bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Yield of Photoperiod‐sensitive Sorghum Hybrids Based on Guinea‐race Germplasm under Farmers’ Field Conditions in Mali
Authors: Rattunde H.F.W. , Weltzien E. , Diallo B. , Diallo A.G. , Sidibe M. , Touré A.O. , Rathore A. , Das R.R. , Leiser W.L. , Touré A.
Published: October 2013

The first sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] hybrids based on West African Guinea‐race‐derived parents were created to enhance farmer's food security and income through increased yields. To assess their performance, eight hybrids, six experimental pure‐line cultivars, one pure‐line check (Lata), and a highly adapted landrace cultivar (Tieble) were evaluated in 27 farmer‐managed and two on‐station yield trials in Mali, West Africa, from 2009 to 2011. The hybrids were confirmed to have photoperiod sensitivity similar to the well‐adapted Guinea landrace check cultivar. Genotypic differences for on‐farm grain yield were highly significant and genotype × environment crossover interactions were limited. The yield superiorities of individual hybrids, relative to the landrace check, ranged from 17 to 37% over the 27 on‐farm trials. The three top yielding hybrids showed 30% yield advantages across productivity levels, with absolute yield advantages averaging 380 kg ha−1 under lower (1.0–1.5 t ha−1) and 660 kg ha−1 under higher (2.0–3.5 t ha−1) productivity conditions. A mean male‐parent (better parent) heterosis of 26% was observed for the four hybrids having Lata as a male parent. As the hybrids studied here were obtained with a low intensity of selection using a limited number of parents, even greater yield superiorities may be attained with development of distinct parental pools and scaled‐up hybrid breeding.
Mapping Quantitative Trait Loci for Powdery Mildew Resistance in Flax (Linum usitatissimum L.)
Authors: Asgarinia Parvaneh , Cloutier Sylvie , Duguid Scott , Rashid Khalid , Mirlohi AghaFakhr , Banik Mitali , Saeidi Ghodratollah
Published: October 2013

Powdery mildew (Oidium lini Skoric, [PM]), an obligate biotrophic ascomycete, is a common and widespread foliar disease of flax in most flax‐growing areas of the world. In this study, we constructed a linkage map using 143 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers and an F2 population of 300 individuals generated from a cross between the susceptible cultivar NorMan and the resistant cultivar Linda. The F2–derived F3 families were phenotyped in the field and the F3–derived F4 families were phenotyped in a controlled environment growth chamber. The 15 linkage group map covered 1241 cM and was largely collinear with the previously published consensus map. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) analysis was performed and three PM resistance QTL located on LG1, 7, and 9 were identified consistently using phenotyping data from both field and growth chamber studies. These QTL explained 97% of the phenotypic variation exhibiting a mainly dominant gene action. This work represents a first step toward understanding the genetics of PM resistance in flax and map‐based cloning of candidate genes underlying the QTL.
A large-scale hydroclimatological perspective on western European river flow regimes
Authors: Wilson Donna , Hannah David M. , McGregor Glenn R.
Published: October 2013

A novel flow regime classification scheme was applied to 141 river basins across western Europe, providing more robust analysis of space–time variability in regimes and their driving hydroclimatological processes. Regime shape (timing) and magnitude (size) were classified to regionalise long-term average flow regimes and to quantify year-to-year variation in regimes for each basin. Six long-term regime shape regions identified differences in seasonality related to latitude and altitude. Five long-term magnitude regions were linked to location plus average annual rainfall. Spatial distribution of long-term regimes reflected dominant climate and runoff generation processes. Regions were used to structure analysis of (relative) inter-annual regime dynamics. Six shape and five magnitude inter-annual regimes were identified; and regime stability (switching) assessed at pan-European, regional and basin scales. In some years, certain regime types were more prevalent, but never totally dominant. Regime shape was more stable at higher altitude due to buffering by frozen water storage-release (cf. more variable rainfall-runoff at lower altitudes). The lower inter-annual magnitude regimes persisted across larger domains (cf. higher magnitude) due to the more widespread climatic conditions generating low flow. Notably, there was limited spatio-temporal correspondence between regime shape and magnitude, suggesting variations in one attribute cannot be used to infer the other.
Communicative Responses to the Painful Self-Disclosures of Familial and Non-Familial Older Adults
Authors: Fowler Craig , Soliz Jordan
Published: October 2013

Data from 365 college students were used to assess young adults' communicative responses to older persons' painful self-disclosures (PSDs). Coupland, Coupland, and Giles (1991) proposed that recipients of PSD may respond to such disclosures via a variety of “next moves.” These responses may broadly be considered to reflect forms of pro-social engagement, passive disengagement, and active disengagement. We investigated whether young adults' tendency to use certain responses to PSD were influenced by their affective reactions to PSD, their communicative background and characteristics, and the sociorelational context of the encounter in which PSD occurred. Results are discussed with respect to their implications for intergenerational interaction, and interpreted through the lens of communication accommodation theory.
HDAC9 Knockout Mice Are Protected From Adipose Tissue Dysfunction and Systemic Metabolic Disease During High-Fat Feeding
Authors: Chatterjee Tapan K. , Basford Joshua E. , Knoll Ellen , Tong Wilson S. , Blanco Victor , Blomkalns Andra L. , Rudich Steven , Lentsch Alex B. , Hui David Y. , Weintraub Neal L.
Published: October 2013

During chronic caloric excess, adipose tissue expands primarily by enlargement of individual adipocytes, which become stressed with lipid overloading, thereby contributing to obesity-related disease. Although adipose tissue contains numerous preadipocytes, differentiation into functionally competent adipocytes is insufficient to accommodate the chronic caloric excess and prevent adipocyte overloading. We report for the first time that a chronic high-fat diet (HFD) impairs adipogenic differentiation, leading to accumulation of inefficiently differentiated adipocytes with blunted expression of adipogenic differentiation-specific genes. Preadipocytes from these mice likewise exhibit impaired adipogenic differentiation, and this phenotype persists during in vitro cell culture. HFD-induced impaired adipogenic differentiation is associated with elevated expression of histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9), an endogenous negative regulator of adipogenic differentiation. Genetic ablation of HDAC9 improves adipogenic differentiation and systemic metabolic state during an HFD, resulting in diminished weight gain, improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity, and reduced hepatosteatosis. Moreover, compared with wild-type mice, HDAC9 knockout mice exhibit upregulated expression of beige adipocyte marker genes, particularly during an HFD, in association with increased energy expenditure and adaptive thermogenesis. These results suggest that targeting HDAC9 may be an effective strategy for combating obesity-related metabolic disease.
Association of Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Glucose Metabolism in Subjects With or Without Obesity
Authors: Kim Nan Hee , Cho Nam H. , Yun Chang-Ho , Lee Seung Ku , Yoon Dae Wui , Cho Hyun Joo , Ahn Jae Hee , Seo Ji A. , Kim Sin Gon , Choi Kyung Mook , Baik Sei Hyun , Choi Dong Seop , Shin Chol
Published: October 2013

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the impact of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on glucose metabolism was different according to the presence or absence of obesity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 1,344 subjects >40 years old from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study were included. OSA was detected by home portable sleep monitoring. Plasma glucose, HbA1c, and insulin resistance were compared according to OSA and obesity status. The associations between OSA and impaired fasting glucose (IFG), impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), IFG + IGT, and diabetes were evaluated in subjects with and without obesity after adjusting for several confounding variables. The effect of visceral obesity on this association was evaluated in 820 subjects who underwent abdominal computed tomography scanning.

RESULTS

In subjects without obesity, fasting glucose, 2-h glucose after 75-g glucose loading, and HbA1c were higher in those with OSA than in those without after controlling for age, sex, and BMI. In addition, the presence of OSA in nonobese subjects was associated with a higher prevalence of IFG + IGT and diabetes after adjusting for several confounding variables (odds ratio 3.15 [95% CI 1.44–6.90] and 2.24 [1.43–3.50] for IFG + IGT and diabetes, respectively). Further adjustment for visceral fat area did not modify this association. In contrast, in those with obesity, none of the abnormal glucose tolerance categories were associated with OSA.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of OSA in nonobese individuals is significantly associated with impaired glucose metabolism, which can be responsible for future risk for diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular Risk Factors Are Associated With Increased Arterial Stiffness in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Dabelea Dana , Talton Jennifer W. , D’Agostino Ralph , Wadwa R. Paul , Urbina Elaine M. , Dolan Lawrence M. , Daniels Stephen R. , Marcovina Santica M. , Hamman Richard F.
Published: October 2013

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if presence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors and their clustering as metabolic syndrome (MetS) is associated with increased arterial stiffness and accelerated progression over time among youth with type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Longitudinal study of 298 youth with type 1 diabetes (age 14.5 years; 46.3% female; duration 4.8 years), with two research visits conducted 5 years apart. CV factors included: waist circumference, blood pressure (BP), fasting lipids (HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol [LDL-c], triglycerides), albumin/creatinine ratio, and HbA1c. MetS was based on Adult Treatment Panel III criteria modified for youth. Pulse wave velocity (PWV) in the carotid–femoral segment was measured by tonometry. Mixed models were used to assess the rate of progression in PWV and the association between CV factors and PWV over time.

RESULTS

PWV increased significantly over time (0.145 m/s/year; P < 0.0001). MetS (P = 0.0035), large waist (P < 0.0001), and elevated BP (P = 0.0003) at baseline were each associated with worse PWV over time. These baseline factors, however, did not significantly influence the rate of progression. Increases in waist circumference (P < 0.0001), LDL-c levels (P = 0.0156), and declining glucose control (HbA1c; P = 0.0419) were independently associated with higher PWV over time.

CONCLUSIONS

Presence, clustering, and worsening of CV risk factors are associated with increased arterial stiffness over time in youth with type 1 diabetes. Whether improvement in CV risk factors early in life will slow the progression of arterial stiffness and reduce the burden of CV disease in this population requires further study.
Association of PAI-1 and Fibrinogen With Diabetic Retinopathy in the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT)
Authors: Azad Nasrin , Agrawal Lily , Emanuele Nicholas V. , Klein Ronald , Bahn Gideon D. , McCarren Madeline , Reaven Peter , Hayward Rodney , Duckworth William ,   the VADT Study Group
Published: October 2013

OBJECTIVE

To test the hypothesis that high levels of plasminogen-activating inhibitor (PAI)-1 and fibrinogen at baseline were associated with the onset or progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR) during the Veterans Affairs Diabetes Trial (VADT).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The VADT was an open-label, prospective, randomized controlled trial to test the effect of standard glycemic control (STD) compared with intensive control (INT) on cardiovascular events in patients with advanced type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Diabetic retinopathy (DR) outcomes were also collected. Incidence and progression of DR were assessed by grading seven-field stereoscopic fundus photographs at baseline and 5 years later taken in 858 of a total of 1,791 participants who completed both eye examinations.

RESULTS

Assignment to INT was not independently associated with decreased risk of onset of DR. However, after adjustment for multiple covariates, baseline level of PAI-1 was an independent risk factor for the onset of DR. The risk for incidence of DR increased by 12% for each 10 ng/dL increase in baseline PAI-1 concentration (odds ratio [OR] 1.012 [95% CI 1.00–1.024], P = 0.042). Assignment to INT was not independently associated with decreased risk of progression of DR. However, there was an interaction between glycemic treatment assignment and fibrinogen level at baseline. INT was associated with decreased progression of retinopathy in those with fibrinogen <296 mg/dL (OR 0.55 [95% CI 0.31–1.00], P = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

The results require confirmation but are consistent with greater hypercoagulabilty and inflammation, as measured by higher levels of PAI-1 and fibrinogen, being related to DR and responsiveness to INT.
NOx and SO2 Emission During OXY-Coal Combustion
Authors: Moroń Wojciech , Czajka Krzysztof , Ferens Wiesław , Babul Konrad , Szydełko Arkadiusz , Rybak Wiesław
Published: October 2013

The paper presents results of coal behaviour during combustion in oxy-fuel atmosphere. The experiment was performed using 3 meter long Entrained Flow Reactor and 1 meter long Drop Tube Reactor. Three hard coals and two lignites were analysed in order to investigate NOx, SO2 emission and fly ash burnout. The measurements were performed along and at the outlet of a combustion chamber for one- and two - stage combustion. In the second stage of the experiment, kinetic parameters for nitrogen evolution during combustion in oxy - fuel and air were calculated and the division of nitrogen into the volatile matter and the char was measured. The conducted experiment showed that emissions in oxy - fuel are lower than those in air.
Numerical Generation of a Fixed Bed Structure
Authors: Marek Maciej
Published: October 2013

A numerical algorithm is presented for the filling process of a cylindrical column with equilateral cylinders. The process is based on simplified mechanics - the elements are added one by one until the mechanical equilibrium is reached. The final structure is examined with respect to the global and local porosity distribution. Oscillating radial porosity profile is obtained in accordance with experimental data.
Mechanical Work and Long-Distance Performance Prediction: the Influence of Allometric Scaling
Authors: Peikriszwili Tartaruga Marcus , Brisswalter Jeanick , Mota Carlos Bolli , Alberton Cristine Lima , Gomeñuka Natalia Andrea , Peyré-Tartaruga Leonardo Alexandre
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of allometric scaling on the relationship between mechanical work and long-distance running performance in recreational runners. Fourteen recreational long-distance runners (male, mean ± SD - age: 29 ± 7 years; body mass: 70.0 ± 10.2 kg; body height: 1.71 ± 0.07 m; maximal oxygen uptake: VO2max 52.0 ± 4.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) performed two tests: a continuous incremental test to volitional exhaustion in order to determine VO2max, and a 6-minute running submaximal test at 3.1 m.s-1, during which segments in the sagittal plane were recorded using a digital camera and the internal (Wint), external (Wext) and total (Wtot) mechanic work, in J.kg-1.m-1, was subsequently calculated. The results indicated a significant correlation between mechanical work and performance, however, the strongest correlations were observed when allometric exponents were used (respectively for Wint, Wext and Wtot; non allometric vs. allometric scaling defined by literature (0.75) or determined mathematically (0.49): r = 0.38 vs. r = 0.44 and r = 0.50; r = 0.80 vs. r = 0.83 and r = 0.82; r = 0.70 vs. r = 0.77 and r = 0.78). These results indicate that mechanical work could be used as a predictor of recreational long-distance performance and an allometric model may improve this prediction.
Calculating Home Advantage in the First Decade of the 21th Century UEFA Soccer Leagues
Authors: Saavedra García Miguel , Gutiérrez Aguilar Óscar , Marques Paulo Sa , Torres Tobío Gabriel , Romero Juan J. Fernández
Published: October 2013

Home advantage has been studied in different sports, establishing its existence and its possible causes. This article analyzes the home advantage in soccer leagues of UEFA countries in the first part of the 21st century. The sample of 52 countries monitored during a period of 10 years allows us to study 520 leagues and 111,030 matches of the highest level in each country associated with UEFA. Home advantage exists and is significant in 32 of the 52 UEFA countries, where it equals 55.6%. A decrease can be observed in the tendency towards home advantage between the years 2000 and 2010. Values between 55 and 56 were observed for home advantage in the top ten leagues in Europe. It has also been observed that home advantage depends on the level of the league evaluated using UEFA’s 2010/11 Country coefficients. The home advantage is calculated taking into account the teams’ position and the points obtained in each of the leagues. A direct relationship was observed with the number of points gained and an inverse relationship was observed with the team position.
Appropriate Loads for Peak-Power During Resisted Sprinting on a Non-Motorized Treadmill
Authors: Andre Matthew J. , Fry Andrew C. , Lane Michael T.
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study was to determine the load which allows the highest peak power for resisted sprinting on a non-motorized treadmill and to determine if other variables are related to individual differences. Thirty college students were tested for vertical jump, vertical jump peak and mean power, 10 m sprint, 20 m sprint, leg press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM relative to body weight, leg press 1 RM relative to lean body mass, leg press 1 RM power, and leg press power at 80% of 1 RM. Participants performed eight resisted sprints on a non-motorized treadmill, with increasing relative loads expressed as percent of body weight. Sprint peak power was measured for each load. Pearson correlations were used to determine if relationships between the sprint peak power load and the other variables were significant. The sprint peak power load had a mode of 35% with 73% of all participants having a relative sprint peak power load between 25-35%. Significant correlations occurred between sprint peak power load and body weight, lean body mass, vertical jump peak and mean power, leg press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM relative to lean body mass, leg press 1 RM power, and leg press power at 80% of 1 RM (r = 0.44, 0.43, 0.39, 0.37, 0.47, 0.39, 0.46, and 0.47, respectively). Larger, stronger, more powerful athletes produced peak power at a higher relative load during resisted sprinting on a nonmotorized treadmill.
Can miRNA Biomarkers Be Utilized to Improve the Evaluation and Management of Pancreatic Cystic Lesions?
Authors: Lee Linda S. , Szafranska-Schwarzbach Anna E. , Andruss Bernard F. , Conwell Darwin L.
Published: October 2013

This article reviews the current strategies and challenges of diagnosing pancreatic cystic lesions, and presents an overview of molecular tools that are available to enhance diagnostic accuracy. Specifically, we highlight the emergence of microRNAs (miRNAs) as diagnostic markers. miRNA signatures have been reported for both solid tissue and biofluid specimens, including cyst fluid, collected from patients with solid and cystic pancreatic lesions. These miRNA signatures offer the opportunity to improve molecular characterization of pancreatic lesions, to help guide clinical management through early diagnosis and informed prognosis, and to provide novel therapeutic targets for pancreatic cancer.
Sexual selection, range size and population size
Authors: Møller Anders Pape , Garamszegi László Zsolt
Published: October 2013

Sexual selection may impose fitness costs on both males and females due to the costs of developing and maintaining exaggerated sexual signals, reducing average fitness in strongly sexually selected species. Such reductions in average fitness could affect local extinction risk and hence distribution range. However, given that both sexually monochromatic and dichromatic species are common and widespread, benefits of sexual selection must be invoked to maintain equilibrium. We tested for differences in breeding range size and population size between monochromatic and dichromatic species of birds in a comparative analysis of species from the Western Palaearctic. In an analysis of standardized linear contrasts of the relationship between sexual dichromatism and range size and population size, respectively, that controlled for similarity among taxa due to common descent, we found no significant relationship. However, when we analyzed carotenoid-based sexual dichromatism sexually dichromatic species had larger distribution areas and higher northernmost distribution limits, but not southernmost distribution limits than sexually monochromatic species. In contrast, melanin-based sexual dichromatism was not significantly associated with range size or population size. Therefore, population density of sexually dichromatic species with carotenoid-based coloration was lower than that of monochromatic species, because dichromatic species had similar population sizes but larger ranges than monochromatic species. These findings suggest that the different physiological roles of pigments associated with sexual dichromatism have effects on total range size of birds.
New species and host association records for the Hungarian avian louse fauna (Insecta: Phthiraptera)
Authors: Vas Zoltán , Privigyei Csaba , Prohászka Viola Judit , Csörgő Tibor , Rózsa Lajos
Published: October 2013

A recently published checklist of Hungarian louse fauna (Insecta: Phthiraptera) listed 279 species and subspecies which have been recorded in Hungary. According to that checklist several louse species still await detection in Hungary, and many of the previously reported louse species have not been found on all expected host species yet. Our faunistical survey on avian lice started in 2005 at Ócsa Bird Ringing Station, resulting hundreds of ectoparasite samples collected from over 70 bird species. Additionally, our louse collection has grown by collecting samples in other research projects focusing on various bird species, and by sampling cadavers before taxidermy in the Bird Collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. As the results of a preliminary exploration of this collection, we list 20 louse species which are new to the Hungarian fauna, as well as the first Hungarian records of 17 host-parasite associations. We also found 3 louse-bird association records new for the World fauna.
Circulating serum sVCAM-1 concentration in advanced ovarian cancer patients: correlation with concentration in ascites
Authors: Jakimovska Marina , Cerne Katarina , Verdenik Ivan , Kobal Borut
Published: October 2013

Background. Vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) is associated with ovarian cancer progression but the origin of its soluble form (sVCAM-1) in serum is not well investigated. The purpose of this study was to elucidate whether the concentration of sVCAM-1 in serum correlates with the concentration in ascites, that represents local tumour environment, and with systemic inflammation, various clinicopathological characteristics, and patient outcome.

Patients and methods. Thirty-six patients with advanced ovarian cancer were included in the study. Serum for sVCAM-1 analysis was obtained prior to surgery. Ascites samples were collected at the beginning of the operation. Clinical data were collected from patients’ medical records. sVCAM-1 in samples was analysed by flow cytometric bead-based assay. The mean follow-up period was 11 months (range 0-23) from the time of surgery.

Results. Serum sVCAM-1 concentrations are positively correlated to ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations. There was a weakly positive correlation of serum sVCAM-1 with tumour size and no correlation with inflammatory tumour markers, FIGO stage or grade. Higher concentrations of sVCAM-1 were associated with poor disease outcome (death from ovarian cancer) in almost all cases before chemotherapy was started.

Conclusions. This is the first study demonstrating that serum concentrations of sVCAM-1 in advanced ovarian cancer patients correlate with sVCAM-1 concentrations in ascites, thus expressing the biologic potential of malignant disease to metastasis, rather than systemic inflammation. Higher serum and ascites sVCAM-1 concentrations might have predictive potential for different biologic behaviour.
Growth and photosynthesis of Lemna minor L. exposed to different light conditions and sucrose supplies
Authors: Vidaković-Cifrek Željka , Sorić Sonja , Babić Marija
Published: October 2013

Duckweed (Lemna minor L.) is a model plant suitable for investigation into plant physiology, biochemistry and ecotoxicology. Depending on the type of the experiment, duckweed is cultivated on different nutrient media under various chamber conditions. In our work, duckweed was cultivated on Pirson-Seidel’s nutrient solution supplemented with 5, 7.5 or 10 g L-1 sucrose under cool white (CW) or Gro-Lux (GL) light sources. When different light sources and sucrose supplies are compared, a significant stimulative effect of GL light on duckweed grown on 7.5 and 10 g L-1 sucrose was seen to start on day 9. Considering photosynthetic performance the results showed that there were no significant differences in maximum quantum yield of PSII (Fv/Fm) after 7 and 16 days of exposure, regardless of light source and sucrose supply. Effective quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII) decreased only after 16 days of exposure to 5 g L-1 sucrose under CW light. The higher growth rate and photosynthetic performance in plants exposed to GL light is a consequence of its spectral distribution resembling the action spectrum of photosynthesis. Furthermore, enhanced growth noticed in plants cultivated on higher sucrose contents (7.5 and 10 g L-1) indicated the promotive effect of sucrose in plants grown under low light conditions.
Flora of spoil heaps after hard coal mining in Trzebinia (southern Poland): effect of substratum properties
Authors: Woch Marcin W. , Radwańska Magdalena , Stefanowicz Anna M.
Published: October 2013

- The aim of the present study was to investigate the composition of spontaneous plant cover and the physicochemical properties of the substratum of spoil heaps of the Siersza hard coal mine in Trzebinia (southern Poland) abandoned in 2001. Floristic and soil analyses were performed in 2011. The substratum was very diverse in terms of texture (sand: 55-92 %, clay: 6-38 %), nutrient content (total C: 1.3-41.0 %, total N: 0.05-0.49 %, total Ca: 0.5-7.3 %) and pH (3.7-8.7). Moreover, total thallium concentration in the substratum was high, ranging from 6.0 to 14.6 mg kg-1. Plant cover varied from 50 to 95 %. The number of plant species per 4m2 varied from 6 to 29 and correlated negatively with total carbon content (r = -0.85, p < 0.01), and positively with sand content in the substratum (r = 66, p < 0.05). The highest number of species per area unit was observed on a humus substratum, where initial soil has developed on the part of carboniferous waste rock spoil under 20-30 year old trees, and the lowest on carbon shale with coal and culm. Among 197 plant species, most belong to Asteraceae, Fabaceae, Poaceae and Rosaceae families. Hemicryptophytes (49%) and terophytes (18%) predominated. The investigated area was primarily colonized by native species spread by the wind. However, invasive alien species also had a significant share (8%) in the plant cover.
Interactions between leaf macronutrients, micronutrients and soil properties in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) orchards
Authors: Koukoulakis Prodromos , Chatzissavvidis Christos , Papadopoulos Aristotelis , Pontikis Dimitrios
Published: October 2013

- The interactions between: (i) leaf dry matter macronutrietns, micronutrients and soil chemical properties, (ii) leaf macro- and micronutrients, (iii) soil macro- and micronutrients and (iv) soil chemical properties, and soil micro- and macronutrients in 50 pistachio orchards were investigated in leaves and soils by means of regression analysis. Most of the soils were deficient in plant-available P, Zn, Mn, Fe, and B, while they were excessively supplied with Cu. Leaf analysis showed that most of the trees were sufficient in K, Mg, Mn and B, but deficient in N, P and Fe, and excessive in Zn and Cu. It was found that almost all the significant elemental interactions occurring in pistachio leaves or soils were synergistic, contributing considerable quantities of available nutrients and, therefore, improving the nutrient status of pistachio trees, and the level of soil fertility. On the other hand, the interactions between K and Mg in leaves, and between soil pH and leaf N or soil Fe, Mn and B, were antagonistic. It is suggested that these results must be taken into account during fertilization of pistachio trees, in order to avoid nutritional disorders and to promote plant growth, productivity and nut quality.
Modeling of the light transfer in a water column polluted with oil suspension
Authors: Otremba Z. A.
Published: October 2013

The radiance field in oil-polluted seawater determined at various depths for the central band of the light spectrum (547 nm) is considered. In the aquatic model, a flat sea surface, a cloud-free sky and selected inherent optical properties (IOPs) of natural seawater and oil-in-water emulsion are taken into account. The representative results of Monte Carlo photon trace simulations are presented for the directional radiance distribution (L), the directional distribution of the radiance reflectance (RL) and the intensity of downward and upward irradiance (E).
Structural Pattern Effects on Engineering Behavior of Hexagonal Wire Mesh Gabion Panels
Authors: Hsieh C. W. , Chang C. W. , Liu I. W. , Liu R. S.
Published: October 2013

Three half-turn and four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels were built for tensile and punch tests with and without one center-cut wire mesh panel. The study results indicated that the ultimate tensile strength or punch resistance for the three half-turn and four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels without any cut was similar. However, the four half-turn hexagonal wire panels showed better tensile and punch resistance after one wire broke at the panel center. This finding suggests that the presence of broken wires within the four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh panels have no significant influence on the panels’ tensile strength and punch resistance. Four half-turn hexagonal wire mesh is a better structural pattern than three half-turn hexagonal wire mesh for slope stability and river bank protection.
Integrating National Database of Subgrade Soil–Water Characteristic Curves and Soil Index Properties with Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide
Authors: Zapata Claudia , Cary Carlos E.
Published: October 2013

The database developed under NCHRP Project 9-23A, Development of a National Catalog of Subgrade Soil–Water Characteristic Curves (SWCC) Default Inputs to Use in the MEPDG, included not only measured soil index properties needed in all hierarchical levels of the enhanced integrated climatic model but also SWCC parameters, which are key in the implementation of Level 1 analyses. A set of maps in portable document format displaying the location of every soil unit identified within the continental United States, Hawaii, Alaska, and Puerto Rico and a simple interface in MS Excel to aid in querying of data were also developed for the project. Under NCHRP Project 9-23B, Integrating the National Database of Subgrade Soil–Water Characteristic Curves and Soil Index Properties with the MEPDG, a second research effort was directed to integrate an enhanced version of the geographic information system–enabled database with the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide. Specifically, NCHRP Project 9-23B aimed at the implementation of an interactive tool that allows the design guide users (currently DarWin-ME users) to retrieve both appropriate soil unit maps and soil properties relevant to a particular user-specified location by entering either state milepost information or geographical coordinates. The final product was integrated into a public website that can be accessed by design guide users, agencies, industry, and academicians through a simple link. Details of the development of this useful search tool and its main features are presented.
Safety Data Analysis to Evaluate Highway Alignment Consistency
Authors: Dell'Acqua Gianluca , Busiello Mariarosaria , Russo Francesca
Published: October 2013

Road safety has become a priority field worldwide and one of the major factors describing the state of the transport system with its positive and negative changes. Many studies on driver speed behavior can be found in the scientific literature, and researchers have addressed roadway alignment consistency for travel safety in the context of real operating speeds. This study illustrates an experimental analysis conducted on the Tirrenia Inferiore State Highway in southern Italy without spiral transition curves between geometric tangent and circular elements on the horizontal alignment in order to check a new prediction consistency model. Two consistency measures were developed and compared with the results available in the literature: the first was the relative area bounded by the speed profile and the average weighted speed, and the second was the standard deviation of operating speeds in each design element along the entire road examined. With a combination of these two previous measures and according to an extensive sensitivity analysis, a consistency model was developed and thresholds for good, acceptable, and poor road consistency can now be proposed. The consistency prediction model was related to the number of crashes occurring between 2003 and 2010. It was found that as design consistency increased, the number of crashes decreased significantly. The consistency model can be used for this purpose during the geometric design process or during the evaluation process for two-lane rural highways.
Otta Seal Surfacing
Authors: Overby Charles , Pinard Michael I.
Published: October 2013

Natural gravel materials have traditionally been used for upgrading roads from earth to gravel or for regraveling existing gravel roads. However, serious concerns have arisen regarding the continuous use of vast amounts of gravel—a nonrenewable, finite resource—which not only is being rapidly depleted in many countries but also is unsustainable in the medium to long term. This problem has prompted road engineers to consider the use of low-cost bituminous surface treatments on these gravel roads as an alternative to regravelling. One type of surfacing that can provide an economic and practical alternative to traditional surfacings, such as the chip seal, is the Otta seal. Unfortunately, lack of information regarding this relatively new type of bituminous surfacing has suppressed its more widespread use despite its excellent performance in a number of countries. In view of this problem, state-of-the-art information on the provision of the Otta seal surfacing as an economic and practical alternative to the more traditional bituminous surface treatments is presented. The origin, properties, and design and construction of the Otta seal are outlined, and its implementation impacts and the various factors that contribute to its sustainability are discussed. Brief information is presented on the global use of the Otta seal.
The Bretton Woods Institutions and the Environment: Organizational Learning within the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Authors: Lindenthal Alexandra , Koch Martin
Published: October 2013

Due to a growing public awareness, in the last 40 years environmental impacts of development projects financed and supported by the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have come into view. Since then, the member states have pressured both organizations to implement environmental concerns. We analyze the reactions of the World Bank and the IMF’s bureaucracies towards their principals’ demands. To reveal if, and to what extent, the observed reactions of both bureaucracies towards environmental integration can be assessed as organizational learning, we develop in a first step a heuristic model that allows for a distinction between different levels of learning (compliant and non-compliant, single-loop and double-loop). In a second step we describe the efforts of the bureaucracies of the World Bank (from the 1970s until today) and the IMF (from the 1990s until today) to integrate environmental protection into their activities. Due to our interest in the quality of the organizational changes, we finally analyze if and to what extent the bureaucracies’ reactions to the new external demand qualify as organizational learning. Furthermore, we discuss which factors helped or hindered organizational learning.
Ramallah : la vie sur un volcan éteint
Authors: Heacock Roger
Published: October 2013

La vie à Ramallah d’aujourd’hui est comparée sur les plans culturel, social et politique avec celle qui prévalait dans les années 1980, afin d’en dégager la réalité et les rouages du changement. D’une bourgade provinciale vivant entièrement à l’ombre de ce qui était l’authentique capitale palestinienne, Jérusalem, elle s’est transformée, suite à deux intifadas, le régime d’Oslo, l’enfermement, et le transfert des principaux organismes internationaux dans la ville, en nouvelle capitale d’une entité dépendante pour sa survie des apports intellectuels et matériels venus d’Occident. Pourtant, les relations sociales ne se sont pas transformées au point de rendre cette société entièrement méconnaissable. Les subalternes et même les élites de Ramallah restent en mesure de renouer avec une tradition insurrectionnelle bien rodée.
Jérusalem, le droit international comme source de solution
Authors: Chemillier-Gendreau Monique
Published: October 2013

La communauté internationale s’est égarée depuis plus d’un demi-siècle à la recherche d’un statut spécial pour la ville de Jérusalem. C’est dans les normes en vigueur du droit international qu’il faut puiser les éléments d’une solution. Si l’on cherche à garantir l’accès aux Lieux saints, les Pactes internationaux et la liberté de circulation qu’ils garantissent y suffisent. S’il s’agit de leur protection, l’UNESCO détient les compétences pour garantir cette protection. Pour ce qui est d’un partage de la ville, il faut rappeler que l’annexion de Jérusalem par Israël n’a jamais été reconnue par la communauté internationale et que l’occupation israélienne, même de la partie Ouest, résultant d’un usage de la force, ne pourra être transformée en un titre de souveraineté légitime que par un accord avec les Palestiniens. Enfin, le choix par un peuple de la ville qui lui servira de capitale dépend exclusivement de la décision de ce peuple, mais encore faut-il que ce choix porte sur une ville comprise dans le territoire reconnu par la communauté internationale comme placé sous la souveraineté de ce peuple.
Le « développement économique » palestinien : miracle ou mirage ?
Authors: Salingue Julien
Published: October 2013

Le Premier Ministre palestinien Salam Fayyad a démissionné le 13 avril 2013, après six années à la tête du gouvernement de l’Autorité Palestinienne de Ramallah. Les « années Fayyad » ont été, pour nombre d’observateurs, celles de la « reprise économique » dans les territoires palestiniens, ce dont témoigneraient les chiffres spectaculaires de la croissance. Mais une étude plus précise des trajectoires de l’économie palestinienne indique que cette dernière, loin de s’émanciper de la tutelle d’Israël et des pays donateurs, poursuit un long mouvement de déclin, qui témoigne du fait qu’il n’y aura pas de « solution économique » à la question palestinienne qui demeure, fondamentalement, une question politique.
Constitutional Making and Identity Construction in Occupied Palestine
Authors: Dabed Emilio
Published: October 2013

The constitutional drafting in Palestine was seen by some people as another emancipatory step, as an opportunity to reassert Palestinian identity, and as a challenge to the Palestinian legacy of colonialism and occupation. However, in this article I argue that the role and impact of these legal processes were of a strikingly different nature. The starting point of the analysis is that the PA’s constitutional and institutional frame was designed under occupation, by and for a non sovereign entity, and it thus represents the product of an ongoing colonial conflict rather than the end of it. Within this context, the PA political/constitutional regime rather than being an emancipatory reassertion of Palestinian identity tended to reproduce some colonial patterns –i.e. the Palestinian non sovereign status, authoritarian forms of domination, and the division of the colonized/occupied population in social groups with different legal status and often antagonistic interests
Comment le « Printemps arabe » a-t-il négligé la question palestinienne ?
Authors: Mikaïl Barah
Published: October 2013

Le « Printemps arabe » a largement occulté le conflit israélo-palestinien. Mais alors que les possibilités de règlement de ce différend n’ont en rien disparu, un ensemble de facteurs en ont compliqué les logiques et ressorts. L’éclatement de la scène inter-palestinienne est profond, cependant que les Etats arabes continuent à jouer un rôle ambivalent. Sur le plan international, les acteurs capables d’influer positivement sur la scène israélo-palestinienne ne s’en donnent pas les moyens. Par conséquent, le conflit israélo-palestinien continue à connaître un enfoncement abyssal qui semble encore plus éloigner les opportunités de sa résolution.
De la résistance armée à la résistance non-violente
Authors: Ravenel Bernard
Published: October 2013

Dans sa lutte désormais centenaire, le mouvement national palestinien a traversé plusieurs périodes correspondant à des contextes géopolitiques très différents – l’Empire Ottoman, le mandat britannique, la création de l’Etat d’Israël, l’expulsion de la majorité de la population (Nakba) en 1948, le développement du mouvement nationaliste arabe et la constitution d’Etats arabes indépendants. Ces bouleversements de l’environnement géopolitique ont failli faire disparaître la Palestine comme sujet politique autonome sur la scène internationale. Confronté à un ennemi puissant soutenu par les principales puissances impériales du 20 e siècle (Grande-Bretagne, Etats-Unis), mais aussi stimulé par le mouvement mondial d’émancipation des peuples colonisés, le Mouvement national palestinien a cru un moment possible obtenir la libération par une lutte armée de longue durée soutenue en particulier par le monde arabe. Il a perdu ce pari au prix d’énormes destructions humaines et matérielles. Une volonté intacte de résistance l’ a amené à tirer les leçons de ses échecs politiques et militaires et à s’engager dans une résistance populaire non-violente qui fait l’admiration du monde et qui devrait lui permettre d’espérer d’être libéré de l’occupation militaire israélienne désormais condamnée par la quasi totalité de la communauté internationale.
Les Palestiniens de citoyenneté israélienne, vingt ans après Oslo
Authors: Barreñada Isaías
Published: October 2013

Vingt ans après le démarrage du processus de paix d’Oslo, la minorité arabe palestinienne en Israël a changé. Elle joue désormais un rôle politique de plus en plus important, que ce soit sur la scène israélienne ou palestinienne. De nombreux dirigeants israéliens la perçoivent aujourd’hui comme un problème de premier ordre pour le projet sioniste. Cependant, plutôt que d’essayer de désamorcer ce risque potentiel, les discours, la répression et les nouvelles mesures légales ne font qu’aggraver les tensions intercommunautaires et accentuer la dimension politique de cette question.
Islam et pouvoir dans la Libye post-Kadhafi
Authors: Lounnas Djallil
Published: October 2013

Cet article évalue les forces, les fondements et les composantes de la mouvance islamiste libyenne. Un temps soutien de Kadhafi, les Oulémas et les frères musulmans se sont alliés avec les salafistes djiahdistes lors de la révolution libyenne de 2011 afin de renverser le guide libyen. Aujourd’hui, les islamistes, force politique majeure, constituent un défi pour la nouvelle démocratie libyenne et notamment en ce qui a trait à leur éventuelle acceptation d’un « consensus minimum démocratique ». Les résultats des dernières élections et la progressive stabilisation, certes difficile, du pays laissent à penser toutefois que ce processus semble être en bonne voie et que les islamistes acceptent de jouer le jeu démocratique.
Development of the learning programme management and evaluation scale for the South African skills development context
Authors: Tshilongamulenzhe Maelekanyo C. , Coetzee Melinde , Masenge Andries
Published: October 2013

Research purpose: The present study developed and tested the construct validity and reliability of the learning programme management and evaluation (LPME) scale.Motivation for the study: The LPME scale was developed to measure and enhance the effectiveness of the management and evaluation of occupational learning programmes in the South African skills development context. Currently no such instrument exists in the South African skills development context; hence there is a need for it.Research design, approach and method: This study followed a quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design using primary data. The LPME scale was administered to a sample of 652 skills development practitioners and learners or apprentices drawn from six organisations representing at least five economic sectors in South Africa. Data were analysed using SPSS and Rasch modelling to test the validity and reliability of the new scale.Main findings: The findings show that the LPME scale is a valid and reliable 11-dimensional measure comprising 81 items.Practical/managerial implications: In view of the seriousness of the skills shortage challenge facing South Africa, this study provides a solid base upon which skills development practitioners can effectively manage and evaluate occupational learning programmes. Furthermore, the newly developed LPME scale provides a basis for further human resource development research in the quest for a solution to the skills shortage challenge.Contribution/value-add: This study contributes by developing a new scale and testing its validity and reliability. As a valid and reliable measure, the LPME scale can be applied with confidence in various South African workplaces.