bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anaerobic biodegradability of dairy wastewater pretreated with porcine pancreas lipase
Authors: Mendes Adriano Aguiar , Pereira Ernandes Benedito , Furigo Jr. Agenor , Castro Heizir Ferreira de
Published: February 2011

Lipids-rich wastewater was partial hydrolyzed with porcine pancreas lipase and the efficiency of the enzymatic pretreatment was verified by the comparative biodegradability tests (crude and treated wastewater). Alternatively, simultaneous run was carried out in which hydrolysis and digestion was performed in the same reactor. Wastewater from dairy industries and low cost lipase preparation at two concentrations (0.05 and 0.5% w.v-1) were used. All the samples pretreated with enzyme showed a positive effect on organic matter removal (Chemical Oxygen Demand-COD) and formation of methane. The best results were obtained when hydrolysis and biodegradation were performed simultaneously, attaining high COD and color removal independent of the lipase concentration. The enzymatic treatment considerably improved the anaerobic operational conditions and the effluent quality (lower content of suspended solids and less turbidity). Thus, the use of enzymes such as lipase seemed to be a very promising alternative for treating the wastewaters having high fat and grease contents, such as those from the dairy industry.
Chitosanase production by Paenibacillus ehimensis and its application for chitosan hydrolysis
Authors: Pagnoncelli Maria Giovana Binder , Araújo Nathália Kelly de , Silva Nayane Macêdo Portela da , Assis Cristiane Fernandes de , Rodrigues Sueli , Macedo Gorete Ribeiro de
Published: February 2011

The chitosanase production by Paenibacillus ehimensis was studied in submerged cultures and the chitosan hydrolysis was evaluated by using these enzymes without purification. The bacterium produced inducibles enzymes after 12 h of growth in a culture medium containing 0.2% (w/v) of soluble chitosan as carbon source. The enzyme production was strongly repressed by the presence of glucose. The production started as soon as the available sugars finished in the culture medium. The maximum level of chitosanase activity was 500 U.L-1 at 36°C after 36 h incubation. The crude enzyme was optimally active at pH 6.0 and 55°C and in these conditions, the enzyme presented good stability (6 days). The enzyme without purification was used to hydrolyze the chitosan which resulted chitooligosaccharides between 20 and 30 min of reaction.
Multidisciplinary Approach for Esthetic, Functional, and Quality-of-Life Outcome in Soft Palate Cleft Patient
Authors: Akin Hakan , Coskun Mehmet Emre , Akin Emine Gulsah , Ozdemir Ali Kemal
Published: February 2011

The fabrication of a Suersen obturator prosthesis with titanium framework is described in the case of a 43-year-old man with congenital absence of the soft palate. The patient revealed an open soft palate, bilateral cleft lip and palate, Angle Class III dental malocclusion, and anterior and posterior crossbite. He was treated with a multidisciplinary approach. A Dolder bar was fabricated between the maxillary canines, and telescopic crowns were prepared for maxillary premolars. Angle Class III tooth relation was readjusted to tooth-tooth relation; closure of the nasopharynx and oropharynx was performed by Suersen method, which improves speech.
Effect of short, randomly distributed polypropylene microfibres on shear strength behaviour of soils
Authors: Falorca I.M.C.F.G. , Pinto M.I.M.
Published: February 2011

ABSTRACT: An experimental programme was carried out on the shear strength behaviour of sandy and clayey soils reinforced with short, randomly distributed, polypropylene (PP) microfibres. The influence of fibre texture, fibre content, fibre length and normal stress level was investigated by means of direct shear tests. The best procedure to mix the soil with the fibres in order to achieve homogeneous and isotropic samples is described. This study shows that fibres increase the shear strength and significantly modify the shear stress displacement behaviour of the tested soils. Shear strength increases with increase in fibre content, fibre length and displacement. No appreciable advantage is achieved by using crimped (texturised) fibres as far as shear strength is concerned. Furthermore, mixture is achieved with greater difficulty when compared with straight fibres. There is an increase in both the apparent cohesion and the angle of shearing resistance of soils, owing to the short PP microfibres. The fibre contribution is especially significant for low normal stress levels. Despite the occurrence of some fibre damage, damaged fibres are still suitable for reinforcement.
Towards a dimensionless description of soil swelling behaviour
Authors: BUZZI O. , GIACOMINI A. , FITYUS S.
Published: February 2011

Soil swelling is a complex phenomenon resulting from adsorption of water onto the surface of clay platelets. It is influenced by procedural, environmental and structural factors. In particular, the initial hydration state of a soil (expressed in terms of saturation degree, water content or suction), its initial level of compaction (expressed in terms of void ratio or dry unit weight) and the level of confinement are among the influencing parameters most studied. Characterising the swelling potential of a soil in the laboratory is an extensive task and tools for prediction are somehow limited. This paper presents the first attempt to use dimensional analysis to predict the amount of soil swelling. This approach makes use of the Buckingham pi theorem to reduce an equation describing a physical phenomenon into an equation involving a reduced number of parameters, which are dimensionless. One of these numbers, called DSPw, was specifically derived and validated using datasets from the literature. These data were obtained from monotonic one-dimensional swelling tests until full saturation. The results suggest that dimensional analysis and the resulting dimensionless model can be used to predict soil swelling with relatively good accuracy.
Hydraulic conductivity and compressibility of mixtures of Nagoya clay with sand or bentonite
Authors: WATABE Y. , YAMADA K. , SAITOH K.
Published: February 2011

In this study, a series of incremental loading oedometer tests and microscopic observations is carried out in order to investigate the influence of sand/bentonite fractions on hydraulic conductivity and compressibility. If sand particles do not form a skeletal structure, and each particle is independent in the clay matrix, an additive fraction of sand causes a decrease in the compressibility; however, it does not affect the hydraulic conductivity under the same consolidation pressure. The additive fraction of bentonite contributes to a decrease in the hydraulic conductivity, even for clayey materials. In addition, the relationship between the pore-size parameter, which represents the pore entrance size distribution, and the hydraulic conductivity is discussed using a probabilistic model known as the general capillary model.
Additive effects of aboveground polyphagous herbivores and soil feedback in native and range‐expanding exotic plants
Authors: Morriën Elly , Engelkes Tim , van der Putten Wim H.
Published: February 2011

Plant biomass and plant abundance can be controlled by aboveground and belowground natural enemies. However, little is known about how the aboveground and belowground enemy effects may add up. We exposed 15 plant species to aboveground polyphagous insect herbivores and feedback effects from the soil community alone, as well as in combination. We envisaged three possibilities: additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects of the aboveground and belowground enemies on plant biomass. In our analysis, we included native and phylogenetically related range‐expanding exotic plant species, because exotic plants on average are less sensitive to aboveground herbivores and soil feedback than related natives. Thus, we examined if lower sensitivity of exotic plant species to enemies also alters aboveground‐belowground interactions. In a greenhouse experiment, we exposed six exotic and nine native plant species to feedback from their own soil communities, aboveground herbivory by polyphagous insects, or a combination of soil feedback and aboveground insects and compared shoot and root biomass to control plants without aboveground and belowground enemies. We observed that for both native and range‐expanding exotic plant species effects of insect herbivory aboveground and soil feedback added up linearly, instead of enforcing or counteracting each other. However, there was no correlation between the strength of aboveground herbivory and soil feedback. We conclude that effects of polyphagous aboveground herbivorous insects and soil feedback add up both in the case of native and related range‐expanding exotic plant species, but that aboveground herbivory effects may not necessarily predict the strengths of soil feedback effects.
Stability, Accuracy, and Efficiency of Sequential Methods for Coupled Flow and Geomechanics
Authors: Kim J.. , Tchelepi H.A.. A. , Juanes R..
Published: February 2011

We perform detailed stability and convergence analyses of sequential-implicit solution methods for coupled fluid flow and reservoir geomechanics. We analyze four different sequential-implicit solution strategies, where each subproblem (flow and mechanics) is solved implicitly: two schemes in which the mechanical problem is solved first—namely, the drained and undrained splits—and two schemes in which the flow problem is solved first—namely, the fixed-strain and fixed-stress splits. The von Neumann method is used to obtain the linear-stability criteria of the four sequential schemes, and numerical simulations are used to test the validity and sharpness of these criteria for representative problems. The analysis indicates that the drained and fixed-strain splits, which are commonly used, are conditionally stable and that the stability limits depend only on the strength of coupling between flow and mechanics and are independent of the timestep size. Therefore, the drained and fixed-strain schemes cannot be used when the coupling between flow and mechanics is strong. Moreover, numerical solutions obtained using the drained and fixed-strain sequential schemes suffer from oscillations, even when the stability limit is honored. For problems where the deformation may be plastic (nonlinear) in nature, the drained and fixed-strain sequential schemes become unstable when the system enters the plastic regime. On the other hand, the undrained and fixed-stress sequential schemes are unconditionally stable regardless of the coupling strength, and they do not suffer from oscillations. While both the undrained and fixed-stress schemes are unconditionally stable, for the cases investigated we found that the fixed-stress split converges more rapidly than the undrained split. On the basis of these findings, we strongly recommend the fixed-stress sequential-implicit method for modeling coupled flow and geomechanics in reservoirs.
A Risk-Adjusted Method for Determining OCS Lease Abandonment Liability in the Gulf of Mexico for BOEMRE Supplemental Bonding
Authors: Kaiser Mark J. , Kruse Bernard J.
Published: February 2011

In recent years, because of widespread hurricane destruction in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) and unprecedented losses to the offshore industry, concern has been raised by the federal government that small operators may have difficulty in completing their decommissioning requirements. Hurricane-destroyed infrastructure is significantly more expensive to decommission than normal operations, and small operators are at risk to financial liability and potential bankruptcy. If a company goes bankrupt and there are no capable working-interest owners or previous leaseholders, the financial liability may fall upon the US government. To ensure that the government is adequately protected from incurring costs associated with offshore-lease abandonment, Minerals Management Service (MMS), recently renamed the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE), requires operators to post a supplemental bond if at least one working-interest owner on a lease does not satisfy a minimum financial capacity. A supplemental-bonding formula was developed by MMS in the early 1990s that is based upon the estimated cost of decommissioning. In recognition of the long period of time since the supplemental-bonding formula was developed, an updated risk-adjusted bonding mechanism is presented in this paper. Our purpose is to update the 1990-legacy formula and present risk-adjusted alternatives to incorporate the uncertainty inherent in the implementation of formula mechanisms. The philosophy of making rational tradeoffs between cost and risks is common throughout the offshore industry, and this paper describes the selection of bonding levels that balance the need of the government to minimize its decommissioning exposure at an acceptable level of risk.
A Novel Application of Closed-Fracture Acidizing
Authors: Pournik M.. , Mahmoud M.. , Nasr-El-Din H.A.. A.
Published: February 2011

The success of acid fracturing depends on the conductivity created and retained under closure stress in addition to the length of conductive fracture. The majority of acid-fracturing treatments show a sharp decline in conductivity with increasing closure stress, with almost no significant conductivity after a short production time. As a result, many wells are refractured to restore them to the original productivity after the initial fracture. However, the success of these refracture treatments has been diverse with respect to extent of stimulation.

A new approach to overcome productivity decline of acid-fractured wells is to perform closed-fracture acidizing (CFA) at the appropriate time in the life of the well to keep fractures conductive. An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of CFA on already-acid-fractured cores exposed to a certain level of closure stress. Indiana limestone cores were acidized with a typical acid system of 15 wt% hydrochloric acid (HCl) viscosified with a polymer under typical field conditions. After the first acidizing process, conductivity measurements were conducted on acid-etched core faces up to a certain closure stress. While the fracture was kept under the closure stress, a CFA treatment was conducted under the same conditions as the initial acidizing. The re-etched fractures were once again placed under different levels of closure stress, and conductivity measurements were taken at each stress. Experiments were conducted under different conditions of leakoff, polymer concentration, and closure stress after the first acidizing in order to determine the influence of these parameters on the refracturing conductivity.

In all cases, CFA enhanced fracture-face etching, while it significantly increased fracture conductivity under closure stress. However, leakoff, polymer concentration, and closure stress did influence the degree of success of CFA. Leakoff allowance and lower polymer concentration resulted in the most enhanced fracture conductivity in comparison to the initial acid-fracturing process.
Integrating Learning Curves in Probabilistic Well-Construction Estimates
Authors: Jablonowski C.. , Ettehad A.. , Ogunyomi B.. , Srour I..
Published: February 2011

For multiple-well drilling and completion campaigns, cost and schedule performance tend to improve over time. This trend in improvement is commonly referred to as a "learning curve." When a learning curve is anticipated, the campaign cost and schedule estimates may be reduced dramatically relative to an assumption of constant performance. That is, ignoring the learning curve will lead to overly pessimistic estimates. While learning curves can be observed in campaigns of various lengths and complexity, they are typically most important in large campaigns where the majority of wells are drilled after a significant portion of the learning has occurred. Conversely, they may not be appropriate in short campaigns where there is a limited time to implement learnings, or in campaigns with highly idiosyncratic wells where learning does not necessarily translate across projects.

Many operators consider the use of learning curves a best practice and provide procedures for estimation and implementation in their cost-estimating guidelines. In cases where comparison projects exist, estimating a learning curve for a prospective project can be achieved with some certainty. This form of deterministic learning is a well-established topic in the drilling-engineering literature and in practice. However, in cases where the sample of comparison projects is small, there may be significant uncertainty in the rate and magnitude of learning over time, and some form of probabilistic learning is more appropriate. This form of learning is not well established in the literature or in practice.

This paper investigates methods for systematic integration of learning curves in probabilistic estimates. Brief reviews of probabilistic estimating methods and learning curves are provided. A general method and specific procedures for integrating learning curves in probabilistic estimates are then provided. For each method, the key assumptions are itemized and discussed and a demonstration is provided. While no single procedure will fit every situation, it is concluded that the general method is straightforward, transparent, and can be implemented using off-the-shelf spreadsheet software. The proposed procedures generate results that provide engineers and decision makers with a refined representation of uncertainty and can improve capital-investment valuation and decision making.
Hydraulic-Fracture Propagation in a Naturally Fractured Reservoir
Authors: Chuprakov D. A. , Akulich A. V. , Siebrits E.. , Thiercelin M..
Published: February 2011

We present the results of numerical modeling that quantify the physical mechanisms of mechanical activation of a natural fault because of contact with a pressurized hydraulic fracture (HF). We focus on three stages of interactions: HF approaching, contact, and subsequent infiltration of the fault. Fracture interaction at the contact is shown to depend on four dimensionless parameters: net pressure in the HF, in-situ differential stress, relative angle between the natural fault and the HF, and friction angle of the natural fault. A numerical model based on the displacement discontinuity method (DDM) allowing for fracture closure and Mohr-Coulomb friction was used to calculate the displacements and stresses along the natural fracture as a result of the interaction with the pressurized HF. The analysis of the total stress state along the fault during the HF coalescence stage makes it possible to define a criterion for reinitiation of a secondary tensile crack from the natural fault. We show that the most probable location for tensile-crack initiation is the end of the open zone of the fault where the highest tension peak is generated by the HF contact. In our numerical analysis, we study the magnitude of maximum tensile stress and its position along the fault for a wide range of key dimensionless parameters. Given real reservoir properties, these measurements can be used to detect the possible fracturing scenarios in naturally fractured reservoirs. Using simplified uncoupled modeling of fluid penetration into the fault after the contact with the HF, we demonstrate that either an increase or a decrease of the tensile stress at the opposite side of the fault can be realized depending on the ratio of increments of net pressure and the fluid front as it penetrates the natural fault.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of In-Situ Combustion in a Fractured Core
Authors: Fadaei H.. , Castanier L.. , Kamp A.M.. M. , Debenest G.. , Quintard M.. , Renard G..
Published: February 2011

Approximately one-third of global heavy-oil resources can be found in fractured reservoirs. In spite of its strategic importance, recovery of heavy crudes from fractured reservoirs has found few applications because of the complexity of such reservoirs. In-situ combustion (ISC) is a candidate process for such reservoirs, especially for those where steam injection is not feasible. Experimental studies reported in the literature on this topic mentioned a cone-shaped combustion front, indicating that the process was governed by diffusion of oxygen into the matrix. The main oil-production mechanisms were found to be thermal expansion of oil and evaporation of light components (Schulte and de Vries 1985; Greaves et al. 1991).

In order to confirm these results, we carried out reservoir-simulation studies presented in Fadaei et al. (2010). We have shown that the front has the shape of a cone, and we have performed a combustion/extinction analysis representing the results in a diagram of cumulative production vs. diffusion coefficient and matrix permeability.

Before obtaining quantitative and qualitative comparisons, we need to characterize the systems we want to study. Therefore, we also carried out laboratory experiments using kinetic cells and combustion tubes. The kinetic-cell studies showed that the presence of carbonates has a significant effect on combustion kinetics. Our combustion-tube studies confirmed the previously observed coneshaped front. Previous studies reported in literature used heating elements along the combustion tube to regulate the temperature, which may have caused some undue heating of the core. To avoid that, we chose to use efficient insulation to minimize heat losses. Combustion advanced faster in nonconsolidated matrix, in which the permeability was higher than in consolidated matrix. The results showed that the presence of severe heterogeneities may prevent the combustion front from propagating. Several runs were performed for different air-injection rates and pressures and for different permeability contrasts between the matrix and the fracture.

The next step of our work is the upscaling of ISC in the fractured reservoir at interwell scale on the basis of knowledge provided by simulation and experimental studies.
Prevalence of virulence factors in Escherichia coli isolated from healthy animals and water sources in Brazil
Authors: Carlos Camila , Alexandrino Fabiana , Vieira Monica A. M. , Stoppe Nancy C. , Sato Maria Inês Z. , Gomes Tânia A. T. , Ottoboni Laura M. M.
Published: February 2011

The aim of this work was to verify the presence of seven virulence factors (ST, LT, eae, stx1, stx2, INV and EAEC) among Escherichia coli strains isolated from healthy humans, bovines, chickens, sheep, pigs and goats, from two sewage treatment plants and from the Tietê River. We have found a high prevalence of eae, stx1 and stx2 in ruminants. The EAEC gene was only found in humans and sewage. No strains presented ST, LT or INV. BOX-PCR fingerprints revealed a high diversity among the strains analysed and a non-clonal origin of strains that presented the same virulence factors. Therefore, we concluded that ruminants may constitute an important reservoir of most diarrheagenic E. coli in Brazil, except for EAEC strains. These results emphasize the importance of the identification of the animal source of fecal contamination for the correct water risk assessment.
Wastewater canal Vojlovica, industrial complex Pancevo, Serbia: Preliminary ecotoxicological assessment of contaminated sediment
Authors: Planojevic Ivana , Teodorovic Ivana , Bartova Katerina , Tubic Aleksandra , Jurca Tamara , Kopf Willi , Machat Jiri , Blaha Ludek , Kovacevic Radmila
Published: February 2011

Effluents collected from the industrial complex of Pancevo, Serbia (oil
refinery, petrochemical plant, and fertilizer factory) are discharged into a
wastewater canal entering the Danube River. In this study, which was focused
on sediment assessment, a complex triad approach consisting of chemical
analysis, sediment toxicity tests and macrozoobenthos community analysis was
applied. In toxicity tests on sediment elutriates, the following responses
were registered - stimulatory effect in algal bioassay, no effect in acute
test with Daphnia magna, and low to moderate toxicity in the conventional
Vibrio fischeri test. Moderate to high toxicities were recorded in solid
phase tests on Myriophyllum aquaticum and V. fischeri. High content of Hg,
certain PAHs and noncharacterised sediment contaminants accumulated over
years contribute not only to the registered toxicity, but also to the
complete absence of macrozoobenthos. The obtained results proved that
regularly measured conventional and priority pollutants are hardly ever the
only toxic contaminants present in sediments. Toxicity tests, in particular
the contact test, might guide towards a better selection of parameters to be
regularly or occasionally monitored. In addition, complete sediment toxicity
tests proved to be an appropriate method for assessing the bioavailability of
the chemically detected contaminants. The analysis of the macrozoobenthos
composition and structure as inevitable part of sediment risk assessment
procedures integrates the effects of multiple stressors and gives a realistic
insight into not only sediment contamination by toxic pollutants, but also
the sediment status in general.
Diet and Gastrointestinal Bypass–Induced Weight Loss
Authors: Chandarana Keval , Gelegen Cigdem , Karra Efthimia , Choudhury Agharul I. , Drew Megan E. , Fauveau Veronique , Viollet Benoit , Andreelli Fabrizio , Withers Dominic J. , Batterham Rachel L.
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

Bariatric surgery causes durable weight loss. Gut hormones are implicated in obesity pathogenesis, dietary failure, and mediating gastrointestinal bypass (GIBP) surgery weight loss. In mice, we determined the effects of diet-induced obesity (DIO), subsequent dieting, and GIBP surgery on ghrelin, peptide YY (PYY), and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). To evaluate PYY’s role in mediating weight loss post-GIBP, we undertook GIBP surgery in PyyKO mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Male C57BL/6 mice randomized to a high-fat diet or control diet were killed at 4-week intervals. DIO mice underwent switch to ad libitum low-fat diet (DIO-switch) or caloric restriction (CR) for 4 weeks before being killed. PyyKO mice and their DIO wild-type (WT) littermates underwent GIBP or sham surgery and were culled 10 days postoperatively. Fasting acyl-ghrelin, total PYY, active GLP-1 concentrations, stomach ghrelin expression, and colonic Pyy and glucagon expression were determined. Fasting and postprandial PYY and GLP-1 concentrations were assessed 30 days postsurgery in GIBP and sham pair-fed (sham.PF) groups.

RESULTS

DIO progressively reduced circulating fasting acyl-ghrelin, PYY, and GLP-1 levels. CR and DIO-switch caused weight loss but failed to restore circulating PYY to weight-appropriate levels. After GIBP, WT mice lost weight and exhibited increased circulating fasting PYY and colonic Pyy and glucagon expression. In contrast, the acute effects of GIBP on body weight were lost in PyyKO mice. Fasting PYY and postprandial PYY and GLP-1 levels were increased in GIBP mice compared with sham.PF mice.

CONCLUSIONS

PYY plays a key role in mediating the early weight loss observed post-GIBP, whereas relative PYY deficiency during dieting may compromise weight-loss attempts.
Glucose and Inflammation Control Islet Vascular Density and β-Cell Function in NOD Mice
Authors: Akirav Eitan M. , Baquero Maria-Teresa , Opare-Addo Lynn W. , Akirav Michael , Galvan Eva , Kushner Jake A. , Rimm David L. , Herold Kevan C.
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

β-Cell and islet endothelial cell destruction occurs during the progression of type 1 diabetes, but, paradoxically, β-cell proliferation is increased during this period. Altered glucose tolerance may affect β-cell mass and its association with endothelial cells. Our objective was to study the effects of glucose and inflammation on islet vascularity and on β function, mass, and insulin in immunologically tolerant anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb)-treated and prediabetic NOD mice.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The effects of phloridzin or glucose injections on β-cells and endothelial cells were tested in prediabetic and previously diabetic NOD mice treated with anti-CD3 mAbs. Glucose tolerance, immunofluorescence staining, and examination of islet cultures ex vivo were evaluated.

RESULTS

Islet endothelial cell density decreased in NOD mice and failed to recover after anti-CD3 mAb treatment despite baseline euglycemia. Glucose treatment of anti-CD3 mAb–treated mice showed increased islet vascular density and increased insulin content, which was associated with improved glucose tolerance. The increase in the vascular area was dependent on islet inflammation. Increased islet endothelial cell density was associated with increased production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) by islets from NOD mice. This response was recapitulated ex vivo by the transfer of supernatants from NOD islets cultured in high-glucose levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate a novel role for glucose and inflammation in the control of islet vasculature and insulin content of β-cells in prediabetic and anti-CD3–treated NOD mice. VEGF production by the islets is affected by glucose levels and is imparted by soluble factors released by inflamed islets.
Stepwise or Linear Decrease in Penetrance of Type 1 Diabetes With Lower-Risk HLA Genotypes Over the Past 40 Years
Authors: Steck Andrea K. , Armstrong Taylor K. , Babu Sunanda R. , Eisenbarth George S. ,   the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to test if the proportion of new-onset diabetic subjects with the HLA-DR3/4-DQB1*0302 genotype is decreasing over time.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed HLA class II genotype frequencies over time in two large populations with type 1 diabetes diagnosed at ≤18 years of age. There were 4,075 subjects from the Type 1 Diabetes Genetics Consortium (T1DGC) and 1,675 subjects from the Barbara Davis Center (BDC).

RESULTS

Both T1DGC and BDC cohorts showed a decrease of the highest-risk HLA-DR3/4-DQB1*0302 genotype over time. This decrease was greatest over time in T1DGC subjects with age of onset ≤5 years (P = 0.004) and onset between ages 6 and 10 years (P = 0.002). The overall percent of HLA-DR3/4-DQB1*0302 was greater in the T1DGC population compared with the BDC population. There was an increased percent over time of other HLA genotypes without HLA-DR3 or -DR4 in T1DGC new onsets (P = 0.003), and the trend was similar in BDC subjects (P = 0.08). Analyzing time trend, there appears to be a large stepwise decrease in percent DR3/4 in the 1980s in T1DGC subjects with onset age <5 years (P = 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

The change in frequency of multiple different genotypes and a possible stepwise decrease in percent DR3/4 suggest a change in genetic risk factors and environmental determinants of type 1 diabetes. Larger studies are needed to confirm the changing pattern of genetic risk because a stepwise change may have direct bearing on defining critical environmental determinants of type 1 diabetes.
Glomerular and Tubular Damage Markers Are Elevated in Patients With Diabetes
Authors: Nauta Ferdau L. , Boertien Wendy E. , Bakker Stephan J.L. , van Goor Harry , van Oeveren Wim , de Jong Paul E. , Bilo Henk , Gansevoort Ron T.
Published: February 2011

OBJECTIVE

We investigated in a cross-sectional study the levels of serum and urinary damage markers in diabetic patients (n = 94) and nondiabetic control subjects (n = 45) to study the association of glomerular (IgG), proximal tubular (kidney injury molecule [KIM]-1, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase [NAG], neutrophil gelatinase–associated lipocalin [NGAL], and cystatin C), and distal tubular (heart fatty acid–binding protein [H-FABP]) damage markers with kidney disease severity, as assessed by albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Damage markers were measured in triplicate in fresh morning urine samples and in plasma.

RESULTS

Of the diabetic patients, 41 were normoalbuminuric, 41 were microalbuminuric, and 12 were macroalbuminuric. Urinary NAG (ninefold), NGAL (1.5-fold), and H-FABP (3.5-fold) were significantly elevated in normoalbuminuric diabetic patients compared with nondiabetic control subjects. Urinary concentrations of all markers increased per albuminuria stratum, except KIM-1. All urinary damage markers, except KIM-1, were significantly associated with albuminuria, independent of age, sex, and plasma concentrations of the corresponding biomarker (standard βs between 0.35 and 0.87; all P ≤ 0.001). All urinary damage markers, except KIM-1, were significantly associated with the eGFR in univariate models (standard βs between −0.38 and −0.21; all P < 0.04). After adjusting for age, sex, plasma concentration of the corresponding damage marker, and albuminuria, only the association of H-FABP with eGFR remained significant (standard β −0.26; P = 0.037).

CONCLUSIONS

Glomerular and tubular markers are associated with albuminuria, independently of eGFR, suggesting that albuminuria reflects both glomerular and tubulointerstitial damage. Only urinary H-FABP is associated with eGFR independently of albuminuria and, therefore, may be a promising urinary damage marker to assess diabetic kidney disease.
An assessment of reclamation conditions in the irrigated lands of the Azerbaijan Republic
Authors: Mammadov Garib , Hashimov Agamir
Published: February 2011

An assessment of reclamation conditions in the irrigated lands of the Azerbaijan Republic

Current reclamation condition of lands in the Azerbaijan Republic and differential assessment of saline soils depending on the soil characteristics (chemistry, soil texture etc.) are described in this paper.
New morphostratigraphic and chronological constraints for the Quaternary paleosurfaces of the Molise Apennine (southern Italy)
Authors: Aucelli Pietro , Amato Vincenzo , Cesarano Massimo , Pappone Gerardo , Rosskopf Carmen , Ermolli Elda , Scarciglia Fabio
Published: February 2011

New morphostratigraphic and chronological constraints for the Quaternary paleosurfaces of the Molise Apennine (southern Italy)

The Molise Apennines feature numerous relicts of paleosurfaces, mostly of erosional origin, which represent the remnants of gently-rolling ancient landscapes now hanging at different altitudes above the local base-levels of erosion. Their genesis can be related to prolonged periods of relative tectonic stability alternating with periods of uplift, or to the interplay between steady tectonic uplift and climatic fluctuations. Four orders of paleosurfaces were recognized: I (> 1,100 m a.s.l.), II (900-1,000 m a.s.l.), III (750-850 m a.s.l.), IV (600-720 m a.s.l.). The most ancient orders (I and II) are cut into the bedrock and are located at the top of the Matese and Montagnola di Frosolone massifs. The youngest paleosurfaces (III—IV), partially cut into Quaternary deposits, are found along the valley flanks of the main river systems and within the Boiano, Carpino, Isernia and Sessano intramontane basins. The present study deals with the dating of the Sessano Basin Paleosurface (SBP) which is related to the IV order and is cut into the basin infill. The40Ar/39Ar age of a tephra layer (437 ± 1.9 ka), intercalated at the top of the succession, supported by archaeo-stratigraphic, palynological and paleopedological data, allowed the SBP surface to be constrained to 350-300 ka. The SBP chronological position represents an important morphostratigraphic marker: it is the firstante quemandpost quemdate that allows the chronological position of the other orders of paleosurfaces to be better constrained.
A new Middle Miocene Niveria Jousseaume, 1884 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trivioidea) from Hungary
Authors: Fehse Dirk
Published: February 2011

A new Middle Miocene Niveria Jousseaume, 1884 (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Trivioidea) from Hungary

A new species of Niveria from the Middle Miocene (Badenian) of the Paratethys of Borsodbóta, Hungary is described. This species is characterized by its callused dorsum and dorsal depression. Niveria jozefgregoi sp. nov. is discussed with comparative species from the Badenian of Hungary, the Pliocene of the Mediterranean region, Florida and Recent species from Madeira and the Islas Galápagos.
Spinal ependymomas in neurofibromatosis Type 2: a retrospective analysis of 55 patients
Authors: Plotkin Scott R. , O'Donnell Caroline C. , Curry William T. , Bove Catherine M. , MacCollin Mia , Nunes Fabio P.
Published: February 2011

Object

The aim of this paper was to define the clinical characteristics of spinal ependymomas associated with neurofibromatosis Type 2 (NF2).

Methods

The authors retrospectively reviewed the clinical records of patients with NF2 who had imaging findings consistent with ependymomas and were seen at Massachusetts General Hospital between 1994 and 2007. Clinical characteristics of these patients were obtained from hospital records, imaging studies, surgical reports, and pathology reports. Mutational analysis of the NF2 gene was performed in 37 of 44 unrelated patients.

Results

Fifty-five patients met inclusion criteria for the study. The median age at diagnosis of NF2 was 21 years; the median time after diagnosis until identification of ependymomas was 5 years. Multiple ependymomas were present in 58% of patients. The most common site of involvement was the cervical cord or cervicomedullary junction (86% of imaging studies), followed by the thoracic and lumbar cords (62% and 8%, respectively). The majority of patients had no symptoms related to their tumors (42 patients [76%]). After a median follow-up of 50 months, surgery was performed in 11 patients (20%) for symptomatic progression (indications for surgery). Mutational analysis of the NF2 gene detected alterations in 28 (76%) of 37 unrelated patients, with nonsense and frameshift mutations accounting for 64% of detected mutations. The high rate of truncating mutations may help explain the high tumor burden in these patients.

Conclusions

Neurofibromatosis Type 2–related ependymomas exhibit an indolent growth pattern with tumor progression limited to a minority of patients. The authors believe that surveillance is reasonable for asymptomatic ependymomas, including those with cystic areas that expand the cord. For symptomatic tumors, resection may be warranted depending on age, overall clinical status, and ease of resectability.
Advances in Viral Vector-Based TRAIL Gene Therapy for Cancer
Authors: Norian Lyse A. , James Britnie  R. , Griffith Thomas  S.
Published: February 2011

Numerous biologic approaches are being investigated as anti-cancer therapies in an attempt to induce tumor regression while circumventing the toxic side effects associated with standard chemo- or radiotherapies. Among these, tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has shown particular promise in pre-clinical and early clinical trials, due to its preferential ability to induce apoptotic cell death in cancer cells and its minimal toxicity. One limitation of TRAIL use is the fact that many tumor types display an inherent resistance to TRAIL-induced apoptosis. To circumvent this problem, researchers have explored a number of strategies to optimize TRAIL delivery and to improve its efficacy via co-administration with other anti-cancer agents. In this review, we will focus on TRAIL-based gene therapy approaches for the treatment of malignancies. We will discuss the main viral vectors that are being used for TRAIL gene therapy and the strategies that are currently being attempted to improve the efficacy of TRAIL as an anti-cancer therapeutic.
Sterilization of Exopolysaccharides Produced by Deep-Sea Bacteria: Impact on Their Stability and Degradation
Authors: Rederstorff Emilie , Fatimi Ahmed , Sinquin Corinne , Ratiskol Jacqueline , Merceron Christophe , Vinatier Claire , Weiss Pierre , Colliec-Jouault Sylvia
Published: February 2011

Polysaccharides are highly heat-sensitive macromolecules, so high temperature treatments are greatly destructive and cause considerable damage, such as a great decrease in both viscosity and molecular weight of the polymer. The technical feasibility of the production of exopolysaccharides by deep-sea bacteria Vibrio diabolicus and Alteromonas infernus was previously demonstrated using a bioproduct manufacturing process. The objective of this study was to determine which sterilization method, other than heat sterilization, was the most appropriate for these marine exopolysaccharides and was in accordance with bioprocess engineering requirements. Chemical sterilization using low-temperature ethylene oxide and a mixture of ionized gases (plasmas) was compared to the sterilization methods using gamma and beta radiations. The changes to both the physical and chemical properties of the sterilized exopolysaccharides were analyzed. The use of ethylene oxide can be recommended for the sterilization of polysaccharides as a weak effect on both rheological and structural properties was observed. This low-temperature gas sterilizing process is very efficient, giving a good Sterility Assurance Level (SAL), and is also well suited to large-scale compound manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry.
Antioxidant Activities and Polyphenolic Contents of Three Selected Micromeria Species from Croatia
Authors: Vladimir-Knežević Sanda , Blažeković Biljana , Bival Štefan Maja , Alegro Antun , Kőszegi Tamás , Petrik József
Published: February 2011

Antioxidant activities of three selected Micromeria species growing in Croatia (M. croatica, M. juliana and M. thymifolia) were evaluated using five different antioxidant assays, in comparison with plant polyphenolic constituents and reference antioxidants. All studied ethanolic extracts exhibited considerable activity to scavenge DPPH and hydroxyl free radicals, reducing power, iron chelating ability and total antioxidant capacity in the order: M. croatica > M. juliana > M. thymifolia. Total polyphenol (9.69–13.66%), phenolic acid (5.26–6.84%), flavonoid (0.01–0.09%) and tannin (3.07–6.48%) contents in dried plant samples were determined spectrophotometrically. A strong positive correlation between antioxidant activities and contents of phenolic acids and tannins was found, indicating their responsibility for effectiveness of tested plants. Our findings established Micromeria species as a rich source of antioxidant polyphenols, especially the endemic M. croatica.
Ultra Wide-Band Localization and SLAM: A Comparative Study for Mobile Robot Navigation
Authors: Segura Marcelo J. , Auat Cheein Fernando A. , Toibero Juan M. , Mut Vicente , Carelli Ricardo
Published: February 2011

In this work, a comparative study between an Ultra Wide-Band (UWB) localization system and a Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) algorithm is presented. Due to its high bandwidth and short pulses length, UWB potentially allows great accuracy in range measurements based on Time of Arrival (TOA) estimation. SLAM algorithms recursively estimates the map of an environment and the pose (position and orientation) of a mobile robot within that environment. The comparative study presented here involves the performance analysis of implementing in parallel an UWB localization based system and a SLAM algorithm on a mobile robot navigating within an environment. Real time results as well as error analysis are also shown in this work.
Design and Implementation of A CMOS Light Pulse Receiver Cell Array for Spatial Optical Communications
Authors: Zaman Sarker Md. Shakowat , Itoh Shinya , Hamai Moeta , Takai Isamu , Andoh Michinori , Yasutomi Keita , Kawahito Shoji
Published: February 2011

A CMOS light pulse receiver (LPR) cell for spatial optical communications is designed and evaluated by device simulations and a prototype chip implementation. The LPR cell consists of a pinned photodiode and four transistors. It works under sub-threshold region of a MOS transistor and the source terminal voltage which responds to the logarithm of the photo current are read out with a source follower circuit. For finding the position of the light spot on the focal plane, an image pixel array is embedded on the same plane of the LPR cell array. A prototype chip with 640 × 240 image pixels and 640 × 240 LPR cells is implemented with 0.18 μm CMOS technology. A proposed model of the transient response of the LPR cell agrees with the result of the device simulations and measurements. Both imaging at 60 fps and optical communication at the carrier frequency of 1 MHz are successfully performed. The measured signal amplitude and the calculation results of photocurrents show that the spatial optical communication up to 100 m is feasible using a 10 × 10 LED array.
Observing GLUT4 Translocation in Live L6 Cells Using Quantum Dots
Authors: Qu Feng , Chen Zubin , Wang Xiaoxuan , Meng Lingfeng , Wu Zhengxing , Qu Anlian
Published: February 2011

The glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) plays a key role in maintaining whole body glucose homeostasis. Tracking GLUT4 in space and time can provide new insights for understanding the mechanisms of insulin-regulated GLUT4 translocation. Organic dyes and fluorescent proteins were used in previous studies for investigating the traffic of GLUT4 in skeletal muscle cells and adipocytes. Because of their relative weak fluorescent signal against strong cellular autofluorescence background and their fast photobleaching rate, most studies only focused on particular segments of GLUT4 traffic. In this study, we have developed a new method for observing the translocation of GLUT4 targeted with photostable and bright quantum dots (QDs) in live L6 cells. QDs were targeted to GLUT4myc specifically and internalized with GLUT4myc through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Compared with traditional fluorescence dyes and fluorescent proteins, QDs with high brightness and extremely photostability are suitable for long-term single particle tracking, so individual GLUT4-QD complex can be easily detected and tracked for long periods of time. This newly described method will be a powerful tool for observing the translocation of GLUT4 in live L6 cells.
Une industrie rurale régionale : la distillation charentaise
Authors: Beteille René
Published: February 2011

La distillation des vins blancs charentais, qui aboutit à l'obtention des eaux-de-vie de Cognac, est aux mains de trois types d'opérateurs, d'importance et de statut très dissemblables: les bouilleurs de cru- récoltants, les coopératives et les distillateurs de profession.

C'est une industrie typiquement rurale, car étroitement liée aux rythmes de la production viticole. En outre, de nombreux établissements se dispersent dans les villages charentais. Mais c'est aussi une industrie très dépendante des performances des grandes sociétés de vente de spiritueux et des importateurs de cognac.
L'approche sociologique de l'étude du loisir
Authors: Samuel Nicole
Published: February 2011

This article presents and criticizes the main theoretical approaches which dominated the sociology of leisure since it established its autonomy from the sociology of work. The first of these approaches consists in a determinist analysis of leisure. It characterizes both the functionalist and the marxist explanation of leisure. According to this approach, leisure is entirely determined by the prevailing social, economic and political conditions. The second of this approaches can be called libertarian : according to it, leisure is the framework of life as a whole. After a critic of both of these approaches, and as a conclusion, a third approach is advocated : it is a dialectical one which, in its sociological explanation of leisure, takes into account both determinist factors and the characteristics of the « acting subject » (be it an individual or a social group) in an perspective of interaction.
Les loisirs non touristiques et leur influence sur l'organisation de l'espace
Authors: Ruppert Karl
Published: February 2011

Der Autor zeigt, wie die deutsche Geographenschule nacheinander die drei Zeit-Raum orientierten Freizeittypen « Urlaub, Wochenende, tägliche Freizeit » untersucht. Daraufhin analysiert er die Veränderungen im Naherholungsraum an Hand zweier Befragungen, die 1968 und 1980 in der Agglomeration von München durchgeführt wurden. Er stellt bei der Schaffung der Freizeiteinrichtungen, welche für die Raumstruktur immer bedeutender werden, insbesonders die Rolle des Staales und der Gemeinden heraus.