bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Avaliação ecocardiográfica do desenvolvimento cardíaco de cavalos atletas: comparação entre atividades físicas distintas
Authors: Bonomo Carolina C.M. , Michima Lilian E.S. , Miyashiro Patricia , Fernandes Wilson Roberto
Published: November 2014

A capacidade aeróbica dos equinos atletas pode ser explicada, em partes, pelo seu desenvolvimento cardíaco associado ao treinamento físico. O exame ecocardiográfico de equinos atletas permite a visualização destas alterações e da função cardíaca destes animais. Buscou-se avaliar ecocardiograficamente equinos de diferentes modalidades esportivas, para verificar se o tipo de atividade física desempenhada por cada grupo de animais promove diferenças estruturais ou funcionais cardíacas. 196 equinos foram submetidos à avaliação ecocardiográfica em repouso, sendo divididos em três grupos: grupo Polo, 44 equinos participantes de provas de Polo; grupo QM, 49 equinos da raça Quarto de Milha, participantes de provas de baliza e tambor, e grupo PSI, 103 equinos da raça Puro Sangue Inglês participantes de provas de corridas. Foram avaliados os seguintes índices cardíacos: SIV, DIVE e PLVE em sístole e diástole, AE em sístole, Ao em diástole, relação AE:Ao, FEj, VEj, VSFVE, VDFVE, FS%, E-S, TEVE, DC e FC. Os animais do grupo PSI apresentaram os maiores volumes de ventrículo esquerdo, tendo apresentado proporcionalmente menor eficiência quando analisado o VEj. Os animais do grupo Polo e QM apresentaram melhores valores quando analisadas as variáveis de função cardíaca. A atividade física mais intensa desempenhada pelos animais do grupo QM e Polo permitiu melhor desenvolvimento funcional do coração destes animais, tendo o grupo PSI, apresentado valores que sugerem que sua capacidade aeróbica ainda pode ser melhor explorada através de melhor orientação de seu treinamento físico.
A reparação por perseguição política e os relatos de violência nas caravanas da anistia
Authors: Rosito João Baptista Alvares , Damo Arlei Sander
Published: November 2014

Este artigo analisa os relatos públicos de violência e sofrimento na execução de uma política reparatória por perseguições políticas empreendidas durante a ditadura militar brasileira (1964-1985). A partir de uma etnografia nas Caravanas da Anistia, sessões públicas e itinerantes de análise de requerimentos de reparação econômica e anistia política baseados na lei nº 10.559/2002, reflete-se sobre o papel dos relatos e dos testemunhos enunciados em tal configuração pelos diferentes sujeitos envolvidos nesse processo. Sustenta-se que as caravanas conformam uma cena pública peculiar e uma arena de escuta e enunciação de narrativas sobre as experiências de violência sofridas, em uma cadeia discursiva em que as posições de orador e ouvinte alternam-se constantemente. Tais relatos e testemunhos assumem diferentes papéis, podendo ser entendidos ora como argumentos para a concessão da reparação pleiteada, ora como revelação de um sofrimento nunca antes contado ou ainda como atualização de engajamentos e de reivindicações das vítimas por outras formas de reparação.
A estrutura de capital da micro e pequena empresa de Blumenau
Authors: Parisotto Iara Regina dos Santos , Rosa Roberto da
Published: November 2014

O crescimento das micro e pequenas empresas na economia brasileira é indiscutível; um fator que preocupa, no entanto, é o alto nível de mortalidade dessas empresas. No ano de 2004, o SEBRAE apontou em pesquisa realizada, que 42% dos empresários responderam, como causas das dificuldades e razões para o fechamento das empresas, a falta de capital de giro. Tal fato motivou a realização dessa pesquisa, cujo objetivo foi de verificar como é formada a estrutura de capital da micro e pequena empresa blumenauense. Para atingir-se o objetivo proposto, foi realizada uma pesquisa descritiva, e os procedimentos foram: levantamento de dados, por meio de pesquisa de campo, bem como documental e bibliográfica. A amostra selecionada foi de 68 de um total de 76.258 micros e pequenas empresas blumenauenses (fonte: JUCESC, Florianópolis - SC), usando-se fórmula estatística de população finita, com 90% de confiança e 70% de desvio padrão. Os questionários foram aplicados pessoalmente. As conclusões foram que, na maioria das empresas pesquisadas, não  está presente a visão de estrutura de capital. Os empresários atuam de acordo com as possibilidades, no momento dos acontecimentos dos fatos, utilizando os recursos que têm com maior disponibilidade e facilidade de captação, o que nem sempre se mostra a melhor opção. As empresas pesquisadas mostram que os recursos de capital de giro são provenientes, em 46,7% dos casos, de capital de terceiros a uma taxa média de 3,4%, quando poderiam pagar para captar recursos para investimentos uma taxa média de 1,9%.
A consultoria em gestão realizada pelo contabilista como alternativa de redução da mortalidade das MPE
Authors: Carneiro Juarez Domingues , Dall'Agnol Roberto Mauro
Published: November 2014

Este artigo tem por finalidade demonstrar que é possível reduzir a alta taxa de mortalidade das Micro e Pequenas Empresas no Brasil, na ordem de quase 50% nos dois primeiros anos, por meio da consultoria especializada em gestão, realizada por profissionais da contabilidade. O estudo tem como um de seus pilares, o estabelecimento de uma relação entre a Teoria Geral dos Sistemas e o Sistema de Gestão das Micro e Pequenas Empresas (MPE), tendo como seu subsistema principal a Consultoria em Gestão pelo Contabilista. O artigo ao mesmo tempo em que evidenciaa presença constante do profissional da contabilidade nas MPE, desde o seu surgimento, também identifica uma série de causas que levam a essa mortalidade, principalmente na área de gestão, trazendo uma proposta de alternativa de redução de tal problemática, por intermédio, especialmente, da formação continuada do profissional da área contábil.
Topography alters tree growth–climate relationships in a semi‐arid forested catchment
Authors: Adams Hallie R. , Barnard Holly R. , Loomis Alexander K.
Published: November 2014

Topography and climate play an integral role in the spatial variability and annual dynamics of aboveground carbon sequestration. Despite knowledge of vegetation–climate–topography relationships on the landscape and hillslope scales, little is known about the influence of complex terrain coupled with hydrologic and topoclimatic variation on tree growth and physiology at the catchment scale. Climate change predictions for the semi‐arid, western United States include increased temperatures, more frequent and extreme drought events, and decreases in snowpack, all of which put forests at risk of drought induced mortality and enhanced susceptibility to disturbance events. In this study, we determine how species‐specific tree growth patterns and water use efficiency respond to interannual climate variability and how this response varies with topographic position. We found that Pinus contorta and Pinus ponderosa both show significant decreases in growth with water‐limiting climate conditions, but complex terrain mediates this response by controlling moisture conditions in variable topoclimates. Foliar carbon isotope analyses show increased water use efficiency during drought for Pinus contorta, but indicate no significant difference in water use efficiency of Pinus ponderosa between a drought year and a non‐drought year. The responses of the two pine species to climate indicate that semi‐arid forests are especially susceptible to changes and risks posed by climate change and that topographic variability will likely play a significant role in determining the future vegetation patterns of semi‐arid systems.
Geothermal concept for energy efficient improvement of space heating and cooling in highly urbanized area
Authors: Vranjes Ana , Milenic Dejan , Dokmanovic Petar
Published: November 2014

New Belgrade is a highly urbanized commercial and residential district of
Belgrade lying on the alluvial plane of the Sava and the Danube rivers. The
groundwater of the area is a geothermal resource that is usable through
geothermal heat pumps (GHP). The research has shown that the ?heat island
effect? affects part of the alluvial groundwater with the average
groundwater temperature of about 15.5?C, i.e. 2?C higher than the one in
less urbanized surroundings. Based on the measured groundwater temperatures
as well as the appraisal of the sustainable aquifer yield, the available
thermal power of the resource is estimated to about 29MWt. The increasing
urbanization trend of the New Belgrade district implies the growing energy
demands that may partly be met by the available groundwater thermal power.
Taking into consideration the average apartment consumption of 80 Wm-2, it
is possible to heat about 360,000 m2 and with the consumption efficiency of
50 Wm-2, it would be possible to heat over 570,000 m2. Environmental and
financial aspects were considered through the substitution of conventional
fuels and the reduction of greenhouse gas emission as well as through the
optimization of the resource use.
NATO Integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina: The pursuit o F local ownership in externally-led state building
Authors: Turčalo Sead , Kapidžić Damir
Published: November 2014

The NATO integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) is closely tied to a strong surge in externally led state building following the conflict of the 1990s Informed by the ideals of liberal peace, one of the key components of state building was security sector reform and a restructuring of the armed forces. A shifting approach by the international community, varying between imposing decisions and insisting on local ownership, managed to establish the joint BiH Armed Forces, but allowed for the appropriation of the NATO integration process by local ethnic party elites. As a result, NATO integration in BiH regressed into an exercise in institutional reform, pursued in disarray and primarily addressing technical issues. Even if successfully brought to fruition, NATO integration will have failed to achieve the objectives of fostering substantive peace in BiH.
Analysis of indole derivatives in methanolic extracts from mycelium of Agaricus bisporus cultured in vitro on liquid Oddoux medium
Authors: Muszyńska Bożena , Sułkowska-Ziaja Katarzyna , Hałaszczuk Patrycja , Krężałek Remigiusz , Łojewski Maciej
Published: November 2014

Methanolic extracts obtained from biomass of Agaricus bisporus (J.E. Lange) Imbach cultured in vitro were analyzed for qualitative and quantitative composition of non-hallucinogenic indole compounds in order to compare their amount with fruiting bodies of these species. Extracts demonstrated to contain six indole compounds. Contents of individual compounds ranged from 0.01 to 21.33 mg/100 g d.w. in biomass from in vitro cultures. The quantitatively dominating compounds included: 5-hydroxytryptophan (12.50 mg/100 g d.w.), L-tryptophan (14.00 mg/100 g d.w.) and serotonin (7.00 mg/100 g d.w.). Total content of the remaining indole compounds under analysis in the study was 55.32 mg/100 g d.w.
Mushroom flavour
Authors: Moliszewska Ewa
Published: November 2014

Mushrooms and fungi not only present a fascinating world of shapes, both macro- and microscopic, but they are also an interesting source of flavours, fragrances and odours, e.g. garlic, coconut, flour-like, cucumber or fruit-like, as well as the most characteristic for this kingdom of living organisms mushroom-like flavour and aroma. Fungi can possess many different and interesting flavours and fragrances – starting from nice anise-like, fruit-like, cucumber, garlic, to cheese-garlic, and ending with potato or flour-like smells. Some mushrooms emit carbide or distinctly faecal-like odour. The taste of mushrooms is frequently correlated with their aroma. What components does the core of a mushroom flavour consist of? Chemical analysis of specimens reveals compounds responsible for characteristic flavour and odour. It was found that the most characteristic flavour compound is defined mainly by C8 volatiles. Between all C8 compounds the most important for mushroom flavour are oct-1-en-3-ol, octan-3-ol, octan-3-on and oct-1-en-3-on. Fungi and mushrooms can enable biotechnological production of some flavour components, for instance the Nidula niveotomentosa produces a characteristic raspberries compound – raspberry ketone in submerged cultures; the biotechnological production can also provide rare and tasty forest mushroom biomass e.g. edible boletus.
The effect of particular active substances of hallucinogenic mushrooms
Authors: Wieczorek Marek
Published: November 2014

Magic mushrooms have accompanied man for thousands of years. Formerly they were used for religious and culture purposes. Those fungi belong mainly to the genera Conocybe, Copelandia, Panaeolus, Psilocybe and Stropharia. A number of these fungal species produce substances, like psilocybin, psilocin, ibotenic acid or muscimol. Because of their chemical similarity to naturally occurring neurotransmitters like serotonin and GABA these substances, after ingestion, affect brain neurochemistry and by this induce hallucinations. This mini review presents the influence of psilocybin, psilocin, ibotenic acid and muscimol on the nervous system. Also the effects of the above mentioned substances on emotion and mental health of people are discussed.
Development of Plurilingual Competencies through Vocationally Oriented Language Learning in Sweden
Authors: Movchan Larysa
Published: November 2014

The article tackles the problem of developing plurilingual competencies through vocationally oriented foreign language in Sweden. The author analyses the pedagogical conditions of realization of plurilingual education at upper-secondary schools, vocational and higher education establishments and the aspects of teacher education for this purpose. The vocational foreign language education in Sweden is determined by the country’s multilingual policy and English is given much priority in many societal domains including educational. English and other foreign languages are used as the medium of instruction while teaching the content of other subjects. At the higher educational level students are encouraged to write research papers in English. Participation of Sweden in numerous multilingual initiatives of the Council of Europe providing the opportunities for both teachers and learners of vocational and higher educational institutions with the opportunities of the cross-border cooperation in this sphere and international mobility. Still, there is a problem of teacher’s training for teaching foreign languages in professional spheres. Using skills as a framework of foreign languages for specific purposes teachers are provided with the necessary knowledge and tools to deal with their own students’ specializations.
Formation and Development of the Pre-Professional Training System of Foreign Medical Applicants in Ukraine (Historical and Educational Aspect)
Authors: Proskurkina Iana
Published: November 2014

The growing number of foreign applicants looking forward to getting education in Ukrainian medical universities makes us find the ways how to improve and make effective the pre-professional training system of foreign medical applicants for further education. The article deals with the issues of the history of formation and development of the preprofessional training system of foreign medical applicants in Ukraine. On the ground of the electronic databases of the official websites of higher educational establishments, the data on years of opening first offices of the dean, departments and preparatory faculties for foreign medical applicants in Ukrainian medical universities are analyzed and systematized. Also the data on the setting up preparatory faculties at other universities who carry out licensed training of foreign students of the medical profile are presented. The data on the operating and management of such institutions in the system of the University administration are generalized. It’s revealed that during the years of its functioning the pre-professional training has changed, in particular the system was commercialized and the institutions involved in training foreign applicants have been reorganized. The modern trends in teaching foreign medical students at the preparatory faculties of the Ukrainian medical universities are displayed. Based on the analysis of the data it is concluded that the system of the pre-professional training of foreign medical applicants was set up in the 50s-60s years of the twentieth century. During this time, some positive experience in the preparation of future international medical specialists has been gained. The system of the pre-professional training of foreign medical applicants has been comprehensively improved and an effective system of managing foreign medical applicants has been created.
Master’s Training as a Part of Young Researcher’S Professional Development: British and Ukrainian Experience
Authors: Bidyuk Natalya
Published: November 2014

The problem of the professional development of young researchers in terms of Master’s training has been analyzed. The analysis of the literature references, documental and other sources gave grounds to state that the basic principle of Master’s professional training is a research-oriented paradigm. The necessity of using the innovative ideas of foreign experience for improving the quality of Master's education due to European approaches has been proved. It has been stressed that the main task of Master’s programs is the preparation of young researchers for the next stage of their career both in research activities and success achievement in various fields of employment, assistance and creation of opportunities as well as optimal conditions for their contribution to the research of a particular scientific field or discipline. An important source for defining strategic priorities of solving the problems of Master’s professional training is studying and analyzing theoretical and practical experience of leading countries (USA, Australia and UK). The features of Masters’ research training in the British experience and the ways of supporting and developing the research activities and fostering Master's professional development in UK and Ukraine have been studied. It has been considered that Master’s training should be realized on the basis of such theories as social, human, intellectual and cultural capital, career orientation, constructive and cognitive concepts, continuing education and adult education, learner-centered education, comparative studies.
Physical Therapist Interventions for Parkinson Disease
Authors: Gisbert Robyn , Schenkman Margaret
Published: November 2014

 highlights the findings and application of Cochrane reviews and other evidence pertinent to the practice of physical therapy. The Cochrane Library is a respected source of reliable evidence related to health care. Cochrane systematic reviews explore the evidence for and against the effectiveness of appropriate interventions—medications, surgery, education, nutrition, exercise—and the evidence for and against the use of diagnostic tests for specific conditions. Cochrane reviews are designed to facilitate the decisions of clinicians, patients, and others in health care by providing a careful review and interpretation of research studies published in the scientific literature.1Each article in thisPTJseries summarizes a Cochrane review or other scientific evidence on a single topic and presents clinical scenarios based on real patients or programs to illustrate how the results of the review can be used to directly inform clinical decisions. This article focuses on an adult patient with relatively early Parkinson disease.Can physical therapist intervention strategies improve his physical functioning and help him reach his goal of engaging in an exercise program to prevent decline related to progressive Parkinson disease?
From the Desk of Editor-in-Chief Vol.4(3)
Authors: Khan Md Aminul Haque
Published: November 2014

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v4i3.20941 J Enam Med Col 2014; 4(3): 137
Facts about Magnesium Sulfate: Time to Revise the Safety Concern in Obstetric Use
Authors: Rahman Zaida , Helali Asadul Mazid
Published: November 2014

Magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) is the agent most commonly used for treatment of eclampsia and prevention of eclampsia in patients with severe pre-eclampsia. Another commonly practiced offlabel use of this drug is in preventing preterm labor in pregnant women where the duration of the treatment might be more than one week. It is usually given either by intramuscular or intravenous route. After administration, about 40% of plasma magnesium is bound with protein. The unbound magnesium ion diffuses into the extravascular extracellular space and then diffuses into bone. It also crosses the placenta and fetal membranes and then diffuses into the fetus and amniotic fluid. Magnesium is almost exclusively excreted in the urine; 90% of the dose is excreted during the first 24 hours after an intravenous infusion of MgSO4. The clinical effect and toxicity of MgSO4 can be linked to its concentration in plasma. A concentration of 1.83.0 mmol/L has been suggested for treatment of eclampsia. The actual magnesium dose and concentration needed for prophylaxis have never been estimated. Maternal toxicity is rare when MgSO4 is carefully administered and monitored. Deep tendon reflexes, respiratory rate, urine output and serum concentrations are the most common variables for monitoring the toxic effect. Currently the United States (US) Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising health care professionals against using MgSO4 injection for more than 57 days to stop preterm labor in pregnant women (off-label use). Administration of MgSO4 injection to pregnant women for more than 57 days may lead to low calcium levels and bone problems in the fetus, including osteopenia and fractures. The harmful effect in the fetus with the shortest duration is not established. In light of this new safety information, the drug label for MgSO4 injection, USP 50% has also been changed, including changing the pregnancy category to D from A and denoting the effect as New teratogenic effects. Similarly, the manufacturers of other MgSO4 injection products have made similar changes to their drug labels. In this review, the currently available knowledge of the pharmacokinetics of MgSO4 and its clinical usage for women with pre-eclampsia and eclampsia, its off-label use and safety concern regarding the warning announced by the FDA will be outlined. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jemc.v4i3.20957 J Enam Med Col 2014; 4(3): 177-183
Growth and Properties of Carbon Microcoils and Nanocoils
Authors: Hikita Muneaki , Bradford Robyn , Lafdi Khalid
Published: November 2014

Various types of coiled carbon filaments have been synthesized using chemical vapor deposition and other methods. These carbon filaments exhibit unique electrical and mechanical properties due to their versatile shapes and structures. To form coiled shapes, different types of catalyst compositions and reactive gases have been explored. Generally, coiled carbon filaments are classified by coil diameter and shape (e.g., microcoil and nanocoil). In this review, coiled carbon filaments are classified into three growth mechanism categories: (1) bidirectional double helical growth; (2) bidirectional twisted growth; and (3) tip single helical or twisted growth. Next, their synthesis methods and hypothetical growth mechanisms are discussed. Then, their electrical and mechanical properties are listed. Finally, potential applications and uses of coiled carbon filament are mentioned.
Experimental and Numerical Study of the Aerodynamic Characteristics of an Archimedes Spiral Wind Turbine Blade
Authors: Kim Kyung , Ji Ho , Kim Yoon , Lu Qian , Baek Joon , Mieremet Rinus
Published: November 2014

A new type of horizontal axis wind turbine adopting the Archimedes spiral blade is introduced for urban-use. Based on the angular momentum conservation law, the design formula for the blade was derived using a variety of shape factors. The aerodynamic characteristics and performance of the designed Archimedes wind turbine were examined using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The CFD simulations showed that the new type of wind turbine produced a power coefficient (Cp) of approximately 0.25, which is relatively high compared to other types of urban-usage wind turbines. To validate the CFD results, experimental studies were carried out using a scaled-down model. The instantaneous velocity fields were measured using the two-dimensional particle image velocimetry (PIV) method in the near field of the blade. The PIV measurements revealed the presence of dominant vortical structures downstream the hub and near the blade tip. The interaction between the wake flow at the rotor downstream and the induced velocity due to the tip vortices were strongly affected by the wind speed and resulting rotational speed of the blade. The mean velocity profiles were compared with those predicted by the steady state and unsteady state CFD simulations. The unsteady CFD simulation agreed better with those of the PIV experiments than the steady state CFD simulations.
Oral Health Behaviour and Social and Health Factors in University Students from 26 Low, Middle and High Income Countries
Authors: Peltzer Karl , Pengpid Supa
Published: November 2014

Poor oral health is still a major burden for populations throughout the world, particularly in developing countries. The aim of this study was investigate oral health behaviour (tooth brushing and dental attendance) and associated factors in low, middle and high income countries. Using anonymous questionnaires, data were collected from 19,560 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 27 universities in 26 countries across Asia, Africa and the Americas. Results indicate that 67.2% of students reported to brush their teeth twice or more times a day, 28.8% about once a day and 4.0% never. Regarding dental check-up visit, 16.3% reported twice a year, 25.6% once a year, 33.9% rarely and 24.3% never. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, being a male, coming from a wealthy or quite well off family background, living in low income or lower middle income, weak beliefs in the importance of regular tooth brushing, depression and PTSD symptoms, tobacco use and frequent gambling, low physical activity, and low daily meal and snacks frequency were associated with inadequate tooth brushing (<twice daily). Further, being a male, older age, coming from a not well off or poor family background, living in low income or lower middle income, weak beliefs in the importance of regular tooth brushing, PTSD symptoms, illicit drug use, low physical activity, and low daily snacks frequency, skipping breakfast and inadequate fruit and vegetables consumption were associated with less than one annual dental care visit. Oral health behaviour among the students was found to be low. Various risk factors identified can be used to guide interventions to improve oral health behaviour among university students.
Variants of the Low Oxygen Sensors EGLN1 and HIF-1AN Associated with Acute Mountain Sickness
Authors: Zhang Enhao , Zhang Jihang , Jin Jun , Qin Jun , Li Huijie , Huang Lan
Published: November 2014

Two low oxygen sensors, Egl nine homolog 1 (EGLN1) and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α inhibitor (HIF-1AN), play pivotal roles in the regulation of HIF-1α, and high altitude adaption may be involved in the pathology of acute mountain sickness (AMS). Here, we aimed to analyze single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the untranslated regions of the EGLN1 and HIF-1AN genes and SNPs chosen from a genome-wide adaptation study of the Han Chinese population. To assess the association between EGLN1 and HIF-1AN SNPs and AMS in a Han Chinese population, a case–control study was performed including 190 patients and 190 controls. In total, thirteen SNPs were genotyped using the MassARRAY® MALDI-TOF system. Multiple genetic models were tested; The Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) and Bayesian information criterion (BIC) values indicated that the dominant model may serve as the best-fit model for rs12406290 and rs2153364 of significant difference. However, these data were not significant after Bonferroni correction. No significant association was noted between AMS and rs12757362, rs1339894, rs1361384, rs2009873, rs2739513 or rs2486729 before and after Bonferroni correction. Further haplotype analyses indicated the presence of two blocks in EGLN1; one block consists of rs12406290-rs2153364, located upstream of the EGLN1 gene. Carriers of the “GG” haplotype of rs12406290-rs2153364 exhibited an increased risk of AMS after adjustments for age and smoking status. However, no significant association was observed among HIF-1AN 3'-untranslated region (3'-UTR) polymorphisms, haplotype and AMS. Our study indicates that variants in the EGLN1 5'-UTR influence the susceptibility to AMS in a Han Chinese population.
Physiological and Proteomic Analysis in Chloroplasts of Solanum lycopersicum L. under Silicon Efficiency and Salinity Stress
Authors: Muneer Sowbiya , Park Yoo , Manivannan Abinaya , Soundararajan Prabhakaran , Jeong Byoung
Published: November 2014

Tomato plants often grow in saline environments in Mediterranean countries where salt accumulation in the soil is a major abiotic stress that limits its productivity. However, silicon (Si) supplementation has been reported to improve tolerance against several forms of abiotic stress. The primary aim of our study was to investigate, using comparative physiological and proteomic approaches, salinity stress in chloroplasts of tomato under silicon supplementation. Tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.) were grown in nutrient media in the presence or absence of NaCl and supplemented with silicon for 5 days. Salinity stress caused oxidative damage, followed by a decrease in silicon concentrations in the leaves of the tomato plants. However, supplementation with silicon had an overall protective effect against this stress. The major physiological parameters measured in our studies including total chlorophyll and carotenoid content were largely decreased under salinity stress, but were recovered in the presence of silicon. Insufficient levels of net-photosynthesis, transpiration and stomatal conductance were also largely improved by silicon supplementation. Proteomics analysis of chloroplasts analyzed by 2D-BN-PAGE (second-dimensional blue native polyacrylamide-gel electrophoresis) revealed a high sensitivity of multiprotein complex proteins (MCPs) such as photosystems I (PSI) and II (PSII) to the presence of saline. A significant reduction in cytochrome b6/f and the ATP-synthase complex was also alleviated by silicon during salinity stress, while the complex forms of light harvesting complex trimers and monomers (LHCs) were rapidly up-regulated. Our results suggest that silicon plays an important role in moderating damage to chloroplasts and their metabolism in saline environments. We therefore hypothesize that tomato plants have a greater capacity for tolerating saline stress through the improvement of photosynthetic metabolism and chloroplast proteome expression after silicon supplementation.
Modeling and Forecasting of Depletion of Additives in Car Engine Oils Using Attenuated Total Reflectance Fast Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Nguele Ronald , Al-Salim Hikmat , Mohammad Khalid
Published: November 2014

On average, additives make up to 7% of a typical lubricant base. Commonly, they are blended with lube oils to enhance specific features thereby improving their qualities. Ultimately, additives participate in the performance of car engine oils. Using an analytical tool, attenuated total reflectance fast transform infrared spectroscopy, various grades of car engine oils, at different mileages, were analyzed. Sulfate oxidation and wear were found to trigger chemical processes which, in the long run, cause lubricant degradation while carbonyl oxidation was observed to occur only at a slow rate. Based upon data obtained from infrared spectra and using a curve fitting technique, mathematical equations predicting the theoretical rates of chemical change due to the aforementioned processes were examined. Additive depletions were found to obey exponential regression rather than polynomial. Moreover, breakpoint (breakpoint is used here to denote the initiation of deterioration of additives) and critical mileage (critical mileage defines the distance at which the lubricant is chemically unusable) of both samples were determined.
Processing and Mechanical Properties of Macro Polyamide Fiber Reinforced Concrete
Authors: Jeon Joong , Kim WooSeok , Jeon Chan , Kim Jin
Published: November 2014

This study developed a macro-sized polyamide (PA) fiber for concrete reinforcement and investigated the influence of the PA fiber on flexural responses in accordance with ASTM standards. PA fibers are advantageous compared to steel fibers that are corrosive and gravitated. The macro-sized PA fiber significantly improved concrete ductility and toughness. Unlike steel fibers, the PA fibers produced two peak bending strengths. The first-peaks occurred near 0.005 mm of deflection and decreased up to 0.5 mm of deflection. Then the bending strength increased up to second-peaks until the deflections reached between 1.0 and 1.5 mm. The averaged flexural responses revealed that PA fiber content did not significantly influence flexural responses before L/600, but had significant influence thereafter. Toughness performance levels were also determined, and the results indicated more than Level II at L/600 and Level IV at others.
Formation of Combustible Hydrocarbons and H2 during Photocatalytic Decomposition of Various Organic Compounds under Aerated and Deaerated Conditions
Authors: Mozia Sylwia , Kułagowska Aleksandra , Morawski Antoni
Published: November 2014

A possibility of photocatalytic production of useful aliphatic hydrocarbons and H2 from various organic compounds, including acetic acid, methanol, ethanol and glucose, over Fe-modified TiO2 is discussed. In particular, the influence of the reaction atmosphere (N2, air) was investigated. Different gases were identified in the headspace volume of the reactor depending on the substrate. In general, the evolution of the gases was more effective in air compared to a N2 atmosphere. In the presence of air, the gaseous phase contained CO2, CH4 and H2, regardless of the substrate used. Moreover, formation of C2H6 and C3H8 in the case of acetic acid and C2H6 in the case of ethanol was observed. In case of acetic acid and methanol an increase in H2 evolution under aerated conditions was observed. It was concluded that the photocatalytic decomposition of organic compounds with simultaneous generation of combustible hydrocarbons and hydrogen could be a promising method of “green energy” production.
Grating Configurations for the Spectral Selection of Coherent Ultrashort Pulses in the Extreme-Ultraviolet
Authors: Frassetto Fabio , Miotti Paolo , Poletto Luca
Published: November 2014

The design and realization of grating instruments to handle and condition coherent ultrafast pulses in the extreme ultraviolet spectral region are discussed. The main application of such instruments is the spectral selection of high-order laser harmonics and free-electron-laser pulses in the femtosecond time scale. Broad-band monochromators require the use of diffraction gratings at grazing incidence. Here, we discuss two configurations useful for the realization of grating monochromator with ultrafast response: the single-grating design, applied to high-order laser harmonics, and the time-delay-compensated configuration with two gratings, applied to free-electron lasers.
Dual-Tree Complex Wavelet Transform and Image Block Residual-Based Multi-Focus Image Fusion in Visual Sensor Networks
Authors: Yang Yong , Tong Song , Huang Shuying , Lin Pan
Published: November 2014

This paper presents a novel framework for the fusion of multi-focus images explicitly designed for visual sensor network (VSN) environments. Multi-scale based fusion methods can often obtain fused images with good visual effect. However, because of the defects of the fusion rules, it is almost impossible to completely avoid the loss of useful information in the thus obtained fused images. The proposed fusion scheme can be divided into two processes: initial fusion and final fusion. The initial fusion is based on a dual-tree complex wavelet transform (DTCWT). The Sum-Modified-Laplacian (SML)-based visual contrast and SML are employed to fuse the low- and high-frequency coefficients, respectively, and an initial composited image is obtained. In the final fusion process, the image block residuals technique and consistency verification are used to detect the focusing areas and then a decision map is obtained. The map is used to guide how to achieve the final fused image. The performance of the proposed method was extensively tested on a number of multi-focus images, including no-referenced images, referenced images, and images with different noise levels. The experimental results clearly indicate that the proposed method outperformed various state-of-the-art fusion methods, in terms of both subjective and objective evaluations, and is more suitable for VSNs.
Measurement of Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flow in Micro-Pipes by a Capacitance Sensor
Authors: Ji Haifeng , Li Huajun , Huang Zhiyao , Wang Baoliang , Li Haiqing
Published: November 2014

A capacitance measurement system is developed for the measurement of gas-liquid two-phase flow in glass micro-pipes with inner diameters of 3.96, 2.65 and 1.56 mm, respectively. As a typical flow regime in a micro-pipe two-phase flow system, slug flow is chosen for this investigation. A capacitance sensor is designed and a high-resolution and high-speed capacitance measurement circuit is used to measure the small capacitance signals based on the differential sampling method. The performance and feasibility of the capacitance method are investigated and discussed. The capacitance signal is analyzed, which can reflect the voidage variation of two-phase flow. The gas slug velocity is determined through a cross-correlation technique using two identical capacitance sensors. The simulation and experimental results show that the presented capacitance measurement system is successful. Research work also verifies that the capacitance sensor is an effective method for the measurement of gas liquid two-phase flow parameters in micro-pipes.
Determination of vitality of liver lesions by alveolar echinococcosis
Authors: Kaltenbach T. E. M. , Graeter T. , Mason R. A. , Oeztuerk S. , Haenle M. M. , Gruener B. , Gottstein M. , Kratzer W.
Published: November 2014

Objective of our study is qualitative and quantitative comparison of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and 18F-FDG PETCT in monitoring hepatic alveolar echinococcosis (HAE). Parasitic liver lesions were examined regarding number, size, morphology, vascularization and metabolic activity. Patients, methods: 36 patients with medicallytreated HAE were included in this prospective clinical study. Abdominal ultrasound and CEUS were carried out using ultrasound contrast amplifier SonoVue®. As part of monitoring, patients were examined by 18F-FDG-PET-CT. Quantitative analysis of CEUS was performed using the Software Vue- Box™ Quantification Toolbox. Maximum contrast enhancement in lesions peak enhancement (PE) was used as parameter. For quantification of 18F-FDG PET-CT, maximum Standardized Uptake Value (SUVmax) of lesions was specified and statistically compared with PE. Results: 18F-FDG uptake in parasitic liver lesions was diagnosed by 18F-FDG PET-CT in 32 of 36 patients. Vascularization of liver lesions was detected by CEUS in 22 of 32 FDG-positive patients with sensitivity of 69% and specificity of 100%. Mean maximum diameter of lesions was 69.5mm in CEUS and 63.7mm in B-scan ultrasound (p < 0.0001). No significant correlation was found between SUVmax and PE (p = 0.8879). Conclusion: In comparison to FDG PET-CT, the gold standard for detecting viable lesions by depicting metabolism, CEUS detects viable lesions with high specificity and moderate sensitivity by showing vascularization. CEUS must be regarded as an important tool in monitoring HAE. Dimensions of parasitic lesions are displayed more precisely through CEUS than in B-scan. With currently available methods, CEUS quantification has no benefit in monitoring HAE lesions in daily clinical practice.
Spectroscopic mapping and selective electronic tuning of molecular orbitals in phosphorescent organometallic complexes – a new strategy for OLED materials
Authors: Ewen Pascal R , Sanning Jan , Koch Tobias , Doltsinis Nikos L , Strassert Cristian A , Wegner Daniel
Published: November 2014

The improvement of molecular electronic devices such as organic light-emitting diodes requires fundamental knowledge about the structural and electronic properties of the employed molecules as well as their interactions with neighboring molecules or interfaces. We show that highly resolved scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopy (STS) are powerful tools to correlate the electronic properties of phosphorescent complexes (i.e., triplet emitters) with their molecular structure as well as the local environment around a single molecule. We used spectroscopic mapping to visualize several occupied and unoccupied molecular frontier orbitals of Pt(II) complexes adsorbed on Au(111). The analysis showed that the molecules exhibit a peculiar localized strong hybridization that leads to partial depopulation of a dz² orbital, while the ligand orbitals are almost unchanged. We further found that substitution of functional groups at well-defined positions can alter specific molecular orbitals without influencing the others. The results open a path toward the tailored design of electronic and optical properties of triplet emitters by smart ligand substitution, which may improve the performance of future OLED devices.
Self-assembled monolayers of shape-persistent macrocycles on graphite: interior design and conformational polymorphism
Authors: Vollmeyer Joscha , Eberhagen Friederike , Höger Sigurd , Jester Stefan-S
Published: November 2014

Three shape-persistent naphthylene–phenylene–acetylene macrocycles of identical backbone structures and extraannular substitution patterns but different (empty, apolar, polar) nanopore fillings are self-assembled at the solid/liquid interface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite and 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene. Submolecularly resolved images of the resulting two-dimensional (2D) crystalline monolayer patterns are obtained by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy. A concentration-dependent conformational polymorphism is found, and open and more dense packing motifs are observed. For all three compounds alike lattice parameters are found, therefore the intermolecular macrocycle distances are mainly determined by their size and symmetry. This is an excellent example that the graphite acts as a template for the macrocycle organization independent from their specific interior.
Deux dimensions du beau en géomorphologie. Essai sur le critère esthétique dans les sciences du relief
Authors: Giusti Christian
Published: November 2014

Le prologue de cet essai esquisse les aspects contemporains de la géomorphologie. La première partie rappelle les deux sens du mot relief en français. L’article propose ensuite de porter un nouveau regard sur les formes et les processus du relief, d’une part en proposant une analyse esthétique de la toposphère, d’autre part en questionnant le statut socio-économique des composantes géomorphologiques des paysages de l’Anthropocène. L’épilogue est une invitation à fusionner jaillissement des émotions et éléments de compréhension.
Modernité de la communication politique ou simple « moment New labour » ?
Authors: Desrumaux Clément
Published: November 2014

Selon les politistes qui écrivent sur les campagnes électorales à la suite de Blumler et Kavanagh, l’accession de Tony Blair à la tête du Parti travailliste britannique en 1994, puis son installation au 10 Downing Street en 1997, seraient un symbole d’une évolution historique de la communication politique. La capacité du parti, puis du gouvernement, à organiser des campagnes de presse, à réagir rapidement aux événements, à articuler l’action politique aux sondages d’opinion caractériseraient ainsi une nouvelle forme de travail politique définitivement orientée vers les médias. Si l’on réinscrit ce travail politique dans le rapport de force interne au Parti travailliste entre 1994 et 2007, ces évolutions apparaissent plus incertaines et bien moins linéaires qu’il y paraît. La communication politique mise en place autant qu’incarnée par une équipe de « modernisateurs » doit faire face à l’opposition de l’aile gauche du parti et, plus encore, à une méfiance grandissante des journalistes, si bien que le gouvernement travailliste revoit, à partir de 2001, sa communication, son intensité et sa place dans la hiérarchie des pratiques politiques. La transformation de la communication apparaît ainsi moins comme un implacable processus historique qu’une pratique dont les usages varient au gré des conjonctures politiques.
La production des formes de capital médiatique interne et externe
Authors: Davis Aeron , Seymour Emily
Published: November 2014

Cet article a pour ambition d’expliquer l’ascension politique de David Cameron, et pour ce faire mobilise la notion de « capital médiatique », dont il examine les différentes formes. Ce capital peut être produit tant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur du champ politique. Il peut être lié tant aux positions institutionnelles qu’à la personnalité individuelle. Dès lors, plusieurs modalités d’accumulation peuvent être dégagées. Le capital médiatique peut s’accumuler grâce à un capital social auprès de journalistes ou par des performances médiatisées bien reçues. Ces distinctions conceptuelles permettent de comprendre le succès, a priori surprenant, de David Cameron dans la course pour le leadership du Parti conservateur britannique en 2005. Bien que relativement jeune et moins connu que ses adversaires, David Cameron a entretenu des formes spécifiques de capital médiatique (capital social auprès de journalistes, performances médiatisées) qui ont beaucoup contribué à influencer l’opinion du microcosme de Westminster et par la suite, lui ont permis de remporter la compétition.
Cadres et messageries
Authors: Bretesché Sophie , de Corbière François , Geffroy Bénédicte
Published: November 2014

L’article propose d’interroger les transformations de l’activité des cadres à l’aune de la forte mobilisation de la messagerie. À partir d’une recherche menée dans une collectivité territoriale, il s’agit d’analyser les nouvelles formes de rapport à l’activité que produit l’usage de la messagerie électronique par les cadres. La forte mobilisation de cette technologie permet de mettre en perspective les tensions inhérentes à son usage en soulignant à la fois les effets de rythme et le renforcement d’activités bureaucratiques. En effet, le flux électronique crée des incertitudes qui renforcent les activités bureaucratiques en matière de gestion d’information. L’émergence d’une norme collective de disponibilité, la centralisation de la décision et l’isolement des strates d’information au niveau individuel constituent le corollaire de l’usage intensif de la messagerie.
Violence du déni et identification à l'agresseur chez l'enfant
Authors: Bourdellon Geneviève
Published: November 2014

Violence du déni et identification à l’agresseur chez l’enfant Deux cas cliniques permettent d’explorer les conceptions d’Anna Freud et de Sándor Ferenczi concernant l’identification à l’agresseur et de faire des liens entre elles. Le déni de l’expérience émotionnelle et la communauté de dénis parent/enfant soulagent et en même temps verrouillent le fonctionnement psychique infantile. C’est le passage par l’acte dans un transfert par retournement qui permet de figurer le traumatisme inconscient puis de sortir de la répétition stérile et destructrice.