bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A step towards decentralized wastewater management in the Lower Jordan Rift Valley
Authors: van Afferden M. , Cardona J. A. , Rahman K. Z. , Daoud R. , Headley T. , Kilani Z. , Subah A. , Mueller R. A.
Published: May 2010

In order to address serious concerns over public health, water scarcity and groundwater pollution in Jordan, the expansion of decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse (DWWT&R) systems to small communities is one of the goals defined by the Jordan government in the “Water Strategy 2009–2022”. This paper evaluates the general potential of decentralized wastewater system solutions to be applied in a selected area of the Lower Jordan Rift Valley in Jordan. For the study area, the connection degree to sewer systems was calculated as 67% (5% in the rural sector and 75% in the urban sector). The annual wastewater production available for DWWT&R in the rural sector of the investigation area was calculated to be nearly 3.8 million m3 at the end of 2007. The future need of wastewater treatment and reuse facilities of the rural sector was estimated to be increasing by 0.11 million m3 year−1, with an overall potential of new treatment capacity of nearly 15,500 population equivalents (pe) year−1. The overall potential for implementing DWWT&R systems in the urban sector was estimated as nearly 25 million m3 of wastewater in 2007. The future need of wastewater treatment and reuse facilities required for the urban sector was estimated to be increasing at a rate of 0.12 million pe year−1. Together with the decision makers and the stakeholders, a potential map with three regions has been defined: Region 1 with existing central wastewater infrastructure, Region 2 with already planned central infrastructure and Region 3 with the highest potential for implementing DWWT&R systems.
Pilot scale testing of advanced oxidation processes for degradation of geosmin and MIB in recirculated aquaculture
Authors: Klausen M. M. , Grønborg O.
Published: May 2010

The presence of geosmin and 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) in recirculated aquaculture systems has a significant negative impact on the fish production due to poor flavour quality of produced fish and increased risk of rejection by fish processers. Advanced Oxidation Processes has a high potential for removal of geosmin and MIB in water and in this study UV/H2O2 and UV/O3 has been tested in pilot scale in real aquaculture process water. First order degradations constants were between 0.6 (UV/O3) and 1.2 (UV/H2O2) h−1 for geosmin and 1.3 (UV/O3)–1.5 (UV/H2O2) h−1 for MIB. This corresponded to average half-lives between 34–69 minutes for geosmin and between 28–32 minutes for MIB. These values were one order of magnitude higher than previously reported for degradation of geosmin and MIB in demineralised and tap-water. The slower degradation rates were caused by competitive and inhibitive processes from the water matrix. The influence of the water matrix also caused increased energy consumption with EEO values 16 to 38 times higher than previously reported for geosmin and MIB removal in tap water. Improved feasibility of removing geosmin and MIB in recirculated aquaculture systems by AOPs requires pre-treatment to minimize the impact of the water matrix on the degradation kinetics.
Rich microbial communities inhabit water treatment biofilters and are differentially affected by filter type and sampling depth
Authors: Wakelin S. A. , Page D. W. , Pavelic P. , Gregg A. L. , Dillon P. J.
Published: May 2010

Factors affecting microbial diversity (richness) and community structure in biofilter columns were investigated. At a pilot filtration plant, granular activated carbon (GAC), anthracite and sand-based filters were used to treat stormwater from an urban catchment. After 12 weeks operation, sand media filters clogged (hydraulic conductivity declining by 90%) and all filters were destructively sampled. All biofilters had similar levels of polysaccharide in the surface layer, however only the sand columns clogged. This clogging may have been due to a combination of polysaccharide and small particle size, the development of a sand-specific microbial community, or other biogeochemical interactions. DNA fingerprinting was used to show that bacterial, archaeal and eukaryotic communities were present in all filter types and at all sampling depths (to 45 cm). The bacterial community was far richer (Margalefs index, d, 1.5–2) than the other groups. This was consistent across filter types and sampling depths. The structure of the bacteria and archaea communities in sand filters differed to those in GAC and anthracite filters (P<0.05). In contrast, eukaryotic communities were similar in surface biofilm layers, irrespective of filter type. As such, physicochemical properties of filters differentially influence the microbial community. Furthermore, we have established that archaea are distributed throughout biofilters; the role of these microorganisms in water treatment and filter function, particularly clogging, requires attention.
Organisational arrangements and drinking water quality
Authors: Jenkins J. O.
Published: May 2010

This paper discusses the findings of a research project which explored the impact of varying organisational arrangements on drinking water quality in England and Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. It is established that drinking water quality has been of a consistently higher standard in England and Wales in comparison with the Republic of Ireland. It is also demonstrated that the associated organisational arrangements in England and Wales have been more successful in tackling certain problematic drinking water quality parameters. The paper concludes by arguing that national governments, and their regulatory agencies, should view the rationalisation of organisations involved in the provision of drinking water as key to ensuring better drinking water quality. It is also suggested that state regulators who are responsible for ensuring the quality of drinking water end their dependency on water providers for quality data. They should instead become capable of directly monitoring drinking water quality via their own sampling regime. It is argued that this organisational arrangement would be representative of a more progressive and robust organisational approach to ensuring the supply of safe high quality drinking water.
Fumagillin-induced chromosome aberrations in mouse bone-marrow cells
Authors: Stanimirovic Z. , Aleksic Nevenka , Kulic M. , Maletic M.
Published: May 2010

The genotoxicity of fumagillin was evaluated assessing the mitotic index and chromosome aberrations in mouse bone-marrow cells. Mice were given fumagillin orally in doses 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg bw. All doses significantly (p<0.001) reduced the mitotic index. The medium and maximum doses led to significant (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively) increases in numeric aberrations. The highest dose induced both structural and numeric aberrations (p<0.001), and insertions on the first pair of autosomes that were amplified in the 1C and 1E regions. These results pointed to the genotoxic potential of fumagillin in the range of medium and maximum doses applied.

 This article has been retracted. Link to the retraction 10.2298/ABS150320032E
Comparative in vitro anthelmintic activity of three plants from the Amaranthaceae family
Authors: Kumar Ashok , Lakshman K. , Jayaveera K.N. , Nandeesh R. , Manoj B. , Ranganayakulu D.
Published: May 2010

The three plants presented in this study are Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus caudatus and Amaranthus viridis L. They belong to the Amaranthaceae family and are traditionally used as vermicides. Our aim was to investigate the anthelmintic activity of the three plants using earthworms (Pheretima posthuma). Methanol extracts of the three plants at different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60, 80, 100 mg/ml) showed dose-dependent vermicidal activities. At concentrations of 80 and 100 mg/ml all three plant extracts caused paralysis (8.18, 5, 12.16, 5.75, 10.2, 7.8 min) and death (14.65, 9.12, 18.6, 8.5, 18.6, 12.7 min), respectively. Piperazine was used as a reference standard at a concentration of 10 mg/ml. Our study found that the three plants possess potent anthelmintic activity when compared to Piperazine.
Understanding and utilization of genotype-by-environment interaction in maize breeding
Authors: Babic Vojka , Babic Milosav , Ivanovic Mile , Kraljevic-Balalic Marija , Dimitrijevic Miodrag
Published: May 2010

Due to the interaction and noise in the experiments, yield trails for studying varieties are carried out in numerous locations and in the course of several years. Data of such trials have three principle tasks: to evaluate precisely and to predict the yield on the basis of limited experimental data; to determine stability and explain variability in the response of genotypes across locations; and to be a good guide for the selection of the best genotype for sowing under new agroecological conditions. The yield prediction without the inclusion of the interaction with the environments is incomplete and imprecise. Therefore, a great deal of breeding and agronomic studies are devoted to observing of the interaction via multilocation trials with replicates with the aim to use the interaction to obtain the maximum yield in any environment. Fifteen maize hybrids were analyzed in 24 environments. As the interaction participates in the total sum of squares with 6%, and genotypes with 2%, the interaction deserves observations more detailed than the classical analysis of variance (ANOVA) provides it. With a view to observe the interaction effect in detail in order to prove better understanding of genotypes, environments and their interactions AMMI (Additive Main Effect and Multiplicative Interaction) and the cluster analysis were applied. The partition of the interaction into the principal components by the PCA analysis (Principal Components Analysis) revealed a part of systematic variations in the interaction. These variations are attributed to the length of the growing season in genotypes and to the precipitation sum during the growing season in environments. Results of grouping by the cluster analysis are in high accordance with grouping observed in the biplot of the AMMI1 model.
Detection of XIIA phytoplasma group on cultivar Zupljanka in Zupa vineyard region by RFLP analysis of 16s rDNA sequences
Authors: Josic Dragana , Kuzmanovic Slobodan , Stojanovic Sasa , Aleksic Goran , Pavlovic Snezana , Starovic Mira
Published: May 2010

'Bois noir' (BN) is an important grapevine disease associated with phytoplasmas belonging to ribosomal subgroup 16SrXII-A. Phytoplasmas cause diseases in several hundred plant species. The number of infected cultivars is growing each year and it is important to follow the spreading of the phytoplasma in the different regions and identify which strains are present in specific regions on specific cultivars. Phytoplasmas are identified and classified based on direct sequencing of phytoplasma 16S rDNA or the 16S to 23S intergenic spacer region, but this approach is not always practical when a large number of unknown phytoplasmas is to be analyzed. Classification by RFLP analysis has provided a simple and rapid method that can be used to differentiate and identify a large number of unclarified phytoplasmas. Our objective was to investigate presence of phytoplasmas of 16SrXII-A group (Stolbur) in Zupa vineyard region. Detection was based on RFLP analysis of 16s rDNA sequences using four restriction enzymes: Tru1I, AluI, KpnI and TaqI. We identified phytoplasmas of XIIA group on two of three investigated cultivars (Zupljanka and Frankovka, but not on Plovdina) in the Zupa vineyard regions (Gornje Rataje and Tules locality). This is the first report of Stolbur phytoplasma on cv. Zupljanka in Zupa region.
Ethics in scientific results application: Gene and life forms patenting
Authors: Konstantinov Kosana , Mladenovic-Drinic Snezana , Andjelkovic Violeta , Babic Milosav
Published: May 2010

The remarkable development and application of new genetic technologies over the past decades has been accompanied by profound changes in the way in which research is commercialized in the life sciences. As results, new varieties of commercially grown crops with improved or new traits are developed. Many thousands of patents which assert rights over DNA sequences have been granted to researchers across the public and private sector. The effects of many of these patents are extensive, because inventors who assert rights over DNA sequences obtain protection on all uses of the sequences. Extremely valuable to breeders in the national agricultural research system is the ability to genotype their collections to get a clear picture of their diversity and how diversity could be enhanced through sharing and access to global collections. The issue of the eligibility for patenting of DNA sequences needs to be reopened. Patents that assert rights over DNA sequences and their uses are, in some cases, supportable, but in others, should be treated with great caution. Rights over DNA sequences as research tools should be discouraged. That the best way to discourage the award of such patents is by stringent application of the criteria for patenting, particularly utility. A more equitable, ethically - based food and agricultural system must incorporate concern for three accepted global goals: improved well being, protection of the environment and improved public health (particular point food from GMO). To mitigate conflict one of the approach to solve problem is ethical and truthful label of GM food, because consumers have a right to choose whether to eat genetically modified foods or not. Interesting examples and risks as consequences of free availability of genetic resources utilization, its transformation, patenting of 'new' organism and selling it back to the genetic resource owner are presented. Society has obligations to raise levels of nutrition and standards living by all respect to ethics at each step.
Portals of the Church of Saint Nicholas in Bari
Authors: Neskovic Jovan
Published: May 2010

The Church of Saint Nicolas in Bari, in southern Italy, is known as a church of great renown and importance, in view of the fact that it was built to receive the remains of Saint Nicholas, which are still kept in the church?s crypt, in the part of the building from where its construction began, at the end of the XI century. This church played a highly significant role in the creation of the specific, Romanic style of architecture in this region, so several important buildings were constructed using the basic typological and stylistic characteristics of the Church of Saint Nicholas. It was built as a triple-naved basilica with a transept and a dome designed at the intersection of the main nave and the transept, and the specific rendition of the altar section, with side towers and a flat facade wall that encloses the inner apse was applied in a similar manner on several churches in Apulia. Its great renown in the Christian world is well-known, reflected both in the strong connection between the churches in Bari and Kotor, and through the donations by the medieval Serbian rulers, among which is the large icon of Saint Nicholas, a gift from Stefan Decanski, which is still preserved in the church?s crypt. The importance of this and the other churches in Apulia was undoubtedly one of the factors that have led to discussion in literature about the question of their possible influence on architectonic creation in related artistic fields, including the monuments of the Raska stylistic group, particularly in connection with the architectural and sculptural plastics on portals because of the similarity of some of the shapes and motives in the stonemasonry...
Concerning the chronology of Cimabue's oeuvre and the origin of pictorial depth in Italian painting of the later middle ages
Authors: Polzer Joseph
Published: May 2010

A study devoted to the gradual emergence of pictorial depth in Cimabue's paintings, and how it applies, together with other factors, to the understanding of their sequential chronology. The conclusions reached underscore the vast difference in Cimabue 's conservative art and the exceptional naturalism of the evolving Life of Saint Francis mural cycle lining the lower nave walls in the upper church of San Francesco at Assisi.
Portraits of Serbian rulers in the Duljevo monastery
Authors: Vojvodic Dragan
Published: May 2010

In the Church of Saint Stephen in Duljevo, not far from Budva (Pastrovici) an interesting composition of the founders (ktetores) has been preserved. In accordance with an early Serbian tradition, it was painted on the southern wall in the western bay of the naos (drawing 1), and it is possible that it extended over the southern part of the western wall that was demolished very long ago. The Duljevo composition of the founders now depicts the images of the patron saint of the church, Saint Stephen, the First Martyr, painted on the southern side of the south-west pilaster, and the presentations of the two rulers to the west of him (drawing 2). The patron saint of the church who was the protector of the Serbian medieval state and its rulers, is represented in a deacon's sticharion, with a censer in his hands, blessing the founders. The ruler in his prime approaches the First Martyr, presenting him with a model of the church (drawing 2, figs. 1, 2)...
Cattolica in Stilo and its frescoes
Authors: Zago Francesca
Published: May 2010

This paper analyses one of the most representative monuments of Byzantine painting in Calabria. It is the church in the town of Stilo, known as Cattolica. It is believed to date from the last quarter of the tenth or the beginning of the eleventh century. After a brief historiographical and architectural analysis of the building, the author considers the chronological and stratigraphical problems of the frescoes preserved inside the church. In this process, he pays particular attention to the Byzantine layers of fresco painting that were done from the end of the tenth to the end of the thirteenth century. An in-depth analysis of the frescoes from the first phase of decoration from the end of the tenth or the beginning of the eleventh century has produced valuable results that could lead to collecting fresh data about possible artistic contacts and the routes along which the models traveled between southern Italy and the countries of the Byzantine cultural circle.
Synthesis of 1-phenylbut-3-ene-1,2-dione and its attempted radical polymerization
Authors: Husár Branislav , Lukáč Ivan , Chmela Štefan , Canet Jean-Louis , Troin Yves
Published: May 2010

1,2-Diketone moiety-bearing monomer 1-phenylbut-3-ene-1,2-dione, an analogue of phenyl vinyl ketone, was synthesized from 4-chlorobutyryl chloride in a 29 % overall yield in five steps. Following acylation of benzene with 4-chlorobutyryl chloride, the resulting α-methylene group was oxidized to 1,2-diketone in three steps: successive bromination, substitution with lithium hydroxide, and oxidation of α-hydroxyketone with potassium dichromate. The final step was dehydrochlorination of 4-chloro-1-phenyl-butane-1,2-dione. The attempted copolymerization of this monomer with styrene, using AIBN as the initiator, was unsuccessful.
Methods of estimating the elements of water balance in a forested catchment basin
Authors: Osuch Bolesław , Gądek Wiesław , Homa Anna , Cebulska Marta , Szczepanek Robert , Hebda-Małocha Anna
Published: May 2010

Methods of estimating the elements of water balance in a forested catchment basin

The paper presents basic hydrological processes of rainfall-runoff transformation in experimental watershed of the Trzebuńka stream. Several field experiments were made to determine basic hydrological parameters, The influence of atmospheric circulation on spatial distribution of precipitation was investigated. Attempt was made to determine the influence of forest vegetation, undergrowth, forest litter retention and surface retention on water loss in the catchment. Water retention capacity of soil was also estimated. Developed mathematical model of rainfall-runoff transformation was used in several simulations. This allowed evaluating the effect of atmospheric circulation and spatial rainfall distribution on water balance, the influence of vegetation cover with forest litter on water runoff and the effect of forest litter alone in a hypothetical scenario of forest cutting.
Landscape alteration in view of soil protection from water erosion - an example of the Mielnica watershed
Authors: Żmuda Romuald , Szewrański Szymon , Kowalczyk Tomasz , Szarawarski Łukasz , Kuriata Michał
Published: May 2010

Landscape alteration in view of soil protection from water erosion - an example of the Mielnica watershed

The paper pertains to landscape management in eroded areas. Erosion processes, especially water erosion of soils, change the existing landscapes and make them less attractive or even hostile to people. Such situation calls for protective actions e.g. an appropriate management of agricultural landscape to minimise negative consequences of such phenomena. The paper presents a concept of counter-erosion measures to be implemented in the Trzebnickie Hills and comments their effect on the landscape. The concept was applied to an agricultural watershed of the Mielnica River. Particular attention was paid to visual aspect of this landscape and to functioning of its elements. Changes in the landscape were visualised and set up with the present status of the watershed.
The role and importance of forest watercourses and water reservoirs in designing landscape values of forests
Authors: Janeczko Emilia
Published: May 2010

The role and importance of forest watercourses and water reservoirs in designing landscape values of forests

This paper presents some issues related to designing forest landscape located close to the areas of watercourses and water reservoirs. Surface waters, beside forests and diverse terrain relief, constitute the main element deciding about tourist and recreation attractiveness of every such area. Some surveys on the evaluation of forest recreational potential prove that the forest attractiveness is closely connected with the quantity and quality of water reservoirs and watercourses. Due do their functions (environmental, hydrological, economic and social), and the fact that over the past decades both their number and surface area have decreased, water areas require particular protection and concern. The aim of this paper is to highlight the necessity of defining the principles of designing forest landscape, with the consideration of the role of forest water areas in recreational and tourist development of forests.
Triassic metasediments in the internal Dinarides (Kopaonik area, southern Serbia): stratigraphy, paleogeographic and tectonic significance
Authors: Schefer Senecio , Egli Daniel , Missoni Sigrid , Bernoulli Daniel , Fügenschuh Bernhard , Gawlick Hans-Jürgen , Jovanović Divna , Krystyn Leopold , Lein Richard , Schmid Stefan , Sudar Milan
Published: May 2010

Triassic metasediments in the internal Dinarides (Kopaonik area, southern Serbia): stratigraphy, paleogeographic and tectonic significance

Strongly deformed and metamorphosed sediments in the Studenica Valley and Kopaonik area in southern Serbia expose the easternmost occurrences of Triassic sediments in the Dinarides. In these areas, Upper Paleozoic terrigenous sediments are overlain by Lower Triassic siliciclastics and limestones and by Anisian shallow-water carbonates. A pronounced facies change to hemipelagic and distal turbiditic, cherty metalimestones (Kopaonik Formation) testifies a Late Anisian drowning of the former shallow-water carbonate shelf. Sedimentation of the Kopaonik Formation was contemporaneous with shallow-water carbonate production on nearby carbonate platforms that were the source areas of diluted turbidity currents reaching the depositional area of this formation. The Kopaonik Formation was dated by conodont faunas as Late Anisian to Norian and possibly extends into the Early Jurassic. It is therefore considered an equivalent of the grey Hallstatt facies of the Eastern Alps, the Western Carpathians, and the Albanides-Hellenides. The coeval carbonate platforms were generally situated in more proximal areas of the Adriatic margin, whereas the distal margin was dominated by hemipelagic/pelagic and distal turbiditic sedimentation, facing the evolving Neotethys Ocean to the east. A similar arrangement of Triassic facies belts can be recognized all along the evolving Meliata-Maliac-Vardar branch of Neotethys, which is in line with a ‘one-ocean-hypothesis’ for the Dinarides: all the ophiolites presently located southwest of the Drina-Ivanjica and Kopaonik thrust sheets are derived from an area to the east, and the Drina-Ivanjica and Kopaonik units emerge in tectonic windows from below this ophiolite nappe. On the base of the Triassic facies distribution we see neither argument for an independent Dinaridic Ocean nor evidence for isolated terranes or blocks.
Upwelling conditions in the Early Miocene Central Paratethys Sea
Authors: Grunert Patrick , Soliman Ali , Harzhauser Mathias , Müllegger Stefan , Piller Werner , Roetzel Reinhard , Rögl Fred
Published: May 2010

Upwelling conditions in the Early Miocene Central Paratethys Sea

Evidence for regional upwelling conditions in the Central Paratethys Sea is presented for mid-Burdigalian (early Ottnangian) times. The oceanographic phenomenon is detected in clay-diatomite successions along the steep escarpment of the Bohemian Massif in the eastern North Alpine Foreland Basin. Interpretations are based on a multiproxy data-set including published sedimentological and paleontological data, newly performed stable isotope measurements (δ18O, δ13C) of foraminifers and bulk sediment samples, and analyses of dinoflagellate cyst assemblages. The revealed stable isotope values of planktonic foraminifers point to upwelling: low δ13C values indicate strong mixing of surface waters with rising nutrient-rich waters, high δ18O values reflect cool sea surface temperatures (SST). Temperature calculations give SSTs ranging from 10-14 °C. Cool SSTs and high productivity are additionally supported by bulk sediment analyses. Assemblages of dinoflagellate cysts indicate a distal-shelf environment with nutrient-rich waters. Westerly winds and tidal currents are discussed as potential driving forces behind the local upwelling event. As mid-Burdigalian geography favoured strong current patterns in the Central Paratethys as documented in the sedimentary record from the Rhône Basin to Hungary upwelling might have been a more common phenomenon in this epicontinental sea than currently known.
Sorption of heavy metal cations on rhyolitic and andesitic bentonites from Central Slovakia
Authors: Andrejkovičová Slávka , Pentrák Martin , Jankovič L'uboš , Komadel Peter
Published: May 2010

Sorption of heavy metal cations on rhyolitic and andesitic bentonites from Central Slovakia

The main purpose of this work was to determine adsorption characteristics of heavy metal cations on two Slovak bentonites. Adsorption of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+and Cd2+on Jelšový Potok (JP) and Lieskovec (L) bentonites was studied by the batch equilibration technique using solutions of different concentrations. Higher smectite content (81 mass %) and higher cation exchange capacity (CEC) (105 mmol M+/100 g) of JP bentonite cause higher adsorption of all heavy metals in comparison with L bentonite. JP adsorbed heavy metals in the order Pb2+» Cd2+> Zn2+> Cu2+while sorption on L was slightly different, Pb2+» Cd2+> Cu2+≥ Zn2+. The Freundlich model of adsorption is more appropriate for adsorption of Pb2+and Cd2+while lower uptake of Cu2+and Zn2+is better described by the Langmuir model. Negative ΔG° values indicate that the adsorption process of all cations on both bentonites is feasible, spontaneous and exothermic. The decrease in thed001spacings from 14.8-14.9 Å in natural dominantly Ca2+-saturated samples to 13.2-12.6 Å for both bentonites saturated with four heavy metal cations shows the effect of less hydrated exchangeable cations on interlayer spacing. Jelšový Potok bentonite of higher montmorillonite content and greater CEC is the more effective candidate for removal of Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+and Cd2+from waste water than Lieskovec bentonite.
apertium-cy - a collaboratively-developed free RBMT system for Welsh to English
Authors: Tyers Francis , Donnelly Kevin
Published: May 2010

apertium-cy - a collaboratively-developed free RBMT system for Welsh to English

apertium-cy (http://www.cymraeg.org.uk) is a rule-based "gisting" machine translation system for Welsh to English, with both engine and data released under the GPL. We summarise the development of apertium-cy, evaluate its output, and discuss the advantages of a collaborative development model combined with rule-based MT for marginalised languages.
Z-MERT: A Fully Configurable Open Source Tool for Minimum Error Rate Training of Machine Translation Systems
Authors: Zaidan Omar
Published: May 2010

Z-MERT: A Fully Configurable Open Source Tool for Minimum Error Rate Training of Machine Translation Systems

We introduce Z-MERT, a software tool for minimum error rate training of machine translation systems (Och, 2003). In addition to being an open source tool that is extremely easy to compile and run, Z-MERT is also agnostic regarding the evaluation metric, fully configurable, and requires no modification to work with any decoder. We describe Z-MERT and review its features, and report the results of a series of experiments that examine the tool's runtime. We establish that Z-MERT is extremely efficient, making it well-suited for time-sensitive pipelines. The experiments also provide an insight into the tool's runtime in terms of several variables (size of the development set, size of produced N-best lists, etc).
The reform of New Zealand's university system: 'after neoliberalism'
Authors: Shore Cris
Published: May 2010

This article explores the legacy of three decades of neoliberal reforms on New Zealand's university system. By tracing the different government policies during this period, it seeks to contribute to wider debates about the trajectory of contemporary universities in an age of globalisation. Since Lyotard's influential report on The Postmodern Condition (1994), critics have frequently claimed that commercialisation and managerialism have undermined and supplanted the social mission of the university as governments throughout the developed world have sought to transform the university 'from an ideological arm of the state into a bureaucratically organised and relatively autonomous consumer-oriented corporation' (Readings 1996: 457). Against this I argue that the new model of the entrepreneurial and corporate university has not so much replaced the traditional functions and meaning of the university as added a new layer of complexity to the university's already diverse and multifaceted roles in society. Drawing on an ethnography of one university and personal observations, I explore the effects of that reform process on the culture and character of the university and, more specifically, its impact on academic identities and the everyday practices of academics and students. As in other OECD countries, New Zealand's universities are now required to deliver a bewildering plethora of government priorities and strategic economic and social objectives whilst simultaneously carrying out their traditional roles in teaching, research and scholarship. The challenge for the modern university, as reflected in the case of New Zealand, is how to negotiate these diverse and often contradictory missions.
Global perspectives on advocating for change in doctoral education
Authors: Martinez George A. , Nerad Maresi , Rudd Elizabeth
Published: May 2010

This workshop report summarises the potentially far-reaching deliberations and results of a conference of experts in doctoral education from around the world. The conference was organised jointly by the U.S. Center for Innovation and Research in Graduate Education (CIRGE) at the University of Washington, Seattle and the German International Centre for Higher Education Research (INCHER) at the University of Kassel. Participants discussed critical issues in the globalisation of doctoral education, including global inequalities, diversity in types of students and modes of study, and intellectual risk-taking, and they sought to develop proposals for policy. The focus of the conference was on the research doctorate. This essay reports on the activities, discussions, and conclusions of the workshop. One of the task forces illustrated issues in the intellectual risk-taking faced by graduates by performing a highly realistic vignette written by a South African professor. We begin our workshop report with this vignette as a way to begin to frame the key issues.
Book Reviews
Authors: Murray Rowena , Trahar Sheila , Walliman Nicholas
Published: May 2010

Eileen Carnell, Jacqui MacDonald, Bet McCallum and Mary Scott, M (2008) Passion and Politics: Academics Reflect on Writing for Publication

Review by Rowena Murray

Thushari Welikala and Chris Watkins (2008) Improving Intercultural Learning Experiences in Higher Education: Responding to Cultural Scripts for Learning

Review by Sheila Trahar

Karen Smith, Malcolm Todd and Julia Waldman (2009) Doing Your Undergraduate Social Science Dissertation

Review by Nicholas Walliman
Robust Stabilizing Controllers to Automatic Generation Control for Load Frequency Control Application
Authors: Sheikh M. R. I. , Takahashi R. , Tamura J.
Published: May 2010

Since superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) unit with a self-commutated converter is capable of controlling both the active and reactive powers simultaneously and quickly, increasing attention has been focused recently on power system stabilization by SMES control. This study presents the effects of novel control strategies of self-tuned fuzzy proportional integral (FPI) controller and fuzzy frequency (FF) controller associated with the automatic generation control (AGC) including SMES unit. The effects of the self-tuning configuration with FPI controller in AGC is also compared with that of FF controlled AGC on SMES control. The simulation results show that both self tuning control schemes of AGC are very effective in damping out of the oscillations caused by load disturbances and it is also seen that the FF controlled AGC with SMES perform better primary frequency control compared to FPI controlled AGC with SMES. Keywords: Load frequency control; Single area power system; FPI controller; FF controller; SMES unit. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.    DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i2.3063               J. Sci. Res. 2 (2), 285-293 (2010)
Synthesis of Nano-sized Nickel Particles by a Bottom-up Approach in the Presence of an Anionic Surfactant and a Cationic Polymer
Authors: Haque K. M. A. , Hussain M. S.
Published: May 2010

Nano-sized nickel particles have been synthesized by a bottom-up approach, using hydrazine as the reducing agent in the presence of an anionic surfactant - sodium-dodecyl sulphate (SDS). The effect of adding a nonionic polymer -polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) with an anionic surfactant has been studied at two different temperatures; the rate of reduction increased as the reaction temperature was increased from 60 to 100°C. These nano-aggregated nickel particles were characterized by using SEM with EDX facilities and TEM. TEM characterization showed the presence of spherical Ni particles as fine as 10nm in diameter. However, the SEM images showed a very spiky morphology, very small spherical shaped objects were clearly observed within these spiky structures. The combination of SDS/PVP reaction produced nano-sized nickel particles which were much finer than the reactions where SDS was used on its own. PVP has shown some dispersion power, and was found to be capable of preventing nickel particles from gradual agglomeration.  Keywords: Bottom-up; SDS; PVP; 10 nm. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.       DOI:10.3329/jsr.v2i2.3261               J. Sci. Res. 2 (2), 313-321 (2010)
Quasi-total Graphs with Crossing Numbers
Authors: Kulli V. R. , Basavanagoud B. , Niranjan K. M.
Published: May 2010

We establish here necessary and sufficient conditions for quasi-total graphs to have crossing numbers k (k = 1, 2 or 3). Keywords: Quasi-total; Crossing numbers. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved.DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i2.3527                J. Sci. Res. 2 (2), 257-263 (2010)
Characterisation of Platinum Nanoparticles Electrodeposited on Carbon Felt
Authors: Dulal S.M.S.I. , Won Mi-Sook , Shim Yoon-Bo
Published: May 2010

Monodispersed and uniform sized platinum nanoparticles were electrodeposited on carbon felt from aqueous hydrogen hexachloroplatinate solution by a potential cycling method. The deposited nanoparticles were characterized by electrochemical technique and by scanning electron microscopy. It was found that the size and distribution of the nanoparticles could be controlled by changing the deposition parameters such as the scan rate and the number of cycle. The electrocatalytic property of the nanoparticles was tested by the oxidation of hydroquinone and phenol. It was found that the felt supported nanoparticles were effective towards electrodegradation of phenolic compounds. Keywords: Electrocatalyst; Electrodeposition; Hydroquinone; Phenol oxidation; Platinum nanoparticles; Carbon felt. © 2010 JSR Publications. ISSN: 2070-0237 (Print); 2070-0245 (Online). All rights reserved. DOI: 10.3329/jsr.v2i2.3633                J. Sci. Res. 2 (2), 303-312 (2010)
‘Glitz and Glamour’ or Atomic Rearrangement: What do Dance Audiences Want?
Authors: Reynolds Dee
Published: May 2010

While popular dance shows on stage and screen frequently attract audiences seeking the ‘glitz and glamour’ of spectacle and celebrity, much contemporary, experimental work holds more appeal for spectators in search of challenge and even disorientation. However, a significant element of viewing pleasure which cuts across these distinctions is the spectator's feeling of involvement with the dancer and/or the kinesthetics of the choreography. Indeed, facilitating audiences’ sense of intimacy/involvement with dancers can impact dramatically on the effect of cutting-edge choreography which might otherwise be experienced as difficult and obscure. I shall discuss audiences’ response and attraction to popular shows such as Strictly Come Dancing and compare these with responses to William Forsythe's choreography as performed by the ‘Ballet Boyz’.
Archives of the Dance (22): Pioneer Women – Early British Modern Dancers (The National Resource Centre for Dance, University of Surrey)
Authors: Carter Alexandra
Published: May 2010

Pioneer Women was an AHRC-funded project based on archives held at the National Resource Centre for Dance, University of Surrey. This article focuses on the two largest collections, that of Madge Atkinson and Natural Movement, and Ruby Ginner's Revived (later Classical) Greek Dance. Their work is situated within the broad cultural context of the early 20th century, and the archival holdings are evaluated for their potential in offering a re-conceptualisation of early British modern dance.
A Recyclable Nanoparticle-Supported Rhodium Catalyst for Hydrogenation Reactions
Authors: Dell’Anna Maria Michela , Gallo Vito , Mastrorilli Piero , Romanazzi Giuseppe
Published: May 2010

Catalytic hydrogenation under mild conditions of olefins, unsaturated aldeydes and ketones, nitriles and nitroarenes was investigated, using a supported rhodium complex obtained by copolymerization of Rh(cod)(aaema) [cod: 1,5-cyclooctadiene, aaema–: deprotonated form of 2-(acetoacetoxy)ethyl methacrylate] with acrylamides. In particular, the hydrogenation reaction of halonitroarenes was carried out under 20 bar hydrogen pressure with ethanol as solvent at room temperature, in order to minimize hydro-dehalogenation. The yields in haloanilines ranged from 85% (bromoaniline) to 98% (chloroaniline).
A Novel pH-dependent Drift Improvement Method for Zirconium Dioxide Gated pH-Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Chang Kow-Ming , Chang Chih-Tien , Chao Kuo-Yi , Lin Chia-Hung
Published: May 2010

A novel compensation method for Zirconium dioxide gated Ion Sensitive Field Effect Transistors (ISFETs) to improve pH-dependent drift was demonstrated. Through the sequential measurements for both the n-channel and p-channel ISFETs, 75–100% pH-dependent drift could be successfully suppressed for the first seven hours. As a result, a nearly constant drift rate versus pH value was obtained, which increases the accuracy of pH measurements. Meanwhile, the drawback of the hyperbolic-like change with time of the common drift behavior for ISFETs was improved. A state-of-the-art integrated scheme adopting this method was also illustrated.
Measuring Soil Water Potential for Water Management in Agriculture: A Review
Authors: Bittelli Marco
Published: May 2010

Soil water potential is a soil property affecting a large variety of bio-physical processes, such as seed germination, plant growth and plant nutrition. Gradients in soil water potential are the driving forces of water movement, affecting water infiltration, redistribution, percolation, evaporation and plants’ transpiration. The total soil water potential is given by the sum of gravity, matric, osmotic and hydrostatic potential. The quantification of the soil water potential is necessary for a variety of applications both in agricultural and horticultural systems such as optimization of irrigation volumes and fertilization. In recent decades, a large number of experimental methods have been developed to measure the soil water potential, and a large body of knowledge is now available on theory and applications. In this review, the main techniques used to measure the soil water potential are discussed. Subsequently, some examples are provided where the measurement of soil water potential is utilized for a sustainable use of water resources in agriculture.
The Role of Lymphostatin/EHEC Factor for Adherence-1 in the Pathogenesis of Gram Negative Infection
Authors: Klapproth Jan-Michael A.
Published: May 2010

Lymphostatin/EHEC factor for adherence-1 is a novel large toxin represented in various Gram negative bacteria, highly associated with the development of infectious diarrhea and hemolytic uremic syndrome. In vitro and in vivo experiments identified lymphostatin/EFA-1 as a toxin with a central role in the pathogenesis of Gram negative bacteria, responsible for bacterial adhesion, intestinal colonization, immunosuppression, and disruption of gut epithelial barrier function.
Interactions of Host Proteins with the Murine Leukemia Virus Integrase
Authors: Studamire Barbara , Goff Stephen P.
Published: May 2010

Retroviral infections cause a variety of cancers in animals and a number of diverse diseases in humans such as leukemia and acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Productive and efficient proviral integration is critical for retroviral function and is the key step in establishing a stable and productive infection, as well as the mechanism by which host genes are activated in leukemogenesis. Host factors are widely anticipated to be involved in all stages of the retroviral life cycle, and the identification of integrase interacting factors has the potential to increase our understanding of mechanisms by which the incoming virus might appropriate cellular proteins to target and capture host DNA sequences. Identification of MoMLV integrase interacting host factors may be key to designing efficient and benign retroviral-based gene therapy vectors; key to understanding the basic mechanism of integration; and key in designing efficient integrase inhibitors. In this review, we discuss current progress in the field of MoMLV integrase interacting proteins and possible roles for these proteins in integration.
Anthracene coupled adenine for the selective sensing of copper ions
Authors: Ghosh Kumaresh , Sen Tanushree
Published: May 2010

Anthracene-based adenines 1 and 2 have been designed and synthesized, and their metal ion recognition properties have been established fluorometrically. Both molecules exhibit Cu2+ induced ON-OFF type signaling patterns over the other representative metal ions studied. Compound 1 exhibits 97% quenching of emission in the presence of Cu2+ whilst derivative 2 shows 81% quenching under similar experimental conditions.
"Hey, check it out, there's actually fans": (Dis)empowerment and (mis)representation of cult fandom in "Supernatural"
Authors: Felschow Laura E.
Published: May 2010

As Supernatural enters season 5, its status as a cult hit is becoming more evident both in the press and within the text of the series itself. The open acknowledgment of the show's fandom within 4.18 "The Monster at the End of This Book" has altered the power relationship between the product and its fans and brought on controversy regarding the creative team's attitude toward fandom in general. To investigate this relationship between Supernatural and its devoted fans, I will first develop a working definition of the cult fan and illustrate the many ways in which Supernatural is an ideal cult text, despite not having been marketed by its producers and network as such. Having set forth this framework, I will outline the dynamic that existed between Supernatural and its cult fans prior to "The Monster at the End of This Book." I will then demonstrate how "The Monster at the End of This Book" simultaneously empowers and disempowers Supernatural's cult fans by representing them within the show's diegesis and what the consequences of these (mis)representations might be.
What are little ghouls made of? The "Supernatural" family, fandom, and the problem of Adam
Authors: Noone Kristin
Published: May 2010

An exploration of family in Supernatural through the episode "Jump the Shark" and the character Adam Milligan.
Monstrous melodrama: Expanding the scope of melodramatic identification to interpret negative fan responses to "Supernatural"
Authors: Schmidt Lisa
Published: May 2010

This article examines fan responses to an episode of the CW television series Supernatural; the episode features a metatext including a number of shout-outs and jokes about fandom. The most controversial of the shout-outs related to "Wincest," a form of slash featuring an incestuous sexual relationship between the two lead characters. Ien Ang's notion of melodramatic identification is revamped for use in relation to contemporary television reception and specifically to interpret negative fan responses to this episode. I argue that the theory of melodramatic identification can be employed not only to understand soap opera viewers but also viewers of many other kinds of television, particularly cult TV with its frequent reliance on serialized melodramatic narratives. I further argue that not only is Supernatural a melodramatic text, but also that text must be viewed as extending beyond the narrative world proper to the multiple narratives or texts comprised by the industrial and cultural context of the show. These together constitute a multilayered melodrama with which the fan identifies and to which she can also contribute through extratextual fan activities. That is, participation in slash and Wincest communities can be viewed as expression of melodramatic identification. This accounts for the strong negative responses of some fans who perceive that the show's producers are exposing and/or mocking them.
"Supernatural" bodies: Writing subjugation and resistance onto Sam and Dean Winchester
Authors: Chan Suzette
Published: May 2010

Although Sam and Dean are marked by various forces, wounds tend to disappear or be rendered invisible. Fan fiction writers bring these into the forefront, creating physical reminders of the plights that claim their bodies.
"Contemporary Gothic," by Catherine Spooner
Authors: Fradley Martin
Published: May 2010

Review of Catherine Spooner. Contemporary Gothic. London: Reaktion Books, 2007. Paperback, $19.95 (175p) ISBN 978-1-861893-017.
Love! Valor! "Supernatural!"
Authors: Tosenberger Catherine
Published: May 2010

Editorial for Transformative Works and Cultures, No. 4, special issue, "Saving People, Hunting Things."