bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Increased serum homocitrulline concentrations are associated with the severity of coronary artery disease
Authors: Jaisson Stéphane , Kerkeni Mohsen , Santos-Weiss Izabella C.R. , Addad Faouzi , Hammami Mohammed , Gillery Philippe
Published: August 2014

Carbamylation is a non-enzymatic post-translational modification of proteins that has been recently identified as a non-traditional risk factor for atherosclerosis. The aim of this study was to determine whether serum homocitrulline (HCit), a characteristic carbamylation-derived product, was related to the presence and the severity of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Forty-five control subjects and 109 patients were included in this cross-sectional study. After coronary angiography, the patients were classified as non-CAD patients (patients with normal arteries, n=33) and CAD patients (n=76). The severity of CAD was then evaluated using the Gensini scoring system. Serum total HCit concentrations were determined by LC-MS/MS.

Serum HCit concentrations were significantly (p<0.001) higher in CAD patients than in control or non-CAD subjects. The receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed an area under the curve equal to 0.908 (95% confidence interval, 0.853–0.964, p<0.001) and a threshold HCit concentration of 0.16 mmol/mol Lys for predicting the presence of CAD (78.9% sensitivity and 78.8% specificity). HCit concentrations significantly (p<0.001) increased concomitantly with the severity of CAD and were positively correlated with Gensini scores (r=0.725, p<0.001) as well as with the number of stenotic coronary arteries (p<0.001). Furthermore, in a multiple stepwise regression analysis, HCit was significantly (p<0.001) and independently associated with the presence of CAD, the Gensini score, and the number of stenotic arteries (standardized β values of 0.525, 0.722, and 0.642, respectively).

Our results demonstrate that serum HCit concentrations are increased during CAD and are positively associated with the severity of the disease.
Preparation and Electrical Characterization of Poly(Aniline) NanoClay Composites
Authors: Ahlatcioǧlu Esma , şenkal Bahire Filiz , Okutan Mustafa
Published: August 2014

In this work, synthesis and characterization of composite materials based on NanoClay(NC) and boric acid doped PolyAniline (PANI) is studied. PANI was successfully incorporated into NC to form PANI-NC composites. The resulting organic-inorganic hybrid material, PANI-NC was characterized by various physicochemical techniques. Formation of PANI inside the clay tactoid has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction studies (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and FT-IR. Also, conductivity and physical properties of the PANI-NC composites were investigated.
Thermocline Storage Filled with Structured Ceramics. Numerical Consistency of the Developed Numerical Model and First Observations
Authors: Motte Fabrice , Bugler-Lamb Samuel L. , Falcoz Quentin
Published: August 2014

The attraction of solar energy is greatly enhanced by the possibility of it being used during times of reduced or non-existent solar flux, such as weather induced intermittences or the darkness of the night. Therefore optimizing thermal storage for use in solar energy plants is crucial for the success of this sustainable energy source. Here we present a study of a structured bed filler dedicated to Thermocline type thermal storage, believed to outweigh the financial and thermal benefits of other systems currently in use such as packed bed Thermocline tanks. Several criterions such as Thermocline thickness and Thermocline centering are defined with the purpose of facilitating the assessment of the efficiency of the tank to complement the standard concepts of power output. A numerical model is developed that reduces to two dimensions the modeling of such a tank. The structure within the tank is designed to be built using simple bricks harboring rectangular channels through which the solar heat transfer and storage fluid will flow. The model is scrutinized and tested for physical robustness, and the results are presented in this paper. The consistency of the model is achieved within particular ranges for each physical variable.
In vitro anti-hyperglycemic and antioxidant properties of extracts from the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra
Authors: Fofie Christian Kuete , Wansi Sylvie Léa , Nguelefack-Mbuyo Elvine Pami , Atsamo Albert Donatien , Watcho Pierre , Kamanyi Albert , Nole Tsabang , Nguelefack Télesphore Benoît
Published: August 2014

Background: The goal of the study was to determine the antidiabetic mechanisms and the antioxidant effects of aqueous (decoction and maceration) and methanol extracts from the stem bark of Ceiba pentandra.

Methods: These extracts were tested in vitro on glucose uptake by skeletal muscles and liver slices and on glucose release by liver slices. The antioxidant activities of C. pentandra extracts were investigated at concentrations ranging from 1 to 300 µg/mL on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced hemolysis, H2O2-induced brain lipid peroxidation, hydroxyl (˙OH) radical as well as their reducing power.

Results: The decoction similarly to insulin exhibited a significant glucose lowering activity. In a hyperglycemic milieu, it significantly increased glucose uptake by the liver by 56.57% and in the skeletal muscle by 94.19%. In a hypoglycemic milieu, it significantly reduced glucose release by the liver by 33.94%. The decoction, maceration and methanol extracts exhibited a significant radical scavenging activity on DPPH with respective EC50 of 87.84, 54.77 and 6.15 µg/mL versus 2.24 µg/mL observed with ascorbic acid. All the extracts showed a significant antioxidant effect on hydroxyl radical, against lipid peroxidation and H2O2-induced hemolysis. The decoction showed the greatest antihemolytic effect with a maximum inhibition of 77.57% at the concentration of 100 µg/mL. C. pentandra extracts also showed a concentration-dependent reducing power.

Conclusions: These results suggest that the antidiabetic effect of C. pentandra is due to its ability to increase glucose uptake and to reduce glucose release by target organs. The antioxidant properties of C. pentandra extracts are additional benefit for their antidiabetic effects.
Properties of Bidirectional Lump Raman Amplification for Co-use of 10 G-EPON and TWDM-PON Systems
Authors: Kashima N.
Published: August 2014

We have studied bidirectional lump Raman amplification (LRA) for upgrading the existing passive optical network (PON). We focus on the upgrading to TWDM-PON (or WDM/TDM-PON) systems economically. First of all, we investigate properties of a bidirectional LRA theoretically considering the co-use of 10 G-EPON and TWDM-PON. Then, we investigate them experimentally using a dispersion-shift fiber (DSF) and a high-nonlinear fiber (HNLF). Finally, we made fundamental bit error rate (BER) experiments to confirm the feasibility of the co-use method.
Three-dimensional dental microwear texture analysis and diet in extant Suidae (Mammalia: Cetartiodactyla)
Authors: Souron Antoine , Merceron Gildas , Blondel Cécile , Brunetière Noël , Colyn Marc , Hofman-Kamińska Emilia , Boisserie Jean-Renaud
Published: August 2014

We investigated the dietary differences among four extant suid genera using 3D dental microwear texture analysis on the enamel surfaces of molar shearing facets. We tested the differences among four taxa for four variables: complexity, anisotropy, and heterogeneity at two scales. This enabled us to distinguish omnivorous taxa (
Effect of electric field on gas-assisted melt differential electrospinning with hollow disc electrode
Authors: Liu Zhaoxiang , Li Haoyi , Wu Weifeng , Chen Hongbo , Ding Yumei , Yang Weimin
Published: August 2014

The concept of a gas-assisted melt differential electrospinning device with hollow disc electrode is presented. As the electric field force is the only drawing force stretching polymer melt jet to fibers, it is necessary to study the distribution and electric field intensity of the electric field created in the spinning region caused by the hollow disc electrode. A series of electric field simulations, including the distribution of the electric field and the relationship between electric field intensity and various parameters were carried out by the finite element method. In addition, experiments of melt electrospinning were conducted, mainly focusing on several electrical parameters affecting the fiber diameter. The results of simulations were compared with those of experiments, proving experimental phenomena and conjectures. The results of simulations and experiments were mutually corroborated and consistent with each other. All results provided significant support and basis for future exploration and development of melt electrospinning.
Identifying Causal Variants at Loci with Multiple Signals of Association
Authors: Hormozdiari Farhad , Kostem Emrah , Kang Eun Yong , Pasaniuc Bogdan , Eskin Eleazar
Published: August 2014

Although genome-wide association studies have successfully identified thousands of risk loci for complex traits, only a handful of the biologically causal variants, responsible for association at these loci, have been successfully identified. Current statistical methods for identifying causal variants at risk loci either use the strength of the association signal in an iterative conditioning framework or estimate probabilities for variants to be causal. A main drawback of existing methods is that they rely on the simplifying assumption of a single causal variant at each risk locus, which is typically invalid at many risk loci. In this work, we propose a new statistical framework that allows for the possibility of an arbitrary number of causal variants when estimating the posterior probability of a variant being causal. A direct benefit of our approach is that we predict a set of variants for each locus that under reasonable assumptions will contain all of the true causal variants with a high confidence level (e.g., 95%) even when the locus contains multiple causal variants. We use simulations to show that our approach provides 20–50% improvement in our ability to identify the causal variants compared to the existing methods at loci harboring multiple causal variants. We validate our approach using empirical data from an expression QTL study of CHI3L2 to identify new causal variants that affect gene expression at this locus. CAVIAR is publicly available online at http://genetics.cs.ucla.edu/caviar/.
TESTE DE HETEROGENEIDADE PARA O MINÉRIO DE ALUMÍNIO
Authors: Bortoleto Daniel Armelim , Chieregati Ana Carolina , Maciel Railson Lopes , Pereira Antonio Henrique
Published: August 2014

A amostragem pode ser definida como o conjunto de operações destinadas à obtenção de uma amostra representativa de uma dada população ou lote de material. A redução da massa deve ser feita de forma criteriosa a fim de assegurar a confiabilidade dos processos envolvidos, não alterando as propriedades físico-químicas, tais como, teor e constituintes mineralógicos, do lote inicial. Mesmo que todos os procedimentos de amostragem sejam corretamente realizados, ainda haverá um erro associado à heterogeneidade constitucional do minério que não pode ser eliminado; o erro fundamental de amostragem (FSE). Neste contexto, os testes de heterogeneidade foram desenvolvidos com o objetivo de estimar o erro fundamental de amostragem. O presente trabalho estuda o desvio padrão gerado pela heterogeneidade constitucional do minério de alumínio da região oeste do Pará, a partir dos resultados obtidos no teste de heterogeneidade, visando otimizar protocolos de amostragem.
Conventional Versus Implant-Retained Overlay Dentures: A Pilot Study of Masseter and Anterior Temporalis Electromyography
Authors: Dakhilalian Mansour , Rismanchian Mansour , Fazel Akbar , Basiri Keyvan , Azadeh Hamid , Mahmoodi Maryam , Fayazi Sara , Sadr-Eshkvari Pooyan
Published: August 2014

Implant-supported overlay dentures (ISODs) have been widely accepted among patients using conventional removable complete dentures (CRCDs). The present study aimed to comparatively study conventional and ISODs in terms of function and coordination of masticatory muscles using electromyograms. Included were 10 patients with ISODs (each with 2 implants in the intercanine area). The mean wave range (MWR) and frequency (MWF) of masseter and temporalis were recorded with (ISOD) and without (CRCD) ball attachments while maximum clenching on cotton rolls (cotton roll clenching), maximum intercuspal clenching (clenching), and unilateral gum chewing (chewing) using electromyography. Data were analyzed in SPAW using t-paired for matched groups and independent-sample t tests for unmatched ones. The MWF differences were not statistically significant with or without attachments (P > .05). Without attachments in place, the MWF of both masseter and temporalis muscles significantly decreased when patients clenched on cotton rolls (P = .01 and .02, respectively) and when chewing unilaterally (both P = .01). With attachments present, the right and left temporalis muscles did not show identical mean wave ranges while chewing (P = .01). Without attachments, this disharmony was seen in the left and right masseter muscles (P = .03). The MWR of masseter was higher in men while chewing with attachments (P = .02). Without attachments, the MWR of temporalis was higher in women while cotton roll clenching (P = .03) and chewing (P = .02). These findings are seemingly in favor of improved masticatory function and coordination in edentulous patients with the application of ISODs.
The Effect of Dynamic Loading on Bacterial Colonization of the Dental Implant Fixture–Abutment Interface: An In Vitro Study
Authors: Koutouzis Theofilos , Mesia Ruben , Calderon Nadia , Wong Fong , Wallet Shannon
Published: August 2014

Bacterial colonization of the fixture-abutment interface (FAI) microgap may contribute to increased marginal bone loss. The contribution of loading on bacterial colonization has not been thoroughly evaluated with in vitro experiments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of dynamic loading on the colonization of oral microorganisms in the FAI microgap of dental implants with internal Morse-taper connection. Forty implants were divided into two groups (n = 20/group) based on subjection to dynamic loading conditions. Both Group 1 and 2 were comprised of fixtures that connected to standard abutments and allowed to incubate in a bacterial solution of Escherichia coli. The specimens of Group 2 were loaded with 500 000 cycles of 50 N using a chewing simulator. Following disconnection of fixtures and abutments, microbial samples were taken from the threaded portion of the abutment, plated and cultured under appropriate conditions. One of the 20 implants of Group 1 and 4 of the 20 implants of Group 2 had FAI microgaps colonized by E coli. With the limits of this study, it indicates that implants with internal Morse-taper connection exhibited minimal bacterial penetration down to the threaded part of the FAI and that dynamic loading increases the potential for such bacterial penetration.
Intraocular pressure measurement in sheep using an applanation tonometer
Authors: Pigatto João Antonio Tadeu , Pereira Fabiana Quartiero , Albuquerque Luciane , Corrêa Luis Felipe Dutra , Bercht Bernardo Stefano , Hünning Paula Stieven , Silva Alberto Andre Ribeiro , Freitas Luciana Vicente Rosa Pacicco de
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and establish the mean values of IOP in healthy adult sheep using an applanation tonometer. Information on age, sex, and breed was obtained for all animals included in this study. Twenty five healthy sheep (Ovis aries), of the same breed (Texel), male or female, with three years of age, received an ophthalmic examination in both eyes, including pupillary reflexes, Schirmer tear test, slit lamp biomicroscopy, and fluorescein staining. For all ophthalmic testing, animals were gently physically restrained, with no pressure in the jugular area and the eyelids were carefully open. IOP was measured by applanation tonometry (Tonopen XL). The same examiner performed the tonometry; measurements were taken three times for each eye, and their average was recorded as the IOP of the animal. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test and values of P < 0.05 were considered significant. The mean intraocular pressure in the whole group of 50 eyes was of 16.36 +/- 2.19 mm Hg. The mean (SD) IOP in the right eye was of 15.96 +/- 2.02 mm Hg, while the mean (SD) IOP in the left eye was of 16.76 +/- 2.32 mm Hg. Significant differences in IOP were not found between right and left eyes. The applanation tonometer was adequate for measuring the intraocular pressure in sheep. Reference data will assist in diagnosing testing for ophthalmic disease in sheep, as¹ well as promote further studies in this area.
Biodigestão anaeróbia de efluente de abatedouro avícola
Authors: Oliveira Arley Borges de Morais , Orrico Ana Carolina Amorim , Orrico Júnior Marco Antonio Previdelli , Sunada Natalia da Silva , Centurion Stanley Ribeiro
Published: August 2014

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o processo de biodigestão anaeróbia no tratamento de efluentes de abatedouro avícola, considerando-se os TRH de 7, 14 e 21 dias, além da adição de enzima lipolítica aos substratos, nas concentrações de 0; 0,5; 1,0 e 1,5 g L-1 de carga adicionada aos biodigestores. A influência dos TRH e da adição de enzima lipolítica aos substratos foi avaliada por meio das produções de biogás e CH4, dos potenciais de produção por DQO, adicionada e removida, bem como pelas reduções dos teores de DQO, concentrações de N, P e K e dos valores de pH. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que houve influência dos TRH (em que o TRH 7 expressou os melhores resultados, para produção semanal média de biogás, com 40,7 L, e CH4, com 32,2 L) e das concentrações de enzimas, com maiores valores de produção para os tratamentos 1,0 (24,6 L) e 1,5 g L-1 (26,2 L), que não diferiram entre si. As concentrações de enzimas de 1,0 e 1,5 g L-1 apresentaram maiores potenciais de produção de biogás (1,1 e 1,1 L g-1 de DQO adicionada, respectivamente) e metano (0,9 e 0,8 L g¹ de DQO adicionada, respectivamente), quando comparadas com as da 0,5 g L-1 (0,8 e 0,7 L g-1 biogás e CH4, respectivamente) e 0 (0,7 e 0,5 L g-1 biogás e CH4, respectivamente). As maiores remoções de DQO foram alcançadas nas concentrações de 0,5 g L-1 (83,3%) e TRH de 21 dias (74,4%). Contudo, para que haja maior eficiência na reciclagem energética, recomenda-se a utilização de concentrações de 1,0 g L-1 de efluente e tempo de retenção hidráulica de 7 dias.
Heat shock and salicylic acid on postharvest preservation of organic strawberries
Authors: Coltro Sidiane , Broetto Laline , Rotilli Maria Cristina Copelo , Moraes Alice Jacobus de , Barp Fabiane Karine , Braga Gilberto Costa
Published: August 2014

Heat shock and salicylic acid have been studied on shelf-life extension of fruits. The benefits of these techniques have been related to their effect on inducing physiological defense responses against the oxidative stress and pathogen development. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of heat shock and salicylic acid on the postharvest preservation and contents of total phenolics, anthocyanins, ascorbic acid, fresh weight loss and microbiological quality of organic strawberries cv. Dover. Strawberries produced organically and stored at 5 ºC were subjected to heat shock (45 ºC ± 3 ºC for 3 h), application of salicylic acid (soaking in 2.0 mmol L-1 solution), heat shock in combination with salicylic acid and control. After treatment, the fruits were packed and stored in a climatic chamber at 5 ºC ± 2 ºC. At 1, 7 and 14 days, the experimental units were removed from refrigeration and kept at room temperature of approximately 20 ºC for two days. There was no effect of treatments on fresh weight loss, incidence of pathogens or chemical variations in strawberry fruits during the storage period. In natural conditions, organically grown strawberries remained in good condition for sale up to seven days of storage in all treatments.
Parasitismo de ovos de Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor por Erythmelus tingitiphagus (Soares) em plantios de seringueira com aplicação de produtos fitossanitários
Authors: Santos Rodrigo Souza
Published: August 2014

O percevejo-de-renda Leptopharsa heveae Drake & Poor (Hemiptera: Tingidae) é uma das principais pragas da heveicultura no Brasil, podendo causar prejuízos de até 30% na produtividade de látex. Seu controle é realizado principalmente com uso de produtos fitossanitários e uma das alternativas a seu uso seria a utilização de inimigos naturais. O parasitoide Erythmelus tingitiphagus (Soares) (Hymenoptera: Mymaridae) é um importante inimigo natural de L. heveae, por parasitar seus ovos em condições naturais. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar a ocorrência e o parasitismo de E. tingitiphagus, em ovos de L. heveae, em talhões comerciais de cinco clones de seringueira onde se realizaram aplicações regulares de produtos fitossanitários, no município de Itiquira, MT. Semanalmente, entre agosto de 2006 a janeiro de 2007, foram coletadas aleatoriamente quatro folhas maduras em cinco árvores dos clones RRIM 600, PR 255, GT 1, PB 235 e PB 217. Na área de estudo, E. tingitiphagus ocorreu em todos os clones estudados, com pico populacional em outubro de 2006. A porcentagem de parasitismo nos diferentes clones variou de 13,8% no clone PB 235 a 30,8% no RRIM 600 e a porcentagem média de parasitismo foi de 24,2%. Os produtos fitossanitários, no método em que foram aplicados nos talhões, não atuaram negativamente no parasitismo de E. tingitiphagus.
Prospects for emissions reduction in the UK cement sector
Authors: Griffin Paul W. , Hammond Geoffrey P. , Norman Jonathan B.
Published: August 2014

The UK cement sector was responsible for around 7 Mt of carbon dioxide emissions in 2010. These emissions were due to direct fuel use, the chemical reactions that occur as part of the production process, and electricity use (leading to indirect emissions). Historical trends show that the sector has made considerable reductions in its emissions. This was due to a combination of reduced output, the substitution of emissions-intensive clinker, improved efficiency and fuel switching. The prospects for reductions in the specific energy use and emissions were explored under a range of scenarios out to 2050. Further efficiency improvements were found to be limited. There is potential for additional clinker substitution and fuel switching – although such options are not without their difficulties. The use of carbon capture and storage technology, and alternative (low carbon) cements could lead to larger reductions in specific emissions, but the widescale use of these options is unproven. The approach taken in analysing the cement sector is an example of the bottom-up analysis of the UK industrial sector that has been undertaken in order to produce a database of industrial energy use and improvement potential aimed at meeting the modelling needs of policy makers.
Uncoupled evaluation of the structural damage induced by tunnelling
Authors: LOSACCO N. , BURGHIGNOLI A. , CALLISTO L.
Published: August 2014

This paper describes an approximate procedure for the evaluation of the damage induced on existing buildings by the excavation of a tunnel. The method hinges on the development of a simplified structural model of the building that can be readily incorporated into the finite-element mesh used to simulate the excavation of a tunnel. The first part of the paper is devoted to the description of the equivalent structure and to the illustration of an identification procedure for the evaluation of its mechanical properties, based on appropriate scaling of the areal and inertial characteristics of the parent building. Then, the practical use of the method is illustrated by carrying out a series of three-dimensional numerical analyses of the excavation of an earth pressure balance tunnel; these include either the simplified or the fully detailed structural model of a masonry building. Using the results obtained with the complete building as a reference, it is shown that the simplified formulation is quite effective in capturing the main features of the soil–structure interaction for the problem at hand. Cases in which the method is less successful are discussed as well, indicating a suitable adjustment of the identification procedure for the simplified structural model.
Deformed steel fibres as minimum shear reinforcement – a comparative appraisal
Authors: Jain Kranti , Singh Bhupinder
Published: August 2014

The results of a comparative appraisal of the performance of two types of deformed steel fibres – crimped and hooked-end – used as minimum shear reinforcement in reinforced concrete beams are presented. Beams conventionally detailed with the ACI building code and the Indian code (IS 456:2000) recommended minimum shear reinforcement were used as control specimens. The conventionally detailed as well as the steel-fibre-reinforced concrete (SFRC) beams showed varying degrees of multiple cracking at peak loads. The shear strengths of the SFRC beams, although smaller than those of the transversely reinforced beams, were higher than a lower bound value recommended in the literature as well as predictions from the referenced codes. Between the two deformed fibre types, the beams reinforced with the hooked-end fibres had about 50% higher shear strengths than those containing the crimped fibres. The validity of the ACI building code flexural performance criteria for judging the suitability of deformed fibres proposed to be used as minimum shear reinforcement has been examined and a simple mechanics-based shear strength predictive model considering the contribution of only the compressed concrete and tensile resistance of the SFRC has been proposed and experimentally validated.
Spatiotemporal variation in deer browse and tolerance in a woodland herb
Authors: Prendeville Holly R. , Steven Janet C. , Galloway Laura F.
Published: August 2014

Herbivory can shape the dynamics of plant populations, including effects on survival and reproduction, and is in turn affected by environmental factors that vary in space and time. White‐tailed deer are significant herbivores in North America that have been broadly documented to affect plant reproductive success. If variation in the frequency and impact of herbivory by deer correlates with a broad‐scale latitudinal gradient, climactic effects may be important for shaping plant–herbivore interactions. Alternatively, a lack of broad‐scale gradients would suggest local factors such as plant community composition and deer densities are affecting herbivory. To investigate broad‐scale patterns of deer herbivory, we examined the frequency and reproductive consequences of deer browse over three years in 17 populations of Campanulastrum americanum spanning the latitudinal extent of its range. Even though deer are overabundant throughout the range of C. americanum, we found spatiotemporal variation in deer browse frequency (0–0.96, mean 0.46) and its effects on plant reproductive success. The four southernmost populations experienced high levels of herbivory, and were responsible for generating a negative relationship between latitude and herbivory. In general, patterns of variation in the frequency and impact of herbivory across the entire latitudinal gradient pointed to the importance of local rather than broad‐scale factors. Within a population, deer consumed larger plants. Across many populations and years, average fitnesses of browsed and uneaten plants were similar, suggesting that plants are tolerant to browse. However, since large plants have greater reproductive success and are more likely to be browsed, tolerance may be influenced by plant size. When plant size was accounted for, most populations did not fully compensate for browsing. There was no relationship between browsing intensity and tolerance, suggesting that browsing may be too variable to consistently select for tolerance, or that increases in deer density are too recent for increased tolerance to evolve.
No evidence for leaf‐trait dissimilarity effects on litter decomposition, fungal decomposers, and nutrient dynamics
Authors: Frainer André , Moretti Marcelo S. , Xu Wenjing , Gessner Mark O.
Published: August 2014

Biodiversity and ecosystem‐functioning theory suggest that litter mixtures composed of dissimilar leaf species can enhance decomposition due to species trait complementarity. Here we created a continuous gradient of litter chemistry trait variability within species mixtures to assess effects of litter dissimilarity on three related processes in a natural stream: litter decomposition, fungal biomass accrual in the litter, and nitrogen and phosphorus immobilization. Litter from a pool of eight leaf species was analyzed for chemistry traits affecting decomposition (lignin, nitrogen, and phosphorus) and assembled in all of the 28 possible two‐species combinations. Litter dissimilarity was characterized in terms of a range of trait‐diversity measures, using Euclidean and Gower distances and dendrogram‐based indices. We found large differences in decomposition rates among leaf species, but no significant relationships between decomposition rate of individual leaf species and litter trait dissimilarity, irrespective of whether decomposition was mediated by microbes alone or by both microbes and litter‐consuming invertebrates. Likewise, no effects of trait dissimilarity emerged on either fungal biomass accrual or changes during decomposition of nitrogen or phosphorus concentrations in individual leaf species. In line with recent meta‐analyses, these results provide support for the contention that litter diversity effects on decomposition, at least in streams, are less pronounced than effects on terrestrial primary productivity.
Selecting Alfalfa Cultivars for Salt Tolerance Based on Some Physiochemical Traits
Authors: Ashrafi Ensyie , Razmjoo Jamshid , Zahedi Morteza , Pessarakli Mohammad
Published: August 2014

To assess salt tolerance of alfalfa (Medicago sativaL.), an understanding of the physiochemical properties of this species is needed. Therefore, a split‐plot design experiment was conducted to determine the leaf proline, total chlorophyll, carotenoid, soluble sugars, and herbage yield of alfalfa grown in a field under salt stress in Isfahan, Iran during 2010–2013. Three irrigation water salinity levels [20 (control), 60, and 120 mM NaCl] were the main plots and nine alfalfa cultivars the subplots. Based on correlation coefficients among the measured traits under severe stress, carotenoid content (r= 0.84,p= 0.01) had the highest correlation with herbage yield followed by proline (r= 0.75,p= 0.01), and chlorophyll contents (r= 0.72,p= 0.05), respectively. Based on overall herbage yield, Rehnani and Isfahani were the superior cultivars. However, based on reduction in herbage yield, under 120 mM NaCl, Isfahani and Rehnani were the most salt tolerant, and Bami, Pioneer, and Nikshahri the most sensitive cultivars. According to the relation between salt tolerance and the measured traits, carotenoid (r= 0.78,p= 0.01) was the most important marker for salt tolerance in alfalfa followed by leaf proline (r= 0.67,p= 0.05) and chlorophyll contents (r= 0.58,p= 0.05), respectively. This study showed cultivar differences in salt tolerance could be attributed to the ability of alfalfa to accumulate physiochemicals under salt stress, and metabolites are useful tools for depicting alfalfa salt tolerance and can be used in plant breeding programs.
Harvest Frequency and Nitrogen Effects on Yield, Chemical Characteristics, and Nutrient Removal of Switchgrass
Authors: Seepaul Ramdeo , Macoon Bisoondat , Reddy K. Raja , Evans William B.
Published: August 2014

Harvest frequency (HF) and fertilizer effects on biomass production, nutrient removal, and ethanol yield must be understood to help guide management decisions in switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) production. This 4‐yr study quantified yield and chemical composition responses of Alamo switchgrass to factorial combinations (4 × 2) of four HFs (harvesting one, two, three, or six times annually) and two N application rates (80 and 160 kg N ha−1) in a randomized complete block design experiment with three replications. In all years, yields decreased linearly with HF. In the one‐cut HF, yield increased from 8.8 in Year 1 to 14.7 Mg ha−1 in Year 3 and plateaued thereafter. For the two‐cut HF, yield was similar across years, averaging 10 Mg ha−1, but for the three‐ and six‐cut HFs, yield increased from Year 1 to Year 2 and declined by Year 4. Nutrient concentration increased with HF, while nutrient removal responses fluctuated among elements. Acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin concentrations decreased with increasing HF, but there was no effect of N rate. In Years 1 and 2, theoretical ethanol production (TEP) was similar between the one‐ (3.7 kL ha−1) and two‐cut HFs (4.2 kL ha−1) but decreased as the HF increased to three (2.6–3.4 kL ha−1) and six cuts (1.4– 2.5 kL ha−1). In Years 3 and 4, TEP decreased linearly with increasing HF. Greater HF resulted in reduced feedstock yield, quality, ethanol yield, and production, but N application rate did not have any effect.
Wetting Agent Influence on Water Infiltration into Hydrophobic Sand: I. Rewettability
Authors: Song Enzhan , Schneider Joseph G. , Anderson Stephen H. , Goyne Keith W. , Xiong Xi
Published: August 2014

Soil water repellency causes non‐uniform water infiltration at slow flow rates, which leads to localized dry spot (LDS) on golf course putting greens. Wetting agents are the primary tool used to reduce soil water repellency on golf courses. Field experiments evaluating the efficacy of wetting agents often result in inconsistent conclusions due to variable environmental conditions, management intensity, and level of hydrophobicity. This study used octadecylamine treated sand, which exhibits stable and consistent water repellency, to test the influence of six commercially available wetting agents on water infiltration and sand rewettability. Replicated and repeated experiments were conducted using an infiltration tube system with a 4.4‐cm ponding depth (ho). Results showed that Cascade Plus, Tournament‐Ready, and Hydro‐Wet solutions exhibited significantly faster infiltration with steady flow rates at 35 mm min−1 or more, followed by Revolution and LescoFlo Ultra with a 25 mm min−1 steady flow rate. All treatments enhanced infiltration, but rewettability varied among tested wetting agents following drying cycles at 55°C until treated sand columns reached a constant weight. After three dry–wet cycles, LescoFlo Ultra treated sand exhibited the best rewettability with a steady flow rate at 34 mm min−1. In contrast, treatment with Surfside 37 resulted in limited rewettability; water did not infiltrate after the second dry–wet cycle. Results suggest that there are significant differences in infiltration and rewettability among the wetting agents tested in this study. It is advised that specific management needs deserve consideration before selecting the appropriate wetting agent.
Measurement of Soil Water Content with Dielectric Dispersion Frequency
Authors: Xu Jinghui , Logsdon Sally D. , Ma Xiaoyi , Horton Robert , Han Wenting , Zhao Ying
Published: August 2014

Frequency domain reflectometry (FDR) is an inexpensive and attractive methodology for repeated measurements of soil water content (θ). Although there are some known measurement limitations for dry soil and sand, a fixed‐frequency method is commonly used with commercially available FDR probes. The purpose of our study was to determine if the soil dielectric spectrum could be used to measure changes in θ. A multifrequency FDR probe was constructed with a 6‐mm diameter, and a soil dielectric spectrum was obtained. Using the dielectric spectrum, the dielectric dispersion frequency (fd) was determined. It was discovered that changes in fd were highly correlated with changes in θ, and a third‐order polynomial equation (R2 = 0.96) was developed describing the relationship. The effectiveness of fd for θ measurement was evaluated for three soils and a sand across a range of θ. The effects of soil temperature and soil salinity were also evaluated. Accurate measurements of θ were obtained even in dry soil and sand. The root mean square error of the θ estimated by the fd measurement was 0.021. The soil temperature and soil salinity had no measureable effects on θ determination. The use of fd for θ determination should be an effective and accurate methodology, especially when dry soils, soil temperature, and/or soil salinity could potentially cause problems with the θ measurements.
Using Classification Trees to Evaluate the Performance of Pedotransfer Functions
Authors: Boschi R.S. , Rodrigues L.H.A. , Lopes-Assad M.L.R.C.
Published: August 2014

One issue in understanding the performance of pedotransfer functions (PTFs) is knowing the soil properties that contribute most to PTF errors. Classification trees provide a means for identifying these properties. The objective of this study was to use a classification tree to identify patterns in PTF residuals. The analysis was applied to PTFs developed by Vereecken and coworkers in 1989 to estimate water contents at −10 and at −1500 kPa. Errors below and above certain threshold values were defined as acceptable and unacceptable, respectively. The threshold acceptability values were assumed to be 0.04 and 0.01 cm3 cm−3 at −10 and −1500 kPa, respectively. The sensitivity of the trees to these values was studied by reducing them by 10%. Tentative predictors of the trees were sand, silt, and clay contents, bulk density (BD), soil organic C (OC) content, and horizon position (HP) in the soil profile (topsoil or subsoil). At −10 kPa, unacceptable data sets had very low clay contents or low BDs, given the poor representation of soil structure in the PTFs. At −1500 kPa, the unacceptable data sets had high clay and low OC contents with a HP of subsoil, or had high clay and high OC. Results were found to be moderately sensitive to small variations in the threshold. The least accurate estimates occurred for conditions in which the attributes used in the PTF were probably insufficient to unambiguously determine soil water retention data. Our study showed that classification trees can be helpful in identifying most optimal predictors for a PTF.
Pore‐Water Extraction from Unsaturated Porous Media: Intermediate‐Scale Laboratory Experiments and Simulations
Authors: Oostrom M. , Truex M.J. , Wietsma T.W. , Tartakovsky G.D.
Published: August 2014

As a remedial approach, vacuum‐induced pore‐water extraction offers the possibility of contaminant and water removal from the vadose zone, which may be beneficial in reducing the flux of vadose zone contaminants to groundwater. Vadose zone water extraction is being considered at the Hanford Site in Washington State as a means to remove technetium‐99 contamination from low permeability sediments with relatively high water contents. A series of intermediate‐scale laboratory experiments have been conducted to improve the fundamental understanding and to recognize the limitations of the technique. Column experiments were designed to investigate the relations between imposed suctions, water saturations, and water extraction. Flow cell experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of high‐permeability layers and near‐well compaction on pore‐water extraction efficiency. Results show that water extraction from unsaturated systems can be achieved in low permeability sediments, provided that the initial water saturations are relatively high. The presence of a high‐permeability layer decreased the yield, and compaction near the well screen had a limited effect on overall performance. In all experiments, large pressure gradients were observed near the extraction screen. Minimum requirements for water extraction include an imposed suction larger than the initial sediment capillary pressure in combination with a fully saturated seepage‐face boundary. A numerical multiphase simulator with a coupled seepage‐face boundary condition was used to simulate the experiments. Reasonable matches were obtained between measured and simulated results for both water extraction and capillary pressures, suggesting that numerical simulations may be used as a design tool for field‐scale applications of pore‐water extraction.
Ecological awareness and education of the society in the light of sustainability idea – selected aspects
Authors: Kociszewska Małgorzata
Published: August 2014

The 20th century has left in its inheritance not only magnificent technological inventions, but also deteriorated environment of human life. Changes caused by human activity deteriorate the condition of our environment at the intimidating pace. “Mountains” of rubbish become a frequent sight, we begin to lack clear water and air, animal species become extinct, forests are thoughtlessly cut down. Human health and life gets more and more endangered. Contemporary civilization, due to the unusual pace of transformations undergoing within it, acts negatively and destructively on natural environment. Ecological crisis deepens. No one today will claim that ecological education is pointless. What the Earth will look like in the future, depends exclusively on us and the ideas we will pass on to our children. Therefore, undoubtedly developing ecological awareness and the active attitude of care towards nature can and should be done in the earliest years of a child’s life. Small, seemingly insignificant experiences that involve children, attitudes they encounter, messages they accumulate, everything that the child meets and experiences, shapes their relationship to nature. Under the guidance of parents, teachers and other older people, as well as under the influence of peers, child’s interests, knowledge and attitudes should take into account the needs of time and the conditions in which he or she lives and which will be their future
Modern forms of assistance to solve families difficult cases and their adolescent children
Authors: Możdżyńska Marzena
Published: August 2014

In recent decades, we observe a significant disorganization of family life, especially in the sphere of parental functions performed by unprepared for the role emotional, socially and economically young people. Lack of education, difficulties in finding work, and the lack of prospects for positive change are the main causes of their impoverishment and progressive degradation in the social hierarchy. Reaching young people at risk of social exclusion and provide them with comprehensive care, should be a priority of modern social work and educational work. In order to provide help this social group and cope with the adverse event created a lot of programs to support systemically start in life. An example would be presented in the article KARnet 15+ program as a form of complex activities of a person stimulating subjectivity, and allows you to modify support in individual cases
SHOULD TOP MANAGEMENT GET INVOLVED IN MARKET INFORMATION COLLECTION EFFORTS?
Authors: Harmancioglu Nukhet , Grinstein Amir , Goldman Arieh
Published: August 2014

Research in marketing has typically studied market information collection efforts from the perspective of employees and market research companies, disregarding the role that the top management team (TMT) plays in these efforts. In a B2B environment, we find positive effects of TMT involvement in market information collection efforts on firm innovativeness above and beyond employees’ market information collection efforts. The observed effects are stronger for smaller firms and high-tech companies
When More is Less and Less is More: The Psychology of Managing Product Assortments
Authors: Chernev Alexander
Published: August 2014

The strategy of giving customers what they want can backfire when it comes to designing and managing product assortments. Not only does offering more options lead to higher costs for the company, larger assortments often lead to lower probability of purchase and decreased satisfaction due to choice overload. Surprisingly, most consumers (as well as many managers) are unaware of the drawbacks of larger assortments, displaying preference for the greater variety of options even in cases when such variety makes consumers less confident in their decisions and lowers their satisfaction with choice. Understanding the psychology of choice gives managers a competitive advantage, allowing them to design assortments and product lines that create value for both the company and its customers
Common “Wisdom” Put to the Test: Bad News Can be Good News … Sometimes
Authors: Berger Jonah , Sorensen Alan T. , Rasmussen Scott J.
Published: August 2014

Can negative information about a product increase sales, and if so, when? Although popular wisdom suggests that “any publicity is good publicity”, prior research has only revealed downsides to negative press. Negative reviews or word-of-mouth, for example, have been found to harm product evaluations and sales. This research flashlight (page 50) considers this matter from a fresh perspective. The authors examine contexts in which negative publicity about a product will have positive or negative effects.
Selected aspects of enterprise internationalization
Authors: Trippner-Hrabi Justyna , Hrabi Mark
Published: August 2014

Business environment is constantly evolving and it is getting shrunk as managers acting in the market economy encounter some problems and a great deal of implicated solutions from one country can be applied in others. This situation leads to the rise of market systems where various agreements, which are reached, aim at liberalization of trade and cooperation [Penc J., 2003, pp.126-127]. The speed of forwarding messages, products, services, easiness in making relationships, blurring the time and spatial boundaries, and convergence of customer’s tastes or standard unification enable trade and world’s production to develop. It also causes the borders to be on the decline at the same time increasing enterprise competition level internationally. The objective of paper is to indicate and describe the selected aspects connected with enterprise internationalization. The analysis and review of national and international literature were provided in the article.
Desempeño de la familia en la empresa. Un estudio de caso en México
Authors: González Vega Alba María del Carmen
Published: August 2014

The family business as a kind of organization, identifies a series of interactions arise from its complex from the overlap of family size and business nature, but this reflection is based on watching this as a type of organization as a field of study and under the gaze of organizational Studies. This paper is aimed to observe the organization of family nature sells educational services. Looking deeply into the dynamics that weaves between the family and the company in a particular time and space, by setting specific practices that are configured in their management based on the expected behavior of the family towards the achievement of company objectives