bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous Spectroscopic Determination of Forearm Muscle pH and Oxygen Saturation during Simulated Haemorrhage
Authors: Soller Babs R. , Sliwa Jan , Yang Ye , Zou Fengmei , Ryan Kathy L. , Rickards Caroline A. , Convertino Victor A.
Published: March 2012

Muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) is a very early indicator of internal bleeding, but reaches a low and constant value when organ oxygen utilisation is at a maximum. With haemorrhage, muscle pH (pHm) continues to decline indicating the severity of injury. During resuscitation, it is important to continue treatment until acidosis is reversed, even after normal levels of tissue oxygen are restored. SmO2 and pHm can be determined continuously and non-invasively using near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. Simultaneous determination of SmO2 and pHm from the same spectra are required for continuous monitoring of trauma patients. Acidosis enhances the release of oxygen from haemoglobin when there is insufficient oxygen available to the tissue (Bohr effect). An NIR spectroscopic-based patient monitor, however, must be capable of detecting independent variations in both pHm and SmO2. The results from an in vitro study of whole blood demonstrate spectral changes at the isosbestic point (800 nm) which were a strong function of pH, but independent of blood SO2 and scattering (cell size), suggesting that hydrogen ions directly affect the NIR spectrum in the region between 700 nm and 900 nm. Using a dual source, fibre optic-based system, NIR spectra (725–880 nm) were also collected from 40 human subjects undergoing lower body negative pressure as an experimental model of haemorrhage. SmO2 and pHm were calculated from the spectra collected from the forearm of each subject. Every muscle absorbance spectrum was fitted to a Taylor expansion attenuation model based upon Beer's law modified for a scattering component to calculate SmO2. The same spectra were corrected for subject variability using previously determined coefficients for principal component analysis loading correction. The corrected spectra were then used in a partial least-squares regression model previously developed from exercising subjects. pHm and SmO2 determined from the same spectra followed different time courses during simulated haemorrhage on human subjects. Taken together, results from these in vitro and in vivo studies show that the NIR spectroscopic-based monitor simultaneously and independently assesses SmO2 and pHm.
Functional near Infrared Optical Imaging in Cognitive Neuroscience: An Introductory Review
Authors: Cutini Simone , Moro Sara Basso , Bisconti Silvia
Published: March 2012

Cognitive neuroscience is a multidisciplinary field focused on the exploration of the neural substrates underlying cognitive functions; the most remarkable progress in understanding the relationship between brain and cognition has been made with functional brain imaging. Functional near infrared (fNIR) spectroscopy is a non-invasive brain imaging technique that measures the variation of oxygenated and deoxygenated haemoglobin at high temporal resolution. Stemming from the first pioneering experiments, the use of fNIR spectroscopy in cognitive neuroscience has constantly increased. Here, we present a brief review of the fNIR spectroscopy investigations in the cognitive neuroscience field. The topics discussed encompass the classical issues in cognitive neuroscience, such as the exploration of the neural correlates of vision, language, memory, attention and executive functions. Other relevant research topics are introduced in order to show the strengths and the limitations of fNIR spectroscopy, as well as its potential in the biomedical field. This review is intended to provide a general view of the wide variety of optical imaging applications in the field of cognitive neuroscience. The increasing body of studies and the constant technical improvement suggest that fNIR spectroscopy is a versatile and promising instrument to investigate the neural correlates of human cognition.
A Review of near Infrared Spectroscopy for Term and Preterm Newborns
Authors: Wolf Martin , Naulaers Gunnar , van Bel Frank , Kleiser Stefan , Greisen Gorm
Published: March 2012

This article reviews the application of near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy in preterm and newborn infants and its clinical value. After an overview of the commercially available instrumentation, which is able to provide absolute values of tissue haemoglobin saturation (StO2), we focus on the application of NIR spectroscopy to measure brain, liver, gastro-intestinal and peripheral oxygenation. From the instrumentation point of view, NIR spectroscopy has gained significantly in clinical importance, especially by being able to measure StO2, i.e. an absolute parameter. An increasing number of commercial instruments is available today and the number of users is virtually exploding. However, the precision of the measurements is still too low from a clinical point of view and the variety of algorithms employed by the different instruments and sensors may provide quite different StO2 values. In the future, the different instruments need to report quantitatively comparable StO2 measurements which are more precise. The measurement of cerebral StO2 may be useful for detecting situations where the oxygenation of the brain may be impaired and the hope is that this indicates situations which lead to brain lesions. However, the clinical utility of cerebral StO2 still needs to be examined. Although liver and gastro-intestinal as well as peripheral measurements are still an object of research and several problems have to be overcome before clinical use, these measurements could be of high value in specific clinical situations.
Oral immunosuppressive medication for growing pigs in transplantation studies
Authors: Jensen-Waern M , Kruse R , Lundgren T
Published: March 2012

Immunosuppressive (IS) medication is needed to avoid graft rejection in porcine transplantation models. An ideal IS therapy should have no side-effects, but increased susceptibility to infections, disturbed intestinal microflora and toxic effects on organs and tissues are commonly reported. The aim of the present study was to design an IS protocol with tacrolimus and mycophenolic acid to be used for maintenance therapy in the post-transplant period. An eligible whole blood trough value for tacrolimus was 5–15 μg/L. Conventional specific pathogen-free pigs were fitted with an indwelling catheter under general anaesthesia, and after the acclimatization period three groups were formed: group A ( n= 4) received 0.15 mg/kg body weight (BW) twice daily tacrolimus and 500 mg twice daily mycophenolic acid; group B ( n= 4) received 0.3 mg/kg BW twice daily tacrolimus and 500 mg twice daily mycophenolic acid; group C ( n= 2) did not receive any medication. Daily clinical examinations and analyses of blood concentrations of tacrolimus and glucose were performed. Total and differential white blood cell counts, enzyme activities, bilirubin and electrolyte concentrations were measured every fourth day. At the end of the experiment, the pigs were killed with an overdose of pentobarbital intravenously and a necropsy was performed immediately. All animals seemed to tolerate the IS treatment well. No alterations in their clinical state of health were observed throughout the study and daily weight gain was similar for the three groups. The necropsy did not reveal any pathological findings related to medication. The study showed that 0.25 mg/kg BW twice daily tacrolimus and 500 mg twice daily mycophenolic acid would be an appropriate maintenance dosage for conventional pigs.
Airport Noise Insulation Programs: The Spanish Case
Authors: Asensio C. , Pavón I. , Recuero M. , Ausejo M.
Published: March 2012

Noise pollution around airports is one of the most important problems in environmental acoustics. The incessant development of modern societies is continuously increasing the demand for air transport, and airports have to grow to adapt their operational capacity to the new requirements. On the other hand, the economic activity related to airports is closely linked to the expansion of built-up areas around them. Consequently, two completely incompatible land uses are forced to coexist, causing airport capacity to remain limited while the inhabitants do not cease to be annoyed by aircraft noise.

Although there are several international initiatives setting the focus on the reduction of noise at the source, people living in residential areas around airports need urgent solutions. Among others, the implementation of sound insulation programs is one of the most widely-adopted solutions worldwide, as it allows a reduction of sound levels in the interior of dwellings, while the operational capacity of the airport remains unaffected.

The definition and application of a sound insulation program is a very complex process that needs to manage several opposing factors: health, annoyance, airport capacity, economic costs of insulation measures…

In this paper we describe the case of Spanish airport insulation programs. We set the focus on a concise description of the full process, from the creation of noise maps, to the checking of installed soundproofing measures, as carried out by the Spanish administration. As a result of this process, thousands of dwellings and houses have been acoustically insulated to meet indoor noise comfort criteria in Madrid, Mallorca and Malaga airports, among others.
Reducing Energy Demand in China: A Statistical Analysis of Urban Energy Consumption in Anhui Province
Authors: Malin Song , Jie Wu , Yumei Wang
Published: March 2012

In some cities of China's central region (Anhui Province for example) the level of development is lower than in the east, and, as a result, its energy consumption is still fraught with waste. Through statistical analysis of energy-saving and consumption-reducing of cities in Anhui, it can be shown that the task of energy conservation and reduction of consumption in Anhui is greater than in other areas of China. An indicator system for the sustainable development of demand reduction in cities of Anhui province is developed to measure its level. The “Pressure-State-Response” (PSR) framework and principal component analysis are used for evaluation of the system. According to the analysis, some suggestions are obtained for achieving more energy-efficient production systems.
Climate Change: Sources of Warming in the Late 20th Century
Authors: Marsh Gerald E.
Published: March 2012

The role of the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Pacific Decadal Oscillation, volcanic and other aerosols, as well as the extraordinary solar activity of the late 20th century are discussed in the context of the warming since the mid-1970s. Much of that warming is found to be due to natural causes.
Shear Behaviour and Strength of LiteSteel Beams with Web Openings
Authors: Keerthan Poologanathan , Mahendran Mahen
Published: March 2012

The LiteSteel Beam (LSB) is a new cold-formed steel hollow flange channel beam recently developed in Australia. It is commonly used as a floor joist or bearer in buildings. Current practice in flooring systems is to include openings in the web element of floor joists or bearers so that building services can be located within them. Shear behaviour of LSBs with web openings is more complicated while their shear strengths are considerably reduced by the presence of web openings. However, no research has been undertaken on the shear behaviour and strength of LSBs with web openings. Therefore a detailed experimental study involving 26 shear tests was undertaken on simply supported LSB test specimens with web openings and an aspect ratio of 1.5. This paper presents the details of this experimental study and the results of their shear capacities and behavioural characteristics. Experimental results showed that the current design rules in cold-formed steel structures design codes are very conservative for the shear design of LSBs with web openings. Improved design equations have been proposed for the shear strength of LSBs with web openings based on the experimental results from this study.
A Simplified Method Based on a Proposed Group Matrix for Determining the Initial Forces in Cable Domes
Authors: Xi Zhou , Xi Ying , Qin Weihong , Zhang Jiahua
Published: March 2012

This paper reports a simplified technique for solving the equations of the force denisty method to obtain the initial forces in cable domes. A group matrix method is put forward to greatly reduce the number of equations. Both cases of neglecting and considering self-weight are demonstrated in the initial force determination for different types of cable dome. The numerical investigations of the study show that the method raises calculation efficiency for initial force determination in cable domes of the circular and rectangular Geiger type with and without an inner ring, the Levy type, the sunflower type with and without an inner ring and the birds' nest type. In addition, in relation to the calculation of the initial forces in cable dome of the rectangular Geiger type with an inner ring, the identification and processing of redundant equations is reported in the paper.
Initial Stiffness of Reinforced Concrete Columns with Moderate Aspect Ratios
Authors: Tran Cao Thanh Ngoc , Li Bing
Published: March 2012

The estimation of the initial stiffness of columns subjected to seismic loadings has long been a matter of considerable uncertainty. This paper reports a study that is devoted to addressing this uncertainty by developing a rational method to determine the initial stiffness of RC columns when subjected to seismic loads. A comprehensive parametric study based on a proposed method is initially carried out to investigate the influences of several critical parameters. A simple equation is then proposed to estimate the initial stiffness of RC columns. The applicability and accuracy of the proposed method and equation are then verified with the experimental data obtained from literature studies.
Bond Characteristics and Shear Behavior of Concrete Beams Reinforced with High-Strength Steel Reinforcement
Authors: Hassan Tarek K. , Mantawy Ahmed , Soliman Judy , Sherif Ali , Rizkalla Sami H.
Published: March 2012

This paper evaluates the bond behavior of high strength (HS), steel reinforcing bars and highlights the effect of various key parameters believed to affect the bond characteristics. Nine reinforced concrete spliced beams were constructed and tested. The beams had different splice lengths and levels of confinements. The applicability of different hypotheses for development of conventional steel bars was examined for the HS bars. The study is extended to examine the behavior of the reinforcing bars as shear reinforcement for concrete beams by testing twelve concrete beams reinforced with HS steel stirrups under static loading conditions. The main variables in the study included steel type, concrete compressive strength, web reinforcement ratio and shear span-to-depth ratio. The applicability of various building codes and standards for concrete beams with HS shear reinforcement was also evaluated.
Influences of Tensile Longitudinal Reinforcement Ratio and Ductile Layer Thickness on Flexural Mechanical and Cracking Behavior of UHTCC/RC Layered Composite Beam
Authors: Zhang Xiufang , Xu Shilang , Leung Christopher K.Y.
Published: March 2012

Ultra high toughness cementitious composite (UHTCC) shows enormous deformation capacity and exceptional ability to control crack under tension loading. With such tensile properties, a layer of UHTCC is considered to replace concrete surrounding the major tensile reinforcements in a concrete beam to produce a UHTCC/RC composite beam with improved cracking and mechanical response. The present investigation was conducted to examine flexural behavior of various UHTCC/RC layered composite beams using four-point bending tests. The tensile longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the thickness of UHTCC layer were two varying parameters. It is shown that the composite beams improved load-deformation and cracking behaviors in RC beam, and that the degree of load-deformation improvement becomes less significant as the reinforcement ratio increases but varies slightly as the thickness of UHTCC layer increases. It is also discovered that, in the composite beam studied, both the tensile longitudinal reinforcement ratio and the thickness of UHTCC layer have little impact on cracking conditions especially the maximum crack width at the height level of tensile longitudinal bar.
A ‘No-Flow-Sensor’ Wind Estimation Algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Systems
Authors: Mayer Stephanie , Hattenberger Gautier , Brisset Pascal , Jonassen Marius O. , Reuder Joachim
Published: March 2012

A ‘no-flow-sensor’ wind estimation algorithm for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) is presented. It is based on ground speed and flight path azimuth information from the autopilot's GPS system. The algorithm has been tested with the help of the simulation option in the Paparazzi autopilot software using artificial wind profiles. The retrieval accuracy of the predefined profiles by the wind algorithm and its sensitivity to vertical aircraft velocity, diameter of the helical flight pattern and different data sampling methods have been investigated. The algorithm with a correspondingly optimized set of parameters is then applied to various scientific flight missions under real wind conditions performed by the UAS SUMO (Small Unmanned Meteorological Observer). The SUMO wind profiles are compared to measurements of conventional atmospheric profiling systems as radiosondes and piloted balloons. In general, the presented ‘no-flow-sensor’ wind estimation method performs well in most atmospheric situations and is now operationally used in the post-processing routine for wind profile determination from SUMO measurements.
Flapping Wing Micro Air Vehicle Bench Test Setup
Authors: Curtis David H. , Reeder Mark F. , Svanberg Craig E. , Cobb Richard G. , Parker Gregory H.
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this research was to develop testing methods that can be used to determine the forces, moments, and deflections involved in flapping wing aerodynamics. To pursue the research, a flapping wing mechanism and wings with spans ranging from 9.1 inches to 12.1 inches were built. A variety of mechanisms, capable of, alternatively, purely flapping, flapping with pitch, and flapping with pitch and out-of-plane motion were conceptualized and drawn using solid modeling software. Two of the simpler designs, a single degree-of-freedom flapping mechanism and the two-degree of freedom flapping mechanism were fabricated using a rapid prototype 3-D printer, and sustained operation was demonstrated. A thrust stand and a six-component force balance were used to gather force data from the flapping-only mechanism, combined with a variety of wing shapes. Four high-speed cameras were used to capture the motion of the wings. To minimize intrusiveness an array of laser dots was projected onto the wing during flapping and photogrammetry software was used to analyze the images and determine a shape profile of the wing composed of a frame and membrane during flapping. While the focus of this research was on the bench test setup development, some insight into the influence of wing design on the forces acting on the mechanism was gained.
Ushering Buyers into Electronic Channels: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Langer Nishtha , Forman Chris , Kekre Sunder , Sun Baohong
Published: March 2012

Despite many success stories, B2B e-commerce penetration remains low. Many firms introduce electronic channels in addition to their traditional sales channels but find that buyer usage of the e-channel over time does not keep up with initial expectations. Firms must understand the underlying factors that drive channel usage and how these factors change over time and across buyers. Using panel data pertaining to the purchase histories of 683 buyers over a 43-month period, we estimate a dynamic discrete choice model in a B2B setting that (i) recognizes how price, channel inertia, and inventory change over time; (ii) allows buyers to dynamically trade off these factors when making e-channel adoption decisions; and (iii) takes into account buyer heterogeneity. We find that channel usage is both heterogeneous and dynamic across buyers. Our findings reveal the dynamic tradeoff between channel inertia and the adverse price effect, which interact in opposing directions as the e-channel grows more popular over time: price increases resulting from more bids deter buyers, whereas channel inertia built from sampling experience helps retain repeat buyers for the new channel. Second, we find that the buyers' size and diversity influence purchase decisions, and the e-channel appears more attractive to small and/or diversified buyers. Based on our analysis, we postulate that the seller's allocation decisions of products across channels, if not aligned with buyer behavior, can alienate some buyers. Based on the parameter estimates from the buyer response model, we propose an improved channel allocation that enables firms to selectively attract more buyers to the e-channel and improve revenues. Channel acceptance increases as a result of smart allocation when firms understand and account for individual buyers' channel usage behavior.
Synergy and Its Limits in Managing Information Technology Professionals
Authors: Ferratt Thomas W. , Prasad Jayesh , Enns Harvey G.
Published: March 2012

We examine the effects of human resource management (HRM) practices (e.g., career development, social support, compensation, and security) on information technology (IT) professionals' job search behavior. Job search is a relatively novel dependent variable in studies of voluntary withdrawal behavior in general and for IT professionals in particular. From a universalistic perspective, HRM practices individually and in combination exhibit independently additive effects on job search behavior. Our study contrasts this perspective with configurational theory, hypothesizing that proposed ideal-type configurations of HRM practices have synergistic effects on job search behavior. We contribute to the IT and broader HRM literature by theoretically explicating and empirically demonstrating with IT professionals the power of configurational theory to explain the relationship between HRM practices and job search behavior. Our empirical results show that two configurations of HRM practices—Human Capital Focused (HCF) and Task Focused (TF), which are high and low on all HRM practices, respectively—exhibit a synergistic relationship with the job search behavior of IT professionals. HCF has lower job search behavior than would be expected based on the independently additive effects of the HRM practices, whereas TF has correspondingly higher job search behavior. Our results also show that less than perfect horizontal fit detracts from the synergy of these extreme configurations. Just as importantly, several other nonextreme configurations of HRM practices exhibit independently additive effects for the HRM practices but not synergy, suggesting that synergy is limited to extreme configurations. We also discuss a number of implications for research and practice.
Modeling Supply-Side Dynamics of IT Components, Products, and Infrastructure: An Empirical Analysis Using Vector Autoregression
Authors: Adomavicius Gediminas , Bockstedt Jesse , Gupta Alok
Published: March 2012

Prior IS research on technological change has focused primarily on organizational information systems and technology innovation; however, there is a growing need to understand the dynamics of supply-side forces in the introduction of new technologies. In this paper we investigate how the interdependencies among information technology components, products, and infrastructure affect the release of new technologies. Going beyond the ad hoc heuristic approaches applied in previous studies, we empirically validate the existence of several patterns of supply-side technology relationships in the context of wireless networking. We use vector autoregression (VAR) to model the comovements of new component, product, and infrastructure introductions and provide evidence of strong Granger-causal interdependencies. We also demonstrate that substantial improvements in forecasting can be gained by incorporating these cross-level effects into models of technological change. This paper provides some of the first research that empirically demonstrates these cross-level effects and also provides an exposition of VAR methodology for both analysis and forecasting in IS research.
Workforce Management in Periodic Delivery Operations
Authors: Smilowitz Karen , Nowak Maciek , Jiang Tingting
Published: March 2012

Service quality and driver efficiency in the delivery industry may be enhanced by increasing the regularity with which a driver visits the same set of customers. However, effectively managing a workforce of drivers may increase travel distance, a traditional metric of the vehicle routing problem (VRP). This paper evaluates the effect that workforce management has on routing costs, providing insight for managerial decision making. The analysis is presented in the context of the period vehicle routing problem (PVRP), an extension of the VRP with vehicle routes constructed to service customers according to preset visit frequencies over an established period of time. We develop models to apply workforce management principles. Through a computational study with standard PVRP test cases and real-world delivery data, we show that multiobjective PVRP models can achieve a balance between workforce management and travel distance goals. With the proper parameters in place, workforce management principles may be successfully applied without sacrificing other operational objectives.
Militär und Medien im 20. Jahrhundert: Einleitung
Authors: Leonhard Jörn , Daniel Ute , Löffelholz Martin
Published: March 2012

Das Forschungsprojekt "Militär und Medien im 20. Jahrhundert" beleuchtet die Beziehungen zwischen Militär und Massenmedien vor allem aus militärischer Sicht. Neben dem Ziel, das Wissen zu diesem zentralen, jedoch bislang nur in Ansätzen untersuchten Thema der Geschichte des 20. Jahrhunderts zu erweitern, soll das Projekt auch einen Beitrag zum besseren Verständnis der Traditionen, Strukturen und Erfahrungen liefern, die das Verhältnis des Militärs zu den Medien(gesellschaften) prägten und aus welchen sich aktuelle mediale Selbstrepräsentationen des Militärs und der von ihm geführten Kriege speisen.

Erste Forschungsergebnisse des Projekts werden in diesem Themenheft präsentiert.
Vorsichtige Annäherung. Die Beziehungen der Bundeswehr zu den Medien vom Ende des Kalten Krieges bis heute
Authors: Löffelholz Martin , Auer Claudia , Schleicher Kathrin
Published: March 2012

Seit den 1990er Jahren ist eine zunehmende Öffnung der Bundeswehr gegenüber den Medien zu beobachten, die sich maßgeblich auf die wachsende Beteiligung deutscher Streitkräfte an Auslandseinsätzen und damit einher gehenden neuen kommunikativen Ansprüchen zurückführen lässt. Wurde die Medienarbeit in der ersten Hälfte der Neunziger Jahre noch durchgängig reaktiv betrieben, kam es in den Folgejahren zu einer aktiveren Gestaltung der militärischen Medienbeziehungen. Wie offen oder restriktiv die Medienbeziehungen im Einzelnen gestaltet werden, hängt jedoch von einem komplexen Faktorenbündel ab. Beispielweise prägen die unterschiedlichen Systemlogiken von Militär und Medien, die komplexen Organisationsstrukturen innerhalb der Bundeswehr oder das verfügbare Personal und dessen Qualifikationen die militärischen Medienbeziehungen.
Soil CO2 efflux in central Amazonia: environmental and methodological effects
Authors: Zanchi Fabrício B. , Waterloo Maarten J. , Kruijt Bart , Kesselmeier Jürgen , Luizão Flávio J. , Manzi Antônio O. , Dolman Albertus J.
Published: March 2012

Soil respiration plays a significant role in the carbon cycle of Amazonian rainforests. Measurements of soil respiration have only been carried out in few places in the Amazon. This study investigated the effects of the method of ring insertion in the soil as well as of rainfall and spatial distribution on CO2 emission in the central Amazon region. The ring insertion effect increased the soil emission about 13-20% for sandy and loamy soils during the firsts 4-7 hours, respectively. After rainfall events below 2 mm, the soil respiration did not change, but for rainfall greater than 3 mm, after 2 hours there was a decrease in soil temperature and respiration of about 10-34% for the loamy and sand soils, with emissions returning to normal after around 15-18 hours. The size of the measurement areas and the spatial distribution of soil respiration were better estimated using the Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission (SRTM) data. The Campina reserve is a mosaic of bare soil, stunted heath forest-SHF and tall heath forest-THF. The estimated total average CO2 emissions from the area was 3.08±0.8 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1. The Cuieiras reserve is another mosaic of plateau, slope, Campinarana and riparian forests and the total average emission from the area was 3.82±0.76 µmol CO2 m-2 s-1. We also found that the main control factor of the soil respiration was soil temperature, with 90% explained by regression analysis. Automated soil respiration datasets are a good tool to improve the technique and increase the reliability of measurements to allow a better understanding of all possible factors driven by soil respiration processes.
Age and growth parameters of cachara Pseudoplastystoma reticulatum (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) from the Cuiabá River, Brazil
Authors: Francisco Talitha M. , Ambrósio Angela Maria , Balbi Thiago José , Zuliani Marina S. , Okada Edson K. , Gomes Luiz C.
Published: March 2012

Age and growth parameters of cachara Pseudoplatystoma reticulatum (Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1889) (Siluriformes, Pimelodidae) (males and females) were estimated through the analysis of growth rings in spines of pectoral fins. Fish were collected from January to December 2007, in the area directly influenced by the Aproveitamento Múltiplo de Manso (APM Manso) and in the Cuiabá River (upper parts of the Pantanal). The maximum number of growth rings was seven for males, and eight, for females. The analysis of temporal variations in mean marginal increment showed that rings found in the spines were formed annually, in December. Growth rings were associated to spawning (in the study region from November to March) of the species. The growth curve in length was obtained by the von Bertalanffy model adjusted by the Ford-Walford transformation. The equations are: Ls = 72.7*[1-e-0.44(t+1.5974)] for males, and Ls = 84.5*[1-e-0.33(t+2.0943)] for females. The equations that describe the growth curve in weight are: Wt = 4991.61*[1-e-0.44 (t+1.5974] 2.70 for males and Wt = 7503.17*[1-e-0.33 (t+2.0943] 2.99 for females.
Diversity and structure of microcrustacean assemblages (Cladocera and Copepoda) and limnological variability in perennial and intermittent pools in a semi-arid region, Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Simões Nadson R. , Ribeiro Sylvia M. M. S. , Sonoda Sérgio L.
Published: March 2012

Temporary wetlands undergo recurrent drought due to the scarcity of water, which disrupts the hydrological connectivity with adjacent aquatic systems. However, some environments retain water for longer periods, allowing greater persistence of the community. The current study evaluated differences in the microcrustacean assemblages and limnological variability between perennial and intermittent pools in a semi-arid region of Brazil. The abiotic features (water temperature, pH, total alkalinity, electrical conductivity and depth) of intermittent pools were affected more than perennial pools due to loss of water volume. This may have contributed to a higher average richness and diversity index in some intermittent pools and differences in the structure of the assemblages. The lowest species richness and diversity were recorded where physical factors, such as a large quantity of suspended solids and variability in the electrical conductivity of the water and pH, make the environment unsuitable for these organisms. These results suggest that community development in intermittent pools is interrupted by the dry season; when the water returns, due to rainfall or rising groundwater, each pond undergoes a different process of colonization. In these circumstances, the biological importance of temporary aquatic environments is clear, since such pools provide shelters and have an important role in the maintenance of the regional diversity of aquatic environments.
Reforma psiquiátrica e inclusão social: um estudo com familiares de doentes mentais
Authors: Maciel Silvana Carneiro , Barros Daniela Ribeiro , Silva Antonia Oliveira , Camino Leoncio
Published: March 2012

A reforma psiquiátrica é um processo em construção, não ocorrendo de forma consensual em todo o mundo. Está relacionada às particularidades das condições econômicas, históricas, políticas e culturais que caracterizam as diferentes regiões e países. Enquanto prática social, é construída coletivamente, sendo composta por profissionais, familiares e usuários e pela sociedade em geral. O presente estudo visa a analisar os significados atribuídos por familiares de doentes mentais à família, à família do doente mental e à inclusão social no atual contexto da reforma psiquiátrica. Foi realizado em João Pessoa, na Paraíba, com 60 familiares de doentes mentais atendidos em um hospital psiquiátrico e em uma unidade do Centro de Atenção Psicossocial (CAPS). Para a coleta de dados, utilizou-se o Teste de Associação Livre de Palavras, que foi analisado pelo software Tri-Deux-Mots. Os resultados revelaram que a família do doente mental cnsidera possuir atribuições como preconceito, sobrecarga, tristeza e sofrimento, o que constitui um sério empecilho para a inclusão sociofamiliar do doente mental, dificultando assim a aceitação da reforma psiquiátrica e de seus pressupostos.
A concepção do role-playing game (RPG) em jogadores sistemáticos
Authors: Saldanha Ana Alayde , Batista José Roniere Morais
Published: March 2012

O Role-Playing Game (RPG) vem ganhando cada vez mais espaço entre os jovens no Brasil e na área da pedagogia, na qual vem sendo utilizado como ferramenta de aprendizado nas salas de aula. Este trabalho teve como objetivo determinar qual a concepção que os jogadores sistemáticos possuem a respeito dos jogos de interpretação de personagens, ou Role-Playing Games, bem como quais os fatores motivacionais que levam à prática desse jogo. Foi utilizado para a coleta dos dados um questionário sociodemográfico e uma entrevista semi-aberta, sendo esta última analisada com base em categorias determinadas a partir dos temas suscitados. As categorias demonstraram que o RPG é percebido como um teatro improvisado, uma forma de lazer, uma terapia, uma projeção de personalidade, um facilitador das relações pessoais e como uma confraternização com amigos. Foi determinado ainda que o principal fator motivacional dos jogadores era a amizade, a vontade de estar com os companheiros de jogo. Aparentemente, o jogo de RPG possui tanto características positivas quanto negativas, sendo que a diferença estaria na forma como é utilizado. O resultado da pesquisa abre caminho para futuros estudos sobre esse tipo de jogo que já se encontra inserido na cultura em massa.
O dualismo perverso da escola pública brasileira: escola do conhecimento para os ricos, escola do acolhimento social para os pobres
Authors: Libâneo José Carlos
Published: March 2012

O texto aborda o agravamento da dualidade da escola pública brasileira atual, caracterizada como uma escola do conhecimento para os ricos e como uma escola do acolhimento social para os pobres. Esse dualismo, perverso por reproduzir e manter desigualdades sociais, tem vínculos evidentes com as reformas educativas iniciadas na Inglaterra nos anos 1980, no contexto das políticas neoliberais; mais especificamente, ele está em consonância com os acordos internacionais em torno do movimento Educação para Todos, cujo marco é a Conferência Mundial sobre Educação para Todos, realizada em Jomtien, na Tailândia, em 1990, sob os auspícios do Banco Mundial, do Programa das Nações Unidas para o Desenvolvimento (PNUD), do Fundo das Nações Unidas para a Infância (UNICEF) e da Organização das Nações Unidas para a Educação e Cultura (UNESCO). Com base em pesquisa bibliográfica, este estudo argumenta que a associação entre as políticas educacionais do Banco Mundial para os países em desenvolvimento e os traços da escola dualista representa substantivas explicações para o incessante declínio da escola pública brasileira nos últimos 30 anos. Ao final do texto, retoma-se a discussão sobre a necessidade de uma pauta comum dos educadores em torno dos objetivos e das funções da escola pública.
Tabagismo entre pacientes internados em um hospital universitário no sul do Brasil: prevalência, grau de dependência e estágio motivacional
Authors: Barreto Rafael Balsini , Pincelli Mariângela Pimental , Steinwandter Rafael , Silva André Pacheco , Manes Jóice , Steidle Leila John Marques
Published: March 2012

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência e o perfil do tabagismo em pacientes internados em um hospital universitário no sul do Brasil. MÉTODOS: Estudo descritivo transversal com pacientes maiores de 18 anos hospitalizados há mais de 24 h no Hospital Universitário da Universidade de Santa Catarina em Florianópolis. Os pacientes foram entrevistados em duas ocasiões distintas. Dados demográficos, socioeconômicos e ligados ao tabagismo foram coletados. RESULTADOS: Foram entrevistados 235 pacientes: 44 (18,7%) eram tabagistas; 77 (32,8%) eram ex-tabagistas; 114 (48,5%) eram não tabagistas e 109 (46,7%) eram tabagistas passivos. A média de idade dos fumantes foi de 45,7 ± 15,2 anos, e 29 (65,9%) eram do sexo masculino. Entre os fumantes, a mediana da idade de início do tabagismo foi de 15 anos; a carga tabágica média foi de 32 ± 30,2 anos-maço; 36 (81,9%) tinham consumo diário de até 20 cigarros; 20 (45,4%) tinham grau de dependência à nicotina elevada ou muito elevada; 32 (72,7%) já haviam tentado cessar, 39 (88,6%) gostariam de cessar, 32 (72,7%) aceitariam receber tratamento, 13 (29,5%) fumaram durante a internação, e 13 (29,5%) apresentaram síndrome de abstinência. Houve um aumento no número de pacientes nos estágios motivacionais de preparação e ação durante a internação (de 31,8% para 54,8%). CONCLUSÕES: A prevalência de tabagismo no estudo foi semelhante à encontrada em outros estudos no Brasil. Os resultados sugerem que nossa amostra foi significativa em relação à população de fumantes hospitalizados, que se encontra motivada à cessação do hábito tabágico durante a hospitalização, necessitando de uma abordagem sistematizada para a cessação.
Tumor carcinoide e sequestro pulmonar
Authors: Westphal Fernando Luiz , Lima Luís Carlos de , Lima Netto José Corrêa , Cardoso Maria do Socorro Lucena , Silva Márcia dos Santos da , Westphal Danielle Cristine
Published: March 2012

O sequestro pulmonar é definido como uma massa de tecido pulmonar separada da árvore traqueobrônquica e irrigada por uma artéria sistêmica anômala. Sua associação com neoplasias pulmonares é rara. Relatamos o caso de uma paciente de 39 anos com o diagnóstico de tumor carcinoide localizado no brônquio intermediário, associado a alterações caracterizadas como bronquiectasias em lobo inferior direito. A paciente foi submetida à toracotomia para ressecção da área acometida e, durante a cirurgia, apresentou hemorragia importante decorrente da transecção da artéria anômala que nutria o sequestro pulmonar intralobar localizado em lobo inferior direito, não identificado nos exames pré-operatórios.
Finite-element simulation of a beam-to-column connection with circle web opening
Authors: Apostolopoulos Charis Alk. , Moraitis Gerasimos A. , Watiti Victor B.
Published: March 2012

Connections with pre-cast hollow sections are commonly preferred in recent times because of the convenience they offer. The present work describes a finite-element model developed to simulate the structural behaviour of beam-to-column joints with hollow sections. In order to verify the model, a simple beam-to-column joint is modelled in a laboratory test; the joint consists of an end-plate welded to a beam and bolted to a column. The validity of the finite-element model is then established by comparing its results with the corresponding experimental tests. Thereafter a parametric study is carried out to investigate the structural behaviour with variations in the pre-cast web opening radius and distance from the connection.
Shear behaviour of reinforced concrete pile caps under full-width loading
Authors: Cao Jing , Bloodworth Alan G.
Published: March 2012

There has been discrepancy in the design procedures for reinforced concrete (RC) pile caps in the UK design codes BS 8110 and BS 5400 that arose from the independent development of semi-empirical bending theory-based shear design formulae based on limited experimental data. Stimulated by the advent of the Eurocodes, a series of reduced-scale RC pile caps were tested under full-width wall loading to investigate their real shear capacity. The British Standards have been confirmed to be conservative, with the degree of conservatism found to be a function of shear enhancement factor and the width of cap over which shear enhancement is applied. The strut-and-tie model from BS 8110 gave better agreement with the experimental results, although the limit on the width of the tension tie of three pile diameters meant it became conservative at wide transverse pile spacings. A revision to the strut-and-tie model is proposed, in which longitudinal reinforcement across 90% of the cap width is considered to participate in the yielding tie.
Predicting tropical insect herbivore abundance from host plant traits and phylogeny
Authors: Whitfeld Timothy J. S. , Novotny Vojtech , Miller Scott E. , Hrcek Jan , Klimes Petr , Weiblen George D.
Published: March 2012

Phylogenetic ecology has identified patterns of diversity in communities that may find explanation in trophic interactions, and yet there have been few attempts to directly relate such patterns among trophic levels. Density‐dependent processes involving pests and pathogens, for example, have been invoked to account for plant community phylogenetic patterns, but relatively little is known about how plant relatedness might affect community structure at other trophic levels. We examined the degree to which the abundance of herbivores in a rain forest community is explained by the phylogeny and functional traits of host plants. We destructively sampled all stems ≥5 cm diameter in two 1‐ha plots of New Guinea primary and secondary lowland forest to test predicted relationships between herbivore abundance and plant resources. We analyzed per‐tree caterpillar and leaf miner abundance, total leaf biomass (kg), percentage of immature foliage, specific leaf area (cm2/g), leaf nitrogen content (percentage of dry mass), and presence of exudates in the context of a plant community phylogeny estimated from DNA barcodes.

Apart from nitrogen content and exudates, neither plant resources nor herbivore abundance showed evidence of phylogenetic signal in our community sample. The plant traits we measured could account for only 30% and 16% of variation in caterpillar and leaf miner abundance, respectively, among individual trees. Leaf biomass was a stronger predictor of herbivore abundance than either resource quality (leaf nitrogen content) or palatability (percentage of immature foliage, specific leaf area). The primary importance of resource quantity was also observed at the plant species level in analyses of species means and phylogenetic generalized least‐squares regression. Plant relatedness did not account for much variation in herbivore abundance, but significant effects of exudates and leaf nitrogen content on caterpillar abundance illustrate how conserved traits at one trophic level may influence community‐wide patterns at another.
Potential Determinants of Coal Workers’ Pneumoconiosis, Advanced Pneumoconiosis, and Progressive Massive Fibrosis Among Underground Coal Miners in the United States, 2005–2009
Authors: Laney A. Scott , Petsonk Edward L. , Hale Janet M. , Wolfe Anita L. , Attfield Michael D.
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We better defined the distribution and determinants of coal workers’ pneumoconiosis (CWP) among US underground coal miners.

Methods. We obtained chest radiographs from the mobile unit of an enhanced surveillance program begun in 2005 by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health for underground coal miners. B Readers classified them for presence of pneumoconiosis.

Results. Miners from 15 states participated (n = 6658). The prevalence of CWP was higher in 3 states (Kentucky, 9.0%; Virginia, 8.0%; West Virginia, 4.8%) than in 12 other states (age-adjusted risk ratio [RR] = 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.3, 6.1). Miners in these 3 states were younger and had less mining tenure, but advanced CWP (category ≥ 2/1; RR = 8.1; 95% CI = 3.9, 16.9) and progressive massive fibrosis (RR = 10.5; 95% CI = 3.8, 29.1) was more prevalent among them. Advanced CWP and progressive massive fibrosis were more prevalent among workers at mines with fewer than 155 miners, irrespective of mining region, than among workers at larger mines.

Conclusions. Enhanced surveillance results confirmed the persistence of severe CWP among US coal miners and documented the health consequences of inadequate dust control for miners in parts of Appalachia and at smaller mines.
Social Capital and Smoking Among Asian American Men: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Li Shijian , Delva Jorge
Published: March 2012

Objectives. We examined how different dimensions of social capital (i.e., family and friend connections, neighborhood and family cohesion, family conflict) were associated with smoking behavior among a nationally representative sample of Asian American men and whether the associations varied by ethnic group.

Methods. The sample consisted of 998 adult Asian American men who participated in the National Latino and Asian American Survey from 2002 to 2003. We conducted weighted multivariate logistic regressions on data for the sample and for each of 4 ethnic subgroups (Chinese, Vietnamese, Filipino, and Other).

Results. Vietnamese American men had the highest prevalence of current smoking; Chinese American men, the lowest. After controlling for sociodemographics, socioeconomic status, acculturation, and perceived discrimination, neighborhood cohesion was inversely associated with smoking among Asian American men, and family and friend connections and family cohesion were not. An exception was family cohesion, which was associated with increased odds of smoking among Filipino American men.

Conclusions. The relationship between social capital and smoking among Asian American men varied according to specific dimensions of social capital and was ethnicity specific. These findings highlight the need for smoking prevention and cessation interventions to take into consideration the heterogeneity that exists among Asian Americans.
Wicasa Was'aka: Restoring the Traditional Strength of American Indian Boys and Men
Authors: Brave Heart Maria Yellow Horse , Elkins Jennifer , Tafoya Greg , Bird Doreen , Salvador Melina
Published: March 2012

We examined health disparities among American Indian men and boys within the framework of historical trauma, which incorporates the historical context of collective massive group trauma across generations. We reviewed the impact of collective traumatic experiences among Lakota men, who have faced cross-generational challenges to enacting traditional tribal roles.

We describe historical trauma–informed interventions used with two tribal groups: Lakota men and Southwestern American Indian boys. These two interventions represent novel approaches to addressing historical trauma and the health disparities that American Indians face.

We offer public health implications and recommendations for strategies to use in the planning and implementation of policy, research, and program development with American Indian boys and men.