bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification, assessment, and control of hazards in water supply: experiences from Water Safety Plan implementations in Germany
Authors: Mälzer H.-J. , Staben N. , Hein A. , Merkel W.
Published: March 2010

According to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Water Safety Plans (WSP), a Technical Risk Management was developed, which considers standard demands in drinking water treatment in Germany. It was already implemented at several drinking water treatment plants of different size and treatment processes in Germany. Hazards affecting water quality, continuity, and the reliability of supply from catchment to treatment and distribution could be identified by a systematic approach, and suitable control measures were defined. Experiences are presented by detailed examples covering methods, practical consequences, and further outcomes. The method and the benefits for the water suppliers are discussed and an outlook on the future role of WSPs in German water supply is given.
The Oxnard advanced water purification facility: combining indirect potable reuse with reverse osmosis concentrate beneficial use to ensure a California community's water sustainability and provide coastal wetlands restoration
Authors: Lozier Jim , Ortega Ken
Published: March 2010

The City of Oxnard in California is implementing a strategic water resources program known as the Groundwater Recovery Enhancement and Treatment (GREAT) program, which includes an Advanced Water Purification Facility (AWPF) that will use a major portion of the secondary effluent from the City's existing Water Pollution Control Facility to produce high-quality treated water to be used for irrigation of edible food crops, landscape irrigation, injection into the groundwater basin to form a barrier to seawater intrusion, and other industrial uses. The AWPF, currently under design by CH2M HILL, will employ a multiple-barrier treatment train consisting of microfiltration, reverse osmosis, and ultravioletlightbased advanced oxidation processes to purify the secondary effluent to conform to California Department of Public Health Title 22 Recycled Water Criteria for groundwater recharge. The AWPF, which will have initial and build-out capacities of ca. 24,000 and ca 95,000 m3/day, respectively, was limited to a 1.8-hectare site, with 0.4 hectares dedicated to a Visitor's Center and administration building. Further, the depth below grade and height of the AWPF's structures were constrained because of the high groundwater table at the site, the high cost of excavation and dewatering, and local codes. To accommodate these various restrictions, an innovative design approach has been developed. This paper summarizes the design constraints and innovative solutions for the design of the AWPF.
Can treated municipal wastewater be reused after ozonation and nanofiltration? Results from a pilot study of pharmaceutical removal in Henriksdal WWTP, Sweden
Authors: Flyborg Lena , Björlenius Berndt , Persson Kenneth M.
Published: March 2010

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential of nanofiltration (NF) and ozonation for indirect potable reuse in terms of pharmaceutical residuals. To simultaneously obtain a reasonable retentate volume for further treatment, the tests were performed at a high volume reduction factor (VRF) of 60. The feed to the pilot plant was the effluent from a BNR plant with a final process step of chemical precipitation and rapid sand filtration. Two tests were performed 1) nanofiltration of treated wastewater followed by ozonation and 2) ozonated treated wastewater as feed to NF. Of the 95 pharmaceuticals analysed, three were not removed to the quantification limit, oxazepam in the first test and glibenclamide and ketoprofen in the second. The water quality after the two processes was similar, with an overall removal of pharmaceutical residuals of 99%. There are two advantages of ozonated water as feed to NF—a higher specific flux of 35% and a potential removal of ozonation by-products. The retention of some pharmaceuticals by NF was lower than anticipated, the major removal occurring in the ozonation. A tighter NF or RO is required in order to achieve higher pharmaceutical retention for further treatment of the retentate.
Anaerobic co-digestion of surplus yeast and wastewater to increase energy recovery in breweries
Authors: Neira K. , Jeison D.
Published: March 2010

Surplus yeast is a residue produced during brewery process, which presents high contents of organic matter. Biogas production from yeast could significantly contribute to bioenergy production in breweries, via biogas generation. Co-digestion of surplus yeast and brewery wastewater in a single treatment step would simplify the technical and economical requirements for the transformation of both residues into biogas. The feasibility of such co-digestion process was studied by means of batch tests and a lab-scale UASB reactor operation. The effect of applying three pre-treatments (thermal, chemical and mechanical) to the surplus yeast was also studied. Results showed that co-digestion of yeast and brewery wastewater is feasible, since no negative effects of the joint digestion were observed. Pre-treatments tested in this research produced no significant improvements on biogas yield or digestion rates. Even though no negative effects were observed when digesting wastewater and yeast in a UASB reactor after 70 days, long-term studies would be needed in order to detect potential negative effects over granular sludge development, sometimes observed during the treatment of some wastewaters containing suspended solids.
Investigation of Light Tar Cracking in a Gliding Arc Plasma System
Authors: Tippayawong Nakorn , Inthasan Passakorn
Published: March 2010

Utilization of biomass gasification technology is not widely adopted due largely to tars contained in the product gas that pose serious problems, especially in engine use. In this paper, a laboratory scale plasma system for light tar cracking was developed. The system was based on non-equilibrium plasmas generated from two gliding arc plasma in series. Light tar components were represented by naphthalene in nitrogen flow, generated at constant rates between 130  690 mg/m3. Destruction efficiency and specific energy use were evaluated. It was found that destruction efficiency in the range of 70  95% could be achieved with a simple, single stage reactor. Plasma assisted tar decomposition was found to increase with applied electrical energy. Complete destruction (>99%) of light tars was obtained with the two-stage, gliding arc plasma system with applied electrical energy of about 1.8  2.9 kWh/m3.
Comparison of Microwave Drying of Soybean in Static and Rotary Conditions
Authors: Wang Ruifang , Li Zhanyong , Su Weiguang , Ye Jingsheng
Published: March 2010

A rotary device was built in a home microwave oven, where wet soybean was dried in a dynamic moving state to improve the microwave drying uniformity. Experiments were conducted to investigate the relative water removal ratio which was defined to characterize the electromagnetic field distribution in microwave oven, and to compare the drying characteristics between static and rotary microwave drying. It is concluded that the kernel cracking ratio is lower when microwave drying of soybean was carried out in rotary state. Higher unit microwave power input results in rapid removal of water from soybean but an increase of kernel cracking ratio.
Simulation and Analysis of Multi-scale Transport Phenomena and Catalytic Reactions in SOFC Anodes
Authors: Yuan Jinliang
Published: March 2010

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) has been considered as one of the most efficient power generation devices for the coming decades. There are various physical phenomena appearing in SOFC in multi-length and -time scales, such as multi-component gas-phase species/charge flow, thermal energy and mass transfer. Meanwhile, generation and consumption of gas- and surface-phase species together with electric current production are involved at various active sites. Catalytic reforming reactions of hydrocarbon fuels in SOFC anode are strongly coupled with the transport processes making the physical phenomena more complicated.An effective SOFC electrode design is to correctly balance each of the transport processes and the involved reactions. To deeply understand the multi-scale chemical reactions and transport processes in the anode, a fully three-dimensional numerical calculation method (CFD approach) is further developed and applied. The calculated domain includes the porous anode, fuel gas flow channel and the solid interconnects.By calculating fractions of Ni catalyst vacancies and surface-phase species coverages, the gas-phase species/heat generation and consumption related to the internal reforming reactions of methane and the electrochemical reactions of hydrogen have been implemented. The variable thermal-physical properties and transport parameters of the fuel gas mixture have also been taken into account. Furthermore, the heat transfer due to the fuel gas diffusion is implemented into the energy balance based on multi-component diffusion models. A multi-step heterogeneous steam reforming reaction mechanism based on the micro and detailed reaction mechanisms of Ni/YSZ is employed in this study. The surface reactions include 42 irreversible elementary ones accounting for the steam reforming, the water-gas shift reforming and Boudouard reactions. This microscopic reaction model describes the adsorption and desorption reactions of 6 gas-phase species and surface reactions of 12 surface-adsorbed species.The predicted results show that the catalytic reactions take place at most regions of the porous anode, and a gradual CH4 distribution profile and incomplete CH4 conversion at the anode exit are observed. Transport processes of the fuel gas-phase species and temperature distribution are affected by both the internal reforming reactions and the electrochemical reaction. Parameter studies reveal that both low operating temperature and big permeability can increase the available nickel catalyst surface fraction in the anode. Such detailed reaction scheme is much more complicated to incorporate in SOFC modelling but helpful to predict surface-phase species profiles over Ni-catalyst surfaces.
Knowledge Workers' Interpersonal Skills and Innovation Performance: An Empirical Study of Taiwanese High-Tech Industrial Workers
Authors: Tsai Ming-Tien , Chen Cheng-Chung , Chin Chao-Wei
Published: March 2010

The main way in which knowledge workers' interpersonal skills affect their innovation performances during collaborations was investigated including the relationships among the orientation of the collaborations of which the knowledge workers were part, their interpersonal skills, and
their innovation performances. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted on data gathered from a sample of 130 usable dyadic questionnaires completed by R&D engineers and their managers in Taiwanese high-tech industries. The 2 main empirical results are: first, both customer
orientation and technology orientation of collaborations make significant contributions to engineers' innovation performances; second, engineers' interpersonal skills significantly moderate the influences of customer orientation of collaborations on their innovation performances, but do not
significantly moderate the influences from the technology orientation of collaborations.
Executive Functioning, Treatment Adherence, and Glycemic Control in Children With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: McNally Kelly , Rohan Jennifer , Pendley Jennifer Shroff , Delamater Alan , Drotar Dennis
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of the study was to investigate the relationship among executive functioning, diabetes treatment adherence, and glycemic control.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Two hundred and thirty-five children with type 1 diabetes and their primary caregivers were administered the Diabetes Self-Management Profile to assess treatment adherence. Executive functioning was measured using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning and glycemic control was based on A1C.

RESULTS

Structural equation modeling indicated that a model in which treatment adherence mediated the relationship between executive functioning and glycemic control best fit the data. All paths were significant at P < 0.01.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that executive functioning skills (e.g., planning, problem-solving, organization, and working memory) were related to adherence, which was related to diabetes control. Executive functioning may be helpful to assess in ongoing clinical management of type 1 diabetes.
Association of A1C Levels With Vitamin D Status in U.S. Adults
Authors: Kositsawat Jatupol , Freeman Vincent L. , Gerber Ben S. , Geraci Stephen
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Data relating vitamin D status with indices of glucose homeostasis as manifested by A1C in the U.S. adult population are few.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We examined the association between serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and A1C levels in 9,773 adults (age ≥18 years old) participating in the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate linear regression analyzed the association after accounting for potential confounders.

RESULTS

Serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with A1C levels in subjects age 35–74 years (P = 0.0045) and those who did not report a history of diabetes (P = 0.0282).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support a mechanistic link between serum vitamin D concentrations, glucose homeostasis, and the evolution of diabetes in a large segment of the U.S. adult population. Screening people with elevated A1C levels for vitamin D insufficiency should be considered.
Association of Vitamin D With Insulin Resistance and β-Cell Dysfunction in Subjects at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Kayaniyil Sheena , Vieth Reinhold , Retnakaran Ravi , Knight Julia A. , Qi Ying , Gerstein Hertzel C. , Perkins Bruce A. , Harris Stewart B. , Zinman Bernard , Hanley Anthony J.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

To examine cross-sectional associations of serum vitamin D [25-hydroxyvitamin D, 25(OH)D] concentration with insulin resistance (IR) and β-cell dysfunction in 712 subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Serum 25(OH)D was determined using a chemiluminescence immunoassay. Insulin sensitivity/resistance were measured using the Matsuda insulin sensitivity index for oral glucose tolerance tests (ISOGTT) and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance HOMA-IR. β-Cell function was determined using both the insulinogenic index (IGI) divided by HOMA-IR (IGI/IR) and the insulin secretion sensitivity index-2 (ISSI-2).

RESULTS

Linear regression analyses indicated independent associations of 25(OH)D with ISOGTT and HOMA-IR (β = 0.004, P = 0.0003, and β = −0.003, P = 0.0072, respectively) and with IGI/IR and ISSI-2 (β = 0.004, P = 0.0286, and β = 0.003, P = 0.0011, respectively) after adjusting for sociodemographics, physical activity, supplement use, parathyroid hormone, and BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Vitamin D may play a role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes, as 25(OH)D concentration was independently associated with both insulin sensitivity and β-cell function among individuals at risk of type 2 diabetes.
Maternal Glucose at 28 Weeks of Gestation Is Not Associated With Obesity in 2-Year-Old Offspring
Authors: Pettitt David J. , McKenna Sonia , McLaughlin Ciara , Patterson Christopher C. , Hadden David R. , McCance David R.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Diabetes during pregnancy is a strong risk factor for obesity in the offspring, but the age at which this association becomes apparent is unknown. The purpose of this study was to examine the relation of glycemia during pregnancy with anthropometry in offspring of nondiabetic pregnant women from the Belfast U.K. center of the multinational Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) Study.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Women from the HAPO Study were invited to participate in follow-up of their offspring aged 2 years. Measurements included height, weight, and thickness of triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac skinfolds.

RESULTS

A total of 1,165 offspring (73% of eligible children; 598 boys and 567 girls) were seen from ages 22–30 completed months. The only association that reached statistical significance was between categories of maternal 1-h glucose and BMI Z score ≥85th percentile at 2 years (P = 0.017). Overall the correlations between maternal glucose during pregnancy and BMI Z score at age 2 years were weak (fasting glucose r = 0.05, P = 0.08; 1-h glucose r = 0.04, P = 0.22; 2-h glucose r = 0.03, P = 0.36; and area under the curve for glucose r = 0.04, P = 0.18).

CONCLUSIONS

This study found little association between maternal glucose during pregnancy and obesity in the offspring at this young age. These findings are not unexpected given that study results for young offspring whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy were indistinguishable from those for normal offspring at this age. It will be interesting to see whether, as these children age, maternal glucose during pregnancy in the ranges included in the HAPO Study will be associated with obesity in their children.
The Risk of Overall Mortality in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Receiving Glipizide, Glyburide, or Glimepiride Monotherapy
Authors: Pantalone Kevin M. , Kattan Michael W. , Yu Changhong , Wells Brian J. , Arrigain Susana , Jain Anil , Atreja Ashish , Zimmerman Robert S.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Sulfonylureas have historically been analyzed as a medication class, which may be inappropriate given the differences in properties inherent to the individual sulfonylureas (hypoglycemic risk, sulfonylurea receptor selectivity, and effects on myocardial ischemic preconditioning). The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship of individual sulfonylureas and the risk of overall mortality in a large cohort of patients with type 2 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using an academic health center enterprise-wide electronic health record (EHR) system to identify 11,141 patients with type 2 diabetes (4,279 initiators of monotherapy with glyburide, 4,325 initiators of monotherapy with glipizide, and 2,537 initiators of monotherapy with glimepiride), ≥18 years of age with and without a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) and not on insulin or a noninsulin injectable at baseline. The patients were followed for mortality by documentation in the EHR and Social Security Death Index. Multivariable Cox models were used to compare cohorts.

RESULTS

No statistically significant difference in the risk of overall mortality was observed among these agents in the entire cohort, but we did find evidence of a trend toward an increased overall mortality risk with glyburide versus glimepiride (hazard ratio 1.36 [95% CI 0.96–1.91]) and glipizide versus glimepiride (1.39 [0.99–1.96]) in those with documented CAD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results did not identify an increased mortality risk among the individual sulfonylureas but did suggest that glimepiride may be the preferred sulfonylurea in those with underlying CAD.
Childhood Size and Life Course Weight Characteristics in Association With the Risk of Incident Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Yeung Edwina H. , Zhang Cuilin , Louis Germaine M. Buck , Willett Walter C. , Hu Frank B.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

To determine how childhood overweight, in conjunction with other life course weight characteristics, relates to the development of type 2 diabetes in adulthood.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Among 109,172 women in the Nurses' Health Study II, body fatness at ages 5, 10, and 20 years was assessed by recall using 9-level pictorial diagrams (somatotypes) representing extreme thinness (category 1) to obesity (category 9). Recalled weights at age 18 years and adulthood were used to derive BMI. Self-reported cases of type 2 diabetes were confirmed by supplementary questionnaire.

RESULTS

Somatotypes at ages 5 and 10 years were positively associated with diabetes risk (Ptrend < 0.0001). The adjusted relative risk (RR) of women with somatotype ≥6 (vs. 2) at age 5 years was 2.19 (95% CI 1.79–2.67) and at age 10 years was 2.57 (2.20–3.01). Increases in size by somatotype or by weight gain since age 18 were associated with increased risk. Compared with women who were never overweight at any age, women who were overweight as an adult (BMI >25 kg/m2) but not previously had an adjusted RR of 8.23 (7.41–9.15). The adjusted RR was 15.10 (13.21–17.26) for women who were also overweight at age 10 (somatotype ≥5) and 18 (BMI >25 kg/m2). Increased childhood size was not associated with risk among women who did not continue to be overweight in adulthood.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased body size starting from childhood is associated with a greater risk of diabetes in adulthood. However, women who become lean in adulthood do not have an increased risk.
Crossing the sea en route to Africa: autumn migration of some Accipitriformes over two Central Mediterranean islands
Authors: Agostini Nicolantonio , Premuda Guido , Mellone Ugo , Panuccio Michele , Logozzo Daniela , Bassi Enrico , Cocchi Leonardo
Published: March 2010

Crossing the sea en route to Africa: autumn migration of some Accipitriformes over two Central Mediterranean islands

Observations were made on the autumn migration of Accipitriformes over the islands of Marettimo and Pantelleria, located between western Sicily and Tunisia (Central Mediterranean). A total of 7451 raptors was counted between 24 August and 12 September 2003, mostly adult Honey Buzzards Pernis apivorus - 4045, and Black Kites Milvus migrans - 2489. Mixed-age flocks were regularly reported for the Black Kite (1956 adults and 533 juveniles estimated) confirming information transmission concerning orientation behaviour in this species. Although in the Honey Buzzard juveniles tend to migrate later than adults, crossing the Mediterranean on a broad front mostly after mid-September, we observed some mixed-age flocks, estimating the passage of 3830 adults and 215 juveniles. In particular, over Pantelleria we recorded in seven cases juveniles in flocks of adults heading towards WNW, presumably learning (similarly to juvenile Black Kites) the shortest route over water to reach Africa from this site. A total of 72 Egyptian Vultures Neophron percnopterus - 62 adults, 6 juveniles and 4 sub-adults - was counted over Marettimo confirming that their greatest concentration during autumn migration through Italy occurs at this island. In this species, all juveniles were seen migrating in flocks of adults. Finally, the passage of hundreds of Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus was reported, mostly over Pantelleria. Among adult harriers, it was possible to estimate the passage of birds belonging to different sex classes; unlike in the previous studies made in central, southern continental Italy and Malta during autumn migration, adult females outnumbered adult males (372 vs 298 individuals). Finally, considering the huge number of Accipitriformes observed, Pantelleria, so as Marettimo, should be enclosed among Important Bird Areas for the autumn migration of raptors in the Mediterranean basin.
Saluga and Ghazal Ringing Station - a new ringing station in Egypt
Authors: Hasseb Mahmoud , Ibrahim Wed , Asran Hosni , Deyab Ahmed , Gomaa Mona , Hassan Samar , Nowakowski Jarosław , Busse Przemysław
Published: March 2010

Saluga and Ghazal Ringing Station - a new ringing station in Egypt

On 28 August 2003 under the auspices of the SE European Bird Migration Network (SEEN) a new Egyptian Ringing Station - Saluga and Ghazal began to operate. The paper provides information about the location of the station, its habitat, methods of work and species composition of caught birds.
The effects of genotype and environment on selected traits of oat grain and flour
Authors: Czubaszek Anna
Published: March 2010

The effects of genotype and environment on selected traits of oat grain and flour

The purpose of the investigation was to study the effects of variety properties of oat cultivars and environmental conditions on physical traits and chemical composition of grain and flour. Nine oat cultivars had been grown in the experimental plots (stations) located in two experimental stations in Jelenia Góra and Bobrowniki. The samples were collected in two harvest years. As it has been found, the genetic factors affected physical traits of the grain. The chemical composition of oat grain depended to a large extent on the weather conditions during the growing season. The genetic factors affected only total protein content of the oat grain. The grain of the oat cultivars under investigation was high in total protein but low in starch. Its proteolytic and amylolytic activities were on average levels. Total protein and pentosan content as well as proteolytic activity of the oat flour were lower than those of grain, but starch content and the falling number were higher.
Design of Multi-Agent Based Intelligent Tutoring Systems
Authors: Lavendelis Egons , Grundspenkis Janis
Published: March 2010

Design of Multi-Agent Based Intelligent Tutoring Systems

Research of two fields, namely agent oriented software engineering and intelligent tutoring systems, have to be taken into consideration, during the design of multi-agent based intelligent tutoring systems (ITS). Thus there is a need for specific approaches for agent based ITS design, which take into consideration main ideas from both fields. In this paper we propose a top down design approach for multi-agent based ITSs. The proposed design approach consists of the two main stages: external design and internal design of agents. During the external design phase the behaviour of agents and interactions among them are designed. The following steps are done: task modelling and task allocation to agents, use case map creation, agent interaction design, ontology creation and holon design. During the external design phase agents and holons are defined according to the holonic multi-agent architecture for ITS development. During the internal design stage the internal structure of agents is specified. The internal structure of each agent is represented in the specific diagram, called internal view of the agent, consisting of agent's actions and interactions among them, rules for incoming message and perception processing, incoming and outgoing messages, and beliefs of the agent. The proposed approach is intended to be a part of the full life cycle methodology for multi-agent based ITS development. The approach is developed using the same concepts as JADE agent platform and is suitable for agent code generation from the design diagrams.
A comparison of subset selection and adaptive basis function construction for polynomial regression model building
Authors: Jēkabsons Gints , Lavendels Jurijs
Published: March 2010

A comparison of subset selection and adaptive basis function construction for polynomial regression model building

The approach of subset selection in polynomial regression model building assumes that the chosen fixed full set of predefined basis functions contains a subset that is sufficient to describe the target relation sufficiently well. However, in most cases the necessary set of basis functions is not known and needs to be guessed - a potentially non-trivial (and long) trial and error process. In our previous research we considered an approach for polynomial regression model building which is different from the subset selection - letting the regression model building method itself construct the basis functions necessary for creating a model of arbitrary complexity without restricting oneself to the basis functions of a predefined full model. The approach is titled Adaptive Basis Function Construction (ABFC). In the present paper we compare the two approaches for polynomial regression model building - subset selection and ABFC - both theoretically and empirically in terms of their underlying principles, computational complexity, and predictive performance. Additionally in empirical evaluations the ABFC is compared also to two other well-known regression modelling methods - Locally Weighted Polynomials and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines.
The Importance of Social Motives for Watching and Interacting with Digital Television
Authors: Bellman Steven , Schweda Anika , Varan Duane
Published: March 2010

Contrary to a key assumption of the TV industry, interaction with digital interactive TV (iTV) programmes and ads is driven as much by social motivations as it is by information seeking. This insight was revealed by a survey of a representative sample of 867 digital TV households in the UK, which has one of the largest and most experienced digital iTV audiences in the world. This new survey used a comprehensive but efficient set of motivation items, so that no important motivations were left out, which may explain why social motivations emerged as important in this study, whereas they have not been in studies of traditional TV watching. Suggestions are made for how marketers and programme producers can make iTV content that appeals to viewers who are motivated by social needs.
Nucleic Acids – Genes, Drugs, Molecular Lego and More
Authors: Häner Robert
Published: March 2010

Chemically modified nucleic acids find widespread use as tools in research, as diagnostic reagents and even as pharmaceutical compounds. On the background of antisense research and development, the synthesis and evaluation of modified oligonucleotides was intensively pursued in the
early to mid nineties in corporate research of former Ciba. Most of these efforts concentrated on the development of sugar and/or backbone-modified derivatives for pharmaceutical applications. Additionally, oligonucleotide metal conjugates were investigated with the goal to develop artificial
ribonucleases. Since the turn of the millennium also the potential of non-nucleosidic and non-hydrogen bonding building blocks has increasingly been recognized. Such derivatives possess unique properties that may have an impact in the fields of materials and genetic research. In this brief
account, we take a personal look back on some past as well as some recent results.
Synthesis of Polypyrrole-Coated Core/Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Mühlebach Andreas , Hafner Andreas , Rime François , Mpoukouvalas Konstantinos , Sun Ling , Wang Jianjun , Wegner Gerhard , Beierlein Tilman
Published: March 2010

The synthesis, physical characterization and scale-up of conductive, re-dispersible core/shell nanoparticles containing polypyrrole (PPy) in the shell are described. The compressed powders/films show a DC conductivity which is considerably higher than that of commercial standard products
based on PEDOT/PSS ('AL 4083' from H.C. Starck). The particles have excellent film-forming properties since thin films (50–100 nm) made by spin-coating from aqueous dispersions of the particles have an AFM film roughness of
Natural Products as Leads for Anticancer Drug Discovery: Discovery of New Chemotypes of Microtubule Stabilizers through Reengineering of the Epothilone Scaffold
Authors: Altmann Karl-Heinz , Cachoux Frédéric , Feyen Fabian , Gertsch Jürg , Kuzniewski Christian N. , Wartmann Markus
Published: March 2010

Epothilones are bacterial macrolides with potent microtubule-stabilizing and antiproliferative activity, which have served as successful lead structures for the discovery of several clinical candidates for cancer treatment. Overall, seven epothilone-type agents have been advanced to
clinical evaluation in humans so far and one of these has been approved by the FDA in 2007 for clinical use in breast cancer patients. Notwithstanding these impressive numbers, however, the structural diversity represented by the collection of epothilone analogs that have been (or still are)
investigated clinically is rather limited and their individual structures show little divergence from the original natural product leads. In contrast, we have elaborated a series of epothilone-derived macrolactones, whose overall structural features significantly deviate from those of the
natural epothilone scaffold and thus define new structural families of microtubule-stabilizing agents. Key elements of our hypermodification strategy are the change of the natural epoxide geometry from cis to trans, the incorporation of conformationally constrained side chains,
the removal of the C(3)-hydroxyl group, and the replacement of C(12) with nitrogen. The latter modification leads to aza-macrolides that may be described as 'non-natural natural products'.
The Disciplinary Direction and Structure of Journalism and Media Education
Authors: Lee Jae-won , Kim Won-yong
Published: March 2010

Reviewing the communication industry, the cybernetics pioneer Norbert Wiener (1950) once offered a very disturbing observation: "The people who have elected communication as a career so often have nothing more to communicate." It's more than half a century from the days of his comment on us, but are we in any better shape now? DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2861 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.1-13
Targeting the Audience: Video Games as War Propaganda in Entertainment and News
Authors: Ottosen Rune
Published: March 2010

This article will discuss video war games as propaganda, and the possible impact of video games on war reporting in news broadcasting. It will analyse computer games based on real wars in the light of Steven Poole's approach to computer games as modern mass media, and of Johan Galtung's theory of peace journalism. I will also draw upon earlier works on the military-industrial complex, to understand how the new generation computer games emerged from research within the armed forces in order to develop training videos for military personnel (Held, 2000; Lenoir, 2000). DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2862 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.14-41
Prithvi Narayan Shah and Postcolonial Resistance
Authors: Kafle Hem Raj
Published: March 2010

Nepalese monarchy fell under an inextricable political array after April 2006 as the country took radical directions in the hands of political parties. First, the reinstated parliament declared the country secular in June 2006, which undermined the religious-political significance attributed to Hindu kings. Second, the Maoists successively signed the Comprehensive Peace Accord with the government (November, 2006), and joined the parliament (January, 2007) and the coalition government (March, 2007). Third, the first historic constituent assembly elections took place (April, 2008). Then the constituent assembly declared the country a republic and formally abolished the monarchy (May, 2008). In other words, a collective upsurge of April 2006, which had started to fight monarchy, ended up abolishing in two years. Thereafter the country headed towards a new phase of history with a collective political thrust for restructuration into a federal republic. DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2867 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.136-147
Influences on Media Content: Levels of Analysis in Developed and Developing Countries
Authors: Al-Hasani Abdulmonam
Published: March 2010

The aim of this paper is to analyse and discuss theoretical frameworks that relate to influences on media content. This is to identify the suitable models or approaches for studying the influences on media content at news organisations. To achieve this aim, the paper will include two main sections: the first section uses a macro-sociological perspective and will discuss two main theoretical approaches, the political economy and cultural approaches. The second section looks at issues on a micro-sociological level, using the social organisation approach to analyse the definitions of news, news values, gatekeeping and the influences on media content that are internal to news organisations. DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2868 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.148-175
“Selfing” the Other: A Colonial Reading of JE and WSS
Authors: Lamsal Tika
Published: March 2010

DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2870 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.188-195
IHRM: A Gateway for Nepalese Human Resource for Global Competitive Market
Authors: Pandey Kashiraj
Published: March 2010

This paper reviews how the concept of International Human Resource Management (IHRM) has opened a gateway for Nepalese Human Resource (HR) in global market. When the world has become a global village, our investment in education and knowledge industry as business by preparing graduates with need based courses for the emerging global market will have great advantage for the country, the individual, and it further contributes in international job market.   DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2871 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.196-204
Teacher Development: What is it and Who is Responsible?
Authors: Gnawali Laxman
Published: March 2010

DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2874 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.219-223
Peacebuilding: From the Women’s Perspective
Authors: Pun Ekku Maya
Published: March 2010

Peace, the most sought after, the most discussed, the most expensive yet illusive and distant as ever is looking for the change in how it is perceived and how it can be achieved. Property, wealth and lives have been recklessly spent for it in vain. It is seeking an alternative method/s for its achievement. And I believe that alternative can be found in women's perspective of peace and their ways of attaining it. This article discusses the necessity to include feminine perspective in peacebuilding and argues why they are better suited to negotiate peace.   DOI: 10.3126/bodhi.v2i1.2875 Bodhi Vol.2(1) 2008 p.224-259
Nutrient Analysis of Nephrolepsis cordifolia (L.) C. Presl
Authors: Gauchan DP , Manandhar Dina , Shrestha Nisha , Suwal Shyam Krishna
Published: March 2010

Fresh and roasted tubers of Nephrolepis cordifolia are consumed by the local dwellers in Nepal. Different parts of plant have been chemically analyzed for their nutritional contents viz., chlorophyll, carbohydrate, crude protein, starch, moisture contents, dry matter, ether extract, crude fibre, total ash, calcium and phosphorus. It is observed that tubers contain high amount of moisture, fat, carbohydrate and calcium while the protein are reported maximum in rhizome part of the plant. Key words: Nephrolepis cordifolia; nutrient analysis; protein; carbohydrate. DOI: 10.3126/kuset.v4i1.2885 Kathmandu University Journal of Science, Engineering and Technology Vol.4, No.1, September 2008, pp 68-72
The Fasces and the Saltire: The Failure of the British Union of Fascists in Scotland, 1932–1940
Authors: CULLEN STEPHEN M.
Published: March 2010

The history of Britain's main manifestation of inter-war fascism, Oswald Mosley's British Union of Fascists [BUF], continues to be a hotly contested field of study. A new biography of Mosley, work on gender and the BUF, and the incorporation of new models of generic fascism have made important contributions to the historiography of the BUF. However, until recently, almost no historical consideration of the BUF's career in Scotland had been attempted. But work by Tony Milligan and Henry Maitles has opened up the topic of fascism in Scotland between the wars. This article seeks to build on these contributions, and examines two groups of factors that led to the failure of fascism in Scotland. The inability of the BUF to find political space in Scotland, allied to internal organisational weaknesses, compounded by the indifference of the English fascist movement to the BUF in Scotland created flaws that characterised the Scottish BUF from the outset. These weaknesses were exacerbated by the failure of the BUF to understand the Scottish dimensions of politics, such as the cross-cutting appeal of Scottish nationalism, and religious tensions. Finally, anti-fascist opposition proved to be especially problematic for the Scottish BUF.
Application of Diamond Nanoparticles in Low-Energy Neutron Physics
Authors: Nesvizhevsky Valery , Cubitt Robert , Lychagin Egor , Muzychka Alexei , Nekhaev Grigory , Pignol Guillaume , Protasov Konstantin , Strelkov Alexander
Published: March 2010

Diamond, with its exceptionally high optical nuclear potential and low absorption cross-section, is a unique material for a series of applications in VCN (very cold neutron) physics and techniques. In particular, powder of diamond nanoparticles provides the best reflector for neutrons in the complete VCN energy range. It allowed also the first observation of quasi-specular reflection of cold neutrons (CN) from disordered medium. Effective critical velocity for such a quasi-specular reflection is higher than that for the best super-mirror. Nano-diamonds survive in high radiation fluxes; therefore they could be used, under certain conditions, in the vicinity of intense neutron sources.
Fluidic Force Discrimination Assays: A New Technology for Tetrodotoxin Detection
Authors: Yakes Betsy Jean , Etheridge Stacey M. , Mulvaney Shawn P. , Tamanaha Cy R.
Published: March 2010

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a low molecular weight (~319 Da) neurotoxin found in a number of animal species, including pufferfish. Protection from toxin tainted food stuffs requires rapid, sensitive, and specific diagnostic tests. An emerging technique for the detection of both proteins and nucleic acids is Fluidic Force Discrimination (FFD) assays. This simple and rapid method typically uses a sandwich immunoassay format labeled with micrometer-diameter beads and has the novel capability of removing nonspecifically attached beads under controlled, fluidic conditions. This technique allows for near real-time, multiplexed analysis at levels of detection that exceed many of the conventional transduction methods (e.g., ELISAs). In addition, the large linear dynamic range afforded by FFD should decrease the need to perform multiple sample dilutions, a common challenge for food testing. By applying FFD assays to an inhibition immunoassay platform specific for TTX and transduction via low magnification microscopy, levels of detection of ~15 ng/mL and linear dynamic ranges of 4 to 5 orders of magnitude were achieved. The results from these studies on the first small molecule FFD assay, along with the impact to detection of seafood toxins, will be discussed in this manuscript.
Vitamin K2 in Electron Transport System: Are Enzymes Involved in Vitamin K2 Biosynthesis Promising Drug Targets?
Authors: Kurosu Michio , Begari Eeshwaraiah
Published: March 2010

Aerobic and anaerobic respiratory systemsallow cells to transport the electrons to terminal electron acceptors. The quinone (ubiquinone or menaquinone) pool is central to the electron transport chain. In the majority of Gram-positive bacteria, vitamin K2 (menaquinone) is the sole quinone in the electron transport chain, and thus, the bacterial enzymes catalyzing the synthesis of menaquinone are potential targets for the development of novel antibacterial drugs. This manuscript reviews the role of vitamin K in bacteria and humans, and especially emphasizes on recent aspects of menaquinones in bacterial electron transport chain and on discoveries of inhibitor molecules targeting bacterial electron transport systems for new antibacterial agents.
Allelochemical, Eudesmane-Type Sesquiterpenoids from Inula falconeri
Authors: Khan Abdul Latif , Hussain Javid , Hamayun Muhammad , Kang Sang-Mo , Kim Hak-Youn , Watanabe Kazuo N. , Lee In-Jung
Published: March 2010

We have identified through bioassay guided isolation an allelochemical, eudesmane-type sesquiterpeniod, 3β-caffeoxyl-β1,8α-dihydroxyeudesm-4(15)-ene(1),from an endemic plant species growing in the Himalayas. In our search for the bioactive subfraction, the hexane one was highly significant, showing 100% inhibition of lettuce seed growth at 100 ppm while other subfractions (chloroform, ethyl acetate, butanol and water) exhibited inhibitory to stimulatory allelopathic effects. The bioactive hexane subfraction was subjected to chromatographic techniques, using lettuce seeds (Lactuca sativa) as indicator species to reveal the bioactive allelopathic fraction. This resulted in the isolation of compound 1, whose structure was elucidated through NMR techniques. The compound presented 92.34% inhibitory effect on the growth of lettuce at 500 ppm. Further field level experiments may help develop an environmentally friendly herbicide from this lead.
Secondary Metabolites from Inula britannica L. and Their Biological Activities
Authors: Khan Abdul Latif , Hussain Javid , Hamayun Muhammad , Gilani Syed Abdullah , Ahmad Shabir , Rehman Gauhar , Kim Yoon-Ha , Kang Sang-Mo , Lee In-Jung
Published: March 2010

Inula britannica L., family Asteraceae, is used in traditional Chinese and Kampo Medicines for various diseases. Flowers or the aerial parts are a rich source of secondary metabolites. These consist mainly of terpenoids (sesquiterpene lactones and dimmers, diterpenes and triterpenoids) and flavonoids. The isolated compounds have shown diverse biological activities: anticancer, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and hepatoprotective activities. This review provides information on isolated bioactive phytochemicals and pharmacological potentials of I. britannica.
Synthesis, Spectral and Thermal Studies of New Rutin Vanadyl Complexes
Authors: Uivarosi Valentina , Barbuceanu Stefania Felicia , Aldea Victoria , Arama Corina-Cristina , Badea Mihaela , Olar Rodica , Marinescu Dana
Published: March 2010

Complexes between oxovanadium (IV) cation and flavonoid derivatives were developed recently in order to increase the intestinal absorption and to reduce the toxicity of vanadium compounds. For these reasons, is interesting to investigate the complexation process between flavonoid rutin (Rut) and vanadyl cation in order to isolate new complexes. Two new complexes [VO(Rut)(H2O)2](SO4)0.5×2H2O and [VO(Rut)2]×4H2O have been obtained and characterized by elemental and thermal analyses and several spectroscopic techniques (ESI-MS, IR, UV-Vis, fluorescence). The studies concerning complex formation between vanadyl and rutin (Rut) performed in different solutions show the formation of mononuclear complexes with 1:1 and 1:2 metal to ligand stoichiometry.
Porphyromonas gingivalis Gingipains Trigger a Proinflammatory Response in Human Monocyte-derived Macrophages Through the p38α Mitogen-activated Protein Kinase Signal Transduction Pathway
Authors: Grenier Daniel , Tanabe Shin-ichi
Published: March 2010

Porphyromonas gingivalis, the major etiologic agent of chronic periodontitis, produces a broad spectrum of virulence factors, including Arg- and Lys-gingipain cysteine proteinases. In this study, we investigated the capacity of P. gingivalis gingipains to trigger a proinflammatory response in human monocyte-derived macrophages. Both Arg- and Lys-gingipain preparations induced the secretion of TNF-α and IL-8 by macrophages. Stimulation of macrophages with Arg-gingipain A/B preparation at the highest concentration was associated with lower amounts of cytokines detected, a phenomenon likely related to proteolytic degradation. The inflammatory response induced by gingipains was not dependent of their catalytic activity since heat-inactivated preparations were still effective. Stimulating macrophages with gingipain preparations was associated with increased levels of phosphorylated p38α MAPK suggesting its involvement in cell activation. In conclusion, our study brought clear evidence that P. gingivalis Arg- and Lys-gingipains may contribute to the host inflammatory response, a critical factor in periodontitis-associated tissue destruction.