bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virologic Tools for HCV Drug Resistance Testing
Authors: Fourati Slim , Pawlotsky Jean-Michel
Published: December 2015

Recent advances in molecular biology have led to the development of new antiviral drugs that target specific steps of the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) lifecycle. These drugs, collectively termed direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), include non-structural (NS) HCV protein inhibitors, NS3/4A protease inhibitors, NS5B RNA-dependent RNA polymerase inhibitors (nucleotide analogues and non-nucleoside inhibitors), and NS5A inhibitors. Due to the high genetic variability of HCV, the outcome of DAA-based therapies may be altered by the selection of amino-acid substitutions located within the targeted proteins, which affect viral susceptibility to the administered compounds. At the drug developmental stage, preclinical and clinical characterization of HCV resistance to new drugs in development is mandatory. In the clinical setting, accurate diagnostic tools have become available to monitor drug resistance in patients who receive treatment with DAAs. In this review, we describe tools available to investigate drug resistance in preclinical studies, clinical trials and clinical practice.
Les baignades en rivière d'Ile-de-France : des premiers aménagements à la piscine parisienne Joséphine Baker
Authors: Duhau Isabelle
Published: December 2015

"Swimming in the river of the Ile-de-France : from the first facilities to the Josephine Baker swimming pool", by Isabelle Duhau.

No one has ever swum in the Seine in Paris since more than three centuries. The facilities, first short-lived structures, got improved and controlled by the authorities as they became permanent constructions. Simple stakes driven in the bed of the river and supporting a stretched canvas would be replaced by facilities composed of floating landing stages around a pool. Then changing-rooms and annexes would be erected on the banks, before the pools got built into the embankments so as to make water purification easier.

The fashion of swimming in river water, aroused by the renewed interest for health bath, was followed by the one of the swimming school in the late XVIIIth Century. In sum- mertime, men and women had to have the sense of decency and so would go to separate places so as to freshen up, to keep in good fit, to do sport, to meet friends and, as for the youngest, to dare play bold games. The riverside beaches where, at last, sexual separation was no longer imposed, would prove a success with the inhabitants of the Ile-de-France, missing the seaside shores. In the région, these facilities were in dozens in the end. The best equipped ones would include a hostel, a casino, a restaurant or a dance hall to draw an ever bigger clientele. However, since the 1950's, in one river after another, swimming has been prohibited because of the pollution, putting an end to these swimming pools of a particular kind which, for most of them, no longer exist.
L'habitat du haut Moyen Age dans le Nord de la France : réflexions socio-économiques.
Authors: Demolon Pierre
Published: December 2015

L'archéologie est une source potentielle de l'histoire du haut Moyen Age, mais en dehors même de la rareté actuelle des fouilles, se pose le délicat problème de la traduction d'une information strictement matérielle en concept social ou économique. Quelques exemples locaux, Brebières, Proville, Les-Rues-des-Vignes, Douai, Vitry-en-Artois, présentent le point actuel de la connaissance de l'habitat du haut Moyen Age en montrant la distance entre découverte et interprétation pour solliciter une réflexion commune des archéologues et des historiens. Le dernier exemple, celui d'Annappes tiré des Brevium Exempta, entraîne à la réflexion inverse : quelles traces un palais carolingien peut-il laisser dans le sol ? Le lecteur est invité à s'interroger.
Recent highlights in biosynthesis research using stable isotopes
Authors: Rinkel Jan , Dickschat Jeroen S
Published: December 2015

The long and successful history of isotopic labeling experiments within natural products research has both changed and deepened our understanding of biosynthesis. As demonstrated in this article, the usage of isotopes is not at all old-fashioned, but continues to give important insights into biosynthetic pathways of secondary metabolites. This review with 85 cited references is structured by separate discussions of compounds from different classes including polyketides, non-ribosomal peptides, their hybrids, terpenoids, and aromatic compounds formed via the shikimate pathway. The text does not aim at a comprehensive overview, but instead a selection of recent important examples of isotope usage within biosynthetic studies is presented, with a special emphasis on mechanistic surprises.
Specific probiotic dietary supplementation leads to different effects during remission and relapse in murine chronic colitis
Authors: Zheng B. , van Bergenhenegouwen J. , van de Kant H.J.G. , Folkerts G. , Garssen J. , Vos A.P. , Morgan M.E. , Kraneveld A.D.
Published: December 2015

Although interest in using probiotics to prevent and treat intestinal diseases is increasing, the effects of specific probiotic strains still remain unclear. Here, we assess the therapeutic effects of two probiotic strains, Lactobacillus rhamnosus NutRes 1 and Bifidobacterium breve NutRes 204 on a dextran sodium sulphate (DSS)-induced chronic murine colitis model. The chronic colitis was induced by two DSS treatment cycles with a rest period of 10 days (the remission or resolution phase). The probiotic supplementation was started during the resolution phase, after the first DSS treatment cycle, and continued until the end of the experiment. In addition to clinical observations made during the experiment, cellular infiltration was measured along with mRNA expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, T cell-associated cytokines, and Toll like receptors (TLR) in the inflamed colon after second DSS treatment cycle. L. rhamnosus, but not B. breve, rapidly and effectively improved the DSS-induced bloody diarrhoea during the resolution phase. However, a contradictory effect by both probiotic strains on the faecal condition was found after re-induction of colitis. The worsening of the faecal condition was accompanied by a reduced number of neutrophils and increased expression of interferon-γ in the colons of DSS-treated mice. Furthermore, an increased expression of TLR2, TLR6 and pro-inflammatory markers including chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2, interleukin (IL)-1β, tumour necrosis factor α and IL-6 was found in DSS-treated mice with L. rhamnosus supplementation. These results indicate that therapeutic administration of specific probiotics might be beneficial during the resolution phase of colitis. However, caution should be taken as specific probiotic treatments reduce neutrophil influx, which may be the reason of exacerbation of chronic colitis.
Innovation process and ethics in technology: an approach to ethical (responsible) innovation governance
Authors: Nathan G.
Published: December 2015

In general, innovation governance models, which deal with organizational structure, innovation process, strategy and leadership, are becoming increasingly important for innovative companies for effective innovation management. Moreover, responsible innovation (RI) as a topic among academic scholars and policy makers is gaining importance, in order to address some of the ethical concerns and dilemmas as issues of governance in general and with special reference to technological innovations. This article attempts to show that technological innovation processes require a circular RI process instead of a linear one with embedded ethical decision-making framework for ethical innovation governance.
Stakeholder engagement for responsible innovation in the private sector: critical issues and management practices
Authors: Blok V. , Hoffmans L. , Wubben E.F.M.
Published: December 2015

Although both EU policy makers and researchers acknowledge that public or stakeholder engagement is important for responsible innovation (RI), empirical evidence in this field is still scarce. In this article, we explore to what extent companies with a disposition to innovate in a more responsible way are moving towards the ideal of mutual responsiveness among stakeholders, as it is presented in the RI literature. Based on interviews with companies and non-economic stakeholders in the Dutch Food industry, it can be concluded that innovative food companies are still far from implementing the ideal of mutual responsiveness in a significant way. The tension between the call for the active involvement of stakeholders in the literature and actual stakeholder engagement practices is explained by identifying a number of critical issues regarding stakeholder engagement, which are specific to actors involved in RI in the private sector. Finally, management practices designed to deal with these critical issues regarding stakeholder engagement are identified.
Responsible innovation among academic spin-offs: how responsible practices help developing absorptive capacity
Authors: Scholten V.E. , van der Duin P.A.
Published: December 2015

Responsible innovation (RI) among technology-based start-ups has received little attention, while these firms are known to operate on the edges of what is socially desirable or ethically acceptable. In this paper we develop a conceptual model that captures the RI practices among 61 academic spin-offs and investigate how it affects the capacity of the firm to absorb external knowledge to better the exploitation of the innovation. The findings indicate that potential absorptive capacity is increased by both stakeholder engagement and social responsiveness, while realized absorptive capacity is moderately increased through social responsiveness. Remarkable is the finding that the extent that sustainability practices resonate in the start-ups operations does have a negative effect on the potential absorptive capacity. These results provide insight in the way in which start-ups adopt a RI philosophy to their innovation process and help to better understand how they learn and acquire external knowledge to increase the acceptance of their innovations. The findings provide clear recommendations for entrepreneurs and policymakers in the field of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Aflatoxin M1 in milk and milk products: a short review
Authors: Womack E.D. , Sparks D.L. , Brown A.E.
Published: December 2015

Aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) is associated with carcinogenicity, genotoxicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity and as a result, represents a human health problem worldwide. This review will detail the toxicity, analytical methodology, occurrence, and prevention and control of AFM1 in milk and milk products. The probable daily intakes (PDI) per bodyweight (bw) worldwide ranged from 0.002 to 0.26 ng/kg bw/day for AFM1. Nevertheless, the high occurrence of AFM1 demonstrated in this review establishes the need for monitoring to reduce the risk of toxicity to humans. The recommended extraction method of AFM1 from milk is liquid-liquid with acetonitrile because of the acceptable recoveries (85-97%), compatibility with the environment, and cleanest extracts. The recommended analytical technique for the determination of AFM1 in milk is the high performance-liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector (HPLC-FLD), achieving a 0.001 µg/kg detection limit. The HPLC-FLD is the most common internationally recognised official method for the analysis of AFM1 in milk. The suggested extraction and analytical method for cheese is dichloromethane (81-108% recoveries) and ELISA, respectively. This review reports the projected worldwide occurrence of AFM1 in milk of 2010-2015. Of the 7,841 samples, 5,873 (75%) were positive for AFM1, 26% (2,042) exceeded the maximum residue levels (MRL) of 0.05 µg/kg defined by the European Union and 1.53% (120) exceeded the MRL of 0.5 µg/kg defined by the US Food and Drug Administration. The most effective way of preventing AFM1 occurrences is to reduce contamination of AFB1 in animal feed using biological control with atoxigenic strains ofAspergillus flavus, proper storage of crops, and the addition of binders to AFB1-contaminated feed. Controllable measures include the addition of binders and use of biological transforming agents such as lactic acid bacteria applied directly to milk. Though the one accepted method for the control of AFM1 in milk and milk products is the enforcement of governmental MRL.
Geologia colonial: o protagonismo do museu da “Politécnica de Lisboa”
Authors: Brandão José Manuel , Póvoas Liliana , Lopes César
Published: December 2015

O Museu Mineralógico e Geológico instalado na antiga Escola Politécnica de Lisboa incorporou, desde finais do século XIX, centenas de amostras geológicas ultramarinas resultantes de colheitas dos delegados científicos e de ofertas de agentes da administração colonial. Estes materiais propiciaram, além de matéria de publicações científicas, a constituição de um importante repositório das “riquezas” do subsolo daqueles territórios, acessível aos investigadores e a outros interessados desde meados de 1936, quando foi aberta a “Sala do Império Colonial”. Este acervo e as relações privilegiadas com África e com o Ministério das Colónias (mais tarde Ministério do Ultramar), mantidas por docentes e investigadores, colocaram a “Politécnica” numa posição axial nos estudos de geologia das antigas colónias portuguesas, reforçada através de novas missões em África e na Índia, a partir dos anos de 1960. Apesar dos danos e perdas decorrentes do incêndio de 1978, o remanescente destas coleções, mineralógicas, paleontológicas e petrográficas, em curso de recuperação e inventariação, ainda hoje conserva o interesse, tanto como testemunho da geodiversidade daqueles territórios, como do ponto de vista da história das geociências em Portugal. Ao revisitar e cruzar coleções, documentos de arquivo e publicações, o presente artigo identifica as motivações e os contextos de formação deste acervo colonial, elencando os seus principais atores.
A relação entre arte e ciência na bioarte: estudo do caso da obra Nature? (1999-2000) de Marta de Menezes
Authors: Oliveira Cristina Barros
Published: December 2015

Ao longo do século XX assistiu-se a uma expansão sem precedentes dos materiais, meios e técnicas utilizados pelos artistas. A arte libertou-se para explorar novos campos do saber que se tornaram, não apenas fontes de inspiração, mas também métodos de trabalho. Disso são exemplos as obras incluídas na chamada “bioarte”, que utilizam o conhecimento e as técnicas do âmbito da biologia e da biotecnologia como materiais artísticos. Neste artigo analisaremos o caso de Nature? (1999-2000) da artista Marta de Menezes (n. 1975), atualmente pertencente à coleção do Museo Extremeño e Iberoamericano de Arte Contemporáneo (MEIAC), procurando realçar as dificuldades que coloca a sua musealização e conservação. Para além do levantamento e estudo do material publicado acerca deste assunto, esta investigação incluiu a realização de entrevistas a Marta de Menezes e aos responsáveis pela conservação da coleção do MEIAC. Foi também consultada a documentação acerca da obra existente neste museu. Esta instalação – que teve origem no trabalho desenvolvido pela artista durante a sua primeira residência num laboratório científico – inclui borboletas vivas, cujas asas são modificadas para fins artísticos. A inclusão de seres vivos implica um aumento significativo do conhecimento que é necessário preservar e transmitir para assegurar a sobrevivência da obra, obrigando a um repensar das estratégias museológicas utilizadas e abrindo novas possibilidades de colaboração entre artistas, cientistas e museus.
El rol del fotoperiodismo en la construcción de la democracia en Argentina (1983-2002)
Authors: Gamarnik Cora
Published: December 2015

Este artículo se propone analizar algunos de los aportes que realizó el fotoperiodismo a la construcción de la democracia en Argentina entre 1983 y 2002. Estudiamos para ello distintos momentos históricos en los que algunos fotógrafos protagonizaron hechos, denunciaron, fueron un eslabón central para visibilizar acontecimientos y produjeron pruebas que se incorporaron a causas judiciales. El recorrido que propone este texto es sesgado, recorta los casos más resonantes en donde los fotógrafos lograron sortear límites que medios y/o gobiernos les imponían; se constituyeron como un colectivo de movilización que excedió su labor profesional; se independizaron o potenciaron a los medios en los que trabajaban para modificar o profundizar su agenda. Lo que aquí narramos no es la regla del fotoperiodismo en Argentina en general sino algunas de sus excepciones. Nos interesó ver cuándo se produjeron esas excepciones, bajo qué circunstancias, qué actores las impulsaron, qué cambios generaron y qué logros obtuvieron.
De sueños y pobreza en la cultura visual mexicana, 1930-1960En torno a “El sueño de los pobres” de Lola Álvarez Bravo
Authors: GIRAUD Paul-Henri
Published: December 2015

En 1935, la fotógrafa mexicana Lola Álvarez Bravo realiza un fotomontaje de clara militancia social, donde un niño dormido en la calle está a punto de ser aplastado por una catarata de monedas enormes que representan el poder del dinero y la crueldad del capitalismo. Su título, El sueño de los pobres, recuerda el de un famoso mural pintado en 1923 por Diego Rivera en la Secretaría de Educación Pública, bajo el lema La noche de los pobres. Después de contrastar la intención del muralista y la de la fotógrafa, se estudia otra imagen de Lola de los años cuarenta con el mismo título pero con tonalidad diferente, ya no militante sino “humanista”, comparándola con imágenes contemporáneas de otros fotógrafos, y finalmente con una última foto de Lola sobre el mismo motivo. Aparecen entonces ciertas conjunciones o disyunciones de lo político y lo poético, en la cultura visual mexicana de los años treinta a los años sesenta.
Percursos visuais do político: representação pública e performance fotográfica de Getúlio Vargas
Authors: Machado Júnior Cláudio de Sá
Published: December 2015

A Revista do Globo, quinzenário de variedades, caracterizou-se como um dos mais importantes periódicos da imprensa sul-rio-grandense na primeira metade do século XX. Em meio a um conjunto vasto de imagens, chamam a atenção as fotografias que se remetem à esfera do universo político, especialmente naquele momento inicial de sua circulação. Assim como os signos textuais trilhavam um discurso em tom elogioso a certas personalidades públicas, as fotografias, via de regra, seguiam o mesmo caminho. Demonstrando a incipiência de uma tendência fotojornalística que se afirmava no país, as fotografias da revista buscavam esta visibilidade a partir de eventos políticos, encontros ilustres e acontecimentos sociais que promoviam positivamente estas pessoas. Entre elas tinha grande destaque a imagem projetada de Getúlio Vargas, que chegaria à presidência da República em 1930, e permaneceria no poder, em um primeiro momento, pelos próximos 15 anos. Nestes termos, o presente trabalho propõe uma análise sobre um conjunto fotográfico documental referente a Getúlio Vargas, que foi publicado na Revista do Globo ao longo da década de 1930, refletindo sobre conceitos de análise visual embasados em eixos de possibilidade da representação pública e da performance social.
El fotoperiodismo en la Revolución Mexicana
Authors: Villela Flores Samuel L.
Published: December 2015

A principios de siglo XX, un grupo de fotorreporteros de la capital mexicana, sobre todo, se desempeña en las primeras revistas ilustradas y algunos diarios. Después de una amplia cobertura de los festejos del Centenario de la Independencia (1810), en la cual se van conformando pautas técnicas y de registro —la instantaneidad, entre ellas—, esos profesionales de la lente documentarán los diversos momentos, actores y escenarios de la Revolución Mexicana (1910), en lo que constituye uno de los episodios significativos en la conformación del fotoperiodismo moderno. Interesa analizar la forma en que esos fotorreporteros van construyendo una nueva manera de documentar los hechos sociales a partir de la prensa gráfica, atendiendo a su propia formación técnico-profesional y a los designios de los directivos, casi siempre vinculados al poder. El análisis se centrará en la figura de Abraham Lupercio, el principal fotoperiodista de La Ilustración Semanal, junto con la trayectoria de Ezequiel Carrasco, Gerónimo Hernández, Manuel Ramos.
GPX4 and GPX7 over-expression in human hepatocellular carcinoma tissues
Authors: Guerriero E. , Capone F. , Accardo M. , Sorice A. , Costantini M. , Colonna G. , Castello G. , Costantini S.
Published: December 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and is still one of the most fatal cancers. Hence, it needs to identify always new putative markers to improve its diagnosis and prognosis. The selenium is an essential trace mineral implicated as a key factor in the early stage of cancer and exerts its biological function through the selenoproteins. In the last years our group has been studying the involvement of some selenoproteins in HCC. However, no many data are reported in literature about the correlation between HCC and the glutathione peroxidases (GPXs), both selenium and non selenium-containing GPXs. In this paper we have evaluated the GPX4 and GPX7 expression in some paraffin-embedded tissues from liver biopsy of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV)-related cirrhosis and HCC by immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR analysis. Our results evidenced that i) GPX4 and GPX7 had a statistically significant over-expression in HCC tissues compared to cirrhotic counterparts used as non tumor tissues, and ii) their expression was higher in grade III HCC tissues with respect to grade I-II samples. Therefore, we propose to use GPX4 and GPX7 as possible markers for improving HCC diagnosis/prognosis.
Analysis of ERK3 intracellular localization: dynamic distribution during mitosis and apoptosis
Authors: Aredia F. , Malatesta M. , Veneroni P. , Bottone M.G.
Published: December 2015

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) 1, 2 and 3 are involved in cell proliferation and differentiation, and apoptosis; although ERK1/2 have been widely studied, limited knowledge on ERK3 is available. The present work aimed at investigating ERK3 distribution during cell cycle and apoptosis in human tumor HeLa cells. The analysis performed by double immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy experiments revealed that during interphase ERK3 is mainly resident in the nucleoplasm in association with ribonuclear proteins involved in early pre-mRNA splicing, it undergoes cell cycle-dependent redistribution and, during apoptosis, it remains in the nucleus in the form of massive nuclear aggregates, then moves to the cytoplasm and is finally extruded.
Single-Nucleotide Mutations in FMR1 Reveal Novel Functions and Regulatory Mechanisms of the Fragile X Syndrome Protein FMRP
Authors: Suhl Joshua A. , Warren Stephen T.
Published: December 2015

Fragile X syndrome is a monogenic disorder and a common cause of intellectual disability. Despite nearly 25 years of research on FMR1, the gene underlying the syndrome, very few pathological mutations other than the typical CGG-repeat expansion have been reported. This is in contrast to other X-linked, monogenic, intellectual disability disorders, such as Rett syndrome, where many point mutations have been validated as causative of the disorder. As technology has improved and significantly driven down the cost of sequencing, allowing for whole genes to be sequenced with relative ease, in-depth sequencing studies on FMR1 have recently been performed. These studies have led to the identification of novel variants in FMR1, where some of which have been functionally evaluated and are likely pathogenic. In this review, we discuss recently identified FMR1 variants, the ways these novel variants cause dysfunction, and how they reveal new regulatory mechanisms and functionalities of the gene.
Aerosol effective density measurement using scanning mobility particle sizer and quartz crystal microbalance with the estimation of involved uncertainty
Authors: Sarangi B. , Aggarwal S. G. , Sinha D. , Gupta P. K.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. In this work, we have used scanning mobility particle sizer (SMPS) and quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to estimate the effective density of aerosol particles. This approach is tested for aerosolized particles generated from the solution of standard materials of known density, i.e. ammonium sulfate (AS), ammonium nitrate (AN) and sodium chloride (SC), and also applied for ambient measurement in New Delhi. We also discuss uncertainty involved in the measurement. In this method, dried particles are introduced in to a differential mobility analyzer (DMA), where size segregation was done based on particle electrical mobility. At the downstream of DMA, the aerosol stream is subdivided into two parts. One is sent to a condensation particle counter (CPC) to measure particle number concentration, whereas other one is sent to QCM to measure the particle mass concentration simultaneously. Based on particle volume derived from size distribution data of SMPS and mass concentration data obtained from QCM, the mean effective density (ρeff) with uncertainty of inorganic salt particles (for particle count mean diameter (CMD) over a size range 10 to 478 nm), i.e. AS, SC and AN is estimated to be 1.76 ± 0.24, 2.08 ± 0.19 and 1.69 ± 0.28 g cm−3, which are comparable with the material density (ρ) values, 1.77, 2.17 and 1.72 g cm−3, respectively. Among individual uncertainty components, repeatability of particle mass obtained by QCM, QCM crystal frequency, CPC counting efficiency, and equivalence of CPC and QCM derived volume are the major contributors to the expanded uncertainty (at k = 2) in comparison to other components, e.g. diffusion correction, charge correction, etc. Effective density for ambient particles at the beginning of winter period in New Delhi is measured to be 1.28 ± 0.12 g cm−3. It was found that in general, mid-day effective density of ambient aerosols increases with increase in CMD of particle size measurement but particle photochemistry is an important factor to govern this trend. It is further observed that the CMD has good correlation with O3, SO2 and ambient RH, suggesting that possibly sulfate secondary materials have substantial contribution in particle effective density. This approach can be useful for real-time measurement of effective density of both laboratory generated and ambient aerosol particles, which is very important for studying the physico-chemical property of particles.
Early warnings and missed alarms for abrupt monsoon transitions
Authors: Thomas Z. A. , Kwasniok F. , Boulton C. A. , Cox P. M. , Jones R. T. , Lenton T. M. , Turney C. S. M.
Published: December 2015

Abstract. Palaeo-records from China demonstrate that the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) is dominated by abrupt and large magnitude monsoon shifts on millennial timescales, switching between periods of high and weak monsoon rains. It has been hypothesized that over these timescales, the EASM exhibits two stable states with bifurcation-type tipping points between them. Here we test this hypothesis by looking for early warning signals of past bifurcations in speleothem δ18O records from Sanbao Cave and Hulu Cave, China, spanning the penultimate glacial cycle. We find that although there are increases in both autocorrelation and variance preceding some of the monsoon transitions during this period, it is only immediately prior to the abrupt monsoon shift at the penultimate deglaciation (Termination II) that statistically significant increases are detected. To supplement our data analysis, we produce and analyse multiple model simulations that we derive from these data. We find hysteresis behaviour in our model simulations with transitions directly forced by solar insolation. However, signals of critical slowing down, which occur on the approach to a bifurcation, are only detectable in the model simulations when the change in system stability is sufficiently slow to be detected by the sampling resolution of the data set. This raises the possibility that the early warning "alarms" were missed in the speleothem data over the period 224–150 kyr and it was only at the monsoon termination that the change in the system stability was sufficiently slow to detect early warning signals.
ELECTRICAL AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF RUBBER
Authors: Roland C. M.
Published: December 2015

This review describes electrical and dielectric measurements of rubbery polymers. The interest in the electrical properties is primarily due to the strong effect of conductive fillers, the obvious example being carbon black. Conductivity measurements can be used to probe dispersion and the connectivity of filler particles, both of which exert a significant influence on the mechanical behavior. Dielectric relaxation spectra are used to study the dynamics, including the local segmental dynamics and secondary relaxations, and for certain polymers the global chain modes. A recent development in the application of nonlinear dielectric spectroscopy is briefly discussed.
Possibilities of Using Semi-Transparent Photovoltaic Modules on Rooftops of Greenhouses for Covering Their Energy Needs
Authors: Vourdoubas John
Published: December 2015

Semi-transparent photovoltaic cells allow the transmittance of solar irradiance through them and they have been used in building’s skylights and facades. Their use on rooftops of greenhouses can result in electricity generation which can cover part or all of their energy needs without affecting the growth of the plants. This also results in the decrease of cooling requirements during the summer since less solar irradiance is entering the greenhouse and lower CO2 emissions due to energy use in it. However, their current prices are high compared with the prices of opaque PV cells. The purpose of the present work is to investigate the possible use of semi-transparent PV modules placed on the roof of energy intensive greenhouses in Crete-Greece in order to cover their energy requirements and sell the surplus electricity into the grid. Two different cases have been studied where greenhouses of 1,000 m2 each cover their high heating needs using heat pumps and solid biomass. PV modules of 42.5 KWp can be placed on their roofs covering slightly less than 50 % of their surface allowing enough solar irradiance to enter the greenhouse. In the first case the generated electricity can cover more than 80 % of total energy needs and in the second all the energy needs offering the possibility of selling the surplus electricity to the grid. However, the current high prices of semi-transparent PVs do not favour their use by farmers since their installation costs are high. Future financial support from the government could increase their attractiveness for commercial applications in greenhouses.
TheNehuteias Traveling Agents and Transmitters of Cultural Data between the Torah Study Centers in Babylonia and in the Land of Israel during the Third and Fourth Centuries CE
Authors: Grossmark Tziona
Published: December 2015

This article suggests a new reading of some traditions, sayings, and anecdotes in the Babylonian Talmud attributed to four sages who lived between the middle of the third and the beginning of the fourth century CE, arguing that they should be identified as travelers’ tales. These four sages are portrayed in our sources as travelers and transmitters of Torah knowledge who traveled between the two main centers of Torah study, in Babylonia and in the Land of Israel. By assigning to them tales drawn from the wide well of travelers’ tales, created and told on the Eastern trade routes, by the Talmudic editors, these traveling sages became a link in the wide net of transmission of travelers’ tales.
La migración de retorno de migrantes mexicanos en el siglo XXI
Authors: Woo Morales Ofelia , Flores Ávila Alma Leticia
Published: December 2015

La migración de mexicanos hacia Estados Unidos es añeja así como el retorno de los migrantes; sin embargo, es de reciente atención el estudio de lo que se considera el migrante retornado contemporáneo debido al volumen de la migración de retorno que aumentó considerablemente después de 2007, atribuido a la crisis económica de Estados Unidos y las políticas migratorias de ese país, que son cada vez más restrictivas. Se hace referencia por varios autores que el migrante que retorna en la actualidad es diferente que el de antaño. Por lo que interesa presentar en este artículo, con diversas escalas de análisis (nacional, regional, estatal, localidad), a dónde está llegando el migrante retornado y sus características sociodemográficas de acuerdo a la información del Censo de Población y Vivienda de 2010.Revista Población y Desarrollo: Argonautas y Caminantes, Vol. 11, 2015: 23-36
Optimisation of hospital resource use: A rapid review of the literature
Authors: Madell Dominic , Villa Luis , Hayward Brooke , Comte Lyndsay Le
Published: December 2015

Project System Wide Integration for Transformation (SWIFT) is a programme of work supported by developments in technology that aims to improve the health of people in Counties Manukau through initiatives focused on community-based care and improving hospital systems. A “rapid review” of literature focussing optimisation of resource use in hospitals was carried out to support this programme. In total, 36 articles were considered in detail for inclusion in this rapid review, with many other articles considered briefly from title or abstract alone. Of the 36 articles, 24 (66.7%) were ultimately deemed relevant, and included. The review found reasonable evidence that patient length of stay can be reduced by using: (1) collaborative physician/nurse multidisciplinary care management of medical patients with expedited discharge, and assessment following discharge; (2) perioperative anaesthetic and pain management strategies for primary total hip (THA) and total knee arthroplasty (TKA); (3) the use of specialist nurses across a variety of roles, and team midwives who provide care for pregnant women from the beginning of care to the end of the post-natal period. It also found that there is potential for a reduction in adverse cardiac outcomes in hospitals through: (1) prescribing guideline discharge therapies in acute cardiac care, and (2) remote management of heart failure patients implanted with cardioverter defibrillators. The review also suggested that appointment cancellations or instances of non-attendance can be reduced by: (1) the establishment of pre-operative assessment and consultation clinics; (2) distributed access to scheduling systems; (3) preferentially loading appointments onto high-attendance days; and (4) the use of text messaging or automated phone calls to remind patients about appointments.
Sugarcane Bagasse Ash as a Seedling Growth Media Component
Authors: Webber III Charles L , White Paul M. , Petrie Eric C. , Shrefler James W. , Taylor Merritt J.
Published: December 2015

Bagasse is the fibrous material remaining after removing the sucrose, water, and other impurities (filter mud) from the milable sugarcane. Louisiana sugarcane mills use a portion of the sugarcane bagasse for fuel producing over 20,411 mt of sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA) as a by-product. The purpose of this research was to investigate the use of SBA as an amendment to soilless planting media for the production of vegetable seedlings. The SBA was combined by volume with a commercial soilless growing media into 5 combinations (0%:100%, 25%:75%, 50%:50%, 75%:25%, and 100%:0%, SBA and growing media, respectively). Squash var. ‘Straightneck’ and cantaloupe var. ‘Magnum Hybrid Melon’ were planted in each of the 5 different planting mixtures. The research indicates that the addition of SBA can enhance squash and cantaloupe seedling growth depending on the percentage of the ash added to the growth media. Squash plant stalk lengths and total plant fresh weights (stalk, leaves, tops, roots, and total plant) overall responded best at the 75% SBA. Squash dry weights were consistently greater when SBA was added to the soilless media compared to no SBA. The 25% and 50% SBA media produced the greatest cantaloupe leaf fresh weights. Cantaloupe leaf dry weights followed a similar trend, where the 25% and 50% SBA media produced greater plant weights with lesser yields observed at the 75% and 100% SBA levels. This data suggests that the 75% SBA and 25% SBA were certainly suitable potting media combinations for squash and cantaloupe seedling production, respectively.
Effect of Birhi Vaiety of Date Palm Fruits, (Phoenix dactylifera L.) at the Tamr Stage on Serum Glucose Levels in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats
Authors: Ibrahim Mohammed O. , Ahmad Mousa N. , Hamad Hani J. , Hamad Wasfy J.
Published: December 2015

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of a dietary preparation of Birhi tamr (Phoenix dactylifera L.) on serum glucose levels and body weight in normal, diabetic insulin-treated and diabetic insulin-untreated rats. Diabetes was partially induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (32.25 mg/kg). Thirty six male Sprague-Dawley rats (239 ± 8.4 g) were divided into two normal, two diabetic insulin-treated and two diabetic insulin-untreated groups. Each group was fed a diet containing either 0% or 10% tamr for six weeks. Fasting serum glucose levels were determined by enzymatic-calorimetric method using a standard kit procedure.Feeding 10% tamr did not show significant differences (P > 0.05) in serum glucose levels in any of the normal and insulin-treated diabetic rats. Insulin-untreated diabetic rats fed 0% tamr or 10% tamr exhibited significantly (P < 0.05) higher serum glucose levels (496 ± 81.6, 315 ± 61.1 mg/dl respectively) compared to normal (147 ± 5.3, 156 ± 7.6 mg/dl respectively) and insulin-treated diabetic rats (227 ± 17.6, 268± 18.9 mg/dl respectively). Feeding 10% tamr to insulin-untreated rats induced significant (P < 0.05) reduction in this variable. The findings of the present study may provide support for the favourable effect of date palm fruits as tamr, on blood glucose in streptozotocin-diabetic rats. This effect cannot be simply explained on the basis of the macro-nutrient composition of tamr. However, due to the apparent effects of tamr on blood glucose in normal and insulin-treated and insulin-untreated diabetic rats, the possible presence of insulin-like substance in tamr may not be excluded. The mechanism of action of the blood glucose-lowering effect of tamr awaits further investigation.
Farmers’ Perception and Willingness to Pay for Climate Information in Burkina Faso
Authors: Zongo Beteo , Diarra Abdoulaye , Barbier Bruno , Zorom Malicki , Yacouba Hamma , Dogot Thomas
Published: December 2015

This study highlights the perception and the option value of climate information in the sahelian and sudano-sahelian agro-climatic zones of Burkina Faso. From the sampled farmers only 21.78% have access to climate information, while 93% of them need climate information to guide through their decision in planning agricultural activities. Option value shows the interest granted by farmers using climate information. About 64% of the farmers are willing to pay an average of Francs CFA 546.34 to obtain climate information. The willingness to pay is determined by the the farmers’ ability to predict the climate, to use radio as a means of information, farmers’ awareness of previous forecasts and early onset of rainy season. While farmers considered benefits from the use of climate information, it is clear that its contribution to farm income remains a field of research to explore. Thus it is necessary to experiment with individual farms and to evaluate the contribution of climate information to the value added in different crops and farmers’ income.
Healthy Pork Production through Dietary n6:n3 Ratio Regulation
Authors: Yang Jyun-Ru , Lien Tu-Fa
Published: December 2015

The meat fat fatty acid composition could influent consumer health. Thus, this study was though dietary n-6:n-3 ratio regulation to production healthy pork. The experiment was used eighty LYD pigs that average weight was 66.5 kg (half male and half female) divide into five groups, they are lard group (L), soybean oil group (SO), commercial fish product group (CFP), canola oil group (CO), and 50% fish oil and 50% canola oil group (FCO) with 4 replicates, this experiment was lasted for 90 days. Experimental results indicated that the growth performances was no difference among groups; serum cholesterol, LDL and LDL-C were lower, meanwhile HDL was higher (P < 0.05) in FCO group than in control group. Back fat thickness, pork color, water holding capacity and meat fat content show no difference among groups. TBARS test on pork storage for 15 days in SO group was significantly higher (P < 0.05) than CO group. The n-6:n-3 ratio of back and belly fat in CFP, FCO and CO groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than in lard group. Panel evaluation score in SO group was significantly better (P < 0.05) than CO group in flavor, texture, juicy and total acceptance in longissmus muscle, but no difference in belly meat. In conclusion, the pork n-6: n-3 ratio was decreased with CFP, FCO, and CO supplementation, feeding pigs with low n-6:n-3 ratio fat could production healthy pork for consumers.
Determinants of Loan Repayment among Small Holder Cooperative Farmers in Remo Division, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Isitor S. U. , Otunaiya A. O. , Adeyonu A. G. , Fabiyi E. F.
Published: December 2015

This study investigated the factors that are crucial in improving small holder cooperative farmers’ loan repayment in Remo Division of Ogun state, Nigeria. Primary data used for the study were collected with the aid of well-structured questionnaire. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used to select the 120 respondents. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and probit regression model. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that about 56% of the respondents were able to repay their loans promptly while the rest were not. The respondents’ mean age stood at 47 years, the majority of them are males and married with fair level of education. The majority of smallholder farmers in the study area had been farming for more than 20 years, while the household size for the majority of them was 4-6 members with average family size of 5. The results of the probit regression analysis revealed that age, level of education, farming experience, net farm income and loan size obtained were the major factors that increase the likelihood of loan repayment, while the number of family dependants reduces the probability of repayment. To improve loan repayment ability in the study area, this study recommended improvement in human capacity development as well as sensitization of the farmers in the study area about the importance of education.
New threat to global transport. GNSS Receiver Spoofing
Authors: Gucma Maciej
Published: December 2015

Transport and logistics in XXI century relies on the several technical systems for assuring safe and reliable operations. One of widely used systems are satellite positioning systems, used to monitoring transport means and cargo itself. Reliability of the whole transport chain is often combined with singular reliability of satellite monitoring system. Possible threats to precise positioning of any vehicle is GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) deliberate interference. So called spoofing interference can mislead receiver in transport objective for reporting entirely wrong position and timing. To fight with this phenomena’s antispoofing techniques are developed. This paper will provide a review of late researches in field of GNSS anti-spoofing on the side of receiver. GNSS receiver vulnerabilities for a spoofer (device) attack will be presented as well as anti-spoofing algorithms. Possible limitation, costs as well as countermeasures methods will be shown thoroughly. Some of recent trends in anti-spoofing techniques in the world will be outlined up to date.
Evaluation model of the companies operating within logistic network
Authors: Foltin Pavel , Gontarczyk Mariusz , Świderski Andrzej , Zelkowski Jarosław
Published: December 2015

In the paper authors presented concept of evaluation of complex systems such as logistic companies which operate in competitive environment. Authors also highlighted the importance of the evaluation problem in operational activity, particularly in the properly prepared procedures to be followed, consisted of several stages adapted to currently conducted research. Properly executed evaluation of companies enables customers to take right decisions on contracting services and stimulate the development of those companies. It should be noted that the proposed algorithmic model of assessment may be particularly useful for assessment of complex logistics systems. Characteristics of the respective phases developed procedure allowed to indicate that it is important to select of appropriate criteria and evaluation methods. It was pointed out that particularly useful for assessing of logistics companies are multi-criteria analysis methods, because they allow to examine objects in a holistic manner, taking into consideration various aspects of activities such organizations. For the practical realization of assessment of logistics companies there was proposed Bellinger method, which contains quite transparent procedures. The results obtained from that method are consistent with those carried out by means of other, more complex multi-criteria methods. Also there was presented the problem of selection of weighted factors for the criteria in the context of their impact on the end result of evaluation. It was pointed out that the choice of an appropriate procedure for determining weights depends on the nature of the evaluated problem and form of criteria.
Regional implementation of a road safety observatory in Poland
Authors: Żukowska Joanna
Published: December 2015

The paper outlines the background and goals of the Road Safety Observatory in the Polish region of Warmia and Mazury. While created it was Poland’s first road safety Observatory, both at the regional and central level. Established in line with the methodology proposed in the European project SafetyNet, together with the planned National Road Safety Observatory it will form part of a Europe-wide network of observatories linked with the European Road Safety Observatory (ERSO). Commissioned by the Regional Road Safety Centre in Olsztyn, the idea for the Warmia-Mazury Road Safety Observatory was developed in 2010. The Observatory was completed in the autumn of 2012 and opened in November 2012.
Libya and Criteria for Humanitarian Intervention
Authors: Kříž Zdeněk , Fridrichová Kateřina
Published: December 2015

When seeking guidelines for worst-case scenario, military intervention under the Responsibility to Protect looks to the just war tradition. We tried to pinpoint the most important criteria, drawing on the Responsibility to Protect report, subsequent RtoP development and relevant authors to create a background to which compare the NATO’s operation in Libya. These criteria were not met during the intervention, as is shown in this article. The criterion of just cause could be seen as fulfilled, albeit this admission is done very grudgingly – the loss of life was not that large comparing to other tragedies that did not trigger intervention. The Libyan intervention is most questionable when it comes to right intentions and proportional means that suggest that the goal of interveners was to topple the regime not protect the civilians. These results bring the discussion of the weakness of the RtoP approach when it comes to defining, which populations should be helped under this doctrine and whether the nature of victims should be taken into consideration.