bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevenção às DST/AIDS no ambiente escolar
Authors: Fonseca Angélica
Published: March 2009

A reflexão central deste artigo constitui-se em torno das expectativas projetadas em relação às ações educativas desenvolvidas em escolas no âmbito da prevenção as Doenças Sexualmente Transmissíveis /Aids. Para discutir este tema recorremos à revisão dos aspectos históricos que marcaram a instituição da educação sexual como conteúdo escolar. Registramos uma intensa associação entre a escola e o objetivo de corrigir os desvios da conduta humana, aí incluídos os de ordem sexual. Observamos, ainda, que as propostas de educação em saúde formuladas no campo da saúde e dirigidas à escola estabelecem princípios, objetivos e recomendações para a educação sexual de adolescentes e crianças sem tematizar a escola como espaço social. Concluímos, assinalando que contribuições altamente construtivas e passíveis de serem desenvolvidas na escola se dão, sobretudo, pela capacidade de abordar as categorias aparentemente fixas que constituem o campo da experiência da sexualidade como construções eminentemente históricas. Acreditamos que a partir desse viés acentua-se a possibilidade de rearranjo de relações sociais que podem gerar impacto sobre as condições que ampliam a vulnerabilidade dos indivíduos em relação às doenças sexualmente transmissíveis.
Três fórmulas para compreender "O suicídio" de Durkheim
Authors: Teixeira Ricardo Rodrigues
Published: March 2009

Trata-se de um ensaio de interpretação da sociologia durkheimiana, a partir de uma breve contextualização de seu pensamento no quadro de uma certa visão da modernidade e de uma particular leitura de sua obra "O Suicídio". Dividido em três partes, o texto procura explorar alguns sentidos desta Sociologia, ao mesmo tempo que expõe uma de suas possíveis aporias.
Determinação do coeficiente convectivo de transferência de calor de figos submetidos ao resfriamento rápido
Authors: Amendola Mariangela , Dussán-Sarria Saul , Rabello Anderson A.
Published: March 2009

Este trabalho busca, como função principal, determinar o valor do coeficiente convectivo de transferência de calor através da metodologia de modelagem matemática e simulação numérica associada ao processo experimental previamente realizado, de resfriamento rápido com ar forçado de figos "Roxo de Valinhos". O objetivo foi comparar o resultado com o definido pelo ajuste entre os dados experimentais e o uso de equação empírica da literatura, já realizado. Para a predição da temperatura próximo ao centro das frutas, considerou-se o modelo da lei de Fourier em coordenadas esféricas e se implementaram algoritmos segundo os métodos de diferenças finitas e dos elementos finitos para os modelos unidimensional e tridimensional, respectivamente. O estabelecimento do referido valor se dá a partir da comparação desses dados simulados com os dados experimentais. Os valores resultantes dos dois modelos foram coincidentes e resultaram menores valores residuais que o obtido pela equação empírica; além disso, a representatividade da curva simulada mostra que a atual metodologia é mais precisa que a anteriormente realizada e, portanto, adequada para este e trabalhos futuros.
O efeito da exodontia dos primeiros pré-molares sobre a AFAI
Authors: Almeida Flávio Marcos de , Siqueira Vania Célia Vieira de
Published: March 2009

A extração dos pré-molares ocorre convencionalmente como parte da terapia ortodôntica, no intuito de resolver uma série de problemas. Todavia sua utilização para o controle da dimensão vertical gera muitas controvérsias. Esse estudo retrospectivo avaliou cefalometricamente as telerradiografias, tomadas em norma lateral, de 30 jovens do gênero feminino, com má oclusão do tipo Classe II, divisão 1, dolicofaciais, com idade média de 12,3 anos, variando entre 9 e 17 anos, tratadas ortodonticamente com aparelho fixo tipo edgewise e uso de extrabucal com tração alta, das quais 15 submeteram-se à exodontia dos primeiros pré-molares e as outras 15 não realizaram exodontias. As medidas cefalométricas N-Me, N-ENA, ENA-Me, S-Go, Ar-Go, 6-PP, 6-ENAperp, 6-GoGn, 6-Pogperp, SN.GoGn, SN.PP, PP.GoGn, ENA-Me/N-Me, S-Go/N-Me e Go-Ar/S-Go foram estudadas. Os resultados revelaram: 1) que a exodontia dos primeiros pré-molares, associada à extrusão dos primeiros molares e ao crescimento, não permitiu uma diferença nas alterações da AFAI entre os grupos, 2) ocorreu uma mesialização dos molares superiores e inferiores no grupo com exodontias, 3) a AFAT aumentou similarmente nos dois grupos, 4) o aumento da AFAT ocorreu de forma significativamente maior no grupo sem exodontias, devido ao maior aumento da AFAS, indicando que o crescimento possui um papel preponderante no controle da dimensão vertical durante o tratamento ortodôntico, 5) observamos a manutenção dos valores angulares durante o tratamento devido principalmente ao crescimento vertical posterior que ocorreu na mesma proporção do crescimento da região anterior da face em ambos os grupos durante o tratamento ortodôntico.
A utilização da estatística na Ortodontia
Authors: An Tien Li , Cuoghi Osmar Aparecido
Published: March 2009

A estatística exerce um papel fundamental no método científico, a qual se preocupa em organizar, descrever, analisar e interpretar os dados obtidos a partir de uma observação ou de um experimento. Todavia, ela continua sendo pouco acessível na interpretação, seja por parte do leitor ou por parte daquele que a utiliza. Às vezes, a estatística é mal aplicada ou não compreendida devido aos termos, com significado próprio. Além disso, existem poucos artigos científicos da área de Ortodontia relacionados com este assunto. Assim, o presente artigo propõe realizar um levantamento sobre as freqüências do uso da estatística, fazer considerações sobre a seleção dos seus métodos e explanar sobre as possíveis interpretações dos resultados.
Pulsão de morte: mortificação ou combate?
Authors: Prata Maria Regina
Published: March 2009

Esse artigo pretende problematizar o conceito de pulsão de morte em Freud a partir de duas vertentes: de um lado, sinalizando seu aspecto mortificante e conservador. De outro, apontando possibilidades criativas impulsionadas pelas pulsões de morte no campo da clínica da psicanálise, como por exemplo, através do trabalho da sublimação.
Activities, procedures and doses in pediatric patients due to radiopharmaceuticals
Authors: Oliveira Silvia Maria Velasques de , Boasquevisque Edson Mendes , Santos Felipe Sima dos , Biancardi Rodrigo
Published: March 2009

An investigation performed between 2003 and 2005 in sixteen selected public and private institutions in Northeast, Southeast and South geographical regions of Brazil evaluated average organ doses and effective doses in 2,411 pediatric patients due to diagnostic procedures with radiopharmaceuticals. For 1 year, effective doses were greater than literature. For 5 years, differences were noticed between present work and literature for bone scintigraphy, thyroid scintigraphy and 67Ga citrate scintigraphy. These differences may be attributed to the uncertainties in internal dose calculations. High absorved doses in bone surfaces of children due to 67Ga citrate and bone scintigraphy should be evaluated accordingly. Current protocols used recommend standardized mean activities per mean weight for all ages. However, it was observed that the activities were not standardized and were higher for children with younger ages. Future studies are needed for optimising activities of radiopharmaceuticals to these patients in the country.
Biodistribution of 99Mo in rats
Authors: Souza Raphael Sancho Sisley de , Ribeiro Bianca da Silva , Dantas Ana Letícia Almeida , Bernardo Filho Mario , Dantas Bernardo Maranhão
Published: March 2009

The modification of 99Mo standard metabolism in the presence of MDP would alter the dosimetry of this radionuclide in nuclear medicine patients. Therefore, the objective of this work is to evaluate the influence of MDP in the biodistribution of 99Mo. Wistar rats were divided in two groups of six animals, being inoculated respectively 99Molibdate and 99Mo+MDP via plex ocular. The biodistribution study was carried out after 10 and 120 minutes respectively. The organs were counted with a NaI(Tl) detector. The uptake values did not present significant differences among the groups. An in vitro study through planar chromatography was carried out to determine the affinity between molybdenum and MDP. The results show that 99Mo has low affinity both to propanone and NaCl-0.9% solution. However, 99Mo in the presence of MDP presented affinity to NaCl-0.9% solution and low affinity to propanone suggesting that 99Mo was bound to MDP under the conditions of the experiment.
Comparação do índice de desconforto sensorial durante a estimulação elétrica neuromuscular com correntes excitomotoras de baixa e média frequência em mulheres saudáveis
Authors: Liebano Richard Eloin , Alves Luciane Machado
Published: March 2009

INTRODUÇÃO: A estimulação elétrica neuromuscular é uma estratégia clínica para aumento da performance muscular. Sabe-se que um dos principais fatores limitantes da estimulação elétrica para aumento de força é o desconforto causado pelas correntes utilizadas. OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o nível de desconforto sensorial causado por correntes de baixa e média freqüência na estimulação elétrica neuromuscular do músculo quadríceps femoral. MÉTODOS: Participaram do estudo 45 voluntárias saudáveis com idade entre 18 e 30 anos. Todas as voluntárias foram submetidas à estimulação elétrica com correntes de baixa e média freqüência. A análise do desconforto sensorial foi feita por meio de uma escala visual analógica (EVA). RESULTADOS: Os resultados revelaram um valor médio de 6,1 para o desconforto sensorial na estimulação de baixa freqüência (BF) e de 6,4 para a estimulação de média freqüência (MF), não havendo diferença estatisticamente significante entre elas (p = 0,61). Em relação às intensidades utilizadas, a média foi de 45,64mA para a estimulação de BF e 121,67mA na estimulação com a MF, sendo essa diferença estatisticamente significante (p < 0,0001). CONCLUSÃO: Não houve diferença entre o desconforto sensorial causado por correntes de baixa e média freqüência na estimulação elétrica neuromuscular do músculo quadríceps femoral.
Influência das variáveis do treinamento contra-resistência sobre o consumo de oxigênio em excesso após o exercício: uma revisão sistemática
Authors: Castinheiras Neto Antonio Gil , Silva Nádia Lima da , Farinatti Paulo de Tarso Veras
Published: March 2009

O exercício contra-resistência (ECR) pode contribuir para o aumento da taxa metabólica de repouso (TMR). É consenso na literatura que o volume da sessão de ECR pode repercutir em maior gasto calórico e que, após o exercício, o consumo de oxigênio em excesso (EPOC) pode variar de acordo com a característica do programa de exercício. Contudo, ainda não é possível definir qual ou quais variáveis de prescrição têm maior impacto sobre o EPOC em sessões de ECR. O objetivo do estudo foi efetuar uma revisão sistemática sobre os estudos que se propuseram a investigar as relações entre o EPOC e variáveis de treinamento em ECR. Os 17 estudos selecionados foram agrupados por similaridade de tratamento (número de séries, intensidade, intervalos de recuperação, velocidade da contração muscular e ordem dos exercícios). Técnicas de estatística descritiva foram utilizadas na tentativa de estabelecer possíveis tendências nas relações dose-resposta. Posteriormente, os dados foram analisados de forma qualitativa. De todas as variáveis analisadas, o curto intervalo de recuperação e o modo de prescrição no formato em circuito foram aquelas com maior impacto provável sobre a magnitude do EPOC. Quanto às demais variáveis, limitações metodológicas não permitem estabelecer tendências, principalmente no tocante à duração do EPOC. Adicionalmente, constata-se a necessidade de padronização de aspectos importantes para a quantificação do EPOC, como o tempo de observação do após o exercício e a forma de aferição da TMR.
Como alguém pode tornar-se psicanalista?
Authors: De Filippo Taiane Mara
Published: March 2009

Partindo de uma análise epistemológica acerca da psicanálise, este estudo teórico pretende abordar o tema sobre a cientificidade da psicanálise e sua conseqüência imediata para a formação de psicanalistas. Este estudo é uma síntese do terceiro capítulo, bem como de parte das considerações finais da dissertação de mestrado intitulada: As aberturas, o meio jogo e os finais nas Recomendações Técnicas de Freud (1911-1915). Foi, portanto, possível apontar que havia uma exigência freudiana da psicanálise como ciência. Assim, o aparecimento de um novo profissional, divorciado do saber médico, era também reivindicado. Deste modo, é aceitável concluir que uma formação inicial em psicologia é necessária, embora não seja suficiente, para a formação de um psicanalista que trabalhe na clínica a partir dos ensinamentos de Freud.
Reflexões sobre a interpretação e a sistematização da literatura
Authors: Almeida Leonardo Pinto de
Published: March 2009

Este artigo analisa as vicissitudes da captura do objeto literário feita pela cultura e pela crítica especializada. Apontamos que a interpretação e a sistematização são modos reacionários do uso da literatura, ajudando a restringir a liberdade suscitada pela experiência literária. Concluímos que, a cultura institucional unifica e enquadra as obras literárias, o comércio apresenta um papel pasteurizador da transgressão literária e uma parte da crítica literária despotencializa a obra. Mas também deixamos claro que existem modos de crítica que fogem a este caráter despotencializador da obra, fazendo que a obra seja o que ela é: um espaço intenso de experimentação.
Knowledge Building in an Online Environment: A Design-Based Research Study
Authors: Li Qing
Published: March 2009

This article explores knowledge-building in an online distance-learning environment. The research examines how knowledge-building principles can be translated into online classroom practice for graduate students. Specifically, how do the course components and the online learning environments created in two online graduate courses contribute to student knowledge-building as evaluated by the 12 determinants proposed by Scardamalia (2003)? The results of the study indicated that the emphasis on social interaction and collaboration has enhanced student learning and fostered the socio-cognitive developments for knowledge-building. The course components and the learning environment created in the courses have encouraged knowledge-generation, representation, and linked annotations, which helped learners to organize their ideas from multiple perspectives and “integrate them with personal knowledge” (Hannafin, Land, & Oliver, 1999). Several significant findings are discussed including the students' strong feelings about community, and new ways of working and interacting in online settings. The students' learning process and products presented in this article indicate a rich knowledge-building experience.
Epidemiology of rabies in skunks in Texas
Authors: Oertli Ernest H. , Wilson Pamela J. , Hunt Patrick R. , Sidwa Thomas J. , Rohde Rodney E.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To obtain epidemiologic information on rabies in skunks in Texas.

Design—Epidemiologic study.

Sample Population—Reports of skunks that had been submitted for rabies testing in Texas from 1953 through 2007.

Procedures—Reports were reviewed to obtain information on seasonality of rabies in skunks, seasonality of human and domestic animal exposure to rabid skunks, commonly reported clinical signs of rabies in skunks, domestic animals frequently exposed to rabid skunks, common scenarios for exposure of domestic animals to rabid skunks, disposition of domestic animals exposed to rabid skunks, age and gender of humans exposed to rabid skunks, and usual routes of exposure of humans to rabid skunks.

Results—On a yearly basis, the number of rabid skunks peaked in 1961, 1979, and 2001. On a monthly basis, the number of rabid skunks peaked in March and April. Over the study period, the percentage of rabid skunks from urban areas increased and the percentage from rural areas decreased. Striped skunks were the most common species. Dogs and cats were the domestic animals most frequently exposed to rabid skunks. On average, the highest numbers of humans exposed to rabid skunks were between 36 and 50 years old. Most humans were exposed through means other than a bite. Typical behaviors of rabid skunks were entering a dog pen, appearing outside during daytime, and attacking pets.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Information on the epidemiology of rabies in skunks may be useful in planning and implementing local, state, and national rabies control and prevention campaigns.
Comparison of conventional and digital measurements of tibial plateau angle in dogs
Authors: Serwa Dorota , Lorinson Karin , Lorinson Dragan , Skalicky Monika
Published: March 2009

Objective—To compare values for tibial plateau angle (TPA) obtained in dogs by conventional and digital methods.

Design—Evaluation study.

Animals—37 dogs with stifle joint abnormalities.

Procedures—In all dogs, radiographs of both stifle joints were obtained by conventional and digital means. On conventionally acquired radiographs, TPA was measured with a protractor and fine-point pencil in accordance with standard guidelines. A software program was used to measure TPA on digitally acquired radiographs. Two viewers with different levels of experience performed all measurements 3 times.

Results—For both viewers and both limbs, conventional TPA measurements were significantly correlated with digital measurements all 3 times. Conventional and digital measurements obtained by viewer 1 were significantly different from values obtained by viewer 2. However, inter-viewer and intertechnique differences in TPA measurements resulted in rotational differences of < 1 mm.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that TPA measurements obtained with the digital method were comparable to those obtained by use of the conventional method. Subjectively, the digital method was easier to perform and faster and produced better-quality images.
Evaluation of noninvasive oscillometric blood pressure monitoring in anesthetized boid snakes
Authors: Chinnadurai Sathya K. , Wrenn Amy , DeVoe Ryan S.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To determine the accuracy of a noninvasive oscillometric monitor in the measurement of arterial blood pressure in anesthetized boid snakes.

Design—Evaluation study.

Animals—4 boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), 2 carpet pythons (Morelia spilota), and 2 reticulated pythons (Python reticulatus).

Procedures—After induction of anesthesia with isoflurane, each snake was instrumented with an arterial catheter connected to a pressure transducer and oscilloscope to obtain invasive measurements of systolic (SAP), diastolic (DAP), and mean (MAP) arterial blood pressure as well as a pressure waveform. A cuff connected to an oscillometric device was placed on the tail immediately distal to the vent for noninvasive measurements. Heart rate, respiratory rate, and invasive and noninvasive measurements of SAP, DAP, and MAP were obtained every 5 minutes for 45 minutes. Delivered isoflurane concentration was increased in 15-minute increments to induce hypotension. Repeatability of each device and fixed and proportional biases between devices were calculated.

Results—Throughout most of the measured ranges of blood pressures, the oscillometric unit overestimated the SAP and underestimated the DAP and MAP, compared with respective direct measurements. When the invasively determined SAP was > 100 mm Hg, the oscillometric unit underestimated all 3 variables. Fixed bias was significant for SAP and DAP, and proportional bias was significant for SAP and MAP.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—When using an oscillometric blood pressure monitor on anesthetized boid snakes, veterinarians can potentially monitor changes in blood pressure, although the displayed readings may underestimate DAP and MAP and overestimate SAP. Indirect measurements of blood pressure made with the oscillometric device cannot substitute for direct measurements.
Prevalence of intestinal nematode parasitism among pet dogs in the United States (2003–2006)
Authors: Mohamed Ahmed S. , Moore George E. , Glickman Larry T.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To estimate prevalence of intestinal nematode parasitism among pet dogs in the United States and characterize risk factors for infection.

Design—Retrospective period prevalence survey.

Animals—1,213,061 dogs examined at 547 private veterinary hospitals in 44 states from January 1, 2003, through December 31, 2006.

Procedures—Data were obtained from electronic medical records of all dogs that had at least 1 fecal flotation test. Risk factors for intestinal nematode parasitism were identified by means of multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results—2,785,248 fecal flotation tests were performed during the study period. When results for only the first test in each dog were considered, prevalences of Toxocara, Ancylostoma, and Trichuris parasitism were 5.04%, 4.50%, and 0.81%, respectively. Dogs < 0.5 years old had higher odds of Toxocara and Ancylostoma parasitism, compared with dogs > 5.0 years old; sexually intact male and female dogs had higher odds of parasitism, compared with spayed female dogs; toy dogs had lower odds of parasitism, compared with dogs in other breed groups; and dogs living in the mountain region had lower odds of parasitism, compared with dogs living in other regions.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that age, body weight, sex, breed, and geographic region were risk factors for intestinal nematode parasitism among pet dogs in the United States.
Outcome of permanent tracheostomy for treatment of upper airway obstruction in cats: 21 cases (1990–2007)
Authors: Stepnik Matthew W. , Mehl Margo L. , Hardie Elizabeth M. , Kass Philip H. , Reimer S. Brent , Campbell Bonnie G. , Mison Michael B. , Schmiedt Chad W. , Gregory Clare R. , Hobson H. Phil
Published: March 2009

Objective—To determine clinical outcome of permanent tracheostomy in cats with upper airway obstruction.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—21 cats.

Procedures—Medical records were reviewed for information on history, signalment, clinical signs, results of preoperative clinicopathologic testing, cause of upper airway obstruction, surgical procedure, postoperative complications, and outcome.

Results—Causes of upper airway obstruction included neoplasia (squamous cell carcinoma [n = 6] or malignant lymphoma [2]), inflammatory laryngeal disease (5), laryngeal paralysis (4), trauma (3), and a laryngeal mass of unknown cause (1). Fourteen cats had dyspnea in the immediate postoperative period; dyspnea most often resulted from mucous plugs at the stoma or elsewhere in the respiratory tract. Eleven cats died, including 6 cats that died while hospitalized after surgery and 5 cats that died after discharge; 7 cats were eu-thanatized, most often because of progression of neoplasia; and 2 were still alive at the time of the study. The remaining cat was lost to follow-up after discharge from the hospital. Overall, median survival time for the 20 cats for which information was available was 20.5 days (range, 1 day to 5 years). Cats that underwent permanent tracheostomy because of inflammatory laryngeal disease were 6.61 times as likely to die as cats that underwent permanent tracheostomy for any other reason.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results indicated that permanent tracheostomy was an uncommon procedure in cats with upper airway obstruction that was associated with high complication and mortality rates.
Use of kinetic gait analysis for detection, quantification, and differentiation of hind limb lameness and spinal ataxia in horses
Authors: Ishihara Akikazu , Reed Stephen M. , Rajala-Schultz Päivi J. , Robertson James T. , Bertone Alicia L.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To evaluate use of kinetic gait analysis for detection, quantification, and differentiation of hind limb lameness and spinal ataxia in horses.

Design—Prospective clinical study.

Animals—36 horses.

Procedures—Kinetic gait analysis with a force plate was performed for 12 clinically normal horses, 12 horses with hind limb lameness, and 12 horses with spinal ataxia. Kinetic variables were compared among groups, correlated to subjective grading, and used to build predictive models to assess the accuracy of discrimination.

Results—Subsets of kinetic variables were characteristically altered in ataxic and lame gaits. Ataxic horses had significantly increased lateral force peak and variation in vertical force peaks in both hind limbs. Lame horses had significantly decreased vertical force peak and increased variation in vertical force peaks only in the lame hind limb. These variables were used to differentiate between spinal ataxia and hind limb lameness with excellent accuracy. There were significant correlations between a subset of kinetic variables and subjective lameness and neurologic grades.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Kinetic gait variables, specifically lateral force peak and the variation in vertical force, can be used to support the differential diagnosis between spinal ataxia and hind limb lameness in horses. Kinetic gait analysis may also be applied for quantification of equine hind limb gait abnormalities as well as confirming lack of lameness and ataxia in soundness examinations.
Effect of surgical correction of left displaced abomasum by means of omentopexy via right flank laparotomy or two-step laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in lactating dairy cows
Authors: Wittek Thomas , Locher Lena F. , Alkaassem Ahmad , Constable Peter D.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To compare the effects of surgical correction of left displaced abomasum (LDA) by means of omentopexy via right flank laparotomy or 2-step laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy on postoperative abomasal emptying rate in lactating dairy cows.

Design—Controlled clinical trial.

Animals—30 lactating dairy cows with an LDA.

Procedures—Cows were alternately assigned to 2 groups of 15 cows each to receive surgical correction of LDA by means of 2-step laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy or omentopexy via right flank laparotomy. A 50% D-xylose solution (0.5 g/kg [0.23 g/lb]) was injected into the abomasal lumen during surgery. Jugular venous blood samples for determination of serum D-xylose concentration were periodically obtained after injection. Abomasal emptying rate was evaluated by pharmacokinetic determination of the time to modeled maximal serum D-xylose concentration (Tmax-model).

Results—Mean ± SD abomasal emptying rate was significantly faster after laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy (Tmax-model, 192 ± 51 minutes) than after omentopexy via right flank laparotomy (Tmax-model, 264 ± 94 minutes). Rumen contraction rate and milk yield increased faster after laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy, compared with values obtained after omentopexy; however, milk yield did not differ after the 2 procedures.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Amelioration of abomasal hypomotility after laparoscopy-guided abomasopexy rather than omentopexy via right flank laparotomy may result in faster clinical improvement in the immediate postoperative period in cows undergoing correction of an LDA.
Development of a syndromic surveillance system for detection of disease among livestock entering an auction market
Authors: Van Metre David C. , Barkey Daniel Q. , Salman M. D. , Morley Paul S.
Published: March 2009

Objective—To develop a syndromic surveillance system based on visual inspection from outside the livestock pens that could be used for detection of disease among livestock entering an auction market.

Design—Cross-sectional study.

Animals—All livestock (beef and dairy cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs) entering a single auction market in Colorado during 30 business days.

Procedures—Livestock were enumerated and visually inspected for clinical signs of disease by a veterinarian outside the pens, and clinical signs that were observed were categorized into 12 disease syndromes. Frequency of clinical signs and disease syndromes was then calculated.

Results—Data were recorded for a total of 29,371 animal observation days. For all species combined, the most common disease syndrome was respiratory tract disease (218.9 observations/10,000 animal observation days), followed by thin body condition and abnormal ambulation or posture (80.7 and 27.2 observations/10,000 animal observation days, respectively). Together, these 3 disease syndromes accounted for 92.8% of all clinical signs of disease observed. The syndromes least commonly identified were non–injury-related hemorrhage, death, and injury-related hemorrhage (0.0, 0.3, and 0.7 observations/10,000 animal observation days, respectively).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that a syndromic surveillance system based on visual inspection alone could be developed to identify possible disease conditions among livestock at an auction market. Further studies are needed to determine the sensitivity and specificity of visual observation in detecting disease.
Outcome of performance-based removal and replacement decisions in commercial swine herds
Authors: Rutten-Ramos Stephanie C. , Deen John
Published: March 2009

Objective—To evaluate the success of removal and replacement decisions in commercial swine herds when sow removal was attributed to problems with fertility, fecundity, or old age.

Design—Retrospective case-control study.

Animals—3,000 sows removed from 3 commercial swine herds (case sows), 3,000 matched control sows retained in the herds, and 3,000 replacement gilts.

Procedures—Control sows were included to generate an estimate of reproductive performance that could have been expected had case sows been retained in the herds. Control sows and replacement gilts were followed up until the next farrowing or until removed from the herd, and reproductive performance, calculated as number of pigs born alive per mated female per year, was compared between groups.

Results—In 2 of the 3 herds, reproductive performance was significantly higher for replacement gilts than for control sows matched with case sows removed for reasons of fertility, and in all 3 herds, reproductive performance was significantly higher for replacement gilts than for control sows matched with case sows removed for reasons of fecundity. In the 2 herds with case sows removed because of age, reproductive performance did not differ significantly between replacement gilts and control sows. The odds of greater performance among replacement gilts relative to control sows ranged from 1.305 to 1.955 for removals attributed to fertility, 1.305 to 1.955 for removals attributed to fecundity, and 1.000 to 3.999 for removals attributed to age.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Results suggested that performance-based removal and replacement programs in commercial swine herds may not yield the anticipated results.
Nocardia arthritidis infection in the distal metaphysis of the metatarsal III and IV bone of a heifer
Authors: Koch Christoph , Drees Randi , Hartmann Faye A. , McGuirk Sheila M. , Prichard Michael A.
Published: March 2009

Case Description—A 19-month-old 536.4-kg (1,180-lb) Brown Swiss heifer was referred for evaluation of a firm swelling over the distal aspect of the right metatarsal region and chronic lameness in the right hind limb.

Clinical Findings—Examination of radiographs of the right metatarsophalangeal joints revealed an expansile, smoothly marginated, cyst-like lesion within the distal metaphysis of the metatarsal III and IV bone. Differential diagnoses included bone abscess, bone cyst, aneurysmal bone cyst, neoplasia, osteomyelitis, and metabolic bone disease. Aerobic microbial culture of the aspirate yielded moderate growth of branching, gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria, which were presumptively identified as Nocardia spp. The isolate was subsequently identified as Nocardia arthritidis by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis.

Treatment and Outcome—The lesion was surgically debrided, lavaged, and bandaged. Exercise was restricted, and systemic and local administration of antimicrobials was instituted. After a communication between the abscess and the metatarsophalangeal joints was iatrogenically created, the extralabel use of aminoglycosides was initiated. The heifer had noticeable clinical improvement within 2 weeks after initial evaluation and reportedly had no evidence of lameness and minimal external blemishes 3 months after the second evaluation.

Clinical Relevance—To our knowledge, this is the first report on the diagnosis and management of a long-bone abscess attributable to N arthritidis infection in cattle. Complications encountered during treatment and the decision to engage in extralabel use of antimicrobial agents in the heifer described here may serve as a guide for food animal practitioners faced with the treatment of valuable cattle.
The State of Israel and the Apartheid Regime of South Africa in Comparative Perspective
Authors: Regan Bernard
Published: March 2009

With increasing frequency comparisons are being drawn between the situation of the Palestinian people both in the Occupied Territories and inside Israel with the system of Apartheid imposed on the indigenous peoples of South Africa by the Nationalist Government in 1948. The object of this essay is to explore the analogy and test its merits and shortcomings. The essay explores the legal structure of the Apartheid system and compares it to that of the state of Israel and the legal framework under which Palestinians live in the occupied territories. It concludes that whilst the term Apartheid might seem attractive and adequate for descriptive purposes rendering the plight of the Palestinians more familiar ultimately there is a gap between the appearance and reality of the two experiences.
Political Islam in an Ethnic Jewish State: Historical Evolution, Contemporary Challenges and Future Prospects
Authors: ‘Ali Nohad
Published: March 2009

This paper argues that, although the shared and universal ideology of the Islamic revival movements was adopted by the Islamic movement in Israel, the movement has been trying to embody it in diverse and distinctive ways. In principle there is a conflict between commitment to the principle of Islamic revivalism on the one hand, and being so committed in the specific context of the ethnic Jewish state, on the other. The Jewish context of the State of Israel continues to bedevil the development of the Islamic movement in Israel. Since the 1930s, Islamic revivalism in Palestine has undergone five phases of development: the Egyptian, Israeli, Palestinian, and the two phases of ‘adaptation’ and ‘post-adaptation’. These phases reflect ideological developments, rather than simply a historical evolution. They are also the outcome of three sets of constraints: structural, ideological and domestic.
The Philistines as Scapegoats: Narratives and Myths in the Invention of Ancient Israel and in Modern Critical Theory
Authors: McDonagh John
Published: March 2009

The Philistines have, for centuries, suffered under the weight of their relentlessly negative portrayal in the books of the Old Testament. From Goliath to Delilah, they have personified the intrinsically evil other in the burgeoning narrative myth of the nation of Israel. By applying the theories of contemporary literary deconstruction, particularly in the work of Derrida and Freud, the Philistines can be seen as literary constructions as much as historical figures, destined to play out the role of narrative scapegoats in the inexorable biblical drive for the sustenance of the myth of the existence of the Israelite nation.
Swedish Support for Zionism and the Palestinian Refugees: The ‘Swedish-Israel Aid’ and Kfar Achim/Qastina
Authors: Carmesund Ulf
Published: March 2009

In 1951 the ‘Swedish-Israel Aid’ (Svenska Israelhjälpen) was set up to assist in settling Jewish immigrants on land belonging to Palestinian refugees. The rhetoric of the Svenska Israelhjälpen emphasised its humanitarian work in helping to settle European Jewish immigrants ‘away’ from the horrors of the Holocaust. However viewed from the perspective of the victims of Zionism, the indigenous inhabitants of Palestine, this was another example of European settler colonialism. The predominantly Palestinian peasant population, which had been massively displaced during the 1948 catastrophe, had to pay the price with the loss of lands and homes. Utilising unpublished Swedish archival material, this essay explores a little known episode within the wider context of Swedish support for Zionism and its consequences for the Palestinian refugees.
Generalized Complexity and Classical-Quantum Transition
Authors: Kowalski A. M. , Plastino Angelo , Casas Montserrat
Published: March 2009

We investigate the classical limit of the dynamics of a semiclassical system that represents the interaction between matter and a given field. On using as a quantifier the q- Complexity, we find that it describes appropriately the quantum-classical transition, detecting the most salient details of the changeover. Additionally the q-Complexity results a better quantifier of the problem than the q-entropy, in the sense that the q-range is enlarged, describing the q-Complexity, the most important characteristics of the transition for all q-value.
Hospital Board Infrastructure and Functions: The Role of Governance in Financial Performance
Authors: Culica Dan , Prezio Elizabeth
Published: March 2009

Increased stake of boards in the leadership of the hospitals makes them play a significant role in the financial health of their institutions. Understanding of the correct approach to successfully fulfill this purpose is critical for preparing their organizations for positioning adequately in the health care market. Governmental agencies and public companies, including insurers, will be interested in the extent to which hospital boards have adopted the provisions of accounting reform laws like those introduced by the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. It will remain for the boards to balance their oversight role for financial performance with the pressures of financial accountability.
Biomarkers of Induced Active and Passive Smoking Damage
Authors: Lodovici Maura , Bigagli Elisabetta
Published: March 2009

In addition to thewell-known link between smoking and lung cancer, large epidemiological studies have shown a relationship between smoking and cancers of the nose, oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, stomach, liver, colon and cervix, as well as myeloid leukemia. Epidemiological evidence has reported a direct link between exposure of non-smokers to environmental tobacco smoke and disease, most notably, lung cancer. Much evidence demonstrates that carcinogenic-DNA adducts are useful markers of tobacco smoke exposure, providing an integrated measurement of carcinogen intake, metabolic activation, and delivery to the DNA in target tissues. Monitoring accessible surrogate tissues, such as white blood cells or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells, also provides a means of investigating passive and active tobacco exposure in healthy individuals and cancer patients. Levels of DNA adducts measured in many tissues of smokers are significantly higher than in non-smokers. While some studies have demonstrated an association between carcinogenic DNA adducts and cancer in current smokers, no association has been observed in ex or never smokers. The role of genetic susceptibility in the development of smoking related-cancer is essential. In order to establish whether smoking-related DNA adducts are biomarkers of tobacco smoke exposure and/or its carcinogenic activity we summarized all data that associated tobacco smoke exposure and smoking-related DNA adducts both in controls and/or in cancer cases and studies where the effect of genetic polymorphisms involved in the activation and deactivation of carcinogens were also evaluated. In the future we hope we will be able to screen for lung cancer susceptibility by using specific biomarkers and that subjects of compared groups can be stratified for multiple potential modulators of biomarkers, taking into account various confounding factors.
Sensorineural Hearing Loss Associated with Occupational Noise Exposure: Effects of Age-Corrections
Authors: Krishnamurti Sridhar
Published: March 2009

Noise-induced permanent threshold shifts (NIPTS) were computed from retrospective audiometric analyses by subtracting aging effects on hearing sensitivity in sixty-eight patients with bilateral sensorineural hearing loss who reported significant occupational noise exposure histories. There were significant effects of age on NIPTS but no significant gender- or ear- differences in terms of NIPTS. The NIPTS at 2,000 Hz was found to be significantly greater than NIPTS at frequencies 500 Hz, 1,000 Hz, 4,000 Hz, and 8,000 Hz. Defined noise notches were seen in the audiograms of 38/136 (27%) ears with SNHL. Results support models that suggest interactive effects of aging and noise on sensorineural hearing loss in ears with occupational noise exposure.
A Helpline Telephone Service for Tobacco Related Issues: The Italian Experience
Authors: Pizzi Enrica , Di Pucchio Alessandra , Mastrobattista Luisa , Solimini Renata , Pacifici Roberta , Pichini Simona
Published: March 2009

Antismoking helplines have become an integral part of tobacco control efforts in many countries, including Italy. The demonstrated efficacy and the convenience of telephone based counselling have led to the fast adoption of antismoking helplines. However, information on how these helplines operate in actual practice is not often readily available. This paper provides an overview of the Italian Antismoking Helpline, an increasingly popular telephone service for tobacco problems operating in Italy since 2000. As many states, regions and nations are contemplating various telephone programs as part of large scale anti-tobacco campaigns, this paper briefly discusses the reasons the helpline is well suited to lead the cessation component of a comprehensive tobacco control program, how it operates and how it can be used in conjunction with other tobacco control activities. The Italian Antismoking Helpline provides Italians with free services that include counselling, cessation related information, self help quit kits and current legislation information. The helpline is promoted statewide by media campaigns, health care providers, local tobacco control programs and public school system. The Helpline is centrally operated through the Istituto Superiore di Sanità and it has served over 17.000 tobacco users and others.
National Survey of the Smoking Cessation Services in Italy
Authors: Di Pucchio Alessandra , Pizzi Enrica , Carosi Giordano , Mazzola Monica , Mattioli Donatella , Pacifici Roberta , Pichini Simona
Published: March 2009

This investigation is aimed at providing information about structural and organizational characteristics of smoking cessation services (SCS) set up within the Italian National Health Service. Local health units and hospitals are the main institutions connected with SCS which are mainly located within the Department of Drug Addiction and the Department of Lung and Breath Care. SCS provide different tobacco-use cessation programs. Although pharmacotherapy is always used, a combination of therapeutic treatments is highly preferred. This study shows the importance of maintaining a national coordination among different SCS supporting their activity and encouraging the start up of additional services throughout the country.
Global Reach of an Internet Smoking Cessation Intervention among Spanish- and English-Speaking Smokers from 157 Countries
Authors: Barrera Alinne Z. , Pérez-Stable Eliseo J. , Delucchi Kevin L. , Muñoz Ricardo F.
Published: March 2009

This investigation is a secondary analysis of demographic, smoking, and depression information in a global sample of Spanish- and English-speaking smokers who participated in a series of randomized controlled smoking cessation trials conducted via the Internet. The final sample consisted of 17,579 smokers from 157 countries. Smoking profiles were similar across languages and world regions and consistent with characteristics of participants in traditional smoking cessation studies. Participants were predominantly Spanish-speakers, evenly divided between men and women and relatively few indicated using traditional smoking cessation methods (e.g., groups or medication). This study demonstrates that substantial numbers of smokers from numerous countries seek Web-based smoking cessation resources and adds to the growing support for Web-assisted tobacco interventions as an additional tool to address the need for global smoking cessation efforts.
Molecular Pathology of Lewy Body Diseases
Authors: Beyer Katrin , Domingo-Sàbat Montserrat , Ariza Aurelio
Published: March 2009

Lewy body diseases are characterized by the presence of Lewy bodies, alpha-synuclein(AS)-positive inclusions in the brain. Since their main component is conformationally modified AS, aggregation of the latter is thought to be a key pathogenic event in these diseases. The analysis of inclusion body constituents gives additional information about pathways also involved in the pathology of synucleinopathies. Widespread mitochondrial dysfunction is very closely related to disease development. The impairment of protein degradation pathways, including both the ubiquitin-proteasome system and the autophagy-lysosomepathway also play an important role during the development of Lewy body diseases. Finally, differential expression changes of isoforms corresponding to genes primarily involved in Lewy body formation point to alternative splicing as another important mechanism in the development of Parkinson’s disease, as well as dementia with Lewy bodies. The present paper attempts to give an overview of recent molecular findings related to the pathogenesis of Lewy body diseases.
Formation versus Hydrolysis of the Peptide Bond from a Quantum-mechanical Viewpoint: The Role of Mineral Surfaces and Implications for the Origin of Life
Authors: Rimola Albert , Ugliengo Piero , Sodupe Mariona
Published: March 2009

The condensation (polymerization by water elimination) of molecular building blocks to yield the first active biopolymers (e.g. of amino acids to form peptides) during primitive Earth is an intriguing question that nowadays still remains open since these processes are thermodynamically disfavoured in highly dilute water solutions. In the present contribution, formation and hydrolysis of glycine oligopeptides occurring on a cluster model of sanidine feldspar (001) surface have been simulated by quantum mechanical methods. Results indicate that the catalytic interplay between Lewis and Brønsted sites both present at the sanidine surface, in cooperation with the London forces acting between the biomolecules and the inorganic surface, plays a crucial role to: i) favour the condensation of glycine to yield oligopeptides as reaction products; ii) inhibit the hydrolysis of the newly formed oligopeptides. Both facts suggest that mineral surfaces may have helped in catalyzing, stabilizing and protecting from hydration the oligopeptides formed in the prebiotic era.
An Algorithm for Emulsion Stability Simulations: Account of Flocculation, Coalescence, Surfactant Adsorption and the Process of Ostwald Ripening
Authors: Urbina-Villalba German
Published: March 2009

The first algorithm for Emulsion Stability Simulations (ESS) was presented at the V Conferencia Iberoamericana sobre Equilibrio de Fases y Diseño de Procesos [Luis, J.; García-Sucre, M.; Urbina-Villalba, G. Brownian Dynamics Simulation of Emulsion Stability In: Equifase 99. Libro de Actas, 1st Ed., Tojo J., Arce, A., Eds.; Solucion’s: Vigo, Spain, 1999; Volume 2, pp. 364-369]. The former version of the program consisted on a minor modification of the Brownian Dynamics algorithm to account for the coalescence of drops. The present version of the program contains elaborate routines for time-dependent surfactant adsorption, average diffusion constants, and Ostwald ripening.