bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A mixed integer program for cyclic scheduling of flexible flow lines
Authors: Sawik T.
Published: March 2014

A new mixed integer programming formulation is presented for cyclic scheduling in flow lines with parallel machines and finite in-process buffers, where a Minimal Part Set (MPS) in the same proportion as the overall production target is repetitively scheduled. The cycle of parts in an MPS is not determined a priori, but is obtained along with the optimal schedule for all parts. In addition to the cyclic scheduling, a cyclic-batch scheduling mode is introduced, where within the MPS the parts of one type are processed consecutively. Numerical examples are included and some results of computational experiments are reported.
Experimental and numerical study of influence of incidence angle of shock wave created by explosive charge on the steel plate
Authors: Barnat W.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents experimental and numerical studies on influence of an incidence angle of the shock wave on a steel plate. The problem of interaction between the wave front and a barrier is important from the point of view of protection the crew of armored vehicles. One way of remedying the harmful effects of impacts of the shock wave is the reflection wave of the barrier set at an angle to the face of the wave. The article presents the numerical and experimental approach to the subject. The numerical part presents four models in which the plate was set at angles 0◦, 15◦, 30◦, 45◦. In each case, the plate was loaded by a wave formed after the explosion 2 kg of TNT. In the experimental part the results are presented from an experiment in which the wave was formed from 2 kg TNT detonation at a distance of 0.4 m in parallel to the steel plate.
Isolation and identification of Mycoplasma mycoides cluster strains from goats in Chongqing, China
Authors: Wang Haoju , Ni Li , Yang Hongjun , Xu Limin , Ma Ning , Ding Honglei
Published: March 2014

In order to evaluate the prevalence of the Mycoplasma mycoides cluster in goats in Chongqing, China, an epidemiological survey in this area was carried out. A total of 68 samples were subjected to bacteria isolation on Hartley’s medium. Four isolates (three from lung tissue and one from nasal discharges) were recovered from the samples and identified as the Mycoplasma species by their morphological and biochemical characteristics. They were further confirmed by PCR using 16S rRNA specific primer pairs and by restriction enzyme analysis. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of the isolates indicated that some strains had developed resistance to the antibiotics tested. This is the first report on the isolation, identification, and molecular characterisation of Mycoplasma species isolated from goats in Chongqing. This study also revealed a prevalence of Mycoplasma species infection in goats in this area.
Characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus aureus – like strains isolated from table eggs
Authors: Pyzik Ewelina , Marek Agnieszka , Hauschild Tomasz
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to provide a detailed phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Staphylococcus aureus strains and the group of microorganisms with unusual biochemical patterns (called Staphylococcus aureus-like) isolated from table chicken eggs. All of the strains tested exhibited resistance to at least one of the 17 antibiotics tested, and 55.55% of isolates were found to be resistant to five or more of them. PCR used for detection of the methicillin resistance gene (mecA) confirmed the presence of a specific product of 533 bp in the case of two of the isolated S. aureus-like strains. Analysis of the phylogenetic relationship between eight of S. aureus and ten S. aureus-like strains distinguished 18 macrorestriction profiles following digestion with SmaI endonuclease, indicating that there were no identical strains with the same macrorestriction profile. However, the presence of methicillin-resistant strains indicates a serious risk to consumer health.
Screening method for the determination of selected tetracyclines in water by liquid chromatography with diode array detector
Authors: Patyra Ewelina , Kowalczyk Ewelina , Kwiatek Krzysztof
Published: March 2014

A chromatographic procedure for determination of oxytetracycline (OXT), tetracycline (TC), chlorotetracycline (CTC), and doxycycline (DC) in water samples was developed and was applied for the analysis of water samples collected from poultry and pig farms and environmental water samples. Samples were acidified with trifluoroacetetic acid to pH 3 and further purified by solid phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridges. The samples were dried up and redissolved in the mixture of oxalic acid and methanol. Separation was performed on reserved phase column (Phenomenex column C18 , 250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) by multistep gradient elution, and detection was carried out at 360 nm for OTC and TC, 370 nm for CTC, and 350 nm for DC. The tetracyclines were eluted with the mobile phase of 0.05 M oxalic acid (pH 2.5), acetonitrile, and methanol. This method provided average recoveries of 83.53% to 108.59%, with coefficient of variations (CVs) of 2.41% to 8.64% in the range of 10 to 1000 μg/L OTC, TC, CTC, and DC in water. The linearity for the tetracyclines was determined by HPLC-DAD in the range 10 to 1000 μg/L, with the correlation coefficient (R) > 0.99. The LOD and LOQ for the tetracyclines in water samples ranged from 1.51 to 4.00 and 2.51 to 5.93 μg/L, respectively.
Concentration of trace elements vs redox status in blood, liver, and muscles of turkey hens fed diets with the addition of soybean or linseed oil
Authors: Czech Anna , Ognik Katarzyna , Sembratowicz Iwona , Chałabis-Mazurek Agnieszka
Published: March 2014

The undertaken study aimed at analysing the effect of linseed oil used in diets for turkey hens on contents of pro- and antioxidants in their tissues. Additionally, correlations were analysed between the contents of these compounds in blood, liver, and muscles of the birds. The experiment was conducted on 240 one-week-old turkey hens reared until 16 weeks of age, randomly allocated into two feeding groups. Hens from the first group received soybean oil in their complete feed mixture, whereas linseed oil was the source of fat for turkey hens from the second group. The oil content of the diet was on the level appropriate for the period of feeding: Starter - 0.5%; Grower I - 1.0%, Grower II - 2.5%; Finisher I - 3%. The redox parameters were assayed in breast and thigh muscles, blood, and liver. Introduction of PUFA n-3 high linseed oil to a feed mixture contributed to the enhancement of lipid peroxidation processes, which was indicated by a significant increase in concentrations of H2O2 and malondialdehyde in muscles, and by an increase of superoxide dismutase activity and concentrations of vitamin C and minerals (Cu+2, Zn+2, Fe+2, Se+2). This points out the need of strengthening the antioxidative defence by the use of suitable antioxidants. The use of linseed oil as a feed material for turkey hens additionally contributed to changes in parameters determining the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). The increased FRAP values resulted from a significant increase in vitamin E level.
Assessment of CD11b and CD11/18 integrin expression on leukocytes of dogs with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Taszkun Iwona
Published: March 2014

Cytometric analysis was performed in order to detect the expression of surface molecules CD11b and CD11/18 on lymphocytes, granulocytes, and monocytes of peripheral blood of dogs with atopic dermatitis (AD) complicated by purulent dermatitis. The percentage of peripheral blood lymphocytes with CD11b and CD11/18 was found to be significantly higher (P < 0.05) in dogs with AD than in healthy dogs. The percentage of granulocytes expressing CD11b molecule was significantly lower in dogs with complicated AD compared to healthy dogs and dogs with uncomplicated AD. The expression of CD11b and CD11/18 integrin on monocytes of dogs with complicated AD depended on the severity of symptoms and was higher in dogs with deep purulent dermatitis. It was concluded that the expression of CD11b and CD11/18 integrin on leukocytes of dogs with AD depends on the stage of the disease.
Correlation between expressions of hypoxia -inducible factor (HIF-1α), blood vessels density, cell proliferation, and apoptosis intensity in canine fibromas and fibrosarcomas
Authors: Madej Janusz A. , Madej Jan P. , Dzięgiel Piotr , Puła Bartosz , Nowak Marcin
Published: March 2014

The study aimed to demonstrate the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) in soft tissue mesenchymal tumours (fibroma and fibrosarcoma) in dogs. An attempt was made to correlate the obtained results with density of blood vessels (expression of von Willebrand Factor, vWF), expression of Ki-67 proliferation antigen, and with intensity of apoptosis in studied tumours. The study was performed on paraffin sections of 15 fibromas and 40 fibrosarcomas sampled from 55 female dogs aged 6 to 16 years. Immunohistochemical staining against HIF-1α, vWF, and Ki-67 was performed. Apoptosis was detected with the use of TUNEL reaction. A significantly higher HIF-1α expression was noted in fibrosarcomas in comparison to fibromas (P < 0.0001). HIF-1α expression in fibromas manifested strong positive correlation with tumour vascularity (r = 0.67, P = 0.007). Moreover, HIF-1α expression in fibrosarcomas manifested a moderate positive correlation with tumour malignancy grade (r = 0.44, P = 0.004), tumour vascularity (r = 0.52, P < 0.001), Ki-67 antigen expression (r = 0.42; P = 0.007), and TUNELpositive cells (r = 0.37, P = 0.017). Expression of HIF-1α was detected in 86.7% of fibroma type tumours and in 100% of fibrosarcomas. In all studied tumours expression of HIF-1α manifested positive correlation with the density of blood vessels, and in fibrosarcomas it correlated also with malignancy grade, intensity of Ki-67 expression, and with intensity of apoptosis in tumour cells.
Dynamic tissue perfusion measurement in the reproductive organs of the female and male dogs
Authors: Dzięcioł Michał , Scholbach Thomas , Stańczyk Ewa , Ostrowska Justyna , Kinda Wojciech , Woźniak Magdalena , Atamaniuk Wojciech , Skrzypczak Piotr , Niżański Wojciech , Wieczorek Andrzej , Scholbach Jacob , Kiełbowicz Zdzisław
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the usefulness of new software Pixel Flux (PXFX) for clinical evaluation of tissue perfusion in the field of reproduction in dogs. The experiment was performed on six adult Beagle dogs. Different organs and tissues of the animals were examined with the MyLab25 Gold ultrasound system. Blood flow in the ovary, testicle, prostate, the ramification of the penile artery, and the network of blood vessels of the pampiniform plexus were examined with the use of colour coded Doppler technique, and obtained data was evaluated with the PXFX software. The more objective digital evaluation of data obtained with colour Doppler sonography through the application of dynamic tissue perfusion measurements provides new opportunities for diagnosis, as well as continuous monitoring of the function of the examined tissues and organs. The use of PXFX software is strongly indicated as a tool in small animal practice as an additional method for evaluation of tissue perfusion, especially in the cases when other methods like pulsed wave Doppler techniques are difficult to be performed
Seasonal variability of basic pollution parameters in atmospheric precipitation in Strzelin
Authors: Jawecki Bartosz , Burszta-Adamiak Ewa
Published: March 2014

Electrical conductivity and pH are the basic indices of rainfall pollution, constituting the basis for evaluation of the general nature of rainwater. This article presents an analysis of these two parameters in samples of rainfall collected in the years 2008-2010 (in the heating season and outside it) in three measurement sites P1, P2 and P3, located in the city and commune Strzelin (Lower Silesian Voivodeship). Preliminary results show a high variation of pH and electrical conductivity of rainfall occurring in the analysed area. Approximately 30% of the samples were characterised by a pH that allowed to qualify them, according to JANSEN et al. [1988], as normal rainfall. A similar share in all the collected samples represented rainfall of pH < 5.1 that was classified as slightly, considerably and highly acidic. The problem of acid rain occurred in the analysed area mainly during the heating season, when rainfall of pH < 5.1 accounted for a considerable share in all rainfall samples collected in the said period. The electrical conductivity of most samples fell below 60 μS·cm-1, which allowed us to classify them as slightly polluted rainfall (site P2), considerably polluted (site P3) and highly polluted (site P1).
Operative and technological management of super-large united power grids: lessons of major world’s blackouts
Authors: Brinkis K. , Kreslins V. , Mutule A.
Published: March 2014

Power system (PS) blackouts still persist worldwide, evidencing that the existing protective structures need to be improved. The discussed requirements and criteria to be met for joint synchronous operation of large and super-large united PSs should be based on close co-ordination of operative and technological management of all PSs involved in order to ensure secure and stable electricity supply and minimise or avoid the threat of a total PS blackout. The authors analyse the July 2012 India blackout - the largest power outage in history, which affected over 620 million people, i.e. half of India’s population and spread across its 22 states. The analysis is of a general character, being applicable also to similar blackouts that have occurred in Europe and worldwide since 2003. The authors summarise and develop the main principles and methods of operative and technological management aimed at preventing total blackouts in large and super-large PSs.
Simultaneous thermodynamic simulation of CNG filling process
Authors: Deymi-Dashtebayaz Mahdi , Farzaneh-Gord Mahmood , Reza Rahbari Hamid
Published: March 2014

In CNG station, the fuel is usually stored in the cascade storage bank to utilize the station more efficiently. The cascade storage bank is generally divided into three reservoirs, commonly termed low, medium and high-pressure storage bank. The pressures within these reservoirs have huge effects on the performance of the stations. In the current study, a theoretical simulation based on mass balance and thermodynamic laws has been developed to study the dynamic fast fi lling process of vehicle’s (NGV) cylinder from the cascade storage bank. The dynamic change of the parameters within the storage bank is also considered. Natural gas is assumed to contain only its major component, methane, and so thermodynamic properties table has been employed for finding the thermodynamics properties. Also the system is assumed as a lumped adiabatic system. The results show that the initial pressure of the cascade storage bank has a big effect on the storage bank volumes for bringing up the NGV cylinder to its target pressure (200 bar). The results also showed that ambient temperature has effect on the refueling process, chiefly the final NGV cylinder and the cascade storage bank conditions
Selective recovery of cobalt(II) towards lithium(I) from chloride media by transport across polymer inclusion membrane with triisooctylamine
Authors: Pospiech Beata
Published: March 2014

In this work the selective transport of cobalt(II) and lithium(I) ions from aqueous chloride solutions through polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) is presented. Triisooctylamine (TIOA) has been applied as the ion carrier in membrane. The effects of various parameters on the transport of Co(II) and Li(I) were studied. The obtained results show that Co(II) ions were effectively removed from source phase through PIM containing 32 wt.% TIOA, 22 wt.% CTA (cellulose triacetate) and 46 wt.% ONPOE (o-nitrophenyl octyl ether) or ONPPE (o-nitrophenyl pentyl ether) into deionized water as the receiving phase. The results indicate that there is a possibility of polymer inclusion membranes application to recover Co(II) and Li(I) from aqueous chloride solutions
Use of fly ash and fly ash agglomerates for As(III) adsorption from aqueous solution
Authors: Ulatowska Justyna , Polowczyk Izabela , Sawiński Wojciech , Bastrzyk Anna , Koźlecki Tomasz , Sadowski Zygmunt
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present study is to assess the efficiency of fly ash and fly ash agglomerates to remove arsenic(III) from aqueous solution. The maximum static uptakes were achieved to be 13.5 and 5.7 mgAs(III)/adsorbent for nonagglomerated material and agglomerated one, respectively. Isotherm studies showed good fit with the Langmuir (fly ash) and the Freundlich (fly ash agglomerates) isotherm models. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption of arsenic on fly ash and its agglomerates follows the pseudo-second-order (PSO) chemisorption model (R2 = 0.999). Thermodynamic parameters revealed an endothermic nature of As(III) adsorption on such adsorbents. The adsorption results confirmed that fly ash and its agglomerates can be used for As(III) removal from aqueous solutions. Fly ash can adsorb more arsenic(III) than agglomerates, which are easier to use, because this material is less dusty and easier to separate from solution.
Dry single-stage method of sodium tripolyphosphate production – technological and economic assessment
Authors: Gorazda Katarzyna , Kowalski Zygmunt , Kijkowska Regina , Pawłowska-Kozińska Danuta , Wzorek Zbigniew , Banach Marcin , Nowak Anna K.
Published: March 2014

The study presents a technology of sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP) production with the use of a dry, single-stage method. The reacting substrates (concentrated wet-process phosphoric acid - WPPA and solid Na2CO3 ) are mixed with a recycled final product (STPP) in a mixer, then a „quasi-dry” mixture is calcined in a rotary kiln. Thanks to that, some stages of a classic method of STPP production are eliminated: one of the two-stage neutralization of the phosphoric acid with sodium carbonate at temperature ~80°C, filtration of the neutralised solution and its evaporation, as well as the stage of drying a solution of mono- and di-sodium orthophosphate in a spray dryer. According to the presented technical and economical analysis, the costs of STPP production using a single-stage dry method can be 10% lower compared to the classic method.
Fabrication and geometric characterization of highly-ordered hexagonally arranged arrays of nanoporous anodic alumina
Authors: Stępniowski Wojciech J. , Nowak-Stępniowska Agata , Michalska-Domańska Marta , Norek Małgorzata , Czujko Tomasz , Bojar Zbigniew
Published: March 2014

Anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) has been fabricated in the 0.3 M oxalic acid at voltage range 20-60 V and temperature range of 35-50oC. The resulting nanoporous alumina surfaces were characterized by high resolution scanning electron microscopy, and the images were quantitatively analysed by means of an innovative approach based on fast Fourier transform. The influence of operating anodization voltage and electrolyte temperature on nanopores geometry (pore diameter, interpore distance, porosity, pores density) and arrangement has been studied in details and compared to literature data and theoretical calculations. It was found that independently from the temperature, the best arrangement of the nanopores is for anodic aluminum oxide formed at voltages ranging from 40 to 50 V. Moreover, it was found that pore diameter and interpore distance increase linearly with voltage, what is in line with the literature data.
Chemistry for nanotechnology
Authors: Schroeder Grzegorz , Kurczewska Joanna
Published: March 2014

In recent years, the processing order during the synthesis of new chemical compounds has been redefined. Until now a chemist considered primarily receiving a new compound and only then searched for its potential application. The new philosophy of proceedings forces chemists to answer the question: what physical and chemical properties a new chemical compound must have, and what should be structured. After that it has to be planned how to get the compound including the defined budget. The compounds obtained by conventional chemical synthesis are then used to create new functional materials having the properties as scheduled. The paper presents the way of the proceedings from a molecular receptor to a new nanomaterial containing this receptor, so in other words from individual molecules to new material with specific and previously planned properties.
Changes in the composition of wastewater as a result of dehydrochlorination of 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol under different process conditions
Authors: Krzyżanowska Anna , Milchert Eugeniusz , Bartkowiak Marcin
Published: March 2014

The results of dehydrochlorination of 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol to epichlorohydrin are reported. The process ran in the reaction-stripping column system with a continuous removal of epichlorohydrin in a steam stream. The influence of 10 wt% alkali solution (NaOH, Ca(OH)2) and the method of distillate collection on the 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol conversion, selectivity of transformation to epichlorohydrin and by-products, and the composition of wastewater have been analysed.
Preparation and characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes grown on transition metal catalysts
Authors: Pełech Iwona , Narkiewicz Urszula , Kaczmarek Agnieszka , Jędrzejewska Anna
Published: March 2014

Transition metal catalysts (mainly: iron, cobalt and nickel) on various supports are successfully used in a largescale production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), but after the synthesis it is necessary to perform very aggressive purification treatments that cause damages of CNTs and are not always effective. In this work a preparation of unsupported catalysts and their application to the multi-walled carbon nanotubes synthesis is presented. Iron, cobalt and bimetallic iron-cobalt catalysts were obtained by co-precipitation of iron and cobalt ions followed by solid state reactions. Although metal particles were not supported on the hard-to-reduce oxides, these catalysts showed nanometric dimensions. The catalysts were used for the growth of multi-walled carbon nanotubes by the chemical vapor deposition method. The syntheses were conducted under ethylene - argon atmosphere at 700°C. The obtained catalysts and carbon materials after the synthesis were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction method (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG). The effect of the kind of catalyst on the properties of the obtained carbon material has been described.
Type-2 fuzzy logic control of a 2-DOF helicopter (TRMS system)
Authors: Zeghlache Samir , Kara Kamel , Saigaa Djamel
Published: March 2014

The helicopter dynamic includes nonlinearities, parametric uncertainties and is subject to unknown external disturbances. Such complicated dynamics involve designing sophisticated control algorithms that can deal with these difficulties. In this paper, a type 2 fuzzy logic PID controller is proposed for TRMS (twin rotor mimo system) control problem. Using triangular membership functions and based on a human operator experience, two controllers are designed to control the position of the yaw and the pitch angles of the TRMS. Simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed control scheme.
Reclaiming Third World Feminism
Authors: Herr Ranjoo Seodu
Published: March 2014

Third World and transnational feminisms have emerged in opposition to white second-wave feminists' single-pronged analyses of gender oppression that elided Third World women's multiple and complex oppressions in their various social locations. Consequently, these feminisms share two “Third World feminist” mandates: First, feminist analyses of Third World women's oppression and resistance should be historically situated; and second, Third World women's agency and voices should be respected. Despite these shared mandates, they have diverged in their proper domains of investigation, with transnational feminism concentrating on the transnational level and Third World feminism focusing on local and national contexts. Further, their respective positions regarding nation-states and nationalism have been antithetical, as leading transnational feminists have categorically rejected nation-states and nationalism as detrimental to feminism. In recent decades, transnational feminism has become the dominant feminist position on Third World women, overshadowing Third World feminism, and the dismissal of nation-states and nationalism as irrelevant to feminism has become fashionable. Against this current trend, this article argues for the relevance of nation-states and nationalism for transnational feminism and the urgency of reclaiming Third World feminism.
An Intersectional Analysis of Sex Trafficking Films
Authors: Baker Carrie N.
Published: March 2014

This essay analyzes the portrayal of sex trafficking in representative dramas and documentaries, both Hollywood and independent films. The majority of these films use a rescue narrative to tell the story of sex trafficking: an innocent and naïve young woman or girl is tricked or abducted by a villainous trafficker, who imprisons her and controls her with brutal violence until a heroic rescuer overcomes tremendous adversity in order to save her. Race and nationality inflect this gendered narrative: the rescuers are usually white, Western men and the traffickers are from Eastern Europe and/or are men of color. The issue of sex trafficking is portrayed simplistically, in black and white terms, with a clear bad guy, innocent victim, and savior. Often these films focus on the extreme, and least common, form of trafficking: a minor being abducted off the street and transported violently across national borders to be sold at auction. These films focus on criminal perpetrators and criminal-justice solutions, rather than on the broader systemic causes of sex trafficking, like globalization, economic inequality, poverty, and ethnic, race, and gender oppressions. This essay will discuss the 2007 Hollywood movie Trade, the 2010 Hollywood movie Taken, and the 2007 independent drama Holly as well as the NBC dateline special Children for Sale. The essay will then turn to several films that portray sex trafficking in more complex and nuanced ways: the 2OO3 film Trading Women, the 1999 film Sacrifice, and the 2007 film Very Young Girls. The essay concludes by calling for more films that portray a wider range of experiences not based on myths about trafficking that lead to simple criminal-justice-oriented solutions, but that explore the complexity of sex trafficking and show the need for localized solutions that address the systemic conditions that fuel sex trafficking.
In Her Own Image
Authors: Vásquez Sam
Published: March 2014

Despite striking similarities in their work and increased attention to the transnational Americas, there are few detailed comparisons between writers such as Toni Morrison (the most lauded African American female author of the twentieth century), and Jamaica Kincaid (the most critically and commercially successful female Caribbean writer). For example, the common approach to examining Morrison's groundbreaking novel The Bluest Eye (1970) is to foreground its national significance, or, less frequently, to apply its discourses quite generally and loosely to other cultural contexts like Latin America. However, building on relatively recent attempts to locate Morrison in broader transnational spaces, in this discussion, I propose closely examining a text from another Anglophone, African diasporic context, which utilizes many of the strategies evident in Bluest —Kincaid's Annie John (1985). By engaging the larger English-speaking Americas, such an approach highlights the transnational implications of the race and gender paradigms Morrison deploys; also, although Annie John is commonly categorized as primarily Caribbean (a precursor to Kincaid's “American” sequel, Lucy [1990]), my proposed comparison elucidates the Western and transnational leanings of this foundational “Caribbean” work and the ways in which it implicitly expands on Morrison's representations of female autonomy and visual culture. To that end, I borrow from and expand on Cheryl Wall's notion of “worrying the line” (Wall 2005)—black women writers' emphasizing, clarification, and subversion of literary traditions—to examine how black women in different cultural contexts write themselves into visual and historical records. Contributing to burgeoning interest in the Americas as a transnational space, I argue that Kincaid appropriates Morrison's treatment of visual culture, gender, and identity, presenting similar dynamics in another African diasporic community and depicting even more autonomous female characters.
Dynamic Diversity
Authors: Garces Liliana M. , Jayakumar Uma M.
Published: March 2014

Through an analysis of relevant social science evidence, this article provides a deeper understanding of critical mass, a concept that has become central in litigation efforts related to affirmative action admissions policies that seek to further the educational benefits of diversity. We demonstrate that the concept of critical mass requires an understanding of the conditions needed for meaningful interactions and participation among students, given the particular institutional context. To highlight this contextual definition of critical mass and to avoid further obfuscations in the legal debate, we offer the term dynamic diversity and outline four main components of dynamic diversity that institutions can attend to. By thinking of dynamic diversity as the goal, institutions and lawyers should be better poised to answer the question of how much diversity is necessary for leveraging its educational benefits.
A Comprehensive Multi-criteria Model for High Cartographic Quality Point-Feature Label Placement
Authors: Rylov Maxim A. , Reimer Andreas W.
Published: March 2014

The lettering process, including assigning names to point features, is an essential part of map production. While there have been numerous and varied research efforts to automate point-feature label placement (PFLP), none of them seems to have taken into account the many well-established cartographic precepts for point-feature annotation used by human cartographers. As a result, current fully automated solutions are limited in their expressive power. The PFLP problem is still vital, therefore, and solving it is a compelling challenge. This article presents a comprehensive multi-criterion model that complies with almost all well-defined cartographic placement principles and requirements for PFLP, allowing for a significant increase in toponym density without affecting legibility. The proposed model, expressed as a quality-evaluation function, can be used by any mathematical optimization algorithm to resolve the automated label-placement problem. Through an application of the proposed model tested on volunteered geographic (VGI) data and the creation of sample parameter settings, the article illustrates that a high level of cartographic quality for PFLP can be achieved through the integrated approach, comparable to the lettering produced by an expert cartographer.
Editorial Vol.5(1)
Authors: BanglaJOL Administrator
Published: March 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18440 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1)
Ethical considerations in research with children
Authors: Chowdhury Shahanaz
Published: March 2014

Ethical concerns and medical advances unique to children and adolescents make pediatric research an evolving endeavor. The current regulations for clinical research are based on a combination of ethical thought and history, some of it being very tragic. This article presents the ethical and historical underpinnings of these regulations, including elaborative discussion on ethical standards in research. In addition, the article highlights that every effort should be made to actively involve children as participants in the research process and care must be taken to protect the rights of all children, as well as specific groups of children, in research activity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bioethics.v5i1.18445 Bangladesh Journal of Bioethics 2014 Vol.5(1): 36-42
Scale-Dependent Assessment of Relative Disease Resistance to Plant Pathogens
Authors: Skelsey Peter , Newton Adrian
Published: March 2014

Phenotyping trials may not take into account sufficient spatial context to infer quantitative disease resistance of recommended varieties in commercial production settings. Recent ecological theory—the dispersal scaling hypothesis—provides evidence that host heterogeneity and scale of host heterogeneity interact in a predictable and straightforward manner to produce a unimodal (“humpbacked”) distribution of epidemic outcomes. This suggests that the intrinsic artificiality (scale and design) of experimental set-ups may lead to spurious conclusions regarding the resistance of selected elite cultivars, due to the failure of experimental efforts to accurately represent disease pressure in real agricultural situations. In this model-based study we investigate the interaction of host heterogeneity and scale as a confounding factor in the inference from ex-situ assessment of quantitative disease resistance to commercial production settings. We use standard modelling approaches in plant disease epidemiology and a number of different agronomic scenarios. Model results revealed that the interaction of heterogeneity and scale is a determinant of relative varietal performance under epidemic conditions. This is a previously unreported phenomenon that could provide a new basis for informing the design of future phenotyping platforms, and optimising the scale at which quantitative disease resistance is assessed.
Is There Release from Masking from Isomorphism between Perception and Action?
Authors: Dennehy Tara , Cooper Shanna , Molapour Tanaz , Morsella Ezequiel
Published: March 2014

The phenomenon of “entry into awareness” is one of the most challenging puzzles in neuroscience. Research has shown how entry is influenced by processes that are “bottom-up” (e.g., stimulus salience, motion, novelty, incentive and emotional quality) and associated with working memory. Although consciousness is intimately related to action, action-based entry remains under-explored. We review research showing that action-related processing influences the nature of percepts already in conscious awareness and present three experiments that, using a “release-from-masking” technique, examine whether action plans can also influence that which enters awareness in the first place. The present data, though intriguing and consistent with previous research, are not definitive. The limitations and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed. We hope that these experiments will spur further investigation of this understudied topic.
The Role of STAT3 in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Harada Daijiro , Takigawa Nagio , Kiura Katsuyuki
Published: March 2014

Persistent phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been demonstrated in 22%~65% of non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC). STAT3 activation is mediated by receptor tyrosine kinases, such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MET, cytokine receptors, such as IL-6, and non-receptor kinases, such as Src. Overexpression of total or phosphorylated STAT3 in resected NSCLC leads to poor prognosis. In a preclinical study, overexpression of STAT3 was correlated with chemoresistance and radioresistance in NSCLC cells. Here, we review the role of STAT3 and the mechanisms of treatment resistance in malignant diseases, especially NSCLC. As STAT3 is a critical mediator of the oncogenic effects of EGFR mutations, we discuss STAT3 pathways in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, referring to mechanisms of EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance.
Yeast Irc22 Is a Novel Dsk2-Interacting Protein that Is Involved in Salt Tolerance
Authors: Ishii Takashi , Funakoshi Minoru , Kobayashi Hideki , Sekiguchi Takeshi
Published: March 2014

The yeast ubiquitin-like and ubiquitin-associated protein Dsk2 is one of the ubiquitin receptors that function in the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. We screened the Dsk2-interacting proteins in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by a two-hybrid assay and identified a novel Dsk2-interacting protein, Irc22, the gene locus of which has previously been described as YEL001C, but the function of which is unknown. IRC22/YEL001C encodes 225 amino acid residues with a calculated molecular weight of 25 kDa. The Irc22 protein was detected in yeast cells. IRC22 was a nonessential gene for yeast growth, and its homologs were found among ascomycetous yeasts. Irc22 interacted with Dsk2 in yeast cells, but not with Rad23 and Ddi1. Ubiquitin-dependent degradation was impaired mildly by over-expression or disruption of IRC22. Compared with the wild-type strain, dsk2D exhibited salt sensitivity while irc22D exhibited salt tolerance at high temperatures. The salt-tolerant phenotype that was observed in irc22D disappeared in the dsk2Dirc22D double disruptant, indicating that DSK2 is positively and IRC22 is negatively involved in salt stress tolerance. IRC22 disruption did not affect any responses to DNA damage and oxidative stress when comparing the irc22D and wild-type strains. Collectively, these results suggest that Dsk2 and Irc22 are involved in salt stress tolerance in yeast.
Chemo-Electrical Signal Transduction by Using Stimuli-Responsive Polymer Gate-Modified Field Effect Transistor
Authors: Matsumoto Akira , Tsurui Yusuke , Matsumoto Hiroko , Maeda Yasuhiro , Hoshi Toru , Sawaguchi Takashi , Miyahara Yuji
Published: March 2014

A glucose-responsive polymer brush was designed on a gold electrode and exploited as an extended gate for a field effect transistor (FET) based biosensor. A permittivity change at the gate interface due to the change in hydration upon specific binding with glucose was detectable. The rate of response was markedly enhanced compared to the previously studied cross-linked or gel-coupled electrode, owing to its kinetics involving no process of the polymer network diffusion. This finding may offer a new strategy of the FET-based biosensors effective not only for large molecules but also for electrically neutral molecules such as glucose with improved kinetics.
Adaptation of a High-Pressure Liquid Chromatography System for the Measurement of Viscosity
Authors: Gregory Sonia , Mach Henryk
Published: March 2014

The state-of-the-art instruments for the determination of viscosity of liquids typically require a significant amount of sample, and have relatively low throughput due to manual and sequential measurements. In this study, it was demonstrated that the pressure generated by the flow of viscous fluids through a capillary could be precisely measured employing high-pressure liquid chromatography systems (HPLC) using glycerol solutions of moderate viscosity as a mobile phase, and correlated to the dynamic (absolute) viscosity. The parameters allowing calculation of the viscosity of glycerol calibration standards as a function of temperature were established. The measurements were made with volumes as small as 10 μL, and the use of an autosampler permitted unattended analysis of a large number samples. The method appears to be particularly well suited for the development of viscous formulations of therapeutic, protein-based macromolecules, where the amount sample is typically limited and relatively wide ranges of conditions are considered in the optimization process. The utility of the methods was illustrated by application to the development of concentrated inactivated virus vaccines.
An Entropy-Based Contagion Index and Its Sampling Properties for Landscape Analysis
Authors: Parresol Bernard , Edwards Lloyd
Published: March 2014

Studies of spatial patterns of landscapes are useful to quantify human impact, predict wildlife effects, or describe various landscape features. A robust landscape index should quantify two components of landscape diversity: composition and configuration. One category of landscape index is the contagion index. Some landscape ecologists promote the use of relative contagion indices. It is demonstrated, using simulated landscapes, that relativized contagion indices are mathematically untenable. A new entropy contagion index (Γ) is developed. Distributional properties of Γ^ are derived. It is shown to be asymptotically unbiased, consistent, and asymptotically normally distributed. A variance formula for Γ^ is derived using the delta method. As an application, the pattern and changes in forest types across four soil-geologic landform strata were analyzed on the 80,000 ha Savannah River Site in South Carolina, USA. One-way analysis of variance was used for hypothesis testing of contagion among strata. The differences in contagion across the strata provide insight to managers to meet structural objectives.
Architecture of Inherited Susceptibility to Colorectal Cancer: A Voyage of Discovery
Authors: Whiffin Nicola , Houlston Richard
Published: March 2014

This review looks back at five decades of research into genetic susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) and the insights these studies have provided. Initial evidence of a genetic basis of CRC stems from epidemiological studies in the 1950s and is further provided by the existence of multiple dominant predisposition syndromes. Genetic linkage and positional cloning studies identified the first high-penetrance genes for CRC in the 1980s and 1990s. More recent genome-wide association studies have identified common low-penetrance susceptibility loci and provide support for a polygenic model of disease susceptibility. These observations suggest a high proportion of CRC may arise in a group of susceptible individuals as a consequence of the combined effects of common low-penetrance risk alleles and rare variants conferring moderate CRC risks. Despite these advances, however, currently identified loci explain only a small fraction of the estimated heritability to CRC. It is hoped that a new generation of sequencing projects will help explain this missing heritability.
Clinically-Important Brain Injury and CT Findings in Pediatric Mild Traumatic Brain Injuries: A Prospective Study in a Chinese Reference Hospital
Authors: Zhu Huiping , Gao Qi , Xia Xin , Xiang Joe , Yao Hongli , Shao Jianbo
Published: March 2014

This study investigated injury patterns and the use of computed tomography (CT) among Chinese children with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). We enrolled children with MTBI who were treated within 24 hours of head trauma in the emergency department of Wuhan Medical Care Center for Women and Children in Wuhan, China. Characteristics of MTBIs were analyzed by age and gender. Results of cranial CT scan and clinically-important brain injury (ciTBI) for children were obtained. The definition of ciTBI was: death from TBI, intubation for more than 24 h for TBI, neurosurgery, or hospital admission of 2 nights or more. Of 455 eligible patients with MTBI, ciTBI occurred in two, and no one underwent neurosurgical intervention. CT scans were performed for 441 TBI patients (96.9%), and abnormal findings were reported for 147 patients (33.3%, 95% CI 29.0–37.8). Falls were the leading cause of MTBI (61.5%), followed by blows (18.9%) and traffic collisions (14.1%) for children in the 0–2 group and 10–14 group. For children aged between 3 and 9, the top three causes of TBI were falls, traffic collisions and blows. Leisure activity was the most reported activity when injuries occurred for all age groups. Sleeping/resting and walking ranked in the second and third place for children between 0 and 2 years of age, and walking and riding for the other two groups. The places where the majority injuries occurred were the home for the 0–2 and 3–9 years of age groups, and school for the 10–14 years of age group. There was no statistical difference between boys and girls with regard to the activity that caused the MTBI. This study highlights the important roles that parents and school administrators in the development of preventive measures to reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury in children. Also, identifying children who had a head trauma at very low risk of clinically important TBI for whom CT might be unnecessary is a priority area of research in China.
A Dynamic GIS as an Efficient Tool for Integrated Coastal Zone Management
Authors: Gourmelon Françoise , Le Guyader Damien , Fontenelle Guy
Published: March 2014

This contribution addresses both the role of geographical information in participatory research of coastal zones, and its potential to bridge the gap between research and coastal zone management. Over a one year period, heterogeneous data (spatial, temporal, qualitative and quantitative) were obtained which included the process of interviews, storing in a spatio-temporal database. The GIS (Geographic Information System) produced temporal snapshots of daily human activity patterns allowing it to map, identify and quantify potential space-time conflicts between activities. It was furthermore used to facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge at various levels: by mapping, simulation, GIS analysis and data collection. Results indicated that both captured data and the participatory workshop added real value to management and therefore it was deemed well managed by stakeholders. To incorporate a dynamic GIS would enhance pro-active integrated management by opening the path for better discussions whilst permitting management simulated scenarios.
Antibacterial Activity of New Oxazolidin-2-One Analogues in Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains
Authors: Córdova-Guerrero Jesús , Hernández-Guevara Esteban , Ramírez-Zatarain Sandy , Núñez-Bautista Marco , Ochoa-Terán Adrián , Muñiz-Salazar Raquel , Montes-Ávila Julio , López-Angulo Gabriela , Paniagua-Michel Armando , Torres Gustavo
Published: March 2014

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the most common causes of nosocomial infections. The purpose of this study was the synthesis and in vitro evaluation of antimicrobial activity of 10 new 3-oxazolidin-2-one analogues on 12 methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) clinical isolates. S. aureus confirmation was achieved via catalase and coagulase test. Molecular characterization of MRSA was performed by amplification of the mecA gene. Antimicrobial susceptibility was evaluated via the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion susceptibility test protocol, using commonly applied antibiotics and the oxazolidinone analogues. Only (R)-5-((S)-1-dibenzylaminoethyl)-1,3-oxazolidin-2-one (7a) exhibited antibacterial activity at 6.6 μg. These results, allow us to infer that molecules such as 7a can be potentially used to treat infections caused by MRSA strains.