bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mosquito Control in Poland: Pro- and Anti-Environmental Activities
Authors: Gliniewicz Aleksandra , Mikulak Ewa , Rydzanicz Katarzyna
Published: May 2015

Mosquito control in Poland is still dominated by the use of chemicals. Although it has been 13 years since the flood of the century, only in few cities and towns (Wroclaw, Gorzow Wielkopolski and Torun) various methods of mosquito control such as mapping of larvae development and setting time limits for the imagines occur-rence were developed. The problem of mosquito control is not only limited to adult insects, it is also much more a complex issue due to the use of insecticides in the environment that we would rather like to keep unchanged, with a diversity of co-existing species of plants and animals. In addition to eradication of larvae and adult insects, we should also: carry out actions modifying environment so that it becomes less friendly to mosquitoes (e.g. drying wet mead-ows as a result of land reclamation), protect places where people reside - with the use of insecticide lamps and spatial repellents, as well as catchers for aggressive female mosquitoes. Increasing the share of environmental management methods and public education on preventing to form and eliminating existing places of mosquito larvae development in urban green areas (parks, river overflow areas and drainage ditches) are still an undervalued element of integrated mosquito control in Poland.
Phycoremediation of Wastewater: Heavy Metal and Nutrient Removal Processes
Authors: Kwarciak-Kozłowska Anna , Sławik-Dembiczak Lucyna , Bańka Bartłomiej
Published: May 2015

Phycoremediation is the use of algae for the removal or biotrans-formation of pollutants from wastewater. The study is a novel at-tempt to integrate nutrient (N and P) removal and some heavy met-als (iron, manganese and zinc) bioaccumulation from municipal wastewater using two microalgae species: Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus armatus. The Chlorella vulgaris showed higher re-moval of total nitrogen (TN) both in influent and effluent waste water than Scenedesmus armatus. Nevertheless, more than 51% of total phosphorus (TP) in effluent and 36% in influent wastewaters were removed by Scenedesmus armatus. More efficient microalga in heavy metal removal in influent wastewater was Scenedesmus armatus. The results showed that Chlorella vulgaris was appropriate for TN removal and bioaccumulation of heavy metals from effluent wastewater. Nevertheless, Scenedesmus armatus was highly pref-erable for heavy metals removal from influent wastewater.
Environmental Awareness Among the Rural Population in Natura 2000 Areas, with Bartoszyce and Sorkwity Communes as an Example
Authors: Gotkiewicz Wojciech , Sternik Paweł
Published: May 2015

The aim of this study was to learn about environmental awareness among the inhabitants of communes in which Natura 2000 areas had been designated. Field study with the use of an interview questionnaire was conducted in 2013 in two communes of Warmińsko-Mazurskie province, namely Bartoszyce and Sorkwity. The study in-volved a total of 61 inhabitants. The obtained results demonstrated that despite the actual presence of various forms of environmental protection within the areas under study, the depth of knowledge in the subject concerned was relatively low among the local population. Research shows that the respondents perceive the need for pro-environmental measures; however, they rarely take those mea-sures themselves, unless they can see economic profits in it. Even though more than half of the respondents have heard the name Natura 2000, majority of them know nothing thereof.
The Flavour of Murder: Food and Crime in the Novels of Agatha Christie
Authors: Baučeková Silvia
Published: May 2015

Food and murder have had a paradoxical relationship ever since the first prehistoric hunter-gatherers put the first morsels of meat into their mouths. On one hand, eating means life: food is absolutely necessary to sustain life. On the other hand, eating means killing. Whether it is the obvious killing of an animal for meat, or the less obvious termination of a plant’s life, one must destroy life in order to eat. It is assumed that this inherent tension between eating/living and eating/dying often informs and shapes crime narratives, not only in the recently invented genre of culinary mystery, produced most famously by Diane Mott Davidson and Joanne Fluke, but also, even if to a lesser extent, in classic detective novels of the 20th century. This article focuses on how the contradictory nature of eating is manifested in the work of Agatha Christie. By combining a traditional structuralist approach to crime fiction as a formula, as advocated by John G. Cawelti, with the methods of the emerging field of food studies, the paper aims to observe a classic, i.e., the classic detective story, from a new perspective
Pirates and Piracy in American Popular Culture
Authors: Kania Richard R. E.
Published: May 2015

Piracy is both an ancient and a modern social ill. Yet in American popular culture pirates have emerged as dashing heroic figures and Robin Hoods of the Sea. Some examples of this transformation of the pirate image from criminal to popular hero are explored in British and American fiction, cinema and other forms of popular culture.
Circumventing Cultural Reification: A Study of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’S the Thing Around Your Neck
Authors: Mami Fouad
Published: May 2015

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie argues in her 2009 collection of short stories that in as much as brutal dictatorship together with extreme underdevelopment propel young Nigerians for immigration, inaccurate and often scandalizing media portrayal also has nonetheless an important share in the sad drama. Her drama proposes way of circumventing cultural reification caused by inaccurate media representation.
The Problem of Synforms in Serbian Efl Learners Revisited
Authors: Danilović Jelena , Dimitrijević Marta
Published: May 2015

This paper will explore the issue of similar lexical forms (Laufer 1991) as a potential problem in vocabulary acquisition of Serbian EFL learners. Building on previous research (Kocić 2008), we collected data from two groups of undergraduate students at the Faculty of Philology and Arts in Kragujevac (lower- and upper-intermediate), and attempted to identify the factors that contribute to synform confusions.
Testing and Assessing English Word-Formation
Authors: Stopar Andrej
Published: May 2015

The paper discusses the testing/assessment of word-formation skills in thresholdlevel (B1) learners. To determine the suitability and use of productive gap-fill exercises at this level, an example of a word-formation exercise is addressed from the following perspectives: word frequency (corpus data), morphological complexity (morpheme types and wordformation processes), syntactic environments (typical sentence and/or phrase patterns), analysis of statistical data (facility values) and test-takers’ errors. The text also addresses some implications of the findings for the instruction of lexis.
Liberalism According to Štefan Launer or on an Ethno-Emancipation Theory
Authors: Gbúrová Marcela
Published: May 2015

Liberalism According to Štefan Launer, or on an Ethno-Emancipation Theory. (This paper has been prepared under the VEGA project No. 1/1116/12). Liberally-oriented Štefan Launer intervened in the complicated Slovak nationalidentification process of the 1840s, who defined himself in relation to the Štúr´s group by his radical rejection of their language reform. He considered that reform a gross distortion of the State (Historic-Hungarian) and national (Czechoslovak) integration. Launer made use of the difficult situation of looking for the most suitable solution of language issues of Slovaks in Historic Hungary to expose his own expertise, his intellectual gifts, and his conflicting nature. He developed his own ethno-emancipation theory, through which he not only wanted to attract the representatives of the Lutheran Church in Historic Hungary, but mainly the historic Hungarian political suzerain. The essence of his concept was that he defined the streamlining of cultural and political modernity in Europe from its western part to its eastern part, while having ”entrusted” the global history-forming initiative to four of the Western European nations (the Italian, the French, the English, and the German ones), which by virtue of their scholarship and spirit were to revive the Slavic world. Through the above concept, he intended to contribute to resolving the ethno-cultural processes ongoing within the context of modernizing multilingual Historic Hungary
Post-harvest biomass stock and productivity of Calamagrostis epigejos community under beech and spruce forest stand
Authors: Máliš František , Konôpka Bohdan , Maľová Miriam
Published: May 2015

We investigated the above- and below-ground standing biomass and production of plant communities dominated by bushgrass (Calamagrostis epigejos) colonizing forest clearings created by harvesting beechspruce forest stands. Above-ground living biomass of these communities was 6.6 t.ha-1, while above-ground litter made up 5.6 t.ha-1. Below-ground standing biomass was 6.6 t.ha-1 and production was 1.6 t.ha-1. Inter-annual fluctuations in production were rather high and did not clearly follow weather alternations. We hypothesize about some of the reasons for this. A negative correlation between litter and production of bushgrass rhizomes and root were found. The amount of bushgrass above-ground biomass did not affect species’ richness, but a higher amount of its roots inhibited occurrence of other species, especially other dominants in the forest clearings Epilobium angustifolium and Rubus idaeus. The bushgrass produced rhizomes mainly at micro-sites with higher proportions to other species. The number and average length of the bushgrass blades are related to its above-ground biomass. We conclude that the competition between bushgrass and other species takes place most heavily in the top soil layer. Biomass production of bushgrass communities is not sensitive to weather patterns under the conditions of beech-spruce forest clearings. In terms of the carbon accumulation and nutrient cycling, these communities have an important role in certain periods of forest life.
The Predator and his Prey: Strategies and Strangenesses in Beckett's Early Poems
Authors: Pilling John
Published: May 2015

A study of the difficulties encountered in selected early poems of Samuel Beckett (specifically, ‘Casket of Pralinen …’ and ‘Text’), investigating the adequacy of ‘the probity with which the creative act has carried itself out’, together with a more general consideration of the psychological pressures which Beckett's creativity was being called on to meet.
Toward a Scholarly Edition of Beckett's Critical Writings
Authors: Tucker David , Nixon Mark
Published: May 2015

This essay outlines the case for a new, scholarly edition of Beckett's critical writings, one that would be complete and with critical annotation. For the most part these texts (critical writings, tributes, in memoria and epigraphs) have been published in a range of places. As well as in the magazines, newspapers, books and special-issue publications in which pieces originally appeared, a number were collected in Disjecta (Calder 1983 & Grove 1984). This volume, however, is not exhaustive; it misses out a number of important texts (not least Proust) and contains some textual inaccuracies. Furthermore, Beckett's critical writings are currently not available from the UK publishers Faber and the Grove Press Centenary Edition of Beckett's works, the fourth volume of which contains a section entitled ‘Criticism’, presents only three works of criticism by Beckett (Proust, ‘Dante … Bruno . Vico . . Joyce’ and ‘Three Dialogues’). In this essay, we give a brief (and far from exhaustive) overview of the publication history of Beckett's non-fiction prose texts, before outlining some of the editorial challenges they pose. Although Beckett tended to be dismissive of these works, they form an integral part of his canon.
Alternative Compagnie: Textual Variants in Beckett's Compagnie/Company
Authors: Nugent-Folan Georgina
Published: May 2015

In this essay I compare points of textual difference in the Calder, Grove, and Minuit editions of Samuel Beckett's Company/Compagnie and the Calder ‘Company’ of Nohow On, paying particular attention to post-publication word form variants. I attempt to differentiate points of divergence deliberately introduced into the texts by the author from errors introduced during the publication process and perpetuated throughout the different edition of these texts. I discuss six variants in detail and include an appendix with an additional eight variants.
Still at Issue after All These Years: The Beckettian Text, Printed and Performed
Authors: Gontarski S. E.
Published: May 2015

Since Samuel Beckett lamented to his official biographer, James Knowlson, that his ‘texts are in a terrible mess’, much attention has been paid to the issues of textual accuracy and fidelity, much written about textual variance in the Beckett canon, and many attempts made and considerable money spent to remedy such variation and publishing inconsistencies, many the result of simultaneous but separate publishing processes and leavened by publishers’ eagerness to publish Beckett's new work, especially for the theatre, even as he was still developing the piece in rehearsals. Add to such creative issues something of a general slovenliness, inattention, oversights, and blunders by everyone involved in the process of publication, and we have the current state of the Beckett texts, still apparently ‘a terrible mess’. For those of us involved with such issues these past 40 (or so) years, an unacceptable level of textual variance persists even as concurrent and persistent calls for an adherence or return to the Beckettian text are sounded. This essay surveys the practical problems that exist among Beckett's texts, even in a single language, as it also cites instances where progress has been made in developing scholarly editions. The essay finally accepts the fact that uniform Beckett texts, or “the Beckett text,” even if such a goal were desirable, is not only unattainable but perhaps even contrary to what we might loosely call Beckettian aesthetics.
The Effect of Alcohol and Hydrogen Peroxide on Liver Hepcidin Gene Expression in Mice Lacking Antioxidant Enzymes, Glutathione Peroxidase-1 or Catalase
Authors: Harrison-Findik Duygu , Lu Sizhao
Published: May 2015

This study investigates the regulation of hepcidin, the key iron-regulatory molecule, by alcohol and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in glutathione peroxidase-1 (gpx-1−/−) and catalase (catalase−/−) knockout mice. For alcohol studies, 10% ethanol was administered in the drinking water for 7 days. Gpx-1−/− displayed significantly higher hepatic H2O2 levels than catalase−/− compared to wild-type mice, as measured by 2'-7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA). The basal level of liver hepcidin expression was attenuated in gpx-1−/− mice. Alcohol increased H2O2 production in catalase−/− and wild-type, but not gpx-1−/−, mice. Hepcidin expression was inhibited in alcohol-fed catalase−/− and wild-type mice. In contrast, alcohol elevated hepcidin expression in gpx-1−/− mice. Gpx-1−/− mice also displayed higher level of basal liver CHOP protein expression than catalase−/− mice. Alcohol induced CHOP and to a lesser extent GRP78/BiP expression, but not XBP1 splicing or binding of CREBH to hepcidin gene promoter, in gpx-1−/− mice. The up-regulation of hepatic ATF4 mRNA levels, which was observed in gpx-1−/− mice, was attenuated by alcohol. In conclusion, our findings strongly suggest that H2O2 inhibits hepcidin expression in vivo. Synergistic induction of CHOP by alcohol and H2O2, in the absence of gpx-1, stimulates liver hepcidin gene expression by ER stress independent of CREBH.
Diagnosis of Atopic Dermatitis: Mimics, Overlaps, and Complications
Authors: Siegfried Elaine , Hebert Adelaide
Published: May 2015

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most common skin diseases affecting infants and children. A smaller subset of adults has persistent or new-onset AD. AD is characterized by pruritus, erythema, induration, and scale, but these features are also typical of several other conditions that can mimic, coexist with, or complicate AD. These include inflammatory skin conditions, infections, infestations, malignancies, genetic disorders, immunodeficiency disorders, nutritional disorders, graft-versus-host disease, and drug eruptions. Familiarity of the spectrum of these diseases and their distinguishing features is critical for correct and timely diagnosis and optimal treatment.
The Effect of Elevated CO2 and Increased Temperature on in Vitro Fertilization Success and Initial Embryonic Development of Single Male:Female Crosses of Broad-Cast Spawning Corals at Mid- and High-Latitude Locations
Authors: Schutter Miriam , Nozawa Yoko , Kurihara Haruko
Published: May 2015

The impact of global climate change on coral reefs is expected to be most profound at the sea surface, where fertilization and embryonic development of broadcast-spawning corals takes place. We examined the effect of increased temperature and elevated CO2 levels on the in vitro fertilization success and initial embryonic development of broadcast-spawning corals using a single male:female cross of three different species from mid- and high-latitude locations: Lyudao, Taiwan (22° N) and Kochi, Japan (32° N). Eggs were fertilized under ambient conditions (27 °C and 500 μatm CO2) and under conditions predicted for 2100 (IPCC worst case scenario, 31 °C and 1000 μatm CO2). Fertilization success, abnormal development and early developmental success were determined for each sample. Increased temperature had a more profound influence than elevated CO2. In most cases, near-future warming caused a significant drop in early developmental success as a result of decreased fertilization success and/or increased abnormal development. The embryonic development of the male:female cross of A. hyacinthus from the high-latitude location was more sensitive to the increased temperature (+4 °C) than the male:female cross of A. hyacinthus from the mid-latitude location. The response to the elevated CO2 level was small and highly variable, ranging from positive to negative responses. These results suggest that global warming is a more significant and universal stressor than ocean acidification on the early embryonic development of corals from mid- and high-latitude locations.
Hitting the Sweet Spot: Glycans as Targets of Fungal Defense Effector Proteins
Authors: Künzler Markus
Published: May 2015

Organisms which rely solely on innate defense systems must combat a large number of antagonists with a comparatively low number of defense effector molecules. As one solution of this problem, these organisms have evolved effector molecules targeting epitopes that are conserved between different antagonists of a specific taxon or, if possible, even of different taxa. In order to restrict the activity of the defense effector molecules to physiologically relevant taxa, these target epitopes should, on the other hand, be taxon-specific and easily accessible. Glycans fulfill all these requirements and are therefore a preferred target of defense effector molecules, in particular defense proteins. Here, we review this defense strategy using the example of the defense system of multicellular (filamentous) fungi against microbial competitors and animal predators.
Fruit and Vegetable Intake Assessed by Food Frequency Questionnaire and Plasma Carotenoids: A Validation Study in Adults
Authors: Burrows Tracy , Hutchesson Melinda , Rollo Megan , Boggess May , Guest Maya , Collins Clare
Published: May 2015

Dietary validation studies of self-reported fruit and vegetable intake should ideally include measurement of plasma biomarkers of intake. The aim was to conduct a validation study of self-reported fruit and vegetable intakes in adults, using the Australian Eating Survey (AES) food frequency questionnaire (FFQ), against a range of plasma carotenoids. Dietary intakes were assessed using the semi-quantitative 120 item AES FFQ. Fasting plasma carotenoids (α- and β-carotene, lutein/zeaxanthin, lycopene and cryptoxanthin) were assessed using high performance liquid chromatography in a sample of 38 adult volunteers (66% female). Significant positive correlations were found between FFQ and plasma carotenoids for α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin (52%, 47%, 26%, p < 0.001, 0.003, 0.041; respectively) and relationships between plasma carotenoids (except lycopene) and weight status metrics (BMI, waist circumference, fat mass) were negative and highly significant. The results of the current study demonstrate that carotenoid intakes as assessed by the AES FFQ are significantly related to plasma concentrations of α-carotene, β-carotene and lutein/zeaxanthin, the carotenoids commonly found in fruit and vegetables. Lower levels of all plasma carotenoids, except lycopene, were found in individuals with higher BMI. We conclude that the AES can be used to measure fruit and vegetable intakes with confidence.
Determination of Zinc Status in Humans: Which Indicator Should We Use?
Authors: Wieringa Frank , Dijkhuizen Marjoleine , Fiorentino Marion , Laillou Arnauld , Berger Jacques
Published: May 2015

Zinc deficiency has serious wide-ranging health consequences and is thought to be one of the most prevalent micronutrient deficiencies in the world. However, reliable indicators or biomarkers to assess zinc status are not available at present. Indirect indicators such as the prevalence of stunting or anemia, iron deficiency, as well as more direct indicators such as plasma zinc concentrations are being used at present to estimate the prevalence of zinc deficiency in populations. However, as this paper shows by using data from a recent national micronutrient survey in Vietnam, the estimates of the prevalence of zinc deficiency using these different indicators can vary widely, leading to inconsistencies. In this paper, zinc deficiency among children is four times more prevalent than iron deficiency and 2.3 times more than stunting prevalence for example. This can lead not only to confusion concerning the real extent of the prevalence of zinc deficiency in populations, but also makes it hard to inform policy on whether action is needed or not. Moreover, evaluation of programs is hampered by the lack of a clear indicator. Efforts should be made to identify the most suitable indicator to evaluate the impact of programs aimed at improving zinc status and health of populations.
Vitamin D as a Resilience Factor, Helpful for Survival of Potentially Fatal Conditions: A Hypothesis Emerging from Recent Findings of the ESTHER Cohort Study and the CHANCES Consortium
Authors: Schöttker Ben , Brenner Hermann
Published: May 2015

There is debate on whether vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for major chronic diseases and premature death or whether observed associations were just confounded by general health status. Here, we review recent results from the Epidemiologische Studie zu Chancen der Verhütung, Früherkennung und optimierten Therapie chronischer Erkrankungen in der älteren Bevölkerung (ESTHER) cohort study and the Consortium on Heatlh and Ageing: Network of Cohorts from Europe and the United States (CHANCES) that suggest that vitamin D deficiency may not be a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases and cancer but may be a risk factor for fatal instances of these diseases. Furthermore, analyses comprehensively adjusted for the health status showed that the association of vitamin D and mortality was very likely not confounded by general health status. These results suggest that vitamin D could be a marker of resilience to fatality of potentially fatal diseases. Sufficient vitamin D serum concentrations may be needed to regulate the response of the immune system when it is challenged by severe diseases to prevent a fatal course of the disease. If this hypothesis can be verified through basic research studies and adequately designed randomized controlled trials, it could have important public health implications because vitamin D deficiency is very common worldwide, and interventions could be implemented easily.
Synthesis of β-cyclodextrin-Based Star Block Copolymers with Thermo-Responsive Behavior
Authors: Wycisk Agnes , Döring Artjom , Schneider Martin , Schönhoff Monika , Kuckling Dirk
Published: May 2015

Star polymers are one example of three-dimensional macromolecules containing several arms with similar molecular weight connected to a central core. Due to their compact structure and their enhanced segment density in comparison to linear polymers of the same molecular weight, they have attracted significant attention during recent years. The preparation of block-arm star copolymers with a permanently hydrophilic block and an “environmentally” sensitive block, which can change its nature from hydrophilic to hydrophobic, leads to nanometer-sized responsive materials with unique properties. These polymers are able to undergo a conformational change or phase transition as a reply to an external stimulus resulting in the formation of core–shell nanoparticles, which further tend to aggregate. Star-shaped copolymers with different cores were synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The core-first method chosen as synthetic strategy allows good control over the polymer architecture. First of all the multifunctional initiators were prepared by esterification reaction of the hydroxyl groups with 2-chloropropionyl chloride. Using β-cyclodextrin as core molecules, which possess a well-defined number of functional groups up to 21, allows defining the number of arms per star polymer. In order to prepare stimuli-responsive multi-arm copolymers, containing a stimuli-responsive (poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm)) and a non-responsive block (poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PDMAAm)), consecutive ATRP was carried out. The polymers were characterized intensively using NMR spectroscopy and size exclusion chromatography (SEC), whereas the temperature-depending aggregation behavior in aqueous solution was determined via turbidimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
An Algorithm for Finding Process Identification Intervals from Normal Operating Data
Authors: Bittencourt André , Isaksson Alf , Peretzki Daniel , Forsman Krister
Published: May 2015

Performing experiments for system identification is often a time-consuming task which may also interfere with the process operation. With memory prices going down and the possibility of cloud storage, years of data is more and more commonly stored (without compression) in a history database. In such stored data, there may already be intervals informative enough for system identification. Therefore, the goal of this project was to find an algorithm that searches and marks intervals suitable for process identification (rather than completely autonomous system identification). For each loop, four stored variables are required: setpoint, manipulated variable, measured process output and mode of the controller. The essential features of the method are the search for excitation of the input and output, followed by the estimation of a Laguerre model combined with a hypothesis test to check that there is a causal relationship between process input and output. The use of Laguerre models is crucial to handle processes with deadtime without explicit delay estimation. The method was tested on three years of data from about 200 control loops. It was able to find all intervals in which known identification experiments were performed as well as many other useful intervals in closed/open loop operation.
Increased Viral Dissemination in the Brain and Lethality in MCMV-Infected, Dicer-Deficient Neonates
Authors: Ostermann Eleonore , Macquin Cécile , Krezel Wojciech , Bahram Seiamak , Georgel Philippe
Published: May 2015

Among Herpesviruses, Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV or HHV-5) represents a major threat during congenital or neonatal infections, which may lead to encephalitis with serious neurological consequences. However, as opposed to other less prevalent pathogens, the mechanisms and genetic susceptibility factors for CMV encephalitis are poorly understood. This lack of information considerably reduces the prognostic and/or therapeutic possibilities. To easily monitor the effects of genetic defects on brain dissemination following CMV infection we used a recently developed in vivo mouse model based on the neonatal inoculation of a MCMV genetically engineered to express Luciferase. Here, we further validate this protocol for live imaging, and demonstrate increased lethality associated with viral infection and encephalitis in mutant mice lacking Dicer activity. Our data indicate that miRNAs are important players in the control of MCMV pathogenesis and suggest that miRNA-based endothelial functions and integrity are crucial for CMV encephalitis.
Trifluoromethyl-substituted tetrathiafulvalenes
Authors: Jeannin Olivier , Barrière Frédéric , Fourmigué Marc
Published: May 2015

A series of tetrathiafulvalenes functionalized with one or two trifluoromethyl electron-withdrawing groups (EWG) is obtained by phosphite coupling involving CF3-substituted 1,3-dithiole-2-one derivatives. The relative effects of the EWG such as CF3, CO2Me and CN on the TTF core were investigated from a combination of structural, electrochemical, spectrochemical and theoretical investigations. Electrochemical data confirm the good correlations between the first oxidation potential of the TTF derivatives and the σmeta Hammet parameter, thus in the order CO2Me < CF3 < CN, indicating that, in any case, the mesomeric effect of the substituents is limited. Besides, crystal structure determinations show that the deformation of the unsymmetrically substituted dithiole rings, when bearing one, or two different EWG, and attributed to the mesomeric effect of ester or nitrile groups, is not notably modified or counter-balanced by the introduction of a neighboring trifluoromethyl group. DFT calculations confirm these observations and also show that the low energy HOMO–LUMO absorption band found in nitrile or ester-substituted TTFs is not found in TTF-CF3, where, as in TTF itself, the low energy absorption band is essentially attributable to a HOMO→LUMO + 1 transition. Despite relatively high oxidation potentials, these donor molecules with CF3 EWG can be involved in charge transfer complexes or cation radical salts, as reported here for the CF3-subsituted EDT-TTF donor molecule. A neutral charge transfer complex with TCNQ, (EDT-TTF-CF3)2(TCNQ) was isolated and characterized through alternated stacks of EDT-TTF-CF3 dimers and TCNQ in the solid state. A radical cation salt of EDT-TTF-CF3 is also obtained upon electrocrystallisation in the presence of the FeCl4− anion. In this salt, formulated as (EDT-TTF-CF3)(FeCl4), the (EDT-TTF-CF3)+• radical cations are associated two-by-two into centrosymmetric dyads with a strong pairing of the radical species in a singlet state.
R-CURVE BEHAVIOR AND CRACK PROPAGATION PROPERTIES OF ASPHALT CONCRETE AT LOW TEMPERATURES
Authors: Ghafari Sepehr , Nejad Moghadas Fereidoon
Published: May 2015

Fracture properties and crack propagation characteristics of asphalt concrete mixtures were studied by obtaining fracture resistance curves using three point single edge SE(B) notched beam specimens. Elastic-plastic approach is used in the calculation of the J-integral since the fracture process zone size is large enough to not use a linear elastic approach. Crack length measurements were obtained directly from high resolution images taken during the tests. A rising R-curve was observed in all the specimens which indicates ductility and a toughening mechanism in the ductile to quasi-brittle fracture of the mixture. Mixtures developed by limestone and siliceous aggregates with 4%, 4.5% and 5% binder contents were tested at temperatures ranging from +5ºC to –20ºC. Mixtures with 5% binder content showed greater crack resistant behavior at each temperature. Crack lengths at which crack propagation instability occurred were decreased by the reduction of temperature. A significant drop of this critical crack length is observed in temperatures below –15ºC. As well, the elastic-plastic fracture toughness is increased by the reduction of temperature up to –15ºC and starts to diminish thereafter.
PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVE-BASED DYNAMIC ADJUSTMENT MODEL TO BALANCE THE STAKEHOLDERS’ SATISFACTION IN PPP PROJECTS
Authors: Xiong Wei , Yuan Jing-Feng , Li Qiming , Skibniewski Mirosław J.
Published: May 2015

Aiming to balance the interests of the principal stakeholders (the private sector, the government and the general public) in Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) projects, the satisfaction of stakeholders were researched thoroughly in this paper. A satisfaction evaluation model was structured based on authors’ prior questionnaire survey focusing on the performance objective indicators (POIs) of different stakeholders. The parties’ preferred POIs were identified as follows: all three parties emphasize the objectives of construction quality, service quality, cost, time, and lifecycle cost very much. Individually, the private sector prefer the objectives of profit making and government support, the government prefer the objectives of budget saving and risk transfer, and the general public prefer the objectives of toll rate and the facilities’ quantities. Furthermore, a satisfaction adjustment model was proposed based on the interrelationships of the adjusting POIs and their impact on the stakeholders’ satisfaction by using the feedback loops of System Dynamics (SD). An illustrative case was also introduced, the results of which indicated that the satisfaction evaluation and adjustment model could be well applied to balance the interests of stakeholders and also improve the general performance of the project.
Taxonomical identity of Sarcocornia fruticosa and S. hispanica in the Iberian Peninsula
Authors: Guilló Ana , Alonso M. Ángeles , Lendínez M. Lucía , Salazar Carlos , Juan Ana
Published: May 2015

The recent description of Sarcocornia hispanica, from SE Iberian Peninsula evidences the notable morphological complexity of this genus. This species is quite close to S. fruticosa, as they both show an erect habit and lack of rooting stems. Besides, S. fruticosa has been traditionally recorded for the same geographical area of S. hispanica. However, the original description of S. hispanica did not include any mention about these two taxa would live together and which ones are the differential morphological characters. Our study aims to clarify their main morphological differences and to address two questions. Firstly, if two close species would be coexisting or secondly, if both species would not live together and then only one erect shrubby species should be recognised for the southeastern peninsular. Therefore, a detailed morphological study of these two species was carried out using vegetative and reproductive characters together with SEM features. Based on the original description, the main morphological features of S. hispanica were compared, plus other features which would support their identification. Our data pointed out the existence of a marked overlapping for most of the studied characters independently of the geographical procedence of the samples. As a result, no significant morphological differences have been found between both taxa, and S. hispanica is proposed as a mere synonym of S. fruticosa.
First record of Caulerpa cylindracea (Caulerpaceae, Chlorophyta) in Andalusia (Southern Spain)
Authors: Altamirano María , Andreakis Nikos , Souza-Egipsy Virginia , Zanolla Marianela , De la Rosa Julio
Published: May 2015

Three different species of Caulerpa (Caulerpaceae, Chlorophyta) co-occur in the Mediterranean Sea: two of them are found at the central-eastern basin and are typically considered non aggressive components of the Lessepsian flora [(C. chemnitzia(Esper) J.V. Lamouroux and C. racemosa var. lamourouxii (Turner) Weber-van Bosse f. requienii(Montagne) Weber van Bosse)]; a third taxon, C. cylindracea Sonder has aggressively expanded its range since its first observation in 1990, and it is nowadays reported from nearly all the Mediterranean countries. We report a population of C. cylindracea from Almería (Andalusia, Southern Iberian Peninsula) at −30 m depth as to be the westernmost record of the invasive variety on the Mediterranean European coast. Therefore, we made use of morphological description and molecular phylogenetics to provide a complete identification of this invasive seaweed in Southern Spain. Our findings are discussed in light of the composition of the receptor communities, such as maërl bed, edges of Posidonia oceanica (Linnaeus) Delile, and their ecology. Our results confirmed the suggested directionality of the invasive pathway to be westward to the Strait of Gibraltar, mainly supported by sea currents and vectors of anthropogenic origin.
The Effects of Feedstock Powder and Deposition Technique on the Hardness and Tribological Performance of Thermal-Sprayed WC-Co Coatings
Authors: Fischer Traugott E. , Qiao Yunfei , Liu YouRong
Published: May 2015

The wear resistance of thirty WC-Co coatings, deposited by standard High-Velocity Oxyfuel (HVOF) techniques and a high-temperature variant of HVOF, with standard commercial and experimental nanostructured feedstocks, is examined. It is found that the high-temperature gun produces harder and more wear-resistant coatings than the standard gun. The latter does not generate high enough temperatures to melt the powder and provide good bonding between WC grains and Co binder. All coatings present higher wear resistance than the steel substrate. Coatings deposited with standard feedstock possess generally higher wear resistance than nanostructured coatings. The difference is more pronounced in sliding than in abrasive wear. WC-Co Coatings deposited with nanostructured feedstocks are recommended for use in bearings and other machinery with sliding parts because they inflict much less wear on the material on which they slide than conventional coatings. Coatings with micrometer WC grains are recommended for abrasion resistance applications such as earth moving or slurry processing machinery.
Tribocorrosion of Thermal Sprayed Coatings
Authors: Mischler S. , Roy Manish
Published: May 2015

Triboelectrochemical response is concerned with different electrochemical-controlled wear experiments designed to understand tribocorrosion behaviour of materials and coatings. Tribocorrosion is defined as material degradation resulting from simultaneous action of wear and corrosion and it is found in many engineering applications, but the involved mechanisms are still only partially understood. In this chapter, a brief overview of tribocorrosion testing techniques is followed by issues which have helped us in gaining in-depth scientific knowledge of tribocorrosion. The overview is further substantiated by detailed studies and observations on tribocorrosion of thermal sprayed coatings in recent times.
High Temperature Sliding Wear of Thermal Sprayed Coatings
Authors: Pauschitz A. , Roy Manish
Published: May 2015

In this chapter, various layers that are formed during sliding wear of thermal sprayed coatings at elevated temperature are discussed. Glazed layers are formed on the worn surfaces during elevated temperature sliding wear of thermal sprayed coatings. These layers have a characteristic physical appearance, mechanical properties, chemical compositions, and failure mechanisms. Wearing conditions, wearing material, and mating material influence formation and characteristics of glazed layers. Among these parameters, wearing material and mating material are most important. These glazed layers are divided into different types of layers, namely Transfer Layer (TL), Mechanically Mixed Layer (MML), Reaction Layer (RL), and Composite Layer (CL). The recent results on friction of thermal sprayed coatings at elevated temperature are rationalised in the light of different types of glazed layer formation.
Predictive Maintenance for Quality Control in High Precision Processes
Authors: Carnero María Carmen , López-Escobar Carlos , González-Palma Rafael , Mayorga Pedro , Almorza David
Published: May 2015

In external grinding processes, vibrations induced by the process itself can lead to defects that affect the quality of the parts. The literature offers models that cannot include all process variables in the analysis. This research applies theoretical models and experimental analysis to determine their suitability for predicting the chatter profile of parts in a plunge grinding process. The application of variance analysis to overall vibration value induced by grinding wheel-workpiece contact allows us to show that high frequency displacements vibration are sensitive to the process setup as well as to the quality of the products manufactured. The final statistical analysis has provided a determination of the spectral bands of the process in which the vibrations causes by grinding wheel-workpiece contact influence the existence of flaws in the workpieces. The methodology described can contribute to increasing the environmental sustainability of an industrial organization.
Retrospection of Globalisation Process and the Sustainability of Natural Environment in Developing Countries
Authors: Hameed Shahul
Published: May 2015

Globalization is an inevitable integrating process and vital to the world economy but it generates many challenges towards the integration of “economic independence” of the nation states like (a) economic integration through investment/trade and capital flow, (b) initiating multilateral political interaction between the countries, and (c) diffusion of dominant cultural values and beliefs over other cultures. globalization accelerates structural change, which alters the industrial structure of host countries, for instance the excessive use of natural resources and contributes to the physical environmental deterioration. Further, globalization transmits and magnifies market failures and policy distortions if not properly addressed. The chapter attempts to (a) identify the key links between globalization and environment deterioration, (b) identify some issues in multilateral economic agreements in trade, finance, investments, and intellectual property rights that affect environmental sustainability, (c) identify and review priority policy issues affecting multilateral economic agreements on environment issues.
Challenges in Building a Green Supply Chain
Authors: Fernando Yudi , Kaur Kurtar , Wahyuni-TD Ika Sari
Published: May 2015

Consumers today are focusing on products that are manufactured using sustainable, environmentally friendly methods. Profitability or even existence of an industry can be impacted by public opinion. Governments all over the world are also coming up with stricter regulations for industries to comply with on items like pollution, hazardous content, conflict minerals, child labor, exploitation, etc. A number of requirements have been set up by the semiconductor industry, and Intel worldwide is working on some of the current issues: (1) conflict-free minerals sourcing; (2) using green/sustainable energy; (3) reduction of water consumption/recycling of water; and (4) migrating to unleaded parts and halogen free parts. This chapter presents the Intel experiences and challenges in building a green supply chain at both the corporate and regional levels.
Review of Supply Chain Integration on Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM)
Authors: Kamal Alia Nadhirah Ahmad , Fernando Yudi
Published: May 2015

The world economy operates on a capitalist market system where more and more natural resources are strained to produce maximum profits on the basis of achieving the efficiency of the economies of scale. As corporations' awareness increases on the jeopardizing impact they have caused to the deteriorating environment, more corporations have established a more eco-friendly operation. Greening the supply chain is one significant example of such moves. Realizing the green supply chain tendency in the industry, this proposed chapter focuses on highlighting the supply chain integration with business partners (suppliers, shippers, distributors, and customers) on Green Supply Chain Management (GSCM) practices. The chapter shows the literature supporting the important integration of GSCM as it enables corporations to gather collective strength, skills, and capabilities in achieving its ecological as well as business objectives. Both practitioners in companies and corporations might find this review useful, as it outlines major lines of research in the field.
Technology-Enhanced Pedagogical Models to Learn Critical Citizenship at a South African University
Authors: Rambe Patient , Agbobli Edem
Published: May 2015

Although knowledge-centred approaches anchored in students' knowledge production abilities, heterogeneous learning styles and diverse learning needs are widely celebrated, perplexing questions persist on how these learning capabilities and enablements can be sufficiently harnessed to support technology-enhanced pedagogical designs. This chapter contributes to this discourse by proposing knowledge-centred models that integrate sound pedagogical strategy, ubiquitous technologies and situated learning to address student learning priorities and challenges in a Global Citizenship course at a South African university. Laurillard's (2001) Conversational Framework rendered a theoretical lens for interpreting the learning priorities, challenges experienced and the appropriateness of the proposed technology-mediated pedagogical interventions. Findings suggest that although collective engagement and peer-based networking were salient in the course, challenges of fostering deep learning, scaling the course, enhancing sustainable course delivery and accommodating diverse learning needs of students were reported. Technology-mediated pedagogical models that drew on emerging Web based technologies were designed to resolve these challenges.
Active Learning Strategies in Enhancing Learning among College Students
Authors: Chemosit Caroline C. , Rugutt John K. , Ngeno Viviline , Soi Dorothy
Published: May 2015

This chapter explores the relationship between active learning strategies and skills and attributes that enhance learning (SAEL) among college students. Developing skills and attributes that enhance learning (SAEL) among college students is critical to student success and persistence in college. Additionally, SAEL help the students develop a sustained learning commitment while in college and after graduation. However, little evidence is there to show how higher education institutions are equipping students with SAEL. This study seeks to investigate if there is a relationship between active learning strategies (ALS) and SAEL. Secondary data from the 2007 National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) at a Midwestern state university in the USA were employed to examine the relationship between ALS and SAEL. The results of the analysis showed positive significant correlations between ALS and SAEL components, (p < 0.001). Multiple regression model showed that ALS predictor variables significantly predict SAEL, R2 = .196, R2adj = .188, F (7, 731) = 25.38, p < .001. The regression model accounts for 19.6% of variance in SAEL.
Challenges and Opportunities for E-Learning in Education
Authors: Kafyulilo Ayoub C
Published: May 2015

This chapter presents a review of literature on the existing opportunities and challenges of adopting e-learning in education in Tanzania and the possible measures to overcome some challenges. The study also assessed the primary factors contributing to the slow and limited use and integration of technology tools by teachers and students despite the availability of technology in their schools. Based on the findings from literature review and government documents (policies and reports), it is evident that one of the determinants of a sustainable e-learning program in education in Tanzania is the availability of reliable and sound infrastructure. In the presence of appropriate technological tools and uninterrupted electricity, better access to Internet, and availability of a good model for technology use, both teachers and students might be willing to implement e-learning programs in their learning institutions.