bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Novel perspectives for evolving enzyme cocktails for lignocellulose hydrolysis in biorefineries
Authors: Mohanram Saritha , Amat Dolamani , Choudhary Jairam , Arora Anju , Nain Lata
Published: September 2013

The unstable and uncertain availability of petroleum sources as well as rising cost of fuels have shifted global efforts to utilize renewable resources for the production of greener energy and a replacement which can also meet the high energy demand of the world. Bioenergy routes suggest that atmospheric carbon can be cycled through biofuels in carefully designed systems for sustainability. Significant potential exists for bioconversion of biomass, the most abundant and also the most renewable biomaterial on our planet. However, the requirements of enzyme complexes which act synergistically to unlock and saccharify polysaccharides from the lignocellulose complex to fermentable sugars incur major costs in the overall process and present a great challenge. Currently available cellulase preparations are subject to tight induction and regulation systems and also suffer inhibition from various end products. Therefore, more potent and efficient enzyme preparations need to be developed for the enzymatic saccharification process to be more economical. Approaches like enzyme engineering, reconstitution of enzyme mixtures and bioprospecting for superior enzymes are gaining importance. The current scenario, however, also warrants the need for research and development of integrated biomass production and conversion systems.
Divisor class groups and graded canonical modules of multisection rings
Authors: Kurano Kazuhiko
Published: September 2013

We describe the divisor class group and the graded canonical module of the multisection ring T (X;D1,…, Ds) for a normal projective variety X and Weil divisors D1,…, Ds on X under a mild condition. In the proof, we use the theory of Krull domain and the equivariant twisted inverse functor.
Critical Mediations: Haewŏn Chinhon Kut, a Shamanic Ritual for Korean “Comfort Women”
Authors: Kim David J.
Published: September 2013

On July 13, 1990, a group of shamans innovated and performed a ritual they refer to as the haewŏn chinhon to appease the deceased spirits of Japanese military “comfort women.” Caught unprepared for the large number of spirits who appeared, as well as the accompanying spiritual and emotional toil, they made a promise to the spirits that they would perform the ritual in all eight provinces of Korea — three in the North and five in the South — keeping in mind, of course, the obvious geo-political problems in that regard. Eventually in 2003, the shamans began their fulfillment of that promise with another series of haewŏn chinhon rituals, this time better prepared and stronger in numbers.

This article analyzes one of these rituals in detail, not only focusing on its structural aspects but also considering it as a site to reexamine Gayatiri Spivak's conceptualizations of the subaltern, as they relate to both comfort women and shamanic activity. Drawing on the work of Jacques Derrida, Spivak theorizes the subaltern as both stemming from and producing what she refers to as a “blank space” in text, and consequently speech, which opens a fissure for the potential constitution of the other. This productive space — unscripted and undifferentiated — I argue, is likewise a potential site for what Walter Benjamin referred to as the emergence of “historical materialism,” which reveals itself in flashes, or unexpected moments of danger. Within the structured mechanics of ritual there is space for chance and contingency. The unforeseen accident lurks as a break in the action, which takes place outside ritual structure and goes beyond representation and repetition. During the performance that I detail, there was one such moment — completely unexpected — that reveals more about the mimetic possibilities of shamanism than a ritual that goes entirely as planned. This article examines this incident, when a shaman, unable to control the possessing spirits, collapses to the ground, as well as the events that follow. The article also contextualizes this ritual in relation to debates surrounding the “comfort women” issue, and how it is both situated within and outside of what C. Sarah Soh refers to as the “paradigmatic” narrative of victimization, in addition to the larger problem of representation as it relates to both presence and discursive claims to factual truths.
On Largest Offspring in a Critical Branching Process with Finite Variance
Authors: Bertoin Jean
Published: September 2013

Continuing the work in Bertoin (2011) we study the distribution of the maximal number X*k of offspring amongst all individuals in a critical Galton‒Watson process started with k ancestors, treating the case when the reproduction law has a regularly varying tail F̅ with index −α for α > 2 (and, hence, finite variance). We show that X*k suitably normalized converges in distribution to a Fréchet law with shape parameter α/2; this contrasts sharply with the case 1< α<2 when the variance is infinite. More generally, we obtain a weak limit theorem for the offspring sequence ranked in decreasing order, in terms of atoms of a certain doubly stochastic Poisson measure.
Tail Properties and Asymptotic Expansions for the Maximum of the Logarithmic Skew-Normal Distribution
Authors: Liao Xin , Peng Zuoxiang , Nadarajah Saralees
Published: September 2013

We discuss tail behaviors, subexponentiality, and the extreme value distribution of logarithmic skew-normal random variables. With optimal normalized constants, the asymptotic expansion of the distribution of the normalized maximum of logarithmic skew-normal random variables is derived. We show that the convergence rate of the distribution of the normalized maximum to the Gumbel extreme value distribution is proportional to 1/(log n)1/2.
Acetabular component migration in total HIP arthroplasty using CT and a semiautomated program for volume merging
Authors: Olivecrona L. , Crafoord J. , Olivecrona H. , Noz M. E. , Maguire G. Q. , Zeleznik M. P. , Svensson L. , Weidenhielm L.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To develop a non-invasive method for detection of acetabular cup migration after total hip arthroplasty (THA) with a higher degree of accuracy than routine plain radiography.

Material and Methods: Two CT examinations, 10 min apart, were obtained from each of 10 patients that had undergone THA. Using an in-house developed semiautomated program for volume merging, the pelves in the two examinations were fused and the acetabular cup was visually and numerically evaluated to test the method's accuracy in detecting migration.

Results: In the visual evaluation of the best match a 1-mm translation of the cup was detectable. The numerical evaluation, comparing landmarks placed in the images of the acetabular cup and the head of the femur component in the two examinations, showed the mean difference in orientation of acetabular axes to be 2.5°, the mean distance between centre of cup face to be 2.5 mm and the mean distance between centre of the head of the prosthetic femoral component to be 1 mm.

Conclusion: This method has a significantly higher accuracy than routine plain radiography in detecting acetabular cup migration and could be used in clinical practice. It gives both a visual and a numerical correlate to migration.
Semiautomatic core biopsy: A modified biopsy technique in breast diseases
Authors: Abdsaleh S. , Azavedo E. , Lindgren P. G.
Published: September 2013

Purpose: To evaluate a semiautomatic gun to retrieve diagnostic core specimens of lesions in the breast and the axillary region.

Material and Methods: In a series of 180 consecutive core biopsies (2.1 mm), 145 (142 breasts and 3 axillae) were performed with a semiautomatic gun (18 stereotaxic and 127 US-guided) from lesions presenting mammographically as microcalcifications (n = 15) and opacities (n = 130). The gun did not work satisfactorily in 34 lesions, which were tumors with a very hard consistency. One additional patient was excluded because of technical failure. Biopsy diagnoses in the 145 patients were correlated to surgical histopathology, follow-up mammograms and/or clinical findings.

Results: Histologic examination of the specimens resulted in correct diagnoses in 89% (129/145) of the total material and in 87% (108/124) of cancers. In 107 cases, in which only 1 specimen was obtained, 83 of 89 cancers (87%) were detected. Length of specimens ranged from 3 mm (n = 2) to 17 mm (n = 31). Among patients with a 17-mm-long specimen, there was only 1 false-negative diagnosis.

Conclusion: The semiautomatic gun provided diagnostic specimens in a majority of cases and could be used as an alternative to the automatic guns when size or location of the lesions necessitates a high precision. It was not suitable for use in very hard tumors.
MECHANICAL AND CORROSION BEHAVIOUR OF IRON MODIFIED Cu-Zn-Al ALLOYS
Authors: Alaneme Kenneth K. , Sulaimon Ayoola A. , Olubambi Peter A.
Published: September 2013

The mechanical and corrosion behaviour of iron modified Cu-Zn-Al alloys has been investigated. Cu-Zn-Al alloys containing 20 and 25 wt. % Zn was produced by casting method with and without the addition of 0.1wt. % iron. The alloys were subjected to a homogenization – cold rolling- annealing treatment schedule, before the alloys were machined to specifications for tensile test, fracture toughness, hardness measurement, corrosion test and microstructural analysis. From the test results, it was observed that the structures of the Cu-Zn-Al alloys were modified by iron addition with near equi-axed grain morphologies developed. There was no significant difference in the hardness of the iron modified and the unmodified Cu-Zn-Al alloys, but the tensile strength, strain to fracture, and fracture toughness of the alloys improved with iron addition. The Cu-Zn-Al alloys also exhibited good corrosion resistance in 3.5 wt. % NaCl and 0.3M H2SO4 solutions. It was however observed that irrespective of iron addition, the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of the Cu-20Zn-4Al-xFe alloy compositions where better in comparison with the Cu-25Zn-4Al-xFe alloy grades (where x=0,0.1wt. %).
Case study: three cats with SLE and erosive polyarthritis
Authors: Hanna Fikry
Published: September 2013

Non-erosive polyarthritis is one of the most common clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). SLE has not been well documented and is rarely diagnosed in cats. This article describes an unusual presentation of erosive polyarthritis with SLE in three cats restrospectively identified over a 14-year period. Historical, clinical, serological and radiographical and pathological aspects of these cases are discussed.
Teaching Evolution through the Hardy-Weinberg Principle
Authors: Brewer Michael S. , Gardner Grant E.
Published: September 2013

Teaching population genetics provides a bridge between genetics and evolution by using examples of the mechanisms that underlie changes in allele frequencies over time. Existing methods of teaching these concepts often rely on computer simulations or hand calculations, which distract students from the material and are problematic for those with high math anxiety. We outline an exercise that engages students and provides real-time feedback through the use of classroom response devices. This exercise has been used with success and employs a conceptual-change approach to teach the fundamental, yet often misunderstood, concept of biological evolution.
Reviving Democracy at Thailand’s 2011 Election
Authors: Phongpaichit Pasuk , Baker Chris
Published: September 2013

This article analyzes the results of Thailand’s 2011 election in the context of the prior six years of political turmoil. It argues that the election was a landmark in restoring the prospects for electoral democracy in Thailand.
The India-U.S. Nuclear Cooperation Agreement
Authors: Sasikumar Karthika , Verniers Gilles
Published: September 2013

The U.S.-India civil nuclear energy agreement triggered a contentious debate in India from 2005 to 2008. Regional political actors played crucial and unanticipated roles in the debate. We present explanations for the positions adopted by the main actors and the level of contention. We find that parties’ positions were driven not by ideology but by the compulsions of coalition politics.
Interprofessional Conflict and Repair: A Study of Boundary Work in the Hospital
Authors: Apesoa-Varano Ester Carolina
Published: September 2013

This article is about boundary work and the accomplishment of work among various groups claiming professional status at the bedside in the hospital. The author analyzes qualitative data from 110 in-depth interviews and participant observation with physicians, nurses, respiratory therapists, social workers, and occupational, physical, and speech therapists. The findings show how work roles, and hence occupational boundaries, are flexible and malleable. Practitioners usually cross these boundaries within reason, and thus boundary work engenders ironic dualities; it generates both conflict and cooperation, questioning and affirmation, and that is why most reasonable work role transgressions do not fundamentally undermine the social order of the hospital. Boundary work provides insights on the dynamic nature of professionalism as the outcome of a negotiated order that reveals itself at the ideological and behavioral levels. Understanding how and why boundary work is done also has policy implications at the workplace and health care service levels.
Functional Genetics in the Post-genomics Era: Building a Better Roadmap in Drosophila
Authors: Kulathinal Rob J
Published: September 2013

In this commentary, Rob Kulathinal describes two papers from the Perrimon laboratory, each describing a new online resource that can assist geneticists with the design of their RNAi experiments. Hu et al.’s “UP-TORR: online tool for accurate and up-to-date annotation of RNAi reagents” and “FlyPrimerBank: An online database for Drosophila melanogaster gene expression analysis and knockdown evaluation of RNAi reagents” are published, respectively, in this month’s issue of GENETICS and G3: Genes|Genomes|Genetics.
Sex Differences in Metabolism of Trichloroethylene and Trichloroethanol in Guinea Pigs
Authors: Hibino Yui , Wang Hailan , Naito Hisao , Zhao Na , Wang Dong , Jia Xiaofang , Li Hongling , Song Xiangrong , Liu Lili , Huang Yongshun , Ito Yuki , Huang Hanlin , Kamijima Michihiro , Nakajima Tamie
Published: September 2013

Sex Differences in Metabolism of Trichloroethylene and Trichloroethanol in Guinea Pigs: Yui HIBINO, et al. Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine—

Objectives

Trichloroethylene (TRI) has the potential to cause generalized dermatitis complicated with hepatitis. The guinea pig maximization test (GPMT) also suggests that both TRI and its metabolite trichloroethanol (TCE) exhibit immunogenicity and possible sex differences in guinea pigs. However, TRI and TCE metabolisms in guinea pigs have not been elucidated in detail. The first issue to clarify may be the sex differences in relation to the immunogenicity.

Methods

We collected urine from Hartley male and female guinea pigs 24 hours after intracutaneous injection of TRI, TCE or trichloroacetic acid (TCA) during a GPMT and measured the urinary metabolites by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry.

Results

After TRI treatment, the amount of TCA was significantly greater in females than males, while there was no sex difference in the total amount (TCA + TCE). TCA was only detected in urine after TCA treatment. Interestingly, not only TCE but also TCA was detected in urine of both sexes after TCE treatment, and the amount of TCA was also greater in females than males. An additional experiment showed that TCE treatment did not result in the detection of urinary TCA in cytochrome P450 (CYP)2E1‐null mice but did in wild‐type mice, suggesting the involvement of CYP2E1 in the metabolism from TCE to TCA. The constitutive expression of CYP2E1 in the liver of guinea pigs was greater in females than males.

Conclusions

The sex difference in urinary TCA excretion after TRI and TCE treatments may be due to variation of the constitutive expression of CYP2E1.
Modeling disturbance‐based native invasive species control and its implications for management
Authors: Shackelford Nancy , Renton Michael , Perring Michael P. , Hobbs Richard J.
Published: September 2013

Shifts in disturbance regime have often been linked to invasion in systems by native and nonnative species. This process can have negative effects on biodiversity and ecosystem function. Degradation may be ameliorated by the reinstatement of the disturbance regimes, such as the reintroduction of fire in pyrogenic systems. Modeling is one method through which potential outcomes of different regimes can be investigated. We created a population model to examine the control of a native invasive that is expanding and increasing in abundance due to suppressed fire. Our model, parameterized with field data from a case study of the treeAllocasuarina huegelianain Australian sandplain heath, simulated different fire return intervals with and without the additional management effort of mechanical removal of the native invader. Population behavior under the different management options was assessed, and general estimates of potential biodiversity impacts were compared. We found that changes in fire return intervals made no significant difference in the increase and spread of the population. However, decreased fire return intervals did lower densities reached in the simulated heath patch as well as the estimated maximum biodiversity impacts. When simulating both mechanical removal and fire, we found that the effects of removal depended on the return intervals and the strategy used. Increase rates were not significantly affected by any removal strategy. However, we found that removal, particularly over the whole patch rather than focusing on satellite populations, could decrease average and maximum densities reached and thus decrease the predicted biodiversity impacts. Our simulation model shows that disturbance‐based management has the potential to control native invasion in cases where shifted disturbance is the likely driver of the invasion. The increased knowledge gained through the modeling methods outlined can inform management decisions in fire regime planning that takes into consideration control of an invasive species. Although particularly applicable to native invasives, when properly informed by empirical knowledge these techniques can be expanded to management of invasion by nonnative species, either by restoring historic disturbance regimes or by instating novel regimes in innovative ways.
Analysis of Doppler Criteria in the Diagnosis Of IUGR
Authors: Grif Caterina , Rădulescu C , Voidăzan S , Popa Carmen , Grama O
Published: September 2013

Introduction: The assessment of the Doppler velocimetric indices of the uterine, umbilical and middle cerebral artery helps in diagnosing and monitoring pregnancies with fetal growth disorder.

Material and method: Two groups were studied: the 1st group SGA (small for gestational age) including 22 fetuses whose birth weight was below the 10th percentile for gestational age and the 2nd group AGA (appropriate for gestational age) comprising 58 fetuses whose birth weight was between the 10th and 90th percentile. According to Doppler changes we could identify fetuses with intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) and perform a comparative analysis of Doppler changes according to frequency and also assessed the predictive accuracy of some abnormal velocimetric indices for diagnosing SGA.

Results: In the SGA group we found 8 fetuses with IUGR (36.3%), based on the fetal brain-sparing phenomenon indicated by Doppler changes. In the AGA group Doppler changes were observed in only 1 pregnancy (1.7%). The frequency of Doppler changes was significantly higher in the SGA group. The highest predictive accuracy for SGA was found for a cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) below 1.08 (88.89% PPV; 80.28% NPV; 36.36% Se and 98.28% Sp) with p < 0.0001.

Conclusions: Many cases of IUGR occur in pregnancies without evident risk factors as shown in this study. The most effective parameter for diagnosing SGA was found to be the CPR below 1.08.
The Qualitative And Quantitative Determination Of The Phenolic Compounds In Polygonum Convolvulus L. Species, Polygonaceae Family
Authors: Olaru O T , Anghel Adriana Iuliana , Istudor Viorica , Olaru Iulia Ioana
Published: September 2013

Introduction: Polygonum convolvulus L. (black bindweed), syn. Fallopia convolvulus (L.) Á. Löve, Polygonaceae family is a plant from the spontaneous flora, spread from the plain zone up to the subalpine zone. The objectives of our researches are the qualitative and quantitative determination of polyphenolic compounds from Polygoni convolvuli herba and the choice of the adequate solvent for obtaining an active pharmacological extract.

Method: The qualitative exam consisted of phytochemical screening and thin layer chromatography. The quantitative determination of the total polyphenols was made through the Folin-Ciocâlteu method.

Results: The flavonoids, the anthocyanins, the tannins and the phenol carboxylic acids (phytochemical screening) were emphasized and the following compounds were identified: rutin, hyperoside, isoquercitroside, quercetin, myricetin, kaempferol and caffeic acid.

Conclusions: In order to establish the technological lab process for obtaining an active pharmacological extract standardized in total polyphenols the adequate solvent is ethanol 50% (v/v).
Hope And The Environment: A Perspective From The Majority World
Authors: Makgoba Archbishop Thabo
Published: September 2013

This paper considers hope and environment from a majority world perspective. It begins by surveying moves within the Anglican Church to become more environmentally aware, and to integrate environmental concerns into theology and practice. This process began at the Lambeth Conference in 1968 and eventually led to the inclusion of an environmental strand within the Anglican Communion’s ‘Five Marks of Mission’. The fifth Mark is ‘To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew the life of the earth.’ In the 2008 Lambeth Conference a whole section was devoted to the environment. There follow accounts of environmental work in the Province of Southern Africa. In Niassa Diocese, in northern Mozambique, the mission department has been using Umoja (from the Swahili word for having a common mind) in congregational and community development. It demonstrates holistic mission by deepening faith, building community, and helping with practical challenges. Now the bigger question facing Southern Africa and the majority world is climate change. In South Africa apartheid used to dominate everything and this led to unity in the Church, but after apartheid the country is not faced by one overarching problem, but many. The theology of Charles Mathewes is explored in an attempt to find an adequate Christian response and bring hope to this new context. This then leads on to action in both small practical ways, and in bringing about more fundamental change. Finally, we are reminded that we should not always speak about problems, but also to present a positive vision.
Diagnosis and Treatment of the Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma in The Riga Eastern Clinical University Hospital
Authors: Repnikovs Aleksejs , Apskalne Daina
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is a rare tumor. It is diagnosed in 1-3% of all primary malignant tumors of the CNS. However its incidence increased over the past ten years amongst the immunesupressed and also the immunocompetent patients. PCNSL incidence amongst neurooncology patients is increasing in Latvia as well, therefore it is important to draw more attention to this problem.

Aim of the study. Research and analyse the experience of the Riga Eastern Clinical University hospital (RECUH) in the management of the patients with PCNSL over the last 11 years (from 2001 till 2012). In this research the data about the incidence of the disease, the connection between the age and sex, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities are discussed.

Materials and methods. This is a retrospective descriptive study. In this study were included all the patients with morphologically confirmed PCNSL (n=18) that were operated in the neurosurgical clinic in the 11-year time period (from 2001 till 2012). The statistical analysis of the data was made by means of the Microsoft Excel 2010 and SPSS 20th version of the descriptive statistical methods.

Results. Over 11 years (from 2001 till 2012) PCNSL was confirmed in 18 patients, 17 (94.44%) of which were immunocompetent and in 1 patient (5.56%) HIV C1 stadium was diagnosed. Amongst immunocompetent patients 47.06% (n=8) were male and 52.94% (n=9) were female in the age between 45 and 79 years with average age of 64.41 years. Most often PCNSL was diagnosed in the age group between 65 and 69 years. 83.33% of all the PCNSL cases were diagnosed beginning with 2007. In all of the PCNSL patients a B-cell-lymphoma was morphologically confirmed. By admission the average Karnofsky Performance Scale Index was 57.78 in all patients, but after receiving a combination of therapy it was 77.78. The median survival amongst all of the patients was 515 days or 17 month, but amongst the patients, that received the full range combination therapy, the median survival achieved 867 days or 29 month.

Conclusions. The analysed data demonstrates that the incidence of PCNSL has mighty increased over the past six years and PCNSL is more often diagnosed in elderly, in which the KPS index and the median survival considerably increases after the combination therapy.
Hereditary Gastric Cancer: Review of Literature
Authors: Pogodina Jelena , Trofimovics Genadijs , Miklasevics Edvins , Ribenieks Roberts
Published: September 2013

Worldwide, gastric cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer, with a high morbidity and mortality. Both environmental and genetic factors have a role in the aetiology of gastric cancer. Familial clustering of gastric cancer is seen in 10-15% of cases, and approximately 3% of gastric cancer cases arise in the setting of hereditary diffuse gastric cancer ( HDGC). In families with HDGC, gastric cancer presents at relatively young age. Germline mutations in the CDH1 gene are the major cause of HDGC and are identified in approximately 25-40% of families which fulfill strict criteria. Prophylactic gastrectomy is the only option to prevent gastric cancer in individuals with a CDH1 mutation. However, in the majority of families with multiple cases of gastric cancer no germline genetic abnormality can be identified and therefore preventative measures are not available, except for general lifestyle advice. Future research should focus on identifying new genetic predisposing factors for all types of familial gastric cancer.
Finite Element Tearing and Interconnecting Method and its Algorithms for Parallel Solution of Magnetic Field Problems
Authors: Marcsa Dániel , Kuczmann Miklós
Published: September 2013

Because of the exponential increase of computational resource requirement for numerical field simulations of more and more complex physical phenomena and more and more complex large problems in science and engineering practice, parallel processing appears to be an essential tool to handle the resulting large-scale numerical problems. One way of parallelization of sequential (singleprocessor) finite element simulations is the use of domain decomposition methods. Domain decomposition methods (DDMs) for parallel solution of linear systems of equations are based on the partitioning of the analyzed domain into sub-domains which are calculated in parallel while doing appropriate data exchange between those sub-domains. In this case, the non-overlapping domain decomposition method is the Lagrange multiplier based Finite Element Tearing and Interconnecting (FETI) method. This paper describes one direct solver and two parallel solution algorithms of FETI method. Finally, comparative numerical tests demonstrate the differences in the parallel running performance of the solvers of FETI method. We use a single-phase transformer and a three-phase induction motor as twodimensional static magnetic field test problems to compare the solvers
Development of Legal Regulation of the Direct Support of Agriculture in The Period of 2004 – 2013
Authors: Palšová Lucia , Schwarcz Pavol
Published: September 2013

The Accession Treaty allowed the new Member States to temporarily establish a different system of payment subsidies in agriculture, compared to the system in force in the old Member States. It is a system of the so called Single Area Payment Scheme (SAPS). This system can be used in the Slovak Republic until the end of 2013. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the rules for the direct support of agriculture within the SAPS and its actual implementation in the period 2004 - 2013.
The Legal Regulation of Rental Contracts on the Land Rental Market in Slovakia
Authors: Takáč Ivan , Lazíková Jarmila
Published: September 2013

Rented land accounted for 53% of the total agricultural area at EU-27 level in 2009. Rented land as a proportion of total utilized agricultural area in Slovakia (UAA) is one of the highest (FADN, 2009). That is why land rent plays a very important role. Therefore, the Slovak law maker approved special legal regulation to stabilize the long-term rent of agricultural land. The paper analyses how these legal norms affect the behaviour of the land tenants doing their business activities in the agriculture. Within the paper, the development of the market farmland prices and farmland rental payments development with the administrative land prices and rental payments stipulated by the Slovak national law is analysed. Based on the research results we found out that prices of arable land have statistically significantly increased. In spite of these facts the market prices are still lower than their administrative prices(1) especially in the case of farmland of the highest quality. According to the results the rent payment for one hectare of land is not influenced by the minimum rent payment stipulated by law. Contrary, minimum rental period stipulated by law, legal forms of agricultural enterprises and quality of land have significant impact on the rental payments. The larger acreage of land of one agricultural businessman press down the land rent payments. The legal forms of enterprises as well as the land rent period belong to the dominant factors which influence the land rent payment. (1) Administrative price is a price of farmland stipulated by the law.
R-Matrices, Yetter-Drinfel'd Modules and Yang-Baxter Equation
Authors: Lebed Victoria
Published: September 2013

In the first part we recall two famous sources of solutions to the Yang-Baxter equation—R-matrices and Yetter-Drinfel0d (=YD) modules—and an interpretation of the former as a particular case of the latter. We show that this result holds true in the more general case of weak R-matrices, introduced here. In the second part we continue exploring the “braided” aspects of YD module structure, exhibiting a braided system encoding all the axioms from the definition of YD modules. The functoriality and several generalizations of this construction are studied using the original machinery of YD systems. As consequences, we get a conceptual interpretation of the tensor product structures for YD modules, and a generalization of the deformation cohomology of YD modules. This homology theory is thus included into the unifying framework of braided homologies, which contains among others Hochschild, Chevalley-Eilenberg, Gerstenhaber-Schack and quandle homologies.
Molecular Dissection of Cyclosporin A’s Neuroprotective Effect Reveals Potential Therapeutics for Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Kawakami Minoru
Published: September 2013

After the onset of brain ischemia, a series of events leads ultimately to the death of neurons. Many molecules can be pharmacologically targeted to protect neurons during these events, which include glutamate release, glutamate receptor activation, excitotoxicity, Ca2+ influx into cells, mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of intracellular enzymes, free radical production, nitric oxide production, and inflammation. There have been a number of attempts to develop neuroprotectants for brain ischemia, but many of these attempts have failed. It was reported that cyclosporin A (CsA) dramatically ameliorates neuronal cell damage during ischemia. Some researchers consider ischemic cell death as a unique process that is distinct from both apoptosis and necrosis, and suggested that mitochondrial dysfunction and Δψ collapse are key steps for ischemic cell death. It was also suggested that CsA has a unique neuroprotective effect that is related to mitochondrial dysfunction. Here, I will exhibit examples of neuroprotectants that are now being developed or in clinical trials, and will discuss previous researches about the mechanism underlying the unique CsA action. I will then introduce the results of our cDNA subtraction experiment with or without CsA administration in the rat brain, along with our hypothesis about the mechanism underlying CsA’s effect on transcriptional regulation.
Coordinated Control of a Doubly-Fed Induction Generator-Based Wind Farm and a Static Synchronous Compensator for Low Voltage Ride-through Grid Code Compliance during Asymmetrical Grid Faults
Authors: Zheng Zhong , Yang Geng , Geng Hua
Published: September 2013

This paper aims to explore a viable solution for a doubly-fed induction generator (DFIG)-based wind farm to meet the reactive support requirement of the low voltage ride-through (LVRT) grid code with safe grid-connected operation during asymmetrical grid faults. First, the control scheme for the DFIG-based wind energy conversion system (WECS) is designed. Then, the controllability issue is analyzed by means of an optimal method, and the derived controllable regions indicate that the DFIG-based WECS can only remain controllable under mild asymmetrical fault situations. Afterwards, the static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) is introduced as extra equipment to ensure that the DFIG-based wind farm remains controllable under severe asymmetrical fault situations. For this purpose, a voltage compensation control scheme and a corresponding capacity matching method for the STATCOM are proposed. The simulation results verify that, with the proposed coordinated control between the DFIG-based wind farm and the STATCOM, the required positive-sequence reactive current can be supplied to support the power grid. The oscillations on the electromagnetic torque and direct current (DC)-link voltage of the DFIG-based WECS can also be eliminated. Therefore, the control scheme can be helpful to improve the reliability of both the wind farm and the power system during grid faults.
Lessons Learned from the 787 Dreamliner Issue on Lithium-Ion Battery Reliability
Authors: Williard Nicholas , He Wei , Hendricks Christopher , Pecht Michael
Published: September 2013

On 16 January 2013, all Boeing 787 Dreamliners were indefinitely grounded due to lithium-ion battery failures that had occurred in two planes. Subsequent investigations into the battery failures released through the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) factual report, the March 15th Boeing press conference in Japan, and the NTSB hearings in Washington D.C., never identified the root causes of the failures—a major concern for ensuring safety and meeting reliability expectations. This paper discusses the challenges to lithium-ion battery qualification, reliability assessment, and safety in light of the Boeing 787 battery failures. New assessment methods and control techniques that can improve battery reliability and safety in avionic systems are then presented.
Recursive Pyramid Algorithm-Based Discrete Wavelet Transform for Reactive Power Measurement in Smart Meters
Authors: Ul Hasan Najam , Ejaz Waleed , Atiq Mahin , Kim Hyung
Published: September 2013

Measurement of the active, reactive, and apparent power is one of the most fundamental tasks of smart meters in energy systems. Recently, a number of studies have employed the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) for power measurement in smart meters. The most common way to implement DWT is the pyramid algorithm; however, this is not feasible for practical DWT computation because it requires either a log N cascaded filter or O (N) word size memory storage for an input signal of the N-point. Both solutions are too expensive for practical applications of smart meters. It is proposed that the recursive pyramid algorithm is more suitable for smart meter implementation because it requires only word size storage of L × Log (N-L), where L is the length of filter. We also investigated the effect of varying different system parameters, such as the sampling rate, dc offset, phase offset, linearity error in current and voltage sensors, analog to digital converter resolution, and number of harmonics in a non-sinusoidal system, on the reactive energy measurement using DWT. The error analysis is depicted in the form of the absolute difference between the measured and the true value of the reactive energy.
Marmote SDR: Experimental Platform for Low-Power Wireless Protocol Stack Research
Authors: Szilvási Sándor , Babják Benjámin , Völgyesi Péter , Lédeczi Ákos
Published: September 2013

Over the past decade, wireless sensor network research primarily relied on highly-integrated commercial off-the-shelf radio chips. The rigid silicon implementation of the radio stack restricted access to the lower layers; thus, research focused mainly on the medium access control (MAC) layer and above. SRAM field-programmable gate array (FPGA)-based software-defined radios (SDR), on the other hand, provide a flexible architecture to experiment with any and all layers of the radio stack, but usually require desktop computers and draw high currents that prohibit mobile or longer-term outdoor deployments. To address these issues, we have developed a modular flash FPGA-based wireless research platform, called Marmote SDR, that has computational resources comparable to those of SRAM FPGA-based radio platforms, but at a reduced power consumption, with duty cycling support. We discuss the design decisions underlying Marmote SDR and evaluate its power consumption. Furthermore, we present and evaluate an asynchronous and multiple access communication protocol specifically designed for data-gathering wireless sensor networks.
Factors Influencing Grant and Sponsorship Revenue for Festivals
Authors: Andersson T. D. , Getz D. , Mykletun J. , Jæeger K. , Dolles H.
Published: September 2013

This article contributes to event management theory and practice, and more generally to sponsorship research, by examining grant and sponsorship revenue for festivals. In particular, a number of factors that appear to influence the amounts and sources of external revenues are examined
for significant differences. Data obtained from 260 festival managers in Australia, Norway, Sweden, and UK are compared with respect to their events' revenue sources, ownership, and other factors thought to influence revenue. Statistical tests reveal that festival size (i.e., attendance),
professionalism (as measured by staff members), and the "fit" between event and sponsor (as measured by type of event correlated with different sponsors and grant sources) significantly affect festival revenue. It is argued in the conclusion that by applying certain strategies festival managers
can enhance their external revenue generation and support. Future research needs and theory development are discussed in the conclusions, focused on a new set of propositions derived from the analysis.
Medidas de radón en espacios de trabajo subterráneos del Campus de la Universidad de Alicante
Authors: Piedecausa B.
Published: September 2013

Las medidas del gas radiactivo radón en lugares de trabajo subterráneos del Campus de la Universidad de Alicante fueron realizadas mediante dispositivos E-PERM® de corto plazo durante el invierno de 2010 y el verano de 2011. Las concentraciones de radón obtenidas muestran valores máximos de 73,8 Bq/m3 en invierno y 84,0 Bq/m3 en verano, así como una media aritmética de 30,3 Bq/m3.
Aunque no se abordan concentraciones medias anuales, todos los resultados se encuentran por debajo de los valores recogidos en la Recomendación 90/143/ EURATOM de la Comisión Europea relativa a la protección de la población contra los peligros de una exposición al radón en el interior de edificios así como los establecidos por la Instrucción IS-33 del Consejo de Seguridad Nuclear en lugares de trabajo, contribuyendo a la evaluación de la distribución de radón a nivel nacional y prestando atención a los problemas que este gas puede ocasionar en espacios subterráneos.
Wood-Based Composites
Authors: Barbu Marius C. , Reh Roman , Irle Mark
Published: September 2013

Wood composites are made from various wood or ligno-cellulosic non-wood materials (shape and origin) that are bonded together using either natural bonding or synthetic resin (e.g. thermoplastic or duroplastic polymers), or organic- (e.g. plastics)/inorganic-binder (e.g. cement). This product mix ranges from panel products (e.g., plywood, particleboard, strandboard, or fiberboard) to engineered timber substitutes (e.g., laminated veneer lumber or structural composite lumber). These composites are used for a number of structural and nonstructural applications in product lines ranging from interior to exterior applications (e.g. furniture and architectural trim in buildings). Wood composite materials can be engineered to meet a range of specific properties. When wood materials and processing variables are properly selected, the result can provide high performance and reliable service. Laminated composites consist of wood veneers bonded with a resin-binder and fabricated with either parallel- (e.g. Laminated Veneer Lumber with higher performance properties parallel to grain) or cross-banded veneers (e.g. plywood, homogenous and with higher dimensional stability). Particle-, strand-, or fiberboard composites are normally classified by density (high, medium, low) and element size. Each is made with a dry woody element, except for fiberboard, which can be made by either dry or wet processes. Hybrid composites based on wood wool, particles, and floor mixed with cement or gypsum are used in construction proving high weathering and fire resistance in construction. The mixture with plastics (PP or PE) and wood floor open a new generation of injected or molded Wood Plastic Composites (WPC), which are able to substitute plastics for some utilizations. In addition, sandwich panels with light core made from plastic foams or honeycomb papers are used in the furniture industry.
Information Evaluation
Authors: Malheiro da Silva Armando , Ribeiro Fernanda
Published: September 2013

Evaluation in the context of information services has mainly looked at three distinct areas: service performance evaluation, information retrieval evaluation, and information flow evaluation. This last area, especially used in archives and designated as “appraisal,” aims to define the information’s fate after several years of use, and its purpose is to eliminate documents in order to free space in the stacks. This study provides a brief overview of the two first areas and analyzes the third one in depth from a perspective that sees evaluation as a methodological operation that can be applied to information produced and used in any context. Criteria and parameters are proposed to assist with objective action in practice.
Information Management in Complex and Turbulent Environments
Authors: Rascão José Poças
Published: September 2013

Information management is a well-established yet ill-defined management sub discipline. This chapter defines and explores information management through the development of a generic framework. This framework investigates and interrelates the different components of information management. Developed as a re-interpretation of and as an extension to the widely propagated model for strategic management, it deals with the interrelationship of business, information, and decision making at the strategic management, structural, and operations level. The framework and its government maxims place us in position to fundamentally reconsider information management.
Bitstream-Based JPEG Encryption in Real-time
Authors: Auer Stefan , Bliem Alexander , Engel Dominik , Uhl Andreas , Unterweger Andreas
Published: September 2013

The authors propose a framework to encrypt Baseline JPEG files directly at bitstream level, i.e., without the need to recompress them. The authors’ approach enables encrypting more than 25 pictures per second in VGA resolution, allowing real-time operation in typical video surveillance applications. In addition, their approach preserves the length of the bitstream while being completely format-compliant. Furthermore, the authors show that an attack on the encryption process, which partly relies on AES, is practically infeasible.
First field records of Pachycrepoideus vindemiae as a parasitoid of Drosophila suzukii in European and Oregon small fruit production areas
Authors: Rossi Stacconi M.V. , Grassi A. , Dalton D.T. , Miller B. , Ouantar M. , Loni A. , Ioriatti C. , Walton V.M. , Anfora G.
Published: September 2013

Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura) (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a destructive crop pest native to Southeast Asia that recently invaded countries in Europe and North America, severely impacting commercial fruit production in its new host range. Here we report the results of a survey aimed at determining the presence of indigenous D. suzukii parasitoid populations carried out from May to October 2012 in two areas negatively affected by this fruit pest: Trento Province, Northern Italy, and Oregon in the Pacific Northwest of the USA. We conducted field and laboratory studies in order to determine the status of biological control agents utilizing D. suzukii as a host. Our study sites included a range of commercial soft fruits and natural non-commercial habitats. In each site, sentinel traps were baited with either D. suzukii or Drosophila melanogaster Meigen (Diptera: Drosophilidae) larvae in different food substrates. The generalist parasitoid, Pachycrepoideus vindemiae (Rondani) (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), was collected from both D. suzukii and D. melanogaster pupae in traps deployed in a selection of these sites. This report of P. vindemiae in 2012 represents the first identification of D. suzukii parasitoids in Europe. A successive parasitism efficacy test was set up under controlled laboratory conditions confirming the ability of P. vindemiae to attack D. suzukii pupae. In addition, an historical digression with analysis of the original documents in the Italian archives has been provided in order to unravel the correct species name. We finally discuss the possible practical implications of this finding for the biological control of D. suzukii.