bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantum corrections to ϕ 4 model solutions and applications to Heisenberg chain dynamics
Authors: Kwiatkowski Grzegorz , Leble Sergey
Published: July 2013

The Heisenberg spin chain is considered in ϕ 4 model approximation. Quantum corrections to classical solutions of the one-dimensional ϕ 4 model within the correspondent physics are evaluated with account of rest d-1 dimensions of a d-dimensional theory. A quantization of the model is considered in terms of spacetime functional integral. The generalized zeta-function formalism is used to renormalize and evaluate the functional integral and quantum corrections to energy in a quasiclassical approximation. The results are applied to appropriate conditions of the spin chain model and its dynamics, for which elementary solutions, energy and the quantum corrections are calculated.
Phytochemical characteristics, antimitotic, cytotoxic and antitumor activities of bark extract of Streblus asper Lour
Authors: Alamgir ANM , Rahman Minhajur , Rahman Ataur
Published: July 2013

Ethanol extract of the stem bark of Streblus asper Lour was considered for qualitative assessment for its secondary metabolites content like alkaloids, glycosides, sterols and others. Bark extract revealed anticarcenogenic i.e. antimitotic, cytotoxic and antitumor activities. Results of different anticarcenogenic activities of the bark extract were discussed in relation to its secondary metabolite contents. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15801 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 17-22, 2013 (June)
Effect of Ephedra alata Decne. on lipids metabolism of Aspergillus flavus Link
Authors: Al-Qarawi AA , Allah EF Abd , Abeer Hashem
Published: July 2013

In Aspergillus flavus Link, the total lipid, sterols, neutral lipids, phospholipids and fatty acid content decreased significantly with the application of different concentrations of Ephedra alata Decne. extrtact. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed the presence of 12 fatty acids namely, (caprylic (C8), capric (C10), lauric (C12), myristic (C14), palmitic (C16), palmitoleic (C16:1), stearic (C18), oleic (C18:1), linoleic (C18:2), ? linolenic (C18:3), arachidic (C20) and arachidonic (C20:4) with total un-saturation per cent 69.78 in the cellular lipids of A. flavus. The use of E. alata extracts induced significant alteration in fatty acid profile towards increment saturation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15823 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 45-49, 2013 (June)
Chemical investigation of Corypha taliera Roxb
Authors: Shoeb Mohammad , Nusrat Shefat E , Khondker Moniruzzaman
Published: July 2013

?-sitosterol was isolated by silica gel column chromatography from the dichloromethane soluble extract of pericarp of Corypha taliera Roxb. (Talipalm), a rare species of Arecaceae family. The compound was characterized by IR, 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic studies. Fatty acid compositions of oil of the pericarp was determined as their methyl esters and identified by gas chromatography having flame ionization and the gas chromatograph was coupled to mass spectroscopic detectors. Myristic, palmitic, oleic, linoleic, stearic, arachidic and lignoceric acids were found to be present in the oil. The palmitic acid was predominant (50.75%) in the oil. The relative percentage of unsaturated acid i.e., linoleic and oleic acids was found to be 15.58 and 20.89%, respectively. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15824 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 51-53, 2013 (June)
Effects of waterlogging on ion accumulation and sugar, protein and proline contents in Corchorus capsularis L.
Authors: Parvin Dilruba , Karmoker JL
Published: July 2013

Waterlogging decreased accumulation of K+, Ca2+, Mg2+, NO3 - and PO4 3- but increased that of Na+ and Fe2+in the root, stem and leaves of jute (Corchorus capsularis L.). It increased the accumulation of sugar and proline contents but decreased that of protein as well as dry weight. The effect of waterlogging on ion transport, accumulation of metabolites and dry weight was discussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15864 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 55-63, 2013 (June)
Effects of growth regulators on seed germination, seedling growth and some aspects of metabolism of Wheat under allelochemical stress
Authors: Unal Bengu Turkyilmaz
Published: July 2013

Effects of growth regulators on seed germination, seedling growth and some aspects of metabolism of wheat under allelochemical stress due to oleander and walnut leaf (extract and powder) were investigated. All parameters e.g. seed germination, seedling growth, leaf pigments except the proline content reduced significantly under stress. On the contrary, GA3 and IBA showed alleviating activities. The alleviation effect of GA3 was higher than that of IBA . DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15865 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 65-71, 2013 (June)
Identification of true hybrid progenies in cassava using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers
Authors: Mohan C , Shanmugasundaram P , Senthil N
Published: July 2013

For the maping of Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) resistance gene, CO2 and MNga-1 parents were used for hybridization to develop F1 hybrid seeds and 153 progenies were planted in the field for genotyping. Out of the 75 SSR primers used for parental polymorphism, 57 produced polymorphic bands between parents and these were used to screen the 153 progenies of the cross for genotyping. Out of these 57 SSR primer pairs SSRY32, SSRY36, SSRY83, SSRY339, NS149 and NS890 loci produced single marker which clearly distinguished the parents. Based on the said six primers, 12 progenies out of 153 were identified as self pollinated seeds of CO2 female parent. So these types of SSR markers were very much useful for identification of true hybrid seedlings in the early stage of growth and genotyping of the progenies more accurately for gene mapping. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15906 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 155-159, 2013 (June)
Pollen morphology of the genus Oxytropis DC. in Turkey
Authors: Ceter Talip , Erkul Seher Karaman , Aytac Zeki , Baser Birol
Published: July 2013

Pollen morphology of 11 species of the genus Oxytropis DC. (Fabaceae) distributed in Turkey were examined with light (LM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Morphology of pollen grains shows isopolar, radially symmetric, tricolporate, prolate or subprolate, porus shape oblate or operculate and exine subtectate. The size varies with the polar axis from 19.52 - 33.31 ?m and the equatorial axis from 13.50 - 25.82 ?m. There are five ornamentation types: perforate at equatorial section and psilate at polar sections, microreticulate at equatorial sections and psilate at polar sections, microreticulate at equatorial sections and perforate at polar sections, microreticulate at both equatorial and polar sections and perforate at both equatorial and polar sections. Pollen aperture, shape and especially different ornamentation patterns at polar and equatorial section of pollen, as found in this study, appear to be important character. The findings of this study indicate the taxonomic implications of pollen morphology in understanding the similarity and relationships in the genus Oxytropis. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15908 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 167-174, 2013 (June)
Foliar application of chitosan on growth and yield attributes of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek)
Authors: Mondal MMA , Malek MA , Puteh AB , Ismail MR
Published: July 2013

Plant parameters such as plant height, branch and leaf number/plant, leaf area/plant, total dry mass/plant, photosynthesis, harvest index, chlorophyll, nitrate reductase and number of pods/plant increased significantly with the increasing concentration of chitosan up to 50 ppm. It resulted the highest seed yield in mungbean. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjb.v42i1.15910 Bangladesh J. Bot. 42(1): 179-183, 2013 (June)
Analysis on the Incidence, Staging and Treatment of Carcinoma Cervix at Delta Medical College and Hospital of Bangladesh
Authors: Banu Parvin A , Rukhsana Naheed , Yasmin Jebunnessa , Nahar Lutfun , Malik Sadiqur R
Published: July 2013

Background: Cervical cancer remains the most common cancer among women in this part of the world. Bangladesh has the highest level of incidence and mortality rates due to cervical cancer among women. Cervical cancer is a preventable disease by screening and treatment of pre-invasive condition. Unfortunately, there is no effective screening program in Bangladesh. Objective: The objective was to analyze the clinico-pathologic characteristics and, subsequently the therapy delivered to the patients. Materials and method: This cross sectional study was done from January to December 2011 in oncology division of Delta Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh. During this period a total of 2264 female carcinoma patients were registered. Out of them 523 patients were with the diagnosis of carcinoma of cervix. Evaluation and characterization of patients with carcinoma cervix were done according to the age group, clinical stages and surgical status. External beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and doses, brachytherapy doses and fractions, time interval between EBRT and brachytherapy, neo-adjuvant and concurrent chemotherapy status were the factors taken into consideration for the analysis of treatment of these patients. Results: The study revealed that the incidence of carcinoma cervix was 23% and highest incidence was between 40-50 years of age group, most of the patients were in Stage IIB (34%) and IIIB (28%) and 31% with unknown stage. About 44% patients were referred postoperatively and most of them with unknown stage. Almost 90% patients received EBRT, 24% patients received concurrent chemo-radiation, 46% of them completed 5 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy and 8.6% patients received neo-adjuvant chemotherapy. About 69% patients received brachytherapy with HDR Co-60 sources and 23% of patients received their brachytherapy treatment after 12 weeks of completion of EBRT. Conclusion: Lack of proper clinical evaluation and documentation, delay in referral and lack of implementation of a standard protocol for the treatment of carcinoma cervix are the major obstacles in our country. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v1i2.15915 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2013;1(2):31-36
Association of Serum Uric Acid with Preeclampsia: A Case Control Study
Authors: Sultana Razia , Ahmed Selina , Sultana Nasima , Karim SM Fazlul , Atia Farhana
Published: July 2013

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is still one of the important causes of maternal and fetal mortality in Bangladesh. Many researches have been done to identify a unique screening test that would predict the risk of developing PE before the classic symptoms appear. One of the most accessible and easiest screening tests is serum uric acid measurement. Numerous studies have demonstrated a relation between elevated maternal serum uric acid levels and adverse maternal and fetal outcome. Among several pathophysiologic factors the most commonly accepted explanation for hyperuricemia in PE is increased reabsorption and decreased excretion of uric acid. Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the association of serum uric acid with preeclampsia. Materials and method: A case control study was conducted in the department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College, Dhaka from July 2010 to June 2011. A total number of 100 pregnant women in third trimester of pregnancy attending in Obstetrics and Gynaecology department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital were selected purposively as study subjects. Among them 50 pregnant women with preeclampsia were selected as cases and 50 normal healthy pregnant women as controls. Results: Most of the study subjects were within 21  30 years of age group and mean age in case and control was 24.06±3.71 and 24.66±3.22 years respectively, which was not statistically different. Mean gestational age in case and control was 33.50±2.55 weeks and 33.60±2.95 weeks respectively, which was also not statistically different. Among the study subjects majority was primi in both groups (case 76%, contol 58%) showing no statistical significance. Majority of the subjects in both groups were irregular in their antenatal checkup (case 52%, contol 40%). Uric acid concentration was measured in all the study subjects. The mean serum uric acid concentration in cases and controls were 7.01±1.90 mg/dl and 4.55±1.63 mg/dl respectively. This difference was highly significant in statistical point of view. Conclusion: Hyperuricemia is associated with preeclampsia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dmcj.v1i2.15918 Delta Med Col J. Jul 2013;1(2):46-50
Rock Art of the Howz-Māhy Region in Central Iran
Authors: Mobarakabadi Ebrahim
Published: July 2013

Howz-Māhy is a region located in the center of Iran, where a considerable number of petroglyphs can be found in two sites, at Ghārā-Tepe I and II. Ghārā-Tepe I is the largest site and includes a variety of depictions, especially geometric markings. In addition, various depictions can be found throughout the region situated on isolated cliffs and stones on the edge of an ancient pool. The most common image is of ibexes. There are also several other kinds of representations that show animals, humans, geometric markings, and so on, which can be found on panels. Despite difficulties for dating the petroglyphs of Iran, microerosion analysis should be applicable for dating the engravings of Howz-Māhy, especially in Ghārā-Tepe I.
The Effect of 3-Thiopheneacetic Acid in the Polymerization of a Conductive Electrotextile for Use in Biosensor Development
Authors: McGraw Shannon , Alocilja Evangelyn , Senecal Andre , Senecal Kris
Published: July 2013

Investigations were conducted to develop an electrotextile using a nonwoven polypropylene fiber platform conformally coated in a conductive, functionalized copolymer of polypyrrole and 3-thiopheneacetic acid (3TAA). The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) if the inclusion of 3TAA in the polymerization process would have an effect on the availability of binding sites in the high-surface area electrotextile for biorecognition elements and (2) how the increase in the concentration of 3TAA would affect the physical characteristics of the coating, resistivity of the sample and availability of binding sites. It was found that the addition of 3TAA to the polymerization process resulted in an increase in the size of the polypyrrole coating, as well as the material resistivity and available binding sites for biorecognition elements. These factors were used to determine which of the tested concentrations was best for biosensor development. A polymer coated membrane sample containing a concentration within the range of 10–50 mg/mL of 3TAA was selected as the best for future biosensor work.
Casimir Friction between Dense Polarizable Media
Authors: Høye Johan , Brevik Iver
Published: July 2013

The present paper—a continuation of our recent series of papers on Casimir friction for a pair of particles at low relative particle velocity—extends the analysis, so as to include dense media. The situation becomes, in this case, more complex, due to induced dipolar correlations, both within planes and between planes. We show that the structure of the problem can be simplified by regarding the two half-planes as a generalized version of a pair of particles. It turns out that macroscopic parameters, such as permittivity, suffice to describe the friction, also in the finite density case. The expression for the friction force per unit surface area becomes mathematically well-defined and finite at finite temperature. We give numerical estimates and compare them with those obtained earlier by Pendry (1997) and by Volokitin and Persson (2007). We also show in an appendix how the statistical methods that we are using correspond to the field theoretical methods more commonly in use.
Galactosylated Chitosan Oligosaccharide Nanoparticles for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell-Targeted Delivery of Adenosine Triphosphate
Authors: Zhu Xiu , Du Yong , Yu Ri , Liu Ping , Shi Dan , Chen Ying , Wang Ying , Huang Fang
Published: July 2013

Nanoparticles composed of galactosylated chitosan oligosaccharide (Gal-CSO) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) were prepared for hepatocellular carcinoma cell-specific uptake, and the characteristics of Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles were evaluated. CSO/ATP nanoparticles were prepared as a control. The average diameter and zeta potential of Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles were 51.03 ± 3.26 nm and 30.50 ± 1.25 mV, respectively, suggesting suitable properties for a drug delivery system. Subsequently, the cytotoxicity of Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles were examined by the methyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values were calculated with HepG2 (human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line) cells. The results showed that the cytotoxic effect of nanoparticles on HepG2 cells was low. In the meantime, it was also found that the Gal-CSO/ATP nanoparticles could be uptaken by HepG2 cells, due to expression of the asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R) on their surfaces. The presented results indicate that the Gal-CSO nanoparticles might be very attractive to be used as an intracellular drug delivery carrier for hepatocellular carcinoma cell targeting, thus warranting further in vivo or clinical investigations.
Post-Traumatic Caspase-3 Expression in the Adjacent Areas of Growth Plate Injury Site: A Morphological Study
Authors: Musumeci Giuseppe , Castrogiovanni Paola , Loreto Carla , Castorina Sergio , Pichler Karin , Weinberg Annelie
Published: July 2013

The epiphyseal plate is a hyaline cartilage plate that sits between the diaphysis and the epiphysis. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an injury in the growth plate chondrocytes through the study of histological morphology, immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry and Western Blot analyses of the caspase-3 and cleaved PARP-1, and levels of the inflammatory cytokines, Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNF-α), in order to acquire more information about post-injury reactions of physeal cell turnover. In our results, morphological analysis showed that in experimental bones, neo-formed bone trabeculae—resulting from bone formation repair—invaded the growth plate and reached the metaphyseal bone tissue (bone bridge), and this could result in some growth arrest. We demonstrated, by ELISA, increased expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α. Immunohistochemistry, histomorphometry and Western Blot analyses of the caspase-3 and cleaved PARP-1 showed that the physeal apoptosis rate of the experimental bones was significantly higher than that of the control ones. In conclusion, we could assume that the inflammation process causes stress to chondrocytes that will die as a biological defense mechanism, and will also increase the survival of new chondrocytes for maintaining cell homeostasis. Nevertheless, the exact stimulus leading to the increased apoptosis rate, observed after injury, needs additional research to understand the possible contribution of chondrocyte apoptosis to growth disturbance.
Exploration of Charge Recycling DC-DC Conversion Using a Switched Capacitor Regulator
Authors: Mazumdar Kaushik , Stan Mircea
Published: July 2013

The increasing popularity of DVFS (dynamic voltage frequency scaling) schemes for portable low power applications demands highly efficient on-chip DC-DC converters. The primary aim of this work is to enable increased efficiency of on-chip DC-DC conversion for near-threshold operation of multicore chips. The idea is to supply nominal (high) off-chip voltage to the cores which are then “voltage-stacked” to generate the near-threshold (low) voltages based on Kirchhoff’s voltage law through charge recycling. However, the effectiveness of this implicit down-conversion is affected by the current imbalance among the cores. The paper presents a design methodology and optimization strategy for highly efficient charge recycling on-chip regulation using a push-pull switched capacitor (SC) circuit. A dual-boundary hysteretic feedback control circuit has been designed for stacked loads. A stacked-voltage domain with its self-regulation capability combined with a SC converter has shown average efficiency of 78%–93% for 2:1 down-conversion with ILoad (max) of 200 mA and workload imbalance varying from 0–100%.
Simple Organics and Biomonomers Identified in HCN Polymers: An Overview
Authors: Ruiz-Bermejo Marta , Zorzano María-Paz , Osuna-Esteban Susana
Published: July 2013

Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) is a ubiquitous molecule in the Universe. It is a compound that is easily produced in significant yields in prebiotic simulation experiments using a reducing atmosphere. HCN can spontaneously polymerise under a wide set of experimental conditions. It has even been proposed that HCN polymers could be present in objects such as asteroids, moons, planets and, in particular, comets. Moreover, it has been suggested that these polymers could play an important role in the origin of life. In this review, the simple organics and biomonomers that have been detected in HCN polymers, the analytical techniques and procedures that have been used to detect and characterise these molecules and an exhaustive classification of the experimental/environmental conditions that favour the formation of HCN polymers are summarised. Nucleobases, amino acids, carboxylic acids, cofactor derivatives and other compounds have been identified in HCN polymers. The great molecular diversity found in HCN polymers encourages their placement at the central core of a plausible protobiological system.
2-(5-Chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-(4-nitrophen­yl)-4-phenyl-1,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene
Authors: Albooye Fereshteh , Kiyani Hamzeh
Published: July 2013

As a consequence of one-pot, three-component reaction of trans-2-benzoyl-3-(4-nitrophenyl)aziridine with 5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-4-carbaldehyde and ammonium acetate, 2-(5-chloro-3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)-6-(4-nitrophenyl)-4-phenyl-1,3-diazabicyclo[3.1.0]hex-3-ene was achieved in good yield. The desired photochromic compound display interesting photochromic behavior in the crystalline and solution phase. The structure of the newly synthesized photochromic compound was characterized by elemental analysis, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and UV-Visible spectral data.
Ab Initio Calculations of Possible γ-Gauche Effects in the 13C-NMR for Methine and Carbonyl Carbons in Precise Polyethylene Acrylic Acid Copolymers
Authors: Alam Todd
Published: July 2013

The impacts of local polymer chain conformations on the methine and carbonyl 13C-NMR chemical shifts for polyethylene acrylic acid p(E-AA) copolymers were predicted using ab initio methods. Using small molecular cluster models, the magnitude and sign of the γ-gauche torsional angle effect, along with the impact of local tetrahedral structure distortions near the carbonyl group, on the 13C-NMR chemical shifts were determined. These 13C-NMR chemical shift variations were compared to the experimental trends observed for precise p(E-AA) copolymers as a function acid group spacing and degree of zinc-neutralization in the corresponding p(E-AA) ionomers. These ab initio calculations address the future ability of 13C-NMR chemical shift variations to provide information about the local chain conformations in p(E-AA) copolymer materials.
Multivariate Thermo-Hygrometric Characterisation of the Archaeological Site of Plaza de l’Almoina (Valencia, Spain) for Preventive Conservation
Authors: Fernández-Navajas Ángel , Merello Paloma , Beltrán Pedro , García-Diego Fernando-Juan
Published: July 2013

Preventive conservation requires monitoring and control of the parameters involved in the deterioration process, mainly temperature and relative humidity. It is important to characterise an archaeological site prior to carrying out comparative studies in the future for preventive conservation, either by regular studies to verify whether the conditions are constant, or occasional ones when the boundary conditions are altered. There are numerous covered archaeological sites, but few preventive conservation works that give special attention to the type of cover installed. In particular, there is no background of microclimatic studies in sites that are in the ground and, as in the Plaza de l’Almoina (Valencia, Spain), are buried and partially covered by a transparent roof. A large effect of the transparent cover was found by the sensors located below this area, with substantial increases in temperature and a decrease in the relative humidity during the day. Surrounding zones also have values above the recommended temperature values. On the other hand, the influence of a buried water drainage line near the site is notable, causing an increase in relative humidity levels in the surrounding areas. Multivariate statistical analyses enabled us to characterise the microclimate of the archaeological site, allowing future testing to determine whether the conservation conditions have been altered.
The Effects of a Chactoid Scorpion Venom and Its Purified Toxins on Rat Blood Pressure and Mast Cells Histamine Release
Authors: Ettinger Keren , Cohen Gadi , Momic Tatjana , Lazarovici Philip
Published: July 2013

The effect of the venom of the Chactoid family of scorpions on blood pressure was scantly investigated and was addressed in the present study using the venom of the Israeli scorpion, Scorpio maurus palmatus. Blood pressure in rats was monitored via cannulated femoral artery, while venom and toxins were introduced into femoral vein. Venom injection elicited a biphasic effect, expressed first by a fast and transient hypotensive response, which lasted up to 10 min, followed by a hypertensive response, which lasted up to one hour. It was found that these effects resulted from different venom components. Phospholipase A2 produced the hypotensive effect, while a non-enzymatic neurotoxic polypeptide fraction produced the hypertensive effect. Surprisingly, the main neurotoxic polypeptide to mice had no effect on blood pressure. In vitro experiments indicated that the hypertensive factors caused histamine release from the peritoneal mast cells, but this effect is assumed to be not relevant to their in vivo effect. In spite of the cytotoxic activity of phospholipase A2, it did not release histamine. These findings suggest that the effects of venom and isolated fractions on blood pressure parameters are mediated by different mechanisms, which deserve further pharmacological investigation.
La Dahira de Mame Diarra en la diáspora: ¿un desafío al patriarcado murid?
Authors: Massó Guijarro Ester
Published: July 2013

La dahira (agrupación de fieles en torno a un líder religioso, con cometidos colectivos espirituales y materiales) constituye el modo organizativo por antonomasia de la cofradía Muridiyya, tanto en Senegal como en su intensa diáspora migratoria. Las dahiras exclusivamente femeninas, frente a las masculinas o mixtas, se sostienen sobre la base del culto a Mame Diarra, figura inmensamente respetada como madre de Ahmadou Bamba, fundador del muridismo. Tales dahiras funcionan de modo autónomo e independiente en todos los ámbitos: gestión económica, organización, liderazgo, etc., movilizando gran cantidad de recursos humanos y económicos dentro y fuera de Senegal. Este artículo revisa la teoría más relevante sobre las dahiras, en primer lugar, y las dahiras femeninas desde una perspectiva de género, en segundo lugar, para abordar después el estudio de caso de la dahira de Mame Diarra en Madrid y su significación en el contexto de la comunidad murid en España a fin de analizar si, efectivamente, la experiencia del muridismo para las mujeres a través de las dahiras conlleva el grado de autonomía y agencia que algunos estudios defienden.
Pour une approche sociologique de la délinquance en col blanc
Authors: Spire Alexis
Published: July 2013

L’œuvre de Sutherland représente encore aujourd’hui une référence incontournable pour étudier la délinquance en col blanc. Mais tandis qu’il associait ce terme aux infractions commises dans la sphère professionnelle par une personne de statut élevé, de nombreux criminologues ont souligné la diversité des délits, des délinquants et des victimes que peut englober cette notion. Après avoir restitué ces controverses, on voudrait proposer une approche sociologique de la délinquance en col blanc, centrée sur les usages sociaux du droit. L’enjeu de cet article est d’analyser les transgressions du droit par ceux qui se situent en haut de l’échelle sociale, en montrant à quel point celles-ci sont structurées par les institutions censées les réguler.
Enhancing Functional Fit with Continuous Training During the ERP Post-Implementation Phase
Authors: Ghosh Biswadip , Yoon Tom , Fustos Janos
Published: July 2013

Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP, feature a rich set of integrated business applications. However, to maximize the long term benefits from ERP implementations, organizations need to careful manage the post-implementation phase and focus on supporting end users to achieve better fit between their business processes and the ERP system features. This study develops a research model based on the resource-based view (RBV) of the firm and finds support for a positive and complementary relationship between continuous training resources, functional fit capability and business process success. An increase in continuous training resources increases the functional fit capability for the organization and is seen to improve business process success. The results support the need to focus on continuous end user training throughout the post implementation phase as a key contributor to ERP systems success for any organization.
Central Precocious Puberty and Granulosa Cell Ovarian Tumor in an 8-Year Old Female
Authors: Calcaterra Valeria , Nakib Ghassan , Pelizzo Gloria , Rundo Barbara , Rispoli Gaetana Anna , Boghen Stella , Bonetti Federico , Del Monte Barbara , Gertosio Chiara , Larizza Daniela
Published: July 2013

Ovarian tumors associated with hormonal changes of the peripheral iso-sexual precocious puberty are of common presentation. We describe here a rare case of juvenile granulosa cell tumor in a female with central precocious puberty (CPP). An 8-year old girl with CPP presented with vaginal bleeding four months after the diagnosis and before starting treatment with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-analogs. Suppression of basal follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level, elevation of serum estradiol, progesterone and Cancer Antigen-125 were documented. Abdominal ultrasound examination (US) and magnetic resonance imaging showed a pelvic mass affecting the left ovary. A left salpingo-oophorectomy was performed and the mass was totally resected. Juvenile granulosa cell ovarian tumor was diagnosed. One month post surgery, estradiol and progesterone decreased to values of the first evaluation and FSH increased; Cancer Antigen-125 resulted normal while ultrasound pelvic examination showed absence of pelvic masses. In our patient, the tumor had grown very quickly since hormonal data demonstrated a CPP without any evidence of ovarian mass on US only four months before diagnosis. The overstimulation of the FSH or aberrant activation of FSH receptors may have contributed to the development of the mass.
Do Heterodox Theories Have Anything in Common? A Post-Keynesian Point of View
Authors: Lavoie Marc
Published: July 2013

The paper questions the wide-spread assertion that non-orthodox schools of thought in economics have only one thing in common – their rejection of mainstream (neoclassical) economics. The author shows by contrast that heterodox currents share some fundamental analytical insights. The paper focuses on a comparison of modern Marxist conceptions with those of Post-Keynesian economists, including the works of Kaleckians and Sraffians. This is shown by examining four fields: the issue of rationality (where the adjustment principle is explicitly accepted by important heterodox authors), price theory (with cost-plus pricing combined to some long-run adjustment), growth theory (where the Kaleckian model has been adopted by authors from all schools), and finally monetary theory (where authors from all backgrounds are successfully integrating real and monetary analysis by taking into account financial markets). The author concludes that mutual feedback between the various heterodox currents has been beneficial to all, despite an unavoidable hyper-specialisation.
The ›New Consensus‹ View of Monetary Policy: A New Wicksellian Connection?
Authors: Fontana Giuseppe
Published: July 2013

One of the greatest achievements of the modern ›New Consensus‹ view in macroeconomics is the assertion of a non-quantity-theoretic approach to monetary policy. Leading theoricians and practitioners of this view have indeed rejected the quantity theory of money, and defended a return to the old Wicksellian idea of eliminating high levels of inflation by adjusting nominal interest rates to changes in the price level. This paper evaluates these recent developments in the theory and practice of monetary policy in terms of two basic questions, namely what is the monetary policy instrument controlled by the central bank, and which macroeconomic variables are affected in the short and long run by monetary policy.
Heterodox Political Economy Specialization and Interconnection – Concepts of Contradiction, Heterogeneous Agents, Uneven Development
Authors: O'Hara Phillip Anthony
Published: July 2013

This paper extends the analysis presented by Marc Lavoie in this journal about the relationship between the major schools of heterodox political economy. We argue that the evolution of heterodoxy over the past four decades has seen both specialization and interconnection. The specialization has enabled a degree of detailed analysis of concepts, such as class, demand, institution, innovation, gender, ecology and development. Interconnections between the schools also developed from an early stage. With both forces operating, the specialization promotes clarity of perception and depth of analysis, while the association enables this perception and depth to be linked between the schools. This has led to a degree of cross-fertilisation of themes to form broad concepts. Three such broad concepts are examined that are emerging and link aspects of different schools: contradiction, heterogeneous agents, and uneven development. These broad concepts are important for comprehending the social, institutional and historical forces of political economy, and for linking themes from the various schools of heterodoxy.
International Capital Flows Within the European Monetary Union: Increasing Economic Divergence Between the Centre and the Periphery
Authors: Rossi Sergio
Published: July 2013

This paper aims at investigating some neglected consequences of free capital mobility in the Euro area. The approach we use in this work is based on the book-keeping nature of money, which shows that capital – in the form of bank deposits – is mobile within a currency area but actually immobile between different monetary spaces. Within the Euro area both short- and long-term investments are directed into those economies where the return on investment is highest, a magnitude that is positively correlated with the rate of real growth. If so, then economic divergence might increase between member countries of the European Monetary Union (EMU), giving rise thereby to a higher rate of unemployment in those member countries that suffer from net capital outflows, to the benefit of some other countries in the same area.
Financialisation Issues in a Post-Keynesian Stock-flow Consistent Model
Authors: Lavoie Marc
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a stock-flow consistent growth model which is set in the Post-Keynesian tradition. A key feature of the model, however, is that real government expenditures grow at a rate which is compatible over the long period with a constant rate of unemployment (at the »natural rate of growth«). The model incorporates a detailed description of the household, production, banking and government sectors. This paper focuses on changes in parameters that are tied with financialization. The effects on the following changes are examined: the target proportion of retained earnings to investment, the proportion of profits distributed as dividends, the propensity of households to hold equities, and the propensity of households to take new loans as a proportion of their personal income. There is also a short analysis of the impact of a change in the loan repayment ratio and in the loan default ratio.
Financialization in Kaleckian Economies with and without Labor Constraints
Authors: Ryoo Soon , Skott Peter
Published: July 2013

Most Kaleckian models assume a perfectly elastic labor supply, an assumption that is questionable for many developed economies. This paper presents simple labor-constrained Kaleckian models and uses these models to compare the implications of financialization under labor-constrained and dual-economy conditions. The paper complements the analysis in Skott and Ryoo (2008) which did not include labor-constrained Kaleckian economies. We show that for plausible parameter values the financial changes commonly associated with financialization tend to be expansionary in both dual-economy and labor-constrained settings.
Dust vertical profile impact on global radiative forcing estimation using a coupled chemical-transport–radiative-transfer model
Authors: Zhang L. , Li Q. B. , Gu Y. , Liou K. N. , Meland B.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric mineral dust particles exert significant direct radiative forcings and are important drivers of climate and climate change. We used the GEOS-Chem global three-dimensional chemical transport model (CTM) coupled with the Fu-Liou-Gu (FLG) radiative transfer model (RTM) to investigate the dust radiative forcing and heating rate based on different vertical profiles for April 2006. We attempt to actually quantify the sensitivities of radiative forcing to dust vertical profiles, especially the discrepancies between using realistic and climatological vertical profiles. In these calculations, dust emissions were constrained by observations of aerosol optical depth (AOD). The coupled calculations utilizing a more realistic dust vertical profile simulated by GEOS-Chem minimize the physical inconsistencies between 3-D CTM aerosol fields and the RTM. The use of GEOS-Chem simulated vertical profile of dust extinction, as opposed to the FLG prescribed vertical profile, leads to greater and more spatially heterogeneous changes in the estimated radiative forcing and heating rate produced by dust. Both changes can be attributed to a different vertical structure between dust and non-dust source regions. Values of the dust vertically resolved AOD per grid level (VRAOD) are much larger in the middle troposphere, though smaller at the surface when the GEOS-Chem simulated vertical profile is used, which leads to a much stronger heating rate in the middle troposphere. Compared to the FLG vertical profile, the use of GEOS-Chem vertical profile reduces the solar radiative forcing at the top of atmosphere (TOA) by approximately 0.2–0.25 W m−2 over the African and Asian dust source regions. While the Infrared (IR) radiative forcing decreases 0.2 W m−2 over African dust belt, it increases 0.06 W m−2 over the Asian dust belt when the GEOS-Chem vertical profile is used. Differences in the solar radiative forcing at the surface between the use of the GEOS-Chem and FLG vertical profiles are most significant over the Gobi desert with a value of about 1.1 W m−2. The radiative forcing effect of dust particles is more pronounced at the surface over the Sahara and Gobi deserts by using FLG vertical profile, while it is less significant over the downwind area of Eastern Asia.
WRFv3.2-SPAv2: development and validation of a coupled ecosystem–atmosphere model, scaling from surface fluxes of CO2 and energy to atmospheric profiles
Authors: Smallman T. L. , Moncrieff J. B. , Williams M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The Weather Research and Forecasting meteorological (WRF) model has been coupled to the Soil–Plant–Atmosphere (SPA) terrestrial ecosystem model, to produce WRF-SPA. SPA generates realistic land–atmosphere exchanges through fully coupled hydrological, carbon and energy cycles. The addition of a~land surface model (SPA) capable of modelling biospheric CO2 exchange allows WRF-SPA to be used for investigating the feedbacks between biosphere carbon balance, meteorology, and land use and land cover change. We have extensively validated WRF-SPA using multi-annual observations of air temperature, turbulent fluxes, net radiation and net ecosystem exchange of CO2 at three sites, representing the dominant vegetation types in Scotland (forest, managed grassland and arable agriculture). For example air temperature is well simulated across all sites (forest R2 = 0.92, RMSE = 1.7 °C, bias = 0.88 °C; managed grassland R2 = 0.73, RMSE = 2.7 °C, bias = −0.30 °C; arable agriculture R2 = 0.82, RMSE = 2.2 °C, bias = 0.46 °C; RMSE, root mean square error). WRF-SPA generates more realistic seasonal behaviour at the site level compared to an unmodified version of WRF, such as improved simulation of seasonal transitions in latent heat flux in arable systems. WRF-SPA also generates realistic seasonal CO2 exchanges across all sites. WRF-SPA is also able to realistically model atmospheric profiles of CO2 over Scotland, spanning a 3 yr period (2004–2006), capturing both profile structure, indicating realistic transport, and magnitude (model–data residual
Non-interferometric GB-SAR measurement: application to the Vallcebre landslide (eastern Pyrenees, Spain)
Authors: Monserrat O. , Moya J. , Luzi G. , Crosetto M. , Gili J. A. , Corominas J.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. In the last decade, ground-based interferometry has proven to be a powerful technique for continuous deformation monitoring of landslides, glaciers, volcanoes, or manmade structures, among others. However, several limitations need to be addressed in order to improve the performances of the technique, especially for long-term monitoring. These limitations include the reduction of measurable points with an increase in the period of observation, the ambiguous nature of the phase measurements, and the influence of the atmospheric phase component. In this paper, a new procedure to process the amplitude component of ground-based synthetic aperture radar (GB-SAR) data acquired in discontinuous mode is compared and validated. The use of geometric features of the amplitude images combined with a matching technique will allow the estimation of the displacements over specific targets. Experimental results obtained during 19 months, in eight different campaigns carried out in the active landslide of Vallcebre (eastern Pyrenees, Spain), were analysed. During the observed period, from February 2010 to September 2011, displacements up to 80 cm were measured. The comparison with other surveying technique shows that the precision of the method is below 1 cm.
Characterization and effects of cold fronts in the Colombian Caribbean Coast and their relationship to extreme wave events
Authors: Ortiz-Royero J. C. , Otero L. J. , Restrepo J. C. , Ruiz J. , Cadena M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Extreme ocean waves in the Caribbean Sea are commonly related to the effects of storms and hurricanes during the months of June through November. The collapse of 200 m of the Puerto Colombia pier in March 2009 revealed the effects of meteorological phenomena other than storms and hurricanes that may be influencing the extreme wave regime in the Colombian Caribbean. The marked seasonality of these atmospheric fronts was established by analyzing the meteorological-marine reports of Instituto de Hidrología, Meteorología y Estudios Ambientales of Colombia (IDEAM, based on its initials in Spanish) and Centro de Investigación en Oceanografía y Meteorología of Colombia (CIOH, based on its initials in Spanish). The highest occurrences were observed during the months of January, February, and March, with 6 fronts occurring per year. An annual trend was not observed, although the highest number of fronts occurred in 2010 (20 in total). An annual strong relationship between the maximum average wave values and the cold fronts, in the central zone of the Colombian Caribbean during the first three months of the year was established. In addition, the maximum values of the significant height produced by the passage of cold fronts during the last 16 yr were identified. Although the Colombian Caribbean has been affected by storms and hurricanes in the past, this research allows us to conclude that, there is a strong relationship between cold fronts and the largest waves in the Colombian Caribbean during the last 16 yr, which have caused damage to coastal infrastructure. We verified that the passage of a cold front corresponded to the most significant extreme wave event of the last two decades in the Colombian Caribbean, which caused the structural collapse of the Puerto Colombia pier, located near the city of Barranquilla, between 5 and 10 March 2009. This information is invaluable when evaluating average and extreme wave regimes for the purpose of informing the design of structures in this region of the Caribbean.
The usefulness of Decision Support Systems in participatory forest planning: a comparison between Finland and Italy
Authors: De Meo I. , Ferretti F. , Hujala T. , Kangas A.
Published: July 2013

Aim of study: Participation of stakeholders is considered an essential element in producing, at different spatial and temporal scales, forest plans accepted by local community and fulfilling the requirements of Sustainable Forest Management. Increasingly, computer-based decision support systems (DSS) and tools are being introduced to assist stakeholders and decision-makers in coping with the complexities inherent in participatory forest planning. The study aimed to investigate how useful the users and researchers see DSS tools and which opportunities they perceive DSS might carry for enhancing participatory forest planning in their field of activity.Area of study: 15 Italian and Finnish researchers and practitioners were interviewed.Material and Methods:  Face-to-face structured interviews were used to collect opinions and experiences. Quantitative and qualitative information were analyzed to investigate differences between Italian and Finnish respondents as well as between researchers and practitionersMain results: Results showed that in Italy there has been more focus on forest-level and medium-term problems and the intelligence phase, while in Finland there has been more attention to region-level and long-term problems and equally intelligence, design, and choice phases of decision-making. Deviations probably reflect different planning contexts and culture, variability in experiences and expertise in DSS and in availability of suitable DSS.Research highlights: The study suggests to pay attention to evaluating the success criteria of participatory planning when preparing for the use of DSS and related tools in practical forest planning processes. Experience sharing is a key to reaching more successful use of DSS.Keywords: computer-based decision support; participatory processes; spatial scale; success criteria; temporal scale; users' perception.