bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human-Asian wild elephant (Elephas maximus) conflicts and its socio-economic consequences in and around the protected areas of Central Terai, Nepal
Authors: Yadav B. R. , Dutta C. , Chalise M. K. , Williams C.
Published: September 2015

The study was carried out in and around the two protected areas of Central Terai, Nepal with the primary aim of assessing the socio economic losses due to human-wild elephant conflicts. The field work was conducted during May 2010 to April 2011 through field observation, household survey, focus group discussion and key informant interviews. Loss of 50 houses and 15 lives were noticed during the study period in the study sites whereas five wild elephants were killed during 2005–2010. An estimated amount of about NRs. 2,000,000 (US$ 25,165) was found as the economic loss due to crop raiding by elephants in Parsa District for the year 2009; whereas it was slightly less to a level of about NRs. 1,600,000 (US$ 20,289) in the year 2010. However, the economic loss due to crop damage by wild elephants raiding in the Buffer Zone (BZ) of the Chitwan National Park (CNP) was nearly half of the Parsa District. The per household economic loss from crop damages were estimated to be around NRs 5,000 (US$ 65.96) and NRS 6,135 (US$ 77.67) in Parsa District and the BZ of the CNP respectively. About 1000 hectares of forestland have been found to be occupied by about 650 families in and around the buffer zone of the CNP and Parsa Wildlife Reserve (PWR). Compensatory relief for victimized families are the immediate solution in reducing the conflict whereas cultivation of unpalatable crops in and around the elephant routes as well as practice of agro-forestry are some of the long term solution in the habitat of wild elephants.Banko Janakari, Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 47-54
Dental students’ perceptions of undergraduate clinical training in oral and maxillofacial surgery in an integrated curriculum in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Al-Dajani Mahmoud
Published: September 2015

Purpose: The aim was to understand dental students’ experiences with oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) teaching, their confidence levels in performing routine dento-alveolar operations, and the relationship between the students’ confidence level and the number of teeth extracted during the clinical practice. Methods: The survey questionnaire was distributed to 32 students at Aljouf University College of Dentistry, Saudi Arabia during their fourth and fifth year in 2015. Respondents were asked to rate 19 items, which represent a student’s confidence in performing routine surgical interventions, using a four-point Likert scale (1=very little confidence, 4=very confident). A multivariate regression was computed between average confidence and the variables: weekly hours devoted to studying oral and maxillofacial surgery, college grade point average, and the total number of teeth extracted. Results: The response rate was 100%. Students revealed the highest level of confidence in giving local anesthesia (96.9%), understanding extraction indications (93.8%), and performing simple extractions (90.6%). Less confidence was shown with handling difficult extractions (50.0%), extracting molars with separation (50.0%) or extracting third molars (56.3%). The average confidence in performing surgical procedures was 2.88 (SD=0.55), ranging from 1.79 to 3.89. A given student’s confidence increased with an increase in the total number of teeth extracted (P=0.003). Conclusion: It reveals a significant impact of undergraduate clinical training on students’ confidence in performing oral and maxillofacial surgery clinical procedures: The more clinical experience the students had, the more confidence they reported.
Diversity of Endonuclease V: From DNA Repair to RNA Editing
Authors: Kuraoka Isao
Published: September 2015

Deamination of adenine occurs in DNA, RNA, and their precursors via a hydrolytic reaction and a nitrosative reaction. The generated deaminated products are potentially mutagenic because of their structural similarity to natural bases, which in turn leads to erroneous nucleotide pairing and subsequent disruption of cellular metabolism. Incorporation of deaminated precursors into the nucleic acid strand occurs during nucleotide synthesis by DNA and RNA polymerases or base modification by DNA- and/or RNA-editing enzymes during cellular functions. In such cases, removal of deaminated products from DNA and RNA by a nuclease might be required depending on the cellular function. One such enzyme, endonuclease V, recognizes deoxyinosine and cleaves 3' end of the damaged base in double-stranded DNA through an alternative excision repair mechanism in Escherichia coli, whereas in Homo sapiens, it recognizes and cleaves inosine in single-stranded RNA. However, to explore the role of endonuclease V in vivo, a detailed analysis of cell biology is required. Based on recent reports and developments on endonuclease V, we discuss the potential functions of endonuclease V in DNA repair and RNA metabolism.
Crystal Structures of Furazanes
Authors: Klapötke Thomas , Schmid Philipp , Stierstorfer Jörg
Published: September 2015

Several nitrogen-rich salts of 3-nitramino-4-nitrofurazane and dinitraminoazoxyfurazane were synthesized and characterized by various spectroscopic methods. The crystal structures were determined by low temperature single crystal X-ray diffraction. Moreover the sensitivities toward thermal and mechanical stimuli were determined by differential thermal analysis (DTA) and BAM (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung) methods. The standard enthalpies of formation were calculated for all compounds at the CBS-4M level of theory, and the energetic performance was predicted with the EXPLO5 V6.02 computer code.
Critical Data Source; Tool or Even Infrastructure? Challenges of Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing for Disaster Risk Governance
Authors: Fekete Alexander , Tzavella Katerina , Armas Iuliana , Binner Jane , Garschagen Matthias , Giupponi Carlo , Mojtahed Vahid , Pettita Marcello , Schneiderbauer Stefan , Serre Damien
Published: September 2015

Disaster risk information is spatial in nature and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing (RS) play an important key role by the services they provide to society. In this context, to risk management and governance, in general, and to civil protection, specifically (termed differently in many countries, and includes, for instance: civil contingencies in the UK, homeland security in the USA, disaster risk reduction at the UN level). The main impetus of this article is to summarize key contributions and challenges in utilizing and accepting GIS and RS methods and data for disaster risk governance, which includes public bodies, but also risk managers in industry and practitioners in search and rescue organizations. The article analyzes certain method developments, such as vulnerability indicators, crowdsourcing, and emerging concepts, such as Volunteered Geographic Information, but also investigates the potential of the topic Critical Infrastructure as it could be applied on spatial assets and GIS and RS itself. Intended to stimulate research on new and emerging fields, this article’s main contribution is to move spatial research toward a more reflective stance where opportunities and challenges are equally and transparently addressed in order to gain more scientific quality. As a conclusion, GIS and RS can play a pivotal role not just in delivering data but also in connecting and analyzing data in a more integrative, holistic way.
Development of Ferromagnetic Superspins in Bare Cu Nanoparticles by Electronic Charge Redistribution
Authors: Batsaikhan Erdembayalag , Chen Yen-Cheng , Lee Chi-Hung , Li Hsiao-Chi , Li Wen-Hsien
Published: September 2015

We report on the results of investigating the ferromagnetic properties of bare Cu nanoparticles. Three sets of bare Cu nanoparticle assemblies with mean particle diameters of 6.6, 8.1, and 11.1 nm were fabricated, employing the gas condensation method. Curie-Weiss paramagnetic responses to a weak driving magnetic field were detected, showing the appearance of particle superspins that overcomes the diamagnetic responses from the inner core. The isothermal magnetization displays a Langevin field profile together with magnetic hysteresis appearing even at 300 K, demonstrating the existence of ferromagnetic superspins in the Cu nanoparticles. Shifting of a noticeable amount of electronic charge from being distributed near the lattice sites in bulk form toward their neighboring ions in nanoparticles was found. The extended 3d and 4s band mixture are the main sources for the development of localized 3d holes for the development of ferromagnetic particle superspins in Cu nanoparticles.
Astaxanthin Inhibits Proliferation and Induces Apoptosis of Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells via Inhibition of Nf-Κb P65 and Wnt/Β-Catenin in Vitro
Authors: Li Jingjing , Dai Weiqi , Xia Yujing , Chen Kan , Li Sainan , Liu Tong , Zhang Rong , Wang Jianrong , Lu Wenxia , Zhou Yuqing , Yin Qin , Abudumijiti Huerxidan , Chen Rongxia , Zheng Yuanyuan , Wang Fan , Lu Jie , Zhou Yingqun , Guo Chuanyong
Published: September 2015

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignant tumor that can cause systemic invasion; however, the exact etiology and molecular mechanism are unknown. Astaxanthin (ASX), a powerful antioxidant, has efficient anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and other activities, and has great research prospects in cancer therapy. We selected the human hepatoma cell lines, LM3 and SMMC-7721, to study the anti-tumor effect and related mechanisms of ASX. The cell lines were treated with different concentrations of ASX, and its solvent DMSO as a control, for different time periods and the results were determined using CCK8, qRT-PCR, WB, apoptotic staining, and flow cytometry. ASX induced significant apoptosis of HCC cells, and its effect may have been caused by NF-κB p65 and Wnt/β-catenin down-regulation via negative activation of PI3K/Akt and ERK. Antitumor research on ASX has provided us with a potential therapy for patients with hepatomas.
Fucoidan Elevates MicroRNA-29b to Regulate DNMT3B-MTSS1 Axis and Inhibit EMT in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Yan Ming-De , Yao Chih-Jung , Chow Jyh-Ming , Chang Chia-Lun , Hwang Pai-An , Chuang Shuang-En , Whang-Peng Jacqueline , Lai Gi-Ming
Published: September 2015

Accumulating evidence has revealed that fucoidan exhibits anti-tumor activities by arresting cell cycle and inducing apoptosis in many types of cancer cells including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Exploring its effect on microRNA expression, we found that fucoidan markedly upregulated miR-29b of human HCC cells. The induction of miR-29b was accompanied with suppression of its downstream target DNMT3B in a dose-dependent manner. The reduction of luciferase activity of DNMT3B 3′-UTR reporter by fucoidan was as markedly as that by miR-29b mimic, indicating that fucoidan induced miR-29b to suppress DNMT3B. Accordingly, the mRNA and protein levels of MTSS1 (metastasis suppressor 1), a target silenced by DNMT3B, were increased after fucoidan treatment. Furthermore, fucoidan also down-regulated TGF-β receptor and Smad signaling of HCC cells. All these effects leaded to the inhibition of EMT (increased E-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin) and prevention of extracellular matrix degradation (increased TIMP-1 and decreased MMP2, 9), by which the invasion activity of HCC cells was diminished. Our results demonstrate the profound effect of fucoidan not only on the regulation of miR-29b-DNMT3B-MTSS1 axis but also on the inhibition of TGF-β signaling in HCC cells, suggesting the potential of using fucoidan as integrative therapeutics against invasion and metastasis of HCC.
A Paper-Based Sandwich Format Hybridization Assay for Unlabeled Nucleic Acid Detection Using Upconversion Nanoparticles as Energy Donors in Luminescence Resonance Energy Transfer
Authors: Zhou Feng , Noor M. , Krull Ulrich
Published: September 2015

Bioassays based on cellulose paper substrates are gaining increasing popularity for the development of field portable and low-cost diagnostic applications. Herein, we report a paper-based nucleic acid hybridization assay using immobilized upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as donors in luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET). UCNPs with intense green emission served as donors with Cy3 dye as the acceptor. The avidin functionalized UCNPs were immobilized on cellulose paper and subsequently bioconjugated to biotinylated oligonucleotide probes. Introduction of unlabeled oligonucleotide targets resulted in a formation of probe-target duplexes. A subsequent hybridization of Cy3 labeled reporter with the remaining single stranded portion of target brought the Cy3 dye in close proximity to the UCNPs to trigger a LRET-sensitized emission from the acceptor dye. The hybridization assays provided a limit of detection (LOD) of 146.0 fmol and exhibited selectivity for one base pair mismatch discrimination. The assay was functional even in undiluted serum samples. This work embodies important progress in developing DNA hybridization assays on paper. Detection of unlabeled targets is achieved using UCNPs as LRET donors, with minimization of background signal from paper substrates owing to the implementation of low energy near-infrared (NIR) excitation.
Validation of Long-Term Global Aerosol Climatology Project Optical Thickness Retrievals Using AERONET and MODIS Data
Authors: Geogdzhayev Igor , Mishchenko Michael
Published: September 2015

A comprehensive set of monthly mean aerosol optical thickness (AOT) data from coastal and island AErosol RObotic NETwork (AERONET) stations is used to evaluate Global Aerosol Climatology Project (GACP) retrievals for the period 1995–2009 during which contemporaneous GACP and AERONET data were available. To put the GACP performance in broader perspective, we also compare AERONET and MODerate resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Aqua level-2 data for 2003–2009 using the same methodology. We find that a large mismatch in geographic coverage exists between the satellite and ground-based datasets, with very limited AERONET coverage of open-ocean areas. This is especially true of GACP because of the smaller number of AERONET stations at the early stages of the network development. Monthly mean AOTs from the two over-the-ocean satellite datasets are well-correlated with the ground-based values, the correlation coefficients being 0.81–0.85 for GACP and 0.74–0.79 for MODIS. Regression analyses demonstrate that the GACP mean AOTs are approximately 17%–27% lower than the AERONET values on average, while the MODIS mean AOTs are 5%–25% higher. The regression coefficients are highly dependent on the weighting assumptions (e.g., on the measure of aerosol variability) as well as on the set of AERONET stations used for comparison. Comparison of over-the-land and over-the-ocean MODIS monthly mean AOTs in the vicinity of coastal AERONET stations reveals a significant bias. This may indicate that aerosol amounts in coastal locations can differ significantly from those in adjacent open-ocean areas. Furthermore, the color of coastal waters and peculiarities of coastline meteorological conditions may introduce biases in the GACP AOT retrievals. We conclude that the GACP and MODIS over-the-ocean retrieval algorithms show similar ranges of discrepancy when compared to available coastal and island AERONET stations. The factors mentioned above may limit the performance of the validation procedure and cause us to caution against a direct extrapolation of the presented validation results to the entirety of the GACP dataset.
Exploring Student Service Members/Veterans Social Support and Campus Climate in the Context of Recovery
Authors: Love Susan , Levin Amy , Park Hyun-Sun
Published: September 2015

Now that the financial needs of post 9/11 student service members/veterans have begun to be addressed, the attention has shifted to disabilities and recovery strategies of student service members/veterans. Therefore, in a cross sectional design, this study electronically surveyed 189 enrolled student service members/veterans attending a large urban state university about their experiences of returning to school. Specifically, this study described the students’ rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and alcohol abuse, perceived stress, adaptive and non-adaptive coping strategies, social support, participation in campus activities, and perceived campus climate. Moreover, correlates of recovery were examined. Although the majority of the returning students were doing well, 36.1% reported a high level of stress, 15.1% reported a high level of anger, 17.3% reported active symptoms of PTSD, and 27.1% screened positive for alcohol problems. Social networks were found to be the most salient factor in recovery. The study’s limitations are discussed and specific support strategies are presented that can be employed by disability services, counseling services and college administrators.
A checklist of the Ukrainian Xoridinae (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Varga Oleksandr
Published: September 2015

The Ukrainian Xoridinae list containing 28 species is reviewed. Four species, Xorides flavotibialis Hilszczanski, 2000, X. hedwigi Clement, 1938, Xorides rufipes (Gravenhorst, 1829), and X. rusticus (Desvignes, 1856) are recorded in the Ukrainian fauna for the first time. Agrilus biguttatus F. is recorded as a host of Ischnoceros caligatus (Gravenhorst, 1829) for the first time.
Ecology and phylogeny of birds foraging at outdoor restaurants in Sweden
Authors: Haemig Paul , Sjöstedt de Luna Sara , Blank Henrick , Lundqvist Henrik
Published: September 2015

Birds frequently visit the outdoor serving areas of restaurants to feed on scraps of food and leftovers. Although this feeding association between humans and birds is widespread and could have significant effects, both positive and negative, for all taxa involved, the authors know of no published studies that have investigated restaurant bird communities. To lay the foundation for future research, the authors conducted a basic study of birds at 80 outdoor restaurants in Sweden, identifying which species and taxonomic clades of birds visited the restaurants and comparing restaurant birds in urban and rural environments.

Thirteen species of birds visited the outdoor restaurants. Eight of these species were predominant, i.e. accounting for 51% or more of bird presence (sum of minutes of all individual birds) at one or more restaurants. Every restaurant studied had a predominant species, but species often differed from each other in frequency of predominance in different landscapes. No endangered species were seen visiting restaurants. However, three farmland bird species (House Sparrow Passer domesticus, White Wagtail Motacilla alba, Eurasian Tree Sparrow Passer montanus), whose numbers are reported to be declining in the countryside, were predominant at the majority of restaurants in rural areas, suggesting that rural restaurants might be able to contribute to the conservation of these species. The thirteen species of restaurant-visiting birds belonged to five monophyletic clades. Ninety percent of all restaurants had, as their predominant species, birds from either Clade A (Passeridae, Motacillidae, Fringillidae) or Clade C (Corvidae). Statistical testing revealed that Clade A and Clade C were distributed differently in environments along the urban-rural gradient. At all spatial scales measured, birds of Clade C were predominant at the majority of restaurants in urban areas, while birds of Clade A were the predominant clade at the majority of restaurants in rural areas. The authors use this evidence, and observations of birds foraging in association with other primates, to hypothesize that the outdoor serving areas of modern restaurants may be helping to preserve and nurture ancient human-bird symbioses that have been part of human ecology since antiquity.
El comportamiento del hueco de ventana en la arquitectura vernácula mediterránea española ante las necesidades de acondicionamiento solar
Authors: Larrumbide E. , Bedoya C.
Published: September 2015

El hueco de ventana es uno de los elementos de acondicionamiento pasivo más importante de la envolvente térmica de una construcción, y por tanto el más sensible al intercambio térmico con el exterior y a las variaciones en las condiciones de soleamiento que se manifiesten en el entorno. La arquitectura vernácula, que cuenta con una amplia representación de tipos en la Península Ibérica, se convierte en el marco adecuado del análisis de la interrelación existente entre la edificación y el entorno, y en concreto entre el hueco de ventana y el soleamiento del lugar. El desarrollo de una metodología que facilite el estudio del hueco de ventana, desde el punto de vista del soleamiento, permite obtener respuestas sobre la mayor o menor adaptación que ofrece el mismo a las necesidades de acondicionamiento solar que se requieran en cada zona climática.
Wear Performance Optimization for Electroless Ni-P Coating
Authors: Sahoo Prasanta , Das Suman Kalyan
Published: September 2015

Optimization of the wear performance of electroless Ni-P coating is carried out with the help of Taguchi orthogonal array design. Tribological testing parameters (applied load, sliding speed and duration of testing) are optimized with the help of L27 array in order to get the best wear performance from the coating. Load and time were found to be the most significant factors. Interaction between load and time is also found to hold some amount of significance towards the system response (wear). The characterization of the coating is carried out through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis. The coating morphology is found to resemble a nodular structure and the coating is mainly amorphous in as deposited state. However, post heat treatment at 400ºC for one hour the coating transforms into crystalline structure. The wear mechanism is also studied and found to be a mixture of abrasive and adhesive wear phenomena.
Study of Hardness and Corrosion Resistance of Electroless Ni-P-TiO2 Composite Coatings
Authors: Gadhari Prasanna , Sahoo Prasanta
Published: September 2015

Electroless nickel coatings are widely popular in various industrial sectors due to their excellent tribological properties. The present study considers optimization of coating parameters along with annealing temperature to improve microhardness and corrosion resistance of Ni-P-TiO2 composite coatings. Grey relational analysis is used to find out the optimal combination of coating parameters. From the analysis, it is confirmed that annealing temperature of the coating has the most significant effect and amount of titanium particles in the coating has some significant effect on corrosion properties of the coating. The same trend is observed in case of combined study of corrosion behavior and microhardness. The surface morphology, phase transformation and the chemical composition are examined using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis and energy dispersive analysis respectively. The Ni-P-TiO2 composite coating revealed nodular structure with almost uniform distribution of titanium particles and it turns in to crystalline structure after heat treatment.
Analysis of Surface Topography on Duplex Stainless Steel AISI 2205 for Deep Sea Applications
Authors: Jebaraj A. Vinoth , Kumar L. Ajay , Deepak C. R.
Published: September 2015

In this investigation, analysis of surface topography on Duplex Stainless Steel (DSS) AISI 2205 was carried out under the shot peened and various machined conditions. The surface profiles of the shot peened, polished, milled, ground and as received conditions were compared in micron level. In order to study the influence of shot peening on the profile of surface roughness, DSS samples were peened using S390 shots for different durations. Severe Plastic Deformation (SPD) was observed on the surface of DSS due to peening. Also, peening has more effect on the austenite phases than the ferrite phases on DSS surface. The shot peened surface profiles obtained using S390 shots offer better topography as compared with the other machined and as received surface conditions. As a part of the study, the effect of dual shot peening was inspected by peening the surface using two shots which introduce lots of micro peaks and valleys on the surface of DSS.
Definition of Proteasomal Peptide Splicing Rules for High-Efficiency Spliced Peptide Presentation by MHC Class I Molecules
Authors: Berkers Celia R. , de Jong Annemieke , Schuurman Karianne G. , Linnemann Carsten , Meiring Hugo D. , Janssen Lennert , Neefjes Jacques J. , Schumacher Ton N. M. , Rodenko Boris , Ovaa Huib
Published: September 2015

Peptide splicing, in which two distant parts of a protein are excised and then ligated to form a novel peptide, can generate unique MHC class I–restricted responses. Because these peptides are not genetically encoded and the rules behind proteasomal splicing are unknown, it is difficult to predict these spliced Ags. In the current study, small libraries of short peptides were used to identify amino acid sequences that affect the efficiency of this transpeptidation process. We observed that splicing does not occur at random, neither in terms of the amino acid sequences nor through random splicing of peptides from different sources. In contrast, splicing followed distinct rules that we deduced and validated both in vitro and in cells. Peptide ligation was quantified using a model peptide and demonstrated to occur with up to 30% ligation efficiency in vitro, provided that optimal structural requirements for ligation were met by both ligating partners. In addition, many splicing products could be formed from a single protein. Our splicing rules will facilitate prediction and detection of new spliced Ags to expand the peptidome presented by MHC class I Ags.
Maternal Antibiotic Treatment Protects Offspring from Diabetes Development in Nonobese Diabetic Mice by Generation of Tolerogenic APCs
Authors: Hu Youjia , Peng Jian , Tai Ningwen , Hu Changyun , Zhang Xiaojun , Wong F. Susan , Wen Li
Published: September 2015

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T cell–mediated autoimmune disease that involves the slow, progressive destruction of islet β cells and loss of insulin production, as a result of interaction with environmental factors, in genetically susceptible individuals. The gut microbiome is established very early in life. Commensal microbiota establish mutualism with the host and form an important part of the environment to which individuals are exposed in the gut, providing nutrients and shaping immune responses. In this study, we studied the impact of targeting most Gram-negative bacteria in the gut of NOD mice at different time points in their life, using a combination of three antibiotics—neomycin, polymyxin B, and streptomycin—on diabetes development. We found that the prenatal period is a critical time for shaping the immune tolerance in the progeny, influencing development of autoimmune diabetes. Prenatal neomycin, polymyxin B, and streptomycin treatment protected NOD mice from diabetes development through alterations in the gut microbiota, as well as induction of tolerogenic APCs, which led to reduced activation of diabetogenic CD8 T cells. Most importantly, we found that the protective effect was age dependent, and the most profound protection was found when the mice were treated before birth. This indicates the importance of the prenatal environment and early exposure to commensal bacteria in shaping the host immune system and health.
Botulinum neurotoxin type A in neurology: update
Authors: Orsini Marco , Leite Marco Antonio Araujo , Chung Tae Mo , Bocca Wladimir , De Souza Jano Alves , De Souza Olivia Gameiro , Moreira Rayele Priscila , Bastos Victor Hugo , Teixeira Silmar , Oliveira Acary Bulle , Moraes Bruno Da Silva , Matta André Palma , Jacinto Luis Jorge
Published: September 2015

This paper reviews the current and most neurological (central nervous system, CNS) uses of the botulinum neurotoxin type A. The effect of these toxins at neuromuscular junction lends themselves to neurological diseases of muscle overactivity, particularly abnormalities of muscle control. There are seven serotypes of the toxin, each with a specific activity at the molecular level. Currently, serotypes A (in two preparations) and B are available for clinical purpose, and they have proved to be safe and effective for the treatment of dystonia, spasticity, headache, and other CNS disorders in which muscle hyperactivity gives rise to symptoms. Although initially thought to inhibit acetylcholine release only at the neuromuscular junction, botulinum toxins are now recognized to inhibit acetylcholine release at autonomic cholinergic nerve terminals, as well as peripheral release of neuro-transmitters involved in pain regulation. Its effects are transient and nondestructive, and largely limited to the area in which it is administered. These effects are also graded according to the dose, allowing individualized treatment of patients and disorders. It may also prove to be useful in the control of autonomic dysfunction and sialorrhea. In over 20 years of use in humans, botulinum toxin has accumulated a considerable safety record, and in many cases represents relief for thousands of patients unaided by other therapy.
Genetics of Prion Disease in Cattle
Authors: Murdoch Brenda M. , Murdoch Gordon K.
Published: September 2015

Bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) is a prion disease that is invariably fatal in cattle and has been implicated as a significant human health risk. As a transmissible disease of livestock, it has impacted food safety, production practices, global trade, and profitability. Genetic polymorphisms that alter the prion protein in humans and sheep are associated with transmissible spongiform encephalopathy susceptibility or resistance. In contrast, there is no strong evidence that nonsynonymous mutations in the bovine prion gene (PRNP) are associated with classical BSE (C-BSE) disease susceptibility, though two bovine PRNP insertion/deletion polymorphisms, in the putative region, are associated with susceptibility to C-BSE. However, these associations do not explain the full extent of BSE susceptibility, and loci outside of PRNP appear to be associated with disease incidence in some cattle populations. This article provides a review of the current state of genetic knowledge regarding prion diseases in cattle.
Water vapour variability in the high-latitude upper troposphere – Part 2: Impact of volcanic emissions
Authors: Sioris C. E. , Zou J. , McElroy C. T. , Boone C. D. , Sheese P. E. , Bernath P. F.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. The impact of volcanic eruptions on water vapour in the region of the high latitude tropopause is studied using deseasonalized time series based on observations by the Atmospheric Chemistry Experiment (ACE) water vapour sensors, namely MAESTRO (Measurements of Aerosol Extinction in the Stratosphere and Troposphere Retrieved by Occultation) and the Fourier Transform Spectrometer (ACE-FTS). The three eruptions with the greatest impact on the high latitude upper troposphere during the time frame of this satellite-based remote sensing mission are chosen. The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle volcanic eruption in June 2011 was the most explosive eruption in the past 24 years and resulted in an observed (50 ± 12) % increase in water vapour in the southern high-latitude upper troposphere in July 2011 that persisted into September 2011. A pair of Northern Hemisphere volcanoes, namely Eyjafjallajökull and Nabro, erupted in 2010 and 2011 respectively, increasing water vapour in the upper troposphere at northern high latitudes significantly for a period of ~ 3 months following each eruption. Both had a volcanic explosivity index of 4. Nabro led to a statistically significant increase of ~ 1 ppm in lower stratospheric (13.5–15.5 km) water vapour at northern high-latitudes (60–90° N) in September 2011, when the brunt of its plume arrived in the Arctic. These findings imply that steam emitted into the high-latitude, upper troposphere during volcanic eruptions must be taken into account to properly determine the magnitude of the trend in water vapour over the last decade.
PTRwid: A new widget tool for processing PTR-TOF-MS data
Authors: Holzinger R.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. PTRwid is a fast and user friendly tool that has been developed to process data from proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometers (PTR-TOF-MS) that use HTOF (high-resolution time-of-flight) mass spectrometers from Tofwerk AG (Switzerland). PTRwid is designed for a comprehensive evaluation of whole laboratory or field-based studies. All processing runs autonomously, and entire laboratory or field campaigns can, in principle, be processed with a few mouse clicks. Unique features of PTRwid include (i) an autonomous and accurate mass scale calibration, (ii) the computation of a "unified mass list" that – in addition to a uniform data structure – provides a robust method to determine the precision of attributed peak masses, and (iii) fast data analysis due to well considered choices in data processing.
The GOME-type Total Ozone Essential Climate Variable (GTO-ECV) data record from the ESA Climate Change Initiative
Authors: Coldewey-Egbers M. , Loyola D. G. , Koukouli M. , Balis D. , Lambert J.-C. , Verhoelst T. , Granville J. , van Roozendael M. , Lerot C. , Spurr R. , Frith S. M. , Zehner C.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. We present the new GOME-type Total Ozone Essential Climate Variable (GTO-ECV) data record which has been created within the framework of the European Space Agency's Climate Change Initiative (ESA-CCI). Total ozone column observations – based on the GOME-type Direct Fitting version 3 algorithm – from GOME (Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment), SCIAMACHY (SCanning Imaging Absorption SpectroMeter for Atmospheric CHartographY), and GOME-2 have been combined into one homogeneous time series, thereby taking advantage of the high inter-sensor consistency. The data record spans the 15-year period from March 1996 to June 2011 and it contains global monthly mean total ozone columns on a 1°× 1° grid. Geophysical ground-based validation using Brewer, Dobson, and UV–visible instruments has shown that the GTO-ECV level 3 data record is of the same high quality as the equivalent individual level 2 data products that constitute it. Both absolute agreement and long-term stability are excellent with respect to the ground-based data, for almost all latitudes apart from a few outliers which are mostly due to sampling differences between the level 2 and level 3 data. We conclude that the GTO-ECV data record is valuable for a variety of climate applications such as the long-term monitoring of the past evolution of the ozone layer, trend analysis and the evaluation of chemistry–climate model simulations.
Definition of efficient scarcity-based water pricing policies through stochastic programming
Authors: Macian-Sorribes H. , Pulido-Velazquez M. , Tilmant A.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. Finding ways to improve the efficiency in water usage is one of the most important challenges in integrated water resources management. One of the most promising solutions is the use of scarcity-based pricing policies. This contribution presents a procedure to design efficient pricing policies based on the opportunity cost of water at the basin scale. Time series of the marginal value of water are obtained using a stochastic hydro-economic model. Those series are then post-processed to define step pricing policies, which depend on the state of the system at each time step. The case study of the Mijares River basin system (Spain) is used to illustrate the method. The results show that the application of scarcity-based pricing policies increases the economic efficiency of water use in the basin, allocating water to the highest-value uses and generating an incentive for water conservation during the scarcity periods. The resulting benefits are close to those obtained with the economically optimal decisions.
Assessing the performance of a plastic optical fibre turbidity sensor for measuring post-fire erosion from plot to catchment scale
Authors: Keizer J. J. , Martins M. A. S. , Prats S. A. , Santos L. F. , Vieira D. C. S. , Nogueira R. , Bilro L.
Published: September 2015

Abstract. This study is the first comprehensive testing of a novel plastic optical fibre turbidity sensor with runoff samples collected in the field and, more specifically, with a total of 158 streamflow samples and 925 overland flow samples from a recently burnt forest area in north-central Portugal, collected mainly during the first year after the wildfire, as well as with 56 overland flow samples from a nearby long-unburnt study site. Sediment concentrations differed less between overland flow and streamflow samples than between study sites and, at one study site, between plots with and without effective erosion mitigation treatments. Maximum concentrations ranged from 0.91 to 8.19 g L−1 for the micro-plot overland flow samples from the six burnt sites, from 1.74 to 8.99 g L−1 for the slope-scale overland flow samples from these same sites, and amounted to 4.55 g L−1 for the streamflow samples. Power functions provided (reasonably) good fits to the – expected – relationships of increasing normalized light loss with increasing sediment concentrations for the different sample types from individual study sites. The corresponding adjusted R2 values ranged from 0.64 to 0.81 in the case of the micro-plot samples from the six burnt sites, from 0.72 to 0.89 in the case of the slope-scale samples from these same sites, and was 0.85 in the case of the streamflow samples. While the overall performance of the sensor was thus rather satisfactory, the results pointed to the need for scale of site-specific calibrations to maximize the reliability of the predictions of sediment concentration by the POF (plastic optical fibre) sensor. This especially applied to the cases in which sediment concentrations were comparatively low, for example following mulching with forest residues.
PREDICTION AND SIMULATION OF TIRE PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS BASED ON DEFORMATION INDEX CONCEPT
Authors: Futamura Shingo , Goldstein Arthur A.
Published: September 2015

Tire performances such as wear, traction, and rolling resistance have been explained by the hysteretic energy loss of tread compounds under cyclic deformations. Loss factor, tan δ, is often used as the property responsible for energy loss. However, dynamic modulus is also reported to affect energy loss and tire performance. In this review, the modulus effect on energy loss is related to the deformation type through the deformation index. The index can be determined experimentally based on tire performance data or analytically through finite element analysis (FEA). Deformation indices of passenger tire rolling resistance, wet traction, and dry traction were determined experimentally based on tire tests. Using FEA, the energy losses and deformation indices were calculated for all elements of a rolling truck tire. The indices vary widely depending on where the element is located. Deformation indices are summarized on a tire component basis and converted into an Excel spreadsheet. The spreadsheet can be used to compute rolling resistance changes arising from component compound substitutions. The deformation index concept is applied to thermomechanical analysis, where it simplifies the fully coupled iterative FEA method into a noniterative computational method. The novelty of this method is in its application to transient thermomechanical problems. The method's simplicity and accuracy are demonstrated using examples.
Stenotrophomonas Maltophilla Isolated from the Sputum of the Patient with Cystic Fibrosis Mutation I1234V: First Qatari Report
Authors: Abdul Wahab A. , Janahi I. A. , El Shafie S.
Published: September 2015

A 17 year old Qatari female of Arab descent with cysticfibrosis (CF) carrying pathogenic mutation I1234V had severe respiratory disease associated with chronic Pseudomonas aeruginosa broncho-pulmonary infection with recurrent episodes of mild hemoptysis. Despite regular courses of intravenous anti-pseudomonal antibiotics, she continued to deteriorate over six months and died. It is suggested that the presence of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia was an important factor in this casey which illustrates the need for continuing vigilance in considering the acquisition of resistant organisms in such patients on long-term antibiotic therapy.
Plexopathy in a Heroin Addict
Authors: Ahmed S. , Hashem A. , Bitar Z. I.
Published: September 2015

Muscle and peripheral nerve disorders are important complications in intravenous heroin abusers. Rhabdomyolysis and acute lumbosacral plexopathy are important in the differential diagnosis of patients developing muscle weakness in an intensive care unit after intravenous overdoses of heroin. A 25-year-old man developed rhabdomyolysis with neuromuscular involvement, and consistent clinical and electrodiagnostic features of lumbar plexus neuropathy after an intravenous injection of heroin. The improvement occured slowly, over months, in spite of intensive physiotherapy.
Pulse Oximetry: A Useful Tool
Authors: Gehani A. A. , Ramaiah V. K.
Published: September 2015

The principal advantage of optical sensors for medical applications is their intrinsic safety since there is no electrical contact between the patient and the equipment. Pulse oximetry is a simple, continuous, non-invasive method of monitoring the percentage of haemoglobin (Hb) which is saturated with oxygen. Oxygen saturation (Sa02) is defined as the ratio of oxygen content of hemoglobin over oxygen carrying capacity. A pulse oximeter consists of two light-emitting diodes, a photocell detector and a microprocessor with a visual display unit. The unit displays the percentage of Hb saturated with oxygen together with a signal that is audible for each pulse beat, a calculated heart rate and in some models, a graphical representation of the blood flow past the probe. An oximeter gives early warning of hypoxic events.
Challenges and Controversies in the Management of Hepatitis C Virus Infection (Part 1)
Authors: Bel Haj N. B. , Giaffer M. H.
Published: September 2015

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is emerging as a public health issue in most counties worldwide. The prevalence of HCV infection varies among different geographical areas from 0.5% to 40% with an overall global prevalence of 3%. The WHO estimates that around 170 million people are chronically infected with HCV world wide. Hepatitis CV infection causes a slowly progressive liver disease in over 60% of infected individuals culminating into cirrhosis and ultimately leading to liver failure and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Chronic liver disease due to HCV infection is now the leading indication for livertransplantation both in Europe and the USA. Although the incidence of acute hepatitis C has decreased over the last decade, the number of individuals with HCV-related liver disease continues to rise and is projected to peak around year 2015. As such HCV infection imposes a significant burden on the already exhausted health resources, particularly in the developing counties where the infection is endemic and its incidence is increasing.
Ximelagatran, the Oral Anticoagulant of the Future An Evidence Based Review
Authors: Salam A. , Al Homsi U. , Gehani A. A.
Published: September 2015

This article presents the available data on Ximelagatran, a novel oral direct thrombin inhibitor and explores its therapeutic potential Recent large clinical trials have evaluated the efficacy and safety of this anticoagulant compared to the standard anticoagulation therapy with warfarin and heparins in several thrombotic disorders. These trials provide strong evidence for the efficacy and safety of ximelagatran in the following clinical indications; the prevention of venous thromboembolism after knee or hip replacement, the treatment of deep venous thrombosis, and prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Further evaluation of this promising oral anticoagulant is warranted in other thrombotic cardiovascular disorders requiring chronic oral anticoagulation therapy such as in patients with prosthetic heart valves, intracardiac thrombi, dilated cardiomyopathy, after myocardial infarction and post percutaneous coronary interventions.
Developing the Automatic Control System Based on Neural Controller
Authors: Su Jun , Nakonechnyi Markiyan , Ivakhiv Orest , Sachenko Anatoliy
Published: September 2015

Mostly the dynamics of controlled objects is often described by nonlinear equalizations. Last years themethodology of neural networks is engaged into designing the systems controlling such objects, in particular due to theinfluence of nonlinearities can be taken into account by nonlinear functions of the activation. Such methodology brings someintelligence to the designed system.Authors proposed the purposeful procedure of forming the structure of the neural controller according the desired lawof the control using the discrete transformation of the motion equation. Requirements to the mathematical model of thereference and method of network training are determined, and the control quality is estimated at traditional passing thedisagreement error in the controller input and for the proposed new configuration of its input circuit, namely with separatedinputs. Simulation results confirmed providing the better quality of the system control.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.44.3.7717
Estimation of Internet Node Location by Latency Measurements - The Underestimation Problem
Authors: Komosny Dan , Voznak Miroslav , Ganeshan Kathiravelu , Sathu Hira
Published: September 2015

In this paper we deal with discovering a geographic location of a node in the Internet. Knowledge of location is a fundamental element for many location based applications and web services. We focus on location finding without any assistance of the node being located - client-independent estimation. We estimate a location using  communication latency measurements between nodes in the Internet. The latency measured is converted into a geographic distance which is used to derive a location by the multilateration (triangulation) principle. We analyse the latency-to-distance conversion with a consideration of location underestimation which is a product of multilateration failure. We demonstrate that location underestimations do not appear in experimental conditions. However with a real-world scenario, a number of devices cannot be located due to underestimations. Finally, we propose a modification to reduce the number of underestimations in real-world scenarios.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.44.3.8353
A Collaborated Multi-controller Strategy by Using L1 Adaptive Augmentation Control for Power-generation Systems with Uncertainties
Authors: Pan Lei , Shen Jiong , Cao Chengyu
Published: September 2015

For dealing with uncertain operation circumstances, a collaborated multi-controller strategy of the cascade architecture with a L1 adaptive augmentation controller and a conventional baseline controller is introduced to power-generation systems. For its arbitrarily close, fast, and robust tracking performance, the L1 adaptive output feedback controller is designed as the augmentation controller in the inner-loop to keep the nominal dynamics of the system in the overall operation scope. The robust PID controller and offset-free linear MPC controller are recommended as the available outer-loop baseline controllers to follow control commands. The closed-loop stability of the cascade control system is ensured. The simulation experiments on a benchmark nonlinear boiler-turbine generation model verify the greatly improved adaptation and robustness of the augmentation control system in the presence of unknown uncertainties. Additionally, it is easy to upgrade a conventional control system to this cascade one in practice because the add-in L1 adaptive augmentation controller influence little on the augmented system setup.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.itc.44.3.8846