bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
O papel do transporte rodoviário de carga em Uberlândia, epicentro logístico do setor atacadista-distribuidor
Authors: Huertas Daniel Monteiro
Published: November 2014

Em análise estruturada a partir da teoria do espaço geográfico e dos circuitos da economia urbana, este artigo pretende demonstrar as peculiaridades e dinâmicas territoriais que corroboram a inserção do ponto nodal de Uberlândia (MG) como uma das centralidades da rede geográfica do transporte rodoviário de carga, cuja configuração territorial é composta por linhas e nodais que em seu conjunto expressam a organização e estruturação desta atividade na formação socioespacial brasileira. Além disso, evidenciam um processo de seletividade espacial que privilegiou certos pontos e áreas em detrimento de outros, demarcado pela concentração e atuação de seus agentes. A pesquisa conclui que a inserção de Uberlândia na rede geográfica proposta se dá por causa da estreita relação entre os agentes do transporte rodoviário de carga e do setor atacadista-distribuidor.
Responsabilidade ambiental e lealdade de clientes em banco de varejo
Authors: Santos Patrick Michel Finazzi , Porto Rafael Barreiros
Published: November 2014

Pesquisadores têm sugerido a validade da introdução da gestão ambiental às estratégias de marketing, contudo nenhuma atenção foi dada à predição da lealdade de clientes de instituições financeiras em decorrência dos posicionamentos ambientais de seus bancos. O objetivo da pesquisaé mensurar se a percepção de clientes pessoas físicas de que um banco de varejo no Brasil é ambientalmente responsável explica a satisfação, a confiança e as lealdades atitudinal e comportamental. Desenvolveu-se um estudo empírico de natureza descritiva, cujos dados foram coletados por meio de uma survey em uma amostra de 914 correntistas de um banco de varejo no Brasil e analisados pela Modelagem de Equações Estruturais. A percepção do consumidor de que um banco de varejo é ambientalmente responsável explicou a satisfação e a confiança. A satisfação foi mais relevante na estimação da lealdade atitudinal do que a confiança, contudo tanto satisfação quanto confiança não explicaram a lealdade comportamental.
Desempenho de fusões e aquisições cross border: análise empírica do caso brasileiro
Authors: Bortoluzzo Adriana Bruscato , Garcia Maria Pia de Siqueira , Boehe Dirk Michael , Sheng Hsia Hua
Published: November 2014

Este artigo tem como objetivo investigar se as aquisições realizadas por empresas brasileiras fora do País nos últimos 15 anos têm aumentado o desempenho financeiro dessas empresas. Além disso, é realizada uma análise empírica dos fatores determinantes desse sucesso, com base nas teorias institucional, sociocultural e de aprendizagem organizacional. Os resultados indicam que, de fato, as investidas cross border de companhias do Brasil melhoram o desempenho, que é positivamente impactado quando a distância cultural entre os países da adquirida e da adquirente é baixa ou média e quando o ambiente institucional no qual a empresa-alvo se encontra é desenvolvido. Já a relação entre as experiências anteriores das brasileiras em fusões ou aquisições internacionais e o desempenho de uma nova aquisição fora do País segue o formato de U invertido, enfatizando a relevância de se considerar a experiência com fusões e aquisições da empresa compradora além das características institucionais dos seus países-alvo.
Potential of biogas production from swine manure supplemented with glycerine waste
Authors: Konrad Odorico , Koch Fabio F. , Lumi Marluce , Tonetto Jaqueline F. , Bezama Alberto
Published: November 2014

In this study, was studied the biogas generation from swine manure, using residual glycerine supplementation. The biogas production by digestion occurred in the anaerobic batch system under mesophilic conditions (35°C), with a hydraulic retention time of 48 days. The experiment was performed with 48 samples divided into four groups, from these, one was kept as a control (without glycerin) and the other three groups were respectively supplemented with residual glycerine in the percentage of 3%, 6% and 9% of the total volume of the samples. The volume of biogas was controlled by an automated system for reading in laboratory scale and the quality of the biogas (CH4) measured from a specific sensor. The results showed that the residual glycerine has high potential for biogas production, with increases of 124.95%, 156.98% and 197.83% in the groups 3%, 6% and 9%, respectively, relative to the sample control. However, very high organic loads can compromise the process of digestion affecting the quality of the biogas generated in relation to methane.
Crescimento e componentes de produção da mamoneira sob estresse salino e adubação nitrogenada
Authors: Lima Geovani S. de , Nobre Reginaldo G. , Gheyi Hans R. , Soares Lauriane A. dos A. , Silva Alexsandro O. da
Published: November 2014

Esta pesquisa foi realizada com o propósito de avaliar o crescimento e os componentes de produção da mamoneira cv. BRS Energia sob diferentes níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação e de doses de nitrogênio em condições de campo, no Neossolo Regolítico eutrófico típico de textura franco-arenosa, no município de Pombal - PB, em delineamento de blocos ao acaso, testando-se cinco níveis de salinidade da água de irrigação-CEa (0,4-controle, 1,4; 2,4; 3,4 e 4,4 dS m-1) e cinco doses de N (50; 75; 100; 125 e 150 mg kg-1), em esquema fatorial 5 x 5, com três repetições. O aumento da CEa, a partir de 0,4 dS m-1, promoveu redução do número de folhas (NF), da altura de planta (AP), do diâmetro de caule (DC), da massa seca da parte aérea (MSPA), do comprimento do racemo (CRP), do comprimento efetivamente ocupado pelas flores femininas (CREFF), do número de sementes (NSRP) no racemo primário e da produção total de sementes (PSemT) da cultivar estudada. A interação entre salinidade da água e doses de nitrogênio foi significativa para NF, DC, MSPA, CRP e CE do extrato de saturação do solo (CEes), tendo as doses crescentes de nitrogênio atenuado o efeito negativo da salinidade, até o nível de 2,4 dS m-1. A CEes aumentou em função da CEa e das doses de N.
Yield of cotton/cowpea and sunflower/cowpea crop rotation systems during the reclamation process of a saline-sodic soil
Authors: Sousa Carlos H. C. de , Lacerda Claudivan F. de , Silva Francisco L. B. da , Neves Antonia L. R. , Costa Raimundo N. T. , Gheyi Hans R.
Published: November 2014

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of subsoiling, gypsum and organic matter associated with the cultivation of cotton, sunflower and cowpea in crop rotation, seeking the reclamation and use of a saline-sodic soil. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design in split plots with four replications, during two crop cycles (2009/2010 and 2010/2011). The plots were formed by the treatments: T1. Subsoiling (S); T2. S + 20 Mg ha-1 of gypsum; T3. S + 40 Mg ha-1 of organic matter; T4. S + 10 Mg ha-1 of gypsum + 20 Mg ha-1 of organic matter; T5. S + 20 Mg ha-1 of gypsum + 40 Mg ha-1 of organic matter and the sub-plots consisted of the cotton-cowpea (C/CP) and sunflower-cowpea (S/CP) crop rotation. The use of gypsum and organic matter contributed to decrease the soil salinity and sodicity. Cotton was not affected by the treatments, while the sunflower crop was favored by the application of amendments only in the second production cycle. Higher yields of cowpea in T5 treatment, during the 2009/2010 cycle, are indicative that higher doses of gypsum and organic matter applied in this treatment accelerate the reclamation process. For other treatments with amendment application there was a beneficial effect for this crop only in the second cycle, when the values of productivity were similar to T5.
Bartlett-Lewis of rectangular pulse modified model: estimate of parameters for simulation of precipitation in sub-hourly duration
Authors: Teixeira-Gandra Claudia F. A. , Damé Rita de Cássia F.
Published: November 2014

The Bartlett-Lewis Rectangular Pulse Modified (BLPRM) model simulates the precipitous slide in the hourly and sub-hourly and has six parameters for each of the twelve months of the year. This study aimed to evaluate the behavior of precipitation series in the duration of 15 min, obtained by simulation using the model BLPRM in situations: (a) where the parameters are estimated from a combination of statistics, creating five different sets; (b) suitability of the model to generate rain. To adjust the parameters were used rain gauge records of Pelotas/RS/Brazil, which statistics were estimated - mean, variance, covariance, autocorrelation coefficient of lag 1, the proportion of dry days in the period considered. The results showed that the parameters related to the time of onset of precipitation (λ) and intensities (μx) were the most stable and the most unstable were ν parameter, related to rain duration. The BLPRM model adequately represented the mean, variance, and proportion of the dry period of the series of precipitation lasting 15 min and, the time dependence of the heights of rain, represented autocorrelation coefficient of the first retardation was statistically less simulated series suitability for the duration of 15 min.
Mathematical modeling applied to the growth of tilapia in net cages in the sub middle of the São Francisco river
Authors: Sousa Júnior José de A. de , Garrido Marlon da S. , Carvalho Paulo G. S. de , Rocha Luciano G. da , Campeche Daniela F. B.
Published: November 2014

This study aimed to apply mathematical models to the growth of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) reared in net cages in the lower São Francisco basin and choose the model(s) that best represents the conditions of rearing for the region. Nonlinear models of Brody, Bertalanffy, Logistic, Gompertz, and Richards were tested. The models were adjusted to the series of weight for age according to the methods of Gauss, Newton, Gradiente and Marquardt. It was used the procedure "NLIN" of the System SAS® (2003) to obtain estimates of the parameters from the available data. The best adjustment of the data were performed by the Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic models which are equivalent to explain the growth of the animals up to 270 days of rearing. From the commercial point of view, it is recommended that commercialization of tilapia from at least 600 g, which is estimated in the Bertalanffy, Gompertz and Logistic models for creating over 183, 181 and 184 days, and up to 1 Kg of mass , it is suggested the suspension of the rearing up to 244, 244 and 243 days, respectively.
Proliferação das #hashtags: lógica da ciência, discurso e movimentos sociais contemporâneos
Authors: Costa-Moura Fernanda
Published: November 2014

Considerando a eclosão das manifestações acontecidas em junho de 2013 no Brasil, relacionada à comunicação corrente nas chamadas 'redes sociais', o artigo aborda a problematização introduzida pela operação científica para a sustentação do lugar do sujeito no campo discursivo. Examinam-se alguns dos novos expedientes de encadeamento do laço social disponibilizados no meio eletrônico-digital, para discutir os modos de representação que nossa contemporaneidade atravessada pela ciência oferece à subjetividade.
La confiabilidad de la información en Internet: criterios declarados y utilizados por jóvenes estudiantes mexicanos
Authors: Kriscautzky Marina , Ferreiro Emilia
Published: November 2014

La frecuencia del uso de Internet con propósitos de estudio entre jóvenes y niños pone de relieve la necesaria utilización de criterios de confiabilidad propios del medio. El tema es motivo de preocupación en el ámbito educativo y ha sido investigado, principalmente, con encuestas de opción múltiple. La originalidad del presente trabajo consiste en diseñar y aplicar un instrumento que permite un acercamiento a las discordancias entre datos de carácter declarativo y datos próximos a las decisiones a tomar en un contexto de acción. El TICómetro® es una encuesta en línea aplicada a 628 estudiantes mexicanos, entre 14 y 18 años de edad. Cuatro de las veintiséis preguntas del cuestionario son analizadas. Una de ellas remite a una lista de criterios para evaluar la confiabilidad de la información (opción múltiple); las otras tres preguntas exigen la selección de sitios Web confiables, con base en imágenes tomadas de Internet (screen shots). Es una situación más próxima a la búsqueda real en pantalla que permite contrastar los criterios declarados con los efectivamente utilizados. El análisis estadístico de los datos muestra que los criterios declarados no coinciden con los utilizados a la hora de seleccionar sitios Web confiables, en ambos grupos de edad. Sin embargo, aparecen diferencias significativas entre los dos grupos de edad en lo que concierne a los criterios enunciados. Otra contribución del presente trabajo consiste en proponer un nuevo agrupamiento de los datos declarativos, utilizando la distinción clásica entre texto y paratexto, proveniente de la teoría literaria, con los ajustes necesarios para tratar textos informativos en el espacio digital.
A Nationwide Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study of the Risk of Uterine, Ovarian and Breast Cancer in Women With Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
Authors: Shen Cheng-Che , Yang Albert C. , Hung Jeng-Hsiu , Hu Li-Yu , Tsai Shih-Jen
Published: November 2014

Background.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is one of the most common endocrine disorders among women of reproductive age. We used a nationwide population-based retrospective cohort study to explore the relationship between PCOS and the subsequent development of gynecological cancers including uterine, breast, or ovarian cancer.

Methods.

We identified subjects who were diagnosed with PCOS between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2004, in the Taiwan National Health Insurance (NHI) Research Database. A comparison cohort was constructed for patients without known PCOS who were also matched according to age. All PCOS and control patients were observed until diagnosed with breast cancer, ovarian cancer, or uterine cancer or until death, withdrawal from the NHI system, or December 31, 2009.

Results.

The PCOS cohort consisted of 3,566 patients, and the comparison cohort consisted of 14,264 matched control patients without PCOS. The adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of uterine cancer and breast cancer in subjects with PCOS were higher (HR: 8.42 [95% confidence interval: 1.62–43.89] and HR: 1.99 [95% confidence interval: 1.05–3.77], respectively) than that of the controls during the follow-up. With the Monte Carlo method, only the mean adjusted HR of 1,000 comparisons for developing uterine cancer during the follow-up period was greater for the PCOS group than for the control groups (HR: 4.71, 95% confidence interval: 1.57–14.11).

Conclusion.

PCOS might increase the risk of subsequent newly diagnosed uterine cancer. It is critical that further large-scale, well-designed studies be conducted to confirm the association between PCOS and gynecological cancer risk.
O planejamento tributário na construção civil: custo pago/incorrido x custo orçado
Authors: Alves Cristiane Cardoso dos Santos , Ricarte Jádson
Published: November 2014

Artigo desenvolvido sob a ótica do planejamento tributário nas empresas de construção civil, tendo como parâmetro as Instruções Normativas números 84/79, 23/83 e 67/88, expedidas pela Secretaria da Receita Federal, que disciplinam a apuração do resultado desse ramo de atividade. Na Instrução Normativa 84/79 encontra-se a conceituação e as normas sobre o assunto, inclusive os métodos de apuração do custo pago incorrido e do custo orçado. As instruções seguintes trouxeram alterações no âmbito do custo pago incorrido e do custo orçado respectivamente. O presente artigo tem como finalidade demonstrar que o custo orçado é a melhor opção para o recolhimento do imposto de renda e contribuição social no decorrer da construção do empreendimento, conclusão chegada por meio de análise das referidas instruções, pesquisas bibliográficas sobre o assunto e exemplos didáticos com cálculos do imposto e contribuição, para comprovar a tese.
Custos na prestação de serviço público de saúde do município de São João do Oeste - SC: um estudo empírico
Authors: Eyerkaufer Marino Luiz , Boff Marines Lucia , Olinquevitch José Leônidas , Gauer Judite Rasch Bracht
Published: November 2014

Objetiva-se identificar o custo da prestação de serviço público do transporte de pacientes para fora do Município da Secretaria da Saúde de São João do Oeste – SC, visando concluir pela sua manutenção sob responsabilidade direta do município, ou então, pela sua terceirização. Trata-se de um estudo teórico eempírico, que se caracteriza como descritivo e quantitativo. Por meio de coleta documental, chegou-se aos dados numéricos municipais, como viagens realizadas, pacientes transportados, veículos utilizados neste transporte e mão-de-obra direta e indireta, envolvidas neste tipo de prestação de serviço nos meses de abril, maio, junho e julho de 2006. Aplicou-se questionário às empresas do setor, interessadas em prestar o serviço de forma terceirizada. Para atender ao objetivo proposto e dar sustentação ao tema, buscou-se na literatura conceitos de: contabilidade, contabilidade de custo, análise de custos, prestação de serviços, sistemas de custo, métodos de custeio, contabilidade pública, serviços públicos, terceirização, terceirização no setor público e saúde pública. Conclui-se, por meio da pesquisa, que o custo da prestação do serviço público de transporte de pacientes da Secretaria Municipal de Saúde de São João do Oeste - SC é elevado, porém, está abaixo do custo orçado para a terceirização, devendo a municipalidade  optar pela manutenção do serviço.
The Relation between Managerial Ability and Audit Fees and Going Concern Opinions
Authors: Krishnan Gopal V. , Wang Changjiang
Published: November 2014

While prior research has examined the relation between firm-level attributes and auditors' decisions, there is little empirical evidence on whether managerial attributes are informative to auditors. We examine the relation between managerial ability, i.e., ability in transforming corporate resources to revenues, and audit fees and a going concern opinion. We use the managerial ability measure recently developed by Demerjian, Lev, and McVay (2012). We find that incremental to firm-level attributes, both audit fees and the likelihood of issuing a going concern opinion are decreasing in managerial ability. Collectively, our findings support the notion that managerial ability is relevant to auditors' decisions.
Facilitating Brainstorming: Impact of Task Representation on Auditors' Identification of Potential Frauds
Authors: Chen Wei , Khalifa Amna Saeed , Trotman Ken T.
Published: November 2014

Individual auditor brainstorming is an important input to group brainstorming. In a setting where multiple potential frauds exist, we examine the effect of brainstorming task representation (simultaneous versus sequential unpacking of potential frauds) on individual auditors' identification of potential frauds and fraud risk assessments. Results from an experiment with experienced auditors show that the sequential unpacking of the brainstorming task into risk categories (potential frauds identified for each category individually) leads to a greater quantity and quality of potential frauds identified by auditors compared to the simultaneous unpacking (potential frauds identified for the categories together). Additional analysis suggests that the positive effect of sequential unpacking on the quality of frauds identified persists when auditors subsequently receive frauds identified by other team members. We also find a potential negative effect of sequential unpacking as it reduces auditors' fraud risk assessments thus potentially reducing the level of professional skepticism.

Data Availability: Contact the authors.
Exercise Ameliorates Insulin Resistance via Ca2+ Signals Distinct From Those of Insulin for GLUT4 Translocation in Skeletal Muscles
Authors: Park Dae-Ryoung , Park Kwang-Hyun , Kim Byung-Ju , Yoon Chung-Su , Kim Uh-Hyun
Published: November 2014

Muscle contraction and insulin induce glucose uptake in skeletal muscle through GLUT4 membrane translocation. Beneficial effects of exercise on glucose homeostasis in insulin-resistant individuals are known to be due to their distinct mechanism between contraction and insulin action on glucose uptake in skeletal muscle. However, the underlying mechanisms are not clear. Here we show that in skeletal muscle, distinct Ca2+ second messengers regulate GLUT4 translocation by contraction and insulin treatment; d-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/nicotinic acid adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) and cyclic ADP-ribose/NAADP are main players for insulin- and contraction-induced glucose uptake, respectively. Different patterns of phosphorylation of AMPK and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II were shown in electrical stimuli (ES)- and insulin-induced glucose uptake pathways. ES-induced Ca2+ signals and glucose uptake are dependent on glycolysis, which influences formation of NAD(P)-derived signaling messengers, whereas insulin-induced signals are not. High-fat diet (HFD) induced a defect in only insulin-mediated, but not ES-mediated, Ca2+ signaling for glucose uptake, which is related to a specifically lower NAADP formation. Exercise decreases blood glucose levels in HFD-induced insulin resistance mice via NAADP formation. Thus we conclude that different usage of Ca2+ signaling in contraction/insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle may account for the mechanism by which exercise ameliorates glucose homeostasis in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study: Rationale, Findings, and Future Directions
Authors: Hamman Richard F. , Bell Ronny A. , Dabelea Dana , D’Agostino Ralph B. , Dolan Lawrence , Imperatore Giuseppina , Lawrence Jean M. , Linder Barbara , Marcovina Santica M. , Mayer-Davis Elizabeth J. , Pihoker Catherine , Rodriguez Beatriz L. , Saydah Sharon
Published: November 2014

The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth (SEARCH) study was initiated in 2000, with funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and support from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, to address major knowledge gaps in the understanding of childhood diabetes. SEARCH is being conducted at five sites across the U.S. and represents the largest, most diverse study of diabetes among U.S. youth. An active registry of youth diagnosed with diabetes at age <20 years allows the assessment of prevalence (in 2001 and 2009), annual incidence (since 2002), and trends by age, race/ethnicity, sex, and diabetes type. Prevalence increased significantly from 2001 to 2009 for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes in most age, sex, and race/ethnic groups. SEARCH has also established a longitudinal cohort to assess the natural history and risk factors for acute and chronic diabetes-related complications as well as the quality of care and quality of life of persons with diabetes from diagnosis into young adulthood. Many youth with diabetes, particularly those from low-resourced racial/ethnic minority populations, are not meeting recommended guidelines for diabetes care. Markers of micro- and macrovascular complications are evident in youth with either diabetes type, highlighting the seriousness of diabetes in this contemporary cohort. This review summarizes the study methods, describes key registry and cohort findings and their clinical and public health implications, and discusses future directions.
Mechanism of Action, Efficacy and Safety of Emergency Hormonal Contraception (levonorgestrel and ulipristal acetate) and Attitudes of Pharmacists
Authors: Milosavljević Jelena , Ilić Katarina , Krajnović Dušanka
Published: November 2014

Emergency hormonal contraception is used to prevent unintended pregnancy postcoitally. The mechanism of action of the most frequently used hormonal preparations for emergency contraception, levonorgestrel (LNG) and ulipristal acetate (UPA), is still not fully known, but clinical trials indicate that they act by inhibiting or delaying ovulation. LNG has a long history of use for emergency contraception, proven safety and high efficacy if administered in the preovulation period. The newest emergency contraceptive, UPA, available only with a prescription, is indicated within this period of 120 hours after sexual intercourse and the data indicate that UPA does not lose efficacy within this period. Clinical trials showed its noninferiority versus LNG and its effect on the potentially occurring pregnancy is being additionally monitored. However, many misconceptions and controversial opinions about emergency contraception are still present, even among pharmacists. A search of Medline database identified 20 papers published from January 1993 to December 2012, on pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and practices related to emergency contraception. In these papers, the attitudes of pharmacists pertaining to the dispensing regime of emergency contraception were different. Research in Australia has shown that personal attitudes and religious convictions influence the practice of dispensing emergency contraception. In the research conducted in New Mexico, 30% of pharmacists were against prescribing emergency contraception for religious or moral reasons. There were no published data in regards to pharmacists’ knowledge, attitudes and dispensing practice in Serbia and such research is highly recommended.
Quality of Life in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Spasić Ana , Radovanović Radmila Veličković , Đorđević Aleksandra Catić , Stefanović Nikola , Cvetković Tatjana
Published: November 2014

The presence of diabetes mellitus leads to a decrease in life quality in all domains. The aim of our study was to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) in diabetic patients and the factors affecting it in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients.

We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 86 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, in the territory of the City of Niš. Health-related QOL of patients was measured using the short form survey (SF-36) that produces an 8-scale health profile.

The average duration of diabetes was 12.76±8.08 years. The best QOL in all areas was observed in patients diagnosed with diabetes less than 10 years ago p<0.05) and younger than 65 years. Male respondents perceived a better QOL compared to women, especially in the vitality and pain domains. The patients with comorbidity (93.64%) had lower QOL score in all domains. There was no significant difference in the QOL of patients with diabetes compared to the level of education.

High QOL represents an ultimate goal and an important outcome of all medical interventions in diabetic patients. Factors related to lower QOL included: older age, female gender, and existence of comorbidities. Uncontrolled diabetic patients had a lower QOL than controlled diabetics.
Examination of zinc adsorption capacity of soils treated with different pyrolysis products
Authors: Rétháti Gabriella , Vejzer Adrienn , Simon Barbara , Benjared Ramadan , Füleky György
Published: November 2014

Organic matter input into soils is essential regarding agricultural, environmental and soil science aspects as well. However, the application of the pyrolysed forms of biochars and materials with different organic matter content gained more attention in order to decrease the emission of the green house gases (CO2, N2O) from the soil. During pyrolysis, the materials containing high organic matter (biomass-originated organic matter) are heated in oxygen-free (or limited amount of oxygen) environment. As a result, the solid phase, which remains after eliminating the gases and liquid phase, is more stable compared to the original product, it cannot be mineralized easily in the soil and its utilization is more beneficial in terms of climatic aspects. Furthermore, it can improve soil structure and it can retain soil moisture and cations in the topsoil for long periods of time, which is very important for plants. In our experiment, the effects of biochar and bone char were examined on soils by zinc adsorption experiments. Based on our experiments, we concluded that the pyrolysis products can have significant Zn adsorption capacity compared to the soil. Bone ash can adsorb more Zn than the charcoal product. The Zn adsorption capacity of soils treated by pyrolysis products can be described by Langmuir adsorption isotherms. However, based on the amount of pyrolysis products, one or two term Langmuir isotherm fits well on the experiment data, which depends on the time the pyrolysis product has spent in the soil.
Monitoring the degradation of partly decomposable plastic foils
Authors: Rétháti Gabriella , Pogácsás Krisztina , Heffner Tamás , Simon Barbara , Czinkota Imre , Tolner László , Kelemen Ottó , Vargha Viktória
Published: November 2014

We have monitored the behaviour of different polyethylene foils including virgin medium density polyethylene (MDPE), MDPE containing pro-oxydative additives (238, 242) and MDPE with pro-oxydative additives and thermoplastic starch (297) in the soil for a period of one year. A foil based on a blend of polyester and polylactic acid (BASF Ecovio) served as degradable control. The experiment was carried out by weekly measurements of conductivity and capacity of the soil, since the setup was analogous to a condenser, of which the insulating layer was the foil itself. The twelve replications allowed monthly sampling; the specimen taken out from the soil each month were tested visually for thickness, mechanical properties, morphological and structural changes, and molecular mass. Based on the obtained capacity values, we found that among the polyethylene foils, the one that contained thermoplastic starch extenuated the most. This foil had the greatest decrease in tensile strength and elongation at break due to the presence of thermoplastic starch. The starch can completely degrade in the soil; thus, the foil had cracks and pores. The polyethylene foils that contained pro-oxydant additives showed smaller external change compared to the virgin foil, since there was no available UV radiation and oxygen for their degradation. The smallest change occurred in the virgin polyethylene foil. Among the five examined samples, the commercially available BASF foil showed the largest extenuation and external change, and it deteriorated the most in the soil.
Rigid Polyurethane Foam Thermal Insulation Protected with Mineral Intumescent Mat
Authors: Kirpluks Mikelis , Cabulis Ugis , Zeltins Viesturs , Stiebra Laura , Avots Andris
Published: November 2014

One of the biggest disadvantages of rigid polyurethane (PU) foams is its low thermal resistance, high flammability and high smoke production. Greatest advantage of this thermal insulation material is its low thermal conductivity (λ), which at 18-28 mW/(m•K) is superior to other materials. To lower the flammability of PU foams, different flame retardants (FR) are used. Usually, industrially viable are halogenated liquid FRs but recent trends in EU regulations show that they are not desirable any more. Main concern is toxicity of smoke and health hazard form volatiles in PU foam materials. Development of intumescent passive fire protection for foam materials would answer problems with flammability without using halogenated FRs. It is possible to add expandable graphite (EG) into PU foam structure but this increases the thermal conductivity greatly. Thus, the main advantage of PU foam is lost. To decrease the flammability of PU foams, three different contents 3%; 9% and 15% of EG were added to PU foam formulation. Sample with 15% of EG increased λ of PU foam from 24.0 to 30.0 mW/(m•K). This paper describes the study where PU foam developed from renewable resources is protected with thermally expandable intumescent mat from Technical Fibre Products Ltd. (TFP) as an alternative to EG added into PU material. TFP produces range of mineral fibre mats with EG that produce passive fire barrier. Two type mats were used to develop sandwich-type PU foams. Also, synergy effect of non-halogenated FR, dimethyl propyl phosphate and EG was studied. Flammability of developed materials was assessed using Cone Calorimeter equipment. Density, thermal conductivity, compression strength and modulus of elasticity were tested for developed PU foams. PU foam morphology was assessed from scanning electron microscopy images.
Design of Nonwoven Carpets to Upgrade Sound Isolation Features in Automobiles
Authors: Atakan Raziye , Karakaş Hale , Sezer Serdar , İpek Süleyman , Aravi İpek , Yıldırım Cansu , Şen Ezgi
Published: November 2014

With the increases of the expected properties of textile products, better and advanced new designs are being created. Textiles used in vehicles are increasing, and the current performance of the expectations bar is determined by automobile manufacturers. While meeting the expectations of users in the vehicle mechanically, but also disturbing the user during operation of the mechanical properties of this ratio should be minimized. This study was intended to minimize sound transmission of nonwoven textile components, which are used in cars as silencer parts. For that purpose, four different models were developed in this study. First model consists of three designs for baggage carpets. Second model has six designs for floor coverings. Third model comprises two designs inner dash felt and finally fourth model includes two designs of hood liners. The acoustical absorption coefficients and transmission loss of these carpets were tested and evaluated in the frequency range of 16-6300 Hz. The measurements demonstrated that nonwoven layer is a very significant and effective part of a carpet due to its contribution in the sound isolation. With this study, it has been determined which layer has better performance on sound absorption and transmission loss among different carpet types. A combination of heavy layer and nonwoven layer carpets is found to be benefit for noise and sound insulation.
Experimental Researches Regarding the Ecological Dyeing with Natural Extracts
Authors: Budeanu Ramona , Curteza Antonela , Radu Cezar Doru
Published: November 2014

The concept of ‘environmental awareness’ has recently had a major impact on the textile industry and on the fashion world as well. In this context, the use of natural fibres and the development of natural dyeing processes gradually became important goals of the textile industry. Of all natural textile fibres, hemp is considered to be one of the strongest and most durable. A wide range of natural extracts have been used for natural textile coloration and dyeing. Dyes deriving from natural sources have emerged as an important alternative to synthetic dyes. Ecofriendly, nontoxic, sustainable and renewable natural dyes and pigments have been used for colouring the food substrate, leather, wood, natural fibres and fabrics from the dawn of human history. The purpose of the research is to obtain ecologically coloured fabrics for textiles by using a method of dyeing that relies on natural ingredients extracted from red beet, onion leaves and black tea. The experiments are conducted on three different types of hemp fabrics. This paper presents the results of the studies regarding the dyeing process of hemp fabrics with natural extracts, the colours of the dyed samples inspected with reflectance spectra and the CIE L*a*b* colour space measurements.
Germination and Growth in Control and Primed Seeds of Pepper as Affected by Salt Stress
Authors: Aloui H. , Souguir M. , Latique S. , Hannachi C.
Published: November 2014

Salinity is an important abiotic stress which can affect crop production in the world. One of the simplest methods for improving salinity tolerance of plants is seeds priming. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of seeds priming with three solutions (KCl , NaCl and CaCl2) in germination and later growth of three pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) cultivars: Beldi, Baklouti and Anaheim Chili. Seeds germination was conducted in a completely randomized design under seven salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g L-1) at room temperature for primed and control seeds. Plants derived from these germinated seeds (control and primed) were transplanted and cultivated in a greenhouse for 4 months and were irrigated permanently with seven salinity levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 g L-1). The results showed that salinity affected all parameters under study like total germination percentage and chlorophyll level (a and b). As well, proline content increased as response to increasing salinity. The plants derived and grown from primed seeds showed a considerable tolerance to salt stress and gave better results. In fact, priming improved the salt resistance of pepper owing to more chlorophyll and proline accumulation. These results suggest that seed priming induced possible physiological adjustments in pepper seeds, especially in the early stages of development, and could be used as a suitable tool for improving germination and growth characteristics under salt stress conditions.
Cursed with patriotism. The educational potential of enslavement (Polish society in the Russian Partition of Poland in the first half of the 19th century)
Authors: Jędrychowska Barbara
Published: November 2014

The paper presents the educational space of Polish homes and schools during the Partitions of Poland, with emphasis on its crucial role in the process of integration of the young generation, the birth of solidarity among them, and shaping their national and civic identity. Especially the Enlightenment ideas of the Commission of National Education (Komisja Edukacji Narodowej – KEN) that were to be found in the course books of the Wilno Educational District from 1803 to 1832 made it possible to perpetuate the model of patriotic education originated in family homes.
Educational ideals of the founders of Christian Schools in Poland and its application
Authors: Kucharska Anna Maria
Published: November 2014

The article elaborates on the fundamental educational ideals of Christian schools founders, as well as its applications in the context of non-state schooling. It is based on the research material gathered in the interviews and content analysis of schools documents. Researched schools are directly or indirectly connected with Protestantism in Poland and UK. Comprehensive and wide-ranging results are shown, reflecting inconsistent environment of Christian schooling in Poland after 1989.
“I get paid for my American accent”: the story of one Multilingual English Teacher (MET) in Japan
Authors: Galloway Nicola
Published: November 2014

The flourishing research being published in the Global Englishes paradigm is increasing awareness of how English is used as a global lingua franca in international contexts. Such research has a number of implications for the English Language Teaching (ELT) industry, particularly in Expanding Circle countries, such as Japan where English is no longer being learnt as a mere ‘foreign’ language. However, the Native English Speaker (NES) episteme continues to dominate and, despite increasing calls for curriculum change, including the employment of more Non-native English Speaking Teachers (NNESTs) or Multilingual English Teachers (METs), NESs continue to fill teaching positions worldwide, perpetuating stereotypes about ‘correct’ and ‘standard’ English. The current study investigates the implementation of curriculum change at the practical level, aiming to investigate the experiences of NNESTs teaching outside of their home context in Japan. Despite calls for the employment of such teachers, who may serve as better role models for students than a monolingual NES, little research has been conducted with NNESTs teaching outside of their home countries. This study aims to fill this gap. It is part of a larger study, which includes longitudinal data collection with several participants in different countries (n=20), including practicing and pre-service teachers, via interviews, diaries and focus groups. This article reports the first interview documenting the experience of one multilingual NNEST in Japan, who has been forced to take on a ‘fake American’ identity. This single narrative provides insights into the experience of this teacher, highlighting the number of obstacles to implementing curriculum reform in the Japanese context. It provides preliminary insights into the identity of METs and the strategies they employ to maintain authority and legitimacy in the classroom.
Summary of Occurrence and Taxonomy of Silicified
Agathoxylon-Type of Wood in Late Paleozoic Basins of the
Czech Republic
Authors: Mencl Václav , Bureš Jan , Sakala Jakub
Published: November 2014

The late Paleozoic deposits in several basins in the Czech Republic are well
known for their abundance of silicified stems. Despite the fact they have been
known since 19th century, there are few modern works of this material. The stems
have been known to occur at several stratigraphic levels. During the course of
recent field work such material has been found at additional levels. Most of
them belong to the genus Agathoxylon, divided here into two
types: cordaitalean plants and conifers. Based on previous data from Intra
Sudetic and Pilsen Basins, and new material from Krkonoše Piedmont and
Kladno-Rakovník Basins, this work compiles and compares the occurrence,
anatomical features and taxonomy of silicified Agathoxylon-type of stems through
four studied areas. The various cordaitalean - conifer ratio among all basins
reflect different palaeoenvironment in each of them.
Index of Fossiliferous Localities of the TŘenice Formation
(Lower Ordovician of the Prague Basin, Czech Republic)
Authors: Kraft Jaroslav , Mergl Michal , Hroch Tomáš , Kraft Petr
Published: November 2014

Twenty nine fossiliferous localities of the Třenice Formation are
described. As we were able to find they represent all fossil sites ever been
described from that basal unit of the Prague Basin. Based on critical evaluation
of the previously published data fossil taxa from all relevant publications are
summa-rized and historic names used for the localities are mentioned. Updated
lists of fauna are compiled for each locality as well as for the formation as a
whole.
Factors Influencing IPO Decisions. Do Corporate Managers Use Market and Corporate Timing? A Survey
Authors: Szyszka Adam
Published: November 2014

This paper explores the motives for Initial Public Offerings (IPOs); that is, whether market mispricing or the behavioral inclinations of investors and analysts impact corporate decisions about rising equity, with a particular focus on market and corporate timing practices of managers going public. To do so, an anonymous survey was conducted of 166 managers of firms that recently went public at the Warsaw Stock Exchange in Poland (being the second most active IPO market in Europe, after London). The resulting data reveals that managers attempt to time bullish markets and good historical corporate financial results.
Inflammasome activation by danger signals: extracellular ATP and pH
Authors: Takenouchi Takato , Tsukimoto Mitsutoshi , Hashimoto Makoto , Kitani Hiroshi
Published: November 2014

Extracellular ATP has been recognized as a danger signal that alerts the innate immune system. High extracellular concentrations of ATP can trigger the maturation and secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., interleukin-1β and interleukin-18) through the inflammasome-dependent activation of caspase-1. The P2X7 receptor, an ATP-gated cation channel, plays a pivotal role in ATP-induced NLRP3 inflammasome assembly. Recently, intriguing evidence has emerged that acidic extracellular pH acts as a danger signal that activates inflammasomes. Extracellular acidification frequently occurs at sites of inflammation, infection, or injury. In addition, large amounts of ATP are readily released into the extracellular space from damaged cells at such sites. Thus, it is assumed that the ATP/P2X7 receptor pathway regulates the inflammatory response under acidic extracellular conditions. Here, we briefly discuss the mutual effects of extracellular ATP and pH on inflammasome activation and consider their roles in the regulation of inflammation.
Physical properties of unproductive soils of Northern China
Authors: Malik Zaffar , Akbar Malik Muhammad , Yu-Tong Zong , Sheng-Gao Lu
Published: November 2014

.The general characteristics: particle size distribution, pH, cation exchange capacity, organic matter content, total NPK, surface area; and physical properties: coefficient of linear extensibility, tensile strength, shear strength and cracking, were investigated in unproductive soils of Northern China. Principle component analysis showed that tensile strength, cohesion, cracking characteristics, clay content, cation exchange capacity and coefficient of linear extensibility were positively correlated with each other, whereas negatively correlated with angle of friction, indicating that these properties were subjected to clay % and smectite content. These correlations might be mainly responsible for low productivity (low yields) in Northern China.
Business Client Segmentation in Banking Using Self-Organizing Maps
Authors: Bach Mirjana Pejić , Juković Sandro , Dumičić Ksenija , Šarlija Nataša
Published: November 2014

Segmentation in banking for the business client market is traditionally based on size measured in terms of income and the number of employees, and on statistical clustering methods (e.g. hierarchical clustering, k-means). The goal of the paper is to demonstrate that self-organizing maps (SOM) effectively extend the pool of possible criteria for segmentation of the business client market with more relevant criteria, including behavioral, demographic, personal, operational, situational, and cross-selling products. In order to attain the goal of the paper, the dataset on business clients of several banks in Croatia, which, besides size, incorporates a number of different criteria, is analyzed using the SOM-Ward clustering algorithm of Viscovery SOMine software. The SOM-Ward algorithm extracted three segments that differ with respect to the attributes of foreign trade operations (import/export), annual income, origin of capital, important bank selection criteria, views on the loan selection and the industry. The analyzed segments can be used by banks for deciding on the direction of further marketing activities.
Forest Cover Changes and Land Use Dynamics in Oluwa Forest Reserve, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Orimoogunje Oluwagbenga O. I.
Published: November 2014

This study examined the extent of resource use and the level of degradation consequent upon land use. Three distinctive trends were observed in terms of forest and land cover dynamics. These are forest degradation, deforestation and regeneration. The paper integrated both, topographical map of 1969 and satellite imageries from Landsat MSS 1972, and Landsat TM 1991 and 2000 with ground truthing and socio-economic surveys to assess changes in forest resource use and land cover in South-western Nigeria. The satellite images were analysed using ILWIS software version 3.4. Based on ground truth data and remotely sensed data, the study area was classified into five categories using the supervised maximum likelihood classification technique. The accuracy assessment was carried out on the remotely sensed data. A total of 30 points for each dataset were selected for this operation and the overall accuracy of 90%, 86.7% and 85% respectively was obtained from the three image datasets. Results showed three dominant ecological communities in Oluwa Forest Reserve while two effects of changes on species were identified. The first was the replacement of what could be considered as the original species by other species tolerant to the ‘new’ ecosystem. The other was the reduction in the range of the original species that could be found. This was an indication that the area had been fragmented comparing to its original status. Results suggest that resource utilization and land cover change dynamically over time. The study also revealed that the creation of forest reserve to restrict local access and resource use would have been an effective tool for regulating encroachment and logging activities if there was an effective enforcement of regulation. It is therefore obvious that the main aim of environmental management should be the protection of the natural living space of humankind and integration of environmental scarcity in making decision on all economic issues and activities.