Plant biodiversity is essential as a source of food, economic and nutrition security. It is especially important with respect to global warming and climatic changes. Drought, salinity, erratic rainfall and lack of natural water resources (rivers, lakes) are some of the limitations that jeopardize the agricultural sector in Saudi Arabia. This work aims at enhancing plant diversity in Saudi Arabia as well as introducing a new crop to the local market through the acclimation of cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) to the regional environmental conditions. Cassava was received as explants from Colombia-CIAT upon a request using SMTA-Standard Material Transfer Agreement. Total of 15 tubes of three improved genotypes (CG1-3, CG5-79 and CG1-37) were received. Plantlets were hardened and transplanted for their eventual field evaluation. Special propagation and treatments were used prior to transfer the seedling to green house for growing. CG1-3 and CG5-79 showed a faster and more vigorous growth compared to CG1-37

The economic crisis and the adjustments in the deregulation of the labour market and in the application of public expenditure contention policies are changing the economic model very fast. Thus, there is a transition from a model based on a strong domestic demand, which was based on private credit, to a model aimed at promoting competitiveness to strengthen exports. This is causing substantial changes in working conditions.\nCompetitive strategies based on reducing the cost of labour are generating uncertainties in the workplace. They are based on competitive models that in the long term will not generate any dynamic competitive advantages. These models are not based on innovation and quality. Labour market segmentation is becoming worse in the southern European economies, in which there is an increase of static competitiveness demands.\nThis paper presents the application of the Delphi method combined with an analysis of causal relations and the grouping of items by means of factor analysis. By the use of this methodology a large group of experts allows us to determine the level of agreement on the perception of the clinical analysis of what is presently happening in the labour market.

Despite short history of nonprofit organization, Korea’s nonprofit organizations are growing rapidly in number and size. Also, today the nonprofit organizations produce a widely various goods and services everywhere in Korea. This study attempts to examine the economic impacts of social organizations (overall social organizations, industrial and specialized organizations, and the other social organizations (non-profit)) using an Input-output analysis. Specifically, this study investigates production-inducing effects, value added-inducing effects, and employment-inducing effects of social organizations. These effects pay attention to each social organization such as overall social organizations, industrial and specialized organizations, and the other social organizations (non-profit) by taking it as exogenous. Indeed, this study investigates the forward and backward linkage effects of social organizations. As a result, this study finds out positive roles of social organizations to Korea’s economy. Especially, the other social organizations (non-profit) play more important role than overall social organizations and industrial and specialized social organizations.

Aflatoxins are carcinogenic metabolites produced by several strains of Aspergillus species and Penicillium species group in food and feed. Aflatoxin contamination is one of the main factors affecting rice seed quality. The objectives of this research were thus to study the populations of Aspergillus and Penicillium in 15 rice samples imported into Saudi Arabia. 15 strains from Aspergillus species were isolated, and they included the toxigenic species A. flavus, A. niger and A. candidus. A. niger was dominant in the populations studied, representing 53.3% of the Aspergillus species strains. Otherwise, all isolates of Aspergilli were produced aflatoxin except A. fumigatus and A. terreus. On the other hand, four Penicillium species were isolated, including P. aurantiogriseum, P. corylophilum and P. brevicompactum. All isolates of Penicillium species produced aflatoxin.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was analysed differences between attitudes, subjective norms, and PBC between groups of individuals who do physical exercise and those who do not.\nMethod: In order to investigate the different effects of attitudes, subjective norms, PBC on intention in both groups a structural equation modelling was employed. 886 subjects completed a questionnaire measuring the components of TPB model. The first group was formed by 332 people who did not practise and the second group was formed by 554 people who practised physical exercise.\nResults: Results confirmed differences between two groups of people in the prediction capacity of TPB model. In the first group, all variables explained 65% of the variance in intention. In the second group subjective norm and perceived behavioural control had a significant impact on intention and the three variables explained 67% of its variance. t \nConclusions: Findings supported the important role of TPB in the context of physical exercise. In both groups, perceived behavioural control was the strongest predictor of intention to practise physical exercise. A possible intervention might lead to implement programs focused in increasing control perception of people to engage in physical exercise.

This paper presents the results about remelting laser parameters on the structure and properties of the surface of the 32CrMoV12-28 hot work steel, using the high power diode laser (HPDL). In the work structure changes were studied, especially its fragmentation. Also hardness investigation of the different remelting areas was performed. The reason of this work was also to determine the laser treatment parameters, particularly of the laser power to achieve good layer hardness for protection of this hot work tool steel from losing their work stability and to make the tool surface more resistant to action in external conditions. For alloying the titanium carbide and tungsten carbide powders were used. Goal of this work was also to determine technically and technological conditions for remelting of surface layer with HPDL. The remelted layers which were formed in the surface of investigated hot work steel were examined metallographically and analyzed using a hardness testing machine. Two phases of carbides, TiC and WC were observed.

Male and female red palm weevil were collected and surgically- operated to remove the tergum and sternum the organs were homogenized and extracted with acetone and centrifuged. The acetone supernatants were evaporated and evaporated. The residue was then extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer was evaporated to obtain the residue that was chromatographed using initially silica gel column that was eluted with a mixture of hexane ethyl acetate followed by ethyl acetate alone and then methanol. Cardiodepressant fraction were collected and pooled together and evaporated to obtain a residue that was re- chromatographed using sephadex LH ZO column that was eluted with dichloromethane/ methanol. The eluent was evaporated to obtain the active residue that was re- chromatographed using sephadex LH zo column and eluent with a mixture of methanol and water. The eluent was evaporated to obtain a single active compound that was subjected to physic- chemical analyses to reveal its structure as 1(Z)-2-(hydroxymethyl) dodec-1-ene-1,3-diol. Biological experiments in mice revealed the ability of the compound to decrease the heart rate and to antagonize CaCl2- induced dysrrhythmia in mice suggesting that it may act via blocking calcium channels in the heart.

It has been a decade since research on tax compliance has been focusing on the human psychosocial factors that make citizens voluntarily comply with the payment of tax. This empirical study analyzes the demographic factors shaping tax awareness in Spain. The data resulted from the three waves of the Fiscal Observatory of the University of Murcia (FOSUM) surveys were used (2006, 2007 and 2009) to reach this goal. The analysis reveals that there is a nonlinear relationship between tax awareness and age. In other words, tax awareness tends to grow with age, but the maximum willingness to pay taxes is at the age of 55, when it begins to decrease. The same nonlinear connection is found between tax awareness and income. People in the lowest and highest income brackets present the same level of tax awareness, which is lower than that of the upper middle class people. And results also allow for asserting that awareness definitely heightens with the level of educational attainment.

Electrical resistivity technique is a popular alternative method used in geotechnical soil investigations. Most past applications have been particularly in the area of subsurface ground investigations such as to locate boulder, bedrock, water table, etc. Traditionally, this method was performed by a geophysicist expert for data acquisition, processing and interpretation. The final outcome from the electrical resistivity technique was an anomaly image which used to describe and conclude the particular soil condition measured. The anomalies highlighted uncertainties on the nature of soil that was often variable and depended on each particular site condition that gave a site dependent soil electrical resistivity value (ERV). Hence, this study demonstrates a relationship between ERV (ρ) and some of the basic geotechnical properties (BGP) such as soil moisture content (w), grain size of geomaterial (CS or FS), density (ρbulk and ρdry), porosity (η), void ratio (e) and Atterberg limit (AL). Different soil samples were collected and tested under field and laboratory conditions to determine basic geotechnical properties immediately after the field electrical resistivity method was performed. It was found that the electrical resistivity value was different for number of soils tested and was relatively subjective to variations in the geotechnical properties. In other words, electrical resistivity value was greatly influenced by the geotechnical properties as the ERV was higher due to the lower moisture content, void ratio and porosity with a higher value of soil density and vice versa. The relationship of ERV and BGP can be described by ρ α 1/w, ρ α CS, ρ α 1/FS, ρ α ρbulk/dry and ρ α 1/AL. Hence, it was shown that behaviour of ERV was significantly influenced by the variation of basic soil properties and thus applicable to support and enhance the conventional stand alone anomaly outcome which is traditionally used for interpretation purposes.

Is Supply Chain Management (SCM) another popular business buzzword that was coined to boast a new business model in the late 1990s or rather, as more and more researchers argued, has SCM become an essential element to operational efficiency in all companies in what regards customer/supplier relation building? The Supply Chain Management has been proposed as a method to integrate and coordinate the partners of a supply chain within a homogeneous process. As compared to other chains, Zara’s Group developed a distinct approach, which enabled them to increase competitiveness by improving production processes and product sales. This paper explores Zara’s business model with its specific characteristics and complementarities and identifies key research themes of the SCM in the fashion industry worthy of future theoretical and empirical explorations.

This research paper attempts to acquire the electroencephalogram (EEG) to analyze the characteristic frequency band of the brainwave related to different writing methods, i.e., handwriting and typewriting. Based on the cognitive neuroscience, this paper first formulates the learning energy index (LEI) of the learner when the learner is performing writing. With the established LEI, the mind-body conditions of an online leaner can be provided to the instructor for online learning assessment. The objective of this study is to effectively improve the learning efficiency of learners by analyzing influences of different writing methods including handwriting and typewriting. Considering typewriting has gradually substituted/replaced handwriting in most occasions, a study of how these two writing methods affects learning efficiency would be beneficial. Our experiment shows writing behavior has the same brain wave characteristic pattern as logical reasoning. Furthermore, the learning energy index value of the handwriting is greater than the typewriting, which implies handwriting is more effective in learning.

This study constructed a vertical garden in an indoor environment to absorb the Carbon dioxide (CO2) exhaled from human breathing, in order to improve the indoor air quality through plant photosynthesis. This study used Spathiphyllum kochii as the subject plant, and conducted experimental analysis of individual plant to obtain the absorption rates under different environmental CO2 concentration levels in the range from 500ppm to 5000ppm. Simulation on flow field of air passing through the individual plant was conducted using a porous medium modeling. The absorption rates obtained from the experiments were substituted into the absorption rates of the porous medium modeling to simulate CO2 absorption efficiency of the individual plant and compare the experimental results with the simulation results. Furthermore, in an environmental room with a vertical garden consisting 240 plants and a human being, the CO2 concentration distribution in the room was also experimentally and numerically investigated. By the theoretical modeling developed in this study, the CO2 concentration distribution in the vertical garden can be simulated. The experimental results showed that, after 150 minutes, 13% of CO2 generating from the human breathing can be absorbed by the 240 plants and the numerical results were well consistent with the experimental measured results. The theoretical modeling obtained in the study can afford useful references to the designers for indoor CO2 purification.

Analytical solution for beams with variable cross section is very complicated where the bending differential equation will be a fourth order linear differential equation with variable coefficients. Generally the cross section of any structural member does not vary in an arbitrary manner. Commonly, the depth of the beams varies linearly or parabolically. In the present paper analytical solutions for the deflection and its slope of two types of beams with variable cross section are obtained. The depth varies periodically with odd number in a triangular shape in the first beam and in a parabolic shape in the second beam. The depth is expanded by using Fourier series as an even function and by using the perturbation technique. An excellent agreement is obtained between the present general analytical solution and a previous one for which the depth varies in a single triangular shape along the beam length.

A kinematics simulation model was established for the driven-latch needle of warp knitting machine, and a relevant simulation was implemented by using AMESIM/Planar Mechanical Library. Thus, the simulation curves of displacement, velocity and acceleration for a certain key point of the mechanism were obtained. The modeling analysis is implemented for a certain machine system, and results show that this method is more convenient, efficient and powerful. Meanwhile, it provides a theoretical foundation and a better analytical approach of simulation for the design and analysis of complex multi-linkage mechanisms in the future.

Using acid to modify starch was widely in food industry especially HCl solution. In this study, the modified starch was from mung bean, which had high amylose content. The effect of acid-water treatment using 0.5N HCl on molecular structure of mung bean starch (MBS) was studied. The result pointed out that MBS was modified optimally with 30% starch slurry, 4:1 acid/slurry ratio, treating in 90 min, at 50oC and DPn (degree of polymerization) achieved the minimum value (approximate 832). Upon modification, the starch granules were smashed and showed surface roughness. Properties of native starch absolutely changed such as shape, dimension, viscosity, solubility, density…This product can apply and replace some other modified starch in the future, first and foremost jam and confectionery process

The experiment is based on the study of the dynamyc population of the ectoparasite Varroa destructor in northern Algeria where there climatic differences from north to south. Monthly observations were carried out from January 2010 to August 2012, about 18 colonies in 3 apiaries throughout the northern band of Algeria. Bee populations have not undergone acaricide treatment. Areas that correspond to the following three climatic regions: humid mediterranean climate or Mitidja, semi-arid continental highlands and continental arid steppe. The development of mite populations is studied taking into account the following parameters: natural mortality of adult bees infestation rate and rate of infestation of the brood. For natural mortality, there are significant differences between the years when a significant evolution is recorded in the period from March to August with a maximum of infestation which is 577 for Mitidja, 494 for the highlands and 373 for steppe, and regression to cancel during the period from September to February. Infestation of bees rates for the three types of climate are respectively: 6.13, 6.09 and 4.81 for 100 adult worker bees. The same is true for the maximum rate of infestation of the brood which varies depending on the climate zone Global values for the three studied ecosystems are:. 7.16 mites per 100 bees for Mitidja 6.55 for mites highlands and 5.39 for the steppe. These values decrease through the humid and dry climate. Infestation rates decreased significantly over time.

Purpose of the study\nWe aimed to identify those aspects that can be optimized, standardized and proactively planned, additional procedures or algorithms which could become tactical reasoning elements if implemented in current practice.\nMaterial and study method\nWe studied 305 neonatal transfers operated by the newborns unit SMURD Craiova, between the 1January 2011 – the 1 July 2013 in Oltenia region. \nWe statistically analyzed several aspects of the centers and transfer criteria, prompt decision, correlation of seriousness of the case to required means, transfer preparedness cooperation, information sharing and decision-making chain.\nNew results\nOnly 46,93% acute respiratory distress stated that the transfer reasons has been confirmed, with no significant difference between different hospital levels\nFor 25,57% of patients did not confirmed any element of serious or acute deterioration. \n8,19% of patients experienced distress elements of vital functions due to metabolic disorders \n10,819% of patients transfer destination other than their own regional center has been chosen on parental request\nConclusions\nIt requires regional dispatching for neonatal transfer coordination by mandatory medical level decision consolidated by the telemedicine usage to separate the current neonatal transportation operating, to emergency transfer of critical ill newborns. It need a risk level stratification for specific needs standardization.

In this work gradient/monolithic films consisting of three layers (Ti/Ti(C,N)/(Ti,Al)N, Ti/(Ti,Si)N/(Ti,Si)N, Ti/DLC/DLC) were deposited on AZ61 cast magnesium alloy by cathodic arc evaporation PVD and plasma assisted CVD methods. The structure and chemical composition, functional and mechanical properties of the obtained films were analysed. It was found that the structure of the PVD coatings consisted of fine crystallites, while their average size fitted within the range 15–30 nm, depending on the coating type. SEM micrographs showed that, deposited coatings are characterized by compact structure without delamination or defects. The wear and corrosion resistance and also surface hardness of AZ61 magnesium alloy can be significantly improved by a used coating, in particular of Ti/DLC/DLC film due to its high hardness, good corrosion resistance and low friction coefficient. Thin, hard coatings on a soft substrate, turn out to be an advantageous material combination from the mechanical point of view.

The development of bacterial resistance to antibiotics has great impact on the treatment of diseases in veterinary and human medicine. The objective of this study was to isolate, identify and diagnose the sensitivity and resistance to antibiotics of Escherichia coli (E. coli) in the feces of calves (n = 25 ranches). The isolation and identification of bacteria was performed by Gram staining, MacConkey agar selective medium and other specific biochemical tests. The diagnostic sensitivity and resistance of the bacteria went toward antibiotics: Amikacin, Carbenicillin, Ceftriaxone, Chloramphenicol, Netilmicin, Nitrofurantoin, Ampicillin, Cephalothin, Cefotaxime, Gentamicin, Pefloxacin and Sulfamethoxazole. E. coli was isolated in 48% of samples. Between 60 and 80% isolates of E. coli were sensitive to Carbenicillin, Gentamicin, Sulfamethoxazole, Cefotaxime, Amikacin, Ceftriaxone, Chloramphenicol, Netilmicin and Pefloxacin. Multiple resistances to Ampicillin, Carbenicillin, Cephalothin, Cefotaxime, Ceftriaxone, Gentamicin, and Pefloxacin in 10 to 30% of the isolates of E. coli, were observed. From the results it is concluded that the use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine requires communication and education to prevent the development of bacterial resistance against antibiotics.

This paper analyses the determinants of the Effective Tax Rate (ETR) caused by Corporate Income Tax for listed companies in Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRIC countries). It uses a panel of 3,565 companies over the period 2000-2009, and it applies the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator for dynamic panel data. Firstly, the results show that the tax burden for a year depends on that borne the previous; therefore, the dynamic model used is more appropriate than other methodology that is not susceptible to incorporate the lagged dependent variable. Other main results are that the ETRs borne by companies are statistically different in these four countries. Moreover, in the BRIC countries the ETR is much lower than the Statutory Tax Rate (STR), except in Russia. Also, the only variable that is significant in all the BRIC countries is inventory intensity, while firm size, leverage and profitability affect the tax burden in three of the four countries considered but with certain special characteristics.

Alpha-Thalassemia is the most common hemoglobin disorder in the world. It is characterized by decreased or complete absence of α-globin chain synthesis, caused by deletion of or non-deletion in the α-globin genes. The large deletion of α-globin gene is commonly in Vietnamese, which include the --SEA, -α3.7 and -α4.2 deletions. Among 3 deletions, --SEA is the most popular. Homozygote for --SEA deletion results in Hb Bart’s hydrop fetalis, a serious type of alpha-thalassemia. \nGap-PCR is the routine method for prenatal diagnosis of Hb Bart’s hydrop fetalis in Vietnam, with the laborious post-PCR processing steps and using toxic chemical Ethidium Bromide. This study is to develop a duplex real-time PCR and HRM analysis for rapid diagnosis of alpha-thalassemia type --SEA deletion to overcome the limitation of gap-PCR. \nThe rapid technique using duplex real-time PCR followed by HRM analysis was successfully developed. The result indicated that the -thalassemia-1 SEA allele can be easily distinguished from wild-type a-globin gene allele when they had different peak height at mean Tm of 86.7±0.1 and 89.7±0.1, respectively. The results obtained using single-tube duplex real-time PCR and HRM analysis showed 100% consistency with those obtained using conventional gap-PCR.

During the last two decades the events industry emerged and the corporate sector fully recognized the tourist and promotional value of events. Event sponsorship is one of the most challenging topics to be addressed by event organisers and managers. The aim of this paper is twofold: (i) to examine the main issues in the business relationship between event organisations and sponsors, and to highlight the factors determining a mutually beneficial partnership; and (ii) to suggest a framework for efficient event sponsorship management. The paper discusses the benefits that event organisations can attract from reciprocal partnerships with sponsors. It argues the need for sponsorship policies to guide decision making by event organisers and sponsors, and the need to develop strategies to manage event – sponsor relationships and achieve positive and enduring relationships with sponsors, and outlines the sequential stages in developing a sponsorship strategy. Finally, it discusses the management of event sponsorship and proposes a framework for efficient management. It concludes by formulating a series of recommendations for event organisers and managers in rendering the interrelationship between events and sponsors a mutually beneficial partnership.

Context; Paracetamol is one of the most popular and widely used analgesic and antipyretic drugs in the world. It has an important place among other analgesic and antipyretic drugs. Although considered safe at therapeutic doses, toxic doses of paracetamol lead to hepatic injury. Paracetamol is the leading cause of drug-induced liver diseases and acute liver failure in many countries. The current strategy for the treatment of paracetamol toxicity in the clinical setting is limited to treatment with the antidote N-acetylcysteine (NAC). \n Objectives; The identification of new mechanisms of paracetamol toxicity and the investigation of new herbal remedies are important steps for the development of future novel drugs for the treatment of paracetamol mediated liver injury. \n Conclusion; there should be more dramatic steps taken both to develop novel management methods for paracetamol toxicity, which is one of the most observed toxicity among other drug induced liver injuries, and to resolve the mechanism of this toxicity.

Most often, genetic variation causing phenotypical changes is calculated exclusively upon the occurrence of non-synonymous variation. However, it has been increasingly more common to state that synonymous mutations and polymorphisms, as well as nucleotide variation present in introns, can have very serious bilogical effects. In the following work, the potential influence of nucleotide variation on phenotypes within the growth hormone gene in American mink has been evaluated (Neovison vison Schreb., 1777) (mGH). The focus is on the possible occurence of changes in the splicing regulatory sequences and sequence motifs, different reading of codons and on the influence on the secondary structure of mRNA. The results obtained confirm the hypothesis that the synonymity of single-nucleotide variation does not always signify its neutral phenotype.

The gold nanoparticles are known for their tremendous applications in the field of the therapeutic and diagnosis in cancer, diabetic , etc.\nThe hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in people with diabetes can cause long term complications such as damage to organs, ulcers, allergies, asthma and arthritis. It is believed that these complications are cause, in part, by the formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). One of the approaches to treating diabetes is, therefore, to reduce the formation of ROS in diabetic mice by controlling a number of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, GSH, GPx and catalase).