bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Soil heterogeneity and the distribution of native grasses in California: Can soil properties inform restoration plans?
Authors: Hufford Kristina M. , Mazer Susan J. , Schimel Joshua P.
Published: April 2014

When historical vegetation patterns are unknown and local environments are highly degraded, the relationship between plant species distributions and environmental properties may provide a means to determine which species are suitable for individual restoration sites. We investigated the role of edaphic variation in explaining the distributions of three native bunchgrass species (Bromus carinatus, Elymus glaucus and Nassella pulchra) among central California mainland and island grasslands. The relative contribution of soil properties and spatial variation to native grass species abundance was estimated using canonical redundancy analysis, with subsequent testing of individual variables identified in ordination. Soil variables predicted a significant proportion (22–27%) of the variation in species distributions. Abiotic soil properties that drive species distributions included serpentine substrates and soil texture. Biotic properties that correlated with species distributions were ammonium and nitrogen mineralization rates. Spatial autocorrelation also contributed to species presence or absence at each site, and the significant negative autocorrelation suggested that species interactions and niche differentiation may play a role in species distributions in central California mainland and island grasslands. We explored the application of plant‐environment relationships to ecological restoration for species selection at locations where degradation levels are high and historical communities are unclear.
Delayed insect access alters carrion decomposition and necrophagous insect community assembly
Authors: Pechal Jennifer L. , Benbow M. Eric , Crippen Tawni L. , Tarone Aaron M. , Tomberlin Jeffery K.
Published: April 2014

Vertebrate carrion in terrestrial ecosystems is an unpredictable, ephemeral resource pulse that contributes to local biodiversity and nutrient transformation dynamics. Carrion ecology is infrequently studied compared to other decomposition systems, such as leaf litter detritus, despite its importance as a resource subsidy in most ecosystems. We hypothesized that delayed insect access to carrion (insects excluded for five days) would demonstrate marked shifts in necrophagous insect community structure, turnover rates and assembly with overall effects on carrion decomposition. Despite similarities between taxon arrival patterns, once insects were allowed to colonize carrion previously excluded from insects there was an increased necrophagous insect taxon richness and increased community turnover rates. Additionally, during the first five days of decomposition, insect exclusion carcasses remained in bloat stage while those naturally colonized were well advanced in active decomposition. This resulted in substantial differences in decomposition and highlighted the importance of insect community assembly in the decomposition process. Carrion decomposition has been a neglected field of study compared to other organic matter processes (e.g., leaf detritus), and these data suggest the ecology of carrion‐arthropod interactions can contribute to a broader understanding of decomposition processes and ecosystem function.
Removal of arsenic from a deep well by electrocoagulation in a continuous filter press reactor
Authors: Alcacio Ruth , Nava José L. , Carreño Gilberto , Elorza Enrique , Martínez Francisco
Published: April 2014

We investigated arsenic removal from groundwater by electrocoagulation (EC) using aluminum as the sacrificial anode in a continuous filter press reactor. The groundwater was collected at a depth of 200 m in the plateau region, in Central Mexico, (As 134 μg L−1, Fe 0.3 mg L−1, Cd 0.7 mg L−1, Na 58 mg L−1, pH 6.8). The influence of current density (J) and mean linear flow rate (u) on As removal was analyzed. EC revealed that u of 0.91 cm s−1 (which gives a retention time of 53.4 s) at J of 6 and 8 mA cm−2 yielded samples that met the Mexican standard for arsenic (≤25 μg L−1). EC at 10 mA cm−2 did not improve results any further owing to massive generation of gases and anode passivation. The partial EC removal of arsenic can be attributed to the mixture of HAsO2, H3AsO3 and HAsO42−. HAsO42− is more susceptible to removal by adsorption on Al(OH)3 and Al2O3 flocs. The best EC result was obtained at 6 mA cm−2 and 0.91 cm s−1, with energy consumption of 0.89 kWh m−3, which decreased arsenic from 134 to 14 μg L−1.
Adsorption of chlorinated acetic acids by quaternary ammonium cationic cellulose
Authors: Shi Wenjian , Gu Haixin , Chen Xuan , Huang Yuanxing , Wu Wei , Wang Jingzhi
Published: April 2014

Etherifying agent, 3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride (CHPTA) was modified by grafting on cellulose to make quaternary ammonium cationic cellulose (QACC) with 2.01% nitrogen content and a degree of substitution of 0.289. The experiment results showed that at 318 K, the adsorption capacities of QACC on monochloroacetic acid (MCAA), dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid (TCAA) were 1.80, 1.87 and 2.01 mmol/g, respectively. The adsorption process could be modeled by pseudo second-order kinetics very well. The adsorption rate constant increased with temperature, and the adsorption pattern fitted Langmuir isotherms, which was monomolecular layer absorption. ΔH of the three chlorinated acetic acids were all above zero, and ΔS of them were above zero too. At 298 K, ΔG of the adsorption processes were below zero. These experiment results showed that it was main chemical adsorption accompanied by physical adsorption.
Fixation of Acute Distal Biceps Tendon Ruptures Using Mitek Anchors: A
Retrospective Study
Authors: Al-Taher M. , Wouters Diederick B.
Published: April 2014

Purpose of this Study:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of surgical intra-osseous fixation of
the distal tendon of the ruptured biceps brachii muscle using Mitek anchors.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2005 and 2011, seven patients underwent unilateral distal biceps tendon repair using
Mitek anchors. All patients were men aged between 36 and 47 years. Six patients were assessed by physical examination
and use of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.

Results:

Surgery was performed within 3 to 17 days of rupture with a mean follow-up of 35 months. Of the six fully
completed DASH questionnaires, three patients had a score of 0, and three patients had scores of 5.8, 10 and 10.8,
respectively (10.1 is the mean score for the general population). Transient paraesthesias in the lateral antebrachial
cutaneous nerve region occurred in two patients and one patient experienced a transient stiffness of the elbow due to
scarring of the wound. No major complicatons have occurred.

Conclusion:

The use of Mitek anchors for the re-insertion of the ruptured distal biceps tendon proved to be a safe and
effective technique with excellent functional results in our series.
Is there an alternative strategy for reducing public debt by 2032?
Authors: Blot Christophe , Cochard Marion , Creel Jérôme , Ducoudré Bruno , Schweisguth Danielle , Timbeau Xavier
Published: April 2014

EMU countries have engaged in fiscal consolidation since 2011. This strategy
has proven to be costly in terms of GDP. This cost has been amplified by the
fact that fiscal multipliers are high in time of crisis, as recently stressed
by the literature. Within this context, we wonder whether there is an
alternative strategy aiming at bringing back the debt ratio to 60% of GDP in
2032, meanwhile lowering output losses. To this end, we report simulations
realized from a simple model describing the Eurozone and the timing for
consolidation. Based on a pragmatic view of the fiscal compact, we find an
alternative path for consolidation which achieves a 60% threshold for public
debt over the next 20 years in most euro area countries.
Inflation targeting in advanced vs. emerging economies before and after the crisis
Authors: Josifidis Kosta , Beker-Pucar Emilija , Srdic Sladjana , Ivan Gabriela
Published: April 2014

Emerging economies have specificities which distance them compared to
advanced economies in practicing inflation targeting (IT) monetary regime.
One of the main differences in performing IT in advanced compared to
emerging economies is ?fear of floating? problem in emerging group. However,
on the road from exchange rate (ER) as a nominal anchor to IT, differences
between advanced and emerging economies concerning ?fear of floating? have
been more or less narrowed. In this paper we are concentrated to selected
aspects of ER pass-through to prices and output, as well as (in)direct
monetary policy reactions to ER shocks, trying to find out is significant
difference observable between advanced and emerging IT countries in
pre-crisis period and (post)crisis period. The comparison is made on the
basis of forecast error variance decompositions from estimated Vector
Autoregression (VAR) / Vector Error Correction (VEC) models. ?Fear of
floating? phenomenon should not be exclusively applied to emerging
economies, especially in the crisis period burdened with external shocks.
The role of ER in IT monetary framework is strengthened with higher internal
vulnerability to ER shocks, despite the level of economic development.
Advanced countries more use interest rate as an indirect way to withstand ER
shocks, while emerging economies more use direct way via foreign exchange
interventions to withstand the ER shocks.
Political economy of love: nurturance gap, disembedded economy and freedom constraints within neoliberal capitalism
Authors: O’Hara Phillip
Published: April 2014

This article critically evaluates the forms of love capital being accumulated
by people in capitalist economies, through the lens of some of the core
general principles of heterodox political economy (HPE). We start by
situating love historically in the neoliberal culture and then examine the
six main love styles as well as the five critical factors through the process
of circular and cumulative causation. We then scrutinise the contradictions
of neoliberal capitalism involving the nurturance gap, disembedded economy
and freedom constraint which inhibit the generation of holistic love capital.
The path dependent nature of love is then linked to relational phases and
instabilities, especially involving serial monogamy in the United States.
Some of the core principles of HPE provide a vantage point for scrutinising
the problems involved in stimulating holistic love capital in the
contemporary environment.
Financing health care expenditure in the OECD countries: Evidence from a heterogeneous, cross-sectional dependent panel
Authors: de Mello-Sampayo , de Sousa-Vale
Published: April 2014

This paper analyses the relationship between health expenditure and the way
it is financed in a panel of 30 OECD countries observed annually from 1990
to 2009. The nonstationarity and cointegration properties between health
care spending and its sources of funding, income, and non-income variables
are studied. This is performed in a panel data context controlling for both
cross section dependence and unobserved heterogeneity. The findings suggest
that when health care expenditure is mainly financed by government it
becomes independent of an individual?s income, controlling for dependency
rates for old and young age structure and technological progress.
Comparison of biohumoral and morphological parameters in acute pancreatitis
Authors: Tasic Tomislav , Grgov Sasa , Nagorni Aleksandar , Benedeto-Stojanov Danijela
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Acute pancreatitis occurs as a result of autodigestive
activation of pancreatic proenzymes, within the parenchyma of the glands.
Objective. The goal of the work was to establish possible connection of
etiology and severity of the acute pancreatitis and biohumoral parameters,
ultrasound and CT. Methods. The study included 273 patients with
pancreatitis, classified by Ranson?s score, according to degree of severity
and etiology, whose biohumoral parameters were correlated with each other,
and with the ultrasound and CT findings. Results. The values of amylase and
ALT were significantly higher in the severe form of pancreatitis and biliary
etiology compared to etilic (p<0.05). The ratio of AST/ALT was significantly
higher in the group of etilic compared to biliary etiology (p<0.05). LDH was
significantly higher in the severe form group compared to moderate form of
pancreatitis (p<0.01). Cholesterol was significantly higher in the group of
biliary compared to the group of etilic pancreatitis (p<0.05). There was a
negative low correlation between the value of calcium ions in the plasma and
CT analysis (p=0.05). Low degree negative correlation between the value of
calcium ions and ultrasound analysis was established (p=0.0001). Conclusion.
There was a negative correlation between the level of ionized calcium in the
blood and the degree of the acute pancreatitis by the Balthazar score. Mean
value of alpha amylase, total value of cholesterol and ALT were significantly
higher in the group of biliary compared to the group of etilic acute
pancreatitis. The average values of the alpha amylase, LDH and ALT were
significantly higher in the group of severe form of the acute pancreatitis
compared to the group of moderate form. The ratio AST/ALT was significantly
higher in the group of etilic than in the group of biliary pancreatitis.
Surgical treatment of intradiploic epidermoid cyst treated as depression
Authors: Zivkovic Nenad , Markovic Marko , Mihajlovic Goran , Jovanovic Milan
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Extradural intradiploic epidermoid cysts are rare, representing
less than 0.25% of all primary intracranial tumors. They can be
neurologically silent and can only present psychiatric symptoms like
depression, cognitive or personality changes. Case Outline. A 68-year-old
male with two year long history of depressive mood, lack of motivation,
helplessness, hopelessness and poor response to antidepressive drug therapy
was described. CT scan showed a well-defined mass in the parietal scalp with
destruction of the scull. He underwent intracranial tumor resection. Surgical
resection and cranioplasty were performed. Pathology confirmed intradiploic
epidermoid cyst. Conclusion. Total removal of these cysts and repeated
washing of the cavity with 0.9 % saline may prevent recurrence and aseptic
meningitis and may improve mental state of the patient. We also emphasize the
need for neuroimaging studies in a patient with atypical changes in mental
status, even without neurological signs or symptoms.
A case of human monocytic ehrlichiosis in Serbia
Authors: Arsic Bogdan , Gligic Ana , Ristanovic Elizabeta , Lako Branislav , Potkonjak Aleksandar , Perunicic Milan , Pavlovic Momcilo
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Ehrlichiosis is a bacterial zoonosis transmitted by
hematophagous arthropods - ticks. In humans, it occurs as monocytic,
granulocytic, and ewingii ehrlichiosis. Pathological process is based on
parasitic presence of Ehrlichia organisms within peripheral blood cells -
monocytes and granulocytes. Case Outline. Fifty-two year old patient was
admitted to hospital due to high fever of over 40?C that lasted two days,
accompanied with chills, muscle aches, malaise, loss of appetite, headache,
confusion, breathing difficulties, and mild dry cough. The history suggested
tick bite that occurred seven days before the onset of disease. Doxycycline
was introduced and administered for 14 days, causing the disease to subside.
Indirect immunofluorescence assay was used to analyze three serum samples
obtained from this patient for Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies, and
peripheral blood smear was evaluated for the presence of Ehrlichia and
Ehrlichia aggregation into morulae. Conclusion. Ehrlichiosis should be
considered in each case where there is a history of tick bite together with
the clinical picture (high fever, chills, muscle aches, headache, generalized
weakness and malaise, and possible maculopapular rash). The presence of
Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies was confirmed in a patient with the history
of tick bite, appropriate clinical picture and indirect immunofluorescence
assay. This confirmed the presence of human monocytotropic ehrlichiosis, a
disease that is uncommonly identified in our country.
Renal hypertension and cardiovascular disorder in children with chronic kidney disease
Authors: Peco-Antic Amira , Paripovic Dusan
Published: April 2014

Renal hypertension is one of the earliest and the most prevalent
complications of pediatric chronic kidney disease (CKD). Among renal
patients, hypertension is frequently underdiagnosed and undertreated. For
casual blood pressure measurement, the best method is auscultatory, while for
ambulatory blood pressure measurement, oscillometric method is the most
commonly used. Both casual and ambulatory blood pressure measurement provide
more powerful means of diagnosing hypertension. Masked hypertension is a
condition in which casual blood pressure is normal but ambulatory blood
pressure is elevated. The risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is
higher with masked hypertension as compared to the controls. Children and
adolescents with CKD are at high risk of cardiovascular disease that has been
established as the leading cause of death in patients with end stage renal
disease. Left ventricular hypertrophy remains the most thoroughly documented
form of end-organ damage caused by hypertension in children and adolescents
with CKD. Based on clear evidence on the correlation between blood pressure
and cardiovascular morbidity, mortality, and renal function, renal
hypertension must be aggressively treated. Target blood pressure for patients
with renal hypertension should be at low normal values: <75 percentile for
patients without proteinuria and <50 percentile for patients with
proteinuria. Renin-angiotensin system antagonists are considered the first
choice pharmacological option in hypertensive CKD 2-4 patients while the
management of volume overload is the most important in dialysis patients.
Successful transplantation can eliminate or significantly improve
uremia-related cardiovascular risk factors and increase predicted life
expectancy.
Nutrition in pregnancy: Basic principles and recommendations
Authors: Plecas Draga , Plesinac Snezana , Kontic-Vucinic Olivera
Published: April 2014

Healthy diet in pregnancy should guarantee proper fetal growth and
development, maintain (and promote) maternal health and enable lactation.
Nutritional counseling and interventions need to be an integral part of
antenatal care and continue during pregnancy in order to reduce the risk of
maternal, fetal and neonatal complications, as well as the short- and
long-term adverse outcomes. Adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common in
women who begin the gestation as undernourished or obese in comparison to
pregnant women whose weight is within normal ranges. Increased nutritional
and energy needs in pregnancy are met through numerous metabolic adaptations;
pregnancy is successfully achieved within wide range of variations in energy
supply and weight gain. However, if nutrient restriction exceeds the limits
of adaptive responses, evidence indicates that fetus will develop the
alternative metabolic competence that might emerge as a disease (type 2
diabetes, hypertension, coronary heart disease and stroke) in adult life.
Health care system of the Republic of Serbia in the period 2004-2012
Authors: Gajic-Stevanovic Milena , Aleksic Jovana , Stojanovic Neda , Zivkovic Slavoljub
Published: April 2014

Introduction. The backbone of Serbian health system forms the public
healthcare provider network with 355 institutions and around 112,000
employees, owned and controlled by the Ministry of Health and financed mainly
by the Republican Health Insurance Fund. The law recognizes private practice
that was not included, till recently, in the public funding scheme. New
Health Insurance Law (2005) decreased the number of entitlements in the basic
health service package. It abolished the right to dental health care for
adults (exceptions are: children, older than 65, pregnant women and emergency
cases) as well as the right to compensate travel expenses. The aim of this
study was to evaluate the effects of health care system of the Republic of
Serbia and indicate parameters that determine the state of health of the
population, on the ground of data obtained by the Institute of Public Health
of Serbia. Results. In the period 2004-2012, cardiovascular diseases
represented the main cause of illness in Serbia (50%). In 2012 digestive
system diseases were on the second place. Neoplasm and nervous system
diseases were on the third place. From 2007 to 2012 there was slight decline
in the birth rate and number of deaths, but the death rate increased from
13.9 to 14.2. Health care system in Serbia is funded through the combination
of public finances and private contributions. Primary care is provided in 158
health care centres and health care stations, secondary and tertiary care
services are offered in general hospitals, specialized hospitals, clinics,
clinico-hospital centers and clinical centres. Conclusion. A significant but
not satisfactory progress has been achieved in the field of health status
indicators as the most important outcome of the final performance of the
health system. The transition of public health care system in Serbia since
the communist period to present and slow integration with European Union is
unfinished process.
Territorial identity: Between local and global
Authors: Petrovic Mina
Published: April 2014

Paper takes a territory as a social construct and relational concept,
according to which a society is seen as being in a constant process of
deterritorilaization and retrriatorialization. First part of the paper
focuses on transformation of territorial identity of individuals, from
identity of island towards identity based on selective association of various
territorial levels, or from old to new localism. Second part of the paper
connects dimensions of territorial identity with the concepts of new
regionalism and glocalism, which are related to local-global dichotomy, and
issues on local development based on endogenous resources within the global
context. The main arguments are driven at the conceptual level, but both
parts of the paper also rely on empirical insights from the research ?Changes
in basic structures of society in Serbia?, conducted by the Institute for
Sociological Research, Faculty of Philosophy University of Belgrade, on the
representative sample for citizens in Serbia (N=2557), in 2012. Empirical
data illustrate that territorial identity of respondents has been profiled
through selective association of different territorial levels. However, only
half of respondents (44,7%) feel attached to any supranational territory,
while such attachment is not considerably related to respondents? structural
and value characteristics. Besides that, respondents show relatively low
level of glocalism, which, in accordance to new regionalism, is taken as
local actors? readiness for global connections through strategies based on
locally specific resources.
The politics of habitus as a sociologically founded utopia
Authors: Biresev Ana
Published: April 2014

The politics of habitus is usually associated with Bourdieu?s ?sociologically
political? studies, mainly developed in the 1970s as a framework through
which this French sociologist analyzed political opinions of French citizens,
by underlining social conditions that generate certain political
dispositions, and consequently attitudes towards politics, political
preferences, and political practices. These studies made us aware that
political action should be mindful not only of institutions, but of
dispositions as well. This paper aims to portray different aspects of the
politics of habitus, by linking it to research which originally generated the
concept, but also by tracing its further development exemplified by some of
the following concepts: the necessity of universalizing economic and social
conditions of the access to the universal, the idea about the sociologically
founded utopia, the demand for the establishment of a ?real state? - all to
be found in later Bourdieu?s work. This paper analyzes politics of habitus
from the social emancipatory perspective and raises questions about the role
science can and should have in realising such a project. First part of the
paper examines Bourdieu?s class analysis and its potentials in providing
realistic knowledge about the social world, and the second part explores
concrete steps that politics based on such knowledge could take.
Objectivity, systematicity and reliability in implementing observation method in social sciences
Authors: Ilic Vladimir
Published: April 2014

This article discusses the issues concerning the relation between observation
and the scientific principles of objectivity, systematicity and reliability.
Issues of theoretical orientation, validity, generality, and precision will
be the subject of attention on another occasion. The disintegration of
observation as a research procedure through a radical separation of its
participant and non-participant form is highlighted. This happens under the
influence of exaggerated division between the quantitative and qualitative
methods and their actual but also exaggerated epistemological differences.
The exaggeration is associated with the dominance of empiricism in sociology.
This empiricism is the result of interests of wider social groups and
narrower interests within the scientific community. The necessity of
methodological examination and research implementation of observation
conceived as an integrated procedure is argued by its subversive character,
its objectivity and social changes that require its use.
Audit Committee Director-Auditor Interlocking and Perceptions of Earnings Quality
Authors: Chen Jeng-Fang , Chou Yan-Yu , Duh Rong-Ruey , Lin Yu-Chen
Published: April 2014

Using earnings response coefficients (ERCs) from returns-earnings regressions as a proxy for investor perceptions of earnings quality, we analyze how investors perceive reported earnings when companies with interlocking audit committee directors are audited by the same audit firm (hereafter, AC director-auditor interlocking). Our empirical results show that the extent of AC director-auditor interlocking is significantly and positively associated with ERCs. By dividing the sample period into pre-Sarbanes-Oxley Act (pre-SOX, 1998 through 2001) and post-SOX (2002 through 2010) periods, we find that the significantly positive effect of AC director-auditor interlocking on ERCs only exists in the post-SOX period, indicating that investors have reacted more positively to AC director-auditor interlocking after the implementation of SOX, which requires that audit committee members be independent. Finally, using financial expertise data for the period 2003 to 2010, we find that the positive relationship between the extent of AC director-auditor interlocking and ERCs is more pronounced when interlocking audit committee directors are financial experts than when they are not financial experts.
Employee Problems and Their Consequences in the Technology Industry: Evidence from Surveys and Counseling Records
Authors: Wang Ching-Wen , Lin Po-Chang , Sha Chyuan
Published: April 2014

To support employees' work and health, organizations should help employees cope with common problems. Previous studies have focused primarily on work-related problems across multiple industries rather than on evaluating industry-specific issues. Here, two approaches identified common work and nonwork employee problems in the technology industry with the strongest correlations with psychosomatic health and life satisfaction. Study 1 used questionnaires to identify the problems that were perceived as the most frequent by lower-level employees ( N=355) working in the technology industry. Study 2 evaluated employees' coping behaviors by analyzing (with permission) counseling records collected from an employee assistance service company ( N=276). Employees reported a variety of problems; work problems were the only problems (of the top 5 problems) reported in both studies. Several problems emerged in the counseling records (e.g., legal issues, career development, family and marriage problems, and emotional problems) but not in the surveys. Future research should apply these observations to develop scales for measuring employee stressors.
Depressive Rumination and Past Depression in Japanese University Students: Comparison of Brooding and Reflection
Authors: Hasegawa Akira , Koda Munenaga , Hattori Yosuke , Kondo Tsuyoshi , Kawaguchi Jun
Published: April 2014

The Ruminative Responses Scale, a measure of depressive rumination, contains two subscales: Brooding and Reflection. Treynor, Gonzalez, and Nolen-Hoeksema (2003) proposed that Brooding is maladaptive and Reflection is adaptive. This article examined the relationships among Brooding, Reflection, and previous depression in two samples of Japanese undergraduates, who were non-depressed at the time of their participation. Based on answers to a self-report measure, participants were divided into a formerly depressed group, who had experienced an episode that met the criteria for major depression, and a never-depressed group. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with Brooding, Reflection, and current depression as the independent variables and past depression as the dependent variable. Brooding had consistent positive associations with past depression. The relationship between Reflection and past depression was not significant for one sample, but was statistically significant and positive in the second sample. In the second sample, Brooding and Reflection both were related with past depression after controlling for worry.
Effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment on the germination, vigour and health of Zinnia elegans seeds
Authors: Szopińska Dorota
Published: April 2014

The high infestation rate of zinnia (Zinnia elegans Jacq.) seeds with fungi, especially pathogenic Alternaria zinniae, has frequently resulted in a poor germination capacity associated with a high number of abnormal diseased seedlings. The effect of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) treatment on the germination, vigour and health of zinnia seeds was investigated. Two samples of zinnia seeds - sample I, characterised with a low germination capacity (39.5%) and a high level of seed infection with A. zinniae (76%), and sample II, with a high germination capacity (87%) and free from this pathogen - were tested. For treatment, seeds were soaked in 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% H2O2 solutions for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min. Initially, the controls were seeds soaked in distilled water for 10, 20, 30 and 60 min, and then the results of selected treatments were compared with results obtained for untreated seeds and seeds treated with a fungicide (20% carbendazim and 45% thiram). The fungi Alternaria spp. and Fusarium spp. were frequently identified on tested seeds. The concentration of hydrogen peroxide affected the quality of zinnia seeds to a higher extent than the treatment time. However, all of the treatments applied, regardless of time and concentration of H2O2, positively affected seed health, significantly reducing seed infestation by fungi in both samples. Moreover, the lowest level of A. zinniae infection was observed if seeds were soaked in 6% and 9% H2O2 solutions for 60 and 20 min, respectively. Higher concentrations of H2O2 (9% and 12%) negatively influenced seed germination and vigour, especially in sample II. These findings suggested that the treatment of zinnia seeds with hydrogen peroxide can effectively improve germination mostly in samples heavily infected with pathogens, which means that it should be preceded by seed health evaluation.
Identification of plasma biomarker candidates in glioblastoma using an antibody-array-based proteomic approach
Authors: Zupancic Klemen , Blejec Andrej , Herman Ana , Veber Matija , Verbovsek Urska , Korsic Marjan , Knezevic Miomir , Rozman Primoz , Turnsek Tamara Lah , Gruden Kristina , Motaln Helena
Published: April 2014

Background. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a brain tumour with a very high patient mortality rate, with a median survival of 47 weeks. This might be improved by the identification of novel diagnostic, prognostic and predictive therapy-response biomarkers, preferentially through the monitoring of the patient blood. The aim of this study was to define the impact of GBM in terms of alterations of the plasma protein levels in these patients. Materials and methods. We used a commercially available antibody array that includes 656 antibodies to analyse blood plasma samples from 17 healthy volunteers in comparison with 17 blood plasma samples from patients with GBM.

Results. We identified 11 plasma proteins that are statistically most strongly associated with the presence of GBM. These proteins belong to three functional signalling pathways: T-cell signalling and immune responses; cell adhesion and migration; and cell-cycle control and apoptosis. Thus, we can consider this identified set of proteins as potential diagnostic biomarker candidates for GBM. In addition, a set of 16 plasma proteins were significantly associated with the overall survival of these patients with GBM. Guanine nucleotide binding protein alpha (GNAO1) was associated with both GBM presence and survival of patients with GBM.

Conclusions. Antibody array analysis represents a useful tool for the screening of plasma samples for potential cancer biomarker candidates in small-scale exploratory experiments; however, clinical validation of these candidates requires their further evaluation in a larger study on an independent cohort of patients.
Analysis and Application of the Relationship between Cumulonimbus (Cb) Cloud Features and Precipitation Based on FY-2C Image
Authors: Liu Yu , Xi Du-Gang , Li Zhao-Liang , Shi Chun-Xiang
Published: April 2014

Although cumulonimbus (Cb) clouds are the main source of precipitation in south China, the relationship between Cb cloud characteristics and precipitation remains unclear. Accordingly, the primary objective of this study was to thoroughly analyze the relationship between Cb cloud features and precipitation both at the pixel and cloud patch scale, and then to apply it in precipitation estimation in the Huaihe River Basin using China’s first operational geostationary meteorological satellite, FengYun-2C (FY-2C), and the hourly precipitation data of 286 gauges from 2007. First, 31 Cb parameters (14 parameters of three pixel features and 17 parameters of four cloud patch features) were extracted based on a Cb tracking method using an artificial neural network (ANN) cloud classification as a pre-processing procedure to identify homogeneous Cb patches. Then, the relationship between Cb cloud properties and precipitation was analyzed and applied in a look-up table algorithm to estimate precipitation. The results were as follows: (1) Precipitation increases first and then declines with increasing values for cold cloud and time evolution parameters, and heavy precipitation may occur not only near the convective center, but also on the front of the Cb clouds on the pixel scale. (2) As for the cloud patch scale, precipitation is typically associated with cold cloud and rough cloud surfaces, whereas the coldest and roughest cloud surfaces do not correspond to the strongest rain. Moreover, rainfall has no obvious relationship with the cloud motion features and varies significantly over different life stages. The involvement of mergers and splits of minor Cb patches is crucial for precipitation processes. (3) The correlation coefficients of the estimated rain rate and gauge rain can reach 0.62 in the cross-validation period and 0.51 in the testing period, which indicates the feasibility of the further application of the relationship in precipitation estimation.
Assessing Uncertainties of Theoretical Atomic Transition Probabilities with Monte Carlo Random Trials
Authors: Kramida Alexander
Published: April 2014

This paper suggests a method of evaluation of uncertainties in calculated transition probabilities by randomly varying parameters of an atomic code and comparing the results. A control code has been written to randomly vary the input parameters with a normal statistical distribution around initial values with a certain standard deviation. For this particular implementation, Cowan’s suite of atomic codes (R.D. Cowan, The Theory of Atomic Structure and Spectra, Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1981) was used to calculate radiative rates of magnetic-dipole and electric-quadrupole transitions within the ground configuration of titanium-like iron, Fe V. The Slater parameters used in the calculations were adjusted to fit experimental energy levels with Cowan’s least-squares fitting program, RCE. The standard deviations of the fitted parameters were used as input of the control code providing the distribution widths of random trials for these parameters. Propagation of errors through the matrix diagonalization and summation of basis state expansions leads to significant variations in the resulting transition rates. These variations vastly differ in their magnitude for different transitions, depending on their sensitivity to errors in parameters. With this method, the rate uncertainty can be individually assessed for each calculated transition.
Wiretap Channel with Information Embedding on Actions
Authors: Yin Xinxing , Xue Zhi
Published: April 2014

Information embedding on actions is a new channel model in which a specific decoder is used to observe the actions taken by the encoder and retrieve part of the message intended for the receiver. We revisit this model and consider a different scenario where a secrecy constraint is imposed. By adding a wiretapper in the model, we aim to send the confidential message to the receiver and keep it secret from the wiretapper as much as possible. We characterize the inner and outer bounds on the capacity-equivocation region of such a channel with noncausal (and causal) channel state information. Furthermore, the lower and upper bounds on the sum secrecy capacity are also obtained. Besides, by eliminating the specific decoder, we get a new outer bound on the capacity-equivocation region of the wiretap channel with action-dependent states and prove it is tighter than the existing outer bound. A binary example is presented to illustrate the tradeoff between the sum secrecy rate and the information embedding rate under the secrecy constraint. We find that the secrecy constraint and the communication requirements of information embedding have a negative impact on improving the secrecy transmission rate of the given communication link.
Information Geometry of Positive Measures and Positive-Definite Matrices: Decomposable Dually Flat Structure
Authors: Amari Shun-ichi
Published: April 2014

Information geometry studies the dually flat structure of a manifold, highlighted by the generalized Pythagorean theorem. The present paper studies a class of Bregman divergences called the (ρ,τ)-divergence. A (ρ,τ) -divergence generates a dually flat structure in the manifold of positive measures, as well as in the manifold of positive-definite matrices. The class is composed of decomposable divergences, which are written as a sum of componentwise divergences. Conversely, a decomposable dually flat divergence is shown to be a (ρ,τ) -divergence. A (ρ,τ) -divergence is determined from two monotone scalar functions, ρ and τ. The class includes the KL-divergence, α-, β- and (α, β)-divergences as special cases. The transformation between an affine parameter and its dual is easily calculated in the case of a decomposable divergence. Therefore, such a divergence is useful for obtaining the center for a cluster of points, which will be applied to classification and information retrieval in vision. For the manifold of positive-definite matrices, in addition to the dually flatness and decomposability, we require the invariance under linear transformations, in particular under orthogonal transformations. This opens a way to define a new class of divergences, called the (ρ,τ) -structure in the manifold of positive-definite matrices.
Window Material Daylighting Performance Assessment Algorithm: Comparing Radiosity and Split-Flux Methods
Authors: Yoon Yeo , Jeong Woo , Lee Kwang
Published: April 2014

Windows are the primary aperture to introduce solar radiation to the interior space of a building. This experiment explores the use of EnergyPlus software for analyzing the illuminance level on the floor of a room with reference to its distance from the window. For this experiment, a double clear glass window has been used. The preliminary modelling in EnergyPlus showed a consistent result with the experimentally monitored data in real time. EnergyPlus has two mainly used daylighting algorithms: DElight method employing radiosity technique and Detailed method employing split-flux technique. Further analysis for illuminance using DElight and Detailed methods showed significant difference in the results. Finally, we compared the algorithms of the two analysis methods in EnergyPlus.
Musings on Firewalls and the Information Paradox
Authors: Devin Michael
Published: April 2014

The past year has seen an explosion of new and old ideas about black hole physics. Prior to the firewall paper, the dominant picture was the thermofield model apparently implied by anti-de Sitter conformal field theory duality. While some seek a narrow responce to Almheiri, Marolf, Polchinski, and Sully (AMPS) , there are a number of competing models. One problem in the field is the ambiguity of the competing proposals. Some are equivalent while others incompatible. This paper will attempt to define and classify a few models representative of the current discussions.
Neurological Effects of Pesticide Use among Farmers in China
Authors: Li Yifan , Zhang Chao , Yin Yanhong , Cui Fang , Cai Jinyang , Chen Zhaohui , Jin Yanhong , Robson Mark , Li Mao , Ren Yuting , Huang Xusheng , Hu Ruifa
Published: April 2014

The intensive use of pesticides has attracted great attention from the Chinese government. However, current regulations have had limited influence on their safe use. Although the acute neurologic effects of pesticides have been well documented, little is known about their cumulative effects. Knowledge of the impact of pesticides on health may convince farmers to minimize their use. We conducted a cross-sectional study in three provinces of China to evaluate the relationship between pesticide exposure and neurological dysfunction. Crop farmers were divided into two groups depending on their level of pesticide exposure. A total of 236 participants were assessed by questionnaire and neurological examination for symptoms and signs of neuropathy. Characteristics of neurologic dysfunction following cumulative low-level exposure were assessed with logistic regression analysis. Farmers exposed to high-level pesticide use had greater risk of developing sensations of numbness or prickling (odds ratio (OR) 2.62, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08–6.36). After adjusting for recent exposure, the risk of numbness or prickling symptoms (OR 2.55, 95% CI: 1.04–6.25) remained statistically significant. Loss of muscle strength and decreased deep tendon reflexes had OR > 2, however, this did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that overuse of pesticides increased risk of neurologic dysfunction among farmers, with somatosensory small fibers most likely affected. Measures that are more efficient should be taken to curb excessive use of pesticides.
Economics of Obesity — Learning from the Past to Contribute to a Better Future
Authors: Ananthapavan Jaithri , Sacks Gary , Moodie Marj , Carter Rob
Published: April 2014

The discipline of economics plays a varied role in informing the understanding of the problem of obesity and the impact of different interventions aimed at addressing it. This paper discusses the causes of the obesity epidemic from an economics perspective, and outlines various justifications for government intervention in this area. The paper then focuses on the potential contribution of health economics in supporting resource allocation decision making for obesity prevention/treatment. Although economic evaluations of single interventions provide useful information, evaluations undertaken as part of a priority setting exercise provide the greatest scope for influencing decision making. A review of several priority setting examples in obesity prevention/treatment indicates that policy (as compared with program-based) interventions, targeted at prevention (as compared with treatment) and focused “upstream” on the food environment, are likely to be the most cost-effective options for change. However, in order to further support decision makers, several methodological advances are required. These include the incorporation of intervention costs/benefits outside the health sector, the addressing of equity impacts, and the increased engagement of decision makers in the priority setting process.
Relationship between Obesity, Adipocytokines and Inflammatory Markers in Type 2 Diabetes: Relevance for Cardiovascular Risk Prevention
Authors: Rajkovic Natasa , Zamaklar Miroslava , Lalic Katarina , Jotic Aleksandra , Lukic Ljiljana , Milicic Tanja , Singh Sandra , Stosic Ljubica , Lalic Nebojsa
Published: April 2014

This study aimed to analyse the impact of obesity in type 2 diabetes (T2D) on adipocytokines (adiponectin, leptin and resistin) and inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-6 and hsCRP) as cardiovascular risk factors. A cross-sectional study comparing the basal levels of adipocytokines and inflammatory markers was done in 18 obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) (group A), 21 overweight (25 kg/m2 ≤ BMI < 30 kg/m2) (group B), 25 non-obese T2D patients (group C) and 15 non-obese controls (group D). The lowest levels of adiponectin and the highest levels of leptin, resistin, TNF-α, IL-6 and hsCRP were found in group A. Adiponectin levels were significantly lower, and resistin, TNF-α, and hsCRP levels were elevated in group C vs. D. However, leptin and IL-6 levels differed significantly between groups A and B, but not between groups C and D. Moreover, we found a significant negative correlation between adiponectin and TNF-α, but not with other markers, which was independent of the presence of obesity. In contrast, leptin and resistin correlated with the inflammatory markers, and this correlation was obesity-dependent. Our results suggest that obesity influences cardiovascular risk primarily through changes in leptin and resistin and less efficiently at the level of adiponectin.
High-Resolution Mapping of Anthropogenic Heat in China from 1992 to 2010
Authors: Yang Wangming , Chen Bing , Cui Xuefeng
Published: April 2014

Anthropogenic heat generated by human activity contributes to urban and regional climate warming. Due to the resolution and accuracy of existing anthropogenic heat data, it is difficult to analyze and simulate the corresponding effects. This study exploited a new method to estimate high spatial and temporal resolutions of anthropogenic heat based on long-term data of energy consumption and the US Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite Program-Operational Linescan System (DMSP-OLS) data from 1992 to 2010 across China. Our results showed that, throughout the entire study period, there are apparent increasing trends in anthropogenic heat in three major metropoli, i.e., the Beijing-Tianjin region, the Yangzi River delta and the Pearl River delta. The annual mean anthropogenic heat fluxes for Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou in 2010 were 17 Wm−2, 19 and 7.8 Wm−2, respectively. Comparisons with previous studies indicate that DMSP-OLS data could provide a better spatial proxy for estimating anthropogenic heat than population density and our analysis shows better performance at large scales for estimation of anthropogenic heat.