bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calcium application mitigates salt stress in Date Palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.( offshoots cultivars of Berhi and Sayer
Authors: JASIM Abbas M. , ABBAS Muayed F. , SHAREEF Hussein J. 
Published: April 2016

The effectiveness of exogenous application of calcium in ameliorating the adverse effects of salt stress (15.9 dS m-1) on date palm offshoots (Phoenix dactylifera L. cultivars of Berhi and Sayer) was investigated. Ca-fertilisers Polixal and Rexene were applied either as soil amendments or foliar spray. The results showed that Polixal at 30 ml offshoot-1 significantly increased plant height, leaf area, total chlorophyll content, RWC, proline concentration, peroxidase activity, IAA content, K+ and K+/Na+ ratio in leaves of Berhi cultivar, whereas catalase activity, ABA and Cl- content were decreased. Also Berhi cultivar responded to soil amendments more than to foliar spray. However, Ca-fertilisers mitigated salt stress in the two cultivars and Berhi cultivar was more salt stress tolerant than Sayer cultivar by maintaining the high ratio of K+/Na+ and regulating levels of IAA to ABA, in silty clay loam soil. These results suggest that calcium application can improve the defense system under salt stress conditions.
Population dynamics of aphids (Aphididae) on orange (Citrus sinensis ‘Thomson Navel’) and mandarin (Citrus reticulata ‘Blanco’)
Authors: LEBBAL Salim , LAAMARI Malik 
Published: April 2016

Citrus fruits represent one of the most important fruit productions worldwide. However, they suffer from a numerous constraints. Aphids are among the causes of the decline in the production of citrus. In this study, the diversity of citrus aphids and their seasonal occurrence were explored on orange and mandarin, during 2012 and 2013, in an orchard located in Skikda province (Algeria). In total, six different aphid species were found during two years. The most common species was Aphis spiraecola Patch, 1914. Climatic conditions had an important role in the infestation level by aphids. There were changes of aphid dynamics between the two years of the investigation. No aphids was recorded in six months in 2012 (January, June, July, August, September and December) and in three months in 2013 (January, February and August). Besides, the number of identified aphid species increased from two to five. On the other hand, the orange trees seemed to be the most infested host species.
On spherical submanifolds with finite type spherical Gauss map
Authors: Bektas Burcu , Dursun Uğur 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
Chen and Lue (2007) initiated the study of spherical submanifolds with finite type spherical Gauss map. In this paper, we firstly prove that a submanifold Mn of the unit sphere Sm−1 has non-mass-symmetric 1-type spherical Gauss map if and only if Mn is an open part of a small n-sphere of a totally geodesic (n + 1)- sphere Sn+1 . Sm−1. Thenwe show that a non-totally umbilical hypersurfaceM of Sn+1 with nonzero constant mean curvature in Sn+1 has mass-symmetric 2-type spherical Gauss map if and only if the scalar curvature curvature of M is constant. Finally, we classify constant mean curvature surfaces in S3 with mass-symmetric 2-type spherical Gauss map.
Labour Market Regulations and In-formalisation of Migrant Worker: Evidence from Indian Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Sofi Irfan Ahmad , Khan Mohd Imran , Kunroo Mohd Hussain , Khachoo Abdul Qayoom 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
India is considered as one of the countries with a stringent body of labour laws. Though there is no lack of pro-worker employment protection legislation (EPL) and contract labour laws, the vulnerabilities of workers seem to be increasing rapidly in this neo-liberal phase of the global economy. Over the past two decades, there has been a rising trajectory of in-formalisation even in the organised manufacturing sector. Under this backdrop, we study the in-formalisation of migrant labour and try to find out whether EPL does protect the interests of migrant workers. We found that in-formalisation of migrant workers are higher in the states with relatively stringent labour laws. The finding of our econometric analysis indicates that informal migrant labour is used to evade the social security provisions laid down under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 among other legislation. Since informal workers fall outside the purview of most of the pro-workers labour laws, the trajectory of in-formalisation is likely to have serious repercussions on the welfare of workers especially that of migrants. Migrant labour, which occupies a substantive role in the contemporary labour markets, must be brought into an apt regulatory framework to address its vulnerabilities.
Opening the Black Box. How the Study of Social Mechanisms Can Benefit from the Use of Explanatory Mixed Methods
Authors: Stolz Jörg 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This article argues that analytical sociology an approach that attempts to study social mechanisms ‘without, black boxes’ can benefit from the use of explanatory mixed methods. Analytical sociologists mainly relate their theoretical and agent-based models to representative surveys and experiments. While their central claim is to find and test the actual mechanisms that have produced the explanandum. the mechanisms they postulate often remain speculative. Neither agent-based models, nor experiments or mainstream quantitative methods, give access to some of the central elements of the causal mechanisms and the relevant subjective and objective contextual parameters. One of the most important reasons for this lies in the fact that social reality is changing fast., characterized by strong diversity and complexified by the phenomenon of cultural meanings. I argue that by creating and testing the models of analytical sociology with explanatory mixed methods, researchers have the possibility of getting closer to their object of research and therefore of having the chance to create more valid explanations.
Hydrogel-based microfluidics for vascular tissue engineering
Authors: Koroleva Anastasia , Deiwick Andrea , Nguyen Alexander , Narayan Roger , Shpichka Anastasia , Kufelt Olga , Kiyan Roman , Bagratashvili Victor , Timashev Peter , Scheper Thomas , Chichkov Boris 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
In this work, we have explored 3-D co-culture of vasculogenic cells within a synthetically modified fibrin hydrogel. Fibrinogen was covalently linked with PEG-NHS in order to improve its degradability resistance and physico-optical properties. We have studied influences of the degree of protein PEGylation and the concentration of enzyme thrombin used for the gel preparation on cellular responses. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of prepared gels revealed that the degree of PEGylation and the concentration of thrombin strongly influenced microstructural characteristics of the protein hydrogel. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs), used as vasculogenic co-culture, could grow in 5:1 PEGylated fibrin gels prepared using 1:0.2 protein to thrombin ratio. This gel formulation supported hASCs and HUVECs spreading and the formation of cell extensions and cell-to-cell contacts. Expression of specific ECM proteins and vasculogenic process inherent cellular enzymatic activity were investigated by immunofluorescent staining, gelatin zymography, western blot and RT-PCR analysis. After evaluation of the optimal gel composition and PEGylation ratio, the hydrogel was utilized for investigation of vascular tube formation within a perfusable microfluidic system. The morphological development of this co-culture within a perfused hydrogel over 12 days led to the formation of interconnected HUVEC-hASC network. The demonstrated PEGylated fibrin microfluidic approach can be used for incorporating other cell types, thus representing a unique experimental platform for basic vascular tissue engineering and drug screening applications.
Through Wall Stationary Human Target Detection and Localization Using OFDM-UWB Radar
Authors: Slimane Zohra , Abdelhafid Abdelmalek 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This paper focuses on through wall stationary human target detection and localization using an OFDM based Ultra-Wide Band radar (OFDM-UWB). Our investigations relate to a monostatic UWB radar operating in the band [1.99–3] GHz at central frequency 2.5 GHz and emitting a power of –22 dBm, meeting FCC UWB spectrum density requirements. The detection of a human being is possible due to respiratory movements of the chest. Using the short-term Fourier transform, along with the optimal filtering and an averaging technique for background clutter suppression, interesting information could be extracted from the recorded waveforms about the presence and position of a human being behind a 20-cm-thick concrete wall. The results of the experimental simulations under Matlab/simulink are then presented. A maximum range of 4 m was found to be possible with a minimum system operating SNR of 5 dB.
Statistical modeling of pressurized hot-water batch extraction (PHWE) to produce hemicelluloses with desired properties
Authors: Kleen Marjatta , Pranovich Andrey , Willför Stefan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe pressurized hot-water extraction (PHWE) process of Norway spruce sawdust has been optimized aiming at the production of a hemicellulose-rich fraction consisting mainly of galactoglucomannans (GGM). The independent process parameters temperature, reaction time, and liquid-to-wood (L/W) ratio were in focus of the statistical modeling. The main target product properties were the average molecular mass (Mw) and the GGM content of the dissolved solids in the extracts and the yield of polymeric hemicelluloses with Mw larger than 4 kDa in the ethanol-water precipitate. According to the model, the highest Mw (>30 kDa) of the total dissolved solids in the extract can be obtained at a low extraction temperature (ET), a short extraction time (Et), and a low L/W ratio. The best result was 37 kDa, corresponding to a degree of polymerization (DP) about 230. The highest GGM content of the extract (>11% of the sawdust, which is about 70% of the GGM in sawdust) can be obtained with a high ET, a long Etand a high L/W ratio. According to the model, the PHWE process gives rise to the largest possible amount of polymeric hemicelluloses at 170°C, 11 min reaction time, and at L/W 5. Provided that a large-scale extraction apparatus works under these conditions with the same efficiency, it should be possible to produce around 60 g polymeric hemicelluloses (mainly GGM) with a Mw around 15 kDa from 1 kg spruce sawdust, which is roughly 25% of the original hemicelluloses in the sawdust.
Influence of process conditions on hygroscopicity and mechanical properties of European beech thermally modified in a high-pressure reactor system
Authors: Altgen Michael , Militz Holger 
Published: April 2016

AbstractEuropean beech (Fagus sylvaticaL.) was thermally modified in a closed reactor system under various process conditions. Sorption cycles, dynamic vapor sorption (DVS) measurements, and a three-point bending test were performed on thermally modified wood (TMW) to assess hygroscopicity and mechanical properties. As a function of mass loss (ML), the initial equilibrium moisture content (EMC) measured at 20°C/65% relative humidity (RH) directly after the process was strongly influenced by the RH during the process. This effect is explained by realignments of amorphous polymers in the cell wall ultra-structure in the course of thermal modification (TM). However, the EMC of TMW gradually increased after sorption cycles consisting of conditioning over liquid water and water-soaking. This increase was most distinct for TMW modified at low RH, which is an indication for reversible ultra-structural realignments. Results of the bending test suggest that structural realignments also hindered the plastic flow of amorphous cell wall polymers, thereby reducing inelastic toughness and inelastic deflection, while other bending properties were solely affected by ML alone. Process conditions in a closed reactor systems have a profound impact on resulting wood properties, and thus, the partial reversibility of these property changes need to be considered during the application.
Effect of Spray Drying Temperature and Agave Fructans Concentration as Carrier Agent on the Quality Properties of Blackberry Powder
Authors: Farías Cervantes Vania S. , Delgado Lincon Efrén , Solís Soto Aquiles , Medrano Roldan Hiram , Andrade González Isaac 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
The agave fructans as carrier agent can be an alternative to increase quality properties of blackberry. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of agave fructans concentration and inlet air temperature on quality properties of blackberry powder. Agave fructans concentrations were 50, 75 and 100 % (in base the total soluble solids percentage of blackberry extract), and the inlet air temperatures were 70–110 °C. A pilot-scale spray dryer was employed. Drying yield ranged from 58 to 94 % dry base. Encapsulation efficiency values varied between 48 and 100 % of anthocyanin concentration. The lower agave fructans concentration showed the best quality characteristics as lower water activity of 0.28, high anthocyanin retention of 98 %, high bulk density of 0.80 g/ml and the higher agave fructans concentrations showed the best stability properties as lower hygroscopicity of 0.013 gH20/gsolids and low particle temperature of 38 °C. The agave fructans improves good physicochemical and stability characteristics in blackberry powders.
Modelling Effective Moisture Diffusivity of Pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata) Slices under Convective Hot Air Drying Condition
Authors: Onwude Daniel I. , Hashim Norhashila , Janius Rimfiel B. , Nawi Nazmi , Abdan Khalina 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
This study seeks to investigate the effects of temperature (50, 60, 70 and 80 °C) and material thickness (3, 5 and 7 mm), on the drying characteristics of pumpkin (Cucurbita moschata). Experimental data were used to estimate the effective moisture diffusivities and activation energy of pumpkin by using solutions of Fick’s second law of diffusion or its simplified form. The calculated value of moisture diffusivity with and without shrinkage effect varied from a minimum of 1.942 × 10–8 m2/s to a maximum of 9.196 × 10–8 m2/s, while that of activation energy varied from 5.02158 to 32.14542 kJ/mol with temperature ranging from 50 to 80 °C and slice thickness of 3 to 7 mm at constant air velocity of 1.16 m/s, respectively. The results indicated that with increasing temperature, and reduction of slice thickness, the drying time was reduced by more than 30 %. The effective moisture diffusivity increased with an increase in drying temperature with or without shrinkage effect. An increase in the activation energy was observed due to an increase in the slice thickness of the pumpkin samples.
Upper bounds on the number of conjugacy classes in unitriangular groups
Authors: Soffer Andrew 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe provide a new upper bound on the number of conjugacy classes in the groupUn⁢(q)${U_{n}(q)}$of unitriangular matrices over a finite field. We also compute a similar upper bound for every group in the lower central series ofUn⁢(q)${U_{n}(q)}$.
The box-merging implementation of the box-counting algorithm
Authors: Nikolaidis Nikolaos S. , Nikolaidis Ioannis N. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractFractal analysis is a powerful tool for the classification of materials. However, until now, there were no efficient tools that could process large or color images due to the processing time required. In this article we present a fast, easy to implement and very easily expandable to any number of dimensions variation, the box merging method. It is applied here to RGB test images which are considered as sets in 5-D space.
Focus on BMI and subclinical hypothyroidism in adolescent girls first examined for amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea. The emerging role of polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Nezi Markella , Christopoulos Panagiotis , Paltoglou George , Gryparis Alexandros , Bakoulas Vassilios , Deligeoroglou Efthimios , Creatsas George , Mastorakos George 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPrimary amenorrhea, oligomenorrhea and secondary amenorrhea are diagnosed commonly during adolescence. Weight aberrations are associated with menstrual disorders. Autoimmune thyroiditis is frequent during adolescence. In this study, the commonest clinical and hormonal characteristics of amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea during adolescence were investigated.In this cross-sectional study, one hundred and thirty-eight consecutive young patients presenting with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea referred to an adolescent endocrinology and gynecology university clinic were studied. Clinical examination and an abdominal ultrasound were performed. Testosterone, free-testosterone, estradiol (E2), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), prolactin (PRL), dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S), 17-OH progesterone, sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), ΔPatients with primary and secondary amenorrhea presented more often with body mass index (BMI) <18.5 and BMI >25 kg/mAmong adolescent patients presenting with amenorrhea or oligomenorrhea for the first time those with low and high BMI present more often with primary and secondary amenorrhea, respectively. Obesity is involved in the development of hyperandrogenemia and hyperinsulinemia, particularly in PCOS patients. In these patients, subclinical hypothyroidism may be concealed and it should be investigated. These patients should be treated for abnormally increased or decreased BMI and be investigated for autoimmune thyroiditis.
Children with severe Osteogenesis imperfecta and short stature present on average with normal IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels
Authors: Hoyer-Kuhn Heike , Höbing Laura , Cassens Julia , Schoenau Eckhard , Semler Oliver 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels of 60 children (male n=38) were assessed in a retrospective cross-sectional setting.Height/weight was significant different [height z-score type 3 versus type 4: p=0.0011 and weight (p≤0.0001)] between OI type 3 and 4. Mean IGF-I levels were in the lower normal range (mean±SD level 137.4±109.1 μg/L). Mean IGFBP-3 measurements were in the normal range (mean±SD 3.105±1.175 mg/L). No significant differences between OI type 3 and 4 children have been observed (IGF-I: p=0.0906; IGFBP-3: p=0.2042).Patients with different severities of OI have IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels in the lower normal range. The type of OI does not significantly influence these growth factors.
Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is not an independent risk factor for hepatosteatosis in obese children
Authors: Sezer Oya Balcı , Buluş Derya , Hızlı Şamil , Andıran Nesibe , Yılmaz Deniz , Ramadan Selma Uysal 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObesity is an important risk factor for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Few studies have evaluated the association between vitamin D and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in obese children. Therefore, we conducted a study to examine the relationship of vitamin D levels and hepatosteatosis in obese children.One hundred and eleven children with obesity participated in this study. Hepatosteatosis was diagnosed and graded using ultrasonography in all patients. Study participants were divided based on the presence of hepatosteatosis into two subgroups (hepatosteatosis and non-hepatosteatosis). Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, phosphate, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone, and lipids were measured and compared.Hepatosteatosis existed in 52% of obese children without chronic diseases. There was no statistically significant difference in the vitamin D level between the hepatosteatosis and non-hepatosteatosis groups. Alanine aminotransferase levels and the triglycerides-to-high density lipoprotein ratio were significantly higher, and the high density lipoprotein levels were significantly lower in the hepatosteatosis group compared to the non-hepatosteatosis group.Vitamin D deficiency is not directly related with hepatosteatosis. A high ALT level and a high triglycerides-to-HDL ratio and low HDL levels are more significant in hepatic steatosis in obese children.
Efficacy of a prospective community-based intervention to prevent preterm birth
Authors: Miyoshi Junya , Ohba Takashi , Ohkuma Masanori , Katoh Takahiko , Tanoue Daisuke , Katabuchi Hidetaka 
Published: April 2016

Abstract

Objectives:
To evaluate a community-based intervention trial for the prevention of preterm birth.

Methods:
This trial was conducted on pregnant women in the Amakusa area, and in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, both in Japan. Prophylactic oral antibiotics were recommended for pregnant women with high-risk on preterm birth. The subjects were also encouraged to undergo a periodontal examination. An explanation of proper tooth brushing was given and full mouth scaling was allowed if deemed necessary.

Results:
Of 720 consented subjects in the Amakusa area and of 373 in the Hitoyoshi-Kuma area, bacterial vaginosis was found in 100 (13.9%) Amakusa residents and 71 (19.0%) Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Prophylactic antibiotics were prescribed for 93 Amakusa residents and 39 Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Among subjects who underwent a periodontal examination, periodontal disease was found in 47.7% of Amakusa residents and 59.7% of Hitoyoshi-Kuma residents. Periodontal health was improved among these women by a nonsurgical intervention during their pregnancy. Comparing the incidences of very low birth weight (VLBW) with the averages during the preceding 6 years in each area, the incidences of VLBW was 46.4% lower in Amakusa and 69.7% Hitoyoshi-Kuma during the study year.

Conclusions:
A community-based multifaceted intervention might reduce the incidence of VLBW infants.
Evolution of superconductivity and magnetism in BiS2-based layered compounds
Authors: Demura Satoshi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractBiS2-based compounds constitute a new family of layered superconductors. In this article, several experimental findings on the superconductivity and related properties of the BiS2 family are reviewed. In particular, the focus is on the conditions required for the emergence of superconductivity and higher superconducting transition temperature in the BiS2 family: it is shown that optimizing the electron doping and crystal structure are important. Further, a few notable characteristics such as the coexistence of superconductivity and magnetism as well as the relation between the superconductivity and chargedensity- wave instability are introduced in brief.
‚Patientenautonomie‘ und ‚Lebensschutz‘
Authors: Felder Ekkehard , Luth Janine , Vogel Friedemann 
Published: April 2016

Abstract
On the basis of a law text corpus which consists of judicial decisions and jurisprudential papers on so-called assisted suicide from 1977 to 2011, agonal centres are determined within the paradigm of corpus-based pragma-semiotic text analysis. Agonal centres are defined as action-guiding concepts that are in conflict with each other concerning the general acceptance of event interpretations, options for actions, claims of validity, contextual knowledge and values. These action-guiding concepts are derived with the help of quantitative and qualitative methods. Discourse linguistic interpretations are thus rendered more objective with the help of semi-automatic methods; furthermore, specific discourse features of the discourse and approaches to interpretation can be derived from (un)expected linguistic significances of occurrence, distribution, frequency etc. at the linguistic surface. Finally, these agonal centres specific to the language of law are compared to agonal centres which are determined on the basis of a media corpus on the same issue. This provides a comparative insight into the constitution of a seemingly identical fact in everyday and special language, which demonstrates the sociopolitical relevance of analysing the constitution of reality as instructed by language.