bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“What Is Our Story?” Philip Morris’s Changing Corporate Narrative
Authors: McDaniel Patricia A. , Malone Ruth E.
Published: August 2015

Objectives. We sought to learn how employees reacted to changes in the corporate narrative of Philip Morris Companies (PMC) in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Methods. We analyzed archival internal tobacco industry documents about PMC’s creation of a new corporate story.

Results. In response to litigation and public opprobrium, PMC replaced its market success–oriented corporate narrative with a new one centered on responsibility. Although management sought to downplay inconsistencies between the old and new narratives, some employees reportedly had difficulty reconciling them, concerned that the responsibility focus might affect company profitability. However, others embraced the new narrative, suggesting radical ideas to prevent youth smoking. These ideas were not adopted.

Conclusions. PMC’s new narrative was unconvincing to many of its employees, who perceived it either as a threat to the company’s continued profits or as incongruous with what they had previously been told. As it had done with the public, PMC misled its employees in explaining a narrative repositioning that would help the company continue business as usual. Moving toward a tobacco endgame will require ongoing discursive and symbolic efforts to disrupt this narrative.
Extensive Heterotopic Ossification After Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
Authors: Aspey Brad , Park Howard Young , Ostrander Roger
Published: August 2015

Case:

A sixty-three-year-old woman who underwent routine arthroscopic rotator cuff repair developed extensive heterotopic ossification postoperatively. She required a reoperation for excision.

Conclusion:

Heterotopic ossification should be included in the differential diagnosis for postoperative stiffness after an arthroscopic rotator cuff repair.
Feasibility and Evaluation of Surfactants and Gas Lift in Combination as a Severe-Slugging-Suppression Method
Authors: Sarica Cem , Yuan Ge , Shang Wei , Pereyra Eduardo , Kouba Gene
Published: August 2015

An experimental study of severe-slugging suppression by use of a combination of surfactants and gas lift was conducted with a facility comprising a 3-in.-inner-diameter, 65-ft-long, -3°-inclined flowline, followed by a 45-ft-long vertical-riser system. Air and water were used as fluids. The surfactant used was a foaming agent capable of forming stable foams in all brines for a wide range of pH values. Pressure behavior in the flowline/riser system was monitored, and input-gas-, injection-gas-, liquid-, and surfactant-flow rates were measured continuously. In addition, visual observations were made to identify severe slugging. Effects of the proposed method were quantified with a modified elimination performance index (MEPI) that considered not only pressure fluctuations, but also backpressure effects.

Thirty tests were conducted. The data were analyzed for the severe-slugging suppression of the combination of surfactant and gas lift, the effect of gas lift on surfactant injection, and the effect of the surfactant on the reduction of the gas lift gas. The combination technique with the highest gas lift rate completely eliminated the severe slugging for all tests conducted. Surfactants were able to suppress severe slugging for most of the cases. The performance of the ’only-surfactant injection case’ increases as the gas/liquid ratio increases. For all of the tests, backpressure reduction was observed. The MEPI is used as the main parameter to assess the performance of the severe-slugging-suppression methods. Gas lift not only contributes to density reduction through volumetric increase of gas in the riser, but it also reduces the mixture density by promoting more foam generation. There were reductions in the gas lift rate from the original maximum gas lift injection rate for all the tests conducted with surfactant injection.
Military Families: Measurement of Community Resource Adequacy
Authors: La Flair Lareina N. , Fullerton Carol S. , Cozza Stephen J. , Mash Holly B. Herberman , McCarroll James E. , Ortiz Claudio D. , Ursano Robert J.
Published: August 2015

Understanding features of community strength both on and off the military installation will help identify and address the needs of military families. This study introduced a measure to identify adequacy of community resources for military families. Using confirmatory factor analysis with data from 717 service users ( M age = 37.3 yr., SD = 10.6) representing four large U.S. Army installations, two domains of community resource adequacy were identified: resources on the installation and resources off the installation. This measure could be used in health research with military families and in improving resources available to this population.
The Launch Window Hypothesis and the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off in Baseball Throwing
Authors: Freeston Jonathan , Ferdinands Rene E. D. , Rooney Kieron
Published: August 2015

The speed-accuracy trade-off in throwing has been well described, but its cause is poorly understood. The popular impulse-variability hypothesis lacks relevance to throwing, while the launch window hypothesis has explanatory potential but has not been empirically tested. The current study therefore aimed to quantify the speed-accuracy trade-off and launch window during a throwing task at two different speeds. Nine elite junior baseball players (M age = 19.6 yr.; M height = 1.80 m; M weight = 75.5 kg) threw 10 fastballs at 80 and 100% of maximal throwing speed (MTS) toward a 7 cm target from a distance of 20 m. A 3D motion analysis system measured ball speed and trajectory. A speed-accuracy trade-off occurred, mediated by increased vertical error. This can be attributed to the launch window, which was significantly smaller, particularly its vertical component, during 100% MTS. Maximal throwing speed correlated negatively with launch window size. The launch window hypothesis explained the observed speed-accuracy trade-off, providing a framework within which aspects of technique can be identified and altered to improve performance.
Using the GPU to Design Complex Profile Extrusion Dies
Authors: Gonçalves N. D. , Pereira S. P. , Ferrás L. L. , Nóbrega J. M. , Carneiro O. S.
Published: August 2015

In the present work the benefits of using graphics processing units (GPU) to aid the design of complex geometry profile extrusion dies, are studied. For that purpose, a 3D finite volume based code that employs unstructured meshes to solve and couple the continuity, momentum and energy conservation equations governing the fluid flow, together with a constitutive equation, was used. To evaluate the possibility of reducing the calculation time spent on the numerical calculations, the numerical code was parallelized in the GPU, using a simple programing approach without complex memory manipulations. For verification purposes, simulations were performed for three benchmark problems: Poiseuille flow, lid-driven cavity flow and flow around a cylinder. Subsequently, the code was used on the design of two real life extrusion dies for the production of a medical catheter and a wood plastic composite decking profile. To evaluate the benefits, the results obtained with the GPU parallelized code were compared, in terms of speedup, with a serial implementation of the same code, that traditionally runs on the central processing unit (CPU). The results obtained show that, even with the simple parallelization approach employed, it was possible to obtain a significant reduction of the computation times.
Mechanical Properties, Morphologies and Thermal Decomposition Kinetics of Poly(lactic acid) Toughened by Waste Rubber Powder
Authors: Yang J.-N. , Nie S.-B. , Ding G.-X. , Wang Z.-F. , Gao J.-S. , Zhu J.-B.
Published: August 2015

To improve the impact resistance and reduce the product cost, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) blends containing varying mass fraction of waste rubber powder (WRP) were fabricated via melt compounding. The effects of WRP contents on the mechanical properties, morphologies and thermal stabilities of PLA/WRP blends were investigated. Mechanical tests showed that WRP could increase the ductilities of PLA, leading to the significant improvements in the impact toughness and elongation at break. In contrast, the tensile strength was just heightened slightly, while elastic modulus declined gradually. Scanning electron microscopy observations indicated that well bonded interfacial morphologies were formed between PLA and WRP. From the results of thermo gravimetric analysis, WRP decreased the onset and peak decomposition temperatures of PLA phase and increased the char contents of samples significantly. Average activation energies of samples were increased first and then decreased with increasing WRP. Finally, theoretical lifetimes of PLA/WRP blends were also estimated.
Heat Transfer Coefficient in Injection Molding of Polymers
Authors: Heinle M. , Drummer D.
Published: August 2015

A polymer's thermal conditions during processing in injection molding define the polymer's structure and with this the properties of the final part. Thus prediction of the temperature in the part during processing is of great interest here. One important value for calculating the temperature is the heat transfer coefficient (HTC), or the thermal contact resistance (TCR) between polymer and mold. Because of this, significant work has been done on this topic. This article gives an impression of the importance of HTC in injection molding and an overview over work conducted in measuring and calculating the HTC and the up to now known influences on it.
L’apprentissage émotionnel à distance de l’échec
Authors: Cusin Julien , Passebois-Ducros Juliette
Published: August 2015

Cette recherche étudie l’effet d’un échec sur l’attitude ultérieure des individus face à un nouveau projet. à l’aide de l’analyse des liens, dans la durée, entre deux équipements bordelais consacrés au vin, les auteurs montrent l’existence d’un apprentissage émotionnel à distance de l’échec, qui est le fruit des démarches heuristiques utilisées par des professionnels pourtant compétents dans leur domaine. Ces raisonnements simplifiés sont liés à leur faible implication dans le projet ayant échoué.
Segmentation achats dans la gestion des relations client-fournisseur
Authors: Jerman Lambert , Nogatchewsky Stéphane
Published: August 2015

L’article présente les résultats d’une recherche qualitative sur les dispositifs de segmentation achats au cœur des relations client-fournisseur. Depuis Kraljic (1983), la littérature en stratégie spécialisée dans l’étude du choix d’un fournisseur ne cesse de proposer des matrices stratégiques à l’attention des dirigeants d’entreprise. Toutefois, il est difficile de déterminer comment ces dispositifs peuvent réellement éclairer les décisions et permettre des coopérations industrielles durables. L’article tente de combler ce manque en précisant comment les dispositifs de segmentation achats sont inséparables des capacités dynamiques d’une entreprise. Le choix d’un fournisseur n’est plus réduit à une décision stratégique statique, mais est conçu comme l’appréciation dynamique des ressources et compétences à allouer au pilotage de coopérations industrielles.
Discours sur la RSE dans le processus de légitimation de la banque
Authors: Reynaud Emmanuelle , Walas Aurélie
Published: August 2015

Cet article empirique, basé sur les rapports des banques françaises de 2004 à 2011, appréhende la façon dont les banques cherchent à récupérer de la légitimité, suite à la crise bancaire de 2008, grâce à la responsabilité sociale de l’entreprise. Deux résultats principaux se dégagent. D’une part, les banques communiquent davantage sur leurs responsabilités sectorielles depuis la crise bancaire. D’autre part, et de façon plus étonnante, dans ce secteur fortement institutionnalisé, on n’observe pas de comportements isomorphes : les dynamiques de légitimation restent différenciées.
Migración, inseguridad y vulnerabilidad en el corredor del Golfo de México
Authors: Córdova Rosío , Rodríguez Hipólito
Published: August 2015

Since the 1980s, the different crises that have taken place in the south of Mexico and Central America have raised the migrant flow to the United States. In parallel, these crises have contributed to make the journey for those who want to gain access to the American market more difficult and unsafe. Although legal measures have tried to stop the flow of migrants, in the last decade migrants have faced other kinds of non-legal obstacles that make dangerous their displacement. This article explores the process that has led to conditions of insecurity and vulnerability for migrants. It is focused on the corridor of the Gulf of Mexico, one of the main routes of migration to the territory of the United States.

Spanish
Desde los años ochenta del siglo pasado, diversas crisis económicas han detonado en el sur de México y en Centroamérica el incremento del flujo migratorio hacia EEUU. Colateralmente, las mismas crisis han propiciado la emergencia de circunstancias que hacen más difícil e inseguro el desplazamiento de quienes buscan acceder al mercado de trabajo de ese país. Si bien el crecimiento del flujo ha intentado ser detenido por medio de medidas legales, en la última década los migrantes han encontrado otro tipo de obstáculos no legales que han vuelto sumamente peligroso su tránsito. Este artículo explora el proceso que ha originado condiciones de inseguridad y vulnerabilidad para la población migrante y centra su atención en el corredor del Golfo de México, un territorio por el que pasa una de las principales rutas del movimiento migratorio hacia territorio estadounidense.

French
Dans les années 1980, différentes crises économiques sont survenues dans le sud du Mexique et en Amérique centrale, favorisant ainsi l'essor de la migration vers les États-Unis. Par ailleurs, ces mêmes crises ont conduit à l'émergence de circonstances qui ont rendu difficiles et dangereux les déplacements des individus souhaitant accéder au marché du travail de ce pays. Alors que la tendance première des politiques avait été de restreindre l'essor des flux par des mesures légales, dans la dernière décennie, les migrants feront face à d'autres types d'obstacles non juridiques qui auront pour effet de rendre leur transit extrêmement dangereux. Cet article analyse le processus ayant conduit à l'émergence des conditions d'insécurité et de vulnérabilité chez les migrants et se concentre sur le corridor du golfe du Mexique, reconnu comme étant la principale zone de transit des flux migratoires en direction des Etats-Unis.
Synthesis of Novel phenylazo-Substituted Salicylaldimine-Based Boron Difluoride Complexes
Authors: Fan Ling , Wu Lu , Ke Mufang
Published: August 2015

Salicylaldimines with a phenylazo-group substituent have been prepared and reacted with BF3·Et2O in the presence of N,N-diisopropylethylamine to give novel N,O-bidentate boron difluoride complexes. Spectroscopic properties and thermal stability of the complexes are also reported.
An Efficient and Green Synthetic Route to Losartan
Authors: Shuangxia Feng , Zheng Gu , Yelv Tang , Hui Liu , Guofang Jiang
Published: August 2015

A practical, efficient and green process for the preparation of losartan, an antihypertensive drug, has been developed with an overall yield of 58.6%. The key step is the synthesis of the two key intermediates 2-butyl-4-chloro-3H-imidazole-5-carbaldehyde (BCFI) and 2-cyano-4′-methyl biphenyl (OTBN). BCFI was synthesised from valeronitrile and acetyl chloride by three steps with an overall yield of 69%; OTBN was obtained in 86% yield by the coupling of o-chlorobenzonitrile with p-methylphenylmagnesium chloride in tetrahydrofuran in the presence of manganese chloride and chlorotrimethylsilane. The above route was successfully operated in at a pilot-plant operation.
One-pot synthesis of 1-Methylimidazol-2-yl N-Aroyldithiocarbamates from 2-Mercapto-1-Methylimidazole, Ammonium Thiocyanate and Aroyl Chlorides
Authors: Dehvari Fatemeh , Hassanabadi Alireza
Published: August 2015

A novel method for 1-methylimidazol-2-yl N-aroyldithiocarbamates formation is established using the reaction of ammonium thiocyanate and aroyl chlorides with 2-mercapto-1-methylimidazole in good yields.
Convenient NaCl-Catalysed Multicomponent Synthesis of Spiro[indoline-3,4′-Pyrano[2,3-c]Pyrazole]-3′-Carboxylate Derivatives in Aqueous Medium
Authors: Alizadeh Abdolali , Moafi Leila
Published: August 2015

A series of alkyl 6′-amino-5′-cyano-2-oxo-1′H-spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole]-3′-carboxylates has been synthesised in the presence of sodium chloride as catalyst in water. The green synthesis shows attractive green characteristics such as, using water as the reaction medium, very short reaction time, easy work up, and reduced waste.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Berberine Derivatives Bearing 4-Aryl-1-Piperazine Moieties
Authors: Mistry Bhupendra , Keum Young-Soo , Kim Doo Hwan
Published: August 2015

Piperazine moieties with disubstituted N-aryl groups are linked to the isoquinoline alkaloid, berberine, through a pentyloxy side chain, replacing its 9-methoxyl group. The nine synthesised compounds are screened for antioxidant potency, in vitro anticancer activities against Hela and Caski cervical cancer cell lines and for cytotoxicity towards Malin Darby canine kidney cell lines. Several compounds demonstrate significant antioxidant potency and most of the compounds exhibit equipotent, or better, anticancer activity when compared to berberine.
Four-Component Synthesis of 3-Amino-1-Aryl-5,10-Dioxo-1H-Pyrazolo[1,2-b] Phthalazine-2-Carbonitrile Derivatives Promoted by Potassium Carbonate
Authors: Abdesheikhi Mitra , Karimi-Jaberi Zahed
Published: August 2015

The one-pot, four-component reaction of phthalic anhydride, hydrazine hydrate, aromatic aldehydes and malononitrile afford 3-amino-1-aryl-5,10-dioxo-1H-pyrazolo[1,2-b]phthalazine-2-carbonitrile derivatives in the presence of potassium carbonate in ethanol under reflux conditions. These conditions offer simplified operation, easy purification, excellent yields and environmentally benign reaction conditions. Also, this method avoids the use of expensive catalysts, toxic solvents and chromatographic separation.
Synthesis of 2-Aryl-7-Methyl-4-Thioxo-4H-Pyrano[3,4-e][1,3]Oxazin-5-One by Three-Component Condensation
Authors: Khazaeian Ali , Hassanabadi Alireza
Published: August 2015

A novel method for oxazine ring formation is established though the reaction of ammonium thiocyanate and aroyl chlorides with 4-hydroxy-6-methyl-2H-pyran-2-one in the presence of N-methylimidazole to afford 2-aryl-7-methyl-4-thioxo-4H-pyrano[3,4-e][1,3]oxazin-5-one in excellent yields.
Position of Substitution: A Facile Way to Tune the Spectroscopic Properties of Dimethylamino-Substituted Arylene-Ethynylenes
Authors: Fang Jing-Kun , Sun Tengxiao , Fang Yu , Xu Zhimin , Zou Hui , Liu Yuan , Ge Fangting
Published: August 2015

A series of dimethylamino-substituted arylene-ethynylenes were synthesised by Sonogashira coupling reactions and characterised by the methods of 1H, 13C NMR, UV-Vis, fluorescence, HRMS and theoretical calculations. Effects on spectroscopic properties caused by the different positions of the dimethylamino group in arylene-ethynylenes were studied and discussed. The shortest absorption maximum, the largest Stokes shift and the highest fluorescence efficiency were observed for arylene-ethynylenes with a dimethylamino group present in the ortho-position.
Long-Term Variation in Blood Glucose Concentration in Nestling Great Tits (Parus major)
Authors: Kaliński Adam , Bańbura Mirosłtawa , Glądalski Michat , Markowski Marcin , Skwarska Joanna , Wawrzyniak Jarosłtaw , Zieliński Piotr , Cyżewska Iwona , Bańbura Jerzy
Published: August 2015

The main aim of this study was to examine if blood glucose concentration displays any pattern of variation between years and distinct habitats. Bird blood glucose concentration reflects their high metabolic demands and is influenced by a variety of environmental factors. Therefore variation in glucose levels of free-living birds is an important aspect of their functional ecology. We now present results concerning variation in glucose concentration in the blood of Great Tit ( Parus major) nestlings (∼ 14-day-old). We also compare the obtained results with variation in blood glucose nestlings Blue Tit ( Cyanistes caeruleus) published elsewhere. Our present study was conducted in central Poland in an 8-year period, 2005–12 in two distinct habitat types: an urban parkland and a rural deciduous forest. The most important findings of the study were: (i) mean levels of blood glucose varied markedly between years; (ii) glucose concentrations were significantly higher in the parkland study area; (iii) heavier nestlings were characterised with lower blood glucose levels; (iv) there was a negative relationship between fledging success and per-brood mean glucose concentration in the urban park site but not in the forest site; and (v) Great Tit nestlings were characterised by significantly higher blood glucose levels than Blue Tits nestlings. Variation in glucose concentration of nestling Great Tits shows a consistent spatio-temporal pattern which is generally similar to that found in Blue Tits.
Immune Condition and Blood Parasites in Three Sparrow Species with Different Migratory Status in Central Mexico
Authors: Carbó-Ramírez Pilar , Zuria Iriana
Published: August 2015

A good immune condition imposes an energetic cost and depends on many factors such as stressful situations and extenuating activities, especially for migratory birds. The energetic demands during migration may be compromised due to limited food availability, higher predation risks or novel diseases. We collected blood samples in the adults of three species of sparrows with different migratory status in central Mexico: the Clay-coloured Sparrow Spizella pallida (long distance migrant), the Chipping Sparrow S. passerina (local and long distance migrant individuals present at the study site), and the Black-chinned Sparrow S. atrogularis (permanent resident). These were used to compare the immune condition through analyses of their leukocyte profiles, the heterophil/lymphocyte (H/L) ratio and the presence of blood parasites. We found differences in the immune condition: the resident species showed a lower percentage of lymphocytes than the long distance migrant, and also had more heterophils and a higher H/L than the two migratory species. We found that body mass was not related to the leukocyte parameters. Trypanosoma was recorded in the three bird species. The Chipping Sparrow was the most parasitised, followed by the Black-chinned Sparrow. Intensity of infection in the Chipping Sparrow and the Black-chinned Sparrow was correlated with changes in the abundance of lymphocytes. Our results suggest that the resident species had a reduced immune condition compared to the two migratory species, while the presence of parasites and the intensity of parasitism did not differ between species. This is the first study that evaluates and compares the immunological condition and blood parasitism in three congeneric species of birds with different migratory status.
Variation in Haematocrit of Nestling Blue Tits (Cyanistes Caeruleus) in Central Poland
Authors: Markowski Marcin , Bańbura Mirosłtawa , Glądalski Michałt , Kaliński Adam , Skwarska Joanna , Wawrzyniak Jarosłtaw , Zieliński Piotr , Bańbura Jerzy
Published: August 2015

Haematological indices have been frequently used to investigate the physiological condition of wild birds. In this respect, among many blood parameters, haematocrit has been considered to be a valuable indicator. Many studies, mostly conducted on adult birds, have discussed possible causes of haematocrit variation, pointing out several factors both natural and anthropogenic as being crucial. In this study, we examined the level of haematocrit for Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus nestlings in relation to habitat type and inter-year sources of variation. We found that the haematocrit of Blue Tit nestlings varied significantly between study years, showing an increasing trend. We explain this variation by changeable weather conditions, pointing out that temperature is a possible factor. The increase in haematocrit in subsequent study years was accompanied by a decline in the ambient temperature. No significant effect of habitat type was noted in the haematocrit variation. We also found that haematocrit values tended to be positively associated with fledging success. All this confirms that haematocrit may be reasonably used as a one of the indicators of nestling condition.
(R)evolution in the Molecular Sexing of Ratite Birds: Identification and Analysis of New Candidate Sex-Linked Markers
Authors: Morinha Francisco , Cabral João A. , Martins Sónia , Cruz Eduardo , Alvura Nuno , Nunes Pedro , Direitinho João , Magalhães Paula , Bastos Estela
Published: August 2015

The molecular methods for sex identification in birds are important resources commonly used in population studies, management and conservation plans, breeding programs and commercial poultry/farms. Recently, advanced polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods based on melting curve analysis have been reported for Neognathae (non-ratite) birds. These genotyping strategies are simple, rapid, highly sensitive/specific and cost-effective, allowing high-throughput applicability. The evolutionary divergence and ancestral state of the sex chromosomes in the Palaeognathae (ratite) birds have hindered the utilisation of the sex-linked markers developed for non-ratite species. Therefore, the current PCR-based protocols for ratite species are restricted to agarose and polyacrylamide gels. The screening of new candidate sex-linked markers is mandatory to implement advanced PCR-based approaches in the routine molecular sexing of ratites. In this study, the nucleotide sequences of the Ostrich Z and W gametologous genes were used for the identification of new potential sex-linked markers, considering the optimisation of a molecular sexing protocol using the high-resolution melting (HRM) analysis. Four candidate markers ( NTRK2, RASEF, TMEM2 and DAPK1) were characterised for four ratite species (Ostrich, Greater Rhea, Emu and Southern Cassowary). The male and female genotypes identified were accurately differentiated based on specific melting curve profiles generated. The discussion of the polymorphic patterns obtained and their influence on the reliability of molecular sexing are complemented with an overview of the classical PCR-based methods for ratite birds. This study highlights the potential and usefulness of the recently available genomic data for ratite sex chromosomes to identify new candidate sex-linked markers with simple in silico approaches.
The Importance of Natural Habitats as Short-Toed Eagle (Circaetus Gallicus) Breeding Sites
Authors: Hadad Ezra , Weil Gilad , Charter Motti
Published: August 2015

The biodiversity of native species is diminishing in many regions as natural habitats are being replaced by human settlements and agriculture. Top predators, such as large raptors, are especially sensitive to habitat change, and they present flagship species due to the interest in them by the public. By protecting the raptors’ habitats we also protect other species that reside within these habitats. A large population of Short-toed Eagles ( Circaetus gallicus, hereafter StE) were studied in the Judea region of Israel across a 1,175 km2 study site during the 2006–2008 breeding seasons, in order to determine whether the different types of habitat affect the number of successful breeding pairs. During the three-year study, we recorded 288 breeding attempts by StE pairs in 156 different nests located mainly on trees. Of the successful StE pairs, 76.9% bred in natural habitats while fewer pairs than expected bred in agricultural areas and human settlements. The mean number of successful StE pairs was positively related to the proportion of natural habitat types and negatively related to the proportion of human settlements and agriculture. Compared to successful pairs breeding in grids with a low density of StE, grids with higher breeding densities of successful pairs comprised more natural habitat types and less agricultural land and human settlement. Even though the population of StE in Israel is large, its future may be at risk as natural habitats are increasingly being destroyed and replaced by human settlements and agriculture. Conservation programs are therefore needed in order to protect as much natural habitat types as possible prior to urban planning and realisation.
Genome size determination of Eclipta alba and Aloe barbadensis
Authors: Roy Anggana , Bashir Yasir , Rather Irfan Ahmad , Konwar Bolin Kumar
Published: August 2015

There is abundant genetic diversity of pharmacologically important plants around the globe and this pool of genetic variation serves as the base for selection as well as for plant improvement. The major cause of such genetic diversity is the variation in their genetic material, as called genome. In the present study, an attempt was made to determine the genome size of Eclipta alba and Aloe barbadensis by flow cytometry using Pisum sativum as a reference standard. The nuclear DNA was calculated as 8.7 pg for E. alba and 9.0 pg for A. barbadensis. The genome size of E. alba and A. barbadensis was estimated to be 4.27 x 109 bp and 4.42 x 109 bp, respectively. Information on genome size and DNA content of these two pharmacologically important plants would provide a useful tool for future molecular biological investigations.

 
Design and Comparative Analysis of a Retrofitted Liquid Cooling System for High-Power Actuators
Authors: Paine Nicholas , Sentis Luis
Published: August 2015

This paper presents an in-depth system-level experimental analysis comparing air-cooled and liquid-cooled commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) electric motors. Typically, liquid-cooled electric motors are reserved for large, expensive, high-end applications where the design of the motor’s electromagnetic components are closely coupled to its cooling system. By applying liquid cooling to a pre-existing motor design, this work helps bring the performance advantages of liquid cooling to smaller scale and lower cost applications. Prior work in this area gives little insight to designers of such systems. Conversely, this work aims to improve the understanding of liquid-cooled COTS motors by reporting empirically-observed factors of improvement for motor current, torque, output power and system efficiency. These measurements are obtained using a new liquid-cooled motor housing design that improves the ease of maintenance and component reuse compared to existing work. It is confirmed that datasheet motor thermal properties may serve as a reasonable guide for anticipating continuous torque performance, but may over-specify continuous power output. For the motor used in this test, continuous torque output is increased by a factor of 2.58, matching to within 9% of expected datasheet values. Continuous power output is increased by a factor of two with only 2.2% reduced efficiency compared to air-cooling.
Cotton Water Use Efficiency under Two Different Deficit Irrigation Scheduling Methods
Authors: Baker Jeffrey , Gitz Dennis , Stout John , Lascano Robert
Published: August 2015

Declines in Ogallala aquifer levels used for irrigation has prompted research to identify methods for optimizing water use efficiency (WUE) of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L). In this experiment, conducted at Lubbock, TX, USA in 2014, our objective was to test two canopy temperature based stress indices, each at two different irrigation trigger set points: the Stress Time (ST) method with irrigation triggers set at 5.5 (ST_5.5) and 8.5 h (ST_8.5) and the Crop Water Stress Index (CWSI) method with irrigation triggers set at 0.3 (CWSI_0.3) and 0.6 (CWSI_0.6). When these irrigation triggers were exceeded on a given day, the crop was deficit irrigated with 5 mm of water via subsurface drip tape. Also included in the experimental design were a well-watered (WW) control irrigated at 110% of potential evapotranspiration and a dry land (DL) treatment that relied on rainfall only. Seasonal crop water use ranged from 353 to 625 mm across these six treatments. As expected, cotton lint yield increased with increasing crop water use but lint yield WUE displayed asignificant (p ≤ 0.05) peak near 3.6 to 3.7 kg ha−1 mm−1 for the ST_5.5 and CWSI_0.3 treatments, respectively. Our results suggest that WUE may be optimized in cotton with less water than that needed for maximum lint yield.
Extraction, Separation, and Identification of Phenolic Compounds in Virgin Olive Oil by HPLC-DAD and HPLC-MS
Authors: Tasioula-Margari Maria , Tsabolatidou Eleftheria
Published: August 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the recovery of individual phenolic compounds extracted from virgin olive oil (VOO), from different Greek olive varieties. Sufficient recoveries (90%) of all individual phenolic compounds were obtained using methanol as an extraction solvent, acetonitrile for residue solubilization, and two washing steps with hexane. Moreover, in order to elucidate structural characteristics of phenolic compounds in VOO, high performance liquid chromatography with a diode array detector (HPLC-DAD) at 280 and 340 nm and HPLC coupled to electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC-ESI-MS) in the negative-ion mode were performed. The most abundant phenolic compounds were oleuropein derivatives with m/z 319 and 377 and ligstroside derivatives with m/z 303, 361. Lignans, such as 1-acetoxypinoresinol and pinoresinol were also present in substantial quantities in the phenolic fraction. However, pinoresinol was co-eluted with dialdehydic form of ligstroside aglycone (DAFLA) and it was not possible to be quantified separately. The phenolic extracts, obtained from different VOO samples, yielded similar HPLC profiles. Differences, however, were observed in the last part of the chromatogram, corresponding to isomers of the aldehydic form of ligstroside aglycone. Oxidized phenolic products, originating from secoiridoids, were also detected.
Genome Instability in Development and Aging: Insights from Nucleotide Excision Repair in Humans, Mice, and Worms
Authors: Edifizi Diletta , Schumacher Björn
Published: August 2015

DNA damage causally contributes to aging and cancer. Congenital defects in nucleotide excision repair (NER) lead to distinct cancer-prone and premature aging syndromes. The genetics of NER mutations have provided important insights into the distinct consequences of genome instability. Recent work in mice and C. elegans has shed new light on the mechanisms through which developing and aging animals respond to persistent DNA damage. The various NER mouse mutants have served as important disease models for Xeroderma pigmentosum (XP), Cockayne syndrome (CS), and trichothiodystrophy (TTD), while the traceable genetics of C. elegans have allowed the mechanistic delineation of the distinct outcomes of genome instability in metazoan development and aging. Intriguingly, highly conserved longevity assurance mechanisms respond to transcription-blocking DNA lesions in mammals as well as in worms and counteract the detrimental consequences of persistent DNA damage. The insulin-like growth factor signaling (IIS) effector transcription factor DAF-16 could indeed overcome DNA damage-driven developmental growth delay and functional deterioration even when DNA damage persists. Longevity assurance mechanisms might thus delay DNA damage-driven aging by raising the threshold when accumulating DNA damage becomes detrimental for physiological tissue functioning.
Point-of-Care Diagnostics in Low Resource Settings: Present Status and Future Role of Microfluidics
Authors: Sharma Shikha , Zapatero-Rodríguez Julia , Estrela Pedro , O'Kennedy Richard
Published: August 2015

The inability to diagnose numerous diseases rapidly is a significant cause of the disparity of deaths resulting from both communicable and non-communicable diseases in the developing world in comparison to the developed world. Existing diagnostic instrumentation usually requires sophisticated infrastructure, stable electrical power, expensive reagents, long assay times, and highly trained personnel which is not often available in limited resource settings. This review will critically survey and analyse the current lateral flow-based point-of-care (POC) technologies, which have made a major impact on diagnostic testing in developing countries over the last 50 years. The future of POC technologies including the applications of microfluidics, which allows miniaturisation and integration of complex functions that facilitate their usage in limited resource settings, is discussed The advantages offered by such systems, including low cost, ruggedness and the capacity to generate accurate and reliable results rapidly, are well suited to the clinical and social settings of the developing world.
Impact of Point-of-Sale Tobacco Display Bans in Thailand: Findings from the International Tobacco Control (ITC) Southeast Asia Survey
Authors: Li Lin , Borland Ron , Yong Hua-Hie , Sirirassamee Buppha , Hamann Stephen , Omar Maizurah , Quah Anne
Published: August 2015

In September 2005 Thailand became the first Asian country to implement a complete ban on the display of cigarettes and other tobacco products at point-of-sale (POS). This paper examined the impact of the POS tobacco display ban in Thailand, with Malaysia (which did not impose bans) serving as a comparison. The data came from the International Tobacco Control Southeast Asia Survey (2005–2011), a prospective cohort survey designed to evaluate the psychosocial and behavioral impacts of tobacco control policies. Main measures included smokers’ reported awareness of tobacco displays and advertising at POS. At the first post-ban survey wave over 90% of smokers in Thailand were aware of the display ban policy and supported it, and about three quarters thought the ban was effective. Noticing tobacco displays in stores was lowest (16.9%) at the first post-ban survey wave, but increased at later survey waves; however, the levels were consistently lower than those in Malaysia. Similarly, exposure to POS tobacco advertising was lower in Thailand. The display ban has reduced exposure to tobacco marketing at POS. The trend toward increased noticing is likely at least in part due to some increase in violations of the display bans and/or strategies to circumvent them.
Estimating the Smoking Ban Effects on Smoking Prevalence, Quitting and Cigarette Consumption in a Population Study of Apprentices in Italy
Authors: Pieroni Luca , Muzi Giacomo , Quercia Augusto , Lanari Donatella , Rundo Carmen , Minelli Liliana , Salmasi Luca , Dell'Omo Marco
Published: August 2015

Objectives: We evaluated the effects of the Italian 2005 smoking ban in public places on the prevalence of smoking, quitting and cigarette consumption of young workers. Data and Methods: The dataset was obtained from non-computerized registers of medical examinations for a population of workers with apprenticeship contracts residing in the province of Viterbo, Italy, in the period 1996–2007. To estimate the effects of the ban, a segmented regression approach was used, exploiting the discontinuity introduced by the application of the law on apprentices’ smoking behavior. Results: It is estimated that the Italian smoking ban generally had no effect on smoking prevalence, quitting ratio, or cigarette consumption of apprentices. However, when the estimates were applied to subpopulations, significant effects were found: −1% in smoking prevalence, +2% in quitting, and −3% in smoking intensity of apprentices with at least a diploma.
Angiogenesis-Related Biomarkers (sFlt-1/PLGF) in the Prediction and Diagnosis of Placental Dysfunction: An Approach for Clinical Integration
Authors: Herraiz Ignacio , Simón Elisa , Gómez-Arriaga Paula , Martínez-Moratalla José , García-Burguillo Antonio , Jiménez Elena , Galindo Alberto
Published: August 2015

Placental dysfunction is involved in a group of obstetrical conditions including preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, and placental abruption. Their timely and accurate recognition is often a challenge since diagnostic criteria are still based on nonspecific signs and symptoms. The discovering of the role of angiogenic-related factors (sFlt-1/PlGF) in the underlying pathophysiology of placental dysfunction, taking into account that angiogenesis-related biomarkers are not specific to any particular placental insufficiency-related disease, has marked an important step for improving their early diagnosis and prognosis assessment. However, sFlt-1/PlGF has not been yet established as a part of most guidelines. We will review the current evidence on the clinical utility of sFlt-1/PlGF and propose a new protocol for its clinical integration.
Disorder Prediction Methods, Their Applicability to Different Protein Targets and Their Usefulness for Guiding Experimental Studies
Authors: Atkins Jennifer , Boateng Samuel , Sorensen Thomas , McGuffin Liam
Published: August 2015

The role and function of a given protein is dependent on its structure. In recent years, however, numerous studies have highlighted the importance of unstructured, or disordered regions in governing a protein’s function. Disordered proteins have been found to play important roles in pivotal cellular functions, such as DNA binding and signalling cascades. Studying proteins with extended disordered regions is often problematic as they can be challenging to express, purify and crystallise. This means that interpretable experimental data on protein disorder is hard to generate. As a result, predictive computational tools have been developed with the aim of predicting the level and location of disorder within a protein. Currently, over 60 prediction servers exist, utilizing different methods for classifying disorder and different training sets. Here we review several good performing, publicly available prediction methods, comparing their application and discussing how disorder prediction servers can be used to aid the experimental solution of protein structure. The use of disorder prediction methods allows us to adopt a more targeted approach to experimental studies by accurately identifying the boundaries of ordered protein domains so that they may be investigated separately, thereby increasing the likelihood of their successful experimental solution.
Current Understanding of the Interplay between Phytohormones and Photosynthesis under Environmental Stress
Authors: Gururani Mayank , Mohanta Tapan , Bae Hanhong
Published: August 2015

Abiotic stress accounts for huge crop losses every year across the globe. In plants, the photosynthetic machinery gets severely damaged at various levels due to adverse environmental conditions. Moreover, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated as a result of stress further promote the photosynthetic damage by inhibiting the repair system of photosystem II. Earlier studies have suggested that phytohormones are not only required for plant growth and development, but they also play a pivotal role in regulating plants’ responses to different abiotic stress conditions. Although, phytohormones have been studied in great detail in the past, their influence on the photosynthetic machinery under abiotic stress has not been studied. One of the major factors that limits researchers fromelucidating the precise roles of phytohormones is the highly complex nature of hormonal crosstalk in plants. Another factor that needs to be elucidated is the method used for assessing photosynthetic damage in plants that are subjected to abiotic stress. Here, we review the current understanding on the role of phytohormones in the photosynthetic machinery under various abiotic stress conditions and discuss the potential areas for further research.
Fumaric Acid Esters Do Not Reduce Inflammatory NF-κB/p65 Nuclear Translocation, ICAM-1 Expression and T-Cell Adhesiveness of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells
Authors: Haarmann Axel , Nehen Mathias , Deiß Annika , Buttmann Mathias
Published: August 2015

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is approved for disease-modifying treatment of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Animal experiments suggested that part of its therapeutic effect is due to a reduction of T-cell infiltration of the central nervous system (CNS) by uncertain mechanisms. Here we evaluated whether DMF and its primary metabolite monomethyl fumarate (MMF) modulate pro-inflammatory intracellular signaling and T-cell adhesiveness of nonimmortalized single donor human brain microvascular endothelial cells at low passages. Neither DMF nor MMF at concentrations of 10 or 50 µM blocked the IL-1β-induced nuclear translocation of NF-κB/p65, whereas the higher concentration of DMF inhibited the nuclear entry of p65 in human umbilical vein endothelium cultured in parallel. DMF and MMF also did not alter the IL-1β-stimulated activation of p38 MAPK in brain endothelium. Furthermore, neither DMF nor MMF reduced the basal or IL-1β-inducible expression of ICAM-1. In accordance, both fumaric acid esters did not reduce the adhesion of activated Jurkat T cells to brain endothelium under basal or inflammatory conditions. Therefore, brain endothelial cells probably do not directly mediate a potential blocking effect of fumaric acid esters on the inflammatory infiltration of the CNS by T cells.
MicroRNAs and Growth Factors: An Alliance Propelling Tumor Progression
Authors: Kedmi Merav , Sas-Chen Aldema , Yarden Yosef
Published: August 2015

Tumor progression requires cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and attraction of blood and lymph vessels. These processes are tightly regulated by growth factors and their intracellular signaling pathways, which culminate in transcriptional programs. Hence, oncogenic mutations often capture growth factor signaling, and drugs able to intercept the underlying biochemical routes might retard cancer spread. Along with messenger RNAs, microRNAs play regulatory roles in growth factor signaling and in tumor progression. Because growth factors regulate abundance of certain microRNAs and the latter modulate the abundance of proteins necessary for growth factor signaling, the two classes of molecules form a dense web of interactions, which are dominated by a few recurring modules. We review specific examples of the alliance formed by growth factors and microRNAs and refer primarily to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) pathway. Clinical applications of the crosstalk between microRNAs and growth factors are described, including relevance to cancer therapy and to emergence of resistance to specific drugs.
Plant Growth Absorption Spectrum Mimicking Light Sources
Authors: Jou Jwo-Huei , Lin Ching-Chiao , Li Tsung-Han , Li Chieh-Ju , Peng Shiang-Hau , Yang Fu-Chin , Thomas K. , Kumar Dhirendra , Chi Yun , Hsu Ban-Dar
Published: August 2015

Plant factories have attracted increasing attention because they can produce fresh fruits and vegetables free from pesticides in all weather. However, the emission spectra from current light sources significantly mismatch the spectra absorbed by plants. We demonstrate a concept of using multiple broad-band as well as narrow-band solid-state lighting technologies to design plant-growth light sources. Take an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), for example; the resulting light source shows an 84% resemblance with the photosynthetic action spectrum as a twin-peak blue dye and a diffused mono-peak red dye are employed. This OLED can also show a greater than 90% resemblance as an additional deeper red emitter is added. For a typical LED, the resemblance can be improved to 91% if two additional blue and red LEDs are incorporated. The approach may facilitate either an ideal use of the energy applied for plant growth and/or the design of better light sources for growing different plants.