bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An S6:S18 complex inhibits translation of E. coli rpsF
Authors: Babina Arianne M. , Soo Mark W. , Fu Yang , Meyer Michelle M.
Published: October 2015

More than half of the ribosomal protein operons in Escherichia coli are regulated by structures within the mRNA transcripts that interact with specific ribosomal proteins to inhibit further protein expression. This regulation is accomplished using a variety of mechanisms and the RNA structures responsible for regulation are often not conserved across bacterial phyla. A widely conserved mRNA structure preceding the ribosomal protein operon containing rpsF and rpsR (encoding S6 and S18) was recently identified through comparative genomics. Examples of this RNA from both E. coli and Bacillus subtilis were shown to interact in vitro with an S6:S18 complex. In this work, we demonstrate that in E. coli, this RNA structure regulates gene expression in response to the S6:S18 complex. β-galactosidase activity from a lacZ reporter translationally fused to the 5′ UTR and first nine codons of E. coli rpsF is reduced fourfold by overexpression of a genomic fragment encoding both S6 and S18 but not by overexpression of either protein individually. Mutations to the mRNA structure, as well as to the RNA-binding site of S18 and the S6–S18 interaction surfaces of S6 and S18, are sufficient to derepress β-galactosidase activity, indicating that the S6:S18 complex is the biologically active effector. Measurement of transcript levels shows that although reporter levels do not change upon protein overexpression, levels of the native transcript are reduced fourfold, suggesting that the mRNA regulator prevents translation and this effect is amplified on the native transcript by other mechanisms.
Performance Evaluation of Intellectual Resources Management in Russian Companies
Authors: Пуляева  , Pulyaeva Valentina
Published: October 2015

At the moment intellectual resources of the organization and society have acquired an unprecedentedly high value in the economic environment. That is the level of development of intellectual resources that defi ne the success of the commercial organization in the global competition, when new technologies and knowledge, along with scientifi c and technical progress, determine the competitiveness of products and services. The paper provides the results of calculation of the value of intellectual capital by the method of market capitalization, as well as offi cial data on innovation activities of Russian commercial organizationsand the share of exports of high technology products. The results of the analysis show an insuffi cient level of development of the intellectual resources of the Russian companies and the need to enhance their innovation and research activities, including measures of public support, in times of economic sanctions and searching of import substitution technologies.
Determining social capital by social accounting
Authors: Friedrich Peter
Published: October 2015

Although social capital has been often debated in the last 20 years, there is a widely accepted definition missing and the approaches to measuring its size are not very well-developed. Therefore, the definitions of social capital are stated and analysed, whether they are appropriately designed also for measurement purposes. We end up with a division between capital consisting of real capital as fixed and working capital and financial capital on the one hand, and capitals, which are referring to human capital and social capital in a narrow sense on the other hand. The last two are named here as social capital. The stock of the first kind of capital can be expressed as net capital when the liabilities are deducted is booked to the final social balance, as well as the remainder of the stock accounts. The stock of the second one can be identified as social assets reduced by social liabilities. Non-commercial values of economic activities are gathered in social accounting. With social accounting there are several approaches, however most of them are not developed to such an extent that the social capital can be determined through an adequate ex-post analysis. A welfare economic oriented approach comprising a bookkeeping system helps to determine social capital. Based on the willingness to pay approach a commercial bookkeeping system and an additional social bookkeeping were designed where the respective “private” and additional social capital were verified. Both together show the total social capital related to an economic subject. The result is illustrated by such a social accounting for the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration of the University of Tartu for 2006. The author discusses the limits and possibilities of this kind of social capital determination.
Absorption of EU funds in the context of Polish enterprises competitiveness measured by profitability ratios
Authors: Wildowicz-Giegiel Anna , Wyszkowski Adam
Published: October 2015

Competitiveness at the firm level is a subject of interest not only to managers and policy makers but also academics. An effective functioning under the conditions of new economy requires from the enterprises to develop their core capabilities and talents along with the ability to quickly identify and seize the opportunities generated by market environment. The implementation of such an approach allows the creation and sustain of economic surpluses in the long-run. The paper aims to examine the profitability of enterprises in Poland which is regarded in the context of absorption of EU funds in years 2007–2013. Taking into account that Poland became one of the largest beneficiaries, it is worth analyzing the impact of EU funding on the economic performance of Polish enterprises. The paper offers a critical reflection on the relationship between the absorption of EU funds and Polish enterprises competitiveness on the basis of  the content analysis literature and statistical data derived from the European Commission, the Central Statistical Office and the Ministry of Regional Development. It is assumed simultaneously that the competitiveness of enterprises is expressed in the term of profitability rates. In spite of limitations which relate to the adopted definition of competitiveness and the short period of the conducted analysis concerning the key relationship, the paper contributes to the debate on the significance of EU Funds in the process of building modern and innovative economy.
A Dynamic Spatial Price Equilibrium Model of Integrated Urban Production-Transportation Operations Considering Freight Delivery Tours
Authors: Holguín-Veras José , Xu Ning , Jaller Miguel , Mitchell John
Published: October 2015

This paper introduces a dynamic spatial price equilibrium model that estimates urban freight-related flows for integrated producer-carrier operations that compete in a market where a generic commodity is traded. The model is applicable to cases where suppliers compete in a market by producing a commodity that is delivered to customers by means of delivery tours. The model obtains the patterns of commodity flows, production levels, and delivery tours that maximize economic welfare. The model is then reinterpreted as a Nash equilibrium model, where a set of suppliers deploys strategies involving production and delivery decisions to maximize profits, that is then solved with a heuristic approach that decomposes the interrelated decisions into how much to produce, how best to deliver to customers, and how much to charge for the cargo. Once the suppliers make these decisions, a market-clearing mechanism determines the amount of supplies that the various consumer nodes purchase from the suppliers. At this stage, the suppliers readjust their market strategies in anticipation of the next time period. The process ends when equilibrium is reached. Three different dynamics of the suppliers’ decisions on production levels are tested to gain insight into how efficiently each helps to reach the equilibrium solutions. By developing a model that explicitly considers delivery tours, the paper makes a significant contribution to the fields of spatial price equilibrium and freight demand modeling.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis of Heavy Fuel Oils Using a New Diffusing Support
Authors: Dupuy Nathalie , Brahem Zeineb , Amat Sandrine , Kister Jacky
Published: October 2015

The characterization of heavy fuel oils (HFOs), used as fuel for boats, requires the analysis of various properties that are essential for engine optimization and pollution control. For some time, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with chemometric treatment of the spectra was used for on-line analysis. This preliminary study included 61 heavy fuels from Europe, America, and Asia with different specifications according to their geographical origin; their refining process; and their physicochemical properties, including density, flash point, viscosity, and sulfur content. We have developed a new method for sampling heavy fuels on a fiberglass cell support. This support offers the advantages of speed, easy implementation, repeatable results, and freedom from problems associated with tank cleaning. Two sample presentations, an integrating sphere and an optical fiber, were used to collect the NIR spectra. A theoretical study of the choice of the value of resolution, scan number, and spectral region was conducted. The best conditions were chosen as a function of the quality of quantitative analysis results on viscosity, sulfur content, flash point, and density. The two collecting methods were compared on the same criteria.
Mid-Infrared (MIR) and Near-Infrared (NIR) Detection of Rhizoctonia solani AG 2-2 IIIB on Barley-Based Artificial Inoculum
Authors: Webb Kimberly M. , Calderón Francisco J.
Published: October 2015

The amount of Rhizoctonia solani in the soil and how much must be present to cause disease in sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L.) is relatively unknown. This is mostly because of the usually low inoculum densities found naturally in soil and the low sensitivity of traditional serial dilution assays. We investigated the usefulness of Fourier transform mid-infrared (MIR) and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopic properties in identifying the artificial colonization of barley grains with R. solani AG 2-2 IIIB and in detecting R. solani populations in plant tissues and inoculants. The objectives of this study were to compare the ability of traditional plating assays to NIR and MIR spectroscopies to identify R. solani in different-size fractions of colonized ground barley (used as an artificial inoculum) and to differentiate colonized from non-inoculated barley. We found that NIR and MIR spectroscopies were sensitive in resolving different barley particle sizes, with particles that were <0.25 and 0.25–0.5 mm having different spectral properties than coarser particles. Moreover, we found that barley colonized with R. solani had different MIR spectral properties than the non-inoculated samples for the larger fractions (0.5–1.0, 1.0–2.0, and >2.0 mm) of the ground barley. This colonization was confirmed using traditional plating assays. Comparisons with the spectra from pure fungal cultures and non-inoculated barley suggest that the MIR spectrum of colonized barley is different because of the consumption of C substrates by the fungus rather than because of the presence of fungal bands in the spectra of the colonized samples. We found that MIR was better than NIR spectroscopy in differentiating the colonized from the control samples.
Investigation of the Lag Phase of Collagen Fibrillogenesis Using Fluorescence Anisotropy
Authors: Wu Kun , Li Guoying
Published: October 2015

The lag phase of collagen fibrillogenesis (1.0 mg/mL collagen solution) with an L-glutamine-L-arginine mixture (Glu-Arg) was monitored by the fluorescence anisotropy of tyrosine residues in real time. A suitable concentration of Glu-Arg (40 mmol/L) could control the aggregate ingredients in a collagen solution effectively before fibrillogenesis, and the mechanism was found to be similar to that with the monovalent ions. Fluorescence anisotropy analysis in the lag phase for a 1.0 mg/mL collagen solution confirmed the formation of collagen nuclei in multiple steps during the lag phase when the initial state of the collagen molecules was monomeric. A comparison of the fibrillogenesis lag phase for collagen solutions of 0.25, 0.50, and 1.0 mg/mL with 40 mmol/L Glu-Arg suggested that the length of the lag phase is inversely proportional to the increase in collagen concentration. Atomic force microscopy was used to investigate the effect of collagen aggregates on the fiber size. Based on the fluorescence anisotropy and atomic force microscopy results, it was proposed that an equilibrium exists between collagen aggregates and monomers accompanied by a nucleation of collagen monomers. A kinetic analysis for 0.25 and 1.0 mg/mL collagen with 40 mmol/L Glu-Arg at 18–38 °C indicated that collagen nucleation in the lag phase was favored by increasing temperature, and a corresponding activation energy of 76 and 97 kj/mol was obtained for a collagen fibrillogenesis lag phase of 0.25 and 1.0 mg/mL, respectively.
Development of a Photoinduced Chemiluminescent Method for the Determination of the Herbicide Quinmerac in Water
Authors: Catalá-Icardo Mónica , López-Paz José Luis , Blázquez-Pérez Juncal
Published: October 2015

A new, simple, and sensitive method, based on photoinduced chemiluminescence, was developed for the determination of quinmerac. The photoproduct, obtained after ultraviolet irradiation in basic medium, was mixed with sodium sulfite (sensitizer), and Ce(IV) (oxidant) in acid medium. A wide linear dynamic range (2–600 ng mL−1) and a limit of detection of 0.6 ng mL−1 were obtained without any pretreatment (0.08 ng mL−1 after solid-phase extraction). The determination was performed using a flow-injection manifold, which allowed a high throughput (144 h−1). The interday reproducibility was 5.6% ( n = 5), and the intraday repeatability was 3.9 and 2.9% for 20 and 200 ng mL−1 of quinmerac, respectively ( n = 21). Finally, the method was applied to surface water and groundwater, with recoveries ranging from 78.1 to 94.5%.
Methyl Radical Imaging in Methane–Air Flames Using Laser Photofragmentation-Induced Fluorescence
Authors: Li Bo , Li Xiaofeng , Yao Mingfa , Li Zhongshan
Published: October 2015

Imaging detection of methyl radicals has been performed in laminar premixed methane–air flames at atmospheric pressure. A nanosecond Q-switched neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser was employed to provide the fifth-harmonic-generated 212.8 nm laser beam. The intense ultraviolet (UV) laser pulse was sent through the flame front to photodissociate the methyl (CH3) radicals in the reaction zone of the flames stabilized on a piloted jet flame burner. The emission spectra from the photodissociated fragments were collected using an imaging spectrometer with the flame-front structure spatially resolved. Combining the spatial and spectral information, we recognized that the emission from the ( A-X) methine (CH) transitions located at 431 nm was generated from the CH3 photolysis and could be used to visualize the distribution of CH3 radicals. With proper filtering, the high-power UV laser (around 15 mJ/pulse) provided by the compact Nd:YAG laser makes it possible to visualize CH3 distribution naturally generated in the reaction zone of laminar methane–air premixed flames.
Deciphering hepatocellular responses to metabolic and oncogenic stress
Authors: L. Marcelo Kathrina , Lin Fumin , Rajapakshe Kimal , Dean Adam , Gonzales Naomi , Coarfa Cristian , R. Means Anthony , C. Goldie Lauren , York Brian
Published: October 2015

Each cell type responds uniquely to stress and fractionally contributes to global and tissue-specific stress responses. Hepatocytes, liver macrophages (MΦ), and sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) play functionally important and interdependent roles in adaptive processes such as obesity and tumor growth. Although these cell types demonstrate significant phenotypic and functional heterogeneity, their distinctions enabling disease-specific responses remain understudied. We developed a strategy for the simultaneous isolation and quantification of these liver cell types based on antigenic cell surface marker expression. To demonstrate the utility and applicability of this technique, we quantified liver cell-specific responses to high-fat diet (HFD) or diethylnitrosamine (DEN), a liver-specific carcinogen, and found that while there was only a marginal increase in hepatocyte number, MΦ and SEC populations were quantitatively increased. Global gene expression profiling of hepatocytes, MΦ and SEC identified characteristic gene signatures that define each cell type in their distinct physiological or pathological states. Integration of hepatic gene signatures with available human obesity and liver cancer microarray data provides further insight into the cell-specific responses to metabolic or oncogenic stress. Our data reveal unique gene expression patterns that serve as molecular “fingerprints” for the cell-centric responses to pathologic stimuli in the distinct microenvironment of the liver. The technical advance highlighted in this study provides an essential resource for assessing hepatic cell-specific contributions to metabolic and oncogenic stress, information that could unveil previously unappreciated molecular mechanisms for the cellular crosstalk that underlies the continuum from metabolic disruption to obesity and ultimately hepatic cancer.
Espiritualidades mayas en los juegos de pelota de antebrazo y cadera en el siglo XXI. Pok-Ta-Pok en México; Chaaj y Chajchaay en Guatemala
Authors: Panqueba Cifuentes Jairzinho Francisco
Published: October 2015

La práctica actual de los juegos de pelota mesoamericana ha venido reforzando la movilización de los conocimientos sobre las espiritualidades mayas. Las ceremonias son un componente central durante los juegos de pelota en su modalidad de antebrazo: Chaaj en Guatemala; y en su modalidad de cadera: Pok-Ta-Pok en México y Chajchaay en Guatemala. Estos patrimonios corporales ancestrales están circulando como opción deportiva-competitiva, pero también en un formato de exhibición para públicos diversos. Para cada evento, incluso para realizar las jornadas de entrenamiento, los grupos cuentan con la presencia de un ajq’ij (guía espiritual o sacerdote) que realiza un acto ritual antes, durante y después. Estos momentos evocan los altares, los conteos de los nahuales y los materiales propios de las ofrendas en el fuego ceremonial. Con el fin de comprender la dimensión sagrada de los juegos de pelota mesoamericana en la actualidad, es importante remitirnos a los momentos en que son escenario de las espiritualidades que comunican, expanden y re-crean un nuevo hito para los pueblos originarios, desde donde interpelan la educación, las artes, los deportes y las ideologías tradicionalmente endilgadas desde los Estados nacionales.
Synthesis of Fe–Ni–Ce trimetallic catalyst nanoparticles via impregnation and co-precipitation and their application to dye degradation
Authors: Allaedini Ghazaleh , Tasirin Siti M. , Aminayi Payam
Published: October 2015

In this study, trimetallic catalysts were prepared via the co-precipitation and impregnation methods. In order to investigate the effect of impregnation on the catalytic activity and crystallite size, a trimetallic catalyst, Fe–Ni–Ce, was prepared through the co-precipitation method in one set of experiments, and cerium was impregnated with the Ni–Fe mixture in the final stage of the preparation in another set. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to confirm the formation of trimetallic catalysts and the success of the impregnation method. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller nitrogen adsorption isotherm exhibits a high specific surface area (approximately 39 m
How taste works: cells, receptors and gustatory perception
Authors: Kikut-Ligaj Dariusz , Trzcielińska-Lorych Joanna
Published: October 2015

The sensitivity of taste in mammals varies due to quantitative and qualitative differences in the structure of the taste perception organs. Gustatory perception is made possible by the peripheral chemosensory organs, i.e., the taste buds, which are distributed in the epithelium of the taste papillae of the palate, tongue, epiglottis, throat and larynx. Each taste bud consists of a community of ~100 cells that process and integrate taste information with metabolic needs. Mammalian taste buds are contained in circumvallate, fungiform and foliate papillae and react to sweet, salty, sour, bitter and umami stimuli. The sensitivity of the taste buds for individual taste stimuli varies extensively and depends on the type of papillae and the part of the oral cavity in which they are located. There are at least three different cell types found in mammalian taste buds: type I cells, receptor (type II) cells and presynaptic (type III) cells. This review focuses on the biophysiological mechanisms of action of the various taste stimuli in humans. Currently, the best-characterized proteins are the receptors (GPCR). In addition, the activation of bitter, sweet and umami tastes are relatively well known, but the activation of salty and sour tastes has yet to be clearly explained.
High-power pump combiners for Tm-doped fibre lasers
Authors: Stachowiak D. , Kaczmarek P. , Abramski K.M.
Published: October 2015

In this paper our results of investigation on a pump power combiner in a configuration of 7×1 are presented. The performed combiner, with pump power of 80–85% transmission level, was successfully applied in a thulium doped fibre laser. The performed all-fibre laser setup reached a total CW output power of 6.42 W, achieving the efficiency on a 32.1% level.
Thinned fibre Bragg grating as a fuel adulteration sensor: simulation and experimental study
Authors: Agarwal S. , Prajapati Y.K. , Mishra V.
Published: October 2015

This paper presents the implementation of a thinned fibre Bragg grating as a fuel adulteration sensor for volatile organic compounds. The proposed sensor can detect upto 10% adulteration of benzene, toluene and xylene: hydrocarbons precisely, whereas traditional methods can detect only upto 20% adulteration. The results obtained from the experiments are verified using Finite Difference Time Domain method. It is found that experimental results have very less deviation from simulation results. The proposed sensor provides us with the new possibility that may have commercial application, as well.
Synthesis and characterization of YAG:Ce phosphors for white LEDs
Authors: Tucureanu V. , Matei A. , Avram A.M.
Published: October 2015

Worldwide commercial interest in the production of cerium doped yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG:Ce) phosphors is reflected in the widespread use of white light emitting devices. Despite of the fact that YAG:Ce is considered a “cool phosphor” it is the most important in white LED technology. This article reviews the developed techniques for producing phosphors with superior photoluminescence efficiency, including solid-state reaction, sol-gel and (co)precipitation methods. Also, by co-doping with rare earth elements, a red/blue shift is reached in the spectrum. The characteristics of YAG:Ce phosphors are investigated because the properties of the phosphors are strongly influenced by the synthesis routes and the sintering temperature treatment. After the phase analysis, morphology and emission studies of the phosphors there may be seen the conditions when the transition from the amorphous phase to the crystalline phase appears, when luminescent properties are influenced by the crystalline form, purity, average size of the particles, co-doping and so on.
Design and performance analysis of InP/InGaAsP-MMI based 1310/1550-nm wavelength division demultiplexer with tapered waveguide geometry
Authors: Chack D. , Kumar V. , Raghuwanshi S.K
Published: October 2015

The design and performance analysis of a 1310/1550-nm wavelength division demultiplexer with tapered geometry based on InP/InGaAsP multimode interference (MMI) coupler has been carried out. Wavelength response of demultiplexer of conventional MMI and tapered input and tapered output (tapered I/O) waveguides geometry of the MMI have been discussed. The demultiplexing function has been first performed by choosing a suitable refractive index of the guiding region and geometrical parameters such as the width and length of MMI structure have been achieved. Access width of tapered I/O waveguides have been adjusted to give a low insertion loss (IL) and high extinction ratio (ER) for the considered wavelengths of 1310 nm and 1550 nm. The total size of the demultiplexer has been significantly reduced over the existing MMI devices. Numerical simulations with finite difference beam propagation method are applied to design and optimize the operation of the proposed demultiplexer.
Recursions for the flag-excedance number in colored permutations groups
Authors: Bagno Eli , Garber David , Mansour Toufik , Shwartz Robert
Published: October 2015

The excedance number for Sn is known to have an Eulerian distribution. Nevertheless, the classical proof uses descents rather than excedances. We present a direct proof based on a recursion which uses only excedances and extend it to the flag-excedance parameter defined on the group of colored permutations Gr,n = ℤr ≀ Sn. We have also computed the distribution of a variant of the flag-excedance number, and show that its enumeration uses the Stirling number of the second kind. Moreover, we show that the generating function of the flag-excedance number defined on ℤr ≀ Sn is symmetric, and its variant is log-concave on ℤr ≀ Sn..
A recursive structure of sand pile model and its applications
Authors: Liafa Wenjie Fang , Liafa Roberto Mantaci
Published: October 2015

The Sand Pile Model (SPM) and its generalization, the Ice Pile Model (IPM), originate from physics and have various applications in the description of the evolution of granular systems. In this article, we deal with the enumeration and the exhaustive generation of the accessible configuration of the system. Our work is based on a new recursive decomposition theorem for SPM configurations using the notion of staircase bases. Based on this theorem, we provide a recursive formula for the enumeration of SPM(n) and a constant amortized time (CAT) algorithm for the generation of all SPM(n) configurations. The extension of the same approach to the Ice Pile Model is also discussed.
Noninvasive Markers of Improvement of Liver Steatosis Achieved by Weight Reduction in Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
Authors: Copaci Ionel , Lupescu Ioana , Caceaune Elena , Chiriac Grethi , Ismail G.
Published: October 2015

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is strongly associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, which are linked to obesity. The aim of the study was to assess if weight reduction through 12 months of lifestyle intervention and exercise would lead to improvement of steatosis.

Methods. In a prospective observational study 86 overweight subjects (51 men, 35 women) with steatosis were recruited, after excluding other etiologies. Patients were assigned a caloric goal and a daily fat goal. Physical activity focused on moderate-intensity activities. Blood samples (biochemistry, HOMA-IR, cytokine levels, steatotest) were collected at entry and months 6 and 12. All subjects underwent abdominal CT scan before commencement and after 12 months to assess visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue (VAT/SAT) area.

Results. After 12 months baseline descriptive characteristics (weight, BMI, waist circumference) decreased significantly. Biochemical parameters that decreased significantly were: GGT (40.0 ± 18.0 vs 31.1 ± 13; p = 0.01), ALT (58.5 ± 23.5 vs 32,7 ± 14.8; p = 0.001), cholesterol (236.4 ± 54.8 vs 204.8 ± 91; p = 0.05), LDL (160.1 ± 47.4 vs 125.3 ± 40; p = 0.05) and HOMA-R (4.86 ± 0.63 vs 3 ± 0.41; p = 0.018). Steatotest improved significantly (0.68 ± 0.16 vs 0.38 ± 0.14; p = 0.02). Modification of adipocytokines was significant for leptin (p = 0.018) and adiponectin (p = 0.003). Factors associated with regression of steatosis were weight, BMI, ALT, waist circumference, GGT, HOMA, leptin, VAT and steatotest. Multivariate logistic regression showed the following factors related to improved steatosis: BMI < 25 kg/m2, ALT < 42 U/L, leptin < 10.5 ng/ml and adiponectin > 8.4 μg/ml.

Conclusions. Overweight persons who achieve significant reductions in body weight through 12 months of physical activity and low caloric diet can decrease liver fat, VAT and SAT. Even in those with minimal weight loss ALT levels, steatosis, adipokines and cardiovascular risk factors improved.
Symmetric Hadamard matrices of order 116
and 172 exist
Authors: Di Matteo Olivia , Ðoković Dragomir Ž. , Kotsireas Ilias S.
Published: October 2015

We construct new symmetric Hadamard matrices of orders 92, 116, and 172. While the existence
of those of order 92 was known since 1978, the orders 116 and 172 are new. Our construction is based on
a recent new combinatorial array (GP array) discovered by N. A. Balonin and J. Seberry. For order 116 we
used an adaptation of an algorithm for parallel collision search. The adaptation pertains to the modification
of some aspects of the algorithm to make it suitable to solve a 3-way matching problem. We also point out
that a new infinite series of symmetric Hadamard matrices arises by plugging into the GP array the matrices
constructed by Xia, Xia, Seberry, and Wu in 2005.
Condition‐specific genetic interaction maps reveal crosstalk between the cAMP/PKA and the HOG MAPK pathways in the activation of the general stress response
Authors: Gutin Jenia , Sadeh Amit , Rahat Ayelet , Aharoni Amir , Friedman Nir
Published: October 2015

Cells must quickly respond and efficiently adapt to environmental changes. The yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae has multiple pathways that respond to specific environmental insults, as well as a generic stress response program. The later is regulated by two transcription factors, Msn2 and Msn4, that integrate information from upstream pathways to produce fast, tunable, and robust response to different environmental changes. To understand this integration, we employed a systematic approach to genetically dissect the contribution of various cellular pathways to Msn2/4 regulation under a range of stress and growth conditions. We established a high‐throughput liquid handling and automated flow cytometry system and measured GFP levels in 68 single‐knockout and 1,566 double‐knockout strains that carry an HSP12‐GFP allele as a reporter for Msn2/4 activity. Based on the expression of this Msn2/4 reporter in five different conditions, we identified numerous genetic and epistatic interactions between different components in the network upstream to Msn2/4. Our analysis gains new insights into the functional specialization of the RAS paralogs in the repression of stress response and identifies a three‐way crosstalk between the Mediator complex, the HOG MAPK pathway, and the cAMP/PKA pathway.
Hysteresis of targeting civilians in armed conflicts
Authors: Lee Uih Ran
Published: October 2015

This article explores warring groups’ intentional targeting behavior against civilians, a strictly prohibited war strategy by international norms. Using dynamic panel regressions run on a comprehensive dataset of contemporary warfare, which covers 22 years (1989-2010), I find that warring actors involved in prolonged armed (15-22 years) conflict target civilians more often than those involved in shorter-duration warfare. Also, for warring groups engaged in prolonged armed conflict, lethal behavior against civilians tends to be intensified if targeting is repeated over time, although this hysteresis effect appears to persist only for one year. It is hypothesized that the mounting war cost of prolonged conflict inclines warring groups toward the presumably cheaper targeting of noncombatant civilians rather than battling combatant military or other armed personnel. [JEL code: F51]
The social evolution of genocide across time and geographic space: Perspectives from evolutionary game theory
Authors: Anderton Charles H.
Published: October 2015

A standard evolutionary game theory model is used to reveal the interpersonal and geographic characteristics of a population that make it vulnerable to accepting the genocidal aims of political leaders. Under conditions identified in the space-less version of the model, genocide architects can engineer the social metamorphosis of a peaceful people-group into one that supports, or does not resist, the architects’ atrocity goals. The model reveals policy interventions that prevent the social evolution of genocide among the population. The model is then extended into geographic space by analyzing interactions among peaceful and aggressive phenotypes in a Moore neighborhood. Key concepts of the analyses are applied to the onset and spread of genocide during the Holocaust (1938-1945) and to the prevention of genocide in Côte d'Ivoire (2011). [JEL codes: C73, D74]
Honing the proper edge: CERP and the two-sided potential of military-led development in Afghanistan
Authors: Adams Greg
Published: October 2015

Using a newer and expanded dataset as well as a survey of practitioner perceptions, this article adds to a recent body of literature on reconstruction and violence in Afghanistan. Data are taken from military-led development projects by way of the United States military’s Commander’s Emergency Response Program (CERP) and, to measure violence, from U.S. military Significant Activity reports. The results suggest that, at great cost, large-budget CERP efforts (those in excess of USD50,000 per project) are associated with an increase in violence and thus counter-productive to military stability goals. In contrast, small projects (below USD50,000), which comprise a smaller proportion of total CERP allocations, are associated in statistically significant ways with reductions in violence. To explore why CERP projects may have these effects, the article also examines administrative modalities for CERP spending. The results suggest that timely, flexible expenditure of CERP funds are most effective at reducing violence. [JEL codes: D74, O53]
Indisciplina Instruccional y Convencional: Su Predicción en el Rendimiento Académico
Authors: Gotzens Busquets Concepción , Cladellas Pros Ramón , Clariana Muntada Mercè , Badia Martín Mar
Published: October 2015

El objetivo de esta investigación fue analizar la posible incidencia que tienen los comportamientos disruptivos (instruccional y convencional) en el aula sobre el rendimiento académico. Respecto al método, la muestra se configuró con un total de 391 participantes y se utilizó la escala IG de indisciplina, la cual discrimina tipos de comportamientos disruptivos en el aula. Los resultados y conclusiones muestran congruencia con la existencia de dos factores diferenciados que explican la indisciplina escolar, y que se han denominado indisciplina instruccional e indisciplina convencional. Además, se ha confirmado que los comportamientos característicos de la indisciplina instruccional se correlacionan negativa y significativamente con el rendimiento académico.
Teoría del Cambio Subjetivo: Aportes desde un Estudio Cualitativo con Profesores
Authors: Castro Pablo J. , Krause Mariane , Frisancho Susana
Published: October 2015

Se reportan los hallazgos de una investigación que reconstruye la teoría subjetiva de un grupo de docentes participantes de un diplomado de educación en valores acerca de su propio proceso de cambio. A una muestra de 12 profesores chilenos se le realizaron 35 entrevistas y se analizaron algunos documentos personales. La información se procesó mediante análisis cualitativo descriptivo y relacional, y fue codificada utilizando el programa ATLAS.ti. Los resultados indicaron que los participantes distinguen factores externos y propios como causas de sus cambios, diferencian entre vida personal y trabajo con incipientes explicaciones al integrar ambas dimensiones, y reconocen la importancia del cambio personal en el cambio profesional.
Hazards for women and children in rural settings
Authors: Molineri Ana Inés , Signorini Porchietto Marcelo Lisandro , Tarabla Héctor Dante
Published: October 2015

Objectives a) To identify possible risk factors associated with rural accidents in women, b) to describe women’s knowledge about zoonosis, c) to describe women’s risk perception about farming, d) to describe mother´s risk perception about children’s activities in rural settings, e) to estimate the initial age of exposure to the rural setting and its dangers, and f) to identify possible risk factors associated with rural accidents in children.

Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional design. Women with children that live in the countryside were surveyed (n=24). Structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses: χ2, Student’s t-test, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and logistic regression.

Results Many women had suffered an accident in the countryside (65.6 %). Farm worker usually did not use personal protective equipment (PPE). Hearing protection, gloves, and safety goggles were rarely used. Working women showed a high risk perception for urban driving, the handling of agrochemicals, and driving on main roads (85.7 %, 70 % and 66.7 %). There was no significant association between risk perception and PPE use. Most mothers (87.5 %) thought that was good for children to learn how to perform farm chores starting at a young age. Children started to drive a tractors at 9 years of age; 12.23 years on average. More than 7 % of the children (7.14 %) have suffered an accident on the farm. The most frequent accidents were being trapped in machinery (60 %). No association was found between the independent variables and the dependent variable;  farm-related accidents in children (p>0.2).

Conclusions Risk communication is necessary to inform people involved and to reduce exposure.
Efficacy of the prescription of physical activity in the obese child population
Authors: Hernandez Alvarez Edgar Debray , Valero Bernal Maria Victoria , Mancera Soto Erica Mabel
Published: October 2015

Objective To determine the effectiveness of prescribing physical activity to the population of overweight and obese children, in accordance with the levels of evidence.

Methods To find literature pertaining to the intervention of physical activity in overweight and obese children. four electronic databases were used: Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and Lilacs. The search was conducted with a cut-off date of June 2012. Randomized controlled clinical trials of intervention programs involving physical activity for both overweight and obese children were selected. Two independent researchers reviewed and evaluated the quality of the studies, and extracted intervention and result data.

Results A total of 204 studies were identified. 19 randomized controlled studies which complied with inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. These studies evaluated the impact of physical activity among obese children and compared different types of intervention based on exercise and diet or both with the objective of reducing weight in obese children.

Conclusions It is necessary to conduct studies on obese children with bigger sample sizes to determine the effects of the treatment, and more importantly, to devise comprehensive programs that include a structured exercise program complemented by a dietary program. Likewise, the development of public health policies that allow for the development of national programs for weight and obesity control in Colombian children and adults should be developed, taking into account that the causes of obesity are multiple, including social, familiar, metabolic, and dietary aspects.
Susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de aislamientos de Salmonella entérica obtenidos del pre-beneficio y de porcinos en Colombia
Authors: Pulecio-Santos Sandy , Bermúdez-Duarte Paula , Suárez Alfonso Martha Cecilia
Published: October 2015

Objetivo Determinar la susceptibilidad antimicrobiana de aislamientos de Salmonella enterica obtenidos durante la etapa de prebeneficio y de animales.

Método Se realizaron pruebas de susceptibilidad antimicrobiana con el método de difusión en agar a 333 aislamientos de Salmonella enterica obtenidos del prebeneficio de camiones de transporte y de corrales. Se obtuvieron heces en camión, heces en corral, nódulos linfáticos mesentéricos y contenido cecal. Los especímenes fueron obtenidos en cuatro plantas de beneficio porcino.

Resultados El 99,6 % (n=332) de las aislamientos mostró resistencia frente al menos un antimicrobiano. Se encontraron los siguientes porcentajes de resistencia: amoxacilina-ácido clavulánico 15,9 % (n=53), ampicilina 33,9 % (n=113), ceftiofur 41,4 % (n=138), ciprofloxacina 9 % (n=30), cloranfenicol 19,2 % (n=64), florfenicol 33 % (n=110), gentamicina 22,8 % (n=76), sulfametoxazol-trimetroprim 24,9 % (n=83), tetraciclina 93,1 % (n=310) y tilmicosina 73,8 % (n=246).

Conclusiones Los resultados muestran que es indispensable reforzar las medidas de contención para prevenir el desarrollo de resistencias antimicrobianas y fortaleciendo la capacitación de operarios, trabajadores y médicos veterinarios en la producción primaria durante el procesamiento del producto, durante la distribución y venta hasta el consumidor, garantizando un alimento inocuo.
Tuberculosis y tuberculosis farmacorresistente en personas privadas de la libertad. Colombia, 2010-2012
Authors: Gomez Ingrid Tatiana , Llerena Claudia R. , Zabaleta Angie P.
Published: October 2015

Objetivo Caracterizar los casos de tuberculosis farmacorresistente mediante pruebas de susceptibilidad a los fármacos antituberculosos en personas privadas de la libertad en Colombia.

Materiales y Métodos Se realizó un análisis descriptivo retrospectivo de los casos de tuberculosis en personas privadas de la libertad  procesados por el Laboratorio Nacional de Referencia, evaluando las variables de; sexo, edad, procedencia, coinfección TB/VIH y presencia de farmacorresistencia.

Resultados Se realizaron pruebas de susceptibilidad a fármacos antituberculosos a un total de 72 pacientes privados de la libertad. El estudio mostro una distribución de 90,7 % en población masculina y 9,3 % femenina, el 12 % del total de casos presento infección concomitante TB/VIH, el 94 % de los pacientes evaluados no habían tomado tratamiento antituberculoso previo, seis casos presentaron farmacorresistencia que corresponde al 8,8 % y dos casos presentaron tuberculosis multirresistente con un 1,3 %. De los casos farmacorresistentes el 83,3 % presento coinfección con VIH.

Los casos antes tratados comprenden el 5,6 % del total evaluado, y se observó el caso con coinfeccion TB/VIH con resistencia a rifampicina correspondiente al 1,3 %.

Conclusión El país debe definir una política clara en el tema de tuberculosis en personas privadas de la libertad debido a que se presenta una alta tasa de la enfermedad y se evidencia que la resistencia a los fármacos antituberculosos se asocia a coinfección TB/VIH, que en las condiciones de hacinamiento y poca calidad de vida de estos lugares se pueden convertir en un grave problema de salud pública.
Composite Nanocrystalline/Amorphous Thin Films for Particle Detector Applications
Authors: Razieli Zvie , Rusack Roger , Kakalios James
Published: October 2015

Thin films of amorphous silicon with nanocrystalline silicon inclusions are fabricated using a dual plasma PECVD co-deposition system. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction confirmed the crystallinity of the embedded nanocrystals as well as their diameter, which is varied from 4.3 nm to 17.5 nm. The dark conductivity of the films is highly dependent on the crystal fraction, with a maximum room temperature conductivity found for a crystal concentration of 5.5%, well below the percolation threshold. Proton irradiation at energies of 217 MeV with a total fluence of 5 x1012 protons/cm2 caused no significant radiation damage. The enhancement of the conductivity, along with the absence of radiation damage suggests this material may be a candidate for use in the next generation of particle detectors in the Compact Muon Solenoid in the Large Hadron Collider at CERN.
Surface Damage Introduced by Diamond Wire Sawing of Si Wafers: Measuring in-depth and the Lateral Distributions for Different Cutting Parameters
Authors: Sopori Bhushan , Devayajanam Srinivas , Basnyat Prakash , Schnepf Rekha , Sahoo Santosh , Gee James , Severico Ferdinando , Seigneur Hubert , Schoenfeld Winston V. , Preece Steve , Binns Jeff , Appel Jesse , VanSant Kaitlyn
Published: October 2015

This paper describes the characteristics of damage, introduced under different conditions of diamond wire sawing, on the Si wafer surfaces. The damage occurs in the form of frozen-in dislocations, phase changes, and microcracks. The in-depth damage was determined by conventional ways such as TEM, SEM and angle-polishing/defect-etching, which only provide local information. We have also applied a new technique based on sequential measurement of the minority carrier lifetime after etching thin layers from the surfaces to determine average damage depth and its in-depth distribution. The lateral spatial damage variations, which seem to be mainly related to wire reciprocation process, were observed by photoluminescence and lifetime mapping. Our results show a strong correlation of damage depth on the diamond grit size and wire usage.
THE 'DUNEDIN SOUND'
Authors: McLeay Colin
Published: October 2015

This article examines the rock music scene of Dunedin.
EXOTIC HULA
Authors: Bambrick Nikki
Published: October 2015

This article documents the practice and development of hula dancing in Australia from the l950s-l970s. It analyses the way in which the local entertainment industry adopted aspects of a cultural form which originated within indigenous Hawaiian culture and was subsequently mediated, modified and represented by the American entertainment industry. Viewed in this way, Australian hula was, at least, a secondary derivative form, twice removed from any absolute 'point of origin'. Yet, as this article will attempt to argue, the Australian experience of live hula performance was not simply one of pale and waning imitation but rather an example of how the process of appropriation can produce its own vibrant and distinctive practices. The history of Australian hula, as we shall argue, is better viewed in the light of the perpetual flux of all cultural forms than through tenuous appeals to authenticity or cultural purity.
Spiking Neural P Systems with Several Types of Spikes
Authors: Ionescu Mihai , Păun Gheorghe , Pérez-Jiménez Mario J. , Rodríguez-Patón Alfonso
Published: October 2015

With a motivation related to gene expression, where enzymes act in series, somewhat similar to the train spikes traveling along the axons of neurons, we consider an extension of spiking neural P systems, where several types of “spikes" are allowed. The power of the obtained spiking neural P systems is investigated. Some further extensions are mentioned, such as considering a process of decay in time of the spikes
Effectiveness of Program Visualization in Learning Java: a Case Study with Jeliot 3
Authors: Maravić Čisar Sanja , Pinter Robert , Radosav Dragica
Published: October 2015

This study was carried out to observe, measure and analyze the effects of using software visualization in teaching programming with participants from two institutions of higher educations in Serbia. Basic programming learning is notorious for complex for many novice students at university level. The visualizations of examples of program code or programming tasks could help students to grasp programming structures more easily. This paper describes an investigation about the possibilities of enhancement of learning Java using the visualization software Jeliot. An analysis of 400 students’ test results indicates that a significant percentage of students had achieved better results when they were using a software visualization tool. In the experience of the authors Jeliot may yield the best results if implemented in with students who are new to the art of programming.