bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variação estacional da oferta e preços de couve-flor em Minas Gerais
Authors: Silva Luis Felipe Lima e , Maluf Wilson Roberto , Gonçalves Wilson Magela , Resende Luciane Vilela , Carvalho Regis de Castro , Sarmiento Christiany Mattioli
Published: August 2014

Em virtude da variedade de cultivares atualmente disponíveis, de suas diferentes exigências climáticas e das diferenças climáticas entre as várias regiões produtoras, a couve-flor pode apresentar variações estacionais de oferta e de preços ao longo do ano. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar a variação estacional da oferta e dos preços da couve-flor praticados no Estado de Minas Gerais, representados pelas unidades da CEASAMINAS, bem como as componentes dessa oferta para cada principal região abastecedora do Estado, no período de 2005 a 2009. A unidade CEASAMINAS (Grande BH) foi responsável por 68% da comercialização anual de couve-flor em Minas Gerais por meio das unidades da CEASAMINAS, que oscilou entre 9.420 e 10.937 toneladas anuais. A quase totalidade de produção proveio de municípios mineiros, localizados em quatro grandes mesorregiões: Região Metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, Campo das Vertentes, Triângulo Mineiro e Vale do Rio Doce, que representaram, respectivamente, 49%, 28%, 9% e 6% da oferta anual. As variações estacionais de oferta refletiram claramente as limitações dos cultivares atualmente disponíveis e a necessidade de novos cultivares que possam tolerar as grandes oscilações de temperatura nos meses de meia estação. Também ficou evidente que, a despeito da disponibilidade de cultivares de verão, a produção de couve-flor ainda é mais baixa nessa época do ano, um reflexo provável da alta precipitação que ocasiona maiores perdas por doenças na lavoura e em pós-colheita.
Correlação e análise de trilha para componentes de produção de milho superdoce
Authors: Entringer Geovana Cremonini , Santos Pedro Henrique Araújo Diniz , Vettorazzi Julio Cesar Fiorio , Cunha Keila Silva da , Pereira Messias Gonzaga
Published: August 2014

Em programas de melhoramento genético, informações sobre a correlação entre caracteres são de grande importância para se aperfeiçoar a seleção simultânea de caracteres. Contudo, a quantificação e a interpretação da magnitude de uma correlação podem resultar em equívocos na estratégia de seleção. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar, por meio da análise de trilha, as relações, direta e indireta, entre os componentes primários de produção e a produtividade de espiga de milho superdoce, e identificar os caracteres que mais contribuem para a produtividade de espiga (variável básica). Verifica-se que as variáveis utilizadas explicaram 94,77% da variação do peso de espiga (R²). Pela análise de trilha, apenas dois caracteres, o volume do grão (0, 2637) e o volume de espiga (0, 2536), apresentaram efeito direto na produção. Constata-se, portanto, que, apesar de a maioria dos caracteres apresentarem altas estimativas de correlação, essas ocorreram por efeitos indiretos de outros caracteres. Assim, tanto para seleção direta, quanto para seleção indireta, essas características são eficientes no aumento do peso médio da espiga de milho superdoce. Neste caso, a melhor estratégia seria a seleção simultânea de caracteres, enfatizando-se as características cujos efeitos indiretos são maiores. É oportuno salientar que o volume de grão e volume de espiga apresentaram maiores herdabilidades, quando comparados com peso de espigas, ou seja, 91,92, 88,6 e 80,52%, respectivamente. A alta herdabilidade estimada (91,92 e 88,6%) é um indicativo de possibilidades de elevados ganhos genéticos na seleção.
Abortamento de frutos da nogueira macadâmia sob influência da adubação mineral
Authors: Perdoná Marcos José , Suguino Eduardo , Martins Adriana Novais , Soratto Rogério Peres
Published: August 2014

A nogueira macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia) apresenta elevada taxa de abortamento de frutos. A nutrição desequilibrada pode ser um dos fatores que contribui para isso. Objetivou-se, com esta pesquisa, avaliar a influência de doses de N e do parcelamento da adubação NPK, de cobertura, na redução do abortamento de frutos da nogueira macadâmia. Foram desenvolvidos dois experimentos, durante três anos agrícolas, num Latossolo Vermelho, em Jaboticabal, Estado de São Paulo. O primeiro experimento foi constituído por cinco doses de N (0, 50, 100, 150 e 200 kg ha-1 ano-1) e quatro repetições. O segundo experimento foi constituído por quatro formas de parcelamento da adubação NPK (T1: outubro T2: outubro + dezembro, T3: outubro + dezembro + fevereiro e T4: outubro+dezembro + fevereiro + abril) e cinco repetições. A maior parte dos frutos (77,7 %) foi abortada no início de seu desenvolvimento. A aplicação de N, bem como o parcelamento da adubação NPK de cobertura, pelo menos em duas vezes (outubro e dezembro), não alteraram o número de frutos abortados por planta de macadâmia, mas, por aumentarem o número total de frutos emitidos e reduzirem a percentagem de abortamento, proporcionaram maior produtividade de nozes.
Nutrient accumulation and biomass production of alfafa after soil amendment with silicates
Authors: Deus Angélica Cristina Fernandes , Bull Leonardo Theodoro , Corrêa Juliano Corulli , Villas Boas Roberto Lyra
Published: August 2014

Studies on the use of silicate correctives in agriculture show that they have great potential to improve soil chemical characteristics, however, little information is available on the reactivity rates of their particle-size fractions. This study investigated whether the reactivity rates obtained experimentally could be considered in the calculation of ECC (effective calcium carbonate) for soil liming, promoting adequate development of alfalfa plants. Six treatments were evaluated in the experiment, consisting of two slag types applied in two rates. The experimental ECC was used to calculate one of the rates and the ECC determined in the laboratory was used to calculate the other. Rates of limestone and wollastonite were based on the ECC determined in laboratory. The rates of each soil acidity corretive were calculated to increase the base saturation to 80%. The treatments were applied to a Rhodic Hapludox and an Alfisol Ferrudalfs. The methods for ECC determination established for lime can be applied to steel slag. The application of slag corrected soil acidity with consequent accumulation of Ca, P, and Si in alfalfa, favoring DM production.
Performance of pineapple slips inoculated with diazotrophic phosphate-solubilizing bacteria and rock phosphate
Authors: Baldotto Lílian Estrela Borges , Baldotto Marihus Altoé , Olivares Fábio Lopes , Souza Adriane Nunes de
Published: August 2014

Besides fixing N2, some diazotrophic bacteria or diazotrophs, also synthesize organic acids and are able to solubilize rock phosphates, increasing the availability of P for plants. The application of these bacteria to pineapple leaf axils in combination with rock phosphate could increase N and P availability for the crop, due to the bacterial activity of biological nitrogen fixation and phosphate solubilization. The objectives of this study were: (i) to select and characterize diazotrophs able to solubilize phosphates in vitro and (ii) evaluate the initial performance of the pineapple cultivars Imperial and Pérola in response to inoculation with selected bacteria in combination with rock phosphate. The experiments were conducted at Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro, in 2009. In the treatments with bacteria the leaf contents of N, P and K were higher than those of the controls, followed by an increase in plant growth. These results indicate that the combined application of diazotrophic phosphate-solubilizing bacteria Burkholderia together with Araxá rock phosphate can be used to improve the initial performance of pineapple slips.
Spacing, population density and nitrogen fertilization in corn grown in an Oxisoil
Authors: Lana Maria do Carmo , Rampim Leandro , Ohland Tatiane , Fávero Fernando
Published: August 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate yield components, leaf nitrogen content and grain yield in corn as affected by row spacing, plant density and nitrogen topdressing. The experiment was conducted with the single-cross hybrid AG 8021, in the municipality of Toledo-PR, in an Oxisoil under no-tillage system, in the crop year 2005/ 2006. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design and treatments in split-split-plots, with four replications. The two row spacings (0.45 and 0.90 m) were allocated in the main plots, the two plant densities (60,000 and 80,000 plants ha-1) were allocated in the subplots and the three nitrogen rates (80, 100, 120 and 140 kg ha-1 N) were allocated in the sub-subplots. Topdress nitrogen was applied using urea as N source. The rise of the plant population from 60,000 to 80,000 plants ha-1 and the application of topdress nitrogen resulted in increased production components. The application of topdress fertilization provided increase in leaf N content and grain yield for the spacings 0.45 m and 0.90 m. Yield was higher in the spacing 0.45 m than 0.90 m. Yield was higher with 60,000 plants than with 80,000 plants at 0.90 m, while at 0.45 m there was no difference in relation to the plant density.
Agressividade de três raças de Cercospora sojina em folhas de soja
Authors: Camera Juliane Nicolodi , Deuner Carolina Cardoso , Reis Erlei Melo
Published: August 2014

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a patogenicidade e a agressividade de três raças de Cercospora sojina, em dois cultivares de soja, BMX Magna e Bragg. Para isso, preparou-se suspensão, na concentração de 40 x 10³ conídio mL-1, para inoculação das plantas. Quinze dias após a inoculação com o fungo, verificou-se que a severidade e o número de lesões por folíolo, para a raça 23, não apresentaram diferenças estatísticas entre os cultivares. Para as raças 24 e 25, o cultivar BMX Magna apresentou maior valor do grau de infecção, diferindo estatisticamente daquele do cultivar Bragg. Com relação ao diâmetro das lesões, para a raça 23, o cultivar Bragg apresentou maior valor, para a raça 24, o maior valor ocorreu em BMX Magna e para a raça 25, não houve diferença estatística entre os cultivares. Portanto, as raças de C. sojina são patogênicas para os dois cultivares de soja e há diferença de agressividade entre elas, sendo as raças 24 e 25 mais agressivas do que a raça 23.
Maxwell-Garnett theory – a method to investigate the quality of SiOx coatings
Authors: Wald Stefanie , Vissing Klaus , Thiel Karsten , Mayer Bernd
Published: August 2014

For single-layer barrier coatings, the influence of coating defects of thin SiOx coatings on the barrier properties was investigated. Coating defects only originate from the coating process; they seem to form independently from the surface roughness of the substrate. The coatings were deposited in a roll-to-roll process (width 1 m) by using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition technique. The SiOx coatings, applied in this work, have thicknesses in the range of 30–50 nm with a carbon content of less than 1 at-%. They show an oxygen transmission rate of 1·3 ± 0·4 cm3/(m2 day bar) at best. The focus of this research is to investigate the influence of plasma pressure on the coating defects and therefore to the barrier properties. In order to identify nanosized coating defects inside the coating, the Maxwell-Garnett theory was used. The defect volume was indirectly calculated with the help of ellipsometric measurement data. The Maxwell-Garnett theory is a very fast method to investigate the quality of barrier coatings.
A device to study the simultaneous heat and moisture movement in soils
Authors: Rao Bendadi Hanumantha
Published: August 2014

Studies of simultaneous heat and moisture movement in soils are essential to characterise the thermal stability of the medium and to understand the soil water dynamics in the vadose zone. Although, many laboratory, analytical and mathematical models have been developed, small-scale laboratory tests found to be quite useful in understanding the behaviour of model materials and evaluating the influence of various interrelated parameters on heat and moisture movement in the soil mass. This paper presents the usefulness of a simple device (i.e. a thermal probe) that can be employed to study the simultaneous heat and moisture movement in kaolin. The device, which was fabricated in-house, is easy to use, handy and cost effective. It imposes a line-heat source of thermal flux in the soil mass that creates a thermal gradient causing moisture movement to take place from higher to lower temperature regions. It has been noticed that the device is very efficient and quite useful to carry out experiments related to simultaneous heat and moisture movement in soils. Further, attempts were also made to demonstrate the distinct advantage of electrical properties to measure the instantaneous moisture content of kaolin in a non-destructive and non-invasive manner.
Char Amendments Impact Soil Nitrous Oxide Production during Ammonia Oxidation
Authors: Wells Naomi S. , Baggs Elizabeth M.
Published: August 2014

Biochar (char) soil amendments are speculated to be able to lower emission of the greenhouse gas N2O, yet the mechanism through which chars might control soil N cycling is not understood. To disentangle the role of N2O production and reduction pathways, we incubated fallow soils containing either woody charcoal or activated C with single and double 15N labelled NH4NO3. This revealed a systemic oversight in conventional thought on char's impact on N2O emissions: Although char additions did influence soil N2O emissions, this influence came primarily via ammonia oxidation and not from changes in production or reduction of N2O during denitrification. The direction and magnitude of this impact was char dependent, and based on the 27% increase in N2O emissions with woody charcoal additions, we conclude that the net emissions factor for chars could potentially be positive.
Lack of Relationship Between Occupational Workload and Microscopic Alterations in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Disease
Authors: Huschak Gerald , Holzhausen Hans-Jürgen , Beier Andre , Meisel Hans Jörg , Hoell Thomas
Published: August 2014

Objectives :

The study investigated the impact of occupational workloads on disc surgery specimens. We report the relationship between workload and histological features.

Methods :

Specimens were collected prospectively from patients suffering from lumbar disc prolapse (n=90) or spinal osteochondrosis (n=19). Histomorphology and occupational workload data and histomorphological features were evaluated. Occupational data were collected in a structured, standardized patient interview assessing lifting and carrying loads. In this way the exposure was assessed for each test subject's entire working life up to surgery.

Results :

There was no association between cumulative workload and histological patterns. In a subgroup of patients with a workload period of 12 months prior to surgery a relevant formation of chondrocyte clusters (p=0.055) was apparent. Chondrocyte cluster formation was found in 83% (n=74) of the prolapse patients and in 58% (n=11) of the osteochondrosis patients (p=0.02). Fibrocyte mediated scar formation was found in 55% of the prolapse patients and in 45% of the spinal stenosis patients. Chondrocyte clusters and their de novo collagen matrix did not integrate biomechanically sufficient with collagen fibers of the disc. Disintegration of clusters from disc matrix and formation of intra-discal sequesters were observed.

Conclusion :

Matrix degeneration was common but displayed no relationship to occupational workload or other histological features. Scar formation was observed in every second specimen. Regenerative chondrocyte cluster proliferation was a common feature in disc specimens and tended to be associated in patients with a workload one year before surgery.
On the gluing of hyperconvex metrics and diversities
Authors: Piątek Bożena
Published: August 2014

In this work we consider two hyperconvex diversities (or hyperconvex metric spaces) (X, δX) and (Y, δY ) with nonempty intersection and we wonder whether there is a natural way to glue them so that the new glued diversity (or metric space) remains being hyperconvex. We provide positive and negative answers in both situations.
A proof of the birationality of certain BHK-mirrors
Authors: Clarke Patrick
Published: August 2014

We generalize and give an elementary proof of Kelly’s refinement [9] of Shoemaker’s result [11] on
the birationality of certain BHK-mirrors. Our approach uses a construction that is equivalent to the Krawitz
generalization [10] of the duality in Berglund-Hübsch [2].
Teaching children by their parents, that is the home education
Authors: Prokosz Małgorzata , Zajdel Krzysztof
Published: August 2014

Home education in these times an alternative to traditional education (school, regardless of the type of facility). In this article, the authors attempted to assess the phenomenon of home education: both from the side of the child’s stay at the facility, as well as the benefits and negative experiences gained in the course of education pursued by carers at home. Article does not answer the question that education is “better” for the baby, but describes the criteria for parents to make an informed choice whether to teach the child at home or at school.
Disease in the family in terms of contemporary literature for children
Authors: Gromysz Jowita
Published: August 2014

Disease in the family is a literary motif used by many authors. The article contains a description of various ways of representing the disease in contemporary texts for young children. Pedagogical context of reading literary narratives refers to the way the rider repons to the text ( relevance to the age of the reader, therapeutic and educational function). The analyzed texts concern hospitalization, disability of siblings, parent’s cancer. There always relate to the family environment and show the changeability of roles and functions in family.
Health in the Hierarchy of Personal Values of Children and Youth
Authors: Juczyński Zygfryd
Published: August 2014

Most people would agree that health is universally and highly valued. The Rokeach Value Survey is a commonly used measure of human values. The values are ranked to form value hierarchies, called value systems. This method has a number of limitations. In presented study the Juczynski’ Personal Value List was used to rated 10 personal values. Participants were representative sample of 2006 school-boys and -girls in Lodz. Good health was on the second place ranked of 10 values, anywhere 23% of the respondents did not rank “good health” among their five highest personal values. Other groups have responded to the question: What does “being healthy“ mean to you? The health as the instrumental value refers to functioning of the individual. This aspect became apparent more clearly with reference to the health, than to illness. He is keeping an eye on it over the 18-years 60% in defining the health, and only 22% with reference to illness.
Pre-marital cohabitation
Authors: Ruszkiewicz Dorota
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study is gaining knowledge of the quality of life of cohabitating engaged couples. The research procedures are focused on the following issues: reasons for making decisions about moving in together, period of time since meeting each other, after which the decision of leaving together was made, the housing situation, the affianced couple judgment of the relationship quality after moving in together, drawbacks of living together before marriage as observed by respondents, the background of the decisions of marriage made by the engaged couple after leaving together.

The study, which included 94 respondents, i.e. 47 engaged couples living together, used a method of diagnostic survey. A questionnaire and an interview were used as methods of research.
The “Risky” Side of Brand Equity: How Brands Reduce Capital Costs
Authors: Rego Lopo , Billett Matthew T. , Morgan Neil A.
Published: August 2014

Whereas it is widely accepted that strong brands are associated with superior productmarketplace and firm financial performance, their influence on firm risk is less clear. However, recent studies from the marketing-finance interface have started to unveil the impact that marketing activities have on the firm’s financial risk, above and beyond ist impact on financial returns. In this study, the association between brand equity and firm risk are investigated. The findings indicate that a firm’s consumer-based brand equity (i.e., strong brands) is associated with decreased debtholder and shareholder risk and also reduces the capital costs for the company. Furthermore, brand equity is particularly relevant in protecting firms’ equity holders during down-market periods. As a consequence, firms should consider brand management within the firm’s risk management strategy and maintain or even increase consumer-based brand equity investments during periods of economic uncertainty.
Reducing Assortments without Losing Business: Key Lessons for Retailers and Manufacturers
Authors: Sloot Laurens , Verhoef Peter
Published: August 2014

To gain efficiencies in the supply chain, retailers regularly consider which items of products or brands they can delist. However, increased efficiency is not granted when products are dropped. Choosing the “wrong” products or brands may result in reduced customer satisfaction, lost category sales, or increased store switching behavior. The detergent assortment reduction at a Dutch retailer showed that sales losses can only be observed in the short run and that the reduced assortment is more attractive, especially to new buyers in the category. A survey across multiple categories revealed that negative effects of delisting are less risky for weaker brands and utilitarian products. Retailers are welladvised to be cautious with dropping strong, hedonic brands and use a set of criteria to make the best delisting decisions. Manufacturers should apply approaches depending on the strengths of their brands when confronted with an impending delisting
MIR TALKS TO HUBERTINE UNDERBERG-RUDER, PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, UNDERBERG AG
Authors: Diller Hermann
Published: August 2014

The family-owned Underberg company, headquartered in Switzerland, has successfully produced and marketed spirits for more than 165 years. Dr. Hubertine Underberg-Ruder, fifth generation President of the Board, describes how the mediumsized company keeps growing responsibly and effectively in the heavily regulated spirits market and how they tackle global challenges.
When Your Best Customers Become Your Worst Enemies: Does Time Really Heal all Wounds?
Authors: Grégoire Yany , Tripp Thomas M. , Legoux Renaud
Published: August 2014

Customer revenge and avoidance in the context of online complaints by the public are hot topics. This article helps managers to understand the phenomenon and to prevent damage. Do online complainers hold a grudge-in terms of revenge and avoidance desires-over time? Results show that time affects the two desires differently: although revenge decreases over time, avoidance increases over time, indicating that customers hold a grudge. Then, we examine the moderation effect of a strong relationship on how customers hold this grudge. Indeed firms’ best customers have the longest unfavorable reactions. This is called the love-becomes-hate effect. Specifically, over time the revenge of strong-relationship customers decreases more slowly, and their avoidance increases more rapidly, than for weak-relationship customers. Further, we explore a solution to attenuate this damaging effect: the firm offering an apology and compensation after the online complaint. Overall, strong-relationship customers are more amenable to any level of recovery attempt.
MIR talks to Stan Sthanunathan, Vice President of Marketing Strategy and Insights, Coca-Cola Company
Authors: Gupta Sunil
Published: August 2014

Coke has been successful for the past 125 years and has constantly increased its business. How did one of the most famous companies in the world master the recent economic downturn? How are they handling increasing health consciousness and other trends in consumers’ lifestyles? Stan thanunathan answers these questions and describes how the Coca-Cola Company is facing the changing world of marketing.
Turning Employees Into Brand Champions: LEADERSHIP STYLE MAKES A DIFFERENCE
Authors: Morhart Felicitas M. , Herzog Walter , Tomczak Torsten
Published: August 2014

How can managers elicit brand-building behaviors on the part of frontline employees? When comparing brand-specific “transactional” and “transformational” leadership styles, the latter clearly outperforms the former. Transactional leaders influence followers through a process of compliance, leading to increased turnover intentions and a decrease in in-role and extra-role brand-building behaviors. In contrast, brand-specific transformational leaders influence followers through a process of internalization, leading to decreased turnover intentions and an increase in in-role and extra-role brand-building behaviors. When combined, however, a medium level of transactional leadership maximizes the positive effects of transformational leadership.
Common “Wisdom” Put to the Test: Sex in advertising … only on Mars and not on Venus?
Authors: Dahl Darren W. , Vohs Kathleen D. , Sengupta Jaideep
Published: August 2014

An ongoing controversy concerns sex in advertising: does “sex sell”? Acadmics, in large part, have concluded that it doesn’t, but marketing practitioners continue to use sex appeals, suggesting they do work. The authors of this research flashlight (page 54) reveal that both sides are partly right and partly wrong. They took advantage of a technique that allowed them to tap into consumers’ “gut” reactions to advertisements, and in doing so found clear differences in who did and did not like sex appeals.
Research on family businesses in Poland
Authors: Wróblewska-Kazakin Agnieszka
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this article is to present the research on family businesses in Poland commissioned by the Polish Agency for Enterprise Development. The study allowed for estimating the share of family businesses in the MSME sector and for identifying the differences in the functioning of family and non-family businesses in the Polish economy. Training and advisory services designed for family businesses thanks to the study resulted in development of tools specifically adjusted to the features of this group of enterprises, supporting their organizational, financial and legal aspects. The article also discusses two innovative tools developed as part of the Przewodnik po sukcesji [A Guide on Succession] and Kody wartości [Codes of Values] projects, allowing for independent completion of a succession process.
Estrategias de mejora de la calidad de vida laboral en mipymes turisticas
Authors: Ma Luis Alfredo Argüelles , García Román Alberto Quijano , Maldonado José Alonzo Sahuí
Published: August 2014

The descriptive research, experimental, cross-sectional and correlational of the quality of working life of perceived workers by employees of tourist businesses, presented type, is the continuation of the research project running at its initial stage described and correlated to obtain a given model, now strategies were designed and applied in a case study, determining the confidence in the original predictive theoretical approach, given that an improvement is denoted in that quality of life in all the experienced dimensions: support institution for work, workplace safety, workplace integration, job satisfaction, well-being achieved through work, personal development and administration of employee time. Was applied after the experiment the same ideal instrument, which was used earlier to measure the sector (CVT- GOHISALO) covering 7 alluded dimensions, including using the test statistic T Student was found that the strategies established impacted by increasing satisfaction of workers in different lines. The contribution to knowledge is the ratification of the proposed for each dimension of quality of work life of workers in the tourism sector in small and medium sized businesses predictive model.
Pediatric Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/Oboljenje Ne-Alkoholne Masne Jetre U Pedijatriji
Authors: Delvin Edgard , Patey Natasha , Dubois Josée , Henderson Melanie , Lévy Émile
Published: August 2014

The rapidly increasing prevalence of childhood obesity and its associated co-morbidities such as hypertriglyceridemia, hyper-insulinemia, hypertension, early atherosclerosis, metabolic syndrome, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease are major public health concerns in many countries. Therefore the trends in child and adolescent obesity should be closely monitored over time, as in the near future, we may anticipate a major increase of young adults with the stigmata of the metabolic syndrome, and of the related non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), that may lead to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.
The Development of Soil Water Resources in The Common Osier (Salix Viminalis L.) Field in A Very Dry and An Average Vegetation Season
Authors: Kanecka-Geszke Ewa
Published: August 2014

The paper presents results of a study on changes of water resources under the common osier (Salix vimina-lis L.) crop in relation to local weather conditions.

Field studies were carried out since April till October of the years 2008 and 2010 in a productive field of energetic osier situated in north-eastern part of Bydgoszcz County. The study involved measurements of moisture in 100 cm soil profiles in the osier field of annual regrowth every ten days. The common osier was grown on mineral soil where atmospheric precipitation was the only water source and ground waters were unavailable for plants.

Performed studies showed that changes in water reserves in both the main root zone (0–50 cm) and in the whole soil profile were similar in the vegetation period of the same year. In a very dry vegetation season (2008), soil moisture remained at a level of hardly available water. In an average season (2010) soil moisture was at a level of field water capacity for plants.
Quantification of Suspended Sediment Load by Double Correlation in the Watershed of Chellif (Algeria)
Authors: Bouchelkia Hamid , Belarbi Fadila , Remini Boualem
Published: August 2014

The sediment transport in rivers in Algeria is very high. However, it is poorly quantified in some wadis because of the absence and the shortage of data especially the concentration of fine particles and also the unavailability of gauging stations. To fill this gap, a technique for estimating sediment yield, based on data recorded at the gauging station has been developed. The estimation of suspended sediment yield was conducted by a statistical analysis with double correlation on average daily flow and solid concentrations. The results obtained by applying this model to the watershed Chellif are very encouraging because the correlation coefficients of the found models are between 61% and 91% for the first correlation and between 86% and 97% for the second correlation. The estimated quantity of suspended sediment load is between 2.35 and 4.12 million tonnes per year, it appears important; This is due to the vulnerability of the Chellif basin facing erosion, the importance of its area and the importance of fluid flows in wadi Cheliff and its torrential regime. Mention here some of the results and their significance to the study.
Preliminary Assessment of Silting and The Quality of Bottom Sediments in A Small Water Reservoir
Authors: Bąk Łukasz , Górski Jarosław , Szeląg Bartosz
Published: August 2014

The aim of this study was to assess the degree of silting and pollution of bottom sediments in a small water reservoir Lubianka situated in Starachowice, Świętokrzyskie Province, with selected heavy metals (Pb, Cr, Cd, Cu, Ni, Zn, Fe, Mn, Hg). Catchment basin of the reservoir is forested in 92%. Other parts are covered by estates of detached houses, barren lands and green areas. Bathymetric measurements and analyses of trace elements in bottom sediments were made in 2012. After 28 years of exploitation, reservoir's basin accumulated 43 thousand cubic metres of sediments i.e. 4.7% of its initial volume. Mean annual silting rate was 0.17%. Due to the content of copper and chromium, bottom sediments were classified to the II category (sediments of average pollution) according to geochemical standards. Concentrations of Pb, Cd and Hg in all analysed samples were below geochemical background. In a sample collected at the inlet to the reservoir, the TEL index for chromium was exceeded by 25.6%. In other samples the threshold values of the TEL and PEL indices were not exceeded.
Geographical Perspectives on Agritourism in The Czech Republic
Authors: Konečný Ondřej
Published: August 2014

Besides more traditional tourist enterprises, tourists in Western Europe and North America regularly seek out even more specific forms of tourist opportunities, such as products of rural tourism. Within rural tourism, agritourism has been developed in these countries as a particular subset, and its significant enhancement in post-socialist European countries was widely anticipated (especially after their integration into the European Union). While considerable and focused attention was devoted to the implementation of agritourism strategies and the characterization of agritourist space with respect to particular countries (e.g. Poland and Slovenia), in Czech geographical literature it has remained a noticeably absent topic. In this paper, central attention is paid to selected characteristics of agritourist space in the Czech Republic, analyzed on the basis of a compiled database of farms diversified into tourism at the municipality level.
Characterization of barren, granitic soils from the Nubian Desert (SW Egypt) by 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy
Authors: Hassan Kamaleldin M. , Gunnlaugsson Haraldur P.
Published: August 2014

57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy - a versatile technique involving the recoil-free, resonant absorption and emission of nuclear gamma (γ) rays by the iron-57 isotope in natural iron in solids - has been used to provide quantitative information about the mineral host, occupation sites and oxidation states of iron atoms in geological samples. This technique has been applied to the bulk chemistry of a barren soil (Soil A) derived from an aluminous-type granite and another barren soil (Soil B) derived from a sodic-type granite located ~ 100 kilometers apart in the Nubian Deseit in the currently hyper arid south-west of Egypt and which exhibit distinct chemical and mineral differences. The analyses indicate different mineral hosts for the iron in these samples, namely, vermiculite-chlorite plus some hematite in Soil A and hematite and goethite plus minor aegirines in Soil B. Each soil has distinct intensities of oxidized iron (89% for Soil A and 100% for Soil B) and these differences reflect changes in soil sources and processes.
Alkaline rocks of the Ukrainian Shield: Some mineralogical, petrological and geochemical features
Authors: Ponomarenko Aleksandr N. , Kryvdik Stepan G. , Grinchenko Aleksandr V.
Published: August 2014

The Ukrainian Shield (USh) is a typical province of Proterozoic alkaline magmatism where about 50 massifs and occurrences of alkaline rocks and carbonatites have been found. In spite of the wide distribution of Devonian basaltic- and alkaline magmatic rocks in the Dnieper-Donetsk depression adjacent to the USh, and in a marginal zone of the USh adjacent to folded Donbass, only alkaline rocks of Proterozoic age (1.8-2.1 Ga) that have been identified in the central interior of the USh. Some discrete bodies of 2.8 Ga subalkaline rocks also occur in Bogdanivka massif (Azov area). Occurrences of both Proterozoic (prevailing) and Phanerozoic (Devonian) alkaline rocks and kimberlites are only found in the eastern part of the USh (Azov area). Kimberlites in the central part of the Ukrainian Shield (Kirovograd region) are also of Proterozoic age (ca 1.8 Ga). It is this predominance of Precambrian rocks that makes the USh so different from other alkaline provinces where Phanerozoic alkaline rocks and kimberlites commonly prevail over Precambrian rocks. The lack of Phanerozoic alkaline magmatism on USh is poorly understood.

Two main complexes of alkaline rocks - alkaline-ultrabasic (carbonatitic) and gabbro- syenitic - are distinguished in the USh. There are also rare occurrences of rock types such as alkaline- and alkaline-feldspar granites that may represent one separate alkaline-granite complex. Alkaline rocks present in the Eastern (Azov) province and in the Western province display essentially different geochemical character. Those of the Eastern province show characteristics typical of alkaline-ultrabasic rocks (e.g. high contents of incompatible rare elementssuch as Nb, REE, Zr, Y, Sr, whereas those in the Western province are characterized by low contents of Nb and Zr, and REE in some cases. This fact is interpreted as reflecting different geodynamic conditions of their origin. The Eastern rocks were formed in rift settings, the Western rocks in crustal compressional settings (collision, subduction). Various mineral deposits of phosphorus (apatite), niobium, REE, yttrium and zirconium, including unusually rich ores of REE, Y and Zr (Azov and Yastrybetsky) are associated with the alkaline rocks and carbonatites of the USh.
Notes on Elleanthus muscicola (Orchidaceae) and description of a new Epilyna species from Panama
Authors: Kolanowska Marta , Szlachetko Dariusz L.
Published: August 2014

The generic affinity of Elleanthus muscicola Schltr. is clarified and a new combination within Epilyna Schltr. is proposed. The differences between Epilyna and morphologically similar genera are discussed. Epilyna trilobata Kolan. & Szlach., a new species so far known only from Panama, is described, illustrated and placed within a key to identification of all Epilyna species.
A new species of Microchilus (Orchidaceae, Goodyerinae) from Peru
Authors: Szlachetko Dariusz L. , Kolanowska Marta
Published: August 2014

A new species of Microchilus C. Presl, M. leucostictus Rchb. f. ex Szlach. & Kolan, is described and illustrated based on Peruvian material. The taxonomic affinities of the new entity are briefly discussed.
A new species of Rhinorchis (Orchidaceae, Habenariinae) from French Guiana
Authors: Szlachetko Dariusz L. , Kolanowska Marta
Published: August 2014

Rhinorchis heteroplectron Rchb. f. ex Szlach. & Kolan., a new species from French Guiana, is described and illustrated. The differences between R. heteroplectron and similar species are briefly discussed and an identification key for representatives of the genus reported from French Guiana is included.
Rationalization of servicing reefer containers in sea port area with taking into account risk influence
Authors: Filina-Dawidowicz Ludmiła
Published: August 2014

This paper is aimed at presentation of a set of methods for rationalization of servicing containerized refrigerated cargoes in sea ports. During servicing reefer containers in port container terminals, take place various combinations of risk factors which can lead to loss of quality merits of cargoes contained in them. In the paper the risk factors capable of influencing quality of cargoes during their servicing in sea port, are identified, and the elaborated model for assessing risk level with the use of assumptions of fuzzy logic theory, is presented. Also, a simulation of servicing reefer containers in port, was performed. Moreover a prototype of an expert system which makes it possible to take correct decisions on servicing reefer containers in sea port, depending on impact level of risk factors, was proposed
Diversity of Caudofoveata (Mollusca) Around Iceland and Description of Psilodens Balduri sp. n.
Authors: Mikkelsen Nina T. , Todt Christiane
Published: August 2014

The first records from samples from the IceAGE cruise ME85/3 in 2011 include seven species of Caudofoveata with a distribution range in Icelandic waters. From this first cruise of the project, two new records for Iceland have been registered. Psilodens balduri sp. n. is new to science and Falcidens halanychi, with a known distribution in the American North-Atlantic, is new to Iceland. The current study thus increases the number of known caudofoveate species around Iceland to nine.
Diversity and Taxonomy of Ampharetidae (Polychaeta) from Icelandic Waters
Authors: Parapar Julio , Helgason Gudmundur V. , Jirkov Igor , Moreira Juan
Published: August 2014

Based on material collected during the BIOICE project off Iceland, the taxonomy and distribution of seventeen species (11 genera) of polychaetous annelids belonging to the family Ampharetidae (Annelida; Polychaeta) is reviewed. Eleven of these species were previously reported in the area or nearby areas: Amage auricula, Anobothrus gracilis, Glyp-hanostomum pallescens, Grubianella klugei, Lysippe fragilis, L. labiata, L. sexcirrata, L. vanelli, Samythella elongata, Sosane bathyalis and S. wireni. Five species, Amage benhami, Melinnampharete eoa, Noanelia hartmanae, Ymerana pteropoda and Zatsepinia rittichae, either never or only once reported after original description, are redescribed or discussed. A potentially new species, Amage sp., is described but not named because only one specimen is present. Several body characters of high taxonomic relevance in Ampha-retidae are reviewed using SEM. The distribution of each species off Iceland is provided.
Evaluation of Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Algae Chlorella vulgaris as Diet for Rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus
Authors: Khatun B , Rahman R , Rahman MS
Published: August 2014

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and algae Chlorella vulgaris on the production of rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. The Brachionus calyciflorus were cultured using four different types of diets: fresh Chlorella vulgaris (T1), yeast with fresh Chlorella vulgaris (T2), powder Chlorella vulgaris with fresh Chlorella vulgaris (T3) and yeast with powder Chlorella vulgaris (T4). We compared these diets to find out their potentiality on the population growth of Brachionus calyciflorus. The rotifers were cultured under natural environmental condition with continuous artificial aeration. Initial density of Brachionus calyciflorus were 8 individuals ml-1 (ind. ml-1). Water temperature and pH were measured during the culture period. Among the four different diets the fresh Chlorella vulgaris (T1) and its yeast combination (T2) gave satisfactory production of rotifer 73±9 and 67±8 ind. ml-1, respectively. However, processing of fresh Chlorella vulgaris to produce powder form declined the production ability of rotifer. The diet sample T3 and T4 containing powdered Chlorella vulgaris produced 48±9 and 25±6 ind. ml-1, respectively. So, the diet in combination of yeast and fresh Chlorella is suggested for the sustainable production of the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19484 The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 1-9
Lead, Cadmium and Nickel Accumulation in Some Common Spices Grown in Industrial Areas of Bangladesh
Authors: Naser HM , Sultana S , Haque M Manjurul , Akhter S , Begum RA
Published: August 2014

Chemical analysis was conducted to determine the contents of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and nickel (Ni) of three common spices viz, onion (Allium cepa), garlic (A. sativum) and chilli (Capsicum annuum) and their rhizospheric soils grown in polluted and non-polluted areas of Gazipur city in Bangladesh. Plant and rhizospheric soil samples were collected from: (i) directly polluted (Kaliakoir, Konabari, Gazipur), (ii) indirectly polluted (Donker bill, East Kaliakoir, Konabari, Gazipur), and iii) non-polluted (Bangladesh Agricultural Research Institute, Joydebpur, Gazipur) areas. Regardless of the locations, there were significant differences (P?0.01) in Pb, Cd, and Ni concentrations in all spices and soils. The concentrations of Pb, Cd and Ni were in the order of Ni>Pb>Cd in the spices and degrees of pollution in soils were in the order of directly polluted>indirectly polluted>non-polluted area. The Pb, Cd and Ni contents were found higher in garlic followed by chilli and onion in three areas. Most of the metals were accumulated in bulb/fruit, moderate in root and the smallest in the leaf. Compared to the non-polluted area, the higher amount of Pb, Cd and Ni were detected in both soils and spices samples collected around industrial areas of Gazipur city. Alarmingly, all the spices contained Pb, Cd, and Ni were higher than the tolerance limits proposed by Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA). Therefore, it is strongly recommended not to grow spice crops in polluted areas. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v12i1.19867The Agriculturists 2014; 12(1) 122-130
BMP4 Protects Rat Pulmonary Arterial Smooth Muscle Cells from Apoptosis by PI3K/AKT/Smad1/5/8 Signaling
Authors: Wu Jian , Yu Zhigang , Su Dechun
Published: August 2014

Bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP4), a member of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) family of growth factors, is activated and increased under hypoxic conditions, which plays an important role in the progression of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Previous studies have shown that BMP4 is involved in the regulation of proliferation, differentiation, migration and apoptosis of various cell types. However, the precise mechanisms involved in the regulation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) in PAH are still incompletely understood. It has been reported that AKT is a critical regulator of cell survival and vascular remodeling. Therefore, there may be crosstalk between BMP4 anti-apoptotic processes and PI3K/AKT survival effect in rat PASMCs. To test this hypothesis, we performed confocal, cell viability measurement, mitochondrial potential, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blot analysis to determine the role of BMP4 on cell survival and apoptosis. We found that hypoxia up-regulated the expression of BMP4. BMP4 promoted cell survival, reduced mitochondrial depolarization, and increased the expression of Bcl-2 and procaspase-3 in PASMCs under serum-deprived condition. These effects were reversed by PI3K/AKT inhibitors (LY294002 and wortmannin). Thus, these ﬁndings indicate that BMP4 protects PASMCs from apoptosis at least in part, mediated via the PI3K/AKT pathway.
Small-Molecule Inhibitors of the Receptor Tyrosine Kinases: Promising Tools for Targeted Cancer Therapies
Authors: Hojjat-Farsangi Mohammad
Published: August 2014

Chemotherapeutic and cytotoxic drugs are widely used in the treatment of cancer. In spite of the improvements in the life quality of patients, their effectiveness is compromised by several disadvantages. This represents a demand for developing new effective strategies with focusing on tumor cells and minimum side effects. Targeted cancer therapies and personalized medicine have been defined as a new type of emerging treatments. Small molecule inhibitors (SMIs) are among the most effective drugs for targeted cancer therapy. The growing number of approved SMIs of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) i.e., tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) in the clinical oncology imply the increasing attention and application of these therapeutic tools. Most of the current approved RTK–TKIs in preclinical and clinical settings are multi-targeted inhibitors with several side effects. Only a few specific/selective RTK–TKIs have been developed for the treatment of cancer patients. Specific/selective RTK–TKIs have shown less deleterious effects compared to multi-targeted inhibitors. This review intends to highlight the importance of specific/selective TKIs for future development with less side effects and more manageable agents. This article provides an overview of: (1) the characteristics and function of RTKs and TKIs; (2) the recent advances in the improvement of specific/selective RTK–TKIs in preclinical or clinical settings; and (3) emerging RTKs for targeted cancer therapies by TKIs.