bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
TO A PHENOMENOLOGY OF POSSIBLE HUMAN WORLDS: EXISTENTIAL ONTOLOGY OF DESIGNING
Authors:   Institute of Philosophy, Russian Academy of Sciences, Resnick Y.
Published: May 2016

Phenomenology justifies the ontological status of the transcendental subject performing "Assembly" human reality of missing elements of existence, project opportunities. Formation of an alternative future of a person who is designing his new existence brings value to the phenomenological approach. Existential phenomenology constitutes a separate methodological programme, which is based on the synthesis of phenomenological and existential approaches. Philosophers are busy with thought-experiments when they are trying to place possibly-existing into the context of ought. They explore the conditions of the possibility of human being not just creation, but a certain ought creation, which is seen in existential terms. The result of the study was the following: for the first time, the author introduces the concept of a "justified the ontological project," which characterizes the ought possibility of being human as a particular being, implemented in the particular circumstances of time and place. In other words, it is the knowledge of what "could become" its genesis and what it "should be" in terms of metaphysical universals in a certain term. A philosopher, reflexing on his metaphysical grounds, and an ordinary man with his everyday activities combine their efforts in designing of a project of existence by engaging in a dialogue and creating a space for coexistence, in which makes possible their genuine and free existence.
SELF-ORGANIZING NETWORK EXPERT SYSTEMS ENVIRONMENT IN PRINCIPLE ENDOGENOUS TARGET DESIGNATION
Authors:   Tver State Technical University, Vinogradov G. , Vinogradova N. ,   Tver State Technical University
Published: May 2016

The article discusses the problem of constructing a model of the functioning of the socio-economic system, using the mechanisms of information exchange participants. The central point of this interaction is the formation of coherent ideas about the purpose, limitations, needs, possibilities and directions of development. The model allows not only to identify customers and consumers of goods and services to the volume and quality of performance requirements, but also to form their perceptions of their own needs. This suggests that the mechanisms of formation of coherent ideas and ways of acting members of the system are more effective than, for example, market or command hierarchy. It is shown that the most promising form of information exchange in solving search problems, the production of new knowledge and determine the direction of its self-developing expert network environment. An elementary part of any environment is an expert professional, owning modern telecommunication technologies. Integration into the network structure of the natural intelligence forms is a subject of a collective strategy, which is a means of synergy of knowledge and actions in the process of building a self-organizing development. The article considers the problem of creation of media expert networks for the development of innovative industries that produce high-tech, high technology products and services.
Influence of Academic Motivation on Academic Achievement and Emotional Intelligence in Secondary School Students
Authors: Chakraborty Rajib
Published: May 2016

The present study tried to examine the relationship between academic achievement and emotional intelligence, blocking the influence of academic motivation on the relationship in secondary school students. Sample for the study includes 49 students (25 girls and 24 boys) from VIIIth and IXth classes of a secondary school in Sriram Nagar, Hyderabad, Telangana, India. The data for measuring Emotional intelligence is collected by using the Trait Emotional Intelligence Questionnaire – Adolescent Short Form (TEIQue-ASF), prepared by Petrides, K. V. & Furnham, A. (2006) for adolescents. The data for measuring academic motivation is collected using Academic Motivation Scale, High School Version (AMS-HS 28) for high school students prepared by Vallerand and et.al (1992). Academic achievement of the students is measured by collecting the students' grade point average in a summative assessment. For data analysis, Pearson's Product Moment and Partial Correlations are used. The significance of the test is calculated by using t-test formula for partial correlation for the level of significance α at 0.05. The findings of the study reveal that the influences of academic motivation on the relationship between academic achievement and emotional intelligence in secondary school students, cannot be ignored.
Nationwide Incidence of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Assessed by Insurance Claim Data in Germany
Authors: Lemcke Johannes , Stengel Dirk , Stockhammer Florian , Güthoff Claas , Rohde Veit , Meier Ullrich
Published: May 2016

Background:

The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of the idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) in Germany.

Methods:

The database of the nationwide Barmer Health Insurance was queried for specific combinations of corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth
Revision (ICD-9) codes and OPS codes (German modification of the ICPM and official classification of surgical procedures) in order to assess the number of patients treated for iNPH and the number surgical procedures associated with the disease in a 10 years period between 2003 and 2012.

Results:

Between 2003 and 2012, the incidence of iNPH increased from zero to 1.36/100.000/year.

Conclusion:

This is the first population-based epidemiologic study on iNPH in Germany covering a ten year period.
Examination of the protective effect of 6-shogaol against LPS-induced acute lung injury in mice via NF-kB attenuation
Authors: Wang Jing-Chao , Zhou Li-Hua , Zhao Hai-Jin , Cai Shao-Xi
Published: May 2016

Acute lung injury (ALI), the causative factor for acute respiratory distress
syndrome, results in significant morbidity and mortality. Due to a lack of
effective therapeutic options for ALI, the development of novel therapies is
urgently needed. NF-?B, an inflammatory mediator necessary for the evolution
of ALI, could serve as an important target for novel agents to prevent
disease progression. The present study was designed to evaluate the
protective effect of 6-shogaol against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI
in mice, and its mechanism of action. Our results suggest that 6-shogaol
significantly attenuates elevated levels of various proinflammatory
cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF?), IL-1? and IL-6.
Moreover, the influx of neutrophils, increased protein concentration and
edema were also suppressed in mice pretreated with 6-shogaol. These
observations were also confirmed by histopathological examination of lung
tissues, which suggests that 6-shogaol significantly improves the
pathological condition to normal in a dose-dependent manner. A docking study
of 6-shogaol was also performed, with the NF-?B p50 homodimer bound to a ?B
site, to determine its possible inhibitory effects. Our results show that
6-shogaol was efficiently accommodated in the deep cleft of the active site,
lined with residues Tyr57, Val58 and Cys59, Tyr143, Lys145 and Lys146 of
Chain B of p50 NF-?B.
Disturbance of oxidative balance in the first trimester of spontaneous abortions
Authors: Grujic Zorica , Grujic Ilija , Bogavac Mirjana , Nikolic Aleksandra , Mitic Radoslav , Stajic Zoran
Published: May 2016

Background/Aim. Pregnancy is defined as a condition of increased oxidative stress. The aim of this research was to determine the intensity of pro-oxidative processes and the content of GSH, as well as antioxidative enzymes: superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), gluthatione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and the total antioxidative status (TAS) in patients with spontaneous abortions. Methods. A total of 120 patients were involved in the research (70 spontaneous abortions and 50 healthy pregnancies). The patients were divided into groups: 35 patients with incomplete and complete spontaneous abortion (group S), 35 patients with missed abortion (group M) and a control group of 50 healthy pregnancies (group N), all of them being in the first trimester of pregnancy. The intensity of lipid proxidation (LPx) was determined with a modified thyobarbituric acid method. The GSH content in erythrocytes was determined by the method ba-sed on the amount of non-protein sulfhydryl residues using the Ellman's reagens. The following antioxidative parameters in the blood were measured: SOD ? by the method with xanthine oxidase-using commercial RANSOD sets; CAT ? by the method of Aebi (the enzyme activity was measured by monitoring the decomposition of H2O2 at 240 nm); GSH-Px was determined using hydrogen peroxide as a substrate. The TAS was determined using the ferric reducing autioxidant potential (FRAP) met-hod. Results. The highest average value of LPx was recorded in the spontaneous abortion group (48.03 pmoL/mg Hgb), and the lowest value was recorded in the control group (26.06 pmoL/mg Hgb). A statistically significant positive correlation between LPx and CAT in the group of patients with missed abortion was also noted (p < 0.05, r = 0.37). There was a statistically highly significant difference (p < 0.001) in SOD and in CAT activitices be-tween the examined patients (groups S and N) and the control group (Student?s t-test and ANOVA). The highest average value of TAS was recorded in the group S (710.39 ?mol/L), while the value in the group M was 277.66 ?mol/L. The average value of TAS in the control group was 452.12 ?mol/L. Student?s t-test showed a statistically highly significant difference in the values of TAS between the examined patients (groups S and M) and the control group. Conclusion. Determination of the value of pro-oxidative and antioxidative parameters in patients with sponta-neous abortion can be the indicator of condition of fetoplacental unit and these analyses can be included in the protocol of the rutine perinatal diagnostics.
Comparative pharmacokinetics of ceftiofur hydrochloride and ceftiofur sodium after administration to water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Nie Haiying , Feng Xin , Peng Jianbo , Liang Liu , Lu Chunyan , Tiwari Roshan V. , Tang Shusheng , He Jiakang
Published: May 2016

OBJECTIVE To evaluate pharmacokinetics and bioavailability after administration of ceftiofur hydrochloride and ceftiofur sodium to water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis).

ANIMALS 5 healthy adult water buffalo (3 males and 2 nonlactating females).

PROCEDURES All animals received a dose (2.2 mg/kg) of 3 ceftiofur products (2 commercially available suspensions of ceftiofur hydrochloride [CEF1 and CEF2, IM] and ceftiofur sodium [CEF3, IV]). Blood samples were collected for up to 196 hours. Concentrations of ceftiofur in plasma were determined by use of high-performance liquid chromatography, and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated on the basis of noncompartmental methods.

RESULTS Most of the pharmacokinetic parameters, except for bioavailability and the area under the concentration–time curve extrapolated to infinity, were significantly different between the 2 products administered IM. Mean ± SD bioavailability of CEF1 and CEF2 was 89.57 ± 32.84% and 86.28 ± 11.49%, respectively, which indicated good absorption of both products. In addition, there was a longer drug residence time for CEF1 than for CEF2. Data analysis for CEF1 revealed a flip-flop phenomenon.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE In this study, there was good absorption of CEF1, and CEF1 had a longer drug residence time in vivo than did CEF2. On the basis of pharmacokinetic parameters and the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility, a dosage regimen of 2.2 mg/kg administered at 48- and 36-hour intervals for CEF1 and CEF2, respectively, could be an appropriate choice for the treatment of buffalo with infectious diseases.
Corporal Punishment in Japan
Authors: Miller Aaron L.
Published: May 2016

Abstract

This article is about the controversial educational practice of corporal punishment – known astaibatsuin Japan – which challenged me to reflect upon my anthropological heart and find my anthropological identity. Corporal punishment is a practice around which many ideas and discourses about education, social order, human rights and even power swirl, and it is therefore an inherently sociocultural practice wherever it takes place. Like other forms of violence, it also poses a personal challenge to anthropologists who observe it in practice and have to decide whether to remain an observing bystander. At one time, I made that choice. In this article, I explain why I no longer do.
Farmers perception and knowledge of climate change in Bangladesh  an empirical analysis
Authors: Rakib Muntaha , Anwar Shah Mohammad Hamza
Published: May 2016

The lack of sufficient knowledge about climate changes and the impact on agricultural production is an impediment to long term sustainable agriculture in most developing countries, including Bangladesh. This paper presents the results of an investigation to determine perception of farmers about changes in climate in Bangladesh. The study finds the determinants of farmers perception on climate variability in different specifications of household characteristics. The sample was adult farmers with at least 20 years of farming experience in the area. Data was collected on perceptions about temperature changes and variability in precipitation over a 20 year period. The results indicated that more than 80% of farmers believe that temperature in the district had become warmer and over 90% were of the opinion that rainfall timing had changed, resulting in increased frequency of drought.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 27-35, April 2016
Nitrogen requirement and critical N content of stevia grown in two contrasting soils of Bangladesh
Authors: Maniruzzaman Md , Chowdhury Md Akhter Hossain , Mohiuddin KM , Chowdhury Tanzin
Published: May 2016

Nitrogen is recognized as one of the most limiting nutrient for crop growth in Bangladesh and can be supplemented with inorganic fertilizers like urea. The experiment was conducted in the net house of the Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Bangladesh Agricultural University during March to July 2012. The objective was to examine the effects of different levels of N on the growth, leaf biomass yield, N content and to estimate minimum N requirement and critical N content of stevia. The treatments included six N rates (0, 100, 150, 200, 250 and 300 kg ha-1). Plant sampling was done at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days after planting (DAP) to measure plant height, number of branches and leaves, fresh and dry weight of leaves, leaf area and N concentration. The results revealed that all the characters were significantly affected by different N rates. The highest values of all parameters except plant height and N concentration were obtained from 250 kg N ha-1 and the lowest values from N control. Nitrogen application at all levels increased leaf dry yield at harvest by 99 to 505% in acid soil and 69 to 438% in non-calcareous soil, respectively over control. The growth of most parameters was rapid at the later stages (30 to 60 DAP). Leaf N content proportionately increased with the increasing rates of N. The highest N concentration was obtained from its highest application (300 kg N ha-1). The minimum amount of N for maximum leaf biomass production in the plants grown in acid and non-calcareous soils was estimated to be ca 273 and 257 kg ha-1, respectively. The critical N concentration to achieve 80% of the maximum production of stevia leaf was also estimated to be ca 1.43 and 1.50% in the leaves of stevia plants grown in acid and non-calcareous soils, respectivelyRes. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 87-97, April 2016
Effect of indigenous herbal preparations on coccidiosis of poultry
Authors: Uddin ABM Jalal , Rashid Maksudur , Khan Md Anwarul , Awal Md Abdul , Sobhan Md Abdus , Islam AWM Shamsul
Published: May 2016

Coccidiosis is a protozoan disease in chickens caused by Eimeria spp with great economic significance. The disease can be controlled by using modern anticoccidial drugs. However large scale and long term use of anticoccidial drugs has led to the resistance. Phytotherapy can be used successfully as an alternative coccidiosis control strategy. Ninety six chicks experimentally infected with coccidiosis were used in the present study. The chicks were divided into 24 groups and were treated with the crude watery extract (10%) of mango, pineapple, guava, chutra leaves and thankuni at the dose rate of 1ml, 5ml and 10ml per Kg body weight as well as one group was treated with Embazine® at recommended dose. The effects of these drugs were evaluated by oocyst count from faecal sample and the mortality rate. The result shows that the 10ml/Kg dose worked better than other dose. In this dose oocyst count significantly decreased (P< 0.01) at the day of 4 (mango), 2 (pineapple), 12 (guava), 2 (chutra) and 4 (thankuni). No oocyst found in feces at the day 8 (chutra and thankuni), 12 (mango and pineapple) whereas on day 12 it shows oocyst in feces in case guava. It shows that mortality encounter 75% in mango and guava group, 50% in pineapple and thankuni group, wheras no mortality recorded in chutra group. After completion of experiment it was noted that chutra leaves was most effective at the dose rate of 10 ml/kg body weight and effective near about Embazine.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 145-149, April 2016
Study on marketing channel and value chain analysis of some commercially important marine fish species available in Coxs bazar area, Bangladesh
Authors: Ahsan Md Khabirul , Ghosh Subrata Kumar , Runa Nusrat Sultana , Hasan Muhammad Mehedi , Kamal Md
Published: May 2016

A study was conducted to investigate marketing channel and value chain analysis of some commercially important marine fish species available in Coxs Bazar area, Bangladesh. Three commercially important marine fish species were investigated in respect to their marketing channel and value analysis: 1) Pomfret, Stromateus chinensis, 2) Jewfish, Otolithoides argenteus and 3) Hilsha, Tenualosa ilisha. Three marketing channels mainly encompasses from fishermen to consumers, namely the primary, secondary and retail markets involving sales agents, suppliers, wholesalers, commission agents, processors and retailers. A total of 120 fishermen and intermediaries involved in the channels were interviewed. A large number of intermediaries were found to be involved in the marketing channel and this group is believed to make huge profit, thus the prices of fishes were very high in the final consumer market. Marketing margin and profit also analyzed. Marketing margin for Pomfret fish, Jewfish and Hilsha were 21%, 27% and 27% of consumer purchase price, respectively. Poor road and transport facilities and large number of intermediaries in the chain were some of the major problems of marine fish marketing chain. It was therefore necessary to provide organizational support, government support, extension service and training facilities to the market operators for sustainable fish marketing systems.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 195-201, April 2016
A comparative study on proximate composition of fresh and salt-boiled prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) frozen stored at -20oC
Authors: Mukta Shabnam Yasmin , Masum Shamsuzzaman , Naher Jasmin , Chakraborty Suvash Chandra , Mansur Md Abul
Published: May 2016

A study was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition of fresh and salt-boiled prawn stored at -200 C. The study was focused on comparative study on proximate composition, nutritional status and quality of the prawn in wet matter basis. The collected fresh prawns were boiled in 2.5% brine for 15 minutes followed by freezing at -200 C to evaluate the quality of prawns at 16 weeks period of frozen storage. The sample was stored separately in individual boxes for every experimental uses. The proximate composition of the sample during frozen storage (16 weeks) was evaluated by studying organoleptic assessments, protein, lipid, ash, moisture and TVBN. The fresh prawn during frozen storage was organoleptically accepted up to 12 weeks but unaccepted after 16 weeks of storage whereas the salt-boiled frozen prawn was remained acceptable after 16 weeks of frozen storage at -200C. The initial protein content of fresh prawn was decreased gradually with the storage period. At the end of the 16 weeks of frozen storage, initial protein content of fresh prawn was decreased from 22.36 ±0.45% to 16.24 ±0.27% and protein content of salt-boiled prawn was decreased from 29.69 ±0.28% to 22.89 ±0.29%. The initial lipidcontent of fresh prawn decreased gradually with the storage period and at the end of the 16 weeks frozen storage it decreased from 2.4±0.16% to 1.24 ±0.13% and for the salt-boiled frozen prawn it decreased from2.56 ±0.11% to 1.68 ±0.26%. The initial ash content of fresh prawn decreased gradually with the storage period and at the end of the 16 weeks frozen storage, it decreased from 2.42±0.21% to 1.52±0.23%, whereas for salt-boiled prawn it decreased from2.89 ±0.19% to 1.93 ±0.18%.The initial TVB-N content increased gradually with the storage period and at the end of the 16 weeks of frozen storage it increased from 10.23±0.26 mg/100g to 32.01±1.36 mg/100g in fresh frozen prawn, where in the salt-boiled prawn, it was increased from 8.35 ±0.28 mg/100g to16.82 ±1.09mg/100g. From the findings it can be concluded that, the quality & nutritional composition of the salt-boiled prawn remains better than that of fresh un-boiled one during long storage period. So, the process for frozen storage of salt-boiled prawn at -200 C can be considered as a new approach in fish preservation.Res. Agric., Livest. Fish.3(1): 241-250, April 2016
Parkinson’s Disease: Assay of Phosphorylated α-Synuclein in Skin Biopsy for Early Diagnosis and Association with Melanoma
Authors: Surguchov Andrei
Published: May 2016

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a degenerative disorder of the central nervous system, in which a small naturally unfolded protein α-synuclein plays an essential role. α-Synuclein belongs to a synuclein family comprising three members: α, β, and γ-synucleins associated with neurodegenerative and neoplastic diseases and involved in development. Several studies revealed that α-synuclein is present not only in the brain, but also in the skin and other peripheral tissues. This finding open a new approach to PD diagnosis based on the assay of α-synuclein from a biological sample of a living patient. Furthermore, PD is associated with an increased risk of skin melanoma. An important posttranslational modification of α-synuclein is phosphorylation at serine-129, which may convert the protein into pathological species both in PD and melanoma. Thus, analysis of phosphorylated α-synuclein might be an important diagnostic test for both diseases providing additional information about the mechanism of pathology.
Soil Enzyme Activities in Pinus tabuliformis (Carriére) Plantations in Northern China
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Page-Dumroese Deborah , Lv Ruiheng , Xiao Chen , Li Guolei , Liu Yong
Published: May 2016

Changes in forest stand structure may alter the activity of invertase, urease, catalase and phenol oxidase after thinning Pinus tabuliformis (Carriére) plantations in Yanqing County of Beijing, China. We examined changes in these soil enzymes as influenced by time since thinning (24, 32, and 40 years since thinning) for 3 seasons (spring, summer and autumn) following harvesting at two depths in the mineral soil (0–10 cm and 10–20 cm). Invertase and urease increased significantly with time since thinning. Catalase activity was highest in the 24-year-old stand and there were no statistically significant differences between the 32- and 40-year-old stands. In addition, maximum invertase, urease, catalase, and phenol oxidase activities occurred during the summer; minimum activities occurred in autumn. Invertase and urease were positively correlated with each other, as were catalase and phenol oxidase. Most soil enzyme activity was higher in the 0–10 cm layer than at the 10–20 cm depth. As time from thinning increased, differences among soil depth became less significant. These results suggest that seasonal changes of these enzymes have different roles, as the time since thinning and thinning treatments may have both short- and long-term impacts on soil microbial activity.
Dissipation and Residues of Dichlorprop-P and Bentazone in Wheat-Field Ecosystem
Authors: Feng Xiaoxiao , Yu Jianlei , Pan Lixiang , Song Guochun , Zhang Hongyan
Published: May 2016

Dichlorprop-P and bentazone have been widely used in the prevention and control of weeds in wheat field ecosystems. There is a concern that pesticide residues and metabolites remain on or in the wheat. Thus, the study of the determination and monitoring of their residues in wheat has important significance. A rapid, simple and reliable QuEChERS (Quick, Easy, Cheap, Effective, Rugged and Safe) method was modified, developed and validated for the determination of dichlorprop-P, bentazone and its metabolites (6-hydroxy-bentazone and 8-hydroxy-bentazone) in wheat (wheat plants, wheat straw and grains of wheat) using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The average recoveries of this method ranged from 72.9% to 108.7%, and the limits of quantification (LOQs) were 2.5–12 μg/kg. The dissipation and final residue of four compounds in three provinces (Shandong, Jiangsu and Heilongjiang) in China were studied. The trial results showed that the half-lives of dichlorprop-P and bentazone were 1.9–2.5 days and 0.5–2.4 days in wheat plants, respectively. The terminal residues in grains of wheat and wheat straw at harvest were all much below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.2 mg/kg for dichlorprop-P and 0.1 mg/kg for bentazone established by the European Union (EU, Regulation No. 396/2005).
A Theoretical Study of the Hydration of Methane, from the Aqueous Solution to the sI Hydrate-Liquid Water-Gas Coexistence
Authors: Luis Daniel , García-González Alcione , Saint-Martin Humberto
Published: May 2016

Monte Carlo and molecular dynamics simulations were done with three recent water models TIP4P/2005 (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 Points/2005), TIP4P/Ice (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 Points/ Ice) and TIP4Q (Transferable Intermolecular Potential with 4 charges) combined with two models for methane: an all-atom one OPLS-AA (Optimal Parametrization for the Liquid State) and a united-atom one (UA); a correction for the C–O interaction was applied to the latter and used in a third set of simulations. The models were validated by comparison to experimental values of the free energy of hydration at 280, 300, 330 and 370 K, all under a pressure of 1 bar, and to the experimental radial distribution functions at 277, 283 and 291 K, under a pressure of 145 bar. Regardless of the combination rules used for σC,O, good agreement was found, except when the correction to the UA model was applied. Thus, further simulations of the sI hydrate were performed with the united-atom model to compare the thermal expansivity to the experiment. A final set of simulations was done with the UA methane model and the three water models, to study the sI hydrate-liquid water-gas coexistence at 80, 230 and 400 bar. The melting temperatures were compared to the experimental values. The results show the need to perform simulations with various different models to attain a reliable and robust molecular image of the systems of interest.
Effects of Endobacterium (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia) on Pathogenesis-Related Gene Expression of Pine Wood Nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) and Pine Wilt Disease
Authors: He Long-Xi , Wu Xiao-Qin , Xue Qi , Qiu Xiu-Wen
Published: May 2016

Pine wilt disease (PWD) caused by the pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, is responsible for devastating epidemics in pine trees in Asia and Europe. Recent studies showed that bacteria carried by the PWN might be involved in PWD. However, the molecular mechanism of the interaction between bacteria and the PWN remained unclear. Now that the whole genome of B. xylophilus (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus) is published, transcriptome analysis is a unique method to study the role played by bacteria in PWN. In this study, the transcriptome of aseptic B. xylophilus, B. xylophilus treated with endobacterium (Stenotrophomonas maltophilia NSPmBx03) and fungus B. xylophilus were sequenced. We found that 61 genes were up-regulated and 830 were down-regulated in B. xylophilus after treatment with the endobacterium; 178 genes were up-regulated and 1122 were down-regulated in fungus B. xylophilus compared with aseptic B. xylophilus. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses were used to study the significantly changed biological functions and pathways for these differentially expressed genes. Many pathogenesis-related genes, including glutathinone S-transferase, pectate lyase, ATP-binding cassette transporter and cytochrome P450, were up-regulated after B. xylophilus were treated with the endobacterium. In addition, we found that bacteria enhanced the virulence of PWN. These findings indicate that endobacteria might play an important role in the development and virulence of PWN and will improve our understanding of the regulatory mechanisms involved in the interaction between bacteria and the PWN.
The miRacle in Pancreatic Cancer by miRNAs: Tiny Angels or Devils in Disease Progression
Authors: Hawa Zuhair , Haque Inamul , Ghosh Arnab , Banerjee Snigdha , Harris LaCoiya , Banerjee Sushanta
Published: May 2016

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive malignancy with increasing incidence and high mortality. Surgical resection is the only potentially curative treatment of patients with PDAC. Because of the late presentation of the disease, about 20 percent of patients are candidates for this treatment. The average survival of resected patients is between 12 and 20 months, with a high probability of relapse. Standard chemo and radiation therapies do not offer significant improvement of the survival of these patients. Furthermore, novel treatment options aimed at targeting oncogenes or growth factors in pancreatic cancer have proved unsuccessful. Thereby, identifying new biomarkers that can detect early stages of this disease is of critical importance. Among these biomarkers, microRNAs (miRNAs) have supplied a profitable recourse and become an attractive focus of research in PDAC. MiRNAs regulate many genes involved in the development of PDAC through mRNA degradation or translation inhibition. The possibility of intervention in the molecular mechanisms of miRNAs regulation could begin a new generation of PDAC therapies. This review summarizes the reports describing miRNAs involvement in cellular processes involving pancreatic carcinogenesis and their utility in diagnosis, survival and therapeutic potential in pancreatic cancer.
Quantitative Estimates of Bio-Remodeling on Coastal Rock Surfaces
Authors: Pappalardo Marta , Buehler Markus , Chelli Alessandro , Cironi Luca , Pannacciulli Federica , Qin Zhao
Published: May 2016

Remodeling of rocky coasts and erosion rates have been widely studied in past years, but not all the involved processes acting over rocks surface have been quantitatively evaluated yet. The first goal of this paper is to revise the different methodologies employed in the quantification of the effect of biotic agents on rocks exposed to coastal morphologic agents, comparing their efficiency. Secondly, we focus on geological methods to assess and quantify bio-remodeling, presenting some case studies in an area of the Mediterranean Sea in which different geological methods, inspired from the revised literature, have been tested in order to provide a quantitative assessment of the effects some biological covers exert over rocky platforms in tidal and supra-tidal environments. In particular, different experimental designs based on Schmidt hammer test results have been applied in order to estimate rock hardness related to different orders of littoral platforms and the bio-erosive/bio-protective role of Chthamalus ssp. and Verrucariaadriatica. All data collected have been analyzed using statistical tests to evaluate the significance of the measures and methodologies. The effectiveness of this approach is analyzed, and its limits are highlighted. In order to overcome the latter, a strategy combining geological and experimental–computational approaches is proposed, potentially capable of revealing novel clues on bio-erosion dynamics. An experimental-computational proposal, to assess the indirect effects of the biofilm coverage of rocky shores, is presented in this paper, focusing on the shear forces exerted during hydration-dehydration cycles. The results of computational modeling can be compared to experimental evidence, from nanoscopic to macroscopic scales.
Fabricating Water Dispersible Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Biomedical Applications through Ligand Exchange and Direct Conjugation
Authors: Lam Tina , Avti Pramod , Pouliot Philippe , Maafi Foued , Tardif Jean-Claude , Rhéaume Éric , Lesage Frédéric , Kakkar Ashok
Published: May 2016

Stable superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs), which can be easily dispersed in an aqueous medium and exhibit high magnetic relaxivities, are ideal candidates for biomedical applications including contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging. We describe a versatile methodology to render water dispersibility to SPIONs using tetraethylene glycol (TEG)-based phosphonate ligands, which are easily introduced onto SPIONs by either a ligand exchange process of surface-anchored oleic-acid (OA) molecules or via direct conjugation. Both protocols confer good colloidal stability to SPIONs at different NaCl concentrations. A detailed characterization of functionalized SPIONs suggests that the ligand exchange method leads to nanoparticles with better magnetic properties but higher toxicity and cell death, than the direct conjugation methodology.
GBAS Ionospheric Anomaly Monitoring Based on a Two-Step Approach
Authors: Zhao Lin , Yang Fuxin , Li Liang , Ding Jicheng , Zhao Yuxin
Published: May 2016

As one significant component of space environmental weather, the ionosphere has to be monitored using Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers for the Ground-Based Augmentation System (GBAS). This is because an ionospheric anomaly can pose a potential threat for GBAS to support safety-critical services. The traditional code-carrier divergence (CCD) methods, which have been widely used to detect the variants of the ionospheric gradient for GBAS, adopt a linear time-invariant low-pass filter to suppress the effect of high frequency noise on the detection of the ionospheric anomaly. However, there is a counterbalance between response time and estimation accuracy due to the fixed time constants. In order to release the limitation, a two-step approach (TSA) is proposed by integrating the cascaded linear time-invariant low-pass filters with the adaptive Kalman filter to detect the ionospheric gradient anomaly. The performance of the proposed method is tested by using simulated and real-world data, respectively. The simulation results show that the TSA can detect ionospheric gradient anomalies quickly, even when the noise is severer. Compared to the traditional CCD methods, the experiments from real-world GPS data indicate that the average estimation accuracy of the ionospheric gradient improves by more than 31.3%, and the average response time to the ionospheric gradient at a rate of 0.018 m/s improves by more than 59.3%, which demonstrates the ability of TSA to detect a small ionospheric gradient more rapidly.
The Environmental Impact and Cost Analysis of Concrete Mixing Blast Furnace Slag Containing Titanium Gypsum and Sludge in South Korea
Authors: Kim Tae , Tae Sung , Chae Chang , Choi Won
Published: May 2016

This study assessed the environmental effects and cost of the Industrial Waste addictive Blast Furnace Slag (W-BFS) using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and compared it to general BFS. The environmental impacts of W-BFS were as follows: 1.12 × 10−1 kg-CO2 eq/kg, 3.18 × 10−5 kg-Ethylene eq/kg, 4.79 × 10−4 kg-SO2 eq/kg, 7.15 × 10−4 kg-PO43− eq/kg, 7.15 × 10−4 kg-CFC11 eq/kg and 3.94 × 10−3 kg-Antimony eq/kg. Among the environmental impact category, GWP and AP were 9.28 × 10−2 kg-CO2 eq/kg and 3.33 × 10−4 kg-SO2 eq/kg at a raw material stage, accounting for 80% and 70% of total environmental impact respectively. In EP, POCP and ADP, in addition, raw material stage accounted for a great portion in total environmental impact because of “W” among input materials. In ODP, however, compared to the environmental impact of raw materials, oil, which was used in transporting BFS to the W-BFS manufacturing factory, was more influential. In terms of GWP, POCP and ODP, W-BFS was higher than general BFS. In terms of AP, EP and ADP, in contrast, the former was lower than the latter. In terms of cost, W-BFS (41.7 US$/ton) was lower than general BFS by about 17% because of the use of waste additives comprised of industrial wastes instead of natural gypsum ,which has been commonly used in general BFS. In terms of GWP and POCP, the W-BFS mixed (30%) concrete was lower than plain concrete by 25%. In terms of AP and EP, the former was lower than the latter by 30%. In terms of ADP, furthermore, W-BFS mixed (30%) concrete was lower than plain concrete by 11%. In aggregate-related ODP, however, almost no change was found. In terms of cost, when W-BFS was added by 10% and 30%, it was able to reduce cost by 3% and 7% respectively, compared to plain concrete. Compared to BFS-mixed concrete as well, cost could be saved by 1% additionally because W-BFS (US$41.7/ton) is lower than common cement (US$100.3/ton) by about 60% in terms of production costs.
Impact of International Oil Price on Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction in China
Authors: Chai Jian , Zhou Youhong , Liang Ting , Xing Limin , Lai Kin
Published: May 2016

In the context of “new normal” economy and frequent “haze”, the strategy of energy conservation and emission reduction aiming to lower costs and reduce pollution is currently still a major strategic direction in China and the world, and will remain so for some time in the future. This paper uses the annual data of West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil price in 1987–2014 as samples. We firstly present the direction and mechanism of the influence of oil price change on total consumption of every kind of energy by path analysis, and then consider establishing a Structural Vector Autoregression model of energy conservation and emission reduction in three statuses. Research shows that if the international oil price increases by 1%, the energy consumption per GDP and carbon dioxide emission increase by 0.092% and 0.053% respectively in the corresponding period. In the status of high energy consumption and high emission, if the international oil price increases by 1%, the energy consumption per GDP and carbon dioxide emission increase by 0.043% and 0.065% respectively in the corresponding period. In the status of low energy consumption and low emission, if the international oil price increases by 1%, the energy consumption per GDP per unit increases by 0.067% and carbon dioxide emission decreases by 0.085% in the corresponding period.
Contemporary Water Governance: Navigating Crisis Response and Institutional Constraints through Pragmatism
Authors: Baird Julia , Plummer Ryan , Bullock Ryan , Dupont Diane , Heinmiller Tim , Jollineau Marilyne , Kubik Wendee , Renzetti Steven , Vasseur Liette
Published: May 2016

Water has often been the source of crises and their frequency will intensify due to climate change impacts. The Niagara River Watershed provides an ideal case to study water crises as it is an international transboundary system (Canada-United States) and has both historical and current challenges associated with water quantity and quality, which resonates broadly in water basins throughout the world. The aim of this study was to understand how stakeholders perceive ecosystems and the relationship with preferences for governance approaches in the context of water governance. An online survey instrument was employed to assess perceptions of the system in terms of resilience (engineering, ecological, social-ecological, or epistemic), preferences for governance approaches (state, citizen, market, and hybrid forms), and the most pressing issues in the watershed. Responses showed that, despite demographic differences and adherence to different resilience perspectives, support was strongest for governance approaches that focused on state or state-citizen hybrid forms. The validity of the resilience typology as a grouping variable is discussed. The roles of institutional constraints, pragmatism in governance approach preferences, and the influence of multiple crises are explored in relation to the context of the study site, as well as to water governance scholarship more broadly.
LEARNING ORGANIZATIONS AND THEIR ADAPTABILITY TO MARKET ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Okreglicka Małgorzata , Lemanska-Majdzik Anna , Gorzen-Mitka Iwona
Published: May 2016

To achieve an economic success many economic entities decided to adopt the rules and principles of learning organizations. The main aim of this article is to identify and analyze the selected aspect of the adaptability to the market environment in the group of learning enterprises in Poland. The verification of the hypothesis, presented in the paper, has been based on the results of questionnaire empirical studies conducted in 2016 on a group of 250 SMEs in Poland. The studies resulted in finding statistical dependencies that show the correlation between the level of organizational learning and adapting to changes appearing in the environment.
COMPETENCE EVALUATION OF TRANSPORT MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS: RESEARCH ON GRADUATES’ ATTITUDES REGISTERED AT LABOUR EXCHANGE
Authors: Skirmantienė Jolanta , Vaičiūtė Kristina
Published: May 2016

Constantly changing labour market poses new challenges for transport management specialists. Employers require specialists characterised not only by their professional knowledge, but also capable of adapting to changing circumstances, making individual decisions, creating value added. Successful integration into labour market not only depends on external factors, such as state policies, but also on internal factors as social, personal and information competence. The conducted research enabled to assess attitudes of transport management graduates towards knowledge and competencies acquired during study process, preparedness for labour market. Research participants’ attitudes enabled to distinguish the most important skills and general competencies. Research have shown that graduates most often face the shortage of practical training, financial knowledge and poor ability to develop business plans.
VERBAL ANALYSIS AND ITS APPLICATION FOR THE ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF THE INVESTMENT PROJECT RISK IN CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Shevchenko Galina , Ustinovichius Leonas
Published: May 2016

The paper investigates the investment decision–making, risk assessment and management problems faced by all participants of the investment process in construction. The main object of paper – risk of investment projects in construction. Companies often have to make investment decisions under uncertainty and therefore the study emphasizes the need, for carryng out investigations, developing metodology and intelectual decision making system that would holistically assess the whole available information to the investment project, increase the accuracy of risk assessment, improve project information management, reduce project risk factors for the occurrence of potential and would make informed investment decisions. The created and described verbal analysis method of the real alternatyve classification was integrated into the proposed model and implemented in practice.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND CONSUMER ETHICS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YOUNG CONSUMERS IN CROATIA
Authors: Knezevic Blazenka
Published: May 2016

Corporate Social Responsibility and consumer ethics are two research fields addressing similar issues, but from two different perspectives. As both rely on ethical standards of individuals involved in management or individuals involved in retail shopping, there are numerous research studies that investigate attitudes of various groups of persons regarding individual ethical values. In this paper both concepts are described and discussed. Upon analysed literature, the questionnaire is created and the survey took place on students of Business Administration and Economics in Croatia, as future managers and young consumers. The aim of the paper is to evaluate their perception towards ethical principles of business conduct described in literature in afore mentioned research fields.
PARADIGMS OF READINESS OF NEW VENTURES IN TRANSCENDENCE OF TECHNOLOGICAL PRE-ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Authors: Czemiel-Grzybowska Wioletta
Published: May 2016

On the basis of the literature on organizational behavior, strategic changes and technology management this article analyzes readiness of new ventures to function in the framework of technological entrepreneurship. Research findings suggest that objective organizational features are important at the stage of taking decisions, whereas intangible subjective characteristics of a new venture are more important at the stage of taking further decisions. In order to understand the phenomenon of readiness, the research used the data of 112 enterprises applying for establishing their business activity in the project “Academy of Young Businessmen – an opportunity to develop technological entrepreneurship”.
Environment Factors Monitoring System Based on CAN bus
Authors: Hong Li Shi , Sa Zhu Sa , Yan Jin
Published: May 2016

In order to solve the greenhouse environmental factors monitoring system wiring is difficult, high cost, single parameter monitoring, lack of flexibility and scalability, which can’t meet the requirements of the modern intelligent greenhouse. In this study, a new remote monitoring system was established. In terms of the hardware, the SCM C8051F040 was adopted to collect the environmental parameters such as temperature, humidity, light intensity, CO2 concentration and so on. All data were uploaded via CAN bus and GPRS to the remote host computer .The collected data would be sent to the relevant agricultural management personnel in real time through the GPRS network so that the management could be carried out. Based on Kingview software platform, which was developed to use graphic language and command language system of the PC. Preliminary experimental results show that the system has the correct data transmission, stable operation, good real-time performance and accurately monitor the environmental factors in the greenhouse. The system has the advantages of flexible networking and strong expansibility and intuitive interface, which can well meet the needs of environmental factors monitoring in greenhouse.
Design and Simulation of a Meteorological Data Monitoring System Based on a Wireless Sensor
Authors: Alavinia Reza , Zhu Zhiliang , Zhang Shuang
Published: May 2016

A system for observing meteorological data based on a wireless sensor network (WSN) is designed to fulfill the business requirements for meteorological data observation in unattended areas. The WSN is based on the ZigBee communication protocol, which can implement a system with low power consumption, self-organizing capability, and a large scope. The hardware design is based on the CC2530 chip, which is the first ZigBee system on chip produced by the TI company. The WSN designed by the improved distance vector-hop localization algorithm for a wireless sensor using simulation software demonstrates the effectiveness of the algorithm. The system ensures the accuracy and reliability of the meteorological observation data.