bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effects of Human Beta-Defensins on Skin Cells in vitro
Authors: van Kilsdonk Jeroen W.J. , Jansen Patrick A.M. , van den Bogaard Ellen H. , Bos Charlotte , Bergers Mieke , Zeeuwen Patrick L.J.M. , Schalkwijk Joost
Published: July 2017

Background: Defensins are antimicrobial peptides that exert immunomodulatory and chemotactic functions. Based on these properties and their high expression levels in the skin, they are likely to affect skin inflammation, infection, and wound healing. This may lead to therapeutic applications in (burn) wound healing. Objective: We aimed to investigate the effects of human β-defensins (hBDs) on keratinocytes and fibroblasts, 2 major skin cell types involved in skin regeneration. Methods: Monolayer keratinocyte and fibroblast cultures were exposed to recombinant hBDs, and we overexpressed hBD2 and hBD3 in keratinocytes of reconstructed epidermal equivalents by lentiviral transduction. The effects were measured by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time PCR, and migration assays. Kinome analyses were performed on cultured keratinocytes to investigate the signal transduction events elicited by hBD stimulation. Results: We found that hBD3 induced the expression of cytokines and chemokines in keratinocytes, which was not observed in fibroblasts. hBD2, however, stimulated cell migration only in fibroblasts, which was not found for hBD3. Both defensins are likely to exert receptor-mediated effects in keratinocytes, as witnessed by changes in protein kinase activation following stimulation by hBD2 and hBD3. Kinome analysis suggested that protein kinase C activation was a common event for both defensins. We observed, however, considerable differences in keratinocyte responses between stimulation by exogenous recombinant defensins and endogenous defensins expressed following lentiviral transduction. Conclusion: Defensins exert modest biological effects on skin cells that are potentially beneficial in wound healing, but many questions regarding the biological mechanisms of action and relevance for the in vivo situation are still remaining.
Optimal Medical Management Reduces Risk of Disease Progression and Ischemic Events in Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis Patients: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study
Authors: Shah Zubair , Masoomi Reza , Thapa Rashmi , Wani Mashhood , Chen John , Dawn Buddhadeb , Rymer Marilyn , Gupta Kamal
Published: July 2017

Background and Purpose: To assess the effect of optimal medical management including atherosclerotic risk factor control on ischemic stroke (IS), transient ischemic attack (TIA), carotid revascularization (CRV), and progression of severity of carotid stenosis (PSCS) in patients with asymptomatic carotid artery stenosis (ACAS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with ACAS (who had at least 3 serial carotid duplex ultrasounds) for incidence of IS, TIA, and PSCS. Results: Eight hundred sixty-four patients with a mean follow-up duration of 79 ± 36 months were included. IS/TIA and CRV occurred in 12.2% of the patients and PCSS was observed in 21.5% vessels. On univariate analysis it was found that low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels >100 mg/dL, no statin or low-potency statins, average systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140 mm Hg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90 mm Hg and history of smoking were predictors of the combined endpoint of IS/TIA/CRV and PSCS. On multivariate analysis, it was found that LDL >100 mg/dL, no statin or low-potency statin, SBP ≥140 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥90 mm Hg, and Hx of smoking were independent predictors of PSCS. Similarly no statin or low-potency statin, SBP ≥140 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥90 mm Hg, Hx of atrial fibrillation/flutter, Hx of chronic kidney disease, and PSCS were independent predictors of IS/TIA. No statin or low-potency statin, SBP ≥140 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥90 mm Hg, diabetes mellitus, baseline carotid artery stenosis ≥70%, and PSCS were found to be independent predictors of combined endpoint IS/TIA and CRV. Conclusion: Intensive medical therapy in the patients with ACAS results in lower incidence of IS/TIA, CRV, and PSCS with a significant incremental beneficial effect.
Photoacoustic Imaging: A Novel Tool for Detecting Carotid Artery Thrombosis in Mice
Authors: Li Bing , Fu Cong , Ma Genshan , Fan Quli , Yao Yuyu
Published: July 2017

Thrombosis is a main cause of acute cardiovascular events, and detecting thrombi in small arteries via noninvasive imaging remains challenging. In this study, we employed a novel imaging method, photoacoustic imaging (PAI), to study thrombosis in a mouse model of ferric chloride (FeCl3)-induced arterial thrombosis and compared the ability of this method to detect thrombosis with that of a conventional imaging method, namely, ultrasound. The mice (n = 20) were divided equally into the following 4 groups: (1) a normal group, and (2) 3 experimental groups, in which the left common carotid artery was treated with 20% FeCl3 for 1, 3, or 5 min, respectively. After 24 h, PAI detected thrombi of different sizes and generated images, enabling us to assess the changes in structure. The results of this study suggest that PAI is a useful, noninvasive visualization tool for investigating the mechanism underlying thrombosis development and is suitable for imaging arterial thrombosis in mouse carotid arteries.
Decifra-me ou me devoras: um paladar tagarela em "Sob o sol-jaguar", de Italo Calvino
Authors: Velloso Laís Mendes
Published: July 2017

Os estudos acerca da presença e dos efeitos da comida têm contribuído de maneira considerável e pluralizada acerca da tematização que abrange as questões do corpo, da fome, da memória, da tradição e da experiência à mesa em diferenciados momentos da literatura. Considerando o conto sobre o paladar presente na obra póstuma de Italo Calvino, Sob o sol-jaguar (1986), este trabalho pretende cotejar o jogo entre fala e escuta que é traçado entre os protagonistas da narrativa, a partir da relação estabelecida pela presença da comida no conto. Por meio da linguagem metafórica alimentar, o narrador reelabora circunstâncias de proximidade e afastamento nas quais a comida é canal de afetos, partilha, desatadora de conflitos e da ausência de comunicação entre os personagens.
A economia alimentar do corpo e da alma: ensaio sobre o romance O seminarista
Authors: Hernandes Gabriel Queiroz Guimarães
Published: July 2017

O presente ensaio busca compreender como, em O seminarista, de Bernardo Guimarães, o romance opera uma espécie de economia alimentar, expressão cunhada nesse texto com fins didáticos, sobre a paixão religiosa e mundana do protagonista. Nesse artigo, busca-se compreender, a partir dessa metáfora com a alimentação, como o diretor, os professores e os pais de Eugênio buscavam influir na conduta do rapaz de modo a enfraquecer o seu amor, indesejado por eles, por Margarida, filha da agregada da fazenda de seus pais e, na contrapartida, como buscam fortalecer o amor do garoto pela religião.
As guloseimas canibais de Bataille
Authors: Campos Raquel
Published: July 2017

O livro de Georges Bataille, História do olho, transgride, por meio de seu conteúdo, a calmaria, o tédio e o automatismo do cotidiano, com sua falta de ousadia e prazer. Além disso, a própria estrutura do romance é extremamente poética, o que o coloca no limite entre os dois gêneros, como escreveu Roland Barthes, transgredindo, por sua vez, a forma com que os romances são habitualmente escritos. Outras transgressões se solidificam por conta do comportamento do narrador e da adolescente Simone, que rompem com as barreiras impostas por autoridades ou pudores sociais. A relação entre ovo e olho é significativa no decorrer do livro e os dois passam a se misturar, numa afinidade simbiótica. A similaridade sonora que possuem se transforma em uma similaridade semântica. Com isso, os usos e as funções entre os dois objetos também se alternam: uma parte do corpo humano pode ocupar o lugar de um alimento e vice-versa. Os limites entre ver e comer também são forçados. O presente artigo analisará as relações estabelecidas entre o alimento, representado no livro pelo ovo, os prazeres do corpo e a linguagem poética e transgressora do livro.
Ubiquinol Effects on Antiphospholipid Syndrome Prothrombotic Profile
Authors: Pérez-Sánchez Carlos , Aguirre María Ángeles , Ruiz-Limón Patricia , Ábalos-Aguilera María Carmen , Jiménez-Gómez Yolanda , Arias-de la Rosa Iván , Rodriguez-Ariza Antonio , Fernández-del Río Lucía , González-Reyes José Antonio , Segui Pedro , Collantes-Estévez Eduardo , Barbarroja Nuria , Velasco Francisco , Sciascia Savino , Cecchi Irene , Cuadrado María José , Villalba José Manuel , López-Pedrera Chary
Published: July 2017

Objective—

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) leukocytes exhibit an oxidative perturbation, directly linked to alterations in mitochondrial dynamics and metabolism. This disturbance is related to the patients’ prothrombotic status and can be prevented by in vitro treatment with coenzyme Q10. Our aim was to investigate short-term effects of in vivo ubiquinol (reduced coenzyme Q
10
[Q
red
]) supplementation on markers related to inflammation and thrombosis in APS through a prospective, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled trial.

Approach and Results—

Thirty-six patients with APS were randomized to receive Q
red
(200 mg/d) or placebo for 1 month. Thirty-three patients with APS completed the intervention, which increased plasma coenzyme Q
10
. Q
red
improved endothelial function and decreased monocyte expression of prothrombotic and proinflammatory mediators, inhibited phosphorylation of thrombosis-related protein kinases, and decreased peroxides and percentage of monocytes with depolarized mitochondria; mitochondrial size was increased, and mitochondrial biogenesis–related genes were upregulated. Q
red
ameliorated extruded neutrophil extracellular traps in neutrophils and downregulated peroxides, intracellular elastase, and myeloperoxidase. Nanostring microRNA profiling revealed 20 microRNAs reduced in APS monocytes, and 16 of them, with a preponderance of cardiovascular disease–related target mRNAs, were upregulated. Monocytes gene profiling showed differential expression of 29 atherosclerosis-related genes, 23 of them changed by Q
red
. Interaction networks of genes and microRNAs were identified. Correlation studies demonstrated co-ordinated effects of Q
red
on thrombosis and endothelial function–associated molecules.

Conclusions—

Our results highlight the potential of Q
red
to modulate the overexpression of inflammatory and thrombotic risk markers in APS. Because of the absence of clinically significant side effects and its potential therapeutic benefits, Q
red
might act as safe adjunct to standard therapies in APS.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT02218476
Sirt3 Impairment and SOD2 Hyperacetylation in Vascular Oxidative Stress and Hypertension
Authors: Dikalova Anna E. , Itani Hana A. , Nazarewicz Rafal R. , McMaster William G. , Flynn Charles R. , Uzhachenko Roman , Fessel Joshua P. , Gamboa Jorge L. , Harrison David G. , Dikalov Sergey I.
Published: July 2017

Rationale:

Clinical studies have shown that Sirt3 (Sirtuin 3) expression declines by 40% by 65 years of age paralleling the increased incidence of hypertension and metabolic conditions further inactivate Sirt3 because of increased NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, reduced form) and acetyl-CoA levels. Sirt3 impairment reduces the activity of a key mitochondrial antioxidant enzyme, superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) because of hyperacetylation.

Objective:

In this study, we examined whether the loss of Sirt3 activity increases vascular oxidative stress because of SOD2 hyperacetylation and promotes endothelial dysfunction and hypertension.

Methods and Results:

Hypertension was markedly increased in Sirt3-knockout (Sirt3
−/
−
) and SOD2-depleted (SOD2
+/
−
) mice in response to low dose of angiotensin II (0.3 mg/kg per day) compared with wild-type C57Bl/6J mice. Sirt3 depletion increased SOD2 acetylation, elevated mitochondrial O
2
· –
, and diminished endothelial nitric oxide. Angiotensin II-induced hypertension was associated with Sirt3 S-glutathionylation, acetylation of vascular SOD2, and reduced SOD2 activity. Scavenging of mitochondrial H
2
O
2
in mCAT mice expressing mitochondria-targeted catalase prevented Sirt3 and SOD2 impairment and attenuated hypertension. Treatment of mice after onset of hypertension with a mitochondria-targeted H
2
O
2
scavenger, mitochondria-targeted hydrogen peroxide scavenger ebselen, reduced Sirt3 S-glutathionylation, diminished SOD2 acetylation, and reduced blood pressure in wild-type but not in Sirt3
−/−
mice, whereas an SOD2 mimetic, (2-[2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl-4-ylamino]-2-oxoethyl) triphenylphosphonium (mitoTEMPO), reduced blood pressure and improved vasorelaxation both in Sirt3
−/−
and wild-type mice. SOD2 acetylation had an inverse correlation with SOD2 activity and a direct correlation with the severity of hypertension. Analysis of human subjects with essential hypertension showed 2.6-fold increase in SOD2 acetylation and 1.4-fold decrease in Sirt3 levels, whereas SOD2 expression was not affected.

Conclusions:

Our data suggest that diminished Sirt3 expression and redox inactivation of Sirt3 lead to SOD2 inactivation and contributes to the pathogenesis of hypertension.
Micropezidae (Insecta, Diptera, Acalyptratae) of Madagascar and a revision of the genus Paramimegralla Hennig
Authors: MARSHALL STEPHEN A.
Published: July 2017

The Micropezidae of Madagascar are reviewed, and the endemic genus Paramimegralla Hennig is revised. Twenty species are recognized including two Hybobata species and 18 Paramimegralla species, of which 12 are described as new (P. luteoscapus, brunnea, zinzala, zarpa, verticalis, taeniola, sulcata, campanula, anchivitta, quadrifasciata and longicephala). Stiltissima Barraclough is synonymized with Paramimegralla Hennig and previous records of Rainieria Rondani from the island are shown to be incorrect. Paramimegralla steineri (Barraclough) and Paramimegralla volcanica (Barraclough) are given as new combinations, Paramimegralla stuckenbergi Barraclough is synonymized with P. nigra Barraclough, and Hybobata Enderlein is resurrected from synonymy with Mimegralla Rondani. All known Malagasy micropezid species are keyed and illustrated and all Paramimegralla species are described or redescribed.
Performance of CMIP3 and CMIP5 GCMs to Simulate Observed Rainfall Characteristics over the Western Himalayan Region
Authors: Meher Jitendra Kumar , Das Lalu , Akhter Javed , Benestad Rasmus E. , Mezghani Abdelkader
Published: July 2017

The western Himalayan region (WHR) was subject to a significant negative trend in the annual and monsoon rainfall during 1902–2005. Annual and seasonal rainfall change over the WHR of India was estimated using 22 rain gauge station rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department. The performance of 13 global climate models (GCMs) from phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3) and 42 GCMs from CMIP5 was evaluated through multiple analysis: the evaluation of the mean annual cycle, annual cycles of interannual variability, spatial patterns, trends, and signal-to-noise ratio. In general, CMIP5 GCMs were more skillful in terms of simulating the annual cycle of interannual variability compared to CMIP3 GCMs. The CMIP3 GCMs failed to reproduce the observed trend, whereas approximately 50% of the CMIP5 GCMs reproduced the statistical distribution of short-term (30 yr) trend estimates than for the longer-term (99 yr) trends from CMIP5 GCMs. GCMs from both CMIP3 and CMIP5 were able to simulate the spatial distribution of observed rainfall in premonsoon and winter months. Based on performance, each model of CMIP3 and CMIP5 was given an overall rank, which puts the high-resolution version of the MIROC3.2 model [MIROC3.2 (hires)] and MIROC5 at the top in CMIP3 and CMIP5, respectively. Robustness of the ranking was judged through a sensitivity analysis, which indicated that ranks were independent during the process of adding or removing any individual method. It also revealed that trend analysis was not a robust method of judging performances of the models as compared to other methods.
Renegotiating Spheres of Obligation: The Role of Hierarchy in Organizational Learning
Authors: Valentine Melissa A.
Published: July 2017

To achieve organization-wide goals, sometimes multiple local groups must synchronize their learning activities. This paper uses an ethnographic study of a cancer treatment center to develop theory on organizational learning by identifying a process that helped synchronize learning across many local and interdependent groups by taking advantage of hierarchy. Change agents—in this case, consultants—identified the managers of the various groups that would need to change for an organization-wide goal to be achieved, and they met with each manager to renegotiate his or her formal obligations. Through the renegotiation process, the managers came to better understand the organization-wide goal, and the change agents better understood each group’s work. After the managers understood and accepted their renegotiated obligations, they changed how they administered resources and expectations in their groups, and the members of their respective groups adapted their practices in response. This process illustrates how the obligations associated with hierarchical positions can be renegotiated in ways that develop improved understanding and, when changed, can shape local activities to favor new goals.
Not Enough of an Artist? Myth, Pedagogy and Rhetoric in Carlo Michelstaedter's Poem I Figli del Mare
Authors: Angelucci Malcolm
Published: July 2017

Inside the European crisis of the beginning of the Twentieth Century, the young philosopher, writer and artist Carlo Michelstaedter (1887–1910) provides one of the most radical and all-encompassing critiques of the inadequacy and rhetorical nature of language and the systems of thought which are based on it; at the same time, however, this critique is articulated inside language, leaving Michelstaedter to face the impossibility of his endeavor. This article starts from this paradox, arguing that the struggle against language should be interpreted also in light of Michelstaedter's experimentation with different genres and media; in this sense, form and content, style and theories of style and poetics should be read together, as a self-reflexive attempt to put into practice what is affirmed. As an example of this framework, this contribution offers a reading of Michelstaedter's poem I Figli del Mare, which lays bare the series of implicit and conflicting ideas about strategies to overcome the contingency of language that invest the poem at every level, and shows how his thought is complexly caught between Romantic and pre-Expressionist ideas.
Evaluating Foreign-Market Environments for International Franchising Expansion
Authors: Alon Dr. Ilan , Toncar Dr. Mark , McKee Dr. David
Published: July 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of environmental factors on international franchising, and to offer a normative model to evaluate the international franchising environment. Using correlation analysis, this study finds that environmental factors including economic, demographic, cultural and political factors are related to and may influence the decision of franchisers to expand their operations in a host country. The study suggests that franchising practitioners conduct an environmental analysis of the foreign market that, at minimum, will integrate the variables discussed in this paper.
Growth of Export of Industrial Goods from Punjab during Pre- and Post-Reform Period
Authors: Kumar Gulshan , Gupta Sanjeev
Published: July 2017

Present study focuses on the examination of growth of export of industrial goods from Punjab during pre- and post-reform period. Yearly growth rates have been computed to capture year-to-year fluctuations and Compound Annual Growth Rates (CAGRs) are estimated to view the impact of reform process on pace of growth momentum in exports. All CAGRs have been estimated by fitting a function of exponential form and their significance was tested by applying t-test. Study revealed the fact that under the impact of liberalization policy of government, growth of exports from the state have experienced steep accelertion even more than total country's exports. Study also observed that the small scale sector accounts for the major chunk of total state exports. Export activity seems to continue to be very much centralized in eight commodities (hosiery & readymade garments, drugs & pharmaceuticals, bicycle & parts, sports goods, other items, food products, cotton yarn/textiles, and hand tools & machine tools) and six districts (Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Amritsar, Patiala, Kapurthala and Ropar). No doubt, Punjab is performing well in the field of industrial goods' exports, still it has the potential to go ahead and for that concerted efforts are the need of the hour.
Preserving human dignity: Promises and pitfalls – a South African perspective
Authors: Manomano Tatenda , Mundau Mulwayini
Published: July 2017

The authors of this article contend that although the universal affirmation of human dignity remains an ambition whose vast dimensions would be exceedingly daunting for all but the truly visionary, reimagining contextual and contemporary emancipatory thinking has the potential to contribute towards alleviating the conditions and circumstances that threaten and debilitate human dignity. It is particularly noteworthy that developing countries, and their rural areas in particular, continue to be afflicted by a lack of access to basic needs such as adequate access to basic education, social development and housing.
(Perception of Stop Consonants in Synthetic CV Syllables
Authors: Ainsworth W.A.
Published: July 2017

A method of synthesizing stop consonants in CV syllables has been investigated. The data from a perception experiment have been analysed in such a way that the importance of various acoustic features for the perception of stops in front of each of twelve English vowels has been estimated. The results indicate that the conclusions of previous investigators, namely that formant transitions are the main cues for voiced stops and noise burst frequency for voiceless stops, are only partially true. For /d/ and /g/ the importance of the cues depends upon the quality of the following vowel.
A New Method of Measuring Meaning
Authors: Georgiev Hristo C. , Piotrowskij R.G.
Published: July 2017

Despite repeated denials that transmissional (syntactic) information can be used to estimate semantic information, a new and working method is offered giving the possibility of estimating quantitatively the semantic content of any text-segment.

The method is based on prediction of speech elements and enables us to measure the meaning which the reader extracts from the text, and on the basis of which he predicts the further meaning of the same text.

The prediction is carried out on the syntactical level: good prediction decreases the syntactical information of a text more than a bad prediction. If one knows two words from the beginning of a text, one can predict better than if he knows one word.
Social Class, Sex and Linguistic Coding
Authors: Poole Millicent E.
Published: July 2017

It was hypothesized that specific styles of linguistic coding would be evident along the dimensions of both social class and sex. Individual structured interviews were undertaken with 96 sixteen-year-olds, divided into equal social class/sex groups. The verbatim transcripts were examined along selected aspects of linguistic coding: structure, elaboration, prepositional and pronominal usage, and speech disruptions. Discriminant function analysis, extended and supplemented by analysis of variance, was used to test the hypothesis of differential coding patterns for the social class/sex groups. The discriminant analysis showed that the 28 linguistic variables, in combination, distinctly separated the social classes on Discriminant Function I and that Discriminant Function II separated the groups in terms of the sex dimension.
Verb Agreement Processing In French: A Study Of On-line Grammaticality Judgments
Authors: Kail Michèle , Bassano Dominique
Published: July 2017

This study investigates the implementation of the syntactic constraint of verb agreement in French sentence processing. An experimental on-line error detection paradigm is used to examine how variations in linguistic material interposed between the subject and the verb affected the detection of number-verb agreement violations. Detection times mainly vary as a function of the linguistic structure of the interposed material: detection times are clearly longer for noun complements than for relative clauses and adverbial complements. Effect of length is shown to depend marginally on the structure type. Number mismatch between local and head nouns increases detection times, which also varies as a function of the morphology of the head noun. Results are analyzed with regard to processes found in agreement-error production studies. The role of structural, morphological, and semantic information in syntactic verb agreement processing is discussed within a crosslinguistic perspective.
Factors Influencing the Choice of Cereal Varieties
Authors: Dadd C.V. , Osborne L. W.
Published: July 2017

Cereal yields in Britain have risen by several cwt. per acre in recent years, largely owing to the use of new varieties that resist lodging and respond better than the old to nitrogenous fertilizers. The farmer's problem is to select the right variety for his particular purpose, and surveys show that his choice is influenced to a varying degree by the advisory services and other sources from which he may obtain the information.
Potato production using resistant varieties on land infested with potato cyst-eelworm, Heterodera rostochiensis Woll.
Authors: Jones F. G. W. , Parrott D. M.
Published: July 2017

The potato cyst-eelworm probably evolved along with the potato and other Solanum species on the Andes plateau of South America. It is now an important potato pest in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and isolated places elsewhere. Against some field populations, a dominant gene from S. tuberosum sub-species andigena confers resistance on certain new commercial varieties of potatoes, but the expression of this resistance depends on the mechanism of sex determination in the eelworm.
Soil conditioning for better soil management
Authors: Boodt M De
Published: July 2017

Polymeric substances in the organic matter of soils aggregate soil particles into a ‘crumb structure’ which greatly influences such properties as water movement, aeration and heat transfer. Poorly-structured soils may be improved by the incorporation of synthetic polymers where the main objects are: promoting germination or establishing crops, improving drainage, combating wind and water erosion, and reducing evaporation from the surface of soil under arid conditions.
Antitranspirants for improvement of water use efficiency of crops
Authors: Das V S R , Raghavendra A S
Published: July 2017

The use of antitranspirants may guarantee the establishment of seedlings transplanted under drought conditions or prolong the life of mature plants at sub-optimal moisture levels. Where water is really scarce they can reduce transpiration losses to the extent that irrigation intervals may be extended. Whilst, at present, known antitranspirants are relatively expensive, their use can be justified, for example, to prevent shrinkage in high-value fruits, or where crop survival is threatened.
Mapping the Complex Genomes of Animals and Man
Authors: Archibald Alan , Haley Chris
Published: July 2017

The nature of an organism is defined by its complement of genes. Molecular techniques have made it possible to unravel this inherited blueprint. The Human Genome Project has as its ultimate objective a complete description of man's genetic makeup. The development of genome maps is an important prelude to such studies. Concurrently the genomes of livestock species are also being mapped. In this Paper we focus on the mapping methods, the status of the human and livestock gene maps and the potential uses of the maps.
The Genetic Maps of Wheat and their Potential in Plant Breeding
Authors: Devos Katrien , Gale Mike
Published: July 2017

The further improvement of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties represents a particularly difficult challenge for UK breeders. As one of the world's primary food sources, a great deal of effort over the past 30 years by breeders has resulted in remarkable improvements in yield. The doubling of UK wheat yields since 1970 has been due to the release of varieties with much improved yield potential which are also compatible with the increasingly intensive farming methods that we have witnessed over the same period. Of course in recent years the goal posts have moved once again. The EC grain mountains and the erosion of price support for the European wheat growers - likely to be further exacerbated by the result of the current GATT talks - indicate a move towards sustainability and lower labour, energy and chemical inputs in the future. The farmer of the 1990s and beyond will expect high yielding crops with lower variable costs and added value from stable industrial quality, targeted probably at higher cost speciality products. With some estimates of the cost of producing and releasing a new wheat variety as high as £14 million it is not surprising that breeders are now turning to molecular genetic studies to help them assemble optimum combinations of genes that will allow them to produce the ideal varietal phenotype for the farmer of the 21 st century.
Putting the Farmer First in Rice Rat Control
Authors: Mill Alan E.
Published: July 2017

Field rodents are serious pests of growing rice throughout South-east Asia. Traditional control measures by smallholders involve excessive use of rodenticides and are largely unsuccessful. During the past decade, government agencies and international organizations have developed Integrated Pest Management (IPM) programmes, to minimize farmers’ reliance on rodenticides. Their integrated rice rat control scheme combines habitat manipulation, correct use of rodenticides and a practical, farmer-operated surveillance process. The scheme has worked well in different rice agroecosystems throughout Indonesia and is ready for adoption on a wider scale.
The Birth Rate Decline in Developing Countries
Authors: Robey Bryant
Published: July 2017

Birth rates are falling in much of the developing world. In the mid-1960s women in Asia, Africa and Latin America gave birth to an average of six children. Today, the average is about four—a drop of one-third. In some regions and countries the average is substantially lower, approaching levels in the developed world.

This remarkable decline in birth rates is no cause for complacency about rapid population growth, however, as the Look at it this way article in this issue, by Catley-Carlson, rightly observes. Average family size is still well above the 2.1 ‘replacement level ’—the number of children per couple that over the long run leads to zero population growth because each couple has only enough children to replace itself in the population. Thus world population, already about 5.5 billion, continues to grow. Even as the average number of children born per woman falls, population will continue to grow rapidly for many years because the number of women of childbearing age is rising as a result of previous high birth rates—a phenomenon that demographers call ‘population momentum ’.

That the world's population is growing larger in a hurry is not news. But it is something of a surprise to learn that birth rates have declined so rapidly in so many countries, including some that experts considered too poor and traditional for this to occur. In fact, birth rates have fallen much faster than experts expected. The Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and similar family planning surveys conducted in more than 40 developing countries since 1985 tell the story of this striking decline.
Soil Fertility Status and Cassava Yield in Tanzania: (II) Contributions of Soil Properties to Cassava Yield Variations
Authors: Asadu Charles L.A. , Nweke Felix I.
Published: July 2017

During the Collaborative Study of Cassava in Africa (COSCA) survey, cassava yields and soil samples were obtained from farmers' fields in order to assess the yield levels and the contributions of soil properties to variations in such yield parameters as fresh root and shoot, harvest index and stand density. The average root yield was estimated as 10.5 t/ha, harvest index averaged about 0.50 and stand density was about 64,000 per hectare. Both the root and stand density had coefficients of variation above 150%. Each of the yield parameters correlated with at least 13 of the 28 soil properties considered in the simple correlation analysis carried out. The variations in the yield parameters were attributed to the differences in such agro-ecological factors as climate, altitude and soil properties. The contribution of soil variables to the variations in all the yield parameters was more than 80% in all cases. The most important variables were N:P ratio for root yield, clay content for shoot yield, OM content for harvest index and exchangeable Mn for stand density. This analysis indicates that in relating root yield to nutrient levels, nutrient ratios should also be considered because the absolute values of each nutrient may not be the only determining factor.
Contextualizing Developmental Math Content into Introduction to Sociology in Community Colleges
Authors: Parker Stuart , Traver Amy E. , Cornick Jonathan
Published: July 2017

Across community colleges in the United States, most students place into a developmental math course that they never pass. This can leave them without the math skills necessary to make informed decisions in major areas of social life and the college credential required for participation in growing sectors of our economy. One strategy for improving community college students’ pass rate in developmental math courses is the contextualization of developmental math content into the fabric of other courses. This article reviews an effort to contextualize developmental math content (i.e., elementary algebra) into Introduction to Sociology at Kingsborough Community College and Queensborough Community College, both of the City University of New York, during the spring 2016 semester. Data from a pretest/posttest control-group design implemented across the two campuses reveals the significance of this strategy for some sociology students’ grasp of discrete mathematical skills and success in developmental math.
The New Socialist Man in the Plattenbau: The East German Housing Program and the Development of the Socialist Way of Life
Authors: Sammartino Annemarie
Published: July 2017

This article argues that the importance of housing and the urban environment in East Germany in the second half of its existence grew in tandem with a new vision of socialist society and the means that the state should employ to create it. The East German Housing Program, inaugurated in 1971, made space the primary category in which individual and social transformation was envisioned, replacing the pedagogical processes that had originally stood at its heart. In doing so, architects and urban planners drew on three strands of urban planning that have often been seen in conflict in other contexts: the Soviet concept of the Mikroraion or socialist neighborhood, the modernist housing ensemble of Le Corbusier, and the new urbanism of Jane Jacobs.
Satellite Field Developments
Authors: Kenny Gerald M. , Tweedie J. Andrew
Published: July 2017

In the UK offshore area a significant petroleum resource occurs in relatively small accumulations close to existing platforms. Many of these discoveries remain undeveloped for a variety of technical and/or economic reasons. Exploitation of these reserves may be achieved by means of established production technology, such as small fixed platforms, floating systems or subsea installations, or may require novel, low cost solutions. In any case, proximity to existing fields will provide an opportunity for shared facilites such as transportation, gas separation, power generation or manpower accommodation.

A number of fiscal disincentives to development currently exist within the UK tax regime, principally the loss of Petroleum Revenue Tax PRT allowances which would occur if the satellite were deemed part of an existing field rather than a separate entity with its own ‘ring fence’. Possible approaches to overcoming this problem include a relaxation of restrictions on capital uplift, safeguard and oil allowances for PRT, and a move to ‘project’ definition rather than ‘field’ definition wherever possible. These approaches are examined for several examples and the effects on cash flows demonstrated. Difficulties which may occur in reaching asset-sharing agreements between licencees in different fields are also highlighted, and a more active role for government in encouraging such agreements is suggested.
Oil-Source Rock Correlations in the Maui-4 Oil Exploration Well, South Taranaki Basin
Authors: Johnston J.H. , Collie R.J. , Craig J.T.
Published: July 2017

This paper presents the results of an organic geochemical biomarker study of the oil and the coals at different depths in the Maui-4 oil exploration well. The n-alkane distribution suggests that the oil is progressively generated in the coals with increasing depth from about 6800', but significant generation does not lake place until about 10600'. Although at 12770' the lighter oil fraction is released, the majority of the oil is largely retained in the coal matrix. It is only in the deepest 12780' coal that the maturity parameters derived from the sterane and hopane biomarkers approach those in the produced oil. It is therefore likely that the probable source rock for the Maui-4 oil is even deeper. Extrapolation of these biomarker parameters suggests the oil is sourced by the Pakawau coals or possibly the associated shales between 13000–13500'.
Energy Development in Malaysia
Authors: Hashim YB Dato' Murad
Published: July 2017

The Malaysian governments Four Fuel Energy Policy is concerned with security of supply and the need to meet economic development targets through greater use of natural gas, hydropower and with imported coal. Gas reserves are 52 trillion cu. ft. and hydropower potential 29,000MW. Coal is included because of the enormous supplies available worldwide. Indigenous natural gas consumption is expected to grow at 9% p.a. till the year 2000 and to account for 40% of the total energy consumption. The Peninsula Gas Utilisation project will reduce the use of oil in electricity generation, provide it for steel manufacture and deliver gas to the domestic market. Natural gas will be used increasingly in transportation and for petrochemicals, excess production is destined for export.
World Gas Supplies for the Future: Questions and Answers
Authors: Tissot B. , Valais M.
Published: July 2017

The abundance of the worldwide resources of natural gas and its qualities as a “clean” fuel make it a major energy option for the future. However, the increasing distance of resources in relation to the major consuming zones should bring about a considerable development of international gas trade and also a very substantial rise in the cost of future supplies to major markets. Will these markets accept a new scale of value for natural gas in relation to other fossil fuels in order to ensure the economic viability of the formidable investments required in the coming decades is the most critical question of the gas industry, among many other technical, economic and political issues.
The Petrochemical Industry in New Zealand
Authors: Peko S.
Published: July 2017

New Zealand's energy market has a major challenge ahead. The stakes are very high. If players do not act rationally and intelligently, New Zealand could miss a significant opportunity for at least fifty years if not for all time. Conversely, if we succeed, the benefits for all will be enormous. I am talking about the replacement of the Maui field. I am here today to let you know that the petrochemical industry is ready to do whatever it can, not only for its own sake but for New Zealand.
Legal Environment for Petroleum Exploration: An Overview
Authors: Adlam J G
Published: July 2017

This paper is an overview of the New Zealand legal environment as it affects petroleum explorers and their operations in New Zealand. It includes a brief summary of the New Zealand legal system and identifies the business structures commonly used and recognised under New Zealand law. It continues with an outline of the significant legal requirements governing petroleum exploration, including the Crown Minerals Act (rights and obligations of permit holders), environmental and conservation laws, Overseas Investment Act and Regulations, Commerce Act, Fair Trading Act, taxation aspects of operations in New Zealand, the no-fault Accident Compensation scheme and other operational requirements. The paper concludes with comment on government participation, current government policy and the legal and administrative framework in which that policy is implemented.
The Trend toward Total Quality Managment in Australian Coal Mining
Authors: Jeffreys J.T.
Published: July 2017

The paper examines the trends and techniques now being adopted by the Australian coal mining industry to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the face of an increasingly difficult international and domestic coal market. Quality Assurance certification to internationally accepted standards has been gained by some operators whilst many more companies are implementing varied forms of Total Quality Control concepts. These concepts now so well established in traditional manufacturing industries, have not previously been associated with the vagaries of the coal industry but are now being pursued by many in an effort to gain or retain a competitive edge.

The paper also explains some of the actual processes being undertaken by the mining companies and outlines some of the systems being developed and utilised to undertake preliminary analysis and evaluation of existing and proposed management systems prior to implementing TQC systems.
Coal Preparation Developments in Indonesia and Australia
Authors: Walters A.D.
Published: July 2017

There is considerable development within the coal processing industries of both Indonesia and Australia. Indonesia is rapidly becoming a major coal producer of thermal coal and there is little need for conventional coal preparation of the generally low ash coal. However, much of Indonesia's lower grade coal is high moisture, high volatile sub-bituminous and new methods of thermal moisture reduction and briquetting will have to be used to increase quality, particularly for export. The coal briquetting industry in Indonesia is also planned to grow dramatically to some 4 M tpy to conserve Indonesia's oil products.

Australia's mature coal industry has been carrying out a considerable amount of practical research and development with programmes that will result in improved process control and optimization resulting in increases in yield and better quality control.
Can Biomarker Ratio Data Be Used Quantitatively to Constrain Thermal Histories? A Case Study from East Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Mudford Brett
Published: July 2017

The determination of an appropriate thermal history in an exploration area is of fundamental importance when attempting to understand the evolution of the petroleum system. In this paper results are presented from a single-well modelling study in which bottom hole temperature data and three different biomarker ratio datasets were available to constrain the modelling. Previous quantitative investigations using biomarker ratios have been hampered by the wide variety of published kinetic parameters for biomarker evolution. Generally, these parameters have been determined either from measurements in the laboratory and extrapolation to the geological setting, or from downhole measurements where the heat flow history is assumed to be known. In the first case serious errors can arise because the heating rate is being extrapolated over many orders of magnitude, while in the second case errors can arise if the assumed heat flow history is incorrect. The utility of biomarker ratio data for constraining the heat flow has been assessed for a well in offshore East Kalimantan. In this case published kinetic parameters do a poor job of constraining the heat flow. In addition, compensation effects enable a wide range of activation energy and frequency factor pairs to produce equally good fits to the downhole data. This makes it difficult to invert downhole data to determine the heat flow history and the biomarker reaction parameters simultaneously. If independent estimates of the activation energy can be made, it is possible to use this information with an inversion procedure to constrain both the heat flow history and the frequency factors for the biomarker reactions. However, the compensation effect outlined in this paper may severely limit the practical, quantitative use of biomarker ratio data to constrain thermal histories.
An Inverse Stratigraphic Simulation Model – Is Stratigraphic Inversion Possible?
Authors: Lessenger Margaret A. , Cross Timothy A.
Published: July 2017

Inversion is a systematic method of determining values of process parameters of a forward model that allow a match between observed and modeled data. Historically, geologists have considered the stratigraphic record to be nonunique. That is, geologists have assumed that it is impossible to determine values for and separate stratigraphic process variables such as eustasy, tectonics and sediment supply that operated to form the stratigraphic record. If stratigraphic data are nonunique, then inversion of stratigraphic data is impossible. In an influential paper. Burton et al. (1987) argued that inversion of stratigraphic data using a stratigraphic forward model is not possible. The purpose of this study was to determine if inversion of stratigraphic data using a stratigraphic forward model is theoretically possible.

In this study, we designed a stratigraphic inverse simulation model using a forward stratigraphic model capable of simulating realistic temporal and spatial distributions of fades tracts and stratigraphic surfaces. For numerical optimization, we used a gradient descent method that minimizes errors in the least squares sense. We tested this inverse model on synthetic stratigraphic data which act as a proxy for real-world stratigraphic data, to test multiple aspects of the inverse model. In these experiments, we inverted synthetic stratigraphic data for eustasy, sediment supply, tectonic subsidence, lithosphere flexural rigidity, and initial basin topography.

Results from these inversion experiments establish that inversion of stratigraphic data is theoretically possible. We determined limits of convergence, degrees of parameter separatability, nonuniqueness of data, and types of data necessary for inversion. Results suggest that using distributions of facies tracts and stratigraphic surfaces within a genetic sequence stratigraphic framework is necessary for inversion. Results from inverse model experiments also suggest that nonuniqueness of these data types with respect to stratigraphic process parameters such as eustasy, tectonics, sediment supply and depositional topography is bounded. Moreover, the bounds of nonuniqueness are quite small. The next phase of our research is to first test an inverse algorithm that is more appropriate for stratigraphic inversion, and then to test an inverse stratigraphic model using a real stratigraphic data set.