bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Kinematic Control During the Backward Gait and Knee Proprioception: Insights from Lesions of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Authors: Viggiano Davide , Corona Katia , Cerciello Simone , Vasso Michele , Schiavone-Panni Alfredo
Published: July 2014

An already existing large volume of work on kinematics documents a reduction of step length during unusual gaits, such as backward walking. This is mainly explained in terms of modifications of some biomechanical properties. In the present study, we propose that the proprioceptive information from the knee may be involved in this change of motor strategy. Specifically, we show that a non-automated condition such as backward walking can elicit different motor strategies in subjects with reduced proprioceptive feedback after anterior cruciate ligament lesion (ACL). For this purpose, the kinematic parameters during forward and backward walking in subjects with ACL deficit were compared to two control groups: a group with intact ACL and a group with surgically reconstructed ACL. The knee proprioception was tested measuring the threshold for detection of passive knee motion. Subjects were asked to walk on a level treadmill at five different velocities (1-5km/h) in forward and backward direction, thereby calculating the cadence and step length. Results showed that forward walking parameters were largely unaffected in subjects with ACL damage. However, they failed to reduce step length during backward walking, a correction that was normally observed in all control subjects and in subjects with normal proprioceptive feedback after ACL reconstruction. The main result of the present study is that knee proprioception is an important signal used by the brain to reduce step length during the backward gait. This can have a significant impact on clinical evaluation and rehabilitation.
Effects of Strength Training Combined with Specific Plyometric exercises on body composition, vertical jump height and lower limb strength development in elite male handball players: a case study
Authors: Carvalho Alberto , Mourão Paulo , Abade Eduardo
Published: July 2014

The purpose of the present study was to identify the effects of a strength training program combined with specific plyometric exercises on body composition, vertical jump (VJ) height and strength development of lower limbs in elite male handball players. A 12-week program with combined strength and specific plyometric exercises was carried out for 7 weeks. Twelve elite male handball players (age: 21.6 ± 1.73) competing in the Portuguese Major League participated in the study. Besides the anthropometric measurements, several standardized jump tests were applied to assess VJ performance together with the strength development of the lower limbs in an isokinetic setting. No significant changes were found in body circumferences and diameters. Body fat content and fat mass decreased by 16.4 and 15.7% respectively, while lean body mass increased by 2.1%. Despite small significance, there was in fact an increase in squat jump (SJ), counter movement jump (CMJ) and 40 consecutive jumps after the training period (6.1, 3.8 and 6.8%, respectively). After the applied protocol, peak torque increased in lower limb extension and flexion in the majority of the movements assessed at 90°s-1. Consequently, it is possible to conclude that combining general strength-training with plyometric exercises can not only increase lower limb strength and improve VJ performance but also reduce body fat content.
Effects of Match Location, Match Status and Quality of Opposition on Regaining Possession in UEFA Champions League
Authors: Almeida Carlos Humberto , Ferreira António Paulo , Volossovitch Anna
Published: July 2014

The present study aimed to examine the independent and interactive effects of match location, match status, and quality of opposition on regaining possession, analysed by the type and zone of ball recovery, in matches played in the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League. Twenty-eight matches of the knockout phase were evaluated post-event using a computerized notational analysis system. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the effects of the previously mentioned situational variables on ball recovery type and zone. Match status and quality of opposition main effects were observed for both dependent variables, while main effects of match location were only evident for ball recovery zone. Additionally, the interactions Match location * Quality of opposition and Match status * Quality of opposition were significant for both type and zone of ball recovery. Better teams employed more proactive defensive strategies, since, even when winning, they tried to sustain their defensive success on actions that aimed to gain the ball from the opponents. Results emphasized the tendency for home and losing teams to defend in more advanced pitch zones. Better-ranked teams were also more effective than worse-ranked teams in applying defensive pressure in more advanced pitch positions. The findings of the study suggest that the defensive strategies used by better teams imply more intense and organized collective processes in order to recover the ball directly from the opposing team. Furthermore, defending away from own goal and near the opponent's one seems to be associated with success in elite soccer.
The Examination of Different Tests for the Evaluation of the Efficiency of the Eggbeater Kicks
Authors: Stirn Igor , Strmecki Jernej , Strojnik Vojko
Published: July 2014

The eggbeater kick presents an important basic technical skill in water polo. The aim of this study was to examine some different tests in order to recommend the best ones for the evaluation of the eggbeater kick. Twenty eight young male water polo players performed one test (squat jump) on land and ten tests in water: tethered swimming with legs only, using alternating and simultaneous eggbeater kicks, jumps out of water from basic and vertical (arms vertically above the head) position, water start and swimming two meters and swimming horizontally with legs only five meters with a flying start. The differences between tests were checked by executing dependent t-tests, while Pearson"s correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the correlation between different parameters. Results showed that when performing alternate eggbeater kicks greater average forces were produced by the water polo players when compared to consecutive simultaneous eggbeater kicks. However, a short time maximal acceleration of the body in the vertical and horizontal plane was greater when the single simultaneous kick was performed. It was determined that horizontal swimming using legs only and a squat jump were less useful for the evaluation of the eggbeater kick. Therefore, the recommendation was to measure the average force of successive alternating eggbeater kicks, the height of the jump out of the water from the basic position and the water start and swim over a distance of 2 meters.
The Pleiotropic Effects of Atorvastatin on Stable Angina Patients: Evidence by Analysis of High-Density Lipoprotein Size and Subclasses, and Plasma mRNA / Plejotropni Efekti Atorvastatina Kod Pacijenata Sa Stabilnom Anginom: Dokazi Dobijeni Analizom Veličine I Raspodele Subfrakcija Lipoproteina Velike Gustine I Plazmatske mRna
Authors: Mirjanić-Azarić Bosa , Jelić-Ivanović Zorana , Zeljković Aleksandra , Vekić Jelena , Jürgens Günther , Milivojac Tatjana , Avram Sanja , Ćorić Jozo , Marc Janja , Černe Darko
Published: July 2014

Background: High-density lipoproteins (HDL) have atheroprotective biological properties: antioxidative, anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and they have the efflux capacity of cellular cholesterol. Plasma mRNA analysis can be used to investigate statin pleiotropy in vivo as a new analytical tool for non-invasive assessment of gene expression in vascular beds. The aim of this study was to assess the pleiotropic effects of atorvastatin in stable angina patients with highrisk values (group A) as compared with patients who had borderline and desirable HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) values (group B).

Methods: The atorvastatin therapy (20 mg/day) was given to forty-three patients with stable angina for 10 weeks. We investigated three statin pleiotropy-targeted genes: intercellular adhesion molecule-1, chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and cathepsin S and assessed by gel electrophoresis gradient the effects of atorvastatin on HDL size and subclasses.

Results: In group A, after therapy, HDL-C concentration was significantly increased but not in group B. Atorvastatin lowered plasma chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 mRNA levels in both groups, but did not change the plasma cathepsin S mRNA levels. In group A only, baseline total bilirubin showed negative cor relations with the genes of cathepsin S (r=-0.506; p=0.023) and significantly increased after therapy.

Conclusion: HDL-C and bilirubin can be promising therapeutic targets in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Analysis of cell-free mRNA in plasma might become a useful tool for estimating statin pleiotropy
Dormancy breaking and seed germination of the annual weeds Thlaspi arvense, Descurainia sophia and Malcolmia africana (Brassicaceae)
Authors: Karimmojeni Hassan , Taab Alireza , Rashidi Behzad , Bazrafshan Amir Hossein
Published: July 2014

In Iran, Descurainia sophia, Malcolmia africana, and Thlaspi arvense are abundantly found as importunate weeds in winter cereal. Understanding the timing of seed germination under natural conditions is crucial for learning how to manage these annual weeds. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of soil burial, dry storage, cold stratification, KNO3, GA3, and scarification on the seed dormancy and germination of these three species. Species had significantly different responses to the treatment. In D. sophia, seeds buried at a depth of 10 cm for 60 days (55%), and seeds dry stored at 20°C for 180 days (45%) showed the highest level of germination. In M. africana, the germination percentage reached 95% when seeds buried at a depth of 1 cm were soaked in a GA3 concentration of 150 ppm. T. arvense had the lowest level of germination compared to the other species. The highest percentage of T. arvense germination was obtained in seeds treated with 150 ppm GA3. Potassium nitrate partly increased germinability in seeds of M. africana, which initially were less dormant than those of T. arvense and D. sophia.
Reliability and Accuracy of Batak Lite Tests Used for Assessing Coordination Motor Abilities in Wrestlers
Authors: Gierczuk Dariusz , Bujak Zbigniew
Published: July 2014

Introduction
. The aim of this work was to assess selected validity criteria of motor tasks included in Batak Lite. The tasks are used to control coordination motor abilities in athletes of different sports.
Material and methods
. Twenty male Greco-Roman wrestlers from the sports school SMS in Radom were included in the study. They were 17-18 years of age and their training experience was 4-7.5 years long. The validity of motor tasks was determined on the basis of two criteria, i.e. reliability and diagnostic accuracy. To define the reliability of the tests, the research was carried out twice with an interval of 5-7-days (test-retest). Diagnostic accuracy of selected indices was determined with the help of three main criteria. The analysis included 6 motor tasks performed with the use of Batak Lite.
Results
. Tests I, II, IV and V are characterised by reliability coefficients higher than 0.50 and, regardless of the assumed accuracy criterion, by coefficients higher than 0.30. Thus, they meet the validity requirements within the assessed criteria. The highest accuracy coefficients were observed in motor tests assessing quick reaction (r = 0.46-0.63), simple reaction including sensory (r = 0.61-0.78), motor (r = 0.33-0.46) and complex (r = 0.34-0.49) reactions as well as spatio-temporal orientation (r = 0.33-0.49) and movement coupling (r = 0.34-0.49).
Conclusions
. Four Batak Lite tests displayed sufficient reliability and diagnostic accuracy. Therefore, they can be implemented in the training process of wrestlers. The strongest correlation was noted between Batak Lite tests and motor tests that assessed quick reaction, spatio-temporal orientation and movement coupling.
The Current Condition and Possibilities of Development of Festival Tourism in the Lublin Region
Authors: Pioš Katarzyna , Skoczylas Karolina , BrzeziñSka-Wójcik Teresa
Published: July 2014

Introduction
. The number, range, and diversity of events with a character of festivals have been growing in the Lublin Region over the last several years. The events are organised by various entities and institutions. Information about them is largely dispersed. No study has been conducted so far determining the spatial distribution of festivals at the regional scale, and analysing their offer in the context of possibilities of development of festival tourism. Therefore, a study in the scope was undertaken with consideration of the cultural conditionings of some of the events.
Material and methods
. In periods from July to December 2010 and from September to December 2013, secondary information was analysed (statistics, records, and scientific studies), and original material was collected (field inventory, interview, and diagnostic survey) regarding the current condition of festival tourism in the Lublin Region.
Results
. The collected data on festival tourism offers suggest that the number of festivals in the Lublin Region has been continuously increasing from year to year. According to the obtained data, festivals with a duration of 3 and 5 days are dominant. The majority of festivals are held in summer months, usually on weekends. Music and interdisciplinary festivals with international, national, and regional range are prevalent. Some of them already have a history of 47 years. The analysis of the spatial distribution of the festivals subject to the inventory suggests that the majority of them are organised in the largest cities of the region, namely Lublin, Zamośæ, and Kazimierz Dolny.
Conclusions
. Due to the very diverse offer of festivals, and the manner of their promotion, they play an important role in the promotion of the Lublin Region. The offer, spatial distribution, and dynamics in the scope of organisation of festivals provide good perspectives for the development of festival tourism in the Lublin Region.
How do Typological Studies Explain the Semantic Changes of English Complex Prepositions?
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuyuki
Published: July 2014

The purpose of this study is to investigate the semantic changes of English complex prepositions and to argue that they are explained on the basis of two possible mechanisms of semantic change.
Perks, problems, and the people who play: A qualitative exploration of dominant and submissive BDSM roles
Authors: Hébert Ali , Weaver Angela
Published: July 2014

Many bondage-discipline, domination-submission, sadomasochism (BDSM) practitioners identify as primarily dominant or primarily submissive. In the current study, BDSM practitioners with self-identified preferences for dominance or for submission described the traits that they feel make them well suited for their preferred BDSM role, their perceptions of benefits and challenges of BDSM generally, and the benefits and challenges of their preferred role. Semi-structured interviews were completed with 9 dominants and 12 submissives and explored using thematic analysis. Participants described dominants as empathic and nurturing, desiring and able to take control, and attentive and responsible, while submissives were characterized as willing to give up control and having a desire to please. Interviewees described ways in which their BDSM role fit with their overall personality, as well as incongruities between their role in BDSM play and their day-to-day personas. The general benefits of BDSM mentioned by the participants for both roles were pleasure from pleasuring others, physical pleasure and arousal, fun, variety, and going beyond vanilla, personal growth, improved romantic relationships, community, psychological release, freedom from day-to-day roles, and being yourself. Participants also discussed the dominant-specific benefits of control or power, rewards, and confidence, and the submissive-specific benefit of giving up control. In addition to the shared challenges and risks of stigma, relationship problems, and accepting desires reported, dominant-specific issues of more work and responsibility and possessive submissives, and submissive-specific issues of vulnerability, bad dominants, and following orders and accepting decisions were addressed by participants. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Open Access Goals Revisited: How Green and Gold Open Access Are Meeting (or Not) Their Original Goals
Authors: Rizor Sara L. , Holley Robert P.
Published: July 2014

The authors ask how far the open access movement has come in meeting its initial goal of making scholarly research freely available to all potential users immediately upon publication through open digital repositories (green OA) or open access journals (gold OA). In 2002, the Budapest Open Access Initiative named the movement and examined the new opportunities that technology made possible. In 2012, the same group declared partial success: ‘We're solidly in the middle.’ The main challenge has been economic sustainability. The authors argue that gold OA has fared better and has more potential for economic stability than green OA. As commercial publishers have found ways to live with and even profit from open access, the movement has not yet achieved its goal of reducing costs for libraries. The future remains uncertain for OA as the means to meeting its goals need more critical evaluation and revision.
Types and Quality of Physical Therapy Research Publications: Has There Been a Change in the Past Decade?
Authors: Snell Kaitlyn , Hassan Ali , Sutherland Lauren , Chau Leo , Senior Tristan , Janaudis-Ferreira Tania , Brooks Dina
Published: July 2014

Purpose: To describe and compare the type and quality of evidence published in physical therapy (PT) journals during two time periods (2000–2002 vs. 2010–2012) and to explore scientific editors' opinions on changes in the types and quality of articles. Methods: A quantitative, longitudinal, retrospective journal review was used to categorize and assess the methodological rigour of items published in four PT journals using the Hedges Project. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey explored the opinions of scientific editors. Percentages and frequencies of article types (as defined by the Hedges Project criteria), items passing rigour, and editor responses were calculated. Statistical significance of differences in article type and rigour between the two time periods was determined using Fisher's Exact Test. Results: There was a significant increase in original studies and review articles from 2000–2002 to 2010–2012 (p<0.001, p=0.002, respectively). The overall pass rate for rigour was 33.3% in 2000–2002 and 42.5% in 2010–2012, showing a significant increase (p=0.019). The majority of editors reported an increase in systematic reviews, qualitative designs, and randomized controlled trials and believed that quality had improved by 2010–2012. Conclusion: From 2000–2002 to 2010–2012, the quality of articles published in PT journals improved and the proportion of original studies and review articles increased.
Effect of Circadian Rhythms and Driving Duration on Fatigue Level and Driving Performance of Professional Drivers
Authors: Zhang Hui , Yan Xinping , Wu Chaozhong , Qiu Tony Z.
Published: July 2014

Circadian rhythms, inherent in all humans, consist of 24-h biological patterns that affect a person's fatigue level. The effect of circadian rhythms on driving performance was explored in an on-road driving study. Fifteen middle-aged professional daytime drivers were recruited to participate in the experiment. Participants were classified into three groups: (a) a morning group that started driving at 09:00, (b) a noon group that started driving at 12:00, and (c) an evening group that started driving at 21:00. Each group completed a 6-h driving task. The self-reported Karolinska sleepiness scale score was recorded every 5 min, and data on driving performance parameters, such as steering and lane positioning, were also acquired. The results indicated that both circadian rhythms and driving duration had significant effects on self-reported fatigue levels and that the fatigue level increased faster in the evening group than the morning and noon groups. The results of the circadian rhythm analysis showed that a driver was most likely to feel tired between 14:00 and 16:00 and between 02:00 and 04:00, when the ability to stay within designated lane lines (lane maintenance) was significantly impaired for drivers in all three groups. The evening group drivers were the most at risk. The steering performance did not show a significant relationship with the self-reported fatigue level. The self-reported fatigue level is the result of the interactive effect of circadian rhythms and driving duration. The standard deviation of lane position was more correlated with circadian rhythms than with the steering reversal rate.
Event-Based Framework for Noncompliant Driver Behavior at Single-Lane Roundabouts
Authors: Belz Nathan P. , Aultman-Hall Lisa , Gårder Per E. , Lee Brian H. Y.
Published: July 2014

Roundabouts are an emerging form of intersection control in the United States. The nature of roundabouts, requiring drivers to yield at entry, promotes a level of road user responsibility higher than that at inter sections with other types of control. This research addresses current roundabout modeling and analysis methods by focusing on the types of driver behavior that are not gap acceptance–based, do not follow the offside priority rule, are interactive between traffic streams, and have unique effects on roundabout performance. A new framework for describing priority-taking, priority-abstaining, and priority-surrendering behavior at roundabouts is presented; a reduction methodology for the extraction of these types of behavior from video is described. The findings suggest that these noncompliant driver behaviors are, prevalent, may significantly affect roundabout performance, and remain unaccounted for in current modeling approaches. Furthermore, the results indicate that frequency of priority-taking behavior remains constant, whereas priority-abstaining behavior diminishes with time since construction of a roundabout.
Effects of Approach Speed at Rural High-Speed Intersections
Authors: Isebrands Hillary , Hallmark Shauna , Hawkins Neal
Published: July 2014

Speed can increase the risk of injury-producing crashes, especially at intersections where vehicles may be approaching and entering the intersection with high speed differentials. It is known that roundabouts force all drivers to reduce their speed in the intersection; however, speed data in advance of the roundabout approach were not available for roundabouts with high-speed approaches to verify this phenomenon. In this research, a comparative evaluation of the difference in the average approach speeds between rural roundabouts and rural two-way-stop-controlled intersections and between rural roundabouts with and without rumble strips on the intersection approaches was performed. Approach speed data proved that drivers could slow down in advance of roundabouts on rural roadways. The mean speed 100 ft from the yield line of the roundabouts was 2.5 mph lower than the mean speed 100 ft from the stop bar at stop-controlled approaches. Additionally, a comparison of roundabout approaches with and without rumble strips showed mean speeds 4.3 and 3.3 mph lower 100 and 250 ft from the yield line, respectively, for approaches with rumble strips; however, the variation in speeds increased with the introduction of rumble strips.
Walk, Look, Remember: The Influence of the Gallery’s Spatial Layout on Human Memory for an Art Exhibition
Authors: Krukar Jakub
Published: July 2014

The spatial organisation of museums and its influence on the visitor experience has been the subject of numerous studies. Previous research, despite reporting some actual behavioural correlates, rarely had the possibility to investigate the cognitive processes of the art viewers. In the museum context, where spatial layout is one of the most powerful curatorial tools available, attention and memory can be measured as a means of establishing whether or not the gallery fulfils its function as a space for contemplating art. In this exploratory experiment, 32 participants split into two groups explored an experimental, non-public exhibition and completed two unanticipated memory tests afterwards. The results show that some spatial characteristics of an exhibition can inhibit the recall of pictures and shift the focus to perceptual salience of the artworks.
Influence of Chemical Blends on Palm Oil Methyl Esters’ Cold Flow Properties and Fuel Characteristics
Authors: Ali Obed , Yusaf Talal , Mamat Rizalman , Abdullah Nik , Abdullah Abdul
Published: July 2014

Alternative fuels, like biodiesel, are being utilized as a renewable energy source and an effective substitute for the continuously depleting supply of mineral diesel as they have similar combustion characteristics. However, the use of pure biodiesel as a fuel for diesel engines is currently limited due to problems relating to fuel properties and its relatively poor cold flow characteristics. Therefore, the most acceptable option for improving the properties of biodiesel is the use of a fuel additive. In the present study, the properties of palm oil methyl esters with increasing additive content were investigated after addition of ethanol, butanol and diethyl ether. The results revealed varying improvement in acid value, density, viscosity, pour point and cloud point, accompanied by a slight decrease in energy content with an increasing additive ratio. The viscosity reductions at 5% additive were 12%, 7%, 16.5% for ethanol, butanol and diethyl ether, respectively, and the maximum reduction in pour point was 5 °C at 5% diethyl ether blend. Engine test results revealed a noticeable improvement in engine brake power and specific fuel consumption compared to palm oil biodiesel and the best performance was obtained with diethyl ether. All the biodiesel-additive blend samples meet the requirements of ASTM D6751 biodiesel fuel standards for the measured properties.
Submarine Tailings Disposal (STD)—A Review
Authors: Dold Bernhard
Published: July 2014

The mining industry is a fundamental industry involved in the development of modern society, but is also the world’s largest waste producer. This role will be enhanced in the future, because ore grades are generally decreasing, thus leading to increases in the waste/metal production ratio. Mine wastes deposited on-land in so-called tailings dams, impoundments or waste-dumps have several associated environmental issues that need to be addressed (e.g., acid mine drainage formation due to sulphide oxidation, geotechnical stability, among others), and social concerns due to land use during mining. The mining industry recognizes these concerns and is searching for waste management alternatives for the future. One option used in the past was the marine shore or shallow submarine deposition of this waste material in some parts of the world. After the occurrence of some severe environmental pollution, today the deposition in the deep sea (under constant reducing conditions) is seen as a new, more secure option, due to the general thought that sulphide minerals are geochemically stable under the reduced conditions prevailing in the deep marine environment. This review highlights the mineralogical and geochemical issues (e.g., solubility of sulphides in seawater; reductive dissolution of oxide minerals under reducing conditions), which have to be considered when evaluating whether submarine tailings disposal is a suitable alternative for mine waste.
Synthesis of Riboflavines, Quinoxalinones and Benzodiazepines through Chemoselective Flow Based Hydrogenations
Authors: Baumann Marcus , Baxendale Ian , Hornung Christian , Ley Steven , Rojo Maria , Roper Kimberley
Published: July 2014

Robust chemical routes towards valuable bioactive entities such as riboflavines, quinoxalinones and benzodiazepines are described. These make use of modern flow hydrogenation protocols enabling the chemoselective reduction of nitro group containing building blocks in order to rapidly generate the desired amine intermediates in situ. In order to exploit the benefits of continuous processing the individual steps were transformed into a telescoped flow process delivering selected benzodiazepine products on scales of 50 mmol and 120 mmol respectively.
A Novel Fungal Metabolite with Beneficial Properties for Agricultural Applications
Authors: Vinale Francesco , Manganiello Gelsomina , Nigro Marco , Mazzei Pierluigi , Piccolo Alessandro , Pascale Alberto , Ruocco Michelina , Marra Roberta , Lombardi Nadia , Lanzuise Stefania , Varlese Rosaria , Cavallo Pierpaolo , Lorito Matteo , Woo Sheridan
Published: July 2014

Trichoderma are ubiquitous soil fungi that include species widely used as biocontrol agents in agriculture. Many isolates are known to secrete several secondary metabolites with different biological activities towards plants and other microbes. Harzianic acid (HA) is a T. harzianum metabolite able to promote plant growth and strongly bind iron. In this work, we isolated from the culture filtrate of a T. harzianum strain a new metabolite, named isoharzianic acid (iso-HA), a stereoisomer of HA. The structure and absolute configuration of this compound has been determined by spectroscopic methods, including UV-Vis, MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses. In vitro applications of iso-HA inhibited the mycelium radial growth of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Rhizoctonia solani. Moreover, iso HA improved the germination of tomato seeds and induced disease resistance. HPLC-DAD experiments showed that the production of HA and iso HA was affected by the presence of plant tissue in the liquid medium. In particular, tomato tissue elicited the production of HA but negatively modulated the biosynthesis of its analogue iso-HA, suggesting that different forms of the same Trichoderma secondary metabolite have specific roles in the molecular mechanism regulating the Trichoderma plant interaction.
Additives Enhancing the Catalytic Properties of Lipase from Burkholderia cepacia Immobilized on Mixed-Function-Grafted Mesoporous Silica Gel
Authors: Abaházi Emese , Boros Zoltán , Poppe László
Published: July 2014

Effects of various additives on the lipase from Burkholderia cepacia (BcL) immobilized on mixed-function-grafted mesoporous silica gel support by hydrophobic adsorption and covalent attachment were investigated. Catalytic properties of the immobilized biocatalysts were characterized in kinetic resolution of racemic 1-phenylethanol (rac-1a) and 1-(thiophen-2-yl)ethan-1-ol (rac-1b). Screening of more than 40 additives showed significantly enhanced productivity of immobilized BcL with several additives such as PEGs, oleic acid and polyvinyl alcohol. Effects of substrate concentration and temperature between 0–100 °C on kinetic resolution of rac-1a were studied with the best adsorbed BcLs containing PEG 20 k or PVA 18–88 additives in continuous-flow packed-bed reactor. The optimum temperature of lipase activity for BcL co-immobilized with PEG 20k found at around 30 °C determined in the continuous-flow system increased remarkably to around 80 °C for BcL co-immobilized with PVA 18–88.
Improved van Zyl Polarimetric Decomposition Lessening the Overestimation of Volume Scattering Power
Authors: Cheng Xiaoguang , Huang Wenli , Gong Jianya
Published: July 2014

This paper improves van Zyl’s Nonnegative Eigenvalue Decomposition (NNED). Orientation angle compensation and helix scattering are introduced to the decomposition. The volume scattering parameters that explain the most cross-polarized power are selected. If volume scattering and helix scattering explain all cross-polarized power in the measured coherency matrix, then simply perform van Zyl decomposition to the remainder matrix; otherwise, the measured coherency matrix is decomposed into three components, i.e., helix scattering, volume scattering, and one ground scattering. The latter two scattering are all modeled by Neumann’s adaptive depolarizing model, according to which some cross-polarized power is attributed to ground scattering hence the orientation angle randomness of volume scattering and the dominant ground scattering are obtained. In this way, all cross-polarized power could be well explained. Experiments using UAVSAR data showed that more than 99.8% of total pixels are well fitted. Negative power is avoided. Compared with van Zyl decomposition, volume scattering power is reduced by up to 8.73% on average. The given volume scattering power is often lower than that by three latest NNED.
Determination of Urinary Biomarkers for Assessment of Short-Term Human Exposure to Aflatoxins in São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Jager Alessandra , Tonin Fernando , Souto Pollyana , Privatti Rafaela , Oliveira Carlos
Published: July 2014

In the present study, a longitudinal assessment was carried out to evaluate the short-term human exposure to aflatoxins in Pirassununga region, São Paulo, Brazil, by determination of urinary aflatoxins by a liquid chromatography coupled to mass sprectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) method. Sixteen volunteers with ages ranging from 14 to 55 years old were instructed to collect the early morning first urine four times every three months, from June 2011 to March 2012, totaling 64 samples. Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) was found in 39 samples (61%) at levels ranging from 0.19 to 12.7 pg·mg−1 creatinine (mean: 1.2 ± 2.0 pg·mg−1 creatinine). Residues of aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2 and aflatoxicol were not identified in any urine sample. No significant difference was found among the AFM1 mean levels in urine samples collected in the four sampling periods. The levels of AFM1 found in urine samples indicate a low short-term exposure of the population studied to aflatoxins through the diet, although further investigations are needed to assess other long-term biomarkers of exposure to AFB1.
A HYBRID MULTIPLE CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING MODEL FOR INVESTMENT DECISION MAKING
Authors: Hsu Li-Chang
Published: July 2014

Investments are accompanied by risks. How investors choose the right investment tools to assist in the selection of investment targets is a topic worth exploring. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an investment decision-making process to deal with this issue. Firstly, we proposed a globalized modified grey relational analysis to select the representative indicators including the financial indicators and risk measurement indicators. Then we combined financial and risk evaluation indicators, and divided companies into low, moderate and high-risk groups through the grey clustering analysis. Finally, Vlse Kriterijumska Optimizacija Kompromisno Resenje (VIKOR) combined with the grey entropy weighting method was applied to business performance evaluation and sorting of each grouping. In order to verify this study, a combination of 21 financial ratios and four risk indicators was utilized in order to verify the evaluation and decision-making process in the operating performance of 62 listed opto-electronics companies in Taiwan. The results of ranking the operating performance for each group can be made available to company managers as a reference in order to enhance competitiveness and business performance. The results can also be used as the basis for decision-making to aid investors who are facing many investment portfolios.
Anticipating Human Enhancement
Authors: Tunçalp Deniz , Fagan Mary Helen
Published: July 2014

This chapter provides a novel approach for identifying ethical issues on bodyware as new ICT devices are being integrated into human bodies with the help of unconventional interfaces. To establish a primer to the range of potential questions to this phenomenon, the authors provide an ethical analysis taking an agential realist perspective (Barad, 2007) and using anticipatory technology ethics (Brey, 2012). They illustrate their approach with the Student Locator Pilot Project in San Antonio Texas as a case study, where “smart” ID cards with embedded RFID chips have been deployed. To conclude, the authors argue that their approach is well suited to address questions on how augmented bodies and enhanced minds of human beings intra-act with bodyware in everyday social and organizational life.
Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Are Involved in Lysosomal Acid Lipase Deficiency–Induced Endothelial Cell Dysfunctions
Authors: Zhao Ting , Ding Xinchun , Du Hong , Yan Cong
Published: July 2014

The underlying mechanisms that lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) deficiency causes infiltration of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in multiple organs and subsequent inflammation remain incompletely understood. Endothelial cells (ECs), lining the inner layer of blood vessels, constitute barriers regulating leukocytes transmigration to the site of inflammation. Therefore, we hypothesized that ECs are dysfunctional in LAL-deficient (lal−/−) mice. We found that Ly6G+ cells transmigrated more efficiently across lal−/− ECs than wild-type (lal+/+) ECs, which were associated with increased levels of PECAM-1 and MCP-1 in lal−/− ECs. In addition, lal−/− ECs showed enhanced migration and proliferation, decreased apoptosis, but impaired tube formation and angiogenesis. lal−/− ECs also suppressed T cell proliferation in vitro. Interestingly, lal−/− Ly6G+ cells promoted in vivo angiogenesis (including a tumor model), EC tube formation, and proliferation. Finally, the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway was activated in lal−/− ECs, and inhibition of mTOR reversed EC dysfunctions, including decreasing Ly6G+ cell transmigration, delaying migration, and relieving suppression of T cell proliferation, which was mediated by decreasing production of reactive oxygen species. Our results indicate that LAL regulates EC functions through interaction with MDSCs and modulation of the mTOR pathway, which may provide a mechanistic basis for targeting MDSCs or mTOR to rejuvenate EC functions in LAL deficiency–related diseases.
‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) sweet cherry
Authors: Hampson Cheryl , MacDonald Richard , McKenzie Darrell-Lee , Herbert Linda , Pagliocchini Christopher
Published: July 2014

Hampson, C., MacDonald, R., McKenzie, D.-L., Herbert, L. and Pagliocchini, C. 2014. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) sweet cherry. Can. J. Plant Sci. 94: 1555–1558. ‘SPC136’ (Suite Note™) is a new early-season sweet cherry being released for commercial production by the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada sweet cherry breeding program at Summerland, BC, Canada. Harvest timing in Summerland (Jul. 09) is similar to that of ‘Bing’ or ‘Van’ but fruit size is much larger (over 12 g). Fruit firmness, soluble solids content and susceptibility to rain splitting resemble those of other cultivars of similar harvest timing, but stem detachment force is higher. The trees are not self-fertile and bloom late in the cherry blossom season.
Approximate Amenability of Segal Algebras II
Authors: Alaghmandan Mahmood
Published: July 2014

We prove that no proper Segal algebra of a SIN group is approximately amenable.
Investigating the Important Correlates of Maternal Education and Childhood Malaria Infections
Authors: Njau Joseph D. , Stephenson Rob , Menon Manoj P. , Kachur S. Patrick , McFarland Deborah A.
Published: July 2014

The relationship between maternal education and child health has intrigued researchers for decades. This study explored the interaction between maternal education and childhood malaria infection. Cross-sectional survey data from three African countries were used. Descriptive analysis and multivariate logistic regression models were completed in line with identified correlates. Marginal effects and Oaxaca decomposition analysis on maternal education and childhood malaria infection were also estimated. Children with mothers whose education level was beyond primary school were 4.7% less likely to be malaria-positive (P < 0.001). The Oaxaca decomposition analysis exhibited an 8% gap in childhood malaria infection for educated and uneducated mothers. Over 60% of the gap was explained by differences in household wealth (26%), household place of domicile (21%), malaria transmission intensities (14%), and media exposure (12%). All other correlates accounted for only 27%. The full adjusted model showed a robust and significant relationship between maternal education and childhood malaria infection.
Formative Investigation of Acceptability of Typhoid Vaccine During a Typhoid Fever Outbreak in Neno District, Malawi
Authors: Blum Lauren S. , Dentz Holly , Chingoli Felix , Chilima Benson , Warne Thomas , Lee Carla , Hyde Terri , Gindler Jacqueline , Sejvar James , Mintz Eric D.
Published: July 2014

Typhoid fever affects an estimated 22 million people annually and causes 216,000 deaths worldwide. We conducted an investigation in August and September 2010 to examine the acceptability of typhoid vaccine in Neno District, Malawi where a typhoid outbreak was ongoing. We used qualitative methods, including freelisting exercises, key informant and in-depth interviews, and group discussions. Respondents associated illness with exposure to “bad wind,” and transmission was believed to be airborne. Typhoid was considered extremely dangerous because of its rapid spread, the debilitating conditions it produced, the number of related fatalities, and the perception that it was highly contagious. Respondents were skeptical about the effectiveness of water, sanitation, and hygiene (WaSH) interventions. The perceived severity of typhoid and fear of exposure, uncertainty about the effectiveness of WaSH measures, and widespread belief in the efficacy of vaccines in preventing disease resulted in an overwhelming interest in receiving typhoid vaccine during an outbreak.
ACGME Duty Hour Revisions and Self-Reported Intern ICU Sleep Schedules
Authors: Allen-Dicker Joshua , Herzig Shoshana J. , Mukamal Kenneth J. , Tess Anjala
Published: July 2014

Background

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education duty hour standards restrict continuous duty for postgraduate year (PGY)–1 residents to 16 hours.

Objective

We aimed to assess the relationship between a duty hour–compliant schedule and resident sleep.

Methods

To comply with 2011 duty hour limits, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center restructured its intensive care unit call model for internal medicine PGY-1 residents from a traditional shift model to an overlapping shorter-duration shift model with preserved educational periods. Before and after schedule changes, we used daily surveys of PGY-1 residents to collect self-reported data on quantity and quality of sleep and quality of education.

Results

A total of 1162 surveys were sent to 43 interns before scheduling changes, and 1305 were sent to 41 interns after the changes. Response rate was 31.2% (362 of 1161) before and 22.2% (290 of 1305) after. Before changes, 57.7% (209 of 362) reported receiving 6 hours or more of sleep in a 24-hour period compared to 72.4% (210 of 290) after the changes (adjusted relative risk, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.15–1.53), with an adjusted difference of 0.83 hours of sleep per 24 hours (95% CI, 0.28–1.38). After the intervention, on a 5-point Likert scale, residents reported higher quality of sleep (odds ratio [OR], 1.62; 95% CI, 1.01–2.60) and greater satisfaction with their education (OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.40–4.81).

Conclusions

Following conversion to a duty hour–compliant model with preserved didactic time, PGY-1 residents reported minor increases in quantity and quality of sleep per 24-hour period, and increased satisfaction with the educational experience.
Climate change and outbreaks of Southern Pine Beetle in Honduras
Authors: Rivera Rojas Milton , Locatelli B. , Billings R.
Published: July 2014

Pine forests, consisting primarily of Pinus oocarpa and P. caribaea, cover some 2.5 million hectares and are one of the principal natural resources and a significant foundation for development in Honduras. Historically, these forests have been subjected to ecological impacts and economic losses caused principally by wildfires and, to a lesser but no less significant extent, by the southern pine beetle, Dendroctonus frontalis. According to studies conducted in the United States and beliefs of rural Honduran landowners, a relationship exists between the activity of this insect pest and environmental conditions. To explore this relationship, we developed a model relating periodic southern pine beetle outbreaks and environmental conditions in Honduras. We found that increases in mean ambient temperatures in the month of June, reductions in mean monthly precipitation in June and July, and climatic anomalies in warm months that influence the annual frequency of wildfires were 48 correlated with the occurrence and extent of southern pine beetle outbreaks since 1982. With the small amount of information available and lacking previous studies on the causes of bark beetle outbreaks in Central America, this study provides valuable information on the importance of forest management to address southern pine beetle outbreaks and illustrates a general approach that will help to predict the effects of climate change on pine forests of Honduras.
Consumption Practices: A Virtue Ethics Approach
Authors: Garcia-Ruiz Pablo , Rodriguez-Lluesma Carlos
Published: July 2014

Ethical research on consumption has focused mainly on the obligations, principles and values guiding consumers' actions and reasons for action. In doing so, it has concerned itself mostly with such bounded contexts as voluntary simplifiers, anti-consumption movements or so-called ‘ethical consumers,’ thereby fostering an artificial opposition between ethical and non-ethical consumption. This paper proposes virtue ethics as a more apt conceptual framework for the ethical analysis of consumption because it takes into account the developmental dynamic triggered by engagement in consumption practices. We build on MacIntyre's goods-virtues-practices-institutions framework and Beabout's concept of a domain-relative practice and argue that when engaging in consumption activities, agents may pursue goods internal to practices, further their individual life narratives and contribute to the good of their communities, thus developing virtues that perfect themselves both as consumers and as ethical agents.
The Everyday Usage of City-Centre Streets: Urban Behaviour in Provincial Britain ca. 1930–1970
Authors: Faire Lucy , McHugh Denise
Published: July 2014

This article examines the user experience in the city-centre street space, focusing on three main themes: space usage; the behaviour of users and interventions to direct behaviour by urban authorities; and the sensory and emotional experiences of being on the street. The emphasis is on people’s interaction with the city centre and their perceptions of it. These interactions generated multi-dimensional perspectives linked to individual socio-demographic characteristics producing place-specific experiences. The article uses film, photography and testimony to provide insights into street usage and, while acknowledging that the retail function of the city centre was fundamental, argues that this space generated wider experiences beyond the acquisition of goods and services in commercial transactions. The article concludes that the user experience, behaviour and relationship with the city-centre street are as important to understanding urban function as capital investment and city planning.