bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome sequencing revealed differences in the response of renal cancer cells to hypoxia and CoCl2 treatment
Authors: Zhigalova Nadezhda , Artemov Artem , Mazur Alexander M. , Prokhortchouk Egor B.
Published: December 2015

Human cancer cells are subjected to hypoxic conditions in many tumours. Hypoxia causes alterations in the glycolytic pathway activation through stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor 1. Currently, two approaches are commonly used to model hypoxia: an alternative to generating low-oxygen conditions in an incubator, cells can be treated with CoCl2. We performed RNA-seq experiments to study transcriptomes of human Caki-1 cells under real hypoxia and after CoCl2 treatment. Despite causing transcriptional changes of a much higher order of magnitude for the genes in the hypoxia regulation pathway, CoCl2 treatment fails to induce alterations in the glycolysis / gluconeogenesis pathway. Moreover, CoCl2 caused aberrant activation of other oxidoreductases in glycine, serine and threonine metabolism pathways.
Computational identification of signaling pathways in protein interaction networks
Authors: Makolo Angela U. , Olagunju Temitayo A.
Published: December 2015

The knowledge of signaling pathways is central to understanding the biological mechanisms of organisms since it has been identified that in eukaryotic organisms, the number of signaling pathways determines the number of ways the organism will react to external stimuli. Signaling pathways are studied using protein interaction networks constructed from protein-protein interaction data obtained from high-throughput experiments. However, these high-throughput methods are known to produce very high rates of false positive and negative interactions. To construct a useful protein interaction network from this noisy data, computational methods are applied to validate the protein-protein interactions. In this study, a computational technique to identify signaling pathways from a protein interaction network constructed using validated protein-protein interaction data was designed.

A weighted interaction graph of Saccharomyces Cerevisiae was constructed. The weights were obtained using a Bayesian probabilistic network to estimate the posterior probability of interaction between two proteins given the gene expression measurement as biological evidence. Only interactions above a threshold were accepted for the network model.

We were able to identify some pathway segments, one of which is a segment of the pathway that signals the start of the process of meiosis in S. Cerevisiae.
Stand by Me—Experiments on Help and Commitment in Coordination Games
Authors: Brandts Jordi , Cooper David J. , Fatas Enrique , Qi Shi
Published: December 2015

We present experiments studying how high-ability individuals use help to foster efficient coordination. After an initial phase that traps groups in a low-productivity equilibrium, incentives to coordinate are increased, making it possible to escape this performance trap. The design varies whether high-ability individuals can offer help and, if so, whether they must commit to help for an extended period. If help is chosen on a round-by-round basis, the probability of escaping the performance trap is slightly reduced by allowing for help. The likelihood of success significantly improves if high-ability individuals must commit to help for an extended time. We develop and estimate a structural model of sophisticated learning that provides an explanation for why commitment is necessary. The key insight is that potential leaders who are overly optimistic about their ability to teach their followers are too fast to eliminate help in the absence of commitment.

Data, as supplemental material, are available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2015.2269 .

This paper was accepted by Teck-Hua Ho, behavioral economics.
Bias and the Commitment to Disclosure
Authors: Heinle Mirko S. , Verrecchia Robert E.
Published: December 2015

This paper studies the propensity of firms to commit to disclose information that is subsequently biased, in the presence of other firms also issuing potentially biased information. An important aspect of such an analysis is the fact that firms can choose whether to disclose or withhold information. We show that allowing the number of disclosed reports to be endogenous introduces a countervailing force to some of the empirical predictions from the prior literature. For example, we find that as more firms issue reports or as the correlation across firms’ cash flows increases, the firm biases its report less. However, when we treat firms’ disclosure choices as endogenous, we show that the number of firms that commit to disclose decreases as the correlation across these cash flows increases, and this, in turn, offsets the direct effect of the correlation on bias.

This paper was accepted by Mary Barth, accounting.
Do Brokers of Insiders Tip Other Clients?
Authors: McNally William J. , Shkilko Andriy , Smith Brian F.
Published: December 2015

We examine trading activity around insider transactions on the Toronto Stock Exchange and find evidence that some traders mimic insider positions. Our unique data set allows us to establish a direct connection between insiders, their brokerages, and the brokerages’ other clients. The findings are consistent with the possibility that some brokerages tip their clients about insider trades. Insiders in our sample have good timing; returns are usually positive (negative) after insider purchases (sales). Insiders’ good timing translates to the mimicking transactions, which appear to be profitable net of trading costs. Evidence consistent with tipping is observed mainly for smaller independent brokerages.

This paper was accepted by Brad Barber, finance.
CROSSROADS—Identifying Viable “Need–Solution Pairs”: Problem Solving Without Problem Formulation
Authors: von Hippel Eric , von Krogh Georg
Published: December 2015

Problem-solving research and formal problem-solving practice begin with the assumption that a problem has been identified or formulated for solving. The problem-solving process then involves a search for a satisfactory or optimal solution to that problem. In contrast, we propose that, in informal problem solving, a need and a solution are often discovered together and tested for viability as a “need–solution pair.” For example, one may serendipitously discover a new solution and assess it to be worth adopting although the “problem” it would address had not previously been in mind as an object of search or even awareness. In such a case, problem identification and formulation, if done at all, come only after the discovery of the need–solution pair.

We propose the identification of need–solution pairs as an approach to problem solving in which problem formulation is not required. We argue that discovery of viable need–solution pairs without problem formulation may have advantages over problem-initiated problem-solving methods under some conditions. First, it removes the often considerable costs associated with problem formulation. Second, it eliminates the constraints on possible solutions that any problem formulation will inevitably apply.
Cyanogenic Content, Aflatoxin Level and Quality of Dried Cassava Chips and Flour Sold in Nairobi and Coastal Regions of Kenya
Authors: Gacheru Patrick , Abong George , Okoth Michael , Lamuka Peter , Shibairo Solomon , Katama Christine
Published: December 2015

Cassava is a staple food for approximately 800 million people in the world. However, it poses food safety risks to the consumers due to naturally occurring cyanogenic glucosides. Thirty six samples of cassava products from Nairobi and Mombasa markets were evaluated for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), aflatoxin, moisture content, and colour. The HCN content was in the range 27.20-42.92 mg/kg and 21.45-37.77 mg/kg in cassava chips; 21.53-64.63 mg/kg and 21.70-70.03 mg/kg in flour from Nairobi and Mombasa respectively. The HCN was significantly different (p≤0.05) among samples in both the dried cassava chips and cassava flour. Aflatoxin levels detected in two flour samples from Nairobi were 6.60 and 8.89 µg/kg respectively, and one sample from Mombasa; 2.84 µg/kg. Moisture content was in the range of 8.62-9.98% and 8.85-11.57% in cassava chips; 8.50- 12.51% and 7.30-11.0% in cassava flour samples from Nairobi and Mombasa, respectively. The L* values were in the range of 83.9-92.0 and 69.0-81.7 and the colour difference from the standard white paper (ΔE*) were in the range of 14.5-22.7 and 25.6-37.1 in cassava chips samples from Nairobi and Mombasa markets respectively indicating dried cassava chips sold in the markets were less white. The L* values for cassava flour was in the range of 95.3-100.0 and 94.7-100.0 with ΔE* of 4.6-9.6 and 0.9-11.5 for Nairobi and Mombasa markets respectively indicating very white flours were sold in the market. These results show that the flour in the market may be of good aesthetic quality but unsafe for consumption. Effect of processing on safety could be evaluated.
Effects of Protein Content in Selected Fish Towards the Production of Lactic Acid Bacteria (lactobacillus spp.) during the Production of Pekasam
Authors: Mahyudin Nor , Ibadullah Wan , Saadin Amar
Published: December 2015

Pekasam is one of Malaysia s famous fermented product. Pekasam fish is usually made from freshwater fish with ground roasted fragrant rice as the main ingredient as the fermentation substrate. Fermented food, especially from fish or seafood requires lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus spp. to aid the fermentation process. Samples were fermented for 30 days based on natural fermentation of pekasam. Protein has a significant effect on the taste, flavor, color and shelf life of the pekasam fish. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of protein content on selected fish in relation to the production of lactic acid bacteria. It showed that the increment of Lactobacillus spp. associated with the higher amount of protein in the fish during the fermentation process. Patin fish showed the highest protein content (27.5%) with the highest increment in Lactobacillus spp. This suggests possible use of Patin fish as a potential source to improve the overall quality of fermented fish product.
Physico Chemical Properties of Whey Protein and Gelatine Biopolymer Using Tea Leaf Extract as Crosslink Materials
Authors: Rahayu Premy , Purwadi Purwadi , Radiati Lilik , Manab Abdul
Published: December 2015

The purpose of this research was to extract tea leaf phenols using Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) method at 3 levels of microwave power (high, medium high and medium) and investigated the influence of physco chemical properties of whey protein and gelatine biopolymer using tea leaf extract as crosslink materials at different concentration (5%, 10% and 15% (v/v)). MAE method gave significantly effect on phenolic content. High level power of MAE gave higher phenolic content of tea leaves extracts. Tea leaves extracts as crosslinked agent of biopolymer gave highly significant effect on the stability of the emulsion, the emulsion activity and foaming power. SDS-PAGE protein profile showed increase molecular weight with the addition of tea leaf extract, it can be presumed presence crosslinked both on whey protein or gelatine.
Evaluating Hazards Posed by Additives in Food: A Review of Studies Adopting a Risk Assessment Approach
Authors: Jain Arushi , Mathur Pulkit
Published: December 2015

Processing and packaging has increased the use of food additives in the food industry. Some of these additives have associated health risks. This review looks at studies on risk assessment of food additives published between 2000-2015. These studies have majorly focused on synthetic food colors and preservatives like benzoate, sorbate, nitrite and nitrate. Most of the studies have shown that the intake was below the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for average consumers. For extreme consumers (95th percentile), intake was found to be above the ADI or approaching ADI for additives like sunset yellow FCF, erythrosine, tartrazine, sulphite, benzoate and nitrite. It is advisable to look at multiple scenarios of dietary exposure while evaluating risk. A surveillance system which documents adverse effects to food additives as well as monitors risk on a regular basis is important for every country to have. Such data would be beneficial to regulatory authorities as well as the industry in fixing usage levels of the additive in an effort to minimize health risk.
Relationship Between Estuarine Shellfish Fauna and Physical Environmental Characteristics for Estuary Conservation in Kyushu, Japan
Authors: Itsukushima Rei , Shimatani Yukihiro
Published: December 2015

The establishment of a conservation strategy or restoration goal for river estuaries requires knowledge of potential biota or possible habitat characteristics. In this study, we investigated the relationship between estuarine fauna and macro scale physical indicators on Kyushu Island, Japan to provide basic information for estuarine conservation. As a result of the classification of shellfish fauna by similarity, the Kyushu region was divided into three groups, namely, 1) southern Kyushu with high wave exposure, long fetch, and low tidal variation; 2) the Ariake and Yatsushiro seas with low wave exposure, short fetch, and high tidal variation; and 3) northern Kyushu with an intermediate fetch and tidal variation. In addition, a number of sites, such as Nakatsu Port, Sone tideland, and the Honmyou River, were classified into geographically different groups. This is because the physical characteristics of these sites were similar to classified groups or shellfish fauna were significantly altered by artificial impacts. As a result of discriminant analysis, the discrimination hit rate of species inhabiting the inner bay or tidal flat was high, whereas that for species using a wide variety of bottom sediment environment was low. To improve the accuracy of the discriminant model, it is necessary to collect more detailed physical information, such as habitat type, salinity concentration, or grain diameter of bottom sediment. To establish a conservation or restoration strategy, there is a need for classifying taxonomic groups or physical characteristics.
Fast Removal of Co2+ and Ni2+ from Aqueous Solution Using Partial Carbonized Nanoporous Resin
Authors: Ghiloufi Imed
Published: December 2015

Partial carbonized nanoporous resin (PCNR-150), based on organic xerogel compounds, was prepared at 150 ºC by sol–gel method from pyrogallol and formaldehyde mixtures in water using perchloric acid as catalyst. The PCNR-150 was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nitrogen porosimetry. The metal uptake characteristics were explored using well-established and effective parameters including pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature. Optimum adsorptions of Co2+ and Ni2+, using PCNR-150 as adsorbent, were observed at pH 5 and 7, respectively. Langmuir model gave a better fit than the other models, and kinetic studies revealed that the adsorption is fast and its data are well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and thermodynamic properties, i.e., ΔGo, ΔHo, and ΔSo, showed that adsorption of Co2+ and Ni2+ onto PCNR-150 was endothermic, spontaneous and feasible in the temperature range of 300–328 K.
Knowledge, Attitudes and Preventive Practices of Dengue Fever among Secondary School Students in Jazan, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Binsaeed A. A , Sahli A. A , Noureldin E. M , Mohammed W. S , Dafalla O. M , Dahlan A , Kasule O. H , Alsheikh A. A
Published: December 2015

Dengue fever (DF) is the most rapidly spreading mosquito-borne viral disease worldwide. Several confirmed dengue cases occurred in Jazan region in the last decade. Current study aims to assess the knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices of dengue fever among students of secondary schools in Jazan, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among students of six secondary schools in Jazan. Multistage stratified random sample method was used and seven hundred forty two (742) were taken as respondents in study. We collected information on the socio-demographic characteristics of the respondents about their knowledge, attitude and practice towards DF using a prestructured and self administered questionnaire. findings illustrate a poor DF knowledge among the secondary school students in Jazan. As to attitudes towards DF prevention and control, the majority of the respondents were having good attitudes and believed that DF could be controlled and prevented (93.2%), DF control is the responsibility of government and community (83.1%) and they themselves have an important role to play in DF prevention (78.5%).The most common practice to prevent mosquito breeding were found to be the disposing of water from breeding containers (85.5%) and covering of water containers (68.6%). A significant association between the practice of DF preventive and control measures and the gender of the respondents was found (P<0.005).The top two common sources of DF knowledge were identified as primary health care centers and television (48.1% and 44.5%, respectively) Low prevalence of sufficient knowledge was evident among secondary school students in Jazan. Government authorities should strengthen its programs on massive educational campaigns to increase awareness and knowledge regarding dengue and preventive measures to reduce mosquito and prevent dengue. Knowledge of dengue epidemiology may be incorporated into the school curriculum.
Assessment of Environmental Behaviour Among the Urban Poor of Panjtirthi Slum, Jammu, India
Authors: Khan Shehnaz , Kumar Arvind , Malaviya Piyush
Published: December 2015

The present study is an attempt to evaluate environmental awareness and attitude among the slum dwellers. Results based upon dwellers responses to various questions on environmental issues revealed that majority of the respondents (76.19%) had score indicating high level of basic environmental awareness. Among the gender groups, significant difference between the basic environmental awareness level among male and female respondents was observed but no significant difference was shown among different educational and age groups. Similarly, majority of respondents showed a high level (86.81%) of environmental attitude.
Monitoring of Noise Levels at Various Sites During Winter Season at Bhindawas Wetland, Haryana, India
Authors: Kumar Sunil , Dhankhar Rajesh
Published: December 2015

Noise pollution has increased over the past century, especially the past few decades, disturbing the integrity of natural ecosystems. Higher noise level not only harms humans, but threatens the birds. It cause reduction of bird’s species, reproductive failure and affect food availability. A comprehensive study on noise level of three pre-selected sites of Bhindawas wetland was carried out during the November 2010 and February 2011. At each site, noise level measurements were made at ten second interval for a period of 60 minutes. Equivalent continuous sound level (Leq) ware ranged between 42.45 dB(A) to 55.66 dB(A) and 42.45 to 55.66 dB(A), respectively during the November 2010 and February 2011. It was observed that the road side site which is near to the canal water inlet to wetland has more noise level (Leq ) than the standard prescribed by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) for a silence zone (50 dB). The higher values of the peak noise levels (L1) was observed during the study period, which could be disturbed the birds and they fly away to the nearest water bodies.
Oak (Quercus Floribunda): A Prominent Indigenous Multipurpose Tree for Carbon Storage and Sequestration Potential
Authors: Pandey K. K , Bhosale T. A , Awasthi A. K , Gupta Garima , Maurya Deepak
Published: December 2015

A dynamic growth model (CO2FIX) has been used for estimating the carbon sequestration potential of Oak (Quercus floribunda), an indigenous multipurpose tree used for timber, fuel wood, fiber and specially fodder in addition to its ability of soil binder. The present study has been carried out in the campus of V.C.S.G. College of Horticulture, U.U.H.F., Bharsar, Pauri Garhwal, Uttarakhand. It is capable of thriving on snow and heavy rainfall condition. CO2FIX was parameterized for a simulation of 100 years respectively. The results indicate that the long term tree biomass accumulated was 120.11 t/ha in above ground and 79.89 t/ha in below ground (Soil Carbon) component respectively at the end of simulation period assuming a tree density of 825t/ha (approximately). The net annual carbon sequestration for Oak over the entire simulation period was 1.9 Mg C ha-1 yr -1 (t/ha/yr). Useful for scientific planning and effective implementation of Forestry and Agroforestry developmental programmes at district level as well as at State level for the development of country. For future research work following are few suggestions for better planning and development of State. This type of study can be taken including other parameters/resources such as different trees, different area, and different state and different country as well.
Removal of BOD5 and COD From Saline Wastewater Using Fixed Bed Column of Aspergillus Oryzae and Halobacillus Dabanensis
Authors: Ghaed Sara , Marandi Reza , Mazhar Flor
Published: December 2015

5-day BOD and COD can be removed by biological aerobic treatment of saline wastewater. In this research, halophilic microorganisms, namely Aspergillus oryzae and Halobacillus dabanensis were isolated from a return sludge basin of a wastewater treatment plant in the City of Bandar Abbas in southern Iran , that contained a Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) of about 7500 mg l-1. These microorganisms (bacteria and fungi) could tolerate 20% concentration of salt (NaCl) in Sabouraud-4% dextrose agar and Sabouraud-2% dextrose broth medium and brain heart (BHI) agar and BHI broth medium. The films of Aspergillus oryzae and Halobacillus dabanensis were formed around the Ca-alginate. These bioflims were introduced to a fixed bed column, on top of which saline wastewater was released with flow rates of 2-6 ml min-1. According to the results of Stover-Kincannon model, the constant values of maximum BOD and COD were estimated at 0.066 mg BOD5 l-1min-1 and 0.1449 mg COD l-1 min-1, respectively. The saturation constant values, at the flow rate of 2ml min-1, by Aspegillus oryzae were 0.00003 mg BOD5 l-1min-1 and 0.00038 mg COD l-1min-1. The removal process in fixed bed column was stopped after 1200 minutes.
Environmental Perspectives of Pond Ecosystems: Global Issues, Services and Indian Scenarios
Authors: Kumar Manoj , Padhy Pratap
Published: December 2015

Ponds are an integral component of the hydrological system; and perform diverse roles in the biosphere. Studies on pond ecosystems are, however, often neglected, probably, due to their little size. There is no doubt that little things perform many important activities in our lives. The literature survey on pond environment studies shows very little investigative works in India; and there is no review publication on pond environment reports. In Europe, pond conservation initiative has, however, resulted in many studies on the subject. In Indian perspectives, when there is a dearth of studies on ponds, it is futile to say that there is any concrete institutional initiative on pond conservation. The 2010-2011 report of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that there are only 60 CPCB pond water quality monitoring stations in the country. In these scenarios, an attempt has been made in this manuscript to compile the reports on pond environment in India. The problems faced by ponds in India, mostly from pollution and encroachment, have been discussed in the text. Based on outcomes of different pond reports, some suggestions have been discussed in the end of the manuscript for an effective pond conservation initiative, and their sustainable management in India.
A Study on Energy Consumption Pattern in Developing Areas of Western Himalayan State
Authors: Kumar Lalit , Aggarwal Rajeev , Baweja Parminder
Published: December 2015

A study was carried out on energy consumption and carbon emission in growth oriented Dharmpur block of Solan district of Himachal Pradesh. The energy consumption pattern revealed that fuelwood consumption contributed highest (80.43%) proportion of total energy mix followed by electricity (11.55%), kerosene (2.87%), dung cake (2.79%), LPG (2.31%) and diesel (0.08%). The daily energy consumption pattern in kg of coal equivalent for fuelwood, electricity, kerosene, dung cake, LPG and diesel was worked to be as 10.09, 1.45, 0.36, 0.35, 0.29 and 0.01, respectively. The per capita annual energy consumption of electricity was estimated to be 160 kWh, kerosene (1.29 liters), dung cake (0.07 tonnes) and fuelwood (0.76 tonnes). Annual CO2 emission from households in Dharmpur block was estimated as 86,603 tonnes out of which 74,275 tonnes (80.64%) was emitted from the fuelwood consumption only. The annual per capita energy consumption from all sources for Dharmpur block was estimated to be 12.5 tonnes of coal equivalent. The per capita CO2 emission from different energy sources in Dharmpur block was 1.1 tonnes.
Fuel Property of Biodiesel Made from Microalgae (Chlorella Sp.)
Authors: Kelaiya S. V , Chauhan P. M , Akbari S. H
Published: December 2015

Microalgae chlorella is an organism capable of photosynthesis that is less than 2mm in diameter. The biodiesel extracted from algae using chloroform/methanol extraction solvent system then undergone three different transesterification processes based on three different catalysts viz. Alkali catalyst, Acid catalyst and Enzymatic catalyst with two temperature (50°C and 60 °C) and with 1:5 methanol to bio-oil ratio. After transesterification using different catalysts, the fuel properties were measured. All the properties were compared with standard value of ASTM D 6751 standards. Alkali catalyst yield highest biodiesel (92 %) at 60 °C temperature. Also, the closest value of different fuel properties found at par with standard value of ASTM D 6751 standards viz. moisture content, carbon residue, calorific value, specific gravity, acid value, flash point, viscosity, density, viscosity were found to be 0.01%, 0.04%, 40.41 MJ/kg, 0.83, 0.23 mg KOH/g, 143.67 °C, 5.16 mm2/s, 0.83 g/cm3 respectively in the biodiesel which was yield by transesterification done using Alkali catalyst (0.56 % NaOH) at 60 °C temperature.
Rainfall Stability and Drought Valuation (Using Spi) Over Southern Zone of Tamil Nadu
Authors: Ramaraj A.P , Kokilavani S , Manikandan N , Arthirani B , Rajalakshmi D
Published: December 2015

Drought is the most extensive hydro-meteorological pattern of prolonged period of water scarcity affecting natural resources and environment. However, it has significantly different characteristics from one region to another. Tamil Nadu agonizes from various disasters including droughts. Generally rainfall deviation from the long-term mean continues to be a widely adopted indicator for drought intensity assessment. The application of this indicator is strongly limited by its inherent nature of its dependence on mean. Thus a standardized procedure that overcomes these limitations becomes a basic need. Moreover stability of rainfall in recent years has been erratic and hence to understand the stability of rainfall over years Precipitation Ratio (PR) was used. Further to understand the drought climatology of southern zone of Tamil Nadu, Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) was used. PR was studied for three decades (1981-2010) covering seven locations. In most of the locations the rainfall was stable during 1981-90 and thereafter a gradual decline in stability was noticed confirming the weather extremes in the recent decade. SPI had an annual range from +2.69 to -4.94 while Monsoon period had +2.41 to -3.43 and +2.69 to -3.14 respectively for Southwest and Northeast monsoon seasons. As per SPI index, Southern zone is prone to moderate drought followed by severe and extreme drought category. Among the periods studied (Annual, SWM and NEM) number of moderate drought occurrences had no much variation while in severe and extreme drought category, variations could be observed. In particular, during NEM period there was almost no occurrence of extreme drought.
Effect and Accumulation of Lanthanum on the Growth and Physiological Activities of Cymbopogon Flexuosus (Nees Ex Steud.)W.Watson
Authors: Basu Aradhana , Panda Swati , Dhal Nabin
Published: December 2015

The rare earth elements are a set of seventeen chemical elements which involve the lanthanide series from Lanthanum (La), Tolutetium (Lu), Scandium (Sc), and Yttrium (Y) in the periodic table. Even if Rare Earth Elements are used widely in industry and agriculture in China as well as India for a long time, there has been increasing interest in the application of REEs to plants in recent years. In this paper, we discussed the effect of REE on growth and physiological activities of the plant. By compilation and investigation of these data, we found that REEs have promoting impact at certain concentration. An increase in Chlorophyll, enzymes and protein content further indicated the stimulating effect of La on physiological activities of the selected plants. Depending on the results of this preliminary investigation we can say that a new REE hyperaccumulator, Cymbopogon flexuosus (Lemon grass), was discovered which could accumulate Lanthanum is 20.725 mg g-1 and 25.625 mg g-1 dry mass in root and shoot part respectively under natural growth conditions. Advanced research should be invested regarding the impacts of REEs on yields of cultivated plants.
Effect of a Nitrogen-Fixing Actinorhizal Shrub on Herbaceous Vegetation in a Mixed Conifer Forest of Central Himalaya
Authors: Bargali Kiran , Maurya Nidhi , Bargali S. S
Published: December 2015

In this study, we examined the effect of a nitrogen-fixing shrub Coriaria nepalensis Wall on herb species composition, diversity and biomass. The effect was measured in terms of species richness, diversity and biomass of herb species in three sites varying in Coriaria density viz. site 1 (low Coriaria density; 20 ha-1), site-2 (medium Coriaria density; 120 ha-1) and site-3 (high Coriaria density 190 ha-1). Species richness was minimum at Site-1 (16 species), and maximum at site-2 (27 species). G. aparine dominated site-1 and Arthraxon sp dominated site-2 and 3. The individual herb density ranged between 0.40 - 42.40 m-2, and total herb density ranged between 138- 170.4 m-2 and was maximum at site-2. Value for species richness (27) and Shannon Index (3.72) was highest for medium Coriaria density site and lowest for low Coriaria density site. Simpson Index ranged between 0.11 and 0.14 and was lowest for site-2(medium Coriaria density) indicating that at this the dominance was shared by many species. Along the gradient of Coriaria density, maximum biomass was recorded at site-3 with highest Coriaria density and lowest at site-2 with medium Coriaria density. This may be due to the symbiotic nitrogen fixing ability of Coriaria that improve the habitat quality. The facilitative effect of C. nepalensis in terms of soil amelioration and herb growth can be used to regenerate degraded forest ecosystems.
Groundwater Resources as Influenced by Climatic Change in Shetrunji basin of Gujarat State, India
Authors: Paradava D. M , Rank H. D
Published: December 2015

The estimation of climatic alteration influencing on groundwater recharge will help to prepare a future plan for groundwater development and management planning for the basin. It will also be helpful for agriculture as well as other resource planning. The required shift in cropping pattern can also be judged. The study was undertaken for Shetrunji river basin having an area of 5646.98 km2. The entire area was found consisting of 17 watersheds. The climate change impact on Rainfall, Runoff and estimated groundwater recharge by 3 different methods were assessed. The groundwater recharge varied from 3.11% to 49.28%, 0% to 15.34% and 0.72% to 14.62% of rainfall by water balance, Krishna Rao (1970) and water table variation respectively. The climate change impacts favors to increase the rainfall significantly in 6 out of 17 watersheds while the runoff is found increasing in 5 out of 17 watersheds of the basin. The rainfall and runoff was influenced by the climate change in Northern part of upper reach and southernmost part of middle reach of basin. The area weighted rainfall of the Shetrunji river basin was found increasing significantly. The areal mean depth of monsoon runoff for entire Shetrunji basin was increasing significantly at the rate of 17.7 mm per decade. The groundwater recharge assessed by water balance method was found higher as compared to Krishna Rao (1970) and water level fluctuation method. The groundwater recharge expected by water balance, Krishna Rao (1970) and water level fluctuation methods is found to be enlarged in 13, 9 and 6 watersheds out of 17 watershed of the basin. The areal mean depth of groundwater recharge in Shetrunji basin during monsoon season in water level fluctuation method was found increasing significantly at the rate of 13.01 mm per decade due to climate change impacts.
Seasonal Variation in Ph and Alkalinity of Groundwaters in Sidhi District, Central India
Authors: Naaz Asmaa , Anshumali Anshumali
Published: December 2015

A study of pH and alkalinity in thirty-nine groundwater locations in the semi-arid region of Central India was carried out with the objective of monitoring and controlling the groundwater pollution seasonally. The study area was Sidhi district bounded by Son river in North, Gopad river in the east, Banas river in the west and Kusmi forest in the south. Geologically, the entire Sidhi district is dissected into Vindhyan, Archean, Dharwar and Permian regions. The study revealed higher alkalinity in the area ranging beyond the standard permissible limit while pH of all locations was well within the permissible limits (8.5). Increased pH and alkalinity were reported in the monsoon. The prevailing hydrochemical processes are water-rock interaction, seepage, percolation and leaching in the Sidhi district.
Investigation of Impacts of Mining and Transportation Activities on Ambient Air Quality of Dhanbad City
Authors: Jena Sridevi , Perwez Atahar , Singh Gurdeep , Dubey Ashok
Published: December 2015

The present study was intended to emphasize the assessment of ambient air quality of Dhanbad city with respect to PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOX concentrations, in order to investigate the impact of mining and transportation activities. From the monitoring and analysis at four selected monitoring stations during winter and summer seasons, significant spatial variation in pollutant (PM10, PM2.5, SO2 and NOX) concentrations is quite evident. The concentrations of PM10 were observed highest in mining area (at Dhansar PS; 291 µg/m3), whereas the PM2.5 the concentrations were observed higher along traffic routes (especially, at Bank More; 218 µg/m3). Higher concentratios of PM10 in mining area indicates the substantial impact of dust emanated from mining and associated activities on air quality. Whereas, the higher PM2.5 concentration along the transportation routes shows the influence of transportation activities on the airshed of the area. The significant seasonal variation in pollution levels is also apparent, as the concentrations of every pollutant were observed higher during the winter, than the summer season, at all sites. The mean concentration levels of PM10 and PM2.5 were observed 267 µg/m3, 173 µg/m3 and 234 µg/m3, 108 µg/m3 during winter and summer seasons, respectively. From the calculated values of air quality index, it is evident that Dhansar PS and Bank More are most polluted sites and PM10 is the most alarming pollutant in the area under investigation.
Green Banking for Environmental Management: A Paradigm Shift
Authors: Tara Kanak , Singh Saumya , Kumar Ritesh
Published: December 2015

The present era of industrialization and globalization has added a lot of comfort and luxury to human life but has also lead to an alarming situation of huge environmental degradation incorporated with all the involved activities. Today, the entire sector in the world economy is facing huge challenge to deal with the environmental problems and their related impacts in their day to day businesses. Not only the business firms have realized the importance of the environment but more than that an immense awareness is seen among the consumers and general public for the same. Due to all these reasons the business organizations have started modifying their activities and strategies so as to ensure protection to our natural resources and environment. In this context the financial sector and especially the banks can play an important role in promoting environmental sustainability. Sustainability is one of the most important factors driving the strategy making process of the business fraternity. Though we have realized very late that any development needs to be sustainable and equitable but the positivity lies in the fact that currently there has been an increasing concern for sustainable development among all the sectors in the economy including the financial sector. In financial sector, the various services that have adopted green business are banks, stock brokerage companies, credit card companies and also the companies of consumer finance. The concern for environmental sustainability has given mass recognition to the concept of corporate social responsibility. The potential benefits of the concept has gained the interest of the regulatory authorities, society, NGOs, employees, customers as well as the international bodies to the issue. In this regard, this concern for environmental sustainability by the banks has given rise to concept of Green Banking. In an emerging economy like India, environmental management needs to be the key focus area of the business fraternity and especially the banking industry being the major intermediary. This would help the firms in the emerging economies utilize their limited resources in an optimum way without harming the natural environment and face the global challenge of sustainability in successful manner. In the present paper green banking and sustainability has been discussed in detail. The paper also highlights on the stages, initiatives, benefits and future of green banking in Indian context. Some case studies in Indian context are also being discussed here in order to understand the importance of green banking in the present times. The paper also discusses about the various organizations and laws and guidelines for environmental conservation and sustainability and Green Banking.
Geomorphosites and Geotourism in the Kavir National Park (Central Iran)
Authors: Yazdi Abdollah , Foudazi Mohammad , Dabiri Rahim , Faraji Farbod
Published: December 2015

Geotourism and geomorphotourism are considered the most important sub-categories of tourism industry in recent years, and their systematic development based on the principles of proper planning and creating required infrastructure ­ can have a direct impact on sustainable development of every country. With regard to the climate and tectonic conditions, Iran has the most versatile landforms and ­exquisite geological phenomena that can attract many geoscientists as well as adventurous tourists. The purpose of this article is introducing Kavir national park (Maranjab Desert) geomorphosites, and exploring ways to develop geotourism in this area. Geomorphotourism is tourism with emphasis on visiting geomorphologic phenomena and landscapes. At the same time, the integration of historic and cultural heritage, as well as ecological attractions, highlight its importance and further increases its impact on development. The results of the studies show that Kavir national park area is among the most capable regions for sustainable tourism development, because it is one of the most accessible desert areas of Iran, it also has a moderate temperature, geological and tourism attraction diversity, diversity of wilderness and vegetation species, outstanding desert landscape, along with cultural and historic attractions. The region takes advantage of landscapes such as saif (seif) dunes, barchan dunes, ripple marks, ­desert pavements, sand dunes, nebkhas, salt lakes, salt polygons, inflated and puffy salt surfaces, Sargardan Island (Wandering Island) and so on. Kavir national park has a lot of potential for carrying out further studies and the impact on economic development and operation at national and international levels. This article seeks to introduce mentioned potentials in Kavir national park region.
Policy spotlight
Authors: Wrigley Catherine
Published: December 2015

This regular feature aims to provide key political news in relation to dentistry and an update of the Faculty’s policy activities. You can find out more in the policy and public affairs section on the FDS website.
Ion Mobility in Clinical Analysis: Current Progress and Future Perspectives
Authors: Chouinard Christopher D , Wei Michael S , Beekman Christopher R , Kemperman Robin H J , Yost Richard A
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) is a rapid separation tool that can be coupled with several sampling/ionization methods, other separation techniques (e.g., chromatography), and various detectors (e.g., mass spectrometry). This technique has become increasingly used in the last 2 decades for applications ranging from illicit drug and chemical warfare agent detection to structural characterization of biological macromolecules such as proteins. Because of its rapid speed of analysis, IMS has recently been investigated for its potential use in clinical laboratories.

CONTENT

This review article first provides a brief introduction to ion mobility operating principles and instrumentation. Several current applications will then be detailed, including investigation of rapid ambient sampling from exhaled breath and other volatile compounds and mass spectrometric imaging for localization of target compounds. Additionally, current ion mobility research in relevant fields (i.e., metabolomics) will be discussed as it pertains to potential future application in clinical settings.

This review article provides the authors' perspective on the future of ion mobility implementation in the clinical setting, with a focus on ambient sampling methods that allow IMS to be used as a “bedside” standalone technique for rapid disease screening and methods for improving the analysis of complex biological samples such as blood plasma and urine.
LC-MS/MS for Identifying Patients with CYP24A1 Mutations
Authors: Ketha Hemamalini , Kumar Rajiv , Singh Ravinder J
Published: December 2015

BACKGROUND

Patients have been described with loss-of-function CYP24A1 (cytochrome P450, family 24, subfamily A, polypeptide 1) mutations that cause a high ratio of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D], increased serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, and resulting hypercalcemia, hypercalciuria and nephrolithiasis. A 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D ratio that can identify patients who are candidates for confirmatory CYP24A1 genetic testing would be valuable. We validated an LC-MS/MS assay for 24,25(OH)2D (D3 and D2) and determined a 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D cutoff to identify candidates for confirmatory genetic testing.

METHODS

After addition of isotope-labeled internal standard, serum samples were extracted by solid-phase extraction, derivatized with 4-phenyl-1,2,4,-triazoline-3,5-dione, and quantified by LC-MS/MS. We measured 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D in 91 healthy patients and 34 patients with clinically suspected CYP24A1-mediated hypercalcemia.

RESULTS

The limits of detection and quantification were 0.03 (0.2) and 0.1 (0.24) nmol/L, respectively, for 24,25(OH)2D3, and 0.1 (0.23) and 0.5 (1.16) nmol/L for 24,25(OH)2D2. Intra- and interassay imprecision was 4%–15% across the analytical measurement range of 0.1–25 ng/mL (0.2–60 nmol/L). No interference was observed with 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D. 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D of 7–35 was observed in healthy patients, whereas in 2 patients with CYP24A1 mutations, 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D was significantly increased (99–467; P < 0.001). A 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D ratio ≥99 identified patients who were candidates for CYP24A1 genetic testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D supports the diagnosis of reduced CYP24A1 activity due to mutations in CYP24A1. Measurement of 25(OH)D/24,25(OH)2D should be considered a part of the clinical workup in patients with hypercalcemia of otherwise unknown etiology.
Analysis of communication executives and managers in Spain: Socio-demographic, organizational and attitudinal characteristics from a gender perspective
Authors: Martín Llaguno Marta , Miquel Segarra Susana , Navarro-Beltrá Marián
Published: December 2015

The organizational and attitudinal characteristics of the communications workforce have recently become the subject of an emergent research field in Spain. To date, no studies have been conducted on organization and work processes in the field of corporate communications and public relations, an area that has experienced tremendous growth in recent decades. This article is a socio-psychological analysis of these professionals, from a gender perspective. An online survey, based on a nationwide sample of 190 professionals belonging to the Spanish Association of Communications Executives and Managers (DIRCOM), was conducted from May to September 2014. With low levels of burnout and high levels of engagement, communications executives and managers have a positive opinion of the sector and of their quality of life. Unlike other areas of communications, sex-based horizontal segregation was not detected. However, as in advertising and journalism, vertical segregation was observed.
The profile of public relations as a key to success for digital communication in tourist destinations
Authors: Paniagua Francisco Javier , Rabassa Noemí , Setó Dolors
Published: December 2015

The aim of the present work is to examine the profile of the people who manage digital communication in the main Spanish tourist destinations, and ascertain how they plan the strategy and their presence in the major social media. The research stems from the assumption that most of them have received training in the field of communication and public relations, although a need is perceived to expand their training towards other areas to enable better management of the social media. This communication, based on the study of the case of tourist destinations in different Spanish autonomous communities, is supported by both the quantitative and qualitative method, as a survey is conducted among managers of social networks in the chosen destinations and in an interview held with the communication officers in order to identify their role in the structure of the department, their functions and training needs.
Alternative geohistories of global cities in Salman Rushdie’s novels
Authors: Roy Madhumita , Roy Anjali Gera
Published: December 2015

Saskia Sassen posits the ‘global city’ as the centre of the late twentieth-century and twenty-first-century global agglomeration economy. This article considers that the cities depicted in Salman Rushdie’s novels offer an alternative geohistory of global cities. Rushdie traces the impulse of urban agglomeration to the earliest moments of city formation. He also emphasizes the cities of the global south and the alternate linkages they forged with the world. Edward Soja’s concept of ‘synekism’ is effective in explaining the different trajectory of the formation of the global cities in Rushdie’s novels. Particularly, taking a cue from Soja, this article aims to explore how the different moments of urban agglomeration in Rushdie’s novels reflect a contestation of the matriarchal, nomadic energies and paternalistic, statist, institutionalizing impulses, also evident in a renewed form in the formation of the postmodern global cities.