bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro Regeneration of Mungbean (Vigna radiata L.) from Different Explants
Authors: Khatun MK , Haque MS , Islam S , Nasiruddin KM
Published: November 2013

To regenerate plantlets both directly and indirectly, different explants (cotyledon, hypocotyls, root tip and shoot tip) of mungbean were cultured on medium supplemented with different concentrations and combinations of BAP (0, 1.0 and 5.0 mgL-1) and NAA (0, 0.5 and 2.5 mgL-1)). Cotyledon explants performed best in callus induction (90.0%) at the combination of 1 mgL-1) BAP and 2.5 mgL-1)NAA for both the varieties (BINA mung 5 and BINA mung 7). The calli derived from cotyledon, hypocotyls and root tip were cultured in MS medium supplemented with different concentrations of Kn, BAP and/or NAA for shoot induction. Regeneration was achieved only from cotyledon calli at a frequency of 62.50% on 5 mgL-1) BAP and 0.05 mgL-1) NAA. Shoot tip cultured for direct regeneration in the same media containing 5 mgL-1) BAP and 0.05 mgL-1) NAA resulted in 90.0% shoot differentiation in BINA mung 7. The regenerated shoots rooted on MS medium with 0.2 mgL-1) NAA (90.0).DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16908 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 13 - 19, 2008
Micropropagation of Centella asiatica L. An Important Medicinal Herb
Authors: Das R , Hasan MF , Hossain MS , Rahman M
Published: November 2013

High frequencies of multiple shoot regeneration were achieved from shoot tip explants cultured on MS media fortified with 4.0 mgl-1 BAP + 0.1 mgl-1 NAA. On an average 10.2?0.38 shoots per explant were obtained. The regenerated shoots were rooted in MS medium supplemented with 1.0 mgl-1 IBA. The in vitro grown plantlets were acclimatized and successfully transferred to natural condition with 80% survival. A reproducible protocol was established for in vitro propagation through multiple shoot induction of Centella asiatica L. an important medicinal herb having high medicinal value.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16928 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 51 - 56, 2008
Propagation of Jackfruit by Modified Cleft Grafting as Influenced by Time of Operation
Authors: Khatun MJM , Islam MS , Haque T , Khan N
Published: November 2013

The experiment was conducted to study the effect of time (season) of grafting on the performance of modified cleft grafting of Jackfruit at the BAU Germplasm Centre (GPC) of Fruit Tree Improvement Project (FTIP) of the Department of Horticulture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. The experiment consisting ten levels of grafting times, viz., 30th March, 15th April, 30th April, 15th May, 30th May, 15th June, 30th June, 15th July, 30th July, 15th August, was laid out in RCBD with three replications. The results revealed that grafting done on 14th August showed the highest success (39%) and took the lowest time to first flush and first leaf opening (4.66 and 5.00 days, respectively) whereas the success rates were very low at the months of March, April and May. Likewise the highest vegetative growth of the grafted plants in terms of height, diameter, number of leaves, length and breadth of the leaves was found with grafting done on 14th August.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16930 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 67 - 74, 2008
Impact of In-Pond Nursery of Shrimp (Penaeus monodon) Post Larvae on the Survival Rate and Production Under Modified Improved Culture System
Authors: Islam ML , Alam MJ
Published: November 2013

To observe the effectiveness of short time in-pond nursery of post larvae (PL) on the survival rate and production of shrimp (Penaeus monodon) under modified improved culture system, an experiment was conducted in earthen ponds at Brackishwater Station of Bangladesh Fisheries Research Institute, Khulna. Results of the experiment revealed that short time in-pond nursery of PL provided the significantly higher (p<0.05) survival rate (58%) than direct stocking of PL (47.81%) in the rearing pond. In-pond nursery of PL provided 9.95% better survival rate than direct stocking. The production of shrimp was 661 kg/ha under in-pond nursery of PL and it was 534 kg/ha under direct stocking of PL in rearing ponds. The production of shrimp was also significantly higher (p<0.05) under in-pond nursery system than direct stocking of PL in rearing ponds. Final weight gain and Food Conversion Ratio (FCR) values were similar in both the treatments. Water quality parameters in both stocking systems were insignificant and it was within the range of shrimp culture. In this study, the increment in production under in-pond nursery system was mainly due to the increase of survival rate in the respective treatment was ascertained.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16958 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 167 - 175, 2008
Comparative Efficiency Analysis of Broiler Farming Under Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Limited Supervision and Farmers Own Management
Authors: Akhter S , Rashid MHA
Published: November 2013

This study was conducted to assess the comparative efficiency of Aftab Bahumukhi Farm Limited (ABFL) supervised broiler farms and farmers own managed broiler farms. Data were collected from randomly selected 90 broiler farmers of which 45 were ABFL supervised farmers and 45 were own managed farmers. Cobb-Douglas stochastic production function and cost frontier function were applied to determine the technical, allocative and economic efficiency of broiler farming. Technical and economic inefficiency effect models were also estimated. The estimated mean technical efficiency of all farms was 94.06 percent. Whereas it was 94.49 percent for ABFL supervised farmers and 93.66 percent for the own managed broiler farm owners. The estimated mean allocative efficiency was 96.76 percent for all farmers, and 96.51 for ABFL supervised farmers and 96.45 percent for own managed broiler farm owners. The mean economic efficiency was estimated at about 91.60 percent for ABFL supervised farmers, 90.34 percent for own managed farmers and 91.00 percent for all farmers. This implies that the cost of broiler production per farm can be reduced by 9 percent keeping the output constant. The findings reveal that ABFL supervised farmers and own managed farmers were not significantly different in terms of efficiency.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16962 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 195 - 204, 2008
Production and Promotion of Triticale as a High Quality Fodder and Feed in Small-Scale Dairy Farmers of Bangladesh
Authors: Haque ME , Waddington SR , Sarker ZI , Sarker NR , Akteruzzaman M
Published: November 2013

In Bangladesh, high quality fodder is scare from December to May for ruminant livestock and feed is expensive throughout the year for poultry. A project was conducted in the cool dry Rabi (December-February) seasons of 2005-06 and 2006-07 to promote triticale (X Triticosecale Wittmack) as a high quality dual-purpose fodder and feed for small-scale dairy and poultry producers. During 2005 and 2006, 504 farm families from six districts in north western and central Bangladesh received training on triticale cultivation and its utilization as a green fodder for dairy cows and for grain. Printed training manuals and visual training materials (including a DVD docudrama) were developed, used in training, and distributed widely. On-farm demonstrations on triticale production were mounted with each trained farm family in two years using a dual-purpose fodder and grain type triticale variety, WRF-7, that earlier on farm research had identified to perform well in Bangladesh. High quality grass fodder was obtained by cutting the vegetative triticale plants either twice (at 35 and 50 days after seeding (DAS)or once (at around 40 days), while the later ratooning tillers produced grain. In 168 farmer demonstrations in 2005-06, the green fodder yield ranged from 4.9 to 20.0 t/ha fresh mass (0.7 t/ha to 2.7 t/ha dry mass) from one cut at 35 DAS and 7 to 28 t/ha fresh mass from two cuts at 35 and 50 DAS. Overall, 62% of farmers reported yields above 10 t/ha of fresh green fodder. A mean grain yield of 1.8 t/ha was obtained from WRF-7 after two cuts on-farm. Straw yields ranged from 0.8 to 7.1 t/ha dry mass. 324 farmers hosted similar demonstrations in 2006-07 and reported higher yields of green fodder, ranging from 7.4 to 33.7 t/ha fresh mass from one cut at 40 to 42 DAS. A higher mean grain yield of 2.8 t/ha was obtained from WRF-7 after one cut for fodder in 2006-07. Assessments of WRF-7 dual-purpose triticale by farmers were very positive, with 97% wanting to grow triticale again in more land ranging from 0.04 ha to 0.81 ha (Table 3). From experience, many farmers decided it was more efficient to cut triticale once for green fodder. Almost all farmers reported benefits to milk production and farm income from feeding triticale fodder to cows. It was concluded that smallholder dairy farmers in North-West Bangladesh can easily produce sufficient amounts of quality fodder for dairy cows and feed for poultry from WRF-7 dual-purpose triticale during periods of severe fodder shortages.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/pa.v19i2.16964 Progress. Agric. 19(2): 217 - 228, 2008
The Language of Flowers in the Victorian Knowledge Age
Authors: Engelhardt Molly
Published: November 2013

The language of flowers is typically dismissed as a subgenre of botany books that, while popular, had little if any influence on the material culture of Victorian life. This article challenges this assumption by situating the genre within the context of the professionalisation of botany at mid-century to show how efforts to change attitudes towards botany from a fashionable pastime for the gentler sex to a utilitarian practice in service of humanity contributed to the revitalisation and popularity of the language of flowers. While scientific botanists sought to know flowers physiologically and morphologically in the spirit of progress and truth, practitioners of the language of flowers – written primarily for and by women – celebrated uncertainty and relied on floral codes to curtail knowing in order to extend the realm of play. The struggle for floral authority was centred in botanical discourses – both scientific and amateur – but extended as well into narrative fiction. Turning to works by Elizabeth Gaskell, Charlotte Brontë, and George Eliot, I show how Victorian writers expected a certain degree of floral literacy from their readers and used floral codes strategically in their fiction as subtexts for practitioners of the language of flowers. These three writers, I argue, took a stand in the gender struggle over floral authority by creating scientific botanists who are so obsessed with dissecting plants to reveal their secrets and know their ‘life truths’ that they become farsighted in matters of romantic love and unable to read the most obvious and surface of floral codes. The consequences of the dismissal of the superficial are in some cases quite disastrous.
Toxicology Testing in Fatally Injured Workers: A Review of Five Years of Iowa FACE Cases
Authors: Ramirez Marizen , Bedford Ronald , Sullivan Ryan , Anthony T. , Kraemer John , Faine Brett , Peek-Asa Corinne
Published: November 2013

Toxicology testing of fatally injured workers is not routinely conducted. We completed a case-series study of 2005–2009 occupational fatalities captured by Iowa’s Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation (FACE) Program. The goals of our research were to: (1) measure the proportion of FACE cases that undergo toxicology testing, and describe the factors associated with being tested, and (2) measure the rate of positive toxicology tests, the substances identified and the demographics and occupations of victims who tested positive. Case documents and toxicology laboratory reports were reviewed. There were 427 occupational deaths from 2005 to 2009. Only 69% underwent toxicology testing. Younger workers had greater odds of being tested. Among occupational groups, workers in farming, fishing and forestry had half the odds of being tested compared to other occupational groups. Of the 280 cases with toxicology tests completed, 22% (n = 61) were found to have positive toxicology testing. Commonly identified drug classes included cannabinoids and alcohols. Based on the small number of positive tests, older victims (65+ years) tested positive more frequently than younger workers. Management, business, science, arts, service and sales/office workers had proportionately more positive toxicology tests (almost 30%) compared with other workers (18–22%). These results identify an area in need of further research efforts and a potential target for injury prevention strategies.
Methods for Recovering Microorganisms from Solid Surfaces Used in the Food Industry: A Review of the Literature
Authors: Ismaïl Rached , Aviat Florence , Michel Valérie , Le Bayon Isabelle , Gay-Perret Perrine , Kutnik Magdalena , Fédérighi Michel
Published: November 2013

Various types of surfaces are used today in the food industry, such as plastic, stainless steel, glass, and wood. These surfaces are subject to contamination by microorganisms responsible for the cross-contamination of food by contact with working surfaces. The HACCP-based processes are now widely used for the control of microbial hazards to prevent food safety issues. This preventive approach has resulted in the use of microbiological analyses of surfaces as one of the tools to control the hygiene of products. A method of recovering microorganisms from different solid surfaces is necessary as a means of health prevention. No regulation exists for surface microbial contamination, but food companies tend to establish technical specifications to add value to their products and limit contamination risks. The aim of this review is to present the most frequently used methods: swabbing, friction or scrubbing, printing, rinsing or immersion, sonication and scraping or grinding and describe their advantages and drawbacks. The choice of the recovery method has to be suitable for the type and size of the surface tested for microbiological analysis. Today, quick and cheap methods have to be standardized and especially easy to perform in the field.
Synthetic Resveratrol Analogue, 3,3',4,4',5,5'-Hexahydroxy-trans-Stilbene, Accelerates Senescence in Peritoneal Mesothelium and Promotes Senescence-Dependent Growth of Gastrointestinal Cancers
Authors: Mikuła-Pietrasik Justyna , Sosińska Patrycja , Wierzchowski Marcin , Piwocka Katarzyna , Książek Krzysztof
Published: November 2013

3,3',4,4',5,5'-Hexahydroxy-trans-stilbene (M8) is a synthetic resveratrol derivative, advertised as a candidate drug highly effective against numerous malignancies. Because multiple tumors prone to M8 frequently metastasize into the peritoneal cavity, this study was aimed at establishing the effect of M8 on the growth and senescence of human peritoneal mesothelial cells (HPMCs), the largest cell population within the peritoneum, actively involved in the intraperitoneal spread of cancer. The study showed that M8, used at the highest non-toxic dose of 10 μM, impairs proliferation and accelerates senescence in cultured HPMCs via an oxidative stress-dependent mechanism. At the same time, soluble factors released to the environment by HPMCs that senesced prematurely in response to M8 promoted growth of colorectal and pancreatic carcinomas in vitro. These findings indicate that M8 may indirectly—through the modification of normal (mesothelial) cells phenotype—facilitate an expansion of cancer cells, which challenges the postulated value of this stilbene in chemotherapy.
Synthesis of 2-Acyloxycyclohexylsulfonamides and Evaluation on Their Fungicidal Activity
Authors: Li Xinghai , Cui Zining , Chen Xiaoyuan , Wu Decai , Qi Zhiqiu , Ji Mingshan
Published: November 2013

Eighteen N-substituted phenyl-2-acyloxycyclohexylsulfonamides (III) were designed and synthesized by the reaction of N-substituted phenyl-2-hydroxyl- cycloalkylsulfonamides (I, R1) with acyl chloride (II, R2) in dichloromethane under the catalysis of TMEDA and molecular sieve. High fungicidal active compound N-(2,4,5-trichlorophenyl)-2-(2-ethoxyacetoxy) cyclohexylsulfonamide (III-18) was screened out. Mycelia growth assay against the Botrytis cinerea exhibited that EC50 and EC80 of compound III-18 were 4.17 and 17.15 μg mL−1 respectively, which was better than the commercial fungicide procymidone (EC50 = 4.46 μg mL−1 and EC80 = 35.02 μg mL−1). For in vivo activity against B. cinerea in living leaf of cucumber, the control effect of compound III-18 was better than the fungicide cyprodinil. In addition, this new compound had broader fungicidal spectra than chlorothalonil.
Software Updating in Wireless Sensor Networks: A Survey and Lacunae
Authors: Brown Stephen , Sreenan Cormac
Published: November 2013

Wireless Sensor Networks are moving out of the laboratory and into the field. For a number of reasons there is often a need to update sensor node software, or node configuration, after deployment. The need for over-the-air updates is driven both by the scale of deployments, and by the remoteness and inaccessibility of sensor nodes. This need has been recognized since the early days of sensor networks, and research results from the related areas of mobile networking and distributed systems have been applied to this area. In order to avoid any manual intervention, the update process needs to be autonomous. This paper presents a comprehensive survey of software updating in Wireless Sensor Networks, and analyses the features required to make these updates autonomous. A new taxonomy of software update features and a new model for fault detection and recovery are presented. The paper concludes by identifying the lacunae relating to autonomous software updates, providing direction for future research.
The Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors MS-275 and SAHA Suppress the p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Signaling Pathway and Chemotaxis in Rheumatoid Arthritic Synovial Fibroblastic E11 Cells
Authors: Choo Qiu-Yi , Ho Paul , Tanaka Yoshiya , Lin Hai-Shu
Published: November 2013

MS-275 (entinostat) and SAHA (vorinostat), two histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors currently in oncological trials, have displayed potent anti-rheumatic activities in rodent models of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). To further elucidate their anti-inflammatory mechanisms, the impact of MS-275 and SAHA on the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway and chemotaxis was assessed in human rheumatoid arthritic synovial fibroblastic E11 cells. MS-275 and SAHA significantly suppressed the expression of p38α MAPK, but induced the expression of MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1), an endogenous suppressor of p38α in E11 cells. At the same time, the association between p38α and MKP-1 was up-regulated and consequently, the activation (phosphorylation) of p38α was inhibited. Moreover, MS-275 and SAHA suppressed granulocyte chemotactic protein-2 (GCP-2), monocyte chemotactic protein-2 (MCP-2) and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in E11 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Subsequently, E11-driven migration of THP-1 and U937 monocytes was inhibited. In summary, suppression of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway and chemotaxis appear to be important anti-rheumatic mechanisms of action of these HDAC inhibitors.
Bioactive Quinic Acid Derivatives from Ageratina adenophora
Authors: Zhang Mei , Liu Wan-Xue , Zheng Meng-Fei , Xu Qiao-Lin , Wan Fang-Hao , Wang Jing , Lei Ting , Zhou Zhong-Yu , Tan Jian-Wen
Published: November 2013

A novel quinic acid derivative, 5-O-trans-o-coumaroylquinic acid methyl ester (1), together with three known ones, chlorogenic acid methyl ester (2), macranthoin F (3) and macranthoin G (4), were isolated from the aerial parts of the invasive plant Ageratina adenophora (Spreng.). The structure of new compound 1 was elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, including 1D- and 2D-NMR techniques. Compounds 2–4 were isolated from plant A. adenophora for the first time. All the compounds showed in vitro antibacterial activity toward five assayed bacterial strains, especially 3 and 4, which showed in vitro antibacterial activity against Salmonella enterica with MIC values of 7.4 and 14.7 μM, respectively. Compound 1 was further found to display in vitro anti-fungal activity against spore germination of Magnaporthe grisea with an IC50 value 542.3 µM. These four compounds were also tested for their antioxidant activity against DPPH (1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl) radical.
Polymeric Systems of Antimicrobial Peptides—Strategies and Potential Applications
Authors: Sobczak Marcin , Dębek Cezary , Olędzka Ewa , Kozłowski Ryszard
Published: November 2013

The past decade has seen growing interest in the investigation of peptides with antimicrobial activity (AMPs). One approach utilized in infection control is incorporation of antimicrobial agents conjugated with the polymers. This review presents the recent developments on polymeric AMP carriers and their potential applications in the biomedical and pharmaceutical fields.
Application of Dairy Proteins as Technological and Nutritional Improvers of Calcium-Supplemented Gluten-Free Bread
Authors: Krupa-Kozak Urszula , Bączek Natalia , Rosell Cristina
Published: November 2013

Effect of dairy proteins on gluten-free dough behavior, and nutritional and technological properties of gluten-free bread was evaluated. Experimental doughs, containing dairy powders, showed low consistency. Obtained gluten-free breads were rich in proteins, and, regarding the energy value delivered by proteins, they could be considered as a source of proteins or high in proteins. Applied dairy proteins affected the technological properties of experimental breads causing a significant (p < 0.05) increase of the specific volume, crust darkening, and crumb lightness, depending on the dairy supplementation level, rather than the protein type. Dairy proteins incorporated at a 12% level, significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the hardness; nevertheless, the highest amount of proteins tested led to the opposite effect. These results indicate that milk proteins tested could be successfully added to gluten-free bread with beneficial effects on technological and nutritional properties.
A Production Efficiency Model-Based Method for Satellite Estimates of Corn and Soybean Yields in the Midwestern US
Authors: Xin Qinchuan , Gong Peng , Yu Chaoqing , Yu Le , Broich Mark , Suyker Andrew , Myneni Ranga
Published: November 2013

Remote sensing techniques that provide synoptic and repetitive observations over large geographic areas have become increasingly important in studying the role of agriculture in global carbon cycles. However, it is still challenging to model crop yields based on remotely sensed data due to the variation in radiation use efficiency (RUE) across crop types and the effects of spatial heterogeneity. In this paper, we propose a production efficiency model-based method to estimate corn and soybean yields with MODerate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data by explicitly handling the following two issues: (1) field-measured RUE values for corn and soybean are applied to relatively pure pixels instead of the biome-wide RUE value prescribed in the MODIS vegetation productivity product (MOD17); and (2) contributions to productivity from vegetation other than crops in mixed pixels are deducted at the level of MODIS resolution. Our estimated yields statistically correlate with the national survey data for rainfed counties in the Midwestern US with low errors for both corn (R2 = 0.77; RMSE = 0.89 MT/ha) and soybeans (R2 = 0.66; RMSE = 0.38 MT/ha). Because the proposed algorithm does not require any retrospective analysis that constructs empirical relationships between the reported yields and remotely sensed data, it could monitor crop yields over large areas.
Knowledge-Based Modeling of Buildings in Dense Urban Areas by Combining Airborne LiDAR Data and Aerial Images
Authors: Susaki Junichi
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a knowledge-based algorithm is proposed for automatically generating three-dimensional (3D) building models in dense urban areas by using airborne light detection and ranging (LiDAR) data and aerial images. Automatic 3D building modeling using LiDAR is challenging in dense urban areas, in which houses are typically located close to each other and their heights are similar. This makes it difficult to separate point clouds into individual buildings. A combination of airborne LiDAR and aerial images can be an effective approach to resolve this issue. Information about individual building boundaries, derived by segmentation of images, can be utilized for modeling. However, shadows cast by adjacent buildings cause segmentation errors. The algorithm proposed in this paper uses an improved segmentation algorithm (Susaki, J. 2012.) that functions even for shadowed buildings. In addition, the proposed algorithm uses assumptions about the geometry of building arrangement to calculate normal vectors to candidate roof segments. By considering the segmented regions and the normals, models of four common roof types—gable-roof, hip-roof, flat-roof, and slant-roof buildings—are generated. The proposed algorithm was applied to two areas of Higashiyama ward, Kyoto, Japan, and the modeling was successful even in dense urban areas.
A Multimodal Emotion Detection System during Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Alonso-Martín Fernando , Malfaz María , Sequeira João , Gorostiza Javier , Salichs Miguel
Published: November 2013

In this paper, a multimodal user-emotion detection system for social robots is presented. This system is intended to be used during human–robot interaction, and it is integrated as part of the overall interaction system of the robot: the Robotics Dialog System (RDS). Two modes are used to detect emotions: the voice and face expression analysis. In order to analyze the voice of the user, a new component has been developed: Gender and Emotion Voice Analysis (GEVA), which is written using the Chuck language. For emotion detection in facial expressions, the system, Gender and Emotion Facial Analysis (GEFA), has been also developed. This last system integrates two third-party solutions: Sophisticated High-speed Object Recognition Engine (SHORE) and Computer Expression Recognition Toolbox (CERT). Once these new components (GEVA and GEFA) give their results, a decision rule is applied in order to combine the information given by both of them. The result of this rule, the detected emotion, is integrated into the dialog system through communicative acts. Hence, each communicative act gives, among other things, the detected emotion of the user to the RDS so it can adapt its strategy in order to get a greater satisfaction degree during the human–robot dialog. Each of the new components, GEVA and GEFA, can also be used individually. Moreover, they are integrated with the robotic control platform ROS (Robot Operating System). Several experiments with real users were performed to determine the accuracy of each component and to set the final decision rule. The results obtained from applying this decision rule in these experiments show a high success rate in automatic user emotion recognition, improving the results given by the two information channels (audio and visual) separately.
Data Management for the Internet of Things: Design Primitives and Solution
Authors: Abu-Elkheir Mervat , Hayajneh Mohammad , Ali Najah
Published: November 2013

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a networking paradigm where interconnected, smart objects continuously generate data and transmit it over the Internet. Much of the IoT initiatives are geared towards manufacturing low-cost and energy-efficient hardware for these objects, as well as the communication technologies that provide objects interconnectivity. However, the solutions to manage and utilize the massive volume of data produced by these objects are yet to mature. Traditional database management solutions fall short in satisfying the sophisticated application needs of an IoT network that has a truly global-scale. Current solutions for IoT data management address partial aspects of the IoT environment with special focus on sensor networks. In this paper, we survey the data management solutions that are proposed for IoT or subsystems of the IoT. We highlight the distinctive design primitives that we believe should be addressed in an IoT data management solution, and discuss how they are approached by the proposed solutions. We finally propose a data management framework for IoT that takes into consideration the discussed design elements and acts as a seed to a comprehensive IoT data management solution. The framework we propose adapts a federated, data- and sources-centric approach to link the diverse Things with their abundance of data to the potential applications and services that are envisioned for IoT.
Social Sustainability and Its Indicators through a Disability Studies and an Ability Studies Lens
Authors: Wolbring Gregor , Rybchinski Theresa
Published: November 2013

The present journal recently stated in the call for a special issue on social sustainability, “[t]hough sustainable development is said to rest on ‘three pillars’, one of these—social sustainability—has received significantly less attention than its bio-physical environmental and economic counterparts”. The current issue promises to engage the concepts of “development sustainability”, “bridge sustainability” and “maintenance sustainability” and the tensions between these different aspects of social sustainability. The aim of the present study is to identify the visibility of disabled people in the academic social sustainability literature, to ascertain the impact and promises of social sustainability indicators put forward in the same literature and to engage especially with the concepts of “development sustainability”, “bridge sustainability” and “maintenance sustainability” through disability studies and ability studies lenses. We report that disabled people are barely covered in the academic social sustainability literature; of the 5165 academic articles investigated only 26 had content related to disabled people and social sustainability. We also conclude that social sustainability indicators evident in the 1909 academic articles with the phrase “social sustainability” in the abstract mostly focused on products and did not reflect yet the goals outlined in the “development sustainability” aspect of social sustainability proposed by Vallance such as basic needs, building social capital, justice and so on. We posit that if the focus within the social sustainability discourse shifts more toward the social that an active presence of disabled people in this discourse is essential to disabled people. We showcase the utility of an ability studies lens to further the development and application of the “development sustainability”, “bridge sustainability” and “maintenance sustainability” concepts. We outline how different ability expectations intrinsic to certain schools of thought of how to deal with human-nature relationships (for example anthropocentric versus bio/ecocentric) impact this relationship and “bridge sustainability”. As to “maintenance development”, we posit that no engagement has happened yet with the ability expectation conflicts between able-bodied and disabled people, or for that matter with the ability expectation differences between different able-bodied groups within social sustainability discourses; an analysis essential for the maintenance of development. In general, we argue that there is a need to generate ability expectation conflict maps and ability expectations conflict resolution mechanisms for all sustainable development discourses individually and for ability conflicts between sustainable development discourses.
History Made for Tomorrow: Hakka Tulou
Authors: Yelland Richard
Published: November 2013

The documentary film, History Made for Tomorrow: Hakka Tulou was an October 2010 release by History Channel International. This film is an in-depth study on the green building techniques and sustainable lifestyle of the Hakka people of Southern China with a focus on the ancient Tulou rammed earth structures. The television program follows West Virginia University research professor, Ruifeng Liang, as he initiates scientific studies to back claims that the rammed earth Tulou structures are “the greenest buildings in the world”, and Canadian architect, Jorg Ostrowski, of Autonomous Sustainable Housing Inc., who has been researching the ecological footprint of Hakka communities since August 2007, to promote them as “eco-villages” of best practices for planet Earth’s sustainability. The author is credited as Director, Writer, and Producer of this film. This paper is based on the script of the production.
Newer Gene Editing Technologies toward HIV Gene Therapy
Authors: Manjunath N. , Yi Guohua , Dang Ying , Shankar Premlata
Published: November 2013

Despite the great success of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in ameliorating the course of HIV infection, alternative therapeutic approaches are being pursued because of practical problems associated with life-long therapy. The eradication of HIV in the so-called “Berlin patient” who received a bone marrow transplant from a CCR5-negative donor has rekindled interest in genome engineering strategies to achieve the same effect. Precise gene editing within the cells is now a realistic possibility with recent advances in understanding the DNA repair mechanisms, DNA interaction with transcription factors and bacterial defense mechanisms. Within the past few years, four novel technologies have emerged that can be engineered for recognition of specific DNA target sequences to enable site-specific gene editing: Homing Endonuclease, ZFN, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas9 system. The most recent CRISPR/Cas9 system uses a short stretch of complementary RNA bound to Cas9 nuclease to recognize and cleave target DNA, as opposed to the previous technologies that use DNA binding motifs of either zinc finger proteins or transcription activator-like effector molecules fused to an endonuclease to mediate sequence-specific DNA cleavage. Unlike RNA interference, which requires the continued presence of effector moieties to maintain gene silencing, the newer technologies allow permanent disruption of the targeted gene after a single treatment. Here, we review the applications, limitations and future prospects of novel gene-editing strategies for use as HIV therapy.
Comment les employeurs appréhendent-ils la vie hors travail de leurs salariés ? [Une comparaison entre le modèle français et le modèle anglo-américain]
Authors: Ollier-Malaterre Ariane
Published: November 2013

Une comparaison des pratiques des entreprises en France, en Angleterre et aux États-Unis met à jour la rareté des initiatives des employeurs français eu égard à la vie hors travail de leurs salariés. Au-delà d’une première explication liée au rôle de l’État providence, la comparaison permet d''esquisser deux modèles distincts de gestion du hors-travail par les employeurs : le modèle anglo-américain dans lequel ces pratiques sont formalisées, impulsées par la direction, et inscrites dans une logique économique explicite ; le modèle français, modèle en creux dans lequel la gestion du hors-travail est informelle, diffuse et implicite, car les employeurs ne se sentent pas légitimes sur ce terrain. Les implications de ces différents modèles pour les salariés sont discutées.
Homosexualité et parentalité : du désir d’enfant à sa réalisation
Authors: Desjeux Cyril
Published: November 2013

Le passage du désir d’enfant à la décision d’avoir un enfant s’inscrit dans un processus qui entre dans une dynamique de négociation entre les différents acteurs concernés. Les modalités d’accès à la parentalité se multiplient, laissant place à une pluriparentalité. Dans ce cadre, les parents de même sexe ne seraient pas profondément différents des autres modèles familiaux déjà existants. La question serait moins alors celle de l’orientation sexuelle que celle de la filiation et de la manière dont les normes l’organisent.
Les procédures d’accès au logement social [Cadre légal, organisation, pratiques des acteurs]
Authors: Vanoni Didier
Published: November 2013

Access procedures to social housing. Legal framework, organisation and practice of the parties involved.

This article attempts to describe and analyse the process implemented to enable an applicant household obtain social housing. On the basis of a systematic analysis of the various steps to record the request, then file it in a handling procedure which may result in the award of a unit, the article attempts to highlight the discrepancies, which can be significant, that may arise between the expectations of a system which is predicated by the concept of equity and social efficiency and what actually occurs. Discrepancies are analysed not in terms of breakdowns but as a result of the organisation of a system of awards in ‘ streams’. This mode of operation, which affords a degree of efficiency and fulfils a management rationale, would, if replaced by a rationale focusing more on priorities based on solely social criteria, require many substantial changes in the current system. It would admittedly entail overhauling some rules which provide a framework for award procedures, although above all local stakeholders would have to clarify and share their perception of the role and function they intend to fulfil in social housing as a whole.
La «plebe» en una sociedad de «todos los colores»
Authors: Anrup Roland , Eugenia Chaves María
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- In the urban regions of Guayaquil and Cartagena, strongly marked by the presence of slavery, the castas, slaves and Freedmen (whether coloured men or not), compose the essential of the «plebs» who keep worrying the «decent people». After the independence, the term «people» imposes itself, with a certain ambiguity. If, on one side, it is exalted as the «sovereign people» in the elites' speeches, on the other side, its manifestations of resistance and revolt turn these same people into the heirs of ancient «plebs».
La plèbe ou le peuple ? Buenos Aires, fin XVIIIe-début XIXe siècle
Authors: Bernand Carmen
Published: November 2013

RÉSUMÉ- En 1778 Buenos Aires devient capitale de la vice-royauté du Río de la Plata. La plèbe ou populace y est composée des castas ou gens de couleur — les Noirs représentent 28,4 % de la population à ce moment-là — mais aussi des Espagnols pauvres exerçant des « métiers mécaniques ». Ces « basses classes », plus nombreuses que les « gens décents », sont constamment perçues comme dangereuses et potentiellement séditieuses.
Niñas en cautiverio : Doña Shabi, de Clorinda Caller Iberico
Authors: Rojas Benavente Lady
Published: November 2013

ABSTRACT- This paper on Doña Shabi, Clorinda Caller Iberico's roman, addresses the issues of captivity, racism and violence on Peruvian jungle children by a Creole woman and an Indian, during the first half of the twentieth century. It focuses too on social relationship between identity and otherness, and resilience as a tool to resist abuse.
Student Tourism and Destination Choice: Exploring the Influence of Traditional, New, And Social Media: an Australian Case Study
Authors: Davies Rhianna , Cairncross Grant
Published: November 2013

Greater attention is now being given to the increasing popularity of the Internet as a communication tool, particularly social media and other forms of user-generated content (UGC). Social media websites, representing various forms of UGC, are also specifically gaining considerable
attention from tourists and potential tourists. Now, tourists have the option of seeking information from “new media,” such as the Internet and social media, as well as traditional media, including films, television, books, magazines, and newspapers. Whereas both new and traditional
media will play key roles in influencing the destination choices of tourists, research must also consider the influence of social groups that then translates through word of mouth (WOM). The youth and student travel market is a valuable segment of the overall tourism market, although it is
often dismissed or ignored by tourism operators as youth tourists are wrongly perceived as having little financial value. This is, perhaps, because youth and student tourists are generally perceived as having a low income, and thus little disposable income to contribute towards travel. This
research addresses this lack of attention by examining and exploring the international destination choice influencers of students with regard to peer and social pressure, traditional WOM, online social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter, and other UGC websites. The research used
a qualitative, focus group study strategy. The results found that all 24 university student participants indicated some level of apprehension about the reliability of information found on the Internet and social media in particular, and there were also varying degrees of reluctance to utilize
social media as a credible destination information source. This contradicts previous research suggesting young people such as university students do not generally show concern about the credibility of information found in social media.
Microwave-assisted synthesis of 5,6-dihydroindolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives through copper-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation
Authors: Zhao Fei , Zhang Lei , Liu Hailong , Zhou Shengbin , Liu Hong
Published: November 2013

An efficient and practical protocol has been developed to synthesize 5,6-dihydroindolo[1,2-a]quinoxaline derivatives by CuI-catalyzed intramolecular N-arylation under microwave irradiation. This method rapidly afforded the tetracyclic products with good to excellent yields (83–97%) in short reaction times (45–60 min).
Provider-initiated vs. client-initiated HIV testing in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, 2000-2008
Authors: Duric Predrag , Ilic Svetlana , Rajčević Smiljana
Published: November 2013

Background: This paper describes the changes in Human Immundodeficiency virus (HIV) testing rates in Autonomous Province (AP) Vojvodina, Serbia since 2000 and compares provider-initiated with client-initiated HIV testing. Methodology: Between 2000 and 2008, 66,327 HIV screening tests were reported from AP Vojvodina. During this time HIV testing rates increased from 1.2 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2000, to 7.7 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2008. Results: The results showed an increase in testing as a consequence of increased mandatory testing of surgical patients as well as an upsurge in the use of Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT).  Pregnant women that were tested represented less than 5% of the overall sample population. Conclusion: Public health efforts in AP Vojvodina to increase HIV testing rates lead to a continuous increase in testing rates, but with different limitations. HIV testing in low prevalence middle income countries could be highly affected by procurement difficulties, low motivation of medical professionals to initiate testing, and opportunities for testing limited to large towns and cities.
Seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, and HIV in antenatal women in India
Authors: Mehta Krunal Dineshbhai , Antala Sejul , Mistry Madhulika , Goswami Yogesh
Published: November 2013

Introduction: The epidemiology of viral hepatitis during pregnancy is of paramount importance for health planners and program managers. Data on viral hepatitis during pregnancy are not readily available. This study was conducted to assess the extent of seropositivity of hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, and syphilis in pregnant women and to re-evaluate the need for routine antenatal care screening. Methodology: All samples were tested to detect HBsAg by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Samples were tested to detect anti-HCV by ELISA. Samples were also tested for antibodies to Treponema Pallidum by qualitative rapid plasma reagine (RPR); finally, samples were tested for antibodies to HIV by three different methods as per Strategy III of the National AIDS Control Organization by using different systems of testing to establish a diagnosis of HIV. Results: Seropositivity of hepatitis B was 2.9%, hepatitis C was 0.19%, syphilis was 0.48%, and HIV was 0.38%. Out of the 1038 samples, no co-infection was found between hepatitis B, hepatitis C, syphilis, or HIV. Conclusion: The data from this study can help health professionals to  treat antenatal patients more effectively. The data also reinforces the need for establishing effective prevention programs, which could lead to a reduction in the prevalence of HBV, HCV, syphilis, and HIV
Critical evaluation of antimicrobial use - A Turkish university hospital example
Authors: Hosoglu Salih , Parlak Zafer , Geyik Mehmet Faruk , Palanci Yilmaz
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Antimicrobials are being used unnecessarily for different reasons. The aims of this study were: assessment of the quality of antimicrobial use and determination of the factors related to correct use. Method: Antimicrobial practice at Dicle University Hospital (DUH) was evaluated with a point prevalence approach. Using a standardized data collection form, the patients’ data (clinic, epidemiology, laboratory and antimicrobial use) was collected. Possible influential factors on antimicrobial use were examined. Results: In the surveillance study 1,350 inpatients were evaluated; 461 (34.1%) of them were using antimicrobials for treatment and 187 (13.9%) for prophylaxis. Antimicrobial indication was found in 355 of 461 patients (77.0%), and the number of antimicrobials was 1.8 per patient in the treatment group. The most common reason for antimicrobial use was community-acquired infection (57.9%). Pneumonia (20.4%), skin and soft tissue infections (9.11%) and urinary tract infections (7.9%) were the most common infectious diseases. Positive culture results were available for 39 patients (8.5.0%) when antimicrobial treatment started. All steps of antimicrobial use were found appropriate  in 243 patients (52.7%). In multivariate analyses, clinical manifestation of infection at the beginning (p<0.001), presence of leukocyte counting (p<0.001) and prescription by an infectious disease specialist were found significantly positive factors for wholly appropriate antimicrobial use. Hospitalization with a diagnosis other than infection was found a significantly negative factor for appropriate antimicrobial use (p=0.001). Conclusion: The quality of antimicrobial use could be improved with better clinical and laboratory diagnosis and consultation with infectious diseases specialists
High prevalence of noroviruses among hospitalized diarrheal patients in Bangladesh, 2011
Authors: Nahar Shamsun , Afrad Mokibul Hassan , Begum Noorjahan , Al-Mamun Feroz , Sarker Azadul Kabir , Das Sumon Kumar , Faruque Abu SG , Pourkarim Mahmoud Reza , Choudhuri Mohammad Shabuddin Kabir , Azim Tasnim , Rahman Mustafizur
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Norovirus is not usually investigated in diarrheal patients in Bangladesh which may account for the many cases where no pathogens are identified. Methodology: Stool specimens collected from diarrheal patients from three hospitals in Bangladesh during 2011 were investigated for norovirus RNA using real-time RT-PCR assay with norovirus type specific primers and probes. Results: Of the 257 stool specimens tested, 28.4 % were norovirus positive. GII (71.2%) was the predominant strain followed by GI (20.5%), GI+GII (6.8%) and GIV (1.4%). Half of the norovirus positive stools (n=37) were co-infected with other pathogens. Conclusion: Continued surveillance of norovirus together with other viral and bacterial pathogens in hospitalized gastroenteritis patients as well as in the community will further elucidate the role and burden of different pathogens in diarrheal diseases.