bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Automated hydrologic analysis of ungauged basins in Serbia using open source software
Authors: Zlatanović N. , Stefanović M. , Milojević M. , Čotrić J.
Published: January 2015

Drainage basins are for the most part ungauged or poorly gauged not only in Serbia but in most parts of the world, usually due to insufficient funds, but also the decommission of river gauges in upland catchments to focus on downstream areas which are more populated. Design discharges are needed for these rivers where no streamflow data are available, for various applications. Examples include river training works for flood protection measures or erosion control, design of culverts, water supply facilities, small hydropower plants, etc. This study deals with the application of freely available and open source software and datasets for automating rainfall–runoff analysis of ungauged basins, applying geographical information systems techniques and programming to methodologies currently in use in hydrological practice. The geomorphometric module was tested on more than 100 catchments throughout Serbia (using a digital terrain model) and compared to manually calculated values (using topographic maps). The discharge estimation module was tested on 21 catchments where data were available and compared to results obtained by frequency analysis of measured discharges. The geomorphometric module of the calculation system showed excellent results, saving a great deal of time that would otherwise have been spent on manual processing of geospatial data, while the discharge estimation module showed a need for improved hydrological models.
Water quality in two catchment areas: a case study of Crocodile (West) and Berg Catchment areas
Authors: Akinseye S. A. , Harmse J. T.
Published: January 2015

This study focuses on the different physical and chemical water quality parameters of two catchment areas centring on the extent of water pollution in the two basins. Data containing physical and chemical water quality parameters for the Crocodile (West) Catchment area (Gauteng) and the Berg Catchment area (Western Cape) at reconnaissance level of detail were collected from the Department of Water Affairs (DWA) over a period of 5 years, 2007–2011. The relevant data were screened and sorted using the SPSS Software Version 2.0. The data were subjected to ANOVA statistics to search for significant variations in the water quality parameters of concern across the study period in each of the catchment area. The physical and chemical analyses were carried out to determine whether the water quality falls within the total water quality range as prescribed by DWA and WHO for domestic use. Pearson correlation analyses were used to determine the relationship between physical and chemical water quality parameters and the rainfall data over the study period.
Increase of nitrification efficiency at waste water treatment by implementation of bioaugmentation process
Authors: Mikhailova Y. V. , Kevbrina M. V. , Grachev V. A. , Nikolaev Y. A. , Aseeva V. G.
Published: January 2015

Low content of ammonia in the treated water is one of the most important indicators of the efficiency of biological wastewater treatment. Oxidation of ammonium to nitrate (nitrification) is carried out by nitrifying bacteria, which have low growth rates and are very sensible to certain unfavorable technological factors, such as low oxygen concentration and toxicants). To stabilize the number of nitrifying bacteria, increasing their activity in bioreactors with activated sludge and, therefore, to achieve stable and efficient removal of nitrogen compounds, various techniques are used, one of which is bioaugmentation technology. Bioaugmentation implies addition of the necessary microorganisms or creation of the conditions favoring their development in order to increase the specific activity of biological systems, such as activated sludge. In the Engineering and Technological Centre of JSC ‘Mosvodokanal’ for the first time in world practice, we studied the efficiency of nitrification in a plant operating under the scheme of the University of Cape Town process, in combination with an additional bioaugmentation reactor. Activated sludge in the reactor was enriched with nitrifying bacteria. At higher ammonium loads, which were modeled by adding the liquid phase of digested sludge, the main line did not remove ammonium to the maximum permissible concentration for fishery water bodies. The use of a bioaugmentation reactor resulted in ammonium concentration decrease from 40–50 to 0.4 mg N-NH4/l. This approach increased the stability of the activated sludge nitrifying bacteria to toxicants (thiourea).
Comparison of ultraviolet (UV) radiation intensity between a single lamp and a double lamp in a reactors
Authors: Asadollahfardi Gholamreza , Molaei Matin , Taheriyoun Masoud , Leversage Ivan
Published: January 2015

Disinfection of drinking water is a challenging and controversial issue. Chemical and ultraviolet (UV) methods are used to deactivate bacteria. Some of the chemical disinfection causes threats to public health since they produce toxic chemical compounds. Recently, several researchers conducted experiments and mathematical models to deactivate pathogenic bacteria from wastewater and drinking water using UV. The intensity of UV is very effective in deactivating bacteria. The authors compared the radiation intensity of a single and double lamp in a UV reactor for water treatment using computational fluid dynamics. The results indicated that the mean volume emission rate of single lamp and double lamp in the reactor was similar. However, the energy distribution of single lamps was much better than the double lamp in the reactor. The sensitivity analysis using three different UV transmittances (UVT), 70, 80 and 90%, indicated that the increase in % UVT value improved the energy distribution in the UV reactor.
Dewatering as a non-toxic control of nuisance midge larvae in algal wastewater treatment floways
Authors: Keller Troy A. , Husted Emily M.
Published: January 2015

Attached-algae floways have tremendous potential for use in wastewater treatment because natural algal communities show high nutrient removal efficiencies, have low operating costs, and are easy to maintain. Algal wastewater floways may also serve as a sustainable option for producing renewable energy because algae grow rapidly, are easily harvested, and can serve as a source of biomass for biofuel. However, pests such as chironomids (Diptera) colonize open channel periphyton floways and their larvae damage the biofilms. While pesticides can control midge larvae, little information is known about alternative, non-toxic controls. This study examined the effectiveness of periodic, short-term dewatering (4 hours every 9 days) on midge abundance and periphyton growth in 16 recirculating, outdoor floways (3 m long, 0.1 m wide). We compared midge abundance and algal accumulation (chlorophyll a, b, c, and pheophytin) among control (n = 8) and dewatered (n = 8) floways filled with secondarily treated wastewater (27 days, 10 hours of daylight). Dewatered flumes had 42% fewer midges and 28–49% lower algal productivity (as measured by chlorophyll a, b, c, and pheophytin pigments). Chlorophyll a production rates averaged (±1 SD) 0.5 ± 0.2 μg/cm2/day in control floways compared to 0.3 ± 0.1 μg/cm2/day dewatered floways. Short-term dewatering effectively reduced midges but also damaged periphyton. To maximize the recovery of periphyton biomass, operators should harvest periphyton from floways during dewatering events before periphyton is damaged by desiccation or direct exposure to sunlight.
Removal and bioaccumulation of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using freshwater algae
Authors: Shamshad Isha , Khan Sardar , Waqas Muhammad , Ahmad Nadeem , -Ur-Rehman Khushnood , Khan Kifayatullah
Published: January 2015

Four freshwater algae, including Cladophora glomerata, Oedogonium westii, Vaucheria debaryana and Zygnema insigne, were tested for their bioaccumulation capacity for cadmium (Cd), chromium (Cr) and lead (Pb) in a controlled environment with an average temperature of 18 °C, and light/dark duration of 12:12 h. Experiments were performed in aqueous solutions containing selected heavy metals (HM) (ranging from 0.05 to 1.5 mg L−1) with 0.5 g of living algae at 18 °C and pH 6.8. The results indicated that C. glomerata was observed to be the most competent species for the removal of Cr, Cd and Pb from aqueous solutions. HM removal trends were in the order of Cd>Cr>Pb while the removal efficiency of selected algae species was in the order of C. glomerata, O. westii, V. debaryana and Z. insigne. The bioaccumulation capacity of C. glomerata, V. debaryana and Z. insigne was observed for different HM. Removal of HM was higher with low levels of HM in aqueous solutions. The results indicated that C. glomerata, O. westii, V. debaryana and Z. insigne had significant (P ≤0.01) diverse bioaccumulation capacity for Cr, Cd and Pb.
Scale-dependence effects of landscape on seasonal water quality in Xitiaoxi catchment of Taihu Basin, China
Authors: Lv Huihua , Xu Youpeng , Han Longfei , Zhou Feng
Published: January 2015

Further understanding the mechanisms of landscape–water interactions is of great importance to water quality management in the Xitiaoxi catchment. Pearson's correlation analysis, stepwise multiple regression and redundancy analysis were adopted in this study to investigate the relation between water quality and landscape at the sub-catchment and 200 m riparian zone scales during dry and wet seasons. Landscape was characterized by natural environmental factors, land use patterns and four selected landscape configuration metrics. The obtained results indicated that land use categories of urban and forest were dominant landscape attributes, which influenced water quality. Natural environment and landscape configuration were overwhelmed due to land management activities and hydrologic conditions. In general, the landscape of the 200 m riparian zone appeared to have slightly greater influence on water than did the sub-catchment, and water quality was slightly better explained by all landscape attributes in the wet season than in the dry season. The results suggested that management efforts aimed at maintaining and restoring river water quality should currently focus on the protection of riparian zones and the development of an updated long-term continuous data set and higher resolution digital maps to discuss the minimum width of the riparian zone necessary to protect water quality.
Influence of local calibration on the quality of online wet weather discharge monitoring: feedback from five international case studies
Authors: Caradot Nicolas , Sonnenberg Hauke , Rouault Pascale , Gruber Günter , Hofer Thomas , Torres Andres , Pesci Maria , Bertrand-Krajewski Jean-Luc
Published: January 2015

This paper reports about experiences gathered from five online monitoring campaigns in the sewer systems of Berlin (Germany), Graz (Austria), Lyon (France) and Bogota (Colombia) using ultraviolet–visible (UV–VIS) spectrometers and turbidimeters. Online probes are useful for the measurement of highly dynamic processes, e.g. combined sewer overflows (CSO), storm events, and river impacts. The influence of local calibration on the quality of online chemical oxygen demand (COD) measurements of wet weather discharges has been assessed. Results underline the need to establish local calibration functions for both UV–VIS spectrometers and turbidimeters. It is suggested that practitioners calibrate locally their probes using at least 15–20 samples. However, these samples should be collected over several events and cover most of the natural variability of the measured concentration. For this reason, the use of automatic peristaltic samplers in parallel to online monitoring is recommended with short representative sampling campaigns during wet weather discharges. Using reliable calibration functions, COD loads of CSO and storm events can be estimated with a relative uncertainty of approximately 20%. If no local calibration is established, concentrations and loads are estimated with a high error rate, questioning the reliability and meaning of the online measurement. Similar results have been obtained for total suspended solids measurements.
Biohydrogen production from industrial wastewaters
Authors: Moreno-Andrade Iván , Moreno Gloria , Kumar Gopalakrishnan , Buitrón Germán
Published: January 2015

The feasibility of producing hydrogen from various industrial wastes, such as vinasses (sugar and tequila industries), and raw and physicochemical-treated wastewater from the plastic industry and toilet aircraft wastewater, was evaluated. The results showed that the tequila vinasses presented the maximum hydrogen generation potential, followed by the raw plastic industry wastewater, aircraft wastewater, and physicochemical-treated wastewater from the plastic industry and sugar vinasses, respectively. The hydrogen production from the aircraft wastewater was increased by the adaptation of the microorganisms in the anaerobic sequencing batch reactor.
Effect of sulfate and lactate loading rates on the respiration process and microbial population changes measured by ecological indices
Authors: García-Saucedo C. , Fernández F. J. , Cuervo-López F. M. , Gómez J.
Published: January 2015

In a sulfate reducing process, increasing loading rates and sulfide accumulation may induce population changes resulting in decreasing effectiveness of the process. Thus, the relationship between microbial metabolism changes and population dynamics was studied. An upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor was operated at different sulfate loading rates (SLR), from 290 to 981 mg SO4 − S/L d at a constant carbon/sulfur ratio of 0.75. When the SLR was increased, the total organic carbon and sulfate consumption efficiencies decreased to nearly 30% and 25%, respectively. The acetate and propionate yields increased with increasing SLR and 385 ± 7 mg sulfide-S/L d was reached. The ecological indices, determined by random amplified polymorphic DNA and denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis techniques, diversity and evenness were found to be constant, and similarity coefficient values remained higher than 76%. The results suggest that the microbial population changes were negligible compared with metabolic changes when SLR was increased. The sulfide accumulation did not modify the microbial diversity. The sequencing of 16S rRNA genes showed strains related to sulfate reducing, fermentation, and methanogenesis processes. The results indicated that the decreasing of effectiveness, under the experimental conditions tested, was dependent more on operational parameters than microbial changes.
Basis for the development of sustainable optimisation indicators for activated sludge wastewater treatment plants in the Republic of Ireland
Authors: Gordon G. T. , McCann B. P.
Published: January 2015

This paper describes the basis of a stakeholder-based sustainable optimisation indicator (SOI) system to be developed for small-to-medium sized activated sludge (AS) wastewater treatment plants (WwTPs) in the Republic of Ireland (ROI). Key technical publications relating to best practice plant operation, performance audits and optimisation, and indicator and benchmarking systems for wastewater services are identified. Optimisation studies were developed at a number of Irish AS WwTPs and key findings are presented. A national AS WwTP manager/operator survey was carried out to verify the applied operational findings and identify the key operator stakeholder requirements for this proposed SOI system. It was found that most plants require more consistent operational data-based decision-making, monitoring and communication structures to facilitate optimised, sustainable and continuous performance improvement. The applied optimisation and stakeholder consultation phases form the basis of the proposed stakeholder-based SOI system. This system will allow for continuous monitoring and rating of plant performance, facilitate optimised operation and encourage the prioritisation of performance improvement through tracking key operational metrics. Plant optimisation has become a major focus due to the transfer of all ROI water services to a national water utility from individual local authorities and the implementation of the EU Water Framework Directive.
Wastewater treatment performance efficiency of constructed wetlands in African countries: a review
Authors: Mekonnen Andualem , Leta Seyoum , Njau Karoli Nicholas
Published: January 2015

In Africa, different studies have been conducted at different scales to evaluate wastewater treatment efficiency of constructed wetland. This paper aims to review the treatment performance efficiency of constructed wetland used in African countries. In the reviewed papers, the operational parameters, size and type of wetland used and the treatment efficiency are assessed. The results are organized and presented in six tables based on the type of wetland and wastewater used in the study. The results of the review papers indicated that most of the studies were conducted in Tanzania, Egypt and Kenya. In Kenya and Tanzania, different full-scale wetlands are widely used in treating wastewater. Among wetland type, horizontal subsurface flow wetlands were widely studied followed by surface flow and hybrid wetlands. Most of the reported hybrid wetlands were in Kenya. The results of the review papers indicated that wetlands are efficient in removing organic matter (biochemical oxygen demand and chemical oxygen demand) and suspended solids. On the other hand, nutrient removal efficiency appeared to be low.
Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy of Mass Transport by Transformation of PbI2 into CH3NH3PbI3 within np-TiO2
Authors: Lang F. , Juma A. , Somsongkul V. , Dittrich T. , Arunchaiya M.
Published: January 2015

Mass transport during transformation of PbI
Electron beam curing of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles
Authors: Erdem Emre
Published: January 2015

Three different synthesis methods were given for the preparation of CoFe
Challenges in Social Science Research
Authors: Shrivastava Umesh Prasad
Published: January 2015

No abstractDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ijssm.v2i1.11926       Int. J. Soc. Sci. Manage. Vol-2, issue-1:1-2
Oral health related knowledge, attitude, and practice among school children of Jyamrung, Nepal
Authors: Shakya A , Shrestha M , Srivastav A , Kayastha B
Published: January 2015

Oral diseases are common in school children of underprivileged region of developing countries. The community-based oral health promotion approach, using schools as a platform, is a way to tackle the oral health problems of community with limited human and financial resources. A base-line study was conducted in a school of Jyamrung so as to evaluate oral health related knowledge, attitude and practices among schoolchildren, based on which an oral health promotion program will be developed for the school. A descriptive study was conducted among all the students of the school. Oral heath related information of the students was collected using DMFT (Decayed Missing Filled Teeth) index and a questionnaire. A total of 88 children with age ranging from 6 to 16 years took part in the study. A total of 61% of the children had dental caries. Mean DMFT of the schoolchildren was 1.78 (SD 2.04). The Filled component score was 0. Children with the experience of tooth pain the previous year was 36.5% for 6-11 years of age, and 58.3% for 12-16 years of age. None of them had received any form of treatment following the pain. Only 4 children have dental consultation. Almost 92% of them have never received oral health education in their school. A comprehensive oral health care program is required to address the present oral health needs of the schoolchildren. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11930Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 1-4
Health related quality of life of diabetic patients visited in Koshi Zonal Hospital, Biratnanar
Authors: Mehta R K , Subedi S , Bohora S
Published: January 2015

Globally, diabetes is ranked as the 4th leading cause of death in terms of disease and places a huge strain on public health funding. Quality of life (QOL) is an important and understudied topic in the diabetes. Most studies reports that quality of life among people with diabetes is worse than QOL in general population. Thus, this study is aimed to assess health related quality of life of diabetic patients. We conducted a hospital- based non experimental prospective study. Total 50 diabetic patients were enrolled in this study by using purposive sampling technique. Short-Form 36 questionnaire was used to assess the QOL of diabetic patients. Among 50 respondents, 27 were female and 23 were male. In physical health, 56% respondents had obtained score above 50, 2% respondents had obtained score 50 and 42% respondents had obtained score below 50.Similarly, in mental health, 56% respondents had obtained score above 50 and 44% respondents had obtained score below50. This result indicates that majority of respondents (56%) had better QOL. It concludes that majority (56%) of respondents had better QOL in both physical and mental health and in physical health 2% had average QOL and 42% had poor QOL and in mental health 44% had poor QOL. So, the family, physician, nurses and policy makers can use this finding to identify and implement appropriate interventions for better management and ultimately improving QOL of diabetic patients.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11933Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 13-16
Kayser-Fleischer Ring evaluation in Wilson's Disease in a tertiary eye care centre of Nepal
Authors: Sharma A K , Sitaula S , Thapa M , Shrestha G S , Gajurel B P , Oli K K
Published: January 2015

Wilson’s disease is a hereditary disorder of copper metabolism which is characterized by neuropsychiatric and hepatic manifestations as well as appearance of Kayser-Fleischer ring. This is a retrospective review of the records of the patients of Wilson’s disease who attended Neuro-ophthalmic clinic for the identification of Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) ring from January2010 to June 2012. Detailed eye examination included visual acuity assessment, slit lamp biomicroscopy and intra-ocular pressure measurement. Data regarding clinical features, laboratory investigations and the status of K-F ring was recorded. Seven cases of Wilson’s disease with age range of 9-15 years were included in the study. Among them four (57.1%) had neuropsychiatric symptoms, two (28.5%) had hepatic disease and one (14.3%) was asymptomatic, diagnosed by positive family history and laboratory tests. Among four subjects having K-F ring, three (75%) subjects had neuropsychiatric symptoms and one subject had hepato-billiary disease. Besides K-F rings, other ophthalmic findings were sunflower cataract (14.3%) and vernal keratoconjuctivitis (14.3%). The identification of K-F ring is a simple and cost effective screening test for the diagnosis of Wilson’s disease. K-F is present in majority of the patients with neurological manifestations. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11934Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3): 17-20
Auricular dissection method for treatment of preauricular sinus
Authors: Bhandari R , Limbu T R , Parajuli R , Thapa S
Published: January 2015

Preauricular sinus is the common congenital disease with tendency for repeated infections. Standard surgical procedure i.e sinusectomy has more recurrence rate so we designed this study to observe the surgical outcome after supra-auricular dissection method. This is the prospective study conducted in Chitwan Medical College. All patients with problematic preauricular sinus were included for this study. All surgeries were done by single surgeon. Surgical outcomes were measured for short and long term duration. Thirty nine patients of all genders with symptomatic preauricular sinus were undergone supraauricular dissection. Majority of cases were unilateral disease, male patients, pits at ascending limb of helix, incision and drainage done previously. No recurrence is seen after this kind of surgery. supraauricular dissection method is the preferred one to every case of PAS irrespective to age, previous surgery. It has no recurrence. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11935Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):21-24
Patients' satisfaction with hospital services in Kathmandu
Authors: Subedi D , Uprety K
Published: January 2015

Patient satisfaction is valid indicator for measurement of service quality. Patient’s opinions are important because dissatisfaction suggests opportunities for improvement of health services in the hospital. The objective of this study was to assess the patient satisfaction with hospital services. Descriptive survey study design was adopted for this study .The population of the study was the clients who have been inpatient in Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Kathmandu. Non probability purposive sampling technique was used and 222 patients was selected through face to face interview using a structured and semi-structured questionnaire. Data was collected from 15th June to first October 2013. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean and standard deviation. Using Shapiro-Wilk test for normality. The result shows that on an average patients had higher satisfaction in technical skills (mean score± SD 3.78±0.33) followed by hospital policy (3.37±0.43), accessibility skill (3.33±0.43), interpersonal skill (3.31±0.36) and least satisfied with room service of the hospital (mean: 2.58±0.29). Based on the study finding, it is concluded that overall patient satisfaction was good regarding the quality of health care services of TUTH. Among the different domains of patient satisfaction, respondents were highly satisfied with technical skill of the nurses and doctors. Although the overall services provided by TUTH are satisfactory it is necessary to improve the room services which include overall cleanliness and comfort of the patient.  DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11936Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):25-31
Knowledge on self care among COPD patients attending at Chitwan Medical College Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur
Authors: Subba H K , Subba R
Published: January 2015

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and global health concern. COPD self care knowledge is a cornerstone for self-management of chronic illness. The objective of this study was to find out the level of knowledge on self care among COPD patients. A descriptive, cross sectional design and purposive sampling was applied in which 182 patients were interviewed by using semi-structure interviews schedule at Chitwan Medical College, Teaching Hospital, Bharatpur. Data was analyzed by using SPSS and descriptive and inferential test was applied. The study findings revealed that 36.8% of the respondents were between age group 61-70 years, 54.4% respondents were male, 59.9% were from Chitwan district, majority of the respondents (62.1%) were outpatient, 48.4% had a history of COPD more than 5 years, 83.2%were hospitalized 1-2 times in last year, 63.2% had no history of COPD in family members and all respondents got information from health personnel. Highest percentage (75) of mean score on smoking cessation and lowest (10) on weight monitoring. Most of all respondents (90.7%) had poor level of knowledge on self care of COPD. The respondents’ level of knowledge on self care is statistically significant with family history (p=0.048), educational status (p=0.000), and types of patient (p=0.017).So, there should be need of health education program for COPD patients about self care to improve knowledge. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11938Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):34-37
A study on knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents of higher secondary school in Jajarkot district of Nepal
Authors: Bharati M , Bharati L
Published: January 2015

HIV/AIDS has killed more than 25 million people since it was first recognized in 1981, making it one of the most destructive epidemics in recorded history. It is an increasing public health problem of the people in the world. A descriptive study was carried out in 2013 at Jajarkot district of Nepal, to assess the knowledge of HIV/AIDS among adolescents of higher secondary school. Facilitator based self administered questionnaire was distributed among 150 students who were selected through simple random technique lottery method. The study showed that majority of the respondents had knowledge about HIV/AIDS and more than two third (77.3%) had knowledge about the causative agent of the disease. Regarding the transmission of disease, majority (94.7%) had responded through needle sharing and 93.3% respondents responded through contamination of blood. Highest percent of respondent (51%) had knowledge in symptoms i.e. weight loss. Majority had knowledge that condom use during sexual intercourse can prevent HIV/AIDS. Despite having adequate knowledge still there exists various misconceptions regarding HIV/AIDS among the adolescents. The knowledge among the respondents was quite satisfactory for most of the aspects like modes of transmission, sexual and behavioral practices and common symptoms and preventive measures of the disease. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jcmc.v4i3.11940Journal of Chitwan Medical College 2014; 4(3):43-45
Evaluation of the corrosion resistance of plasma nitrided austenitic stainless steel
Authors: Mareci Daniel , Strugaru Sorin Iacob , Munteanu Corneliu , Bolat Georgiana , Souto Ricardo M.
Published: January 2015

Plasma nitriding at 500°C for 14 h was applied to austenitic 304 stainless steel for surface hardening. The effect of surface treatment on the corrosion resistance of the material was investigated in naturally-aerated 0.5 M NaCl solution for 30 days using linear potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. Both as-cast and plasma nitrided stainless steel samples underwent spontaneous passivation, though the nitrided sample exhibited more positive zero current potential, higher breakdown potential, and lower anodic current densities than the as-cast material. Impedance spectra were interpreted in terms of a duplex passive film, corrosion resistance mainly arising from a thin inner compact layer, whereas the outer layer was more porous and less sealing. Capacitive behaviour and high corrosion resistance were observed in the low and medium frequency ranges for the nitrided samples.
Factors Regulating Immunoglobulin Production by Normal and Disease-Associated Plasma Cells
Authors: Jackson David , Elsawa Sherine
Published: January 2015

Immunoglobulins are molecules produced by activated B cells and plasma cells in response to exposure to antigens. Upon antigen exposure, these molecules are secreted allowing the immune system to recognize and effectively respond to a myriad of pathogens. Immunoglobulin or antibody secreting cells are the mature form of B lymphocytes, which during their development undergo gene rearrangements and selection in the bone marrow ultimately leading to the generation of B cells, each expressing a single antigen-specific receptor/immunoglobulin molecule. Each individual immunoglobulin molecule has an affinity for a unique motif, or epitope, found on a given antigen. When presented with an antigen, activated B cells differentiate into either plasma cells (which secrete large amounts of antibody that is specific for the inducing antigen), or memory B cells (which are long-lived and elicit a stronger and faster response if the host is re-exposed to the same antigen). The secreted form of immunoglobulin, when bound to an antigen, serves as an effector molecule that directs other cells of the immune system to facilitate the neutralization of soluble antigen or the eradication of the antigen-expressing pathogen. This review will focus on the regulation of secreted immunoglobulin by long-lived normal or disease-associated plasma cells. Specifically, the focus will be on signaling and transcriptional events that regulate the development and homeostasis of long-lived immunoglobulin secreting plasma cells.
Carbon Cycling, Climate Regulation, and Disturbances in Canadian Forests: Scientific Principles for Management
Authors: Landry Jean-Sébastien , Ramankutty Navin
Published: January 2015

Canadian forests are often perceived as pristine and among the last remaining wilderness, but the majority of them are officially managed and undergo direct land use, mostly for wood harvest. This land use has modified their functions and properties, often inadvertently (e.g., age structure) but sometimes purposefully (e.g., fire suppression). Based on a review of the literature pertaining to carbon cycling, climate regulation, and disturbances from logging, fire, and insect outbreaks, we propose five scientific principles relevant for Canadian managed forests. Among these, a principle we wish to highlight is the need to properly account for the management-related fossil fuel emissions, because they will affect the global carbon cycle and climate for millennia unless massive atmospheric carbon dioxide removal becomes a reality. We also use these five principles to address questions of current interest to research scientists, forest managers, and policy makers. Our review focusses on total ecosystem carbon storage and various mechanisms through which forests affect climate, in particular albedo and aerosols forcings—including how disturbances influence all these elements—but also touches on other ecosystem goods and services. Our review underscores the importance of conducting >100-year time horizon studies of carbon cycling, climate regulation, and disturbances in Canadian managed forests.
Expression, Delivery and Function of Insecticidal Proteins Expressed by Recombinant Baculoviruses
Authors: Kroemer Jeremy , Bonning Bryony , Harrison Robert
Published: January 2015

Since the development of methods for inserting and expressing genes in baculoviruses, a line of research has focused on developing recombinant baculoviruses that express insecticidal peptides and proteins. These recombinant viruses have been engineered with the goal of improving their pesticidal potential by shortening the time required for infection to kill or incapacitate insect pests and reducing the quantity of crop damage as a consequence. A wide variety of neurotoxic peptides, proteins that regulate insect physiology, degradative enzymes, and other potentially insecticidal proteins have been evaluated for their capacity to reduce the survival time of baculovirus-infected lepidopteran host larvae. Researchers have investigated the factors involved in the efficient expression and delivery of baculovirus-encoded insecticidal peptides and proteins, with much effort dedicated to identifying ideal promoters for driving transcription and signal peptides that mediate secretion of the expressed target protein. Other factors, particularly translational efficiency of transcripts derived from recombinant insecticidal genes and post-translational folding and processing of insecticidal proteins, remain relatively unexplored. The discovery of RNA interference as a gene-specific regulation mechanism offers a new approach for improvement of baculovirus biopesticidal efficacy through genetic modification.
Les touristes du nucléaire : l'enjeu de l'accessibilité des sites de production EDF, 1974-1991
Authors: Lopez Fanny
Published: January 2015

Cet article propose d’interroger l’évolution de l’accessibilité des sites de production d’Électricité de France (EDF) au moment où le pays fait le choix de l’indépendance énergétique, en 1974. Si le programme nucléaire semble être à l’origine du tourisme industriel français, quel est le processus qui a fait de ces centrales d’énergie des objets de tourisme ?
Quel après-nucléaire pour Brennilis ?
Authors: Huot Sylvain
Published: January 2015

Après un long arrêt depuis les années 1980, la centrale de Brennilis, dans le Finistère, fait l’objet d’un programme ambitieux de démantèlement total. Premier du genre en France, piloté par EDF, le chantier connaît du retard, coûte cher, mais reste ambitieux et se veut une vitrine du savoir-faire français en la matière. Située au sein des monts d’Arrée, dans le territoire sauvage du Yeun Elez, la centrale sert de repère visuel mais aussi mental et social. À l’aube d’une explosion probable au cours du siècle du nombre de friches nucléaires, le site de Brennilis offre une opportunité originale d’expérimentation et de reconversion au cœur de l'élaboration d'un véritable projet de territoire.
Les Archives des Sœurs Missionnaires de Notre Dame d'Afrique sous le regard de leur archiviste
Authors: Schmidt Hildegunde
Published: January 2015

Cet article est une brève présentation des archives des Sœurs Missionnaires de Notre Dame d’Afrique. Hildegunde Schmidt, archiviste de la congrégation, présente dans son article les spécificités de ces archives et les possibilités de son exploitation scientifique. Elle décrit les différents types de documents qui s’y trouvent (Diaires, écrits de la première Supérieure générale, rapports annuels, lettres circulaires, périodiques et bulletins de liaison, statistiques, etc.) et souligne leurs potentialités pour aborder le phénomène missionnaire selon différentes problématiques.
Durkheim en débat
Authors: Béra Matthieu
Published: January 2015

Il s’agit de donner un aperçu de la manière dont sont restitués les débats suscités par l’œuvre de Durkheim dans une vingtaine d’ouvrages français d’introduction à la sociologie. Comment cette « littérature secondaire » traite-t-elle le « père fondateur » de la sociologie ? Comment restitue-t-elle les critiques qui lui ont été adressées, première réception incluse ?
Gabo
Authors: Fogel Jean-François
Published: January 2015

Est-il « national » ou « continental », le Colombien Garcia Marquez ? C’est un nouveau Victor Hugo. Nos apothéoses d’hier sont celles de l’Amérique latine d’aujourd’hui.
Shakespeare
Authors: Laroque François
Published: January 2015

Shakespeare n’est peut-être pas celui que vous croyez. So what ? Les peuples ne s’y trompent pas. Ils savent bien que ce sont les légendes qui les ont faits peuple.
L'Europe, et après ?
Authors: Murat Pierre
Published: January 2015

Plusieurs cycles historiques s’achèvent au même moment en Europe. Serait-ce la signal d’un commencement de sagesse ?
Art et valuation
Authors: Citton Yves , Querrien Anne
Published: January 2015

Les pratiques artistiques proposent moins des objets (œuvres) que des enquêtes de « valuation », pour reprendre un terme inspiré par John Dewey. Cet article essaie de comprendre en quoi ces jeux artistiques de valuation nous montrent l’envers à la fois des modes de valorisation issus du marché et des pratiques d’évaluation imposées aujourd’hui au nom d’une certaine « gouvernance ».
Goya, le douanier et moi
Authors: Kyrou Ariel
Published: January 2015

Les surprises et les soucis quotidiens d’un organisateur de festival d’art font entrevoir l’envers des jeux de valeur qui sous-tendent la circulation des œuvres. Une gravure de Goya manquant à l’appel vaut-elle une crise cardiaque ? Un paquet qui n’est déclaré en douane que pour une valeur de 600 euros peut-il vraiment passer pour de l’art ? La profonde ambivalence de l’œuvre fait surface à de telles occasions : côté pile, elle ne vaut rien ; côté face, elle n’a pas de prix. L’évaluation de l’inévaluable est un piège.
Save Our Senses
Authors: Fol Jac
Published: January 2015

Supposant que l’art, après avoir été valuation , en était devenu l’intermédiaire, nous approchons deux modes qui peuvent générer sa fin ; d’une part, le savant raisonnement des faits artistiques qui en explicite et modélise les rouages et, corrélativement, l’exploitation systématique et marchande de toutes ses ressources émotionnelles… Tout en espérant, au bout du compte, que son essentielle inutilité de valeur sans terme lui sauve la mise.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Grading Indirect Ophthalmoscopy Video Images for Retinopathy of Prematurity Screening
Authors: Prakalapakorn Sasapin G. , Wallace David K. , Dolland Riana S. , Freedman Sharon F.
Published: January 2015

Purpose:

To determine whether digital retinal images obtained using a video indirect ophthalmoscopy system can be accurately graded for zone, stage of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), and plus or pre-plus disease, and used to screen for type 1 ROP.

Methods:

Charts of 114 infants who had retinal video images acquired using the video indirect ophthalmoscopy system during routine ROP examinations were retrospectively reviewed. Two masked ophthalmologists (1 expert and 1 non-expert in ROP screening) graded the video images for image quality, zone, stage of ROP, and pre-plus or plus disease. The ophthalmologists’ grades of the videos were compared to the clinical examination results, which served as the reference standard. The sensitivity and specificity of two predefined criteria for referral in detecting disease requiring treatment (ie, type 1 ROP) were then determined.

Results:

Of images the expert considered fair or good quality (n = 68), the expert and non-expert correctly identified zone (75% vs 74% of images, respectively), stage of ROP (75% vs 40% of images, respectively), and the presence of pre-plus or plus disease (79% of images). Expert and non-expert judgment of pre-threshold disease, pre-plus disease, or plus disease had 100% sensitivity and 75% versus 79% specificity, respectively, for detecting type 1 ROP. Expert and non-expert judgment of pre-plus or plus disease had 92% versus 100% sensitivity and 77% versus 82% specificity, respectively, for detecting type 1 ROP.

Conclusions:

High-quality retinal video images can be read with high sensitivity and acceptable specificity to screen for type 1 ROP. Grading for pre-plus or plus disease alone may be sufficient for the purpose of ROP screening.

[
J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus.
2015;52(2):85–92.]
Distributed Selection of the Optimal Sizes of Analog Unity Gain Cells by Fuzzy Set Intersection
Authors: Polanco-Martagón Said , Salgado Gerardo Reyes , Becerra Georgina Flores , Cuautle Esteban Tlelo
Published: January 2015

A distributed system based on Fuzzy sets to select the optimal sizes of Unity Gain Cells (UGCs) is introduced. A zoom technique is also introduced to search for the optimal sizes in a more refined way. The selected sizes accomplish target specifications established by linguistic variables, namely gain “closer to” unity and “large” bandwidth, which are represented by fuzzy sets. The case of study is focused on three Voltage Follower and a CFOA whose performance characteristics are evaluated by using IC technology of 0.35µm and 180µm, respectively, and the circuit simulation program SPICE. Every circuit is codified by the width and large (W/L) of every Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect-Transistor (MOSFET) and by its bias current source. From the population of feasible solutions computed by evolutionary algorithms, the optimal W/L sizes are selected by the proposed distributed system through the intersection of fuzzy sets.
Thermometer to Gray Encoders
Authors: Gupta Yogendra , Saini Sandeep
Published: January 2015

Analog to Digital Converter (ADC) is a key functional block in the design of mixed signal, system on chip, and signal processing applications. An optimized method for the direct conversion of analog signal to Gray code representation is presented. This eliminates the need for binary-to-Gray code conversion in many digital modulation techniques like M-PSK and M-QAM, which uses Gray coding representation to represent the symbols that are modulated. The authors design a low-power and high-speed Thermometer to Gray encoder for Flash ADC, as encoders have been widely utilized in high-performance critical applications which persistently impose special design constraints in terms of high-frequency, low power consumption, and minimal area. In this chapter, they propose a new circuit that converts the Thermometer code to Gray code and also yields minimized power.
The Appledore Island pluton of the Rye Complex, coastal New Hampshire and Maine, USA: geochronological and chemical evidence for the affinity of an enigmatic terrane
Authors: Dorais Michael John , Bothner Wallace , Buchwaldt Robert
Published: January 2015

The Rye Complex of coastal New Hampshire and Maine is a peri-Gondwanan terrrane that up to now had an uncertain origin. An offshore portion of the complex, Appledore Island of the Isles of Shoals, hosts a mainly dioritic intrusion that yielded an U-Pb zircon age of 361.09 ± 0.14 Ma, allowing comparison of its geochemical characteristics with mafic rocks of similar age across the northern Appalachian orogen. The Appledore Island diorite has similar major, trace, and isotopic compositions as continental rift tholeiite in the Narragansett Basin in southern New England and in the Maritimes Basin of Canada. These intraplate volcanic rocks range from 375 to 330 Ma, bracketing the age of the Appledore Island diorite. Their intraplate tectonic setting reflects regional extension during the Late Devonian to Early Carboniferous which produced successor basins after the Acadian orogeny. The geochemical and age similarities of the Appledore Island diorite and the mafic rocks of the successor basins suggest that the Rye Complex is a basement fragment of a successor basin block. Further evidence of the identity of the Rye Complex is provided by the isotopic composition of intermingled, comagmatic granitic rocks associated with the Appledore Island diorite. The granite has a Ganderian isotopic signature, suggesting that the Rye Complex is a Ganderian basement block that was transposed by movement along the Norumbega Fault System to its position adjacent to the Merrimack Trough of New Hampshire and Maine.
The Pennsylvanian Springhill Mines Formation: sedimentological framework for a portion of the Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site
Authors: Rygel Michael C. , Sheldon Erin P. , Stimson Matthew R. , Calder John H. , Ashley Kyle T. , Salg Jamie L.
Published: January 2015

This is the first detailed study of the coastal exposure of the Springhill Mines Formation within the Joggins Fossil Cliffs World Heritage Site. A 16.9-m-thick interval of dark laminated mudrocks and sharpbased sandstones at the base of our section is reassigned to the top of the Joggins Formation. This interval records a rapid, presumably widespread flooding event and the temporary establishment of a marginalmarine to brackish bay. The overlying 697 m of strata represent deposition in poorly drained and well-drained environments, and are assigned to the Springhill Mines Formation. Strata reflecting poorly drained environments contain green and grey mudrocks, thin coals, sheet sandstones, and channel bodies interpreted to have been deposited in coastal swamps and low-lying parts of a floodplain. Intervals reflecting well-drained conditions contain reddish brown mudrocks, sheet sandstones, and channel bodies interpreted to have been deposited on a vegetated floodplain that was periodically exposed to oxidizing conditions. Strata reflecting poorly drained conditions are thick and abundant in the lower half of the formation and well-drained intervals become thick and more abundant in the upper half. The shift in facies abundance is accompanied by an interpreted evolution in fluvial style from predominantly anastomosed channels (below 376 m) to sheet-like channel bodies (376–449 m) and ultimately to predominantly meandering-channel bodies (449–697 m). The formation-scale changes in drainage conditions and fluvial style records decreased halokinetic subsidence and aggradation of the alluvial surface as sediments shed from the Caledonia Highlands prograded into this part of the basin.