bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biorefinery process for protein extraction from oriental mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) using ethanol stillage
Authors: Ratanapariyanuch Kornsulee , Tyler Robert T , Shim Youn Young , Reaney Martin JT
Published: January 2012

Large volumes of treated process water are required for protein extraction. Evaporation of this water contributes greatly to the energy consumed in enriching protein products. Thin stillage remaining from ethanol production is available in large volumes and may be suitable for extracting protein rich materials. In this work protein was extracted from ground defatted oriental mustard (Brassica juncea (L.) Czern.) meal using thin stillage. Protein extraction efficiency was studied at pHs between 7.6 and 10.4 and salt concentrations between 3.4 × 10-2 and 1.2 M. The optimum extraction efficiency was pH 10.0 and 1.0 M NaCl. Napin and cruciferin were the most prevalent proteins in the isolate. The isolate exhibited high in vitro digestibility (74.9 ± 0.80%) and lysine content (5.2 ± 0.2 g/100 g of protein). No differences in the efficiency of extraction, SDS-PAGE profile, digestibility, lysine availability, or amino acid composition were observed between protein extracted with thin stillage and that extracted with NaCl solution. The use of thin stillage, in lieu of water, for protein extraction would decrease the energy requirements and waste disposal costs of the protein isolation and biofuel production processes.
Time-varying motor control of autotomized leopard gecko tails: multiple inputs and behavioral modulation
Authors: Higham Timothy E. , Russell Anthony P.
Published: January 2012

Autotomy (voluntary loss of an appendage) is common among diverse groups of vertebrates and invertebrates, and much attention has been given to ecological and developmental aspects of tail autotomy in lizards. Although most studies have focused on the ramifications for the lizard (behavior, biomechanics, energetics, etc.), the tail itself can exhibit interesting behaviors once segregated from the body. For example, recent work highlighted the ability of leopard gecko tails to jump and flip, in addition to being able to swing back and forth. Little is known, however, about the control mechanisms underlying these movements. Using electromyography, we examined the time-varying in vivo motor patterns at four sites (two proximal and two distal) in the tail of the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius, following autotomy. Using these data we tested the hypothesis that the disparity in movements results simply from overlapping pattern generators within the tail. We found that burst duration, but not cycle duration, of the rhythmic swings reached a plateau at approximately 150 s following autotomy. This is likely because of physiological changes related to muscle fatigue and ischemia. For flips and jumps, burst and cycle duration exhibited no regular pattern. The coefficient of variation in motor patterns was significantly greater for jumps and flips than for rhythmic swings. This supports the conclusion that the different tail behaviors do not stem from overlapping pattern generators, but that they rely upon independent neural circuits. The signal controlling jumps and flips may be modified by sensory information from the environment. Finally, we found that jumps and flips are initiated using relatively synchronous activity between the two sides of the tail. In contrast, alternating activation of the right and left sides of the tail result in rhythmic swings. The mechanism underlying this change in tail behavior is comparable to locomotor gait changes in vertebrates.
Seeing near and seeing far; behavioural evidence for dual mechanisms of pattern vision in the honeybee (Apis mellifera)
Authors: Dyer Adrian G. , Griffiths David W.
Published: January 2012

Visual perception is a primary modality for interacting with complex environments. Recent work has shown that the brain and visual system of the honeybee is able, in some cases, to learn complex spatial relationships, while in other cases, bee vision is relatively rudimentary and based upon simple elemental-type visual processing. In the present study, we test the ability of honeybees to learn 4-bar asymmetric patterns in a Y-maze with aversive–appetitive differential conditioning. In Experiment 1, a group of bees were trained at a small visual angle of 50 deg by constraining individuals to the decision chamber within the Y-maze. Bees learned this task, and were able to solve the task even in the presence of background noise. However, these bees failed to solve the task when the stimuli were presented at a novel visual angle of 100 deg. In Experiment 2, a separate group of bees were trained to sets of 4-bar asymmetric patterns that excluded retinotopic matching and, in this case, bees learned the configural rule describing stimuli at a visual angle of approximately 50 deg, and this allowed the bees to solve the task when the stimuli were presented at a novel vision angle of 100 deg. This shows that the bee brain contains multiple mechanisms for pattern recognition, and what a bee sees is very dependent upon the specific experience that it receives. These multiple mechanisms would allow bees to interact with complex environments to solve tasks like recognising landmarks at variable distances or quickly discriminating between rewarding/non-rewarding flowers at reasonable constant visual angles.
Sensory input from the osphradium modulates the response to memory-enhancing stressors in Lymnaea stagnalis
Authors: Karnik Vikram , Braun Marvin , Dalesman Sarah , Lukowiak Ken
Published: January 2012

In the freshwater environment species often rely on chemosensory information to modulate behavior. The pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, is a model species used to characterize the causal mechanisms of long-term memory (LTM) formation. Chemical stressors including crayfish kairomones and KCl enhance LTM formation (≥24 h) in Lymnaea; however, how these stressors are sensed and the mechanism by which they affect the electrophysiological properties of neurons necessary for memory formation are poorly understood. Here, we assessed whether the osphradium, a primary chemosensory organ in Lymnaea, modulates LTM enhancement. To test this we severed the osphradial nerve proximal to the osphradium, using sham-operated animals as controls, and assessed the behavioral and electrophysiological response to crayfish kairomones and KCl. We operantly conditioned aerial respiratory behavior in intact, sham and osphradially cut animals, and tested for enhanced memory formation after exposure to the chemical stressors. Sham-operated animals displayed the same memory enhancement as intact animals but snails with a severed osphradial nerve did not show LTM enhancement. Extracellular recordings made from the osphradial nerve demonstrate that these stressors evoked afferent sensory activity. Intracellular recordings from right pedal dorsal 1 (RPeD1), a neuron necessary for LTM formation, demonstrate that its electrophysiological activity is altered by input from the osphradium following exposure to crayfish kairomones or KCl in sham and intact animals but no response is seen in RPeD1 in osphradially cut animals. Therefore, sensory input from the osphradium is necessary for LTM enhancement following exposure to these chemical stressors.
Temperature gradients drive mechanical energy gradients in the flight muscle ofManduca sexta
Authors: George N. T. , Sponberg S. , Daniel T. L.
Published: January 2012

A temperature gradient throughout the dominant flight muscle (dorsolongitudinal muscle, DLM1) of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta, together with temperature-dependent muscle contractile rates, demonstrates that significant spatial variation in power production is possible within a single muscle. Using in situ work-loop analyses under varying muscle temperatures and phases of activation, we show that regional differences in muscle temperature will induce a spatial gradient in the mechanical power output throughout the DLM1. Indeed, we note that this power gradient spans from positive to negative values across the predicted temperature range. Warm ventral subunits produce positive power at their in vivo operating temperatures, and therefore act as motors. Concurrently, as muscle temperature decreases dorsally, the subunits produce approximately zero mechanical power output, acting as an elastic energy storage source, and negative power output, behaving as a damper. Adjusting the phase of activation further influences the temperature sensitivity of power output, significantly affecting the mechanical power output gradient that is expressed. Additionally, the separate subregions of the DLM1 did not appear to employ significant physiological compensation for the temperature-induced differences in power output. Thus, although the components of a muscle are commonly thought to operate uniformly, a significant within-muscle temperature gradient has the potential to induce a mechanical power gradient, whereby subunits within a muscle operate with separate and distinct functional roles.
Warmer is better: thermal sensitivity of both maximal and sustained power output in the iliotibialis muscle isolated from adultXenopus tropicalis
Authors: James Rob S. , Tallis Jason , Herrel Anthony , Bonneaud Camille
Published: January 2012

Environmental temperature varies temporally and spatially and may consequently affect organismal function in complex ways. Effects of temperature are often most pertinent on locomotor performance traits of ectothermic animals. Given the importance of locomotion to mobility and dispersion, variability in temperature may therefore affect the current and future distribution of species. Many previous studies have demonstrated that burst muscle performance changes with temperature. However, less is known about the effects of temperature on sustained skeletal muscle performance. The iliotibialis muscle was isolated from eight male Xenopus tropicalis individuals and subjected to in vitro isometric and work-loop studies at test temperatures of 15, 24, 30 and 32°C. Work-loop power output (average power per cycle) was maximised at each temperature by altering stimulation and strain parameters. A series of 10 work loops was also delivered at each test temperature to quantify endurance performance. Warmer test temperatures tended to increase twitch stress (force normalised to muscle cross-sectional area) and significantly increased tetanic stress. Increased temperature significantly reduced twitch and tetanus activation and relaxation times. Increased temperature also significantly increased both burst muscle power output (cycle average) and sustained (endurance) performance during work loop studies. The increase in burst power output between 15 and 24°C yielded a high Q10 value of 6.86. Recent studies have demonstrated that the negative effects of inorganic phosphate accumulation during prolonged skeletal muscle performance are reduced with increased temperature, possibly explaining the increases in endurance found with increased test temperature in the present study.
Phenotypic plasticity in response to dietary salt stress: Na+ and K+ transport by the gut ofDrosophila melanogasterlarvae
Authors: Naikkhwah Wida , O'Donnell Michael J.
Published: January 2012

Drosophila provides a useful model system for studies of the mechanisms involved in regulation of internal ion levels in response to variations in dietary salt load. This study assessed whether alterations in Na+ and K+ transport by the gut of larval D. melanogaster reared on salt-rich diets contribute to haemolymph ionoregulation. Na+ and K+ fluxes across the isolated guts of third instar larvae reared on control or salt-rich diets were measured using the scanning ion-selective electrode technique (SIET). K+ absorption across the anterior portion of the posterior midgut of larvae reared on diet in which the concentration of KCl was increased 0.4 mol l-1 above that in the control diet was reduced eightfold relative to the same gut segment of larvae reared on the control diet. There was also an increase in the magnitude and extent of K+ secretion across the posterior half of the posterior midgut. Na+ was absorbed across the ileum of larvae reared on the control diet, but was secreted across the ileum of larvae reared on diet in which the concentration of NaCl was increased 0.4 mol l-1 above that in the control diet. There was also a small reduction in the extent of Na+ absorption across the middle midgut of larvae reared on the NaCl-rich diet. The results indicate considerable phenotypic plasticity with respect to K+ and Na+ transport by the gut epithelia of larval D. melanogaster. SIET measurements of K+ and Na+ fluxes along the length of the gut show that ion transport mechanisms of the gut are reconfigured during salt stress so that there are reductions in K+ and Na+ absorption and increases in K+ and Na+ secretion. Together with previously described changes in salt secretion by the Malpighian tubules, these changes contribute to haemolymph ionoregulation.
Effects of intraperitoneal administration of gabapentin on the minimum alveolar concentration of isoflurane in adult male rats
Authors: Boruta D T , Sotgiu G , Golder F J
Published: January 2012

Gabapentin has been used to treat a variety of conditions in both human and veterinary medicine, including seizures, neuropathies and chronic pain. However, little information is known about the effects of gabapentin on the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of volatile anaesthetics. In this study, we investigated the effect of intraperitoneal administration of gabapentin on isoflurane MAC in adult male rats and hypothesized that gabapentin would decrease MAC in a dose-dependent manner. Using a standard MAC study protocol, we compared five treatment groups (G) receiving 0 (G0), 30 (G30), 100 (G100), 300 (G300) and 1000 (G1000) mg/kg gabapentin intraperitoneally and compared post-drug MAC values among groups and with corresponding baseline MAC values determined in each group prior to drug testing. The average baseline isoflurane MAC value was 1.45 ± 0.17%, which did not differ significantly between groups (1.47 ± 0.23% [G30], 1.46 ± 0.23% [G100], 1.48 ± 0.18% [G300] and 1.42 ± 0.2% [G1000]). In the G300 and G1000 groups, the isoflurane MAC value decreased significantly by 19% and 18%, respectively, from corresponding baseline values ( P< 0.05, when compared with G0). Linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between blood gabapentin concentration and percent change in MAC ( R2 = 0.43; P< 0.05) but not dose. In conclusion, high-dose intraperitoneal gabapentin decreased isoflurane MAC. However, the effect was small and not dose-dependent, and is unlikely to be clinically significant.
Speciated urinary arsenic as a biomarker of dietary exposure to inorganic arsenic in residents living in high-arsenic areas in Latium, Italy
Authors: Cubadda Francesco , Aureli Federica , D’Amato Marilena , Raggi Andrea , Turco Anna Chiara , Mantovani Alberto
Published: January 2012

Current knowledge indicates that total urinary arsenic is not a suitable biomarker of exposure to toxic, i.e., inorganic, arsenic (iAs), whereas measurement of iAs and its methylated metabolites in urine using speciation analysis provides much more reliable estimates of exposure. The relative proportions of urinary iAs, monomethylarsonate (MA), and dimethylarsinate (DMA) can be used as a measure of methylation capacity, provided that there are no confounding factors such as consumption of food rich in DMA or containing As compounds metabolized to DMA.We analyzed by gradient elution anion-exchange HPLC-ICP-MS (high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry) urine samples from 153 residents in Latium (central Italy) chronically exposed to iAs via water and food. Excluding 26 subjects that excreted high concentrations of arsenobetaine (AB) (≥50 μg As/L) due to seafood consumption, iAs and related metabolites summed up about 75 % of total urinary As as measured by ICP-MS. AB and other organoarsenic compounds were detected at low concentrations in all urine samples. Considering all subjects, the sum of iAs and metabolites ranged 2–72 μg/L and relative proportions were iAs 14 %, MA 13 %, and DMA 72 % (median values), with a wide individual variability.In addition to the above arsenocompounds, the analytical method used in this study enabled the detection of dimethylthioarsinic acid (DMTA), which was found to be present in 33 % of the samples at concentrations ranging mostly from trace amounts to ~6 μg As/L. We found that part of the certified DMA content of human urine reference material SRM 2669 was present as DMTA. Four unknown arsenicals were also detected as minor species in a small proportion of samples.
The multicultural dimension: Thoughts on the special experience of the New Zealand seminar
Authors: Drummond John
Published: January 2012

This short impression presents a personal reflection of the cultural interaction that took place during the Commission of Community Music Activity seminar in New Zealand, 1988. Through narrative prose we are introduced to a welcoming ritual that binds the seminar participants as whanau,
our own family.
Community music development in Great Britain
Authors: Joss Tim
Published: January 2012

Taking Great Britain's Music Travellers as a starting point, this paper provides an insight into some of the issues facing the early developments of community music as an organized activity in the 1980s. Through a presentation of a community music project in Manchester, England,
this paper concludes with the implications for community music development work.
A view from the workshop floor: What skills and qualities are demanded of today's community music workers and how can they best be taught?
Authors: Price David
Published: January 2012

This paper considers the following questions: Do existing models of training, based in higher education/conservatoire institutions, equip today's musicians with appropriate skills to work in community settings and can vocational training be incorporated within conventional music courses
as options, or do we need to see specialist full-time courses? Using the Abraham Moss Centre as an example of practice, outlines of the key skills needed to be a community musician are described. In conclusion, this paper suggests that instead of adopting a top-down approach to training, providers
might ask those directly involved in the work what kind of training they think is important.
Community music in the United States: An overview of origins and evolution
Authors: Leglar Mary A , Smith David S
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to explore the contribution community music has made and can make to cultural education in the United States, both in its own right and in the context of education as a whole. The paper gives a bird's-eye view of the historical highlights of community music-making
activity in various parts of the country, particularly outlining the types of activity prevalent within the southeast of the country. Finally, some thoughts are presented regarding the collaboration (or lack thereof) between formal music education in the schools and community music-making,
concluding that community music and music education could benefit from closer cooperation.
Collaborative approaches: Putting colour in a grey area
Authors: Gregory Sean
Published: January 2012

Through the work of the Guildhall CONNECT project, this paper presents innovative ways to foster collaboration between people, context, and culture. In conclusion it argues that the role of a conservatoire should be realigned to meet the needs, expectations and potential of today's
society suggesting that a multifaceted performer who is effective in collaborative environments are important qualities for musicians who want to remain employable.
Lifemusic: Sounding out university community engagement
Authors: Paton Rod
Published: January 2012

The South East Coastal Communities programme that ran from 2008 to 2011 was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England with the aim of measuring the potential impact of knowledge exchange on the well-being of communities along the south coast of England. The University
of Chichester was one of nine universities from the region participating in the programme that developed fifteen linked but discrete projects centred on social engagement and renewal. The Lifemusic (LM) project explored how participatory music can contribute to the well-being of people in
a variety of contexts, including health and social care environments, schools, the migrant community and the workplace. The project was developed around a training and delivery model that equipped around 50 practitioners with the skills to deliver community workshops using the LM method. The
university provided facilities, instruments and administrative support, and appointed an academic lead to organize the project, train practitioners, and conduct research and evaluation. A variety of evaluative approaches, designed to measure the impact of the sessions on the well-being of
participants, were tested. The overall framework for evaluation employed across the programme was the so-called REAP 'metrix' tool with its emphasis on self-measurement and community empowerment. Trainees were chosen from the wider community, following a specially designed programme based
on the LM method, and over 400 LM workshops were subsequently delivered by newly trained practitioners. The project generated significant feedback about community music-making, well-being and team building. The programme expanded community/university engagement, developed lasting partnerships
and expanded the profile of community music. It raised questions about the status of community music within higher education music programmes, especially in relation to the canonic values that generally inform curriculum content, and partnered music with community agencies delivering health
and social care.
Reflective dialogues in community music engagement: An exploratory experience in a Singapore nursing home and day-care centre for senior citizens
Authors: Lum Chee-Hoo
Published: January 2012

This study documents a reflective journey of a community music programme initiated by a university music education faculty member and an occupational therapist within the setting of a nursing home and day-care centre in Singapore. Weekly music interaction sessions in conjunction with
reminiscence therapy were conducted over a period of five months. The purpose of the study was to explore and examine the group music engagement process between the music educators and senior citizen participants. It was noted that the subsequent planning and execution of the programme catering
to the social, cultural and historical contexts of the senior citizens created a mutual learning environment that brought enjoyment, social and physical engagement, social bonding, collective and personal expression, and empowerment to the senior citizens and the music educators.
'And they lived happily ever after': Community music and higher education?
Authors: Coffman Don D.
Published: January 2012

This article argues that community music and higher education have sufficient shared visions to overcome past philosophical differences. Each party brings valuable contributions in what some speculate is only a 'marriage of convenience'.
Does Online Community Participation Foster Risky Financial Behavior?
Authors: Zhu Rui (Juliet) , Dholakia Utpal M. , Chen Xinlei (Jack) , Algesheimer René
Published: January 2012

Although consumers increasingly use online communities for various activities, little is known about how participation in them affects people's decision-making strategies. Through a series of field and laboratory studies, the authors demonstrate that participation in an online community increases people's risk-seeking tendencies in their financial decisions and behaviors. The results reveal that participation in an online community leads consumers to believe that they will receive help or support from other members should difficulties arise. Such a perception leads online community participants to make riskier financial decisions than nonparticipants. The authors also discover a boundary condition to the effect: Online community members are more risk seeking only when they have relatively strong ties with other members; when ties are weak, they exhibit similar risk preferences as nonmembers.
Nondetectable prostate cancer in radical prostatectomy specimens
Authors: Murányi Mihály , Morshed Ali Salah , Benyó Mátyás , Tóth Csaba , Flaskó Tibor
Published: January 2012

Since the widespread use of prostate-specific antigen, early diagnosis of prostate cancer at an early stage has been increased. Consequently, a greater frequency of low-volume disease or no tumor has been found in radical prostatectomy specimen. Aims: In the present study authors analyzed patients classified as pT0 after radical prostatectomy at their center. Methods: 1134 radical prostatectomies were evaluated retrospectively at the author’s center between 1996 and 2010. If there was no evidence of prostate cancer in the specimen, patient was staged as pT0. Patients were divided into two groups: received neoadjuvant hormonal therapy or not. Results: Overall 32 (2.8%) patients were staged as pT0. The rate of pT0 staging was 9.3% and 1.2% in the hormonally treated group and non-hormonally treated group. False-positive prostate biopsy was found in 2 cases. The rate of pT0 staging was higher in patients with incidental prostate cancer, low Gleason score and enlarged prostate. Biochemical relapse was observed in 3 pT0 patients in the hormonally treated group, among them there was one clinical relapse. In non-hormonally treated group no recurrence was detected. Conclusion: The rate of pT0 staging was higher in the hormonally treated group. Because of biochemical and clinical relapse despite vanishing prostate cancer phenomenon, these cases are considered not to be true pT0. On the basis of present study and other reports the rate of pT0 staging is about one percentage in non-hormonally treated patients. Prognosis of these patients is excellent. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 113–117.
Quality assurance and quality improvement in medical practice – Part 1. Definition and importance of quality in medical practice
Authors: Gődény Sándor
Published: January 2012

In Hungary healthcare finance has decreased in proportion with the GDP, while the health status of the population is still ranks among the worst in the European Union. Since healthcare finance is not expected to increase, the number of practicing doctors per capita is continuously decreasing. In the coming years it is an important question that in this situation what methods can be used to prevent further deterioration of the health status of the Hungarian population, and within this is the role of the quality approach, and different methods of quality management. In the present and the forthcoming two articles those standpoints will be summarized which support the need for the integration of quality assurance in the everyday medical practice. In the first part the importance of quality thinking, quality management, quality assurance, necessity of quality measurement and improvement, furthermore, advantages of the quality systems will be discussed. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 83–92.
Implementation of BioMEMS for Determining Mechanical Properties of Biological Cells
Authors: Tatic-Lucic Svetlana , Gnerlich Markus
Published: January 2012

This paper describes the implementation of a custom-made bio-microelectromechanical system for determining mechanical properties of biological cells, which is used for the measurement of mechanical properties of fibroblasts. Our system consists of several subcomponents: (a) actuator which deforms the cell in pre-determined, step-wise fashion, (b) force sensor that measures force applied onto the cell, (c) set of dielectrophoretic (DEP) electrodes for positioning cells in the desired position, (d) temperature sensors and (e) heater. Preliminary results of the mechanical properties of NIH3T3 cells have been determined using this tool and our cell compression techniques.
Low Profile Packaging for MEMS Aero-acoustic Sensors
Authors: Burns John R. , White Robert D. , Krause Joshua S.
Published: January 2012

This paper describes a semi-automated conductive ink process used for packaging MEMS devices. The method is applied to packaging of MEMS sensors for wind tunnel testing. The primary advantage of the method is a reduction in surface topology between the package and the integrated MEMS sensors. In this paper we explore the relationship between trace dimensions, resistivity, and deposition parameters such as feed rate, tip-substrate separation and tip diameter. Using this procedure it is possible to generate interconnects between a PC board and MEMS sensor chip with a topology of less than 25 micrometers.
Heat-Initiated Oxidation of an Aluminum Nanoparticle
Authors: Clark Richard , Wang Weiqiang , Nomura Ken-ichi , Kalia Rajiv K. , Nakano Aiichiro , Vashishta Priya
Published: January 2012

Multimillion-atom reactive molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the mechanisms which control heat-initiated oxidation in aluminum nanoparticles. The simulation results reveal three stages: (1) confined burning, (2) onset of deformation, and (3) onset of small cluster ejections. The first stage of the reaction is localized primarily at the core-shell boundary, where oxidation reactions result in strong local heating and the increased migration of oxygen from the shell into the core. When the local temperature rises above the melting point of alumina (T=2330K), the melting of the shell allows deformation of the overall particle and an increase in heat production. Finally, once the particle temperature exceeds 2800-3000 K, small aluminum-rich clusters are ejected from the outside of the shell. The underlying mechanisms were explored using global and radial statistical analysis, as well as developed visualization techniques and localized fragment analysis.

The three-stage reaction mechanism found here provides insight into the controlling factors of aluminum nanoparticle oxidation, a topic of considerable importance in the energetic materials community.
Resistance Change Caused by Electrochemically Induced Carrier Injection in NiO Films.
Authors: Yoda T. , Kinoshita K. , Fukuhara T. , Kishida S. , Sawai N. , Honda K.
Published: January 2012

In our previous work, low resistance state (LRS) and high resistance state (HRS) areas on a nickel-oxide (NiO) film formed by applying a voltage using conductive atomic-force microscopy (C-AFM) was observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). Comparing the observed secondary electron image (SEI) contrast to the report about the dopant-type dependence of SEI contrast reported on silicon, it was suggested that the LRS and HRS areas are, respectively, electrochemically induced p-type Ni1-xO (x > 0) and intrinsic (stoichiometric) or ntype Ni1-xO (x ≤ 0). In this paper, we verified that resistance change caused by C-AFM is due to electrochemically induced carrier injection. Reduction effect of H2annealing on the writing area, voltage dependence of depletion layer capacitance formed between the writing area and AFM-tip using scanning nonlinear dielectric microscopy (SNDM), and the effect of Schottky barrier formation between the writing area and thin metal layer on SEI contrast were investigated. Based on these results, it was clarified that the LRS and HRS areas are, respectively, p-type Ni1-xO (x > 0) and intrinsic (stoichiometric) or n-type Ni1-xO (x ≤ 0)
Biophysical feedback mediates effects of invasive grasses on coastal dune shape
Authors: Zarnetske Phoebe L. , Hacker Sally D. , Seabloom Eric W. , Ruggiero Peter , Killian Jason R. , Maddux Timothy B. , Cox Daniel
Published: January 2012

Vegetation at the aquatic–terrestrial interface can alter landscape features through its growth and interactions with sediment and fluids. Even similar species may impart different effects due to variation in their interactions and feedbacks with the environment. Consequently, replacement of one engineering species by another can cause significant change in the physical environment. Here we investigate the species‐specific ecological mechanisms influencing the geomorphology of U.S. Pacific Northwest coastal dunes. Over the last century, this system changed from open, shifting sand dunes with sparse vegetation (including native beach grass, Elymus mollis), to densely vegetated continuous foredune ridges resulting from the introduction and subsequent invasions of two nonnative grass species (Ammophila arenaria and Ammophila breviligulata), each of which is associated with different dune shapes and sediment supply rates along the coast. Here we propose a biophysical feedback responsible for differences in dune shape, and we investigate two, non‐mutually exclusive ecological mechanisms for these differences: (1) species differ in their ability to capture sand and (2) species differ in their growth habit in response to sand deposition. To investigate sand capture, we used a moveable bed wind tunnel experiment and found that increasing tiller density increased sand capture efficiency and that, under different experimental densities, the native grass had higher sand capture efficiency compared to the Ammophila congeners. However, the greater densities of nonnative grasses under field conditions suggest that they have greater potential to capture more sand overall. We used a mesocosm experiment to look at plant growth responses to sand deposition and found that, in response to increasing sand supply rates, A. arenaria produced higher‐density vertical tillers (characteristic of higher sand capture efficiency), while A. breviligulata and E. mollis responded with lower‐density lateral tiller growth (characteristic of lower sand capture efficiency). Combined, these experiments provide evidence for a species‐specific effect on coastal dune shape. Understanding how dominant ecosystem engineers, especially nonnative ones, differ in their interactions with abiotic factors is necessary to better parameterize coastal vulnerability models and inform management practices related to both coastal protection ecosystem services and ecosystem restoration.
Spatially integrated assessment reveals widespread changes in penguin populations on the Antarctic Peninsula
Authors: Lynch Heather J. , Naveen Ron , Trathan Philip N. , Fagan William F.
Published: January 2012

As important marine mesopredators and sensitive indicators of Antarctic ecosystem change, penguins have been a major focus of long‐term biological research in the Antarctic. However, the vast majority of such studies have been constrained by logistics and relate mostly to the temporal dynamics of individual breeding populations from which regional trends have been inferred, often without regard for the complex spatial heterogeneity of population processes and the underlying environmental conditions. Integrating diverse census data from 70 breeding sites across 31 years in a robust, hierarchical analysis, we find that trends from intensely studied populations may poorly reflect regional dynamics and confuse interpretation of environmental drivers. Results from integrated analyses confirm that Pygoscelis adeliae (Adélie Penguins) are decreasing at almost all locations on the Antarctic Peninsula. Results also resolve previously contradictory studies and unambiguously establish that P. antarctica (Chinstrap Penguins), thought to benefit from decreasing sea ice, are instead declining regionally. In contrast, another open‐water species, P. papua (Gentoo Penguin), is increasing in abundance and expanding southward. These disparate population trends accord with recent mechanistic hypotheses of biological change in the Southern Ocean and highlight limitations of the influential but oversimplified “sea ice” hypothesis. Aggregating population data at the regional scale also allows us to quantify rates of regional population change in a way not previously possible.
An Assessment of the Feasibility of Employing Biochemical Acidogenic Potential Tests for Characterizing Anaerobic Biodegradability of Raw and Pretreated Waste Activated Sludge
Authors: Kianmehr Peiman , Parker Wayne , Seto Peter
Published: January 2012

The potential to use the results of biochemical acid potential (BAP) tests to predict the ultimate digestibility of raw and pretreated waste activated sludge (WAS) was investigated. The ultimate methane production from biochemical methane potential (BMP) tests on raw and pretreated samples which spanned a range of biodegradability proved linearly related to the volatile fatty acid (VFA) and soluble chemical oxygen demand (COD) production in corresponding BAP tests. In addition, a linear relationship between NH4‐N production in the BMP and BAP tests was observed. Despite the linear nature of the relationships, the ratio of the production of methane in the BMP tests to the production of VFAs in the BAP tests varied with the biodegradability of the sludge samples. Waste Activated Sludge samples with low digestibility had ultimate yields of CH4 that were greater than the VFA yields in BAP tests, whereas sludge samples with high digestibility had lower yields of CH4 than the corresponding VFA yields. This trend contrasted with the NH4 results, in which the yields in the BAP tests were consistently less than those observed in the BMP tests. It was hypothesized that the varying relationship between CH4 and VFA yields was because of the inhibition of anaerobic oxidation of long‐chain fatty acids (LCFAs) in the BAP tests. Long‐chain fatty acids would be converted to CH4 in BMP tests but produced as digestion intermediates in the BAP tests and were not measured as part of the VFA yield. Hydrogen and acetate were identified as the two most likely intermediates that would accumulate in the BAP tests (which would cause inhibition). A stoichiometric model to facilitate the development of an improved understanding of the biodegradation processes in the BAP and BMP tests was assembled. When the model was applied to the BAP tests the anaerobic oxidation of LCFAs and propionate and methanogenesis were excluded from the model. The model was employed to estimate the extent of degradation of lipids, carbohydrates, and proteins in the batch tests as a function of the ultimate biodegradability of the sludge samples. On the basis of model fitting, it was determined that the degradation of lipids in BMP tests decreased, whereas the degradation of carbohydrates and proteins increased as the digestibility of the sludge samples increased. The varying ratio of lipid to protein and carbohydrate degradability with increasing digestibility of the sludge samples describes the relationship between VFA production and CH4 production in the BAP, and BMP tests, respectively.
Impacts of Gas Drilling on Human and Animal Health
Authors: Bamberger Michelle , Oswald Robert E.
Published: January 2012

Environmental concerns surrounding drilling for gas are intense due to expansion of shale gas drilling operations. Controversy surrounding the impact of drilling on air and water quality has pitted industry and leaseholders against individuals and groups concerned with environmental protection and public health. Because animals often are exposed continually to air, soil, and groundwater and have more frequent reproductive cycles, animals can be used as sentinels to monitor impacts to human health. This study involved interviews with animal owners who live near gas drilling operations. The findings illustrate which aspects of the drilling process may lead to health problems and suggest modifications that would lessen but not eliminate impacts. Complete evidence regarding health impacts of gas drilling cannot be obtained due to incomplete testing and disclosure of chemicals, and nondisclosure agreements. Without rigorous scientific studies, the gas drilling boom sweeping the world will remain an uncontrolled health experiment on an enormous scale.
Optimization of probiotic lactobacillus casei ATCC 334 production using date powder as carbon source
Authors: Shahravy A. , Tabandeh F. , Bambai B. , Zamanizadeh H.R. , Mizani M.
Published: January 2012

This study was conducted to optimize culture conditions for economic
production of a probiotic bacterium, Lactobacillus casei ATCC 334, in which
palm date powder was applied for the first time as a low-cost main carbon
source. The effect of eleven factors on bacterial growth was investigated
using the Taguchi experimental design, and three factors including palm date
powder, tryptone and agitation rate were found to be the most significant
parameters. The optimum conditions including date powder concentration, 38
g/L; tryptone concentration, 30 g/L; and an agitation rate of 320 rpm were
determined by response surface methodology of Box-Behnken. A third-order
polynomial model was suggested to predict the design space following which
the predicted values were validated experimentally. The maximum log value of
the viable cells in the optimized alternative medium was 9.97 at 24 h of
incubation which was comparable to that obtained in the complex and expensive
MRS medium (10.06).
Comparison of mathematical models and artificial neural networks for prediction of drying kinetics of mushroom in microwave vacuum dryer
Authors: Ghaderi A. , Abbasi S. , Motevali A. , Minaei S.
Published: January 2012

Drying characteristics of button mushroom slices were determined using
microwave vacuum drier at various powers (130, 260, 380, 450 W) and absolute
pressures (200, 400, 600, 800 mbar). To select a suitable mathematical
model, 6 thin-layer drying models were fitted to the experimental data. The
fitting rates of models were assessed based on three parameters; highest R2,
lowest chi square () and root mean square error (RMSE). In addition, using
the experimental data, an ANN trained by standard back-propagation
algorithm, was developed in order to predict moisture ratio (MR) and drying
rate (DR) values based on the three input variables (drying time, absolute
pressure, microwave power). Different activation functions and several rules
were used to assess percentage error between the desired and the predicted
values. According to our findings, Midilli et al. model showed a reasonable
fitting with experimental data. While, the ANN model showed its high
capability to predict the MR and DR quite well with determination
coefficients (R2) of 0.9991, 0.9995 and 0.9996 for training, validation and
testing, respectively. Furthermore, their predictions Mean Square Error were
0.00086, 0.00042 and 0.00052, respectively.
Effect of size and shape of specimen on compressive strength of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC)
Authors: Krishna Rao , Kumar Rathish , Srinivas B.
Published: January 2012

Concrete is a versatile material with tremendous applications in civil engineering construction. Structural concrete elements are generally made with concrete having a compressive strength of 20 to 35 MPa. Lately, there is an increase in use of high strength concrete (HSC) in major construction projects such as high-rise buildings, and bridges involving members of different sizes and shapes. The compressive strength of concrete is used as the most basic and important material property in the design of reinforced concrete structures. It has become a problem to use this value as the control specimen sizes and shapes are different from country to country. In India, the characteristic compressive strength is usually measured based on 150 mm cubes [1]. But, the ACI code of practice specifies the design compressive strength based on the standard 150x300 mm cylinders [2]. The use of 100x200 mm cylinders gained more acceptance as the need to test high strength concrete increases [3]. In this context the size and shape of concrete becomes an important parameter for the compressive strength. In view of the significance of compressive strength of concrete and due to the fact that the structural elements of different sizes and shapes are used, it is proposed to investigate the effect of size and shape of the specimen on the compressive strength of concrete. In this work, specimens of plain as well as Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC) specimens are cast in order to carry out a comparative study.
Matrix formulation of dynamic design of structures with semi-rigid connections
Authors: Zlatkov Dragan , Zdravkovic Slavko , Mladenovic Biljana , Stojic Radoslav
Published: January 2012

The structures with semi-rigid connections comprise systems with the connections in joints which are not absolutely rigid, but allow, in general, some relative movements in directions of generalized displacements. Such type of connections is considered very little, or not at all, in designing of structures in today's engineering practice. If the influence of rigidity of semi-rigid connections is underestimated, and they are treated in the design as pinned, it has a negative impact on cost of a structure. But if it is overstated, the calculation results are not on the side of safety, what is reflected on bearing capacity, durability and stability, especially in the case of precast structures. Therefore Eurocodes take due account to the structures with semi-rigid connections. Matrix formulation of the analysis of systems with semi-rigid connections opens wide possibilities for relatively easy calculation by use of computers that is shown by example of seismic design. The interpolation functions, stiffness matrix, equivalent load vectors, and the consistent mass matrix are presented in this paper, particularly with an emphasis on systems with semi-rigid connection.
Different behavior of 3-nitrotyrosine and tyrosine toward perfluorinated reagents suitable for one-step preparation of volatile derivatives
Authors: Pavlovic Radmila , Biondi Antonio , Chiesa Maria , Trutic Natasa , Abramovic Mirjana , Santaniello Enzo
Published: January 2012

In view to develop a gas-chromatographic (GC) determination of the
3-nitrotyrosine (NY)/tyrosine (Y) ratio as a marker of nitro-oxidative
stress, different reagents were tested with the objective of obtaining a
single volatile fluorinated product for each amino acid by a one-step
derivatization procedure. The heptafluorobutyric anhydride (HFBA)
/heptafluorobutanol (HFBOH) mixture proved unsuccessful for NY and Y
simultaneous analysis. The reaction with different chloroformates [isobutyl
chlorofomate (iBuCF) and ethyl chloroformate (EtCF)] in the presence of
different perfluorinated alcohols such as trifluoroethanol (TFEOH) and HFBOH
was investigated. Combination EtCF/fluorinated alcohols yielded derivatives
of NY and Y as single peaks suitable to the GC determination of the NY/Y
ratio. The different behaviour of two amino acids in the used reaction
mixtures and the parameters influencing the results were discussed.