bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Caracterização da Cobertura Florestal de Unidades de Conservação da Mata Atlântica
Authors: Silvério Neto Roberto , Bento Monique de Carvalho , Menezes Sady Junior Martins da Costa de , Almeida Fábio Souto
Published: March 2015

O trabalho objetivou caracterizar a cobertura florestal de seis unidades de conservação da natureza no município de Três Rios, RJ: APA Bemposta; APA Lago do Caça e Pesca; APA Santa-Fé; APA Vale do Morro da Torre; MONA Encontro dos Três Rios; e o PNM Três Rios. Para localizar os fragmentos florestais foi utilizada a base de dados do satélite Landsat 5-TM, processada com os programas Erdas Imagine 9.2 e ArcGIS 10.0. Foram encontrados 527 fragmentos florestais, cobrindo uma área total de 7.075,77 ha (26,88% da área das unidades de conservação). A APA Bemposta se destacou por possuir a maior porcentagem de área com cobertura florestal (31,21%). O PNM Três Rios não apresentou fragmentos florestais com pelo menos 0,5 ha. As unidades de conservação do município apresentam um elevado número de fragmentos florestais relativamente pequenos, com formatos irregulares e grandemente isolados, o que contribui para a perda de biodiversidade.
Efeito do Hidrogel e Ureia na Produção de Mudas de Handroanthus ochraceus (Cham.) Mattos
Authors: Mews Cândida Lahís , Luduvico de Sousa José Raimundo , Azevedo Glauce Taís de Oliveira Sousa , Souza Anderson Marcos
Published: March 2015

Este trabalho avaliou a produção de mudas de Handroanthus ochraceus (Cham.) Mattos submetidas à diferentes doses de hidrogel e adubação nitrogenada em viveiro. O experimento foi instalado em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, em um fatorial com cinco concentrações de hidrogel (0 a 4 g) e seis de adubação (0 a 5 g), totalizando 30 tratamentos e cinco repetições compostas por quatro mudas. Foram avaliados altura, diâmetro do coleto, número de folhas, massa seca da parte aérea, de raiz e total, relações entre altura/diâmetro do coleto, altura/massa seca da parte aérea, parte aérea/raiz, índice de qualidade de Dickson e incremento em altura e diâmetro em três etapas. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância (p < 0,05) e regressão. Os diferentes tratamentos geraram respostas distintas e, no geral, influenciaram positivamente o crescimento e a qualidade das mudas. Os 80 dias iniciais sob sombra proporcionaram maior crescimento em altura e diâmetro das mudas.
Imagem, raça e humilhação no espelho negro da nação: cultura visual, política e "pensamento negro" brasileiro durante a ditadura militar
Authors: Santiago Júnior Francisco das Chagas Fernandes
Published: March 2015

Este artigo problematiza as relações entre cultura visual, "racialização" e novas sensibilidades políticas no Brasil de meados dos anos 1970 e princípios dos 1980 a partir das discussões da imagem e da representação do negro no cinema brasileiro. Observamos algumas das características da atualização e modificação da noção de raça no Brasil a partir da discussão sobre filmes brasileiros pelos representantes do que chamamos no texto de "pensamento negro", uma tradição reflexiva em formação que questionou como a intelectualidade brasileira concebia a cultura negra. A reflexão negra se apresenta num conjunto de escritos na imprensa nos quais desenvolveram uma retórica da imagem do negro como retórica de humilhação racial. A denúncia da humilhação negra na imagem produzida pelos brancos permitiu a constituição de uma nova identidade racial no Brasil.
Todos temos um retrato: indivíduo, fotografia e memória no contexto do desaparecimento de pessoas
Authors: Catela Ludmila da Silva
Published: March 2015

Como na construção de um origami, as imagens que representam o desaparecimento de pessoas na Argentina e a ação terrorista do Estado durante os anos 1970 dobram-se e redobram-se repetidamente, até compor uma nova figura. Essas dobraduras, como os papéis coloridos que são dobrados, têm a ver com as descobertas, as manipulações, a circulação e os usos de fotos que se propõem como representação da situação-limite do desaparecimento. Este texto percorrerá quatro cenas de análise sobre as modificações que as imagens sofrem a partir dos contextos de enunciação utilizados: o uso público da imagem do desaparecido como denúncia, a fotografia na esfera doméstica para diferenciar sua morte de outras, o uso do retrato do filho desaparecido sobre o corpo das Mães da Plaza de Maio e, finalmente, a circulação dos retratos fotográficos em instituições de memória, como museus e arquivos.
O COTIDIANO E A HISTÓRIA: CONSTRUINDO NOVOS OLHARES NA ADMINISTRAÇÃO
Authors: BARROS AMON , CARRIERI ALEXANDRE DE PÁDUA
Published: March 2015

O objetivo deste artigo é discutir as possíveis contribuições de estudos que fazem confluir história e cotidiano para a construção de novos olhares sobre a Administração. Para atender a esse objetivo, debatemos a aproximação entre a Administração e a história e os estudos sobre o cotidiano como opção para se produzirem olhares alternativos dentro da Administração. Concluímos reiterando que a construção desses diálogos pode abrir trilhas interessantes para o desenvolvimento de conhecimentos autorrefletidos e que estejam posicionados política, social e geograficamente.
CRIMES CORPORATIVOS E ESTUDOS ORGANIZACIONAIS: UMA APROXIMAÇÃO POSSÍVEL E NECESSÁRIA
Authors: OLIVEIRA CINTIA RODRIGUES DE
Published: March 2015

Escândalos corporativos têm sido comuns na sociedade contemporânea. Nesse contexto, os crimes cometidos nas e por corporações também tomam vulto e, frequentemente, tomamos conhecimento de um tipo de crime corporativo, um tema não explorado em pesquisas nos estudos organizacionais. Neste estudo, realizamos uma síntese de pesquisas sobre crimes corporativos com o objetivo de buscar uma aproximação do tema com o campo dos estudos organizacionais. Desenvolvemos o artigo sinalizando para a predominância da abordagem moderna em estudos sobre o tema e, ao final, propomos perspectivas alternativas para a análise da criminalidade corporativa no âmbito dos estudos organizacionais.
Decision-making on childhood vaccination by highly educated parents
Authors: Barbieri Carolina Luísa Alves , Couto Márcia Thereza
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE To analyze the sociocultural aspects involved in the decision-making process of vaccination in upper-class and highly educated families.METHODS A qualitative approach based on in-depth interviews with 15 couples from the city of Sao Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, falling into three categories: vaccinators, late or selective vaccinators, and nonvaccinators. The interpretation of produced empirical material was performed through content analysis.RESULTS The study showed diverse and particular aspects surrounding the three groups’ decisions whether to vaccinate their children. The vaccinators’ decision to vaccinate their children was spontaneous and raised no questions. Most late or selective vaccinators experienced a wide range of situations that were instrumental in the decision to delay or not apply certain vaccines. The nonvaccinator’s decision-making process expressed a broader context of both criticism of hegemonic obstetric practices in Brazil and access to information transmitted via social networks and the internet. The data showed that the problematization of vaccines (culminating in the decision to not vaccinate their children) occurred in the context of humanized birth, was protagonized by women and was greatly influenced by health information from the internet.CONCLUSIONS Sociocultural aspects of the singular Brazilian context and the contemporary society were involved in the decision-making on children’s vaccination. Understanding this process can provide a real basis for a deeper reflection on health and immunization practices in Brazil in light of the new contexts and challenges of the world today.
Weather parameters and nosocomial bloodstream infection: a case-referent study
Authors: Caldeira Silvia Maria , Cunha Antonio Ribeiro da , Akazawa Renata Tamie , Moreira Rayana Gonçalves , Souza Lenice do Rosário de , Fortaleza Carlos Magno Castelo Branco
Published: March 2015

OBJECTIVE To evaluate if temperature and humidity influenced the etiology of bloodstream infections in a hospital from 2005 to 2010.METHODS The study had a case-referent design. Individual cases of bloodstream infections caused by specific groups or pathogens were compared with several references. In the first analysis, average temperature and humidity values for the seven days preceding collection of blood cultures were compared with an overall “seven-days moving average” for the study period. The second analysis included only patients with bloodstream infections. Several logistic regression models were used to compare different pathogens and groups with respect to the immediate weather parameters, adjusting for demographics, time, and unit of admission.RESULTS Higher temperatures and humidity were related to the recovery of bacteria as a whole (versus fungi) and of gram-negative bacilli. In the multivariable models, temperature was positively associated with the recovery of gram-negative bacilli (OR = 1.14; 95%CI 1.10;1.19) or Acinetobacter baumannii (OR = 1.26; 95%CI 1.16;1.37), even after adjustment for demographic and admission data. An inverse association was identified for humidity.CONCLUSIONS The study documented the impact of temperature and humidity on the incidence and etiology of bloodstream infections. The results correspond with those from ecological studies, indicating a higher incidence of gram-negative bacilli during warm seasons. These findings should guide policies directed at preventing and controlling healthcare-associated infections.
In the context of a daycare center: nursing and their representations of child care as an educational act
Authors: Sarubbi Jr. Vicente , Muylaert Camila Junqueira , Gallo Sophia Motta , Gallo Paulo Rogério
Published: March 2015

This study aimed to analyze the social representations in the professionals of technical staff, who work with children at USP daycare centers. Eight professionals of the nursing field underwent a semi-structured interview. The interviews were recorded and transcribed in their entirety and the content of the discourse was subjected to thematic-categorical analysis. The categories were transformed into variables and processed by the software Classification Hiérarchique Classificatoire et Cohésitive (CHIC®) and analyzed by the hierarchical similarity tree. The results indicate that actions to promote health are reported as educational and transformative, in which health care gains new meaning through contextualized conceptions in the field of child education. We conclude that professionals attribute new meanings to their practices in the health care environment of daycare centers as their representations shifts from the logic of the biomedical field to a logic of educational care. In this sense, they perceive themselves as being challenged to establish an interaction with the children in terms of their activities related to the promotion of health and in an educational act.
Temperature and moisture content effects on compressive strength parallel to the grain of paricá
Authors: Figueroa Manuel Jesús Manríquez , Moraes Poliana Dias de , Maestri Fernanda Almeida
Published: March 2015

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of the temperature and moisture content on the compressive strength parallel to the grain of paricá (Schizolobium amazonicum Huber ex. Ducke) from cultivated forests. The experiments were carried out on 3 timber samples under different conditions: heated (HT), thermal treatment (TT) and water saturated (WS). The HT sample consisted of 105 clear specimens assembled in 15 groups, the TT consisted of 90 clear specimens assembled in 15 groups and the WS consisted of 90 clear specimens assembled in 9 groups. The specimens from HT and WS samples were tested at a temperature range from 20 to 230 ºC and 20 to 100 ºC, respectively. The HT specimens were tested at ambient temperature, but after being submitted to thermal treatment. The HT, TT and WS samples present a decrease in the compressive strength, reaching 65%, 76% and 59% of the compressive strength at room temperature, respectively. The decrease in the compressive strength of the HT and WS samples can be associated to the thermal degradation of wood polymers and the moisture content. For the TT sample, the strength increased for a pre-heating temperature of up to 170 °C due to the reduction in the moisture content of the specimens.
Desvios de custos e prazos em empreendimentos da construção civil: categorização e fatores de influência
Authors: Muianga Elisa Atália Daniel , Granja Ariovaldo Denis , Ruiz Joyce de Andrade
Published: March 2015

Desvios de custos e prazos são desafios recorrentes na construção civil. Neste artigo, os autores objetivaram revisar sistematicamente a literatura relacionada a desvios de prazos e custos para determinar uma estrutura de categorização e respectivos fatores responsáveis por esses desvios. Foi empregada a abordagem Systematic Literature Review (Revisão Sistemática de Literatura - RSL) de maneira metódica, para proporcionar acompanhamento e reprodução futura. Informações relevantes foram extraídas dos artigos selecionados e posteriormente sintetizadas para a obtenção da proposta de categorização e respectivos fatores responsáveis pelos desvios. Nove categorias foram identificadas e definidas com base em seus determinantes: relações governamentais; contratos; organização; gerenciamento; financiamento; projeto e documentação; alterações de escopo; aspectos ambientais e econômicos; e atividades e equipamentos. Além disso, 95 fatores de influência foram identificados e anexados às categorias pertinentes. Apesar de a literatura ser heterogênea em relação a contextos e regiões globais, o que dificulta a condução da RSL, houve boa sustentação para os fatores identificados. Escassez de evidências foram identificadas na América Latina, particularmente no Brasil. A literatura existente em desvios de prazos e custos até o momento se mostrou multifacetada, com 92 artigos publicados em 46 fontes diferentes no intervalo de tempo de 1985 a 2014. A maioria das pesquisas teve como foco o estudo de alguns desses fatores em particular, enquanto esta pesquisa classificou-os e sintetizou-os de forma a possibilitar uma visão nova e mais abrangente sobre o fenômeno.
Use of wood anatomy to identify poisonous plants: Charcoal of Spirostachys africana
Authors: Lennox Sandra J. , Bamford Marion
Published: March 2015

Spirostachys africana Sond. (tamboti/tambotie) is a woodland tree that is often found near water. It has a poisonous and purgative latex. The archaeological site of Sibudu, a rock shelter in KwaZulu-Natal, has evidence, from well-preserved charcoal and seeds, of past environments and wood use from approximately 77–38 thousand years ago (ka). As their uses and environmental indicators are different, it is critical to confidently distinguish among the three anatomically similar woods of the Euphorbiaceae: Spirostachys africana, Sclerocroton integerrimus and Shirakiopsis elliptica. A detailed anatomical study of reference and archaeological charcoal shows that xylem vessel width increases proportionally as vessel frequency decreases, from Spirostachys africana, Sclerocroton integerrimus to Shirakiopsis elliptica. Crystals of calcium oxalate are present in ray cells of Spirostachys africana, whereas silica bodies are present in ray cells of Sclerocroton integerrimus and Shirakiopsis elliptica. Using these features, the presence of Spirostachys africana was confirmed amongst hearth charcoal of the Spotty Camel layer, with an age of approximately 58 ka and of the Mottled Deposit occupational layer, with an age of approximately 49 ka. The presence of this charcoal, collected from ancient fireplaces or sieved from surrounding sediments, implies that people at Sibudu understood and used this poisonous tree to their advantage. We are encouraged in this view by the presence of many Cryptocarya woodii leaves found on the surface of 77-ka sedge bedding at Sibudu (Wadley L et al., Science. 2011;334:1388–1391). Cryptocarya woodii has insecticidal and larvacidal properties and members of the Laurel family are well known for their medicinal properties.
Assessing the photoprotective effects of red ochre on human skin by in vitro laboratory experiments
Authors: Rifkin Riaan F. , D’Errico Francesco , Dayet-Boulliot Laure , Summers Beverley
Published: March 2015

Archaeological indicators of cognitive complexity become increasingly prevalent during the African Middle Stone Age, with the habitual exploitation of red ochre widely viewed as a key feature of the emergence of modern human behaviour. Given that some of the uses of ochre remain ambiguous, we present the preliminary results of an ongoing study in which we explore the efficacy of red ochre as a photoprotective device or sunscreen. The capacity of ochre to inhibit the susceptibility of humans to the detrimental effects of ultraviolet radiation was confirmed through the in vitro calculation of the sun protection factor values of samples derived from the Kunene Region in Namibia and the Bokkeveld Group deposits, Western Cape Province, South Africa. Visible spectroscopy was employed to determine colourimetric parameters of samples and assess the correlation between ochre colour and sun protection factor. The possible role of ochre as a sunscreen agent for hominin populations, including modern humans, during the Middle Stone Age in Africa is explored. We conclude that the habitual use of red ochre as a photoprotective agent likely played a role in the ability of prehistoric humans to adapt to novel environmental circumstances.
Characterization of Alkali Stress‐Responsive Genes of the CIPK Family in Sweet Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]
Authors: Guo Ming , Liu Qing , Yu Hui , Zhou Tingting , Zou Jing , Zhang Hui , Bian Mingdi , Liu Xuanming
Published: March 2015

Calcineurin B–like protein (CBL) interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) are critical components in various stress signal transduction pathways. In previous studies, 32 putative CIPK genes (SbCIPKs) were identified in sweet sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. In the present study, a conserved sucrose nonfermenting 1 (SNF1)–like kinase domain in the N terminus and a NAF motif (a 24‐amino‐acid domain with the conserved amino acids N, A, and F required for the CBL–CIPK interaction) in C terminus were identified in all SbCIPKs using sequence analysis. Stress‐ and light‐responsive cis‐elements were also identified in the promoter regions of sorghum CIPKs. The real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed different expression patterns among the 32 SbCIPKs under sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) stress in sweet sorghum seedlings. Based on the expression patterns, six SbCIPKs were upregulated >10‐fold at the transcriptional level. Interestingly, these six CIPKs showed leaf‐specific expression under normal growth conditions, suggesting a relationship between various regulations in leaf function and alkali stress responses in sweet sorghum. Systemic yeast two‐hybrid assay demonstrated the specific interaction between multiple SbCIPKs and SbCBLs. Thus, this study provides the first characterization of the role of the CIPK family proteins in response to alkali stress.
Phosphorous Efficiency and Tolerance Traits for Selection of Sorghum for Performance in Phosphorous‐Limited Environments
Authors: Leiser Willmar L. , Rattunde H. Frederick W. , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Weltzien Eva , Diallo Abdoulaye , Toure Abocar , Haussmann Bettina I.G.
Published: March 2015

Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is widely cultivated in West Africa (WA) on soils with low phosphorus (P) availability. Large genetic variation for grain yield (GY) under low‐P conditions was observed among WA sorghum genotypes, but information is lacking on the usefulness of P‐tolerance ratios (relative performance in –P [no P fertilizer] vs. +P [with P fertilizer] conditions) and measures of P‐acquisition and internal P‐use efficiency as selection criteria for enhancing GY under low‐P conditions. We evaluated 70 WA sorghum genotypes for GY performance under −P and +P conditions for 5 yr in two locations in Mali and assessed P acquisition (e.g., P content in biomass) and P‐use efficiency (e.g., grain produced per unit P uptake) traits under −P and +P conditions in one site in 2010. Significant genetic variation existed for all P‐tolerance ratios across multiple sites. Photoperiod‐sensitive landrace genotypes showed significantly better P tolerance and less delay of heading under P‐limited conditions compared with photoperiod‐insensitive varieties. Genotypic correlations of P‐tolerance ratios to GY under −P were moderate. Phosphorous acquisition and P‐use efficiency traits independent of harvest index were of similar importance for GY under −P conditions in statistically independent trials. However grain‐P and stover‐P concentrations from one −P trial showed only weak correlations with GYs in statistically independent trials. Highest predicted gains for −P GY were obtained by theoretical index selection based on −P GY combined with P‐use efficiency traits (e.g., low‐grain P concentration). Such index selection is expected to achieve both increased sorghum productivity and P sustainability in the P‐limited WA production systems.
Hierarchical Bayesian Modeling for Flexible Experiments in Decentralized Participatory Plant Breeding
Authors: Rivière Pierre , Dawson Julie C. , Goldringer Isabelle , David Olivier
Published: March 2015

Decentralized participatory plant breeding (PPB) is a method for creating new varieties adapted to agroecology based systems. Selection is decentralized in the target environments and relies on collaboration between farmers, Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and researchers. In the wheat PPB project studied, the decentralization was extensive as each farmer participating in the project performed the selection experiment on his farm. This led to unbalanced designs with few residual degrees of freedom available for the within‐farm comparison of means. We investigated a hierarchical Bayesian modeling of trials’ residual variances using information from a large network of environments (48 farm × year). We found that the hierarchical approach allowed for robust results leading to reliable mean comparisons on farms. For each variable studied, differences among breeding populations within farms were large enough to carry out selection. This was possible because the farms shared a common experimental design and the number of environments in the network was large. Our approach is useful for farmers who cannot set up replicated trials on their farm but wish to participate in the program. The only constraint being the replication of at least one control on each farm, farmers are free to choose the populations they wish to test. This allows for the evaluation and selection of a wide range of diversity over the network of farms. This approach could also be interesting in other types of decentralized unreplicated trials such as those encountered in genetic resources screening or in multiple environments breeding.
Microspore Abortion and Abnormal Tapetal Degeneration in a Male‐sterile Wheat Line Induced by the Chemical Hybridizing Agent SQ‐1
Authors: Song Yulong , Wang Junwei , Zhang Gaisheng , Zhao Xinliang , Zhang Pengfei , Niu Na , Ma Shoucai
Published: March 2015

This study investigated the relationship between abnormal degeneration of the tapetum and pollen abortion in an SQ‐1‐induced male‐sterile line of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), using semithin sectioning and cytochemistry. Anthers were collected from the tetrad through trinucleate stages, and 1.5% (w/v) acetocarmine staining was used to confirm the developmental stage. Lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins were detected by staining, and the area, mean optical density, and integrated optical density of the tapetum and pollen were calculated. Microspores of the male‐sterile line had a relatively smaller area and developed more slowly than those of the fertile control anthers, indicating that they had undergone abnormal mitosis and formed abnormal sperm cells containing only one or two nuclei in the mature pollen. In addition, although degeneration of the tapetum in the male‐sterile line commenced at the tetrad stage, which was earlier than in the control, degeneration was not completed until after that in the control. Semithin sectioning indicated that nutrient accumulation was abnormal in the male‐sterile line. No polysaccharides were found in tetrads in the male‐sterile line; at the early‐uninucleate stage, and fewer lipids and polysaccharides were found in the sterile pollen compared to the control. From the bi‐ to trinucleate pollen stages, polysaccharides, lipids, and proteins were lower in pollen of the male‐sterile line than in control pollen. Therefore, SQ‐1 probably delayed tapetal degeneration in the anthers of male‐sterile plants, leading to decreased nutrient supply and pollen abortion.
A Pedigree‐Based Reaction Norm Model for Prediction of Cotton Yield in Multienvironment Trials
Authors: Pérez‐Rodríguez Paulino , Crossa José , Bondalapati Krishna , De Meyer Geert , Pita Fabiano , Campos Gustavo de los
Published: March 2015

Genotype × environment interaction (G × E) plays a fundamental role in important agricultural traits such as grain yield or disease resistance. Therefore, modeling G × E is essential for the selection of high yielding and well‐adapted varieties. The availability of new sources of genetic and environmental information (e.g., dense panels for molecular markers coupled with large numbers of environmental covariates [EC]) provides important opportunities for studying and exploiting G × E. However, incorporating high‐dimensional genetic and environmental data and accounting for potential interactions is not an easy task. Recently we developed a genomic model that incorporates molecular markers, EC, and the interactions between them using co‐variance functions. In this paper we demonstrate how the same approach can be applied in cases where genetic information is based on pedigrees instead of molecular markers. We evaluated the models using a collection of 7809 grain yield records obtained from 582 cotton lines evaluated in 2 yr (2011 and 2012) over nine locations. A total of 76 EC were available and used to model main and interaction effects. Estimates of variance components indicated that G × E explained a sizable proportion of the phenotypic variance, and two cross‐validation analyses indicated that modeling G × E increases prediction accuracy by a considerable margin. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study considering both pedigree and EC for the analysis of cotton yield. The models described here can be used for prediction of genetic merit and for selection for target environments.
Controlling Misclassification Rates in Identification of Haploid Seeds from Induction Crosses in Maize with High‐Oil Inducers
Authors: Melchinger Albrecht E. , Winter Markus , Mi Xuefei , Piepho Hans‐Peter , Schipprack Wolfgang , Mirdita Vilso
Published: March 2015

In vivo production of double haploid (DH) lines in maize (Zea mays L.) requires reliable identification of haploid (H) seeds. A new method for achieving this goal is production of induction crosses with high‐oil (HO) inducers and sorting the resulting H and diploid crossing (C) seeds based on their oil content (OC). Balancing the false discovery rate (FDR) and false negative rate (FNR) by choice of a suitable proportion α of selected seeds represents an unsolved problem with this method. We investigated solutions by applying mixture distribution (MD) analysis to the OC of induction crosses for estimating the means and standard deviation (μH, μC, and σ) of H and C seeds and the haploid induction rate κ. Moreover, we developed formulas and software for calculating the FDR and FNR from these estimates. Using several induction crosses with HO inducer UH600, parameter estimates from (i) MD analysis in different environments and (ii) gold standard classification (GSC) of plants in the field agreed well for μH and μC, but only moderately for σ and κ. Parameter estimates from the MD provided meaningful guidelines for calculating the expected FDR and FNR. Selecting the α = 7.5% proportion of seeds with lowest OC was optimal for most induction crosses and balanced the FDR and FNR. In conclusion, induction crosses with HO inducers hold great promise for promoting the DH technology in maize, but an automated high‐throughput platform for sorting the seeds from the MD into several distinct classes with increasing OC is recommended to take full advantage of this novel approach.
Forage Yield and Nutritive Value Responses to Insecticide and Host Resistance in Alfalfa
Authors: Sulc R. Mark , McCormick John S. , Hammond Ronald B. , Miller David J.
Published: March 2015

There are conflicting reports on effectiveness of glandular‐haired alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars for reducing plant injury caused by potato leafhopper (PLH), Empoasca fabae Harris (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae). We measured forage yield and nutritive value in a glandular‐haired cultivar rated as highly resistant to PLH (54H91) and a nonglandular‐haired susceptible cultivar (54V54), both grown with and without an insecticide applied either early or late in each summer growth cycle across 3 yr. Cultivar × insecticide treatment interactions (P ≤ 0.01 and 0.14) were found for cumulative yield across years in two experiments. With the early insecticide treatment on 54H91, forage yield was up to 6% greater (P = 0.03) than without insecticide, while the susceptible 54V54 yielded 17 to 37% more (P < 0.01) with the early treatment than without insecticide. Crude protein (CP) of 54V54 in summer averaged 10 to 22 g kg−1 lower (P < 0.05) for the untreated than with early insecticide treatment, but consistent differences in forage fiber content or fiber digestibility were not observed. Cumulative forage yield across all harvests or across summer harvests in the untreated 54H91 were similar to yield of the late insecticide‐treated susceptible 54V54. The glandular‐haired alfalfa cultivar suppressed PLH abundance and reduced yield losses caused by this pest in the absence of insecticide applications. Glandular‐haired cultivars with high PLH resistance provide alfalfa growers opportunities to reduce insecticide use within an integrated pest management strategy in regions where the PLH causes significant yield losses in susceptible cultivars.
Plant Survival of Drought During Establishment: An Interspecific Comparison of Five Grain Legumes
Authors: Marrou Helene , Vadez Vincent , Sinclair Thomas R.
Published: March 2015

Seedling establishment is obviously the first step in having successful crop production. In seasons and locations that experience early drought, potential differences among species in plant survival of drought could result in greater probability of crop establishment. In this study, plant survival capacity during crop establishment was tested for five grain legume species: soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.), groundnut (Arachis hypogaea L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.), and pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan L. Huth). Experiments were done for four sowing conditions (two soil textures × two initial soil‐water contents). Cowpea and pigeon pea had the greatest capacity for survival, while soybean, bean, and groundnut were more sensitive. Differences among species could not be explained by differences in the temporal dynamics of water use. Conversely, plant wilting and senescence in response to soil dehydration varied among species; initial wilting of cowpea and pigeon pea occurred at lower soil‐water contents. These two species also had the longest survival after fraction transpirable soil water (FTSW) reached zero. In a comparison of 10 genotypes of each species, genotypic variation in the wilting profile during the survival phase was observed in cowpea, bean, and, to a lesser extent, groundnut and pigeon pea, but no differences were found in soybean.
Size Selectivity of Eroded Sediment Associated with Soil Texture on Steep Slopes
Authors: Wang L. , Shi Z.H.
Published: March 2015

Sediment selectivity during transport may provide basic information for evaluating on‐site and off‐site impacts of soil erosion. Rainfall simulation experiments were performed to investigate the effects of soil texture and aggregation on sediment particle size distributions (PSDs) in rill and interrill erosion material. Four soils with decreasing clay content were selected and subjected to simulated rainfall with an intensity of 120 mm h−1 on three steep slopes (15, 20, and 25°). A comparison of the sediment effective PSD (undispersed) and ultimate PSD (dispersed) for the four soils revealed that clay‐sized particles were prone to transport as aggregates. Moreover, the degree of sediment aggregation decreased with decreasing clay content in the original soils, as reflected in the effective/ultimate PSD ratio close to 1. Temporal fluctuations in the effective/ultimate PSD ratio indicated that aggregates were disintegrated by raindrop impact and/or runoff energy during the erosion process. The sediment after rill development was coarser than that before rill development owing to the large flow depth and runoff energy of the rill flow. Soils that contained more heavy particles, including large aggregates and coarse primary soil particles, more easily rolled on steep slopes than soils containing fewer heavy particles due to the strong gravity and inertial forces in the direction of the slopes, which may increase the relative contribution of the bed‐load transport mechanism. The results of this study are expected to improve the accuracy of soil loss prediction and provide appropriate conversion measurements under steep slope conditions by considering soil texture, aggregation, and rill development.
Chemical Indicators of Cryoturbation and Microbial Processing throughout an Alaskan Permafrost Soil Depth Profile
Authors: Ernakovich Jessica G. , Wallenstein Matthew D. , Calderón F.J.
Published: March 2015

Although permafrost soils contain vast stores of organic C, relatively little is known about the chemical composition of their constituent soil organic matter (SOM). Mineral permafrost and organic (OAL) and mineral active layer (MAL) soils from Sagwon Hills, AK were analyzed for total C and N content and SOM chemical composition using Fourier transformed mid‐infrared spectroscopy (MidIR). We also investigated techniques for proper collection of MidIR spectra on high C soils, such as permafrost. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) of the MidIR spectra revealed that the OAL was different from the MAL and permafrost based on absorbance of various organic functional groups, such as hydroxyls, alkyls, carbonyls, amines, amides, and esters. The top of the permafrost (0–15 cm below the maximum active layer thaw depth) was also differentiated from the deeper permafrost (16–40 cm below) by the same organic functional groups. Spectral data suggested that there is more chemically labile C (e.g., hydroxyl, amine groups, carbohydrates) in the OAL than the top of the permafrost, which in turn has more labile C than the MAL and deeper permafrost. The chemical similarity between the top of the permafrost and the OAL, and its differences with the MAL, suggest that organic matter (OM) is introduced into the permafrost through cryoturbation. All the soils showed evidence of microbial processing, such as organic acids and carboxylates, however the relative abundance of these compounds varied by soil depth. This study advances our understanding of permafrost C chemistry and the reactivity of constituent compounds.
Flood disasters – a global perspective
Authors: Kron Wolfgang
Published: March 2015

Various disasters in recent decades have confirmed that the risk from water-related events has been increasing significantly worldwide. Among those events are tsunamis, storm surges, river floods, flash floods, mass movements and droughts. The driving factors of this risk are the unabated increase in global population, the concentration of people in high-risk areas such as coasts, flood plains and hillsides, the rise in vulnerability of assets, infrastructure and social systems, and the consequences of environmental and climatic changes. Risk reduction requires general awareness at all levels of society and a partnership between the public sector, the people concerned and the insurance industry. Structural and nonstructural precautionary measures are always cheaper in the long run than paying losses. Overall economic consequences are significantly less severe in societies with a high insurance penetration.
The Deltaplan revisited: changing perspectives in the Netherlands' flood risk reduction philosophy
Authors: van Haegen Melanie Schultz , Wieriks Koos
Published: March 2015

This paper focuses on the recently changed perspectives in the Netherlands' risk reduction philosophy, aimed at protecting a densely populated delta at a lasting high safety level throughout this century while addressing the impacts of climate change and socio-economic developments. The changed perspectives reflect a shift from policy development and implementation following a disaster (reactive) to a nationwide approach of climate-proofing the delta and thus anticipating projections of climate change and socio-economic developments at the end of this century (proactive: prevention). In addition to presenting these changed perspectives, lessons learnt are presented from Dutch experience, which can be applied to flood-prone areas around the globe. The connecting theme through these lessons learnt is the realisation that a proactive approach to flood prevention instead of reacting to flood disasters pays off and should be the way forward for densely populated, flood-prone areas.
Losing memory – the risk of a major flood in the Paris region: Improving prevention policies
Authors: Baubion Charles
Published: March 2015

This paper provides a snapshot of the key findings of an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) review of flood risk prevention policies in the Paris metropolitan area. With an innovative flood risk assessment, the study shows that a major flooding of the Seine River, similar to the flood disaster of 1910, could affect up to 5 million residents in the greater Paris area and cause up to 30 billion (109) euros worth of damage. Economic growth, jobs and public finances could also be significantly affected at the national level. The OECD Review on Flood Risk Management of the Seine River – commissioned by the basin organisation Seine Grands Lacs with the French Ministry of Ecology and Île-de-France regional council – recommends raising risk awareness among citizens and businesses, and improving the resilience of the metropolitan area to flood risks. Recent floods in Europe and New York City's Hurricane Sandy disaster in 2012 illustrated the vulnerability of today's ever-denser cities to flooding and the need to adapt critical infrastructure systems to be able to cope with extreme weather events. The OECD review suggests ways to minimise the risks and better prepare the Île-de-France region. It notes that proposed projects to develop and expand the city's transport and logistics networks offer an opportunity to put some of its suggestions into practice.
Integrated policies and practices for flood and drought risk management
Authors: Grobicki A. , MacLeod F. , Pischke F.
Published: March 2015

The paper argues for an integrated approach to the management of water-related disasters that becomes a full part of the political decision-making process at the earliest possible moment and focuses on preparedness, mitigating their negative impacts and also considering their positive impacts, particularly those of floods. By doing this, there is an opportunity to consider the three pillars of sustainable development, and understand the options that exist and the trade-offs that may need to be made between economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and social equity. Within the post-2015 agenda, water-related disasters are addressed by targets under a number of different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). As climate change becomes an ever-more-present reality, whose impacts are often experienced through water-related disasters such as floods and droughts, there is an urgent need to build disaster-resilient societies through more integrated policies and practices, including stakeholders' perspectives and a partnership approach. The paper provides stakeholder perspectives and approaches from around the world that are putting these ideas into practice.
Hydrogeochemistry and Water Quality Index in the Assessment of Groundwater Quality for Drinking Uses
Authors: Batabyal Asit Kumar , Chakraborty Surajit
Published: March 2015

The present investigation is aimed at understanding the hydrogeochemical parameters and development of a water quality index (WQI) to assess groundwater quality of a rural tract in the northwest of Bardhaman district of West Bengal, India. Groundwater occurs at shallow depths with the maximum flow moving southeast during pre‐monsoon season and south in post‐monsoon period. The physicochemical analysis of groundwater samples shows the major ions in the order of HCO3>Ca>Na>Mg>Cl>SO4 and HCO3>Ca>Mg>Na>Cl>SO4 in pre‐ and post‐monsoon periods, respectively. The groundwater quality is safe for drinking, barring the elevated iron content in certain areas. Based on WQI values, groundwater falls into one of three categories: excellent water, good water, and poor water. The high value of WQI is because of elevated concentration of iron and chloride. The majority of the area is occupied by good water in pre‐monsoon and poor water in post‐monsoon period.
Putting a face on the dark figure: Describing victims who don’t report crime
Authors: Fohring Stephanie
Published: March 2015

Since the inception of large scale victimisation surveys a considerable
amount of research has been conducted investigating the so called ?dark
figure? of unreported crime. Although this figure has consistently hovered
around 60% of all victims, recent research reveals little about those who
choose not to pursue formal avenues of justice. This article thus seeks to
open a dialogue which focuses on the actual people behind the dark figure. It
uses examples from the Scottish Crime and Justice Survey to describe these
individuals and to explore explanations for their non-reporting. It
highlights the importance of deprivation and vulnerability with regards to
reporting crime but also the initial risk of victimisation. It concludes by
arguing that the lack of focus on victims who don?t report leaves them
vulnerable and invisible to the eyes of policy makers and the criminal
justice system.
Improving Quality of Management Science
Authors: Patel Shambhu Prasad
Published: March 2015

This article attempts to point out history, development and problems of management science in the Faculty of Management. The quality of management science in most management campuses has deteriorated to the worst level which may be attributed to the lack of the faculties of management science, non existenceof the department of management science, traditional curriculum, lack of conducive environment for research, teaching, publication, dissemination as well as lack of faculty development programs. Improving quality of education in the management science is not an impossible dream but it requires strong commitment, cooperation and effort from all stakeholders.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12359Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 53-55
Exclusion of Madheshi Women in Decision Making
Authors: Tiwari Sushma
Published: March 2015

A country’s socio-economic growth cannot take place if half of its population is down-trodden. In Nepal women of every section of society are excluded in one or other form. The identity of woman comes from her own family and decision-making autonomy also should start from the household. This article is concerned with the decision-making autonomy of the Madheshi women in Parsa district. The findings reveal that still these women are almost excluded from the structure of decision making autonomy within the households. It maybe argued that the status of Madheshi women is poorer due to low education and employment, low exposure of women and less decision making autonomy.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/av.v4i0.12361Academic Voices Vol.4 2014: 68-72
Down the Rabbit Hole: The Bostonians and Alice James
Authors: Walton Priscilla L.
Published: March 2015

Abstract:

This article uses the life of Alice James to reread her brother Henry’s novel, The Bostonians. Alice, who was a partner in a Boston marriage, and her illnesses, of which she wrote in her letters and diary, provides a means of reassessing the gender dynamics of James’s only novel about suffrage and the women’s movement. Her life sheds light on and offers an alternative reading of the novel’s problematic heteronormative movement.
“But Suppose I Did Want a Boy?” Homosexual Economies in Herman Melville’s The Confidence-Man
Authors: Martin Robert K. , Person Leland S.
Published: March 2015

Abstract:

This article is centred on chapter twenty-two of The Confidence-Man, the chapter in which the con man, in the guise of Philosophical Intelligence Officer, tries to sell a boy to Pitch, the misanthropic Missouri bachelor who has used up some thirty boys on his backwoods farm and now wants to replace boys with machines. Structured as an epistolary dialogue between the two authors, the article explores the complex ways Melville’s novel positions its readers and the desires they bring to the text. Can the long debate in chapter twenty-two about buying boys be read as a transaction between a pimp and a pederast? Do other homosocial encounters in the novel encode homosexuality and thus reinforce our perception of it in chapter twenty-two? The authors argue for a queer reading of The Confidence-Man and in the process foreground their own sexual identities and reading practices.