bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognose da estrutura diamétrica de remanescente de floresta com Araucária utilizando a função densidade de probabilidade Weibull.
Authors: Ebling Angelo Augusto , Pelissari Alan Libanio , Abrão Simone Filipini , Bamberg Rogério
Published: October 2015

Estudos referentes à prognose da estrutura diamétrica são essenciais no desenvolvimento de parâmetros de produção das florestas, gerando estimativas para subsidiar o manejo sustentado. Por meio de dados de um remanescente de floresta com Araucária, oriundos de inventário florestal contínuo entre os anos de 2000 a 2008 realizado na Floresta Nacional de São Francisco de Paula, RS, formalizou-se o presente estudo, o qual objetivou prognosticar a estrutura florestal. Foram avaliados, em todas as classes diamétricas, o incremento e a probabilidade de migração, mortalidade e recrutamento das árvores com diâmetro à altura do peito igual ou superior a 9,5 cm. Logo, o cálculo de prognose consistiu em atribuir probabilidades de ocorrência em cada evento, considerando o tempo de projeção e o crescimento diamétrico. Os valores foram prognosticados para o ano de 2008, sendo aplicada a função densidade de probabilidade de Weibull na distribuição de frequências, a qual apresentou boa qualidade de ajuste (R²aj=0,99 e Syx%=1,25). As estimativas foram confrontadas com valores observados da floresta no mesmo ano de referência, com a aderência da prognose confirmada pelo teste de Kolmogorov-Smirnov (Dcalc=0, 05782<Dtab95%=0,05873). A metodologia foi eficiente para o planejamento e a avaliação florestal, passível de aplicação para demais espécies e comunidades florestais multiâneas. O emprego de uma função densidade de probabilidade promoveu a maior uniformidade da distribuição, principalmente para as estimativas com maior amplitude temporal, reduzindo, dessa forma, as possíveis discrepâncias.
Análises multivariadas de atributos químicos do solo para caracterização de ambientes.
Authors: Freitas Ludmila De , Casagrande José Carlos , Oliveira Ivanildo Amorim de , Souza Júnior Paulo Roberto de , Campos Milton César Costa
Published: October 2015

As alterações da cobertura vegetal e uso do solo promovem mudanças na quantidade e qualidade dos atributos químicos do solo e, consequentemente, no carbono orgânico do solo. Nesse contexto, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar as alterações dos atributos químicos de um Latossolo Vermelho distrófico submetido a diferentes manejos, utilizando a análise multivariada. Foram estudadas três áreas adjacentes (mata, cana-de-açúcar e área reflorestada), no município de Santa Ernestina (SP). Em cada área foram coletadas aleatoriamente quatro amostras de solo nas camadas de 0,0-0,1 m e 0,1- 0,2 m de profundidade. Foram avaliados os atributos químicos: pH, matéria orgânica, cálcio, potássio, magnésio, alumínio, acidez potencial, enxofre, boro, cobre, ferro, manganês, e zinco. Em seguida os dados foram submetidos a análises estatísticas multivariadas. A classificação dos acessos em grupos foi feita por dois métodos: método de agrupamentos hierárquico e análise de componentes principais. As análises de agrupamentos e componentes principais permitiram identificar a formação de dois grupos, um formado pela mata nativa e o outro pela área em reflorestamento e a área cultivada com cana-de-açúcar. O uso das técnicas de multivariadas foi eficiente para verificar as similaridades e/ou diferenças das áreas estudadas. Os resultados indicam que o uso intensivo do solo diminui sua qualidade tendo como referência a vegetação nativa.
Propagação de Schlumbergera truncata (Haw): alternativas ao uso do xaxim
Authors: Zanotti Rafael Fonseca , Motta Ludymila Brandão , Lopes José Carlos , Mengarda Liana HILDA GOLIN , Paiva Carlos Eduardo Costa
Published: October 2015

A Schlumbergera truncata é uma cactaceae ornamental, propagada por estacas, e o xaxim é um dos substratos utilizados. Devido à ameaça de extinção do xaxim, torna-se necessário avaliar substratos alternativos. A utilização de substratos adequados e o uso de substâncias promotoras de organogênese, como as auxinas, auxiliam no processo de propagação vegetativa. Dessa maneira, objetivou-se com este trabalho avaliar o desenvolvimento de estacas de S. truncata em diferentes substratos e o efeito do AIB na organogênese. Foram realizados seis tratamentos, que consistiram na combinação de três substratos (pó de xaxim; pó de coco e substrato comercial), bem como na presença (600 mg L-1) ou ausência de AIB. Foram utilizadas 20 estacas por tratamento, sendo distribuídas em cinco repetições com quatro estacas por repetição, em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em esquema fatorial 3 x 2 (substratos x AIB). Não houve interação significativa entre os fatores, sendo avaliados isoladamente. Nos substratos pó de xaxim, substrato comercial e pó de coco, as estacas apresentaram 3,0; 3,7 e 1,3 brotos por planta, respectivamente. Após exposição à solução de AIB com 0 e 600 mg L-1, as estacas apresentaram 2,2 e 3,1 brotos por planta, respectivamente. Tanto o substrato pó de xaxim quanto o substrato comercial são eficientes para propagação de S. truncata. Portanto, sendo o xaxim (Dicksonia sellowianna) uma espécie da Mata Atlântica que se encontra em extinção, recomenda-se a utilização de substrato comercial e uso do regulador de crescimento AIB para promover incremento de brotação.
Caracterização do processo de poluição das águas superficiais da Bacia Hidrográfica do Rio Jucu, estado do Espírito Santo, Brasil
Authors: Gardiman Junior Benvindo Sirtoli
Published: October 2015

O uso e a ocupação do solo das Bacias Hidrográficas influenciam a qualidade da água, podendo, inclusive, inviabilizar o uso previsto do corpo hídrico. Nesse caso, torna-se pertinente a caracterização dos processos de contaminação de um curso d’água para que se possa identificar quais são os principais fatores determinantes, auxiliando a minimizar os impactos antrópicos. Objetivou-se, com o presente estudo caracterizar o processo de contaminação das águas da Bacia do Rio Jucu a partir de dezesseis variáveis de qualidade de água. Para tanto, foram utilizadas técnicas de estatística multivariada, como análise de componentes principais (ACP) e análise fatorial (AF), que indicaram nove variáveis representativas da variação da qualidade das águas, são elas: N (NH3), DBO, N(kj), DQO, coliformes totais, pH, sólidos totais e dissolvidos, bem como clorofila. Essas variáveis estão divididas em quatro fatores: Orgânico, Acidez, Sólidos e Eutrofização. Explicando aproximadamente 74% da variância total dos dados, esses fatores estão diretamente relacionados com o enriquecimento das águas por cargas orgânicas, acidez dos solos, escoamento superficial e elevados níveis de nutrientes, respectivamente.
Obtenção de normas DRIS preliminares e faixas de suficiência para bananeira do subgrupo prata na região do Baixo Jaguaribe, CE, Brasil
Authors: Pereira Natanael Santiago , Ferrreira Ana Maria Oliveira , Silva José Alex do Nascimento , Araújo Leonardo Tals Lima de , Silva Francisco Limeira da
Published: October 2015

Para o sucesso do diagnóstico nutricional é interessante que a avaliação nutricional das plantas seja fundamentada em dados locais e como alternativa tem sido utilizado o Sistema Integrado de Diagnose e Recomendação (DRIS). Objetivou-se com este trabalho estabelecer normas DRIS preliminares para a cultura da banana na região do Baixo Jaguaribe, CE, com base em banco de dados com resultados de análise foliar. Foram geradas normas DRIS para a região do Baixo Jaguaribe a partir de 171 resultados de análises foliares relativas aos distritos de irrigação Jaguaribe-Apodi (DIJA) e Tabuleiro de Russas (DISTAR), de um total de 487. Os valores de referência foram obtidos através da relação dual entre os nutrientes transformadas por logaritmo neperiano, sendo calculadas as suas respectivas médias e desvios padrões. A partir dos índices DRIS obtidos foram determinadas as frequências de resultados com quadro de deficiência e de excesso de cada nutriente. As normas DRIS, específicas para cada local, mostraram diferenças quando comparadas com as geradas com a totalidade dos dados. Os diagnósticos gerados com as normas específicas coincidiram em menos de 60% quando comparados com os obtidos por normas de referência da literatura. As normas DRIS obtidas necessitam ser validadas a partir de dados de produção comercial, bem como de ensaios de adubação.
Distribuição espacial de Metamasius hemipterus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) em plantio de dendê (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) em Roraima
Authors: Silva Dionisio Luiz Fernandes , Silva Lima Antonio Cesar , Fidelis de Morais Elisangela Gomes , Correia Ruy Guilherme , Ferreira dos Santos Artur Vinícius , Dos Santos Ximenes Carla Klis
Published: October 2015

Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o padrão de distribuição espacial, bem como o raio de agregação de Metamasius hemipterus em plantio de dendê (Elaeis guineensis), no estado de Roraima. A área experimental está localizada no município de São João da Baliza, RR, onde foram realizadas 24 amostragens no período de setembro de 2013 a agosto de 2014. O perímetro da área foi demarcado com receptor de sistema de posicionamento global, e os grides de amostragem tiveram dimensão de 45 x 45 m. A distribuição espacial foi determinada colocando-se uma armadilha do tipo balde com atrativo alimentar (cana-de-açúcar), em cada ponto amostral, no qual obteve-se o valor da variável (número de insetos/armadilha) e as coordenadas (latitude e longitude). As análises da variabilidade e da dependência espacial foram feitas através de incorporação de procedimentos geoestatísticos baseados em técnicas de modelagem espacial por semivariogramas. Já os mapas de krigagem foram gerados a partir dos dados de contagem de adultos de M. hemipterus em campo. Os grides de amostragem foram apropriados para caracterizar a distribuição espacial do M. hemipterus em campo. Observou-se que a distribuição espacial de M. hemipterus é agregada com dependência espacial descrita pelo modelo esférico, formando “reboleiras” de 78 a 199 m (alcance do modelo). Por meio dos mapas de krigagem, foi observado que a infestação se dá inicialmente nas bordas do plantio, com posterior disseminação para toda a área. Os resultados sugerem que as armadilhas sejam colocadas nas bordas do plantio, para coleta e controle destes insetos-pragas.
Desempenho agronômico de cultivares de melancia no cerrado de Boa Vista, Roraima
Authors: Da Silva Carmo Ignácio Lund Gabriel , Silva Edgley Soares , Monteiro Neto João Luiz Lopes , Trassato Luciana Baú , De Medeiros Roberto Dantas , Porto Dilacy Sales
Published: October 2015

A produção de melancia é consolidada em todas as regiões do Brasil. Porém, as informações sobre produtividade e qualidade dos frutos, de diferentes cultivares no mesmo ambiente, ainda são tímidas, sobretudo em Roraima, tornando necessária a realização de estudos para suprir essa carência. Objetivou-se com o presente trabalho avaliar o desempenho agronômico de cultivares de melancia cultivadas nas condições do cerrado de Boa Vista, Roraima. O experimento foi desenvolvido em condições de campo , entre os meses de dezembro de 2013 e fevereiro de 2014. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o de blocos ao acaso, com seis repetições. Os tratamentos consistiram de seis cultivares de melancia, quais foram: Verena, Explore, Elisa, Juliane, Crimson Sweet e Crimson Sweet Super. Avaliaram-se características agronômicas e de qualidadedos frutos. Não houve diferença entre as cultivares quanto a produtividade, número de frutos por hectare e número de frutos com massa entre 6 e 9 kg por hectare. As cultivares diferenciaram-se quanto às características físicas (massa, dimensão e número de sementes por fruto). Houve diferença entre as cultivares para todas as características químicas e físico-químicas dos frutos. A cultivar Elisa apresentou maior teor de sólidos solúveis totais (12,58 ºBrix). Os frutos das cultivares Explore e Crimson Sweet Super apresentaram maior relação entre os teores de sólidos solúveis totais e acidez titulável. Os frutos das cultivares Explore e Elisa apresentaram maior pH. As condições edafoclimáticas do cerrado de Boa Vista - RR favorecem a produção e qualidade dos frutos das cultivares avaliadas.
BACIAS, PROBLEMAS E POTENCIALIDADES: ESTUDO DE CASO ACERCA DO BAIXO CURSO DA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO CÓRREGO BONSUCESSO, EM BELO HORIZONTE, MINAS GERAIS
Authors: Silva Flávio Aparecido da , Mendes Hugo Patrick Oliveira , Moraes Leomar De Souza , Silva Michael Jordan Goleme , Mazoni Andrade Rafael Lara , Ferreira Sérgio Augusto , Pinto Silas Sidney Linhares , Lucas Taiza De Pinho Barroso
Published: October 2015

Este artigo disserta acerca de conceitos atinentes a recursos hídricos, bacias hidrográficas e sua gestão. O trabalho mostra a imperiosa necessidade de se repensar o relacionamento entre seres humanos e recursos naturais. Utilizando uma pesquisa in loco aliada a uma metodologia de análise de observação, este artigo mostra problemas e alternativas de soluções para o córrego Bonsucesso, Belo Horizonte.
Expediente
Authors: Castro Vitorio Delogo de
Published: October 2015

Trata-se da Ficha técnica da Revista, contendo os responsáveis pela Instituição, o Conselho Editorial e Conselho Científico.
Response of Maize to Cover Crops, Fertilizer Nitrogen Rates, and Economic Return
Authors: Mahama George Y. , Prasad P. V. Vara , Roozeboom Kraig L. , Nippert Jesse B. , Rice Charles W.
Published: October 2015

Leguminous cover crops are considered part of sustainable agricultural systems. With the development of no‐till cropping systems, cover crops have been recognized for their ability to provide N for succeeding crops. The objectives of this study were: (i) to determine the N contribution of summer cover crops and double‐cropped grain crops following winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and N rates to subsequent maize (Zea maysL.) crops’ physiological traits and yield, (ii) to calculate the fertilizer N replacement value, and (iii) to perform economic analyses of the cropping systems. Field experiments were conducted during the 2012–2013 and 2013–2014 growing seasons in Kansas. The grain yield of maize in all the cover crop systems and the double‐cropped soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] system was similar to maize in the fallow system with 45 kg N ha−1. The mean increase in grain yield as a result of including cowpea [Vigna unguiculata(L.) Walp.], pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan(L.) Millsp.], sunn hemp (Crotalaria junceaL.), double‐cropped soybean, and double‐cropped grain sorghum [Sorghum bicolor(L.) Moench] in the rotation over the fallow system with 0 kg N ha−1was 78, 91, 66, 72, and 12%, respectively. Fertilizer N replacement values for cowpea, pigeonpea, sunn hemp, double‐cropped soybean, and double‐cropped grain sorghum were 53, 64, 43, 47, and –5 kg N ha−1, respectively. We conclude that the inclusion of summer leguminous cover crops in a cropping system has the potential to reduce or supplement N requirements and increase the grain yield of subsequent maize crops.
Chronic Pelvic Pain in Women: An Epidemiological Perspective
Authors: Ayorinde Abimbola A , Macfarlane Gary J , Saraswat Lucky , Bhattacharya Siladitya
Published: October 2015

Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is common in women of reproductive age and has a significant impact on quality of life, work efficiency and healthcare utilization. CPP can be a manifestation of many different, often multifactorial conditions, and in the absence of an identified cause, the management can be particularly challenging. High quality epidemiological studies would improve the understanding of CPP and identify risk factors which may be targeted for the development of appropriate management strategies. This review focuses on what is known about the prevalence, risk factors, individual and societal burden of CPP and outlines important management strategies.
Immunoproteomic Profiling of Antiviral Antibodies in New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes Using Protein Arrays
Authors: Bian Xiaofang , Wallstrom Garrick , Davis Amy , Wang Jie , Park Jin , Throop Andrea , Steel Jason , Yu Xiaobo , Wasserfall Clive , Schatz Desmond , Atkinson Mark , Qiu Ji , LaBaer Joshua
Published: October 2015

The rapid rise in the incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) suggests the involvement of environmental factors including viral infections. We evaluated the association between viral infections and T1D by profiling antiviral antibodies using a high-throughput immunoproteomics approach in patients with new-onset T1D. We constructed a viral protein array comprising the complete proteomes of seven viruses associated with T1D and open reading frames from other common viruses. Antibody responses to 646 viral antigens were assessed in 42 patients with T1D and 42 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (mean age 12.7 years, 50% males). Prevalence of antiviral antibodies agreed with known infection rates for the corresponding virus based on epidemiological studies. Antibody responses to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were significantly higher in case than control subjects (odds ratio 6.6; 95% CI 2.0–25.7), whereas the other viruses showed no differences. The EBV and T1D association was significant in both sex and age subgroups (≤12 and >12 years), and there was a trend toward early EBV infections among the case subjects. These results suggest a potential role for EBV in T1D development. We believe our innovative immunoproteomics platform is useful for understanding the role of viral infections in T1D and other disorders where associations between viral infection and disease are unclear.
Enamel Surface Changes After Exposure to Bleaching Gels Containing Carbamide Peroxide or Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Cvikl B , Lussi A , Moritz A , Flury S
Published: October 2015

Objective

This study evaluated the differences in enamel color change, surface hardness, elastic modulus, and surface roughness between treatments with four bleaching gels containing carbamide peroxide (two at 10% and one each at 35%, and 45%) and two bleaching gels containing hydrogen peroxide (two at 40%).

Methods

Enamel specimens were bleached and color changes were measured. Color change was calculated using either ΔE or the Bleaching Index (BI). Then, surface hardness, elastic modulus, and surface roughness of the enamel specimens were evaluated. All measurements were performed at baseline and directly after the first bleaching treatment for all carbamide peroxide– and hydrogen peroxide–containing bleaching gels. In addition, final measurements were made 24 hours after each of a total of 10 bleaching treatments for carbamide peroxide bleaching gels, and 1 week after each of a total of three bleaching treatments for hydrogen peroxide bleaching gels.

Results

After the last bleaching treatment, respective ΔE scores were 17.6 and 8.2 for the two 10% carbamide peroxide gels, 12.9 and 5.6 for the 45% and 35% carbamide peroxide gels, and 9.6 and 13.9 for the two 40% hydrogen peroxide gels. The respective BI scores were −2.0 and −2.0 for the two 10% carbamide peroxide gels, −3.5 and −1.5 for the 45% and 35% carbamide peroxide gels, and −2.0 and −3.0 for the two 40% hydrogen peroxide gels. Each bleaching gel treatment resulted in significant whitening; however, no significant difference was found among the gels after the last bleaching. Whitening occurred within the first bleaching treatments and did not increase significantly during the remaining treatments. Surface hardness significantly decreased after the last bleaching treatment, when 10% carbamide peroxide was used. Furthermore, significant changes in the elastic modulus or surface roughness occurred only after treatment with 10% carbamide peroxide.

Conclusion

All six bleaching gels effectively bleached the enamel specimens independent of their concentration of peroxide. Gels with low peroxide concentration and longer contact time negatively affected the enamel surface.
Policy-Making Theory as an Analytical Framework in Policy Analysis: Implications for Research Design and Professional Advocacy
Authors: Sheldon Michael R.
Published: October 2015

Policy studies are a recent addition to the American Physical Therapy Association's Research Agenda and are critical to our understanding of various federal, state, local, and organizational policies on the provision of physical therapist services across the continuum of care. Policy analyses that help to advance the profession's various policy agendas will require relevant theoretical frameworks to be credible. The purpose of this perspective article is to: (1) demonstrate the use of a policy-making theory as an analytical framework in a policy analysis and (2) discuss how sound policy analysis can assist physical therapists in becoming more effective change agents, policy advocates, and partners with other relevant stakeholder groups. An exploratory study of state agency policy responses to address work-related musculoskeletal disorders is provided as a contemporary example to illustrate key points and to demonstrate the importance of selecting a relevant analytical framework based on the context of the policy issue under investigation.
Roadmaps for Adaptation Measures of Transportation to Climate Change
Authors: Stamos Iraklis , Mitsakis Evangelos , Grau Josep Maria Salanova
Published: October 2015

No strangers to the phenomenon of climate change, transport-related authorities responsible for managing its impacts have lately turned their attention to exploring ways to address the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events and natural hazards, often referred to as “the face of climate change.” In the quest to identify optimal alternatives that will reduce the effects of climate change on human ecosystems, these authorities find themselves presented with a series of options. Nonetheless, transportation authorities have no assurances that their choices will best deal with the challenges and therefore substantially contribute to the minimization of negative climate change impacts. Following a detailed literature review of both research efforts and actual case-study experience, adaptation measures for road, rail, air, and water transportation are consolidated and related to the extreme weather events, natural hazards, or both that they mostly address. The review is concluded in the form of a measure and policy database, which is then evaluated through a series of performance indicators. These indicators include the extent to which each measure contributes to the enhancement of transport system resilience as well as the temporal and financial resources required for its implementation. The evaluation is conducted by using an expert group survey covering multiple sectors and disciplines (academia, research, industry, and government). Findings are formulated in the form of roadmaps for climate change adaptation measures for the transport sector; these roadmaps can serve as a useful tool and basis for an improved decision-making approach for different end users to address climate change.
Analysis of Transportation Network Vulnerability under Flooding Disasters
Authors: Chen Xian-Zhe , Lu Qing-Chang , Peng Zhong-Ren , Ash John Eugene
Published: October 2015

The transportation network plays an important role in people's daily activities. At the same time, serious flooding disasters frequently damage the transportation infrastructure and network around the world. The vulnerability of the transportation network has attracted much attention. Understanding transportation network vulnerability can enhance prevention and response capabilities during disaster events and emergency incidents. However, current methods for evaluating transportation network vulnerability still have many disadvantages. This research provides an introduction to analysis of transportation network vulnerability, followed by a review of research addressing transportation network vulnerability. A new accessibility-based methodology addressing travel modes was developed to evaluate transportation network vulnerability under flooding impacts. A case study based on data from Hillsborough County, Florida, was conducted to verify the established model. ArcGIS was utilized to identify the inundated segments. Different flooding scenarios were applied in CUBE to update the shortest travel time changes under flooding. Networkwide accessibility and vulnerability values under each scenario were then calculated. Finally, accessibility values calculated with the proposed accessibility-based method and the Hansen accessibility index method were compared. Comparison of results shows that the results of the two methods are quite close, but the proposed method yields normalized values, which make the results clearer and provide more levels of accessibility loss. Research results of the study can support decision making for urban transportation under flooding disasters resulting from extreme weather events and sea level rise.
Vulnerability Evaluation of Logistics Transportation Networks under Seismic Disasters
Authors: Du Qianqian , Kishi Kunihiro , Nakatsuji Takashi
Published: October 2015

The concept of vulnerability analysis is related to evaluating the consequences of network degradation caused by incidents such as social or natural disasters. Many methodologies have been proposed to evaluate transportation network vulnerability by quantifying the consequences of partial network degradation. However, the consequences of network degradation without a consideration of the probability of degradation are not enough to show the vulnerability features of a network under a specific disaster. In fact, because degradation of some parts of a network may have great consequences but a low probability of occurrence, it would not be reasonable to say that these parts are vulnerable. A methodology is proposed to scan the vulnerability of logistics transportation networks under seismic disasters. This methodology considers both the difference caused by component degradation and the probability of component degradation caused by a seismic disaster. The results will be helpful in forming a reinforcement policy for resisting seismic damage. An appropriate measurement of performance specific to logistics transportation networks, total generalized cost, is used in this method. Finally, visual results of the vulnerability evaluation of a study network are demonstrated with geographic information system technology.
Risk and Resilience Analysis for Emergency Projects
Authors: Flannery Aimee , Pena Maria A. , Katon Matthew R. , Kennedy Jason F.
Published: October 2015

A recent review of the FHWA Emergency Relief Program identified the need for standardized procedures to guide states and FHWA when emergency relief projects are developed and reviewed and when eligibility decisions are made. This study builds on the risk analysis and management for critical asset protection approach developed to assess risk for critical infrastructure and reflects the requirements of the FHWA emergency relief program and manual. The approach outlined provides a process for state highway agencies and FHWA division offices to assess the reduced risk and improved resilience of design alternatives as compared with the restore-in-kind design for sites that qualify for emergency relief funds. The process outlined is also applicable to state highway agencies' all-hazards-risk analysis required for their risk-based asset management programs. The extent of damage that occurred from the September 2013 Colorado flood provides a rich environment to test this process and approach. In addition, the Colorado Department of Transportation's desire to provide as much insight as possible to its peer states through this recovery effort provides FHWA with a unique opportunity to develop and refine procedures with full cooperation from a leading state highway agency.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Used for Disaster Management
Authors: Kim Karl , Davidson Jennifer
Published: October 2015

Unmanned aircraft systems (UASs) are an emerging technology with the potential to revolutionize disaster management as well as transportation, agriculture, conservation, and many other industries. Findings on UAS use in disaster management are summarized. Also included is a discussion on FAA regulations and an overview of current UAS models based on a survey conducted in the summer of 2014. Issues that need to be addressed as UAS use expands in the United States include regulations, safety, and privacy concerns. Disaster managers, transportation planners, and other UAS users must work to ensure that new FAA regulations address the role of these systems in their industries; collaborate with UAS researchers and developers to ensure that UAS cameras, sensors, and vehicles will optimize UAS use in their industries; and develop integration strategies for bringing this new technology into existing practices and procedures in each industry. The ease of use and the low cost of a small UAS model mean that local governments, humanitarian organizations, and companies will find beneficial uses. UASs already provide vital information in flights worldwide and can be used in many ways, including search and rescue, transportation of medicine, real-time imaging of critical infrastructure, and restoration of communication networks. Although the potential benefits of UASs in disaster management and other fields are evident, the pathway for smooth, orderly, and safe transformation of shared airspace is less clear.
Supporting Mobility-Impaired Populations in Emergency Evacuations
Authors: Feng Lei , Vodopivec Neža , Miller-Hooks Elise
Published: October 2015

A person with impaired mobility is one of the most vulnerable in emergencies. During an evacuation, the mobility-impaired need special arrangements while being transported to shelters and special accommodations during their shelter stays. When resources are limited, not all shelters can be specially equipped for low-mobility evacuees. The problem of simultaneously choosing a particular subset of shelters to equip, matching persons with impaired mobility to these shelters, and routing paratransit vehicles to bring passengers to shelters accordingly is addressed. The problem is formulated as a mixed-integer program, and a heuristic appropriate for solving real-world, large-scale instances is proposed. These solution strategies can form the basis of a practical tool to be used for evacuation planning. An evacuation scenario is constructed based on the basis of real-world evacuation zones, shelter locations, and population statistics for New York City, and this scenario is used to evaluate the heuristic.
Agent-Based Evacuation Model considering Field Effects and Government Advice
Authors: Teo Joel S. E. , Schmöcker Jan-Dirk , Leon Florin , Li Joe Y.-T. , Ji Jun , Atanasiu Gabriela , Taniguchi Eiichi
Published: October 2015

This research aimed to incorporate social capital, defined as information flow from government to population and information flow within a population, into an agent-based evacuation model. The importance of social capital based on lessons from past disasters of broken communications from key decision makers was considered as well as the effectiveness of crowd influence during an evacuation, which is vital to future evacuation plans or infrastructure improvements to resolve congestion on critical links or points. The emphasis of the study was to describe the modeling framework and implementation into an agent-based modeling framework. The software was tested with an illustrative case study. The key findings demonstrated a higher survival rate if evacuees tended to heed the government's evacuation guidance whenever it was available or to follow the evacuation advice of the neighboring crowd.
Hurricane Evacuation Route Choice of Major Bridges in Miami Beach, Florida
Authors: Sadri Arif Mohaimin , Ukkusuri Satish V. , Murray-Tuite Pamela , Gladwin Hugh
Published: October 2015

Evacuation is a typical recourse to prevent loss of life if a high storm surge occurs, especially in hurricane-prone regions. Bridges are the key locations of bottlenecks. Because of the specific geographic shape and roadway network of Miami Beach, Florida, residents need to evacuate over one of the six major bridges or causeways: MacArthur Causeway, Venetian Causeway, Julia Tuttle Causeway, John F. Kennedy Causeway, Broad Causeway, and Haulover Bridge. A mixed logit model is presented to identify the determining factors for evacuees from Miami Beach in selecting one of these bridges during a major hurricane. The model was developed by using data obtained from a survey that included a hypothetical Category 4 (major) hurricane scenario to reveal the most likely plans for evacuees from this area. The estimation findings suggest that the preference over a given bridge involves a complex interaction of variables, such as distance to reach the evacuation destination, evacuation-specific characteristics (evacuation day, time, mode, and destination), and evacuee-specific characteristics (gender, race, evacuation experience, and living experience). The normally distributed random parameters in the model account for the existence of unobserved heterogeneity across different observations. The findings of this study will help emergency officials and policy makers to develop efficient operational measures and better evacuation plans for a major hurricane by determining different fractions of people taking each of the six bridges.
Hospital Patients Are Not Eating Their Full Meal: Results of the Canadian 2010–2011 nutritionDay Survey
Authors: Kent-Smith Luiza , Eisenbraun Corinne , Wile Heather
Published: October 2015

nutritionDay is a 1-day cross-sectional survey identifying how nutrition care is provided. This paper provides results of the first 2 Canadian nutritionDay surveys. In November 2010 and 2011, data from standardized questionnaires were collected from 193 units in Canadian hospitals consisting of unit demographics and patient information including weight history, health status, nutrition assessment, nutrition therapy, food intake and 30-day outcomes. Results indicated that overall, 46% of the 1905 patients reported weight loss in the previous 3 months, and in half of these it was greater than 5 kg. Only 50% of the units had nutrition teams and nutrition therapy was provided to less than 14% of patients. More than 50% of patients ate less than normal in the previous week and 57% ate less than half of their meal on nutritionDay. Within the next 30 days the majority of patients went home, 10% remained in hospital, and 6% were readmitted. In this study, nutritionDay provided relevant information on nutrition assessment, weight history, food intake, nutrition therapy, length of stay, and outcomes in participating Canadian institutions. Data from 2010 and 2011 can help to both reflect on current practices and define continuous improvements through benchmarking with the overall goal of mitigating suboptimal nutrition intake during hospitalization.
Use of an Experiential Learning Assignment to Prepare Future Health Professionals to Utilize Social Media for Nutrition Communications
Authors: Twynstra Jasna , Dworatzek Paula
Published: October 2015

Social media has become a popular platform for reputable health organizations to disseminate health information to the public. However, future health professionals may receive little training in social media communication. To train future dietetic professionals, we incorporated a social media assignment into a Communications course curriculum to facilitate effective use of social media for the profession. For the assignment, students were instructed to make 2 posts on Facebook. The posts were due 3 weeks apart so that students received feedback on their first post before making their second post. To demonstrate the type of social media communication commonly used by reputable health organizations, the first post raised awareness or provided nutrition education. The second post used Facebook’s “comment” feature, to respond to another student’s first post, demonstrating the use of social media for community engagement. Both posts included a hyperlink that the user could click to get more information. Students were evaluated on the hook, main points, professionalism, credibility, and effectiveness of inviting the reader to the hyperlinked website and its ease of navigation. Dietetics educators should be encouraged to incorporate social media education into their curriculums for the benefit of future dietitians and their clients.
Routine perioperative ketorolac administration is not associated with hemorrhage in pediatric neurosurgery patients
Authors: Richardson Marlin Dustin , Palmeri Nicholas O. , Williams Sarah A. , Torok Michelle R. , O’Neill Brent R. , Handler Michael H. , Hankinson Todd C.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

NSAIDs are effective perioperative analgesics. Many surgeons are reluctant to use NSAIDs perioperatively because of a theoretical increase in the risk for bleeding events. The authors assessed the effect of routine perioperative ketorolac use on intracranial hemorrhage in children undergoing a wide range of neurosurgical procedures.

METHODS

A retrospective single-institution analysis of 1451 neurosurgical cases was performed. Data included demographics, type of surgery, and perioperative ketorolac use. Outcomes included bleeding events requiring return to the operating room, bleeding seen on postoperative imaging, and the development of renal failure or gastrointestinal tract injury.

Variables associated with both the exposure and outcomes (p < 0.20) were evaluated as potential confounders for bleeding on postoperative imaging, and multivariable logistic regression was performed. Bivariable analysis was performed for bleeding events. Odds ratios and 95% CIs were estimated.

RESULTS

Of the 1451 patients, 955 received ketorolac. Multivariate regression analysis demonstrated no significant association between clinically significant bleeding events (OR 0.69; 95% CI 0.15–3.1) or radiographic hemorrhage (OR 0.81; 95% CI 0.43–1.51) and the perioperative administration of ketorolac. Treatment with a medication that creates a known bleeding risk (OR 3.11; 95% CI 1.01–9.57), surgical procedure (OR 2.35; 95% CI 1.11–4.94), and craniotomy/craniectomy (OR 2.43; 95% CI 1.19–4.94) were associated with a significantly elevated risk for radiographically identified hemorrhage.

CONCLUSIONS

Short-term ketorolac therapy does not appear to be associated with a statistically significant increase in the risk of bleeding documented on postoperative imaging in pediatric neurosurgical patients and may be considered as part of a perioperative analgesic regimen. Although no association was found between ketorolac and clinically significant bleeding events, a larger study needs to be conducted to control for confounding factors, because of the rarity of these events.
Is there a regional difference in morphology interpretation of A3 and A4 fractures among different cultures?
Authors: Schroeder Gregory D. , Kepler Christopher K. , Koerner John D. , Chapman Jens R. , Bellabarba Carlo , Oner F. Cumhur , Reinhold Max , Dvorak Marcel F. , Aarabi Bizhan , Vialle Luiz , Fehlings Michael G. , Rajasekaran Shanmuganathan , Kandziora Frank , Schnake Klaus J. , Vaccaro Alexander R.
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

The aim of this study was to determine if the ability of a surgeon to correctly classify A3 (burst fractures with a single endplate involved) and A4 (burst fractures with both endplates involved) fractures is affected by either the region or the experience of the surgeon.

METHODS

A survey was sent to 100 AOSpine members from all 6 AO regions of the world (North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East) who had no prior knowledge of the new AOSpine Thoracolumbar Spine Injury Classification System. Respondents were asked to classify 25 cases, including 6 thoracolumbar burst fractures (A3 or A4). This study focuses on the effect of region and experience on surgeons’ ability to properly classify these 2 controversial fracture variants.

RESULTS

All 100 surveyed surgeons completed the survey, and no significant regional (p > 0.50) or experiential (p > 0.21) variability in the ability to correctly classify burst fractures was identified; however, surgeons from all regions and with all levels of experience were more likely to correctly classify A3 fractures than A4 fractures (p < 0.01). Further analysis demonstrated that no region predisposed surgeons to increasing their assessment of severity of burst fractures.

CONCLUSIONS

A3 and A4 fractures are the most difficult 2 fractures to correctly classify, but this is not affected by the region or experience of the surgeon; therefore, regional variations in the treatment of thoracolumbar burst fractures (A3 and A4) is not due to differing radiographic interpretation of the fractures.
Long-term growth and alignment after occipitocervical and atlantoaxial fusion with rigid internal fixation in young children
Authors: Kennedy Benjamin C. , D’Amico Randy S. , Youngerman Brett E. , McDowell Michael M. , Hooten Kristopher G. , Couture Daniel , Jea Andrew , Leonard Jeffrey , Lew Sean M. , Pincus David W. , Rodriguez Luis , Tuite Gerald F. , Diluna Michael L. , Brockmeyer Douglas L. , Anderson Richard C. E. , _ _
Published: October 2015

OBJECT

The long-term consequences of atlantoaxial (AA) and occipitocervical (OC) fusion and instrumentation in young children are unknown. Anecdotal reports have raised concerns regarding altered growth and alignment of the cervical spine after surgical intervention. The purpose of this study was to determine the long-term effects of these surgeries on the growth and alignment of the maturing spine.

METHODS

A multiinstitutional retrospective chart review was conducted for patients less than or equal to 6 years of age who underwent OC or AA fusion with rigid instrumentation at 9 participating centers. All patients had at least 3 years of clinical and radiographic follow-up data and radiographically confirmed fusion. Preoperative, immediate postoperative, and most recent follow-up radiographs and/or CT scans were evaluated to assess changes in spinal growth and alignment.

RESULTS

Forty children (9 who underwent AA fusion and 31 who underwent OC fusion) were included in the study (mean follow-up duration 56 months). The mean vertical growth over the fused levels in the AA fusion patients represented 30% of the growth of the cervical spine (range 10%–50%). Three different vertical growth patterns of the fusion construct developed among the 31 OC fusion patients during the follow-up period: 1) 16 patients had substantial growth (13%–46% of the total growth of the cervical spine); 2) 9 patients had no meaningful growth; and 3) 6 patients, most of whom presented with a distracted atlantooccipital dislocation, had a decrease in the height of the fused levels (range 7–23 mm). Regarding spinal alignment, 85% (34/40) of the patients had good alignment at follow-up, with straight or mildly lordotic cervical curvatures. In 1 AA fusion patient (11%) and 5 OC fusion patients (16%), we observed new hyperlordosis (range 43°–62°). There were no cases of new kyphosis or swan-neck deformity, evidence of subaxial instability, or unintended subaxial fusion. No preoperative predictors of these growth patterns or alignment were evident.

CONCLUSIONS

These results demonstrate that most young children undergoing AA and OC fusion with rigid internal fixation continue to have good cervical alignment and continued growth within the fused levels during a prolonged follow-up period. However, some variability in vertical growth and alignment exists, highlighting the need to continue close long-term follow-up.
Newton-Type Methods on Generalized Banach Spaces and Applications in Fractional Calculus
Authors: Anastassiou George , Argyros Ioannis
Published: October 2015

We present a semilocal convergence study of Newton-type methods on a generalized Banach space setting to approximate a locally unique zero of an operator. Earlier studies require that the operator involved is Fréchet differentiable. In the present study we assume that the operator is only continuous. This way we extend the applicability of Newton-type methods to include fractional calculus and problems from other areas. Moreover, under the same or weaker conditions, we obtain weaker sufficient convergence criteria, tighter error bounds on the distances involved and an at least as precise information on the location of the solution. Special cases are provided where the old convergence criteria cannot apply but the new criteria can apply to locate zeros of operators. Some applications include fractional calculus involving the Riemann-Liouville fractional integral and the Caputo fractional derivative. Fractional calculus is very important for its applications in many applied sciences.
On Some Improved Harmonic Mean Newton-Like Methods for Solving Systems of Nonlinear Equations
Authors: Babajee Diyashvir , Madhu Kalyanasundaram , Jayaraman Jayakumar
Published: October 2015

In this work, we have developed a fourth order Newton-like method based on harmonic mean and its multi-step version for solving system of nonlinear equations. The new fourth order method requires evaluation of one function and two first order Fréchet derivatives for each iteration. The multi-step version requires one more function evaluation for each iteration. The proposed new scheme does not require the evaluation of second or higher order Fréchet derivatives and still reaches fourth order convergence. The multi-step version converges with order 2r+4, where r is a positive integer and r ≥ 1. We have proved that the root α is a point of attraction for a general iterative function, whereas the proposed new schemes also satisfy this result. Numerical experiments including an application to 1-D Bratu problem are given to illustrate the efficiency of the new methods. Also, the new methods are compared with some existing methods.
An FDA-Drug Library Screen for Compounds with Bioactivities against Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
Authors: Lau Qiu , Tan Yoke , Goh Vanessa , Lee David , Ng Fui , Ong Esther , Hill Jeffrey , Chia Cheng
Published: October 2015

The lack of new antibacterial drugs entering the market and their misuse have resulted in the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, posing a major health crisis worldwide. In particular, meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), a pathogen responsible for numerous human infections, has become endemic in hospitals worldwide. Drug repurposing, the finding of new therapeutic indications for approved drugs, is deemed a plausible solution to accelerate drug discovery and development in this area. Towards this end, we screened 1163 drugs approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for bioactivities against MRSA in a 10 μM single-point assay. After excluding known antibiotics and antiseptics, six compounds were identified and their MICs were determined against a panel of clinical MRSA strains. A toxicity assay using human keratinocytes was also conducted to gauge their potential for repurposing as topical agents for treating MRSA skin infections.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition in Diabetic Nephropathy: Fact or Fiction?
Authors: Loeffler Ivonne , Wolf Gunter
Published: October 2015

The pathophysiology of diabetic nephropathy (DN), one of the most serious complications in diabetic patients and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease worldwide, is complex and not fully elucidated. A typical hallmark of DN is the excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins in the glomerulus and in the renal tubulointerstitium, eventually leading to glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis. Although it is obvious that myofibroblasts play a major role in the synthesis and secretion of ECM, the origin of myofibroblasts in DN remains the subject of controversial debates. A number of studies have focused on epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) as one source of matrix-generating fibroblasts in the diseased kidney. EMT is characterized by the acquisition of mesenchymal properties by epithelial cells, preferentially proximal tubular cells and podocytes. In this review we comprehensively review the literature and discuss arguments both for and against a function of EMT in renal fibrosis in DN. While the precise extent of the contribution to nephrotic fibrosis is certainly arduous to quantify, the picture that emerges from this extensive body of literature suggests EMT as a major source of myofibroblasts in DN.