bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Maintenance of Pregnancy in Mice
Authors: Wada Yoshiko , Ozaki Hiromi , Abe Naomichi , Mori Asami , Sakamoto Kenji , Nagamitsu Tohru , Nakahara Tsutomu , Ishii Kunio
Published: January 2013

It is well known that withdrawal of progesterone from the maternal circulation is a critical stimulus to parturition in rodents, such as rats and mice. However, mechanisms that determine the timing of progesterone withdrawal are not completely understood. In the present study, we examined whether the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) system in the corpus luteum (CL) contributes to the regulation of circulating progesterone levels and acts as a determinant of the timing of parturition in mice. We found that reduction in the expression levels of VEGF and VEGF receptor-2 in the CL precedes the impairment of luteal circulation and a series of events leading to parturition (i.e., reduction of plasma progesterone, enhancement of myometrium contractility, and onset of parturition). Blocking of VEGF signaling by using the inhibitor of VEGFR tyrosine kinase KRN633 at mid-pregnancy caused a similar sequence of events and induced preterm birth. These results suggest that the VEGF system in the CL plays a critical role in maintaining a high level of circulating progesterone, and determining the timing of parturition in mice.
Epistemology Formalized
Authors: Moss Sarah
Published: January 2013

This paper argues that just as full beliefs can constitute knowledge, so can properties of your credence distribution. The resulting notion of probabilistic knowledge helps us give a natural account of knowledge ascriptions embedding language of subjective uncertainty, and a simple diagnosis of probabilistic analogues of Gettier cases. Just like propositional knowledge, probabilistic knowledge is factive, safe, and sensitive. And it helps us build knowledge-based norms of action without accepting implausible semantic assumptions or endorsing the claim that knowledge is interest relative.
Modesty as a Virtue of Attention
Authors: Bommarito Nicolas
Published: January 2013

The contemporary discussion of modesty has focused on whether or not modest people are accurate about their own good qualities. This essay argues that this way of framing the debate is unhelpful and offers examples to show that neither ignorance nor accuracy about the good qualities related to oneself is necessary for modesty. It then offers an attention-based account, claiming that what is necessary for modesty is to direct one’s attention in certain ways. By analyzing modesty in this way, we can best explain the distinct features of modesty, keep much of what is intuitive in contemporary accounts, and better understand why modesty is a virtue at all.
Socioeconomic status affects the Oxford knee score and Short-Form 12 score following total knee replacement
Authors: Clement N. D. , Jenkins P. J. , Nie Y. X. , Patton J. T. , Breusch S. J. , Howie C. R. , Biant L. C.
Published: January 2013

We assessed the effect of social deprivation upon the Oxford knee score (OKS), the Short-Form 12 (SF-12) and patient satisfaction after total knee replacement (TKR). An analysis of 966 patients undergoing primary TKR for symptomatic osteoarthritis (OA) was performed. Social deprivation was assessed using the Scottish Index of Multiple Deprivation. Those patients that were most deprived underwent surgery at an earlier age (p = 0.018), were more likely to be female (p = 0.046), to endure more comorbidities (p = 0.04) and to suffer worse pain and function according to the OKS (p < 0.001). In addition, deprivation was also associated with poor mental health (p = 0.002), which was assessed using the mental component (MCS) of the SF-12 score. Multivariable analysis was used to identify independent predictors of outcome at one year. Pre-operative OKS, SF-12 MCS, back pain, and four or more comorbidities were independent predictors of improvement in the OKS (all p < 0.001). Pre-operative OKS and improvement in the OKS were independent predictors of dissatisfaction (p = 0.003 and p < 0.001, respectively). Although improvement in the OKS and dissatisfaction after TKR were not significantly associated with social deprivation per se, factors more prevalent within the most deprived groups significantly diminished their improvement in OKS and increased their rate of dissatisfaction following TKR.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:52–8.
Fatal cardiomyopathy after revision total hip replacement for fracture of a ceramic liner
Authors: Zywiel M. G. , Brandt J-M. , Overgaard C. B. , Cheung A. C. , Turgeon T. R. , Syed K. A.
Published: January 2013

Symptomatic cobalt toxicity from a failed total hip replacement is a rare but devastating complication. It has been reported following revision of fractured ceramic components, as well as in patients with failed metal-on-metal articulations. Potential clinical findings include fatigue, weakness, hypothyroidism, cardiomyopathy, polycythaemia, visual and hearing impairment, cognitive dysfunction, and neuropathy. We report a case of an otherwise healthy 46-year-old patient, who developed progressively worsening symptoms of cobalt toxicity beginning approximately six months following synovectomy and revision of a fractured ceramic-on-ceramic total hip replacement to a metal-on-polyethylene bearing. The whole blood cobalt levels peaked at 6521 µg/l. The patient died from cobalt-induced cardiomyopathy. Implant retrieval analysis confirmed a loss of 28.3 g mass of the cobalt–chromium femoral head as a result of severe abrasive wear by ceramic particles embedded in the revision polyethylene liner. Autopsy findings were consistent with heavy metal-induced cardiomyopathy.

We recommend using new ceramics at revision to minimise the risk of wear-related cobalt toxicity following breakage of ceramic components.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2013;95-B:31–7.
A Checklist-Based Tool for Head and Neck Reconstructive Surgery Record Keeping
Authors: Roberts G , Nawar A , Schumacher H , Mathur B , Tzafetta K
Published: January 2013

Medicine has witnessed a revolution in care and outcomes over the last 50 years. This has resulted in an increasingly specialised and technical approach to patient care. Management of complicated and high-risk inpatients often requires consideration of multi-organ system disruption and the input of a large multidisciplinary team (Mdt). It would be fair to acknowledge that even the most diligent doctors may overlook details on occasion.
Saints and Sinners: Johann Konrad Dippel
Authors: Carr Katie
Published: January 2013

In 1704, after causing much outrage as a young man by flaunting his spurious religious beliefs, murdering a man in a duel and failing to come up with the elusive 'universal cure', Johann Konrad Dippel finally produced something of note: Prussian blue ink. Although its discovery resulted from accident rather than systematic research, Prussian blue ink had many uses, including the detection of metal poisoning, for which it is still used today. Also renowned for his interest in dissecting cadavers, his attempt at 'soul transference' using dead bodies and his murky association with Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Dippel seems somewhat more of a 'sinner' than a 'saint'.
The Royal College of Surgeons publishes report on age and access to surgery
Authors: Williams Esther
Published: January 2013

Decisions on whether people gain access to surgery must not be based on outdated assumptions of age and fitness – instead, a person's overall health (or 'biological age') must be the main consideration. These are the findings of a comprehensive new study, Access all ages: Assessing the impact of age on access to surgical treatment, published by the RCS, Age UK and MHP Health Mandate, which examines the patterns of surgical treatment in relation to age across eight areas of surgery.
Clinical Governance in Action
Authors: Mirza AH , McClelland L , Bentley M , Mazengarb S , Jones NS
Published: January 2013

Clinical governance encompasses quality assurance, measures to ensure self-development, comparing standards and learning from errors and suboptimal results. The management of risk poses a significant challenge in itself, as to reduce it to zero would require practice coming to a standstill. The implementation of structures to provide a safe environment for the patients we treat remains one of the greatest challenges faced by healthcare organisations today. Additionally, the potential litigious outcome provides an added conspicuous incentive to not only continuously review and address adverse events but to ensure that our patients remain free from harm.
Fluorescence anisotropy measurements in solution: Methods and reference materials (IUPAC Technical Report)
Authors: Ameloot Marcel , vandeVen Martin , Acuña A. Ulises , Valeur Bernard
Published: January 2013

After recalling the basic relations relevant to both steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence polarization, it is shown how the values of steady-state polarized intensities recorded experimentally usually need to be corrected for systematic effects and errors, caused by instrumentation and sample properties. A list of selected reference values of steady-state fluorescence anisotropy and polarization is given. Attention is also paid to analysis of time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy data obtained by pulse fluorometry or phase and modulation fluorometry techniques. Recommendations for checking the accuracy of measurements are provided together with a list of selected time-resolved fluorescence anisotropy data as reported in the literature.
The Ascension of a Photo-poet: Garin Nugroho's Quest for Beauty
Authors: Hamzah Maszalida
Published: January 2013

By the virtue of the ones engaged upon a profound journey, the world of the photo-poet sees images as a signification of the membrane, a colossus of events in their nerves that transpires the momentary engulfment of its meaning, subdued and forgotten by the spectators, but is an imprint
in the sincere heart of the photo-poet. Existence to Garin seemed to be pointless without salvation and the spirit has to be communed towards recognizing the real. This, to Shklovsky (1917), is first and foremost a special way of thinking and knowing with images that determine it to be a piece
of artwork, for without it, poetry will cease to exist.
On Organizing Asian Animators and Cartoonists
Authors: Lent John A.
Published: January 2013

Explanation of the process of organizing the Asian-Pacific Animation and Comics Association annual meeting 2010.
Are teenagers at risk for developing cardiovascular disease in later life?
Authors: Mungrue Kameel , Fyzul Azizah , Ramroop Starnella , Persad Tyler , Asgarali Amrika
Published: January 2013

Background: The aim of this study is to measure the occurrences of the following risk factors: tobacco use, levels of physical activity, levels of physical inactivity, and body mass index (BMI) among adolescents in Trinidad.

Methods: A two-stage random sampling process was used to select schools and students. Data were collected using a pretested self-administered questionnaire and included age, gender, ethnicity, tobacco use, levels of physical activity, levels of physical inactivity, BMI, and frequency of fast food consumption.

Results: Overall, 44.6% of the 1896 adolescents already had more than two risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). The most prevalent risk factor was the consumption of fast food (79.8%), while the least was smoking (12.0%). Out of the 75.4% physically active students, 47.6% spent more than 30 min in daily physical activity. In addition, 30.4% of the study population was overweight and obese, with the majority being 14 years of age (p=0.003). Overall, the overweight and obese students spent a significant amount of time watching television, playing video/computer games and talking on the phone, and frequently consumed fast food (p<0.001).

Conclusion: The study found a significant number of teenagers in Trinidad presenting with more than two risk factors that may lead to CVD. Based on previous research, these findings have undoubtedly placed the students well within the models used to predict heart disease later in life.
R620W polymorphism of protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 in Egyptian children and adolescents with systemic lupus erythematosus: relation to thyroid autoimmunity
Authors: Hamza Rasha Tarif , Awwad Khaled S. , Temsah Khaled A. , Hamed Amira I.
Published: January 2013

Background: Some studies showed associations of the minor T allele of the C1858T single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) corresponding to the R620W amino acid substitution of protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPN22) with multiple autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Objectives: To study the frequency of PTPN22 R620W polymorphism among Egyptian patients with SLE and to test the association of the T allele with autoimmune thyroid disease in such patients.

Methods: Clinical evaluation, measurement of thyroid hormones and antibodies, and genotyping of PTPN22 R620W polymorphism were done for 60 SLE patients and 60 age- and sex-matched healthy subjects.

Results: Nineteen SLE cases (31.67%) had thyroid dysfunction with subclinical hypothyroidism being the most frequent form of thyroid dysfunction (20%) followed by primary hypothyroidism (6.67%), subclinical hyperthyroidism (3.33%) and primary hyperthyroidism (1.67%). Autoimmune thyroid disease was detected in 36.67% of cases. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity index (SLEDAI) score did not differ between patients with thyroid dysfunction and euthyroid patients (p=0.061) nor with the frequency of positive thyroid peroxidise antibodies (TPOAb, p=0.092) and antithyroglobulin antibodies (ATGAb, p=0.1). T allele frequency did not differ between cases and controls (p=1.19) and was associated with autoimmune thyroid disease in Egyptian SLE patients (p=0.002).

Conclusions: R620W polymorphism of the PTPN22 gene is not a major risk allele for SLE susceptibility among Egyptian SLE patients but appears to be a risk factor for concurrent autoimmune thyroid disease and SLE.
The use of statistical tests to calibrate the normal SABR model
Authors: Fatone Lorella , Mariani Francesca , Recchioni Maria Cristina , Zirilli Francesco
Published: January 2013

We investigate the idea of solving calibration problems for stochastic dynamical systems using statistical tests. We consider a specific stochastic dynamical system: the normal SABR model. The SABR model has been introduced in mathematical finance in 2002 by
Hagan, Kumar, Lesniewski and Woodward. The model is a system of two stochastic differential equations whose independent variable is time and whose dependent variables are the forward prices/rates and the associated stochastic volatility. The normal SABR model is a special case of the SABR model. The calibration problem for the normal SABR model is an inverse problem that consists in determining the values of the parameters of the model from a set of data. We consider as set of data two different sets of forward prices/rates and we study the resulting calibration problems. Ad hoc statistical tests are developed to solve these calibration problems. Estimates with statistical significance of the parameters of the model are obtained. Let be a constant, we consider multiple independent trajectories of the normal
SABR model associated to given initial conditions assigned at time . In the first calibration problem studied the set of the forward prices/rates observed at time in this set of trajectories is used as data sample of a statistical test. The statistical test used to solve this calibration problem is based on some new formulae for the moments of the forward prices/rates variable of the normal SABR model. The second calibration problem studied uses as data sample the observations of the forward prices/rates made on a discrete set of given time values along a single trajectory of the normal SABR model. The statistical test used to solve this second calibration problem is based on the numerical evaluation of some high-dimensional integrals. The results obtained in the study of the normal SABR model are easily extended from mathematical finance to other contexts in science and engineering where stochastic models involving stochastic volatility or stochastic state space models are used.
Septic shock non-thyroidal illness syndrome causes hypothyroidism and conditions for reduced sensitivity to thyroid hormone
Authors: Castro Isabel , Quisenberry Leah , Calvo Rosa-Maria , Obregon Maria-Jesus , Lado-Abeal Joaquin
Published: January 2013

Non-thyroidal illness syndrome (NTIS) is part of the neuroendocrine response to stress, but the significance of this syndrome remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NTIS on thyroid hormone (TH) levels and TH molecular targets, as well as the relationship between septic shock nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) activation and TH receptor β (THRB) gene expression at a multi-tissue level in a pig model. Prepubertal domestic pigs were given i.v. saline or LPS for 48 h. Serum and tissue TH was measured by chemiluminescence and RIA. Expression of THRs and cofactors was measured by real-time PCR, and deiodinase (DIO) activity was measured by enzyme assays. Tissue NF-kB nuclear binding activity was evaluated by EMSA. LPS-treated pigs had decreased TH levels in serum and most tissues. DIO1 expression in liver and kidney and DIO1 activity in kidney decreased after LPS. No changes in DIO2 activity were observed between groups. LPS induced an increase in hypothalamus, thyroid, and liver DIO3 activity. Among the other studied genes, monocarboxylate transporter 8 and THRB were the most commonly repressed in endotoxemic pigs. LPS-induced NF-kB activation was associated with a decrease in THRB gene expression only in frontal lobe, adrenal gland, and kidney cortex. We conclude that LPS-induced NTIS in pigs is characterized by hypothyroidism and tissue-specific reduced TH sensitivity. The role of NF-kB in regulating THRB expression during endotoxemia, if any, is restricted to a limited number of tissues.
Molecular Characterization and Evolution of Self-Incompatibility Genes inArabidopsis thaliana:The Case of theScHaplotype
Authors: Dwyer Kathleen G , Berger Martin T , Ahmed Rimsha , Hritzo Molly K , McCulloch Amanda A , Price Michael J , Serniak Nicholas J , Walsh Leonard T , Nasrallah June B , Nasrallah Mikhail E
Published: January 2013

The switch from an outcrossing mode of mating enforced by self-incompatibility to self-fertility in the Arabidopsis thaliana lineage was associated with mutations that inactivated one or both of the two genes that comprise the self-incompatibility (SI) specificity-determining S-locus haplotype, the S-locus receptor kinase (SRK) and the S-locus cysteine-rich (SCR) genes, as well as unlinked modifier loci required for SI. All analyzed A. thaliana S-locus haplotypes belong to the SA, SB, or SC haplotypic groups. Of these three, the SC haplotype is the least well characterized. Its SRKC gene can encode a complete open-reading frame, although no functional data are available, while its SCRC sequences have not been isolated. As a result, it is not known what mutations were associated with inactivation of this haplotype. Here, we report on our analysis of the Lz-0 accession and the characterization of its highly rearranged SC haplotype. We describe the isolation of its SCRC gene as well as the subsequent isolation of SCRC sequences from other SC-containing accessions and from the A. lyrata S36 haplotype, which is the functional equivalent of the A. thaliana SC haplotype. By performing transformation experiments using chimeric SRK and SCR genes constructed with SC- and S36-derived sequences, we show that the SRKC and SCRC genes of Lz-0 and at least a few other SC-containing accessions are nonfunctional, despite SCRC encoding a functional full-length protein. We identify the probable mutations that caused the inactivation of these genes and discuss our results in the context of mechanisms of S-locus inactivation in A. thaliana.
Estimating Selection Coefficients in Spatially Structured Populations from Time Series Data of Allele Frequencies
Authors: Mathieson Iain , McVean Gil
Published: January 2013

Inferring the nature and magnitude of selection is an important problem in many biological contexts. Typically when estimating a selection coefficient for an allele, it is assumed that samples are drawn from a panmictic population and that selection acts uniformly across the population. However, these assumptions are rarely satisfied. Natural populations are almost always structured, and selective pressures are likely to act differentially. Inference about selection ought therefore to take account of structure. We do this by considering evolution in a simple lattice model of spatial population structure. We develop a hidden Markov model based maximum-likelihood approach for estimating the selection coefficient in a single population from time series data of allele frequencies. We then develop an approximate extension of this to the structured case to provide a joint estimate of migration rate and spatially varying selection coefficients. We illustrate our method using classical data sets of moth pigmentation morph frequencies, but it has wide applications in settings ranging from ecology to human evolution.
Synchronous Waves of Failed Soft Sweeps in the Laboratory: Remarkably Rampant Clonal Interference of Alleles at a Single Locus
Authors: Lee Ming-Chun , Marx Christopher J
Published: January 2013

It has increasingly been recognized that adapting populations of microbes contain not one, but many lineages continually arising and competing at once. This process, termed “clonal interference,” alters the rate and dynamics of adaptation and biases winning mutations toward those with the largest selective effect. Here we uncovered a dramatic example of clonal interference between multiple similar mutations occurring at the same locus within replicate populations of Methylobacterium extorquens AM1. Because these mutational events involved the transposition of an insertion sequence into a narrow window of a single gene, they were both readily detectable at low frequencies and could be distinguished due to differences in insertion sites. This allowed us to detect up to 17 beneficial alleles of this type coexisting in a single population. Despite conferring a large selective benefit, the majority of these alleles rose and then fell in frequency due to other lineages emerging that were more fit. By comparing allele-frequency dynamics to the trajectories of fitness gains by these populations, we estimated the fitness values of the genotypes that contained these mutations. Collectively across all populations, these alleles arose upon backgrounds with a wide range of fitness values. Within any single population, however, multiple alleles tended to rise and fall synchronously during a single wave of multiple genotypes with nearly identical fitness values. These results suggest that alleles of large benefit arose repeatedly in failed “soft sweeps” during narrow windows of adaptation due to the combined effects of epistasis and clonal interference.
Early Adolescent Music Preferences and Minor Delinquency
Authors: ter Bogt Tom F.M. , Keijsers Loes , Meeus Wim H.J.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVES:

To test Music Marker Theory (MMT) positing that early adolescents’ preferences for nonmainstream types of popular music indicate concurrent and later minor delinquency.

METHODS:

MMT was tested in a 4-year longitudinal study (n = 309).

RESULTS:

The results showed that early fans of different types of rock (eg, rock, heavy metal, gothic, punk), African American music (rhythm and blues, hip-hop), and electronic dance music (trance, techno/hardhouse) showed elevated minor delinquency concurrently and longitudinally. Preferring conventional pop (chart pop) or highbrow music (classic music, jazz), in contrast, was not related to or was negatively related to minor delinquency.

CONCLUSIONS:

Early music preferences emerged as more powerful indicators of later delinquency rather than early delinquency, indicating that music choice is a strong marker of later problem behavior. The mechanisms through which music preferences are linked to minor delinquency are discussed within the framework of MMT.
Differences in Quality of Care Among Non–Safety-Net, Safety-Net, and Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Dynan Linda , Goudie Anthony , Smith Richard B. , Fairbrother Gerry , Simpson Lisa A.
Published: January 2013

OBJECTIVE:

To understand factors associated with pediatric inpatient safety events, we test 2 hypotheses: (1) scarce resources (as measured by Medicaid burden) in safety-net hospitals relative to non–safety-net hospitals result in higher rates of safety events; and (2) higher levels of severity and more chronic conditions in patient populations lead to higher rates of safety events within hospital category and in children’s hospitals in comparison with non-children’s hospitals.

METHODS:

All nonnewborn pediatric hospital discharge records, which met criteria for potentially experiencing at least 1 pediatric quality indicator (PDI) event (using Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality’s 2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample and PDI) and weighted to represent national level estimates, were analyzed for patterns of PDI events within and across hospital categories by using bivariate comparisons and multivariable logit models with robust SEs. The outcome measure “ANY PDI” captures the number of pediatric discharges at the hospital level with 1 or more PDI event.

RESULTS:

High Medicaid burden does not seem to be a factor in the likelihood of ANY PDI. Severity of illness (adjusted odds ratio high relative to low, 15.12) and presence of chronic conditions (adjusted odds ratio 1 relative to 0, 1.78; relative to 2 or more, 3.38) are the strongest predictors of ANY PDI events.

CONCLUSIONS:

Our findings suggest that the patient population served, rather than hospital category, best predicts measured quality, underscoring the need for robust risk adjustment when incentivizing quality or comparing hospitals. Thus, problems of quality may not be systemic across hospital categories.
Electrospinning and Characterization of Novel Opuntia ficus-indica Mucilage Biomembrane
Authors: Thomas Sylvia W. , Alcantar Norma A. , Pais Yanay
Published: January 2013

Opuntia ficus-indica (Ofi) cactus non-gelling (NE) mucilage nanofibers were electrospun with acetic acid solution and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a polymer. The best fiber coverage was achieved with an aqueous 50% acetic acid solution and 9% low molecular weight PVA at a 70:30 PVA:Mucilage volume ratio. Other volume ratios (30:70 and 50:50) produced beads and other deformities. Fibers were formed with an average diameter of 180nm as measured by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Favorable electrospinning conditions were used to fabricate a 1 cm x 1 cm Ofi nanofiber biomembrane. Heat flow (W/g) versus temperature peaks ranged from 214 – 222°C, which is comparable to endothermic peak ranges observed for crystalline PVA. This could possibly further indicate some form of crystallinity within the Ofi nanofiber membrane. The electrospun process used precursors that were biodegradable, non-toxic, and sustainable to optimize the mucilage nanofiber formation, which will help enhance the potential performance of the Ofi nanofiber biomembrane in filtration and sensory systems.
Marcuse’s power loss model tested for optical fiber coils of small radius.
Authors: Carmona Karina R. , Armendáriz Alberto H. , Moller José D. , Lucero Alfredo M.
Published: January 2013

Recently, the usage of optical fiber coils has increased significantly, especially in the design of physic and chemical sensors. Therefore, it is important to test the theoretical current models developed to predict the power loss throughout optical fiber. In this paper a pioneer and popular model, the Marcuse model of power loss, was studied and evaluated for optical fiber coils of small radii. Power attenuation in a bent fiber data was collected using an Optical Time Domain Reflectometer (OTDR), and it was compared to the theoretical predictions of the Marcuse model. It was observed that the model predicts correctly the attenuation behavior for usual curvature radii, however, it fails to predict accurately the attenuation behavior for small curvature radii, underestimating considerably the actual power loss. Also, it has been observed that at small radii the power loss parameter 2α and the mode propagation constant of the wave guide β stop being constants and become functions of the optical path, particularly of the number of loops in the coil. It is possible that new mechanisms of light leaking are present, due to the extreme distortion of the modes configuration into the fiber at small radii. Those mechanisms cannot be described by a model that considers a power loss parameter 2α, and more specifically the mode propagation constant of the wave guide (β) as constants. Then it is important to develop other models where the previous parameters can be considered as functions of the optical path.
Fabrication of nanostructured bulk Cobalt Antimonide (CoSb3) based skutterudites via bottom-up synthesis
Authors: Saleemi M. , Tafti M. Y. , Toprak M. S. , Stingaciu M. , Johnsson M. , Jägle M. , Jacquot A. , Muhammed M.
Published: January 2013

Skutterudites are known to be efficient thermoelectric (TE) materials in the temperature range from 600 K to 900 K. Dimensionless figure of merit (ZT) for filled skutterudite TE materials have been reported as ca. 1 at 800 K. Novel nano- engineering approaches and filling of the skutterudites crystal can further improve the transport properties and ultimately the ZT. Although classified among the promising TE materials, research on their large-scale production via bottom up synthetic routes is rather limited. In this work, large quantity of cobalt antimonide (CoSb3) based skutterudites nanopowder (NP) was fabricated through a room temperature co-precipitation precursor method. Dried precipitates were process by thermo-chemical treatment steps including calcination (in air) and reduction (in hydrogen). CoSb3 NPs were then mixed with silver (Ag) nanoparticles at different weight percentages (1%, 5% and 10% by wt) to form nanocomposites. Skutterudite NP was then consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique to produce highly dense compacts while maintaining the nanostructure. Temperature dependent TE characteristics of SPS’d CoSb3 and Ag containing nanocomposite samples were evaluated for transport properties, including thermal conductivity, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient over the temperature range of 300 - 900 K. Physicochemical, structural and microstructural evaluation results are presented in detail.
Al-Doped ZnO Film as a Transparent Conductive Substrate in Indoline-Sensitized Nanoporous ZnO Solar Cell.
Authors: Onwona-Agyeman B. , Nakao M. , Kumara G.R.A. , Kitaoka T.
Published: January 2013

We have deposited porous ZnO films on aluminum-doped ZnO (ZnO/AZO) and fluorine-doped tin oxide (ZnO/FTO) transparent substrates, and annealed both in air at 500°C. X-ray diffraction measurements of the nanoporous ZnO films after heat treatment showed that, ZnO/AZO film exhibited a dominant (002) diffraction while the ZnO/FTO showed mixed diffraction peaks with the (100) and (101) being dominant. Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) based on the sensitization of the porous ZnO films on AZO and FTO substrates with an indoline dye were constructed. The photoaction spectrum, which is a measure of the degree of sunlight harvesting, was broad and higher in the ZnO/AZO DSC than that of the ZnO/FTO DSC. Conversion efficiency of 7.3 % was obtained for the ZnO/AZO DSC while 4.5 % was recorded for the ZnO/FTO. The superior photovoltaic performance of the ZnO/AZO DSC is attributed to better ZnO film orientation after thermal treatment and the higher sunlight harvesting.
Oxidation state of tungsten oxide thin films used as gate dielectric for zinc oxide based transistors
Authors: Lorenz Michael , Grundmann Marius , Wickert Sandra , Denecke Reinhard
Published: January 2013

We present an investigation of the degree of oxidization of tungsten oxide (WOx) thin films used as gate dielectric for metal-insulator-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MISFET). By means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy WOx thin films grown by pulsed-laser deposition at room temperature were investigated. The electrical and optical properties depend significantly on the oxygen pressure during deposition and are affected by the stoichiometric ratio of oxygen and tungsten.
Structure-property-function relationships in triple-helical collagen hydrogels
Authors: Tronci Giuseppe , Doyle Amanda , Russell Stephen J. , Wood David J.
Published: January 2013

In order to establish defined biomimetic systems, type I collagen was functionalised with 1,3-Phenylenediacetic acid (Ph) as aromatic, bifunctional segment. Following investigation on molecular organization and macroscopic properties, material functionalities, i.e. degradability and bioactivity, were addressed, aiming at elucidating the potential of this collagen system as mineralization template. Functionalised collagen hydrogels demonstrated a preserved triple helix conformation. Decreased swelling ratio and increased thermo-mechanical properties were observed in comparison to state-of-the-art carbodiimide (EDC)-crosslinked collagen controls. Ph-crosslinked samples displayed no optical damage and only a slight mass decrease (∼ 4 wt.-%) following 1-week incubation in simulated body fluid (SBF), while nearly 50 wt.-% degradation was observed in EDC-crosslinked collagen. SEM/EDS revealed amorphous mineral deposition, whereby increased calcium phosphate ratio was suggested in hydrogels with increased Ph content. This investigation provides valuable insights for the synthesis of triple helical collagen materials with enhanced macroscopic properties and controlled degradation. In light of these features, this system will be applied for the design of tissue-like scaffolds for mineralized tissue formation.
A tomografia computadorizada multislice é ferramenta importante para o estadiamento e seguimento do câncer de mama?
Authors: Miranda Christiana Maia Nobre Rocha de , Santos Carla Jotta Justo dos , Maranhão Carol Pontes de Miranda , Farias Lucas de Pádua Gomes de , Padilha Igor Gomes , Andrade Anna Carolina Mendonça de , Jatobá Mayara Stephanie de Araujo
Published: January 2013

O câncer de mama representa o tipo de câncer mais comum em mulheres e constitui a primeira causa de morte por câncer nesta população. As alterações extramamárias relacionadas ao câncer de mama desempenham papel relevante no prognóstico e tratamento desta entidade, sendo fundamental a realização do diagnóstico correto e das diversas alterações. A maioria dessas manifestações é proveniente do tratamento adotado ou de suas complicações e pode estar associada a comprometimento linfonodal, recorrência locorregional ou metástases a distância.
Smoothed particle simulation of gravity waves in a multi-fluid system
Authors: Shao Songdong
Published: January 2013

The generation and propagation of gravity waves in a multi-fluid system have significant environmental impacts. This paper presents an incompressible smoothed particle hydrodynamics model to simulate this process. The method is a mesh-free particle modelling approach that can treat the free surfaces and multi-interfaces in a straightforward manner. The proposed model is based on the general multi-fluid flow equations and uses a unified pressure formulation to address the interactions among the different components of the fluids. The model will be used to investigate the gravity currents generated from one fluid intruding into other fluids with different densities. The general features of the gravity current have been disclosed and the computed gravity wave height and wave propagation speed agree well with the theoretical analysis. The error analysis proved the convergence of the numerical scheme and it was found that the multi-fluid model is close to first-order accurate.
Impacts of groundwater pumping and climate variability on groundwater availability in the Rio Grande Basin
Authors: Sheng Zhuping
Published: January 2013

Groundwater is a critical resource for sustainable economic growth in an arid and semi‐arid region such as the Rio Grande Basin because it provides water for municipal, industrial, and domestic, and agricultural users. The water is also important for the health of riparian ecosystems in the Rio Grande basin. Historic groundwater pumping has resulted in large groundwater level drawdown, water quality deterioration, depletion of surface water and subsidence in El Paso/Ciudad Juarez area, which in turn will limit groundwater availability in the future. Therefore, securing future groundwater availability involves a multi‐spectrum of efforts, including minimizing net losses from the underground reservoir, managing groundwater as an integrated part of the hydrologic cycle, developing infrastructure based on an understanding of the natural hydrologic system, using water wisely and efficiently, and allocating and monitoring water fairly for human as well as environmental and ecological needs. This paper focuses on the current status of groundwater quantity and geochemistry—groundwater hydrology, key aquifers, water quantity and chemistry, impacts of groundwater pumping and climate variability on groundwater availability within the Rio Grande Basin along river reaches between Elephant Butte Dam and Amistad Dam. This paper is part of a larger effort to summarize the state of the science relative to water sustainability in the region. This information can be used to plan research and education agendas aimed at water sustainability under climate and social changes. Current water uses and estimates of groundwater availability are summarized for the selected regional aquifers that underlie or are located adjacent to the Rio Grande. Several research topics are identified and recommended in terms of gaining better understanding of groundwater availability and impacts of future groundwater pumping and climate variability on the regional aquifer systems.
Long‐term trends in wind speed, insect abundance and ecology of an insectivorous bird
Authors: Møller A. P.
Published: January 2013

Recent climate change has affected spatial and temporal patterns of temperature and precipitation, but also wind speed. Wind affects the abundance and the distribution of flying insects and can therefore influence the abundance of food for insectivores including insectivorous birds. I tested for temporal trends in wind speed, assessed the effect of wind speed on the abundance of flying insects, and tested for effects of wind speed on reproduction and adult survival rate, using long‐term data on the barn swallowHirundo rusticafrom 1971–2011. Wind speed varied largely independently among the months April–August, with a decreasing trend during 1971–2011 for July only. The abundance of flying insects decreased strongly with increasing wind speed during summer. Decreasing wind speed during July coincided with the pre‐laying period of the second brood of the barn swallow, and years with stronger wind in July had lower abundance of food before laying during 1997–2011 and lower breeding success. Adult barn swallows had lower body mass in years with windy summers, and adult annual survival rate to the next year decreased both when wind speed increased and when body mass was reduced. These findings suggest that wind plays an important role in the ecology of insectivorous birds as shown by relationships with reproductive success and survival.
Influence factors and prediction of stormwater runoff of urban green space in Tianjin, China: laboratory experiment and quantitative theory model
Authors: Yang Xu , You Xue-Yi , Ji Min , Nima Ciren
Published: January 2013

The effects of limiting factors such as rainfall intensity, rainfall duration, grass type and vegetation coverage on the stormwater runoff of urban green space was investigated in Tianjin. The prediction equation of stormwater runoff was established by the quantitative theory with the lab experimental data of soil columns. It was validated by three field experiments and the relative errors between predicted and measured stormwater runoff are 1.41, 1.52 and 7.35%, respectively. The results implied that the prediction equation could be used to forecast the stormwater runoff of urban green space. The results of range and variance analysis indicated the sequence order of limiting factors is rainfall intensity > grass type > rainfall duration > vegetation coverage. The least runoff of green land in the present study is the combination of rainfall intensity 60.0 mm/h, duration 60.0 min, grass Festuca arundinacea and vegetation coverage 90.0%. When the intensity and duration of rainfall are 60.0 mm/h and 90.0 min, the predicted volumetric runoff coefficient is 0.23 with Festuca arundinacea of 90.0% vegetation coverage. The present approach indicated that green space is an effective method to reduce stormwater runoff and the conclusions are mainly applicable to Tianjin and the semi-arid areas with main summer precipitation and long-time interval rainfalls.
Anaerobic co-digestion of cattle manure with rice straw: economic & energy feasibility
Authors: Silvestre G. , Gómez M. P. , Pascual A. , Ruiz B.
Published: January 2013

Rice straw (RS) is one of the most abundant wastes generated in Valencia (Spain). Traditional waste disposal methods are harmful to the environment. The straw burning emits large amounts of toxic air pollutants and the straw burying produces uncontrolled anaerobic fermentation in the soil. The aim of this research was to evaluate the feasibility of cow manure anaerobic co-digestion with RS in a semi-continuous plug flow pilot-scale reactor. Three different periods of co-digestion were carried out as the RS dose was increased. When the addition of RS was 1, 2 and 5% (on weight basis) the biogas productivity increased by 4, 28 and 54% respectively. Furthermore, economic and energy feasibility were analysed considering the logistics cost of the RS (baling, collection, crushing and transportation). Two different scenarios were analysed. In scenario 1, the anaerobic co-digestion process was considered that take place in a new biogas installation, and in scenario 2 the process was considered that take place in a biogas plant already in operation. In scenario 1, the cow manure co-digestion with 2% of RS in a biogas installation of 500 kW showed the best economic analysis (net present value of 13.23%). In scenario 2, the results showed that the maximum distance between the rice field and the biogas plant that produces a positive economic balance was less than 95 km (2% RS) and 74 km (5% RS). In the case of the addition of 1% RS the economic balance is negative. Energy balance is positive in the three mixtures analysed.
Potential of nanofiltration and low pressure reverse osmosis in the removal of phosphorus for aquaculture
Authors: Leo C. P. , Yahya M. Z. , Kamal S. N. M. , Ahmad A. L. , Mohammad A. W.
Published: January 2013

Aquaculture activities in developing countries have raised deep concern about nutrient pollution, especially excess phosphorus in wastewater, which leads to eutrophication. NF, NF90, NF450 and XLE membranes were studied to forecast the potential of nanofiltration and low pressure reverse osmosis in the removal of phosphorus from aquaculture wastewater. Cross-sectional morphology, water contact angle, water permeability and zeta potential of these membranes were first examined. Membrane with higher porosity and greater hydrophilicity showed better permeability. Membrane samples also commonly exhibited high zeta potential value in the polyphosphate-rich solution. All the selected membranes removed more than 90% of polyphosphate from the concentrated feed (75 mg/L) at 12 bar. The separation performance of XLE membrane was well maintained at 94.6% even at low pressure. At low feed concentration, more than 70.0% of phosphorus rejection was achieved using XLE membrane. The formation of intermolecular bonds between polyphosphate and the acquired membranes probably had improved the removal of polyphosphate at high feed concentration. XLE membrane was further tested and its rejection of polyphosphate reduced with the decline of pH and the addition of ammonium nitrate.
Effects of temperature and predator on the persistence of host-specific Bacteroides-Prevotella genetic markers in water
Authors: Kobayashi Ayano , Sano Daisuke , Okabe Satoshi
Published: January 2013

Genetic markers derived from Bacteroidales spp. have been proposed as promising indicators for fecal contamination in the water environment. However, little is known about the persistency of Bacteroidales spp. 16S rRNA genetic markers in the natural environment, which hampers the precise identification of fecal contamination sources. In this study, the persistency of human-specific Bacteroidales spp. genetic markers in river water was investigated during a 3-week agitation. The copy number of Bacteroidales spp. genetic marker was decreased with agitation time, and was very sensitive to water temperature. After the 3-week agitation, three clones of 18S rRNA gene related to Glaucoma scintillans, Spumella-like flagellate, and Colpidium campylum were acquired. The presence of predators that can prey on target bacteria could also be a critical factor affecting the quantified value of genetic markers. It is very important to take these factors, water temperature and the presence of predator, into account for predicting the fate of genetic markers to accurately identify fecal pollution sources.
Optimization of the nutrition for biodegradation of vinasse by Aspergillus oryzae using response surface methodology
Authors: Zhang Zhicai , Liu Dan , Feng Fan , Li Jiashao , Li Ming , Pang Qiaoxia , Chen Keping
Published: January 2013

Direct discharge of vinasse from the distillery industry causes resource wasting and environmental destruction due to its mass of organic components. Aspergillus oryzae CGMCC5992 is capable of degrading the organic substrates of wastewater. One-factor-at-a-time design was adopted to select the most important nutrients influencing the degradation of organic materials of vinasse. Box–Behnken Design (BBD) with Design-Expert (8.0.4) was used to develop mathematical model equations, study responses, and optimize concentrations of the key nutrients to improve the degradation efficiency. The optimized medium containing 0.3 g/L urea, 20.73 mg/L ZnSO4, and 19.79 mg/L vitamin B6 was supplied to 10-times diluted vinasse; under the optimal condition, a decrease of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from 4,635 to 323 mg/L in vinasse was achieved in 5 days. The reduction of vinasse COD after the optimization of nutrient condition in this study is more significant than those reported previously.
Ocean outfall plume characterization using an autonomous underwater vehicle
Authors: Rogowski Peter , Terrill Eric , Otero Mark , Hazard Lisa , Middleton William
Published: January 2013

A monitoring mission to map and characterize the Point Loma Ocean Outfall (PLOO) wastewater plume using an Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) was performed on 3 March 2011. The mobility of an AUV provides a significant advantage in surveying discharge plumes over traditional cast-based methods, and when combined with optical and oceanographic sensors, provides a capability for both detecting plumes and assessing their mixing in the near and far-fields. Unique to this study is the measurement of Colored Dissolved Organic Matter (CDOM) in the discharge plume and its application for quantitative estimates of the plume's dilution. AUV mission planning methodologies for discharge plume sampling, plume characterization using onboard optical sensors, and comparison of observational data to model results are presented. The results suggest that even under variable oceanic conditions, properly planned missions for AUVs equipped with an optical CDOM sensor in addition to traditional oceanographic sensors, can accurately characterize and track ocean outfall plumes at higher resolutions than cast-based techniques.