bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A principal components/singular spectrum analysis approach to ENSO and PDO influences on rainfall in western Iran
Authors: Biabanaki Monireh , Eslamian Seyed Saeid , Koupai Jahangir Abedi , Cañón Julio , Boni Giorgio , Gheysari Mahdi
Published: April 2014

This paper analyzes the spatio-temporal variability of precipitation in western Iran by means of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), calculated in annual and seasonal aggregations for wet and dry conditions over 46 synoptic stations with monthly data from 1957 to 2008. Regions of homogeneous SPI realizations were delimited using principal components analysis (PCA) to highlight major variation modes distinguishable in the basin and singular spectrum analysis (SSA) was performed over the reconstructed values of SPI to identify their oscillation modes. Extreme SPI values associated with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) were also evaluated. Results show two significant oscillations around 4 and 8 years on the SPI with an increase in precipitation variability since 1990 and a tendency to have less rain during the cold season and more rain during the warm season. We calculated standardized products among SPI, ENSO, and PDO to determine years in which the indices reinforce each other, 1986, 1992, 1999, and 2008 being particularly significant in the associations. These results are important for water managers in western Iran because they indicate significant changes in precipitation regimes associated with ENSO and PDO signals that will help to assess the occurrence of droughts and floods in the area.
Travel time of curved parallel hillslopes
Authors: Noroozpour Shabnam , Saghafian Bahram , Akhondali Ali Mohammad , Radmanesh Fereydoon
Published: April 2014

Travel time is an important variable that influences the hydrologic response of watersheds. Hydrologic models often do not take the variation of slope along the flow paths, i.e. profile curvature, directly into account. In this study, using a kinematic wave-based model, the effect of profile curvature on the travel time in parallel hillslopes is investigated. Also, the profiles associated with minima travel times are derived. Moreover, the range of profile curvature for which this error becomes negligible is determined. Finally, a kinematic wave-based geomorphic index is derived which considers profile curvature and plan curvature. Given that a rather similar index has been previously developed, the two indices are compared. It is concluded that there is no universal rule about which type of profile (curvature, concave or convex) has the longer travel time. In fact, this strongly depends on the degree of curvature. However, travel times for convex hillslopes are generally more than those of the straight hillslopes. In contrast, there is no consistent trend regarding the variation of travel time with the degree of curvature in concave hillslopes. Furthermore, ignoring slope variation in travel time determination may potentially cause an underestimation by up to 12% in convex hillslopes.
Extending the water safety plan concept to the urban water cycle
Authors: Almeida M. C. , Vieira P. , Smeets P.
Published: April 2014

The urban water cycle (UWC) is often managed by several stakeholders dealing with specific components of the cycle such as water supply, wastewater systems and water bodies management. Therefore, risk management in the UWC benefits from an integrated approach to incorporate the interdependencies between elements. The water cycle safety plan (WCSP) provides a common risk management framework for stakeholders in the UWC. It is based on the water safety plan (WSP) approach for water supply and incorporates the latest developments in risk management approaches, such as ISO 31 000:2009 and ISO Guide 73:2009. Apart from protection of public health, the WCSP also addresses public safety and protection of the environment. The proposed WCSP is divided into nine steps including stakeholders’ commitment and team assembling, establishment of scope of the plan, characterisation of water systems, identification of risks, risk analysis and evaluation, selection of risk reduction measures, development of protocols for communication, monitoring and review. The WCSP approach was developed in the PREPARED project with a focus on UWC adaptation to climate change but can be applied in a broader context. This preventive and systematic risk approach supports decisions on adaptive measures and strategies for the whole UWC based on the best available knowledge.
The use of bottle caps as submerged aerated filter medium
Authors: Damasceno de Oliveira Laurence , Motlagh Amir Mohaghegh , Goel Ramesh , de Souza Missagia Beatriz , Alves de Abreu Filho Benício , Lautenschlager Sandro Rogério
Published: April 2014

In this study, a submerged aerated filter (SAF) using bottle caps as a support medium was evaluated. The system was fed with effluent from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket system at ETE 2-South wastewater treatment plant, under different volumetric organic load rates (VOLRs). The population of a particular nitrifying microbial community was assessed by fluorescent in situ hybridization with specific oligonucleotide probes. The system showed an average removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) equal to 76% for VOLRs between 2.6 and 13.6 kg COD m−3_media.day−1. The process of nitrification in conjunction with the removal of organic matter was observed from applying VOLRs lower than 5.5 kg COD m−3_media.day−1 resulting in 78% conversion of NH4+-N. As the applied organic load was reduced, an increase in the nitrifying bacteria population was observed compared with total 4′-6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) stained cells. Generally, SAF using bottle caps as a biological aerated filter medium treating wastewater from an anaerobic system showed promising removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and conversion of NH4+-N.
Behaviour of different cementitious material formulations in sewer networks
Authors: Herisson J. , Guéguen-Minerbe M. , van Hullebusch E. D. , Chaussadent T.
Published: April 2014

Sewer networks are subjected to degradation, including biodeterioration of materials, in the presence of biogenic sulfuric acid, leading to costly repairs. To ensure durable structures, it is essential to select the best adapted materials. Two cementitious materials based on ordinary Portland cement (OPC) or calcium aluminate cement (CAC), were subjected to biodeterioration in the headspace of an operating sewer network. After a few month OPC materials started to deteriorate whereas CAC materials were still intact. The better durability of CAC materials is due to the presence of alumina providing a combination of protective mechanisms. On-site environmental parameters were monitored and analysed in the context of the biological and chemical mechanisms involved in material degradation. These data will eventually feed into the development of a representative, reproducible and accelerated laboratory test.
Fast start-up of expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor using stored Anammox sludge
Authors: Wenjie Zhang , Yuanyuan Zhang , Liang Li , Xuehong Zhang , Yue Jin
Published: April 2014

Stored Anammox sludge (SAS) was used in an expanded granular sludge bed (EGSB) reactor treating synthetic wastewater with the aim of evaluating its possible use as seed sludge. The SAS had been kept in a refrigerator (4 °C) without any feed. After 2 years, only 1–2% Anammox bacteria could survive in the SAS. However, it soon prevailed in the EGSB reactor after loading. Accordingly, the start-up of the EGSB reactor was successfully completed in 34 days. The biomass turned to round reddish granular sludge from irregular brown floc at the end of this study. The results indicate that SAS could serve well as seed sludge. The required time for start-up of the Anammox reactor using SAS was thus demonstrated to be shorter than that of uncultivated sludge under experimental conditions.
Study of the recovery of phosphorus from struvite precipitation in supernatant line from anaerobic digesters of sludge
Authors: Xavier Luciano Dias , Cammarota Magali Christe , Yokoyama Lídia , Volschan Isaac
Published: April 2014

The goal of this work was to study the effective recovery of phosphorus from the supernatant of anaerobic digestion of sewage sludge by precipitation as struvite. The formation of struvite is envisioned as a promising process for nutrient removal and subsequent recovery, thus providing a strong incentive for its implementation, since the sewage is a renewable source of phosphorus. Struvite precipitation was obtained by controlled addition of Mg(OH)2 or MgCl2. We evaluated the removal of ammonia and phosphate under equimolar conditions of magnesium and magnesium stoichiometric excess of 100 to 200% relative to the limiting reagent, under a stirring speed of 300 rpm at pH 8, 9 and 10. The best condition was MgCl2 in 1:1 molar ratio to phosphate, considering the stoichiometric ratio [PO43−]:[NH4+] of 0.13 (presented by raw sample). The results show the best cost-benefit ratio, removal of phosphate of 90.6% and ammonium removal of 29%, resulting in 23 mg l−1 PO43− and 265 mg l−1 NH4+ concentration in effluent.
A novel electrospun polyurethane nanofibre membrane – production parameters and suitability for wastewater (WW) treatment
Authors: Lev Jaroslav , Holba Marek , Došek Michal , Kalhotka Libor , Mikula Přemysl , Kimmer Dušan
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of a novel electrospun polyurethane nanofibre material for water-treatment purposes. Bacterial removal efficiency was tested in the laboratory by filtering artificial water spiked with Escherichia coli through a 0.25 µm nanofibre membrane. The results were compared with those obtained using a commercial microfiltration material (MV020T) with a similar pore size (0.20 µm). Alongside the laboratory experiments, we also determined filtration efficiency with semi-pilot scale experiments using actual wastewater from the secondary sedimentation tank of a wastewater treatment plant. The laboratory experiments indicated very high log10 removal efficiency, ranging from 5.8 to 6.8 CFU (colony-forming units)/ml. These results were better than those of the commercial membrane (3.8–4.6 CFU/ml). The semi-pilot scale experiment confirmed the membrane's suitability for microbial filtration, with both E. coli and total culturable microorganisms (cultured at both 22 and 36 °C) showing a significant decline compared to the non-filtered control (wastewater from the secondary outlet).
Evaluating odour control technologies using reliability and sustainability criteria – a case study for water treatment plants
Authors: Kraakman N. J. R. , Estrada J. M. , Lebrero R. , Cesca J. , Muñoz R.
Published: April 2014

Technologies for odour control have been widely reviewed and their optimal range of application and performance has been clearly established. Selection criteria, mainly driven by process economics, are usually based on the air flow volume, the inlet concentrations and the required removal efficiency. However, these criteria are shifting with social and environmental issues becoming as important as process economics. A methodology is illustrated to quantify sustainability and robustness of odour control technology in the context of odour control at wastewater treatment or water recycling plants. The most commonly used odour abatement techniques (biofiltration, biotrickling filtration, activated carbon adsorption, chemical scrubbing, activated sludge diffusion and biotrickling filtration coupled with activated carbon adsorption) are evaluated in terms of: (1) sustainability, with quantification of process economics, environmental performance and social impact using the sustainability metrics of the Institution of Chemical Engineers; (2) sensitivity towards design and operating parameters like utility prices (energy and labour), inlet odour concentration (H2S) and design safety (gas contact time); (3) robustness, quantifications of operating reliability, with recommendations to improve reliability during their lifespan of operations. The results show that the odour treatment technologies with the highest investments presented the lowest operating costs, which means that the net present value (NPV) should be used as a selection criterion rather than investment costs. Economies of scale are more important in biotechniques (biofiltration and biotrickling filtration) as, at increased airflows, their reduction in overall costs over 20 years (NPV20) is more extreme when compared to the physical/chemical technologies (chemical scrubbing and activated carbon filtration). Due to their low NPV and their low environmental impact, activated sludge diffusion and biotrickling filtration are in general the most cost-effective, and probably the technologies to be considered first for odour treatment in a wastewater treatment or water recycling plant. When, in an economical and risk evaluation, the reliability is counted to be as relevant as the overall costs, a hybrid technology (biotrickling filtration with activated carbon polishing) would be comparable to biotrickling filtration and activated sludge diffusion as the most preferred technologies, when all technologies are designed to have a 99% reduction of H2S and a 95% reduction of the odour concentration.
Effect of PVC plastisol composition and processing conditions on foam expansion and tear strength
Authors: Radovanovic Rajko , Jaso Vladislav , Pilic Branka , Stoiljkovic Dragoslav
Published: April 2014

The quality of vinyl floorings depends mainly on the right control of the
formation of poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) foam structure. Many process
parameters influence the cellular structure and final properties of the PVC
foam. In this paper the influence of concentration of blowing agent and
calcium carbonate filler as well as temperature and time of the blowing
process on the expansion ratio and tear strength of the PVC foam were
studied. Moreover, regression analysis was performed in order to determine
the significance of studied parameters influence on expansion ratio and tear
strength of PVC foams. It was found that concentration of the blowing agent
in the plastisol mixture had the principal influence on the expansion ratio
of the PVC foam. Tear strength was found to depend more or less equally on
all studied parameters. The study has also shown that the addition of calcium
carbonate filler had insignificantly lowered the expansion ratio but at the
same time it could significantly lower the cost of the final product. This
effect was practically employed to improve the economic efficiency of the PVC
floorings production in JUTEKS plant in Russia.
The Effect of Three Desensitizing Agents on Dentin Hypersensitivity: A Randomized, Split-mouth Clinical Trial
Authors: Torres CRG , Silva TM , Fonseca BM , Sales ALLS , Holleben P , Di Nicolo R , Borges AB
Published: April 2014

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of three desensitizing agents to provide relief to dentin hypersensitivity after one session in a four-week follow-up. Forty selected patients participated in a double-blind study following a split-mouth model. One application of the desensitizing agents (A, Admira Protect [Voco]; B, Bifluorid 12 [Voco]; and C, Colgate Pro-Relief in office [Colgate Palmolive]) was performed in three different quadrants for each patient. Each tooth was evaluated by tactile and evaporative stimuli, and the sensitivity response was measured using the Visual Analogue Scale. Evaluations were performed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and after one, two, three, and four weeks. The application of Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn multiple comparisons tests (5%) for both tactile and evaporative stimuli showed that all agents presented a significant desensitizing effect. In groups A and B this relief was maintained for four and three weeks, respectively, as measured by tactile stimulus and for four weeks with evaporative stimulus. The desensitizing effect for group C was maintained for two weeks for both tactile and evaporative stimuli. It is concluded that all desensitizing agents tested were effective in reducing sensitivity compared to baseline values. One application of Admira Protect and Bifluorid 12 presented a longer-lasting desensitizing effect than did Colgate Pro-Relief (applied in the office) on both tactile and evaporative stimuli.
Effect of Water Storage on the Flexural Strength of Four Self-etching Adhesive Resin Cements and on the Dentin-titanium Shear Bond Strength Mediated by Them
Authors: Schittly E , Le Goff S , Besnault C , Sadoun M , Ruse ND
Published: April 2014

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of water storage on the flexural strength (σf) of four self-etching adhesive resin cements (SEARC) and on the dentin-titanium shear bond strength (SBS) mediated by them.

Materials and Methods

The selected SEARC were Rely X Unicem, G-Cem, Maxcem, and SmartCem2. For each material, 50 bars (2×2×25 mm) were made and stored in water at 37°C for 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and 60 days before σf was determined via a three-point bend test. Titanium cylinders were bonded to freshly exposed human dentin surfaces using the selected cements. Fifty samples were obtained for each SEARC and were stored in water at 37°C for 1 hour, 1 day, 7 days, 30 days, and 60 days before SBS was determined. The results were statistically analyzed using two-way analysis of variance followed by Scheffé multiple means comparisons (α=0.05). Pearson's correlation coefficient between σf and SBS was determined.

Results

Significantly different σf and SBS values were obtained for the four cements. With regards to the effect of water storage, the σf of all materials increased during the first 7 days, was not significantly different between materials by 30 days, and then remained relatively constant or decreased for SmartCem2; SBS was not affected by water storage, with the exception of Maxcem, where a significant drop in SBS was detected after 1 day and no deterioration thereafter. No correlation was found between σf and SBS.

Conclusions

Under the experimental conditions of this study, 60 days of water storage negatively affected the σf of SmartCem2 but did not negatively affect the SEARC-mediated dentin-titanium SBS (Maxcem showed a significant drop in SBS after 1 day but no deterioration thereafter). The dentin-titanium adherence afforded by Rely X and G-Cem was significantly higher than that of Maxcem and SmartCem2.
Potential for Zika virus transmission through blood transfusion demonstrated during an outbreak in French Polynesia, November 2013 to February 2014
Authors: Musso D , Nhan T , Robin E , Roche C , Bierlaire D , Zisou K , Shan Yan A , Cao-Lormeau V M , Broult J
Published: April 2014

Since October 2013, French Polynesia has experienced the largest documented outbreak of Zika virus (ZIKAV) infection. To prevent transmission of ZIKAV by blood transfusion, specific nucleic acid testing of blood donors was implemented. From November 2013 to February 2014: 42 (3%) of 1,505 blood donors, although asymptomatic at the time of blood donation, were found positive for ZIKAV by PCR. Our results serve to alert blood safety authorities about the risk of post-transfusion Zika fever.
In Search of a Different History: The Remains of Burlesque in Montreal
Authors: Mansbridge Joanna
Published: April 2014

Abstract:

Taking Elin Diamond’s and Rebecca Schneider’s recent work in drama and performance studies as a starting point, this essay looks at two eras of burlesque in Montreal—the 1940s-50s and 2012—tracing a shifting landscape of popular entertainment, politics, religion, and social attitudes toward female sexuality. There is a central question underlying this examination: Why burlesque? Why now (or, rather, again?). I argue that burlesque offers an archive that evokes a different, more glamorous history than the one passed down to women by second-wave feminism. Burlesque also provides an alternative to popular culture’s commodification of female sexuality, technology’s mediation of social life, and heteronormative culture’s privatization of sexuality, giving women—and men—a stage on which to make fun of our cultural fixation with sex and the female body. Both nostalgically looking back and eagerly reaching for the new, neo-burlesque repeats the past as it simultaneously reinvents it.
Are You Staring at the Size of My Gimmick? Applying Burlesque Conventions to a Different Anatomy
Authors: Whitehead Jay
Published: April 2014

Abstract:

A former “boylesque” performer explores his personal experiences within the Toronto-based male burlesque company Boylesque TO, examining the presentation of male bodies in traditional and contemporary burlesque. Can men in Burlesque reclaim aesthetic dignity for the male body through the emulation of a traditionally female art form, or does their presence in the burlesque community simply serve to further “expose” the male physique, in all its shapes and sizes, to socialized reactions from its audience? In popular culture, and the performing arts, the performer’s penis remains a source of shock or hilarity, a symbol of depravity or comedy. Does its presence in a traditionally female performance style simply encourage this further, remaining appropriate for only size-jokes or covered eyes, or can it help the male member become a truly sensual object in the spirit of traditional burlesque?
An Interview with Alex Tigchelaar, Formerly Sasha Van Bon Bon of The Scandelles
Authors: Butler Alexis
Published: April 2014

Abstract:

Alex Tigchelaar, formerly Sasha Van Bon Bon of the Toronto neo-burlesque collective The Scandelles, discusses the early days of Toronto neo-burlesque, her classy vagina, social renegades & queering history, sobriety, and other stops on her journey towards artistic confidence.
“You’re Just a Stripper that Came Out of a Time Machine”: Operation Snatch’s Queer World-Making and Sex-Working Class Politics
Authors: Mann Sarah
Published: April 2014

Abstract:

This essay explores the queer world of Toronto’s Operation Snatch (formerly known as The Scandelles), focusing in particular on two of their productions related to sex work, Les Demimondes and Neon Nightz. The essay details the performances, which focus on prostitution and exotic dance, respectively, and discusses whether performances about sex work ought to be considered queer performance art. Arguing that Operation Snatch’s performances constitute “queer world-making,” this essay considers how Operation Snatch leverages affect to engage their audiences in the composition of a queer “world” that critiques popular and burlesque images of sex workers, in which their critical self-representations as sex workers can come to life. By adapting burlesque’s ironic “gaze back” to the “world-making” capacities of cabaret, Operation Snatch produces sex work-related performances that can critique sex workers’ marginalization in both popular and burlesque culture.
Preparation and characterization of boron nitride/carbon fiber composite with high specific surface area
Authors: Sun Yan , Yuan Songdong , Xiong Kun , Hu Kunpeng , Luo Yi , Fan Mingwen , Li Dong
Published: April 2014

Boron nitride can be used as a good catalyst carrier because of its high thermal conductivity and chemical stability. However, a high specific surface area of boron nitride is still desirable. In this work, a carbon fiber composite coated with boron nitride villous nano-film was prepared, and was also characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. The results indicated that the carbon fibers were covered by uniform villous boron nitride films whose thickness was about 150 – 200 nm. The specific surface area of the boron nitride/carbon fiber composite material was 96 m2 g−1, which was markedly improved compared with conventional boron nitride materials
Investigation of low k interfacial layer characteristics of LaAlO3 thin films grown on Si (100)
Authors: Wang Dong-Sheng
Published: April 2014

Amorphous LaAlO3 thin films were deposited on bare Si substrates using RF-magnetron sputtering at room temperature. A post-annealing process was performed in O2 atmosphere at 650 °C for 30 min. The annealed films have a high-quality amorphous structure with faceted surface and uniform thickness. Smaller roughness of about 0.197 nm was observed. By analyzing the interfacial structure of the films, we confirmed that O2 annealing causes the formation of a low k (∼ 6.57) La and Al silicate phase with high-quality interface and surface. Unlike most previous studies, our results show the possibility of the formation of a relatively low k interfacial layer for LaAlO3 thin films during the thermal processing required by complementary metal oxide semiconductor applications.
Aicardi-Goutieres Syndrome  A Case Report
Authors: Taher MA , Shegufta F , Rahman MT , Abedin N , Rahman N , Alam MMU
Published: April 2014

A 4 month old male baby, who had episodes of generalized convulsion for 11/2 months and microcephaly, was referred to Radiology & Imaging dept. of BIRDEM for CT scan of brain. CT scan of brain showed extensive calcifications in both cerebral and cerebellar hemispheres The probable diagnosis was TORCH infection with mild generalized cerebral atrophy. TORCH screening was done and found negative. Patients RBS, SGPT, S.Calcium, Parathyroid hormone, TSH , thyroxine were within normal limits. MRI of brain showed extensive T1W hypointense and T2W hyperintense areas in peri- ventricular locations represent leukodystrophy and mild cortical atrophy of brain. CSF examination revealed WBC count 10 cells /mm3 and all the cells were lymphocytes. Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disease in which there is extensive paraventricular cerebral and cerebellar calcifications with leukodystrophy and CSF lymphocytosis. Considering history, biochemical and imaging findings the final diagnosis was Aicardi Goutieres Syndrome . DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18553 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 43-46
Medical Quiz: Single Best Answer (SBA)
Authors: Ahmed JU , Afroze SR
Published: April 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18561 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 57-58
From the Desk of the Executive Editor Vol.4(1)
Authors: Uddin Khwaja Nazim
Published: April 2014

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/birdem.v4i1.18564 Birdem Med J 2014; 4(1): 62
Melatonin Therapy in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Cardinali Daniel , Vigo Daniel , Olivar Natividad , Vidal María , Brusco Luis
Published: April 2014

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a major health problem and a growing recognition exists that efforts to prevent it must be undertaken by both governmental and non-governmental organizations. In this context, the pineal product, melatonin, has a promising significance because of its chronobiotic/cytoprotective properties potentially useful for a number of aspects of AD. One of the features of advancing age is the gradual decrease in circulating melatonin levels. A limited number of therapeutic trials have indicated that melatonin has a therapeutic value as a neuroprotective drug in the treatment of AD and minimal cognitive impairment (which may evolve to AD). Both in vitro and in vivo, melatonin prevented the neurodegeneration seen in experimental models of AD. For these effects to occur, doses of melatonin about two orders of magnitude higher than those required to affect sleep and circadian rhythmicity are needed. More recently, attention has been focused on the development of potent melatonin analogs with prolonged effects, which were employed in clinical trials in sleep-disturbed or depressed patients in doses considerably higher than those employed for melatonin. In view that the relative potencies of the analogs are higher than that of the natural compound, clinical trials employing melatonin in the range of 50–100 mg/day are urgently needed to assess its therapeutic validity in neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
The Multifunctional Protein Kinase C-ε in Cancer Development and Progression
Authors: Jain Kirti , Basu Alakananda
Published: April 2014

The protein kinase C (PKC) family proteins are important signal transducers and have long been the focus of cancer research. PKCɛ, a member of this family, is overexpressed in most solid tumors and plays critical roles in different processes that lead to cancer development. Studies using cell lines and animal models demonstrated the transforming potential of PKCɛ. While earlier research established the survival functions of PKCɛ, recent studies revealed its role in cell migration, invasion and cancer metastasis. PKCɛ has also been implicated in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which may be the underlying mechanism by which it contributes to cell motility. In addition, PKCɛ affects cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions by direct regulation of the cytoskeletal elements. Recent studies have also linked PKCɛ signaling to cancer stem cell functioning. This review focuses on the role of PKCɛ in different processes that lead to cancer development and progression. We also discussed current literatures on the pursuit of PKCɛ as a target for cancer therapy.
Anomalous Response in Heteroacene-Based Organic Field Effect Transistors under High Pressure
Authors: Sakai Ken-ichi , Takeya Jun
Published: April 2014

Carrier transport properties of organic field effect transistors in dinaphtho[2,3-b:2',3'-f]thieno[3,2-b]thiophene single crystals have been investigated under high pressure. In contrast to the typical pressure effect of monotonic increase in charge transfer rates according to the application of external hydrostatic pressure, it is clarified that the present organic semiconductor devices exhibit nonmonotonic pressure response, such as negative pressure effect. X-ray diffraction analysis under high pressure reveals that on-site molecular orientation and displacement in the heteroacene molecule is assumed to be the origin for the anomalous pressure effects.
Spatiotemporal Variability of Carbon Flux from Different Land Use and Land Cover Changes: A Case Study in Hubei Province, China
Authors: Gao Li , Wen Xin , Guo Yuntong , Gao Tianming , Wang Yi , Shen Lei
Published: April 2014

Carbon sources and sinks as a result of land use and land cover changes (LUCC) are significant for global climate change. This paper aims to identify and analyze the temporal and spatial changes of land use-based carbon emission in the Hubei Province in China. We use a carbon emission coefficient to calculate carbon emissions in different land use patterns in Hubei Province from 1998 to 2009. The results indicate that regional land use is facing tremendous pressure from rapid carbon emission growth. Source:sink ratios and average carbon emission intensity values of urban land are increasing, while slow-growing carbon sinks fail to offset the rapidly expanding carbon sources. Overall, urban land carbon emissions have a strong correlation with the total carbon emissions, and will continue to increase in the future mainly due to the surge of industrialization and urbanization. Furthermore, carbon emission in regions with more developed industrial structures is much higher than in regions with less advanced industrial structures. Lastly, carbon emission per unit of GDP has declined since 2004, indicating that a series of reform measures i.e., economic growth mode transformation and land-use structure optimization, has initiated the process of carbon emission reduction.
Repeated Raking of Pine Plantations Alters Soil Arthropod Communities
Authors: Ober Holly , DeGroote Lucas
Published: April 2014

Terrestrial arthropods in forests are engaged in vital ecosystem functions that ultimately help maintain soil productivity. Repeated disturbance can cause abrupt and irreversible changes in arthropod community composition and thereby alter trophic interactions among soil fauna. An increasingly popular means of generating income from pine plantations in the Southeastern U.S. is annual raking to collect pine litter. We raked litter once per year for three consecutive years in the pine plantations of three different species (loblolly, Pinus taeda; longleaf, P. palustris; and slash, P. elliottii). We sampled arthropods quarterly for three years in raked and un-raked pine stands to assess temporal shifts in abundance among dominant orders of arthropods. Effects varied greatly among orders of arthropods, among timber types, and among years. Distinct trends over time were apparent among orders that occupied both high trophic positions (predators) and low trophic positions (fungivores, detritivores). Multivariate analyses demonstrated that raking caused stronger shifts in arthropod community composition in longleaf and loblolly than slash pine stands. Results highlight the role of pine litter in shaping terrestrial arthropod communities, and imply that repeated removal of pine straw during consecutive years is likely to have unintended consequences on arthropod communities that exacerbate over time.
Dietary Pattern and Its Association with the Prevalence of Obesity, Hypertension and Other Cardiovascular Risk Factors among Chinese Older Adults
Authors: Sun Jing , Buys Nicholas , Hills Andrew
Published: April 2014

Aim: This article examined the association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular risk factors in Chinese older adults. Methods: For this study, older adults with one or more cardiovascular risk factors or a history of cardiovascular disease were randomly selected using health check medical records from the Changshu and Beijing Fangshan Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Exploratory factor analysis and cluster analysis was used to extract dietary pattern factors. Log binomial regression analysis was used to analyse the association between dietary patterns and chronic disease related risk factors. Results: Four factors were found through factor analysis. A high level of internal consistency was obtained, with a high Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.83. Cluster analysis identified three dietary patterns: healthy diet, Western diet, and balanced diet. Findings in this sample of Chinese adults correspond to those reported in previous studies, indicating that a Western diet is significantly related to likelihood of having obesity, hypertension and the metabolic syndrome. The identification of distinct dietary patterns among Chinese older adults and the nutritional status of people with chronic diseases suggest that the three dietary patterns have a reasonable level of discriminant validity. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that a FFQ is a valid and reliable tool to assess the dietary patterns of individuals with chronic diseases in small- to medium-size urban and rural settings in China. It also validates the significant association between dietary pattern and cardiovascular disease risk factors, including body mass index, blood pressure, triglycerides, and metabolic conditions. Clinical diagnosis of chronic disease further confirmed this relationship in Chinese older adults.
Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Are Resistant to HBV Infection during Differentiation into Hepatocytes in Vitro
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Feng , Zhao Hongchang , Zhang Xiaohe , Chen Haiying , Zhang Kaiyu
Published: April 2014

The therapeutic methods for chronic hepatitis B are limited. The shortage of organ donors and hepatitis B virus (HBV) reinfection obstruct the clinical application of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). In the present study, adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD-MSCs) and bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) were isolated from chronic hepatitis B patients and characterized for morphology, growth potency, surface phenotype and the differentiation potential. The results showed that both MSCs had adipogenic, osteogenic and neuron differentiation potential, and nearly all MSCs expressed CD105, CD44 and CD29. Compared with AD-MSCs, BM-MSCs of chronic hepatitis B patients proliferated defectively. In addition, the ability of AD-MSCs to differentiate into hepatocyte was evaluated and the susceptibility to HBV infection were assessed. AD-MSCs could differentiate into functional hepatocyte-like cells. These cells express the hepatic-specific markers and have glycogen production and albumin secretion function. AD-MSCs and hepatic differentiation AD-MSCs were not susceptible to infection by HBV in vitro. Compared with BM-MSCs, AD-MSCs may be alternative stem cells for chronic hepatitis B patients.
Epicardium-Derived Heart Repair
Authors: Smits Anke , Riley Paul
Published: April 2014

In the last decade, cell replacement therapy has emerged as a potential approach to treat patients suffering from myocardial infarction (MI). The transplantation or local stimulation of progenitor cells with the ability to form new cardiac tissue provides a novel strategy to overcome the massive loss of myocardium after MI. In this regard the epicardium, the outer layer of the heart, is a tractable local progenitor cell population for therapeutic pursuit. The epicardium has a crucial role in formation of the embryonic heart. After activation and migration into the developing myocardium, epicardial cells differentiate into several cardiac cells types. Additionally, the epicardium provides instructive signals for the growth of the myocardium and coronary angiogenesis. In the adult heart, the epicardium is quiescent, but recent evidence suggests that it becomes reactivated upon damage and recapitulates at least part of its embryonic functions. In this review we provide an update on the current knowledge regarding the contribution of epicardial cells to the adult mammalian heart during the injury response.
RNA Catalysis, Thermodynamics and the Origin of Life
Authors: Scott William , Szöke Abraham , Blaustein Josh , O'Rourke Sara , Robertson Michael
Published: April 2014

The RNA World Hypothesis posits that the first self-replicating molecules were RNAs. RNA self-replicases are, in general, assumed to have employed nucleotide 5ʹ-polyphosphates (or their analogues) as substrates for RNA polymerization. The mechanism by which these substrates might be synthesized with sufficient abundance to supply a growing and evolving population of RNAs is problematic for evolutionary hypotheses because non-enzymatic synthesis and assembly of nucleotide 5ʹ-triphosphates (or other analogously activated phosphodiester species) is inherently difficult. However, nucleotide 2ʹ,3ʹ-cyclic phosphates are also phosphodiesters, and are the natural and abundant products of RNA degradation. These have previously been dismissed as viable substrates for prebiotic RNA synthesis. We propose that the arguments for their dismissal are based on a flawed assumption, and that nucleotide 2ʹ,3ʹ-cyclic phosphates in fact possess several significant, advantageous properties that indeed make them particularly viable substrates for prebiotic RNA synthesis. An RNA World hypothesis based upon the polymerization of nucleotide 2ʹ,3ʹ-cyclic phosphates possesses additional explanatory power in that it accounts for the observed ribozyme “fossil record”, suggests a viable mechanism for substrate transport across lipid vesicle boundaries of primordial proto-cells, circumvents the problems of substrate scarcity and implausible synthetic pathways, provides for a primitive but effective RNA replicase editing mechanism, and definitively explains why RNA, rather than DNA, must have been the original catalyst. Finally, our analysis compels us to propose that a fundamental and universal property that drives the evolution of living systems, as well as pre-biotic replicating molecules (be they composed of RNA or protein), is that they exploit chemical reactions that already possess competing kinetically-preferred and thermodynamically-preferred pathways in a manner that optimizes the balance between the two types of pathways.
Emerging Applications for High K Materials in VLSI Technology
Authors: Clark Robert
Published: April 2014

The current status of High K dielectrics in Very Large Scale Integrated circuit (VLSI) manufacturing for leading edge Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) and Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) applications is summarized along with the deposition methods and general equipment types employed. Emerging applications for High K dielectrics in future CMOS are described as well for implementations in 10 nm and beyond nodes. Additional emerging applications for High K dielectrics include Resistive RAM memories, Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diodes, Ferroelectric logic and memory devices, and as mask layers for patterning. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) is a common and proven deposition method for all of the applications discussed for use in future VLSI manufacturing.
Simple and Rapid Quality Control of Sulfated Glycans by a Fluorescence Sensor Assay—Exemplarily Developed for the Sulfated Polysaccharides from Red Algae Delesseria sanguinea
Authors: Lühn Susanne , Grimm Juliane , Alban Susanne
Published: April 2014

Sulfated polysaccharides (SP) from algae are of great interest due to their manifold biological activities. Obstacles to commercial (especially medical) application include considerable variability and complex chemical composition making the analysis and the quality control challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate a simple microplate assay for screening the quality of SP. It is based on the fluorescence intensity (FI) increase of the sensor molecule Polymer-H by SP and was originally developed for direct quantification of SP. Exemplarily, 65 SP batches isolated from the red alga Delesseria sanguinea (D.s.-SP) and several other algae polysaccharides were investigated. Their FI increase in the Polymer-H assay was compared with other analytical parameters. By testing just one concentration of a D.s.-SP sample, quality deviations from the reference D.s.-SP and thus both batch-to-batch variability and stability can be detected. Further, structurally distinct SP showed to differ in their concentration-dependent FI profiles. By using corresponding reference compounds, the Polymer-H assay is therefore applicable as identification assay with high negative predictability. In conclusion, the Polymer-H assay showed to represent not only a simple method for quantification, but also for characterization identification and differentiation of SP of marine origin.
HPLC-DPPH Screening Method for Evaluation of Antioxidant Compounds Extracted from Semen Oroxyli
Authors: Yan Renyi , Cao Yangyang , Yang Bin
Published: April 2014

Semen Oroxyli, derived from the seed of Oroxylum indicum L., is a commonly used Traditional Chinese Medicine with beneficial effects against several respiratory disorders. Antioxidative flavonoids may be partly responsible for its medicinal functions. The aim of this study was to rapidly determine the antioxidants in Semen Oroxyli based on a HPLC-DPPH method. Four major flavonoids, baicalein-7-O-gentiobioside, baicalein-7-O-glucoside, baicalein, and baicalin, were identified as the active components against DPPH free radicals, which is in accord with the results of our former traditional activity-guided phytochemical study. The oxidative products of the four antioxidant flavonoids were studied in the DPPH spiking HPLC assay, it was suggested that the three active flavonoid glycosides were converted into 5,6-dihydroxy-7-methoxyflavone, which implied that an additional hydroxyl at C-6 in 5,7-dihydroxyflavones plays an important role in the DPPH assay.
Synthesis of Regiospecifically Fluorinated Conjugated Dienamides
Authors: Chowdhury Mohammad , Mandal Samir , Banerjee Shaibal , Zajc Barbara
Published: April 2014

Modular synthesis of regiospecifically fluorinated 2,4-diene Weinreb amides, with defined stereochemistry at both double bonds, was achieved via two sequential Julia-Kocienski olefinations. In the first step, a Z-a-fluorovinyl Weinreb amide unit with a benzothiazolylsulfanyl substituent at the allylic position was assembled. This was achieved via condensation of two primary building blocks, namely 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylsulfonyl)-2-fluoro-N-methoxy-N-methylacetamide (a Julia-Kocienski olefination reagent) and 2-(benzo[d]thiazol-2-ylthio)acetaldehyde (a bifunctional building block). This condensation was highly Z-selective and proceeded in a good 76% yield. Oxidation of benzothiazolylsulfanyl moiety furnished a second-generation Julia-Kocienski olefination reagent, which was used for the introduction of the second olefinic linkage via DBU-mediated condensations with aldehydes, to give (2Z,4E/Z)-dienamides in 50%–74% yield. Although olefinations were 4Z-selective, (2Z,4E/Z)-2-fluoro-2,4-dienamides could be readily isomerized to the corresponding 5-substituted (2Z,4E)-2-fluoro-N-methoxy-N-methylpenta-2,4-dienamides in the presence of catalytic iodine.
Leptospiral Pathogenomics
Authors: Lehmann Jason , Matthias Michael , Vinetz Joseph , Fouts Derrick
Published: April 2014

Leptospirosis, caused by pathogenic spirochetes belonging to the genus Leptospira, is a zoonosis with important impacts on human and animal health worldwide. Research on the mechanisms of Leptospira pathogenesis has been hindered due to slow growth of infectious strains, poor transformability, and a paucity of genetic tools. As a result of second generation sequencing technologies, there has been an acceleration of leptospiral genome sequencing efforts in the past decade, which has enabled a concomitant increase in functional genomics analyses of Leptospira pathogenesis. A pathogenomics approach, by coupling of pan-genomic analysis of multiple isolates with sequencing of experimentally attenuated highly pathogenic Leptospira, has resulted in the functional inference of virulence factors. The global Leptospira Genome Project supported by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases to which key scientific contributions have been made from the international leptospirosis research community has provided a new roadmap for comprehensive studies of Leptospira and leptospirosis well into the future. This review describes functional genomics approaches to apply the data generated by the Leptospira Genome Project towards deepening our knowledge of virulence factors of Leptospira using the emerging discipline of pathogenomics.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Genome Evolution in Patients and under the Hospital Environment
Authors: Lucchetti-Miganeh Céline , Redelberger David , Chambonnier Gaël , Rechenmann François , Elsen Sylvie , Bordi Christophe , Jeannot Katy , Attrée Ina , Plésiat Patrick , De Bentzmann Sophie
Published: April 2014

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a Gram-negative environmental species and an opportunistic microorganism, establishing itself in vulnerable patients, such as those with cystic fibrosis (CF) or those hospitalized in intensive care units (ICU). It has become a major cause of nosocomial infections worldwide and a serious threat to Public Health because of overuse and misuse of antibiotics that have selected highly resistant strains against which very few therapeutic options exist. Herein is illustrated the intraclonal evolution of the genome of sequential isolates collected in a single CF patient from the early phase of pulmonary colonization to the fatal outcome. We also examined at the whole genome scale a pair of genotypically-related strains made of a drug susceptible, environmental isolate recovered from an ICU sink and of its multidrug resistant counterpart found to infect an ICU patient. Multiple genetic changes accumulated in the CF isolates over the disease time course including SNPs, deletion events and reduction of whole genome size. The strain isolated from the ICU patient displayed an increase in the genome size of 4.8% with major genetic rearrangements as compared to the initial environmental strain. The annotated genomes are given in free access in an interactive web application WallGene designed to facilitate large-scale comparative analysis and thus allowing investigators to explore homologies and syntenies between P. aeruginosa strains, here PAO1 and the five clinical strains described.