bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Photocatalytic removal of cyanide with illuminated TiO2
Authors: Siboni M. Shirzad , Samarghandi M. R. , Yang J.-K. , Lee S.-M.
Published: September 2011

Effects of TiO2 dosage, pH and initial cyanide concentration on the removal efficiency of cyanide from aqueous solutions with illuminated TiO2 have been investigated. Adsorption and oxidation were recognized as significant processes for the elimination of cyanide. From the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity was determined as 17.24 mg/g at pH 7. Adsorbed amount of cyanide slightly increased as the TiO2 dosage increased. However, as no significant increase was observed above 1 g/L TiO2, an optimum TiO2 dosage was determined as 1 g/L. Photocatalytic oxidation efficiency of cyanide was greatly affected by the solution pH. It increased as the solution pH decreased. The photocatalytic oxidation efficiency after 120 min was 80.4% at pH 3 while it was only 20.4% at pH 11. Photocatalytic oxidation of cyanide was well described by the second-order kinetics. Photocatalytic reaction with illuminated TiO2 can be effectively applied to treat industrial wastewater contaminated with cyanide.
Water recovery from sewage using forward osmosis
Authors: Lutchmiah Kerusha , Cornelissen Emile R. , Harmsen Danny J. H. , Post Jan W. , Lampi Keith , Ramaekers Hans , Rietveld Luuk C. , Roest Kees
Published: September 2011

This research is part of the Sewer Mining project aimed at developing a new technological concept by extracting water from sewage by means of forward osmosis (FO). FO, in combination with a reconcentration system, e.g. reverse osmosis (RO) is used to recover high-quality water. Furthermore, the subsequent concentrated sewage (containing an inherent energy content) can be converted into a renewable energy (RE) source (i.e. biogas). The effectiveness of FO membranes in the recovery of water from sewage has been evaluated. Stable FO water flux values (>4.3 LMH) were obtained with primary effluent (screened, not treated) used as the feed solution. Fouling of the membrane was also induced and further investigated. Accumulated fouling was found to be apparent, but not irreversible. Sewer Mining could lead to a more economical and sustainable treatment of wastewater, facilitating the extraction of water and energy from sewage and changing the way it is perceived: not as waste, but as a resource.
Comparison of efficiency and toxicity of two chemotherapy protocols in treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Mekic-Abazovic Alma , Sisic Ibrahim , Kovcin Vladimir , Beculic Hakija , Dervisevic Senad , Music Miralem
Published: September 2011

Introduction. This study was aimed at comparing the efficiency and
tolerability of two reference protocols Cisplatin and Etoposide and Cisplatin
and Vinorelbine in advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Material and Methods.
A total of 60 patients (two groups consisting of 30 patients) were treated
for advanced Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer during the period from January to
December 2005 according to the reference protocols (Cisplatin 100mg/m2 D1;
Vinorelbine 30 mg/m2 D1, D8 on 4 weeks) and (Cisplatin 100 mg/m2 D1;
Etoposide 100 mg/m2 D1, D3, D5 on 4 weeks) at the Department of Oncology of
KBC ?Bezanijska kosa?. All patients were analyzed for tumour response,
progression free survival as well as for toxicity. X2 test, Kaplan Meiers
curves and Log rank test were used for statistical analysis. Results.
Although the recorded response rates were a bit lower than in previously
published trials, they were not significantly different p=0.485. No
statistically significant difference was recorded in either progression free
survival or overall survival. The chemotherapeutical Cisplatin/Etoposide
protocol proved to be more toxic both in hematologic (3% vs. 10%) and total
toxicities (p=0.047). Conclusion. Our study proved both protocols to have
equivalent efficacy. However, the Cisplatin, Vinorelbine protocol could be
recommended because of its less expressed toxic effects.
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as marker of oxidative stress in pregnancies with pre-eclampsia
Authors: Novakov-Mikic Aleksandra , Brkic Snezana , Maric Daniela , Sekulic Bojan , Cetkovic Aleksandar , Mitic Gorana
Published: September 2011

Pre-eclampsia is characterized by increased lipid peroxidation and diminished
antioxidant capacity. The aim of the study was to establish concentration of
thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as a marker of lipid peroxidation in
normal pregnancies and in pregnancies complicated with pre-eclampsia, and to
estimate the possibility of using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as
a screening method for development of pre-eclampsia. The study was conducted
at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Clinical Centre of
Vojvodina. The study included 57 singleton pregnancies, gestation >24 weeks,
of which 29 were healthy pregnancies and 28 were with pre-eclampsia, defined
as systolic arterial pressure of >90 mmHg, diastolic of >145 mmHg, and 24h
proteinuria of >300mg. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
concentrations evaluated by malondialdehyde equivalent standards (OxiSelect?
TBARS Assay Kit (malondialdehyde Quantitation), Cell Biolabs? OxiSelect?)
showed that oxidative stress was more evident in the group with
pre-eclampsia, though not statistically significant (p= 0.107). There was no
correlation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance levels with gestation
in either group. The differences between the level of thiobarbituric acid
reactive substance concentrations in pre-eclampsia and healthy pregnancies
indicate the possibility of using thiobarbituric acid reactive substances as
a screening tool for the development of pre-eclampsia. Further studies with
larger numbers of patients are needed in order to come to final conclusions.
Metrological Control of Selected Surface Types of a Mechanical Part by Using On-Machine Measurement System
Authors: Omámik Michal , Baránek Ivan
Published: September 2011

Metrological Control of Selected Surface Types of a Mechanical Part by Using On-Machine Measurement System

The paper is focused on the research of On-machine measurement systems for a CNC multi-axis milling machine. Research is aimed at the suitable selection of measuring parameters for On-machine measurement systems in order to reach an accurate and reliable quality control of the mechanical part. Theoretical information and overall concept of research are also presented.
Application of Six Sigma Method to EMS Design
Authors: Rusko Miroslav , Králiková Ružena
Published: September 2011

Application of Six Sigma Method to EMS Design

The Six Sigma method is a complex and flexible system of achieving, maintaining and maximizing the business success. Six Sigma is based mainly on understanding the customer needs and expectation, disciplined use of facts and statistics analysis, and responsible approach to managing, improving and establishing new business, manufacturing and service processes.
Event Processing and Variable Part of Sample Period Determining in Combined Systems Using GA
Authors: Strémy Maximilián , Závacký Pavol , Jedlička Martin
Published: September 2011

Event Processing and Variable Part of Sample Period Determining in Combined Systems Using GA

This article deals with combined dynamic systems and usage of modern techniques in dealing with these systems, focusing particularly on sampling period design, cyclic processing tasks and related processing algorithms in the combined event management systems using genetic algorithms.
Spatiotemporal Patterns of Primary and Secondary Incidents on Urban Freeways
Authors: Zhang Hongbing , Khattak Asad
Published: September 2011

Incidents on urban freeways are a leading cause of traffic congestion. Secondary incidents can occur in the vicinity of primary incidents, complicating traffic operations. While studies have examined factors associated with incident duration and secondary incident occurrence, a significant number of spatiotemporal variables in incident management are often overlooked. For example, how soon does a secondary incident happen after a primary incident? How far is the secondary from the primary incident? What factors are associated with near versus far secondary incidents? To answer these questions, a deeper analysis of primary and secondary incidents was conducted on the basis of a unique 2008 incident and roadway inventory database for Hampton Roads, Virginia. Time gaps and distances for secondary incidents in the same direction were analyzed with appropriate statistical methods. This research contributes to incident management by rigorously analyzing time-gap distances between primary and secondary incidents and exploring their implications. The results can support more informed planning and operational decisions needed to respond in complex incident situations.
Novel Freeway Traffic Control with Variable Speed Limit and Coordinated Ramp Metering
Authors: Lu Xiao-Yun , Varaiya Pravin , Horowitz Roberto , Su Dongyan , Shladover Steven E.
Published: September 2011

Freeway corridor traffic flow is limited by bottleneck flow. If the section upstream of a bottleneck is congested, the bottleneck flow will drop well below its capacity. A logical approach to maximizing recurrent bottleneck flow is to create a discharge section immediately upstream of the bottleneck. This paper proposes a control strategy for combining variable speed limits (VSL) and coordinated ramp metering (CRM) design to achieve this objective when the bottleneck can be represented as a lane (or virtual lane) reduction. At each time step, VSL is designed first, with mainline flow, on-ramp demand and length, and driver acceptance taken into account. VSL values are determined for three locations: (a) the critical VSL to regulate the discharge section flow to match bottleneck capacity, (b) the VSL for the potentially congested section (mainline storage), and (c) the VSL upstream of the congestion tail. With the selected VSL, the first-order mainline flow model is linearized and then used for CRM design with model predictive control to minimize the difference between scaled total travel time (or vehicle hours traveled) and the total travel distance (equivalent to vehicle miles traveled). Microscopic simulation shows that this control strategy should improve bottleneck throughput significantly.
Preliminary Evaluation of Operational Performance of Different Types of High-Occupancy Vehicle Facilities in California Continuous Access versus Limited Access
Authors: Wu Guoyuan , Du Yaoqiong , Jang Kitae , Chan Ching-Yao , Boriboonsomsin Kanok
Published: September 2011

High-occupancy vehicle (HOV) facilities have been regarded as an effective and environmentally friendly approach to improving the mobility and productivity of freeway systems in metropolitan areas. With 6 months of traffic data from more than 700 vehicle detector stations, the authors conducted a comparative study of the operational performance of continuous-access and limited-access HOV facilities at the route level in California. The evaluation results of both HOV lanes and adjacent general purpose (AGP) lanes include several operating characteristics of these lanes: (a) the ingress–egress areas in limited-access HOV facilities may affect the formation of bottlenecks along HOV lanes; (b) the speed on HOV lanes and the speed differential between the HOV and AGP lanes are statistically greater in continuous-access facilities than in limited-access facilities; and (c) the characteristics of speed–flow distribution of HOV lanes exhibit observable differences between the two types of HOV facilities, but those of AGP lanes are similar regardless of the access type. Furthermore, statistical analyses show that some performance measures at the route level, including the space mean speed and vehicle-miles-traveled share of the HOV lanes, are significantly different for HOV facilities with different access types.
Antibiogram of single, double and triple chain Aroyl hydrazine against some gram positive and gram negative bacteria
Authors: Parvin R , Absar MN , Ershaduzzaman M , Mahbub-E-Elahi ATM , Shil A
Published: September 2011

The antibacterial sensitivity of some single, double and triple chain aroylhydrazine against gram positive and gram negative bacteria were performed by disc diffusion method. Most of the compounds showed appreciable antibacterial activity against different gram positive and gram negative bacteria. The single chain hydrazines are more active then double chain and triple chain hydrazine. Among the single chain aroylhydrazines studied only 4-n-hexyloxy benzoyl hydrazine is the most active. The significant activity of 4-n-hexyloxybenzoyl hydrazine and heptyloxybenzoyl hydrazine against gram positive and gram negative bacteria may be (formation of inhibition zone 8 to 22 mm with most of the test bacteria) due to their liophilicity of the bacterial cell membrane. Anti-microbial activity decreases as the number of carbon of single chain hydrazine increases (C6 > C7 > C8 > C9 > C10 single chain hydrazine). Double chain hydrazines (3, 5 or 3, 4) are more active than triple chain hydrazines (3, 5 > 3, 4 > 3, 4, 5 hydrazine). The antibacterial activities of hydrazines are being decreased as their increasing number of side chain.Keyword: Antibacterial sensitivity; Aroyl hydrazine.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/ijns.v1i1.8610 International Journal of Natural Sciences (2011), 1(1):17-21
Power Spectral Analysis of Heart Rate Variability in Heavy Workers
Authors: Mithun S , Begum N , Hossain MM , Ferdousi S , Tabassum R
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Sedentary life style deteriorates Cardiac autonomic nervous activities (CANA). Regular physical activity may improve CANA. Objective: Heart rate variability (HRV) was analyzed by Power Spectral method in heavy workers to find out the influence of regular physical activity on CANA. Methods: This cross sectional study was carried out on 30 heavy workers aged 28-50 years (study group), at the Department of Physiology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) over a period of 1 year. Simultaneously 30 sedentary workers of high socioeconomic status (group C) were studied to observe the influence of socioeconomic condition on heart rate variability (HRV). For comparison thirty age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and socioeconomic condition matched apparently healthy sedentary subjects (control) were also studied. The study subjects were selected from rickshaw-pullers living in the slum area nearby the university and the controls from fourth class employee of the university. Group C were selected from the doctors serving in the university and some from personal contacts. Total power, low frequency (LF) power, high frequency (HF) power, LF nu (neutralized unit), HF nu and LF/HF ratio were assessed and analyzed by a Polygraph. For statistical analysis, one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Independent-samples t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient tests were done. Results: Total power, HF power and HF nu were significantly (p<0.001) higher and LF power, LF nu and LF/HF ratio were significantly (p<0.001) lower in heavy workers than those of sedentary subjects. Total power and HF nu showed positive correlations and LF nu and LF/HF ratio showed negative correlation with duration of works per day but all these correlations were statistically non-significant. Conclusion: Regular physical activity improves cardiac autonomic nerve function status with a cardiac parasympathetic predominance. Key words: Power spectral analysis (PSA); cardiac autonomic nervous activities (CANA); heavy workers; sedentary workers DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8620 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 15-19
Seroprevalence of Rubella Antibodies in Pregnant Women
Authors: Jubaida N , Mondal MEA , Kawsar NM
Published: September 2011

Introduction: Clinical or subclinical infection of rubella of pregnant mother gives rise to a handicap baby to the society. Some time affected baby born apparently normal, but subsequently expresses disability. Objective: This study was carried out to see the seroprevalence of rubella antibodies in pregnant women. Method: Single blood sample was taken from 134 pregnant women, 66 from 1st trimester, 36 from 2nd trimester and 32 from 3rd trimester. Blood samples were collected from different Out Patient Departments (OPD) of Combined Military Hospital (CMH) and Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP) over a period of six months. All the sera were examined by enzyme-linked immunosorbant assay (ELISA) for rubella specific Immunoglobulin M (IgM) and Immunoglobulin G (IgG). Result: The over all prevalence of seropositivity for IgG was 84.33% indicating that they were immune for rubella infection and the rest 15.67% were susceptible for rubella infection. The seropositivity for IgM antibody was 0.75%, which was a single case found in 22 year old pregnant women in 3rd trimester and was 2nd gravida. The study demonstrated that 85.71% of the pregnant women between the ages of 15 to 20 years had rubella IgG, peaking at 87.80% in the age group 26-30 years and the seropositivity lower to 66.67% in the age group 31- 35 years. Analysis of rubella specific IgG antibody among the different socio-economic group population in the present study, showed that seropositivity rate was much higher in lower (91.67%) socio-economic status group, 89.02% in middle status group and the difference was lower in upper (72.50%) socioeconomic status group and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Higher (86.84%) incidence of seropositivity for IgG antibody was observed in women presenting with adverse pregnancy out comes than that the normal pregnancy (80.65%) out comes group. Conclusion: The present study revealed that the substantial percentage of pregnant women were susceptible for rubella infection. The findings of this study will help to formulate a guideline for taking nation wide vaccination program. Key words: Rubella antibody; seroprevalence; pregnant women DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jafmc.v7i1.8621 JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 7, No 1 (June) 2011; 20-24
Forest Biodiversity Assessment in Relic Ecosystem: Monitoring and Management Practice Implications
Authors: Sattout Elsa , Caligari Peter D. S.
Published: September 2011

The remnants of old-growth cedar forests in Lebanon are currently protected since they are taken to represent relic ecosystems sheltering many endemic, rare and endangered species. However, it is not always obvious how “natural” these forest relics are, and how the past use, conservation and management history have affected their current structural properties and species community composition. Even though Integrated Monitoring Programs have been initiated and developed, they are not being implemented effectively. The present research studied the effect of forest stand structure and the impacts of the anthropogenic activities effects on forest composition and floristic richness in four cedar forests in Lebanon. Horizontal and vertical structure was assessed by relying on the measurement of the physical characteristics and status of cedar trees including diversity and similarity indices. Two hundred and seventeen flora species were identified, among which 51 species were found to have biogeographical specificity and peculiar traits. The species composition seems not to be correlated with stand age structure; however, the occurrence of multiple age cedar stands favors floristic richness and variability in species composition as observed in one of the stands where the variation in diversity indices was high. In conclusion; to conserve biodiversity across landscapes, it is necessary to maintain a collection of stands of different vertical structure; an effect produced both by natural and anthropogenic disturbances since they both create a mosaic of different aged succession stands.
Role of α-Helical Structure in Organic Solvent-Activated Homodimer of Elastase Strain K
Authors: Abd. Rahman Raja Noor Zaliha Raja , Salleh Abu Bakar , Basri Mahiran , Wong Chee Fah
Published: September 2011

Recombinant elastase strain K overexpressed from E. coli KRX/pCon2(3) was purified to homogeneity by a combination of hydrophobic interaction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography, with a final yield of 48% and a 25-fold increase in specific activity. The purified protein had exhibited a first ever reported homodimer size of 65 kDa by SDS-PAGE and MALDI-TOF, a size which is totally distinct from that of typically reported 33 kDa monomer from P. aeruginosa. The organic solvent stability experiment had demonstrated a stability pattern which completely opposed the rules laid out in previous reports in which activity stability and enhancement were observed in hydrophilic organic solvents such as DMSO, methanol, ethanol and 1-propanol. The high stability and enhancement of the enzyme in hydrophilic solvents were explained from the view of alteration in secondary structures. Elastinolytic activation and stability were observed in 25 and 50% of methanol, respectively, despite slight reduction in α-helical structure caused upon the addition of the solvent. Further characterization experiments had postulated great stability and enhancement of elastase strain K in broad range of temperatures, pHs, metal ions, surfactants, denaturing agents and substrate specificity, indicating its potential application in detergent formulation.
Nucleated Polymerisation in the Presence of Pre-Formed Seed Filaments
Authors: Cohen Samuel I. A. , Vendruscolo Michele , Dobson Christopher M. , Knowles Tuomas P. J.
Published: September 2011

We revisit the classical problem of nucleated polymerisation and derive a range of exact results describing polymerisation in systems intermediate between the well-known limiting cases of a reaction starting from purely soluble material and for a reaction where no new growth nuclei are formed.
Optical Properties of Some New Azo Photoisomerizable Bismaleimide Derivatives
Authors: Airinei Anton , Fifere Nicusor , Homocianu Mihaela , Gaina Constantin , Gaina Viorica , Simionescu Bogdan C.
Published: September 2011

Novel polythioetherimides bearing azobenzene moieties were synthesized from azobismaleimides and bis-2-mercaptoethylether. Kinetics of trans-cis photoisomerization and of thermal conversion of cis to trans isomeric forms were investigated in both polymer solution and poly(methyl methacrylate) doped films using electronic absorption spectroscopy. Thermal recovery kinetics is well described by a two-exponential relation both in solution and polymer matrix, while that of low molecular weight azobismaleimide fit a first-order equation. The photoinduced cis-trans isomerization by visible light of azobenzene chromophores was examined in solution and in polymer films. The rate of photoinduced recovery was very high for azobismaleimides.
Analysis of Indonesian Spice Essential Oil Compounds That Inhibit Locomotor Activity in Mice
Authors: Muchtaridi  , Diantini Adjeng , Subarnas Anas
Published: September 2011

Some fragrance components of spices used for cooking are known to have an effect on human behavior. The aim of this investigation was to examine the effect of the essential oils of basil (Ocimum formacitratum L.) leaves, lemongrass (Cymbopogon citrates L.) herbs, ki lemo (Litsea cubeba L.) bark, and laja gowah (Alpinia malaccencis Roxb.) rhizomes on locomotor activity in mice and identify the active component(s) that might be responsible for the activity. The effect of the essential oils was studied by a wheel cage method and the active compounds of the essential oils were identified by GC/MS analysis. The essential oils were administered by inhalation at doses of 0.1, 0.3, and 0.5 mL/cage. The results showed that the four essential oils had inhibitory effects on locomotor activity in mice. Inhalation of the essential oils of basil leaves, lemongrass herbs, ki lemo bark, and laja gowah rhizomes showed the highest inhibitory activity at doses of 0.5 (57.64%), 0.1 (55.72%), 0.5 (60.75%), and 0.1 mL/cage (47.09%), respectively. The major volatile compounds 1,8-cineole, α-terpineol, 4-terpineol, citronelol, citronelal, and methyl cinnamate were identified in blood plasma of mice after inhalation of the four oils. These compounds had a significant inhibitory effect on locomotion after inhalation. The volatile compounds of essential oils identified in the blood plasma may correlate with the locomotor-inhibiting properties of the oil when administered by inhalation.
A Framework for UWB-Based Communication and Location Tracking Systems for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Chóliz Juan , Hernández Ángela , Valdovinos Antonio
Published: September 2011

Ultra wideband (UWB) radio technology is nowadays one of the most promising technologies for medium-short range communications. It has a wide range of applications including Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN) with simultaneous data transmission and location tracking. The combination of location and data transmission is important in order to increase flexibility and reduce the cost and complexity of the system deployment. In this scenario, accuracy is not the only evaluation criteria, but also the amount of resources associated to the location service, as it has an impact not only on the location capacity of the system but also on the sensor data transmission capacity. Although several studies can be found in the literature addressing UWB-based localization, these studies mainly focus on distance estimation and position calculation algorithms. Practical aspects such as the design of the functional architecture, the procedure for the transmission of the associated information between the different elements of the system, and the need of tracking multiple terminals simultaneously in various application scenarios, are generally omitted. This paper provides a complete system level evaluation of a UWB-based communication and location system for Wireless Sensor Networks, including aspects such as UWB-based ranging, tracking algorithms, latency, target mobility and MAC layer design. With this purpose, a custom simulator has been developed, and results with real UWB equipment are presented too.
Geometric Calibration and Radiometric Correction of LiDAR Data and Their Impact on the Quality of Derived Products
Authors: Habib Ayman F. , Kersting Ana P. , Shaker Ahmed , Yan Wai-Yeung
Published: September 2011

LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) systems are capable of providing 3D positional and spectral information (in the utilized spectrum range) of the mapped surface. Due to systematic errors in the system parameters and measurements, LiDAR systems require geometric calibration and radiometric correction of the intensity data in order to maximize the benefit from the collected positional and spectral information. This paper presents a practical approach for the geometric calibration of LiDAR systems and radiometric correction of collected intensity data while investigating their impact on the quality of the derived products. The proposed approach includes the use of a quasi-rigorous geometric calibration and the radar equation for the radiometric correction of intensity data. The proposed quasi-rigorous calibration procedure requires time-tagged point cloud and trajectory position data, which are available to most of the data users. The paper presents a methodology for evaluating the impact of the geometric calibration on the relative and absolute accuracy of the LiDAR point cloud. Furthermore, the impact of the geometric calibration and radiometric correction on land cover classification accuracy is investigated. The feasibility of the proposed methods and their impact on the derived products are demonstrated through experimental results using real data.
Direction-of-Arrival Estimation Based on Joint Sparsity
Authors: Wang Junhua , Huang Zhitao , Zhou Yiyu
Published: September 2011

We present a DOA estimation algorithm, called Joint-Sparse DOA to address the problem of Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) estimation using sensor arrays. Firstly, DOA estimation is cast as the joint-sparse recovery problem. Then, norm is approximated by an arctan function to represent joint sparsity and DOA estimation can be obtained by minimizing the approximate norm. Finally, the minimization problem is solved by a quasi-Newton method to estimate DOA. Simulation results show that our algorithm has some advantages over most existing methods: it needs a small number of snapshots to estimate DOA, while the number of sources need not be known a priori. Besides, it improves the resolution, and it can also handle the coherent sources well.
Impact of the Excitation Source and Plasmonic Material on Cylindrical Active Coated Nano-Particles
Authors: Arslanagic Samel , Liu Yan , Malureanu Radu , Ziolkowski Richard W.
Published: September 2011

Electromagnetic properties of cylindrical active coated nano-particles comprised of a silica nano-cylinder core layered with a plasmonic concentric nano-shell are investigated for potential nano-sensor applications. Particular attention is devoted to the near-field properties of these particles, as well as to their far-field radiation characteristics, in the presence of an electric or a magnetic line source. A constant frequency canonical gain model is used to account for the gain introduced in the dielectric part of the nano-particle, whereas three different plasmonic materials (silver, gold, and copper) are employed and compared for the nano-shell layers.
La théorie autrichienne du cycle économique : un test économétrique
Authors: Bismans Francis , Mougeot Christelle
Published: September 2011

Le modèle standard de la théorie autrichienne est celui du mal-investissement. La création monétaire du système bancaire conduit à une baisse artificielle du taux d’intérêt de marché sous le taux naturel, entraînant l’économie sur le sentier d’une expansion non soutenable car non financée par l’épargne disponible. Ce mal-investissement se traduit par un sur-investissement dans les industries de biens de production au détriment des industries de biens de consommation. La crise est alors inévitable quand les entrepreneurs prennent conscience de la non-correspondance entre leurs plans de production et les désirs des consommateurs. Cette séquence est testée empiriquement dans cet article à travers une question : les chocs de politique monétaire perçus à travers les variations de structure des taux d’intérêt, des prix relatifs et des dépenses sont-ils suffisants pour expliquer les fluctuations conjoncturelles de l’activité économique globale ? Notre modèle économétrique de données de panels à effets fixes, construit à partir des observations trimestrielles issues de quatre pays (Allemagne, Etats-Unis, France et Royaume-Uni) entre 1980 et 2006, tend ainsi à confirmer empiriquement les hypothèses autrichiennes d’un cycle impulsé par un choc monétaire et se propageant par la distorsion des prix relatifs.
Discrimination et libéralisation : les femmes sur le marché du travail dans la Chine urbaine
Authors: Fournier Martin , Démurger Sylvie , Chen Yi
Published: September 2011

Cet article examine les déterminants des différentiels salariaux entre hommes et femmes sur le marché du travail urbain en Chine pour l’année 1995 à l’aide d’une extension des méthodes de décomposition de type Oaxaca-Blinder. La libéralisation qu’a connue la Chine au cours de son processus de réforme sert d’expérience naturelle unique pour tester la relation entre concurrence et discrimination à l’encontre des femmes. En exploitant l’hétérogénéité des comportements par type de propriété d’entreprises, nous mettons tout d’abord en évidence des différences de distribution hommes/ femmes entre les entreprises, les femmes étant surreprésentées dans les entreprises collectives où les salaires offerts sont substantiellement plus faibles. Les résultats des décompositions montrent par ailleurs un niveau de discrimination plus élevé au sein des entreprises à capitaux uniquement chinois (entreprises d’Etat et entreprises collectives), ce qui plaide en faveur de l’idée que la recherche d’efficacité des entreprises à capitaux étrangers, plus fortement soumises aux mécanismes de marché, entraîne un affaiblissement des rigidités et une baisse de la discrimination.
Students' Perspective on On-line College Education in the Field of Journalism
Authors: Gómez-Escalonilla-Moreno Gloria , Santín-Durán María , Mathieu Gladys
Published: September 2011

The advance in new technologies has changed the educational model considerably. On-line education has arrived with a bang at university and those degree courses linked to the field of communication have adopted this type of technologies. In just a few years, the number of courses available in the communication field that include on-line subjects has multiplied. It seems that this tendency of proliferation will continue due to a high demand for degrees in the communication field as well as the possibility of completing these degrees on-line. This paper shows the perspective that on-line journalism students at the Rey Juan Carlos University in Madrid have on their studies. The results of a survey of students of the different courses that include the qualification allow us to gain a perspective of their experiences at the beginning and end of the studies. The questionnaire asks about socio-demographic traits from which we draw a sociological profile of on-line journalism student. It also delves into the motivations and expectations surrounding the decision to enrol in this mode and in its assessment both in terms of learning and the relationship between peers and teachers. Some of the conclusions point to the positive attitude of students and a satisfactory evaluation by the students.

El avance de las nuevas tecnologías ha cambiado considerablemente el modelo educativo. La formación on-line ha aterrizado con fuerza en las universidades y las carreras vinculadas al mundo de la comunicación se han incorporado a ese modelo de enseñanza. En pocos años la oferta en las titulaciones de comunicación se ha multiplicado y parece que esta tendencia se pronuncie en un futuro ante la demanda que tienen las titulaciones de comunicación, por un lado, y las enseñanzas virtuales, por otro. En este artículo se da a conocer la perspectiva que los estudiantes on-line de Periodismo de la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos de Madrid tienen sobre sus estudios. Los resultados de una encuesta a los alumnos de los diferentes cursos que engloban la titulación nos permite ofrecer una perspectiva de sus experiencias al inicio y al final de la carrera. El cuestionario indaga sobre aspectos socio-demográficos a partir de los cuales se traza un perfil sociológico del estudiante de periodismo on-line. Asimismo, se profundiza en las motivaciones y expectativas que rodean la decisión de matricularse en esta modalidad y en su valoración tanto en términos de aprendizaje como de la relación con compañeros y profesores. Algunas de las conclusiones apuntan una actitud positiva de los estudiantes y una valoración satisfactoria de la enseñanza por parte del alumnado.
University Senior Students on the Web
Authors: Martínez-Pecino Roberto , Cabecinhas Rosa , Loscertales-Abril Felicidad
Published: September 2011

The Internet is increasingly prominent in all walks of life, and Web connection is a key factor in social integration. The rise in life expectancy and quality of life mean that our active seniors now represent a growing sector in society. This study analyses what senior citizens use the Internet for and why, as well as the main benefits of its usage and the perceived obstacles of those who are non-users. The results derive from a questionnaire completed by senior citizens enrolled on university courses for older people, and they show that university seniors frequently connect to the Internet –daily or 2 or 3 times per week–, and use it mainly to look up facts, contact family and friends, for course work and to read the press. They consider the Internet easy to use but they could survive without it. For those who do not have access to the Internet, lack of knowledge about how to use it is the main barrier; yet they do not consider themselves incapable of learning how to use the Internet if they wished to do so. The data gathered from the survey challenge negative stereotypes of older people, and encourage us to modify our view of active seniors as disconnected from and incapable of using the Web and instead see their progress and motivation to learn as something highly positive.

Hoy día la relevancia de Internet es cada vez mayor en todos los ámbitos. Participar en la misma es fundamental para estar integrados socialmente. El aumento de la esperanza y la calidad de vida conllevan que los mayores activos supongan un volumen significativo de la población. En este trabajo se analiza el uso que personas mayores activas realizan de Internet, así como los principales beneficios o motivaciones de su utilización, y las barreras que encuentran aquéllos que no la utilizan. Se administró un cuestionario a personas inscritas en programas universitarios de mayores. Los resultados muestran que estos mayores universitarios se conectan a Internet frecuentemente, a diario o entre dos o tres veces por semana. Se destaca la relevancia de Internet para estar actualizados, contactar con la familia y los amigos, el uso académico, y consultar la prensa. La consideran fácil de utilizar aunque afirman que podrían vivir sin ella. Por otro lado, para los que no acceden a Internet no saber utilizarla es una de las principales barreras, si bien las personas que no la utilizan consideran que serían capaces de aprender. En su conjunto los datos animan a romper estereotipos negativos sobre los mayores y a no considerar a los mayores activos como personas incapaces o desconectadas de la Red sino a valorar positivamente los avances que realizan y la motivación por aprender.
Values Perceived in Television by Adolescents in Different Cross-cultural Contexts
Authors: Medrano-Samaniego Concepción , Aierbe-Barandiaran Ana , Martínez-de-Morentín Juan-Ignacio
Published: September 2011

This study was carried out on a sample group of 1,238 adolescents from eight different cultural contexts, and aimed to determine the values perceived by subjects in their favorite television characters. It also aimed to identify any possible differences between cultural contexts. The basic hypothesis for the study was that television conveys values and constitutes one of the forces for socialization at play during adolescence. The total sample group was made up by: three Spanish sub-groups, four Latin American sub-groups and one Irish sub-group. The instrument used for exploring perceived values was the Val.Tv 0.2, which is an adaptation of Schwartz’s scale. The data were collected both by means of an on-line platform and in person. In relation to the results, in general, the values most commonly perceived by adolescents are self-management and benevolence. As regards contextual differences, although significant differences were observed in all values, in no case were they particularly notable. The only exceptions were hedonism and achievement, for which no significant differences were found at all between the different contexts. The most relevant differences were found in the values of conformity, tradition, benevolence and universalism. From an educational perspective, we can conclude that the measurement instrument used may constitute an adequate tool for decoding the values perceived by adolescents in their favorite television characters.

El objetivo general de este trabajo fue conocer los valores percibidos en su personaje favorito de televisión en una muestra de 1.238 adolescentes pertenecientes a ocho contextos culturales y establecer las posibles diferencias entre dichos contextos. Se parte de la hipótesis básica de que el medio televisivo trasmite valores y es una agente de socialización, entre otros, en la etapa de la adolescencia. La muestra total estuvo constituida por: tres submuestras españolas, cuatro latinoamericanas y una irlandesa. El instrumento utilizado para indagar los valores percibidos ha sido Val.Tv 0.2 que es una adaptación de la escala de Schwartz. La recogida de datos se realizó a través de una plataforma on-line y presencialmente. Respecto a los hallazgos encontrados, tomados globalmente, los valores que más perciben los adolescentes son autodirección y benevolencia. Respecto a las diferencias contextuales los datos nos indican que, a pesar de que existen diferencias significativas en todos los valores, éstas no son muy destacables. Hay que exceptuar los valores de hedonismo y logro, donde no se encontraron diferencias significativas entre los diferentes contextos. Las diferencias más relevantes se hallaron en los valores de conformidad, tradición, benevolencia y universalismo. Desde una perspectiva educativa se concluye que el instrumento de medición utilizado puede ser una herramienta adecuada para decodificar los valores percibidos por los adolescentes en sus personajes preferidos.
Perception of Speech by Individuals with Parkinson's Disease: A Review
Authors: Kwan Lorinda C. , Whitehill Tara L.
Published: September 2011

A few clinical reports and empirical studies have suggested a possible deficit in the perception of speech in individuals with Parkinson's disease. In this paper, these studies are reviewed in an attempt to support clinical anecdotal observations by relevant empirical research findings. The combined evidence suggests a possible deficit in patients' perception of their own speech loudness. Other research studies on the perception of speech in this population were reviewed, in a broader scope of the perception of emotional prosody. These studies confirm that Parkinson's disease specifically impairs patients' perception of verbal emotions. However, explanations of the nature and causes of this perceptual deficit are still limited. Future research directions are suggested.
Paradigm Shift in Treatment of Alzheimer′s Disease: Zinc Therapy Now a Conscientious Choice for Care of Individual Patients
Authors: Hoogenraad Tjaard U.
Published: September 2011

Breakthrough in treatment of Alzheimer′s disease with a shift from irrational dangerous chelation therapy to rational safe evidence based oral zinc therapy. Evidence based medicine: After synthesizing the best available clinical evidence I conclude that oral zinc therapy is a conscientious choice for treatment of free copper toxicosis in individual patients with Alzheimer′s disease. Hypothesis 1: Age related free copper toxicosis is a causal factor in pathogenesis of Alzheimer′s disease. There are 2 neurodegenerative diseases with abnormalities in copper metabolism: (a) the juvenile form with degeneration in the basal ganglia (Wilson′s disease) and (b) the age related form with cortical neurodegeneration (Alzheimer′s disease). Initially the hypothesis has been that neurodegeneration was caused by accumulation of copper in the brain but later experiences with treatment of Wilson′s disease led to the conviction that free plasma copper is the toxic form of copper: it catalyzes amyloid formation thereby generating oxidative stress, free radicals and degeneration of cortical neurons. Hypothesis 2: Oral zinc therapy is an effective and safe treatment of free copper toxicosis in Alzheimer′s disease. Proposed dosage: 50 mg elementary zinc/day. Warning: Chelation therapy is irrational and dangerous in treatment of copper toxicosis in Alzheimer′s disease.
The Role of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor and Crosstalk with Estrogen Receptor in Response of Breast Cancer Cells to the Novel Antitumor Agents Benzothiazoles and Aminoflavone
Authors: Callero Mariana A. , Loaiza-Pérez Andrea I.
Published: September 2011

Many estrogen-receptor- (ER-) expressing breast cancers become refractory to ER-based therapies. New antitumor drugs like aminoflavone (AF) and benzothiazoles (Bzs) have been developed and have exquisite antitumor activity in ER+MCF-7 and T47D cells and in a MCF-7 nude mouse model. ER(−) breast cancer cells like MDA-MB-231 are less susceptible. We previously found in MCF-7 cells that these drugs activate the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) via translocation to the nucleus, induction of AhR-specific DNA binding activity, and expression of CYP1A1, whose transcription is controlled by the AhR-ARNT transcription factor. CYP1A1 metabolizes AF and Bz to a species which directly or after further metabolism damages DNA. In contrast an AhR-deficient variant of MCF-7 or cells with predominantly nuclear AhR expression, such as MDA-MB 231, are resistant. Thus, these drugs, unlike other neoplastic agents, require AhR-mediated signaling to cause DNA damage. This is a new treatment strategy for breast cancers with intact AhR signaling.
United airways disease among florists
Authors: Akpinar-Elci Muge , Elci Omur Cinar , Odabasi Aygul
Published: September 2011

Previously we observed an excess risk for occupational asthma among florists with rhinitis. To further evaluate the link between upper and lower airways, we investigated united airways disease in the same occupational group. Occupational history, symptoms and atopy were investigated among 128 florists. Age-, smoking-, and gender-adjusted risks were calculated using logistic regression models comparing symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals. The prevalence of work-related rhinitis symptoms was 13.3%, conjunctivitis symptoms and asthma-like symptoms were 14.1%. We observed an excess risk of work-related asthma symptoms among florists with work-related conjunctivitis (OR: 8.5, 95% CI: 2.4-29.9) and rhinitis (OR: 13.1, 95% CI: 3.0- 58.0). Florists with positive allergen skin test for flower mix were 13.0 times more likely to have work-related rhinitis and 12.5 times more likely to have work-related conjunctivitis. The observed relationship between work-related asthma and rhinoconjunctivitis is supportive of the concept of the united airways disease.
Protein misfolding and cellular stress in disease and ageing - Concepts and protocols
Authors: Redi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2011

To those readers that already got the Protein misfolding and disease volume, this new title can sound as an update or a second edition of the previous volume: well, this is not the case. To those colleagues that would like to enter the fascinating field of proteinâ€™s misfolding this new volume constitutes an excellent opportunity to be driven on the causes and mechanisms that are actually know to produce the misfolding. For both types of scientists this volume is a must: the subtitle already sounds as a warning since it reads concepts and protocols rather than methods and protocols. In other words, there is an entire section (part I, chapters 1-8) devoted to explain the concepts and the approaches we have gathered in these last years on the misfolding. These chapters are presented in the review style so that the relevant bibliographies are all there; in addition, this section is presenting the conceptual paradigma linking protein misfolding to ageing by conceiving the disease itself as premature ageing processes. Thus, the reader can take profit from this first part and become acquiented on the molecular effects brought about by protein misfolding at a cellular level and, generally speaking, on the pathogenetic mechanisms thereafter triggered by soluble prefibrillar aggregates...
Adipose-derived stem cells - Methods and protocols
Authors: Redi Carlo Alberto
Published: September 2011

This book is pleasing the reader already by the Authorsâ€™ preface. It is one in a million case to find a figure or a graph in the foreword presentation of a book. Here, Professors Gimble and Bunnell decided to give a warning to the reader about the increasing relevance that the topics covered by the book is playing in the life sciences researches: they simply decided to show the ISI Web of knowledge annual publications and citations for adipose stem cells. Clear enough, the statistics is impressive: few papers in 2000, nearly 600 in 2009 and 2010. The same pattern is present in the citations per year, quite a few in 2000 â€“ 2001 and something like 12,000 in 2010 ! I think that these numbers justify the idea to have a volume devoted to cover all of the topics related to these intriguing stem cell type, likely originating from a perivascular histological niche within highly vascularized fat tissue. The book is divided in four parts.......