bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
African power in the 21st century and beyond
Authors: Saavedra-Rivano Neantro
Published: October 2014

The paper examines the concept of international power in connection with
demographic trends as forecast by the United Nations. It focuses its
attention on the situation of Africa, a region projected to become the second
largest in terms of population by the turn of the century. The argument to be
developed is that the large number of new entrants to labor markets of
African countries will likely be deprived of the labor skills necessary to
allow them earn a livelihood. The ?demographic dividend? will thus be denied
and the consequences will be felt not only in Africa but in the world at
large, most acutely in Europe. To prevent the rise of this ?disruptive? power
in Africa the paper offers some novel ideas on how to redesign Official
Development Assistance (ODA) so as to promote human capital investment.
Quality of life in rural areas
Authors: Bokic Jelena , Cikic Jovana
Published: October 2014

The aim of rural development (regardless of its theoretical perception) is
the improvement of quality of life for rural population. This issue is a
complex one because it depends on multiple objective and subjective factors,
community characteristics, but also its spatial, economic, social and
cultural environment. Authors analyze the influence of socio-cultural
individual characteristics and household characteristics, as well as their
stay in Stanisic during evaluating quality of life of its rural population.
The research confirmed a significant influence of socio-cultural (rural)
household characteristics on the evaluation of quality of life. The influence
of spatial dimension of social structure is more obvious on socio-cultural
(rural) household characteristics.
The role of local communities in the development of recreational sport
Authors: Nesic Milan
Published: October 2014

This paper highlights the importance and the role of local communities in the
provision of conditions for the existence and development of the recreational
sports in our country. It is especially evidenced in the documents of EU
institutions which define the role of local communities and local
governments, as well as their tasks, which include development of all areas
of sports and recreational sports. This paper analyzes and highlights the
importance of the document ?European Charter of Sport for All? which
established a platform for common European policy in this field of sport and
clearly defines the roles of local communities in the field of sport for all
(recreational sports). With the elaboration of the basic theoretical and
conceptual aspects of content-structured recreation and recreational sport,
it points out the current state of the sport in our country. It is still
extensively characterized by randomness, disorganization and the lack of
quality planned documents of organizations and institutions engaged in
recreational sports activities, its low position in the community, as well as
many other problems. The role of local communities and local authorities in
the development and existence of recreational sports, therefore, becomes
increasingly important. Legislation clearly determines obligations of local
authorities in providing facilities to meet the needs and interests of
citizens in this area.
The effect of Ni on concentration of the most abundant essential cations in several Brassica species
Authors: Putnik-Delic Marina , Maksimovic Ivana , Gani-Novakovic Ivana , Zeremski Tijana , Marjanovic-Jeromela Ana
Published: October 2014

Some plants from the genus Brassica have the ability to tolerate excessive
concentrations of heavy metals, including Ni. Considering the fact that Ni is
a very toxic element for living beings we wanted to examine its influence on
some species from genus Brassicaceae. The aim of this study was to
investigate the effect of Ni on distribution and accumulation of essential
macronutrients from the standpoint of food quality and phytoremediation
potential. Experiments were performed using winter (W) and spring (S)
varieties of rapeseed (Brassica napus, L.), white mustard (Brassica alba,
L.), black mustard (Brassica nigra, L.) and turnip (Brassica rapa, L.). The
seeds were exposed to 10 ?M Ni from the beginning of germination. Plants were
grown in water cultures, in semi-controlled conditions of a greenhouse, on ?
strength Hoagland solution to which was added Ni in the same concentration as
during germination. Concentrations and distribution of Ca, Mg, K in leaf and
stem were altered in the presence of increased concentration of Ni.
Significant differences were found between the control and Ni-treated plants
as well as among the genotypes.
Effects of synbiotics injected in ovo on regulation of immune-related gene expression in adult chickens
Authors: Sławinska Anna , Siwek Maria Z. , Bednarczyk Marek F.
Published: October 2014

Objective—To determine immunomodulatory effects of synbiotics administered in ovo on immune-related gene expression in adult chickens.

Animals—30 Green-legged Partridgelike chickens.

Procedures—On incubation day 12, eggs were injected with 3 synbiotics (Lactococcus lactis subsp lactis IBB SL1 with raffinose family oligosaccharides [RFOs; S1], Lactococcus lactis subsp cremoris IBB SC1 with RFOs [S2], and Lactobacillus acidophilus and Streptococcus faecium with lactose [S3]). Control eggs were injected with RFOs prebiotic or saline (0.9% NaCl) solution. Gene expression of 6 cytokines (interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, IL-12p40, IL-18, interferon [IFN]-β, and IFN-γ) and 1 chemokine (IL-8) was analyzed in the cecal tonsils and spleen of 6-week-old chickens by means of reverse transcription quantitative PCR assays.

Results—Gene expression for IL-4, IL-6, IFN-β, and IL-18 was significantly upregulated in the spleen of chickens in groups S2 and S3. In contrast, IL-12 expression was downregulated in group S2 and IFN-γ expression was downregulated in group S3. Expression of IL-8 did not change in chickens treated with synbiotics in ovo. Gene expression of all cytokines, except for IL-18, was downregulated in cecal tonsils.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—In ovo administration of synbiotics activated the immune system in adult chickens. The intestinal immune system (cecal tonsils) had downregulation of expression for the cytokines evaluated, which indicated an increase in oral tolerance, whereas in the peripheral part of the immune system (spleen), expression of IL-4 and IL-6 was upregulated. Evaluation of immune-related gene expression patterns may be useful when monitoring the effectiveness of synbiotic selection with respect to immunobiotic properties.
Examining the Relationship between Authenticity and Self-Handicapping
Authors: Akin Ahmet , Akin Umran
Published: October 2014

Self-handicapping includes strategies of externalization in which people excuse failure and internalize success, but which also prevents them from behaving in an authentic way. The goal was to investigate the relation of authenticity with self-handicapping. The study was conducted with 366 university students (176 men, 190 women; M age = 20.2 yr.). Participants completed the Turkish version of the Authenticity Scale and the Self-handicapping Scale. Self-handicapping was correlated positively with two factors of authenticity, accepting external influence and self-alienation, and negatively with the authentic living factor. A multiple regression analysis indicated that self-handicapping was predicted positively by self-alienation and accepting external influence and negatively by authentic living, accounting for 21% of the variance collectively. These results demonstrated the negative association of authenticity with self-handicapping.
A Characterization of Self-Injurious Behavior among Turkish Adolescents
Authors: Oktan Vesile
Published: October 2014

The primary objective of the present research is to characterize the frequencies of self-injurious behaviors among Turkish adolescents and whether these vary by sex. The sample comprised 371 female and 309 male college students, randomly selected and studying in different colleges in Trabzon (Turkey). The Personal Information Form and the Inventory of Statements About Self-injury were administered. The most pervasive types of self-injurious behaviors reported were “preventing the healing of wounds (peeling the scabs),” “hitting oneself on a tough surface or self-hitting,” and “scratching letters, texts, shapes on skin.” Sex differences in self-injurious behaviors were observed.
Ballroom Dance and Body Size Perception
Authors: Fonseca Cristiane Costa , Thurm Bianca Elisabeth , Vecchi Rodrigo Luiz , Gama Eliane Florencio
Published: October 2014

Ballroom dancing consists in the performance of rhythmic movements guided by music, which provide sensorimotor integration and stimulate feelings. The body schema is the unconscious sensorimotor representation that allows the individual to perceive his anatomical body in space. Comprising tactile, proprioceptive, kinesthetic, and environmental information, it is directly related to movement. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of non-competitive practice of ballroom dancing on body perception. The projection point test was applied to 30 volunteers before and after a period of 3 mo.; 15 controls attended lectures on body perception and 15 participants took dance lessons. It was observed that ballroom dancing brought perceptual benefits for those who practiced it.
Three-Factor Structure of Adult Attachment in the Workplace: Comparison of British, French, and Italian Samples
Authors: Scrima Fabrizio , Rioux Liliane , Lorito Lucrezia
Published: October 2014

The goal was to compare three-factor and two-factor solutions and construct validity of the Adult Attachment in the Workplace (AAW) questionnaire. Participants were 660 volunteers from three countries (France, Italy, and Great Britain). The two-factor model of Neustadt, Chamorro-Premuzic, & Furnham (2006) and the three-factor theoretical model of Collins and Read (1990) were compared. Construct validity was assessed by calculating correlations among the two- and three-factor AAW, the Workplace Attachment Scale, and the Organizational Commitment Scale. The three-factor structure differentiated between the three attachment styles, i.e., secure, preoccupied, and avoidant. There were moderate, significant correlations between AAW, workplace attachment, and affective commitment. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the three-factor structure fit the data better. Furthermore, the AAW, the Workplace Attachment Scale, and the Organizational Commitment Scale can be considered independent. In line with previous empirical evidence, a further distinction is noted between avoidant and preoccupied styles in the workplace.
Impact on physical fitness of exercise promotion service utilizing social media
Authors: Santtila Matti , Grönqvist Kalle , Räisänen Jussi , Kyröläinen Heikki
Published: October 2014

Study aim: the purpose of the present study was to survey the impact of a social media platform on physical fitness, physical activity levels and daily sitting time.

Material and methods: a total of 2039 users (1445 women and 594 men) of the social media service (HeiaHeia, Helsinki, Finland) voluntarily participated in the study by answering an online questionnaire provided by a survey.

Results: about 63.8% of the participants reported that the service has advanced their perceived level of physical fitness, while 36.2% reported no impact on their fitness. Most participants (71.3%) with BMI over 25 reported that the service had helped them to improve their physical fitness. Participants with BMI over 35 reported a more positive impact than in any other weight range groups. One-third of the participants (32.3%) sat for more than seven hours a day; 23.5% sat less than five hours a day. More than half of the participants (56.8%) were encouraged to be physical active during the day and aimed to reduce sitting time at their jobs during the workday.

Conclusions: there seems to be a positive impact of web services that promote physical activity on the physical fitness among social media users. Although the present service is not merely well suited for physically active and physical fit users, it motivates users of all fitness levels to exercise. However, more studies are needed to clarify effects of social media on physical activity, fitness and health.
Postural stability and motor performance of people with hearing impairment
Authors: Zdrodowska Agnieszka , Wiszomirska Ida , Kosmol Andrzej
Published: October 2014

Introduction: Postural stability is the ability to recover the balance which was lost as a result of destabilizing factors. The balance is considered to be a key component of motor skills. The aim of the study is to evaluate the relationship between the parameters of postural stability and motor performance of people with hearing impairment.

Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 42 people with hearing impairment from the earliest moments of life. Their degree of hearing impairment was significant or profound. The research methods included: medical history and examination to exclude damage to the vestibule, anthropometric measurements, stabilometric measurements on AccuSway AMTI platform under stable conditions, Biodex BBS platform under stable and unstable conditions and Eurofit Test.

Results: No significant correlation between the parameters of postural stability and the majority of motor skill tests results was observed in the group of people with hearing impairment. The study revealed statistically significant correlations in both groups (women and men) between index of Fall Risk Test and the results of Flamingo test and also between the path COP with eyes open and the test results Flamingo. There were positive high correlations.

Conclusions: Balance parameters showed no association with other motor skills assessed with Eurofit test except the Flamingo test, which is used to the evaluation of the functional stability. The study indicated the need to look for other relationships between postural stability and motor performance in larger groups.
Spatial distribution and population characteristics of the invasive cladoceran Cercopagis pengoi in the Polish coastal zone seven years after the first record
Authors: Bielecka Luiza , Krajewska-Sołtys Alina , Mudrak-Cegiołka Stella
Published: October 2014

The presented results provide the first comprehensive description of the C. pengoi population and document new records of its expansion to the west in the Polish coastal zone of the Baltic Sea. In June–August 2006, C. pengoi was observed for the first time continuously for nine successive weeks in a broad range of the water temperature and salinity. Its abundance fluctuated from some to several hundred specimens per cubic meter. In July the species was much more abundant in the water far from the coast, whereas in August its maximum density was observed at the most shallow station. The population of C. pengoi occupied the whole water column, from the surface water to 80 m depth, its vertical distribution was not uniform. C. pengoi was represented by specimens from all age-specific morphological stages (BS I–III). The largest part of the population (up to 81.53%) was composed of juvenile specimens (BS I and II). Parthenogenetic females in the second instar constituted the majority of BS II specimens.
Assessment of the ecological state of the Kiev Reservoir by the bioindication method
Authors: Klochenko Peter , Shevchenko Tatyana , Barinova Sophia , Tarashchuk Oksana
Published: October 2014

The ecological state of the Kiev Reservoir affected by intensive contamination as a result of the accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Station in 1986 was assessed in terms of the species-indicators of epiphytic algae occurring in the fouling of higher aquatic plants. It has been found that inhabitants of slowly flowing and moderately warm waters, alkaliphiles, indifferent organisms in relation to water salinity, nitrogen-autotrophic taxa tolerating elevated concentrations of organically bound nitrogen, β-mesosaprobionts and eurysaprobes (in relation to organic contamination) and eutraphentic organisms (indicators of the trophic state) prevailed in phytoepiphyton of the Kiev Reservoir. As a result of comparison of the original results with literature data obtained prior to the accident, it has been found that over a span of about 30 years (from the 1970s–1980s to 2010–2013), the taxonomic structure of phytoepiphyton remained almost unchanged. At the same time, the intensity of eutrophication, alkalization, and thermofication processes increased.
Effects of coastal upwelling on picophytoplankton distribution off the coast of Zhanjiang in South China Sea
Authors: Wu Mei-Lin , Wang You-Shao , Wang Dong-Xiao , Dong Jun-De
Published: October 2014

Coastal upwelling occurred along the west coast of Guangdong in the northern South China Sea during the summer of 2006. The effects of upwelling on the vertical and horizontal distributions of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus were investigated. A distinct vertical temperature difference between the surface water and water at a depth of 30 m was observed in the coastal upwelling region. There was a clear spatial variability of temperature, and an increasingly obvious horizontal gradient was created from the coast to offshore waters. Picophytoplankton communities observed from the coast to offshore waters were significantly different. In the coastal upwelling waters, the picophytoplankton community was dominated by Synechococcus within the euphotic zone. Prochlorococcus dominated the picophytoplankton community in the euphotic zone in the non-upwelling region. This difference in the picophytoplankton community structure was due to different hydrodynamics. The results of canonical correspondence analysis demonstrate that temperature, salinity, and phosphate concentration may be important factors affecting the distribution of Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus.
Rapid rebound in colony number of an over‐hunted population of Eurasian beaver Castor fiber
Authors: Parker Howard , Rosell Frank
Published: October 2014

The current reestablishment and growth of beaver Castor fiber populations throughout Eurasia has created a need for methods to control population size. While lethal‐trapping has been the most common harvest and control method for beaver world‐wide for centuries, in recent decades spring hunting has developed as the main lethal method in Norway, Sweden and Finland. An experimental hunt where hunters annually removed 22–26% (mean = 24%) of the estimated spring population of beavers on 242 km2 in southeast Norway led to an unanticipated 46% decline in colony number after only three years. We monitored the population response in colony number throughout the ensuing four years of no hunting during which time the number of colonies rebounded by 93%. The rapid increase in colony number suggested a high rate of dispersal to vacated colony sites by animals from unexploited colonies within the study area (approximately half were unexploited each year) and from bordering townships where harvest was light at the time. Increased fecundity usually follows in the wake of a significant reduction in the density of mammal populations and most likely contributed to the rapid rebound in colony number observed. We conclude that spring hunting can be employed to significantly reduce population size when desired and that over‐exploited populations may rebound quickly after hunting stops when dispersing individuals are in adequate supply from colonies both within and outside the harvested area.
Preferred harvest principles and ‐ regulations amongst willow ptarmigan hunters in Norway
Authors: Andersen Oddgeir , Kaltenborn Bj⊘rn Petter , Vitters⊘ Joar , Willebrand Tomas
Published: October 2014

Hunters' preferences for different harvest principles and harvest regulations such as season length and harvest quotas provide important knowledge for wildlife management. We report results from a survey of 2788 willow ptarmigan hunters regarding commonly used harvest‐principles and ‐regulations. A harvest quota strategy was the most preferred principle. Hunters were in general more positive to an annual bag, than daily quotas. Age was a particularly strong predictor of the ‘no winter hunt’ (after 23 December) regulation, and also a fairly strong predictor for the per annum and per day quota strategies respectively. This study has shown that ptarmigan hunters prefer annual quotas, rather than shortened hunting season or reduced number of hunters. We also emphasize the importance of social—ecological systems thinking when adaptive management strategies are developed and that management strategy evaluation models should be used to evaluate these strategies.
Ad hoc smoothing parameter performance in kernel estimates of GPS‐derived home ranges
Authors: Schuler Krysten L. , Schroeder Greg M. , Jenks Jonathan A. , Kie John G.
Published: October 2014

Accuracy of home‐range estimates in animals is influenced by a variety of factors, such as method of analysis and number of locations, but animal space use is less often considered and frequently over‐generalized through simulations. Our objective was to assess effect of an ad hoc (h_ad hoc) smoothing parameter in kernel analysis from two species that were predicted to have different patterns of utilization distributions across a range of sample sizes. We evaluated variation in home‐range estimates with location data collected from GPS collars on two species: mule deer Odocoileus hemionus and coyotes Canis latrans. We calculated home ranges using 95% and 50% kernel contours using reference (h_ref and h ad hoc smoothing parameters. To evaluate the influence of sample size, we calculated home ranges using both smoothing parameters for random subsamples of 5, 10, 25 and 50% of GPS locations and compared area estimates to estimates for 100% of GPS locations. On mule deer, we also conducted visual relocations using conventional radiotelemetry, which resulted in fewer locations than GPS collars. Area was overestimated at smaller sample sizes, but an interesting pattern was noted with higher relative bias at 60–100 locations than at sample sizes < 50 locations. Relative bias was most likely due to increased smoothing of outer data points. Subsampling allowed us to examine relative bias across a range of samples sizes for the two smoothing parameters. Minimum number of points to obtain a consistent home range estimates varied by smoothing method, species, study duration, and volume contour (95% or 50%). While h_ad hoc performed consistently better over most sample sizes, there may not be a universal recommendation for all studies and species. Behavioral traits resulting in concentrated or disparate space use complicates comparisons among and between species. We suggest researchers examine their point distribution, justify their choice of smoothing parameter, and report their choices for home‐range analysis based on their study objectives.
WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT OF LAR STREAM, KASHMIR USING MACRO INVERTEBRATES AS VARIABLE TOLERANTS TO DIVERSE LEVELS OF POLLUTION
Authors: Gaine Muzaffar A. , Pal Amit Kumar , Pandit Ashok Kumar
Published: October 2014

The present study conducted on “Lar stream” which is one of the principal left bank tributaries of the river Jhelum in the Valley of Kashmir (northern India), was an attempt to assess the water quality of the canal by using macro invertebrates present in the ecosystem. During the present study, a total of 26 species of macro invertebrates were registered from Lar stream which belonged to the orders Diptera, Trichoptera, Hirudinae, Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, Gastropoda, Coleoptera, Arachnida, Lepidoptera, Crustacea, and Oligochaeta. Among all the eleven orders, Dipterans registered a highest of 7 species (27%) and was the most dominant order. Then trend was followed by Trichoptera which registered a total of 5 species (19%) and was the second most dominating group. Similarly, Ephemeroptera, Oligochaeta, Hirudinae, Plecoptera and Gastropoda which registered 2 species (8%) each were the next dominating orders. The least representing taxa were Coleoptera, Arachnida, Lepidoptera and Crustacea which registered only one species (4%) each during the entire study period. The present study concludes that presence of some pollution indicator species such as Tubifex tubifex, Limnodrilus sp. (among Annelida), Chironomous sp., Tabanus sp. etc. (among Arhropoda), Lymnea sp. (among Mollusca) point the changing status of the stream from non-polluted to polluted.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/eco.v20i0.11326EcoprintAn International Journal of EcologyVol. 20, 2013Page : 19-26
‘Trust Not Appearances’: Political and Personal Betrayal in James Joyce's Ulysses
Authors: Smyth Gerry
Published: October 2014

Literary historians such as Tony Tanner have speculated that adultery, with its assault upon the patriarchal institution of marriage and its potential for family drama, is the principal theme of the bourgeois novel that evolves in Europe during the nineteenth century. Joyce's famous work was heir to the great nineteenth-century novel of adultery – a tradition which includes the likes of Tolstoy's Anna Karenina (1873–77), Flaubert's Madame Bovary (1857), and Zola's Thérèse Raquin (1867). An act of marital betrayal lies at the heart of the story, an act which Joyce explores in all its emotional and moral complexity. Other critics (such as David Lloyd) have argued that his condition as an Irish writer obliged Joyce to develop an ‘adulterated’ form of writing – one which refused the precepts of patriarchal authorship, and in so doing contributed significantly to the emergence of the cultural sensibility known as Modernism. This article addresses Joyce's imagination of personal and political betrayal as explored in both the thematic and formal aspects of Ulysses.
Towards a Critical Reappraisal of Kate O'Brien's The Flower of May
Authors: Tighe-Mooney Sharon
Published: October 2014

This essay reassesses Kate O'Brien's The Flower of May, and argues that the novel presents as close to a conclusion as practicable to the themes O'Brien worked on throughout her fiction – the freedom to choose one's path in life, the negotiation of cultural, ethical and familial mores, as well as the importance of education for women. A close reading of the text suggests that the mother-daughter relationship symbolizes the rejection by the heroine, Fanny Morrow, of her mother Julia, who represents Mother Ireland, its customs and conventions, towards the fulfilment of Fanny's ambition for independence through education. This aspiration is achieved by Julia's death, which leaves Fanny free to live her life on her own terms, outside the constraints of familial bonds. Intertwined with the unfolding of the narrative is the recurring motif of the lighthouse, with its haunting presence during key moments of the plot, which is utilized as a symbol of nation, as well as a means of framing the diverging paths of mother and daughter.
The Changing Face of Irish Ireland: Séamus Ó Grianna's and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne's Fictions of the Donegal Gaeltacht
Authors: Congáil Ríona Nic
Published: October 2014

Séamus Ó Grianna and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, whose lifespans overlapped only briefly, rank among the most prolific Irish writers of the twentieth century. Their bilingualism, moreover, offers them access to two languages, cultures, and viewpoints. Their shared interest in the Donegal Gaeltacht during the revivalist period, and their use of fiction to explore and represent it, provide their readers with a remarkable insight into the changing ideologies of twentieth-century Ireland, and particularly Irish-Ireland, touching on broad issues that are linguistic, cultural, political, gendered, and spatial. This essay begins by analyzing the narrative similarities between Ó Grianna's Mo Dhá Róisín and Ní Dhuibhne's Hiring Fair Trilogy, and proceeds to examine how both writers negotiate historical fact, the Irish language, the performance of Gaelic culture, the burgeoning women's movement, and the chasm between rural and urban Ireland of the revival. Through this approach, the essay demonstrates that the fictions of these two writers reveal as much about their own agendas and the dominant ideas of the epoch in which they were writing, as they do about life in the Donegal Gaeltacht in the early twentieth century.
Are the Scaling Properties of Bull and Bear Markets Identical? Evidence from Oil and Gold Markets
Authors: Günay Samet
Published: October 2014

In this study, the scaling properties of the oil and gold return volatilities have been analyzed in the context of bull and bear periods. In the determination of bull and bear turning points, we used the Modified Bry-Boschan Quarterly (MBBQ) algorithm. Results showed that the business cycle phase shapes of the bear periods in the oil market are almost linear, whereas the bull and bear periods of the gold and bull period of the oil market are convex. This means that there are sharper declines in the bear period of the oil market. Following the detection of bull and bear periods, scaling exponent H analysis was performed via the aggregated variance, Higuchi’s statistic, Peng’s statistic, rescaled range, boxed periodogram and wavelet fit models, which are from the time, frequency and wavelet domains. As there are conflicts about the credibility of these methods in the literature, we have used the shuffling procedure in order to determine the most robust methods. According to the results, bear periods have higher volatility persistency than bull periods.
Obesity as an Early Symptom of the AMIS Syndrome
Authors: Lautt W. , Wang Hui
Published: October 2014

We review evidence that the AMIS (Absence of Meal-induced Insulin Sensitization) syndrome describes a paradigm fundamental to development of obesity. The hypoglycemic response to a pulse of insulin is doubled after a meal as a result of Hepatic Insulin Sensitizing Substance (HISS), released from the liver to act selectively on muscle, heart and kidney. In the absence of HISS action, the hypoglycemic response to insulin is the same as in the fasted state, and only half of what it should be. Postprandial hyperglycemia ensues, with compensatory hyperinsulinemia, resultant hyperlipidemia and elevated free radical stress. Storage of nutrient energy shifts from glycogen in muscle to fat. Chronic AMIS results in adiposity, occurs with age, is accelerated with sucrose supplement, and prevented by a synergistic antioxidant. Exercise reverses AMIS, as do pharmaceuticals that mimic the “feeding signals”. The AMIS syndrome develops as a sequence of pathologies based on the consequences of absence of HISS action, including adiposity as the earliest symptom. Cardiac dysfunction, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and fatty liver are related to lack of HISS action. The AMIS syndrome hypothesis is mechanistic-based and accounts for the major pathologies associated with prediabetes, obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. AMIS can be diagnosed, prevented and treated.
Synthesis and Cytotoxic Evaluation of Alkoxylated Chalcones
Authors: Bai Xiao-Guang , Xu Chang-Liang , Zhao Shuang-Shuang , He Hong-Wei , Wang Yu-Cheng , Wang Ju-Xian
Published: October 2014

A series of chalcones a1–20 bearing a 4-OMe groups on the A-ring were initially synthesized and their anticancer activities towards HepG2 cells evaluated. Subsequently, a series of chalcones b1–42 bearing methoxy groups at the 2' and 6'-positions of the B-ring were synthesized and their anticancer activities towards five human cancer cell lines (HepG2, HeLa, MCF-7, A549 and SW1990) and two non-tumoral human cell lines evaluated. The results showed that six compounds (b6, b8, b11, b16, b18, b22, b23 and b29) displayed promising activities, with compounds b22 and b29 in particular showing higher levels of activity than etoposide against all five cancer cell lines. Compound b29 showed a promising SI value compared with both HMLE and L02 (2.1–6.5 fold in HMLE and > 33 > 103.1 fold in L02, respectively).
Bioconversion of Rebaudioside I from Rebaudioside A
Authors: Prakash Indra , Bunders Cynthia , Devkota Krishna , Charan Romila , Ramirez Catherine , Snyder Tara , Priedemann Christopher , Markosyan Avetik , Jarrin Cyrille , Halle Robert
Published: October 2014

To supply the increasing demand of natural high potency sweeteners to reduce the calories in food and beverages, we have looked to steviol glycosides. In this work we report the bioconversion of rebaudioside A to rebaudioside I using a glucosyltransferase enzyme. This bioconversion reaction adds one sugar unit with a 1→3 linkage. We utilized 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C, COSY, HSQC-DEPT, HMBC, 1D TOCSY and NOESY) and mass spectral data to fully characterize rebaudioside I.
Measuring Population Sodium Intake: A Review of Methods
Authors: McLean Rachael
Published: October 2014

Reduction of population sodium intake has been identified as a key initiative for reduction of Non-Communicable Disease. Monitoring of population sodium intake must accompany public health initiatives aimed at sodium reduction. A number of different methods for estimating dietary sodium intake are currently in use. Dietary assessment is time consuming and often under-estimates intake due to under-reporting and difficulties quantifying sodium concentration in recipes, and discretionary salt. Twenty-four hour urinary collection (widely considered to be the most accurate method) is also burdensome and is limited by under-collection and lack of suitable methodology to accurately identify incomplete samples. Spot urine sampling has recently been identified as a convenient and affordable alternative, but remains highly controversial as a means of monitoring population intake. Studies suggest that while spot urinary sodium is a poor predictor of 24-h excretion in individuals, it may provide population estimates adequate for monitoring. Further research is needed into the accuracy and suitability of spot urine collection in different populations as a means of monitoring sodium intake.
Codonopsis lanceolata Extract Prevents Diet-Induced Obesity in C57BL/6 Mice
Authors: Lee Jong , Kim Kui-Jin , Kim Young-Hyun , Kim Dan-Bi , Shin Gi-Hae , Cho Ju-Hyun , Kim Bong , Lee Boo-Yong , Lee Ok-Hwan
Published: October 2014

Codonopsis lanceolata extract (CLE) has been used in traditional medicine in the Asian-Pacific region for the treatment of bronchitis, cough, and inflammation. However, it is still unclear whether obesity in mice can be altered by diet supplementation with CLE. To investigate whether CLE could have preventative effects on high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity, male C57BL/6 mice were placed on either a normal chow diet, 60% HFD, or a HFD supplemented with CLE (60, 180, and 360 mg/kg/day) for 12 weeks. CLE decreased body weight and subcutaneous and visceral fat weights in HFD-induced obese mice. CLE group mice showed lower fat accumulation and a smaller adipocyte area in the adipose tissue compared with the HFD group mice. CLE group mice exhibited lower serum levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL), glucose, and insulin compared with the HFD group mice. In addition, CLE decreased liver weight and lowered the increase in aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) levels in HFD-induced obese mice. These results indicate that CLE can inhibit the development of diet-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia in C57BL/6 mice.
Effects of Dietary Fat and Saturated Fat Content on Liver Fat and Markers of Oxidative Stress in Overweight/Obese Men and Women under Weight-Stable Conditions
Authors: Marina Anna , Von Frankenberg Anize , Suvag Seda , Callahan Holly , Kratz Mario , Richards Todd , Utzschneider Kristina
Published: October 2014

Dietary fat and oxidative stress are hypothesized to contribute to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and progression to steatohepatitis. To determine the effects of dietary fat content on hepatic triglyceride, body fat distribution and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, overweight/obese subjects with normal glucose tolerance consumed a control diet (CONT: 35% fat/12% saturated fat/47% carbohydrate) for ten days, followed by four weeks on a low fat (LFD (n = 10): 20% fat/8% saturated fat/62% carbohydrate) or high fat diet (HFD (n = 10): 55% fat/25% saturated fat/27% carbohydrate). Hepatic triglyceride content was quantified by MRS and abdominal fat distribution by MRI. Fasting biomarkers of inflammation (plasma hsCRP, IL-6, IL-12, TNFα, IFN-γ) and oxidative stress (urinary F2-α isoprostanes) were measured. Body weight remained stable. Compared to the CONT, hepatic triglyceride decreased on the LFD (mean (95% CI): change −2.13% (−3.74%, −0.52%)), but did not change on the HFD and there was no significant difference between the LFD and HFD. Intra-abdominal fat did not change significantly on either diet, but subcutaneous abdominal fat increased on the HFD. There were no significant changes in fasting metabolic markers, inflammatory markers and urinary F2-α isoprostanes. We conclude that in otherwise healthy overweight/obese adults under weight-neutral conditions, a diet low in fat and saturated fat has modest effects to decrease liver fat and may be beneficial. On the other hand, a diet very high in fat and saturated fat had no effect on hepatic triglyceride or markers of metabolism, inflammation and oxidative stress.
The Influence of Early Life Nutrition on Epigenetic Regulatory Mechanisms of the Immune System
Authors: Paparo Lorella , Di Costanzo Margherita , Di Scala Carmen , Cosenza Linda , Leone Ludovica , Nocerino Rita , Canani Roberto
Published: October 2014

The immune system is exquisitely sensitive to environmental changes. Diet constitutes one of the major environmental factors that exerts a profound effect on immune system development and function. Epigenetics is the study of mitotically heritable, yet potentially reversible, molecular modifications to DNA and chromatin without alteration to the underlying DNA sequence. Nutriepigenomics is an emerging discipline examining the role of dietary influences on gene expression. There is increasing evidence that the epigenetic mechanisms that regulate gene expression during immune differentiation are directly affected by dietary factors or indirectly through modifications in gut microbiota induced by different dietary habits. Short-chain fatty acids, in particular butyrate, produced by selected bacteria stains within gut microbiota, are crucial players in this network.
Miscibility and Hydrogen Bonding in Blends of Poly(4-vinylphenol)/Poly(vinyl methyl ketone)
Authors: Bourara Hana , Hadjout Slimane , Benabdelghani Zitouni , Etxeberria Agustin
Published: October 2014

The miscibility and phase behavior of poly(4-vinylphenol) (PVPh) with poly(vinyl methyl ketone) (PVMK) was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was shown that all blends of PVPh/PVMK are totally miscible. A DSC study showed the apparition of a single glass transition (Tg) over their entire composition range. When the amount of PVPh exceeds 50% in blends, the obtained Tgs are found to be significantly higher than those observed for each individual component of the mixture, indicating that these blends are capable of forming interpolymer complexes. FTIR analysis revealed the existence of preferential specific interactions via hydrogen bonding between the hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which intensified when the amount of PVPh was increased in blends. Furthermore, the quantitative FTIR study carried out for PVPh/PVMK blends was also performed for the vinylphenol (VPh) and vinyl methyl ketone (VMK) functional groups. These results were also established by scanning electron microscopy study (SEM).
A Modular Localization System as a Positioning Service for Road Transport
Authors: Brida Peter , Machaj Juraj , Benikovsky Jozef
Published: October 2014

In recent times smart devices have attracted a large number of users. Since many of these devices allow position estimation using Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals, a large number of location-based applications and services have emerged, especially in transport systems. However GNSS signals are affected by the environment and are not always present, especially in dense urban environment or indoors. In this work firstly a Modular Localization Algorithm is proposed to allow seamless switching between different positioning modules. This helps us develop a positioning system that is able to provide position estimates in both indoor and outdoor environments without any user interaction. Since the proposed system can run as a service on any smart device, it could allow users to navigate not only in outdoor environments, but also indoors, e.g., underground garages, tunnels etc. Secondly we present the proposal of a 2-phase map reduction algorithm which allows one to significantly reduce the complexity of position estimation processes in case that positioning is performed using a fingerprinting framework. The proposed 2-phase map reduction algorithm can also improve the accuracy of the position estimates by filtering out reference points that are far from the mobile device. Both algorithms were implemented into a positioning system and tested in real world conditions in both indoor and outdoor environments.
Dynamics of the Toxin Cylindrospermopsin and the Cyanobacterium Chrysosporum (Aphanizomenon) ovalisporum in a Mediterranean Eutrophic Reservoir
Authors: Fadel Ali , Atoui Ali , Lemaire Bruno , Vinçon-Leite Brigitte , Slim Kamal
Published: October 2014

Chrysosporum ovalisporum is a cylindrospermopsin toxin producing cyanobacterium that was reported in several lakes and reservoirs. Its growth dynamics and toxin distribution in field remain largely undocumented. Chrysosporum ovalisporum was reported in 2009 in Karaoun Reservoir, Lebanon. We investigated the factors controlling the occurrence of this cyanobacterium and vertical distribution of cylindrospermopsin in Karaoun Reservoir. We conducted bi-weekly sampling campaigns between May 2012 and August 2013. Results showed that Chrysosporum ovalisporum is an ecologically plastic species that was observed in all seasons. Unlike the high temperatures, above 26 °C, which is associated with blooms of Chrysosporum ovalisporum in Lakes Kinneret (Israel), Lisimachia and Trichonis (Greece) and Arcos Reservoir (Spain), Chrysosporum ovalisporum in Karaoun Reservoir bloomed in October 2012 at a water temperature of 22 °C during weak stratification. Cylindrospermopsin was detected in almost all water samples even when Chrysosporum ovalisporum was not detected. Chrysosporum ovalisporum biovolumes and cylindrospermopsin concentrations were not correlated (n = 31, r2 = −0.05). Cylindrospermopsin reached a maximum concentration of 1.7 µg L−1. The vertical profiles of toxin concentrations suggested its possible degradation or sedimentation resulting in its disappearance from the water column. The field growth conditions of Chrysosporum ovalisporum in this study revealed that it can bloom at the subsurface water temperature of 22 °C increasing the risk of its development and expansion in lakes located in temperate climate regions.
Formal total syntheses of classic natural product target molecules via palladium-catalyzed enantioselective alkylation
Authors: Liu Yiyang , Liniger Marc , McFadden Ryan M , Roizen Jenny L , Malette Jacquie , Reeves Corey M , Behenna Douglas C , Seto Masaki , Kim Jimin , Mohr Justin T , Virgil Scott C , Stoltz Brian M
Published: October 2014

Pd-catalyzed enantioselective alkylation in conjunction with further synthetic elaboration enables the formal total syntheses of a number of “classic” natural product target molecules. This publication highlights recent methods for setting quaternary and tetrasubstituted tertiary carbon stereocenters to address the synthetic hurdles encountered over many decades across multiple compound classes spanning carbohydrate derivatives, terpenes, and alkaloids. These enantioselective methods will impact both academic and industrial settings, where the synthesis of stereogenic quaternary carbons is a continuing challenge.
EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH INTO THE TWO-LEVEL CYLINDRICAL CYCLONE WITH A DIFFERENT NUMBER OF CHANNELS / DVIEJŲ LYGIŲ CILINDRINIO CIKLONO SU SKIRTINGU KANALŲ SKAIČIUMI EKSPERIMENTINIAI TYRIMAI
Authors: Baliukas Egidijus , Baltrėnas Pranas
Published: October 2014

The multichannel two-level cyclone has been designed for separating solid particles from airflow and built at the Laboratory of Environmental Protection Technologies of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. The conducted research is aimed at determining air flow distribution at two levels and channels of the multichannel cyclone. The multifunctional meter Testo-400 and the dynamic Pitot tube have been used form easuring air flow rates in the channels. The obtained results show that the equal volume of air gets into two levels installed inside the cyclone, and rates are distributed equally in the channels of these levels. The maximum air flow rate is recorded in the first channel and occurs when half-rings are set in such positions so that 75% of air flow returns to the previous channel. The biggest aerodynamic resistance is 1660 Pa and has been recorded in the cyclone having eight channels under air flow distribution ratio 75/25. The highest air purification efficiency has been observed in the two-level six-channel cyclone under air flow distribution ratio 75/25. The effectiveness of separating granite particles is 92.1% and that of wood particles – 91.1 when the particles are up to 20 μm in diameter.
Dviejų lygių daugiakanalis ciklonas skirtas kietosioms dalelėms iš oro srauto atskirti. Toks ciklonas sukurtas Vilniaus Gedimino technikos universiteto Aplinkos apsaugos laboratorijoje. Tyrimais siekiama nustatyti oro srauto pasiskirstymą daugiakanalio ciklono lygiuose ir kanaluose. Oro greičiams kanaluose nustatyti naudojamas daugiafunkcis matuoklis „Testo-400“ ir dinaminis Pito vamzdelis. Gauti rezultatai parodė, kad į ciklone įrengtus lygius patenka vienodas oro tūris, ir greičiai šių lygių kanaluose pasiskirsto vienodai. Didžiausias greitis užfiksuotas pirmajame kanale. Didžiausias yra tuo atveju, kai pusžiedžiai sudėti taip, jog 75 % oro srauto grįžtų į ankstesnį kanalą, o mažiausias tada, kai į ankstesnį kanalą grįžta 25 % oro srauto. Didžiausias išmatuotas aerodinaminis pasipriešinimas yra esant aštuoniems kanalams bei 75/25 oro srautų pasiskirstymo santykiui ir siekia 1660 Pa. Ištyrus ciklono su skirtingu kanalų skaičiumi efektyvumą nustatyta, kad geriausiai daleles iš oro atskiria šešiakanalis ciklonas, kuriame oro srautų pasiskirstymo santykis yra 75/25. Granito dalelių iki 20 μm atskyrimo 92,1 %, o medienos dalelių – 91,1 %.