bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transvaginal management of severe pelvic organ prolapse in nulliparous women
Authors: Lo Tsia‐Shu , Jaili Sukanda , Uy‐Patrimonio Ma. Clarissa , Karim Nazura bt , Ibrahim Rami
Published: February 2017

Aim

The aim of this study was to evaluate the management outcomes of advanced pelvic organ prolapse (POP) in nulliparous women.

Methods

Eight nulliparous women diagnosed with POP ≥ stage 3 between January 2005 and August 2013, according to the Pelvic Organ Quantification System (POPQ), were reviewed. Seven were managed surgically and one was managed with pessary. Primary outcome was surgical objective cure (POP‐Q ≤ 1) and subjective cure, defined as negative response to questions 2 and 3 on Pelvic Organ Prolapse Distress Inventory 6. Secondary outcomes were complications, symptoms' severity and quality of life according to validated questionnaires.

Results

A total of 1275 prolapse patients with POP‐Q ≥ stage 3 were managed surgically, among whom seven (0.55%) were nulliparous. Each woman had at least one risk factor associated with POP. Risk factors identified were history of pelvic trauma, obesity, menopause, chronic cough, hard physical labor and constipation. Five patients underwent surgical correction (vaginal hysterectomy with sacrospinous fixation) with mesh (Perigee, n = 3; Avaulta, n = 2). Two patients had uterine preservation without mesh (hysteropexy with sacrospinous ligament fixation). One patient preferred treatment with pessary. The total cure rate (objective and subjective cure rates) was 86% after surgical reconstructive surgery.

Conclusion

Management of nulliparous advanced POP poses significant challenges with regard to uterine preservation, future pregnancy and childbirth. Conservative management with pessary insertion should be offered followed by surgical correction. Reconstructive surgery with mesh may improve prolapse symptoms objectively and subjectively.
Assessing Staff Satisfaction with Indoor Environmental Quality in Assisted Living Facilities
Authors: Zuo Qun , MaloneBeach Eileen E.
Published: February 2017

This study contributed to knowledge of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) in assisted living facilities (ALFs) by examining staff satisfaction with the work environment, perceived productivity, and attitudes toward environmental sustainability in the workplace. An ALF Staff IEQ Survey was administered to staff ( N = 94) at 12 ALFs, which were newly constructed or renovated within the last 10 years. Staff who participated in the survey were divided into three age groups (young, middle–aged, and older) and two categories of responsibilities (medical and nonmedical). The questionnaire was designed to incorporate the Occupant IEQ Survey (Center for the Built Environment, 2013) and the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating criteria. It comprised six IEQ categories: space layout, thermal comfort, air quality, lighting and views, acoustic quality, and facility cleanliness and maintenance. Spearman's rank–order correlation coefficient, Kruskal–Wallis, and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for data analysis. Results identified 23 IEQ factors in all IEQ categories that significantly contributed to staff productivity. Six IEQ factors in four IEQ categories (space layout, thermal comfort, lighting, and facility cleanliness) were significantly related to staff environmental attitudes. In addition, 12 IEQ factors within five IEQ categories (except lighting quality) were found to have notable differences by age discrepancy, whereas five IEQ factors of air quality and facility cleanliness were significantly different for medical and nonmedical staff. The findings of this study provide designers with prioritized demands and preferences for decision making in terms of improving the work environment for the health and well–being of ALF staff. By incorporating the paradigms of evidence–based design (EBD), human–centered design (HCD), and sustainable design (SD), this study proposes a new triadic framework to transition from the current resident–centered model in elder care to a multistakeholder–focused model.
Role of autophagy in HIV infection and pathogenesis
Authors: Nardacci R. , Ciccosanti F. , Marsella C. , Ippolito G. , Piacentini M. , Fimia G. M.
Published: January 2017

The aim of autophagy is to re‐establish homeostasis in response to a variety of stress conditions. By forming double‐membrane vesicles, autophagy engulfs damaged or superfluous cytoplasmic material and recycles degradation products for new synthesis or energy production. Of note, the same mechanism is used to capture pathogens and has important implications in both innate and adaptive immunity. To establish a chronic infection, pathogens have therefore evolved multiple mechanisms to evade autophagy‐mediated degradation. HIV infection represents one of the best characterized systems in which autophagy is disarmed by a virus using multiple strategies to prevent the sequestration and degradation of its proteins and to establish a chronic infection. HIV alters autophagy at various stages of the process in both infected and bystander cells. In particular, the HIV proteins TAT, NEF and ENV are involved in this regulation by either blocking or stimulating autophagy through direct interaction with autophagy proteins and/or modulation of the mTOR pathway. Although the roles of autophagy during HIV infection are multiple and vary amongst the different cell types, several lines of evidence point to a potential beneficial effect of stimulating autophagy‐mediated lysosomal degradation to potentiate the immune response to HIV. Characterization of the molecular mechanisms regulating selective autophagy is expected to be valuable for developing new drugs able to specifically enhance the anti‐HIV response.
The Guardians of Capitalism: International Consensus and the Technocratic Implementation of Austerity
Authors: Mattei Clara E.
Published: February 2017

Current debates on austerity often forget that these policies are almost a hundred years old. This article explores how the combination of austerity and technocracy acted as a powerful tool to secure the compliance of European countries with socio‐economic stabilization after the First World War. Austerity emerged as an economic, moral, and technocratic message as economic experts sought to educate restless post‐war civil society. The article analyses primary austerity documents from the international economic conferences of Brussels (1920) and Genoa (1922). In addition, I use a case study of Italy (1922–1925) to show how austerity succeeded under the first years of Fascism, when the government authorized prominent economics professors to implement the international financial codes devised at Brussels and Genoa. I also consider the scientific writings of De Stefani, Ricci, and Pantaleoni in order to examine the theoretical roots of the technocratic nature of austerity.
Has (Downturn‐)Austerity Really Been ‘Constitutionalized’ in Europe? On the Ideological Dimension of Such a Claim
Authors: Kaupa Clemens
Published: February 2017

In current debate, it is frequently argued that EU law requires or facilitates the implementation of ‘downturn‐austerity’, that is, spending cuts, wage deflation, and tax increases during an economic downturn. More specifically, this ‘thesis of the constitutionalization of downturn‐austerity in Europe’ has two dimensions: a (narrow) normative and a (broader) causal one. The former holds that downturn‐austerity is a legal obligation under EU law; the latter assumes that the European constitutional framework effects downturn‐austerity without necessarily claiming a legal obligation. I will argue that the former is incorrect, and yet shapes the hegemonic understanding of EU law. I will maintain that the normative constitutionalization thesis should be understood as an ideological communication, which aims to cloak the significant distributive effects of the crisis measures with an unwarranted aura of legal necessity, political coherence, and academic legitimacy.
The Crisis of Law and the European Crises: From the Social and Democratic Rechtsstaat to the Consolidating State of (Pseudo‐)technocratic Governance
Authors: Menéndez Agustín J.
Published: February 2017

Europe has been badly hit by several overlapping crises. This article explores how they were triggered by and, in turn, aggravated a structural crisis of European law. It spells out the concrete implications of ‘austerity’ in constitutional terms. First, the crises have led to ad hoc decisions and structural reforms honouring European constitutional norms in the breach. Secondly, the governance of the crises has facilitated the radicalization of the ongoing mutation of European constitutional law, in particular, changes to the structural and substantive constitutional law which have locked in a constitutional vision of sorts at odds with the regulatory ideal of the Social and Democratic Rechtsstaat. Thirdly, the very nature of European law, and in particular its role as the grammar of democratic law, has been endangered: European law is in the process of becoming an instrument of authoritarian governance.
Phenotypic characterization of oral mucosa: what is normal?
Authors: Valach Jaroslav , Foltán René , Vlk Marek , Szabo Pavol , Smetana Karel
Published: January 2017

Background

Knowledge of the phenotypic pattern of oral squamous epithelium is important in the histopathologic evaluation of lesions including cancer. The literature on normal epithelium is controversial as the phenotype has not been evaluated in samples from completely healthy tissue donors without a history of tobacco and alcohol exposure.

Methods

In this study, we evaluated normal upper lip fornix and gingival mucosa from carefully selected young healthy donors without a history of smoking and alcohol exposure, and keratin types 8, 10, 14, and 17, filaggrin, and Ki67 were investigated in these donors. The results were compared with profile of epithelium from leukoplakia.

Results

The results demonstrated that the phenotypic patterns of gingiva and upper lip fornix mucosa were different. Surprisingly, a high proportion of gingival samples exhibited keratin 8 and a suprabasal signal for keratin 14. These patterns were compared with that of human oral leukoplakia, and some phenotypic similarities were noted.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated oral epithelium phenotypic plasticity based on functional requirements of the microenvironment, which can be used in diagnosis.
Physical and psychological motivation tests of individual preferences in rainbow trout
Authors: Maia C. M. , Ferguson B. , Volpato G. L. , Braithwaite V. A.
Published: February 2017

Animal preference and motivation have been used to assess different kinds of environmental resources that may help improve welfare conditions. However, preference and motivation are typically tested separately, and these assays disregard the individual nature of responses. Here, in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), we evaluated individual variability of preference for different resources, and whether these fish are motivated to access such preferred options. Individual fish were allowed to sample among four different compartments. Two different tests were used, one where the compartments varied in background colour, the other where the compartments varied in what they contained. Over a series of 10 days, the fish interacted with these different options and during the trials of the last 7 days, their visitation frequency to each compartment was registered every 30 s. The data were used to calculate a preference index for each fish. Physical motivation of individual fish to access preferred and dispreferred options was then tested by quantifying the frequency of pushes the fish gave to transparent hinged doors that led to the different compartments. In a separate test, whether fish entered a preferred or a dispreferred option after crossing an aversive open and brightly lit, along area was used as a measure of psychological motivation. Trout showed a strong preference for blue backgrounds, and were both more physically and psychologically motivated to access this color. However, preference and motivation for alternative items such as shelters or conspecifics were more variable. We conclude that the physical and psychological motivation of trout depend on the resources that they are trying to access, but the fish express stronger motivation to gain access to more preferred options.
Archipelagos of the Anthropocene: rapid and extensive differentiation of native terrestrial vertebrates in a single metropolis
Authors: Littleford‐Colquhoun Bethan L. , Clemente Christofer , Whiting Martin J. , Ortiz‐Barrientos Daniel , Frère Celine H.
Published: January 2017

Some of the best evidence for rapid evolutionary change comes from studies of archipelagos and oceanic islands. City parks are analogous systems as they create geographically isolated green spaces that differ in size, structure and complexity. Very little, however, is known about whether city parks within a single urban centre drive selection and result in the diversification of native species. Here, we provide evidence for the rapid genetic and morphological differentiation of a native lizard (Intellagama lesueurii) at four geographically close yet unconnected parks within one city. Year of establishment of each city park varied from 1855 (oldest) to 2001 (youngest) equating to a generation time range of 32 to three generations. Genetic divergence among city park populations was large despite the small pairwise geographic distances (<5 km) and found to be two to three times higher for microsatellites and three to 33 times higher for mtDNA relative to nonurban populations. Patterns of morphological differentiation were also found to be most extensive among the four city park populations. In contrast to nonurban populations, city park populations showed significant differentiation in relative body size, relative head and limb morphology and relative forelimb and hindlimb length. Crucially, we show that these patterns of differentiation are unlikely to have been caused by founder events and/or drift alone. Our results suggest that city park ‘archipelagos’ could represent theatres for rapid evolution that may, in time, favour adaptive diversification.
Transcriptome dynamics over a lunar month in a broadcast spawning acroporid coral
Authors: Oldach Matthew J. , Workentine Matthew , Matz Mikhail V. , Fan Tung‐Yung , Vize Peter D.
Published: January 2017

On one night per year, at a specific point in the lunar cycle, one of the most extraordinary reproductive events on the planet unfolds as hundreds of millions of broadcast spawning corals release their trillions of gametes into the waters of the tropical seas. Each species spawns on a specific night within the lunar cycle, typically from full moon to third quarter moon, and in a specific time window after sunset. This accuracy is essential to achieve efficient fertilization in the vastness of the oceans. In this report, we use transcriptome sequencing at noon and midnight across an entire lunar cycle to explore how acroporid corals interpret lunar signals. The data were interrogated by both time‐of‐day‐dependent and time‐of‐day‐independent methods to identify different types of lunar cycles. Time‐of‐day methods found that genes associated with biological clocks and circadian processes change their diurnal cycles over the course of a synodic lunar cycle. Some genes have large differences between day and night at some lunar phases, but little or no diurnal differences at other phases. Many clock genes display an oscillation pattern indicative of phase shifts linked to the lunar cycle. Time‐independent methods found that signal transduction, protein secretion and modification, cell cycle and ion transport change over the lunar timescale and peak at various phases of the moon. Together these data provide unique insights into how the moon impinges on coral transcription cycles and how lunar light may regulate circalunar timing systems and coral biology.
A Mathematical Framework to Optimize Critical Infrastructure Resilience against Intentional Attacks
Authors: Ouyang Min , Fang Yiping
Published: February 2017

This article establishes a tri‐level decision‐making model supporting critical infrastructure (CI) resilience optimization against intentional attacks. A novel decomposition algorithm is proposed to exactly identify the best pre‐event defense strategy (protecting vulnerable components and building new lines), the worst‐case attack scenario, and the optimal postevent repair sequence of damaged components. As different types of CIs have different flow models, this article mainly considers the direct current power flow model and the maximal flow model for illustrative purposes. The proposed framework is illustrated by a simple but representative case system with nine nodes, and main results include: (1) the marginal value of extra defense investment under low defense budget is more considerable for mitigating system resilience loss, especially under large intentional attacks; (2) no defense strategy is always the best under different attack budgets; (3) increasing amount of repair resources can dramatically enhance CI resilience, but makes the pre‐event defense strategy less effective; (4) the use of maximal flow model can provide a lower bound estimation of the resilience loss from the power flow model; (5) the optimum defense strategy and the worst‐case attack identified by minimizing CI resilience loss largely differ from those by minimizing CI vulnerability, where the latter does not consider the recovery actions. Finally, the algorithm complexity is analyzed by comparing with the enumeration method and by testing two larger electric power systems.
Species diversity, antifungal susceptibility and phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of Exophiala spp. infecting patients in different medical centres in Brazil
Authors: Silva Wendy C. , Gonçalves Sarah S. , Santos Daniel W. C. L. , Padovan Ana Carolina B. , Bizerra Fernando C. , Melo Analy S. A.
Published: January 2017

The Exophiala genus is responsible for many superficial and invasive infections resulting from black fungi. Identification of Exophiala at the species level is based on morphological observations complemented by molecular tests. The aim of this study was to identify 23 clinical isolates of Exophiala spp. and evaluate the antifungal susceptibility to seven different agents. Molecular identification was based on an analysis of ITS region of rDNA using genomic databases. The micromorphology was evaluated by microculture and scanning electron microscopy. The susceptibility tests were performed using the antifungal agents 5‐fluorocytosine (5‐FC), amphotericin B (AMB), itraconazole (ITC), voriconazole (VRC), posaconazole (PSC), caspofungin (CFG) and terbinafine (TRB). The ITS analysis identified 100% of the following isolates as: E. dermatitidis (8), E. xenobiotica (6), E. bergeri (4), E. oligosperma (3), E. spinifera (1) and E. mesophila (1). The antifungal susceptibility tests showed that the triazoles compounds were in vitro the most active agents against Exophiala. ITS sequencing enabled the accurate identification of the 23 tested isolates. The triazoles, particularly itraconazole and posaconazole, exhibited MIC values lower than AMB, CAS and 5‐FC. Although the guidelines do not indicate AMB for treatment against Exophiala spp., this study showed activity for all of the tested species, except E. mesophila.
Epidemiological investigation of Candida species causing bloodstream infection in paediatric small bowel transplant recipients
Authors: Suhr Mallory J. , Gomes‐Neto João Carlos , Banjara Nabaraj , Florescu Diana F. , Mercer David F. , Iwen Peter C. , Hallen‐Adams Heather E.
Published: January 2017

Small bowel transplantation (SBT) can be a life‐saving medical procedure. However, these recipients experience high risk of bloodstream infections caused by Candida. This research aims to characterise the SBT recipient gut microbiota over time following transplantation and investigate the epidemiology of candidaemia in seven paediatric patients. Candida species from the recipients' ileum and bloodstream were identified by internal transcribed spacer sequence and distinguished to strain by multilocus sequence typing and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA. Antifungal susceptibility of bloodstream isolates was determined against nine antifungals. Twenty‐two ileostomy samples harboured at least one Candida species. Fungaemia were caused by Candida parapsilosis, Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, Candida orthopsilosis and Candida pelliculosa. All but three bloodstream isolates showed susceptibility to all the antifungals tested. One C. glabrata isolate showed multidrug resistance to itraconazole, amphotericin B and posaconazole and intermediate resistance to caspofungin. Results are congruent with both endogenous (C. albicans, C. glabrata) and exogenous (C. parapsilosis) infections; results also suggest two patients were infected by the same strain of C. parapsilosis. Continuing to work towards a better understanding of sources of infection—particularly the exogenous sources—would lead to targeted prevention strategies.
Phenotypical characterization of peanut allergic children with differences in cross‐allergy to tree nuts and other legumes
Authors: Cousin Mathias , Verdun Stéphane , Seynave Maxime , Vilain Anne‐Christine , Lansiaux Amélie , Decoster Anne , Sauvage Christine
Published: January 2017

Background

Peanut allergy in children is often associated with allergies to tree nuts and/or legumes. The aim of this study was to analyze in cluster a cohort of children allergic to peanuts and assessed for cross‐reactivity to nuts and legumes and to identify different phenotypes.

Methods

We included retrospectively 317 children with peanut allergy evaluated at the Allergy Unit of the Saint Vincent Hospital of Lille in the last 12 years. A complete workup for peanut allergy and nuts and legumes was carried out for each patient. A hierarchical agglomerative clustering method was used to search for clusters of individuals in the evaluated cohort.

Results

Cross‐allergy to TN and/or other legumes was identified in 137 patients (43.2%), atopic dermatitis being a major risk factor (adjusted OR = 16 [95% CI: 7.4–37]; p < 0.001). Three phenotypes emerged from cluster analysis. Cluster 1 (72 patients) is characterized by high level of rAra h 2, low threshold reactive doses for peanut and high proportion of asthma; Cluster 2 (93 patients) is characterized by high threshold reactive doses for peanut and the lowest proportion of cross‐allergy to TN and/or legumes; Cluster 3 (152 patients) has a high risk of cross‐allergy to TN and/or legumes and most patients suffer from eczema.

Conclusions

The three phenotypes highlighted by this study could be useful to identify children with high risk of cross‐allergic reaction to TNs and legumes early after PA diagnosis.
Sex pheromone titre in the glands of Spodoptera litura females: circadian rhythm and the effects of age and mating
Authors: Lu Qin , Huang Ling‐Yan , Liu Fang‐Tao , Wang Xia‐Fei , Chen Peng , Xu Jin , Deng Jian‐Yu , Ye Hui
Published: January 2017

The present study investigates the effects of age and mating status on the circadian variations of gland sex pheromone titre in female Spodoptera litura Fabricius. Similar to other nocturnal moths, S. litura females exhibit circadian variations of gland sex pheromone contents, with higher levels during scotophase and lower levels during photophase. The sex pheromone titre in the glands peaks during the first scotophase after eclosion and sharply declines afterwards. Higher pheromone contents during scotophase may facilitate female reproductive activities, and the negative relationship between pheromone titre and female calling is likely the result of pheromone release during female calling. Interestingly, the present study demonstrates that mated S. litura females have significantly higher sex pheromone titre in their pheromone glands (PGs) than virgin females. This finding contrasts with all previous studies of other insect species, in which mating generally reduces the sex pheromone titre in female PGs. In S. litura, mating and male accessory gland fluids can suppress female calling behaviours and re‐matings. These results suggest that the suppression of female calling behaviours by mating and male accessory gland fluids may significantly reduce the release of sex pheromones and thus result in higher sex pheromone titre in the PGs of mated females.
Protective effects of Polypodium leucotomos extract against UVB‐induced damage in a model of reconstructed human epidermis
Authors: Torricelli Paola , Fini Milena , Fanti Pier Alessandro , Dika Emi , Milani Massimo
Published: January 2017

Background

Polypodium leucotomos (PL) exerts potent antioxidant, photo‐protective, and immune‐modulatory activities. A reconstructed human epidermis (RHE) (Episkin) is a suitable model for the evaluation of acute UV‐induced cell damage. No data regarding the photo‐protective action of PL in this model are available.

Purpose

We evaluated the effects of PL on the prevention of UVB‐induced cell damage assessing sunburn cells, CPD formation, p53, Ki‐67, p21 expression, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) production.

Materials & Methods

RHE was incubated in standard conditions. PL was topically applied at the concentration of 2 mg/cm2, immediately before UVB exposition. UVB exposition (300 mJ/cm2) was performed using a dedicated UVB lamp. Irradiated samples without PL and non‐irradiated samples were used as positive and negative controls. Expression of p53, p21, and Ki‐67 was evaluated with immune‐histochemical methods. CPD were measured using a monoclonal antibody.

Results

PL significantly reduced sunburned cells (−80%) in comparison with positive control. PL significantly prevented the increase in EGF production at tested times. PL significantly reduced the p53 (−80%), p21 (−84%), and Ki‐67 (−48%) positive cells. Finally, PL prevented the formation of CPD (0% vs. 20% positive cells).

Conclusion

In this model, PL has shown to prevent UVB cell damage, the upregulation of proliferating proteins, and fully blocking the formation of CPD.
The Relationship Between Nonsuicidal Self‐Injury Age of Onset and Severity of Self‐Harm
Authors: Ammerman Brooke A. , Jacobucci Ross , Kleiman Evan M. , Uyeji Lauren L. , McCloskey Michael S.
Published: February 2017

This study examined how age of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) onset relates to NSSI severity and suicidality using decision tree analyses (nonparametric regression models that recursively partition predictor variables to create groupings). Those with an earlier age of NSSI onset reported greater NSSI frequency, NSSI methods, and NSSI‐related hospital visits. No significant splits were found for suicide ideation or attempts, although those with an earlier onset were more likely to have a suicide plan. Overall, findings suggest that onset of NSSI before age 12 is associated with more severe NSSI and may be a crucial age for prevention efforts.
IMAGING DIAGNOSIS — RADIOGRAPHY, ULTRASONOGRAPHY, AND COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY OF A GIANT FECALOMA CAUSING STERCORAL PERFORATION OF THE COLON IN A DOG WITH A PROSTATIC ABSCESS
Authors: Kim Jaehwan , Yoon Hakyoung , Eom Kidong
Published: February 2017

A mixed‐breed dog presented with tenesmus, hematochezia, and abdominal distension of 2 weeks duration. Radiography showed a large round mass with a “soap‐bubble” appearance and shell‐like mineralization in the caudal abdomen. Computed tomography revealed a lamellate mineralized mass 8 cm in diameter and containing air in the descending colon and prostatic abscess. Heterogeneously contrast‐enhanced, irregularly thickened colonic wall with intramural and peritoneal free gas indicated stercoral colonic perforation. Surgical intervention revealed a tumor‐like giant fecaloma in the descending colon adjoining the prostate with extensive wall rupture and fecal peritonitis. Hypothetically, prostatic inflammation may affect colonic motility with resultant fecaloma formation.
SOLUTION-DIFFUSION MODEL FOR A SMALL SCALE REVERSE OSMOSIS SYSTEM
Authors: Hasmadi Nur Syazwana , Jullok Nora , Mat Razi Al Nazifah , Harif Fadzilah M. Hanif
Published: January 2017

Reverse osmosis (RO) often used for desalination, in producing the ultrapure water for electronics, pharmaceuticals and power generation industries and also it was used in small niche process such as food processing and pollution control. Analysis of membrane performance required multiple of experimental run. Experimental work can be time consuming and costly. Hence, this work aims to model a small scale RO system by using a solution-diffusion model to minimize the experimental work. The model was verified by comparing the data obtained from the model and experimental data. Other studies, which include, the influence of solute feed concentration on the RO system was also been investigated. A commercial RO Trisep flat sheet membrane  was used. The solute permeate concentrations, solvent permeate flux, final solute feed concentrations and rejection rate of sodium chloride (NaCl) was analyzed to observe the membrane performance. Result shows that some experimental data has almost similar trend with the simulated data. Both solute feed concentration and rejection rate of NaCl over time show almost similar trends with percentage errors are 8.89% and 0.76% respectively. As solute feed concentration increased, the solute permeate concentration increased. In contrast to the solute permeate concentration, when the solute feed increases the solvent permeate flux decreases and rejection rate will also decrease.
PVDF-CLOISITE HOLLOW FIBER MEMBRANE FOR CO2 ABSORPTION VIA MEMBRANE CONTACTOR
Authors: Ahmad Rudaini Izzati , Naim Rosmawati , Abdullah Sureena , Mohd Mokhtar Nadzirah , Jaafar Juhana
Published: January 2017

The effect of cloisite concentrations on CO2 absorption via polyvinylidene fluoride-cloisite hollow fiber in membrane contactor system was investigated. PVDF polymer was modified by introducing different compositions of cloisite clay (S1: 0%, S2:1 wt%, S3: 3 wt% and S4: 5 wt%) into the polymer solution. The hollow fiber membranes were examined via liquid entry pressure (LEPw), contact angle and scanning electron microscope (SEM). CO2 absorption test was conducted at different liquid absorbent flow rates of 1M MEA. S4 gives highest Liquid entry pressure value and S3 obtained highest contact angle value at around 87.21º. Different concentrations of cloisite exhibited various finger-like structure with sponge-like morphology on the membrane lumen side. Meanwhile, the highest CO2 absorption flux of 3.41×10-2 mol/m2.s at flowrate of 200 ml/min was obtained for membrane S4. Long term performance for membrane S4 up to 55 hours of CO2 absorption showed increasing absorption trend up to 6.78 ×10-2 mol/m2.s of CO2 fluxes.
INVESTIGATION ON THE EFFECT OF SINTERING TEMPERATURE ON KAOLIN HOLLOW FIBRE MEMBRANE FOR WATER APPLICATION
Authors: Mohtor Nur Hamizah , Othman Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan , Ismail A. F. , A. Rahman Mukhlis , Jaafar Juhana , Abdulhameed Mohammed Abdulmunem
Published: January 2017

Ceramic membrane has the ability to surpass the utilisation of polymeric membrane in the application that requiring high temperature and pressure condition, as well as harsh chemical environment. Due to the high cost of ceramic membrane, various attempts have been made to use low cost ceramic materials as alternatives to well-known expensive metal oxides. In this work, local Malaysian kaolin has been chosen as ceramic material since it is inexpensive and easily available in Malaysia for the preparation of low cost hollow fibre ceramic membrane. The aim of this work is to study the effect of sintering temperature on the morphology, properties, and performance of kaolin hollow fibre membrane by sintering the prepared precursor at different target temperatures ranging from 1300°C to 1500 °C. The experimental results demonstrated that the kaolin membrane sintered at 1400 °C has influenced the formation of sufficient dense sponge-like structure of skin layer, resulting in good water flux of 74 L/h.m2.
PREPARATION AND STRUCTURAL CHARACTERIZATION OF BINARY CATALYST FOR DYE WASTEWATER
Authors: Rajis Zanariah , Mohd Norddin Mohammad Noorul Anam , Mustafa Azeman , Ismail Ahmad Fauzi
Published: January 2017

Synthetic dyes used in most industries have persistence chemical compounds which cannot be degraded by conventional method. To overcome this problem, researchers utilize photocatalytic oxidation and TiO2 has become favourite photocatalyst. However, TiO2 has wide band gap and needs modification. One of the modifications is binary catalyst which found to be more effective as it commonly binds another photocatalyst that is readily exist in visible region to TiO2. Over the past 5 years Ag2O has been a chosen catalyst due to its low band gap. However, Ag2O often experiences self-aggregation. Thus, the optimum doping ratio of TiO2/Ag2O was determine by physical blend of TiO2 and Ag2O into 2 ratios, which were 1% Ag2O and 5% Ag2O. TiO2 was synthesized using sol gel method and Ag2O was synthesized using co-percipitation method. Both catalysts were blended physically and characterized using FESEM-EDX and XRD analysis. EDX mapping analysis showed TiO2/ Ag2O -5% exhibit better distribution of Ag2O. In addition, XRD analysis shows TiO2/ Ag2O -5% has more intense Ag2O peaks compare to TiO2/ Ag2O -1%. Based on the characterization results, TiO2/ Ag2O-5% showed promising ratio loading for dye wastewater photocatalytic degradation.
Empowering to Improve Submission of Claim Process in Local Shipyard, in Malaysia
Authors: Ismail Azman , Osman Nor Hasni
Published: January 2017

This paper study about struggle faces by subcontractor in submitting their work claim due to tedious processes of verification and compilation supporting document for payment process. In order to resolve this problem, the qualitative action research study method was conducted in the shipyard to propose the best solution to overcome this issue. Subcontractor need to play active roles in getting their documentation ready while Shipyard must ensure the claim is valid for payment. Empowerment as one of Business Process Reengineering(BPR) enabler together with IT-based system being chose to overcome this issue while Action Research(AR) as a method being deploy to engage the subcontractor and shipyard staff intervention to come out with more effective solution for this problem.
Potential Of Best Management Practices (Bmps) Projects For Effective Integrated Water Resource Management
Authors: Sukereman Anis Syazwani , Suratman Robiah
Published: January 2017

Nowadays, water pollution was viewed as a crucial issue and if not properly managed, it can threaten human health along with environment. Being so, various efforts have been taken by the government of Malaysia to ensure the Integrated Water Resource Management can be effectively implemented. In supporting the effective implementation of this approach, a Best Management Practices (BMPs) projects were carried out. Unfortunately, the implementation of these projects still remains in doubt and was unfamiliar by many parties. Therefore, this paper examined the outcome of BMPs Projects in the perspective of river water quality in Malaysia. By using content analysis technique towards 12 year period of data from the Malaysia Environmental Quality Report, starting from year 2002 to the year 2014, four projects were selected in order to identify is there any difference, especially on the river water quality status before and after BMPs Project have been carried out. The result of the studies revealed that, the BMPs projects have a potential in improving water quality status and there is a need to actively promote this project to the various stakeholders involved so that it can minimize Integrated Water Resource Management issues as well as enhancing the implementation.
Mitigating Gibbs Phenomena in Uncertainty Quantification With a Stochastic Spectral Method
Authors: Tagade Piyush M. , Choi Han-Lim
Published: February 2017

The use of spectral projection-based methods for simulation of a stochastic system with discontinuous solution exhibits the Gibbs phenomenon, which is characterized by oscillations near discontinuities. This paper investigates a dynamic bi-orthogonality-based approach with appropriate postprocessing for mitigating the effects of the Gibbs phenomenon. The proposed approach uses spectral decomposition of the spatial and stochastic fields in appropriate orthogonal bases, while the dynamic orthogonality (DO) condition is used to derive the resultant closed-form evolution equations. The orthogonal decomposition of the spatial field is exploited to propose a Gegenbauer reprojection-based postprocessing approach, where the orthogonal bases in spatial dimension are reprojected on the Gegenbauer polynomials in the domain of analyticity. The resultant spectral expansion in Gegenbauer series is shown to mitigate the Gibbs phenomenon. Efficacy of the proposed method is demonstrated for simulation of a one-dimensional stochastic Burgers equation and stochastic quasi-one-dimensional flow through a convergent-divergent nozzle.
Development of Advanced Thermal Barrier Coatings With Improved Temperature Capability
Authors: Witz Gregoire , Schaudinn Markus , Sopka Joerg , Buecklers Tobias
Published: February 2017

Continuously increasing hot gas temperatures in heavy duty gas turbines lead to increased thermal loadings of the hot gas path materials. Thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) are used to reduce the superalloys temperature and cooling air needs. Until now 6–8 wt. % yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) is the first choice material for such coatings, but it is slowly reaching its maximum temperature capability due to the phase transformation at high temperature and sintering. New thermal barrier coating material with increased temperature capability enables the next generation of gas turbine with >60% combined cycle efficiency. Such material solutions have been developed through a multistage selection process. In a first step, critical material performance requirements for thermal barrier coating performance have been defined based on the understanding of standard TBC degradation mechanisms. Based on these requirements, more than 30 materials were a preselected and evaluated as potential coating materials. After carefully reviewing their properties both from literature data and laboratory test results on raw materials, five materials were selected for coating manufacturing and laboratory testing. Based on the coating manufacturing trials and laboratory test results, two materials have been selected for engine testing, in a first step in GT26 Birr Test Power Plant and afterward in customer engines. For such tests, the original coating thickness has been increased such to achieve coating surface temperature ∼100 K higher than with a standard thermal barrier coating. Both coatings performed as predicted in both GT26 Birr Test Power Plant and customer engines.
A Systems Engineering Approach to Harnessing Human Energy in Public Places: A Feasibility Study
Authors: Jafek Alex , Salmon John L.
Published: February 2017

This study analyzes the feasibility of placing modified exercise equipment in public places to enable human energy harnessing. By assessing the impacts as a system-level synthesis of economic, environmental, productivity, and health benefits, it is shown that introducing human-powered equipment (HPE) in public places would be feasible and beneficial both to society in general and to the specific stakeholders investing in this technology. This study develops a framework to evaluate applications of this technology using benefits to costs analyses. The benefits and challenges for successful implementation of HPE technology are also presented and evaluated in various case studies involving public places at airports and schools.
Time-Resolved Experimental Characterization of the Wakes Shed by H-Shaped and Troposkien Vertical Axis Wind Turbines
Authors: Persico Giacomo , Dossena Vincenzo , Paradiso Berardo , Battisti Lorenzo , Brighenti Alessandra , Benini Enrico
Published: February 2017

In this paper, the aerodynamics of two vertical axis wind turbines (VAWTs) are discussed, on the basis of a wide set of experiments performed at Politecnico di Milano, Milan, Italy. A H-shaped and a Troposkien Darrieus turbine for microgeneration, featuring the same swept area and blade section, are tested at full-scale. Performance measurements show that the Troposkien rotor outperforms the H-shaped turbine, thanks to the larger midspan section of the Troposkien rotor and to the nonaerodynamic struts of the H-shaped rotor. These features are consistent with the character of the wakes shed by the turbines, measured by means of hot wire anemometry on several surfaces downstream of the models. The H-shape and Troposkien turbine wakes exhibit relevant differences in the three-dimensional morphology and unsteady evolution. In particular, large-scale vortices dominate the tip region of the wake shed by the H-shape turbine; these vortices pulsate significantly during the period, due to the periodic fluctuation of the blade aerodynamic loading. Conversely, the highly tapered shape of the Troposkien rotor not only prevents the onset of tip vortices, but also induces a dramatic spanwise reduction of tip speed ratio (TSR), promoting the onset of local dynamic stall marked by high periodic and turbulent unsteadiness in the tip region of the wake. The way in which these mechanisms affect the wake evolution and mixing process for the two classes of turbines is investigated for different tip speed ratios, highlighting some relevant implications in the framework of wind energy exploitation.
The structurally disordered paramyxovirus nucleocapsid protein tail domain is a regulator of the mRNA transcription gradient
Authors: Cox Robert M. , Krumm Stefanie A. , Thakkar Vidhi D. , Sohn Maximilian , Plemper Richard K.
Published: February 2017

This study identifies and characterizes a novel regulatory mechanism involved in controlling measles virus gene expression.
Past changes in the North Atlantic storm track driven by insolation and sea-ice forcing
Authors: Orme Lisa C. , Charman Daniel J. , Reinhardt Liam , Jones Richard T. , Mitchell Fraser J. G. , Stefanini Bettina S. , Barkwith Andrew , Ellis Michael A. , Grosvenor Mark
Published: February 2017

Changes in the location of Northern Hemisphere storm tracks may cause significant societal and economic impacts under future climate change, but projections of future changes are highly uncertain and drivers of long-term changes are poorly understood. Here we develop a late Holocene storminess reconstruction from northwest Spain and combine this with an equivalent record from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, to measure changes in the dominant latitudinal position of the storm track. The north-south index shows that storm tracks moved from a southern position to higher latitudes over the past 4000 yr, likely driven by a change from meridional to zonal atmospheric circulation, associated with a negative to positive North Atlantic Oscillation shift. We suggest that gradual polar cooling (caused by decreasing solar insolation in summer and amplified by sea-ice feedbacks) and mid-latitude warming (caused by increasing winter insolation) drove a steepening of the winter latitudinal temperature gradient through the late Holocene, resulting in the observed change to a more northern winter storm track. Our findings provide paleoclimate support for observational and modeling studies that link changes in the latitudinal temperature gradient and sea-ice extent to the strength and shape of the circumpolar vortex. Together this evidence now suggests that North Atlantic winter storm tracks may shift southward under future warming as sea-ice extent decreases and the mid- to high-latitude temperature gradient decreases, with storms increasingly affecting southern Europe.
Events, episodes, and phases: Signal from noise in flood-sediment archives
Authors: Toonen Willem H.J. , Foulds Simon A. , Macklin Mark G. , Lewin John
Published: February 2017

Major floods have increased in frequency in many parts of the world, and this is often attributed to anthropogenic climate change. Because of the short length of most gauged records (∼50 yr), it is unclear whether these events represent a short-term anomaly or a shift to a prolonged flood-rich period. In this paper, we use event-scale paleoflood records from upland and lowland floodplains to demonstrate the relationship between individual flood events, clusters of events in multiyear episodes, and multidecadal- to centennial-scale flood-rich phases. Catchment- and regional-scale data show that individual events and episodes generally fall within extended flood-rich phases controlled by climate. Furthermore, contrary to recent suggestions that environmental signals may be rendered incomplete in fluvial systems by autogenic processes, from a multidecadal (and longer) perspective it is clear that floodplain environments can register and preserve a useful multiscale hydromorphic signal of climate change.
Vascular flow density in pathological myopia: an optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Mo Jing , Duan Anli , Chan Szyyann , Wang Xuefei , Wei Wenbin
Published: February 2017

Objectives

To investigate vascular flow density in pathological myopia with optical coherence tomography (OCT) angiography.

Design

A prospective comparative study was conducted from December 2015 to March 2016.

Setting

Participants were recruited in Beijing Tongren Hospital.

Participants

A total of 131 eyes were enrolled, which were divided into three groups: 45 eyes with emmetropia (EM; mean spherical equivalent (MSE) 0.50D to −0.50D), 41 eyes with high myopia (HM; MSE ≤−6.00D, without pathological changes), and 45 eyes with pathological myopia (PM; MSE ≤−6.00D and axial length (AL) ≥26.5 mm, and with pathological changes).

Main outcome measures

Macular, choriocapillaris and radial peripapillary capillary (RPC) flow densities were measured and compared between groups, and their relationships with AL and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were analysed.

Results

Significant differences were found in macular, choriocapillaris and RPC flow densities among the three groups (p<0.05). Multiple comparisons revealed that, compared with the EM and HM groups, macular and RPC flow densities of the PM group were significantly decreased (p<0.05), but no significant difference in choriocapillaris flow density was found between the PM and HM groups (p=0.731). Compared with the EM group, retinal flow density in the macular and arcuate fibre region was not decreased in the HM group. In addition, there was a negative correlation between AL and superficial macular flow density (β=−0.542, p<0.001), deep macular flow density (β=−0.282, p=0.002) and RPC flow density (β=−0.522, p<0.001); and a positive correlation between BCVA and superficial macular flow density (β=0.194, p=0.021), deep macular flow density (β=0.373, p<0.001), and choriocapillaris flow density (β=0.291, p=0.001).

Conclusions

Macular and RPC flow densities decreased in pathological myopia compared with high myopia and emmetropia. No significant decrease of retinal flow density in the macular and arcuate fibre region was found in high myopic eyes compared with emmetropic eyes. Moreover, macular and RPC flow densities were negatively related to AL, and macular flow density was positively related to BCVA.