bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Produtividade da canola sob irrigação e doses de adubação nitrogenada
Authors: Sanches Arthur C. , Gomes Eder P. , Ramos Walquíria B. , Mauad Munir , Santos Sidnei dos , Biscaro Guilherme A.
Published: June 2014

O trabalho foi conduzido no período de maio a setembro de 2012, no Campus da Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados, com o objetivo de avaliar a produtividade e os componentes morfológicos e produtivos da cultura da canola (híbrido Hyola 61) submetidos a diferentes doses de nitrogênio em cobertura e irrigação. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizado em esquema de parcelas subdivididas, com quatro repetições. As parcelas foram constituídas em irrigado e não irrigado. As subparcelas foram constituídas por três tratamentos com adubação nitrogenada em cobertura: 30, 60 e 90 kg ha-1 de nitrogênio. Com o uso da irrigação obtiveram-se os melhores resultados na altura de plantas, massa seca da parte aérea e no número de síliqua por planta. O teor de óleo e a massa de mil grãos apresentaram acréscimos significativos em função da irrigação e das doses de adubação nitrogenada. A produtividade sob irrigação foi superior à não irrigada, com valores iguais a 3145,65 e 1354,45 kg ha-1, respectivamente.
Ponto de murcha permanente fisiológico e potencial osmótico de feijão caupi cultivado em solos salinizados
Authors: Coelho José B. M. , Barros Maria de F. C. , Bezerra Neto Egídio , Souza Edivan R. de
Published: June 2014

Com o objetivo de avaliar o ponto de murcha permanente fisiológico, a umidade foliar e o potencial osmótico no feijoeiro caupi, sob duas condições de estresses (salino e salino + hídrico), foram conduzidos dois experimentos em casa de vegetação na Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (Recife, PE, Brasil). O delineamento experimental adotado foi o inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 4, sendo duas classes texturais de solos (franco-arenoso e franco-argiloso) e quatro níveis de salinidade do solo, equivalentes às condutividades elétricas do extrato de saturação do solo 4, 8 e 12 dS m-1, mais testemunha, com cinco repetições. A cultura teste utilizada foi o feijoeiro caupi [Vigna unguiculata L. (Walp.)], cultivar Pele de Moça. O ponto de murcha permanente do feijoeiro caupi é menor quando determinado pelo método fisiológico do que o determinado na câmara de pressão de Richards; o incremento da salinidade do solo (CEes) até 12 dS m-1 não influencia a umidade foliar, independente da textura do solo; e o potencial osmótico foliar do feijoeiro caupi diminui com o aumento da salinidade do solo e pode ser usado como variável importante em ambientes salinizados.
Matéria orgânica e atributos físicos de um Latossolo Vermelho após aplicações de dejeto de suínos
Authors: Agne Sandra A. A. , Klein Vilson A.
Published: June 2014

A atividade suinícola gera grande quantidade de dejetos que podem ser utilizados como fertilizante em áreas de lavouras e pastagens. A adição continuada desses dejetos pode alterar os atributos físicos do solo. Neste trabalho objetivou-se verificar a influência da aplicação de doses 0, 48, 96, 144, 192 e 240 m³ ha-1 ano-1, de dejeto líquido suíno durante quatro anos, num Latossolo Vermelho com pastagem perene. O teor médio de matéria seca do dejeto líquido de suínos foi de 1,72%. Amostras de solo com estrutura preservada e não preservada foram coletadas nas camadas de 0-0,05; 0,05-0,10; 0,10-0,15; 0,15-0,20; 0,20-0,25 e 0,25-0,30 m. Avaliaram-se o teor de matéria orgânica, a argila dispersa em água, a densidade do solo e dos sólidos e a relativa, a resistência à penetração, a porosidade total e o volume de macro, micro e criptoporos, a permeabilidade do solo ao ar e a estabilidade dos agregados do solo. Com exceção do teor da matéria orgânica não houve interação entre doses e camadas. Os atributos físicos avaliados não foram influenciados pela aplicação das diferentes doses de dejeto líquido de suínos com matéria seca de 1,72%, por um período de quatro anos em Latossolo Vermelho.
Kernel smoothing dos dados de chuva no Nordeste
Authors: Barbosa Nyedja F. M. , Stosic Borko D. , Stosic Tatijana , Lopes Pabrício M. O. , Moura Geber B. de A. , Melo José S. P.
Published: June 2014

O regime de chuvas sobre o Nordeste do Brasil é bastante complexo, sendo considerado sazonal, além de sofrer fortes influências dos fenômenos El Niño, La Niña e outros sistemas meteorológicos, como o dipolo, atuantes sobre as bacias do oceano Atlântico Tropical. Neste trabalho foi aplicada a técnica matemática-computacional de interpolação do Kernel Smoothing nos dados de precipitação pluvial sobre o Nordeste, coletados no período de 1904 a 1998, provenientes de 2.283 estações meteorológicas. Os cálculos foram desenvolvidos por meio do software "Kernel", escrito em linguagem C e Cuda o que possibilitou fazer a interpolação de mais de 26 milhões de medidas de precipitação pluvial, permitindo gerar mapas de intensidade de chuva sobre toda a região e calcular estatísticas para a precipitação do Nordeste em escalas mensais e anuais. De acordo com as interpolações realizadas foi possível detectar, dentre o período estudado, os anos mais secos e mais chuvosos, a distribuição espacial das chuvas em cada mês, bem como a característica da precipitação pluviométrica em épocas de El Niño e La Niña.
Propriedades mecânicas e de fluxo de produtos agroindustriais
Authors: Costa Carlos A. da , Lopes Neto José P. , Nascimento José W. B. do , Diniz Marineide J. , Silva Valneide R. da
Published: June 2014

No cálculo de estruturas de silos vem-se utilizando, ao longo dos tempos, novas ferramentas e métodos visando à determinação das características dos produtos armazenáveis. Objetivou-se, com a pesquisa, determinar as propriedades mecânicas e de fluxo de produtos granulares como grãos de arroz e milho triturado, com teores de umidade de 10, 12 e 14% e de farinha de mandioca, produto este considerado pulverulento com teores de umidade de 10 e 12%. Para a determinação das propriedades mecânicas foram realizados ensaios de compressão em célula especialmente confeccionada para esta finalidade. Foram utilizadas quatro cargas de compressão (5, 10, 15 e 20 kN). Os ensaios de propriedades de fluxo foram realizados utilizando-se equipamento de cisalhamento translacional conjugado com célula de cisalhamento denominada Jenike Shear Cell. Todos os ensaios foram realizados no período de julho a setembro do ano de 2012. Pode-se afirmar que os resultados satisfizeram o preconizado pela metodologia de tipo de fluxo e as adotadas pelas normas internacionais; os valores médios das propriedades mecânicas foram consistentes aos encontrados na literatura.
Epiphytic angiosperms in a mountain forest in southern Bahia, Brazil
Authors: Leitman Paula , Amorim André , Menini Neto Luiz , Forzza Rafaela C.
Published: June 2014

The Atlantic Forest in southern Bahia State, Brazil, has high levels of diversity and vascular plant endemism. There have been few floristic surveys of the mountain forests there, however, especially those focusing on herbs and canopy plants, with studies of Atlantic Forest epiphytes having been limited to the southern and southeastern region of that country. The present study therefore surveyed the epiphytic angiosperms in the Serra das Lontras National Park (SLNP), the distribution of their species among genera and families, and their biogeographical patterns. Fieldwork was performed between February 2011 and March 2012. Collections were made along roads and trails and phorophytes were occasionally climbed and fallen trees and branches examined in order to sample canopy species. The study site demonstrated high epiphyte richness (256 spp.), one of the highest recorded in the Atlantic Forest. The richest families are Orchidaceae, Bromeliaceae, and Araceae, reaffirming the patterns reported in previous major reviews on epiphytes. The species exhibit high degrees of endemism (45%) to the Atlantic Forest, especially among the Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae. One new occurrence to Brazil, four to the Atlantic Forest and 30 to Bahia state are registered. The SLNP shares more species with areas of southern and southeastern Brazil than with other northeastern states.
A coupled 1D and 2D hydrodynamic model for free-surface flows
Authors: Yu Haijun , Huang Guoru
Published: June 2014

A coupled one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) numerical model for free-surface flows is presented. For the 1D model, the finite-difference method is used to discretize the Saint-Venant equations. An implicit dual time-stepping method is applied to a finite-volume model for 2D flows to improve run-time efficiency. Four test cases – one extensive analytical benchmark case, two linking examples and a dam break with actual topography – are applied to validate the proposed model and to demonstrate its performance in comparison with an explicit scheme and published results. The proposed model was found to be accurate and efficient for simulating free-surface flows in practical applications. Two treatment methods for dealing with the boundary of the 2D model at the coupled area are also compared. The results show that using exchange water as a source term is a more stable treatment than as an open flow boundary, with only a small difference in simulation results.
Method for technical, economic and environmental assessment of advanced sludge processing routes
Authors: Svanström Magdalena , Bertanza Giorgio , Bolzonella David , Canato Matteo , Collivignarelli Carlo , Heimersson Sara , Laera Giuseppe , Mininni Giuseppe , Peters Greg , Tomei Maria Concetta
Published: June 2014

The legislative framework in force in Europe entails restrictive effluent standards for sensitive areas, and quite severe restrictions on the properties of residual sewage sludge, both for landfill disposal and for agricultural use. Several technologies and management strategies have been proposed and applied in wastewater treatment plants to minimise sludge production and contamination. However, their techno-economic and environmental performance has to be carefully evaluated. The ROUTES project, funded within the EU Seventh Framework programme, aims to find new routes for wastewater treatment and sludge management and thereby guide EU members in their future choices. Within this project, the authors have developed and applied a procedure for techno-economic-environmental assessment of new wastewater and sludge processing lines in comparison to reference plants. The reference plants are model conventional plants that experience different types of problems and the new plants are modified plants in which different innovative technologies have been added to solve these problems. The procedure involves a rating of selected technical issues, estimates of operating costs and an assessment of environmental impacts from a life cycle perspective. This paper reports on the procedure and shows examples of results.
Optimization of the thermophilic anaerobic co-digestion of pig manure, agriculture waste and inorganic additive through specific methanogenic activity
Authors: Jiménez J. , Cisneros-Ortiz M. E. , Guardia-Puebla Y. , Morgan-Sagastume J. M. , Noyola A.
Published: June 2014

The anaerobic co-digestion of three wastes (manure, rice straw and clay residue, an inorganic additive) at different concentration levels and their interactive effects on methanogenic activity were investigated in this work at thermophilic conditions in order to enhance hydrolytic activity and methane production. A central composite design and the response surface methodology were applied for the optimization of specific methanogenic activity (SMA) by assessing their interaction effects with a reduced number of experiments. The results showed a significant interaction among the wastes on the SMA and confirmed that co-digestion enhances methane production. Rice straw apparently did not supply a significant amount of substrate to make a difference in SMA or methane yield. On the other hand, clay residue had a positive effect as an inorganic additive for stimulating the anaerobic process, based on its mineral content and its adsorbent properties for ammonia. Finally, the optimal conditions for achieving a thermophilic SMA value close to 1.4 g CH4-COD/g VSS · d−1 were 20.3 gVSS/L of manure, 9.8 gVSS/L of rice straw and 3.3 gTSS/L of clay.
Treatment of suspended solids and heavy metals from urban stormwater runoff by a tree box filter
Authors: Geronimo F. K. F. , Maniquiz-Redillas M. C. , Tobio J. A. S. , Kim L. H.
Published: June 2014

Particulates, inorganic and toxic constituents are the most common pollutants associated with urban stormwater runoff. Heavy metals such as chromium, nickel, copper, zinc, cadmium and lead are found to be in high concentration on paved roads or parking lots due to vehicle emissions. In order to control the rapid increase of pollutant loads in stormwater runoff, the Korean Ministry of Environment proposed the utilization of low impact developments. One of these was the application of tree box filters that act as a bioretention treatment system which executes filtration and sorption processes. In this study, a tree box filter located adjacent to an impervious parking lot was developed to treat suspended solids and heavy metal concentrations from urban stormwater runoff. In total, 11 storm events were monitored from July 2010 to August 2012. The results showed that the tree box filter was highly effective in removing particulates (up to 95%) and heavy metals (at least 70%) from the urban stormwater runoff. Furthermore, the tree box filter was capable of reducing the volume runoff by 40% at a hydraulic loading rate of 1 m/day and below.
Sludge accumulation pattern inside oxidation ditch case study
Authors: Fouad Moharram , El-Morsy Ahmed
Published: June 2014

The sludge accumulation pattern of an oxidation ditch (OD) plant treating municipal wastewater was observed under dry and wet weather conditions, during 3 years of operation. The accumulation patterns along the ditches and their rates were revealed. In addition, the composition of the accumulation was investigated. Finally, the ratio of sand and volatile particles, mixed liquor suspended solids (MLSS), and mixed liquor volatile suspended solids, as well as the removal efficiency were also observed against the accumulated sludge. Further, a laboratory-scale channel was used to investigate the settleability of grit after mixing with variable values of MLSS. The observed results indicated that the economical design and operation of ODs using a velocity value between 0.3–0.35 m/s is not recommended, to avoid the settling of all solids. High values of MLSS and sludge age need high horizontal velocity (more than 0.35 m/s) and more power to avoid settling problems and system failure. The influence of flow velocity on the sludge settleability was studied, enabling better planning of future ditch design and operation.
Evaluation of initial collision-attachment efficiency between carbon dioxide bubbles and algae particles for separation and harvesting
Authors: Kim Mi-Sug , Kwak Dong-Heui
Published: June 2014

Microalgae have been regarded as a pollutant causing algal blooms in lakes or reservoirs but have recently been considered as a useful source of biomass to produce biofuel or feed for livestock. For the algae particle separation process, carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the main greenhouse gases, is dissolved into a body of water rather than being emitted into atmosphere. This study aims at determining the feasibility of CO2 bubbles as an algae particle separation collector in a flotation process and providing useful information for effective algae harvesting by describing optimal operating conditions of dissolved carbon dioxide flotation or dissolved air flotation. The first step is to develop a flotation model for bi-functional activity, algae control and algae harvesting at the same time. A series of model simulations is run to investigate algae particle separation possibilities such as an initial collision-attachment efficiency that depends upon separation characteristics due to an algae life cycle, including: pH, size distribution, zeta potential, cell surface charge, density, electric double layer, alkalinity, and so on. Based on the separation characteristics, conditions required to form flocculation are predicted in order to obtain the optimal flotation efficiency.
Removal of chromium from aqueous solutions using modified lettuce leaves
Authors: Li Chen , Fen-xia Yan , Shuai Yang , Shu-li Chai , Pei-qin Ma
Published: June 2014

This article reports on an investigation into the ability of modified lettuce leaves to extract chromium ions from aqueous solutions. These exciting new materials were prepared via rapid (5 h) environmentally friendly synthesis routes avoiding any secondary pollution. The influence of pH, metal concentration, the adsorption of the added amount, and water temperature on the selectivity and sensitivity of the removal process was investigated. The maximum theoretical adsorption rate of modified lettuce leaves, evaluated by the Langmuir adsorption model, was 99.98%. The proposed method was applied in the determination of Cr6+ in a sample of aqueous solution and was validated by comparison with activated carbon.
Control of algal production in a high rate algal pond: investigation through batch and continuous experiments
Authors: Derabe Maobe H. , Onodera M. , Takahashi M. , Satoh H. , Fukazawa T.
Published: June 2014

For decades, arid and semi-arid regions in Africa have faced issues related to water availability for drinking, irrigation and livestock purposes. To tackle these issues, a laboratory scale greywater treatment system based on high rate algal pond (HRAP) technology was investigated in order to guide the operation of the pilot plant implemented in the 2iE campus in Ouagadougou (Burkina Faso). Because of the high suspended solids concentration generally found in effluents of this system, the aim of this study is to improve the performance of HRAPs in term of algal productivity and removal. To determine the selection mechanism of self-flocculated algae, three sets of sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) and three sets of continuous flow reactors (CFRs) were operated. Despite operation with the same solids retention time and the similarity of the algal growth rate found in these reactors, the algal productivity was higher in the SBRs owing to the short hydraulic retention time of 10 days in these reactors. By using a volume of CFR with twice the volume of our experimental CFRs, the algal concentration can be controlled during operation under similar physical conditions in both reactors.
High speed municipal sewage treatment in microbial fuel cell integrated with anaerobic membrane filtration system
Authors: Lee Y. , Oa S. W.
Published: June 2014

A cylindrical two chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) integrated with an anaerobic membrane filter was designed and constructed to evaluate bioelectricity generation and removal efficiency of organic substrate (glucose or domestic wastewater) depending on organic loading rates (OLRs). The MFC was continuously operated with OLRs 3.75, 5.0, 6.25, and 9.38 kg chemical oxygen demand (COD)/(m3·d) using glucose as a substrate, and the cathode chamber was maintained at 5–7 mg/L of dissolved oxygen. The optimal OLR was found to be 6.25 kgCOD/(m3·d) (hydraulic retention time (HRT) 1.9 h), and the corresponding voltage and power density averaged during the operation were 0.15 V and 13.6 mW/m3. With OLR 6.25 kgCOD/(m3·d) using domestic wastewater as a substrate, the voltage and power reached to 0.13 V and 91 mW/m3 in the air cathode system. Even though a relatively short HRT of 1.9 h was applied, stable effluent could be obtained by the membrane filtration system and the following air purging. In addition, the short HRT would provide economic benefit in terms of reduction of construction and operating costs compared with a conventional aerobic treatment process.
On gastrointestinal nematodes of Mongolian gazelle (Procapra gutturosa)
Authors: Kuznetsov D. , Khrustalev A. , Batchimeg M. , Danzan G.
Published: June 2014

The species composition of nematodes found at autopsy of abomasa and small intestines of 24 Mongolian gazelles in Eastern Mongolia is studied. Orloffia bisonis, Marshallagia mongolica, Nematodirus archari, N. andreevi, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, T. probolurus were registered. N. archari and N. andreevi were detected in Mongolian gazelle for the first time. All species of gastrointestinal nematodes found in Mongolian gazelles have already been registered in domestic ruminants of Mongolia. The validity of Orloffia genus is confirmed based on our own observations and literature data. Orloffia is monotypic genus with the only species O. bisonis represented by two morphs where “O. bisonis” is major and “O. kasakhstanica” is minor.
Helminth community structure study on urban and forest blackbird (Turdus merula L.) populations in relation to seasonal bird migration on the south Baltic Sea coast (NW Poland)
Authors: Rząd I. , Sitko J. , Sałamatin R. , Wysocki D.
Published: June 2014

The aim of the study was to compare helminth community structure of urban and forest blackbird populations. 24 helminth species in 98 blackbirds were found. Higher species richness was noted in the forest population of the blackbird (23 species) in comparison to the urban population (14 species). The response of the helminth fauna to a synanthropic habitat, contrary to a natural habitat, consists in a significant reduction in most parasitological parameters. Higher species richness has been noted in spring (17 species) than in autumn (14 species). Urban habitat, in contrast to the forest, may cause changes in the abundance of helminth communities in male and female blackbirds. The helminth fauna of nestlings, in spite of low species richness is characterized by a higher prevalence and intensity of infection in comparison to blackbirds feeding on their own. Helminth fauna of the blackbird seems to be a good indicator of environmental quality.
Serological survey for sparganum infection in people of central China
Authors: Wang Z. , Lin X. , Zhang H. , Xu B. , Zhang X. , Jiang P. , Cui J.
Published: June 2014

During 2006–2008, twenty cases with sparganosis caused by eating live tadpoles emerged in Henan province, central China. To determine seroprevalence of anti-sparganum antibodies and obtain information about habits of eating live tadpoles and risks for sparganum infection, a serological survey was carried out in one village of Henan. Antisparganum IgG in 298 serum samples were assayed by ELISA using excretory and secretory (ES) antigens of Spirometra mansoni spargana. The results showed 56.71 % (169/298) of inhabitants had the history of eating live tadpoles. The overall seroprevalence was 5.7 % (17/298). The seroprevalence of the inhabitants who had the habit of eating tadpoles (9.47 %) was obviously higher than those who did not (0.78 %) (P < 0.01). Eating live tadpoles had become the most common risk behavior for sparganum infection. Hence, the comprehensive public health education should be carried out in endemic areas, and the habit of eating live tadpoles must be discouraged.
Infertility and assisted reproduction technologies through a gender lens
Authors: Davidová Karolína , Pechová Olga
Published: June 2014

We live in an era when increasing numbers of babies are conceived through assisted reproduction technologies (ART). Using a comprehensive approach, the present research seeks to contribute to the understanding of gender differences in experiencing and coping with infertility, and in dealing with ART treatment. Our sample consisted of 10 heterosexual couples aged 24 to 43 and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. In the studied sample, gender differences existed not only in experiences of infertility, but also in understanding it, and in dealing with ART treatment. Responses to stress caused by infertility were stronger in women and they also perceived this stress more intensely than men. For women the central aspect of infertility was the desire for a child, while for men it was perceived more as a socially imposed obligation to fulfill the male role.
Unemployed, employed & care-giving mothers: Quality of partner & family relations
Authors: Wyrobková Adriana , Okrajek Petr
Published: June 2014

A retrospective ELSPAC study (N = 2756) compared three groups of mothers of three-year-old children: 1) employed, 2) voluntarily unemployed, and 3) involuntarily unemployed, about the quality of their partnership and family relationships. The results show that the involuntarily unemployed mothers have the lowest quality of family life. In these families there is more conflict, disagreement and hostile communication towards the woman and child. Employed mothers also experience some family problems. Overall, those most satisfied with their family lives are the voluntarily unemployed mothers. There is more positive communication between partners, including sharing and intimacy in this group. The results were interpreted as stemming from the distress caused by involuntary unemployment, the double burden of the female role and gender role models in the family.
Diatoma polonica sp. nov. — a new diatom (Bacillariophyceae) species from rivers and streams of southern Poland
Authors: Bąk Małgorzata , Lange-Bertalot Horst , Nosek Jacek , Jakubowska Zofia , Kiełbasa Małgorzata
Published: June 2014

Diatoma polonica, a species first observed in samples from the Western Carpathians river systems in southern Poland, is described as a species new to science. The new species status resulted from the fact that the dimensions of cells found did not fit any of the diagnoses given in the literature for the European Diatoma taxa established so far. The genus is rather species-poor, even when the entire Holarctic flora is taken into account. The new species is morphologically closest to Diatoma moniliformis Kützing, particularly with respect to the vague resemblance of the valve outlines and the presence of a rimportula in each valve pole. Further, more or less similar taxa are D. tenuis Agardh, D. problematica Lange-Bertalot and D. mesodon (Ehrenberg) Kützing, all distinguished, in addition to other specific characteristics, by the rimoportulae regularly present at only one valve pole. Characteristics of D. polonica are described and compared with those of other species based on light and scanning electron microscopy.
A comparison of various indices based on benthic macrofauna for the assessment of the ecological status of selected Carpathian streams
Authors: Galas Joanna , Dumnicka Elżbieta , Galus-Barchan Agnieszka
Published: June 2014

The biological indices MMI-PL, BMWP-PL, and %EPT were applied to compare the ecological status of Carpathian flysch stream sectors situated above and below sewage treatment plants. MMI-PL was found to be the most sensitive, whereas BMWP-PL indicated a very good ecological status at all sampling stations despite an increased trophic level of water in polluted sectors. %EPT proved to be an unreliable index because of its strong fluctuations resulting mainly from unstable densities of benthic invertebrate groups not included therein. The analyses of coli titers and water chemistry in the same stream sectors revealed temporary pollution at both types of stations.
Present-day evolution of coastal lakes based on the example of Jamno and Bukowo (the Southern Baltic coast)
Authors: Choiński Adam , Ptak Mariusz , Strzelczak Agnieszka
Published: June 2014

This study presents the directions and the rate of changes occurring in the coastal lakes Jamno and Bukowo, located in northern Poland. Based on the cartographic materials and aerial photographs of those water bodies, it was established that in 1909–2012, the area of the lakes decreased by 183.6 ha (7.7%) and 250.7 ha (13.6%) for Jamno and Bukowo, respectively. Another component of lake disappearance — shallowing of lake basins — was analyzed using bathymetric plans. It turned out that water supplies of Jamno during more than 100 years decreased by 2.4 million m3 (5.9%), while in the case of Bukowo, it was 5.9 million (17.5%). Unfavorable location (inflow of pollutants from the basin) and morphometry of both lakes should be considered as the main causes of such major changes. The lakes are polymictic with a considerable area of the shallowest zone (1 m depth). This favors the vegetation succession and, consequently, shallowing of the lake basins. Moreover, direct connection with the Baltic Sea contributes to the fact that the materials of marine origin deposited in the form of a reverse delta also contribute to a decrease in the open water surface area.
Relationships of Astragalus L. in section Sesamei based on morphological criteria and molecular markers
Authors: Sharawy Sherif M. , Badr Abdelfattah
Published: June 2014

The relationships among five species and two varieties of Astragalus L. in the section Sesamei (Fabaceae) from Egypt and Saudi Arabia have been reassessed based on morphological variation and molecular polymorphism as revealed by RAPD and ISSR fingerprinting. The analysis of morphological variation delimited the examined taxa into two groups; one comprising samples representing A. sinaicus, A. asterias and A. schimperi, and the other is comprised of two samples of A. stella and six samples representing A. tribuloides. The grouping of A. asterias and A. schimperi based on morphological criteria indicates affinities between them that were not reflected in their previous treatments. Both morphological criteria and molecular markers indicated considerable distance between the samples of A. stella and A. tribuloides. The multiform nature of A. tribuloides is confirmed as A. tribuloides var. mareoticus is clearly differentiated from the type A. tribuloides and A. tribuloides var. minutus.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v21i1.19250Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 21(1): 1-12, 2014 (June)
A new variety and two new records of Elatostema J. R. Forster & G. Forster (Urticaceae) from Vietnam
Authors: Lin Yun , Duan Lin Dong , Bi Hai Yan
Published: June 2014

Based on examination of specimens of Elatostema J. R. Forster & G. Forster (Urticaceae) from Vietnam, Elatostema albopilosum W.T. Wang var. vicinum L. D. Duan & Y. Lin, a new variety collected from Bac Can Province and Tuyen Quang Province, Vietnam, is described and photographed. This new variety has glabrous stems, glabrous leaves and glabrous peduncles which differs from var. albopilosum that having sparsely puberulent leaf blade on abaxial surface along veins and sparsely strigillose leaf blade on adaxial surface, and short pilose peduncles. E. integrifolium (D. Don) Wedd. and E. pseudodissectum W. T. Wang, two species previously known from Vietnamese adjacent countries, are newly recorded from Ninh Binh Province and Tam Dao National Park, Vietnam, respectively. The vouchers are kept in the Herbarium (PE) of Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China, and their descriptions and photographs are also provided.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v21i1.19254Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 21(1): 27-32, 2014 (June)
A new infra-specific taxon of Acalypha fimbriata Schum. & Thonn. from Nigeria
Authors: Kadiri Akeem Babalola
Published: June 2014

This study shows that the populations of Acalypha fimbriata Schum. & Thonn. occurring in Nigeria are divisible into two recognizable varieties, viz., A. fimbriata Schum. & Thonn. var. fimbriata and A. fimbriata var. robusta Kadiri var. nov. Generally, the populations have a suite of similar characters in their vegetative and reproductive organs and the ultra-structures of the leaf cuticle using scanning electron microscope showed uniformity of characters like sunken stomata, wide-narrow stomatal opening and conspicuous periclinal wall. However, the two varieties are discriminated based on 1 vs. 2 fruits per bract, slim vs. robust stature, scanty vs. clumsy inflorescence on the axillary spike, leaf apex character as well as smooth and rough unicellular trichomes. The observation is supported by a T-test at 95% similarity confidence while the 14 populations consisting of 280 individuals used for the analysis are separated into two by the scatter diagram. Neighbour joining analysis using Euclidean measure and UPGMA dendrogram reveal the level of relationships. Therefore, one of the varieties is based on the description of the earlier described type specimen and the other variety being different is considered as a new taxon Acalypha fimbriata var. robusta Kadiri.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v21i1.19265Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 21(1): 53-62, 2014 (June)
Seed germination behaviour of six medicinal plants from Bangladesh
Authors: Ferdousi Aleya , Rahman Md. Oliur , Hassan Md. Abul
Published: June 2014

This paper focuses on seed germination of six indigenous medicinal plants of Bangladesh, namely Adenanthera pavonina L., Helicteres isora L., Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, Psoralea corylifolia L., Uraria lagopodioides (L.) Desv. and U. picta (Jacq.) Desv. ex DC. The minimum days taken to germinate seeds in Adenanthera pavonina L., Murraya paniculata (L.) Jack, Psoralea corylifolia L., Uraria lagopodioides (L.) Desv. and U. picta (Jacq.) Desv. ex DC. are 12, 36,  10, 39 and 14, respectively. Seeds were not germinated in Helicteres isora L. indicating that seeds are not suitable for propagation, however, propagation through stem cutting in this species revealed that plants flowers and set fruits in the same year and take only six to seven months. Epigeal type of seed germination was observed in all cases.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjpt.v21i1.19270Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 21(1): 71-76, 2014 (June)
Assessing the Consequences of Microbial Infection in Field Trials: Seen, Unseen, Beneficial, Parasitic and Pathogenic
Authors: Looseley Mark , Newton Adrian
Published: June 2014

Microbial infections of crop plants present an ongoing threat to agricultural production. However, in recent years, we have developed a more nuanced understanding of the ecological role of microbes and how they interact with plants. This includes an appreciation of the influence of crop physiology and environmental conditions on the expression of disease symptoms, the importance of non-pathogenic microbes on host plants and pathogens, and the capacity for plants to act as hosts for human pathogens. Alongside this we now have a variety of tools available for the identification and quantification of microbial infections on crops grown under field conditions. This review summarises some of the consequences of microbial infections in crop plants, and discusses how new and established assessment tools can be used to understand these processes. It challenges our current assumptions in yield loss relationships and offers understanding of the potential for more resilient crops.
A Fast, Accurate Method for Value-at-Risk and Expected Shortfall
Authors: Krause Jochen , Paolella Marc
Published: June 2014

A fast method is developed for value-at-risk and expected shortfall prediction for univariate asset return time series exhibiting leptokurtosis, asymmetry and conditional heteroskedasticity. It is based on a GARCH-type process driven by noncentral t innovations. While the method involves the use of several shortcuts for speed, it performs admirably in terms of accuracy and actually outperforms highly competitive models. Most remarkably, this is the case also for sample sizes as small as 250.
A Systematic Method for Designing a PR Controller and Active Damping of the LCL Filter for Single-Phase Grid-Connected PV Inverters
Authors: Zhang Ningyun , Tang Houjun , Yao Chen
Published: June 2014

The Proportional Resonant (PR) current controller provides gains at a certain frequency (resonant frequency) and eliminates steady state errors. Therefore, the PR controller can be successfully applied to single grid-connected PV inverter current control. On the contrary, a PI controller has steady-state errors and limited disturbance rejection capability. Compared with the L- and LC filters, the LCL filter has excellent harmonic suppression capability, but the inherent resonant peak of the LCL filter may introduce instability in the whole system. Therefore, damping must be introduced to improve the control of the system. Considering the controller and the LCL filter active damping as a whole system makes the controller design method more complex. In fact, their frequency responses may affect each other. The traditional trial-and-error procedure is too time-consuming and the design process is inefficient. This paper provides a detailed analysis of the frequency response influence between the PR controller and the LCL filter regarded as a whole system. In addition, the paper presents a systematic method for designing controller parameters and the capacitor current feedback coefficient factor of LCL filter active-damping. The new method relies on meeting the stable margins of the system. Moreover, the paper also clarifies the impact of the grid on the inverter output current. Numerical simulation and a 3 kW laboratory setup assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Evaluation of the Wave Energy Conversion Efficiency in Various Coastal Environments
Authors: Rusu Eugen
Published: June 2014

The main objective of the present work was to assess and compare the wave power resources in various offshore and nearshore areas. From this perspective, three different groups of coastal environments were considered: the western Iberian nearshore, islands and an enclosed environment with sea waves, respectively. Some of the most representative existent wave converters were evaluated in the analysis and a second objective was to compare their performances at the considered locations, and in this way to determine which is better suited for potential commercial exploitation. In order to estimate the electric power production expected in a certain location, the bivariate distributions of the occurrences corresponding to the sea states, defined by the significant wave height and the energy period, were constructed in each coastal area. The wave data were provided by hindcast studies performed with numerical wave models or based on measurements. The transformation efficiency of the wave energy into electricity is evaluated via the load factor and also through the capture width, defined as the ratio between the electric power estimated to be produced by each specific wave energy converters (WEC) and the expected wave power corresponding to the location considered. Finally, by evaluating these two different indicators, comparisons of the performances of three WEC types (Aqua Buoy, Pelamis and Wave Dragon) in the three different groups of coastal environments considered have been also carried out. The work provides valuable information related to the effectiveness of various technologies for the wave energy extraction that would operate in different coastal environments.
Investigation of Process Variables in the Densification of Corn Stover Briquettes
Authors: Thoreson Curtis , Webster Keith , Darr Matthew , Kapler Emily
Published: June 2014

The bulk density of raw corn stover is a major limitation to its large-scale viability as a biomass feedstock. Raw corn stover has a bulk density of 50 kg/m3, which creates significant transportation costs and limits the optimization of transport logistics. Producing a densified corn stover product during harvest would reduce harvest and transportation costs, resulting in viable pathways for the use of corn stover as a biomass feedstock. This research investigated the effect of different process variables (compression pressure, moisture content, particle size, and material composition) on a densification method that produces briquettes from raw corn stover. A customized bench-scale densification system was designed to evaluate different corn stover inputs. Quality briquette production was possible using non-reduced particle sizes and low compression pressures achievable in a continuous in-field production system. At optimized bench settings, corn stover was densified to a dry bulk density of 190 kg/m3. Corn stover with a moisture content above 25%wb was not suitable for this method of bulk densification, and greater cob content had a positive effect on product quality.
An Intelligent Fuzzy Logic Controller for Maximum Power Capture of Point Absorbers
Authors: Jama Mohammed , Wahyudie Addy , Assi Ali , Noura Hassan
Published: June 2014

This article presents an intelligent fuzzy logic controller (FLC) for controlling single-body heaving wave energy converter (WEC) or what is widely known as “Point Absorber”. The controller aims at maximizing the energy captured from the sea waves. The power take-off (PTO) limitations are addressed implicitly in the fuzzy inference system (FIS) framework. In order to enhance the WEC power capturing bandwidth and make it less susceptible to wave environment irregularities and the system parametric uncertainties, the controller is built to have a self-configurable capability. This also eliminates the need to repeatedly run in-situ tuning procedure of the fuzzy controller or switch between several controllers based on the operating conditions. The fuzzy membership functions (MFs) are optimally tuned using particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm. To alleviate the computational burden associated with performing on-line optimization, the fuzzy controller is tuned at a rate significantly lower than the system sampling time. The suggested PSO-FLC has shown promising results compared with the fixed structure fuzzy logic controller (FS-FLC) and other passive control strategies. Several computer simulations were carried out to evaluate the controller effectiveness by applying different sea-states and analyzing the resultant WEC dynamics.
The Seawall Bargaining Game
Authors: Delille Rémy , Pereau Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2014

Agents located from downstream to upstream along an estuary and exposed to a flooding risk have to invest in facilities like a seawall (or dike). As the benefits of that local public good increase along the estuary, upstream agents have to bargain for monetary compensation with the most downstream agent in exchange for more protection effort. The paper analyses different bargaining protocols and determines the conditions under which agents are better off. The results show that upstream agents are involved in a chicken game when they have to bargain with the most downstream agent.
Asymmetric Realized Volatility Risk
Authors: Allen David , McAleer Michael , Scharth Marcel
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we document that realized variation measures constructed from high-frequency returns reveal a large degree of volatility risk in stock and index returns, where we characterize volatility risk by the extent to which forecasting errors in realized volatility are substantive. Even though returns standardized by ex post quadratic variation measures are nearly Gaussian, this unpredictability brings considerably more uncertainty to the empirically relevant ex ante distribution of returns. Explicitly modeling this volatility risk is fundamental. We propose a dually asymmetric realized volatility model, which incorporates the fact that realized volatility series are systematically more volatile in high volatility periods. Returns in this framework display time varying volatility, skewness and kurtosis. We provide a detailed account of the empirical advantages of the model using data on the S&P 500 index and eight other indexes and stocks.
Designing and Implementing e-Justice Systems: Some Lessons Learned from EU and Canadian Examples
Authors: Lupo Giampiero , Bailey Jane
Published: June 2014

Access to justice has become an important issue in many justice systems around the world. Increasingly, technology is seen as a potential facilitator of access to justice, particularly in terms of improving justice sector efficiency. The international diffusion of information systems (IS) within the justice sector raises the important question of how to insure quality performance. The IS literature has stressed a set of general design principles for the implementation of complex information technology systems that have also been applied to these systems in the justice sector. However, an emerging e-justice literature emphasizes the significance of unique law and technology concerns that are especially relevant to implementing and evaluating information technology systems in the justice sector specifically. Moreover, there is growing recognition that both principles relating to the design of information technology systems themselves (“system design principles”), as well as to designing and managing the processes by which systems are created and implemented (“design management principles”) can be critical to positive outcomes. This paper uses six e-justice system examples to illustrate and elaborate upon the system design and design management principles in a manner intended to assist an interdisciplinary legal audience to better understand how these principles might impact upon a system’s ability to improve access to justice: three European examples (Italian Trial Online; English and Welsh Money Claim Online; the trans-border European Union e-CODEX) and three Canadian examples (Ontario’s Integrated Justice Project (IJP), Ontario’s Court Information Management System (CIMS), and British Columbia’s eCourt project).
Amino Alcohols from the Ascidian Pseudodistoma sp.
Authors: Won Tae , You Minjung , Lee So-Hyoung , Rho Boon , Oh Dong-Chan , Oh Ki-Bong , Shin Jongheon
Published: June 2014

Seven new amino alcohol compounds, pseudoaminols A–G (1–7), were isolated from the ascidian Pseudodistoma sp. collected off the coast of Chuja-do, Korea. Structures of these new compounds were determined by analysis of the spectroscopic data and from chemical conversion. The presence of an N-carboxymethyl group in two of the new compounds (6 and 7) is unprecedented among amino alcohols. Several of these compounds exhibited moderate antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity, as well as weak inhibitory activity toward Na+/K+-ATPase.
Reducing X-Ray Induced Oxidative Damages in Fibroblasts with Graphene Oxide
Authors: Qiao Yong , Zhang Peipei , Wang Chaoming , Ma Liyuan , Su Ming
Published: June 2014

A major issue of X-ray radiation therapy is that normal cells can be damaged, limiting the amount of X-rays that can be safely delivered to a tumor. This paper describes a new method based on graphene oxide (GO) to protect normal cells from oxidative damage by removing free radicals generated by X-ray radiation using grapheme oxide (GO). A variety of techniques such as cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, oxidative assay, apoptosis, γ-H2AX expression, and micro-nucleus assay have been used to assess the protective effect of GO in cultured fibroblast cells. It is found that although GO at higher concentration (100 and 500 µg/mL) can cause cell death and DNA damage, it can effectively remove oxygen free radicals at a lower concentration of 10 µg/mL. The level of DNA damage and cell death is reduced by 48%, and 39%, respectively. Thus, low concentration GO can be used as an effective radio-protective agent in occupational and therapeutic settings.