bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distortional bending in the web of prestressed concrete beams
Authors: Swann R. A.
Published: July 2012

Synopsis

Present design practice for dealing with distortional bending in the webs of prestressed concrete box beams is to superimpose a conventional design for transverse bending of the web upon the regime required for vertical shear and bending. This procedure has not been verified experimentally and this paper gives brief details of tests on four specimens specially designed to cover a wide range of practical cases. The results confirm that the proposed simple design procedure is satisfactory for medium and heavy shear and for a wide range of transverse bending moments. The limitations of the test programme are clearly defined and proposals are made for future research.
A hydrological study of on-site soil absorption systems
Authors: Jayarathne Ruwan , Yuen Samuel T. S. , Connor Michael A. , Pivonka Peter , Pharoah Andrew
Published: July 2012

The use of on-site soil absorption systems (OSASs) to dispose of domestic wastewater is common in rural and semi-rural areas in Australia as well as in many other developed and developing countries. A need exists for an improved method of evaluating OSAS performance and predicting potential impacts of OSASs on public health and environmental quality. This paper focuses on the hydrological prediction of saturated and unsaturated moisture flow patterns of wastewater dispersed into soil adjacent to OSAS disposal trenches. It presents field and laboratory measurements obtained during an extensive investigation conducted at eight OSAS sites on predominantly silty soil in Victoria, Australia. A numerical moisture flow model was also employed to predict how the hydrological performance of OSAS might be affected by a variety of site specific conditions including soil properties, climatic data, and hydraulic loading rates. The model was fine-tuned using both published data and data from the eight study sites. The predictions show that over 50%, and in some instances over 80%, of water received by an OSAS is lost by way of evapotranspiration. This highlights the importance of evapotranspiration in determining soil absorption capacity and moisture flow patterns around an OSAS, something that is not accounted for in existing OSAS design guidelines.
Incorporating the intraspecific occupancy–abundance relationship into zero‐inflated models
Authors: Smith Adam N. H. , Anderson Marti J. , Millar Russell B.
Published: July 2012

Zero‐inflated versions of standard distributions for count data are often required in order to account for excess zeros when modeling the abundance of organisms. Such distributions typically have as parameters λ, the mean of the count distribution, and π, the probability of an excess zero. Implementations of zero‐inflated models in ecology typically model λ using a set of predictor variables, and π is fit either as a constant or with its own separate model. Neither of these approaches makes use of any relationship that might exist between π and λ. However, for many species, the rate of occupancy is closely and positively related to its average abundance. Here, this relationship was incorporated into the model for zero inflation by functionally linking π to λ, and was demonstrated in a study of snapper (Pagrus auratus) in and around a marine reserve. This approach has several potential practical advantages, including better computational performance and more straightforward model interpretation. It is concluded that, where appropriate, directly linking π to λ can produce more ecologically accurate and parsimonious statistical models of species abundance data.
Survey of mycotoxin feed contamination in Croatia
Authors: Pleadin J. , Persi N. , Vulic A. , Zadravec M.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to investigate the contamination of feed with
mycotoxins. A total of 103 samples of feed for poultry, pig and calves was
collected at different animal feed factories in the central, eastern and
north region of Croatia. The quantitative determination of aflatoxin B1
(AFB1), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), deoxynivalenol (DON),
fumonisins B1, B2 and B3 (FUM) and T-2 toxin (T-2) concentration was done
using the validated ELISA method. The observed results indicated an increased
contamination of pig feed with Fusarium mycotoxins DON and ZEA with mean
concentrations of 1454?1444 ?g/kg and 153?161 ?g/kg, higher than recommended
in 20% and 5% of the samples, respectively. Higher DON concentrations than
recommended were also observed in 7% of calves feed with a mean concentration
of 1140?1288 ?g/kg. The concentrations of AFB1, OTA and FUM in all the
investigated samples in all country regions were according to the maximum
allowed or recommended values in the European Union.
Analysis of lameness traits and type traits in Hungarian Holstein-Friesian cattle
Authors: Gudaj R.T. , Brydl E. , Lehoczky J. , Komlósi I.
Published: July 2012

Lameness is an important factor for culling animals. Strong legs and feet
improve herd life of dairy cows. Therefore, many countries include leg and
feet conformation traits in their breeding programs, often as early
predictors of longevity. In the study 609 cows from 5 farms were observed for
a year for correlation between lameness and conformation traits. Among the
type traits, rear leg side view (0.30), rump angle (0.18), back teat
placement (0.18) and front teat placement (0.18), had the strongest
associations (P<0.05) with clinical lameness. Low leg angle, low rump angle,
back and front tits pointing inside were associated with increased clinical
lameness. Correlations with strength and body depth ranged from 0.12 to 0.14,
indicating that heavier cows were slightly more prone to clinical lameness.
Practical implementation of higher selection pressure on rear leg side view
is recommended.
Producing of beef meat enriched with organically bound selenium
Authors: Sretenovic Lj. , Novakovic Z. , Petrovic M.M. , Todorovic M. , Pantelic V. , Aleksic S. , Petricevic M.
Published: July 2012

In this study, the effects of the organic and inorganic form of selenium, in
the diet for finishing beef cattle, were investigated. Sell-Plex produced by
American firm Alltech as a source of organic selenium with selenium
concentration of 2000 mg/kg was used. The source of inorganic selenium was
sodium selenite. The trial was conducted on Simmental fattening cattle in the
final stage in the free housing system and it lasted 60 days. Selenium
content in control and trial group (m. longissimus dorsi) was 78.65 and
125.03 ?g/kg (P<0.01), in kidneys 855.52 and 1026.04 ?g/kg(P <0.001); in
liver 453.13 and 534.64 ?g/ kg(P<0.01) and in spleen 308.44 and 383.62 ?g/kg
(P<0.001), respectively. There were no differences in main carcass
characteristics, share of some tissues in the round and three rib chops,
chemical composition and meat quality of m. longissimus dorsi
(P>0.05).Considering the higher storage of organic selenium in meat and
internal organs of the fattening cattle with respect to the inorganic form,
it was concluded that the selenium supply in organic form has a better
bioavailability. Inclusion of organic selenium into the diet in the final
stage of fattening cattle and its deposition in meat and internal organs is a
good and easy way to get meat with functional foods properties that in
addition to nutritional value should positively affect human health.
Some aspects of improvement of grassland production for grazing of sheep
Authors: Ruzic-Muslic D. , Bijelic Z. , Petrovic M.P. , Petrovic M.M. , Pantelic V. , Perisic P. , Caro-Petrovic V.
Published: July 2012

Grasslands represent significant natural resource with important role in
economy and ecology of every country. Properly cultivated and utilized
grasslands provide cheap and high quality food for sheep, which they easily
transfer into milk and meat. However, extensive management has caused
degradation of pasture areas. Improvement of production of forage plants on
pastures is achieved by using melioration measures, primarily fertilization.
Fertilization is important also from the aspect of increase of yield and
quality of forage plants. The effect of application of fertilizer depends on
the present plant species in the mixture. Application of nitrogen mineral
fertilizers in mixtures reduces the nitrogen fixating abilities of leguminous
species, which leads to the diminishing of their competitive abilities and
favouring of the grass component in the mixture. Use of excessive quantities
of N fertilizer in plants causes the accumulation of nitrates, as a
unfavourable quality parameter in plant tissues, which can have harmful
effect on animal health. Therefore, attention should be focused on
application of N fertilizers, which should be harmonized with the plant
requirements, so that used quantities are not excessive and harmful.
Objective of this paper is to point out the significance of fertilization as
one of the most important melioration measures.
Intestinal histology and enterocytes height variation in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss) grown in cages: Effects of environmental conditions
Authors: Savic N. , Raskovic B. , Markovic Z. , Poleksic V.
Published: July 2012

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss, Walbaum, 1792) was grown in cages (water
reservoirs "Bocac", Bosnia and Herzegovina) in two separate experiments for a
period of 90 days (autumn - winter and spring - summer). Trout were fed six
different feed formulations and studied their influence on rainbow trout
intestine histology. Normal histological structure of this part of the
digestive system was found. The results showed that with water temperature
and feed quantity decrease, the height of enterocytes increases; while with
increase of water temperature and amount of food given to the fish, the
average height of enterocytes decreased.
A possibility of increasing the content of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in broiler meat
Authors: Bedekovic D. , Janjecic Z. , Pintar J. , Muzic S.
Published: July 2012

Decreased intake of n3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and loss of balance
of n-6/n-3 PUFA in the diet of people in the past 100-150 years may partly
explain the occurrence and permanent increase of typical diseases of modern
civilization such as cardiovascular, heart disease, allergies and various
malignant diseases. The increase input of long chain PUFAn3 in the human diet
can be achieved by enriching animal foods (meat, milk and eggs) with long
chain PUFAn3 by feeding animals with feed rich in PUFAn3. Therefore the aim
of our study was to determine the possibility of increasing the content of
PUFAn3 and decreasing the ratio of PUFAn6/PUFAn3 in broiler meat using
rapeseed cake in their nutrition. Three hundred sixty male day-old Cobb
hybrid chickens were randomly divided into 12 groups of 30 individuals.
Control groups of broilers were fed with mixture that did not contain any
rapeseed cake (T-0) and experimental groups were fed with mixtures that
contained rapeseed cake in the amount of 5 and 10% (T-5 and T-10). Each
feeding treatment had four replicates. At the end of the study, 42 days old
broilers were weighed and sacrificed immediately thereafter. Samples of
breast muscle of 5 animals from each treatment were taken for the purpose of
determining the composition of fatty acids. As a result we got that content
of PUFAn3 increased significantly in breast muscle of T-10 group (1,62; 1,60;
2,20). In accordance with this, relationship of PUFAn6/PUFAn3 significantly
decreased in breast muscle that treatment (20,94; 21,73; 16,15).
Analysis of genetic variation in normal feathered, naked neck and fulani-ecotype nigerian indigenous chickens based on haemoglobin polymorphism
Authors: Yakubu A. , Aya V.E.
Published: July 2012

Haemoglobin polymorphism was investigated in 50 normal feathered, 33 naked
neck and 42 Fulani-ecotype Nigerian indigenous chickens. Haemoglobin typing
was carried out using cellulose acetate electrophoresis. Two co-dominant
haemoglobin alleles (HbA and HbB) were found in the chickens. From the
electrophoretic band patterns, three genotypes (HbAA, Hband HbBB) were
observed. The frequencies of the A and B genes were 0.68 and 0.32; 0.71 and
0.29; 0.75 and 0.25 for normal feathered, naked neck and Fulani-ecotype
chickens respectively. The corresponding genotype frequencies for AA, AB, and
BB in the three chicken populations were 0.54, 0.28 and 0.18; 0.58, 0.27and
0.15; 0.62, 0.26 and 0.12 respectively. The gene and genotype frequencies of
naked neck and Fulani-ecotype birds were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium while
those of normal feathered birds deviated significantly from the theoretical
proportions. The average amount of heterozygosity at haemoglobin locus was
0.41. The results obtained could serve as a reference point in the genetic
improvement of indigenous chickens using biochemical markers.
Impact analysis of the implemented quality management system on business performances in pharmaceutical-chemical industry in Serbia
Authors: Marinkovic Valentina , Sibalija Tatjana , Majstorovic Vidosav , Tasic Ljiljana
Published: July 2012

International quality management standard (QMS) ISO 9001 became widely
accepted as a framework for product and/or services quality improvement.
There are recent research conducted in order to define relationships and
effects between the applied QMS and financial and/or non-financial business
parameters. The effects of the applied pharmaceutical quality system (PQS) on
the business performances in Serbian pharmaceutical-chemical industry are
analyzed in this paper using multivariate linear regression analysis. The
empirical data were collected using a survey that was performed among experts
from Serbian pharmaceutical-chemical industrial sector during 2010. An
extensive questionnaire was used in the survey, grouping the questions in
eight groups: Implementation of pharmaceutical quality system (AQ),
Quality/strategy planning (QP), Human resource management (HR), Supply
management (SM), Customer focus (CF), Process management (PM), Continuous
improvement (CI), and Business results (BR). The primary goal of the research
was to analyze the effects of the elements of first seven groups (AQ, QP, HR,
SM, CF, PM, and CI) that present various aspects of the implementation of
PQS, on the elements of business results (BR). Based on empirical data,
regression relations were formed to present the effects of all considered
elements of PQS implementation on the business performance parameters (BR).
The positive effects of PQS implementation on the business performances such
as the assessment of performance indicators, continual products and/or
services quality improvement, and efficient problem solving, are confirmed in
the presented research for the Serbian pharmaceutical-chemical industrial
sector. The results of the presented research will create a room for the
improvement of the existing models in application, and for attracting
interested parties that aim to commence this business standardization
process. Hence, implementation of PQS is not only the regulatory requirement
or advertising movement, but very important issue for the development and
improvement of business performances.
Trainer system appliances in early treatment of malocclusions
Authors: Aleksic Ema , Lalic Maja , Milic Jasmina , Gajic Mihajlo , Milosavljevic-Milovanovic Mirjana , Stojanovic Zdenka , Marjanovic Uros
Published: July 2012

Orthodontics is dental specialty focused on preventing and treating
morphological and functional irregularities of orofacial system in order to
establish adequate function of mastication apparatus, good occlusion and
pleasant facial appearance. It has been shown that early treatment of
orthodontic anomalies during the period of children?s growth is very
important. The purpose of early orthodontic treatment is to eliminate or
modify deviant skeletal growth and to stimulate adequate dentoalveolar and
skeletal development. As known, the treatment of malocclusions should begin
in primary or early mixed dentition, since the status of primary dentition
has profound effect on the development of permanent dentition. Functional
orthodontic appliances are most commonly used in early orthodontic treatment.
The aim of this study was to describe a new prefabricated polyurethane
myo-functional appliance clinically proved to be very effective.
Endodontic management of maxillary first molar with five canals: Report of a case aided with spiral computed tomography
Authors: Nayak Gurudutt , Shetty Shashit , Chopra Hitesh , Sharma Abhinav
Published: July 2012

Introduction. Maxillary first molars have shown substantial dissimilarity
regarding their number of roots, canals and morphology. Most commonly, it has
three roots and four canals, two mesiobuccal, one distobuccal and one palatal
canal. The incidence of second mesiobuccal canal has been reported between
18% and 96.1% while the incidence of two distobuccal canals was found in
1.64% to 9.50% of cases. Periapical (PA) radiography has been commonly used
to determine root canal anatomy even though it is two-dimensional
representation of a three-dimensional object. Advanced diagnostic methods as
spiral computed tomography (SCT) provide three-dimensional images useful to
determine complex canal morphology. Case Report. A 31-year-old male patient
was referred for endodontic treatment of the maxillary right first molar.
Endodontic access cavity revealed two canal openings in each of the
mesiobuccal and distobuccal roots and one canal in the palatal root later
confirmed using the SCT and conventional PA radiography. The canals were
instrumented using crown down technique with ProTaper NiTi rotary files.
Obturation was performed using single gutta-percha cone and AH Plus paste.
The patient remained asymptomatic during the regular checkups. Conclusion.
Knowledge, detection and management of complex canal anatomy is of the
foremost importance in endodontics since missed canals are one of well
recognised reasons for endodontic treatment failure.
Perilipin 2 Improves Insulin Sensitivity in Skeletal Muscle Despite Elevated Intramuscular Lipid Levels
Authors: Bosma Madeleen , Hesselink Matthijs K.C. , Sparks Lauren M. , Timmers Silvie , Ferraz Maria João , Mattijssen Frits , van Beurden Denis , Schaart Gert , de Baets Marc H. , Verheyen Fons K. , Kersten Sander , Schrauwen Patrick
Published: July 2012

Type 2 diabetes is characterized by excessive lipid storage in skeletal muscle. Excessive intramyocellular lipid (IMCL) storage exceeds intracellular needs and induces lipotoxic events, ultimately contributing to the development of insulin resistance. Lipid droplet (LD)–coating proteins may control proper lipid storage in skeletal muscle. Perilipin 2 (PLIN2/adipose differentiation–related protein [ADRP]) is one of the most abundantly expressed LD-coating proteins in skeletal muscle. Here we examined the role of PLIN2 in myocellular lipid handling and insulin sensitivity by investigating the effects of in vitro PLIN2 knockdown and in vitro and in vivo overexpression. PLIN2 knockdown decreased LD formation and triacylglycerol (TAG) storage, marginally increased fatty-acid (FA) oxidation, and increased incorporation of palmitate into diacylglycerols and phospholipids. PLIN2 overexpression in vitro increased intramyocellular TAG storage paralleled with improved insulin sensitivity. In vivo muscle-specific PLIN2 overexpression resulted in increased LD accumulation and blunted the high-fat diet–induced increase in protein content of the subunits of the oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) chain. Diacylglycerol levels were unchanged, whereas ceramide levels were increased. Despite the increased IMCL accumulation, PLIN2 overexpression improved skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity. We conclude that PLIN2 is essential for lipid storage in skeletal muscle by enhancing the partitioning of excess FAs toward TAG storage in LDs, thereby blunting lipotoxicity-associated insulin resistance.
Development and Application of the Trapezoidal Model for Archaeological Chronologies
Authors: Lee Sharen , Ramsey Christopher Bronk
Published: July 2012

Single- and multiphase models have been used extensively in construction of chronologies. We model more gradual transition between phases with a trapezoid model since it better reflects the nature of the information that goes into the model prior. We find that a simple trapezoid model has a bias that docs not reflect prior knowledge, and thus propose an addition of a noninformative clement to the prior. We also present an alternative parameterization, which transforms the current abrupt transition model into a model that allows for gradual changes. The addition of a noninformative prior ensures model flexibility. We evaluate these Bayesian models using 2 case studies.
An inexact Gauss-Newton method for inversion of basal sliding and rheology parameters in a nonlinear Stokes ice sheet model
Authors: Petrat Noemi , Zhu Hongyu , Stadler Georg , Hughes Thomas J.R. , Ghattas Omar
Published: July 2012

We propose an infinite-dimensional adjoint-based inexact Gauss-Newton method for the solution of inverse problems governed by Stokes models of ice sheet flow with nonlinear rheology and sliding law. The method is applied to infer the basal sliding coefficient and the rheological exponent parameter fields from surface velocities. The inverse problem is formulated as a nonlinear least-squares optimization problem whose cost functional is the misfit between surface velocity observations and model predictions. A Tikhonov regularization term is added to the cost functional to render the problem well-posed and account for observational error. Our findings show that the inexact Newton method is significantly more efficient than the nonlinear conjugate gradient method and that the number of Stokes solutions required to solve the inverse problem is insensitive to the number of inversion parameters. The results also show that the reconstructions of the basal sliding coefficient converge to the exact sliding coefficient as the observation error (here, the noise added to synthetic observations) decreases, and that a nonlinear rheology makes the reconstruction of the basal sliding coefficient more difficult. For the inversion of the rheology exponent field, we find that horizontally constant or smoothly varying parameter fields can be reconstructed satisfactorily from noisy observations.
Binding Mode Prediction of Evodiamine within Vanilloid Receptor TRPV1
Authors: Wang Zhanli , Sun Lidan , Yu Hui , Zhang Yanhui , Gong Wuzhuang , Jin Hongwei , Zhang Liangren , Liang Huaping
Published: July 2012

Accurate assessment of the potential binding mode of drugs is crucial to computer-aided drug design paradigms. It has been reported that evodiamine acts as an agonist of the vanilloid receptor Transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 (TRPV1). However, the precise interaction between evodiamine and TRPV1 was still not fully understood. In this perspective, the homology models of TRPV1 were generated using the crystal structure of the voltage-dependent shaker family K+ channel as a template. We then performed docking and molecular dynamics simulation to gain a better understanding of the probable binding modes of evodiamine within the TRPV1 binding pocket. There are no significant interspecies differences in evodiamine binding in rat, human and rabbit TRPV1 models. Pharmacophore modeling further provided confidence for the validity of the docking studies. This study is the first to shed light on the structural determinants required for the interaction between TRPV1 and evodiamine, and gives new suggestions for the rational design of novel TRPV1 ligands.
Pseudocapacitive Effects of N-Doped Carbon Nanotube Electrodes in Supercapacitors
Authors: Yun Young Soo , Park Hyun Ho , Jin Hyoung-Joon
Published: July 2012

Nitrogen- and micropore-containing carbon nanotubes (NMCNTs) were prepared by carbonization of nitrogen-enriched, polymer-coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and the electrochemical performances of the NMCNTs with different heteroatom contents were investigated. NMCNTs-700 containing 9.1 wt% nitrogen atoms had a capacitance of 190.8 F/g, which was much higher than that of pristine CNTs (48.4 F/g), despite the similar surface area of the two CNTs, and was also higher than that of activated CNTs (151.7 F/g) with a surface area of 778 m2/g and a nitrogen atom content of 1.2 wt%. These results showed that pseudocapacitive effects play an important role in the electrochemical performance of supercapacitor electrodes.
4-Methylenesterols from a Sponge Theonella swinhoei
Authors: Guo Jheng-Kun , Chiang Ching-Ying , Lu Mei-Chin , Chang Wen-Been , Su Jui-Hsin
Published: July 2012

Three new 4-methylenesterols, theonellasterol K (1), acetyltheonellasterol (2) and acetyldehydroconicasterol (3), along with two known sterols, theonellasterol (4) and theonellasterone (5), were isolated from the sponge Theonella swinhoei. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those of known analogues. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HCT-116, K562 and Molt 4 cancer cell lines.
Anion- or Cation-Exchange Membranes for NaBH4/H2O2 Fuel Cells?
Authors: Šljukić Biljana , Morais Ana L. , Santos Diogo M. F. , Sequeira César A. C.
Published: July 2012

Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFC), which operate on sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as the fuel, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as the oxidant, are receiving increasing attention. This is due to their promising use as power sources for space and underwater applications, where air is not available and gas storage poses obvious problems. One key factor to improve the performance of DBFCs concerns the type of separator used. Both anion- and cation-exchange membranes may be considered as potential separators for DBFC. In the present paper, the effect of the membrane type on the performance of laboratory NaBH4/H2O2 fuel cells using Pt electrodes is studied at room temperature. Two commercial ion-exchange membranes from Membranes International Inc., an anion-exchange membrane (AMI-7001S) and a cation-exchange membrane (CMI-7000S), are tested as ionic separators for the DBFC. The membranes are compared directly by the observation and analysis of the corresponding DBFC’s performance. Cell polarization, power density, stability, and durability tests are used in the membranes’ evaluation. Energy densities and specific capacities are estimated. Most tests conducted, clearly indicate a superior performance of the cation-exchange membranes over the anion-exchange membrane. The two membranes are also compared with several other previously tested commercial membranes. For long term cell operation, these membranes seem to outperform the stability of the benchmark Nafion membranes but further studies are still required to improve their instantaneous power load.
SEMAT — The Next Generation of Inexpensive Marine Environmental Monitoring and Measurement Systems
Authors: Trevathan Jarrod , Johnstone Ron , Chiffings Tony , Atkinson Ian , Bergmann Neil , Read Wayne , Theiss Susan , Myers Trina , Stevens Tom
Published: July 2012

There is an increasing need for environmental measurement systems to further science and thereby lead to improved policies for sustainable management. Marine environments are particularly hostile and extremely difficult for deploying sensitive measurement systems. As a consequence the need for data is greatest in marine environments, particularly in the developing economies/regions. Expense is typically the most significant limiting factor in the number of measurement systems that can be deployed, although technical complexity and the consequent high level of technical skill required for deployment and servicing runs a close second. This paper describes the Smart Environmental Monitoring and Analysis Technologies (SEMAT) project and the present development of the SEMAT technology. SEMAT is a “smart” wireless sensor network that uses a commodity-based approach for selecting technologies most appropriate to the scientifically driven marine research and monitoring domain/field. This approach allows for significantly cheaper environmental observation systems that cover a larger geographical area and can therefore collect more representative data. We describe SEMAT’s goals, which include: (1) The ability to adapt and evolve; (2) Underwater wireless communications; (3) Short-range wireless power transmission; (4) Plug and play components; (5) Minimal deployment expertise; (6) Near real-time analysis tools; and (7) Intelligent sensors. This paper illustrates how the capacity of the system has been improved over three iterations towards realising these goals. The result is an inexpensive and flexible system that is ideal for short-term deployments in shallow coastal and other aquatic environments.
Correcting the Temperature Influence on Soil Capacitance Sensors Using Diurnal Temperature and Water Content Cycles
Authors: Chanzy André , Gaudu Jean-Claude , Marloie Olivier
Published: July 2012

The influence of temperature on the dielectric permittivity of soil is the result of counteracting effect that depends on the soil’s composition and mineralogy. In this paper, laboratory experiments showed that for a given water content, the soil dielectric permittivity was linearly related to the temperature, with a slope (α) that varied between samples taken in the same soil. These variations are difficult to predict and therefore, a simple and straightforward algorithm was designed to estimate α based on the diurnal patterns of both the measured dielectric permittivity and the soil temperature. The underlying idea is to assume that soil water content variations can be known with a reasonable accuracy over an appropriate time window within a day. This allows determining the contribution of the soil water content to the dielectric permittivity variations and then, the difference with the observed measurements is attributed to the soil temperature. Implementation of the correction methods in a large number of experiments significantly improved the physical meaning of the temporal evolution of the soil water content as the daily cycles for probes located near the surface or the long-term variations for more deeply installed probes.
An Approach to Assess Knowledge and Skills in Risk Management Through Project-Based Learning
Authors: Galvão Túlio Acácio Bandeira , Neto Francisco Milton Mendes , Campos Marcos Tullyo , Júnior Edson de Lima Cosme
Published: July 2012

The increasing demand for Software Engineering professionals, particularly Project Managers, and popularization of the Web as a catalyst of human relations have made this platform interesting for training this type of professional. The authors have observed the widespread use of games as an attractive instrument in the process of teaching and learning. However, the project of a web-based instructional game that fulfills all pedagogical and technical requirements for training a project manager is not a trivial task. A gap exists between the theoretical concepts that are normally learned in traditional courses and practical aspects required by the real tasks. As such, this paper proposes the use of a persistent browser-based game intended for Risk Management as a component support in the qualifying process of new professionals of Project Management. The game provides to the player some experience in a real context of Project Management, in which new challenges are frequently posed to the enterprises.
ICOS Mediates the Generation and Function of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Regulatory T Cells Conveying Respiratory Tolerance
Authors: Busse Mandy , Krech Mathias , Meyer-Bahlburg Almut , Hennig Christian , Hansen Gesine
Published: July 2012

Costimulatory molecules like ICOS are crucial in mediating T cell differentiation and function after allergen contact and thereby strongly affect the immunologic decision between tolerance or allergy development. In this study, we show in two independent approaches that interruption of the ICOS signaling pathway by application of a blocking anti-ICOSL mAb in wild-type (WT) mice and in ICOS−/− mice inhibited respiratory tolerance development leading to eosinophilic airway inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and Th2 cytokine production in response to OVA sensitization. Respiratory Ag application almost doubled the number of CD4+Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the lung of WT mice with 77% of lung-derived Tregs expressing ICOS. In contrast, in ICOS−/− mice the number of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ Tregs did not increase after respiratory Ag application, and ICOS−/− Tregs produced significantly lower amounts of IL-10 than those of WT Tregs. Most importantly, in contrast to WT Tregs, ICOS−/− Tregs did not convey protection when transferred to “asthmatic” recipients demonstrating a strongly impaired Treg function in the absence of ICOS signaling. Our findings demonstrate a crucial role of ICOS for the generation and suppressive function of Tregs conveying respiratory tolerance and support the importance of ICOS as a target for primary prevention strategies.
Endothelial CD47 Promotes Vascular Endothelial-Cadherin Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Participates in T Cell Recruitment at Sites of Inflammation In Vivo
Authors: Azcutia Veronica , Stefanidakis Michael , Tsuboi Naotake , Mayadas Tanya , Croce Kevin J. , Fukuda Daiju , Aikawa Masanori , Newton Gail , Luscinskas Francis W.
Published: July 2012

At sites of inflammation, endothelial adhesion molecules bind leukocytes and transmit signals required for transendothelial migration (TEM). We previously reported that adhesive interactions between endothelial cell CD47 and leukocyte signal regulatory protein γ (SIRPγ) regulate human T cell TEM. The role of endothelial CD47 in T cell TEM in vivo, however, has not been explored. In this study, CD47−/− mice showed reduced recruitment of blood T cells as well as neutrophils and monocytes in a dermal air pouch model of TNF-α–induced inflammation. Reconstitution of CD47−/− mice with wild-type bone marrow cells did not restore leukocyte recruitment to the air pouch, indicating a role for endothelial CD47. The defect in leukocyte TEM in the CD47−/− endothelium was corroborated by intravital microscopy of inflamed cremaster muscle microcirculation in bone marrow chimera mice. In an in vitro human system, CD47 on both HUVEC and T cells was required for TEM. Although previous studies showed CD47-dependent signaling required Gαi-coupled pathways, this was not the case for endothelial CD47 because pertussis toxin, which inactivates Gαi, had no inhibitory effect, whereas Gαi was required by the T cell for TEM. We next investigated the endothelial CD47-dependent signaling events that accompany leukocyte TEM. Ab-induced cross-linking of CD47 revealed robust actin cytoskeleton reorganization and Src- and Pyk-2–kinase dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of the vascular endothelial-cadherin cytoplasmic tail. This signaling was pertussis toxin insensitive, suggesting that endothelial CD47 signaling is independent of Gαi. These findings suggest that engagement of endothelial CD47 by its ligands triggers outside-in signals in endothelium that facilitate leukocyte TEM.
A Genetically Encoded IL-1β Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer Sensor To Monitor Inflammasome Activity
Authors: Compan Vincent , Baroja-Mazo Alberto , Bragg Laricia , Verkhratsky Alexei , Perroy Julie , Pelegrin Pablo
Published: July 2012

Inflammation is fundamental for protecting the organism against infection and injury. However, a failure to control immune response results in chronic inflammation and several associated disorders such as pain and loss of function. Initiation of inflammation is orchestrated by cytokines, among which IL-1β is particularly important. IL-1β is synthesized as an inactive protein that has to be processed by the inflammasome to generate the mature bioactive form. Conventional techniques cannot monitor IL-1β activation with high spatial and temporal resolution. In this study, we present a ratiometric biosensor that allows monitoring IL-1β processing in real time, with a temporal resolution of seconds and with a single-cell spatial resolution. Using this sensor, to our knowledge, we describe for the first time the kinetic of the inflammasome activity in living macrophages. With this new probe, we also demonstrated that the pro–IL-1β processing occurs all over the cytoplasm.
Predictors of Shingles Reports at Diagnosis of Common Variable Immunodeficiency and Selective Immunoglobulin G Subclass Deficiency in 212 Alabama Adults
Authors: Barton James C. , Barton J. Clayborn , Bertoli Luigi F.
Published: July 2012

We sought to determine predictors of shingles reports in adults with common variable immunodeficiency or immunoglobulin (Ig) G subclass deficiency (CVID/IgGSD). We tabulated observations at diagnosis of CVID/IgGSD in 212 white adult index patients (165 women, 47 men) who responded to a question about having had shingles. None had been vaccinated for herpes zoster. We analyzed age, sex, and shingles reports; blood levels of CD19+, CD4+, CD8+, and CD56+ mononuclear cells; serum levels of IgG subclasses, IgA, and IgM; and positivity for human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A and -B haplotypes. Cell counts and immunoglobulin levels were normalized with loge (ln) transformation for analyses. Thirty-one patients (14.6%) reported shingles; 11 reported recurrent or disseminated shingles. Patients with shingles reports had greater mean age at diagnosis of CVID/IgGSD [54±13 (standard deviation) years vs. 47±12 years; P=0.0130] and a greater prevalence of HLA-A*01, B*08 positivity (35.5% vs. 17.7%; P=0.0227). In a 13-factor logistic regression model, there was a positive association of age with shingles reports [P=0.0151; odds ratio (1.05, 95% confidence interval 1.01, 1.08)]. HLA-A*01, B*08 positivity was also positively associated with shingles reports [P=0.0480; odds ratio 2.61 (1.00, 6.81)]. During a mean followup interval of 7.5 years after CVID/IgGSD diagnosis, the prevalence of recurrent shingles was almost five-fold greater in patients with previous shingles reports. In conclusion, in white adults at CVID/IgGSD diagnosis, age at diagnosis and positivity for HLA-A*01, B*08 have significant positive associations with reports of previous shingles.
The ‘cloud of witnesses’ as part of the public court of reputation in Hebrews
Authors: Cromhout Markus
Published: July 2012

By drawing parallels with the function of ancestors in African traditional religions, this article looks at the possibility that the Israelite ancestors mentioned in Hebrews played a far more dynamic role for the author and community he wrote for than most commentators appreciate. In addition to being examples of loyalty, it is argued that they also constitute an active presence, and similar to God, form part of the public court of reputation distributing honour to the Jesus followers. This also grounded and affirmed their Israelite identity.
Short-term shoreline evolution trend assessment: A case study in Glefe, Ghana
Authors: Amoani Kwadwo Y. , Appeaning−Addo Kwasi , Laryea Wahab S.
Published: July 2012

The growing economic, social and ecological importance of coastal areas in Ghana has increased the challenges associated with sustainably managing the coastal resources. The coastal areas have become more prone and vulnerable to natural and human-made hazards such as coastal erosion. Shoreline retreat is recognised as a burgeoning threat because of global climate change and other anthropogenic activities that alter the natural processes sustaining beaches and coasts. This article describes an application of Real-time Kinematic-Global Positioning System (RTK-GPS) technology and digitising of shorelines from orthophotos to detect and analyse the spatial changes as well as quantify the result of shoreline change at Glefe, a suburb of Accra in Ghana. Shoreline positions from a 2005 orthophoto and a 2011 RTK-GPS survey were overlaid in MATLAB (Matrix Laboratory) and the average rate of change determined using the endpoint rate (EPR) method. The shoreline change rate determined for Glefe between 2005 and 2011 was 1.2 m/a ± 1.3 m/a, indicating a relatively high rate of erosion. Outcomes of the case study can be used as a basis for a sustainable integrated management plan for the coastal area.
Nigerian agriculture workers’ outcomes from perceived organisational support and protestant work ethics: Job satisfaction as a mediator
Authors: Ladebo Olugbenga J. , Abubakar Bello Z. , Adamu Comfort O.
Published: July 2012

Orientation: The mechanism facilitating the development of organisational commitment and performance of citizenship behaviours is of research interest to scholars. Recent research trends suggest that job satisfaction can mediate the development of employee commitment and citizenship behaviours.Research purpose: The present study hypothesised that job satisfaction mediated the relationships between the predictors (perceived organisational support and protestant work ethics) and outcomes (organisational citizenship behaviours and organisational commitment).Motivation for the study: There is paucity of literature on the mediating influence of job satisfaction on predictors-outcomes linkages amongst agriculture workers in Nigeria. Available studies either examined the main effect of perceived organisational support on citizenship behaviours or the mediating influence of satisfaction on citizenship behaviours and not the proposed model.Research design, approach and method: The present study was survey-correlational in design. Data were obtained from 223 heterogeneous samples from different organisations (such as ministry of agriculture, parastatals, banks, private agro-allied companies, and insurance companies).Main findings: Results showed that job satisfaction fully mediated the relationship between perceived organisational support and citizenship behaviours and partially mediated the relationship between perceived organisational support and organisational commitment. Further, employee satisfaction partially mediated the relationships between protestant work ethics and citizenship behaviours and organisational commitment.Practical/managerial implications: This study indicated that both protestant work ethics and perceived organisational support are important in motivating employees to engage in cooperative behaviours and exhibit greater commitment through job satisfaction.Contribution/value-add: The present study showed that job satisfaction is a mediator linking both perceived organisational support and protestant work ethics to organisational commitment and citizenship behaviours.
The directors’ roles in containing the Robben Island Diversity Experience (RIDE)
Authors: Cilliers Frans , May Michelle
Published: July 2012

Orientation: Robben Island represents past denigration and present day liberation. The researchers report on their experiences of containing the learning, consciously and unconsciously, in the Robben Island Diversity Experience.Research purpose: The purpose of the research was to describe the experiences of the directors of RIDE in the last 10 years.Motivation for the study: Of the many and different diversity events that South African organisations present, RIDE is the only systems psycho-dynamically designed and presented event. This research was an effort to explore the nature of the directors’ roles in working with unconscious diversity dynamics in such a provocative venue.Research design, approach and method: The researchers conducted qualitative, descriptive and double hermeneutic research. The various RIDE events served as case studies. The data consisted of researcher field notes collected during the 10 years. Thematic analysis resulted in four themes, for which the researchers formulated working hypotheses. They integrated them into the research hypothesis.Main findings: Four themes emerged. They were the diversity characteristics of the directors as containers, working on the boundary between RIDE and the macro role players, attacks on the programme as container and challenges from participants.Practical/managerial implications: The research highlighted the important roles of directors’ authorisation as a resilience factor in containing RIDE.Contribution/value-add: The research contributed towards the awareness of intergroup relations between role players during diversity dynamic events and of how authorisation cements relationships.
A Case of Empyema Thoracic due to Salmonella typhi in 18-month-old Child: An Unusual Cause
Authors: Nandan Devki , Jhavar Lalish , Dewan Vivek , Bhatt Girish Chandra , Kaur Nirmaljeet
Published: July 2012

We herein report an 18-months-old child who presented with high-grade fever, cough, and breathlessness along with tachypnoea and diminished air entry on the left side of the chest, in which a diagnosis of left-sided pleural effusion was made. Salmonella typhi was isolated from the pleural tap culture. The patient had uneventful recovery with appropriate antibiotic therapy. Empyema thoracic as a complication is extremely rare in the absence of an underlying co-morbid illness, is even more uncommon in a child, and is even rarer to find with Salmonella typhi species. After reviewing the available literature we could find only five cases of empyema thoracic due to Salmonella typhi in children with the age range of 9–13 years. We are reporting this case as the youngest child reported with this complication.
Fluorodeoxyglucose PET-CT Findings Following Bone Marrow Harvesting
Authors: Matthews Robert , Schuster Michael , Safaie Elham , Relan Nand , Franceschi Dinko
Published: July 2012

Two patients demonstrated an unusual pattern of intense bone and surrounding soft tissue hypermetabolic uptake in the posterior pelvis on fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography with computed tomography PET-CT scans. After further investigation, we found that both patients underwent uncomplicated autologous bone marrow harvesting several weeks before imaging. These two cases illustrate a distinctive PET-CT appearance following bone marrow harvesting that the radiologist needs to recognize to not confuse the findings with metastatic disease.
Country Inequality Rankings and Conversion Schemes
Authors: Schröder Carsten , Bönke Timm
Published: July 2012

Two conversion schemes may be employed for assessing income inequality from household equivalent incomes: to weight household units by size or by needs. Using data from the Luxembourg Income Study, we show the sensitivity of country inequality rankings to conversion schemes and explain the finding by means of inequality decomposition. A bootstrap approach is implemented to test for statistical significance of our results.
Downsizing is dead; long live the downsizing phenomenon: Conceptualizing the phases of cost-cutting
Authors: Gandolfi Franco , Littler Craig R
Published: July 2012

Downsizing as a systematic reduction of employees is frequently utilized in order to increase productivity, efficiency, profitability, and competitiveness of organizations. As a strategy of choice for many firms around the world, downsizing produces far-reaching financial, organizational, and social consequences. Despite the large body of literature, there is inconclusive evidence as to whether downsizing is effective and whether it generates the widely anticipated benefits. Employee downsizing as a change management strategy has been actively adopted for more than three decades. This downsizing article presents a phase typology of job cutting including three distinct phases and three levels of argument. As a conceptual paper, it aims to examine, update, and extend Littler and Gandolfi's (2008) seminal work. The research paper culminates with a discussion of current downsizing practices, and posits that the downsizing phenomenon has remained a popular restructuring.