bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Environmental fate and behavior of acesulfame in laboratory experiments
Authors: Storck Florian R. , Skark Christian , Remmler Frank , Brauch Heinz-Jürgen
Published: September 2016

Acesulfame is a widely used artificial sweetener. It can be discharged into surface water by domestic wastewater due to its incomplete retention during wastewater treatment. Concentrations may reach up to 10 μg/L for smaller rivers. State-of-the-art analysis allows the determination of acesulfame traces (0.01 μg/L) and thus a potential tracking of the presence of wastewater in riverbank filtrate. To evaluate the behavior of acesulfame in the aquatic environment, biodegradation and sorption of acesulfame were tested. Batch experiments yielded low sorption for several soils (estimated solid–water distribution coefficient of acesulfame <0.1 L/kg). Biodegradation in a fixed-bed reactor was not observed at environmental concentrations of 9 μg/L in aqueous compost and soil extract (observation period 56 days). Only in diluted effluent of a wastewater treatment plant did biodegradation start, after 17 days of operation, and acesulfame completely fade, within 28 days. Flow-through column experiments indicated conservative behavior of acesulfame (recovery >83%) and long-term observations at different concentration levels yielded no biodegradation. Overall, laboratory experiments demonstrated a conservative behavior of acesulfame under conditions typical for riverbank filtration. However, there are hints for certain settings which favor an adaptation of the microbial community and facilitate a rapid biodegradation of acesulfame.
Determinantes das atividades de pesquisa e pós-graduação nas universidades federais brasileiras.
Authors: Vieira Fabiano Mourão , Fukaya Ricardo Jhum , Kunz Ivanir
Published: September 2016

A partir de dados obtidos na Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (Capes), no Sistema Integrado de Administração de Recursos Humanos (Siape), no Sistema Integrado de Administração Financeira (Siafi) e nos relatórios de gestão de 57 universidades federais brasileiras, foram analisados os principais determinantes do número de programas de pós-graduação e da nota média desses programas. Observou-se que a região, a população da cidade, o ano de fundação, o número de alunos da graduação e o incentivo à qualificação dos técnicos não têm influência significativa. O número de programas depende do bom andamento da carreira dos professores, avaliada pela sua qualificação e idade. O número de técnicos também colabora positivamente. Quanto à nota média, observou-se que as universidades melhores são aquelas com um número maior de programas, o que demonstra resultados positivos da competição interdepartamental dentro da instituição.
Web-Based Intervention to Reduce Substance Abuse and Depressive Symptoms in Mexico: Development and Usability Test
Authors: Tiburcio Marcela , Lara Ma Asunción , Aguilar Abrego Araceli , Fernández Morise , Martínez Vélez Nora , Sánchez Alejandro
Published: September 2016

Background

The development of Web-based interventions for substance abuse in Latin America is a new field of interest with great potential for expansion to other Spanish-speaking countries.

Objective

This paper describes a project aimed to develop and evaluate the usability of the Web-based Help Program for Drug Abuse and Depression (Programa de Ayuda para Abuso de Drogas y Depresión, PAADD, in Spanish) and also to construct a systematic frame of reference for the development of future Web-based programs.

Methods

The PAADD aims to reduce substance use and depressive symptoms with cognitive behavioral techniques translated into Web applications, aided by the participation of a counselor to provide support and guidance. This Web-based intervention includes 4 steps: (1) My Starting Point, (2) Where Do I Want to Be? (3) Strategies for Change, and (4) Maintaining Change. The development of the program was an interactive multistage process. The first stage defined the core structure and contents, which were validated in stage 2 by a group of 8 experts in addiction treatment. Programming of the applications took place in stage 3, taking into account 3 types of end users: administrators, counselors, and substance users. Stage 4 consisted of functionality testing. In stage 5, a total of 9 health professionals and 20 drug users currently in treatment voluntarily interacted with the program in a usability test, providing feedback about adjustments needed to improve users’ experience.

Results

The main finding of stage 2 was the consensus of the health professionals about the cognitive behavioral strategies and techniques included in PAADD being appropriate for changing substance use behaviors. In stage 5, the health professionals found the functionalities easy to learn; their suggestions were related to the page layout, inclusion of confirmation messages at the end of activities, avoiding “read more” links, and providing feedback about every activity. On the other hand, the users said the information presented within the modules was easy to follow and suggested more dynamic features with concrete instructions and feedback.

Conclusions

The resulting Web-based program may have advantages over traditional face-to-face therapies owing to its low cost, wide accessibility, anonymity, and independence of time and distance factors. The detailed description of the process of designing a Web-based program is an important contribution to others interested in this field. The potential benefits must be verified in specific studies.

Trial Registration

International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number (ISRCTN): 25429892; http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN25429892 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/6ko1Fsvym)
The pH measurement with glass electrode in an electromagnetic field
Authors: Veselinovic Dragan , Velikic Zoran
Published: September 2016

Measurements of pH values of buffer solutions (pH 4.0, 7.0 and 10.0) and
distilled water have been performed with a glass electrode in electromagnetic
field at the frequency interval of 10 MHz to 200 MHz and the output power of
dispersed and reflected electromagnetic radiation of 0.01 W to 3 W. In all
the cases, there occurred a reduction of pH values, i.e. a "recorded pH
value" was obtained. The reduction appears within the applied frequency
interval reaching extreme values at specific frequencies. The reduction of
the pH values increases with the radiation power and depend of the solution
buffer capacity. The effect of electromagnetic field on pH value change is
exerted dominantly through the influence on glass electrodes.
Comparison of the effects of mini-implant and traditional anchorage on patients with maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion
Authors: Xu Yanhua , Xie Jiye
Published: September 2016

Objective: To compare the treatment effects of mini-implants as anchor units with conventional methods of anchorage reinforcement in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion patients in terms of skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes.

Materials and Methods: We searched the databases of the Cochrane Library, PubMed, OVIDSP, CBM, VIP, WanFang Data, and CNKI covering December 1966 to March 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and clinical controlled trials that compared the treatment effects of mini-implants with conventional anchorage reinforcement in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion patients. Literature filtering, data extraction, and methodological quality evaluation were finished independently by two researchers and disagreements were solved by discussion. Meta-analysis was performed when possible; otherwise descriptive assessment was done.

Results: Through a predefined search strategy, we finally included 14 eligible studies. Eight outcomes were evaluated in this study: maxillary incisor retraction, maxillary molar movement, U1-SN, SNA, SN-MP, UL-E Plane, NLA and G-Sn-Pg.

Conclusions: Mini-implant anchorage was more effective in retracting the anterior teeth, produced less anchorage loss, and had a greater effect on SN-MP for the high-angle patients than did traditional anchorage. Both mini-implants and traditional anchorage underwent decreases in on U1-SN and SNA. More qualified RCTs are required to make reliable recommendations about the anchorage capacity of mini-implant and traditional anchorage in patients with maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion, especially on the UL-E plane, NLA, and G-Sn-Pg.
Effectiveness of seasonal influenza vaccine for adults and children in preventing laboratory-confirmed influenza in primary care in the United Kingdom: 2015/16 end-of-season results
Authors: Pebody Richard , Warburton Fiona , Ellis Joanna , Andrews Nick , Potts Alison , Cottrell Simon , Johnston Jillian , Reynolds Arlene , Gunson Rory , Thompson Catherine , Galiano Monica , Robertson Chris , Byford Rachel , Gallagher Naomh , Sinnathamby Mary , Yonova Ivelina , Pathirannehelage Sameera , Donati Matthew , Moore Catherine , de Lusignan Simon , McMenamin Jim , Zambon Maria
Published: September 2016

The United Kingdom (UK) is in the third season of introducing universal paediatric influenza vaccination with a quadrivalent live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV). The 2015/16 season in the UK was initially dominated by influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and then influenza of B/Victoria lineage, not contained in that season’s adult trivalent inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV). Overall adjusted end-of-season vaccine effectiveness (VE) was 52.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 41.0–61.6) against influenza-confirmed primary care consultation, 54.5% (95% CI: 41.6–64.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 54.2% (95% CI: 33.1–68.6) against influenza B. In 2–17 year-olds, adjusted VE for LAIV was 57.6% (95% CI: 25.1 to 76.0) against any influenza, 81.4% (95% CI: 39.6–94.3) against influenza B and 41.5% (95% CI: −8.5 to 68.5) against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. These estimates demonstrate moderate to good levels of protection, particularly against influenza B in children, but relatively less against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09. Despite lineage mismatch in the trivalent IIV, adults younger than 65 years were still protected against influenza B. These results provide reassurance for the UK to continue its influenza immunisation programme planned for 2016/17.
Lack of virological and serological evidence for continued circulation of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N8 virus in wild birds in the Netherlands, 14 November 2014 to 31 January 2016
Authors: Poen Marjolein J , Verhagen Josanne H , Manvell Ruth J , Brown Ian , Bestebroer Theo M , van der Vliet Stefan , Vuong Oanh , Scheuer Rachel D , van der Jeugd Henk P , Nolet Bart A , Kleyheeg Erik , Müskens Gerhard J D M , Majoor Frank A , Grund Christian , Fouchier Ron A M
Published: September 2016

In 2014, H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses of the A/Goose/Guangdong/1/1996 lineage emerged in poultry and wild birds in Asia, Europe and North America. Here, wild birds were extensively investigated in the Netherlands for HPAI H5N8 virus (real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting the matrix and H5 gene) and antibody detection (haemagglutination inhibition and virus neutralisation assays) before, during and after the first virus detection in Europe in late 2014. Between 21 February 2015 and 31 January 2016, 7,337 bird samples were tested for the virus. One HPAI H5N8 virus-infected Eurasian wigeon (Anas penelope) sampled on 25 February 2015 was detected. Serological assays were performed on 1,443 samples, including 149 collected between 2007 and 2013, 945 between 14 November 2014 and 13 May 2015, and 349 between 1 September and 31 December 2015. Antibodies specific for HPAI H5 clade 2.3.4.4 were absent in wild bird sera obtained before 2014 and present in sera collected during and after the HPAI H5N8 emergence in Europe, with antibody incidence declining after the 2014/15 winter. Our results indicate that the HPAI H5N8 virus has not continued to circulate extensively in wild bird populations since the 2014/15 winter and that independent maintenance of the virus in these populations appears unlikely.
The Omnipotent Word of Medical Diagnosis and the Silence of Depression: An Argument for Kristeva's Therapeutic Approach
Authors: Culbertson Carolyn
Published: September 2016

In cases of depression where linguistic meaning has collapsed, there is good reason to believe that a long-term strategy for recovery must include rehabilitating the depressive person's capacity for meaningful speech. This requires that the patient participate actively in interpreting her own pain. In this essay, I argue that medical diagnosis can tempt patients, particularly women, to circumvent this process of interpretation. To explain this danger, I draw on Julia Kristeva's clinical analyses of depression and recent studies on the correlation between depression and self-silencing.
The Placental Microbiome: A New Site for Policing Women's Bodies
Authors: Ayala Saray , Freeman Lauren
Published: September 2016

This paper critiques a recent study on the placental microbiome and specifically its recommendations to women for preventing premature births, which were exaggerated and embellished in the media coverage it received. We contend that these preventive recommendations contribute to a pernicious, growing trend of policing women's bodies and argue that the study provides no empirical evidence to justify them. We emphasize how the recommendations ignore important social and environmental risk factors for preterm birth that lie beyond individual choices and bodies and suggest that research on the placental microbiome, and especially media reports about it, should take these problems into account.
Borderline Personality Disorder, Discrimination, and Survivors of Chronic Childhood Trauma
Authors: Nicki Andrea
Published: September 2016

In this paper, I argue that the pervasive assignment of the psychiatric diagnosis of borderline personality disorder (BPD) to female survivors of chronic childhood trauma pathologizes their life experiences, behavior, and survival strategies. I build on Nancy Potter's argument that diagnostic and clinical practices related to BPD are significantly informed by cultural and gender norms. I maintain that clinicians and society need to appreciate better the life experiences, social situations, and moral virtues of survivors. I conclude with a consideration of Judith Herman's alternate diagnosis of complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD) and discuss various limitations of current mental health treatment of survivors.
Climate Justice: A Literary Review
Authors: Randall Thomas E.
Published: September 2016

The need for developing an ethic(s) of climate change is characterized by the far ranging and complex moral questions that arise through the anthropogenic warming of the earth. This paper provides a literary review of recent advancements in climate change ethics, primarily concerning the issue of climate justice. The books examined are The Moral Challenge of Dangerous Climate Change: Values, Poverty, and Policy, by Darrel Moellendorf; Reason in a Dark Time: Why the Struggle against Climate Change Failed—and What It Means for Our Future, by Dale Jamieson; and Research, Action and Policy: Addressing the Gendered Impacts of Climate Change, edited by Margaret Alston and Kerri Whittenbury.
Cyborg Bonding: 3D Fetal Ultrasound as a Technology of Communication and the Rise of “Boutique” Ultrasound
Authors: Fraser Elizabeth
Published: September 2016

In this paper, I explore the social and cultural implications of the transition of nonmedical 3D ultrasound from a clinical to a social context. The photorealistic quality of 3D ultrasound images displaces sonographers and other medical professionals from their authoritative roles as the translators of fetal images and recasts the ultrasound machine as a technology of communication between women and their fetuses. 3D fetal images, because they are immediately visually accessible, can be transmitted and understood far from the site of their generation, removing women from the transmission of fetal knowledge. The introduction and growth of “boutique” fetal ultrasound, in which women pay for these images, recasts them as consumers of information about their fetuses rather than as the sources of that information.
Building New Bioethical Practices through Feminist Pedagogies
Authors: Giordano Sara
Published: September 2016

The development of a new field such as synthetic biology provides an opportunity to establish new models for bioethics. In this paper, I describe an experimental course aimed at developing bioethical practices through feminist pedagogy. Based in principles of action-orientation and self-reflective learning, the course provided students from diverse fields with the opportunity to work together at the intersections of science, ethics, and community. As greater interdisciplinarity spreads across campuses, I argue that feminist studies departments are well positioned to transform the production of scientific knowledge through bioethics education based in social justice.
Improved corrosion inhibition of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole on mild steel electrode in HCl solution using surface nanocrystallization
Authors: Pour-Ali Sadegh , Kiani-Rashid Alireza , Babakhani Abolfazl
Published: September 2016

A nanocrystalline surface layer with average grain size of 77 nm was produced on mild steel through a wire brushing process. Its corrosion behavior was studied in the absence and presence of 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-AT) as corrosion inhibitor. Although the increase in the inhibitor concentration shows a positive effect on inhibition efficiency of micro- and nano-grained surfaces, this effect is more remarkable for the sample with a nanocrystalline surface layer. In addition, in the presence of the optimum concentration of 3-AT, temperature increment has a more negative effect on the sample with a microcrystalline surface layer. The results also revealed that due to enhanced adsorption of 3-AT inhibitor and formation of a protective layer with a high polarization resistance, the inhibition effect of 3-AT increased as the grain size decreased from microcrystalline to nanocrystalline.
Statistical Analysis for Assessing Highway Maintenance Level of Service
Authors: Adams Teresa M. , Winkelman Bradford
Published: September 2016

Many transportation agencies have a maintenance quality assurance program and most use level of service (LOS) to measure the condition of highway features or the performance of maintenance services. If the necessary condition or performance data cannot be obtained from established inventory databases, most agencies use sampling techniques to collect what they need. Many agencies may be able to reduce the number of samples they collect or greatly improve the precision of the condition estimates by employing stratified sampling techniques rather than simple random sampling. The analysis of stratified samples depends on characteristics of the measure being collected. The most common types of measures for estimating LOS for maintenance quality assurance programs are simple binomial, domain binomial, and ratios in which the LOS scale is based on percentage of inventory in deficient maintenance condition. This paper, which is based on NCHRP Project 14–25, presents a statistical analysis for estimating the deficiency rate and confidence interval. Having an adequate sample size is a challenge for some measures. This paper introduces a visual tool for assessing the adequacy of the margin of error associated with LOS estimates.
Copper-Catalysed Selective 3-Sulfonylation of Indoles: A Mild Synthesis of Indolyl Sulfones
Authors: Du Yi , Liu Yunyun
Published: September 2016

The selective C3-sulfonylation of some 4-, 5- and 6-substituted indoles using sodium arenesulfinates as reaction partners has been realised under mild conditions using catalytic CuI/1,10-phenanthroline at 70 °C. The reaction had a satisfactory application scope and proceeded in fair to excellent yields.
Synthesis and Binding Properties of a New Fluorescent Molecular Sensor Based on a Triazole Nucleoside
Authors: Guo Lijuan , Zhang De-Hua , Duanyi-Ping  , Xiong Ze-Shan , Liu Yan
Published: September 2016

A new fluorescent nucleoside based on 1,2,4-triazole nucleoside has been synthesised and its X-ray structure determined. Its binding properties, investigated by fluorescence spectroscopy, show that it can selectively bind Hg2+ with fluorescence quenching.
Concise Synthesis and Fluorescent Properties of Coumarin-30 and Its Isomer 7-(diethylamino)-4-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)Coumarin
Authors: Wang Xiaolong , Zhou Jingjing , Yang Fang , Xue Ziyan , Xu Niansheng
Published: September 2016

Coumarin-30 and its regioisomer 7-(diethylamino)-4-(1-methyl-1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)coumarin were synthesised utilising condensation of the corresponding formylcoumarin with N-methylphenylene-1,2-diamine as the key step. Furthermore, absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of the two coumarins were recorded.
Design and Antiproliferative Activity of N-Heterocycle-Chalcone Derivatives
Authors: Fu Dong-Jun , Zhang Sai-Yang , Song Jian , Liu Yin-Chao , Zhang Li , Zhao Ruo-Han , Zi Xiao-Lin , Liu Hong-Min , Zhang Yan-Bing
Published: September 2016

Nine chalcone derivatives containing an N-heterocyclic compound attached by its nitrogen atom to one of the benzene rings were prepared and evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against liver, gastric and neuroendocrine cancer cell lines. Most of the synthesised compounds exhibited moderate to good activity against all three cancer cell lines, but in particular, a chalcone containing a 4-(imidazol-1-yl)phenyl group and a 3,4,5-trimethoxyphenyl group showed the highest antiproliferative activity with an IC50 value of 5.39 μM against liver cancer cells.
Synthesis of Some New Pyrimido[4,5-e]Tetrazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]Thiadiazine Derivatives via an S–N Type Smiles Rearrangement and their Antibacterial Evaluation
Authors: Igei Mansoore , Bakavoli Mehdi , Shiri Ali , Ebrahimpour Zahra , Azizollahi Hamid , Beyzaei Hamid , Moghaddam-Manesh Mohammadreza
Published: September 2016

Several new pyrimido[4,5-e]tetrazolo[5,1-b][1,3,4]thiadiazine derivatives have been synthesised through heterocyclisation of 5-bromo-4,6-dichloropyrimidine with sodium 1-amino-1H-tetrazole-5-thiolate via an S–N type Smiles rearrangement. The synthesised products were evaluated for their potential antibacterial activity and the results show one of the derivatives is a moderately valuable compound with potential to be used as an antibacterial agent.
Synthesis and Density Functional Theory Study of [1,2,3]Triazolo[4,5-d][1,2,4] Triazolo[4,3-a]Pyrimidine Derivatives: A Novel Heterocyclic System
Authors: Mozafari Sarinasadat , Shiri Ali , Bakavoli Mehdi , Akbarzadeh Marzieh , Saadat Kayvan , Etemadi Yasaman
Published: September 2016

Several 3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine derivatives of a novel ring system have been synthesised. The initial substitution of the 4-Cl function of 2,4-dichloro-6-methylpyrimidin-5-amine with benzylamine followed by treatment with sodium nitrite generated 3-benzyl-5-chloro-7-methyl-3H-[1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d]pyrimidine. Nucleophilic substitution of the 5-Cl moiety of the latter compound with hydrazine hydrate and subsequent treatment with carbon disulfide in boiling pyridine gave, quantitatively, the corresponding [1,2,3]triazolo[4,5-d][1,2,4]triazolo[4,3-a]pyrimidine derivatives. Density functional theory (DFT) studies were also performed to reveal regioselectivity of the ring closure via Gauge-Independent Atomic Orbital (GIAO) 1H NMR calculations. The WP04 method was used as the DFT code to yield accurate chemical shift values. Theoretical results correlated well with the expected regioisomer and aided assignment of the final structure.
Does the Urban Gradient Influence the Composition and Ectoparasite Load of Nests of an Urban Bird Species?
Authors: Reynolds S. James , Davies Clare S. , Elwell Emily , Tasker Peter J. , Williams Amy , Sadler Jonathan P. , Hunt Dan
Published: September 2016

Urbanisation has profound impacts on birds via, for example, changes in activity budgets, distributions and movements influenced by resource availability, and the connectedness of preferred habitats. We live in an urbanising world and yet understand little about how urbanisation affects the basic biology of organisms that share urban spaces with us. A case in point is nest construction and nest maintenance behaviours that require significant investments of time and energy by birds early in the breeding attempt. Here, we studied how position on an urban gradient in the city of Birmingham, UK, influenced the composition and ectoparasite load of nests of Blue Tits ( Cyanistes caeruleus). In total, we deconstructed 131 nests removed from nestboxes at the end of the breeding season in 2014 at 30 different locations along an urban gradient. Nest composition varied significantly along this gradient with significant relationships between feather content and built cover (negative), and connected tree cover (positive). Notably, anthropogenic materials were found in 73% of nests but their inclusion was unrelated to position on the urban gradient. The only identifiable ectoparasites in nests were Siphonapterans (fleas) and although ectoparasite load was unrelated to position on the urban gradient, it was positively related to nest mass. Taken together, we show that even for a common species that is often referred to as an ‘urban adapter’, the urban gradient influences nest composition and ectoparasite load, and thus potentially reproductive outcomes of small passerines. The challenge is to roll out this approach over multiple years to test the applicability of our findings over longer timeframes and their broader implications for a wide range of bird species that are routinely found breeding in increasingly urbanised landscapes globally.
Spatial Variation in Bird Assemblages are Linked to Environmental Heterogeneity in Agricultural Landscapes in the Province of Entre Ríos, Argentina
Authors: Frutos Antonio E. , Reales Cesar F. , Lorenzón Rodrigo E. , Ronchi-Virgolini Ana L.
Published: September 2016

Natural environments have been altered by many human actions and during the last decades this process has been hastened in an alarming way. In the Pampean and Espinal ecoregions of Argentina, agriculture was the major contributor, producing a homogeneous landscape of cultivated lands interrupted by few small, isolated pieces of natural environment or noncultivated lands. We studied bird assemblages in two types of agricultural landscapes, one with crops located within a heterogeneous landscape matrix, such that crops were bordered by different types of noncultivated environments, and the other with crops located within a homogeneous landscape matrix away from noncultivated areas. The main objective was to compare the bird assemblage structure and composition between these two landscapes to test the hypothesis that heterogeneous agricultural landscapes support greater bird diversity than do homogeneous landscapes. We recorded 33% of the total abundance in the crops within a homogeneous matrix (CHOM) and 67% of the total abundance in the crops within a heterogeneous matrix (CHEM). The CHEM points had greater species richness, and composition of species differed between CHOM and CHEM. Thus, the results support the hypothesis that environmental heterogeneity increases bird diversity in agricultural areas, with important consequences for ecosystem services that biodiversity provides to agricultural ecosystems and for the conservation value of these systems. The fact that the protected areas by themselves are not sufficient to guarantee biodiversity conservation emphasises the important role that areas under cultivation can play. Our data provides evidence that the presence of uncultivated environments can increase the importance of agricultural lands for biodiversity conservation and, at the same time, can benefit agroecosystems by supporting bird species that can function as biological control agents of agricultural pests.
Registration of ‘CL272’ Rice
Authors: Famoso Adam N. , Oard James H. , Harrell Dustin L. , Groth Donald E. , Bearb Karen F. , White Lawrence M. , Zaunbrecher Richard E. , Linscombe Steven D.
Published: September 2016

‘CL272’ (Reg. No. CV‐149, PI 677004), a Clearfield (BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany) medium‐grain rice (Oryza sativa L.) cultivar, was developed by the Louisiana State University Agricultural Center at the H. Rouse Caffey Rice Research Station (RRS) near Crowley, LA, and approved for release by the Director of the Louisiana Agricultural Experiment Station in 2015. CL272 was derived from the cross ‘Neptune’//‘Bengal’/‘CL161’ that was made in 2009 at the RRS and advanced in 2011 as an F3 row selection. Testing in the Clearfield preliminary yield trials in 2012 indicated high yield potential and favorable agronomic characteristics. In 2013, 2014, and 2015, CL272 was evaluated in 30 replicated trials across six locations in Louisiana. Three high‐yielding, medium‐grain, commercial cultivars—‘CL271’, ‘CL261’, and ‘Jupiter’—were included as checks. Grain yield of CL272 was 9.1 t ha−1 compared with 9.3 t ha−1 for CL271, 8.2 t ha−1 for CL261, and 9.2 t ha−1 for Jupiter. Plant height for CL272 was 97 cm, which is equal to CL261 and 2 cm taller than CL271 and Jupiter. CL272 and CL271 reached 50% heading in 87 d, while CL261 reached 50% heading in 84 d and Jupiter in 88 d. The leaves, lemma, and palea of CL272 are glabrous, and the spikelet and apiculus are straw‐colored. CL272 is moderately resistant to Cercospora and moderately susceptible to bacterial panicle blight, sheath blight, blast disease, and straighthead disorder.
Fluoride Sorption Efficiency of Vermiculite Functionalised with Cationic Surfactant: Isotherm and Kinetics
Authors: Ologundudu Tayo , Odiyo John , Ekosse Georges-Ivo
Published: September 2016

Groundwater is a major source of water, especially in rural communities. The presence of excess fluoride in groundwater has been a health concern for many decades because it causes fluorosis. The persistence of this problem led to the development of several approaches for reducing fluoride in groundwater to ≤1.5 mg/L, which is the World Health Organization’s (WHO) permissible limit. Despite recorded success in fluoride reduction, drawbacks such as cost and efficiency have remained apparent, thus necessitating further research on defluoridation. This paper aims at assessing the defluoridation capacity of a clay mineral, vermiculite, when modified with the cationic surfactant hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The effects of experimental parameters such as pH, agitation time, mass of adsorbent, and temperature were examined to determine the most favourable adsorption conditions. Using batch technique, the results showed a fluoride sorption of 51% from an 8 mg/L fluoride solution. The adsorption conformed more to Freundlich than Langmuir isotherm with an adsorption capacity of 2.36 mg/g, while the kinetics conformed to a pseudo-second-order reaction. pH emerged as the most influential factor in optimisation. The findings of this study indicated that modified vermiculite could be efficient in reducing fluoride in groundwater to more tolerable limits, but requires adequate pH control.
Evaluation of State-Resolved Reaction Probabilities and Their Application in Population Models for He, H, and H2
Authors: Wünderlich Dirk , Fantz Ursel
Published: September 2016

Population models are a prerequisite for performing qualitative analysis of population densities measured in plasmas or predicting the dependence of plasma emission on parameter variations. Models for atomic helium and hydrogen as well as molecular hydrogen in low-pressure plasmas are introduced. The cross-sections and transition probabilities used as input in the atomic models are known very accurately, and thus a benchmark of these models against experiments is very successful. For H2, in contrast, significant deviations exist between reaction probabilities taken from different literature sources. The reason for this is the more complex internal structure of molecules compared to atoms. Vibrationally resolved models are applied to demonstrate how these deviations affect the model results. Steps towards a consistent input data set are presented: vibrationally resolved Franck–Condon factors, transition probabilities, and ionization cross-sections have been calculated and are available now. Additionally, ro-vibrational models for selected transitions are applied successfully to low-density, low-temperature plasmas. For further improving the accuracy of population models for H2, however, it is necessary to establish a comprehensive data set for ro-vibrationally resolved excitation cross-sections based on the most recent calculation techniques.
Horizontally Aligned Carbon Nanotube Based Biosensors for Protein Detection
Authors: Chen Hu , Huang Jingfeng , Fam Derrick , Tok Alfred
Published: September 2016

A novel horizontally aligned single-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) Field Effect Transistor (FET)-based biosensing platform for real-time and sensitive protein detections is proposed. Aligned nanotubes were synthesized on quartz substrate using catalyst contact stamping, surface-guided morphological growth and chemical vapor deposition gas-guided growth methods. Real-time detection of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) using as-prepared FET biosensors was demonstrated. The kinetic measurements of the biosensor revealed that the drain current (Id) decreased exponentially as the concentration of PSA increased, indicating that the proposed FET sensor is capable of quantitative protein detection within a detection window of up to 1 µM. The limit of detection (LOD) achieved by the proposed platform was demonstrated to be 84 pM, which is lower than the clinically relevant level (133 pM) of PSA in blood. Additionally, the reported aligned CNT biosensor is a uniform sensing platform that could be extended to real-time detections of various biomarkers.
Topical Retinol Restores Type I Collagen Production in Photoaged Forearm Skin within Four Weeks
Authors: Sun Min , Wang Peiru , Sachs Dana , Xu Yang , Xu Yiru , Voorhees John , Fisher Gary , Li Yong
Published: September 2016

Production of type I collagen (COL1), the major structural protein of the skin, declines during aging, leading to skin thinning and becoming fragile, which increases the risk of bruising and wound healing disorders in the elderly. Topical treatments that can restore COL1 synthesis and ultimately COL1 content in aged skin hold promise to improve skin health. Much effort has been spent on developing agents that can safely and effectively enhance COL1 synthesis in aged skin. However, how fast and to what extent COL1 production in aged skin can be enhanced by a topical treatment remains unclear. Herein, we investigated a four-week topical retinol (ROL) treatment. A one-day occlusion of ROL (0.4%) or vehicle was applied on photoaged forearms of elderly (>65 years old) subjects once a week for four weeks. Vehicle was also applied on forearms of young (23–33 years) subjects in the same manner. Skin samples were obtained one week after the last treatment and analyzed for COL1 synthesis. We found that the ROL treatment increased the level of COL1 mRNA (2.3-fold) and proCOL1 protein (1.8-fold) in photoaged forearms to levels similar to that of young forearms within four weeks. Our study proves the concept that reduced COL1 production in aged skin can be readily restored. In addition, our study provides an evidence-based foundation for developing COL1-enhancing topical agents, and establishes a reliable and practical efficacy test for evaluating such agents.
Exergetic Analysis of a Novel Solar Cooling System for Combined Cycle Power Plants
Authors: Calise Francesco , Libertini Luigi , Vicidomini Maria
Published: September 2016

This paper presents a detailed exergetic analysis of a novel high-temperature Solar Assisted Combined Cycle (SACC) power plant. The system includes a solar field consisting of innovative high-temperature flat plate evacuated solar thermal collectors, a double stage LiBr-H2O absorption chiller, pumps, heat exchangers, storage tanks, mixers, diverters, controllers and a simple single-pressure Combined Cycle (CC) power plant. Here, a high temperature solar cooling system is coupled with a conventional combined cycle, in order to pre-cool gas turbine inlet air in order to enhance system efficiency and electrical capacity. In this paper, the system is analyzed from an exergetic point of view, on the basis of an energy-economic model presented in a recent work, where the obtained main results show that SACC exhibits a higher electrical production and efficiency with respect to the conventional CC. The system performance is evaluated by a dynamic simulation, where detailed simulation models are implemented for all the components included in the system. In addition, for all the components and for the system as whole, energy and exergy balances are implemented in order to calculate the magnitude of the irreversibilities within the system. In fact, exergy analysis is used in order to assess: exergy destructions and exergetic efficiencies. Such parameters are used in order to evaluate the magnitude of the irreversibilities in the system and to identify the sources of such irreversibilities. Exergetic efficiencies and exergy destructions are dynamically calculated for the 1-year operation of the system. Similarly, exergetic results are also integrated on weekly and yearly bases in order to evaluate the corresponding irreversibilities. The results showed that the components of the Joule cycle (combustor, turbine and compressor) are the major sources of irreversibilities. System overall exergetic efficiency was around 48%. Average weekly solar collector exergetic efficiency ranged from 6.5% to 14.5%, significantly increasing during the summer season. Conversely, absorption chiller exergy efficiency varies from 7.7% to 20.2%, being higher during the winter season. Combustor exergy efficiency is stably close to 68%, whereas the exergy efficiencies of the remaining components are higher than 80%.
Marginal Generation Technology in the Chinese Power Market towards 2030 Based on Consequential Life Cycle Assessment
Authors: Zhao Guangling , Guerrero Josep , Pei Yingying
Published: September 2016

Electricity consumption is often the hotspot of life cycle assessment (LCA) of products, industrial activities, or services. The objective of this paper is to provide a consistent, scientific, region-specific electricity-supply-based inventory of electricity generation technology for national and regional power grids. Marginal electricity generation technology is pivotal in assessing impacts related to additional consumption of electricity. China covers a large geographical area with regional supply grids; these are arguably equally or less integrated. Meanwhile, it is also a country with internal imbalances in regional energy supply and demand. Therefore, we suggest an approach to achieve a geographical subdivision of the Chinese electricity grid, corresponding to the interprovincial regional power grids, namely the North, the Northeast, the East, the Central, the Northwest, and the Southwest China Grids, and the China Southern Power Grid. The approach combines information from the Chinese national plans on for capacity changes in both production and distribution grids, and knowledge of resource availability. The results show that nationally, marginal technology is coal-fired electricity generation, which is the same scenario in the North and Northwest China Grid. In the Northeast, East, and Central China Grid, nuclear power gradually replaces coal-fired electricity and becomes the marginal technology. In the Southwest China Grid and the China Southern Power Grid, the marginal electricity is hydropower towards 2030.
Sustainability Enhancement of a Turbine Vane Manufacturing Cell through Digital Simulation-Based Design
Authors: Caggiano Alessandra , Marzano Adelaide , Teti Roberto
Published: September 2016

Modern manufacturing systems should satisfy emerging needs related to sustainable development. The design of sustainable manufacturing systems can be valuably supported by simulation, traditionally employed mainly for time and cost reduction. In this paper, a multi-purpose digital simulation approach is proposed to deal with sustainable manufacturing systems design through Discrete Event Simulation (DES) and 3D digital human modelling. DES models integrated with data on power consumption of the manufacturing equipment are utilized to simulate different scenarios with the aim to improve productivity as well as energy efficiency, avoiding resource and energy waste. 3D simulation based on digital human modelling is employed to assess human factors issues related to ergonomics and safety of manufacturing systems. The approach is implemented for the sustainability enhancement of a real manufacturing cell of the aerospace industry, automated by robotic deburring. Alternative scenarios are proposed and simulated, obtaining a significant improvement in terms of energy efficiency (−87%) for the new deburring cell, and a reduction of energy consumption around −69% for the coordinate measuring machine, with high potential annual energy cost savings and increased energy efficiency. Moreover, the simulation-based ergonomic assessment of human operator postures allows 25% improvement of the workcell ergonomic index.
Real-Time Spatial Queries for Moving Objects Using Storm Topology
Authors: Zhang Feng , Zheng Ye , Xu Dengping , Du Zhenhong , Wang Yingzhi , Liu Renyi , Ye Xinyue
Published: September 2016

With the rapid development of mobile data acquisition technology, the volume of available spatial data is growing at an increasingly fast pace. The real-time processing of big spatial data has become a research frontier in the field of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). To cope with these highly dynamic data, we aim to reduce the time complexity of data updating by modifying the traditional spatial index. However, existing algorithms and data structures are based on single work nodes, which are incapable of handling the required high numbers and update rates of moving objects. In this paper, we present a distributed spatial index based on Apache Storm, an open-source distributed real-time computation system. Using this approach, we compare the range and K-nearest neighbor (KNN) query efficiency of four spatial indexes on a single dataset and introduce a method of performing spatial joins between two moving datasets. In particular, we build a secondary distributed index for spatial join queries based on the grid-partition index. Finally, a series of experiments are presented to explore the factors that affect the performance of the distributed index and to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed distributed index based on Storm. As a real-world application, this approach has been integrated into an information system that provides real-time traffic decision support.
CXCL12/CXCR4 Axis Regulates Aggrecanase Activation and Cartilage Degradation in a Post-Traumatic Osteoarthritis Rat Model
Authors: Lu Weiwei , Shi Jia , Zhang Jinming , Lv Zhengtao , Guo Fengjing , Huang Hui , Zhu Wentao , Chen Anmin
Published: September 2016

We evaluated the role of the CXCL12/CXCR4 (C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12/C-X-C chemokine receptor type 4) axis in aggrecanase-mediated cartilage degradation, and explored the underlying mechanism in a post-traumatic osteoarthritis rat model. Expression of CXCL12/CXCR4 and ADAMTS-5 was analyzed in the knees of osteoarthritic and non-arthritic rats using Western blot, ELISA, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Rodent studies were performed using Sprague-Dawley rats, with animals divided into three groups: Destabilization of the medial meniscus/AMD3100-treated (DMM/AMD3100-treated), DMM/PBS-treated, and sham controls. Rats were sacrificed after eight weeks, and samples were collected for histology and immunohistochemistry analyses. IL-1-pretreated primary chondrocytes were cultured with untreated control, CXCL12a, siNC + CXCL12a, or siRNA CXCR4 + CXCL12a, and analyzed for expression of relevant markers and cellular pathways. Higher levels of CXCL12 were detected in the knee fluid of osteoarthritic subjects, with strong staining for CXCR4 in chondrocytes and CXCL12 in synoviocytes together with enhanced expression of ADAMTS-5. DMM/AMD3100-treated rats showed a significantly reduced immunological response, with minimal evidence of pathology in both histological and immunohistochemical analyses. Treatment with CXCL12a increased the expression of ACAN, RUNX-2, and ADAMTS-4/5 in IL-1-pretreated primary chondrocytes, together with a decrease in the expression of SOX-9. Molecular analyses revealed strong induction of NF-κB activation, along with phosphorylation of MAPKs, and activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling. In conclusion, inhibition of SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling axis was able to inhibit aggrecanase expression and lessen cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic osteoarthritis rats.
New Treatment Strategies for Alcohol-Induced Heart Damage
Authors: Fernández-Solà Joaquim , Planavila Porta Ana
Published: September 2016

High-dose alcohol misuse induces multiple noxious cardiac effects, including myocyte hypertrophy and necrosis, interstitial fibrosis, decreased ventricular contraction and ventricle enlargement. These effects produce diastolic and systolic ventricular dysfunction leading to congestive heart failure, arrhythmias and an increased death rate. There are multiple, dose-dependent, synchronic and synergistic mechanisms of alcohol-induced cardiac damage. Ethanol alters membrane permeability and composition, interferes with receptors and intracellular transients, induces oxidative, metabolic and energy damage, decreases protein synthesis, excitation-contraction coupling and increases cell apoptosis. In addition, ethanol decreases myocyte protective and repair mechanisms and their regeneration. Although there are diverse different strategies to directly target alcohol-induced heart damage, they are partially effective, and can only be used as support medication in a multidisciplinary approach. Alcohol abstinence is the preferred goal, but control drinking is useful in alcohol-addicted subjects not able to abstain. Correction of nutrition, ionic and vitamin deficiencies and control of alcohol-related systemic organ damage are compulsory. Recently, several growth factors (myostatin, IGF-1, leptin, ghrelin, miRNA, and ROCK inhibitors) and new cardiomyokines such as FGF21 have been described to regulate cardiac plasticity and decrease cardiac damage, improving cardiac repair mechanisms, and they are promising agents in this field. New potential therapeutic targets aim to control oxidative damage, myocyte hypertrophy, interstitial fibrosis and persistent apoptosis In addition, stem-cell therapy may improve myocyte regeneration. However, these strategies are not yet approved for clinical use.