bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Presentation of a Conceptual Model for Central Bank Supervision over Banks with a Grounded Theory Approach
Authors: Zohrabi Hamzeh , Raeispour Ali , Mohammadi-Moghadam Yusuf , Ahmadi Ali Akbar
Published: March 2024

Objective: The aim of this research was to present a conceptual model for Central Bank supervision over banks with a grounded theory approach. Method: In this study, the grounded theory research approach based on parametric methods is employed. The statistical population of this research comprises experts and professionals in the field of central banking, capable of providing valuable information to the researcher. Sampling in this research has been conducted purposively. For this purpose, the qualitative samples of this research consist of 15 experts and professionals knowledgeable in the field of central banking. Data analysis of this research has been performed following the procedures of Strauss and Corbin (2011) at the Central Bank. Findings: According to the findings of the current research, factors such as government ownership in banks and changes in bank ownership, the impact of general economic conditions, the role of governance and government in supervision, government intervention in decision-making and management of the banking system, and the necessity of consistency and unity of approach in supervision are influential as intervening conditions on the strategies of the supervisory model. Further, the readiness of managers and experts in the banking system to accept the model, creating economic and social conditions meaning stability in the economic situation based on macroeconomic variables, attention to the characteristics of the banking industry as intermediaries in allocating surplus resources of some economic sectors to others in need of financial resources, and defining a suitable position for the supervisory institution in terms of ensuring the independence of the supervisory body, and providing sufficient authority in supervision were contextual conditions. Then, strategies for the success of the supervisory model were presented, including the identification and assessment of major risks in the banking industry such as credit risk, liquidity risk, market risk, and operational risk, in terms of structure and risk management methods, related analyses, and their impact on the future outlook of each bank's activities. Conclusion: Strategic analyses regarding the distribution of granted loans, commitments, investments in affiliated companies, and the status of bank reserves, assets, and collaterals, and the presentation of precautionary plans during economic shocks or potential crises are among the strategies of each bank.
Presenting a Competitive Advantage-Based Technology Transfer Model Through a Grounded Theory Approach
Authors: Ahmadi Pooneh , Heidari Abbas , Shokrollahpour Elsa
Published: March 2024

Objective: In today's world, the aviation industry has become one of the most significant industries globally due to the ever-increasing global population and the rising demand for air travel. To enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve passenger experience, airline companies are seeking to transfer technologies based on competitive advantage and utilize big data to better their processes and decision-making. The current research aims to present a competitive advantage-based technology transfer model grounded in the grounded theory approach. Method: The research methodology employed is qualitative, based on the grounded theory strategy. Deep interview techniques were used for data collection. Through purposive sampling, theoretical saturation was achieved after 11 in-depth interviews. Findings: The grounded theory approach in this study entailed three coding stages: open, axial, and selective, identifying 22 general categories within a paradigm including causal conditions, context, intervening conditions, core categories, strategies, and outcomes. Conclusion: The results indicate that in today's competitive business environment, airline companies are looking for ways to increase efficiency, improve passenger experience, reduce costs, and achieve a competitive advantage. To achieve such goals, the transfer of data-based technologies and competitive advantage is proposed as a significant strategy.
Elevating Precision in Kidney Injury Management: Unraveling the Impact of Serum Cystatin C Levels – A Cohort Study in Lahore Hospitals
Authors: Rafiq Muhammad Faisal , Fatima Zarrien , Khaliq Hafiz Muhammad Haseeb , Nasir Ashbail , Tahir Muhammad Noman , Yasin Aqsa , Sarwar Iqra
Published: March 2024

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) pose significant challenges in clinical diagnostics due to late presentation and the influence of non-renal factors on traditional biomarkers. Serum creatinine, while commonly used, lacks sensitivity in early-stage kidney dysfunction due to its delayed elevation post-reduction in glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Serum cystatin C, on the other hand, is not influenced by muscle mass, age, gender, or ethnicity, and thus presents as a potential early biomarker for kidney injury.
Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of serum cystatin C compared to serum creatinine in early detection of renal dysfunction in AKI patients, assessing its correlation with renal decline and potential as a predictor for patient outcomes.
Methods: In a cohort study over two years at a tertiary care hospital, 200 healthy individuals and 130 AKI patients were assessed. Serum cystatin C and creatinine levels were measured using ELISA and chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA) respectively. Demographics, clinical statistics, and Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated, followed by multiple logistic regression analyses for GFR. Statistical significance was established at P<0.001.
Results: Results indicated that in the early phase of AKI, 56.2% of patients had normal serum creatinine levels, whereas serum cystatin C levels were elevated in all patients. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient between serum creatinine and cystatin C was significant (<0.01). Multiple logistic regression revealed cystatin C-based GFR was a more reflective indicator of declining GFR than creatinine-based GFR (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Serum cystatin C is a superior biomarker to serum creatinine for early detection of kidney dysfunction in AKI patients, facilitating earlier and potentially more effective therapeutic interventions. This finding could lead to significant improvements in patient prognosis and the management of kidney disease.
Relationship of Oral Hygiene and Oral Mucositis with Concurrent Chemo-Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancers
Authors: Shafique Sana , Siddique Hajra , Rahim Rida Gul , Haroon Husna Maab
Published: March 2024

Background: Oral mucositis is a common and debilitating side effect of concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers, significantly affecting patient quality of life and treatment continuity. Previous studies have highlighted the potential role of oral hygiene in mitigating the severity of mucositis, yet standardized care protocols remain underexplored.
Objective: To investigate the relationship between oral hygiene and the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers.
Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over six months at the Oncology Department of Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi, with a sample size of 100 patients. Patients aged 18-70 years with histopathologically confirmed head and neck cancers and an ECOG performance status of 2 or less were included. Oral hygiene was assessed using a standardized scale, and mucositis was graded post-therapy using the CTCAE version 5.0 criteria. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 with Chi-square tests and ordinal logistic regression.
Results: The study found that 44% of patients with poor oral hygiene developed moderate to severe mucositis (grades 2 and 3), compared to 24% with grade 2 and 5% with grade 3 mucositis in the good oral hygiene group. The difference in mucositis severity between the two groups was statistically significant (P < 0.01).
Conclusion: The maintenance of good oral hygiene is significantly associated with a lower severity of mucositis in patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancers. This association suggests that standardized oral care protocols should be an integral part of cancer treatment to improve patient outcomes.
Contribuição da produtividade do trabalho na variação do emprego agrícola de Minas Gerais entre 2006 e 2019
Authors: Salazar Marlon Bruno , Vieira Siqueira de Arantes Manuel
Published: March 2024

O objetivo do trabalho é decompor a variação de empregos de 12 culturas da agricultura mineira em quatro efeitos: intensidade da mão de obra, produtividade da área plantada, estrutura e área, buscando determinar qual dos quatro efeitos teve a maior contribuição para a variação do nível de emprego no setor agrícola mineiro entre 2006 e 2019. São utilizados dados da Relação Anual de Informações Sociais (RAIS) e da Pesquisa Agrícola Municipal (PAM). A metodologia utilizada é o Log-Mean Divisia Index Method I (LMDI I) que decompõe o emprego agrícola em diferentes efeitos. A principal conclusão é que o efeito intensidade foi o principal responsável pela perda de postos de trabalho para as culturas analisadas. Houve redução do número de trabalhadores devido ao crescimento relativo de culturas menos intensivas em mão de obra. Por fim, o aumento de área colhida contribuiu para a menor perda de empregos no campo.
GREEN OPEN SPACE PADA KOTA TANGERANG PROVINSI BANTEN
Authors: Eko Adhy Setiawan
Published: March 2024

Penelitian deksripsi kualitatif ini membahas metode green open space system yang diterapkan di Kota Tangerang. Dengan tujuan jenis ruang terbuka hijau apa saja yang dapat dimanfaatkan dalam pembentukan green open space system di Kota Tangerang untuk meningkatkan luasan ruang terbuka hijau. Metode yang dilakukan dengan menginventarisasi dan identifikasi ruang terbuka hijau, kemudian dilakukan pemetaan ruang terbuka hijau berdasarkan tata guna lahan. Menggunakan analisis data sebagai upaya mendeskripsikan data sehingga tersusun pengetahuan yang tersembunyi di dalam data. Analisis juga mengubah data yang sulit dipahami menjadi mudah dan dikomunikasikan. Teknik yang digunakan untuk secara deskriptif dan over lay, yang digunakan untuk menemukan ruang terbuka hijau yang sesuai dengan karakteristik tata guna lahannya (land use), untuk  menghasilkan profil ruang terbuka hijau sebagai green open space system (GOS System), sebagai upaya meningkatkan luasan ruang terbuka hijau di Kota Tangerang  Banten.
Analisis Swot Sebagai Landasan Dalam Menentukan Strategi Pemasaran Oleh Two Mart Swalayan
Authors: Rahman Ahmad Vajri , Nofritar Nofritar
Published: March 2024

This research was conducted at Two Mart Swalayan which is a business engaged in the retail sector in the city of Padang, the background underlying this research is the unstable sales problem experienced by Two Mart Swalayan in the last 2 years which tends to fall slightly in the middle. in the last year, so an analysis is needed to identify the causes of the problem and the right marketing strategy is needed to overcome it. The method used is a SWOT analysis with IFAS and EFAS matrices and a cartesian diagram of SWOT analysis.The results showed that the position of Two Mart Swalayan is in quadrant II because it has the highest strategy score SO = 5.361, followed by other strategy scores SO = 4.973, WT = 3.302 and WO = 2.914. In this condition, the suitable marketing strategy to use is ST (Strength - Threats), which is a diversification strategy, where this diversification strategy is a way to manage risks by minimizing potential hazards by exploiting existing opportunities. Diversification strategies that can be used are such as horizontal diversification, namely adding non-existing products and providing new services with the use of technology so as to make customers more interested in shopping at Two Mart Swalayan
Pengembangan Talenta Muda Untuk Mendapatkan Peluang Bisnis Oleh Hobi Kayu Padang (HKP)
Authors: Fenia Selvi Zola
Published: March 2024

Tujuan penelitian ini  untuk menggali peran komunitas Hobi-Kayu Padang (HKP) dalam mengembangkan bakat  anggota untuk menangkap peluang bisnis, serta potensi dan penghambatan komunitas Hobi-Kayu Padang (HKP) dalam menumbuhkan anggota. faktor. ' Bakat untuk mendapatkan peluang bisnis. Penelitian ini menggunakan pendekatan kualitatif dengan observasi, wawancara dan dokumentasi sebagai alat penelitian. Temuan penelitian menunjukkan bahwa komunitas HKP harus membimbing anggota masyarakat untuk menemukan dan mengembangkan bakat. Peran masyarakat dalam mengembangkan talenta untuk  peluang bisnis adalah melengkapi sarana dan prasarana,  aktif bekerja sama dengan pemerintah, mengadakan kompetisi, mengoptimalkan penggunaan teknologi, melibatkan tenaga profesional, dan memberikan pelatihan. Dukungan lingkungan, motivasi diri, dan keuntungan finansial menjadi faktor yang membantu masyarakat Hobi Kayu Padang (HKP) dalam menangkap peluang usaha, sedangkan faktor penghambat antara lain kurangnya wawasan dan kesulitan mencari saran ahli, termasuk kelemahan sektor pendanaan
Gaya Kepemimpinan Dan Kesejahteraan Karyawan Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Melalui Komitmen Organisasi
Authors: Wulandari Putri Viki
Published: March 2024

PT. Laras Internusa adalah perusahaan yang bergerak dibidang perkebunan kelapa sawit yang dapat menghasilkan buah sawit. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk mengetahui bagaimana Pengaruh Gaya Kepemimpinan dan Kesejahteraan Karyawan Terhadap Kinerja Karyawan Dengan Komitmen Organisasi Sebagai Variabel Intervening Pada PT. Laras Internusa,perusahaan ini memiliki beberapa masalah seperti: Kurang tegaspimpinan terhadap karyawan, kesejahteraan masih rendah, rendahnya keahlian karyawan tentang perkebunan dan komitmen masih rendah. Penelitian ini menggunakan metode kuantitatif dengan alat analisis SmartPls 3 dan teknik pengumpulan data melakukan penyebaran kuesioner secara langsung ke perusahaan menggunakan skala likert dengan jumlah sampel 48 orang responden. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa variabel yang paling dominan yaitu Gaya Kepemimpinan mempengaruhi Komitmen Organisasi secara positif dan signifikan, jika Gaya Kepemimpinan diterapkan dengan baik, maka Komitmen akan meningkat. Kesejahteraan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Kinerja Karyawan, menunjukan bahwa semakin baik Kesejahteraan pada perusahaan maka semakin meningkat Kinerja Karyawan.Sedangkan pengaruh tidak langsung paling dominan adalah Gaya Kepemimpinan berpengaruh positif dan signifikan terhadap Kinerja melalui Komitmen. Jika Kepemimpinan dilakukan dengan efektif, maka Kinerja menjadi baik, dan karyawan puas dengan yang mereka lakukan, sehingga komitmen perusahaan juga meningkat.
The effect of using the platform, morning units with human combat models to develop some types of punching and kicking movements for elite men in special operations
Authors: M. Riyadh Abdul-Hussein Abu-Jari
Published: March 2024

Preparation of exercises in the morning units with combat human models to develop some types of punching and kicking for elite men in special operations, and learn about the impact of exercises in the morning units with combat human models to develop some types of punching and kicking for elite men in special operations, and the researcher used the curriculum The experimental in his study and the sample of the search of the fighters of the course (58) for the Iraqi special Forces, the total number (850) fighter and selected (60) fighters were divided into two groups of officers and experimental and conducted the tribal tests at 9 a.m. and the experiment in the military field of the course The training modules were also conducted on a daily morning, one month, 30 training modules, and the tests were carried out and the statistics were extracted by the statistical pouch (SPSS), and in section 4, the results were presented, analyzed and discussed In the fifth part, the researcher found that there were statistically significant differences in the tests of the tribal punching and kicking and in favor of the dimensional Test in the experimental group, which indicates that the sample has evolved well.The recommendations were to mainstream the morning modules with human models for the development of combat capability with white weapons for elite fighters.
A study of some sports injuries among soccer players in Salah Al-Din Governorate clubs for the second degree
Authors: طه غافل عبدالله الطائي
Published: March 2024

تعد لعبة كرة القدم اكثر الالعاب الشعبية في العالم والتي يزاولها الافراد من الجنسين في كافة المراحل العمرية، كما انها من الالعاب التي يتعرض فيها اللاعبين الى اصابات عديدة نتيجة لأسباب مختلفة قد تمنع هذا الاصابات اللاعبين من المشاركة في المباراة وتعيق ادائهم البدني والمهاري والخططي اثناء المباراة، لذا كان من الضروري التعرف على الاصابات الرياضية الاكثر شيوعا لدى لاعبين كرة القدم وتحديدها من قبل المختصين وتشخيصها للمدربين واللاعبين والعاملين في هذا المجال من اجل وضع برنامج وقائي سواءً في فترة الاعداد والتدريب او المباريات وتزويد اللاعبين بالمعلومات والارشادات الصحية وطرق التعامل مع الاصابات الرياضية المختلفة. أما مشكلة البحث : برزت مشكلة البحث للإجابة على التساؤلات التالية : ما هي اكثر الاصابات شيوعا لدى لاعبي كرة القدم؟ وما هي اكثر الاجزاء في الجسم عرضة للإصابة ؟ وما هي اكثر الاسباب المؤدية الى هذه الاصابات ؟، أما بالنسبة هدف الدراسة: يهدف إلى التعرف على اكثر الإصابات شيوعا لدى لاعبين كرة القدم, اما منهج البحث تم استخدام المنهج الوصفي بطريقة المسح لتحقيق أهداف البحث وتمثل مجتمع البحث وعينته بلاعبين كرة القدم المشاركين في بطولة المحافظة والبالغ عددهم (122) لاعبا، وتم استخدام الوسط الحسابي والانحراف المعياري والنسبة المئوية كوسائل إحصائية للوصول إلى نتائج البحث. واستنتج الباحث ان اكثر الإصابات التي تعرض لها اللاعبين هي الكدمات ثم الشد العضلي, وأوصى الباحث الى ضرورة الاهتمام باللاعبين وإعدادهم بدنيا للوقاية من الإصابات الرياضية.
Læring i krise: Barrierer for erfaringsopsamling i turbulente tider
Authors: Dahlberg Rasmus , Hagedorn Krogh Andreas
Published: March 2024

Hvordan og hvad lærer samfund af kriser – og hvad forhindrer læring? I denne artikel identificerer vi fem barrierer for læring og erfaringsopsamling under og efter større samfundskriser: Kompleksitet og turbulens, unikhed, krav om hurtig handling, involvering af mange aktører og politisering. På baggrund heraf peger vi på metalæring som middel til at undgå fejllæring og understøtte udviklingen af robuste krisestyringssystemer i turbulente tider. Dette indebærer blandt andet praksisnær følgeforskning, mens kriserne pågår, og indførelsen af læringsprincippet som det ottende princip for krisestyring i Danmark.
Heat stress impairs centromere structure and segregation of meiotic chromosomes in Arabidopsis
Authors: Khaitova Lucie Crhak , Mikulkova Pavlina , Pecinkova Jana , Kalidass Manikandan , Heckmann Stefan , Lermontova Inna , Riha Karel
Published: March 2024

Heat stress is a major threat to global crop production, and understanding its impact on plant fertility is crucial for developing climate-resilient crops. Despite the known negative effects of heat stress on plant reproduction, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the impact of elevated temperature on centromere structure and chromosome segregation during meiosis in
Arabidopsis thaliana
. Consistent with previous studies, heat stress leads to a decline in fertility and micronuclei formation in pollen mother cells. Our results reveal that elevated temperature causes a decrease in the amount of centromeric histone and the kinetochore protein BMF1 at meiotic centromeres with increasing temperature. Furthermore, we show that heat stress increases the duration of meiotic divisions and prolongs the activity of the spindle assembly checkpoint during meiosis I, indicating an impaired efficiency of the kinetochore attachments to spindle microtubules. Our analysis of mutants with reduced levels of centromeric histone suggests that weakened centromeres sensitize plants to elevated temperature, resulting in meiotic defects and reduced fertility even at moderate temperatures. These results indicate that the structure and functionality of meiotic centromeres in
Arabidopsis
are highly sensitive to heat stress, and suggest that centromeres and kinetochores may represent a critical bottleneck in plant adaptation to increasing temperatures.
Prediction error determines how memories are organized in the brain: a study of Pavlovian fear extinction in rats
Authors: Kennedy Nicholas G. W. , Lee Jessica C. , Killcross Simon , Westbrook Fred , Holmes Nathan M.
Published: March 2024

How is new information organized in memory? According to latent state theories, this is determined by the level of surprise, or prediction error, generated by the new information: small prediction error = updating of existing memory, large prediction error = encoding of new memory. We tested this idea using a protocol in which rats were first conditioned to fear a stimulus paired with shock. The stimulus was then gradually extinguished by progressively reducing the shock intensity until the stimulus was presented alone. Consistent with latent state theories, this gradual extinction protocol (small prediction errors) was better than standard extinction (large prediction errors) in producing long-term suppression of fear responses; and the benefit of gradual extinction was due to updating of the conditioning memory with information about extinction. Thus, prediction error determines how new information is organized in memory, and latent state theories adequately describe the ways in which this occurs.
Inovação e a produção do etanol de cana-de-açúcar
Authors: Brito José Luiz Romero de , Matai Patrícia Helena lara dos Santos , Santos Mario Roberto dos
Published: March 2024

O objetivo foi verificar na literatura como os pesquisadores estão avaliando a inovação na produção de etanol proveniente da cana-de-açúcar e responder à questão: como estão sendo abordados os processos de inovação para a produção de etanol de cana-de-açúcar? Para tanto, foram realizadas pesquisas na base de dados ScienceDirect, utilizando-se as palavras “ethanol and innovation” e “sugarcane and innovation”. Foram encontrados 135 artigos e detectados 14 artigos comuns às duas pesquisas, reduzindo-se para 121 artigos. Após essa primeira avaliação, foram lidos os títulos para verificar se estes se enquadravam no objeto do estudo. Esse filtro definiu 42 artigos selecionados para avaliação. Os 42 artigos foram separados por objetivos e classificados em biorrefinarias (3 artigos), investimentos (3), políticas públicas (7), processos produtivos (12), empresas (5), motivos para inovação (6), viabilidade e barreiras (6). Foram apresentadas sugestões para estratégias que deverão ser adotadas para o desenvolvimento de processos de inovação; alertas sobre a incerteza do processo e constatações, tal como os biocombustíveis, podem fazer contribuições importantes para o desenvolvimento econômico rural e maior sustentabilidade; políticas públicas de biocombustíveis afetaram a P&D; o setor sucroenergético apresenta um ambiente rígido para a inovação, entre outros.
Pengaruh Kualitas Makanan, Kualitas Layanan dan Persepsi Harga Terhadap Minat Beli Ulang pada Restoran XYZ Surabaya
Authors: Siaputra Hanjaya
Published: March 2024

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk menilai dampak kualitas makanan, mutu pelayanan, dan persepsi harga terhadap keinginan konsumen untuk melakukan pembelian kembali di restoran XYZ. Penelitian ini menggunakan dasar konsep bauran pemasaran, dengan fokus penelitian pada konsumen restoran XYZ. Pengumpulan data dilakukan melalui penyebaran kuesioner penelitian, dan sebanyak 143 tanggapan diperoleh dari responden. Data yang terkumpul kemudian dianalisis menggunakan metode Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Temuan dari penelitian ini mengindikasikan adanya pengaruh positif antara kualitas makanan, mutu pelayanan, dan persepsi harga dengan minat pembelian ulang pada pelanggan Restoran XYZ.
Um recorte de acessibilidade escolar da região nordeste
Authors: Farias Tarcisio , Santos Marcelo Vitor Ribeiro , Novais Renato
Published: March 2024

Este trabalho traz um recorte sobre acessibilidade escolar na região Nordeste do Brasil, tendo como base de dados do censo escolar no período de 2011 a 2021, extraídos do Instituto Nacional de Estudos e Pesquisas Educacionais Anísio Teixeira (INEP). O objetivo desta pesquisa é discutir sobre os índices e as principais características estruturais de acessibilidade das escolas da região, comparando com as outras do país, em cujos resultados encontrados no período 2011-2021, percebeu-se um aumento gradual nos índices de inclusão. Contudo, apesar das diversas leis existentes no Brasil acerca do tema, percebe-se que o Nordeste possui números muito abaixo das outras regiões – que possuem os melhores índices no país – mesmo após a melhoria significativa apresentada a partir do ano de 2019. A acessibilidade nas escolas deve ser tratada como um trabalho amplo, levando em consideração inúmeras ações de diferentes setores, tendo o apoio da legislação, para que consigamos adequar as nossas escolas para qualquer indivíduo, independentemente de sua capacidade física ou mental.
Photolysis of Caged Neurotransmitters: Theory and Procedures for Light Delivery
Authors: Tang Cha‐Min
Published: November 2006

Photolysis of “caged” compounds is a technique for releasing biologically active compounds in which the timing, rate, and spatial profile of release are controlled by light. Issues relating to the delivery of light for single‐photon photolysis are presented. Specific discussions include the theories relating to how light interacts with biological tissue to produce scattering and phototoxicity, as well as the issues involved in choosing the appropriate light source. Several approaches and optical designs are presented for delivering the output of a laser to a microscopic specimen. The criteria for choosing an approach are presented. The commercial sources for the parts needed to build a photolysis system are also provided. This unit will be particularly useful for investigators interested in single‐photon photolysis of caged neurotransmitters in brain slices.
Spectrophotometric and Colorimetric Determination of Protein Concentration
Authors: Simonian Michael H. , Smith John A.
Published: November 2006

This unit describes spectrophotometric and colorimetric methods for measuring the concentration of a sample protein in solution. Absorbance measurement at 280 nm is used to calculate protein concentration by comparison with a standard curve or published absorptivity values for that protein. An alternate protocol uses absorbance at 205 nm to calculate the protein concentration. Both methods can be used to quantitate total protein in crude lysates and purified or partially purified protein. Use of a spectrofluorometer or a filter fluorometer to measure the intrinsic fluorescence emission of a sample solution is also described. The measurement is compared with the emissions from standard solutions to determine the concentration of purified protein. The Bradford colorimetric method, based upon binding of the dye Coomassie brilliant blue to an unknown protein, is also presented, as is the Lowry method, which measures colorimetric reaction of tyrosyl residues in an unknown.
Estimation of Relative Nuclear DNA Content in Dehydrated Plant Tissues by Flow Cytometry
Authors: Suda Jan , Trávníček Pavel
Published: November 2006

The power of flow cytometry in field plant research may be greatly enhanced by analysis of nonfresh tissues. Previous attempts to use chemical fixatives, however, received only little attention because of protocol complexity and limited time, after which successful assays were achieved. This unit describes simple and rapid procedures for relative nuclear DNA content estimation in dehydrated tissues of vascular plants by DAPI flow cytometry. Histograms with reasonable resolution can be obtained in several‐year‐old specimens. The approach here is particularly suitable for reliable determination of DNA ploidy level, although detection of small variation in nuclear DNA content is also possible in many cases. Retrospective ploidy inference in silica‐dry or herbarium vouchers and simplified transport of plant material from remote areas are among the principal benefits for plant biosystematics, ecology, and population biology.
Elevated sister chromatid exchange frequencies in dividing human peripheral blood lymphocytes exposed to 50 Hz magnetic fields
Authors: Wahab M.A. , Podd J.V. , Rapley B.I. , Rowland R.E.
Published: November 2006

The in vitro cytomolecular technique, sister chromatid exchange (SCE), was applied to test the clastogenic potentiality of extremely low frequency (ELF) electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human peripheral blood lymphocytes (HPBLs). SCE frequencies were scored in dividing peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs) from six healthy male blood donors in two rounds of experiments, R1 and R2, to determine reproducibility. Lymphocyte cultures in the eight experiments conducted in each round were exposed to 50 Hz sinusoidal (continuous or pulsed) or square (continuous or pulsed) MFs at field strengths of 1 µT or 1 mT for 72 h. A significant increase in the number of SCEs/cell in the grouped experimental conditions compared to the controls was observed in both rounds. The highest SCE frequency in R1 was 10.03 for a square continuous field, and 10.39 for a square continuous field was the second highest frequency in R2. DNA crosslinking at the replication fork is proposed as a model which could explain the mechanistic link between ELF EMF exposure and increased SCE frequency. Bioelectromagnetics 28:281–288, 2007. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Maintenance of internet‐based prevention: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Jacobi Corinna , Morris Lisette , Beckers Christina , Bronisch‐Holtze Janina , Winter Jana , Winzelberg Andrew J. , Taylor Craig Barr
Published: November 2006

Objective:

Excessive weight or shape concerns and dieting are among the most important and well‐established risk factors for the development of symptoms of disordered eating or full‐syndrome eating disorders. Prevention programs should therefore target these factors in order to reduce the likelihood of developing an eating disorder. The aims of this study were to determine the short‐term and maintenance effects of an internet‐based prevention program for eating disorders.

Method:

One hundred female students at two German universities were randomly assigned to either an 8‐week intervention or a waiting‐list control condition and assessed at preintervention, postintervention, and 3‐month follow‐up.

Results:

Compared with the control group, the intervention produced significant and sustained effects for high‐risk women.

Conclusion:

Internet‐based prevention is effective and can be successfully adapted to a different culture. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
A history of human‐like dieting alters serotonergic control of feeding and neurochemical balance in a rat model of binge‐eating
Authors: Chandler‐Laney Paula C. , Castañeda Edward , Viana Jason B. , Oswald Kimberly D. , Maldonado Christine R. , Boggiano Mary M.
Published: November 2006

Objective:

This study replicated a model of stress‐induced binge‐eating in rats with a history of caloric restriction (HCR), tested their response to SSRI (fluoxetine) treatment, and explored changes in brain monoamine levels.

Method:

Young female rats with no‐HCR/no‐Stress, no‐HCR/Stress, HCR/no‐Stress, and HCR+Stress (binge‐eating) were treated with fluoxetine. Post‐mortem levels of serotonin, dopamine, and metabolites were assessed from brain regions key to feeding and reward.

Results:

A 3 mg/kg dose of fluoxetine without effect in the no‐HCR groups suppressed intake of HCR groups, normalizing the binge‐eating of HCR/Stress rats. No differences in monoamines were detected in the hypothalamus or tegmentum but a strong positive relationship between accumbens serotonin and dopamine turnover in no‐HCR rats was absent in rats with HCR.

Conclusion:

Despite lack of hunger, a history of human‐like dieting alters serotonin function in ways suggesting consequences not only to feeding but also control of reward and mood that are dependent on dopamine/serotonin interactions. © 2006 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2006
Genotoxicity of occupational exposure to wood dust: Micronucleus frequency and nuclear changes in exfoliated buccal mucosa cells
Authors: Çelik Ayla , Kanık Arzu
Published: November 2006

Occupational exposure to wood dust is associated with the occurrence of nasal cancer. In this study, we investigated micronuclei and nuclear changes (NCs: binucleates, karyorrhexis, karyolysis, and the “broken egg” effect) in exfoliated buccal cells of 20 workers exposed to wood dust and 20 age‐ and sex‐matched controls. Micronucleus frequency and the frequency of each of the NCs were significantly higher for wood workers than controls (P < 0.01). Cigarette smoking was associated with increased frequencies of micronuclei and NCs in the buccal mucosa epithelium cells of both the control and exposed groups. Our findings indicate that buccal cells of wood workers display increased levels of genotoxicity and toxicity, and that these biomarker responses may be related to the increased cancer risk among wood workers. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 47:, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Genotoxicity in rats treated with the antidiabetic agent, rosiglitazone
Authors: Bedir Abdulkerim , Aliyazicioglu Yuksel , Kahraman Hakki , Yurdakul Zafer , Uysal Mehmet , Suvaci Duygu Erol , Okuyucu Ali , Hökelek Murat , Alvur Muhlise
Published: November 2006

Rosiglitazone (RSG), a member of the thiazolidinedione class of antidiabetic agents, improves glycemic control by increasing insulin sensitivity. The therapeutic mode of action of RSG involves its activity as a highly selective and potent agonist for peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐γ. Although other drugs in this class have displayed unacceptable hepatotoxicity, RSG was approved for human use. The package insert indicates that RSG has minimal genotoxicity, but information on the genotoxicity of RSG is not available in the published literature. In this study, we used the single cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)/Comet assay to investigate the DNA damage in peripheral blood and liver cells of rats treated with RSG. Sixteen male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomly distributed into four groups, and dosed daily by oral gavage with 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg/day RSG. The rats dosed with 2.0 mg/kg/day RSG received an ∼10‐times the area under the curve concentration of the maximum recommended human daily dose. After 14 days of treatment, the rats were euthanized, and peripheral blood and liver were collected and processed for the Comet assay. A dose‐dependent increase in DNA damage (as assessed by % tail DNA and Olive Tail Moment) was observed in the hepatocytes of RSG‐treated groups, with significant increases detected between rats treated with all the doses of RSG and the control, and between rats treated with different RSG doses (P < 0.05 – P < 0.0001). In contrast, DNA damage was detected in peripheral blood lymphocytes only in rats treated with the higher RSG doses (1.0 and 2 mg/kg/day). Taken together, the data indicate that RSG is able to induce primary DNA damage in rats, with greater damage being detected in liver cells than lymphocytes. Environ. Mol. Mutagen. 47:, 2006. © 2006 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Evaluation of daily and diurnal signals of total precipitable water (TPW) over the Indian Ocean based on TMI retrieved 3‐day composite estimates and radiosonde data
Authors: Sajith V. , Adegoke Jimmy O. , Raghavan Santosh K. , Ram Mohan H. S. , Kumar Vinod , Preenu P. N.
Published: November 2006

Tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) TRMM microwave imager (TMI) retrieved total precipitable water (TPW) has been shown in previous studies to be useful for characterizing energy transport and rainfall variability over water bodies. In this study, 3‐day composite TPW values during the monsoon months of June–September in 1999 and 2003 were evaluated against radiosonde derived TPW over the coastal regions of Indian Ocean. The radiosonde measurements were from coastal locations, island stations and ship‐based observations made during the 1999 Bay of Bengal Monsoon Experiment (BOBMEX). Our study is one of the first attempts to compare TMI‐derived TPW with the BOBMEX data. Root mean square (RMS) error of 8.1 mm and a bias of −0.76 mm were obtained for TMI 3‐day composite TPW data with respect to the radiosonde data over the Indian coastal regions. TMI overestimated (underestimated) radiosonde measurements under dry (wet) atmospheric conditions. Daily TMI‐derived TPW was also validated with radiosonde measurements from the BOBMEX data for the period 21 July–28 August 1999. Diurnal signals of TPW over Bay of Bengal were found to be comparable to the in situ measurements during the same period. Copyright © 2006 Royal Meteorological Society
Analytical data of some common fruits
Authors: Money R. W. , Christian W. A.
Published: November 2006

Analytical data are presented, which have been collected over a period of years (1925–48), for the purpose of aiding in the determination of the fruit content of fruit products.
The vitamin C content of english and South African cabbages
Authors: Lampitt L. H. , Ginsburg L. , Baker L. C.
Published: November 2006

Analysis of cabbages grown on the same plot at Greenford (Middlesex) from seed of both English and South African varieties revealed that, in general, the English varieties had higher concentrations of vitamin C. Results of a similar experiment, with a smaller number of plants, at two places in South Africa tended to confirm this conclusion. Agreement between the results from the two places was sufficiently good to indicate that location had little or no influence. Unusually high concentrations of dehydroascorbic acid, probably caused by some seasonal effect, were found in the cabbages grown at Greenford. English spring cabbages grown in South Africa, under the same conditions as the other varieties, showed vitamin C contents of the same order, whereas in England, in previous seasons, it has been found that spring cabbages contain a higher concentration of vitamin C than those harvested in summer and winter.
A method for improving the keeping quality of bread
Authors: Alcock R. S. , King J.
Published: November 2006

A method was developed during World War II for special military needs, to delay the usual manifestations of staleness brought about by the storage of the plain type of bread used by the British Army. The active ingredient employed was a mixture of paraffin wax and bees‐wax added to wheat flour to make a fine powder, which was incorporated into the main body of the flour before making the dough. No quantitative physical measurements which might correspond to the sensations of staleness could be made, but the rate of loss of moisture per unit made with this mixture usually kept in fairly good condition for periods up to 14 days.
The component fatty acids of elephant seal oil
Authors: Winter G. , Nunn W.
Published: November 2006

The compositions of the blubber fats of a male and female elephant seal were examined. Evidence is presented to show that acids of chain length greater than C22 were absent; there was an appreciable difference in the composition of the fatty acids from the two specimens. The possibility of a dependence of the fatty acid composition on the physiological state of the animal is discussed.

The use of methyl esters in preference to fatty acids in the preliminary separation by low‐temperature crystallization has the advantage of obviating the cumbersome steps of saponification, regeneration of the fatty acids and final methylation, since the esters can be prepared directly by methanolysis. The risk of accidental oxidation of the highly unsaturated portion of the fat is also minimized.
Combination of sulphur dioxide with concentrated orange juice. I.—Equilibrium states
Authors: Ingram M. , Vas K.
Published: November 2006

Substances present in concentrated orange juice that are likely to combine with SO2 are surveyed, and the more important are tested in pure solutions. They are shown to be, in order of importance, glucose, unidentified aldehydes or ketones, pectin, perhaps also breakdown products of pectin, e.g. arabinose. The behaviour of these substances, in equilibrium with SO2, is compared with that of orange juice in similar circumstances.

The increased combination of SO2 with glucose, as the concentration of glucose increases, is paralleled by a greater combination with concentrated than with dilute juices. At all concentrations, however, there is a greater combining‐power than can be accounted for by the sugar content of the juice. From comparison with heated glucose solutions, it is suggested that this is due to the presence of traces of aldehyde‐ and ketone‐like substances, some of which may have been present in the juice originally and survived processing; most, it is suggested, are formed by reaction between sugars and acids in the concentrated juice during the heat‐treatment. Because of the presence of these traces of strongly‐combining substances, the proportion of SO2 combining is not, as in pure glucose solutions, independent of the quantity added, but is variable; this combination is almost complete with small quantities of SO2, but with large additions of SO2 it decreases towards the level corresponding to the glucose content.

The combining‐power of glucose and aldehydes falls if their solutions are warmed, and the same happens with heated sugar solutions. With concentrated juices, on the other hand, complicating factors apparently interfere, and the ultimate degree of combination increases with temperature.

This paper deals only with equilibrium states; consideration of kinetics will follow in a second paper.
Some factors affecting the oxidation of the fat of dehydrated herrings
Authors: Banks A.
Published: November 2006

Storage of dehydrated herrings in air at 10° C., followed by peroxide‐ and iodine‐value determinations, have been used to test the effects on the oxidation of the fat of the dried fish of (a) stowage of the raw material on ice, (b) varying the temperatures of cooking and drying and (c) antioxidants, including wood smoke. Stowage of the herrings in ice before drying has an adverse effect on the stability of the dried product, probably because of the activity of biological catalysts in the fat depot of herrings. Within limits, high temperatures of cooking, drying and storage, which may adversely affect general flavour, stabilize the fat. Previous suggestions regarding the production of antioxidants in milk by the action of high temperatures of processing apply also to herrings. Antioxidants added to the herrings before drying are ineffective, but the addition to the air during drying of wood smoke, which contains some of the simple antioxygenic phenols, stabilizes the fat of the dehydrated product very considerably. The smoke‐dried product resembles a dehydrated kipper in flavour, and it may be kept freely exposed to air at 10° C. for long periods without deterioration.
Combination of sulphur dioxide with concentrated orange juice. II.—The rate of the reaction
Authors: Ingram M. , Vas K.
Published: November 2006

The rate of combination of SO2 with glucose, with acetaldehyde, with mixtures of the two and with heated glucose solutions has been compared with the rate of combination with orange juice. The velocities of combination and of breakdown of the bisulphite compounds formed can be accounted for by reactions observed in pure solutions (although the exact nature of the aldehydic compounds remains to be elucidated), at any rate as far as concerns the changes in the first few hours.

Glucose and the other aldehydes behave in asimilar way towards SO2, the differences being merely of degree; thus they all combine more rapidly (but less completely) at higher temperatures, and more rapidly (but to about the same extent) at higher pH's.

These general trends are discernible withconcentrated orange juices, but they cannot be properly demonstrated till better methods for determining free SO2 in such jiices are available. There remain much slower changes, extending sometimes over several days, which are characterized by high degrees of combination, variability from jiice to juice, by fluctuation, even of free SO2 in an individual jiice and by inversion of the temperature‐effect; these changes take place even at tmperatures where breakdown of the juice seems unlikely, and their nature and duration cannot apparently be explained simply by reactions of aldehydes etc.; their cause remains to be discovered.

It is noted, finally, that the nature and quantity of any active aldehydes may be greatly modified by heat‐processing of the jiice, and that combination of SO2 with such substances might well interfere with browning reaction. The possibility of delaying combination by acidification is also envisaged.
Some recent advances in the bacteriology of pasteurized milk
Authors: Anderson E. B. , Meanwell L. J.
Published: November 2006

The keeping quality of pasteurized milk is influenced to a considerable degree by the atmospheric temperature on the day of collection of the raw milk from the farms, a marked deterioration being recorded at collection temperatures of over 21° C. (70° F.). This deterioration is apparent even when the raw milk collected at different atmospheric temperatures has apparently the same bacterial activity, as measured by dye reduction, on delivery to the dairy. It is possible that an increase in heat resistance of certain acid‐producing organisms during the early logarithmic phase of growth may account for this phenomenon.

Raw milk produced under satisfactory hygienic conditions has a satisfactory keeping quality after pasteurization, but the addition of 1% of an unsatisfactory raw supply to the bulk before pasteurization will cause marked deterioration.

In mild weather the infection of pasteurized milk with B. Coli at any point in its travel results in a marked loss of keeping quality, but in hot weather this loss is masked by the lower natural keeping quality of the bulk milk as revealed by laboratory pasteurization.
The use of tetramethyldiamino‐diphenylmethane for the determination of small amounts of manganese in plant material and soil extracts
Authors: Cornfield A. H. , Pollard A. G.
Published: November 2006

It is shown that the very sensitive reaction between manganese and 4:4′‐tetramethyldiaminodiphenylmethane (‘methane base’) in the presence of periodate can be applied to the quantitative estimation of the element in the range 0.1–1 μg. The effect of possible interfering factors is studied and the method is shown to give satisfactory results for the determination of manganese in plant material and in the ammonium acetate ‘leachate’ of soils.
The composition and cooking quality of potatoes from fertilizer trials in the east riding of yorkshire
Authors: Baker L. C. , Lampitt L. H. , Money R. W. , Parkinson T. L.
Published: November 2006

Potatoes from experimental plots on a potash‐deficient soil, which had been given different fertilizer treatments, showed only small differences in composition and cooking quality, except where muriate of potash was omitted from the fertilizer mixture. Potatoes from these plots had higher total solids and nitrogen but lower ash contents, and in 1948 were decidedly inferior in cooking qualities compaxed with potatoes from the other plots. Vitamin C assays showed only small differences between the treatments. Inclusion of potash in the fertilizer resulted in a marked increase in the yield of potatoes and in the yields of solid matter and nitrogen per acre, in spite of the tendency for the percentages of total solids and nitrogen in the tubers to fall.