bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abscisic Acid Regulates Root Elongation Through the Activities of Auxin and Ethylene inArabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Thole Julie M , Beisner Erin R , Liu James , Venkova Savina V , Strader Lucia C
Published: May 2014

Abscisic acid (ABA) regulates many aspects of plant growth and development, including inhibition of root elongation and seed germination. We performed an ABA resistance screen to identify factors required for ABA response in root elongation inhibition. We identified two classes of Arabidopsis thaliana AR mutants that displayed ABA-resistant root elongation: those that displayed resistance to ABA in both root elongation and seed germination and those that displayed resistance to ABA in root elongation but not in seed germination. We used PCR-based genotyping to identify a mutation in ABA INSENSITIVE2 (ABI2), positional information to identify mutations in AUXIN RESISTANT1 (AUX1) and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE2 (EIN2), and whole genome sequencing to identify mutations in AUX1, AUXIN RESISTANT4 (AXR4), and ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE ROOT1/PIN-FORMED2 (EIR1/PIN2). Identification of auxin and ethylene response mutants among our isolates suggested that auxin and ethylene responsiveness were required for ABA inhibition of root elongation. To further our understanding of auxin/ethylene/ABA crosstalk, we examined ABA responsiveness of double mutants of ethylene overproducer1 (eto1) or ein2 combined with auxin-resistant mutants and found that auxin and ethylene likely operate in a linear pathway to affect ABA-responsive inhibition of root elongation, whereas these two hormones likely act independently to affect ABA-responsive inhibition of seed germination.
Building Effective Relationships for Community-Engaged Scholarship in Canadian Food Studies
Authors: Andrée Peter , Chapman Dayna , Hawkins Louisa , Kneen Cathleen , Martin Wanda , Muehlberger Christina , Nelson Connie , Pigott Katherine , Qaderi-Attayi Wajma , Scott Steffanie , Stroink Mirella
Published: May 2014

How can community-engaged scholars best undertake grounded, policy-relevant, food systems research and teaching in ways that support the capacity of—and meaningfully build on—the experiences of civil society organizations working on these issues in Canada? This paper analyzes four case studies in the context of a research project that brings together members of the Canadian Association for Food Studies and Food Secure Canada. One case was led by Region of Waterloo Public Health and faculty from the University of Waterloo; a second by the Food Security Research Network at Lakehead University in Thunder Bay and the North Superior Workforce Planning Board; a third by the national student organization Meal Exchange and Ryerson University in Toronto; and a fourth by the BC Food Systems Network. We argue that the answer to the question above lies in establishing respectful relationships and recognizing the different cultures involved, and we offer five methodological insights for building effective relationships in practice. The first is the need to disaggregate the concept of ‘community’ in order to acknowledge the distinct needs and assets of the diverse organizations and populations involved. Our second and third insights are linked: Establish the relationship around a shared vision, and then negotiate mutually-beneficial teaching or research projects. Fourth, practitioners should approach community-campus engagement through the framework of contextual fluidity, which includes seeing the relationships and the vision at the heart of the work, while remaining open to shifts and new opportunities. Finally, adopting community capacity building practices helps practitioners realize their shared vision.
Reflections on Foodsheds in Three Continents
Authors: Friedmann Harriet
Published: May 2014

I have been thinking for a while now about the intriguing concept of foodshed in changing urban food regions. As the world becomes more urban, North and South, new fora, such as the International Urban Food Network—with the Toronto Food Policy Council as partner—reflect this shift of reimagining relations between urban and rural. Canadian experience has a specific place in the practice of emerging city food regions, one it shares with other places of European colonial settlement (and displacement of indigenous land use), but also one in which urban food regions have pioneered policies bridging the rural-urban divide.
The Industrial Diet by Anthony Winson
Authors: Pilson Julie
Published: May 2014

Anthony Winson, a professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology at the University of Guelph, has written or co-authored several books that explore agriculture, food and the food system in both North and Central America. These books include: Coffee and Democracy in Modern Costa Rica (1989), The Intimate Commodity (1993), and Contingent Work, Disrupted Lives: Labour and Community in the New Rural Economy (2002, with Belinda Leach). His most recent book builds on his previous analysis of the food industry by exploring the political, social, economic and technological factors that shape and influence the human diet—and have led to the proliferation of a nutritionally compromised human diet at a global scale. The Industrial Diet: The degradation of food and the struggle for healthy eating is a book best suited to an educated—though not necessarily academic—audience. Anybody with an interest in the current food industry, human health, diet and nutrition, or in the fascinating history of the food system, will find something of interest.
Maintaining peace across ethnic lines: New lessons from the past
Authors: Jha Saumitra
Published: May 2014

This policy overview draws upon two studies, one theoretical and one empirical, to explore lessons from medieval Indian Ocean trade for supporting ethnic tolerance in contemporary settings. The overview begins by sketching a model of inter-ethnic trade and violence in environments where there are 'local' and 'non-local' ethnic groups. The model suggests that three conditions are necessary to support peaceful coexistence between these groups over time: Complementarities between groups, a high cost to replicate or expropriate the source of another group's complementarity, and a mechanism to share the gains from inter-group exchange. The article then describes how these conditions were satisfied among Hindu and Muslim traders in medieval Indian ports from the rise of Islam to European ascendance in the 17th century. The article characterizes the institutions that emerged to bolster religious tolerance in these towns during the medieval period and that continued to support religious tolerance two centuries after the decline of Muslim dominance in overseas trade. Finally, the article draws lessons from the theory and India's institutional legacy to understand why ethnic tolerance fails and how tolerance may be fostered in contemporary settings.
Eculizumab in Anti-Factor H Antibodies Associated With Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Diamante Chiodini Benedetta , Davin Jean-Claude , Corazza Francis , Khaldi Karim , Dahan Karin , Ismaili Khalid , Adams Brigitte
Published: May 2014

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a life-threatening multisystemic condition often leading to end-stage renal failure. It results from an increased activation of the alternative pathway of the complement system due to mutations of genes coding for inhibitors of this pathway or from autoantibodies directed against them. Eculizumab is a monoclonal antibody directed against complement component C5 and inhibiting the activation of the effector limb of the complement system. Its efficacy has already been demonstrated in aHUS. The present article reports for the first time the use of eculizumab in a patient presenting with aHUS associated with circulating anti–complement Factor H autoantibodies and complicated by cardiac and neurologic symptoms. Our observation highlights the efficacy of eculizumab in this form of aHUS not only on renal symptoms but also on the extrarenal symptoms. It also suggests that eculizumab should be used very promptly after aHUS presentation to prevent life-threatening complications and to reduce the risk of chronic disabilities. To obtain a complete inhibition of the effector limb activation, the advised dosage must be respected. After this initial therapy in the autoimmune aHUS form, a long-term immunosuppressive treatment should be considered, to prevent relapses by reducing anti–complement Factor H autoantibody plasma levels.
Eculizumab as First-Line Therapy for Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome
Authors: Christmann Martin , Hansen Matthias , Bergmann Carsten , Schwabe Dirk , Brand Jörg , Schneider Wilfried
Published: May 2014

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a genetic, life-threatening, chronic disease that can affect patients of all ages. aHUS is caused by uncontrolled complement activation due to genetic defects of complement regulation. Plasma exchange or infusion has been used to manage aHUS and may transiently maintain hematologic variables in some patients, but as the underlying complement dysregulation persists, end-stage renal disease or death occurs in 33% to 40% of patients during the first clinical manifestation. Here we present a pediatric case showing that first-line eculizumab treatment successfully blocked the progression of thrombotic microangiopathy in aHUS.
Cryptic Activity of Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome and Eculizumab Treatment
Authors: Belingheri Mirco , Possenti Ilaria , Tel Francesca , Paglialonga Fabio , Testa Sara , Salardi Stefania , Ardissino Gianluigi
Published: May 2014

Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare, life-threatening disease often related to uncontrolled complement activation. The use of eculizumab has changed the management and the outcome of aHUS, becoming the frontline treatment of the acute disease and for the prevention of relapses. We report the case of a male patient with aHUS due to complement factor H gene mutation who was shifted from plasmatherapy to eculizumab for preventing disease relapses. The shift to eculizumab was associated with a significant decrease in proteinuria, revealing disease activity otherwise unsuspected, being the classic criteria of disease activity (platelet, haptoglobin, LDH, schistocytes), all in the normal range.

The condition of proteinuria as the only sign of thrombotic microangiopathy activity is here designated as “cryptic activity of aHUS.”
Corrosion Evaluation of Rust Converter and Microcrystalline Wax on Cannon Balls from San Juan de Ulua Fortress
Authors: Orozco-Cruz R. , Ambros-Peralta M. , Galvan-Martinez R. , Reyes-Trujeque J.
Published: May 2014

One of the main problems encountered by curators and conservators in charge of metallic collections from Historical Heritage is related to their long-term conservation, since metallic artifacts undergo corrosion phenomena, which are the result of the interaction between the metal and its environment. The use of rust converters and microcrystalline waxes can be an ecological alternative to the traditional and more aggressive conservation techniques. Although the mechanism of action of these compounds is not clear, it is assumed that they react with iron oxides and generate new compounds that may have a passivation effect on the metallic surface. This paper proposes to show how simple electrochemical techniques can be used as an efficient tool to contribute to the diagnosis of the conservation state of cannon balls and to monitor the restoration treatment. The objective of the present work is to evaluate the effectiveness of a rust converter based on tannins and phosphoric acid, and one microcrystalline wax applied on cannon balls samples exposed to a marine atmosphere. The protection properties of the oxide or conversion layer are evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) technique. The results obtained suggest that the use of the rust converter and microcrystalline wax protects the cannon balls, even though its effect is less evident when the deterioration degree is larger.
Anchorage of naturally corroded bars in reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Tahershamsi Mohammad , Zandi Kamyab , Lundgren Karin , Plos Mario
Published: May 2014

The bond properties of naturally corroded reinforced concrete members were experimentally investigated. Thirteen specimens were taken from the northern edge beam of Stallbacka Bridge, a girder bridge in Sweden. The specimens exhibited different levels of corrosion-induced damage, including concrete cracking and cover spalling. The damage was carefully documented and the specimens were tested in suspended four-point bending tests. Their general behaviour was monitored through measurements of applied loads and vertical deflections. At the same time, the local anchorage behaviour was recorded at the end regions. The test results showed around 5% lower anchorage capacity for damaged specimens compared with the reference ones. The residual bond strength was studied with respect to the observed damage. These tests, and artificial corrosion results from the literature, indicate that the bond strength decreased with increasing maximum splitting crack widths. However, the bond capacity was higher for the naturally corroded specimens. The results thus show an obvious difference between artificial and natural corrosion, and furthermore indicate that the provisions given in fib Model Code 2010 are on the safe side. These test results contribute to further knowledge regarding the structural behaviour of corroded reinforced concrete structures. predict the crack extension resistance curve of concrete with reasonable accuracy.
Climatic amplification of the numerical response of a predator population to its prey
Authors: Bowler Berlinda , Krebs Charles , O'Donoghue Mark , Hone Jim
Published: May 2014

We evaluated evidence of an effect of climate on the numerical response of a coyote (Canis latrans) population to their keystone prey, snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus), in a Canadian boreal forest. Six a priori hypotheses of the coyote numerical response were developed that postulated linear, nonlinear, additive, and interactive effects of prey and climate. Model selection procedures showed the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) had the strongest effect on the coyote numerical response via its interaction with snowshoe hare density, while other large‐scale climate indices had very weak effects. For a given snowshoe hare density, a negative value of the NAO amplified the abundance of coyote and a positive NAO decreased coyote abundance. We hypothesize that the coyote numerical response is ultimately determined by the coyote functional response influenced by winter conditions determined by the NAO.
Drivers of carabid functional diversity: abiotic environment, plant functional traits, or plant functional diversity?
Authors: Pakeman Robin J. , Stockan Jenni A.
Published: May 2014

Understanding how community assembly is controlled by the balance of abiotic drivers (environment or management) and biotic drivers (community composition of other groups) is important in predicting the response of ecosystems to environmental change. If there are strong links between plant assemblage structure and carabid beetle functional traits and functional diversity, then it is possible to predict the impact of environmental change propagating through different functional and trophic groups. Vegetation and pitfall trap beetle surveys were carried out across twenty four sites contrasting in land use, and hence productivity and disturbance regime. Plant functional traits were very successful at explaining the distribution of carabid functional traits across the habitats studied. Key carabid response traits appeared to be body length and wing type. Carabid functional richness was significantly smaller than expected, indicating strong environmental filtering, modulated by management, soil characteristics, and by plant response traits. Carabid functional divergence was negatively related to plant functional evenness, while carabid functional evenness was positively correlated to plant functional evenness and richness. The study shows that there are clear trait linkages between the plant and the carabid assemblage that act not only through the mean traits displayed, but also via their distribution in trait space; powerful evidence that both the mean and variance of traits in one trophic group structure the assemblage of another.
Experimental and mensurative data on the abundance of primary producers and consumers from intertidal habitats in Canada
Authors: Watt Cortney A. , Scrosati Ricardo A.
Published: May 2014

Our data set describes the abundance of seaweeds and invertebrates found in rocky intertidal habitats on the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada. One subset of data resulted from a manipulative experiment that tested the effects of macroalgal ecosystem engineers (Ascophyllum nodosum and Fucus spp.) on the richness, diversity, and composition of understory communities along the environmental stress gradient that occurs across elevations because of tides. Abundance data for all understory taxa are provided for 120 quadrats that characterized two macroalgal canopy treatments (canopy vs. no canopy) and three elevation zones (high, middle, and low). Another subset of data resulted from a mensurative study done regionally based on four locations spanning 350 km of coastline. Data from that study describe the abundance of seaweeds (including the canopy‐forming species mentioned above) and invertebrates found at three elevation zones (high, middle, and low) for a total of 1170 quadrats. Both the manipulative experiment and the mensurative study revealed that intertidal macroalgal canopies affect the structure of benthic communities at high and middle elevations (where the canopies ameliorate the otherwise harsh conditions during low tides) but have no effects at low elevations (where conditions remain mild during low tides due to short aerial exposures). Because of its taxonomic amplitude and coverage of a wide environmental stress gradient, our data set is potentially useful to address in novel or infrequent ways other broad ecological issues, such as abundance–occupancy relationships, species co‐occurrence, species abundance distributions, dominance and rarity, spatial scales of population and community variability, and distribution of phylogenetic diversity.
Extragroup copulation in a small and isolated Alouatta guariba clamitans population
Authors: Decker Elisa Brod , Bicca-Marques Júlio César
Published: May 2014

No abstract
Occurrence of Callicebus bernhardi in Rolim de Moura, Rondônia, Brazil
Authors: Quintino Erika Patrícia , Bicca-Marques Júlio César
Published: May 2014

No abstract
Effects of injection of acetic acid and propionic acid for total phosphorus removal at high temperature in enhanced biological phosphorus removal process
Authors: Ki C. Y. , Kwon K. H. , Kim S. W. , Min K. S. , Lee T. U. , Park D. J.
Published: May 2014

In summer, wastewater treatment plant total phosphorus (TP) removal efficiency is low in South Korea. The reason is because of high temperatures or significant fluctuation of inflow characteristics caused by frequent rainfall. Hence, this study tried to raise TP removal efficiency by injecting fixed external carbon sources in real sewage. Polyphosphate accumulating organisms (PAOs) and glycogen accumulating organisms (GAOs) compete to occupy microorganisms at high temperature. Propionate is known to restrain GAOs. Thus, acetate and propionate were chosen as the external carbon source in this study to find out the suitable volume and ratio of carbon source which ensured the dominance of PAOs. An external carbon source was supplied in the anaerobic reactor of the biological phosphorus removal process at high temperature (above 25 °C). TP removal efficiency was improved by injecting an external carbon source compared to that without an external carbon source. Also, it remained relatively stable when injecting an external carbon source, despite the variation in temperature. TP removal efficiency was the highest when injecting acetate and propionate in the proportion of 2:1 (total concentration as chemical oxygen demand (COD) is 12 mg/L in influent).
Enantioselective analysis and fate of polycyclic musks in a water recycling plant in Sydney (Australia)
Authors: Wang L. , Khan S. J.
Published: May 2014

Synthetic polycyclic musks (PCMs) Galaxolide (HHCB), Tonalide (AHTN), Phantolide (AHDI), Traseolide (ATII) and Cashmeran (DPMI) are chiral chemicals that are commonly used in washing product industries as racemic mixtures. The major source of PCMs in municipal wastewater is from personal care and household products. Recent studies have shown that PCMs may enhance the relative toxicity of other environmental chemicals by inhibiting cellular xenobiotic defence systems. High sensitivity enantioselective analysis of these compounds enables improved characterisation of the environmental persistence and fate of PCMs, distinguishing between individual enantiomers so that a more complete understanding of environmental risks tributed by individual enantiomers may be obtained. Concentrations of PCMs through the various treatment stages of an advanced water recycling plant in Sydney were investigated to assess the removal of these chemicals. Average concentrations of HHCB, AHTN, AHDI, ATII and DPMI in influent were: 2,545, 301, 2, 5 and 33 ng L−1, respectively. In the final effluent, AHDI, ATII and DPMI were not detected, while HHCB and AHTN were still measured at concentrations of 21 and 2 ng L−1. No significant enantioselective transformation was detected during biological or advanced treatment processes.
Modelling start-up performance of anaerobic digestion of saline-rich macro-algae
Authors: Hierholtzer A. , Akunna J. C.
Published: May 2014

Some of the key factors affecting the adaptation of anaerobic digestion processes to increasing levels of salinity were determined in batch tests using brown seaweed as a feedstock. It was found that cultures seeded with non-saline anaerobic inoculum required an adaptation period of up to two months to reach the same level of methane production rate as in those cultures seeded with saline-adapted inoculum. The Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 (ADM1) was modified to include an extra inhibition function to account for the effect of salinity, and calibrated using a set of experimental data obtained from batch biochemical methane potential tests. After calibration, the model was able to accurately predict methane production rates. Thus, the results show that, in the absence of saline-adapted inoculum, non-saline inoculum can be used for the start-up of anaerobic digestion systems treating saline-rich feedstocks.
Treatment of tunnel wash water and implications for its disposal
Authors: Hallberg M. , Renman G. , Byman L. , Svenstam G. , Norling M.
Published: May 2014

The use of road tunnels in urban areas creates water pollution problems, since the tunnels must be frequently cleaned for traffic safety reasons. The washing generates extensive volumes of highly polluted water, for example, more than fivefold higher concentrations of suspended solids compared to highway runoff. The pollutants in the wash water have an affinity for particulate material, so sedimentation should be a viable treatment option. In this study, 12 in situ sedimentation trials were carried out on tunnel wash water, with and without addition of chemical flocculent. Initial suspended solids concentration ranged from 804 to 9,690 mg/L. With sedimentation times of less than 24 hours and use of a chemical flocculent, it was possible to reach low concentrations of suspended solids (<15 mg/L), PAH (<0.1 μg/L), As (<1.0 μg/L), Cd (<0.05 μg/L), Hg (<0.02 μg/L), Fe (<200 μg/L), Ni (<8 μg/L), Pb (<0.5 μg/L), Zn (<60 μg/L) and Cr (<8 μg/L). Acute Microtox® toxicity, mainly attributed to detergents used for the tunnel wash, decreased significantly at low suspended solids concentrations after sedimentation using a flocculent. The tunnel wash water did not inhibit nitrification. The treated water should be suitable for discharge into recipient waters or a wastewater treatment plant.
Ion chromatography as highly suitable method for rapid and accurate determination of antibiotic fosfomycin in pharmaceutical wastewater
Authors: Zeng Ping , Xie Xiaolin , Song Yonghui , Liu Ruixia , Zhu Chaowei , Galarneau Anne , Pic Jean-Stéphane
Published: May 2014

A rapid and accurate ion chromatography (IC) method (limit of detection as low as 0.06 mg L−1) for fosfomycin concentration determination in pharmaceutical industrial wastewater was developed. This method was compared with the performance of high performance liquid chromatography determination (with a high detection limit of 96.0 mg L−1) and ultraviolet spectrometry after reacting with alizarin (difficult to perform in colored solutions). The accuracy of the IC method was established in the linear range of 1.0–15.0 mg L−1 and a linear correlation was found with a correlation coefficient of 0.9998. The recoveries of fosfomycin from industrial pharmaceutical wastewater at spiking concentrations of 2.0, 5.0 and 8.0 mg L−1 ranged from 81.91 to 94.74%, with a relative standard deviation (RSD) from 1 to 4%. The recoveries of effluent from a sequencing batch reactor treated fosfomycin with activated sludge at spiking concentrations of 5.0, 8.0, 10.0 mg L−1 ranging from 98.25 to 99.91%, with a RSD from 1 to 2%. The developed IC procedure provided a rapid, reliable and sensitive method for the determination of fosfomycin concentration in industrial pharmaceutical wastewater and samples containing complex components.
Optimal design activated sludge process by means of multi-objective optimization: case study in Benchmark Simulation Model 1 (BSM1)
Authors: Chen Wenliang , Yao Chonghua , Lu Xiwu
Published: May 2014

Optimal design of activated sludge process (ASP) using multi-objective optimization was studied, and a benchmark process in Benchmark Simulation Model 1 (BSM1) was taken as a target process. The objectives of the study were to achieve four indexes of percentage of effluent violation (PEV), overall cost index (OCI), total volume and total suspended solids, making up four cases for comparative analysis. Models were solved by the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm in MATLAB. Results show that: ineffective solutions can be rejected by adding constraints, and newly added objectives can affect the relationship between the existing objectives; taking Pareto solutions as process parameters, the performance indexes of PEV and OCI can be improved more than with the default process parameters of BSM1, especially for N removal and resistance against dynamic NH4+-N in influent. The results indicate that multi-objective optimization is a useful method for optimal design ASP.
Performance evaluation and a sizing method for hydrodynamic separators treating urban stormwater runoff
Authors: Lee D. H. , Min K. S. , Kang J.-H.
Published: May 2014

This study reports on 6 years of performance monitoring of stormwater hydrodynamic separators in Korean urban catchments. One hundred and thirty-seven storm events were monitored in four hydrodynamic separators of two different types from 2006 to 2012. Mean values of the event average removal efficiencies of total suspended solids (TSS) for the four hydrodynamic separators were 43.69, 8.54, 42.84, and 14.35% with corresponding mean values of the event average surface overflow rates of 28.62, 40.07, 16.02, and 38.81 m/h, respectively. The low TSS removal efficiency was due to the high instantaneous surface overflow rates frequently occurring throughout a storm event and the abundance of fine particle fractions in the inflow (median particle diameter <75 μm). The Weibull function was used to simulate particle size distribution (PSD) in the runoff and the simulated PSD functions were further applied to the discrete settling theory to develop curves of TSS removal efficiency, as a function of surface overflow rate and median particle size of the inflow. The developed curves should be useful in determining the design peak flow rate and the size of a hydrodynamic separator for a stated goal of TSS removal efficiency.
Control of trichloroethylene plume migration using a biobarrier system: a field-scale study
Authors: Kuo Y. C. , Wang S. Y. , Chang Y. M. , Chen S. H. , Kao C. M.
Published: May 2014

The objective of this field-scale study was to evaluate the effectiveness of controlling trichloroethylene (TCE) plume migration using the polycolloid substrate (PS) biobarrier. The developed PS (containing soybean oil, lactate and surfactants) could release substrate to enhance the TCE dechlorination. In this study, a biobarrier comprising PS injection wells was installed. Injection wells were installed at 5-m intervals, and approximately 15 L of PS was injected into each well. Results show that TCE concentrations in the injection wells dropped from an average of 87 μg/L to below 1 μg/L after 35 days of PS injection. The total organic carbon concentrations in the injection wells increased from an average of 2.1–543 mg/L after 30 days of PS injection. The dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) values dropped from an average of 1.6 mg/L to below 0.1 mg/L and from 124 mv to −14 mv after 20 days of injection, respectively. The DO and ORP remained in anaerobic conditions during the remaining 100 days of the operational period. TCE degradation by-products were observed in groundwater samples during the operational period. This reveals that the addition of PS could effectively enhance the reductive dechlorinating of TCE.
Eco-efficiency improvements in industrial water-service systems: assessing options with stakeholders
Authors: Levidow Les , Lindgaard-Jørgensen Palle , Nilsson Åsa , Skenhall Sara Alongi , Assimacopoulos Dionysis
Published: May 2014

The well-known eco-efficiency concept helps to assess the economic value and resource burdens of potential improvements by comparison with the baseline situation. But eco-efficiency assessments have generally focused on a specific site, while neglecting wider effects, for example, through interactions between water users and wastewater treatment (WWT) providers. To address the methodological gap, the EcoWater project has developed a method and online tools for meso-level analysis of the entire water-service value chain. This study investigated improvement options in two large manufacturing companies which have significant potential for eco-efficiency gains. They have been considering investment in extra processes which can lower resource burdens from inputs and wastewater, as well as internalising WWT processes. In developing its methodology, the EcoWater project obtained the necessary information from many agents, involved them in the meso-level assessment and facilitated their discussion on alternative options. Prior discussions with stakeholders stimulated their attendance at a workshop to discuss a comparative eco-efficiency assessment for whole-system improvement. Stakeholders expressed interest in jointly extending the EcoWater method to more options and in discussing investment strategies. In such ways, optimal solutions will depend on stakeholders overcoming fragmentation by sharing responsibility and knowledge.
The Association Between Depressive Symptoms and Systemic Inflammation in People With Type 2 Diabetes: Findings From the South London Diabetes Study
Authors: Laake Jean-Pierre S. , Stahl Daniel , Amiel Stephanie A. , Petrak Frank , Sherwood Roy A. , Pickup John C. , Ismail Khalida
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE

The prevalence of depression and depressive symptoms is increased twofold in people with type 2 diabetes compared with the general population and is associated with worse biomedical outcomes and increased mortality. Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and depression in nondiabetes subjects are independently associated with raised concentrations of circulating inflammatory markers, but it is not known if a similar association is observed in type 2 diabetes. We tested the hypothesis that higher depressive symptom scores in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes patients were associated with higher concentrations of inflammatory markers.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Depressive symptoms in adults with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes recruited from primary care were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9. Twelve markers of inflammation (C-reactive protein [hs-CRP], interleukin-4 [IL-4], IL-6, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF], tumor necrosis factor-α [TNF-α], IL-1β, IL-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1RA], monocyte chemotactic protein-1 [MCP-1], white blood cell count [WBC], adiponectin, and triglyceride [TG]) were measured. Covariates included sociodemographic factors, adiposity, macrovascular disease, HbA1c, and prescribed medication. The association between each inflammatory marker and depressive symptom score was estimated by multiple linear regression.

RESULTS

The baseline cohort consisted of 1,790 participants. After adjusting for covariates, CRP (B = 0.13, P < 0.001), IL-1β (B = 0.06, P = 0.047), IL-1RA (B = 0.13, P < 0.001), MCP-1 (B = 0.11, P = 0.001), WBC (B = 0.13, P < 0.001), and TG (B = 0.10, P < 0.001) were associated with depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of depressive symptoms in type 2 diabetes and contribute to the increased risk of complications and mortality in this group.
Use of a morphometric method and body fat index system for estimation of body composition in overweight and obese cats
Authors: Witzel Angela L. , Kirk Claudia A. , Henry George A. , Toll Philip W. , Brejda John J. , Paetau-Robinson Inke
Published: May 2014

Objective—To develop morphometric equations for prediction of body composition and create a body fat index (BFI) system to estimate body fat percentage in overweight and obese cats.

Design—Prospective evaluation study.

Animals—76 overweight or obese cats ≥ 1 year of age.

Procedures—Body condition score (BCS) was determined with a 5-point scale, morphometric measurements were made, and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) was performed. Visual and palpation-based evaluation of various body regions was conducted, and results were used for development of the BFI system. Best-fit multiple regression models were used to develop equations for predicting lean body mass and fat mass from morphometric measurements. Predicted values for body composition components were compared with DEXA results.

Results—For the study population, prediction equations accounted for 85% of the variation in lean body mass and 98% of the variation in fat mass. Values derived from morphometric equations for fat mass and lean mass were within 10% of DEXA values for 55 of 76 (72%) and 66 of 76 (87%) cats, respectively. Body fat as a percentage of total body weight (ie, body fat percentage) predicted with the BCS and BFI was within 10% of the DEXA value for 5 of 39 (13%) and 22 of 39 (56%) cats, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—The BFI system and morphometric equations were considered accurate for estimation of body composition components in overweight and obese cats of the study population and appeared to be more useful than BCS for evaluation of these patients. Further research is needed to validate the use of these methods in other feline populations. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;244:1285–1290)
Osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy in dogs: 27 cases (2000–2012)
Authors: Delamaide Gasper Joy A. , Rylander Helena , Stenglein Jennifer L. , Waller Kenneth R.
Published: May 2014

Objective—To evaluate the signalment, neurologic examination and imaging findings, and outcome in dogs treated medically or surgically for osseous-associated cervical spondylomyelopathy (OACSM).

Design—Retrospective case series.

Animals—27 client-owned dogs.

Procedures—Medical records for dogs with OACSM (diagnosis made in 2000 through 2012) were reviewed. Collected data included signalment, neurologic examination findings (graded from 0 [normal] to 5 [tetraplegia]), imaging findings, treatment, and outcome. From MRI and CT images, measurements were obtained for subjective grading of spinal cord compression.

Results—Among the 27 dogs, the median age was 2 years; there were 15 Great Danes, 3 Mastiffs, 3 Newfoundlands, and 6 other large-breed dogs. For medically treated dogs (n = 7), the median initial neurologic grade was 2; for surgically treated dogs (20), the median initial neurologic grade was 3. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed dorsolateral spinal cord compression in 22 dogs and lateral spinal cord compression in 5 dogs. Dogs with more severe compressions were slightly more likely to undergo surgical than medical treatment. Median survival time of medically treated dogs was 43 months, and that of surgically treated dogs was 60 months. Fifteen of 19 dogs treated surgically had improved neurologic grades at 4 to 8 weeks after surgery and had a good to excellent long-term outcome.

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance—Surgical treatment of dogs with OACSM resulted in neurologic improvement and was associated with a good long-term outcome. For dogs that received medical treatment, neurologic deterioration continued but some patients did well for several years. (J Am Vet Med Assoc 2014;244:1309–1318)
Micronucleus, alkaline, and human 8-oxoguanine glycosylase 1 modified comet assays evaluation of glass-ionomer cements - in vitro
Authors: Galić Elizabeta , Tadin Antonija , Galić Nada , Kašuba Vilena , Mladinić Marin , Rozgaj Ružica , Biočina-Lukenda Dolores , Galić Ivan , Želježić Davor
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic potential of components leached from two conventional self-curing glass-ionomer cements (Fuji IX and Ketac Molar), and light-curing, resin modified glass-ionomer cements (Vitrebond, Fuji II LC). Evaluation was performed on human lymphocytes using alkaline and hOGG1 modified comet, and micronucleus assays. Each material, polymerised and unpolymerised, was eluted in extracellular saline (1 cm2 mL-1) for 1 h, 1 day, and 5 days. Cultures were treated with eluates using final dilutions of 10-2, 10-3, and 10-4. Alkaline comet assay did not detect changes in DNA migration of treated cells regardless of the ionomer tested, polymerisation state, and elution duration. Glass ionomers failed to significantly influence micronucleus frequency. No oxidative DNA damage in treated lymphocytes was observed using hOGG1 modified comet assay. Obtained results indicate high biocompatibility of all tested materials used in the study under experimental conditions.
The Influence of Inflation on the Real Value of Paid Out Dividends on the Warsaw Stock Exchange in the Years 2000–2012
Authors: Jabłoński Bartłomiej Łukasz
Published: May 2014

The article describes the issue of inflation and its influence on the value of dividends received by investors. In addition, the topic of dividend policy in the conditions of high (double-digit) inflation is discussed. The impact of inflation on the real rate of return from investments should be taken into consideration by investors who invest both in bonds and in shares. Research shows that, whereas bond market investors understand the impact of inflation on discount rates, stock market investors do not account for the impact of inflation on future earnings growth (Chordia et al, 2005, p.554).

On the basis of the conducted analyses the author concluded that in the 2000-2012 period, investors generally suffered a loss on the received dividend, if we quantified their size and attractiveness by means of a dividend rate.

The objective of the article is the presentation of the issue of inflation from the point of view of dividends paid out by companies (Hazlitt, 2007, p.90, Rutkowski, 2007, p. 245, Sayek, 2009, p. 441) and an investor allocating financial means on the capital market (in shares of companies listed on the capital market and not in bonds. (Laatsch, 2013, pp. 54-59)).

The following hypothesis was accepted in the article:

H1: in the period 2000-2012 an effective real dividend rate for companies quoted on Warsaw Stock Exchange had a negative value.
An Assessment of the Application of Earnings Management Objectives and Instruments in Financial Reporting – Evidence of Survey Research Results
Authors: Piosik Andrzej , Strojek-Filus Marzena
Published: May 2014

The study contains an overview of earnings management tools of reporting entities and capital groups in Poland. Relations between the phenomenon of earnings management and financial reporting policy have been analysed. A research problem related to the significance and application of particular earnings management tools as perceived by practitioners (accountants, executive board members, specialists) has been discussed. Selected tools of earnings management, usually linked with operations, are perceived to be used more intensively. The conducted analysis shows that in the opinion of the surveyed respondents the most effective instrument influencing the desired level of results presented in a financial statement is carrying out transactions under conditions which ensure the achievement of a reported goal. This applies also to capital groups, in which transactions effected between group units were indicated as the ones used to the greatest extent.
Learned Helplessness During Organisational Change
Authors: Silvet Jaan
Published: May 2014

Exposing organisms to aversive events which they cannot control might result in motivational, cognitive, emotional, and self-esteem deficits. These deficits are called symptoms of helplessness and are the core part of learned helplessness theory. Many studies have empirically analysed the theory on the individual level. The current study focuses on the learned helplessness in the context of organisational change. The object of the study is one media company in Estonia, which conducted a large restructuring during the 2008 economic crisis. The result shows that there exists an organisational gap when it comes to the estimates of top management and employees. The key to the problem appeared to be the middle management, who were unable to effectively manage their subordinates as they were busy themselves coping with the change.
The Evaluation of the Value for Sports Purposes of Warm-Blooded Horse Breeds in Poland for the Show Jumping Discipline
Authors: Pietrzak Sławomir , Tomasz Próchniak
Published: May 2014

The scientific objective of the paper was to compare the use value of native and some foreign horse breeds competing in Polish regional show jumping tournaments. A total of 156 horses were analysed including the native breeds Małopolski (m), Wielkopolski (wlkp), Polish Half Bred Horse (pksp), and the foreign breeds Oldenburger (old), Holsteiner (hol) and Dutch Warmblood (kwpn). The competition results with distribution of penalty points as well as pedigree databases of Polish Horse Breeders Association and Polish Equestrian Federation were used. The data obtained was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA-GLM), and the differences between average values were determined with Tukey’s t-test. It was concluded that the native breeds obtained statistically worse results than foreign ones, proportionally to the level of competition difficulty. The proportion of native breeds among the participants of competitions decreased with increasing course difficulty and was statistically significant for the number of eliminations and clear rounds. The results allow a conclusion about the lower use value of native compared to foreign horse breeds for sports purposes.
The EU’s Difficulty in Translating Interests into Effective Foreign Policy Action: A Look at the Ukraine Crisis
Authors: Smith Nicholas Ross
Published: May 2014

The EU’s foreign policy response(s) to the unfolding Ukraine crisis has further illustrated its difficulty in making effective foreign policy decisions. Using a neoclassical realist analytical framework, this paper argues that although the EU did have tangible collective interests in pursuing its Ukraine foreign policy, it was unable to adequately filter these through its domestic setting. Three key constraints to the EU’s Ukrainian foreign policy> were identified: decision-makers ’ miscalculations; rigid normative demands; and a reliance on consensus politics. Ultimately, the Ukraine crisis illustrated that the EU, in current incarnation, cannot translate interests into effective foreign policies, even when making policy for their direct neighbourhood.
Smart Residential Buildings as Learning Agent Organizations in the Internet of Things
Authors: Schatten Markus
Published: May 2014

Background: Smart buildings are one of the major application areas of technologies bound to embedded systems and the Internet of things. Such systems have to be adaptable and flexible in order to provide better services to its residents. Modelling such systems is an open research question. Herein, the question is approached using an organizational modelling methodology bound to the principles of the learning organization. Objectives: Providing a higher level of abstraction for understanding, developing and maintaining smart residential buildings in a more human understandable form. Methods/Approach: Organization theory provides us with the necessary concepts and methodology to approach complex organizational systems. Results: A set of principles for building learning agent organizations, a formalization of learning processes for agents, a framework for modelling knowledge transfer between agents and the environment, and a tailored organizational structure for smart residential buildings based on Nonaka’s hypertext organizational form. Conclusions: Organization theory is a promising field of research when dealing with complex engineering systems
Development Practices of Embedded Systems: SMEs in SEE countries
Authors: Strugar Ivan , Zoroja Jovana , Jaković Božidar
Published: May 2014

Background: Embedded systems are evolving in their use based on the increased trend of merging software with hardware appliances. The market for the embedded systems development is rapidly increasing and this is one of the possible new markets for software firms striving for new competitive advantage. Objectives: The goal of the paper is to explore embedded systems development practices of Croatian firms and compare them with the practices of the firms from South Eastern European (SEE) countries. Methods/Approach: The survey was conducted using the sample of SME software firms and the data on embedded systems development practices have been analysed. Practices of Croatian firms were compared with practices of other firms from SEE countries. Results: Results of the survey revealed that in comparison to their counterparts from SEE countries, Croatian firms involved in embedded systems development utilise cutting-edge technology and processes to a lower extent. Conclusions: Cutting-edge technology and processes are prerequisites for attaining the level of productivity in software production that is sufficient to ensure maintaining cost competency. However, SMEs are yet to fulfill their market potentials