Showing papers by "Rio de Janeiro State University published in 2011"
TL;DR: Brazil has implemented major policies for the prevention of NCDs, and its age-adjusted NCD mortality is falling by 1·8% per year, however, the unfavourable trends for most major risk factors pose an enormous challenge and call for additional and timely action and policies.
1,217 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the transverse momentum balance in dijet and γ/Z+jets events is used to measure the jet energy response in the CMS detector, as well as the transversal momentum resolution.
Abstract: Measurements of the jet energy calibration and transverse momentum resolution in CMS are presented, performed with a data sample collected in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36pb−1. The transverse momentum balance in dijet and γ/Z+jets events is used to measure the jet energy response in the CMS detector, as well as the transverse momentum resolution. The results are presented for three different methods to reconstruct jets: a calorimeter-based approach, the ``Jet-Plus-Track'' approach, which improves the measurement of calorimeter jets by exploiting the associated tracks, and the ``Particle Flow'' approach, which attempts to reconstruct individually each particle in the event, prior to the jet clustering, based on information from all relevant subdetectors
750 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the effect of collision centrality on the transverse momentum of PbPb collisions at the LHC with a data sample of 6.7 inverse microbarns.
Abstract: Jet production in PbPb collisions at a nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy of 2.76 TeV was studied with the CMS detector at the LHC, using a data sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 6.7 inverse microbarns. Jets are reconstructed using the energy deposited in the CMS calorimeters and studied as a function of collision centrality. With increasing collision centrality, a striking imbalance in dijet transverse momentum is observed, consistent with jet quenching. The observed effect extends from the lower cut-off used in this study (jet transverse momentum = 120 GeV/c) up to the statistical limit of the available data sample (jet transverse momentum approximately 210 GeV/c). Correlations of charged particle tracks with jets indicate that the momentum imbalance is accompanied by a softening of the fragmentation pattern of the second most energetic, away-side jet. The dijet momentum balance is recovered when integrating low transverse momentum particles distributed over a wide angular range relative to the direction of the away-side jet.
621 citations
Duke University1, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources2, Conservation International3, University of Florida4, University of Queensland5, National Autonomous University of Mexico6, Island Conservation Society7, National Marine Fisheries Service8, IFREMER9, Sapienza University of Rome10, World Wide Fund for Nature11, Wildlife Institute of India12, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration13, University of Paris-Sud14, James Cook University15, Rio de Janeiro State University16, College of William & Mary17, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University18, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission19
TL;DR: A new assessment framework was developed that allowed to evaluate, compare and organize marine turtle RMUs according to status and threats criteria, and should serve as a model for conservation status assessments and priority-setting for widespread, long-lived taxa.
Abstract: Where conservation resources are limited and conservation targets are diverse, robust yet flexible priority-setting frameworks are vital. Priority-setting is especially important for geographically widespread species with distinct populations subject to multiple threats that operate on different spatial and temporal scales. Marine turtles are widely distributed and exhibit intra-specific variations in population sizes and trends, as well as reproduction and morphology. However, current global extinction risk assessment frameworks do not assess conservation status of spatially and biologically distinct marine turtle Regional Management Units (RMUs), and thus do not capture variations in population trends, impacts of threats, or necessary conservation actions across individual populations. To address this issue, we developed a new assessment framework that allowed us to evaluate, compare and organize marine turtle RMUs according to status and threats criteria. Because conservation priorities can vary widely (i.e. from avoiding imminent extinction to maintaining long-term monitoring efforts) we developed a ‘‘conservation priorities portfolio’’ system using categories of paired risk and threats scores for all RMUs (n = 58). We performed these assessments and rankings globally, by species, by ocean basin, and by recognized geopolitical bodies to identify patterns in risk, threats, and data gaps at different scales. This process resulted in characterization of risk and threats to all marine turtle RMUs, including identification of the world’s 11 most endangered marine turtle RMUs based on highest risk and threats scores. This system also highlighted important gaps in available information that is crucial for accurate conservation assessments. Overall, this priority-setting framework can provide guidance for research and conservation priorities at multiple relevant scales, and should serve as a model for conservation status assessments and prioritysetting for widespread, long-lived taxa.
493 citations
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich1, University of the Sunshine Coast2, University of Santiago, Chile3, Moscow State University4, King Juan Carlos University5, Anadolu University6, University of Bucharest7, Cairo University8, California State University, Long Beach9, Rio de Janeiro State University10, Colorado State University11, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev12, Austrian Academy of Sciences13, University of Colorado Boulder14, United International College15
TL;DR: This paper conducted a survey of 1800 journalists from 18 countries and found that detachment, non-involvement, providing political information and monitoring the government are considered essential journalistic functions around the globe.
Abstract: This article reports key findings from a comparative survey of the role perceptions, epistemological orientations and ethical views of 1800 journalists from 18 countries. The results show that detachment, non-involvement, providing political information and monitoring the government are considered essential journalistic functions around the globe. Impartiality, the reliability and factualness of information, as well as adherence to universal ethical principles are also valued worldwide, though their perceived importance varies across countries. Various aspects of interventionism, objectivism and the importance of separating facts from opinion, on the other hand, seem to play out differently around the globe. Western journalists are generally less supportive of any active promotion of particular values, ideas and social change, and they adhere more to universal principles in their ethical decisions. Journalists from non-western contexts, on the other hand, tend to be more interventionist in their role perceptions and more flexible in their ethical views.
458 citations
TL;DR: Although there are signs of decline, homicides and traffic-related injuries and deaths in Brazil account for almost two-thirds of all deaths from external causes and much of the violence has been associated with the misuse of alcohol and illicit drugs, and the wide availability of firearms.
325 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a search for events with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in a data sample of pp collisions collected at 7 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC.
Abstract: A search for events with jets and missing transverse energy is performed in a data sample of pp collisions collected at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV by the CMS experiment at the LHC. The analyzed data sample corresponds to an integrated luminosity of 1.14 inverse femtobarns. In this search, a kinematic variable, alphaT, is used as the main discriminator between events with genuine and misreconstructed missing transverse energy. No excess of events over the standard model expectation is found. Exclusion limits in the parameter space of the constrained minimal supersymmetric extension of the standard model are set. In this model, squark masses below 1.1 TeV are excluded at 95% CL. Gluino masses below 1.1 TeV are also ruled out at 95% CL for values of the universal scalar mass parameter below 500 GeV.
300 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the forward-backward asymmetry in top quark-antiquark production in proton-antiproton collisions in the final state containing a lepton and at least four jets was measured.
Abstract: We present a measurement of forward-backward asymmetry in top quark-antiquark production in proton-antiproton collisions in the final state containing a lepton and at least four jets. Using a dataset corresponding to an integrated luminosity of $5.4\,\mathrm {fb}^{-1}$, collected by the \DZ\ experiment at the Fermilab Tevatron Collider, we measure the \ttbar\ forward-backward asymmetry to be $(9.2 \pm 3.7)$% at the reconstruction level. When corrected for detector acceptance and resolution, the asymmetry is found to be $(19.6 \pm 6.5)$%. We also measure a corrected asymmetry based on the lepton from a top quark decay, found to be $(15.2 \pm 4.0)$%. The results are compared to predictions based on the next-to-leading-order QCD generator {\sc mc@nlo}. The sensitivity of the measured and predicted asymmetries to the modeling of gluon radiation is discussed.
285 citations
TL;DR: Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, by the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008, as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Closing the gap in a generation: Health equity through action on the social determinants of health, by the WHO Commission on Social Determinants of Health, Geneva, World Health Organization, 2008, ...
272 citations
Vardan Khachatryan, Albert M. Sirunyan, Armen Tumasyan, Wolfgang Adam1 +2193 more•Institutions (152)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured the Upsilon production cross section in proton-proton collisions at 7 TeV using a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.1 +/- 0.81 nb.
Abstract: The Upsilon production cross section in proton-proton collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV is measured using a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 3.1 +/- 0.3 inverse picobarns. Integrated over the rapidity range |y|<2, we find the product of the Upsilon(1S) production cross section and branching fraction to dimuons to be sigma(pp to Upsilon(1S) X) B(Upsilon(1S) to mu+ mu-) = 7.37 +/- 0.13^{+0.61}_{-0.42}\pm 0.81 nb, where the first uncertainty is statistical, the second is systematic, and the third is associated with the estimation of the integrated luminosity of the data sample. This cross section is obtained assuming unpolarized Upsilon(1S) production. If the Upsilon(1S) production polarization is fully transverse or fully longitudinal the cross section changes by about 20%. We also report the measurement of the Upsilon(1S), Upsilon(2S), and Upsilon(3S) differential cross sections as a function of transverse momentum and rapidity.
241 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a measurement of W and Z production cross sections in pp collisions at 7 TeV is presented, where electron and muon decay channels are analyzed in a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns.
Abstract: A measurement of inclusive W and Z production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV is presented. The electron and muon decay channels are analyzed in a data sample collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns. The measured inclusive cross sections are sigma(pp-> WX) B(W-> l nu) = 10.30 +/- 0.02 (stat.) +/- 0.10 (syst.) +/- 0.10 (th.) +/- 0.41 (lumi.) nb and sigma(pp -> ZX) B(Z-> l^+l^-) = 0.974 +/- 0.007 (stat.) +/- 0.007 (syst.) +/- 0.018 (th.) +/- 0.039 (lumi.) nb, limited to the dilepton invariant mass range 60 to 120 GeV. The luminosity-independent cross section ratios are [sigma(pp->WX) B(W-> l nu)]/[sigma(pp-> ZX) B(Z->l^+l^-)] = 10.54 +/- 0.07 (stat.) +/- 0.08 (syst.) +/- 0.16 (th.) and [sigma(pp->W^+X) B(W^+ -> l^+nu)] / [sigma(pp->W^- X) B(W^- -> l^- nu)] = 1.421 +/- 0.006 (stat.) +/- 0.014 (syst.) +/- 0.029 (th.). The measured values agree with next-to-next-to-leading order QCD cross section calculations based on recent parton distribution functions.
Vardan Khachatryan, Albert M. Sirunyan, Armen Tumasyan, Wolfgang Adam1 +2184 more•Institutions (150)
TL;DR: In this article, the W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at 7 TeV are presented, based on 2.9 inverse picobarns of data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC.
Abstract: Measurements of inclusive W and Z boson production cross sections in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV are presented, based on 2.9 inverse picobarns of data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC. The measurements, performed in the electron and muon decay channels, are combined to give sigma(pp to WX) times B(W to muon or electron + neutrino) = 9.95 \pm 0.07(stat.) \pm 0.28(syst.) \pm 1.09(lumi.) nb and sigma(pp to ZX) times B(Z to oppositely charged muon or electron pairs) = 0.931 \pm 0.026(stat.) \pm 0.023(syst.) \pm 0.102(lumi.) nb. Theoretical predictions, calculated at the next-to-next-to-leading order in QCD using recent parton distribution functions, are in agreement with the measured cross sections. Ratios of cross sections, which incur an experimental systematic uncertainty of less than 4%, are also reported.
Vardan Khachatryan, Milan Nikolic1, Robin Erbacher1, C. A. Carrillo Montoya +2169 more•Institutions (155)
TL;DR: In this article, a search for supersymmetry with R-parity conservation in proton-proton collisions at a centre-of-mass energy of 7 TeV is presented.
TL;DR: In this paper, a comparison of the relative yields of upsilon resonances in the mu(+) mu(-) decay channel in PbPb and pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 2.76 TeV, is performed with data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC.
Abstract: A comparison of the relative yields of Upsilon resonances in the mu(+) mu(-) decay channel in PbPb and pp collisions at a centre-of-mass energy per nucleon pair of 2.76 TeV, is performed with data collected with the CMS detector at the LHC. Using muons of transverse momentum above 4 GeV/c and pseudorapidity below 2.4, the double ratio of the Upsilon(2S) and Upsilon(3S) excited states to the Upsilon(1S) ground state in PbPb and pp collisions,(Upsilon(2S+3S)/Upsilon(1S)[PbPb])/(Upsilon(2S+3S)/Upsilon(1S)[pp]), is found to be 0.31 - 0.15 + 0.19 (stat.) +/- 0.03 (syst.). The probability to obtain the measured value, or lower, if the true double ratio is unity, has been calculated to be less than 1%.
Vardan Khachatryan, Albert M. Sirunyan, Armen Tumasyan, Wolfgang Adam1 +2222 more•Institutions (151)
TL;DR: In this article, the multiplicity distribution of primary charged hadron multiplicity distributions for non-single-diffractive events in proton-proton collisions at center-of-mass energies of 0.9, 2.36, and 7 TeV, in five pseudorapidity ranges from |eta|<0.5 to |eta |<2.4.
Abstract: Measurements of primary charged hadron multiplicity distributions are presented for non-single-diffractive events in proton-proton collisions at centre-of-mass energies of sqrt(s) = 0.9, 2.36, and 7 TeV, in five pseudorapidity ranges from |eta|<0.5 to |eta|<2.4. The data were collected with the minimum-bias trigger of the CMS experiment during the LHC commissioning runs in 2009 and the 7 TeV run in 2010. The multiplicity distribution at sqrt(s) = 0.9 TeV is in agreement with previous measurements. At higher energies the increase of the mean multiplicity with sqrt(s) is underestimated by most event generators. The average transverse momentum as a function of the multiplicity is also presented. The measurement of higher-order moments of the multiplicity distribution confirms the violation of Koba-Nielsen-Olesen scaling that has been observed at lower energies.
Vardan Khachatryan, Albert M. Sirunyan, Armen Tumasyan, Wolfgang Adam1 +2184 more•Institutions (152)
TL;DR: In this article, the production of J/psi mesons from b-hadron decays at the LHC was studied in pp collisions at 6.5 to 30 GeV/c and in three rapidity ranges.
Abstract: The production of J/psi mesons is studied in pp collisions at sqrt(s)=7 TeV with the CMS experiment at the LHC. The measurement is based on a dimuon sample corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 314 inverse nanobarns. The J/psi differential cross section is determined, as a function of the J/psi transverse momentum, in three rapidity ranges. A fit to the decay length distribution is used to separate the prompt from the non-prompt (b hadron to J/psi) component. Integrated over J/psi transverse momentum from 6.5 to 30 GeV/c and over rapidity in the range |y| < 2.4, the measured cross sections, times the dimuon decay branching fraction, are 70.9 \pm 2.1 (stat.) \pm 3.0 (syst.) \pm 7.8(luminosity) nb for prompt J/psi mesons assuming unpolarized production and 26.0 \pm 1.4 (stat.) \pm 1.6 (syst.) \pm 2.9 (luminosity) nb for J/psi mesons from b-hadron decays.
TL;DR: The Araçuaí orogenic orogen extends from the eastern edge of the São Francisco craton to the Atlantic margin, in southeastern Brazil as mentioned in this paper, forming the Eastern Brazilian pegmatite Province and the most important dimension stone province of Brazil.
Abstract: Abstract The Araçuaí orogen extends from the eastern edge of the São Francisco craton to the Atlantic margin, in southeastern Brazil. Orogenic igneous rocks, formed from c. 630 to c. 480 Ma, cover one third of this huge area, building up the Eastern Brazilian Pegmatite Province and the most important dimension stone province of Brazil. G1 supersuite (630–585 Ma) mainly consists of tonalite to granodiorite, with mafic to dioritic facies and enclaves, representing a continental calc-alkaline magmatic arc. G2 supersuite mostly includes S-type granites formed during the syn-collisional stage (585–560 Ma), from relatively shallow two-mica granites and related gem-rich pegmatites to deep garnet-biotite granites that are the site of yellow dimension stone deposits. The typical G3 rocks (545–525 Ma) are non-foliated garnet-cordierite leucogranites, making up autochthonous patches and veins. At the post-collisional stage (530–480 Ma), G4 and G5 supersuites were generated. The S-type G4 supersuite mostly consists of garnet-bearing two-mica leucogranites that are the source of many pegmatites mined for tourmalines and many other gems, lithium (spodumene) ore and industrial feldspar. G5 supersuite, consisting of high-K–Fe calc-alkaline to alkaline granitic and/or charnockitic to dioritic/noritic intrusions, is the source of aquamarine-topaz-rich pegmatites but mainly of a large dimension stone production.
TL;DR: This initial study provides the framework for more focused studies of this subject, which are necessary to determine whether the changing balance of NK receptor expression may influence susceptibility to infectious, inflammatory, and neoplastic diseases.
TL;DR: In this article, a measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry in WX production at 7 TeV was presented based on data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns.
Abstract: A measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry in inclusive pp to WX production at sqrt(s)= 7 TeV is presented based on data recorded by the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns. This high precision measurement of the lepton charge asymmetry, performed in both the W to e nu and W to mu nu channels, provides new insights into parton distribution functions.
Vardan Khachatryan, Albert M. Sirunyan, Armen Tumasyan, Wolfgang Adam1 +2155 more•Institutions (136)
TL;DR: The first measurement of the cross section for top-quark pair production in pp collisions at the LHC at center-of-mass energy sqrt(s)= 7 TeV has been performed using 3.1 {\pm} 0.3 inverse pb of data recorded by the CMS detector as discussed by the authors.
TL;DR: In this article, the Gribov-Zwanziger action dynamically transforms itself into the refined version, thereby showing that the continuum nonperturbative Landau gauge fixing is consistent with lattice simulations.
Abstract: In recent years, the Gribov-Zwanziger action was refined by taking into account certain dimension 2 condensates. In this fashion, one succeeded in bringing the gluon and the ghost propagator obtained from the Gribov-Zwanziger model in qualitative and quantitative agreement with the lattice data. In this paper, we shall elaborate further on this aspect. First, we shall show that more dimension 2 condensates can be taken into account than considered so far and, in addition, we shall give firm evidence that these condensates are in fact present by discussing the effective potential. It follows thus that the Gribov-Zwanziger action dynamically transforms itself into the refined version, thereby showing that the continuum nonperturbative Landau gauge fixing, as implemented by the Gribov-Zwanziger approach, is consistent with lattice simulations.
TL;DR: The B-ECOHIS proved reliable and valid for assessing the negative impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of preschool children and significantly associated with decayed, missing and filled teeth index, decayed teeth and discolored upper anterior teeth.
Abstract: Background: Oral disorders can have a negative impact on the functional, social and psychological wellbeing of young children and their families and cause pain/discomfort for the child. Oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) has emerged as an important health outcome in clinical trials and healthcare research. The Early Childhood Oral Health Impact Scale (ECOHIS) is a proxy measure of children’s OHRQoL designed to assess the negative impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of preschool children. The objective of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the ECOHIS (B-ECOHIS). Methods: This investigation was carried out in preliminary and field studies. The preliminary study comprised a cross-sectional study carried out in the city of Petropolis, Brazil. A sample of 150 children from two to five years of age was recruited at a public hospital. In the field study, an epidemiological survey was carried out in public and private preschools of Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The B-ECOHIS was answered by 1643 parents/caregivers of five-year-old male and female preschool children. In both phases, oral examinations were performed by a single previously calibrated dentist. Reliability was determined through test-retest reliability and internal consistency. Validity was determined through convergent and discriminant validities. The correlation between the scores obtained on the child and family impact sections was assessed. Results: In the preliminary (P) and field (F) study, test-retest reliability correlation values were 0.98 and 0.99 for the child impact section and 0.97 and 0.99 for the family impact section, respectively. The B-ECOHIS demonstrated internal consistency: child impact section (P: a = 0.74; F: a = 0.80) and family impact section (P: a = 0.59; F: a = 0.76). The correlation between the scores obtained on the child and family impact sections was statistically significant (P: rs = 0.54; F: rs = 0.62; p ≤ 0.001). In both phases of the study, B-ECOHIS scores were significantly associated with the decayed, missing and filled teeth index, decayed teeth and discolored upper anterior teeth (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The B-ECOHIS proved reliable and valid for assessing the negative impact of oral disorders on the quality of life of preschool children.
TL;DR: Costs increased along with duration of disease, level of care and presence of chronic complications, which suggested a need to reallocate health resources focusing on primary prevention of diabetes and its complications.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors derived dissipation coefficients in the adiabatic, near thermal equilibrium regime for a large class of renormalizable interaction configurations involving a two-stage mechanism, where a background scalar field is coupled to heavy intermediate scalar or fermion fields which in turn are coupled to light scalar/fermion radiation fields.
Abstract: Dissipation coefficients are calculated in the adiabatic, near thermal equilibrium regime for a large class of renormalizable interaction configurations involving a two-stage mechanism, where a background scalar field is coupled to heavy intermediate scalar or fermion fields which in turn are coupled to light scalar or fermion radiation fields. These interactions are typical of warm inflation microscopic model building. Two perturbative regimes are shown where well defined approximations for the spectral functions apply. One regime is at high temperature, when the masses of both intermediate and radiation fields are less than the temperature scale and where the poles of the spectral functions dominate. The other regime is at low temperature, when the intermediate field masses are much bigger than the temperature and where the low energy and low three-momentum regime dominate the spectral functions. The dissipation coefficients in these two regimes are derived. However, due to resummation issues for the high temperature case, only phenomenological approximate estimates are provided for the dissipation in this regime. In the low temperature case, higher loop contributions are suppressed and so no resummation is necessary. In addition to inflationary cosmology, the application of our results to cosmological phase transitions is also discussed.
TL;DR: In this article, a search for narrow resonances with a mass of at least 1 TeV in the dijet mass spectrum is performed using pp collisions at root s = 7 TeV corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 1 fb(-1), collected by the CMS experiment at the LHC.
S. Chatrchyan1, Milan Nikolic2, Robin Erbacher2, C. A. Carrillo Montoya3 +2306 more•Institutions (160)
TL;DR: In this paper, a measurement of the charged hadron multiplicity in hadronic PbPb collisions, as a function of pseudorapidity and centrality, at a collision energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair, is presented.
Abstract: A measurement is presented of the charged hadron multiplicity in hadronic PbPb collisions, as a function of pseudorapidity and centrality, at a collision energy of 2.76 TeV per nucleon pair. The data sample is collected using the CMS detector and a minimum-bias trigger, with the CMS solenoid off. The number of charged hadrons is measured both by counting the number of reconstructed particle hits and by forming hit doublets of pairs of layers in the pixel detector. The two methods give consistent results. The charged hadron multiplicity density dN(ch)/d eta, evaluated at eta=0 for head-on collisions, is found to be 1612 +/- 55, where the uncertainty is dominated by systematic effects. Comparisons of these results to previous measurements and to various models are also presented.
01 Jan 2011
TL;DR: The aim was to systematically review self-reported racial discrimination scales to describe their development processes and to provide a synthesis of their psychometric properties, and to consider other types of unfair treatment as concurrently important health-damaging exposures.
Abstract: A literatura abordando o uso da variavel raca no estudo de causas das iniquidades raciais em saude e caracterizada por uma profunda discussao sobre os problemas envolvidos na interpretacao de associacoes estatisticas como relacoes de causa e efeito. Em contrapartida, um numero menor de estudos tem abordado o uso de escalas de discriminacao racial para estimar os efeitos deste tipo de tratamento injusto sobre a saude, e nenhum deles realizou uma avaliacao abrangente das propriedades psicometricas destes instrumentos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi revisar sistematicamente a literatura sobre escalas de discriminacao racial, com vistas a descrever seus processos de desenvolvimento e prover uma sintese de suas propriedades psicometricas. Uma busca eletronica nas bases de dados PubMed, LILACS, PsycInfo, Scielo, Scopus e Web of Science foi realizada sem qualquer restricao, utilizando-se vocabulario livre e controlado. Apos identificar 3.060 referencias, 24 escalas foram incluidas na revisao. Apesar de a discriminacao racial constituir um tema de relevância internacional, 23 (96%) escalas foram desenvolvidas nos Estados Unidos. A maior parte dos estudos (67%, N = 16) foi publicada nos ultimos 12 anos, documentando tentativas iniciais de desenvolvimento de escalas, com uma escassez de investigacoes sobre o refinamento ou a adaptacao trans-cultural destes instrumentos. As propriedades psicometricas relatadas foram boas; dezesseis entre todas as escalas apresentaram confiabilidade acima de 0,7, 19 entre 20 instrumentos confirmaram, pelo menos, 75% das hipoteses relacionadas aos construtos avaliados e a estrutura dimensional foi corroborada por analises fatoriais em 17 de 21 escalas. Entretanto, pesquisadores independentes raramente examinaram estas escalas. O uso de terminologia racial e como isto pode afetar o relato de experiencias de discriminacao racial nao foi extensamente avaliado. A necessidade de considerar outras formas de tratamento discriminatorio como exposicoes danosas a saude igualmente importantes e a ideia de um instrumento universal, adaptavel a diferentes contextos socioculturais, deveriam ser discutidas entre os pesquisadores deste emergente campo de investigacao. ABSTRACT – The literature addressing the use of the race variable to study causes of racial inequities in health is characterized by a dense discussion on the pitfalls in interpreting statistical associations as causal relationships. In contrast, fewer studies have addressed the use of racial discrimination scales to estimate discrimination effects on health, and none of them provided a thorough assessment of the scales’ psychometric properties. Our aim was to systematically review self-reported racial discrimination scales to describe their development processes and to provide a synthesis of their psychometric properties. A computer-based search in PubMed, LILACS, PsycInfo, Scielo, Scopus and Web of Science was conducted without any type of restriction, using search queries containing free and controlled vocabulary. After initially identifying 3,060 references, 24 scales were included in the review. Despite the fact that discrimination stands as topic of international relevance, 23 (96%) scales were developed within the United States. Most studies (67%, N = 16) were published in the last 12 years, documenting initial attempts at scale development, with a dearth of investigations on scale refinements or cross-cultural adaptations. Psychometric properties were acceptable; sixteen of all scales presented reliability scores above 0.7, 19 out of 20 instruments confirmed at least 75% of all previously stated hypotheses regarding the constructs under consideration, and conceptual dimensional structure was supported by means of any type of factor analysis in 17 of 21 scales. However, independent researchers, apart from the original scale developers, have rarely examined such scales. The use of racial terminology and how it may influence self-reported experiences of discrimination has not yet been thoroughly examined. The need to consider other types of unfair treatment as concurrently important health-damaging exposures, and the idea of a universal instrument, which would permit cross-cultural adaptations, should be discussed among researchers in this emerging field of inquiry. Key words: Race Relations; Prejudice; Causality; Questionnaires; Psychometrics
James Cook University1, United States Forest Service2, University of Washington3, University of Queensland4, Rio de Janeiro State University5, Griffith University6, Florida State University College of Arts and Sciences7, University of Helsinki8, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador9, Wellington Management Company10, University of Otago11, United States Geological Survey12, University of Kent13, University of Newcastle14
TL;DR: In this article, the authors identify management actions from across the world and from diverse disciplines that are applicable to minimizing loss of amphibian biodiversity under climate change, grouped under three thematic areas of intervention: installation of microclimate and microhabitat refuges; enhancement and restoration of breeding sites; and manipulation of hydroperiod or water levels at breeding sites.
Abstract: 1. Altered global climates in the 21st century pose serious threats for biological systems and practical actions are needed to mount a response for species at risk. 2. We identify management actions from across the world and from diverse disciplines that are applicable to minimizing loss of amphibian biodiversity under climate change. Actions were grouped under three thematic areas of intervention: (i) installation of microclimate and microhabitat refuges; (ii) enhancement and restoration of breeding sites; and (iii) manipulation of hydroperiod or water levels at breeding sites. 3. Synthesis and applications. There are currently few meaningful management actions that will tangibly impact the pervasive threat of climate change on amphibians. A host of potentially useful but poorly tested actions could be incorporated into local or regional management plans, programmes and activities for amphibians. Examples include: installation of irrigation sprayers to manipulate water potentials at breeding sites; retention or supplementation of natural and artificial shelters (e.g. logs, cover boards) to reduce desiccation and thermal stress; manipulation of canopy cover over ponds to reduce water temperature; and, creation of hydrologoically diverse wetland habitats capable of supporting larval development under variable rainfall regimes. We encourage researchers and managers to design, test and scale up new initiatives to respond to this emerging crisis. © 2011 The Authors. Journal of Applied Ecology
TL;DR: This review focuses on the developmental aspects associated with major components of the cholinergic system: Acetylcholine, choline acetyltransferase, vesicular acetylcholinesterase, high-affinity choline transporter, nicotinic and muscarinic receptors.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors measured electroweak production of the top quark in pp collisions at 7 TeV, using a dataset collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns.
Abstract: Electroweak production of the top quark is measured in pp collisions at sqrt(s) = 7 TeV, using a dataset collected with the CMS detector at the LHC and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 36 inverse picobarns. With an event selection optimized for t-channel production, two complementary analyses are performed. The first one exploits the special angular properties of the signal, together with background estimates from data. The second approach uses a multivariate analysis technique to probe the compatibility with signal topology expected from electroweak top quark production. The combined measurement of the cross section is 83.6 +/- 29.8 (stat.+syst.) +/- 3.3 (lumi.) pb, consistent with the standard model expectation.