bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Combining Mineral Fertilizer and Green Manure for Increased, Profitable Cassava Production
Authors: Pypers Pieter , Bimponda Willy , Lodi‐Lama Jean‐Paul , Lele Bonaventure , Mulumba Raoul , Kachaka Claude , Boeckx Pascal , Merckx Roel , Vanlauwe Bernard
Published: January 2012

Due to increasing population pressure and declining soil fertility, there is need for profitable alternatives to the slash‐and‐burn (SB) practice for cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) production in the humid lowlands of sub‐Saharan Africa. Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) has high potential to deliver such options. Two on‐farm, researcher‐managed trials were installed to compare slash‐and‐burn with slashing and incorporation of the natural vegetation, and the application of green manure and/or NPK fertilizer at different rates. Root yields were comparable when the natural vegetation was slashed and incorporated, or slashed and burned. Fertilizer application increased yields by 42 to 212%, and had residual effects on a second cassava crop, increasing yields by 40 to 74%. Addition of green manure increased yields by 36 to 158%, without residual effects. Comparison with yields obtained in treatments where both inputs were applied in combination showed that yield increases due to fertilizer and green manure application were additive. Most profitable yield increases were obtained when fertilizer was applied in combination with Tithonia in the more fertile site, and in combination with Chromolaena or incorporation of the natural vegetation in the less fertile site. Net benefits were increased by 30 to 50% with a benefit cost ratio of $5 to $7 $−1 and a marginal rate of return of $4 to $5 $−1 relative to slash‐and‐burn. While current conditions favor combining fertilizer with green manure, an increase in labor cost or a decrease in fertilizer price would result in superior marginal rates of return for combining fertilizer with the natural fallow vegetation.
Anaerobic monodigestion of poultry manure: determination of operational parameters for CSTR
Authors: Chamy R. , León C. , Vivanco E. , Poirrier P. , Ramos C.
Published: January 2012

In this work the anaerobic monodigestion for the treatment of turkey manure was evaluated, without its codigestion with another substrate. The effect of the organic loading rate (OLR) and the substrate concentration (high total solids (TS) concentration) or product concentration (high volatile fatty acids (VFA) and/or ammonia (NH3-N) concentrations) was studied. The results show that for a continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) operation, a maximum of 40 g/L of TS and 4.0 g/L of ammonium (NH4+) was required. In addition, the maximum organic loading rate (OLR) will not exceed 1.5 kg VS/m3d. Higher TS and NH4+ concentrations and OLR lead to a reduction on the methane productivity and volatile solids (VS) removal. During the CSTR operation, a high alkalinity concentration (above 10 g/L CaCO3) was found; this situation allowed maintaining a constant and appropriate pH (close to 7.8), despite the VFA accumulation. In this sense, the alkalinity ratio (α) is a more appropriate control and monitoring parameter of the reactor operation compared to pH. Additionally, with this parameter a VS removal of 80% with a methane productivity of 0.50 m3CH4/m3Rd is achieved.
Energy analysis of conventional and source-separation systems for urban wastewater management using Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Remy C. , Jekel M.
Published: January 2012

This study investigates the cumulative energy demand (CED) of different systems for the management of urban wastewater, following the methodology of Life Cycle Assessment. In a hypothetical case study for an urban area (5,000 inhabitants), all relevant processes for wastewater collection and treatment and the construction of infrastructure are described in a substance flow model. The conventional system requires 1,250 MJ/(pe*a), with the operation contributing 45%, the infrastructure 7%, and the system expansion (production of mineral fertilizer and electricity) 48% to the total CED. The separation systems have a CED of 930–1,182 MJ/(pe*a) depending on their configuration. Results of the impact assessment show that recovering energy from the organic matter of toilet wastewater and household biowaste in a digestion process can decrease the cumulative energy demand by 13–26%. Energetic benefits of mineral fertilizer substitution are relatively small compared to the energy recovered from organic matter. Decisive parameters for the energy analysis are the amount of biowaste which is co-digested with toilet wastewater and the energy demand of the vacuum plant.
Diurnal fluctuation of zinc concentration in metal polluted rivers and its potential impact on water quality and flux estimates
Authors: Rudall S. , Jarvis A. P.
Published: January 2012

Diurnal fluctuations of metals have been observed in the South Tyne river catchment, UK, in both upland tributaries and major river reaches. Zinc exhibits the most pronounced cyclicity, with concentrations increasing during the night to a maximum near 05:00 before decreasing during the day. This trend is the inverse of pH and temperature observations, which are thought to be the predominant drivers behind the cyclicity. Photosynthetic reactions of biomass and algae alter the pH within the river systems, therefore promoting hydrous metal oxide precipitation during the daylight which consequently allows divalent cations including zinc to sorb onto them. This mechanism may be supported by direct uptake of zinc by algae and other biogeochemical reactions which combine to create large differences in zinc concentrations; during base flow zinc concentrations increased by 326% from the minima over 48 hours. Maximum concentrations are not being captured during routine water quality analysis resulting in inaccurate and misleading EQS results and total flux estimations, for example the annual total zinc flux in a small tributary increases from 17 to 76 tonnes/year when routine grab sample data are supplemented with 24-hour sampling results.
Application of vibration milling for advanced wastewater treatment and excess sludge reduction
Authors: Sano Akira , Senga Akira , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Inoue Hiroki , Xu Kai-Qin , Inamori Yuhei
Published: January 2012

As a new sludge reduction technology with a phosphorus removal mechanism, a vibration milling technology that uses iron balls have been applied to the wastewater treatment process. Three anaerobic–aerobic cyclic activated sludge processes: one without sludge disintegration; one disintegrated sludge by ozonation; and the other disintegrated sludge with the vibrating ball mill were compared. Ozonation achieved the best sludge reduction performance, but milling had the best phosphorus removal. This is because iron was mixed into the wastewater treatment tank due to abrasion of the iron balls, leading to settling of iron phosphates. Thus, the simple means of using iron balls as the medium in a vibrating ball mill can achieve both a sludge reduction of half and excellent phosphorus removal. Material balances in the processes were calculated and it was found that carbon components in disintegrated sludge were more resistant to biological treatment than nitrogen.
Heterogeneous photo-catalysis system for the degradation of azo dye Reactive Black 5 (RB5)
Authors: Huang Yao-Hui , Wei Hau-Cheng , Chen Hung-Ta
Published: January 2012

This study investigated a heterogeneous photo-catalysis system by introducing a novel brick supported iron oxide (denoted as B1) for the heterogeneous photoassisted degradation of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) at pH value from 3 to 7 in a three-phase (gas–liquid–solid) fluidized bed reactor (3P-FBR). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and N2 adsorption/desorption were used to characterize the B1 catalyst. The in situ formation of hydrogen peroxide and the depletion of oxalic acid by photochemical cycle of Fe(III)-oxalate complex under UVA light (λ = 365 nm) were studied. The effects of the solution pH and the concentration of oxalic acid on the degradation of RB5 are elucidated. About 90% decolourization was measured and 80% of the total organic carbon (TOC) was eliminated at pH 5.0 after 120 min for 20 mg/L RB5 in presence of 10 g/L B1 catalyst, 30 mg/L oxalic acid under 15 W UVA light. A mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation of RB5 over B1 catalyst is proposed.
Microbial community characterization of an UASB treating increased organic loading rates of vitamin C biosynthesis wastewater
Authors: Shi Rongjiu , Zhang Ying , Yang Weichao , Xu Hui
Published: January 2012

The microbial community of a mesophilic lab-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor treating vitamin C biosynthesis wastewater at gradually elevated organic loading rates (OLRs) was characterized using 16S rDNA-based polymerase chain reaction-DGGE (denatured gradient gel electrophoresis) analysis. The DGGE fingerprints suggested that the elevated OLRs did not cause any significant changes in the microbial community. The predominant bacterial bands were affiliated with the Firmicutes (Clostridiales, four bands), Proteobacteria (Deltaproteobacteria, six bands), Bacteroidetes, and Synergistetes, respectively. All the archaeal bands were very similar to already known methanogenic species: Methanobacterium formicicum (two bands), Methanomethylovorans hollandica (one band) and Methanosaeta concilli (two bands), which belonged to the divisions Methanobacteria and Methanomicrobia, respectively.
Assessment of sediment quality and pore water ecotoxicity in Kebir Rhumel basin (NE-Algeria): a combined approach
Authors: Sahli Leila , Afri-Mehennaoui Fatima-Zohra , El Hadef El Okki Mohamed , Férard Jean François , Mehennaoui Smail
Published: January 2012

The objectives of this study are to use different approaches to assess the current pollution status in the wadis of the Kebir Rhumel basin. First, sediment trace metal contents were measured by flame atomic absorption spectroscopy. Then, sediment quality was assessed on the basis of contamination assessment indexes such as: Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), Contamination factor (Cf), Contamination degree (Cd), Sediment Pollution Index (SPI) and SEQ guidelines (Consensus Sediment Quality Guidelines). In addition, several toxicity tests (Daphnia magna mobility inhibition acute test-48 h, Aliivibrio fischeri luminescence inhibition acute test – 15/30 mn and Pseudokirchneriella subcapitata growth inhibition chronic test – 72 h) were conducted to assess sediment pore water ecotoxicity. Trace metal concentrations followed the order: Mn > Zn > Pb > Cr > Cu > Ni > Co > Cd. Indexes used indicate varying degrees of sediment quality. Igeo, Cf, Cd and SPI reveal a polymetallic contamination dominated by two or more elements in which Cd, Cu and Pb are of greatest concern. SEQ guidelines showed that biological effects on fauna would likely be observed occasionally and/or frequently for Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn contents. Test organisms exposed to sediment pore water showed that the algal P. subcapitata test was more sensitive than the D. magna and A. fischeri tests. Hence, algal growth inhibition proved to be the most sensitive response to contaminants present in sediment extracts but a significant relationship with trace metal contents was not demonstrated.
Synergistic effect of biological activated carbon and enhanced coagulation in secondary wastewater effluent treatment
Authors: Aryal A. , Sathasivan A. , Vigneswaran S.
Published: January 2012

The use of secondary wastewater effluent (SWWE) is an essential strategy for making better use of limited water resources. However, a wide range of organic compounds eventually renders them unsuitable for recycling. In water treatment processes, biologically activated carbon (BAC) is adopted after physicochemical treatment. However, the effectiveness of such combination for SWWE remains poorly understood. This study investigates the effectiveness of various combinations: BAC/enhanced coagulation (EC) or EC/BAC, especially in terms of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) removal. The results showed that distinct advantage could be obtained by adopting BAC/EC combination rather than EC/BAC, as microbes in BAC not only remove non-coagulable compounds but also synergize the removal efficiency by releasing some coagulable humic substances.
Regeneration of barium carbonate from barium sulphide in a pilot-scale bubbling column reactor and utilization for acid mine drainage
Authors: Mulopo J. , Zvimba J. N. , Swanepoel H. , Bologo L. T. , Maree J.
Published: January 2012

Batch regeneration of barium carbonate (BaCO3) from barium sulphide (BaS) slurries by passing CO2 gas into a pilot-scale bubbling column reactor under ambient conditions was used to assess the technical feasibility of BaCO3 recovery in the Alkali Barium Calcium (ABC) desalination process and its use for sulphate removal from high sulphate Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). The effect of key process parameters, such as BaS slurry concentration and CO2 flow rate on the carbonation, as well as the extent of sulphate removal from AMD using the recovered BaCO3 were investigated. It was observed that the carbonation reaction rate for BaCO3 regeneration in a bubbling column reactor significantly increased with increase in carbon dioxide (CO2) flow rate whereas the BaS slurry content within the range 5–10% slurry content did not significantly affect the carbonation rate. The CO2 flow rate also had an impact on the BaCO3 morphology. The BaCO3 recovered from the pilot-scale bubbling column reactor demonstrated effective sulphate removal ability during AMD treatment compared with commercial BaCO3.
Impediments and constraints in the uptake of water sensitive urban design measures in greenfield and infill developments
Authors: Sharma Ashok K. , Cook Stephen , Tjandraatmadja Grace , Gregory Alan
Published: January 2012

Water sensitive urban developments are designed with integrated urban water management concepts and water sensitive urban design measures. The initiatives that may be included are the substitution of imported drinking water with alternative sources using a fit-for-purpose approach and structural and non-structural measures for the source control of stormwater. A water sensitive approach to urban development can help in achieving sustainability objectives by minimising disturbance to ecological and hydrological processes, and also relieve stress on conventional water systems. Water sensitive urban developments remain novel in comparison with conventional approaches, so the understanding and knowledge of the systems in regards to their planning; design; implementation; operation and maintenance; health impacts and environmental impacts is still developing and thus the mainstream uptake of these approaches faces many challenges. A study has been conducted to understand these challenges through a detailed literature review, investigating a large number of local greenfield and infill developments, and conducting extensive consultation with water professionals. This research has identified the social, economic, political, institutional and technological challenges faced in implementing water sensitive urban design in greenfield and infill developments. The research found in particular that there is the need for long-term monitoring studies of water sensitive urban developments. This monitoring is important to validate the performance of novel approaches implemented and improve associated guidelines, standards, and regulatory and governance frameworks, which can lead to mainstream acceptance of water sensitive urban development approaches. The dissemination of this research will help generate awareness among water professionals, water utilities, developers, planners and regulators of the research challenges to be addressed in order to achieve more mainstream acceptance of water sensitive approaches to urban development. This study is based on existing water sensitive urban developments in Australia, however, the methodology adopted in investigating impediments to the uptake of these developments can be applied globally. It is hoped that insights from this study will benefit water professionals in other countries where there is also a move towards water sensitive urban development.
Linking sanitation and wastewater treatment: from evaluation on the basis of effluent pollutant concentrations to evaluation on the basis of pollutant removal efficiencies
Authors: Tsuzuki Yoshiaki
Published: January 2012

The evaluation of centralised wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in planning and management is sometimes based solely on effluent pollutant concentrations or pollutant loads. For sanitation purposes, the effluent pollutant concentrations/loads of WWTPs are important; of course, but from the point of view of wastewater treatment, the pollutant removal performance should also be evaluated. Focussing on low- and middle-income countries, especially those in tropical regions, published kinetics studies on biological WWTPs (such as oxidation ditches and aerated lagoons) are summarised in this paper. In most studies, effluent pollutant concentrations/loads are described as first-order linear functions of influent pollutant concentrations/loads. Therefore, pollutant removal efficiencies can be expressed as first-order linear functions of the reciprocal of influent pollutant concentrations/loads with negative coefficients. This implies that pollutant removal efficiencies increase with influent pollutant concentration/load increases. Based on pollutant removal efficiency functions, biological or ecological WWTPs when operating with small influent pollutant concentrations/loads should change their management to increase influent pollutant concentrations/loads in order to increase pollutant removal efficiencies. It may, however, be possible for technological development in wastewater treatment to overcome this problem.
Effects of Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. (Fabaceae) on the central nervous system in experimental animals
Authors: Al-Tubuly Rida , Auzi Abdurazag , Al-Etri-Endi Amna , Nahar Lutfun , Sarker Satyajit
Published: January 2012

Retama raetam (Forssk.) Webb & Berthel. (Fabaceae), commonly known as
?raetam? or ?broom bush?, is a desert shrub that grows abundantly in
North-African countries, Palestine and Syria. Traditionally, this plant has
been used as an abortifacient, a purgative and a vermifuge. In the present
study, the effect of the methanol (MeOH) extract of the aerial parts of R.
raetam on the central nervous system (CNS) has been evaluated using a mice
model. In the photoelectrical cell test, the extract of R. raetam (ERR) at a
dose of 125 mg/kg body weight did not exhibit any effect on the spontaneous
motor activity in mice. At a dose of 250 mg/kg body weight, ERR increased
ambulatory movement, but had no effect on the non-ambulatory movement, while
a dose of 375 mg/kg body weight decreased both ambulatory and non-ambulatory
movements. The effect of ERR on the anxiety levels and behaviors of mice was
investigated using the elevated plus-maze test. At doses of 125, 250 and 375
mg/kg body weight, ERR decreased anxiety levels without showing an effect on
the total activity; it did not affect anxiety levels but increased the total
activity; it increased anxiety levels and decreased the total activity,
respectively. In the diazepam-induced sleep test, ERR increased the onset of
sleep without affecting the duration of sleep at the dose of 250 mg/kg body
weight. The dose of 375 mg/kg body weight decreased the onset of sleep while
increasing the duration of sleep. ERR did not exhibit any effect on the
diazepam-induced sleep in the presence of flumazenil or picrotoxin.
Safety assessment of sugar dusting treatments by analysis of hygienic behavior in honey bee colonies
Authors: Stevanovic Jevrosima , Stanimirovic Z. , Lakic Nada , Aleksic Nevenka , Simeunovic P. , Kulisic Z.
Published: January 2012

The hygienic behavior in honey bees is a dominant natural defense mechanism
against brood diseases. In this study, the influence of sugar dusting
treatments on hygienic behavior was evaluated in 44 strong honey bee
colonies. Three doses of pulverized sugar, 20, 30 and 40 g, each applied at
three-, seven- and fourteen-day intervals were tested. The percentage of
cleaned cells (PCC) in the total number of those with pin-killed brood served
as a measure of the hygienic potential. The effect was dependent on the
frequency of treatments: all doses applied every third and seventh day
significantly (p<0.001) decreased the PCC in comparison with the untreated
control colonies. Nevertheless, sugar did not threaten the hygienic
potential, as PPC values remained above 94% following all treatments. Thus,
it can be concluded that the tested sugar treatments are safe and can be
justifiably implemented into integrated pest management strategies to control
Varroa destructor.
The first record of the genus Odiellus (Opiliones, Phalangiidae) in Turkey with some SEM studies on its morphology
Authors: Kurt K. , Erman Köksal
Published: January 2012

The harvestmen species Odiellus lendli (Soerensen, 1894), with its genus
Odiellus Roewer, 1923, was found in Anatolia. It represents a new record of
Turkish harvestmen fauna. The characteristic features of this species are
described and illustrated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies on the
dorsal integument, ventral habitus, chelicerae, pedipalpus, trident, the
ocularium and legs of female specimens are also presented. Localities of the
collecting sites are photographed and plotted on a map.
The expression of Muscle ankyrin repeat proteins in brown adipose tissue
Authors: Rakicevic Ljiljana , Petrovic Natasa , Radojkovic Dragica , Kojic Snezana
Published: January 2012

MARP family members CARP, Ankrd2 and DARP are expressed in the striated
muscle, while DARP protein is also detected in brown adipose tissue (BAT).
Taking into account recent findings concerning the common origin of muscle
and brown fat, expression of CARP and Ankrd2 in mouse BAT was investigated.
We demonstrated Ankrd2 expression in both inactive and thermogenically active
BAT, while CARP expression was not detected. Our findings suggest that the
expression of Ankrd2 in BAT could be a part of the ?myogenic transcriptional
signature?, further supporting the evidence that muscle and brown adipose
cells arise from the same myoblastic precursor.
Ice nucleation protein as a bacterial surface display protein
Authors: Sarhan Mohammed
Published: January 2012

Surface display technology can be defined as that phenotype (protein or
peptide) which is linked to a genotype (DNA or RNA) through an appropriate
anchoring motif. A bacterial surface display system is based on expressing
recombinant proteins fused to sorting signals (anchoring motifs) that direct
their incorporation on the cell surface.
Survivin in relation to Bcl-2, Bax and in situ apoptotic cell death in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma
Authors: Selemetjev Sonja , Cvejic Dubravka , Savin Svetlana , Paunovic I. , Tatic S.
Published: January 2012

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is a rare but highly aggressive human
malignancy. It is known that disturbances in apoptotic pathways have a great
impact on tumor progression and aggressiveness. In this study the
apoptosisrelated molecules Bcl-2 (antiapoptotic), Bax (proapoptotic) and
survivin (an inhibitor of apoptosis) were analyzed immunohistochemically in
thirty archival cases of ATC. In situ apoptotic cell death was analyzed by
the TUNEL method. Mean Bcl-2 staining score (calculated from individual
scores from 0-3) was low compared to those for Bax and survivin (p<0.05).
High expression of survivin was associated with high Bax expression, and was
significantly segregated from high Bcl-2 expressing cases (p<0.05). Despite
high Bax expression, apoptotic cell death was low in the investigated
carcinomas. In addition, the mean apoptotic index in high survivin expressing
carcinomas was significantly lower than in low survivin expressing carcinomas
(p<0.05). It could be concluded that down-regulation of Bcl-2 is
counterbalanced by up-regulation of survivin, which may overcome the effects
of high Bax expression, and, at least partly, explain the low apoptosis rate
and high biological aggressiveness of ATC.
China’s new foreign policy strategy and Russia’s concerns
Authors: Lukin Alexander
Published: January 2012

The recent trends in Beijing?s foreign policy have become a broadly discussed
topic throughout the world. China?s economic success over the last ten years
has led Beijing to take a more assertive approach to China?s relationship
with the outside world. This shift has manifested itself in a more hard-line
approach to China?s relationship with her partners, less inclination toward
compromise, and a tendency to respond to the external pressure with more
pressure, to the external bumps with harder bumps. The new assertiveness of
China can be understood. After all, it is merely the natural urge of a new,
large, and successful regime to actively pursue its interests. At the same
time, it is true that the successful economic development of the last ten
years has led to the growth of nationalism among the elite. If the
nationalist tendency prevails in the Chinese foreign policy, China?s
neighbors, including Russia, will have to do some serious rethinking of their
approach to the growing giant.
Foreign direct investment in Serbian banking industry: An exploratory study of motives
Authors: Marinkovic Srdjan , Ljumovic Isidora , Zivkovic Aleksandar
Published: January 2012

The paper is an attempt to assess relative importance of selected motives for
foreign banks entry into Serbian banking market, as well as the changes that
followed it, above all in terms of level of competition. We used
questionnaires structured according to the main findings that come out of
existing theoretical and empirical research on motives for FDI in banking
industry. In addition, the goal of this study is to reveal the links between
paradigms and theories, which are up to explaining determinants and motives
of FDI in banking and the other industries, find common features,
peculiarities and use it to refine research methodology.
EU environmental policy and its criminal law framework
Authors: Bjelajac Zeljko , Dasic Dragan , Spasovic Milovan
Published: January 2012

A man by his actions in pursuit of better living conditions, particularly in
recent decades, threaten the natural environment, violating the eternal
mutual, harmonious and dependent relationship and balance that existed in the
living world, and making their own survival uncertain. The importance of
environmental protection as well as goods of general interest is incorporated
in the fundamental determinants of EU policy, which coincides with the trend
expressed ecological consciousness at the global level. Protecting the
environment through criminal law response to the expansion ecological crime
that inflicts significant damage to the environment and human health.
Incidence of amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction and predictive factors for their occurrence
Authors: Aleksic Zeljka , Aleksic Aleksandar
Published: January 2012

Amiodarone treatment is associated with the occurrence of thyroid
dysfunction. The aim was to determine the incidence of amiodarone-induced
thyroid dysfunctions and the influence of gender, age, treatment duration,
goiter, thyroid antibodies, thyroid echogenicity and family history on their
appearance. Of 248 consecutive patients, 144 males and 104 females, referred
to thyroid status screening, 16% were with clinical dysfunction, 21% with
sub-clinical dysfunction and 63% were euthyroid. The presence of goiter and
thyroid peroxidase antibodies were the significant individual predictive
factors for the occurrence of clinical dysfunction, and in the multivariate
regression model, the presence of goiter was a significant predictive factor
with the prognostic value of 80%. For sub-clinical dysfunction, the
significant individual predictive factors were female gender and the presence
of goiter, as well as in the multivariate regression model, with the
prognostic value of 74.5% for female gender and 77.5 % for the presence of
goiter. It is necessary to check the thyroid status both before and during
amiodarone treatment. Administration of other anti-arrhythmic drugs and/or
more frequent check-ups of the thyroid status should be taken into
consideration in patients at higher risk, i.e. women with positive thyroid
peroxidase antibodies and goiter.
Analysis of the shoulder joint mobility in overhead sports before and after experimental treatment
Authors: Kacanski Ivana , Protic-Gava Branka , Soldatovic Srdjan
Published: January 2012

Introduction. ?Overhead? sports, characterized by predominant movements of
the hands above the head, are associated with very dynamic, often acyclic
movements and require strong muscles of humeroscapular regions with high
mobility of the shoulder joint as well as flexibility and ability to relax
these muscles. This study was aimed at analyzing the shoulder joint mobility
before and after conducting kinesiology treatment for a period of 6 months.
The research included two complex exercises. Material and methods. The study
included 100 ?overhead? sports male athletes, who were randomly divided into
the experimental and control group, aged 14 to 18 years. The range of motion
was measured in degrees by goniometer. We calculated the central and
depression parameter. Results. There was a statistically significant
difference in flexion, extension, abduction, adduction, external and internal
rotation at the final measure in favor of the experimental group at the level
of significance p<0.001, and some positive effects of the applied exercises
were observed. Discussion. Kinesitherapy had positive effects on the
elasticity of the connective tissue capsule, ligaments and tendons. Changes
in the shoulder area of the ?overhead? sports athletes can be reduced to the
same extent and at the same time by stretching and strength exercises.
Conclusion. The authors of this paper have given their modest contribution by
suggesting a more appropriate planning of training and performance of players
at training and matches. This paper tries to emphasize the importance of
proper incorporation of the corrective exercises in training.
Morbidity and mortality of patients suffering from gestational trophoblastic diseases at the Clinic of gynecology and obstetrics, Clinical center of Serbia in the period from 2000 to 2007
Authors: Lazovic Biljana , Milenkovic Vera , Mirkovic Ljiljana
Published: January 2012

Introduction. Gestational trophoblastic disease is a heterogenous group of
diseases with malignant potential. The aim of this retrospective study was to
evaluate potential risk factors in pathogenesis of gestational trophoblastic
disease, its morbidity and mortality as well as treatment results. Method. We
investigated 82 patients who were treated at the University Clinic of
Gynecology and Obstetrics Clinical Center of Serbia from Jan 1st 2000 to Dec
31st 2007. The data were collected from their hospital charts and referred to
gynecological anamnesis, diagnosis, protocols of operated patients,
diagnosis, histopathological findings, decisions of expert team for
trophoblastic disease and hospital discharge. Results. The incidence was 1.5
per 1000 deliveries. The most frequent finding was hydatiform mole (59.8%).
The patients were treated by chemotherapy and surgery. All patients survived.
Conclusion. The maternal age and a larger number deliveries and abortions are
risk factors for gestational trophoblastic disease. The incidence in our
clinic is approximately equal to the incidence in western countries in this
period.
Fuzzy decision trees as a decision-making framework in the public sector
Authors: Bencina Joze
Published: January 2012

Systematic approaches to making decisions in the public sector are becoming
very common. Most often, these approaches concern expert decision models. The
expansion of the idea of the development of e-participation and e-democracy
was influenced by the development of technology. All stakeholders are
supposed to participate in decision making, so this brings a new feature to
the decision-making process, in which amateurs and non-specialists are
participating decision making instead of experts. To be able to understand
the needs and wishes of stakeholders, it is not enough to vote for
alternatives - it is important to participate in solution-finding and to
express opinions about the important elements of these matters. The solution
presented in this paper concerns fuzzy decision-making framework. This
framework combines the advantages of the introduction of the decision-making
problem in a tree structure and the possibilities offered by the flexibility
of the fuzzy approach. The possibilities of implementation of the framework
in practice are introduced by case studies of investment projects appraisal
in a community and assessment of efficiency and effectiveness of public
institutions.
When Is Diabetes Distress Clinically Meaningful?
Authors: Fisher Lawrence , Hessler Danielle M. , Polonsky William H. , Mullan Joseph
Published: January 2012

OBJECTIVE

To identify the pattern of relationships between the 17-item Diabetes Distress Scale (DDS17) and diabetes variables to establish scale cut points for high distress among patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Recruited were 506 study 1 and 392 study 2 adults with type 2 diabetes from community medical groups. Multiple regression equations associated the DDS17, a 17-item scale that yields a mean-item score, with HbA1c, diabetes self-efficacy, diet, and physical activity. Associations also were undertaken for the two-item DDS (DDS2) screener. Analyses included control variables, linear, and quadratic (curvilinear) DDS terms.

RESULTS

Significant quadratic effects occurred between the DDS17 and each diabetes variable, with increases in distress associated with poorer outcomes: study 1 HbA1c (P < 0.02), self-efficacy (P < 0.001), diet (P < 0.001), physical activity (P < 0.04); study 2 HbA1c (P < 0.03), self-efficacy (P < 0.004), diet (P < 0.04), physical activity (P = NS). Substantive curvilinear associations with all four variables in both studies began at unexpectedly low levels of DDS17: the slope increased linearly between scores 1 and 2, was more muted between 2 and 3, and reached a maximum between 3 and 4. This suggested three patient subgroups: little or no distress, <2.0; moderate distress, 2.0–2.9; high distress, ≥3.0. Parallel findings occurred for the DDS2.

CONCLUSIONS

In two samples of type 2 diabetic patients we found a consistent pattern of curvilinear relationships between the DDS and HbA1c, diabetes self-efficacy, diet, and physical activity. The shape of these relationships suggests cut points for three patient groups: little or no, moderate, and high distress.
Pointwise absolutely convergent series of operators and related classes of Banach spaces
Authors: Kadets Liudmyla , Kadets Vladimir
Published: January 2012

We study classes of operators represented as a pointwise absolutely convergent series of simpler ones, starting with rank 1 operators. In this short note we address the question, how far the repetition of this procedure can lead.
Oochoristica koubeki n. sp. (Cestoda, Anoplocephalidae) from African Chamaeleo senegalensis (Chamaeleonidae) and emendation of the genus Oochoristica Lühe, 1898
Authors: Mašová Š. , Tenora F. , Baruš V.
Published: January 2012

During a survey of species diversity and ecology of selected West African vertebrates in the Niokolo Koba National Park, Senegal, two Chamaeleo senegalensis Daudin, 1802 (Chamaeleonidae) were collected and examined for parasites. A new species, Oochoristica koubeki n. sp., anoplocephalidian cestode of the genus Oochoristica Lühe, 1898 is described from the intestine of this host. The new species is related to O. theileri Fuhrmann, 1924; O. theileri Fuhrmann, 1924 f. major Baer, 1933; O. celebensis Yamaguti, 1954 and O. rostellata Zschokke, 1905 var. agamicolla Dollfus, 1957. All the forenamed species share characteristic strobila with proglottids wider than long. Oochoristica koubeki n. sp. differs from these species in different proportions of scolex, cirrus sac, ovarium and vitellarium, further differences are in number of testes and presence of reinforced genital atrium. Only O. theileri shares two last mentioned features, however it differs in shape of testes (rounded) and in distribution of testes (two clusters). The new species differs from all other species in extremely high number of egg’s capsules, different host species and zoogeographic distribution. Emendation of genus diagnosis sensu Beveridge (1994) is provided.
Aphelenchus avenae (Nematoda: Aphelenchidae) under the rhizosphere of Brassica napus
Authors: Kumari S.
Published: January 2012

Soil samples under the rhizosphere of Brasicca napus were collected from three localities (Bílé Podolí, Prague, Kylešovice). All three localities were positive for the presence of Aphelenchus avenae. Morphological and molecular features of A. avenae are presented in this research note.
Where Should Student Teachers Learn to Teach?
Authors: Ronfeldt Matthew
Published: January 2012

This study is motivated by an ongoing debate about the kinds of schools that make for the best field placements during pre-service preparation. On the one hand, easier-to-staff schools may support teacher learning because they are typically better-functioning institutions that offer desirable teaching conditions. On the other hand, such field placements may leave new teachers unprepared to work in difficult-to-staff schools and with underserved student populations that need high quality teachers the most. Using administrative and survey data on almost 3,000 New York City teachers, their students, and their schools, this study finds that learning to teach in easier-to-staff field placement schools has positive effects on teacher retention and student achievement gains, even for teachers who end up working in the hardest-to-staff schools. The proportion of poor, minority, and low-achieving students in field placements is unrelated to later teacher effectiveness and retention suggesting something beyond student populations explain these results.
Microstructure of a eutectic NiAl—Mo alloy directionally solidified using an industrial scale and a laboratory scale Bridgman furnace
Authors: Bogner Samuel , Hu Lei , Hollad Simon , Hu Weiping , Gottstein Günter , Bührig-Polaczek Andreas
Published: January 2012

The eutectic NiAl-9Mo (at.%) alloy was directionally solidified using an industrial scale Bridgman furnace and using a liquid metal cooling Bridgman furnace to produce in-situ composites of aligned Mo fibers in an NiAl matrix. In the first part of the experiment, an investment casting shell mold system, produced for NiAl alloys, was used and investigated for the NiAl-9Mo alloy in the industrial scale furnace. Due to the lower temperature gradient of ∼2.8 K mm−1, the microstructure of the samples was dendritic. In the second part of the experiment, samples with well aligned Mo fibers were produced in the laboratory Bridgman furnace using a temperature gradient of ∼11 K mm−1 and growth rates of 0.33–0.66 mm min−1.
Failure behaviour of the superalloy MAR-M247 LC under LCF, HCF and combined LCF/HCF loading
Authors: Gelmedin Domnin , Lang Karl-Heinz
Published: January 2012

Materials for turbine blades experience in service a combined loading of low and high cycle fatigue at high temperatures. In order to understand the failure behaviour under these loading conditions, systematic investigations were carried out. Low cycle fatigue, high cycle fatigue and combined low and high cycle fatigue tests were realised on MAR-M247 LC at 650 °C in an air environment under total strain control. Surface damage and fracture surfaces were analysed. Under combined low and high cycle fatigue, the lifetime is reduced if the low cycle fatigue leads to a degradation of the high cycle fatigue strength caused by crack initiation and crack growth. By analysing the fracture surface, the crack growth rate under combined cycle fatigue loading could be determined and it was significantly higher than under pure low cycle fatigue loading. The accelerated crack growth mainly causes the lifetime reduction.
Scaling Effect of Area-Averaged NDVI: Monotonicity along the Spatial Resolution
Authors: Obata Kenta , Wada Takahiro , Miura Tomoaki , Yoshioka Hiroki
Published: January 2012

Changes in the spatial distributions of vegetation across the globe are routinely monitored by satellite remote sensing, in which the reflectance spectra over land surface areas are measured with spatial and temporal resolutions that depend on the satellite instrumentation. The use of multiple synchronized satellite sensors permits long-term monitoring with high spatial and temporal resolutions. However, differences in the spatial resolution of images collected by different sensors can introduce systematic biases, called scaling effects, into the biophysical retrievals. This study investigates the mechanism by which the scaling effects distort normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). This study focused on the monotonicity of the area-averaged NDVI as a function of the spatial resolution. A monotonic relationship was proved analytically by using the resolution transform model proposed in this study in combination with a two-endmember linear mixture model. The monotonicity allowed the inherent uncertainties introduced by the scaling effects (error bounds) to be explicitly determined by averaging the retrievals at the extrema of theresolutions. Error bounds could not be estimated, on the other hand, for non-monotonic relationships. Numerical simulations were conducted to demonstrate the monotonicity of the averaged NDVI along spatial resolution. This study provides a theoretical basis for the scaling effects and develops techniques for rectifying the scaling effects in biophysical retrievals to facilitate cross-sensor calibration for the long-term monitoring of vegetation dynamics.
An Opinion on the Assessment of People Who May Have an Auditory Processing Disorder
Authors: Dillon Harvey , Cameron Sharon , Glyde Helen , Wilson Wayne , Tomlin Dani
Published: January 2012

We need to rethink how we assess auditory processing disorder (APD). The current use of test batteries, while necessary and well accepted, is at risk of failing as the size of these batteries increases. To counter the statistical, fatigue, and clinical efficiency problems of large test
batteries, we propose a hierarchical approach to APD assessment. This begins with an overall test of listening difficulty in which performance is measurably affected for anyone with an impaired ability to understand speech in difficult listening conditions. It proceeds with a master test battery
containing a small number of single tests, each of which assesses a different group of skills necessary for understanding speech in difficult listening conditions. It ends with a detailed test battery, where the individual tests administered from this battery are only those that differentiate
the skills assessed by the failed test(s) from the master test battery, so that the specific form of APD can be diagnosed. An example of how hierarchical interpretation of test results could be performed is illustrated using the Listening in Spatialized Noise—Sentences test (LiSN-S).
Although consideration of what abilities fall within the realm of auditory processing should remain an important issue for research, we argue that patients will be best served by focusing on whether they have difficulty understanding speech, identifying the specific characteristics of this
difficulty, and specifically remediating and/or managing those characteristics.
Negotiating the Social Service Systems: A Vital Yet Frequently Invisible Occupation
Authors: Magasi Susan
Published: January 2012

Independent living and community participation are long-term rehabilitation goals. Disability scholars and activists have highlighted that access to social services is vital to the ability of people with disabilities to live and participate in the community as full and equal citizens. The field of occupational therapy has paid relatively little attention to how people with disabilities negotiate these systems. This article examines the vital but often invisible occupation of negotiating the social service systems using data from a 16-month ethnographic study of women with disabilities who were transitioning to independent living. Findings revealed that material, social, and attitudinal barriers in the service delivery systems restricted the women's access to resources and forced them to be highly resourceful to find, secure, and manage the social services they needed to maintain independent living. Theoretical and clinical implications for occupational therapy are discussed.
Occupational Upheaval during Resettlement and Migration: Findings of Global Ethnography with Refugees with Disabilities
Authors: Mirza Mansha
Published: January 2012

There is an emerging interest in issues of occupational justice and occupational deprivation within contemporary occupational therapy practice and theory. To inform this emerging agenda, research with populations at risk of occupational injustice is crucial. This study used a global ethnography framework to explore disabled refugees' access to occupational participation in the context of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Narrative data from eight Cambodian and seven Somali refugees were combined with documentary analysis and information obtained from service providers. Data were analyzed using grounded theory techniques. Findings revealed a strong policy emphasis on employment and self-sufficiency within the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Consequently, resettlement service providers focused on the dichotomous options of work or welfare, overlooking the broader occupational needs of disabled refugees. Lacking supportive services for developing vocational skills or exploring occupational alternatives, the refugees struggled to find occupational avenues that would earn them social validity and integration into American society, leading to feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Research and practice initiatives with this population need to consider the role of institutional factors in shaping their occupational participation and evolving occupational needs.
Pleasure, Throwing Breaches, and Embodied Metaphors: Tracing Transformations-in-Participation for a Child with Autism to a Sensory Integration—Based Therapy Session
Authors: Park Melissa
Published: January 2012

In occupational therapy practice, the rich interweaving of procedural and narrative reasoning results in healing transformations. However, a lack of research focus on transformational processes perpetuates a focus on observable and measurable behaviors. In line with the movement toward evidence-based implementation research, this article focuses on a case study drawn from an ethnography of therapist—child—family interactions in a sensory integration—based clinic to provide a thick description of the moments leading up to and following changes in bodily and social engagement for a child with autism. Using theoretical resources on acted narratives and aesthetics, this article provides a developing method and language to show how an occupational therapist and a child with autism throw breaches to jointly create embodied metaphors of what matters to the child in his or her everyday life. A microanalysis of therapist—child bodily and sensing interactions also reveals how narrative and procedural reasoning converge in moments of pleasure that ultimately lead to outcomes in participation outside the clinic and confound characterizations of autistic aloneness. Implications for research on sensory integration approaches in general and social interventions for children with autism are discussed.