Utility Cut Repair Techniques— Investigation of Improved Cut Repair Techniques to Reduce Settlement in Repaired Areas, December 2005

Pavement settlement occurring in and around utility cuts is a common problem, resulting in uneven pavement surfaces, annoyance to drivers, and ultimately, further maintenance. A survey of municipal authorities and field and laboratory investigations were conducted to identify the factors contributing to the settlement of utility cut restorations in pavement sections. Survey responses were received from seven cities across Iowa and indicate that utility cut restorations often last less than two years. Observations made during site inspections showed that backfill material varies from one city to another, backfill lift thickness often exceeds 12 inches, and the backfill material is often placed at bulking moisture contents with no Quality control/Quality Assurance. Laboratory investigation of the backfill materials indicate that at the field moisture contents encountered, the backfill materials have collapse potentials up to 35%. Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) deflection data and elevation shots indicate that the maximum deflection in the pavement occurs in the area around the utility cut restoration. The FWD data indicate a zone of influence around the perimeter of the restoration extending two to three feet beyond the trench perimeter. The research team proposes moisture control, the use of 65% relative density in a granular fill, and removing and compacting the native material near the ground surface around the trench. Test sections with geogrid reinforcement were also incorporated. The performance of inspected and proposed utility cuts needs to be monitored for at least two more years.

CT arthrography of the glenohumeral joint: CT fluoroscopy versus conventional CT and fluoroscopy--comparison of image-guidance techniques.

PURPOSE: To compare examination time with radiologist time and to measure radiation dose of computed tomographic (CT) fluoroscopy, conventional CT, and conventional fluoroscopy as guiding modalities for shoulder CT arthrography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Glenohumeral injection of contrast material for CT arthrography was performed in 64 consecutive patients (mean age, 32 years; age range, 16-74 years) and was guided with CT fluoroscopy (n = 28), conventional CT (n = 14), or conventional fluoroscopy (n = 22). Room times (arthrography, room change, CT, and total examination times) and radiologist times (time the radiologist spent in the fluoroscopy or CT room) were measured. One-way analysis of variance and Bonferroni-Dunn posthoc tests were performed for comparison of mean times. Mean effective radiation dose was calculated for each method with examination data, phantom measurements, and standard software. RESULTS: Mean total examination time was 28.0 minutes for CT fluoroscopy, 28.6 minutes for conventional CT, and 29.4 minutes for conventional fluoroscopy; mean radiologist time was 9.9 minutes, 10.5 minutes, and 9.0 minutes, respectively. These differences were not statistically significant. Mean effective radiation dose was 0.0015 mSv for conventional fluoroscopy (mean, nine sections), 0.22 mSv for CT fluoroscopy (120 kV; 50 mA; mean, 15 sections), and 0.96 mSv for conventional CT (140 kV; 240 mA; mean, six sections). Effective radiation dose can be reduced to 0.18 mSv for conventional CT by changing imaging parameters to 120 kV and 100 mA. Mean effective radiation dose of the diagnostic CT arthrographic examination (140 kV; 240 mA; mean, 25 sections) was 2.4 mSv. CONCLUSION: CT fluoroscopy and conventional CT are valuable alternative modalities for glenohumeral CT arthrography, as examination and radiologist times are not significantly different. CT guidance requires a greater radiation dose than does conventional fluoroscopy, but with adequate parameters CT guidance constitutes approximately 8% of the radiation dose.

Expansion of undergraduate courses in nursing: dilemmas and contradictions facing the labor market

We sought to analyze, from the perspective of professors and students, the reasons and consequences of the expansion of undergraduate courses in nursing, discussing the dilemmas and the contradictions confronting the labor market. It was a qualitative study with data obtained from focus groups, conducted in 18 undergraduate nursing courses in the state of Minas Gerais, during the period of February to October of 2011. The narratives were submitted to critical discourse analysis. The results indicated that the education of the nurse was permeated by insecurity as to the future integration into the labor market. The insecurity translates into dilemmas that referred to employability and the precariousness of the working conditions. In this context, employment in the family health strategy emerges as a mirage. One glimpses the need for a political agenda with the purpose of discussion about education, the labor market and the determinants of these processes.

Tools and techniques to study ligand-receptor interactions and receptor activation by TNF superfamily members.

Ligands and receptors of the TNF superfamily are therapeutically relevant targets in a wide range of human diseases. This chapter describes assays based on ELISA, immunoprecipitation, FACS, and reporter cell lines to monitor interactions of tagged receptors and ligands in both soluble and membrane-bound forms using unified detection techniques. A reporter cell assay that is sensitive to ligand oligomerization can identify ligands with high probability of being active on endogenous receptors. Several assays are also suitable to measure the activity of agonist or antagonist antibodies, or to detect interactions with proteoglycans. Finally, self-interaction of membrane-bound receptors can be evidenced using a FRET-based assay. This panel of methods provides a large degree of flexibility to address questions related to the specificity, activation, or inhibition of TNF-TNF receptor interactions in independent assay systems, but does not substitute for further tests in physiologically relevant conditions.

Collection of tracheal aspirate: safety and microbiological concordance between two techniques

Objective: To evaluate the safety of the performance of the traditional and protected collection techniques of tracheal aspirate and to identify qualitative and quantitative agreement of the results of microbiological cultures between the techniques. Method: Clinical, prospective, comparative, single-blind research. The sample was composed of 54 patients of >18 years of age, undergoing invasive mechanical ventilation for a period of ≥48 hours and with suspected Ventilator Associated Pneumonia. The two techniques were implemented in the same patient, one immediately after the other, with an order of random execution, according to randomization by specialized software. Results: No significant events occurred oxygen desaturation, hemodynamic instability or tracheobronchial hemorrhage (p<0.05) and, although there were differences in some strains, there was qualitative and quantitative agreement between the techniques (p<0.001). Conclusion: Utilization of the protected technique provided no advantage over the traditional and execution of both techniques was safe for the patient.


Histoire discursive du "cinéma-vérité" : techniques, controverses, historiographie (1960-1970)

Histoire discursive du « cinéma-vérité ». Techniques, controverses, historiographie (1960-1970) retrace l'histoire du succès et de la disgrâce du label « cinéma vérité » en France qui, entre 1960 - date à laquelle Edgar Morin publie son essai programmatique « Pour un nouveau "cinéma vérité" » dans France Observateur - et 1964-65 - moment où la notion commence à perdre en popularité - sert de bannière à un mouvement cinématographique supposé renouveler les rapports entre cinéma et réalité. Une vingtaine de films - comme Chronique d'un été de Jean Rouch et Edgar Morin, Primary de Richard Leacock et Robert Drew, Les Inconnus de la terre ou Regard sur la folie de Mario Ruspoli, Hitler, connais pas de Bertrand Blier, Le Chemin de la mauvaise route de Jean Herman, Le Joli Mai de Chris Marker, La Punition de Jean Rouch ou Pour la Suite du monde de Michel Brault et Pierre Perrault - revendiquent cette étiquette ou y sont associés par la presse hexagonale qui y consacre des centaines d'articles. En effet, la sortie en salles de ces « films-vérité » provoque en France de virulentes controverses qui interrogent aussi bien l'éthique de ces projets où les personnes filmées sont supposées révéler une vérité intime face à la caméra, le statut artistique de ces réalisations, ou l'absence d'un engagement politique marqué des « cinéastes-vérité » devant les questions abordées par les protagonistes (par exemple la Guerre d'Algérie, la jeunesse française, la politique internationale). L'hypothèse à la base de cette recherche est que la production cinématographique qui se réclame du « cinéma-vérité » se caractérise par une étroite corrélation entre film et discours sur le film. D'une part car la première moitié de la décennie est marquée par de nombreuses rencontres entre les « cinéastes vérité », les critiques ou les constructeurs de caméras légères et de magnétophones synchrones ; rencontres qui contribuent à accentuer et à médiatiser les dissensions au sein du mouvement. D'autre part car la particularité de nombreux projets est d'inclure dans le film des séquences méta-discursives où les participants, les réalisateurs ou des experts débattent de la réussite du tournage. Ce travail montre que le succès du mouvement entre 1960 et 1964-65 ne se fait pas malgré une forte polémique, mais qu'au contraire, nombre de longs métrages intègrent la controverse en leur sein, interrogeant, sur un plan symbolique, l'abolition du filtre entre le film et son spectateur. Si les films qui s'inscrivent dans la mouvance du « cinéma vérité » octroient une large place à la confrontation, c'est parce que la « vérité » est pensée comme un processus dialectique, qui émerge dans une dynamique d'échanges (entre les réalisateurs de cette mouvance, entre les protagonistes, entre le film et son public). Les querelles internes ou publiques qui rythment ces quelques années font partie du dispositif « cinéma-vérité » et justifient de faire l'histoire de ce mouvement cinématographique par le biais des discours qu'il a suscité au sein de la cinéphilie française.

Plant and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal diversity - are we looking at the relevant levels of diversity and are we using the right techniques?

Fungal symbionts commonly occur in plants influencing host growth, physiology, and ecology (Carlile et al., 2001). However, while whole-plant growth responses to biotrophic fungi are readily demonstrated, it has been much more difficult to identify and detect the physiological mechanisms responsible. Previous work on the clonal grass Glyceria striata has revealed that the systemic fungal endophyte Epichloë glyceriae has a positive effect on clonal growth of its host (Pan & Clay, 2002; 2003). The latest study from these authors, in this issue (pp. 467- 475), now suggests that increased carbon movement in hosts infected by E. glyceriae may function as one mechanism by which endophytic fungi could increase plant growth. Given the widespread distribution of both clonal plants and symbiotic fungi, this research will have implications for our understanding of the ecology and evolution of fungus-plant associations in natural communities.

Three essays in control, entrepreneurship and innovation

One of the key emphases of these three essays is to provide practical managerial insight. However, good practical insight, can only be created by grounding it firmly on theoretical and empirical research. Practical experience-based understanding without theoretical grounding remains tacit and cannot be easily disseminated. Theoretical understanding without links to real life remains sterile. My studies aim to increase the understanding of how radical innovation could be generated at large established firms and how it can have an impact on business performance as most businesses pursue innovation with one prime objective: value creation. My studies focus on large established firms with sales revenue exceeding USD $ 1 billion. Usually large established firms cannot rely on informal ways of management, as these firms tend to be multinational businesses operating with subsidiaries, offices, or production facilities in more than one country. I. Internal and External Determinants of Corporate Venture Capital Investment The goal of this chapter is to focus on CVC as one of the mechanisms available for established firms to source new ideas that can be exploited. We explore the internal and external determinants under which established firms engage in CVC to source new knowledge through investment in startups. We attempt to make scholars and managers aware of the forces that influence CVC activity by providing findings and insights to facilitate the strategic management of CVC. There are research opportunities to further understand the CVC phenomenon. Why do companies engage in CVC? What motivates them to continue "playing the game" and keep their active CVC investment status. The study examines CVC investment activity, and the importance of understanding the influential factors that make a firm decide to engage in CVC. The main question is: How do established firms' CVC programs adapt to changing internal conditions and external environments. Adaptation typically involves learning from exploratory endeavors, which enable companies to transform the ways they compete (Guth & Ginsberg, 1990). Our study extends the current stream of research on CVC. It aims to contribute to the literature by providing an extensive comparison of internal and external determinants leading to CVC investment activity. To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine the influence of internal and external determinants on CVC activity throughout specific expansion and contraction periods determined by structural breaks occurring between 1985 to 2008. Our econometric analysis indicates a strong and significant positive association between CVC activity and R&D, cash flow availability and environmental financial market conditions, as well as a significant negative association between sales growth and the decision to engage into CVC. The analysis of this study reveals that CVC investment is highly volatile, as demonstrated by dramatic fluctuations in CVC investment activity over the past decades. When analyzing the overall cyclical CVC period from 1985 to 2008 the results of our study suggest that CVC activity has a pattern influenced by financial factors such as the level of R&D, free cash flow, lack of sales growth, and external conditions of the economy, with the NASDAQ price index as the most significant variable influencing CVC during this period. II. Contribution of CVC and its Interaction with R&D to Value Creation The second essay takes into account the demands of corporate executives and shareholders regarding business performance and value creation justifications for investments in innovation. Billions of dollars are invested in CVC and R&D. However there is little evidence that CVC and its interaction with R&D create value. Firms operating in dynamic business sectors seek to innovate to create the value demanded by changing market conditions, consumer preferences, and competitive offerings. Consequently, firms operating in such business sectors put a premium on finding new, sustainable and competitive value propositions. CVC and R&D can help them in this challenge. Dushnitsky and Lenox (2006) presented evidence that CVC investment is associated with value creation. However, studies have shown that the most innovative firms do not necessarily benefit from innovation. For instance Oyon (2007) indicated that between 1995 and 2005 the most innovative automotive companies did not obtain adequate rewards for shareholders. The interaction between CVC and R&D has generated much debate in the CVC literature. Some researchers see them as substitutes suggesting that firms have to choose between CVC and R&D (Hellmann, 2002), while others expect them to be complementary (Chesbrough & Tucci, 2004). This study explores the interaction that CVC and R&D have on value creation. This essay examines the impact of CVC and R&D on value creation over sixteen years across six business sectors and different geographical regions. Our findings suggest that the effect of CVC and its interaction with R&D on value creation is positive and significant. In dynamic business sectors technologies rapidly relinquish obsolete, consequently firms operating in such business sectors need to continuously develop new sources of value creation (Eisenhardt & Martin, 2000; Qualls, Olshavsky, & Michaels, 1981). We conclude that in order to impact value creation, firms operating in business sectors such as Engineering & Business Services, and Information Communication & Technology ought to consider CVC as a vital element of their innovation strategy. Moreover, regarding the CVC and R&D interaction effect, our findings suggest that R&D and CVC are complementary to value creation hence firms in certain business sectors can be better off supporting both R&D and CVC simultaneously to increase the probability of generating value creation. III. MCS and Organizational Structures for Radical Innovation Incremental innovation is necessary for continuous improvement but it does not provide a sustainable permanent source of competitiveness (Cooper, 2003). On the other hand, radical innovation pursuing new technologies and new market frontiers can generate new platforms for growth providing firms with competitive advantages and high economic margin rents (Duchesneau et al., 1979; Markides & Geroski, 2005; O'Connor & DeMartino, 2006; Utterback, 1994). Interestingly, not all companies distinguish between incremental and radical innovation, and more importantly firms that manage innovation through a one-sizefits- all process can almost guarantee a sub-optimization of certain systems and resources (Davila et al., 2006). Moreover, we conducted research on the utilization of MCS along with radical innovation and flexible organizational structures as these have been associated with firm growth (Cooper, 2003; Davila & Foster, 2005, 2007; Markides & Geroski, 2005; O'Connor & DeMartino, 2006). Davila et al. (2009) identified research opportunities for innovation management and provided a list of pending issues: How do companies manage the process of radical and incremental innovation? What are the performance measures companies use to manage radical ideas and how do they select them? The fundamental objective of this paper is to address the following research question: What are the processes, MCS, and organizational structures for generating radical innovation? Moreover, in recent years, research on innovation management has been conducted mainly at either the firm level (Birkinshaw, Hamel, & Mol, 2008a) or at the project level examining appropriate management techniques associated with high levels of uncertainty (Burgelman & Sayles, 1988; Dougherty & Heller, 1994; Jelinek & Schoonhoven, 1993; Kanter, North, Bernstein, & Williamson, 1990; Leifer et al., 2000). Therefore, we embarked on a novel process-related research framework to observe the process stages, MCS, and organizational structures that can generate radical innovation. This article is based on a case study at Alcan Engineered Products, a division of a multinational company provider of lightweight material solutions. Our observations suggest that incremental and radical innovation should be managed through different processes, MCS and organizational structures that ought to be activated and adapted contingent to the type of innovation that is being pursued (i.e. incremental or radical innovation). More importantly, we conclude that radical can be generated in a systematic way through enablers such as processes, MCS, and organizational structures. This is in line with the findings of Jelinek and Schoonhoven (1993) and Davila et al. (2006; 2007) who show that innovative firms have institutionalized mechanisms, arguing that radical innovation cannot occur in an organic environment where flexibility and consensus are the main managerial mechanisms. They rather argue that radical innovation requires a clear organizational structure and formal MCS.

The expansion of 300 CTG repeats in myotonic dystrophy transgenic mice does not induce sensory or motor neuropathy.

Although many studies have been carried out to verify the involvement of the peripheral nervous system (PNS) in dystrophia myotonica (DM1) patients, the results remain controversial. The generation of DM1 transgenic mice displaying the human DM1 phenotype provides a useful tool to investigate the type and incidence of structural abnormalities in the PNS. In the present study, the morphological and morphometric analysis of semi-thin sections of sciatic and sural nerves, lumbar dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and lumbar spinal cords revealed that in DM1 transgenic mice carrying 300 CTG repeats, there is no change in the number and diameter of myelinated axons compared to wild type. Only a non-significant reduction in the percentage of thin myelinated axons was detected in electron micrographs of ultra-thin sciatic nerve sections. Analysis of the number of neurons did not reveal a loss in number of either sensory neurons in the lumbar DRG or motor neurons in the lumbar spinal cord in these DM1 mice. Furthermore, in hind limb muscle sections, stained with a neurofilament antibody and alpha-bungarotoxin, the intramuscular axon arborization appeared normal in DM1 mice and undistinguishable from that in wild-type mice. Moreover, in DM1 mice, there was no irregularity in the structure or an increase in the endplate area. Also statistical analysis did not show an increase in endplate density or in the concentration of acetylcholine receptors. Altogether, these results suggest that 300 CTG repeats are not sufficient to induce axonopathy, demyelination or neuronopathies in this transgenic mouse model.

Managerial nursing competencies in the expansion of the Family Health Strategy

Abstract OBJECTIVE To relate the managerial competencies required of nurses with the process of change experienced in the expansion of the Family Health Strategy (FHS). METHOD A qualitative research conducted in primary health care in a southern Brazilian city, through interviews with 32 managerial and clinical nurses. The interviews were processed by IRAMUTEQ software. The resulting classes were examined under five managerial competencies to promote change. RESULTS The four classes obtained from data were: the Family Health Strategy expansion process; confrontations and potentialities; mobilization for the change; innovations in medical and nursing consultations. The classes were related to one or more competencies. CONCLUSION The expansion of the Family Health Strategy requires managerial competencies of implementing and sustaining change, negotiating agreements and commitments, using power and influence ethically and effectively, sponsoring and selling new ideas, and encouraging and promoting innovation.

Volume expansion enhances plasma endothelin-1.

We hypothesized that acute volume expansion by saline infusion triggers the release of endothelin-1. Bolus intravenous saline infusion (8 mL/min) in six groups of conscious Wistar rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats did not change mean arterial pressure or heart rate (n = 8 to 12). At 1 min after infusion, the plasma endothelin-1 level was significantly increased in Wistar rats and in spontaneously hypertensive rats by 42% and 61%, respectively (unpaired data). In 12 Wistar rats, the endothelin-1 level increased from 0.68 +/- 0.13 to 1.19 +/- 0.17 fmol/mL (mean +/- SEM, P <.0001, paired data). Thus, acute volume load by rapid saline infusion increases plasma endothelin-1 levels. Vasoconstriction induced by endothelin-1 may counteract enhanced circumferential stretch created by volume expansion.

Utilização do target costing na determinação do preço de venda: O caso da Alvo, s.a.

Com a crescente competitividade no mundo empresarial, os preços dos produtos passaram a exercer um papel fundamental na expansão e sobrevivência das empresas. Consequentemente, hoje em dia é o mercado que determina o preço de venda de um produto, devendo a empresa produzir ao menor custo possível para garantir o retorno financeiro desejado. O objectivo do trabalho é verificar se os procedimentos de Target Costing podem ser aplicados nas Pequenas e Médias Empresas industriais, em São Vicente, cuja actividade também se destina à produção de produtos alimentícios. Como produto teste foi selecionado o produto A, confecçionado pela empresa Alvo, SA. Para atingirmos os objectivos foram utilizadas várias técnicas e métodos de pesquisa, tais como: levantamento bibliográfico, entrevista, conversas informais, questionário, levantamento de dados nos documentos financeiros da empresa ALVO, SA. Para entendermos e aplicarmos o processo de Target Costing recorreu-se à literatura do mesmo. Foi aplicado um questionário para ver a percepção dos clientes da empresa objecto de estudo, quanto ao preço que considerariam ideal pagar por cada quilograma do produto A adquirida. A entrevista realizada com o director geral da ALVO, SA acompanhada com os dados obtidos do departamento de contabilidade serviram como um meio de conhecer a empresa e o seu funcionamento, realçando informações sobre a fixação do preço venda dos seus produtos, a gestão de custos, entre outros. Antes de testar, através de um caso prático, a aplicação do Target Costing, verificou-se, primeiramente, sua aplicação em termos teóricos, testando os seus princípios e premissas para o produto A, na Empresa ALVO, SA. Como resultado constactou-se que os procedimentos de Target Costing podem ser aplicados, tanto na teoria como na prática, nas Pequenas e Médias Empresas industriais, em São Vicente, cuja actividade se destina a produção do produto A. With the increasing competition in the business world, the prices of products have come to play a key role in the expansion and survival of businesses. Consequently, today the selling price of a product is determined by the market so companies should produce at the lowest possible cost to ensure the desired financial return. The purpose of this paper work is to verify if the Target Costing’s procedure can be applied in small and medium business enterprises in São Vicente, whose activity is production of food. For that, product A was selected for tests. In order to achieve these objectives, some techniques and research methods like bibliographic analysis, interviews, informal conversations, questionnaires and analysis of the financial documents of ALVO, SA that is the subject of this case study, were utilized. With the intention of understanding and applying the Target Costing process we also resorted to a detailed reading of related bibliography. A questionnaire was applied in order to know the customers’ opinions about the ideal price for each kilogram of product A. The interview with the managing director of ALVO, SA, combined with the data obtained in the accounting department, was also used as a way to know the company, and it ’s functioning, highlight ing items such as: selling price format ion, cost management, among other aspects. Before testing, through a practical case study, the use of the Target Costing, the theoretical application was firstly verified by testing its principles and assumptions. Secondly, the application of the Target Costing’s process was shown step by step concerning product A at ALVO SA company. As a result we came to the conclusion that procedures used with Target Costing can be applied, in theory and in practice, in small or medium-sized industrial enterprises, in São Vicente, where product A is being manufactured.