bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Journalism’s practitioners and the academy: Must they eternally live in different universes?
Authors: Marsh Kevin
Published: May 2015

Journalism and the media have a direct impact for both good and ill on the health of the public discourse, yet practitioners and the academy are as divided as were late medieval barber surgeons from those who studied the relationship between practice and the health of patients. There are both valid and invalid reasons for this – the valid reasons derive from the simple fact journalists and scholars have different roles in the public sphere; and the invalid reasons derive from stubbornness bordering on arrogance on both sides of the divide. Few practitioners see the academy as relevant to them; few accept the need to listen to, understand and perhaps act on informed critique. Few scholars are either prepared to make their work timely and relevant to current issues or to abandon the intimidating formats and incomprehensible language that alienates practitioners. Yet there are numerous examples, including the Public Journalism movement in the United States, the Reuters Institute in Oxford and even the BBC’s review system that demonstrate how practitioners and scholars can be persuaded to inhabit – even briefly – the same universe.
Media convergence practices and production in Ghana and Nigeria: Implications for democracy and research in Africa
Authors: Fosu Modestus , Akpojivi Ufuoma
Published: May 2015

In this era of globalization, information accessibility is becoming crucial to empower citizens in their political, economic and sociocultural engagements. In emerging democracies, economic, cultural and political factors have hindered and still hinder the vast majority of the population from inclusion in the media and democratic discourse. Nevertheless, a ‘new’ phenomenon of media convergence is evolving in emerging democracies like Ghana and Nigeria that appears to provide platforms for wide citizen participation in the political and social discourse. From a phenomenological and exploratory perspective, this paper presents an overview of the media convergence practices in newsrooms in Ghana and Nigeria and their potential impact on the countries’ democracy. The article, on the one hand, juxtaposes this new trend against the need for the media to play a crucial role in sustaining and developing democracy in such countries, and on the other hand it opens discussions and research enquiry into the practices and genre underlying such media productions.
Real-time Identification of Respiratory Movements through a Microphone
Authors: Castro Juan , Marti-Puig Pere
Published: May 2015

This work presents a software application to identify, in real time, the respiratory movements -inspiration and expiration- through a microphone. The application, which has been developed in Matlab and named ASBSLAB for the GUI version and ASBSLABCONSOLE for the command-line version, is the result of a research and experimentation process. A total of 48 minutes of breathing movements from four subjects was recorded and 18 acoustic features were extracted to generate the data model. A first level of identification, based on the classification of tiny audio segments, was designed using kNN supervised method. The second level of identification implements a state machine that takes the results ordered in the time from kNN as input and identifies the whole respiratory movement, achieving a level of positive identifications above 95%. As computation time is a handicap, the application let the user choose easily the sample rate, the audio segment size and the set of acoustic features to use in the identification process. In addition, based on the number of features selected, this works suggests those that achieve best results.
Nalp Signalling is Required in Sertoli Cells for Tight-Junction Protein Interaction
Authors: Hayrabedyan S. , Todorova K.
Published: May 2015

The present study aims to investigate the NALP3 system and its influence on occludin in Sertoli cells, utilising primary murine cells and adult Sertoli cell line as models. Its main goals are the Sertoli cell biology with possible implications on male reproductive functions. Primary and adult Sertoli cells were transfected with NAPL3 siRNA and treated with NOD1 (ie-DAP) and NOD2 (MDP) receptor ligands. There was positive occludin expression levels on transcript (RT-qPCR) and protein (FCS and Immunofluorescence) levels for both cell types. The innate immunity and tight-junction pathways integration serve a protective role for both testis immune barrier and spermatogenesis compartmentalisation maintained by the very same barrier. This integration also points the way for mechanistic research of the disturbances inflicted during an inflammatory response in testis niche.
Onychomycosis and Children – A Multicenter Study
Authors: Zisova L. , Chokoeva A. , Sotiriou E. , Valtchev V. , Gospodinov D.
Published: May 2015

Onychomycosis is a chronic disease caused by dermatophytes, yeasts and molds, which leads to destruction of the nail plate of the fingernails and toenails. The incidence of onychomycosis in children is considerably smaller compared with that in adults. Onychomycosis in children under 6 years of age is particularly unusual. The trauma and the hyperhidrosis after puberty are the major predisposing factor for fungal nail infection in childhood. Some systemic diseases and congenital syndromes have a crucial role for the development of onychomycosis in children. Wearing infected socks and shoes of other family members, family history for fungal infection of the nails, reduced hygiene and onychophagia are other important predisposing factors. Dermatophytic species Trichophyton rubrum, Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Epidermophyton flocosum are the most frequent causative agents of onychomycosis in adults and much less common yeast of the genus Candida. A retrospective study for a period of 11 years was performed (2003-2013) investigating 292 children aged 0 to 18 years with proven onychomycosis (123 - from Plovdiv, Bulgaria, 94 - from Pleven, Bulgaria, and 75 - from Thessaloniki, Greece). Candida albicans was the main etiologic agent in onychomycosis in children under 18 years of age, according to the performed retrospective study. The diagnose was made by direct microscopic examination and fungal culture on Sabouraud agar media.
Combined Surgical Treatment of Gynecomastia
Authors: Yordanov Y. , Lasso J. M. , Shef A.
Published: May 2015

Surgical treatment of gynecomastia could present unique challenges for the plastic surgeon. Achieving a good balance between effectiveness of the selected approach and the satisfactory aesthetic outcome often is a difficult endeavor. Optimal surgical treatment involves a combination of liposuction and direct excision. In the present study the charts of 11 patients treated with suction-assisted liposuction and direct surgical excision were retrospectively reviewed; a special emphasis is placed on the surgical technique. The mean follow-up period of the patients was 11.6 months. No infection, hematoma, nipple-areola complex necrosis and nipple retraction was encountered in this series. The combined surgical treatment of gynecomastia has shown to be a reliable technique in both small and moderate breast enlargement including those with skin excess.
Analysis of Chronic Temporomandibular Disorders Based on the Latest Diagnostic Criteria
Authors: Svechtarov V. , Nencheva-Svechtarova S. , Uzunov Ts.
Published: May 2015

The objective of this study is to analyze the distribution of the most common diagnoses observed in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders, based on the new diagnostic criteria (DC/TMD) adopted in 2014. The previous Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) adopted in 1992, consisted of three main groups of eight diagnostic subgroups and is currently transformed into two main groups and twelve subgroups, respectively. All subgroups correspond to the nomenclature of the ICD-10. The new clinical diagnostic indices are also modified. The analysis showed a prevalence of Pain-Related TMD compared with that of intra-articular disorders in ratio 57.89% to 42.10%. In Pain-Related TMD arthralgia was represented in 55% of cases; local myalgia - in 12%, myofascial pain - in 18%, myofascial pain with referral - in 14%, headache attributed to TMD - in 1%. In Intra-articular TMD disc displacement with reduction was found in 23% of the cases, disc displacement with reduction with intermittent locking - in 3%, disc displacement without reduction with limited opening - in 25%, disc displacement without reduction and without limited opening - in 8%. Degenerative diseases were found in 14.28%, and hypermobility and subluxations - in 26.98%. These analyzes differ and can only partly be compared with previous analyzes based on RDC system. The changes in the diagnostic criteria require new clinical studies in order to refine the picture of temporomandibular pathology in accordance with the modern views on the matter.
Medical Rehabilitation and Occupational Therapy in Patients with Lesion of Plexus Brachialis
Authors: Vacheva D.
Published: May 2015

Causes for plexus brachialis damage are versatile, and in some cases remain unknown, but mostly result from degenerative and inflammatory processes. Treatment of brachial plexus dysfunction is often conservative and is subject to a team of specialists - neurologists, traumatologists, rehabilitation physicians, kinesitherapists and occupational therapists. The objective of the research is to report the recovery of patients with lesion of plexus brachialis after a complex physiotherapy and rehabilitation treatment program that includes electrostimulation, remedial massage, kinesitherapy, electrotherapy and occupational therapy. A total of 159 patients, treated at the Clinic of Physical Therapy, University Hospital of Pleven, were included in the study. Improvement of measured indexes: pain assessment, centimetry, assessment of upper limb muscle weakness, dynamometry and functional test of activities of daily living, was registered in all patients under observation. In order to achieve good results in the rehabilitation of patients with injured plexus brachialis, timely diagnosis, good medication therapy and early start of complex physiotherapy and rehabilitation are of crucial importance, so that performance of daily living activities improves. The good results come slowly and with difficulties, but the quality of life of patients and the quality of labor performed by them, improves significantly.
Premium Rate Design and Risk Regionalization for the Policy-Based Wheat Insurance of Henan Province in China
Authors: Diao Panpan , Zhang Zhonggen
Published: May 2015

The policy-based insurance has an important significance to guarantee wheat production, maintain food security and stabilize farmers’ incomes. Pricing for wheat insurance and the risk regionalization are the basis for the smooth development of wheat insurance, especially for Henan province which is the largest wheat production area of China. Therefore, first, the premium rate is calculated using parametric method. Second, the comprehensive wheat production risk scores of all cities in Henan province are calculated through factor analysis, considering the risk exposure in wheat production, the local government’s financial supporting ability, farmers’ economic ability and expected yield loss rate. In addition, the cities are regionalized with method of cluster analysis as well. In addition, it brings out some suggestions to promote the development of policy-based wheat insurance of Henan province.
Transparency and Translatability of the Terminological Metaphor in the Domain of Computer Science (A Contrastive Analysis)
Authors: Butiurca Doina
Published: May 2015

Our research, Transparency and translatability of the terminological metaphor in the domain of the internet, is a contrastive analysis in the topic of the metaphor, especially. The relationship between the common and the special lexicon in the domain of the Internet in the English language as source language, the relationship between the common denominator between the source language and the semantic basis, of equivalence in the target language represent the aims of the research. The languages in which the analysis is carried out are different from the genealogical and typological point of view (the English language on the one hand, the Romance language and Hungarian on the other). The perspective is a descriptive-semasiological one, and the methods applied - the paradigmatic and syntagmatic analysis, the contrastive analysis - are adapted to this perspective.

The transparency in the meaning, the degree of translatability, the motivated character of the terminological metaphor, the role of linguistics / of semantics in the terminology of the Internet are only some of the conclusions of the research.
Frauenfiguren in der deutsch-jüdischen Gegenwartsliteratur. Rafael Seligmanns Roman Die jiddische Mamme
Authors: Kommer Alois
Published: May 2015

Abstrakt

In der vorliegenden Arbeit soll der Umgang mit dem Stereotyp der jiddischen Mamme im gleichnamigen Roman des deutsch-jüdischen Schriftstellers Rafael Seligmann behandelt werden: ob - und in welchem Maß - Seligmanns Darstellung dem stereotypen Mutterbild entspricht. Begnügt er sich mit der einfachen Präsentation der Stereotypen, will er diese verwerfen oder etwa verstärken? Es geht nicht nur um „Mammes“, sondern um jüdische und nicht-jüdische Frauenfiguren, die der Stereotypisierung zum Opfer gefallen sind. Zuerst muss geklärt werden, welche Probleme das Leben für Juden und Nicht-Juden „im Land der Täter“ aufwirft. Wenn Juden schon wegen der Niederlassung in Deutschland Gewissensbisse und Verachtung erfahren müssen, wie ist es dann möglich, über eine deutsch-jüdische Literatur zu sprechen? Und wie kommt es dazu, dass Autoren - in erster Linie Rafael Seligmann -, die überhaupt nicht in Deutschland leben dürften, sich entschlossen haben das Schweigen und die Tabus zu brechen und zu reizen?

Nach der kurzen sozialhistorischen und literaturgeschichtlichen Einordnung wird geschildert, wie das Stereotyp der „jiddischen Mamme“ ihren Weg in die Literatur bis hin zu Seligmanns Roman gefunden hat. Frauenund Mutterfiguren des Romans werden untersucht um zu sehen, inwiefern diese dem vorhandenen Bild der Mutter und der Frau entsprechen.
The structural power of business: taking structure, agency and ideas seriously
Authors: Marsh David , Akram Sadiya , Birkett Holly
Published: May 2015

The power of business is a very important issue for understanding the operation of democracy, but establishing the nature and extent of its power is not easy. We acknowledge that this is, in large part, an empirical problem and requires a more sophisticated conceptual framework to address it. Attempting to address this, the recent literature on the power of business has increasingly focused on the role of structure, agents and ideas. However, too little attention has been paid to how these concepts are defined and conceptualized. We argue that it is crucial to: specify the structures (economic/political/social) which we see as affecting the role of business; identify the agents, collective and individual, involved and how they interact; and specify which ideas are playing a role, at what level of generality and how these different ideas at different levels of generality interact. This article explores these issues through a critical consideration of the extant literature in order to provide a more developed framework for future empirical analysis.
How the wage-education profile got more convex: evidence from Mexico
Authors: Binelli Chiara
Published: May 2015

In the 1990s, in many countries, wages became a more convex function of education: returns to college increased and returns to intermediate education declined. This paper argues that an important cause of this convexification was an exogenous increase in the demand for skilled labour: the increased demand stimulated a supply response, and the supply of intermediate-educated workers further increased the demand for college-educated workers because these two types of labour are complementary. This argument is supported by an empirical equilibrium model of savings and educational choices for Mexico, where the degree of convexification was amplified by loosening credit constraints.
Foliose Halymenia species (Halymeniaceae, Rhodophyta) from Southeast Asia, including a new species, Halymenia malaysiana sp. nov.
Authors: Tan Pui-Ling , Lim Phaik-Eem , Lin Showe-Mei , Phang Siew-Moi , Draisma Stefano G.A. , Liao Lawrence M.
Published: May 2015

Despite the large number of species discovered in Halymenia, many remain poorly known due to the scarce information available. In order to facilitate species discrimination of foliose Halymenia species in Southeast Asia, molecular analysis and morphological studies were made on Halymenia collections from Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia. The rbcL phylogenetic analyses showed that there are at least six taxa of foliose Halymenia occurring in Southeast Asia. Among the six taxa, a new species, Halymenia malaysiana P.-L. Tan, P.-E. Lim, S.-M. Lin et S.-M. Phang, is proposed based on both rbcL sequence analyses and morphological observations. Halymenia malaysiana is characterized by thalli possessing oblong or suborbiculate blades with a supple cartilaginous structure and gelatinous (slimy) texture, arising from a small discoid holdfast without a stipe, abruptly expanding into a broad blade and having a smooth surface with sinusoidally undulated margins. The phylogenetic analyses also revealed that Halymenia is a polyphyletic genus, which requires further taxonomic studies.
Metacognitive Knowledge of Tertiary-Level EFL Reading: Case Studies in an Acquisition-Poor Context
Authors: Li Jie , Chun Cecilia Ka Wai
Published: May 2015

This paper describes how a group of Chinese tertiary-level EFL readers utilized metacognitive knowledge in their academic reading process by contrasting the possible metacognitive differences between two less successful and two successful Chinese EFL readers. Data were collected through think-alouds, interviews and observations. It was found that although vocabulary posed difficulties for both successful and less successful readers, the deployment of strategic knowledge of tackling the unknown words made a difference between successful and less successful readers. The participants’ person knowledge about motivation such as reader interest, goal of reading and reader role could exert influences on their reading. Implications of the findings for tertiary EFL reading pedagogy in China are discussed.
A Study into Students’ Views on Guided Peer Feedback in Group Work
Authors: Xie Jingjing , Mu Fengying
Published: May 2015

Peer feedback is a key to the quality of group work in foreign language classrooms. In order to better understand the use of peer feedback in spoken English, a ten-week study was conducted by combining peer feedback with group work. Based on Scaffolding Instruction of Constructivism, this study chose three different tools – a checklist, a qualitative feedback sheet and a grading sheet, to guide peer feedback. A questionnaire survey and three interviews were adopted to investigate the students’ views and attitude toward guided peer feedback. We found: (1) Guided peer feedback plays a positive role in improving the quality of group work and its three forms were positively received by the participants; (2) Among the three tools – the checklist, the qualitative feedback sheet and the grading sheet, the grading sheet was most welcomed; (3) Only by designing the appropriate peer feedback forms and the tasks at the same time, could peer feedback achieve good results.
Effect of Morphology on Word Acquisition: An Investigation on the Acquisition of Psych Adjectives
Authors: Xu Chengping , Jing Yang
Published: May 2015

Morphology is said to play a role in word acquisition. English psych adjectives are identified as a category of words with morphological complex gradience, which consists of free morphs, derivatives and inflections. Due to their morphological features, psych adjectives were considered the ideal candidates to test the effect of morphology on word acquisition. This study adopted a within-group research design, where a controlled productive test and a receptive knowledge test were developed and administered to English learners of an intermediate level. Results suggested that acquisition of the inflections was significantly different from that of free morphs and derivatives in the controlled productive test, but no difference was found in the receptive knowledge test. Comparisons of the two tests for the three word groups showed that the only significant difference occurred in the inflection word group. The overall results revealed that learners experienced much more difficulty in acquiring inflectional psych adjectives. In light of the dissociation of associative memory and rule memory, two possible explanations for the learning problems were offered: 1) learners failed to represent the inflections in associative memory, or 2) they have not proceduralized the morphology rules in rule memory.
Integrating Information and Communication Technology into Interpreter Training in China: State-of-the-Art and Prospect
Authors: Xu Mingwu , Deng Juntao
Published: May 2015

The past decade has witnessed dramatic changes and impressive progress in interpreter training in China due to technological innovations, policy support from the Ministry of Education, increasing demand for qualified interpreters in the market, and ceaseless efforts from interpreting trainers and researchers. Meanwhile, research efforts have been made in the integration of information and communication technology (ICT) into interpreter training. Chinese researchers have explored a wide range of pedagogical factors in this regard, including training models, principles, materials and strategies as well as autonomous learning, assessment and trainer/trainee roles. This paper reviews the major studies in this field and may serve as a reference for international interpreting practice and research. It argues that more attention should be focused on micro-perspectives, more empirical research methods are to be adopted, and more professional training tools are to be developed and tried out.
Shape Optimization by Pursuing Diffeomorphisms
Authors: Hiptmair Ralf , Paganini Alberto
Published: May 2015

We consider PDE constrained shape optimization in
the framework of finite element discretization of
the underlying boundary value problem. We present an algorithm tailored to preserve and exploit
the approximation properties of the finite element method,
and that allows for arbitrarily high resolution of shapes. It
employs (i) B-spline based representations of the deformation diffeomorphism,
and (ii) superconvergent domain integral expressions for the shape gradient.
We provide numerical evidence of the performance of this method
both on prototypical well-posed and ill-posed shape optimization
problems.
Depolymerization of cellulose during cold acidic chlorite treatment
Authors: Mortha Gérard , Marcon Jennifer , Dallérac David , Marlin Nathalie , Vallée Christophe , Charon Nadège , Le Masle Agnès
Published: May 2015

A cold holocellulose treatment (cHolT) was studied on a bleached kraft pulp (BKP) of Eucalyptus to observe the degradation of polysaccharides in pulp by chlorite at room temperature under conditions of slightly acidic pH and high chlorine charge (313% of active chlorine on BKP). Based on literature data, cellulose depolymerization is expectable by chlorite treatments at 70°C and reinforced chlorite charge, while the addition of dissolved lignin could protect cellulose. In the present study, polysaccharide degradation was followed by TAPPI viscosity, size-exclusion chromatography coupled to multidetectors, pulp yield, kappa number, elemental sugar analysis of pulps, and total organic carbon detection in filtrates. cHolTs were repeated several times without significant polysaccharide degradation, but the insertion of a caustic extraction stage at 70°C induced little degradation. This study opens the way to the setup of inert delignification procedures to be applied on raw or processed lignocellulosic samples from biorefinery studies.
Negative gravitropism of Ginkgo biloba: growth stress and reaction wood formation
Authors: Shirai Tatsuya , Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Matsuo Miyuki , Inatsugu Mikuri , Yoshida Masato , Sato Saori , Sujan KC , Suzuki Yoshihito , Toyoshima Isao , Yamashita Noboru
Published: May 2015

Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba L.) forms thick, lignified secondary xylem in the cylindrical stem as in Pinales (commonly called conifers), although it has more phylogenetic affinity to Cycadales than to conifers. Ginkgo forms compression wood-like (CW-like) reaction wood (RW) in its inclined stem as it is the case in conifers. However, the distribution of growth stress is not yet investigated in the RW of ginkgo, and thus this tissue resulting from negative gravitropism is still waiting for closer consideration. The present study intended to fill this gap. It has been demonstrated that, indeed, ginkgo forms RW tissue on the lower side of the inclined stem, where the compressive growth stress (CGS) was generated. In the RW, the micorofibril angle in the S2 layer, the air-dried density, and the lignin content increased, whereas the cellulose content decreased. These data are quite similar to those of conifer CWs. The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that the CGS is significantly correlated by the changes in the aforementioned parameters. It can be safely concluded that the negative gravitropism of ginkgo is very similar to that of conifers.
Biosynthesis of membrane dependent proteins in insect cell lysates: identification of limiting parameters for folding and processing
Authors: Merk Helmut , Rues Ralf-Bernhardt , Gless Christine , Beyer Kerstin , Dong Fang , Dötsch Volker , Gerrits Michael , Bernhard Frank
Published: May 2015

G protein-coupled receptors, like many other membrane proteins, are notoriously difficult to synthesize in conventional cellular systems. Although expression in insect cells is considered the preferred technique for structural characterizations in particular, inefficient membrane translocation, instability, toxic effects and low yields still pose clear limitations for their production in living cells. Recent studies started to explore alternative strategies for the in vitro production of problematic membrane proteins in cell-free lysates in combination with supplied membranes. We provide a detailed study on the production efficiencies and quality of G protein-coupled receptors, Fab fragments and other proteins synthesized in insect cell lysates containing endogenous microsomes. Effects of different reaction kinetics, redox conditions and sample preparations on the specific activities of synthesized proteins have been analyzed. The extent of glycosylation, membrane translocation and percentages of ligand binding active fractions of synthesized protein samples have been determined. We provide strong evidence that membrane insertion of integral membrane proteins can represent a prime limiting factor for their preparative scale in vitro production. Improved expression protocols resulting into higher production rates yielded more active protein in case of Fab fragments, but not in case of the human endothelin B receptor.
Soft Tofu-Type Gels: Relationship between Volatile Compounds and Sensory Characteristics as Affected by Coagulants and Raw Materials
Authors: Murekatete Nicole , Zhang Caimeng , Karangwa Eric , Hua Yufei
Published: May 2015

Coagulants and raw materials effects on the sensory characteristics of acid and salt-induced soft tofu-type gels were investigated and compared. Gels made from soybean were more whitish than the ones made from SPI with L* values between 79.743 and 80.847. Similarly, the raw materials affected more the volatile compounds composition than the coagulants. It was also established that CaSO4 produced softer gels with hardness values varying between 104 and 145 g compare to 173 and 302 g for acid-induced gels. Salt-induced soybean gels demonstrated the highest score for beany taste (7.67), bitter taste (7.39) and mouthfeel (7.25). Correlation results depicted that the volatile compounds did not have a positive nor negative significant impact on mouthfeel of soft tofu gels; however, they were significantly correlated to beany and bitter taste. Furthermore, all free amino acids were positively correlated to beany, bitter taste and mouthfeel except cysteine. Glutamic acid, alanine, tyrosine, methionine and isoleucine free amino acids showed a significant influence on beany taste; while, glutamic acid, tyrosine, methionine and isoleucine showed a significant impact on bitter taste.
“I broke a finger”: A salience-based cognitive model for selecting a or my with inalienable possessions
Authors: Lindley Jori
Published: May 2015

The fact that a speaker can say “I broke a finger” in reference to her own finger was first noted by Grice. Building on implicature-based accounts of how and why this works, this large-scale corpus study focuses on the choice, in such utterances, between the indefinite article
Fixing a Failure to Identify Intelligence in the Domestic Setting: Aligning Collection and Analysis to Address an All-Hazards Mission
Authors: Tromblay Darren E.
Published: May 2015

The US’ domestically-oriented, homeland security enterprise lacks a structure that facilitates an all-hazards intelligence mission. An all-hazards mission must account for both positive and negative intelligence information. The primary hubs for interagency collaboration and collection, within the US, are the Department of Homeland Security-funded state and local fusion centers and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s joint terrorism task forces (JTTFs). Both of these entities focus on negative intelligence. The FBI JTTFs focus on one element of negative intelligence, the DHS fusion centers have unfocused, but still negative, missions, due to bureaucratic realities. Meanwhile, other government agencies, notably the CIA’s National Resources Division and even other elements of the FBI are engaged in uncoordinated collection, an activity that threatens to bring even more disorganization to the homeland-security enterprise. Rather than creating yet another agency, the strengths of both the JTTFs and the fusion centers should be leveraged, in conjunction with other domestically operating collectors, to establish new platforms, using fusion centers as a backbone, staffed with a service of joint duty personnel.
Effects of GnRH analogue treatment on anterior pituitary hormones in children with central precocious puberty
Authors: Peltek Kendirci Havva Nur , Ağladıoğlu Sebahat Yılmaz , Önder Aşan , Baş Veysel Nijat , Çetinkaya Semra , Aycan Zehra
Published: May 2015

This study aims to investigate the effect of Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogues (GnRHa) treatment on anterior pituitary hormones in female children with central precocious puberty (CPP).

There were 62 female children who had been diagnosed with CPP and received GnRHa (Leuprolide acetate, 3.75 mg intramuscular/subcutaneous/28 days) included in the study. All subjects were clinically evaluated prior to treatment and every 3 months during treatment with serum LH, FSH, ACTH, TSH, PRL as pituitary hormones, and the end hormones such as plasma E

: Prolactin levels were higher during GnRHa treatment compared to pre-treatment values although the increase was statistically significant only at month 3. In addition, while 2 (3.2%) of the patients had hyperprolactinemia before treatment, 11 (17.7%) patients developed hyperprolactinemia at different time points during treatment.

This study concluded that GnRHa treatment resulted in hyperprolactinemia and had no significant effect other pituitary hormones.
The alpha-cypermethrin coated net for protecting Norway spruce wood against bark beetles (Curculionidae, Scolytinae)
Authors: Skrzecz Iwona , Grodzki Wojciech , Kosibowicz Mieczysław , Tumialis Dorota
Published: May 2015

The study estimated the efficacy of a net coated with alpha-cypermethrin used to protect Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karst] wood against bark beetle infestations. The inside of the net was coated with 100 mg/m2 of alpha-cypermethrin. The studies carried out in 2010 and 2011 took place in southern Poland in the Beskid Żywiecki and Beskid Sądecki mountains in P. abies stands threatened by Ips typographus (Linnaeus, 1758). The research material consisted of wood logs taken off of 70–80-year-old P. abies trees. The logs were wrapped in the net in the early spring before spring swarming of bark beetles. The unwrapped logs were considered as the study controls. An evaluation of the treatments was performed after 2 months. The evaluation was based on the counting of bark beetles galleries found after removing the bark from the wrapped and unwrapped logs. There were no insect galleries on the wrapped logs. The net was a barrier, on which bark beetles died. About 10 dead I. typographus beetles were found on 0.01 m2 of the net surface. On the bark from the unwrapped-control logs there were 3,156 galleries/entrance holes of bark beetles, in total, of which 73% belonged to I. typographus, 13% to Pityogenes chalcographus (Linnaeus, 1761), and almost 10% to Xyloterus lineatus (Oliv.). These results indicated the high efficacy of the net coated with alpha-cypermethrin used for the protection of Norway spruce wood against the bark beetles. At the same time, the net was found to have a negative effect on non-target entomofauna, mainly Hylobius spp., Thanasimus formicarius (L.), and Tetropium castaneum (F.). However, the use of a net did not affect other predatory (Carabidae) and parasitic (Ichneumonidae and Tachinidae) entomofauna.
Purification and characterization of the cuticle-degrading proteases produced by an isolate of Beauveria bassiana using the cuticle of the predatory bug, Andrallus spinidens Fabricius (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)
Authors: Firouzbakht Hossein , Zibaee Arash , Hoda Hassan , Sohani Mohammad Mehdi
Published: May 2015

The entomopathogenic fungi-like Beauveria bassiana must penetrate via the integument of an insect to reach the hemocoel. Since proteins are the molecules responsible for integument strength in insects, the proteins must synthesise the cuticle degrading proteases which will then enable the proteases to penetrate. It is important to determine the biochemical properties of these proteases so that fungal virulence can be better understood. In the current study, a recently collected isolate of B. bassiana, namely AM-118, was inoculated in liquid media containing 0.5% of Andrallus spinidens Fabricus cuticle to obtain specific proteases. The crude samples were purified via a three step process using ammonium sulfate, Sepharyl G-100, and DEAE-Cellulose Fast Flow. The results revealed two proteases known as subtilisin-like (Pr1), and trypsin-like (Pr2), with the molecular weights of 105 and 103 kDa. The optimal pH and temperature values were found to be 8 and 35°C for Pr1 and 8 and 40°C for Pr2, respectively. Inhibitors like AEBSF, EDTA, TPCK, and phenanthroline significantly affected proteolytic activities. Here, we reported two fungal proteases by high molecular weight from an Iranian isolate of B. bassiana. These findings will help us to better understand fungal virulence against insects.
Assessment of the nematicidal potential of vermicompost, vermicompost tea, and urea application on the potato-cyst nematodes Globodera rostochiensis and Globodera pallida
Authors: Renčo Marek , Kováčik Peter
Published: May 2015

The addition of organic material to the soil can be an effective alternative to the environmentally unsafe chemical treatments that are used to control plant parasitic nematodes. We evaluated the effects of vermicompost alone, and aqueous solutions of vermicompost (vermicompost tea) either alone or mixed with urea, on the development and survival of two potato-cyst nematodes: Globodera rostochiensis (pathotype Ro1) and G. pallida (pathotype Pa2) and on the growth parameters of the host potato plants. Soil amendments with these materials significantly decreased the number of cysts · 400 g–1 of both species in the soil, the number of eggs and juveniles · cyst–1 of both species, and the number of eggs and juveniles · g–1 of both species in the soil, relative to the untreated controls. The suppressive effect was significantly higher at the highest dose than the lowest treatment dose, for all tested materials. Globodera rostochiensis was more sensitive to all the tested materials than G. pallida. The aqueous solutions of vermicompost alone or in combination with urea were more effective than the solid vermicompost used alone, for controlling both species. Vermicompost and the vermicompost teas had positive effects on plant fresh stem weight and stem height. The application of vermicompost tea instead of the solid vermicompost, substantially decreased the amount of material needed. These amendments are thus promising for the control of potato-cyst nematodes in sustainable agricultural systems.
Potential toxicity assessment of novel selected pesticides against sand termite, Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux workers (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) under field conditions in Egypt
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim , Eraky El-Sayed Ali , Mohamed Mahmoud Fakeer , Soliman Abdel-Aleem Saad
Published: May 2015

The sand termite, Psammotermes hypostoma Desneux is a major pest in the New Valley Governorate, Egypt. Great efforts have been taken to control the pest. We evaluated the toxicity of four selected neonicotinoids [acetamiprid (20% SP), imidacloprid (20% SL), thiamethoxam (18.6% SC), and thiamethoxam (40% WG)], and one organophosphate pesticide [chlorpyrifos (48% EC)] against P. hypostoma workers. The investigation was done under field conditions, using the palm fronds method. However, the reduction percentages in palm fronds was recorded as the height of the sandy clay formed by termite workers on palm frond surfaces, when the fronds had been treated with a different concentration of each pesticide. The results were recorded after 15, 30, 45, and 60 days. Chlorpyrifos (48% EC) was considered the most potent pesticide among all the pesticides tested, but acetamiprid (20% SP) was considered the most toxic among the neonicotinoid pesticides tested. Moreover, the formulation of thiamethoxam (18.6% SC) was more powerful than thaimethoxam (40% WG). Furthermore, the reduction percentages on palm fronds increased significantly with an increase of the exposure period (from 15 to 60 days), as a result of the surface foraging activity of the sand termite workers. These results are given as unique and encouraging trends in controlling sand termites in Egypt.
A Target Indirect Thrust Measurement Method of Pulse Detonation Engine
Authors: Huang Xiqiao , Xiong Yuefei , Li Chao , Zheng Longxi , Li Qing
Published: May 2015

An indirect thrust measurement method based on impulse of a target plate was developed, and a new thrust measurement system (TMS) was successfully designed and constructed. A series of multi-cycle experiments on thrust measurement were conducted to investigate the feasibility of this method with the newly-built indirect TMS. The thrust measurement of PDE was made at different plate target axial positions and operating frequencies. All the experiments were conducted using gasoline as fuel and air as oxidant. The experimental results implied that the thrust of PDE by using the indirect impulse method was a function of the target plate axial position, and there existed an optimum measurement position for PDE with a diameter of 60 mm. The optimum target plate position located at 3.33. According to the experimental results, the thrusts obtained by using indirect TMS were less than the actual values, and so the observed value of thrust was modified in order to make the thrust more reliable. A relative accurate calibration formula depending on the operating frequency was found.
Modeling Real Private Consumption Expenditure in Bulgaria after the Currency Board Implementation (1997-2005)
Authors: Vasilev Aleksandar
Published: May 2015

In this paper, an econometric model of consumption in Bulgaria for the period 1997-2005 is constructed. The Error-Correction Model (ECM) approach is employed and long-run relationship between household consumption and income was found. The primary purpose of this empirical paper is to get a better understanding of the factors driving household consumption in Bulgaria and to estimate a consumption function to be used for medium-term forecasting. It is shown that all households behave in a Keynesian way, basing their consumption decisions on current income.
Hydrogen-bonded assemblies of two organically templated borates: syntheses and crystal structures of [(1,10-phen)(H3BO3)2] and [2-EtpyH][(B5O6(OH)4]
Authors: Wang Yan-Jing , Jia Ai-Quan , Chen Xing-Shun , Shi Hua-Tian , Zhang Qian-Feng
Published: May 2015

Two new organically templated borates, [(1,10-phen)(H3BO3)2] (1) and [2-EtpyH][(B5O6(OH)4] (2), were synthesized under mild solvothermal conditions and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, elemental analyses and thermogravimetry. Complex 1 is a co-crystal component in which B(OH)3 molecules form crinkled tapes via hydrogen bonds, which in turn are packed in a two-dimensional framework with 1,10-phen molecules sandwiched between the framework of crinkled chains. The structure of complex 2 is composed of 2-ethylpyridinium cations [2-EtpyH]+ and pentaborate anions [B5O6(OH)4]– which are linked together with hydrogen bonds to form a three-dimensional supramolecular framework. The templating [2-EtpyH]+ cations are situated in the cavities arising from the supramolecular pentaborate framework and interact also with the inorganic framework through hydrogen bonds.
Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase in adipocyte is Cys-specific and affected by obesity
Authors: Alponti Rafaela Fadoni , Viana Luciana Godoy , Yamanouye Norma , Silveira Paulo Flavio
Published: May 2015

Insulin-regulated aminopeptidase (IRAP, EC 3.4.11.3) in adipocytes is well known to traffic between high (HDM) and low (LDM) density microsomal fractions toward the plasma membrane (MF) under stimulation by insulin. However, its catalytic preference for aminoacyl substrates with N-terminal Leu or Cys is controversial. Furthermore, possible changes in its traffic under metabolic challenges are unknown. The present study investigated the catalytic activity attributable to EC 3.4.11.3 in HDM, LDM and MF from isolated adipocytes of healthy (C), food deprived (FD) and monosodium glutamate (MSG) obese rats on aminoacyl substrates with N-terminal Cys or Leu, in absence or presence of insulin. Efficacy and reproducibility of subcellular adipocyte fractionation procedure were demonstrated. Comparison among HDM vs LDM vs MF intragroup revealed that hydrolytic activity trafficking from LDM to MF under influence of insulin in C, MSG and FD is only on N-terminal Cys. In MSG the same pattern of anterograde traffic and aminoacyl preference occurred independently of insulin stimulation. The pathophysiological significance of IRAP in adipocytes seems to be linked to comprehensive energy metabolism related roles of endogenous substrates with N-terminal cysteine pair such as vasopressin and oxytocin.
Stress-induced inhibition of LH pulses in female rats: role of GABA in arcuate nucleus
Authors: Li XiaoFeng , Shao Bei , Lin ChengCheng , O'Byrne Kevin T , Lin YuanShao
Published: May 2015

Stress exerts profound inhibitory effects on reproductive function by suppression of the pulsatile release of GnRH and therefore LH. Besides the corticotrophin-releasing factor (CRF), this effect also might be mediated via GABAergic signaling within the arcuate nucleus (ARC) since its inhibitory effects on LH pulses and increased activity during stress. In the present study, we investigated the role of endogenous GABAergic signaling within the ARC in stress-induced suppression of LH pulses. Ovariectomised oestradiol-replaced rats were implanted with bilateral and unilateral cannulae targeting toward the ARC and lateral cerebral ventricle respectively. Blood samples (25 μl) were taken via chronically implanted cardiac catheters every 5 min for 6 h for measurement of LH pulses. Intra-ARC infusion of GABAAreceptor antagonist, bicuculline (0.2 pmol in 200 nl artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) each side, three times at 20-min intervals) markedly attenuated the inhibitory effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 25 μg/kg i.v.) but not restraint (1 h) stress on pulsatile LH secretion. In contrast, restraint but not LPS stress-induced suppression of LH pulse frequency was reversed by intra-ARC administration of GABABR antagonist, CGP-35348 (1.5 nmol in 200 nl aCSF each side, three times at 20-min intervals). Moreover, intra-ARC application of either bicuculline or CGP-35348 attenuated the inhibitory effect of CRF (1 nmol in 4 μl aCSF, i.c.v.) on the LH pulses. These data indicate a pivotal and differential role of endogenous GABAAand GABABsignaling mechanisms in the ARC with respect to mediating immunological and psychological stress-induced suppression of the GnRH pulse generator respectively.
Involvement of Catalase in Saccharomyces Cerevisiae Hormetic Response to Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Vasylkovska Ruslana , Burdylyuk Nadia , Semchyshyn Halyna
Published: May 2015

In this study, we investigated the relationship between catalase activity and H2O2-induced hormetic response in budding yeast S. cerevisiae. In general, our data suggest that: (i)hydrogen peroxide induces hormesis in a concentration- and time-dependent manner; and (ii) theeffect of hydrogen peroxide on yeast colony growth positively correlates with the activity ofcatalase that suggests the enzyme involvement in overall H2O2-induced stress response andhormetic response in yeast.
Effects of Sodium Nitroprusside on Salt Stress Tolerance of Tocopherol-Deficient Arabidopsis Thaliana Plants
Authors: Mosiichuk Nadiia
Published: May 2015

In the present study, effects of exogenous sodium nitroprusside (SNP), a nitric oxide(•NO) donor, on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzyme activities in wild type and tocopheroldeficient lines vte1 and vte4 of Arabidopsis thaliana subjected to 200 mM NaCl were studied. In wildtype plants, pretreatment with SNP did not change level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances(TBARS), but decreased the activities of dehydroascorbate reductase and guaiacol peroxidaseunder salt stress. In mutant line vte1, which lacks all forms of tocopherols, pretreatment with SNPreduced TBARS level and increases the activities of glutathione reductase and guaiacol peroxidaseunder salt stress. Ascorbate peroxidase activity decreased under salt stress conditions in bothmutant lines, pretreated with SNP. It can be concluded, that pretreatment with SNP couldattenuate salt-induced injuries in A. thaliana plants via up-regulation of activity of antioxidantenzymes and attenuate lipid peroxidation
Oxidative Stress in Muscle Growth and Adaptation to Physical Exercise
Authors: Yurkevych Ihor
Published: May 2015

In a few last decades oxidative stress detected in a variety of physiological processeswhere reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) play a central role. Theyare directly involved in oxidation of proteins, lipids and nucleic acids. In certain concentrationsthey are necessary for cell division, proliferation and apoptosis. Contractile muscle tissue at aerobicconditions form high ROS flow that may modulate a variety of cell functions, for exampleproliferation. However, slight increase in ROS level provide hormetic effect which may participatein adaptation to heavy weight training resulted in hypertrophy and proliferation of skeletal musclefibers. This review will discuss ROS types, sites of generation, strategies to increase forceproduction and achieve skeletal muscle hypertrophy