bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Agroindústria familiar rural, qualidade da produção artesanal e o enfoque da teoria das convenções
Authors: Nichele Fernanda Severo , Waquil Paulo Dabdab
Published: December 2011

A agroindústria familiar rural surge como uma alternativa na busca de novos nichos de mercados, utilizando-se da maior diversidade de produtos e da diferenciação dos produtos através da transformação dentro da propriedade. Sua implantação é considerada uma alternativa eficaz como política de Desenvolvimento Rural, mas, com todos os esforços, existem muitas limitações neste setor, principalmente da legislação sanitária. A construção dos mercados e das regras que os regem, mesmo com o cumprimento das normas legais, vem de dentro do processo e com a colaboração de todos os atores: produtores, consumidores. A Teoria das Convenções baseia-se no reconhecimento mútuo e coletivo da qualidade ampla do produto e foi utilizada para explicar como funcionam as interações entre produtores da Região Metropolitana de Porto Alegre com relação às regras de produção ou "modos de fazer" no processo produtivo.
Diferentes fontes e níveis de selênio sobre a imunidade humoral de frangos de corte
Authors: Funari Junior Pascoal , Albuquerque Ricardo de , Murarolli Vinícius Diogo Azevedo , Raspantini Leonila Ester Reinert , Cardoso Ana Lucia Sicchiroli Paschoal , Tessari Eliana Neire Castiglioni , Alves Flavio Rocha
Published: December 2011

O presente trabalho teve o objetivo de investigar os efeitos da variação de níveis e fontes de selênio (Se) sobre a imunidade humoral de frangos de corte. Foram utilizados 1440 pintos de um dia, machos, criados até os 42 dias. O delineamento experimental foi inteiramente casualizado com seis dietas experimentais (A: 0,15mg kg-1 Se inorgânico (inorg.); B: 0,15mg kg-1 Se orgânico; C: 0,15mg kg-1 Se inorg.+orgânico; D: 0,45mg kg-1 Se inorgânico; E: 0,45mg kg-1 Se orgânico; F: 0,45mg kg-1 Se inorg.+orgânico) calculadas para fornecerem a quantidade de Se descritas, e seis repetições com 40 aves cada. Foi utilizado um arranjo fatorial 3x2 e os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, com nível de significância a 5%. A imunidade foi avaliada por meio da resposta à vacina contra a Doença de Newcastle e resposta à sensibilização prévia com eritrócitos de carneiro (SRBC). Não foi observada diferença estatística ao nível de significância de 5%, para os títulos de anticorpos contra a vacina da Doença de Newcastle (P>0,05). Entretanto aos 14 dias o fator fonte obteve probabilidade (P=0,0580), resultado que mostra uma tendência de influência da fonte inorgânica na manutenção da imunidade materna, pois nesta idade as aves ainda não haviam sido vacinadas contra a Doença de Newcastle. Não foi observado nenhum efeito para variável de resposta a sensibilização prévia com SRBC (P>0,05). Os resultados mostram que as aves responderam imunologicamente ao estímulo, porém a variação da fonte e do nível de Se não foi capaz de induzir uma diferença significativa na resposta imunológica das aves. Os níveis e fontes de Se não têm efeito sobre a resposta imunológica aos eritrócitos de carneiro (SRBC) e, resposta imunológica a vacina contra a Doença de Newcastle.
Incorporação de ômega-3 no tecido muscular da tilápia do Nilo alimentada com dietas contendo silagem de cabeça de camarão
Authors: Costa Carolina Nunes , Silva Jaff Ribeiro da , Melo Fulvio Viegas Teixeira de , Hisano Hamilton , Druzian Janice Izabel , Portz Leandro
Published: December 2011

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a incorporação de ômega-3 EPA (eicosapentaenóico) e DHA (docosahexanóico) no tecido muscular de tilápias do Nilo alimentadas com dietas suplementadas com diferentes níveis de silagem de cabeça de camarão Litopenaeus vannamei (0, 4, 8, 12, 16%). Foram analisados os teores de EPA, DHA e lipídios totais das dietas e dos tecidos musculares das tilápias. Os teores de lipídios totais variaram entre 6,70 a 10,30% nas dietas e 0,79 a 1,37% no tecido muscular. Através da análise de regressão, houve um aumento nos teores de ômega-3 (r=0,92) com a inclusão da silagem na dieta. Foi observada incorporação de 0,59% (1,34mg 100g-1) e 9,5% (40,50mg 100g-1) de EPA e DHA, respectivamente, no tratamento com 16% de silagem na dieta. A inclusão de 16% da silagem ácida de cabeça de camarão na dieta das tilápias aumentou significativamente os níveis de incorporação de EPA e DHA no filé.
E se eu não quiser participar? O caso da não participação nas eleições do comitê de bacia do rio São Francisco
Authors: Empinotti Vanessa L.
Published: December 2011

Este artigo analisa como a não participação de organizações da sociedade civil no Comitê da Bacia Hidrográfica do rio São Francisco também impacta os processos de decisão relacionados ao uso da água nessa região. Utilizando a perspectiva da Ecologia Política, o artigo desconstrói o entendimento de participação e não participação como uma dicotomia e desafia a premissa de que a não participação representa apenas a capacidade de um sistema de gestão de excluir certas organizações.
Periodontal Findings in Patients With Oral Submucous Fibrosis and Comet Assay of Affected Gingival Epithelial Cells
Authors: Dodani Kiran , Anumala Naveen , Avula Haritha , Reddy Krishnajaneya , Varre Sreedevi , Kalakonda Butchi Babu , Arora Nupur , Suri Charu , Avula Jaya Kumar
Published: December 2011

Background:Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) involves large sections of population and is related to certain chewing practices that involve direct exposure of the gingiva to noxious chemicals and additives. The impact of such practices, although studied extensively in relation to the cheek mucosa, is not elucidated as far as gingival tissues are concerned. The possible DNA damage on affected gingiva is also one of the objectives of the present study.

Methods:One hundred cases of individuals with OSF and 89 without OSF were examined for periodontal parameters and compared. Biopsies of gingival tissue from both categories were examined with conventional hematoxylin and eosin staining for epithelial, connective tissue, and inflammatory changes. Comet assay of epithelial cells obtained from scraping the gingival surface of both patients with OSF and control individuals was performed.

Results:Patients with OSF had poorer oral hygiene and greater loss of attachment, probing depth, and recession compared with controls. Significant histopathologic changes in the form of loss of rete ridges with gingival epithelium reduced to a flattened surface was observed. All the patients with OSF showed comet cells in larger numbers. The controls also showed comet cells but in fewer numbers, and the number of individuals showing comet cells was significantly less.

Conclusion:OSF showed significant changes in affected gingiva, and the presence of comet cells in all the patients with OSF is a significant indicator of possible pathognomonic developments.
Alveolar Bone Remodeling Around Immediate Implants Placed in Accordance With the Extraction Socket Classification: A Three‐Dimensional Microcomputed Tomography Analysis
Authors: Al‐Shabeeb Munirah Saleh , Al‐Askar Mansour , Al‐Rasheed Abdulaziz , Babay Nadir , Javed Fawad , Wang Hom‐Lay , Al‐Hezaimi Khalid
Published: December 2011

Background: Previous studies assessed bone remodeling after a single tooth extraction; however, the effect of multiple contiguous teeth extractions around immediate implant remains unknown. The aim of this microcomputed tomographic investigation is to analyze the alveolar bone remodeling around immediate implants placed in accordance with the extraction socket classification (ESC).

Methods: Under general anesthesia, 10 beagle dogs underwent atraumatic tooth extractions. Animals were randomly divided into three groups, with 16 sites per group: 1) ESC‐1, single tooth extraction; 2) ESC‐2, two contiguous teeth extraction; and 3) ESC‐3, more than two contiguous teeth extractions. Immediate implants were inserted in each socket, and postoperative plaque control measures were undertaken. After euthanasia, the jaw segments were evaluated for bone thickness, marginal bone loss (MBL), and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) using microcomputed tomography.

Results: The mean buccal bone thickness (P <0.05) and MBL (P <0.05) was compromised in jaws in ESC‐3 compared to those in ESC‐1 and ESC‐2. The BIC was significantly higher among jaws in ESC‐1 compared to those in ESC‐2 and ESC‐3 (P <0.05). There was no significant difference in the buccal bone thickness, MBL, and BIC among the groups in the maxilla and mandible. Lingual bone remodeling did not reveal any significant differences among the groups in either jaw.

Conclusion: Buccal bone remodeling is significantly more extensive around immediate implants placed in multiple contiguous tooth extraction sites compared to immediate implants placed in single tooth extraction sites.
HIV Screening and Awareness Survey for Pregnant Women in a Remote Area in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region of China
Authors: Sun Yuping , Hewan-Lowe Karlene , Wu Qiang , Yu Jiang , Guo Zhiqiu , Han Yali , Fan Yujiang , Qin Xianfang , Xu Ping , Bolatihan Janati , Hoshaerbai Mayinuer , Yuan Luping , Hong Heng
Published: December 2011

Objective:

The number of people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China has increased in recent years. HIV screening for pregnant women was performed in a remote area in Xinjiang, as an effort to promote universal HIV screening in pregnant women and to help prevention of mother-to-child transmission.

Methods:

Pregnant women in Burqin and Jeminay Counties in Xinjiang were offered free voluntary HIV screening. Local mid-level medical workers were trained to use Determine® HIV-1/2 kit for HIV screening. All the tested pregnant women signed a consent form, received HIV education material, and participated in an HIV knowledge survey.

Results:

All the 890 pregnant women receiving HIV test had negative result. Among these women, 67.6% were Kazakh and 40.9% were farmers. Survey of HIV knowledge showed that these women's awareness about mother-to-child transmission was limited. The levels of HIV knowledge were related with ethnic background, age, education and profession of the pregnant women.

Conclusion:

The results suggested that HIV infection had not become a significant problem among the pregnant women in this remote area of Xinjiang, but continued efforts to improve the awareness of HIV, especially the knowledge about mother-to-child transmission of HIV, in pregnant women were needed.
Low Temperature Drying With Air Dehumidified by Zeolite for Food Products: Energy Efficiency Aspect Analysis
Authors: Djaeni Mohamad , van Asselt C. J. , Bartels P. V. , Sanders J. P. M. , van Straten Gerrit , van Boxtel Anton J.
Published: December 2011

Developments in low temperature drying of food products are still an interesting issue; especially with respect to the energy efficiency. This research studies the energy efficiency that can be achieved by a dryer using air which is dehumidified by zeolite. Experimental results are fitted to a dynamic model to find important variables for the drying operation. The results show that ambient air temperature as well as the ratio between air flow for drying and air flow for regeneration, affect the energy efficiency significantly. Relative humidity of used air, and shift time have a minor effect on the dryer performance. From the total work, it can be noted that the dryer efficiency operated at 50-60°C achieves 75 percent, which is attractive for drying of food products.
Important geological properties of unconventional resource shales
Authors: Slatt Roger
Published: December 2011

The revelation of vast global quantities of potentially productive gas and oil-prone shales has led to advancements in understanding important geological properties which impact reservoir performance. Based upon research on a variety of shales, several geological properties have been recognized as being common and important to hydrocarbon production. (1) transport/depositional processes include hemipelagic ‘rain’, hyperpycnal flows, turbidity current flows, tempestites, wave-reworking, and contour currents in both shallow and deep water settings. (2) Common shale minerals include clays, quartz, calcite, dolomite, apatite, and pyrite; organic constituents include spores (Tasmanites), plant remains, biogenic quartz and calcite, and arenaceous foraminifera. (3) Porosity and permeability are characteristically low with pore sizes ranging down to the nanoscale. Main pore types include intergranular (including pores within clay floccules), porous organic matter, porous fecal pellets, and microfractures. (4) Important geochemical characteristics include organic richness (>3%), maturity (>1.1%Ro for shale gas and 0.6–0.9% for shale oil) and type (I–IV), in addition to certain biomarkers which are indicators of bottom water oxicity during deposition. Remaining hydrocarbon potential [RHP = (S1 + S2)/TOC] also reflects temporal environmental changes. ‘Isotopic reversals’ can be used to detect best producing areas in shale-gas plays. (5) Lithofacies stacking patterns and sequence stratigraphy are the result of eustatic depositional history. A general sequence stratigraphic model is presented here that highlights this commonality. (6) Geomechanical properties are key to drilling, fracturing and production of hydrocarbons. Brittle-ductile couplets at several scales occur in shale sequences. (7) Geophysical properties, when calibrated to rock properties, provide a means of regionally to locally mapping the aforementioned properties. (8) Economic and societal considerations in the exploration and development of resource shales are garnering attention. Many potentially economic shale-gas and shale-oil plays are being identified globally. Risks and uncertainties associated with gas- and oil-rich shales include the lack of long-term production histories, environmental concerns related to hydraulic fracturing, uncertainty in calculating hydrocarbons-in-place, and fluctuations in supply, demand, and price.
Factors That Affect Decisions About Physical Activity and Exercise in Survivors of Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sander Antoinette P. , Wilson Jessica , Izzo Nicole , Mountford Stephanie A. , Hayes Karen W.
Published: December 2011

Background

Exercise has many benefits for survivors of breast cancer, yet only half of this population regularly exercise. Fear has been identified as a barrier to exercise for people with neuromusculoskeletal conditions but has been minimally explored in women with breast cancer.

Objectives

The purposes of this study were: (1) to investigate factors that affected decisions about physical activity and exercise in survivors of breast cancer and (2) to determine whether fear was a factor.

Design

This investigation was a grounded-theory qualitative study. Qualitative data were triangulated with data from 2 quantitative scales that measured participants' beliefs about exercise and their activity levels.

Methods

Thirty-four survivors of breast cancer in 8 focus groups participated in semistructured interviews that were recorded, transcribed, and coded. Concept maps created for each group were merged to develop themes. Beliefs about physical activity and exercise were assessed with the Decisional Balance Scale. The Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity was used to assess behaviors regarding physical activity and exercise before and after the breast cancer diagnosis.

Results

Participants generally believed that exercise was beneficial (Decisional Balance Scale score: X̅=28.1 [of a maximum score of 44], SD=7.6, range=10–43). Participants decreased the amount of physical activity or exercise during treatment but increased the amount of exercise beyond prediagnosis levels after treatment (Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity score: median=6, range=2–7). Three prominent themes described participants' behaviors regarding physical activity or exercise: values and beliefs about exercise, facilitators and barriers that were both similar to those affecting the general population and cancer specific, and lack of or inaccurate information about safe exercise.

Conclusions

Survivors who were active were not afraid to exercise. However, concern about lymphedema and knowledge about safe and effective exercise programs influenced choices regarding physical activity and exercise.
Functional Recovery of a Patient With Anorexia Nervosa: Physical Therapist Management in the Acute Care Hospital Setting
Authors: Fisher Beth Anne , Schenkman Margaret
Published: December 2011

Background and Purpose

People with severe, long-standing anorexia nervosa (AN) often develop physical manifestations of medical starvation. Functional deficits are not well described, and little information is available to guide physical intervention. This case report describes the physical therapy clinical decision-making process and intervention provided to a patient with severe AN.

Case Description

The patient was a 48-year-old woman admitted to an acute care hospital with medical complications associated with AN and requiring medical stabilization. On admission, she was unable to complete basic functional activities (eg, bed mobility, transfers, ambulation). She was considered at risk for falls, with a score of 17 on the Performance-Oriented Motor Assessment (POMA) and a score of 19.27 seconds on the Timed “Up & Go” Test (TUG). Physical therapist examination and intervention focused on functional testing and training, strengthening, and postural stability training for return to independence.

Outcomes

In 9 weeks, the patient returned to independence in basic activities of daily living, as measured by 3 items from the motor domain (bed mobility, transfers, and ambulation) of the Functional Independence Measure, with improvements from 1 (“total assistance”) to 6 (“modified independence”) on each item. Postural stability improved to “low risk” for falls (POMA score of 24). Her TUG score improved to 11.00 seconds. Walking speed improved from 0.35 to 0.81 m/s. Once she attained medical stability, she was discharged home with her parents with outpatient services.

Discussion

Physical therapist management of this severely deconditioned patient hospitalized with severe AN focused on the restoration of functional activities, with intervention intensity being guided by physiologic responses. Traditional aerobic and endurance training were de-emphasized to minimize kilocalorie expenditure and tendencies toward exercise compulsion in this patient population.
The Impact of Sub-Metering on Condominium Electricity Demand
Authors: Dewees Donald , Tombe Trevor
Published: December 2011

With a substantial fraction of the population insulated from energy price signals in bulk-metered apartment and condominium buildings, some jurisdictions are exploring mandatory metering of individual suites to encourage electricity conservation. This study finds that sub-metering in a Toronto condominium building reduces electricity usage by 20 percent. However, the costs of metering and customer service largely offset the electricity cost savings, and so the private net benefits are small or negative. The social net benefits depend strongly on the value assigned to externalities from generation. Social net benefits in our baseline results are closer to 5 percent than to 20 percent, and could be negative in many buildings.
Do Strikes and Work-to-Rule Campaigns Change Elementary School Assessment Results?
Authors: Johnson David R.
Published: December 2011

This paper uses data from the Grade 3 and 6 assessments conducted in Ontario schools to examine the association between student achievement and both strikes and work-to-rule campaigns by teachers. Between 1998/99 and 2003/04 approximately 5 percent of schools in Ontario were exposed to strikes (including one lockout) and over 10 percent of schools experienced a work-to-rule campaign (the withdrawal of many school activities normally carried out by teachers). This study finds large reductions in academic achievement associated with strikes at disadvantaged schools in both Grade 3 and Grade 6, and substantial reductions in results associated with work-to-rule campaigns. The reductions associated with work-to-rule campaigns vary across schools with the largest reductions at disadvantaged schools in Grade 3 and at advantaged schools in Grade 6.
Quantifying the Effects of the Provincial Nominee Programs
Authors: Pandey Manish , Townsend James
Published: December 2011

To encourage more even dispersion of economic immigrants throughout Canada, the federal and various provincial governments have developed the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). In this paper, we provide an overview of these programs and assess their impact on the flow of immigrants to smaller provinces, which have struggled to attract and retain skilled newcomers. We find, after controlling for provincial economic conditions, that the Nominee Programs of Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick were associated with significant increases in immigration flows to these provinces. We also find that one-year retentions rates of immigrants did not decrease for any province after the introduction of the PNPs. In fact, retention rates for immigrants through Nominee Programs were higher in most provinces than for economic class immigrants arriving through the federal programs. We conclude that PNPs were effective as a means of both attracting and retaining immigrants.
For Whom the Retirement Bell Tolls: Accounting for Changes in the Expected Age of Retirement and the Incidence of Mandatory Retirement in Canada
Authors: Gomez Rafael , Gunderson Morley
Published: December 2011

Data from the 2002 and 1994 General Social Survey are used to analyze the determinants of retiring due to mandatory retirement and the expected age of retirement in Canada. Changes between 1994 and 2002 are decomposed into two components, one attributable to shifts in the composition of respondents and the other to changes in the preferences and/or constraints of respondents. Changing preferences and constraints play a very important role for both outcomes. Specifically, we first indentify a 1.3 percentage point drop in the probability of retiring due to mandatory retirement between 1994 and 2002, with that drop due entirely to preference or constraint changes. These changes offset changes in the composition of the workforce, which were working to increase the probability of retiring due to mandatory retirement. Second, we find an increase of 3.7 years in the expected age of retirement between 1994 and 2002, with that increase being almost exclusively attributable to preference/constraint shifts. The implications of these findings for employers, employees, and policy-makers are discussed.
The Feasibility of Implementing a Congestion Charge on the Halifax Peninsula: Filling the “Missing Link” of Implementation
Authors: Althaus Catherine , Tedds Lindsay M. , McAvoy Allen
Published: December 2011

Congestion charges pose a policy dilemma because of the need to balance the management of a quasi-public good along with the correction of negative externalities on the one hand against the needs of economic, demographic, and urban growth along with citizen acceptance on the other. The literature provides detailed rationale for congestion charges but minimal consideration on how to implement such charges. The purpose of this article is to expose some of the technical and administrative issues that come with implementing congestion charges. The Halifax Peninsula is used as a case study to illuminate the topic. Drawing on this case, we spell out ten ex ante implementation criteria that can be used to assess implementation considerations in any given congestion charge context.
Predictors of Employer Satisfaction: Technical and Non-technical Skills
Authors: Danielson Jared A. , Wu Tsui-Feng , Fales-Williams Amanda J. , Kirk Ryan A. , Preast Vanessa A.
Published: December 2011

Employers of 2007–2009 graduates from Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine were asked to respond to a survey regarding their overall satisfaction with their new employees as well as their new employees' preparation in several technical and non-technical skill areas. Seventy-five responses contained complete data and were used in the analysis. Four technical skill areas (data collection, data interpretation, planning, and taking action) and five non-technical skill areas (interpersonal skills, ability to deal with legal issues, business skills, making referrals, and problem solving) were identified. All of the skill area subscales listed above had appropriate reliability (Cronbach's alpha>0.70) and were positively and significantly correlated with overall employer satisfaction. Results of two simultaneous regression analyses indicated that of the four technical skill areas, taking action is the most salient predictor of employer satisfaction. Of the five non-technical skill areas, interpersonal skills, business skills, making referrals, and problem solving were the most important skills in predicting employer satisfaction. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that all technical skills explained 25% of the variation in employer satisfaction; non-technical skills explained an additional 42% of the variation in employer satisfaction.
Integrated Bus Information System
Authors: Wayne W. Scott , Perhinschi Mario , Clark Nigel , Tamayo Sergio , Tu Jun
Published: December 2011

West Virginia University, under contract to the Federal Transit Administration, has developed two tools to evaluate the pollutant emissions, greenhouse gases, and fuel economy of transit buses: a searchable database of transit vehicle emission data and a transit fleet emission inventory model. These tools, complemented by a transit vehicle life-cycle cost model developed by West Virginia University, Battelle, and Transit Resource Center for the Transportation Research Board, provide an interactive, approachable, and reliable method for users, primarily transit agencies, to evaluate overall fleet emissions and fuel consumption for optimization of fleet configuration and operation. These tools will be made available through an online website called the Integrated Bus Information System (IBIS). This paper describes development of the transit fleet inventory model and comparison with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) MOBILE6 and MOVES (motor vehicle emission simulator) emission inventory models. The IBIS model was developed from extensive chassis dynamometer data from several reference vehicles. Polynomial models were built through linear regression. These backbone models characterized the effects of driving activity on vehicle emissions and fuel consumption. Comparison of predicted emissions showed good agreement for hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and oxides of nitrogen emissions and acceptable agreement for particulate matter emissions. The EPA MOBILE6 model assumed constant values as a function of duty cycle for carbon dioxide emissions and fuel economy. The West Virginia University IBIS model and EPA MOVES model displayed similar trends for carbon dioxide emissions, but MOVES predicted substantially lower carbon dioxide levels.
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Coordinated Signal Control in Reducing Vehicle Emissions during Peak Hours versus Nonpeak Hours
Authors: Tao Fei , Shi Qinyi , Yu Lei
Published: December 2011

Traffic signal coordination is not only an effective traffic flow operational strategy to smooth the traffic in urban areas but is also considered a potentially effective means to reduce vehicle emissions. Nevertheless, when traffic flow speed decreases, the effectiveness of using traffic signal coordination to reduce emissions may be substantially weakened. This paper evaluates the effectiveness of signal coordination in reducing vehicle emissions during peak versus nonpeak hours, two speed scenarios. The operating mode binning approach is used as a statistical technique to calculate emission rates, and the difference in emissions is adopted as the measure of effectiveness in the study. Data used in the study include Global Positioning System data and emission data collected from real-world tests. It was found from the study that coordinated signal control could reduce vehicle emissions in the following order (most to least reduction): oxides of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide. However, its effectiveness would be impaired during peak hours when the speed was decreased. Meanwhile, the test shows that the effectiveness will be affected by driver behavior. Either low average speed or intentionally slow driving will weaken the effectiveness of coordinated control in reducing vehicle emissions. The research in this paper is a pilot study and the same methodology will be used to conduct a more thorough study.
Comparison of Air Quality–Related Mortality Impacts of Different Transportation Modes in the United States
Authors: Wadud Zia , Waitz Ian A.
Published: December 2011

Knowledge about the environmental impacts of various transportation modes is important for understanding trade-offs that may be involved in policy options that affect different transportation modes in different ways. This paper reviews the literature on human health impacts attributed to various transportation modes, focusing on premature mortality, to carry out a comparative analysis of the modes. This research finds that the risks of premature death attributable to air pollution from rail, shipping, and aviation emissions are typically larger than the accident-related fatalities of these modes; for road transportation, air pollution–related premature mortality risks are similar in magnitude to the number of fatalities from accidents. Of the modes considered, road transportation has the largest impact on air quality health risks. Passenger and heavy road vehicles are estimated to be responsible for almost equal shares of premature mortality due to air pollution. Road transport is followed by ocean shipping, rail, and aviation, respectively, for air quality–related total health impacts. These health risks are also normalized with respect to the service delivered by each mode to account for the differences in the levels of activity among different modes. In this case, road vehicles are found to have the largest impact per unit of activity (expressed as equivalent ton-miles), with aviation ranked second on a per-ton-mile basis. Rail transportation is the most environmentally friendly mode on a per-ton-mile basis, followed closely by shipping. Despite rail's relatively low air quality–related mortality risks per ton-mile as a transportation mode, passenger rail (especially Amtrak and commuter rail) may be responsible for the highest risk of air pollution–related premature deaths on a per-ton-mile basis, followed by personal road vehicles.
Effects of Aging on Tire–Pavement Noise Generation for Concrete Pavements of Different Textures
Authors: Donavan Paul R. , Rymer Bruce
Published: December 2011

Between 2003 and 2010, research on the changes in tire–pavement noise generation over time was conducted on 11 textures applied to portland cement concrete. The initial textures included longitudinal tining, burlap drag, and longitudinal broom. Additional texturing was applied to these surfaces in the form of longitudinal grooving of varying depth and spacing and diamond grinding with varying spacer dimensions, as well as a combination of the two. Since their application, these sections have been routinely monitored for tire noise performance with the onboard sound intensity method. As originally measured in June 2003, the range in level between the surfaces was relatively small at 2.7 dB. At 5 years, the range is slightly smaller at 2.3 dB. During the total 71/2 years of the study, the overall noise performance increased at an average rate of about 0.10 dB per year. The study has shown that for different frequency ranges the change in noise level has displayed some variation; the lower-frequency levels have decreased for some pavements with time, while the higher-frequency levels have increased at a rate higher than the overall levels for all pavements. For the higher frequencies, findings suggested that the increased noise was due to polishing of the surfaces. For the lower frequencies, the reduction in noise level was less pronounced with more variability between textures. For the ground surfaces, some evidence was found that indicated that the reduction might be linked to some loss of larger-scale texture as the surfaces were worn down.
Port Columbus, Ohio, International Airport Southwest Noise Berm–Wall Project
Authors: Barrett Douglas E. , Johnson Timothy M.
Published: December 2011

The Columbus Regional Airport Authority plans to relocate Runway 10R-28L at Port Columbus International Airport in Columbus, Ohio, 702 ft south of its existing location. This action would require the acquisition and removal of 35 houses to meet FAA airport design standards. The airport's most recent Federal Aviation Regulations Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan (NCP) includes an approved noise abatement measure to construct a noise berm–wall to help reduce noise and minimize the visual impacts caused by removal of the houses. The Columbus Regional Airport Authority retained Harris, Miller, Miller, and Hanson Inc. (HMMH) to conduct a noise mitigation study to determine the final location, length, height, and composition of the berm–wall. In addition, the study sought to confirm whether the proposed measure would comply with FAA noise reduction standards, thereby making it eligible, as an approved NCP measure, for FAA funding. HMMH conducted the evaluation using the general prediction method as implemented in the SoundPLAN computer model. On previous projects, HMMH has used SoundPLAN's implementation of ISO Standard 9613-2. For this project, however, the authors found the general prediction method to provide results that were more uniform and also in closer agreement with prior measured and predicted results than those computed by ISO 9613-2. This paper provides a comparison of the relevant aspects of the two standards and suggests explanations for the differing results.
The Influence of Space Environment on Substructure of Light-Absorbing Thermoregulating Al Coatings
Authors: Skatkov Leonid , Cheremskoy Petr , Gomozov Valeriy , Bayrachny Boris , Tulskiy Gennadiy , Deribo Svetana
Published: December 2011

Porous light-absorbing and thermoregulating low-vacuum aluminum coatings (AC) precipitated by thermal evaporation were the object of this study. The small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), electron microscopy, precision hydrostatic weighing, and the dynamical technique for argon low-temperature desorption were used for our investigations. It was shown that AC pore formation in open space (OS) is conditioned by the reduction of molecular flow orienting impact and the increase of the diffusing-vacancy mechanism on coatings formation in zero-gravity conditions, which causes the formation of coarse and equiaxed pores with lowered polydispersity levels.
An Investigation into the Cytotoxic Effects of 13-Acetoxysarcocrassolide from the Soft Coral Sarcophyton crassocaule on Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Su Ching-Chyuan , Su Jui-Hsin , Lin Jen-Jie , Chen Cheng-Chi , Hwang Wen-Ing , Huang Han Hsiang , Wu Yu-Jen
Published: December 2011

Active compounds from natural products have been widely studied. The anti-tumor effects of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide isolated from Formosan soft coral Sarcophyton crassocaule on bladder cancer cells were examined in this study. An MTT assay showed that 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide was cytotoxic to bladder female transitional cancer (BFTC) cells. We determined that the BFTC cells underwent cell death through apoptosis by flow cytometry. Due to the highly-migratory nature of the BFTC cells, the ability of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide to stop their migration was assessed by a wound healing assay. To determine which proteins were affected in the BFTC cells upon treatment, a comparative proteomic analysis was performed. By LC-MS/MS analysis, we identified that 19 proteins were up-regulated and eight were down-regulated. Seven of the proteins were confirmed by western blotting analysis. This study reveals clues to the potential mechanism of the cytotoxic effects of 13-acetoxysarcocrassolide on BFTC cells. Moreover, it suggests that PPT1 and hnRNP F could be new biomarkers for bladder cancer. The results of this study are also helpful for the diagnosis, progression monitoring and therapeutic strategies of transitional cell tumors.
Immunomodulatory Activity of Polysaccharide-Protein Complex of Longan (Dimocarpus longan Lour.) Pulp
Authors: Yi Yang , Liao Sen-Tai , Zhang Ming-Wei , Zhang Rui-Fen , Deng Yuan-Yuan , Yang Bao , Wei Zhen-Cheng
Published: December 2011

The immunomodulatory function of longan pulp polysaccharide-protein complex (LP3) was investigated in immunosuppressed mice models. Compared with the model control, peroral administration of 100 mgkg−1d−1 LP3 could significantly increase/enhance antibody production against chicken red blood cell (CRBC), concanavalin A (ConA)-induced splenocyte proliferation, macrophage phagocytosis, NK cell cytotoxicity against YAC-1 lymphoma cell, and interferon-gamma (INF-γ) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) secretion in serum (P < 0.05). The immunomodulatory effects, except for those on splenocytes and macrophages (P > 0.05), were also observed in mice administered with 50 or 200 mgkg−1d−1 LP3 (P < 0.05). The beneficial effects of 50–200 mgkg−1d−1 LP3 were comparable to those of 50 mgkg−1d−1 ganoderan. The strong immunomodulatory activity of LP3 confirmed its good potential as an immunotherapeutic adjuvant.
Surface Expression of HLA-G is Involved in Mediating Immunomodulatory Effects of Placenta-Derived Multipotent Cells (PDMCs) towards Natural Killer Lymphocytes
Authors: Liu Ko-Jiunn , Wang Chia-Jen , Chang Chan-Jung , Hu Hsin-I , Hsu Pei-Ju , Wu Yu-Chen , Bai Chyi-Huey , Sytwu Huey-Kang , Yen B. Linju
Published: December 2011

Interactions between maternal natural killer lymphocytes (NKs) and fetal tissues are important in mediating maternal–fetal tolerance. We therefore investigated the interactions of NKs to placenta-derived multipotent cells (PDMCs) isolated from the term human placenta. PDMCs have similar cell surface marker expression as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) and additionally express human embryonic stem cell markers SSEA-4 and CD-9. Differentiation into the tri-mesodermal lineages of osteoblastic, adipocytic, and chondrogenic phenotypes can be readily achieved under the appropriate conditions. We found that PDMCs are more resistant to NK-mediated lysis than the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I null target cell K562, and can suppress NK secretion of interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Moreover, as third-party cells, PDMCs suppressed the cytotoxic effects of cytokine-stimulated NKs on K562. Pretreatment of PDMCs with IFN-γ, a proinflammatory cytokine, surprisingly enhanced such immunosuppressive effects. Cell–cell contact between NKs and PDMCs is required for suppressive effects, which are partially mediated by slight upregulation of the NK inhibitory receptor killer inhibitory receptor and downregulation of the activating receptor NKp30. Moreover, enhancement of PDMC suppressive effects is also mediated by IFN-γ-induced surface expression of HLA-G—an immunomodulatory nonclassical MHC class I molecule—on PDMCs, as seen by partial reversibility with HLA-G neutralizing antibodies. With its broad immunosuppressive properties, PDMCs may represent a potential cell source for therapeutic use.
Growth Ability and Repopulation Efficiency of Transplanted Hepatic Stem Cells, Progenitor Cells, and Mature Hepatocytes in Retrorsine-Treated Rat Livers
Authors: Ichinohe Norihisa , Kon Junko , Sasaki Kazunori , Nakamura Yukio , Ooe Hidekazu , Tanimizu Naoki , Mitaka Toshihiro
Published: December 2011

Cell-based therapies as an alternative to liver transplantation have been anticipated for the treatment of potentially fatal liver diseases. Not only mature hepatocytes (MHs) but also hepatic stem/progenitor cells are considered as candidate cell sources. However, whether the stem/progenitor cells have an advantage to engraft and repopulate the recipient liver compared with MHs has not been comprehensively assessed. Therefore, we used Thy1+ (oval) and CD44+ (small hepatocytes) cells isolated from GalN-treated rat livers as hepatic stem and progenitor cells, respectively. Cells from dipeptidylpeptidase IV (DPPIV)+ rat livers were transplanted into DPPIV” livers treated with retrorsine following partial hepatectomy. Both stem and progenitor cells could differentiate into hepatocytes in host livers. In addition, the growth of the progenitor cells was faster than that of MHs until days 14. However, their repopulation efficiency in the long term was very low, since the survival period of the progenitor cells was much shorter than that of MHs. Most foci derived from Thy1+ cells disappeared within 2 months. Many cells expressed senescence-associated β-galactosidase in 33% of CD44-derived foci at day 60, whereas the expression was observed in 13% of MH-derived ones. The short life of the cells may be due to their cellular senescence. On the other hand, the incorporation of sinusoidal endothelial cells into foci and sinusoid formation, which might be correlated to hepatic maturation, was completed faster in MH-derived foci than in CD44-derived ones. The survival of donor cells may have a close relation to not only early integration into hepatic plates but also the differentiated state of the cells at the time of transplantation.
In Vitro Generation of Pancreatic Endocrine Cells from Human Adult Fibroblast-Like Limbal Stem Cells
Authors: Criscimanna Angela , Zito Giovanni , Taddeo Annalisa , Richiusa Pierina , Pitrone Maria , Morreale Daniele , Lodato Gaetano , Pizzolanti Giuseppe , Citarrella Roberto , Galluzzo Aldo , Giordano Carla
Published: December 2011

Stem cells might provide unlimited supply of transplantable cells for β-cell replacement therapy in diabetes. The human limbus is a highly specialized region hosting a well-recognized population of epithelial stem cells, which sustain the continuous renewal of the cornea, and the recently identified stromal fibroblast-like stem cells (f-LSCs), with apparent broader plasticity. However, the lack of specific molecular markers for the identification of the multipotent limbal subpopulation has so far limited the investigation of their differentiation potential. In this study we show that the human limbus contains uncommitted cells that could be potentially harnessed for the treatment of diabetes. Fourteen limbal biopsies were obtained from patients undergoing surgery for ocular diseases not involving the conjunctiva or corneal surface. We identified a subpopulation of f-LSCs characterized by robust proliferative capacity, expressing several pluripotent stem cell markers and exhibiting self-renewal ability. We then demonstrated the potential of f-LSCs to differentiate in vitro into functional insulin-secreting cells by developing a four-step differentiation protocol that efficiently directed f-LSCs towards the pancreatic endocrine cell fate. The expression of specific endodermal, pancreatic, islet, and β-cell markers, as well as functional properties of f-LSC-derived insulin-producing cells, were evaluated during differentiation. With our stage-specific approach, up to 77% of f-LSCs eventually differentiated into cells expressing insulin (also assessed as C-peptide) and exhibited phenotypic features of mature β-cells, such as expression of critical transcription factors and presence of secretory granules. Although insulin content was about 160-fold lower than what observed in adult islets, differentiated cells processed ~98% of their proinsulin content, similar to mature β-cells. Moreover, they responded in vitro in a regulated manner to multiple secretory stimuli, including glucose. In conclusion, f-LSCs represent a possible relevant source of autologous, transplantable, insulin-producing cells that could be tested for the reversal of diabetes.
Derivation of High-Purity Definitive Endoderm from Human Parthenogenetic Stem Cells Using an in Vitro Analog of the Primitive Streak
Authors: Turovets Nikolay , Fair Jeffrey , West Richard , Ostrowska Alina , Semechkin Ruslan , Janus Jeffrey , Cui Li , Agapov Vladimir , Turovets Irina , Semechkin Andrey , Csete Marie , Agapova Larissa
Published: December 2011

Human parthenogenetic stem cells (hpSCs) are pluripotent stem cells with enormous potential as cell sources for cell-based therapies: hpSCs may have histocompatibilty advantages over human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and derivation of hpSCs does not require viable blastocyst destruction. For translation of all pluripotent stem cell-based therapies, derivation of differentiated cell products that are not contaminated with undifferentiated cells is a major technical roadblock. We report here a novel method to derive high-purity definitive endoderm (DE) from hpSCs, based on reproducing features of the normal human embryonic microenvironment. The method mimics the developmental process of transition through a primitive streak, using a differentiation device that incorporates a three-dimensional extracellular matrix (ECM) combined with a porous membrane. Treatment of undifferentiated hpSCs above the membrane results an epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT); thus, responsive cells acquire the ability to migrate through the membrane into the ECM, where they differentiate into DE. Importantly, the resultant DE is highly purified, and is not contaminated by undifferentiated cells, as assessed by OCT4 expression using immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. The functional properties of the DE are also preserved by the process: DE differentiated in the device can generate a highly enriched population of hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) characterized by expression of hepatic lineage markers, indocyanine green clearance, glycogen storage, cytochrome P450 activity, and engraftment in the liver after transplantation into immunodeficient mice. The method is broadly applicable and we obtained purified DE using hESCs, as well as several hpSC lines. The novel method described here represents a significant step toward the efficient generation of high-purity cells derived from DE, including hepatocytes and pancreatic endocrine cells, for use in regenerative medicine and drug discovery, as well as a platform for studying cell fate specification and behavior during development.
Suppression of Etk/Bmx Protects against Ischemic Brain Injury
Authors: Chen Kai-Yun , Wu Chung-Che , Chang Cheng-Fu , Chen Yuan-Hao , Chiu Wen-Ta , Lou Ya-Hsin , Chen Yen-Hua , Shih Hsiu-Ming , Chiang Yung-Hsiao
Published: December 2011

Etk/Bmx (epithelial and endothelial tyrosine kinase, also known as BMX), a member of the Tec (tyrosine kinase expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma) family of protein-tyrosine kinases, is an important regulator of signal transduction for the activation of cell growth, differentiation, and development. We have previously reported that activation of Etk leads to apoptosis in MDA-MB-468 cells. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of Etk in neuronal injury induced by H2O2 or ischemia. Using Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry, we found that treatment with H2O2 significantly enhanced phosphorylation of Etk and its downstream signaling molecule Stat1 in primary cortical neurons. Inhibiting Etk activity by LFM-A13 or knocking down Etk expression by a specific shRNA increased the survival of primary cortical neurons. Similarly, at 1 day after a 60-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in adult rats, both phosphorylated Etk and Stat1 were coexpressed with apoptotic markers in neurons in the penumbra. Pretreatment with LFM-A13 or an adenoviral vector encoding the kinase deletion mutant EtkΔk attenuated caspase-3 activity and infarct volume in ischemic brain. All together, our data suggest that Etk is activated after neuronal injury. Suppressing Etk activity protects against neurodegeneration in ischemic brain.