bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Estrategias de «quodlíbet» en el escenario internacional contemporáneo: las acciones de India, Brasil y Sudáfrica (IBSA) en los ámbitos multilaterales
Authors: Giaccaglia Clarisa
Published: January 2013

Frente al cada vez más complejo sistema internacional contemporáneo, se plantea la necesidad de crear nuevas herramientas conceptuales que contribuyan a una mejor comprensión de la realidad mundial. En este contexto, se otorga especial relevancia al fortalecimiento de una perspectiva propiamente latinoamericana introduciendo la noción de estrategia de quodlíbet con el objetivo de analizar la creciente y multifacética presencia de los poderes emergentes en los ámbitos decisorios globales.
Produção e acúmulo de nutrientes em povoamento de eucalipto em consequência da intensidade do desbaste e da fertilização
Authors: Silva Jadir Vieira da , Nogueira Gilciano Saraiva , Santana Reynaldo Campos , Leite Helio Garcia , Oliveira Márcio Leles Romarco de , Almado Roosevelt de Paula
Published: January 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a produção de madeira e biomassa, bem como a quantidade de nutrientes acumulada, em povoamento de eucalipto submetido a intensidades de desbaste e à fertilização pós-desbaste. O experimento foi realizado em blocos ao acaso, em parcelas subdividas, com duas repetições dos tratamentos dentro de cada bloco. Nas parcelas, foram avaliadas quatro intensidades de desbaste (0, 20, 35 e 50%) e, nas subparcelas, as condições com e sem fertilização pós-desbaste. O desbaste foi realizado aos 89 meses e a aplicação da fertilização aos 99 meses. Os dados foram coletados aos 125 meses. O desbaste influenciou o crescimento em diâmetro, área basal, volume de madeira e biomassa. A fertilização pós-desbaste não afetou o acúmulo de nutrientes pelo povoamento nem sua produção. O acúmulo de nutrientes na parte aérea e no tronco foi inversamente proporcional à intensidade dos desbastes. O conteúdo de Ca na serapilheira variou de acordo com os desbastes, e o de K, Ca, Mg e S de acordo com a fertilização. O desbaste tem maior influência do que a fertilização na produção florestal pós-desbaste.
Propuesta de muestreo para Neohydatothrips signifer (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) en el cultivo de maracuyá
Authors: Amaya Oscar Santos , Devia Edgar Herney Varón , Floriano Johana Andrea
Published: January 2013

El objetivo de este trabajo fue desarrollar una propuesta de muestreo de Neohydatothrips signifer en el cultivo de maracuyá. Se correlacionó la infestación promedio del trips en el cultivo con las variables meteorológicas de humedad relativa, temperatura y precipitación, con uso del coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Así mismo, se determinó el índice de agregación de la población en el cultivo, con la prueba chi cuadrado (X²) para la distribución de Poisson, la prueba de la razón V²/µ, y la distribución de la binomial negativa. La única variable climática que se correlacionó significativamente con la densidad promedio del trips fue la temperatura. Se presentó mayor incidencia y densidad poblacional del insecto en los terminales vegetativos en comparación con los botones florales. El patrón de disposición espacial que se presentó en todos los estados de desarrollo fenológico del cultivo fue de tipo agregado. Con el índice de agregación y el tamaño promedio de la población, se calculó que se deben muestrear 22 terminales nuevos por hectárea, sin importar su posición en la planta. El muestreo del trips en el cultivo de maracuyá debe hacerse sobre los terminales vegetativos de la planta, sin importar la posición del terminal en ella.
Promoção do crescimento do feijoeiro e controle da antracnose por Trichoderma spp
Authors: Pedro Erica Aparecida de Souza , Harakava Ricardo , Lucon Cleusa Maria Mantovanello , Guzzo Sylvia Dias
Published: January 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a capacidade de Trichoderma spp. em promover o crescimento de plantas de feijão e reduzir a severidade da antracnose do feijoeiro (Colletotrichum lindemuthianum), bem como identificar os isolados mais eficientes. Sessenta isolados de Trichoderma spp. foram avaliados quanto à capacidade de promoção do crescimento nas plantas. Os sete isolados que mais se destacaram foram adicionados ao substrato de cultivo e avaliados quanto à redução na severidade da antracnose em plantas de feijão tratadas com conídios de C. lindemuthianum. Os mais eficientes no controle da doença foram identificados por sequenciamento de DNA. O isolado IB 28/07 foi avaliado nas concentrações 0,5, 1, 1,5 e 2% (peso:volume), que reduziram a severidade da doença em 41,51, 55,15, 81,82 e 96,06%, respectivamente. Os isolados mais eficientes de Trichoderma spp. podem proporcionar aumentos superiores a 30% na produção de matéria seca da parte aérea das plantas e reduzir a severidade da doença entre 63 e 98%. Esses isolados foram identificados como pertencentes às espécies Trichoderma harzianum, T. strigosum e T. theobromicola.
Crescimento e produtividade de nogueira-macadâmia em consórcio com cafeeiro arábica irrigado
Authors: Perdoná Marcos José , Martins Adriana Novais , Suguino Eduardo , Soratto Rogério Peres
Published: January 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o crescimento e a produtividade de cultivares de nogueira-macadâmia (Macadamia integrifolia), em sistema de cultivo consorciado com café (Coffea arabica) irrigado. O experimento foi realizado em delineamento inteiramente ao acaso, com dez repetições. Seis cultivares de macadâmia foram utilizadas, das quais três nacionais (IAC 4-12B, IAC 4-20 e IAC 9-20) e três havaianas (HAES 344, HAES 660 e HAES 816). Nos quatro primeiros anos de produção, foram feitas avaliações de: altura de planta, diâmetro de copa e de tronco, número de nozes por planta, peso médio de noz, peso médio de amêndoa, produção de nozes por planta, taxa de recuperação e produção de amêndoas por planta. As cultivares nacionais apresentaram menor crescimento em altura, com destaque para IAC 4-20, porém, com copas de maior diâmetro. As cultivares nacionais são mais produtivas, com destaque para a IAC 4-12B.
Relaciones entre los bovinos criollos panameños y algunas razas criollas de Latinoamérica
Authors: Villalobos-Cortés Axel , Martínez Amparo , Vega-Pla José Luis , Landi Vincenzo , Quiroz Jorge , Martínez Rubén , López Roberto Martínez , Sponenberg Phil , Armstrong Eileen , Zambrano Delsito , Marques Jose Ribamar , Delgado Juan Vicente
Published: January 2013

El objetivo de este trabajo fue establecer la relación genética entre poblaciones bovinas panameñas Guabalá y Guaymí y algunas poblaciones criollas de Latinoamérica. Se practicó un análisis factorial de correspondencias, análisis de varianza molecular, distancias genéticas, número medio de migrantes por población y los estadísticos F de Wright. Se evaluó la estructura de la población mediante un modelo Bayesiano, suponiéndose un número desconocido de K grupos diferentes genéticamente. El análisis factorial de correspondencias mostró que las poblaciones Guabalá y Guaymí se agrupan con los bovinos criollos mexicanos y el Texas Longhorn. Igualmente se observó menor diferenciación genética de las criollas panameñas con mexicanos y el Texas Longhorn. Los análisis de distancia genética también mostraron dados similares a los obtenidos por el Amova y por el análisis factorial de correspondencia, y se observó menor distancia entre poblaciones del norte y las panameñas, en comparación con las poblaciones del sur. La agrupación bayesiana permitió la asignación de los individuos a su respectivo grupo, con base en su semejanza genética, y proporcionó información acerca del número de poblaciones bajo el cual se originan. Hay una estrecha relación histórica, genética y geográfica de las poblaciones panameñas, criollas mexicanas y Texas Longhorn, a partir de las migraciones de sus precursores desde las Antillas hacia Panamá y México.
Seleção de cultivares de laranja doce de maturação precoce por índices de desempenho
Authors: Caputo Marina Maitto , Mourão Filho Francisco de Assis Alves , Silva Simone Rodrigues da , Bremer Neto Horst , Couto Hilton Thadeu Zarate do , Stuchi Eduardo Sanches
Published: January 2013

O objetivo deste trabalho foi selecionar cultivares de laranja doce de maturação precoce, adequadas para o mercado de frutas in natura e para o processamento industrial, por meio de índices de desempenho. Índices de desempenho para citros foram estabelecidos com base em dados coletados em experimento conduzido na região sudoeste do Estado de São Paulo, envolvendo 12 cultivares de laranja doce de maturação precoce. Resultados pioneiros foram obtidos na identificação de cultivares superiores. Em comparação com a laranja 'Hamlin', cultivar padrão de maturação precoce, identificaram-se as laranjas 'Valência 2' e 'Salustiana' com potencial para o mercado de frutas in natura, e a laranja 'Westin', para o processamento industrial.
La "cultura de la vida": desplazamientos estratégicos del activismo católico conservador frente a los derechos sexuales y reproductivos
Authors: Vaggione Juan Marco
Published: January 2013

El artículo considera las principales dimensiones del activismo católico conservador sobre la sexualidad a partir del análisis de la Encíclica Evangelium Vitae (1995). El análisis se focaliza en tres dimensiones: la oposición entre cultura de la vida y cultura de la muerte como el enmarque político; los desplazamientos del activismo católico conservador para intervenir en los principales debates públicos; las principales estrategias propuestas para evitar la sanción o la vigencia de los derechos sexuales y reproductivos. A través de estos ejes, se contribuye a la comprensión de las rearticulaciones en las formas de intervención de la Iglesia Católica como una parte constitutiva de la política sexual contemporánea.
Revisitando os Tabus: as cautelas rituais do povo de santo
Authors: Bassi Francesca
Published: January 2013

O presente artigo propõe uma reflexão sobre o papel das interdições rituais pessoais, chamadas de quizilas, no contexto do candomblé da Bahia (Jeje-Nagô). A pesquisa de campo levou à hipótese de que, para além das proibições profiláticas e dos tabus de cunho coletivo, existem interdições pessoais baseadas em sensibilidades negativas, notadamente em ojerizas ou alergias alimentares, que guiam o iniciado numa relação particular com os orixás. A constatação de que a sensibilidade corporal desempenha um papel importante nesse tipo de gesto ritual indica, portanto, a importância de uma prática etnográfica debruçada sobre a noção de "corpo que sente".
Curvas de referência de pontos brutos no Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale de crianças e adolescentes
Authors: Marteleto Márcia Regina Fumagalli , Schoen-Ferreira Teresa Helena , Chiari Brasilia Maria , Perissinoto Jacy
Published: January 2013

O trabalho teve como objetivo construir curvas de referência de pontos brutos das Áreas e do Total do Stanford-Binet em crianças e adolescentes paulistanos. Foram avaliadas individualmente 257 crianças e adolescentes, com idade média de 5 anos e 10 meses, sendo 130 (50,58%) do sexo feminino e 127 (49,42%) do sexo masculino, todas frequentadoras de Escolas Públicas de Educação Infantil e Fundamental, de diferentes regiões da cidade de São Paulo. O teste foi aplicado individualmente na própria escola das crianças, sempre a partir do primeiro item, independentemente da idade da criança. Os participantes foram agrupados por idade; calcularam-se medidas descritivas para cada faixa etária desta população. Foram confeccionadas curvas de referência para Áreas e Total do Stanford Binet com os pontos brutos obtidos. Os pontos brutos foram distribuídos de acordo com a curva normal.
Estudio sobre la pertinencia del uso de las normas disponibles del Raven en adultos mayores chilenos
Authors: Alarcón Paz Cristina , Díaz Valenzuela Vanessa , Hernández Rosales Jacqueline , Estrada Goic Claudia
Published: January 2013

La evaluación de la inteligencia en población adulto mayor ha aumentado su relevancia debido al incremento de la esperanza de vida. Este estudio centra su interés en la pertinencia de normas disponibles para el Test de Matrices Progresivas de Raven para dicha población. Se utilizaron normas de Colchester (1942, en Raven, Court y Raven, 2008), las más completas existentes. Participaron 102 adultos mayores voluntarios (más de 60 años). El diseño fue no experimental transversal correlacional. Los resultados indican que las normas resultan poco exigentes para ese grupo y que existen diferencias significativas entre los adultos de la tercera y cuarta edad, privilegiando a los del primer grupo. El índice de discrepancia mostró alta sensibilidad, indicando que la distribución de puntajes esperados no se corresponde al de la población general. Se discuten los resultados en torno a la necesidad de actualización de las normas y la consideración de las nuevas características de este periodo vital.
Estudo parcial da validação do Atlas do Rorschach Sistema Compreensivo em amostra de pacientes psiquiátricos de São Paulo
Authors: Marques Thaís Cristina , Chaves Ana Cristina , Yazigi Latife
Published: January 2013

Este trabalho é parte do estudo de validação do atlas de localização e da lista de qualidade formal brasileiros do Rorschach Sistema Compreensivo em amostra de pacientes psiquiátricos da cidade de São Paulo, comparando as variáveis X+%, XA%, WDA%, X-% e Xu% dos pacientes com os valores encontrados na amostra normativa brasileira. Foram avaliados 45 pacientes, e os instrumentos de seleção foram a entrevista clínica estruturada para diagnóstico do DSM-IV (SCID-I) e a Escala das Síndromes Positiva e Negativa (PANSS). 23 pacientes preencheram critério pela SCID-I para transtornos psicóticos e, destes, 19 foram considerados psicóticos pela PANSS. Todos os protocolos foram classificados segundo as classificações norte-americanas e brasileiras. Foi realizada ANOVA, comparando amostras normativas e o grupo de pacientes. As variáveis XA% e X-% mostraram-se sensíveis para detectar as nuances perceptivas entre as pessoas. As áreas de localização e lista de qualidade formal brasileiras se mostraram válidas para discriminar graus de comprometimento perceptivo.
Evaluación de la motivación académica y la ansiedad escolar y posibles relaciones entre ellas
Authors: Fernandes Débora Cecilio , Silveira Mariana Alves
Published: January 2013

La motivación académica y la ansiedad en el contexto académico son factores determinantes en la vida del alumno, tanto desde el punto de vista emocional como de rendimiento. El objeto de este estudio fue evaluar la motivación y la ansiedad académica en estudiantes y realizar análisis de correlación y regresión entre la motivación académica y la ansiedad escolar. Los niños obtuvieron puntuaciones bajas de ansiedad y moderadas de motivación general, niveles por encima del promedio de motivación extrínseca y por debajo del promedio de motivación intrínseca. El análisis de correlación indicó que todas las correlaciones fueron significativas y que todas fueron positivas, excepto las correlaciones entre la ansiedad y la motivación intrínseca y entre la motivación intrínseca y extrínseca, que fueron negativas. El análisis de regresión reveló que la motivación extrínseca explica una parte significativa de la ansiedad. Esos datos elucidan la relación existente entre los dos tipos de motivación y la ansiedad escolar.
Avaliação do impacto da prematuridade na saúde mental de puérperas
Authors: Favaro Marina de Souza Filho , Peres Rodrigo Sanches , Santos Manoel Antônio dos
Published: January 2013

O presente estudo tem como objetivo comparar a ocorrência de sintomas de ansiedade e depressão em mães de bebês prematuros e mães de bebês a termo. Trata-se de um estudo transversal, descritivo, de abordagem quantitativa. As participantes (n=40) foram submetidas à avaliação de rastreamento executada como rotina pelo Serviço de Psicologia de um hospital filantrópico do interior paulista mediante a aplicação da Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão (HAD). Constatou-se que, entre as mães de bebês prematuros, 75% apresentavam sintomas clinicamente significativos de ansiedade e 50% apresentavam sintomas clinicamente significativos de depressão. Já entre as mães de bebês a termo, 65% não apresentavam sintomas clinicamente significativos de ansiedade e tampouco depressão. Ademais, a superioridade da pontuação média obtida pelas primeiras alcançou significância estatística. Os resultados corroboram a literatura, que sugere que a prematuridade tende a ter impacto negativo na saúde mental da mulher que vivencia essa situação.
Tradução e adaptação cultural do Index of Premature Ejaculation (IPE) para o português do Brasil
Authors: Finotelli Júnior Ítor , Capitão Cláudio Garcia
Published: January 2013

O presente estudo traduziu e adaptou o Index of Premature Ejaculation (IPE) para o português do Brasil, por método de equivalência semântica. O IPE é uma escala em autorrelato composta por 10 itens que avaliam critérios como senso de controle, satisfação sexual e sofrimento. Compuseram esse processo 11 profissionais qualificados para tal método e uma amostra de 50 participantes para avaliação quanto à inteligibilidade. As etapas foram: tradução, retrotradução, avaliação da equivalência semântica, crítica final por especialistas e pré-teste da versão. Os resultados para avaliação da equivalência apresentaram concordância significativa entre os juízes. Essa avaliação classificou os itens como inalterados ou pouco alterados. A crítica final por especialista avaliou qualitativamente as divergências e consolidou a versão aplicada na amostra. Após essa aplicação, algumas sugestões foram incorporadas e constituíram a versão final. Os resultados foram satisfatórios na compreensão da linguagem empregada. Para essa versão, conservou-se o nome em inglês, acrescido ao final de "adaptação brasileira".
Teste de Raciocínio Auditivo Musical (RAu): estudo inicial por meio da Teoria de Reposta ao Item
Authors: Pessotto Fernando , Cunha Tatiana Freitas da , Primi Ricardo , Carvalho Lucas de Francisco , Miguel Fabiano Koich
Published: January 2013

A presente pesquisa tem como objetivo buscar evidências de validade com base na estrutura interna e de critério para um instrumento de avaliação do processamento auditivo das habilidades musicais (Teste de Processamento Auditivo com Estímulos Musicais, RAu). Para tanto, foram avaliadas 162 pessoas de ambos os sexos, sendo 56,8% homens, com faixa etária entre 15 e 59 anos (M=27,5; DP=9,01). Os participantes foram divididos entre músicos (N=24), amadores (N=62) e leigos (N=76), de acordo com o nível de conhecimento em música. Por meio da análise Full Information Factor Analysis, verificou-se a dimensionalidade do instrumento, e também as propriedades dos itens, por meio da Teoria de Resposta ao Item (TRI). Além disso, buscou-se identificar a capacidade de discriminação entre os grupos de músicos e não-músicos. Os dados encontrados apontam evidências de que os itens medem uma dimensão principal (alfa=0,92) com alta capacidade para diferenciar os grupos de músicos profissionais, amadores e leigos, obtendo-se um coeficiente de validade de critério de r=0,68. Os resultado indicam evidências positivas de precisão e validade para o RAu.
Pedagogia do esporte e das lutas: em busca de aproximações
Authors: Rufino Luiz Gustavo Bonatto , Darido Suraya Cristina
Published: January 2013

A pedagogia do esporte preocupa-se com o estudo sistemático dos processos de ensino e aprendizagem relacionados aos esportes. As lutas corporais também são práticas que devem estar envoltas em contextualizações pedagógicas. Dessa forma, este estudo pretendeu analisar a relação entre as concepções de pedagogia do esporte e o ensino das lutas corporais. Para isso, foi feita uma revisão de literatura com as seguintes temáticas: a abordagem pedagógica do esporte, a pedagogia do esporte e as lutas corporais e considerações acerca da prática pedagógica das lutas corporais. Elaborou-se também formas de pedagogizar as lutas corporais, levando em consideração alguns eixos norteadores: por que ensiná-las, o que ensinar das lutas corporais, como ensiná-las e como avaliá-las. As lutas corporais devem estar envoltas em abordagens pedagógicas focadas nas pessoas que se-movimentam, permitindo aos sujeitos refletir sobre suas ações, ressigniï¬�cando-as e atribuindo sentidos que contribuam para que eles atinjam a autonomia e a emancipação.
The ICE health and safety register: a recognised standard of competence
Authors: Oloke David
Published: January 2013

The Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) health and safety register gives civil engineers a formally recognised level of competency in health and safety risk management in design and construction. The register's working group chair David Oloke provides a reminder of the benefits.
Civil engineers: inspiring, innovating, informing
Authors: Clarke Barry
Published: January 2013

This is the inaugural address of Barry Clarke, who became the 148th president of the Institution of Civil Engineers on 6 November 2012.
Evaluation of a Self-Administered Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
Authors: Bethel M. Angelyn , Price Hermione C. , Sourij Harald , White Sarah , Coleman Ruth L. , Ring Arne , Kennedy Irene E.C. , Tucker Lynne , Holman Rury R.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE

To assess the feasibility of using a disposable, self-administered, capillary blood sampling oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) device in a community setting.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Eighteen healthy and 12 type 2 diabetic volunteers underwent six 75-g OGTTs using a prototype device in the following three settings: unaided at home (twice); unaided but observed in clinic (twice); and performed by a nurse with simultaneous laboratory glucose assays of 0- and 120-min venous plasma samples (twice). The device displayed no results. A detachable data recorder returned to the clinic provided plasma-equivalent 0- and 120-min glucose values and key parameters, including test date, start and end times, and time taken to consume the glucose drink.

RESULTS

The device was universally popular with participants and was perceived as easy to use, and the ability to test at home was well liked. Device failures meant that 0- and 120-min glucose values were obtained for only 141 (78%) of the 180 OGTTs performed, independent of setting. Device glucose measurements showed a mean bias compared with laboratory-measured values of +0.9 at 5.0 mmol/L increasing to +4.4 at 15.0 mmol/L. Paired device glucose values were equally reproducible across settings, with repeat testing showing no training effect regardless of setting order.

CONCLUSIONS

Self-administered OGTTs can be performed successfully by untrained individuals in a community setting. With improved device reliability and appropriate calibration, this novel technology could be used in routine practice to screen people who might need a formal OGTT to confirm the presence of impaired glucose tolerance or diabetes.
Saving or Spending Money
Authors: Alirezanejad Soheila
Published: January 2013

As a microfinance project, an association of women in central Iran began to keep bees for honey in 2000. Initially they made money, which transformed some skeptical family members’ expectations, but, by 2004, most of the women had lost their bees and thus their source of revenue. Simultaneously, the women attracted some donors’ financial support but were unable to raise adequate capital to re-start their businesses. These women did not save money to improve or maintain their business. I argue that their inability to save money was due to 1) their failure to distinguish between different kinds of money (income, grants, and loans), and 2) their expectations to receiving money from donors. Based on seven years of close interaction with these women, this article addresses the socio-cultural factors that prevented the women from saving money while making it.
Family Sagas and Checkpoint Dramas
Authors: Sinno Nadine Adel
Published: January 2013

Suad Amiry’s Sharon and My Mother-in-Law: Ramallah Diaries (Pantheon Books, 2004) describes the difficult predicament of life under military occupation in Ramallah. Using wit and humor, Amiry recounts her stifling existence during curfews and heavy shelling, her terrifying experiences at airports and Israeli checkpoints, and her challenges to remaining civil—and sane—when dealing with her elderly mother-in-law. Sharon and my Mother-in-Law transcends the private world of its writer to encompass collective stories of pain, displacement, and resilience among fellow Palestinians. This article provides an analysis of Amiry’s strategic use of humor as a way of resisting Israeli authority, articulating ethical and practical dilemmas resulting from the occupation, alleviating her sense of anxiety, and establishing social connections with others.
Creating Solidarity in Cyberspace
Authors: Stephan Rita
Published: January 2013

The Arab Women’s Solidarity Association United (AWSA United) is a pluralistic, transnational, and scholastic women’s advocacy group that emerged in cyberspace in 1999. Arab women in the diaspora sought cyberspace as a safe space to connect with one another in their activism for women’s rights in the Arab world. Using an online survey and analysis of printed and electronic documents, this case study investigates Arab women’s cyberfeminism. It explores how activists utilized AWSA United to foster collective identity, strengthen solidarity, and enrich activism.
The Symbiotic Academy: On Specialisation and Interdisciplinarity
Authors: Walklate Jenny , Richards Adair
Published: January 2013

The authors historicise, contextualise and debate the values and problems of both disciplinarity and interdisciplinarity. Their aim is not to posit one as superior to the other, nor to suggest that the two are mutually exclusive. Instead, they seek to break down the oppositional dichotomy in which the concepts are often placed, and, further, to propose a ‘symbiotic academy’ in which the two can exist to their mutual benefit.
Feeding and Healing the World: Through Regenerative Agriculture and Permaculture
Authors: Rhodes Christopher J.
Published: January 2013

The study of soil is a mature science, whereas related practical methods of regenerative agriculture and permaculture are not. However, despite a paucity of detailed peer reviewed research published on these topics, there is overwhelming evidence both that the methods work and they may offer the means to address a number of prevailing environmental challenges, e.g. peak oil, climate change, carbon capture, unsustainable agriculture and food shortages, peak phosphorus (phosphate), water shortages, environmental pollution, desert reclamation, and soil degradation. What is lacking is a proper scientific study, made in hand with actual development projects. By elucidating the scientific basis of these remarkable phenomena, we may obtain the means for solving some of the otherwise insurmountable problems confronting humanity, simply by observing, and working with, the patterns and forces of nature. This article is intended as a call to arms to make serious investment in researching and actualising these methods on a global scale. Despite claims that peak oil is no longer a threat because vast resources of gas and shale oil (tight oil) can now be recovered by fracking (hydraulic fracturing) combined with horizontal drilling, the reality is that proven actual reserves are only adequate to delay the peak by a few years. Furthermore, because of the rapid depletion rates of flow from gas wells and oil wells that are accessed by fracking, it will be necessary to drill continuously and relentlessly to maintain output, and there are material limits of equipment, technology and trained personnel to do this.

Moreover, to make any sensible difference to the liquid fuel crisis, which is the most immediate consequence of peak oil, it would be necessary to convert the world's one billion vehicles to run on natural gas rather than liquid fuels refined from crude oil, and this would take some considerable time and effort. The loss of widespread personalised transportation is thus inevitable and imminent, meaning a loss of globalised civilisation and a mandatory return to living in smaller localised communities. Permaculture and regenerative agriculture offer potentially the means to provide food and materials on the small scale, and address the wider issues of carbon emissions, and resource shortages. Since over half the World's population lives in cities, it seems likely that strengthening the resilience of these environments, using urban permaculture, may be a crucial strategy in achieving a measured descent in our use of energy and other resources, rather than an abrupt collapse of civilization.
Dissecting the Entry Route of Saporin-based a-CD7 Immunotoxins in Human T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Cells
Authors: Giansanti Francesco , Giordani Valeria , Vago Riccardo , Flavell David , Flavell Sopsamorn , Fabbrini Maria , Ippoliti Rodolfo
Published: January 2013

Elucidating the intracellular fate(s) of targeted toxins is of fundamental importance for their optimal use as anticancer drugs, since the biochemical targets of their enzymatic activity reside in the cell cytoplasm, as in the case of the plant ribosome inactivating proteins (RIP) saporin, ricin and of bacterial toxins. In this paper, we compared the cell surface binding and cytotoxic properties of the model RIP ricin to an immunotoxin constructed with a monoclonal antibody directed against the human T-cell marker CD7 covalently linked to saporin (CD7-SAP). Our results indicate that, despite the fact that internalization takes place via an apparently common entry route leading to the Golgi complex, surprisingly, the addition of an endoplasmic reticulum retrieval C-terminal signal (KDEL) to CD7-SAP does not potentiate its cytotoxicity. In addition, while ricin toxicity is clearly reduced by Brefeldin A under conditions where this fungal metabolite causes Golgi stack disruption, we paradoxically observed a potentiating effect by Brefeldin A on CD7-SAP cytotoxicity suggesting that this inhibitor interferes with retrograde route(s) other than the well established Trans-Golgi Network-ER retrograde route.
Field Deployable Fiber Bragg Grating Strain Patch for Long-Term Stable Health Monitoring Applications
Authors: Schukar Vivien , Kusche Nadine , Kalinka Gerhard , Habel Wolfgang
Published: January 2013

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) strain patch specially adapted for long-term and high-strain applications has been developed and characterized. The design concept for the patch is based on a glass-fiber reinforced plastic (gfrp) carrier material. The developed concept for the FBG integration into the carrier material was derived from reliable integration procedure of FBG sensors into composite structures. The patches’ temperature sensitivity, strain gauge factor, fiber–matrix interface adhesion and fatigue behavior were characterized. As a result, FBG strain patches with linear temperature and strain behavior, as well as excellent fatigue resistance, were developed and can be used as part of a monitoring system for advanced composite materials in aerospace structures or wind turbine power plants.
Gastric Cancer: Current Status of Diagnosis and Treatment
Authors: Takahashi Tsunehiro , Saikawa Yoshiro , Kitagawa Yuko
Published: January 2013

Gastric cancer is the second leading cause of death from malignant disease worldwide and most frequently discovered in advanced stages. Because curative surgery is regarded as the only option for cure, early detection of resectable gastric cancer is extremely important for good patient outcomes. Therefore, noninvasive diagnostic modalities such as evolutionary endoscopy and positron emission tomography are utilized as screening tools for gastric cancer. To date, early gastric cancer is being treated using minimally invasive methods such as endoscopic treatment and laparoscopic surgery, while in advanced cancer it is necessary to consider multimodality treatment including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Because of the results of large clinical trials, surgery with extended lymphadenectomy could not be recommended as a standard therapy for advanced gastric cancer. Recent clinical trials had shown survival benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection compared with surgery alone. In addition, recent advances of molecular targeted agents would play an important role as one of the modalities for advanced gastric cancer. In this review, we summarize the current status of diagnostic technology and treatment for gastric cancer.
TD-GC-MS Investigation of the VOCs Released from Blood Plasma of Dogs with Cancer
Authors: Selyanchyn Roman , Nozoe Takuma , Matsui Hidetaka , Kadosawa Tsuyoshi , Lee Seung-Woo
Published: January 2013

An analytical TD-GC-MS method was developed and used for the assessment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from the blood plasma of dogs with/without cancer. VOCs released from 40 samples of diseased blood and 10 control samples were compared in order to examine the difference between both sample groups that were showing qualitatively similar results independent from the disease’s presence. However, mild disturbances in the spectra of dogs with cancer in comparison with the control group were observed, and six peaks (tentatively identified by comparison with mass spectral library as hexanal, octanal, toluene, 2-butanone, 1-octen-3-ol and pyrrole) revealed statistically significant differences between both sample groups, thereby suggesting that these compounds are potential biomarkers that can be used for cancer diagnosis based on the blood plasma TD-GC-MS analysis. Statistical comparison with the application of principal component analysis (PCA) provided accurate discrimination between the cancer and control groups, thus demonstrating stronger biochemical perturbations in blood plasma when cancer is present.
A Comparison of Optimal Operation of a Residential Fuel Cell Co-Generation System Using Clustered Demand Patterns Based on Kullback-Leibler Divergence
Authors: Yoshida Akira , Amano Yoshiharu , Murata Noboru , Ito Koichi , Hasizume Takumi
Published: January 2013

When evaluating residential energy systems like co-generation systems, hot water and electricity demand profiles are critical. In this paper, the authors aim to extract basic time-series demand patterns from two kinds of measured demand (electricity and domestic hot water), and also aim to reveal effective demand patterns for primary energy saving. Time-series demand data are categorized with a hierarchical clustering method using a statistical pseudo-distance, which is represented by the generalized Kullback-Leibler divergence of two Gaussian mixture distributions. The classified demand patterns are built using hierarchical clustering and then a comparison is made between the optimal operation of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell co-generation system and the operation of a reference system (a conventional combination of a condensing gas boiler and electricity purchased from the grid) using the appropriately built demand profiles. Our results show that basic demand patterns are extracted by the proposed method, and the heat-to-power ratio of demand, the amount of daily demand, and demand patterns affect the primary energy saving of the co-generation system.
Li-Ion Pouch Cells for Vehicle Applications — Studies of Water Transmission and Packing Materials
Authors: Svens Pontus , Kjell Maria , Tengstedt Carl , Flodberg Göran , Lindbergh Göran
Published: January 2013

This study includes analysis of encapsulation materials from lithium-ion pouch cells and water vapour transmission rate (WVTR) measurements. WVTR measurements are performed on both fresh and environmentally stressed lithium-ion pouch cells. Capacity measurements are performed on both the fresh and the environmentally stressed battery cells to identify possible influences on electrochemical performance. Preparation of the battery cells prior to WVTR measurements includes opening of battery cells and extraction of electrode material, followed by resealing the encapsulations and adhesively mounting of gas couplings. A model describing the water diffusion through the thermal welds of the encapsulation are set up based on material analysis of the encapsulation material. Two WVTR equipments with different type of detectors are evaluated in this study. The results from the WVTR measurements show how important it is to perform this type of studies in dry environment and apply a rigorous precondition sequence before testing. Results from modelling confirm that the WVTR method has potential to be used for measurements of water diffusion into lithium-ion pouch cells. Consequently, WVTR measurements should be possible to use as a complement or alternative method to for example Karl Fisher titration.
The Importance of Microtopography and Nurse Canopy for Successful Restoration Planting of the Slow-Growing Conifer Pilgerodendron uviferum
Authors: Bannister Jan , Coopman Rafael , Donoso Pablo , Bauhus Jürgen
Published: January 2013

Recent studies have shown that, owing to a lack of seed trees, the natural rate of recovery of fire-disturbed bog forests previously dominated by the endemic and endangered conifer Pilgerodendron uviferum (D. Don) Florin is extremely slow. Hence, increasing the number of seed trees in the landscape through restoration planting could remove the principal biotic filter, limiting recovery of these forests. Here, we analyzed how the success of restoration plantings may be improved through the choice or manipulation of microsites in P. uviferum forests on Chiloé Island in North Patagonia. For this purpose, we manipulated microtopography in water-logged sites in bogs (mounds, flat terrain, mineral soil) and changed canopy conditions (gaps, semi-open, closed canopy) in upland sites with better drainage. In bogs, there was no significant effect of microtopography on growth and survival of P. uviferum plantings. However, fluorescence measurements indicated lower stress in seedlings established on mounds. Seedlings in upland areas established beneath a nurse canopy had lower mortality and higher relative shoot growth, foliar nutrients, photosynthetic light use efficiency and chlorophyll fluorescence values than those planted in the open. This indicates that seedlings of the slow growing P. uviferum can tolerate extremely wet conditions, yet suffer from stress when grown in the open. Here, the removal of canopy appeared to have also removed or reduced mycorrhizal networks for seedlings, leading to poorer nutrition and growth. Based on these results, recommendations for restoration plantings in highly degraded P. uviferum forests are presented.
Effect of Duration of Exposure to Cement Dust on Respiratory Function of Non-Smoking Cement Mill Workers
Authors: Meo Sultan , Al-Drees Abdul , Al Masri Abeer , Al Rouq Fawzia , Azeem Muhammad
Published: January 2013

This study aimed to determine the effect of long term exposure to cement dust on lung function in non-smoking cement mill workers. This is a cross-sectional study of respiratory functions. Spirometry was performed in 100 apparently healthy volunteers; 50 non-smoking cement mill workers and 50 non-smoking un-exposed subjects. Based on the duration of exposure, cement mill workers were divided into three groups, less than 5, 5–10 and greater than 10 years. All subjects were individually matched for age, height, weight, and socioeconomic status. Pulmonary function test was performed by using an electronic spirometer. Significant reduction was observed in the mean values of Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1), Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) and Maximal Voluntary Ventilation in cement mill workers who had been working in the cement industry for more than 10 years compared to their matched un-exposed group. Lung functions in cement mill workers were significantly impaired and results show a long term duration response effect of years of exposure to cement dust on lung functions.
Stable Isolation of Phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis Associated with High-Pressure Extraction Process
Authors: Seo Yong , Choi Woo , Park Jong , Park Jin , Jung Kyung-Hwan , Lee Hyeon
Published: January 2013

A method for stably purifying a functional dye, phycocyanin from Spirulina platensis was developed by a hexane extraction process combined with high pressure. This was necessary because this dye is known to be very unstable during normal extraction processes. The purification yield of this method was estimated as 10.2%, whose value is 3%–5% higher than is the case from another conventional separation method using phosphate buffer. The isolated phycocyanin from this process also showed the highest purity of 0.909 based on absorbance of 2.104 at 280 nm and 1.912 at 620 nm. Two subunits of phycocyanin namely α-phycocyanin (18.4 kDa) and β-phycocyanin (21.3 kDa) were found to remain from the original mixtures after being extracted, based on SDS-PAGE analysis, clearly demonstrating that this process can stably extract phycocyanin and is not affected by extraction solvent, temperature, etc. The stability of the extracted phycocyanin was also confirmed by comparing its DPPH (α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging activity, showing 83% removal of oxygen free radicals. This activity was about 15% higher than that of commercially available standard phycocyanin, which implies that the combined extraction method can yield relatively intact chromoprotein through absence of degradation. The results were achieved because the low temperature and high pressure extraction effectively disrupted the cell membrane of Spirulina platensis and degraded less the polypeptide subunits of phycocyanin (which is a temperature/pH-sensitive chromoprotein) as well as increasing the extraction yield.
Modeling of Anopheles minimus Mosquito NADPH-Cytochrome P450 Oxidoreductase (CYPOR) and Mutagenesis Analysis
Authors: Sarapusit Songklod , Lertkiatmongkol Panida , Duangkaew Panida , Rongnoparut Pornpimol
Published: January 2013

Malaria is one of the most dangerous mosquito-borne diseases in many tropical countries, including Thailand. Studies in a deltamethrin resistant strain of Anopheles minimus mosquito, suggest cytochrome P450 enzymes contribute to the detoxification of pyrethroid insecticides. Purified A. minimus CYPOR enzyme (AnCYPOR), which is the redox partner of cytochrome P450s, loses ﬂavin-adenosine di-nucleotide (FAD) and FLAVIN mono-nucleotide (FMN) cofactors that affect its enzyme activity. Replacement of leucine residues at positions 86 and 219 with phenylalanines in FMN binding domain increases FMN binding, enzyme stability, and cytochrome c reduction activity. Membrane-Bound L86F/L219F-AnCYPOR increases A. minimus P450-mediated pyrethroid metabolism in vitro. In this study, we constructed a comparative model structure of AnCYPOR using a rat CYPOR structure as a template. Overall model structure is similar to rat CYPOR, with some prominent differences. Based on primary sequence and structural analysis of rat and A. minimus CYPOR, C427R, W678A, and W678H mutations were generated together with L86F/L219F resulting in three soluble Δ55 triple mutants. The C427R triple AnCYPOR mutant retained a higher amount of FAD binding and increased cytochrome c reduction activity compared to wild-type and L86F/L219F-Δ55AnCYPOR double mutant. However W678A and W678H mutations did not increase FAD and NAD(P)H bindings. The L86F/L219F double and C427R triple membrane-bound AnCYPOR mutants supported benzyloxyresorufin O-deakylation (BROD) mediated by mosquito CYP6AA3 with a two- to three-fold increase in efficiency over wild-type AnCYPOR. The use of rat CYPOR in place of AnCYPOR most efficiently supported CYP6AA3-mediated BROD compared to all AnCYPORs.
Modulation of Cancer Traits by Tumor Suppressor microRNAs
Authors: Grammatikakis Ioannis , Gorospe Myriam , Abdelmohsen Kotb
Published: January 2013

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression. In mammalian cells, miRNAs typically suppress mRNA stability and/or translation through partial complementarity with target mRNAs. Each miRNA can regulate a wide range of mRNAs, and a single mRNA can be regulated by multiple miRNAs. Through these complex regulatory interactions, miRNAs participate in many cellular processes, including carcinogenesis. By altering gene expression patterns, cancer cells can develop specific phenotypes that allow them to proliferate, survive, secure oxygen and nutrients, evade immune recognition, invade other tissues and metastasize. At the same time, cancer cells acquire miRNA signature patterns distinct from those of normal cells; the differentially expressed miRNAs contribute to enabling the cancer traits. Over the past decade, several miRNAs have been identified, which functioned as oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) or tumor-suppressive miRNAs (TS-miRNAs). In this review, we focus specifically on TS-miRNAs and their effects on well-established cancer traits. We also discuss the rising interest in TS-miRNAs in cancer therapy.
Optimization of Ultrasonic Assisted Extraction of Antioxidants from Black Soybean (Glycine max var) Sprouts Using Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Lai Jixiang , Xin Can , Zhao Ya , Feng Bing , He Congfen , Dong Yinmao , Fang Yun , Wei Shaomin
Published: January 2013

Response surface methodology (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the conditions for extraction of antioxidants from black soybean (Glycine max var) sprouts. Three influencing factors: liquid-solid ratio, period of ultrasonic assisted extraction and extraction temperature were investigated in the ultrasonic aqueous extraction. Then Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the extraction process focused on DPPH radical-scavenging capacity of the antioxidants with respect to the above influencing factors. The best combination of each significant factor was determined by RSM design and optimum pretreatment conditions for maximum radical-scavenging capacity were established to be liquid-solid ratio of 29.19:1, extraction time of 32.13 min, and extraction temperature of 30 °C. Under these conditions, 67.60% of DPPH radical-scavenging capacity was observed experimentally, similar to the theoretical prediction of 66.36%.
Ligand Binding Affinities of Arctigenin and Its Demethylated Metabolites to Estrogen Receptor Alpha
Authors: Jin Jong-Sik , Lee Jong-Hyun , Hattori Masao
Published: January 2013

Phytoestrogens are defined as plant-derived compounds with estrogen-like activities according to their chemical structures and activities. Plant lignans are generally categorized as phytoestrogens. It was reported that (−)-arctigenin, the aglycone of arctiin, was demethylated to (−)-dihydroxyenterolactone (DHENL) by Eubacterium (E.) sp. ARC-2. Through stepwise demethylation, E. sp. ARC-2 produced six intermediates, three mono-desmethylarctigenins and three di-desmethylarctigenins. In the present study, ligand binding affinities of (−)-arctigenin and its seven metabolites, including DHENL, were investigated for an estrogen receptor alpha, and found that demethylated metabolites had stronger binding affinities than (−)-arctigenin using a ligand binding screen assay method. The IC50 value of (2R,3R)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzyl)-3-(3,4-dihydroxybenzyl)-butyrolactone was 7.9 × 10−4 M.