bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Changes in the activities of glutathione-S-transferases, glutathione reductase and catalase after exposure to different concentrations of cadmium in Australoheros facetus (Cichlidae, Pisces)
Authors: Crupkin Andrea Carina , Menone Mirta Luján
Published: July 2013

The goal of this work was to evaluate the response of the glutathione-S-transferases (GST), glutathione reductase (GR) and catalase (CAT) enzymes in different tissues of the fish Australoheros facetus exposed cadmium (Cd). In liver, a significant decrease of GST activity was observed at 0.031 mg L-1 (p<0.05), while, at higher concentrations, there were non-significant changes compared to controls. Neither the GR nor the CAT activity was different from control. Gills was the most sensitive organ, showing increased GST activity at 0.31 and 1.53 mg L-1 and GR at 3.06 mg L-1; while CAT activity was inhibited at 0.31, 3.06 and 6.13 mg L-1 (p<0.05). The brain GST activity was increased at 1.53 mg L-1 but inhibited at 3.06 and 6.13 mg L-1, meanwhile GR and CAT activities were inhibited at 1.2, 3.06 and 6.13 mg L-1 (p<0.05). The induction of defense enzymes as well as the inhibition of the antioxidant enzyme catalase, even at environmentally relevant concentrations used in this work (e.g. 0.31 mg L-1), denotes the toxic effect that cadmium exerts over the tissues of A. facetus and alerts over the need of doing biomonitoring in areas potentially polluted with metals.
Respuesta de biomarcadores bioquímicos, morfológicos y comportamentales de la carpa común, Cyprinus carpio, por exposición a muestras ambientales
Authors: Castañé Patricia M. , Eissa Bettina Lorena , Ossana Natalia Alejandra
Published: July 2013

Se caracterizó la calidad ecotoxicológica del agua del río Luján, en 3 sitios de su trayecto con grado dispar de estrés, mediante bioensayos semi-estáticos utilizando la carpa común, Cyprinus carpio. Con un dispositivo y software especial se registró diariamente la ubicación espacial de los peces durante el periodo control (agua potable) y el de exposición (agua del río), y se calculó el Índice de Actividad Relativa (Ia). Se calculó el Factor de Condición (FC), y en cerebro se midió la actividad acetilcolinesterásica (AChE) y el contenido de proteínas totales. La morfología de las branquias se analizó por microscopía electrónica de barrido (MEB). En las muestras de agua se midieron: conductividad, pH, dureza, oxígeno disuelto, nitratos, cloruros, sólidos totales y metales pesados. Se observó en los peces expuestos al agua del río: a) un incremento significativo del Ia, y de AChE, b) la MEB reveló hipertrofia celular y ligera fusión de las lamelas secundarias. En algunos casos los metales excedieron los límites máximos para protección de la vida acuática. En todas las muestras del río se observó una mezcla compleja de metales pesados y algunos cationes y aniones, que produjeron efectos subletales en los organismos, puestos de manifiesto por la respuesta de los biomarcadores determinados.
Analysis of Cholinesterase Enzyme Activity in Rineloricaria kronei from Coastal Rivers in Southern Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Samuel Janz , Menezes Márcia Santos de , Guimarães Ana Tereza Bittencourt
Published: July 2013

Levels of environmental pollution are commonly assessed via biomarkers, one of which is the activity of the cholinesterase enzyme. This study analyzed activity of cholinesterase in muscles samples of Rineloricaria kronei fish in order to assess levels of anticholinesterasic pollution in coastal rivers of the Serra do Mar mountain range in southern Brazil. A total of 93 specimens were collected at six sites along the Caiuru, Pinto and Sambaqui rivers between August and November 2007. Specimens were collected via electrofishing, with a sampling effort of 50m/hour. Cholinesterase enzyme (ChE) activity was measured in extracted muscles in the laboratory and the results analyzed using one-factor ANOVA, followed by Dunnett’s test. ChE activity at sites 2, 3 and 4 was similar to that observed in control specimens. Mean activity was lower than the control (p<0.05) at Site 1 (4.6+1.5) and highest at Site 5 (98.7±16.2). Site 5 appears likely to be contaminated with heavy metals, based on the increased activity of the cholinesterase enzyme. This study suggests that the cholinesterase biomarker can be used not only to demonstrate the presence of organophosphate and carbamate pesticides, but also to indicate the presence of heavy metals.
Avaliação de metais em pescado da região do Pontal da Barra, Laguna dos Patos, Pelotas-RS
Authors: Sanches Filho Pedro José , Fonseca Vanice Koschier , Holbig Luciane
Published: July 2013

Os metais pesados têm a capacidade de acumular-se em tecidos vivos ao longo da cadeia alimentar. Peixes podem se tornar a principal forma de transferir para a população esses elementos, uma vez que eles são capazes de bioacumulação e bioconcentração. Com o objetivo de investigar a bioacumulação nos peixes no Pontal da Barra-Laguna dos Patos, em Pelotas, foram escolhidas três espécies abundantes na região, Micropogonias furnieri (Corvina), Mugil platanus (Tainha) e Netuma barba (Bagre). Amostras da sua musculatura foram analisados para verificar o conteúdo de Al, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb e Zn. Amostras em quintuplicata sofreram digestão ácida HNO3/HCIO4, sendo os extratos analisados por plasma indutivamente acoplado - espectrometria de emissão óptica (ICP-OES). Os níveis de cromo encontrados nas três espécies estavam acima dos estabelecidos pela legislação brasileira (Decreto-Lei 55,871-65), que determinam como um nível máximo tolerado para o cromo 0,1 mg kg-1. Os 82,46 ± 4,69% mg kg-1 de zinco na espécie, Netuma barba, também excedeu o limite permitido. As concentrações de cádmio encontrada na espécie Micropogonias furnieri, 0,92 ± 8,16% mg kg-1 ficaram próximas ao limite permitido. Os demais analitos, encontraram-se em níveis inferiores aos estabelecidos pelo Ministério da Saúde e Anvisa.
Avaliação da Toxicidade Aguda de Piraclostrobin, Epoxiconazol e sua Mistura em Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui)
Authors: Prestes Elizabeth Biagioni , Clemente Zaira , Castro Vera Lúcia Scherholz Salgado de , Jonsson Claudio Martín
Published: July 2013

O presente trabalho avaliou o efeito toxicológico de formulações fungicidas à base de piraclostrobin e epoxiconazol, isoladamente e em formulação conjugada sobre Colossoma macropomum (tambaqui) por 96 horas através da determinação da Concentração Letal Média (CL50-96h) de cada uma das formulações. Foram encontrados valores de CL50-96h equivalentes a 0,018 mg L-1 para o piraclostrobin, 2,28 mg L-1 para o epoxiconazol e 0,021 mg L-1 para sua formulação conjugada. Das três formulações utilizadas, o piraclostrobin isoladamente mostrou-se o mais tóxico para os organismos estudados e o uso conjugado das duas substâncias nas concentrações estudadas apresentou um fraco efeito sinérgico.
Bioensaios para avaliação da toxicidade aguda, reprodução e ganho de biomassa de minhocas (Eisenia fetida) ambientadas em lodo de esgoto doméstico
Authors: Dores-Silva P.R. , Landgraf M.D. , Rezende Maria Olímpia Oliveira
Published: July 2013

Este trabalho tem por objetivo avaliar os efeitos que o lodo de esgoto doméstico produz na toxicidade, reprodução e ganho de biomassa em minhocas Eisenia fetida. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que nem o LED nem tampouco o LED diluído em solo apresentam toxicidade aguda para as minhocas sendo que estas tiveram um ganho de biomassa durante os primeiros 14 dias de exposição ao resíduo; no entanto após este período, os organismos tenderam a perder massa.
Cholinestarase activity in methylmercury and mercury chloride exposure fish
Authors: De Jesus Taise Bomfim , Colombi J.S. , Ribeiro C.A.O. , De Assis H.C.S. , De Carvalho C.E.V.
Published: July 2013

In the current study, an intraperitoneal injection containing the same concentration of MeHg and HgCl2 was administered in Hoplias malabaricus, after 96 hours fish were anesthetized and the muscle tissue were removed. A significant inhibition of the ChE was observed the fish exposed to MeHg, compared to control. The present work demonstrates that ChE is an effective biomarker in fish exposed via intraperitoneal injection to the organic forms of mercury.
Measurements of OVOC fluxes by eddy covariance using a proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer – method development at a coastal site
Authors: Yang M. , Beale R. , Smyth T. , Blomquist B.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. We present here vertical fluxes of oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs) measured with eddy covariance (EC) during the period of March to July 2012 near the southwest coast of the United Kingdom. The performance of the proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometer (PTR-MS) for flux measurement is characterized, with additional considerations given to the homogeneity and stationarity assumptions required by EC. Observed mixing ratios and fluxes of OVOCs (specifically methanol, acetaldehyde, and acetone) vary significantly with time of day and wind direction. Higher mixing ratios and fluxes of acetaldehyde and acetone are found in the daytime and from the direction of a forested park, most likely due to light-driven emissions from terrestrial plants. Methanol mixing ratio and flux do not demonstrate consistent diel variability, suggesting sources in addition to plants. We estimate air–sea exchange and photochemical rates of these compounds, which are compared to measured vertical fluxes. For acetaldehyde, the mean (1σ) mixing ratio of 0.13 (0.02) ppb at night may be maintained by oceanic emission, while photochemical destruction outpaces production during the day. Air–sea exchange and photochemistry are probably net sinks of methanol and acetone in this region. Their nighttime mixing ratios of 0.46 (0.20) and 0.39 (0.08) ppb appear to be affected more by terrestrial emissions and long-distance transport, respectively.
Effect of land cover on atmospheric processes and air quality over the continental United States – a NASA Unified WRF (NU-WRF) model study
Authors: Tao Z. , Santanello J. A. , Chin M. , Zhou S. , Tan Q. , Kemp E. M. , Peters-Lidard C. D.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. The land surface plays a crucial role in regulating water and energy fluxes at the land–atmosphere (L–A) interface and controls many processes and feedbacks in the climate system. Land cover and vegetation type remains one key determinant of soil moisture content that impacts air temperature, planetary boundary layer (PBL) evolution, and precipitation through soil-moisture–evapotranspiration coupling. In turn, it will affect atmospheric chemistry and air quality. This paper presents the results of a modeling study of the effect of land cover on some key L–A processes with a focus on air quality. The newly developed NASA Unified Weather Research and Forecast (NU-WRF) modeling system couples NASA's Land Information System (LIS) with the community WRF model and allows users to explore the L–A processes and feedbacks. Three commonly used satellite-derived land cover datasets – i.e., from the US Geological Survey (USGS) and University of Maryland (UMD), which are based on the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR), and from the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) – bear large differences in agriculture, forest, grassland, and urban spatial distributions in the continental United States, and thus provide an excellent case to investigate how land cover change would impact atmospheric processes and air quality. The weeklong simulations demonstrate the noticeable differences in soil moisture/temperature, latent/sensible heat flux, PBL height, wind, NO2/ozone, and PM2.5 air quality. These discrepancies can be traced to associate with the land cover properties, e.g., stomatal resistance, albedo and emissivity, and roughness characteristics. It also implies that the rapid urban growth may have complex air quality implications with reductions in peak ozone but more frequent high ozone events.
Quantifying the impact of BOReal forest fires on Tropospheric oxidants over the Atlantic using Aircraft and Satellites (BORTAS) experiment: design, execution and science overview
Authors: Palmer P. I. , Parrington M. , Lee J. D. , Lewis A. C. , Rickard A. R. , Bernath P. F. , Duck T. J. , Waugh D. L. , Tarasick D. W. , Andrews S. , Aruffo E. , Bailey L. J. , Barrett E. , Bauguitte S. J.-B. , Curry K. R. , Di Carlo P. , Chisholm L. , Dan L. , Forster G. , Franklin J. E. , Gibson M. D. , Griffin D. , Helmig D. , Hopkins J. R. , Hopper J. T. , Jenkin M. E. , Kindred D. , Kliever J. , Le Breton M. , Matthiesen S. , Maurice M. , Moller S. , Moore D. P. , Oram D. E. , O'Shea S. J. , Owen R. C. , Pagniello C. M. L. S. , Pawson S. , Percival C. J. , Pierce J. R. , Punjabi S. , Purvis R. M. , Remedios J. J. , Rotermund K. M. , Sakamoto K. M. , da Silva A. M. , Strawbridge K. B. , Strong K. , Taylor J. , Trigwell R. , Tereszchuk K. A. , Walker K. A. , Weaver D. , Whaley C. , Young J. C.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. We describe the design and execution of the BORTAS (Quantifying the impact of BOReal forest fires on Tropospheric oxidants over the Atlantic using Aircraft and Satellites) experiment, which has the overarching objective of understanding the chemical aging of air masses that contain the emission products from seasonal boreal wildfires and how these air masses subsequently impact downwind atmospheric composition. The central focus of the experiment was a two-week deployment of the UK BAe-146-301 Atmospheric Research Aircraft (ARA) over eastern Canada, based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia. Atmospheric ground-based and sonde measurements over Canada and the Azores associated with the planned July 2010 deployment of the ARA, which was postponed by 12 months due to UK-based flights related to the dispersal of material emitted by the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, went ahead and constituted phase A of the experiment. Phase B of BORTAS in July 2011 involved the same atmospheric measurements, but included the ARA, special satellite observations and a more comprehensive ground-based measurement suite. The high-frequency aircraft data provided a comprehensive chemical snapshot of pyrogenic plumes from wildfires, corresponding to photochemical (and physical) ages ranging from < 1 day to ~
Seasonal variation of black carbon over the South China Sea and in various continental locations in South China
Authors: Wu D. , Wu C. , Liao B. , Li F. , Tan H. , Deng T. , Li H. , Chen H. , Jiang D. , Yu J. Z.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Black carbon (BC) is an important atmospheric constitute as an air pollutant and as a climate forcer. To our knowledge, field measurements of BC have not been reported over the South China Sea. Observation of light absorption coefficients (σabs) and BC concentrations by Aethalometer were conducted on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea and at five continental sites in the Pearl River Delta (PRD) region, South China during the South China Sea monsoon period (rainy season, 16 May–20 June 2008) and the northeast monsoon period (dry season, 12 December 2008–8 January 2009). At the oceanic site, the daily average BC concentrations vary from 0.28 to 2.14 μg m−3 and seasonal variations of BC were small (0.67 in dry season and 0.54 μg m−3 in rainy season). Similarly, little seasonal difference was found at a background site in PRD (2.88 in dry season and 2.62 μg m−3 in rainy season). At PRD urban sites, the daily average concentration of BC ranges from 1.56 to 37.9 μg m−3, higher in the dry season (12.6 μg m−3) and lower in the rainy season (6.4 μg m−3). The observed average σabs values in rainy vs. dry seasons are 119 vs. 62 Mm−1 at the PRD urban sites, 29 vs. 26 Mm−1 at the PRD background site, and 8.4 vs. 7.2 Mm−1 at the marine site. A bi-peak pattern in diurnal BC variation was observed at all sites while this pattern is the most prominent at the urban sites. The first peak appears in the early morning rush hour and the second peak in early evening, with the evening peak more pronounced in dry season.
Atmospheric boundary layer top height in South Africa: measurements with lidar and radiosonde compared to three atmospheric models
Authors: Korhonen K. , Giannakaki E. , Mielonen T. , Pfüller A. , Laakso L. , Vakkari V. , Baars H. , Engelmann R. , Beukes J. P. , Van Zyl P. G. , Ramandh A. , Ntsangwane L. , Josipovic M. , Tiitta P. , Fourie G. , Ngwana I. , Chiloane K. , Komppula M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Atmospheric lidar measurements were carried out at Elandsfontein measurement station, on the eastern Highveld approximately 150 km east of Johannesburg in South Africa (SA) throughout 2010. The height of the planetary boundary layer (PBL) top was continuously measured using a~Raman lidar, PollyXT (POrtabLe Lidar sYstem eXTended). High atmospheric variability together with a large surface temperature range and significant seasonal changes in precipitation were observed, which had an impact on the vertical mixing of particulate matter (PM), and hence, on the PBL evolution. The results were compared to radio soundings, CALIOP (Cloud–Aerosol Lidar with Orthogonal Polarization) space-borne lidar measurements and three atmospheric models that followed different approaches to determine the PBL top height. These models included two weather forecast models operated by ECMWF (European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts) and SAWS (South African Weather Service) and one mesoscale prognostic meteorological and air pollution regulatory model TAPM (The Air Pollution Model). The ground-based lidar used in this study was operational for 4935 h during 2010 (49% of the time). The PBL top height was detected 86% of the total measurement time (42% of the total time). Large seasonal and diurnal variations were observed between the different methods utilised. Comparison of lidar measurements to the models indicated that the ECMWF model agreed the best with mean absolute difference of 15.4%, while the second best correlation was with the SAWS model with corresponding difference of 20.1%. TAPM was found to have a tendency to underestimate the PBL top height. The wind speeds in SAWS operated and TAPM models were strongly underestimated which probably led to underestimation of the vertical wind and turbulence and thus underestimation of the PBL top height. High variation was found when lidar measurements were compared to radiosonde measurements. This could be partially due to the distance between the lidar measurements and the radiosondes, which were 120 km apart. Comparison between ground-based and satellite lidar shows good agreement with a correlation coefficient of 0.88. On average the daily maximum PBL top height in October (spring) and June (winter) were 2260 m and 1480 m, respectively. To our knowledge, this study is the first long term study of PBL top heights and PBL growth rates in the Southern Hemisphere. Only a few studies have been performed in Europe and Asia, most of them with less data coverage.
Refined estimate of China's CO2 emissions in spatiotemporal distributions
Authors: Liu M.-M. , Wang H.-K. , Wang H.-M. , Oda T. , Zhao Y. , Yang X.-H. , Zhang R.-R. , Zhang B. , Bi J. , Chen J.-M.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Being the largest contributor to the global source of fossil-fuel CO2 emissions, China's emissions need to be accurately quantified and well understood. Previous studies have usually focused on the amount of national emissions and rarely discussed their spatiotemporal distributions, which are also crucial for both carbon flux and carbon management. In this study, we calculated China's CO2 emissions from fossil fuel use and industrial processes using provincial statistics and then mapped those emissions at 0.25° resolution on monthly basis. Several key steps have been implemented to gain a better understanding of the spatiotemporal distributions, including (1) development and application of China's CO2 emission inventories using provincial statistics; (2) separate calculations of emissions from large point sources and accurate identification of their geographical locations; (3) development of 1 km×1 km gridded population and GDP data for China from 2000 to 2009 and application of them as dynamic spatial proxies to allocate emissions; and (4) monthly variation curves of CO2 emissions from various sectors were developed for each province and applied to our inventory. China's total CO2 emission from fossil fuel and industrial process have increased from 3.6 billion tons in 2000 to 8.6 billion tons in 2009, which may be off by 14–18% and are enough to skew global totals. And the resulting spatiotemporal distributions of our inventories also differed greatly in several ways from those derived using national statistics and population-based approach for the various economic development levels, industrial and energy structures, and even large point emissions sources within China and each province.
Air–sea exchange of CO2 at a Northern California coastal site along the California Current upwelling system
Authors: Ikawa H. , Faloona I. , Kochendorfer J. , Paw U K. T. , Oechel W. C.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. It is not well understood whether coastal upwelling is a net CO2 source to the atmosphere or a net CO2 sink to the ocean due to high temporal variability of air–sea CO2 exchange (CO2 flux) in coastal upwelling zones. Upwelling transports heterotrophic, CO2 enriched water to the surface and releases CO2 to the atmosphere, whereas the presence of nutrient-rich water at the surface supports high primary production and atmospheric CO2 uptake. To quantify the effects of upwelling on CO2 flux, we measured CO2 flux at a coastal upwelling site off of Bodega Bay, California, with the eddy covariance technique during the summer of 2007 and the fall of 2008, and the bulk method with partial pressure of CO2 of surface water (pCO2) data from November 2010 to July 2011. Variations in sea surface temperatures (SST) and alongshore wind velocity suggest that the measurement period in 2007 coincided with a typical early summer upwelling period and the measurement period in 2008 was during a typical fall relaxation period. A strong source of CO2 (~ 1.5 ± 7 SD (standard deviation) g C m−2 day−1) from the ocean to the atmosphere during the upwelling period was concurrent with high salinity, low SST, and low chlorophyll density. In contrast, a weak source of CO2 flux (~ 0.2 ± 3 SD g C m−2 day−1) was observed with low salinity, high SST and high chlorophyll density during the relaxation period. Similarly, the sink and source balance of CO2 flux was highly related to salinity and SST during the pCO2 measurement periods; high salinity and low SST corresponded to high pCO2, and vice versa. We estimated that the coastal area off Bodega Bay was likely an overall source of CO2 to the atmosphere based on the following conclusions: (1) the overall CO2 flux estimated from both eddy covariance and pCO2 measurements showed a source of CO2; (2) although the relaxation period during the 2008 measurements were favorable to CO2 uptake, CO2 flux during this period was still a slight source; (3) salinity and SST were found to be good predictors of the CO2 flux for both eddy covariance and pCO2 measurements, and 99% of the historical SST and salinity data available between 1988 and 2011 fell within the range of our observations in May–June 2007, August–September 2008 and November 2010–July~2011, which indicates that our data set was representative of the annual variations in the sea state. Based on the developed relationship between pCO2, SST and salinity, the study area between 1988 and 2011 was estimated to be an annual source of CO2 of ~ 35 mol C m−2 yr−1. The peak monthly CO2 flux of ~ 7 mol C m−2 month−1 accounted for almost 30% of the dissolved inorganic carbon in the surface mixed layer.
Biological and physical influences on soil 14CO2 seasonal dynamics in a temperate hardwood forest
Authors: Phillips C. L. , McFarlane K. J. , Risk D. , Desai A. R.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. While radiocarbon (14C) abundance in standing stocks of soil carbon has been used to evaluate rates of soil carbon turnover on timescales of several years to centuries, soil-respired 14CO2 measurements are an important tool for identifying more immediate responses to disturbance and climate change. Soil 14CO2 data are often temporally sparse, however, and could be interpreted better with more context for typical seasonal ranges and trends. We report on a semi-high-frequency sampling campaign to distinguish physical and biological drivers of soil 14CO2 at a temperate forest site in Northern Wisconsin, USA. We sampled 14CO2 profiles every three weeks during snow-free months through 2012, in three intact plots and one trenched plot that excluded roots. Respired 14CO2 declined through the summer in intact plots, shifting from an older C composition that contained more bomb 14C, to a younger composition more closely resembling present 14C levels in the atmosphere. In the trenched plot respired 14C was variable but remained comparatively higher than in intact plots, reflecting older bomb-enriched 14C sources. Although respired 14CO2 from intact plots correlated with soil moisture, related analyses did not support a clear cause-and-effect relationship with moisture. The initial decrease in 14CO2 from spring to midsummer could be explained by increases in 14C-deplete root respiration; however, 14CO2 continued to decline in late summer after root activity decreased. We also investigated whether soil moisture impacted vertical partitioning of CO2 production, but found this had little effect on respired 14CO2 because CO2 contained modern bomb-C at depth, even in the trenched plot. This surprising result contrasted with decades to centuries-old pre-bomb CO2 produced in lab incubations of the same soils. Our results suggest that root-derived C and other recent C sources had dominant impacts on 14CO2 in situ, even at depth. We propose that 14CO2 may have declined through late summer in intact plots because of continued microbial turnover of root-derived C, following declines in root respiration. Our results agree with other studies showing large seasonal fluctuations in respired Δ14CO2, and suggest root C inputs are an important driver.
Controls on the magnitude-frequency scaling of an inventory of secular landslides
Authors: Hurst M. D. , Ellis M. A. , Royse K. R. , Lee K. A. , Freeborough K.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Linking landslide size and frequency is important at both human and geological time-scales for quantifying both landslide hazards and the effectiveness of landslides in the removal of sediment from evolving landscapes. Landslide inventories are usually compiled following a particular triggering event such as an earthquake or storm, and their statistical behavior is typically characterized by an inflected power-law relationship. The occurrence of landslides is expected to be influenced by the material properties of rock and/or regolith in which failure occurs. Here we explore the statistical behavior and the controls of a secular landslide inventory (SLI) (i.e. events occurring over an indefinite time period) consisting of mapped landslide deposits and their underlying lithology (bedrock or superficial) across the United Kingdom. The magnitude-frequency distribution of this secular inventory exhibits an inflected power law relationship, well approximated by an inverse Gamma or double Pareto model. The scaling exponent for the power-law relationship is α = −1.76. The small-event rollover occurs at a significantly higher magnitude than observed in single-event landslide records, which we interpret as evidence of “landscape annealing” at these relatively short length-scales, noting the corollary that a secular dataset will tend to underestimate the frequency of small landslides. This is supported by a subset of data where a complete landslide inventory was recently mapped. Large landslides also appear to be under-represented relative to model predictions, which we interpret as a non-linear or transient landscape response as the UK emerged from the last glacial maximum and through relatively volatile conditions toward a generally more stable late Holocene climate.
Peripherally Inserted Central Venous Catheters in Critically Ill Premature Neonates
Authors: Ozkiraz Servet , Gokmen Zeynel , Ince Deniz Anuk , Akcan Abdullah Baris , Kilicdag Hasan , Ozel Deniz , Ecevit Ayse
Published: July 2013

Purpose

To evaluate the safety of peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) and their complications in critically ill premature neonates.

Methods

A retrospective collection of data of infants with very low birth weight (VLBW) who underwent PICC placement over a 2-year period. Gestational age, birth weight (BW), sex, site of catheter placement, reason for catheter removal, duration of the catheter use, proven sepsis, type of the reported organism and the rate of complications were collected. The infants were classified into two groups according to BWs: Group 1–-VLBW infants (BW between 1,000 and 1,500 g) and Group 2–-BW <1,000 g (extremely low birth weight, ELBW group).

Results

During the study period, 90 VLBW infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit. PICCs were attempted in 71 patients. A PICC was successfully inserted into 62 patients (87.3%). Totally, 68 PICCs were inserted into 62 infants. PICCs placed in either the upper or the lower extremity have no differences in complication rates. The median time of catheter insertion was 10 (1-22) days for Group 1 and 16 (1-47) days for Group 2 (p=0.001). The median duration of PICCs was 9 (2-18) and 12.0 (3-30) days, respectively (p=0.012). There were no significant differences between groups for the reasons for removal (p=0.859).

Conclusions

PICCs are convenient for the administration of long course antibiotics and parenteral nutrition for both VLBW and ELBW infants. The risk of catheter complications did not increase in ELBW infants. Although the technique of insertion is easy and using PICCs has many benefits, serious and fatal complications may occur in premature neonates in critical states.
Arteriovenous fistula aneurysms in patients with Alport's
Authors: Field Melanie A. , McGrogan Damian G. , Tullet Karen , Inston Nicholas G.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

Alport's syndrome is a rare but important cause of renal failure. It is characterized by Type IV collagen mutations resulting in connective tissue disorders and renal and cochlear dysfunction. Vascular basement membrane also contains collagen IV and the effect on arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) is not reported. Anecdotally, we observed a high rate of aneurysm formation in Arteriovenous fistulas (AVF) of patients with Alport's and sought to determine whether this was the case within our population.

Methods

All patients with a diagnosis of Alport's were identified from a contemporaneously maintained database. AVFs formed in patients with Alport's were identified to define the incidence of aneurysms in this group.

Results

A total of 40 patients with a diagnosis of Alport's were identified. Of these, 20 patients had undergone AVF formation, the remainder opting for CAPD as renal replacement or had undergone pre-emptive transplantation. Of the 20 patients identified, 11 had an AVF and of these the rate of aneurysm formation was high (55%).

Conclusions

While this finding of high rate of aneurysmal AVF in Alport's patients is a purely observational finding within our population further population study would be extremely interesting and could support enhanced surveillance or alternative dialysis modalities in Alport's syndrome patients.
Clinical Use of the ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridisation (FISH) Tests for Urothelial Carcinomas
Authors: Lodde Michele , Mian Christine
Published: July 2013

In recent years, we have witnessed the propagation and marketing of numerous diagnostic tests capable of detecting, in the urine of patients, the presence of urothelial tumor markers. None of the different markers studied to date, no one has been able to meet all the requirements of the ideal marker. We present and discuss below the results reported in the literature of two tests approved by the Food and Drug Administration [ImmunoCyt/uCyt+ and Fluorescence In Situ Hybridisation (FISH)], which have been commercially available for about 10 years.
The Design and Control of a Bipedal Robot with Sensory Feedback
Authors: Wee Teck-Chew , Astolfi Alessandro , Ming Xie
Published: July 2013

A stable walking motion requires effective gait balancing and robust posture correction algorithms. However, to develop and implement such intelligent motion algorithms remains a challenging task for researchers. Effective sensory feedback for stable posture control is essential for bipedal locomotion. In order to minimize the modelling errors and disturbances, this paper presents an effective sensory system and an alternative approach in generating a stable Centre-of-Mass (CoM) trajectory by using an observer-based augmented model predictive control technique with sensory feedback. The proposed approach is used to apply an Augmented Model Predictive Control (AMPC) algorithm with an on-line time shift and to look ahead to process future data to optimize a control signal by minimizing the cost function so that the system is able to track the desired Zero Moment Point (ZMP) as closely as possible, and at the same time to limit the motion jerk. The robot's feet are fitted with force sensors to measure the contact force's location. An observer is also implemented into the system.
O recurso mais importante para as organizações são mesmo as pessoas? Uma análise da produção científica sobre qualidade de vida no trabalho (QVT)
Authors: Venson Aline Botelho Schneider , Fiates Gabriela Gonçalves Silveira , Dutra Ademar , Carneiro Marcelo Lopes , Martins Cristina
Published: July 2013

DOI: 10.5902/198346595705 The discourse in organizations in general, regardless of size or nature, focuses on a recurring basis the relevance of human capital for success and direct relationship between employee performance and organizational results. Studies about quality of work life are extremely important to understand the variables that impact performance and results for both: the organization and its employees. To evaluate how scientific research reflect this importance, this study has been developed to analyze the scientific production on the subject of quality of work life - QWL in Brazil, analyzing the articles published in the annals of EnANPAD - Meeting of the National Association Postgraduate and Research in Administration. This is a bibliometric research of academic production in the period 1997 to 2011. After collection of information were found 64 articles that met at least one of keywords defined by the scope of this study. As a result it was found that the subject of quality of working life until 2008 was still discussed in scientific literature only incidentally, with an investigative nature, in order to diagnose only QVT index, without seeking to identify its impact on the organization as a whole. However, from 2009 it can already notice a maturity based on the identification of works that investigated the relationship between QWL, social responsibility, organizational commitment and, including, performance.
A indisciplina na instituição escolar: o trabalho com assembleias de classe no desenvolvimento de crianças morais autônomas
Authors: Dias Carmen Lúcia , Colombo Terezinha Ferreira da Silva
Published: July 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445062  Os problemas de indisciplina e violência nas escolas nas últimas décadas se configuram num dos principais desafios a preocupar educadores em diversos países. A indisciplina é, em parte, produzida pelas relações interpessoais e esta poderá ser superada com a promoção de um trabalho amplo relacionado aos aspectos sociais. No que tange à sala de aula algumas propostas de superação se apresentam: o self-government (autogoverno) e assembleias de classe. O objetivo do presente estudo é evidenciar a importância das assembléias de classe, visando a construção de sujeitos morais autônomos, através de relações de cooperação, reciprocidade e respeito mútuo, com a perspectiva de superação da indisciplina. A partir da descrição de situações vivenciadas no contexto escolar por crianças de sete e oito anos, pertencentes a uma escola de ensino fundamental, situada na periferia de uma cidade do interior paulista, procurou-se evidenciar tal importância por meio da análise do pensamento e do desenvolvimento da moralidade (DELVAL, 2002) deste grupo, envolvendo dilemas reais emergidos da convivência entre professor/aluno e aluno/aluno. A importância da utilização de recursos como as assembléias de sala de aula, fica evidenciada no presente estudo. Portanto, o espaço das assembléias de classe permite experiências conceituais concretas e práticas de democracia na escola, que poderão levar todos os membros da comunidade a vivenciarem um ambiente democrático e respeitoso, contribuindo para a educação e cidadania. Palavras-chave: indisciplina, assembléias de classe, ensino fundamental.
Efeitos da racionalidade neoliberal nos discursos sobre inclusão: o silêncio docente</b.
Authors: Possa Leandra Boer , Naujorks Maria Inês
Published: July 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464445926 Este texto tem como objetivo colocar em movimento analítico a Política Nacional de Educação Especial na Perspectiva da Educação Inclusiva, bem como os programas que acolhem a formação de professores para a diversidade/inclusão, disponíveis no site do Ministério da Educação, no que diz respeito a possíveis efeitos desses discursos. Não temos a pretensão de fazer uma análise exaustiva desses documentos, mas sim, problematizar um desses efeitos, que temos identificado como silenciamento docente, que esta política neoliberal vem produzindo nos últimos anos, no discurso dos professores que atuam nos sistemas de educação municipal e estadual da região de Santa Maria. Utilizamos nesse empreendimento a ferramenta conceitual-metodológica da governamentalidade, proposta por Michel Foucault, para pensarmos que os discursos sobre a inclusão capturam e, por isso, subjetivam os professores nessa nova ordem. Não há, portanto, espaço para contestação. Como efeito, temos o silêncio de um tipo de palavra e a captura dos professores em redes discursivas que operam na produção e no consumo do princípio da inclusão e no empreendimento de si, marcas desse nosso tempo.
A utilização de charges e tiras humorísticas como recurso didático-pedagógico mobilizador no processo de ensino-aprendizagem da Geografia
Authors: Alves Telma Lucia Bezerra , Pereira Suellen Silva , Cabral Laíse Do Nascimento
Published: July 2013

http://dx.doi.org/10.5902/198464447915 O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização de charges e tiras humorísticas como recurso didático inovador no processo de ensino-aprendizagem, visualizando uma renovação no ensino da geografia. No caso presente, foi dada ênfase a Geografia ambiental, correlacionando os conteúdos abordados em sala de aula com as imagens selecionadas. Para tanto foram realizadas pesquisas bibliográficas, bem como a pesquisa de campo, sendo esta realizada com discentes do Curso de Licenciatura Plena em Geografia de duas Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES), da cidade de Campina Grande-PB, utilizando-se como recursos metodológicos a análise crítica-reflexiva das representações gráficas supracitadas, bem como a transcrição das declarações dos discentes pesquisados, observando-se a capacidade de compreensão e interpretação dos atributos imagéticos, críticos, humorísticos e satíricos contidos nestas comunicações, caracterizadas também pela sua temporalidade. Foi possível concluir que o uso da charge e das tiras humorísticas em sala de aula é um recurso estratégico que pode ser utilizado pelos professores, não só na área da Geografia, mas também em outras disciplinas de outros componentes curriculares, promovendo ainda um exercício interdisciplinar. A charge e as tiras humorísticas apresentaram-se como potencialidades a serem exploradas pelos professores e disseminadas no âmbito educacional, pois além de despertar a curiosidade no estudante para entender as mensagens repassadas, faz com que este se interesse pelo conteúdo que está sendo transmitido e construído, promovendo-se, assim, uma renovação nas abordagens geográficas. Dessa forma o professor encontra mais facilidade de interagir com os alunos, promovendo a dinamização das aulas.
The relevance and importance of business development and licensing in the biopharmaceutical industry.
Authors: Davies Roger
Published: July 2013

The importance of the business development and licensing (BD&L) function in the global biopharmaceutical industry has grown significantly over the past 20 years as pharmaceutical companies have sought to supplement their internal R&D with innovative products and technologies sourced from biotechnology and drug delivery companies. This has required companies to employ BD&L executives to search, evaluate, negotiate and alliance manage deals ranging from small biotechnology companies to the largest of the Big Pharma companies. Nowadays all the large companies have BD&L teams, sometimes in excess of 100 people. To inform new BD&L entrants and to improve the professionalism of the experienced BD&L executives, various training courses are offered by not-for-profit associations and commercial organisations. The leading not-for-profit association in Europe for biopharmaceutical executives is the Pharmaceutical Licensing Group and in the US it is the Licensing Executive Society. Both organisations offer basic training courses but as far as is known, the only university accredited Masterâ€™s degree qualification in BD&L is the distance learning MSc offered by the University of Manchester. The dissemination of specialist knowledge and best practice is through the journals and conferences of the professional associations. The need for well-qualified BD&L executives in the biopharmaceutical industry is demonstrated by the fact that 25% or more of Big Pharma sales come from third party products and the cost of licensing deals alone is over $200m on average.
Using technology to meet the demands of replacing aging infrastructure
Authors: Aranda Sergio R. , Garcia Ashley
Published: July 2013

Taking a proactive approach, the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission of Laurel, Md., uses cloud‐based technologies to eliminate risks that create project delays and cost overruns.
Is Regulating By Groups More Effective? Or Not?
Authors: Roberson J. Alan
Published: July 2013

Regulating by groups may be one of these concepts that initially sounded good but starts to fall apart under close scrutiny. We need to ensure that a cVOC Rule increases public health protection and does not imply more effective regulation that cannot be demonstrated. A group regulation should not be developed for the sake of regulating by groups.
In Defense of a Busy Environmental Affairs Director
Authors: Fiveash John L.
Published: July 2013

Whether you call them environmental affairs directors (EADs), environmental compliance officers, or simply environmental project managers, the people holding these positions are hard workers who have their hands full.
Sustainability Back at the Ranch
Authors: McCure Mike , Larson Todd , Edwards Jay , Sedbrook John
Published: July 2013

Sustainability continues to be a desired outcome of public and private infrastructure projects around the world. Often a triple bottom line assessment is applied in the planning stages of a project to ensure that actions taken today will benefit future generations on multiple levels ‐ environmentally, economically, and socially. And sometimes sustainability is built into a project in ways that are not visible on the surface.
Committee Report: Defining model calibration
Authors:   AWWA Water Distribution Model Calibration Subcommittee of the Engineering Modeling Applications Committee of the Engineering and Construction Division under the Technical & Educational Council
Published: July 2013

This article provides an overview of water distribution model calibration and is the first of several products from the committee.
Overview of AWWA's Distribution & Plant Operations Division
Authors: Sherry Lois
Published: July 2013

Utilities face complicated challenges in the twenty‐first century: How can resilience be increased and infrastructure improved while making the most of limited financial resources? How can utilities possibly keep up with the latest technologies and address competing demands? AWWA's Distribution & Plant Operations Division main focus is aimed at water treatment plant operations, distribution systems, and operators.
Alpha-Fetoprotein Producing Breast Cancer Cells: Case Report and Review of Literature
Authors: Asma Kassab  , Awatef Msolly  , Abdelhedi Miled  , Olfa Gharbi
Published: July 2013

Abstract: Aim:In this paper we report a rare case of breast carcinoma followed by liver metastasis associated to alpha fetoprotein (AFP) secretion by tumor cells. Methods:Carcino-embryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen (CA) 15-3, serum AFP and AFP immunohistochemistry staining were detectedusing commercial kits in 44 year-old woman with breast cancer. Results: CEA and CA 15-3 were within normal limits. AFP baseline was 14000 ng/l. There was no chronic hepatic viral disease. Biopsy revealed invasive carcinoma ductal cells. Histologic examination of the tumor showed invasive carcinoma, nuclear grade was 2, the tumour cells were negative for oestrogen and progesterone receptor positive for Her-2/neu. The immunohistochemistry stainig for AFP revealed positive reactivity. After chemotherapy, AFP level was within the normal rangeand abdominal ultrasonography showed a partial response evaluated at 50 %. The patient was in good condition at the time of our report (May 2013). Conclusion:We presume that the increased serum AFP level is responsible for the cancer evolution with good prognosis for breast cancer and poor one for gastric cancer and colon cancer.
Recent Advances on Nanotechnology Applications to Cancer Drug Therapy
Authors: Carolina Bellera  , Melisa E. Gantner  , María E. Ruiz  , Alan Talevi
Published: July 2013

One of the greatest challenges in cancer drug therapy is to maximize the effectiveness of the active ingredient while reducing its systemic adverse effects. Conventional (non-targeted) systemic drug therapy is characterized by unspecific distribution of the anticancer drugs: both healthy and affected tissues are thus exposed to the chemotherapeutic agent, giving raise to off-target side-effects. Besides, a number of widely-used chemoterapeutic agents present unfavorable physicochemical properties, such as low solubility or low stability issues, limiting their available routes of administration and therapeutic applications. Nano-delivery systems seem as promising solutions to these issues. They can be used for targeted-drug release, diagnostic imaging and therapy monitoring. Nanosystems allow the formulation of drug delivery systems with tailored properties (e.g. solubility, biodegradability, release kinetics and distribution) that provide means to improve cancer patients' quality of life by lowering the administered dose and, incidentally, the cost of clinical treatments. This article overviews the main features of different nanovehicles (linear and non-linear polymeric nanosystems, lipid-based systems, inorganic nanoparticles) and presents a selection of reports on applications of such systems to cancer therapy published between 2010 and 2013.
Cancer Stem Cells: A Review of the Literature and the Implications in Head and Neck Cancer
Authors: Brianna N. Harris  , Uttam K. Sinha
Published: July 2013

In the last few decades, stem cells have been the focus of researchers in an effort to understand the molecular pathways involved in tissue regeneration. By studying normal cell interactions, researchers have since identified cancer stem cells and demonstrated their role in tumorigenesis and metastasis. The authors aimed to review the major molecular pathways involved in tumorigenesis, the role of cancer stem cells, and emerging therapies that target these pathways in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.