bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chercher querelle : l’Enquête sur l’évolution littéraire en procès
Authors: Rime Jean
Published: December 2015

La critique a souvent relevé – mais sans toujours s’y attarder – la part batailleuse de l’Enquête sur l’évolution littéraire de Jules Huret, publiée en 1891 dans L’Écho de Paris puis en volume chez Charpentier. Dans le sillage de plusieurs travaux récents qui éclairent les contraintes matérielles, pragmatiques voire poétiques des deux genres journalistiques de l’enquête et de l’interview d’écrivain, cet article étudie comment le texte de Huret vectorise ou attise les querelles interpersonnelles, puis comment, dans sa réception ou dans le décentrage du journal vers le livre, le projet même de Huret prête à controverse, mettant en cause un système médiatique qui modifie le sens de l’action littéraire.
De la controverse á l'eristique dans l'œvre de Bernard-Marie Koltès : Une stratégie dénonciatrice
Authors: Hage Samar
Published: December 2015

Les dialogues dans le théâtre de B.-M. Koltès, définis comme l’ostentation d’une dynamique argumentative, dépassent le cadre de l’argumentation éthique pour basculer dans la sophistique et la dialectique éristique du fait de nombreux « dysfonctionnements ». Le dramaturge déjoue les catégories discursives et se forge un mode argumentatif propre. Néanmoins, au-delà de la problématique stylistique, une véritable esthétique s’élabore. En mettant en scène des rapports contentieux, Koltès stigmatise une idéologie allant de la scène au réel, permettant ainsi la représentation d’une parole contestataire ainsi que la dénonciation des manipulations d’un système sociopolitique à bout de souffle.
Abuso de la operación cesárea y el principio de beneficencia
Authors: Vázquez Parra José Carlos
Published: December 2015

Hablar de bioética en la época contemporánea nos obliga a hacer referencia a algunos temas que día a día generan controversias en el área de la medicina y la salud. Sin lugar a duda uno de estos temas es el que tiene relación con el uso excesivo y en ocasiones innecesario de la operación cesárea, la cual, aunque debería ser una cirugía reservada únicamente a casos en los que el parto por vía vaginal sea riesgoso, en la actualidad se constituye como una alternativa que ya no toma de manera exclusiva y razonada el médico, sino que incluso es una opción que el mismo paciente elige. El presente artículo tiene por objetivo hacer un planteamiento ético sobre la práctica de la operación cesárea, considerando que aunque es obligación del médico respetar la autonomía de sus pacientes, también es su deber el orientarlos sobre los beneficios y riesgos de cualquiera de sus decisiones. Los principios de bioética del profesionista de la salud nos permiten hacer una valoración del ejercicio médico, poniendo especial atención en la decisión de elegir de manera racional una operación cesárea sobre el parto por vía vaginal.
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Aroeira) e suas propriedades na Medicina Popular
Authors: Falcão M. P. M. M. , Oliveira T. K. B. , Ó N. P. R. do , Sarmento D. A. , Gadelha N. C.
Published: December 2015

A Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi popularmente conhecida como “aroeira” é amplamente utilizada na medicina popular, sendo seu uso relacionado, por exemplo, aos variados polifenóis distribuídos desigualmente em suas estruturas, como folhas, cascas, frutos, flores e sementes. Esta planta atua no tratamento de afecções como diarreias, gastrites e dispepsias; tem ação adstringente, tônico, estimulante e anti-neurágico. Utilizada por via oral ou tópica para cura de várias doenças, com efeitos diversos, incluindo ações antimicrobianas, antiinflamatórias e cicatrizantes. Experimentos realizados com a espécie em questão são facilitados, pois além de apresentar um uso amplo na medicina popular brasileira, ela possui fácil extração, secagem, moagem, preparo, conservação e aplicação. A S. terebinthifolius Raddi apresenta-se como uma opção de baixo custo, acessível, todavia sua manipulação se faz muitas vezes sem embasamento científico. Este artigo faz um levantamento amplo dessa planta mostrando seus efeitos benéficos relacionados à medicina popular.

Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Aroeira) and their properties in the People's Medicine

ABSTRACT: The Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi popularly known as "Aroeira" is widely used in folk medicine, being your use related, for example, the various polyphenols unevenly distributed in their structures, such as leaves, bark, fruits, flowers and seeds. This plant operates in the treatment of diseases such as diarrhea, gastritis and dyspepsia; action is astringent, tonic, stimulant and anti-neuralgic. Used orally or topically for curing various diseases, including various effects including anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and healing actions. Experiments with the species in question are facilitated, as well as presenting a wide use in Brazilian folk medicine, it has easy extraction, drying, grinding, preparation, storage and application. The S. terebinthifolius Raddi presents itself as a low cost option available, but its handling is done often without scientific basis. This article makes a comprehensive study of this plant showing its beneficial effects related to folk medicine.

 
University-industry Partnership as a Key Strategy for Innovative Sustainable Economic Growth
Authors: Panarina Ekaterina
Published: December 2015

The intensified global competition for factors that drive the competitiveness of entrepreneurial ecosystems forces policymakers to seek new models of economic growth. The current Russian model, based on the exportation of natural resources, has become increasingly obsolete. Today, to achieve growth targets, Russia must move from the redistribution of mineral resources to intensify innovation activity and develop technology-intensive products. Universities and industry are two partners of the entrepreneurial ecosystem that can connect to merge the discovery-driven culture of universities with the innovation-driven environment.
Biofunctional properties of milk protein derived bioactive peptides -A review
Authors: Patil Prasad , Wadehra Akanksha , Garg Varsha , Munjal Kanchan , Tomar Sudhir Kumar , Mandal Surajit
Published: December 2015

Milk has long been acknowledged as a source of macro- and micro nutrients. Presently, several identified biologically active substances from milk and their derivatives has attracted much attention from the scientific community. These bioactive compounds confer many health benefits that might support disease prevention. Worldwide, there is an increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of bioactive peptides which collectively present a cornucopia of bioactivities for utilization in humans. Bioactive peptides are hydrolysates with specific amino acid sequences that exert a positive physiological effect on the body. Most of the biological activities are encrypted within the primary sequence of the native protein and can be released during digestion by proteolytic enzymes in the gastrointestinal tract or during fermentation and food processing. Milk protein is an important source of bioactive peptides which may contribute to regulate the nervous, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular systems as well as the immune system. Milk protein derived bioactive peptides are shown to have antihypertensive, antimicrobial, immunomodulatory, antioxidative and mineral-binding properties. Bioactive peptides derived from milk proteins are of particular interest to the food industry due to the potential functional and physiological roles that they exhibit.
Isolation of exopolysaccharides producing lactic acid bacteria from dairy products
Authors: Patil* Prasad , Wadehra1 Akanksha , Munjal Kanchan , Behare Pradip
Published: December 2015

Currently, much attention is being paid for improving the texture of food by screening the new exopolysaccharides (EPS) producing strains. The aim of the present work was to isolate EPS producing Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from raw milk and milk products samples. Total of thirty eight dahi, lassi and raw milk samples were collected from different villages and towns of Karnal and Delhi District. The samples were plated on milk agar and colonies showing ropy polysaccharides production were subjected to biochemical test. After molecular identification 2 were found as S. thermophilus, 2 were Lb. rhamnosus and 2 were confirmed as Lb. fermentum. Two S. thermophilus strains (PD7 and PD11) and Lb. fermentum strains (AL6 and AD3) showed better curdling pattern, acidity, exopolysaccharides production, and sensory properties. These cultures can be used for manufacture of indigenous fermented milk products.
Correlation between some quality parameters and bleeding status of poultry meat
Authors: Ahmad Tanbir , Kumar Yogesh , Gaikwad Nilesh , Rai Deepak Raj
Published: December 2015

A study was undertaken to investigate the effect of two different slaughter methods i.e traditional method (unilateral neck cut) and decapitation on the colour, pH, total heme pigments (THP) and water holding capacity (WHC) of the poultry meat. Fresh drumsticks (30 from conventionally slaughtered and 30 from slaughtered by decapitation method) of broiler birds (6 weeks of age; 2 hrs postmortem) were procured from retail meat shops located in different regions of the Ludhiana, Punjab, India. L* value (53.55) of conventionally slaughtered meat samples was significantly (P<0.01) higher than the decapitation method (47.97) but a* and b* values for conventionally slaughtered samples (7.86 and 12.62, respectively) were significantly (P<0.01) lower than the decapitated samples (11.42 and 15.90, respectively). These effects were due to the fact that the decapitated birds lost the least amount of blood compared to the conventionally slaughtered birds. pH of the conventionally slaughtered meat samples (6.02) were significantly (P<0.01) lower than the decapitated meat samples (6.32). The mean total heme pigments were significantly (P<0.01) higher in decapitated meat samples (2.20 mg/gm of meat sample) than the conventionally slaughtered meat samples (1.84 mg/gm of meat sample). Similarly WHC was significantly (P<0.01) higher of decapitated meat samples (52.91%) than the conventionally slaughtered meat samples (43.18%). Malachite Green test in 86.36% conventionally slaughtered meat samples showed perfect bleeding and 100% decapitated meat samples showed imperfect bleeding.
Genetic variability and character association studies in Jack bean [Canavalia ensiformis (L.) Dc.] for quality characters
Authors: Lenkala Pradeepthi , Rani K. Radha , Sivaraj N. , Reddy K. Ravinder , Prada M. Jaya
Published: December 2015

The experiment was conducted at NBPGR Regional Station, Rajendranagar during 2013-14 (August 2013 to February 2014) to study the genetic variability and association among the quality characters in jack bean. The results revealed that significant variation was observed for all the characters. Among the characters studied, the highest heritability coupled with genetic advance as percent of mean was observed for magnesium followed by calcium and iron contents. However, heritability alone was found to be highest for iron content followed by magnesium, calcium and protein contents. Calcium content had significant positive association with protein content whereas magnesium, calcium and iron content recorded the positive direct effect on protein content while sodium content have negative effect.
Assessment of losses by foliar blight of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)with reference to tillage option management in plain region of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Yashwant C. K. , Awasthi L. P. , Singh Shiv Pratap , Singh Samir Pratap
Published: December 2015

Foliar blight of wheat caused by Bipolaris sorokiniana, Alternaria triticina, Pyrenophora tritici-repintis and Curvularia lunata are gaining importance especially in North Western and North Eastern plain Zones (NWPZ and NEPZ) of India. The experiment was conducted at main experimental farm N.D.U.A. &.T. Kumarganj, Faizabad (U.P.) by taking two wheat varieties i.e. NW1014 and HUW 234 and three tillage systems i.e. zero tillage, FIRBS (Furrow Irrigated Ridged Bed System) and Conventional tillage. Zero till resulted in higher mean per cent disease index (PDI) with variety HUM-234 in the first and second year, respectively, of 72.50 and 69.44 per cent. Under conventional tillage, however, highest yield and yield contributory characters recorded with combination variety NW-1014 during both the years. Conventional tillage with 41.30 and 42.50 q/ha had non-significantly higher yields in first and second year over zero tillage (38.75 and 40.60 q/ha).
Studies on ratooning in Musa spp. cultivar ‘Grandnaine’
Authors: Shaikh N. B. , Badgujar C. D. , Rajenimbalkar V. M.
Published: December 2015

A field experiment in banana was carried out at the Banana Research Station, Jalgaon during 2009-2013.The objective of the study was to determine the proper time of keeping follower as a ratoon crop in plant crop system that would maximize the yield of commercially grown banana cv. Grand Naine. The treatments applied were keeping followers after 7, 8, 9,10,11,12 and 13 months after planting of plant crop. The result indicated that, the treatment of keeping follower 10 months after planting of plant crop was found better in respect to growth and yield of banana and was recommended for cultivation of Grand Naine banana under plant crop + 1 st ratoon crop system in Maharashtra state.
Peri-parturient metabolic profile in Murrah buffaloes with cervico-vaginal prolapse
Authors: Sharma B. L. , Bhatt V. K. , Jain S. K. , Shukla S. N. , Shukla M. K.
Published: December 2015

Profile of blood glucose, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium was studied during peri -parturient period i.e. on day 10 antepartum/ day of prolapse, day of parturition and day 10 postpartum in 12 normal pregnant buffaloes and 12 buffaloes with antepartum cervico vaginal prolapse during the last month of gestation. The blood glucose, serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium concentration (mg/dl) in normal pregnant buffaloes were 62.13±1.01, 8.75±0.2, 6.04±0.12 and 1.7±0.10 on day 10 antepartum, 57.39±1.13, 8.30±0.25, 5.59±0.16 and 1.95±0.09 on day of parturition and 59.69±1.22, 6.69±0.23, 4.89±0.07 and 2.08±0.14 at day 10 postpartum respectively, where as, the corresponding values in buffaloes with antepartum cervicovaginal prolapse were 53.66±1.39, 3.99±0.11, 2.88±0.08 and 2.7±0.1 on the day of prolapse; 52.15±1.03, 6.77±0.29, 4.72±0.12 and 2.12±0.08 on the day of parturition; 57.63±1.28, 5.40±0.22, 4.29±0.14 and 1.89±0.14 on day 10 postpartum. The blood glucose, calcium and phosphorus concentration was significantly lower (p< 0.05) in buffaloes with antepartum cervico -vaginal prolapse as compared to normal pregnant buffaloes whereas, on day 10 antepartum/ day of prolapse the serum magnesium concentration was significantly higher in buffaloes with antepartum prolapse as compared to normal pregnant buffaloes.
Outcome of different regimes of treatment for uterine torsion in bovine at field level – A clinical study
Authors: Mane P. M. , Bhangre R. D.
Published: December 2015

Total 41 bovine field cases (buffalo 27 and cow 14) of uterine torsion were studied for the outcome of treatment and survival rate of dam by Sharma’s modified method. Caesarean section was done in animals with incomplete cervical dilatation and neglected cases. For this study animals were divided into 3 groups depending upon the onset of labour pains. In Group I (upto 36 hrs) comprised fresh cases and detorsion with Sharma’s modified method. In Group II (upto 36-72 hrs) comprised those cases not relived by rolling of cervix failed to dilate cesarean section were performed. In Group III (beyond 72 hrs) comprised of all neglected cases of uterine torsion where caesarean was performed. The overall dam survival rates in the three respective groups were 87.50 per cent, 55.55 per cent, and 62.5 per cent, respectively. In the present study, the incidences of maternal and foetal mortality were 21.95 per cent and 43.90 per cent, respectively. Higher incidence of uterine torsion was recorded in pluriparous (73.17 per cent) bovine and occurrence of right sided uterine torsion in (92.68 per cent) of cases. The majority of the calves delivered were male (73.17 per cent). In conclusion, quick approach and early execution of right type of treatment for torsion helped in better survival rate to dam and foetus. The Sharma’s modified method is best method in fresh and unspoiled cases of uterine torsion.
Effect of addition of trehalose on the liquid storage (5°C) of mithun (Bos frontalis) semen
Authors: Perumal P. , Vupru Kezhavituo , Rajkhowa C.
Published: December 2015

The present study was undertaken to assess the effect of trehalose on sperm parameters, enzymatic profiles and biochemical profiles of seminal plasma of mithun. The semen ejaculates were collected from mithun and was split into four groups as group 1: semen without additives (control), group 2 to 4: semen with 50 mM, 75 mM and 100 mM of trehalose, respectively in EYTC extender. These parameters were assessed at 5°C for 0, 6, 12, 24 and 30 h of incubation. Inclusion of trehalose resulted in significant (p < 0.05) decrease in percentages of dead spermatozoa, abnormal spermatozoa and acrosomal abnormalities as compared with control group. Additionally, trehalose at 50 mM has significant improvement in quality of mithun semen in in- vitro storage. It was due to the protective effects of trehalose on sperm parameters as sperm membrane stabilizer and prevents efflux of cholesterol, lipid peroxide formation and biochemical enzymes from sperm cell during preservation.
Estimates of heritability for growth and wool traits in Marwari sheep at arid region of Rajasthan
Authors: Nirban L. K. , Joshi R. K. , Narula H. K. , Singh H. , Bhakar S.
Published: December 2015

Data on 4201 records of Marwari sheep maintained at Arid Region Campus of Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Bikaner (Rajasthan) distributed over a period of 15 years (1996-2010) were analyzed for estimation of heritability of growth and wool traits. Traits studied were body weights from birth to yearling, average daily gains between adjacent stages of growth and greasy fleece yield of first and second clip. Heritability estimates from paternal half sib method were 0.23 ± 0.040, 0.65 ± 0.073, 0.83 ± 0.085, 0.72 ± 0.083 and 0.67 ± 0.085 for body weight at birth, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months of ages, respectively, 0.72 ± 0.074, 0.41 ± 0.056 and 0.88 ± 0.093 for average daily gains during 0-3, 3-6 and 6-12 months of ages, respectively and 0.98 ± 0.090 and 0.37 ± 0.065 for greasy fleece yield of first and second clip, respectively. Moderate to high heritability estimates indicated the presence of high genetic variance and low environmental variance. Hence, individual selection may be done effectively for improvement in these traits.
Effect of iron source on iron deficiency induced chlorosis in groundnut
Authors: Mann Anita , Singh A. L. , Oza Shubhangi , Goswami Nisha , Mehta Deepti , Chaudhari Vidya
Published: December 2015

In a field study, the effect of iron source through foliar as well as basal application was studied on lime induced iron-deficiency chlorosis (LIIC), chlorophyll content, nitrate reductase activity, available Fe and micronutrients in groundnut. The visual chlorotic rating screen of various Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient cultivars clearly identified Fe-efficient and Fe-inefficient. Tirupati-4 was showing symptoms of chlorosis and was Fe-inefficient. Fe absorption capacity varied among cultivars. Applications of iron increased active Fe content in LGN-2 by 5.6 % and 163.18% in CSMG-84-1 respectively. A significant increase in chlorophyll content (10%) and nitrate reductase (110%) was observed with foliar spray of FeSO4. A significant damage of lipid peroxidation was observed in absence of iron which was improved by 37% in Tirupati-4 and 16.67% in CSMG-84-1 by foliar and basal supplementation of Fe, respectively. A strong correlation among the Fe, Mn, Zn and K depicted ionomic interaction with different treatments. Based on the ion absorption capacity and the level of chlorosis, the groundnut genotypes were grouped as tolerant, moderately tolerant and sensitive to iron chlorosis.
Can we increase our confidence about the locations of biodiversity ‘hotspots' by using multiple diversity indices?
Authors: Tolimieri N. , Shelton A. O. , Feist B. E. , Simon V.
Published: December 2015

Some have suggested that targeting conservation efforts on biodiversity hotspots—areas of exceptionally high diversity—is the most efficient way to use limited resources to protect the most or rarest species. Moreover, the preservation of biodiversity is a focus for resource management and conservation because of the links between biodiversity and ecosystem function. However, there are many ways to define biodiversity and a plethora of diversity indices. Do these indices agree on where biodiversity hotspots are, and by extension, where conservation should take place? Here we use a habitat modeling approach to map spatial and temporal patterns in five community metrics of the demersal fish community in the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem: species density, species evenness, taxonomic distinctness, functional divergence and total biomass. Depth, bottom temperature, sediment grain size, and distance to hard substratum were included as covariates in the model. All indices showed strong spatial patterns and relationships with depth. Spatial patterns for functional divergence and total biomass varied among years, but other indices did not show temporal variation. We identified hotspots as cells where at least one index was in the top 5% or 10% of its range. There was minimal spatial overlap among 10% hotspots for the five indices. Over 40% of the study area was classified as a biodiversity hotspot by at least one metric. However, no area was identified as a hotspot by all five metrics, and only slightly more than one percent of the coast was identified as within a hotspot for three or more metrics. Since different indices represent various aspects of diversity, our results caution against the uninformed use of these indices in the identification of biodiversity hotspots. Instead, we must define our objectives and then choose the relevant metrics for the problem.
Uloga orijentacije ka socijalnoj dominaciji, efekata kolektivne traume i regulatornog fokusa u predikciji izraženosti nacionalnog identiteta
Authors: Jovanović Olja , Petrović Nebojša
Published: December 2015

Osnovni cilj ovog rada bio je ispitati odnos orijentacije ka socijalnoj dominaciji, efekata kolektivne traume, regulatornog fokusa i identifikacije sa nacionalnom grupom. Istraživanje je sprovedeno na uzorku od 201 ispitanika srpske etničke pripadnosti. Za potrebe ovog rada korišćeno je nekoliko skala: Skala identifikacije sa grupom (dve subskale: Solidarnost sa grupom i Centralnost nacionalnog identiteta), Predstava o sopstvenoj grupi kao ugroženoj, Strah od viktimiziranja, Skala orijentacije ka socijalnoj dominaciji, Upitnik regulatornog fokusa (dve subskale: Orijentacija ka promociji i Orijentacija ka prevenciji) i Upitnik opaženog regulatornog fokusa grupe (dve subskale: Orijentacija ka promociji i Orijentacija ka prevenciji). Rezultati dobijeni primenom višestruke regresione analize ukazuju da varijable Predstava o sopstvenoj grupi kao ugroženoj, Strah od viktimiziranja, Percepcija orijentisanosti sopstvene nacionalne grupe ka promociji i Orijentacija ka socijalnoj dominaciji objašnjavaju 24.7% varijanse identifikacije sa nacionalnom grupom. Dobijeni rezultati ukazuju na značaj opažanja istorijskog konteksta i potrebe za održavanjem pozitivne distinktivnosti sopstvene grupe za identifikaciju sa nacionalnom grupom.
Teologia e outras linguagens: a contribuição da Teoria da História para o campo do saber teológico
Authors: Tamanini Paulo Augusto
Published: December 2015

A história do cristianismo, para além de abarcar relatos e registros das experiências pretéritas das diversas comunidades de fé e das instituições delas derivadas, serve também como substrato para reflexão teórica interessada em discutir a natureza e o significado da ciência teológica. Afinal, a atuação, missão e evangelização das diversas Igrejas cristãs como instituições são explicadas por uma documentação, por narrativas escritas que foram meticulosamente estudadas em sua historicidade. Ainda que a mensagem cristã seja concebida como realidade sempre atual, estão no passado suas raízes, os indícios e os condicionantes de seu surgimento. Assim, graças ao cuidado das fontes e às análises desenvolvidas pelos pesquisadores, o conhecimento teológico passou de mera formalização de crenças a um saber estrutural capaz qualificar a Teologia como ciência, fundada, então, em bases sólidas do conhecimento acadêmico. Esta comunicação tem como objetivo relacionar algumas teorias e linguagens que cercam o campo historiográfico com a realidade do saber específico da Teologia, averiguando suas aproximações e especificidades. Cumpre reconhecer ao final do artigo, por exemplo, que a História não só complementa a reflexão teológica, mas também se coloca, através de seu corpo teórico, como um imperativo lógico desta última, uma vez que, sem a hermenêutica sobre as fontes e desprovida da prática de investigação e escrita históricas, a Teologia perderia muito de sua cientificidade.
Perceptions of competence and motor learning: performance criterion resulting in low success experience degrades learning
Authors: Chiviacowsky Suzete , Harter Natália Maass
Published: December 2015

Recent findings have provided converging evidence for the important role of perceptions of competence on motor learning. In the present study we asked whether thwarting learners’ need to feel competent by setting a relatively high criterion for “good” performance, thereby reducing their experience of success, would degrade learning. Participants practiced a coincident-anticipation timing task and received error feedback after every other trial (50%) during the practice phase. One group (low success or LS) was informed before the beginning of practice that an error of 4 ms or less would be considered a good trial, whereas another group (high success or HS) was told that an error of 30 ms or less would be considered good performance. A third (control) group was not given a performance criterion. During practice, participants in the LS and HS groups experienced good performance (i.e., were within their criterion range) on 6.3% and 57.8% of the feedback trials, respectively. On retention and transfer (non-dominant hand) tests without feedback one day after practice, absolute errors of the HS and control groups were significantly lower than those of the LS group. Participants in the HS group reported higher levels of self-efficacy than LS and control group participants. The results demonstrate that reducing learners’ opportunities to experience success during practice degraded learning. 
Stable patterns of upper limb muscle activation in different conditions of human walking
Authors: Kuhtz-Buschbeck Johann Peter , Frendel Antonia
Published: December 2015

Background:  Arm swing during human gait is associated with contractions of upper limb muscles, which have been examined rarely.

Aim: This study aims to identify basic temporal patterns of upper limb muscle activation during walking conditions involving different modes of arm swing.

Method: Twenty volunteers were examined during (a) normal forward walking, (b) walking with immobilized arms, (c) walking while carrying loads in one or in both hands. Electromyographic (EMG) data were collected for the trapezius (TRAP), anterior (AD) and posterior deltoid (PD), biceps (BIC), triceps (TRI), latissimus dorsi (LD) and lumbar erector spinae (ES) muscles.

Results: Principal components analyses identified two basic patterns of muscle activation that remained stable across gait conditions. Some rhythmical EMG signals of arm and shoulder muscles (TRAP, PD, TRI, LD) persisted during walking with immobilized arms, indicating coupled activation of leg and arm muscles. Carrying a load in one hand resulted in stronger ipsilateral EMG activity (TRAP, AD, PD, BIC, TRI) than splitting the same load between both hands.

Interpretation: Although the amount of upper limb muscle activity varies markedly between different conditions of human walking (with/without arm sing; with/without load carriage), basic temporal activation patterns remain stable, indicating a common motor control strategy.

 
Projecting the Unmet Need and Costs for Contraception Services After the Affordable Care Act
Authors: August Euna M. , Steinmetz Erika , Gavin Lorrie , Rivera Maria I. , Pazol Karen , Moskosky Susan , Weik Tasmeen , Ku Leighton
Published: December 2015

Objectives. We estimated the number of women of reproductive age in need who would gain coverage for contraceptive services after implementation of the Affordable Care Act, the extent to which there would remain a need for publicly funded programs that provide contraceptive services, and how that need would vary on the basis of state Medicaid expansion decisions.

Methods. We used nationally representative American Community Survey data (2009), to estimate the insurance status for women in Massachusetts and derived the numbers of adult women at or below 250% of the federal poverty level and adolescents in need of confidential services. We extrapolated findings to simulate the impact of the Affordable Care Act nationally and by state, adjusting for current Medicaid expansion and state Medicaid Family Planning Expansion Programs.

Results. The number of low-income women at risk for unintended pregnancy is expected to decrease from 5.2 million in 2009 to 2.5 million in 2016, based on states’ current Medicaid expansion plans.

Conclusions. The Affordable Care Act increases women’s insurance coverage and improves access to contraceptive services. However, for women who remain uninsured, publicly funded family planning programs may still be needed.
Inventing the Right to Know: Herbert Abrams’s Efforts to Democratize Access to Workplace Health Hazard Information in the 1950s
Authors: Derickson Alan
Published: December 2015

In the 1980s, the right-to-know movement won American workers unprecedented access to information about the health hazards they faced on the job. The precursors and origins of these initiatives to extend workplace democracy remain quite obscure. This study brings to light the efforts of one of the early proponents of wider dissemination of information related to hazard recognition and control. Through his work as a state public health official and as an advisor to organized labor in the 1950s, Herbert Abrams was a pioneer in advocating not only broader sharing of knowledge but also more expansive rights of workers and their organizations to act on that knowledge.
SWAT meta-modeling as support of the management scenario analysis in large watersheds
Authors: Azzellino A. , Çevirgen S. , Giupponi C. , Parati P. , Ragusa F. , Salvetti R.
Published: December 2015

In the last two decades, numerous models and modeling techniques have been developed to simulate nonpoint source pollution effects. Most models simulate the hydrological, chemical, and physical processes involved in the entrainment and transport of sediment, nutrients, and pesticides. Very often these models require a distributed modeling approach and are limited in scope by the requirement of homogeneity and by the need to manipulate extensive data sets. Physically based models are extensively used in this field as a decision support for managing the nonpoint source emissions. A common characteristic of this type of model is a demanding input of several state variables that makes the calibration and effort-costing in implementing any simulation scenario more difficult. In this study the USDA Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) was used to model the Venice Lagoon Watershed (VLW), Northern Italy. A Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) network was trained on SWAT simulations and used as a meta-model for scenario analysis. The MLP meta-model was successfully trained and showed an overall accuracy higher than 70% both on the training and on the evaluation set, allowing a significant simplification in conducting scenario analysis.
Removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions from an aqueous solution using α-Fe2O3 nanoparticle-coated volcanic rocks
Authors: Zhu Xianfang , Song Tiehong , Lv Zhuo , Ji Guodong
Published: December 2015

An adsorbent, volcanic rocks coated with α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles, was prepared and utilized for the removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions from an aqueous solution. Characterization of the coated volcanic rocks indicated that the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles were successfully and homogeneously distributed on the volcanic rocks, including penetration into rock pores. Batch experiments were conducted to investigate adsorption performance. The adsorption behavior of both ions was found to best fit a pseudo second-order model and Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions were 58.14 mg g−1 and 56.50 mg g−1 at 293 K, respectively, and increased with rising temperature. The loaded α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles onto volcanic rock significantly increased removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions. The adsorption process was combined control of film diffusion and intra-particle diffusion. Adsorption thermodynamics indicated the adsorption process was spontaneous and occurred mainly through chemisorption. The results confirmed that the volcanic rocks coated with α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles acted as a high-efficiency and low-cost absorbent, and effectively removed Cu(II) and Ni(II) from wastewater.
Application of the QUAL2K model to design an ecological purification scheme for treated effluent of a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Zhu Wenting , Leng Xiangzi , Li Huiming , Zhang Ruibin , Ye Rui , Qian Xin
Published: December 2015

Treated effluent from wastewater treatment plants has become an important source of excess nutrients causing eutrophication in water. In this study, an ecological purification method was used to further treat eutrophic water. A three-season ecological purification scheme which comprised an emergent plant (Eme.), a submerged plant (Sub.) and a novel biological rope (Bio.), was designed for the treated effluent canal of a wastewater treatment plant. The removal parameters determined from the experiment were input into a QUAL2K model to simulate downstream water quality of the treated effluent canal. Respective removal rates of total nitrogen and total phosphorus of the Eme., Sub. and Bio. were 32.48–37.33% and 31.63–39.86% in summer, 14.12–33.61% and 17.74–23.80% in autumn, and 14.13–18.03% and 10.05–12.75% in winter, with 1-day reaction time. Optimal combinations for summer, autumn/spring, and winter are Eme. + Bio., Eme. + Bio. + Sub., and Sub. + Bio., respectively. Simulated load reduction rates of total nitrogen and total phosphorus for the treated effluent canal were 42.64–78.40% and 30.98–78.29%, respectively, year round with 2.5-day reaction time. This study provides an efficient evaluation and design method for ecological purification engineering.
Improve bio-activity of anaerobic sludge by low energy ultrasound
Authors: Zhu Yichun , Li Xin , Du Maoan , Liu Zuwen , Luo Hui , Zhang Tao
Published: December 2015

This research focused on ultrasound-enhanced bio-activity of anaerobic sludge. Low energy ultrasound irradiation can increase the bio-activity of anaerobic sludge. Ultrasonic parameter, characteristics of anaerobic sludge and experimental conditions are important parameters which affect the enhancement effect on anaerobic sludge. In order to assess the effects of characteristics of anaerobic sludge and experimental conditions on ultrasonic irradiation of anaerobic sludge, experiments with different characteristics of anaerobic sludge were carried out and analyzed with the content of coenzyme F420 and dehydrogenase activity (DHA). The results showed that anaerobic sludge bio-activity was impacted by the initial temperature, initial chemical oxygen demand (COD), sludge concentration, and stirring during the ultrasonic process. Optimal performance was achieved when sound frequency, power density, and ultrasonic irradiation period was 20 kHz, 0.1 W/mL, and 10 min, respectively, under which the wastewater COD removal efficiency was increased by 12.9 percentage points. The results indicated that low temperature could affect the anaerobic sludge irradiation effect, while intermittent stirring could enhance the bio-activity of anaerobic sludge irradiation effect and low substrate concentration improved anaerobic sludge activity by ultrasound.
Kinetics and equilibrium adsorption study of p-nitrophenol onto activated carbon derived from walnut peel
Authors: Liu Xiaohong , Wang Fang , Bai Song
Published: December 2015

An original activated carbon prepared from walnut peel, which was activated by zinc chloride, was modified with ammonium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide in order to contrast the adsorption property of the three different activated carbons. The experiment used a static adsorption test for p-nitrophenol. The effects of parameters such as initial concentration, contact time and pH value on amount adsorbed and removal are discussed in depth. The thermodynamic data of adsorption were analyzed by Freundlich and Langmuir models. The kinetic data of adsorption were measured by the pseudo-first-order kinetics and the pseudo-second-order kinetics models. The results indicated that the alkalized carbon samples derived from walnut peel had a better performance than the original activated carbon treated with zinc chloride. It was found that adsorption equilibrium time was 6 h. The maximum removal rate of activated carbon treated with zinc chloride for p-nitrophenol was 87.3% at pH 3,whereas the maximum removal rate of the two modified activated carbon materials was found to be 90.8% (alkalized with ammonium hydroxide) and 92.0% (alkalized with sodium hydroxide) at the same pH. The adsorption data of the zinc chloride activated carbon were fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. The two alkalized activated carbon samples were fitted well to the Freundlich model. The pseudo-second-order dynamics equation provided better explanation of the adsorption dynamics data of the three activated carbons than the pseudo-first-order dynamics equation.
Comparative metagenomics reveals a diverse range of antimicrobial resistance genes in effluents entering a river catchment
Authors: Rowe Will , Verner-Jeffreys David W. , Baker-Austin Craig , Ryan Jim J. , Maskell Duncan J. , Pearce Gareth P.
Published: December 2015

The aquatic environment has been implicated as a reservoir for antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs). In order to identify sources that are contributing to these gene reservoirs, it is crucial to assess effluents that are entering the aquatic environment. Here we describe a metagenomic assessment for two types of effluent entering a river catchment. We investigated the diversity and abundance of resistance genes, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and pathogenic bacteria. Findings were normalised to a background sample of river source water. Our results show that effluent contributed an array of genes to the river catchment, the most abundant being tetracycline resistance genes tetC and tetW from farm effluents and the sulfonamide resistance gene sul2 from wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. In nine separate samples taken across 3 years, we found 53 different genes conferring resistance to seven classes of antimicrobial. Compared to the background sample taken up river from effluent entry, the average abundance of genes was three times greater in the farm effluent and two times greater in the WWTP effluent. We conclude that effluents disperse ARGs, MGEs and pathogenic bacteria within a river catchment, thereby contributing to environmental reservoirs of ARGs.
Learning finance through fiction: ‘Cecilia’ and the perils of credit
Authors: Goggin Joyce
Published: December 2015

This article discusses the rise of modern banking, the invention of credit and a related persistent orientation to the future inherent in credit-based economies, through the example of the novel which, as a literary form, came into being at roughly the same time. As a distinctly commercial genre and as a product of the financial revolution, novels ask readers to ‘credit’ the stories they tell with truthfulness, and to invest them with a particular form of credibility as significant narratives. At the same time, novels invite readers to imagine ‘as if’ scenarios and possible worlds in much the same way that borrowed capital enables people to construct life worlds based on resources not yet realised through investment in a speculative economy. Therefore, by examining how finance and gambling debts circulate in one particular text from the eighteenth century - Francis Burney's Cecilia - as a primary example of how credit and fictionalisation grew up together, this article argues that credit and risk feed into the narrative accounting and recounting of the text and articulate the affective structure of the financialised future that we have now inherited, and which informs how we understand ourselves as subjects, as well as how we interact with finance as a form of entertainment.
Is there life after debt? Revolution in the age of financial capitalism
Authors: Bjerg Ole
Published: December 2015

What happens to classic Marxist notions of revolution, exploitation and class struggle under the premise that we live in the age of financial rather than industrial capitalism? In this essay I argue that the logic of finance is the main structuring principle of the circulation of value, capital, and money today. Accordingly, we should no longer just think of class struggle in terms of workers and capitalists but also in terms of debtors and creditors. In financial capitalism class is determined by one's position relative to the production of money. This also means that a contemporary idea of revolution is a matter of radical change in the way that money comes into being.
Real-time monitoring of cadmium toxicity in rabbit kidney cells
Authors: Milek Michal , Marcinčáková Dana , Csank Tomáš , Kšonžeková Petra , Falis Marcel , Legáth Jaroslav , Pistl Juraj
Published: December 2015

The aim of this study was to investigate the toxic effect of the metal salt cadmium chloride dihydrate on the rabbit kidney cell line using the xCELLigence system or real-time cell analyser (RTCA), and to compare this relatively new method with standard biological cytotoxicity assays. This system provides real-time monitoring of cell behaviour and proliferative activity during the whole time of experiment. Moreover, after 24 h exposure of cells to cadmium, colorimetric 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-difenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test was used to measure the metabolic activity and cytotoxicity was determined by measurement of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leaked from damaged cells. We found that renal cells exposed to lower concentrations (5–10 mg·l-1) of cadmium tend to grow similarly to control cells, however, cell index was significantly different (P < 0.05) after 24 h. With increasing concentration of cadmium (15–50 mg·l-1) significantly lower proliferative (P < 0.05) and metabolic activity (P < 0.05) of cells was observed and cytotoxicity increased simultaneously (P < 0.001). In addition, we found that the real-time monitoring of the cell response was significantly correlated with commonly used biological methods for toxicity measurement, for MTT assay R2 was 0.9448 (P < 0.01) and for LDH assay R2 was 0.9466 (P < 0.01), respectively. The present study is the first report when combination of RTCA, MTT assay and LDH test was used for cadmium nephrotoxicity assessment. In all these methods, the toxic effect of cadmium on rabbit kidney cells increased in a concentration-dependent manner.
The wound healing effect of Iris forentina on full thickness excisional skin wounds: A histomorphometrical study
Authors: Mirmalek Seyed Abbas , Parsa Tina , Parsa Yekta , Yadollah-Damavandi Soheila , Salimi-Tabatabaee Seyed Alireza , Jangholi Ehsan , Hosseini Sahar , Ashkani-Esfahani Soheil , Abooghadareh Hanieh , Haghighifard Erfan
Published: December 2015

Iris florentina is an ancient herbal remedy which was prescribed by many physicians due to its positive effects on dermatological problems, specifically skin wounds. Hence, we aimed to investigate the effects of this agent on full-thickness excisional skin wounds in laboratory rats. Three groups of rats (180 ± 20 g; n=8) with 1 cm diameter full-thickness excisional skin wound received daily treatment with I. florentina 10% ointment, and a group with no treatment. By using histomorphometrical methods, the amount of fibroblast population, collagen bundle synthesis, and vascularization (length density, mean diameter and volume density of the vessels) were estimated. Outcome of the study exhibited that the increase in fibroblast proliferation rate, collagen bundle synthesis, vascular density and vascular mean diameter in I. florentina-treated group were significant in comparison to the untreated group (p<0.05). Results indicated that I. florentina can be prescribed as a herbal medicine for treatment of skin wounds or be used as an additional agent for today's common medicines.

 
Human Rights and the Whirligig of Time
Authors: Sedley Stephen
Published: December 2015

Sir Stephen Sedley, former Judge of the Court of Appeal of England and Wales, considers the nature of human rights in this article, which is based on the text of the annual Ruth Adler Memorial Lecture delivered at Edinburgh University Law School in 2015. Sir Stephen undertakes a comparative study of the concept of human rights, one which takes in discussion of human rights culture in the non-Western world as well as the proposal for a British “bill of rights” to replace the European Convention on Human Rights.
Using Vegetation near CO2 Mediated Enhanced Oil Recovery (CO2-EOR) Activities for Monitoring Potential Emissions and Ecological Effects
Authors: Chen Xiongwen , Roberts Kathleen A.
Published: December 2015

CO2 mediated enhanced oil recovery (CO2-EOR) may lead to methods of CO2 reduction in the atmosphere through carbon capture and storage (CCS); therefore, monitoring and verification methods are needed to ensure that CO2-EOR and CCS activities are environmentally safe and effective. This study explored vegetation growth rate to determine potential ecological effects of emissions from CO2-EOR activities. Plant relative growth rates (RGR) from plots within an oilfield and reference areas, before and after CO2 breakthrough were used to assess CO2-EOR activities impact surrounding vegetation. The trend for both areas was the decrease in RGR ratio during the study time; however, the decrease in RGR ratio was significantly less in the oilfield area compared to the reference area overall and by subcategories of pine, tree and shrub. Based on data from plant plots, RGR decreased in the reference and oilfield areas except one plot, which increased in RGR. Within the oilfield and reference areas, several species decreased significantly in RGR, but American olive increased in RGR. Vegetation monitoring could provide parameters related to the modeling potential effects of emissions on local ecosystems (species, groups and community) and serve as a necessary component to the monitoring and verification of CO2-EOR and CCS projects. The challenge and limitations of vegetation monitoring were also discussed.