bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Antipsychotics in people with dementia: frequency of use and rationale for prescribing in a UK mental health service
Authors: Crugel Monica , Paton Gilly , Singh Pratima , Jeboda Regina , Treloar Adrian
Published: May 2012

Aims and method

To determine how often and why antipsychotic medicines are prescribed to people with dementia. A cross-sectional survey of all clinical records was conducted in one National Health Service mental health trust.

Results

Of 946 people with dementia in the trust, 186 (20%) were prescribed an antipsychotic. Prevalence increased with the severity of dementia. The most common indication for initiating treatment was agitation/distress (70%), followed by verbal aggression (45%), psychotic symptoms (44%) and physical aggression (33%). The mean number of indications per patient was 2.6. In 58% of cases, the antipsychotic had been prescribed for more than a year, and a third of patients had not been reviewed in the past 6 months.

Clinical implications

People with dementia who are prescribed antipsychotic drugs generally display a range of challenging behaviours, but most notably are distressed. Systems for ongoing clinical review need improvement.
Perception of unmet needs and association with benzodiazepine misuse among patients on a methadone maintenance treatment programme
Authors: Apantaku-Olajide Tunde , Ducray Kevin , Byrne Patricia , Smyth Bobby P.
Published: May 2012

Aims and method

To examine patients' perceptions of unmet needs during methadone maintenance treatment (MMT), and to explore the relationship between co-occurring benzodiazepine misuse and severity of needs. A cross-sectional survey was carried out at an MMT programme in Dublin, Ireland. All patients were invited to participate on a voluntary basis. Of the 191 eligible patients, 107 agreed to participate and completed the Camberwell Assessment of Need questionnaire.

Results

Unmet needs for substance misuse treatments, daytime activities, socialisation, money management and psychological distress were high. Fifty-two respondents (49%) reported using non-prescribed benzodiazepines during the past month. Compared with non-users of benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine users reported higher ratings of total and unmet needs (P < 0.05). The number of days using benzodiazepines predicted the severity of needs.

Clinical implications

The findings highlight the importance of addressing coexisting psychological needs, and further support enhancing treatment interventions for benzodiazepine misuse or dependence among patients on MMT.
Elotuzumab in Combination With Lenalidomide and Low-Dose Dexamethasone in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Lonial Sagar , Vij Ravi , Harousseau Jean-Luc , Facon Thierry , Moreau Philippe , Mazumder Amitabha , Kaufman Jonathan L. , Leleu Xavier , Tsao L. Claire , Westland Christopher , Singhal Anil K. , Jagannath Sundar
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This phase I study evaluated elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM).

Patients and Methods

Three cohorts were enrolled and treated with elotuzumab (5.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg intravenously) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle in the first two cycles, and days 1 and 15 of each subsequent cycle; lenalidomide 25 mg orally [PO] on days 1 to 21; and dexamethasone 40 mg PO weekly. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed during cycle 1 of each cohort, and clinical responses were evaluated during each cycle. The first five patients received up to six cycles of therapy; subsequent patients were treated until disease progression.

Results

Twenty-nine patients with advanced MM and a median of three prior MM therapies were enrolled; 28 patients were treated, three each in the 5.0-mg/kg and 10-mg/kg cohorts and 22 in the 20-mg/kg cohort. No DLTs were observed up to the maximum proposed dose of 20 mg/kg. The most frequent grade 3 to 4 toxicities were neutropenia (36%) and thrombocytopenia (21%). Two patients experienced a serious infusion reaction (one grade 4 anaphylactic reaction and one grade 3 stridor) during the first treatment cycle. Objective responses were obtained in 82% (23 of 28) of treated patients. After a median of 16.4 months follow-up, the median time to progression was not reached for patients in the 20-mg/kg cohort who were treated until disease progression.

Conclusion

The combination of elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone was generally well tolerated and showed encouraging response rates in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.
Superior Outcome of Women With Stage I/II Cutaneous Melanoma: Pooled Analysis of Four European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Phase III Trials
Authors: Joosse Arjen , Collette Sandra , Suciu Stefan , Nijsten Tamar , Lejeune Ferdy , Kleeberg Ulrich R. , Coebergh Jan Willem W. , Eggermont Alexander M.M. , de Vries Esther
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Several studies observed a female advantage in the prognosis of cutaneous melanoma, for which behavioral factors or an underlying biologic mechanism might be responsible. Using complete and reliable follow-up data from four phase III trials of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Melanoma Group, we explored the female advantage across multiple end points and in relation to other important prognostic indicators.

Patients and Methods

Patients diagnosed with localized melanoma were included in EORTC adjuvant treatment trials 18832, 18871, 18952, and 18961 and randomly assigned during the period of 1984 to 2005. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for women compared with men, adjusted for age, Breslow thickness, body site, ulceration, performed lymph node dissection, and treatment.

Results

A total of 2,672 patients with stage I/II melanoma were included. Women had a highly consistent and independent advantage in overall survival (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.83), disease-specific survival (adjusted HR, 0.74; 95% CI, 0.62 to 0.88), time to lymph node metastasis (adjusted HR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.96), and time to distant metastasis (adjusted HR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.59 to 0.81). Subgroup analysis showed that the female advantage was consistent across all prognostic subgroups (with the possible exception of head and neck melanomas) and in pre- and postmenopausal age groups.

Conclusion

Women have a consistent and independent relative advantage in all aspects of the progression of localized melanoma of approximately 30%, most likely caused by an underlying biologic sex difference.
Platinum-Induced Ototoxicity in Children: A Consensus Review on Mechanisms, Predisposition, and Protection, Including a New International Society of Pediatric Oncology Boston Ototoxicity Scale
Authors: Brock Penelope R. , Knight Kristin R. , Freyer David R. , Campbell Kathleen C.M. , Steyger Peter S. , Blakley Brian W. , Rassekh Shahrad R. , Chang Kay W. , Fligor Brian J. , Rajput Kaukab , Sullivan Michael , Neuwelt Edward A.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

The platinum chemotherapy agents cisplatin and carboplatin are widely used in the treatment of adult and pediatric cancers. Cisplatin causes hearing loss in at least 60% of pediatric patients. Reducing cisplatin and high-dose carboplatin ototoxicity without reducing efficacy is important.

Patients and Methods

This review summarizes recommendations made at the 42nd Congress of the International Society of Pediatric Oncology (SIOP) in Boston, October 21-24, 2010, reflecting input from international basic scientists, pediatric oncologists, otolaryngologists, oncology nurses, audiologists, and neurosurgeons to develop and advance research and clinical trials for otoprotection.

Results

Platinum initially impairs hearing in the high frequencies and progresses to lower frequencies with increasing cumulative dose. Genes involved in drug transport, metabolism, and DNA repair regulate platinum toxicities. Otoprotection can be achieved by acting on several these pathways and generally involves antioxidant thiol agents. Otoprotection is a strategy being explored to decrease hearing loss while maintaining dose intensity or allowing dose escalation, but it has the potential to interfere with tumoricidal effects. Route of administration and optimal timing relative to platinum therapy are critical issues. In addition, international standards for grading and comparing ototoxicity are essential to the success of prospective pediatric trials aimed at reducing platinum-induced hearing loss.

Conclusion

Collaborative prospective basic and clinical trial research is needed to reduce the incidence of irreversible platinum-induced hearing loss, and optimize cancer control. Wide use of the new internationally agreed-on SIOP Boston ototoxicity scale in current and future otoprotection trials should help facilitate this goal.
Weekly nab-Paclitaxel in Combination With Carboplatin Versus Solvent-Based Paclitaxel Plus Carboplatin as First-Line Therapy in Patients With Advanced Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Final Results of a Phase III Trial
Authors: Socinski Mark A. , Bondarenko Igor , Karaseva Nina A. , Makhson Anatoly M. , Vynnychenko Igor , Okamoto Isamu , Hon Jeremy K. , Hirsh Vera , Bhar Paul , Zhang Hui , Iglesias Jose L. , Renschler Markus F.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

This phase III trial compared the efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel (nab-paclitaxel) plus carboplatin with solvent-based paclitaxel (sb-paclitaxel) plus carboplatin in advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Patients and Methods

In all, 1,052 untreated patients with stage IIIB to IV NSCLC were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive 100 mg/m2 nab-paclitaxel weekly and carboplatin at area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) 6 once every 3 weeks (nab-PC) or 200 mg/m2 sb-paclitaxel plus carboplatin AUC 6 once every 3 weeks (sb-PC). The primary end point was objective overall response rate (ORR).

Results

On the basis of independent assessment, nab-PC demonstrated a significantly higher ORR than sb-PC (33% v 25%; response rate ratio, 1.313; 95% CI, 1.082 to 1.593; P = .005) and in patients with squamous histology (41% v 24%; response rate ratio, 1.680; 95% CI, 1.271 to 2.221; P < .001). nab-PC was as effective as sb-PC in patients with nonsquamous histology (ORR, 26% v 25%; P = .808). There was an approximately 10% improvement in progression-free survival (median, 6.3 v 5.8 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.902; 95% CI, 0.767 to 1.060; P = .214) and overall survival (OS; median, 12.1 v 11.2 months; HR, 0.922; 95% CI, 0.797 to 1.066; P = .271) in the nab-PC arm versus the sb-PC arm, respectively. Patients ≥ 70 years old and those enrolled in North America showed a significantly increased OS with nab-PC versus sb-PC. Significantly less grade ≥ 3 neuropathy, neutropenia, arthralgia, and myalgia occurred in the nab-PC arm, and less thrombocytopenia and anemia occurred in the sb-PC arm.

Conclusion

The administration of nab-PC as first-line therapy in patients with advanced NSCLC was efficacious and resulted in a significantly improved ORR versus sb-PC, achieving the primary end point. nab-PC produced less neuropathy than sb-PC.
Clinical Impact of NOTCH1 and/or FBXW7 Mutations, FLASH Deletion, and TCR Status in Pediatric T-Cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma
Authors: Callens Celine , Baleydier Frederic , Lengline Etienne , Ben Abdelali Raouf , Petit Arnaud , Villarese Patrick , Cieslak Agata , Minard-Colin Veronique , Rullier Anne , Moreau Anne , Baruchel André , Schmitt Claudine , Asnafi Vahid , Bertrand Yves , Macintyre Elizabeth
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Pediatric T-cell lymphoblastic lymphomas (T-LBL) are commonly treated on T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) -derived protocols. Therapeutic stratification based on response to the prephase treatment and on minimal residual disease assessment is well established in T-ALL but is not easy to extrapolate to T-LBL. The identification of molecular prognostic markers at diagnosis in T-LBL could provide an alternative for early therapeutic stratification. Our study determines the frequency and prognostic value of NOTCH1/FBXW7 mutations (N/Fmut), FLASH deletion at chromosome 6q, and TCR rearrangements in a prospective cohort of pediatric T-LBL.

Patients and Methods

Pathologic samples were obtained at diagnosis for 54 patients treated according to the EuroLB02 protocol in France. N/Fmut were identified by direct sequencing and allelic dosage was used to detect FLASH and TCRγ deletions, which were interpreted in conjunction with TCRγ, TCRβ, and TCRδ rearrangements.

Results

N/Fmut were found in 55% of T-LBL patients, in whom they were associated with improved event-free survival (P < .01) and overall survival (P < .01). FLASH monoallelic deletions were observed in 18% of patients; they were predominantly N/F wild-type (six of nine) and tended to be of inferior prognosis (P = .09). Absence of biallelic TCRγ deletion (ABD) was seen in 7%, all of which were N/Fmut and identified a poor prognosis group (P = .02). On multivariate analysis of N/Fmut, TCRγ ABD, and FLASH deletion, only N/Fmut was an independent factor for good prognosis.

Conclusion

Mutational status of NOTCH1/FBXW7 represents a promising marker for early therapeutic stratification in pediatric T-LBL.
Randomized Phase II Trial of Erlotinib Alone or With Carboplatin and Paclitaxel in Patients Who Were Never or Light Former Smokers With Advanced Lung Adenocarcinoma: CALGB 30406 Trial
Authors: Jänne Pasi A. , Wang Xiaofei , Socinski Mark A. , Crawford Jeffrey , Stinchcombe Thomas E. , Gu Lin , Capelletti Marzia , Edelman Martin J. , Villalona-Calero Miguel A. , Kratzke Robert , Vokes Everett E. , Miller Vincent A.
Published: May 2012

Purpose

Erlotinib is clinically effective in patients with non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who have adenocarcinoma, are never or limited former smokers, or have EGFR mutant tumors. We investigated the efficacy of erlotinib alone or in combination with chemotherapy in patients with these characteristics.

Patients and Methods

Patients with advanced NSCLC (adenocarcinoma) who were epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor and chemotherapy naive never or light former smokers (smokers of > 100 cigarettes and ≤ 10 pack years and quit ≥ 1 year ago) were randomly assigned to continuous erlotinib or in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel (ECP) for six cycles followed by erlotinib alone. The primary end point was progression-free survival (PFS). Tissue collection was mandatory.

Results

PFS was similar (5.0 v 6.6 months; P = .1988) in patients randomly assigned to erlotinib alone (arm A; n = 81) or to ECP (arm B; n = 100). EGFR mutation analysis was possible in 91% (164 of 181) of patients, and EGFR mutations were detected in 40% (51 of 128) of never smokers and in 42% (15 of 36) of light former smokers. In arm A, response rate (70% v 9%), PFS (14.1 v 2.6 months), and overall survival (OS; 31.3 v 18.1 month) favored EGFR-mutant patients. In arm B, response rate (73% v 30%), PFS (17.2 v 4.8 months), and OS (38.1 v 14.4 months) favored EGFR-mutant patients. Incidence of grades 3 to 4 hematologic (2% v 49%; P < .001) and nonhematologic (24% v 52%; P < .001) toxicity was greater in patients treated with ECP.

Conclusion

Erlotinib and erlotinib plus chemotherapy have similar efficacy in clinically selected populations of patients with advanced NSCLC. EGFR mutations identify patients most likely to benefit.
What makes a chloroplast? Reconstructing the establishment of photosynthetic symbioses
Authors: Dorrell Richard G. , Howe Christopher J.
Published: May 2012

Earth is populated by an extraordinary diversity of photosynthetic eukaryotes. Many eukaryotic lineages contain chloroplasts, obtained through the endosymbiosis of a wide range of photosynthetic prokaryotes or eukaryotes, and a wide variety of otherwise non-photosynthetic species form transient associations with photosynthetic symbionts. Chloroplast lineages are likely to be derived from pre-existing transient symbioses, but it is as yet poorly understood what steps are required for the establishment of permanent chloroplasts from photosynthetic symbionts. In the past decade, several species that contain relatively recently acquired chloroplasts, such as the rhizarian Paulinella chromatophora, and non-photosynthetic taxa that maintain photosynthetic symbionts, such as the sacoglossan sea slug Elysia, the ciliate Myrionecta rubra and the dinoflagellate Dinophysis, have emerged as potential model organisms in the study of chloroplast establishment. In this Commentary, we compare recent molecular insights into the maintenance of chloroplasts and photosynthetic symbionts from these lineages, and others that might represent the early stages of chloroplast establishment. We emphasise the importance in the establishment of chloroplasts of gene transfer events that minimise oxidative stress acting on the symbiont. We conclude by assessing whether chloroplast establishment is facilitated in some lineages by a mosaic of genes, derived from multiple symbiotic associations, encoded in the host nucleus.
Expression and prognostic value of ING3 in human primary hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Yang Hai-Yan , Liu Hao-Ling , Tian Lan-Tian , Song Rui-Peng , Song Xuan , Yin Da-Long , Liang Ying-Jian , Qu Lian-Dong , Jiang Hong-Chi , Liu Jia-Ren , Liu Lian-Xin
Published: May 2012

The tumor-suppressor ING3 has been shown to be involved in tumor transcriptional regulation, apoptosis and the cell cycle. Some studies have demonstrated that ING3 is dysregulated in several types of cancers. However, the expression and function of ING3 in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unclear. The aim of this study is to investigate ING3 expression in hepatic tumors and its clinical relevance in hepatic cancer. The expression of ING3 protein was examined in 120 dissected HCC tissues and 47 liver tissues adjacent to the tumor by immunohistochemical assays and confirmed by Western blot analysis in 20 paired frozen tumor and non-tumor liver tissues. The relationship between ING3 staining and clinico-pathological characteristics of HCC was further analyzed. The mRNA expression of ING3 in the dissected tissues was also analyzed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and realtime PCR. Both mRNA and protein concentrations of ING3 were found to be downregulated in the majority of HCC tumors in comparison with matched non-tumor hepatic tissues. Analysis of the relationship between ING3 staining and clinico-pathological characteristics of HCC showed that the low expression of ING3 protein is correlated with more aggressive behavior of the tumor. Kaplan–Meier curves demonstrated that patients with a low expression of ING3 have a significantly increased risk of shortened survival time. In addition, multivariate analysis suggested that the level of ING3 expression may be an independent prognostic factor. Our findings indicate that ING3 may be an important marker for human hepatocellular carcinoma progression and prognosis, as well as a potential therapeutic target.
In vivo structure–function analysis of human Dicer reveals directional processing of precursor miRNAs
Authors: Gurtan Allan M. , Lu Victoria , Bhutkar Arjun , Sharp Phillip A.
Published: May 2012

Dicer is an RNase III family endoribonuclease and haploinsufficient tumor suppressor that processes mature miRNAs from the 5′ (5p) or 3′ (3p) arm of hairpin precursors. In murine Dicer knockout fibroblasts, we expressed human Dicer with point mutations in the RNase III, helicase, and PAZ domains and characterized miRNA expression by Northern blot and massively parallel sequencing of small RNAs. We report that inactivation of the RNase IIIA domain results in complete loss of 3p-derived mature miRNAs, but only partial reduction in 5p-derived mature miRNAs. Conversely, inactivation of the RNase IIIB domain by mutation of D1709, a residue mutated in a subset of nonepithelial ovarian cancers, results in complete loss of 5p-derived mature miRNAs, including the tumor-suppressive let-7 family, but only partial reduction in 3p-derived mature miRNAs. Mutation of the PAZ domain results in global reduction of miRNA processing, while mutation of the Walker A motif in the helicase domain of Dicer does not alter miRNA processing. These results provide insight into the biochemical activity of human Dicer in vivo and, furthermore, suggest that mutation of the clinically relevant residue D1709 within the RNase IIIB results in a uniquely miRNA-haploinsufficient state in which the let-7 family of tumor suppressor miRNAs is lost while a complement of 3p-derived miRNAs remains expressed.
Bioactive cubitane diterpenoids from a Colombian gorgonian species of the genus Eunicea
Authors: Wei Xiaomei , Nieves Karinel , Rodríguez Abimael D.
Published: May 2012

Two new diterpenes having the rare cubitane skeleton were isolated from a southwestern Caribbean gorgonian coral of the genus Eunicea. The structures of the new metabolites, as well as those of three known cubitanes were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis. One compound showed significant in vitro cytotoxic activity against a National Cancer Institute (NCI) panel of cancer cell lines, whereas the remaining metabolites were shown to exert mild antitubercular and antimalarial activities against the pathogenic microbes Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Plasmodium falciparum.
Reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generation, antioxidant defenses, and β-cell function: a critical role for amino acids
Authors: Newsholme P , Rebelato E , Abdulkader F , Krause M , Carpinelli A , Curi R
Published: May 2012

Growing evidence indicates that the regulation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) levels is essential for maintaining normal β-cell glucose responsiveness. While long-term exposure to high glucose induces oxidative stress in β cells, conflicting results have been published regarding the impact of ROS on acute glucose exposure and their role in glucose stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Although β cells are considered to be particularly vulnerable to oxidative damage, as they express relatively low levels of some peroxide-metabolizing enzymes such as catalase and glutathione (GSH) peroxidase, other less known GSH-based antioxidant systems are expressed in β cells at higher levels. Herein, we discuss the key mechanisms of ROS/RNS production and their physiological function in pancreatic β cells. We also hypothesize that specific interactions between RNS and ROS may be the cause of the vulnerability of pancreatic β cells to oxidative damage. In addition, using a hypothetical metabolic model based on the data available in the literature, we emphasize the importance of amino acid availability for GSH synthesis and for the maintenance of β-cell function and viability during periods of metabolic disturbance before the clinical onset of diabetes.
Educational Perspectives
Authors: Doherty Elizabeth G. , Brodsky Dara
Published: May 2012

Bedside teaching (BST) has been an instrumental force in medical education, helping trainees transition from being classroom students to hospital practitioners. The presence of the patient and the patient's family promotes active learning in history-taking, physical examination skills, procedures, differential diagnosis development, and clinical reasoning. BST also provides an opportunity for the teacher to model behaviors, such as effective communication, professionalism, and compassion. BST allows patients to be viewed as individuals with whom medical decisions are made, rather than to whom procedures and tests are applied, thus humanizing and personalizing medical care. In this review, we will discuss the benefits of and barriers to BST, describe models of BST, and provide a practical approach to teaching at the bedside.
Topics in Neonatal Informatics
Authors: Palma Jonathan P. , Benitz William E. , Tarczy-Hornoch Peter , Butte Atul J. , Longhurst Christopher A.
Published: May 2012

The future of neonatal informatics will be driven by the availability of increasingly vast amounts of clinical and genetic data. The field of translational bioinformatics is concerned with linking and learning from these data and applying new findings to clinical care to transform the data into proactive, predictive, preventive, and participatory health. As a result of advances in translational informatics, the care of neonates will become more data driven, evidence based, and personalized.
Neonatal Pulmonary Hemorrhage
Authors: Zahr Riad Abou , Ashfaq Ahmad , Marron-Corwin Mary
Published: May 2012

Pulmonary hemorrhage in the newborn is an ominous condition that has a high neonatal mortality rate. Several risk factors have been associated with the development of pulmonary hemorrhage, but the exact pathogenesis remains obscure. As a consequence, no curative treatment exists. In this review, we focus on the current understanding of pulmonary hemorrhage: its pathogenesis, associated risk factors, up-to-date management, and prognosis.
New possibility in the oral glucose lowering treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus: sodium-glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors
Authors: Simonyi Gábor
Published: May 2012

Sodium-glucose co-transporters (SGLTs) have a key role in the re-absorption of glucose in the kidneys. Therefore, inhibition of SGLTs may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for diabetes mellitus. SGLT2 inhibitors enhance renal glucose excretion by inhibiting renal glucose re-absorption and reduce plasma glucose level, as well as they decrease the body weight. Their action is insulin independent and they improve insulin resistance in diabetes mellitus. Numerous SGLT2 inhibitors have been developed and evaluated in clinical trials. Phase III trials are needed to assess the safety of SGLT2 inhibitors. Results suggest that the beneficial effects of SGLT2 inhibition might be achieved without the development of significant side effects. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 695–701.
Do grassland plant communities profit from N partitioning by soil depth?
Authors: von Felten Stefanie , Niklaus Pascal A. , Scherer-Lorenzen Michael , Hector Andrew , Buchmann Nina
Published: May 2012

Recent biodiversity–ecosystem functioning experiments in temperate grasslands have shown that productivity positively correlates with plant species richness. Resource partitioning (in particular, nitrogen [N] partitioning) has been proposed as one possible mechanism to explain this pattern. There is evidence for interspecific differences in chemical form, soil depth, and timing of N uptake. However, it has rarely been tested whether such differences result in increased N exploitation at the plant community level. Using 15N‐labeled litter that was mixed into different soil layers, we tested whether eight common grasses and forbs grown in communities of one, two, or four species differ with respect to the proportions of N taken up from different soil depths (N niche), and how this affects the total N uptake of plant communities. We calculated proportional similarity between species (niche overlap) with regard to N uptake from the labeled soil layers; we further calculated an a priori measure of community N uptake based on species N uptake in monoculture (community niche). Interestingly, however, plant community N uptake was not affected by species richness, possibly because community‐level N uptake was determined by (diversity‐independent) soil N mineralization rates. We nevertheless observed a positive effect of species richness on productivity due to increased aboveground biomass : N ratios. This may indicate increased competition for light, resulting in increased amounts of comparably N‐poor stem tissue. However, community N content and biomass were positively correlated with the community niche, a measure which is strongly linked to species composition. Thus, our results suggest that the studied species are generalists rather than specialists regarding N uptake depth, and that species composition was more important than species richness in determining community N uptake. Overall, N partitioning may be a less important driver of positive biodiversity–productivity effects in temperate grasslands than previously assumed.
What is the form of the productivity–animal‐species‐richness relationship? A critical review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cusens Jarrod , Wright Shane D. , McBride Paul D. , Gillman Len N.
Published: May 2012

The nature of the relationship between productivity and species richness has remained controversial for at least two decades. Recently authors have favored the suggestion that the form of this relationship is highly variable and scale dependent. However, this conclusion is not universally accepted. Here we present the results of a meta‐analysis of animal productivity–species‐richness relationships (PSRR) in terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems. Initially, 374 separate cases from 273 published studies were identified as potential tests of the animal PSRR. After critically assessing each study, 115 cases were accepted as robust tests of the relationship, and of these 95 had data available for formal meta‐analysis. Contrary to expectation, we found no support for the form of the relationship being scale dependent; positive relationships predominated at all scales (geographical extents and grains). Furthermore, positive relationships were the most common form of the animal PSRR in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems and among vertebrates, invertebrates, homeotherms and poikilotherms. Therefore, our results also contrast with previous reviews that suggest no particular form of the PSRR is predominant. We demonstrate that the method used for classifying the form of PSRRs is critical to the result and that previous reviews may have been too liberal toward classifying the form of relationships as unimodal. The tendency for positive relationships between productivity and species richness across diverse animal taxa has important implications for understanding the mechanisms behind the latitudinal gradient in species richness.
The impact of metal transport processes on bioavailability of free and complex metal ions in methanogenic granular sludge
Authors: Bartacek Jan , Fermoso Fernando G. , Vergeldt Frank , Gerkema Edo , Maca Josef , van As Henk , Lens Piet N. L.
Published: May 2012

Bioavailability of metals in anaerobic granular sludge has been extensively studied, because it can have a major effect on metal limitation and metal toxicity to microorganisms present in the sludge. Bioavailability of metals can be manipulated by bonding to complexing molecules such as ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) or diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA). It has been shown that although the stimulating effect of the complexed metal species (e.g. [CoEDTA]2−) is very fast, it is not sustainable when applied to metal-limited continuously operated reactors. The present paper describes transport phenomena taking place inside single methanogenic granules when the granules are exposed to various metal species. This was done using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The MRI results were subsequently related to technological observations such as changes in methanogenic activity upon cobalt injection into cobalt-limited up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactors. It was shown that transport of complexed metal species is fast (minutes to tens of minutes) and complexed metal can therefore quickly reach the entire volume of the granule. Free metal species tend to interact with the granular matrix resulting in slower transport (tens of minutes to hours) but higher final metal concentrations.
Non-parametric error distribution analysis from the laboratory calibration of various rainfall intensity gauges
Authors: Lanza L. G. , Stagi L.
Published: May 2012

The analysis of counting and catching errors of both catching and non-catching types of rain intensity gauges was recently possible over a wide variety of measuring principles and instrument design solutions, based on the work performed during the recent Field Intercomparison of Rainfall Intensity Gauges promoted by World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The analysis reported here concerns the assessment of accuracy and precision of various types of instruments based on extensive calibration tests performed in the laboratory during the first phase of this WMO Intercomparison. The non-parametric analysis of relative errors allowed us to conclude that the accuracy of the investigated RI gauges is generally high, after assuming that it should be at least contained within the limits set forth by WMO in this respect. The measuring principle exploited by the instrument is generally not very decisive in obtaining such good results in the laboratory. Rather, the attention paid by the manufacturer to suitably accounting and correcting for systematic errors and time-constant related effects was demonstrated to be influential. The analysis of precision showed that the observed frequency distribution of relative errors around their mean value is not indicative of an underlying Gaussian population, being much more peaked in most cases than can be expected from samples extracted from a Gaussian distribution. The analysis of variance (one-way ANOVA), assuming the instrument model as the only potentially affecting factor, does not confirm the hypothesis of a single common underlying distribution for all instruments. Pair-wise multiple comparison analysis revealed cases in which significant differences could be observed.
Activated carbon fiber filler in aerated bioreactor for industrial wastewater treatment
Authors: Zhou Dongkai , Hai Reti , Wang Wenxing , Zhao Donglin , Wang Shuo
Published: May 2012

The aerated bioreactor is a promising technology for wastewater treatment. Activated carbon fiber (ACF) used as a biomembrane carrier in wastewater disposal has attracted much more concern recently. The high modulus polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based ACF was successfully used as a biomembrane carrier for hard-to-biodegrade industrial organic wastewater disposal in a lab-scale aerated biomembrane reactor at room temperature. The biocompatibility test shows that the biomembrane grows quickly on the ACF filler (ACFF) surface; bacteria and microzoon can breed on the ACFF surface at high chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration. The COD removal rate tests show that the ACFF bioreactor has high capability to remove COD.
Decolorization and mineralization of Diarylide Yellow 12 (PY12) by photo-Fenton process: the Response Surface Methodology as the optimization tool
Authors: GilPavas Edison , Dobrosz-Gómez Izabela , Gómez-García Miguel Ángel
Published: May 2012

The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied as a tool for the optimization of the operational conditions of the photo-degradation of highly concentrated PY12 wastewater, resulting from a textile industry located in the suburbs of Medellin (Colombia). The Box-Behnken experimental Design (BBD) was chosen for the purpose of response optimization. The photo-Fenton process was carried out in a laboratory-scale batch photo-reactor. A multifactorial experimental design was proposed, including the following variables: the initial dyestuff concentration, the H2O2 and the Fe+2 concentrations, as well as the UV wavelength radiation. The photo-Fenton process performed at the optimized conditions resulted in ca. 100% of dyestuff decolorization, 92% of COD and 82% of TOC degradation. A kinetic study was accomplished, including the identification of some intermediate compounds generated during the oxidation process. The water biodegradability reached a final DBO5/DQO = 0.86 value.
Comparative studies on the differently operated trains of the North-Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant
Authors: Jobbágy A. , Palkó Gy. , Weinpel T. , Makó M.
Published: May 2012

In order to reduce the pollution load of the Danube, the North-Budapest Wastewater Treatment Plant has been upgraded to enhanced nitrogen removal by establishing a new activated sludge treatment line and modifying the existing unit for nitrification and denitrification. As both the influent flow rate and the influent chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD5) and total suspended solids (TSS) concentration levels remained far below the design values, setting one fourth of the reactor volume out of operation in the Old Line, and operating the nitrification reactor of the New Line with part-time aeration proved to be possible. Analytical data as well as simulation studies supported the advantage of the intermittent-aeration process in efficient N-removal. However, the lengths of the aerated periods have to be increased with decreasing temperature, and thereby effluent total nitrogen (TN) concentration can increase due to decreasing denitrification efficiency. Potential occurrence of low-dissolved oxygen (DO) bulking should be hindered through applying an efficient anoxic selector system.
High rate composting of herbal pharmaceutical industry solid waste
Authors: Ali M. , Duba K. S. , Kalamdhad A. S. , Bhatia A. , Khursheed A. , Kazmi A. A. , Ahmed N.
Published: May 2012

High rate composting studies of hard to degrade herbal wastes were conducted in a 3.5 m3 capacity rotary drum composter. Studies were spread out in four trials: In trial 1 and 2, one and two turns per day rotation was observed, respectively, by mixing of herbal industry waste with cattle (buffalo) manure at a ratio of 3:1 on wet weight basis. In trial 3 inocula was added in raw waste to enhance the degradation and in trial 4 composting of a mixture of vegetable market waste and herbal waste was conducted at one turn per day. Results demonstrated that the operation of the rotary drum at one turn a day (trial 1) could provide the most conducive composting conditions and co-composting (trial 4) gave better quality compost in terms of temperature, moisture, nitrogen, and Solvita maturity index. In addition a FT-IR study also revealed that trial 1 and trial 4 gave quality compost in terms of stability and maturity due to the presence of more intense peaks in the aromatic region and less intense peaks were found in the aliphatic region compared with trial 2 and trial 3.
Case study on the implementation of deammonification for the process water treatment of Munich WWTPs
Authors: Hilliges Rita , Steinle Eberhard , Böhm Bernhard
Published: May 2012

The two-staged WWTP ‘Gut Grosslappen’ has a capacity of 2 mio. PE. It comprises a pre-denitrification in the first stage using recirculation from the nitrifying second stage. A residual post-denitrification in a downstream sand filter is required in order to achieve the effluent standards. Presently the process water from sludge digestion is treated separately by nitrification/denitrification. Due to necessary reconstruction of the biological stages, the process water treatment was included in the future overall process concept of the WWTP. A case study was conducted comparing the processes nitritation/denitrititation and deammonification with nitrification/denitrification including their effect on the operational costs of the planned main flow treatment. Besides the different operating costs the investment costs required for the process water treatment played a significant role. Six cases for the process water treatment were compared. As a result, in Munich deammonification can only be recommended for long-term future developments, due to the high investment costs, compared with the nitritation/denitritation alternative realizable in existing tanks. The savings concerning aeration, sludge disposal and chemicals were not sufficient to compensate for the additional investment costs. Due to the specific circumstances in Munich, for the time being the use of existing tanks for nitritation/denitritation proved to be most economical.
The sorption of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc ions from aqueous solutions on a raw diatomite from Algeria
Authors: Safa Messaouda , Larouci Mohammed , Meddah Boumediene , Valemens Pierre
Published: May 2012

The adsorption of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions from aqueous solution by Algerian raw diatomite was studied. The influences of different sorption parameters such as contact pH solution, contact time and initial metal ions concentration were studied to optimize the reaction conditions. The metals ions adsorption was strictly pH dependent. The maximum adsorption capacities towards Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ were 0.319, 0.311, 0.18 and 0.096 mmol g−1, respectively. The kinetic data were modelled using the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations. Among the kinetic models studied, the pseudo-second-order equation was the best applicable model to describe the sorption process. Equilibrium isotherm data were analysed using the Langmuir and the Freundlich isotherms; the results showed that the adsorption equilibrium was well described by both model isotherms. The negative value of free energy change ΔG indicates feasible and spontaneous adsorption of four metal ions on raw diatomite. According to these results, the high exchange capacities of different metal ions at high and low concentration levels, and given the low cost of the investigated adsorbent in this work, Algerian diatomite was considered to be an excellent adsorbent.
Treating wastewater with high oil and grease content using an Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR). Filtration and cleaning assays
Authors: Diez V. , Ramos C. , Cabezas J. L.
Published: May 2012

An Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) pilot plant was studied to improve certain operational conditions of AnMBRs that treat high oil and grease wastewaters discharged from a snacks factory. A comparison of its performance and behavior was made with an upflow anaerobic reactor throughout the first eight weeks of its operation. Raw snack food wastewater was characterized by oil and grease concentrations of up to 6,000 mg/l, with chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biological oxygen demand (BOD5) concentrations of up to 22,000 and 10,300 mg/l, respectively. The AnMBR achieved COD removal efficiencies of 97% at an organic loading rate (OLR) of 5.1 kg COD/m3 d. The filtration flux, and the suction, backwash and relaxation times for each cycle were all varied: an 11 min filtration time involving 10 s pre-relaxation, 20 s backwash and 70 s post-relaxation was finally selected. The filtration flux for long-term operation was between 6.5 and 8.0 l/m2 h. The study also tested physical cleaning strategies such as intensive backwashing cycles and extended relaxation mode, and different chemical cleaning methods, such as chemically enhanced backwash on air and chemical cleaning by immersion.
High rate nitrogen removal by the CANON process at ambient temperature
Authors: Zhang Li , Jiang Jing , Yang Jiachun , Hira Daisuke , Furukawa Kenji
Published: May 2012

Completely autotrophic nitrogen removal over nitrite (CANON) is a cost-effective nitrogen removal process. Implementation of the CANON process relies on the cooperation of ammonium-oxidizing and Anammox bacteria, as well as the inhibition of nitrite-oxidizing bacteria. Strict limitations on dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration in the reactor, and the addition of sufficient inorganic carbon in the influent, were adopted as the main operational strategies. The reactor was fed with synthetic inorganic wastewater composed mainly of NH4+-N, and operated for 106 days. Stable nitrogen removal rates (NRR) of around 1.4 kg N m−3 d−1 were obtained at ambient temperature. Morphological characteristics and analysis of bacterial community confirmed the formation of functional outer aerobic and inner anaerobic granular sludge, providing evidence of stable nitrogen removal.
Catalytic ozonation of oxalic acid using carbon nanofibres on macrostructured supports
Authors: Restivo J. , Órfão J. J. M. , Pereira M. F. R. , Vanhaecke E. , Rönning M. , Iouranova T. , Kiwi-Minsker L. , Armenise S. , Garcia-Bordejé E.
Published: May 2012

Carbon nanofibres (CNFs) were grown on different macrostructured supports such as cordierite monoliths, carbon felts and sintered metal fibres. The resulting composites exhibited excellent resistance to attrition/corrosion and its porosity is mainly due to mesoporous structures. The CNF/structured materials were tested in the ozonation of oxalic acid in a conventional semi-batch reactor after being crushed to powder form, and in a newly designed reactor that may operate in semi-batch or continuous operation. The CNFs supported on the different structured materials exhibited high catalytic activity in the mineralization of oxalic acid.
Computer Simulations of Quantum Theory of Hydrogen Atom for Natural Science Education Students in a Virtual Lab
Authors: Singh Gurmukh
Published: May 2012

The present article is primarily targeted for the advanced college/university undergraduate students of chemistry/physics education, computational physics/chemistry, and computer science. The most recent software system such as MS Visual Studio .NET version 2010 is employed to perform computer simulations for modeling Bohr's quantum theory of hydrogen (H) atom in class-setting of a virtual laboratory. The necessary computer algorithm is developed to compute discrete values of the orbit radius, and stationary energy levels of Bohr's H-atom. More than 2000 computer simulations are performed to investigate the quantum model behavior starting from the ground state of H-atom until we reached the energy continuum. One of the natural consequences of Bohr's model is that it could provide a perfect corroboration of the experimentally observed spectrum of H-atom with that empirically obtained from formulas derived by famous scientists of 19th and 20th centuries. Using old theory of classical electrodynamics, it was not possible to explain the observed line spectrum of H-atom. Bohr's quantum model of H-atom set the stage for the development of a modern branch of physics and chemistry in microscopic world, the so called quantum mechanics and very recently of a new computing technique known as quantum computing.
Upbringing children in family in the context of secularized society
Authors: Slodičková Monika
Published: May 2012

Upbringing children in family in the context of secularized society

The present thesis presents religious, psychological and pedagogical a view of the family as a place of fundamental unit of society. Just from the basic unit of society depends on personal happiness and fulfillment of every human life. Its prominent position is not only a formal status, which are today's busy times and unhealthy and coexistence education system offers. Family, which has its roots somewhere deep in our human nature, is the most precious treasure of all mankind, because no other community does not interfere with a man so strong as the right family, in which a man comes into the world, which it grows and shapes for further life in the family, Church and State. Each family has not only private, but also the social dimension and is focused on two basic objectives and the spiritual and earthly, and therefore a good family to be of concern not only the Church but society as a whole, they are just family.
Japanese Language Proficiency, Social Networking, and Language Use during Study Abroad: Learners’ Perspectives
Authors: Dewey Dan P. , Bown Jennifer , Eggett Dennis
Published: May 2012

Abstract:

This study examines the self-perceived speaking proficiency development of 204 learners of Japanese who studied abroad in Japan and analyzes connections between self-reported social network development, language use, and speaking development. Learners perceived that they gained the most in areas associated with the intermediate and advanced levels of the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) Speaking Proficiency Guidelines and the least in novice and superior-level abilities, largely because of a ceiling effect – learners were highly capable of novice-level tasks before study abroad and therefore had little to gain. Regression analysis indicated that self-reported pre-departure proficiency level, dispersion (number of social groups in which a learner participated), time spent in Japan, total time spent speaking Japanese, time spent speaking with native-speaker friends, and time spent speaking English with native speakers of Japanese predicted 44.6% of the variance in the perceived gains of study abroad in speaking proficiency. Self-reported pre-departure proficiency level and time spent speaking English with native speakers of Japanese were negative predictors.