bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Opening the „Black Box” of Organic Agriculture in Bulgaria: the Problem with Top-down Institutional Development
Authors: Stoeva Svetla 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The aim of this article is to examine the institutional development of organic agriculture (OA) in Bulgaria. The primary focus is on explaining certain contradictory trends observed during an examination of the phenomenon. First, although the origins of OA in Bulgaria can be traced back to the last years of socialism, it was not until 2010 that a “boom” of organic operators and certified land occurred. Second, although a full range of policies and instruments to support OA have been implemented and the importance of OA has been politically recognised, only approximately 1.1% of the agricultural land in Bulgaria is currently managed organically. Additionally, despite the development of national policies, the introduction of financial instruments and the emergence of OA organisations, the domestic organic food market is backward, as the largest portion of OA production is intended for export. Finally, there is evidence that calls into question the potential of OA to encourage socially and economically productive activities when it is motivated by subsidies rather than market value.
Using the “black box” allegory to approach the above observations, this article aims to explain the institutional development of OA in Bulgaria during the period spanning 1990-2013. Using the institutional analysis perspective as an analytical tool, the article addresses two main research questions: 1) What were the driving forces behind the emergence of the OA concept and its political recognition? and 2) What factors have led to the questionable outcomes of OA development? The article also uses qualitative data to critically assess the “boom” of the OA sector, as indicated by official statistics.
Current Delimitation and Typology of the Czech Countryside and its Importance for Rural Development
Authors: Klufová Renata 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The aim of the paper is to delimit the countryside in the Czech Republic (according to local conditions) and the rural municipalities’ typology (according to their development potential). The author also focuses on the usage of a combination of Geographic Information Systems, spatial data analysis, and spatial statistics tools, together with traditional multivariate statistical methods for rural delimitation and typology. The typology of the rural municipalities, according to their development potential, is based on up-to-date socio-economic indicators from the 2011 Census, which makes up the final part of the article, followed by conclusions and considerations about future rural development in the Czech Republic.
Treatment of fluoride in well-water in Khanhhoa, Vietnam by aluminum hydroxide coated rice husk ash
Authors: Tuyen Tran Ngoc , Vu Quyen Nguyen Duc , Ngoc Tran Minh , Minh Hai Ho Van , Quang Tran Ngoc , Trong Sy Hoang , Lam Tran Dai 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
In this study, aluminum hydroxide coated rice husk ash [RHA/Al(OH)3] was synthesized and used for adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solution. The amorphous material containing 20% (w/w) of Al2O3 was obtained by stirring the mixture of RHA burned at 700°C for 60 min and 0.1 m AlCl3 solution for 30 min. This material possessed porous ordered structure with uniform particle size in the range of 50–100 nm and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET)-specific surface area of 81 m2 g−1. The isotherm data were fitted well to Langmuir model, and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 8.2 mg g−1 at 25°C. The kinetic results revealed that the pseudo-second-order rate model fitted the experiments data better than the pseudo-first-order one and demonstrated the chemical nature of the adsorption of fluoride. Thermodynamic parameters in the temperature range 30–70°C showed that the adsorption was a spontaneous and an endothermic process. RHA/Al(OH)3 can be used for well treatment of fluoride in contaminated well-water in the Ninhhoa district (Khanhhoa province). With the initial fluoride concentration (10.1 mg l−1) and the 2 h of treatment process with the dose of 4.0–7.0 g l−1, the content of fluoride decreased to 0.5–1.5 mg l−1, which met the acceptable limit of WHO.
The states of water in Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) studied by low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR) relaxometry: assignment of free-water populations based on quantitative wood anatomy
Authors: Fredriksson Maria , Thygesen Lisbeth Garbrecht 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LFNMR) relaxometry was applied to determine the spin-spin relaxation time (T
2) of water-saturated Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) specimens cut from mature sapwood (sW) and mature and juvenile heartwood (hW), where earlywood (EW) and latewood (LW) were separated. In combination with quantitative wood anatomy data focusing on the void volumes in various morphological regions, the NMR data served for a more reliable assignment of free-water populations found in water-saturated solid wood. Two free-water populations were identified within most sample types. One was assigned to water in the tracheid lumen and the other to water inside bordered pits. Whether water in the ray cell lumina was included in one or the other of these two populations depends on the curve-fit method applied (continuous or discrete). In addition, T
2 differences between the different tissue types were studied and, for comparison, sorption isotherms were measured by means of a sorption balance. There was a significant difference between EW and LW as well as between juvenile wood and mature wood in terms of T
2 related to the cell wall water. However, no differences were seen between the sorption isotherms, which indicates that the observed T
2 differences were not due to differences in cell wall moisture content (MC).
Characteristic of β-O-4 structures in different reaction wood lignins of Eusideroxylon zwageri T. et B. and four other woody species
Authors: Nawawi Deded Sarip , Akiyama Takuya , Syafii Wasrin , Matsumoto Yuji 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Lignin analyses were performed on the reaction woods of five tropical wood species. The reaction woods of these five species and that of Gnetum gnemon L. (previously reported) were categorized into three types based on eccentric thickening growth and p-hydroxyphenyl/guaiacyl/syringyl (H/G/S) ratios: compression wood (CW) containing GH-lignin observed in gymnosperms (GH-lignin-CW), tension wood (TW) containing GS-lignin observed in angiosperms (GS-lignin-TW), and reaction wood that resembles CW and contains GS-lignin (GS-lignin-CW). GS-lignin-CW is an unusual type that was found in the angiosperm Eusideroxylon zwageri and in the gymnosperm G. gnemon. The erythro/threo ratio of the β-O-4 structures and the S/G ratio were higher on the upper side (usW) of the leaning wood stem or branch, and both ratios decreased along the periphery of the stem toward the lower side (lsW). Except for a difference in thickening growth, these distribution patterns were similar to the GS-lignin-TW patterns for Melia azedarach L. and Avicennia sp. Reaction wood of Paraserianthes falcataria (L.) Nielsen was also classified as a GS-lignin-TW, but this was lacking a clear distribution pattern. In contrast, the GH-lignin-CW of the usW of Pinus merkusii Jungh. et de Vriese had a low erythro/threo ratio, which increased toward the lsW along with increasing lignin contents and H/G ratios.
α-Lipoic acid attenuates transplacental nicotine-induced germ cell and oxidative DNA damage in adult mice
Authors: Anto Santo K. , Koyada Naresh , Khan Sabbir , Jena Gopabandhu 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background:
Smoking during pregnancy is associated with numerous fetal and developmental complications and reproductive dysfunctions in the offspring. Nicotine is one of the key chemicals of tobacco responsible for addiction. The present study was aimed to investigate the protective role of α-lipoic acid (ALA) during the transplacental nicotine-induced germ cell and DNA damage in the offspring of Swiss mice.

Methods:
Pregnant mice were treated with nicotine (20 mg/kg/day) in drinking water from 10 to 20 days of gestation period, and ALA (120 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for the same period. Endpoint of evaluation includes general observations at delivery and throughout the study, litter weight and size, sperm count and sperm head morphology, while structural damages and protein expression were assessed by histology and immunohistochemistry, respectively.

Results:
Maternal nicotine exposure led to decreased growth rate, litter and testicular weight, testosterone level, 3β-HSD expression and sperm count as well as increased sperm head abnormalities, micronucleus frequency and 8-oxo-dG positive cells, and the effects have been restored by ALA supplementation.

Conclusions:
The present study clearly demonstrated that ALA ameliorates nicotine-associated oxidative stress, DNA damage and testicular toxicity in the offspring by improving steroidogenesis, spermatogenesis and sperm count.
The effect of aqueous leaf extract of Telfairia occidentalis (Cucurbitaceae) on gentamycin-induced renal damage
Authors: Maduka Stephen O. , Ugwu Chidiebere E. , Onwudinjo Oluchi J. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract

Background:
Despite the acclaimed beneficial effects of Telfaria occidentalis (TO), it is yet to be established that its aqueous extract is safe in the condition of renal impairment. Thus, the study investigated the effects of TO aqueous leaves extract on gentamycin-induced renal damage.

Methods:
The animals were distributed into five groups. Group A (control) was placed on standard rat feed. Groups B and C received 500 mg/kg and 80 mg/kg of TO and gentamicin for 21 days, respectively. Group D received 500 mg/kg of TO 14 days before 7 days administration of 80 mg/kg of gentamycin. Group E received 80 mg/kg of gentamicin for 14 days before 7 days administration of 500 mg/kg TO. Group F received 500 mg/kg of TO and 80mg/kg of gentamycin concurrently for 21 days. Biochemical and histological examinations were analysed by standard methods.

Results:
The administration of TO for 7 days after 14 days of gentamycin injection and its concomitant administration with gentamicin for 21 days caused significant reduction (p<0.05) on the relative kidney weight, creatinine and uric acid levels compared to groups C and D. There was a significant decrease (p<0.05) in the mean serum potassium level in group C compared to groups A, B, D, and F. The histological reports showed that the combination of the extract and gentamycin (group F) seems to ameliorate the deleterious effect observed when gentamycin was administered alone.

Conclusions:
The administration of the extract together with and after the administration of gentamycin reverses renal damage caused by gentamycin.
Searching for the Hidden God: The Intimacy of Sound and Listening among Krishna Devotees in Mayapur
Authors: Ermel Marje 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThis article looks at how the Krishna devotees in Mayapur, West Bengal, learn how to chant and listen to the sound of the holy name properly. They suggest that if one is ‘pure’ enough and knows how to listen one experiences the syneasthetic level of sound calledpashyanti. At this level, one can reach beyond the duality of the ‘hidden and manifested’ worlds, the external and internal levels of sound; and one can ultimately see God face to face. This is also considered a level at which one can realise that the sound of God’s name and God himself are the same. I will focus on how the devotees learn to create this sense of intimacy with God through the sound of his holy name, and argue that listening is not merely a process connected to our auditory sense but rather a creative and engaging activity, a skill that one can develop.
Glycemic variability predicts inflammation in adolescents with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Hoffman Robert P. , Dye Amanda S. , Huang Hong , Bauer John A. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBackground:Adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have increased risk of cardiovascular disease as well as elevations in biomarkers of systemic inflammation, plasma protein oxidation and vascular endothelial injury. It is unclear whether hyperglycemia itself, or variations in blood glucose are predictors of these abnormalities.Methods:This study was designed to determine the relationship of inflammatory (C-reactive protein, CRP), oxidative (total anti-oxidative capacity, TAOC) and endothelial injury (soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1, sICAM1) markers to glycemic control measures from 3 days of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and to hemoglobin AResults:Seventeen adolescents (8 F/9M; age, 13.1±1.6 years (mean±SD); duration, 4.8±3.8 years, BMI, 20.3±3.1 kg/mConclusions:Increased glucose variability is associated with increased inflammation in adolescents withT1D. Increased TAOC with increasing variability may be an effort to compensate for the ongoing oxidative stress.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between mumps during childhood and risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Saad Hafi Anwer , Patterson Chris C. , Cardwell Chris R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the association between mumps and risk of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Literature searches were conducted using Medline, EMBASE and Web of Science including studies published before February 2014. Crude and, where available, adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted from the published reports of each included study. Combined OR estimates and tests of heterogeneity were obtained using meta-analysis techniques. The analysis was repeated in subgroups of studies on the basis of quality defined by the score on the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS). In total, 18 articles met the eligibility criteria, and overall there was some evidence of a weak association between clinically diagnosed mumps and T1DM (OR=1.23, 95% CI 1.00–1.51; p=0.05) but marked heterogeneity between studies (I
Laplace Adomian decomposition method for solving a fish farm model
Authors: Sambath M. , Balachandran K. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
In this work, a combined form of the Laplace transform method and the Adomian decomposition
method is implemented to give an approximate solution of nonlinear systems of differential equations such as
fish farm model with three components nutrient, fish and mussel. The technique is described and illustrated
with a numerical example.
Progress in the understanding of soundscape:
objective variables and objectifiable criteria that
predict acoustic comfort in urban places
Authors: Herranz-Pascual Karmele , García Igone , Aspuru Itziar , Díez Itxasne , Santander Álvaro 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
The overall aim of this research was to find a
group of easy-to-access variables, that are measurable or
assessable, and which help predict acoustic comfort in urban
places, in order to make further progress in developing
a soundscape indicator based on indices readily available
in urban environments. Our main conceptual framework
has been the Environmental Experience Model and
the ISO of Soundscape, together with the most up-to-date
information and technology, where parameters that influence
the soundscape and comfort in urban public places
have been identified. This work has been undertaken as
part of the CITI-SENSE project. A viable technical and procedural
solutionwas designed and tested in a field demonstration,
where 53 people were engaged to provide 120 observations
in the city ofVitoria-Gasteiz, using environmental
sensors connected to a smartphone. The results were
analysed and are discussed here with the aim of defining
an indicator that permits an easy evaluation of acoustic
comfort in urban places. The results presented in this article
are considered a step forward in the development of
a soundscape indicator based on indices readily available
in urban environments. The limitations of the findings are
also discussed, as are suggestions for further research.
A soundscape approach to exploring design
strategies for acoustic comfort in modern public
libraries: a case study of the Library of
Birmingham
Authors: Xiao Jieling , Aletta Francesco 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Taking the soundscape approach to a study of
the Library of Birmingham, this paper explored acoustic
comfort in modern public libraries and measured the
quality of the perceived sound environment, focusing on
the appropriateness of the spatial organisation to facilitate
users’ activities of reading and writing. The research
involved four groups of participants taking soundwalks
which provided data at four main floors in the Library,
identifying types of sounds, measuring sound pressure
levels and evaluating the overall quality and appropriateness
of perceived sound environment. A human sound
dominated sound environment was found in the studied
case. The overall soundscape quality varied among
different levels and different functional spaces. However,
the results showed that the overall soundscape quality
of each floor varied and was not necessarily determined
by the overall appropriateness and sound pressure level.
The participants in the study were found influenced by
their soundscape cognitions of spaces through visual and
acoustic perceptions, as well as by their purposes of using
the space. From these results, the layout of spaces is suggested
as a determining factor of acoustic comfort, and design
strategies were discussed to achieve acoustic comfort
in modern public libraries.
Corrosion of non-irradiated UAlx–Al fuel in the presence of clay pore solution: a quantitative XRD secondary phase analysis applying the DDM method
Authors: Neumann Andreas , Klinkenberg Martina , Curtius Hildegard 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Corrosion experiments with non-irradiated metallic UAlx–Al research reactor fuel elements were carried out in autoclaves to identify and quantify the corrosion products. Such compounds, considering the long-term safety assessment of final repositories, can interact with the released inventory and this constitutes a sink for radionuclide migration in formation waters. Therefore, the metallic fuel sample was subjected to clay pore solution to investigate its process of disintegration by analyzing the resulting products and the remnants, i.e. the secondary phases. Due to the fast corrosion rate a full sample disintegration was observed within the experimental period of 1 year at 90°C. The obtained solids were subdivided into different grain size fractions and prepared for analysis. The elemental analysis of the suspension showed that, uranium and aluminum are concentrated in the solids, whereas iron was mainly dissolved. Non-ambient X-ray diffraction (XRD) combined with the derivative difference minimization (DDM) method was applied for the qualitative and quantitative phase analysis (QPA) of the secondary phases. Gypsum and hemihydrate (bassanite), residues of non-corroded nuclear fuel, hematite, and goethite were identified. The quantitative phase analysis showed that goethite is the major crystalline phase. The amorphous content exceeded 80 wt% and hosted the uranium. All other compounds were present to a minor content. The obtained results by XRD were well supported by complementary scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis.
Repeated-Sprint Sequences During Female Soccer Matches Using Fixed and Individual Speed Thresholds
Authors: Nakamura Fábio Y. , Pereira Lucas A. , Loturco Irineu , Rosseti Marcelo , Moura Felipe A. , Bradley Paul S. 
Published: September 2016

Abstract
Nakamura, FY, Pereira, LA, Loturco, I, Rosseti, M, Moura, FA, and Bradley, PS. Repeated-sprint sequences during female soccer matches using fixed and individual speed thresholds. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 1802–1810, 2017—The main objective of this study was to characterize the occurrence of single sprint and repeated-sprint sequences (RSS) during elite female soccer matches, using fixed (20 km·h−1) and individually based speed thresholds (>90% of the mean speed from a 20-m sprint test). Eleven elite female soccer players from the same team participated in the study. All players performed a 20-m linear sprint test, and were assessed in up to 10 official matches using Global Positioning System technology. Magnitude-based inferences were used to test for meaningful differences. Results revealed that irrespective of adopting fixed or individual speed thresholds, female players produced only a few RSS during matches (2.3 ± 2.4 sequences using the fixed threshold and 3.3 ± 3.0 sequences using the individually based threshold), with most sequences composing of just 2 sprints. Additionally, central defenders performed fewer sprints (10.2 ± 4.1) than other positions (fullbacks: 28.1 ± 5.5; midfielders: 21.9 ± 10.5; forwards: 31.9 ± 11.1; with the differences being likely to almost certainly associated with effect sizes ranging from 1.65 to 2.72), and sprinting ability declined in the second half. The data do not support the notion that RSS occurs frequently during soccer matches in female players, irrespective of using fixed or individual speed thresholds to define sprint occurrence. However, repeated-sprint ability development cannot be ruled out from soccer training programs because of its association with match-related performance.
Editorial
Authors: Costa Lucia De Fátima Lúcio Gomes da 
Published: September 2016

Caros leitores,

É com satisfação que apresentamos o primeiro volume de 2016 da Revista Brasileira de Gestão, Negócio e Tecnologia da Informação - EmpíricaBR. Nesta edição, são apresentados quatro artigos. O primeiro deles tem o título: “A governança eletrônica inserida no orçamento participativo virtual”, que discute aspectos relativos à gestão participativa por meio da utilização de recursos tecnológicos na gestão da coisa pública.
O Segundo texto intitulado por “Processos do comércio exterior na movimentação de mercadorias: aspectos operacionais e praticagem” que apresenta a relevância da atividade de praticagem para a logística de mercadorias no modal maritimo.
O terceiro artigo, “A aplicabilidade do modelo de governança de tecnologia da informação: o caso UNP”, aborda aspectos de governança em tecnologia da informação em uma instituição de ensino e evidencia a corroboração de modelos de governança por meio de um estudo de caso.
Por fim, o texto “O papel das aceleradoras na consolidação de novas empresas de cultura empreendedora a luz da metodologia Lean Startup” apresenta uma abordagem voltada para a visão de aceleradoras de startups e investiga como o modelo Lean pode ser aplicado nesse tipo de empreendimento.
O ponto forte e comum às pesquisas apresentadas nesse volume é o esforço de entender o aperfeiçoamento dos meios operacionais para garantir os objetivos das instituições. Nesse sentido, a tecnologia da informação tem sido lugar comum para essas pesquisas.
Assim, fazemos o convite à leitura desses textos que apresentam contribuições importantes sobre as novas formas do uso da tecnologia em negócios e na gestão pública.

Boa leitura.

Lúcia de Fátima Lúcio Gomes da Costa.