bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pyroxasulfone with and without Sulfentrazone in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
Authors: Olson Brian L. S. , Zollinger Richard K. , Thompson Curtis R. , Peterson Dallas E. , Jenks Brian , Moechnig Mike , Stahlman Phillip W.
Published: May 2011

Pyroxasulfone (KIH-485) is a seedling growth-inhibiting herbicide developed by Kumiai America that has the potential to control weeds in sunflower. However, little is known about how this herbicide will interact with various soil types and environments when combined with sulfentrazone. The objective of this research was to evaluate sunflower injury and weed control with pyroxasulfone applied with and without sulfentrazone across the Great Plains sunflower production area. A multisite study was initiated in spring 2007 to evaluate sunflower response to pyroxasulfone applied PRE at 0, 167, 208, or 333 g ai ha−1. In 2008, pyroxasulfone was applied alone and in tank mixture with sulfentrazone. In 2007, no sunflower injury was observed with any rate of pyroxasulfone at any location except Highmore, SD, where sunflower injury was 17%, 4 wk after treatment (WAT) with 333 g ha−1. In 2008, sunflower injury ranged from 0 to 4% for all treatments. Adding sulfentrazone did not increase injury. Sunflower yield was only reduced in treatments in which weeds were not effectively controlled. These treatments included the untreated control and pyroxasulfone at 167 g ha−1. Sunflower yield did not differ among the other treatments of pyroxasulfone or sulfentrazone applied alone or in combination. The addition of sulfentrazone to pyroxasulfone improved control of foxtail barley, prostrate pigweed, wild buckwheat, Palmer amaranth, and marshelder, but not large crabgrass or green foxtail. The combination of pyroxasulfone and sulfentrazone did not reduce control of any of the weeds evaluated.
Effect of a Living Mulch on Weed Seed Banks in Tomato
Authors: Gibson Kevin D. , Mcmillan John , Hallett Stephen G. , Jordan Thomas , Weller Stephen C.
Published: May 2011

Weeds that emerge between rows in fresh market tomatoes after the critical period of competition are not suppressed by the crop and can produce large quantities of seed. A living mulch planted between rows might limit weed seed production. Buckwheat was seeded between tomato rows after the critical period in 2007 and 2008 in field studies near Lafayette, IN. Weeds were allowed to emerge after the critical period (CP), controlled throughout the growing season (no seed threshold [NST]), or mowed to limit seed production (MOW). Buckwheat and MOW plots were mowed twice after the critical period in 2007 and once in 2008. Seed banks were sampled after the critical period and in the following spring. Tomato yields were not reduced by growing buckwheat between rows. Seed bank densities for common purslane and carpetweed, which escaped mowing due to their prostrate habits, increased in all treatments. Germinable seed bank densities were 306 seeds m−2or less in the NST and buckwheat treatments but 755 seeds m−2or more in the CP treatments for species with erect habits in both years. Seed bank densities were lower in the MOW treatment than in the CP treatments in 2007 but not in 2008. In a parallel experiment conducted in adjacent plots, buckwheat was seeded at five rates (0, 56, 112, 168, and 224 kg seed ha−1). Plots were mowed and emergent weeds sampled as described for the intercrop experiment. Weed densities before mowing decreased linearly with buckwheat seed rate. After mowing, no relationship was detected between seed rate and weed densities. This study supports the hypothesis that a living mulch planted after the critical period can be used to limit seed bank growth without reducing tomato yields, but additional research is needed to better understand the effect of mowing on living mulch growth and weed suppression.
Effects of Herbicides on Growth and Vegetative Reproduction of Creeping Rivergrass
Authors: Bottoms Sunny L. , Webster Eric P. , Hensley Justin B. , Blouin David C.
Published: May 2011

Studies were conducted to evaluate growth and reproductive capabilities of creeping rivergrass in response to rice herbicide programs. Creeping rivergrass grown from single-node stolon segments, multiple-node stolon segments, and rhizomes was treated with various herbicides to evaluate activity on subsequent growth and viability of nodes produced from treated plants. Comparison with the nontreated, cyhalofop, glyphosate, and imazethapyr reduced creeping rivergrass fresh weight by more than 84 to 96%. Glyphosate reduced sprouting of nodes from treated plants 93% compared with nontreated plants. Activity from these herbicides may decrease when applied to plants grown from rhizomes versus rhizome clusters. Plants treated with cyhalofop, glyphosate, and imazethapyr had reduced fresh weight of 36 to 46% when plants were grown from a rhizome cluster, and 69 to 90% when plants were grown from a single rhizome segment, compared with nontreated. Cyhalofop and glyphosate reduced node sprouting by 81 to 98% of nontreated, regardless of parent structure.
Correlation of Chemical Analysis of Residual Levels of Aminocyclopyrachlor in Soil to Biological Responses of Alfalfa, Cotton, Soybean, and Sunflower
Authors: Strachan Stephen D. , Nanita Sergio C. , Ruggiero Marc , Casini Mark S. , Heldreth Kathleen M. , Hageman Larry H. , Flanigan Helen A. , Ferry Nancy M. , Pentz Anne M.
Published: May 2011

Researchers, product registration personnel, and growers desire the ability to chemically detect residual amounts of herbicides in soil at concentrations below those necessary to cause phytotoxicity to sensitive nontarget or rotational crop plants. Alfalfa, cotton, soybean, and sunflower, crops sensitive to low concentrations of aminocyclopyrachlor in soil, were planted at field test sites approximately 1 yr after aminocyclopyrachlor methyl was applied. Soil samples were collected when rotational crops were planted and were analyzed for aminocyclopyrachlor by a method based on high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC/MS/MS), with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.1 part per billion (ppb) (soil oven-dry weight basis). Loglogistic dose–response analysis correlated visual phytotoxic plant responses to residual concentrations of aminocyclopyrachlor in the soil. Concentrations of aminocyclopyrachlor estimated to cause 25% phytotoxicity to alfalfa, cotton, soybean, and sunflower were 5.4, 3.2, 2.0, and 6.2 ppb, respectively, 20 to 60 times greater than the LOD of the analytical method available for soil analysis. Results from these studies suggest this HPLC/MS/MS method of analysis can be used to indicate potential risk and severity of plant response for alfalfa, cotton, soybean, and sunflower, and for other plant species once dose–response curves for these additional species are established. This chemical assay may be particularly important if researchers desire to study the concentration, movement, and dissipation of aminocyclopyrachlor in soil or as part of a forensic investigation to better understand the cause of an unanticipated or undesirable plant response.
Harvest Aid Application Timing Affects Wheat and Relay Intercropped Soybean Yield
Authors: Nelson Kelly A. , Massey Raymond E. , Burdick Bruce A.
Published: May 2011

Early‐seeded soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] relay intercropped into standing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) using soybean seed‐coat technology may allow profitable wheat production in the Midwest on highly erodible soils. Dry conditions in mid‐ to late June have reduced relay intercropped soybean stands and yield in some years. We hypothesized that using glyphosate as a wheat harvest aid would reduce the impact of wheat interference on relay intercropped soybean grain yield and increase gross margins. Field research conducted over four site‐years in upstate Missouri evaluated timings for application of glyphosate as a harvest aid on wheat and relay intercropped soybean. The cost effectiveness of these cropping systems was compared to full‐season soybean, double‐cropped wheat–soybean, and wheat‐only production systems. Glyphosate applied to wheat 1 wk before harvest, after late dough, in a relay intercrop production system with coated‐soybean maintained wheat grain yields similar to nontreated wheat, and increased soybean grain yields 290 to 770 kg ha−1 compared to nontreated wheat relay intercropped or double‐cropped with soybean. Earlier glyphosate application timings (2–3 wk before wheat harvest) reduced wheat grain yields 10 to 25% and grain density 3 to 13%, but soybean yield increased 430 to 520 kg ha−1 compared to nontreated wheat in a relay intercrop system. A relay intercrop system with seed coat technology and glyphosate as a harvest aid may allow farmers to maintain wheat in their crop rotation while minimizing risk associated with early fall frost or dry conditions at seeding that may otherwise decrease double‐crop soybean yields.
Lemongrass Productivity, Oil Content, and Composition as a Function of Nitrogen, Sulfur, and Harvest Time
Authors: Zheljazkov Valtcho D. , Cantrell Charles L. , Astatkie Tess , Cannon Jeffery B.
Published: May 2011

Lemongrass [Cymbopogon flexuosus (Steud.) Wats, (syn. Andropogon nardus var. flexuosus Hack; A. flexuosus Nees)] is one of the most widely grown essential oil plants in the world. Field experiments were conducted at Verona and Poplarville, MS, to evaluate the effects of N (0, 40, 80, and 160 kg N/ha) and S (0, 30, 60, and 90 kg S/ha) on lemongrass biomass productivity, essential oil content, yield, and oil composition. Overall, the essential oil content varied within 0.35 to 0.6% of the dried biomass. The major constituents were geranial (25–53%), neral (20–45%), caryophyllene oxide (1.3–7.2%), and t‐caryophyllene (0.3–2.2%). Biomass yields at Verona ranged from 9486 to 19,375 kg/ha, while oil yields ranged from 30 to 139 kg/ha. Overall, dry weight yields increased with the application of 80 kg N/ha relative to the 0 kg N/ha and with 160 kg of N/ha relative to the 0 and 40 kg N/ha treatments. At Poplarville, biomass yields varied from 8036 to 12,593 kg/ha, while oil yields ranged from 23.5 to 89.5 kg/ha. The application of N at 160 kg/ha at Poplarville increased dry weight yields relative to the N at 0 or 40 kg/ha rates, irrespective of the rate used for S. At Verona, within each S application rate, biomass yields were highest in Harvest 2, lower in Harvest 1, and the lowest in Harvest 3 (regrowth). The combined biomass yields of Harvest 1 and Harvest 3 would be lower, but oil yields would be higher compared to Harvest 2 (single‐harvest system). Lemongrass can be grown as an annual essential oil crop in the southeastern United States, with a potential for dual utilization: essential oil and lignocellulosic material for ethanol production.
Salivary microbial and nonmicrobial parameters in children with fixed orthodontic appliances
Authors: Peros Kristina , Mestrovic Senka , Anic-Milosevic Sandra , Slaj Mladen
Published: May 2011

Objective:

To determine the physiologic changes of salivary flow rate, pH, and buffer capacity and the levels of Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus spp in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment.

Materials and Methods:

The study included 23 patients scheduled for fixed orthodontic therapy. All subjects received equal braces, bands, and brackets, bonded with the same material. Stimulated saliva samples were taken before placement of the appliance, and at weeks 6, 12, and 18 during the therapy. Salivary flow rate and salivary pH were measured, and the salivary buffer capacity was determined. Saliva samples were cultivated on selective microbial agar for microorganism detection.

Results:

A significant (P < .05) increase in stimulated salivary flow rate and salivary pH was found. The salivary levels of S mutans and Lactobacillus spp also inscreased significantly (P < .05), and the major peak was at week 12 of fixed orthodontic therapy.

Conclusion:

The 6th to 12th week of orthodontic therapy is the period of the most intensive intraoral growth of S mutans and Lactobacillus spp and a time of very intensive salivary functions and physiologic response.
Sex differences in esthetic treatment needs in American Black and White adolescent orthodontic patients
Authors: Harris Edward F.
Published: May 2011

Objective:

To test whether the severity of malocclusions in adolescents who actually entered orthodontic treatment is different between the sexes, as this might explain the preponderance of girls in orthodontic practices.

Materials and Methods:

Severity was gauged with the 10-grade esthetic component of the Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) scored on the pretreatment intraoral photographs (n  =  562) in a university-based specialty program. The samples of American White (n  =  401) and American Black (n  =  161) adolescents were free of craniofacial defects. Nonparametric statistics were used for analysis.

Results:

There is a significant sex difference in the IOTN in White teenagers due to milder, more esthetic cases among the girls. No sex difference occurs in the sample of Blacks, with both sexes having IOTN scores on a par with White males. The severity of malocclusion is independent of the age at start of treatment (within range of 12 to 19 years).

Conclusions:

Greater subjective self-perceptions of occlusal issues seem to account for the preponderance of White girls in the patient pool, though why the sex difference is not evident in American Blacks is complex. We speculate that sex differences are larger in private practices, since there are fewer selection criteria for entering treatment.
Modules over group rings of soluble groups with a certain condition of maximality
Authors: Dashkova Olga
Published: May 2011

Let A be an R
G-module, where R is an integral domain and G is a soluble group. Suppose that C
G(A) = 1 and A/C
A(G) is not a noetherian R-module. Let L
nnd(G) be the family of all subgroups H of G such that A/C
A(H) is not a noetherian R-module. In this paper we study the structure of those G for which L
nnd(G) satisfies the maximal condition.
Nonlinear Leray-Schauder alternatives and application to nonlinear problem arising in the theory of growing cell population
Authors: Amar Afif
Published: May 2011

Motivated by a mathematical model of an age structured proliferating cell population, we state some new variants of Leray-Schauder type fixed point theorems for (ws)-compact operators. Further, we apply our results to establish some new existence and locality principles for nonlinear boundary value problem arising in the theory of growing cell population in L
1-setting. Besides, a topological structure of the set of solutions is provided.
Is anemia at admission related to short-term outcomes of elderly hip fracture patients?
Authors: Dubljanin-Raspopović Emilija , Marković-Denić Ljiljana , Nikolić Dejan , Tulić Goran , Kadija Marko , Bumbaširević Marko
Published: May 2011

Hip fracture in elderly people is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Therefore, it is important to identify risk factors that potentially influence outcomes after hip surgery. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of anemia at admission and short-term outcomes after hip fracture. We studied 343 community-dwelling patients who underwent surgery for hip fracture from March 2009 to March 2010. Functional mobility at discharge, postoperative complications, hospital length of stay and in-hospital mortality were analyzed in respect to presence and severity of anemia at admission. Anemia (defined as hemoglobin levels < 13.0 g/dl for men and < 12.0g/dl for women) was present in 185 (53.9%) patients, of whom 54 (29.2%) were severely anemic (defined as hemoglobin level 10.0g/dl or below). In multivariate analysis anemia was associated with age, gender (female), type of fracture (intertrochanteric) and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification (3 or 4), while severity of anemia was associated with recovery of ambulatory ability at discharge. There was no difference in the incidence of postoperative complication, in-hospital mortality and length of hospital stay between the groups at discharge. Overall anemia at admission is an indicator of poor general health status. Ambulatory recovery in hip fracture patients is independently related to severity of anemia at admission.
Synergistic effects of apelin and leptin on isolated rat pulmonary arteries
Authors: Dumitriu Irina , Vata Luminita , Zugun Florin , Gurzu Bogdan
Published: May 2011

Apelin (AP) and leptin (LEP) are adipokines with vasomotor actions. Taking into account the published data on the role of obesity in the development of pulmonary hypertension, we studied the implications of apelin on leptin relaxing effects on isolated rat pulmonary arteries. LEP had vasodilatatory effects on phenylephrine-precontracted rat pulmonary arteries from normal and ovalbumin-sensitized rats, but not on rats with monocrotaline-induced pulmonary hypertension. AP13 pretreatment increased LEP effects by one-half. Our studies revealed the existence of synergistic favorable effects of these adipokines on pulmonary vessels.
Strategies for Teaching Vocabulary
Authors: Anuthama B.
Published: May 2011

Vocabulary is difficult to teach because of the complexity of its linguistic, semantic and psycho-cognitive aspects. So teachers should keep looking for ways to substitute rote repetition with more effective techniques. This paper first throws light on current research and practice in teaching vocabulary and moves on to explain some of the innovative methods for teaching vocabulary. The first strategy discussed is called "The Ripple Effect." According to this methodology the meanings of a word often radiates from the centre along several lines by focusing on different features of the original object. Another method in teaching vocabulary involves the use of colour as colours have tremendous influence on human beings. "The Word Wall" was originally designed to develop vocabulary learning skills and to internalize new vocabulary items. These three methods yield fruitful results in vocabulary acquisition.Key words: Ripple effect; Word wall approach; Using colour; VocabularyJournal of NELTA Vol. 15 No. 1-2 December 2010Page: 10-15Uploaded date: 3 May, 2011DOI: 10.3126/nelta.v15i1-2.4603
Teaching about Islam and the Muslim World
Authors: McAndrew Marie , Triki-Yamani Amina , Pingel Falk
Published: May 2011

Textbooks play a critical role in representing and fixing the desired view of society and of intergroup relations in the minds of future generations. As such, textbooks crystallize and translate into a pedagogical form existing dynamics involving the complexity of knowledge and the dominant ideological representations of ethnic or international relations. Studies of teachers’ use of textbooks show that teachers tend to rely heavily on textbooks when teaching less familiar topics, particularly topics dealing with international aspects and dimensions of education.
Islam and Muslim Cultures in Quebec French-language Textbooks over Three Periods
Authors: Oueslati Béchir , McAndrew Marie , Helly Denise
Published: May 2011

This article examines the evolution of the representation of Islam and Muslim cultures in textbooks in Quebec. Results indicate signicant improvements in the new secondary school history textbooks, both quantitatively (for they contain more information about pillars, key concepts, and relations with Christianity and Judaism) and qualitatively (on account of their depth of coverage, fewer negative views than in the 1980s, and fewer factual errors than in the 1990s). The positive role played by Muslim scientists in preserving old knowledge and enriching is also recognized. However, textbooks still view Islam as a religion of submission, proscriptions, and forced conversion, failing to recognize the diversity within Islam and Muslim cultures.
Caught in a Nutshell
Authors: Jonker Gerdien
Published: May 2011

In this article, I explore the dominant narratives about Islam in German history textbooks from the eighteenth century until the present day. I thereby deconstruct a longue durée script with a rather curious pattern. Until the 1980s, textbook narratives about Islam were rooted exclusively in people's historical imagination. Only when the children of Turkish workers entered the classroom did textbook authors try to accommodate knowledge based on real encounters. By addressing the di erent stages of this longue durée script, I enquire into the functions of narratives as they underpinned a German and European "we."
Regions and regionalism
Authors: Keating Michael
Published: May 2011

It is notoriously diffi cult to defi ne the region. It is a territorial space, certainly,
so we can exclude virtual spaces from our consideration, but it can
take a number of territorial confi gurations. There is a conventional but
still useful distinction between substate regionalism, studied traditionally
by geographers, planners, sociologists, political scientists and historians,
and supra-state regions, studied by other geographers and in international
relations and strategic studies. Economists may make use of both. A third
conception is the transnational region, which cuts across the boundaries of
states, taking in some but not all of the territory or more than one political
community. All these meanings, however, are relative to the nation-state,
being above, below, or across it but not questioning its standing as the authoritative
defi ner of territorial boundaries. Most of them also unproblematically
use the term “nation-state” to defi ne both a sovereign polity and
one in which state and nation coincide, although in plurinational polities
these are quite diff erent meanings.
Immigration et racisme aujourd'hui en Italie
Authors: Biagioni Moreno
Published: May 2011

Début 2010, les 8 et 9 janvier, à Rosarno en Calabre, en réaction à l’action de protestation de centaines d’immigrés réduits à des conditions de semi-esclavage – ils étaient «utilisés» pour la récolte des fruits et des tomates – une véritable chasse à l’homme s’était déchaînée de la part de la population locale contre les migrants, causant de nombreux blessés parmi ceux-ci.
Lugares, procesos y migrantes: Aspectos de la migración colombiana
Authors: González Olga L.
Published: May 2011

A. González (ed.) Lugares, procesos y migrantes: Aspectos de la migración colombiana
The Detection of Glycine from the Treatment of Glyoxylic Acid with iron(II) Sulfate and Ammonia in Water
Authors: Plater M. John , Vassiliev Ken
Published: May 2011

A glycine/(NH4)2SO4 mixture was isolated by treatment of glyoxylic acid with FeSO4 and aqNH3 in H2O. The yields of glycine were estimated by 1H NMR. Pyruvic acid was not reduced to alanine under these conditions. This method for forming glycine might have occurred prebiotically alongside the Urey-Miller arc discharge method for making amino acids because glyoxylic acid is formed by arc discharge through a N2/CO2 atmosphere and both NH3 and Fe(II) occurred in the earth's early oceans. The carboxylic acid directs the reduction of 2,4-dinitrobenzoic acid to give 2-amino-4-nitrobenzoic acid.
Synthesis and Spectroscopic Properties of a Series of Metal-Free and Metallo-Phthalocyanines Substituted with 8-Quinolinoxy Moieties
Authors: Li Wei-Li , Ma Ji-Cheng , Li Wen-Ju , Fu Qiang , Wang Kun
Published: May 2011

Peripherally tetraquinolinoxy-substituted, metal-free phthalocyanines and metallo-phthalocyanines 1c–f, 2c–f have been synthesised by reaction of an inorganic salt with phthalonitriles substituted with 5-(phenylamino)methyl-8-quinolinoxy and 5-[(4-chlorophenylamino)methyl]-8-quinolinoxy groups, respectively. The effects of metal ions [Zn(II), Cu(II), Co(II); N,i(II)], substituent, solvent and concentration on the UV-Vis spectra of these new complexes and their fluorescent properties are also described. The diamagnetic Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes display intense fluorescence.
Synthesis of a Series of Highly Substituted Cyclohexanols via Michael Addition in an Aqueous Medium
Authors: Lu Guo-ping , Cai Chun
Published: May 2011

The Michael addition of active methylene compounds or nitromethane to chalcones in an aqueous medium and catalysed by tetrabutyl ammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) to afford highly substituted cyclohexanols is described. The protocol provides an efficient route for the synthesis of highly substituted cyclohexanols, with short reaction time, and a range of different substrates in the absence of toxic organic solvents.
The Michael Addition of Active Methylene Compounds to Chalcone Derivatives using a Catalytic Amount of Iodine and K2CO3 at Room Temperature
Authors: Ren Yi-Ming , Cai Chun
Published: May 2011

A convenient method for the Michael addition of active methylene compounds to chalcone derivatives has been developed using the inexpensive and environmentally friendly reagent I2/K2CO3 at room temperature. The method is mild and proceeds with good to high yields.
Dreams in the Islamic ‘Merits Literature’ of Palestine and Syria and Local Patriotism: Mamluk and Ottoman Texts
Authors: Anabseh Ghaleb
Published: May 2011

Dreams in the classical period of Islam played an important role in the representation of Islamic thought and knowledge. This article distinguishes between the official view in Islam, whose approach was based on the Quran and hadith, and local currents. It examines the nature and phenomenon of dreams (ruyas, visions) as reported in books and manuscripts composed in Mamluk and Ottoman times, belonging to the genre known as ‘Fadail al-Sham’ (‘Praises or Merits of al-Sham’/Palestine and Syria 1 1 The expressions ‘al-Sham’ and ‘Holy Land’ in the Middle Ages and during the Ottoman period referred to either Palestine and Syria, or just Syria, or even just Damascus. For studies on Fadail al-Sham literature see, Anabseh (2006 ; (2007). For studies on the topic of Islamic dreams, see Lane (1944 : 189); Goldziher (1912 : 503–6); Von Grünebaum (1966: 10, 3–21); Kister (1974 : 67–103); Kinberg (1993 : 279–300; 1999: 79–85; 1985: 47–79; 1977: 2–166; Meri 2002: 181–4; 2002: 524–9; 1999: 34–40; 1999: 263–86; Al-Wardi (1986: 45–80). ). The article will argue that some of the traditions were put down in writing by prominent clerics of the time, while others have their origin in local folklore. The article also explores why these popular traditions emerged in the Mamluk and Ottoman periods. In addition to the religious motivation behind reports on sacred shrines, there were also political, regional and patriotic reasons for disseminating these traditions, due both to the struggle between Muslims and European Christians over the Holy Land as well as to competition of a popular local character.
Acylation of Heteroaromatic Amines: Facile and Efficient Synthesis of a New Class of 1,2,3-Triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine and Pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridine Derivatives
Authors: Ibrahim Hamada Mohamed , Behbehani Haider , Makhseed Saad , Elnagdi Mohamed H.
Published: May 2011

1,2,3-Triazolo[4,5-b]pyridines and pyrazolo[4,3-b]pyridines can be readily prepared via cyanoacetylation reactions of 5-amino-1,2,3-triazoles 1a,b and 4-amino- pyrazole 2 followed by subsequent cyclization of the formed cyanoacetamides. Reactions of amines 1a,b with a mixture of p-nitrophenylacetic acid and acetic anhydride under microwave irradiation conditions afforded the corresponding amides 15a,b that underwent cyclization to form 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridines 16a,b upon heating in DMF solutions containing sodium acetate. Reactions of 1a,b with active methylene compounds, including 17a-c, in the presence of zeolites as catalyst also afforded 1,2,3-triazolo[4,5-b]pyridine derivatives 20a-f via the intermediacy of triazole derivatives 19 and not 18.
Crop Classification by Forward Neural Network with Adaptive Chaotic Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Zhang Yudong , Wu Lenan
Published: May 2011

This paper proposes a hybrid crop classifier for polarimetric synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images. The feature sets consisted of span image, the H/A/α decomposition, and the gray-level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM) based texture features. Then, the features were reduced by principle component analysis (PCA). Finally, a two-hidden-layer forward neural network (NN) was constructed and trained by adaptive chaotic particle swarm optimization (ACPSO). K-fold cross validation was employed to enhance generation. The experimental results on Flevoland sites demonstrate the superiority of ACPSO to back-propagation (BP), adaptive BP (ABP), momentum BP (MBP), Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO), and Resilient back-propagation (RPROP) methods. Moreover, the computation time for each pixel is only 1.08 × 10−7 s.
Commercialisation of CMOS Integrated Circuit Technology in Multi-Electrode Arrays for Neuroscience and Cell-Based Biosensors
Authors: Graham Anthony H. D. , Robbins Jon , Bowen Chris R. , Taylor John
Published: May 2011

The adaptation of standard integrated circuit (IC) technology as a transducer in cell-based biosensors in drug discovery pharmacology, neural interface systems and electrophysiology requires electrodes that are electrochemically stable, biocompatible and affordable. Unfortunately, the ubiquitous Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) IC technology does not meet the first of these requirements. For devices intended only for research, modification of CMOS by post-processing using cleanroom facilities has been achieved. However, to enable adoption of CMOS as a basis for commercial biosensors, the economies of scale of CMOS fabrication must be maintained by using only low-cost post-processing techniques. This review highlights the methodologies employed in cell-based biosensor design where CMOS-based integrated circuits (ICs) form an integral part of the transducer system. Particular emphasis will be placed on the application of multi-electrode arrays for in vitro neuroscience applications. Identifying suitable IC packaging methods presents further significant challenges when considering specific applications. The various challenges and difficulties are reviewed and some potential solutions are presented.
Monitoring Dressing Activity Failures through RFID and Video
Authors: Mehta P. , Rehg J. M. , Osmani V. , Mayora O. , Matic A.
Published: May 2011

Background: Monitoring and evaluation of Activities of Daily Living in general, and dressing activity in particular, is an important indicator in the evaluation of the overall cognitive state of patients. In addition, the effectiveness of therapy in patients with motor impairments caused by a stroke, for example, can be measured through long-term monitoring of dressing activity. However, automatic monitoring of dressing activity has not received significant attention in the current literature.

Objectives: Considering the importance of monitoring dressing activity, the main goal of this work was to investigate the possibility of recognizing dressing activities and automatically identifying common failures exhibited by patients suffering from motor or cognitive impairments.

Methods: The system developed for this purpose comprised analysis of RFID (radio frequency identification) tracking and computer vision processing. Eleven test subjects, not connected to the research, were recruited and asked to perform the dressing task by choosing any combination of clothes without further assistance. Initially the test subjects performed correct dressing and then they were free to choose from a set of dressing failures identified from the current research literature.

Results: The developed system was capable of automatically recognizing common dressing failures. In total, there were four dressing failures observed for upper garments and three failures for lower garments, in addition to recognizing successful dressing. The recognition rate for identified dressing failures was between 80% and 100%.

Conclusions: We developed a robust system to monitor the dressing activity. Given the importance of monitoring the dressing activity as an indicator of both cognitive and motor skills the system allows for the possibility of long term tracking and continuous evaluation of the dressing task. Long term monitoring can be used in rehabilitation and cognitive skills evaluation.
Human soft tissue infection by the emerging pathogen Shewanella algae
Authors: Goyal Renu , Kaur Narinder , Thakur Rajeev
Published: May 2011

Shewanella soft tissue infections usually occur in immunocompromised patients with a preexisting cutaneous ulcer, mostly after exposure to a marine environment or contaminated water. A 35-year-old male presented with a non-healing ulcer over the distal end of his right leg but had no predisposing factors.  Cultures of exudates from the wound grew Shewanella on repeated occasions. Recovery was uneventful following surgical debridement and antimicrobial therapy. Early suspicion, diagnosis, and treatment with potent antibiotics are needed to prevent any further complications resulting from infection by this emerging pathogen.
Incidence of clindamycin resistance in clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Debdas Debmita , Joshi Sangeeta
Published: May 2011

Clindamycin is used in Staphylococcal infections and resistance patterns to Clindamycin vary between institutions. Inducible Clindamycin resistance is detected by the CLSI recommended D-test. This study was done to estimate the incidence of constitutive and inducible Clindamycin resistance in our hospital. Three hundred and seventy nine S.aureus isolates from clinical specimens collected over 6 months were tested for Clindamycin resistance using the D-test. Fourteen percent were Clindamycin resistant and among them 43% showed the inducible phenotype. Clindamycin resistance was higher among MRSA isolates (p < 0.001). It was concluded that Clindamycin should not be used empirically in serious Staphylococcal infections and that such studies are necessary to guide empiric therapy.
Prevalence and outcome of neonatal tetanus in Zaria, Northwestern Nigeria
Authors: Onalo Richard , Ishiaka Hassan Mshalia , Ogala Williams Nuhu
Published: May 2011

Introduction: Neonatal tetanus is a highly debilitating disease with high mortality. Global efforts at eliminating the disease in developing countries are yielding results but slower than expected. The high case fatality of neonatal tetanus remains a therapeutic challenge to physicians and requires continuous evaluation. This study aimed to determine the incidence and outcome of neonatal tetanus in Zaria, northwestern Nigeria. Methodology: A retrospective study of neonatal tetanus was conducted at the Neonatal Unit of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, between January 2005 and December 2009. Data generated were analyzed using the Epi Info version 3.5.1 software and statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Of the 2,692 newborns admitted during the study period, 20 had tetanus, giving an overall prevalence of 0.7%. There were 14 males and 6 females (male to female ratio 2.3:1). The mean age and weight at presentation were 8.3 ± 4.0 days and 2.7 ± 0.3 kg, respectively. The mean incubation period was 3.2 ± 2.0 days. Four infants (20.0%) survived, one was discharged against medical advice and 15 (75.0%) died. Factors associated with mortality were presentation at less than seven days of life, low Hendrickse score at presentation (p = 0.0005) and hypoglycaemia (p = 0.0374). Conclusion: The incidence and the mortality rate of neonatal tetanus appear to be lower than those previously reported by our centre for the same region. Therefore, the ongoing global efforts for disease elimination and further improvements in the quality of care should be sustained.
Anemia, leukocytosis and eosinophilia in a resource-poor population with helmintho-ectoparasitic coinfection
Authors: Pilger Daniel , Heukelbach Jörg , Diederichs Alexander , Schlosser Beate , Pereira Leite Costa Araújo Cinthya , Keysers Anne , Liesenfeld Oliver , Feldmeier Hermann
Published: May 2011

Introduction: Eosinophilia and anemia are very common hematological alterations in the tropics but population-based studies scrutinizing their value for diagnosing parasitic infections are rare. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted in a rural district in northeast Brazil where parasitic infections are common. Stool and blood samples were collected and individuals were clinically examined for the presence of ectoparasites. Results: In total, 874 individuals were examined. Infection with intestinal helminths occurred in 70% (95% CI 67 - 75), infestation with ectoparasites in 45% (95% CI 42 - 49) and co-infection with both helminths and ectoparasites was found in 33% (95% CI 29% - 36%) of all inhabitants. Eosinophil counts ranged from 40/µl to 13.800/µl (median: 900/µl). Haemoglobin levels ranged from 4.8 g/dl to 16.8 g/dl (median: 12.5 g/dl), and anemia was present in 24% of the participants. Leukocytosis was found in 13%, eosinophilia in 74%, and hypereosinophilia in 44% of the participants. Eosinophilia was more pronounced in individuals co-infected with intestinal helminths and ectoparasites (p < 0.001) and correctly predicted parasitic infection in 87% (95% CI 84%-90.7%) of all cases. Conclusions: Eosinophilia is strongly associated with the presence of intestinal helminthiases and accentuated by co-infestation with ectoparasites. Our study confirms in a population with high prevalence of intestinal helminthiases and ectoparasites that eosinophilia can be used to accurately diagnose current parasitic infection and initiate treatment.
The Accuracy of Administrative Data Diagnoses of Systemic Autoimmune Rheumatic Diseases
Authors: BERNATSKY SASHA , LINEHAN TINA , HANLY JOHN G.
Published: May 2011

Objective.

To examine the validity of case definitions for systemic autoimmune rheumatic diseases [SARD; systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), myositis, Sjögren’s syndrome, vasculitis, and polymyalgia rheumatica] based on administrative data, compared to rheumatology records.

Methods.

A list of rheumatic disease diagnoses was generated from population-based administrative billing and hospitalization databases. Subjects who had been seen by an arthritis center rheumatologist were identified, and the medical records reviewed.

Results.

We found that 844 Nova Scotia residents had a diagnosis of one of the rheumatic diseases of interest, based on administrative data, and had had ≥ 1 rheumatology assessment at a provincial arthritis center. Charts were available on 824 subjects, some of whom had been identified in the administrative database with > 1 diagnosis. Thus a total of 1136 diagnoses were available for verification against clinical records. Of the 824 subjects, 680 (83%) had their administrative database diagnoses confirmed on chart review. The majority of subjects who were “false-positive” for a given rheumatic disease on administrative data had a true diagnosis of a similar rheumatic disease. Most sensitivity estimates for specific administrative data-based case definitions were > 90%, although for SSc, the sensitivity was 80.5%. The specificity estimates were also > 90%, except for SLE, where the specificity was 72.5%.

Conclusion.

Although health administrative data may be a valid resource, there are potential problems regarding the specificity and sensitivity of case definitions, which should be kept in mind for future studies.
Le stress au travail, un état des lieux
Authors: Gintrac Alain
Published: May 2011

Résumé Médias et chercheurs parlent de plus en plus du stress au travail avec des effets, parfois dramatiques, sur les travailleurs. Définir de manière claire et précise ce qu’est le stress au travail, permettra ensuite de mesurer l’ampleur de ce phénomène et de ses effets, avant d’envisager à partir d’un modèle de stress au travail, celui de Karasek, des stratégies susceptibles d’être efficaces pour réduire ce stress.
La Responsabilité Sociale de l'Entreprise serait-elle soluble dans la crise globalisée ? Une étude de cas : la République tchèque
Authors: David Patricia
Published: May 2011

Résumé Cet article a pour objectif de s’interroger sur la progression de la gestion du « risque management » dans les stratégies des firmes ancrées dans le contexte spécifique des pays d’Europe centrale et orientale (PECO) et plus particulièrement en République tchèque. Mais le transfert mécanique des modèles allogènes, et notamment anglo-saxons, du management de risques dans les entreprises confrontées aux aléas de transformation « postsocialiste » a-t-il démontré son efficacité ?
Le droit au secours du risque de mauvaise gouvernance : regard d'un juriste français sur les réformes récentes du Code belge des sociétés en matière de corporate governance
Authors: Tchotourian Ivan
Published: May 2011

Résumé Alors que l’OCDE appelle à développer les initiatives innovantes pour faire face aux échecs du « corporate governance », une loi belge du 6 avril 2010 témoigne d’une position proactive et met en œuvre les propositions faites au niveau européen. D’un côté, certaines modifications législatives sont connues du juriste français et soulèvent des interrogations similaires à celles existantes en France. D’un autre côté, un certain nombre d’options choisies par le gouvernement belge présente un caractère original.
Les pôles de compétitivité : un point de rupture pour la GRH traditionnelle ? Une analyse des dispositifs RH au sein des 12 pôles de la région Rhône-Alpes
Authors: Calamel Ludivine , Defélix Christian , Mazzilli Ingrid , Retour † Didier
Published: May 2011

Résumé Les pôles de compétitivité français existent depuis 5 ans et font travailler ensemble des salariés d’organismes différents. Ont-ils créé pour cela des dispositifs de GRH en rupture avec les outils traditionnels de la fonction ? Cette recherche se donne pour objectif de répondre à cette question en s’appuyant sur un contrat de recherche, financé par la région Rhône-Alpes, dont l’objectif est de recenser et de soutenir le développement des actions RH au sein des pôles du territoire rhônalpin sur la période 2009-2010. Après un bref appel des apports des précédentes recherches dédiées aux pôles et la présentation de notre problématique (1), nous exposerons quelles ont été les observations réalisées, en caractérisant les dispositifs RH selon l’horizon temporel de l’impact majeur attendu et selon le niveau d’intervention privilégié, ainsi qu’en proposant un schéma de synthèse (2). La diversité des dispositifs recensés, tant entre les pôles qu’en leur sein, sera ensuite soulignée, avant de discuter enfin de la réalité de cette « rupture » par rapport à la GRH traditionnelle (3).
Quand l'environnement relationnel contribue à la compréhension du burnout
Authors: Fuhrer Chantal , Moisson-Duthoit Virginie , Cucchi Alain
Published: May 2011

Résumé Cette recherche a pour objectif d’étudier les liens entre l’environnement relationnel perçu d’un individu et une forme de rupture psychologique qu’est l’épuisement professionnel ou burnout. L’environnement relationnel est abordé sous l’angle des relations avec l’organisation, des relations avec l’entourage ainsi que des relations avec le couple travail-famille. L’épuisement professionnel, au sens de Maslach, comprend l’assèchement émotionnel, le cynisme et l’efficacité professionnelle. Pour traiter cette problématique, un échantillon de 639 infirmières est analysé. L’étude exploratoire présente un modèle structurel qui est testé. Les résultats montrent l’existence de liens significatifs entre l’environnement relationnel et l’épuisement professionnel, avec des facteurs explicatifs différents. Les principaux résultats sont analysés avant de conclure sur des pistes de recherches futures.
« Sous ombre de protection ». Stratégies et projets politiques pendant les « affaires de Provence » (France-Espagne-Italie, 1589-1596)
Authors: Micallef Fabrice
Published: May 2011

Résumé Durant la première modernité, la protection est une pratique politique extrêmement répandue dans les relations internationales : en réponse à une situation de crise, des entités politiques demandent à un prince étranger de les assister. Quel est alors le sens du titre de « protecteur » que l’on décerne, ou du traité de « protection » qui est signé ? Les « affaires de Provence » (1589-1596) permettent d’étudier en détail les conceptions, les enjeux et les motivations de la protection. Ces « affaires » sont une série de crises diplomatiques liées aux troubles de la Ligue en France : pour faire face à leurs ennemis, les catholiques de Provence, et des villes de Marseille et Arles sollicitent successivement la protection du roi d’Espagne, du pape, du duc de Savoie et du grand-duc de Toscane. Pour les détracteurs de la protection ce lien politique est dangereux et subversif : les protecteurs sont des usurpateurs et les protégés des sujets désobéissants. Mais au-delà de ces positions de principe, on constate que les détracteurs, eux-mêmes sont capables d’envisager l’usage de la protection lorsqu’il devient nécessaire. Pour les acteurs qui sollicitent la protection, ce lien politique est justifié comme l’expression de la solidarité chrétienne et de la liberté politique des contractants. Mais la demande de protection est surtout un rite de déférence, un piège rhétorique situé dans l’horizon d’attente du prince chrétien ; elle est destinée à faciliter l’obtention d’un soutien logistique contractuel. Les puissances qui acceptent de prendre leurs solliciteurs sous leur protection le font souvent avec l’arrière-pensée d’une annexion territoriale. Mais tout en laissant cette possibilité ouverte, la protection a le mérite de servir des projets plus réalistes et pragmatiques : ascension politique d’États subalternes, possibilité de jouer un rôle d’arbitre, neutralisation des ambitions d’un tiers, stratégies militaires. Au final, la pratique de la protection s’explique par les potentialités qu’offrent les ambiguïtés de ce lien, qui permettent de tenir en équilibre les risques et les opportunités d’une situation de crise. Cette pratique révèle le partage d’une culture politique valorisant l’adaptation et le pragmatisme. Jeu de dupes à mi-chemin entre la coopération et la compétition, elle comporte le risque de déceptions et de tensions.
De l'émotion de la mort à l'émoi du meurtre. Quelques réflexions sur le sentiment de la mort suspecte à la fin du Moyen Âge
Authors: Collard Franck
Published: May 2011

Résumé La mort a puissamment suscité l’intérêt des médiévistes depuis une quarantaine d’années de même que, plus récemment, les émotions. Le croisement de ces thèmes d’étude est l’objet de cet article, non du point de vue bien connu de l’effroi qu’inspire le trépas, mais d’un point de vue politique : celui des réactions que provoque la disparition d’un puissant à la fin du Moyen Âge. Dans des sociétés « médicalisées », au sens où la médecine offre des schémas d’explication à des décès auparavant rapportés à la seule Providence, la mort est mise en question, ses causes deviennent sujets de spéculation et de conjecture qui débouchent parfois sur le soupçon accusateur et la rumeur insinuatrice. En fonction des circonstances de sa survenue, les esprits s’émeuvent jusqu’à voir le crime – poison ou maléfice – derrière la maladie ou la crise fatales au prince et jusqu’à déstabiliser l’ordre politique. À partir de l’exemple de la mort du duc de Brabant survenue en 1430 et de contrepoints éclairants, ce travail tente de cerner les raisons pour lesquelles la fin des Grands tend à agiter l’opinion, comment la suspicion peut s’exprimer, de quelle manière elle peut être alimentée par des acteurs du jeu politique, comment les autorités s’efforcent de la dissiper en dissociant l’émotion légitime du deuil de l’émoi fauteur de troubles du supposé meurtre, allant jusqu’à montrer le prince défunt à corps ouvert examiné par de savants médecins.