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The fennel is a typical plant of the Mediterranean region used in traditional pharmacopoeia and as an aromatic spice. This study was interested in an evaluation of the physical, physicochemical and biochemical criteria and the biological activities of the seeds and seeds oils of local (beldi) fennel produced at four stages of maturity in four terroirs of Essaouira province (Central West, Morocco), compared to those of a local fennel produced in a neighboring terroir and an imported fennel. Seeds of different maturity stages and geographic origins were clearly differentiated into homogeneous groups according to studied criteria. The water activity of these seeds is between 0.43 and 0.51 with an average ash content of 6.24 g/100 g of dry matter (DM) containing fairly high contents of potassium, calcium, sodium and baryum. Seed total polyphenols recorded interesting levels ranging between 623.64 and 959.24 mg gallic acid equivalent/100 g DM. The antioxidant activity is estimated between 23.53 and 43.83 mg ascorbic acid equivalent/g DM. Yields of vegetable and essential oils varied from 8.55 to 16.28 % and from 1.4 to 2.7 %, respectively. However, the high values recorded for free acidity, peroxide index and specific extinction of vegetable oil indicate that it cannot be considered as edible oil. Concerning the essential oil, significant increases in the aroma compounds s-limonene and fenchone were noted during maturity. Besides, the antibacterial activity tests have shown that Staphylococcus aureus is sensitive to the action of this essential oil. Moreover, the quality criteria of the studied fennel seeds and seed oils showed the influence of the geographical origin. These results would make it possible to propose ways of valorizing, quality control and labeling of beldi fennel under a distinctive sign of origin and quality.

This study introduces a new theoretical concept, "false readiness" (FR), to fill a lacuna in theories of conflict resolution (CR). Existing theories focus mostly on successful cases and opening phases and suggest conditions and variables to determine whether a conflict is "ripe" or "ready" for resolution. The prevailing assumption is that if disputants decide to enter negotiations, they must have "crossed the Rubicon" and wish to reach agreement. This is not always the case in protracted conflicts where parties enter negotiations for reasons other than reaching peace. Existing CR theories do not adequately address this phenomenon. Negotiation theories do explore dishonest intentions but describe them as side effects, short lived and tactical. They also offer too many overlapping and confusing concepts that for the purposes of this study had to be clarified, categorized, and modified. The main goal of this work is not to create an entirely new theory, but rather to add a new theoretical layer to the readiness theory of CR that would be capable of investigating failures to resolve protracted conflicts. The layer is based on the integration of the readiness theory with concepts from negotiation theory that explore conditions where parties negotiate without intention to achieve agreement. FR addresses dubious intentions as strategic and long run that can span multiple stages in CR processes, not only the opening one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Annals of Theology / Roczniki Teologiczne is the property of Towarzystwo Naukowe KUL & Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawla II and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Argan tree, a species endemic to Southern Morroco, is well known for its kernel oil used in cosmetics and health-food, but the corresponding pulp attracted less interest from researchers and little is known about its chemical composition and evolution during maturation. The pulp of argan fruits monthly harvested during the ripening period based on fruit color (April to July), was analyzed. With progressing ripeness various changes were observed in the chemical composition, such as (i) a four-fold increase of total soluble sugars content (glucose, fructose and saccharose), and of Fe (75–165 ppm), but also (ii) a drop of many components, such as proteins (10.1–6.4%), and cell wall polymers, lignin (14.9–5.9%) and hemicellulose and cellulose. Hexane-soluble compounds found in substantial amount (10.7%in April) also decreased with time: the pulp oil peak (8.3%) was in April and June, and that of polyisoprene in June (3.6%). Therefore the stage of maturity (harvest date) is to be considered, without affecting the quality of the argan oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research paper aims at presenting the results of a project whose objective was to diagnose processes with a maturity approach, of small manufacturing companies in Mexico trying to collect data of their current situation as an input for the future formulation of improvement proposals. Similarly, this study shows a synthesis of the literature on organizational maturity where few models that may be applied to this type of companies are detected, and even less those with an appropriate focus for the diagnosis of processes. For this, the Model for the Architecture of Organizational Performance in a Supply Chain (ADOCS by its abbreviation in Spanish) was used, which establishes twelve organizational processes grouped into four categories, thus designing instruments in a rubric format to identify the level of compliance of each process with respect to the ideals established, emanating from theoretical models, calculating the level of maturity reached by the four categories proposed. Finally, findings show that the majority of these companies operate at a handcrafted level of maturity, indicating that there is general knowledge about the continuous improvement approach, but processes have not been formalized or systematized, although improvements are sporadically implemented with a corrective approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Travail Humain is the property of Presses Universitaires de France and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Psychological & Educational Studies Review is the property of University of Kasdi Merbah Ouargla and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In 2013, with the city's 2002 urban renaissance policy seemingly having reached its limit, Tokyo won its bid to stage the 2020 Olympics. The city plan was modified, with Olympic clusters replacing the special zones of urban redevelopment. However, the highly selective, centrally concentrated nature of urban renaissance and Olympic infrastructure has created a two-tier city, provoking debate over what David Harvey calls the spatial fix, i.e. the temporary spatial solutions adopted by capitalists to save their assets from a downward spiral in values. This paper will examine the assumed continuity between the 2000s (urban renaissance) and the 2010s (Olympic development) and discuss the pertinence of the term spatial fix in Tokyo. It will formulate the idea of a trend fix to debate the uneven development associated with the Olympics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reported for the first time the evolution of some minor compounds (sterols and aliphatic alcohols) composition of four Algerian olive oils according to the cultivar and the maturity stage during the season (2013/2014). Olive samples were collected during eight different harvesting dates. The studied cultivars were Chemlal, Aghenfas, Buichret and Mekki. Ten sterolic compounds, triterpene dialcohols (erythrodiolþuvaol) and seven fatty alcohols were identified and characterized. The results showed a decreasing level of total sterols, b-sitosterol, triterpenic dialcohols, total aliphatic alcohols, tetracosanol (C24), and an increasing level of D5-avenasterol according to the maturity process. Linear discriminant analysis (LDA) enabled the classification of the studied varieties on the basis of analytical data and a correct classification rate of 96.5% and 88.6% was achieved using the original and cross validation method respectively. The most discriminating variables have been: cholesterol, campestanol, Δ7-stigmastenol, Δ7-avenasterol, clerosterol, alcohol C22, alcohol C25, alcohol C27. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Larhyss Journal is the property of Biskra University, Research Laboratory in Subterranean & Surface Hydraulics and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Résumé Ancienneté et maturité sont des composantes de la naturalité et contribuent à son évaluation. Ces qualités et leurs termes associés sont encore parfois confondus et mal employés. À partir d’une analyse de la littérature internationale, chaque qualité a été conceptualisée et une terminologie adaptée a été proposée. Les enjeux de l’ancienneté et de la maturité pour la biodiversité, certaines caractéristiques édaphiques et les fonctionnalités des écosystèmes sont explicités. Quatre seuils d’ancienneté sont proposés, ainsi qu’une réflexion en vue d’une structuration du gradient de maturité. Un état des lieux chiffré des surfaces concernées par des degrés élevés d’ancienneté et de maturité aboutit au constat qu’en France métropolitaine, seulement 29 % des forêts seraient anciennes, que moins de 3 % des peuplements gérés en futaie régulière auraient significativement dépassé l’âge d’exploitabilité. Ancientness and maturity are two major qualities of forest ecosystems. They are components of naturalness and are affected by human impact. These qualities and the associated terms are often mixed up and incorrectly used. We have carried out a synthesis in order to propose an adapted French terminology based on international literature. The topics of ancientness and maturity for biodiversity and soil characteristics are explained. This review leads us to submit different potential thresholds for ancientness and maturity. An analysis on ancientness and maturity on forest data for France leads to the conclusion that about 29 % of all forests can be considered “ancient woodland”, and less than 3 % of the even-age forest is older than the harvesting age. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This survey aimed at identifying the plantain consumption patterns based on the most preferred plantain cultivars according to the maturity and the processing in the urban area of Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Thus, a Focus Group has been led to appreciate the availability of plantain on market and Data Mining techniques have been used for the treatment of data collected from household interviews. Data showed that only four cultivars of plantain locally named Kpatregnon, Ameletiha, Agnrin and Afoto are available on the markets of Abidjan. Afoto cultivar is the most available in quantity. Ameletiha variety at maturity stages full yellow with black spots (stage 7) and half green, half yellow (stage 3) are the most preferred by consumers. And, the physical parameters such as the shape of the fingers, the size of fingers and the aspect of plantain fingers are not important in consumer's choice. It also appears that the Agnrin variety at the stages full yellow (stage 6) and full yellow with black spots (stage 7) is the most used for aloko. As for the Afoto variety, stage of maturity light green (stage 2), it is the most used to make roasted plantain (banane braisée). The Ameletiha variety at the green maturity stage (stage 1) and all black (stage 8) is the most used to do chips and doclou, respectively. Ameletiha and Agnrin varieties at the stage of maturity half green, half yellow (stage 3) and more yellow than green (stage 4) are both appreciated for futu (pounded banana). Ameletiha variety of maturity stage 8 (all black) is preferably used for the klaclo. According to variety and maturity, plantain is used in several food preparations of which eleven are the mostly preferred by consumers in Abidjan area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

La croissance de 15 mesures corporelles linéaires dans la race ovine iranienne Mehraban à queue grasse a été analysée par la méthode des moindres carrés. Les mesures concernant 1 238 animaux ont été prises à intervalles de 3 mois, entre 3 et 48 mois d'âge de 1984 à 1990. Les effets du sexe, du mode de naissance, de l'année de naissance et de l'âge de la mère sur le poids et sur les 15 caractères mesurés ont été étudiés. Le sexe est le seul facteur dont l'influence soit significative sur tous les caractères aux différents âges. Les courbes de croissance ont été établies avec précision à partir des valeurs moyennes à 16 âges différents. L'estimation à 98 % du degré de maturité est, pour les mâles et les femelles, de 25 et 22 mois respectivement. L'application de l'allométrie aux caractères mesurés a été examinée en vue d'établir des courbes de croissance plus précises. La taille au garrot, la longueur du corps, le périmètre abdominal et le périmètre thoracique manifestent le mieux les variations du poids et parmi ces caractères, le périmètre thoracique est le meilleur indicateur de ces variations aux différents âges. Quant aux autres facteurs, ils évoluent presque indépendamment du poids.

Copyright of Canadian Journal of Plant Science is the property of Canadian Science Publishing and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Postharvest physiology and ripening in passion fruit are not well documented, which is an impediment in designing handling and storage regimes. Materials and methods. Passion fruits harvested at four different maturity stages were studied for postharvest ripening behaviour and to determine the correct stage of harvesting. Results and discussion. The respiratory climacteric peak was attained in all stages irrespective of harvest maturity, while the ethylene evolution rate increased by almost 8.15 times the initial value to peak levels of 505.35 µL C2H4·kg–1·h–1 in fruits harvested at the 50% colour turning stage. Changes in Hunter L*a*b* values indicated development of optimum colour only in fruits harvested after 50% colour turning. Fruit quality attributes were also better in fruits harvested after half (50%) colour turning than fruits harvested earlier. Conclusion. Passion fruit should be harvested only after 50% of fruit surface colour has developed, so as to allow for optimum postharvest storage, proper ripening, and development of characteristic flavour and fruit quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Introduction. African fruit production, as well as regional and international fruit trade, have experienced heavy economic losses over the past decade due to the damage caused by fruit flies, especially B. invadens Drew Tsuruta & White (Tephritidae: Diptera). Bactrocerainvadens attacks fruits belonging to numerous botanical families, several of which are of great economic importance. The females of these flies generally lay their eggs in mature fruits, but some can lay in green-immature fruits. Materials and methods. The influence of the species, variety and phenology of fruits on the fruit attractiveness to B. invadens and the elicitation of B. invadens egg-laying behaviour were studied in the laboratory. Fruits harvested regularly during the years 2008 and 2009 from orchards in the Niayes area (Senegal) were exposed to gravid females in cages set for the different factors tested. The exposed fruits were then incubated and the pupae emerging from them were counted. Results and discussion. Bactrocera invadens females laid eggs in ripe fruits. Within the same fruit species, the variety plays an important role in egg-laying preference. Hence, among the mango varieties tested, the Pêche variety hosted the highest number of pupae per fruit, while the Palmer variety hosted the lowest number. Comparison among different fruit species showed that mature papaya was more infested than mature mango or citrus. Furthermore, flies were unable to develop on lime. Conclusion. Our study showed that B. invadens can infest green and ripe host fruits, and even immature abscised fruits. Consequently, management of this pest must include preventive measures in the development and implementation of an integrated management system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Nypa fruticans is one of the mangrove plants in Malaysia. Leaves of the plant are traditionally used for thatching, while the sap is useful for producing an alcoholic drink, sugar and syrup, as well as vinegar. At present, N. fruticans fruit is considered as an underutilized fruit. Its flesh (endocarp) is considered nutritionally inferior. Hence, our study aimed to determine the proximate composition and total phenolic content of ripe and unripe flesh of N. fruticans to explore its food uses as a source of nutrients. Materials and methods. Determination of proximate content followed the AOAC methods, while total phenolic content was determined using the Folin-Ciocalteu reagent assay. Results and discussion. The results showed significant differences for all the proximate values (moisture content, ash, carbohydrate, crude protein, crude fat, and insoluble and soluble fiber) between the ripe and unripe flesh of the fruit. The flesh of ripe fruit also had higher (P < 0.05) total phenolic content than its unripe counterpart. Conclusion. The ripe and unripe flesh of Nypa fruticans could potentially be used as functional food ingredients in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and maturity of two sympatric gadids were examined from 48 Atlantic ( Gadus morhua L., 1758) and 42 Greenland ( Gadus ogac Richardson, 1836) cod ranging from 17 to 74 cm in length collected from an inshore area of Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Canada, during 2009 and 2010. Ages estimated from otolith readings ranged from 2 to 7 for both species. Age and size at 50% maturity differed between species, being 2.3 years and 28.2 cm for G. ogac and 4.6 years and 48.8 cm for G. morhua. von Bertalanffy growth models did not differ between species with parameters L∞ = 91 cm, k = 0.16 year−1, t0 = -0.02 years for G. ogac and L∞ = 112 cm, k = 0.13 year−1, t0 = 0.18 years for G. morhua. Length ( L) - mass ( W) relationships differed; W = 0.000005 kg·cm− b × L3.17 for G. ogac and W = 0.000011 kg·cm− b × L2.91 for G. morhua suggested slightly positive and negative allometric growth, respectively. For G. morhua, growth curves, length-mass relationships, and maturity rates did not differ between fish collected during this and earlier studies. Differences in maturity schedules and growth may decrease resource competition and help facilitate coexistence of these species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Life with HIV/AIDS for 50-years old patients is characterized by vicissitudes that bring prejudice and psychological suffering to their sexual-affective life. Additionally, it demands an ongoing effort to keep the treatment. This study analyses the vulnerability and experiences of living with HIV/AIDS in people over 50-years old. Ten individuals--6 men and 4 women--between 51 and 72 years old--who are seropositive to HIV/AIDS participated in this study. They receive care in a specialized hospital for treating this pathology in the city of João Pessoa, Brazil. Their diagnostic time varied from 1 to 14 years. Bio-demographic and clinic questionnaires were used as instruments, as well as interviews. The questionnaire data were submitted to a descriptive analysis. A Thematic Categorical Analysis was used for the emergent content of the interviews. Nine categories emerged from participants' discourse: Contagion, Diagnostic, Perception of AIDS, AIDS in old age, Coping, Support, Prejudice, Work, and Perspectives. The vulnerability to HIV/AIDS is linked to different types of vulnerabilities prior to diagnostic, mainly when gender aspects and access to symbolic and material resources are considered. Despite the fact that current health care has prolonged the life expectancy of people with HIV+ and improved their sexual life during this period of life, these participants still associate AIDS with death and prejudice experiences, as well as with limitations to experience intimate relationships. On one hand, these results point to specific preventive strategies to this social category. On the other, they demonstrate the ontological dimension of sexuality, especially as a human attribute that is not limited to time and age, but is constituted during the existential trajectory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sorghum is a potential energy crop thanks to its high biomass productivity and low input. Biomass yield in sorghum is defined by height and maturity. To develop molecular breeding tools for genetic improvement of these two traits, we have identified simple sequence repeat markers linked to height and maturity using a pool-based association mapping technique. The sorghum mini core collection was evaluated across five environments for height and maturity. Seven tall and seven short accessions were selected based on their height in all environments. Likewise, six early- and 10 late-maturing accessions were selected mostly based on their maturity in two post-rainy seasons. Two additional height pools were constructed based on phenotypes in one environment. The three pairs of pools were screened with 703 SSR markers and 39 polymorphic markers were confirmed by individual genotyping. Association mapping of the 39 markers with 242 accessions from the mini core collection identified five markers associated with maturity or height. All were clustered on chromosomes 6, 9, and 10 with previously mapped height and maturity markers or QTLs. One marker associated with both height and maturity was 84 kb from recently cloned Ma1. These markers will lay a foundation for identifying additional height and maturity genes in sorghum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-latitude environments are challenging for terrestrial ectotherms because short and cool active seasons generally limit the time available for foraging and growth, thereby negatively influencing life-history variables such as growth rate and age at maturity and ultimately, via fitness differences, their evolution. Many species show latitudinal clines in life-history traits, including growth rate and body size. We estimated growth curves of Plains Garter Snakes ( Thamnophis radix (Baird and Girard, 1853)) near the northern limit of the species' range in central Alberta and compared our findings to similar estimates for more southerly populations. Despite a short growing season, female T. radix at Miquelon Lake grew rapidly, reaching maturity in 1 or 2 years, similar to southern populations, and attained greater maximum sizes than snakes in southern populations. Overall, growth in this high-latitude population is comparable with what is seen in other conspecific populations. Possible reasons for lack of marked latitudinal effect include longer days at high latitudes, highly productive aquatic habitats for foraging, effective thermoregulation, reduced competition, and (or) countergradient variation in growth rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The Tunisian poet al-Mīdānī b. āli's work not only reflects a clear preoccupation with themes of innocence and maturity, but also displays interesting stages of maturation on both personal and literary levels. It also echoes different stages in modern Tunisian and Arab intellectual and political history. This article traces the different stages in this poet's literary and intellectual experience, and through him assesses the poetic and literary scene in Tunisia and the Arab world in the second half of the twentieth century. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this study was to demonstrate a linkage between construction industry maturity and performance using a newly developed maturity model, the Construction Industry Macro Maturity Model. This was achieved by measuring the maturity and performance of two construction industries, one being a perceived mature and good performing industry, which was the New Brunswick construction industry; and the other being a perceived immature and poor performing industry, which was the Guyana construction industry. Using data from these two construction industries, cost management maturity along with cost performance of a large sample of projects were measured. The cost management maturity of the New Brunswick construction industry was quantified as being approximately 88%, while the maturity of the Guyana construction industry was quantified as being approximately 58%. It was found that the New Brunswick construction industry was better performing than the Guyana construction industry, with respect to the metrics: 'cost predictability - construction', 'cost predictability - tender award', and 'cost predictability - scope change'. The basis of the demonstrated linkage between construction industry maturity and performance is that higher maturity results in more effective and consistent implementation of the industry's regulations and management practices, which translates to a greater level of achievement of project performance objectives. The assessment of the cost management maturity of the two construction industries provided a leading indicator of performance, while the implementation of the cost performance metrics provided a lagging or after-the-fact indicator of performance. In this regard, the use of maturity modelling in conjunction with project performance metrics appears to be a suitable framework to assess the performance of a region's construction industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. There is a growing demand in the international market for excellent-quality dates of cultivars such as ‘Barhee’ that are consumed at the bisir stage. Materials and methods. The effects of GA3, BA and NAA postharvest dipping treatments at different concentrations on the quality characteristics of bisir ‘Barhee’ dates during cold storage were investigated. Results and discussion. The total soluble solids (TSS) concentration was lower in the BA- and NAA-treated fruit than in control fruit. Similarly, the GA3-treated fruit at 150 mg·L-1 contained a lower TSS concentration than control fruit. The GA3 at 150 mg·L-1, BA at 60 mg·L-1 and NAA at (100 and 150) mg·L-1 increased vitamin C concentration compared with other treatments. Acidity and total phenol concentrations were not affected by any of the treatments. The date soluble tannin concentration was higher than control fruit only in the dates treated with 20 mg BA·L-1. The weight loss % was lower in the BA-treated fruit at (20 and 60) mg·L-1 compared with all other treatments, while GA3 treatment at 50 mg·L-1 increased fruit weight loss % compared with control fruit. The percentage of dates at the rutab stage (index for fruit ripening) was lower for fruit treated with GA3than for control fruit. Also, the rutab stage % was lower for fruit treated with BA at 40 mg·L-1 and NAA at 150 mg·L-1 compared with control fruit. The TSS concentration decreased during storage from the initial day to day 20. However, there were no further decreases in the TSS concentration after (40 and 60) days of storage. The acidity concentration was slightly increased during storage. The vitamin C concentration increased until 40 days of storage, then a slight decrease occurred. The total phenol concentration decreased after (40 and 60) days of storage compared with the initial level. The soluble tannin concentration slightly increased at day 20 but sharply decreased after (40 and 60) days of storage compared with the initial level. Both weight loss and rutab stage % gradually increased during storage. There were significant interaction effects between growth regulators and storage period on TSS, vitamin C concentration, weight loss and rutab stage %. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Résumé: En France, au début de l’année 2000, une nouvelle technique chirurgicale a révélé que les mutilations génitales n’occasionnent plus de dégâts corporels irréversibles et qu’on peut reconstruire un clitoris excisé. La chirurgie réparatrice offre désormais la possibilité aux femmes de se faire réparer. Cet article montre que la chirurgie n’est qu’une étape à l’intérieur d’un « parcours de réparation ». Elle seule n’est pas suffisante pour restaurer une sexualité ainsi dite « normale ». Le « parcours de réparation » se fonde sur l’idée d’une « maturité » prétendue chez la femme. La « maturité » se décline de différentes manières, en laissant entrevoir plusieurs typologies de « femme mûre ». S’intéresser au « parcours de réparation » dans un contexte impliquant des femmes qui ont subi une excision, nous amène à éclairer les logiques médicales et la notion de « sexualité normale ». L’étude se fonde sur une première analyse des dossiers médicaux des femmes opérées (55 cas). La lecture et l’analyse des motivations données par les femmes, ainsi que les compte-rendus des différents spécialistes font émerger la persistance et la répétition de la notion de « maturité ». La « maturité » émerge dans les débats des médecins, qui considèrent cette condition comme centrale dans l’évaluation du « parcours de réparation » de la femme et sert pour s’assurer une certaine efficacité de la chirurgie, qui autrement « ne change pas grand-chose » (citation extrait débats). L’équipe considère que la « réparation » ne s’opère pas seulement sur le plan anatomique, mais aussi sur le plan symbolique, esthétique et culturel. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The primary objective of the present study is to assess the use of the maturity method to determine the joint sawing window and the traffic opening time on whitetopping construction in Korea. To determine the joint sawing time, it is necessary to determine the minimum strength not to have raveling and to identify the safe time of drying shrinkage. The present study found that the minimum compressive strength for joint sawing was 4.41 MPa (45 kg/cm2) and drying shrinkage occurred just after the concrete temperature peaked. The Nurse-Saul function was used for determining the joint sawing window and the traffic opening time because it better predicted in-place strength. The present study determined that the joint sawing window ranged from 210 °C·h to 310 °C·h (actual time of 6.5 to 9 h) and that the traffic opening time was after maturity values reached 390 °C·h for the mix at 20 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sole carbon source utilization profiles to characterize compost maturity were evaluated in reference to several other physicochemical and biological maturity indices. The results suggested that the addition of fat, oil, and grease (FOG) had a significant effect on the biological processes in the sample piles when compared to the control pile. Additionally, principal components analysis of the patterns and the levels of microbial activity indicate that microbial communities differentiate in response to FOG additions from 1 to 20 L/m3. However, between 10 and 20 L/m3, no recognizable differences were found between the control and the FOG amendment communities. Biolog data indicates a shift in the structure and function of the microbial community in compost with high FOG additions, which may be a useful indicator of high functional diversity and evenness during composting processes. Finally, the germination index (GI) of lettuce increased from 9% in the control to 100% in the FOG amended compost. However, the addition of high amounts of FOG might in turn inhibit seed germination and root growth because of the high pH and electrical conductivity (EC), and the volatilization of NH3. From the present results, 10 L/m3 was found to be the optimum FOG amendment rate for manure compost. These amendment rates are empirical and may be regarded as potential guidelines to agricultural practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The article highlights the factors that preclude entrepreneurs from developing their maturity in order to introduce their ideas within a wider economic and social processes. The electronic postcard methodology is also considered a vital way of gaining an understanding of entrepreneurs for researchers under a social constructionist program. The study further suggests that it would not be helpful for business consultants to proffer pre-programmed solution to entrepreneurial problems.

Relatively little is known about the genetic control of agronomic traits in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) compared with traits that follow Mendelian segregation patterns. A doubled-haploid population was generated from the cross RL4452 × 'AC Domain' to study the inheritance of the agronomic traits: plant height, time to maturity, lodging, grain yield, test weight, and 1000-grain weight. This cross includes the genetics of 2 western Canadian wheat marketing classes. Composite interval mapping was conducted with a microsatellite linkage map, incorporating 369 loci, and phenotypic data from multiple Manitoba environments. The plant height quantitative trait loci (QTLs), QHt.crc-4B and QHt.crc-4D, mapped to the expected locations of Rht-B1 and Rht-D1. These QTLs were responsible for most of the variation in plant height and were associated with other agronomic traits. An additional 25 agronomic QTLs were detected in the RL4452 × 'AC Domain' population beyond those associated with QHt.crc-4B and QHt.crc-4D. 'AC Domain' contributed 4 alleles for early maturity, including a major time to maturity QTL on 7D. RL4452 contributed 2 major alleles for increased grain yield at QYld.crc-2B and QYld.crc-4A, which are potential targets for marker-assisted selection. A key test weight QTL was detected on 3B and prominent 1000-grain weight QTLs were identified on 3D and 4A. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soybean near isogenic lines (NILs), contrasting for maturity and photoperiod sensitivity loci, were genotyped with approximately 430 mapped simple sequence repeats (SSRs), also known as microsatellite markers. By analysis of allele distributions across the NILs, it was possible to confirm the map location of the Dt1 indeterminate growth locus, to refine the SSR mapping of the T tawny pubescence locus, to map E1 and E3 maturity loci with molecular markers, and to map the E4 and E7 maturity loci for the first time. Molecular markers flanking these loci are now available for marker-assisted breeding for these traits. Analysis of map locations identified a putative homologous relationship among four chromosomal regions; one in the middle of linkage group (LG) C2 carrying E1 and E7, one on LG I carrying E4, one at the top of LG C2, at which there is a reproductive period quantitative trait locus (QTL), and the fourth on LG B1. Other evidence suggests that homology also exists between the E1 + E7 region on LG C2 and a region on LG L linked to a pod maturity QTL. Homology relationships predict possible locations in the soybean genome of additional maturity loci, as well as which maturity loci may share a common evolutionary origin and similar mechanism(s) of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A comparative study of phenomenological models used to describe the behavior of concrete at early age was realized. The main objective of this review is to evaluate the ability of various models to predict the autogeneous shrinkage and the basic creep of concrete. The report also proposes some improvements to these models. This constitutes the first part of a series of two complementary papers.Key words: concrete, early age, phenomenological models, thermal deformation, autogeneous shrinkage, restrained shrinkage, basic creep, basic relaxation, induced stress, maturity.Une analyse comparative de différents modèles phénoménologiques développés pour décrire le comportement du béton a été réalisée. L'objectif principal de ce document est d'évaluer la capacité de ces modèles à prédire le comportement du béton au jeune âge (retrait endogène et fluage propre). Il a aussi pour but de proposer certaines améliorations à ces modèles, afin de les rendre plus performants dans leur interprétation des phénomènes. Ce document constitue le premier d'une série de deux articles.Mots clés : béton, jeune âge, modèles phénoménologiques, déformation thermique, retrait endogène, retrait restreint, fluage propre, relaxation propre, contrainte induite, maturité. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]