seguridad acerca de la veracidad de esta práctica más que estudiando un río en su totalidad, pero es posible estimar la certidumbre de dichos resultados si el estudio se basa en un diseño de muestreo (aleatorio) probabilístico que permita estimar intervalos de confianza. Los diseños de muestreo que permiten estimar la confiabilidad estadística son comunes en la ciencia, pero curiosamente no lo son en estudios de caudales ambientales. En la presente contribución se describen y discuten algunos diseños de muestreo de este tipo, y consideraciones relacionadas, en el contexto de estudios de causales ambientales. Después se describe y critica el muestreo realizado en estudios recientes que utilizan el sistema de simulación de Hábitat Físico (PHABSIM), considerado como el método más comúnmente utilizado en los Estados Unidos de Norteamérica, el cual se explica brevemente para los lectores no familiarizados. Finalmente se menciona por qué la selección deliberada de muestras produce sesgo en los resultados y se comenta la experiencia que persuadió de este hecho a los estadísticos a principios del siglo veintiuno.
Needs and Proficiencies of Fisheries Hires by State Agencies
Authors: Gabelhouse Donald William
Published: September 2010

The Fisheries Administration Section of the American Fisheries Society surveyed state inland fisheries administrators to assess the current and future importance of 54 competencies (college courses) for entry-level fisheries biologists and to determine how proficient recent hires have been at applying knowledge of these competencies. Thirty-five responses were received, with competency importance levels differing greatly for management/research biologists compared to hatchery biologists. Many of those competencies considered not very important for entry-level hires may eventually be very important to employees who advance up the administrative ladder.

la Sección de Administración de Pesquerías de la Sociedad Americana de Pesquerías realizó un sondeo dirigido a los administradores de pesquerías de aguas continentales con el fin de evaluar la importancia actual y futura de 54 competencias (cursos de nivel superior) para biólogos pesqueros recién egresados y para determinar cuan competentes han sido las últimas contrataciones en cuanto a la aplicación del conocimiento adquirido en dichos cursos. Se recibieron 35 respuestas, en las cuales los niveles de importancia acerca del grado de competencia difirieron significativamente entre los biólogos enfocados a manejo e investigación y los biólogos dedicados al cultivo. En muchas de estas competencias, consideradas de poca importancia para las contrataciones de recién egresados, pueden eventualmente resultar muy importantes para los empleados que aspirar a ascender en la escalera administrativa.
Assemblage Structure in Shoal and Flat-Bottom Habitats on the Inner Continental Shelf of the Middle Atlantic Bight, USA
Authors: Slacum H. Ward , Burton William H. , Methratta Elizabeth T. , Weber Edward D. , Llansó Roberto J. , Dew-Baxter Jodi
Published: September 2010

Sand shoals provide both a potentially unique habitat resource for marine organisms and a source of sand for the replenishment of eroded beaches. Sand removal may negatively influence marine communities, so understanding how marine fauna utilize habitats at and around shoals would provide much-needed guidance in selecting sites for sand harvest. A 2-year study was conducted on the inner continental shelf of the Middle Atlantic Bight, U.S.A., to compare finfish and invertebrate assemblages at sand shoal and nearby flat-bottom habitats. Multiple sampling modalities were used to sample organisms across a range of sizes, living habits, and life history stages. There was a trend toward greater abundance, species richness, and species diversity in flat-bottom habitats than in shoal habitats, and all of these community measures were generally lower during winter than in spring, summer, or fall. Moreover, species groups, including pelagic finfish, pelagic invertebrates, benthic finfish, and benthic invertebrates, were all more abundant in the flat-bottom habitats. Particular species characterized each type of habitat and these associations varied with season. Sampling with a large commercial trawl indicated that shoal finfish assemblages were characterized by striped bass Morone saxatilis and little skate Leucoraja erinacea in the fall, by scup Stenostomus chrysops in the spring, and by American sand lance Ammodytes americanus, scup, and clearnose skate Raja eglanteria in the summer. Experimental trawl sampling, which targeted primarily smaller organisms, found that communities on shoals were characterized by gastropods in the winter, squid (class Cephalopoda), and right-handed hermit crabs (family Paguridae) in the spring, and right-handed hermit crabs and scup in the summer. Winter was the period of lowest finfish and invertebrate use of shoal habitat and thus would be the best time of year for dredging sand to minimize acute impacts.
Development of a Multipurpose Telemetry and Habitat Survey Instrument Platform for Small Boats
Authors: Griffith David W. , Peery Christopher A. , Daigle William R. , Keefer Matthew L. , Wright Nancy
Published: September 2010

We developed a telemetry and remote-sensing instrument platform for a small vessel (6.1-m inboard jetboat) to collect fish telemetry and environmental data in real time as well as to collect data during habitat surveys in the Columbia River estuary. The instrumentation consisted of two acoustic telemetry hydrophones, an acoustic telemetry receiver, a conductivity—temperature—depth probe, an acoustic Doppler current profiler, a differential Global Positioning System, and a side-scan sonar integrated with an onboard portable computer. The system can be used on other vessels, has the flexibility to adapt to a range of telemetry and small oceanographic instrument systems, and allows for deployment and data collection from all instruments simultaneously.
Inatividade física e fatores associados em adultos, São Paulo, Brasil
Authors: Zanchetta Luane Margarete , Barros Marilisa Berti de Azevedo , César Chester Luiz Galvão , Carandina Luana , Goldbaum Moisés , Alves Maria Cecília Goi Porto
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: Analisar prevalências de inatividade física e fatores associados, e exercícios e esportes praticados segundo escolaridade em 2.050 adultos de 18 a 59 anos de idade - Estado de São Paulo, Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal de base populacional com amostra estratificada e em múltiplos estágios. A inatividade física global foi aferida pelo International Physical Activity questionary - IPAQ short version, e por questão sobre prática regular de atividade física no lazer. A análise dos dados levou em conta o desenho amostral. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de inatividade física no lazer foi maior entre as mulheres. Já a inatividade física pelo IPAQ foi maior entre os homens. Modelos de regressão múltipla de Poisson indicaram, nos homens, menor inatividade física pelo IPAQ nos solteiros e separados, estudantes e aqueles que não possuíam carro. A inatividade física no lazer foi maior nos homens acima de 40 anos e com menor escolaridade ou apenas estudantes. A inatividade física pelo IPAQ, nas mulheres, foi mais prevalente entre as com maior escolaridade, ocupações menos qualificadas e viúvas; a inatividade física no lazer diminuiu com o aumento da idade e da escolaridade. Entre as modalidades praticadas no lazer, a caminhada foi a mais prevalente nas mulheres e o futebol nos homens. A maioria das modalidades foi diretamente associada à escolaridade; aproximadamente 25% dos indivíduos com mais de 12 anos de estudo praticava caminhada. CONCLUSÕES: Estes resultados sugerem que intervenções e políticas públicas de promoção da atividade física devem considerar diferenças socioeconômicas, de gênero, bem como as modalidades e o contexto em que a atividade física é praticada.
Prevalência e fatores associados à obesidade abdominal e ao excesso de peso em adultos maranhenses
Authors: Veloso Helma Jane Ferreira , Silva Antônio Augusto Moura da
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVOS: Determinar a prevalência de excesso de peso e obesidade abdominal e analisar associações com fatores socioeconômicos, demográficos e comportamentais em adultos maranhenses. MÉTODOS: Amostra probabilística por conglomerados em múltiplos estágios, investigada por meio de inquérito domiciliar com 1.005 adultos de 20 a 59 anos (393 homens e 612 mulheres). Foram aferidos peso, estatura e circunferência da cintura (CC). A obesidade abdominal foi considerada quando CC > 80 para mulheres e > 94 para homens. Índice de massa corporal (IMC), peso em quilogramas dividido pelo quadrado da altura em metros, >25 kg/m² foi considerado excesso de peso. A variável dependente foi dividida em quatro categorias: IMC e CC normais, excesso de peso sem obesidade abdominal (EP), obesidade abdominal sem excesso de peso (OA) e obesidade abdominal com excesso de peso (OAEP). Foi utilizada a análise de regressão logística multinomial e as estimativas levaram em consideração o delineamento complexo de amostragem. RESULTADOS: Nos homens, a prevalência de OA isolada foi 1,3%, EP 20,3% e OAEP 27,5%. Nas mulheres, 15,5% tinham OA, 1,3% EP e 42,0% apresentavam OAEP (p-valor < 0,001). Na análise multivariável, no modelo para homens, escolaridade > 9 anos e estar unido foram fatores associados à maior prevalência de EP. Idade > 35 anos, renda familiar > 2 salários mínimos e viver com companheira se associaram à maior prevalência de OAEP. Nas mulheres, idade > 35 anos e viver com companheiro se associaram à maior prevalência de OA. Idade > 35 anos, viver com companheiro e escolaridade < 9 anos foram fatores associados à maior prevalência de OAEP. CONCLUSÃO: A prevalência de EP foi maior nos homens, enquanto OA predominou nas mulheres. Houve diferença nos fatores associados ao excesso de peso, obesidade abdominal e excesso de peso com obesidade abdominal.
Salud oral y déficit nutricional en adultos mayores no institucionalizados en Londrina, Paraná, Brasil
Authors: Mesas Arthur Eumann , Andrade Selma Maffei de , Cabrera Marcos Aparecido Sarria , Bueno Vera Lúcia Ribeiro de Carvalho
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: Examinar la asociación entre el déficit nutricional y problemas de salud oral en adultos mayores no institucionalizados de una comunidad en Brasil. MÉTODOS: En este estudio transversal fueron obtenidos datos de 267 adultos mayores (160 mujeres y 107 hombres) con edad entre los 60 y 74 años provenientes del censo del área de cobertura de un Equipo del Programa Salud de la Familia de Londrina, Brasil. El déficit nutricional fue identificado con la Mini Evaluación Nutricional (< 24 puntos). La valoración odontológica incluyó exploración bucodental, medición del flujo salivar estimulado y aplicación del Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index para la percepción oral. Los análisis multivariantes fueron ajustados por variables sociodemográficas, depresión y consumo de medicamentos. RESULTADOS: El déficit nutricional fue detectado en 58 ancianos (21,7%). Entre las variables odontológicas, la ausencia de oclusión posterior (Odds Ratio, OR: 2,18; Intervalo de Confianza, IC95%: 1,06 - 4,45), el flujo salivar estimulado < 0,7 ml/minuto (OR: 2,18, IC95%: 1,06 - 4,50), la enfermedad periodontal avanzada (OR: 6,54; IC95%: 2,03 -21,00) y la percepción negativa de la salud oral (OR: 3,41; IC95%: 1,59 - 7,33) se asociaron al déficit nutricional de modo independiente del sexo, edad, clase económica, escolaridad, consumo de tabaco, depresión y uso de medicamentos. CONCLUSIONES: El deterioro de la salud oral se asoció al déficit nutricional, y por lo tanto se requiere mayor integración entre odontología y nutrición en la promoción de salud en adultos mayores, especialmente en la prevención de la pérdida dental y en la rehabilitación oclusal posterior, evitándose obstáculos para una dieta adecuada.
Nível de atividade física de crianças e adolescentes órfãos por aids
Authors: Barros Cláudia Renata dos Santos , Zucchi Eliana Miura , França Junior Ivan
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: Estimar o nível de atividade física em crianças e adolescentes órfãos por aids, segundo características sociodemográficas e relativas à orfandade. MÉTODOS: Inquérito populacional realizado no município de São Paulo, SP, entre 2006 e 2007, com 235 crianças e adolescentes de 7 a 14 anos. As crianças foram classificadas como ativas e sedentárias com o ponto de corte em 300 minutos por semana de atividade física. Todas as variáveis foram comparadas entre os dois grupos e entre os sexos. RESULTADOS: Foi observada prevalência de 42% de sedentarismo. A maioria das crianças e adolescentes apresentou locomoção e brincadeiras infantis como principais atividades físicas. Quanto ao nível de atividade física foi observada diferença significativa entre os sexos (p < 0,001). Os meninos eram mais ativos e brincavam mais na rua do que as meninas. CONCLUSÕES: Há alta magnitude de prevalência de sedentarismo entre crianças e adolescentes órfãos por aids, sendo maior entre as meninas.
Associação entre transtornos mentais comuns e qualidade de vida em adolescentes asmáticos
Authors: Nogueira Katia T. , Lopes Claudia S.
Published: September 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: A asma é a doença crônica mais prevalente no adolescente, traz limitações à sua qualidade de vida e preocupações quanto a sua saúde. Possuir uma doença crônica nessa faixa etária, além dos limites causados pela própria doença, aumenta a vulnerabilidade a danos emocionais, tais como transtornos mentais comuns (TMC). OBJETIVO: Avaliar a associação entre TMC e qualidade de vida em adolescentes asmáticos. MÉTODO: Estudo seccional de base ambulatorial, realizado com 210 adolescentes asmáticos de 12 a 21 anos, atendidos em um ambulatório especializado de um serviço universitário voltado à atenção ao adolescente, no Rio de Janeiro. A qualidade de vida (QV) foi avaliada através do Paediatric Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire - PAQLQ, e a presença de TMC pelo General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). A qualidade de vida total e suas diferentes dimensões foram tratadas como variáveis dicotômicas e utilizou-se o modelo log-binomial para o cálculo das razões de prevalência brutas e ajustadas. RESULTADOS: A prevalência total de asmáticos com TMC foi de 32,4%. A prevalência de QV ruim entre adolescentes com TMC foi de 36,6%. O modelo final ajustado mostrou uma associação entre TMC e QV total ruim (RP = 1,84 IC 95% 1,19 - 2,86), assim como para os domínios referentes à emoção (RP = 1,77 IC 95% 1,16 - 2,62) e sintomas (RP = 1,75 IC 95% 1,14 - 2,70). Para o domínio atividade física, a associação com TMC foi apenas borderline (RP = 1,43 IC 95% 0,97 - 2,72). CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados do estudo sugerem a necessidades de maior atenção aos aspectos emocionais dos adolescentes portadores de doenças crônicas, de forma a subsidiar ações mais efetivas na área de saúde mental, visando a melhor qualidade de vida e o tratamento global do paciente asmático.
Teoria da resposta ao item aplicada ao Inventário de Depressão Beck
Authors: Castro Stela Maris de Jezus , Trentini Clarissa , Riboldi João
Published: September 2010

O Inventário de Depressão Beck (BDI), uma escala que mede o traço latente de intensidade de sintomas depressivos, pode ser avaliado através da Teoria da Resposta ao Item (TRI). Este estudo utilizou o modelo TRI de Resposta Gradual na avaliação da intensidade de sintomas depressivos de 4.025 indivíduos que responderam ao BDI, de modo a explorar eficientemente a informação disponível nos diferentes aspectos possibilitados pelo uso desta metodologia. O ajuste foi efetuado no software PARSCALE. Foram identificados 13 itens do BDI nos quais pelo menos uma categoria de resposta não tinha chance maior que as demais de ser escolhida, de modo que estes itens tiveram de ser recategorizados. Os itens com maior capacidade de discriminação são relativos à tristeza, pessimismo, sentimento de fracasso, insatisfação, auto-aversão, indecisão e dificuldade para trabalhar. Os itens mais graves são aqueles relacionados com perda de peso, retraimento social e idéias suicidas. O grupo dos 202 indivíduos com as maiores intensidades de sintomas depressivos foi composto por 74% de mulheres, e praticamente 84% possuíam diagnóstico de algum transtorno psiquiátrico. Os resultados evidenciam alguns dos inúmeros ganhos advindos da utilização da TRI na análise de traços latentes.
Prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout e fatores sociodemográficos e laborais em professores de escolas municipais da cidade de João Pessoa, PB
Authors: Batista Jaqueline Brito Vidal , Carlotto Mary Sandra , Coutinho Antônio Souto , Augusto Lia Giraldo da Silva
Published: September 2010

A Síndrome de Burnout vem sendo considerada uma questão de saúde pública, tendo em vista suas implicações para a saúde física e mental do trabalhador, com evidente comprometimento de sua qualidade de vida no trabalho. Assim, esse estudo teve como objetivo avaliar a prevalência da Síndrome de Burnout nos professores da primeira fase do Ensino Fundamental das escolas municipais da cidade de João Pessoa, PB, e sua relação com as variáveis sociodemográficas e laborais. Os resultados evidenciaram que 33,6% dos professores apresentaram alto nível de Exaustão Emocional, 8,3% alto nível de Despersonalização e 43,4% baixo nível de Realização Profissional. Variáveis sociodemográficas e laborais associaram-se às dimensões do Burnout. Os resultados indicam a importância do entendimento e o reconhecimento dessa doença ocupacional para a inclusão do professor nas medidas de políticas públicas voltadas para a saúde e bem-estar da categoria.
Distribuição espacial das internações por asma em idosos na Amazônia Brasileira
Authors: Rodrigues Poliany Cristiny Oliveira , Ignotti Eliane , Rosa Antonia Maria , Hacon Sandra de Souza
Published: September 2010

INTRODUÇÃO: No Brasil ocorrem aproximadamente 370 mil internações por asma anualmente, constituindo a quarta causa de hospitalizações pelo sistema público de saúde. Considerando as implicações da asma na qualidade de vida dos idosos, os estudos referentes a essa temática na Amazônia são escassos. OBJETIVO: Analisar a distribuição geográfica e a sazonalidade climática das internações hospitalares por asma em idosos na Amazônia brasileira, no período de 2001 a 2007. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo descritivo das autorizações de internações hospitalares (AIHs) de curta permanência, não-eletivas, baseado em suavização espacial pelo método de Kernel, taxas padronizadas de internação em séries anuais e mensais e sazonalidade climática e comparação das proporções de internações nos períodos seco, intermediário e chuvoso, ao nível de significância de 5%. RESULTADOS: As internações por asma em idosos se distribuem espacialmente na área meridional e oriental da Amazônia brasileira. Toda a Amazônia apresentou declínio nas taxas de internação durante o período estudado. O Estado de Rondônia apresentou aproximadamente o dobro de internações em relação aos outros estados em análise, com variação de 10,9‰ em 2002 a 13,4‰ em 2006 nas taxas padronizadas. No período seco verificou-se até o triplo de internações se comparado ao período de chuvas, com taxas mais elevadas em Rondônia (5,8‰) e Mato Grosso (3,3‰). CONCLUSÃO: as internações por asma em idosos apresentam tendência decrescente ao longo do período estudado, bem como importante variação sazonal com predominância deste evento durante o período seco.
Fatores associados à mortalidade hospitalar na rede SUS do Rio Grande do Sul, em 2005: aplicação de modelo multinível
Authors: Gomes Andréa Silveira , Klück Mariza Machado , Fachel Jandyra M. Guimarães , Riboldi João
Published: September 2010

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a mortalidade hospitalar por meio de análise multinível utilizando dados disponíveis no Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal com dados de internações obtidas das Autorizações de Internação Hospitalar do Rio Grande do Sul no ano de 2005. A modelagem foi realizada por meio de regressão logística multinível, utilizando variáveis do nível individual (internações) e do nível contextual (hospitais). Analisou-se a variabilidade causada por variáreis individuais no nível hospitalar, bem como a participação do perfil dos hospitais na taxa de mortalidade hospitalar. RESULTADOS: A taxa bruta de mortalidade calculada para o conjunto de hospitais foi de 6,3%. As variáveis uso de Unidade de Terapia Intensiva e idade foram os principais preditores para óbito hospitalar no nível individual. As variáveis de contexto que se relacionaram mais intensamente com o óbito hospitalar foram: porte do hospital, natureza jurídica e média de permanência. A chance de óbito em hospital de grande porte é 1,85 vezes a chance do hospital de pequeno porte e no hospital de médio porte é 1,69 vezes a chance do hospital de pequeno porte. Os hospitais públicos apresentam 67% mais chances de óbito hospitalar do que os privados. CONCLUSÕES: O perfil hospitalar tem papel importante na mortalidade hospitalar do Sistema de Informações Hospitalares do Sistema Único de Saúde. A análise multinível deve ser empregada para a estimação da contribuição do perfil dos hospitais na mortalidade hospitalar.
Diffuse Source Particulate-Matter Pollution Modeling in a Semi-Urbanized Agricultural Basin in Japan Using Process-Based WEP and an Erosion-Transport Model
Authors: Rajapakse H. L. , Inomata H. , Fukami K.
Published: September 2010

The present study aimed at further improving the process-based WEP (Water and Energy Processes) hydrologic model, by coupling a soil erosion-transport model to introduce particle-bound pollutant component. The WEP model, initially developed for the extensive analysis of water and energy budgets at catchment scale, was later enhanced by incorporating material transport component (nitrogen and phosphorus; N and P), targeting integrated river basin management and decision support. The model involved a discharge-based process to simulate both N and P, and was validated using data in Yata River Basin, Japan, considering land use, plant acreage, fertilizer loading, plant nutrient uptake and crop harvest in respective administrative units. Although the model could adequately reproduce the dissolved N (DN) component as per the measured river N concentrations at selected observation points, particulate N and P (PN, PP), and dissolved P (DP) components were not satisfactorily simulated. In the present study, an attempt was made to incorporate PN and PP transport as soil absorbed constituents, by introducing a process-based sediment erosion, transport, deposition and associated pollutant load simulation procedures. The present modeling results indicate that PN and PP loads were better correlated with suspended solids (SS) in the stream and the model forecasting capabilities are noticeably enhanced, as verified based on the results obtained for simulation years 2001-2002 using pre-collected data (SS, PN and PP), signifying major pathways of nutrient losses in the basin.
Corrosion Assessment of Aging Drinking Water Pipes by Impact Elastic-Wave Method
Authors: Kobayashi Yasuo , Takahashi Yusuke , Kamada Toshiro , Koizumi Akira , Fujiwara Masahiro
Published: September 2010

The majority of the water distribution pipes which take the greater part of Japanese drinking water utilities' assets are made of iron such as gray/ductile cast iron or steel. It will be necessary to replace most of these pipes due to corrosion in the near future. In general, pipeline assessment which is done before replacement is carried out through digging to take visual observation; however, digging costs and environmental burden due to digging will become a problem.

This study therefore undertakes a research into methods of pipeline assessment which reduce the digging necessity. In the study of the Impact Elastic-Wave Method, elastic-waves were applied to cast iron pipes whose external surfaces were in various states of corrosion (pitting, partial, uniform, etc.); the frequency component of the received waves showed that there was a tendency for the frequency component of the waves for corroded iron pipes to be distributed in a lower range than sound pipes. In addition, it also showed that it is possible to discriminate the thickness reduction of approximately one mm. These results demonstrate the possibility of applying this method to pipeline assessment without or with minimum digging.
Synergetic Effect of Polynuclear Hydroxyl-aluminium and Coexisting Zinc on the Survival of Aquatic Diatom
Authors: Umita T. , Ito A. , Sasaki A. , Satoh Y. , Aizawa J.
Published: September 2010

Attached algae are one of the main constituents in a river ecosystem since they are the primary producer and serve as food for aquatic insects and fishes. Therefore, their preservation is important for river environment. In this study, the effect of metals on the decay of Nizschia palea, diatom, was investigated by batch experiments. Polynuclear hydroxyl-Al (Al-b) at the concentration of 0.3 mg/l and Zn higher than 0.2 mg/L accelerated the decay of N. palea, while Ca higher than 10 mg/ L meditated the toxicity of Al-b. Zn and Al-b had an additive or synergetic action on the decay of N. palea at the concentrations of higher than 0.1 mg/L and 0.03 mg/L, respectively. This suggests that combined effect of metals should be considered for river environments and establishing water quality standard for aquatic biota.
Evaluation of Emerging Bromate Control Strategies
Authors: Liang S. , Yun T. I. , Krasner S. W. , Yates R. S.
Published: September 2010

Ozonation of waters containing moderate to high levels of bromide at ambient pH can form bromate at levels that may exceed the United States maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 10 μg/L. A proven technology for minimizing the formation of bromate is ozonation of the water at a reduced (typically acidic) pH. However, in waters with moderate or high alkalinity, the cost of acid and base addition to lower and subsequently raise the pH of the water can be higher than the cost of generating the ozone. To lower costs (minimize the amount of acid and base addition), Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has been conducting a long-term evaluation of alternative bromate-control strategies. Test results indicate that, depending on a utility's by-product goals, that the addition of chlorine/ammonia, ammonia/chlorine or chlorine dioxide upstream of the ozone can be used to significantly minimize bromate formation. This paper provides new insights into emerging bromate-control strategies, as well as potential fatal flaws-the increased formation of other by-products of concern (chlorate, trihalomethanes, N-nitrosodimethylamine) in treated water.
Promote Canal Water Quality Improvement Using Decentralized Wastewater Management: Case Study Bangkok
Authors: Pharino C. , Hasegawa-Kurisu K. , Hanaki K.
Published: September 2010

A water quality improvement with financial model was developed to investigate total benefits over costs and relative competency of different wastewater management approaches for recovering pollution overloaded canals in the center of Bangkok, Thailand. Implementation of centralized and decentralized wastewater treatment systems was evaluated within five different scenarios. Three major improvement mechanisms for open-canal water quality were considered including removal of wastewater loads, dilution by reclaimed water, and self-purification. Percent improvement of water quality within each canal is ranging from 40-84 % if centralized system was implemented vs. 41-88% if decentralized system was implemented. Estimated benefit/cost ratio from water improvement in centralized system, centralized with redistribution/reuse water system, and decentralized system are 2.28, 2.05, and 2.30 respectively. The results show that decentralized approach provides no significant difference in the benefit over cost ratio compared to centralized system, but offer slightly better in canal quality improvement. Therefore, decentralized wastewater management can be a promising alternative to promote sustainable uses of water and can work in help with centralized system. In the future, co-existing of large-scaled centralized and small-scaled decentralized systems may increasingly need to improve net efficiency of wastewater management where there are site specific problems with financial and political constraints.
Evaluation of Multiple Benefits of Artificial Streams Augmented with Recycled Water Using Conjoint Analysis
Authors: Yamagata H. , Yamanaka D. , Ogoshi M. , Minamiyama M.
Published: September 2010

This study aims at evaluating multiple environmental and educational benefits of artificial streams augmented with recycled water using conjoint analysis. The survey was carried out at Tadotsu Town in Japan where recycled water is used for augmenting artificial streams to restore habitats for firefly regarded as a symbol of “clean water” and to provide opportunity for environmental education such as firefly-watching.

Marginal willingness-to-pay for the artificial streams for preserving habitats for firefly, securing hygienic safety to allow body contact, enhancing landscape and providing opportunity for environmental education were estimated at 4,419 Japanese yen (JPY) (US$44), 1,375 JPY (US$14), 4,094 JPY (US$41) and 918 JPY (US$9) per household per year. Those who knew or visited the streams had higher marginal willingness-to-pay for preserving aquatic habitats. And those who attended firefly-watching had high marginal willingness-to-pay for both of preserving aquatic habitats and securing hygienic safety. The results indicated the importance of education at the streams such as firefly-watching for public understanding in habitat preservation and hygienic safety of recycled water.
La survie de l'école primaire congolaise (RDC) : héritage colonial, hybridité et résilience
Authors: Poncelet Marc , André Géraldine , de Herdt Tom
Published: September 2010

Ce texte tente de comprendre la pérennité de l’école primaire congolaise en dépit de la crise qui a marqué le pays pendant plus de 35 ans et en l’absence presque totale d’investissement public depuis les années 1980. Au-delà d’une lecture qui voit dans la résilience du champ scolaire congolais les effets de sa privatisation, ce texte analyse plutôt les arrangements contemporains du système scolaire à la lumière de son héritage. La survie du champ scolaire congolais repose sur une continuité d’arrangements qui sont en dernière instance fondés sur le modèle de l’État concessionnaire de la période coloniale.
Autonomie indienne et éducation au Chiapas
Authors: Baronnet Bruno
Published: September 2010

À la suite des offensives militaires de février 1995, la rébellion des paysans mayas au Chiapas (Mexique) a provoqué de nouvelles initiatives en matière d’éducation pour les Indiens. Les impacts de ces initiatives sont perceptibles au niveau régional, notamment au cœur des ex haciendas des vallées de la Forêt Lacandone, où les villages indiens zapatistes développent leurs propres systèmes éducatifs sans permettre que l’État ne puisse intervenir. À partir de l’analyse des politiques et des demandes ethniques, ainsi que des stratégies sociales des acteurs, il est possible d’identifier des logiques de participation individuelle et collective à la construction et la légitimation de réseaux municipaux autonomes d’écoles. Suite à la réoccupation paysanne des anciens latifundios, les pratiques éducatives des Indiens tseltales dans la région des terres récupérées se rapprochent du type de gestion administrative et pédagogique des écoles bilingues.
Les réfugiés au cœur d'une offre éducative multiple
Authors: Baujard Julie
Published: September 2010

Cet article détaille la pluralité du système éducatif destiné aux populations réfugiées dans la capitale indienne, Delhi. Il expose le rôle des différents acteurs qui interviennent dans le champ de l’éducation : les organisations de tutelle des réfugiés mais également, comblant une part du vide laissé par ces institutions, des fondations politiques et des Églises qui participent à l’établissement d’un dispositif pluriel et hybride, au cœur duquel les réfugiés évoluent. Cette étude permet de montrer l’articulation existant entre les différents acteurs qui interviennent auprès des réfugiés mais aussi la part de ces derniers dans la définition des cadres éducatifs.
Enterprise Systems as an Enabler of Fast-Paced Change
Authors: Lorenzo Oswaldo , Díaz Angel
Published: September 2010

This chapter studies the deployment of the SAP B2B (business-to-business) procurement application in Ericsson between 1999 and 2003, and argues that it enabled complex organizational change in a threephase process: the implementation of said application in Spain; the evolution of the application into a regional B2B procurement platform; and its final transformation into a global, pan-European B2B procurement unit. As described in the chapter, the enterprise system allowed the company to flexibly support the majority of changes that took place during a period of explosive growth of mobile phone sales followed by an unexpected market downturn. In light of the above, this investigation studies how and why enterprise systems are able to support fast-paced changes on a global scale. In other words, this chapter presents enterprise systems as flexible and responsive infrastructures that enable organizational change.
ERP Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Shakir Maha
Published: September 2010

This chapter highlights the key trends in the ERP market, with a focus on the challenges related to the implementation of these systems in the Middle Eastern Gulf region. The key trends discussed here include consolidation of the ERP market, diversification of the ERP product, new modes for ERP application delivery, ERP and new technologies, changing ERP pricing structures, ERP support operations, growing demands for ERP vertical solutions, demanding ERP customers, inter-organizational ERP solutions, and regional adaptations for ERP products. The chapter further provides insight into emerging and future trends in the region. Awareness of these issues plus knowledge of the local environment gives us a richer understanding of key ERP issues and how they apply within the unique limitations and opportunities of this region.
Diagrammatic Decision-Support Modeling Tools in the Context of Supply Chain Management
Authors: Neiger Dina , Churilov Leonid
Published: September 2010

Recent research (Keller & Teufel, 1998; Klaus, Rosemann, & Gable, 2000; Powell, Schwaninger, & Trimble, 2001) has clearly demonstrated that years of increasing competition combined with the ongoing demand to improve the bottom line significantly reduced the business capacity to achieve greater efficiency (profitability) and effectiveness (market share) solely along organisational functional lines. To complement the functional paradigm of business development, a business process paradigm has evolved allowing a holistic view of the business as an entity focused on specific outcomes achieved through a sequence of tasks (Keller & Teufel; Klaus et al.). Existing common understanding of the concept of business process being “a continuous series of enterprise tasks, undertaken for the purpose of creating output” (Scheer, 1999) laid the foundation for several successful attempts by major business process modeling and ERP (enterprise resource planning) vendors, such as ARIS (Davis, 2001; Scheer, 1999, 2000) and SAP (Keller & Teufel), to link business process modeling and enterprise resource planning.
Facilitation of Supply Chain Decision Processes in SMEs, Using Information Systems
Authors: Woodworth Simon , Cunningham Joe
Published: September 2010

This article discusses how Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) apply information systems (IS) to facilitate decisions concerning their supply chains. In the collective decision—making environment of the Supply Chain, SMEs have to strike a balance between inventory reduction to minimise working capital costs and maintaining sufficient inventory to cater for demand fluctuation. These decisions take on an additional level of complexity for food SMEs, where the products have finite shelf lives and are subject to strict traceability requirements. Nevertheless, some of the smaller SMEs have proven successful in using IS to facilitate critical decisions to minimise inventory and therefore operating costs, while still retaining the ability to cope with demand fluctuation.
A Voice-Enabled Pervasive Web System with Self-Optimization Capability for Supporting Enterprise Applications
Authors: Chang Shuchih Ernest
Published: September 2010

Other than providing Web services through popular Web browser interfaces, pervasive computing may offer new ways of accessing Internet applications by utilizing various modes of interfaces to interact with their end-users, and its technology could involve new ways of interfacing with various types of gateways to back-end servers from any device, anytime, and anywhere. In this chapter, mobile phone was used as the pervasive device for accessing an Internet application prototype, a voice-enabled Web system (VWS), through voice user interface technology. Today’s Web sites are intricate but not intelligent, so finding an efficient method to assist user searching is particularly important. One of these efficient methods is to construct an adaptive Web site. This chapter shows that multimodal userinterface pages can be generated by using XSLT stylesheet which transforms XML documents into various formats including XHTML, WML, and VoiceXML. It also describes how VWS was designed to provide an adaptive voice interface using an Apache Web server, a voice server, a Java servlet engine, and a genetic algorithm based voice Web restructuring mechanism.
An Overview of Ontology-Driven Data Integration
Authors: Buccella Agustina , Cechich Alejandra
Published: September 2010

New software requirements have emerged because of innovation in technology, specially involving network aspects. The possibility enterprises, institutions and even common users can improve their connectivity allowing them to work as they are at the same time, generates an explosion in this area. Besides, nowadays it is very common to hear that large enterprises fuse with others. Therefore, requirements as interoperability and integrability are part of any type of organization around the world. In general, large modern enterprises use different database management systems to store and search their critical data. All of these databases are very important for an enterprise but the different interfaces they possibly have make difficult their administration. Therefore, recovering information through a common interface becomes crucial in order to realize, for instance, the full value of data contained in the databases (Hass & Lin, 2002).
Integrative Information Systems Architecture
Authors: Asprey Len , Green Rolf , Middleton Michael
Published: September 2010

This chapter discusses the benefits of managing business documents and Web content within the context of an integrative information systems architecture. This architecture incorporates database management, document and Web content management, integrated scanning/imaging, workflow and capabilities for integration with other technologies.
Market Knowledge Management, Innovation and Product Performance
Authors: Filho Cid Gonçalves , Baroni de Carvalho Rodrigo , Jamil George Leal
Published: September 2010

In a business environment characterized by a high level of competitiveness, the impact of new products on an organization’s revenue is an important factor. This research was developed with the objective of examining empirically the relationships between market knowledge management, innovation and the performance of new products in the market. This chapter analyzes KM (Knowledge Management) success trough a market-oriented perspective because, at the end of the day, KM success must lead to better organizational performance. The research model was generated by the combination of market knowledge models and KM success and maturity models. By means of a survey, based on 387 medium and large industrial firms, and the use of structural equation modeling, the supremacy of the competitor knowledge management process over other constructs was verified, as the most important antecedent of new product performance in the market. The results also revealed that innovation was strongly impacted from technology knowledge management and customer knowledge management.
Developing Individual Level Outcome Measures in the Context of Knowledge Management Success
Authors: Muhammed Shahnawaz , Doll William J. , Deng Xiaodong
Published: September 2010

Success of organizational level knowledge management initiatives depends on how effectively individuals implementing these initiatives use their knowledge to bring about outcomes that add value in their work. To facilitate assessment of individual level outcomes in the knowledge management context, this research provides a model of interrelationships among individual level knowledge management success measures which include conceptual knowledge, contextual knowledge, operational knowledge, innovation, and performance. The model was tested using structural equation modeling based on data collected from managerial and professional knowledge workers. The results suggest that conceptual knowledge enhances operational and contextual knowledge. Contextual knowledge improves operational knowledge and is also a key predictor of innovations. The innovativeness of an individual’s work along with operational knowledge enhances work performance. The results support the proposed model. This model can potentially be used for measuring knowledge management success at the individual level.
Description of Games
Authors: Piu Angela , Fregola Cesare , Santoro Anna
Published: September 2010

The chapter defines the criteria on which the choices for the design and realisation of the simulation games were based as well as the educational goals. Two simulation games are presented, one for geometry the other for arithmetic; these are supplemented by the relevant documentation, a description of the materials and the observation and verification instruments.
Research Results
Authors: Piu Angela , Fregola Cesare , Abundo Claudia , Fregola Salvatore
Published: September 2010

In this chapter, we present the research process followed in the work from the try out phase for each game, the testing of materials and methods, the definition of research protocols, thus the experimental procedure, the description data analysis and the interpretation of the results. Finally, we present the primary results of our work in the primary school classroom, where we proposed the Cartolandia experiment.
Finding Persistent Strong Rules
Authors: Scime Anthony , Rajasethupathy Karthik , Rajasethupathy Kulathur S. , Murray Gregg R.
Published: September 2010

Data mining is a collection of algorithms for finding interesting and unknown patterns or rules in data. However, different algorithms can result in different rules from the same data. The process presented here exploits these differences to find particularly robust, consistent, and noteworthy rules among much larger potential rule sets. More specifically, this research focuses on using association rules and classification mining to select the persistently strong association rules. Persistently strong association rules are association rules that are verifiable by classification mining the same data set. The process for finding persistent strong rules was executed against two data sets obtained from the American National Election Studies. Analysis of the first data set resulted in one persistent strong rule and one persistent rule, while analysis of the second data set resulted in 11 persistent strong rules and 10 persistent rules. The persistent strong rule discovery process suggests these rules are the most robust, consistent, and noteworthy among the much larger potential rule sets.
A Perspective on Data Mining Integration with Business Intelligence
Authors: Azevedo Ana , Santos Manuel Filipe
Published: September 2010

Business Intelligence (BI) is an emergent area of the Decision Support Systems (DSS) discipline. Over the past years, the evolution in this area has been considerable. Similarly, in the last years, there has been a huge growth and consolidation of the Data Mining (DM) field. DM is being used with success in BI systems, but a truly DM integration with BI is lacking. The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the relevance of DM integration with BI, and its importance to business users. From the literature review, it was observed that the definition of an underlying structure for BI is missing, and therefore a framework is presented. It was also observed that some efforts are being done that seek the establishment of standards in the DM field, both by academics and by people in the industry. Supported by those findings, this chapter introduces an architecture that can conduct to an effective usage of DM in BI. This architecture includes a DM language that is iterative and interactive in nature. This chapter suggests that the effective usage of DM in BI can be achieved by making DM models accessible to business users, through the use of the presented DM language.
Shadow Sensitive SWIFT
Authors: Shanker Udai , Singh Abhay N. , Anand Abhinav , Agrawal Saurabh
Published: September 2010

This chapter proposes Shadow Sensitive SWIFT commit protocol for Distributed Real Time Database Systems (DRTDBS), where only abort dependent cohort having deadline beyond a specific value (Tshadow_creation_time) can forks off a replica of itself called a shadow, whenever it borrows dirty value of a data item. The new dependencies Commit-on-Termination external dependency between final commit operations of lender and shadow of its borrower and Begin-on-Abort internal dependency between shadow of borrower and borrower itself are defined. If there is serious problem in commitment of lender, execution of borrower is started with its shadow by sending YES-VOTE message piggy bagged with the new result to its coordinator after aborting it and abort dependency created between lender and borrower due to update-read conflict is reversed to commit dependency between shadow and lender with read-update conflict and commit operation governed by Commit-on-Termination dependency. The performance of Shadow Sensitive SWIFT is compared with shadow PROMPT, SWIFT and DSS-SWIFT commit protocols (Haritsa, Ramamritham, & Gupta, 2000; Shanker, Misra, & Sarje, 2006; Shanker, Misra, Sarje, & Shisondia, 2006) for both main memory resident and disk resident databases with and without communication delay. Simulation results show that the proposed protocol improves the system performance up to 5% as transaction miss percentage.