bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Cytauxzoon felis infection in domestic cats from southern Illinois
Authors: MacNeill Amy L , Barger Anne M , Skowronski Melissa C , Lanka Saraswathi , Maddox Carol W
Published: January 2015

Objectives

The objective of this study was to document Cytauxzoon felis infection in domestic cats from southern Illinois.

Methods

Diagnosis of cytauxzoonosis was based upon clinical signs of illness and detection of piroplasms within erythrocytes on peripheral blood smears or schizonts in internal organs consistent with Cytauxzoon infection. Additionally, genomic DNA was extracted from histologic sections of splenic tissue from two cats.

Results

The internal transcribed spacer region-1 (ITS-1) and ITS-2 of the C felis genome were successfully sequenced, confirming infection with the organism.

Conclusions and relevance

Sequence analysis of C felis DNA isolated from histologic lesions in two domestic cats from southern Illinois show either mixed infection or possible heterozygosity (cytosine and thymine) in ITS-2 at the position equivalent to nucleotide 76 (thymine) in the most commonly isolated C felis ITS-2 sequence. Identification of C felis infection in domestic cats from southern Illinois is a critical finding that raises awareness of this often fatal disease process in an area of the USA where, previously, the disease was only anecdotally reported.
Emulating global climate change impacts on crop yields
Authors: Oyebamiji Oluwole K , Edwards Neil R , Holden Philip B , Garthwaite Paul H , Schaphoff Sibyll , Gerten Dieter
Published: January 2015

The potential effects of climate change on the environment and society are many. In order to effectively quantify the uncertainty associated with these effects, highly complex simulation models are run with detailed representations of ecosystem processes. These models are computationally expensive and can involve a computer run of several days. Computationally cheaper models can be obtained from large ensembles of simulations using statistical emulation. The purpose of this article is to construct a cheaper computational model (emulator) from simulations of the Lund-Potsdam-Jena managed Land (LPJmL), which is a dynamic global vegetation and crop model. This article focuses on statistical emulation of potential crop yields from LPJmL and an emulator is constructed using a combination of ordinary least squares, principal component analysis and weighted least squares methods. For five climate models, under cross-validation, the percentage of variance explained ranges from 60 to 88% for the rainfed crops and 62 to 93% for the irrigated crops. The emulator can be used to predict potential crop yield change under any future climate scenarios and management options.
The performance of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of triangular fibrocartilage complex injury: a meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Z. X. , Chen S. L. , Wang Q. Q. , Liu B. , Zhu J. , Shen J.
Published: January 2015

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of triangular fibrocartilage complex injury through a meta-analysis. A comprehensive literature search was conducted before 1 April 2014. All studies comparing magnetic resonance imaging results with arthroscopy or open surgery findings were reviewed, and 25 studies that satisfied the eligibility criteria were included. Data were pooled to yield pooled sensitivity and specificity, which were respectively 0.83 and 0.82. In detection of central and peripheral tears, magnetic resonance imaging had respectively a pooled sensitivity of 0.90 and 0.88 and a pooled specificity of 0.97 and 0.97. Six high-quality studies using Ringler’s recommended magnetic resonance imaging parameters were selected for analysis to determine whether optimal imaging protocols yielded better results. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of these six studies were 0.92 and 0.82, respectively. The overall accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging was acceptable. For peripheral tears, the pooled data showed a relatively high accuracy. Magnetic resonance imaging with appropriate parameters are an ideal method for diagnosing different types of triangular fibrocartilage complex tears.

Level of Evidence: Diagnostic Level III
Dietary Therapy for Children With Congenital Solitary Functioning Kidney
Authors: Katzir Ze’ev , Biro Alexander , Cernes Relu , Barnea (Burbea) Zvi , Blumberg Sara
Published: January 2015

Background. Renal injury, proteinuria, and hypertension, are consequences of congenital solitary functioning kidney (CSFK). Renal injury appears around 10 years of age and requires dialysis by the age of 30 years. Low protein intake attenuated renal damage in animal experimental models, uninephrectomized patients, and kidney transplant donors and recipients. Low salt intake facilitates blood pressure control. Objective. Relevant data concerning CSFK patients have not been described so far. We decided to examine long-term preventing effects of protein restriction and low-salt diet on proteinuria, kidney function, and hypertension, in this distinct polulation. Methods. Twenty-eight children with CSFK were included in a prospective observational exposure series. Following parents’ agreement, protein and salt restriction—0.85 × recommended daily allowance (RDA)—was started under dietitian supervision. Compliance verification was performed by (a) monitoring urinary urea nitrogen and body weight, (b) measuring 24-hour urine sodium. Follow-up (8-22 years, mean 15.8 years) included clinical, growth and developmental assessment, renal function, and urine protein excretion. Results. Baseline data showed normal physical assessment, arterial blood pressure kidney functions, and urinalysis. One patient had ipsilateral kidney malformation and 2 patients had systemic pathologies. Adherence to dietary restrictions: 89 ± 8% for protein and 93 ± 5% salt. At the end of follow-up, 2 patients had chronic kidney disease grade I. None had hypertension, proteinuria, or growth and development deterioration. Conclusion. Strict follow-up and controlled dietary supervision for mild protein and salt restriction prevent kidney injury proteinuria and hypertension in CSFK, without insults on growth and development.
Microstructure and oxidation behaviour at 1100°C of HfC containing Cr rich iron based cast alloys
Authors: Berthod P. , Conrath E.
Published: January 2015

Three alloys containing 0·25–0·50 wt-C, 26–28 wt-Cr and 4–6 wt-Hf were elaborated by foundry. They contained a dendritic matrix and HfC carbides, which are expected to strengthen the alloy at high temperatures. They were exposed in air at 1100°C during 46 h. The aged microstructures displayed coarsened chromium carbides but no significant changes to the fraction or morphology of the HfC carbides. The surface characterisation of the oxidised samples showed that the alloys behaved well despite some localised instances of fast oxidation. The hardness was modified by the microstructure stabilisation achieved during the high temperature exposure. A preliminary test showed that the reinforcement by HfC may indeed lead to interesting creep resistance at 1100°C as had been hoped.
Health economic comparison of SLIT allergen and SCIT allergoid immunotherapy in patients with seasonal grass‐allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in Germany
Authors: Verheggen Bram G , Westerhout Kirsten Y , Schreder Carl H , Augustin Matthias
Published: January 2015

Background

Allergoids are chemically modified allergen extracts administered to reduce allergenicity and to maintain immunogenicity. Oralair® (the 5‐grass tablet) is a sublingual native grass allergen tablet for pre‐ and co‐seasonal treatment. Based on a literature review, meta‐analysis, and cost‐effectiveness analysis the relative effects and costs of the 5‐grass tablet versus a mix of subcutaneous allergoid compounds for grass pollen allergic rhinoconjunctivitis were assessed.

Methods

A Markov model with a time horizon of nine years was used to assess the costs and effects of three‐year immunotherapy treatment. Relative efficacy expressed as standardized mean differences was estimated using an indirect comparison on symptom scores extracted from available clinical trials. The Rhinitis Symptom Utility Index (RSUI) was applied as a proxy to estimate utility values for symptom scores. Drug acquisition and other medical costs were derived from published sources as well as estimates for resource use, immunotherapy persistence, and occurrence of asthma. The analysis was executed from the German payer's perspective, which includes payments of the Statutory Health Insurance (SHI) and additional payments by insurants. Comprehensive deterministic and probabilistic sensitivity analyses and different scenarios were performed to test the uncertainty concerning the incremental model outcomes.

Results

The applied model predicted a cost‐utility ratio of the 5‐grass tablet versus a market mix of injectable allergoid products of € 12,593 per QALY in the base case analysis. Predicted incremental costs and QALYs were € 458 (95% confidence interval, CI: € 220; € 739) and 0.036 (95% CI: 0.002; 0.078), respectively. Compared to the allergoid mix the probability of the 5‐grass tablet being the most cost‐effective treatment option was predicted to be 76% at a willingness‐to‐pay threshold of € 20,000. The results were most sensitive to changes in efficacy estimates, duration of the pollen season, and immunotherapy persistence rates.

Conclusions

This analysis suggests the sublingual native 5‐grass tablet to be cost‐effective relative to a mix of subcutaneous allergoid compounds. The robustness of these statements has been confirmed in extensive sensitivity and scenario analyses.
Thin-sections of painting fragments: opportunities for combined synchrotron-based micro-spectroscopic techniques
Authors: Pouyet Emeline , Fayard Barbara , Salomé Murielle , Taniguchi Yoko , Sette Francesco , Cotte Marine
Published: January 2015

Synchrotron Radiation (SR) - based techniques such as SR-μ Fourier Transform InfraRed (FTIR) spectroscopy, SR-μ X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF), SR-μ X-Ray Absorption Near Edge Spectroscopy (XANES) and SR-μ X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) are increasingly used for the study of cultural heritage materials, as they offer enhanced spatial resolution and chemical sensitivity. For such analyses, painting fragments are usually prepared as thick (typically several hundreds of micrometers) polished cross-sections. The capabilities of these SR techniques can be significantly improved (enhanced data quality, reduced acquisition time, new imaging capabilities, improved lateral and in-depth resolution, reduced dose, etc.) if carried out on thin-sections, i.e. less than ~30 μm in thickness. This paper discusses and illustrates the different motivations in terms of related increased analytical capabilities for SR-μFTIR, SR-μXRF, SR-μXANES and SR-μXRD. Corollary to the optimization of the procedures for single SR micro-analytical technique, a specific discussion is focused on the challenges of their combination.
Investing and Stopping
Authors: Duembgen Moritz , Rogers L. C. G.
Published: January 2015

In this paper we solve the hedge fund manager's optimization problem in a model that allows for investors to enter and leave the fund over time depending on its performance. The manager's payoff at the end of the year will then depend not just on the terminal value of the fund level, but also on the lowest and the highest value reached over that time. We establish equivalence to an optimal stopping problem for Brownian motion; by approximating this problem with the corresponding optimal stopping problem for a random walk we are led to a simple and efficient numerical scheme to find the solution, which we then illustrate with some examples.
On the Conditional Residual Life and Inactivity Time of Coherent Systems
Authors: Parvardeh A. , Balakrishnan N.
Published: January 2015

In this paper we derive mixture representations for the reliability functions of the conditional residual life and inactivity time of a coherent system with n independent and identically distributed components. Based on these mixture representations we carry out stochastic comparisons on the conditional residual life, and the inactivity time of two coherent systems with independent and identical components.
A Quenched Central Limit Theorem for Reversible Random Walks in a Random Environment on Z
Authors: Lam Hoang-Chuong
Published: January 2015

The main aim of this paper is to prove the quenched central limit theorem for reversible random walks in a stationary random environment on Z without having the integrability condition on the conductance and without using any martingale. The method shown here is particularly simple and was introduced by Depauw and Derrien [3]. More precisely, for a given realization ω of the environment, we consider the Poisson equation (Pω - I)g = f, and then use the pointwise ergodic theorem in [8] to treat the limit of solutions and then the central limit theorem will be established by the convergence of moments. In particular, there is an analogue to a Markov process with discrete space and the diffusion in a stationary random environment.
Type Transition of Simple Random Walks on Randomly Directed Regular Lattices
Authors: Campanino Massimo , Petritis Dimitri
Published: January 2015

Simple random walks on a partially directed version ofZ2are considered. More precisely, vertical edges between neighbouring vertices ofZ2can be traversed in both directions (they are undirected) while horizontal edges are one-way. The horizontal orientation is prescribed by a random perturbation of a periodic function; the perturbation probability decays according to a power law in the absolute value of the ordinate. We study the type of simple random walk that is recurrent or transient, and show that there exists a critical value of the decay power, above which it is almost surely recurrent and below which it is almost surely transient.
Uniform Chernoff and Dvoretzky-Kiefer-Wolfowitz-Type Inequalities for Markov Chains and Related Processes
Authors: Kontorovich Aryeh , Weiss Roi
Published: January 2015

We observe that the technique of Markov contraction can be used to establish measure concentration for a broad class of noncontracting chains. In particular, geometric ergodicity provides a simple and versatile framework. This leads to a short, elementary proof of a general concentration inequality for Markov and hidden Markov chains, which supersedes some of the known results and easily extends to other processes such as Markov trees. As applications, we provide a Dvoretzky-Kiefer-Wolfowitz-type inequality and a uniform Chernoff bound. All of our bounds are dimension-free and hold for countably infinite state spaces.
Building a plant: cell fate specification in the early Arabidopsis embryo
Authors: ten Hove Colette A. , Lu Kuan-Ju , Weijers Dolf
Published: January 2015

Embryogenesis is the beginning of plant development, yet the cell fate decisions and patterning steps that occur during this time are reiterated during development to build the post-embryonic architecture. In Arabidopsis, embryogenesis follows a simple and predictable pattern, making it an ideal model with which to understand how cellular and tissue developmental processes are controlled. Here, we review the early stages of Arabidopsis embryogenesis, focusing on the globular stage, during which time stem cells are first specified and all major tissues obtain their identities. We discuss four different aspects of development: the formation of outer versus inner layers; the specification of vascular and ground tissues; the determination of shoot and root domains; and the establishment of the first stem cells.
CoinFLP: a system for efficient mosaic screening and for visualizing clonal boundaries in Drosophila
Authors: Bosch Justin A. , Tran Ngoc Han , Hariharan Iswar K.
Published: January 2015

Screens in mosaic Drosophila tissues that use chemical mutagenesis have identified many regulators of growth and patterning. Many of the mutant phenotypes observed were contingent upon the presence of both wild-type and mutant cells in the same tissue. More recently, large collections of RNAi lines or cDNAs expressed under Gal4/UAS control have been used to alter gene expression uniformly in specific tissues. However, these newer approaches are not easily combined with the efficient generation of genetic mosaics. The CoinFLP system described here enables mosaic screens in the context of gene knockdown or overexpression by automatically generating a reliable ratio of mutant to wild-type tissue in a developmentally controlled manner. CoinFLP-Gal4 generates mosaic tissues composed of clones of which only a subset expresses Gal4. CoinFLP-LexGAD/Gal4 generates tissues composed of clones that express either Gal4 or LexGAD, thus allowing the study of interactions between different types of genetically manipulated cells. By combining CoinFLP-LexGAD/Gal4 with the split-GFP system GRASP, boundaries between genetically distinct cell populations can be visualized at high resolution.
A dynamic Shh expression pattern, regulated by SHH and BMP signaling, coordinates fusion of primordia in the amniote face
Authors: Hu Diane , Young Nathan M. , Li Xin , Xu Yanhua , Hallgrímsson Benedikt , Marcucio Ralph S.
Published: January 2015

The mechanisms of morphogenesis are not well understood, yet shaping structures during development is essential for establishing correct organismal form and function. Here, we examine mechanisms that help to shape the developing face during the crucial period of facial primordia fusion. This period of development is a time when the faces of amniote embryos exhibit the greatest degree of similarity, and it probably results from the necessity for fusion to occur to establish the primary palate. Our results show that hierarchical induction mechanisms, consisting of iterative signaling by Sonic hedgehog (SHH) followed by Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs), regulate a dynamic expression pattern of Shh in the ectoderm covering the frontonasal (FNP) and maxillary (MxP) processes. Furthermore, this Shh expression domain contributes to the morphogenetic processes that drive the directional growth of the globular process of the FNP toward the lateral nasal process and MxP, in part by regulating cell proliferation in the facial mesenchyme. The nature of the induction mechanism that we discovered suggests that the process of fusion of the facial primordia is intrinsically buffered against producing maladaptive morphologies, such as clefts of the primary palate, because there appears to be little opportunity for variation to occur during expansion of the Shh expression domain in the ectoderm of the facial primordia. Ultimately, these results might explain why this period of development constitutes a phylotypic stage of facial development among amniotes.
An Integrated Decision Model for Selection of Third Party Recovery Facilitator (3PRF) for Product Recovery Operations
Authors: Choudhary Divya , Madaan Jitendra , Narain Rakesh
Published: January 2015

Due to intricacies, considerable risks are involved in product recovery operations, therefore core competency and experience are prerequisite for successful implementation of Reverse Logistics (RL).To overcome this, organizations are outsourcing the recovery operations and are opting for Third Party Recovery Facilitators (3PRF) to obtain prominent results. This paper contributes by proposing a decision model to address risks associated with product recovery and suggesting criteria for suitable 3PRF selection. The study also introduces a novel approach, combining Interpretive Structural Modeling (ISM) and ELECTRE III methodologies to tackle this problem of 3PRF selection to improve decisions. ELECTRE III is a more reliable and pragmatic method, as it considers imprecision present in expert opinions and ensures that an extremely low score on a criterion cannot be compensated by good scores on other criteria. Subsequently, ISM methodology is used for identifying relationships among various criteria to determine the most significant ones. ELECTRE III method is then applied to select the most appropriate 3PRF based on the most significant criteria. The application of this novel approach can reduce risk involved and time during the process of recovery facilitator selection. Additionally, case study has been conducted to show the practical implementation of ELECTRE III methodology in selection process.DOI: 10.12660/joscmv7n2p37-58URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv7n2p27-58
Shared responsibility and reverse logistics systems for e-waste in Brazil
Authors: Migliano João Ernesto Brasil , Demajorovic Jacques , Xavier Lucia Helena
Published: January 2015

The National Policy for Solid Waste (NPSW), passed in 2010, established a system of shared responsibility for waste management in Brazil, including Waste of Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). This law requires the collection and disposal of technological waste through the implementation of Reverse Logistics Systems (RLS). In this study we discuss the main challenges and prospects in implementing WEEE reverse logistics in Brazil. The research was conducted through document analysis and interviews with different players, who are participants in the process of establishing a sector agreement. The findings suggest that the shared responsibility model proposed by the NPSW is not comprehensive enough to deal with the complexity of the Brazilian WEEE reverse chain. Based on this research we were able to propose a broader model covering the interrelationships among all the agents that interfere directly, indirectly, locally and abroad with the implementation of reverse logistics chain practices for electrical and electronic consumer goods in Brazil. DOI: 10.12660/joscmv7n2p91-109URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.12660/joscmv7n2p91-109
Conflicts in an Organisation
Authors: Кибанов  , Kibanov Ardalon
Published: January 2015

The paper considers the nature and the role of organizational confl icts in terms of ways an organization can manage these, as well as how to classify confl icts based on various attributes. Formation of the confl ict resolution studies as the theory and practice are characterized by stages of development. Key stages in the techniques for confl ict resolution in an organisation are provided, including psychological preparation for confl ict resolution, identifi cation of the real issue causing the confl ict, search for possible options to resolve the confl ict, elaboration and selection of confl ict resolution options, the process of confl ict resolution itself, completion of the confl ict resolution process.
Social Mobility Mechanisms and Social Risks
Authors: Гендин  , Gendin G.
Published: January 2015

The paper concerns the performance of social mobility mechanisms in Russia. It is emphasized that due to dysfunction of social mobility mechanism considerable social risks arise, which can cause, and have already caused throughout the past, disastrous consequences, and ultimately — collapse of the established order and loss of power by current elites. Old Soviet social mobility mechanisms, such as party membership-driven, have already seized to exist in nowadays Russia. New inherent to capitalism social mobility mechanisms, such as business-driven and proved to be eff ective in the West, are yet to come. Social mobility mechanism performance depends heavily not only on its functionality, but also on the extent to which its type matches with that of its «passenger» and thus career planning becomes a matter of utmost importance to each of the «passengers». It seems to be reasonable to develop a network of career planning services. The paper highlights two possible approaches to the issue of selecting optimal degree of state intervention in the labor market. Proponents of the fi rst approach believe, that the more market the better. They argue that the intervention should be minimal and at its lowest it would boost markets to prosper as a result of invisible hand of the market coming to play at the marketplace. Meanwhile, those advocating the second approach, believe that the state should directly support vulnerable groups of workers and provide them with certain advantages at the labor market. Such advantages can be off ered, for instance, through establishment of quotas system. It is necessary to tradeoff risks justifi ability in terms of the size of advances, assigned for workplaces created, with employers’ the real costs of creating new workplaces. Workplaces, fi nanced on the compensatory basis should cost more, as bearing less risks to a city, and correspondingly, workplaces created based on advancing, should cost less. It is suggested also to harmonize workplaces lifecycle with the cost of creating thereof. Under such conditions education as the traditional and also highly signifi cant to this country social mobility mechanism becomes of a special importance. Thus, when reforming educational sphere, it is necessary to take into account among others consequences those of social and political nature, particularly the rise of social risks of transition to fee-based education. Fee-based education would inevitably accelerate social diff erentiation and threaten social stability, as children from wealthier families, getting proper education would become more wealthy, while children from poorer families, unable to get sound education are doomed to get poorer.
Personnel Management Consulting: Conceptual Frameworks for Use
Authors: Клопотовская  , Klopotovskaya P. , Лукьянова  , Lukyanova Tatyana
Published: January 2015

Personnel management consulting is a relatively new field, developing in response to the need of organizations to improve and develop their personnel

management processes. This is evidenced by the growing market share and revenues, enjoyed by consulting companies as a result of executing various personnel

management projects. Despite rapid developments in practice the field of personnel management consulting yet lacks deep theoretical insights. The paper

outlines prerequisites for proper use of personnel management consulting, allowing to consider these activities as a separate fi eld of management consulting.

Also presented are managers’ reasons for employing professional consulting skills; principles and conditions for use of professional consulting services; outlined

are fields where personnel management consulting can be especially efficient.
Personnel Costs Management in an Organization (Lecture 4)
Authors: Митрофанова  , Mitrofanova Elena , Эсаулова  , Esaulova Irena
Published: January 2015

The paper continues the compendium of lectures on “Personnel Management Economics” under the Bachelor-degree program. The concept of «personnel costs»

is defi ned, personnel costs are classifi ed. Examined are factors, determining the size of an organization’s personnel costs. The system of personnel costs management

is characterized in terms of its essence and constituents, the objective of personnel costs management is clarifi ed, ways to manage it are revealed.

Also specifi ed is how to manage and control various categories of personnel costs, such as payroll costs, training costs, costs of a company’s social commitments

and social safeguard.
Ways to Recruit and Retain Specialists in Innovation-Oriented Organizations of Russia
Authors: Жигун  , ZHigun Lyeonid
Published: January 2015

The paper discusses how to create proper arrangements to attract and retain high-class professionals, innovation-oriented organizations are in need of. Key

elements of a vacant job attractiveness from the standpoint of a job seeker are highlighted. It is emphasized that conditional to retaining recruited workers is

the ability of employing company to meet the needs and wants on part of workers, as these are increasing as the production, labor, social and psychological

relations at work undergo changes. Attention is drawn to the fact, that wants and needs of well-qualifi ed employees diff er radically from those of conventional

workforce and to meet these conventional needs is insuffi cient to recruit and retain highly professional specialists. The analysis of gaps between employers’

requirements to personnel and counter requirements of innovation-driven specialists to job positions are analyzed based on the D. Goleman, R. Boyatzis and

A. McKee model, which breakdowns employees’ intellectual activities in four groups of emotional intelligence competences, namely, emotional self-awareness;

self-control; social sensitivity and relationship management. Based on results of analysis, the author puts forward a proposal, that the policies of recruiting

and retaining innovation-driven workers should be built on the foundation of scientifi c principles, set forth in this paper, thus enabling employers to set up

proper work conditions helpful to creative intellectual work in the given sphere of activities.
Infraspecific morphological and genome size variations in Linum glaucum in Iran
Authors: TALEBI SEYED MEHDI , SHEIDAI MASOUD , ATRI MORTEZA , SHARIFNIA FARIBA , NOORMOHAMMADI ZAHRA
Published: January 2015

Talebi SM, Sheidai M, Atri M, Sharifnia F, Noormohammadi Z. 2015. Infraspecific morphological and genome sizevariations in Linum glaucum in Iran. Biodiversitas 16: 69-78. There are many discussions about taxonomic position of Linum glaucumin different Flora. In this study, the morphological traits associated with the nuclear genome size were used for identification ofinfraspecific variations in the nine populations of L. glaucum. Twenty three qualitative and quantitative morphological characteristicswere investigated. The Analysis of variance tests showed significant difference for some morphological features. The CanonicalCorrespondence Analysis of habitat ecological factors showed that each of the habitats had prominent characteristics, and also Pearsonâ€™scoefficient of correlation confirmed the significant correlations between the morphological features in relation to ecological factors. Inthe morphological Unweighted Paired Group using Average method tree, populations were separated from each other, so that populationNo. 4 was separated from others. In the flow cytometery investigations, variation of about 1.19 times was presented between themaximum and minimum averages of the genome sizes in the populations. Minimum amount of genome size was found in populationsNo. 4. Significant correlations occurred between the nuclear genome size with habitat elevation as well as some of the quantitativemorphological features. The mentioned variations caused to difference between the populations and lead to creation of ecotype andecophene in the studied populations.
Response of Syngonium podophyllum L. "White Butterfly" shoot cultures to alternative media additives and gelling agents, and flow cytometric analysis of regenerants
Authors: DA SILVA JAIME A. TEIXEIRA
Published: January 2015

Abstract. Teixeira da Silva JA. 2015. Response of Syngonium podophyllum L. ‘White Butterfly’ shoot cultures to alternative media additives and gelling agents, and flow cytometric analysis of regenerants. Nusantara Bioscience 7: 26-32. Syngonium podophyllum L. (arrowhead vine) is a popular leafy indoor pot plant whose tissue culture has been established, primarily through in vitro shoot culture, but several interesting aspects have not yet been explored. In this study, cv. ‘White Butterfly’ was used to investigate the response of shoot formation to alternative gelling agents and media additives. Gellan gum (Gelrite®) at 2 g/L resulted in greater leaf production, plantlet fresh weight and higher chlorophyll content (SPAD value) than all other gelling agents tested, including agar, Bacto agar, phytagel, oatmeal agar, potato dextrose agar, barley starch and corn starch, when on a basal Hyponex® (NPK = 6.5: 6: 19; 3 g/L) medium. Several alternative liquid medium additives tested (low and full-fat milk, Coca-Cola®, coffee, Japanese green, Oolong, and Darjeeling teas) negatively impacted plant growth, stunted roots and decreased chlorophyll content (SPAD value) of leaves. Plant growth on medium with refined sucrose or table sugar responded similarly. Poor growth was observed when crude extract from a high rebaudioside-containing stevia (Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni) line - an artificial sweetener - was used. Leaf tissue from the control did not show any endopolyploidy but low levels of endopolyploidy (8C) were detected in some treatments.
Geographical distribution and ecological considerations of the Testudines fauna from Northeast Brazil
Authors: Moura Carina Carneiro de Melo , De Moura Geraldo Jorge Barbosa , Lisboa Elizardo Batista Ferreira , Luz Vera Lúcia Ferreira
Published: January 2015

The knowledge of natural history of the Brazilian species of turtles is still insipient because most information about these animals are restricted to a few records of occurrence, which in general are sparse in the literature or even in museums. The paucity of knowledge prevents broader approaches on various ecological and evolutionary aspects, which are primordial for conservation planning and management of the group. The large geographical extent, the environmental complexity, and the degradation of biomes in Northeast Brazil make the systematization of environmental and biological data on turtles from this region, which are compiled and discussed in this paper, highly important to contribute to the characterization of the conservation status of these species and therefore to subsidize the diagnosis of the environments associated to them.
Eficiência de fungos filamentosos no controle biológico da vassoura de bruxa do cacaueiro
Authors: Oliveira Moabe Mattos , De Assis Fábia Giovana Do Val , Leal Patrícia Lopes
Published: January 2015

We analyzed the fungi efficiency in the biological control of witches’ broom disease in different experimental conditions (laboratory, greenhouse, and field) through a systematic review of the literature. Species/isolates were divided into three groups and the mean efficiency of these microorganisms was assessed. The groups were represented by the genera Trichoderma (51.5% efficiency) and Clonostachys (38%), and the endophytic fungi (22%). Nevertheless, experimental conditions may affect the biological control efficiency. Trichoderma and Clonostachys were the most efficient genera in reducing the incidence of witches´ broom disease and also the most used in biocontrol this phytopathogenicity.
Mapeamento e avaliação ecológica de Áreas de Preservação Permanente do rio Catu, Alagoinhas, Bahia, Brasil
Authors: Vaz Grice Anne Dos Santos , Matos Mara Rojane Barros de
Published: January 2015

The Catu river micro-basin is part of the North Reconcavo Hydrographic Basin that has been experiencing degradation due to anthropogenic disturbances during recent decades. To better understand the status of the Catu river, the present study evaluated and mapped the ecological integrity of the vegetation fragments in the Permanent Preservation Area along its banks. We used the Relative Ecological Vulnerability index, the landscape connectivity, the Fluvial Functionality Index and a decision-making key for recovering degraded areas. Our results show that forest fragments along the Catu river are very isolated and more than 50% are highly vulnerable to biodiversity losses. The lowest level of fluvial functionality was found in urban areas and the highest in a remnant forest area within the city of Alagoinhas. In addition to the implementation of key actions for the recovery of the areas diagnosed, higher enforcement of environmental laws will be required, as well as urban planning reviews.
‘Alas, alas. House, oh house!’: The collapse of the Cologne City Archive
Authors: Osborne Dora
Published: January 2015

When the Historical Archive of the City of Cologne (known as Cologne’s City Archive) collapsed in 2009, a municipal institution became visible in quite unintended ways. The incident and its consequences tell us about the structure, constitution and regulation of the archive as such but also about the significance of the archive for the memory culture that shapes Germany today. This article turns to the collapse to show how the archive is implicated in the politics of the city and of memory. In the midst of other local scandals, the disaster has become an emblem of political and moral breakdown in Cologne, but it has also confronted citizens with the loss of something fundamental – given, but perhaps not acknowledged – to their identity. This article outlines the response to the incident more broadly, before focusing on works by the British Jewish artist Tanya Ury (Fury, 2009, archive burn out, 2014) and the Austrian writer Elfriede Jelinek (Ein Sturz/A Fall, 2010), which use the former archive as a site of resistance, challenging the prescriptive, patriarchal logic of the archive and its implications for the culture and politics of memory.
Urban tellurics in Barcelona: Between a Heideggerian rock and a postmodern swimming pool
Authors: Illas Edgar
Published: January 2015

This article reflects on the possibility of resisting globalization by relying on some sense of the local as found in public art and public space. The term ‘urban tellurics’ explores how the notion of the tellurics of place, which I derive from Heidegger’s thinking and from Kenneth Frampton’s proposal for a Critical Regionalist architecture of resistance, interacts with the reality of endless urbanization within global capitalism. To articulate this relation, I focus on a singular public space in Barcelona, the Parc de la Creueta del Coll, designed in 1987 by the architectural firm MBM. The park was ‘sculpted’ on the slopes of a former stone quarry and includes a sculpture by Basque sculptor Eduardo Chillida that hangs above a swimming pool. Heidegger considered Chillida’s work the most precise embodiment of his thought on art and space. Thus, focusing on the tension between the telluric elements of the park and the flat surface of the swimming pool provides a good occasion to reflect on the contradictions between Heideggerian rootedness and the flatness of capitalist globalization. ‘Urban tellurics’ aims to enable forms of spatial resistance that are neither reactionary returns to the provinces, nor mere celebrations of city diversity, nor simple manifestations of political struggle.
Let your data run free? The challenge of data redaction in paleontological collections
Authors: Norris Christopher A , Butts Susan
Published: January 2015

The data associated with museum collections are essential components for many types of analysis. Geodetic information, such as latitude and longitude, in particular, are necessary in the analysis of paleontological data sets when investigating the effect of climate change on biodiversity. However, the release of geodetic information can be problematic when those data are used to deplete paleontological resources. This problem and others (such as overcollecting and impact on sensitive ecosystems) are discussed in all disciplines of natural history. Herein we discuss the problem as it pertains to paleontological collections, with particular reference to collections and digitization objectives in the USA, discuss strategies employed for data redaction, and make the case for allowing almost all locality data to be released in the interest of science and an obligation to the public.
Weak solutions of inverse mean curvature flow for hypersurfaces with boundary
Authors: Marquardt Thomas
Published: January 2015

We consider the evolution of hypersurfaces with boundary under inverse mean curvature flow. The boundary condition is of Neumann type, i.e. the evolving hypersurface moves along, but stays perpendicular to, a fixed supporting hypersurface. In this setup, we prove existence and uniqueness of weak solutions. Furthermore, we indicate the existence of a monotone quantity which is the analog of the Hawking mass for closed hypersurfaces.
Damage evolution in wood – pattern recognition based on acoustic emission (AE) frequency spectra
Authors: Baensch Franziska , Sause Markus G.R. , Brunner Andreas J. , Niemz Peter
Published: January 2015

Tensile tests on miniature spruce specimens have been performed by means of acoustic emission (AE) analysis. Stress was applied perpendicular (radial direction) and parallel to the grain. Nine features were selected from the AE frequency spectra. The signals were classified by means of an unsupervised pattern recognition approach, and natural classes of AE signals were identified based on the selected features. The algorithm calculates the numerically best partition based on subset combinations of the features provided for the analysis and leads to the most significant partition including the respective feature combination and the most probable number of clusters. For both specimen types investigated, the pattern recognition technique indicates two AE signal clusters. Cluster A comprises AE signals with a relatively high share of low-frequency components, and the opposite is true for cluster B. It is hypothesized that the signature of rapid and slow crack growths might be the origin for this cluster formation.
A CFD Study of the Effects of Feed Diameter on the Pressure Drop in Acyclone Separator
Authors: Rezvanivand Fanayi A. , Nikbakht A. M.
Published: January 2015

This work presents a Computational Fluid Dynamics approach to evaluate the effects of feed diameter on the pressure drop and magnitude velocity in an aerocyclone utilized in feed processing machinery. Traditionally cyclone separators have been used in agro-industry as pre-screening devices to separate coarse suspended particles (diameter>10 µm) from a gas stream, which is subsequently cleaned of fine particles using some other techniques. Hence particle diameter plays a major role in the quality of separation. Study includes five levels of particle diameters (10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 µm) and their impact on the performance of the cyclone. Pressure drop values were estimated to be 601, 668, 787, 840 and 894 Pa for diameters of 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 µm, respectively. Also magnitude velocity values were estimated to be 19.4, 19.6, 20.3, 20.6 and 20.9 ms−1 for diameters of 10, 15, 25, 50 and 100 µm.
Seasonal distribution of red deer (Cervus e/aphus) in a forest-agriculture habitat in Hungary
Authors: Bíró Zsolt , Szemethy László , Katona Krisztián , Heltai Miklós , Petö Zoltán
Published: January 2015

Habitat use by red deer (Gervus e/aphus L. 1758) in forest and grassland habitats is relatively well known; however, few studies have been carried out in forest-agriculture habitats. We conducted seasonal track and bed site counts to estimate annual changes in red deer density and describe annual habitat in a Hungarian lowland area between 1995 and 2000. We found that the entire red deer population grouped into the forest in winter, while its presence during the vegetation growth period (mainly in summer) increased in agricultural areas, when track and bed site density between these two areas were equal. Our results do not support the notion that forests are abandoned in summer for agricultural food resources of better quality. Likewise, water resource locations had no significant influence on the population distribution. We conclude that increasing population density could lead to an expansion of the area occupied by the population during the vegetation growth period, i.e., when agricultural areas can provide suitable conditions for red deer.
Systematic relationships of the Guianan brush-tailed rat (Isothrix sinnamariensis ) and its first occurrence in Guyana / Systématique du rat à queue en brosse de Guyane ( Isothrix sinnamariensis ) et première découverte en Guyane
Authors: Lim Burton K. , Engstrom Mark D. , Patton John C. , Bickham John W.
Published: January 2015

Isothrix sinnamariensis was originally described and known only from French Guiana. We document the first occurence of this species from Guyana. A single sub-adult male was collected in lowland tropical rainforest near the headwaters of the Essequibo River. Although smaller in external and cranial size than the two adult females of the type description, our third known specimen represents the basal lineage to the type-series clade, with an average sequence difference of 1.72% based on cytochrome b mitochondrial DNA sequences. However, the degree of morphological and genetic divergence (2.67%) between I. sinnamariensis and its sister taxon I. pagurus is substantially less than the chromosomal differences originally used to distinguish them as two separate species. In contrast, distinctive karyotypes, morphological differences, and higher levels of mtDNA divergence (13.48%) between the other two species recognized, I. negrensis that was recently separated from I. bistriata , suggest an earlier and deeper diversification for these taxa.
Nouvelles données sur les cétacés des îles Kerguelen / New data on cetaceans of the Kerguelen Islands
Authors: Robineau Daniel , Duhamel Guy
Published: January 2015

Des observations nouvelles et quelques échouages complètent le premier bilan faunistique établi en 1989 pour les îles Kerguelen. Aux neuf espèces identifiées précédemment ( Eubalaena glacialis , Balaenoptera acutorostrata , Megaptera novaeangliae , Physeter macrocephalus , Mesoplodon layardii , Cephalorhynchus commersonii , Lagenorhynchus cruciger , Orcinus orca , et Globicephala melas ) s'ajoutent, grâce à des échouages, deux nouvelles espèces: Ziphius cavirostris et Hyperoodon planifrons . En outre, la présence occasionnelle de Phocoena dioptrica est confirmée. L'événement le plus marquant est cependant le grand nombre d'observations (n=1649) de cachalots ( Physeter macrocephalus ) faites depuis 1989 au delà du plateau des îles, dans une zone peu fréquentée autrefois par les bateaux de pêche. Pour le dauphin de Commerson ( Cephalorhynchus commersonii ), espèce la plus commune, des données biologiques et écologiques s'ajoutent aux données faunistiques. Nous faisons également état, pour trois espèces ( Physeter macrocephalus , Orcinus orca , et Globicephala melas ), d'interactions avec la pêcherie à la palangre de la légine australe ( Dissostichus eleginoides ).
Distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in Karnataka, India / Distribution et abondance relative des espèces d'écureuils géants et volants à Karnataka, Inde
Authors: Kumara Honnavalli N. , Singh Mewa
Published: January 2015

We assessed the distribution and relative abundance of giant squirrels and flying squirrels in the state of Karnataka, India. Two species of giant squirrels, the Indian giant squirrel and the grizzled giant squirrel, and two species of flying squirrel, the large brown flying squirrel and the small Travancore flying squirrel, were found to occur in Karnataka. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels were more widely distributed than the other two species. The distributional range included the forests of the Western and Eastern Ghats. However, their distribution was confined only to forests with tall trees. Indian giant squirrels and large brown flying squirrels occur in both deciduous and evergreen forests. Small Travancore flying squirrels occupied high-rainfall evergreen forests on western slopes in the Western Ghats, and the grizzled giant squirrels occupy riverine forests. This report of the small Travancore flying squirrel is the first of this species from Karnataka, and this population is the most northern population of its distributional range. Hunting was found to be a major threat, and influenced the abundance of all species except the grizzled giant squirrel. Hunting was primarily for domestic consumption.
Estimation of population density of Eidolon helvum on the island of Príncipe, Gulf of Guinea / Estimation de densité de population de Eidolon helvum sur l'île de Príncipe, Golfe de Guinée
Authors: Dallimer Martin , King Tony , Cope David , Borge Jiana Manuel
Published: January 2015

Eidolon helvum is a widespread African fruit bat. It is migratory and can form colonies of millions of individuals. On Príncipe, in the Gulf of Guinea, there are seemingly large numbers of E. helvum . Here, they have lost their migratory behaviour and rely on the availability of the year-round food resources on the island, which is small (128 km