bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is Seed Iron Concentration Predictive of Resistance to Iron Deficiency in Soybean?
Authors: Wiersma John V.
Published: April 2012

Within the last decade, studies involving numerous crops provide strong evidence that seed Fe concentration ([Fe]) is useful for identifying genotypes possessing superior resistance to Fe deficiency. It is our opinion that using seed [Fe] is equivalent or superior to using visual chlorosis score as a measure of Fe efficiency, that seed [Fe] can be used to identify resistance to Fe deficiency in the absence of Fe deficiency or in the presence of Fe deficiency exacerbated by applying high rates of fertilizer N, that conventional plant breeding can be used to increase seed [Fe] as a strategy for improving resistance to Fe deficiency, and that planting seed [Fe] can be used as a predictor of successful (nonchlorotic) seedling establishment. International agricultural agencies, such as HarvestPlus (CIAT, Cali, Columbia), have promoted using plant breeding as an intervention strategy focused on increasing micronutrient concentrations and bioavailabilities in crops consumed by populations with known micronutrient deficiencies. Can conventional plant breeding be used to increase seed [Fe] as a strategy to reduce Fe deficiency in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.]? Evidence presented in this paper combined with earlier reports indicates that Fe‐efficient and Fe‐inefficient varieties appear to have seed [Fe] maxima that are distinctly different and seldom exceeded; that is, soybean plants tend to maintain [Fe] in the grain within predetermined, genetically controlled limits. Seed [Fe] can be regarded as an integrated measure of resistance to Fe deficiency that is manifest at maturity and that involves the coordinate expression of several genes regulating Fe reduction and uptake, transport, and storage.
Harrington Seed Destructor: A New Nonchemical Weed Control Tool for Global Grain Crops
Authors: Walsh Michael J. , Harrington Raymond B. , Powles Stephen B.
Published: April 2012

Global grain production is under threat from the escalating evolution of herbicide‐resistant weed populations. Worldwide, herbicide‐reliant grain crop production systems have driven the proliferation of herbicide resistant populations of major weed species. Alternatives or adjuncts to herbicides are needed for sustainable control of crop weeds in grain crops worldwide. Here we introduce and prove the ability of a new weed control tool, the Harrington Seed Destructor (HSD), to intercept and destroy weed seeds during grain crop harvest. The interception and destruction of weed seeds exiting the grain harvester in the chaff fraction during grain crop harvest is a hitherto unrealized opportunity. We have developed a cage mill‐based chaff processing unit that consistently destroys weed seed infesting grain crop chaff fractions. The subsequent construction of the HSD incorporating this unit had >95% weed seed destruction efficacy when used during commercial harvest of three major grain crops, wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), barley (Hordeum vulgare L.), and lupin (Lupinus angustifolius L.). The HSD system has the potential for a dramatic impact on global grain production by providing the unique combination of effective weed control with complete retention of grain crop harvest residues. Only herbicides offer this same combination of highly effective weed control and complete residue retention in large scale grain crop production systems.
Microcystins: Potent xenobiotics
Authors: Ilic Maja , Svircev Zorica , Baltic Vladimir
Published: April 2012

Having in mind that exposure to low levels of microcystin in drinking water
represents the health risk for people, microcystins can be observed as potent
xenobiotics. The consequences of exposure to natural products of the
blue-green algae, the microcystins, are numerous. Among other things, there
is a possibility of development of malignant disease of colon and liver. The
occurrence of the tumor is, on one side, enabled by the active transportation
of microcystin for achievement of high concentration intracellularly and, on
the other side, by high affinity of microcystins for serine/threonine
phosphatase PP1 and PP2A after which follows their inactivation. The system,
which is responsible for the active transportation of microcystin, is a
family of polypeptides for transportation of organic anions (OATP). Isoforms
of these carriers are distributed in one tissue, like OATP1B1 and OATP1B3,
which are specific for liver or many tissues, OATP1A2 carrier, present in the
liver, kidney, brain and the small intestine. The consequences of high
concentration of microcystin intracellularly, binding and the inhibitions of
protein phosphatase, are numerous. For the occurrence of a tumor, the changes
in the nucleus are important, which are related to the gene expression
changes, changes in the system for damaged DNA repair and the changes in
mitosis. Mediators of these changes have their role in protein activity
regulation, signal transmission in the cell, damaged DNA repair, performance
of the cell cycle, apoptosis, tumor suppression, cell proliferation and
differentiation. Phosphatase inhibition is observed as the strategy of
development of a new group of anticancer agents. As phosphatase inhibitors,
microcystins and analogs are applied, possibly having the potential to
express the difference in toxicity mechanism and detoxification mechanism
between the healthy and the tumor cell of liver. High expression of OATP1B1
and OATP1B3 microcystin transporters in hepatocellular carcinoma would
confirm selective impact of phosphatase inhibitors to the tumor cell.
Functions of human non-coding dna sequences
Authors: Stupar Milanko , Vidovic Vitomir , Lukac Dragomir
Published: April 2012

The development of string theory has opened a completely new chapter and the
way of thinking. A tight connection between DNA, water and strings, as well
as their properties, lead to the idea that the soul is the shelter of our
thoughts. Only 2% of the haploid human genome codes for proteins, while the
rest consists of non-coding RNA genes, regulatory sequences, introns. The
rest of the DNA, about 2.9 billion of base pairs, represents: cultural
heredity of the person's family and a part being formed by the person during
his/her lifetime, which gives the answer to what the use of the non-coding
sequences is. Water molecules do not stay permanently united with DNA (the
connection is not covalent), but they disconnect at every 0.5-1 nsec, forming
and leaving the DNA molecule. It is well known that the DNA structure depends
on water and that ?water remembers thoughts?, and depending on the thoughts
of a person it carries them to the physical structure of DNA. At the
beginning of the physical organization of the water molecule there are
strings. When a person dies, the DNA and water molecule are disconnected
leaving only strings with an appropriate features being conditioned by
three-dimensional structure of DNA shaped by water. Every person has a unique
string appearance, as it is the case with the snowflakes (the DNA print in
the strings).
Man and nature
Authors: Kajtez Ilija
Published: April 2012

nema
Foaming Behavior and Mechanical Properties of Microcellular PP/SiO2 Composites
Authors: Gong W. , Liu K. J. , Zhang C. , Zhu J. H. , He L.
Published: April 2012

Microcellular foamed polypropylene (PP)/SiO2 composites were prepared by using micro-SiO2 and nano-SiO2 particles. The effects of the particle size of SiO2 on the foaming behavior and mechanical properties of the composites were studied based on heterogeneous nucleation theory. The results showed that the silica facilitated the cell nucleation to some extent. The average cell size of 16.3 μm and the cell density of 4.46 × 107 cells/cm3 were achieved for the composite foam at the silica content of 4 wt.%. The plastic deformation of the PP was strongly constrained due to the presence of the nano-silica. The tensile and impact strength of the nano-SiO2 composite foam are larger than those of the micro-SiO2 composite foam due to the high crack propagation resistance in the microcellular PP/nano-SiO2 composite.
Mechanical and Morphological Properties of Flax Fiber Reinforced High Density Polyethylene/Recycled Rubber Composites
Authors: Kakroodi A. R. , Bainier J. , Rodrigue D.
Published: April 2012

In this work, the mechanical and morphological properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE)/flax fiber composites are reported. In particular, the effect of adding a rubber phase (SBR) in terms of recycled ground tire rubber (GTR) is determined. Samples with different concentrations of flax fibers and rubber powders were prepared. Also, the addition of a coupling agent (SEBS) on both matrix-fiber and matrix-rubber surface adhesion and composite morphology is investigated. The results show an improvement in both matrix-rubber and matrix-fiber surface adhesion after incorporation of the coupling agent leading to improved tensile and flexural properties. Also, impact strength results showed a toughening effect of the HDPE matrix by flax and SBR addition.
Occupied Minds: Philosophical Reflections on Zionism, Anti-Zionism and the Jewish Prison
Authors: Ben-Dor Oren
Published: April 2012

This article employs philosophical existentialism to argue that anti-Zionism as currently configured avoid's existential pathologies of political Zionism – pathologies that pertain to Jewish being and thinking. Such anti-Zionism, whether advocated by secular or orthodox Jews, is complicit with the preservation of the same existential denial that imprisons the minds of Zionists – denial that has the collective stake of preserving these pathologies. The truncated discourses of anti-Semitism and ‘Jewish self-hatred’ are examined and critiqued. The article also calls for a bold assessment and reconfiguration of anti-Zionism and its transformation into a genuine and effective ethical discourse that can challenge and liberate current Jewish mental imprisonment.
The Bible Belt in British Columbia, Canadian Zionism and the Israel Lobby: Letter from Abbotsford
Authors: Dart Ron
Published: April 2012

Canada has a majority Conservative party in power, and the Conservative Party is consciously and ideologically Zionist. Many of the Members of Parliament in the Conservative Party come from committed conservative evangelical backgrounds (with a strong commitment to Zionism). I took part in a debate at the University of the Fraser Valley (buckle of the Bible Belt in British Columbia) in the autumn of 2010 in which Marci McDonald (one of the best Canadian political journalists) lectured on her recently published book, The Armageddon Factor. This letter comments on the ideology of the ruling part in Canada, Canada's Bible Belt and the influence of the evangelical Israel Lobby.
Through Spanish Eyes: Robert Southey's Double Vision in Letters from England: By Don Manuel Alvarez Espriella (1807)
Authors: Bolton Carol
Published: April 2012

In Letters from England, written ostensibly from Don Manuel Espriella to his family at home in Spain, Southey declares he will also incorporate ‘what I think respecting this country and these times’ (‘Letter to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn’). One of the aspects of society that concerned Southey was the state of the labouring classes and the detrimental effect of industrialisation on rural life. His Spanish tourist, who is ‘bigoted to his religion, and willing to discover such faults and such symptoms of declining power here as may soothe or gratify [his] natural inferiority’, makes a comparative study of the treatment of the poor in England and Spain (‘Letter to Charles Watkin Williams Wynn’). Espriella comments negatively on the growth of manufacturing industries, the effects of the enclosure acts, and the migration of rural communities to the cities. He suggests that the English nation has lost its once stable social order, when landowners and religious institutions felt a moral obligation for the welfare of the peasantry. And, despite Southey's antipathy towards the Catholic faith after his visits to Spain (in 1795–6 and 1800–1), he states Espriella's conviction that shared religious belief is a cohesive force that binds hierarchical society together. With the help of his Spanish alter-ego, Southey invokes an idealised, English feudal past to oppose contemporary legislative solutions to rural poverty, such as workhouses and poor laws. Espriella's reverence for ancient historical sites, his criticism of commercialism, and his concern that new religious sects will imperil the religious and social order, would seem to belie his nationality and his youth. However, they complement Southey's argument that the treatment of the rural poor is one more symptom of how far England has travelled from its Arcadian past. In this article, the ‘double vision’ of Letters from England is examined to demonstrate how Southey interweaves the observations of his European commentator into the British social politics that he seeks to present.
Polymorphism and Metallic Behavior in BEDT-TTF Radical Salts with Polycyano Anions
Authors: Benmansour Samia , Marchivie Mathieu , Triki Smail , Gómez-García Carlos J.
Published: April 2012

Up to five different crystalline radical salts have been prepared with the organic donor BEDT-TTF and three different polynitrile anions. With the polynitrile dianion tcpd2− (=C[C(CN)2]32−), two closely related radical salts: α'-(ET)4tcpd·THF (1) (THF = tetrahydrofurane) and α'-(ET)4tcpd·H2O (2) have been prepared, depending on the solvent used in the synthesis. With the mono-anion tcnoetOH− (=[(NC)2CC(OCH2CH2OH)C(CN)2]−) two polymorphs with similar physical properties but different crystal packings have been synthesized: θ-(ET)2(tcnoetOH) (3) and β''-(ET)2(tcnoetOH) (4). Finally, with the mono-anion tcnoprOH− (=[(NC)2CC(OCH2CH2CH2OH)C(CN)2]−) we have prepared a metallic radical salt: β''-(ET)2(tcnoprOH)(CH2Cl2CH3Cl)0.5 (5). Salts 1‑4 are semiconductors with high room temperature conductivities and activation energies in the range 0.1–0.5 eV, whereas salt 5 is metallic down to 0.4 K although it does not show any superconducting transition above this temperature.
Optimal Coordination of Automatic Line Switches for Distribution Systems
Authors: Yang Ming-Ta , Gu Jyh-Cherng
Published: April 2012

For the Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), the margins of coordination times between the lateral circuit breakers (LCB) of underground 4-way automatic line switches and the protection equipment of high voltage customers are often too small. This could lead to sympathy tripping by the feeder circuit breaker (FCB) of the distribution feeder and create difficulties in protection coordination between upstream and downstream protection equipment, identification of faults, and restoration operations. In order to solve the problem, it is necessary to reexamine the protection coordination between LCBs and high voltage customers’ protection equipment, and between LCBs and FCBs, in order to bring forth new proposals for settings and operations. This paper applies linear programming to optimize the protection coordination of protection devices, and proposes new time current curves (TCCs) for the overcurrent (CO) and low-energy overcurrent (LCO) relays used in normally open distribution systems by performing simulations in the Electrical Transient Analyzer Program (ETAP) environment. The simulation results show that the new TCCs solve the coordination problems among high voltage customer, lateral, feeder, bus-interconnection, and distribution transformer. The new proposals also satisfy the requirements of Taipower on protection coordination of the distribution feeder automation system (DFAS). Finally, the authors believe that the system configuration, operation experience, and relevant criteria mentioned in this paper may serve as valuable references for other companies or utilities when building DFAS of their own.
A Fuzzy Logic Global Power Management Strategy for Hybrid Electric Vehicles Based on a Permanent Magnet Electric Variable Transmission
Authors: Abdelsalam Abdelsalam Ahmed , Cui Shumei
Published: April 2012

The major contribution of this paper is to propose a Fuzzy Logic Global Power Management Strategy for Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) that are driven by the PM-EVT (PM machine—Electric Variable Transmission) powertrain, such that the PM-EVT will have superior advantages over other types of powertrains, including the current Toyota Prius powertrain for series-parallel HEVs. This has been investigated throughout three aspects. The first is the optimum power splitting between the Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) and the PM-EVT. The second is maximizing the vehicle’s energy capture during the braking process. Finally, sustaining the State of Charge (SOC) of the battery is adopted by a robust ON/OFF controller of the ICE. These goals have been accomplished by developing three fuzzy logic (FL) controllers. The FL controllers are designed based on the state of charge of the battery, vehicle’s velocity, traction torque, and the vehicle’s requested power. The integration of the studied system is accomplished via the Energetic Macroscopic Representation (EMR) simulation model strategy based on the software Matlab/Simulink. The PM-EVT based HEV system with the proposed power management strategy is validated by comparing to the Toyota Prius HEV. The vehicle’s performances have been analyzed throughout a combined long-trip driving cycle that represents the normal and the worst operating conditions. The simulation results show that global control system is effective to control the engine’s operating points within the highest efficiency region, exploiting of EVT machines for capturing maximum braking energy, as well as to sustain the SOC of the battery while satisfy the drive ability. The proposed control strategy for the studied HEVs sounds interesting and feasible as supported by a large amount of simulation results.
The Establishment of a Primary Culture System of Proximal Tubule Segments Using Specific Markers from Normal Mouse Kidneys
Authors: Kamiyama Masumi , Garner Michelle K. , Farragut Kristina M. , Kobori Hiroyuki
Published: April 2012

The proximal tubule contains the highest expression of angiotensinogen mRNA and protein within the kidney and plays a vital role in the renal renin-angiotensin system. To study the regulation of angiotensinogen expression in the kidney in more detail, the proximal tubule needs to be accurately isolated from the rest of the nephron and separated into its three segments. The purpose of this study was to design a novel protocol using specific markers for the separation of proximal tubule cells into the three proximal tubule segments and to determine angiotensinogen expression in each segment. Kidneys were removed from C57BL/6J mice. The proximal tubules were aspirated from region of a Percoll gradient solution of the appropriate density. The proximal tubule was then separated into its three segments using segment-specific membrane proteins, after which each segment was characterized by a different specific marker (sodium-glucose transporter 2 for Segment 1; carbonic anhydrase IV for Segment 2; ecto-adenosine triphosphatase for Segment 3). The isolation of proximal tubules into three segments was successful, and angiotensinogen mRNA in Segment 2 and 3 and angiotensinogen protein in all three segments were confirmed. This protocol will be helpful for future studies of the detailed mechanisms of the intrarenal renin-angiotensin system.
RETRACTED: Dynamic Action of Carotenoids in Cardioprotection and Maintenance of Cardiac Health
Authors: Agarwal Mahesh , Parameswari Royapuram P. , Vasanthi Hannah R. , Das Dipak K.
Published: April 2012

Oxidative stress has been considered universally and undeniably implicated in the pathogenesis of all major diseases, including those of the cardiovascular system. Oxidative stress activate transcriptional messengers, such as nuclear factor—κB, tangibly contributing to endothelial dysfunction, the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis, irreversible damage after ischemic reperfusion, and even arrhythmia, such as atrial fibrillation. Evidence is rapidly accumulating to support the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) as intracellular signaling molecules. Despite this connection between oxidative stress and cardiovascular disease (CVD), there are currently no recognized therapeutic interventions to address this important unmet need. Antioxidants that provide a broad, “upstream” approach via ROS/RNS quenching or free radical chain breaking seem an appropriate therapeutic option based on epidemiologic, dietary, and in vivo animal model data. Short-term dietary intervention trials suggest that diets rich in fruit and vegetable intake lead to improvements in coronary risk factors and reduce cardiovascular mortality. Carotenoids are such abundant, plant-derived, fat-soluble pigments that functions as antioxidants. They are stored in the liver or adipose tissue, and are lipid soluble by becoming incorporated into plasma lipoprotein particles during transport. For these reasons, carotenoids may represent one plausible mechanism by which fruits and vegetables reduce the risk of chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review paper outlines the role of carotenoids in maintaining cardiac health and cardioprotection mediated by several mechanisms including redox signaling.
THE SOCIOCULTURAL CONTROVERSIES OF ARCHITECTURAL INHERITANCE OF SOVIET LITHUANIAN LEGACY / SOVIETINĖS LIETUVOS ARCHITEKTŪRINIO PALIKIMO ĮPAVELDINIMO SOCIOKULTŪRINĖS KONTRAVERSIJOS
Authors: Petrulis Vaidas
Published: April 2012

In the global context, heritage of the built environment of the 20th c. is gradually included into the scope of work of a cultural heritage specialist. However, the process of inheritance of modernism meets the broad range of problematic issues of tangible and intangible nature. The article aims to review and assess similar problems in the Lithuanian context. Several decades after the restoration of independence, we are able to draw a conclusion that besides common problems of inheritance of the 20th century legacy, post-soviet context highlights some specific aspects of the issue: negative attitudes toward tangible values of the legacy and connotations with the occupation period. The paper suggests, that the stronger the objections of tangible nature, the more proactive the position of heritage experts has to be pointed towards intangible aspects, i.e. historical, cultural, social and other values.

Santrauka

Pasauliniame kontekste XX a. antrosios pusės statybinis palikimas vis plačiau įtraukiamas į paveldosaugininkų akiratį. Tačiau procesas susiduria su įvairialypėmis tiek materialaus, tiek nematerialaus pobūdžio kliūtimis. Straipsnyje siekiama apžvelgti ir įvertinti šią problematiką Lietuvoje. Nuo nepriklausomybės atkūrimo prabėgus keliems dešimtmečiams, jau galime daryti išvadas, kad šalia įprastų XX a. architektūros įpaveldinimo problemų, postsovietiniame kontekste išryškėja ir kai kurie specifiniai aspektai: negatyvus visuomenės požiūris į šio palikimo materialiąją vertę bei asociacijos su okupacijos laikotarpiu. Tekste keliama prielaida, kad kuo stipresni materialaus pobūdžio prieštaravimai, tuo aktyvesnė paveldo specialistų pozicija turi būti išreikšta nematerialiųjų aspektų – istorinių, kultūrinių, socialinių ir panašių verčių – atžvilgiu.
Transcriptome Analysis in Tardigrade Species Reveals Specific Molecular Pathways for Stress Adaptations
Authors: Förster Frank , Beisser Daniela , Grohme Markus A. , Liang Chunguang , Mali Brahim , Matthias Siegl Alexander , Engelmann Julia C. , Shkumatov Alexander V. , Schokraie Elham , Müller Tobias , Schnölzer Martina , Schill Ralph O. , Frohme Marcus , Dandekar Thomas
Published: April 2012

Tardigrades have unique stress-adaptations that allow them to survive extremes of cold, heat, radiation and vacuum. To study this, encoded protein clusters and pathways from an ongoing transcriptome study on the tardigrade Milnesium tardigradum were analyzed using bioinformatics tools and compared to expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from Hypsibius dujardini, revealing major pathways involved in resistance against extreme environmental conditions.

ESTs are available on the Tardigrade Workbench along with software and databank updates. Our analysis reveals that RNA stability motifs for M. tardigradum are different from typical motifs known from higher animals. M. tardigradum and H. dujardini protein clusters and conserved domains imply metabolic storage pathways for glycogen, glycolipids and specific secondary metabolism as well as stress response pathways (including heat shock proteins, bmh2, and specific repair pathways). Redox-, DNA-, stress- and protein protection pathways complement specific repair capabilities to achieve the strong robustness of M. tardigradum.

These pathways are partly conserved in other animals and their manipulation could boost stress adaptation even in human cells. However, the unique combination of resistance and repair pathways make tardigrades and M. tardigradum in particular so highly stress resistant.
Reducing Heavy Menstrual Bleeding: Safety and Efficacy of Tranexamic Acid
Authors: Perriera Lisa , Martin Janet , Ahuja Sanjay P.
Published: April 2012

Menorrhagia or Heavy Menstrual Bleeding (HMB) remains a public health challenge among women in the reproductive age group. Anti-fibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid and epsilon aminocaproic acid, play an important role in the medical management of HMB, as HMB is associated with an increase in local fibrinolysis. Lysteda is a novel oral formulation of tranexamic acid which has recently been approved by the US FDA for treatment of HMB. Efficacy of tranexamic acid in the general gynecologic population as well as in women with bleeding disorders is discussed in this review. Safety and adverse effect profile is also addressed for both these populations.
Psychometric Properties of the Worker Role Interview (Version 10.0) in Mental Health
Authors: Lohss Isabel , Forsyth Kirsty , Kottorp Anders
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

Occupational therapists working in psychiatry are routinely required to undertake vocational assessments and to support clients into work. To make such efforts successful, the use of evidence-based practice and outcome measures is becoming increasingly important.

Objectives:

The objectives were to examine the psychometric properties of the Worker Role Interview (WRI, version 10.0) with a psychiatric population in the United Kingdom, particularly its construct validity as a baseline assessment and an outcome measure.

Method:

Data were collected from 34 psychiatric clients rated by seven occupational therapists. Rasch analysis was used to examine scale validity, validity of therapists' rating patterns of clients, rater consistency, precision of client measurement and the scale's aptitude in detecting different ability levels.

Results:

All items except one demonstrated acceptable goodness-of-fit to the Rasch model. Over 90% of clients fitted the model. The scale detected five ability levels, but client measures were slightly imprecise. Raters used the scale consistently and implications of rater leniency are discussed.

Conclusion:

The study provides evidence of construct validity, supporting the use of the WRI as a standardised baseline assessment in a mental health population. Further development of the WRI might be indicated and its usefulness as an outcome measure should be tested with larger samples.
Exploring the Nature of Peer and Academic Supervision on a Role-Emerging Placement
Authors: Boniface Gail , Seymour Alison , Polglase Tracey , Lawrie Carole , Clarke Maria
Published: April 2012

Introduction:

This small-scale study explores the experiences of staff and students in using a pyramidal model of peer-assisted and long-arm supervision in a role-emerging practice placement in the United Kingdom (UK).

Method:

Two final year postgraduate diploma occupational therapy students from a UK university entered into a peer-assisted learning arrangement with two occupational therapy students from a Polish university, with UK university staff acting as long-arm supervisors. The setting was a home for older people with no occupational therapy service. This participatory action research preliminary study used interviews to explore the student and supervisor experiences whilst on placement.

Findings and discussion:

The findings suggest that high levels of personal and professional development can develop in students when this model is used.
The Impact of Corporate Governance on the Insurance Firm’s Performance in Bahrain
Authors: Najjar Naser Jamil
Published: April 2012

The importance of responsibility, accountability, transparency and fairness are raising the issues of their effect on the performance of the firm and the managers as well. This is closely related to the agency problem because corporate governance mechanisms intend to induce managers to act according to the best interest of the shareholders, which is by maximizing the firm’s value and ultimately reducing agency costs.This study is a contribution to other studies conducted to examine the impact of corporate governance mechanisms on firm’s performance of the insurance industry in Bahrain, understand how to minimize the agency costs effectively and design the appropriate organizational structure. Also, to distinguish between good and bad corporate governance which is a crucial step in building the market’s confidence and attracting positive investment flows to the institution and the economy.E-views program has been used to regress and the method the Pooled data. Five insurance companies listed in BSE have been selected as a sample for this study for the period of 2005-2010. Therefore, the total panel of observations is 30.The research concludes that there is no statistically significant impact of corporate governance expressed by CEO status, ownership concentration, the number of employees, industry performance, and number of shares traded on firm’s performance in the insurance industry expressed by the dependent variable - return on equity (ROE). On the other hand board size, firm size, number of block-holders found to have statistically significant impact on firm’s performance in the insurance industry expressed by the dependent variable - return on equity (ROE). This result, confirms the importance of good governance structure on the firm and the whole economy in the long run.The researcher suggests that every insurance firm should properly define corporate governance and its mechanisms and implement them effectively in order to reach the firm’s long-term goals, build stakeholders’ confidence and generate positive investment flows.The recent financial crisis has had enormous impacts on the economy, leading to major problems in insurance companies. Therefore, an insurance company should focus on good corporate governance that will build a stable foundation for recovering from this crisis.Regarding future line of research, efforts should be put at increasing the sample size, the corporate governance variables, and the time frame in order to have more accurate and reliable results.More importantly, the empirical literature indicates a sample selection bias in favor of very big firms. It is hereby suggested that attention should be devoted to the study of small- and medium-scale firms. This is because these firms account for at least 90% of the total number of firms in the world.
Emergent School Leadership: Creating the Space for Emerging Leadership through Appreciative Inquiry
Authors: Dickerson Mark S.
Published: April 2012

Much has been written on the importance of increasing leadership capacity in schools and managed systems for leadership development; however, little focus has been given to creating conditions to facilitate the emergence of leadership. This research study examines associations of strength-based reflexive processes to the emergence of educational leadership. Specifically, through qualitative analysis, the author explores the emergence of school leadership during an appreciative inquiry initiative in a large, urban school district and identifies the features of appreciative inquiry that were conducive to such emergence. In addition, the author notes that the initiative also provided participants with many of the elements considered vital to leading a healthy learning community: a greater understanding of the big picture, opportunities for professional reflection and sense making, a safe and affirming learning community, time to dialogue with others in the system regarding their core values and commitments, a collaborative work culture, space for networking, and the freedom to take action.   Keywords: Emergent Leadership, Appreciative Inquiry, School Improvement
The Effect of Basic Education Schools Administers Application of Managerial Accountability in Al-Balqa'a Governorate on Teachers Satisfaction
Authors: Arabiyat Bashir , Badah Ahmad Mohammad
Published: April 2012

The current study aimed at identifying the effect of basic education school administrators of managerial accountability in Al-Balqa governorate on teachers' satisfaction. The study population consisted of (22) manager and (5199) teacher. The study used a questionnaire as a tool for gathering the study data. Results showed that the degree of application of accountability was high for (work and achievement & job discipline) and medium for the fields (job general ethics & job humanities). Also, results showed that teachers' satisfaction was medium. Finally, results showed the presence of an effect of managerial accountability and job satisfaction. The study recommended the development of a handbook illustrates the work ethic and commitment to the job and need the teachers in its schools, similar to that in force in the universities.   Key Words: Managerial Accountability, Job Satisfaction, Primary Education.
The Role of Out-of-School Education in Empowerment of Rural Adults in Etche Ethnic Nationality for Community Development
Authors: Ihejirika Dr. J. C.
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this paper is to examine the roles out-of-school education can play to enhance empowerment of different segments of rural adults in Etche ethnic nationality for community development. The educational history of Etche ethnic nationality reveals a disproportionate emphasis on formal/liberal education at the expense of out-of-school education, the resultant effect of which has been over production of school leavers without practical skills. Consequently, unemployment and poverty manifestations are high and relate to low levels of literacy and lack of vocational skills among the adults and youths. As a matter of fact, this situation demands intervention of out-of-school education which is capable of providing unlimited education opportunities for mobilizing the capacities of various sub-groups of people in Etche ethnic nationality towards rapid transformation of the communities. Based on literature account, this paper submits that out-of-school education has crucial roles to play, whether in providing literacy skills to those who were deprived of formal schooling; or in continuing the education of already literate persons; or still, in providing life and vocational skills to enable rural adults live improved life which can translate to community development. In conclusion, the paper calls for establishment of out-of-school/non-formal education development schemes by Etche and Omuma Local Government Councils to perform for out-of-school education what zonal Schools Board and Ministry of Education do for formal school in Etche ethnic nationality.
Loitering Culture: Need Or Want
Authors: Jabar Faizan Abd , Razak Nor Hidayatun Abdul , Wahid Sharifah Norhuda Syed , Rahman Muhammad Zahran Abdul , Paino Halil
Published: April 2012

Quality of life becomes an emphasis in the process to reach vision 2020. However, the loitering culture among Malaysians as early as in the primary school until the higher level institution is still be a critical issue. Therefore, this paper aimed to investigate the factors that influenced secondary school students to loitering. This research involved 261 students from two daily schools in Pahang. Among them, 159 involved in loitering activities by which it means in every 10 students, six loiter. The finding shows that the main factor for them to do loitering is to release tension, and then followed by no activity to do, having fun with friends plus no complete recreational facilities around the community. These four factors may contribute to social problems such as vandalism, young smokers and baby dumping because negative attitude will occur among them whereby, they are starting to smoke and getting involved in other negative values. Besides that, family background and school also contribute to students to start loitering. Thus, the finding of this study is hoped to provide useful information in improving the quality of life especially in the rural area whereby the number of crimes among youngsters is increasing.   Keywords : loitering culture; quality of life; social problems; student.
The Current State of Total Shoulder Arthroplasty
Authors: Oh Joo Han , Song Byung Wook
Published: April 2012

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present article is to help orthopedic surgeons better understand the basic principles of unconstrained total shoulder arthroplasty, and to help them perform the best surgical technique for reconstruction.MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this article, we reviewed in depth current biomechanics, indications & contraindications, surgical techniques, complications and outcomes of unconstrained total shoulder arthroplasty. Additionally, we discussed current issues relevant to total shoulder arthroplasty such as whether a keeled or a pegged glenoid should be used.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: A thorough understanding of the biomechanics of total shoulder arthroplasty, and the technical details and problems in implantation, are critical to provide the best functional outcome and to avoid the risk of complications.
Enhancing De Novo Transcriptome Assembly by Incorporating Multiple Overlap Sizes
Authors: Chen Chien-Chih , Lin Wen-Dar , Chang Yu-Jung , Chen Chuen-Liang , Ho Jan-Ming
Published: April 2012

Background. The emergence of next-generation sequencing platform gives rise to a new generation of assembly algorithms. Compared with the Sanger sequencing data, the next-generation sequence data present shorter reads, higher coverage depth, and different error profiles. These features bring new challenging issues for de novo transcriptome assembly.
Methodology. To explore the influence of these features on assembly algorithms, we studied the relationship between read overlap size, coverage depth, and error rate using simulated data. According to the relationship, we propose a de novo transcriptome assembly procedure, called Euler-mix, and demonstrate its performance on a real transcriptome dataset of mice. The simulation tool and evaluation tool are freely available as open source. Significance. Euler-mix is a straightforward pipeline; it focuses on dealing with the variation of coverage depth of short reads dataset. The experiment result showed that Euler-mix improves the performance of de novo transcriptome assembly.
Determination of Naturally Occurring Formaldehyde Levels in Sap and Wood Tissue of Maple Trees Using Gas Chromatgraphy/Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Lagacé Luc , Gaudy Réjean , Perez-Locas Carolina , Sadiki Mustapha
Published: April 2012

The occurrence of formaldehyde in sap and wood tissue of treated and untreated maple sugar trees was investigated using GC/MS. Samples were collected at different periods of the 2009 season and at different locations in Quebec, Canada. The natural concentration of formaldehyde found in untreated samples varied according to periods and locations and ranged from below the LOQ to 1.82 mg/kg for sap samples and from 2.39 to 8.92 mg/kg of fresh tissue for wood samples. Late season samples tended to have higher concentrations of formaldehyde. Samples of sap and wood tissue from tapholes treated with solutions of formaldehyde showed increased concentrations of formaldehyde for many days after treatment and were clearly distinct from untreated samples. These results will be useful to elaborate new inspection procedures for sugarbushes to control the illegal use of formaldehyde.
Should the AOAC Use-Dilution Method Be Continued for Regulatory Purposes?
Authors: Omidbakhsh Navid
Published: April 2012

Despite its very poor reproducibility, AOAC INTERNATIONAL's use-dilution method (UDM) for bactericidal activity (AOAC Methods 964.02, 955.14, and 955.15) has been required by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) since 1953 for regulatory purposes, while methods with better reproducibility have been adopted in Canada and Australia. This study reviews UDM from a statistical perspective. Additionally, the test's expected results were compared to those obtained from actual evaluation of several formulations. Significant gaps have been identified in the reproducibility of the test data as predicted by statistical analysis and those presented to the EPA for product registration. UDM's poor reproducibility, along with its qualitative nature, requires the concentration of the active ingredient to be high enough to ensure all or most carriers to be free of any viable organisms. This is not in accord with the current trends towards sustainability, human safety, and environmental protection. It is recommended that the use of the method for regulatory purposes be phased out as soon as possible, and methods with better design and reproducibility be adopted instead.
Quantification of Meat Proportions by Measuring DNA Contents in Raw and Boiled Sausages Using Matrix-Adapted Calibrators and Multiplex Real-Time PCR
Authors: Köppel René , Eugster Albert , Ruf Jürg , Rentsch Jürg
Published: April 2012

The quantification of meat proportions in raw and boiled sausage according to the recipe was evaluated using three different calibrators. To measure the DNA contents from beef, pork, sheep (mutton), and horse, a tetraplex real-time PCR method was applied. Nineteen laboratories analyzed four meat products each made of different proportions of beef, pork, sheep, and horse meat. Three kinds of calibrators were used: raw and boiled sausages of known proportions ranging from 1 to 55% of meat, and a dilution series of DNA from muscle tissue. In general, results generated using calibration sausages were more accurate than those resulting from the use of DNA from muscle tissue, and exhibited smaller measurement uncertainties. Although differences between uses of raw and boiled calibration sausages were small, the most precise and accurate results were obtained by calibration with fine-textured boiled reference sausages.
Simultaneous Determination of Aminopyralid, Clopyralid, and Picloram Residues in Vegetables and Fruits Using Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Tandem Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Tian Yingying , Liu Xingang , Dong Fengshou , Xu Jun , Lu Caihong , Kong Zhiqiang , Wang Yunhao , Zheng Yongquan
Published: April 2012

A sensitive and effective method for the simultaneous quantitative determination of aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram in vegetables (eggplant, cucumber, and tomato) and fruits (apple and grape) was developed and validated using ultra-performance LC coupled with MS/MS. The three herbicides were successfully separated and independently confirmed in a single run. Different extraction and cleanup methods were used to optimize the pretreatment processes of the residue analysis method. The final method is straightforward and involves extraction with 1% formic acid–acetonitrile, and no complicated cleanup process is needed. Determination of the compounds was achieved within 3.0 min. Respective average recoveries using this method at four concentration levels (0.05, 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0 mg/kg) ranged from 66.5 to 109.4%, with RSDs in the range of 1.1–19.7% (n = 5) for all analytes. The LODs were below 0.010 mg/kg, and the LOQs did not exceed 0.036 mg/kg, which were lower than the maximum residue limits (MRLs) of 0.5–5.0 mg/kg clopyralid in vegetables and fruits samples, as established by the European Union. This study provides a theoretical basis for China to develop MRLs and an analytical method for aminopyralid, clopyralid, and picloram in vegetables and fruits.
AES Chemunex ADIAFOOD Detection System for Listeria spp. Environmental Sample Testing
Authors: Plante Daniel , Côté Yvan P , Giovannetti1 louisiane
Published: April 2012

The ADIAFOOD Detection System for the detection of Listeria species from environmental surfaces is based on realtime PCR technology and allows rapid pathogen detection within 21 h. The strength of the ADIAFOOD technology resides in its ability to rapidly and accurately detect Listeria species present on surfaces, such as stainless steel, plastic, ceramic, and sealed concrete. The technology is easy to use and versatile.
Efficient Isolation and Identification of Bacillus cereus Group
Authors: Tallent Sandra M , Kotewicz Kristin M , Strain Errol A , Bennett Reginald W
Published: April 2012

Bacillus cereus is a group of ubiquitous facultative anaerobic sporeforming Gram-positive rods commonly found in soil. The spores frequently contaminate a variety of foods, including produce, meat, eggs, and dairy products. Foodborne illnesses associated with toxins produced by B. cereus can result in self-limiting diarrhea or vomiting. Plate enumeration methods recommended by recognized food authorities to detect the presence of B. cereus in potentially contaminated food products do not inhibit other Gram-positive competitive bacteria. This study evaluated the use of Bacara, a new chromogenic agar, as an efficient method to identify and enumerate B. cereus group from food matrixes, even in the presence of background flora. Inclusivity and exclusivity testing was performed using four different selective and differential media for B. cereus, including Mannitol Egg Yolk Polymyxin (MYP), Polymyxin Pyruvate Egg-Yolk Mannitol Bromothymol Blue Agar, Bacillus Chromogenic Media, Brilliance, and Bacara. MYP and Bacara were also used in plate enumeration studies to isolate B. cereus from artificially contaminated foods.
Comprehensive GMO Detection Using Real-Time PCR Array: Single-Laboratory Validation
Authors: Mano Junichi , Harada Mioko , Takabatake Reona , Furui Satoshi , Kitta Kazumi , Nakamura Kosuke , Akiyama Hiroshi , Teshima Reiko , Noritake Hiromichi , Hatano Shuko , Futo Satoshi , Minegishi Yasutaka , Iizuka Tayoshi
Published: April 2012

We have developed a real-time PCR array method to comprehensively detect genetically modified (GM) organisms. In the method, genomic DNA extracted from an agricultural product is analyzed using various qualitative real-time PCR assays on a 96-well PCR plate, targeting for individual GM events, recombinant DNA (r-DNA) segments, taxon-specific DNAs, and donor organisms of the respective r-DNAs. In this article, we report the single-laboratory validation of both DNA extraction methods and component PCR assays constituting the real-time PCR array. We selected some DNA extraction methods for specified plant matrixes, i.e., maize flour, soybean flour, and ground canola seeds, then evaluated the DNA quantity, DNA fragmentation, and PCR inhibition of the resultant DNA extracts. For the component PCR assays, we evaluated the specificity and LOD. All DNA extraction methods and component PCR assays satisfied the criteria set on the basis of previous reports.