bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Topworking of 'Bengal' lychee trees in the state of São Paulo, Brazil
Authors: Pires Márcio de Carvalho , Yamanishi Osvaldo Kiyoshi , Peixoto José Ricardo
Published: November 2014

This study aimed to evaluate the performance of 'Feizixiao', 'Nuomici', 'Heiye', 'Kway May Pink' and 'Bengal' lychee cultivars topworked onto bearing 'Bengal' trees. The experiments were carried out in commercial orchard at Rio das Pedras Farm in Jundiaí, state of São Paulo. The experimental design consisted of randomized blocks in a subdivided parcel arrangement, in which the parcel consisted of five cultivars and the sub-parcel consisted of six evaluation periods. Five replicates of three plants per parcel and six grafts per plant, (with two grafts per main branch) were used. The trees were approximately 10 years old propagated by air layering and planted with 6 x 4 m (416 plants/ha) spacing. The following characteristics were evaluated: success rate of the grafts, number of shoots, shoot length, number of nodes, number of leaves and chlorophyll content (SPAD). The control ('Bengal'/'Bengal') had the highest grafting success rate with 89.9%. On the other hand, 'Heiye', 'Feizixião', 'Nuomici' and 'Kway May Pink' had, respectively, 60.6, 55.0, 52.6 and 47.0% grafting success rates. All of the shoot grafts had normal growth with no signs of incompatibility. Therefore, the cultivars studied are compatible with 'Bengal' and may be used on commercial orchards.
Equações obtidas a partir das leis de conservação para dimensionamento de drenos subterrâneos
Authors: Souza Maria do C. P. de , Rodrigues Walter M. , Levien Sérgio L. A.
Published: November 2014

Neste trabalho se obteve uma expressão algébrica para o modelo de Dumm através do qual se descrevem suas soluções por meio de algoritmo geométrico. Utilizaram-se as técnicas de identificação de padrões potenciais, hiperbólicos, lineares e exponenciais, por intermédio de representações em gráficos monolog e dilog visando definir estratégias de ajuste pela técnica dos mínimos quadrados, sentido em que foram analisados diversos modelos e se identificou que os modelos do tipo linear e potencial ajustam muito bem a razão entre os níveis do lençol freático inicial e após t dias decorridos; além disto, a identificação de que modelos potenciais podem ajustar bem o processo, possibilitou gerar, com o uso do Solver, Office Excel da Microsoft. Inc., modelos simplificados para o problema, razão pela qual se propõe, neste estudo, o ajuste com equações empíricas do tipo potencial para representá-lo com o uso das variáveis: condutividade hidráulica, profundidade e tempo para determinar a distância entre drenos permitindo, inclusive, a descrição dessa distância sob os mesmos parâmetros que o modelo de Glover-Dumm. As soluções encontradas têm pequenas diferenças porém não significativas quanto aos modelos de Glover, Dumm e Glover-Dumm.
Fitodisponibilidade de metais utilizando ácidos orgânicos após sucessiva aplicação de resíduos no solo
Authors: Silva Maria A. G. da , Büll Leonardo T. , Miggiolaro Alessandra E. , Antonangelo João A. , Muniz Antonio S.
Published: November 2014

Conduziu-se este estudo com o objetivo de avaliar a concentração de metais pesados no solo, provenientes de resíduos orgânicos, bem como a ocorrência de fitotoxicidade de metais em soja. Os metais no solo foram extraídos por ácidos orgânicos, comumente presentes na rizosfera das plantas. A soja foi cultivada sucessivamente, durante oito anos, e recebeu repetidamente, a aplicação dos resíduos de origem urbana, como lodo de esgoto biodigerido (LB) e lodo de esgoto centrifugado (LC), e de origem industrial, como escória de aciaria (E) e a lama cal (LCal). O experimento foi conduzido em Latossolo Vermelho distrófico (Oxisolo) na UNESP, Botucatu, SP, onde recebeu os resíduos nas doses de zero (controle) 2, 4, e 8 Mg ha-1, antes da semeadura da soja, de 2002 a 2010, a cada dois anos, totalizando quatro aplicações. Nas profundidades analisadas de 0 a 0,10 m e de 0,10 a 0,20 m, ficou evidente que o resíduo que mais acrescentou metais ao solo e às folhas e grãos da soja, foi o LB, aumentando a concentração de Ni, Cd, Pb e Zn, enquanto que nos tratamentos em que se aplicou a escória (E), o principal metal liberado ao solo foi o Cr. A aplicação da LCal não aumentou a concentração dos metais e a soja apresentou uma concentração de Cr, Ni e Zn acima dos limites máximos permitidos para grãos alimentícios, quando recebeu LB, principalmente na dose de 8,0 Mg ha-1.
New species of the catfish genus Tatia (Siluriformes:Auchenipteridae) from the rio Teles Pires, upper rio Tapajós basin, Brazil
Authors: P. Vari Richard , Calegari Bárbara B.
Published: November 2014

Analysis of specimens of the auchenipterid catfish genus Tatiacollected in the rio Teles Pires, a tributary of the rio Tapajós, along the border between the states of Pará and Mato Grosso, Brazil, revealed it to be an undescribed species. This new species is distinguished from all congeners with the exception of T. carolae and T. musaica by the intense, clearly demarcated, dark coloration on the dorsal and to varying degrees lateral and sometimes ventrolateral portions of the body versus the very lightly colored regions which are translucent in life on the remainder of the body. Various details of head, body and dorsal and caudal-fin pigmentation along with meristic and morphometric features distinguish the new species from T. carolae and T. musaica. The new species provides further evidence that the upper and middle rio Tapajós is a region of ichthyofaunal endemism.
A new species of Neoplecostomus Eigenmann & Eigenmann, 1888 (Siluriformes: Loricariidae: Neoplecostominae) from the upper rio Paraná basin
Authors: Andrade Breno Neves , Langeani Francisco
Published: November 2014

Neoplecostomus jaguari, a new neoplecostomine, is described based on material from the rio Jaguari, rio Tietê basin, southeastern Brazil. The new species differs from all congeners by having a conspicuous sexual dimorphism: females with 30-38 teeth in the dentary and 30-39 in the premaxilla, and males with 13-18 and 14-20 teeth, respectively (vs. number of teeth in the dentary and premaxilla approximately equivalent in all other species, except for N. langeanii in the premaxilla); females with larger mandibullary width, 18.5-21.6% HL, males 11.8-15.7% HL (vs.mandibullary width in males and females approximately equivalent); females with teeth longer and thin, males with teeth shorter and robust (vs. teeth similar in other species, except for N. langeaniiin the premaxilla). Furthermore the new species is distinguished from all other species from the upper rio Paraná basin by having a lateronasal plate either forming the border of the nostril or posteriorly displaced (vs. lateronasal plate absent). Finally, other useful character includes four to six plates between the frontal and prefrontal, herein called posteronasal plates (vs.one to three in all other species). An identification key to all Neoplecostomus species is provided.
Trichomycterus venulosus (Steindachner, 1915), a junior synonym of Eremophilus mutisii Humboldt, 1805 (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) and not an extinct species
Authors: DoNascimiento Carlos , Prada-Pedreros Saúl , Guerrero-Kommritz Jürgen
Published: November 2014

Reexamination of the syntypes of the enigmatic Trichomycterus venulosus, described from Páramo de Cruz Verde, Eastern Cordillera of Colombia, allowed us to assess its actual taxonomic status. This nominal species is demonstrated to constitute a junior synonym of Eremophilus mutisii, and then not represents a case of extinction of a fish endemic to Colombia, as currently accepted.
Visão de vidal de la blache a respeito de Friedrich Ratzel
Authors: Campos Rui Ribeiro de
Published: November 2014

Vidal de La Blache foi por muito tempo, principalmente no Brasil, considerado um opositor das ideias de Friedrich Ratzel. A análise de diversos textos de Vidal mostrou que isso não existiu e que Ratzel teve influência significativa em algumas concepções do geógrafo francês. É esse fato que o artigo pretende destacar, além de expor as razões da colocação desta “rivalidade” e analisar escritos de Vidal para demonstrar o respeito que este possuía em relação a concepções do geógrafo prussiano.
Percepção ambiental e dinâmica geoecológica: premissas para o planejamento e gestão ambiental
Authors: Paula Eder Mileno Silva De , Silva Edson Vicente da , Gorayeb Adryane
Published: November 2014

É necessário planejar as ações do ser humano na natureza, organizar intervenções sustentáveis dentro dos limites ambientais, e gerir os recursos naturais através de comparações com outras paisagens já modificadas. Entretanto, grande parte das ações de planejamento e gestão ambiental se dão através de análises setoriais, sem entender como a população local percebe os seus lugares de vivência. Nesse artigo, discute-se sobre a análise geoecológica da paisagem e suas relações com o pensamento complexo, e sobre a importância da educação ambiental como forma de difusão do conhecimento geoecológico da paisagem. Propõe-se elementos entendidos como fundamentais para o planejamento e gestão ambiental dos recursos naturais e das paisagens, através de considerações acerca da necessidade de conhecimentos sobre a percepção ambiental dos atores sociais, de suas ações no ambiente natural, e das repercussões dessas ações na dinâmica geoecológica local. O uso da terra contribui significativamente para mudanças na dinâmica ambiental local, e assim, o entendimento sobre a dinâmica geoecológica e a percepção ambiental das comunidades locais devem ser encarados como premissas para elaboração das estratégias de planejamentos e gestão ambiental.
Economic analysis for sizing of sugarcane (Saccharum spp.) mechanized harvesting
Authors: Santos Neisvaldo B. dos , Silva Rouverson P. da , Gadanha Junior Casimiro D.
Published: November 2014

Sugarcane has a significant role on Brazilian agribusiness economy. The harvesting cane is considered as one of the most important operations of the process for it has to attend the raw material demanded by the sugar mill in quality and a competitive cost. The objective of this work it is it of analyzing, of systemic way, the variables influence on economical and operational performance in sugarcane mechanized harvesting process for sizing of machines. For this purpose a model called "ColheCana", was developed in a spreadsheet and in a programming language. The results showed that the field efficiency and harvester´s initial value are variables of great impact in the cost and that there is a maximum area that one equipment can attend and for this area the cost is minimum.
Dry months in the agricultural region of Ribeirão Preto, state of São Paulo-Brazil: an study based on the extreme value theory
Authors: Blain Gabriel C.
Published: November 2014

The application of the Extreme Value Theory (EVT) to model the probability of occurrence of extreme low Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) values leads to an increase of the knowledge related to the occurrence of extreme dry months. This sort of analysis can be carried out by means of two approaches: the block maxima (BM; associated with the General Extreme Value distribution) and the peaks-over-threshold (POT; associated with the Generalized Pareto distribution). Each of these procedures has its own advantages and drawbacks. Thus, the main goal of this study is to compare the performance of BM and POT in characterizing the probability of occurrence of extreme dry SPI values obtained from the weather station of Ribeirão Preto-SP (1937-2012). According to the goodness-of-fit tests, both BM and POT can be used to assess the probability of occurrence of the aforementioned extreme dry SPI monthly values. However, the scalar measures of accuracy and the return level plots indicate that POT provides the best fit distribution. The study also indicated that the uncertainties in the parameters estimates of a probabilistic model should be taken into account when the probability associated with a severe/extreme dry event is under analysis.
Tamanho amostral para ensaios de mecanismos dosadores de sementes de milho em esteira carpetada
Authors: Dias Vilnei de O. , Alonço Airton dos S. , Carpes Dauto P. , Veit André A. , Souza Lucas B. de
Published: November 2014

Devido à grande diversidade de tamanhos amostrais empregados em avaliações de desempenho de mecanismos dosadores de sementes, o objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar o tamanho de amostra para experimentos em laboratório, com dosadores de sementes tipo disco alveolado horizontal e pneumático, e estudar o efeito dos tratamentos na regularidade de distribuição de sementes da cultura do milho. Para isso, foi conduzido experimento em condições de laboratório, conforme a norma ISO 7256/1. Os tratamentos compreenderam a combinação de quatro mecanismos dosadores (dois pneumáticos e dois de disco alveolado horizontal), com três velocidades de semeadura, de 0,7; 1,4 e 2,1 m s-1. Foram utilizados os métodos de determinação do tamanho de amostra, intensidade de amostragem e bootstrap adaptado. Quanto à distribuição de sementes, os mecanismos dosadores estudados não apresentam diferenças na regularidade de distribuição, cuja regularidade caiu com aumento da velocidade de deslocamento na média dos dosadores. No que se refere ao tamanho da amostra, é possível reduzir, para a cultura do milho, para 103 espaçamentos entre sementes com nível de erro de 5% da média amostral, independentemente da velocidade de semeadura e mecanismo dosador utilizado.
Embaraço, humilhação e transparência psíquica: o tímido e sua dependência do olhar
Authors: Verztman Julio
Published: November 2014

Pretende-se discutir os impasses experimentados pelo sujeito caracterizado como tímido na sua relação com o olhar. Formulou-se a hipótese de que a vergonha - emoção central do tipo de subjetividade de que iremos tratar - é neste contexto vivida como embaraço, humilhação ou transparência psíquica. Sugerimos que a incidência do olhar exporá certas fragilidades narcísicas quanto à construção de barreiras que protejam o campo da interioridade. Apresentaremos ao longo do texto os principais aspectos do embaraço, da humilhação e da transparência psíquica, utilizando vinhetas clínicas retiradas de uma pesquisa clínica.
Seismic behaviour of recycled aggregate thermal insulation concrete (Ratic) shear walls
Authors: Ma Gang , Zhang Yu , Liu Yuanzhen , Li Zhu
Published: November 2014

This study investigated recycled aggregate thermal insulation concrete (Ratic) containing glazed hollow beads. The study of ten shear walls investigated shear-span ratio, axial compression ratio, reinforcement ratio and concrete material type. Quasi-static tests were carried out to obtain the failure modes, load–displacement curves, skeleton curves, stiffness degradation and energy dissipation capacity of Ratic shear walls. Compared with shear walls made from normal concrete, the Ratic shear walls offered a slight improvement in bearing capacity and significant improvements in deformation and energy dissipation capacities. A finite-element model was developed and non-linear simulations of shear walls with the same parameters as in the quasi-static test were carried out using Ansys software. The internal stress and strain distributions of different concrete shear walls are intuitively shown in stress contour plots and the reliability of test results further verified. The paper proposes the calculation method of the fourfold line restoring force model used for the restoring force calculation of Ratic shear wall, which is validated by comparing with the test results.
Precificação estratégica no comércio eletrônico – B2c (business to consumer)
Authors: Lorandi Joisse Antonio , Bornia Antonio Cezar
Published: November 2014

Na formação de uma precificação estratégica, a ênfase deve situar-se na transmissão de valor. O preço estabelecido deve representar o valor agregado em relação a satisfação que o produto e todo processo de atendimento propiciam ao cliente. A transmissão de valor no comércio eletrônico deve priorizar a identificação do que é considerado um diferencial, entre o varejo virtual e em relação ao seu principal concorrente, o varejo tradicional. É neste âmbito que a pesquisa se desenvolve, tendo como objetivos identificar fatores que agregam valor no comércio virtual e parâmetros que devem balizar a precificação estratégica neste ambiente, como os componentes de custos e a concorrência. A metodologia do estudo quanto aos procedimentos técnicos é de pesquisa bibliográfica, a qual foi elaborada por meio de um referencial teórico que está formando-se em torno do assunto. Por se tratar de um modelo recente, em formação, caracteriza-se a pesquisa quanto a seus objetivos, como de caráter exploratório, principalmente no âmbito da formação do preço, já que há uma lacuna entre a forma de atuar no varejo virtual em relação ao tradicional. O estudo explora esta lacuna por meio da identificação de elementos que formam o valor do produto comercializado, via rede eletrônica de dados, concluindo que a precificação estratégica para uma lucratividade efetiva deve representar o valor do produto, uma vez que o que se vende é o valor que o produto agrega ao cliente e não componentes de custos mais uma margem.
Remuneração aos acionistas e os reflexos tributários no resultado da empresa: um estudo de caso em uma instituição financeira
Authors: Veiga Alexandre Zondan da , Imbrosio Daniel de Aguiar , Ferreira Luiz Felipe
Published: November 2014

Este trabalho evidencia os reflexos tributários causados pela remuneração aos acionistas, por meio da distribuição de lucros e/ou juros sobre o capital próprio, além de proporcionar uma análise comparativa entre estas formas de retorno do investimento em uma instituição financeira. Verifica-se que a distribuição dos dividendos é, do ponto de vista de seus beneficiários, geralmente satisfatória, em virtude de sua isenção tributária. Porém, a distribuição dos juros sobre o capital próprio é uma forma de remunerar os investidores e de reduzir a carga tributária da empresa. Apesar da incidência do imposto de renda retido na fonte, o ônus fica a cargo dos beneficiários. Assim, este artigo apresenta um estudo de caso, cuja particularidade é apresentar a melhor opção para remunerar o acionista e os efeitos tributários causados, tanto pela distribuição de dividendos quanto pelo pagamento de juros sobre o capital próprio. Ao final do trabalho é diagnosticado que os maiores benefícios tributários, do ponto de vista da empresa, se dão quando pela remuneração do capital próprio.
Reestruturação informacional da demonstração de resultado de exercício – uma proposta
Authors: Coelho Fabiano Simões
Published: November 2014

Informação: esta é a palavra que move os motores das decisões gerenciais. Sem ela os gestores ficam perdidos frente aos caminhos a serem traçados. Neste sentido, a contabilidade deve assumir a responsabilidade de ser o principal sistema de informações das empresas e gerar relatórios gerenciais que auxiliem os administradores. Para que isso seja feito, o contador deve criar modelos, versões e estruturas que facilitem a tomada de decisão do gestor, valorizando, portanto, a classe contábil frente às profissões existentes. A reestruturação da Demonstração de Resultado de Exercícios é um grande exemplo de como maximizar o poder informacional de um relatório contábil.
Responsabilidade social e balanço social: prestação de contas à sociedade
Authors: Vieira Maria das Graças
Published: November 2014

Hoje, a responsabilidade social é uma das formas de gestão dos negócios empresariais, de tal maneira que se torna responsável pelo desenvolvimento social. A empresa socialmente responsável é aquela que possui capacidade de ouvir interesses das diferentes partes (acionistas, funcionários, clientes, fornecedores, consumidores, governo e meio ambiente) e de conseguir incorporá-los no planejamento de suas atividades, buscando atender aos desejos de todos e não apenas dos acionistas ou proprietários. Empregar os valores éticos no cotidiano profissional, num processo de gestão baseado nos princípios de desenvolvimento sustentável e do Triple Botton Line, aprofundando o relacionamento com os stakeholders, adicionando valor à sociedade e preservando o meio ambiente, constituem, atualmente, alguns outros fatores a serem incluídos no processo estratégico das organizações. A sociedade está consciente do seu papel nas organizações e exige não só qualidade e preço, mas também o comprometimento com as questões sociais. Neste sentido, a ciência contábil desenvolveu um modelo de prestação de contas da empresa para com a sociedade, o Balanço Social, que se encaixa perfeitamente como um instrumento estratégico de desenvolvimento corporativo frente à globalização do mercado.
Planejamento das atividades de auditoria interna nas universidades federais brasileiras: apresentação do embasamento normativo
Authors: Platt Neto Orion Augusto , Cruz Flávio da , Vieira Audí Luiz
Published: November 2014

Este artigo apresenta um enfoque normativo sobre o planejamento anual que deve ser realizado nas unidades de auditoria interna, componentes da estrutura administrativa das universidades federais brasileiras. Deste modo, o objetivo do artigo é apresentar as normas relativas à elaboração e ao acompanhamento da execução do plano anual de atividades de auditoria interna, que devem ser seguidas pelas universidades federais. Trata-se de uma pesquisa aplicada, de natureza qualitativa e de caráter exploratório. O âmbito da pesquisa é restrito às instituições dedicadas ao ensino superior, componentes da administração indireta na esfera federal brasileira. Foi utilizada a análise documental da legislaçãobrasileira sobre controle e auditoria interna na administração pública. A pesquisa que embasou o artigo justifica-se, entre outros motivos, como contribuição à literatura da área, que sofre escassez quanto às referências direcionadas para a auditoria interna nas universidades. Como resultados, foram apresentadas as bases normativas mais recentes que regulam as o planejamento das atividades de auditoria interna nas universidades federais, bem como a elaboração do Plano Anual de Atividades da Auditoria Interna (PAINT). As ações de auditoria interna nas universidades federais têm sua base normativa derivada da Constituição Federal de 1988, que, nos artigos 70 e 74, trata do sistema de controle interno do Poder Executivo Federal. A partir disso, o Decreto Presidencial nº 3.591/00 definiu atribuições à Controladoria-Geral da União (CGU) e à Secretaria Federal de Controle Interno (SFC) para a edição de instruções normativas sobre controle e auditoria interna.
A atuação do profissional contábil como trabalhador do conhecimento: um estudo exploratório
Authors: Luiz Lilian Campagnin , Schmidt Neto Arnoldo
Published: November 2014

O presente trabalho tem por objetivo elucidar quais são as competências a serem desenvolvidas pelo profissional contábil para caracterizá-lo como um trabalhador do conhecimento. Inicialmente foi feito um estudo exploratório, baseado em referências bibliográficas, onde se buscou identificar quais são os atributos que o profissional contábil deve desenvolver para tornar-se um trabalhador do conhecimento. Com base nessa fundamentação teórica, foi elaborado um questionário para fins de levantamento de dados junto aos profissionais contábeis de Joinville/SC e região, no intuito de identificar o nível de competências já desenvolvidas por estes profissionais que o qualificam como trabalhadores do conhecimento. Os resultados deste levantamento demonstram que as maiores deficiências destes profissionais estão acerca do conhecimento, enquanto que as maiores virtudes se referem às atitudes dos mesmos.
The Effect of Mandatory IFRS Adoption on International Cross-Listings
Authors: Chen Long , Ng Jeff , Tsang Albert
Published: November 2014

Using a comprehensive dataset of international cross-listings spanning 34 (50) home (target) countries, we examine whether mandatory IFRS adoption facilitates firms' cross-listing activities. Our results using difference-in-differences analyses show that firms that mandatorily adopt IFRS exhibit significantly higher cross-listing propensity and intensity following IFRS adoption. We also find that firms from mandatory IFRS adoption countries are more likely to cross-list their securities in countries also mandating IFRS and countries with larger and more liquid capital markets. We further find that IFRS adoption has a greater effect on mandatory IFRS adopters from countries with larger accounting differences from IFRS, lower disclosure requirements, and less access to external capital prior to IFRS adoption. Our findings are consistent with the notion that mandatory IFRS adoption facilitates firms' cross-listing activities and highlight the importance of considering the change in cross-listings when examining the capital market consequences of mandatory IFRS adoption.
MD&A Disclosure and the Firm's Ability to Continue as a Going Concern
Authors: Mayew William J. , Sethuraman Mani , Venkatachalam Mohan
Published: November 2014

This paper explores the role of textual disclosures in the Management, Discussion, and Analysis (MD&A) section of a firm's SEC 10-K filing in predicting a firm's ability to continue as a going concern. Using a sample of firms that filed for bankruptcy between 1995 and 2012 to identify firms that cease as a going concern, we find that both management's opinion about going concern reported in the MD&A and the linguistic tone of the MD&A together provide significant explanatory power in predicting whether a firm will cease as a going concern. Moreover, the predictive ability of MD&A disclosure is incremental to financial ratios, market-based variables, and even the auditor's going concern opinion. We also find that the incremental predictive ability of MD&A disclosures extends to three years prior to bankruptcy.
Risk versus Anomaly: A New Methodology Applied to Accruals
Authors: Ohlson James A. , Bilinski Pawel
Published: November 2014

Research suggesting the existence of the accrual anomaly runs into the issue that risk serves as a competing explanation for abnormal returns. This paper proposes a novel approach to distinguish between risk and anomaly explanations for the negative association between accruals and returns. The intuition is that high-risk stocks should experience relatively high and low returns more often than low-risk stocks. Thus, a variable that has the opposite correlations with high returns than with low returns is unlikely to capture risk, which points toward an anomaly. The paper implements this perspective via two logistic regressions predicting relatively high and low returns. Controlling for standard risk measures, we document that low accruals increase the probability of large positive returns, but reduce the likelihood of large negative returns. This finding is inconsistent with the prediction that accruals reflect risk and supports the hypothesis that the accrual “anomaly” is indeed an anomaly.
111In-exendin Uptake in the Pancreas Correlates With the β-Cell Mass and Not With the α-Cell Mass
Authors: Brom Maarten , Joosten Lieke , Frielink Cathelijne , Boerman Otto , Gotthardt Martin
Published: November 2014

Targeting of the GLP-1 receptor with 111In-labeled exendin is an attractive approach to determine the β-cell mass (BCM). Preclinical studies as well as a proof-of-concept study in type 1 diabetic patients and healthy subjects showed a direct correlation between BCM and radiotracer uptake. Despite these promising initial results, the influence of α-cells on the uptake of the radiotracer remains a matter of debate. In this study, we determined the correlation between pancreatic tracer uptake and β- and α-cell mass in a rat model for β-cell loss. The uptake of 111In-exendin (% ID/g) showed a strong positive linear correlation with the BCM (Pearson r = 0.82). The fraction of glucagon-positive cells in the total endocrine mass was increased after alloxan treatment (26% ± 4%, 43% ± 8%, and 69% ± 21% for 0, 45, and 60 mg/kg alloxan, respectively). The uptake of 111In-exendin showed a negative linear correlation with the α-cell fraction (Pearson r = −0.76). These data clearly indicate toward specificity of 111In-exendin for β-cells and that the influence of the α-cells on 111In-exendin uptake is negligible.
Dietary Intervention in Patients With Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials on Maternal and Newborn Outcomes
Authors: Viana Luciana Verçoza , Gross Jorge Luiz , Azevedo Mirela Jobim
Published: November 2014

OBJECTIVE

Diet is the cornerstone treatment of patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), but its role in maternal and newborn outcomes has been scarcely studied. The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of dietary interventions on maternal or newborn outcomes in patients with GDM.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of dietary intervention in GDM or pregnancy with hyperglycemia was performed. MEDLINE, Embase, ClinicalTrials.gov, Cochrane, and Scopus were searched through to March 2014. The main evaluated maternal outcomes were proportion of patients using insulin and proportion of cesarean delivery; the newborn outcomes were proportion of macrosomia and hypoglycemia and newborn weight.

RESULTS

From 1,170 studies, nine RCTs, including 884 women aged 31.5 years (28.7–33.2) with 27.4 weeks (24.1–30.3) of gestation, were eligible. We divided the RCTs according to the type of dietary intervention: low glycemic index (GI) (n = 4; 257 patients), total energy restriction (n = 2; 425 patients), low carbohydrates (n = 2; 182 patients), and others (n = 1; 20 patients). Diet with low GI reduced the proportion of patients who used insulin (relative risk 0.767 [95% CI 0.597, 0.986]; P = 0.039) and the newborn birth weight (weight mean differences −161.9 g [95% CI −246.4, −77.4]; P = 0.000) as compared with control diet. Total restriction and low carbohydrate diets did not change either maternal or newborn outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

A low GI diet was associated with less frequent insulin use and lower birth weight than control diets, suggesting that it is the most appropriate dietary intervention to be prescribed to patients with GDM.
Assessment of the environmental value of the Zichy Castle Park in Voivodeni, Romania – Brief description
Authors: Kovács Lóránt
Published: November 2014

The Zichy Castle from Vajdaszentiväny (Voievodeni) is located in Mure§ County, central Romania, south-west from the town of Reghin. Its constniction in classical baroque style dates back to the beginning of the X\TH Century. The archaeological findings from the area show that Vajdaszentiväny was already populated in the Copper Age. The findings of gray dishes from the III and IV centuries were considered by Dr. Protase as indigenous Daco-Roman relics. The Roman presence here was demonstrated by residues of the hewn-stone road along the Maros River. After the Roman Age, several other populations (Goths, Slavonic peoples. Darghins and Huns) settled down here. The feudal Hungarian state occupied this area around the XI Century. Several streams, terraces and old cemetery ruins demonstrate tliat the Hungarians used the region for protective purposes. The first mitten records of Vajdaszentiväny date back to 1332, when die Papal documents (Sacerdos de Sancto Johanne) mention the settlement for the first time. In 1366. the name of the village was Märton-Szent-Ivän. and dunng the centuries it belonged to several old and noble families and dynasties as szentiväni Szekely. monoszlai Losonczi. Szakäcsi. the Bänffy and Dezsöfi, the Szentiväni, Butkai, Balog, Kecseti, Kerelöi, Szengyeli, Dengelegi, Fodor, vajdaszentivänyi Földväri, Koka, Piski, Järai or Järai Felsöjärai Abafäja. During the first half of the 19* Century, among former Hungarians noble owners of the village, the following can be mentioned: Count Sämuel Kemeny, Albert Horvath, Budai, Szocs (Käroly es Mihäly) and Duke Löwenthäl. Later on, the village of Vajdaszentiväny became famous because of its castle, later named the “Zichy Castle,” but also because of its citizens as preservers of folk music, folk dance and folk tales.
Comparison of Different Treatment Methods of Salicylic acid on Some Physiological Traits of White Bean Under Salinity Stress
Authors: Hadi H. , Najafabadi A. , Amirnia R.
Published: November 2014

It has been shown that salicylic acid (SA) acts as an endogenous signal molecule responsible for inducing biotic and abiotic stress tolerance in plants. The effect of three application methods (Soil, Foliar and Priming) and four salicylic acid concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 mM) on chlorophyll a, b and total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, protein and soluble sugars of NaCl (4 ds/m) stressed white bean (Phaseulus vulgaris L.) was investigated. The results showed that the effect of applied concentrations and application methods on chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll, proline, protein and soluble sugars were significant. The interaction of concentrations and application methods used was significant on protein, proline and soluble sugars. According to the results, the greatest impact was belonged to the soil treatment which was not significantly different from priming. Among applied concentrations, the concentration of 0.1 and 0.5 mM were the most effective and the concentration of 1 mM was not significantly different from the control.
Teachers as social workers: a real challenge in the process of the integration of local communities from 1945 to 1956 as exemplified by towns and villages in Lower Silesia
Authors: Gandecka Kamila
Published: November 2014

Teachers of all levels of the schooling system constituted one of the most numerous professional groups that were a part of the waves of settlers arriving in Lower Silesia. In the times when the “new” social, political, and cultural reality was being constructed in the Lower Silesia region the teachers would take care of basically everything, starting with preparing proper places for lessons to be ran, admissions of students into the particular classes, to preparing curricula according to the educational policy of the state and the requirements of the population of a given region, which was frequently a source of moral and ethical dilemmas.
Historical Roots of Generalized Trust in Polish Society
Authors: Borowiecki Łukasz
Published: November 2014

The article analyses how historical events shape generalized trust in contemporary Polish society. The analysis consists of a set of logistic regression models. The impact of historical variables is controlled for age, sex, education and the size of the municipality. This is the first quantitative study on Poland that links historical events with the current levels of trust among Polish citizens. The common knowledge is that the Partitions of Poland had negative impact on trust. Literature on the topic hints that historical demo? graphics should play a role too. The findings suggest that Partitions had little impact with only Greater Poland and Pomerania having lower levels of generalized trust. Historical literacy rate and the presence of Ukrainian or Belarusian population are negatively associated with generalized trust while the abrupt migrations after the World War I are positively associated. The rapid character of migration is supposed to positively impact generalized trust by forcing individuals to cooperate and rely on people with whom they have no personal ties.
Innovative Evaluation of the Outsourced Counselling Services in a Business School
Authors: Lau Vincent K. T.
Published: November 2014

Through appreciating the expectations and needs of the students and staff and the changing needs of such group of stakeholders in view of educational reforms and organizational changes, we shall examine the expected changes in structure and organizational framework for the implementation of counseling services under the widely adapted Australian approach of Comprehensive Counselling Programme (Aluede, 2006). The key questions to be raised are as follows:

1. What will be the expectations of students and teaching staff in such programmes? How will expectations be satisfied in the programme objectives?

2. What should be the innovative structure for the delivery of Counselling services and related services?

3. Will the services provided by the new counseling centre be adequate, appropriate and suitable for the development of healthy lifestyle, and provide a balanced education for life?
Strategic Alliances, Total Relationship Management (TRM) and 5 QS - Why Most of the Marriages and Strategic Alliances are not Sustainable?
Authors: Zineldin Mosad , Vasicheva Valentina
Published: November 2014

The paper describes theoretically with some empirical evidences the decision and result of strategic alliance as a relationship between people or as a love affair and a commitment to marriage which is ideally, based on shared interest, love, mutual trustworthiness, and commitment to continue the relationship. The main point is that, just as successful human marriages require clarity of needs, purpose, maturity, preparation, patience, nurturing, flexibility, commitment, trust, and compromise, so too will such prerequisites apply to successful organizational strategic alliance relationships. The main task of this conceptual research is to identify the reasons for failures (non-sustainability) of strategic alliances to answer the question of why do they fail. The problem will be later on (phase 2) analysed taking into consideration different industry sectors located in different countries
Understanding Supplier Resistance - Overcoming Obstacles to Supply Innovation
Authors: New Steve
Published: November 2014

This paper explores an important but unexplored theme in the development of 'total quality' relationships in the supply chain: why suppliers may exhibit resistance to quality initiatives, and why what seems to customers as cooperation can appear as unwelcome interference or even exploitation to suppliers. This is a question of great relevance to all those seeking to understand current business practice, and also to those seeking to bring about practical improvements in supply chain quality. Too much of the supply chain and quality literature assumes the issue of supplier's compliance with customer initiatives is unproblematic (unable to understand this sentence); experience suggests it is one of the major obstacles in developing the quality-oriented, integrated supply chain.
Sex-Dependent Individual Differences and the Correlational Relationship Between Proprioceptive and Verbal Tests
Authors: Liutsko Liudmila
Published: November 2014

Introduction. The aim of the study was to analyze the relationship between proprioceptive and verbal tests on personality in both sexes separately due to existing proprioceptive differences in fine motor behavior between men and women in our previous studies [1, 2, 3]. Material and methods. 114 middle-aged participants from Belarus completed verbal tests (personality: Eysenck's EPQ, Big Five in Hromov's Russian adaptation, and Rosenberg's Self-esteem) together with Proprioceptive Diagnostics of Temperament and Character (by Tous). Complementary information, such as tests of time perception, was collected and used in correlative and ANOVA analyses with the use of SPSS v.19. Results. The relationship between proprioceptive variables in personality and individual differences, time perception and the results of verbal tests were determined for each sex subgroup and discussed. ANOVA results reflected the corresponding differences and similarities between men and women in the variables of each test. Time perception was found to be significantly correlated to all five dimensions of the Big Five Test in both sexes, and both had a significant relationship to the same variables of the DP-TC test. Conclusions. Time perception can be used as an indirect indicator of personality. Existing individual and personality differences should be taken into account in coaching and education to obtain more effective results.
Performance Analysis of VPN Remote Access Tunnels
Authors: Dymora Paweł , Mazurek Mirosław , Pilecki Tomasz
Published: November 2014

The purpose of the study is to analyze the efficiency of communication with the server using the methods of secure remote access, as well as checking and comparing the quality of services provided by the server depending on the method of secure remote connection. The article focuses on VPN technology implemented in the latest Windows Server 2012 R2 operating system.
Queuing in terms of complex systems
Authors: Grabowski Franciszek , Paszkiewicz Andrzej , Bolanowski Marek
Published: November 2014

Limited resources are a natural feature of most real systems, both artificial and natural ones. This causes the need for effective management of access to existing resources. In this area, queuing systems are of special application. However, they are treated as simple systems for which two states are characteristic: work underload and work on the border of thermodynamic equilibrium. This approach is reflected in existing queue management mechanisms, that need to keep them in one of two mentioned states. On the other hand, they should be considered from the point of complex systems view, for which the third operation states: overload state is natural as well. In order to be closer to this issue, in this paper the authors consider queues performance from the perspective of complex systems.
Electroencephalographic detection of synesthesia
Authors: Gajos Anna , Wójcik Grzegorz M.
Published: November 2014

In this paper the research on a person declaring synesthetic abilities will be presented. According to the current state of knowledge synesthesia activates additional cortical fields in the brain which can be found in the EEG. The research was conducted using an EGI-EEG system (Electrical Geodesic Inc., Eugene, Oregon, USA) with the GeoSource software. GeoSource is a tool that implements the algorithms LAURA, LORETA and sLORETA. Using these algorithms for EEG analysis we can determine where in the brain the source of activity is. The authors will try to answer the question whether the use of these tools can prove the occurrence of synesthesia.
Liquid computing and analysis of sound signals
Authors: Cebryk Rafał , Wójcik Grzegorz M.
Published: November 2014

Liquid Computing Theory is a proposal of modelling the behaviour of neural microcircuits. It focuses on creating a group of neurons, known as a liquid layer, responsible for preprocessing of the signal that is being analysed. Specific information is achieved by the readout layers, task oriented groups of neurons, taught to extract particular information from the state of liquid layer. The LSMs have been used to analyse sound signals. The liquid layer was implemented in the PCSIM Simulator, and the readout layer has been prepared in the JNNS simulator. It could successfully recognise certain sounds despite noises. Those results encourage further research of the computational potential of Liquid State Machines including working in parallel with many readout layers.
Load balancing of communication channels with the use of routing protocols
Authors: Grabowski Franciszek , Bolanowski Marek , Paszkiewicz Andrzej
Published: November 2014

In the article the authors propose a method for load-balancing of network resources for the case which uses a routing protocols. In the first part of the article the authors present currently used algorithms for load balancing and possibilities of their modification. Through the introduction of additional hardware components for each node: the agent and the probe; it is possible to monitor and control the current system performance. The whole analyzed network is treated as a complex system. This allows to eliminate overloading of route nodes (through ongoing analysis of the optimal operating point for a given node). Load balancing can be achieved using a modified mechanism of ECMP. The proposed approach allows for dynamic adjustment of load to network resources and thus effectively to balance network traffic.
Community Engagement for Big Epidemiology: Deliberative Democracy as a Tool
Authors: McWhirter Rebekah , Critchley Christine , Nicol Dianne , Chalmers Don , Whitton Tess , Otlowski Margaret , Burgess Michael , Dickinson Joanne
Published: November 2014

Public trust is critical in any project requiring significant public support, both in monetary terms and to encourage participation. The research community has widely recognized the centrality of public trust, garnered through community consultation, to the success of large-scale epidemiology. This paper examines the potential utility of the deliberative democracy methodology within the public health research setting. A deliberative democracy event was undertaken in Tasmania, Australia, as part of a wider program of community consultation regarding the potential development of a Tasmanian Biobank. Twenty-five Tasmanians of diverse backgrounds participated in two weekends of deliberation; involving elements of information gathering; discussion; identification of issues and formation of group resolutions. Participants demonstrated strong support for a Tasmanian Biobank and their deliberations resulted in specific proposals in relation to consent; privacy; return of results; governance; funding; and, commercialization and benefit sharing. They exhibited a high degree of satisfaction with the event, and confidence in the outcomes. Deliberative democracy methodology is a useful tool for community engagement that addresses some of the limitations of traditional consultation methods.
Gestion des archives du sol en milieu rural Expérience de prospection systématique à Lion-en-Beauce (Loiret)
Authors: Ferdière Alain , Fourteau Anne-Marie
Published: November 2014

In 1976, a systematic experimental survey has been conducted on a parish in che 3eauce region : Lion-en- 3eauce (Loiret) ; on che 1400 acres of this parish (most of it on ploughed land), 61 sites have been recorded after a bibliographical study, an analysis

of che parochial archives and cadastral survey, interviews with che inhabitants, field survey (on equidistant strips) . These sites (maindly settlements) extend from Prehistoric times to the modern period. These results can be considered as statistically valid for the greatest part of the Beauce region. This kind of "model" can be used mainly for the care of "earth archives", here in a rural environment.
Seriation and dating of mesolithic sites in southern England
Authors: Jacobi R. M. , Laxton R. R. , Switsur V. R.
Published: November 2014

Des sites mésolithiques dans le sud de l'Angleterre, surtout dans le Weald et dans la vallée de Kennet, ont été étudiés afin de préciser leur ordre chronologique. La méthode adoptée était celle d'un "multidimensional scaling" et d'une sériation d'après les programmes d'ordinateur établis par D.G. Kendall. Le matériel analysé était la partie microlithique des objets façonnés, à savoir les lamelles en silex retouchées qui servaient de pointe et de barbelure aux armes de chasse. Dans les cas où on a pu obtenir sur ces sites des restes organiques étroitement associés à ce matériel, ceux-ci ont été datés d'après leur contenu radiocarbone pour fournir une chronologie à la sériation mathématique. On a pu constater une bonne correspondance entre ces dates et la sériation. La signification temporelle des groupes est considérée.
Étude de quelques altérations de composition chimique des céramiques en milieu marin et terrestre
Authors: Lemoine C. , Poupet Pierre , Barrandon J.N. , Borderie B. , Meille E.
Published: November 2014

The possible modifications in the chemical composition of ceramics over a period of time concern directly the methods used in the determination of ceramic provenance, methods based on the caracteri sties of the paste's composition. Two particular sorts of change related to time are examined. The first concerns ceramics which have been immersed in a marine environment and which have acquired a large amount of Magnesium, but which at the same time show considerable perturbations in the alcaline rate. The second sort of change concerns those ceramics whose slight over-firing has had the effect of creating conditions favorable for the separating out of certain constituents such as Potassium. This loss is generally négligeable when the ceramics are neither over-fired, nor when they are very much over-fired.