bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
KOH-based porous carbon from date palm seed: preparation, characterization, and application to phenol adsorption
Authors: Suresh Kumar Reddy K. , Kannan Pravin , Al Shoaibi Ahmed , Srinivasakannan C.
Published: December 2014

The date palm seed being one of the major forms of biomass produced from the date industry in UAE, its potential to be an appropriate precursor for the preparation of porous carbon utilizing KOH as an activating agent is assessed in the present work. The porous carbon is prepared at an activation temperature of 600 °C, impregnation ratio of 2, and activation duration of 1 hour, in an inert atmosphere using a conventional horizontal furnace. The resultant porous carbon has a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 892 m2/g, pore volume of 0.45 cm3/g, and an average pore diameter of 1.97 nm. This porous carbon was used for adsorption studies at different initial concentrations (100–400 mg/l) and temperatures (30–50 °C). The adsorption isotherm parameters for the Langmuir and Freundlich models were determined using experimental adsorption data and it was found that both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms described well the adsorption behavior of phenol on porous carbon. The mono layer adsorption capacity was observed to be 333 mg/g, which is highest for the reported date pam seed biomass-based porous carbon. From the data obtained, it was concluded that the removal of phenol from aqueous solution by porous carbon prepared from data palm seed is a low-cost process with an extremely high performance.
A clonal selection algorithm model for daily rainfall data prediction
Authors: Noor Rodi N. S. , Malek M. A. , Ismail Amelia Ritahani , Ting Sie Chun , Tang Chao-Wei
Published: December 2014

This study applies the clonal selection algorithm (CSA) in an artificial immune system (AIS) as an alternative method to predicting future rainfall data. The stochastic and the artificial neural network techniques are commonly used in hydrology. However, in this study a novel technique for forecasting rainfall was established. Results from this study have proven that the theory of biological immune systems could be technically applied to time series data. Biological immune systems are nonlinear and chaotic in nature similar to the daily rainfall data. This study discovered that the proposed CSA was able to predict the daily rainfall data with an accuracy of 90% during the model training stage. In the testing stage, the results showed that an accuracy between the actual and the generated data was within the range of 75 to 92%. Thus, the CSA approach shows a new method in rainfall data prediction.
EDTA: a synthetic draw solute for forward osmosis
Authors: Lutchmiah Kerusha , Post Jan W. , Rietveld Luuk C. , Cornelissen Emile R.
Published: December 2014

The draw solution is the driving force of the forward osmosis (FO) process; however, the solute loss of the draw solute to the feed side is a general, financial limitation for most applications. The anthropogenic amino acid ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was investigated as a draw solution for FO. At concentrations of approximately 1.0 osmol/kg, EDTA demonstrated comparable water fluxes (Jv = 5.29 L/m2 h) to the commonly used salt, NaCl (Jv = 4.86 L/m2 h), and both produced better water fluxes than glucose (Jv = 3.46 L/m2 h). EDTA showed the lowest solute loss with Js (reverse solute loss or solute leakage) = 0.54 g/m2 h. The molecular weight, degree of ionisation and charge of EDTA played a major role in this efficiency and EDTA was therefore well rejected by the membrane, showing a low Js/Jv ratio of 0.10 g/L. Owing to the low solute loss of EDTA and its resistance to biodegradation, this compound has the potential to be used as a draw solute for FO during long periods without requiring much replenishment.
Development of a spectrophotometric method for on-site analysis of peroxygens during in-situ chemical oxidation applications
Authors: Bennedsen Lars Rønn , Søgaard Erik Gydesen , Muff Jens
Published: December 2014

Activated peroxygens are frequently used as active agents in in-situ chemical oxidation (ISCO) contaminated site remediation applications, and fast and simple quantitative analysis of these species on site is necessary. In this work, the use of a spectrophotometric method based on classic iodometric titration is studied for quantitative analysis of S2O82− and H2O2. Instead of a back-titration step, the absorbance of the yellow iodide colour was measured at 352 nm in the presence of a bicarbonate buffer. A linear calibration curve was obtained from 0 to 0.1 mM for both S2O82− and H2O2. By dilution, the method can be used for all concentrations typically applied in the field. Concerning pH dependence, neutral pH levels caused no significant error whereas pH levels above 8 caused a 9% and 6% deviation from the theoretical peroxygen concentrations. Furthermore, the method showed little dependence on other matrix components, and absorbance was stable (<2% change) for more than a week. Overall, the method proved to be fast and simple, which are important features for a field method.
Comparison of genetic algorithm and imperialist competitive algorithms in predicting bed load transport in clean pipe
Authors: Ebtehaj Isa , Bonakdari Hossein
Published: December 2014

The existence of sediments in wastewater greatly affects the performance of the sewer and wastewater transmission systems. Increased sedimentation in wastewater collection systems causes problems such as reduced transmission capacity and early combined sewer overflow. The article reviews the performance of the genetic algorithm (GA) and imperialist competitive algorithm (ICA) in minimizing the target function (mean square error of observed and predicted Froude number). To study the impact of bed load transport parameters, using four non-dimensional groups, six different models have been presented. Moreover, the roulette wheel selection method is used to select the parents. The ICA with root mean square error (RMSE) = 0.007, mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) = 3.5% show better results than GA (RMSE = 0.007, MAPE = 5.6%) for the selected model. All six models return better results than the GA. Also, the results of these two algorithms were compared with multi-layer perceptron and existing equations.
Lymphocytes’ ‘last stand’ on the nuclear matrix after whole body exposure of rats to low-let ionizing radiation
Authors: Martinovic Vesna , Ivanovic Zarko , Mihailovic Mirjana , Ivanovic-Matic Svetlana , Poznanovic Goran , Vidakovic Melita
Published: December 2014

We examined the functions of the rat lymphocyte nuclear matrix after a single
exposure to total body irradiation with doses ranging from sublethal to
lethal. Irradiation induced systemic oxidative stress, detected as increased
activities of serum SOD and catalase, lymphocyte DNA damage, detected by the
Comet assay, and apoptosis. After irradiation with lower doses, the
recruitment of DNA repair centers on the matrix was observed by Western
analysis as increased levels of matrix-associated PARP-1, p53 and PCNA.
Augmented partitioning of the pro-survival transcription factor NF-?B on the
matrix was also detected after irradiation. Exposure to a lethal dose caused
breakdown of the matrix, observed as lamin B cleavage, and of the
matrix-associated DNA repair centers, detected as caspase-mediated PARP-1
proteolysis and loss of protein associations with the matrix. These findings
suggest that the nuclear matrix establishes functional 2 interactions in a
defensive mechanism, integrated in a decision-making process that resolves
cell fate.
Experimental investigation on heat transfer and pressure drop of conical coil heat exchanger
Authors: Purandare Pramod , Lele Mandar , Gupta Raj
Published: December 2014

The heat transfer and pressure drop analysis of conical coil heat exchanger with various tube diameters, fluid flow rates, and cone angles is presented in this paper. Fifteen coils of cone angles 180? (horizontal spiral), 135?, 90?, 45?, and 0? (vertical helical) are fabricated and analysed with, same average coil diameter, and tube length, with three different tube diameters. The experimentation is carried out with hot and cold water of flow rate 10 to 100 L per hour (Reynolds range 500 to 5000), and 30 to 90 L per hour, respectively. The temperatures and pressure drop across the heat exchanger are recorded at different mass flow rates of cold and hot fluid. The various parameters: heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt number, effectiveness, and friction factor, are estimated using the temperature, mass flow rate, and pressure drop across the heat exchanger. The analysis indicates that, Nusselt number and friction factor are function of flow rate, tube diameter, cone angle, and curvature ratio. Increase in tube side flow rate increases Nusselt number, whereas it reduces with increase in shell side flow rate. Increase in cone angle and tube diameter, reduces Nusselt number. The effects of cone angle, tube diameter, and fluid flow rates on heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics are detailed in this paper. The empirical correlations are proposed to bring out the physics of the thermal aspects of the conical coil heat exchangers.
Magnetohydrodynamic flow of nanofluid over permeable stretching sheet with convective boundary conditions
Authors: Hayat Tasawar , Imtiaz Maria , Alsaedi Ahmed
Published: December 2014

Analysis has been carried out for the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary
layer flow of nanofluid. The flow is caused by a permeable stretching sheet.
Convective type boundary conditions are employed in modeling the heat and
mass transfer process. Appropriate transformations reduce the nonlinear
partial differential equations to ordinary differential equations. The
convergent series solutions are constructed. Graphical results of different
parameters are discussed. The behaviors of Brownian motion and thermophoretic
diffusion of nanoparticles have been examined. The dimensionless expressions
of local Nusselt and local Sherwood numbers have been evaluated and
discussed.
Effect of working fluids and internal diameters on thermal performance of vertical and horizontal closed-loop pulsating heat pipes with multiple heat sources
Authors: Kammuang-Lue Niti , Sakulchangsatjatai Phrut , Terdtoon Pradit
Published: December 2014

Some electrical applications have a number of heat sources. The closed-loop
pulsating heat pipe (CLPHP) is applied to transfer heat from these devices.
Since the CLPHP primarily transfers heat by means of the working fluid?s
phase change in a capillary tube, the thermal performance of the CLPHP
significantly depends on the working fluid type and the tube?s internal
diameter. In order to provide the fundamental information for manufacturers
of heat exchangers, this study on the effect of working fluids and internal
diameters has been conducted. Three electrical plate heaters were installed
on the CLPHP as the heat sources. The experiments were conducted by varying
the working fluid to be R123, ethanol, and water, and the internal diameter
to be 1.0 mm, 1.5 mm, and 2.0 mm. For each set of the same working fluid and
internal diameter, the input heat fluxes of the heat sources were also made
to vary within six different patterns. It can be concluded that when the
latent heat of evaporation increases - in the case of vertical CLPHP - and
when the dynamic viscosity of the liquid increases - in the case of
horizontal CLPHP - the thermal performance decreases. Moreover, when the
internal diameter increases, the thermal performance increases for both of
vertical and horizontal CLPHPs.
Factors influencing antibiotic treatment cost and outcome in critically ill patients: A “real-life” study
Authors: Peric Aneta , Surbatovic Maja , Vezmar-Kovacevic Sandra , Antunovic Mirjana , Veljovic Milic , Djordjevic Dragan , Andjelic Tamara , Zeba Snjezana , Dobric Silva
Published: December 2014

Background/Aim. Critically ill patients are at very high risk of developing
severe infections in intensive care units (ICUs). Procalcitonin (PCT) levels
are eleveted in the circulation in patients with bacterial sepsis and PCT
might be useful in guiding antibiotic treatment. The aim of this study was to
estimate factors influencing patients survival and treatment cost in ICU with
special emphasis on the impact of PCT serum levels use in guiding
antimicrobial therapy. Methods. The study was conducted from August 2010 to
May 2012 in the Intensive Therapy Unit, Clinic of Anesthesiology and
Intensive Therapy, Military Medical Academy (MMA), Belgrade, Serbia. All
adult critically ill patients with sepsis and/or trauma admitted in the ICU
were included in the study. This study included only the cost of
antimicrobial therapy in the ICU and the cost for PCT analysis. We used
prices valid in the MMA for the year 2012. PCT in serum was measured by
homogeneous immunoassay on a Brahms Kryptor analyzer. Results. A total of 102
patients were enrolled. The mean patients age was 55 ? 19 years and 61.8% of
patients were male. The mean length of stay (LOS) in the ICU was 12 ? 21
days. There was a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001) between
the sepsis and trauma group regarding outcome (higher mortality rate was in
the sepsis group, particularly in the patients with peritonitis who were
mostly women). The patients younger than 70 years had better chance of
survival. LOS, the use of carbapenems and PCT-measurement influenced the cost
of therapy in the ICU. Conclusions. The obtained results show that age, the
diagnosis and gender were the main predictors of survival of critically ill
patients in the ICU. The cost of ICU stay was dependent on LOS, use of
carbapenems and PCT measurement although the influence of these three factors
on the outcome in the patients did not reach a statistical significance.
Obstetric complications of placenta previa percreta
Authors: Sparic Radmila , Mirkovic Ljiljana , Ravilic Uros , Janjic Tijana
Published: December 2014

Introduction. Placenta previa is related to severe maternal and fetal
morbidity. The increasing incidence of cesarean delivery rate causes a marked
increase in abnormally invasive placenta over the past decades. The
abnormally invasive placenta is becoming the foremost cause of obstetric
hemorrhage and postpartum hysterectomy, causing a significant maternal and
fetal morbidity and even mortality. Maternal morbidity in such cases also
comprise politransfusion, development of disseminated intravascular
coagulation, uterine rupture, cystostomy, fistula formation, ureteral
stricture, intensive care unit admission, infection, and prolonged
hospitalization, adult respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure,
septicemia and even death. Case report. A 38-year-old gravida 3, para 2, was
admitted to our hospital at 27 weeks of gestation as an emergency due to
vaginal bleeding, previously diagnosed with an anterior placenta previa.
Following tocolytic therapy, bleeding stopped. The patient was informed on
the diagnosis and the possibility of lifethreatening hemorrhage necessitating
preterm delivery. She was given corticosteroids to enhance fetal lung
maturity. At 28 weeks of gestation, she experienced massive vaginal bleeding,
and a decision was made to perform emergency cesarean section. We made a
corporeal transverse uterine incision well above the uterovesical fold and
tortuous vessels, at the same time avoiding the superior edge of the
placenta. The placenta was found to be densely adherent to the lower uterine
segment, penetrating through it and infiltrating the posterior wall of the
urinary bladder. An attempt to remove the placenta resulted in injury to the
bladder wall and the uterine rupture at a previous cesarean scar. The
decision was made to perform total abdominal hysterectomy with placenta left
in situ. At present, both mother and the baby are well. Conclusion.
Anticipation and the surgeon's judgment are leading factors for surgery, from
the choice of uterine incision type to the decision to proceeding to
hysterectomy in order to reduce maternal morbidity.
Erratum
Authors: Editorial E
Published: December 2014

The article ?Understanding sensitivity, specificity and predictive values?.
Vojnosanit Pregl 2014; 71(11): 1062?65 (DOI:10.2298/VSP1411062S) Listed the
authors as: Miodrag Stojanovic, Marija Apostolovic, Dijana Stojanovic,
Zoran Milosevic, Aleksandra Toplaovic, Vesna Mitic Lakusic, Mladjan
Golubovic The list of authors should read as: Miodrag Stojanovic, Marija
Andjelkovic-Apostolovic, Dijana Stojanovic, Zoran Milosevic, Aleksandra
Ignjatovic, Vesna Mitic Lakusic, Mladjan Golubovic
Youth Civic Participation: Do Socialising Agents Matter?
Authors: Ng Shun-Wing
Published: December 2014

Hong Kong has become a political city since 1997 after the return of sovereignty from Britain to China, and the issue of democracy and universal suffrage is still a question. Since then, there have been constant demonstrations in the streets to struggle for social justice and true universal suffrage, participated in by thousands of Hong Kong citizens. Interestingly, there are several groups of youngsters from secondary schools and tertiary institutions taking initiatives to participate in these civic and political events. This article aims to report on a qualitative study on how these youth groups are politically socialised to be active participants in petitions and demonstrations, and looks into the role and function of the agents in the socialising process of youth participation in political incidents in Hong Kong.
An Archaeometric and Archaeological Approach to Hellenistic-Early Roman Ceramic Workshops in Greece: Contribution to Dating
Authors: Kondopoulou Despina , Zananiri Irene , Rathossi Christina , Marco Emanuela De , Spatharas Vasileios , Hasaki Eleni
Published: December 2014

The present article comprises a multidisciplinary archaeometric approach for the study of Hellenistic and Early Roman kilns in Greece. A collection of previously published and new archaeomagnetic data are combined with new results from mineralogical analytical experiments. The sampled material came from four areas, covering different geological contexts: Katerini, Olympiada, and Polymylos in mainland Greece, and the island of Paros. Extensive rock-magnetic experiments, including identification of the dominant ferromagnetic minerals present, their domain state, and mineralogical alterations during laboratory treatments, have been carried out in order to examine the magnetic properties of the studied materials and prove their suitability for reliable archaeomagnetic determinations. Magnetic cleaning provided well-defined archaeomagnetic directions, and archaeointensity measurements were carried out using both the Thellier-Thellier and Triaxe protocols. Information from both magnetic and mineralogical properties referring to firing conditions is further discussed along with archaeological information. Finally, a new dating of the four sites together with other structures of similar age was carried out using the Pavón-Carrasco model.
Risk factors for perioperative death in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic masses: 539 cases (2001–2012)
Authors: Wendelburg Kristin M. , O'Toole Therese E. , McCobb Emily , Price Lori Lyn , Lyons Jeremiah A. , Berg John
Published: December 2014

Objective—To determine the perioperative mortality rate, causes of death, and risk factors for perioperative death in dogs undergoing splenectomy for splenic mass lesions.

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—539 dogs.

Procedures—Medical records of dogs that underwent splenectomy for known splenic masses were reviewed. Perioperative mortality rate and causes of death were determined. Associations between potential prognostic factors and perioperative death were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results—41 of 539 (7.6%) dogs died during the perioperative period. Thrombotic and coagulopathic syndromes and uncontrolled bleeding from metastatic lesions were the most common causes of death. Of the variables selected for multivariable analysis, platelet count at admission, whether PCV at admission was < 30%, and development of ventricular arrhythmias during surgery were significantly associated with outcome. For each decrease in platelet count of 10,000 platelets/μL, odds of death increased by approximately 6%. For dogs with PCV < 30%, odds of death were approximately twice those for dogs with PCV ≥ 30%, and for dogs that developed intraoperative arrhythmias, odds of death were approximately twice those for dogs that did not.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Marked preoperative thrombocytopenia or anemia and development of intraoperative ventricular arrhythmias were identified as risk factors for perioperative death in dogs with splenic masses. The risk of death may be limited by efforts to prevent thrombotic and coagulopathic syndromes and to control all sources of intra-abdominal hemorrhage.
Diagnosis and treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in a bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis)
Authors: Nevitt Benjamin N. , Langan Jennifer N. , Adkesson Michael J. , Landolfi Jennifer A. , Wilson Rand
Published: December 2014

Case Description—Severe lymphocytosis and leukocytosis were detected during examination of a 10-year-old sexually intact male bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis) with regionally extensive alopecia.

Clinical Findings—A CBC revealed severe leukocytosis (39,100 leukocytes/μL) and marked lymphocytosis (90%). A blood smear consisted predominantly of intermediate-sized lymphocytes and few large lymphocytes, with mild to moderate nuclear atypia. These findings were highly suggestive of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Cytologic evaluation of bone marrow aspirates revealed no evidence of overt malignancy, with 10% of all cells identified as small to intermediate-sized mature lymphocytes.

Treatment and Outcome—Treatment with chlorambucil and prednisone administered orally over a 1.8-year period decreased the leukocyte and lymphocyte counts to within reference intervals with no adverse effects. Although repeated flow cytometry revealed evidence of residual disease, the fox remained free of clinical disease, and WBC counts were within reference intervals for this species. At 22 months after initial evaluation, the fox was euthanized because of debilitating arthritis. No evidence of CLL was detected grossly or histologically during necropsy.

Clinical Relevance—To the authors’ knowledge, this was the first report of CLL in a bat-eared fox and first successful treatment in a nondomestic carnivore. Treatment in accordance with a chemotherapeutic protocol successfully resolved the leukocytosis and lymphocytosis with no serious adverse effects. Description of this fox and the treatment protocol should provide a valuable reference for future cases in this and other nondomestic canine species.
Measuring Soccer Technique with Easy-to-Administer Field Tasks in Female Soccer Players from Four Different Competitive Levels
Authors: Pedersen Arve Vorland , Lorås Håvard , Norvang Ole Petter , Asplund Jennifer
Published: December 2014

Soccer is a multidimensional sport that requires skills in many different domains. Reports from competitions at the highest levels around the world suggest that a particularly decisive performance factor is a team's technical execution. Testing of technical skills in soccer has been infrequent compared with testing of physiological variables, and there has been a lack of consensus as to which tasks should be included in test batteries. In this study, the validity of four field tasks (heading, long pass, juggling, and hit-the-post) was examined by testing 108 female soccer players from four different competitive levels, representing a hierarchy of skill levels. Correlation analysis indicated that the tasks' results appeared statistically unrelated (Spearman's ρ ≤ .36). Statistical comparisons across competitive levels showed that task performance was closely correlated with players' competition level, with regression analysis indicating that 92% of the variance in mean rankings across tasks could be explained by competitive level. As the easily administered and low-cost tasks identified differences in technical skills across competitive levels, such tasks appear valid for inclusion in tests of technical skills.
Self-Esteem and Arab-American Elementary Students
Authors: Alkhateeb Haitham M. , Abushihab Eiman F.
Published: December 2014

This study assessed self-esteem and the relation between self-esteem and academic achievement in a sample of Arab-American elementary students who completed the What I Think About Myself Self-esteem Inventory. 123 students' ( M age = 8.7 yr., 65 boys and 58 girls) self-esteem scores were associated with their academic achievement. Alpha internal consistency reliability was acceptable (Cronbach's α =.85) for the inventory. The results also indicated that the participants tended to have healthy self-esteem.
Response to “Framing Unauthorized Immigrants: The Effects of Labels on Evaluations,” by Ommundsen, et al. (2014)
Authors: Knoll Benjamin R. , Redlawsk David P. , Sanborn Howard
Published: December 2014

Ommundsen, Larsen, van der Veer, and Eilertsen (2014) presented evidence that varying how immigrants are described in surveys can lead to differences in how respondents to those surveys change their self-reported orientations toward those immigrants and immigration policy. We argue that the apparent conflict between their findings and those of Knoll, Redlawsk, and Sanborn (2011) should be interpreted as complementary rather than contradictory. In particular, differences in samples, timing, and dependent variables limit direct comparisons between the studies. Moreover, because Ommundsen, et al. (2014) do not have a measure of partisanship and did not test for interaction effects between ideology and frames, their broader conclusions are limited given that immigration is such a highly charged political issue that is strongly affected by political ideology and partisan cues.
Vividness and Transformation of Mental Images in Karate and Ballet
Authors: Di Corrado Donatella , Guarnera Maria , Quartiroli Alessandro
Published: December 2014

While imagery research has become popular in recent years, little research has specifically investigated differences in imagery ability between open- and closed-skill sport activities. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the type of task, open or closed, affects vividness and controllability differently. Thirty female classic dancers (closed skill), 30 female karate athletes (open skill), and 30 female non-athlete students, between 14 and 20 years of age ( M = 17.0, SD = 1.6), participated. They completed the Vividness of Visual Imagery Questionnaire, the Vividness of Movement Imagery Questionnaire, and the Subtraction of Parts Task. There was no difference in imagery ability between open- and closed-skill sport groups. Furthermore, dancers and karatekas had higher mean scores on imagery ability than the non-athlete group. A positive correlation was observed between the two questionnaires, supporting findings on the componential basis of imagery. This study contributed to increase the research in the specific area of open- and closed-skill sports and imagery ability.
How Important is it to Score a Goal? The Influence of the Scoreline on Match Performance in Elite Soccer
Authors: Lago-Peñas Carlos , Gómez-López Maite
Published: December 2014

The goal of this study was to examine the effects of three different scorelines (1 Goal Up, Level Score, 1 Goal Down) on match performance indicators in elite soccer. Ball possession decreased when teams were 1 goal up. High Range Budget Clubs (HRBC) and Upper-Mid Range Budget Clubs (UMRBC) dominated possession against their opponents whether winning, losing, or drawing. Lower-Mid Range Budget Clubs (LMRBC) and Low Range Budget Clubs (LRBC) had less possession than HRBC. The probability of reaching the final one-third of the pitch decreased when teams were 1 goal up. LMRBC and LRBC had less match final third entries than HRBC. Similarly, shots on goal decreased when teams were 1 goal up. These findings could be used by coaches and match analysts when they evaluate performance and develop training drills.
Relationships between Cooperation and Goal Orientation among Male Professional and Semi-Professional Team Athletes
Authors: Lameiras João , Almeida Pedro L. , Garcia-Mas Alexandre
Published: December 2014

In team sports, athletes' goals may focus on the task (enhancing performance, developing better skills, etc.) or on ego (being better than the others, achieving superiority, etc.). This study investigated the relationships between athletes' goal orientation and their tendency to cooperate with teammates and coaches. 158 professional men ( M age = 24.1 yr., SD = 4.6) who played on various sport teams participated in this study. Goal orientation was measured with the Portuguese version of the Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire, and cooperation was measured with the Questionário de Cooperação Desportiva. Cooperation was positively correlated with task orientation, and negatively correlated with ego orientation. Overall, the findings support that in sports, directing the players' focus on task may promote prosocial behavior.
Suburbia’s Alien Reek: Contract and Relation in John Cheever’sBullet Park
Authors: George Joseph
Published: December 2014

Abstract:

Since its establishment in the waning years of World War II, the US post-war suburb has connoted inauthenticity and conformity. But the understanding of authenticity implicit in this characterization presupposes an individualist notion of selfhood and a contractualist approach to social relations—presuppositions that, in turn, lead us to anticipate the very conformity also associated with inauthenticity. This article argues that the fiction of John Cheever adheres, not to the Romantic individualism that underlies normative views of suburbia, but to the process of identity formation described by Martin Heidegger, one that emphasizes relation to the present and factual. Accordingly, it claims that Cheever’s 1969 novel Bullet Park imagines suburbia as a prime space, not for inauthenticity and conformity, but for difference and intersubjectivity.
Review of Alternative Management Options of Vegetable Crop Residues to Reduce Nitrate Leaching in Intensive Vegetable Rotations
Authors: Agneessens Laura , De Waele Jeroen , De Neve Stefaan
Published: December 2014

Vegetable crop residues take a particular position relative to arable crops due to often large amounts of biomass with a N content up to 200 kg N ha−1 left behind on the field. An important amount of vegetable crops are harvested during late autumn and despite decreasing soil temperatures during autumn, high rates of N mineralization and nitrification still occur. Vegetable crop residues may lead to considerable N losses through leaching during winter and pose a threat to meeting water quality objectives. However, at the same time vegetable crop residues are a vital link in closing the nutrient and organic matter cycle of soils. Appropriate and sustainable management is needed to harness the full potential of vegetable crop residues. Two fundamentally different crop residue management strategies to reduce N losses during winter in intensive vegetable rotations are reviewed, namely (i) on-field management options and modifications to crop rotations and (ii) removal of crop residues, followed by a useful and profitable application.
Adaptive Synchronization of Fractional Neural Networks with Unknown Parameters and Time Delays
Authors: Ma Weiyuan , Li Changpin , Wu Yujiang , Wu Yongqing
Published: December 2014

In this paper, the parameters identification and synchronization problem of fractional-order neural networks with time delays are investigated. Based on some analytical techniques and an adaptive control method, a simple adaptive synchronization controller and parameter update laws are designed to synchronize two uncertain complex networks with time delays. Besides, the system parameters in the uncertain network can be identified in the process of synchronization. To demonstrate the validity of the proposed method, several illustrative examples are presented.
Relationship between Caregivers’ Smoking at Home and Urinary Levels of Cotinine in Children
Authors: Wang Yun , Yang Mei , Tian Lang , Huang Zhiqiang , Chen Faming , Hu Jingsong , Wang Fuzhi , Chen Gui , Xiao Shuiyuan
Published: December 2014

Objective: To assess the impact of different smoking behaviors of caregivers on environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure in children aged 5–6 years in Changsha, China. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional, random digit-dial telephone survey of caregivers (n = 543) between August and October 2013. Caregivers’ smoking behaviors were collected by a questionnaire. Exposure assessment was based upon determination of urinary cotinine levels in children employing gas chromatography–triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC-MS/MS). Results: In children not living with a smoker, children living with one smoker, and children living with more than one smoker at home, median urinary cotinine concentrations (ng/mL) were 0.72, 2.97, and 4.46, respectively. For children living with one smoker, median urinary cotinine levels of children exposed to ETS were associated with caregiver smoking behaviors, i.e., if a caregiver consumed more cigarettes (>20 compared with ≤10; 7.73 versus 2.29 ng/mL, respectively). Conclusions: The magnitude of ETS exposure in children is correlated with the smoking behaviors of the caregiver. Counseling for smoking cessation and educational interventions are needed urgently for smoking caregivers to increase their awareness about ETS exposure and to encourage smoking cessation at home or to take precautions to protect children’s health.
Female Media Use Behavior and Agreement with Publicly Promoted Agenda-Specific Health Messages
Authors: Lyu Shu-Yu , Chen Ruey-Yu , Tsai Liang-Ting , Wang Shih-fan , Lo Feng-En , Chi Ying-Chen , Morisky Donald
Published: December 2014

This study set out to explore the relationship between female media use behavior and agreement with agenda-specific publicly promoted health messages. A random digit dial telephone cross-sectional survey was conducted using a nationally representative sample of female residents aged 25 and over. Respondents’ agreement with health messages was measured by a six-item Health Information Scale (HIS). Data were analyzed using chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression. This survey achieved a response rate of 86% (n = 1074). In this study the longest duration of daily television news watching (OR = 2.32), high self-efficacy (OR = 1.56), and greater attention to medical and health news (OR = 5.41) were all correlates of greater agreement with the selected health messages. Surprisingly, Internet use was not significant in the final model. Many women that public health interventions need to be targeting are not receptive to health information that can be accessed through Internet searches. However, they may be more readily targeted by television campaigns. Agenda-specific public health campaigns aiming to empower women to serve as nodes of information transmission and achieve efficient trickle down through the family unit might do better to invest more heavily in television promotion.
Identification of a Plastid-Localized Bifunctional Nerolidol/Linalool Synthase in Relation to Linalool Biosynthesis in Young Grape Berries
Authors: Zhu Bao-Qing , Cai Jian , Wang Zhi-Qun , Xu Xiao-Qing , Duan Chang-Qing , Pan Qiu-Hong
Published: December 2014

Monoterpenoids are a diverse class of natural products and contribute to the important varietal aroma of certain Vitis vinifera grape cultivars. Among the typical monoterpenoids, linalool exists in almost all grape varieties. A gene coding for a nerolidol/linalool (NES/LINS) synthase was evaluated in the role of linalool biosynthesis in grape berries. Enzyme activity assay of this recombinant protein revealed that it could convert geranyl diphosphate and farnesyl diphosphate into linalool and nerolidol in vitro, respectively, and thus it was named VvRILinNer. However, localization experiment showed that this enzyme was only localized to chloroplasts, which indicates that VvRILinNer functions in the linalool production in vivo. The patterns of gene expression and linalool accumulation were analyzed in the berries of three grape cultivars (“Riesling”, “Cabernet Sauvignon”, “Gewurztraminer”) with significantly different levels of monoterpenoids. The VvRILinNer was considered to be mainly responsible for the synthesis of linalool at the early developmental stage. This finding has provided us with new knowledge to uncover the complex monoterpene biosynthesis in grapes.
Identification of Sumoylated Proteins in the Silkworm Bombyx mori
Authors: Tang Xudong , Fu Xuliang , Hao Bifang , Zhu Feng , Xiao Shengyan , Xu Li , Shen Zhongyuan
Published: December 2014

Small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) modification (SUMOylation) is an important and widely used reversible modification system in eukaryotic cells. It regulates various cell processes, including protein targeting, transcriptional regulation, signal transduction, and cell division. To understand its role in the model lepidoptera insect Bombyx mori, a recombinant baculovirus was constructed to express an enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-SUMO fusion protein along with ubiquitin carrier protein 9 of Bombyx mori (BmUBC9). SUMOylation substrates from Bombyx mori cells infected with this baculovirus were isolated by immunoprecipitation and identified by LC–ESI-MS/MS. A total of 68 candidate SUMOylated proteins were identified, of which 59 proteins were functionally categorized to gene ontology (GO) terms. Analysis of kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathways showed that 46 of the identified proteins were involved in 76 pathways that mainly play a role in metabolism, spliceosome and ribosome functions, and in RNA transport. Furthermore, SUMOylation of four candidates (polyubiquitin-C-like isoform X1, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, cyclin-related protein FAM58A-like and GTP-binding nuclear protein Ran) were verified by co-immunoprecipitation in Drosophila schneide 2 cells. In addition, 74% of the identified proteins were predicted to have at least one SUMOylation site. The data presented here shed light on the crucial process of protein sumoylation in Bombyx mori.
The LBP Gene and Its Association with Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila in Tilapia
Authors: Fu Gui , Liu Feng , Xia Jun , Yue Gen
Published: December 2014

Resistance to pathogens is important for the sustainability and profitability of food fish production. In immune-related genes, the lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) gene is an important mediator of the inflammatory reaction. We analyzed the cDNA and genomic structure of the LBP gene in tilapia. The full-length cDNA (1901 bp) of the gene contained a 1416 bp open reading frame, encoding 471 amino acid residues. Its genomic sequence was 5577 bp, comprising 15 exons and 14 introns. Under normal conditions, the gene was constitutively expressed in all examined tissues. The highest expression was detected in intestine and kidney. We examined the responses of the gene to challenges with two bacterial pathogens Streptcoccus agalactiae and Aeromonas hydrophila. The gene was significantly upregulated in kidney and spleen post-infection with S. agalactiae and A. hydrophila, respectively. However, the expression profiles of the gene after the challenge with the two pathogens were different. Furthermore, we identified three SNPs in the gene. There were significant associations (p < 0.05) of two of the three SNPs with the resistance to A. hydrophila, but not with the resistance to S. agalactiae or growth performance. These results suggest that the LBP gene is involved in the acute-phase immunologic response to the bacterial infections, and the responses to the two bacterial pathogens are different. The two SNPs associated with the resistance to A. hydrophila may be useful in the selection of tilapia resistant to A. hydrophila.
Cloning and Characterization of Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase Gene Involved in Triterpenoids Biosynthesis from Poria cocos
Authors: Wang Jianrong , Li Yangyuan , Liu Danni
Published: December 2014

Poria cocos (P. cocos) has long been used as traditional Chinese medicine and triterpenoids are the most important pharmacologically active constituents of this fungus. Farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase (FPS) is a key enzyme of triterpenoids biosynthesis. The gene encoding FPS was cloned from P. cocos by degenerate PCR, inverse PCR and cassette PCR. The open reading frame of the gene is 1086 bp in length, corresponding to a predicted polypeptide of 361 amino acid residues with a molecular weight of 41.2 kDa. Comparison of the P. cocos FPS deduced amino acid sequence with other species showed the highest identity with Ganoderma lucidum (74%). The predicted P. cocos FPS shares at least four conserved regions involved in the enzymatic activity with the FPSs of varied species. The recombinant protein was expressed in Pichia pastoris and purified. Gas chromatography analysis showed that the recombinant FPS could catalyze the formation of farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) from geranyl diphosphate (GPP) and isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). Furthermore, the expression profile of the FPS gene and content of total triterpenoids under different stages of development and methyl jasmonate treatments were determined. The results indicated that there is a positive correlation between the activity of FPS and the amount of total triterpenoids produced in P. cocos.
The Importance of Polarity in the Evolution of the K+ Binding Site of Pyruvate Kinase
Authors: Ramírez-Silva Leticia , Guerrero-Mendiola Carlos , Cabrera Nallely
Published: December 2014

In a previous phylogenetic study of the family of pyruvate kinase, we found one cluster with Glu117 and another with Lys117. Those sequences with Glu117 have Thr113 and are K+-dependent, whereas those with Lys117 have Leu113 and are K+-independent. The carbonyl oxygen of Thr113 is one of the residues that coordinate K+ in the active site. Even though the side chain of Thr113 does not participate in binding K+, the strict co-evolution between position 117 and 113 suggests that T113 may be the result of the evolutionary pressure to maintain the selectivity of pyruvate kinase activity for K+. Thus, we explored if the replacement of Thr113 by Leu alters the characteristics of the K+ binding site. We found that the polarity of the residue 113 is central in the partition of K+ into its site and that the substitution of Thr for Leu changes the ion selectivity for the monovalent cation with minor changes in the binding of the substrates. Therefore, Thr113 is instrumental in the selectivity of pyruvate kinase for K+.
Deep Web Search Interface Identification: A Semi-Supervised Ensemble Approach
Authors: Wang Hong , Xu Qingsong , Zhou Lifeng
Published: December 2014

To surface the Deep Web, one crucial task is to predict whether a given web page has a search interface (searchable HyperText Markup Language (HTML) form) or not. Previous studies have focused on supervised classification with labeled examples. However, labeled data are scarce, hard to get and requires tediousmanual work, while unlabeled HTML forms are abundant and easy to obtain. In this research, we consider the plausibility of using both labeled and unlabeled data to train better models to identify search interfaces more effectively. We present a semi-supervised co-training ensemble learning approach using both neural networks and decision trees to deal with the search interface identification problem. We show that the proposed model outperforms previous methods using only labeled data. We also show that adding unlabeled data improves the effectiveness of the proposed model.
Cross Talk between NOTCH Signaling and Biomechanics in Human Aortic Valve Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Godby Richard , Munjal Charu , Opoka Amy , Smith J. , Yutzey Katherine , Narmoneva Daria , Hinton Robert
Published: December 2014

Aortic valve disease is a burgeoning public health problem associated with significant mortality. Loss of function mutations in NOTCH1 cause bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) and calcific aortic valve disease. Because calcific nodules manifest on the fibrosa side of the cusp in low fluidic oscillatory shear stress (OSS), elucidating pathogenesis requires approaches that consider both molecular and mechanical factors. Therefore, we examined the relationship between NOTCH loss of function (LOF) and biomechanical indices in healthy and diseased human aortic valve interstitial cells (AVICs). An orbital shaker system was used to apply cyclic OSS, which mimics the cardiac cycle and hemodynamics experienced by AVICs in vivo. NOTCH LOF blocked OSS-induced cell alignment in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), whereas AVICs did not align when subjected to OSS under any conditions. In healthy AVICs, OSS resulted in decreased elastin (ELN) and α-SMA (ACTA2). NOTCH LOF was associated with similar changes, but in diseased AVICs, NOTCH LOF combined with OSS was associated with increased α-SMA expression. Interestingly, AVICs showed relatively higher expression of NOTCH2 compared to NOTCH1. Biomechanical interactions between endothelial and interstitial cells involve complex NOTCH signaling that contributes to matrix homeostasis in health and disorganization in disease.
Fickian-Based Empirical Approach for Diffusivity Determination in Hollow Alginate-Based Microfibers Using 2D Fluorescence Microscopy and Comparison with Theoretical Predictions
Authors: Mobed-Miremadi Maryam , Djomehri Sabra , Keralapura Mallika , McNeil Melanie
Published: December 2014

Hollow alginate microfibers (od = 1.3 mm, id = 0.9 mm, th = 400 µm, L = 3.5 cm) comprised of 2% (w/v) medium molecular weight alginate cross-linked with 0.9 M CaCl2 were fabricated to model outward diffusion capture by 2D fluorescent microscopy. A two-fold comparison of diffusivity determination based on real-time diffusion of Fluorescein isothiocyanate molecular weight (FITC MW) markers was conducted using a proposed Fickian-based approach in conjunction with a previously established numerical model developed based on spectrophotometric data. Computed empirical/numerical (Dempiricial/Dnumerical) diffusivities characterized by small standard deviations for the 4-, 70- and 500-kDa markers expressed in m2/s are (1.06 × 10−9 ± 1.96 × 10−10)/(2.03 × 10−11), (5.89 × 10−11 ± 2.83 × 10−12)/(4.6 × 10−12) and (4.89 × 10−12 ± 3.94 × 10−13)/(1.27 × 10−12), respectively, with the discrimination between the computation techniques narrowing down as a function of MW. The use of the numerical approach is recommended for fluorescence-based measurements as the standard computational method for effective diffusivity determination until capture rates (minimum 12 fps for the 4-kDa marker) and the use of linear instead of polynomial interpolating functions to model temporal intensity gradients have been proven to minimize the extent of systematic errors associated with the proposed empirical method.