bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Early Reduction in GH Peak Amplitude in Preproghrelin-Deficient Male Mice Has a Minor Impact on Linear Growth
Authors: Hassouna Rim , Zizzari Philippe , Tomasetto Catherine , Veldhuis Johannes D. , Fiquet Oriane , Labarthe Alexandra , Cognet Julie , Steyn Frederik , Chen Chen , Epelbaum Jacques , Tolle Virginie
Published: June 2014

Ghrelin is a gut hormone processed from the proghrelin peptide acting as the endogenous ligand of the GH secretagogue receptor 1a. The regulatory role of endogenous ghrelin on pulsatile GH secretion and linear growth had to be established. The aim of the present study was to delineate the endogenous actions of preproghrelin on peripheral and central components of the GH axis. Accordingly, the ultradian pattern of GH secretion was measured in young and old preproghrelin-deficient males. Blood samples were collected by tail bleeding every 10 minutes over a period of 6 hours. Analysis of the GH pulsatile pattern by deconvolution showed that GH was secreted in an ultradian manner in all genotypes, with major secretory peaks occurring at about 3-hour intervals. In older mice, the peak number was reduced and secretion was less irregular compared with younger animals. Remarkably, in young Ghrl−/− mice, the amplitude of GH secretory bursts was significantly reduced. In older mice, however, genotype differences were less significant. Changes in GH pulsatility in young Ghrl−/− mice were associated with a tendency for reduced GH pituitary contents and plasma IGF-I concentrations, but with only a minor impact on linear growth. In Ghrl+/− mice, despite reduced Acyl ghrelin to des-acyl ghrelin ratio, GH secretion was not impaired. Ghrelin deficiency was not associated with a reduction in hypothalamic GHRH content or altered response to GHRH stimulation. Therefore, reduction in GHRH production and/or sensitivity do not primarily account for the altered GH pulsatile secretion of young Ghrl−/− mice. Instead, GHRH expression was elevated in young but not old Ghrl−/− mice, suggesting that differential compensatory responses resulting from the absence of endogenous ghrelin is occurring according to age. These results show that endogenous ghrelin is a regulator of GH pulse amplitude in growing mice but does not significantly modulate linear growth.
The Sirtuin1 Activator SRT3025 Down-Regulates Sclerostin and Rescues Ovariectomy-Induced Bone Loss and Biomechanical Deterioration in Female Mice
Authors: Artsi Hanna , Cohen-Kfir Einav , Gurt Irina , Shahar Ron , Bajayo Alon , Kalish Noga , Bellido Teresita M. , Gabet Yankel , Dresner-Pollak Rivka
Published: June 2014

Estrogen deficiency leads to rapid bone loss and skeletal fragility. Sclerostin, encoded by the sost gene, and a product of the osteocyte, is a negative regulator of bone formation. Blocking sclerostin increases bone mass and strength in animals and humans. Sirtuin1 (Sirt1), a player in aging and metabolism, regulates bone mass and inhibits sost expression by deacetylating histone 3 at its promoter. We asked whether a Sirt1-activating compound could rescue ovariectomy (OVX)-induced bone loss and biomechanical deterioration in 9-week-old C57BL/6 mice. OVX resulted in a substantial decrease in skeletal Sirt1 expression accompanied by an increase in sclerostin. Oral administration of SRT3025, a Sirt1 activator, at 50 and 100 mg/kg·d for 6 weeks starting 6 weeks after OVX fully reversed the deleterious effects of OVX on vertebral bone mass, microarchitecture, and femoral biomechanical properties. Treatment with SRT3025 decreased bone sclerostin expression and increased cortical periosteal mineralizing surface and serum propeptide of type I procollagen, a bone formation marker. In vitro, in the murine long bone osteocyte-Y4 osteocyte-like cell line SRT3025 down-regulated sclerostin and inactive β-catenin, whereas a reciprocal effect was observed with EX-527, a Sirt1 inhibitor. Sirt1 activation by Sirt1-activating compounds is a potential novel pathway to down-regulate sclerostin and design anabolic therapies for osteoporosis concurrently ameliorating other metabolic and age-associated conditions.
mTORC1 signaling controls mammalian skeletal growth through stimulation of protein synthesis
Authors: Chen Jianquan , Long Fanxin
Published: June 2014

Much of the mammalian skeleton is derived from a cartilage template that undergoes rapid growth during embryogenesis, but the molecular mechanism of growth regulation is not well understood. Signaling by mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism that controls cellular growth. Here we report that mTORC1 signaling is activated during limb cartilage development in the mouse embryo. Disruption of mTORC1 signaling through deletion of either mTOR or the associated protein Raptor greatly diminishes embryonic skeletal growth associated with severe delays in chondrocyte hypertrophy and bone formation. The growth reduction of cartilage is not due to changes in chondrocyte proliferation or survival, but is caused by a reduction in cell size and in the amount of cartilage matrix. Metabolic labeling reveals a notable deficit in the rate of protein synthesis in Raptor-deficient chondrocytes. Thus, mTORC1 signaling controls limb skeletal growth through stimulation of protein synthesis in chondrocytes.
A whispering bat that screams: bimodal switch of foraging guild from gleaning to aerial-hawking in the desert long-eared bat
Authors: Hackett Talya D. , Korine Carmi , Holderied Marc
Published: June 2014

Echolocating bats have historically been classified as either loud aerial-hawkers or whispering gleaners. Some bat species can forage in multiple ways and others have demonstrated limited flexibility in the amplitude of their echolocation calls. The desert long-eared bat, Otonycteris hemprichii, has been said to be a passive gleaning whispering bat preying on terrestrial arthropods such as scorpions. Using an acoustic tracking system we recorded individuals flying at foraging and drinking sites and compared their flight height, flight speed, call duration, pulse interval and source levels to gleaning individuals previously recorded using the same setup. We found differences in all variables with the strongest difference in source levels where bats called at a mean of 119 dBpeSPL (compared to 75 dBpeSPL when gleaning). Bat faecal analysis indicated that their diet differed from previous studies and that prey species were capable of flight. We conclude that the bats switched from passive gleaning to capturing airborne insects (aerial-hawking). While whispering bats have been known to opportunistically catch insects on the wing, in the present study we show a full bimodal switch between foraging guilds with the respective changes in source level to those typical of a true aerial-hawker.
Encoding properties of the mechanosensory neurons in the Johnston's organ of the hawk moth, Manduca sexta
Authors: Dieudonne Alexandre , Daniel Thomas L. , Sane Sanjay P.
Published: June 2014

Antennal mechanosensors play a key role in control and stability of insect flight. In addition to the well-established role of antennae as airflow detectors, recent studies have indicated that the sensing of antennal vibrations by Johnston’s organs also provides a mechanosensory feedback relevant for flight stabilization. However, few studies have addressed how the individual units, or scolopidia, of the Johnston's organs encode these antennal vibrations and communicate it to the brain. Here, we characterize the encoding properties of individual scolopidia from the Johnston’s organs in the hawk moth, Manduca sexta through intracellular neurophysiological recordings from axons of the scolopidial neurons. We stimulated the flagellum-pedicel joint using a custom setup that delivered mechanical stimuli of various (step, sinusoidal, frequency and amplitude sweeps) waveforms. Single units of the Johnston’s organs typically displayed phaso-tonic responses to step stimuli with short (3-5 ms) latencies. Their phase-locked response to sinusoidal stimuli in the 0.1–100 Hz frequency range showed high fidelity (vector strengths >0.9). The neurons were able to encode different phases of the stimulus motion and are also extremely sensitive to small amplitude (<0.05º) deflections with some indication of directional tuning. In many cases, the firing frequency of the neurons varied linearly as a function of the stimulus frequency at wing beat and double wing beat frequencies, which may be relevant to their role in flight stabiliization. Iontophoretic-fills of these neurons with fluorescent dyes showed that they all projected in the Antennal Mechanosensory and Motor Center (AMMC) area of the brain. Together, these results showcase the speed and high sensitivity of scolopidia of the Johnston’s organs, and hence their ability to encode fine antennal vibrations.
Effects of feeding on in vivo motility patterns in the proximal intestine of shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius)
Authors: Brijs Jeroen , Hennig Grant , Axelsson Michael , Olsson Catharina
Published: June 2014

This is the first study to catalogue the diverse array of in vivo motility patterns in a teleost fish and how they are affected by feeding. Video recordings of exteriorised proximal intestine from fasted and fed shorthorn sculpin (Myoxocephalus scorpius) were used to generate spatio-temporal maps to portray and quantify motility patterns. Propagating and non-propagating contractions were observed to occur at different frequencies and durations. The most apparent difference between the feeding states was that bands of relatively high amplitude contractions propagating slowly in the anal direction were observed in all fasted fish (n=10) but only 35% of the fed fish (n=11). Additionally, fed fish displayed a reduced frequency (0.21±0.03 vs. 0.32±0.06 contractions per minute) and rhythmicity of these contractions compared to fasted fish. Although the underlying mechanisms of these slow anally-propagating contractions differ from mammalian MMCs, we believe that they may play a similar role in shorthorn sculpin during the interdigestive period, to potentially remove food remnants and prevent the establishment of pathogens. "Ripples" were the most prevalent contraction type in shorthorn sculpin and may be important during mixing and absorption. Persistence of shallow ripples and pendular movements of longitudinal muscle after TTX (1 µM) treatment suggests these contractions were myogenic in origin. The present study highlights both similarities and differences in motility patterns between shorthorn sculpin and other vertebrates, as well as providing a platform to examine other aspects of gastrointestinal functions in fish, including the impacts of environmental changes.
Hemolymph circulation in insect sensory appendages: functional mechanics of antennal accessory pulsatile organs (auxiliary hearts) in the mosquitoAnopheles gambiae
Authors: Boppana Sushma , Hillyer Julián F.
Published: June 2014

Mosquito antennae provide sensory input that modulates host seeking, mating and oviposition behaviors. Thus, mosquitoes must ensure the efficient transport of molecules into and out of these appendages. To accomplish this, mosquitoes and other insects have evolved antennal accessory pulsatile organs (APOs) that drive hemolymph into the antennal space. This study characterizes the structural mechanics of hemolymph propulsion throughout the antennae of Anopheles gambiae. Using intravital video imaging, we show that mosquitoes possess paired antennal APOs that are located on each side of the head's dorsal midline. They are situated between the frons and the vertex in an area that is dorsal to the antenna but ventral to the medial-most region of the compound eyes. Antennal APOs contract in synchrony at 1 Hz, which is 45% slower than the heart. By means of histology and intravital imaging, we show that each antennal APO propels hemolymph into the antenna through an antennal vessel that traverses the length of the appendage and has an effective diameter of 1-2 µm. When hemolymph reaches the end of the appendage, it is discharged into the antennal hemocoel and returns to the head. Because a narrow vessel empties into a larger cavity, hemolymph travels up the antenna at 0.2 mm/sec but reduces its velocity by 75% as it returns to the head. Finally, treatment of mosquitoes with the anesthetic agent FlyNap (triethylamine) increases both antennal APO and heart contraction rates. In summary, this study presents a comprehensive functional characterization of circulatory physiology in the mosquito antennae.
Nonsense-mediated decay factors are involved in the regulation of selenoprotein mRNA levels during selenium deficiency
Authors: Seyedali Ali , Berry Marla J.
Published: June 2014

Selenoproteins contain the unique amino acid selenocysteine (Sec), which is encoded by the triplet UGA. Since UGA also serves as a stop codon, it has been postulated that selenoprotein mRNAs are targeted for degradation by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay pathway (NMD). Several reports have observed a hierarchy of selenoprotein mRNA expression when selenium (Se) is limiting, whereby the abundance of certain transcripts decline while others do not. We sought to investigate the role of NMD in this hierarchical response that selenoprotein mRNAs exhibit to environmental Se status. Selenoprotein mRNAs were categorized as being predicted sensitive or resistant to NMD based on the requirements held by the current model. About half of the selenoprotein transcriptome was predicted to be sensitive to NMD and showed significant changes in mRNA abundance in response to cellular Se status. The other half that was predicted to be resistant to NMD did not respond to Se status. RNA immunoprecipitation with essential NMD factor UPF1 revealed that the mRNAs that were the most sensitive to Se status were also the most enriched on UPF1 during Se deficiency. Furthermore, depletion of SMG1, the kinase responsible for UPF1 phosphorylation and NMD activation, abrogated the decline in transcript abundance of Se-responsive transcripts. Lastly, mRNA decay rates of Se-responsive transcripts were altered upon the addition of Se to resemble the slower decay rates of nonresponsive transcripts. Taken together, these results present novel evidence in support of a crucial role for the NMD pathway in regulating selenoprotein mRNA levels when Se is limiting.
SCORECARD FOR ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION OF STRATEGIC STABILITY OF COMPANIES
Authors: Григорьева  , Grigoreva Svetlana
Published: June 2014

A strategic stability can be defined as the company’s ability to successfully adapt to changing external and internal conditions of activity in strategically certain period, it will maintain its competitiveness. An important feature of strategic stability is that it is expressed by variety of indicators, that reflect economic, investment, technical, social and environmental subsystems, that characterize the systemic understanding of business enterprises. To solve the enterprise strategic stability problems, it is necessary to develop an appropriate methodology to provide a strategic stability assessment. In order to fulfill the requirements of the system, it is necessary to assess not only the individual subsystems of the enterprise, but also their relation, structure, that will let to unite the characteristics at integral (complex) index. This allows for indicators combination analysis method, included in the integral indicator with weights and relevance, based on the principle of hierarchy, tocreate a system of comprehensive evaluation of the enterprise strategic stability, which will give an objective description of the strategy in the short and long term. This is achieved by the fact, that a comprehensive indicator gives a more accurate estimate, because in the aggregate index the random events are graded,which is peculiar to individual indicators.
AGRIBUSINESS MANAGEMENT ON THE BASIS OF ECONOMIC SECURITY PASSPORT FORMATION
Authors: Кулагина  , Kulagina Natalya
Published: June 2014

In developed countries, the issues on national agriculture functioning and food security are among the priorities. They constantly on the national level carried out flexible economic and organizational activities, that involve and protect their agricultural producers. Food and economic security of agriculture are interdependent components of agribusiness economic security of the Russian Federation, as well as the provision of quality food products to the required amount is only possible through a well-functioning mechanism of realization of production and economic relations in the agricultural production system. At the same time, the implementation of measures to ensure food security, will help to ensure the economic security of agriculture. The essence of economic security of agriculture, as a system of economic interest lies in finding mechanisms compromise between ensuring national interests, food security and risk management, which resulted in stable functioning of agriculture. At the same time, the economic security of agriculture should be considered as a functional system, that reflects the interests of participants in the relationship processes of agrarian relations, depending on the threat, the activity of which has a different focus and may lead to non-compliance threshold criteria of food security.
NATURAL AND ECONOMIC FACTORS, DETERMINING FARMLAND QUALITY
Authors: Нуретдинова  , Nuretdinova Yuliya , Нуретдинов  , Nuretdinov Ildar
Published: June 2014

This work is devoted to updating the factors, that create an interdependent mechanism for forming a system of industrial relations, which have a significant impact on the efficiency of land usage. It is known that in agriculture the economic reproduction process is intertwined with the natural process of reproduction of farmland, the efficiency of production is strongly influenced by natural environmental factors. In the calculations of the Ulyanovsk region we used indicator yields an average for 29 years, at the same time soil-site index was 63 points, the average crop yield totaled 13.4 centner per hectare, the coefficient of climatic conditions estimation during this period was taken as 1,0. On the basis of these data, by dividing the average yield on the value of soil fertility, the scoring system was 0.213 centner (13.4 centner per hectare: 63), which means an increase of productivity growth points of each site class. The validity of these calculations for a sufficiently long period can not doubt, but for any given year its climatic conditions were added up, respectively, the coefficient of estimate of these conditions can not coincide with average of 29 years. Such a discrepancy, of course, makes it necessary to clarify the basic productivity at constant bonitet point on soil properties. So, on any given year the value of the yield on one bonitet point will be different - more or less than the average for the calculating period. In this regard, it is necessary to clarify annual medi-zonal of standard indicators: productivity, gross output, costs, land rent and others. Accordingly, the assessment of the level of land use efficiency in the economic entities zone should be carried out by comparing with the new regulations of the actual values, obtained for a given year.
LONG-TERM INVESTMENT PROBLEMS IN AGRICULTURE
Authors: Хабибуллин  , Khabibullin Elbek
Published: June 2014

This article describes the problems of agribusiness investment. The role of investment in agriculture is so specific and complex due to natural conditions, and so important. Especially, if we talk about the innovative development of agricultural industry in Russia
THE USAGE OF AN ALTERNATIVE ENERGY SOURCE AT THE SERVICE STATION OF LLC “TATNEFT” IN HIGHWAY M7
Authors: Дмитриев  , Dmitriev Sergey
Published: June 2014

Nowadays, when all perspective companies set the goal to reduce process costs, achieve high profitability from invested means, reduce harmful influence on the environment, innovative engineering solutions begin to dominate, the meaning of these solutions is in achievement of the above-stated goals. In this work we examined the reduction of operating costs at the retail establishments (service stations) of LLC “Tatneft”. The reduction of operating costs is examined on the example of reduction of electric power payment, the cost ofwhich is constantly increasing. The engineering solution is the installation at some service stations wind generators for energy production. Wind generator is a device, transforming mechanical energy, received from the blades rotation, into electrical by means of natural wind. The main aim of the work - a reduction of operating costs at service stations and electric power independence of service stations. The object of research in this paper is the factor system, that provides maximum electric power production by the wind generator and the subject of research is the process of interaction of generator elements with the wind. The work presents results of experimental investigations, which prove the possibility of wind generator installation at some service stations. The experimental part was made up, using programme set of National Instruments LabVIEW, that allows to fulfil data collection and processing and also the automation of measurements under different experiments. It was justified by the possible usage of the wind generator at service station №227 along highway M7, Tuyrlema station, Kozlovskiy district, the Chuvash Republic, the Chuvash branch of LLC “Tatneft – AZS Center” and service station №391, highway M7, Andreevo-Bazary village, Kozlovskiy district, the Chuvash Republic, the Chuvash branch of LLC “Tatneft – AZS Center”. The economic calculation part is realized by a concrete example of a possible product application of the National Instruments LABVIEW Company in a body with wind generator EuroWind 20 on the service station №227 on Tuyrlema station, that belongs to Chuvashian branch of LLC “Tatneft – AZS Center”. Wind generator - is part of “green” image of retail establishments of the company, gives the opportunity to increase clients base, as it demonstrates the preference of high innovation techniques with care of ecological safety.
CALCULATION OF SWIRLED NONISOTHERMIC LAYER FLOW OF TWO-PHASE NON-NEWTONIAN MEDIUM ON A CONICAL SURFACE
Authors: Ибятов  , Ibyatov Ravil , Сиразева  , Sirazeva Daniya
Published: June 2014

We consider the non-isothermic layer flow of two-phase non-Newtonian medium on the inner surface of the conical tube. The flow regime is laminar , axisymmetric and steady. The rheological state of the medium is described by the generalized law Ostwald de Ville. We also took into account the dependence of the temperature of medium consistency. The conservation equations of mass, momentum and energy mechanics of heterogeneous medium is used in quasi-homogeneous approximation. The recorded in biconical coordinate system equations are solved by method of equal costs surfaces. The provisions of equal costs surfaces are determined from the condition of the flow of the medium constancy between them. Conservation equations, written on the flow lines, are simplified and take the form of ordinary differential equations on the longitudinal coordinate. So that to calculate the partial derivatives on the transverse coordinate, which are present in the right part of the differential equations, the grid solutions are presented in the form of series expansion. The system of constructed ordinary differential equations is solved numerically.
SYNBIOTIC EFFECT OF TREHALOSE AND ELECTROMAGNETIC INFLUENCE ON MEAT, AS A MEANS OF SAUSAGE TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT
Authors: Панов  , Panov Dmitriy , Решетняк  , Reshetnyak Aleksandr
Published: June 2014

This paper aims: summer sausages technology improving in sinbiotic starter cultures “Almi 2”, trehalose and electromagnetic influence on meat. When researching this work, we investigated the following objects: raw meat, treated with an electromagnetic pulse, samples of meat products. The samples were examined on the following parameters: the mass fraction of moisture, protein, fat, pH, number of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms, organoleptic characteristics. In this paper we used the following research methods: moisture content – Russian State Standard P 51479-99, the protein content - Russian State Standard 25011-81, fat content - Russian State Standard 23042-86, pH - Russian State Standard 51478-99, number of mesophilic aerobic and facultative anaerobic microorganisms - Russian State Standard 10444.15-94, organoleptic characteristics - Russian State Standard 9959-91. The research results have shown that the use of pre-processing electromagnetic treatment and trehalose in sausage production technology have a positive impact on the qualitative characteristics of the finished product and reduce production time.
INFLUENCE OF THE SOIL RECLAMATION PLANTS ON THE FOREST VEGETATIVE PROPERTIES OF SOIL AND GROWTH OF THE CROPS OF PINUS SYLVESTRIS IN THE PINE FOREST CONDITIONS
Authors: Лежнин  , Lezhnin Konstantin , Карасев  , Karasev Valeriy , Карасева  , Karaseva Margarita , Панюшкина  , Panyushkina Natalya
Published: June 2014

Biological reclamation by plants with nitrogen-fixing symbionts and enriching the soil with organic substances is an urgent problem for the Republic of Mari El, where sod -podzolic loam, sandy loam and sandy soils with low organic content, nitrogen and other important elements was expanded. The feasibility of establishing a pine culture with the introduction of soil-improving plants was noted by many researchers, but their impact on the effectiveness of silvicultural properties of the soil, physiological processes and growth are poorly understood. In this paper we evaluated the influence of soil reclamation plants on silvicultural properties of soils, the intensity of the basic physiological processes and growth index of Scots pine. According to research, the perspective and cost-effective measure for improving the fertility of poor sandy coniferous soil, improving resilience and productivity of pine plantations is the introduction of the common juniper and soil reclamation plants with nitrogen-fixing symbionts, such as Russian broom, perennial lupine. When choosing the plants we should recognize its water regime. At the conditions of sufficient moisture it is suitably administered to the cultures of Scots pine, common juniper and perennial lupine. In the dry forest conditions the most effective is an introduction the culture of Scots pine, Russian broom. At the same time, the porosity of the soil increases from 47 to 52% and the content of humus and nitrogen by rises to18-20%.
Influence of fertilizers on rewintering and productivity of winter wheat of a grade "Kazan 560"
Authors: Сабирова  , Sabirova Razina , Шакиров  , Shakirov Rafil
Published: June 2014

The paper discusses the issues of fertilizers effect on germination, plant productivity and overwintering of Kazanskaya 560 variety winter wheat. The results showed that pre-sowing seed treatment by Humate fertilizer “Bioplant Floro” calculated 0.5 liters per ton increases the seed germination to 4-5%, the accumulation of sugars in the tillering nodes of winter wheat to 10-11%, and the safety of overwintering plants to cleaning to 5-10%. The calculated fertilizer norms allow to get close to planned levels of crop during favorable weather conditions. Treating the seeds by “Bioplant Flora”, the yield exceeded the target level (4.1 tons per hectare instead of planned 4 tons per hectare of grain). An application NPK and ammonium nitrate as an ordinal fertilizer at planting provides almost the same level of productivity of the main fertilizers, calculated to produce 3 tons per hectare. It is undesirable to use ammonium nitrate fertilizer on winter wheat as ordinal, especially after steam cleaner with a high nitrogen content. This can reduce its winter hardiness quality. Good results are obtained by using nitrate in the doze 1 centner per hectare in bulk
Influence of receptions of the main processing of the soil, fertilizers and means of protection of plants on a contamination, agrophysical properties of the soil and efficiency of barley
Authors: Спичков  , Spichkov Sergey , Фомин  , Fomin Vladimir
Published: June 2014

The field experiments with barley of multiserial Vakula variety were conducted on gray forest soil of Kama region of theRepublic of Tatarstan. This experiment was carried out to identify the responsiveness of barley for fertilizers, methods of the basic soil cultivation and plant protection products. On average over three years of our research, the highest yield of barley (3.95 tons per hectare) was obtained in the flattered soil tillage and carrying out the calculated fertilizernorm in the way, when we used the seed protectant Stinger for pre- treatment of the soil. The yield was a little lower (3.88 tons per hectare), when we used Binoram for pre-sowing seed treatment, Albit was in the third place (3.80 tons per hectare), the fourth - Rizoagrin (3.65 tons per hectare), and the fifth - control (3.42 tons per hectare). The lowest barley yield (2.46 tons per hectare) were obtained on the background when not fertilized subsoiling tillage without the use of plant protection products. The use of seeds for incrustation, treated by Stinger chemical fungicide, increased the yield to 4.0 centner per hectare, compared with the control. When we used moldboard plowing, the yield declined in control to 4.7 centner per hectare and at fertilizered background to 4.9 centner per hectare, and at KSN soil treatment to3-5.3 centner per hectare. In arid 2010 the highest barley harvest was obtained at KSN-3 soil treating, on the second place is subsurface treatment and the third is plowing. Modern energy-saving methods of the basic soil cultivation, treating the calculated norms of fertilizers and use of plant protection products contribute to the production of planned productivity, saving fuel and lubricants, but they are unable to maintain phytosanitary conditions in barley fields within economic threshold. Taking inro account above-mentioned and the current state of agriculture in the steppe of the Volga region, it is necessary to alternate basic soil treatment methods, application of calculated norms of fertilizers and use protectants and biofungicides for pre-sowing treatment, considering fitoekzamination of seeds.
Formation forest fitotsenozov Volga River right banks
Authors: Ульданова  , Uldanova Railya
Published: June 2014

The coastal forests, presented by valuable deciduous and coniferous forests, grow in the northeastern and eastern parts of the Volga region of the Republic of Tatarstan, skirting the high right bank of the Volga River. They contribute to the maintenance of biological diversity in nature. The study of the formation of coastal forest phytocenoses, their species diversity and the modern state is now urgent work, and development activities for the conservation of natural habitats of plants, improve the sustainability of forest ecosystems are perspective direction. According to research of the forests of the right bank of the river Volga, we present the structure of coastal forest ecosystems. The association of forest ecosystems to the various elements of the relief was installed. The types of soil and litter were presented. The estimation of α-diversity of vascular herbaceous plants and ß-diversity of the studied forest ecosystems were reported. The largest number of species of vascular plants in coastal forests are: oak plant communities; a second group includes birch plants, pine and willow; the third group - the lime and larch; the fourth group - maple plant communitie. The ß-diversity index (Whittaker’s index) of plants in the studied forests varies between 2.2-6.8. The Jaccard coefficient of floristic similarity between forest ecosystems varies from 0.01 to 0.30, which confirms the diversity of generated by coastal forest ecosystems. The greatest diversity of plants was found in forests of ash and mixed grass, mixed grass willow, oak and lime-grove, maple, ash and mixed grass larches, birch wood. The forestry activities in coastal areas should be aimed at creating productive, sustainable forest ecosystems with a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna.
Chance-Constrained Optimization of Reliable Fixed Broadband Wireless Networks
Authors: Claßen Grit , Koster Arie M. C. A. , Coudert David , Nepomuceno Napoleão
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we extend our former investigation on conceiving reliable fixed point-to-point wireless networks under outage probability constraints. We consider the problem of determining the minimum cost bandwidth assignment of a network, while guaranteeing a reliability level of the solution. If the optimal bandwidth assignment and routing of traffic demands are accomplished, the reliability criterion requires that network flows remain feasible with high probability, regarding that the performance of microwave links is prone to variations due to external factors, e.g., weather. We introduce a chance-constrained programming approach to tackle this problem and we present reformulations to standard integer linear programming models, including a budget-constrained formulation. To improve the solving performance, we propose new valid inequalities and a primal heuristic. Computational results present a performance analysis of the valid inequalities and the heuristic. Further, the outperformance of the novel model compared to more traditional approaches is documented.
Directed Principal Component Analysis
Authors: Kao Yi-Hao , Van Roy Benjamin
Published: June 2014

We consider a problem involving estimation of a high-dimensional covariance matrix that is the sum of a diagonal matrix and a low-rank matrix, and making a decision based on the resulting estimate. Such problems arise, for example, in portfolio management, where a common approach employs principal component analysis (PCA) to estimate factors used in constructing the low-rank term of the covariance matrix. The decision problem is typically treated separately, with the estimated covariance matrix taken to be an input to an optimization problem. We propose directed PCA, an efficient algorithm that takes the decision objective into account when estimating the covariance matrix. Directed PCA effectively adjusts factors that would be produced by PCA so that they better guide the specific decision at hand. We demonstrate through computational studies that directed PCA yields significant benefit, and we prove theoretical results establishing that the degree of improvement over conventional PCA can be arbitrarily large.
An Analysis of Wine Tourism in Italy from a Strategic Service-Based Perspective
Authors: Tommasetti Aurelio , Festa Giuseppe
Published: June 2014

This study aims to investigate wine tourism from a strategic point of view in an attempt to understand how service orientation is perceived in Italian offers. Service-dominant logic (SDL) is a key approach to investigate the integration of activities involving various actors and customers/tourists, considering that value cocreation is fundamental for the success of wine tourism offers and is based on the exchange of knowledge. Methodologically, by following a mainstream literature review that assists in understanding the roles of both service and SDL in wine tourism, we attempt first to use the annual reports of the “Città del Vino” (Italy's most important association of wine territories) to show that there is an absence of a service-based perspective on the part of the majority of Italian wine tourism operators. Next, we propose an explanatory interpretation applying the 10 foundational premises of SDL to the general system of a territorial offer of wine tourism, which is considered key to a strategic analysis of wine tourism. The aim of this application is essentially threefold: first, to potentially help wine tourism operators to organize their service offers; second, to promote collaboration among wine producers; and third, to improve the institutional governance of wine territories in terms of planning and promoting wine tourism systems more efficiently and effectively.
Chronic AUD patients treated more poorly
Authors: Welyczko Nikki
Published: June 2014

Nikki Welyczko, Senior Lecturer and Academic Lead for Adult Nursing at De Montfort University, briefly reviews recently published articles
Probe-confocal laser endomicroscopy: implications for nursing care
Authors: Giacomini Maurizio , Meo Anna Di , Nicodemo Martina , Tramontina Lara , Fedele P , Tabuso Maria , Maiero Stefania , Fornasarig Mara , Cannizzaro Renato , Spessotto Paola
Published: June 2014

With the introduction of probe-confocal laser endomicroscopy (p-CLE), some changes in the patient-care setting are required to maintain high standards of patient safety in endoscopy units. This study focuses on planning for the procedure, patient care, and risk management. After reviewing the literature on this subject, the authors investigate the technical equipment, coordination of a multifunctional team, adequate planning of endoscopic activities, and the introduction of a checklist. As a result of this study, longer procedure times for the preparation of equipment, contrast dye, and drugs were established, as well as the need for patient inter-procedural inter-monitoring; patient identification; monitoring of heartbeat, blood pressure, and oxygen before, during, and after the procedure. Sixty-three patients with gastrointestinal cancer were examined and 14 local adverse events reported. The use of a contrast dye intravenously administered led to the planning of assessments and intraprocedural observations for the correct management of possible side effects, such as anaphylactic shock. Thus, the introduction of p-CLE has a significant effect on the role of the endoscopy nurse both in patient care and in the preparation for the procedure.
Keen to bring ‘new energy’
Authors: de Bruin Eleanor
Published: June 2014

The Health Visitor Implementation Plan aims to significantly drive up the number of health visitors by 2015. Eleanor de Bruin examines the impact this could have on how they support early years practitioners.
Think, imagine and go ‘beyond the known’
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: June 2014

This is the last in Jenni Clarke's three part series which explores thinking skills. Here she examines how children use a range of skills to develop their ability to solve problems, and recognise there is a problem.
Bring on the puppet show!
Authors: Mosley Jenny
Published: June 2014

Children respond warmly to puppets and an ideal way to get started with them is at circle time. In the first of two articles, Jenny Mosley suggests scripts and scenarios which will encourage children's engagement.
We need a robust Ofsted
Authors: Tanuku Purnma
Published: June 2014

One of the most important issues for the sector is confidence in the inspections process. There are many issues to be addressed, one of which is the need to press ahead with paid-for inspections, says NDNA.
A new species of Paranocarodes Bolivar, 1916 (Orthoptera: Pamphagidae) from Turkey
Authors: Ünal Mustafa
Published: June 2014

A new species, Paranocarodes turkmen sp. nov. is described from Eskişehir and Kütahya Provinces of Turkey. In the description, some terms are used for the first time to explain the structures have taxonomic value, were not mentioned or mentioned differently in the previous papers on Pamphagidae. These new terms are described and discussed.
Green open access in computer science – an exploratory study on author-based self-archiving awareness, practice, and inhibitors
Authors: Graziotin Daniel
Published: June 2014

Access to the work of others is something that is too often taken for granted, yet problematic and difficult to be obtained unless someone pays for it. Green and gold open access are claimed to be a solution to this problem. While open access is gaining momentum in some fields, there is a limited and seasoned knowledge about self-archiving in computer science. In particular, there is an inadequate understanding of author-based self-archiving awareness, practice, and inhibitors. This article reports an exploratory study of the awareness of self-archiving, the practice of self-archiving, and the inhibitors of self-archiving among authors in an Italian computer science faculty. Forty-nine individuals among interns, PhD students, researchers, and professors were recruited in a questionnaire (response rate of 72.8%). The quantitative and qualitative responses suggested that there is still work needed in terms of advocating green open access to computer science authors who seldom self-archive and when they do, they often infringe the copyright transfer agreements (CTAs) of the publishers. In addition, tools from the open-source community are needed to facilitate author-based self-archiving, which should comprise of an automatic check of the CTAs. The study identified nine factors inhibiting the act of self-archiving among computer scientists. As a first step, this study proposes several propositions regarding author-based self-archiving in computer science that can be further investigated. Recommendations to foster self-archiving in computer science, based on the results, are provided.
Distinction of the Steinberg representation II: An equality of characters
Authors: Courtès François
Published: June 2014

In a previous paper, Broussous and the author prove that for symmetric spaces of the form G(E)/G(F), where G is a reductive group defined and split over a p-adic field F and E is an unramified quadratic extension of F, when the residual field of F is large enough, the Steinberg representation is ε-distinguished for a unique quadratic character ε of G(F). This proves a conjecture stated by Dipendra Prasad in 2001, under the assumption that ε is the same character as the character χ used in the statement of that conjecture. This article completes the proof of Prasad's conjecture in the unramified case assuming that G is split over F, by proving that we actually have

ε
=
χ

${\varepsilon =\chi }$

, and also extends the aforementioned distinguishedness result by removing the condition on the residual field.
Nash's Bargaining Formula Revisited
Authors: Gander James
Published: June 2014

The note consists of showing the marginal rates of substitution (MRS)
explicitly in Nash's product formula and contract curve given by the
Jacobian determinant, which otherwise are contained therein only
implicitly. Two simple examples from duopoly and bilateral monopoly
are used to show the MRS's explicitly in the mathematical structure of
the bargaining game. We learn from the note that, while the MRS's are
implicit in the mathematical structure of the game, the MRS's after
suitable transformation can be shown explicitly in the product formula
and contract curve. This MRS showing puts the structure of the game in
a context familiar to economists.
Effect of additive Al2 O3 powders on micro-arc oxide coating of magnesium alloy
Authors: Zhongcai Shao , Bing Kong
Published: June 2014

In order to understand the effect of additive Al2O3 powders on the film corrosion resistance and the microstructure of the micro-arc oxide (MAO) ceramic film of magnesium alloy, AZ91D die cast magnesium alloy was oxidized with a special micro-arc apparatus. Morphological characteristics and phase constituent of ceramic coatings were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). And the aluminum (Al) element of before and after the Al2O3 accession were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX). The results showed that after adding Al2O3 powders, pores on ceramic coatings decreased, the loose layer became more compact, the new phase of Al2O3 appeared, and the Al element of the ceramic membrane increased. Ultrasonic waves promoted the content of Al2O3 in the layer. Electrochemical corrosion experiments in 3.5% NaCl solution showed that the corrosion resistance of ceramic coatings after adding Al2O3 powders was improved greatly.
Relationship between Overtime Work Hours and Cardio‐ankle Vascular Index (CAVI): A Cross‐sectional Study in Japan
Authors: Hata Koichi , Nakagawa Toru , Hasegawa Masayuki , Kitamura Hiroko , Hayashi Takeshi , Ogami Akira
Published: June 2014

Relationship between Overtime Work Hours and Cardio‐ankle Vascular Index (CAVI): A Cross‐sectional Study in Japan: Koichi HATA, et al. Department of Work Systems and Health, Institute of Industrial Ecological Science, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Japan—

Objectives

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the relationship between overtime work hours and CAVI, a new index of arterial stiffness.

Methods

We measured CAVI of Japanese workers (3,862 men) aged 26 to 59 years. Simultaneously, we obtained information on their monthly overtime work hours for the past few months using a self‐administered questionnaire, with responses divided into five groups: <45, ≥45 and <60, ≥60 and <80, ≥80 and <100 and ≥100 hours/month. We calculated the odds ratios of CAVI≥9.0 for each group of overtime work hours.

Results

In the full sample, there was no significant association between the average CAVI and overtime work hours. Taking<45 overtime hours/month as the reference category, the odds ratios of CAVI≥9.0 were as follows: OR=1.11, 95% CI=0.73–1.69 (≥45 and <60 hours/month); OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.48–1.76 (≥60 and <80 hours/month); OR=1.50, 95% CI=0.50–4.49 (≥80 and <100 hours/month); and OR=2.65, 95% CI=0.82–8.54 (≥100 hours/month). However, for workers in their 50 s, the odds ratio of CAVI≥9.0 was significantly higher among subjects with≥100 hours/month than among those with<45 hours/month (OR=4.26, 95% CI=1.2–15.1)

Conclusions

The present study suggests that CAVI is more likely to be 9.0 or higher in workers in their 50 s when they work≥100 hours of overtime per month.
Changes in Laboratory Test Results and Diagnostic Imaging Presentation before the Detection of Occupational Cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Kubo Shoji , Takemura Shigekazu , Sakata Chikaharu , Urata Yorihisa , Nishioka Takayoshi , Nozawa Akinori , Kinoshita Masahiko , Hamano Genya , Nakanuma Yasuni , Endo Ginji
Published: June 2014

Changes in Laboratory Test Results and Diagnostic Imaging Presentation before the Detection of Occupational Cholangiocarcinoma: Shoji KUBO, et al. Department of Hepato‐Biliary‐Pancreatic Surgery, Osaka City University Graduate School of Medicine—

Objectives

A cholangiocarcinoma outbreak among workers of an offset color proof‐printing department in a printing company was recently reported. It is important to understand the clinical course leading to occupational cholangiocarcinoma development for investigation of the carcinogenesis process and for surveillance and early detection. We evaluated the changes in laboratory test results and diagnostic imaging presentation before the detection of cholangiocarcinoma.

Methods

We investigated the changes in laboratory test results and diagnostic imaging presentation before the detection of cholangiocarcinoma in 2 patients because the data were available.

Results

The clinical courses observed in the 2 participating patients showed persistent elevation of serum γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels with or without elevated serum levels of alanine aminotransferase and/or aspartate aminotransferase before cholangiocarcinoma detection. Dilatation of the bile ducts without tumor‐induced stenosis was observed several years before cholangiocarcinoma detection and progressed gradually in both patients. The serum concentration of carbohydrate 19‐9 also increased prior to cholangiocarcinoma detection in both patients. Eventually, observation of stenosis of the bile duct and a space‐occupying lesion strongly suggested cholangiocarcinoma. Pathological examination of the resected specimens showed chronic bile duct injury and neoplastic lesions, such as “biliary intraepithelial neoplasia” and “intraductal papillary neoplasm of the bile duct” in various sites of the bile ducts, particularly in the dilated bile ducts.

Conclusions

The changes in laboratory test results and diagnostic imaging might be related to the development of cholangiocarcinoma. It is important to monitor diagnostic imaging presentation and laboratory test results in workers with extended exposure to organic solvents.