bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Arquitectura escolar moderna: interferencias, representación y pedagogía
Authors: Cattaneo Daniela A.
Published: June 2015

This paper is part of a line of work that addresses the interference between Architecture and Pedagogy, examining those cases where projects and school buildings legitimize and promote pedagogical statements. In this framework we analyze the selection and dissemination in the 1930s of a set of modern architectural experiences centered on the spatial, typological and linguistic renovation of primary schools. Many of the mainly European and American “models” presented, legitimized or promoted different adjectives for modern architecture, as well as a series of innovative or alternative pedagogical statements. It is in this context that the GATEPAC and AC magazines are introduced as key pieces of the link between modern architecture and pedagogy. Moreover, concepts, such as representation and character, are redefined, in order to use them to research, the architectural resources through which these new ideals were materialized. Questioning the history of the approach to children´s culture from historical examples with an interdisciplinary standpoint paves the way for the creation of a reservoir of the links between architectural and pedagogical models applied to school architecture with the intent of transforming reality.
Avian malaria in Hawaiian forest birds: infection and population impacts across species and elevations
Authors: Samuel Michael D. , Woodworth Bethany L. , Atkinson Carter T. , Hart Patrick J. , LaPointe Dennis A.
Published: June 2015

Wildlife diseases can present significant threats to ecological systems and biological diversity, as well as domestic animal and human health. However, determining the dynamics of wildlife diseases and understanding the impact on host populations is a significant challenge. In Hawai‘i, there is ample circumstantial evidence that introduced avian malaria (Plasmodium relictum) has played an important role in the decline and extinction of many native forest birds. However, few studies have attempted to estimate disease transmission and mortality, survival, and individual species impacts in this distinctive ecosystem. We combined multi‐state capture‐recapture (longitudinal) models with cumulative age‐prevalence (cross‐sectional) models to evaluate these patterns in Apapane, Hawai‘i Amakihi, and Iiwi in low‐, mid‐, and high‐elevation forests on the island of Hawai‘i based on four longitudinal studies of 3–7 years in length. We found species‐specific patterns of malaria prevalence, transmission, and mortality rates that varied among elevations, likely in response to ecological factors that drive mosquito abundance. Malaria infection was highest at low elevations, moderate at mid elevations, and limited in high‐elevation forests. Infection rates were highest for Iiwi and Apapane, likely contributing to the absence of these species in low‐elevation forests. Adult malaria fatality rates were highest for Iiwi, intermediate for Amakihi at mid and high elevations, and lower for Apapane; low‐elevation Amakihi had the lowest malaria fatality, providing strong evidence of malaria tolerance in this low‐elevation population. Our study indicates that hatch‐year birds may have greater malaria infection and/or fatality rates than adults. Our study also found that mosquitoes prefer feeding on Amakihi rather than Apapane, but Apapane are likely a more important reservoir for malaria transmission to mosquitoes. Our approach, based on host abundance and infection rates, may be an effective alternative to mosquito blood meal analysis for determining vector‐host contacts when mosquito densities are low and collection of blood‐fed mosquitoes is impractical. Our study supports the hypothesis that avian malaria has been a primary factor influencing the elevational distribution and abundance of these three species, and likely limits other native Hawaiian species that are susceptible to malaria.
Conspecific density affects predator‐induced prey phenotypic plasticity
Authors: Guariento Rafael D. , Carneiro Luciana S. , Esteves Francisco A. , Jorge Jaqueiuto S. , Caliman Adriano
Published: June 2015

The risk‐assessment hypothesis (R‐AH) states that prey must consider conspecific density and not simply the concentration of predation cues to evaluate actual predation risk. However, little is known about whether the R‐AH might serve to predict predator‐inducible plastic responses involving different prey phenotypes. We approached this question through an experiment in outdoor mesocosms, manipulating predation risk (with caged predators) and prey conspecific density to test the importance of R‐AH for the expression of predator‐induced morphological and behavioral phenotypes. We found behavioral (swimming activity) and morphological (tail width and tail muscle depth) responses of bullfrog tadpoles (Lithobates catesbeianus) to be affected by chemical predation cues. However, only the morphological phenotype responded to the predation‐risk:conspecific‐density interaction. The width of the tail and the muscle depth of tadpoles were significantly greater when individuals were exposed to predators. However, this effect was not significant in treatments with high prey density in an experimental setup that minimized intraspecific competition. We interpret the differences found among the responses of the phenotypes in terms of the effects of three factors: the potential costs related to each phenotype expression, how these phenotypes are affected by environmental conditions and the immediate response of the phenotypes to actual and perceived prey risk. Our results shed light on the fact that prey individuals use information about population density to estimate actual predation risk from chemical cues. However, different traits are differentially affected, suggesting that trade‐off mechanisms associated with the costs of the expression in terms of anti‐predator defenses may interfere with the predictions of R‐AH for multiple prey phenotypes.
Integration of Audio Resources into a Digital Library: The BEIC Case Study
Authors: BaratÃ¨ Adriano , Ludovico Luca Andrea , Haus Goffredo
Published: June 2015

The focus of this paper is on the integration of audio resources with other content types in digital libraries. As a case study, we will present the most recent initiative of the Biblioteca Europea di Informazione e Cultura (BEIC), an Italian institution that pursues educational and instructional goals through the realization and management of a multimedia, free access, open shelf library. A new audio section will be added to the already-existing digital archive, allowing users to listen to about 1000 classical recordings in a multi-platform and cross-browser manner. This experience involves a number of heterogeneous fields, ranging from musicology to computer programming, from cataloging to digitization and archiving. In this paper, we will apply a bottom-up technique in order to provide a generalization of the specific case study, thus suggesting a methodological approach for similar initiatives.
Twenty Years of Data Management in the British Atmospheric Data Centre
Authors: Pepler Sam , Callaghan Sarah
Published: June 2015

The British Atmospheric Data Centre (BADC) has existed in its present form for 20 years, having been formally created in 1994. It evolved from the GDF (Geophysical Data Facility), a SERC (Science and Engineering Research Council) facility, as a result of research council reform where NERC (Natural Environment Research Council) extended its remit to cover atmospheric data below 10km altitude. With that change the BADC took on data from many other atmospheric sources and started interacting with NERC research programmes. The BADC has now hit early adulthood. Prompted by this milestone, we examine in this paper whether the data centre is creaking at the seams or is looking forward to the prime of its life, gliding effortlessly into the future. Which parts of it are bullet proof and which parts are held together with double-sided sticky tape? Can we expect to see it in its present form in another twenty yearsâ€™ time? To answer these questions, we examine the interfaces, technology, processes and organisation used in the provision of data centre services by looking at three snapshots in time, 1994, 2004 and 2014, using metrics and reports from the time to compare and contrasts the services using BADC. The repository landscape has changed massively over this period and has moved the focus for technology and development as the broader community followed emerging trends, standards and ways of working. The incorporation of these new ideas has been both a blessing and a curse, providing the data centre staff with plenty of challenges and opportunities. We also discuss key data centre functions including: data discovery, data access, ingestion, data management planning, preservation plans, agreements/licences and data policy, storage and server technology, organisation and funding, and user management. We conclude that the data centre will probably still exist in some form in 2024 and that it will most likely still be reliant on a file system. However, the technology delivering this service will change and the host organisation and funding routes may vary.
Research Data Management in a Developing Country: A Personal Journey
Authors: Van Deventer Martie , Pienaar Heila
Published: June 2015

This paper explores our own journey to get to grips with research data management (RDM). It also mentions the overlap between our own â€˜journeysâ€™ and that of the country. We share the lessons that we learnt along the way â€“ the most important lesson being that you can learn many wonderful and valuable RDM lessons from the international trend setters, but in the end you need to get your hands dirty and get the work done yourself. You must, within the set parameters, implement the RDM practice that is both appropriate and acceptable for and to your own set of researchers â€“ who may be conducting research in a context that may be very dissimilar to that of international peers.
Molecular Characterization of a Poly-β-Hydroxybutyrate-Producing Microbacterium Isolate
Authors: Osman Yehia A. , Elrazak Ahmed Abd , Khater Wesam , Nashy EL-Shahat , Mohamadeen Attia
Published: June 2015

Bacterial poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a natural, biodegradable polymer, which is accumulated in the cells as an energy reserve materialdue to depletion of nitrogen or phosphorous in the presence of excess carbon source. This polymer is foreseen to possess high industrialpotentiality and excellent alternative to the non-degradable petroleum-based plastics. In this study, we isolated and characterized a localbacterial strain WA81 which accumulated 18mg/L PHB after 72 h growth in mineral salt medium under nitrogen deficiency. The PHB granuleswere detected in the cells using TEM and the genes encode for this polymer were detected by oligonucleotide primers using PCR technology.The 16S rRNA gene nucleotide sequence for this isolate was used to construct a phylogentic tree against all available sequences in the GenBank.The phylogenetic tree data suggested that the closest type strain to the local bacterium is the Microbacterium paraoxydans CF36T and hencewe named it Microbacterium sp. strain WA81. Moreover, the set of enzymes responsible for the PHB biosynthetic pathway and their controllingelements were detected in this local isolate using PCR. The genes encode for the biosynthesis enzymes are phbA (β-ketothiolase), phbB(acetoacetly CoA reductase), phbC (PHB polymerase), while the genes encode for the controlling elements are phbP (phasin), phbZ (PHBdepolymerase). The novelty of this local bacterium lies in its ability to accumulate huge amounts of PHB in its cytoplasm and the presence ofa whole set of genes encode for the PHB biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of this polymer.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 143-150 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12277
Estimation of Coal Bed Methane Potential of Coal Seams of Margherita Coal Field, Assam, India
Authors: Talukdar Prasenjit , Das Ranjan , Goswami Rishiraj
Published: June 2015

The rapid industrialization and growing energy needs have put a great stress on the conventional energy resources. This is even more concerning for a country like India which is a net importer of oil. To meet the ever increasing need for energy, it is essential that the search for unconventional energy is intensified. This paper deals with the estimation of coal bed methane potential of the Margherita Coal Field of Assam, India. For this purpose, eight coal samples were collected from Tirap O.C.P., Ledo UG Incline and Tikak O.C.P collieries of the Margherita coal field. Proximate analysis, megascopic study and finally qualitative analysis of these eight samples was undertaken. After analysis, the inferred reserves of CBM at Margherita Coalfield, was found to be in the range of 42.5-49.04 Billion Cubic Meter.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 232-235DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12449
Effects of Short or Long-Term Exposure of Dithiopyr on Certaine Blood, Growth and Tissue Biochemical Parameters in Catfish (Clarias garipinus)
Authors: Attia Kamal A. , El-Badawi Ashraf A.
Published: June 2015

In the current study the effects of acute or chronic exposure of dithiopyr herbicide (weed controllers) in Catfish (Clarias garipinus) was studied. LC50 was determined, and recorded as 460 μgl-1. Acute and chronic effects on certain blood, growth and tissue biochemical parameters were studied as a function of exposure time. Exposure of Clarias garipinus to acute or chronic toxicity of the herbicide resulted in significant increase in glucose, total cholesterol, creatinine, uric acid and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the herbicide-treated group, while aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) showed a fluctuating activities in both exposures. In contrast, there was significantly (P<0.01) lower values for liver and muscle glycogen in acute toxicity as compared with the control group. Also, in herbicide exposed fish a significant reduction in growth parameters was recorded. These alterations could be attributed to the changes in the metabolic pathways of the studied fish that meight be takes place as a secondary response in the fish to provide energy for the "fight-or-flight" reaction and to compensate the high energy demand. This study implies the importance of previous knowledge about the susceptibility of cultured fish species before using herbicides.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 314-321 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12686
Lignolytic Enzymes Production from Selected Mushrooms
Authors: Shantaveera Swamy H.M. , Ramalingappa -
Published: June 2015

In this paper, ligninase enzymes produced by selected mushrooms have been reported. We collected mushrooms from Western Ghats, most of them were edible food. Thirty samples isolated were tested using a plate assay through direct agar plate assay by using ABTS, decolourisation containing the fifteen isolates were able to decolourise the dye, indicating a lignin-degrading ability. Spectrophotometric enzyme assays from all selected isolates were carried out to examine the production of Ligninolytic enzymes (Laccase, lignin peroxidase and manganese peroxidase). Ten selected isolates produced all three kinds of enzymes tested. Lignolytic enzymes are groups of enzymes these are actively involved in bioremediation.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 308-313 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12732
Molecular Characterization of Some Popular Fish Species in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Sabry Ayman M. , Hassan Mohamed M. , Mohamed Alaa A.
Published: June 2015

The present work aims to molecularly characterize some popular Saudi fish species. Seven popular Saudi fish species namely, Morgan (Nemipteru sjaponicus), Mousa (Solea solea), Hamor (Greasy grouper), Shour (Lethrinus lentjan), Dennis (Caranxsex fasciatus), Harid (Scarus arabicus) and Black surgeon (Acanthurus gahhm) were characterized using six RAPD and three ISSR as well as Rep-PCR markers. These markers produced 187 distinct bands 89.4% were considered as polymorphic bands and 10.6% were considered as monomorphic bands. The RAPD OPA-06 primer revealed 100% polymorphism for 19 produced bands where band width ranged from 190 to 2100 bp. Likewise Rep- PCR ERIC1R primer exhibited 100% polymorphism for 18 bands produced bands where band width ranged from 50 to 1400bp. Data of the three types of genetic markers were combined for phylogenetic analysis. The resulted dendergram produced two large linages with around 59% genetic similarity. One linage only included Morgan (Nemipteru sjaponicus), and the other linage comprised the other six species. This result suggested that this six species were descended from Morgan fish. The second linage comprised two clades; the first clade contained four species (Mousa, Hamor, Shour, and Dennis), where the next clade included only Harid and Black surgeon. Generally genetic distance among native fishes was relatively low. The smallest genetic distance (0.512) was estimated between Shour fish and Black surgeon fish. To the best of our knowledge this work is breaking new ground in two directions, first, molecular characterization of Saudi fish, second employment Rep- PCR genetic marker for molecular characterization of fish species. This work could be considered as preliminary work towards an establishment of Saudi genetic conservation program.Int J Appl Sci Biotechnol, Vol 3(2): 359-366 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijasbt.v3i2.12747
Visualization of Peanut Nodules and Seasonal Nodulation Pattern in Different Tillage Systems Using a Minirhizotron System
Authors: Rowland D.L. , Smith C. , Cook A. , Mason A. , Schreffler A. , Bennett J.
Published: June 2015

Nodulation is essential for providing the nitrogen (N) needs of peanut, but little is known about the time course of nodule development with soil depth in a field production system. A minirhizotron system allows for non-destructive, periodic digital imaging of identical locations in the crop root system in situ, including the associated nodules. Because the system allows imaging at the same location over time, individual nodule development and subsequent senescence can be followed throughout the growing season. To test the proof of concept for the use of a minirhizotron system to observe peanut nodule development, a case study was conducted in 2012 in Citra, FL in a sod-based production system managed with both conservation and conventional tillage at two different timings. Images were taken to a soil depth of 90 cm on four dates during the growing season, and nodule number, surface area, and senescence were determined. Most nodules occurred at depths spanning 5-30 cm with very few outside of this range; however, individual nodules were noted as deep as 90 cm. In this case study, tillage operation and timing had no impact on the total number of nodules produced, and the peak seasonal nodule number was formed relatively early in the season (9 July – 61 days after planting) and stayed constant until harvest. Nodule number varied by soil depth with the majority of nodules formed in the 0-20 cm depth. Nodule surface area was impacted by tillage type with conservation tillage treatments having larger nodule size (average 2.6 mm2) than nodules in conventional tillage (1.9 mm2). Maximum nodule surface area was achieved by mid-season on 1 August. This study gave a unique visual assessment of nodule development for field grown peanut over time and provided data that has rarely been reported. In addition, this study also illustrated that the minirhizotron technique could be successfully utilized in studies examining the development of nodules in peanut and would likely be applicable for similar studies in other legume crops.
Herbicide and Rye Cover Crop Residue Integration Affect Weed Control and Yield in Strip-Tillage Peanut
Authors: Aulakh J.S. , Saini M. , Price A.J. , Faircloth W.H. , van Santen E. , Wehtje G.R. , Kelton J.A.
Published: June 2015

Reduced-tillage peanut production is increasing due to reduced production costs and increased environmental and economic benefits compared to conventional systems. Experiments were conducted in Alabama and Georgia between 2005 and 2007 to evaluate a strip-tillage system utilizing a high-residue cereal rye cover crop, in comparison to a conventional tillage system. Six weed management schemes were evaluated including a preemergence (PRE) application of pendimethalin alone at 1.12 kg ai/ha or in combination with S-metolachlor at 1.36 kg ai/ha. Both PRE applications were applied alone or followed by (fb) a postemergence (POST) application consisting of a mixture of paraquat at 0.140 kg ai/ha plus bentazon at 0.56 kg ai/ha plus 2,4-DB at 0.224 kg ae/ha. The remaining two treatments consisted of a no-herbicide control and aforementioned POST-only application. In 2005 at the Alabama location, pendimethalin plus metolachlor with or without a POST application controlled all weeds >91% in the strip tillage treatment and controlled tall morningglory, yellow nutsedge, and common bermudagrass >83% in the conventional tillage system. Pendimethalin fb a POST application controlled all weeds > 97%, except large crabgrass (75%) and common bermudagrass (≤ 58%) regardless of tillage system. In 2007, pendimethalin and pendimethalin plus S-metolachlor followed by (fb) a POST application controlled smooth pigweed, tall morningglory, large crabgrass, Florida beggarweed, and sicklepod 70 to 99%, across tillage systems. In 2005 at the Georgia location, large crabgrass control was consistently reduced in strip-tillage compared to conventional tillage regardless of herbicide treatment. In 2006, pendimethalin plus S-metolachlor fb POST controlled common bermudagrass and yellow nutsedge 74 to 99%. Herbicide treatment effect on peanut yield varied with environment. Peanut yield was equivalent or greater by 25% or more in 3 of 4 site years utilizing strip-tillage indicating a yield advantage compared to conventional tillage. Peanut market grade was not affected by any herbicide treatments or tillage methods evaluated. Results show that producers can maintain weed control, equivalent grade and yield in reduced-tillage systems when utilizing a high-residue conservation agriculture system integrated with a PRE plus POST herbicide system.
Aspiring to alterpolitics
Authors: Ciavolella Riccardo , Boni Stefano
Published: June 2015

This theme section inquires into the contribution of political anthropology to radical theories, social imagination, and practices underlying political “alternatives”, which we propose to call “alterpolitics”. The issue of an alternative to contemporary powers in globalization is a central topic in social movements and radical debates. This sense of possibility for political alternatives is associated with the desertion of the belief in “the end of history”: the current economic crisis and the decline of Western hegemony presumably announce a radical transformation of the neoliberal world, opening space to alternatives. Actually, the reconfiguration of twentieth-century capitalism is associated with a growing mistrust of political institutions, the crisis being “organic”, in the Gramscian sense (Gramsci 1975). Recent social movements and insurrections around the world—from the “colored revolutions” in Central Asia to the Spanish indignados, the US Occupy movement, the Arab Spring, uprisings in Bosnia—have raised the issue of alternatives as a reaction to the incapacity of capitalist political institutions—from electoral democracy to dictatorships—to deal with people’s problems and meet their aspirations for emancipation and a better future.
Militant collectivity
Authors: Hirslund Dan V.
Published: June 2015

A stubborn, anticapitalist movement, Maoism has persisted in the global periphery for the many past decades despite its tainted image as a progressive alterpolitical platform. This article seeks to ponder why this is the case by looking at a recent and popular example of leftist radical politics in the MLM tradition. I argue that contemporary Nepali Maoism is offering a militant, collectivist, antiliberal model for confronting capitalist and state hegemony in an effort to forge new class solidarities. Responding to a changed political environment for continuing its program of socialist revolution, I trace how the Maoist party's efforts at building a mass movement become centered on the question of organization, and in particular the requirements of what I term an ethical organization. Through an analysis of how caste and gender equalities are institutionalized within the movement, and the various ways in which collectivity becomes linked to concrete practices, the article offers an ethnographic analysis of contested egalitarian agency within a movement undergoing rapid change.
Planning as a form of enclosure
Authors: Forde Elaine
Published: June 2015

Enclosure, a historic and contemporary accumulation regime, is part of a global conversation about what resources are, who may use them, and for what purpose. Here, it is suggested that spatial planning extends the practice of enclosure in its approach to land use. This article focuses on Wales's strategy for sustainable development (OPD), which theoretically promotes low-impact developments. Ethnographic research explored how OPD applicants navigate different people and organizations with a stake in the character of land, and how OPD applications are rarely approved. The data reveals a tension between the notions of self-provisioning and planned development, but indicates how activists circumvent and adapt the planning system. This article extends the notion of what counts as accumulation by focusing on the nonproductive value of an unspoiled countryside, a notion central to debates about the production of the countryside as leisure space and the enclosure of nature under global sustainable development regimes.
Effect of low doses of bezafibrate and fenofibrate on liver 2-oxo-glutarate dehydrogenase complex in low-protein diet fed rats
Authors: Knapik-Czajka Malgorzata Elzbieta
Published: June 2015

Multienzyme 2-oxoglutarate complex (2-OGDH) together with branched chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) and pyruvate dehydrogenase  belong to the family of mitochondrial 2-oxoacid dehydrogenases. Hypolipidemic drugs, bezafibrate and fenofibrate, up-regulate liver BCKDH. The present study has been undertaken to determine the effect of low doses of bezafibrate and fenofibrate on liver 2-OGDH. Fibrates were administrated to rats fed low-protein diet at 5, 10 or 20 mg/kg. In rats treated with increasing doses of bezafibrate 2-OGDH activity increased by 7, 35 and 42%, while in rats administered with fenofibrate by 8, 18, and 56% (p<0.05 for bezafibrate 10 and 20, and fenofibrate 20 mg/kg). Changes in 2-OGDH activity did not correspond with changes in mRNA levels of the complex enzymes. Moreover, mRNA levels of PPARα remained unaltered. It is conceivable that stimulation of 2-OGDH activity by low doses of fibrates is the result of post-transcriptional events and may have a significant effect on liver metabolism.

 
Torsion of Ovarian Cyst During Pregnancy (Laparoscopic Cystectomy): A Case Report
Authors: Shamsunnahar Parveen Akhter , Motaleb Abdul , Khairunnahar - , Begum Nurjahan , Laila Tarafder Runa
Published: June 2015

In this case we report a 27 year old primigravida having 14 weeks of pregnancy with torsion of ovarian cyst. She presented to a private clinic with acute pain in right lower abdomen. She was diagnosed to have torsion of ovarian cyst during pregnancy and laparoscopic cystectomy was done. Histopathology report showed benign serous cystadenoma. Her pregnancy was followed up. She delivered a healthy baby at term. Though the safety of antepartum surgical intervention has been accepted, laparoscopic surgery needs more advanced surgical skill and knowledge.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 4(2): 67-71, 2013 (July)
Successful Pregnancy in a DWARF : A Rare Case Report
Authors: Yusuf Nahid , Akter Hasina , Ali Md Ahmed , Rahman Latifur
Published: June 2015

Miraculous birth: Standing at just 35"(104.14cm) tall, 28 years old proportionate dwarf lady weighing 20 kg was succeeded in giving birth to a girl at 36+ weeks of pregnancy by cesarean section in June, 2013 making her the smallest woman ever reported to give birth to apparently healthy looking, and average-sized female baby in Bangladesh. Detailed clinical examination of the neonate performed by the neonatologist revealed no obvious external congenital anomalies and infantogram after 6 weeks also revealed normal study.J. Paediatr. Surg. Bangladesh 4(2): 72-75, 2013 (July)
A Review of Nutrient Management Studies Involving Finger Millet in the Semi-Arid Tropics of Asia and Africa
Authors: Thilakarathna Malinda , Raizada Manish
Published: June 2015

Finger millet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) is a staple food crop grown by subsistence farmers in the semi-arid tropics of South Asia and Africa. It remains highly valued by traditional farmers as it is nutritious, drought tolerant, short duration, and requires low inputs. Its continued propagation may help vulnerable farmers mitigate climate change. Unfortunately, the land area cultivated with this crop has decreased, displaced by maize and rice. Reversing this trend will involve achieving higher yields, including through improvements in crop nutrition. The objective of this paper is to comprehensively review the literature concerning yield responses of finger millet to inorganic fertilizers (macronutrients and micronutrients), farmyard manure (FYM), green manures, organic by-products, and biofertilizers. The review also describes the impact of these inputs on soils, as well as the impact of diverse cropping systems and finger millet varieties, on nutrient responses. The review critically evaluates the benefits and challenges associated with integrated nutrient management, appreciating that most finger millet farmers are economically poor and primarily use farmyard manure. We conclude by identifying research gaps related to nutrient management in finger millet, and provide recommendations to increase the yield and sustainability of this crop as a guide for subsistence farmers.
Early Life Stress, Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors and Alcohol Use Disorders
Authors: Holgate Joan , Bartlett Selena
Published: June 2015

Stress is a major driving force in alcohol use disorders (AUDs). It influences how much one consumes, craving intensity and whether an abstinent individual will return to harmful alcohol consumption. We are most vulnerable to the effects of stress during early development, and exposure to multiple traumatic early life events dramatically increases the risk for AUDs. However, not everyone exposed to early life stress will develop an AUD. The mechanisms determining whether an individual’s brain adapts and becomes resilient to the effects of stress or succumbs and is unable to cope with stress remain elusive. Emerging evidence suggests that neuroplastic changes in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) following early life stress underlie the development of AUDs. This review discusses the impact of early life stress on NAc structure and function, how these changes affect cholinergic signaling within the mesolimbic reward pathway and the role nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) play in this process. Understanding the neural pathways and mechanism determining stress resilience or susceptibility will improve our ability to identify individuals susceptible to developing AUDs, formulate cognitive interventions to prevent AUDs in susceptible individuals and to elucidate and enhance potential therapeutic targets, such as the nAChRs, for those struggling to overcome an AUD.
A New Data-Stream-Mining-Based Battery Equalization Method
Authors: Lin Cheng , Mu Hao , Zhao Li , Cao Wanke
Published: June 2015

Balancing battery cells is a key task for battery management systems (BMS). Imbalances of cells decrease the capacity and lifetime of the battery pack. Many balancing topologies and strategies have been proposed to balance the electric charges among cells and most of the intelligent control strategies select cells (to shuttle charges) by comparing their terminal voltages. However, the nature of battery equalization is to balance the energy stored in individual cells. The measured terminal voltage is just an external characteristic and cannot accurately reflect the state of charge (SOC) of the cell, especially in a noisy environment. Additionally, when the consistencies of cells are very poor, balancing the cells with terminal voltages will lead to serious errors. In this paper, we introduced a novel battery balancing method, in which the charge-balancing criterion was not the cell voltage, but the shuttling capacities among cells. Data stream mining (DSM) technique was used to calculate the shuttling capacities. A single switched capacitor (SSC) based cell balancing topology was used to test the performance of the proposed method. With the obtained summary information, the cells, the sequence, and the quantity of the equalized charge can be decided automatically by the proposed algorithm. The simulation and experiment results have shown that the proposed method was effective and convenient.
Savings in Cooling Energy with a Thermal Management System for LED Lighting in Office Buildings
Authors: Ahn Byung-Lip , Park Ji-Woo , Yoo Seunghwan , Kim Jonghun , Leigh Seung-Bok , Jang Cheol-Yong
Published: June 2015

Light-emitting diode (LED) lighting should be considered for lighting efficiency enhancement, however, waste heat from light-emitting diode (LED) lighting increases the internal cooling load during the summer season. In order to solve this problem we propose a thermal management system for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting with a heat exchanger module integrated with the building’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system to move the lighting’s waste heat outdoors. An experiment was carried out to investigate the thermal effects in a test chamber and the heat exchange rate between the heat sink and the duct air. The heat generated by the light-emitting diode (LED) lighting was calculated as 78.1% of light-emitting diode (LED) input power and the heat exchange rate of the lighting heat exchange module was estimated to be between 86.5% and 98.1% according to the light-emitting diode (LED) input power and the flow rate of air passing the heat sink. As a result, the average light-emitting diode (LED) lighting heat contribution rate for internal heat gain was determined as 0.05; this value was used to calculate the heating and cooling energy demand of the office building through an energy simulation program. In the simulation results, the cooling energy demand was reduced by 19.2% compared with the case of conventionally installed light-emitting diode (LED) lighting.
Three-Phase High-Power and Zero-Current-Switching OBC for Plug-In Electric Vehicles
Authors: Wang Cheng-Shan , Li Wei , Meng Zhun , Wang Yi-Feng , Zhou Jie-Gui
Published: June 2015

In this paper, an interleaved high-power zero-current-switching (ZCS) onboard charger (OBC) based on the three-phase single-switch buck rectifier is proposed for application to plug-in electric vehicles (EVs). The multi-resonant structure is used to achieve high efficiency and high power density, which are necessary to reduce the volume and weight of the OBC. This study focuses on the border conditions of ZCS converting with a battery load, which means the variation ranges of the output voltage and current are very large. Furthermore, a novel hybrid control method combining pulse frequency modulation (PFM) and pulse width modulation (PWM) together is presented to ensure a driving frequency higher than 10 kHz, and this will reduce the unexpected inner resonant power flow and decrease the total harmonic distortion (THD) of the input current under a light load at the end of the charging process. Finally, a prototype is established, and experiments are carried out. According to the experimental results, the conversion efficiency is higher than 93.5%, the THD about 4.3% and power factor (PF) 0.98 under the maximum power output condition. Besides, a three-stage charging process is also carried out the experimental platform.
Battery Design for Successful Electrification in Public Transport
Authors: Rothgang Susanne , Rogge Matthias , Becker Jan , Sauer Dirk
Published: June 2015

Public transport is an especially promising sector for full electric vehicles due to the high amount of cycles and predictable workload. This leads to a high amount of different vehicle concepts ranging from large batteries, designed for a full day of operation without charging, to fast-charging systems with charging power up to a few hundred kilowatts. Hence, many different issues have to be addressed in the whole design and production process regarding high-voltage (HV) batteries for buses. In this work, the design process for electric public buses is analyzed in detail, based on two systems developed by the research projects Smart Wheels/econnect and SEB eÖPNV. The complete development process starting, with the demand analysis and the operating scenario, including the charging routine, is discussed. This paper also features details on cell selection and cost estimations as well as technical details on the system layout, such as the management system and passive components as well as thermal management.
Variation of Oriental Oak (Quercus variabilis) Leaf δ13C across Temperate and Subtropical China: Spatial Patterns and Sensitivity to Precipitation
Authors: Du Baoming , Kang Hongzhang , Zhu Yanhua , Zhou Xuan , Yin Shan , Burgess Paul , Liu Chunjiang
Published: June 2015

The concentration of the carbon-13 isotope (leaf δ13C) in leaves is negatively correlated with the mean annual precipitation (MAP) atlarge geographical scales. In this paper, we explain the spatial pattern of leaf δ13C variation for deciduous oriental oak (Quercus variabilis Bl.) across temperate and subtropical biomes and its sensitivity to climate factors such as MAP. There was a 6‰ variation in the leaf δ13C values of oak with a significant positive correlation with latitude and negative correlations with the mean annual temperature (MAT) and MAP. There was no correlation between leaf δ13C and altitude or longitude. Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that leaf δ13C decreased 0.3‰ per 100 mm increase in MAP. MAP alone could account for 68% of the observed variation in leaf δ13C. These results can be used to improve predictions for plant responses to climate change and particularly lower rainfall.
Cross-Sectional Study of Hepatitis A Virus Infection in the Pantanal Population before Vaccine Implementation in Brazil: Usage of Non-Invasive Specimen Collection
Authors: Tourinho Renata , De Almeida Adilson , Villar Livia , Murat Paula , Capelin Gina , Castro Ana , De Paula Vanessa
Published: June 2015

Population-based prevalence studies are essential tools for screening of hepatitis A and provide important data on susceptible groups. However, surveillance in isolated communities is difficult because of the limited access to these areas and the need for blood sample collection. This study aimed to determine the anti-HAV prevalence using oral fluid samples to provide an alternative tool for epidemiological studies that might be useful for vaccination-related decisions. The study population was composed of 224 volunteers from South Pantanal, aged 3 to 86 years old. This study was performed using oral fluids, previously standardized for anti-HAV antibody detection, which were collected using a ChemBio device. Eluates were tested using modified commercial EIA to detect anti-HAV antibodies. The overall prevalence was 79.1%, corresponding to 178 reactive EIA tests out of 224 samples. The age stratified data revealed a prevalence of 47.8% between 0–10 years, 84% in 11–20 years and 91.9% in subjects older than 21 years. Results indicate that hepatitis A prevalence was higher in adolescents and adults, corroborating the literature reports. Thus, oral fluid samples could replace serum in HAV epidemiological studies in isolated communities as they are efficient at detecting anti-HAV antibodies.
Two-Year Monitoring of Water Samples from Dam of Iskar and the Black Sea, Bulgaria, by Molecular Analysis: Focus on Mycobacterium spp.
Authors: Panaiotov Stefan , Simeonovski Ivan , Levterova Victoria , Karamfilov Ventzislav , Brankova Nadia , Tankova Kristin , Campbell Katrina , Jacob Pauline , Helmi Karim , Boots Bas , D'Ugo Emilio , Marcheggiani Stefania , Mancini Laura , Breitenbach Ulrich , Mielke Erik , Kantardjiev Todor
Published: June 2015

The coast of the Bulgarian Black Sea is a popular summer holiday destination. The Dam of Iskar is the largest artificial dam in Bulgaria, with a capacity of 675 million m3. It is the main source of tap water for the capital Sofia and for irrigating the surrounding valley. There is a close relationship between the quality of aquatic ecosystems and human health as many infections are waterborne. Rapid molecular methods for the analysis of highly pathogenic bacteria have been developed for monitoring quality. Mycobacterial species can be isolated from waste, surface, recreational, ground and tap waters and human pathogenicity of nontuberculose mycobacteria (NTM) is well recognized. The objective of our study was to perform molecular analysis for key-pathogens, with a focus on mycobacteria, in water samples collected from the Black Sea and the Dam of Iskar. In a two year period, 38 water samples were collected—24 from the Dam of Iskar and 14 from the Black Sea coastal zone. Fifty liter water samples were concentrated by ultrafiltration. Molecular analysis for 15 pathogens, including all species of genus Mycobacterium was performed. Our results showed presence of Vibrio spp. in the Black Sea. Rotavirus A was also identified in four samples from the Dam of Iskar. Toxigenic Escherichia coli was present in both locations, based on markers for stx1 and stx2 genes. No detectable amounts of Cryptosporidium were detected in either location using immunomagnetic separation and fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, mass spectrometry analyses did not detect key cyanobacterial toxins. On the basis of the results obtained we can conclude that for the period 2012–2014 no Mycobacterium species were present in the water samples. During the study period no cases of waterborne infections were reported.
A Mechanism-Based Model for the Prediction of the Metabolic Sites of Steroids Mediated by Cytochrome P450 3A4
Authors: Dai Zi-Ru , Ai Chun-Zhi , Ge Guang-Bo , He Yu-Qi , Wu Jing-Jing , Wang Jia-Yue , Man Hui-Zi , Jia Yan , Yang Ling
Published: June 2015

Early prediction of xenobiotic metabolism is essential for drug discovery and development. As the most important human drug-metabolizing enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A4 has a large active cavity and metabolizes a broad spectrum of substrates. The poor substrate specificity of CYP3A4 makes it a huge challenge to predict the metabolic site(s) on its substrates. This study aimed to develop a mechanism-based prediction model based on two key parameters, including the binding conformation and the reaction activity of ligands, which could reveal the process of real metabolic reaction(s) and the site(s) of modification. The newly established model was applied to predict the metabolic site(s) of steroids; a class of CYP3A4-preferred substrates. 38 steroids and 12 non-steroids were randomly divided into training and test sets. Two major metabolic reactions, including aliphatic hydroxylation and N-dealkylation, were involved in this study. At least one of the top three predicted metabolic sites was validated by the experimental data. The overall accuracy for the training and test were 82.14% and 86.36%, respectively. In summary, a mechanism-based prediction model was established for the first time, which could be used to predict the metabolic site(s) of CYP3A4 on steroids with high predictive accuracy.
Natural Product and Natural Product-Derived Gamma Secretase Modulators from Actaea Racemosa Extracts
Authors: Findeis Mark , Schroeder Frank , Creaser Steffen , McKee Timothy , Xia Weiming
Published: June 2015

Alzheimer’s disease is characterized by pathogenic oligomerization, aggregation, and deposition of amyloid beta peptide (Aβ), resulting in severe neuronal toxicity and associated cognitive dysfunction. In particular, increases in the absolute or relative level of the major long form of Aβ, Aβ42, are associated with increased cellular toxicity and rapidity of disease progression. As a result of this observation, screening to identify potential drugs to reduce the level of Aβ42 have been undertaken by way of modulating the proteolytic activity of the gamma secretase complex without compromising its action on other essential substrates such as Notch. In this review we summarize results from a program that sought to develop such gamma secretase modulators based on novel natural products identified in the extract of Actaea racemosa, the well-known botanical black cohosh. Following isolation of compound 1 (SPI-014), an extensive medicinal chemistry effort was undertaken to define the SAR of 1 and related semisynthetic compounds. Major metabolic and physicochemical liabilities in 1 were overcome including replacement of both the sugar and acetate moieties with more stable alternatives that improved drug-like properties and resulted in development candidate 25 (SPI-1865). Unanticipated off-target adrenal toxicity, however, precluded advancement of this series of compounds into clinical development.
Green Nanocomposites from Renewable Plant Oils and Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes
Authors: Tsujimoto Takashi , Uyama Hiroshi , Kobayashi Shiro , Oikawa Hisao , Yamahiro Mikio
Published: June 2015

Green nanocomposites based on renewable plant oils and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) have been developed. An acid-catalyzed curing of epoxidized plant oils with oxirane-containing POSS derivatives produced transparent nanocomposite coatings with high gloss surface, in which the organic and inorganic components were linked via covalent bonds. The hardness and mechanical strength were improved by the incorporation of the POSS unit into the organic polymer matrix. Nanostructural analyses of the nanocomposites showed the formation of homogeneous structures at the micrometer scale. On the other hand, such improvements of the coating and mechanical properties were not observed in the composite without covalent bonds between the plant oil-based polymer and POSS unit. The study demonstrates the correlation between the nanostructure of composites and macroscopic properties.