bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genomewide Selection when Major Genes Are Known
Authors: Bernardo Rex
Published: December 2013

Current methods for genomewide selection do not distinguish between known major genes and random genomewide markers. My objectives were to determine if explicitly modeling the effects of known major genes affects the response to genomewide selection, and to identify situations in which considering major genes as having fixed effects is helpful. Simulation experiments showed that having a fixed effect for a major gene became more advantageous as the percentage of genetic variance (VG) explained by a major gene (R2) increased and as the heritability on an entry‐mean basis (h2) increased. With R2 = 50% and h2 = 0.80, the relative efficiency (based on selection gains in Cycle 4) with a major gene having a fixed versus random effect was 112–121%. Specifying a fixed effect for a single major gene was never disadvantageous except with R2 < 10%. With h2 ≥ 0.50, specifying a fixed versus random effect for a single major gene had little effect on prediction accuracy in Cycle 0. However, prediction accuracy in later cycles declined more rapidly when a major gene had a random effect instead of a fixed effect. The results with L = 2 or 3 major genes were similar to those with one major gene. In contrast, the usefulness of gene information was low with L = 10 major genes. Overall, major genes should be fitted as having fixed effects in genomewide selection when only a few major genes are present and each major gene accounts for ≥10% of VG.
Genetic Gain × Management Interactions in Soybean: II. Nitrogen Utilization
Authors: Wilson Eric W. , Rowntree Scott C. , Suhre Justin J. , Weidenbenner Nicholas H. , Conley Shawn P. , Davis Vince M. , Diers Brian W. , Esker Paul D. , Naeve Seth L. , Specht James E. , Casteel Shaun N.
Published: December 2013

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] grain yield has annually increased nearly 23 kg ha−1, but the interaction of genetic advancement and improved agronomic practices has not been well quantified, including N utilization and fertilization. A field study with soybean cultivars released from 1923 to 2008 in maturity group (MG) II and MG III was conducted in multiple environments with a nonlimiting supply of fertilizer N to examine the main effects and interactions of N supply and release year on grain yield and seed quality. We hypothesized that grain yield and seed quality would be improved with the nonlimiting supply of N, especially for the modern cultivars. Supplemental N totaled 560 kg N ha−1 with 40% applied at planting and 60% applied at V5. Grain yield increased with release year in MG II (17.2 kg ha−1 yr−1). Application of N to MG II cultivars increased seed protein by 10 to 19.5 g kg−1 across all release years, but grain yield and seed oil was not affected. Grain yield gains of MG III cultivars fertilized with N was 27.4 kg ha−1 yr−1, which was 20% better than unfertilized (22.8 kg ha−1 yr−1). Application of N to MG III cultivars increased seed mass (11%) across release years with no changes in seed protein and oil. The nonlimiting supply of N increased seed protein across all release years in MG II cultivars, and the N supply from the soil and biological N fixation was insufficient to maximize grain yield in modern, MG III cultivars in the tested environments.
Reciprocal Diallel Crosses Impact Combining Ability, Variance Estimation, and Heterotic Group Classification
Authors: Fan X.M. , Zhang Y.D. , Yao W.H , Bi Y.Q. , Liu L. , Chen H.M. , Kang M.S.
Published: December 2013

Questions such as the following often arise: “Should reciprocal crosses be included in a diallel?” and “Would their inclusion in a diallel impact grain yield (GY), estimates of general (GCA) and specific combining ability (SCA) effects, and heterotic group classification in maize (Zea mays L.)?” We evaluated a 12‐parent maize diallel cross (Griffing's Method 3 and Method 4) in three environments to determine (i) if reciprocal crosses impact GY of crosses and GCA and SCA effects, (ii) if reciprocal crosses influence the GCA and SCA and residual variance estimates in a diallel analysis, and (iii) if reciprocal crosses impact maize heterotic group classification. The results showed that inclusion of reciprocal crosses in a diallel greatly impacted GY and estimates of GCA and SCA effects. Under the assumption of a random‐effects model, the inclusion of reciprocal crosses caused the residual and GCA variances to decrease and the SCA variances to increase as the number of parental lines increased in a diallel cross. Because inclusion of reciprocal crosses impacted GY and SCA estimates, reciprocal crosses would have great impact on maize heterotic group classification. The maize heterotic groups might be classified differently with and without the inclusion of reciprocal crosses. Based on our dataset from southwest China, three heterotic groups seemed to be an ideal number for improving maize‐breeding efficiency.
Turfgrass Growth and Color Correlated to Spring Illinois Soil Nitrogen Test and Soil Permanganate‐Oxidizable Carbon Concentrations
Authors: Geng Xingyuan , Guillard Karl , Morris Thomas F.
Published: December 2013

The Illinois soil nitrogen test (ISNT) and soil permanganate‐oxidizable C (POXC) concentrations have been used to estimate mineralization potential of agricultural soils, assess soil quality, distinguish differences between crop management treatments, and predict crop response to N fertilization. However, it is not known if these measures are correlated to growth and color quality responses of cool‐season turfgrasses. This study was conducted across 5 yr (2008–2012) in Connecticut to determine if a single spring measurement of Illinois soil nitrogen test‐N (ISNT‐N) and POXC concentrations could be used to estimate color and growth responses of Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) lawns. Randomized complete block field experiments were set out on the two species with varying rates of an organic fertilizer. Soil samples were collected in early May of each year and analyzed for concentrations of ISNT‐N and POXC. Turfgrass color, clippings yield, clippings total N concentration, and clippings total N uptake were measured from May through October. Turfgrass responses showed consistent positive linear responses (p < 0.05) as a function of ISNT‐N and POXC. Across species and years, ISNT‐N and POXC were generally greater under tall fescue than under Kentucky bluegrass. A single spring measurement of soil ISNT‐N and POXC shows promise in categorizing Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues lawns as to their likelihood of N fertilization response. The data suggest a low probability of meaningful Kentucky bluegrass and tall fescues lawn responses to N fertilization when spring ISNT‐N and POXC concentrations exceed 250 mg kg−1 and 1300 mg kg−1, respectively.
Critical Nitrogen Concentration Declines with Soil Water Availability in Tall Fescue
Authors: Errecart Pedro M. , Agnusdei Mónica G. , Lattanzi Fernando A. , Marino María A. , Berone Germán D.
Published: December 2013

The diagnosis of the N status of crops is based on the concept of critical N concentration (Ncr), which is the minimum N concentration in shoot biomass (SB) required for maximizing growth. A reference curve of Ncr decrease (Ref‐Ncr) with SB increase proposed for C3 species (Ref‐Ncr=48 SB‐0.32) was validated for several crops growing without water deficiency in different sites and seasons; however, the validity of Ref‐Ncr is uncertain when water is limiting. The objective was to assess whether water stress affects Ncr. Five regrowths of a temperate‐type tall fescue [Lolium arundinaceum (Schreb.) Darbysh.] were followed during autumn, spring, and summer in Balcarce, Argentina. Several N rates were applied and SB accumulation and N concentration were measured in each of four to six sequential SB harvests performed at every regrowth. SB, Ncr, available soil water, reference evapotranspiration (ET0), and real evapotranspiration (RET) were estimated. Ncr agreed well with Ref‐Ncr when soil water was nonlimiting, but it was consistently lower than Ref‐Ncr whenever crop RET was reduced (RET/ET0<1). Indeed, crop average Ncr during an entire regrowth scaled linearly with the average level of water stress in the period: (Ncr/Ref‐Ncr)avg = 0.83 (RET/ET0)avg + 0.22 (R2 = 0.90, p < 0.0001). Hence, while Ref‐Ncr remains appropriate for assessing crop N status under adequate water availability conditions, the N nutrition management of water stressed crops should be guided by their actualNcr.
Kinetics of aerobic oxidation of volatile sulfur compounds in wastewater and biofilm from sewers
Authors: Rudelle E. A. , Vollertsen J. , Hvitved-Jacobsen T. , Nielsen A. H.
Published: December 2013

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the kinetics of aerobic chemical and biological oxidation of selected odorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) by wastewater and biofilm from sewers. The VSCs included methyl mercaptan (MeSH), ethyl mercaptan (EtSH), dimethyl sulfide (DMS) and total inorganic sulfide, which have all been reported as the main constituents of foul sewer gas. Samples of wastewater and biofilm for the experiments were obtained from two locations that differed significantly with respect to the occurrence of VSCs. One location represented an odor hot-spot downstream of a force main and the other was a gravity sewer transporting young aerobic wastewater. The kinetics of VSC oxidation for both wastewater and suspended biofilm samples followed a first-order rate equation. The average values of the reaction rate constants demonstrated the following order of reactivity: total inorganic sulfide > EtSH ≥ MeSH >> DMS. Except for total inorganic sulfide oxidation in wastewater, kinetic parameters for each VSC were of similar magnitude for the two locations. In the wastewater from the odor hot-spot, sulfide inorganic oxidation rates were approximately 12 times faster than in the aerobic wastewater.
Temperature, plant species and residence time effects on nitrogen removal in model treatment wetlands
Authors: Allen C. R. , Stein O. R. , Hook P. B. , Burr M. D. , Parker A. E. , Hafla E. C.
Published: December 2013

Total nitrogen (TN) removal in treatment wetlands (TWs) is challenging due to nitrogen cycle complexity and the variation of influent nitrogen species. Plant species, season, temperature and hydraulic loading most likely influence root zone oxygenation and appurtenant nitrogen removal, especially for ammonium-rich wastewater. Nitrogen data were collected from two experiments utilizing batch-loaded (3-, 6-, 9- and 20-day residence times), sub-surface TWs monitored for at least one year during which temperature was varied between 4 and 24 °C. Synthetic wastewater containing 17 mg/l N as NH4 and 27 mg/l amino-N, 450 mg/l chemical oxygen demand (COD), and 13 mg/l SO4-S was applied to four replicates of Carex utriculata, Schoenoplectus acutus and Typha latifolia and unplanted controls. Plant presence and species had a greater effect on TN removal than temperature or residence time. Planted columns achieved approximately twice the nitrogen removal of unplanted controls (40–95% versus 20–50% removal) regardless of season and temperature. TWs planted with Carex outperformed both Typha and Schoenoplectus and demonstrated less temperature dependency. TN removal with Carex was excellent at all temperatures and residence times; Schoenoplectus and Typha TN removal improved at longer residence times. Reductions in TN were not accompanied by increases in NO3, which was consistently below 1 mg/l N.
Quantitative estimation of groundwater recharge ratio along the riparian of the Yellow River
Authors: Yan Zhang , Fadong Li , Jing Li , Qiang Liu , Guangshuai Zhao
Published: December 2013

Quantitative estimation of groundwater recharge is crucial for limited water resources management. A combination of isotopic and chemical indicators has been used to evaluate the relationship between surface water, groundwater, and rainfall around the riparian of the Yellow River in the North China Plain (NCP). The ion molar ratio of sodium to chloride in surface- and groundwater is 0.6 and 0.9, respectively, indicating cation exchange of Ca2+ and/or Mg2+ for Na+ in groundwater. The δD and δ18O values in rainfall varied from −64.4 to −33.4‰ and from −8.39 to −4.49‰. The groundwater samples have δD values in the range of −68.7 to −58.0‰ and δ18O from −9.29 to −6.85‰. The δ18O and δD in surface water varied from −8.51 to −7.23‰ and from −64.42 to −53.73‰. The average values of both δD and δ18O from surface water are 3.92‰ and 0.57‰, respectively, higher compared to groundwater. Isotopic composition indicated that the groundwater in the riparian area of the Yellow River was influenced by heavy rainfall events and seepage of surface water. The mass balance was applied for the first time to estimate the amount of recharge, which is probably 6% and 94% of the rainfall and surface water, respectively.
In situ growth of monodispersed Fe3O4 nanoparticles on graphene for the removal of heavy metals and aromatic compounds
Authors: Wu Hai-Xia , Wu Jia-Wei , Niu Zhi-Gang , Shang Xiu-Li , Jin Jun
Published: December 2013

We report on the efficient removal of heavy metal ions and aromatic compounds from simulated wastewater with a nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was obtained via thermal decomposition of the precursor Fe(acac)3 onto the surface of graphene, modified by diethylenetriamine pentaacetic anhydride through dopamine. It was found that the maximum adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite toward Cu2+ and naphthalene was 207.9 and 72.2 mg g−1 respectively, displaying a high efficiency for the removal of heavy metal ions as well as aromatic compounds at pH 7.0 and 293 K. The Langmuir for naphthalene and the Freundlich for the Cu2+ adsorption isotherms were applicable for describing the removal processes. Furthermore, the nanocomposite was carefully examined by transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectra, and UV-vis spectroscopy. This work provides a very efficient, fast and convenient approach to exploring a promising nanocomposite for water treatment.
Use of seawater for the boron-doped diamond electrochemical treatment of diluted vinasse wastewater
Authors: Daskalaki V. M. , Marakas H. , Mantzavinos D. , Katsaounis A. , Gikas P.
Published: December 2013

Vinasse wastewater of high organic content (COD = 131,000 mg/L) and low biodegradability (BOD5/COD = 0.11) cannot be easily managed and usually require several consecutive treatment steps. The objective of this work was to dilute vinasse wastewater with seawater and then subject them to electrochemical oxidation over boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes. The use of seawater is a rational and novel approach for plants close to the seashore since it may achieve the desirable levels of effluent concentration and conductivity without consuming other water resources and extra electrolytes. Experiments were conducted at initial COD values of 830–8,400 mg/L, NaCl concentrations of 34–200 mM and current densities of 70–200 mA/cm2 for up to 5 hours. The effect of current density and NaCl concentration was marginal on the electrochemical treatment, while the single most important parameter was the initial COD concentration. The order of reaction for COD reduction appears to be ‘first’ at low effluent concentrations and it decreases to ‘zero’ at higher concentrations, denoting the importance of the ratio of organics to reactive radicals concentration. Based on COD and total organic carbon data, it is postulated that degradation occurs predominantly through total oxidation (i.e. mineralization) to carbon dioxide and water, which is characteristic of BDD anodes.
Modeling low impact development potential with hydrological response units
Authors: Eric Marija , Fan Celia , Joksimovic Darko , Li James Y.
Published: December 2013

Evaluations of benefits of implementing low impact development (LID) stormwater management techniques can extend up to a watershed scale. This presents a challenge for representing them in watershed models, since they are typically orders of magnitude smaller in size. This paper presents an approach that is focused on trying to evaluate the benefits of implementing LIDs on a lot level. The methodology uses the concept of urban hydrological response Unit and results in developing and applying performance curves that are a function of lot properties to estimate the potential benefit of large-scale LID implementation. Lot properties are determined using a municipal geographic information system database and processed to determine groups of lots with similar properties. A representative lot from each group is modeled over a typical rainfall year using USEPA Stormwater Management Model to develop performance functions that relate the lot properties and the change in annual runoff volume and corresponding phosphorus loading with different LIDs implemented. The results of applying performance functions on all urban areas provide the potential locations, benefit and cost of implementation of all LID techniques, guiding future decisions for LID implementation by watershed area municipalities.
Reverse osmosis concentrate treatment by chemical oxidation and moving bed biofilm processes
Authors: Vendramel S. M. R. , Justo A. , González O. , Sans C. , Esplugas S.
Published: December 2013

In the present work, four oxidation techniques were investigated (O3, O3/UV, H2O2/O3, O3/H2O2/UV) to pre-treat reverse osmosis (RO) concentrate before treatment in a moving-bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) system. Without previous oxidation, the MBBR was able to remove a small fraction of the chemical oxygen demand (COD) (5–20%) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) (2–15%). When the concentrate was previously submitted to oxidation, DOC removal efficiencies in the MBBR increased to 40–55%. All the tested oxidation techniques improved concentrate biodegradability. The concentrate treated by the combined process (oxidation and MBBR) presented residual DOC and COD in the ranges of 6–12 and 25–41 mg L−1, respectively. Nitrification of the RO concentrate, pre-treated by oxidation, was observed in the MBBR. Ammonium removal was comprised between 54 and 79%. The results indicate that the MBBR was effective for the treatment of the RO concentrate, previously submitted to oxidation, generating water with an improved quality.
Degradation of Orange II in aqueous solution by a novel electro/Fe3O4 process
Authors: Lin Heng , Hou Liwei , Zhang Hui
Published: December 2013

The removal of Orange II in aqueous solution by Fe3O4 enhanced anode oxidation (EC/Fe3O4 process) was performed in an electrochemical reactor. The process involved the use of a dimensionally stable anode and a stainless steel cathode. Fe3O4 was performed as particle electrodes to increase mass transfer coefficient and reduce energy consumption. Various parameters were investigated to optimize the process, including initial pH, Fe3O4 dosage and current density. The results indicated that the decolorization of Orange II followed pseudo first-order kinetics. The decolorization was favorable in acidic media than in neutral or alkaline solution, while it increased with the Fe3O4 dosage and current density. The total organic carbon (TOC) removal efficiency was 33.2% after 120 min reaction. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy was applied to investigate the surface properties of Fe3O4 before and after reaction.
Blue and grey water footprint of textile industry in China
Authors: Wang Laili , Ding Xuemei , Wu Xiongying
Published: December 2013

Water footprint (WF) is a newly developed idea that indicates impacts of freshwater appropriation and wastewater discharge. The textile industry is one of the oldest, longest and most complicated industrial chains in the world's manufacturing industries. However, the textile industry is also water intensive. In this paper, we applied a bottom-up approach to estimate the direct blue water footprint (WFdir,blue) and direct grey water footprint (WFdir,grey) of China's textile industry at sector level based on WF methodology. The results showed that WFdir,blue of China's textile industry had an increasing trend from 2001 to 2010. The annual WFdir,blue surpassed 0.92 Gm3/yr (giga cubic meter a year) since 2004 and rose to peak value of 1.09 Gm3/yr in 2007. The original and residuary WFdir,grey (both were calculated based on the concentration of chemical oxygen demand (CODCr)) of China's textile industry had a similar variation trend with that of WFdir,blue. Among the three sub-sectors of China's textile industry, the manufacture of textiles sector's annual WFdir,blue and WFdir,grey were much larger than those of the manufacture of textile wearing apparel, footware and caps sector and the manufacture of chemical fibers sector. The intensities of WFdir,blue and WFresdir,grey of China's textile industry were year by year decreasing through the efforts of issuing restriction policies on freshwater use and wastewater generation and discharge, and popularization of water saving and wastewater treatment technologies.
Lipid profile characterization of wastewaters from different origins
Authors: Efimova E. , Marjakangas J. M. , Lakaniemi A.-M. , Koskinen P. E. P. , Puhakka J. A.
Published: December 2013

Lipids in wastewaters are potential raw material for renewable diesel, but may complicate biological treatment of wastewaters. The lipid composition of palm oil mill effluent (POME), chemithermomechanical pulp mill (CTMP) wastewater and municipal wastewater (MWW) was studied with a combination of thin-layer chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance. Gravimetrically determined content of extracted lipids from the solids of POME and CTMP wastewater were 8.4 ± 1.2 g/L (19.6 ± 0.8% of dry weight) and 0.17–0.23 g/L (12.4–18.5%), respectively, while MWW contained 0.021 ± 0.002 g/L (9.3 ± 1.4%) of lipids. All lipid extracts contained mono-, di- and triacylglycerols (TAGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs). In POME, lipids were mostly TAGs (11.5 ± 0.2 μmol/10 mg of lipid extract). In CTMP and MWW lipid composition was more diverse than in POME containing also sterol derivatives and fatty acid methyl esters and the main lipids were FFAs.
Residual Strength Improvement of an Aluminium Alloy Cracked Panel
Authors: Caputo F. , Lamanna G. , Soprano A.
Published: December 2013

This work deals with the application of the micromechanical Gurson-Tvergaard (GT) model to the
determination of the residual strength of analuminumflat stiffened panel (2024 T3) with a central through crack, by means
of finite element simulations. The load condition is represented by a monotonic traction along the direction orthogonal to
the crack plane. The used Finite Element code is WARP 3D®, which allows simulating ductile damage propagation by
considering the GT model.

Numerical results have been compared with experimental ones available in literature. In the second part of the work, a
home madeprocedurefounded on the SDI (Stochastic Design Improvement) technique is presented and applied to the
improvement of the residual strength properties of the considered panel.
The Effects of Aging on Indices of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in the Female Fischer 344/Nnia X Brown Norway/BiNia Rat Heart
Authors: Fannin Jacqueline , Rice Kevin M. , Thulluri Srininvas , Arvapalli Ravi Kumar , Wehner Paulette , Blough Eric R.
Published: December 2013

Oxidative-nitrosative stress may play a role in age-associated cardiovascular disease as implied by recent studies.However, limited research has been conducted using aged female rodent models. In this study, we examined hearts obtained from 6-, 26-, and 30-month old female Fischer 344/Nnia x Brown Norway/BiNia (F344xBN) rats in order to examine how aging affects levels of cardiac oxidative-nitrosative stress and apoptosis. Oxidative (superoxide anion and 4-HNE) and nitrosative (protein nitrosylation) stress markers were increased 180 ± 17 %, 110 ± 3 %, and 14 ± 2 %, respectively in 30-month hearts compared to the hearts of 6-month female rats. Coincident with these changes in oxidative-nitrosative stress, aging was also found to be associated with increases in the number of Tdt-mediated dUTP nick labeling (TUNEL)-positive cardiomyocytes, alterations in the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, and elevated cleavage of caspase-3. Regression analysis demonstrates significant correlation in the age-associated changes markers of oxidative–nitrosative stress with changes in apoptotic signaling. The findings from this descriptive study imply that age-associated increases in mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis may be associated with the increase in oxidative-nitrosative stress in the aging F344xBN female heart.
Incidence and Pattern of Thyroid Dysfunction in Patients on Chronic Amiodarone Therapy: Experience at a Tertiary Care Centre in Oman
Authors: Farhan H. , Albulushi A. , Taqi A. , Al-Hashim A. , Al-Saidi K. , Al-Rasadi K. , Al-Mazroui A. , Al-Zakwani I.
Published: December 2013

Objective:

To determine the incidence and pattern of thyroid dysfunction (TD) in patients on chronic amiodarone therapy.

Methods:

A retrospective study which evaluated 59 patients who had received amiodarone therapy regularly for at least 12 months from a period of 3 years from October 2007 to October 2010. The patients were followed-up at the cardiac clinic at Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat, Oman.

Results:

The mean age of the cohort was 63 ± 13 years ranging from 27 to 98 years. Fifty-one percent (n = 30) of the patients were female. There were 11 (19%) cases of thyroid dysfunction (TD). Seven (12%) patients were hypothyroid, 3 (5%) had hyperthyroidism and 1 (2%) patient had sub-clinical hypothyroidism; no cases of sub-clinical hyperthyroidism were noted. Female gender and presence of anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies were significantly associated with amiodarone-induced hypothyroidism (p = 0.001) while age, amiodarone dose and duration of therapy were not correlated with the development of TD (all p-values > 0.05).

Conclusion:

Amiodarone-induced thyroid dysfunction is prevalent. Hypothyroidism was more frequent and seen more in female patients and those who had positive anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies. Initial screening and periodic monitoring of thyroid function is mandatory for all patients on amiodarone therapy.
Preparation and thermal properties of chitosan/bentonite composite beads
Authors: Teofilovic Vesna , Pavlicevic Jelena , Bera Oskar , Jovicic Mirjana , Budinski-Simendic Jaroslava , Mészáros-Szécsényi Katalin , Aroguz Ayse
Published: December 2013

Due to their biodegradable and nontoxic nature, biopolymer composites are
often used as remarkable adsorbents in treatment of wastewater. In this study
chitosan/bentonite composite beads were obtained by addition of clay into the
polymer using solution process. Before the composite preparation, bentonite
was modified with surfactant cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). The
morphology of beads was examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
Thermal properties of the composite beads were studied by simultaneous
thermogravimetry coupled with differential scanning calorimetry (SDT) and
differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TG results showed that the complex
decomposition mechanism of the composites depends on the preparation
procedure. It was observed that the concentration of NaOH used for composites
precipitation affects the final structure of beads. The influence of
preparation procedure on the glass transition temperature Tg of
chitosan/bentonite samples was not found (Tg values for all samples were
about 144 ?C).
The examination of the seasonal influence on the efficiency in oil and fats removal through primary treatment from the wastewater of edible oil industry
Authors: Nikolin Tatjana , Sevaljevic Mirjana
Published: December 2013

This paper investigates the influence of the seasonal change of the air
temperature, chemical oxygen demand as well as efficiency of suspended
matter removal on the efficiency of oil and fats removal (h, %) during
primary treatment. The parameters are monitored in the period of time from
2006 to 2011. The efficiency of oil and fats removal in the first and in the
fourth quartal is proportional to the efficiency of the removal of suspended
matter and of total organic matter, measured as chemical oxygen demand
(COD). The measured values for oil and fat are: ? (IV quartal) = 0.96 % -
50.8 % and ? (I quartal ) = 5.06 % - 95.97 %. The efficiency of oil and fats
removal in the second and third quartal is proportional to air temperature
so the measured efficiency of fat and oil removal are, ? (II quartal) = 3.93
% - 82.86 % and ? (III quartal) = 6.82% - 71.51%. The results of
investigation have shown the existence of the correlation between the air
temperature during various seasons and the efficiency of the oil and fats
removal (h, %) as well as the removal of the suspended matter and chemical
oxygen demand (COD).
Kinetics of serological responses in influenza A(H7N9)-infected patients correlate with clinical outcome in China, 2013
Authors: Zhang A , Huang Y , Tian D , Lau E H , Wan Y , Liu X , Dong Y , Song Z , Zhang X , Zhang J , Bao M , Zhou M , Yuan S , Su J , Zhu Z , Hu Y , Chen L , Leung C Y , Wu J T , Zhang Z , Zhang X , Peiris J S , Xu J
Published: December 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Seroprevalence of hantavirus infections in Switzerland in 2009: difficulties in determining prevalence in a country with low endemicity
Authors: Engler O , Klingström J , Aliyev E , Niederhauser C , Fontana S , Strasser M , Portmann J , Signer J , Bankoul S , Frey F , Hatz C , Stutz A , Tschaggelar A , Mütsch M
Published: December 2013

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) serology in major livestock species in an affected region in Jordan, June to September 2013
Authors: Reusken C B , Ababneh M , Raj V S , Meyer B , Eljarah A , Abutarbush S , Godeke G J , Bestebroer T M , Zutt I , Müller M A , Bosch B J , Rottier P J , Osterhaus A D , Drosten C , Haagmans B L , Koopmans M P
Published: December 2013

Between June and September 2013, sera from 11 dromedary camels, 150 goats, 126 sheep and 91 cows were collected in Jordan, where the first human Middle-East respiratory syndrome (MERS) cluster appeared in 2012. All sera were tested for MERS-coronavirus (MERS-CoV) specific antibodies by protein microarray with confirmation by virus neutralisation. Neutralising antibodies were found in all camel sera while sera from goats and cattle tested negative. Although six sheep sera reacted with MERS-CoV antigen, neutralising antibodies were not detected.
Fabrication of single-mode channel polymer waveguides using vacuum assisted microfluidic soft lithography
Authors: Baig S. , Jiang G. , Sun Q. , Wang M. R.
Published: December 2013

We report on the fabrication of single-mode channel waveguide structures produced by the vacuum assisted microfluidic soft lithography technique. The soft lithographic technique in conjunction with a specially designed photomask pattern and a synthesized UV curable epoxy resin can result in a high yield, cost-effective method for fabrication of channel waveguides. In particular, the use of the microfluidic technique allows for the production of freestanding high quality single-mode channel waveguides on various substrates. Notably, the introduction of sectional flow tapers allows for proper uniform filling of long length small cross-sectional waveguide structures that would ordinarily succumb to clogging at shorter distances during channel filling. The fabricated polymer waveguide was 30 mm in length with a cross section dimension of 7 × 7 µm. The single-mode waveguide propagation was confirmed with beam profiler measurement, and the measured propagation loss for this polymer waveguide was about 0.55 dB/cm.
Overview of techniques applicable to self-interference incoherent digital holography
Authors: Hong J. , Kim M. K.
Published: December 2013

Self-interference incoherent digital holography (SIDH) retrieves the complex hologram from the object illuminated by the incoherent light. Supported by the adaptive optic feature, SIDH is readily applicable to the ocular imaging to investigate the human retinal cells. Considering the practical issues, issues related to resolution, phase-shifting, and contrast should be addressed to implement the viable SIDH system which is capable of recording the holographic information of human retinal cells under the incoherent illumination. Super resolution image reconstruction technique can be directly applied to SIDH to enhance the resolution of the system without any change of configuration. We present the improved way to incorporate the phase-shifting itself into the lateral shift required by the super resolution technique. To deal with the phase-shifting issue, we present an arbitrary phase shift retrieval algorithm which can reduce the number of phase-shift and accept the blind phase-shift. The single-shot imaging is also possible by adopting the off-axis configuration of SIDH. We will provide the detailed procedures to retrieve the complex hologram using the proposed arbitrary phase shifting algorithm and the off-axis configuration.
Stereotactic radiosurgery for cerebellopontine angle meningiomas
Authors: Park Seong-Hyun , Kano Hideyuki , Niranjan Ajay , Flickinger John C. , Lunsford L. Dade
Published: December 2013

Object

To assess the long-term outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) for cerebellopontine angle (CPA) meningiomas, the authors retrospectively reviewed data from a 20-year experience. They evaluated progression-free survival as well as improvement, stabilization, or deterioration in clinical symptoms.

Methods

Seventy-four patients with CPA meningiomas underwent SRS involving various Gamma Knife technologies between 1990 and 2010. The most common presenting symptoms were dizziness or disequilibrium, hearing loss, facial sensory dysfunction, and headache. The median tumor volume was 3.0 cm3 (range 0.3–17.1 cm3), and the median radiation dose to the tumor margin was 13 Gy (range 11–16 Gy). The median follow-up period was 40 months (range 4–147 months).

Results

At last imaging follow-up, the tumor volume had decreased in 46 patients (62%), remained stable in 26 patients (35%), and increased in 2 patients (3%). The progression-free survival after SRS was 98% at 1 year, 98% at 3 years, and 95% at 5 years. At the last clinical follow-up, 23 patients (31%) showed neurological improvement, 43 patients (58%) showed no change in symptoms or signs, and 8 patients (11%) had worsening symptoms or signs. The neurological improvement rate after SRS was 16% at 1 year, 31% at 3 years, and 40% at 5 years. The post-SRS deterioration rate was 5% at 1 year, 10% at 3 years, and 16% at 5 years. A multivariate analysis demonstrated that trigeminal neuralgia was the symptom most likely to worsen after SRS (HR 0.08, 95% CI 0.02–0.31; p = 0.001). Asymptomatic peritumoral edema occurred in 4 patients (5%) after SRS, and symptomatic adverse radiation effects developed in 7 patients (9%).

Conclusions

Stereotactic radiosurgery for CPA meningiomas provided a high tumor control rate and relatively low risk of ARE. Tumor compression of the trigeminal nerve by a CPA meningioma resulted in an increased rate of facial pain worsening in this patient experience.
The lion's mane sign: surgical results using the bilateral fronto-orbito-nasal approach in large and giant anterior skull base meningiomas
Authors: Li Maria S. , Portman Sandra Miller , Rahal Akram , Mohr Gérard , Balasingam Vijayabalan
Published: December 2013

Object

Concerns about extreme peritumoral edema and its ensuing surgical and perioperative complications led the authors to use the bilateral fronto-orbito-nasal approach to remove midline anterior skull base meningiomas that were larger than 4 cm. The authors hypothesize that extreme vasogenic edema exemplified by finger-like hyperintensities extending into the bifrontal white matter and external capsule and/or the extreme capsule, coined the lion's mane sign (LMS), would help identify patients with a challenging postoperative course. They hypothesize that the LMS would better predict symptomatic postoperative cerebral edema than the edema index (EI).

Methods

This is an observational case series of 9 patients. The authors noted the grade, pathology, tumor volume, EI, and the presence or absence of the LMS in all tumors. They used the intensive unit care (ICU) length of stay as a nonspecific measure reflecting postoperative symptomatic cerebral edema. Comparisons of edema-related postoperative complications and the EI were made between patients with and without an LMS.

Results

Bifrontal hyperintensities, extending into at least three-eighths of the length of the external capsules on T2-weighted MRI, seen in 4 of 9 patients, portended a longer postoperative ICU stay. The presence of an LMS better predicted postoperative complications related to cerebral edema than tumor grade, pathology, volume, or EI.

Conclusions

The LMS predicts an increased duration of stay in the ICU after a bilateral fronto-orbito-nasal approach for resection of large and giant anterior skull base meningiomas. Furthermore, the LMS better predicted increased length of stay in the ICU than did the EI.
Intracranial calcified pseudocyst reaction to a shunt catheter
Authors: Yowtak June , Hughes Douglas , Heger Ian , Macomson Samuel D.
Published: December 2013

A 9-year-old boy with spina bifida, Chiari II malformation, and hydrocephalus presented with signs of increased intracranial pressure consistent with a shunt malfunction. Radiological investigations revealed an intracranial calcified lesion along the ventricular catheter. A shunt tap revealed a translucent milky white fluid. The patient underwent a ventriculostomy and, eventually, a shunt revision. Pathology findings were consistent with the formation of dystrophic calcification and a pseudocyst around the shunt catheter. Postoperatively, the patient returned to his neurological baseline. This is, to the best of the authors' knowledge, the first report of an intracranial calcified pseudocyst in a patient with normal renal function.
Auditory brainstem implants in neurofibromatosis Type 2: is open speech perception feasible?
Authors: Matthies Cordula , Brill Stefan , Varallyay Csanad , Solymosi Laszlo , Gelbrich Goetz , Roosen Klaus , Ernestus Ralf-Ingo , Helms Jan , Hagen Rudolf , Mlynski Robert , Shehata-Dieler Wafaa , Müller Joachim
Published: December 2013

Object

Patients with bilateral auditory nerve destruction may perceive some auditory input with auditory brainstem implants (ABIs). Despite technological developments and trials in new stimulation sites, hearing is very variable and of limited quality. The goal of this study was to identify advantageous and critical factors that influence the quality of auditory function, especially speech perception.

Methods

The authors conducted a prospective study on ABI operations performed with the aid of multimodality neuromonitoring between 2005 and 2009 in 18 patients with neurofibromatosis Type 2. Outcome was evaluated by testing word recognition (monotrochee-polysyllabic word test at auditory-only mode [MTPa]) and open speech perception (Hochmair-Schulz-Moser [HSM] sentence test), both in pure auditory mode. The primary outcome was the HSM score at 24 months. The predictive meaning of general clinical data, tumor volume, number of active electrodes, duration of deafness, and early hearing data was examined.

Results

In 16 successful ABI activations the average score for MTPa was 89% (SD 13%), and for HSM it was 41% (SD 32%) at 24 months. There were 2 nonresponders, 1 after radiosurgery and the other in an anatomical variant. Direct facial nerve reconstruction during the same surgery was followed by successful nerve recovery in 2 patients, with a simultaneous very good HSM result. Patients' age, tumor extension, and tumor volume were not negative predictors. There was an inverse relationship between HSM scores and deafness duration; 50% or higher HSM scores were found only in patients with ipsilateral deafness duration up to 24 months. The higher the deafness sum of both sides, the less likely that any HSM score will be achieved (p = 0.034). In patients with total deafness duration of less than 240 months, higher numbers of active electrodes were significantly associated with better outcomes. The strongest cross-correlation was identified between early MTPa score at 3 months and 24-month HSM outcome.

Conclusions

This study documents that open-set speech recognition in pure auditory mode is feasible in patients with ABIs. Large tumor volumes do not prevent good outcome. Positive preconditions are short ipsilateral and short bilateral deafness periods and high number of auditory electrodes. Early ability in pure auditory word recognition tests indicates long-term capability of open speech perception.
Jean Ralaimongo (1884-1943), ou Madagascar au seuil du nationalisme
Authors: Domenichini Jean-Pierre
Published: December 2013

A partir d'archives privées inédites et d'articles parus tant dans la presse malgache que française, l'auteur s'est attaché à retracer la biographie d'un homme politique malgache, Jean Ralaimongo, dont la haute figure hante l'histoire malgache de l'Entre-deux-guerres. La vie de Jean Ralaimongo est, en un certain sens, exemplaire. Les difficultés de sa jeunesse le mirent à même d'apprécier les avantages de la paix française qu'apporte la colonisation ; mais en même temps, il en attendit qu'elle réalisât pleinement son message humain. De là découla l'action de Ralaimongo pour qu'enfin soit reconnue la dignité de tout homme, et particulièrement la citoyenneté française à tous les Malgaches. La spéculation sur les cadres politiques nécessaires à une telle reconnaissance ne le tente pas ; légaliste, il préféra le cadre français, même s'il fut par la suite poussé à revendiquer parfois l'indépendance, et mena une action assez semblable à celle de la Ligue des droits de l'homme et du citoyen en France même. De là découlèrent aussi les innombrables difficultés de l'âge adulte de cet homme, incompréhensible alors pour beaucoup, si compréhensible pourtant.

Cet article, résumé d'une étude plus complète, voudrait rectifier certaines conceptions de l'histoire malgache du XXe siècle, — plus marquées par des a priori idéologiques que par des soucis scientifiques.
Les Français en Amérique du Sud au XVIIIe siècle : la mission de l'Académie des Sciences (1735-1745)
Authors: Mercier Roger
Published: December 2013

En 1735, l'Académie des Sciences de Paris envoya, en même temps que l'expédition de Maupertuis en Laponie, une mission au Pérou pour mesurer trois degrés du méridien. Les deux principaux membres, Pierre Bouguer et Charles-Marie de La Condamine ont publié des comptes-rendus qui, grâce à la différence d'esprit entre leurs auteurs, nous présentent des aspects complémentaires de la pensée des Lumières. Bouguer, quoiqu' attentif à l'influence du climat, est surtout frappé par les conditions humaines du développement : la stagnation des colonies espagnoles est due à la paresse des Indiens et des Espagnols, et on constate même une régression par rapport à la civilisation des Incas. La Condamine s'est particulièrement intéressé aux techniques et a été ainsi le premier à révéler aux Européens les propriétés du curare et du caoutchouc. Il esquisse une étude comparée des langues et entrevoit la fécondité de cette méthode pour la connaissance ethnographique. Le retard de l'Amérique dans le développement lui paraît lié à la persistance d'un état de nature où l'homme est encore très proche de l'animal, et il croit que le progrès de l'humanité se réalisera par les échanges matériels et intellectuels entre les peuples.
La langue française à l'Ile Maurice
Authors: Toussaint Auguste
Published: December 2013

Quelle fut la politique de l'administration britannique de l'île Maurice à l'égard de la langue française après la conquête en 1810 de cette île jadis française ? Rien n'indique qu'au début le Colonial Office ait sérieusement envisagé de substituer l'anglais au français. Entre 1834 et 1845 quelques gouverneurs voulurent imposer l'anglais. Le Colonial Office ne consentit à le rendre obligatoire que pour la rédaction des actes législatifs et dans les cours supérieures de justice (Ordres en Conseil de 1841 et 1845). Plusieurs protestations des colons contre ces mesures restèrent sans effet, mais en 1862 le gouverneur Stevenson tint à définir les limites de l'usage obligatoire de l'anglais. Plus tard d'autres administrateurs de l'île se prononcèrent contre toute tentative d'anglicisation. Aujourd'hui l'anglais est assez répandu mais, en vertu d'actes récents, le français n'est pas complètement exclu de la jurisprudence et de la législation de l'île.
L'abolition de l'esclavage au Sénégal : L'attitude de l'administration française (1848-1905)
Authors: Renault François
Published: December 2013

En 1848, l'Assemblée nationale votait le décret d'abolition de l'esclavage dans les colonies françaises. Cette mesure soulevait dans les établissements français du Sénégal des problèmes particuliers du fait de leur contact avec des sociétés esclavagistes beaucoup plus vastes, dont ils dépendaient pour leur subsistance et leur commerce. La première difficulté se présenta à l'occasion des esclaves réfugiés : la majorité en fut restituée aux maîtres sous divers prétextes, pour ne pas susciter l'animosité de ceux-ci. Avec la conquête du Soudan, la question se posa dans de plus vastes proportions : durant les opérations militaires, les pratiques traditionnelles de partage des captifs se poursuivirent. Entre temps, la population saint-louisienne continuait à se livrer à la traite d'esclaves sous la forme déguisée de « rachats ». Au début du XXe siècle, avec l'organisation de l'Afrique occidentale française, la traite des esclaves fut enfin combattue de façon efficace tandis que la captivité de case, sans être positivement abolie, perdait toute base légale.
Les idées anthropologiques des philosophes du Siècle des Lumières
Authors: Poliakov Léon
Published: December 2013

Après avoir examiné la distinction faite aujourd'hui entre l'ethnocentrisme (supériorité culturelle), général chez tous les peuples, et le racisme proprement dit (supériorité biologique), tel qu'on le voit par exemple dès la Renaissance espagnole dans les « Statuts de pureté du sang », l'auteur rappelle la lutte entre l'idée monogéniste (tous les hommes descendent d'un ancêtre commun), thèse biblique reprise par le puritain John Ray et par Buffon, et la théorie polygéniste (l'homme blanc ne saurait avoir le même ancêtre que les Noirs ou les Lapons), jugée plus « scientifique » par certains (Giordano Bruno, Isaac La Peyrère, Voltaire, Goethe). D'autre part, l'approche psychanalytique permet de souligner la spécificité de (les Juifs, peuple de la loi oppressive, symbolisent le père), à l'égard du racisme anti-Noir (les Nègres, descendants du singe, symbolisent l'animalité). L'auteur passe ensuite en revue les principaux penseurs du Siècle des Lumières. Maupertuis considère que la couleur des Nègres est une variante accidentelle du blanc originel ; il suggère des expériences à faire in vivo pour démontrer cette proposition et bien d'autres, touchant à l'amélioration de la race. Buffon, qui place en Inde la naissance de la civilisation, sans nier l'unité de l'espèce humaine, pense que la « dégénération » des Nègres et des Lapons, due au climat, prendrait des siècles pour se résorber. Montesquieu vante les races du Nord, qui jouissent du bénéfique climat froid : sous les tropiques, le travail forcé est inévitable ; mais il n'en faudrait pas moins essayer de civiliser l'Afrique par le commerce et l'industrie ; quant aux Juifs, Montesquieu se fait ouvertement leur défenseur. Rousseau, l'apôtre de 1' « anti-civilisation », le chantre du bon sauvage, est fondamentale ment anti-raciste, cas exceptionnel, et pro-juif, voire sioniste avant la lettre. Diderot, qui représente l'opinion moyenne, est lui convaincu que l'infériorité des races « de couleur » est ressentie par elles-mêmes, Lapons ou Tahitiens, par exemple. Pour Voltaire enfin, les Nègres sont des esclaves-nés, proches de l'animalité, dont ils ne sont pas entièrement coupés ; mais c'est surtout contre les Juifs qu'il se déchaîne : l'auteur indique plusieurs sources de cet antisémitisme, dans sa vie d'homme d'affaires peu scrupuleux ou dans son action de fondateur d'une nouvelle « religion déiste ».