bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Productivity and Carbon Dioxide Exchange of Leguminous Crops: Estimates from Flux Tower Measurements
Authors: Gilmanov Tagir G. , Baker John M. , Bernacchi Carl J. , Billesbach David P. , Burba George G. , Castro Saulo , Chen Jiquan , Eugster Werner , Fischer Marc L. , Gamon John A. , Gebremedhin Maheteme T. , Glenn Aaron J. , Griffis Timothy J. , Hatfield Jerry L. , Heuer Mark W. , Howard Daniel M. , Leclerc Monique Y. , Loescher Henry W. , Marloie Oliver , Meyers Tilden P. , Olioso Albert , Phillips Rebecca L. , Prueger John H. , Skinner R. Howard , Suyker Andrew E. , Tenuta Mario , Wylie Bruce K.
Published: March 2014

Net CO2 exchange data of legume crops at 17 flux tower sites in North America and three sites in Europe representing 29 site‐years of measurements were partitioned into gross photosynthesis and ecosystem respiration by using the nonrectangular hyperbolic light‐response function method. The analyses produced net CO2 exchange data and new ecosystem‐scale ecophysiological parameter estimates for legume crops determined at diurnal and weekly time steps. Dynamics and annual totals of gross photosynthesis, ecosystem respiration, and net ecosystem production were calculated by gap filling with multivariate nonlinear regression. Comparison with the data from grain crops obtained with the same method demonstrated that CO2 exchange rates and ecophysiological parameters of legumes were lower than those of maize (Zea mays L.) but higher than for wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops. Year‐round annual legume crops demonstrated a broad range of net ecosystem production, from sinks of 760 g CO2 m−2 yr−1 to sources of –2100 g CO2 m−2 yr−1, with an average of –330 g CO2 m−2 yr−1, indicating overall moderate CO2–source activity related to a shorter period of photosynthetic uptake and metabolic costs of N2 fixation. Perennial legumes (alfalfa, Medicago sativa L.) were strong sinks for atmospheric CO2, with an average net ecosystem production of 980 (range 550–1200) g CO2 m−2 yr−1.
Effects of Three Pulse Crops on Subsequent Barley, Canola, and Wheat
Authors: Williams C. M. , King J. R. , Ross S. M. , Olson M. A. , Hoy C. F. , Lopetinsky K. J.
Published: March 2014

Diverse crop rotations are an important part of sustainable agricultural systems. Crop sequence can affect rotational benefits. Our objectives were to assess the N dynamics of barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), canola (Brassica napus L.), faba bean (Vicia faba L.), lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.), and pea (Pisum sativum L.) crops in the first year (YR1) of a rotation, and quantify the rotational effects of these crops on subsequent yield and protein content of barley, canola, and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) crops in the second year (YR2) of the rotation. Twenty‐one crop sequences were assessed. In YR1 tannin‐free faba bean, narrow‐leafed lupin, and field pea were grown without N fertilizer and barley and canola were grown with and without N fertilizer. These seven treatments were followed by three subsequent crops; barley, canola, and wheat. Faba bean had the highest potential for N fixation followed by pea and lupin. Nitrogen returned to the soil in aboveground crop residues was similar across pulse species. Faba bean and pea stubble were able to maintain the yield and quality of subsequent barley, canola, and wheat crops without the addition of N fertilizer. Pulse crops can improve the sustainability of the Alberta cropping system.
Perennial Ryegrass Growth Responses to Mycorrhizal Infection and Humic Acid Treatments
Authors: Nikbakht Ali , Pessarakli Mohammad , Daneshvar-Hakimi-Maibodi Naghmeh , Kafi Mohsen
Published: March 2014

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis confers numerous benefits to host plants, including improved plant growth and nutrient acquisition efficiency. An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of AM fungi (Glomus intraradices and G. mosseae) in the presence of humic acid (HA) spray treatments (0, 100, 400, and 1000 mgL−1) on nutrient (N, P, K, Fe, and Zn) uptake, visual quality and chlorophyll content, root growth and architecture, and colonization of perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) Speedygreen mixture. The results revealed that HA did not affect plant growth significantly; instead arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal (AMF) colonization improved dry and fresh weights. Mycorrhizal inoculations significantly increased visual quality (13 and 15% in inoculated plants compared to non‐inoculated ones) that might be at least partly due to elevated total chlorophyll content. The AM inoculation and HA treatment resulted in improved root architecture rather than root biomass production. Neither HA treatments nor mycorrhizal inoculation affected N and Fe contents of the leaves; however P, K, and Zn concentrations improved by AM inoculation. More roots were colonized by G. intraradices than by G. mosseae. These results suggest that AM inoculation is beneficial in enhancing uptake of some nutrients and root development of ryegrass possibly leading to less fertilizer input and more drought resistance.
Evaluation of Wheat Cultivars to Test Indirect Selection for Organic Conditions
Authors: Pswarayi H. A. , Kubota H. , Estrada H. , Spaner D.
Published: March 2014

There is debate regarding direct or indirect selection for organic conditions. Our objective was to evaluate the progress of indirectly selecting organic cultivars in conventional environments. Canadian spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, developed for conventional environments from 1885 to 1999 and from 1975 to 2009, respectively, were grown in two separate experiments to assess progress of yield and associated agronomic traits due to breeding. The first experiment evaluated 27 cultivars in organic and conventional conditions for 3 yr (2002, 2003, and 2004), on three sites in western Canada. In the second experiment, eight cultivars were evaluated in organic conditions in 2010 and 2011 at the University of Alberta, Canada. The first experiment showed that breeding had improved yield and most associated traits only in conventional systems and a few associated traits in organic conditions. The second experiment showed that breeding had made significant improvements in yield and test weight in organic conditions. This study suggests that with sufficient quality and disease resistance criteria in place for the breeding of wheat in conventional environments, it may be possible to concomitantly improve wheat yield destined for organic growing conditions. However, fewer associated traits showed significant improvement in organic conditions and improvement rates were lower than in conventional conditions. This suggests that optimizing trait performance in organic conditions should include organic conditions during breeding and selection.
Tillage, Crop Rotation, and Nitrogen Management Strategies for Wheat in Central Montana
Authors: Lin Ruiyu , Chen Chengci
Published: March 2014

Conventional tillage is gradually being replaced by no‐till or minimal tillage. Our objectives were to investigate: (i) winter wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) yield, and nitrogen uptake efficiency (NUE), as affected by surface‐applied N and crop rotation in no‐till and tilled fields; and (ii) N availability and uptake as affected by tillage history and crop rotation. A study was imposed on adjacent long‐term no‐till (LTNT) and long‐term sweep‐tilled (LTST) fields for 6 yr. Wheat yield, N uptake, and soil NO3–N were measured for fallow (F)–winter wheat (WW), spring pea (Pisium sativumL.) (SP)–WW, spring wheat (SW)–WW, and winter pea (WP)–WW rotations with four N rates (0, 45, 90, or 135 kg ha−1). From fall to spring, soil NO3–N increased in F–WW, SP–WW, and WP–WW rotations, but not with SW–WW rotation. After spring application of urea to the soil surface of the LTNT field, WW biomass growth was greater in SP–WW than in SW–WW at lower N levels, but no differences were found between the SP–WW and SW–WW rotation at higher N rates. In the LTST field, no difference in biomass was found between the SP–WW and SW–WW rotations except for the 0 N rate. Winter wheat in rotation with pea greatly increased wheat yield, N uptake, and NUE. Lower WW yield and NUE in SW–WW rotation apparently resulted from less over‐winter N release and the unavailability of surface‐applied N.
Controlled‐Release Fertilizer Effect on Potato and Groundwater Nitrogen in Sandy Soil
Authors: Bero Nicholas J. , Ruark Matthew D. , Lowery Birl
Published: March 2014

Controlled‐release fertilizer, specifically polymer coated urea (PCU), may reduce nitrate‐nitrogen (NO3–N) leaching to ground water; however, few if any field scale studies have been performed in Wisconsin on sandy soils to validate these assertions. A 2‐yr field experiment was conducted at the Hancock Agricultural Research Station using potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) planted in Plainfield sand. Experimental design was a randomized complete block with three replicates and four N fertilizer treatments: (i) no N, (ii) 224 kg N ha−1 as PCU, (iii) 280 kg N ha−1 as PCU, and (iv) 280 kg N ha−1 split‐applied as ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] and ammonium nitrate (NH4NO3) fertilizer. Three groundwater monitoring wells were installed in each plot, sampled weekly during the growing season, and analyzed for NO3–N, ammonium (NH4–N), and dissolved organic N. Potato N uptake and yields were similar among conventional fertilizer and the PCU treatments; PCU may only be economically viable when applied at lower than recommended rates. Significant increases in the partial nutrient balance (PNB) were calculated for 224 kg N ha−1 of PCU compared to 280 kg ha−1 of PCU or conventional fertilizer. These large gains in N use efficiency were not reflected in the groundwater quality. The plot‐to‐plot variation in groundwater nitrate concentration was too large to statistically determine differences among fertilizer treatments. Therefore, relying on measurements of N uptake and N use efficiency are the clearest way to assess impacts of N fertilizer on groundwater quality.
Seed Safety Limits for Cereals and Canola Using Seed‐Placed ESN Urea Fertilizer
Authors: Qin Shuhao , Stevenson F. Craig , McKenzie Ross H. , Beres Brian L.
Published: March 2014

Environmentally Smart Nitrogen (ESN) (Agrium, Calgary, AB) is a polymer‐coated form of urea N that provides controlled‐release, allowing higher seed‐placed safe rates. Field studies were conducted from 2009 to 2012 near Lethbridge, AB, Canada, to determine how upper limits of seed safety using seed‐placed ESN in cereals and canola change with increased N rates and alterations to the coating integrity of ESN. Alterations to the coating integrity of ESN were created in the laboratory (consistent within an incremental range of 20 to 80% N release after 7 d immersion in 23°C water) and then arranged in a factorial combination with five rates (30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 kg N ha−1) of the seed‐placed ESN lots and urea (100% N release). Low N release rates (20–40%) were important for all three crops and increased the safe rate of seed‐placed ESN to the optimum range of 60 to 90 kg N ha−1 for spring cereals and 60 kg N ha−1 for canola. This confirms three times the safe rate of urea (observed at 30 kg N ha−1 for cereals) can be seed‐placed and achieve N sufficiency for spring wheat in one operation. Canola stand establishment was negatively affected by greater N release and rates. However, reductions to canola yield were modest (5%) unless ESN was replaced with urea, which reflects its greater compensatory response to stand thinning. Results from this study confirm the substitution of urea with ESN allows 3× rates of seed‐placed N provided N release was ≤40%, which is readily achieved through proper handling.
Understanding Dry Matter and Nitrogen Accumulation for High‐Yielding Film‐Mulched Maize
Authors: Liu Jianliang , Zhan Ai , Bu Lingduo , Zhu Lin , Luo Shasha , Chen Xinping , Cui Zhenling , Li Shiqing , Lee Hill Robert , Zhao Ying
Published: March 2014

Film mulching is a very common technique in agriculture worldwide, but few studies have focused on the dry matter (DM) and N accumulation of mulched crops. Understanding the grain yield (GY) associated with DM and N accumulation is essential for improving crop production. We conducted a 3‐yr field experiment with six N fertilizer rates (0, 100, 200, 250, 300, and 400 kg ha−1) in the semiarid climate of northwest China to determine the GY and DM and N accumulation of film‐mulched maize (Zea mays L.). The results showed that relatively high GYs (13.1–15.1 Mg ha−1) were obtained using N fertilizer rates of 200 to 400 kg ha−1 in the 3 yr despite large year‐to‐year differences in rainfall. When the N rate was below 250 kg ha−1, the GY, DM, and N accumulation increased significantly as the N fertilizer rate increased. A linear‐plateau model best described the relationship between the GY and the DM and N accumulation during the pre‐silking stage and a linear model the relationship during the post‐silking stage. We conclude that optimizing N management to improve DM and N accumulation (especially post‐silking) is the key to ensuring a high yield of film‐mulched maize.
Spontaneous Multi‐Pistil Mutantmp1in Alfalfa: Floral Anatomy and Embryo Sac Development
Authors: Jin Liang , Zhang Jingwen , Li Jing , Yang Yang , Zhang Xiaoqiang , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: March 2014

A spontaneous mutant with two to three pistils,mp1,was identified from ovule fertility investigations in a natural alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.) population. No cytological investigations of pistil development and seeding mechanisms in reduced‐fertility multi‐pistil mutants have been performed to date. In this study, floral ontogeny, embryonic development, and pollen tube guidance were compared between alfalfamp1and wild‐type flowers. The results indicated that pod‐setting ofmp1was significantly lower (8.18%) than that of wild‐type plants (71.43%), which indicates thatmp1was partial‐female‐sterile. In the late stage of floral development that forms stamen and pistil organs, an extra carpel was visible inmp1in place of the vexillary stamen. Normal patterns of megasporogenesis forming a functional chalazal megaspore were observed both inmp1and wild‐type plants. However,mp1showed abnormal development during megagametogenesis for more than one egg cell and two synergids in mature embryo sacs. In comparison with a fertile flower, the stigma ofmp1has no honeycomb‐like cuticle and less exudate to adhere to pollen grains. Furthermore, pollen tubes ofmp1grew in a disordered fashion and could not penetrate into ovules through micropyles, while pollen tubes from fertile plants were attracted to the micropyle in the “N” way and grew in a highly organized manner. This study is the first report of a spontaneous multi‐pistil mutation inM. sativa. Our results reveal thatmp1is a new floral homeotic mutant with partial female sterility due to abnormal female gametogenesis, stigma development, and pollen tube guidance.
Temporal and Spatial Differences in Crop Yields of a Mature Silver Maple Alley Cropping System
Authors: Udawatta Ranjith P. , Motavalli Peter P. , Jose Shibu , Nelson Kelly A.
Published: March 2014

Although alley cropping practices improve ecosystem services, they can reduce crop yields, especially at the tree‐crop interface and progressively at increasing distances from that interface with time. The objective of this study was to evaluate temporal and spatial yield differences in a no‐till corn (Zea mays L.)–soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] rotation in a mature (11–19 yr) silver maple (Acer saccharinum L.) alley cropping system in the claypan region of the temperate climatic zone. Silver maple saplings were planted in 20 m wide rows at 3.6 m spacing between trees in 1990. Crop yields were measured at 3.3, 6.7, and 10 m distances from the tree row from 2001 to 2008. Corn yields in 2002, 2004, 2006, and 2008 and soybean yields in 2001, 2003, 2005, and 2007 were determined using a small plot combine and analyzed in a split‐plot in space and time design. Corn yield was 86 and 24% lower at 3.3 and 6.7 m compared to 10 m. The greatest reductions were recorded in 2006 when the site recorded the greatest yields. Late planting may have affected the corn yield despite 156% of the normal rain in 2008. Soybean yield was 77 and 24% lower at 3.3 and 6.7 m, respectively, compared to yield at 10 m. Soybean yields declined over time at all three measured distances. A reduction of competition and selection of drought and shade tolerant crops may help increase productivity while providing ecosystem services of the perennial tree rows.
Litter Decomposition of Signalgrass Grazed with Different Stocking Rates and Nitrogen Fertilizer Levels
Authors: Apolinário Valéria X. O. , Dubeux José C. B. , Mello Alexandre C. L. , Vendramini João M. B. , Lira Mário A. , Santos Mércia V. F. , Muir James P.
Published: March 2014

Litter decomposition is an important pathway of nutrient return on grazed pastures and it may be affected by management practices. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of stocking rate (2, 3.9, and 5.8 AU ha−1; 1 AU = 450 kg animal live weight) and N fertilization level (0, 150, and 300 kg N ha−1 yr−1) on signalgrass (Brachiaria decumbens Stapf.) litter decomposition. Signalgrass litter was placed in nylon bags and incubated for 0, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, and 256 d during 2009 and 2010. Litter decomposition rates differed between years and among incubation times. The decomposition rate was less in 2009 than in 2010 (3.46 and 4.20 mg g−1d−1, respectively). Stocking rate had no effect on litter decomposition rate. Decomposition rates were greater for fertilization with 300 vs. 0 kg N ha−1 yr−1 (4.47 vs. 3.29 mg g−1 d−1, respectively), which resulted in less N remaining in fertilized signalgrass litter. Concentrations of N and lignin as well as lignin/N ratio fit linear plateau models, increasing 7, 151, and 25 g kg−1, respectively, during the 256‐d incubation period. The effect of year on residual N and C/N ratios highlighted the need for long‐term trials that measure the peaks of nutrient release and availability to plants. Data are needed to guide nutrient management decisions in tropical pastures. Pasture N fertilization may shift the balance between litter immobilization/mineralization, altering N dynamics in the litter pool.
Patients With First-Episode Psychosis are Not a Homogeneous Population: Implications for Treatment
Authors: Cocchi Angelo , Cerati Giorgio , Lora Antonio , Meneghelli Anna , Monzani Emiliano , Percudani Mauro , Petrovich Lorenzo , Mirabella Fiorino , Picardi Angelo , Preti Antonio
Published: March 2014

Objective:This study aimed at defining the characteristics of a population of patients diagnosed with first-episode psychosis (FEP), and accessing for the first time a center for early intervention in psychosis in the health district of Milan and its surroundings.Methods:Patients were included in the study from January 2007 to December 2008; criteria: first contact with any public mental health service of the catchment area for a first episode of schizophrenia or related syndromes according to the ICD-10 criteria. Cluster analysis was used to divide patients into groups based on the main socio-demographic and clinical characteristics at presentation.Results:Overall, 91 FEP patients were enrolled in the study. Two clusters were identified, which differed principally by symptom profile. Patients in cluster 1 (n=36) had severe agitation, and a history of alcohol and/or substance abuse at presentation more often than those in cluster 2 (n=55), who were more likely to suffer at presentation from severe depression or apathy, anxiety, poor self-care, functional or work impairment and severe social withdrawal. After six months of treatment patients improved on almost all symptomatic dimensions on the Health of the Nation Outcome Scale and the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale, with greater improvement in cluster 1 than in cluster 2.Conclusions:The findings of this study need replication in larger samples and on a wider severity scale. Nevertheless, the heterogeneity of patients with FEP might impact on treatment. Policymakers should recognize the importance of the diagnostic and outcome assessment in the treatment of severe mental disorders.
More on non-regular bipartite integral graphs with maximum degree 4 not having ±1 as eigenvalues
Authors: de Abreu , Balińska Krystyna , Simic Slobodan , Zwierzyński Krzysztof
Published: March 2014

A graph is integral if the spectrum (of its adjacency matrix) consists
entirely of integers. The problem of determining all non-regular bipartite
integral graphs with maximum degree four which do not have ?1 as eigenvalues
was posed in K.T. Bali?ska, S.K. Simic, K.T. Zwierzy?ski: Which
non-regular bipartite integral graphs with maximum degree four do not have
?1 as eigenvalues?, Discrete Math., 286 (2004), 15{25. Here we revisit this
problem, and provide its complete solution using mostly the theoretical
arguments.
The identification and quantification of bioactive compounds from the aqueous extract of comfrey root by UHPLC-DAD-HESI-MS method and its microbial activity
Authors: Savic Vesna , Savic Sasa , Nikolic Vesna , Nikolic Ljubisa , Najman Stevo , Lazarevic Jelena , Djordjevic Aleksandra
Published: March 2014

In this study the qualitative, quantitative and microbial determination of
the aqueous extract of comfrey root was done. The qualitative and
quantitative analyses were done by the UHPLC-DAD-HESI-MS method. As major
bioactive compounds, allantoin, rosmarinic acid and ellagic acid were
identified and their quantification was also done. The obtained results
showed a high content of allantoin, ellagic acid and rosmarinic acid (8.91,
7.4 and 12.8%, respectively) which indicated that the comfrey root can be
used as a source for the isolation of these three compounds. The results
obtained by the determination of the antimicrobial activity showed that
Escherichia coli ATCC8739 and Salmonela typhimirium ATCC6538 were most
sensitive to the aqueous extract of comfrey root. The results showed that
allantoin did not express the antimicrobial activity on all the investigated
bacteria species, and based on this it can be concluded that allantoin is not
responsible for the antimicrobial activity of the aqueous extract of comfrey
root.
Pre-Packaging Preschool Literacy: What Drives Early Childhood Teachers to Use Commercially Produced Phonics Programs in Prior to School Settings
Authors: Campbell Stacey , Torr Jane , Cologon Kathy
Published: March 2014

Language-rich environments are key to overall quality in early childhood settings, including frequent child—staff interactions around picture books and dramatic play. In a language-rich environment, explicit teaching of literacy concepts, such as phonics, is embedded in authentic and meaningful situations where alphabet letters and sounds are taught in a context meaningful to the child. Recent research, however, suggests that the use of commercial pre-packaged phonics programs (such as Letterland and Jolly Phonics) is widespread in prior to school settings in Sydney, Australia. Little is known about why early childhood teachers choose to use such programs with children aged five and under. In the present study, thematic analysis of data from interviews with five early childhood teachers using commercial phonics programs found that their reasons were pragmatic rather than pedagogical. Motivations included the idea that the programs reduced their workload, provided tangible evidence to parents of their child's ‘school readiness’, and served as a marketing tool to attract parents. Further analysis found that the teachers were unable to articulate what phonics and phonological awareness are and how they are learnt in early childhood.
Examining Whiteness in a Children's Centre
Authors: Clarke Verity , Watson Debbie
Published: March 2014

This article utilises critical whiteness theory to explore the ethnic discourses observed in a children's centre in South London. Whilst critical whiteness has been used as a framework to understand race, racism and multiculturalism in a number of settings, including education, there are few studies that have sought to understand ethnicity in early year's contexts in this way. A key focus of the research was to develop child focused methods that captured the perspectives of three- to five-year-olds on ethnicity through photo-elicitation and walking tours. The article explores the multiple ways that whiteness was performed, constructed and deconstructed by the parents, young children and staff in the centre. The article concludes that further explorations of whiteness in early childhood settings are needed in order to develop strategies that will help to produce a version of whiteness that can play a role in the struggle against racism and offer more multicultural early years and family support provisions.
From individual grief to a shared history of the Bosnian war
Authors: Huttunen Laura
Published: March 2014

This article explores the relationship between psychotherapeutic practices with people with refugee backgrounds and “the political”. The relationship between voice and audience in psychotherapeutic practices is explored; through such an analysis the relationship between psychotherapy, history, and the political is considered. The theoretical questions are approached through a case study, a Bosnian man with refugee background living in Finland and attending psychotherapy there who invited the anthropologist to attend his therapy sessions. The analysis of the single case is situated within long-term ethnographic research on the Bosnian diaspora. Situating the personal in historical and moral plots, as well as seeking larger audiences beyond the confines of the therapeutic relationship, is seen as crucial in producing therapeutic effects. Simultaneously, the case enables a theoretical discussion about the relationships between voice, audience, and the political.
Antioxidant Properties of Artemisia annua Extracts in Model Food Emulsions
Authors: Skowyra Monika , Gallego Maria , Segovia Francisco , Almajano Maria
Published: March 2014

Artemisia annua is currently the only commercial source of the sesquiterpene lactone artemisinin. Although artemisinin is a major bioactive component present in this Chinese herb, leaf flavonoids have shown a variety of biological activities. The polyphenolic profile of extract from leaves of A. annua was assessed as a source of natural antioxidants. Total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were established and three assays were used to measure the antioxidant capacity of the plant extract. The measurement of scavenging capacity against the 2,2′-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) radical cation, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) were 314.99 µM Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW, 736.26 µM TE/g DW and 212.18 µM TE/g DW, respectively. A. annua extracts also showed good antioxidant properties in 10% sunflower oil-in-water emulsions during prolonged storage (45 days) at 32 °C. Artemisia extract at 2 g/L was as effective as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) at 0.02 g/L in slowing down the formation of hydroperoxides as measured by peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances. The results of this study indicate that extract of A. annua may be suitable for use in the food matrix as substitutes for synthetic antioxidants.
Research on a 20-Slot/22-Pole Five-Phase Fault-Tolerant PMSM Used for Four-Wheel-Drive Electric Vehicles
Authors: Sui Yi , Zheng Ping , Wu Fan , Yu Bin , Wang Pengfei , Zhang Jiawei
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a five-phase fault-tolerant permanent-magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) used for electric vehicles. In multiphase fault-tolerant PMSMs equipped with fractional-slot concentrated windings, excessive magneto-motive force (MMF) harmonics can lead to thermal demagnetization of the permanent magnets (PMs). In order to reduce the lower-order harmonics, the origins of the 2-pole harmonic in conventional winding configurations are investigated, and an unequal-turn winding configuration is applied to cancel the lower-order harmonics. The main electromagnetic performances of the unequal-turn winding configuration are investigated and compared with conventional winding topologies. Based on the principle of maintaining constant instantaneous power, the fault-tolerant control strategies for open-circuits of up to two phases are developed. All of the investigations are verified by finite element analysis (FEA) results.
Assessment of Heavy Metals in Municipal Sewage Sludge: A Case Study of Limpopo Province, South Africa
Authors: Shamuyarira Kudakwashe , Gumbo Jabulani
Published: March 2014

Heavy metals in high concentrations can cause health and environmental damage. Nanosilver is an emerging heavy metal which has a bright future of use in many applications. Here we report on the levels of silver and other heavy metals in municipal sewage sludge. Five towns in Limpopo province of South Africa were selected and the sludge from their wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) was collected and analysed. The acid digested sewage sludge samples were analysed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods. The concentrations of silver found were low, but significant, in the range 0.22 to 21.93 mg/kg dry mass. The highest concentration of silver was found in Louis Trichardt town with a concentration of 21.93 ± 0.38 mg/kg dry mass while the lowest was Thohoyandou with a concentration of 6.13 ± 0.12 mg/kg dry mass. A control sludge sample from a pit latrine had trace levels of silver at 0.22 ± 0.01 mg/kg dry mass. The result showed that silver was indeed present in the wastewater sewage sludge and at present there is no DWAF guideline standard. The average Cd concentration was 3.10 mg/kg dry mass for Polokwane municipality. Polokwane and Louis Trichardt municipalities exhibited high levels of Pb, in excess DWAF guidelines, in sludge at 102.83 and 171.87 mg/kg respectfully. In all the WWTPs the zinc and copper concentrations were in excess of DWAF guidelines. The presence of heavy metals in the sewage sludge in excess of DWAF guidelines presents environmental hazards should the sludge be applied as a soil ameliorant.
Novel Missense Mutation in the NOD2 Gene in a Patient with Early Onset Ulcerative Colitis: Causal or Chance Association?
Authors: Girardelli Martina , Vuch Josef , Tommasini Alberto , Crovella Sergio , Bianco Anna
Published: March 2014

Deregulated immune response to gut microflora in genetically predisposed individuals is typical for inflammatory bowel diseases. It is reasonable to assume that genetic association with the disease will be more pronounced in subjects with early onset than adult onset. The nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain containing-2 gene, commonly involved in multifactorial risk of Crohn’s disease, and interleukin 10 receptor genes, associated with rare forms of early onset inflammatory bowel diseases, were sequenced in an early onset patient. We identified a novel variant in the NOD2 gene (c.2857A > G p.K953E) and two already described missense variants in the IL10RA gene (S159G and G351R). The new NOD2 missense variant was examined in silico with two online bioinformatics tools to predict the potentially deleterious effects of the mutation. Although cumulative effect of these variations in the early onset of the disease can be only hypothesized, we demonstrated that family information and in silico studies can be used to predict association with the disease.
Anterior Hox Genes in Cardiac Development and Great Artery Patterning
Authors: Laforest Brigitte , Bertrand Nicolas , Zaffran Stéphane
Published: March 2014

During early development, the heart tube grows by progressive addition of progenitor cells to the arterial and venous poles. These cardiac progenitor cells, originally identified in 2001, are located in the splanchnic mesoderm in a region termed the second heart field (SHF). Since its discovery, our view of heart development has been refined and it is well established that perturbation in the addition of SHF cells results in a spectrum of congenital heart defects. We have previously shown that anterior Hox genes, including Hoxb1, Hoxa1 and Hoxa3, are expressed in distinct subdomains of the SHF that contribute to atrial and subpulmonary myocardium. It is well known that Hox proteins exert their function through interaction with members of the TALE family, including Pbx and Meis factors. The expression profile of Pbx and Meis factors overlaps with that of anterior Hox factors in the embryonic heart, and recent data suggest that they may interact together during cardiac development. This review aims to bring together recent findings in vertebrates that strongly suggest an important function for Hox, Pbx and Meis factors in heart development and disease.
N,N-Dibenzyl-1-(1-[(4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanamine
Authors: Younas Aouine , Abdelilah El , Anouar Alami
Published: March 2014

The title compound, N,N-dibenzyl-1-(1-[(4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazol-4-yl)methyl)]-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)methanamine was synthesized in high yield by 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of 4-(azidomethyl)-4-methyl-2-phenyl-4,5-dihydrooxazole and N,N-dibenzylprop-2-yn-1-amine in toluene at reflux. The structure of this product was established on the basis of NMR spectroscopy (1H, 13C), Elemental Analysis and MS data.
Some New Integral Identities for Solenoidal Fields and Applications
Authors: Semenov Vladimir
Published: March 2014

In spaces Rn, n ≥ 2, it has been proved that a solenoidal vector field and its rotor satisfy the series of new integral identities which have covariant form. The interest in them is explained by hydrodynamics problems for an ideal fluid.
Post-Impact Fatigue Damage Monitoring Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors
Authors: Shin Chow-Shing , Liaw Shien-Kuei , Yang Shi-Wei
Published: March 2014

It has been shown that impact damage to composite materials can be revealed by embedded Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBG) as a broadening and splitting of the latter’s characteristic narrow peak reflected spectrum. The current work further subjected the impact damaged composite to cyclic loading and found that the FBG spectrum gradually submerged into a rise of background intensity as internal damages progressed. By skipping the impact, directing the impact to positions away from the FBG and examining the extracted fibers, we concluded that the above change is not a result of deterioration/damage of the sensor. It is caused solely by the damages initiated in the composite by the impact and aggravated by fatigue loading. Evolution of the grating spectrum may therefore be used to monitor qualitatively the development of the incurred damages.
Towards Using NMR to Screen for Spoiled Tomatoes Stored in 1,000 L, Aseptically Sealed, Metal-Lined Totes
Authors: Pinter Michael , Harter Tod , McCarthy Michael , Augustine Matthew
Published: March 2014

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is used to track factory relevant tomato paste spoilage. It was found that spoilage in tomato paste test samples leads to longer spin lattice relaxation times T1 using a conventional low magnetic field NMR system. The increase in T1 value for contaminated samples over a five day room temperature exposure period prompted the work to be extended to the study of industry standard, 1,000 L, non-ferrous, metal-lined totes. NMR signals and T1 values were recovered from a large format container with a single-sided NMR sensor. The results of this work suggest that a handheld NMR device can be used to study tomato paste spoilage in factory process environments.
B Cell Response and Mechanisms of Antibody Protection to West Nile Virus
Authors: Austin S. , Dowd Kimberly
Published: March 2014

West Nile virus (WNV) has become the principal cause of viral encephalitis in North America since its introduction in New York in 1999. This emerging virus is transmitted to humans via the bite of an infected mosquito. While there have been several candidates in clinical trials, there are no approved vaccines or WNV-specific therapies for the treatment of WNV disease in humans. From studies with small animal models and convalescent human patients, a great deal has been learned concerning the immune response to infection with WNV. Here, we provide an overview of a subset of that information regarding the humoral and antibody response generated during WNV infection.
Preparation of new alkyne-modified ansamitocins by mutasynthesis
Authors: Harmrolfs Kirsten , Mancuso Lena , Drung Binia , Sasse Florenz , Kirschning Andreas
Published: March 2014

The preparation of alkyne-modified ansamitocins by mutasynthetic supplementation of Actinosynnema pretiosum mutants with alkyne-substituted aminobenzoic acids is described. This modification paved the way to introduce a thiol linker by Huisgen-type cycloaddition which can principally be utilized to create tumor targeting conjugates. In bioactivity tests, only those new ansamitocin derivatives showed strong antiproliferative activity that bear an ester side chain at C-3.
Model of E-Education Infrastructure based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Bogdanović Zorica , Milić Aleksandar , Labus Aleksandra
Published: March 2014

With rapid increase in the number of users, services, educational content, and required resources, educational institutions face new challenges in design and deployment of IT infrastructure for e-education. This chapter deals with defining and developing a model of IT infrastructure for e-learning by using cloud computing concept. The first challenge is adoption and implementation of digital identity management systems and the second is providing support for a system that would be able to use all advantages of federation systems for digital identities management. The experimental part of the chapter consists of a study directed towards the validation of the proposed IT infrastructure model for e-learning. Research was conducted in the Laboratory for E-Business at the Faculty of Organizational Sciences. The results of the research show that the implemented model of IT infrastructure enables the system of e-learning to be more efficient, flexible, and more economical.
Applying Coaching Practices to Leadership and Team Management Learning in Computer Science
Authors: Martínez Esperanza Marcos , Mesa Juan M. Vara , Bollati Verónica A. , López-Sanz Marcos
Published: March 2014

This chapter summarizes the experience of applying coaching techniques to the teaching of leadership and team management, which is taught as part of the project management course in the Computer Science degree at a large public Spanish university. These skills have, until now, been taught through lectures. However, there are some key strengths or abilities that a good leader or team manager possesses, such as the ability to work well in a team, communication skills, etc., which a student cannot learn in a lecture hall. The authors have therefore decided to change the teaching method to one in which the student is converted into the protagonist and the professor takes on the role of the coach, thus becoming a facilitator for the student´s learning process. The classes were organized in workshops, carried out in seminars outside the usual lecture room, and each workshop was dedicated to a specific skill or ability. In the first session, the students felt disconcerted and a little shy and were reluctant to participate in some of the professor´s proposals. Nevertheless, during the five workshops of which the experience consisted, the students became more participative and were highly contented, and it will therefore be refined and repeated during the next academic year. This chapter provides details of the experience, highlighting the methodology used in each of the workshops, in addition to the conclusions eventually reached and possible improvements that could be made in the future.
Engaging Software Engineering Students with Employability Skills
Authors: Armarego Jocelyn
Published: March 2014

This chapter explores the findings from an Action Research project that addressed the Professional Capability Framework (Scott & Wilson, 2002), and how aspects of this were embedded in an undergraduate Engineering (Software) degree. Longitudinal data identified the challenges both staff and students engaged with. The interventions that were developed to address these are described and discussed. The results of the project show that making soft skills attainment explicit as part of the learning objectives went a long way in assisting students to engage with the activities that exercised these skills.
Developing Personal and Professional Skills in Software Engineering Students
Authors: Johns-Boast Lynette
Published: March 2014

Although industry acknowledges university graduates possess strong technical knowledge, it continues to lament the lack of commensurately strong personal and professional skills that allow graduates to apply their technical knowledge and to become effective members of the workforce quickly. This chapter outlines a research-backed course design that blends experiential learning to create an industrial simulation, the rewards of which go well beyond the usual benefits of group-project capstone design courses. The simulated industrial context facilitates the graduation of software engineers who possess the requisite personal and professional attributes. Innovations include combining two cohorts of students into one, engaging industry partners through the provision and management of projects, and implementing proven education approaches that promote the development of personal and professional skills. Adoption of the suggested practices will help institutions produce “work-ready” graduates repeatedly, year after year, even by software engineering academics who may not have received teacher training and who may not possess significant industry experience themselves.
Experiences in Software Engineering Education
Authors: Scott Ezequiel , Rodríguez Guillermo , Soria Álvaro , Campo Marcelo
Published: March 2014

Software Engineering courses aim to train students to succeed in meeting the challenges within competitive and ever-changing professional contexts. Thus, undergraduate courses require continual revision and updating so as to cater for the demands of the software industry and guarantee academic quality. In this context, Scrum results in both a suitable and a flexible framework to train students in the implementation of professional software engineering practices. However, current approaches fail to provide guidance and assistance in applying Scrum, or a platform to address limitations in time, scope, and facilities within university premises. In this chapter, the authors present a software engineering training model based on the integration of the Agile Coach role and a virtual-reality platform called Virtual Scrum. The findings highlight the benefits of integrating this innovative model in a capstone course. Not only does this approach strengthen the acquisition of current software engineering practices but also opens new possibilities in the design of training courses.
ECSE
Authors: Ramingwong Sakgasit , Ramingwong Lachana
Published: March 2014

Software development is uniquely different especially when compared to other engineering processes. The abstractness of software products has a major influence on the entire software development life cycle, which results in a number of uniquely important challenges. This chapter describes and discusses Engineering Construction for Software Engineers (ECSE), an effective workshop that helps software engineering students to understand some of these critical issues within a short period of time. In this workshop, the students are required to develop a pseudo-software product from scratch. They could learn about unique characteristics and risks of software development life cycle as well as other distinctive phenomenon through the activities. The workshop can still be easily followed by students who are not familiar with certain software development processes such as coding or testing.
Digital Home
Authors: Salamah Salamah , Towhidnejad Massood , Hilburn Thomas
Published: March 2014

While many Software Engineering (SE) and Computer Science (CS) textbooks make use of case studies to introduce difference concepts and methods, the case studies introduced by these texts focus on a specific life-development phase or a particular topic within software engineering object-oriented design and implementation or requirements analysis and specification. Moreover, these case studies usually do not come with instructor guidelines on how to adopt the introduced material to the instructor’s teaching style or to the particular level of the class or students in the class. The DigitalHome Case Study aims at addressing these shortcomings by providing a comprehensive set of artifacts associated with the full software development life-cycle. The project provides an extensive set of case study modules with exercises for teaching different topics in software engineering and computer science, as well as guidance for instructors on how to use these case modules. In this chapter, the authors motivate the use of the case study approach in teaching SE and CS concepts. They provide a description of the DigitalHome case study and the associated artifacts and case modules. The authors also report on the use of the developed material.
Incorporating a Self-Directed Learning Pedagogy in the Computing Classroom
Authors: Cawley Oisín , Weibelzahl Stephan , Richardson Ita , Delaney Yvonne
Published: March 2014

With a focus on addressing the perceived skills gap in Software Engineering (SE) graduates, some educators have looked to employing alternative teaching and learning strategies in the classroom. One such pedagogy is Problem-Based Learning (PBL), an approach the authors have incorporated into the SE curriculum in two separate third-level institutions in Ireland, namely the University of Limerick (UL) and the National College of Ireland (NCI). PBL is an approach to teaching and learning which is quite different to the more typical “lecture” style found in most 3rd level institutions. PBL allows lecturers to meet educational and industry-specific objectives; however, while it has been used widely in Medical and Business schools, its use has not been so widespread with computing educators. PBL is not without its difficulties given that it requires significant changes in the role of the lecturer and the active participation of the students. Here, the authors present the approach taken to implement PBL into their respective programs. They present the pitfalls and obstacles that needed to be addressed, the levels of success that have been achieved so far, and briefly discuss some of the important aspects that Software Engineering lecturers should consider.
Learning Software Industry Practices with Open Source and Free Software Tools
Authors: Nandigam Jagadeesh , Gudivada Venkat N
Published: March 2014

This chapter describes a pragmatic approach to using open source and free software tools as valuable resources to affect learning of software industry practices using iterative and incremental development methods. The authors discuss how the above resources are used in teaching undergraduate Software Engineering (SE) courses. More specifically, they illustrate iterative and incremental development, documenting software requirements, version control and source code management, coding standards compliance, design visualization, software testing, software metrics, release deliverables, software engineering ethics, and professional practices. The authors also present how they positioned the activities of this course to qualify it for writing intensive designation. End of semester course evaluations and anecdotal evidence indicate that the proposed approach is effective in educating students in software industry practices.