bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is The Food Industry Taking A Proactive Stance On Environmental Issues? Results From An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Segarra-Ona Maria del Val , Miret-Pastor Luis , Peiro-Signes Angel
Published: March 2016

Food industry is the largest industrial sector in both, the EU and the U.S., feature that persists in Spain where it accounts for 17% of total industrial sales, 7% of GDP, and employs over 500,000 people. However, different analysis warn about the loss of competitiveness that this sector can suffer in the next years. In a global economy in which Europe has lost a great part of its price advantage, innovation and, going beyond this term, eco-innovation, is one of the resources that can maintain or increase competitiveness. The aim of the present paper is to make a contribution, trying to understand the role of proactive environmental management tools and incremental organizational eco-innovation in creating value in the Spanish food sector by means of an analysis of the effects of the ISO 14001. We analize the whole industry segmented by size using quantitative methods. The data analysed in this research seem to be in agreement with other studies. Results show that firms with proactive practices exhibited a significantly positive economic performance at the industry analized.
Should The SEC Adopt International Financial Reporting Standards?
Authors: Ehoff Jr. Clemense , Fischer Dov
Published: March 2016

In 2002, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) formally began a process to converge Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). By the end of 2011, the SEC will likely decide on whether to adopt International Financial Reporting Standards as the financial reporting system for U.S. public companies, continue with the convergence project, or reject IFRS altogether. This paper examines the benefits and drawbacks of each option and formulates a recommendation as to which option is in the best interest of U.S. investors.
Design Of A Min-Sum Arborescence With Outage Costs
Authors: Kawatra Rakesh
Published: March 2016

We present an integer programming formulation of the min-sum arborescence with node outage costs problem. The solution to the problem consists of selecting links to connect a set of terminal nodes to a root node with minimal expected annual cost, where the annual cost is the sum of annual links costs and annual outage costs. The links in the network are prone to failure and each terminal node has an associated outage cost, which is the economic cost incurred by the network user whenever that node is disabled from the central node due to failure of a link. We suggest a Lagrangian-based heuristic to get a good solution to this problem. This solution procedure also gives lower bounds to the optimal solution and is used to assess the quality of the heuristic solution. Numerical experiments taken from instances with up to 100 nodes are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed heuristic.
The Strategic Impact Of Environmental Uncertainty And Information Systems Design
Authors: Gilbert, Jr. Arthur H. , Singer Joseph F.
Published: March 2016

For most of this century, strategic planning has been a three-to-five year organizational ritual of measuring the current position of the firm and determining where the firm should go in the future within the context of perceived environmental uncertainty (PEU). It has long been assumed that PEU impacts the strategic choices that drive or-ganizational structure, including information systems design. However, technology has blurred the delineation between strategy and structure, and how organizations deal with PEU. The convergence of these elements has resulted in these causal relationships be-ing questioned and re-examined. Recent research indicates that information systems play such an important role in today's organizations that they may impact the strategy that an organization pursues. This study surveys and examines 148 firms operating in ninety-two different industries. The results indicate that PEU has a significant impact on both strategy and information systems design while information systems design sig-nificantly affects strategy. This is critically important for information systems profes-sionals as it suggests that the design and capabilities of the firm's information system are important considerations in the selection of a firm's strategy.
Implementing The Information Processes Underlying The Sales/Collection Cycle Using Access
Authors: Paquette Laurence R.
Published: March 2016

The objective of this paper is to provide the reader with some exposure as to how accounting information is recorded and processed when a strict relational database approach is implemented. The application described is from the sales/collection cycle and it should provide the information customer with a meaningful Access database exercise that will allow the user to implement the concepts set forth in good database design, as well as the event-driven approach to business technology solutions. The text of this article is excerpted in the form of a student exercise and is included as an Appendix, which can be used as an assignment by the AIS professor.
Implementing A Web-Based System Using Open-Source Software
Authors: Ingram Robert W. , Lunsford Dale L.
Published: March 2016

This paper describes a case to illustrate analysis and design issues involving a multi-tier e-commerce system. The case is designed for use in accounting systems and systems analysis and design courses. The case involves analysis of a sales order system that will be implemented using a web interface and relational database, conceptual design of the system, and implementation of the system. A variety of tasks are involved in the case, but an instructor can select the tasks of relevance in a particular course. Detailed teaching notes are provided with examples of primary deliverables and guidance on implementing the system using open source software.
Best Practices In Operations Executive Information Systems Software Development And Implementation
Authors: Bramorski Tom
Published: March 2016

In this paper we identify best industry practices and current trends in the development and management of software products. We discuss the strategic importance of developing appropriate operational capabilities that are prerequisites for achieving marketing success. We illustrate these concepts with examples from software companies to highlight how they achieved the desired balance between market demands and operational resources. Finally, we highlight the benefits these companies had derived from such an alignment.
Group Collaboration And Group Decision Making Information Technologies In Petroleum Industry
Authors: Desai Alpana M.
Published: March 2016

The technical management of important natural resources such as oil and gas resources is a challenging responsibility that faces oil companies. The increasing global demand for oil and gas coupled with declining oil and gas reserves has forced the oil industry to make significant changes in its business processes. Major oil companies have exploration and production operations that span several continents. Massive amount of data that is generated at all levels in an oil company has to be stored, analyzed and disseminated. In this paper, the changes in the management practices and business processes in the oil industry are traced over the past several decades. The use and application of information technology as change agents is also explored and evaluated. In particular, this paper focuses on the role of visualization centers in the oil and gas industry in revolutionizing effective group decision making that has enabled teams to be more productive, innovative, and outcome-focused.
The connection between academic and athletic performance among elite university student athletes
Authors: Lenténé Puskás Andrea
Published: March 2016

Athletes in higher education are not only expected to produce high level performance but to find the balance between the preparation for post-athletic life and the requirements of the university. The objective of this study is to explore the connections between academic performance and level of sport. Also, to elaborate on the role of relevant policy regulations and institutional support that help elite athletes meet academic requirements. Data collection was conducted by means of online questionnaires involving athletes receiving sport scholarships at the University of Debrecen (N=159). The data from questionnaires were processed by using SPSS 18. Version software. For data analyse four groups were extracted based on level of sport performance and involvement: international elite, division I, division II, division III. The results indicate that the academic performance on the two international elite of sport did not differ from the average, and that these athletes did not experience any difficulties earning course credits at the university while being engaged in doing sport. In most cases, elite athletes did not apply for the various kind of support instruments, thus, they are able to balance athletic preparation and academic requirements without supportive modifications of university policies. The results also shed light on the fact that the academic performance does not only depend on the level of sport and the chosen major at the university, but it is also influenced by the time devoted to study and training, and the sport type (individual or team sport). There are differences observed between athletes participating in individual or team sport concerning the general average of grades, the effectiveness of earning credits, the number of weekly training, as well as the time devoted to training in preparatory and competitive periods. According to the results, the various amount of time devoted to study or sport does not necessarily result in academic performance decline. In addition, results support that athletes do keep academic studies rather important and they are aware that university years are considered to be a significant period in preparation for post-athletic life.

JEL code: Z20
Simulation Based Studies in Software Engineering: A Matter of Validity
Authors: Nicolau de França Breno Bernard , Travassos Guilherme Horta
Published: March 2016

CONTEXT: Despite the possible lack of validity when compared with other science areas, Simulation-Based Studies (SBS) in Software Engineering (SE) have supported the achievement of some results in the field. However, as it happens with any other sort of experimental study, it is important to identify and deal with threats to validity aiming at increasing their strength and reinforcing results confidence. OBJECTIVE: To identify potential threats to SBS validity in SE and suggest ways to mitigate them. METHOD: To apply qualitative analysis in a dataset resulted from the aggregation of data from a quasi-systematic literature review combined with ad-hoc surveyed information regarding other science areas. RESULTS: The analysis of data extracted from 15 technical papers allowed the identification and classification of 28 different threats to validity concerned with SBS in SE according Cook and Campbell’s categories. Besides, 12 verification and validation procedures applicable to SBS were also analyzed and organized due to their ability to detect these threats to validity. These results were used to make available an improved set of guidelines regarding the planning and reporting of SBS in SE. CONCLUSIONS: Simulation based studies add different threats to validity when compared with traditional studies. They are not well observed and therefore, it is not easy to identify and mitigate all of them without explicit guidance, as the one depicted in this paper.
A Cosmética do Sangue: O Baixo Orçamento como Valor nos Filmes de Terror
Authors: Falcão Filipe , Soares Thiago , 10.19174/esf.v0i6.5774 DOI:
Published: March 2016

O lançamento, em 2013, de duas releituras do cinema de terror de baixo orçamento (A Morte do Demônio e O Massacre da Serra Elétrica) nos coloca diante de uma questão ligada à construção do valor no cinema. Discute-se aqui como o gênero terror foi construindo a ideia de que filmes de baixo orçamento endossam uma premissa de medo. Debatemos as releituras dos dois filmes percebendo a “cosmética do sangue”, ou seja, a tentativa de emular o baixo orçamento em produções com aviltantes recursos.
Estética do Fandom: Experiência e performance na música pop
Authors: Mascarenhas Alan , Soares Thiago , 10.19174/esf.v0i6.6156 DOI:
Published: March 2016

Propomos verificar certa “estética dofandom” na música pop através da noçãode performance em locais ritualísticoscomo shows, fóruns, grupos online efísicos. Questões ancoradas na identidade,memória, imaginação, legitimação,disputa, afeto e engajamento corpóreodo fã vêm à tona fornecendo ferramentaspara questionarmos a existência departicularidades que podem constituir umaestética singular na experiência mediadado fandom de música popular massiva.Na margem até do seu próprio espaço depertencimento, o media fandom parecedespontar das frivolidades e exageros damúsica pop com uma questão conceitualtrilhada numa visão empírica: há umaestética particular acionada pela experiênciacorpórea e virtual dos fãs de música pop?
Imagens humanas como imagens do homem: figurações estéticas
Authors: Wulf Christoph , 10.19174/esf.v0i6.6157 DOI:
Published: March 2016

O artigo analisa o processo de imaginaçãoe pensamento humanos que conduz aimagens humanas. Em todas as culturase tempos históricos o ser humano geraimagens de si. Eles precisam de tais imagenspara se investigarem e se compreenderem.Na concentração em um único momentoe na evidência ali sugerida, encontra-sea peculiaridade de uma imagem, mastambém o limite da representação icônica.Assim, imagens humanas sempre sãosimplificações que, justamente devido aseu caráter simplificador, são altamenteeficazes. Nelas, conectam-se desejos,normas e valores. Instituições sociais eculturais como religiões, utopias e visões demundo utilizam-nas para representar suasconcepções de ser humano e ancorá-las noimaginário e nas ações do homem.
National Innovation System of India: The Dynamics of Science and Technology Indicators and Empirical Considerations
Authors: SHERGILL Baldev Singh
Published: March 2016

The present paper is an attempt to explore changing national innovation system of India in the context of conventional measure of national innovation system, science and technology indicators during pre-reform period, 1980-1992 and post reform period, 1993-2006 which reflects the policy change, liberalize license system and science and technology policy in 1991 while extensive economic reforms initiated. The paper undertakes a detailed sketch out of R&D activities across industries, laboratories and institutions. R&D expenditure growth rate in industrial sector, R&D intensity, R&D expenditure by major scientific agencies, growth rates of basic research, applied research, experimental research and other related S&T activities, growth rates of advertising expenditure, new plant and machinery in public and private sector, faculty-wise enrolment in higher education, estimated stock of science and technology personnel, patent filed by different states and patent granted in different fields, subject area-wise research papers, books and technical reports published in different fields from India and comparative trends in IPR granted in India analyzed in a comparative approach. R&D input indicators growth rate turned down in the post reform period as comparative to pre reform period. R&D output indicators boosted during post reform period as relative to pre reform period. It is argued that increase in patent filed and IPR granted over time is basically due to the introduction of IPR regime. 
EL SUSTRATO ELECTORAL COMUNISTA EN ESPAÑA (1977-2012)
Authors: Ruiz-Huerta Carbonell Alejandro
Published: March 2016

Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, que analiza la evolución del voto PCE/IU en elecciones generales, municipales, europeas y autonómicas. Se plantean los antecedentes electorales en la historia española, así como la evolución política que llevó al PCE a incorporarse a IU, como alternativa electoral. Se pretende describir el mapa electoral que corresponde con las candidaturas comunistas, que supone la tercera fuerza política del Estado. Se ofrecen datos significativos, en cantidad y porcentaje sobre los municipios españoles en los que más consistencia ha tenido el voto PCE/IU en España. Dichos estudios nos ofrecen la referencia de esa fuerza política española, con amplios apoyos populares en provincias como Córdoba, Sevilla, Valencia, Barcelona, Madrid y Principado de Asturias. Así puede definirse el ámbito público que da su voto a IU.
MODELOS APLICABLES EN MEDIACIÓN INTERCULTURAL
Authors: Hernández Ramos Carmelo
Published: March 2016

Una concepción inclusiva de la cultura debe necesariamente resaltar su carácter diverso y cambiante. Partiendo de este enfoque, que permite abordar la cuestión migratoria teniendo en cuenta el factor étnico, junto a otros elementos esenciales que vertebran su multidimensionalidad, perfilaremos la mediación intercultural desde la perspectiva de su aplicabilidad en situaciones sociales de multiculturalidad significativa, planteamiento que permite promover la igualdad y el respeto a la diferencia, junto a la interacción positiva entre las partes, poniendo el acento sobre lo que se tiene en común. A tal fin, analizaremos los principales modelos aplicables en mediación intercultural, trazando un perfil del papel del mediador y las características del proceso.
LOS MECANISMOS ALTERNATIVOS DE SOLUCIÓN DE CONTROVERSIAS COMO DERECHO HUMANO
Authors: Cornelio Landero Egla
Published: March 2016

Los Derechos Humanos son los que posee la persona por el solo hecho de serlo, que todas las autoridades, en el ámbito de sus competencias, tienen la obligación de promover, respetar, proteger y garantizar, de conformidad con los principios de universalidad, interdependencia, indivisibilidad y progresividad. El Artículo 17 segundo párrafo de la Constitución Política de México contempla el derecho fundamental de acceso a la justicia como el derecho público subjetivo que toda persona tiene para que se le imparta justicia por tribunales expeditos, dentro de los plazos y términos previstos por las leyes, bajo principios de prontitud, justicia completa e imparcial. En el cuarto párrafo del mismo precepto constitucional a partir de junio de 2008, se han reconocido como un derecho humano para acceder a la justicia los mecanismos alternativos de solución de controversias, que consisten en la negociación, mediación, conciliación y el arbitraje.
LOS CONVENIOS COLECTIVOS COMO HERRAMIENTA PARA ALCANZAR LA IGUALDAD DE GÉNERO EN EL TRABAJO. ESTUDIO DE CASO: LA INDUSTRIA QUÍMICA EN TARRAGONA
Authors: Pontón Merino Paloma , Pastor Gosálbez Inma
Published: March 2016

La igualdad de género y la negociación colectiva son los elementos clave del análisis que se presenta en este artículo. Los convenios colectivos y la negociación colectiva constituyen una de las herramientas para alcanzar el objetivo de la igualdad entre mujeres y hombres en el trabajo. La incorporación de materias de igualdad en los temas de debate negociales es un asunto relativamente nuevo, que resulta clave para la igualdad laboral real. En España, desde 2007, los convenios colectivos han visto crecer exponencialmente las cláusulas relativas a estas materias. Sin embargo, esta incorporación es lenta y limitada. Los cambios en la legislación y los contenidos incorporados en los convenios no dejan de ser medidas funcionales para un sistema basado en la división sexual del trabajo que no está suficientemente cuestionado. En este texto presentamos un análisis de los convenios colectivos de la Asociación Empresarial Química de Tarragona, que demuestran estas afirmaciones.
LA VIOLENCIA CONTRA LAS MUJERES: CONCEPTOS Y CAUSAS
Authors: Yugueros García Antonio Jesús
Published: March 2016

El estudio de la violencia contra las mujeres es de carácter multidisciplinar desde el punto de vista académico, ya que afecta a varios ámbitos de las diferentes ciencias, por ello se hace necesario realizar, previamente, un encuadre metodológico, para no desviarnos del área que se pretenda estudiar. Concretamente, en este artículo, se va a proponer una aproximación al concepto de violencia de género, diferenciándolo de la denominada violencia doméstica. También se expondrán los distintos tipos de violencia que pueden padecer las mujeres, y por último se estudiará la causa última de esta violencia estructural llevada a cabo en el seno de las relaciones de pareja o expareja.
¿POR QUÉ VILLANUEVA DE LOS INFANTES ES EL “LUGAR DE LA MANCHA” EN EL QUIJOTE?
Authors: Parra Luna Francisco
Published: March 2016

Se parte del hecho de que El Ingenioso Hidalgo don Quijote de la Mancha es solo una novela. Se trata sí, de una historia, de un relato ficticio, pero también en tanto que representativa de las primeras novelas realistas, describe sitios, épocas y personajes que correspondían a los siglos XVI y XVII cuando fue concebida o escrita. La Mancha, El Toboso, Barcelona, la expulsión de los moriscos por Felipe III o la mención al bandido Roque Guinart en Cataluña, demuestran que Cervantes estaba describiendo sitios, personajes y épocas reales. ¿Por qué no intentar conocer el “lugar de la Mancha” de donde salió don Quijote? En el presente trabajo, y a partir de diferentes metodologías utilizadas por el autor en trabajos anteriores, se va a pre-verificar que dicho lugar fue Villanueva de los Infantes, en la parte sureste de la provincia de Ciudad Real.
LOS DERECHOS HUMANOS ANTE LAS AMENAZAS DE LAS DEMOCRACIAS DELEGATIVAS. UNA APROXIMACIÓN A LOS CASOS DE VENEZUELA, NICARAGUA Y ECUADOR
Authors: Martínez Moscoso Andrés , Ruiz Guerrero Manuel Francisco
Published: March 2016

El estudio explica la importancia que ha tenido, en los procesos de transición democrática, la constitucionalización de los derechos humanos consagrados en la Convención Americana, conocida como “Pacto de San José”. Nuestro análisis destaca, que los países de Venezuela, Nicaragua y Ecuador, en su proceso de consolidación democrática establecen, en su ley fundamental, la protección de los derechos políticos que aseguran la participación de las personas en la construcción del nuevo Estado. Se efectúa además, un recorrido doctrinal sobre los conceptos y las tipologías de democracias. Se analizan los riesgos de las democracias delegativas, en los países de Venezuela, Nicaragua y Ecuador, así como la necesidad de incrementar los niveles de institucionalidad democrática para la correcta garantía y aplicación de los Derechos Fundamentales consagrados en sus constituciones.
SURCOS SOBRE EL ASFALTO AL 9N METROPOLITANO. REFLEXIÓN DEL FENÓMENO MIGRATORIO ESPAÑOL
Authors: Cortés Martí José Mª
Published: March 2016

El proceso migratorio comportó, para la sociedad de acogida, una transformación de primer orden en la estructura social y económica pero también en el imaginario colectivo. La actual población de nacionalidad española del Barcelonés norte en sus tres cuartas partes proviene de otras regiones españolas, básicamente de Andalucía. En las elecciones europeas del 2014 y en la consulta del 9N se detecta una tendencia de voto distinta al resto del territorio explicada por la variable clase social y en el imaginario de adscripción territorial.
LA CONCESIÓN DE VENTA Y LA COMPETENCIA JUDICIAL INTERNACIONAL
Authors: Cebrián Salvat María Asunción
Published: March 2016

La cuestión de la calificación de los distintos tipos de contratos de distribución a efectos del art. 5.1 del Reglamento Bruselas I bis (actual art. 7.1 Reglamento Bruselas I bis) ha sido muy controvertida en los últimos años tanto jurisprudencial como doctrinalmente. El presente artículo, después de analizar las posiciones existentes en relación con esta cuestión, defiende la postura que ha adoptado recientemente el Tribunal de Justicia de la Unión Europea respecto a un contrato de concesión de venta, esto es, la calificación de los contratos de distribución como contratos de prestación de servicios a cargo del distribuidor.
ALGUNAS APORTACIONES DE LA ASOCIACIÓN CASTELLANO-MANCHEGA DE SOCIOLOGÍA AL DISCURSO SOCIOLÓGICO
Authors: Tardivo Giuliano
Published: March 2016

La Asociación Castellano-Manchega de Sociología celebra su veinte cumpleaños. Ya es hora de balances y de volver a repasar, aunque de forma rápida y no exhaustiva, las principales aportaciones de esta asociación a la sociología española. Los resultados de este estudio demuestran que la ACMS se ha ocupado de teoría, de investigaciones empíricas, de cuestiones metodológicas, de problemas locales y globales.
Plan integral de mantenimiento preventivo en las instalaciones del museo arte contemporaneo-maczul
Authors: Ramírez Leonardo , Sanchéz Miguel , Perozo Alberto
Published: March 2016

La necesidad de preservación de las instalaciones de un museo está unida al atractivo propio del mismo y debe reflejar en todo sentido la naturaleza de la función para la cual fue creado. Para ello se debe tener en cuenta una serie de variables y parámetros según las particulares y exigencias que tienen las edificaciones de los museos, al prestar el servicio para el cual han sido destinados, así como sus elementos más relevantes en cuanto infraestructura y servicios, que va más allá del simple buen estado y funcionamiento de los mismos. En este sentido se ha preparado las bases metodológicas de un modelo de integral mantenimiento para el museo de arte contemporáneo del Zulia (MACZUL) que incluya tanto la preservación de la apariencia física externa de las instalaciones del museo, de los sistemas y bienes que sirvan de apoyo a su labor, así como lo referente al resguardo de las áreas de exposición de las obras, según la naturaleza y materiales de que están elaboradas, de manera que permanezcan en el mejor estado de conservación. En los servicios que se brindan al público, se debe usar las bases de datos como herramienta auxiliar de soporte para el manejo y gestión de la información. El desarrollo de este modelo y la herramienta de apoyo propuesta permiten formular un sistema de manejo de información, suficientemente ágil y flexible, con la aplicación y uso las bases de datos como herramienta básica de soporte para construir la estructura administrativa de gestión de la información del plan de mantenimiento del museo junto a las tareas propias del proceso y estructura del mantenimiento.Un aspecto adicional que amerita particular atención son las condiciones ambientales particularmente críticas a la cual está expuesta la estructura externa del MACZUL, las cuales añaden y promueven un alto grado de corrosión.
Regional variability in water use intensity in China by clustering analysis
Authors: Fan Xinghua , Xu Huihui , Ning Cheng , Wu Liangjie
Published: March 2016

Water use intensity (WUI) reveals water withdrawals with respect to economic output. Decomposing WUI into factors provides inner-system information affecting the indicator. The present study investigates variability in WUI among provinces in China by clustering the principal components of the decomposed factors. Motivated by the index decomposition method, the authors decomposed WUI into seven factors: water use in agricultural, industrial, household and ecological sectors, exploitation rate of water resources, per capita water resources and population intensity. Those seven factors condense into four principal components under application of principal component analysis. Comprehensive WUI is calculated by these four components. Then the cluster analysis is applied to get different patterns in WUI. The principal components and the comprehensive intensity are taken as cluster variables. The number of clusters is determined to be three by applying the k-means clustering method and the F-statistic value. Variability in WUI is detected by implementing three clustering algorithms, namely k-means, fuzzy c-means and the Gaussian mixture model. WUI in China is clustered into three clusters by the k-means clustering method. Characteristics of each cluster are analyzed.
Bacterial composition and nutrient removal with a novel PIA-A2/O sewage treatment
Authors: Dong Li , Yahong Luo , Yanan Cai , Huiping Zeng , Jie Zhang
Published: March 2016

A novel post intermittent aeration anaerobic–anoxic–oxic (PIA-A2/O) process was developed to integrate shortcut nitrification–denitrification with denitrifying phosphorus (P) removal for domestic sewage treatment. With the transformation in configuration and phased start-up strategy, the nitritation rate and the ratio of denitrifying phosphorus accumulating organisms to phosphorus accumulating organisms (DPAO/PAO) were enhanced greatly to 88.2% and 83.9–91.7% in the PIA-A2/O process, respectively. Improved total nitrogen and phosphorus removal were achieved at long sludge retention time and low aeration. High sludge activity was maintained through the periodic selection of the additional intermittent aeration zone. High-throughput sequencing revealed that Bacteroidetes (38.96%), Proteobacteria (33.59%), TM7 (4.53%), Chloroflexi (3.09%), and Firmicutes (2.49%) were the dominant phyla in the resultant bacterial community. Abundant anaerobic and facultative bacteria conducive to excess sludge reduction were generated by this process. Potential DPAOs involve the genera of Brevundimonas, Brachymonas, Steroidobacter, Haliscomenobacter, and Rhodocyclus.
Correlations Between Cardiovascular Autonomic Control Indices During the Two-hour Immobilization Test in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Kiselev A.R. , Shvartz V.A. , Karavaev A.S. , Mironov S.A. , Ponomarenko V.I. , Gridnev V.I. , Prokhorov M.D.
Published: March 2016

Objective:

The aim of the present study was to assess the features of dynamics of cardiovascular autonomic indices and correlations between them during the two-hour immobilization test in healthy subjects.

Methods:

Photoplethysmogram (PPG) and electrocardiogram were recorded simultaneously during the two-hour immobilization test in 14 healthy subjects (5 men and 9 women) aged 29±5 years (mean±SD). Dynamics of heart rate variability (HRV) power spectrum in high-frequency and low-frequency ranges (in ms2 and percents of total spectral power), mean heart rate (HR), and index S of synchronization between 0.1-Hz rhythms in PPG and HR were analyzed.

Results:

Individual dynamics of all studied cardiovascular autonomic indices during the two-hour immobilization test was unique in each healthy subject. Two groups of healthy subjects were identified basing on individual features of autonomic control. The group with initial low level of index S maintained the low level of S during the two-hour immobilization test. The group with initial high index S maintained the high level of S only during the first 100 minutes of test. During the last 20 minutes of test, index S was similar in both groups. Many cardiovascular autonomic indices correlate between themselves for an individual subject, but they do not correlate between the subjects. Multiple regression analysis in each subject has shown a high correlation between mean HR and all other studied autonomic parameters in 57% of subjects (multiple R>0.9, P<0.05). For 204 records analyzed without taking into account the individual features of subjects, the above mentioned correlation was smaller (multiple R=0.45, P<0.001). Index S was found out to be the most independent one among the autonomic indices.

Conclusion:

Cardiovascular autonomic control is characterized by a pronounced variability among healthy subjects and stability in time in each subject. We have not found any regularity in variation of cardiovascular autonomic indices, which is common for the entire group of healthy subjects during the two-hour immobilization test. Mean HR is a summary index of efficiency of heart autonomic control. Index S is the most independent cardiovascular autonomic parameter.
Primary splenic torsion in dogs: 102 cases (1992–2014)
Authors: DeGroot Whitney , Giuffrida Michelle A. , Rubin Jacob , Runge Jeffrey J. , Zide Amy , Mayhew Philipp D. , Culp William T. N. , Mankin Kelley Thieman , Amsellem Pierre M. , Petrukovich Brandi , Ringwood P. Brendon , Case J. Brad , Singh Ameet
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

To determine the percentage of dogs surviving to hospital discharge and identify factors associated with death prior to hospital discharge among dogs undergoing surgery because of primary splenic torsion (PST).

DESIGN

Retrospective case series.

ANIMALS

102 client-owned dogs.

PROCEDURES

Medical records of dogs with a confirmed diagnosis of PST that underwent surgery between August 1992 and May 2014 were reviewed. History, signalment, results of physical examination and preoperative bloodwork, method of splenectomy, concurrent surgical procedures, perioperative complications, duration of hospital stay, splenic histopathologic findings, and details of follow-up were recorded. Best-fit multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify perioperative factors associated with survival to hospital discharge.

RESULTS

93 of the 102 (91.2%) dogs survived to hospital discharge. German Shepherd Dogs (24/102 [23.5%]), Great Danes (15/102 [14.7%]), and English Bulldogs (12/102 [11.8%]) accounted for 50% of cases. Risk factors significantly associated with death prior to hospital discharge included septic peritonitis at initial examination (OR, 32.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1 to 502.0), intraoperative hemorrhage (OR, 22.6; 95% CI, 1.8 to 289.8), and postoperative development of respiratory distress (OR, 35.7; 95% CI, 2.7 to 466.0). Histopathologic evidence of splenic neoplasia was not found in any case.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Results suggested that the prognosis for dogs undergoing splenectomy because of PST was favorable. Several risk factors for death prior to discharge were identified, including preexisting septic peritonitis, intraoperative hemorrhage, and postoperative development of respiratory distress.
Preparedness of small animal veterinary practices to communicate with Spanish-speaking pet owners with limited proficiency in English
Authors: Landau Ruth E. , Beck Alan , Glickman Larry T. , Litster Annette , Widmar Nicole J. Olynk , Moore George E.
Published: March 2016

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the preparedness of small animal veterinary personnel to communicate with Spanish-speaking pet owners with limited English-language proficiency (LEP).

DESIGN

Cross-sectional telephone survey.

SAMPLE

Data from 383 small animal veterinary practices.

PROCEDURES

Telephone surveys were conducted with veterinarians and office or practice managers from a random sample of US small animal veterinary practices in 10 states to estimate the number of Spanish-speaking pet owners with LEP visiting these practices, proportion of practices that used services to facilitate communication with Spanish-speaking clients with LEP, and degree of veterinarian satisfaction with their communication with those clients.

RESULTS

Responses were obtained from 383 of 1,245 (31%) eligible practices, of which 340 (89%) had Spanish-speaking clients with LEP and 200 (52%) had such clients on a weekly basis. Eight percent of practices had veterinary personnel who were conversant or fluent in spoken Spanish. Veterinarians who depended on clients' friends or family to translate were significantly less satisfied with client communication than were those who could converse in Spanish with clients directly. Availability of Spanish-speaking staff and offering of Spanish-language resources were associated with an increase in the number of Spanish-speaking clients with LEP seen on a weekly basis. Industry- and practice-generated Spanish-language materials were offered at 32% (124/383) and 21% (81/383) of practices, respectively; 329 (86%) practices had no Spanish-language marketing.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Opportunities were identified for improving communication with pet owners with LEP in the veterinary clinical setting, which could ultimately positively impact patient well-being and client compliance.
Assessment of maize stem borer damage on hybrid maize varieties in Chitwan, Nepal
Authors: Achhami Buddhi Bahadur , BK Santa Bahadur , Bhandari Ghana Shyam
Published: March 2016

Maize is the second most important cereal crop in Nepal. However, national figure of grain production still remains below than the world's average grain production per unit area. Thus, this experiment was designed to determine the suitable time of maize planting, and to assess the peak period of one of the major insects, maize stem borer, in Chitwan condition. The results showed that plant damage percentage as per the maize planting month varies significantly, and the average plant damage percentage by stem borer was up to 18.11%. Length of the feeding tunnel in maize stem was significantly higher in January than July. In case of exit holes made by borer counted more than four holes per plant that were planted in the month of January. All in all, except the tunnel length measurement per plant, we observed similar pattern in other borer damage parameters such as exit whole counts and plant damage percentage within the tested varieties. Stem borer damage was not significantly affect on grain yield.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):53-63DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34293
Performance evaluation of early maize genotypes in far western hills of Nepal
Authors: Prasai Hari Kumar , Kushwaha Ujjawal Kumar Singh , Joshi Bishnu Prasad , Shrestha Jiban
Published: March 2016

Initial evaluation trial of maize (early) genotypes was carried out at Regional Agricultural Research Station, Doti, Nepal in 2013 and 2014. Total fourteen and fifteen genotypes of early maize were included in initial evaluation experiment of the year 2013 and 2014 respectively. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications in each year. Out of the tested genotypes, SO3TEY/LN, ZM 423 and SO3TEY-FM (ER) identified as promising from statistical analysis over year. All the tested characters were found statistically significant. Similarly, the coordinated varietal trial of maize (early) was also carried out in the same station at 2013 and 2014. Total fourteen genotypes in 2013 and fifteen genotypes in 2015 of maize (early) were included in the experiment. The RCB design was applied and the experiment was replicated three times in every year. ZM 627 and ZM 621/Pool -15 genotypes identified as superior next to Arun-2 from the analysis of two year data. All the tested traits were found statistically significant in over year analysis.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):106-111DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34291
Simulation of growth and yield of rainfed maize under varied agronomic management and changing climatic scenario in Nawalparasi, Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Umesh , Amgain Lal Prasad , Karki Tika Bahadur , Dahal Khem Raj
Published: March 2016

Correction: Figure 3 was corrupted and so the PDF was replaced on 29th December 2016 with the corrected Figure 3.A field experiment and simulation modeling study in combination for different maize cultivars planted at different sowing dates were accomplished at Kawasoti-5, Nawalparasi during spring season of 2013 to assess the impact of climate change scenario as predicted by IPCC in rainfed spring maize by using CSM-CERES-Maize model. Result showed that RML-4/RML-17 produced higher kernel rows/ ear (13.77), kernel per row (30.42) and test weight (244.9 g). Significantly higher grain yield was also found for RML-4/RML-17 (6.03 t/ha) compared to Poshilo makai-1 (4.73 t/ha), Arun-2 (3.55 t/ha) and Local (2.92 t/ha). Earlier sowing date (7th April) actually produced higher kernel/row (27.97), kernel rows/ear (12.89) and 1000 grain weight (230 g). Significantly higher grain yield (5.13t/ha) was obtained in earlier sowing date (7th April). The CSM-CERES-Maize model was calibrated and found well validated with days to anthesis (RMSE= 0.426 day and D-index= 0.998), days to physiological maturity (RMSE=0.674 day and D-index= 0.999), number of grain/m2 at maturity (RMSE= 85.287 grain /m2 and D-index= 0.993), unit weight at maturity (RMSE=0.012 g/kernel and D-index= 0.854) and grain yield (RMSE=54.94 kg/ha and D-index= 1.00). The model was found sensitive to climate change parameters. The sensitivity for various climate change parameter indicated that there was severely decreased trend in simulated rainfed spring maize yield with the increment of maximum and minimum temperature, decrease in solar radiation and decrease carbondioxide concentration. Even 2°C rise in temperature can decrease around 15-20% yield of spring maize and this negative effect was even more pronounced in hybrid than other cultivars.Journal of Maize Research and Development (2015) 1(1):123-133DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.34289
Standing on the Precipice: Evaluating Final-Year Physiotherapy Students' Perspectives of Their Curriculum as Preparation for Primary Health Care Practice
Authors: McMahon Sinead , O'Donoghue Grainne , Doody Catherine , O'Neill Geraldine , Barrett Terry , Cusack Tara
Published: March 2016

Purpose: To explore final-year physiotherapy students' perceptions of primary health care practice to determine (1) aspects of their curriculum that support their learning, (2) deficiencies in their curriculum, and (3) areas that they believe should be changed to adequately equip them to make the transition from student to primary health care professional. Methods: Framework analysis methodology was used to analyze group opinion obtained using structured group feedback sessions. Sixty-eight final-year physiotherapy students from the four higher education institutions in Ireland participated. Results: The students identified several key areas that (1) supported their learning (exposure to evidence-based practice, opportunities to practise with problem-based learning, and interdisciplinary learning experiences); (2) were deficient (primary health care placements, additional active learning sessions, and further education and practice opportunities for communication and health promotion), and (3) required change (practice placements in primary health care, better curriculum organization to accommodate primary health care throughout the programme with the suggestion of a specific primary health care module). Conclusion: This study provides important insights into physiotherapy students' perceptions of primary health care. It also provides important indicators of the curriculum changes needed to increase graduates' confidence in their ability to take up employment in primary health care.
The Art of Capture
Authors: Swancutt Katherine
Published: March 2016

Anthropology has, among its many accomplishments, become a ‘hyper-reflexive’ discipline that is mastered by anthropologists and their fieldwork friends. Today’s China offers an especially revealing lens onto anthropological reflexivity as it reintroduces animism among ethnic minorities and mobilizes a cosmological-cum-ecological ethos, replete with soul-searching and planet-saving behaviors. This article presents ethnography on the Nuosu of Southwest China, who use the ‘art of capture’ to reinvent local animistic ideas and the Chinese ‘ideology of animism’. In dialogue with a Nuosu ethnologist, rural Nuosu villagers, and a Nuosu anthropologist, I propose that ‘hidden’ knowledge and jokes underpin the expositions of native scholars, who interlace their academic work with local rituals. In this way, Nuosu academics, foreign anthropologists, and villagers all partake in the reinvention of Nuosu animism.
An Efficient One-Pot Synthesis of 2-Amino-1,3,4-Selenadiazoles
Authors: Li Xue , Gan Bin , Xie Tinghui , Yang Ping , Xie Yuanyuan
Published: March 2016

An efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-amino-1,3,4-selenadiazoles from isoselenocyanates, hydrazine hydrate and aromatic aldehydes has been developed. This approach provides a simple, mild and facile way to construct various derivatives in moderate to good yields (57–82%). A plausible mechanism is proposed for the formation of the target products.
Isokinetic exercise improves concentric knee flexion torque better than isometric exercise in patients with advanced osteoarthritis
Authors: Çakır T. , Toraman N.F. , Uçkun A. , Yalçın Ü
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Although exercise is recommended for knee osteoarthritis, to the best of our knowledge there have been no studies comparing isometric and isokinetic exercise in relation to the degree of osteoarthritis.

OBJECTIVE:

To compare the effectiveness of isokinetic and isometric exercise programs in terms of pain, physical function and muscle strength in relation to the severity of knee osteoarthritis.

METHOD:

A total of 73 females, aged 50-65 years with bilateral Grade II(n= 36) and Grade III (n= 37) knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned to an isokinetic [Grade II (n= 19), Grade III (n= 18)], or isometric exercise group [Grade II (n= 17), Grade III (n= 19)]. The isokinetic groups underwent a concentric strengthening program at 90°/s and 120°/s once per day, and the isometric groups underwent an isometric strengthening program at 3 times per day for 15 days. Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, ultrasound and hot packs were applied for all groups. The primary outcome measure was pain evaluated by visual analogue scale and secondary outcome measures of Western Ontario {&} McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index, sit-stand, standing-up from a chair and 15-m walking, ascend/descend stairs, and concentric flexor and extensor peak torque at 90, 120, 180 and 300°/s were measured in all patients before and after 15 days of treatment.

RESULTS:

A significant difference was determined between the isokinetic grade III group and the isometric grade III group adjusted to baseline values at 15 days post-treatment in respect of flexion peak torque value at 120°/s.The change in the peak torque value in the isokinetic grade III group was greater than that of the the isometric grade III group (108%, 59%, respectively). No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in the other outcome measures and isokinetic peak torque values at different velocities.

CONCLUSION:

The concentric flexion torque at 120°/s improved more in the isokinetic grade III group than in the isometric grade III group.
Drop in mechanical work: A highly reliable fatigue-related output in Wingate All-out Test
Authors: Pekünlü Ekim , Ozkaya Ozgur , Yapicioglu Bulent
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND:

Mathematical procedures involved in the calculation of fatigue index (FI) and power drop (PD) are the main reasons why these traditional fatigue-related indices of Wingate All-out Test (WAT) are the least reliable indices.

OBJECTIVE:

To suggest a highly reliable fatigue-related output calculated by drop in mechanical work production (DMW).

METHODS:

Twenty-one well-trained male athletes (age: 21.8 ± 1.9 years, peak power [PP]: 14.7 ± 1.3 W ⋅ kg - 1) participated in a series of WAT sessions, using 10% of their body mass as the workload, separated by 2-4 days. These WAT sessions were continued until the difference in PP between successive trials was less than 5%. Traditional FI and PD values were calculated using mean power data obtained from 5, 3, 2 and 1-second time intervals and using instantaneous power data, while DMW was calculated by predetermined areas in power-time curve.

RESULTS:

Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and coefficient of variations (CV) revealed that DMW had higher reliability level (ICC = 0.92, CV = 4.53%) than that of traditional fatigue-related indices (ICC ≤ 0.91, CV ≥ 5.71%). In addition, DMW had the lowest limit of ``real change'' with 10.2% as the minimum detectable change score at 90% confidence.

CONCLUSIONS:

DMW might be used as a reliable output to evaluate fatigue-related power data of the anaerobic capability. Besides, Monark Inc. may easily modify its Peak Bike 894E software to make 30-second all-out test more reliable for the assessment of fatigability levels.