bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant Fluorouracil, Leucovorin, and Oxaliplatin in Stage II to III Colon Cancer: Updated 10-Year Survival and Outcomes According to BRAF Mutation and Mismatch Repair Status of the MOSAIC Study
Authors: André Thierry , de Gramont Armand , Vernerey Dewi , Chibaudel Benoist , Bonnetain Franck , Tijeras-Raballand Annemilaï , Scriva Aurelie , Hickish Tamas , Tabernero Josep , Van Laethem Jean Luc , Banzi Maria , Maartense Eduard , Shmueli Einat , Carlsson Goran U. , Scheithauer Werner , Papamichael Demetris , Möehler Marcus , Landolfi Stefania , Demetter Pieter , Colote Soudhir , Tournigand Christophe , Louvet Christophe , Duval Alex , Fléjou Jean-François , de Gramont Aimery
Published: November 2015

Purpose

The MOSAIC (Multicenter International Study of Oxaliplatin/Fluorouracil/Leucovorin in the Adjuvant Treatment of Colon Cancer) study has demonstrated 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) and 6-year overall survival (OS) benefit of adjuvant oxaliplatin in stage II to III resected colon cancer. This update presents 10-year OS and OS and DFS by mismatch repair (MMR) status and BRAF mutation.

Methods

Survival actualization after 10-year follow-up was performed in 2,246 patients with resected stage II to III colon cancer. We assessed MMR status and BRAF mutation in 1,008 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens.

Results

After a median follow-up of 9.5 years, 10-year OS rates in the bolus/infusional fluorouracil plus leucovorin (LV5FU2) and LV5FU2 plus oxaliplatin (FOLFOX4) arms were 67.1% versus 71.7% (hazard ratio [HR], 0.85; P = .043) in the whole population, 79.5% versus 78.4% for stage II (HR, 1.00; P = .980), and 59.0% versus 67.1% for stage III (HR, 0.80; P = .016) disease. Ninety-five patients (9.4%) had MMR-deficient (dMMR) tumors, and 94 (10.4%) had BRAF mutation. BRAF mutation was not prognostic for OS (P = .965), but dMMR was an independent prognostic factor (HR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.15 to 3.55; P = .014). HRs for DFS and OS benefit in the FOLFOX4 arm were 0.48 (95% CI, 0.20 to 1.12) and 0.41 (95% CI, 0.16 to 1.07), respectively, in patients with stage II to III dMMR and 0.50 (95% CI, 0.25 to 1.00) and 0.66 (95% CI, 0.31 to 1.42), respectively, in those with BRAF mutation.

Conclusion

The OS benefit of oxaliplatin-based adjuvant chemotherapy, increasing over time and with the disease severity, was confirmed at 10 years in patients with stage II to III colon cancer. These updated results support the use of FOLFOX in patients with stage III disease, including those with dMMR or BRAF mutation.
Rational Probabilistic Incoherence? A Reply to Michael Caie
Authors: Campbell-Moore Catrin
Published: November 2015

In Michael Caie's article “Rational Probabilistic Incoherence,” Caie argues that in light of certain situations involving self-reference, it is sometimes rational to have probabilistically incoherent credences. This essay further considers his arguments. It shows that probabilism isn't to blame for the failure of rational introspection and that Caie's modified accuracy criterion conflicts with Dutch book considerations, is scoring rule dependent, and leads to the failure of rational introspection.
ATF6a, a Runx2-activable transcription factor, is a novel regulator of chondrocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Guo Fengjin , Han Xiaofeng , Wu Zhimeng , Cheng Zhi , Hu Qin , Zhao Yunpeng , Wang Yingxiong , Liu Chuanju
Published: November 2015

Our previous research testified that XBP1S is a significant downstream mediator of BMP2 and is involved in BMP2-stimulated chondrocyte differentiation. Herein we report that ATF6 and ATF6a are expressed in growth plate chondrocytes. There are differentially induced during BMP2-triggered chondrocyte differentiation. This differential expression is probably resulted from the activation of the ATF6 gene by Runx2 and repression by Sox6 transcription factor. Runx2 and Sox6 combine with their respective binding elements of ATF6 gene. When overexpressed, ATF6 and ATF6a intensify chondrogenesis; our studies demonstrate that under the stimulation of ATF6 and ATF6a, chondrocytes tend to be hypertrophied and mineralized, a process leading to bone formation. Additionally, lowing expression of ATF6a using its specific siRNA suppresses chondrocyte differentiation. Moreover, ATF6a interacts with Runx2 and augments Runx2-mediated hypertrophied chondrocyte. Importantly, overexpression and knockdown of ATF6a in chondrocyte hypertrophy also lead to altered expressions of IHH and PTHrP. Taken together, these findings indicate that ATF6a favorably controls chondrogenesis and bone formation via a) acting as a co-factor of Runx2 and enhancing Runx2-incited hypertrophic chondrocyte differentiation, and b) affecting IHH/PTHrP signaling.
AP-2-complex-mediated endocytosis of Drosophila Crumbs regulates polarity by antagonizing Stardust
Authors: Lin Ya-Huei , Currinn Heather , Pocha Shirin Meher , Rothnie Alice , Wassmer Thomas , Knust Elisabeth
Published: November 2015

Maintenance of epithelial polarity depends on the correct localization and levels of polarity determinants. The evolutionarily conserved transmembrane protein Crumbs is crucial for the size and identity of the apical membrane, yet little is known about the molecular mechanisms controlling the amount of Crumbs at the surface. Here, we show that Crumbs levels on the apical membrane depend on a well-balanced state of endocytosis and stabilization. The adaptor protein 2 (AP-2) complex binds to a motif in the cytoplasmic tail of Crumbs that overlaps with the binding site of Stardust, a protein known to stabilize Crumbs on the surface. Preventing endocytosis by mutation of AP-2 causes expansion of the Crumbs-positive plasma membrane domain and polarity defects, which can be partially rescued by removing one copy of crumbs. Strikingly, knocking down both AP-2 and Stardust leads to the retention of Crumbs on the membrane. This study provides evidence for a molecular mechanism, based on stabilization and endocytosis, to adjust surface levels of Crumbs, which are essential for maintaining epithelial polarity.
NetMatchStar: an enhanced Cytoscape network querying app
Authors: Rinnone Fabio , Micale Giovanni , Bonnici Vincenzo , Bader Gary D. , Shasha Dennis , Ferro Alfredo , Pulvirenti Alfredo , Giugno Rosalba
Published: November 2015

We present NetMatchStar, a Cytoscape app to find all the occurrences of a query graph in a network and check for its significance as a motif with respect to seven different random models. The query can be uploaded or built from scratch using Cytoscape facilities. The app significantly enhances the previous NetMatch in style, performance and functionality. Notably NetMatchStar allows queries with wildcards.
The dorsal posterior insula is not an island in pain but subserves a fundamental role - Response to: “Evidence against pain specificity in the dorsal posterior insula” by Davis et al.
Authors: Segerdahl Andrew R. , Mezue Melvin , Okell Thomas W. , Farrar John T. , Tracey Irene
Published: November 2015

An interesting and valuable discussion has arisen from our recent article (Segerdahl, Mezue et al., 2015) and we are pleased here to have the opportunity to expand on the various points we made. Equally important, we wish to correct several important misunderstandings that were made by Davis and colleagues that possibly contributed to their concerns about power when assessing our paper (e.g. actual subject numbers used in control experiment and the reality of the signal-to-noise and sampling of the multi-TI technique we employed). Here, we clarify the methods and analysis plus discuss how we interpret the data in the Brief Communication noting that the extrapolation and inferences made by Davis and colleagues are not consistent with our report or necessarily, in our opinion, what the data supports. We trust this reassures the F1000Research readership regarding the robustness of our results and what we actually concluded in the paper regarding their possible meaning. We are pleased, though, that Davis and colleagues have used our article to raise an important discussion around pain perception, and here offer some further insights towards that broader discussion.
Amendments to the Tax Code of the Russian Federation in Interests of Weakening Tax Burden on Legal Entities and Individuals
Authors: Смирнов  , Smirnov E.
Published: November 2015

Federal law № 150-FZ effective June 08.06.2015 has significantly weakened tax burden on legal entities and

individuals.
Alternative Approach to Accounting of Business Reputation of Organization
Authors: Климашина
Published: November 2015

The article reveals and proves the author’s approach to the accounting of business reputation of organization,

which makes an alternative for the generally accepted methodology of the accounting of goodwill produced by requirements

of international and national accounting and financial reporting standards.
Safeguarding children: where does the responsibility lie?
Authors: Henry Laura
Published: November 2015

This article outlines the roles and responsibilities of professionals coming into contact with children, highlighting what to look out for and how to react to any concerns that may arise
Writing for publication. Part 3: case studies, projects, abstracts
Authors: Fowler John
Published: November 2015

This series is designed to help you, the dental nurse, write for professional publication. This article examines different types of articles that you may consider writing
Pseudotumour incidence, cobalt levels and clinical outcome after large head metal-on-metal and conventional metal-on-polyethylene total hip arthroplasty
Authors: van der Veen H. C. , Reininga I. H. F. , Zijlstra W. P. , Boomsma M. F. , Bulstra S. K. , van Raay J. J. A. M.
Published: November 2015

We compared the incidence of pseudotumours after large head metal-on-metal (MoM) total hip arthroplasty (THA) with that after conventional metal-on-polyethylene (MoP) THA and assessed the predisposing factors to pseudotumour formation.

From a previous randomised controlled trial which compared large head (38 mm to 60 mm) cementless MoM THA with conventional head (28 mm) cementless MoP THA, 93 patients (96 THAs: 41 MoM (21 males, 20 females, mean age of 64 years, standard deviation (sd) 4) and 55 MoP (25 males, 30 females, mean age of 65 years, sd 5) were recruited after a mean follow-up of 50 months (36 to 64).

The incidence of pseudotumours, measured using a standardised CT protocol was 22 (53.7%) after MoM THA and 12 (21.8%) after MoP THA. Women with a MoM THA were more likely to develop a pseudotumour than those with a MoP THA (15 vs 7, odds ratio (OR) = 13.4, p < 0.001). There was a similar incidence of pseudotumours in men with MoM THAs and those with MoP THAs (7 vs 5, OR = 2.1, p = 0.30). Elevated cobalt levels (≥ 5 microgram/L) were only associated with pseudotumours in women with a MoM THA. There was no difference in mean Oxford and Harris hip scores between patients with a pseudotumour and those without.

Contrary to popular belief, pseudotumours occur frequently around MoP THAs. Women with a MoM THA and an elevated cobalt level are at greatest risk. In this study, pseudotumours had no effect on the functional outcome after either large head MoM or conventional MoP THA.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1481–7.
Iatrogenic vascular injuries during arthroplasty of the hip
Authors: Alshameeri Z. , Bajekal R. , Varty K. , Khanduja V.
Published: November 2015

Vascular injuries during total hip arthroplasty (THA) are rare but when they occur, have serious consequences. These have traditionally been managed with open exploration and repair, but more recently there has been a trend towards percutaneous endovascular management.

We performed a systematic review of the literature to assess if this change in trend has led to an improvement in the overall reported rates of morbidity and mortality during the last 22 years in comparison with the reviews of the literature published previously.

We found a total of 61 articles describing 138 vascular injuries in 124 patients. Injuries because of a laceration were the most prevalent (n = 51, 44%) and the most common presenting feature, when recorded, was bleeding (n = 41, 53.3%). Delay in diagnosis was associated with the type of vascular lesion (p < 0.001) and the clinical presentation (p = 0.002).

Open exploration and repair was the most common form of management, however percutaneous endovascular intervention was used in one third of the injuries and more constantly during the last 13 years.

The main overall reported complications included death (n = 9, 7.3%), amputation (n = 2, 1.6%), and persistent ischaemia (n = 9, 7.3%). When compared with previous reviews there was a similar rate of mortality but lower rates of amputation and permanent disability, especially in patients managed by endovascular strategies.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1447–55.
Delayed diagnosis of developmental dysplasia of the hip in Northern Ireland
Authors: Donnelly K. J. , Chan K. W. , Cosgrove A. P.
Published: November 2015

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) should be diagnosed as early as possible to optimise treatment. The current United Kingdom recommendations for the selective screening of DDH include a clinical examination at birth and at six weeks. In Northern Ireland babies continue to have an assessment by a health visitor at four months of age. As we continue to see late presentations of DDH, beyond one year of age, we hypothesised that a proportion had missed an opportunity for earlier diagnosis. We expect those who presented to our service with Tonnis grade III or IV hips and decreased abduction would have had clinical signs at their earlier assessments.

We performed a retrospective review of all patients born in Northern Ireland between 2008 and 2010 who were diagnosed with DDH after their first birthday. There were 75 856 live births during the study period of whom 645 children were treated for DDH (8.5 per 1000). The minimum follow-up of our cohort from birth, to detect late presentation, was four years and six months. Of these, 32 children (33 hips) were diagnosed after their first birthday (0.42 per 1000).

With optimum application of our selective screening programme 21 (65.6%) of these children had the potential for an earlier diagnosis, which would have reduced the incidence of late diagnosis to 0.14 per 1000. As we saw a peak in diagnosis between three and five months our findings support the continuation of the four month health visitor check. Our study adds further information to the debate regarding selective versus universal screening.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1572–6.
Comparison of simple arm sling and figure of eight clavicular bandage for midshaft clavicular fractures
Authors: Ersen A. , Atalar A. C. , Birisik F. , Saglam Y. , Demirhan M.
Published: November 2015

Only a few randomised, controlled studies have compared different non-operative methods of treatment of mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle.

In this prospective, randomised controlled study of 60 participants (mean age 31.6 years; 15 to 75) we compared the broad arm sling with the figure of eight bandage for the treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures. Our outcome measures were pain, Constant and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores and radiological union.

The mean visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score on the first day after treatment was significantly higher (VAS 1 6.8; 4 to 9) in the figure of eight bandage group than the broad arm sling group (VAS 1 5.6; 3 to 8, p = 0.034). A mean shortening of 9 mm (3 to 17) was measured in the figure of eight bandage group, versus 7.5 mm (0 to 24) in the broad arm sling group (p = 0.30).

The application of the figure of eight bandage is more difficult than of the broad arm sling, and patients experience more pain during the first day when treated with this option. We suggest the broad arm sling is preferable because of the reduction of early pain and ease of application.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1562–5.
The cement spacer with multiple indentations
Authors: Salih S. , Paskins A. , Nichol T. , Smith T. , Hamer A.
Published: November 2015

We investigated whether the indentation of bone cement spacers used in revision of infected joint arthroplasty with a MacDonald dissector increased the elution of antibiotic in vitro. A total of 24 cement discs containing either 0.17 g (0.88% w/w), 0.25 g (1.41% w/w), or 0.33 g (1.75% w/w) gentamicin of constant size were made. Of these, 12 were indented with the dissector. Each disc was immersed in ammonium acetate buffer in a sealed container, and fluid from each container was sampled at zero, one, three, six, 24, 48 and 72 hours and at one, and two weeks. The concentration of gentamicin in the fluid was analysed using high performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry.

The fluid sampled at 72 hours from the indented discs containing 0.17 g gentamicin (0.88% w/w) contained a mean of 113 mcg/ml (90.12 to 143.5) compared with 44.5 mcg/ml (44.02 to 44.90) in the fluid sampled from the plain discs (p = 0.012). In discs containing 0.33 g gentamicin (1.75% w/w), the concentration eluted from the indented discs at 72 hours was a mean of 316 mcg/ml (223 to 421) compared with a mean of 118 mcg/ml (100 to 140) from the plain discs (p < 0.001).

At two weeks, these significant differences persisted. At nine weeks the indented discs eluted a greater concentration for all gentamicin doses, but the difference was only significant for the discs containing 0.17 g (0.88% w/w, p = 0.006). However if the area under the curve is taken as a measure of the total antibiotic eluted, the indented discs eluted more gentamicin than the plain discs for the 0.17 g (0.88% w/w, p = 0.031), the 0.25 g (1.41% w/w, p < 0.001) and the 0.33 g (1.75% w/w, p < 0.001) discs.

When preparing antibiotic spacers for use in staged revision arthroplasty surgery we recommend indenting the spacer with a MacDonald dissector to increase the elution of antibiotic.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2015;97-B:1519–24.
Communicating Forest Sector Sustainability: Results from Four European Countries
Authors: Korhonen Elina , Toppinen Anne , Lähtinen Katja , Ranacher Lea , Werner Andrea , Stern Tobias , Kutnar Andreja
Published: November 2015

Communication is an important tool in maintaining legitimacy and acceptability of forest sector operations and activities, and expectations by the general public on the forest sector conduct in Europe are in general very high. Despite this, there is scarce research in cross-national contexts on how forest sector sustainability is communicated to the general public and what development areas can be identified in terms of communication content. This study applies a qualitative content analysis in four forestry-rich European countries (Austria, Finland, Germany, and Slovenia). The state of online communication of 61 companies and 19 industry associations was qualitatively analyzed in 2014 with a focus on eight core sustainability topics of interest that were identified via an international forest sector stakeholder feedback process. Our results show some great similarities, but also some interesting differences in terms of communication frequency and weight of hot topics across countries. The most frequently communicated area was economic contribution of forests (in Finland and Austria), followed by debate over forest conservation versus production (Germany) and the concept-added value of wood (in Slovenia). With the exception of Slovenia, the role of forests in combating global warming was emphasized more frequently within industry associations than among individual forest industry companies. Characteristically, current content of sustainability communication focuses on supplying factual information. Thus, there is a need for developing more targeted and bidirectional forms of stakeholder communication in the future, emphasizing also more active use of social media channels and empowering organizations to promote interactive communication and collaborative learning.
Global evidence in local debates: the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) in Swiss direct-democratic debates on school policy
Authors: Schlaufer Caroline
Published: November 2015

This article analyses the use of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and other evidence in educational policy discourse in the context of direct-democratic votes in Switzerland. The results of a quantitative content analysis show that PISA is used by all actors to support a wide range of policy measures and ideological positions. Other evidence, however, is only used to support single specific policy positions. These findings demonstrate the ubiquity of PISA. The article discusses these results in view of the question of whether the incorporation of evidence into policy debates contributes to informed discourse.
SIMULATION MODEL BASED ON REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND VIRTUAL CHANGES
Authors: Dlask Petr
Published: November 2015

This paper reports on change as an indicator that can be provide more focused goals in studies of development. The paper offers an answer to the question: How might management gain information from a simulation model and thus influence reality through pragmatic changes. We focus on where and when to influence, manage, and control basic technical-economic proposals. These proposals are mostly formed as simulation models. Unfortunately, however, they do not always provide an explanation of formation changes. A wide variety of simulation tools have become available, e.g. Simulink, Wolfram SystemModeler, VisSim, SystemBuild, STELLA, Adams, SIMSCRIPT, COMSOL Multiphysics, etc. However, there is only limited support for the construction of simulation models of a technical-economic nature. Mathematics has developed the concept of differentiation. Economics has developed the concept of marginality. Technical-economic design has yet to develop an equivalent methodology. This paper discusses an,alternative approach that uses the phenomenon of change, and provides a way from professional knowledge, which can be seen as a purer kind of information, to a more dynamic computing model (a simulation model that interprets changes as method). The validation of changes, as a result for use in managerial decision making, and condition for managerial decision making, can thus be improved.
ANALYSIS OF MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF HYDROTHERMALLY CURED HIGH STRENGTH CEMENT MATRIX FOR TEXTILE REINFORCED CONCRETE
Authors: Holčapek Ondřej , Vogel Filip , Konvalinka Petr
Published: November 2015

The main objective of this article is to describe the influence of hydrothermal curing conditions in an autoclave device (different pressure and temperature), which took place at various ages of a fresh mixture (cement matrix – CM, and fibre-reinforced cement matrix – FRCM), on textile reinforced concrete production. The positive influence of autoclaving has been evaluated through the results of physical and mechanical testing – compressive strength, flexural strength, bulk density and dynamic modulus of elasticity, which have been measured on specimens with the following dimensions: 40×40×160mm3. In addition, it has been found that increasing the pressure and temperature resulted in higher values of measured characteristics. The results indicate that the most suitable surrounding conditions are 0.6MPa, and 165 °C at the age of 21 hours; the final compressive strength of cement matrix is 134.3MPa and its flexural strength is 25.9MPa (standard cured samples achieve 114.6MPa and 15.7MPa). Hydrothermal curing is even more effective for cement matrix reinforced by steel fibres (for example, the compressive strength can reach 177.5MPa, while laboratory-cured samples achieve a compressive strength of 108.5MPa).
EFFECTS OF INITIAL MOISTURE CONTENT ON THE PRODUCTION AND QUALITY PROPERTIES OF SOLID BIOFUEL
Authors: Matúš Miloš , Križan Peter , Beniak Juraj , Šooš Ľubomír
Published: November 2015

The moisture content of densified biomass is a limit parameter influencing the quality of the solid biofuel. It influences its calorific value, density, mechanical strength and dimensional stability as well as the production process of this biofuel. The paper deals with the experimental research of the effect of moisture content of densified material on the final quality of biofuel in the form of logs. Experiments based on the single-axis densification of spruce sawdust were realized by hydraulic piston press, where the densified logs were produced under room temperature. The effect of moisture content on the quality properties of the logs, including density, change of moisture, expansion and physical changes, were studied. The results show the necessary moisture ranges for producing good-quality logs. The experiments were evaluated and the moisture content of the tested material was optimized to achieve the optimum value for the best quality of the solid biofuel.
ELECTRODYNAMIC LOUDSPEAKER-DRIVEN ACOUSTIC COMPRESSOR
Authors: Šoltés Martin , Červenka Milan
Published: November 2015

An acoustic compressor is  built  using the acoustic resonator which shape was optimized for a maximum acoustic pressure amplitude and a low-cost compression driver.  Acoustic compressor is built  by installing  a suction port in the resonator wall where the standing wave has its pressure node and a delivery port with a valve in the resonator wall where the standing wave has its pressure anti-node. Different reeds, serving  as delivery valves, are tested and their performance is investigated. It was shown that the performance of such simple compressor is comparable, or better, than the acoustic compressors built  previously by other researchers using non-optimally shaped resonators with more sophisticated driving mechanisms and valve arrangements.
CHANGES IN THE SURFACE LAYER OF ROLLED BEARING STEEL
Authors: Zemčík Oskar , Sedlák Josef , Chladil Josef
Published: November 2015

This paper describes changes observed in bearing steel due to roller burnishing. Hydrostatic roller burnishing was selected as the most suitable method for performing roller burnishing on hardened bearing steel. The hydrostatic roller burnishing operation was applied as an additional operation after standard finishing operations. All tests were performed on samples of 100Cr6 material (EN 10132-4), and changes in the surface layer of the workpiece were then evaluated. Several simulations using finite element methods were used to obtain the best possible default parameters for the tests. The residual stress and the plastic deformation during roller burnishing were major parameters that were tested.
The Innovative Use of Biblical Traditions for Ritual Power: The Crucifixion of Jesus on a Coptic Exorcistic Spell (Brit. Lib. Or. 6796[4], 6796) as a Test Case
Authors: Sanzo Joseph E.
Published: November 2015

In this paper, I explore the creative use of biblical traditions in so-called “magical” texts through a detailed analysis of the crucifixion tradition on Brit. Lib. Or. 6796(4), 6796, a seventh-century CE spell for exorcism. I examine three overlapping ways in which the practitioner interacts with the crucifixion story: selection and arrangement of pre-existing traditions; invention of new elements of the story; and the juxtaposition of word and image. I then reflect on the implications of the crucifixion tradition in this spell for analyzing the relationship between biblical traditions and metonymy in “magical” texts, more generally.
Effect of storage conditions on industrial sugar retention in energy beets
Authors: Vargas-Ramirez Juan M. , Wiesenborn Dennis P.
Published: November 2015

Energy beets could compete with corn grain as
important industrial-sugar feedstocks for biofuels. However,
long-term energy beet storage is necessary to maximize
processing equipment use, and storage conditions
may entirely differ from those established in the sugar industry.
This work evaluated combined effects of surface
treatment, temperature, and storage atmosphere on beet
sugar retention. Initially, beets were dipped in solutions of
either a senescence inhibitor (N6-benzylaminopurine) or
one of two antimicrobial agents (acetic acid and pHresh
10.0r) at weight fractions of 0.05 and 0.1%, and 0.1 and
1%, respectively. Beets were then stored for up to 36 wk
either under aerobic conditions or in sealed containers,
at 6ºC or 25ºC. Surface treatment did not show a statistically
significant effect on sugar retention. Aerobic storage
at 25ºC enabled initial beet sugar retention due to dehydration
caused by low relative humidity (37%) in air. In
contrast, aerobic storage at 6ºC enabled sugar retention for
24 wk; however, sugar retention decreased sharply thereafter
to 56%. This decrease coincided with mold appearance
on beet surfaces. Beets stored in sealed containers at
both temperatures retained 38% of initial sugars. Increasing
surface area to better incorporate preservatives into
beet tissue could improve long-term sugar retention.
The Effect of Unconditional Cash Transfers on Adult Labour Supply: A Unitary Discrete Choice Model for the Case of Ecuador
Authors: Mideros Andrés , O’Donoghue Cathal
Published: November 2015

We examine the effect of unconditional cash transfers by a unitary discrete labour supply model. We argue that there is no negative income effect of social transfers in the case of poor adults because leisure could not be assumed to be a normal good under such conditions. Using data from the national employment survey of Ecuador (ENEMDUR) we estimate the effect of the
The expression of non-actual motion in Swedish, French and Thai
Authors: Blomberg Johan
Published: November 2015

Dynamic descriptions of static spatial situations, such asthe road goes through the foresthave attracted a lot of attention across different semantic theories. Analyses in terms of fictive motion and subjective motion have proposed that such expressions are strongly motivated by universal cognitive and conceptual factors. I present theoretical arguments for the conflation of several different motivations in the literature. Instead of a single general motivation, three distinct experiential motivations are presented under the termnon-actual motion. These experiential motivations are used to design an elicitation tool for investigating non-actual motion cross-linguistically. Elicited descriptions from speakers of Swedish, French and Thai suggest that such descriptions are conventionalized in all three languages, which supports the universal character of non-actual motion across languages. However, in expressing non-actual motion, the language-specific resources for expressing actual motion are used.
English regional dialect lexis in the names and occupations of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds: A reassessment of the relationship between names and dialects
Authors: Parkin Harry
Published: November 2015

A number of surname-based studies have presented a relationship between medieval regional dialect lexis and the distribution of associated modern-day surnames. However, by carrying out localised research, it appears that the two might not be so closely linked as previously thought, with discrepancies in the distribution of regionally specific names and equivalent occupational descriptions. As a result, there seems to be a need to reconsider the connection between regional lexicons and corresponding name stocks, which may have been less closely related, at a period of non-hereditary by-naming, than current knowledge suggests.
Taro or Oyster? The production merger of the two mid back vowels, [o] and [ɔ], in a major dialect of Taiwan Southern Min
Authors: Hsu Hui-ju
Published: November 2015

One of the two major dialects of Taiwaesen Southern Min [TSM] has two mid back vowels, /o/ and / ɔ/. This distinction is well documented in classic Chinese phonology and agreed upon by most TSM linguists. However, an increasing number of recent evidence-based studies have reported the falling together of these two vowels and, indeed, many non-linguists as well have noticed the loss of the distinction. Since these two vowels are so similar in nearly all phonetic features most studies carried out heretofore which concluded that the merger had in fact taken place were based on auditory criteria. The present study, however, the methodology of which has been designed to take account of the low literacy rate of TSM speakers, as well as the frequent contact which takes place between TSM dialects, investigates the status of these two vowels making use of both acoustic and statistical data. Results indicate that in TSM /o/ and / ɔ / have merged in the case of younger speakers. Both internal and external factors are proposed which have affected the merger, and the further suggestion is put forward that, though the instance of sound shift reversal in Taiwan is on record, this is not likely to occur in the case of TSM /o/ and / ɔ /.
Microstructure and wear behavior of Al-Al2O3 in situ composites fabricated by the reaction of V2O5 particles in pure aluminum
Authors: Singla Amneesh , Garg Rajnish , Saxena Mukesh
Published: November 2015

In this study, fabrication of Al based
Chemically modified Retama raetam biomass as a new adsorbent for Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution: non-linear regression, kinetics and thermodynamics
Authors: Hashem Ali , Hammad Hamdy A. , Al-Anwar Alaauddin
Published: November 2015

(RR), a desert plant, was chemically modified by the reaction with succinic acid at high temperature to form succinic acid treated
Utilization of waste dried Mangifera indica leaves for extraction of mangiferin by conventional batch extraction and advance three-phase partitioning
Authors: Kulkarni Vrushali M. , Rathod Virendra K.
Published: November 2015

Waste dried Mangifera indica (mango) leaves were utilized as a promising source of mangiferin, a valuable biomolecule. Different extraction procedures like three-phase partitioning and batch extraction were evaluated to get an optimum yield of mangiferin. Various parameters affecting the extraction process like salts, time, slurry to t-butanol ratio, ammonium sulfate, pH 6 and solute to solvent ratio were optimized. In three-phase partitioning, the yield of mangiferin obtained was 28 mg/g at a concentration of 40% w/v ammonium sulfate, pH 6, slurry to t-butanol ratio 1:1, solute to solvent ratio 1:40 and time 2 h. Conventional batch extraction using water as solvent resulted in a yield of 23 mg/g in 2 h 40 min, while Soxhlet extraction, as a reference method, yielded 57 mg/g in 5 h. Thus, conventional batch extraction with water can be used for large-scale operations of mangiferin extraction.
Evaluation of Bee Diversity within Different Sweet Cherry Orchards in the Sultandaği Reservoir (Turkey)
Authors: Güler Yasemin , Dikmen Fatih , Özdem Ayşe
Published: November 2015

Many varieties of sweet cherry are self-incompatible. Therefore, sweet cherry orchards require a huge population of pollinator bees to carry out an adequate amount of pollen transfer between the different varieties. Our study was conducted to evaluate the differences in the richness and diversity of these pollinators within very closely located sweet cherry orchards, and to understand the underlying effects causing these differences. The study was conducted in the Sultandağı Reservoir (Turkey) which covers the towns of Sultandağı (Afyonkarahisar) and Akşehir (Konya). In order to avoid a sampling bias, Malaise traps were used to collect bee samples. Sampling collections were repeated for three years; from 2007 to 2009, between April and May. The traps were set in the bud-swell period and lifted in the green-fruit period. Climatic data were taken from meteorology stations near the orchards. Vegetation in the surrounding areas was also inspected. The composition of pollinator bee species was determined and compared between orchards. In total, 83 bee species and 38 plant species were recorded. It was found that Halictidae is the most abundant and richest group among the pollinator bees. The effects of the quantity of the Malaise traps on bee sampling success were also tested. It was found that one trap per 325 trees is enough for an adequate sampling. Apart from the annual fluctuations of bee richness in the orchards, general differences in the bee diversity among orchards might be affected by the surrounding vegetation and especially from different agricultural practices such as tilling the ground.
Markov Boundary Discovery with Ridge Regularized Linear Models
Authors: Strobl Eric V. , Visweswaran Shyam
Published: November 2015

Ridge regularized linear models (RRLMs), such as ridge regression and the SVM, are a popular group of methods that are used in conjunction with coefficient hypothesis testing to discover explanatory variables with a significant multivariate association to a response. However, many investigators are reluctant to draw causal interpretations of the selected variables due to the incomplete knowledge of the capabilities of RRLMs in causal inference. Under reasonable assumptions, we show that a modified form of RRLMs can get “very close” to identifying a subset of the Markov boundary by providing a worst-case bound on the space of possible solutions. The results hold for any convex loss, even when the underlying functional relationship is nonlinear, and the solution is not unique. Our approach combines ideas in Markov boundary and sufficient dimension reduction theory. Experimental results show that the modified RRLMs are competitive against state-of-the-art algorithms in discovering part of the Markov boundary from gene expression data.
Convergence rate of some hybrid multigrid methods for variational inequalities
Authors: Badea Lori
Published: November 2015

In [L. Badea, Global convergence rate of a standard multigrid method for variational inequalities, IMA J. Numer. Anal., 34 (2014), No. 1, 197-216], a global convergence rate of the standard monotone multigrid method for variational inequalities is derived. This algorithm can be also viewed as performing multiplicative iterations on each level and also multiplicative iterations over the levels. In the present paper, this algorithm together with other three algorithms,which are combinations of additive or multiplicative iterations on levels with additive or multiplicative iterations over the levels, are analyzed in a unitary manner and in a more general framework which allow us to consider problems in the Sobolev space W
Polyphenol oxidase and lysozyme mediate induction of systemic resistance in tomato, when a bioelicitor is used
Authors: Goel Navodit , Kumar Paul Prabir
Published: November 2015

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is attacked by Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato causing heavy damage to the crops. The present study focused on the application of aqueous fruit extracts of neem (Azadirachta indica L.) on a single node of aseptically raised tomato plants. Observations were done, and the changes in the activity and isoenzyme profile of polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and lysozyme, both at the site of treatment as well as away from it, were noted. The results demonstrate that neem extract could significantly induce the activities of both the enzymes as well as upregulate the de novo expression of additional PPO isoenzymes. Induction of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) by natural plant extracts is a potent eco-friendly crop protection method.
Lexicographical structuring: the number and types of fields, data distribution, searching and data presentation / Lexikographische Strukturierung: Die Anzahl und Typen der Felder, Datendistribution, Suchen und Datenpräsentation / Structuration lexicographique: le nombre et les types de champs, distribution des données, recherche et présentation des données
Authors: Bergenholtz Henning , Agerbo Heidi
Published: November 2015

This contribution will not describe the structure in existing dictionaries. Instead, it will focus on the decisions that lexicographers make when they draw up the concept for and carry out the production of one or more new dictionaries, or when they consider making changes in the data presentation in an existing dictionary. This part of the lexicographical work is what we call structuring, which encompasses a number of various lexicographical decisions. One of these is choosing the fields that a database should contain. Typically, for some of these field types, it will be easy to distribute data, but for other fields it will require much consideration as there are several distribution options with different outcomes of varying usefulness. A second type of lexicographical decision to be made by the lexicographer is the predefined searching, which involves in what order searches are to be made in the different database fields and how these searches should result in a certain presentation of fields in the dictionary. An essential part of the argumentation in this contribution is based on the distinction between polyfunctional and monofunctional dictionaries. Most printed dictionaries are polyfunctional dictionaries, which are close to useless on electronic devices such as tablets and smartphones as they contain a vast amount of data. Only by producing monofunctional dictionaries is it possible to avoid information overload. In the case of monofunctional dictionaries, lexicographical structuring becomes particularly important as these dictionaries are derived from the same database but contain completely different structures.
E-Waste In Bangladesh: Evaluating The Situation, Legislation And Policy And Way Forward With Strategy And Approach
Authors: Alam Mahbub , Bahauddin Khalid Md.
Published: November 2015

Electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the fastest-growing pollution problems worldwide given the presence if a variety of toxic substances which can contaminate the environment and threaten human health, if disposal protocols are not meticulously managed. In Bangladesh almost 2.7 million metric tons of e-waste generated per year. Of this amount only 20 to 30 percent is recycled and the rest of the waste is released in to landfills, rivers, drains lakes, canals, open spaces which are very hazardous for the health and environment. Since Bangladesh is in the stream of rapid technological advancement, it is seldom to take necessary steps to avoid the future jeopardized situation because of e-waste. The current practices of e-waste management in Bangladesh suffer from a number of drawbacks like the difficulty in inventory, unhealthy conditions of informal recycling, inadequate legislation and policy, poor awareness and reluctance on part of the corporate to address the critical issues. The paper highlights the associated issues and strategies to address this emerging problem, analyses the policy and its gaps. Therefore, this paper also suggest that e-waste policy development may require a more customized approach where, instead of addressing e-waste in isolation, it should be addressed as part of the national development agenda that integrates green economy assessment and strategic environmental assessment as part of national policy planning. Finally this work also suggests some alternative strategies and approaches to overcome the challenges of e-waste.
Cuantification Of Land Degradation Sensitivity Areas In Romania Using European DISMED Data
Authors: Prăvălie Remus
Published: November 2015

Land degradation is presently an important environmental issue in many regions of the Globe, including Central South-Eastern Europe, where Romania is located. This study aims to quantify areas with significant sensitivity to degradation at national level, based on data provided by the European Environment Agency, obtained relatively recently through the DISMED project (Desertification Information System for the Mediterranean) in the Mediterranean and Central South-Eastern regions of Europe. The analysis is based on extracting SDI index (Desertification Sensitivity Index) information for the country’s entire territory, as well as for certain major regional, natural (landforms) and anthropogenic (counties) units. Thus, the areas corresponding to the most representative classes for land degradation potential in Romania were extracted, i.e. the ones with moderate and high sensitivity. The study also attempts to differentiate the degradation / desertification processes spatially, by delimiting drylands, for which the land degradation process is considered to be equivalent to desertification. The results showed that, at national level, there are ~ 72 000 km2 of lands with moderate and high degradation potential (30% of the country’s total surface), of which 80% (~ 57 000 km2) can be classified as sensitive to desertification. It was noticed that most degradation-prone areas are concentrated in the Romanian Plain (~ 30000 km2 moderate sensitivity) and the Dobrogea Plateau (~ 4150 km2 high sensitivity), in terms of the natural criterion, and in Braila (~ 4200 km2 moderate sensitivity) and Constanta (~ 3200 km2 high sensitivity) counties, in terms of the anthropogenic one. It was also found that land degradation in these areas corresponds to desertification, considering the existence of dry sub-humid and semi-arid climates, which are components of dryland systems.
Assessing Microscale Environmental Changes: CORINE Vs. The Urban Atlas
Authors: Petrişor Alexandru-Ionuţ , Petrişor Liliana Elza
Published: November 2015

Applying geostatistical approaches to spatial data is a common method for assessing the transitional dynamics of land cover and use changes induced by human activities. However, the relevance of results depends largely on the quality of data. CORINE data have showed their utility in assessing long term changes at the macro-scale, but their use at the micro-scale is impeded by the spatial resolution and changes in the methodology of obtaining them. Recently, new data from the Urban Atlas were provided at a greater resolution for urban areas. In an attempt to assess their potential for analyzing transitional dynamics at the micro-scale, this paper compared the two data sets using the case study of Bucharest. The results indicate that the Urban Atlas does a better job in surprising the fragmentation of land in urban areas, and providing the real extent of specific features diminished by CORINE.
Flood Analysis Using Hydrological Modeling. Case Study – The Flood In The Upper Catchment Of River Geru, Galaţi County, Romania
Authors: Balan Isabela , Crenganiş Loredana , Pricop Claudiu
Published: November 2015

This paper analyzes the flood that occurred between 11th and 13th of September 2013 in the upper catchment of the river Geru. The flood was simulated using the program Mike by DHI with the Unitary Hydrograph Method. As input data, we used the precipitation measured at the Automated Hydrological Sensor Station Cudalbi and radar precipitations. We analyzed the importance of accuracy for input data on the simulation results and the direct influence of setting the proper time steps in achieving the simulated discharge hydrograph. It appears that radar precipitations used as input data lead to a discharge hydrograph with low errors for amplitude and phase of the runoff peak.

The model can be used in the future to reproduce the floods produced in the analyzed catchment and to study the influence of physical and geographical characteristics of the hillslopes.
Geospatial Technology In Environmental Impact Assessments – Retrospective.
Authors: Goparaju Laxmi
Published: November 2015

Environmental Impact Assessments are studies conducted to give us an insight into the various impacts caused by an upcoming industry or any developmental activity. It should address various social, economic and environmental issues ensuring that negative impacts are mitigated. In this context, geospatial technology has been used widely in recent times.

The present study wishes to bring forth certain discrepancies detected while analyzing an Environmental Impact Assessment study of a proposed thermal power plant in Mirzapur district of Uttar Pradesh, India. If proper analysis is not done then the impacts are under estimated or over estimated. Thus, a proper understanding of the area under study and various techniques of analyzing satellite remote sensing data is required to achieve successful impact assessments which lead us in the right direction.