bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Attention performance among Brazilian truck drivers and its association with amphetamine use: pilot study
Authors: Oliveira Lúcio Garcia de , Santos Bernardo dos , Gonçalves Priscila Dib , Carvalho Heráclito de Barbosa , Massad Eduardo , Leyton Vilma
Published: March 2014

The aim of this article was to describe the attention functioning of twenty-two truck drivers and its relationship with amphetamine use. Those drivers who reported using amphetamines in the twelve months previous to the interview had the best performance in a test evaluating sustained attention functioning. Although amphetamine use may initially seem advantageous to the drivers, it may actually impair safe driving. The findings suggest the importance of monitoring the laws regarding amphetamine use in this country.
Utilização de medicamentos pela população quilombola: inquérito no Sudoeste da Bahia
Authors: Medeiros Danielle Souto de , Moura Cristiano Soares de , Guimarães Mark Drew Crosland , Acurcio Francisco de Assis
Published: March 2014

OBJETIVO Analisar o uso de medicamentos pela população quilombola. MÉTODOS Estudo transversal de base populacional com 797 quilombolas adultos de Vitória da Conquista, BA, em 2011. Utilizou-se análise de variância para comparar as médias de medicamentos por indivíduo segundo variáveis demográficas, socioeconômicas e de comportamentos relacionados à saúde. Foram estimadas as prevalências, razões de prevalência e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Análise múltipla foi conduzida por meio de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta. RESULTADOS Os medicamentos mais consumidos pela população foram aqueles que atuam nos sistemas cardiovascular e nervoso. A prevalência de uso de medicamentos foi de 41,9%, significativamente maior nas mulheres (50,3%) do que nos homens (31,9%). Após análise ajustada, o uso de fármacos foi associado a sexo feminino, idade de 60 anos e mais, nível econômico mais alto, pior avaliação da saúde, maior número de morbidades autorreferidas e de consultas médicas. CONCLUSÕES Mulheres e idosos deverão ser os grupos de preferência para o desenvolvimento de estratégias específicas que garantam o uso racional dos medicamentos. É necessária a promoção de prescrição racional no cotidiano dos serviços de saúde.
Prevalência de nascimentos pré-termo por peso ao nascer: revisão sistemática
Authors: Silveira Mariângela F , Matijasevich Alicia , Horta Bernardo L , Bettiol Heloisa , Barbieri Marco Antônio , Silva Antonio A , Rondó Patricia H C , Lunardelli Abelardo N , Peres Marco A , Gurgel Ricardo Q , Cunha Antônio L , Calvano Luiza M , Amin Jr Joffre , Leal Maria do C , Matos Ana Cristina Guimarães , Maranhão Ana Goretti , Cortez-Escalante Juan José , Barros Aluísio J D , Barros Fernando C , Victora Cesar G
Published: March 2014

OBJETIVO Estimar a prevalência de nascimentos pré-termo por faixas de peso ao nascer e obter uma equação para correção de estimativas. MÉTODOS Revisão sistemática da literatura nacional, de 1990 a 2012, para identificar estudos com coleta primária de informações sobre peso ao nascer e idade gestacional. Foram selecionados 12 que contribuíram com tabulações da prevalência de nascimentos pré-termo para faixas de 100 g de peso ao nascer. Os resultados desses estudos foram combinados pelo método de polinômios fracionais, sendo obtidas curvas separadas para meninos e meninas, comparadas com os resultados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos para os anos 2000, 2005, 2010 e 2011. RESULTADOS As estimativas da prevalência de nascimentos pré-termo, obtidas a partir dos estudos primários, foram superiores às do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos para praticamente todas as faixas de peso ao nascer. A prevalência relatada pelo Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos foi de 7,1% em 2010, cerca de 38% menor do que a estimativa de 11,7% obtida com a equação de correção. CONCLUSÕES Os dados do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos quanto à prevalência de nascimento pré-termo não refletem a verdadeira dimensão da prematuridade no Brasil. Assim sendo, para sua utilização, será necessária a aplicação do fator de correção, conforme proposto.
Prevalence of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in pregnant women
Authors: Fernandes Carla Natalina da Silva , Alves Michelly de Melo , Souza Michelly Lorrane de , Machado Gleyce Alves , Couto Gleiber , Evangelista Renata Alessandra
Published: March 2014

The aim of the study was to identify the prevalence of hepatitis B and C seropositivity in pregnant women attended in a public maternity hospital located in Catalao-GO from 2005 to 2009. Descriptive, exploratory study conducted through patients` hospital records. For data analysis, we used SPSS version 18.0. The confidence interval (CI) was calculated using the Person χ² test, considering a significance level of 5% (p <0.05). The prevalence of HBV was 5.64% and HCV 0.098%, predominantly in young pregnant women aged between 20 and 30 years old, single and in their first pregnancy.
Measurement of nurses' workload in an oncology outpatient clinic
Authors: Souza Célia Alves de , Jericó Marli de Carvalho , Perroca Marcia Galan
Published: March 2014

The growing demand and the degree of patient care in oncological outpatient services, as well as the complexity of treatment have had an impact on the workload of nurses. This study aimed at measuring the workload and productivity of nurses in an oncological outpatient service. An observational study using a work sampling technique was conducted and included seven nurses working in an oncological outpatient service in the south-eastern region of Brazil. A total of 1,487 intervention or activity samples were obtained. Nurses used 43.2% of their time on indirect care, 33.2% on direct care, 11.6% on associated activities, and 12% on personal activities. Their mean productivity was 88.0%. The findings showed that nurses in this service spend most of their time in indirect care activities. Moreover, the productivity index in this study was above that recommended in the literature.
Herpetofauna do Parque Natural Municipal de Sertão, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil
Authors: Zanella Noeli , Paula Almir de , Guaragni Samara Arsego , Machado Leonardo de Souza
Published: March 2014

The northern part of the state of Rio Grande do Sul was extensively deforested in recent decades, and only isolated fragments of the original vegetation remain. The Parque Natural Municipal de Sertão comprises a remnant of Atlantic Rain Forest, one of the largest fragments in northern Rio Grande do Sul. This study examined the diversity of the herpetofauna, focusing on environmental distribution, seasonality and species richness. We used complementary methods of sampling such as pitfall traps, active search and occasional encounters. We recorded 23 species of frogs, nine snakes and one lizard. With respect to the relationship between amphibians and reptiles and the structural and abiotic factors of the environment, the edge of the fragment showed higher richness and increased dominance of amphibians and reptiles than the interior. The highest amphibian abundances were found when the minimum temperatures were higher and maximum temperatures were lower. The abundance of snakes was correlated with humidity, and species richness was influenced by humidity and monthly average temperature. Our results reinforce the importance of the conservation of forested areas to the maintenance of the species
First record of Tigrisoma fasciatum (Such, 1825) (Aves: Ardeidae) in the State of Amapá, Brazil and updated species distribution in Central and South America
Authors: Kajiki Lia Nahomi , Togura Cintia Massumi , Michalski Fernanda
Published: March 2014

The Fasciated Tiger-heron (Tigrisoma fasciatum) is considered endangered in Brazil and Argentina. Although this species has a large range in Central and South America, its records are scattered and scarce. We used a combination of searches in the scientific literature and new field records to provide an updated distributional range of this species. Searches for records and photos of T. fasciatum were conducted using online databases. We also conducted field surveys along the margins of the Araguari and Falsino rivers, in the National Forest of Amapá, a sustainable protected area in the eastern Brazilian Amazon. Our literature review provided a total of 25 new distributional records of T. fasciatum. During our river based surveys we recorded one individual of T. fasciatum, which represents an extension of 499 km from the nearest previously documented occurrence. We present these findings in an up to date distributional map of T. fasciatum and highlight the need of further studies in order to better understand the species distribution and ecology.
Dental implants coated with a durable and antibacterial film
Authors: Vogel Konstantin , Westphal Nina , Salz Dirk , Thiel Karsten , Wittig Linda , Ciacchi Lucio Colombi , Grunwald Ingo
Published: April 2014

Bacterial adhesion to the surface of implants in bone tissue may result in serious peri-implant diseases and cannot always be avoided by sterilization prior to implantation. For this reason, different strategies to confer the implant surfaces with intrinsic antibacterial properties are being developed. A major difficulty is that effective antibacterial materials may be detrimental to the adhesion of eukaryotic cells, and be poorly integrated into the host tissue. Here, we develop and characterize a composite coating material comprising silver nanoparticles deeply buried inside a matrix of plasma-polymerized hexamethyldisiloxane. Applied to titanium dental screws, the coating shows a good resistance against stresses from sterilization with β-irradiation and drilling into bone tissue. By varying the parameters of the plasma-depositing process, we are able to either induce or hinder the adhesion of epithelial cells. Through a fluorescence microscopy analysis, we demonstrate that the inclusion of silver nanoparticles in the polymer matrix does not influence the adhesion of fibroblasts and osteoblasts. However, the presence of silver in the coating layer results in dramatically reduced adhesion of Escherichia coli bacteria with respect to uncoated or silver-free coated surfaces.
Seasonal changes in light availability modify the temperature dependence of ecosystem metabolism in an arctic stream
Authors: Huryn Alexander D. , Benstead Jonathan P. , Parker Stephanie M.
Published: March 2014

Light and temperature are key ecosystem drivers, but their synchronous annual cycles typically confound partitioning of their relative influence. Arctic spring‐streams, subject to extreme annual fluctuations in light but stable water temperatures, provide a rare contrast that allows the parsing of their independent effects. Over 30 months, we assessed the effects of light and temperature on ecosystem metabolism and nutrient uptake in Ivishak Spring, Alaska, USA. (latitude 69° N, water temperature range ∼4°–7°C) using open‐channel methods and short‐term NH4+‐N, NO3−‐N, and P additions, respectively. We predicted that rates of ecosystem respiration (ER) would mirror seasonal patterns of gross primary production (GPP), rather than temperature, due to relatively constant rates of metabolic demand year‐round, resulting in carbon limitation during winter (October–March) when photosynthesis effectively ceases. Because patterns of nutrient uptake and GPP are often coupled due to assimilatory demand, we also predicted that extreme annual cycles of light would result in equally extreme cycles of nutrient uptake, with demand being relaxed during winter.

In accordance with our prediction, we found that ER scaled linearly with GPP. Peak summer rates of GPP (>4.0 g C·m−2·d−1) and ER (>5.0 g C·m−2·d−1) were surprisingly high, being comparable to those of productive streams at temperate latitudes. Winter rates (GPP ∼0.0, ER <1.0 g C·m−2·d−1) were low, however, and Arrhenius plots showed clear deviations from theoretical temperature dependence of GPP and ER during winter when other factors assumed primacy. For GPP, this factor was undoubtedly light availability, but for ER, carbon limitation is implicated due to low GPP. Significant nutrient uptake occurred only for NH4+‐N, indicating N limitation, and rates of uptake were also synchronous with cycles of light availability. Consequently, light, rather than temperature, was the major driver of annual patterns of ER and nutrient cycles in this arctic ecosystem. Synchronous light and temperature cycles are pervasive among ecosystems. The winter onset and severity of energy limitation we document highlights the importance of this synchrony and how the confounding of light and temperature obscures details of mechanisms by which these fundamental drivers affect ecosystem processes.
Correlation of clinical and neurophysiological findings with health related quality of life in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy
Authors: Vukojevic Zoran , Pekmezovic Tatjana , Nikolic Ana , Peric Stojan , Basta Ivana , Marjanovic Ivan , Lavrnic Dragana
Published: April 2014

Background/Aim. Diabetic polyneuropathy is defined as the presence of
clinical or subclinical symptoms and/or signs of peripheral nerve damage in
patients with diabetes mellitus in the absence of the other causes of
peripheral neuropathy. The aim of this study was to assess healthrelated
quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with diabetic polyneuropathy and its
correlation with clinical and neurophysiological findings. Methods. This
study comprised 60 patients with distal, symmetric, sensorimotor diabetic
polyneuropathy and type 2 diabetes mellitus. For evaluation of clinical
findings the following scales were used: Medical Research Council strenth
score (MRC sum score), Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT)
disability scale (arm disability and leg disability scales), INCAT sensory
sum score, Hamilton depression and anxiety rating scales. Nerve conduction
study (NCS) was performed on the motor part of the median and peroneal
nerves, the sensory part of the median nerve and sural nerve. All the
patients completed the Serbian version of the SF-36 questionnaire as a
measure of HRQoL. Results. Our results showed mild to moderate QoL impairment
in the patients with diabetic polyneuropathy with no difference in physical
and mental composite scores (p > 0.05). The age of the patients, mean MRC sum
score, arm disability scale score, leg disability scale score and mean INCAT
sensory sum score correlated with scores in the SF-36 questionnaire (p <
0.01). The patients with higher scores of anxiety and depression had
significantly worse health perception for all QoL domains, for both composite
scores and for the total SF-36 score (p < 0.01). Both motor and sensory NCS
parameters of the median nerve showed significant correlations with QoL
scores (p < 0.05). Conclusion. Our results showed mild to moderate QoL
impairment in the patients with diabetic polyneuropathy. HRQoL significantly
correlated with the age of the patients, muscle strength, disability, sensory
complaints, depressiveness and anxiety of the patients. Electrophysiological
examination of median nerve significantly correlated with QoL in the patients
with diabetic polyneuropathy.
Stress hyperglycemia in acute myocardial infarction
Authors: Koracevic Goran , Vasiljevic Sladjana , Velickovic-Radovanovic‡ Radmila , Sakac Dejan , Obradovic Slobodan , Damjanovic Miodrag , Krstic Nebojsa , Zdravkovic Marija , Kostic Tomislav
Published: April 2014

nema
Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica: A case report
Authors: Jovanovic Dalibor , Ilic Milena , Milosavljevic Milos , Mihajlovic Zorica , Vojinovic Radisa , Mitrovic Slobodanka , Azanjac Goran
Published: April 2014

Introduction. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica, also known as Trevor?s
disease, is an extremely rare skeletal developmental disorder of unknown
etiology, characterized by an osteocartilaginous outgrowth of one or more
epiphyses or of a tarsal bone during childhood. Case report. We presented a
sporadic case of dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica developed in the talus. A
6- year-old boy complained of swelling of his right ankle joint, with painful
and reduced movements. Radiographies suggested excessive overgrowth of the
dorsomedial aspect of the talus. The tumor was surgically excised and the
gross and histological findings were consistent with those of osteochondroma.
Conclusion. Dysplasia epiphysealis hemimelica is diagnosed by clinical,
radiographic and histopathological examination. Early diagnosis is important
for the condition to be treated before the deformity becomes disabling.
Green light laser exposure at 532 nm near the exposure limit during a human volunteer vehicle driving task does not alter structure or function in the visual system
Authors: Yu Zhaohua , Persson Rolf , Öhgren Johan , Sandberg Stig , Hörberg Ulf , Berglund Folke , Karlsson Kjell , Steinvall Ove , Söderberg Per G.
Published: April 2014

This study aimed to verify nonexistence of clinically important pathological effects to the visual system after exposure to 532 nm green laser light close to the exposure limit. The present medical surveillance of vision and visual health reported in this paper is the conjunction with a study of driver performance in the presence of 532 nm laser induced glare. The driving time varied between 25 and 55 s, depending on background luminance. The laser was on during the complete test drive. The peak corneal irradiance typically was 3.5 W·m−2 in one test drive. Considering a typical test drive, the typical time integrated corneal radiant exposure for one test drive was estimated to be 53 J·m−2. The number of test drives varied among drivers but was typically 50, thus resulting in a cumulative corneal exposure dose of approximately 2.7 kJ·m−2. Altogether, ten subjects were recruited according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. All ten subjects were examined for visual acuity, intraocular pressure, contrast sensitivity, color vision, monocular reading speed, and eye structure with clinical slit-lamp microscopy examination and indirect retinoscopy. All subjects were examined before exposure, immediately after exposure, and finally within an interval between 1 week and 4 weeks after exposure. There was no significant change of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, contrast sensitivity, color vision, or monocular reading speed between before and after exposure. No abnormal ocular structure was detected after exposure. This study demonstrates that close to exposure limit, exposure to 532 nm green laser light during a vehicle driving task does not induce structural or functional damage to the human visual system as observed in the interval minutes to weeks after exposure.
Lactic acidosis occurrence during exercises in the smoke chamber in a 53-year-old firefighter with no significant medical history
Authors: Bronisz Agata , Spychalska Magdalena , Szafrańska Małgorzata
Published: April 2014

Lactic acidosis is a form of metabolic acidosis with a high anion gap, reduced rate of arterial blood pH under 7.35 mmol/l, and lactic acid concentration over 7 mmol/l. In the literature we can find some descriptions of the cases of lactic acidosis in patients with severe systemic diseases (cancer, acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, sepsis, diabetes with cardiovascular disease and after organ transplantations). We present the case of lactic acidosis in a patient with no chronic disease — a firefighter in whom lactic acidosis has developed during standard exercises in the smoke chamber.
Asthma Linked with Rhinosinusitis: An Extensive Review
Authors: Frieri Marianne
Published: March 2014

Current literature related to asthma diagnosis, epidemiology, pathogenesis, and treatment linked with rhinosinusitis is important. Asthma is very heterogeneous; new theories and treatments are emerging. It is a growing epidemic among children and adults in the United States and the severity of asthma is caused by many factors such as lack of education, poor early recognition, decreased symptom awareness, improper medications, and phenotypic changes. Genetic variation, innate immune genes, those involved in tissue remodeling and arachidonic acid metabolism, and inflammatory mediators might contribute to the pathogenesis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) linked with asthma. This extensive review addresses concepts of the burden of asthma and sinusitis, altered innate immunity, adaptive immunity, asthma remodeling, the airway epithelium, the role of airway smooth muscle cells, united allergic airway, genetics, an integral part in asthma, and CRS. In addition, the role of vitamin D in both asthma and CRS in the elderly and pediatric population, various treatment options, and exhaled nitric oxide are briefly addressed.
History of synthetic materials in alloplastic cranioplasty
Authors: Harris Dominic A. , Fong Abigail J. , Buchanan Edward P. , Monson Laura , Khechoyan David , Lam Sandi
Published: April 2014

When faced with calvarial defects, surgeons have long searched for repair materials. General criteria include ease of use, low cost, availability, cosmetic shape, and osteointegrative potential. While autologous bone is widely used and favored in contemporary reconstructive procedures, synthetic alternatives have been used throughout history and are necessary in current practice for select cases when autograft reconstruction is not an option (such as cases with severe bony comminution, bone graft resorption, infection, and limited donor site options). For centuries, surgeons have experimented with metals, ceramics, plastics, and later, resorbable polymers. This paper provides a tour of the materials that have been used and experimented with throughout the history of alloplastic cranioplasty.
Craniosynostosis surgery: the legacy of Paul Tessier
Authors: Ghali Michael G. Z. , Srinivasan Visish M. , Jea Andrew , Lam Sandi
Published: April 2014

Paul Louis Tessier is recognized as the father of craniofacial surgery. While his story and pivotal contributions to the development of the multidisciplinary practice of craniofacial surgery are much highlighted in plastic surgery literature, they are seldom directly discussed in the context of neurosurgeons. His life and legacy to craniosynostosis and neurosurgery are explored in the present paper.
The entomologist David Sharp and his unwitting benefactor William Bontine
Authors: Foster G. N. , Close R. E.
Published: April 2014

David Sharp (1840–1922) was one of Britain's most eminent entomologists. He was qualified as a medical doctor and, from 1867 to 1883, his sole patient was a member of the Scottish nobility who had been declared insane. This was one of Sharp's most productive periods as an entomologist during which he would have amassed a significant amount of money, allowing him to continue to practise entomology well into the twentieth century.
Describing plants in a new mode: the introduction of dichotomies into sixteenth-century botanical literature
Authors: Funk Holger
Published: April 2014

The use of dichotomous tables to identify a plant and to visualize inter-relationships and differences between plants was commonly credited to the first edition of Flore françoise by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck published in 1778. However, evidence for an origin of this technique in the seventeenth and sixteenth century also exists. The present paper scrutinizes the extra-botanical origin of dichotomous tables and suggests the first half of the sixteenth century as the time when they were introduced into botanical writings. Bracketed outlines, the common format of such dichotomous tables, evolved from a typographical artifice into a heuristic instrument for reasoning methodologically about plant characteristics (“differentiae”) and finally into a means of describing and ordering the plants themselves in a new manner.
An Ethics of Sustainability and Jewish Law?
Authors: Reinhardt Jann
Published: April 2014

This article addresses the issue of why it is important to ask for ethical responses to questions of sustainability and an ethics of an open future, and why the technocratic approach as practiced in most Western countries might not be sustainable. Second, it examines what a religious perspective has to offer for the discourse. In particular, this is the perspective of Jewish Law (halakhah); today a mere niche subject, a law system without territory and primarily based on the tradition of a religious minority. It is argued that despite these facts the Jewish legal system should be taken into account, as it offers a rich and unique tradition of more than 3,000 years of discussion and thought that still provides revealing insights. Two Jewish legal principles, bal tashchit and migrash exemplify this claim, before an outlook on possible contributions is given.
From the Editors: De Ethica. A Journal of Philosophical, Theological and Applied Ethics (German)
Authors: Almond Brenda
Published: April 2014

No abstract available.
Sodium Silicate Behavior in Porous Media Applied for In-Depth Profile Modifications
Authors: Akhlaghi Amiri Hossein , Hamouda Aly , Roostaei Alireza
Published: March 2014

This paper addresses alkaline sodium silicate (Na-silicate) behavior in porous media. One of the advantages of the Na-silicate system is its water-like injectivity during the placement stage. Mixing Na-silicate with saline water results in metal silicate precipitation as well as immediate gelation. This work demonstrated that low salinity water (LSW, sea water diluted 25 times) could be used as a pre-flush in flooding operations. A water override phenomenon was observed during gel formation which is caused by gravity segregation. Dynamic adsorption tests in the sand-packed tubes showed inconsiderable adsorbed silicon density (about 8.5 × 10−10 kg/cm3 for a solution with 33 mg/L silicon content), which is less than the estimated mono-layer adsorption density of 1.4 × 10−8 kg/cm3. Na-silicate enhanced water sweep efficiency after application in a dual-permeability sand-pack system, without leak off into the oil-bearing low permeability (LP) zone. Field-scale numerical sensitivity studies in a layered reservoir demonstrated that higher permeability and viscosity contrasts and lower vertical/horizontal permeability ratio result in lower Na-silicate leakoff into the matrix. The length of the mixing zone between reservoir water and the injected Na-silicate solution, which is formed by low salinity pre-flush, acts as a buffer zone.
Fabrication of Calix[4]arene Derivative Monolayers to Control Orientation of Antibody Immobilization
Authors: Chen Hongxia , Liu Feng , Qi Fangjie , Koh Kwangnak , Wang Keming
Published: March 2014

Three calix[4]arene (Cal-4) derivatives which separately contain ethylester (1), carboxylic acid (2), and crownether (3) at the lower rim with a common reactive thiol at the upper rim were synthesized and constructed to self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on Au films. After spectroscopic characterization of the monolayers, surface coverage and orientation of antibody immobilized on the Cal-4 derivative SAMs were studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique. Experimental results revealed that the antibody could be immobilized on the Cal-4 derivatives spontaneously. The orientation of absorbed antibody on the Cal-4 derivative SAMs is related to the SAM’s dipole moment. The possible orientations of the antibody immobilized on the Cal-4 derivative 1 SAM are lying-on or side-on, while on the Cal-4 derivative 2 and Cal-4 derivative 3 head-on and end-on respectively. These experimental results demonstrate the surface dipole moment of Cal-4 derivative appears to be an important factor to antibody orientation. Cal-4 derivatives are useful in developing site direct protein chips.
Combined Effects of Nitrogen Concentration and Seasonal Changes on the Production of Lipids in Nannochloropsis oculata
Authors: Olofsson Martin , Lamela Teresa , Nilsson Emmelie , Bergé Jean-Pascal , Del Pino Victória , Uronen Pauliina , Legrand Catherine
Published: March 2014

Instead of sole nutrient starvation to boost algal lipid production, we addressed nutrient limitation at two different seasons (autumn and spring) during outdoor cultivation in flat panel photobioreactors. Lipid accumulation, biomass and lipid productivity and changes in fatty acid composition of Nannochloropsis oculata were investigated under nitrogen (N) limitation (nitrate:phosphate N:P 5, N:P 2.5 molar ratio). N. oculata was able to maintain a high biomass productivity under N-limitation compared to N-sufficiency (N:P 20) at both seasons, which in spring resulted in nearly double lipid productivity under N-limited conditions (0.21 g L−1 day−1) compared to N-sufficiency (0.11 g L−1 day−1). Saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids increased from 76% to nearly 90% of total fatty acids in N-limited cultures. Higher biomass and lipid productivity in spring could, partly, be explained by higher irradiance, partly by greater harvesting rate (~30%). Our results indicate the potential for the production of algal high value products (i.e., polyunsaturated fatty acids) during both N-sufficiency and N-limitation. To meet the sustainability challenges of algal biomass production, we propose a dual-system process: Closed photobioreactors producing biomass for high value products and inoculum for larger raceway ponds recycling waste/exhaust streams to produce bulk chemicals for fuel, feed and industrial material.
Application of Stable Isotope-Assisted Metabolomics for Cell Metabolism Studies
Authors: You Le , Zhang Baichen , Tang Yinjie
Published: March 2014

The applications of stable isotopes in metabolomics have facilitated the study of cell metabolisms. Stable isotope-assisted metabolomics requires: (1) properly designed tracer experiments; (2) stringent sampling and quenching protocols to minimize isotopic alternations; (3) efficient metabolite separations; (4) high resolution mass spectrometry to resolve overlapping peaks and background noises; and (5) data analysis methods and databases to decipher isotopic clusters over a broad m/z range (mass-to-charge ratio). This paper overviews mass spectrometry based techniques for precise determination of metabolites and their isotopologues. It also discusses applications of isotopic approaches to track substrate utilization, identify unknown metabolites and their chemical formulas, measure metabolite concentrations, determine putative metabolic pathways, and investigate microbial community populations and their carbon assimilation patterns. In addition, 13C-metabolite fingerprinting and metabolic models can be integrated to quantify carbon fluxes (enzyme reaction rates). The fluxome, in combination with other “omics” analyses, may give systems-level insights into regulatory mechanisms underlying gene functions. More importantly, 13C-tracer experiments significantly improve the potential of low-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) for broad-scope metabolism studies. We foresee the isotope-assisted metabolomics to be an indispensable tool in industrial biotechnology, environmental microbiology, and medical research.
RETRACTED: Potential Impact of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Exposure to the Seedling Stage of Selected Plant Species
Authors: Begum Parvin , Ikhtiari Refi , Fugetsu Bunshi
Published: March 2014

Phytotoxicity is a significant consideration in understanding the potential environmental impact of nanoparticles. Abundant experimental data have shown that multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) are toxic to plants, but the potential impacts of exposure remain unclear. The objective of the present study was to evaluate possible phytotoxicity of MWNTs at 0, 20, 200, 1000, and 2000 mg/L with red spinach, lettuce, rice, cucumber, chili, lady’s finger, and soybean, based on root and shoot growth, cell death, and electrolyte leakage at the seedling stage. After 15 days of hydroponic culture, the root and shoot lengths of red spinach, lettuce, and cucumber were significantly reduced following exposure to 1000 mg/L and 2000 mg/L MWNTs. Similar toxic effects occurred regarding cell death and electrolyte leakage. Red spinach and lettuce were most sensitive to MWNTs, followed by rice and cucumber. Very little or no toxic effects were observed for chili, lady’s finger, and soybean.
At Home with Durga: The Goddess in a Palace and Corporeal Identity in Rituparno Ghosh’s Utsab
Authors: Ray Romita
Published: March 2014

In this article, I examine the representational strategies used to visualize the pratima (deity) of the Hindu goddess, Durga, as a paradigm of time, memory, and corporeal identity, in Rituparno Ghosh’s 2000 Bengali film Utsab. I analyze the body as a dynamic site of memory-formation that shapes new histories in the sprawling colonial palace in which the film’s narrative unfolds with an ancestral Durga festival as its focal point. To this end, I look at how the body of the goddess produces and defines the transience of human experience, the fragility of material history, and the desire for historic relevance.
ESA-MERIS 10-Year Mission Reveals Contrasting Phytoplankton Bloom Dynamics in Two Tropical Regions of Northern Australia
Authors: Blondeau-Patissier David , Schroeder Thomas , Brando Vittorio , Maier Stefan , Dekker Arnold , Phinn Stuart
Published: April 2014

The spatial and temporal variability of phytoplankton blooms was investigated in two tropical coastal regions of northern Australia using the MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) full mission (2002–2012) reduced resolution dataset. Satellite-derived proxies for phytoplankton (Chlorophyll-a (Chl), Fluorescence Line Height (FLH), Maximum Chlorophyll Index (MCI)) and suspended sediment (Total Suspended Matter (TSM)) were jointly analyzed for two clusters of the Great Barrier Reef Wet tropics (GBRW; 15°–19.5°S; Queensland) and the Van Diemen Gulf (VDG; 9°–13°S; Northern Territory). The analysis of time-series and Hovmöller diagrams of the four MERIS products provided a unique perspective on the processes linking phytoplankton blooms and river runoff, or resuspension, across spatio-temporal scales. Both regions are characterized by a complex oceanography and seasonal inflows of sediment, freshwater and nutrients during the tropical wet season months (November to April). The GBRW is characterized by a great variability in water clarity (Secchi depth 0–25 m). A long history of agricultural land use has led to a large increase in the seasonal discharge of sediments and nutrients, triggering seasonal phytoplankton blooms (>0.4 mg∙m−3) between January and April. In contrast, the VDG is a poorly flushed, turbid (Secchi depth <5 m) environment with strong tidal-energy (4–8 m) and very limited land use. Phytoplankton blooms here were found to have higher Chl concentrations (>1.0 mg∙m−3) than in the GBRW, occurring up to twice a year between January and April. Over the 10-year MERIS mission, a weak decline in Chl and TSM was observed for the VDG (Sen slope: −2.85%/decade, τ = −0.32 and −3.57%/decade, τ = −0.24; p 0.05), while no significant trend in those two satellite products was observed in the GBRW. Cyanobacteria surface algal blooms occur in both regions between August and October. The MCI and FLH products were found to adequately complement Chl, while TSM provided relevant insight for the assessment of sediment resuspension and river runoff.
Les guerres contre les Volsques et les Èques, une cause oubliée de la prise de Rome par les Gaulois ?
Authors: Engerbeaud Mathieu
Published: April 2014

La catastrophe gauloise, survenue à Rome au début du iv e  siècle avant J.-C, a été détachée de son contexte militaire et politique par une réappropriation mémorielle tardive. Les témoignages littéraires omettent une partie des origines stratégiques et tactiques du désastre de l’Allia, et l’expliquent à l’aide de récits faisant entrer cet épisode dans la mythologie civique. Or, les récits de Diodore de Sicile et de Tite-Live retracent une partie du contexte militaire de l’événement. En effet, le conflit qui oppose les Romains aux Volsques et aux Èques dans la région de l’Algide présente des signes d’évolution de nature à mettre en péril la position latine dans la région. Cette pression a peut-être suffisamment perturbé l’organisation militaire et politique romaine, ce qui constituerait une explication supplémentaire au désordre des Romains rencontré devant l’expédition gauloise.
Le Mémorial de Verdun et les enjeux de la mémoire combattante, 1959-2011
Authors: Anglaret Anne-Sophie
Published: April 2014

Oublié des media, sinon du public, le Mémorial de Verdun semble perdre sa place d’honneur parmi les musées de la Grande Guerre. Il présente pourtant une nette spécificité par rapport à l’Historial de Péronne ou au musée de Meaux : il a été voulu et pensé par les anciens combattants, soucieux dans les années 1960 d’assurer la transmission de leur mémoire. L’histoire de la construction du Mémorial témoigne de leur fort investissement affectif, parfois source de conflits. Le musée, financé par un appel au don qui rappelle le grand mouvement national autour de la construction de l’ossuaire de Douaumont, s’est intégré dans la zone rouge et a contribué à la modifier profondément, grâce aux aménagements financés par les entrées. Le parcours historique présenté a aujourd’hui évolué : autrefois modelé par la mémoire combattante, il a intégré de nouveaux enjeux historiographiques. Malgré tout, sa modernisation s’avère problématique : l’ancienneté du Mémorial est ainsi à la fois son atout, gage d’authenticité, et un frein à son évolution, en raison d’un phénomène de path dependence .
Forger le « soldat chrétien ». L'encadrement catholique des troupes pontificales et royales en France en 1568-1569
Authors: Boltanski Ariane
Published: April 2014

Cet article examine un moment crucial de l’histoire de l’Église dans ses rapports à l’institution militaire, quand la papauté formalise véritablement, en s’appuyant sur les jésuites, un modèle du « soldat chrétien », qui va désormais orienter toute la conception de la guerre et de la discipline aux armées déployée par la Contre-Réforme en Europe. Ce modèle va se diffuser progressivement sur les différents champs de bataille de la chrétienté dans la seconde moitié du xvi e et au xvii e  siècle. Mais il est mis en pratique pour la première fois en France durant la troisième guerre civile, précisément lors de la campagne militaire de 1569, à l’occasion de l’envoi par Pie V à Charles IX d’un contingent pontifical pour appuyer le roi dans sa guerre contre les réformés. L’engagement en France de ces soldats italiens est associé à la formation d’une aumônerie jésuite, pour les encadrer religieusement, et à la rédaction par Antonio Possevino d’un manuel du soldat chrétien, premier manuel officiel composé sous l’égide de la Compagnie de Jésus, pour enseigner aux soldats et, surtout, aux nobles qui les commandent à bien mener une guerre sainte. Dans l’optique de la lutte multiforme contre les ennemis de l’Église sous Pie V (1566-1572), ce dispositif engage un processus de disciplinarisation des troupes, mais s’attache d’abord à transformer l’archétype du chevalier en quête de gloire en une éthique du service de Dieu dans un but d’efficacité militaire. Cet article explore la mise en place, en France en 1569, de ce dispositif d’encadrement religieux : il observe la manière dont ce modèle se confronte aux valeurs et pratiques nobiliaires ; il s’interroge sur ses relations avec la violence de guerre déployée lors de la bataille de Moncontour, tout en constatant l’incapacité des aumôniers jésuites à soumettre les combattants à cette discipline dévote.
Generating prospective scenarios of use in innovation projects
Authors: Nelson Julien , Buisine Stéphanie , Aoussat Améziane , Gazo Claude
Published: April 2014

L’ergonomie prospective est une modalité d’intervention ergonomique centrée sur l’anticipation des besoins et activités futurs, visant à assister les premières étapes du processus de conception innovante centrée utilisateurs. À ce jour, peu de propositions méthodologiques ont été formulées pour assister les interventions en ergonomie prospective, bien que ceci constitue un levier majeur pour une meilleure intégration de la conception centrée utilisateurs dans les projets d’innovation. Ainsi, les méthodes classiques de l’analyse des usages sont d’un intérêt limité lorsque le concepteur doit travailler avec des concepts de produit mal définis, car il peut s’avérer difficile de décrire les usages futurs du produit en question. Dans cet article, nous proposons que certaines méthodes de créativité, souvent utilisées pour résoudre des problèmes de nature technique dans le cadre de projets de conception, puissent être utilisées pour élaborer des scénarios spéculatifs portant sur l’usage futur d’un produit. Nous avons réalisé des simulations de réunions de conception portant sur l’anticipation des usages de différents produits et avons évalué, au travers de deux études, les effets de méthodes empruntées à deux paradigmes de créativité sur la capacité d’une équipe pluridisciplinaire de conception à formuler des scénarios d’usage futurs. La première étude visait à évaluer les apports de méthodes empruntées au paradigme du Creative Problem Solving (CPS) – le brainwriting et la matrice de découvertes – à la production de scénarios prospectifs d’usages. Elle fait suite à une étude qui montrait que ces méthodes n’avaient pas d’effet sur le nombre de scénarios produits ni sur le nombre d’idées relatives aux usagers futurs du produit ou à leurs activités. Nous montrons ici, cependant, que ces méthodes permettent de mieux structurer la dynamique d’exploration de l’espace créatif, et d’aboutir à des idées plus originales. Dans la seconde étude, nous avons examiné la capacité d’une équipe de concepteurs à exploiter l’analyse multi-écrans – une méthode empruntée à la théorie de résolution des problèmes inventifs (TRIZ) – pour construire un discours sur les usages futurs d’un produit innovant. Les résultats suggèrent que l’équipe était en mesure d’anticiper des évolutions de l’artefact technique – ce qui correspond à la finalité initiale de la méthode – mais pas de se réapproprier l’outil pour imaginer des scénarios illustrant les usages futurs possibles du produit. Nous décrivons enfin les conséquences de ces résultats pour élaborer de nouvelles méthodologies d’intervention en ergonomie prospective.
Effect of Blended-Learning on Academic Achievement of Students in the University of Jordan
Authors: Obiedat Ruba , Nasir Eddeen Lubna , Harfoushi Osama , AL-Hamarsheh Montaha , Koury Ansar , Alassaf Nabeel
Published: April 2014

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of blended learning on the academic achievement of students in the University of Jordan. To gain in depth understanding of the phenomena under investigation, survey method is employed to collect natural data. For the sake of respondent convince all the questions asked in this survey are directed in Arabic language. Conventional sampling technique is employed due to the subjectivity of the issue. A sample of (427) students from King Abdulla II School for Information Technology at Jordan University are randomly selected. SPSS10 software is used to make statistical analysis. The robust checks of the result are made through arithmetic average, standard deviation statistics and Pearson correlation matrix. Statistical results of the study report that there is a significant and positive impact of blended learning on academic achievement of the students in university of Jordan.
Application of Modern Simulation Technology in Mechanical Outstanding Engineer Training
Authors: Li Gongfa , Liu Jia , Sun Yin , Jiang Guozhang , Kong Jianyi , Xiong Hegen
Published: April 2014

This text has described the relationship between outstanding engineer training and modern simulation technology, have recommended the characteristics of mechanical outstanding engineer in detail. Aiming at the importance of the teaching practice link to course of theory of mechanics, mechanical design and mechanical signal analysis, have expounded the function of modern simulation technology in the mechanical outstanding engineer training, especially on teaching practice in the theory of mechanics, mechanical design and mechanical signal analysis. It has the advantages of economizing the teaching cost, overcoming the hardware constrains, model prediction, promoting student's innovation and manipulative ability, so can popularize and develop in a more cost-effective manner in the university.
Propose a Conceptual Model of Adaptive Competitive Intelligence (ACI)
Authors: Mohammadalian Sareh , Nazemi Eslam , Tarokh Mohammad Jafar
Published: April 2014

In recent years, competitive changes and pressure on business environment have increased importance of competitive fields. Competitive intelligence is one of the commercial tools available in this field. It extracts helpful information from competitive environment and, after accurate analysis, generates effective strategies for the organization. High speed of changes, uncertainty, complexity and so on are among the characteristics of competitive environments. Consequently, approach of competitive intelligence must be adaptable to any kind of changes occurring in the competitive environment. In this paper, a conceptual model was presented for adaptive competitive intelligence. The proposed model which was a conceptual model was evaluated along the paper and the results were discussed. Increasing sustainability of competitive power was one of the most important outcomes of the recommended model.
Towards Automation of Business Intelligence Services Using Hybrid Intelligent System Approach
Authors: Sonar Rajendra M.
Published: April 2014

Business Intelligence (BI) includes many tools, techniques and technologies. BI processes often involve team of human decision makers and end-users to extract, explore and analyse the data. The results, decisions or models after analysis need to be implemented into operational systems. There can be considerable time delay between business events happening and action taken thus loosing opportunities. Intelligent techniques such as rule-based reasoning and case-based reasoning have been used extensively to address wide range of intelligent tasks including personalisation and recommendation. Some BI tasks can be modelled, automated and delivered through services rather than done on ad-hoc basis. The authors represent a service based approach to BI where a service corresponds to a well defined analytical functionality implemented using intelligent technique(s), filtering techniques or hybrids of them accessing only relevant data from database specifically modelled and designed for such tasks. The authors discuss an application of the approach for a value-added service in mobile domain.
Sharing Experience Around Component Compositions
Authors: Bourguin Grégory , Lewandowski Arnaud , Lewkowicz Myriam
Published: April 2014

Society currently lives in a world of tailorable systems in which end-users are able to transform their working environment while achieving their tasks, day to day and over the time. Tailorability is most of the time achieved through dynamic component integration thanks to a huge number of components available over the Internet. In this context, the main problem for users is not anymore the integration of new components, but how to find the most interesting set of components that will fulfill their needs. Facing this issue, the authors' assumption is that it would be helpful for users to take benefit of the experience of other users and our work aims at enhancing current software ecosystems to support this sharing of experience. The authors have applied this approach in the context of software development while considering Eclipse as one of the most advanced and used software ecosystem. The authors then offer ShareXP, an Eclipse feature that allows members of a group to share their expertise, this expertise being embodied in the “compositions” each of them has built. ShareXP was already presented in (Bourguin et al., 2012). The current paper is an extension where the authors deeper show that ShareXP is only a first step in their global approach trying to enhance not only the Eclipse ecosystem, but software ecosystems in general.