bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gestural reduction, lexical frequency, and sound change: A study of post-vocalic /l/
Authors: Lin Susan , Beddor Patrice Speeter , Coetzee Andries W.
Published: August 2014

The magnitude of anterior and dorsal constrictions for laterals in /(C)(C)VlC/ words produced by eight American English speakers was measured using ultrasound imaging. The results replicate previous findings that laterals have weaker anterior constrictions when followed by labial or velar consonants than when followed by alveolar consonants. The main novel finding is that, in words with /VlC
El cómo y el porqué de las interjecciones derivadas de los verbos de movimiento
Authors: Tanghe Sanne
Published: August 2014

En los últimos años han proliferado los estudios sobre todo lo que concierne a las interjecciones. No obstante, la mayoría de esos estudios trata de descripciones funcionales o sintácticas de las interjecciones. En este artículo vamos más allá y mostraremos que no es casualidad que las formas verbales anda, vamos, vaya y venga han desarrollado usos interjectivos. Además, se intenta demostrar que estos usos se dejan justificar por el comportamiento semántico-pragmático de las formas verbales originarias. De esta manera, nuestro estudio basado en un corpus coloquial se propone relevar, en primer lugar, los aspectos semántico-pragmáticos de las formas verbales mantenidos en sus usos interjectivos y, luego, trataremos de explicitar las extensiones metafóricas que dan cuenta del desarrollo de estas formas verbales hacia la categoría de las interjecciones.
Die Romanica im Thesaurus linguae Latinae
Authors: Crifò Francesco , Schweickard Wolfgang
Published: August 2014

Der Beitrag informiert über den Stand der Redaktion des Thesaurus linguae Latinae sowie über Grundlagen und Perspektiven der Kooperation von Latinisten und Romanisten am Beispiel der Sektion der «Romanica».
Sensory Rewiring in an Echolocator: Genome-Wide Modification of Retinogenic and Auditory Genes in the Bat Myotis davidii
Authors: Hudson Nicholas J , Baker Michelle L , Hart Nathan S , Wynne James W , Gu Quan , Huang Zhiyong , Zhang Guojie , Ingham Aaron B , Wang Linfa , Reverter Antonio
Published: August 2014

Bats comprise 20% of all mammalian species and display a number of characteristics, including true flight, echolocation, and a heightened ability to resist viral load that uniquely position this group for comparative genomic studies. Here we searched for evidence of genomic variation consistent with sensory rewiring through bat evolution. We focused on two species with divergent sensory preferences. Myotis davidii is a bat species that echolocates and possesses dim- but not daylight-adapted vision whereas the black flying fox (Pteropus alecto) has highly developed day vision but does not echolocate. Using the naked mole rat as a reference, we found five functional genes (CYP1A2, RBP3, GUCY2F, CRYBB1, and GRK7) encoding visual proteins that have degenerated into pseudogenes in M. davidii but not P. alecto. In a second approach genome-wide codon usage bias (CUB) was compared between the two bat species. This CUB ranking systematically enriched for vision-related (CLN8, RD3, IKZF1, LAMC3, CRX, SOX8, VAX2, HPS1, RHO, PRPH2, and SOX9) and hearing-related (TPRN, TMIE, SLC52A3, OTOF, WFS1, SOD1, TBX18, MAP1A, OTOS, GPX1, and USH1G) machinery in M. davidii but not P. alecto. All vision and hearing genes selectively enriched in M. davidii for which orthologs could be identified also were more biased in the echolocating M. lucifugus than the nonecholocating P. vampyrus. We suggest that the existence of codon bias in vision- and hearing-related genes in a species that has evolved echolocation implies CUB is part of evolution’s toolkit to rewire sensory systems. We propose that the two genetic changes (pseudogene formation and CUB) collectively paint a picture of that incorporates a combination of destruction and gain-of-function. Together, they help explain how natural selection has reduced physiological costs associated with the development of a smaller eye poorly adapted to day vision but that also contribute to enhanced dim light vision and the hearing adaptations consonant with echolocation.
Gene Expression in the Skin of Dogs Sensitized to the House Dust Mite Dermatophagoides farinae
Authors: Schamber Paz , Schwab-Richards Rachel , Bauersachs Stefan , Mueller Ralf S
Published: August 2014

Atopic dermatitis is a multifactorial allergic skin disease in humans and dogs. Genetic predisposition, immunologic hyperreactivity, a defective skin barrier, and environmental factors play a role in its pathogenesis. The aim of this study was to analyze gene expression in the skin of dogs sensitized to house dust mite antigens. Skin biopsy samples were collected from six sensitized and six nonsensitized Beagle dogs before and 6 hr and 24 hr after challenge using skin patches with allergen or saline as a negative control. Transcriptome analysis was performed by the use of DNA microarrays and expression of selected genes was validated by quantitative real-time RT-PCR. Expression data were compared between groups (unpaired design). After 24 hr, 597 differentially expressed genes were detected, 361 with higher and 226 with lower mRNA concentrations in allergen-treated skin of sensitized dogs compared with their saline-treated skin and compared with the control specimens. Functional annotation clustering and pathway- and co-citation analysis showed that the genes with increased expression were involved in inflammation, wound healing, and immune response. In contrast, genes with decreased expression in sensitized dogs were associated with differentiation and barrier function of the skin. Because the sensitized dogs did not show differences in the untreated skin compared with controls, inflammation after allergen patch test probably led to a decrease in the expression of genes important for barrier formation. Our results further confirm the similar pathophysiology of human and canine atopic dermatitis and revealed genes previously not known to be involved in canine atopic dermatitis.
Endogenous Retrovirus Insertion in theKITOncogene DeterminesWhiteandWhite spottingin Domestic Cats
Authors: David Victor A , Menotti-Raymond Marilyn , Wallace Andrea Coots , Roelke Melody , Kehler James , Leighty Robert , Eizirik Eduardo , Hannah Steven S , Nelson George , Schäffer Alejandro A , Connelly Catherine J , O’Brien Stephen J , Ryugo David K
Published: August 2014

The Dominant White locus (W) in the domestic cat demonstrates pleiotropic effects exhibiting complete penetrance for absence of coat pigmentation and incomplete penetrance for deafness and iris hypopigmentation. We performed linkage analysis using a pedigree segregating White to identify KIT (Chr. B1) as the feline W locus. Segregation and sequence analysis of the KIT gene in two pedigrees (P1 and P2) revealed the remarkable retrotransposition and evolution of a feline endogenous retrovirus (FERV1) as responsible for two distinct phenotypes of the W locus, Dominant White, and white spotting. A full-length (7125 bp) FERV1 element is associated with white spotting, whereas a FERV1 long terminal repeat (LTR) is associated with all Dominant White individuals. For purposes of statistical analysis, the alternatives of wild-type sequence, FERV1 element, and LTR-only define a triallelic marker. Taking into account pedigree relationships, deafness is genetically linked and associated with this marker; estimated P values for association are in the range of 0.007 to 0.10. The retrotransposition interrupts a DNAase I hypersensitive site in KIT intron 1 that is highly conserved across mammals and was previously demonstrated to regulate temporal and tissue-specific expression of KIT in murine hematopoietic and melanocytic cells. A large-population genetic survey of cats (n = 270), representing 30 cat breeds, supports our findings and demonstrates statistical significance of the FERV1 LTR and full-length element with Dominant White/blue iris (P < 0.0001) and white spotting (P < 0.0001), respectively.
Autosomal Recessive Polycystic Kidney Disease: A Hepatorenal Fibrocystic Disorder With Pleiotropic Effects
Authors: Hartung Erum A. , Guay-Woodford Lisa M.
Published: August 2014

Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is an important cause of chronic kidney disease in children. The care of ARPKD patients has traditionally been the realm of pediatric nephrologists; however, the disease has multisystem effects, and a comprehensive care strategy often requires a multidisciplinary team. Most notably, ARPKD patients have congenital hepatic fibrosis, which can lead to portal hypertension, requiring close follow-up by pediatric gastroenterologists. In severely affected infants, the diagnosis is often first suspected by obstetricians detecting enlarged, echogenic kidneys and oligohydramnios on prenatal ultrasounds. Neonatologists are central to the care of these infants, who may have respiratory compromise due to pulmonary hypoplasia and massively enlarged kidneys. Surgical considerations can include the possibility of nephrectomy to relieve mass effect, placement of dialysis access, and kidney and/or liver transplantation. Families of patients with ARPKD also face decisions regarding genetic testing of affected children, testing of asymptomatic siblings, or consideration of preimplantation genetic diagnosis for future pregnancies. They may therefore interface with genetic counselors, geneticists, and reproductive endocrinologists. Children with ARPKD may also be at risk for neurocognitive dysfunction and may require neuropsychological referral. The care of patients and families affected by ARPKD is therefore a multidisciplinary effort, and the general pediatrician can play a central role in this complex web of care. In this review, we outline the spectrum of clinical manifestations of ARPKD and review genetics of the disease, clinical and genetic diagnosis, perinatal management, management of organ-specific complications, and future directions for disease monitoring and potential therapies.
Mild Prematurity, Proximal Social Processes, and Development
Authors: Brown Hilary K. , Speechley Kathy Nixon , Macnab Jennifer , Natale Renato , Campbell M. Karen
Published: August 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To elucidate the role of gestational age in determining the risk of poor developmental outcomes among children born late preterm (34–36 weeks) and early term (37–38 weeks) versus full term (39–41 weeks) by examining the contribution of gestational age to these outcomes in the context of proximal social processes.

METHODS:

This was an analysis of the Canadian National Longitudinal Survey of Children and Youth. Developmental outcomes were examined at 2 to 3 (N = 15 099) and 4 to 5 years (N = 12 302). The sample included singletons, delivered at 34 to 41 weeks, whose respondents were their biological mothers. Multivariable modified Poisson regression was used to directly estimate adjusted relative risks (aRRs). We assessed the role of parenting by using moderation analyses.

RESULTS:

In unadjusted analyses, children born late preterm appeared to have greater risk for developmental delay (relative risk = 1.26; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01 to 1.56) versus full term. In adjusted analyses, results were nonsignificant at 2 to 3 years (late preterm aRR = 1.13; 95% CI, 0.90 to 1.42; early term aRR = 1.11; 95% CI, 0.96 to 1.27) and 4 to 5 years (late preterm aRR = 1.06; 95% CI, 0.79 to 1.43; early term aRR = 1.03; 95% CI, 0.85 to 1.25). Parenting did not modify the effect of gestational age but was a strong predictor of poor developmental outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings show that, closer to full term, social factors (not gestational age) may be the most important influences on development.
Cognitive Delay and Behavior Problems Prior to School Age
Authors: Cheng Erika Rose , Palta Mari , Kotelchuck Milton , Poehlmann Julie , Witt Whitney P.
Published: August 2014

OBJECTIVE:

To investigate the relationship between cognitive delay (CD) and behavior problems between ages 9 months and 5 years, while adjusting for covariates related to CD.

METHODS:

Data were from 4 waves of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study, Birth Cohort (n = 8000). Children were classified as typically developing (TD) or as having resolved, newly developed, or persistent CD between 9 and 24 months, based on scores from the Bayley Short Form-Research Edition below or above the 10th percentile. Child behavior was measured by using the Infant/Toddler Symptom Checklist (ages 9 and 24 months) and the Preschool and Kindergarten Behavior Scales (ages 4 and 5 years); children in the top 10th percentile were considered to have a behavior problem. Hierarchical linear modeling estimated the effect of CD status on children’s behavioral trajectories, adjusted for confounders.

RESULTS:

CD resolved for 80.3% of children between 9 and 24 months. Behavior problems at 24 months were detected in 19.3%, 21.8%, and 35.5% of children with resolved, newly developed, and persistent CD, respectively, versus 13.0% of TD children. Behavior problems increased among children with CD over time, and more so among children with persistent CD. By age 5, children with persistent CD had behavior scores moderately (0.59 SD) higher than TD children.

CONCLUSIONS:

Behavior problems among children with CD are slightly higher at 9 months, clearly evident by 24 months, and increase as children move toward school age. Efforts to promote the earliest identification, evaluation, and service referral may be necessary to improve outcomes for these children.
Structural Characterization of a Plutonium Sequestering Agent Complex by Synchrotron X-Ray Diffraction
Authors: Gorden Anne E. V. , Szigethy G. , Shuh D. K. , Tiedemann B. E. F. , Xu J. , Raymond K. N.
Published: August 2014

New ligands and materials are required that can coordinate, sense, and purify actinides for selective extraction and reduction of toxic, radioactive wastes from the mining and purification of actinides. The similarities in the chemical, biological transport, and distribution properties of Fe(III) and Pu(IV) inspired a biomimetic approach to the development of sequestering agents for actinides. A detailed evaluation of the structure and bonding of actinide coordinating ligands like these is important for the design of new selective ligand systems. Knowing the difficulty with working with the crystals resulting from these ligand systems and safe handling considerations for working with Pu, procedures were developed that utilize the Advanced Light Source of Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to determine the solid-state structures of Pu complexes by X-ray diffraction.
Evaluation and Investigation of Miscible Flood in Kuwait - Case Study
Authors: Alajmi Abdullah , Algharaib Meshal , Gharbi Ridha , Alenezi Huda , AlMatar Bader , Al-Enezi Khalaf
Published: August 2014

As reservoirs approach maturity, the understanding and implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) techniques become essential to meet the world growing oil demand. EOR processes involve the displacement of one fluid by another. The major EOR methods in the petroleum industry include thermal, miscible and chemical processes. Miscible displacement methods involve the injection of solvents that will inter-mix with the reservoir oil to increase its mobility and reduce the oil saturation to low values in the swept zone of an oil reservoir. This work is part of Kuwait strong focus on EOR applications in Kuwaiti reservoirs to maximize the hydrocarbon recovery factors for a sustainable growth in oil production. This study is an experimental study that evaluates and investigates the miscible flood performance in Kuwait. An oil formation was selected as a candidate reservoir for this study after conducting EOR screening criteria. Core and fluid samples were collected and their properties were evaluated. Slim tube experiments were conducted to measure the oil minimum miscibility pressure with CO2. Coreflooding experiments were conducted to evaluate the recovery factor from different injection scenarios. The experimental injection scenarios included the effect of several design parameters including WAG ratio, number of cycle per WAG and the total slug size. These parameters showed different effects on the recovery factor. Optimum injection scenario was obtained which gave the highest recovery factor (WAG 1:2, number of cycle 2 and total slug size 0.4PV). In this study, the in-situ miscibility achievement was quantified and evaluated at different injection scenarios. The outcomes of this work provide valuable information for future miscible flood field implementation.
Challenges and Benefits of Conducting Environmental Justice Research in a School Setting
Authors: Guidry Virginia T. , Lowman Amy , Hall Devon , Baron Dothula , Wing Steve
Published: August 2014

Environmental justice (EJ) research requires attention to consequences for research participants beyond those typically considered by institutional review boards. The imbalance of power between impacted communities and those who create and regulate pollution creates challenges for participation, yet research can also benefit those involved. Our community-academic partnership designed the Rural Air Pollutants and Children's Health (RAPCH) study to provide positive impacts while measuring health effects at three low-resource public middle schools near concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) in North Carolina. We evaluated perceived benefits and challenges of study involvement by interviewing school staff and community liaisons who facilitated data collection. Reported benefits included enhancement of students' academic environment and increased community environmental awareness; challenges were associated mainly with some participants' immaturity. Leadership from a strong community-based organization was crucial to recruitment, yet our approach entailed minimal focus on EJ, which may have limited opportunities for community education or organizing for environmental health.
Online local volatility calibration by convex regularization
Authors: Albani Vinicius , Zubelli Jorge
Published: August 2014

We address the inverse problem of local volatility surface calibration from
market given option prices. We integrate the ever-increasing flow of option
price information into the well-accepted local volatility model of Dupire.
This leads to considering both the local volatility surfaces and their
corresponding prices as indexed by the observed underlying stock price as
time goes by in appropriate function spaces. The resulting parameter to data
map is defined in appropriate Bochner-Sobolev spaces. Under this framework,
we prove key regularity properties. This enable us to build a calibration
technique that combines online methods with convex Tikhonov regularization
tools. Such procedure is used to solve the inverse problem of local
volatility identification. As a result, we prove convergence rates with
respect to noise and a corresponding discrepancy-based choice for the
regularization parameter. We conclude by illustrating the theoretical results
by means of numerical tests.
Triggering Receptor Expressed on Myeloid Cells 2 (TREM2) Promotes Adipogenesis and Diet-Induced Obesity
Authors: Park Min , Yi Ja-Woon , Kim Eun-Mi , Yoon Il-Joo , Lee Eun-Hee , Lee Hwa-Youn , Ji Kon-Young , Lee Kwang-Ho , Jang Ji-Hun , Oh Seung-Su , Yun Chul-Ho , Kim Seung-Hyung , Lee Ki-Mo , Song Mun-Gyu , Kim Dong-Hoon , Kang Hyung-Sik
Published: August 2014

Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) is known to be involved in the anti-inflammatory response and osteoclast development. However, the role of TREM2 in adipogenesis or obesity has not yet been defined. The effect of TREM2 on adipogenesis and obesity was investigated in TREM2 transgenic (TG) mice on a high-fat diet (HFD). To block TREM2 signaling, a neutralizing fusion protein specific for TREM2 (TREM2-Ig) was used. TG mice were much more obese than wild-type mice after feeding with an HFD, independent of the quantity of food intake. These HFD-fed TG mice manifested adipocyte hypertrophy, glucose and insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis. The expression of adipogenic regulator genes, such as peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor γ and CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein α, was markedly increased in HFD-fed TG mice. Additionally, HFD-fed TG mice exhibited decreased Wnt10b expression and increased GSK-3β (glycogen synthase kinase-3β)–mediated β-catenin phosphorylation. In contrast, the blockade of TREM2 signaling using TREM2-Ig resulted in the inhibition of adipocyte differentiation in vitro and a reduction in body weight in vivo by downregulating the expression of adipogenic regulators. Our data demonstrate that TREM2 promotes adipogenesis and diet-induced obesity by upregulating adipogenic regulators in conjunction with inhibiting the Wnt10b/β-catenin signaling pathway.
Optimization of the Brass Melting
Authors: Biernat S. , Bydałek A.W.
Published: August 2014

The article describes the optimization of the melting brass. Brasses, as one of the most popular alloys of copper, deserve special attention in the context of the processes of melting, which in turn would provide not only products of better quality, but also reduce the cost of their production or refining. For this purpose, several studies carried out deriatographic (DTA) and thermogravimetric (TG) using derivatograph. The results were confronted with the program SLAG - PROP used to evaluate the physicochemical properties of the coatings extraction. Based on the survey and analysis of the program can identify the most favorable physico - chemical properties, which should be carried out treatments. This allows for slag mixtures referred configurations oxide matrix containing specific stimulators of the reaction. Conducted empirical studies indicate a convergence of the areas proposed by the application. It should also be noted that the program also indicates additional areas in which to carry out these processes would get even better, to optimize the melting process, the results.
The Role of Carbon in the Mechanism of Ferritic-Austenitic Cast Steel Solidification
Authors: Stradomski G.
Published: August 2014

The paper presents the results of research on the microstructure of GX2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3-3 and GX2CrNiMoCuN25-6-3 cast steels with a varying carbon content. The cause for undertaking the research were technological problems with hot cracking in bulk castings of duplex cast steel with a carbon content of approx. 0.06% and with 23% Cr, 8.5% Ni, 3% Mo and 2.4% Cu. The research has shown a significant effect of increased carbon content on the ferrite and austenite microstructure morphology, while exceeding the carbon content of 0.06% results in a change of the shape of primary grains from equiaxial to columnar.
A Study of Effects of Precipitation Hardening of Low-Alloy Copper-Nickel Spheroidal Cast Iron
Authors: Szykowny T. , Giętka T. , Romanowski Ł. , Trepczyńska-Łent M.
Published: August 2014

One type of spheroidal cast iron, with additions of 0.51% Cu and 0.72% Ni, was subjected to precipitation hardening. Assuming that the greatest increase in hardness after the shortest time of ageing is facilitated by chemical homogenisation and fragmentation of cast iron grain matrix, precipitation hardening after pre-normalisation was executed. Hardness (HB), microhardness (HV), qualitative and quantitative metalographic (LM, SEM) and X-ray structural (XRD) tests were performed. The acquired result of 13.2% increase in hardness after ca. 5-hour ageing of pre-normalised cast iron confirmed the assumption.
Analysis of the Possibility of Using Dynamic Methods for Assessment of Investment Projects in the Domestic Foundry Industry
Authors: Szymszal J. , Lis T. , Gajdzik B. , Kliś J.
Published: August 2014

A comparative analysis involving the evaluation of the effectiveness of investment projects can be based on various rules indicating selection of the most favorable decisions. The dynamic methods for assessment of investment projects discussed in this article, which consider the possibility of modifying the predetermined investment options, are quite complex and difficult to implement. They are used both in the construction phase of the new company, as well as in its subsequent modernization. The assessments should be characterized by a high coefficient of the economic efficiency. The, observed in practice, high dynamic variability of both the external and internal conditions under which the company operates is the reason why in the process of calculating the economic efficiency of investment projects, there is a significant number of random parameters affected by high uncertainty and risk. Investments in the metallurgical industry are characterized by a relatively long cycle of implementation and operation. These are capital-intensive projects and often mistakenly taken investment decisions end in failure of the investment project and, consequently, in the collapse of the company. In addition, the applied methods of risk assessment of investment projects, especially the dynamic ones, should be fully understood by managerial staff and constitute an easy to use, yet accurate tool for improving the efficiency of the company.
Statistical Relationship between Selected Physicochemical Properties of Peaty-Muck Soils and their Fraction of Humic Acids
Authors: Boguta Patrycja , Sokołowska Zofia
Published: August 2014

Influence of humic acids on soil environment is still subject of scientific discussions. The aim of above studies was to investigate the relationships between selected physicochemical properties of eleven peaty-muck soils and properties of humic acids isolated from these soils. The following parameters were determined for soils: total and organic carbon, density, ash, humification, and the water absorption index. Humic acids were described by: absorbance at 280 nm, absorbance ratios at 465 and 665 nm, at 260 and 665 nm, elemental composition and atomic ratios: H/C, O/H, O/C, C/N, the degree of internal oxidation, and the content of carboxylic and phenolic groups. Statistical analyses showed that an increase in density, humification, and water absorption indices of soils caused a significant increase in the humic acid parameters: absorbance at 280 nm, the oxygen content, O/H, O/C ratios, internal oxidation degree, and functional groups. Statistically significant negative correlations were found for the same parameters of soils and for the hydrogen and carbon content as well as the H/C ratio of humic acids. The relationships showed that there was a possibility to express the properties of humic acids on the basis of more simple parameters measured for soil and without time-consuming isolation of humic acids.
Comparative Non-linear Regression - Case of Infiltration Rate Increase from Upstream in Valley
Authors: Keita Amadou , Yacouba Hamma , Hayde Laszlo G. , Schultz Bart
Published: August 2014

In Tropical Savannah flooded valley soils, very low infiltration rates often result in acidic conditions favourable to high concentrations of metallic ions, toxic for rice. Determination of the under-phreatic infiltration rate is important in drainage design to reclaim degraded soils. Several studies have addressed the mapping of the infiltration rate. Yet, its relationship with the toposequence of the valley is not clarified. This paper has investigated such a possibility, examining the case of the irrigated rice valley of Tiefora, Burkina Faso. Nine boreholes – from 1 to 5 m deep – were implemented from upstream to downstream. The Lefranc permeability test of the under-phreatic level in waterlogged soils – used when the impervious layer is close to soil surface or absent – was conducted. First, a comparative regression was applied to the data, including all the parameters of the regression curves. In the case of dissimilarity of the infiltration processes, the comparison focused on the final permeability. The results show a permeability increase from upstream (0.10±0.10cmh-1)todownstream (greater than 20±10 cm h-1 in some places). Taking into account such a permeability increase in the subsurface drainage system design would result in implementation of more efficient and cost effective systems.
Automatic Non-destructive Quality Inspection System for Oil Palm Fruits
Authors: Makky Muhammad , Soni Peeyush , Salokhe Vilas M.
Published: August 2014

In this research a non-destructive, rapid and cost effective examination machine for the estimation of the ripeness fraction, oil content and free fatty acid level in oil palm fresh fruits bunch was developed. The automatic machine-vision based inspection system provided consistency, rapid estimation and acceptable accuracy results in non-destructive manner. Fresh fruits bunch samples from Tenera cultivar (7 to 20 years trees) were taken from Cimulang plantation, Bogor, Indonesia. Two statistical analysis methods were used: a forward stepwise multiple linear regression analysis and a multilayer-perceptron artificial neural network analysis. The best prediction of ripeness and oil content models were obtained using the latter method, while the best free fatty acid prediction model was developed by the first method. The models were then employed in the machine-vision inspection systems of the machine. The system best prediction accuracy of ripeness, oil content and free fatty acid models was 93.5, 96.41, and 89.32%, with standard error of prediction being 0.065, 0.044 and 0.068, respectively. The system was tested through a series of field tests, and successfully examined more than 12 t of fruits bunch per hour, without causing damage.
Puddling Intensity for Late-season Sawah Systems Based on Soil Hydrophysical Conditions and Rice Performance
Authors: Obalum Sunday E. , Watanabe Yoshinori , Igwe Charles A. , Obi Martin E. , Wakatsuki Toshiyuki
Published: August 2014

Lowland sawah farmers often puddle to improve soil hydrophysical conditions for rice, but the puddling intensity beyond which no extra yield increases occur is unknown. Agronomic effects of six mechanical puddling intensities were assessed in three Nigerian inland-valley bottoms. All puddled plots, irrespective of intensity, produced similar effects at all three locations. At 10 days after transplanting, soil bulk density of all puddled plots represented mean decreases relative to control plots of about 22.4, 15.8, and 31.7% at Akaeze, Adani, and Ejeti, respectively. Soil bulk density and moisture content upon saturation were similar during 40-120 days after transplanting. All puddled plots consistently showed taller plants and greater tillering than control plots only at Ejeti. Grain yields were similar among treatments in Akaeze and Adani (mean, 3.71 and 6.42 Mg ha-1, respectively), but one-pass puddling yielded numerically highest in both locations. At Ejeti, grain yields followed the trend for plant growth, with mean values of 4.36 and 1.81 Mg ha-1 for puddled and control plots, respectively. One-pass puddling may be sufficient for sawah rice grown late particularly in less humid environments.
Scaling the Hydraulic Functions of A Water Repellent Sandy Soil
Authors: Stoffregen Heiner , Wessolek Gerd
Published: August 2014

The heterogeneity of both unsaturated hydraulic conductivity and water retention was measured with a high spatial resolution on a transect using an evaporation method. Fifteen undisturbed 100 cm3 soil cores were taken on a transect every 10 cm from the topsoil of a water repellent sandy site. Five dynamic water retention curves and four unsaturated conductivity curves were determined for each core. We conducted measurements without further saturation in the laboratory in order to achieve field-like conditions. The initial water contents were heterogeneous, indicating different hysteretic conditions and water repellent areas. The scattering of the water retention curves was high, while the heterogeneity of unsaturated conductivity curves was unexpectedly low. Two scaling approaches were used to describe the heterogeneity: one with and one without considering hysteresis. The concept of scaling applies well to describing the heterogeneity of both hydraulic functions. Including hysteresis leads to similar results than excluding hysteresis. The distribution of the hydraulic conductivity and the water retention were independent from each other. The results give important information for numerical simulation of the water flow with heterogeneous hydraulic functions.
Relationship Between Root and Yield Related Morphological Characters in Pea (Pisum Sativum L.)
Authors: Ciaglo-Androsiuk Sylwia
Published: August 2014

Relation between morphological traits of the root system and yield related traits is an important issue concerning efforts aiming at improving of ideotype of cultivated plants species, including pea. In this paper, to analyse the dependency between traits describing the root system morphology and yield potential, Person’s andSpearman's_correlations as well as canonical correlations were used.

Root system was analyzed in 14 and 21 day-old seedlings growing in blotting-paper cylinders. Yield potential of pea was analysed in a field experiment. Results of Person’s and Spearman's_correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density were correlated witch yield related traits. Correlation between root length and shoot length was observed only for 14 day-old seedlings. The result of canonical correlations revealed that number of lateral roots and lateral roots density had the largest effect on yield related traits. This work highlights, that in order to improve the yield of pea it might become necessary to understand genetic determination of morphological traits of the root system, especially number of lateral roots.
Study of Dielectric Properties of Fenugreek Seeds (Trigonella Foenum Graecum)
Authors: Shafi Khan Mohd. , Chandel Vishal Singh , Manohar Rajiv , Shukla Jagdeesh Prasad
Published: August 2014

The present paper studied the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and ac conductivity of fenugreek seed, a medicinal seed (Trigonella foenum graecum), within the frequency range of 10 kHz and 10 MHz and the temperature range of 30°C and 50°C. Impedance gain/phase analyser (HP 4194 A) was used to measure the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss and Julabo (temperature controller, F-25, Germany) was used for keeping the temperature of fenugreek seeds constant. It was found that the dielectric constant and the dielectric loss decrease with the increase in the frequency while the same increase with the increase in temperature and moisture content. The ac conductivity increased with the increase in frequency, moisture and temperature.
Selected Traits of Spring Wheat in Polish Climatic Conditions
Authors: Gut Magdalena , Szecówka Przemysław , Bichoński Andrzej
Published: August 2014

The purpose of the paper was to determine phenotype and genotype variability of yield components structure (number of grains, grain mass and 1000 grain weigh) as well as of the basic technological traits (sedimentation number, falling number, protein percentage content per grain). The research also considered the issue of pre-harvest sprouting. During each vegetation season rainfall and temperature were recorded. The examined material were the strains of F6 - F7 generation. Coefficients of correlation between the values of particular traits and mean temperatures and rainfall sum during a given season showed that yield component parameters were significantly modified by temperature; whilst warm vegetation seasons proved to be beneficial. Negative correlation between the rainfall sum and the number of grains and grain mass as well as 1000 grain weight suggests that the excess of water may be more detrimental for the yield than its shortage. Coefficients of correlation between the values of basic technological parameters and mean temperature were negative and not very high or low or even – insignificant, as in the case of falling number. High h2 coefficients suggest a good heritability of yield components parameters, and yield per ear seem to be the trait that was transmitted best. Amongst the basic quality indicators, the highest heritability was observed in the case of falling number and the lowest one in the case of sedimentation number. The weakest genetic conditioning was observed in the case of resistance to sprouting, measured as the percentage of sprouting grains in the ear. It seems therefore that genetic variability was, to a large degree, masked by the environmental impact and, in spite of a high degree of genetic conditioning, the effectiveness of selection based on a visual evaluation of the forms rated for further cultivation might be limited.
Variation and Heritability of Sixteen Characters in West African Okra, Abelmoschus Caillei (A. Chev.) Stevels
Authors: Alake C.O.
Published: August 2014

Genotypic and phenotypic variances, genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation, heritability and genetic advance were estimated for 16 agronomical characters in West African okra for two seasons, using 25 West African okra lines of diverse origin. Considerable differences were observed for some characters in the two seasons. Number of days to flowering, number of leaves at flowering, plant height at flowering and number of pods at branches showed seasonal differences. The estimates of genotypic coefficients of variation (gcv) in the two seasons were close in many cases. The gcv values ranged from 1.41 for number of days to flowering in the early season to 68.63 for number of branches per plant in the late season planting. Heritability estimates ranged from 5.02% for number of leaves at flowering in the early season to 99.54% for weight of matured pod during the early season. This study highlighted the significance of genotype-environment interaction in the breeding programmes of West African okra. The relatively large genotypic coefficient of variation, heritability estimates and genetic advance for number of pods at stem, number of pods per plant, number of branches per plant, weight of matured pods and seed yield per plant, were indicative of likely effectiveness of selection for such characters.
Genetic Variability of Sotol (Dasylirion Cedrosanum) Populations in the Mexican Coahuila Southern Area
Authors: Rentería Norma Paola Meléndez , Padilla Veronica , Lozano Gerardo Gaona , Aguilar Cristobal Noe , Rodríguez-Herrera Raúl
Published: August 2014

In the Chihuahuan desert area, in Mexico, exist an endemic plant denominated Sotol (Dasylirion spp); which is used by rural producers to manufacture a liqueur named Sotol. This beverage has origin denomination but it industrial application has lack scientific reports, as well as the plant genetic information. This is the first study about ecological distribution of sotol plants and, may be, a first step to continue the scientific investigation of a Mexican endemic plant, with many potential industrial applications. In this paper, we used AFLP molecular markers to calculate population genetics parameters as genetic diversity, a conglomerate analyses, poblational structure based in Wright's statistics and analysis of molecular variance. Differences in soil composition and weather conditions, of the sampling region, may affect sotol plants growth and their morphologic characteristics; as consequence the organisms generate ample genetic variability, which ensures the species permanence. Genetic diversity values were similar to the average for cross-pollinated plants, while the heterozygosis detection was deficient; Wright statistics suggest plants genetics interchange in the subpopulation; AMOVA found significant differences within and between collections. These results help us to maintenance the genetic diversity, in order to prevent potential extinction and guarantee sustainable development; the preservation of the endemic plants is necessary to the ecosystems conservation and after Sotol origin denomination, by the Mexican government, the importance of D. cedrosanum plants was increased.
Selection-Based heritability of Resistance to Pythium Ultimum in Safflower
Authors: Nikmanesh Elham , Pahlevani Mohammadhadi , Razavi Seyed Esmaeil
Published: August 2014

Damping-off disease caused by Pythium ultimum can kill both germinating seeds and young seedlings and cause considerable damage in saflower cultivation. An estimation of heritability lets saflower breeders determine the most effective method for improving seedling emergence in soils infected with P. ultimum, the causal agent of seed rot and damping-off. Two cycles of selection were performed to estimate the realized heritability of resistance to the pathogen in five safflower populations. Undamaged seedlings were selected as resistant individuals and were kept to produce seed. The results showed that selection for two consecutive generations increased the emergence of seedlings in Pythium-infected soil from 46 to 53 %. The heritability estimates varied between 1.72 and 77.66 % over the genotypes and environments, in inverse proportion to the severity of the disease. Estimates of heritabilities showed that genes conferring resistance to P. ultimum in safflower are highly heritable and would respond to selection breeding, particularly in some of the studied genotypes, like Isfahan and Zarghan259. However, different breeding methods must be explored for other genotypes.
Assessment of Stability, Adaptability and Yield Performance of Bread Wheat (Triticum Aestivum L.) Cultivars in South Estern Ethiopia
Authors: Ayalneh T. , Letta T. , Abinasa M.
Published: August 2014

The success of crop improvement and production activities can be enhanced with scientific information generated form genotype-environment interactions. GEI reduces the association between phenotype and genotype which result in relative ranking and stability differences of genotypes across environments. This study were conducted with the objective to identify stable, and adaptable bread wheat genotypes under various environments. Eighteen genotypes were tested across nine environments for two years on randomized block design of three replication. Plot size of 1.2 m × 2.5 m and 20cm spacing between rows were used. All recommended agronomic practices and managements were applied uniformly. Data were collected on plot basis and converted to ton ha-1. and analyzed with appropriate statistical software for stability parameters. Combined analysis over nine environments showed, variety Tuse (HAR-1407) ranked first in mean yield(3.11ton × ha-1), and K-6295–4A ranked second (3.01 ton × ha-1) and Dashen came third(2.98 ton ha-1). Analysis of AMMI model showed that the first principal component, PCA 1 explained 53.72% of the interaction sum of squares while the second principal component, PCA 2 explained 17.61% interaction sum of squares. Ecovalence(Wi) analysis showed that G2 (Sofumar(HAR-1889)), G4 (Kubsa(HAR-1685)), G5 (Tura(HAR-1407)), G7 (Galema (HAR-604)), G12 (Wabe (HAR-710)), almost equally the lowest ecovalence that evidenced less fluctuation across environment and found to be stable.
Effects of Water supply on Seed Development and Quality of Chickpea Cultivars
Authors: Ghassemi-Golezani Kazem , Ghassemi Saeid
Published: August 2014

A split plot experiment (using RCB design) with three replications was conducted in 2012 and seed physiological quality of three chickpea (Cicer arietinumL.) cultivars (Azad, Arman and Jame) was evaluated at seven stages under well and limited irrigation conditions. Maximum seed weight (mass maturity) was achieved at 40–45 days after flowering. However, maximum seed quality was obtained 7 to 10 days after mass maturity, depending on irrigation intervals and cultivars. At earlier harvests, because of immaturity, and at later harvests, due to ageing, seed quality was low. Seed filling rate and maximum seed weight of chickpea decreased with decreasing water supply, but water deficit had no significant effects on seed quality as measured by germination percentage, germination rate and seedling dry weight. Significant differences in seedling dry weight among chickpea cultivars were attributed to significant variation in seed weight affected by genetic constitution.
How to mine brand Tweets: Procedural guidelines and pretest
Authors: Okazaki Shintaro , Dìaz-Martìn Ana M. , Rozano Mercedes , Menéndez-Benito Héctor D.
Published: August 2014

This paper presents a methodological framework for using opinion mining to analyse comments on social networking sites. A series of procedural recommendations is described and compared with the content analysis method. The major steps include brand selection, determination of a classification scheme and categories, human coding, programming of the automated classification algorithm, and evaluation of the classification results. We then present the results of a pretest that examined the content of Tweets about IKEA. After human coding of 100 Tweets, the automated classification was carried out. The Precision measure achieved more than 65% for the first classification (Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Exclude) and 64% for the second classification (Sharing, Information, Opinion, Question, Reply and Exclude), demonstrating the efficiency of mining Tweets for emotional patterns. Combining the two classification schemes, the pretest performs a social network analysis to identify interrelationships among the Tweets. In closing, methodological implications and utility for marketing research are discussed.
Assessment of Brand Equity Measures
Authors: Huang Rong , Sarigöllü Emine
Published: August 2014

Although several brand equity measures have been proposed in the literature, a comparative assessment of their characteristics and performances is lacking. This paper attempts to fill that gap. Combining survey data with real market data, it assesses two types of brand equity measure: customer mind-set measures (brand knowledge) and product-market performance measures (revenue premium). The results confirm that the customer mind-set measure captures cumulative brand-building effects better and offers diagnostic information. However, the revenue premium is found as a better choice for continuous tracking of brand equity because (a) it could reveal the true changes in brand equity; (b) it is a practical and convenient measure since its data requirements are readily available; and (c) it flags any change in brand-equity before the customer mind-set measure. Furthermore, the product-market performance measure is found to precede the customer mind-set. This study also conducts the first empirical test of the well-known brand value chain model on real market data. Finally, operationalising the customer mind-set measure on real market data for the first time, this study confirms that advertising and distribution are positively associated with brand-equity, while price promotion is negatively associated. By considering multiple measures, this study improves the robustness of the findings as well as addressing marketing accountability issues.
The New Middle East Insurrections and Other Subversions of the Modernist Frame
Authors: Hale Sondra
Published: August 2014

Using ideas from postmodern, postcolonial, and feminist thought, this paper analyzes recent global insurrections, e.g., the Arab Spring, to demonstrate their departure from modernist frameworks. Participants in the new uprisings, which are mainly comprised of youth and populated by great numbers of women, seek new language, modes of organizing, and formations. Presenting the new insurrections as not only anti-statism, anti-authoritarian, and non-hierarchal, but also fragmentary, uncertain, incomplete, and ongoing, I ground my ideas with examples from the various insurrections and end with the 2013 uprising in Sudan in an attempt to challenge the concept of failure and exemplify the unintended consequences of the insurrections.