bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Miniature vessels from the Neolithic site at Čatež-Sredno polje. Were they meant for every day use or for something else?
Authors: Tomaž Alenka
Published: June 2014

Archaeologists use models based on ethnographic analogy and theory to recreate the meanings of symbols, but rarely can the archaeological data by itself provide us with a story. The extensive excavation at Neolithic Čatež-Sredno polje provided us with new information concerning Neolithic society in the first half of the 5th millennium B.C. in Slovenia. The abundance of pottery finds offered a huge opportunity to explore several aspects of pottery production. In this article a closer look at one group of pottery finds will be presented. A detailed picture of the symbolic aspects of miniature vessels will be presented in terms of their production, use, function, and distribution.
Sexual symbolism in the Early Neolithic of the Southern Levant: pestles and mortars from WF16
Authors: Mithen Steven , Finlayson Bill , Shaffrey Ruth
Published: June 2014

WF16 is a Pre-Pottery Neolithic site in the Southern Levant that has produced an important collection of ground stone artefacts. These include one explicit and one ambiguous representation of a phallus – the latter may be a human head and shoulders. The authors note the visual similarity of certain pestles from WF16 to phalli and suggest that such artefacts and their use may have been imbued with sexual metaphor. As such, the most potent references to sex, reproduction and fertility in the early Neolithic may not be the exotic figures claimed to be ‘Mother Goddesses’ but located in the most mundane of domestic artefacts.
Tracing symbols of life and symbols of death in Neolithic archaeological contexts
Authors: Kyparissi Apostolika Nina
Published: June 2014

Since Early Neolithic several miscellaneous objects seem to have served for self-decoration keeping though a symbolic meaning as they are found in certain repeated types which must have been recognisable and accepted by all as ‘signifiers‘ of social and ideological information. This inventory was enriched during the following Middle Neolithic, while in the Late and Final Neolithic they seem to be, at least some of them, if not all, the result of systematic production for commercial purpose as they were made in Greece but destined mainly for the markets of Europe, where they were found usually in graves as symbols of social and financial gradations, and in this sense they also functioned symbolically as ‘signifiers’.
The Late Glacial ancestry of Europeans: combining genetic and archaeological evidence
Authors: Gamble Clive , Davies William , Pettitt Paul , Hazelwood Lee , Richards Martin
Published: June 2014

Chronometric attention in the Late Glacial of Western Europe is turning from the dating of archaeological cultures to studying how the continent was re-populated at the end of the last ice age. We present results from a survey of all available radiocarbon determinations (the S2AGES database) which show that when calibrated, and compared to the GRIP stratotype of climatic events, the data can be interpreted as five population events in the 15ka prior to the onset of the Holocene. The fine-grained climate record provides an opportunity to study the impact of environmental factors on a human dispersal process that not only shaped subsequent European prehistory, but also the genetic makeup of modern Europeans. The population events have implications for archaeologists and molecular geneticists concerning the timing, direction, speed and scale of processes in Western European demographic history. The results also bear on the role of climatic forcing on the expansion and contraction of human populations and in particular the correlation of ice core and terrestrial records for the onset of warming in the North Atlantic.
Red, black or white? The dawn of colour symbolism
Authors: Petru Simona
Published: June 2014

In this paper the use of the pigments in the Paleolithic is presented, and some ideas of the symbolic meaning of colours are suggested. The colour red might have been a symbol of transformation, and as such, it was used in burials and for painting the Venus figurines. In the Slovenian Paleolithic, there is scant evidence of importance of colour and only a few finds of stones used for the grinding of the red pigment have been found.
A Pan-European model of the Neolithic
Authors: Davison Kate , Dolukhanov Pavel M. , Sarson Graeme R. , Shukurov Anvar
Published: June 2014

We present a mathematical model, based on a compilation of radiocarbon dates, of the transition to the Neolithic, from about 7000 to 4000 BC in Europe. With the arrival of the Neolithic, hunting and food gathering gave way to agriculture and stock breeding in many parts of Europe; pottery-making spread into even broader areas. We use a population dynamics model to suggest the presence of two waves of advance, one from the Near East, and another through Eastern Europe. Thus, we provide a quantitative framework in which a unified interpretation of the Western and Eastern Neolithic can be developed.
The earliest Neolithic complex in Siberia: the Ust-Karenga 12 site and its significance for the Neolithisation process in Eurasia
Authors: Kuzmin Yaroslav V. , Vetrov Viktor M.
Published: June 2014

The discovery of Neolithic (i.e. pottery-containing) components at the Ust-Karenga 12 site in northern Transbaikal brought to light new data on the appearance of pottery in Siberia. Excavations and geoarchaeological studies identified the pottery complex in layer 7, 14C-dated to c. 12 180–10 750 BP (charcoal dates) and c. 11 070–10 600 BP (pottery organics dates). The pottery is thin and plant fibre-tempered; vessels are round-bottomed and with a comb-pattern design. Ust-Karenga 12 thus preserves by far the earliest Neolithic assemblage in Siberia, and is only slightly younger than the Initial Neolithic complexes of the Amur River basin, Russian Far East (c. 13 300–12 400 BP).
Unravelling ground stone life histories> the spatial organization of stone tools and human activities at LN Makriyalos, Greece
Authors: Tsoraki Christina
Published: June 2014

Unlike previous studies of ground stone technology in the Greek Neolithic, this paper follows a more contextualised approach by looking at contexts of deposition of ground stone from Late Neolithic Makriyalos, Northern Greece. The patterns attested in the distribution of ground stone objects between domestic and communal areas will be discussed in terms of the spatial and social contexts of tool use, curation and deposition, contributing to wider discussions about the way acts of production, consumption and discard were structured within different contexts of social practice.
Cultural landscapes in the lower Danube area. Experimenting tell settlements
Authors: Gheorghiu Dragos
Published: June 2014

In archaeological research Chalcolithic tells are generally approached as distinct, decontextualized, architectural objects, separated from the other cultural traits which form a whole dwelling complex. A goal of the present paper is to present tells as part of a larger dwelling strategy, under the form of a cultural landscape structured by numerous rites of passage and modelled with fire. The experimental and experiential approaches to understanding the process of construction and of intentional firing, as well as the importance of firescapes in the construction of collective memory are discussed.
Embodiment and visual reproduction in the Neolithic: the case of stamped symbols
Authors: Skeates Robin
Published: June 2014

This paper explores the cultural and conceptual dimensions of ceramic (and stone) stamps found at Neolithic and Copper Age sites in Western Asia and Southern Europe, dating to between the eighth and third millennia BC. Based upon a recent study of their archaeological deposition contexts, their surviving forms and regional variations in their style, they are discussed here in terms of their biographies, their reciprocal relations with people, and their embeddedness in cultural processes. More specifically, they are interpreted with reference to a pair of key cultural processes that characterise the material culture of Neolithic Eurasia: embodiment and visual reproduction.
Communities, households and animals. Convergent developments in Central Anatolian and Central European Neolithic
Authors: Marciniak Arkadiusz
Published: June 2014

This paper intends to scrutinize striking similarities in cultural developments and social transformations in Neolithic communities in the North European Plain of Central Europe and Central Anatolia in the early phase of their development and in the following post-Eearly Neolithic period. They will be explored through evidence pertaining to architecture and the organization of space, alongside changes in settlement pattern, as well as animal bone assemblages and zoomorphic representations. Social changes, in particular a transition from communal arrangements of local groups in the Early Neolithic to autonomous household organization in the following period, will be debated.
Nitric oxide turnover in permeable river sediment
Authors: Schreiber Frank , Stief Peter , Kuypers Marcel M. M. , de Beer Dirk
Published: June 2014

We measured nitric oxide (NO) microprofiles in relation to oxygen (O2) and all major dissolved N‐species (ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and nitrous oxide [N2O]) in a permeable, freshwater sediment (River Weser, Germany). NO reaches peak concentrations of 0.13 µmol L−1 in the oxic zone and is consumed in the oxic—anoxic transition zone. Apparently, NO is produced by ammonia oxidizers under oxic conditions and consumed by denitrification under microoxic conditions. Experimental percolation of sediment cores with aerated surface water resulted in an initial rate of NO production that was 12 times higher than the net NO production rate in steady state. This initial NO production rate is in the same range as the net ammonia oxidation rate, indicating that NO is transiently the main product of ammonia oxidizers. Stable isotope labeling experiments with the 15N‐labeled chemical NO donor S‐nitroso‐N‐acetylpenicillamine (SNAP) (1) confirmed denitrification as the main NO consumption pathway, with N2O as its major product, (2) showed that denitrification combines one free NO molecule with one NO molecule formed from nitrite to produce N2O, and (3) suggested that NO inhibits N2O reduction.
Competency-based pediatric disaster training
Authors: Behar, MD Solomon , Burke, PhD, MPH Rita , Upperman, MD Jeffrey , Nager, MD, MHA Alan L.
Published: June 2014

Objective: To assess whether participation in a competency-based pediatric disaster educational curriculum increases participants’ knowledge of how to manage pediatric disaster victims.Design: Pretest/post-test intervention study.Setting: Large, urban, academic tertiary hospital.Patients/participants: Three hundred twentysix clinical and nonclinical healthcare employees.Main outcome measure: Pre-educational and posteducational intervention scores on a 30-item pediatric disaster test.Results: Participants without prior pediatric disaster training had significant improvements between pre-educational and posteducational intervention test scores (p 0.0001).Conclusions: Our competency-based pediatric disaster educational intervention improved the knowledge of most attendees, the majority of whom infrequently care for pediatric patients. This set of pediatric disaster competencies can be used in future formulation of a standardized curriculum.
Active shooter in the emergency department: A scenario-based training approach for healthcare workers
Authors: Kotora, DO Joseph G. , Clancy, PhD, NREMT-P Terry , Manzon, BA Lauren , Malik, BS Varun , Louden, PhD Robert J. , Merlin, DO, EMT-P, FACEP Mark A.
Published: June 2014

Background: An active shooter in the emergency department (ED) presents a significant danger to employees, patients, and visitors. Very little education on this topic exists for healthcare workers. Using didactic and scenario-based training methods, the authors constructed a comprehensive training experience to better prepare healthcare workers for an active shooter.Methods: Thirty-two residents, nurses, and medical students participated in a disaster drill onboard a US military base. All were blinded to the scenarios.The study was approved by the institutional review board, and written consent was obtained from all participants. Each participant completed a 10-item pretest developed from the Department of Homeland Security’s IS:907 Active Shooter course. Participants were exposed to a single active shooter scenario followed by a didactic lecture on hostage recovery and crisis negotiation. Participants were then exposed to a scenario involving multiple shooters. Many of the participants were held hostage for several hours. The training concluded with a post-test and debrief. Paired Student’s t-test determined statistical significance between the pretest and post-test questionnaire scores.Results: Paired Student’s t-tests confirmed a statistically significant difference between the pretest and posttest scores for the subjects, as a whole (p 0.002 [−0.177, −0.041]).There was no difference in scores for nurses (p = 1 [−1.779, 1.779]).The scores for resident physicians (p 0.01 [−0.192, −0.032]) and medical students (p 0.01 [−0.334, −0.044]) were found to be significant.Conclusions: Didactic lectures, combined with case-based scenarios, are an effective method to teach healthcare workers how to best manage an active shooter incident.
Cost and benefits of a typical county’s emergency response program
Authors: Butterworth, MS Lillian R. , Riedel, BS Steve , Dietz, PhD, PE J. Eric
Published: June 2014

Threats from natural disasters and terrorist attacks are real and are occurring ever closer to home. The State Homeland Security Program authorizes annual grants to supplement state and local response capabilities. Although county-level emergency management agencies have received grants to enhance response capabilities, analysis tools to strategically manage these new capabilities are still not in place. Through a combination of research, qualitative, and quantitative analysis, this study provides a broad view of the resource-based relationships between a typical Midwest county emergency management agency and its neighboring district counties, as well as other counties and districts within the state. A capabilities assessment and a life cycle cost analysis are also presented to demonstrate ways of valuing response equipment and the future costs associated with replacement, maintenance, and training.
Implementing mobile geographic information system technology in North Carolina to enhance emergency preparedness: Evaluation of associated trainings and exercises
Authors: Horney, MA, MPH, PhD Jennifer , Ramsey, BS, MPH Steve , Smith, PhD Mark , Johnson, MPH Morgan L. , MacDonald, MPH, PhD Pia D. M.
Published: June 2014

In 2004, the North Carolina Division of Public Health initiated the Rapid Response Project to incorporate geographic information system (GIS) technology into public health preparedness and response. In 2007, 17 local health departments (LHDs) received funding, training, and equipment from federal preparedness grant funds to increase epidemiology capacity through the spatial analysis and centralization of public health data.This article describes training and exercises associated with implementing mobile GIS technology at LHDs and presents evaluation findings from associated trainings and exercises. Participant surveys were used to conduct formative, process, and outcome evaluations to assess the effectiveness of training and exercise activities. Pretraining and post-training and exercise surveys were given to LHD staff who received equipment and attended a training course or participated in the statewide exercise. Differences in means between pretraining and post-training and pre-exercise and postexercise were evaluated using t tests. A total of 96 LHD staff completed the pretraining and posttraining evaluation. Fifty-two participants completed the pre-exercise and postexercise evaluation. After attending the 2-day training, participants reported significant improvements in knowledge and comfort using GIS-enabled computers for field data collection and accessing data and map layers from the state’s database (p < 0.05). Following the exercise, participants reported significant improvements in their ability to use GIS-enabled computers to respond to a natural disaster, bioterrorist attack, chemical spill, or a disease outbreak, as well as to perform a routine community health assessment. Enhancement of mobile GIS/global positioning system capacities of LHDs should improve the readiness of North Carolina in public health emergencies. Handheld computers with GIS were highly acceptable to LHD staff for use during routine assessments and emergency responses. Despite limited experience, LHD staff reported feeling more prepared to use mobile and wireless technology for sample selection, mapping, and data collection.
Using Experiential Learning Theory to design emergency preparedness training curricula
Authors: Renger, PhD, MEP Ralph , Wood, MPH Shandiin , Granillo, MS Brenda
Published: June 2014

The goal of training is to improve the capability to better prepare, respond, and recover from an emergency. Much training is ineffective in transferring learning from the classroom to the field. One reason for this is that training tends to be cognitive or memory based, as opposed to experientially based. The purpose of this article is to show how Experiential Learning Theory (ELT) was applied to develop an emergency preparedness training curricula. After discussing the basic principles of ELT, the application of these principles is illustrated by way of a case example. Although the application of ELT is illustrated in the context of a public health emergency response curriculum, the steps in translating theory to practice are sufficiently robust to apply to the development of any emergency training curricula.
A naming convention for atmospheric organic aerosol
Authors: Murphy B. N. , Donahue N. M. , Robinson A. L. , Pandis S. N.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. While the field of atmospheric organic aerosol scientific research has experienced thorough and insightful progress over the last half century, this progress has been accompanied by the evolution of a communicative and detailed yet, at times, complex and inconsistent language. The menagerie of detailed classification that now exists to describe organic compounds in our atmosphere reflects the wealth of observational techniques now at our disposal as well as the rich information provided by state-of-the-science instrumentation. However, the nomenclature in place to communicate these scientific gains is growing disjointed to the point that effective communication within the scientific community and to the public may be sacrificed. We propose standardizing a naming convention for organic aerosol classification that is relevant to laboratory studies, ambient observations, atmospheric models, and various stakeholders for air-quality problems. Because a critical aspect of this effort is to directly translate the essence of complex physico-chemical phenomena to a much broader, policy-oriented audience, we recommend a framework that maximizes comprehension among scientists and non-scientists alike. For example, to classify volatility, it relies on straightforward alphabetic terms (e.g., semivolatile, SV; intermediate volatility, IV; etc.) rather than possibly ambiguous numeric indices. This framework classifies organic material as primary or secondary pollutants and distinguishes among fundamental features important for science and policy questions including emission source, chemical phase, and volatility. Also useful is the addition of an alphabetic suffix identifying the volatility of the organic material or its precursor for when emission occurred. With this framework, we hope to introduce into the community a consistent connection between common notation for the general public and detailed nomenclature for highly specialized discussion. In so doing, we try to maintain consistency with historical, familiar naming schemes, unify much of the scattered nomenclature presented in recent literature, reduce the barrier of comprehension to outside audiences, and construct a scaffold into which insights from future scientific discoveries can be incorporated.
The effect of climate change and emission scenarios on ozone concentrations over Belgium: a high-resolution model study for policy support
Authors: Lauwaet D. , Viaene P. , Brisson E. , van Lipzig N.P.M. , van Noije T. , Strunk A. , Van Looy S. , Veldeman N. , Blyth L. , De Ridder K. , Janssen S.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Belgium is one of the areas within Europe experiencing the highest levels of air pollution. A high-resolution (3 km) modelling experiment is employed to provide guidance to policymakers about expected air quality changes in the near future (2026–2035). The regional air quality model AURORA (Air quality modelling in Urban Regions using an Optimal Resolution Approach), driven by output from a regional climate model, is used to simulate several 10-year time slices to investigate the impact of climatic changes and different emission scenarios on near-surface O3 concentrations, one of the key indices for air quality. Evaluation of the model against measurements from 34 observation stations shows that the AURORA model is capable of reproducing 10-year mean concentrations, daily cycles and spatial patterns. The results for the Representative Concentration Pathways (RCP)4.5 emission scenario indicate that the mean surface O3 concentrations are expected to increase significantly in the near future due to less O3 titration by reduced NOx emissions. Applying an alternative emission scenario for Europe is found to have only a minor impact on the overall concentrations, which are dominated by the background changes. Climate change alone has a much smaller effect on the near-surface O3 concentrations over Belgium than the projected emission changes. The very high horizontal resolution that is used in this study results in much improved spatial correlations and simulated peak concentrations compared to a standard 25 km simulation. An analysis of the number of peak episodes during summer revealed that the emission reductions in RCP4.5 result in a 25% decrease of these peak episodes.
Developing a western Siberia reference site for tropospheric water vapour isotopologue observations obtained by different techniques (in situ and remote sensing)
Authors: Gribanov K. , Jouzel J. , Bastrikov V. , Bonne J.-L. , Breon F.-M. , Butzin M. , Cattani O. , Masson-Delmotte V. , Rokotyan N. , Werner M. , Zakharov V.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Water stable isotopologues provide integrated tracers of the atmospheric water cycle, affected by changes in air mass origin, non-convective and convective processes and continental recycling. Novel remote sensing and in situ measuring techniques have recently offered opportunities for monitoring atmospheric water vapour isotopic composition. Recently developed infrared laser spectrometers allow for continuous in situ measurements of surface water vapour δDv and δ18Ov. So far, very few intercomparisons of measurements conducted using different techniques have been achieved at a given location, due to difficulties intrinsic to the comparison of integrated with local measurements. Nudged simulations conducted with high-resolution isotopically enabled general circulation models (GCMs) provide a consistent framework for comparison with the different types of observations. Here, we compare simulations conducted with the ECHAM5-wiso model with two types of water vapour isotopic data obtained during summer 2012 at the forest site of Kourovka, western Siberia: hourly ground-based FTIR total atmospheric columnar δDv amounts, and in situ hourly Picarro δDv measurements. There is an excellent correlation between observed and predicted δDv at surface while the comparison between water column values derived from the model compares well with FTIR estimates.
Predicting tree heights for biomass estimates in tropical forests – a test from French Guiana
Authors: Molto Q. , Hérault B. , Boreux J.-J. , Daullet M. , Rousteau A. , Rossi V.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. The recent development of REDD+ mechanisms requires reliable estimation of carbon stocks, especially in tropical forests that are particularly threatened by global changes. Even though tree height is a crucial variable for computing aboveground forest biomass (AGB), it is rarely measured in large-scale forest censuses because it requires extra effort. Therefore, tree height has to be predicted with height models. The height and diameter of all trees over 10 cm in diameter were measured in 33 half-hectare plots and 9 one-hectare plots throughout northern French Guiana, an area with substantial climate and environmental gradients. We compared four different model shapes and found that the Michaelis–Menten shape was most appropriate for the tree biomass prediction. Model parameter values were significantly different from one forest plot to another, and this leads to large errors in biomass estimates. Variables from the forest stand structure explained a sufficient part of plot-to-plot variations of the height model parameters to improve the quality of the AGB predictions. In the forest stands dominated by small trees, the trees were found to have rapid height growth for small diameters. In forest stands dominated by larger trees, the trees were found to have the greatest heights for large diameters. The aboveground biomass estimation uncertainty of the forest plots was reduced by the use of the forest structure-based height model. It demonstrated the feasibility and the importance of height modeling in tropical forests for carbon mapping. When the tree heights are not measured in an inventory, they can be predicted with a height–diameter model and incorporating forest structure descriptors may improve the predictions.
Positive feedback of elevated CO2 on soil respiration in late autumn and winter
Authors: Keidel L. , Kammann C. , Grünhage L. , Moser G. , Müller C.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. Soil respiration of terrestrial ecosystems, a major component in the global carbon cycle is affected by elevated atmospheric CO2 concentrations. However, seasonal differences of feedback effects of elevated CO2 have rarely been studied. At the Giessen Free-Air CO2 Enrichment (GiFACE) site, the effects of +20% above ambient CO2 concentration (corresponds to conditions reached 2035–2045) have been investigated since 1998 in a temperate grassland ecosystem. We defined five distinct annual periods, with respect to management practices and phenological cycles. For a period of three years (2008–2010), weekly measurements of soil respiration were carried out with a survey chamber on vegetation-free subplots. The results revealed a pronounced and repeated increase of soil respiration during late autumn and winter dormancy. Increased CO2 losses during the autumn period (September–October) were 15.7% higher and during the winter period (November–March) were 17.4% higher compared to respiration from control plots. However, during spring time and summer, which are characterized by strong above- and below-ground plant growth, no significant change in soil respiration was observed at the FACE site under elevated CO2. This suggests (i) that soil respiration measurements, carried out only during the vegetative growth period under elevated CO2 may underestimate the true soil-respiratory CO2 loss (i.e. overestimate the C sequestered) and (ii) that additional C assimilated by plants during the growing period and transferred below-ground will quickly be lost via enhanced heterotrophic respiration outside the main vegetation period.
Enthalpy benchmark experiments for numerical ice sheet models
Authors: Kleiner T. , Rückamp M. , Bondzio J. , Humbert A.
Published: June 2014

Abstract. We present benchmark experiments to test the implementation of enthalpy and the corresponding boundary conditions in numerical ice sheet models. The first experiment tests particularly the functionality of the boundary condition scheme and the basal melt rate calculation during transient simulations. The second experiment addresses the steady-state enthalpy profile and the resulting position of the cold–temperate transition surface (CTS). For both experiments we assume ice flow in a parallel-sided slab decoupled from the thermal regime. Since we impose several assumptions on the experiment design, analytical solutions can be formulated for the proposed numerical experiments. We compare simulation results achieved by three different ice flow-models with these analytical solutions. The models agree well to the analytical solutions, if the change in conductivity between cold and temperate ice is properly considered in the model. In particular, the enthalpy gradient at the cold side of the CTS vanishes in the limit of vanishing conductivity in the temperate ice part as required from the physical jump conditions at the CTS.
THERMOREVERSIBLE CROSS-LINKING MALEIC ANHYDRIDE GRAFTED CHLOROBUTYL RUBBER WITH HYDROGEN BONDS (COMBINED WITH IONIC INTERACTIONS)
Authors: Li Lin , Kim Jin Kuk
Published: June 2014

Thermoreversible cross-linking polymers are designed based on reversible cross-linking bonds. These bonds are able to reversibly dissociate and associate upon the input of external energy, such as heat or light. Reprocessibility is possible for this kind of material. The objective was to thermoreversibly cross-link maleic anhydride grafted chlorobutyl rubber (MAH-g-CIIR) via a reaction with octadecylamine, with an excess to obtain amide-salts, which form both hydrogen bonds and ionic interactions. X-ray diffraction experiments showed the presence of microphase-separated aggregates that acted as physical cross-links for both the MAH-g-CIIR precursor and amide-salts. The tensile properties were improved by converting MAH-g-CIIR to amide-salts, because of the combination of hydrogen bonding and ionic interactions. The cross-linked materials could be repeatedly compression molded at 155 °C into homogeneous films. The differential scanning calorimetry curves and Fourier transform infrared spectra indicate that hydrogen bonds are of a thermoreversible nature, but the recovery of ionic bonds is impossible. After treatment with heating-cooling for up to three cycles, the tensile strength of the thermoreversible cross-linking CIIR was greatly reduced. The gradual reduction in the effectiveness of the ionic-hydrogen bonds is the major contribution to the reprocessibility of these materials.
Assessment of different casing materials for use as peat alternatives in mushroom cultivation. Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative production parameters
Authors: Pardo A. , De Juan A. J. , Pardo J.
Published: June 2014

In this work, various casing materials (composted pine bark, coconut fibre pith and wood fibre) have been evaluated as alternative to peat (sphagnum blonde peat and black peat) for the cultivation of mushroom. For this, both quantitative (number of mushrooms, yield, unit weight, biological efficiency and earliness) and qualitative (diameter of the sporophore, colour, dry matter, texture, proteins, soluble solids, ash and pH) production parameters were evaluated. The results obtained for the number of mushrooms, unit weight, total production, biological efficiency, diameter of the sporophore, colour, dry matter, protein, soluble solid and ash content, and pH, differed among the three mushroom strains considered. The greatest proportion of harvested mushrooms were of medium size for all strains and casing layers considered. No significant differences were observed in colour and texture among the casing types.
Cost analysis of octopus ongrowing installation in Galicia [Spain]
Authors: García García J. , Rodríguez González L.M. , García García B.
Published: June 2014

Recent years have seen the opening of several octopus fattening installations in Galicia with varying results, although such installations, in principle, do show promise. The technology for rearing octopus is scant since the full biological cycle cannot as yet be reproduced in captivity and the production system is based on capturing juveniles in the wild, containing them in different types of cage and feeding them with trawled species of little commercial value. Given the present state of our knowledge, then, it is particularly interesting to carry out economic studies that look at the viability of such fattening installations from a cost analysis point of view, both to evaluate the present system and to look at possible future alternatives. To do this we have defined a model installation based on the installations operating in Galicia and using the same techniques and methods. The minimum size of the installation is established as 43 cages with an annual production of 38,728 kg, a minimum selling price of 5.80 Euros kg-1, a maximum buying price of juveniles of 4.58 Euros kg-1, maximum price of buying feed of 0.155 Euros, a benefit/cost index of 4.11% and benefit/investment index of 1.81%. The cost analysis indicates that, in the present circumstances, this is a business involving low profits and high risk, not only because the variable costs are high, but also because the margins of the parameters analysed are very narrow and the benefits closely depend on variations in costs.
Assessment of genetic variation and species relationships in a collection of Lens using RAPD and ISSR [Inter-simple sequence repeats]
Authors: Durán Y. , Pérez de la Vega M.
Published: June 2014

The genetic variation of a collection of twenty-two Lens accessions was assessed using RAPD and ISSR markers. The collection included accessions of the cultivated lentil, Lens culinaris ssp. culinaris, and its wild ancestor L. c. ssp. orientalis, and the other wild species of the genus: L. odemensis, L. ervoides, L. nigricans, L. tomentosus, and L. lamottei. Both types of markers produced a relatively high number of polymorphic markers in the whole collection, although the degree of variation within the cultivated materials was lower. ISSR markers produced on average more bands and useful polymorphisms than RAPD markers. The Fitch-Margoliash dendrogram, based on Jaccard indices taking jointly RAPD and ISSR into account, showed that the cultivated materials were grouped according to their macro- and microsperma type and their geographical origin, and was compatible with the hypothesis of the existence of six different species in the genus Lens, with L. tomentosus being the closest species to L. culinaris.
Short Communication. Effects of endophyte infection on dry matter yield, persistence and nutritive value of perennial ryegrass in Galicia (North-West Spain)
Authors: Oliveira J.A. , González E. , Castro P. , Costal-Andrade L.
Published: June 2014

Dry matter yield, persistence and three parameters of nutritive value were determined in two perennial ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.) genotypes either infected with a lolitrem B-free fungal endophyte or not infected, over a fouryear period at two different locations in north-west Spain. The endophyte did not influence the productivity or persistence of perennial ryegrass in the four years of study. Insufficiently stressful conditions could explain these results. The nutritive value of the plants was not influenced by endophyte infection, except for organic matter digestibility and water-soluble carbohydrates on some occasions (P
Short communication. Validation of the Spanish equation to predict the lean meat percentage of pig carcasses with the Fat-O-Meat'er
Authors: Font i Furnols M. , Engel B. , Gispert M. , Gispert M.
Published: June 2014

In Spain the lean percentage of pig carcasses is predicted objectively with the Fat-O-Meater. Changes in the pig population can affect the accuracy of a prediction formula. The aim of this study was to see whether the present Spanish equation for the Fat-O-Meater, that was established after a dissection trial in 1990, is still accurate, using more recent data from a dissection trial conducted in the year 2000. The root mean squared error of prediction of the present equation was calculated. Also, a new equation, obtained with the data of the 2000 trial, was compared with the present prediction equation with respect to the constant terms and coefficients. Finally, possible bias in the present formula was studied by comparing dissection results of the 2000 trial with predictions of the present Spanish equation in relation to fat and muscle depth measurements. The calculations demonstrated that the present equation is still valid to predict the lean meat percentage.
Segmental arterial mediolysis, a vasculitis mimic: Case report and review of literature
Authors: Garg Neha , Keller Frederick S.
Published: June 2014

Segmental Arterial Mediolysis (SAM) is a non-inflammatory vascular condition that most commonly affects the medium sized vessels in the abdomen including splanchanic and renal arteries. Its angiographic appearance closely mimics other conditions affecting these blood vessels, such as polyarteritis nodosa (PAN), infections such as syphilis and fibromuscular dysplasia. SAM is under-recognized, however it is important to distinguish it from PAN because the management of the two conditions differs significantly. Here we report a case of a woman presenting with intra-abdominal bleeding, with imaging evidence for large retroperitoneal hematoma. Arteriography revealed diffuse, segmental dilation and aneurysms of the arterial supply to the entire colon. Discussion includes review of current understanding of physiopathology, clinical features, imaging, and differential diagnosis of this rare disease. Recent highlights on the disease course are also discussed.
Optimization and Validation of an Accelerated Laboratory Extraction Method to Estimate Nitrogen Release Patterns of Slow- and Controlled-Release Fertilizers
Authors: Medina L Carolina , Sartain Jerry B , Obreza Thomas A , Hall William L , Thiex Nancy J
Published: June 2014

Several technologies have been proposed to characterize the nutrient release and availability patterns of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers (EEFs), especially slow-release fertilizers (SRFs) and controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) during the last few decades. These technologies have been developed mainly by manufacturers and are product-specific based on the regulation and analysis of each EEF product. Despite previous efforts to characterize EEF materials, no validated method exists to assess their nutrient release patterns. However, the increased use of EEFs in specialty and nonspecialty markets requires an appropriate method to verify nutrient claims and material performance. A series of experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of temperature, fertilizer test portion size, and extraction time on the performance of a 74 h accelerated laboratory extraction method to measure SRF and CRF nutrient release profiles. Temperature was the only factor that influenced nutrient release rate, with a highly marked effect for phosphorus and to a lesser extent for nitrogen (N) and potassium. Based on the results, the optimal extraction temperature set was: Extraction No. 1—2:00 h at 25°C; Extraction No. 2—2:00 h at 50°C; Extraction No. 3—20:00 h at 55°C; and Extraction No. 4—50:00 h at 60°C. Ruggedness of the method was tested by evaluating the effect of small changes in seven selected factors on method behavior using a fractional multifactorial design. Overall, the method showed ruggedness for measuring N release rates of coated CRFs.
Developing a Competency Framework for U.S. State Food and Feed Testing Laboratory Personnel
Authors: Kaml Craig , Weiss Christopher C , Dezendorf Paul , Ishida Maria , Rice Daniel H , Klein Ron , Salfinger Yvonne
Published: June 2014

A competency-based training curriculum framework for U.S. state food and feed testing laboratories personnel is being developed by the International Food Protection Training Institute (IFPTI) and three partners. The framework will help laboratories catalog existing training courses/modules, identify training gaps, inform training curricula, and create career-spanning professional development learning paths, ensuring consistent performance expectations and increasing confidence in shared test results. Ultimately, the framework will aid laboratories in meeting the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 (2005) international accreditation and the U.S. Food Safety Modernization Act (U.S. Public Law 111-353). In collaboration with the Association of Food and Drug Officials, the Association of Public Health Laboratories, and the Association of American Feed Control Officials, IFPTI is carrying out the project in two phases. In 2013, an expert panel of seven subject matter experts developed competency and curriculum frameworks for five professional levels (entry, mid-level, expert, supervisor/manager, and senior administration) across four competency domains (technical, communication, programmatic, and leadership) including approximately 80 competencies. In 2014 the expert panel will elicit feedback from peers and finalize the framework.
Trans Fatty Acids and Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Authors: Elisaf M. S. , Georgoula M. , Filippatos T. D. , Liontos A. M.
Published: June 2014

Trans fatty acids (TFA) are fatty acids that contain at least one double bond that is in the trans configuration. TFA are consumed mainly with industrial partially hydrogenated vegetable fats that are used in the production of margarines and “shortenings”. The consumption of ruminant TFA provide another source of TFA in European countries. TFA consumption generally increases total cholesterol and decreases high density lipoprotein cholesterol and is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The results of some large-scale epidemiological studies suggest that the increased cardiovascular disease risk with the consumption of TFA is possibly greater than would be predicted from changes in plasma lipid levels alone. The experience from different countries shows that the elimination of TFA is a cost effective and feasible public health intervention. Based on the scientific evidence, the consumption of TFA should be further targeted aiming to further reduce of TFA in fast food products and the implementation of newer industrial methods that produce vegetable oils with lower (or even zero) amounts of TFA.
Functional Properties of Gelatin Hydrolysate from Salmon Skin (Salmo salar)
Authors: Babji Abdul Salam , Daud Nur Aliah , Cheng Poh Yi
Published: June 2014

Gelatin hydrolysate is derived from a hydrolysis of gelatin (denatured collagen) to expose the functional properties of the hydrolysate obtained. This study was carried out to determine functional properties of gelatin hydrolysate from salmon skin as influenced by the degree of enzymatic hydrolysis. Aqueous extraction of gelatin from salmon skin was done at 45oC for 60 minutes. The extracted gelatin was then hydrolysed using 1% alcalase at 54.5oC and pH 8. The functional properties determined were molecular weight, solubility, foaming capacity and stability, emulsifying activity and stability index were analysed. It was found that different time of hydrolysis (5, 15, 45 and 180 minutes) resulted in different degree of hydrolysis (DH) (10, 20, 30 and 40%, respectively). The gelatin hydrolysate at 40% DH showed the highest solubility (p<0.05). However, the foaming and emulsifying properties were the highest at 10% degree of hydrolysis (p<0.05).
“Siendo una más”. Trabajo de campo e intimidad
Authors: Alcázar-Campos Ana
Published: June 2014

Fieldwork is essential for any anthropologist. It implies an extended stay in the field, maintaining meaningful relationships with those known as key informants and/or partners. In this context, our emotional (and sexual) involvement should not be surprising; however, a taboo has been created regarding the issue (Kulick and Willson 1995; Newton 1993). So this article is situated, through the narration of my own fieldwork experience, in the line of reflecting on disciplinary taboos and their implications in doing fieldwork, in legitimizing some ways of knowing and not others as well as their later reflection in the ethnographic writing.
Bricheros: sexo, raza y etnicidad en contextos turísticos
Authors: Valcuende del Río José María , Cáceres Feria Rafael
Published: June 2014

The development of tourism in Peru has generated a new social phenomenon: the bricheros. This new term applies to Andean men who regularly seek to engage in sexual intercourse with foreign female tourists. In this paper, we examine the relationship between sex and tourism different case studies. We are particularly interested in studying the discourse dimension of bricherismo and its transformations in relation in both the tourist scene and the national context. Our analysis of the different meanings of sexual and affective relations between tourists and the local population will permit us to unveil the domination and subversion strategies brought into play in tourist contexts, which are usually in close connection with racial and gender issues.
A role for descending auditory cortical projections in songbird vocal learning
Authors: Mandelblat-Cerf Yael , Las Liora , Denisenko Natalia , Fee Michale S
Published: June 2014

Many learned motor behaviors are acquired by comparing ongoing behavior with an internal representation of correct performance, rather than using an explicit external reward. For example, juvenile songbirds learn to sing by comparing their song with the memory of a tutor song. At present, the brain regions subserving song evaluation are not known. In this study, we report several findings suggesting that song evaluation involves an avian 'cortical' area previously shown to project to the dopaminergic midbrain and other downstream targets. We find that this ventral portion of the intermediate arcopallium (AIV) receives inputs from auditory cortical areas, and that lesions of AIV result in significant deficits in vocal learning. Additionally, AIV neurons exhibit fast responses to disruptive auditory feedback presented during singing, but not during nonsinging periods. Our findings suggest that auditory cortical areas may guide learning by transmitting song evaluation signals to the dopaminergic midbrain and/or other subcortical targets.
A technique for revealing scale‐dependent patterns in fracture spacing data
Authors: Roy Ankur , Perfect Edmund , Dunne William M. , McKay Larry D.
Published: June 2014

Data on fracture spacing along scan lines have been widely analyzed for the purposes of characterization. Most of these studies, however, either consider the cumulative frequency of spacing data without regard to the actual sequence of the spacing values or compute an average spacing that may not work for clustered fractures. The coefficient of variation parameter is often used to differentiate between clustered, random, and anticlustered fractures in a scan line but does not address the issue of scale‐dependent variations in spacing. Lacunarity is a parameter that has been previously used for delineating scale‐dependent clustering in fracture networks with similar fractal dimensions. This technique has the further capability of identifying scales at which different patterns emerge within the same data set. Lacunarity can also delineate possible fractal behavior. This paper tests the ability of lacunarity to find patterns (fractal/uniform/random) within synthetic and natural fracture clusters. A set of four model scan lines (uniformly spaced fractures, periodically spaced fracture clusters, fractal fracture clusters, and random fractures) was considered. The first derivative of the lacunarity curves of these models was used to find the intercluster distance and organization of fractures within the clusters. The same technique was then applied to a set of two natural fracture scan line data, one with fracture clusters with fractal organization within and the other with randomly spaced fractures. It was found that the proposed technique could discriminate between the random and clustered patterns, find the intercluster distance, and identify the type of spatial organization within the clusters.