bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterização físico-química de batata-doce (Ipomoea batatas) comum e biofortificada
Authors: Uchôa Valdiléia Teixeira , Noleto Diandra Carvalho de Sá , Da Silva Camila Raia Pereira , Da Costa Charllyton Luis Sena
Published: February 2018

Avaliou-se os teores de betacaroteno e macronutrientes presentes na batata-doce biofortificada e na batata-doce comum, por meio da sua caracterização físico-química, confirmando a atuação eficaz da cultivar beauregard, rica em β-caroteno, na promoção da saúde e prevenção da hipovitaminose A. Foram realizadas análises de carotenoides para o composto orgânico β-caroteno, pH, lipídeos e carboidratos. De acordo com os resultados obtidos, observou-se que a batata-doce comum apresentou teores insignificantes de β-caroteno, enquanto que a batata biofortificada apresentou a presença de β-caroteno. Os valores de pH foram semelhantes para ambas as batatas doces Quanto aos macronutrientes, revelou um maior teor de lipídeos na batata doce biofortificada, com 1,09% em comparação com a comum, a qual apresenta 0,94%, em relação aos carboidratos, observou-se o inverso, onde a batata doce comum se apresenta com um conteúdo de 15,6% enquanto a biofortificada, com 13,58%. Assim, a batata doce biofortificada é uma potencial estratégia por seu alto teor de betacaroteno, baixo custo, baixo investimento na produção, produto agrícola de boa aceitabilidade e acessível às populações carentes que são os grupos mais vulneráveis para deficiências de micronutrientes.
CONTROLE QUÍMICO EM PÓS-EMERGÊNCIA DE CAPIM-GENGIBRE (Paspalum maritimum Trin.).
Authors: Mello Jose Placido , Souza Renan Cantalice , Tironi Siumar Pedro
Published: February 2018

Objetivou-se avaliar a eficiência de herbicidas no controle em pós-emergência do capim-gengibre no município de Rio Largo, Estado de Alagoas. Instalado em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, cada unidade experimental foi composta de 3 m de largura por 6 m de comprimento. Os tratamentos foram compostos por herbicidas, aplicados isoladamente ou em associações, utilizados em pós-emergência tardia. Os herbicidas utilizados nos tratamentos foram: T1 – metribuzin (200 g ha-1);  T2 – metsulfuron-methyl  (22 g ha-1); T3 – glyphosate  (1800 g ha-1);  T4 – paraquat + diuron (400 g ha-1 + 100 g ha-1);  T5 – imazapic (123 g ha-1); T6 – MSMA + diuron (200 g ha-1  + 100 g ha-1);  T7 – Testemunha (sem aplicação de herbicida). A aplicação dos herbicidas foi realizada sobre a espécie daninha e palhada da cultura, aos sete dias após o corte mecanizado da cana-de-açúcar. As variáveis observadas foram percentual de controle visual do capim-gengibre e massa seca. Os resultados permitiram concluir que existe diferença no controle com MSMA + diuron, paraquat + diuron, metsulfuron methyl e glyphosate.
INFLUÊNCIA DA COBERTURA MORTA E DA ADUBAÇÃO NO CONTROLE DA PODRIDÃO RADICULAR EM MUDAS DE CITROS (Phytophthora nicotianae)
Authors: Silva Tiago Alexandre , Amorim Edna Peixoto da Rocha , Costa José Paulo Vieira , Costa Maryllia Gabriella Silva , Santos David Vitor
Published: February 2018

Estudou-se o efeito de resíduos orgânicos e da adubação com Cálcio (Ca) e Potássio (K) no controle da podridão radicular em mudas de citros (Phytophthora nicotianae), doença responsável por grandes perdas na citricultura. Como cobertura morta utilizou-se casca de feijão, casca de mandioca, folhas de couve e bagaço de cana  em vasos com substrato inoculado com uma suspensão de inóculo de Phytophthora sp.  (20 esporângios/mL), na proporção de 20 mL/vaso. Substrato descoberto e o fungicida metalaxyl foram utilizados como testemunhas.  Cada vaso recebeu uma muda de citros com raízes previamente feridas. O delineamento foi inteiramente casualizado com seis tratamentos e oito repetições. No ensaio de adubação, procedeu-se uma análise de solo para recomendação da adubação com Ca e K. Foram utilizadas as doses de sulfato de cálcio: 480 mg.Lˉ1; 600 mg.L ˉ1; 720 mg.L ˉ1; 360 mg.L ˉ1; 240 mg.L ˉ1;  fosfato de potássio: 94mg.L ˉ1); 117,5.L ˉ1; 141mg.L ˉ1; 70,5mg.L ˉ1; 47mg.L ˉ1; combinação das doses de cálcio e potássio  e o solo sem adubação (testemunha). O substrato foi adubado e colocado em vasos, semeados com 2 sementes de citros. Dez dias após a germinação, a adubação foi repetida. O patógeno foi inoculado nas plântulas (30 dias) pelo método da agulha. Utilizou-se um delineamento inteiramente casualizado com dezesseis tratamentos e quatro repetições. Após 60 dias foram observados a incidência da doença e o desenvolvimento das mudas. Os resultados foram comparados pelo teste de Tukey (P=0,05). As coberturas mortas apresentaram capacidade de controlar a podridão radicular, destacando-se folha de couve e bagaço de cana (100%), casca de feijão e casca de mandioca (>75%). Os tratamentos que foram adubados com dose de 480 mg.Lˉ1 de cálcio e a combinação de potássio e cálcio  (360 mg.L ˉ1 +70,5mg.L ˉ1 e 240 mg.L ˉ1 +47mg.L ˉ1) tiveram uma eficácia contra a doença de 100%. Os tratamentos demonstraram  eficiência em reduzir a incidência da doença em mudas de citros.
VARIAÇÕES MORFOLÓGICAS EM GENÓTIPOS DE PINHEIRAS (Annona squamosa L.)
Authors: Salvador Taciana de Lima , De Lemos Eurico Eduardo Pinto , Salvador Tatiana de Lima , Rezende Leila de Paula
Published: February 2018

A caracterização morfológica através de descritores botânicos visíveis e mensuráveis é um dos métodos mais utilizados para distinguir cultivares de diversas espécies vegetais. Na família Anonnaceae, a caracterização morfológica de cultivares foi proposta apenas para a cherimóia (Annona cherimola Mill.) pela sua grande variabilidade natural e obtida através de programas de melhoramento em várias partes do mundo. A domesticação e a crescente importância de outros membros dessa família na produção de frutas tem feito surgir uma forte demanda por novas cultivares mais produtivas e com atributos comerciais desejáveis. No caso da pinheira (Annona squamosa L.), que há séculos vem sendo propagada sexuadamente, não existem cultivares registradas nos países produtores. Todavia, variações significativas tem sido observadas entre os tipos cultivados nas diversas regiões do mundo e também no Brasil. Algumas dessas plantas possuem grande apelo comercial e, se multiplicadas vegetativamente, poderiam dar origem a novas cultivares comerciais. Em Palmeira dos Índios, tradicional região produtora de pinha em Alagoas, atém do tipo Crioula predominante podem ser encontradas plantas com características fenotípicas bem diferentes. Este trabalho objetivou determinar descritores morfológicos mínimos para discriminar genótipos de pinheiras distintas do tipo padrão existente Crioula. Para tanto, se estudou 26 caracteres morfológicos típicos da cultivar padrão Crioula em 40 indivíduos escolhidos ao acaso em duas populações de pinheiras nos municípios de Palmeira dos Índios e Rio Largo, Alagoas. Os resultados de comparação dos 26 descritores morfológicos sugeridos apresentaram alto grau de similaridade entre as duas populações do tipo Crioula padrão, mas quando comparados com outros três genótipos apresentaram diferenças importantes capazes de os discriminar facilmente. Entre os descritores morfológicos mais discriminantes estão a cor, a textura e a cerosidade da casca do fruto, a cor dos ramos jovens, o formato e ondulação da lâmina foliar. Uma lista de descritores mínimos é proposta ao final.Palavras-chave: anona, ata, fruta-do-conde, morfologia.
DESEMPENHO DE DIFERENTES VARIEDADES DE ALFACE AMERICANA NAS CONDIÇÕES DA AMAZÔNIA ORIENTAL
Authors: OLIVEIRA ANTONIO MARCOS PIRES , AGUIAR RUBENS MARQUES , Silva Bronze Antonia Benedita , Lima Junior Joaquim Alves , Aviz William Lee Carrera de Aviz
Published: February 2018

A alface é uma das hortaliças de maior importância social e econômica no Brasil, sendo consumida principalmente em sua forma “in natura” preservando suas propriedades nutritivas. Por ser uma cultura de origem de clima temperado e não expressar todo o seu potencial genético em regiões de clima tropical, é de suma importância o seu melhoramento para essas regiões. Visando definir critérios para o manejo da produção de alface no estado do Pará, este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar diferentes variedades de alface americana. O experimento foi conduzido na Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia. Os tratamentos foram constituídos de cinco variedades, Delicia americana, Irene, Legacy, Mauren e Kaiser. Os resultados permitem concluir que todas as variedades utilizadas alcançaram índices agronômicos satisfatórios. Para a variável número de folhas comercial a variedade kaiser se destacou com 37.82 folhas planta-1. Enquanto que para as demais variáveis, massa fresca comercial, circunferência da cabeça, produtividade total e comercial, a variedade Mauren obteve maiores índices, que foram 494.20 g planta-1, 51.92 cm, 51.78 t ha-1 e 38.92 t ha-1, respectivamente.
POTENCIAL DE ISOLADOS DE Bacillus sp. PARA O CONTROLE DE Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens .
Authors: Rocha Lucas Antônio , Vieira Bruno Sérgio , Mota Lara Caroline Borges Moreira , Lopes Everaldo Antônio
Published: February 2018

A murcha-de-curtobacterium, doença causada pela bactéria Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens pv. flaccumfaciens (Cff), tem causado prejuízos na cultura do feijoeiro (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) na região do Alto Paranaíba (MG). Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito da microbiolização de sementes de feijoeiro com dez isolados de Bacillus sp. em condições de casa de vegetação. O tratamento de sementes com os isolados 1, 6, 7 e 10 reduziu a severidade da doença em comparação com a testemunha inoculada com Cff. A altura de plantas foi significativamente maior após o tratamento de sementes com o isolado 6 em comparação com a testemunha inoculada. Por outro lado, a microbiolização com nenhum isolado influenciou a biomassa das raízes e da parte aérea das plantas em comparação com plantas não tratadas e inoculadas com Cff. Novos estudos devem ser conduzidos em campo para comprovar o potencial dos isolados 1, 6, 7 e 10 no manejo da doença.
CONTROLE EM PÓS-EMERGÊNCIA DE Conyza canadensis e Conyza bonariensis COM EXTRATOS DE Canavalia ensiformis
Authors: Mendonça Karoline Damasceno Ribeiro , Vieira Bruno Sérgio , Sousa Luciana Alves
Published: February 2018

Avaliou-se o efeito alelopático dos extratos aquoso e etanólico de folhas de Canavalia ensiformis no controle em pós-emergência das espécies Conyza canadensis e Conyza bonariensis. Para isso, foram preparados extratos aquoso e etanólico nas concentrações: 10, 25, 50, 100 e 150 g.L-1. Para a avaliação do efeito alelopático, os extratos foram aplicados no estádio de dois e quatro pares de folhas e a plântulas avaliadas aos 10 dias após as pulverizações com auxílio de uma escala de notas da Sociedade Brasileira De Ciência Das Plantas Daninhas. Ao final do experimento foi quantificado a massa fresca e seca em gramas das repetições referentes ao respectivo tratamento. Para ambas as espécies de daninha o extrato aquoso se destacou. A concentração de 150 g.L-1 inibiu 94% o desenvolvimento de C. bonariensis e as concentrações de 100 g.L-1 e 150 g.L-1 inibiram 96% e 100%, respectivamente as plântulas de C. canadensis, enquanto que o extrato etanólico controlou apenas 50% o desenvolvimento de C. bonariensis na mesma concentração e para C. canadensis alcançou apenas 4% e 12% nas respectivas concentrações. As matérias fresca e seca decresceram à medida que se aumentaram as doses do extrato aquoso de folhas de C. ensiformis, para ambas as espécies.
LEVANTAMENTO DOS AGROTÓXICOS E MANEJO NA CULTURA DO TOMATEIRO NO MUNICÍPIO DE CAMBUCI - RJ
Authors: Carvalho Carla Roberta Ferraz , Ponciano Niraldo José , Souza Cláudio Luis Melo de
Published: February 2018

O tomate é susceptível à ataque de pragas e de doenças e tem sido comum o uso inadequado de agrotóxicos. Objetivou-se analisar o manejo de produção de tomate em Cambuci - RJ. Aplicaram-se cinquenta e sete questionários para caracterizar o manejo e as práticas utilizadas na produção convencional dos tomaticultores dos cinco distritos de Cambuci-RJ. Os resultados evidenciaram baixo nível educacional que pode estar relacionado ao manejo inadequado dos defensivos. Na aplicação de defensivos 20% dos produtores não utilizam o EPI. Verificou-se a utilização 53 marcas de agrotóxicos, sendo em média 12 produtos por lavoura. Constatou-se que 65% da armazenagem é incorreta e 20% queimam as embalagens vazias. Cerca de 70% tomaticultores afirmaram conhecer sistemas sustentáveis alternativos, mas que acha impossível produzir tomate sem a utilização de agrotóxicos. Acredita-se que o baixo nível educacional do produtor e a modernização atrelada ao uso de defensivos dificultam a adoção de práticas alternativas e de inovação tecnológica sustentável.
COMPORTAMENTO DE ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE ALECRIM MICROENCAPSULADO POR SPRAY DRYING EM DIFERENTES UMIDADES RELATIVAS
Authors: Fernandes Regiane , Carmo Eloá , Borges Soraia , Botrel Diego , Silva Yasmim , Souza Hugo
Published: February 2018

Este estudo foi conduzido para avaliar a influência da adição de isolado proteico de soro (IPS) e inulina como materiais de parede, nas características físicas de óleo essencial de alecrim encapsulado por meio de secagem por atomização. Os tratamentos IPS/inulina (3:1) (1), IPS/inulina (1:1) (2) e IPS/inulina (1:3) (3) foram avaliados em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com três repetições. As partículas foram classificadas como razoáveis (tratamentos 1 e 2) e ruim (tratamento 3) para fluidez e todos os tratamentos foram considerados com alta coesividade. O modelo de BET apresentou o melhor ajuste para o comportamento das isotermas de adsorção, sendo observados valores de teor de umidade na monocamada (Xm) iguais a 0,053 g.g-1, 0,070 g.g-1e 0,097 g.g-1para os tratamentos 1, 2 e 3, respectivamente. Todos os pós destes tratamentos apresentaram visivelmente estrutura física amorfa mesmo em altas atividades de água. O uso de IPS e inulina como materiais encapsulantes para óleo essencial de alecrim mostrou-se como uma potencial alternativa.
Características da carne de ovinos da raça Santa Inês utilizando métodos alternativos de controle sanitário
Authors: Araújo Filho José Teodorico , Guimaraes Aurélio Portela
Published: February 2018

Objetivou-se determinar as características físicas, químicas e sensoriais da carne de ovinos Santa Inês utilizando métodos convencionais e alternativos de controle sanitário. Foram utilizados 16 animais da raça Santa Inês, machos inteiros, alojados em gaiolas individuais metálicas, distribuídos em delineamento inteiramente casualisado com oito animais terminados com tratamento convencional, utilizando insumos químicos  e oito terminados com tratamento utilizando métodos alternativos de controle sanitário, como a fitoterapia. A dieta para os dois tratamentos foram compostas por 34% de volumoso, com capim elefante (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach), leucena (Leucaena leucocephala) e resíduo de acerola (Malpighia glabra), e 66% de concentrado, a base de farelo de milho, produzido na própria fazenda e farelo de soja, adquirido no mercado local. A água e o suplemento mineral foram fornecidos à vontade. Foram avaliadas as características físicas (força de cisalhamento e perda por cocção), químicas (umidade, cinzas, lipídios e proteínas) e sensoriais (aroma, sabor, dureza, suculência, aceitação global) da carne dos cordeiros. Verificou-se efeito significativo (p<0,05) para forças de cisalhamento, uma vez que a carne dos cordeiros mantidos no tratamento fitoterápico, onde se verificou menor força para corte da carne quando comparado aos cordeiros mantidos no tratamento alopático. Para as características químicas, houve diferença significativa (p<0,05) na proteína da carne dos animais produzidos com tratamento alopático, tendo estes apresentando maior teor de proteína do que os animais submetidos ao tratamento fitoterápico. Para os componentes químicos,  umidade, cinzas e lipídios não houve diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os diferentes métodos alternativos de controle sanitário, o mesmo ocorrendo para as características sensoriais.
Relação Hídrica e Fenologia de Cultura em Rio Largo - AL
Authors: Souza José Leonaldo de , DI Pace Elenice Lucas
Published: February 2018

As curvas médias decendiais da precipitação pluvial e da evapotranspiração potencial, serviram para o estabelecimento da estação de crescimento de Rio Largo - AL., para as culturas do feijão (Phaseolus vulgaris L), milho (Zea mays L.) e cana-de-açúcar (Saccharum spp). Com base nos resultados determinou-se o início, o fim e a duração da estação de crescimento, como também os períodos chuvoso, úmido, pré-úmido e pós-úmido. Analisaram-se também as condições hídricas sobre fases fenológicas das culturas.
Comportamento de cultivares de repolho (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.) introduzidas no município de Maceió - Alagoas. Resultados preliminares.
Authors: Santo Adilson Jorge Dos , Ferreira Paulo Vanderlei
Published: February 2018

O presente trabalho foi conduzido na Unidade Experimental e Didática de Campo do Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal de Alagoas, em Maceió, com a finalidade de avaliar o comportamento de cultivares de repolho introduzidas neste município. No período de agosto a dezembro/89 foram avaliadas cinco cultivares de repolho: (1) União de Verão, (2) 60 Dias, (3) Coração de Boi, (4) Chato de Quintal e (5)Chato de Brunswick. Utilizou-se o delineamento em blocos casualizados com quatro repetições, tenda as parcelas 32 plantas distribuídas em quatro fileiras no espaçamento 0,8 x 0,4 m. O comportamento das cultivares foi determinado através das seguintes variáveis: Diâmetro médio transversal, Diâmetro médio longitudinal, índice de Formata, Número médio de folhas externas, Compacidade de cabeça e Produção comercial. Como resultado preliminar concluiu-se que o cultivar 60 Dias foi o que melhor se comportou na região.
Caracterização da fertilidade de dois solos de Mamanguape, Estado da Paraíba
Authors: Filho Gilson Moura , Dantas José Pires , Trindade Aldo Vilar T
Published: February 2018

Foi conduzido no Centro de Ciências Agrárias da Universidade Federal da Paraíba, em casa-de-vegetação, um experimento utilizando-se amostras de dois solos do Município de Mamanguape, Estado da Paraíba (Areias Quartzosas Distróficas - AOd e Podzólico Vermelho Amarelo Distrófico - PVd), cultivados intensamente com a cultura do abacaxi, objetivando caracterizar os nutrientes limitantes, através da diagnose por subtração, usando o sorgo granífero (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench. cv. ICAPAL), como planta indicadora. O experimento foi composto por quartorze tratamentos, por solo, sendo uma testemunha absoluta, um com todos os nutrientes (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Cu, Fe, Mn, Mo e Zn) e os demais tratamentos com todos os nutrientes menos o elemento em estudo. Os resultados obtidos em função da produção de matéria seca da parte aérea, mostraram que no solo AOd foram limitantes, em ordem decrescente, os seguintes nutrientes: fósforo, nitrogênio, potássio, zinco e cálcio,e no PVd, fósforo, nitrogênio, potássio e cálcio. Para maior eficiência dos nutrientes a serem aplicados nesses solos, recomenda-se a prática da calagem.
Model Pembelajaran Kooperatif Untuk Menumbuhkan Nilai Moral Siswa Sekolah Dasar
Authors: Martati Badruli
Published: February 2018

Pokok pikiran keempat Pembukaan UUD 1945 mewajibkan pemerintah dan para penyelenggaran negara untuk memelihara budi pekerti kemanusiaan yang luhur dan memegang teguh cita-cita moral rakyat yang luhur. Cita-cita luhur bangsa Indonesia tersebut tertuang dalam pasal 3 Undang-Undang No. 20 tentang Sistem Pendidikan Nasional Tahun 2003. Tujuan tersebut dapat dilaksanakan melalui mata pelajaran PKn yang dapat mendukung pendidikan dalam menjadikan warga negara yang demokratis dan bertanggung jawab. Karena seorang guru-setiap kata, pikiran, tindakan  dan asosiasinya  menjadi berarti bagi siswa. Untuk itu guru perlu memiliki kemampuan menerapkan model-model pembelajaran inovatif. Salah satu model pembelajaran yang baik digunakan adalah pembelajaran kooperatif. Slavin menyatakan pembelajaran koperatif, memiliki banyak perbedaan bentuk (tipe), tetapi semuanya melibatkan siswa yang bekerja dalam kelompok kecil atau tim yang saling membantu satu sama lain dalam mempelajari materi akademik. Dalam model pembelajaran kooperatif dapat ditemukan pendidikan nilai moral yaitu: siswa belajar sesuatu, terdapat penghargaan terhadap kelompok, tanggung jawab perseorangan, kesempatan yang sama untuk berhasil, belajar itu menyenangkan, bekerja berpasangan, bekerja kelompok dan lain - lain. Kata kunci: model pmbelajaran; PKn; guru;  kooperatif; nilai moral
DIRECTED�PROJECT BASED LEARNING AS LANGUAGE LEARNING MODEL: DESIGNING, DEVELOPING AND FIELD TESTING
Authors: Pratiwi Tri , Marsidin Sufyarma , Syarif Hermawati , Yahya Yahya
Published: February 2018

The aim of the present study is developing English learning model to increase students� language skills in English subject for VIII graders of SMP N 1 Uram Jaya through Directed-Project Based Learning (DPjBL) implementation. This study is designed in Research and Development (R & D) using ADDIE model development. The researcher collected the data through the test, questionnaire, observation, and interview which were then analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study revealed that Directed-Project Based Learning (DPjBL) implementation is significantly able to be one learning model allowing to increase student�s language skills.
Federal Income-Driven Repayment Plans and Short-Term Student Loan Outcomes
Authors: Lacy T. Austin , Conzelmann Johnathan G. , Smith Nichole D.
Published: February 2018

This brief uses administrative data provided on the Baccalaureate and Beyond and Beginning Postsecondary Students data sets to examine student loan repayment over time. Specifically, we provide descriptive details on what differentiates borrowers in income-driven repayment (IDR) plans and explore the relationship between these plans and short-term repayment outcomes. While IDR has many benefits, our analysis suggests there may also be negative consequences to increased participation in these plans.
Lessons From Hurricane Katrina: The Employment Effects of the Mass Dismissal of New Orleans Teachers
Authors: Lincove Jane Arnold , Barrett Nathan , Strunk Katharine O.
Published: February 2018

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, the Orleans Parish school district fired over 4,000 public school teachers as the city underwent a transition to a market-based system of charter schools. Using administrative data, we examine whether and how these teachers returned to public school employment and teaching. We estimate that school reform and dismissal substantially increased teacher exit from the district and the state relative to similar teachers in other parishes that suffered hurricane damage. Dismissed teachers who returned were more likely to be Black and locally trained, but new hiring through alternative certification programs led to a substantial demographic shift. A teacher population that had been highly experienced and more than 70% Black shifted through new hiring at charter schools. Implications for other districts considering teacher employment reforms are discussed.
An investigation into failure of Internet firms: Towards development of a conceptual model
Authors: Ram Jiwat , Zhang Zeyang
Published: February 2018

The last two decades have witnessed an exponential growth in internet and social media based commerce in China, resulting in a number of foreign Internet firms launching their businesses to capitalize on the market opportunities. Surprisingly though, having been successful globally, these firms were not able to remain competitive in China, with majority of them suffering losses from their failed ventures, and ceasing their operations. Despite this ongoing problem, little or no research exists that might explain what is causing these problems. Addressing this gap in knowledge, we build literature-based insights and through our analysis, we: (1) provide a structured understanding of some of the major issues causing failures, (2) identify and categorize factors/sources of failures into internal versus external driven, and (3) grounded in theory and supplemented by literature evidence, develop hypotheses and a corresponding conceptual model explaining the relationships among these factors/sources and the failure of foreign Internet firms. The proposed model serves as a means by which Information systems managers / Chief Information Officers / Technology and Business managers can understand the sources of failures and conduct an introspective exercise within the firm to plug some gaps before launching a business in a foreign country. Academically, the study has developed a theoretically-grounded comprehensive model to advance knowledge in a scantly researched area of challenges faced by the foreign Internet firms and to help in the development of strategies to mitigate these problems. The proposed model also adds to the current knowledge on information systems socio-technical theory and Comparative theory of Competitive Advantage.
“Something is taking its course”:Endgame’s Frustrated Musicality and the Evolution of Beckett’s Late Dramatic Style
Authors: Massie Courtney
Published: February 2018

Scholarship of Samuel Beckett’s drama often calls attention to the playwright’s engagement with sound and musicality. Building on this scholarship, this article takes a musically informed sound studies approach to Endgame, examining the acoustic effects of the play’s musical elements. Such an approach both reveals that musicality lies at the heart of Beckett’s famous scepticism of discursive language and challenges existing conceptions of the evolution of Beckett’s dramatic style. Drawing connections between Endgame and Play, the work widely considered to have initiated Beckett’s late style, the article argues that the type of linguistic denaturing associated with that late style is traceable to Endgame’s particular brand of musicality – a musicality “frustrated” by language’s ultimate inability to become instrumental music.
Transnational Perspectives of the Middle East in Tony Kushner’sHomebody/Kabuland Naomi Wallace’sThe Fever Chart
Authors: Ramadan Marwa
Published: February 2018

Tony Kushner’s Homebody/Kabul (2001) and Naomi Wallace’s The Fever Chart: Three Visions of the Middle East (2009) are American plays that cover the conflict in the Middle East from different angles. This article attempts to establish how transnational issues are presented in both plays and how – through Wallace’s and Kushner’s commitment to political theatre – these issues are taken up in the service of political criticism. Transnationalism is represented both as an extension of postcolonialism and globalization and as the new mode through which hybrid national and personal identities are manifested. The article offers commentary on Kushner and Wallace as Brechtian playwrights whose critique of US foreign policy in the Middle East sits at the heart of their work.
Barnaby King, Clowning as Social Performance in Colombia: Ridicule and Resistance
Authors: Wilson Geoffrey
Published: February 2018

Barnaby King’s book Clowning as Social Performance in Colombia: Ridicule and Resistance examines a wide range of clown acts in contemporary Colombia, from circus tents to hospital bedsides, arguing that each act constitutes a social performance deeply enmeshed in the political and economic realities of the everyday lives of citizens.
Kinetics and Mechanism of Cationic Micelle/Flexible Nanoparticle Catalysis: A Review
Authors: Khan Mohammad Niyaz , Fagge Ibrahim Isah
Published: February 2018

The aqueous surfactant (Surf) solution at [Surf] > cmc (critical micelle concentration) contains flexible micelles/nanoparticles. These particles form a pseudophase of different shapes and sizes where the medium polarity decreases as the distance increases from the exterior region of the interface of the Surf/H2O particle towards its furthest interior region. Flexible nanoparticles (FNs) catalyse a variety of chemical and biochemical reactions. FN catalysis involves both positive catalysis ( i.e. rate increase) and negative catalysis ( i.e. rate decrease). This article describes the mechanistic details of these catalyses at the molecular level, which reveals the molecular origin of these catalyses. Effects of inert counterionic salts (MX) on the rates of bimolecular reactions (with one of the reactants as reactive counterion) in the presence of ionic FNs/micelles may result in either positive or negative catalysis. The kinetics of cationic FN (Surf/MX/H2O)-catalysed bimolecular reactions (with nonionic and anionic reactants) provide kinetic parameters which can be used to determine an ion exchange constant or the ratio of the binding constants of counterions.
Testing-Based Approach to Determining the Divergence Speed of Slung Loads
Authors: Komerath Narayanan , Hiremath Nandeesh , Shukla Dhwanil
Published: February 2018

When a rotorcraft carries an external slung load, flight speed is often limited by the fear of divergent oscillations, rather than vehicle performance. Since slung objects can be of any shape, incorporating the aerodynamics with sufficient accuracy to predict safe speed has been a problem. The uncertainty forces certifying authorities to set conservative limits on speed to avoid divergence. Obtaining the aerodynamic coefficients of bluff bodies was excessively time-consuming in experiments, and impractical in computations. This review traces the evolution of progress in the area. Prior thinking was to use computations for prediction, with the computational codes validated using a few samples of experiments. This approach has not led to valid general predictions. Data were sparse and a-priori predictions were rarer. A continuous rotation approach has enabled swift measurements of 6-degrees-of-freedom aerodynamic load maps with high resolution about several axes of rotation. The resulting knowledge base in turn permits a swift determination of dynamics up to divergence, with wind tunnel tests where necessary to fill interpolation gaps in the knowledge base. The essence of efficient and swift dynamics simulation with a few well-tested assumptions is described. Under many relevant conditions, the vehicle flight dynamics can be safely decoupled from those of the slung load. While rotor wake swirl causes the payload to rotate at liftoff and landing, this effect can be incorporated into the simulation. Recent success in explaining two well-documented flight test cases provides strong evidence that predictions can be made for most missions swiftly.
Necessary, but Not Sufficient. The Benefit Concept in the Project Evaluation of Animal Research in the Context of Directive 2010/63/EU
Authors: Eggel Matthias , Grimm Herwig
Published: February 2018

Directive 2010/63/EU (henceforth “Directive”) on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes mandates that every project proposal in EU member states involving procedures on living non-human vertebrates and cephalopods has to be approved in an review process, including a harm-benefit-analysis (HBA), to assess “whether the harm to the animals in terms of suffering, pain and distress is justified by the expected outcome taking into account ethical consideration and may ultimately benefit human beings, animals or the environment”. Despite the justifying relevance of “outcome” and “benefit”, it remains unclear how to understand these concepts. However, national authorities and applicants require a clear understanding of this to carry out a HBA. To analyze the underlying premises of the HBA and its consequences for the evaluation process, we introduce a heuristic to analyze the relation between “outcome”, “benefit” and “prospective benefit assessment”. We then apply the heuristic to all seven legitimate purposes for animal research stated in the Directive, namely basic research, translational or applied research, product safety, education and training, protection of the environment, preservation of species and forensic inquiries. As we show, regardless of which purpose is aimed for, applicants are hard-pressed to demonstrate tangible benefits in a prospective assessment. In the HBA, this becomes a problem since—as we argue—the only reasonable, expected and tangible outcome of research can ever be knowledge. The potential long-term benefits on the basis of gained knowledge are unforeseeable and impossible to predict. Research is bound to fall short of these proclaimed societal benefits and its credibility will suffer as long as research has to validate itself through short-term societal benefit. We propose to revise the ethical evaluation based on the HBA and we think it necessary to develop an alternative model for project evaluation that focuses on the value of knowledge as a scientific outcome as a necessary but not sufficient condition for societal benefit.
Safety Design and Development of a Human-Robot Collaboration Assembly Process in the Automotive Industry
Authors: Heydaryan Sahar , Suaza Bedolla Joel , Belingardi Giovanni
Published: February 2018

Human-robot collaboration (HRC) is a complex procedure in manufacturing due to the problems posed by compatibility and operational safety among humans and robots, and by task definitions among them in a collaborative order. In this paper, the research results of the human-robot collaboration study for the case of an automotive brake disc assembly is presented. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed as a decision-making method for the human-robot collaboration system, and detailed hierarchical task analysis (HTA) is applied to allocate operational tasks to humans and robots, thus reducing the chance of duty interference. Additionally, a virtual environment software (Tecnomatix Process Simulate, version 11.1,80, Siemens, Munich, BY, Germany, 2012) is used to model the assembly workstation, providing an opportunity to evaluate the feasibility of the process through different scenarios. Finally, an experimental test is conducted to evaluate the performance of the assembly procedure. This research proves that, although human-robot collaboration increases the total process time slightly, this collaboration improves human ergonomics considerably and reduces the operator injury risk.
Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-Based Flexible Resistive Strain Sensors for Wearable Applications
Authors: Chen Jing , Zheng Jiahong , Gao Qinwu , Zhang Jinjie , Zhang Jinyong , Omisore Olatunji , Wang Lei , Li Hui
Published: February 2018

There is growing attention and rapid development on flexible electronic devices with electronic materials and sensing technology innovations. In particular, strain sensors with high elasticity and stretchability are needed for several potential applications including human entertainment technology, human–machine interface, personal healthcare, and sports performance monitoring, etc. This article presents recent advancements in the development of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based flexible resistive strain sensors for wearable applications. First of all, the article shows that PDMS-based stretchable resistive strain sensors are successfully fabricated by different methods, such as the filtration method, printing technology, micromolding method, coating techniques, and liquid phase mixing. Next, strain sensing performances including stretchability, gauge factor, linearity, and durability are comprehensively demonstrated and compared. Finally, potential applications of PDMS-based flexible resistive strain sensors are also discussed. This review indicates that the era of wearable intelligent electronic systems has arrived.
Kinetics of CO Oxidation over Unloaded and Pd-Loaded α-Fe2O3 Spherical Submicron Powder Catalysts: Photoacoustic Investigations at Low Pressure
Authors: Roh Joong-Seok , Kim Ji-Yeong , Choi Joong-Gill , Lee Sung-Han
Published: February 2018

In this study, α-Fe2O3 spherical particles with an average diameter of approximately 200 nm were synthesized by a solvothermal method for use as both a catalyst and medium for a Pd catalyst. The kinetics of CO oxidation over powders of α-Fe2O3 spherical particles and 14 wt % Pd/α-Fe2O3 spherical particles were measured in a static reactor by using a CO2 laser-based photoacoustic technique. The total pressure was fixed at 40 Torr for the CO/O2/N2 mixture for temperatures in the range of 225–350 °C. The variation in the CO2 photoacoustic signal with the CO2 concentration during CO oxidation was recorded as a function of time, and the CO2 photoacoustic data at the early reaction stage was used to estimate the rates of CO2 formation. Based on plots of ln(rate) vs. 1/T, apparent activation energies were calculated as 13.4 kcal/mol for the α-Fe2O3 submicron powder and 13.2 kcal/mol for the 14 wt % Pd/α-Fe2O3 submicron powder. Reaction orders with respect to CO and O2 were determined from the rates measured at various partial pressures of CO and O2 at 350 °C. The zero-order of the reaction with respect to Po2 was observed for CO oxidation over α-Fe2O3 submicron powder, while 0.48 order to Po2 was observed for CO oxidation over Pd/α-Fe2O3 submicron powder. The partial orders with respect to PCO were determined as 0.58 and 0.54 for the α-Fe2O3, and the Pd/α-Fe2O3 submicron powders, respectively. The kinetic results obtained from both catalysts were compared with those for the α-Fe2O3 fine powder catalysts and were used to understand the reaction mechanism.
Electroosmotic Flow in Free Liquid Films: Understanding Flow in Foam Plateau Borders
Authors: Hussein Sheik Abdulkadir , Trybala Anna , Starov Victor , Bandulasena Himiyage
Published: February 2018

Liquid flow in foams mostly proceeds through Plateau borders where liquid content is the highest. A sufficiently thick (~180 µm) free liquid film is a reasonable model for understanding of electrokinetic phenomena in foam Plateau borders. For this purpose, a flow cell with a suspended free liquid film has been designed for measurement of electrokinetic flow under an imposed electric potential difference. The free liquid film was stabilised by either anionic (sodium lauryl sulfate (NaDS)) or cationic (trimethyl(tetradecyl) ammonium bromide (TTAB)) surfactants. Fluid flow profiles in a stabilised free liquid film were measured by micron-resolution particle image velocimetry (µ-PIV) combined with a confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) setup. Numerical simulations of electroosmotic flow in the same system were performed using the Finite Element Method. The computational geometry was generated by CLSM. A reasonably good agreement was found between the computed and experimentally measured velocity profiles. The features of the flow profiles and the velocity magnitude were mainly determined by the type of surfactant used. Irrespective of the surfactants used, electroosmotic flow dominated in the midfilm region, where the film is thinnest, while backflow due to pressure build-up developed near the glass rods, where the film is thickest.
Cosmeceutical Properties of Two Cultivars of Red Raspberry Grown under Different Conditions
Authors: Papaioanou Maria , Chronopoulou Evangelia , Ciobotari Gheorghii , Efrose Rodica , Sfichi-Duke Liliana , Chatzikonstantinou Marianna , Pappa Evangelia , Ganopoulos Ioannis , Madesis Panagiotis , Nianiou-Obeidat Irini , Zeng Taofen , Labrou Nikolaos
Published: February 2018

Plant selection, input, and field management are proven strategies that produce high yields of crops bearing selected desirable characteristics for the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical industry. This study reports on the effect of substrate and light on selected quantitative and qualitative bioactive properties of two cultivars of Rubus idaeus L (‘Ruvi’ and ‘Cayuga’). Our results demonstrated that the quantitative and qualitative fruit characteristics (yield, fruit dimensions, titratable acidity, and total soluble solids contents), plant growth, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, and total antioxidant capacity, are significantly affected by genotype, light intensity, and substrate type. Fruits from ‘Ruvi’ plants cultivated under low light conditions, on soil/peat substrate exhibited high levels of antioxidant capacity, phenolics, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and high inhibitory potency towards the skin-regulating enzymes tyrosinase and elastase. Extract derived from these fruits was formulated into a topical skin care cream. This cream exhibited excellent compatibility and stability characteristics. Our research concluded that quantity and quality of Rubus idaeus L. fruits could be efficiently managed through conventional agronomic practices. Our project determined the optimal agronomic management practices to produce desirable characteristics and maximize bioactive content that determine the nutraceutical and cosmeceutical quality of the red raspberry.
Structure and Magnetic Properties of a 1D Alternating Cu(II) Monomer―Paddlewheel Chain
Authors: Machado Vanessa , Turnbull Mark , Dawe Louise
Published: February 2018

One-dimensional metal–organic coordination polymers make up a class of compounds with potential towards the development of practical, new magnetic materials. Herein, a rare example of an ABBABB coupled linear chain comprised of alternating dicopper(II) tetraacetate units bridged to copper(II) acetate monomer units via axial η2:η1:µ2 coordinated acetate is reported. Examination of the structure, determined by small molecule X-ray crystallography, shows that each Cu(II) ion is in a dx2–y2 magnetic ground state. Magnetic susceptibility and magnetization data were collected and, consistent with the structural interpretation, demonstrate that the Cu(II) dimer (paddlewheel) exhibits classic antiferromagnetic exchange, while the S = 1/2 Cu(II) monomer is uncompensated in the ground state (low temperature regime.) Data were therefore fitted to a modified Bleaney-Bowers model, and results were consistent with the only other reported chain in this class for which magnetic data are available.
A Nonparametric Economic Analysis of the US Natural Gas Transmission Infrastructure: Efficiency, Trade-Offs and Emerging Industry Configurations
Authors: Lo Storto Corrado
Published: February 2018

This paper presents a study aimed at measuring the efficiency of the transmission segment of the US natural gas industry from an economic perspective. The gas transmission infrastructure is modeled as an economic production function and a multi-stage modeling approach based on the implementation of Data Envelopment Analysis is employed to obtain an efficiency measure in a two-dimension performance space, i.e., cost and revenue-efficiency. This approach allows taking into account conflicting business goals. The study also performs cluster analysis to uncover homogeneous efficiency profiles relative to the gas transmission systems to explore determinants of efficiency rates, and trade-off situations. A sample containing 80 US gas transmission systems is used in the analysis. Results indicate that the transmission segment of the US gas industry has considerable inefficiencies, while average cost and revenue-efficiency scores are 0.324 and 0.301, and only three transmission systems achieve high scores on both efficiency dimensions. Cluster analysis identified seven configurations. In three of them there are no trade-off situations between cost and revenue efficiencies. However, only in one of them gas transmission systems have high efficiencies. The remaining four configurations exhibit trade-off situations having different intensity. Such trade-offs can be determined by the gas transmission infrastructure size.
Microalgae Oil Production: A Downstream Approach to Energy Requirements for the Minamisoma Pilot Plant
Authors: Wibawa Dhani , Nasution Muhammad , Noguchi Ryozo , Ahamed Tofael , Demura Mikihide , Watanabe Makoto
Published: February 2018

This study investigates the potential of microalgae oil production as an alternative renewable energy source, in a pilot project located at Minamisoma City in the Fukushima Prefecture of Japan. The algal communities used in this research were the locally mixed species, which were mainly composed of Desmodesmus collected from the Minamisoma pilot project. The microalgae oil-production processes in Minamisoma consisted of three stages: cultivation, dewatering, and extraction. The estimated theoretical input-energy requirement for extracting oil was 137.25 MJ to process 50 m3 of microalgae, which was divided into cultivation 15.40 MJ, centrifuge 13.39 MJ, drum filter 14.17 MJ, and hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) 94.29 MJ. The energy profit ratio (EPR) was 1.41. The total energy requirement was highest in the HTL process (68%) followed by cultivation (11%) and the drum filter (10%). The EPR value increased along with the yield in the cultivation process. Using HTL, the microalgae biomass could be converted to bio-crude oil to increase the oil yield in the extraction process. Therefore, in the long run, the HTL process could help lower production costs, due to the lack of chemical additions, for extracting oil in the downstream estimation of the energy requirements for microalgae oil production.
Plant Community Diversity and Tree Growth Following Single and Repeated Glyphosate Herbicide Applications to a White Spruce Plantation
Authors: Comeau Philip , Fraser Erin
Published: February 2018

Glyphosate herbicide is widely used to control bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv.), trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.), and other competing species in regenerating white spruce (Picea glauca (Moench) Voss) plantations in Alberta, Canada. In 2004, we initiated a study to examine the effects of the aerial application of glyphosate herbicide on plant community diversity and tree growth near Calling Lake, Alberta. Four treatments were applied: (a) no treatment (control); (b) herbicide application in the first growing season after harvesting; (c) herbicide application in the third growing season after harvesting; and (d) herbicide application in the second and fourth growing seasons after harvesting (two treatments). After 11 growing seasons, species richness was not significantly affected by treatment, while Shannon and Simpson index values were highest in areas treated with herbicide in the first growing season. Herbicide treatment did not have a significant effect on the cover of bluejoint reedgrass after 11 growing seasons, but did significantly reduce trembling aspen and paper birch cover and height. Application of glyphosate in the second and fourth growing seasons resulted in the greatest reductions to aspen cover and height, as well as significant increases in spruce diameter at age 11. Simulations with the Mixedwood Growth Model indicate that all tested herbicide treatments will reduce aspen volume while increasing spruce volume at age 90, with the largest impacts evident where two treatments were applied.
Unveiling the Origin of the Fermi Bubbles
Authors: Yang H.-Y. , Ruszkowski Mateusz , Zweibel Ellen
Published: February 2018

The Fermi bubbles, two giant structures above and below the Galactic center (GC), are among the most important discoveries of the Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. Studying their physical origin has been providing valuable insights into cosmic-ray transport, the Galactic magnetic field, and past activity at the GC in the Milky Way galaxy. Despite their importance, the formation mechanism of the bubbles is still elusive. Over the past few years, there have been numerous efforts, both observational and theoretical, to uncover the nature of the bubbles. In this article, we present an overview of the current status of our understanding of the bubbles’ origin, and discuss possible future directions that will help to distinguish different scenarios of bubble formation.