bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Calculo Preliminar de la Tasa de Meteorización del Batolito Antioqueño, Cordillera Central, Colombia
Authors: Garcia Carolina , Hermelin Michel
Published: January 2016

Este trabajo es una estimación preliminar del tiempo necesario para generar la espesa capa de saprolito que caracteriza el perfil de meteorización actual de un batolito cuarzodiorítico cretácico que aflora en altiplanos de la Cordillera Central de Colombia, entre 5º50' y 7º00' de latitud Norte y 74º50' y 75º35' de longitud Oeste y a alturas entre 750 y 2700 m.Se utilizan datos obtenidos previamente mediante el análisis de la composición química de las aguas superficiales de cuatro cuencas con áreas diferentes, ubicadas sobre el Batolito Antioqueño, al este de Medellín. Los cáculos se hicieron con el método basado en la pérdida de componentes en solución utilizando diferentes valores de solutos. Al utilizar la pérdida de sílice se obtiene un tiempo de meteorización de unos 6 x 10 6 años, comparable con el obtenido mediante la datación de las cenizas volcánicas mas antiguas que recubren la topografía actual y que indican la fecha mínima de configuración de la superficie de erosión.A pesar de resultar de una serie de suposiciones simplificadoras, este resultado es interesante y justifica la realización de determinaciones mas detalladas. Confirma la larga preservación de superficies de erosión antiguas conformadas sobre un saprolito que desde hace varios millones de años no ha sido sometido a una erosión profunda, fenómeno poco común en una zona tectónicamente activa como la estudiada.
The Araras Escarpment in the upper Paraná River: implications to fluvial neotectonics on the Paraná drainage net evolution
Authors: Etchebehere Mario Lincoln , Fulfaro Vicente José , Saad Antonio Roberto , J. Perinotto José Alexandre
Published: January 2016

The Paraná River hydrographical basin, the second largest in South America, has in its upper reach an anomalous

geomorphological structure, in relation to the general NNE-WSW channel direction. This anomaly occurs south

adjacent to the Rio do Peixe river mouth, where the Paraná River makes a U turn controlled by an unique antithetic

fault block dipping W. This alteration occurs against the general pattern of the synthetic fault blocks dipping E of its

left margin. This anomalous pattern is in accordance to the presence of a NW-SE shear megazone ruled by the

Guapiara lineament. Geomorphological data and location of some clay deposits within this region indicate a

previous and more ancient channel for this river according with the general NNE-WSW direction of the Três

Lagoas Crustal Suture Zone. This new U pattern was formed only after the occurrence of a neotectonic

reactivation at the crossing point among the Guapiara Lineament and the Três Lagoas Suture Zone. It is here

assumed that the lineament mode N350º appears as the most probable hydraulic tensor of this region and represents

the distensional direction. The lineament swarming N315º and N40º, as well as those grouped together in mode

N115º, may favor transcurrent dextral movements for the NW quadrant and sinistral for the other two directions

with transtensive and transpressive deformation. Both are dependent on the local geometry of fracture plains and

local stress fields. The most ancient geochronological data obtained until now for seismic liquefaction structure

samples from the Rio do Peixe valley, suggest a date of 34 ka BP, indicating that this tectonic regime was still

active at this time.
RISCO, VULNERABILIDADE FÍSICA À EROSÃO COSTEIRA E IMPACTOS SÓCIO-ECONÔMICOS NA ORLA URBANIZADA DO MUNICÍPIO DE MARICÁ, RIO DE JANEIRO
Authors: Lins-de-Barros Flavia Moraes
Published: January 2016

O estudo da erosão costeira no município de Maricá, no estado do Rio de Janeiro, aponta para a problemática resultante da

ausência de um planejamento urbano para as orlas que considere de maneira adequada a vulnerabilidade física e os riscos envolvidos. Nos anos de 1995, 1996 e 2001 fortes ondulações atingiram os litorais sul e sudeste do Brasil provocando no litoral de Maricá graves danos sobre as construções. Os prejuízos financeiros em função das destruições, desvalorização imobiliária e das obras realizadas atingiram uma cifra de aproximadamente R$ 3 milhões. O presente artigo visa discutir o problema da erosão costeira no município de Maricá através da avaliação dos impactos socioeconômicos e da definição de áreas críticas e de risco potencial à erosão costeira. Os mapeamentos do grau de vulnerabilidade e risco demonstraram predominância ao longo do arco praial de segmentos com risco elevado e muito elevado em função da baixa resistência do litoral aos eventos erosivos, elevada exposição às tempestades, elevada densidade de construção na orla e casas e quiosques posicionados na escarpa ou na berma da praia. Este resultado combinado à caracterização das praias quanto ao grau de danos sofridos, aos tipos de adaptação e ao prejuízo financeiro permitiu definir áreas especiais para o planejamento na orla de Maricá, contribuindo com sugestões de possíveis medidas que visem reverter a atual situação.
CLASSIFICÇÃO DA TIPOLOGIA DA ORLA DA CIDADE DE OLINDA-PE: DELIMITAÇÃO E CARACTERIZAÇÃO
Authors: Araújo Tereza C. M. , Silva Valéria B. , Carvalho João A. R.
Published: January 2016

A orla costeira é classificada como área em contato direto entre continente e o mar. Devido ao seu alto grau de beleza cênica, é uma área de grande conflito, gerado pelos múltiplos usos deste mínimo espaço.Este trabalho tem como objetivo classificar os diferentes tipos da orla da cidade de Olinda-PE. Para isso, foram feitas observações visuais dos parâmetros paisagísticos da orla, coleta de sedimentos para análise granulométrica e tomadas fotografias em vários pontos para diagnóstico local. A tipologia da orla foi classificada em quatro categorias: orla exposta não urbanizada (20%), orla exposta com urbanização consolidada (20%), orla semi-abrigada com urbanização consolidada (14%), e orla abrigada com urbanização consolidada (46%). Na porção sul predomina a orla exposta enquanto na parte norte predomina a orla abrigada. 80% da orla apresenta urbanização consolidada. As várias intervenções antrópicas mudaram as características da cobertura sedimentar das praias. Em quase toda área foi constatada a presença de obras de proteção costeira , devido ao agravamento do problema de erosão costeira que esta região enfrenta ao longo do tempo.
MECANISMOS DE INICIAÇÃO DE FLUXOS DETRÍTICOS NO MACIÇO DA TIJUCA, RIO DE JANEIRO (RJ): O CASO DA ENCOSTA DO SOBERBO
Authors: Avelar André de Souza , Lacerda Willy Alvarenga , Coelho Netto Ana Luiza
Published: January 2016

O trabalho enfoca as causas da iniciação do fluxo detrítico da encosta do Soberbo, que, segundo a literatura, deveu-se ao

impacto da queda de um bloco de rocha no solo saturado. Objetivando confirmar esta possibilidade de iniciação foram

levantadas as condições geomorfológicas e geotécnicas da área, antes e após o movimento de massa inicial e foram realizados

ensaios triaxiais convencionais (estático) e de choque não-drenado (dinâmico) no colúvio e no saprolito existentes na

encosta. As características geomorfológicas foram extraídas da literatura e a partir de aerofotos de 1954 e 1967, indicando a

ocorrência de blocos de rocha propícios à queda e o local de iniciação da ruptura. Os ensaios de choque provaram que as

rupturas no colúvio ocorrem com carregamentos bem menores que àqueles necessários para a ruptura sob carga estática.

Concluiu-se que a queda do bloco rochoso produziu a liquefação do colúvio que iniciou o fluxo detrítico do Soberbo.
Processos Hidrogeomorfológicos em Vertentes com Solos Argilosos Rasos em Guarapuava-PR, Brasil
Authors: Thomaz Edivaldo Lopes , Ross Jurandyr Luciano Sanches
Published: January 2016

Este estudo apresenta os resultados de mensurações referentes ao escoamento superficial e produção de sedimento em vertente com solos argilosos rasos em Guarapuava-PR, Brasil. Poucos estudos de processos erosivos foram realizados nesses materiais. A vertente foi analisada nos seguintes segmentos: topo, retilíneo, patamar e terraço fluvial. Em cada setor foi instalada uma parcela com 1 m2 e uma calha de Gerlach aberta. Durante o monitoramento a vertente esteve recoberta com vegetação em estágio inicial de sucessão de capoeira. Os eventos pluviométricos inferiores a 10 mm praticamente não geraram escoamento. O coeficiente de escoamento superficial médio variou de 0,14% no patamar a 1,74% no terraço fluvial, sendo que na maioria dos segmentos, ficou abaixo de 1,0%. A produção de sedimento foi baixa em todos os segmentos da vertente, apesar da diferenciação entre eles. A maior mobilização ocorreu no setor retilíneo (0,483 t/ha/ano), enquanto que a menor foi no setor convexo (0,127 t/ha/ano). Houve diferenciação na produção de sedimento e na geração de escoamento nos segmentos da vertente.
Análise Espacial com SIG de Parâmetros Ambientais e Comportamento Hidrológico (Chuva-Vazão) de uma Bacia de drenagem Montanhosa na Serra Dos Órgãos: Bacia Do Paquequer, Município De Teresópolis, RJ.
Authors: Silveira Carla Semiramis , Ramos José Augusto Sapienza
Published: January 2016

Este trabalho tem como objetivos principais apresentar e analisar, por meio de Sistema de Informação Geográfica, a distribuição espacial dos parâmetros ambientais, na escala 1:50.000, e discutir a possível influência destes na dinâmica hidrológica de chuvavazão da bacia do Paquequer. Este rio (5ª ordem, 30 km de comprimento) nasce na Serra dos Órgãos e drena 269 km2 para o vale do Paraíba do Sul. A pluviosidade anual varia de 1500 mm a jusante da bacia até mais de 3000 mm na cabeceira e as chuvas predominam no verão. Em 1996, a vegetação da bacia era composta por um mosaico de diferentes estágios de sucessão ecológica até Floresta Ombrófila Densa - Mata Atlântica, em fragmentos de diferentes tamanhos, e 25 % da área com uso urbano/rural. Na bacia ocorrem 3 unidades geológicas (Granito Teresópolis, Batólito Serra dos Órgãos (gnaisse) e Unidade Rio Negro (migmatito). Os afloramentos rochosos (5 % da área) são importantes feições da paisagem (principalmente no Granito Teresópolis). As unidades estão sobrepostas por colúvios, colúvios ricos em blocos, elúvio e pouca quantidade de depósitos aluvionares. Os Cambissolos são dominantes, com poucos Latossolos (preferencialmente associados a Unidade Rio Negro) e Gleissolos nos vales. Uma coletânea, unificação e análise das relações espaciais dos dados de geologia, solos, declividade, formação superficial, hidrografia, vegetação e uso mapeados pelo projeto Teresópolis (UERJ/IBGE) foi elaborada por intermédio do ArcGis Desktop 9.2. Os resultados do SIG apontam que a geologia da bacia condiciona diferentes paisagens. No Granito Teresópolis as classes de maior declividade, os afloramentos rochosos e os colúvios com blocos têm maior significado. As classes Gleissolo e Latossolo adquirem importância significativa na unidade Rio Negro. A investigação por meio de GPR e granulometria de uma sub-bacia identificou padrões geofísicos e granulométricos associados à rocha fresca, solo e colúvio com blocos. Na Estação Parnaso (INMET) (cabeceira da bacia do Paquequer) choveu 2945 mm no ano monitorado, enquanto na Estação Providência (UERJ/CPRM) (fim da bacia) choveu 1447 mm. Os meses de novembro a março foram os mais chuvosos e junho a setembro os mais secos. A vazão média do rio Paquequer ao longo de um ano é de 5,6 m3/s. A vazão mensal acompanha as tendências da precipitação, sendo controlada pela precipitação na cabeceira. A hidrógrafa decorrente de um evento de chuva na cabeceira da bacia demora entre 10 a 34 horas para alcançar o fim da bacia. Em termos hidrológicos a presença dos paredões rochosos, o uso urbano e os Cambissolos e solos litólicos (menos desenvolvidos) são os responsáveis pelos fluxos mais rápidos. Entretanto a forma alongada, os colúvios e elúvios são fontes de fluxos mais lentos que estabelecem uma boa correlação entre a chuva na cabeceira e a vazão na saída da bacia.
Desenvolvimento e verificação de métodos indiretos para a estimativa da Erodibilidade dos Solos da Bacia Experimental do Alto Rio Jardim – DF
Authors: Lima Jorge Enoch Furquim Werneck , Silva Euzebio Medrado da , Eid Nabil Joseph , Martins Éder de Souza , Koide Sergio , Reatto Adriana
Published: January 2016

A dificuldade na determinação direta da erodibilidade (fator K) exige o desenvolvimento de métodos para estimá-la a partir de outras características dos solos de mais fácil obtenção. Entretanto, ainda não existe um método indireto considerado o melhor para a estimativa da erodibilidade do solo. O objetivo deste trabalho foi definir a melhor abordagem para se estimar a erodibilidade dos solos da bacia do alto rio Jardim - DF. Foram avaliados quatro métodos indiretos de estimativa da erodibilidade, os quais tiveram seus resultados discutidos e comparados com dados medidos. Os resultados do teste de comparação de médias t- Student indicaram que todos os métodos diferem significativamente dos dados medidos a 5% de significância. Os métodos de Denardin (1990), van der Knijff et al. (1999) e Stone & Hillborn (2002), em média, superestimaram os valores medidos, enquanto o nomograma de Wischmeier et al. (1971) os subestimaram. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, a adoção de um valor de K por classe de solo, como normalmente utilizado, não é recomendada, pois implica em erros consideráveis. Optou-se pelo uso do método de Denardin (1990), pois foi aquele que mais se aproximou do valor medido. Com base no método de Denardin (1990) e  nos resultados de sua aplicação com os dados levantados na bacia de estudo, desenvolveu-se um novo método indireto de estimativa do valor de K, baseado unicamente no teor de argila da amostra. O método desenvolvido foi aplicado à bacia do rio Jardim de forma espacialmente interpolada e os resultados obtidos foram considerados melhores do que aqueles gerados com a adoção de um valor médio de K por classe de solo.
Classificação De Bacias De Drenagem Do Alto Jequitaí (Minas Gerais) A Partir Da Análise De Principais Componentes E Análise De Grupos
Authors: Sodré Robson Veloso Ribeiro , Carvalho Júnior Osmar Abílio de , Machado Wátila Portela , Oliveira Sandro Nunes de , Gomes Roberto Arnaldo Trancoso , Guimarães Renato Fontes , De Carvalho Ana Paula Ferreira , Martins Éder de Souza
Published: January 2016

Esse artigo objetiva aplicar a análise multivariada para a descrição e classificação dos dados morfométricos de bacias de drenagem. A metodologia pode ser subdividida em quatro etapas: (a) elaboração do Modelo Digital de Terreno (MDT) hidrologicamente correto, (b) delimitação dos limites da bacia a partir do MDT de acordo com a ordem fluvial de Strahler, (c) determinação dos atributos morfométricos da bacia de drenagem, e (d) análise multivariada (análise fatorial e análise de grupos). A elaboração do MDT considerou os seguintes procedimentos: preenchimento de depressões, aprofundamento da rede de drenagem, direção de fluxo e determinação do fluxo acumulado. As medidas morfométricas das bacias incluíram nove fatores: elevação (média, ponto mais alto e mais baixo), amplitude de elevação (diferença entre o ponto mais alto e baixo na bacia), declividade, curvatura, área, perímetro e índice de circularidade. A análise multivariada foi utilizada para simplificar e organizar a grande quantidade de dados. Como resultados foram encontradas 1.773 bacias de primeira ordem fluvial. 536 de segunda ordem fluvial e 136 de terceira ordem fluvial. A ACP reduziu os atributos morfométricos das bacias de drenagem em três componentes principais, com alta percentagem da variância original. A análise de cluster aglutinou as bacias com padrões morfológicos similares. A classificação das bacias apresenta as unidades geomorfológicas com forte controle geológico.
Análise Espaço-Temporal da Erosão Linear no Médio-BaixoVale do Ribeirão do Secretário (Paty do Alferes/RJ)
Authors: Salgado Carla Maciel , Silva Thiago Pinto da , Peixoto Maria Naise de Oliveira , De Moura Josilda Rodrigues da Silva
Published: January 2016

O município de Paty do Alferes, localizado na vertente continental da Serra do Mar (RJ), apresenta um grande número de ravinas e voçorocas. No médio-baixo vale do Ribeirão do Secretário (noroeste do município) tais feições foram mapeadas e classificadas como ravinas/voçorocas desconectadas ou conectadas à rede de drenagem, seguindo uma tipologia elaborada em trabalhos anteriores no médio vale do rio Paraíba do Sul. Com base no mapeamento e classificação de feições erosivas lineares, executado através de fotointerpretação e trabalhos de campo, foi analisado o estado de atividade das incisões erosivas nas décadas de 1960 e 1990 (1968 e 1996), e avaliada a sua distribuição espacial na bacia hidrográfica em análise. Verificou-se uma tendência à estabilização das feições erosivas no período analisado, inclusive com a extinção de algumas voçorocas, relacionada à erosão parcial ou total das coberturas sedimentares/pedológicas, ao afloramento de horizontes de solo ou camadas sedimentares mais resistentes e/ou do substrato rochoso, além de colonização de vegetação. As ravinas/voçorocas desconectadas da drenagem concentram-se nos setores sul e sudeste da bacia hidrográfica, onde predominam encostas longas com declividade acentuada, solos com horizonte B textural e/ou solos pouco profundos, ocorrendo ainda a influência de aspectos lito-estruturais. As voçorocas conectadas à rede de drenagem apresentam uma distribuição espacial mais homogênea na bacia e se desenvolvem essencialmente em planície fluvial ou nas reentrâncias de cabeceiras de drenagem. Em algumas propriedades, o entalhe erosivo foi usado para constituir açude para irrigação dos cultivos, fato que também contribui para a inatividade deste tipo de feição erosiva.
Amostragem Dos Depósitos Tecnogênicos Associados Ao Rio Meia Ponte Na Área Urbana De Goiânia-GO
Authors: Rubin Julio Cezar Rubin de , Oliveira Antônio Manoel dos Santos , Saad Antonio Roberto , Brito Gisele Silveira de
Published: January 2016

A caracterização dos depósitos tecnogênicos associados ao rio Meia Ponte na área urbana de Goiânia foi elaborada

mediante descrição de afloramentos, sondagens com vibro-testemunhador e observação pontual dos depósitos de

canal, em conseqüência de seu desvio temporário junto à Estação de Tratamento de Esgotos de Goiânia. Os depósitos

apontam para um avanço na utilização desordenada dos recursos naturais da região, além da ação antrópica predatória

em relação ao rio Meia Ponte e seus depósitos, especialmente evidenciada na associação entre os depósitos naturais e

os tecnogênicos.
Suavização dos Contatos entre Compartimentos de Relevo através de Modelagem por Inferência Fuzzy: Mapeamento Geomorfológico no Município de Presidente Prudente - SP – Brasil
Authors: Samizava Tiago Matsuo , Nunes João Osvaldo Rodrigues , Imai Nilton Nobuhiro , Kaida Rodrigo Hiroshi
Published: January 2016

Os compartimentos de relevo presentes em mapas geomorfológicos são delimitados por polígonos fechados. Nesse processo

de mapeamento, a incerteza presente na delimitação dos polígonos é grande, já que as classes não são homogêneas. Esse tipo

de representação espacial conduz a dados imprecisos em mapas com limites rígidos e introduz erros desnecessários em estágio

inicial do processo de utilização dessa informação numa inferência espacial. Nesse contexto, o presente artigo utiliza uma

metodologia baseada em inferência fuzzy, para modelagem de uma representação computacional de compartimentos de relevo,

considerando a natureza imprecisa dos contatos entre as classes temáticas. A área de estudo localiza-se no município de

Presidente Prudente – SP
Can Frequent Measurement of Normalized Difference Vegetative Index and Soil Nitrate Guide Nitrogen Fertilization of Kentucky Bluegrass Sod?
Authors: Guillard Karl , Fitzpatrick Richard J. M. , Burdett Holly
Published: January 2016

Objective approaches to guide N fertilization of turfgrass sod crops are lacking. This study was conducted to determine the relationships among normalized difference vegetative index (NDVI), frequently‐measured soil NO3–N concentrations, and peak‐shear force of predominately Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensisL.) sod, and to evaluate if those relationships could help guide N fertilization. Ramp calibration strips (RCS) with varying N rates were established within production sod fields in Rhode Island across three consecutive years. At 2‐wk intervals during each growing season, soil NO3–N concentrations and NDVI readings were recorded and correlated. Biweekly relative NDVI readings plateaued when soil NO3–N concentrations ranged between 5 and 12 mg kg–1. Mean relative NDVI plateaued at 196 kg N ha–1yr–1. Relative sod peak‐shear force was negatively correlated to soil NO3–N concentrations and the total amount of N applied per year. Relative peak‐shear force was maximized when mean relative NDVI readings ranged from 0.969 to 0.982, but declined as mean relative NDVI increased towards 1.0. The results suggest that frequently measured NDVI and soil NO3–N concentrations show promise as guides for N fertilization of predominately Kentucky bluegrass sod. Further research will be required to validate these approaches on larger‐scale sod fields.
Parallel interactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules
Authors: Malenov Dusan , Zaric Snezana
Published: January 2016

Parallel interactions of aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules are very
important in chemistry and biology. In this review, recent findings on
preferred geometries and interaction energies of these molecules are
presented. Benzene and pyridine were used as model systems for studying
aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules, respectively. Searches of Cambridge
Structural Database show that both aromatic and heteroaromatic molecules
prefer interacting at large horizontal displacements, even though previous
calculations showed that stacking interactions (with offsets of about 1.5 ?)
are the strongest. Calculations of interaction energies at large horizontal
displacements revealed that the large portion of interaction energy is
preserved even when two molecules do not overlap. These substantial energies,
as well as the possibility of forming larger supramolecular structures, make
parallel interactions at large horizontal displacements more frequent in
crystal structures than stacking interactions.
Becoming Sustainable: A Rational Decision Based on Sound Information and Effective Processes?
Authors: Hales Jeffrey , Matsumura Ella Mae , Moser Donald V. , Payne Rick
Published: January 2016

This article is based on a panel discussion of accounting and sustainability at the AAA 2014 Management Accounting Section Midyear Meeting. It first provides background and motivation for the original panel and then presents the three panelists' remarks, which have been further extended in developing this article. The article therefore consists primarily of three essays. The first essay discusses the information on which CSR decisions could be based, emphasizing the role of regulation in promoting the production of new types of information. The second essay discusses how to assess the rationality of CSR investments. The third essay approaches the question of the rationality of CSR initiatives by first drawing an analogy to investments in customer satisfaction and quality improvement and then by considering the role of incentives and performance measures in driving sustainability. The latter two essays also provide specific guidance for experimental, archival, and field researchers interested in researching sustainability.
Short- and long-term evaluation of mandibular dental arch dimensional changes in patients treated with a lip bumper during mixed dentition followed by fixed appliances
Authors: Raucci Gaetana , Pachêco-Pereira Camila , Elyasi Maryam , d’Apuzzo Fabrizia , Flores-Mir Carlos , Perillo Letizia
Published: January 2016

Objective: 

To evaluate short- and long-term mandibular dental arch changes in patients treated with a lip bumper during the mixed dentition followed by fixed appliances, compared with a matched control sample.

Materials and Methods: 

Dental casts and lateral cephalograms obtained from 31 consecutively treated patients before (T0) and after (T1) lip bumper, after fixed appliances (T2), and a minimum of 3 years after fixed appliances (T3) were analyzed. The control group was matched as closely as possible. Arch width, arch perimeter, arch length, and incisor proclination were evaluated. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to analyze changes in measurements over all four time points between treatment and control groups.

Results: 

Arch widths and crowding were always significantly different except at T2−T1. At T1−T0, only crowding decreased 3.2 mm while intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths increased by 3.8, 3.3, and 3.9 mm, respectively. Changes at T3−T2 showed a significant decrease of 2.1 mm for crowding and an increase of 3.5, 2.9, 2.7, and 0.8 mm for intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths and arch perimeter, respectively. Finally, at T3−T0, the reduction in crowding of 5.03 mm was significant and clinically important in the treated group. The differences between intercanine, interpremolar, and intermolar widths were also significant (2.1, 3.8, and 3.6 mm, respectively). All those differences favored the treated group.

Conclusions: 

Mandibular dental arch dimensions were significantly changed after lip bumper treatment. At follow-up, all arch widths were slightly decreased, generating an increase of 0.4 mm in crowding, considered clinically irrelevant. Overall changes remained stable after an average 6.3-year follow-up.
The influence of lifestyle on cardio-metabolic risk in students from Timisoara University Center
Authors: Oraviţan Mihaela , Avram Claudiu , Iurciuc Stela , Mergheş Petru , Almăjan-Guţă Bogdan
Published: January 2016

This study is a part of the activities in a cross border cooperation project that has proposed the management of obesity and cardio-metabolic risk at students from Timisoara and Szeged university centres. The target group of Timisoara University Center was formed out of 600 students enrolled in the four major universities from Timisoara; target group students were questioned about their lifestyle and were evaluated anthropometric parameters, body composition and arterial stiffness; based on questionnaires was determine too the risk of developing cardiovascular disease and/or diabetes mellitus type II. Analysis of the results revealed the strong correlations between lifestyle and cardio-metabolic risk in these students.
Diagnostic Methods in Piriformis Syndrome
Authors: Bârzu Mariana
Published: January 2016

An uncomon cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome, that involves deep buttock pain reffered to the leg. Piriformis syndrome is usually discribed as a neuromuscular disorder caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle. There are a lot of means to diagnose Piriformis syndrome, and to distinguish it from other pain inducing conditions. Unfortunatelly not every practitioner has the opportunity to use special means, and not every patient has the financial support to beneficiate of the same special means, represented by Computed tomography (CT), Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Electromyography (EMG) and Neurography. For this reason, the present paper gathered the most popular functional tests used in the practice to diagnose the piriformis syndrome
Comparative Kinetic Methods used for the Therapy of Idiopathic Scoliosis in Adolescents
Authors: Amaricăi Elena
Published: January 2016

Scoliosis is one of the most common axial deviations of the spine. Because of its incidence and the fact that, with the evolution of technology, adolescents spend increasingly more time sitting at desk, adopting positions often incorrect, this paper aims to study the evolution of adolescent patients diagnosed with scoliosis using different kinetic methods of treatment. Another objective is to highlight the most effective method of treatment in terms of overall rehabilitation period, the time spent by the patient in the rehabilitation centre and the preservation of scoliosis correction. 9 adolescents patients (aged between 14 and 17 years) with idiopathic scoliosis were divided into three groups based on the followed kinetic method. Three patients underwent a physical therapy program based on the conventional Klapp and Cotrel method, three patients performed Schroth method, and the other three patients performed Vojta method. All patients were monitored for 6 months. They followed a certain rehabilitation therapy in a specialized centre under the guidance of specialized therapist. Height, weight and scoliosis curvature (measured by the Cobb angle) were assessed at the beginning of the program and after 6 months of kinetic program. The small number of patients in each group could not issue conclusions regarding the statistical efficiency of the three methods of therapy. However, besides the conventional therapy, both Schroth method and Vojta method represent possibilities to treat the adolescent patients with idiopathic scoliosis.
Study Regarding the Play of the wing player at the World Handball Championship – Serbia 2013
Authors: Cărăbaş Ionică
Published: January 2016

The ascension to the top of the world hierachy in hanball implies a minutiously preparation, considering all the factors of the sporting training, of the players who compose the team. If, not long ago, a team having a 9 m line and a valuable goalkeeper could lean the victory balance in its favour, nowadays, a team can not win a high level competition without having very valuable players on the other posts too. Considering the aspects presented, the study proposes to demonstrate the importance of the players’ contribution who evolve on the wing post, in the modern handball game.
Content Validity for a Child Care Self-assessment Tool: Creating Healthy Eating Environments Scale (CHEERS)
Authors: Lafave Lynne , Tyminski Sheila , Riege Theresa , Hoy Diane , Dexter Bria
Published: January 2016

The purpose of this project was to develop and content validate both a formative and summative self-assessment scale designed to measure the nutrition and physical activity environment in community-based child care programs. The study followed a mixed-method modified Ebel procedure. An expert group with qualifications in nutrition, physical activity, and child care were recruited for content validation. The survey was subjected to expert review through digital communication followed by a face-to-face validation meeting. To establish consensus for content validity beyond the standard error of proportion (P < 0.05) the content validity index (CVI) required was ≥0.78. Of the initial 64 items, 44 scored an acceptable CVI for inclusion. The remaining items were discussed, missing concepts identified, and a final CVI employed to determine inclusion. The final tool included 62 items with 5 subscales: food served, healthy eating program planning, healthy eating environment, physical activity environment, and healthy body image environment. Content validation is an integral step in scale development that is often overlooked or poorly carried out. Initial content validity of this scale has been established and will be of value to researchers and practitioners interested in conducting healthy eating interventions in child care.
Comprehension and Use of Nutrition Facts Tables among Adolescents and Young Adults in Canada
Authors: Hobin Erin , Shen-Tu Grace , Sacco Jocelyn , White Christine , Bowman Carolyn , Sheeshka Judy , Mcvey Gail , O’Brien Mary Fodor , Vanderlee Lana , Hammond David
Published: January 2016

Purpose: Limited evidence exists on the comprehension and use of Nutrition Facts tables (NFt) among adolescents and young adults. This study provides an account of how young people engage with, understand, and apply nutrition information on the current and modified versions of the NFt to compare and choose foods.

Methods: Participants aged 16–24 years (n = 26) were asked to “think aloud” while viewing either the current or 1 of 5 modified NFts and completing a behavioural task. The task included a questionnaire with 9 functional items requiring participants to define, compare, interpret, and manipulate serving size and percentage daily value (%DV) information on NFts. Semi-structured interviews were conducted to further probe thought processes and difficulties experienced in completing the task.

Results: Equal serving sizes on NFts improved ability to accurately compare nutrition information between products. Most participants could define %DV and believed it can be used to compare foods, yet some confusion persisted when interpreting %DVs and manipulating serving-size information on NFts. Where serving sizes were unequal, mathematical errors were often responsible for incorrect responses.

Conclusions: Results reinforce the need for equal serving sizes on NFts of similar products and highlight young Canadians’ confusion when using nutrition information on NFts.
Between Grassroots Protest and Green Politics: The Democratic Potential of the 1970s Antinuclear Activisim
Authors: Milder Stephen
Published: January 2016

This article narrates the development of the antinuclear movement from the bottom up, showing how local protests initiated changes in Germans' ideas about democracy and public participation, precipitating the Green Party's emergence. The narrative begins with the pre-history of the 1975 occupation of the Wyhl reactor site in Southern Baden. It shows that vintners' concerns about the future of their livelihoods underpinned protests at Wyhl, but argues that the anti-reactor coalition grew in breadth after government officials' perceived misconduct caused local people to connect their agricultural concerns with democracy matters. It then explains how local protests like the Wyhl occupation influenced the formation of the German Green Party in the late 1970s, showing how the sorts of convergences that occurred amidst “single issue” protests like the anti-Wyhl struggle enabled a wide variety of activists to come together in the new party. Thus, the article argues that particular, local concerns initiated a rethinking of participation in electoral politics. Far from fracturing society, these local concerns promoted diverse new coalitions and shaped an inclusive approach to electoral politics.
Petra Kelly, International Green Leader: On Biography and the Peace Movement as Resources of Power in West German Politics, 1979-1983
Authors: Richter Saskia
Published: January 2016

This article uses the biography of the activist and Green Party co-founder Petra Kelly in order to rethink the Greens' founding process and to articulate a new conception of charismatic political leadership. It shows how Kelly used her activism in the new social movements as the basis for her leadership role in the Greens, and how her ongoing work in the peace movement provided her a means of maintaining power within the nascent party during the early 1980s. By examining Kelly's contributions to the Greens' approach to politics, the article shows that she was more than just a figurehead for the new party. Most importantly, the article shows that throughout her career as an activist and politician, Kelly used her biography to establish credibility and to support her unique style of charismatic leadership. The German public's response to Kelly reveals the influence of this charismatic leadership and shows how her movement-driven and biographically informed approach, which brought personal experiences and emotions into politics, was part of a larger transformation of the political in West Germany during the 1970s and 1980s.
Cancer-Related Constituents of Strawberry Jam as Compared with Fresh Fruit
Authors: Flores Gema , Ruiz del Castillo Maria
Published: January 2016

The health awareness recently shown by consumers has led to a demand for health beneficial products. In particular, researchers are currently focusing their studies on the search for foods for cancer prevention activity. In the present work, we study comparatively the effect of two different processing methods on the contents of phenolic compounds (i.e., ellagic acid, myricetin, quercetin and kaempferol) with antioxidant and antitumor properties in strawberry jams. In turn, the results obtained were compared with those of unprocessed fruit. Additionally carcinogenic heat-induced compounds formed by the two jam making methods were evaluated. Decreases of total ellagic acid from 138.4 µg/g to 86.5 µg/g were measured in jam as compared with the intact fruit. Even higher losses of up to 90% of total flavonols were found in strawberry after the jam-making process. A comparison between the two processing methods proved shorter heating periods (around 60 min) even at temperatures as high as 100 °C enabled losses of antioxidant phenolics to be minimized. Carcinogenic heat-induced volatile compounds, mainly Maillard reaction products, were formed as a result of thermal treatment during jam processing. However, shorter heating periods also helped reduce the formation of these harmful compounds. These results are deeply discussed. From a practical standpoint, the processing conditions here proposed can be used by industry to obtain strawberry jam with higher content of antioxidant flavonoids and, at the same time, reduced amounts of carcinogenic compounds.
On Modulating Interfacial Structure towards Improved Anti-Icing Performance
Authors: Jha Kshitij , Anim-Danso Emmanuel , Bekele Selemon , Eason George , Tsige Mesfin
Published: January 2016

The design of anti-icing surfaces presents an interface with high causal density that has been challenging to quantify in terms of individual contributions of various interactions and environmental factors. In this commentary, we highlight the role of interfacial water structure as uniquely expressing the physico-chemical aspects of ice accretion. Recent work on the topic that focuses on control of interfacial structure is discussed along with results by our research group on wettability of chemically modified surfaces and the role of ions in modulating interfacial structure. Suggestions for systematic studies to understand the fundamental interactions at play in ice adhesion at interfaces are made especially in the under-explored areas of cooperative hydrogen bonding and the role of solvated counterions. Insights expected from such studies would contribute to design of robust anti-icing hierarchies.
Reliability Analysis and Overload Capability Assessment of Oil-Immersed Power Transformers
Authors: Wang Chen , Wu Jie , Wang Jianzhou , Zhao Weigang
Published: January 2016

Smart grids have been constructed so as to guarantee the security and stability of the power grid in recent years. Power transformers are a most vital component in the complicated smart grid network. Any transformer failure can cause damage of the whole power system, within which the failures caused by overloading cannot be ignored. This research gives a new insight into overload capability assessment of transformers. The hot-spot temperature of the winding is the most critical factor in measuring the overload capacity of power transformers. Thus, the hot-spot temperature is calculated to obtain the duration running time of the power transformers under overloading conditions. Then the overloading probability is fitted with the mature and widely accepted Weibull probability density function. To guarantee the accuracy of this fitting, a new objective function is proposed to obtain the desired parameters in the Weibull distributions. In addition, ten different mutation scenarios are adopted in the differential evolutionary algorithm to optimize the parameter in the Weibull distribution. The final comprehensive overload capability of the power transformer is assessed by the duration running time as well as the overloading probability. Compared with the previous studies that take no account of the overloading probability, the assessment results obtained in this research are much more reliable.
Developing a Complex Educational–Behavioural Intervention: The TREAT Intervention for Patients with Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Clarkesmith Danielle , Pattison Helen , Borg Xuereb Christian , Lane Deirdre
Published: January 2016

This article describes the theoretical and pragmatic development of a patient-centred intervention for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Theoretical models (Common Sense Model, Necessity-Concerns Framework), clinical frameworks, and AF patient feedback contributed to the design of a one-off hour-long behaviour-change intervention package. Intervention materials consisted of a DVD, educational booklet, diary and worksheet, which were patient-centred and easy to administer. The intervention was evaluated within a randomised controlled trial. Several “active theoretical ingredients” were identified (for e.g., where patients believed their medication was less harmful they spent more time within the therapeutic range (TTR), with general harm scores predicting TTR at 6 months). Allowing for social comparison and adopting behaviour change techniques enabled accurate patient understanding of their condition and medication. The process of developing the intervention using theory-derived content and evaluation tools allowed a greater understanding of the mechanisms by which this intervention was successful. Alleviating concerns about treatment medication by educating patients can help to improve adherence. This process of intervention development could be adopted for a range of chronic illnesses and treatments. Critical elements should include the use of: (1) clinical guidelines; (2) appropriate theoretical models; (3) patient input; and (4) appropriate evaluation tools.
The Functional Analysis of Histone Acetyltransferase MOF in Tumorigenesis
Authors: Su Jiaming , Wang Fei , Cai Yong , Jin Jingji
Published: January 2016

Changes in chromatin structure and heritably regulating the gene expression by epigenetic mechanisms, such as histone post-translational modification, are involved in most cellular biological processes. Thus, abnormal regulation of epigenetics is implicated in the occurrence of various diseases, including cancer. Human MOF (males absent on the first) is a member of the MYST (Moz-Ybf2/Sas3-Sas2-Tip60) family of histone acetyltransferases (HATs). As a catalytic subunit, MOF can form at least two distinct multiprotein complexes (MSL and NSL) in human cells. Both complexes can acetylate histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16); however, the NSL complex possesses broader substrate specificity and can also acetylate histone H4 at lysines 5 and 8 (H4K5 and H4K8), suggesting the complexity of the intracellular functions of MOF. Silencing of MOF in cells leads to genomic instability, inactivation of gene transcription, defective DNA damage repair and early embryonic lethality. Unbalanced MOF expression and its corresponding acetylation of H4K16 have been found in certain primary cancer tissues, including breast cancer, medulloblastoma, ovarian cancer, renal cell carcinoma, colorectal carcinoma, gastric cancer, as well as non-small cell lung cancer. In this review, we provide a brief overview of MOF and its corresponding histone acetylation, introduce recent research findings that link MOF functions to tumorigenesis and speculate on the potential role that may be relevant to tumorigenic pathways.
Iron in Multiple Sclerosis and Its Noninvasive Imaging with Quantitative Susceptibility Mapping
Authors: Stüber Carsten , Pitt David , Wang Yi
Published: January 2016

Iron is considered to play a key role in the development and progression of Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In particular, iron that accumulates in myeloid cells after the blood-brain barrier (BBB) seals may contribute to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress and eventually neurodegeneration. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a well-established tool for the non-invasive study of MS. In recent years, an advanced MRI method, quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM), has made it possible to study brain iron through in vivo imaging. Moreover, immunohistochemical investigations have helped defining the lesional and cellular distribution of iron in MS brain tissue. Imaging studies in MS patients and of brain tissue combined with histological studies have provided important insights into the role of iron in inflammation and neurodegeneration in MS.
Urine Aquaporin-2: A Promising Marker of Response to the Arginine Vasopressin Type-2 Antagonist, Tolvaptan in Patients with Congestive Heart Failure
Authors: Imamura Teruhiko , Kinugawa Koichiro
Published: January 2016

Aquaporin-2, a member of the aquaporin family, is an arginine vasopressin-regulated water channel expressed in the renal collecting duct, and a promising marker of the concentrating and diluting ability of the kidney. The arginine vasopressin type-2 antagonist, tolvaptan, is a new-generation diuretic; it is especially indicated in patients with decompensated heart failure refractory to conventional diuretics. However, the ideal responders to tolvaptan have not yet been identified, and non-responders experience worse clinical courses despite treatment with tolvaptan. Urine aquaporin-2 has recently been demonstrated as a promising predictor of response to tolvaptan. We here validated aquaporin-2-guided tolvaptan therapy in patients with decompensated heart failure. Long-term efficacy of tolvaptan treatment in the responders defined by aquaporin-2 needs to be validated in the future prospective study.
Controversies over the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Liver Fibrosis
Authors: Taura Kojiro , Iwaisako Keiko , Hatano Etsuro , Uemoto Shinji
Published: January 2016

Liver fibrosis is a universal consequence of chronic liver diseases. It is accompanied by activation of collagen-producing myofibroblasts, resulting in excessive deposition of extracellular matrix. The origin of myofibroblasts in the fibrotic liver has not been completely resolved and remains a matter of debate. Recently, the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was proposed as one of the mechanisms that give rise to collagen-producing myofibroblasts in liver fibrosis. However, subsequent studies contradicted this hypothesis, and the EMT theory has become one of the most controversial and debatable issues in the field of liver fibrosis research. This review will summarize the existing literature on EMT in liver fibrosis and will analyze the causes for the contradictory results to draw a reasonable conclusion based on current knowledge in the field.
Building the Partners HealthCare Biobank at Partners Personalized Medicine: Informed Consent, Return of Research Results, Recruitment Lessons and Operational Considerations
Authors: Karlson Elizabeth , Boutin Natalie , Hoffnagle Alison , Allen Nicole
Published: January 2016

The Partners HealthCare Biobank is a Partners HealthCare enterprise-wide initiative whose goal is to provide a foundation for the next generation of translational research studies of genotype, environment, gene-environment interaction, biomarker and family history associations with disease phenotypes. The Biobank has leveraged in-person and electronic recruitment methods to enroll >30,000 subjects as of October 2015 at two academic medical centers in Partners HealthCare since launching in 2010. Through a close collaboration with the Partners Human Research Committee, the Biobank has developed a comprehensive informed consent process that addresses key patient concerns, including privacy and the return of research results. Lessons learned include the need for careful consideration of ethical issues, attention to the educational content of electronic media, the importance of patient authentication in electronic informed consent, the need for highly secure IT infrastructure and management of communications and the importance of flexible recruitment modalities and processes dependent on the clinical setting for recruitment.