bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vector reconstruction of multicomponent seismic data
Authors: Stanton Aaron , Sacchi Mauricio D.
Published: June 2013

A multicomponent seismic record was transformed to the frequency-wavenumber domain using the quaternion Fourier transform. This transform was integrated into the projection onto convex sets algorithm to allow for the reconstruction of vector signals. The method took advantage of the spectral overlap of components in the frequency-wavenumber domain. The results of the method were compared with standard component-by-component reconstruction. Results were found for synthetic and real data including an example of 5D reconstruction of a converted-wave data set acquired over a heavy oil reservoir. We found an improvement in reconstruction quality producing fully sampled radial and transverse offset-azimuth gathers with a preserved vector relationship.
Investigations of TGF-β Signaling in Preantral Follicles of Female Mice Reveal Differential Roles for Bone Morphogenetic Protein 15
Authors: Fenwick Mark A. , Mora Jocelyn M. , Mansour Yosef T. , Baithun Christina , Franks Stephen , Hardy Kate
Published: June 2013

Bone morphogenetic protein 15 (BMP15) and growth differentiation factor 9 (GDF9) are 2 closely related TGF-β ligands implicated as key regulators of follicle development and fertility. Animals harboring mutations of these factors often exhibit a blockage in follicle development beyond the primary stage and therefore little is known about the role of these ligands during subsequent (preantral) stages. Preantral follicles isolated from immature mice were cultured with combinations of BMP15, GDF9, and activin receptor-like kinase (ALK) inhibitors. Individually, GDF9 and BMP15 promoted follicle growth during the first 24 hours, whereas BMP15 subsequently (48-72 h) caused follicle shrinkage and atresia with increased granulosa cell apoptosis. Inhibition of ALK6 prevented the BMP15-induced reduction in follicle size and under basal conditions promoted a rapid increase in granulosa cell proliferation, suggesting BMP15 signals through ALK6, which in turn acts to restrain follicle growth. In the presence of GDF9, BMP15 no longer promoted atresia and in fact follicle growth was increased significantly more than with either ligand alone. This cooperative effect was accompanied by differential expression of Id1-3, Smad6-7, and Has2 and was blocked by the same ALK5 inhibitor used to block GDF9 signaling. Immunostaining for SMAD2/3 and SMAD1/5/8, representing the 2 main branches of TGF-β signaling, supported the fact that both canonical pathways have the potential to be active in growing follicles, whereas primordial follicles only express SMAD2/3. Overall results highlight differential effects of the 2 main TGF-β signaling pathways during preantral follicle growth.
Elevated Mechanical Loading When Young Provides Lifelong Benefits to Cortical Bone Properties in Female Rats Independent of a Surgically Induced Menopause
Authors: Warden Stuart J. , Galley Matthew R. , Hurd Andrea L. , Wallace Joseph M. , Gallant Maxime A. , Richard Jeffrey S. , George Lydia A.
Published: June 2013

Exercise that mechanically loads the skeleton is advocated when young to enhance lifelong bone health. Whether the skeletal benefits of elevated loading when young persist into adulthood and after menopause are important questions. This study investigated the influence of a surgically induced menopause in female Sprague-Dawley rats on the lifelong maintenance of the cortical bone benefits of skeletal loading when young. Animals had their right forearm extrinsically loaded 3 d/wk between 4 and 10 weeks of age using the forearm axial compression loading model. Left forearms were internal controls and not loaded. Animals were subsequently detrained (restricted to cage activities) for 94 weeks (until age 2 years), with ovariectomy (OVX) or sham-OVX surgery being performed at 24 weeks of age. Loading enhanced midshaft ulna cortical bone mass, structure, and estimated strength. These benefits persisted lifelong and contributed to loaded ulnas having greater strength after detraining. Loading also had effects on cortical bone quality. The benefits of loading when young were not influenced by a surgically induced menopause because there were no interactions between loading and surgery. However, OVX had independent effects on cortical bone mass, structure, and estimated strength at early postsurgery time points (up to age 58 weeks) and bone quality measures. These data indicate skeletal loading when young had lifelong benefits on cortical bone properties that persisted independent of a surgically induced menopause. This suggests that skeletal loading associated with exercise when young may provide lifelong antifracture benefits by priming the skeleton to offset the cortical bone changes associated with aging and menopause.
Optimal Closing of a Momentum Trade
Authors: Ekström Erik , Lindberg Carl
Published: June 2013

There is an extensive academic literature that documents that stocks which have performed well in the past often continue to perform well over some holding period - so-called momentum. We study the optimal timing for an asset sale for an agent with a long position in a momentum trade. The asset price is modelled as a geometric Brownian motion with a drift that initially exceeds the discount rate, but with the opposite relation after an unobservable and exponentially distributed time. The problem of optimal selling of the asset is then formulated as an optimal stopping problem under incomplete information. Based on the observations of the asset, the agent wants to detect the unobservable change point as accurately as possible. Using filtering techniques and stochastic analysis, we reduce the problem to a one-dimensional optimal stopping problem, which we solve explicitly. We also show that the optimal boundary at which the investor should liquidate the trade depends monotonically on the model parameters.
The Resolvent and Expected Local Times for Markov-Modulated Brownian Motion with Phase-Dependent Termination Rates
Authors: Breuer Lothar
Published: June 2013

We consider a Markov-modulated Brownian motion (MMBM) with phase-dependent termination rates, i.e. while in a phase i the process terminates with a constant hazard rate ri ≥ 0. For such a process, we determine the matrix of expected local times (at zero) before termination and hence the resolvent. The results are applied to some recent questions arising in the framework of insurance risk. We further provide expressions for the resolvent and the local times at zero of an MMBM reflected at its infimum.
Emotional needs and the use of social networking website by adolescents
Authors: Pawłowska Beata , Lekan Monika , Międlar Krzysztof , Biały-Międlar Karolina , Fijałkowska Paula , Landman Marta
Published: June 2013

The aim of this work was to answer the following question: do any differences occur, if any, between emotional needs and activity shown by adolescents on Nasza Klasa [Classmates] social networking website?
The examined group consisted of 279 junior high school and high school students aged 13-18 years, out of which a group of 240 students (169 girls and 71 boys) was singled out who had a profile on Nasza Klasa social networking website.
In the research the following tests were used: the Socio-demographic Questionnaire designed by the authors, the Internet Addiction Assessment Questionnaire by Potembska and the Adjective Check List by Gough and Heilbrun in the version by Płużek.
Results and conclusions:
1. The obtained results inform about statistically significant differences between the use of Nasza Klasa social networking website for the following purposes: making comments about photos of other people as well as submitting holiday photos and the intensified need for change, acquiring information about the others and the intensified need for deference, bragging and the intensified need for endurance, order and intraception, submitting family photos on the website and the need for nurturance, abasement and deference.
2. More than twice as many girls as boys have a profile on Nasza Klasa social networking website.
Psychological therapy in prosthetic treatment
Authors: Listopad Justyna , Szymańska Jolanta
Published: June 2013

Prosthetic treatment aims at the restoration of the stomatognathic system normal function. An extremely important element of prosthetic rehabilitation is an appropriate psychological-pedagogical conduct of doctors towards patients, which is related to psychological problems on the part of patients. A successful psychological therapy is frequently decisive for a successful prosthetic treatment, especially in completely edentulous patients, a large percentage of whom are elderly people.
Extatic phenomena in rituals of Russian mystic religion groups
Authors: Welcz Henryk
Published: June 2013

Trance is a medical term contained in Chapter V of International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems /ICD – 10/ in the part of dissociational disorders /F44.3 together with possession/ and denotes a disorder characterised by transitional loss of own identity and decline of complete understanding of the surroundings.
In this article I want to deal only with some of the known to me phenomena of trance, dependent on will, performed in Russian mystic religion groups called raskolnicy.
Phenomena of trances and ecstasy, which are frequently identified with each other, were named by the researchers of the subject as changed states of conscience and meant particular states caused by physiological or psychological factors, which are characterised by the deviation in subjective understanding of the reality and the change towards the approved forms of behaviour during experiencing them. A trance or a similar state was presented in the activity of the Russian mystic religion groups.
Structural features of antiviral DNA cytidine deaminases
Authors: Vasudevan Ananda Ayyappan Jaguva , Smits Sander H.J. , Höppner Astrid , Häussinger Dieter , Koenig Bernd W. , Münk Carsten
Published: June 2013

The APOBEC3 (A3) family of cytidine deaminases plays a vital role for innate defense against retroviruses. Lentiviruses such as HIV-1 evolved the Vif protein that triggers A3 protein degradation. There are seven A3 proteins, A3A-A3H, found in humans. All A3 proteins can deaminate cytidines to uridines in single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), generated during viral reverse transcription. A3 proteins have either one or two cytidine deaminase domains (CD). The CDs coordinate a zinc ion, and their amino acid specificity classifies the A3s into A3Z1, A3Z2, and A3Z3. A3 proteins occur as monomers, dimers, and large oligomeric complexes. Studies on the nature of A3 oligomerization, as well as the mode of interaction of A3s with RNA and ssDNA are partially controversial. High-resolution structures of the catalytic CD2 of A3G and A3F as well as of the single CD proteins A3A and A3C have been published recently. The NMR and X-ray crystal structures show globular proteins with six α-helices and five β sheets arranged in a characteristic motif (α1-β1-β2/2′-α2-β3-α3-β4-α4-β5-α5-α6). However, the detailed arrangement and extension of individual structure elements and their relevance for A3 complex formation and activity remains a matter of debate and will be highlighted in this review.
Applications of nanobioceramics to healthcare technology
Authors: Feng Jason , Thian Eng San
Published: June 2013

The development of functional, biological solutions to repair or replace damaged tissues and organs is the goal of tissue engineering. This involves an interplay of cells, scaffolds and biomolecules that would generate a favourable response when implanted into patients, thus restoring functions lost or impaired due to injuries or diseases. Advances in nanotechnology have enabled the design and fabrication of novel materials at the nanometre scale. Hailed as the next generation of advanced materials, nanomaterials possess advantages of being biochemically and nanostructurally similar to that of physiological tissues. Moreover, nanotopological cues are incorporated, ensuring appropriate cellular responses, thereby enhancing the success of tissue regeneration. Nanobioceramics play a crucial role in bone tissue engineering due to its close chemical similarity to physiological bone and excellent biocompatibility. In addition, nanoscale engineering of these materials has the ability to enhance mechanical and biological properties. This review will begin with an introduction to nanomaterials and its associated considerations that should be taken into account. Next, the role of nanobioceramics achieving these considerations will be discussed. An overview of the current form of nanobioceramics being developed will be provided, concluding with an outlook of nanobioceramics for the healthcare industry.
Preparation and characterization of positively charged polysulfone nanofiltration membranes
Authors: Mahendran Rajagopalan , Bhattacharya Prashant Kumar
Published: June 2013

Charged nanofiltration (NF) membranes were prepared from aminated polysulfone (APSF) via a phase inversion technique, by varying the polymer and solvent weight ratios. A two-step phase inversion technique, adopted for the preparation of NF membranes, involved chloromethylation, and subsequent amination of the polymer, polysulfone (PSF). Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) spectroscopic analyses of the prepared chloromethylated PSF (CPSF) membrane confirmed the incorporation of chloromethylated groups on the polymer backbone. Also, the separation capability of the prepared membranes was evaluated by compaction studies, pure water fluxes (PWF) at different pressures, and hydraulic membrane resistance measurements. Furthermore, scanning electron microscopic (SEM) and atomic force microscopic (AFM) images revealed that the pore size and pore distribution decreased with increase in the polymer weight ratio. In addition, the functionality of the prepared membranes as a nano-filter was analyzed by constructing a stirred batch NF cell and evaluated towards a feed solution containing different concentrations of Cr (III) ions. The performance of the prepared membrane was compared with commercially available (NFT-50) NF membrane.
Luftultraschall-Abstandsmessung mit digitaler Signalverarbeitung zur Verkürzung des Mindestabstandes
Authors: Schröder Andreas , Henning Bernd
Published: June 2013

Ultraschall-Abstandssensoren besitzen meist nur einen Schallwandler und dadurch Prinzip bedingt einen Mindestabstand. Eine Möglichkeit diesen Mindestabstand zu reduzieren, besteht in der Realisierung eines simultanen Sende- und Empfangsbetriebes. In diesem Beitrag wird dies durch eine digitale Signalverarbeitung realisiert. Dabei wird das zu erwartende, echofreie Schallwandlersignal modellbasiert berechnet und vom gemessenen Schallwandlersignal subtrahiert, um so das Empfangssignal zu bestimmen.
PKC and ERK mediate GH-stimulated lipolysis
Authors: Bergan Heather E , Kittilson Jeffrey D , Sheridan Mark A
Published: June 2013

GH regulates several physiological processes in vertebrates, including the promotion of growth, an anabolic process, and the mobilization of stored lipids, a catabolic process. In this study, we used hepatocytes isolated from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) as a model to examine the mechanism of GH action on lipolysis. GH stimulated lipolysis as measured by increased glycerol release in both a time- and a concentration-related manner. The promotion of lipolysis was accompanied by GH-stimulated phosphorylation of the lipolytic enzyme hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL). GH-stimulated lipolysis was also manifested by an increased expression of the two HSL-encoding mRNAs, HSL1 and HSL2. The signaling pathways that underlie GH-stimulated lipolysis were also studied. GH resulted in the activation of phospholipase C (PLC)/protein kinase C (PKC) and the MEK/ERK pathway, whereas JAK–STAT and the PI3K–Akt pathway were deactivated. The blockade of PLC/PKC and the MEK/ERK pathway inhibited GH-stimulated lipolysis and GH-stimulated phosphorylation of HSL as well as GH-stimulated HSL mRNA expression, whereas the blockade of JAK–STAT or the PI3K–Akt pathway had no effect on the activation of lipolysis or the expression of HSL stimulated by GH. These results indicate that GH promotes lipolysis by activating HSL and by enhancing the de novo expression of HSL mRNAs via the activation of PKC and ERK. These findings also suggest molecular mechanisms for activating the lipid catabolic actions of GH while simultaneously deactivating anabolic processes such as antilipolysis and the growth-promoting actions of GH.
A lép a sebészi kísérletek tükrében
Authors: Furka István , Németh Norbert , Mikó Irén
Published: June 2013

Absztrakt

A sérült, de egyébként ép szerkezetű lép megtartására számos műtéti technika ismert. Ezek közül két módszer kidolgozása is kötődik a tanszékhez: az ölelkező varratsorral végzett lépresectio és a nagycseplesz kettőzetébe ültetett lépszeletkékkel végzett eljárás, az úgynevezett „lépkötény”-módszer, a lép-autotranszplantáció. Az elmúlt három évtizedben a műtéti technika kialakítását követően funkcionális és strukturális utánkövetéses vizsgálatok történtek egyre bővülő metodikai tárházzal: beleértve a széles körű laboratóriumi vizsgálatokat (hematológiai, haemostaseologiai, haemorheologiai, enzimológiai, rutin kémiai, immunológiai), képalkotó eljárásokat (hasi UH, scintigraphiai módszerek, SPECT, valamint az utóbbi években nano-SPECT/CT), morphologiai elemzéseket (hagyományos szövettani, immunhisztokémiai, elektronmikroszkópos vizsgálatok), valamint a haemopoeticus őssejtek szerepének vizsgálatát. E vizsgálatok főbb, jelző értékű eredményei a lép-autotranszplantáció létjogosultságát mutatták, hiszen a beültetett lépszeletkék újraereződés révén, remodellatiójuk és recolonisatiójuk után részben újra képesek biztosítani a lépfunkciókat. Ez pedig kritikus fontosságú a lép eltávolítását követő szövődmények (OPSI, DIC) elkerülésében. Jelen tanulmány a legfontosabb elveket és a különböző kísérletes modellek főbb következtetéseit foglalja össze.
The Critical Role of Institutional Services in Open Access Advocacy
Authors: Neugebauer Tomasz , Murray Annie
Published: June 2013

This paper examines the development of the Open Access movement in scholarly communication, with particular attention to some of the rhetorical strategies and policy mechanisms used to promote it to scholars and scientists. Despite the majority of journal publishersâ€™ acceptance of author self-archiving practices, and the minimal time commitment required by authors to successfully self-archive their work in disciplinary or institutional repositories, the majority of authors still by and large avoid participation. The paper reviews the strategies and arguments used for increasing author participation in open access, including the role of open access mandates. We recommend a service-oriented approach towards increasing participation in open access, rather than rhetoric that speculates on the benefits that open access will have on text/data mining innovation. In advocating for open access participation, we recommend focusing on its most universal and tangible purpose: increasing public open (gratis) access to the published results of publicly funded research. Researchers require strong institutional support to understand the copyright climate of open access self-archiving, user-friendly interfaces and useful metrics, such as repository usage statistics. We recommend that mandates and well-crafted and responsive author support services at universities will ultimately be required to ensure the growth of open access. We describe the mediated deposit service that was developed to support author self-archiving in Spectrum: Concordia University Research Repository. By comparing the number of deposits of non-thesis materials (e.g. articles and conference presentations) that were accomplished through the staff-mediated deposit service to the number of deposits that were author-initiated, we demonstrate the relative significance of this service to the growth of the repository.
EUDAT: A New Cross-Disciplinary Data Infrastructure for Science
Authors: Lecarpentier Damien , Wittenburg Peter , Elbers Willem , Michelini Alberto , Kanso Riam , Coveney Peter , Baxter Rob
Published: June 2013

The EUDAT project is a pan-European data initiative that started in October 2011. The project brings together a unique consortium of 25 partners â€“ including research communities, national data and high performance computing (HPC) centres, technology providers, and funding agencies â€“ from 13 countries. EUDAT aims to build a sustainable cross-disciplinary and cross-national data infrastructure that provides a set of shared services for accessing and preserving research data.
Electrochemical characterization and determination of carbamazepine as pharmaceutical standard and tablet content on gold electrode
Authors: Trisovic Nemanja , Bozic Bojan , Petrovic Slobodan , Tadic Svetlana , Avramov-Ivic Milka
Published: June 2013

The anodic behaviour of carbamazepine (CBZ), an anticonvulsant drug, has been
studied on gold electrode in 0.1 mol dm-3 phosphate buffer of pH 7.0 by using
cyclic voltammetry. It has been found that the value of the oxidative current
of pure CBZ at +0.90 V is a linear function of the concentration in a range
from 1.0?10-7 to 1.0?10?4 mol dm?3. The detection of CBZ in the concentration
of 1.0?10-8 mol dm-3 is among the lowest that have been reported for this
drug using voltammetric techniques. CBZ as a content of tablet Galepsine? has
been quantitatively determined. It has also been demonstrated that the
modification of gold electrode with bovine serum albumin (BSA) results in a
decrease of the oxidative peak current due to the binding of the drug to BSA.
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy imaging of medulla oblongata and substantia nigra in idiopathic Parkinson's disease
Authors: Rana Netra , Ma Shaohui , Guo Chenguang , Li Min , Zhang Ming
Published: June 2013

Objective: To use 1.5T 1H-MRS as a research tool in vivo and demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining long-echo 1H MR spectra in small volumes like substantia nigra (SN) and medulla oblongata (MO) in healthy volunteers and patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and observe the clinical correlations. Subjects and Methods: Twenty patients of the idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) were recruited from the Out Patient Department of Neurology. Additionally, 14 age-matched healthy subjects were taken as controls group. After baseline evaluation, the patients satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent 1H-MRS study. All MR examinations were performed on a 1.5 T system (Philips Gyroscan Intera, Netherlands) using a standard quadrature head coil. Results: We succeeded to achieve 74.19% and 77.42% of spectra from MO and SN of both PD and control groups. MO showed slightly weak negative result to total UPDRS and UPDRS- II, but no significant correlation was found between metabolites and clinical indexes in MO. The result also showed no significant correlations between H&Y scale and metabolites in MO and SN of PD patients. But there was a significant correlation between H&Y, NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr in SN. Conclusions: MRS ratios from MO and SN does not play any significant role to differentiate PD from the normal subjects, but metabolites ratios from SN of PD patient can help to understand the progression and severity of the disease. Therefore, it is not practical to employ MRS as a diagnostic tool for PD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v4i3.8066 Asian Journal of Medical Sciences 4(2013) 76-85
Frequency of causes of pancytopenia in a private hospital in Kathmandu
Authors: Hirachand Suspana , Singh R , Lama S
Published: June 2013

Background: Pancytopenia is not a disease entity but a triad of findings that result from a number of disease processes. These disorders may affect bone marrow either primarily or secondarily, resulting in the manifestation of pancytopenia. Objective: To identify the various causes of pancytopenia in patients attending to Star hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal. Methods: Fifty two patients with pancytopenia were included in this study from June 2011 to June 2012. Complete blood count, peripheral blood smear, bone marrow aspiration and trephine biopsies were performed according to standard methods. Results: Out of 52 cases, there were 26 cases(50%) of aplastic anaemia, 18 cases(34.61%) of megaloblastic anaemia, 4 cases(7.69%) of acute leukemia, 2cases(3.84%) of erythroid hyperplasia, 1 case(1.92%) of metastatic tumor and 1 case(1.92%) of multiple myeloma. Conclusion: Aplastic anaemia and megaloblastic anaemia were the most common causes of pancytopenia in this study. Health Renaissance, January-April 2013; Vol. 11 No.1; 134-137 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i2.8220
Quadriceps angle in eastern Nepalese population
Authors: Maharjan Rajiv , Shrestha BP , Khanal GP , Chaudhary P , Karn NK
Published: June 2013

Introduction: Controversy still exists about within-subject and between-group variation of quadriceps angle (Q angle). Moreover, the reference value for our population has not been studied. Still many more determinants of Q angle are to be explored. Objectives: To determine a reference value for normal Q-angles among eastern Nepalese population and determine its correlation with other anthropometric determinants. Methods: 1200 subjects were included form representative districts of eastern Nepal and their Q angle from both sides in various position of limb was measured. Correlation between them as well as their correlation with age, height, weight and arm span of every individual was analyzed. Results: Quadriceps angle in the study population was symmetrically distributed. Between-group (male versus female), within-subject (right versus left lower limb), within-position (supine versus standing) difference in Q angle was not significant. Weight in males, in contrast to females, has strong correlation with Q angle. Conclusion: We conclude that there is within subject, within position and between gender asymmetry in Q angle. Thus in recording Q angle measurements, both sides should be measured with limb position specified. Health Renaissance, January-April 2013; Vol. 11 No.1; 150-156 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i2.8223
Pulmonary sarcoidosis: a case report with typical imaging features
Authors: Ahmad Kaleem , Rauniyar RK , Ansari S , Dhungel K , Gupta MK , Sah PL , Pant AR
Published: June 2013

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disorder multisystem involvement; however, pulmonary manifestations typically dominate with abnormal chest radiographs in majority of the patients. Pulmonary function tests like vital capacity and total lung capacity are reduced. The typical radiographic feature of sarcoidosis is bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy with involvement of right paratracheal lymph nodes concomitantly. Computed tomographic scan is ahead of conventional chest radiographs in depicting parenchymal, mediastinal and hilar abnormalities. Transbronchial lung biopsy and transbronchial needle aspiration are important for diagnosing pulmonary sarcoidosis. Health Renaissance, January-April 2013; Vol. 11 No.1; 169-171 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i2.8228
Riga-Fede Disease
Authors: Ghimire Neeta , Maharjan IK , Kumar A , Koirala B
Published: June 2013

The term Riga-Fede disease has been used historically to describe traumatic ulceration that occurs on the ventral surface of tongue in neonates and infants. The natal and neonatal tooth have been reported to cause ulceration on the ventral surface of the tongue which may affect the child.s feeding habits. This appearance was described by Riga and Fede and hence been termed as Riga-Fede disease. It is important to diagnose the lesion early and treat it by eliminating the cause of trauma to avoid untoward complications. Treatment option can be either conservative or extraction of natal and neonatal tooth. This paper presents a case of Riga-Fede disease resolved by conservative treatment i.e., grinding, after which the infant started feeding normally. Health Renaissance, January-April 2013; Vol. 11 No.1; 174-176 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/hren.v11i2.8230
Bridging the Fields of Solar Cell and Battery Research to Develop High-Performance Anodes for Photoelectrochemical Cells and Metal Ion Batteries
Authors: Manzhos Sergei , Giorgi Giacomo
Published: June 2013

Solar-to-electricity energy conversion and large scale electricity storage technologies are key to achieve a sustainable development of society. For energy conversion, photoelectrochemical solar cells were proposed as an economic alternative to the conventional Si-based technology. For energy storage, metal-ion batteries are a very promising technology. Titania (TiO2) based anodes are widely used in photoelectrochemical cells and have recently emerged as safe, high-rate anodes for metal-ion batteries. In both applications, titania interacts with electrolyte species: molecules and metal ions. Details of this interaction determine the performance of the electrode in both technologies, but no unified theoretical description exists, e.g., there is no systematic description of the effects of Li, Na insertion into TiO2 on solar cell performance (while it is widely studied in battery research) and no description of effects of surface adsorbents on the performance of battery anodes (while they are widely studied in solar cell research). In fact, there is no systematic description of interactions of electrolyte species with TiO2 of different phases and morphologies. We propose a computation-focused study that will bridge the two fields that have heretofore largely been developing in parallel and will identify improved anode materials for both photoelectrochemical solar cells and metal-ion batteries.
A Combined Fuzzy-AHP and Fuzzy-GRA Methodology for Hydrogen Energy Storage Method Selection in Turkey
Authors: Gumus Alev , Yayla A. , Çelik Erkan , Yildiz Aytac
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we aim to select the most appropriate Hydrogen Energy Storage (HES) method for Turkey from among the alternatives of tank, metal hydride and chemical storage, which are determined based on expert opinions and literature review. Thus, we propose a Buckley extension based fuzzy Analytical Hierarchical Process (Fuzzy-AHP) and linear normalization based fuzzy Grey Relational Analysis (Fuzzy-GRA) combined Multi Criteria Decision Making (MCDM) methodology. This combined approach can be applied to a complex decision process, which often makes sense with subjective data or vague information; and used to solve to solve HES selection problem with different defuzzification methods. The proposed approach is unique both in the HES literature and the MCDM literature.
Afforestation of Boreal Open Woodlands: Early Performance and Ecophysiology of Planted Black Spruce Seedlings
Authors: Tremblay Pascal , Boucher Jean-Francois , Tremblay Marc , Lord Daniel
Published: June 2013

Open lichen woodlands (LWs) are degraded stands that lack the ability to regenerate naturally due to a succession of natural and/or anthropogenic disturbances. As they represent both interesting forest restoration and carbon sequestration opportunities, we tested disc scarification and planting of two sizes of containerized black spruce (Picea mariana Mill. (BSP)) seedlings for their afforestation. We compared treatment of unproductive LWs to reforestation of harvested, closed-crown black spruce-feathermoss (BSFM) stands. After one year, seedling survival and nutritional status were equivalent among stand types but despite higher root elongation index (REI), planted seedlings in LWs had lower relative growth rate, smaller total biomass and stem diameter than those in BSFM stands. Soil fertility variables, soil temperature, nor seedling water potential, helped at explaining this early growth response. Disc scarification significantly improved seedling first-year survival, biomass and foliar nutrient concentrations of P, Ca, and Mg. Smaller planting stock showed higher REI, higher shoot water potential, and higher foliar nutrient concentration of all but one of the measured nutrients (N, P, K and Mg). Hence, preliminary results suggest that planting of smaller containerized black spruce stock, combined with disc scarification, shows potential for afforestation of unproductive LWs. The impact of the lichen mat and other potential growth limiting factors on afforestation of these sites requires further investigation.
Mathematical Modelling to Predict Oxidative Behaviour of Conjugated Linoleic Acid in the Food Processing Industry
Authors: Ojanguren Aitziber , Ayo Josune
Published: June 2013

Industrial processes that apply high temperatures in the presence of oxygen may compromise the stability of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) bioactive isomers. Statistical techniques are used in this study to model and predict, on a laboratory scale, the oxidative behaviour of oil with high CLA content, controlling the limiting factors of food processing. This modelling aims to estimate the impact of an industrial frying process (140 °C, 7 L/h air) on the oxidation of CLA oil for use as frying oil instead of sunflower oil. A factorial design was constructed within a temperature (80–200 °C) and air flow (7–20 L/h) range. Oil stability index (Rancimat method) was used as a measure of oxidation. Three-level full factorial design was used to obtain a quadratic model for CLA oil, enabling the oxidative behaviour to be predicted under predetermined process conditions (temperature and air flow). It is deduced that temperatures applied in food processes affect the oxidation of CLA to a greater extent than air flow. As a result, it is estimated that the oxidative stability of CLA oil is less resistant to industrial frying than sunflower oil. In conclusion, thanks to the mathematical model, a good choice of the appropriate industrial food process can be selected to avoid the oxidation of the bioactive isomers of CLA, ensuring its functionality in novel applications.
Cosmological Observations in a Modified Theory of Gravity (MOG)
Authors: Moffat John. , Toth Viktor
Published: June 2013

Our Modified Gravity Theory (MOG) is a gravitational theory without exotic dark matter, based on an action principle. MOG has been used successfully tomodel astrophysical phenomena, such as galaxy rotation curves, galaxy cluster masses and lensing. MOG may also be able to account for cosmological observations. We assume that the MOG point source solution can be used to describe extended distributions of matter via an appropriately modified Poisson equation. We use this result to model perturbation growth in MOG and find that it agrees well with the observed matter power spectrum at present. As the resolution of the power spectrum improves with increasing survey size, however, significant differences emerge between the predictions of MOG and the standard Λ-cold dark matter (Λ-CDM) model, as in the absence of exotic darkmatter, oscillations of the power spectrum in MOG are not suppressed. We can also use MOG to model the acoustic power spectrum of the cosmic microwave background. A suitably adapted semi-analytical model offers a first indication that MOG may pass this test and correctly model the peak of the acoustic spectrum.
Contingency, Irony and Morality: A Critical Review of Rorty’s Notion of the Liberal Utopia
Authors: Coombs Wehan
Published: June 2013

This paper introduces Richard Rorty’s notion of the liberal ironist and his vision of a liberal utopia and explores the implications of these for philosophical questions concerning morality, as well as morality in general. Rorty’s assertions of the contingency of language, society and self are explored. Under the contingency of language, the figure of the ironist is defined, and Rorty’s conception of vocabularies is discussed. Under the contingency of society, Rorty’s definition of liberalism, his opposition of literary culture to materialist and metaphysical culture, and his notions concerning utopian politics are discussed. Under the contingency of self, Rorty’s critique of Kantian and his appropriations of Deweyan and Freudian conceptions of morality are presented. Other key factors discussed are Rorty’s theory of the separation of the private and public spheres of life and his ideas concerning cruelty and human solidarity. In this way, a critical analysis of Rorty’s proposed balance between private, ironic doubt and public, liberal social hope is presented and assessed in terms of its merit as a system of thought suited to the needs of post-metaphysical, liberal societies.
A Novel Low Temperature PCR Assured High-Fidelity DNA Amplification
Authors: Hong Guofan , Lee Sin , Ge Shichao , Zhou Shaoxia
Published: June 2013

As previously reported, a novel low temperature (LoTemp) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) catalyzed by a moderately heat-resistant (MHR) DNA polymerase with a chemical-assisted denaturation temperature set at 85 °C instead of the conventional 94–96 °C can achieve high-fidelity DNA amplification of a target DNA, even after up to 120 PCR thermal cycles. Furthermore, such accurate amplification is not achievable with conventional PCR. Now, using a well-recognized L1 gene segment of the human papillomavirus (HPV) type 52 (HPV-52) as the template for experiments, we demonstrate that the LoTemp high-fidelity DNA amplification is attributed to an unusually high processivity and stability of the MHR DNA polymerase whose high fidelity in template-directed DNA synthesis is independent of non-existent 3'–5' exonuclease activity. Further studies and understanding of the characteristics of the LoTemp PCR technology may facilitate implementation of DNA sequencing-based diagnostics at the point of care in community hospital laboratories.
Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes of Few Walls Using Aliphatic Alcohols as a Carbon Source
Authors: Ordoñez-Casanova Elsa , Román-Aguirre Manuel , Aguilar-Elguezabal Alfredo , Espinosa-Magaña Francisco
Published: June 2013

Carbon nanotubes with single and few walls are highly appreciated for their technological applications, regardless of the limited availability due to their high production cost. In this paper we present an alternative process that can lead to lowering the manufacturing cost of CNTs of only few walls by means of the use of the spray pyrolysis technique. For this purpose, ferrocene is utilized as a catalyst and aliphatic alcohols (methanol, ethanol, propanol or butanol) as the carbon source. The characterization of CNTs was performed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The study of the synthesized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) show important differences in the number of layers that constitute the nanotubes, the diameter length, the quantity and the quality as a function of the number of carbons employed in the alcohol. The main interest of this study is to give the basis of an efficient synthesis process to produce CNTs of few walls for applications where small diameter is required.
Remarkable Urban Uplift in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany: Observations from TerraSAR-X InSAR and Leveling from 2008 to 2011
Authors: Lubitz Christin , Motagh Mahdi , Wetzel Hans-Ulrich , Kaufmann Hermann
Published: June 2013

As geothermal energy is of increasing importance as a renewable energy source, there is a high demand for comprehensive studies to prevent failure during implementation, as is the case in Staufen im Breisgau, Germany. The drilling of seven wells for the geothermal heating of the city hall in 2007 is thought to have disturbed the existing hydro-geological system in the complex structured transition zone of the Upper Rhine Graben and the Schwarzwald massif. This event has led to uplift, related to the transformation of anhydrite to gypsum, which affects the infrastructure of the city centre via the generation of large cracks. This study focuses on the application of the InSAR Small Baseline Subset (SBAS) approach using 50 X-band radar images from the German TerraSAR-X satellite (TSX) to map the spatial and temporal patterns of the deformation field in detail. X-band InSAR time series analysis for the three-year time period from July 2008 through May 2011 indicates maximum velocities of ~12 cm/yr in the line of sight (LOS) direction, from the ground to the satellite, approximately 50 m northeast of the drilling field. In comparison with leveling data for the same time period, TSX data analysis better delineates the border of the deformation area, and it is able to map the amount of deformation associated with different parts of the city. Moreover, this comparison indicates contributions of horizontal motion, as is expected for uplift patterns.
Evaluation of Digital Classification of Polarimetric SAR Data for Iron-Mineralized Laterites Mapping in the Amazon Region
Authors: Da Silva Arnaldo , Paradella Waldir , Freitas Corina , Oliveira Cleber
Published: June 2013

This study evaluates the potential of C- and L-band polarimetric SAR data for the discrimination of iron-mineralized laterites in the Brazilian Amazon region. The study area is the N1 plateau located on the northern border of the Carajás Mineral Province, the most important Brazilian mineral province which has numerous mineral deposits, particularly the world’s largest iron deposits. The plateau is covered by low-density savanna-type vegetation (campus rupestres) which contrasts visibly with the dense equatorial forest. The laterites are subdivided into three units: chemical crust, iron-ore duricrust, and hematite, of which only the latter two are of economic interest. Full polarimetric data from the airborne R99B sensor of the SIVAM/CENSIPAM (L-band) system and the RADARSAT-2 satellite (C-band) were evaluated. The study focused on an assessment of distinct schemes for digital classification based on decomposition theory and hybrid approach, which incorporates statistical analysis as input data derived from the target decomposition modeling. The results indicated that the polarimetric classifications presented a poor performance, with global Kappa values below 0.20. The accuracy for the identification of units of economic interest varied from 55% to 89%, albeit with high commission error values. In addition, the results using L-band were considered superior compared to C-band, which suggest that the roughness scale for laterite discrimination in the area is nearer to L than to C-band.
Synthesizing the Experiments and Theories of Conservation Psychology
Authors: Osbaldiston Richard
Published: June 2013

Within the field of environmental psychology, there are two distinct bodies of literature. First, there are experimental studies that have evaluated techniques for getting people to perform conservation behaviors. Second, there are theoretical studies that have surveyed people to create some type of theoretical model that explains conservation behaviors. These two types of research almost never overlap. This research project attempts to bridge these two literatures. Specifically, we coded over 100 environmental experiments for the type of treatment that each one employed and the effect size that was reported. Then we mapped the ten leading treatments on to the main components of six leading theoretical models. Our findings indicate that a moderate amount of variance in the effect sizes of the experimental literature is explained by the theoretical models and that one of the strongest predictors of conservation behavior is the situation or context. While we acknowledge the limitations of our method, this research raises a fundamentally important question: Why are our theories somewhat limited at predicting the behavior patterns that we see in our experiments? Are our theories built on the wrong set of psychological constructs, or are our experiments manipulating the wrong set of variables?
Soil Fertility Management a Century Ago in Farmers of Forty Centuries
Authors: Heckman Joseph
Published: June 2013

Published just over a century ago, Farmers of Forty Centuries or Permanent Agriculture in China, Korea, and Japan, served to document the viability and productivity of traditional agricultural systems that relied on composting, and complete recycling of all types of natural waste materials, as a means of sustaining soil fertility. This cardinal rule of waste management and organic soil husbandry became known as “the law of return” to organic farming. With regards to nutrient management, organic farming methods uses restorative cultural practices that include the law of return principle which encourages the closure of nutrient cycles. In these respects, organic farming methods are arguably more firmly grounded in ecology and sustainability than the promotions of the chemical fertilizer industry which has largely displaced traditional soil fertility practices. Farmers of Forty Centuries is a classic with valuable lessons and experience to offer towards teaching modern concepts in sustainable agriculture.
Responses by Breast and Prostate Cancer Patients to Out-Of-Pocket Costs in Newfoundland and Labrador
Authors: Housser E. , Mathews M. , LeMessurier J. , Young S. , Hawboldt J. , West R.
Published: June 2013

Purpose: Cancer patients face substantial care-related out-of-pocket (oop) costs that may influence treatment decisions, attitudes, and use of drug- or appointment-related cost-saving strategies. We examined the relationship between oop costs and care-related responses by patients. Methods: We surveyed 170 prostate and 131 breast cancer patients presenting at clinics or support groups, or listed on the cancer registry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Results: In the 3-month period before the survey, 18.8% of prostate and 25.2% of breast cancer patients had oop costs greater than $500. Those oop costs consumed more than 7.5% of quarterly household income for 15.9% of prostate and 19.1% of breast cancer patients. Few patients (8.8% prostate, 15.3% breast) ever adopted any drug- or appointment-related cost-saving strategy. Few patients (7.2% prostate, 9.6% breast) said oop costs influenced treatment decisions, told their physicians about their oop costs (27.0% prostate, 21.1% breast), or were aware of available financial assistance programs (27.3% prostate, 36.9% breast). Compared with patients having low or moderate oop costs (22.9% prostate, 16.7% breast, and 25.7% prostate, 58.3% breast respectively), a larger proportion of prostate (56.0%) and breast (58.3%) cancer patients with high oop costs said that those costs created stress. Among prostate cancer patients, a larger proportion of those having high oop costs (compared with low or moderate costs) used drug-related (22.2% vs. 3.3% and 9.6% respectively) and appointment-related (11.1% vs. 1.1% and 3.8% respectively) cost-saving strategies, said oop costs created an unusual amount of stress (48.0% vs. 18.4% and 10.4%), and had difficulty paying those costs (29.2% vs. 6.2% and 10.4%). Conclusions: For a small group of breast and prostate cancer patients, oop costs are high, but rarely lead to the use of care-related cost-saving strategies or influence care decisions.
Response to Bernardi and Colleagues
Authors: Tehfe Mustapha
Published: June 2013

Re: Bernardi D, Tomassi O, Stefani M, Di Giacobbe A. Comment on “Clinical features and course of brain metastases in colorectal cancer: an experience from a single institution.” Curr Oncol 2013;20:e278. [...]