bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Variability, Diversity and Association of Quantitative Traits with Grain Yield in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Pandey Praveen , Anurag P John , Tiwari DK , Yadav SK , Kumar Binod
Published: February 2011

Context: Genetic diversity is pre-requisite for any crop improvement programme as it helps in the development of superior recombinants. Objectives: Recognizing the importance of genetic diversity in plant breeding experiments, the present research work was taken up to estimate genetic diversity in different accessions of rice for various agro-economically important characters. Materials and Methods: Experiments were carried out with 40 Rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes which were evaluated for yield and yield contributing traits in Kharif-2007-08. The data were recorded on 10 randomly selected plants from each replication for 12 quantitative characters studied. However days to 50% flowering was recorded on per plot basis. Mean values were subjected to analysis of variance to test the significance for each character. The genetic divergence was estimated and the grouping of the genotypes into cluster was done.Results: Sufficient amount of variability was found in the entire gene pool for all traits studied. The higher magnitude of genotypic and phenotypic coefficients of variation was recorded for plant height, grain yield per hill, harvest index and biological yield per hill. High heritability along with high genetic advance as percent of mean was registered for harvest index, grain yield, plant height, biological yield, test weight, number of tillers per hill and number of spikelets per panicle suggesting preponderance of additive gene action in the expression of these characters. On the basis of Mahalanobis D2 statistics the genotypes were grouped into seven clusters. Plant height, biological yield and test weight contributed considerably, accounting for 86.16 % of total divergence. The genotypes superior in some clusters may be involve in a multiple crossing programme to recover transgressive segregants with high genetic yield potential and early maturity. Conclusion: The promising genotypes selected from diverse clusters should be involved in the hybridization programme in order to transfer some of the desirable yield contributing characters consisted by them.  Key words: Rice (Oryza sativa); genetic variability; diversity; clustering pattern DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7110J. bio-sci. 17: 77-82, 2009
Effect of Carbon Sources on Cell Growth and Regeneration Ability in Three Cultivars of Banana
Authors: Hossain MJ , Bari MA , Ara NA , Islam SM Shahinul
Published: February 2011

Context: Carbon plays a vital role in plant cell growth and regeneration in artificial media but the source of carbon deserves scientific investigation to analysis their comparative performance. Objectives: To analyze the comparative performance of different carbon sources (glucose, sucrose and sorbitol) in cell growth and regeneration efficiency of banana (Musa spp) cultivars. Materials and Methods: Male flowers of banana cultivars cv. Sabri, Gine and Ranginsagar were used in this experiment. Male flowers were cut into small pieces and they were transferred in petri dishes containing Murashige and Skoog media supplemented with 2 mg/l 2,4-D + 1mg/l NAA + 1mg/l IAA + 1mg/l Biotin + 1mg/l glutamine and 3% (w/v) different sugars: sucrose, glucose, and sorbitol singly or in combinations autoclaved in 121ºC temperature for 20 min. The pH of the medium was adjusted to 5.8. Results:  Glucose showed the highest performance in callus induction and cell growth and 3% glucose proved as the optimal dose in media formulation for callus induction and cell growth. Sucrose and sorbitol behaves differently in embryo formation and they produced the highest and lowest number of embryos respectively in regeneration medium. In respect of overall performance the highest percentages of shoot and root formation was obtained in the media containing 3% sucrose. Conclusion:  Glucose proved to be the best carbon source in callus induction and cell growth media.  Key words:  Banana; Musa; callus; single cell; regenerationDOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7111J. bio-sci. 17: 83-88, 2009
Enzyme Activities and Mobilization of Nutrients in Brassica (Brassica Spp.) and Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Seeds during Germination
Authors: Sana NK , Sarkar BC , Azad MAK , Huque ME , Shaha RK
Published: February 2011

Context: Determination of the activities of hydrolytic enzymes from germinating wheat seeds and investigation of degraded nutrients from brassica and wheat seeds at different periods of germination are important factors for identification of richest sources of hydrolytic enzymes and nutrients.Objectives: To study the activities of hydrolytic enzymes and degradation of seed storage substances of brassica (Brassica napus L.) and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) seeds during germination.Materials and Methods:  Three varieties of brassica (Brassica napus L., B. juncea L. and B. campestris L.) and three varieties of wheat (Akbar, Kanchan and Agrani) seeds were analyzed. Amylase, invertase, protease and lipase activities were assayed. Degradation of seed storage nutrients during germination were determined by conventional biochemical methods.Results: The activities of amylase, invertase, protease and lipase varied from 8.02 – 48.69, 2.45 – 15.32, 20.96 – 45.45 and 2.72 – 12.76 units/ ml respectively. Degradation of nutrients in the three species of brassica and wheat seeds was also studied at different periods of germination. The amount of free sugar in brassica and wheat seeds ranged from 0.93 – 4.27% and 3.82 – 4.88%; reducing sugar content from 0.012 - 0.093% and 0.032 - 0.078%; starch from 1.42 – 4.70% and 10.26 – 69.65%; total protein from 3.1 – 25.37% and 2.3 – 18.37%;  water-soluble protein from 1.5 – 14.24% and 1.0 – 6.50%;  and oil content from 2.49 – 43.6% and 1.04 – 1.92% respectively. Conclusion: The results suggest that the extracts from brassica and wheat seeds can be good sources of nutrients and hydrolytic enzymes which are applicable in food industry to improve food quality.Key words: Brassica; Wheat; Carbohydrate; Protein; Lipid; Hydrolytic Enzyme.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7114J. bio-sci. 17: 101-106, 2009
Intrinsic Rate of Increase (rm) of Aphis Gossypii Glover Infesting Brinjal Plants
Authors: Rahman Md Matiur , Sarker Pankoj Kumar , Das Bidhan Chandra
Published: February 2011

Context: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of Aphis gossypii is important factor to know the actual increase of population which is governed by physical factors of environment.Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii which is the basic knowledge of IPM program.Materials and Methods: The nymphal duration, pre-reproductive period, reproductive period, fecundity, longevity, etc. were observed within the glass chimneys. The newly born nymphs were considered as F1 generations. Similarly, the first progeny of F1 generation were released in other glass chimneys to have F2 generation. In this way, F3, F4 and F5 generations were obtained. Data for duration between birth of a nymph and its first laid progeny (d) and number of progeny (Md) per female were recorded. Altogether data of 8 replications were considered for the calculation of intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) of A. gossypii infesting brinjal plants.Results: Intrinsic rate of natural increase (rm) value was highest (0.322 ± 0.005) for the F1 generation, followed by F2 (0.317 ± 0.003) and it was lowest (0.303 ± 0.002) for F5 generation. Temperature influenced the (rm) significantly (r= 0.903, p<0.05). Dew point also influenced the rm of A. gossypii significantly (0.882 P<0.05). Relative humidity played insignificant role (r= 0.428) on the rm of A. gossypii.Conclusion: The results obtained in this study are essential to know the actual populations increase which important to pest control.Key words: Aphis gossypii; brinjal; intrinsic rate of increase.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7118J. bio-sci. 17: 123-127, 2009
In Vitro Micropropagation of Orchid (Vanda tessellata L.) from Shoot Tip Explant
Authors: Rahman MS , Hasan MF , Das R , Hossain MS , Rahman M
Published: February 2011

Context: Orchid produces a huge number of minute seeds but the seeds can not germinate easily in nature due to the lack of endosperm in the seeds is an incompatibility barrier that limits its propagation in nature. Objectives: To develop in vitro culture techniques for quick propagation of Vanda tessellate, a commercially important orchid species. Materials and Methods: Shoot tips were used as experimental materials. The explants were surface sterilized and the shoot tips were excised. The isolated shoot tips were cultured in MS medium supplemented with different concentration and combinations of auxin and cytokinin. Results: The combination of 1.5 mgl-1 NAA and 1.0 mgl-1 BAP was proved to be the best medium formulation for multiple shoot formation as well as maximum shoot elongation. The single shoots were isolated from the multiple shoots and subcultured in MS medium having NAA and IBA individually and in combinations for root induction. Maximum root induction was obtained in MS agarified medium having 0.5 mgl-1NAA and 1.0 mgl-1IBA. The well rooted plantlets were hardened successfully in the potting mixture containing coconut husk, perlite, charcoal, brick pieces in the ratio of 2:1:1:1 and eventually established under natural condition.Conclusion: An efficient regeneration protocol for micropropagation in V. tessellata through shoot tip culture has been established.Key words: Shoot tip; micropropagation; orchid.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7122J. bio-sci. 17: 139-144, 2009
Varietal Preference of Lipaphis erysimi (Kaltenbach) on Three Species of Brassica
Authors: Sarker Pankoj Kumar , Rahman Md Matiur , Das Bidhan Chandra
Published: February 2011

Context: Lipaphis erysimi have different type of preference to settle on different varieties of mustard. Pest preferential movement is important for ecofriendly pest control.Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the L. erysimi resistance varieties of mustard to get more yields by lower cost and avoid most aphid infesting varieties for higher costMaterials and Methods: Two criteria were used to determine the varietal preference of L. erysimi, viz. (i) dispersal of aphids by cutting the base of host plants and enforce to settle on different varieties of three species of Brassica under free choice conditions, and (ii) suitability of those varieties based on the aphid infestation in the field crop condition at same season. Results: The preferential movement of L. erysimi on ten varieties of Brassica showed significant differences (P<0.01). The variety, Bari sharisa-6 showed highest (90.00 ± 7.21) aphid settlement followed by the variety, Rai-5 (89.00 ± 5.69). The variety, Bari sharisa-10 showed lowest (10.00 ± 0.58) aphid settlement followed by the variety, Bari sharisa-11 (19.00 ± 3.61). Naturally infested aphid population on first sowing date was recorded highest (2.1 ± 0.79) on the variety Bari Sarisha-8, followed by Bari Sarisha-6 (1.93 ± 0.88). The lowest (0.19 ± 0.09) number of aphids recorded on Bari Sarisha-12. In second sowing date, Bari Sarisha-7 showed highest (19.5 ± 6.51) aphid population, followed by Bari Sarisha-8 (15.42 ± 5.72). The lowest (1.2 ± 0.38) aphid population found on the variety, Bari Sarisha-11. In third sowing date, highest (14.69 ± 5.69) number of aphids was recorded on the variety, Bari Sarisha-6, followed by the variety, Sonali-75 (14.48±4.74). Lowest number (6.06 ± 2.30) of aphids was found on the variety, Bari Sarisha-12. In the fourth sowing date, highest (15.54 ± 5.72) aphid population recorded on the variety, Bari Sarisha-8, followed by Bari Sarisha-7 (14.39 ± 5.70); and the lowest (4.41 ± 1.75) number of aphids recorded on the variety, Bari Sarisha-9. Key words:  Lipaphis erysimi; varietal preference; Brassica; Sarisha; Rai.DOI: 10.3329/jbs.v17i0.7123J. bio-sci. 17: 145-148, 2009
Role of Rho Kinase in Microvascular Damage Following Cerebral Ischemia Reperfusion in Rats
Authors: Liu Kang , Li Zhen , Wu Tao , Ding Suju
Published: February 2011

Rho kinase (ROCK) is a well-known downstream effector of Rho and plays an important role in various physiopathological processes. In this study, we aim to investigate the correlation between ROCK and microvascular damage in rat brain subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) and reperfusion, and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the microvascular damage. ROCK and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) mRNA levels were determined by real time quantitative PCR, Laminin was detected by immunofluorescence and Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) permeability was examined by Evans Blue (EB) in rat MCAO models. We observed similar patterns of changes in ROCK expression, brain EB content, and Laminin expression at different time points after brain ischemia. Statistical analysis further confirmed a significant linear correlation of ROCK expression with the onset of microvascular damage in brain. Furthermore, the ROCK inhibitor fasudil decreased brain EB content but increased Laminin expression. These results provide strong evidence that ROCK mediates microvascular damage. In addition, we found that fasudil could significantly inhibit MMP9 expression induced by ischemia. Thus, our findings suggest that ROCK promotes microvascular damage by upregulating MMP9 and reveal ROCK as a promising therapeutic target for stroke.
Self-Assembly of Chip-Size Components with Cavity Structures: High-Precision Alignment and Direct Bonding without Thermal Compression for Hetero Integration
Authors: Fukushima Takafumi , Konno Takayuki , Iwata Eiji , Kobayashi Risato , Kojima Toshiya , Murugesan Mariappan , Bea Ji-Chel , Lee Kang-Wook , Tanaka Tetsu , Koyanagi Mitsumasa
Published: February 2011

New surface mounting and packaging technologies, using self-assembly with chips having cavity structures, were investigated for three-dimensional (3D) and hetero integration of complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). By the surface tension of small droplets of 0.5 wt% hydrogen fluoride (HF) aqueous solution, the cavity chips, with a side length of 3 mm, were precisely aligned to hydrophilic bonding regions on the surface of plateaus formed on Si substrates. The plateaus have micro-channels to readily evaporate and fully remove the liquid from the cavities. The average alignment accuracy of the chips with a 1 mm square cavity was found to be 0.4 mm. The alignment accuracy depends, not only on the area of the bonding regions on the substrates and the length of chip periphery without the widths of channels in the plateaus, but also the area wetted by the liquid on the bonding regions. The precisely aligned chips were then directly bonded to the substrates at room temperature without thermal compression, resulting in a high shear bonding strength of more than 10 MPa.
Carotenoids and Their Isomers: Color Pigments in Fruits and Vegetables
Authors: Khoo Hock-Eng , Prasad K. Nagendra , Kong Kin-Weng , Jiang Yueming , Ismail Amin
Published: February 2011

Fruits and vegetables are colorful pigment-containing food sources. Owing to their nutritional benefits and phytochemicals, they are considered as ‘functional food ingredients’. Carotenoids are some of the most vital colored phytochemicals, occurring as all-trans and cis-isomers, and accounting for the brilliant colors of a variety of fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids extensively studied in this regard include β-carotene, lycopene, lutein and zeaxanthin. Coloration of fruits and vegetables depends on their growth maturity, concentration of carotenoid isomers, and food processing methods. This article focuses more on several carotenoids and their isomers present in different fruits and vegetables along with their concentrations. Carotenoids and their geometric isomers also play an important role in protecting cells from oxidation and cellular damages.
Iodine Deficiency in Pregnancy: The Effect on Neurodevelopment in the Child
Authors: Skeaff Sheila A.
Published: February 2011

Iodine is an integral part of the thyroid hormones, thyroxine (T4) and tri-iodothyronine (T3), necessary for normal growth and development. An adequate supply of cerebral T3, generated in the fetal brain from maternal free T4 (fT4), is needed by the fetus for thyroid hormone dependent neurodevelopment, which begins in the second half of the first trimester of pregnancy. Around the beginning of the second trimester the fetal thyroid also begins to produce hormones but the reserves of the fetal gland are low, thus maternal thyroid hormones contribute to total fetal thyroid hormone concentrations until birth. In order for pregnant women to produce enough thyroid hormones to meet both her own and her baby’s requirements, a 50% increase in iodine intake is recommended. A lack of iodine in the diet may result in the mother becoming iodine deficient, and subsequently the fetus. In iodine deficiency, hypothyroxinemia (i.e., low maternal fT4) results in damage to the developing brain, which is further aggravated by hypothyroidism in the fetus. The most serious consequence of iodine deficiency is cretinism, characterised by profound mental retardation. There is unequivocal evidence that severe iodine deficiency in pregnancy impairs brain development in the child. However, only two intervention trials have assessed neurodevelopment in children of moderately iodine deficient mothers finding improved neurodevelopment in children of mothers supplemented earlier rather than later in pregnancy; both studies were not randomised and were uncontrolled. Thus, there is a need for well-designed trials to determine the effect of iodine supplementation in moderate to mildly iodine deficient pregnant women on neurodevelopment in the child.
Neuroactive Multifunctional Tacrine Congeners with Cholinesterase, Anti-Amyloid Aggregation and Neuroprotective Properties
Authors: Kozurkova Maria , Hamulakova Slavka , Gazova Zuzana , Paulikova Helena , Kristian Pavol
Published: February 2011

The review summarizes research into the highly relevant topics of cholinesterase and amyloid aggregation inhibitors connected to tacrine congeners, both of which are associated with neurogenerative diseases. Various opinions will be discussed regarding the dual binding site inhibitors which are characterized by increased inhibitor potency against acetylcholin/butyrylcholine esterase and amyloid formation. It is suggested that these compounds can both raise levels of acetylcholine by binding to the active site, and also prevent amyloid aggregation. In connection with this problem, the mono/dual binding of the multifunctional derivatives of tacrine, their mode of action and their neuroprotective activities are reported. The influence of low molecular compounds on protein amyloid aggregation, which might be considered as a potential therapeutic strategy in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease is also reported. Finally, attention is paid to some physico-chemical factors, such as desolvation energies describing the transfer of the substrate solvated by water, the metal-chelating properties of biometals reacting with amyloid precursor protein, amyloid beta peptide and tau protein.
Linking soil biodiversity and vegetation: Implications for a changing planet
Authors: Sylvain Zachary A. , Wall Diana H.
Published: February 2011

Soil biota are intimately tied to plant communities through herbivory and symbiosis and indirectly by the decomposition of dead organic plant material. Through both roots and aboveground organic material (e.g., leaves and wood), plants provide substantial inputs of organic matter to soil systems. Plants are the basis for most biotic soil food webs that comprise an enormous diversity of species whose multiple interactions function to help regulate nutrient cycling, which in turn influences plant growth. Many factors govern the biogeography of soil biota, including the physical and chemical properties of soil, climate, the composition and type of vegetation, and interactions with other soil biota. Despite awareness of factors influencing soil communities, no single factor allows predictions of soil animal diversity or distribution. However, research is showing that plants can have unique soil biotic communities. Degradation of soil, which removes predators and biotic regulation that occurs in less managed ecosystems, can result in increased pathogens and pests that affect humans, other animals and plants. Global changes such as land use, desertification, and soil pollution all have been shown to alter soil animal diversity and abundance. Because of our dependence on soils and plant production, studies linking soil biotic communities to primary productivity are needed to assure long‐term soil sustainability.
The age and diversification of terrestrial New World ecosystems through Cretaceous and Cenozoic time
Authors: Graham Alan
Published: February 2011

Eight ecosystems that were present in the Cretaceous about 100 Ma (million years ago) in the New World eventually developed into the 12 recognized for the modern Earth. Among the forcing mechanisms that drove biotic change during this interval was a decline in global temperatures toward the end of the Cretaceous, augmented by the asteroid impact at 65 Ma and drainage of seas from continental margins and interiors; separation of South America from Africa beginning in the south at ca. 120 Ma and progressing northward until completed 90–100 Ma; the possible emission of 1500 gigatons of methane and CO2attributed to explosive vents in the Norwegian Sea at ca. 55 Ma, resulting in a temperature rise of 5°–6°C in an already warm world; disruption of the North Atlantic land bridge at ca. 45 Ma at a time when temperatures were falling; rise of the Andes Mountains beginning at ca. 40 Ma; opening of the Drake Passage between South America and Antarctica at ca. 32 Ma with formation of the cold Humboldt at ca. 30 Ma; union of North and South America at ca. 3.5 Ma; and all within the overlay of evolutionary processes. These processes generated a sequence of elements (e.g., species growing in moist habitats within an overall dry environment; gallery forests), early versions (e.g., mangrove communities withoutRhizophorauntil the middle Eocene), and essentially modern versions of present‐day New World ecosystems. As a first approximation, the fossil record suggests that early versions of aquatic communities (in the sense of including a prominent angiosperm component) appeared early in the Middle to Late Cretaceous, the lowland neotropical rainforest at 64 Ma (well developed by 58–55 Ma), shrubland/chaparral–woodland–savanna and grasslands around the middle Miocene climatic optimum at ca. 15–13 Ma, deserts in the middle Miocene/early Pliocene at ca. 10 Ma, significant tundra at ca. 7–5 Ma, and alpine tundra (páramo) shortly thereafter when cooling temperatures were augmented by high elevations attained, for example, in the Andes <10 Ma and especially after 7–6 Ma.
The generation and maintenance of diversity in microbial communities
Authors: Fierer Noah , Lennon Jay T.
Published: February 2011

Microorganisms play a central role in the regulation of ecosystem processes, and they comprise the vast majority of species on Earth. With recent developments in molecular methods, it has become tractable to quantify the extent of microbial diversity in natural environments. Here we examine this revolution in our understanding of microbial diversity, and we explore the factors that contribute to the seemingly astounding numbers of microbial taxa found within individual environmental samples. We conducted a meta‐analysis of bacterial richness estimates from a variety of ecosystems. Nearly all environments contained hundreds to thousands of bacterial taxa, and richness levels increased with the number of individuals in a sample, a pattern consistent with those reported for nonmicrobial taxa. A cursory comparison might suggest that bacterial richness far exceeds the richness levels typically observed for plant and animal taxa. However, the apparent diversity of bacterial communities is influenced by phylogenetic breadth and allometric scaling issues. When these features are taken into consideration, the levels of microbial diversity may appear less astounding. Although the fields of ecology and biogeography have traditionally ignored microorganisms, there are no longer valid excuses for neglecting microorganisms in surveys of biodiversity. Many of the concepts developed to explain plant and animal diversity patterns can also be applied to microorganisms once we reconcile the scale of our analyses to the scale of the organisms being observed. Furthermore, knowledge from microbial systems may provide insight into the mechanisms that generate and maintain species richness in nonmicrobial systems.
Reciprocal polyhedra and the Euler relationship: cage hydrocarbons, CnHn and closo-boranes [BxHx]2−
Authors: McGlinchey Michael J , Hopf Henning
Published: February 2011

The closo-boranes BxHx+2, or their corresponding anions [BxHx]2− (where x = 5 through 12) and polycycloalkanes CnHn (where n represents even numbers from 6 through 20) exhibit a complementary relationship whereby the structures of the corresponding molecules, e.g., [B6H6]2− and C8H8 (cubane), are based on reciprocal polyhedra. The vertices in the closo-boranes correspond to faces in its polycyclic hydrocarbon counterpart and vice versa. The different bonding patterns in the two series are described. Several of these hydrocarbons (cubane, pentagonal dodecahedrane and the trigonal and pentagonal prismanes) are known while others still remain elusive. Synthetic routes to the currently known CnHn highly symmetrical polyhedral species are briefly summarized and potential routes to those currently unknown are discussed. Finally, the syntheses of the heavier element analogues of cubane and the prismanes are described.
L'action publique au prisme de ses instruments
Authors: Lascoumes Pierre , Simard Louis
Published: February 2011

Résumé Les travaux à partir des notions « d’instrument d’action publique » ou de « technologies de gouvernement » ont connu ces dernières années une forte recrudescence dans l’espace francophone. Ils s’appuient sur une tradition anglo-saxonne de plus de quarante années et aujourd’hui très diversifiée, mais ils l’ont enrichi de différents apports allant des théories du pouvoir à la sociologie des sciences. L’article présente ainsi un panorama de la littérature en mettent en valeur la diversité des perspectives qui coexistent et leur évolutions. L’approche par les instruments est un bon traceur de changement de l’action publique, mais aussi des régimes et des styles politiques. Elle incite aussi à saisir l’action publique dans sa matérialité. Comprendre l’instrumentation est une façon de saisir les transformations de l’État en envisageant ses pratiques, et les recompositions qu’elles connaissent, en particulier dans la tension permanente entre contrainte et incitation.
L'incertitude des instruments
Authors: Baudot Pierre-Yves
Published: February 2011

Résumé La « configuration de réforme » qui se met en place autour de l’informatique administrative dans le cadre du Plan Calcul (1966-1975) ne se structure pas autour d’une intention univoque et d’une représentation spécifique de ses effets. L’instrument informatique n’est pas le vecteur d’une doctrine de modernisation unique, cohérente et stabilisée. Il est au contraire introduit en fonction d’impératifs incompatibles. Les ressources dont disposent les acteurs de cette configuration permettent de faire valoir les représentations divergentes de l’instrument dont ils sont porteurs. Si l’instrument modifie alors les liens entre acteurs, l’impossible imposition de décisions irréversibles entretient l’incertitude quant à ses potentialités modernisatrices réelles et favorise l’agrégation des logiques incompatibles qui ont contribué à sa diffusion pendant cette période.
Les démocraties à la conquête des âmes dans les guerres asymétriques
Authors: Leca Jean
Published: February 2011

Résumé L’ouvrage commenté ici traite le problème militaire israélo-palestinien comme un cas particulier de la question générale des démocraties aux prises avec les dilemmes de la « contre-insurrection ». Combinant l’approche réaliste de Raymond Aron et la démarche éthique de Michael Walzer, l’auteur recommande une autre politique militaire faite d’« empathie », reconnaissant la souffrance et au moins partiellement la validité des demandes des populations palestiniennes, et de « schizophrénie » poursuivant à la fois l’éradication des groupes armés et le soutien des populations civiles. Cet appel à la rationalité fondé sur « l’histoire courte » (1980-2010) néglige peutêtre la singularité d’un conflit où « l’actualité remonte le temps» et où «l’histoire [plus] longue » (1920-2010) marque la primauté de « grands récits » dont l’acceptation est préalable aux jeux rationnels qu’ils autorisent. Dans ce cas, le dilemme stratégique de Tsahal se transforme en dilemme politique de l’État d’Israël : éviter à la fois « l’empathie hostile » et « la sympathie défaitiste ».
Designing and Implementing a Navicat Database System for a Call Center
Authors: Hamtini Thair M. , Rababah Osama
Published: February 2011

A call center is a physical place where customer and other telephone calls are handled by an organization, usually with some amount of computer automation. Typically, a call center has the capacity to handle a considerable volume of calls at the same time, to screen calls, forward calls to qualified person to handle them, and to log calls. In this article we proposed an architecture and showed how the system works. Carolina Call Center used to manually keep track of its call information through different programs. Data would be entered on Microsoft Excel and results were displayed on Microsoft Word. This made it hard to keep track of the data in an organized matter. Since many Call Centers may encounter these problems, we found a solution by creating a database. We used Navicat as a database client, and Dreamweaver as a web-interface design. Every agent now had an employee account with a password. Each account gave the agents access to the different campaigns they were working on. The accounts also had a timer as well as a break button that automatically kept track of login, logout and breaks. Not only did the database automate work to the employees, but it was beneficial to be business as well. The decreased number of errors combined with the reduced need for employees helped the call center save money. Since the database is an efficient timesaver, it decreased the number of working hours for both management and employees. The database greatly improved the overall quality of the Carolina Call Center.
A Model for Improving the Quality of Student Internship Placements in Engineering Degrees
Authors: Garcia Rafael , Puig Jordi
Published: February 2011

Work Internship Placements (WIP) is a new and transversal enterprise internships programme, which is focused on quality improvement, academic control and satisfaction of collaborating enterprises. This programme is addressed to the engineering students of the Polytechnic School at the University of Girona (UdG) in Spain. The fundamental WIP infrastructure combines a web-based intranet platform, that provides a complete set of WIP tools, with a protocol of procedures and tasks that are observed and followed at all internship stages by every participating agent, i.e. enterprises, students, coaching professors and administrative staff. Our new programme is centered on a broader, more holistic internship placement procedure than the traditional â??career and academic goals
THE FABRICATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF 3D POROUS SERICIN/FIBROIN BLENDED SCAFFOLDS
Authors: Rao Jian-Wei , Ouyang Liang-Qi , Jia Xian-lei , Quan Da-Ping , Xu Yang-Bin
Published: February 2011

Objective: To explore how to fabricate the three-dimensional (3D) porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds for the first time. Methods: The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds were fabricated by salt leaching method, its morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), its structure was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), its mechanical property was characterized by resistance to mechanical compression and rebound/compressed ratio, protease XIV was used to tested its degradation in vitro, MTT assay was used to quantitatively analyze the PC12 cells' viability co cultured with its extraction fluid. Results: Varying the ratios of sericin/fibroin and the particle sizes of granular NaCl used in the process, leads to the control of morphological and functional properties of the scaffolds. The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds had homogeneous and interconnected pores which controlled by the particle sizes of granular NaCl , shared similar crystal structure of β-sheet with the natural silk, importantly, and had excellent mechanical properties. MTT assay results showed that the sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds also had good biocompatibility. Conclusion: The 3D porous sericin/fibroin blended scaffolds provide useful properties as control of pore size, degradability, excellent mechanical property, and good biocompatibility, which substantiated the potential of it for use in tissue engineering applications.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ELBOW JOINT LOADING IN PUSH-UP AND BENCH-PRESS
Authors: Chou Pei-Hsi , Lou Shu-Zon , Chen Shen-Kai , Chen Hsin-Chieh , Hsu Hsiu-Hao , Chou You-Li
Published: February 2011

Upper extremity pain and dysfunction are common orthopedic problems in individuals who practice physical activities involving the upper limbs. Push-ups (PUs) and bench-presses (BPs), representing closed kinetic chain (CKC) and open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises, respectively, are among the most popular training exercises for the upper extremity in sports training and clinical rehabilitation applications. Utilizing a self-developed exercise testing model, the present study examines the difference in elbow joint loading between OKC and CKC exercises of the upper extremity.

As many as 15 physically healthy male subjects with an average age of 19.8 years (S.D. 1.4), an average height of 176.8 cm (S.D. 4.2), and an average weight of 69.27 kg (S.D. 5.0) were studied. Each subject was asked to perform two different types of exercise, namely PUs and BPs. The kinematics, kinetics, and muscle activation of the elbow joint were calculated and analyzed using laboratory-developed motion analysis procedures.

The PU exercises result in a greater loading on the elbow joint than the BP exercises, but produce a lower muscle activation. OKC exercises yield a greater muscle strengthening effect than CKC exercises. The increased shear stress on the elbow joint should be carefully noted when performing PU exercises. The results presented in this study provide valuable information for treatment and rehabilitation purposes in clinical applications.
Optimization of the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase detection by histochemical method
Authors: GalvÃ£o M. J. , Santos A. , Ribeiro M. D. , Ferreira A. , Nolasco F.
Published: February 2011

According to the new KDIGO (Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes) guidelines, the term of renal osteodystrophy, should be used exclusively in reference to the invasive diagnosis of bone abnormalities. Due to the low sensitivity and specificity of biochemical serum markers of bone remodelling,the performance of bone biopsies is highly stimulated in dialysis patients and after kidney transplantation. The tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP) is an iso-enzyme of the group of acid phosphatases, which is highly expressed by activated osteoclasts and macrophages. TRACP in osteoclasts is in intracytoplasmic vesicles that transport the products of bone matrix degradation. Being present in activated osteoclasts, the identification of this enzyme by histochemistry in undecalcified bone biopsies is an excellent method to quantify the resorption of bone. Since it is an enzymatic histochemical method for a thermolabile enzyme, the temperature at which it is performed is particularly relevant. This study aimed to determine the optimal temperature for identification of TRACP in activated osteoclasts in undecalcified bone biopsies embedded in methylmethacrylate. We selected 10 cases of undecalcified bone biopsies from hemodialysis patients with the diagnosis of secondary hyperparathyroidism. Sections of 5 μm were stained to identify TRACP at different incubation temperatures (37º, 45º, 60º, 70º and 80ºC) for 30 minutes. Activated osteoclasts stained red and trabecular bone (mineralized bone) was contrasted with toluidine blue. This approach also increased the visibility of the trabecular bone resorption areas (Howship lacunae). Unlike what is suggested in the literature and in several international protocols, we found that the best results were obtained with temperatures between 60ºC and 70ºC. For technical reasons and according to the results of the present study, we recommended that, for an incubation time of 30 minutes, the reaction should be carried out at 60ºC. As active osteoclasts are usually scarce in a bone section, the standardization of the histochemistry method is of great relevance, to optimize the identification of these cells and increase the accuracy of the histomosphometric results. Our results, allowing an increase in osteoclasts contrast, also support the use of semi-automatic histomorphometric measurements.
Merkel cell carcinoma metastatic to the small bowel mesentery
Authors: Matkowskyj Kristina A. , Hosseini Ava , Linn John G. , Yang Guang-Yu , Kuzel Timothy M. , Wayne Jeffrey D
Published: February 2011

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is an uncommon cutaneous malignant tumor that presents as a rapidly growing skin nodule on sun-exposed areas of the body. MCC is aggressive with regional nodal and distant metastases to the skin, lung, and bones. There have been no reports of metastatic MCC to the mesentery and 6 reports describing metastasis to the small intestine. We present a case of metastatic MCC to the mesentery with infiltration to the small bowel, 8 years after original tumor resection. This is the 5th metastasis and it encased the small bowel resulting in a hair-pin loop contributing to the unusual clinical presentation. Although MCC metastatic to the bowel is uncommon, it is not rare. It is important to recognize the unusual manifestations of this disease as they are becoming more common in the future. Routine radiologic surveillance and thorough review of systems are important to patient follow-up.
First long-term study of particle number size distributions and new particle formation events of regional aerosol in the North China Plain
Authors: Shen X. J. , Sun J. Y. , Zhang Y. M. , Wehner B. , Nowak A. , Tuch T. , Zhang X. C. , Wang T. T. , Zhou H. G. , Zhang X. L. , Dong F. , Birmili W. , Wiedensohler A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Atmospheric particle number size distributions (size range 0.003–10 μm) were measured between March 2008 and August 2009 at Shangdianzi (SDZ), a rural research station in the North China Plain. These measurements were made in an attempt to better characterize the tropospheric background aerosol in Northern China. The mean particle number concentrations of the total particle, as well as the nucleation, Aitken, accumulation and coarse mode were determined to be 1.2 ± 0.9 × 104, 3.6 ± 7.9 × 103, 4.4 ± 3.4 × 103, 3.5 ± 2.8 × 103 and 2 ± 3 cm−3, respectively. A general finding was that the particle number concentration was higher during spring compared to the other seasons. The air mass origin had an important effect on the particle number concentration and new particle formation events. Air masses from northwest (i.e. inner Asia) favored the new particle formation events, while air masses from southeast showed the highest particle mass concentration. Significant diurnal variations in particle number were observed, which could be linked to new particle formation events, i.e. gas-to-particle conversion. During particle formation events, the number concentration of the nucleation mode rose up to maximum value of 104 cm−3. New particle formation events were observed on 36% of the effective measurement days. The formation rate ranged from 0.7 to 72.7 cm−3 s−1, with a mean value of 8.0 cm−3 s−1. The value of the nucleation mode growth rate was in the range of 0.3–14.5 nm h−1, with a mean value of 4.3 nm h−1. It was an essential observation that on many occasions the nucleation mode was able to grow into the size of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) within a matter of several hours. Furthermore, the new particle formation was regularly followed by a measurable increase in particle mass concentration and extinction coefficient, indicative of a high abundance of condensable vapors in the atmosphere under study.
Characterization of the sources and processes of organic and inorganic aerosols in New York city with a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass apectrometer
Authors: Sun Y.-L. , Zhang Q. , Schwab J. J. , Demerjian K. L. , Chen W.-N. , Bae M.-S. , Hung H.-M. , Hogrefe O. , Frank B. , Rattigan O. V. , Lin Y.-C.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Submicron aerosol particles (PM1) were measured in-situ using a High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Aerosol Mass Spectrometer during the summer 2009 Field Intensive Study at Queens College in New York, NY. Organic aerosol (OA) and sulfate are the two dominant species, accounting for 54% and 24%, respectively, of the total PM1 mass. The average mass-based size distribution of OA presents a small mode peaking at ~150 nm (Dva) and an accumulation mode (~550 nm) that is internally mixed with sulfate, nitrate, and ammonium. The diurnal cycles of both sulfate and OA peak between 01:00–02:00 p.m. EST due to photochemical production. The average (±σ) oxygen-to-carbon (O/C), hydrogen-to-carbon (H/C), and nitrogen-to-carbon (N/C) ratios of OA in NYC are 0.36 (±0.09), 1.49 (±0.08), and 0.012 (±0.005), respectively, corresponding to an average organic mass-to-carbon (OM/OC) ratio of 1.62 (±0.11). Positive matrix factorization (PMF) of the high resolution mass spectra identified two primary OA (POA) sources, traffic and cooking, and three secondary OA (SOA) components including a highly oxidized, regional low-volatility oxygenated OA (LV-OOA; O/C = 0.63), a less oxidized, semi-volatile SV-OOA (O/C = 0.38) and a unique nitrogen-enriched OA (NOA; N/C = 0.053) characterized with prominent CxH2x + 2N+ peaks likely from amino compounds. Our results indicate that cooking and traffic are two distinct and mass-equivalent POA sources in NYC, together contributing ~30% of the total OA mass during this study. The OA composition is dominated by secondary species, especially during high PM events. SV-OOA and LV-OOA on average account for 34% and 30%, respectively, of the total OA mass. The chemical evolution of SOA in NYC appears to progress with a continuous oxidation from SV-OOA to LV-OOA, which is further supported by a gradual increase of O/C ratio and a simultaneous decrease of H/C ratio in total OOA. Detailed analysis of NOA (5.8% of OA) presents evidence that organic nitrogen species such as amines might have played an important role in the atmospheric processing of OA in NYC, likely involving both acid-base chemistry and photochemistry. In addition, analysis of air mass trajectories and satellite imagery of aerosol optical depth (AOD) indicates that the high potential source regions of secondary sulfate and aged OA are mainly located in regions to the west and southwest of the city.
Nitrous oxide emissions from managed grassland: a comparison of eddy covariance and static chamber measurements
Authors: Jones S. K. , Famulari D. , Di Marco C. F. , Nemitz E. , Skiba U. M. , Rees R. M. , Sutton M. A.
Published: February 2011

Abstract. Managed grasslands are known to be an important source of N2O with estimated global losses of 2.5 Tg N2O-N yr−1. Chambers are the most widely used method to measure N2O fluxes, but also micrometeorological methods have successfully been applied. In this paper we present a comparison of N2O fluxes measured by non-steady state chambers and eddy covariance (EC) (using an ultra-sonic anemometer coupled with a tunable diode laser) methods from an intensively grazed and fertilised grassland site in South East Scotland. The measurements were taken after fertilisation events in 2003, 2007 and 2008. In four out of six comparison periods a short-lived increase of N2O emissions after mineral N application was observed, returning to background level within 2–6 days. Highest fluxes were measured by both methods in July 2007 with maximum values of 1300 ng N2O-N m−2 s−1 (EC) and 651 ng N2O-N m−2 s−1 (chamber method). Frequently, negative fluxes above the detection limit were observed in all comparison periods by EC, while with chambers negative fluxes were always below detection limit. Despite observed negative fluxes, median and average fluxes over each period were always positive. Over all 6 comparison periods 69% of N2O fluxes measured by EC at the time of chamber closure were within the range of the chamber measurements. Differences between N2O fluxes calculated from chamber measurements and EC over the same measurement period were never significant. Overall, N2O fluxes measured by EC during the time of chamber closure were smaller compared to those measured by chambers, however this was the case in only 3 out of 6 comparison periods. This inconsistency observed on the same experimental field at different times can partly be explained by the fact that the different techniques integrate fluxes over different spatial scales. Large fluxes measured by chambers may have represented local hotspots, which made a small contribution to the flux derived by the EC method which integrates fluxes over a larger area. The spatial variability from chamber measurements was high as shown by a coefficient of variation of up to 139%. No diurnal pattern of N2O fluxes was observed, possibly due to the small diurnal variations of soil temperature. Calculations of cumulative fluxes showed that different integration methods can introduce a large bias in the estimation of cumulative fluxes and therefore emission factors.