bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Semi-analytical Solution of 1-D Diffusion–Convection Equation with Variable Convection Velocity
Authors: Jia Xinfeng
Published: November 2011

Solvent-based EOR techniques, such as vapour extraction (VAPEX) and miscible/near-miscible flooding, have been studied and applied in petroleum industry. Diffusion–convection mass-transfer process is one of the most important EOR mechanisms in these techniques. This paper develops an accurate semi-analytical solution to a 1-D diffusion-convection mass-transfer model. The velocity term in the diffusion–convection equation has been assumed as a constant in previous works. This assumption is actually not valid in the solvent-based miscible flooding, since the velocity is a function of local viscosity and density, both of which depend on the local concentration. In this study, the spatially and temporally varying convection velocity is rigorously simulated through an accurate semi-analytical approach. First, we consider a sequence of time steps. In each time step, the convection velocity varies with space. Then the spatially varying velocity profile is divided into multiple sections. The velocity profile in each section is approximated with a linear function, so that the analytical solution for the diffusion-convection equation in each section can be obtained in Laplace domain. Then, the solutions in all sections are couped together and solved to obtain the mass-transfer rate through which the concentration distribution can be computed. Finally, a new convection velocity profile can be acquired by using Darcy's law for the next time step. The semianalytical solution is validated by an analytical solution for a special hyperbolic velocity case. In comparison with the numerical solution, the semi-analytical result is free from truncation error and numerical dispersion, thus it is more accurate and more reliable in computing the concentration distributions. The proposed method can be used in streamline simulation, or coupled with other functions to improve the simulation of solvent-based EOR techniques.
Physical compatibility of telavancin hydrochloride with select i.v. drugs during simulated Y-site administration
Authors: Housman Seth T. , Tessier Pamela R. , Nicolau David P. , Kuti Joseph L.
Published: November 2011

Purpose

The physical compatibility of telavancin with select i.v. drugs during simulated Y-site administration was evaluated.

Methods

Telavancin for injection was reconstituted according to manufacturer’s recommendations and diluted with 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 5% dextrose injection, or lactated Ringer’s injection to a concentration of 7.5 mg/mL. A Y site was simulated in culture tubes by mixing 5 mL of telavancin solution with 5 mL of a tested drug solution and then switching the order of drug mixing. All mixtures were prepared in duplicate and stored at room temperature. Solutions were inspected for visual, turbidity, and pH changes immediately after preparation and 15, 60, and 120 minutes after preparation.

Results

Of the 52 drugs tested, telavancin was physically compatible with 39 drugs in all test solutions. Telavancin was incompatible with amphotericin B deoxycholate, liposomal amphotericin B, digoxin, esomeprazole sodium, furosemide, levofloxacin, and micafungin sodium in all diluents. Colistimethate sodium, cyclosporine, heparin sodium, imipenem–cilastatin sodium, methylprednisolone sodium succinate, and propofol were incompatible with telavancin in specific diluents. Incompatibilities included precipitation, positive Tyndall beam test, and increases in turbidity. There were no substantial changes in pH over the 120-minute study period.

Conclusion

Telavancin 7.5 mg/mL in 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 5% dextrose injection, and lactated Ringer’s injection was found to be physically compatible for 120 minutes at room temperature with 39 of the 52 drugs tested during simulated Y-site administration. Seven drugs were incompatible in all diluents, and 6 were incompatible in at least one diluent.
Control Strategy for VSC-HVDC Power Quality Improvement under Unbalanced Grid Conditions
Authors: Wei Xiaoyun , Sun Hui , Wei Xiaoguang , Ma Qian , Xu Fengge
Published: November 2011

This paper presents a novel unified dynamic model and control strategy to improve the power quality for VSC based high voltage direct current transmission system (VSC-HVDC) under unbalanced grid conditions. The unified models present the dynamic behavior of VSC-HVDC in the unique positive synchronously rotating reference (dq-p) frame with respect to both the positive- and negative-sequence components. Based on the unified model, a strategy to either eliminate the dc-link ripple or achieve the balanced currents, along with a rather low level harmonics in each grid is introduced by resorting to the resonant integrator and filter based scheme in the two cascaded control loops. The resonant integrator and filter scheme enables effective control of the positive- and negative-sequence currents, and avoid the sequence component decomposition. The simulation studies in PSCAD/EMTDC verify the improved performance of VSC-HVDC system regarding the power quality and the ride-through capability.
Minimal doubly resolving sets and the strong metric dimension of Hamming graphs
Authors: Kratica Jozef , Kovacevic-Vujcic Vera , Cangalovic Mirjana , Stojanovic Milica
Published: November 2011

We consider the problem of determining the cardinality ?(H2,k) of minimal
doubly resolving sets of Hamming graphs H2,k. We prove that for k ? 6 every
minimal resolving set of H2,k is also a doubly resolving set, and,
consequently, ?(H2,k) is equal to the metric dimension of H2,k, which is
known from the literature. Moreover, we find an explicit expression for the
strong metric dimension of all Hamming graphs Hn,k.
The trace metals accumulation in marine organisms of the southeastern Adriatic coast, Montenegro
Authors: Joksimovic Danijela , Stankovic Slavka
Published: November 2011

The concentration and accumulation of trace metals (Co, Ni, As, Cd, Pb and
Hg) were measured in sea water, sediments and marine organisms in the
coastline of the Montenegro. The obtained results of trace metals in seagrass
and mussels were compared with those found in the water column and sediment.
Sampling was performed in the fall of 2005 at five locations in the
Montenegrin coastline, Sveta Stasija, Herceg Novi, Zanjice, Budva and Bar,
which present different levels and sources of human impact. The heavy metals
analyses in seawater, sediment, P. oceanica and M. galloprovincialis
identified the harbor of Bar as the most Hg-contaminated site, Zanjice as the
most As contaminated and Sveta Stasija as the most Pb-contaminated areas of
the Montenegrin coastal area. This study showed that P. oceanica may have a
greater bioaccumulation capacity than M. galloprovincialis for the considered
metals, except for As and Hg, and both organisms may reflect contamination in
the water column and in the sediment. For the first time, seagrass P.
oceanica and M. galloprovincialis were employed as metal bioindicators for
the southeastern Adriatic. The results of this study could serve as a
baseline in the future for the assessment of anthropogenic effects in this
marine ecosystem.
Removal of cationic dye from water by activated pine cones
Authors: Momcilovic Milan , Onjia Antonije , Purenovic Milovan , Zarubica Aleksandra , Randjelovic Marjan
Published: November 2011

Adsorption of a cationic phenothyazine dye methylene blueonto activated
carbon prepared from pine cones was investigated with the variation in
parameters of contact time, dye concentration and pH. The kinetic data were
found to follow the pseudo-second-order kinetic modelclosely. The equilibrium
data were best represented by the Langmuir isotherm with maximum adsorption
capacity of 233.1 mg g-1. Adsorption was favored by using a higher solution
pH. Textural analysis by nitrogen adsorption was used to determine specific
surface area and pore structure of the obtained carbon. Boehm titrations
revealed that carboxylic groups are present in the highest degree on the
carbon surface. The results indicate that the presented method for activation
of pine cones could yield activated carbon with significant porosity,
developed surface reactivity and considerable adsorption affinity toward
cationic dye methylene blue.
Introductory Accounting as Theater: A Look Behind the Scenes of Large-Lecture Production
Authors: Cunningham Billie M.
Published: November 2011

Feeling like a bit of a thespian in class? Why not expand your class role and channel your inner Stanley Tucci or Kathleen Marshall? Large-lecture classes offer an opportunity to run a whole production. While much has been written about large-lecture classes, papers have tended to address the relative merits of these classes or some specific issue related to teaching them within a specific discipline. This paper adds to the existing literature by providing an overview of the day-to-day considerations, planning, and mechanics of developing and teaching a large-lecture introductory accounting course, by taking you on a behind-the-scenes tour through the pre-production and production processes for a large-lecture, introductory accounting course. It describes the pre-production process, including the following: understanding the audience, developing a vision for the course, identifying resource and financing needs, determining the cast and crew, designing the set, developing the production elements, casting the show, and rehearsing the show. Additionally, the paper describes the production itself, including the dimensions of acting, addressing problems that occur during the production, and managing intermissions (exams). The paper closes with a brief discussion of the critics.
An Imperfect Measurement System Introduction to Accounting
Authors: Tinkelman Daniel P.
Published: November 2011

The process of measuring, and reporting measurements, is fundamental in scientific and business activity. I propose introducing accounting as an example of a measurement system, albeit an imperfect one. The accounting measurement system includes: users and their decision models, attributes of objects to be measured, measurement rules, methods of accumulating measurements, reports, rule-makers, measurers, and verifiers. By looking at how accounting measures different business activities, this approach encourages the teaching of general measurement, reporting, and analytical skills. (For nonaccounting students, the concepts of measurement are clearly transferable to other fields.) It allows a logical, interesting presentation of accounting topics, and highlights links to other academic fields. An important feature of this approach is considering such pervasive measurement issues as uncertainty and allocations. Students examining accounting's imperfections are encouraged to think critically about accounting rules, and can understand why accounting changes over time.
Inertias and ranks of some Hermitian matrix functions with applications
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Wang Qing-Wen , Liu Xin
Published: November 2011

Let S be a given set consisting of some Hermitian matrices with the same size. We say that a matrix A ∈ S is maximal if A − W is positive semidefinite for every matrix W ∈ S. In this paper, we consider the maximal and minimal inertias and ranks of the Hermitian matrix function f(X,Y) = P − QXQ* − TYT*, where * means the conjugate and transpose of a matrix, P = P*, Q, T are known matrices and for X and Y Hermitian solutions to the consistent matrix equations AX =B and YC = D respectively. As applications, we derive the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of maximal matrices of $$H = \{ f(X,Y) = P - QXQ* - TYT* : AX = B,YC = D,X = X*, Y = Y*\} .$$ The corresponding expressions of the maximal matrices of H are presented when the existence conditions are met. In this case, we further prove the matrix function f(X,Y)is invariant under changing the pair (X,Y). Moreover, we establish necessary and sufficient conditions for the system of matrix equations $$AX = B, YC = D, QXQ* + TYT* = P$$ to have a Hermitian solution and the system of matrix equations $$AX = C, BXB* = D$$ to have a bisymmetric solution. The explicit expressions of such solutions to the systems mentioned above are also provided. In addition, we discuss the range of inertias of the matrix functions P ± QXQ* ± TYT* where X and Y are a nonnegative definite pair of solutions to some consistent matrix equations. The findings of this pape extend some known results in the literature.
Nonwork Travel Behavior Changes during Temporary Freeway Closure
Authors: Yun Meiping , van Herick David , Mokhtarian Patricia L.
Published: November 2011

A 1-mi stretch of Interstate 5 in downtown Sacramento, California, was intermittently closed for reconstruction in the summer of 2008. Nonwork travel behavior changes during the reconstruction were investigated with the use of data from two contemporaneous Internet surveys. More than half of the sample of 6,362 respondents made at least one studied change during the study period, including changes of route, activity location, time of day, day of an activity, and cancellation of an activity. First, the choice to make any nonwork travel change was modeled with binary probit (the any change model). Respondents were more likely to make nonwork travel changes when traffic conditions were worse than usual and less likely to do so when conditions were much better than usual. Women were more likely to make changes than men were. Those travelers who were not aware of any of the travel demand management measures designed to mitigate the impacts of the reconstruction were less likely to make nonwork changes. Next, the five individual nonwork changes were simultaneously modeled with multivariate probit. Again, women were more likely to make the individual changes studied (except route changes). The impacts of traffic conditions and commute characteristics were consistent with those in the any change model. Unobserved characteristics associated with the two temporal changes (day and time) were highly correlated, as were those associated with the two spatial changes (location and route). Unobserved influences on location, day, and time changes were highly correlated with those affecting activity cancellation.
Dynamic Discrete Choice Model for Multiple Social Interactions
Authors: Kuwano Masashi , Zhang Junyi , Fujiwara Akimasa
Published: November 2011

A dynamic discrete choice model for multiple social interactions was developed on the basis of retrospective panel data in the context of household vehicle-type choice. “Social interactions” refer to the influence of reference groups on household choice behavior. However, most studies in transportation have considered a household as a decision maker independent from the society to which it belongs. Social interactions have therefore not been well represented, especially if there were two or more types of reference groups, which may further vary over time. The model was built within the dynamic generalized extreme value framework, which included a set of dynamic elements, such as initial conditions, state dependence, and future expectation. This study defined three types of social interactions: diffusion rates of a vehicle type at the national level and at the neighborhood level and diffusion rate of households with the same income level. A survey was conducted in local Japanese cities in 2006. The survey focused on household vehicle ownership behavior over the 10 years from 1997 to 2006. Model estimation results confirmed that social interactions from reference groups of neighborhoods and households with the same income level were especially influential in decisions about household vehicle-type choice. On the contrary, social interaction from the whole society did not significantly influence the household choice. It was further found that effects of dynamic elements on the household choice were statistically significant.
Built Environment, Individual Attributes, and Variability of Body Mass Index of Drivers in the Chicago, Illinois, Metropolitan Area
Authors: Metaxatos Paul
Published: November 2011

The body mass index (BMI) and the propensity of being overweight or obese among drivers in the Chicago, Illinois, metropolitan area are affected by factors related to the built environment. A multilevel analysis distinguished the contributions of individual attributes and areal environmental factors. The empirical analysis provided evidence that BMI variability and the propensity of being overweight or obese could mostly be attributed to the educational and ethnicity profiles of residential areas. Drivers living closer to the city were also likely to have slightly lower BMI values than their counterparts who lived in areas far from the city. Finally, the effects of drivers' gender and age are significant and provide additional insights.
Performance of Shusama Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Wetland Rice
Authors: Aziz MA , Miah MA Mazid , Uddin MJ
Published: November 2011

Studies on the performance of Shusama organic fertilizer on the growth and yield of wetland rice was carried out during the T. aman season. The modern rice variety BRRIdhan 31 was used as test crop. The following eight treatment combinations were tested: T1 = Native nutrient; T2 = Soil Test Base (STB); T3 = 1/3rd of STB + Shusama @ 124Kg/ha; T4 = 1/3rd of STB + Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha as basal and 250 g/decimal at 40 ? 45 DAT; T5 = 25% STB + Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha; T6 = 50% STB + Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha; T7 = 75% STB + Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha; T8 = 100% STB + Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design with 3 replications of each treatment. It appeared from the results that 50% reduction of chemical fertilizer on STB along with Shusama @ 124 Kg/ha may be a good combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer for sustaining soil fertility and increasing T. aman rice.Key words: Organic fertilizer; Growth; Yield; Wetland riceDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v20i1.8833Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 20(1): 15-21, 2011 (January)
Physico-chemical aspects of Chandbill Oxbow lake of Meherpur, Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir AKM Nazrul , Naser M Niamul
Published: November 2011

Some physico-chemical parameters of Chandbill Baor, a natural oxbow lake of Meherpur district were studied from September 2006 to August 2007. Air temperature of the study area varied from 18.10 to 32.10°C (x-bar± SE : 27.73 ± 1.22°C). The Water temperature (17.10 to 32.10°C; x-bar± SE: 28.24 ± 1.32°C), Secchi disc depth (8.89 to 53.34 cm; x-bar± SE : 26.19 ± 4.29 cm), water depth (132.08 to 307.34 cm; x-bar± SE : 183.93 ± 13.88 cm); total alkalinity (51.3 to 85.5 mg/l; x-bar± SE : 68.4 ± 3.64 mg/l), total hardness (85.5 to 188.10 mg/l; x-bar± SE : 125.81 ± 9.38 mg/l), dissolved oxygen (5.0 to 12.0 mg/l; x-bar± SE: 8.42 ± 0.62 mg/l), free CO2 (5.0 to 30.0 mg/l; x-bar± SE : 14.58 ± 2.64 mg/l), pH (8.0 to 10; x-bar± SE : 8.54 ± 0.19), ammonia-nitrogen (0.3 to 0.7 mg/l; x-bar± SE: 0.46 ± 0.04 mg/l) in the 'Baor' water were found to be suitable for survival of aquatic fauna. Nitrite-nitrogen was absent in the 'em>Baor' throughout the year. Positive correlations were observed in between air and water temperature (r = 0.978); free CO2 and Secchi depth (r = 0.839), free CO2 and water depth (r = 0.714); water depth and Secchi depth (r = 0.903); total hardness and total alkalinity (r = 0.861) and pH with DO (r = 0.661). However, inverse relations were observed among ammonia-nitrogen with water depth (r = −0.727); ammonia-nitrogen with Secchi disc depth (r = −0.840); dissolved oxygen with free CO2 (r = −0.636); pH with Secchi disc depth (r = −0.581) and pH with free CO2 (r = −0.825). The productivity of the lake was found to be medium and could be improved to higher level. Alkaline pH (8.54 ± 0.19) was supposed to be helpful for proper growth and development of fishes and aquatic organisms. This is the first limnological report from a natural ‘Baor’ (Oxbow lake) of Meherpur district, Bangladesh.Key words: Physico-chemical aspects; Oxbow lake; MeherpurDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v20i1.8835Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 20(1): 31-39, 2011 (January)
Optimum harvest for sustainable yield of fish live food tubificid worms
Authors: Hossain Anwar , Rahman Mohammad Shamsur , Hasan Mahmud
Published: November 2011

The Optimum harvest suitable for sustainable yield of tubificid worms without affecting the future yield for a period of 60 days was determined. The media ingredients used to culture the worms were 20% wheat bran, 30% soybean meal, 20% mustard oil cake, 20% cow dung and 10% sand. A harvest level of 50 mg/cm2 (maximum yield; 518.93 ± 14.36 mg/cm2) at ten days interval starting from 30 days of worms' inoculation was found suitable for sustainable yield in the later sampling durations. Results of this study have implications in increasing fish yield by producing reliable and sustainable yield of fish live foods tubificid worms.Key words: Tubificid worms; Live food; Optimum harvest; Sustainable yieldDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v20i1.8838Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 20(1): 57-63, 2011 (January)
Effects of irradiance and penetration resistance on root and shoot growth of rice
Authors: Ali AHMZ
Published: November 2011

Plants of BR-29 rice were grown at low (0.05 MPa) and high (0.9 MPa) penetration resistances under low (187 μmol/sec/m2) and high (375 μmol/sec/m2) ) irradiances for three and nine days. There was no significant effect of irradiance (p > 0.05) on seminal root axis lengths of rice at three days after transplanting. At nine days after transplanting, seminal root axis lengths were significantly greater in high than low irradiances (p < 0.05), but only in low penetration resistance. Significant effect (p < 0.05) was also found on number of laterals in both low and high penetration resistances. In case of shoot lengths no significant differences (P > 0.05) were found at three or nine days after transplanting between low and high irradiances. But increase in leaf length with time was higher at low irradiance (up to 120 hours) than at high irradiance (up to 96 hours). However, in the phytotron, plants were getting irradiance at a constant rate for the total day length (12 hours) with little mutual leaf shading. It was assumed that these conditions would be likely to give a rate of photosynthesis close to the maximum. Therefore, it may be concluded from this experiment that irradiance can have more prominent effect on root than shoot at different penetration resistances in soil.Key words: Irradiance; Penetration resistance; Growth; RiceDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v20i1.8839Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 20(1): 65-70, 2011 (January)
Response of pueraria cover crop to inoculation with am fungi and phosphorus in upland soil of rubber plantation areas in Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman MK , Kabir SM , Mohsin AM , Ali AHMZ
Published: November 2011

Key words: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi; Karnajhora Rubber Estate; Phosphorus; Pueraria; UplandDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/dujbs.v20i1.8882 Dhaka Univ. J. Biol. Sci. 20(1): 99-102, 2011 (January)
Role of the Support Effects on the Catalytic Activity of Gold Clusters: A Density Functional Theory Study
Authors: Gao Min , Lyalin Andrey , Taketsugu Tetsuya
Published: November 2011

It is demonstrated that the support effects play a crucial role in the gold nanocatalysis. Two types of support are considered—the “inert” support of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) with the N and B vacancy defects and the “active” support of rutile TiO2(110). It is demonstrated that Au and Au2 can be trapped effectively by the vacancy defects in h-BN. In that case, the strong adsorption on the surface defects is accompanied by the charge transfer to/from the adsorbate. The excess of the positive or negative charge on the supported gold clusters can considerably promote their catalytic activity. Therefore gold clusters supported on the defected h-BN surface can not be considered as pseudo-free clusters. We also demonstrate that the rutile TiO2(110) support energetically promotes H2 dissociation on gold clusters. We show that the formation of the OH group near the supported gold cluster is an important condition for H2 dissociation. We demonstrate that the active sites towards H2 dissociation on the supported Aun are located at corners and edges of the gold cluster in the vicinity of the low coordinated oxygen atoms on TiO2(110). Thus catalytic activity of a gold nanoparticle supported on the rutile TiO2(110) surface is proportional to the length of the perimeter interface between the nanoparticle and the support.
Supramolecular Hydrogen-Bond Motifs in Chiral and Racemic Molecular Salts: A Comparison of (S)-2-Methyl Piperizinium Hydrogen Phosphite Monohydrate, C5H14N2·HPO3·H2O and (R,S)-2-Methyl Piperizinium Hydrogen Phosphite 2.23 Hydrate, C5H14N2·HPO3·2.23H2O
Authors: Harrison William T. A.
Published: November 2011

The crystal structures of C5H14N2·HPO3·H2O (1) and C5H14N2·HPO3·2.23H2O (2) are described and compared. Compound 1 contains homochiral (S)-2-methyl piperizinium cations, hydrogen phosphite ions and water molecules. The components are linked by N–H⋯O and O–H⋯O hydrogen bonds into a three-dimensional network. In compound 2, racemic (R,S)-2-methyl piperizinium cations combine with the same anions and water molecules to generate a far more complex, high symmetry “supramolecular” structure, which features distinctive R66(12) loops and helical C(2) chain hydrogen-bonding motifs involving the water molecules. Crystal data: 1 (C5H17N2O4P), Mr = 200.18, orthorhombic, P212121 (No. 19), Z = 4, a = 8.564 (5) Å, b = 9.593 (6) Å, c = 11.607 (6) Å, V = 953.6 (9) Å3, R(F) = 0.066, wR(F2) = 0.081. 2 (C5H19.47N2O5.24P), Mr = 222.49, trigonal, (No. 148), Z = 18, a = 31.075 (2) Å, c = 6.1875 (4) Å, V = 5174.5 (6) Å3, R(F) = 0.044, wR(F2) = 0.107.
Implementation of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control in Africa: Current Status of Legislation
Authors: Tumwine Jacqueline
Published: November 2011

Objective: To describe, as of July 2011, the status of tobacco control legislation in Africa in three key areas of the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC)—(1) Protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, (2) Packaging and labelling of tobacco products, and (3) Tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Methods: Review and analysis of tobacco control legislation in Africa, media reports, journal articles, tobacco industry documents and data published in the 2011 WHO Report on the Global Tobacco Epidemic. Results: Modest progress in FCTC implementation in Africa with many countries having legislation or policies on the protection from exposure to tobacco smoke, however, only a handful of countries meet the standards of the FCTC Article 8 and its Guidelines particularly with regards to designated smoking areas. Little progress on packaging and labelling of tobacco products, with few countries having legislation meeting the minimum standards of the FCTC Article 11 and its Guidelines. Mauritius is the only African country with graphic or pictorial health warnings in place and has the largest warning labels in Africa. Slightly better progress in banning tobacco advertising, promotion and sponsorship has been shown by African countries, although the majority of legislation falls short of the standards of the FCTC Article 13 and its Guidelines. Despite their efforts, African countries’ FCTC implementation at national level has not matched the strong regional commitment demonstrated during the FCTC treaty negotiations. Conclusion: This study highlights the need for Africa to step up efforts to adopt and implement effective tobacco control legislation that is fully compliant with the FCTC. In order to achieve this, countries should prioritise resources for capacity building for drafting strong FCTC compliant legislation, research to inform policy and boost political will, and countering the tobacco industry which is a major obstacle to FCTC implementation in Africa.
Oncolytic Activities of Host Defense Peptides
Authors: Al-Benna Sammy , Shai Yechiel , Jacobsen Frank , Steinstraesser Lars
Published: November 2011

Cancer continues to be a leading source of morbidity and mortality worldwide in spite of progress in oncolytic therapies. In addition, the incidence of cancers affecting the breast, kidney, prostate and skin among others continue to rise. Chemotherapeutic drugs are widely used in cancer treatment but have the serious drawback of nonspecific toxicity because these agents target any rapidly dividing cell without discriminating between healthy and malignant cells. In addition, many neoplasms eventually become resistant to conventional chemotherapy due to selection for multidrug-resistant variants. The limitations associated with existing chemotherapeutic drugs have stimulated the search for new oncolytic therapies. Host defense peptides (HDPs) may represent a novel family of oncolytic agents that can avoid the shortcomings of conventional chemotherapy because they exhibit selective cytotoxicity against a broad spectrum of malignant human cells, including multi-drug-resistant neoplastic cells. Oncolytic activity by HDPs is usually via necrosis due to cell membrane lysis, but some HDPs can trigger apoptosis in cancer cells via mitochondrial membrane disruption. In addition, certain HDPs are anti-angiogenic which may inhibit cancer progression. This paper reviews oncolytic HDP studies in order to address the suitability of selected HDPs as oncolytic therapies.
3,3′-Diethylthiatricarbocyanine Iodide: A Highly Sensitive Chiroptical Reporter of DNA Helicity and Sequence
Authors: Choi Jung Kyu , D’Urso Alessandro , Trauernicht Mitch , Shabbir-Hussain Murtaza , Holmes Andrea E. , Balaz Milan
Published: November 2011

Using UV-vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopies, we explored the binding interactions of 3,3′-diethylthiatricarbocyanine iodide (Cy7) with polynucleotides of different sequences and helicity. CD showed to be a very diagnostic tool giving different spectroscopic chiroptical signatures for all explored DNA sequences upon Cy7 binding. Cy7 was able to spectroscopically discriminate between the right handed B-DNA of poly(dG-dC)2 and its left handed Z-DNA counterpart induced by spermine or Co(III)hexamine via nearly opposite induced circular dichroic signal.
Ti-Al Composite Wires with High Specific Strength
Authors: Marr Tom , Freudenberger Jens , Seifert Dirk , Klauß Hansjörg , Romberg Jan , Okulov Ilya , Scharnweber Juliane , Eschke Andy , Oertel Carl-Georg , Skrotzki Werner , Kühn Uta , Eckert Jürgen , Schultz Ludwig
Published: November 2011

An alternative deformation technique was applied to a composite made of titanium and an aluminium alloy in order to achieve severe plastic deformation. This involves accumulative swaging and bundling. Furthermore, it allows uniform deformation of a composite material while producing a wire which can be further used easily. Detailed analysis concerning the control of the deformation process, mesostructural and microstructural features and tensile testing was carried out on the as produced wires. A strong grain refinement to a grain size of 250–500 nm accompanied by a decrease in 〈111〉 fibre texture component and a change from low angle to high angle grain boundary characteristics is observed in the Al alloy. A strong increase in the mechanical properties in terms of ultimate tensile strength ranging from 600 to 930 MPa being equivalent to a specific strength of up to 223 MPa/g/cm3 was achieved.
A Nanostructured Piezoelectric Immunosensor for Detection of Human Cardiac Troponin T
Authors: Fonseca Rosana A. S. , Ramos-Jesus Joilson , Kubota Lauro T. , Dutra Rosa F.
Published: November 2011

A piezoelectric immunosensor based on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) co-immobilized on a dithiol-modified surface is proposed for detection of human cardiac troponin T (TnT). Anti-human troponin T (anti-TnT) antibodies were covalently immobilized on the nanostructured electrode surface by thiol-aldehyde linkages. In a homogeneous bulk solution, TnT was captured by anti-TnT immobilized on the QCM electrode. Cyclic voltammetry studies were used to characterize the AuNPs layer on the electrode surface and the anti-TnT immobilization steps. The QCM-flow immunosensor exhibited good reliability, measuring concentrations of TnT from 0.003 to 0.5 ng mL−1 in human serum with high linearity (r = 0.989; p < 0.01). The immunosensor exhibited a 7% coefficient of variation and 0.0015 ng mL−1 limit of detection, indicating a high reproducibility and sensitivity. The proposed QCM nanostructured immunosensor is easy to use and has promising potential in the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction due to its speed and high sensitivity.
Brillouin Corrosion Expansion Sensors for Steel Reinforced Concrete Structures Using a Fiber Optic Coil Winding Method
Authors: Zhao Xuefeng , Gong Peng , Qiao Guofu , Lu Jie , Lv Xingjun , Ou Jinping
Published: November 2011

In this paper, a novel kind of method to monitor corrosion expansion of steel rebars in steel reinforced concrete structures named fiber optic coil winding method is proposed, discussed and tested. It is based on the fiber optical Brillouin sensing technique. Firstly, a strain calibration experiment is designed and conducted to obtain the strain coefficient of single mode fiber optics. Results have shown that there is a good linear relationship between Brillouin frequency and applied strain. Then, three kinds of novel fiber optical Brillouin corrosion expansion sensors with different fiber optic coil winding packaging schemes are designed. Sensors were embedded into concrete specimens to monitor expansion strain caused by steel rebar corrosion, and their performance was studied in a designed electrochemical corrosion acceleration experiment. Experimental results have shown that expansion strain along the fiber optic coil winding area can be detected and measured by the three kinds of sensors with different measurement range during development the corrosion. With the assumption of uniform corrosion, diameters of corrosion steel rebars were obtained using calculated average strains. A maximum expansion strain of 6,738 με was monitored. Furthermore, the uniform corrosion analysis model was established and the evaluation formula to evaluate mass loss rate of steel rebar under a given corrosion rust expansion rate was derived. The research has shown that three kinds of Brillouin sensors can be used to monitor the steel rebar corrosion expansion of reinforced concrete structures with good sensitivity, accuracy and monitoring range, and can be applied to monitor different levels of corrosion. By means of this kind of monitoring technique, quantitative corrosion expansion monitoring can be carried out, with the virtues of long durability, real-time monitoring and quasi-distribution monitoring.
Vitamin D Supplementation and Endothelial Function in Vitamin D Deficient HIV-Infected Patients: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial
Authors: Longenecker Chris T , Hileman Corrilynn O , Carman Teresa L , Ross Allison C , Seydafkan Shabnam , Brown Todd T , Labbato Danielle E , Storer Norma , Tangpricha Vin , McComsey Grace A
Published: November 2011

Background

Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in HIV patients but the effect of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular risk in this population is unknown.

Methods

We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial among 45 HIV-infected adults in Cleveland (OH, USA) on stable antiretroviral therapy with durable virological suppression and a baseline serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of ≤20 ng/ml. Participants were randomized 2:1 to vitamin D3 4,000 IU daily or placebo for 12 weeks. The primary outcome was a change in flow-mediated brachial artery dilation (FMD).

Results

Baseline demographics were similar except for age (vitamin D versus placebo, mean ±sd 47 ±8 versus 40 ±10 years; P=0.009). Both groups had reduced FMD at baseline (median values 2.9% [IQR 1.6–4.8] for vitamin D versus 2.5% [IQR 1.7–6.4] for placebo; P=0.819). Despite an increase in the concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D from baseline to 12 weeks (5.0 ng/ ml [IQR -0.9–7.4] versus -1.9 ng/ml [IQR -4.0–0.1] for vitamin D versus placebo, respectively; P=0.003), there was no difference in FMD change (0.55% [IQR -1.05– 2.13] versus 0.29% [IQR -1.61–1.77]; P=0.748). Vitamin D supplementation was associated with a decrease in total and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and an increase in indices of insulin resistance.

Conclusions

Among HIV-infected individuals with vitamin D deficiency, supplementation with 4,000 IU vitamin D3 daily for 12 weeks modestly improved vitamin D status and cholesterol but worsened insulin resistance without change in endothelial function. The mechanisms of resistance to standard doses of vitamin D and the complex role of vitamin D in glucose metabolism in this population require further investigation.
The prevalence and antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of beta-hemolytic streptococci colonizing the throats of schoolchildren in Assam, India
Authors: Devi Utpala , Borah Prasanta Kumar , Mahanta Jagadish
Published: November 2011

Introduction: Studies on the carriage rate of beta-hemolytic streptococci among children form an important component of public health practice to prevent disease complications such as rheumatic fever/rheumatic heart disease, nephritis, and other local or systemic infections. Methodology: Throat swabs collected from asymptomatic schoolchildren were inoculated into appropriate media for isolation of beta-hemolytic streptococci. They were identified by standard biochemical methods and sero-grouped. Antibiotic sensitivity was evaluated using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. Results and Conclusion: Beta-hemolytic streptococci were isolated from 106 (7.7%) out of the 1,384 throat swabs and Group F was the predominant sero-group isolated. The highest resistance observed among all the beta-hemolytic streptococci was to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.
A ten-year review of neonatal bloodstream infections in a tertiary private hospital in Kenya
Authors: Kohli-Kochhar Ruchika , Omuse Geoffrey , Revathi Gunturu
Published: November 2011

Introduction: Neonatal mortality in developing countries is usually due to an infectious cause.  The gold standard of investigation in developing countries is a positive blood culture.  It is important to know the aetiology of neonatal bloodstream infections so that empiric treatment can be effective.  Methodology: We conducted a retrospective clinical audit over ten years between January 2000 until December 2009, looking at the aetiology of both early and late onset neonatal sepsis.  We analysed data from 152 (23%) patient isolates out of 662 suspected cases of neonatal sepsis.  Results: Our study revealed that Gram-positive organisms were the predominant cause of both early and late onset sepsis; the common isolates were Staphylococcus epidermidis (34%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27%).  There were no isolates of group B Streptococcus.  Candida species was isolated only in patients with late onset sepsis (6.9%).  Bacterial isolates were relatively sensitive to the commonly used first- and second-line empiric antibiotics. Conclusion: Gram-positive organisms remain the major cause of neonatal bloodstream infections in our setup.  The findings of this study will guide clinicians in prescribing the right empiric therapy in cases of suspected neonatal sepsis before the definitive culture results are obtained.
Mesurer le développement : autres données, autres conclusions ?
Authors: Deaton Angus
Published: November 2011

Résumé Nous disposons aujourd’hui de mesures du développement économique plus nombreuses et plus précises que jamais. Avec le temps, les enquêtes auprès des ménages se sont multipliées. Celles-ci fournissent non seulement des données sur les revenus et les dépenses des ménages, mais aussi des mesures directes de la santé, liées en particulier à l’anthropométrie, à la mortalité infantile et juvénile ou aux niveaux subjectifs de bien-être et de vécu affectif. Pour la première fois, nous pouvons compiler des cartes mondiales reprenant les multiples composantes du bien-être humain. Le dernier cycle du Projet de comparaison internationale (PCI) a relevé les prix de biens comparables dans 146 pays, dont beaucoup n’avaient encore jamais fait l’objet d’enquête. Ces nouvelles données ouvrent de multiples perspectives pour comprendre le développement économique des nations et des individus. Pourtant, des problèmes d’interprétation et de cohérence entre les différents types de données demeurent. Pourquoi la pauvreté dans le monde ne recule-t-elle pas aussi vite que la croissance économique mondiale pourrait le laisser espérer ? Pourquoi les habitants de l’Inde consomment-ils de moins en moins de calories, alors même que leur situation nutritionnelle est plus que médiocre et que leurs revenus augmentent rapidement ? Pourquoi la croissance économique ne va-t-elle pas toujours de pair avec une amélioration du bien-être subjectif ? Enfin, comment devons-nous interpréter la sensible aggravation des estimations de la pauvreté et des inégalités dans le monde établies à partir des dernières données du PCI ? Nous reviendrons sur ces interrogations qui donnent à réfléchir avant d’identifier un certain nombre de problématiques cruciales à résoudre.
Croissance durable : mesurons-nous bien le défi ?
Authors: Aglietta Michel
Published: November 2011

Résumé La mesure des agrégats macroéconomiques est un processus long et ardu qui touche au système de comptabilité nationale. La difficulté est liée aux exigences de la politique économique. Nous avons besoin aujourd’hui d’une croissance soutenable alliant préoccupations environnementales et politique de développement. Cela demande de radicalement transformer la comptabilité nationale, aujourd’hui système de comptes de recettes et de dépenses axé sur le PIB, en un système de comptabilité de la richesse, qui met en avant un concept du capital étendu englobant tous les actifs contribuant au bien-être social et associant une mesure de l’épargne « authentique ». L’article analyse ensuite les problèmes soulevés par la mesure de différents types de capital que les règles classiques de la comptabilité nationale ignorent ou traitent peu en tant que tels. Pourtant, dans les pays développés, les actifs immatériels sont aussi conséquents que le capital fixe productif et ce sont les principaux facteurs de croissance de l’économie du savoir. Par ailleurs, le capital naturel doit être évalué sur la base de sa rareté du point de vue de ses fonctions de source de ressources primaires, d’absorption des gaz à effet de serre et de préservation de la biodiversité. Parce que la nature intrinsèque de ces types de capital conduit à les mesurer à la valeur actualisée des rentes futures, le choix du taux d’actualisation joue un rôle critique dans le processus d’évaluation. Le taux d’actualisation est aussi important pour l’évaluation de l’engagement social des pensions qu’il l’est pour l’estimation du coût de l’épuisement des ressources non renouvelables et des dommages causés par la production anthropique de dioxyde de carbone. L’article montre que le processus d’évaluation des différents types de capital et d’estimation de leur substituabilité dans la production de bien-être social est entaché d’une radicale incertitude. En effet, de multiples sentiers de croissance présentent une soutenabilité incertaine en raison des « inconnues inconnues » inhérentes aux interactions entre les facteurs économiques et écologiques qui pourraient être associées à des rétroactions perturbatrices fortement non linéaires. Dès lors, le choix des taux d’actualisation est profondément éthique et doit s’inscrire dans un principe de précaution généralisé puisqu’il concerne le sort des générations futures. Ce principe est validé tant qu’existent des situations possibles d’exposition à des risques illimités. Les sociétés confrontées à une crise catastrophique de probabilité inconnue doivent débattre immédiatement des modalités souhaitables d’organisation des décisions collectives afin d’engager les politiques opportunes.
A Case Study of Applying Decision Theory in the Real World
Authors: Williams Jason D.
Published: November 2011

Spoken dialog systems present a classic example of planning under uncertainty. Speech recognition errors are ubiquitous and impossible to detect reliably, so the state of the conversation can never be known with certainty. Despite this, the system must choose actions to make progress to a long term goal. As such, decision theory, and in particular partially-observable Markov decision processes (POMDPs), present an attractive approach to building spoken dialog systems. Initial work on “toy” dialog systems validated the benefits of the POMDP approach; however, it also found that straightforward application of POMDPs could not scale to real-world problems. Subsequent work by a number of research teams has scaled up planning and belief monitoring, incorporated high-fidelity user simulations, and married commercial development practices with automatic optimization. Today, statistical dialog systems are being fielded by research labs for public use. This chapter traces the history of POMDP-based spoken dialog systems, and sketches avenues for future work.
Applications of DEC-MDPs in Multi-Robot Systems
Authors: Beynier Aurélie , Mouaddib Abdel-Illah
Published: November 2011

In this chapter, we introduce problematics related to the decentralized control of multi-robot systems. We first describe some applicative domains and review the main characteristics of the decision problems the robots must deal with. Then, we review some existing approaches to solve problems of multiagent decentralized control in stochastic environments. We present the Decentralized Markov Decision Processes and discuss their applicability to real-world multi-robot applications. Then, we introduce OC-DEC-MDPs and 2V-DEC-MDPs which have been developed to increase the applicability of DEC-MDPs.
Artificial Neural Network Modelling of Sequencing Batch Reactor Performance
Authors: Rene Eldon R. , Kim Sung Joo , Lee Dae Hee , Je Woo Bong , López Mirian Estefanía , Park Hung Suck
Published: November 2011

Sequencing batch reactor (SBR) is a versatile, eco-friendly, and cost-saving process for the biological treatment of nutrient-rich wastewater, at varying loading rates. The performance of a laboratory-scale SBR was monitored to ascertain the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total nitrogen (T-N) removals under four different operating conditions, by varying the operating time for the nitrification/denitrification steps, i.e., the cycle times. A multi-layered neural network was developed using COD, T-N, carbon to nitrogen ratio (C/N), aeration time, and mixed liquor suspended solids concentration (MLSS) data. This chapter compares the neural simulation results to the experimental results and extracts information on the significant factors affecting SBR performance. The application of artificial neural networks to biological processes such as SBR is a relatively new technique in wastewater and water quality management, and the results presented herein indicate the promising start of the adoption of computational science in this domain of research.