bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Private Advisory Services in Agricultural Extension: A Review
Authors: SINGH K M , SHAHI BRAJESH , SINGH PUSHPA
Published: September 2016

Services that make new knowledge available to farmers and assist the farmers to develop their farming and management skills are known as agricultural advisory services. Agricultural extension and advisory services which were traditionally funded, managed and delivered by the public sector are in transitory phase worldwide. They are under increased pressure to reform their purpose as the nature of the agricultural and rural sectors is changing leading to demand for broader support from extension and advisory services. Technology transfer system has to become more demand driven and responsive to farmers need and helping farmers to organize themselves as well as linking them to markets. The advisory services has to also support other pertinent areas besides production such as value addition, market access, trade, agribusiness management, natural resource management, gender, climate change etc. It is in this light that the private advisory services are complementing, supplementing or even replacing the public advisory services.Emergence of paid extension services in agriculture is a recent development, where, professionals have been providing paid consultancy to farmers on technical, especially in high value crops like fruits and flowers.These agri-consultant are mostly retired professors of State Agricultural Universities (SAUs), extension professionals, financial institutions and also provided by Agri-Clinics and Agri-Business Centers (ACABCs) trained by the MANAGE.
DETERMINATION OF STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF A THREE-LAYER BEAM WITH APPLICATION OF CONTACT LAYER METHOD
Authors: Andreev Vladimir Igorevich , Turusov Robert Alekseevich , Tsybin Nikita Yur’evich
Published: September 2016

The article deals with the solution for the stress-strain state of a multilayer composite beam with rectangular cross-section, which is bended by normally distributed load. The intermolecular interaction between layers is accomplished by the contact layer, in which the substances of adhesive and substrate are mixed. We consider the contact layer as a transversal anisotropic medium with such parameters that it can be represented as a set of short elastic rods, which are not connected to each other. For simplicity, we assume that the rods are normally oriented to the contact surface. The contact layer method allows us to solve the problem of determining the concentration of tangential stresses arising at the boundaries between the layers and the corner points, their changes, as well as to determine the physical properties of the contact layer basing on experimental data. Resolving the equations obtained in this article can be used for the solution of many problems of the theory of layered substances. These equations were derived from the fundamental laws of the theory of elasticity and generally accepted hypotheses of the theory of plates for the general case of the bending problem of a multilayer beam with any number of layers. The article deals with the example of the numerical solution of the problem of bending of a three-layer beam. On the basis of this solution the curves were obtained, which reflect the stress-strain state of one of the layers. All these curves have a narrow area of the edge effect. The edge effect is associated with a large gradient tangential stresses in the contact layer. The experimental data suggest that in this zone the destruction of the samples occurs. This fact allows us to say that the equations obtained in this article can be used to construct a theory of the strength layered beams under bending.
NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF THE GODUNOV - SULTANGAZIN SYSTEM OF EQUATIONS. PERIODIC CASE
Authors: Vasil’eva Ol’ga Aleksandrovna
Published: September 2016

The Cauchy problem of the Godunov - Sultangazin system of equations with periodic initial conditions is considered in the article. The Godunov - Sultangazin system of equations is a model problem of the kinetic theory of gases. It is a discrete kinetic model of one-dimensional gas consisting of identical monatomic molecules. The molecules can have one of three speeds. So, there are three groups of molecules. The molecules of the first two groups have the speeds equal in values and opposite in directions. The molecules of the third group have zero speed. The considered mathematical model has a number of properties of Boltzmann equation. This system of the equations is a quasi-linear system of partial differential equations. There is no analytic solution for this problem in the general case. So, numerical investigation of the Cauchy problem of the Godunov - Sultangazin system is very important. The finite-difference method of the first order is used for numerical investigation of the Cauchy problem of the Godunov - Sultangazin system of equations. The paper presents and discusses the results of numerical investigation of the Cauchy problem for the studied system solution with periodic initial condition. The dependence of the time of stabilization of the Cauchy problem solution of Godunov - Sultangazin system of equations from the decreasing parameter of system are obtained. The paper presents the dependence of time of energy exchange from the decreasing parameter. The solution stabilization to the equilibrium state is obtained. The stabilization time of Godunov - Sultangazin system solution is compared to the stabilization time of Carleman system solution in periodic case. The results of numerical investigation are in good agreement with the theoretical results obtained previously.
STUDY OF INITIAL FORCES IN A DOUBLE-LAYER METAL DOME DUE TO ELIMINATION OF ANNULAR IMPERFECTIONS OF INSTALLATION
Authors: Lebed’ Evgeniy Vasil’evich , Grigoryan Artem Akopovich
Published: September 2016

When constructing large-span metal domes different methods of installation are used, which depend on geometry schemes of the frames and their construction solution. The frames of such domes consist of a lot of structures. During assembling large number of structures with different spatial orientation are joined together. Little differences of structures lead to distortion of their real geometric form compared to the design form. A computer analysis of the values of the initial forces due to force elimination of assembly errors of double-layer framed metal dome has been performed. The position errors of nodes of planar meridional ribs were considered in the annular directions at installation of the dome frame with temporary central support. The initial forces due to the connection of already assembled sectors of the dome with annular elements at different stages of the construction of the frame of the dome are investigated. For this purpose concentrated forces were applied to the nodes of the sectors to eliminate relative deviations of the connected ribs, and initial internal forces in the bars were registered. The values of the initial forces in the bars were compared to the values of the initial forces due to the dead load and design load. The results of the investigation are presented in the form of figures, schemes, diagrams, and tables. The conclusions are made on the influence of the initial forces on the stress-strain state of the dome frame.
MATHEMATICAL SIMULATION OF THE CHANGE IN HYDROGEOLOGICAL MODE ОF THE TERRITORIES RESULTING FROM THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN UNDERGROUND COMPLEX
Authors: Orekhov Vyacheslav Valentinovich , Khokhotva Sergey Nikolaevich , Alekseev German Valer’evich
Published: September 2016

One of the consequences of the construction in the conditions of dense housing system is the development of underground part of buildings, which influences the surrounding buildings, changing the stress-strain state of soil masses and hydrogeological conditions of the construction site. The damming effect leads to local increase of hydrostatical pressure of ground waters on underground structures. The authors present a description of hydrogeological conditions of the construction site of underground construction and mathematical geofiltration model of the soil foundation. The results of numerical investigation of the change in the hydrogeological mode of the construction area in case of enveloping the foundation pit with the wall in the ground are considered. On the first stage the basic mathematical model was calibrated by variation of the values of geofiltration parameters of water-bearing sediments and water-resistant mass and the values of infiltration recharge. The validation criterion of the mathematical model was the good agreement of the modeled and real ground water levels obtained as a result of compilation of the existing geological and hydrogeological materials. The construction simulation was carried out in a multivariant formulation for the conditions of entirely impenetrable wall in the ground with the filtration coefficient 0.001 m/day.
PREREQUISITES TO UNCOVERING THE REGULARITIES OF THE FATIGUE RESISTANCE OF ANCHORAGE OF CURTAIN WALL SYSTEMS
Authors: Alisultanov Ramidin Semedovich , Oleynikov Aleksandr Vladimirovich , Pyatnitskaya Tat’yana Aleksandrovna , Lushnikov Artem Aleksandrovich
Published: September 2016

Curtain wall systems are subjected to the influence of air flow, which is changing in its direction and speed. Such an influence gives rise to variable forces, which leads to fluctuating stresses in the structures of curtain wall systems. In case of fluctuating stresses the structural element is destroyed at lower loads, than in case of constant stresses. This fracture is called the fatigue. The fatigue fractures lead to drastic consequences because of their sudden emergence. The fracture mode of structural materials depends on the number of loading cycles. The authors state the notions of multicycle and low-cycle fatigue of materials. Some types of fatigue curves are offered. The authors hypothesize on the absence of horizontal areas of Wehler curve in case of plastic materials.
Alvaro Lins. Caráter e função: dilemas e contradições de um embaixador do Brasil em Portugal
Authors: Machado dos Santos Luiz Cláudio
Published: September 2016

O presente artigo analisa a atuação do embaixador do Brasil em Lisboa, Alvaro Lins, entre 1956 e 1959, quando da crise desencadeada pela concessão de asilo ao candidato derrotado à presidência portuguesa, general Humberto Delgado. Como elemento essencial para a análise das relações luso-brasileiras no período, deve-se destacar a personalidade multifacetada de Alvaro Lins, suas contradições e dilemas, que questionaram, por palavras e atos, a política do presidente Kubitschek, não apenas em relação ao país europeu, mas também a maneira pela qual o Itamaraty percebia a realidade internacional, e as estratégias de inserção do Brasil na nova ordem pós Segunda Guerra Mundial. Dessa forma, contribuiu Alvaro Lins decisivamente para o debate acerca das grandes questões que viriam a subsidiar a construção da Política Externa Independente, dos presidentes Jânio Quadros e João Goulart.
Religião e política em conflito: Paulo Stuart Wright e o golpe de 1964
Authors: Vilela Márcio
Published: September 2016

Neste artigo procuramos compreender as implicações da atuação política e religiosa de Paulo Stuart Wright. Atuação que, a partir do Golpe civil e militar de 1964, sofreu forte reação de setores majoritários da Igreja Presbiteriana do Brasil que passaram a enxergá-lo como uma ameaça à comunidade religiosa e à sociedade. Momento em que se acentua no Brasil um ambiente de intenso conflito político, contribuindo para a expulsão deste personagem da Igreja, a ter o seu mandato de deputado estadual por Santa Catarina cassado, ser exilado, viver na clandestinidade e, posteriormente, já na década de 1970, ser assassinado pelos órgãos de repressão. Trajetória que em muito representa a de outros personagens da história recente do Brasil.
A formulação da literatura e identidade brasileira na crítica literária de José de Alencar (1856 – 1865)
Authors: Menez Alexsandro da Rosa
Published: September 2016

Esse artigo tem como proposta analisar o desenvolvimento da ideia de identidade brasileira elabora no campo literário. Para isso, dirigimos nosso exame para escritor José de Alencar demonstrando sua importante contribuição para a concretização da nacionalidade brasileira que vinha sendo gestada desde os primeiros escritores românticos, como os literatos em torno da revista Nitheroy, lançada em Paris no ano de 1836.
Epidemia e poder no Recife imperial
Authors: Farias Rosilene Gomes
Published: September 2016

Em 1856, durante a epidemia de cólera que atingiu o Recife, foram implantadas medidas de prevenção à doença, que pressupunham o controle social das camadas mais pobres da população. O artigo discute como essas medidas demonstram as relações de poder que envolveram autoridades públicas e médicos, no Recife do século XIX.
“Magistrados Imperiais”: atuação política e perfil social e de carreira dos juízes de direito no Rio Grande do Sul (1833-1889)
Authors: Vargas Jonas Moreira
Published: September 2016

O artigo estuda os magistrados que atuaram como juízes de direito no Rio Grande do Sul entre 1833 e 1889. Num primeiro momento é realizada uma abordagem prosopográfica que busca analisar qual o perfil socioeducacional, profissional e político dos 149 bacharéis em direito que exerceram tal cargo no período. Na segunda parte do trabalho analiso a prática política desses magistrados, sobretudo na esfera local, onde os mesmos encontravam-se imersos em redes clientelares que disputavam o poder local e tiveram papel marcante no processo eleitoral.
The Effect of Partner Communications of Fraud Likelihood and Skeptical Orientation on Auditors' Professional Skepticism
Authors: Harding Noel , Trotman Ken T.
Published: September 2016

We investigate the effect of partner communication on the level of professional skepticism in auditor judgments and actions within the context of the fraud brainstorming discussion meeting where the partner is of the view that there is a low likelihood of fraud. Across two studies, we examine the effect on professional skepticism of the partner's communication on the likelihood of fraud (making their own view known, making management's view known, or not making any view known) and the skeptical orientation being encouraged (outward orientation toward the veracity of management representations and/or inward toward the fallibility of the auditor's judgment processes). We find that auditors exhibit higher levels of professional skepticism when the partner expresses management's view, rather than their own view or no view, that there is a low likelihood of fraud. We also consider what causes these differences. Emphasizing an inward skeptical orientation was not found to be more effective in encouraging professional skepticism in audit judgments than emphasizing an outward skeptical orientation. Importantly, emphasizing both an inward and outward skeptical orientation was more effective in encouraging professional skepticism in audit actions than emphasizing only an outward orientation.
Pancreatic Safety of Sitagliptin in the TECOS Study
Authors: Buse John B. , Bethel M. Angelyn , Green Jennifer B. , Stevens Susanna R. , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Aschner Pablo , Grado Carlos Raffo , Tankova Tsvetalina , Wainstein Julio , Josse Robert , Lachin John M. , Engel Samuel S. , Patel Keyur , Peterson Eric D. , Holman Rury R.
Published: September 2016

OBJECTIVE

We evaluated the incidence of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer in patients with type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease who were treated with sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In the Trial Evaluating Cardiovascular Outcomes with Sitagliptin (TECOS) study, a cardiovascular safety study of sitagliptin, all suspected cases of acute pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer were collected prospectively for 14,671 participants during a median follow-up time of 3 years, and were adjudicated blindly.

RESULTS

Baseline differences were minimal between participants confirmed to have no pancreatic events, acute pancreatitis, or pancreatic cancer. Among those participants randomized to receive sitagliptin, 23 (0.3%) (vs. 12 randomized to receive placebo [0.2%]) had pancreatitis (hazard ratio 1.93 [95% CI 0.96–3.88], P = 0.065; 0.107 vs. 0.056/100 patient-years), with 25 versus 17 events, respectively. Severe pancreatitis (two fatal) occurred in four individuals allocated to receive sitagliptin. Cases of pancreatic cancer were numerically fewer with sitagliptin (9 [0.1%]) versus placebo (14 [0.2%]) (hazard ratio 0.66 [95% CI 0.28–1.51], P = 0.32; 0.042 vs. 0.066 events/100 patient-years). Meta-analysis with two other DPP-4i cardiovascular outcome studies showed an increased risk for acute pancreatitis (risk ratio 1.78 [95% CI 1.13–2.81], P = 0.01) and no significant effect for pancreatic cancer (risk ratio 0.54 [95% CI 0.28–1.04], P = 0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

Pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer were uncommon events with rates that were not statistically significantly different between the sitagliptin and placebo groups, although numerically more sitagliptin participants developed pancreatitis and fewer developed pancreatic cancer. Meta-analysis suggests a small absolute increased risk for pancreatitis with DPP-4i therapy.
Epidemiology of pertussis in Denmark, 1995 to 2013
Authors: Dalby Tine , Andersen Peter Henrik , Hoffmann Steen
Published: September 2016

We describe incidence and age distribution of laboratory-confirmed pertussis in Denmark from 1995 to 2013. Notification has been mandatory since 2007. Since 1997, an acellular monocomponent vaccine has been used. The latest epidemic occurred in 2002 with an incidence of 36 per 100,000; since 1995, only six infant deaths have been recorded. The inter-epidemic incidence lies below 10 per 100,000. In 1995, the mean age of confirmed cases was 9.2 years (95% confidence interval (CI): 7.9–10.5; median: 5.1), this gradually increased to 23.9 years in 2013 (95% CI: 22.0–25.8; median: 15.7). In 1995, 14% of laboratory-confirmed cases were 20 years and older, 43% in 2013. In the study period, the highest incidence among children was among those younger than one year with incidences between 84 and 331 per 100,000 in inter-epidemic periods (mean: 161/100,000) and 435 for the epidemic in 2002. After introduction of a preschool booster in 2003, the highest incidence among children one year and older changed gradually from three to five-year-olds in 2003 to 12 to 14-year-olds in 2013. In 2013, PCR was the primary method used for laboratory-diagnosis of pertussis in Denmark, while serology was the method with the highest percentage of positive results.
SLE in Pregnancy
Authors: Islam Ferdousi , Begum Nazneen
Published: September 2016

Abstract not availableJ Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 24, No.2, October, 2015, Page 82-85
Feto-maternal Outcome of Vaginal Delivery and Caesarean Section in Eclamptic Patients
Authors: Begum Nazneen , Jahan Shawkat , Ganguly Shikha , Anwar Begum Rokeya
Published: September 2016

Eclampsia is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. It is largely a preventable disease provided the pregnant women get regular antenatal care. Its incidence in Bangladesh is still high. Lack of health education, low socioeconomic condition, lack of adequate facilities to deal with the emergency situation, inadequate referral and transfer system are important contributing factors of consideration. In many peripheral centers, facilities to deal with such a complicated patient are absent. This prospective study was conducted in the eclampsia ward in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, from July to December, 2004. Our aim was to identify the better mode of termination of pregnancy in eclamptic patients. Hundred antenatal eclamptic patients were purposively selected for the study. Eclampsia is a disease of relatively younger age group. Out of 100 patients, 53 percent were < 20 years of age, 42 percent patients were primigravida and 67 percent patients were from low socioeconomic condition. 72 percent patients of vaginal delivery group and 60 percent patients of caesarean section group had no antenatal care (ANC). Maternal morbidity was more in vaginal delivery group (56%) than in caesarean section group (36%). Maternal mortality rate was 4% in both the groups. Perinatal mortality was higher in vaginal delivery (36%) than in caesarean section group (22%).J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 24, No.2, October, 2015, Page 92-98
Digital Symmetrical Peripheral Gangrene: A Rare Male PresentAtion of AntiPhospholipid Anti Body Syndrome
Authors: Deb Sudip Ranjan , Kabir Ahmedul , Khanum Tanzia , Rahman Md Golam Ur , Hossain Anowar , Alamin Md , Afroz Rafiya
Published: September 2016

Anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome can be defined as the occurrence of venous and arterial thrombosis with or without recurrent miscarriage in association with laboratory evidence of persistent Antiphospholipid antibody / antibody to beta-2-Glycoprotein-1 / anti cardiolipin antibody /lupus anticoagulant (usually associated with SLE). It occurs usually in female who can present with recurrent miscarriage and fetal loss. Anti-phospholipid Antibody can be also found in some autoimmune diseases and post viral infections. Even certain drugs; e.g. phenothiazine, can cause it. Arterial thrombosis may lead to peripheral limb ischemia, stroke, and myocardial infarct. And venous thrombosis may be found in the form of DVT, pulmonary embolism & thrombosis in vessels supplying the abdominal organ.J Dhaka Medical College, Vol. 24, No.2, October, 2015, Page 152-155
‘Where you from, you sexy thing?’ Popular Music, Space and Masculinity in The Full Monty
Authors: Boschi Elena
Published: September 2016

Questions of class, masculinity and diversity are a recurrent theme in debates about The Full Monty (1997) but, despite their prominent role in the story, songs are not discussed as a significant element in the film's representation of white working-class masculinity. In this article, I examine The Full Monty's soundtrack, showing how the characters’ wounded masculinities are (re)constructed through music and considering the connotative baggage brought into the film by songs, often heard through visible devices which act as a signifier alongside the music. Songs of other non-dominant identities – women, non-white and queer – enhance The Full Monty's audiovisually inclusive image, amplifying these identities despite their otherwise problematic representations and serving as a temporary reclamation of damaged white working-class masculinity after the dismantling of heavy industry in post-Thatcher Britain. However, despite its aural reimagining of a diverse working-class masculinity, the way women, non-white and queer characters are represented weakens the musical connections between jobless white men and these non-dominant identities.
Inappropriate Desires? Sex and the (Ageing) Single Girl
Authors: Hallam Julia
Published: September 2016

Films featuring older single women in leading roles are few and far between in British cinema. This article examines the ways in which older female desire is constructed in three films since 2000: Ladies in Lavender (2004), Notes on a Scandal (2006) and Another Year (2010). In all three films, sexual desire is deemed inappropriate and the characters are narratively disempowered, echoing earlier, pre-feminist representations in British cinema in which ageing single women were often regarded as a threat or used as a warning to younger women. I will thus argue that, despite apparent social changes in status and representation, these films foreground the culturally entrenched notions of ageing femininity that continue to shape the identities of single women in British cinema today.
Patterns and discriminability in language analysis
Authors: Ackerman Farrell , Malouf Robert , Blevins James P.
Published: September 2016

Recent developments in the Word and Pattern approach to complex morphology have argued that words and the patterned relations between words are primary objects of morphological analysis. The primacy of words has two part/whole dimensions: the nature of their internal structure and the nature of their external relations to one another. Words consist of constitutive parts and words themselves are parts of larger patterns of systemic relatedness. We argue that internal structure is essentially discriminative, rather than morphemic, i.e., what is crucial for morphological organization is the ability to discriminate (patterns of) words from one another and all types of internal distinctions suffice to facilitate the necessary discriminability to establish patterns of words. The value and the operation of a discriminative perspective on the internal structure of words is also evident in the analysis of an entirely different phenomenon. Greenberg's (1963) Universal 34 states that “No language has a trial number unless it has a dual. No language has a dual unless it has a plural.” We present an associative model of the acquisition of grammatical number based on the Rescorla-Wagner learning theory Rescorla & Wagner (1972) that predicts this generalization. Number as a real-world category is inherently structured: higher numerosity sets are mentioned less frequently than lower numerosity sets, and higher numerosity sets always contain lower numerosity sets. Using simulations, we demonstrate that these facts, along with general principles of probabilistic learning, lead to the emergence of Greenberg's Number Hierarchy. The value of a discriminative perspective for language analysis ( Ramscar & Yarlett 2007 , Ramscar et al. 2010 , 2013 ) becomes clear in both word-based morphology and its explanatory role addressing a typological conundrum.
A Simulation of Image-Assisted Forest Monitoring for National Inventories
Authors: Roesch Francis
Published: September 2016

The efficiency of national forest monitoring efforts can be increased by the judicious incorporation of ancillary data. For instance, a fixed number of ground plots might be used to inform a larger set of annual estimates by observing a smaller proportion of the plots each year while augmenting each annual estimate with ancillary data in order to reduce overall costs while maintaining a desired level of accuracy. Differencing successive geo-rectified remotely sensed images can conceivably provide forest change estimates at a scale and level of accuracy conducive to the improvement of temporally relevant forest attribute estimates. Naturally, the degree of improvement in the desired estimates is highly dependent on the relationships between the spatial-temporal scales of ground plot and remotely sensed observations and the desired spatial-temporal scale of estimation. In this paper, fixed scales of observation for each data source are used to explore the value of three different levels of information available from the remotely sensed image-change estimates. Four populations are simulated and sampled under four sampling error structures. The results show that the image change estimates (ICE) can be used to significantly reduce bias for annual estimates of harvest and mortality and that improved estimation of harvest and mortality can sometimes, but not always, contribute to better estimates of standing volume.
Fires of the Last Millennium Led to Landscapes Dominated by Early Successional Species in Québec’s Clay Belt Boreal Forest, Canada
Authors: Asselin Maxime , Grondin Pierre , Lavoie Martin , Fréchette Bianca
Published: September 2016

This study presents the long-term (over the last 8000 years) natural variability of a portion of the Picea mariana-moss bioclimatic domain belonging to Québec’s Clay Belt. The landscapes are dominated by mesic-subhydric clay and early successional forests composed of Populus tremuloides, Pinus banksiana and Picea mariana. The natural variability (fires and vegetation) of one of these landscapes was reconstructed by means of pollen and macroscopic charcoal analysis of sedimentary archives from two peatlands in order to assess when and how such landscapes were formed. Following an initial afforestation period dominated by Picea (8000–6800 cal. Years BP), small and low-severity fires favored the development and maintenance of landscapes dominated by Picea and Abies balsamea during a long period (6800–1000 BP). Over the last 1000 years, fires have become more severe and covered a larger area. These fires initiated a recurrence dynamic of early successional stands maintained until today. A decline of Abies balsamea has occurred over the last centuries, while the pollen representation of Pinus banksiana has recently reached its highest abundance. We hypothesize that the fire regime of the last millennium could characterize Québec’s Clay Belt belonging to the western Picea mariana-moss and Abies balsamea-Betula papyrifera domains.
Adhesion, Proliferation and Migration of NIH/3T3 Cells on Modified Polyaniline Surfaces
Authors: Rejmontová Petra , Capáková Zdenka , Mikušová Nikola , Maráková Nela , Kašpárková Věra , Lehocký Marián , Humpolíček Petr
Published: September 2016

Polyaniline shows great potential and promises wide application in the biomedical field thanks to its intrinsic conductivity and material properties, which closely resemble natural tissues. Surface properties are crucial, as these predetermine any interaction with biological fluids, proteins and cells. An advantage of polyaniline is the simple modification of its surface, e.g., by using various dopant acids. An investigation was made into the adhesion, proliferation and migration of mouse embryonic fibroblasts on pristine polyaniline films and films doped with sulfamic and phosphotungstic acids. In addition, polyaniline films supplemented with poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic) acid at various ratios were tested. Results showed that the NIH/3T3 cell line was able to adhere, proliferate and migrate on the pristine polyaniline films as well as those films doped with sulfamic and phosphotungstic acids; thus, utilization of said forms in biomedicine appears promising. Nevertheless, incorporating poly (2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic) acid altered the surface properties of the polyaniline films and significantly affected cell behavior. In order to reveal the crucial factor influencing the surface/cell interaction, cell behavior is discussed in the context of the surface energy of individual samples. It was clearly demonstrated that the lesser the difference between the surface energy of the sample and cell, the more cyto-compatible the surface is.
Acquisition of Flavescence Dorée Phytoplasma by Scaphoideus titanus Ball from Different Grapevine Varieties
Authors: Galetto Luciana , Miliordos Dimitrios , Pegoraro Mattia , Sacco Dario , Veratti Flavio , Marzachì Cristina , Bosco Domenico
Published: September 2016

Flavescence dorée (FD) is a threat for wine production in the vineyard landscape of Piemonte, Langhe-Roero and Monferrato, Italy. Spread of the disease is dependent on complex interactions between insect, plant and phytoplasma. In the Piemonte region, wine production is based on local cultivars. The role of six local grapevine varieties as a source of inoculum for the vector Scaphoideus titanus was investigated. FD phytoplasma (FDP) load was compared among red and white varieties with different susceptibility to FD. Laboratory-reared healthy S. titanus nymphs were caged for acquisition on infected plants to measure phytoplasma acquisition efficiency following feeding on different cultivars. FDP load for Arneis was significantly lower than for other varieties. Acquisition efficiency depended on grapevine variety and on FDP load in the source plants, and there was a positive interaction for acquisition between variety and phytoplasma load. S. titanus acquired FDP with high efficiency from the most susceptible varieties, suggesting that disease diffusion correlates more with vector acquisition efficiency than with FDP load in source grapevines. In conclusion, although acquisition efficiency depends on grapevine variety and on FDP load in the plant, even varieties supporting low FDP multiplication can be highly susceptible and good sources for vector infection, while poorly susceptible varieties may host high phytoplasma loads.
Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Phytotoxic Activities of Peganum harmala Seed Essential Oils from Five Different Localities in Northern Africa
Authors: Apostolico Ida , Aliberti Luigi , Caputo Lucia , De Feo Vincenzo , Fratianni Florinda , Nazzaro Filomena , Souza Lucèia , Khadhr Maroua
Published: September 2016

Peganum harmala L., also known as Syrian rue or Pègano, is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Zygohpyllaceae family, and is widely used in traditional medicine. The chemical composition of essential oils of P. harmala seeds from five different regions of Northern Africa (Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia) was studied by GC and GC-MS analyses. A total of 105 compounds were identified, the main components being oxygenated monoterpenes and oxygenated sesquiterpenes. Eugenol is the main component in all oils. The antimicrobial activity of the essential oils was assayed against some bacterial strains: Staphylococcus aureus (DSM 25693), Bacillus cereus (DSM 4313), Bacillus cereus (DSM4384), Escherichia coli (DMS 857) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 50071). All the oils showed different inhibitory activity. In the twentieth century this is an important result; we need possible new botanical drugs because the problem of resistance to antimicrobial drugs has become apparent. Moreover, the essential oils were evaluated for their possible in vitro phytotoxic activity against germination and initial radicle growth of Raphanus sativus L., Lepidium sativum L., and Ruta graveolens L. The results showed that both germination and radical elongation were sensitive to the oils.
Food Matrix Effects of Polyphenol Bioaccessibility from Almond Skin during Simulated Human Digestion
Authors: Mandalari Giuseppina , Vardakou Maria , Faulks Richard , Bisignano Carlo , Martorana Maria , Smeriglio Antonella , Trombetta Domenico
Published: September 2016

The goal of the present study was to quantify the rate and extent of polyphenols released in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) from natural (NS) and blanched (BS) almond skins. A dynamic gastric model of digestion which provides a realistic simulation of the human stomach was used. In order to establish the effect of a food matrix on polyphenols bioaccessibility, NS and BS were either digested in water (WT) or incorporated into home-made biscuits (HB), crisp-bread (CB) and full-fat milk (FM). Phenolic acids were the most bioaccessible class (68.5% release from NS and 64.7% from BS). WT increased the release of flavan-3-ols (p < 0.05) and flavonols (p < 0.05) from NS after gastric plus duodenal digestion, whereas CB and HB were better vehicles for BS. FM lowered the % recovery of polyphenols, the free total phenols and the antioxidant status in the digestion medium, indicating that phenolic compounds could bind protein present in the food matrix. The release of bioactives from almond skins could explain the beneficial effects associated with almond consumption.
Current Hypothesis for the Relationship between Dietary Rice Bran Intake, the Intestinal Microbiota and Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Authors: So Winnie , Law Bernard , Law Patrick , Chan Carmen , Chair Sek
Published: September 2016

Globally, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common form of cancer. The development of effective chemopreventive strategies to reduce CRC incidence is therefore of paramount importance. Over the past decade, research has indicated the potential of rice bran, a byproduct of rice milling, in CRC chemoprevention. This was recently suggested to be partly attributable to modification in the composition of intestinal microbiota when rice bran was ingested. Indeed, previous studies have reported changes in the population size of certain bacterial species, or microbial dysbiosis, in the intestines of CRC patients and animal models. Rice bran intake was shown to reverse such changes through the manipulation of the population of health-promoting bacteria in the intestine. The present review first provides an overview of evidence on the link between microbial dysbiosis and CRC carcinogenesis and describes the molecular events associated with that link. Thereafter, there is a summary of current data on the effect of rice bran intake on the composition of intestinal microbiota in human and animal models. The article also highlights the need for further studies on the inter-relationship between rice bran intake, the composition of intestinal microbiota and CRC prevention.
Sensor Data Fusion with Z-Numbers and Its Application in Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Jiang Wen , Xie Chunhe , Zhuang Miaoyan , Shou Yehang , Tang Yongchuan
Published: September 2016

Sensor data fusion technology is widely employed in fault diagnosis. The information in a sensor data fusion system is characterized by not only fuzziness, but also partial reliability. Uncertain information of sensors, including randomness, fuzziness, etc., has been extensively studied recently. However, the reliability of a sensor is often overlooked or cannot be analyzed adequately. A Z-number, Z = (A, B), can represent the fuzziness and the reliability of information simultaneously, where the first component A represents a fuzzy restriction on the values of uncertain variables and the second component B is a measure of the reliability of A. In order to model and process the uncertainties in a sensor data fusion system reasonably, in this paper, a novel method combining the Z-number and Dempster–Shafer (D-S) evidence theory is proposed, where the Z-number is used to model the fuzziness and reliability of the sensor data and the D-S evidence theory is used to fuse the uncertain information of Z-numbers. The main advantages of the proposed method are that it provides a more robust measure of reliability to the sensor data, and the complementary information of multi-sensors reduces the uncertainty of the fault recognition, thus enhancing the reliability of fault detection.
Measuring Corporate Sustainability and Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance Value Added
Authors: Kocmanová Alena , Pavláková Dočekalová Marie , Škapa Stanislav , Širáňová Lenka
Published: September 2016

The aim of the paper is to propose a model for measuring sustainable value which would complexly assess environmental, social, and corporate governance contribution to value creation. In the paper the concept of the Sustainable Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Value Added is presented. The Sustainable Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Value Added is based on the Sustainable Value Added model and combines weighted environmental, social, and corporate governance indicators with their benchmarks determined by Data Envelopment Analysis. Benchmark values of indicators were set for each company separately and determine the optimal combination of environmental, social, and corporate governance inputs to economic outcomes. The Sustainable Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Value Added methodology is applied on real-life corporate data and presented through a case study. The value added of most of the selected companies was negative, even though economic indicators of all of them are positive. The Sustainable Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance Value Added is intended to help owners, investors, and other stakeholders in their decision-making and sustainability assessment. The use of environmental, social, and corporate governance factors helps identify the company’s strengths and weaknesses, and provides a more sophisticated insight into it than the one-dimensional methods based on economic performance alone.
Water Governance in Bangladesh: An Evaluation of Institutional and Political Context
Authors: Chan Ngai , Roy Ranjan , Chaffin Brian
Published: September 2016

Water crises are often crises of governance. To address interrelated issues of securing access to sustainable sources of safe water for the world’s populations, scholar and practitioners have suggested fostering improved modes of water governance that support the implementation of integrated water resource management (IWRM). Recently, implementation of an IWRM approach was announced as a target for achieving Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study employs an analytical hierarchy process with a SWOT analysis to assess the current institutional and political context of water governance in Bangladesh and evaluate IWRM as a means to achieve the SDGs.
miR-4262 Promotes Proliferation and Invasion of Human Breast Cancer Cells Through Directly Targeting KLF6 and KLF15
Authors: Wang Ke , Ren Yu , Liu Yang , Zhang Jian , He Jian-jun
Published: September 2016

miRNAs have been shown to be involved in breast cancer growth and progression. miR-4262 is a potential tumor promoter in human cancers. In this study, we first investigated the role of miR-4262 in the proliferation and invasion of human breast cancer cells. Our results showed that, compared with the adjacent tissues and MCF-10A normal breast epithelial cells, miR-4262 was markedly increased in the breast cancer tissues and five cell lines, including MDA-MB-231, MDA-MB-468, MDA-MB-435, SKBR3, and MCF-7. Then the miR-4262 mimic or oligo anta-miR-4262 was transfected into MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 breast cancer cell lines. The results showed that the miR-4262 mimic greatly increased the miR-4262 level and the proliferation and invasion of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. In contrast, the anta-miR-4262 had a completely opposite effect on miR-4262 expression, cell proliferation, and cell invasion in MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cells. Moreover, bioinformatics and luciferase reporter gene assays confirmed that miR-4262 targeted the mRNA 3′-UTR region of KLF6 and KLF15, two characterized tumor suppressor genes. miR-4262 suppressed protein levels of KLF6 and KLF15 in MDA-MB-231 cells, and the suppression could be rescued by the transfection of pcDNA-KLF6 and -KLF15. In conclusion, miR-4262 positively regulates proliferation and invasion of human breast cancer cells via suppression of KLF6 and KLF15.
Understanding Diver Motivation and Specialization for Improved Scuba Management
Authors: Bentz Julia , Lopes Fernando , Calado Helena , Dearden Philip
Published: September 2016

This study explores diver motivations in the Azores in relationship to demographic variables and level of specialization, based on a survey of 425 divers in five of the nine islands. Using cluster and principal components analysis, four diver clusters were distinguished: socializers, shark and manta divers, biodiversity seekers, and explorer divers. Social aspects of diving were important to both generalists and specialists, and the importance of underwater fauna did not increase with specialization. Divers' cultural background affected their motivations. The Azores archipelago, an emerging nontropical diving destination, featuring diving with large iconic species including sharks and manta rays, has a higher proportion of specialized divers than reported in other diving destinations and may receive divers displaced from increasingly degraded tropical reefs. Findings highlight the importance of understanding diver motivations and developing diver awareness programs at all stages of specialization, as well as an integrated management strategy.
Variation in vegetative morphology tracks the complex genetic diversification of the mycoheterotrophic species Pyrola japonica sensu lato
Authors: Shutoh Kohtaroh , Kaneko Shingo , Suetsugu Kenji , Naito Yuichi I. , Kurosawa Takahide
Published: September 2016

PREMISE OF THE STUDY:

Although the evolution of full mycoheterotrophy has attracted many plant researchers, molecular phylogenetic studies that focus on the transition from partial to full mycoheterotrophy are limited to a few taxa. Pyrola japonica sensu lato is an ideal model for examining the evolution of mycoheterotrophy, owing to its variable leaf size, which suggests that the species comprises several transitional stages.

METHODS:

To elucidate the molecular and morphological changes that occur during the evolutionary transition between partial and full mycoheterotrophy in P. japonica s.l. from 18 populations in Japan, we estimated a parsimony network of plastid haplotypes based on three noncoding regions, measured the leaf size and scape color of the shoots, and compared morphology among haplotypes.

KEY RESULTS:

The seven haplotypes exhibited star‐like relationships, and at least three divergent haplotypes were associated with differences in morphology. The first was mainly observed in large‐leaved and green‐scaped populations, whereas the second was observed in extremely small‐leaved and reddish‐scaped populations, which indicated a high degree of mycoheterotrophy, and the last was detected among mixed populations with both green‐ and reddish‐scaped shoots with intermediate leaf sizes. In addition, the inconsistent association between the haplotypes and morphology suggests a complex relationship.

CONCLUSIONS:

Pyrola japonica s.l. has at least three separate genetic lineages that have different leaf morphologies. The genetic lineages and their coexistence could have led to the variable leaf size and suggest the possibility that gene flow from partial to full mycoheterotrophs could reverse the evolutionary transition to full mycoheterotrophy.
Twenty novel polymorphic microsatellite primers in the critically endangered Melastoma tetramerum var. tetramerum (Melastomataceae)
Authors: Narita Ayu , Izuno Ayako , Komaki Yoshiteru , Tanaka Takefumi , Murata Jin , Isagi Yuji
Published: September 2016

Premise of the study:

Microsatellite markers were identified for Melastoma tetramerum var. tetramerum (Melastomataceae), a critically endangered shrub endemic to the Bonin Islands, to reveal genetic characteristics in wild and restored populations.

Methods and Results:

Using next‐generation sequencing, 27 microsatellite markers were identified. Twenty of these markers were polymorphic in M. tetramerum var. tetramerum, with two to nine alleles per locus and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.10 to 0.71. Among the 20 polymorphic markers, 15 were applicable to other closely related taxa, namely M. tetramerum var. pentapetalum, M. candidum var. candidum, and M. candidum var. alessandrense.

Conclusions:

These markers can be potentially useful to investigate the genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and reproductive ecology of M. tetramerum var. tetramerum as well as of the three related taxa to provide appropriate genetic information for conservation.
Construction and Application of the MEEDE Dataset
Authors: Woollacott Jared , Depro Brooks
Published: September 2016

We describe the construction of a highly detailed dataset of the US electric sector—the Micro-level Economic and Environmental Detail of Electricity. The dataset represents a unique synthesis of engineering, economic, and environmental data pertaining to electricity generation. These data can support partial or general equilibrium modeling efforts requiring highly detailed depictions of the electric sector. We first provide thorough documentation of the data construction process and a set of descriptive statistics on the data components. We outline how the data can be used to support a partial equilibrium model or integrated into a general equilibrium model. The integrated approach we describe can preserve key environmental and economic features of electricity generation and pollution abatement. It does so while avoiding certain time costs and risks of linked two-model approaches. The integrated approach offers the transparency and economic and environmental realism required of rigorous policy analyses.