bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microstructure and properties degradation of P/T 91, 92 steels weldments in creep conditions
Authors: Falat L. , Homolová V. , Kepic J. , Svoboda M. , Výrostková A.
Published: December 2012

The studies were performed on dissimilar ferritic/austenitic weldments
between 9Cr tempered martensitic steels of the grades either P/T 91 or 92 and
unstabilised AISI316H austenitic steel. The welded joints were fabricated
using the fusion welding by tungsten inert gas (TIG) method with Ni-based
filler metal. Microstructural analyses were performed using light and
electron microscopy. Microstructural gradient in heat-affected zone (HAZ) of
9Cr steels remained preserved during creep exposure. All weldments fractured
by the type IV failure within their intercritical HAZ (ICHAZ) regions. The
most remarkable microstructural change during creep was the precipitation of
intermetallic Laves phase. Experimentally determined phases of the samples
after creep exposure are in good agreement with equilibrium thermodynamic
calculations.
Application of computational modeling to the kinetics of precipitation of aluminum nitride in steels
Authors: e Silva , Nakamura L. , Rizzo F.
Published: December 2012

In previous works the possibilities and limitations of the application of
calculations in the Al-Fe-N system to describe the precipitation of AlN in
steel, both in the solid state and during the solidification were discussed
and some difficulties related to the extension of these calculations to more
complex steel systems, due to limitations in the thermodynamic data were also
presented. Presently, the precipitation kinetics of AlN in ferrite (BCC) and
austenite (FCC) is discussed. The correct description of the precipitation of
AlN in both phases is relevant to: (a) the precipitation at higher
temperatures, in the austenite field, that occurs in some steels, (b) the
concurrent precipitation of this nitride with the annealing treatment, when
the steel is mostly ferritic, used in the processing of some types of deep
drawing steels (c) the precipitation of this nitride in some silicon alloyed
electric steels at relatively high temperatures, when these steels can have
significant fractions of BCC and FCC in their microstructure. The precise
knowledge of the precipitation-dissolution behavior of AlN in special in
these two latter classes of steels is of great importance to their correct
processing. In this work, a computational tool for simulating multiparticle
precipitation kinetics of diffusion-controlled processes in multi-component
and multi-phase alloy systems is employed in an attempt to describe these
precipitation processes. The results are compared with experimental data on
precipitation. The assumptions necessary for the application of the
multi-particle modeling tool are discussed, agreements and discrepancies are
identified and some possible reasons for these are indicated. Furthermore,
the impact of the use of different sources of data on steel processing
development is discussed and the need for further studies highlighted.
Newly developed EMF cell with zirconia solid electrolyte for measurement of low oxygen potentials in liquid Cu-Cr and Cu-Zr alloys
Authors: Katayama I. , Tanigawa S. , Zivkovic D. , Hattori Y. , Yamashita H.
Published: December 2012

In order to measure the very low oxygen potential by use of stabilized
zirconia solid electrolyte emf method, a new cell construction was devised.
The idea was based on Janke but a zirconia rod was used instead of the
zirconia crucible which contacts liquid alloy electrode. The cell was used
for determination of the oxygen potentials in liquid dilute Cu-Cr and Cu-Zr
alloys. The reference electrode was Cr,Cr2O3. Emf measurements were performed
in the temperature range of 1400-1580K and composition range of
0.198-3.10at%Cr-Cu alloys, and 1380-1465K, 0.085-0.761at%Zr-Cu alloys. The
composition of liquid alloys were determined by picking up from the liquid
alloys and ICP analysis. By use of the newly devised cell construction in
this study, stable emf values were obtained at each temperature and alloy
composition. Emf values were corrected by using the parameter for electronic
contribution of the YSZ. Activity of Cr obeys Henry?s law and activity
coefficient at infinitely dilute alloys of Cr in Cu-Cr alloys are: lng0 Cr
=(3.80 at 1423K), (3.57 at 1473K), (3.38 at 1523K) and (3.20 at 1573K). At
1423 K activity coefficient of Zr at infinitely diluted alloy is ln?o Zr =
-4.0.
Phase relations in Bi-rich part of the Bi-Ga-Ni system
Authors: Zivkovic D. , Manasijevic D. , Balanovic Lj. , Minic D. , Cosovic V. , Kostov A. , Zivkovic Z.
Published: December 2012

The results of phase relations investigation in bismuth-rich part of ternary
Bi-Ga-Ni system are presented in this paper. Two sections with constant
bismuth content equal to 80 and 90 at% were investigated experimentally using
DSC and SEM-EDS methods and predicted thermodynamically by CALPHAD method.
Calculated phase diagrams showed reasonable agreement with experimental data.
Surface grain coarsening and surface softening during machining of ultra-fine grained titanium
Authors: Symonova A.A. , Verezub O.N. , Sycheva A.A. , Verezub N.V. , Havin V.L. , Kaptay G.
Published: December 2012

Experiments are run to show that different machining conditions applied to
ultra-fine grained pure titanium lead to different levels of grain coarsening
and softening near the machined surface. Under ?hard? machining conditions
the upper 40 microns of the machined surface are altered with a decreased
microhardness. The experimental results are reasonably reproduced by model
calculations. Expanding the parameter field of the model calculations, the
surface coarsening diagram and the surface softening diagram due to machining
are presented, showing the region of technological parameters, under which
neither grain coarsening nor softening takes place along the machined
surface.
The poetic image in the poetry of renaissance, mannerism and baroque
Authors: Letic Branko
Published: December 2012

The epochs of renaissance, mannerism and baroque in the art in general, and
especially in poetry, can be recognized by their unique visions and
impressions of earthly life. These impressions are reflected by the poetic
image of beloved woman, metaphor of Beauty in visual arts and love poetry,
and by figures of speech, suggestive impression and poetic comprehension.
This is indicated by the stylistic relations between an artist and a work of
art, a poet and poetic image, that is, by work of art (poetic image) and
audience, readers (viewers).
Death of Svetozar Pribicevic and its echoes in Yugoslav public opinion
Authors: Bozic Sofija
Published: December 2012

The article examines the way in which the Yugoslav public reported on the
death of the president of the Independent democratic Party Svetozar
Pribicevic (1875-1936), leader of the Serbs in Croatia, many years Minister
of Internal Affairs and of Education and one of the most controversial
political leaders of the Kingdom of SCS/Yugoslavia. Apart from describing
Pribicevic last moments spent in exile, the funeral in Prague and the
impression that the news of his death left the Serbian and Croatian political
circles and people, paying particular attention to a review of some
politicians and intellectuals, as Pribicevic like-minded associates and
supporters and those of a different political affiliation, Serbs and Croats,
to his political action, which at that time published in the Yugoslav press.
Most authors agreed with the fact that Pribicevic was an important person,
which had considerable influence on historical trends and processes. They
recognized a number of stages in his work, sudden twists that he passed from
one extreme to another, stressed Pribicevic role in the creation of the
Yugoslav state, his impulsiveness, diligence, ideological fanaticism and, in
particular, Pribicevic personal honesty and integrity. Opposition newspapers
Yugoslav orientation and those who were Croat separatists media difered in
that the first brought by contributions that represented the most prominent
Serbian politician from Croatia in glowing terms, while others looked through
the prism of the exclusive Croatian national, not showing understanding for
Pribicevic Yugoslav even in addition to policy support to the Croatian
movement and co-operation with him, he began to run in the last period of
life. It was only 1968th Pribicevic mortal remains were transferred from
Prague to Yugo?slavia, and buried at Belgrade?s New Cemetery. His desire to
rest at his birthplace Glavicani near Dvor was not fulfilled.
Zaboravljeni pjesnik Vuko Pecanac - tragom sjecanja Petra Kolendica
Authors: Arezina Mirjana
Published: December 2012

nema
The Effect of a Bile Acid Sequestrant on Glucose Metabolism in Subjects With Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Smushkin Galina , Sathananthan Matheni , Piccinini Francesca , Dalla Man Chiara , Law Jennie H. , Cobelli Claudio , Zinsmeister Alan R. , Rizza Robert A. , Vella Adrian
Published: December 2012

We designed an experiment to examine the effect of bile acid sequestration with Colesevelam on fasting and postprandial glucose metabolism in type 2 diabetes. To do so, we tested the hypothesis that Colesevelam increases the disposition index (DI), and this increase is associated with increased glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) concentrations. Thirty-eight subjects on metformin monotherapy were studied using a double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group design. Subjects were studied before and after 12 weeks of Colesevelam or placebo using a labeled triple-tracer mixed meal to measure the rate of meal appearance (Meal Ra), endogenous glucose production (EGP), and glucose disappearance (Rd). Insulin sensitivity and β-cell responsivity indices were estimated using the oral minimal model and then used to calculate DI. Therapy with Colesevelam was associated with a decrease in fasting (7.0 ± 0.2 vs. 6.6 ± 0.2 mmol/L; P = 0.004) and postprandial glucose concentrations (3,145 ± 138 vs. 2,896 ± 127 mmol/6 h; P = 0.01) in the absence of a change in insulin concentrations. Minimal model–derived indices of insulin secretion and action were unchanged. Postprandial GLP-1 concentrations were not altered by Colesevelam. Although EGP and Rd were unchanged, integrated Meal Ra was decreased by Colesevelam (5,191 ± 204 vs. 5,817 ± 204 μmol/kg/6 h; P = 0.04), suggesting increased splanchnic sequestration of meal-derived glucose.
Fatty Liver Increases the Association of Metabolic Syndrome With Diabetes and Atherosclerosis
Authors: Juárez-Rojas Juan G. , Medina-Urrutia Aida X. , Jorge-Galarza Esteban , González-Salazar Carmen , Kimura-Hayama Eric , Cardoso-Saldaña Guillermo , Posadas-Sánchez Rosalinda , Martínez-Alvarado Rocio , Posadas-Romero Carlos
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the participation of fatty liver (FL) in the association of metabolic syndrome (MS) with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery calcification (CAC).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 765 subjects (52% women) aged 30 to 75 years without clinical atherosclerosis were included in this study. MS was defined in accordance with the Adult Treatment Panel III (ATPIII) guidelines, while FL and CAC were identified by computed tomography.

RESULTS

There were increasing frequencies of type 2 diabetes and CAC in all three groups: control, MS without FL, and MS plus FL. Multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analyses showed that FL increased the association of MS with type 2 diabetes in both women [odds ratio 10.6 (95% CI 3.4–33.7)] and men [12.1 (4.1–36.1)]. In women, FL also increased the association of MS with CAC [2.34 (1.07–5.12)].

CONCLUSIONS

FL increases the association of MS with type 2 diabetes and subclinical atherosclerosis.
Effect of Hypoglycemic Agents on Ischemic Preconditioning in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes and Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Rahmi Rosa Maria , Uchida Augusto Hiroshi , Rezende Paulo Cury , Lima Eduardo Gomes , Garzillo Cibele Larrosa , Favarato Desiderio , Strunz Celia M.C. , Takiuti Myrthes , Girardi Priscyla , Hueb Whady , Kalil Filho Roberto , Ramires José A.F.
Published: December 2012

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effect of two hypoglycemic drugs on ischemic preconditioning (IPC) patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We performed a prospective study of 96 consecutive patients allocated into two groups: 42 to group repaglinide (R) and 54 to group vildagliptin (V). All patients underwent two consecutive exercise tests (ET1 and ET2) in phase 1 without drugs. In phase 2, 1 day after ET1 and -2, 2 mg repaglinide three times daily or 50 mg vildagliptin twice daily was given orally to patients in the respective group for 6 days. On the seventh day, 60 min after 6 mg repaglinide or 100 mg vildagliptin, all patients underwent two consecutive exercise tests (ET3 and ET4).

RESULTS

In phase 1, IPC was demonstrated by improvement in the time to 1.0 mm ST-segment depression and rate pressure product (RPP). All patients developed ischemia in ET3; however, 83.3% of patients in group R experienced ischemia earlier in ET4, without significant improvement in RPP, indicating the cessation of IPC (P < 0.0001). In group V, only 28% of patients demonstrated IPC cessation, with 72% still having the protective effect (P < 0.0069).

CONCLUSIONS

Repaglinide eliminated myocardial IPC, probably by its effect on the KATP channel. Vildagliptin did not damage this protective mechanism in a relevant way in patients with type 2 diabetes and CAD, suggesting a good alternative treatment in this population.
Estimation Bias: Body Mass and Body Height in Endurance Athletes
Authors: Knechtle Beat , Rüst Christoph Alexander , Rosemann Thomas , Knechtle Patrizia , Bescos Raul
Published: December 2012

Body Mass Index is associated with endurance performance in athletes. Reported and measured values of body mass and body height in 1,618 endurance athletes (1,358 men, 260 women) showed that men and women both underestimated their body mass and overestimated their body height, leading to an underestimation of Body Mass Index. There were age and sex differences in estimates of height and weight; for both women and men, underestimation of Body Mass Index amounted to 0.4 kg/m2. Master athletes tended to underestimate their body mass and overestimate their body height thus leading to significant differences between estimated and measured Body Mass Index. However, the magnitude of underestimation of BMI probably has a negligible influence on performance predictions. The differences between measured and estimated body mass, height, and BMI were within the range of normal daily variation, and for body height even within the precision of the measurement (0.5 cm).
The Impact of a 20-Month Physical Activity Intervention in Child Care Centers on Motor Performance and Weight in Overweight and Healthy-Weight Preschool Children
Authors: Krombholz Heinz
Published: December 2012

A child-centered physical activity intervention was administered in child care centers over 20 months to promote motor performance and reduce weight in preschool children. The intervention group ( N = 211) received at least one weekly 45-min. session of physical education and sessions of physical activities of at least 20 minutes on the other days. Control children ( N = 217) experienced the regular curriculum, which consisted of one session of physical activities of 45 min. per week. At the end of the study, children in the intervention group surpassed children in the control group in motor performance (body coordination, physical fitness, and dexterity, measured by a motor test battery MoTB 3–7). Children in the top 20% by BMI at the beginning of the study (“high weight”) had inferior motor performance. Children with higher BMIs in the intervention group had better motor scores than children with higher BMIs in the control group, but the intervention had no effect on body weight, BMI, or skinfold thickness.
The Oppel-Kundt Illusion is Effective in Modulating Horizontal Space Representation in Humans
Authors: Pia Lorenzo , Neppi-Mòdona Marco , Rosselli Federica Bianca , Muscatello Virginia , Rosato Rosalba , Ricci Raffaella
Published: December 2012

A modified version of the Oppel-Kundt illusion (i.e., a filled space is perceived as more expanded than an empty space of the same length) has been previously employed to distort space representation both in patients with neglect (i.e., failure to report/react to stimuli located in the space contralateral to the brain lesion) and in healthy participants. In those experiments, participants had to bisect or extend horizontal segments on backgrounds of exponentially spaced vertical lines. The exclusive use of visuo-motor tasks, however, did not allow excluding that the results were accounted for by a bias occurring at a response level of stimulus processing rather than by a visual illusion. To address this issue, in addition to a traditional line bisection task, a line length estimation task was employed, which allowed separating response and illusion-related factors. The results demonstrated that performance depended on the visual illusion rather than on a response bias. It was concluded that this version of the Oppel-Kundt illusion can be successfully employed to modulate space representation in humans.
Relative Age Effect in Sport: Comment on Alburquerque, et al. (2012)
Authors: González-Víllora Sixto , Pastor-Viedo Juan Carlos
Published: December 2012

Relative age effect (RAE) describes the long-lived performance effects associated with systematic age differences of athletes in sports where competition is organized according to age cohorts. This phenomenon has been studied in many different sports, across widely varying samples and other factors such as anthropometric and fitness characteristics, career stage, competition or selection level, cultural-societal trends, elite participation, gender, laterality, leadership development, in performance achievement and participation rates, in success and dropout, player nationality, playing position or self-selection. The relative age effect is not independent of other important factors, such as birthplace, gender, professional/amateur sport, or family socioeconomic factors. Most studies have looked at the advantage in performance that athletes who were born near the end of the year have, because they are relatively older and more developed than those in their competition cohort who have birthdays earlier in the year. RAEs of different magnitudes have been found depending on factors such as sex (males show larger effects than women) and type of sport (professional and majority sports have larger effects than amateur and minor sports). For these reasons the effect is regarded as a significant influence in the development of athletes' careers, and the acquisition of sports skills. The present article briefly summarizes evidence that may help explain how RAE influences the maintenance and development of sport expertise.
Culture, Distance, and Threat Perception: Comment on Stamps (2011)
Authors: Su Yin , Zheng Yu , Li Shu
Published: December 2012

Stamps found that the effects of visual cues on the perception of threat decrease with distance, even when the range of distance is extended to 45 m. The present comment suggests that the findings Stamps obtained in a Western culture may not hold in other cultures. The robustness of these findings might be improved by using real targets at actual physical distances and “necessarily high” threats. Further studies are needed to examine whether other dimensions of psychological distance have the same effect on threat perception as does spatial distance. There is also a need to examine whether perceived threats have a significant effect on the perception of spatial distance.
LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA expression in leukocytes of father and son with cutaneous malignant melanoma
Authors: Salemi Michele , Soma Pier , Condorelli Rosita , Recupero Domenico , Calogero Aldo
Published: December 2012

Apoptosis is central to the biology of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). The leucine zipper, down regulated in cancer 1 (LDOC-1) gene, is known to be a regulator of the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) through inhibition of the same NF-kB. The poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) gene plays an important role for the efficient maintenance of genome integrity. PARP-1 protein is required for the apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) translocation from the mitochondria to the nucleus. We report here two interesting cases of family melanoma, a father and son 84 and 40 years old, respectively. The histological evaluation of the lesions of both men revealed diffused superficial melanoma with epithelioid cells. We evaluated the differential expression of LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA in peripheral blood leukocytes of both the father and son. We found that both LDOC-1 and PARP-1 genes were down-regulated in both patients compared with those of controls. These data suggest that low levels of expression of LDOC-1 and PARP-1 mRNA may be associated with familial melanoma.
A generalization of effect algebras and ortholattices
Authors: Chajda Ivan , Kühr Jan
Published: December 2012

A common generalization of effect algebras and ortholattices that allows to represent ortholattices in a similar way in which orthomodular lattices are represented in the setting of effect algebras is introduced.
Orthocomplemented difference lattices in association with generalized rings
Authors: Matoušek Milan , Pták Pavel
Published: December 2012

Orthocomplemented difference lattices (ODLs) are orthocomplemented lattices endowed with an additional operation of “abstract symmetric difference”. In studying ODLs as universal algebras or instances of quantum logics, several results have been obtained (see the references at the end of this paper where the explicite link with orthomodularity is discussed, too). Since the ODLs are “nearly Boolean”, a natural question arises whether there are “nearly Boolean rings” associated with ODLs. In this paper we find such an association — we introduce some difference ring-like algebras (the DRAs) that allow for a natural one-to-one correspondence with the ODLs. The DRAs are defined by only a few rather plausible axioms. The axioms guarantee, among others, that a DRA is a group and that the association with ODLs agrees, for the subrings of DRAs, with the famous Stone (Boolean ring) correspondence.
Associativity of operations on orthomodular lattices
Authors: Gabriëls Jeannine , Navara Mirko
Published: December 2012

It is known that orthomodular lattices admit 96 binary operations, out of which 16 are commutative. We clarify which of them are associative.
Spectral automorphisms in CB-effect algebras
Authors: Caragheorgheopol Dan
Published: December 2012

Spectral automorphisms have been introduced in [IVANOV, A.—CARAGHEORGHEOPOL, D.: Spectral automorphisms in quantum logics, Internat. J. Theoret. Phys. 49 (2010), 3146–3152]_in an attempt to construct, in the abstract framework of orthomodular lattices, an analogue of the spectral theory in Hilbert spaces. We generalize spectral automorphisms to the framework of effect algebras with compression bases and study their properties. Characterizations of spectral automorphisms as well as necessary conditions for an automorphism to be spectral are given. An example of a spectral automorphism on the standard effect algebra of a finite-dimensional Hilbert space is discussed and the consequences of spectrality of an automorphism for the unitary Hilbert space operator that generates it are shown.

The last section is devoted to spectral families of automorphisms and their properties, culminating with the formulation and proof of a Stone type theorem (in the sense of Stone’s theorem on strongly continuous one-parameter unitary groups — see, e.g. [REED, M.#x2014;SIMON, B.: Methods of Modern Mathematical Physics, Vol. I, Acad. Press, New York, 1975]) for a group of spectral automorphisms.
MacNeille completion of centers and centers of MacNeille completions of lattice effect algebras: Generic scheme behind
Authors: Niederle Josef , Paseka Jan
Published: December 2012

We present an example of a natural class of atomic Archimedean sharply dominating lattice effect algebras with non-bifull and atomic centers. Further, we extend and clarify known results about MacNeille completion of centers and centers of MacNeille completions of lattice effect algebras.
A new proof of the monotone convergence theorem of Lebesgue integral on σ-class
Authors: Hoa Dinh
Published: December 2012

In this short note a new proof of the monotone convergence theorem of Lebesgue integral on σ-class is given.
Efficient spatial privacy preserving scheme for sensor network
Authors: Debnath Ashmita , Singaravelu Pradheepkumar , Verma Shekhar
Published: December 2012

The privacy of sensitive events observed by a wireless sensor networks (WSN) needs to be protected. Adversaries with the knowledge of sensor deployment and network protocols can infer the location of a sensed event by monitoring the communication from the sensors even when the messages are encrypted. Encryption provides confidentiality; however, the context of the event can used to breach the privacy of sensed objects. An adversary can track the trajectory of a moving object or determine the location of the occurrence of a critical event to breach its privacy. In this paper, we propose ring signature to obfuscate the spatial information. Firstly, the extended region of location of an event of interest as estimated from a sensor communication is presented. Then, the increase in this region of spatial uncertainty due to the effect of ring signature is determined. We observe that ring signature can effectively enhance the region of location uncertainty of a sensed event. As the event of interest can be situated anywhere in the enhanced region of uncertainty, its privacy against local or global adversary is ensured. Both analytical and simulation results show that induced delay and throughput are insignificant with negligible impact on the performance of a WSN.
Consideration of Sight Distance in Placement of Concrete Barriers on Horizontal Curves of Roads
Authors: Sarhan Mohamed , Hassan Yasser
Published: December 2012

Sight distance is an important criterion in highway geometric design. Many design elements, such as horizontal and vertical curvatures and offsets to lateral obstructions, must be checked so that drivers have sufficient sight distance to operate safely. One of the obstacles that can restrict sight distance is the roadside or median concrete barriers that are frequently placed along the road edges for safety. There are common types and dimensions for such barriers, such as New Jersey, F-shape, and constant-slope concrete barriers. Such barriers may cause a significant reduction in the available sight distance on horizontal curves, especially in the lane closest to the barriers. However, there is a clear lack of a reliable, accurate tool to determine the available sight distance when the sight distance is restricted by road barriers in three-dimensional combined alignments. This paper uses a software package previously developed by the authors to examine closely the trends of available stopping sight distance and the effects of the overlapping vertical alignment. The results confirm previous findings that the available sight distance depends on the type of the vertical alignment and the curvature of crest or sag vertical curves overlapping on the horizontal curve. In addition, it is shown that the recommendations in current design guides could lead to barrier placement that compromises the available sight distance. Charts were prepared as an easy-to-use tool to estimate the available stopping sight distance on horizontal curves when overlapping with a specific vertical alignment.
Neural Network Modeling of 85th Percentile Speed for Two-Lane Rural Highways
Authors: Singh Dharamveer , Zaman Musharraf , White Luther
Published: December 2012

The study was undertaken to develop neural network models to predict 85th percentile speed for two-lane rural highways in Oklahoma. Several input parameters, namely, physical characteristics of road, traffic parameters, pavement condition indices, and accident data, were considered in developing the neural network models. The physical characteristics of road include surface width, shoulder type, and shoulder width. The traffic parameters cover average daily traffic (ADT) and posted speed. The pavement condition parameters include skid number and international roughness index (IRI). The location and statewide collision rates (overall, fatal, and injury), and percentage of drivers traveling at an unsafe speed were covered in the accident data. Four models were developed. Model 1 included physical characteristics of road and traffic parameters, including posted speed. Model 2 covered all parameters in Model 1 except posted speed. Similarly, Model 3 considered accident data with all parameters in Model 1. Model 4 used all the parameters in Model 3 except posted speed. Models 1 and 3 were more accurate than Models 2 and 4. The parametric study of the model parameters showed that 85th percentile speed decreased with an increase in the accident rate, ADT, skid number, and IRI. Similarly, widening of the surface and shoulder resulted in a higher 85th percentile speed. It is expected that developed neural network models would be an effective tool for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation and other departments of transportation to enhance traffic safety.
Distribution of starch, lipid and nuclei in xylem and phloem of Tectona grandis Linn.
Authors: Islam Md Azharul , Begum Shahanara
Published: December 2012

Context: Reserve materials among different plant tissues vary species to species. The distribution pattern of such materials and cell death pattern in Tectona grandis Linn. are still obscure. Objectives: To study the localization of starch, lipid and nuclei in the phloem, cambium and xylem tissue of T. grandis. Materials and Methods: Blocks containing phloem, cambium and outermost xylem of the stem of 12 years old teak tree collected. Different staining methods used to visualize starch, lipid and nuclei within different cells under light microscope. Results: Starch in parenchyma cells is more abundant in outer xylem than phloem and cambium. Lipids droplets are uniformly distributed in outermost xylem. Phloem parenchyma content few mass of lipids but, limited in cambium. There are many dead cells visualized in both phloem and xylem with characteristic patterns. The results clarify the levels of starch, lipid in tissue of T. grandis and showed distinguished variation among the cell contents. Conclusion: The physiology of plant cells related to transport of nutrients and cell death also illustrated in the report. This would be helpful for further study to improve quality wood through tree breeding program. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v19i0.12997 J. bio-sci. 19: 29-35, 2011
Drifted catalytic properties of β-lactamases due to unconstrained use of antibiotics
Authors: Zaman Rashed , Karmaker Pranab , Hasan SM Naimul , Rahman M Hamidur , Haque Ariful
Published: December 2012

Context: Antibiotic resistance is an old problem with new face as the rate of infections due to multidrug resistant bacteria is increasing everyday and the number of new antibiotics to overwhelm the problem is becoming smaller. Major mechanism beneath this growing resistance is concomitant with the changes in ?-lactamases catalytic activity and its functional enhancement. Objectives: In ?-lactamases secreting clinical isolates at least 10% are extended-spectrum ?-lactamases (ESBL) that are not even treatable with ?-lactamases inhibitor like clavulanic acids. This implies that the catalytic domains of ?-lactamases have been mutated towards higher pathogenicity. The aim of the present study is to define the changes in ?-lactamases catalytic efficiency against ?-lactam antibiotics and its inhibitors. Materials and Methods: In this research work we have used multiple drug resistant (MDR) strains from surgical site of infections. A rapid method was used for specific detection of bacterial ?-lactamases that uses ?-lactam antibiotics as substrates. In this, the end products (open beta-lactam ring forms) generated after separately incubating substrates with ?-lactamases producing strains. Those end products of antibiotics were highly fluorescent after specific treatment and could be analyzed visually under long-wave UV lamp for efficiency. Results: ?-lactamases secreting strains are variably capable of defending ?-lactam antibiotics. Interestingly, one of the E. coli strain secretes ESBL, this means that the strain is resistant against clavulanic acid. However, the most fascinating fact of the finding is that ideally the ?-lactamases supposed to hydrolyze Penicillin by default but in our isolates, ?-lactamases are not able to hydrolyze penicillin instead they hydrolyze amoxicillin, a derivative which replaced clinical use of penicillin. In addition to that we have identified the presence of New Delhi Metalo- beta- lactamase in one of the clinical isolates. Conclusion: Rate of evolution in microbes is very high. Thus we presume that some of the amino acids in the functional domain of ?-lactamases have been changed respective to extinct use of penicillin whereas it is effective against clinically used other beta lactam antibiotics. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v19i0.12999 J. bio-sci. 19 37-42, 2011
Assessment of three different parameters of urban ponds at Rajshahi, Bangladesh
Authors: Flowra FA , Ghosh JK , Tumpa AS , Jahan SN
Published: December 2012

Context: Physico-chemical factors directly affect the water quality. Biological parameters varied from pond to pond according to the water quality. Objective: To assess the physico-chemical conditions and plankton abundance in the studied ponds. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out for a period of seven months from June, 2008 to December, 2008 in six ponds of Rajshahi Metropolitan area. Surface water samples were collected once a month at 10-11 am in black plastic bottle and analyzed for the estimation of different parameters. Water temperature, transparency, pH, dissolved oxygen (DO), free carbon dioxide (CO2), biological oxygen demand (BOD), nitrite nitrogen (NO2N), nitrite (NO2), toxic ammonia, ammonium ion (NH4+) and total hardness were measured. The density of plankton was also estimated. Results: The mean values of water temperature varied from 28.73 ± 3.98 (Pond 6) to 29.56 ± 4.68°C (Pond 4) and the pH varied from 7.37 ± 0.26 (Pond 6) to 8.57±0.26 (Pond 4). The DO varied 1.66 ± 1.03 (Pond 1) to 4.68 ± 0.36 mg/l (Pond 6) and the mean value of free CO2 varied from 4.29 ± 0.37 (Pond 5) to 50.91 ±19.30 mg/l (Pond 3). The total hardness was 136.79 ± 20.28 (Pond 6) to 183.14 ± 51.17 mg/l (Pond 3) with NO2varied from 0.003 ± 0.002 (Pond 5) to 2.08 ± 0.59 mg/l (Pond 4). The mean total phytoplankton was 28761.43 ± 2912.62 (Pond 2) to 63629.29 ± 20214.44 cells/l (Pond 4) and the mean total zooplankton was 13314.24 ± 3189.70 cells/l (Pond 5) to 18820.00 ± 932.51 cells/l (Pond 4). Conclusion: The deterioration in the physico-chemical quality and plankton population observed in this study is alarming, and periodic monitoring and preventative measures are required to save the aquatic system from eutrophication. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v19i0.13002 J. bio-sci. 19 59-63, 2011
Potential of pyrethroid insecticides and plant extracts on fecundity and egg viability of Tribolium castaneum (Herbst)
Authors: Jilani SNK , Islam W , Mondal KAMSH
Published: December 2012

Context: Sythetic pyrethroid and two botanical may reduce the fecundity and egg viability of red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum (Herbst) and can be used in grain protection. Objective: To determine the effect of cypermethrin, fenitrothion, Murraya paniculata L. and Jatropha gossypifolia L. plant extracts on fecundity and egg viability of T castaneum. Materials and Methods: Newly hatched T. castaneum larvae were kept in a petridish containing 30 g either fresh or treated flour separately. After pupation the pupae were sieved and sexed by microscopic examination and kept separately for adult emergence. Twenty five pairs (1?: 1?) adults were paired from treated and one pair from untreated media and placed in a glass vial containing 2 g of food either treated or untreated for oviposition in an incubator at 30 ± 0.5°C. Eggs were collected and counted after every three days over a period of 45 days. The eggs laid by the first 15 pairs from each treatment were collected from the experimental vials and kept in separate petridish for hatching. Eggs were regularly observed with a microscope and hatched larvae were counted. Results: The females of all treated media laid less number of eggs than the untreated females. Both insecticides and botanicals affected oviposition significantly (P<0.001) at all doses levels. All the treatments of both the insecticides and botanicals significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the fertility of eggs laid by T. castaneum females in comparison to those of the control. Conclusion: The plant extracts of kamini and jamalgota can effectively reduced the fecundity and egg viability against stored product insect pests with low mamalian toxicity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v19i0.13007 J. bio-sci. 19 95-97, 2011
Effect of different agrochemicals as foliar spray on the growth performance of mango grafts cv. Amrapali
Authors: Haque Md Mazharul , Rahim MA , Choudhury MSH
Published: December 2012

No abstract available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbs.v19i0.13009 J. bio-sci. 19 101-103, 2011
Proactive Management of the Equine Athlete
Authors: Rogers Chris , Bolwell Charlotte , Gee Erica
Published: December 2012

Across many equestrian disciplines the median competition career of a horse is relatively short. One of the major reasons for short career length is musculoskeletal injury and a consistent variable is the trainer effect. There are significant opportunities within equestrian sport for a holistic approach to horse health to attenuate musculoskeletal injury. Proactive integration of care by health professionals could provide a mechanism to attenuate injury risk and the trainer effect. However, the limited data available on current exercise regimens for sport horses restricts interpretation of how management and exercise volume could be modified to reduce injury risk. Early exercise in the juvenile horse (i.e., pre weaning) has a positive effect on stimulating the musculoskeletal system and primes the horse for an athletic career. The early introduction to sport competition has also been identified to have a positive effect on career length. These data indicate that management systems reflecting the cursorial evolution of the horse may aid in attenuating loss from sport due to musculoskeletal injury.
A New Battery Energy Storage Charging/Discharging Scheme for Wind Power Producers in Real-Time Markets
Authors: Nguyen Minh , Nguyen Dinh , Yoon Yong
Published: December 2012

Under a deregulated environment, wind power producers are subject to many regulation costs due to the intermittence of natural resources and the accuracy limits of existing prediction tools. This paper addresses the operation (charging/discharging) problem of battery energy storage installed in a wind generation system in order to improve the value of wind power in the real-time market. Depending on the prediction of market prices and the probabilistic information of wind generation, wind power producers can schedule the battery energy storage for the next day in order to maximize the profit. In addition, by taking into account the expenses of using batteries, the proposed charging/discharging scheme is able to avoid the detrimental operation of battery energy storage which can lead to a significant reduction of battery lifetime, i.e., uneconomical operation. The problem is formulated in a dynamic programming framework and solved by a dynamic programming backward algorithm. The proposed scheme is then applied to the study cases, and the results of simulation show its effectiveness.
Nano Size Effects of TiO2 Nanotube Array on the Glioma Cells Behavior
Authors: Yang He , Qin Xiaofei , Tian Ang , Zhang Dongyong , Xue Xiangxin , Wu Anhua
Published: December 2012

In order to investigate the interplay between the cells and TiO2 nanotube array, and to explore the ability of cells to sense the size change in nano-environment, we reported on the behavior of glioma C6 cells on nanotube array coatings in terms of proliferation and apoptosis. The behavior of glioma C6 cells was obviously size-dependent on the coatings; the caliber with 15 nm diameter provided effective spacing to improve the cells proliferation and enhanced the cellular activities. C6 cells’ biological behaviors showed many similar tendencies to many phorocytes; the matching degree of geometry between nanotube and integrin defined that a spacing of 15 nm was optimal for inducing signals to nucleus, which results in achieving maximum activity of glioma cells. In addition, the immune behavior of cells was studied, a variety of inflammatory mediator’s gene expression levels were controlled by the nanoscale dimension, the expressions of IL-6 and IL-10 were higher on 30 nm than on 15 nm nanotube.
Sheep Monoclonal Antibodies Prevent Systemic Effects of Botulinum Neurotoxin A1
Authors: Mukherjee Jean , McCann Chase , Ofori Kwasi , Hill Julia , Baldwin Karen , Shoemaker Charles , Harrison Peter , Tzipori Saul
Published: December 2012

Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) is responsible for causing botulism, a potentially fatal disease characterized by paralysis of skeletal muscle. Existing specific treatments include polyclonal antisera derived from immunized humans or horses. Both preparations have similar drawbacks, including limited supply, risk of adverse effects and batch to batch variation. Here, we describe a panel of six highly protective sheep monoclonal antibodies (SMAbs) derived from sheep immunized with BoNT/A1 toxoid (SMAbs 2G11, 4F7) or BoNT/A1 heavy chain C-terminus (HcC) (SMAbs 1G4, 5E2, 5F7, 16F9) with or without subsequent challenge immunization with BoNT/A1 toxin. Although each SMAb bound BoNT/A1 toxin, differences in specificity for native and recombinant constituents of BoNT/A1 were observed. Structural differences were suggested by pI (5E2 = 8.2; 2G11 = 7.1; 4F7 = 8.8; 1G4 = 7.4; 5F7 = 8.0; 16F9 = 5.1). SMAb protective efficacy vs. 10,000 LD50 BoNT/A1 was evaluated using the mouse lethality assay. Although not protective alone, divalent and trivalent combinations of SMabs, IG4, 5F7 and/or 16F9 were highly protective. Divalent combinations containing 0.5–4 μg/SMAb (1–8 μg total SMAb) were 100% protective against death with only mild signs of botulism observed; relative efficacy of each combination was 1G4 + 5F7 > 1G4 + 16F9 >> 5F7 + 16F9. The trivalent combination of 1G4 + 5F7 + 16F9 at 0.25 μg/SMAb (0.75 μg total SMAb) was 100% protective against clinical signs and death. These results reflect levels of protective potency not reported previously.
Hepatitis C Virus in American Indian/Alaskan Native and Aboriginal Peoples of North America
Authors: Rempel Julia , Uhanova Julia
Published: December 2012

Liver diseases, such as hepatitis C virus (HCV), are “broken spirit” diseases. The prevalence of HCV infection for American Indian/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) in the United States and Canadian Aboriginals varies; nonetheless, incidence rates of newly diagnosed HCV infection are typically higher relative to non-indigenous people. For AI/AN and Aboriginal peoples risk factors for the diagnosis of HCV can reflect that of the general population: predominately male, a history of injection drug use, in midlife years, with a connection with urban centers. However, the face of the indigenous HCV infected individual is becoming increasingly female and younger compared to non-indigenous counterparts. Epidemiology studies indicate that more effective clearance of acute HCV infection can occur for select Aboriginal populations, a phenomenon which may be linked to unique immune characteristics. For individuals progressing to chronic HCV infection treatment outcomes are comparable to other racial cohorts. Disease progression, however, is propelled by elevated rates of co-morbidities including type 2 diabetes and alcohol use, along with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection relative to non-indigenous patients. Historical and personal trauma has a major role in the participation of high risk behaviors and associated diseases. Although emerging treatments provide hope, combating HCV related morbidity and mortality will require interventions that address the etiology of broken spirit diseases.
Innovative Urban Water Management as a Climate Change Adaptation Strategy: Results from the Implementation of the Project “Water Against Climate Change (WATACLIC)”
Authors: Conte Giulio , Bolognesi Andrea , Bragalli Cristiana , Branchini Sara , Carli Alessandro , Lenzi Chiara , Masi Fabio , Massarutto Antonio , Pollastri Marco , Principi Ilaria
Published: December 2012

The excessive use of water is damaging European groundwater and rivers: their environmental conditions are often below the “good status” that—according to Water Framework Directive 2000/60—should be reached by 2015. The already critical situation is tending to get worse because of climate change. Even in water rich countries, urban wastewater is still one of the main sources of water pollution. Currently, urban soil sealing and “conventional” rainwater management, which were planned to quickly move rainwater away from roofs and streets, are increasing the flood risk. “Green” technologies and approaches would permit a reduction in water abstraction and wastewater production while improving urban hydrological response to heavy rains. The Life+ WATACLIC project has been implemented to promote such sustainable technologies and approaches in Italy, however the results show huge difficulties: apparently water saving and sustainable urban water management have only low interest amongst the general public and even with public administrations and the relevant industrial sectors. In such a cultural and technical context, the project is bringing a new point of view to public debate. In the long term, the project will certainly have a positive impact, but most likely it will require more time than initially expected.
Highly stereocontrolled synthesis of trans-enediynes via carbocupration of fluoroalkylated diynes
Authors: Konno Tsutomu , Kishi Misato , Ishihara Takashi
Published: December 2012

Treatment of readily prepared (Z)-6-benzyloxy-1,1,1,2-tetrafluoro-6-methyl-2-hepten-4-yne with 1.5 equiv of LHMDS in −78 °C for 1 h gave the corresponding trifluoromethylated diyne in an excellent yield. This diyne was found to be a good substrate for the carbocupration with various higher-ordered cyanocuprates to give the corresponding vinylcuprates in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. The in situ generated vinylcuprates could react very smoothly with an excess amount of iodine, the vinyl iodides being obtained in high yields. Thus-obtained iodides underwent a very smooth Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction to afford various trans-enediynes in high yields.