bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Dynamics of Eye Formation and Maintenance in Axisymmetric Diabatic Vortices
Authors: Wirth Volkmar , Dunkerton Timothy J.
Published: May 2009

This paper investigates the occurrence, formation, and maintenance of eyes in idealized axisymmetric balanced vortices with diabatic forcing. Two key elements of the model setup are temperature relaxation toward a specified equilibrium temperature Te and Ekman pumping from a turbulent boundary layer. Furthermore, the flow is assumed to be almost inviscid in the interior. The model does not attempt any closure for moist convection. Previous work by the authors has shown that there is a continuous transition from monsoonlike vortices to hurricane-like vortices. This transition is governed by the ratio ℱ = αT /cD, where αT is the thermal relaxation rate and cD the surface drag coefficient.

An eye is defined in terms of the vertical wind with maximum upwelling occurring at some finite radius rather than at the origin. It is possible to obtain an eye even though Te maximizes at the origin, that is, even though Te does not directly predispose upwelling at some finite radius. The occurrence of an eye is controlled by ℱ, and the transition between vortices without any eye and vortices with a clearly defined eye is rather sudden. These results are robust with respect to the amplitude of the forcing or the specific shape of Te. The key role of ℱ is corroborated through a systematic nondimensionalization. In a steady-state hurricane-like vortex, mechanical forcing from Ekman pumping maximizes at some finite radius and is instrumental for the maintenance of an eyelike secondary circulation. On the other hand, eye formation during spinup is a purely inviscid process. The results imply that eye formation is a robust and general feature in vortices with strong diabatic forcing.
The Role of Upstream Midtropospheric Circulations in the Sierra Nevada Enabling Leeside (Spillover) Precipitation. Part I: A Synoptic-Scale Analysis of Spillover Precipitation and Flooding in a Leeside Basin
Authors: Underwood S. Jeffrey , Kaplan Michael L. , King K. C.
Published: May 2009

Pacific-originating storms that produce heavy leeside liquid precipitation in the Sierra Nevada are rare compared to those that generate windward slope rainfall. However, these leeside precipitation events have a profound effect on the flood hydrology of leeside basins in the Sierra Nevada. This study identified 12 storms that affected the Truckee River basin in northeastern Nevada. The storms produced both moderate and extreme flooding in this leeside basin. A synoptic-scale analysis of conditions leading to leeside storms was produced using a compositing procedure. Composites for multiple pressure levels and multiple parameters were produced for class 1 storms—those storms producing moderate flood flow in the Truckee River basin—and class 2 storms—those producing extreme flooding [>10 000 cubic feet per second (cfs), or 283 m3 s−1] in this basin. The analysis confirms that the two flood populations are in fact generated by Pacific-originating storms with observably different synoptic-scale circulations. The class 2 storms are moister through a great depth in the troposphere (saturated to 750 hPa), and they occur coincident with warmer conditions in the lower and midtroposphere. Class 2 events exhibited more favorable upper-level jet streak structures in the eastern Pacific and over western North America. Both classes of leeside storms were shown to differ substantially from Pacific-originating storms that exclusively affect the windward slope of the Sierra and the coastal mountain ranges of California (California storms). The leeside storms were much warmer than California storms through much of the lower and midtroposphere, and the onshore flow was predominantly from the west-southwest in leeside storms compared to southerly flow in California storms. The findings suggest the existence of a midlevel atmospheric river delivering moisture to leeside basins of the Sierra Nevada.
Precipitation Nowcasting by a Spectral-Based Nonlinear Stochastic Model
Authors: Metta Sabino , von Hardenberg Jost , Ferraris Luca , Rebora Nicola , Provenzale Antonello
Published: May 2009

A novel rainfall nowcasting method based on the combination of an empirical nonlinear transformation of measured precipitation fields and the stochastic evolution in spectral space of the transformed fields is introduced. The power spectrum and the amplitude distribution of precipitation are kept constant during the forecast, and a Langevin-type model is used to evolve the Fourier phases. The application of the method to a study case is illustrated, and it is shown that, with this procedure, a forecast skill can be obtained that is superior to those provided by Eulerian or Lagrangian persistence for a lead time of up to two hours.
RhoA and Rac1 GTPases play major and differential roles in stromal cell–derived factor-1–induced cell adhesion and chemotaxis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Azab Abdel Kareem , Azab Feda , Blotta Simona , Pitsillides Costas M. , Thompson Brian , Runnels Judith M. , Roccaro Aldo M. , Ngo Hai T. , Melhem Molly R. , Sacco Antonio , Jia Xiaoying , Anderson Kenneth C. , Lin Charles P. , Rollins Barrett J. , Ghobrial Irene M.
Published: May 2009

The interaction of multiple myeloma (MM) cells with the bone marrow (BM) milieu plays a crucial role in MM pathogenesis. Stromal cell–derived factor-1 (SDF1) regulates homing of MM cells to the BM. In this study, we examined the role of RhoA and Rac1 GTPases in SDF1-induced adhesion and chemotaxis of MM. We found that both RhoA and Rac1 play key roles in SDF1-induced adhesion of MM cells to BM stromal cells, whereas RhoA was involved in chemotaxis and motility. Furthermore, both ROCK and Rac1 inhibitors reduced SDF1-induced polymerization of actin and activation of LIMK, SRC, FAK, and cofilin. Moreover, RhoA and Rac1 reduced homing of MM cells to BM niches. In conclusion, we characterized the role of RhoA and Rac1 GTPases in SDF1-induced adhesion, chemotaxis, and homing of MM cells to the BM, providing the framework for targeting RhoA and Rac1 GTPases as novel MM therapy.
Functionally active virus-specific T cells that target CMV, adenovirus, and EBV can be expanded from naive T-cell populations in cord blood and will target a range of viral epitopes
Authors: Hanley Patrick J. , Cruz Conrad Russell Young , Savoldo Barbara , Leen Ann M. , Stanojevic Maja , Khalil Mariam , Decker William , Molldrem Jeffrey J. , Liu Hao , Gee Adrian P. , Rooney Cliona M. , Heslop Helen E. , Dotti Gianpietro , Brenner Malcolm K. , Shpall Elizabeth J. , Bollard Catherine M.
Published: May 2009

The naive phenotype of cord blood (CB) T cells may reduce graft-versus-host disease after umbilical cord blood transplantation, but this naivety and their low absolute numbers also delays immune reconstitution, producing higher infection-related mortality that is predominantly related to CMV, adenovirus (Adv), and EBV. Adoptive immunotherapy with peripheral blood-derived virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) can effectively prevent viral disease after conventional stem cell transplantation, and we now describe the generation of single cultures of CTLs from CB that are specific for multiple viruses. Using EBV-infected B cells transduced with a clinical-grade Ad5f35CMVpp65 adenoviral vector as sources of EBV, Adv, and CMV antigens, we expanded virus-specific T cells even from CB T cells with a naive phenotype. After expansion, each CTL culture contained both CD8+ and CD4+ T-cell subsets, predominantly of effector memory phenotype. Each CTL culture also had HLA-restricted virus-specific cytotoxic effector function against EBV, CMV, and Adv targets. The CB CTLs recognized multiple viral epitopes, including CD4-restricted Adv-hexon epitopes and immunosubdominant CD4- and CD8-restricted CMVpp65 epitopes. Notwithstanding their naive phenotype, it is therefore possible to generate trivirus-specific CTLs in a single culture of CB, which may be of value to prevent or treat viral disease in CB transplant recipients. This study is registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00078533.
The CHOLEGAS study: multicentric randomized, blinded, controlled trial of gastrectomy plus prophylactic cholecystectomy versus gastrectomy only, in adults submitted to Gastric cancer surgery with curative intent
Authors: Farsi Marco , Bernini Marco , Bencini Lapo , Miranda Egidio , Manetti Roberto , de Manzoni Giovanni , Verlato Giuseppe , Marrelli Daniele , Pedrazzani Corrado , Roviello Francesco , Marchet Alberto , Cristadoro Luigi , Gerard Leonardo , Moretti Renato ,   GIRCG (Gruppo Italiano di Ricerca sul Cancro Gastrico)
Published: May 2009

Background

The incidence of gallstones and gallbladder sludge is known to be higher in patients after gastrectomy than in general population. This higher incidence is probably related to surgical dissection of the vagus nerve branches and the anatomical gastrointestinal reconstruction. Therefore, some surgeons perform routine concomitant cholecystectomy during standard surgery for gastric malignancies. However, not all the patients who are diagnosed to have cholelithiasis after gastric cancer surgery will develop symptoms or require additional surgical treatments and a standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible even in those patients who underwent previous gastric surgery. At the present, no randomized study has been published and the decision of gallbladder management is left to each surgeon preference.

Design

The study is a randomized controlled investigation. The study will be performed in the General and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Oncology – Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi – Florence – Italy, a large teaching institution, with the participation of all surgeons who accept to be involved in, together with other Italian Surgical Centers, on behalf of the GIRCG (Italian Research Group for Gastric Cancer).

The patients will be randomized into two groups: in the first group the patient will be submitted to prophylactic cholecystectomy during standard surgery for curable gastric cancer (subtotal or total gastrectomy), while in the second group he/she will be submitted to standard gastric surgery only.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov ID. NCT00757640
A Signaling Network in Phenylephrine-Induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Authors: Kim Jayoung , Yanagihara Yutaka , Kikugawa Tadahiko , Ji Mihee , Tanji Nozomu , Masayoshi Yokoyama , Freeman Michael R.
Published: May 2009

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is an age-related disease of unknown etiology characterized by prostatic enlargement and coinciding with distinctive alterations in tissue histomorphology. To identify the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of BPH, we conducted a DNA microarray study using a previously described animal model in which chronic α(1)-adrenergic stimulation by repeated administration of phenylephrine evokes histomorphological changes in the rat prostate that resemble human BPH. Bioinformatic tools were applied to microarray data obtained from prostate tissue to construct a network model of potentially relevant signal transduction pathways. Significant involvement of inflammatory pathways was demonstrable, including evidence for activation of a TGF-β signaling cascade. The heterodimeric protein clusterin (apolipoprotein J) was also identified as a prominent node in the network. Responsiveness of TGF-β signaling and clusterin gene and protein expression were confirmed independently of the microarray data, verifying some components of the model. This is the first attempt to develop a comprehensive molecular network for histological BPH induced by adrenergic activation. The study also implicated clusterin as a novel biochemical target for therapy.
Stability and Probable Structure of Protonated p-tert-Butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide)
Authors: Makrlík E. , Dybal J. , Vanura P.
Published: May 2009

From extraction experiments and γ-activity measurements, the extraction constant corresponding to the equilibrium H3O+(aq) + 1 · Na+(nb) ↔ 1 · H3O+ (nb) + Na+(aq) taking place in the two-phase water-nitrobenzene system (1 = p-tert-butylcalix[4]arene-tetrakis(N,N-dimethylthioacetamide); aq = aqueous phase, nb = nitrobenzene phase) was evaluated as log K
ex (H3O+,1 · Na+) = –0.4±0.1. Moreover, the stability constant of the 1 · H3O+ complex in water saturated nitrobenzene was calculated for a temperature of 25 °C as log β
nb (1 · H3O+) = 5.5±0.1. Finally, by using quantum mechanical DFT calculations, the most probable structure of the 1 · H3O+ complex species was derived. In this complex, the hydroxonium ion H3O+ is bound partly to thiocarbonyl sulphur atoms and partly to phenoxy oxygens of 1 by strong hydrogen bonds and other electrostatic interactions.
Moving Beyond “The Movement that Changed the World”: Bringing the History of the Cold War into Civil Rights Museums
Authors: Romano Renee
Published: May 2009

A growing body of historical scholarship has demonstrated that the Cold War had a profound impact on the civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s. The rise of newly independent nations in African and Asia, coupled with Americas quest to lead the “free world” against the Soviet Union, made American racism an international liability and created conditions that fostered civil rights reforms at home. Yet the Cold War's influence on the movement is largely absent at the nation's leading civil rights museums. This article surveys the ways in which four civil rights museums present the relationship between the movement and the Cold War, and suggests some reasons that museums have yet to internationalize their history of the movement. The Cold War interpretation shows how foreign policy concerns and elite whites' self-interest both helped generate and limit civil rights reforms. This interpretation, however, stands at odd with the celebratory narrative of the movement as a triumph of democratic ideals that these museums present.
Dental aspects of general symptoms in the 18th century
Authors: Forrai Judit
Published: May 2009

A XVIII. században voltak olyan betegségek, amelyeknek szájüregi tüneteivel a fogászmesterek vagy vándorfogászok foglalkoztak. A gyakori gyermekhalál okaként a nehéz fogzást jelölték meg, gyógymódként az íny felvágását, valamint pióca alkalmazását ajánlották. Skorbutnak neveztek el minden, ínyben található gyulladást, akut és krónikus formáját egyaránt. Gyógymódként elég volt a fogkövek eltávolítása, amelyet sok korabeli fogászati hirdetésben olvashatunk. Feltételezték, hogy a szifilisz, amely évszázadokon keresztül folyamatosan jelen volt a mindennapi életben, szájüregi elváltozást is okozhat. A mai kutatások eredményeiből kiderült, ezek az elváltozások nem a szifilisz kísérő tünetei voltak, hanem a szifilisz gyógyítására használt higany mérgezésének következményei.
Genome-wide scan identifies novel modifier loci of acromegalic phenotypes for isolated familial somatotropinoma
Authors: Khoo S K , Pendek R , Nickolov R , Luccio-Camelo D C , Newton T L , Massie A , Petillo D , Menon J , Cameron D , Teh B T , Chan S-P
Published: May 2009

Isolated familial somatotropinoma (IFS) accounts for 18% of familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) cases. Recently, germline mutations of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein gene (AIP) have been found in families with pituitary adenoma predisposition, FIPA, and IFS. In this study, we investigate the AIP mutation status and perform a genome-wide scan to search for the modifier regions of acromegalic phenotypes in an IFS family of 31 aborigines from Borneo. Complete endocrine diagnosis and data could not be collected due to logistical and cultural reasons. AIP mutation screening was carried out by direct sequencing and the genome-wide scan was performed using 400 microsatellites. Non-parametric linkage analysis was performed to obtain the logarithm of odds (LOD) scores. A novel AIP frameshift mutation in exon 4 (c.500delC) (p.P167HfsX3) was identified in all members with acromegalic features, as well as in 15 members without acromegalic features, revealing incomplete penetrance of AIP. The data showed that patients with the same mutation may express acromegalic features of differing severity, suggesting the existence of modifier genes. The highest LOD score of 2.2 was obtained near D19S571 (19q13.41). We also found weak linkages on chromosomes 3q28, 8q12.1, and 21q22.13, with LOD scores of 1.1, 1.8, and 1.4 respectively. Our results show the first genome-wide scan that identifies novel modifier loci for acromegalic phenotypes in an IFS family. Identification of modifier loci may provide further insight into the disease mechanism and explain the clinical variability observed in its patients.
Briefing: Municipal Engineer—the silver anniversary
Authors: Jenkinson Ian
Published: May 2009

This issue marks the 25th anniversary of the publication of Municipal Engineer as a part of the Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers. This briefing outlines the journal's history, aims and scope, content and the way in which it has responded to changes in the municipal engineering profession. It then looks ahead to the journal's future.
Car advertising and young people in the UK: content analysis
Authors: Bayley M. , Emerson T. , Wright C.
Published: May 2009

More and more people are deciding to live and work in places that effectively lock them into a car-based lifestyle, the social and environmental consequences of which have become a major concern. Since car dependence is difficult to reverse, policy-makers will need to understand why people behave in this way, particularly young people. One possible influence is car advertising, which might help to shape public expectations about what a car is for. In this paper, content analysis is used to pick out themes within the marketing ‘message’ and compare them across different models and advertising media in a systematic way. The themes are arranged within a hierarchical framework, ranging from factual information (‘hard’) to emotive associations (‘soft’). They include aspects of presentation not previously taken into account. The results of the analysis, which covers a sample of 42 advertisements appearing during 2006 in paper press outlets and television programmes most popular among young people in the UK, suggest that the emphasis lies not with the merits of the vehicle as such, but the emotive rewards to be gained from driving it. The authors believe that, intentionally or not, this message is likely to appeal to adolescents.
Incremental computing of supporting excavation with cover-cut
Authors: Li L. , Xu Z.-L. , Yuan Y.
Published: May 2009

Underground construction in soft ground must be delicately tackled and a safe supporting system is crucial during deep excavation. Although conventional supported excavation (bottom-up or top-down method) does not occupy as much land as the open-cut method, the construction of a metro station under the city arteries still disrupts the transportation for some time (usually 24–36 months). The cover-cut method is defined in this paper, and recent metro station construction experience of the cover-cut method is presented. A comparison of the widely used summation and the ‘step-by-step’ approaches has been made. The latter method can take into account both the changing loads and the characteristics of the structure to calculate the stresses and deformations from the construction period to the application period. The results calculated by the step-by-step approach are seen to be more accurate than the conventional method.
Tackling Health Inequities in Chile: Maternal, Newborn, Infant, and Child Mortality Between 1990 and 2004
Authors: Gonzalez Rogelio , Requejo Jennifer Harris , Nien Jyh Kae , Merialdi Mario , Bustreo Flavia , Betran Ana Pilar
Published: May 2009

Objectives. We analyzed trends in maternal, newborn, and child mortality in Chile between 1990 and 2004, after the introduction of national interventions and reforms, and examined associations between trends and interventions.

Methods. Data were provided by the Chilean Ministry of Health on all pregnancies between 1990 and 2004 (approximately 4 000 000). We calculated yearly maternal mortality ratios, stillbirth rates, and mortality rates for neonates, infants (aged > 28 days and < 1 year), and children aged 1 to 4 years. We also calculated these statistics by 5-year intervals for Chile's poorest to richest district quintiles.

Results. During the study period, the maternal mortality ratio decreased from 42.1 to 18.5 per 100 000 live births. The mortality rate for neonates decreased from 9.0 to 5.7 per 1000 births, for infants from 7.8 to 3.1 per 1000 births, and for young children from 3.1 to 1.7 per 1000 live births. The stillbirth rate declined from 6.0 to 5.0 per 1000 births. Disparities in these mortality statistics between the poorest and richest district quintiles also decreased, with the largest mortality reductions in the poorest quintile.

Conclusions. During a period of socioeconomic development and health sector reforms, Chile experienced significant mortality and inequity reductions.
Genetic Diversity in a Soybean Collection
Authors: Tavaud‐Pirra M. , Sartre P. , Nelson R. , Santoni S. , Texier N. , Roumet P.
Published: May 2009

Soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] was domesticated in China, and cultivated landraces were initially distributed throughout Asia and more recently extended to Europe and America. Previous studies of genetic diversity suggest a strong genetic bottleneck between Asian and North American soybean genetic pools. However, little is known about the potentially useful genetic diversity present in European soybean germplasm. We evaluated genetic diversity by phenotypic characterization and by comparing nuclear and cytoplasmic microsatellites in 301 genotypes of an INRA soybean collection with those of 31 European breeding lines and 17 ancestors from American cultivars (representing 83% of the North America diversity). We showed that the INRA collection contains 14 and 8% more diversity than the European breeding lines and American ancestors, respectively, based on Nei diversity (He). The genetic structure of this INRA collection does not correlate with either geographic origin or phenotypic differentiation. We generated a core collection composed of 50 accessions from the INRA collection and European breeding lines. This core collection contains 203 of the 226 microsatellite marker alleles available for this germplasm and is also representative of the diversity of morphological traits in temperate regions (maturity 000 to III), which will be useful for future breeding programs.
QTL Mapping of Dormancy in Barley Using the Harrington/Morex and Chevron/Stander Mapping Populations
Authors: Lin R. , Horsley R. D. , Lapitan N. L. V. , Ma Z. , Schwarz P. B.
Published: May 2009

Grain dormancy in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) is quantitatively inherited. Low levels of dormancy before harvest can lead to pre‐harvest sprouting (PHS) in the field, which affects grain and malt quality. The objective of the present study was to determine the locations and effects of quantitative trait loci (QTLs) controlling dormancy in two F1–derived doubled‐haploid (DH) populations from the crosses ‘Harrington’/‘Morex’ and ‘Chevron’/‘Stander’. The progenies and parents of each individual population were grown in greenhouse experiments in 2004, 2005, and 2006. Spikes were harvested at harvest maturity, and germination percentage at 72 h (GP72) was determined. Quantitative trait locus mapping consistently identified a large effect QTL close to the telomere region of the long arm of chromosome 5H (i.e., 5HL) in the two populations. The QTL accounted for 61 to 79% and 51 to 76% of the phenotypic variation in the Harrington/Morex and Chevron/Stander populations, respectively. Morex and Chevron contributed the dormant alleles in the two populations. The fact that Morex and Harrington both contributed nondormant alleles in different populations, and that a QTL was identified in the similar region of chromosome 5HL using the Harrington/Morex population, suggests that either linked multiple QTLs or multiple alleles for one gene controlling dormancy are present in this region. One additional small‐effect QTL was identified for the two populations, respectively. The QTL identified in the Harrington/Morex population was located on chromosome 6HL near the Amy1 locus, and it explained 2% of phenotypic variation. The QTL detected in the Chevron/Stander population was on chromosome 7HS and explained 3 and 9% of the phenotypic variation, respectively, in two greenhouse experiments.
Mapping and Confirmation of a New Allele at Rpp1 from Soybean PI 594538A Conferring RB Lesion–Type Resistance to Soybean Rust
Authors: Chakraborty Nanda , Curley Joe , Frederick Reid D. , Hyten David L. , Nelson Randall L. , Hartman Glen L. , Diers Brian W.
Published: May 2009

Soybean rust, caused by Phakopsora pachyrhizi (H. Sydow & Sydow), is a destructive soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] disease and identification of new resistance genes is essential for effective rust management. Our research objectives were to map and confirm the location of resistance gene(s) in PI 594538A using a population of 98 F3:4 lines from a cross between PI594538A (reddish‐brown [RB] lesions) and the susceptible cultivar Loda (tan [TAN] lesions). The lines were inoculated with the P. pachyrhizi isolate ZM01‐1 from Zimbabwe. The RB resistance in PI 594538A mapped on linkage group G as a single dominant gene. This gene is likely an allele of Rpp1 or a new closely linked gene because it mapped within 1 cM of Rpp1 and ZM01‐1 produced RB lesions on PI 594538A and TAN lesions on PI 200492, the original source of Rpp1 The mapping of the new Rpp1 allele, named Rpp1‐b, was confirmed in a second population.
Epistatic Models Improve Prediction of Performance in Corn
Authors: Dudley J. W. , Johnson G. R.
Published: May 2009

To be useful, adding epistasis to a prediction model must increase predictive power. The objectives of this study were to determine i) using partial least squares (PLS) techniques, whether the ability to predict performance can be increased by including epistasis in a prediction model; ii) whether relaxing the probability of preselecting a marker or interaction to include in the PLS analysis from 0.001 to 0.01 to 0.05 would increase predictive power; and iii) whether the proportion of variability accounted for could be raised to a level useful in breeding. Data for protein, oil, starch, and grain yield were obtained from 500 S2 lines from the crosses of Illinois High Oil × Illinois Low Oil and of Illinois High Protein × Illinois Low Protein corn (Zea mays L.) strains. Lines per se and testcrosses were evaluated for oil, protein, and starch, and only testcrosses for grain yield. Adding epistasis to a model significantly increased predictive power, as did increasing the probability level for inclusion of significant markers and epistatic effects in the PLS analysis from 0.001 to 0.01 to 0.05. With epistasis in the model and P = 0.05, correlations of predicted and observed means were high enough to suggest they could be useful in breeding.
The effect of operational conditions on the sludge specific methanogenic activity and sludge biodegradability
Authors: Leitão R. C. , Santaellla S. T. , van Haandel A. C. , Zeeman G. , Lettinga G.
Published: May 2009

The effects of hydraulic retention time (HRT) and influent COD concentration (CODInf) on Specific Methanogenic Activity (SMA) and the biodegradability of an anaerobic sludge need to be elucidated because of the discordant results available in literature. This information is important for the operation of anaerobic reactors and design of the sludge post-treatment unit. For this study, sludge samples obtained from eight pilot-scale Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactors were tested. The reactors were fed with municipal wastewater and operated with different sets of HRT and influent concentrations until the steady state was established. The results show that at a lower HRT, sludge with relatively higher SMA develops. A slight trend of declining SMA at increasing CODInf was found for reactors operated at longer HRTs; however, further experiments are necessary for more definitive conclusions. The sludge from reactors operated at longer HRTs and with lower CODInf resulted in lower biodegradability. Results also showed that it is ineffective to design a UASB reactor with a longer HRT to cope with organic shock loads.
Primary study on the feeding characteristics of a golden alga on Microcystis aeruginosa
Authors: Zhang Xue , Hu Hong-Ying , Hong Yu
Published: May 2009

A flagellate Jin821 which could feed on toxic cyanobacteria Microcystis aeruginosa was isolated, and it was identified as a species of golden alga according to its morphological characters and 18S rDNA genes. The results of feeding experiments showed that the golden alga Jin821 could make the high density (4.3 × 106 cells·mL−1) of M. aeruginosa clear in a short time (40 h), with a removal rate of 99.9%. And the microcystin (MC-LR) was also degraded effectively at the same time, with a removal rate of 82.7% of 114 μg/L in 40 h. The growth curve of Jin821 was in ‘S’ style, with four phases of lag, log, stationary and decline. When M. aeruginosa was cleaned out, Jin821 would decline in number and slowed down in movement. In summary, the golden alga Jin821 can be a potential biological way to control blue algal blooms in the future.
Toward the conceptual and quantitative understanding of biosolids conditioning: the gel approach
Authors: Dursun Derya , Dentel Steven K.
Published: May 2009

Proper chemical conditioning of wastewater solids is crucial for both operational and economic reasons, but the process has defied satisfactory description to date, in either conceptual or quantitative terms. In this research, a new conceptual model of biosolids structure—likening it to a colloidal gel—was assessed as a means of interpreting conditioning mechanisms. The basis of the gel approach lies in the colligative properties that are altered by lowering of the solvent chemical potential by introducing a solute. Results indicate that inorganic conditioners form precipitates and complexes thus collapsing the gel network and forming particulates, whereas organic polymers lead to heterogeneous collapse with limited diffusion inside the gel. A gel model, based on the osmotic pressure, was found reasonably successful in defining the conditioning efficacy of biosolids. Beyond the model's fundamental value, these results validate a new way of understanding how conditioning and dewatering operate, which should help to improve the selection and optimization of these processes.
Effect of analgesics and their derivatives on antibiotic resistance of environmental microbes
Authors: Dhanapal L. P. , Morse A. N.
Published: May 2009

This research is a preliminary study conducted to determine the effects of aspirin (acetyl-salicylic acid) and salicylic acid (analgesics and their derivatives) on the antibiotic resistance of ammonia oxidizing bacterium (AOB) (a non-pathogenic environmental microbe) cultured from the Texas Tech University—Water Recovery System that treats a space related wastewater for NASA. The effect of salicylic acid was investigated by obtaining the minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of antibiotics (amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, and nalidixic acid) in the presence of aspirin and salicylic acid. The possibility of transfer of resistance genes between unrelated species was investigated by analyzing the similarity of the AcrA protein (a multi-drug efflux protein) in Nitrosomonaseuropaea, Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. The protein alignment analysis was done using ExPASy, a proteomics tool. The results of this preliminary study indicated that the antibiotic resistance of AOBs increased in the presence of aspirin and salicylic acid and similarities in the AcrA protein of different species indicated the likelihood of possible resistance transfer between the species. This paper high lights the importance of research and further investigation on antibiotic resistance and resistance transfer, highlighting the number of parameters that should be considered while assessing antibiotic resistance in environmental samples.
Condensation of Fivefold-Symmetric Molecules in Two Dimensions
Authors: Merz Leo , Parschau Manfred , Siegel Jay S. , Ernst Karl-Heinz
Published: May 2009

We report the formation of a two-dimensional glass by solidification of a two-dimensional gas of fivefold-symmetric molecules on a copper surface upon cooling. Direct observation with scanning tunneling microscopy allows a detailed insight into the implications of a symmetry mismatch
between molecular geometry and crystal lattice.
Ruthenium(II) Arene Compounds as Versatile Anticancer Agents
Authors: Renfrew Anna
Published: May 2009

Ruthenium-based compounds are an attractive alternative to clinically used platinum drugs due to several features including a wide range of accessible oxidation states, varied synthetic chemistry and typically lower general toxicities. One series of ruthenium(II)-arene-pta, RAPTA (pta
= 1,3,5-triaza-7-phosphatricyclo[3.3.1.1] decane) compounds has been found to show particularly high selectivity towards cancer cells in both in vitro and in vivo studies.
Remodelling, Optimization and Characterization of Columns for Hydrogen Chloride and Sulphur Dioxide Absorption in Exhaust Air
Authors: Mesitschek Daniel , Vanoli Ennio
Published: May 2009

Hydrogen chloride and sulphur dioxide are gaseous by-products of chloridization processes that employ thionyl chloride. Absorption would be a feasible method to clean the rich gas stream. Two serial connectable absorption columns were equipped with the latest generation of packings
to effect product recovery. Therefore, several tests concerning the baffle properties had to be performed. In the first experimental section, the hydraulic parameters pressure drop and hold-up were investigated. The hold up value range of the new baffles Raschig Super Ring (RSR) and Raschig
Super Pak (RSP) was clearly below that of the former installed packing, Raschig Ring (RR). However, due to the low maximal flow rate, the range of stagnation and flooding could not be measured. The maximal measured pressure drop value was, for RR, only 0.3 mbar/m, which is very low compared
to the measurement error. Batch experiments, where the waste gases were produced by reaction of thionyl chloride in water, showed that for the steady state determination of the separation steps it is advisable to use just one column in simplex mode with a defined gas supply by a gas cylinder.
The HTU determination for RSR and a HCl/H2O system delivered a value of HTUHCl,OG = 0.14 ± 0.01 m with a variation coefficient of 24.2%.
Distal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy: incidence and outcome after central corpectomy
Authors: Srinivasa Rao Nooti Venkata , Rajshekhar Vedantam
Published: May 2009

Object

Distal-type cervical spondylotic amyotrophy (CSA) is a rare form of cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). The authors documented the incidence, clinical presentation, radiological features, and outcome following central corpectomy (CC) in patients with this entity.

Methods

The authors performed a retrospective institutional database search of patients who underwent decompressive surgery for CSM between 1992 and 2006 to identify patients with distal-type CSA. Distal-type CSA was defined as weakness and wasting of hands and forearms without gait impairment (Nurick Grades 0 and 1) nor any sensory symptoms or signs in the lower limbs.

Results

The authors identified 7 male patients (1.1%) with distal-type CSA from among 653 patients who underwent either cervical laminectomy (135 patients) or CC (518 patients). There were sensory symptoms or signs in the upper limbs in all but 1 of the patients. Increased signal intensity in the cord was demonstrated on T2-weighted MR images in all patients. The compression was mainly at the C-6 vertebral level. At a mean follow-up of 46.5 months (range 12–98 months), 6 patients had improved by a mean patient perceived outcome score of 66.7% (range 20–100%). Patients' modified Japanese Orthopedic Association scores improved from a preoperative mean (± SD) of 16.1 ± 0.7, to a follow-up mean of 17.4 ± 0.5 (p = 0.004, paired t-test). One patient whose condition worsened 7 months after CC received a diagnosis of a coexistent motor neuron disease.

Conclusions

Distal-type CSA is a rare form of CSM that should be differentiated from motor neuron disease on the basis of subtle sensory symptoms or signs in the upper limbs, and the presence of significant cord compression on the MR imaging. Patient outcome after central corpectomy is good and long lasting.
Validation of the radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation score in a large linear accelerator radiosurgery experience
Authors: Raffa Scott J. , Chi Yueh-Yun , Bova Frank J. , Friedman William A.
Published: May 2009

Object

The radiosurgery-based arteriovenous malformation (AVM) score (RBAS) is a grading system designed to predict patient outcomes after Gamma Knife surgery for AVMs. This study seeks to validate independently the predictive nature of the RBAS, not only after single treatment but for retreatment, and to assess the overall outcome regardless of number of radiosurgeries.

Methods

The authors analyzed 403 patients treated with linear accelerator (LINAC) radiosurgery for AVMs between May 1988 and June 2008. The AVM scores were determined by the following equation: AVM score = (0.1 × volume in cm3) + (0.02 × age in years) + (0.3 × location). The location values are as follows: frontal/temporal = 0, parietal/occipital/corpus callosum/cerebellar = 1, and basal ganglia/thalamus/brainstem = 2.

Results

Testing demonstrated that the RBAS correlated with excellent outcomes after single or repeat radiosurgery (p < 0.001 for both variables). One hundred sixty-two (49%) of 330 patients had excellent outcomes (obliteration without deficit) after a single treatment. Excellent outcomes were achieved in 74, 64, 50, and 11% of patients with AVM scores of < 1.0 (Group 1), between 1.0 and < 1.8 (Group 2), between 1.8 and < 2.5 (Group 3), and ≥ 2.5 (Group 4), respectively. Fifty-one patients (70%) obtained radiosurgical cure and 46 (63%) achieved excellent outcomes after repeat radiosurgery. Of these, 100% achieved excellent outcomes in Group 1, 70% did so in Group 2, 47% in Group 3, and 14% in Group 4. The RBAS correlated with excellent outcomes after overall treatment (p < 0.001). Two hundred seventy-seven patients (69%) obtained AVM obliteration, and 62% achieved excellent outcomes. In Group 1, 87% achieved excellent outcomes, 75% did so in Group 2, 61% in Group 3, and 24% in Group 4.

Conclusions

The RBAS is a good predictor of patient outcomes after LINAC radiosurgery.
Fluoride Intake through Consumption of Tap Water and Bottled Water in Belgium
Authors: Vandevijvere Stefanie , Horion Benoit , Fondu Michel , Mozin Marie-Josée , Ulens Michèle , Huybrechts Inge , Van Oyen Herman , Noirfalise Alfred
Published: May 2009

There is a tendency to align higher levels of fluoride in natural mineral water with the existing higher levels in tap water. Treatment of natural mineral waters could harm the preservation of their natural character. In this study fluoride intake through bottled and tap water consumption in the Belgian adult population was assessed, taking into account regional differences. A deterministic approach was used whereby consumption quantities of tap water and different brands of bottled water were linked with their respective fluoride concentrations. Data from the national food consumption survey (2004) were used and the Nusser methodology was applied to obtain usual intake estimates. Mean intake of fluoride through total water consumption in Flanders was 1.4±0.7 mg/day (97.5th percentile: 3.1 mg/day), while in the Walloon region it was on average 0.9±0.6 mg/day (97.5th percentile: 2.4 mg/day). The probability of exceeding the UL of 7 mg per day via a normal diet was estimated to be low. Consequently, there is no need to revise the existing norms, but higher fluoride concentrations should be more clearly indicated on the labels. Reliable data about total dietary fluoride intake in children, including intake of fluoride via tooth paste and food supplements, are needed.
Identifying Protein-Protein Interaction Sites Using Covering Algorithm
Authors: Du Xiuquan , Cheng Jiaxing , Song Jie
Published: May 2009

Identification of protein-protein interface residues is crucial for structural biology. This paper proposes a covering algorithm for predicting protein-protein interface residues with features including protein sequence profile and residue accessible area. This method adequately utilizes the characters of a covering algorithm which have simple, lower complexity and high accuracy for high dimension data. The covering algorithm can achieve a comparable performance (69.62%, Complete dataset; 60.86%, Trim dataset with overall accuracy) to a support vector machine and maximum entropy on our dataset, a correlation coefficient (CC) of 0.2893, 58.83% specificity, 56.12% sensitivity on the Complete dataset and 0.2144 (CC), 53.34% (specificity), 65.59% (sensitivity) on the Trim dataset in identifying interface residues by 5-fold cross-validation on 61 protein chains. This result indicates that the covering algorithm is a powerful and robust protein-protein interaction site prediction method that can guide biologists to make specific experiments on proteins. Examination of the predictions in the context of the 3-dimensional structures of proteins demonstrates the effectiveness of this method.
Use of Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-blocking Agents in Hepatitis B Virus-positive Patients: Reports of 3 Cases and Review of the Literature
Authors: ZINGARELLI STEFANIA , FRASSI MICOL , BAZZANI CHIARA , SCARSI MIRKO , PUOTI MASSIMO , AIRÒ PAOLO
Published: May 2009

Objective.

To evaluate the development of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor-α-blocking agents (TNFBA), and to evaluate whether lamivudine (LAM) prophylaxis can reduce the risk of viral reactivation in inactive HBsAg carriers.

Methods.

Local experience and published reports were reviewed. Patients with HBV infection were classified as having chronic HBV hepatitis, or being inactive HBsAg carriers or occult carriers.

Results.

Three patients in our series and 24 patients in the literature were identified: 2 had active HBV-associated disease, 23 were inactive HBsAg carriers, and 2 occult carriers. When exposed to TNFBA, HBsAg-inactive carriers pretreated with LAM had lower risk of having detectable HBV-DNA (p = 0.02) or viral reactivation (p = 0.046) than those without LAM prophylaxis. In 3 patients who discontinued TNFBA, LAM prophylaxis was also discontinued 10–12 months thereafter without hepatitis flares. Two cases of reactivation in occult carriers (HBsAg-negative, anti-HBs+, anti-HBc+) were described in the literature.

Conclusion.

TNFBA should be avoided in patients with active HBV replication and should be used with caution in inactive HBsAg carriers. In these patients, the risk of viral reactivation seems to be high, but it might be reduced by prophylactic LAM, which should probably be given for a long time when TNFBA are discontinued (e.g., 12 mo). Potential occult carriers might carry a low, but not negligible, risk of viral reactivation. They should therefore be monitored with particular care.
Curricular Contribution to Media Education: a Work in Progress
Authors: Opertti Renato
Published: May 2009

The autor addresses the analysis of media and information literacy from an education and curricular perspective emphasizing the development of competencies that students require in order to have an active participation in the current world. He analyses the processes of curriculum development that, made up by political and technical components, reflect the type of society we wish to construct. Likewise, he presents the concept of inclusive education as an educational vision that aims at guaranteeing the right of all children, young people and adults to receive an education accommodated to their expectations, needs and forms of learning, assuring participation and equality of opportunities. He introduces the concept of a «glolocal » curriculum, which is based on the development of competencies in the students to make possible a feedback between the global and local realities, trying to bring the schools closer to the situations of the daily life. The analysis concludes by strengthening that media and information literacy should be cross-cutting in the curricula which requires, among other things, a high-quality teacher education, fluid communication among teachers and solid and inclusive educational proposals within participatory processes leading to agreements.

El análisis de la educación en medios desde una perspectiva educativa y curricular es el objeto de este trabajo que enfatiza el desarrollo de las competencias que requieren los alumnos para su participación activa en el mundo actual. Se analizan los procesos de desarrollo curricular que, integrados por componentes políticos y técnicos, reflejan el tipo de sociedad que aspiramos a construir. Asimismo, se presenta el concepto de educación inclusiva como una visión educativa que busca garantizar el derecho que tienen todos los niños, jóvenes y adultos a recibir una educación adaptada a sus expectativas, necesidades y formas de aprendizaje, asegurando la participación y la igualdad de oportunidades. Se introduce el concepto de un currículo «glo-local»; que se sustenta en el desarrollo de competencias en los estudiantes para posibilitar una retroalimentación entre las realidades globales y locales, vinculando las escuelas a las situaciones de la vida cotidiana. El trabajo concluye afirmando el carácter transversal que debiera tener una educación en medios en el currículo, lo cual requiere, entre otras cosas, de una formación docente de calidad, fluida comunicación entre los docentes y propuestas educativas sólidas e incluyentes sustentadas en procesos participativos de consenso.
Media Education Issues for Professionals and Citizens: Bridging the Divides in Countries of the South
Authors: Naji Jamal Eddine
Published: May 2009

Information and communication technologies (ICT) are imposing a radical reform in journalism and media education. Without a strategic, participatory pedagogical vision, journalism and media literacy will not work to the advantage of the plan for a democratic and inclusive information society. By the same token, they will be unable to reduce the gap experienced world-wide between training and employment, nor will they have a positive impact on Government or media operators’ policies, nor on the practices of professionals and citizens, particularly in cyberspace. The media are a source of knowledge, a development tool, a citizenship matrix, a source for construction of the «social being» and peace. The ultimate issue is the advent of an inclusive information society, and particularly in the countries of the South, its solid emergence depends on an «emancipation journalism». This must be the objective of all media education.

Las tecnologías de la información y de la comunicación (TIC) están imponiendo una reforma radical en el periodismo y la educación mediática pero sin una visión pedagógica participativa estratégica, el periodismo y la alfabetización mediática no trabajarán en beneficio del plan para una sociedad de la información democrática e incluyente. Por lo mismo, serán incapaces de reducir la brecha presente en todo el mundo entre capacitación y empleo; tampoco tendrán un impacto positivo en las políticas del gobierno y en los operadores de los medios, ni en las prácticas de profesionales y ciudadanos, particularmente en el ciberespacio. Los periodistas y los medios ocupan un lugar decisivo en la sociedad, están cara a cara con el estado, y demandan políticas públicas para introducir la educación en alfabetización mediática desde la escuela primaria. Los medios son una fuente de conocimiento, una herramienta de desarrollo, una matriz para la ciudadanía, un recurso para la construcción del ser social y de la paz. El objetivo final es la llegada de una sociedad de la información incluyente, y particularmente en los países del sur, su sólida ascensión de pende de una «emancipación periodística».