bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Douglass Unbound
Authors: Hickman Jared
Published: January 2014

This essay tests what we might call the racialization-as-secularization thesis through an examination of a year in the intellectual and literary life of Frederick Douglass—from the summer of 1854, when he delivered his commencement address at Western Reserve College, “The Claims of the Negro Ethnologically Considered” (his direct response to the American School of Ethnology), to the summer of 1855, when his second autobiography, My Bondage and My Freedom, was published. “Claims” reveals that Douglass apprehended in the American School of Ethnology a distillation of the problem of race past internecine contentions about the interpretation of this or that biblical verse or curse to a bottom-line Christian-theistic question: What does the enslaved black body signify within a creationist framework? This confrontation of racial slavery as a theodical problem can help us account for the most salient difference of his second autobiography—its recourse to mythic drama of the sort associated with Romantic titanism. Douglass’s bravura performance of Romantic titanism in My Bondage and My Freedom underscores the extent to which Douglass abandoned the Christian millenarianism of the Garrisonian camp not for a tacitly secularist political abolitionism but rather for what we might call a heretical political-theological abolitionism that provides fruitful fodder for current historical and philosophical debates about secularity, secularism, and immanence.
Integrative Chemistry toward Biosourced SiC Macrocellular Foams Bearing Unprecented Heat Transport Properties
Authors: Ungureanu Simona , Birot Marc , Vignoles Gérard , Lorette Christophe , Sigaud Gilles , Deleuze Hervé , Backov Rénal
Published: January 2014

Black liquor is a by-product of the paper mill Kraft process that deserves more valorization than its present use as low-grade fuel. In this work, SiC/C composite foams were prepared for the first time from concentrated emulsions by carbothermal reduction of bio-sourced precursors combining sodium silicate by lignin at 1400°C. The composition of the materials was determined by XRD, FTIR and Raman analyses. Their porous structure was characterized by SEM, mercury intrusion porosimetry, and nitrogen sorption, while their thermal properties were measured by TGA and dynamic DSC. Concerning their heat transport properties, we found out that when the starting lignin content was increased, the final C/Si ratio, the specific surface area and the heat diffusivity increased as well. Its high values were attributed to a cooperative effect between radiative heat transfer and the presence of partially graphitized carbon.
Applications of Shaped Femtosecond near-IR Laser Irradiation in the Generation of Metal Nanoparticles
Authors: Tangeysh Behzad , Tibbetts Katharine Moore , Odhner Johanan H. , Wayland Bradford B. , Levis Robert J.
Published: January 2014

Femtosecond near IR laser irradiation is explored as a general methodology to produce metal nanoparticles from metal precursor solutions. Initial studies of the formation and transformations of gold nanoparticles in aqueous solution are used as model processes to evaluate the effects of laser parameters, reaction medium and surfactants in controlling metal nanoparticle formation. The addition of polymer surfactants such as poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) was found to significantly accelerate Au(III) reduction as compared to surfactant-free systems. Photo-reduction for aqueous solutions of Au(III) in the presence of PEG results in relatively small narrowly dispersed spherical gold nanoparticles compared to relatively large well-formed crystalline nanoparticles that are observed in the absence of surfactants. Varying the concentration of PEG is an effective approach to tune the diameter and size distribution from 3.9±0.7 nm to 11±2.4 nm for Au nanoparticles produced by laser processing.
Fabrication of Piezoelectric-Rubber of Large Piezoelectric Property
Authors: Mamada Shogo , Yaguchi Naoyuki , Hansaka Masanori , Yamato Masafumi , Yoshida Hirohisa
Published: January 2014

In the previous investigation, piezoelectric properties of the ‘Aligned-type’ in which the piezoelectric-ceramic particles are formed in linear aggregates in the rubber, remarkable piezoelectric properties were confirmed. In this investigation, to further enhance the piezoelectric properties of the Aligned-type, the influence of the matrix properties was investigated. The properties on which we focused were the dielectric constant and the Young’s modulus. Four kinds of matrix materials whose dielectric constant and Young’s modulus are different from each other; Silicone gel, Silicone rubber, Urethane rubber and Poly-methyl-methacrylate were investigated. As a result of measurement of the piezoelectric strain constant d33 of the Aligned-Type, it was confirmed that though the influence of the dielectric constant of the matrix material was small, the lower the Young’s modulus of the matrix was, the higher d33 was.
Time Interval and Continuous Testing of Stimuli Responsive Hydrogels
Authors: Bates Jeffrey S. , Magda Jules J.
Published: January 2014

Researchers have investigated hydrogels as potential materials for biological monitoring. Hydrogel compositions have been designed to respond to changes in temperature, pH, glucose concentration and ionic strength concentration. Hydrogels designed to respond to changes in environmental conditions have demonstrated their ability to respond via a swelling or shrinking action. This swelling behavior can be exploited using a variety of signal transduction methods. While this technology shows promise, the degradation of hydrogel materials has not yet been characterized with respect to the shelf life of hydrogel samples or to their use in continuous testing. A series of experiments were performed to test hydrogels stored for extended periods of time then subjected to oscillatory testing, and the results have been analyzed to determine whether hydrogels can be used for extended periods of time for biological sensing applications.
Letalidade e internações de pacientes em hemodiálise em plano de saúde
Authors: Bersan Sérgio Adriano Loureiro , Amaral Carlos Faria Santos , Gomes Isabel Cristina , Cherchiglia Mariângela Leal
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Analisar desfechos clínicos de pacientes incidentes em hemodiálise vinculados a operadora de plano de saúde.MÉTODOS: Estudo de coorte de incidentes em hemodiálise em Belo Horizonte, MG, de 2004 a 2008, a partir de registros no banco de dados de operadora de planos de saúde. Variáveis independentes: sexo, idade, tempo entre primeira consulta com nefrologista e início da hemodiálise, tipo do primeiro acesso vascular, diabetes mellitus, tempo de permanência hospitalar/ano de tratamento e óbito. Variáveis dependentes: tempo entre início da hemodiálise e óbito e tempo de permanência hospitalar/ano de tratamento > 7,5 dias. Análise estatística: teste Qui-quadrado de Pearson na análise univariada para os desfechos óbito e tempo de permanência hospitalar/ano de tratamento; método de Kaplan-Meier para análise de sobrevida; modelo de Cox e regressão Poisson para risco de óbito e chance de tempo de permanência hospitalar/ano de tratamento > 7,5 dias. Foi utilizada ferramenta de Business Intelligence para extração dos dados e software Stata(r) 10.0.RESULTADOS: Estudados 311 indivíduos em hemodiálise, 55,5% homens, média de 62 anos (dp: 16,6 anos). A prevalência aumentou 160% no período estudado. Na análise de sobrevivência a mortalidade foi maior entre os mais idosos, nos que não realizaram consulta com nefrologista, fizeram uso de cateter vascular temporário como primeiro acesso, com diabetes mellitus, nos que foram internados no mesmo mês do início da hemodiálise. No modelo de Cox associaram-se a maior risco para óbito a idade avançada, diabetes mellitus, não realizar consulta prévia com nefrologista e internar-se no primeiro mês de hemodiálise. Maior tempo de permanência hospitalar/ano de tratamento não se associou ao sexo e diabetes. As variáveis não foram significativas na regressão Poisson.CONCLUSÕES: A avaliação pelo especialista antes do início da hemodiálise diminui o risco de óbito na doença renal crônica terminal, enquanto o diabetes e internação no mesmo mês de início da hemodiálise são marcadores de risco para o óbito.
Estudo de validade do questionário "Lista de Atividades Físicas" em crianças
Authors: Adami Fernando , Bergamaschi Denise Pimentel , Hinnig Patrícia de Fragas , Oliveira Natália Sanchez
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Avaliar a validade concorrente e a equivalência operacional do questionário "Lista de Atividades Físicas" em crianças.MÉTODOS: O estudo complementa o processo de adaptação transcultural do Physical Activity Checklist Interview. Participaram 118 escolares de sete a dez anos matriculados do segundo ao quinto ano do ensino fundamental de São Paulo, SP, em 2009. Foram quantificados o tempo de engajamento em atividades físicas moderadas a vigorosas e em atividades sedentárias, assim como custos metabólicos total e ponderado. Adotou-se o acelerômetro como medida de atividade física. Foram quantificados a atividade física total (counts/min) e o tempo em atividade física moderada a vigorosa. A validade foi avaliada pelo coeficiente de correlação de Pearson e a equivalência operacional por meio dos dados referentes à duração e avaliação da entrevista.RESULTADOS: Os valores do coeficiente de correlação entre os resultados provenientes do questionário e do acelerômetro variaram de 0,34 a 0,40. O questionário "Lista de Atividades Físicas" superestimou o tempo em atividade física moderada a vigorosa quando comparado ao acelerômetro. A duração média da entrevista foi de 24 minutos (mínima = 13 min; máxima = 41 min; desvio-padrão = 5 min). O item da entrevista com pior resultado foi a habilidade do escolar em estimar tempo (ruim ou regular em 24,8% das entrevistas).CONCLUSÕES: Em relação à versão original, o questionário "Lista de Atividades Físicas" apresenta valores similares de indicadores de validade concorrente e de equivalência operacional, confirmando a adequação do processo de adaptação transcultural.
Perguntas mínimas para rastrear dependência em atividades da vida diária em idosos
Authors: Ramos Luiz Roberto , Andreoni Solange , Coelho-Filho João Macedo , Lima-Costa Maria Fernanda , Matos Divane Leite , Rebouças Monica , Veras Renato
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Analisar questões não redundantes sobre independência nas atividades da vida diária de idosos que representem o espectro de dependência em idosos.MÉTODOS: Projeto multicêntrico com amostra populacional probabilística de 5.371 idosos residentes em São Paulo, SP, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Bambuí, MG, e Fortaleza, CE, em 2008. Foi realizado inquérito domiciliar e aplicado questionário com 20 atividades da vida diária dos idosos para autoavaliação da dificuldade/necessidade de ajuda para realizá-las. As respostas foram analisadas segundo: a prevalência de alguma dificuldade ou necessidade de ajuda para cada atividade da vida diária; a frequência de não resposta; e o agrupamento das atividades numa análise fatorial.RESULTADOS: As atividades pessoais (e.g., vestir-se) tiveram prevalência de dificuldade ou necessidade de ajuda referida baixa quando comparadas às atividades instrumentais (e.g., fazer compras), além de terem taxas de respostas inválidas mais baixas. Foram identificados três fatores de agrupamento das atividades da vida diária: mobilidade (andar 100 m); necessidades pessoais (tomar banho); e o que outra pessoa pode fazer pelo idoso (lavar roupa). As atividades da vida diária com maiores autovalores em cada grupo foram analisadas à luz da prevalência de necessidade de ajuda referida e da proporção de respostas válidas. Três atividades foram selecionadas como representativas do espectro de dependência e bem compreendidas pelos idosos: levantar da cama, banhar-se e andar 100 m.CONCLUSÕES: Com três atividades da vida diária podemos ter um instrumento de rastreio simples e confiável capaz de identificar idosos com necessidade de ajuda no dia a dia. A estimativa de demanda por cuidados na vida diária é um indicador importante para o planejamento e gestão dos serviços de saúde dentro do paradigma das doenças crônicas e do envelhecimento populacional.
Acidentes com motociclistas: comparação entre os anos 1998 e 2010. Londrina, PR, Brasil
Authors: Sant'Anna Flávia Lopes , Andrade Selma Maffei de , Sant'Anna Flávio Henrique Muzzi , Liberatti Christiane Lopes Barrancos
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Comparar características de acidentes de motocicleta e de vítimas atendidas por serviços de atenção pré-hospitalar.MÉTODOS: Pesquisa transversal com dados de registros de atendimentos pré-hospitalares de motociclistas, vítimas de acidente de trânsito em Londrina, PR, em 2010, e dos resultados comparados com estudo similar de 1998. A fonte de dados foi o Registro de Atendimento do Socorrista (RAS). As frotas de motocicletas e as populações dos respectivos anos foram usadas para estimativas do risco de ocorrência de vítimas. O teste do Qui-quadrado foi usado para comparação dos perfis de acidentes e vítimas.RESULTADOS: Foram atendidos 1.576 e 3.968 motociclistas em 1998 e 2010, respectivamente (aumento de 151,8%). A taxa de motociclistas acidentados por mil habitantes passou de 396,4 para 783,1, e a de vítimas para cada mil motos de 53,1 para 61,1. Observaram-se mudanças (p < 0,05) nos perfis dos acidentes, com maiores proporções de quedas isoladas de moto, de acidentes entre motociclistas, no período da manhã, com diminuição dos ocorridos em final de semana. Em relação às vítimas, observaram-se maiores proporções de mulheres, condutores, com 35 anos ou mais. Foi menor a frequência relativa de percepção de hálito etílico e maior a prevalência do uso do capacete. Houve menor proporção de vítimas classificadas com escalas de coma e trauma moderado/grave e de encaminhamentos hospitalares. O coeficiente de letalidade imediato reduziu-se de 1,2% para 0,6%.CONCLUSÕES: Foram observadas mudanças nos perfis de acidentes e de vítimas no período. Apesar do aumento absoluto e relativo de vítimas de acidentes de motocicleta, observou-se menor gravidade proporcional desses acidentes.
Instrumento mensurador de adesão para hipertensos: contribuição da Teoria da Resposta ao Item
Authors: Rodrigues Malvina Thaís Pacheco , Moreira Thereza Maria Magalhães , Vasconcelos Alexandre Meira de , Andrade Dalton Francisco de , Silva Daniele Braz da , Barbetta Pedro Alberto
Published: January 2014

OBJETIVO: Analisar instrumento de medição da adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão por meio da "Teoria da Resposta ao Item".MÉTODOS: Estudo analítico com 406 hipertensos com complicações associadas, atendidos na atenção básica em Fortaleza, CE, 2011, pela "Teoria da Resposta ao Item". As etapas de execução foram: teste de dimensionalidade, calibração dos itens; tratamento dos dados e construção da escala, analisadas com base no modelo de resposta gradual. Estudo da dimensionalidade do instrumento foi feito pela análise da matriz de correlação policórica e análise fatorial de informação completa. Utilizou-se o software Multilog para calibração dos itens e estimação dos escores.RESULTADOS: Os itens referentes ao tratamento medicamentoso foram os mais diretamente relacionados à adesão, enquanto aqueles referentes ao tratamento não medicamentoso precisam ser reformulados, pois possuíram menor quantidade de informação psicométrica e baixa discriminação. A independência dos itens, o reduzido número de níveis da escala e as baixas variâncias explicadas no ajuste dos modelos mostraram as principais fragilidades do instrumento analisado. A "Teoria da Resposta ao Item" mostrou-se relevante para análise, pois avaliou o respondente quanto à adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão, ao nível de dificuldade dos itens e à sua capacidade de discriminação entre indivíduos com diferentes níveis de adesão, o que gerou maior quantidade de informação.CONCLUSÕES: O instrumento analisado é limitado para medir a adesão ao tratamento da hipertensão, mediante análise pela "Teoria da Resposta ao Item", e necessita de ajustes. A adequada formulação dos itens é importante para medir precisamente o traço latente desejado.
Preserving canals through innovating maintenance spot dredging
Authors: Greenwood Claire Louise
Published: January 2014

Dredging of the UK canal network is an imperative operation to maintain navigation and the ecological balance of the water course and to improve water quality to ensure that restoration works that have been carried out on the network since the 1960s continue to enrich the canal transport legacy for future generations. With this in mind, continual improvement and economic efficiencies are sought to ensure that more canal miles can be dredged to maintain and enhance the green corridors of Britain while providing value for money for each pound spent on canal maintenance. One such initiative is the innovative use of coastal dredging technology adapted for use on inland waterways in order to provide a system for specifically increasing production on spot dredging projects, resulting in a reduction in programme time and in turn increasing the number of miles dredged without an increase in expenditure.
Forage Harvest Representation in RUSLE2
Authors: Dabney Seth M. , Yoder Daniel C. , Ferruzzi Giulio G.
Published: January 2014

The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE and RUSLE2) has long been used by the USDA and others for management planning based on soil erosion and sediment delivery estimates. It has worked well for normal annual agronomic crops but proved to be awkward for forage crops. This is partly because RUSLE and earlier versions of RUSLE2 calculated vegetative residue production only during periods of canopy decline or in response to management operations, resulting in underestimation of residue amounts, with subsequent overestimation of soil erosion from pasture and hay lands. To solve this problem, a new vegetation model was implemented in RUSLE2 to track the growth, death, and characteristics of perennial vegetation. A complementary comprehensive RUSLE2 harvest process developed to interact with the new vegetation growth model was also developed. This harvest process includes an extensive set of options that provide great flexibility in describing perennial vegetation management systems. In this study, the ability of the new growth model and harvest process to dynamically adjust residue creation in response to alternative forage harvest schemes was investigated through comparison with published studies involving bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flügge), bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.], and ryegrass (Lolium perenne L.). The new modeling tools make it easier to model haying and grazing scenarios in perennial systems, to create better estimates of the amount and timing of plant residue added by perennial vegetation during its growth, and thus to improve runoff and soil erosion estimates for conservation planning.
Water Stress Impacts on Transgenic Drought‐Tolerant Corn in the Northern Great Plains
Authors: Chang Jiyul , Clay David E. , Hansen Stephanie A. , Clay Sharon A. , Schumacher Thomas E.
Published: January 2014

The transgenic corn (Zea mays L.) drought‐tolerant cultivar MON 87460 has the potential to increase grain production in high‐water‐deficit environments; however, these traits could also reduce yields when implemented in moderate‐ to high‐yield environments. This study determined the influence of MON 87460, a corn cultivar that expresses the cold shock protein B, on corn grain yield, stover production, cob yields, root system declination, root/shoot ratios, root distribution, harvest index, and leaf area when grown in moderate‐ to high‐yield environments. Research on MON 87460 and nontransgenic isolines was conducted at two South Dakota sites in 2009 and 2010. Root biomass and other samples were collected at silking and physiological maturity. The root/shoot ratios (including estimated root exudates) ranged from 0.40 to 0.78, and the belowground biomass contained in the surface 15 cm was 70% of the belowground biomass returned to the soil. Root declination ranged from 20 to 40°. There was no evidence to suggest that MON 87460 impacted shoot or root architecture or yield when grown in moderate‐ to high‐yield environments. The measured root/shoot ratios were 0.54 g root g–1 aboveground biomass, and the harvest indices were 0.52 g grain g–1 aboveground biomass. Additional findings showed that for soil organic C maintenance calculations, 88.6 ± 0.6% of unharvested C should be added to the surface 15 cm, and that in 2009, root/shoot ratios were positively correlated with yield loss due to water stress (r = 0.39, P < 0.01) and were not correlated with either yield loss due to N stress (r = 0.16) or grain yield (r = 0.06).
Selecting Sesame Genotypes for Drought Tolerance Based on Some Physiochemical Traits
Authors: Kadkhodaie Azam , Razmjoo Jamshid , Zahedi Morteza , Pessarakli Mohammad
Published: January 2014

To assess drought tolerance, To assess drought tolerance, an understanding of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) physiological properties is needed. The objective of this study was to determine the physiological responses of sesame accessions to drought stress. The experiment was conducted as a two‐way factorial arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. All of the measured traits were accession‐ and drought‐level‐specific and discriminated the accessions into tolerant (Isfahan4, Rashtkhar, and Borazjan), moderately tolerant (Isfahan1, Ahvaz, Shiraz, Ardestan, and Kal), and sensitive (Markezi, Ultan, Khaf2, Khaf1, and Shahreza) groups. The results also showed that Khaf2 and Isfahan4 were the best accessions under normal and drought conditions, respectively. In addition, based on the correlation coefficient of the traits with seed yield, root proline and leaf carotenoid content were the superior markers with regard to drought tolerance in sesame. This study showed that accessions’ differences in drought tolerance could be attributed to the ability of sesame plants to accumulate metabolites under drought conditions, and these metabolites could be a useful tool for depicting water‐deficit tolerance of sesame genotypes, which could be useful to plant breeders for selecting and developing drought‐tolerant cultivars.
Nitrogen Use and Crop Performance of Rice under Aerobic Conditions in a Semiarid Subtropical Environment
Authors: Awan Masood Iqbal , Bastiaans Lammert , van Oort Pepijn , Ahmad Rashid , Ashraf Muhammad Yasin , Meinke Holger
Published: January 2014

Aerobic rice (Oryza sativa L.) is gaining in popularity across South Asia, mainly because it saves water and labor. Under warm (sub) tropical conditions of this region, this unconventional system aimed at improved resource use efficiency is still in the development phase. We tested crop performance and N uptake of three local genotypes in relation to different water and N supply rates under aerobic conditions at the research station of the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan. In field experiments during 2009 to 2010, covering two rice seasons, three irrigation levels (high, moderate, and low), three N rates (0, 170, and 220 kg N ha–1), and three genotypes (KSK133, IR6, and RSP1), crop performance and total N uptake (TNU) were strongly influenced by irrigation and differed among genotypes. At the highest level of irrigation, genotype KSK133 performed better than RSP1 and IR6, resulting in an accumulated aboveground biomass of 13 Mg ha–1 and a grain yield of 5 Mg ha–1. The TNU ranged from 34 to 126 kg ha–1 in 2009 and from 52 to 123 kg ha–1 in 2010. For all genotypes, we observed a strong positive correlation between TNU and grain yield. Surprisingly, the N application rate did not influence TNU, but the high irrigation regime increased TNU. The limited response to N application suggests significant losses of the applied N. This highlights the need for careful N management in aerobic rice systems; N application should match periods of sufficient soil moisture availability and the greatest crop N demand.
Enhancing the Water Stress Factors for Simulation of Corn in RZWQM2
Authors: Saseendran S.A. , Ahuja L. R. , Ma L. , Nielsen D. C. , Trout T. J. , Andales A. A. , Chávez J. L. , Ham J.
Published: January 2014

Enhancement of agricultural system models for more accurate simulations of the water stress response of crops can improve their application under limited water management. Currently, the crop system model RZWQM2 uses a ratio of potential root water uptake (supply) to potential transpiration (demand) as a water stress factor (WSDef) that modulates plant growth processes. We tested two progressive modifications of the WSDef (WSI1 and WSI2) in the DSSAT‐CSM‐CERES‐Maize (Version 4.0) module embedded within the RZWQM2 model for simulating the response of corn (Zea mays L.) to different levels of water and compared them with the use of WSDef. The WSI1 was a modification of the SWFAC (Soil Water FACtor) for photosynthesis‐related processes in RZWQM2 using the daily potential root water uptake (TRWUP) calculated by the Nimah and Hanks approach. The WSI2 was WSI1 with terms accounting for stress due to additional heating of the canopy from unused energy of potential soil evaporation in both the supply and demand terms of the WSI1. These factors were evaluated using the data for corn grain yield, biomass, soil water, and leaf area index (LAI) derived from canopy cover data from multiple water‐level experiments conducted at Greeley, CO, from 2008 to 2011, irrigated and rainfed corn at Akron, CO, and irrigated corn at Gainesville, FL, on different soil types. Overall, the stress factors WSI1 and WSI2 were found to be superior to WSDef in simulations of grain yield, biomass, and LAI in all three experiments. Further, in general, WSI2 simulations of the crop were either comparable to or more accurate than WSI1 simulations in most of the crop seasons simulated in this study. The stress factor WSI2 has been incorporated in the RZWQM2 for simulating corn.
Soil–Plant Nutrient Interactions on Manure‐Enriched Calcareous Soils
Authors: Moore Amber , Hines Steve , Brown Bradford , Falen Christi , de Haro Marti Mario , Chahine Mireille , Norell Richard , Ippolito Jim , Parkinson Stuart , Satterwhite Megan
Published: January 2014

Growers working with manured soils often rely on soil test information when developing nutrient management for their crop, especially when manure application information is unavailable. Nutrient‐enriched soils, like manured soils, can trigger nutrient deficiencies and toxicities due to plant–soil nutrient interactions. The goal of the study was to determine correlations between soil test and plant tissue nutrient concentrations for irrigated corn silage crops (Zea mays L. subsp. mays) with varying nutrient concentrations unique to dairy manure‐enriched calcareous soils. Whole plant and soil samples were collected from 39 cooperator corn silage fields at harvest over a 2‐yr period throughout the Snake River Plain region of southern Idaho. Soils were sampled to a depth of 30.5 cm and analyzed for plant available forms of P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu, and B; whole plant tops were analyzed for total N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Na, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, and Cu. Significant positive correlations were detected between soil test K and tissue K (Spearman’s rho correlation coefficient = 0.63), soil test K and tissue N (rho = 0.59), and soil test B and tissue N (rho = 0.53). A significant negative correlation was detected between soil test Fe and tissue Mn (rho = –0.59). Controlled studies are needed to corroborate the relationships observed in this survey study.
Woody Vegetation Increases Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity in Dry Tropical Nicaragua
Authors: Niemeyer R.J. , Fremier A.K. , Heinse R. , Chávez W. , DeClerck F.A.J.
Published: January 2014

Land conversion in the tropics from primary forest to agricultural land has altered soil hydrologic processes. Woody vegetation is known to increase infiltration rates and saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS) in primary forests compared with agricultural land, but it is less clear if this relationship holds for a gradient of woody vegetation. In addition, the mechanisms for the effect of woody vegetation on KS have yet to be fully examined. To quantify the effect of woody vegetation structure on vadose zone hydrology, we estimated KS in 15 plots across a dry tropical riparian vegetation gradient in Nicaragua, taking into account covariates such as soil properties and livestock impact. Using single linear regression, we found that leaf area index (LAI) had the greatest correlation coefficient of 0.331 to KS, followed by hoofprint density (0.291) and clay content (0.291). Furthermore, the relationship between LAI and KS was greater for finer soils than for coarser soils. We found that a forest soil had eight times more preferential flow paths than a pasture soil, and most of these were root‐initiated flow paths, suggesting a possible mechanism for the positive correlation between LAI and KS. We show that the KS predictions with a pedotransfer function could be improved by incorporating LAI. Our findings support the importance of preserving woody vegetation in key areas on the landscape to maintain hydrologic functions of tropical soils and ecosystems.
Side-Informed Image Watermarking Scheme Based on Dither Modulation in the Frequency Domain
Authors: Hosam Osama
Published: January 2014

Digital communication and media sharing have extensively increased in the last couple of years. Research is focused on protecting digital media through copyright protection. The digital media is secured by watermarking. We have developed an image watermarking technique in the frequency domain to hide secure information in the Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) coefficients of the carrier image. DCT coefficients are modulated by Dither Modulation (DM). We have increased the modulation step to be able to entirely recover the embedded data (watermark) and increase the robustness of our proposed algorithm to affine transforms and geometrical attacks. Our algorithm showed lower complexity and robustness against different attacks.
The Effect of Nitrogen and Sulphur Nutrition on the Yield and Content of Antioxidants in Broccoli / Vplyv Dusíkatej a Sírnatej Výživy na Úrodu a Obsah Antioxidantov v Brokolici
Authors: Šlosár Miroslav , Uher Anton , Čekey Nina
Published: January 2014

The small field experiment with broccoli (variety ‚Tiburon F1‘) was established in The Botanical Garden of Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra. In this experiment, we investigated the effect of four variants of nutrition on the broccoli yield, content of sulforaphane and vitamin C in broccoli florets. The first variant of nutrition was a control one - without application of fertilizers. The second one was fertilized at nitrogen level 200 kg.ha-1. The third one had level of nutriments N : S = 200 : 50 kg.ha-1 and fourth one N : S = 200 : 60 kg.ha-1. In each variant of nutrition, the yield of broccoli was significantly increased in comparison with the control variant. The highest yield of broccoli florets was reached in variant 4 (27.87 t.ha-1). The highest amount of sulforaphane was also determined in variant 4 - 50.93 mg.kg-1 of fresh matter. However, this value did not represent significant increase of sulforaphane content compared to the control variant. The highest content of vitamin C was determined in variant 2 (585.78 mg.kg-1 of fresh matter). In this variant, we achieved significant increase of vitamin C content in comparison with the control variant. Thus, by application of nitrogen and sulphur nutrition, we reached significant increase of broccoli yield compared to the control variant. At the same time, the applied nutrition assisted to enhanced accumulation of sulforaphane and vitamin C in broccoli florets
Time and Place Changes in pH And Conductivity in the Water of Čaradice Stream / Časov É a Priestorov É Zmeny pH a Vodivosti vo Vode Čaradického Potoka
Authors: Noskovič Jaroslav , Babošová Mária , Porhajašová Jana , Tárník Andrej , Varga Viktor
Published: January 2014

During 2005-2010, we measured pH and conductivity values in the watercourse Čaradice stream, which flows from its spring in Pohronský Inovec Mountains. The average pH value for the whole research period was 7.76. Depending on the time of sampling, its maximum average value for the whole period was found in July and August (7.96) and minimum average value was detected in the month of January (7.64). Depending on the sampling sites, its lowest average value for the whole period was recorded under the forest eco-system of Pohronský Inovec (7.39) and the highest under the water reservoir (8.0), which could have been caused by a greater number of autotrophic organisms in the water of the water reservoir, which reduced soluble CO2 from the water. The average conductivity value for the whole research period was 39.72 mS.m-1. The lowest average value, depending on the sampling time throughout the research period, was found in March (23.49 mS.m-1) which was probably caused by snowmelt and higher water flow in the watercourse, and maximum in the month of September (54,88 mS.m-1). Depending on the sampling sites, the highest average value (51.62 mS.m-1) was found near the village Kozárovce, which is possibly caused by releasing unclean wastewater into the watercourse, as the wastewater treatment plant has not been built in the village.
Potential Still Untapped: Japanese Perceptions of the European Union as an Economic and Normative Power
Authors: Bacon Paul , Kato Emi
Published: January 2014

This article focuses on two of the three pillars of the ‘EU through the Eyes of Asia’ perceptions project, and analyzes the Japanese print media and elite interviews. We focus on two issues: the first of these is exasperation at the slow progress towards an EU-Japan Free Trade Agreement/Economic Partnership Agreement (FTA/EPA). This exasperation is clearest in the Japanese elite interviews, but the trade negotiations also feature significantly in discussions in the Japanese print media. The second issue is the consistent perception of the EU as a significant normative and diplomatic power, and a leader on human rights promotion, with this perception strongly evident in both the Japanese print media and elite interviews. Overall, the EU was perceived positively as a political actor, and, in a boost for post-Lisbon perceptions of the EU, High Representative Catherine Ashton had a generally high and somewhat positive profile in Japan. This came across more strongly in the print media rather than the elite interviews. In a much-quoted speech given in Japan in 2006, Commission President José Manuel Barroso talked of the untapped trade potential within EU-Japan relations, and the normative power of the EU and Japan. A focus on perceptions helps to inform us about the global importance of the EU and how this is being interpreted outside of Europe. To understand the European Union itself we need to have an external reflection in order to interpret its meaning. Through our study, we hope to highlight and communicate the fact that the Barroso perspective is shared by many within Japan.
Atmospheric circulation and storm events in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea
Authors: Surkova Galina , Arkhipkin Victor , Kislov Alexander
Published: January 2014

Extreme sea storms are dangerous and a potential source of damage. In this study, we examine storm events in the Black Sea and Caspian Sea, the atmosphere circulation patterns associated with the sea storm events, and their changes in the present (1961–2000) and future (2046–2065) climates. A calendar of storms for the present climate is derived from results of wave model SWAN (Simulating WAves Nearshore) experiments. On the basis of this calendar, a catalog of atmospheric sea level pressure (SLP) fields was prepared from the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis dataset for 1961–2000. The SLP fields were subjected to a pattern recognition algorithm which employed empirical orthogonal decomposition followed by cluster analysis. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data is used to evaluate the occurring circulation types (CTs) within the ECHAM5-MPI/OM Atmosphere and Ocean Global Circulation Model (AOGCM) for the period 1961–2000. Our analysis shows that the ECHAM5-MPI/OM model is capable of reproducing circulation patterns for the storm events. The occurrence of present and future ECHAM5-MPI/OM CTs is investigated. It is shown that storm CTs are expected to occur noticeably less frequently in the middle of the 21st century.
New Directions for Veterinary Technology
Authors: Chadderdon Linda M. , Lloyd James W. , Pazak Helene E.
Published: January 2014

Veterinary technology has generally established itself well in companion-animal and mixed-animal veterinary medical practice, but the career's growth trajectory is uncertain. Michigan State University (MSU) convened a national conference, “Creating the Future of Veterinary Technology—A National Dialogue,” in November 2011 to explore ways to elevate the veterinary technician/technologist's role in the veterinary medical profession and to identify new directions in which the career could expand. Veterinary technicians/technologists might advance their place in private practice by not only improving their clinical skills, but by also focusing on areas such as practice management, leadership training, business training, conflict resolution, information technology, and marketing/communications. Some new employment settings for veterinary technicians/technologists include more participation within laboratory animal medicine and research, the rural farm industry, regulatory medicine, and shelter medicine. Achieving these ends would call for new training options beyond the current 2-year and 4-year degree programs. Participants suggested specialty training programs, hybrid programs of various types, online programs, veterinary technician residency programs of 12–18 months, and more integration of veterinary technician/technology students and veterinary medicine students at colleges of veterinary medicine.
Synthesis of Novel 7-Alkynylindazole Derivatives: Molecular and Crystal Structure of 7-(pent-1-ynyl)-1H-Indazole
Authors: Soodamani Venugopal , Sekar Ranjith , Nayakanti Devanna , Josyula Ramanatham
Published: January 2014

A facile synthesis of novel 7-alkynylindazole derivatives involving the Pd/C–PPh3–CuI catalysed Sonogashira coupling of 7-iodoindazole with a wide range of terminal alkynes in aqueous medium is reported. An X-ray crystallographic study established the molecular structure of 7-(pent-1-ynyl)-1 H-indazole.
Selenium-Catalysed One Stage Preparation of Aryl Schiff Bases from Nitroarenes, Aryl Aldehydes and Carbon Monoxide
Authors: Liu Xiaozhi , Lan Shilong , Li Chunrong , Gao Yan , Li Jun , Zhang Xin
Published: January 2014

An efficient method for the “one-pot” preparation of aryl Schiff bases is reported. In the presence of a selenium catalyst, the aryl Schiff bases have been prepared by a one-stage condensation of nitroarenes and aryl aldehydes using carbon monoxide as reducing agent at atmospheric pressure. The reductive condensation occurs with high selectivity regardless of the substituent groups on the aromatic ring without affecting other reducible functional groups.
Three-Component Reaction between Triphenylphosphine, Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylates and N-Acetylarylidenehydrazides
Authors: Hassanabadi Alireza , Hosseini-Tabatabaei Mohammad R. , Khandan-Barani Khatereh
Published: January 2014

N-acetylarylidenehydrazides undergo a complex addition and cyclisation reaction with dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates and triphenylphosphine to produce alkyl [2-acetyl-5-(aryl)-3-oxo-2,3-dihydro-1 H-pyrazol-4-yl]-(triphenyl-λ5-phosphanylidene) acetates in good yields.
A Novel Rhodamine-Based Chemosensor for Zn2+
Authors: Li LianQing , Meng LiPing
Published: January 2014

A rhodamine derivative, (Z)-3’,6'-bis(diethylamino)-2-[{(8-hydroxy-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydropyrido[3,2,1-ij]quinolin-9-yl) methylene}amino]spiro(isoindoline-1,9'-xanthen)-3-one, has been synthesised. It has been shown, by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopies, to have good selectivity for monitoring Zn2+ ion in ethanol solution.
Synthesis and Characterisation of Hg(II) Complexes Including Bidentate Phosphorus Ylides
Authors: Sabounchei Seyyed Javad , Samiee Sepideh , Pourshahbaz Mahbubeh , Salehzadeh Sadegh , Bayat Mehdi , Nematollahi Davood , Karamian Roya , Asadbegy Mostafa
Published: January 2014

The reaction of asymmetrical phosphorus ylides [Ph2PCH2PPh2=C(H)C(O)C6H4R] (R=Br, OCH3) with mercury(II) halides yielded the P, C-chelated complexes. Characterisation of these products was carried out by elemental analysis, IR, 1H, 31P, and 13C NMR. Computational studies at DFT (BP86) level of theory are also reported. The electrochemical behaviour of complexes was also investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The synthesised compounds were screened for their antibacterial activities against six Gram negative and positive bacteria.
Synthesis of Novel Dispiro [1-Benzothiophene-5,3′-Pyrrolidine-2′,3″-Indole] Derivatives via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylide
Authors: Yan Jinlong
Published: January 2014

The reaction of 6,7-dihydro-1-benzothiophen-4(5 H)-one and aromatic aldehyde yielded 5-arylmethylene-6,7-dihydro-1-benzothiophen-4(5 H)-ones in the presence of 40% aqueous NaOH at 0 °C. The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of azomethine ylide generated in situ from isatin and sarcosine to 5-arylmethylene-6,7-dihydro-1-benzothiophen-4(5 H)-ones gave novel 1′-methyl-4′-aryl-6,7-dihydro-4 H-dispiro[1-benzothiophene-5,3′-pyrrolidine-2′,3″-indole]-2″,4(1″ H)-diones in moderate yields.
CuI-Catalysed Synthesis of (E)-Arylvinyl Aryl Ethers
Authors: Zhang Wensheng , Xu Wenjing , Qu Guirong
Published: January 2014

( E)-Arylvinyl aryl ethers have been synthesised from ( E)-arylvinyl bromide and phenols in 1,4-dioxan in high yield catalysed by CuI/ N, N-dimethylglycine in the presence of Cs2CO3.
Multicomponent Reactions of Isocyanides and Dialkyl Acetylenedicarboxylate in the Presence of 2-Hydroxy-3-Methyl-2-Cyclopentene-1-One: One-Pot Synthesis of 1-Azadienes in Water
Authors: Souldozi Ali , Balderlo Amir Hossein Pourasad
Published: January 2014

The 1: 1 reactive intermediate generated by the addition of alkyl isocyanides to dialkyl acetylenedicarboxylates was trapped by 2-Hydroxy-3-methyl-2-cyclopentene-1-one as OH-acid to yield highly functionalised 1-azadienes in water.
Addressing Needs in the Search for Sustainable Development: A Proposal for Needs-Based Scenario Building
Authors: Jolibert Catherine , Paavola Jouni , Rauschmayer Felix
Published: January 2014

This study presents the first assessment of how an approach based on meeting fundamental human needs can assist regional planning. It uses the Human-scale Development methodology, based on fundamental human needs as a theoretical and methodological framework for scenario building. It offers a structured approach on how non-monetary values and practices (i.e. satisfiers or ways to satisfy needs) can help to open up the planning process, highlighting a regional conflict. The study presents three dimensions of needs to address planning challenges. The data is taken from a case study of a deliberative process for regional planning in Western Europe. The relevance lies in the ways we can learn from individual values and practices, that when shared with others, (1) help to diagnose behaviours and trends toward environmentalism; (2) foster listening and understanding of people's sameness and differences that reduce conflict; and (3) provide a structured tool which predicts society dynamics and develops integrated solutions that facilitate sustainable regional development.
Biochemical Factors associated with Breast Cancer in Bangladeshi Women
Authors: Hussain DAS , Ahmed S , Hoque M , Rabbi SMR , Masood S , Shafi T , Parvia T , Chaudhury HS
Published: January 2014

Breast Cancer is the commonest maligrancy in woment. A study was carried out in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College to investigate some of the biochemical features that are associated with breast cancer occurring in Bangladeshi women. Thirty diagnosed breast cancer patients and thirty healthy women were selected. A questionnaire was used for collecting information regarding age, family history, physical activity and exercise, BMI, diet, smoking, alcohol abuse, addiction, details of menstrual and obstetric history, breast-feeding, parity, use of contraceptives and HRT. Blood samples were collected and tested for fasting lipid profiles, serum estrogen and progesterone. The study has revealed that high levels of serum total cholesterol (P<0.05), TAG (P<0.05), LDL-C (P<0.05) and low level of serum and HDL-C (P<0.05) were found to be associated with breast cancer. The study further reveals that blood levels of estrogen (P<0.05) and progesterone (P<0.05) were found to be lower than that of the controls. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i2.17644 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(2): 58-62
A Comparative Study on the Hepatoprotective Effect of Tamarindus indica and Vitamin E in Long Evans Rats
Authors: Shammi NJ , Choudhry ZK , Khan MI , Hossain MM
Published: January 2014

The protective effects of ethanolic extract of Tamarindus indica leaves and seeds in compoarison to vitamin E, were studied on paracetamol induced hepatotoxicity in Long Evans Rats. Different groups of animals were administered in the paracetamol (1500mg /kg, p.o.) for 7 days. Ethanolic extracts of leaves and seeds of Tamarindus indica (1250mg/kg) with parallel vitamin E (500 mg/kg), were administered to paracetamol pretreated rats. On treatment with paracetamol a significant increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase were observed. On administration of ethanolic extracts of leaves and seeds a significant decrease in the level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were observed and histopathological examination of liver tissue revealed an almost return to normal architecture. The result were almost comparable to vitamin E, a known hepatoprotective agent. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjmb.v6i2.17645 Bangladesh J Med Biochem 2013; 6(2): 63-67
Atypical Radiographic Presentation of Adenocarcinoma Lung
Authors: Patra Anupam , Sengupta Amitava , Sarkar Supriya , Maikap Malay Kumar
Published: January 2014

Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are the most frequently diagnosed histological subtype of bronchogenic carcinomas. Though metastatic lesions in lung are common in both the varieties, cavity formation has been documented only with squamous cell type. Here we are going to report a case of pulmonary adenocarcinoma with multiple nodular metastases in both lungs which show central necrosis mimicking cavities. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjms.v13i1.13037 Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol. 13 No. 01 January2014: 70-72