bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Workers’ EU political alignments during the Great Recession
Authors: Freire André , Cabrita Luís , Duarte Mariana Carmo , Lopes Hugo Ferrinho
Published: May 2017

Using data from the European Election Study 2014, this article focuses on workers’ EU political alignments during the Great Recession. It deals with two research questions. First, how does the attitude of (manual) workers towards the EU compare to that of the middle and upper classes in the aftermath of the Great Recession? Second, when it comes to workers’ support for the EU, are there systematic differences between countries affected by the crisis? The article finds that, on the one hand, in terms of patterns of workers’ EU political alignments, there are no systematic differences between countries affected to varying degrees by the Great Recession. On the other hand, workers still feel fundamentally detached from the EU, especially when it comes to the manual workers. However, high levels of generalised detachment from the EU are not clearly translated into preferences for Eurosceptic parties, since there are high levels of vote fragmentation.
Authenticity, alterations and museum objects: A close encounter with 2LO, the BBC’s first radio transmitter
Authors: Hess Alison
Published: May 2017

In 1922, the BBC broadcast its first radio programme using a hastily improved transmitter with the call sign 2LO. Over 90 years later, this transmitter was acquired by the Science Museum and moved to its storerooms in Kensington. There is no dispute that this is the same transmitter, an ‘icon of broadcasting history’, but under closer inspection it was clear that it had also changed in many ways. Through a close encounter with the 2LO transmitter, this article engages with the materiality of museum objects, and particularly heritage technology collections. By taking note of wear and tear, the missing pieces and later alterations, this article considers authenticity and the relationship between meaning and materiality. It also considers the value of museum objects as sources and how material evidence can enrich a historical narrative.
Duplex Ultrasound Surveillance After Uncomplicated Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Authors: Schaeffer Jacob S. , Shakhnovich Irina , Sieck Kyle N. , Kallies Kara J. , Davis Clark A. , Cogbill Thomas H.
Published: May 2017

Objectives:

Health-care costs and risks of radiation and intravenous contrast exposure challenge computed tomography angiography (CTA) as the standard surveillance method after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). We reviewed our experience using Duplex ultrasound scan (DUS) as an initial and subsequent surveillance technique after uncomplicated EVAR.

Methods:

The medical records of patients who underwent EVAR from 2004 to 2014 with at least 1 postoperative imaging study were retrospectively reviewed. Duplex ultrasound scan was the primary modality, with CTA reserved for patients with suspicious findings.

Results:

Mean follow-up was 3.2 years for 266 patients. Fifty-seven endoleaks (7 type I, 50 type II) were detected in 51 patients (19%). Nineteen (33%) endoleaks were identified and monitored by DUS alone. Nine (16%) endoleaks were identified on CTA without prior DUS. Twenty-two (39%) endoleaks were identified on DUS and confirmed by CTA; 6 of these patients had a secondary intervention. When compared to subsequent CTA, there were 7 discordant results: 4 false-negative and 3 false-positive endoleaks on DUS. Two of these patients with discordant results required intervention. Follow-up CTA was not obtained for the other 2 patients due to severe comorbidities including renal disease. One of these patients eventually developed abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture and death. Among 88 patients with both DUS and CTA, positive predictive value and negative predictive value for DUS were 0.88 and 0.94, respectively. Sac size on DUS compared to CTA resulted in an interclass correlation coefficient of r = .84.

Conclusions:

In our experience, DUS was safe and effective for initial and follow-up surveillance after uncomplicated EVAR.
Ethical Evaluation of Mental Health Social Research: Agreement Between Researchers and Ethics Committees
Authors: Mondragón Barrios Liliana , Guarneros García Tonatiuh , Jiménez Tapia Alberto
Published: May 2017

The objective of this article is to compare various ethical issues considered by social scientists and research ethics committees in the evaluation of mental health social research protocols. We contacted 47 social scientists and 10 members of ethics committees in Mexico with two electronic national surveys that requested information from both groups related to the application of ethical principles in mental health social research. The results showed no significant difference between these groups in the value placed on the ethical issues explored. Based on this finding, we make proposals to strengthen the collaboration between the two groups.
The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence: A critical reflection
Authors: Sutopo Oki Rahadianto
Published: May 2017

These notes from the field explore the author’s reflections on contemporary debates around the 1965 Indonesian mass killings, using two documentary films, The Act of Killing and The Look of Silence, as an entry point. The article contextualizes, criticizes, and expands the narrative of these films. Despite their largely positive international reception, the films lack historical context and neglect previous academic studies related to the mass killings—this article elaborates on these two aspects and expands the argument. It also reviews from the Global North news media and criticizes their biased forms of knowledge production. In addition, the article elaborates on receptions in the Indonesian national and local contexts, and reflects critically on the possibility of these two films contributing to the fight for social justice in Indonesia.
Environmental management and emergency preparedness plan for Tsunami disaster along Indian coast
Authors: Chandramohan P , Anu AP , Vaigaiarasi V , Dharmalingam K
Published: May 2017

The 26 December 2004 Tsunami generated by the submarine earthquake in Andaman Sea with the magnitude of 9.2 Richter scale triggered the worst destruction, widespread inundation and extensive damage in terms of life and property along the Tamil Nadu coast and Andaman Nicobar Group of Islands. The shoreline features like dunes, vegetation and steepness of beaches played vital role in attenuating the impact of Tsunami from destruction. While the low-level Marina beach experienced minimum inundation, the coast between Adyar and Cooum was inundated heavily. As the present generation of India was not aware of Tsunami, the emergency plan and preparedness were zero and so the loss of human life was huge. In this article, the authors describe the Tsunami occurred in India on 26 December 2004 and its impacts on morphology. The appropriate Emergency Preparedness plan and the Disaster Management Plan in case of reoccurrence of such natural disaster are discussed.
Assessment of pulmonary arterial compliance evaluated using harmonic oscillator kinematics
Authors: Hayabuchi Yasunobu , Ono Akemi , Homma Yukako , Kagami Shoji
Published: May 2017

We hypothesized that KPA, a harmonic oscillator kinematics‐derived spring constant parameter of the pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) profile, reflects PA compliance in pediatric patients. In this prospective study of 33 children (age range = 0.5–20 years) with various cardiac diseases, we assessed the novel parameter designated as KPA calculated using the pressure phase plane and the equation KPA = (dP/dt_max)2/([Pmax – Pmin])/2)2, where dP/dt_max is the peak derivative of PAP, and Pmax – Pmin is the difference between the minimum and maximum PAP. PA compliance was also calculated using two conventional methods: systolic PA compliance (sPAC) was expressed as the stroke volume/Pmax – Pmin; and diastolic PA compliance (dPAC) was determined according to a two‐element Windkessel model of PA diastolic pressure decay. In addition, data were recorded during abdominal compression to determine the influence of preload on KPA. A significant correlation was observed between KPA and sPAC (r = 0.52, P = 0.0018), but not dPAC. Significant correlations were also seen with the time constant (τ) of diastolic PAP (r = −0.51, P = 0.0026) and the pulmonary vascular resistance index (r = −0.39, P = 0.0242). No significant difference in KPA was seen between before and after abdominal compression. KPA had a higher intraclass correlation coefficient than other compliance and resistance parameters for both intra‐observer and inter‐observer variability (0.998 and 0.997, respectively). These results suggest that KPA can provide insight into the underlying mechanisms and facilitate the quantification of PA compliance.
A review of Chinese rural social research in the past three decades
Authors: Lin Juren , Wu Yu , Qu Yuanyuan
Published: May 2017

Rural social research in China has been a focus of attention among scholars since the reestablishment of sociology in mainland China in 1979. In order to document developments in and the contributions of research on rural society in China during the past three decades, this paper analyzes 305 articles that were published from 1986 to 2015 in Sociological Studies. Results of this content analysis are reported in terms of topics covered in research, keywords applied to published research, the scholarly or disciplinary orientation of the research, the professional affiliations of authors, the mode and methodology of the studies, and their geographical scope.
PRINCÍPIOS E TÉCNICAS FUNDAMENTAIS DE GESTÃO NAS MICRO E PEQUENAS EMPRESAS DO SETOR LEITEIRO: ESTUDO SOBRE A PERCEPÇÃO DOS PRODUTORES DE LEITE DA REGIÃO DE ENTRE DOURO E MINHO, PORTUGAL
Authors: Ribeiro Luís Carlos , Remondes Jorge
Published: May 2017

Neste artigo procurou-se identificar os princípios e técnicas fundamentais de gestão aplicadas nas empresas do setor leiteiro, nomeadamente na pecuária da região de Entre Douro e Minho (EDM), em Portugal. Para tanto, fez-se inicialmente uma análise bibliográfica sobre o tema e, em seguida, aplicou-se pesquisa de campo, junto a uma amostra com 105 respondentes dos conselhos selecionados da região EDM, para analisar as percepções dos produtores de leite. Os principais resultados indicam que as explorações que conseguem resistir às dificuldades regem-se pela capacidade de adaptação, introdução de novos produtos e equipamentos tecnológicos, percepção que estes têm sobre o valor de sua experiência e da importência da gestão contabilística, e pela consciência que a saúde e o bem-estar dos animais são fundamentais. A experiência do empresário e a tecnologia são determinantes. Estes fatores combinados com a capacidade de produção, ajuda familiar, entreajuda, cooperativismo e associações de produtores constituem as variáveis mais relevantes da gestão neste ramo de atividade. O fato de se terem ouvido produtores de leite com experiência marca uma mudança e incita a futuros estudos.
A PROTEÇÃO À PROPRIEDADE INDUSTRIAL DAS MARCAS NA VISÃO DO SUPERIOR TRIBUNAL DE JUSTIÇA
Authors: Souza Filho Marcos José Nogueira de
Published: May 2017

Mais comum do que se imagina é a prática, reprovável sob o ponto de vista jurídico, de se criarem marcas e símbolos de bens ou produtos similares àqueles já consagrados e consolidados no mercado, fazendo com que o consumidor se confunda por ocasião da escolha do produto. Este cenário foi submetido ao Poder Judiciário, especificamente ao Superior Tribunal de Justiça, em várias ocasiões, mas dois casos chamaram a atenção pela notoriedade das marcas: a Bombril, cujo símbolo é deveras reconhecido na área da limpeza e higiene doméstica, e os salgadinhos Cheetos, bem a gosto da clientela infantil. Assim, empresas e indústrias, ainda que gerem produtos de qualidade, preferem a artimanha de utilizar em suas embalagens símbolos ou emblemas muito próximos daquelas marcas já reconhecidas, na tentativa irregular de atrair consumidores e ferindo os princípios básicos da livre iniciativa e da concorrência leal. Diante da conjuntura, o Poder Judiciário vem consolidando jurisprudência no intuito de efetivamente proteger marcas, símbolos e emblemas jáconsagrados no gosto público. As mais recentes decisões judiciais acerca do assunto constituem, justamente, o tema básico do presente ensaio, o qual será construído a partir da análise jurisprudencial pertinente, bem como, subsidiariamente, dos estudos doutrinários e das regras normativas inerentes ao assunto. Aliás, parecem não merecer qualquer conserto tais decisões, pois são coadunadas ao fiel teor normativo da proteção garantida às marcas e aos símbolos industriais.
RESPONSABILIDADE SOCIAL DO CONSUMIDOR: UMA ANÁLISE MULTIDIMENSIONAL NO SEGMENTO DE PRODUTOS ORGÂNICOS
Authors: Queiroz Matile Facó de Paula Pessoa , Correia-Lima Bruno Chaves
Published: May 2017

O objetivo geral deste estudo é mensurar o nível de responsabilidade social do consumidor de produtos orgânicos, em relação à percepção de seu comportamento. Foram analisadas quatro dimensões de comportamento: altruísta, ambientalmente sustentável, ativista e ético. Trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa, descritiva e explicativa realizada por meio de uma amostra de 92 indivíduos autodeclarados consumidores de produtos orgânicos. Foram empregadas técnicas estatísticas (teste t de médias, correlação e regressão múltipla), por meio do software SPSS 20.0. Os resultados indicaram níveis altos de responsabilidade social de consumidores orgânicos para as dimensões: altruísta, ambientalmente sustentável e ativista, contudo nível moderado para o comportamento ético. Foi revelada forte correlação entre as dimensões: ambiental e altruísta; ambiental e ativista; ativista e altruísta. Ademais, tem-se que a variável renda não se mostrou preditora significativa do nível de responsabilidade social. Porém, a variável idade apresentou fraca relação inversa com o nível de responsabilidade social, ou seja, infere-se que os mais jovens afirmam ser consumidores mais responsáveis que os indivíduos com mais anos de vida.
Editorial
Authors: Weersma Laodicéia Amorim
Published: May 2017

Editorial
Evading the Boomerang Effect: Using the Grant-Back Clause to Further Generative Appropriability from Technology Licensing Deals
Authors: Laursen Keld , Moreira Solon , Reichstein Toke , Leone Maria Isabella
Published: May 2017

Technology licensing agreements potentially can create future appropriability problems. Drawing on the appropriability literature, we argue that the inclusion of a grant-back clause in technology licensing agreements is an attempt to balance the gains from and protection of the focal firms’ technologies. We hypothesize that the closer the licensed technology is to the licensor’s core patented technologies, the more likely the licensing agreement will include a grant-back clause, while the closer the licensed technology is to the licensee’s core patent portfolio, the less likely the agreement will include a grant-back clause. We hypothesize also that technological uncertainty is a positive moderator in the decision to include a grant-back clause, if the licensed technology is close to either the licensee’s or the licensor’s core technologies. We employ a hierarchical nested decision model to test the hypotheses on a sample of 397 licensed technologies. This method allows us to model the choice to include a grant-back clause as nested in the decision about which technologies to license out. We find broad support for our theoretical arguments.
Stretch Goals and the Distribution of Organizational Performance
Authors: Gary Michael Shayne , Yang Miles M. , Yetton Philip W. , Sterman John D.
Published: May 2017

Many academics, consultants, and managers advocate stretch goals to attain superior organizational performance. However, existing theory speculates that, although stretch goals may benefit some organizations, they are not a “rule for riches” for all organizations. To address this speculation, we use two experimental studies to explore the effects on the mean, median, variance, and skewness of performance of stretch compared with moderate goals. Participants were assigned moderate or stretch goals to manage a widely used business simulation. Compared with moderate goals, stretch goals improve performance for a few participants, but many abandon the stretch goals in favor of lower self-set goals, or adopt a survival goal when faced with the threat of bankruptcy. Consequently, stretch goals generate higher performance variance across organizations and a right-skewed performance distribution. Contrary to conventional wisdom, we find no positive stretch goal main effect on performance. Instead, stretch goals compared with moderate goals generate large attainment discrepancies that increase willingness to take risks, undermine goal commitment, and generate lower risk-adjusted performance. The results provide a richer theoretical and empirical appreciation of how stretch goals influence performance.

The e-companion is available at https://doi.org/10.1287/orsc.2017.1131 .
Microchipping in cats
Authors: Sparkes Andy
Published: May 2017

On April 6th, 2016 microchipping because compulsory for dogs in the UK. The question now is should microchipping also be compulsory in cats? International cat care strongly advocate the voluntary microchipping of cats — in the article below Veterinary Director Andy Sparkes answers the questions your clients may have when discussing this important issue.
O PAGADOR DE PROMESSAS E O CINEMA NOVO BRASILEIRO: OS IMPASSES CULTURAIS DOS ANOS 60
Authors: Novaes Claudio Cledson
Published: May 2017

Alguns aspectos referentes ao conteúdo e à forma do fillme O Pagador de Promessas (1962), face ao contexto social e os discursos sobre arte e política dos manisfestos culrurais do Cinema Novo brasileiro.
CONCORDÂNCIA NEGATIVA (CN) E A ESTRUTURA [V NEG] NO PORTUGUÊS BRASILEIRO (PB)
Authors: Fonseca Hely Dutra Cabral da
Published: May 2017

Este estudo analisa as abordagens utilizadas na concordância negativa no português (PB), buscando uma explicação adequada para uma estrutura [V NEG] de acordo com o referencial teórico adotado - o modelo dos Principios e Parâmetros em seus desenvolvimentos mais recentes quanto à negação.
Review Essay
Authors: Terry Janice J.
Published: May 2017

Reactions to the US invasion of Iraq and its aftermath

And Then All Hell Broke Loose: Two Decades in the Middle East, Richard Engel (2016) New York: Simon and Schuster, 240 pp., ISBN: 9781451635119, h/bk, $27.00

The Mirror Test: America at War in Iraq and Afghanistan, J. Kael Weston (2016) New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 585 pp., ISBN: 9780385351126, h/bk, $28.95

The Terror Years: From Al-Qaeda to the Islamic State, Lawrence Wright (2016) New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 366 pp., ISBN: 9780385352055, h/bk, $28.95
Learning from the Chilcot report: Propaganda, deception and the ‘War on Terror’
Authors: Robinson Piers
Published: May 2017

The 2016 Iraq Inquiry Report (the Chilcot report) was highly critical of the British government and its involvement in the 2003 invasion of Iraq and subsequent occupation. Drawing upon the authoritative material in the report, this article provides the most comprehensive and conceptually grounded post-Chilcot assessment of the empirical evidence now available regarding whether deception and propaganda were used to mobilize support for the invasion of Iraq. Employing a conceptual framework designed to identify deceptive organized persuasive communication (OPC), it is argued that the Chilcot report supports the thesis that, through distortions and omissions, deceptive OPC campaigns presented a misleading impression of both the threat posed by Iraqi WMD and Britain’s commitment to a peaceful resolution via the ‘UN route’. Moreover, based upon UK-US communications in the immediate aftermath of 9/11, the Chilcot report also provides suggestive but highly significant evidence of a broader and covert geo-strategic policy, including action against Syria and Iran, and which was underpinned by a ‘close knit propaganda campaign’. In light of this, it is argued that a major expansion of scholarly inquiry is necessary involving sustained analysis of the establishing phase of the ‘War on Terror’, the role that deception and propaganda might have played with respect to its enablement, and, more broadly, the implications of this for our understanding of propaganda and deception in liberal democratic states.
Advanced medicine and modern Iraq: Dr Abdul-Mujib and the rise and fall of Iraqi surgical capacities
Authors: Cadili Abdul-Mujib
Published: May 2017

Continuing with our series acknowledging the recollections of Iraqis of their experiences in the country, we present Dr Abdul-Mujib Cadili. Following an examination of the founding of the Iraqi Royal Medical College (IRMC) and its standing as the first such Institution in Iraq, Dr Cadili recounts his own experience of attending the programme from 1968 to 1974 – from recollections of his time at IRMC through residency, military service and emergency surgeries in the internecine wars of 1970s’ Kurdistan, before working in the UAE and the United Kingdom in an effort to advance his training before settling in the United Kingdom to work as a surgeon and begin his family with his wife Sawsan. Returning to Iraq Cadili founded the Al-Rafidain hospital in Baghdad where the first kidney and gall bladder surgeries in Iraq were performed, as well as the (smuggled!) introduction of a laparoscopic machine under the sanctions regime. Cadili describes meeting with Saddam Hussein, service in the Iran–Iraq War, before suffering through the 1991 Gulf War, which was launched by the US-led coalition in 1991. After run-ins with Ba’thist superiors Cadili left Iraq and re-started his surgical career following immigration to Canada in 1997. Cadili found a calling through medicine, remains a leading surgeon in his adopted country and stands out as a standard bearer for Iraqi medicine. An Iraqi surgeon currently living in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, recalls attending a lecture Dr Cadili gave in Baghdad around 1995. Dr Cadili was presenting the results of his first 300 cases of laparoscopic surgery and the Calgary-based Iraqi surgeon was one of about 200 physicians attending the talk in Baghdad. He remembered how all in attendance were dazzled by Dr Cadili’s knowledge and ambition. They were amazed at how a lone surgeon had managed to revolutionize surgeries while under economic embargo, travel restrictions and the many other challenges imposed on Iraqis. He saw Dr Cadili as a glimmer of light in the darkness for a new generation of doctors. We are pleased to present Dr Cadili’s recollections in IJCIS.
Summer loving? Female-orientated comedy drama, ITV and seasonal performance
Authors: Knowles Joanne
Published: May 2017

British summer broadcasting has traditionally been (light) entertainment focused and has been the subject of lower expectations from producers, reviewers and audiences, to the extent that a summer broadcasting slot might be considered to impair the viewing figures and critical acclaim of a series. This article examines the decisions made by the British broadcaster ITV during 2004–2009, in the first years of its unification as a single plc, to reschedule the screenings of several drama productions – including my case studies Jane Hall (2006), Monday Monday (2009) and Mister Eleven (2009) – and considers the impact of their summer scheduling in relation to gender, genre and institutional strategy. It draws on Bennett’s work on genre, television, gender and distinction, company reports, critical reviews and audience responses to argue that ITV’s historical dependence on and appeal to a populist, often feminine, audience can be seen to create friction with its ambitions. The article concludes that the default association of ‘quality television’ with masculine interests and values, as well as concerns about financial risk in a challenging economic climate, led ITV into risk-averse scheduling decisions where contemporary femaleorientated comedy-drama series are concerned, which reinforce traditional notions of scheduling and programme quality.
Scheduling for Christmas: How an ‘ordinary’ piece of television became extraordinary
Authors: Tucker Paul , Wolfenden Helen , Sercombe Howard
Published: May 2017

Is Mise Michelle/I am Michelle (2011) is an hour-long television programme commissioned for BBC Alba, the BBC’s Gaelic language television channel. Filmed in the summer of 2011, the scheduling intentions were very open, as needs must where frequent replays are financially necessary. Unexpectedly, however, the programme was scheduled for the prime 9 p.m. slot on Christmas Day 2011. In the process, the programme was transformed: from ‘ordinary television’, in Bonner’s concept, to prime television. Understood originally in Lotz’s terms as ‘mainstream niche’, the programme had to carry the weight of bringing the mainstream to the niche in this high-value slot. Originally conceived as a story of ancestry along the lines of Who Do You Think You Are? (2010–), in its new Christmas clothing the programme becomes a bearer for a more universal longing for home, for family, for community and for belonging. This article explores these transformations, and the decision-making that led to them, through interviews with the primary practitioners involved in the production process, from commissioning through to scheduling. In particular, the under-researched role of scheduling in the encoding/decoding transaction (Hall [1973] 1993) gets some much needed attention.
Festive television in the socialist world: From media events to media holidays
Authors: Huxtable Simon , Mihelj Sabina , Bardan Alice , Szostak Sylwia
Published: May 2017

This article focuses on the ways in which socialist television sought to create a sense of extraordinary temporality out of the ordinary through its coverage of historical commemorations, national days, and secular and religious festivities. To do so, it develops the concept of ‘media holidays’, which draws on Dayan and Katz’s seminal notion of media events, and the work of other scholars of media ritual, to show the ways in which socialist television created extraordinary temporalities through scheduling. Drawing on schedule analysis and archival documents, the article compares the cases of television in East Germany, the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. It examines a number of different kinds of media holiday on socialist television, and shows how different kinds of holidays and commemoration were marked with different kinds of programming in which entertainment played an important role.
Do they know it’s Christmastime at all?: Mad Men and the dangers of seasonal nostalgia
Authors: Hoffman Emily
Published: May 2017

Continuing an association between nostalgia and Christmas that originated after the reign of Queen Victoria in England, seasonal Christmas episodes on television have traditionally woven nostalgia and characters’ journeys home into their plotlines. These plotlines seem to take a limited number of predictable forms that have remained remarkably consistent throughout television history. Regardless of the specific plot type, the episodes conclude with a heart-warming, optimistic ending that finds characters at home, happy and fulfilled. AMC’s Mad Men (2007−2010), a show often considered to be emblematic of the so-called third golden age of US television, defies this tradition through its Thanksgiving and Christmas episodes that aggressively subvert viewer expectations. It often presents situations resembling those found in traditional seasonal episodes only to lead characters to moments of distress and discord rather than contentment and reconciliation. In these episodes, nostalgia has negative consequences, and is portrayed as the disease it was originally believed to be. Meanwhile, home is a site of danger, defilement, and destruction. It is not until Mad Men’s final episode that characters are ‘cured’ of their nostalgia and the show delivers the type of uplifting ending that has been repeatedly deferred.
The signaling lipid phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate targets plant CLC‐a anion/H+ exchange activity
Authors: Carpaneto Armando , Boccaccio Anna , Lagostena Laura , Di Zanni Eleonora , Scholz‐Starke Joachim
Published: May 2017

Phosphatidylinositol‐3,5‐bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P2) is a low‐abundance signaling lipid associated with endo‐lysosomal and vacuolar membranes in eukaryotic cells. Recent studies on Arabidopsis indicated a critical role of PI(3,5)P2 in vacuolar acidification and morphology during ABA‐induced stomatal closure, but the molecular targets in plant cells remained unknown. By using patch‐clamp recordings on Arabidopsis vacuoles, we show here that PI(3,5)P2 does not affect the activity of vacuolar H+‐pyrophosphatase or vacuolar H+‐ATPase. Instead, PI(3,5)P2 at low nanomolar concentrations inhibited an inwardly rectifying conductance, which appeared upon vacuolar acidification elicited by prolonged H+ pumping activity. We provide evidence that this novel conductance is mediated by chloride channel a (CLC‐a), a member of the anion/H+ exchanger family formerly implicated in stomatal movements in Arabidopsis. H+‐dependent currents were absent in clc‐a knock‐out vacuoles, and canonical CLC‐a‐dependent nitrate/H+ antiport was inhibited by low concentrations of PI(3,5)P2. Finally, using the pH indicator probe BCECF, we show that CLC‐a inhibition contributes to vacuolar acidification. These data provide a mechanistic explanation for the essential role of PI(3,5)P2 and advance our knowledge about the regulation of vacuolar ion transport.
Primary cutaneous B-cell lymphoma and chronic leg ulcers in a patient with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Mantovani Alessandro , Perrone Fabrizia , Stoico Vincenzo , Pichiri Isabella , Salvotelli Laura , Teobaldi Ilaria , Bruti Massimiliano , Conti Michela , Cima Luca , Eccher Albino , Bonora Enzo
Published: May 2017

The incidences of type 2 diabetes mellitus and many cancers are rapidly increasing worldwide. Diabetes is a strong risk factor for some cancers (including lymphomas) and is also associated with adverse cancer outcomes. After gastrointestinal tract, the skin is the second most frequent extranodal site involved by non-Hodgkin lymphomas and the cutaneous B-cell lymphomas (CBCLs) range from 25% to 30% of all primary cutaneous lymphomas. The primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PCDLBCL) is an aggressive lymphoma with a poor prognosis, representing roughly 20% of all primary CBCLs. Classically, the cutaneous manifestation of this lymphoma is a red or violaceous tumors arising on a leg. To date, despite the large body of evidence suggesting that diabetes is strongly associated with an increased risk of some cancers, very little information is available regarding a possible association between type 2 diabetes and primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. In this report, we will present the case of a white adult patient with type 2 diabetes with chronic leg ulcers complicated by a primary cutaneous diffuse large B-cell lymphoma.

Learning points:

Diabetes mellitus is increasing worldwide as well as the incidence of many cancers.

Diabetes mellitus is a powerful risk factor for some cancers (including lymphomas) and is strongly associated with adverse cancer outcomes.

Seen that diabetes is strongly associated with an increased risk of cancers (including cutaneous lymphomas), clinicians should always keep in mind this complication in elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, even in a chronic leg ulcer with hypertrophy of the wound edge, which is hard to heal and does not have the typical characteristics of a diabetic or vascular ulcer. In these cases, a biopsy should be performed to rule out a neoplasm.

Early diagnosis and correct management of cancer in a patient with type 2 diabetes are crucial to improve clinical outcomes.
EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT METHODS OF DRYING ON ANTIOXIDANT AND MICROSCOPIC CHARACTERISTICS OF Spirullina platensis ENRICHED SOY YOGURT
Authors: Sengupta Samadrita , Bhowal Jayati
Published: May 2017

Spirulina platensis was discussed as an active compound with regard to the combined effects with soy yogurt in dried food formulation. Drying influenced the microscopic, and antioxidant properties of soy yogurts, and could be used to create new functionalities. The present investigation aimed to convert Spirulina platensis enriched soy yogurts to powder form by different drying methodologies such as air, vacuum, freeze, and microwave drying and evaluate the microstructure and antioxidant activity of the powders obtained. Antioxidant activities were assayed by using polyphenol assay, estimation of carotenoid content, DPPH radical scavenging activity and FRAP assay. Structural changes were analyzed using a scanning electron microscope and an X-ray diffraction pattern. Freeze-drying was produced significantly high quality dried Spirulina platensis enriched soy yogurt, i.e. better functional and antioxidant properties (Polyphenol 0.211 Gallic acid equivalent. g-1, p
MOLECULAR AND PHENOTYPIC RESISTANCE OF GROUNDNUT VARIETIES TO LEAF SPOTS DISEASE IN GHANA
Authors: Sewordor Gaikpa David , Akromah Richard , Yaw Asibuo James , Nyadanu Daniel
Published: May 2017

Groundnut yield is constrained in most cases by early and lateleaf spots diseases. Selection and breeding for resistance will enhance yields. Therefore, this study was conducted in Crop Research Institute, Fumesua-Kumasi, Ghana to screen 20 groundnut varieties for leaf spots resistance using both molecular and phenotypic tools. Differences in disease incidence among individual plants, severity score, lesion diameter and defoliation across the 20 genotypes were highly significant (p
POLYPHASIC ANALYSIS OF TWO THERMOTOLERANT, AND EXOZYMES PRODUCING GEOBACILLUS SPECIES FROM HOT SPRING OF NEPAL
Authors: Adhikari Hriush , Ghimire Sangam , Khatri Binod , K.C Yuvraj
Published: May 2017

Background and Aim: Nepal’s geothermal areas are considered as uncharted place for microbiological and biotechnological researchers since not many researches has been conducted on these areas. The main aim of this study was to isolate thermophilic bacteria from hostspring of Nepal. Methods: From one of the hottest natural thermal spring of Nepal, Bhurung Tatopani, 20 different bacteria were isolated and Characterized by both culture dependent and independent approaches. Results: Morphological and biochemical tests along with polyphasic analysis of these thermal isolates confirmed that two of these species belongs to Geobacillus sp. The isolates THG1 and THG2 were found to be gram variable and rod shaped with smooth colony. They were found to be osmotolerant up to 2% NaCl and thermotolerant with optimum temperature of 72°C. They showed significant production of various industrially important enzymes like amylase, lipase, protease and cellulase. 16S rRNA amplification was also performed and sequenced which revealed that the isolate THG1 has 99% similarity with Geobacillus kaustophilus and THG2 has 99% similarity with Geobacillus thermoleovorans. THG1 and THG2 16S rRNA sequences are deposited in genebank with accession id KP764939 and KP764940. For the further confirmation and deeper analysis, fatty acid analysis (FAME) was also performed and their fatty acid composition profile was also created. Conclusion: From the Bhurung hotspring two unique Geobacillus species were isolated.
OPTIMIZATION OF INGREDIENT AND PROCESSING PARAMETER FOR THE PRODUCTION OF Spirulina platensis INCORPORATED SOY YOGURT USING RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY
Authors: Sengupta Samadrita , Bhowal Jayati
Published: May 2017

In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the ingredient formulation and processing parameters of Spirulina platensis incorporated soy yogurt production such as temperature, time, and amount of Spirulina platensis on the sensory evaluation responses on 9 point Hedonic rating. Besides, the physico–chemical properties such as pH, titratable acidity, viscosity and penetration of the Spirulina platensis incorporated soy yogurt were also analysed. The analyses show that the Spirulina platensis incorporated soy yogurts have a pH from 3.43 to 5.55, acidity from 0.64 to 2.32 (%), Brookfield viscosity from 752 to 903 Centipoise and penetration from 362 to 432 1/10th mm at 25°C during the optimization process. From the analysis of variance, the R2 of all response variables is more than 0.77 that indicates that a high proportion of variability was explained by the model. Based on the response surface 3D plot of the sensory evaluation, the optimum acceptability of the Spirulina platensis incorporated soy yogurt processing parameter are at temperature of 40°C, 12 h of the fermentation duration and 0.80% (w/w) of the Spirulina platensis.
GENETIC VARIATION OF MAIZE GENOTYPES (ZEA MAYS L.) DETECTED USING SDS-PAGE
Authors: Vivodík Martin , Balážová Å½elmÃ­ra , Gálová Zdenka , Petrovičová Lenka
Published: May 2017

The assessment of genetic diversity among the members of a species is of vital importance for successful breeding and adaptability. In the present study 20 old genotypes of maize from Hungary, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Poland, Czechoslovakia and Slovak Republic were evaluated for the total seed storage proteins using sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) through vertical slab unit. The number of total scorable protein bands was twentythree as a result of SDS-PAGE technique but those that were not cosistent in reproducibility and showed occasional variation in sharpness and density were not considered. Out of twentythree polypeptide bands, 6 (31%) were commonly present in all accessions and considered as monomorphic, while 17 (65%) showed variations and considered as polymorphic. On the basis of banding profiles of proteins of different kDa, gel was divided into zones A, B and C. The major protein bands were lied in zones A and B, while minor bands were present in zones C. In zone A out of 10 protein bands, 1 were monomorphic and 9 were polymorphic. In zone B out of 8 protein bands, 3 was monomorphic and 5 was polymorphic and in zone C out of 5 protein bands, 2 were monomorphic whereas 3 polymorphic. The dendrogram tree demonstrated the relationship among the forty registered old maize genotypes according to the similarity index, using UPGMA cluster analysis. The dendrogram was divided into three main clusters. The first cluster contained Czechoslovakia genotype Mikulická and the second cluster contained Czechoslovakia genotypes Celchovicka ADQ. Cluster 3 was divided into 3 subclasters. Similarly the present study of genetic variability in the seed storage polypeptide determined by SDS-PAGE technique proved that it is fruitful to identify genetic diversity among accessions of maize.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COAGULATING AGENT ON PHYSICO-CHEMICAL AND ORGANOLEPTIC PROPERTIES OF NON DAIRY RASGULLA (CHEESE BALL)
Authors: Sengupta Samadrita , Samanta Anwesha , Bhowal Jayati
Published: May 2017

Non-dairy rasgulla NDR (cheese ball) were manufactured from soybean milk using different types ofcoagulants such as citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid and calcium lactate (2% each). Dairy rasgulla procured from local market was used as control (DR). This study investigated the effects of these coagulants on the physico-chemical, color, in vitro multienzyme protein digestibility and the sensory properties of DR and NDRs.Citric acid coagulated NDR (CNDR) recorded high fat value (4.95±0.18; p
EFFECT OF NUTRITIONAL COMPOSITION ON SHELF LIFE OF CEREALS-LEGUMES BLENDED FLOURS DURING STORAGE
Authors: Rehman Tanzeelur , Kamran Sharif Mian , Majeed Majid , Usman Khan Muhammad , Ali Shariati Mohammad , Karapetkovska – Hristova Vesna
Published: May 2017

The ubiquitous indulging of cereals and legumes all over the world gives them a momentous abode in international nutrition. The exploration of food component plays dominating ole in the nutritional assessment, shelf life and the inclusive acceptance by the end user. Maize, chickpea and soybean flours were blended uniformly @ 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% levels with wheat flour to prepared different compositions and stored at ambient temperature in polyethylene bags. During the fortnightly storage period of 45 days, each treatment was assessed for moisture, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, ash, nitrogen free extract, acidity, peroxide value and mold count. Mean squares of chemical analysis revealed significant differences due to different flour compositions and storage intervals. There was a slight increase in moisture content, total acidity, peroxide value and mold count of the composite flours whereas a decrease in protein, fiber, fat and nitrogen free extract during storage. Ash showed non-significant effect during storage. It is concluded that vacillations in temperature, relative humidity, storage circumstances, length of storage time, storage material as well as enzymatic activity made considerable nutrient losses in cereals-legumes blended flours.
CHEMICAL COUPLING OF GLUCOAMYLASE PRODUCED BY Arthrobotrys conoides ONTO COTTON CLOTH AND Ocimum basilicum SEEDS AND CHARACTERIZATION OF THE IMMOBILIZED ENZYME
Authors: Shetty Premalatha , Jaffer Maleka
Published: May 2017

Glucoamylase produced by Arthrobotrys conoides was immobilized onto cotton cloth pieces (CC) and seeds of Ocimum basilicum (OB) employing five different approaches. Mechanical stability of CC and large surface area provided by the microfibrillar structure in the mucilage of OB seeds offers the advantage for their use as immobilization matrices. Periodate treated enzyme coupled to polyethylenimine treated support gave the best results with immobilization percentage of 67.5 and 53 for CC and OB seeds respectively. Immobilized enzymes exhibited broader pH and temperature activity profiles as compared to those of native and PI oxidized forms. Immobilization conferred stability to the enzyme in acidic region and also improved its thermo-stability. Km values for starch were found to be 0.08 and 0.105 mg.ml-1 for native and PI treated forms and, 2.3 and 2.6 mg.ml-1 for enzymes bound to CC and OB respectively. Although the enzyme preparations were optimally active at 50C, recycling studies indicated optimum temperature of 40C for saccharification of starch. CC and OB bound preparations could be recycled 13 and 11 times respectively every 2h at 40C, with retention of 50% activity. Immobilized preparations were able to convert starch to an extent of 61-64%. Conversion percentage improved to 73% when CC preparation was incubated with starch at increased speed of agitation indicating diffusional limitations as one of the factors influencing the apparent decrease in the affinity of the immobilized enzyme for its substrate. Cloth bound preparation was found to be superior in its performance in comparison to enzyme coupled to OB.
MITIGATION OF THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF XENOBIOTICS IN MUNG SEEDLINGS BY PLANT SYNERGISTIC BACTERIA
Authors: De Indranil , Gupta Sarika
Published: May 2017

In today’s world, the problems due to the rising pollution are inevitable. A major contributor to this pollution is due to the effluents released by textile industries, chemical factories and others. They adversely affect the agricultural lands nearby leading to the accumulation of xenobiotics and heavy metals in the soil followed by barrenness. A great amount of effort had directed towards the exploration of remedial approach by various workers. Employing the indigenous microbes with degradative capabilities in situ had been a solution to it. Engineering of microbes is the latest trend for degrading a vast spectrum of compounds. The present study aims to isolate bacteria capable of degrading Phenol, Hexane, Toluene and Xylene to test their synergism with the test plant, Vigna radiata. We collected our soil sample from petroleum station. Three-gram negative bacteria (Proteus sp., Pseudomonas sp and Aeromonas sp) and two-gram positive bacteria (Enterococcus sp and Streptococcus sp) were isolated and identified with test compound degradative potential. They were further used to assess their synergism with the study plant by employing hydroponics technique at 100 ppm concentration of test compound. StreptococcusspandProteusspgave a promising result followed by Enterococcus sp. The seedlings experienced a negative inhibitory effect with Aeromonas sp and Pseudomonas sp.
GENETIC DIVERSITY ANALYSIS OF MAIZE (ZEA MAYS L.) USING SCoT MARKERS
Authors: Vivodík Martin , Balážová Å½elmÃ­ra , Gálová Zdenka , Petrovičová Lenka
Published: May 2017

Molecular characterization is frequently used by maize breeders as an alternative method for selecting more promising genotypes and reducing the cost and time needed to develop hybrid combinations. In the present investigation 20 genotypes of maize from Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, Slovakia and Yugoslavia were analysed using 5 Start codon targeted (SCoT) markers. These primers produced total 29 fragments across 20 maize genotypes, of which 22 (77.90 %) were polymorphic with an average of 4.40 polymorphic fragments per primer and number of amplified fragments ranged from 4 (SCoT 8) to 7 (SCoT 12 and SCoT 23). The polymorphic information content (PIC) value ranged from 0.652 (ScoT 8) to 0.816 (SCoT 23) with an average of 0.738. The dendrogram of 20 maize genotypes based on SCoT markers using UGMA algorithm was constructed. The hierarchical cluster analysis divided maize genotypes into two main clusters. Unique 2 maize genotype Slovenska žltá and Slovenska krajová velkozrná, originated from Slovak Republic, separated from others. Cluster 2 containing 18 genotypes was divided into two main subclusters. Subcluster 2a contained two Poland genotypes Przebedowska Burskynowa and Zloty Zar, two genotypes of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics- Partizanka and Krasnodarskaja and one Czechoslovakian genotypes Milada. In subcluster 2b were grouped 13 maize genotypes. The present study shows effectiveness of employing SCoT markers in analysis of maize, and would be useful for further studies in population genetics, conservation genetics and genotypes improvement.
BIOCHEMICAL AND MICROBIOLOGICAL CHANGES THROUGHOUT THE RIPENING OF ARGENTINEAN FRESH GOAT’S MILK CHEESES MADE WITH NATIVE CULTURES
Authors: Taboada Natalia , Medina Roxana , Núñez Martha , López Alzogaray Soledad
Published: May 2017

Two different cultures with native lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were designed, S (starter culture consisting of Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus UNSE308, L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus UNSE309, Streptococcus (S). thermophilus UNSE314, S. thermophilus UNSE321) and A (starter culture S plus adjunct culture consisting of L. plantarum UNSE316, L. plantarum UNSE317, Pediococcus (P). pentosaceus UNSE22, P. pentosaceus UNSE253). Cultures S, A and C (lyophilized commercial culture of Streptococcus thermophillus) were used to manufacture fresh goat cheeses (CS, CA and CC) from pasteurized milk. The impact of these cultures on the microbiological, biochemical and physicochemical parameters were evaluated during ripening (30 days). Results evidenced that CC, CA and CS did not show significant differences in protein and fat content, NaCl, acidity, fat acidity and aw, at the same time of ripening. All experimental cheeses underwent moderate lipolysis since moderate levels of free fatty acids (FFA) at the end of ripening were detected (~1.5 g kg-1) and made an important contribution to characteristic flavour and aroma. In all cases, a slight proteolysis was detected; CC showed the lowest levels during ripening. Values of NaCl (1.27%) were in accordance with those reported in most cheeses. During ripening, mesophilic LAB counts in MRS agar increased nearly 1 log cycle, total coliforms per gram at 30ºC showed counts below the maximum allowed by Argentinean legislation. Overall impression of CS and CA was qualified as good compared to CC that was scored as regular. The fresh goat cheeses made with native cultures presented suitable typical flavour and satisfying overall sensorial characteristics.