bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase deficiency impairs sperm motility and in vivo fertility
Authors: Garratt Michael , Bathgate Roslyn , de Graaf Simon P , Brooks Robert C
Published: July 2013

Oxidative stress, overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in relation to defence mechanisms, is considered to be a major cause of male infertility. For protection against the deleterious effects of ROS, animals have a variety of enzymatic antioxidants that reduce these molecules to less reactive forms. The physiological role of these antioxidantsin vivohas been explored extensively through genetic inhibition of gene expression; surprisingly, many of these animals remain fertile in spite of increased oxidative stress. Copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-deficient (Sod1−/−) male mice are one such example for whichin vivofertility has been repeatedly reported as normal, although examination of fertility has consisted of simply pairing animals of the same strain and checking for litters. This is a fairly low criterion by which to assess fertility. Herein, we show thatSod1-deficient males have zero fertilisation success in sperm competition trials that pit them against wild-type males of an otherwise identical genetic background and are almost completely infertile when mated singly with females of a different genotype. We also show that various aspects of sperm motility and function are impaired inSod1-deficient mice. Testing the breeding capabilities of mice under more ecologically relevant conditions and with females of different genotypes may help reveal additional physiological causes of infertility.
Relationship between workability and mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced self-consolidating mortar
Authors: Mehdipour Iman , Vahdani Mohammad , Libre Nicolas Ali , Shekarchi Mohammad
Published: July 2013

Non-uniform distribution of fibres and also instability of mixture tend to degrade as well as introduce undesirable variability into the mechanical properties of the mixture. This study investigates the effects of aspect ratio and volume fraction of polypropylene fibre on fluidity, flow time, stability and mechanical properties of fibre-reinforced self-consolidating mortars (FRSCMs). The obtained results indicate that stability and segregation resistance of ordinary self-consolidating mortars plays a significant role in the fluidity, stability and fibre dispersion of fibrous mortar. Moreover, this paper suggests critical and dense fibre factors to show the variability of fluidity, stability and also mechanical properties of mixtures. The results show that, for a water/cement ratio of 0·4 and fibre factor less than 90, fibres formed networks, in which aggregates are efficiently confined and so result in more segregation resistance of mixtures. On the other hand, for mixtures with a fibre factor above the dense fibre factor, non-uniform distribution and clumping of fibres occur, leading to a poor mechanical behaviour. The combined fluidity and stability data allow an improved description of the processes, which are responsible for segregation and fibre clustering in FRSCM.
Seismic assessment of existing RC shear walls non-compliant with current code provisions
Authors: Christidis Konstantinos , Vougioukas Emmanouil , Trezos Konstantinos G.
Published: July 2013

This work forms part of a research programme to assess and strengthen existing reinforced concrete (RC) walls that were designed using older seismic codes. The main object of the present paper is to examine the behaviour of concrete shear walls that do not comply with modern seismic codes (Eurocode 2 (EC2) and Eurocode 8 (EC8)) and compare their experimental performance with the provisions for assessment of RC members included in EC8 Part 3. For this purpose, a series of six shear walls (height h = 1·40 m, length l = 0·74 m, thickness b = 0·10 m) was designed and tested under static cyclic loading. The wall specimens were characterised by various types of reinforcement arrangement, focusing on different amounts of shear reinforcement. The issues investigated are the failure modes, ductility level, the absence of confined boundary elements, the low amount of shear reinforcement, the influence of diagonal reinforcement and the influence of axial load. The experimental results are compared with the provisions included in EC8 Part 3, which predict the shear strength, the chord rotation ductility and the effective stiffness of RC shear walls.
Landscape genetics as a tool for conservation planning: predicting the effects of landscape change on gene flow
Authors: van Strien Maarten J. , Keller Daniela , Holderegger Rolf , Ghazoul Jaboury , Kienast Felix , Bolliger Janine
Published: July 2013

For conservation managers, it is important to know whether landscape changes lead to increasing or decreasing gene flow. Although the discipline of landscape genetics assesses the influence of landscape elements on gene flow, no studies have yet used landscape‐genetic models to predict gene flow resulting from landscape change. A species that has already been severely affected by landscape change is the large marsh grasshopper (Stethophyma grossum), which inhabits moist areas in fragmented agricultural landscapes in Switzerland. From transects drawn between all population pairs within maximum dispersal distance (<3 km), we calculated several measures of landscape composition as well as some measures of habitat configuration. Additionally, a complete sampling of all populations in our study area allowed incorporating measures of population topology. These measures together with the landscape metrics formed the predictor variables in linear models with gene flow as response variable (FSTand mean pairwise assignment probability). With a modified leave‐one‐out cross‐validation approach, we selected the model with the highest predictive accuracy. With this model, we predicted gene flow under several landscape‐change scenarios, which simulated construction, rezoning or restoration projects, and the establishment of a new population. For some landscape‐change scenarios, significant increase or decrease in gene flow was predicted, while for others little change was forecast. Furthermore, we found that the measures of population topology strongly increase model fit in landscape genetic analysis. This study demonstrates the use of predictive landscape‐genetic models in conservation and landscape planning.
Long‐term effects of fire severity on oak–conifer dynamics in the southern Cascades
Authors: Cocking Matthew I. , Varner J. Morgan , Knapp Eric E.
Published: July 2013

We studied vegetation composition and structure in a mixed conifer–oak ecosystem across a range of fire severity 10 years following wildfire. Sample plots centered on focal California black oaks (Quercus kelloggii) were established to evaluate oak and neighboring tree and shrub recovery across a gradient of fire severity in the southern Cascade Range, USA. Shrub and oak resprouting was strongest around focal oaks where conifer mortality was greatest. Linear modeling revealed negative relationships between California black oak sprout height or basal area and residual overstory tree survival, primarily white fir (Abies concolor). The two dominant competing species, California black oak and white fir, showed opposite responses to fire severity. Sprouting California black oak and associated shrubs dominated in severely burned areas, while surviving, non‐sprouting white fir maintained dominance by its height advantage and shading effects in areas that burned with low fire severity. Our results indicate that high‐severity fire promotes persistence and restoration of ecosystems containing resprouting species, such as California black oak, that are increasingly rare due to widespread fire exclusion in landscapes that historically experienced more frequent fire. We present a conceptual model based on our results and supported by a synthesis of postfire resprouting dynamics literature. Our results and conceptual model help illuminate long‐term postfire vegetation responses and the potential ability of fire to catalyze formation of alternate vegetation community structures that may not be apparent in studies that evaluate postfire effects at shorter time‐since‐fire intervals or at coarser scales.
The Design and Analysis of Long‐Term Rotation Experiments
Authors: Payne Roger William
Published: July 2013

Rotation experiments are intended to compare different sequences of crop (and possibly husbandry) combinations. To avoid the conclusions being dependent on a specific sequence of years, it is advantageous to phase the start of the experiment, with new replicates of the rotations starting in successive years. Once a complete cycle has taken place, comparisons can then be made between the rotations in every subsequent year. If sufficient resources are available to have more than one replicate in each year, it will be possible to do an interim analysis with the data from a single year. Otherwise meaningful analyses will need several years’ data and the assumption, e.g., that higher order interactions can be ignored or that responses over years can be modeled by low‐order polynomials. Other analysis complications are that the within‐year variances may be unequal and that the correlation between observations on a plot may differ according to the distance in time between them. The old‐fashioned method of analysis, feasible if the data are balanced, would be to do a repeated‐measurements analysis of variance. A more recent, and more satisfactory, alternative is to do a mixed model analysis by residual (restricted) maximum likelihood estimation, possibly fitting a model to the between‐year correlation structure. The issues are illustrated using data from the Woburn Ley–Arable Experiment.
Enhanced‐Efficiency Nitrogen Fertilizers: Potential Role in Nitrous Oxide Emission Mitigation
Authors: Halvorson Ardell D. , Snyder Clifford S. , Blaylock Alan D. , Del Grosso Stephen J.
Published: July 2013

Enhanced‐efficiency N fertilizers (EENFs) have potential for mitigating N2O emissions from N‐fertilized cropping systems. Stabilized EENFs contain nitrification and/or urease inhibitors. Slow‐release EENFs contain N components that are slowly released with variable release rates. Controlled‐release EENFs release N at more predictable rates. The effectiveness of several EENFs in reducing soil N2O emissions from a clay loam soil under irrigated, corn (Zea mays L.)‐based production systems in Colorado (2002–2012) was investigated. A controlled‐release, polymer‐coated urea, ESN, reduced N2O emissions by 42% compared with urea and 14% compared with urea–NH4NO3 solution (UAN) in no‐till and strip‐till environments, but had no effect in a conventional tillage environment. A stabilized urea source, SuperU, reduced N2O emissions by 46% compared with urea and 21% compared with UAN. A stabilized UAN source, UAN + AgrotainPlus, reduced N2O emissions by 61% compared with urea and 41% compared with UAN alone. A slow‐release UAN source, UAN + Nfusion, reduced N2O emissions by 57% compared with urea and 28% compared with UAN. Urea–NH4NO3 reduced N2O emissions by 35% compared with urea. A linear increase in N2O emissions with increasing N rate was observed for untreated urea and UAN. Developers of management protocols to reduce N2O emissions from irrigated cropping systems in semiarid areas can use this information to estimate reductions in N2O emissions when EENFs are used. Policymakers can use this information to help determine financial credits needed to encourage producers to use these technologies in their crop production systems.
Physiological Dynamics of Maize Nitrogen Uptake and Partitioning in Response to Plant Density and N Stress Factors: I. Vegetative Phase
Authors: Ciampitti Ignacio A. , Murrell Scott T. , Camberato J.J. , Tuinstra Mitch , Xia Yanbing , Friedemann Peter , Vyn Tony J.
Published: July 2013

From a physiological perspective, field studies that quantify the influence of plant density (PD) and N rate on biomass (BM) and N uptake are needed to build more functional partitioning models for maize (Zea mays L.). The overall goal was to quantify the effects of maize hybrid (two genotypes), PD (low = 54,000; medium = 79,000 and high = 104,000 pl ha‐1), and N rate (low = 0, medium = 112 and high = 224 kg N ha‐1) on the organ‐specific dry mass and N allocation, and on the resource capture (ratio of leaf area index [LAI] to BM), and resource use efficiency (ratio of N uptake to LAI) parameters, during the vegetative phase at four site‐years. Allometric analyses revealed that the resource capture was primarily affected by the PD, and the resource use efficiency by the N rate. The stoichiometry between leaf and stem dry mass was unaffected by the treatment factors, but no isometry was documented (greater BM to the stem than leaf). The N rate primarily modified the leaf and stem N concentrations (0N vs. 112–224N). With respect to resource use efficiency, modifications in the leaf N content per unit of LAI were joint outcomes of changes in leaf mass and %N (N concentration). In contrast, physiological changes in the stem N content per unit of LAI were more dependent on changes in the stem %N (greater N storage capacity) rather than in the stem mass. Intensifying competition with neighboring plants reduced per‐plant mass similarly in both leaf and stem structures, and improving N supply was proportionately more beneficial in maintaining plant mass and stem %N at high PD during vegetative growth.
Genotype × Storage Environment Interaction and Stability of Potato Chip Color: Implications in Breeding for Cold Storage Chip Quality
Authors: Rak Kyle , Navarro Felix M. , Palta Jiwan P.
Published: July 2013

Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) genotypes exhibit significant variation for chip color across different storage regimes. Lines that maintain light chip color after long postharvest storage durations and low storage temperatures are desirable to the potato industry. Since storage regimes vary among growers and processors, lines that exhibit stable chip performance across various storage regimes have a high probability of commercial success. The objective was to test if treating storage regimes as “environments,” analyzing genotype × storage environment interactions, and applying stability statistics can help identify desirable chip processing lines. To examine this, chip color of 47 breeding clones and six standard varieties was evaluated across eight storage environments. Chip color data was analyzed using stability metrics as well as stability‐adjusted selection indices. The effects of genotype, storage environment, and genotype × environment on chip color were significant, explaining 47, 24, and 17% of total variance, respectively. Types I, II, and III stable lines were identified through stability analyses. Type I stability was significantly correlated with mean chip color. The most desirable lines were identified under long and cold storage environments. Using Type I stability and stability‐adjusted indices, this study identified breeding clones for advancement, including W5840‐4, W6484‐5, and W6929‐1, which outperformed standard chipping varieties for chip quality and stability.
Creation of Hexaploid and Octaploid Zoysiagrass Using Colchicine and Breeding
Authors: Schwartz Brian M. , Harris‐Shultz Karen R. , Contreras Ryan N. , Hans Christian S. , Jackson Scott A.
Published: July 2013

Zoysiagrasses (Zoysia Willd.) are a slow‐growing, tetraploid (2n = 4x = 40) turfgrass that can be successfully managed with less input than many other warm‐season grasses. Despite extensive genetic and morphological variation, genotypes with the ability to recuperate quickly from damage are rare. Therefore, a long‐term effort to increase vegetative growth rates was initiated during 2009 by first studying the effectiveness of six colchicine seed treatments and breeding for manipulating the ploidy level of ‘Zenith’ zoysiagrass. Colchicine‐treated seedlings were screened using flow cytometry for genome size changes. Four putative octaploids and one cytochimera were identified. Average stomata length of the four colchicine‐induced putative octaploids were 28% larger than that of Zenith, but the cytochimera's stomata length was not altered. Pollen diameter of the four putative octaploids was larger than that of Zenith and the cytochimera. Pollen stainability was relatively unchanged by the colchicine treatments. Further self‐ and cross‐pollination of 09‐TZ‐103 (putative M0 octaploid) led to the development and verification of M1 octaploid and M1 hexaploid genotypes. These results support that DNA content of the L‐I (epidermis), L‐II (germ line), and L‐III (adventitious roots) histogenic layers of Zoysia can be manipulated with colchicine and breeding. Future evaluation of the turfgrass performance of these polyploids is the next step in determining the value of this breeding procedure for improvement of zoysiagrass.
Renal Survival in Proteinase 3 and Myeloperoxidase ANCA-Associated Systemic Vasculitis
Authors: de Joode Anoek A.E. , Sanders Jan Stephan F. , Stegeman Coen A.
Published: July 2013

Background and objectives

This study evaluated predictors for patient and renal survival in patients with ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV) with and without renal involvement.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

There were 273 consecutive AAV patients from January 1990 until December 2007 who were followed until death, loss to follow-up, or December 2010. Based on organ involvement, patients were divided into renal (n=212) and nonrenal groups (n=61). The primary end point was ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT) or renal transplantation or death.

Results

Patient survival was significantly better in the nonrenal group compared with the renal group (hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.33 to 0.92; P=0.02). In the renal group, renal survival was significantly worse in MPO-ANCA–positive patients (n=65) compared with PR3-ANCA–positive patients (n=138) (hazard ratio, 2.1; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 3.8; P=0.01). Of 48 patients who needed RRT at diagnosis, 11 patients (23%) died within 6 months and 14 patients (29%) did not regain renal function. Of all 23 patients who regained renal function after RRT, 7 patients (30%) were temporarily dialysis independent and needed dialysis later (range, 13–63 months). Five patients had a renal relapse in the 6 months before restart of RRT. Of all 203 PR3-ANCA–positive and MPO-ANCA–positive patients with renal involvement, 12 patients (6%) developed ESRD during follow-up. These patients were classified as CKD stage 4 or 5 after initial treatment and eight patients had a renal relapse before becoming dialysis dependent.

Conclusions

AAV patients with renal involvement who needed RRT had the worst survival probability. In multivariate analysis, the only major determinants for long-term renal survival were renal function at 6 months and renal relapses.
Position, experience, and knowledge creation: A longitudinal case study of Chinese academic networks
Authors: Chiu Su-Chin
Published: July 2013

I investigated the impact of experience and network position on knowledge creation in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and China with panel data on 229 scholars and 1,655 publications. Quantitative analysis of the data demonstrated an inverse U-shaped relationship between network position and knowledge
creation. Additionally, tests of the different moderating impacts of experience revealed that experience negatively moderates the relationship between position and knowledge creation in the regions of Taiwan and Hong Kong, whereas it positively moderates the relationship in mainland Chinese
samples.
Organizational change and employee organizational identification: Mediation of perceived uncertainty
Authors: Kim Jungsik , Song Eugene , Lee Seongsoo
Published: July 2013

In this study we explored the relationship between organizational change and employee organizational identification by examining the mediating effects of perception of uncertainty. Considering the importance of an individual's subjective perception, we hypothesized that perceived pace
and scope of organizational change would increase an employee's feelings of uncertainty, which would, in turn, result in stronger organizational identification. We also predicted that employee perceptions of boundary permeability between organizations would moderate the proposed relationships.
Employees working in Korean firms participated in a survey to report on their experience of major organizational changes, their feelings of uncertainty, and organizational identification. The results of the analyses supported the proposed hypotheses: both the mediating effect of uncertainty
and the moderating effect of boundary permeability. The managerial and theoretical implications of the findings are discussed.
Chinese male addicts' drug craving and their global and contingent self-esteem
Authors: Chen Xiao , Ye Jun , Zhou Hui
Published: July 2013

In this study we investigated the relationships among Chinese male addicts' drug craving and their global and contingent self-esteem. Drug addicts (N = 195) at a compulsory rehabilitation center in Zhuhai, South China, completed the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, Self-Esteem Contingent
Scale, Sensation Seeking Scale V, and a scale of drug craving for addicts who have withdrawn physically from the drug, but who have not received any behavior support or counseling. The results indicated that male drug addicts' global self-esteem correlated negatively with drug craving whereas
their contingent self-esteem correlated positively with drug craving. After controlling for other variables, drug craving was still significantly predicted by global self-esteem and contingent self-esteem. Those addicts with low global and high contingent self-esteem recorded the highest scores
for level of drug craving, and those with high global but low contingent self-esteem had the lowest scores.
Can evaluative conditioning change implicit attitudes towards recycling?
Authors: Geng Liuna , Liu Lijuan , Xu Jiayao , Zhou Kexin , Fang Ying
Published: July 2013

We examined whether or not implicit attitudes towards recycling and recycling behavior can be changed through evaluative conditioning. In the experimental condition, pictures depicting recycling were paired with pleasant images, and pictures depicting consumerism were paired with unpleasant
images. In the control condition, recycling and consumerism stimuli were randomly paired with pleasant and unpleasant images. Implicit attitudes were measured using the Implicit Association Test (Greenwald, McGhee, & Schwartz, 1998). A virtual shopping task was used to assess recycling
behavior. Participants in the experimental condition had more positive associations with recycling than did those in the control condition, but no behavioral differences were found between the two groups. These results suggest that evaluative conditioning procedures can produce changes in
implicit attitudes towards recycling, but do not influence recycling behavior.
Workplace pressure moderates perception of threat or opportunity and employee creativity after downsizing
Authors: Long Jing
Published: July 2013

I examined subjective experience of creativity after downsizing with 348 employees in high-tech companies. I found that if employees regard downsizing as an opportunity they exhibit greater creativity after downsizing than when they consider downsizing a threat. Workload pressure moderated
the relationship between threat perception and self-perceived creativity in such a way that, when workload was light, employees who viewed downsizing as an opportunity experienced greater creativity than when workload was heavy. I also found a 3-way interaction between threat perception, workload
pressure, and challenging work such that the 2-way interaction for creativity between threat perception and workload pressure was more significant when work was more challenging.
Alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town
Authors: Adams Sabirah , Savahl Shazly , Isaacs Serena , Carels Cassandra Zeta
Published: July 2013

Our aim was to ascertain the extent of risky alcohol consumption amongst young adults living in a low socioeconomic status community in Cape Town, South Africa. We used a cross-sectional survey design and the street intercept method to administer the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification
Test (AUDIT). A key finding in this study was that 54.30% of male and 47.90% of the female participants were alcohol dependent, according to the classification criteria set out in the AUDIT. Our finding necessitates further investigations into alcohol consumption amongst young adults in South
Africa. In addition, researchers should endeavor not only to identify, but also to understand, the dynamics of risk and resilience factors so that this information could be used to develop intervention initiatives that could mediate young adults' initial consumption of alcohol.
Morphological correlates of prey consumed by Podarcis melisellensis (Braun, 1877) and P. siculus (Rafinesque, 1810) (Sauria, Lacertidae) from two mainland regions in the eastern Adriatic area
Authors: Stamenkovic S.Z. , Matic Rada
Published: July 2013

The correlation between trophic utilization and morphology was studied for
two lizard species (Podarcis melisellensis and P. siculus) from two mainland
localities in the eastern Adriatic area; this is the first report of trophic
and morphometric data for P. melisellensis from mainland populations.
Variance partitioning showed that most of the variation in morphological
traits for the analyzed lizards was the result of differences between
species, and to a lesser extent between sexes. Locality did not have a strong
effect on the variation of morphological traits. Prey weight is the only
characteristic of prey that generally exhibits correlations with
morphological characteristics rather than prey size. The pattern of
correlations is generally weaker for P. melisellensis than for P. siculus.
Optimal foraging theory predictions were generally confirmed: P. siculus is
more constrained by trophic resource availability, with a premium on larger
and heavier prey consumed in the less productive locality (SM), which can be
relaxed in more productive regions (KL). P. melisellensis shows such
constraints only for males in the less productive region (SM). Females of
both species consume heavier prey.
Parasitoid complex of Zygaena filipendulae L. (Lepidoptera: Zygaenidae)
Authors: Zikic V. , Stankovic S.S. , Petrovic A. , Ilic-Milosevic Marijana , Achterberg Van
Published: July 2013

Caterpillars of Zygaena filipendulae Linnaeus were sampled during May and
June in the Sicevo Gorge in southern Serbia. All parasitized larvae were
found on grey elm trees (Ulmus canescens). During the short period before
metamorphosis of Z. filipendulae, we found the whole specter of parasitoid
wasps: Cotesia zygaenarum Marshall (Braconidae), Gelis agilis (Fabricius) and
Mesochorus velox Holmgren (Ichneumonidae), Elasmus platyedrae Ferri?re and
Pediobius sp. (Eulophidae), Eupelmus vesicularis (Retzius) (Eupelmidae) and
Brachymeria tibialis (Walker) (Chalcididae). Beside hymenopteran parasitoids,
we found parasitoid flies from the family Tachinidae, Phryxe nemea (Meigen)
(Diptera). All 46 observed Z. filipendulae larvae found on grey elm trees
were parasitized, but three pupae were found directly on Lotus corniculatus.
Two species are newly reported as parasitoids of Z. filipendulae: E.
platyedrae and Eupelmus vesicularis and three species (G. agilis, M. velox
and E. platyedrae) are new to the fauna of Serbia.
Effect of temperature, relative humidity and light on conidial germination of oak powdery mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides Griff. et Maubl.) under controlled conditions
Authors: Pap P. , Rankovic B. , Masirevic S.
Published: July 2013

The influence of temperature, humidity and light on the conidial germination
and germ tube elongation of oak powdery mildew (Microsphaera alphitoides
Griff. et Maubl.) was studied in controlled conditions. The maximal germ tube
length was attained at 25?C, whereas at lower and higher than optimal
temperatures, germ tube growth was significantly lower. Germ tubes begin to
develop at all values of relative humidity (10-100%), reaching the maximum
length at 90%. The development of germ tubes was the most intense in full
light and the lowest in total darkness. The artificial infection of floating
leaves showed that an increasing age had an inhibitory effect on the mycelium
development and spore formation. Since conidia play a crucial role in powdery
mildew epidemiology, it is of particular importance to elucidate the
influence of environmental factors in the complex relations that exist
between the plant and its pathogen.
Remyella montenegrina, a new troglobitic leiodid beetle (Coleoptera: Leiodidae: Leptodirini) from northeastern Montenegro
Authors: Curcic S.B. , Antic D.Z. , Curcic Nina , Curcic B.P.M.
Published: July 2013

A new leiodid beetle species, Remyella montenegrina sp. n., from a cave in
northeastern Montenegro is described and diagnosed. Both male and female
genitalia and other taxonomically important characters are illustrated. The
new species is clearly distinct from the closest congeners. It is of Tertiary
or pre-Tertiary age and originated during the Alpine Orogeny, which affected
vast areas of the Balkan Peninsula, including the Dinarides, its terra
typica. The new species is both an endemic and a relict form inhabiting
northeastern Montenegro.
Two new species of Brachydesmus Heller, 1858 from the Balkan peninsula (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Polydesmidae)
Authors: Antic D.Z. , Curcic B.P.M. , Tomic V.T. , Radja T. , Radja Biljana , Milincic M.A. , Makarov S.E.
Published: July 2013

Two new polydesmid species are described, illustrated, and diagnosed: a
troglobitic, Brachydesmus mulaomerovici n. sp., from Bosnia and Herzegovina
and epigean Brachydesmus verrucosus n. sp. from Macedonia. The new taxa
belong to inferus- and stygivagus-groups of species, respectively.
Relationships with congeners are briefly discussed. The distribution map and
key are given for all currently known taxa belonging to these groups of
species.
A new cave pseudoscorpion from Dalmatia - Microchthonius tragurion n. sp. (Chthoniidae, Pseudoscorpiones)
Authors: Curcic B.P.M. , Radja T. , Dimitrijevic R.N. , Curcic S.B. , Curcic Nina , Makarov S.E.
Published: July 2013

A new eyeless pseudoscorpion, Microchthonius tragurion n. sp., from a cave in
Blizna Donja (near Trogir), from the Jama kod Gomilje Pit, Dalmatia, is
described. This new false scorpion differs from all other congeners. There
exists a probability that this new taxon is a relict of a tropical fauna
incorporating the once northern and tropical area, now representing the
subtropical part of the Mediterranean. Morphometric ratios, figures and
linear measurements of the new taxon are presented in detail.
The effects of acute heat stress on proliferative and apoptotic processes in the rat adrenal cortex
Authors: Petrovic-Kosanovic Dragana , Ajdzanovic V. , Cakic-Milosevic Maja , Koko Vesna , Milosevic Verica
Published: July 2013

Hyperthermia can cause significant structural and functional reorganization
of tissues and organs. The proliferative and apoptotic processes of rat
adrenal cortex were analyzed by light and electron microscopy after an acute
exposure to high ambient temperature. Animals were divided in two groups. The
first group consisted of intact controls. The rats from the second group were
exposed to a high ambient temperature of 38?C for 60 min. Mitotic chromosomes
and the largest number of immunoreactive nuclei for the Ki-67 were observed
in the zona reticularis (ZR) of the control animals. The relative number of
mitoses after heat stress showed a significant decrease in the zona
glomerulosa (ZG; 66.8%), zona fasciculata (ZF; 27.8%) and ZR (86.7%) (for all
zones p<0.05), while in the whole adrenal cortex the after-treatment decrease
was 61.9% (p<0.05) compared to the controls. Under heat stress numerous
apoptotic nuclei were seen at the light and ultrastructural levels in all the
zones of the adrenal cortex. Such dynamics of mitosis/apoptosis events
seriously affect adrenal cortex morphology.
Political corruption and weak state
Authors: Stojiljkovic Zoran
Published: July 2013

The author starts from the hypothesis that it is essential for the countries
of the region to critically assess the synergy established between systemic,
political corruption and a selectively weak, ?devious? nature of the state.
Moreover, the key dilemma is whether the expanded practice of political rent
seeking supports the conclusion that the root of all corruption is in the
very existence of the state - particularly in excessive, selective and
deforming state interventions and benefits that create a fertile ground for
corruption? The author argues that the destructive combination of weak
government and rampant political corruption is based on scattered state
intervention, while also rule the parties cartel in the executive branch
subordinate to parliament, the judiciary and the police. Corrupt exchange
takes place with the absence of strong institutional framework and the
precise rules of the political and electoral games, control of public
finances and effective political and anti-monopoly legislation and practice
included. Exit from the current situation can be seen in the realization of
effective anti?corruption strategy that integrates preventive and repressive
measures and activities and lead to the establishment of principles of good
governance.
Die ästhetische Geburt selbstbefreiter Subjektivität: Hegels dreifache Theorie der klassischen Komödie
Authors: Hebing Niklas
Published: July 2013

Eine Theorie der antiken Kom?die entwirft Hegel sowohl in seinem fr?hen
Naturrechtsaufsatz, in der Ph?nomenologie des Geistes als auch in seinen
Berliner Vorlesungen ?ber die ?sthetik. In allen drei Ans?tzen steht die
Kom?die in einer engen Beziehung auf die Trag?die und daher im Zusammenhang
umfangreicher politischer, religions- und geschichtsphilosophischer
Bestimmungen. In dieser Weise kontextualisiert, arbeitet der Aufsatz Hegels
Begriff der dramatischen Gattung des Komischen vor dem Hintergrund der
allgemeinen geistphilosophischen Kategorien Sittlichkeit und Substantialit?t
als Ende der klassischen Kunst und zugleich als Entstehung der modernen
Subjektivit?t in ihrer freien Selbstbez?glichkeit heraus. Dabei wird immerzu
gefragt, wie die absolutgeistigen Entwicklungen auf dem Gebiet des
?sthetischen objektivgeistige Entwicklungen im Bereich von Staat und
Gesellschaft, etwa den in der Kom?die bewusst werdenden Untergang des
Weltzustands der Polis, aufgreifen und reflektieren. Nicht zuletzt die
werkgeschichtliche Dimension von der fr?hen Position Hegels zum reifen
System gibt Aufschluss dar?ber, dass die Kom?dienform eine ausgezeichnete
Gestalt der Kunst ist, Fragen nach den geistphilosophischen Bruchlinien der
Modernit?t zu verhandeln.
Le Narrateur kafkaïen ou la conscience malheureuse prisonnière en régime hégélien. L’exemple du Terrier
Authors: Petteni Oriane
Published: July 2013

(francuski) Nous aimerions montrer que Le Terrier de Kafka est repr?sentatif de l??trange
?intersubjectivit?? telle qu?elle peut ?tre pens?e chez un auteur ?mineur?.
La nouvelle tend ? nous rappeler qu??tre un sujet ? part enti?re
(susceptible d?intersubjectivit?) c?est tout d?abord occuper une place
?majeure? dans la soci?t?. C?est ? cette condition que peut ?tre d?pass? le
moi animal, que peut ?tre risqu?e la vie, pour se poser comme ma?tre. Ceux
qui occupent une place mineure en sont r?duit ? un Moi animal au sens
h?g?lien, pour qui la vie est la supr?me valeur. Ils n?ont pas la force de
la risquer et ne peuvent donc entrer dans une lutte frontale pour
l?affirmation de leur libert? et de leurs droits, dite de ma?trise. Leur
espace de lutte n?est pas une sc?ne publique, de bataille, une sc?ne de la
repr?sentation pour filer la m?taphore th??trale, mais un boyau souterrain
duquel, dans leur farouche isolement, ils entendent grouiller d?autres
consciences prisonni?res comme eux. Cellesci n?arrivent pas ? acc?der ? la
lumi?re de la reconnaissance publique, condition d?une existence pleinement
accomplie chez Hegel, pour qui l?homme trouve son accomplissement en tant
que citoyen de l??tat. Ceux qui sont ? la marge doivent inventer de
nouvelles formes de luttes, souterraines, sous la figure du couloir retors,
du r?seau, de l?interaction, de branchement de masses entre elles.
Religious tolerance in the Edict of Milan and in the Constitution of Medina
Authors: Djuric Drago
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we will try to offer a blueprint for a more general discussion
of the relation of how the question of religious tolerance appears in two
documents that the Christian and Islamic traditions recognize and celebrate:
namely, the Edict of Milan and the Constitution of Medina. These documents
were revolutionary for their time. However, these documents alone, as well as
religious teachings, on which they are based, cannot be the measure of
relations in our time. They are presented in the conceptual framework and
value system that prevailed at the time when these teachings and documents
were created. Many relations the documents refer to no longer exist. For
example, while the Edict of Milan affirms the general right to religion, and
the Constitution of Medina affirms the mutual tolerance for Abrahamic,
monotheistic religions - people who now declare themselves as atheists or
agnostics are not even mentioned.
A pragmatic critique of the conception of everyday praxis within Jeffrey Alexander’s cultural sociology
Authors: Prodanovic Srdjan
Published: July 2013

This paper tries to critically analyse Jeffrey Alexander?s cultural
sociology. In the first part of the paper I will examine Alexander?s
conception of hermeneutical structuralism which argues that conventional
systemic sociology and richness of experience found in everyday praxis can be
reconciled. In the next section I will provide a critique of this kind of
approach to social theory and maintain that Alexander?s sociology is, in
principle, reductionist regarding everyday life. In addition, I will also
point out some of the comparative advantages that pragmatically oriented
theory has in the attempt of integrating theoretical and practical knowledge.
In the final section of the paper, I will try to illustrate some of the major
shortcomings of Alexander?s sociology on the concrete example of advances in
computer technology.
Lessons from Europe’s antechamber for Balkanist criticism (and its critics)
Authors: Obad Orlanda
Published: July 2013

The author is using a series of examples from her three-year research on
social perception of the European Union in Croatia in order to pose several
critical questions regarding the current application of the Balkanist
criticism in the region and beyond. The research was conducted with three
groups of interviewees who were, in different ways, related to the EU.
Various notions of Europe and the Balkans, which appeared throughout these
interviews, differed from the predominant discourse of the 1990s. The article
also indicates the decline of the importance of symbolic geography in the
interpretation of notions associated with the EU. In the questioning of
metatheoretical level, the author suggests several new paths of research in
Balkanist and other, closely related fields of study: admitting the
importance of economy, which has been, in the past twenty years, secondary to
the examination of questions related to culture and history, and also the
production and flow of knowledge. In conclusion, the author proposes
examining the approaches which would also enable the inclusion of the
enriching, non-repressive and useful encounters between the center and
periphery.
Depolarized SnO2-based gas anodes for electrowinning of silver in molten chlorides
Authors: Xiao S. , Haarberg G.M.
Published: July 2013

SnO2-based porous anodes were prepared and the behavior of gas bubbles on the
porous anodes with different original coarse grain size, immersed in ethanol
to simulate molten chlorides, was primarily investigated. SnO2-based porous
anodes were used as gas anodes for the electrowinning of silver in
CaCl2-NaCl-CaO-AgCl melts at 680?C. Hydrogen was introduced to the
anode/electrolyte interface through the gas anode. Carbon was used as the
cathode. Obvious depolarization of the anode potential was observed after the
introduction of hydrogen comparing with no reducing gas introduced,
indicating the involvement of hydrogen in the anode reaction. Metallic silver
was deposited on the cathode.
Formation of inorganic nanofibers by heat-treatment of poly(vinyl alcohol)-zirconium compound hybrid nanofibers
Authors: Nakane K. , Matsuoka S. , Gao S. , Yonezawa S. , Kim J.H. , Ogata N.
Published: July 2013

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-zirconium compound hybrid nanofibers (precursors) were
formed by electrospinning employing water as a solvent for the spinning
solution. The precursors were converted into oxide (ZrO2), carbide (ZrC) or
nitride (ZrN) nanofibers by heating them in air, Ar or N2 atmospheres.
Monoclinic ZrO2 nanofibers with high-specific surface area were obtained by
heat-treatment of the precursors in air. ZrC and ZrN nanofibers could be
obtained below theoretical temperatures calculated from thermodynamics data.
The influence of Si and V on the kinetics of phase transformation and microstructure of rapidly solidified Al-Fe-Zr alloys
Authors: Karpe B. , Kosec B. , Nagode A. , Bizjak M.
Published: July 2013

The influence of Si and V on the precipitation kinetics of the rapidly
solidified (RS) Al-Fe-Zr alloys is presented. Precipitation kinetics and
microstructural development of RS Al-Fe-Zr alloys with Si or V addition have
been investigated by the combination of four point electrical resistance
measurement, optical microscopy, transmition electron microscopy (TEM) and
scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For verification of the electrical
resistivity measurement results differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and
differential thermal analysis (DTA) was also applied. Rapidly solidified
samples, in the form of thin ribbons, were prepared with the single roll melt
spun technique. For determination of the distinctive temperatures at which
microstructural transformations occur in-situ electrical resistivity
measurement during heating of the ribbons with various constant heating rates
has been used. It was found that microstructure decomposition depends on
heating rate and shifts to higher temperatures with increasing heating rate.
After heating above the distinctive transition temperatures, heating was
stopped and microstructure of the samples examined by electron microscopy.
Youth and legitimacy of social order in Serbia: Thinking and acting in the direction of emigration
Authors: Mojic Dusan , Petrovic Irena
Published: July 2013

The influence of different characteristics of youth in Serbia (aged 19 to 35
years) on thinking and acting in the direction of emigration have been
analyzed in the paper. The fact that young people?s emigration considering
and/or planning is very present even one decade after the unblocked
postsocialist transformation of Serbian society testifies for low legitimacy
of the social order in the perception of youth, as well as their poor
integration in the society. The basis for this delegitimization of the social
order can be mainly found in the hardships of the transition from education
to employment and losing trust in education as the key factor of youth?s
social promotion.
Transnational entrepreneurship: Experiences of migrant-returnees to Serbia
Authors: Pavlov Tanja , Predojevic-Despic Jelena , Milutinovic Svetlana
Published: July 2013

There is a lack of studies on transnational entrepreneurship in Serbia, while
transnational cross-border economic activities of Serbian migrants have so
far been perceived mostly from the perspective of foreign remittances. The
aim of this paper is to highlight the need to study transnational forms of
economic activity in Serbia; identify transnational entrepreneurship among
migrants-returnees in Serbia, as well as among those who maintain contacts
and have business activities with Serbia; explore motives of respondents
related to establishing businesses in Serbia, and simultaneously having
business activities abroad. The first part of the paper provides an overview
of relevant theoretical standings in the area of transnational
entrepreneurship, emphasising the need to combine economic and sociological
approaches. The second part analyses the results of a pilot study conducted
through interviews on the characteristics of transnational entrepreneurship
of migrants-returnees in Serbia. The study results show how respondents use
the opportunities and overcome obstacles related to conditions for business
activities in Serbia, as they represent an important resource in the
development of the Serbian economy.
Gender perspective in migration studies
Authors: Pesic Jelena
Published: July 2013

Research field of migration has been developing for a long time parallel to
and outside mainstream institutional academic sociology and its theoretical
foundation. In the last two decades, within the field of migration studies,
one specific aspect of the phenomena came to the research focus: gender, as
significant factor that influences on motivation for migration, shaping, at
the same time, its characteristics and specific experiences. With decisive
breakthrough of qualitative methods in social sciences and humanities, as
well as with gradual development of postmodern philosophy and feminist
theory, gender migration studies have been established as research
sub-discipline, with its own theoretical and categorical scientific apparatus
(as well as institutional-academic grounding), managing more or less
successfully to explain and understand multidimensional character of
migration processes. This text represents an attempt to make relatively
concise overview of disciplines? historical, theoretical and research field
development, as a first step in its broader affirmation within Serbian
institutional sociology.
Benchmarking Is Associated With Improved Quality of Care in Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hermans Michel P. , Elisaf Moses , Michel Georges , Muls Erik , Nobels Frank , Vandenberghe Hans , Brotons Carlos ,   for the OPTIMISE (OPtimal Type 2 dIabetes Management Including benchmarking and Standard trEatment) International Steering Committee
Published: July 2013

OBJECTIVE

To assess prospectively the effect of benchmarking on quality of primary care for patients with type 2 diabetes by using three major modifiable cardiovascular risk factors as critical quality indicators.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Primary care physicians treating patients with type 2 diabetes in six European countries were randomized to give standard care (control group) or standard care with feedback benchmarked against other centers in each country (benchmarking group). In both groups, laboratory tests were performed every 4 months. The primary end point was the percentage of patients achieving preset targets of the critical quality indicators HbA1c, LDL cholesterol, and systolic blood pressure (SBP) after 12 months of follow-up.

RESULTS

Of 4,027 patients enrolled, 3,996 patients were evaluable and 3,487 completed 12 months of follow-up. Primary end point of HbA1c target was achieved in the benchmarking group by 58.9 vs. 62.1% in the control group (P = 0.398) after 12 months; 40.0 vs. 30.1% patients met the SBP target (P < 0.001); 54.3 vs. 49.7% met the LDL cholesterol target (P = 0.006). Percentages of patients meeting all three targets increased during the study in both groups, with a statistically significant increase observed in the benchmarking group. The percentage of patients achieving all three targets at month 12 was significantly larger in the benchmarking group than in the control group (12.5 vs. 8.1%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In this prospective, randomized, controlled study, benchmarking was shown to be an effective tool for increasing achievement of critical quality indicators and potentially reducing patient cardiovascular residual risk profile.