bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Heroic Response to Terror: The Case of Oklahoma City
Authors: Lewis Carol W. , Tenzer Morton J. , Harrison Tony
Published: July 2015

The deadliest incident of domestic terrorism in the U.S. has special significance for human resource management because the target was government employees. Sixty percent of the 168 fatalities and 40 percent of the 647 injured were federal and state government employees in Oklahoma City. Words and numbers inadequately depict the tragic human toll of this unnatural disaster and its intense effect on many lives; the human costs are still emerging. The Authors examine two sets of ethical issues in human resource management that arose during the extended, dangerous, and frustrating rescue operation in which thousands of emergency rescue workers, medical and public safety personnel, city employees, community organizations, and many others participated. First, ethical issues emerged from the tension between the concepts of responders' heroism and their professionalism, including the duty of competence. For some, the aftermath of their experience is marked by signs of stress, which is insufficiently addressed by federal programs. Second, early in the rescue, core ethical values clashed in a profound ethical dilemma in which disinterested expertise serving the public interest vied with urgent, individual need. Because courageous response to the latter meant disregarding standard emergency rescue procedure but was rewarded with the highest organizational honor, emergency personnel are left with ambiguous operational and ethical guidelines. The Authors conclude that a sense of proportion about human achievement in extraordinary circumstances encourages realistic views about routine professional capacities, allows for normal human frailties, and thereby contributes to a supportive work environment.
A Model to Address Compression Inequities in Faculty Salaries
Authors: Lamb Steven W. , Moates William H.
Published: July 2015

This paper presents the details of an effort by Indiana State University to apply multiple regression analysis to the problem of eliminating faculty salary inequities. The services of a consultant were used to develop a multiple regression model to predict an individual's salary while excluding any independent variable addressing race or gender. Residuals were then computed by gender, gender by rank, race, and race by rank. The results showed no evidence of a consistent pattern of salary bias due to gender or race. The consultant's analysis appeared somewhat contradictory when considering salary compression in that a variable representing the number of internal promotions (a previously undocumented measure of compression) was statistically significant in the model, even though the analysis stated that no evidence of significant compression existed. After much discussion, the internal promotions variable was dropped. The revised model was run and residuals analysis was used to verify the presence of significant salary compression. The residuals became an important consideration in the adjustment of salaries to address the compression problems. The use of the model demonstrates how quantitative models can aid in addressing salary inequities and improve faculty salary allocation decisions by combining a data-driven approach with more traditional peer evaluation methods.
Reading Mill and Forster in Church: Liberal and Hauerwasian Ethics in Conversation
Authors: Wood Benjamin J.
Published: July 2015

Throughout his theological career Stanley Hauerwas has struggled to maintain a demarcation between liberal and Christian ethics. Is such a separation theologically defensible? In an effort to deconstruct Hauerwas’s hostility to liberalism through Hauerwasian categories, the following article examines areas of resemblance between liberal and Hauerwasian ethics. Through a comparative reading of the liberalisms of J. S. Mill (1806–1873) and E. M. Forster (1879–1970), the following argument retrieves a neglected form of liberal politics which in many respects conforms to the structure of Hauerwas’s radical description of Christian discipleship. Instead of understanding the Church as an isolated colony embattled against non-Christian culture, Mill and Forster challenge Hauerwas to consider the liberal polity as both the child and responsibility of the Church.
The bargaining power of commitment: An experiment of the effects of threats in the sequential hawk–dove game
Authors: García Luis Alejandro Palacio , Aguilar Alexandra Cortés , Muñoz-Herrera Manuel
Published: July 2015

This article studies experimentally the conditions that improve bargaining power by means of threats. The analysis centers on three essential elements of the commitment: the possibility of announcing one’s actions, the credibility of these messages, and the experience acquired in the negotiation process. For this, we chose the sequential hawk–dove game due to the fact that it is a negotiation environment with a non-equitable distribution of payoffs in equilibrium. The empirical evidence of our experiment shows that, in the first period, subjects do not realize the bargaining power of the commitment. When the game is repeated and experience increases, senders understand that using threats can work in their favor and increase their payoffs. The credibility of the messages is also relevant for the strategic move. It is common to find subjects that are strategic liars, who lose bargaining power for this behavior.
Influence of carrier liquid on nanoparticle-based giant electrorheological fluid
Authors: Hong Yaying , Wen Weijia
Published: July 2015

The wetting characteristics of the giant electrorheological particles and the suspending fluid were investigated. In contrast to the existing electrorheological fluids, giant electrorheological particles consisting of oxalate core with urea coating are found oil sensitive. The rheological effect of oils from the family of synthetic oil, mineral oil and vegetable oil was studied. The experimental results indicated that hydrogen bonds of the oil chains are instrumental in linking the oil to the giant electrorheological particles; thus, the highest yield stress of giant electrorheological fluid was obtained when hydrogenated silicone oil was used as a suspending phase. Our investigations will provide the compatibility guiding between giant electrorheological particles and liquid phase and may broaden its application to different field, that is, microfluidics with vegetable oil as the carrier liquid.
Cis-existence of H3K27me3 and H3K36me2 in mouse embryonic stem cells revealed by specific ions of isobaric modification chromatogram
Authors: Mao Hailei , Han Gang , Xu Longyong , Zhu Duming , Lin Hanqing , Cao Xiongwen , Yu Yi , Chen Charlie Degui
Published: July 2015

Introduction

Histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and H3 lysine 36 trimethylation (H3K36me3) are important epigenetic modifications correlated with transcription repression and activation, respectively. These two opposing modifications rarely co-exist in the same H3 polypeptide. However, a small but significant amount of H3 tails are modified with 5 methyl groups on K27 and K36 in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and it is unclear how the trimethylation is distributed on K27 or K36.

Methods

A label-free, bottom-up mass spectrum method, named specific ions of isobaric modification chromatogram (SIMC), was established to quantify the relative abundance of K27me2-K36me3 and K27me3-K36me2 in the same histone H3 tail.

Results

By using this method, we demonstrated that the H3K27me3-K36me2 comprises about 85 % of the penta-methylated H3 tails at K27 and K36 in mESCs. Upon mESC differentiation, the abundance of H3K27me3-K36me2 significantly decreased, while the level of H3K27me2-K36me3 remains unchanged.

Conclusion

Our study not only revealed the cis-existence of H3K27me3-K36me2 in mESCs, but also suggested that this combinatorial histone modification may assume a specific regulatory function during differentiation.
Preliminary investigations on a polygalacturonase from Aspergillus fumigatus in Chinese Pu’er tea fermentation
Authors: Wang Shihui , Lian Zhongshuai , Wang Liuyang , Yang Xiao , Liu Yun
Published: July 2015

Background

Polygalacturonase is one kind of pectinases which hydrolyze the alpha-1,4 glycosidic bond between galacturonic acid residue. Polygalacturonase has been widely used in the fields of food, biofuel, and textile industries, in which thermostable polygalacturonase is often demanded at high temperatures of 50–60 °C. Herein, we reported a thermostable polygalacturonase producing from Aspergillus fumigatus isolated from the pile fermentation of Pu’er tea in China.

Results

The thermophilic polygalacturonase-producing strain was identified as A. fumigatus L45 on basis of its morphology, physicochemical properties, and 18S rDNA analysis. The crucial fermentation parameters affecting polygalacturonase activity were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM); the optimum fermentation parameters were the following: inoculums concentration of 0.07 % (v/v), fermentation time of 36 h, pH of 5.0, and temperature of 45 °C. Under the optimized conditions, the highest polygalacturonase activity of 359.1 ± 10.1 U/mL was obtained. The polygalacturonase showed good thermostability and pH stability. The enzyme was activated by metal ions Zn2+ and Mg2+, but inhibited by K+. However, Na+ and Ca2+ showed little effects on its activity. K
m and V
max values were estimated to be 35.0 mg/mL and 7.69 μmol/mL/min, respectively.

Conclusions

A polygalacturonase from A. fumigatus L45 was preliminarily investigated, the crucial fermentation parameters were optimized by RSM, and the properties of polygalacturonase was examined. The polygalacturonase showed good thermostability and pH stability, which suggested the enzyme has potential applications in the biofuel and textile industries.
Fast numerical simulation of logging-while-drilling gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements
Authors: Ajayi Oyinkansola , Torres-Verdín Carlos , Preeg William E.
Published: July 2015

Neutron-induced gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements originate from inelastic neutron scattering and thermal neutron capture of chemical elements excited by neutrons; they are widely used to quantify in situ elemental and mineral compositions of rocks in boreholes. Traditional methods of interpreting neutron-induced gamma-ray spectroscopy measurements neglect layer-boundary and layer-thickness effects in the estimation of elemental and mineral compositions. Such effects can cause significant averaging of true layer properties in thinly bedded formations or in formations penetrated by high-angle/horizontal (HA/HZ) wells. Reliable measurement interpretation must therefore begin with the development of a fast and accurate forward-simulation model that explicitly incorporates measurement physics as well as borehole, tool, and formation geometry. Numerical Monte Carlo methods accurately reproduce averaging effects but are extremely time consuming and impractical for use in routine spectroscopy interpretation. We have developed a rapid and accurate numerical method that uses spatial coupled neutron-gamma-ray sensitivity functions to account for environmental and 3D effects of formation porosity, fluids, dipping beds, thin beds, and arbitrary well trajectories in the simulation of elemental and mineral compositions. Simulations are performed assuming a logging-while-drilling spectroscopy tool with a 14-MeV pulsed-neutron source. We benchmark results obtained with the rapid simulation method against rigorous Monte Carlo spectroscopy calculations for synthetic conventional and unconventional thinly bedded reservoirs penetrated by vertical and HA/HZ wells. Fast simulations are obtained in approximately 1e-6 the time required for Monte Carlo simulations, with an average difference of less than 5% between them. Similar to Monte Carlo simulated logs, fast simulated logs accurately reproduce geometric effects on measurements affected by shoulder-bed averaging of layer elemental and mineral compositions. The fast-forward-simulation method facilitates the development of efficient inversion-based spectroscopy interpretations, which could mitigate geometric effects that mask true layer elemental and mineral compositions.
Viscoacoustic modeling and imaging using low-rank approximation
Authors: Sun Junzhe , Zhu Tieyuan , Fomel Sergey
Published: July 2015

A constant-[Formula: see text] wave equation involving fractional Laplacians was recently introduced for viscoacoustic modeling and imaging. This fractional wave equation has a convenient mixed-domain space-wavenumber formulation, which involves the fractional-Laplacian operators with a spatially varying power. We have applied the low-rank approximation to the mixed-domain symbol, which enables a space-variable attenuation specified by the variable fractional power of the Laplacians. Using the proposed approximation scheme, we formulated the framework of the [Formula: see text]-compensated reverse time migration ([Formula: see text]-RTM) for attenuation compensation. Numerical examples using synthetic data demonstrated the improved accuracy of using low-rank wave extrapolation with a constant-[Formula: see text] fractional-Laplacian wave equation for seismic modeling and migration in attenuating media. Low-rank [Formula: see text]-RTM applied to viscoacoustic data is capable of producing images comparable in quality with those produced by conventional RTM from acoustic data.
Masculinity, Reproduction, and Male Infertility Surgery in the Middle East
Authors: Inhorn Marcia C.
Published: July 2015

In the Middle East, many men who experience reproductive difficulties within marriage end up undergoing a risky form of male genital surgery called “varicocelectomy.” Promoted by urological surgeons as a way to enhance fertility, varicocelectomy is a form of men's embodied suffering and a little-appreciated aspect of Middle Eastern men's reproductive lives. This article examines men's experiences of varicocelectomy, particularly in Lebanon, where the surgery is commonly carried out on both infertile and fertile men's bodies, despite significant controversy and critique. Reasons for this surgery are examined, including physician avarice, masculinity expectations within homosocially competitive fertility regimes, and husbands' desires to share the burden of reproductive suffering with beloved wives. It is argued that within the Middle East, men as well as women are heavily implicated in the trials and tribulations of infertility treatment—a form of reproductive intervention that has been inaccurately “naturalized” by Western feminist scholars as an exclusively female domain and burden. Varicocelectomy is not only an important issue in male reproductive health, but an understudied and unappreciated dimension of the lived experience of manhood in the region.
Open peer review at four STEM journals: an observational overview
Authors: Ford Emily
Published: July 2015

Open peer review, peer review where authors' and reviewers' identities are disclosed to one another, is a growing trend in scholarly publishing. Through observation of four journals in STEM disciplines,PLOS One,Atmospheric Chemistry & Physics,PeerJ, andF1000Research, an observational overview is conducted. The overview relies on defined characteristics of open peer review. Results show that despite differing open peer review implementations, each journal retains editorial involvement in scholarly publishing. Further, the analysis shows that only one of these implementations is fully transparent in its peer review and decision making process. Finally, the overview contends that journals should clearly outline peer review and editorial processes in order to allow for open peer review to be better understood and adopted by authors, reviewers, editors, and readers of science communications.
The role of new echocardiographic techniques in athlete’s heart
Authors: D'Andrea Antonello , Bossone Eduardo , Radmilovic Juri , Caso Pio , Calabrò Raffaele , Russo Maria Giovanna , Galderisi Maurizio
Published: July 2015

‘Athlete’s heart’ is a common term for the various adaptive changes induced by intensive exercise. Exercise causes alterations of the heart in hemodynamic response to the increased systemic and pulmonary demand during exercise. The understanding of these adaptations is of high importance, since they may overlap with those caused by pathological conditions. Cardiac imaging assessment of the athlete’s heart should begin with a complete echocardiographic examination. In recent years classical echocardiographic surveys have been joined by new developments: tissue Doppler imaging, strain rate echocardiography, and real-time 3-dimensional echocardiography. This review paper focuses on the importance of these new echocardiographic techniques in delineating the morphological characteristics and functional properties of the athlete’s heart.
«Reboot» of the law of obligations: changes in the Civil Code of the Russian Federation, put by the Federal Law dated 08.03.2015 No. 42-FZ
Authors: Федорова Юлия , Fedorova Yuliya , Лампицкая Юлия , Lampitskaya Yuliya
Published: July 2015

The article gives us review of the most important changes, made by the Federal law dated 08.03.2015 No. 42-FZ, in chapter III of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation "Common part of the law of obligations". The authors show the essence of the made changes, give them the estimate, analyze the rules with regard to existing court practice, also they raise disputable points that may arise in practice. The article is written for lawyers and other specialists who while working face the necessity to apply the legislation in force.
The strengthening of statehood of Kazakhstan in the light of the five institutional reforms of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Nursultan Nazarbayev
Authors: Кубеев Еркин , Kubeev Erkin
Published: July 2015

The paper attempts toreview20 years ofconstitutionalexperience of the Republicof Kazakhstan.It outlined a plan toimplement the fivenewinstitutionalreformsfor the further developmentof Kazakhstan.These reformscreate conditions forstrengtheningKazakhstan statehood, entering the30developed countries.
«Black holes» in public administration and concept of risk-oriented public administration
Authors: Понкин Игорь , Ponkin Igor
Published: July 2015

Article is devoted questions of the content and nature of risks in the sphere of public administration. The authors define the terms «risk», «risk-oriented public administration». The article shows that the risks in public administration are an integral component of the public administration; risks are given objective reality, which is subject to due consideration. These risks are a consequence of the existence and sufficient entropy updating uncertainties and other of risk-taking determinants in modern processes. The article describes the integrated methods of operating by the field of risk and risk-taking determinants. The article describes the reasons for the low efficiency of operating by risks in public administration.
To the question of the transfer of the «soft law» concept on the national legal systems level
Authors: Демин Александр , Dyemin Alyeksandr
Published: July 2015

Initially, the concept of «soft law», its development, the accumulation of empirical data collation and analysis were carried out as part of the science of international law. The turning point is that «soft law» issue is no more limited by international level. Of course, the «soft law» phenomenon has actually not been explored to the same extent at the level of domestic law systems, than as it has been in the international law. At the same time, it seems profitable to use the «soft law» concept in relation to those various instruments that have a domestic character, which are not formally part of the official source system of law, but which are important for law-making and law enforcement.
Quality of Life of the Russian Citizens: from Strategy of Development of the Banking Sector to Targeting
Authors: Сотников  , Sotnikov N.
Published: July 2015

In modern conditions of one of cardinal problems of increasing of competitiveness of the Russian economy is the formation of strategic potential of the banking

sector as most important element of financial branch. It is impossible to increase demand for the credits and profitability of banks in short terms against the

worsening economic situation without the competitive monetary policy representing a component of economic policy of the state. The modern monetary

policy in Russia is connected with change of a paradigm of development of the banking sector: from aspiration to expand banking business due to aggressive

marketing technologies to improvement of quality of bank assets. The main strategic objectives of this sector are increasing of welfare of the population and

ensuring the maximum employment. In article the analysis of influence of the tools of a monetary policy used by the Central Bank of Russia on quality of life

of the Russian citizens is given. On the basis of the analysis of statistical data the conclusion is drawn that specifics of the Russian economy, discrepancy of

external and internal conditions and insufficient development of the transmission mechanism cause objective need of transition from targeting of an exchange

rate, inflation to targeting of quality of life of the Russian citizens. Targeting of quality of life has advantages before alternative strategy of a monetary policy.
On Experience of Personnel Creative Initiative Usage in the Process of Management Decision-Making
Authors: Сафонкина  , Safonkina V.
Published: July 2015

The article is devoted to the vital issue of usage of specialists’ creative potential in development of managerial decisions. The example of the innovative solution on creation of standards for carrying out sanitary and epidemiologic examinations implemented by «Center of Hygiene and Epidemiology in Moscow City» is given. Stages of personnel’s innovation capacity management were identified based on provided study of innovative activity of the company. The article shows that creation of environment which encourages adaptability to changes in the company; regular meetings and discussions with principal specialists, comprehensive system for stimulation of personnel’s creative activity are prerequisites for innovation activity. In addition, the article summarizes implementation of innovative solutions, shows its practical significance, both for the company and, ultimately, for sanitary and epidemiological welfare of the population. The introduced experience may be of interest for public institutions regarding improvement of their activity.
Motivational Priorities Analysis of Consumers
Authors: Булгакова  , Bulgakova V.
Published: July 2015

The article discloses logic and accumulates key findings of the research of motivational priorities of first-year students of Biysk technological Institute (branch)

and potential applicants (graduating students of high school of Biysk town). The research was conducted in the autumn 2014. This research shows how much

seriously respondents take higher education and choice of the University and what an important thing of their future university is. Also the research let us

determine if respondents’ motivational profile changes because of parametric characterization such as sex, academic progress, specialisation, etc, and if there

are some differences in motives of getting higher education and choice of the university of potential and real applicants.
Information About Facilitation in Russia
Authors: Судник  , Sudnik Anna
Published: July 2015

This article includes theoretical and practical issues of facilitation defined as increasing the efficiency of the group. The relevance of the chosen topic of article determine by two aspects: 1) the almost complete lack of information on this topic in Russia; 2) a number of emerging organizational procedural issues in a strategic planning, development of the image, discussing a concept of a selected campaign, in a meeting of shareholders and etc. There are «How to take into account the views of all participants?», «How to take these views into acceptable to all participants variant?», «How to create an action plan, adequate for people opportunity who should implement all developments?», «How to not delve into the discussion and never ending negotiation?», «How to avoid violent conflicts during the information exchange?», «How to find the optimal mode for all approvals?». The answer to these questions is possible to find using facilitation technology which is common in the West theory. Namely facilitation development and using facilitation technique in Russia, definition of facilitation, facilitation steps, information about facilitator and his role, methods of facilitation, criteria of facilitation methods and questionnaire for facilitation.
Peer support: increasing participation through clinician engagement
Authors: Wood Eleri
Published: July 2015

Renal patients can often benefit from the support of others who have experienced their condition. In her final article in this series on renal peer support, Eleri Wood discusses ways in which participation can be increased through exploration of a case study of the dedicated service at King's College Hospital.
Supporting staff information: the role of the renal clinical librarian
Authors: James Cathryn
Published: July 2015

This study investigates the role of the renal clinical librarian in an acute renal setting in supporting the information needs of clinical staff by providing a literature searching service, for the benefit of the multidisciplinary team. Cathryn James outlines the study findings.
Stealing the show
Authors: Cruikshank Sarah
Published: July 2015

As we are approaching the 30th anniversary of the 1985 LiveAid concert, Sarah Cruickshank offers advice on helping children to plan, publicise and perform their own fundraising concert.
Sobre a validação de modelos microscópicos de simulação de tráfego
Authors: Silva Paulo C. M. , Tyler Nick
Published: July 2015

Este trabalho discute a adequação dos métodos estatísticos convencionais empregados na validação de modelos microscópicos de simulação de tráfego. Após identificar a incompatibilidade entre as condições de aplicação destes métodos e a natureza das variáveis do tráfego usados nos processos de validação, o trabalho apresenta a adaptação de um teste paramétrico previamente usado, com limitações, no estudo de um modelo de simulação de tráfego ininterrupto em vias de tráfego expresso. A aplicação do teste na validação de um modelo desenvolvido para simular as interações veiculares nas redondezas de paradas de ônibus é então sucintamente descrita e seus resultados são discutidos. O procedimento de validação mostra-se útil e o modelo de simulação é considerado válido. O exercício também revela aspectos do procedimento que precisam ser melhor trabalhados.
Análise das relações entre tempo, custo e distância de algumas viagens aéreas com a metodologia DEA
Authors: De Souza Lima Vitor , Soares de Mello João Carlos Correia Baptista , Angulo Meza Lidia
Published: July 2015

A aviação brasileira sofreu grandes transformações desde a desregulamentação do setor, ocorrida no início do século XXI. Por um lado, a entrada no mercado da companhia aérea Gol Linhas Aéreas Inteligentes, primeira empresa na América Latina a trabalhar sob o conceito low-cost, low-fare e a definição da internet como grande canal de comercialização de bilhetes aéreos, acirrou a concorrência por passageiros. Em contrapartida, os efeitos da Crise Aérea no país, quando se iniciou um período de transtornos provocados por atrasos e cancelamentos de voos; a compra da Varig pela Gol, com o visível duopólio do setor; e, ultimamente, a crise financeira global, trouxeram novos contornos para esse mercado. É nesse cenário de turbulências que se insere esse estudo. Buscou-se identificar, à luz dos conceitos de Análise de Envoltória de Dados, e dentro de uma amostra de voos em rotas de grande demanda no mercado nacional, aqueles que são mais eficientes sob a ótica do consumidor, a partir de uma análise de custos e benefícios fundamentais de uma viagem aérea. Também foi interesse dessa pesquisa, apresentar os principais aspectos que posicionaram esses voos como eficientes dentro da amostra.
O IMPACTO DO CUSTO DE COLETA DO ÓLEO RESIDUAL DE FRITURA DISPERSO EM ÁREAS URBANAS NO CUSTO TOTAL DE PRODUÇÃO DE BIODIESEL – ESTUDO DE CASO
Authors: Guabiroba Ricardo César Da Silva , D'Agosto Márcio De Almeida
Published: July 2015

O uso de biodiesel tem atraído a atenção de muitos países ao redor do mundo por ser um biocombustível renovável, além de ser menos poluente que o óleo diesel de petróleo. Apesar de ser produzido em sua grande maioria a partir de óleos vegetais virgens, o biodiesel pode ser produzido a partir de matérias-primas residuais, como a gordura animal e o óleo residual de fritura. Este último resíduo é encontrado disperso em áreas urbanas e, por essa razão, seu custo de coleta pode ser alto a ponto de tornar inviável a produção de biodiesel. A probabilidade de esse custo ser alto aumenta, quando a operação de coleta é regida de modo desorganizado e sem a existência de planejamento. É o que se observa nas operações de coleta de cooperativas populares que serão tratadas neste estudo.
Análise exploratória da eficiência produtiva dos portos brasileiros
Authors: Silva Francisco Gildemir Ferreira da , Martins Francisco Giusepe Donato , Rocha Carlos Henrique , Araújo Carlos Eduardo Freire
Published: July 2015

Resumo: Este trabalho explorou e comparou a eficiência produtiva dos portos brasileiros em um momento específico e de forma intertemporal, a fim de avaliar se a administração portuária influi na eficiência portuária. Para tanto, utilizou-se da técnica DEA e do índice Malmquist. Propôs-se a adoção do modelo DEA baseado em teste de hipótese para determinação de retornos de escala como inovação metodológica. Os portos analisados apresentaram variâncias temporais na eficiência, sem, contudo, apresentar variações tecnológicas. Recomenda-se prosseguir o estudo com um painel de dados com mais variáveis.

Palavras-chave: portos; análise de eficiência; economia de transportes.

Abstract: This paper explored and compared the productive efficiency of Brazilian ports at a specific time and in an intertemporal manner in order to assess whether the port administration influences port efficiency. This assessment was carried out using DEA and Malmquist index. The use of an hypothesis-test based DEA model for determining returns to scale was proposed as a methodological innovation for this analysis. The ports analyzed presented temporal variance efficiency, but without technological variances. Further research using a data set with more variable is recommended. (Abstract translation by the editorial team)

Keywords: ports; efficiency analysis; transport economy.
Novo método de cálculo das frações de verde para controle semafórico em tempo real
Authors: Kraus Junior Werner , Dietrich José Dolores Vergara , Souza Felipe Augusto De , Camponogara Eduardo
Published: July 2015

Resumo: Apresenta-se um método de cálculo de frações de verde a ser usado em sistemas de controle de tráfego em tempo real por amostragem cíclica. A base do método origina-se da estratégia TUC, brevemente revisada neste trabalho. O objetivo é substituir um procedimento empírico de ajuste de parâmetros auxiliares do controle por uma metodologia que seja facilmente entendida e utilizável na prática. Resultados de simulação indicam o desempenho superior do método quando comparado com os ajustes empíricos do método original.

Palavras-chave: controle semafório em tempo real; amostragem cíclica; método TUC.

Abstract: A new method for the computation of splits for real-time traffic control with cyclic sampling is presented. The method is based on the TUC strategy, which is briefly reviewed in this paper. The goal is to replace an empirical tuning procedure of auxiliary control parameters by a method that is easy to understand and implement. Simulation results indicate the superior performance of the method when compared to the empirical adjustments of the original method.

Keywords: real-time traffic control; cyclic sampling; TUC method.
Seleção de financiamento para aquisição de aeronaves: Uma aplicação do método de análise hierárquica (AHP)
Authors: Granemann Sergio Ronaldo , Gartner Ivan Ricardo
Published: July 2015

A escolha do financiamento para aquisição de aeronaves nas companhias aéreas brasileiras é um problema crucial e complexo. É crucial, pois exerce grande influência na estrutura de capitais da empresa. E é complexo por envolver a analise de uma ampla gama de variáveis quantitativas e qualitativas. Este tipo de problema requer o uso de métodos multicritérios que conjuguem as diferentes variáveis que interagem no processo decisório. Neste estudo foi aplicado o método AHP (Analytic Hierarchy Process) na classificação das alternativas de financiamento disponíveis para a aquisição de aeronaves. Ao final do trabalho, foi realizada uma ampla análise de sensibilidade dos resultados alcançados, visando a determinação da estabilidade do modelo a variações nos julgamentos dos decisores.

ABSTRACT

The choice of the finaancing system for aircraft acquisition for Brazilian airlines companies is a fundamental and complex problem. It is fundamental for Brazilian companies because it affects their capital structure and it is complex because it involves a large number of quantitative and qualitative variables. The solution of this problem requires the use of multicriteria methods that are able to combine variables of distinct nature for supporting the decision making process. In this paper, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) is adopted for rating the £inancing alternatives for aircraft acquisition. In order to veri£y the model stability, a sentitivity analysis was then carried out based on the model results.
Instrumentação da pista circular experimental do IPR/DNER
Authors: Silva Prepredígna D. E. Almeida da , Motta Laura Maria Goretti da
Published: July 2015

Faz-se uma breve abordagem sobre as principais experiências brasileiras em instrumentação de pavimentos no campo. Apresenta-se ainda, a instrumentação da Pista Circular Experimental do IPR/DNER, realizada em 1998 através de convênio firmado entre o DNER e a ABCP, para estudar o recapeamento de pavimentos flexíveis com concreto - whitetopping. Esta instrumentação foi composta de seis extensômetros e duas células de carga embutidos nas camadas do pavimento e os registros das medições destes sensores foram comparados com valores calculados utilizando os programas computacionais: EL5YM5, DIPLOMAT, ILSL2 e KENSLABS, obtendo resultados aproximados nesta comparação, principalmente com os programas EL5YM5 e DIPLOMAT (com aderência).

ABSTRACT

This work consists of a brief summary about the main Brazilian experiences in field pavement instrumentation. It also presents the IPR/DNER Experimental Circular Track, accomplished in 1998 through agreement between DNER and ABCP, to study the overlay of flexible pavements with concrete - whitetopping. This instrumentation was composed of six strain gages and two load cells embedded within the pavement layers. Recorded measurements of these sensors were compared to calculated values using the following computer programs: ELSYM5, DIPLOMAT, ILSL2 and KENSLABS, obtaining approximate results in this comparison, mainly with the programs ELSYM5 and DIPLOMAT (with adherence).
Uma abordagem adaptativa de busca tabu aplicada ao problema de roteamento de veículos
Authors: Pureza Vitória , França Paulo Morelato
Published: July 2015

Neste trabalho descrevemos experimentos com a abordagem adaptativa de busca tabu BTA que sistematicamente perturba elementos tabu selecionados. A natureza, grau e duração de cada perturbação é determinada pela análise de padrões descritos pelas trajetórias de busca mais recentes. O objetivo principal desta abordagem é o de alterar os níveis de restritividade de forma a intensificar a busca em regiões promissoras e de provocar diversificação se as possibilidades de melhoria parecem mínimas. Uma implementação tabu inicialmente aplicada ao Problema do Caixeiro Viajante (PCV) foi estendida ao Problema de Roteamento de Veículos (PRV). São analisados tempo computacional e qualidade de solução entre a implementação adaptativa e a implementação sem estes mecanismos. Os testes envolvem 14 problemas da literatura e as implementações foram sujeitas a níveis de restritividade não controlados e impostos por outros elementos tabu. Comparações de desempenho também incluem outros algoritmos de busca tabu competitivos.
GABPα Binding to Overlapping ETS and CRE DNA Motifs Is Enhanced by CREB1: Custom DNA Microarrays
Authors: He Ximiao , Syed Khund Sayeed , Tillo Desiree , Mann Ishminder , Weirauch Matthew T , Vinson Charles
Published: July 2015

To achieve proper spatiotemporal control of gene expression, transcription factors cooperatively assemble onto specific DNA sequences. The ETS domain protein monomer of GABPα and the B-ZIP domain protein dimer of CREB1 cooperatively bind DNA only when the ETS (C/GCGGAAGT) and CRE (GTGACGTCAC) motifs overlap precisely, producing the ETS↔CRE motif (C/GCGGAAGTGACGTCAC). We designed a Protein Binding Microarray (PBM) with 60-bp DNAs containing four identical sectors, each with 177,440 features that explore the cooperative interactions between GABPα and CREB1 upon binding the ETS↔CRE motif. The DNA sequences include all 15-mers of the form C/GCGGA—–CG—, the ETS↔CRE motif, and all single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), and occurrences in the human and mouse genomes. CREB1 enhanced GABPα binding to the canonical ETS↔CRE motif CCGGAAGT two-fold, and up to 23-fold for several SNPs at the beginning and end of the ETS motif, which is suggestive of two separate and distinct allosteric mechanisms of cooperative binding. We show that the ETS-CRE array data can be used to identify regions likely cooperatively bound by GABPα and CREB1 in vivo, and demonstrate their ability to identify human genetic variants that might inhibit cooperative binding.
Labor-Saving Weed Technologies for Lowland Rice Farmers in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Rodenburg Jonne , Saito Kazuki , Irakiza Runyambo , Makokha Derek W. , Onyuka Enos A. , Senthilkumar Kalimuthu
Published: July 2015

Time requirements, weed control efficacy, and yield effects of three labor-saving weed technologies were tested against hand weeding during three seasons in 2012 and 2013. The technologies included two hand-operated mechanical weeders, the straight-spike and the twisted-spike floating weeder, and the PRE application of oxadiazon. The straight-spike floating weeder reduced weeding time by 32 to 49%, the twisted-spike floating weeder reduced weeding time by 32 to 56%, and the application of herbicide required 88 to 97% less time than hand weeding. Herbicide application provided the best weed control in two of the three seasons. No differences in weed control efficacy were observed between mechanical and hand weeding. Yield differences were only observed in season 3 with higher rice yields after PRE application of oxadiazon compared with other weed management treatments.
Oh, Beautiful Star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum)
Authors: Steckel Lawrence E. , McClure M. Angela
Published: July 2015

The snowdrop and primrose our woodlands adorn, and violets bathe in the wet o' the morn.

—Robert Burns

Take a walk in many no-till fields that will be planted to a crop or stroll across lawns or golfcourse greens in the spring, and it is not hard to spot the small, white flower of the star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum L.). Star-of—Bethlehem is an aggressive weed of lawns, pastures, gardens, and many no-till agriculture fields of the temperate regions of the United States and indeed the world (Hagerman and Young 2004; Johnson and Nice 2015).
The methods of study and interpretation of media texts in the context of teaching Russian as a foreign language
Authors: Tsykunov I.V.
Published: July 2015

The article analyses the practice of teaching Russian as a foreign language on the basis of media materials and offers a model of studying mass media materials, describing basic linguistic and extralinguistic options of media text. Author offers to review every text as organized unity of three levels (context-text-subtext), giving an opportunity to interpret mass media messages and develop linguistic intuition and student’s competence.
Middle age funeral memorials of the Upper Volga in A.A. Spitsyn’s works
Authors: Zhukova E.N.
Published: July 2015

The article gives an analysis of A.A. Spitsyn’s view on the question of the selection of the stages of funeral memories and the process of Slavonic colonization on the territory of the Upper Volga.
The European lead factory—an experiment in collaborative drug discovery
Authors: Laverty Hugh , Orrling Kristina Maria , Giordanetto Fabrizio , Poinot Magali , Ottow Eckhard , Rijnders Ton Wilhelmus , Tzalis Dimitrios , Jaroch Stefan
Published: July 2015

The European Lead Factory (ELF) is a unique collaborative public–private partnership aiming to deliver innovative drug discovery starting points and improving the value generated by ultra-High Throughput Screening (uHTS) approaches. Composed of a unique compound collection derived from private pharmaceutical company collections and complemented with new chemistries from a unique public collection, it offers a unique uHTS platform accessible to both private companies and publicly funded researchers. One of the key challenges in setting up ELF has been to balance access to screening results with protecting the value of compounds in the collection. Through an ‘honest data broker’ data management platform and a royalty reward scheme based on achieved milestones, ELF has been able to overcome these challenges. Set up in 2013, it has already accepted 42 targets for screening, submitted by publicly funded researchers, and generated 12 Qualified Hit Lists. In addition, 55,000 new library compounds have been generated by the public partners and added to the 320,000 compounds made available by the companies. Although it faced many challenges in becoming operational, this unique experiment in collaboration is already generating exciting results that will hopefully, eventually lead to better medicines and tools to advance our biological knowledge, and should act as a template for future approaches in the area.
Mirmecofauna em agroecossistemas e sua função na transição agroecológica.
Authors: Oliveira Daniel Mendes , Franco Fernando Silveira , Schlindwein Marcelo Nivert , Leite Eliana Cardoso , Branco Cícero Santos
Published: July 2015

A diversificação da propriedade agrícola e o uso de sistemas agroflorestais trazem diversos benefícios para o agroecossistema, pela consequente atração de inimigos naturais e redução de insetos herbívoros. As formigas constituem um grupo importante de insetos em agroecossistemas. O objetivo com esse trabalho foi analisar a ocorrência de diferentes guildas de formigas em três estratégias de restauração florestal comparadas com uma floresta em estágio avançado de sucessão em um sistema agrícola. Para este fim foram realizadas coletas mensais de formigas durante os meses de fevereiro a julho de 2013 em uma propriedade agrícola, em diferentes áreas de ambientes florestais e agroflorestais. Observou-se com este experimento que as formigas predadoras ocorrem mais frequentemente em áreas com vegetação em estágio sucessional avançado, e que formigas cortadeiras ocorrem mais frequentemente em ambientes de vegetação em estágio inicial de sucessão.

Ant fauna in agroecosystems and their role in agroecological transition.

ABSTRACT: The diversification of farm and agroforestry systems bring many benefits to the agroecosystem, the consequent attraction of natural enemies and the decrease of herbivorous insects. The ants are a important group of insects in agroecosystems. The aim of this experiment was to analyze the occurrence of different guilds of ants in three forest restoration strategies compared with a forest in an advanced stage of succession in an agroecosystem. For this purpose, ants were collected monthly during the months from February to July of 2013 on a farm, in different areas of forest and agroforestry environments. It was noted in this experiment that the predatory ants occur more frequently in areas with vegetation successional stage advanced, and that the leaf cutting ants occurred more frequently in environments of vegetation in early stages of succession.
José Revueltas: el presente de una ilusión
Authors: Aguilar Rivera José Antonio
Published: July 2015

Este trabajo presenta un análisis del desarrollo intelectual y político de José Revueltas en un intento de valorar adecuadamente la relevancia de su pensamiento y obra. Esta se deja entrever en la obra literaria y política de un comunista heterodoxo que, a pesar de lucubrar con la idea de la violencia como partera de la Historia y defender su función revolucionaria, puso siempre en su actuar político las palabras antes que las armas. Sus estancias en prisión, así como las diferencias con la Unión Soviética y el Partido Comunista Mexicano, influenciaron su formación marxista para dar respuestas distintas a las del resto de sus camaradas a los retos planteados por el fracaso de la Revolución de octubre. La democracia cognoscitiva, en la cual la crítica es parte fundamental, y una teoría de enajenación donde la sociedad capitalista afecta no solo a los trabajadores sino a todas las manifestaciones de la vida humana, son parte del legado de Revueltas. Su vida también es una lección cautelar sobre la entrega religiosa a la acción política.
Investigation of Early Planted Winter Canola as a Dual‐Purpose Crop for Silage and Seed Production
Authors: Neely C. B. , Walsh C. , Davis J. B. , Hunt C. , Brown J.
Published: July 2015

Despite benefits to crop rotations and recent increases in value, the United States produces only a third of the canola (Brassica napus L.) it consumes. To encourage production expansion, an experiment in Moscow, ID, evaluated dual‐purpose winter canola in a biennial system for forage and seed production. Two winter canola cultivars were sown at three planting densities (4.5, 6.7, and 9.0 kg ha−1) over four planting dates (May through September) in 2008, 2009, 2010, and 2011. Vegetative biomass during the first year was harvested and ensiled to determine silage quality. Cultivars performed similarly over all treatments for forage yield and quality. The two highest planting densities yielded more forage, but no seed yield differences were detected. Total dry matter forage yield (DMFY) was greatest for May plantings (5.2 t DM ha−1), while August seeded canola yielded 2.4 t DM ha−1. Baldur produced higher seed yield than Athena by 352 kg ha−1, while planting dates had significant, but inconsistent effects on seed yield compared to the fall‐planted, uncut control, which averaged 2389 kg ha−1. Fiber content of canola silage (canolage) was extremely low while crude protein (CP) remained consistently high. Canolage quality was exceedingly high, however, high silage pH indicated poor ensiling, which likely led to excessive loss of organic material in the silage that increased ash content. Early‐planted winter canola withstood multiple forage harvests without having a large impact on seed yield most years and economics indicate this may be a feasible management practice.