bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adiciones a la ficoflora marina de Venezuela: III. Ceramiales y Rhodymeniales (Rhodophyta)
Authors: Gómez Santiago , García Mayra , Gil Nelson
Published: November 2013

Se realizó un inventario de las macroalgas de la zona submareal, entre 5 y 17 m de profundidad para las localidades de Puerto Maya, en el estado Aragua, Puerto Cruz, en el estado Vargas, Madrizquí y Boca de Cote, Parque Nacional Archipiélago Los Roques, Dependencias Federales. Como resultado se reportan cuatro nuevos registros de especies de algas rojas (Rhodophyta) para la costa de Venezuela: Apoglossum gregarium, Platysiphonia caribaea, Gloiocladia iyoensis y Botryocladia monoica. De las cuales, A. gregarium y G. iyoensis se registran también por primera vez en el Mar Caribe. Se establecen sus principales caracteres diagnósticos, resumidos como: hábito y dimensiones del talo, morfología de las estructuras reproductivas, presencia o ausencia de corticación y presencia o ausencia de células glandulares. Además se realizan comparaciones con sus especies morfológicamente cercanas.
Climate resilience of a low-energy prototype house
Authors: Rodrigues Lucelia Taranto , Gillott Mark
Published: November 2013

Since its opening, the BASF prototype house at the Creative Energy Homes project has attracted significant attention due to the two main aspects of the design brief: energy efficiency and affordability. The house was built using modern methods of construction and incorporates a number of passive and active measures to achieve comfort. An evaluation of the home's thermal performance and potential climate resilience is presented in this article. An analysis of a summer period showed that, when occupied, the house presented a small degree of overheating with temperatures exceeding benchmarks. Subsequently, the house was dynamically simulated in future warmer climates where the issue was exacerbated even with mitigation strategies in place. The paradox lies in the fact that the rising risk of overheating may be a result in the effort to reduce energy demand for heating and this case study shows that this issue needs to be considered in order to avoid a rise in the use of air-conditioning in British homes.
Modelling of laterally loaded drilled shaft group in mechanically stabilised earth wall
Authors: Huang Jie , Bin-Shafique Sazzad , Han Jie , Rahman Md. Saidur
Published: November 2013

This paper proposes a numerical model, calibrated by a full-scale field test, to investigate the behaviour of a laterally loaded shaft group built within a mechanically stabilised earth wall. The numerical modelling yielded results of the geogrid strain and the lateral earth pressure distributions. It was found that the strain was a maximum at the edge of the each shaft, and decreased rapidly with distance from the shaft. The additional lateral earth pressure induced by the shaft group is non-linear and non-monotonic. The calibrated numerical model was then used to investigate the impacts of various factors on the group effect. It was found that the required minimum spacing to avoid group effect increased with decreasing modulus of the backfill material. The friction angle of the backfill material and the geogrid tensile stiffness did not have a significant influence on the group effect. Based on this study, a formula to estimate the minimum spacing to avoid group effect was developed.
Design and measurement of piled-raft foundations
Authors: Tang Y. J. , Pei J. , Zhao X. H.
Published: November 2013

Piled-raft foundations for multi-storey buildings have been employed widely in Shanghai since the 1990s. However, there has been a lack of long-term studies on load distribution, and few improvements have been made to foundation design over the years. The goal of this paper is to extensively analyse long-term data on three multi-storey residential buildings with piled-raft foundations to propose an improved design method that has the potential to reduce construction costs. One six-storey building was monitored between 1999 and 2011, and two other six-storey buildings between 1991 and 1995. Parameters analysed over time in this study include pile-raft tests, measured data for load distribution on top of the pile group, ground pressure distribution and the settlement of the buildings. Pile spacing was found to be the key parameter for load sharing between the piles and the soil. The proposed design model accounts for observed load sharing between the piles and the soil and divides the settlement prediction into three steps for a more accurate representation of how settlement proceeds as buildings with piled-raft foundations age. By using the proposed method, safety factors can be calculated more efficiently, which it is expected will lead to reduced construction costs.
Effect of Weatherization Combined With Community Health Worker In-Home Education on Asthma Control
Authors: Breysse Jill , Dixon Sherry , Gregory Joel , Philby Miriam , Jacobs David E. , Krieger James
Published: November 2013

Objectives. We assessed the benefits of adding weatherization-plus-health interventions to an in-home, community health worker (CHW) education program on asthma control.

Methods. We used a quasi-experimental design to compare study group homes (n = 34) receiving CHW education and weatherization-plus-health structural interventions with historical comparison group homes (n = 68) receiving only education. Data were collected in King County, Washington, from October 2009 to September 2010.

Results. Over the 1-year study period, the percentage of study group children with not-well-controlled or very poorly controlled asthma decreased more than the comparison group percentage (100% to 28.8% vs 100% to 51.6%; P = .04). Study group caregiver quality-of-life improvements exceeded comparison group improvements (P = .002) by 0.7 units, a clinically important difference. The decrease in study home asthma triggers (evidence of mold, water damage, pests, smoking) was marginally greater than the comparison group decrease (P = .089). Except for mouse allergen, the percentage of study group allergen floor dust samples at or above the detection limit decreased, although most reductions were not statistically significant.

Conclusions. Combining weatherization and healthy home interventions (e.g., improved ventilation, moisture and mold reduction, carpet replacement, and plumbing repairs) with CHW asthma education significantly improves childhood asthma control.
The Impact of School Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Interventions on the Health of Younger Siblings of Pupils: a Cluster-Randomized Trial in Kenya
Authors: Dreibelbis Robert , Freeman Matthew C. , Greene Leslie E. , Saboori Shadi , Rheingans Richard
Published: November 2013

Objectives. We examined the impact of school water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions on diarrhea-related outcomes among younger siblings of school-going children.

Methods. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial among 185 schools in Kenya from 2007 to 2009. We assigned schools to 1 of 2 study groups according to water availability. Multilevel logistic regression models, adjusted for baseline measures, assessed differences between intervention and control arms in 1-week period prevalence of diarrhea and 2-week period prevalence of clinic visits among children younger than 5 years with at least 1 sibling attending a program school.

Results. Among water-scarce schools, comprehensive WASH improvements were associated with decreased odds of diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] = 0.44; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.27, 0.73) and visiting a clinic (OR = 0.36; 95% CI = 0.19, 0.68), relative to control schools. In our separate study group of schools with greater water availability, school hygiene promotion and water treatment interventions and school sanitation improvements were not associated with differences in diarrhea prevalence between intervention and control schools.

Conclusions. In water-scarce areas, school WASH interventions that include robust water supply improvements can reduce diarrheal diseases among young children.
Effect of Vaccination Coordinators on Socioeconomic Disparities in Immunization Among the 2006 Connecticut Birth Cohort
Authors: Kattan Jessica A. , Kudish Kathy S. , Cadwell Betsy L. , Soto Kristen , Hadler James L.
Published: November 2013

Objectives. We examined socioeconomic status (SES) disparities and the influence of state Immunization Action Plan–funded vaccination coordinators located in low-SES areas of Connecticut on childhood vaccination up-to-date (UTD) status at age 24 months.

Methods. We examined predictors of underimmunization among the 2006 birth cohort (n = 34 568) in the state’s Immunization Information System, including individual demographic and SES data, census tract SES data, and residence in an area with a vaccination coordinator. We conducted multilevel logistic regression analyses.

Results. Overall, 81% of children were UTD. Differences by race/ethnicity and census tract SES were typically under 5%. Not being UTD at age 7 months was the strongest predictor of underimmunization at age 24 months. Among children who were not UTD at age 7 months, only Medicaid enrollment (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.5, 0.7) and residence in an area with a vaccination coordinator (AOR = 0.7; 95% CI = 0.6, 0.9) significantly decreased the odds of subsequent underimmunization.

Conclusions. SES disparities associated with underimmunization at age 24 months were limited. Efforts focused on vaccinating infants born in low SES circumstances can minimize disparities.
Cambodian girls' recommendations for facilitating menstrual hygiene management in school
Authors: Connolly Susan , Sommer Marni
Published: November 2013

Inadequate school water and sanitation facilities in many low-income countries, including Cambodia, are problematic for pubescent girls as they reach menarche and must subsequently manage monthly menses while attending school. This comparative case study explored girls' own suggestions for improving the pubertal guidance they receive in the classroom, and for modifications of existing school water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) facilities in order to better meet schoolgirls' menstrual hygiene management needs. Key findings included girls' recommendations for teaching methodologies that encourage questions and practical content regarding puberty and menstrual management before the onset of menarche, and WASH-specific recommendations for the increased availability of water and sanitary materials in toilet stalls and greater privacy from boys and other girls. Incorporating girls' recommendations into WASH, health and education related policy and programming in low-income countries would allow girls to comfortably and confidently manage menses within the school environment.
Water safety planning and implementation: lessons from South Africa
Authors: Ncube Mthokozisi , Pawandiwa Maxwell N.
Published: November 2013

Water Safety Planning is an innovative way of attaining high quality of water service provision through embracing a risk-based approach to service provision. This paper describes the water safety planning journey of Ugu District Municipality, which manages 19 formal water supply systems. The municipality adopted the Pareto 20/80 rule of targeting 20% of the areas with 80% impact in the first iteration of the WSP by targeting the systems with the greatest impact while incorporating system knowledge from all other systems and the use of an extensive hazards database. The efforts received national recognition and built teams with improved understanding of the business resulting in improved water quality management. Operationalization of the plan was the most difficult task as it requires institutionalizing best practice amidst challenges that include limited funding, lack of support from critical stakeholders, staff shortages and attrition. A dedicated champion who will be an advocate for change management, proactive stakeholder engagement and senior management commitment with corresponding financial resources, are seen as prerequisites for success. Undeniable, progressive regulations and policies set the tone and foundation and are, in most instances, the drivers for water safety.
Plasma and Urinary Amino Acid Metabolomic Profiling in Patients with Different Levels of Kidney Function
Authors: Duranton Flore , Lundin Ulrika , Gayrard Nathalie , Mischak Harald , Aparicio Michel , Mourad Georges , Daurès Jean-Pierre , Weinberger Klaus M. , Argilés Àngel
Published: November 2013

Background and objectives

Patients with CKD display altered plasma amino acid profiles. This study estimated the association between the estimated GFR and urinary and plasma amino acid profiles in CKD patients.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Urine and plasma samples were taken from 52 patients with different stages of CKD, and plasma samples only were taken from 25 patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Metabolic profiling was performed by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry after phenylisothiocyanate derivatization.

Results

Most plasma amino acid concentrations were decreased in hemodialysis patients, whereas proline, citrulline, asparagine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and hydroxykynurenine levels were increased (P<0.05). Both plasma levels and urinary excretion of citrulline were higher in the group of patients with advanced CKD (CKD stages 2 and 3 versus CKD stages 4 and 5; in plasma: 35.9±16.3 versus 61.8±23.6 µmol/L, P<0.01; in urine: 1.0±1.2 versus 7.1±14.3 µmol/mol creatinine, P<0.001). Plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine levels were higher in advanced CKD (CKD stages 2 and 3, 0.57±0.29; CKD stages 4 and 5, 1.02±0.48, P<0.001), whereas urinary excretion was lower (2.37±0.93 versus 1.51±1.43, P<0.001). Multivariate analyses adjusting on estimated GFR, serum albumin, proteinuria, and other covariates revealed associations between diabetes and plasma citrulline (P=0.02) and between serum sodium and plasma asymmetric dimethylarginine (P=0.03). Plasma tyrosine to phenylalanine and valine to glycine ratios were lower in advanced CKD stages (P<0.01).

Conclusion

CKD patients have altered plasma and urinary amino acid profiles that are not corrected by dialysis. Depending on solutes, elevated plasma levels were associated with increased or decreased urinary excretion, depicting situations of uremic retention (asymmetric dimethylarginine) or systemic overproduction (citrulline). These results give some insight in the CKD-associated modifications of amino acid metabolism, which may help improve their handling.
Geometrical aspects of hot cracks in laser-arc hybrid welding
Authors: Wiklund Greger , Akselsen Odd , Sørgjerd Arve J. , Kaplan Alexander F. H.
Published: November 2013

Hot cracks were frequently found in double sided laser-arc hybrid welding thick section (20 mm) low carbon steel. Other research has usually investigated the metallurgical resolidification mechanisms of the welded metal alloy, but here possible relationships between the hot cracks and geometrical aspects of their surrounding weld and heat-affected zone cross sections were studied. The motivation behind this research was to identify guidelines for laser-arc hybrid welding to avoid hot cracks. Weld cross sections were used to analyze hot cracking because they are rather easy to prepare and straightforward to alter through the process parameters. In this study, hot cracks were found in a preferred geometrical window, namely, in the middle of the narrow deep region of the weld which was generated by the laser beam. From the cross section analysis, a first indicator was that a more inclined, converging shape of the lower part of the weld cross section can avoid hot cracks, associated with different energy input and resolidification front geometry. Significant reduction of the welding speed has avoided hot cracks, being a second indicator.
Drying Rate of Grain Maize
Authors: Vitázek Ivan , Vereš Peter
Published: November 2013

Maize is harvested after reaching maturity when its moisture content generally ranges from 30 % to 34 %, while the optimum moisture for storage is around 14-15 %. This moisture is usually achieved by thermal drying. Apart from initial moisture, the total drying time is affected by the temperature of the drying environment, atmospheric conditions and properties of the dried material. The present paper provides a description of the process of moisture loss and subsequent drying rate of grain maize from various growers. Obtained results are processed in a tabular and graphical form. After 30 minutes of drying, all the maize samples (10 samples two times in total) reached a moisture of 14 % and less, whereas 6 samples already after 20 minutes of drying. The rate of moisture loss was proportional to the initial moisture content. The drying of grain maize is considered one stage of the technological procedure in post-harvest treatment. Moreover, it is an essential preventive measure for wet harvest. Contemporary technologies of maize drying in modern dryers favourably influence the energy consumption in the process while maintaining the qualitative parameters of the dried material.
Electrical Prope Rties of Popcorn Grains
Authors: Novák Ján
Published: November 2013

This work contains the results of measuring the electrical properties of popcorn grains. Interest in electrical properties of biological materials resulted in engineering research in this field. The results of measurements are used for determining the moisture content, the surface level of liquid and grainy materials, for controlling the presence of pests in grain storage, for a quantitative determination of mechanical damage, in applications of dielectric heating, and in many other cases. Electrical measurements on these materials are of fundamental importance in relation to the analysis of quantity of absorbed water and dielectric heating characteristics. It is a well-known fact that electrical properties of materials, namely dielectric constant and conductivity, are affected by the moisture content of material. This fact is important for the design of many commercial moisture-testing instruments for agricultural products. The knowledge of dielectric properties of materials is necessary for the application of dielectric heating. The aim of this work was to perform the measurements of conductivity, dielectric constant and loss tangent on samples of popcorn grains, the electrical properties of which had not been sufficiently measured. Measurements were performed under variable moisture content and the frequency of electric field in the range from 1 MHz to 16 MHz, using a Q meter with a coaxial probe. It was concluded that conductivity, dielectric constant and loss tangent increased with increase of moisture content, and dielectric constant and loss factor decreased as the frequency of electric field increased.
Heat Consumption and Quality of Milk Pasteurization
Authors: Kažimírová Viera
Published: November 2013

This paper deals with milk processing with emphasis on pasteurization. The heat treatment of milk is important in terms of product quality and health safety. The goal of this paper is determination of heat consumption, inactivation effect and Pasteur criterion, by which pasteurization effectiveness is evaluated. The methodical part contains calculations, which were used for estimation of results and description of a pasteurization station used for milk processing. Results obtained in usual working time confirmed that necessary heating and cooling performance were achieved for guarantee of high-quality milk production. Real specific heat consumption was 51.69 kJ/kg. It was achieved by use of regeneration sections in the pasteurizer. These sections allow for a repeated use of 82 % of heat used for heating of raw milk in pasteurization.
Performance, Haematology and Serum Chemistry of Weaner Rabbits Fed Urea-Treated and Fermented Brewer’s Dried Grains Groundnut Cake-Based Diets
Authors: Isikwenu Jonathan Ogagaoghene
Published: November 2013

The effects of replacing groundnut cake (GNC) with urea-treated and fermented brewer’s dried grains in weaner rabbits diets on the performance, haematology and serum chemistry was investigated. Urea-treated and fermented brewer’s dried grains were used to replace GNC at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% levels in weaner rabbits´ diets. Diets were formulated to be isonitrogenous and isocaloric to provide 18% crude protein and 11.00 MJ/kg metabolizable energy. Weaner rabbits of mixed breeds and sexes, aged 8 weeks, were randomly allocated to five treatment groups on equal weight and sex basis. They consisted of two rabbits per replicate and six rabbits per treatment. They were fed ad libitum in hutches for ten weeks. Significant (P < 0.05) differences were observed in final body weight, daily body weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, white blood cell count (WBC), glucose and sodium content for all treatment groups. Results indicate that urea-treated and fermented brewers dried grains can be used to replace up to 75% GNC (18.00% of the diet) as an alternative plant protein source. Mortality level (3 - 7%) was normal and evenly spread across treatment groups.
Effect of protein and energy concentration in milk replacers on rearing performance of heifer calves
Authors: Niwińska Barbara , Bilik Krzysztof
Published: November 2013

The objective of the study was to analyse the effect of enriching milk replacers with crude protein (CP) and/or gross energy (GE) on rearing performance of Polish Holstein-Friesian heifer calves. The study was a 2 × 2 factorial design, with the two factors being CP content (220 and 290 g) and GE content (21 and 23 MJ) of milk replacer dry matter (DM). Thirty-two heifer calves aged 7 days were assigned to 1 of 4 experimental groups (n=8), in which they received limited milk replacer (800 ±10 g DM × day-1) to 56 days of age and the same concentrate mixture ad libitum to 120 days of age. Feeding programme and nutritive value of concentrate mixture were applied as recommended by IZ PIB-INRA feeding standards (2009). Rearing performance was determined from body weight and body size measures at 7, 56 and 120 days of age, and feed and nutrient utilization for weight gain and body size gain during the periods from 7 to 56, 57 to 120 and 7 to 120 days of age. During the liquid feeding period from 7 to 56 days of age, the increase in CP concentration in milk replacers had a statistically significant effect on weight gains, body size (P≤0.05), and utilization of feed DM, CP and GE for weight gain (P≤0.05), while the increase in GE concentration improved daily weight gains and utilization of CP for weight gain (P≤0.05). The increase in CP concentration and the simultaneous decrease in GE concentration had a beneficial effect on the intake of concentrate mixture (statistical tendency, P≤0.1), but its utilization for weight gain was similar in all the experimental groups. Heifer calves that had received protein-rich milk replacers previously, during the period from 57 to 120 days of age ingested more concentrate mixture per day but were less efficient in nutrient utilization for weight gain (statistical tendency, P≤0.1).
Effect of slaughter age on performance and meat quality of slow-growing broiler chickens
Authors: Połtowicz Katarzyna
Published: November 2013

The aim of the study was to determine the effect of age of slow-growing broiler chickens on growth performance and meat quality. Subjects were hybrids between Hubbard meat-type cockerels and Yellowleg Partridge Polish native hens. Chickens were raised indoors to 56, 70 or 84 days of age on deep litter under the same environmental conditions and fed ad litibum complete starter, grower and finisher diets containing 20, 18, 15 CP and 2825, 2825 and 2740 ME/kg feed, respectively. At the end of the experiment, 5 cockerels and 5 pullets were selected for slaughter from each age group and subjected to a simplified carcass analysis. Breast muscles and leg muscles were evaluated for technological properties such as pH, colour, water holding capacity, drip loss, cooking loss and shear force. The results were analysed statistically using analysis of variance and Duncan’s multiple range test. The duration of rearing had an effect on carcass and meat quality. The highest, statistically significant differences in the analysed traits were found between chickens slaughtered at 56 and 84 days of age. The highest dressing percentage was obtained in birds raised until 84 days of age. Youngest birds were characterized by the poorest muscle content of the carcass and the least favourable technological properties of meat. The highest growth efficiency was obtained when the hybrids were raised to 70 days of age.
Declining Cognition and Falls: Role of Risky Performance of Everyday Mobility Activities
Authors: Fischer Barbara L. , Gleason Carey E. , Gangnon Ronald E. , Janczewski Jodi , Shea Terry , Mahoney Jane E.
Published: November 2013

Background

Declining cognition is a risk factor for falls among older adults. The extent to which impaired judgment in performance of daily activities increases fall risk is unclear.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine whether engagement in mobility activities in a risky manner explains the association between declining cognition and rate of falls.

Design

This study was a secondary analysis of baseline and prospective data from older adults enrolled in the intervention arm of a randomized clinical trial.

Methods

Two hundred forty-five community-dwelling older adults (79% female; mean age=79 years, SD=8.0) who were at risk for falls received physical, cognitive, and functional evaluations. Cognition was assessed with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). Using interview and in-home assessment data, physical therapists determined whether participants were at risk for falls when performing mobility-related activities of daily living (ADL) and instrumental ADL (IADL). Falls were measured prospectively for 1 year using monthly falls diaries.

Results

Declining cognition was associated with increased number of mobility activities designated as risky (1.5% of mobility activities performed in a risky manner per SPMSQ point) and with increased rate of falls (rate ratio=1.16 for each unit change in SPMSQ score). Risky performance of mobility activities mediated the relationship between cognition and rate of falls.

Limitations

Risk assessment was based on the clinical judgment of experienced physical therapists. Cognition was measured with a relatively insensitive instrument, and only selected mobility activities were evaluated.

Conclusions

Engagement in mobility ADL and IADL tasks in a risky manner emerged as a link between declining cognition and increased number of falls, suggesting a mechanism through which the rate of falls may increase. Specifically, declining cognition is associated with performance of mobility activities in an unsafe manner, thereby increasing the risk for falls.
Establishment of a multidisciplinary concussion program: impact of standardization on patient care and resource utilization
Authors: Wilkins Sara Anne , Shannon Chevis N. , Brown Steven T. , Vance E. Haley , Ferguson Drew , Gran Kimberly , Crowther Marshall , Wellons John C. , Johnston James M.
Published: November 2013

Object

Recent legislation and media coverage have heightened awareness of concussion in youth sports. Previous work by the authors' group defined significant variation of care in management of children with concussion. To address this variation, a multidisciplinary concussion program was established based on a uniform management protocol, with emphasis on community outreach via traditional media sources and the Internet. This retrospective study evaluates the impact of standardization of concussion care and resource utilization before and after standardization in a large regional pediatric hospital center.

Methods

This retrospective study included all patients younger than 18 years of age evaluated for sports-related concussion between January 1, 2007, and December 31, 2011. Emergency department, sports medicine, and neurosurgery records were reviewed. Data collected included demographics, injury details, clinical course, Sports Concussion Assessment Tool-2 (SCAT2) scores, imaging, discharge instructions, and referral for specialty care. The cohort was analyzed comparing patients evaluated before and after standardization of care.

Results

Five hundred eighty-nine patients were identified, including 270 before standardization (2007–2011) and 319 after standardization (2011–2012). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.0001) were observed between the 2 groups for multiple variables: there were more girls, more first-time concussions, fewer initial presentations to the emergency department, more consistent administration of the SCAT2, and more consistent supervision of return to play and return to think after adoption of the protocol.

Conclusions

A combination of increased public awareness and legislation has led to a 5-fold increase in the number of youth athletes presenting for concussion evaluation at the authors' center. Establishment of a multidisciplinary clinic with a standardized protocol resulted in significantly decreased institutional resource utilization and more consistent concussion care for this growing patient population.
Pater'sParerga: Framing the Imaginary Portraits
Authors: Whiteley Giles
Published: November 2013

Walter Pater's late-nineteenth-century literary genre of the imaginary portrait has received relatively little critical attention. Conceived of as something of a continuum between his role as an art critic and his fictional pursuits, this essay probes the liminal space of the imaginary portraits, focusing on the role of the parergon, or frame, in his portraits. Guided by Pater's reading of Kant, who distinguishes between the work (ergon) and that which lies outside of the work (the parergon), between inside and outside, and contextualised alongside the analysis of Derrida, who shows how such distinctions have always already deconstructed themselves, I demonstrate a similar operation at work in the portraits. By closely analysing the parerga of two of Pater's portraits, ‘Duke Carl of Rosenmold’ (1887) and ‘Apollo in Picardy’ (1893), focusing on his partial quotation of Goethe in the former, and his playful autocitation and impersonation of Heine in the latter, I argue that Pater's parerga seek to destabilise the relationship between text and context so that the parerga do not lie outside the text but are implicated throughout in their reading, changing the portraits constitutively. As such, the formal structure of the parergon in Pater's portraits is also a theoretical fulcrum in his aesthetic criticism and marks that space where the limits of, and distinctions between, art and life become blurred.
Rate Parameter Distributions for Isobutane Dehydrogenation and Isobutene Dimerization and Desorption over HZSM-5
Authors: Brown Trevor , Miron David , Alanazi Abdullah , Le Minh Cam
Published: November 2013

Deconvolution of the evolved isobutene data obtained from temperature-programmed, low-pressure steady-state conversion of isobutane over HZSM-5 has yielded apparent activation energies for isobutane dehydrogenation, isobutene dimerization and desorption. Intrinsic activation energies and associated isobutane collision frequencies are also estimated. A combination of wavelet shrinkage denoising, followed by time-varying flexible least squares of the evolved mass-spectral abundance data over the temperature range 150 to 450 °C, provides accurate, temperature-dependent, apparent rate parameters. Intrinsic activation energies for isobutane dehydrogenation range from 86 to 235.2 kJ mol−1 (average = 150 ± 42 kJ mol−1) for isobutene dimerization from 48.3 to 267 kJ mol−1 (average = 112 ± 74 kJ mol−1) and for isobutene desorption from 64.4 to 97.8 kJ mol−1 (average = 77 ± 12 kJ mol−1). These wide ranges reflect the heterogeneity and acidity of the zeolite surface and structure. Seven distinct locations and sites, including Lewis and Brønsted acid sites can be identified in the profiles. Isobutane collision frequencies range from 10−0.4 to 1022.2 s−1 and are proportional to the accessibility of active sites, within the HZSM-5 micropores or on the external surface.
Titania Photocatalysis beyond Recombination: A Critical Review
Authors: Ohtani Bunsho
Published: November 2013

This short review paper shows the significance of recombination of a photoexcited electron and a hole in conduction and valence bands, respectively, of a titania photocatalyst, since recombination has not yet been fully understood and has not been evaluated adequately during the past several decades of research on heterogeneous photocatalysis.
Thermal Stability Threshold for Amyloid Formation in Light Chain Amyloidosis
Authors: Poshusta Tanya , Katoh Nagaaki , Gertz Morie , Dispenzieri Angela , Ramirez-Alvarado Marina
Published: November 2013

Light chain (AL) amyloidosis is a devastating disease characterized by amyloid deposits formed by immunoglobulin light chains. Current available treatments involve conventional chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplant. We have recently concluded a phase III trial comparing these two treatments. AL amyloidosis patients who achieve hematological complete response (CR) do not necessarily achieve organ response regardless of the treatment they received. In order to investigate the possible correlation between amyloid formation kinetics and organ response, we selected AL amyloidosis patients from the trial with kidney involvement and CR after treatment. Six patients were selected and their monoclonal immunoglobulin light chains were characterized. The proteins showed differences in their stability and their kinetics of amyloid formation. A correlation was detected at pH 7.4, showing that less stable proteins are more likely to form amyloid fibrils. AL-T03 is too unstable to form amyloid fibrils at pH 7.4. This protein was found in the only patient in the study that had organ response, suggesting that partially folded species are required for amyloid formation to occur in AL amyloidosis.
Discovery of New Eunicellin-Based Diterpenoids from a Formosan Soft Coral Cladiella sp.
Authors: Chen Tsung-Hung , Lu Mei-Chin , Chang Yu-Chia , Su Yin-Di , Chen Yu-Hsin , Lin Nai-Cheng , Fang Lee-Shing , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: November 2013

A new eunicellin diterpenoid, cladieunicellin I (1), and a new natural eunicellin, litophynin I diacetate (2), were isolated from a Formosan soft coral identified as Cladiella sp. The structures of eunicellins 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and by comparison of the spectral data with those of related analogues. Eunicellin 1 exhibited significant cytotoxicity toward the DLD-1 human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells.
Bayesian Networks for Raster Data (BayNeRD): Plausible Reasoning from Observations
Authors: Mello Marcio , Risso Joel , Atzberger Clement , Aplin Paul , Pebesma Edzer , Vieira Carlos , Rudorff Bernardo
Published: November 2013

This paper describes the basis functioning and implementation of a computer-aided Bayesian Network (BN) method that is able to incorporate experts’ knowledge for the benefit of remote sensing applications and other raster data analyses: Bayesian Network for Raster Data (BayNeRD). Using a case study of soybean mapping in Mato Grosso State, Brazil, BayNeRD was tested to evaluate its capability to support the understanding of a complex phenomenon through plausible reasoning based on data observation. Observations made upon Crop Enhanced Index (CEI) values for the current and previous crop years, soil type, terrain slope, and distance to the nearest road and water body were used to calculate the probability of soybean presence for the entire Mato Grosso State, showing strong adherence to the official data. CEI values were the most influencial variables in the calculated probability of soybean presence, stating the potential of remote sensing as a source of data. Moreover, the overall accuracy of over 91% confirmed the high accuracy of the thematic map derived from the calculated probability values. BayNeRD allows the expert to model the relationship among several observed variables, outputs variable importance information, handles incomplete and disparate forms of data, and offers a basis for plausible reasoning from observations. The BayNeRD algorithm has been implemented in R software and can be found on the internet.
Recent Changes in Terrestrial Gross Primary Productivity in Asia from 1982 to 2011
Authors: Ichii Kazuhito , Kondo Masayuki , Okabe Yuki , Ueyama Masahito , Kobayashi Hideki , Lee Seung-Jae , Saigusa Nobuko , Zhu Zaichun , Myneni Ranga
Published: November 2013

Past changes in gross primary productivity (GPP) were assessed using historical satellite observations based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) onboard the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) satellite series and four terrestrial biosphere models to identify the trends and driving mechanisms related to GPP and NDVI in Asia. A satellite-based time-series data analysis showed that approximately 40% of the area has experienced a significant increase in the NDVI, while only a few areas have experienced a significant decreasing trend over the last 30 years. The increases in the NDVI are dominant in the sub-continental regions of Siberia, East Asia, and India. Simulations using the terrestrial biosphere models also showed significant increases in GPP, similar to the results for the NDVI, in boreal and temperate regions. A modeled sensitivity analysis showed that the increases in GPP are explained by increased temperature and precipitation in Siberia. Precipitation, solar radiation and CO2 fertilization are important factors in the tropical regions. However, the relative contributions of each factor to GPP changes are different among the models.
Delivering Social Sustainability Outcomes in New Communities: The Role of the Elected Councillor
Authors: Johnstone Shona , Robison Rosalyn , Manning Rachel
Published: November 2013

A 2011 Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) report calculated that an additional 750,000 homes would be needed by 2025 to meet projected demand in the UK. If this is to be achieved, a significant number of new communities will be developed over the next decade. Local councillors have considerable potential in influencing the social sustainability of such new developments, particularly in the context of the current “Localism” agenda in the UK. However, this role of the local councilor is not well understood. The aim of this project was to explore the role of the local councillor in improving such outcomes. We selected two rural greenfield and two urban regeneration sites as case studies. Planning officers and local councillors were interviewed across the sites in order to identify factors that can lead to improved social sustainability. Emerging themes indicate the importance of the councillor’s role in community engagement and consultation, the changing nature of relationships, the importance of appropriate and timely infrastructure, and models of governance and accountability. These findings are discussed in terms of their implications for policy.
Les employeurs, un autre acteur de la politique familiale ? [Un état des lieux de leur participation dans la conciliation vie familiale-vie professionnelle]
Authors: Lefèvre Cécile , Pailhé Ariane , Solaz Anne
Published: November 2013

This article considers the aid afforded employees by their employers to reconcile work and family life, an issue rarely treated quantitatively. The authors begin by developing an overview of the various measures proposed in France before analysing their variations according to the characteristics of employer establishments (size, sector, proportion of female employees, public/ private sector, etc.). The measures contributing to the work-family balance have two main features which are not necessarily cumulative : the possibility of flexible working hours on the one hand and benefits (monetary or in kind) on the other. Cash and non-cash benefits tend to be cumulative, in particular in large-scale establishments, although working hours are less flexible. The overall observation is that reconciliation policies are more prevalent in the public sector. The proportion of women among employees also has a positive effect on services offered, albeit less so on working time flexibility, which depends strongly on organisational constraints.
La conciliation dans les entreprises : une mise en oeuvre sexuée ?
Authors: Boyer Danielle , Nicolas Muriel
Published: November 2013

Dans un contexte de persistance d’une inégale répartition au sein des couples des prises en charge des questions de conciliation vie familiale - vie professionnelle, cet article s’inscrit dans la continuité des travaux voulant éclairer l’implication relativement restreinte des pères dans la sphère familiale. En ce sens, une réflexion est menée autour du rôle des entreprises dans la répartition sexuée des tâches de conciliation, au travers du degré de tolérance envers les salariés hommes et femmes vis-à-vis du travail à temps partiel, des modifications d''horaires imprévues et d''absences dues aux enfants. En se centrant sur les déclarations des salariés concernant la réponse qu’ils pensent que leur employeur leur donnerait s’ils demandaient à avoir recours à l''un de ces aménagements d’horaires, une discussion peut s''ouvrir entre la part de responsabilité éventuelle des entreprises et celle des représentations personnelles des salariés sur le modèle de l''implication masculine et paternelle dans les sphères familiales et professionnelles. Cette étude révèle, pour certains dispositifs de conciliation, une mise en ouvre sexuée au sein des entreprises, mais montre surtout que les caractéristiques même de l''emploi occupé apparaissent bien plus déterminantes.
Sex Tourism in Kenya: an Analytical Review
Authors: Hope, Sr. Kempe Ronald
Published: November 2013

Although the Kenyan tourism sector has been beneficial to the country's economy, it has not been cost free. There are also a variety of negative aspects of tourism development in Kenya, and one of its least desirable characteristics and most visible negative aspect is the impact on
indigenous cultures and values. Kenya's beach tourism has spawned prostitution, crime, and corruption along the coast. Inland, tourists visit cultural villages semidressed, kiss and caress, and offend traditional sensibilities because they are given no code of conduct. But perhaps the most
significant negative impact of the travel and tourism activities in Kenya is sex tourism. This article analytically discusses and reviews the increasingly popular phenomenon of sex tourism in Kenya.
The Acceptance or Rejection of Social Media: a Case Study of Rochford Winery Estate in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Strickland Paul , Frost Warwick , Williams Kim M. , Laing Jennifer
Published: November 2013

This article examines the acceptance and rejection of social media technology using rochford Winery Estate in the Yarra Valley in Victoria, Australia, as a case study. The purpose of this investigation is to examine the perceptions of the seven main social media platforms and, through
in-depth interviews with rochford Winery Estate personnel, to determine if any of these platforms are actually employed to assist in increasing revenue. The results indicate that four of the seven identified platforms, being referrals, user-generated content, member profiles, and social networking,
were considered worth adopting as they have the most perceived potential to assist in increasing revenue. The three rejected categories (blogs, ratings and reviews, and forums) were not seen as strong sales or marketing platforms or having direct relevance to the winery. However, the business
concedes that social media may also assist in the overall marketing strategy through brand awareness. Ideally, social media would be more heavily embraced and given additional financial resources if proven increases in revenue could be obtained and overall control of their brand on the World
Wide Web was achievable. The article concludes by suggesting that this winery and perhaps the wine industry are willing to embrace social media if the financial rewards outweigh the financial investment. Wine regions are generally open to cooperative marketing campaigns and there should be
no difficulty in implementing social media campaigns for mutual benefit. This research may assist other wineries locally, nationally, or globally to adopt new sales techniques through social media, therefore allowing the wine industry to continue to expand and remain relevant in today's competitive
environment.
Malaria elimination: needs assessment and priorities for the future
Authors: El-Moamly Amal
Published: November 2013

When the World Health Organization announced the goal of global eradication of malaria in 2007, questions were raised about the naivety of this proposition. Since then, experts have been divided about this goal. Some scientists suggest that when defeating malaria, elimination is a worthy and challenging aim, but this has to be done with modesty and thorough analysis. Others believe that it is time to repeat the experience of smallpox eradication and to open a whole new era for public health, the eradication of many diseases. The opposing view suggests that raising expectations and failing again may set malaria control back, rather than advance its cause. This literature review focuses on malaria elimination. It summarizes the history of malaria elimination, its success factors and reasons for failure, and the controversial issues in malaria elimination. The collected articles on the challenges of elimination, and the technical and financial feasibility that countries must appreciate before proceeding, are identified. Also, this review discusses the current global strategy to eliminate malaria and highlights the main concerns for future plans aimed at elimination. These plans foresee improving currently available diagnostic methods, therapeutic and prophylactic agents and protocols, vector control procedures, vaccine development progress, and other operational tools and approaches. Finally, this review addresses a number of research priorities in the present stage of the fight against malaria.
Fluoroquinolone resistant mechanisms in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clinical isolates in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Hashem Rasha A , Yassin Aymen S , Zedan Hamdallah H , Amin Magdy A
Published: November 2013

Introduction: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a persistent problem in community and health care settings. Fluoroquinolones are among the drugs of choice used to treat MRSA infections. This study aims to identify different mechanisms of fluoroquinolne resistance in local MRSA random sampling isolates in Cairo, Egypt. Methodology: A total of 94 clinical isolates of S. aureus were collected from two major University hospitals in Cairo. Identification was confirmed by appropriate morphological, cultural, and biochemical tests. The antibiotic susceptibility pattern was determined for all isolates. The possible involvement of efflux pumps in mediating fluoroquinolone resistance as well as changes in the quinolone resistance determining region (QRDR) of gyrA and gyrB genes were investigated Results: A total of 45 isolates were found to be MRSA, among which 26 isolates were found to be fluoroquinolone-resistant. The MIC values of the tested fluoroquinolones in the presence of the efflux pump inhibitors omeprazole and piperine were reduced. Measuring the uptake of ciprofloxacin upon the addition of the efflux pump inhibitor omeprazole, an increased level of accumulation was observed. Non-synonymous and silent mutations were detected in the QRDR of gyrA and gyrB genes. Conclusions: These results shed light on some of the resistance patterns of MRSA strains isolated from local health care settings in Cairo, Egypt. The resistance of these MRSA towards fluoroquinolones does not depend only on mutation in target genes; other mechanisms of resistance such as the permeability effect, efflux pumps and decreased availability of quinolones at the target site can also be involved.