bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An assessment of Organic and Conventional Farming Practices for Yield, Pest Management and Soil Health
Authors: Yadav Mukesh Kumar , Kaswala A. R. , Dubey P.K.
Published: April 2024

This study contrasts and compares conventional and organic farming. The purpose of the study is to assess the effectiveness and impact of each practice before deciding on the best crop-growing approach. Despite their agricultural systems can be categorized as conventional or sustainable depending on the techniques employed. Organic farming which cultivates a range of crops without the use of synthetic manures, the agricultural method that is most sustainable. While producing enough food, organic farming improves soil composition and supports biodiversity by relying on ecosystem services. The review compares the long-term effects of conventional and alternative organic farming practices on yield in which in short term organic yields were found to be 19.2% lower than conventional yield while in long term yields were lower in conventional systems by 31% and 50%, respectively, due to the long-term improvement in soil health. In soil health point of view long term practices of organic farming improves physical, chemical and biological properties of soil by increase soil carbon stock by 12 %, more nutrient release and microbial activity. Pest management is effectively controlled by crop rotation, increase beneficial population of pest in organic farming which reduce the dependency on chemical pesticides and maintain the sustainability of soil health and ecology. As a result, organic farming methods are being evaluated in a large number of research worldwide as an alternative due to their better physical, chemical and biological qualities than conventional farming methods.
Phytochemical Profiling of Aqueous Methanol Extract of Terminalia bellirica from Bokaro District of Jharkhand, India
Authors: Mahato Navin Kumar , Prasad Kalpana , Mahato Arun Kumar Roy
Published: April 2024

Plants are a vital source of medicine for human being from ancient times. Various plant parts are highly medicinal due to the presence of different bioactive compounds and secondary metabolites. Many of these compounds present in medicinal plants are unknown to the scientific community. T. bellirica is distributed in tropical parts of the world and is a known ethnomedicinal plant that is the reservoir of various bioactive compounds. The present investigated the bioactive and secondary metabolite present in the fruits of T. bellirica collected from the Bokaro district and has been analysed using Gas chromatography-Mass spectrometry analysis. The investigation found 55 compounds from the methanol extract of the fruit sample of T. bellirica. Among the recorded compounds, Pyrogallol is the major constituent with 85% area in the chromatogram, followed by 2,3-dihydro-3,5-dihydroxy-6-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (DDMP)with 5% area, and the rest of the compounds are altogether 10% of the total. In conclusion, the present study recorded and highlighted a total of 55 bioactive compounds from the dry fruits and pericarp, which is more than a double of the compounds earlier known from the plant species. Further, among the recorded biochemical compounds, the concentration of Pyrogallol was alone more than 85% of the total compounds found from the methanol extract of the fruit sample of T. bellirica.
Effect of Varieties, Solar Drying and Zeer Pot Refrigeration Lining Media on Physico – Chemical Characteristics of Chili Pepper Fruits
Authors: Asamani Emmanuel Kwaku , Maalekuu Bonaventure Kissinger , Kumah Patrick , Appiah Francis
Published: April 2024

Chili peppers are used as food and contain food nutrients such as vitamins A and C, fibre, folic acid and potassium for proper human growth and development. In addition, they are used by industries for manufacturing alcoholic, culinary and pharmaceutical products however they are perishable and undergo physico - chemical changes to cause postharvest loss of chili peppers. Therefore, the main objective of the study was to investigate the effect of varieties, solar drying and zeer pot refrigeration lining media on physico – chemical characteristics of chili peppers. A 2 x 3 x 3 factorial experimental design in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used to collect data for laboratory analyses. The study found – out that, varieties of chili peppers had significant effect (p < 0.05) on physico – chemical characteristics of chili peppers with red cayenne significantly recorded the best pericarp thickness (0.21mm), porosity (72.3%) total soluble solids (2.42%) and pH (5.38) but titratable acidity (0.56%) of chili pepper fruits was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in scotch bonnet. Also, on effect of solar drying on physico – chemical characteristics of chili pepper fruits, there were significantly (p < 0.05) better thickness of pericarp (0.23mm), total soluble solids (2.47%), titratable acidity (0.62%) and pH (4.64) shown in unblanched solar dried chili pepper fruits while the best porosity (71.19%) was noted in controlled chili pepper fruits. Again, on effect of lining media of zeer pot refrigeration on physico – chemical characteristics of chili pepper fruits, thickness of pericarp (0.22mm) was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in wood shavings used as zeer pot refrigeration lining media but total soluble solids (2.03%) and porosity (69.27%) were best indicated in styrofoam used as zeer pot refrigeration lining media. Titratable acidity (0.54%) and pH (5.00) were better shown in sand used as lining media of zeer pot refrigeration.
Wild Poinsettia, African Ebony and Ashanti Pepper: Potential Biofungicides Against Phytophthora colocasiae Raciborski
Authors: F. Lum Ayeoffe , Cheo B.N. , Mbangwana F.B.C. , Nkenfou T.D. , Fossi B.T.
Published: April 2024

Plant extracts could be used as substitutes to synthetic pesticides in the management of fungi and other plant pathogens. The biofungicidal potential of aqueous extracts of wild poinsettia (Euphorbia heterophylla L., a weed) and African ebony (Diospyros crassiflora Hiern, a tree) leaves, and Ashanti pepper (Piper guineense Schumach., a spice) seeds was assessed against Phythophthora colocasiae in vitro. The plants were screened at the rates of 0 (control), 45 and 90%. The synthetic fungicide, mancozeb was included. Results indicated that all the plant extracts were fungitoxic and there was a variation in their potency. Also, the level of inhibition was higher at 90% concentration than at 45%. At 24-120 hours after exposure (HAE), a concentration of 90% Ashanti pepper consistently gave complete inhibition of the fungus similar to mancozeb. Complete inhibition of the fungus was also recorded for 45% Ashanti pepper at 24–48 HAE. At 45% concentration, the inhibitory levels of the extracts were Ashanti pepper: 89.6–100.0%, African ebony: 29.6–33.1 and wild poinsettia: <20.0%. At a concentration of 90%, the levels were Ashanti pepper: 100%, African ebony: 36.7–39.1% and wild poinsettia: 17.1–26.9%. The plant extracts showed promising activity against P. colocasiae and should be exploited for incorporation in management programmes for the fungus.
Enzymatic Modification of Cow, Buffalo and Goat Milk Proteins and their Effect on Anti-Oxidant Activity and Digestibility
Authors: M Rajanna , Jayaprakasha H M , M Venkatesh , Akshaykumar .
Published: April 2024

Aim: Buffalo milk and goat milk were enzymatically hydrolyzed to have 5, 10 and 15 per cent DH to improve the techno-functional properties of milk proteins in order to utilize in production of channa based dairy products.
Study Design: A significant contribution to total milk production of India comes from buffalo milk and followed by cow and goat milk. Inspite of that, Buffalo milk and goat milk are not being utilized for many products in view of their inherent problems associated in production of Chhana based dairy products. Buffalo milk and goat milk were enzymatically hydrolyzed to have 5, 10 and 15 per cent DH to improve the techno-functional properties of milk proteins in order to utilize in production of products.
Place and Duration of Study: Karnataka Veterinary Animal and Fisheries Sciences University (KVAFSU), Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bangalore Karnataka, India
Methodology: The Goat milk samples were collected from Sinchana Goat and sheep farm, Marenahalli village (Bengaluru Rural Dist) and Buffalo milk was obtained from country Delight Pvt. Ltd., J. P. Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka. Cow milk used in this investigation was collected from SEDP, Dairy Science College, Hebbal, Bangalore. Commercially available pure Neutrase enzyme was purchased from DSM Nutritional Products India Pvt. Ltd, Bangalore. All the glassware used were soaked in chromic acid solution, repeatedly washed with water, rinsed with distilled water and dried before use. For microbiological analysis dried test tubes, conical flask, pipettes were cotton plugged and sterilized in hot air oven. The chemicals and reagents used in this study were mainly of analytical grade procured from Prince Laboratory Company Pvt limited, Bangalore. The protein molecular weight markers were used for the electrophoretic study were procured from Bangalore Genei Pvt Ltd.
Results: Highest protein content was noted in buffalo casein hydrolysate (83.0 %) than cow (81.0 %) and goat (81.16 %) and lowest nitrogen and ash content was observed in goat casein hydrolysate (13.65 %) and (15.20 %) respectively. (Akshya pl include few lines of enzymatic modification on anti-oxidant property and digestibility copy from discussions)
Conclusion: Though buffalo milk contributes nearly half of the total milk production of India and goat milk carries both nutritional and therapeutic benefits, the potential utilization of both these milks are very much limited due to the inherent problems associated with them. This investigation has shown that by enzymatically hydrolyzing buffalo milk and goat milk to 5 per cent DH results significant improvement in physico-chemical and functional attributes Rasagulla which is on par with cow’s milk protein hydrolysates.
Recommendation: Scavenging activity or anti-oxidant activity and Digestibility of hydrolysates has been studied as influenced by the extent of enzymatic modification in this study.
Early and Intensive Management of Chemical Eye Injuries: Case Series
Authors: Jha Roma , Sonwani Prabha , Singh Suchita
Published: April 2024

Chemical injuries of the eyes are true ophthalmic emergencies causing significant visual morbidities. They require urgent and immediate assessment and intervention. They are more common in young adults either due to accidental causes or due to criminal assaults. They severely damage the ocular structures; surface epithelium, cornea, conjunctiva, limbal stem cells and can cause permanent unilateral or bilateral vision loss. In this article, we are trying to emphasis on the importance of initiating treatment in the early phase of ocular chemical injury and also emphasizing on extent of chemical ocular injuries, their severity and their varied outcomes through two different types of cases; one with good visual recovery with early initiation of treatment and the other developing complications in spite of being initiating treatment in early phase.
Statistics for Environmental Teratogenesis
Authors: Chen James J.
Published: September 2008

Teratology is the study of adverse effects of environmental agents on the developing system. The major source of information for studying potential teratogenic (developmental) effects of chemicals on humans is generally the animal dose–response experiments. Quantitative risk assessment involves an assessment of the relationship between exposure and adverse health effects to derive an allowable exposure level. Acceptable levels of human exposure are derived by dividing the lower confidence limit benchmark dose by the product of several uncertainty factors. This article describes the statistical models and benchmark approach for quantitative risk assessment of developmental effects. The benchmark dose method involves selection of a dose–response function to fit animal experimental data. The benchmark dose and its lower confidence limit are then estimated from the fitted dose–response model. The dose–response function for continuous response data is modeled using the litter‐based analysis. The dose–response function for dichotomous response data is modeled using beta binomial.
Environmental Exposure Monitoring
Authors: Dellarco Michael
Published: September 2008

Exposure monitoring has become increasingly important since the mid‐1970s due to greater awareness about chemical pollution in the environment and concern about the role pollutants may play in the early onset of disease. Exposure monitoring methods have been developed to measure contact with environmental pollutants contained in air, water, food, products, and transport media directly or indirectly. Biological monitoring of blood, breath, feces, saliva, or urine is frequently incorporated in these methods to provide not only another indication of exposure but also an indication of internal dose and the potential for the pollutant to cause adverse effects to one or more target organs. Exposure monitoring is a key ingredient of health surveillance and exposure assessment, an integral component of environmental health risk assessment. Direct methods employ personal monitoring devices and collection of personal samples to estimate pollutant exposure. Indirect methods employ pollutant concentration measurements or estimates in various media combined with fate and transport models and assumptions about the nature, frequency, and duration of pollutant contact to estimate exposure. Both are widely used to estimate exposure to environmental pollutants.
Engineered Nanomaterials
Authors: Maynard Andrew D.
Published: September 2008

Engineered nanomaterials are a product of nanotechnology, and have an intentionally produced structure at the scale of approximately 1–100 nm. These materials demonstrate properties that depend on a carefully controlled and implemented nanostructure; the close dependency between this structure and material functionality challenges how quantitative risk assessment is applied to some engineered nanomaterials. For instance, nanostructure‐related functionality may lead to health risks that depend on properties such as particle size, surface area, and shape. There is evidence that the size, surface area, surface chemistry, and possibly shape of some engineered nanomaterials may determine transport and response within the body. Quantitative risk assessment of these materials will depend on determining when they behave differently from conventional materials, what properties are associated with their potential impact, and how exposure, dose and response can be most appropriately evaluated. At present, insufficient data and incomplete methodologies are available for conducting comprehensive quantitative risk assessments on many emerging nanomaterials. Until more comprehensive information is available, it will be necessary to identify those nanomaterials that present unique challenges, and to use existing information together with expert extrapolation as a basis for qualitative and semi‐quantitative risk assessment.
Dependent Insurance Risks
Authors: Frees Edward W.
Published: September 2008

The degree of dependence among contracts and between risks within a contract impacts insurance risk measures that are used to guide enterprises that manage these risks. Dependence among insurance contracts is important because insurers use portfolios of contracts for risk pooling, a basic risk management strategy. Further, dependence among different risks within an insurance contract is critical for pricing purposes. This article reviews several probabilistic models of dependence used in actuarial and insurance modeling. Specifically, regression and copula models are described that can be used to understand dependence among insurance risks. This better understanding, in turn, leads to more accurate pricing measures and better measures to assess financial solvency.
Insurance Pricing/Nonlife
Authors: Ai Jing , Brockett Patrick L.
Published: September 2008

The essentials of nonlife insurance pricing are based on the same fundamental principles as applied in pricing life insurance. However, distinct characteristics of nonlife risks (e.g., shorter contract duration, more complicated claim structure, and the possibility of multiple occurrences of an event within the contract period) have inspired development of actuarial/financial pricing techniques specific to nonlife risk area, where insurers cope with a more regulated yet highly competitive market. This article serves as a brief introduction to various aspects of nonlife insurance pricing. Manual rates, individual risk rating, and classification are first introduced. Credibility theory and its use in determining rates for individual risks are discussed. Important premium principles and properties of these premium principles are also presented. In addition to traditional actuarial approaches, we ultimately discuss financial models that are widely employed in this area, including insurance capital asset pricing models (CAPMs), discounted cash flow models, and option pricing models. We conclude with a remark on the integration of insurance and financial pricing.
Large Insurance Losses Distributions
Authors: Fasen Vicky , Klüppelberg Claudia
Published: September 2008

Large insurance losses happen infrequently, but they happen. In this paper we present the standard distribution models used in fire, wind–storm, or flood insurance. We also present the Cramér–Lundberg model for the total claim amount and some more recent extensions. The classical insurance risk measure is the ruin probability, and we give a full account of the ruin event in such models. Finally, we present some results for an integrated insurance risk model, where investment risk is also taken into account.
Securitization/Life
Authors: Blake David , Dowd Kevin
Published: September 2008

This article examines the securitization of life‐related risks. It briefly reviews the history of such securitizations and sets out their potential benefits to the firms and investors involved. It then explains their mechanics and examines four recent important classes: “block of business” securitizations, regulatory reserving or XXX securitizations, the issuance of mortality or longevity bonds, and pension bulk buyout securitizations.
Lévy Processes in Asset Pricing
Authors: Kou Steven
Published: September 2008

After mentioning empirical motivation of Lévy processes in asset pricing, an overview of properties related to Lévy processes is given. Certain difficulties in applying Lévy processes, such as the volatility clustering effect and those in distinguishing the tail behavior of asset returns, are also discussed.
Mathematical Models of Credit Risk
Authors: Bielecki Tomasz R. , Jeanblanc Monique
Published: September 2008

This article presents some elementary notions underlying the mathematical modeling of credit risk. We focus on the reduced approach, providing a conceptual outline of it, which is illustrated by some key formulae.
Zero Failure Data
Authors: Atwood Corwin L. , Vaurio Jussi K.
Published: September 2008

Estimating failure probabilities or risk when no failures have been observed is an inherently difficult, but not uncommon task. Several approaches are described in this article.

Be content with a “pessimistic” estimate—an upper bound or a conservative distribution. This can be a confidence limit, or the results from a Bayesian distribution whose percentiles match the confidence upper limits, or the results based on a “noninformative prior”.

Find data for similar equipment, and construct an estimate with the aid of the other data. Empirical Bayes or hierarchical Bayes methods may be appropriate. (This method is not limited to zero failure data.) If one must fall back on engineering judgment, a “constrained noninformative prior” may be helpful.

Analyze the parts, ways, or processes by which the system can fail, and use data on these various parts to construct an estimate for the system as a whole. Several examples are mentioned, including structural reliability and various segments of probabilistic safety assessment (PSA).

If a few failures have been observed instead of no failures, some aspects of the situation are greatly improved: we no longer need to be content with an upper bound, and Bayesian results are much less sensitive to details of the prior distribution.
Probabilistic Design
Authors: Van Gelder Petrus H.A.J.M. , Vrijling Johannes K.
Published: September 2008

In this article, the probabilistic approach to design and risk analysis in civil engineering is outlined. The application of probabilistic design methods offers the designer a way to unify the design of engineering structures, processes, and management systems. For this reason, there is a growing interest in the use of these methods. This article begins with an introduction to probabilistic analysis, a discussion on uncertainties, and a reflection on the deterministic approach versus the probabilistic approach. The article then addresses the tools, design, and calculation methods for a probabilistic systems analysis. Failure probability calculation for an element is reviewed and the article concludes with a description of the evaluation methods of a calculated risk level.
Near‐Miss Management: A Participative Approach to Improving System Reliability
Authors: Oktem Ulku , Meel Anjana
Published: September 2008

Investigations of many serious accidents in different fields have revealed that before every serious accident, a large number of related prior incidents occurred with limited impact and an even larger number of related incidents happened that resulted in no loss or damage. Collectively, these incidents are called
near‐misses
. Near‐misses provide insight into both potential failure points and weaknesses in the management system itself. Therefore, they can be a powerful tool to reduce risk and improve system reliability. Near‐miss management systems (NMMS)s are designed to enable people and institutions to learn from high‐frequency, low‐impact incidents (near‐misses) to prevent low‐frequency, high‐impact events (accidents). A comprehensive NMMS includes several important implementation steps, such as identification of near‐misses, disclosure and reporting, prioritization and classification, distribution of the information, analysis of causes, solution identification, dissemination of actions and knowledge, resolution, and closure of the case. Successful implementation of an NMMS requires (a) strong management ownership, (b) participation and reporting of as many incidents as possible, and (c) use of quantitative tools to identify weaknesses and to improve the system.
Decision Trees
Authors: Smith Jim Q. , Thwaites Peter
Published: September 2008

A decision tree finds many uses in the representation and analysis of finite discrete models of risk. In this article, we review the different uses of this theory and compare it with some other frameworks of decision inference. We then illustrate how the decision tree can be used as a framework for an extensive form analysis, in the context of risks associated with decisions leading to the prosecution of a criminal court case.
Players in a Decision
Authors: French Simon
Published: September 2008

Different people with different roles may be involved in a decision—decision makers, experts, stakeholders, and decision analysts. Each has different interests and responsibilities in the decision‐making process and they interact in different ways. Understanding and respecting these differences is an important aspect in designing an appropriate decision or risk analysis.
Utility Function
Authors: Sarin Rakesh K.
Published: September 2008

Expected utility is used as a criterion to rank order lotteries. Axioms for expected utility are given. Assessment and behavioral properties of utility functions are discussed. Allais paradox, which challenges expected utility, is illustrated.
Hazard and Hazard Ratio
Authors: Ray Rose M.
Published: September 2008

The hazard function is a tool for describing the process of time to failure. Hazard functions arise in the context of survival analysis, also known as
failure analysis
, and provide a convenient way to visualize how the risk of failure changes with age or time. The exponential, Weibull, and lognormal distribution are three of the commonly used statistical models of time to failure. Hazard functions are used in epidemiology, medicine, ecology, engineering, and manufacturing settings, as well as in economics and finance. In this article, the mathematical concept of hazard and typical survival or failure time models are discussed.

The hazard ratio is a general way of examining relative risk. Cox proportional hazard models are examined, and nonparametric statistical methods for describing the relative risk of failure for two or more populations are discussed.
Causality/Causation
Authors: Phillips Carl V. , Goodman Karen J.
Published: September 2008

Causation is a concept that is universally intuitive, but it is difficult to define and even more difficult to create clear guidelines for inferring it from data. Although much of science is devoted to inferring causation, it is generally accepted that causation cannot be directly observed because doing so would require observing mutually contradictory states of the world. In epidemiology and other social sciences, causal inference can be particularly difficult, and there is widespread misunderstanding of how to interpret evidence for causation. Several conceptualizations and graphical models, including causal response types, causal pie models, and causal pathway diagrams, have been developed to aid in this process. These models can be used to better understand quantitative effect measures and the concepts of confounding and probability. Clearly defining and modeling causation leads to a recognition of some myths about causal inference (e.g., that randomized trials are a “gold standard” or that cause‐effect relations can be identified using “causal criteria”), and reveals how research can be designed to be most useful in inferring causation.
Game Theoretic Methods
Authors: Bier Vicki M.
Published: September 2008

Protecting homeland security against intentional attacks on homeland security is fundamentally different from protecting against accidents or acts of nature. In particular, an intelligent and adaptable adversary may adopt a different offensive strategy in response to our protective security measures, in order to circumvent or disable them. Game theory provides a way of taking this into account analytically. Thus, security can benefit from game‐theoretic methods. This article discusses approaches for applying game theory to the problem of defending systems against attack. The results yield insights into the nature of optimal defensive investments.
Social Networks
Authors: Banks David L. , Hengartner Nicholas
Published: September 2008

Social networks models are a body of statistical procedures for describing relationships between agents. The term stems from initial applications that studied interactions within human communities, but the methodology is now used much more broadly and can analyze interactions among genes, proteins, nations, and websites. In the context of risk analysis, social network models have been used to describe the formation, persistence, and breakdown of terrorist cells. They also pertain to studies of organizational behavior.
Optimal Stopping and Dynamic Programming
Authors: Bingham Nick H. , Peskir Goran
Published: September 2008

We present a brief review of optimal stopping and dynamic programming using minimal technical tools and focusing on the essentials.
Federal Statistical Systems as Data Sources for Intelligence, Investigative, or Prosecutorial Work
Authors: Anderson Margo , Seltzer William
Published: September 2008

The article discusses policy, legal, and technical issues that arise in redeploying federal data systems, such as the decennial census, administrative‐based statistical systems, or sample surveys originally designed to generate statistical information about the population at large to serve the narrower, and different, needs of intelligence, investigative, or prosecutorial work. Such work, particularly in the context of protecting “homeland security”, often involves efforts that focus on individuals or population subgroups deemed to be suspect. The law and policy of statistical confidentiality in federal data systems guarantee the nation's continued ability to gather reliable statistical data from the public. Technical issues related to study design and response, sampling errors, and archiving practices limit the usefulness of information generated by statistical data systems for many kinds of intelligence, investigative, or prosecutorial work. Examples are provided for assessing the comparative strengths or weaknesses of different kinds of federal statistical data for the field of homeland security and related work.
Obtaining the evolving concentration distribution curves during binary disintegration of macromolecules
Authors: Yeow Y. Leong , Guan Bifei , Wu Liang , Yap Tze‐Ming , Leong Yee‐Kwong
Published: September 2008

A general numerical procedure is developed to solve the integro‐differential equation that describes the binary disintegration of macromolecules. The key step in this procedure is the application of the Method of Lines to convert the integro‐differential equation into a set of ordinary differential equations which are then integrated using commercial scientific computing software. This procedure is applied to a number of progressively more complex disintegration kinetics and for arbitrary initial concentration distribution. Its performance and potential for generalization are briefly discussed. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Numerical investigations on the development of plate reformers: Comparison of different assignments of the chambers
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhu Xuedong , Kameyama Hideo
Published: September 2008

Two compact plate methane steam reformers, consisting of closely spaced plate electrically heated alumite catalysts, have been numerically investigated in the relation to heat and mass transfer. Based on the ordinary heat exchange reformer (HER), where endothermic and exothermic reactions take place in alternative chambers, a developed heat exchange reformer coupled with preheating chamber (PHER) is proposed by integrating a preheating chamber with a combustion chamber. The simulation results predicted that the PHER could be started by electrical heating through a catalyst at the beginning, even with the inlet combustion gas temperature of 298 K, whereas the HER requires a combustion inlet temperature as high as 723 K, which showed the PEHR high potential for simplifying the heat exchange network in a fuel processor. On the other hand, the compact structure of the reformer could constitute a single unite of reformer, which is easy to be placed and scaled up. © 2008 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2008
Intellectual structure of human resources management research: A bibliometric analysis of the journal Human Resource Management, 1985–2005
Authors: Fernandez‐Alles Mariluz , Ramos‐Rodríguez Antonio
Published: September 2008

The multidisciplinary character of the theories supporting research in the discipline of human resources management (HRM), the increasing importance of a more rigorous approach to HRM studies by academics, and the impact of HRM on the competitive advantage of firms are just some of the indicators demonstrating the relevance of this discipline in the broader field of the social sciences. These developments explain why a quantitative analysis of HRM studies based on bibliometric techniques is particularly opportune. The general objective of this article is to analyze the intellectual structure of the HRM discipline; this can be divided into two specific objectives. The first is to identify the most frequently cited studies, with the purpose of identifying the key topics of research in the HRM discipline. The second objective is to represent the networks of relationships between the most‐cited studies, grouping them under common themes, with the object of providing a diagrammatic description of the knowledge base constituted by accumulated works of research in the HRM field. The methodology utilized is based on the bibliometric techniques of citation analysis.
A general response to stressors by the unicellular Tetrahymena: effect of stress on the hormone levels
Authors: Csaba G. , Pállinger Éva
Published: September 2008

Hormone (ACTH, endorphin, serotonin and T3) content of the unicellular Tetrahymena was studied by using immunocytochemical and flow cytometry methods. The cells were previously treated with different concentrations of salts (NaCl or KCl for 1 h), were kept in low (+4°C) or high (+37°C) temperature for 1 h and were treated with formaldehyde or ethanol. High concentrations of salts (20 mg ml−1 medium), all levels (0.1, 0.05, 0.01%) of formaldehyde and high temperature almost doubled the hormone contents and 0.1% alcohol also significantly elevated them. The experiments call attention to the presence of a general adaptation syndrome (GAS)‐like phenomenon at a unicellular level and points to the possibility of deduction of GAS to a low level of phylogeny. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A method for estimating specimen tangent stiffness for hybrid simulation
Authors: Hung Chung‐Chan , El‐Tawil Sherif
Published: September 2008

Researchers have long recognized the importance and potential benefits of utilizing the tangent stiffness matrix of a test specimen in hybrid simulations employing implicit and mixed‐integration schemes. However, the computation of the tangent stiffness matrix during testing has proved to be challenging, particularly for test specimens with more than one degree of freedom (dof). This paper presents a new methodology that is more straightforward and simpler than existing techniques for computing the tangent stiffness matrix of a multi‐dof test specimen. The proposed method is combined with the operator‐splitting method (OSM), and the capabilities, advantages and limitations of the new formulation are demonstrated through several examples. The accuracy, stability, and error propagation characteristics of the modified OSM are also studied theoretically as well as numerically. The research results show that the proposed algorithm provides results that are better than those produced via the regular OSM alone, especially for damped structures undergoing highly inelastic behavior during testing. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Asymptotic prediction of mean squared error for long‐memory processes with estimated parameters
Authors: Katayama Naoya
Published: September 2008

In this paper we deal with the prediction theory of long‐memory time series. The purpose is to derive a general theory of the convergence of moments of the nonlinear least squares estimator so as to evaluate the asymptotic prediction mean squared error (PMSE). The asymptotic PMSE of two predictors is evaluated. The first is defined by the estimator of the differencing parameter, while the second is defined by a fixed differencing parameter: in other words, a parametric predictor of the seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average model. The effects of misspecifying the differencing parameter is a long‐memory model are clarified by the asymptotic results relating to the PMSE. The finite sample behaviour of the predictor and the model selection in terms of PMSE of the two predictors are examined using simulation, and the source of any differences in behaviour made clear in terms of asymptotic theory. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The King's Discipline and its Master
Authors: Unterstell Rembert
Published: September 2008

Algebraic topology: Leibniz Prizewinner Wolfgang Lück is studying fundamental problems that are even too theoretical for some mathematicians
The Price of Death
Authors: Krügerr Oliver
Published: September 2008

Religious rituals are assumed to be long lasting and all but unchangeable. Yet funeral culture in the United States shows that they are actually in constant flux – especially due to commercial reasons
Associations evoked during memory encoding recruit the context‐network
Authors: Peters Jan , Daum Irene , Gizewski Elke , Forsting Michael , Suchan Boris
Published: September 2008

An extensive cortical network consisting of structures in the medial temporal lobe (hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex), lateral parietal cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and medial prefrontal cortex has recently attracted attention in cognitive neuroscience research, linking the network to both episodic memory and spatial processing. It has been suggested that its function may be best characterized as supporting the processing of contextual associations (context network). In this study, we explored whether the role of this network in contextual processing extends to associations that are evoked in a spontaneous manner. In a novel memory encoding task, participants indicated whether they encoded pictures (objects and novel faces) based on an evoked association or based on a perceptual feature. Memory encoding with subjective associations enhanced memory formation relative to feature‐based encoding, and this effect was more pronounced for rapidly evoked associations. Functional magnetic resonance imaging during encoding yielded significant activations in all regions of the context network, i.e., medial prefrontal cortex, lateral parietal cortex, retrosplenial cortex, and posterior medial temporal lobe for the associative vs. feature‐based comparisons. The low number of misses did not permit the analysis of a subsequent memory contrast. Our data suggest that the context network, which includes the posterior hippocampus and parahippocampal cortex, might support the linkage of external stimuli to long‐term memory representations. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Subicular and CA1 hippocampal projections to the accessory olfactory bulb
Authors: de la Rosa‐Prieto C. , Ubeda‐Banon I. , Mohedano‐Moriano A. , Pro‐Sistiaga P. , Saiz‐Sanchez D. , Insausti R. , Martinez‐Marcos A.
Published: September 2008

The hippocampal formation is anatomically and functionally related to the olfactory structures especially in rodents. The entorhinal cortex (EC) receives afferent projections from the main olfactory bulb; this constitutes an olfactory pathway to the hippocampus. In addition to the olfactory system, most mammals possess an accessory olfactory (or vomeronasal) system. The relationships between the hippocampal formation and the vomeronasal system are virtually unexplored. Recently, a centrifugal projection from CA1 to the accessory olfactory bulb has been identified using anterograde tracers. In the study reported herein, experiments using anterograde tracers confirm this projection, and injections of retrograde tracers show the distribution and morphology of a population of CA1 and ventral subicular neurons projecting to the accessory olfactory bulb of rats. These results extend previous descriptions of hippocampal projections to the accessory olfactory bulb by including the ventral subiculum and characterizing the morphology, neurochemistry (double labeling with somatostatin), and distribution of such neurons. These data suggest feedback hippocampal control of chemosensory stimuli in the accessory olfactory bulb. Whether this projection processes spatial information on conspecifics or is involved in learning and memory processes associated with chemical stimuli remains to be elucidated. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Developmental changes in short‐term facilitation are opposite at temporoammonic synapses compared to Schaffer collateral synapses onto CA1 pyramidal cells
Authors: Speed Haley E. , Dobrunz Lynn E.
Published: September 2008

CA1 pyramidal neurons receive two distinct excitatory inputs that are each capable of influencing hippocampal output and learning and memory. The Schaffer collateral (SC) input from CA3 axons onto the more proximal dendrites of CA1 is part of the trisynaptic circuit, which originates in Layer II of the entorhinal cortex (EC). The temporoammonic (TA) pathway to CA1 provides input directly from Layer III of the EC onto the most distal dendrites of CA1 pyramidal cells, and is involved in spatial memory and memory consolidation. We have previously described a developmental decrease in short‐term facilitation from juvenile (P13–18) to young adult (P28–42) rats at SC synapses that is due to feedback inhibition via synaptically activated mGluR1 on CA1 interneurons. It is not known how short‐term changes in synaptic strength are regulated at TA synapses, nor is it known how short‐term plasticity is balanced at SC and TA inputs during development. Here we describe a novel developmental increase in short‐term facilitation at TA synapses, which is the opposite of the decrease in facilitation occurring at SC synapses. Although short‐term facilitation is much lower at TA synapses when compared with SC synapses in juveniles, short‐term plasticity at SC and TA synapses converges at similar levels of paired‐pulse facilitation in the young adult rat. However, in young adults CA3‐CA1 synapses still exhibit more facilitation than TA‐CA1 synapses during physiologically‐relevant activity, suggesting that the two pathways are each poised to uniquely modulate CA1 output in an activity‐dependent manner. Finally, we show that there is a developmental decrease in the initial release probability at TA synapses that underlies their developmental decrease in facilitation, but no developmental change in release probability at SC synapses. This represents a fundamental difference inthe presynaptic function of the two major inputs to CA1, which could alter the flow of information in hippocampus during development. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Market fundamentals versus rational bubbles in stock prices: a Bayesian perspective
Authors: Balke Nathan S. , Wohar Mark E.
Published: September 2008

Using Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo methods, we decompose the log price‐dividend ratio into a market fundamentals component and a bubble component. The market fundamentals component depends on expectations of future dividend growth and required returns, while the bubble component is assumed to follow a Markov switching model that allows for the possibility of exploding and collapsing regimes. If prior beliefs allow for the possibility of persistent shocks to dividend growth and/or required returns, the posterior distribution suggests the bubble component contributes virtually nothing to the stock price movements over our sample. On the other hand, if one's priors rule out the possibility of persistent shocks to dividend growth and required returns, the bubble component can have a much larger role to play in stock price movements. However, the regime switching behavior of the bubble bears little resemblance to infrequent switching from an exploding bubble regime to a collapsing or dormant bubble regime. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
In vivo murine model of continuous intramedullary infusion of particles—A preliminary study
Authors: Ma Ting , Ortiz Steven G. , Huang Zhinong , Ren Peigen , Smith R. Lane , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: September 2008

Continued production of wear debris affects both initial osseointegration and subsequent bone remodeling of total joint replacements (TJRs). However, continuous delivery of clinically relevant particles using a viable, cost effective, quantitative animal model to simulate the scenario in humans has been a challenge for orthopedic researchers. In this study, we successfully infused blue‐dyed polystyrene particles, similar in size to wear debris in humans, to the intramedullary space of the mouse femur for 4 weeks using an osmotic pump. Approximately 40% of the original particle load (85 μL) was delivered into the intramedullary space, an estimate of 3 × 109 particles. The visible blue dye carried by the particles confirmed the delivery. This model demonstrated that continuous infusion of particles to the murine bone‐implant interface is possible. In vivo biological processes associated using wear debris particles can be studied using this new animal model. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Mechanical performance of electron‐beam‐irradiated UHMWPE in vacuum and in air
Authors: Visco A. M. , Torrisi L. , Campo N. , Emanuele U. , Trifirò A. , Trimarchi M.
Published: September 2008

Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was modified by a 5‐MeV energy electron beam at different temperatures before, during, and after irradiation, both in air and in high vacuum. Wear resistance, hardness, and tensile strength of irradiated polyethylene were compared with those of untreated one. Physical analyses (like infrared spectroscopy and calorimetric analysis) were carried out to investigate about the changes in the material induced by irradiation. Experimental results suggested that structural changes (double bonds, crosslinks, and oxidized species formation) occur in the polymer depending on the environmental conditions of the irradiation. Mechanical behavior is related to the structural modifications. A temperature of 110°C before, during, and after the in vacuum irradiation of UHMWPE produces a high amount of crosslinks and improves polymeric tensile and wear resistance, compared to that of the untreated material. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Cell therapy for bone regeneration—Bench to bedside
Authors: Lee Kevin , Chan Casey K. , Patil Nilesh , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: September 2008

The concept of bone tissue engineering, which began in the early 1980s, has seen tremendous growth in the numbers of research studies. One of the key areas of research has been in the field of mesenchymal stem cells, where the challenge is to produce the perfect tissue‐engineered bone construct. This practical review summarizes basic and applied state‐of‐the‐art research in the area of mesenchymal stem cells, and highlights the important translational research that has already been initiated. The topics that will be covered include the sources of stem cells in use, scaffolds, gene therapy, clinical applications in nonunions, tumors, osteonecrosis, revision arthroplasties, and spine fusion. Although significant challenges remain, there exists an exceptional opportunity to translate basic research in mesenchymal stem cell technologies into viable clinical treatments for bone regeneration. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009
Drug controlled release from structured bioresorbable films used in medical devices—A mathematical model
Authors: Zilberman Meital , Malka Alon
Published: September 2008

A mathematical model for predicting drug release profiles from structured bioresorbable films was developed and studied. These films, which combine good mechanical properties with desired drug release profiles, are designed for use in various biomedical applications. Our structured polymer/drug films are prepared using a promising technique for controlling the drug location/dispersion in the film. The present model was used for predicting drug release profiles from two film types that is films in which the drug is located on the surface (A‐type) and films in which the drug is located in the bulk (B‐type). The model is based on Fick's 2nd law of diffusion and assumes that the drug release profile from the films is affected by the host polymer's characteristics, the drug location/dispersion in the film and the drug's characteristics. This semiempirical model uses the weight loss profile of the host polymers as well as the change in their degree of crystallinity with degradation. Our study indicates that the model correlates well with in vitro release results, exhibiting a mean error of less than 7% for most studied cases. It also shows that the host polymer's degradation has a greater effect on the drug release profile than the degree of crystallinity. This new model exhibits a potential for simulating the release profile of bioactive agents from structured films for a wide variety of biomedical applications. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 2009