bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Excluded, the Vulnerable and the Reintegrated in a Neoliberal Era: Qualitative Dimensions of the Unemployment Experience.
Authors: Silver Susan , Shields John , Wilson Sue , Scholtz Antonie
Published: March 2016

In this qualitative study, we examine the pathways to vulnerability created by structural unemployment. We focus on a sample of workers often neglected in unemployment studies, namely full-time workers who have held steady employment before job loss. Our sample consists of 29 Canadian workers, restructured from full-time employment and followed for two years. By investigating what happens to these workers we are able to gain valuable insight into the “lived experience” of structural job loss. Their stories describe pathways that lead to re-integration, but also expose pathways that result in heightened states of vulnerability and exclusion from the labour market. The paper concludes with a number of policy suggestions aimed at redressing some of the most negative effects of neoliberal labour market restructuring.
The Dialectics of Praxis
Authors: Carpenter Sara , Ritchie Genevieve , Mojab Shahrzad
Published: March 2016

This paper takes up the theorization of the dialectical relationships between consciousness, praxis, and contradiction by drawing primarily on the work of critical feminist and anti-racist scholars Roxana Ng and Paula Allman. Beginning with the important Marxist theorizations of the lives of immigrant women, the state, and community services made by Roxana Ng, we move forward with asserting that Roxana’s commitment to making social relations of power and exploitation ‘knowable’ and ‘transformable’ is based on a complex and revolutionary articulation of the relationship between thinking and being. This dialectical conceptualization of praxis is necessary for any potentially coherent revolutionary feminist anti-racist project. The challenge posed by Roxana is two-fold: not only how best to ‘know’ the world, but how to teach this analysis and generate revolutionary practice.
No Right to be Safe: Justifying the Exclusion of Alberta Farm Workers from Health and Safety Legislations
Authors: Barnetson Bob
Published: March 2016

Alberta remains the only Canadian province to exclude agricultural workers from the ambit of its occupational health and safety laws. Consequently, farm workers have no right to know about workplace safety hazards and no right to refuse unsafe work, thereby increasing their risk of a workplace injury. This study uses qualitative content analysis to identify three narratives used by government members of the legislative assembly between 2000 and 2010 to justify the continued exclusion of agricultural workers from basic health and safety rights. These narratives are: (1) education is better than regulation, (2) farms cannot be regulated, and (3) farmers don’t want and can’t afford regulation. Analysis of these narratives reveals them to be largely invalid, raising the question of why government members rely upon these narratives. The electoral rewards associated with maintaining this exclusion may comprise part of the explanation.
Heavy metal concentrations in zooplankton of Sinop coasts of the Black Sea, Turkey
Authors: Bat L. , Üstün F. , Öztekin H. C.
Published: March 2016

Estimation of level contamination of marine ecosystems with heavy metals is important task in the field of MSFD. Total zooplankton samples were collected using a standard zooplankton net (mesh size = 112 µm, mouth diameter = 50 cm) from Sinop coast of the Black Sea, Turkey in 2011 and 2012. Concentrations of Al, As, Cu, Zn, Hg, Fe, Cd and Pb were determined in the total zooplankton samples. The average concentration of heavy metals followed order: Fe > Al > Zn > Pb > Cu > As > Cd > Hg. Of all the heavy metals estimated Hg was below the detection limit in all the samples. Fe was the most common heavy metal in total zooplankton samples present in all, Al was the other heavy metal commonly present in the samples. Pb showed high value (210 mg·kg-1) in total zooplankton. Similar to Pb, a high average concentration of As (40 mg·kg-1) was observed in total zooplankton. Cd was 1.1 mg·kg-1.
Географическая изменчивость размерно-возрастной структуры черноморского шпрота Sprattus sprattus phalericus (Risso) (Pisces: Clupeidae) и его внутривидовая дифференциация
Authors: Зуев Г. В. , Бондарев В. А. , Самотой Ю. В.
Published: March 2016

Исследования внутривидовой дифференциации черноморского шпрота Sprattus sprattus phalericus являются основой для научного обоснования рационального использования его ресурсного потенциала. Данная работа посвящена изучению пространственной изменчивости размерно-возрастной структуры шпрота как популяционнно-специфического показателя, отражающего его внутривидовую биологическую структурированность. В работе использованы наряду с собственными данными материалы Научно-технического и экономического комитета по рыболовству (STECF) Европейской комиссии. Впервые установлены различия многолетней (2007–2012) динамики и межгодовой изменчивости размерно-возрастной структуры шпрота в разных географических регионах Чёрного моря (прибрежные воды Крыма Болгарии и Румынии, Турции). Показано, что основным фактором, определяющим межрегиональную биологическую разнокачественность шпрота, являются разные условия его эксплуатации, что ставит под сомнение концепцию единого промыслового запаса.
Неизвестное об известном (к 145-летию СБС – ИнБЮМ – ИМБИ)
Authors: Мильчакова Н. А.
Published: March 2016

Заметка рассказывает о малоизвестных страницах жизни выдающегося учёного-гидробиолога, члена-корреспондента АН УССР профессора, доктора биологических наук Владимира Алексеевича Водяницкого, первого директора ИнБЮМ.
Prevalence and Epidemiologic Analysis of Porcine Circovirus Type 2 in China from 2013 to 2015
Authors: Sun Yuzhang , Dai Yonglian , Yin Renfu
Published: March 2016

Previous studies have indicated a wide distribution of PCV-2 in China , there is no available information on the current PCV-2 prevalence and Epodemilogic analysis all over the country. In this study, the result showed that prevalence of PCV-2 in Eastern China (87.3%) was significantly higher than Western China (47.6%), PCV-2b 1A/1B and 1C stains were isolated from the farms in Northern China, whereas PCV-2b 1C stains were epidemic in Southern China. Moreover, this study provided the positive and effective measure to control this disease in the long term.
MIKROMORFOLOGI ALAT KELAMIN PRIMER BIAWAK AIR (Varanus salvator bivittatus) JANTAN (Micromorphological Structure of Primary Reproductive Organ of Male Water Monitor Lizard (Varanus salvator bivittatus))
Authors: M Mahfud , Winarto Adi , Nisa Chairun
Published: March 2016

The study aims to determine the histological structure of the testes, ductus epididymidis and ductus deferens of Varanus salvator bivittatus. The tissue samples were obtained by the histological techniques preparation with thickness section is 3-4 µm then stained using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson's Trichrome (MT). The result showed that testes are covered by tunica vaginalis and tunica albuginea (tunica fibrous and tunica vasculosa). Tubulus seminiferous as a parenchyma are found in lobules of testes which are formed by septum as extension of tunica albuginea. Tubulus seminiferous is composed by layers of germinal epithelium cells consist of spermatogenia, Sertoli cell, spermatocyte and spermatid which is developed further to be spermatozoa in the lumen of tubulus. Among the tubulus seminiferous, there are groups of epithelioid cells called Leydig cells. The end of tubulus seminiferous formed ductus epididymidis which then ended up and known as ductus deferens. Epididymis is covered by dense connective tissue. Ductus epididymidis is divided into three segments: cranial, medial and caudal. It is lined by pseudostratified columnar epithelium which is varied in its thickness, amount and diameter of lumen. Lumen of the ductus deferens was lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium and thin muscularis mucosal layer and thick circular smooth muscle were covered externally.Key words: Varanus salvator bivittatus, testes, ductus epididymidis, ductus deferens, micromorphology
PENINGKATAN AKTIVITAS ENZIM LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE (LPL) DAN PERUBAHAN HISTOPATOLOGIS HATI TIKUS (Rattus norvegicus) HIPERKOLESTEROLEMIA YANG DIBERI EKSTRAK SARANG SEMUT (Myrmecodia sp.) (The Increase Activity of Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL) Enzyme and Histophatological Changes of Liver of Hypercholesterolemic Rat (Rattus norvegicus) Induced by Ethanolic Extract of Ant Plant (Myrmecodia sp.))
Authors: R Roslizawaty , R Rusli , N Nazaruddin , S Syafruddin , Bangun Indahlia Syahfitri , J Jumaidar
Published: March 2016

This study was aimed to find out the effect of ethanolic extract of ant plant (Myrmecodia sp.) to increase the activity of enzyme lipoprotein lipase (LPL) serum and to observe the histopathological changes of hypercholesterolemic rat liver. This study used 20 male rats grouped into 4 treatment groups, namely negative control group (K1), hypercholesterolemic group (K2), and hypercholesterolemic group that administered with ethanolic extract of ant plant 100 (K3) and 200 mg/kg bw (K4). The LPL enzyme activity were measured by the titration method and histopatological changes of liver were observed by calculated fatty degeneration and fatty infiltration. The data were analyzed using one way anova followed by Duncan test. The average of LPL enzyme activity on group K1, K2, K3, and K4 were 0.80±0.06, 0.45±0.10, 0.83±0.11, and 0.76±0.03 unit, respectively. The average number of fatty degeneration on hepatocyte and fatty infiltration were 1.80±0.83, 3.60±1.14, 23.00 ±1.22, and 40.20±1.30; and 9.20±0.84, 16.40±1.14, 2.60±0.54, and 4.80±0.83, respectively. The results showed that theraphy ethanolic extract of ant plant effects significantly (P0.01) on the increase of enzyme LPL and improve liver damage in hypercholesterolemic male rats. To conclude the administration of ethanolic extract of ant plant increases the LPL enzyme activity and improves liver damage on hyperch olesterolemic rats.Key words: Myrmecodia sp., LPL activity, histopathological liver, hypercholesterolemia
PEMBERIAN LIMBAH PERKEBUNAN SINGKONG YANG DISUPLEMENTASI SENG DAN KOBALT TERHADAP PERFORMA REPRODUKSI DOMBA BETINA (Utilization of Cassava Plantation Waste Supplemented with Zinc and Cobalton Reproduction Performance of Ewe)
Authors: Hernaman Iman , Hidajat Kundrat , Budiman Atun , Nurachma Siti
Published: March 2016

The study aimed to evaluate the  utilization of cassava plantation waste suplemented with zinc and cobalt on ewe reproduction performance. Six pregnacy ewes were allocated at experimentrations, i.e. K1: control (50% fresh grass + 50%  concentrate) and K2: 50% fresh grass + 50% cassava plantation waste  + 30 ppm zinc + 5 ppm cobalt. The results showed that the concentration of zinc and cobalt in blood of ewe in group K1 and K1 were 7.03 vs 8.22 ppm and 0.48 vs 0.44 ppm, respectively, while in faeces were 147,72 vs 158.59 ppm and 8.3 vs 9.8 ppm. In addition, the concentration of alkaline phosphatase and progresterone in blood were 116 vs 196 u/l and 0.56 vs 0.59 mg/ml, respectively. The average of offsprings weight on 24 day postpartum in K1 and K2 was 3.48 vs 3.16kg. In conclusion, cassava plantation waste could be used as feed for pregnancy and lactating ewe. Supplementation of 30 ppm zinc is efectively increase the concentration of zinc and alkaline phosphatase in blood.Key words: cobalt, reproduction, cassava, zinc, ewe
EKSTRAK ETANOL BIJI JINTAN HITAM (Nigella sativa) MENINGKATKAN AKTIVITAS FAGOSITOSIS MAKROFAG MENCIT SWISS YANG DIINFEKSI Lysteria monocytogenes
Authors: A Akrom , Widjaya Andi , Armansyah T.
Published: March 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui pengaruh ekstrak etanol biji jintan hitam (EEBJH) terhadap aktivitas fagositosis dan sekresi reactive oxygen intermediates (ROI) makrofag peritoneal mencit Swiss yang diinfeksi Lysteria monocytogenes (L. monoytogenes). Dalam penelitian ini digunakan 72 ekor mencit jantan galur Swiss dengan berat antara 20-30 g. Mencit dibagi ke dalam enam kelompok, masing-masing terdiri atas 12 ekor. Kelompok 1 (kelompok kontrol negatif), diberi akuades secara per oral. Kelompok II (kelompok kontrol positif), hewan uji diberi imboost per oral. Kelompok III, IV, V, dan VI sebagai kelompok perlakuan, masing-masing diberi EEBJH dengan dosis 1, 5, 25, dan 125 mg/kg bobot badan/hari per oral selama 14 hari. Pada hari ke-15, semua mencit diinfeksi L. monocytogenes. Aktivitas fagositosis makrofag peritoneal diamati dengan metode lateks sedangkan aktivitas sekresi ROI diamati dengan metode nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction assay. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pemberian EEBJH meningkatkan aktivitas fagositosis dan sekresi ROI makrofag peritoneal yang diinfeksi L. monocytogenes. Angka kematian hewan uji pada kelompok perlakuan lebih rendah dari kelompok negatif. Aktivitas fagositosis dan sekresi ROI makrofag tertinggi terdapat pada hari ke-14. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa EEBJH memiliki efek meningkatkan aktivitas fagositosis dan sekresi ROI makrofag mencit Swiss yangdiinfeksi L. monocytogenes. Kelompok perlakuan dengan dosis 5 mg/kg bobot badan EEBJH memiliki aktivitas fagositosis dan sekresi ROI tertinggi.
APLIKASI FOURIER TRANSFORM INFRARED (FTIR) DAN PENGAMATAN PEMBENGKAKAN GENITAL PADA SPESIES PRIMATA, LUTUNG JAWA (Trachypithecus auratus) UNTUK MENDETEKSI MASA SUBUR
Authors: Sjahfirdi Luthfiralda , Aldi Nikki , Maheshwari Hera , Astuti Pudji
Published: March 2016

Penelitian ini bertujuan mengetahui gugus fungsi penanda yang merepresentasikaan hormon metabolit E1C dan PdG serta bilangan gelombangnya pada urine yang didukung dengan pengamatan genitalia untuk memastikan pendeteksian masa subur pada lutung jawa (Trachypithecus auratus). Sampel urine dan pengamatan genitalia diperoleh dari 2 (dua) ekor lutung jawa betina di Pusat Primata Schmutzer, Kebun Binatang Ragunan, Jakarta. Sampel urin diambil setiap hari dan dilengkapi dengan pengamatan genitalia. Hasil menunjukkan bahwa gugus fungsi penanda yang merepresentasikan E1C dan PdG pada lutung jawa sama dengan yang teridentifikasi pada tikus namun dengan bilangan gelombang berbeda.  Hormon metabolit E1C direpresentasikan melalui gugus fungsi alkil, aromatik, dan hidroksil pada bilangan gelombang 596 cm-1, 698 cm-1, 3599 cm-1, dan PdG direpresentasikan melalui gugus fungsi alkil dan aldehid pada bilangan gelombang 1450 dan 1699 cm-1. Dari penelitian ini dapat disimpulkan bahwa gugus fungsi penanda yang teridentifikasi oleh fourier transform infrared (FTIR) dapat berlaku secara universal, namun bilangan gelombang yang merepresentasikannya bersifat spesifik spesies.
Making Data Pay
Authors: Rassenfoss Stephen
Published: March 2016

There is talk about digital oil fields and big data and some striking examples of their power. But in real oil fields, a lot of operators are still running fields with systems relying on big paper.

Since retiring from Chevron where he worked on introducing digital oilfield technology, Jim Crompton has advised smaller operators and learned that “80% are operating on paper” and many control systems using established computerized control systems such as SCADA are “the next generation.”

To describe the state of the oilfield technology during a presentation at the recent SPE Digital Energy Conference and Exhibition in The Woodlands, Texas, Crompton, an adviser with Noah Consulting, quoted a well-known science fiction writer, William Gibson, who said, “The future is here, it is just not evenly distributed.”

The speakers at the conference pointed out a widely shared problem for those working in this field: while much data is gathered, little of it is used. For example, about 5% of the real-time data from a drillship are sent to shore to help monitor and control drilling, he said.

At the corporate level, the industry has been a leading user of computer power and advanced analysis methods for engineering and managing the enterprise. Exploration and production (E&P) companies own some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, which are used to do the seismic studies that are the foundation of reservoir models. But frequently, they are unable to update those models with results from producing fields.

“Analytics is used on an enterprise level, but no one is looking at how to use it on an operational basis so we can run data on models of wells or reservoirs as we gather the data,” said Moray Laing, executive lead consultant for oil and gas at the SAS Institute, during a panel discussion at the conference.
How Ready Is Your Project for Delivering Production?
Authors: Eberspaecher Kai C. , Gabb Jamie W.
Published: March 2016

Management

In recent years, projects in upstream oil and gas have become more complex, remotely located, and, therefore, costly and difficult to deliver. Research shows that one of the key performance indicators—attainment of production as per the basis of design— is not achieved without significant further investment and significant delay (Merrow 2011). The findings are an industrywide phenomenon. Oil and gas companies have started to think about how to reduce the risk of costly remedial actions to meet original production targets.

There are principally two activities that companies employ to optimize internal processes for better outcomes: (1) strengthening project assurance activities and (2) planning ahead for long-term operations. Recent experience in coal seam gas (CSG) to liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects on the east coast of Australia further enforces these principles.

1. Value assurance fostering system integration

After the late 1990s trend to return to the roots of the E&P sector, after a period of diversification into other businesses, capital discipline was instituted in most large multinational oil and gas companies. The value assurance framework was principally employed to enhance the efficiency of capital invested by offering “more bang for the buck.”

Because of the natural movement of employees and increased pressure from shareholders, capital allocation discipline and value assurance have found widespread application in the industry. Over the years, the same framework expanded to include technical and operational requirements that stipulate minimum standards for deliverables at various stages of project delivery such as concept selection, detailed design, construction, and commissioning.

A key learning in applying these processes was to recognize the large degree of systems interaction that require higher levels of integration. The model developed by Shenhar and Dvir (2007) classifies projects by a number of key variables and attributes certain factors to overcome factors such as uncertainty, complexity, organizational knowledge, and urgency. These factors correlate with the observations in Merrow’s analysis of executed megaprojects (Merrow 2011).

In identifying the key drivers for each project, a different approach, team composition, and organizational setup is required. A good example is the difference between a repeat project rolling out an existing widget in another location to a crisis management project as a response to a natural disaster or an external threat. The sponsors, available resources, and expectations of the two projects will be very different, thus leading to very different approaches and outcomes.

In general, the more complex the project, the higher the level of integration required to achieve project objectives. The lower the level of integration, the more likely that project objectives such as production attainment, budget, or schedule are not achieved.
Kinds of freshwater and their relation to ecosystem services and human well-being
Authors: Hayat Shakeel , Gupta Joyeeta
Published: March 2016

The concept of ecosystem services (ESS) has evolved as a link between society and the environment and is recognized by both natural and social scientists. While this concept is increasingly being developed and applied to various ecological systems, it has not been defined specifically for different kinds of water. As water circulation is crucial for large-scale services, such as climatic and hydrological regulation at global and regional scales, water provides specific ecological and anthropogenic services needed for a myriad of chemical, biological, and social needs. Various scholars mostly deal with one specific kind of water, while efforts at water governance need to understand that water passes through different phases and geographical locations providing different services at multiple scales within social-ecological systems. Hence, this paper addresses the question: what are the ESS of different kinds of freshwater and how are these services linked to human well-being? This paper investigates the literature on the subject to create a taxonomy of the kinds of water and their relations to ESS and human well-being. The paper concludes by identifying the implications for governing different kinds of water in order to enhance the potential for optimizing the ESS provided by water in its different phases.
Sequestration of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution using microalga Rhizoclonium hookeri: adsorption thermodynamics, kinetics, and equilibrium studies
Authors: Suganya S. , Saravanan A. , Senthil Kumar P. , Yashwanthraj M. , Sundar Rajan P. , Kayalvizhi K.
Published: March 2016

In the present study, the microalga Rhizoclonium hookeri (RH) was effectively applied to remove the metal ions [Pb(II) and Ni(II)] from aqueous solution in batch adsorption mode experiments. The adsorption process was influenced by several operating parameters such as initial metal ion concentration, contact time, pH, particle size, adsorbent dose, and temperature. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of the RH was found to be 81.7 mg g−1 and 65.81 mg g−1 for Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions, respectively, at optimum conditions. The calculated thermodynamic parameters illustrated that the adsorption process was found to be spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Experimental data were analyzed in terms of pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Elovich kinetic models. The results showed that the removal of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions followed the pseudo-second order kinetics. The adsorption isotherm data were described using two and three parameter models. The results indicate that the adsorption data were best fitted with the Sips isotherm model. Consequently, the microalga RH with good adsorbability and reusability could be used as an effective adsorbent for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Ni(II) ions from wastewater.
Studies on Anti-Cancer Activity of Lysyl Oxidase from Trichoderma Viride MTCC 167
Authors: Kalra Shipra , Midha Kanav , Monika - , Kaur Manpreet
Published: March 2016

Lysyl oxidase produces H2O2 i.e. ROS by acting on L-Lysyine. In the present study, ROS thus produced has been used by in vitro cytotoxicity assay on ovarian cancer cells thereby achieving 250 percent inhibition. Lysyl oxidase activity was determined spectrophotometrically by Dintrophenylhydrazine (DNPH) reagent. For isolation of lysyl oxidase produced by Trichodermaviride, acetone precipitation and ammonium sulphate precipitation was carried out. The effect of temperature on lysyl oxidase production was determined by incubating the media with 1.5 % inoculum at different temperature ranging from  10 , 20, 30,40,50,60,70 , 80 0C for 72 hr . Anti-tumor properties of Lysyl oxidase was checked using Rhodamine assay and NBT Assay.  Comparative results for Acetone and Ammonium Sulphate precipitation showed that Enzyme activity(U/ml)  of acetone precipitation is 124.6 and 144.3 IU/ml and Protein Content is 1.8 and 2.2 mg/ml with the specific activity 68.4IU/mg and 64.1IU/mg . The optimum enzyme production was found to be at pH 8 and optimum temperature for lysyl oxidase production was 500C with maximum enzyme activity of 0.38 (U/ml). 7th fraction contained highest enzyme activity so the retention time of lysyl oxidase was found to be 7 min. The protein content was also calculated by using Bradford method and it was highest in the 1st fraction and in 6th, 7th and 8th fractions. The specific activity has been improved from 75.1 IU/mg to 86.5 IU/mg. 10 units of lysyl oxidase inhibits 3x104 cells in each well to 82.5% and inhibition achieved at same cell count at 200 units which was 250% as observed with NBT and Rhodamine assay.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 57-63
Survey on Management of Spotted Pod Borer (Maruca vitrata Fabricius) on Yardlong Bean in Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Regmi Rajendra. , Tiwari Sundar , Thapa Resham Bhadur , Maharjan Ranju , Poudel Sujata poudel , Poudel Kapil Poudel
Published: March 2016

A household survey was conducted during January 2012 in Gunjanagar, Dibyanagar and Sukranagar Village Development Committee of Chitwan district to know the socioeconomic status, status of spotted pod borer and its management practice. The survey included purposive random sampling methods in 35 yardlong bean growers. Most of commercial farmers have been growing since 3-7 years. Nearly three fourth of the farmers considered spotted pod borer as a major pest of yarldlong bean in Chitwan. Most of them considered more than 60% loss caused by spotted pod borer if no management practice is applied. Almost all sprayed chemical pesticides for management of spotted pod borer and nearly three fourth of them used more than one chemical pesticides alternately for management of spotted pod borer.One third farmers (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 4-7 days interval and one third of them (31.43%) applied chemical pesticides in 7-10 days interval after beginning of flowering for management of spotted pod borer. Almost all farmers (94.29%) knew adverse effect of pesticides on human, environment, natural enemies and other animal. Majority (94.29%) of farmers harvested pods after 1-3 day of spray of chemical pesticides and very few (14.29%) of commercial grower of this area get training in insect pest management.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 39-43
In vitro seed germination and Growth of Three Varieties of Black Gram after Ultraviolet-B Radiation
Authors: Rajendiran K , Thiruvarasan K , Vijayalakshmi R
Published: March 2016

In vitro seed germination and growth of seedlings was tried with three varieties of black gram (Vigna mungo (L.) Hepper) viz. Vamban-3, Nirmal-7 and T-9 after ultraviolet-B irradiation (UV-B = 2 hours once with 1 hour recovery time @ 12.2 kJ m-2 d-1; ambient = 10 kJ m-2 d-1). Unstressed and UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 and T-9 seeds both in dry and wet conditions responded to in vitro germination. Unstressed NIRMAL-7 failed to germinate under in vitro culture. UV-B stressed NIRMAL-7 responded to in vitro culture. UV-B irradiation enhanced seedling height at both dry and wet conditions in VAMBAN-3 followed by NIRMAL-7 compared with controls. Root and shoot length of UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 and NIRMAL-7 performed five to six times better than control. Root and shoot length of T-9 was reduced (2.61 to 8.69 %) below control after UV-B exposure. UV-B stressed VAMBAN-3 under dry and wet exposure accumulated three to six times more plant biomass over controls. UV-B stressed NIRMAL-7 and T-9 dry seeds accumulated less plant biomass by 70.86 % and 12.39 % respectively than their controls. NIRMAL-7 and T-9 under dry UV-B exposure produced two times more leaves than control.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 4(1): 117-129
Optimization of bead geometry for duplex stainless steel GTA welds using the Taguchi approach
Authors: Sasidharan R. , Boopathy S. Rajendra , Vijayan S. , Rao S. R. Koteswara
Published: March 2016

Single pass, autogenous flat butt welds were made on 6 mm thick duplex stainless steel (2205) plates using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) process. Four of the welding process parameters, i. e., arc current, welding speed, shielding gas flow rate and arc gap, were varied each at four levels and welding trials were conducted as per an L16 orthogonal array derived using the Taguchi methodology. Bead geometry parameters, depth of penetration and aspect ratio (width-to-depth ratio) were measured on polished and etched samples using microstructural image analysis. Tabulated results were subjected to analysis of variance and effects of each parameter on bead geometry were calculated. It has been found that welding current and welding speed are the dominant parameters determining the bead geometry. Gas flow rate also plays a key role in influencing the aspect ratio of the welds. Equations have been presented to predict depth of penetration and aspect ratio of the weld.
Effect of mechanical alloying on FeCrC reinforced Ni alloys
Authors: Yilmaz S. Osman , Teker Tanju , Demir Fatih
Published: March 2016

Mechanical alloying (MA) is a powder metallurgy processing technique involving cold welding, fracturing and rewelding of powder particles in a high-energy ball mill. In the present study, the intermetallic matrix composites (IMCs) of Ni-Al reinforced by M7C3 were produced by powder metallurgical routes via solid state reaction of Ni, Al and M7C3 particulates by mechanical alloying processes. Ni, Al and M7C3 powders having 100 μm were mixed, mechanical alloyed and the compacts were combusted in a furnace. The mechanically alloyed (MAed) powders were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), microhardness measurement, optic microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The presence of the carbides depressed the formation of unwanted NiAl intermetallic phases. The mechanical alloyed M7C3 particles were unstable and decomposed partially within the matrix during alloying and sintering, and the morphology of the composites changed with the dissolution ratio of M7C3 and sintering temperature.
Examining Implementation and Labor Market Outcomes of Targeted Transit Subsidies: Subsidy by Sistema Nacional de Selección de Beneficiarios for Urban Poor in Bogotá, Colombia
Authors: Rodríguez Camila , Gallego Juan Miguel , Martinez Daniel , Montoya Sergio , Peralta-Quiros Tatiana
Published: March 2016

To meet the challenges of providing affordable public transit service without compromising the financial sustainability of the system, many transit systems are setting fares at cost-recovery levels. However, to offer affordable transport service for the urban poor, cities can provide targeted subsidies. Bogotá, Colombia, has implemented a pro-poor public transit subsidy scheme that leverages the adoption of smart cards in its new public transit system and the country’s poverty-targeting instruments. This study presents a critical analysis of the rationale, design, and implementation of Bogotá’s public transit subsidy. On the basis of this experience, two research questions were explored: What are the determinants of the user’s self-selection? What are the causal links between the subsidy and labor market outcomes of employment and income? Two regressions (linear and probabilistic) were used to identify the characteristics of individuals who choose to request the subsidized fare. A quasi-experimental technique was used for the impact assessment of the subsidy on labor market outcomes. This research allows an understanding of how to design targeted subsidies for maximum labor market outcomes.
Modeling Mode Choice of Low-Income Commuters with Sociodemographics, Activity Attributes, and Latent Attitudinal Variables: Case Study in Fushun, China
Authors: Cheng Long , Chen Xuewu , Yang Shuo , Wang Haixiao , Wu Jingxian
Published: March 2016

Low-income residents are dependent on fewer options for travel and have restricted mobility. This study examines the mode choice of low-income commuters based on an activity-based travel survey in Fushun, China. A model of integrated choice and latent variables was utilized to construct and test the significance of sociodemographics, activity attributes, and latent attitudinal variables. More specifically, a “multiple indicators, multiple causes” model was used to construct the latent variables postulated to be important for travel mode choice, and a multinomial logit model was employed to test the significance of explanatory variables. Results indicate that gender, age, and driving license possession play an important role in the formation of these underlying factors: comfort, convenience, reliability, flexibility, safety, and environmental preferences. On several accounts the latent-variable-enriched choice model outperforms the traditional choice model and provides insights into the importance of unobservable variables in the choice process. Preferences for the latent variables except flexibility are found to exert a significant influence on the mode choice of low-income commuters. Reliability is shown to be helpful in increasing the likelihood that low-income commuters will choose public transit. The sociodemographics and activity attributes also have important effects on the choice process. Findings should provide useful information to policy makers and transportation planners to improve the mobility of low-income commuters.
Evaluation of Pedestrian–Vehicle Conflict Severity at Unprotected Midblock Crosswalks in India
Authors: Vedagiri P. , Kadali B. Raghuram
Published: March 2016

Promoting and creating proper facilities for nonmotorized (pedestrian and bicycle) trips is very important in an urban transportation system to enhance pedestrian safety. Pedestrian–vehicle conflicts on urban roads are increasing, particularly at road crossings, because of the tremendous rate of growth in vehicle traffic in developing countries. Accident statistics clearly indicate the need to improve pedestrian safety and to analyze the pedestrian–vehicle interactions and collisions more deeply. This study analyzed the severity of pedestrian–vehicle conflicts at unprotected midblock crosswalk locations under mixed traffic conditions. The pedestrian–vehicle conflicts were considered on the basis of a pedestrian safety margin, which can be defined as the time difference between the time gap of an approaching vehicle and the pedestrian crossing time. For this purpose, field surveys were conducted at eight unprotected midblock crosswalk locations. Data such as pedestrian demographics and behavioral, traffic, vehicle, and roadway characteristics were considered to analyze the severity of the pedestrian–vehicle conflicts. The study identified the significant contributing factors in such conflicts by using an ordered probit model. The model’s results show that rolling behavior, pedestrian speed change condition, land use type, and vehicle speed have a significant effect on the severity of pedestrian–vehicle conflicts. The findings of this study contribute to developing traffic countermeasures to reduce the severity of pedestrian–vehicle conflict levels in order to improve pedestrian safety at unprotected midblock crosswalk locations under mixed traffic conditions. More studies at various unprotected midblock crosswalk locations would be useful to develop guidelines for redesigning the existing midblock crosswalk facilities by introducing suitable traffic control measures.
Future Travel Demand in China: Scenarios for Year 2030
Authors: Ecola Liisa , Zmud Johanna , Gu Kun , Phleps Peter , Feige Irene
Published: March 2016

What might the future of mobility be in China in 2030? “Mobility” is defined as the ability to travel from one location to another regardless of mode or purpose. Researchers at RAND Corporation working with the German Institute for Mobility Research developed two scenarios that address this question with a six-step process: ( a) select influence areas (domains that affect mobility directly) and factors, ( b) elicit projections on factors (via expert workshops in Washington, D.C., and Beijing), ( c) integrate these projections into scenario frameworks (using two analysis methods and a computer-based tool), ( d) produce scenario narratives (based on the clusters produced by the tool), ( e) draw qualitative consequences for future mobility, and ( f) create a wild-card scenario (by looking at events that might disrupt trends). The two resulting scenarios—The Great Reset and Slowing but Growing—are differentiated by three key drivers: economic growth, environmental issues, and constraints on vehicle ownership and driving. Because of a lack of available data on past travel trends, some types of estimates of future travel demand, such as vehicle miles traveled, could not be developed. The scenarios include estimates of future vehicle ownership and production as well as more qualitative estimates for demand on other modes.
Effect of Ramadan Fasting on Total cholesterol (TC) Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and High density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in Healthy Adult Male
Authors: Ara Tanzin , Jahan Nasim , Sultana Nayma , Choudhury Rama , Yeasmin Tahmina
Published: March 2016

Background: Ramadan fasting has some effects on anthropometric, metabolic and physiological functions in the healthy subjects.Objective: To observe the effects of Ramadan fasting on serum total cholesterol (TC) low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) in healthy adult male.Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College (SSMC), Dhaka between January and December 2013. Sixty healthy adult male aged 24 to 28 years were studied. Serum TC, LDL-C and HDL-C levels were estimated by enzyme method. Data were collected twice; 1-3 days before Ramadan fasting (BRF) and then during 25th -27th days of Ramadan fasting (ARF) and compared. The statistical analysis was done by paired sample t test.Results: In this study, the mean body weight (BW), BMI, TC, LDL-C levels were significantly (p<0.001) decreased, and HDL-C level was significantly (p<0.001) increased in ARF than BRF.Conclusion: The results of this study revealed that Ramadan fasting has some beneficial effects on cholesterol and lipoprotein status in healthy adult male.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, December; 10(2): 46-50
Short Update on Dysbaric Osteonecrosis: Concepts and Decompression Management
Authors: Mahato Niladri Kumar
Published: March 2016

Dysbaric osteonecrosis (DON) is caused by inadequate decompression after exposure to very high ambient air pressures. Different pathological events have been shown to occur in conjunction to result in DON. New observations from clinical and experimental data in this field have led investigators to reformat the etiology, pathogenesis and modify existing modalities of treatment of DON. This short review revisits concepts related to pathophysiology of DON occurring as a part of generalized decompression sickness and discusses newer therapeutic insights stemming from recent advancements in DON research.Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2015, December; 10(2): 76-81
Application of Single-Electron Transistor to Biomolecule and Ion Sensors
Authors: Nakajima Anri
Published: March 2016

The detection and quantification of chemical and biological species are the key technology in many areas of healthcare and life sciences. Field-effect transistors (FETs) are sophisticated devices used for the label-free and real-time detection of charged species. Nanowire channels were used for highly sensitive detections of target ion or biomolecule in FET sensors, however, even significantly higher detection sensitivity is required in FET sensors, especially when the target species are dilute in concentration. Since the high detection sensitivity of nanowire FET sensors is due to the suppression of the carrier percolation effect through the channel, the channel width has to be decreased, leading to the decrease in the transconductance (gm). Therefore, gm should be increased while keeping channel width narrow to obtain higher sensitivity. Single-electron transistors (SETs) are a promising candidate for achieving higher detection sensitivity due to the Coulomb oscillations. However, no reports of an SET-based ion sensor or biosensor existed, probably because of the difficulty of the room-temperature operation of SETs. Recently, room-temperature SET operations were carried out using a Si multiple-island channel structure. This review introduces the mechanism of ultra-sensitive detection of ions and biomolecules based on an SET sensor and the experimental results.
Ethanol Production from Sweet Sorghum Juice at High Temperatures Using a Newly Isolated Thermotolerant Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae DBKKU Y-53
Authors: Nuanpeng Sunan , Thanonkeo Sudarat , Yamada Mamoru , Thanonkeo Pornthap
Published: March 2016

Ethanol production at elevated temperatures requires high potential thermotolerant ethanol-producing yeast. In this study, nine isolates of thermotolerant yeasts capable of growth and ethanol production at high temperatures were successfully isolated. Among these isolates, the newly isolated thermotolerant yeast strain, which was designated as Saccharomyces cerevisiae DBKKU Y-53, exhibited great potential for ethanol production from sweet sorghum juice (SSJ) at high temperatures. The maximum ethanol concentrations produced by this newly isolated thermotolerant yeast at 37 °C and 40 °C under the optimum cultural condition were 106.82 g·L−1 and 85.01 g·L−1, respectively, which are greater than values reported in the literatures. It should be noted from this study with SSJ at a sugar concentration of 250 g·L−1 and an initial pH of 5.5 without nitrogen supplementation can be used directly as substrate for ethanol production at high temperatures by thermotolerant yeast S. cerevisiae DBKKU Y-53. Gene expression analysis using real-time RT-PCR clearly indicated that growth and ethanol fermentation activities of the thermotolerant yeast S. cerevisiae DBKKU Y-53 at a high temperature (40 °C) were not only restricted to the expression of genes involved in the heat-shock response, but also to those genes involved in ATP production, trehalose and glycogen metabolism, and protein degradation processes were also involved.
Effects of Elevated Ozone on Stoichiometry and Nutrient Pools of Phoebe Bournei (Hemsl.) Yang and Phoebe Zhennan S. Lee et F. N. Wei Seedlings in Subtropical China
Authors: Cao Jixin , Shang He , Chen Zhan , Tian Yun , Yu Hao
Published: March 2016

Tropospheric ozone (O3) is considered one of the most critical air pollutants in many parts of the world due to its detrimental effects on plants growth. However, the stoichiometric response of tree species to elevated ozone (O3) is poorly documented. In order to understand the effects of elevated ozone on the stoichiometry and nutrient pools of Phoebe bournei (Hemsl.) Yang (P. bournei)and Phoebe zhennan S. Lee et F. N. Wei (P. zhennan), the present study examined the carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorous (P) concentrations, stoichiometric ratios, and stocks in foliar, stem, and root for P. bournei and P. zhennan with three ozone fumigation treatments (Ambient air, 100 ppb and 150 ppb). The results suggest that elevated ozone significantly increased the N concentrations in individual tissues for both of P. bournei and P. zhennan. On the contrary, elevated ozone decreased the C:N ratios in individual tissues for both of P. bournei and P. zhennan because the C concentration remained stable under the ozone stress. The P concentration, and C:P and N:P ratios in individual tissues for both P. bournei and P. zhennan did not exhibit consistent variation tendency with elevated ozone. Elevated ozone sharply reduced the total C, N, and P stocks and altered the pattern of C, N, and P allocation for both P. bournei and P. zhennan. The present study suggests that tropospheric ozone enrichment should be considered an important environmental factor on stoichiometry of tree species.
Identification of Serum Peptidome Signatures of Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Klupczynska Agnieszka , Swiatly Agata , Hajduk Joanna , Matysiak Jan , Dyszkiewicz Wojciech , Pawlak Krystian , Kokot Zenon
Published: March 2016

Due to high mortality rates of lung cancer, there is a need for identification of new, clinically useful markers, which improve detection of this tumor in early stage of disease. In the current study, serum peptide profiling was evaluated as a diagnostic tool for non-small cell lung cancer patients. The combination of the ZipTip technology with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS) for the analysis of peptide pattern of cancer patients (n = 153) and control subjects (n = 63) was presented for the first time. Based on the observed significant differences between cancer patients and control subjects, the classification model was created, which allowed for accurate group discrimination. The model turned out to be robust enough to discriminate a new validation set of samples with satisfactory sensitivity and specificity. Two peptides from the diagnostic pattern for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) were identified as fragments of C3 and fibrinogen α chain. Since ELISA test did not confirm significant differences in the expression of complement component C3, further study will involve a quantitative approach to prove clinical utility of the other proteins from the proposed multi-peptide cancer signature.
High Pressure Synthesis of p-Type CeyFe4−xCoxSb12 Skutterudites
Authors: Liu Yadi , Li Xiaohui , Zhang Qian , Zhang Long , Yu Dongli , Xu Bo , Tian Yongjun
Published: March 2016

Co-substituted p-Type CeFe4−xCoxSb12 skutterudites were successfully synthesized with a high pressure synthesis method. The structure, composition, and thermoelectric properties were investigated. The obtained CeyFe4−xCoxSb12 samples show the skutterudite structure of I m 3 ¯ symmetry. The hole concentration decreases with elevating Co substitution level, leading to increased Seebeck coefficient and electrical resistivity. Meanwhile, the filling fraction of Ce decreases, which is unfavorable for reducing the lattice thermal conductivity. As a result, the thermoelectric performance of CeyFe4−xCoxSb12 deteriorates with higher Co content. The maximal ZT of 0.91 was achieved at 763 K for the optimal Ce0.92Fe4Sb12 sample.
Synthesis of Shape-Tailored WO3 Micro-/Nanocrystals and the Photocatalytic Activity of WO3/TiO2 Composites
Authors: Székely István , Kovács Gábor , Baia Lucian , Danciu Virginia , Pap Zsolt
Published: March 2016

A traditional semiconductor (WO3) was synthesized from different precursors via hydrothermal crystallization targeting the achievement of three different crystal shapes (nanoplates, nanorods and nanostars). The obtained WO3 microcrystals were analyzed by the means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). These methods contributed to the detailed analysis of the crystal morphology and structural features. The synthesized bare WO3 photocatalysts were totally inactive, while the P25/WO3 composites were efficient under UV light radiation. Furthermore, the maximum achieved activity was even higher than the bare P25’s photocatalytic performance. A correlation was established between the shape of the WO3 crystallites and the observed photocatalytic activity registered during the degradation of different substrates by using P25/WO3 composites.