bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Positive Plant Diversity-Soil Stability Relationships are Mediated through Roots in the Songnen Grassland: Chronosequence Evidence
Authors: HU Liang-Jun , LI Ping , GUO Qinfeng
Published: March 2018

Living plant diversity (excluding the litter issue) may affect below-ground properties and processes, which is critical to obtaining an integrated biodiversity-ecosystem functioning theory. However, related patterns and underlying mechanisms have rarely been examined, especially lacking long-term evidence. We conducted a factorial crossed sample survey to examine the effects of plant diversity on soil stability over succession based on space-for-time substitution in the Songnen Steppes, North-Eastern China. The results indicate that, under natural colonizing conditions, species-poor systems achieved lower soil stability than species-rich systems, regardless of successional stage. However, soil stability was significantly regulated by plant species richness (number), composition (identity), density (abundance), and functional roles. Our results confirm that a long-term positive plant diversity-soil stability relationship exists in steppe succession. In particular, this enhanced effect of biodiversity on soil stability may operate via diversifying plant root traits. Our results may underpin an integrated biodiversity-ecosystem functioning theory, and improve human use and conservation management of natural resources at an integrated ecosystem level.
Innovations in the Forest Products Industry: The Malaysian Experience
Authors: RATNASINGAM Jegatheswaran , WAI Lim Tau , THANASEGARAN Ganesh , IORAS Florin , VACALIE Cristina , COMAN Claudiu , WENMING Lu
Published: March 2018

The forest products industry is an important socioeconomic sector to many developing countries, both in terms of foreign exchange earnings and employment. In the case of Malaysia, the industry has been one of the fastest growing manufacturing sectors in the country, driven primarily by comparative advantages derived from factor inputs. However, with increasing competition from other cheaper producing nations particularly China and Vietnam, the Malaysian forest products industry is forced to transform and move along the value-chain through innovation and value-addition. Although the government has played a pivotal role in providing a broad policy framework to support value-adding and innovative activities, success on the ground has been limited. The creativity environment, which is plagued with by low-wage economy, coupled with limited network between research, market and industrial enterprises have stifled innovation within the industry. The lack of information and the poor quality human capital has also contributed to the limited innovation within the forest products industry in the country. Against this background, most innovation within the industry is confined to the realms of alternative raw materials, with minimal technological and design variations. Although extensive research and development activities are undertaken, the commercialization potential of the research outputs is limited due to being not market-driven. Inevitably, innovation in the forest products sector must be based on market-needs and must be driven through technological and design change in order to ensure long-term competitiveness.
Influence of advanced age on postoperative outcomes and total loss following breast reconstruction: a critical assessment of 560 cases
Authors: MATSUMOTO WALTER KOITI , MUNHOZ ALEXANDRE MENDONÇA , OKADA ALBERTO , MONTAG EDUARDO , ARRUDA EDUARDO GUSTAVO , FONSECA ALEXANDRE , FERRARI ORLANDO , BRASIL JOSÉ AUGUSTO , PRETTI LIA , FILASSI JOSÉ ROBERTO , GEMPERLI ROLF
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the role of age in the risk of postoperative complications in patients submitted to unilateral breast reconstruction after mastectomy, with emphasis on total reconstruction loss. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study of patients submitted to breast reconstruction, whose variables included: oncological and reconstruction data, postoperative complications, including loss of reconstruction and complications of surgical wound. We divided the patients into two groups, according to the classification of the Brazilian National Elderly Policy and the Statute of the Elderly: young (age <60 years) and elderly (60 years or more). We also grouped them according to the World Health Organization classification: young people (age <44 years), middle age (45-59 years); elderly (age 60-89 years) and extreme advanced age (90 years or older). We applied the surgical risk classification of the American Society of Anesthesiologists to investigate the role of the preoperative physical state as a possible predictor of complications. Results: of the 560 patients operated on, 94 (16.8%) were 60 years of age or older. We observed a local complication rate of 49.8%, the majority being self-limited. The incidences of necrosis, infection and dehiscence were 15.5%, 10.9% and 9.3%, respectively. Patients older than 60 years presented a chance of complication 1.606 times greater than the younger ones. Forty-five (8%) patients had loss of the reconstruction; there was no statistically significant difference in the mean age of the patients who presented this result or not (p=0.321). Conclusion: in selected patients, breast reconstruction can be considered safe; most documented complications were limited and could be treated conservatively.
Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap in Head And Neck Surgery reconstructions: critical analysis.
Authors: MENEZES MARCELO BENEDITO , SALEH KASSEM SAMIR , NAKAI MARIANNE YUMI , DIAS LUCAS PORTO MAURITY , KAVABATA NORBERTO KODI , GONÇALVES ANTÔNIO JOSÉ
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the results of the use of the pectoralis major flap in the reconstruction of head and neck surgeries. Methods: we conducted a retrospective study with data bank analysis and review of medical records of patients with head and neck cancer operated at the Discipline of Head and Neck Surgery, Surgery Department, São Paulo Holy Home of Mercy, using the pectoralis major flap for reconstruction, in a period of 16 years. We analyzed age, gender, primary site of neoplasia, clinical staging, preoperative radiotherapy (RT) and complications, classified as major and minor. Results: the series comprised 92 patients, of whom 86 (93.5%) were men; the mean age was 61.39 (±11.35) years; the most common primary sites were the mouth, in 35 cases (38%), oropharynx, in 21 (22.8%), and larynx, in 18 cases (19.6%). The majority of patients were in stage IV (88/92, 95.6%) and only four (4.3%) had preoperative RT. The overall complication rate was 48.9%, but only 6.5%, characterized as major complications. In the univariate statistical analysis, we found no factors related to the occurrence of complications. Only the primary neoplasm site presented marginal significance (p = 0.06). Conclusion: the pectoralis major flap is safe, with few complete and effective losses in reconstructions in head and neck surgeries, with low rates of major complications, being an option to be considered.
Práticas sociais de medicalização & humanização no cuidado de mulheres na gestação
Authors: Warmling Cristine Maria , Fajardo Ananyr Porto , Meyer Dagmar Estermann , Bedos Cristophe
Published: March 2018

Resumo: O objetivo principal do trabalho é analisar como discursos de medicalização & humanização se (re)articulam na atenção primária em saúde e configuram o cuidado pré-natal de mulheres grávidas realizado por equipes de saúde da família. Trata-se de um estudo de caso do tipo único e integrado, com múltiplas unidades de análises e abordagem qualitativa. Foram realizados 17 grupos focais e ouvidos 47 trabalhadores (14 médicos, 19 enfermeiros e 14 cirurgiões-dentistas) que compunham 17 equipes de saúde da família em 16 municípios no Sul do Brasil. O material empírico foi analisado na perspectiva da análise do discurso foucaultiana. As equipes de saúde da família, praticantes da medicina generalista, relataram dificuldades para realizar o cuidado pré-natal das mulheres gestantes, evocando e fortalecendo o discurso da medicalização obstétrica que sua prática deveria enfraquecer. O discurso oficialmente adotado pela humanização, privilegiado no modelo generalista de atenção às mulheres gestantes, segue funcionando como discurso complementar ao da medicalização e da especialização, que prevalece nas práticas relatadas. A ênfase na atenção humanizada à mulher na gestação interfere nas fronteiras dos territórios profissionais e pressupõe renegociação de competências. Esforços de colaboração empreendidos entre as equipes de saúde da família e obstetras não apresentam muito sucesso.
O acidente da plataforma de petróleo P-36 revisitado 15 anos depois: da gestão de situações incidentais e acidentais aos fatores organizacionais
Authors: Figueiredo Marcelo Gonçalves , Alvarez Denise , Adams Ricardo Nunes
Published: March 2018

Resumo: O acidente com a plataforma P-36 na Bacia de Campos, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, se configura como um dos grandes desastres internacionais da indústria do petróleo. Nosso objetivo na reflexão aqui empreendida é: (a) verificar, com base em um caso específico, a questão do papel que exerce a dimensão humana na confiabilidade de sistemas de elevada complexidade - com foco na gestão de situações incidentais e acidentais -, capazes de acarretar acidentes de grande magnitude. E, ao nos debruçarmos sobre tal intento, somos remetidos à necessidade de (b) dar visibilidade à interveniência de alguns dos fatores organizacionais como elementos que podem contribuir para agravar o grau de risco da atividade em plataformas offshore, conduzindo a análise para além das chamadas causas imediatas. No que tange aos métodos de investigação, tomamos por base, principalmente, a pesquisa documental (com destaque para os relatórios da Petrobras, ANP/DPC e CREA-RJ) e as interlocuções que mantivemos com três profissionais que atuaram na P-36. Os resultados indicam que a gestão das situações incidentais e acidentais, na qual se circunscrevem as tomadas de decisão em contextos emergenciais, deve se valer da contribuição que os trabalhadores podem agregar no sentido de apontar e discutir com os gestores certas lacunas do processo, por intermédio do compartilhamento e da flexibilização de decisões e da análise coletiva das situações de risco. Indicam também que determinados fatores organizacionais contribuíram para a ocorrência do sinistro, corroborando estudos nacionais e internacionais acerca de grandes acidentes, que apontam para a necessidade de mudança no enfoque adotado pela gerência das empresas do setor petrolífero.
Tendências no uso de serviços de saúde médicos e odontológicos e a relação com nível educacional e posse de plano privado de saúde no Brasil, 1998-2013
Authors: Pilotto Luciane Maria , Celeste Roger Keller
Published: March 2018

O mix público-privado do sistema de saúde brasileiro favorece cobertura duplicada aos serviços de saúde aos indivíduos que possuem plano privado de saúde e pode aumentar as iniquidades no uso dos serviços. O objetivo deste estudo é descrever as tendências no uso dos serviços de saúde médicos e odontológicos e a relação com nível educacional e posse de plano privado de saúde. Os dados foram obtidos de inquéritos domiciliares nacionais com amostras representativas dos anos de 1998, 2003, 2008 e 2013. Foram descritas as tendências no uso de serviços de saúde por adultos ajustadas por posse de plano privado de saúde, nível de educação, sexo e idade. Há tendência de aumento no uso dos serviços de saúde em adultos sem plano privado e, entre adultos com plano privado, a tendência no uso variou de forma não linear. O serviço médico apresentou alternância no uso a longo dos anos e o serviço odontológico apresentou tendência de declínio após o ano de 2003. Acompanhar as tendências na posse de planos privados de saúde e no uso dos serviços de saúde é necessário para auxiliar o Estado na regulação dos planos privados e evitar o aumento das iniquidades no acesso e uso dos serviços de saúde entre os cidadãos.
Bacillus cereus as the main casual agent of foodborne outbreaks in Southern Brazil: data from 11 years
Authors: Lentz Silvia Adriana Mayer , Rivas Paula Marques , Cardoso Marisa Ribeiro de Itapema , Morales Daiana de Lima , Centenaro Fabiana Cassel , Martins Andreza Francisco
Published: March 2018

Foodborne diseases are a global concern. In Brazil, the most prevalent pathogen found in foodborne outbreaks is Salmonella sp. (14.4%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7.7%), Escherichia coli (6.5%), and Bacillus cereus (3.1%). With the aim to perform a regional detailed analysis of foodborne intoxication, we analyzed 253 outbreaks’ profile reports to Food Surveillance team of the General Secretariat of Health Surveillance of Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, between 2003 and 2013. In contrast to what was most notified in Brazil, in Porto Alegre the main outbreak agent identified was Bacillus cereus (32.2%) and, based on the patient symptoms, most cases were linked to enterotoxin production. The majority of the outbreaks were linked to the ingestion of food containing cereals or sauces poorly kept at environment temperature during the stock or preparation. We believe that, due to the compulsory use of pasteurized eggs in our city, Salmonella sp. outbreaks are less important here.
Estrutura das unidades básicas de saúde para atenção às pessoas com diabetes: Ciclos I e II do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade
Authors: Neves Rosália Garcia , Duro Suele Manjourany Silva , Muñiz Javier , Castro Teresa Rosalia Pérez , Facchini Luiz Augusto , Tomasi Elaine
Published: March 2018

Resumo: O objetivo foi descrever a estrutura necessária à atenção às pessoas com diabetes, usuárias da rede de atenção primária à saúde, avaliada nos Ciclos I e II do Programa Nacional de Melhoria do Acesso e da Qualidade (PMAQ) no Brasil, 2012 e 2014, considerando-se as características dos municípios. Utilizando-se um estudo descritivo foram avaliadas as unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) cujas equipes participaram dos Ciclos I e II do PMAQ, em 2012 e 2014. Utilizaram-se variáveis do Módulo I da avaliação externa do PMAQ que aborda a estrutura das UBS. Materiais (balança de 150kg, esfigmomanômetro, estetoscópio adulto, fita métrica, glicosímetro, kit de monofilamentos, oftalmoscópio e tiras de glicemia capilar); medicamentos (insulina NPH e regular, glibenclamida e metformina) e espaço físico (consultório clínico, farmácia, recepção, sala de acolhimento e de reunião). Todos os medicamentos avaliados e a sala de acolhimento apresentaram um aumento de mais de 10p.p. de 2012 para 2014. As prevalências de estrutura adequada de materiais, medicamentos e física nas UBS foram maiores em 2014. A estrutura adequada de materiais passou de 3,9% para 7,8%, de medicamentos de 31,3% para 49,9% e física de 15,3% para 23,3%. Os municípios com mais de 300 mil habitantes, melhor Índice de Desenvolvimento Humano (IDH) e menor cobertura de Estratégia Saúde da Família (ESF) registraram maiores prevalências de UBS adequadas. As unidades que aderiram aos Ciclos I e II do PMAQ obtiveram melhoria em suas estruturas. Entretanto, foi encontrada baixa prevalência de UBS com estrutura adequada, além de diferenças na estrutura dos serviços, de acordo com o porte populacional, IDH e cobertura de ESF.
Alimentação escolar e constituição de identidades dos escolares: da merenda para pobres ao direito à alimentação
Authors: Silva Edleuza Oliveira , Amparo-Santos Lígia , Soares Micheli Dantas
Published: March 2018

Resumo: Este ensaio busca problematizar a alimentação escolar enquanto prática que contribui para a constituição de identidades escolares. Parte-se de uma revisão bibliográfica, não sistemática, de publicações sobre alimentação escolar e identidades no contexto das escolas públicas brasileiras. Discute-se, inicialmente, a persistência de discursos e práticas de caráter assistencialista que reduziam a alimentação escolar a uma comida para pobres, questão observada nos estudos. Os significados desse caráter assistencialista concorrem para o entendimento de que ele parece funcionar como um mecanismo de poder capaz de inscrever, nos escolares, uma identidade de pobreza e inferioridade. Esse entendimento é situado nas relações de poder existentes na escola, no exercício do poder disciplinar e seu potencial de produzir identidades, assim como nas práticas de resistência decorrentes desses poderes no contexto da alimentação escolar. Considera-se ainda que os escolares sejam agentes de seus próprios processos identitários, haja vista que, em sua relação com a alimentação escolar, evidenciam-se, além de processos de sujeição, também processos de resistência e de construção ativa de identidade alimentar, nos quais agregam o tradicional e o moderno, o local e o global, dentre outros aspectos. Mesmo que ambiguidades sejam percebidas nesse cenário, entende-se que são indícios de mudanças no paradigma do pensar e fazer a alimentação escolar, trazendo elementos para problematizá-la: de um lado, ainda como um dispositivo de manutenção das desigualdades sociais e, de outro, esforços e ações para propiciá-la como um direito e promotora de identidades emancipatórias.
AULAS DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA E DESFECHOS RELACIONADOS À SAÚDE EM ESTUDANTES BRASILEIROS
Authors: Coledam Diogo Henrique Constantino , Ferraiol Philippe Fanelli , Greca João Paulo de Aguiar , Teixeira Marcio , Oliveira Arli Ramos de
Published: March 2018

RESUMO Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi analisar a associação entre participação e atividade física durante as aulas de Educação Física com desfechos relacionados à saúde em estudantes brasileiros. Métodos: 681 estudantes brasileiros (50,5% do sexo feminino) com idades de 10 a 17 anos participaram desse estudo transversal. As variáveis independentes analisadas foram a participação e a atividade física durante as aulas de Educação Física, ambas estimadas por meio de um questionário autorrelatado. Os desfechos foram a aptidão cardiorrespiratória (teste de Shuttle Run de 20 m), força muscular (push-up test), sobrepeso e obesidade (índice de massa corporal) e pressão arterial elevada. A análise estatística foi realizada por meio da regressão de Poisson para estimar a razão de prevalência (RP) e os intervalos de confiança de 95% (IC95%) ajustados para as variáveis de confusão (idade, sexo, escolaridade dos pais, atividade física e comportamento sedentário), considerando a amostragem complexa. Resultados: A participação nas aulas de Educação física não se associou com nenhum dos desfechos estudados. Ser ativo durante as aulas de Educação física associou-se com o atendimento do critério de saúde para aptidão cardiorrespiratória (RP=1,34, IC95% 1,16-1,55) e força muscular (RP=1,36 IC95% 1,09-1,71). O mesmo não ocorreu para sobrepeso (RP=1,04, IC95% 0,95-1,14), obesidade (RP=1,02, IC95% 0,91-1,05) e pressão arterial elevada (RP=0,98, IC95% 0,90-1,06). Conclusões: Estudantes que relataram ser ativos nas aulas apresentaram maior probabilidade de atender aos critérios de saúde para aptidão cardiorrespiratória e força muscular. No entanto, as aulas tradicionalmente oferecidas no Brasil não protegem os estudantes do sobrepeso, obesidade ou pressão arterial elevada.
Herbicidal Potential of Dryland Plants on Growth and Tuber Sproutingin Purple Nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus)
Authors: IQBAL J. , ZAHRA S.T. , AHMAD M. , SHAH A.N. , HASSAN W.
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT: In the current study the herbicidal potential of different dryland plant species to suppress tuber sprouting and growth in the purple nutsedge (Cyperus rotundus) was investigated. The plant species evaluated were Fagonia indica, Aerva javanica, Calotropis procera, Rhazya stricta and Withania coagulans. In a greenhouse experiment, 5 sprouted and 5 non-sprouted tubers of nutsedge were planted in pots containing 250g field-collected soil. Pots were irrigated regularly with aqueous extracts of test plants at five concentrations (0, 25, 50, 75 and 100%; original extract was concentrated 20 times and was considered as 100% concentrated and further concentrations were made accordingly). Extracts of all test plants significantly inhibited nutsedge tuber sprouting and growth. A significant interaction was observed between sprouting index (SI) and final sprouting percentage. While a non-significant interaction was observed between the timing of sprouting initiation and mean sprouting time (MST). Maximum reductions in SI and final sprouting percentage were recorded with Rhazya stricta extracts. Extracts of Rhazya stricta showed maximum suppressive potential of nutsedge density, root and shoot length, root and shoot fresh and dry weight. Overall, the least effective suppression of purple nutsedge was observed for extracts of Fagonia indica. Calotropis procera extracts resulted in the lowest reductions in nutsedge root length of all test plants but all test plants showed similar effects on timing of sprouting initiation and mean sprouting time. The 100% and 75% concentrations provided complete suppression of nutsedge. For all test plants, the 25% extract concentration was least effective and in some cases results were similar to the water-only control treatment. Our findings suggest that several dryland plant species with strong allelochemical properties have the potential to substantially reduce the deleterious impacts of purple nutsedge in dryland cropping systems and warrant further study.
Weeds Interference in Pequi Plants
Authors: MARTINS D.A. , JAKELAITIS A. , COSTA A.C. , ALMEIDA G.M.A. , SILVA FILHO R.O.
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT: Pequi plants are native fruit species of the Cerrado and is at risk of extinction due to the destruction of native vegetation and the extraction of their fruits. Because this species has a long juvenile period, it becomes susceptible to the interference of weeds, mainly forage grass. This research aimed to evaluate the effects of forage grass species coexisting with small seedlings. The treatments, arranged in a factorial scheme, consisted of three weed species(Melinis minutiflora, Paspalum notatumandUrochloa decumbens)coexisting in four densities (1, 2, 3, and 4 plants per pot) with pequi plants. As an additional treatment a pequi plant was cultivated free of coexistence. The physiological variables photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs), transpiration rate (E) Ci/Ca relation, the effective quantum yield of PS II, transport rate of electrons and non-photochemical quenching, and growth variables: height (PH), Leaf area (LA) and dry matter (DM) were affected by weed coexistence.U. decumbenspromoted greater intensity interference with pequi plants. The degree of interference was greater with increasing density of weeds, with linear decreasing behavior for the variables A, gs, E, PH, LA, MD, stem diameter and number of leaves of pequi plants.
Seed Pre-Treatment and Planting Geometry Positively Influence Herbicide Efficacy in Wheat (Triticum aestivum)
Authors: ULLAH A. , KHALIQ A. , RIAZ A. , NOOR M.A. , FIAZ S. , WAQAS M.A. , ZAIN M. , ASHRAF U. , NAWAZ A.
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT: An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of priming, planting patterns and weed control treatments on weed spectrum, grain yield and profitability of wheat, during the growing season 2013-14. Two levels of seed priming (no priming, osmopriming) and planting patterns (broadcast, row plantation), and four levels of herbicide (pyroxulam at the rate of 14.08, 10.56, 7.04 and 7.521 g a.i. ha-1) were employed in the experiment, laid out in a randomized complete block design with split-split plot arrangement. The data regarding weed density, stand establishment, growth, and yield associated traits of wheat were recorded and analyzed by analysis of variance technique using statistical software DSAASTAT. The results revealed that the final emergence count was improved significantly by line sowing. The seed priming treatments resulted in early crop emergence and canopy spread, and it also decreased weed density and dry weight by 13% and 18%, respectively at 60 DAS (days after sowing). Moreover, grain yield was improved by 8% in priming treatment plots. Whereas, line sowing of wheat treatment decreased the weed density and dry weight by 17% and 25% respectively, with improved grain yield by 14% over the broadcast method. Pyroxulam at the rate of 14.08 g a.i. ha-1 applied at 60 DAS reduced total weed density and dry weight by 88% and 96% respectively and grain yield was improved by 36% over weedy check plots. In conclusion, osmoprimed seeds (1% KCl) sown in lines 22.5 cm apart gave higher wheat yields where weeds were properly controlled through application of pyroxulam applied at its recommended dose (14.08 g a.i. ha-1) and also 75% of recommended dose under Faisalabad conditions.
Sugarcane Seedlings Influenced by the Management with Herbicides
Authors: SILVA T.P. , AZANIA C.A.M. , XAVIER M.A. , PERECIN D. , VITORINO R.
Published: March 2018

ABSTRACT: This research aimed at studying herbicides selectivity on individuals from three sugarcane families after different chemical managements in primary selection fields (F1). On the field, a randomized block design with five replications in a split plot scheme was used. Twelve herbicide treatments were allocated in the plots and the three seedlings families were allocated in the sub-plots. The herbicides treatments were T1- tebuthiuron POST-i + ametryn POST-t; T2- (diuron + hexazinone) POST-i + ametryn POST-t; T3- sulfentrazone POST-i + ametryn POST-t; T4- (diuron + hexazinone) POST-i + metribuzin POST-t; T5- sulfentrazone POST-i + metribuzin POST-t; T6- imazapyr IPP; T7- imazapyr IPP + ametryn POST-t; T8- imazapyr IPP + metribuzin POST-t; T9- imazapyr IPP + tebuthiuron POST-i; T10- imazapyr PPI + (diuron + hexazinone) POST-i; T11- imazapyr IPP + sulfentrazone POST-i and T12- weeded control. Families were F400 (IAC086155 x ?), F43 (IACBIO264 x IAC911099) and F14 (IACSP991305 x GlagaH). For each individual, the intoxication symptoms and the chlorophyll content on the leaves (40 and 120 DAApós-i), the percentage of live seedlings and selected seedlings (240 DAApós-i) were evauated. The chemical management with alternative treatments (T2 to T11) was selective to the three seedlings families because it caused slight intoxication symptoms and interference in the chlorophyll content, in addition to the high percentage of survival that allowed the plants selection for the later stage (F2). The management with herbicide applied in incorporated pre-planting (IPP) was highlighted as selective even when supplemented after the establishment phase of seedlings (POST-t).
Desenvolvimento de correlação para estimativa da taxa de geração per capita de resíduos sólidos urbanos no estado de São Paulo: influências da população, renda per capita e consumo de energia elétrica
Authors: Pisani Junior Reinaldo , Castro Marcus Cesar Avezum Alves de , Costa Antonio Álvarez da
Published: March 2018

RESUMO A previsão da geração dos resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) é fundamental para escolha e dimensionamento das operações e dos processos envolvidos na cadeia de gerenciamento em âmbito municipal. O desafio da sustentabilidade financeira desse gerenciamento passa pela criação de indicadores que permitam a cobrança individualizada e proporcional da geração per capita de cada munícipe. Buscou-se, então, desenvolver equações para estimar a taxa de geração per capita (TGP) de RSU nos municípios do estado de São Paulo. Adotou-se a premissa de que as variáveis população (P), renda per capita diária (RPC) e consumo per capita diário de energia elétrica (Ce) nos municípios eram intervenientes na TGP. A série de dados envolveu 238 municípios que rotineiramente pesaram seus resíduos no ano-base de 2013. Diversas funções foram testadas com o intuito de ajustar as TGPs observadas às calculadas pelo método dos mínimos quadrados. A qualidade dos ajustes foi avaliada por meio da comparação dos valores previstos e observados com a reta bissetriz do primeiro quadrante, dos coeficientes de correlação de Pearson (r) e de determinação (R2), das raízes quadradas dos erros médios ao quadrado (RMSEs) e dos erros percentuais médios (Ep). A equação que melhor representou o conjunto de dados forneceu r de 0,49, R2 de 0,24, RMSE de 0,217 kg.hab-1.d-1 e Ep de -14,1%. Apesar de R2 relativamente baixo, foi demonstrado, pelo teste de t de Student, que a equação proposta foi capaz de representar valores médios e resultar em mesma variância com probabilidade acima de 99%, fato que permitiu considerar a equação adequada para prever as TGPs nos municípios paulistas.
OBJECT-BASED ANALYSIS FOR URBAN LAND COVER MAPPING USING THE INTERIMAGE AND THE SIPINA FREE SOFTWARE PACKAGES
Authors: Antunes Rodrigo Rodrigues , Bias Edilson de Sousa , Costa Gilson Alexandre Ostwald Pedro da , Brites Ricardo Seixas
Published: March 2018

Abstract: In this work we introduce an object-based method, applied to urban land cover mapping. The method is implemented with two open-source tools: SIPINA, a data mining software package; and InterIMAGE, an object-based image analysis system. Initially, segmentation, feature extraction and sample selection procedures are performed with InterIMAGE. In order to reduce the time and subjectivity involved to develop the decision rules in InterIMAGE, a data mining step is then carried out with SIPINA. In sequence, the decision trees delivered by SIPINA are analysed and encoded into InterIMAGE decision rules for the final classification step. Experiments were conducted using a subset of a GeoEye image, acquired in January 01, 2013, covering the urban portion of the municipality of Goianésia, Brazil. Five decision tree induction algorithms, available in SIPINA, were tested: ID3, C45, GID3, Assistant86 and CHAID. The TAU and Kappa coefficients were used to evaluate the results. The TAU values obtained were in the range of 0.66 and 0.70, while those for Kappa varied from 0.65 to 0.69.
PRECISE FORMULA FOR VOLUME COMPUTATIONS USING CONTOURS METHOD
Authors: Napoles E. , Berber M.
Published: March 2018

Abstract: Except some special cases, commonly used volume computation methods are grids method, contours method and volume computations by utilizing TIN (Triangulated Irregular Network). In this study, to investigate the precisions of these techniques, a grid system is established in an undulating area and volume of the mound is determined by using these three volume computation methods. It is found out that contour method results were not as price as the other two methods. Thus, a precise formula for volume computations using contours method is proposed.
MAPPING OF FLOOD SUSCEPTIBILITY IN CAMPINA GRANDE COUNTY - PB: A SPATIAL MULTICRITERIA APPROACH
Authors: Alves Priscila Barros Ramalho , Filho Hiran de Melo , Tsuyuguchi Bárbara Barbosa , Rufino Iana Alexandra Alves , Feitosa Patrícia Hermínio Cunha
Published: March 2018

Abstract: The social and economic impacts caused by floods in urban areas are diverse and increase as the land becomes gradually impervious. Due to the increasing urbanization of cities, it is necessary to implement a better planning process and optimize the urban spaces management and occupation. Thus, the government needs to gather reliable and useful data for the decision-making process. Therefore, the GIS plays an important role among urban planning instruments. Given the current situation in Campina Grande County, Paraiba State, Brazil - an area continually facing disturbances caused by occasional and concentrated rainfalls - the current study aims to map the areas seen as the most susceptible to floods, by using a MCDA GIS-based model (Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis). There are five quantitative criteria considered in the analysis: slope, altitude, roads with drainage infrastructure, distance from water bodies and land use. It is a pixel by pixel analysis based on predetermined assumptions. Fuzzy functions were developed and overlay operations were performed. The results were consistent with historical records and with previous studies about the county, thus adding reliability to the model, which can be considered a potential management instrument for the case study area, as well as for cities facing similar issues.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF BIOGAS GENERATION FOR THE SOLID WASTE SECTOR USING UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE WITH THE BRAZILIAN MODEL OF GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS IN AREAS WITH NO OPERATIONAL HISTORY
Authors: Lopes Gustavo Aiex , Mozer Thiago Simonato , de Carli Ana Alice
Published: March 2018

Abstract: The city of Volta Redonda, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, has a controlled landfill of municipal solid waste (MSW) which was partially recovered in 2008. This disposal site has no data on the amount of waste volume landfilled. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) was used to capture images of the study area and through Geographic Information Systems (GIS) the biogas generation was determined. By overlaying the georeferenced images the contour lines were determined which enabled the creation of the 3D Digital Terrain Model (DTM) of the area with a resolution of 0.296349 m / pix. The DTM provided the determination of the volume of waste landfilled (535.755,79 m3) and the real surface area (36.770,96 m2) of the controlled landfill. These parameters allowed obtainment the maximum flow rate of methane generation of 16.539,82 m3 for 2007. The Brazilian model used to determination biogas generation in waste sector achieve a maximum flow rate of methane generation of 126.599,4 m3 for the year 2007. A significant difference between biogas generation in the two models was observed mainly due to the amount of waste determined in both models.
LANDSLIDE HAZARD MAPPING NEAR THE ADMIRAL ÁLVARO ALBERTO NUCLEAR COMPLEX, RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL.
Authors: Manfré Luiz Augusto , Albuquerque Natália Gallo , Quintanilha José Alberto
Published: March 2018

Abstract: Technological accidents can be vast in scope and require a rapid response to evacuate the affected region. Access routes to nuclear power stations are essential for the preparation of emergency plans in the event of technological disasters. The Admiral Álvaro Alberto Nuclear Power Plant (Central Nuclear Almirante Álvaro Alberto - CNAAA) in Angra dos Reis, Brazil, is located in a region with high rainfall and rugged terrain. This article presents digital image processing and geoprocessing procedures for mapping landslide-susceptible areas and landslide scars associated with the CNAAA access routes. Digital Elevation Models and their derivations were used to identify landslide-susceptible areas, and LANDSAT images were used to map the land cover. The information was superimposed, and the hazard areas and potential landslide scars were mapped. Most of the study area is medium or high risk for landslide events. Landslides scars mapping achieved over 50% of accuracy representing a potential methodology for the risk assessment and landslides monitoring in the study area. The results demonstrate that further and detailed studies must be performed in the areas in order to maintain the access roads available for eventual evacuations in a technological disaster event.
SPATIAL DEPENDENCE INDEX FOR CUBIC, PENTASPHERICAL AND WAVE SEMIVARIOGRAM MODELS
Authors: Appel Neto Edemar , Barbosa Ismael Canabarro , Seidel Enio Júnior , Oliveira Marcelo Silva de
Published: March 2018

Abstract: This study aims to propose a spatial dependence index (and its classification), from the concept of spatial correlation areas, for the Cubic, Pentaspherical and Wave models. The index, called Spatial Dependence Index (SDI), covers the following parameters: the range (a), the nugget effect (C 0 ) and the contribution (C 1 ), beyond considering the maximum distance (MD) between sampled points and the model factor (MF). The proposed index, unlike the most used in the literature, considers the influence of the range parameter to describe the spatial dependence, highlighting the importance of this formulation. The spatial dependence classification, based on the observed asymmetric behavior in the SDI, was performed considering categorizations from the median and the 3rd quartile of the index. We obtain the spatial dependence classification in terms of weak, moderate, and strong, just as it is usually described in literature.
Numerical approach about the effect of the corrosion on the mechanical capacity of the reinforced concrete beams considering material nonlinear models
Authors: PELLIZZER G. P. , LEONEL E. D. , NOGUEIRA C. G.
Published: March 2018

Abstract Every structure is subjected to the effects of time and environment on which they are located. The consideration of these effects and their consequences in design phase is called nowadays as durability analysis of the structural system. The corrosion of the reinforcement steel through the chloride penetration inside the concrete is the main cause of the lifetime deterioration of the reinforced concrete structures. As a direct consequence, the corrosion affects the resistant capacity of the structural elements as the process evolves over time. Therefore, the appropriate prediction of the structural lifetime depends directly of the prevision capacity of those effects over the behavior of the structural systems. In this work, a mechanical model that combines the corrosion effects over the reinforcement and the concrete and steel material nonlinear responses is proposed to predict the resistant loss of reinforced concrete beams over the time. The steel and concrete nonlinear behavior was modeled by model based on unidimensional plasticity theory and damage mechanics, respectively. The Fick’s laws and empirical methods based on the Faraday’s laws were used to represent chloride penetration inside concrete and reinforced degradation, respectively. A simplified process was adopted to simulate the corrosion beginning in different times over the structure. The results showed that the rate of loss resistant capacity of the analyzed beam is higher in the first years after the beginning of corrosion and tend to stabilized in subsequent years. Furthermore, the structural behavior is very sensitive regarding the considered corrosive effects in the analyses.
Balance emissions and CO2 uptake in concrete structures: simulation based on the cement content and type
Authors: FELIX E. F. , POSSAN E.
Published: March 2018

Abstract While the cement plant is considered one of the most polluting industry, responsible for about 5% of global CO2 emissions, the concrete has the potential to uptake this gas through the carbonation process, offset in part the emissions generated in its production. With the purpose to analyze this process, this study aims to evaluate emissions and CO2 uptake with cement content 300-580 kg produced with different cement types (CP II F, CP II E, CP II Z, CP III, CP IV and CP V). Through mathematical modeling, the emissions balance was made, identifying the mix that shows good resistance to carbonation and greater absorption of CO2 during the concrete life cycle. The results show that concrete with cement consumption between 380 and 420 kg/m³ showed better balance emissions.
Physical and geometrical non-linear behavior of precast beams on elastomeric supports
Authors: CARDOSO M. T. S. A. , LIMA M. C. V.
Published: March 2018

Abstract The stability of long and slender precast beams has been associated with structural collapse during the transitory phase of construction. The inevitable deviations regarding the execution between the support cross-section and midspan aggravate the instability problem, thus causing the beams to become even more susceptible to its effects. The focal point of this study is the numerical and behavioral evaluation of concrete beams that present geometric imperfections on elastomeric supports and analyze the influence exerted by the variables of: strength characteristics of concrete, physical non-linearity of the concrete and the compression stiffness of the bearing pad. The numerical analyses were developed on a computer program based on the finite element method (FEM). Among the principle conclusions drawn from the study, one finds that the increase in the characteristic strength of the concrete provides the beam with a higher degree of stability, and the consideration of the physical non-linear behavior of the material did not allow the equilibrium point on the numerical model to be found in some of the cases that were evaluated. The rotational stiffness of the pad decreases as the skew angle increases. Therefore, one needs to remember that in very critical situations, it may not be possible to find the point of equilibrium, thus leading to collapse.
The Taboo Challenge Competition
Authors: Rovatsos Michael , Gromann Dagmar , Bella Gábor
Published: March 2018

Games have always been a popular domain of AI research, and they have been used for many recent competitions. Reaching human‐level performance, however, often either focuses on comprehensive world knowledge or solving decision‐making problems with unmanageable solution spaces. Building on the popular Taboo board game, the Taboo Challenge Competition addresses a different problem — that of bridging the gap between the domain knowledge of heterogeneous agents trying to jointly identify a concept without making reference to its most salient features. The competition, which was run for the first time at the 2017 IJCAI conference, aims to provide a simple testbed for diversity‐aware AI where the focus is on integrating independently engineered AI components, while offering a scenario that is challenging enough to test the concept, yet simple enough not to require mastering general commonsense knowledge or natural language understanding. We describe the design of and preparation for the competition, and discuss the results and lessons learned.
Constructing Temporal Abstractions Autonomously in Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Bacon Pierre‐Luc , Precup Doina
Published: March 2018

The idea of temporal abstraction, that is, learning, planning, and representing the world at multiple time scales, has been a constant thread in AI research, spanning subfields from classical planning and search, to control and reinforcement learning. While temporal abstraction is a very natural concept, learning these abstractions without human input has proved quite daunting. In this paper, we present a general architecture called option‐critic for learning temporal abstractions end to end from the agent's experience. This approach allows for continual learning and provides interesting qualitative and quantitative results in several tasks.
Phase‐Mapper: Accelerating Materials Discovery with AI
Authors: Bai Junwen , Xue Yexiang , Bjorck Johan , Bras Ronan Le , Rappazzo Brendan , Bernstein Richard , Suram Santosh K. , van Dover R. Bruce , Gregoire John M. , Gomes Carla P.
Published: March 2018

From the stone age to the bronze, iron, and modern silicon ages, the discovery and characterization of new materials has always been instrumental to humanity's development and progress. With the current pressing need to address sustainability challenges and find alternatives to fossil fuels, we look for solutions in the development of new materials that will allow for renewable energy. To discover materials with the required properties, materials scientists can perform high‐throughput materials discovery, which includes rapid synthesis and characterization via X‐ray diffraction (XRD) of thousands of materials. A central problem in materials discovery, the phase map identification problem, involves the determination of the crystal structure of materials from materials composition and structural characterization data. This analysis is traditionally performed mainly by hand, which can take days for a single material system. In this work we present Phase‐Mapper, a solution platform that tightly integrates XRD experimentation, AI problem solving, and human intelligence for interpreting XRD patterns and inferring the crystal structures of the underlying materials. Phase‐Mapper is compatible with any spectral demixing algorithm, including our novel solver, AgileFD, which is based on convolutive nonnegative matrix factorization (NMF). AgileFD allows materials scientists to rapidly interpret XRD patterns, and incorporates constraints to capture prior knowledge about the physics of the materials as well as human feedback. With our system, materials scientists have been able to interpret previously unsolvable systems of XRD data at the Department of Energy's Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis, including the Nb‐Mn‐V oxide system, which led to the discovery of new solar light absorbers and is provided as an illustrative example of AI‐enabled high‐throughput materials discovery.
Seasonal deformations under a road embankment on degrading permafrost in Northern Canada
Authors: Kurz David , Flynn David , Alfaro Marolo , Arenson Lukas U , Graham Jim
Published: March 2018

Permafrost degradation is a major concern in cold regions that are warming because of climate change. To assist in understanding the process, ground temperatures, lateral and vertical deformations and groundwater pressures were measured for 6 years under a road embankment in northern Manitoba, Canada. The road surface requires ongoing maintenance due to irregular settlements. The field data allowed the calibration of numerical modelling that related deformations to ground temperatures. It confirmed the presence of remnant permafrost under the centre of the embankment, but none under the midslope or toe. This ‘frost bulb’ plays an important role in the ground thermal regime, the groundwater pressures, the observed deformations and, ultimately, necessary road maintenance.
Interaction of adjacent strip footings on reinforced soil using upper-bound limit analysis
Authors: Biswas N. , Ghosh P.
Published: March 2018

This paper explores the ultimate bearing capacity of two closely spaced interfering strip footings resting on a reinforced cohesionless soil bed using upper-bound limit analysis. The soil is assumed to follow the Mohr-Coulomb failure criteria along with the associated flow rule. A kinematically admissible multi-block failure mechanism is adopted in the analysis. The effect of interaction is studied with respect to angle of internal friction of soil (ϕ), clear spacing between the footings (s) and the number of reinforcement layers (p). The interference effect in terms of efficiency and influence factor is found to increase with the increase in s and becomes maximum at a critical spacing (scr) followed by a reduction with further increase in s. However, the interference effect is seen to decrease with increase in the number of reinforcement layers. The present theoretical observations are generally found to be in good agreement with the results reported in literature for the same class of problem.
Performance of multi-axial geogrid stabilised flexible pavements
Authors: Robinson William Jeremy , Tingle Jeb S. , Norwood Gregory J. , Wayne Mark H. , Kwon Jayhyun
Published: March 2018

Full-scale test sections were constructed and trafficked at the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to provide performance data for comparing the effectiveness of multi-axial geogrid stabilised flexible pavement sections with an unstabilised flexible pavement section. Two test sections containing differing multi-axial geogrids were constructed and trafficked under shelter in ERDC's hangar 2 pavement test facility. The test sections were subjected to accelerated traffic loading using a dual-wheel tandem-axle configuration simulating typical highway loadings. Permanent surface deformation, rutting, pavement stiffness and instrumentation response data were collected at designated traffic intervals. The results of the study indicate that the geogrid stabilised sections improved the performance of the pavement section when compared with the unstabilised section.