bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifying the Effects of Small‐Scale Heterogeneities on Flow and Transport in Undisturbed Cores from the Hanford Formation
Authors: Pace M. N. , Mayes M. A. , Jardine P. M. , Mehlhorn T. L. , Zachara J. M. , Bjornstad B. N.
Published: October 2013

Accelerated migration of contaminants in the vadose zone has been observed beneath tank farms at the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford Reservation, Richland, WA. This paper focuses on quantifying hydrologic processes that control the fate and transport of contaminants in the unsaturated sediments beneath the Hanford tank farms. The experimental approach involved the use of field relevant, long‐term unsaturated nonreactive transport experiments in undisturbed sediments from the Hanford Formation. Undisturbed sediment cores were collected from a laminated fine‐grained sand unit within the Hanford Formation in both the vertical direction (flow cross bedding) and the horizontal direction (flow bedding parallel). Laboratory‐scale saturated and unsaturated flow experiments were conducted using multiple nonreactive tracers to investigate hydrologic processes controlling the vertical and lateral spread of contaminants. The nonreactive tracers differ in their free‐water molecular diffusion coefficients, thus providing a quantitative measure of diffusional processes and the presence of immobile water. Asymmetric breakthrough curves (BTCs) and coelution of tracers were observed during saturated flow in both horizontal and vertical cores, indicating advection enhanced solute dispersion with no accompanying immobile water. Unsaturated tracer transport in the vertical and horizontal cores resulted in earlier breakthrough, asymmetric BTCs, and differential breakthrough of tracers where the elution of piperazine‐1‐4‐bis(2‐ethanesulfonic acid) (PIPES) preceded that of pentafluorobenzoic acid (PFBA), which preceded that of Br− These results suggest that physical nonequilibrium processes (PNE) such as preferential finger flow coupled with immobile water may control the unsaturated movement of contaminants in the Hanford Formation.
The Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory Site: An Overview of Site History and Soil and Groundwater Contamination Issues
Authors: Lenhard Robert J. , Yonk Alan K. , Wright Phillip M. , Herzog James D.
Published: October 2013

In a remote site in eastern Idaho, now known as the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) Site, the U.S. Government established a facility to test‐fire naval gunnery during World War II. The mission after the war switched to development and demonstration of nuclear technology. For more than 50 yr, the site has been devoted to nuclear energy research. Because of the remote location of the site west of Idaho Falls, ID, wastes containing radioactive and hazardous materials were disposed to the subsurface. It was felt that any disposed materials would not travel downward through the vadose zone, which is 100 to 300 m thick, to the underlying Snake River Aquifer. However, some materials have traveled through the thick vadose zone and contaminated the aquifer. Other wastes were injected directly into the aquifer. To provide a general background for papers in this special issue of Vadose Zone Journal on research at the INEEL, we give a brief historical perspective of work conducted at the INEEL Site west of Idaho Falls and associated subsurface contamination issues. We furthermore give an overview of the research papers presented in this special issue.
Transport of Carbon‐14 in a Large Unsaturated Soil Column
Authors: Plummer Mitchell A. , Hull Larry C. , Fox Don T.
Published: October 2013

Wastes buried at the Radioactive Waste Management Complex (RWMC) of the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory (INEEL) include activated metals that release radioactive 14C as they corrode. To test and refine transport predictions that describe releases to the environment with time, we conducted a series of transport experiments with nonreactive gas‐ and aqueous‐phase tracers and inorganic 14C species in a large unsaturated soil column filled with sediment representative of that at the RWMC. The tracer tests, hydraulic measurements, and chemical monitoring provided constraints on physical transport parameters, water content, and aqueous–gas partitioning behavior. With those constraints, we estimated a solid–aqueous distribution coefficient for the sediment through inverse modeling of the 14C transport data, using both a simple gas‐diffusion model and a multiphase flow and transport simulator (STOMP). Results indicate that 14C transport in this system is well described by a reactive gas diffusion model, with a pH‐dependent retardation factor. Fitting transport simulations to the early‐time transport data yielded Kd ≈ 0.5 ± 0.1 mL g−1, while soil samples removed approximately 1 yr later yielded Kd values of 0.8 to 2.4 mL g−1 These values are consistent with those derived from smaller‐scale experiments, demonstrating that laboratory‐based measurements provide a valid means of estimating transport behavior at much larger spatial and temporal scales. Assuming that 14CO2 migration in the RWMC is dominated by gas transport, our results suggest that most 14C released from the RWMC would discharge to the atmosphere rather than to the underlying Snake River Plain aquifer.
Unsaturated Flow through a Small Fracture–Matrix Network: Part 1. Experimental Observations
Authors: Wood T. R. , Glass R. J. , McJunkin T. R. , Podgorney R. K. , Laviolette R. A. , Noah K. S. , Stoner D. L. , Starr R. C. , Baker K.
Published: October 2013

The behavior of unsaturated flow was investigated in a laboratory model. A constant and uniform supply of chemically equilibrated water was introduced to the upper surface of three artificial fractures in a surrogate fracture network consisting of a thin wall of uncemented limestone blocks. Water was collected from the lower boundary via fiberglass wicks placed at the bottom of each artificial fracture. Eight experiments were conducted to evaluate the repeatability of flow under nearly identical conditions and to characterize general patterns in flow behavior. Collected data revealed that flow generally converged to a single fracture in the bottom row of blocks. Periods of pathway switching were observed to be more common than periods with steady, constant flow pathways. We noted the importance of fracture intersections for integrating uniform flow and discharging a “fluid cascade,” where water advances rapidly to the next capillary barrier creating a stop and start advance of water through the network. Under very similar initial moisture and boundary conditions, flow in the system was less repeatable than expected. The results of this simple experiment suggest that the interaction of multiple fracture intersections in a network creates flow behavior not generally recognized in popular conceptual and numerical models, (i.e., convergence of flow, pathway switching, and fluid cascades).
Possible realizations of multiplicity constraints
Authors: Rybola Zdeněk , Richta Karel
Published: September 2013

Model Driven Development (MDD) approach is often used to model application
data and behavior by a Platform Independent Model (PIM) and to generate
Platform Specific Models (PSMs) and even the source code by model
transformations. However, these transformations usually omit constraints of
the binary association multiplicities, especially the source class
optionality constraint. This paper is an extended version of the paper
?Transformation of Special Multiplicity Constraints - Comparison of Possible
Realizations? presented at MDASD workshop at the FedCSIS 2012 conference. In
this paper, we summarize the process of the transformation of a binary
association from a PIM into a PSM for relational databases. We suggest
several possible realizations of the source class optionality constraint to
encourage the automatically transformation and discuss their advantages and
disadvantages.We also provide experimental comparison of our suggested
realizations to the common realization where this constraint is omitted.
Using reverse engineering to construct the platform independent model of a web application for student information systems
Authors: Rozanc Igor , Slivnik Bostjan
Published: September 2013

A methodology for extracting the domain knowledge from an existing three-tier
web application and subsequent formulation of the platform independent model
(PIM) is described. As it was devised during a reverse engineering process
of an existing web application which needed to be reimplemented on a new
platform using new technology, it focuses on the domain knowledge and
business functions. It produces the business model and the hypertext model
leaving the presentation model aside. The methodology is semi-automated -
the generation of the activity diagrams and parts of the hypertext model
must be in part performed by an analyst, preferably the one with some domain
knowledge. As the paper is primarily aimed at practitioners, a case study
illustrating the application of the presented method is included.
Testing framework for embedded languages
Authors: Leskó Dániel , Tejfel Máté
Published: September 2013

Embedding a new programming language into an existing one is a widely used
technique, because it fastens the development process and gives a part of a
language infrastructure for free (e.g. lexical, syntactical analyzers). In
this paper we are presenting a new advantage of this development approach
regarding to adding testing support for these new languages. Tool support for
testing is a crucial point for a newly designed programming language. It
could be done in the hard way by creating a testing tool from scratch, or we
could try to reuse existing testing tools by extending them with an interface
to our new language. The second approach requires less work, and also it fits
very well for the embedded approach. The problem is that the creation of such
interfaces is not straightforward at all, because the existing testing tools
are mostly not designed to be extendable and to be able to deal with new
languages. This paper presents an extendable and modular model of a testing
framework, in which the most basic design decision was to keep the -
previously mentioned - interface creation simple and straightforward. Other
important aspects of our model are the test data generation, the oracle
problem and the customizability of the whole testing phase.
Progress in conducting/semiconducting and redox-active oligomers and polymers of arylamines
Authors: Janosevic Aleksandra , Marjanovic Budimir , Rakic Aleksandra , Ciric-Marjanovic Gordana
Published: September 2013

Recent advances in synthesis, characterization and application of the
selected conducting/semiconducting and redox-active oligomers and polymers of
arylamines are reviewed. A brief historical background of the selected topics
is given. The overview of the preparation, structure and properties of
polyaniline, substituted polyanilines, especially those obtained by the
oxidative polymerization of p-substituted anilines, poly(1-aminonaphthalene)
and its derivatives, carbocyclic and heterocyclic polyaryldiamines such as
poly(p-phenylenediamine) and polydiaminoacridines, is presented. The
mechanism of formation of polyaniline nanostructures is discussed. Recent
approaches to the preparation of one-dimensional polyaniline nanostructures
are concisely reviewed, with special attention paid to the template-free
falling-pH method. Current and potential future applications of
oligo/polyarylamines are briefly discussed.
Hippocampus: Why is it studied so frequently?
Authors: Radonjic Veselin , Malobabic Slobodan , Radonjic Vidosava , Puskas Laslo , Stijak Lazar , Aksic Milan , Filipovic Branislav
Published: September 2013

nema
SEC Division of Corporation Finance Monitoring and CEO Power
Authors: Cheng Xiaoyan , Gao Lei , Lawrence Janice E. , Smith David B.
Published: September 2013

Section 408 requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to review the filings of all SEC registrants every three years. Our study investigates this SEC monitoring role and differs from past SEC research by focusing on the SEC Division of Corporation Finance (DCF) rather than the Division of Enforcement and specifically on DCF's “review and comment” monitoring role. We rely on past theoretical research in management, finance, and accounting that provides us with arguments suggesting the DCF may target companies with strong CEOs and weak monitoring. Our findings cast light on the power struggle between the board and CEO by suggesting that the CEO's influence over the board may adversely affect board oversight. In addition, our results indicate that the DCF-prompted restatements lead companies to re-evaluate their governance structure.
Sex Differences in the Development of Perceived Family Cohesion and Depressive Symptoms in Taiwanese Adolescents
Authors: Sze Tat-Ming , Lin Sieh-Hwa , Hsieh Pei-Jung , Chen I-Jung
Published: October 2013

This study investigates the progression of family cohesion perceptions and depressive symptoms during the character development stage in adolescents. Data were used from the Taiwan Youth Project. The final sample comprised 2,690 adolescents with 1,312 girls (48.8%; M age = 13.0 yr., SD = 0.5). Latent curve growth analysis was employed to explore these developments. Seventh-grade girls reported greater family cohesion and more depressive symptoms than boys, and boys reported greater growth in family cohesion than girls. However, progression of depressive symptoms was not associated with the child's sex. Higher perceived family cohesion in Grade 7 correlated with less increase of depressive symptoms from Grades 9 to 11. The long-term positive influence of family cohesion on depressive symptoms is discussed.
Relationships between Individual Differences in Motivation and Borderline Personality Disorder, Psychopathy, and Maladjustment
Authors: Bernard Larry C.
Published: October 2013

Two studies investigate relationships between individual differences in motivation and borderline personality disorder, psychopathy, and maladjustment. Participants completed the Brief Assessment of Individual Motives 1–Revised, a measure of 15 putative evolved motives (i.e., “traits of action”). In Study 1, N = 147 adult participants also completed the Borderline Personality Questionnaire and Self-Report Psychopathy III Questionnaire (SRP III). In Study 2, N = 135 college age participants also completed the SRP III and the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms–62. Regression analyses suggested that individual differences in motivational traits account for moderate amounts of variance in measures of antisocial personality disorder, psychopathy, and maladjustment. They also suggested that lower motivation to engage in cooperative behaviors (e.g., sharing resources and forming coalitions) is related to impaired interpersonal relationships and maladjustment.
A Pilot Study of the Relation between Humor Styles and the Past-Positive and Past-Negative Time Perspectives
Authors: Hampes William
Published: October 2013

Those who use self-enhancing and affiliative humor styles tend to recall positive experiences with their parents and primary caretakers, whereas those who use the self-defeating humor style tend to recall negative experiences with them. Considering the importance of experiences with parents and primary caretakers for life satisfaction and happiness, it was hypothesized that the affiliative and self-enhancing humor styles would be positively correlated with past-positive experiences and negatively correlated with past-negative experiences, and that the self-defeating humor style would be positively correlated with past-negative experiences and negatively correlated with past-positive experiences. The Humor Styles Questionnaire and the Past-Positive and Past-Negative subscales of the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory were administered to 114 undergraduates. The hypotheses were partially supported despite the retrospective nature of the Past-Positive and Past-Negative Subscales and the correlational nature of the study, indicating further research is needed.
Chinese Children's Predictions of Emotion in Rule Situations
Authors: Zhou Shuangzhu , Chen Yinghe , Zhang Meng
Published: October 2013

This study investigated children's predictions in contexts in which desires conflict with forbidden rules. Forty-eight children participated: 4-year-olds, 5-year-olds, and 7-year-olds, with 8 boys and 8 girls in each group. The children listened to stories and were asked to predict behaviors and emotions. The story portrayed one child who wanted to engage in an activity in a certain domain (personal or prudential), but an authority (adult or peer) prohibited him/her from doing so. Only 5- and 7-year-olds predicted more positive emotions for breaking the rule and more negative emotions for complying with the rule in the personal domain than in the prudential domain. The results indicated that older children differentiated the personal domain from the prudential domain. Older children can differentiate adult authority from peer authority. When rules were given by an adult authority, 7-year-olds predicted more positive emotions for transgression and more negative emotions for compliance than when the rules were given by peer authority. Four-and 5-year-olds' predictions did not differ when rules were stated by either of the two authorities.
Understanding Task- and Expertise-Specific Motor Acquisition and Motor Memory Formation and Consolidation
Authors: Pereira Tiago , Abreu Ana Maria , Castro-Caldas Alexandre
Published: October 2013

This study aimed to assess how the capacity to acquire, form and consolidate motor memories might vary across different tasks and different groups (with and without motor expertise). 20 athletes and 21 non-athletes were tested on five motor tasks: a motor sequence task, a reaction time task, two visuo-manual tasks, and a balance task. Performance was measured before training (T0), immediately after training (T1), and 24 hours after training (T2), to assess motor acquisition and motor memory formation and consolidation. T2 performance was higher in both groups, without additional training, on the motor sequence task, reaction time task and one of the visuo-manual tasks (Pouring Task). Athletes had better baseline performance at T0 than non-athletes on these tasks. Findings suggest that differential formation and consolidation processes underlie different motor tasks. Although athletes did not outperform non-athletes on motor memory consolidation, they were more efficient in acquiring novel tasks, perhaps because the required motor schemas might have been based on previously acquired ones.
Memories Evoked by Odors Stimulating the Olfactory Nerve versus Odors Stimulating Both the Olfactory and Trigeminal Nerves: Possible Qualitative Differences?
Authors: Czerniawska Ewa , Zegardło Elżbieta , Wojciechowski Jerzy
Published: October 2013

The purpose of the study was to establish whether autobiographical memories differ when a stimulus producing olfactory or/and trigeminal sensations was used as memory cue. The following hypothesis was formulated: memories evoked by odors activating the trigeminal and olfactory nerves would be subjectively assessed as more detailed, more clear, more important and less happy, as compared to memories evoked by odors activating exclusively the olfactory nerve. The hypothesis was based on the assumption that trigeminal odors are perceived as signaling potential threats for the organism. 30 Polish psychology students ( M age = 22 yr.; 20 women, 10 men) were tested using six odors: three stimulating the olfactory nerve only and three stimulating both the olfactory and trigeminal nerves. Participants were asked whether a particular odor evoked any memories, and if they answered “yes,” they were to respond to four questions related to the qualities of the memory. Ratings of memories evoked by odors that stimulated the olfactory nerve and those that stimulated both the olfactory and trigeminal nerves differed in clarity. Odors stimulating the trigeminal nerve may induce less happy memories. The results are promising as to the role of the trigeminal system in coding and retrieval of survival-related memories.
Use of siliceous algae as biological monitors of heavy metal pollution in three lakes in a mining city, southeast China
Authors: Chen Xu , Mao Xin , Cao Yanmin , Yang Xiangdong
Published: October 2013

In order to assess the ecological status of three lakes in a historical mining city (SE China), water metal concentrations and surface sedimentary diatoms and chrysophyte cysts were analyzed in 20 sampling sites. The significant correlations between the algal indices and the cumulative criterion unit (CCU) scores confirmed the importance of heavy metals in shaping algae communities. In the metal-polluted sites, diatom assemblages were dominated by metal-tolerant species, such as Nitzschia palea and Nitzschia perminuta. In the unpolluted samples, diatom assemblages were characterized by Cyclostephanos dubius, Discostella pseudostelligera and Aulacoseira species (mainly A. alpigena, A. granulata and A. ambigua). These dominant taxa in the unpolluted samples might be sensitive to metal contamination but tolerant of eutrophication. In addition, nonspherical cysts were much more abundant in the polluted sites, indicating that their presence should be indicative of metal contamination in this region. This study provides some clues for future metal pollution assessment through the use of siliceous algae in metal polluted lakes.
Anthropogenic changes in properties of the water and spatial structure of the vegetation of the lobelia lake Lake Modre in the Bytów Lakeland
Authors: Kraska Marek , Klimaszyk Piotr , Piotrowicz Ryszard
Published: October 2013

Lake Modre is a lobelia lake. Numerous typical plant species occur here, including Lobelia dortmanna, Littorella uniflora, Isoetes lacustris, and Sphagnum denticulatum. They develop the following associations: Lobelietum dortmannae (Oswald 1923) Tx. ap. Dierss. 1972, Isoetetum lacustris Szańkowski et Kłosowski 1996 n.n., and a community with Sphagnum denticulatum Brid.

In 1991, the water of the lake was characterised by low concentrations of nutrients and calcium, acid reaction (pH<5), and Secchi depth visibility of 12 m. Following fry stocking in the lake in 1993 fish farming took place until approximately 1996. During this period the water quality in the lake changed radically in physiochemical terms. Water transparency decreased. Thermal and oxygen stratification developed, with oxygen deficits in the near-bottom layer. Concentrations of nutrient elements increased.

Drastic long-term changes were observed in the spatial and quantitative features of the lake vegetation. These particularly related to the instability of Lobelia dortmanna, and the diminishment of the phytocoenosis of Lobelietum dortmannae. Consequently, the phytocoenosis occurred only in the shallowest part of the phytolittoral. L. uniflora expanded, increasing its occurrence annually. Significant fluctuations in quantities of S. denticulatum occurred, correlated with changes in physiochemical water parameters, but shifted in time.
Pressure and comfort perception in the system “female body–dress”
Authors: Mengna Guo , Kuzmichev Victor E.
Published: October 2013

The three-dimensional (3D) Garment virtual technology is expected to help the designers to turn own trends and
ideas into the creative samples more quickly with 3D simulation and the visualization of the pressure values and
stress points where the fabric might be too tight against the body. The aim of this study is to present the wearer
perceptions of woven fabric in 22 anthropometrical points located on the women torso, which can then be helpful to
accurately predict the ease and tightness of a garment in 3D Garment virtual try-on system.

For establishing the common principles joining the eases value designed on pattern block and the pressure
perception in the system “body–dress”, we took the experiment with the women using Flexiforce Sensor® and
ELF® system concerning the woman dresses with sleeve-in as the basic garment category. The objective pressure
measured on seven levels of woman torso wearing the dresses designed by different ease distribution. All points
and levels of the pressure measuring reflected to the daily movements, and the results obtained were compared
with the corresponding subjective comfort perception from the wearer. The relationship between the ease values
designed on 2D pattern and the pressure perception from the wearer were analysed to supply the theoretical
reference for 3D virtual try-on system improvement.
Religion and Rationality: A Semeiotic Approach
Authors: Linde Gesche
Published: October 2013

Abstract:

The article argues that, contrary to New Atheism's claim, religion does not eo ipso violate standards of rationality, provided that rationality is understood in a non-positivist way. To illustrate, the first section analyzes examples of religious argument across world religions (Catholicism, Protestantism, Judaism, Islam), while the second section introduces basic key features of a minimum concept of rationality (person-relatedness, structure-relatedness, communicability, generality, differentiatedness) implied by the previous examples. The third section offers a semiotic frame theory broad enough to allow for different types of rationality and to this end uses Charles Peirce's analytical system of ten semiotic trichotomies, which presupposes that all living processes, especially human ones (including feeling and acting), can be analyzed along the line of “sign,” “object,” and “interpretant.” The fourth, fifth, and sixth sections argue that rationality is primarily ascribable to so-called normal interpretants, i.e., terms, judgments, and arguments, although rationality will take a different shape in each case. The last section draws six brief conclusions concerning the relationship between religion and rationality.
Circumcising “Revelation-Based” Thinking? On the Rationality of Inter-religious Dialogue in the Encounter between Jews and Christians
Authors: Fehige Yiftach
Published: October 2013

Abstract:

This paper provides a continuation of my analysis of the powers and perils of what I call dialogical rationality with respect to the encounter between Jews and Christians. Its primary aim is to define the relationship between dialogical and philosophical rationality with respect to the encounter between Judaism and Christianity. First I introduce the basic principles of dialogical rationality that I developed elsewhere. In a second step one of these principles is scrutinized in the form of a meta-philosophical discussion. At its centre lies the question of whether philosophy of religion should be detached from biblical faith (and thus from divine revelation) to be of use in any justifications of inter-religious dialogue between Jews and Christians. The main reference point of my discussion is recent work on the state of analytic philosophy of religion. I argue that there is no reason to be critical of philosophy's contributions to justifications of inter-religious dialogue between Jews and Christians.
Overview of Actuated Arm Support Systems and Their Applications
Authors: Van Ninhuijs B. , Van der Heide L.A. , Jansen J.W. , Gysen B.L.J. , Van der Pijl D.J. , Lomonova E.A.
Published: October 2013

Arm support systems provide support throughout daily tasks, training or in an industrial environment. During the last decades a large diversity of actuated arm support systems have been developed. To analyze the actuation principles in these systems, an overview of actuated arm support systems is provided. This overview visualizes the current trends on research and development of these support systems and distinguishes three categories. These categories depend mainly on the functional status of the user environment, which defines the specifications. Therefore, the actuated arm support systems are classified according to their user environment, namely: ambulatory, rehabilitation and industrial. Furthermore, three main actuation principles and three mechanical construction principles have been identified.
Soil Erosion from Agriculture and Mining: A Threat to Tropical Stream Ecosystems
Authors: Wantzen Karl , Mol Jan
Published: September 2013

In tropical countries soil erosion is often increased due to high erodibility of geologically old and weathered soils; intensive rainfall; inappropriate soil management; removal of forest vegetation cover; and mining activities. Stream ecosystems draining agricultural or mining areas are often severely impacted by the high loads of eroded material entering the stream channel; increasing turbidity; covering instream habitat and affecting the riparian zone; and thereby modifying habitat and food web structures. The biodiversity is severely threatened by these negative effects as the aquatic and riparian fauna and flora are not adapted to cope with excessive rates of erosion and sedimentation. Eroded material may also be polluted by pesticides or heavy metals that have an aggravating effect on functions and ecosystem services. Loss of superficial material and deepening of erosion gullies impoverish the nutrient and carbon contents of the soils; and lower the water tables; causing a “lose-lose” situation for agricultural productivity and environmental integrity. Several examples show how to interrupt this vicious cycle by integrated catchment management and by combining “green” and “hard” engineering for habitat restoration. In this review; we summarize current findings on this issue from tropical countries with a focus on case studies from Suriname and Brazil.
Sulfonate Ionic Liquid as a Stable and Active Catalyst for Levoglucosenone Production from Saccharides via Catalytic Pyrolysis
Authors: Kudo Shinji , Zhou Zhenwei , Yamasaki Kento , Norinaga Koyo , Hayashi Jun-ichiro
Published: September 2013

In this study, various types of ionic liquids (ILs) were examined for catalytic activity in the pyrolysis of cellulose for the production of levoglucosenone, which is a valuable and versatile compound for the synthesis of a variety of novel compounds. Cellulose was simply mixed with the ILs and subjected for the pyrolysis, typically at 300 °C, to produce volatile products, including levoglucosenone, separated from the ILs phase. The type of IL anion significantly affected the catalysis, and the use of ILs bearing sulfonate anion resulted in distinguished yields of levoglucosenone and IL recoveries for the reutilization. Detailed thermogravimetric analysis and discussion on properties of ILs revealed the active and thermally stable nature of the sulfonate ILs. Catalytic pyrolysis with those ILs was applied to the conversion of other saccharides composed of glucose molecules, resulting in a preferential formation of levoglucosenone but at low yields as compared to that from cellulose.
Induction of Anti-Tumor Immune Responses by Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy with 177Lu-DOTATATE in a Murine Model of a Human Neuroendocrine Tumor
Authors: Wu Yin , Pfeifer Andreas , Myschetzky Rebecca , Garbyal Rajendra , Rasmussen Palle , Knigge Ulrich , Bzorek Michael , Kristensen Michael , Kjaer Andreas
Published: October 2013

Peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) is a relatively new mode of internally targeted radiotherapy currently in clinical trials. In PRRT, ionizing radioisotopes conjugated to somatostatin analogues are targeted to neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) via somatostatin receptors. Despite promising clinical results, very little is known about the mechanism of tumor control. By using NCI-H727 cells in an in vivo murine xenograft model of human NETs, we showed that 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT led to increased infiltration of CD86+ antigen presenting cells into tumor tissue. We also found that following treatment with PRRT, there was significantly increased tumor infiltration by CD49b+/FasL+ NK cells potentially capable of tumor killing. Further investigation into the immunomodulatory effects of PRRT will be essential in improving treatment efficacy.
Operating Point Optimization of a Hydrogen Fueled Hybrid Solid Oxide Fuel Cell-Steam Turbine (SOFC-ST) Plant
Authors: Ugartemendia Juanjo , Ostolaza J. , Zubia Itziar
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a hydrogen powered hybrid solid oxide fuel cell-steam turbine (SOFC-ST) system and studies its optimal operating conditions. This type of installation can be very appropriate to complement the intermittent generation of renewable energies, such as wind generation. A dynamic model of an alternative hybrid SOFC-ST configuration that is especially suited to work with hydrogen is developed. The proposed system recuperates the waste heat of the high temperature fuel cell, to feed a bottoming cycle (BC) based on a steam turbine (ST). In order to optimize the behavior and performance of the system, a two-level control structure is proposed. Two controllers have been implemented for the stack temperature and fuel utilization factor. An upper supervisor generates optimal set-points in order to reach a maximal hydrogen efficiency. The simulation results obtained show that the proposed system allows one to reach high efficiencies at rated power levels.
Comparison Study on the Battery SoC Estimation with EKF and UKF Algorithms
Authors: He Hongwen , Qin Hongzhou , Sun Xiaokun , Shui Yuanpeng
Published: September 2013

The battery state of charge (SoC), whose estimation is one of the basic functions of battery management system (BMS), is a vital input parameter in the energy management and power distribution control of electric vehicles (EVs). In this paper, two methods based on an extended Kalman filter (EKF) and unscented Kalman filter (UKF), respectively, are proposed to estimate the SoC of a lithium-ion battery used in EVs. The lithium-ion battery is modeled with the Thevenin model and the model parameters are identified based on experimental data and validated with the Beijing Driving Cycle. Then space equations used for SoC estimation are established. The SoC estimation results with EKF and UKF are compared in aspects of accuracy and convergence. It is concluded that the two algorithms both perform well, while the UKF algorithm is much better with a faster convergence ability and a higher accuracy.
The Complex Epidemiological Scenario of West Nile Virus in Italy
Authors: Barzon Luisa , Pacenti Monia , Franchin Elisa , Squarzon Laura , Lavezzo Enrico , Cattai Margherita , Cusinato Riccardo , Palù Giorgio
Published: September 2013

Entomological, veterinary, and human surveillance systems for West Nile virus (WNV) infection have been implemented in Italy since the first detection of the virus in 1998. These surveillance activities documented a progressive increase of WNV activity and spread in different regions and the emergence of new WNV lineages and strains. Italy is a paradigmatic example of the complex epidemiology of WNV in Europe, where sporadic cases of WNV infection, clusters, and small outbreaks have been reported in several regions. In addition, different strains of both WNV lineage 1 and lineage 2 have been identified, even co-circulating in the same area.
Was Mandatory Quarantine Necessary in China for Controlling the 2009 H1N1 Pandemic?
Authors: Li Xinhai , Geng Wenjun , Tian Huidong , Lai Dejian
Published: September 2013

The Chinese government enforced mandatory quarantine for 60 days (from 10 May to 8 July 2009) as a preventative strategy to control the spread of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Such a prevention strategy was stricter than other non-pharmaceutical interventions that were carried out in many other countries. We evaluated the effectiveness of the mandatory quarantine and provide suggestions for interventions against possible future influenza pandemics. We selected one city, Beijing, as the analysis target. We reviewed the epidemiologic dynamics of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic and the implementation of quarantine measures in Beijing. The infectious population was simulated under two scenarios (quarantined and not quarantined) using a deterministic Susceptible-Exposed-Infectious-Recovered (SEIR) model. The basic reproduction number R0 was adjusted to match the epidemic wave in Beijing. We found that mandatory quarantine served to postpone the spread of the 2009 H1N1 pandemic in Beijing by one and a half months. If mandatory quarantine was not enforced in Beijing, the infectious population could have reached 1,553 by 21 October, i.e., 5.6 times higher than the observed number. When the cost of quarantine is taken into account, mandatory quarantine was not an economically effective intervention approach against the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. We suggest adopting mitigation methods for an influenza pandemic with low mortality and morbidity.
A Computational Drug Metabolite Detection Using the Stable Isotopic Mass-Shift Filtering with High Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Pioglitazone and Flurbiprofen
Authors: Uchida Masashi , Kanazawa Mitsuhiro , Ogiwara Atsushi , Sezaki Hiroshi , Ando Akihiro , Miyamoto Yohei
Published: September 2013

The identification of metabolites in drug discovery is important. At present, radioisotopes and mass spectrometry are both widely used. However, rapid and comprehensive identification is still laborious and difficult. In this study, we developed new analytical software and employed a stable isotope as a tool to identify drug metabolites using mass spectrometry. A deuterium-labeled compound and non-labeled compound were both metabolized in human liver microsomes and analyzed by liquid chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC-TOF-MS). We computationally aligned two different MS data sets and filtered ions having a specific mass-shift equal to masses of labeled isotopes between those data using our own software. For pioglitazone and flurbiprofen, eight and four metabolites, respectively, were identified with calculations of mass and formulas and chemical structural fragmentation analysis. With high resolution MS, the approach became more accurate. The approach detected two unexpected metabolites in pioglitazone, i.e., the hydroxypropanamide form and the aldehyde hydrolysis form, which other approaches such as metabolite-biotransformation list matching and mass defect filtering could not detect. We demonstrated that the approach using computational alignment and stable isotopic mass-shift filtering has the ability to identify drug metabolites and is useful in drug discovery.
Outside Mainstream Electronic Databases: Review of Studies Conducted in the USSR and Post-Soviet Countries on Electric Current-Assisted Consolidation of Powder Materials
Authors: Olevsky Eugene , Aleksandrova Elena , Ilyina Alexandra , Dudina Dina , Novoselov Alexander , Pelve Kirill , Grigoryev Eugene
Published: September 2013

This paper reviews research articles published in the former USSR and post-soviet countries on the consolidation of powder materials using electric current that passes through the powder sample and/or a conductive die-punch set-up. Having been published in Russian, many of the reviewed papers are not included in the mainstream electronic databases of the scientific articles and thus are not known to the scientific community. The present review is aimed at filling this information gap. In the paper, the electric current-assisted sintering techniques based on high- and low-voltage approaches are presented. The main results of the theoretical modeling of the processes of electromagnetic field-assisted consolidation of powder materials are discussed. Sintering experiments and related equipment are described and the major experimental results are analyzed. Sintering conditions required to achieve the desired properties of the sintered materials are provided for selected material systems. Tooling materials used in the electric current-assisted consolidation set-ups are also described.
Chitosan Nanoparticles Attenuate Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Stress Injury in Mouse Macrophage RAW264.7 Cells
Authors: Wen Zheng-Shun , Liu Li-Jia , Qu You-Le , OuYang Xiao-Kun , Yang Li-Ye , Xu Zi-Rong
Published: September 2013

This study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of chitosan nanoparticles (CNP) against hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced oxidative damage in murine macrophages RAW264.7 cells. After 24 h pre-incubation with CNP (25–200 μg/mL) and chitosan (CS) (50–200 μg/mL, as controls), the viability loss in RAW264.7 cells induced by H2O2 (500 μM) for 12 h was markedly restored in a concentration-dependent manner as measured by MTT assay (P < 0.05) and decreased in cellular LDH release (P < 0.05). Moreover, CNP also exerted preventive effects on suppressing the production of lipid peroxidation such as malondialdehyde (MDA) (P < 0.05), restoring activities of endogenous antioxidant including superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) (P < 0.05), along with increasing total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (P < 0.05). In addition, pre-incubation of CNP with RAW264.7 cells for 24 h resulted in the increase of the gene expression level of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, such as MnSOD and GSH-Px (P < 0.05). At the same concentration, CNP significantly decreased LDH release and MDA (P < 0.05) as well as increased MnSOD, GSH-Px, and T-AOC activities (P < 0.05) as compared to CS. Taken together, our findings suggest that CNP can more effectively protect RAW264.7 cells against oxidative stress by H2O2 as compared to CS, which might be used as a potential natural compound-based antioxidant in the functional food and pharmaceutical industries.
Oxygenated Ylangene-Derived Sesquiterpenoids from the Soft Coral Lemnalia philippinensis
Authors: Xio Yun-Jie , Su Jui-Hsin , Chen Bo-Wei , Tseng Yen-Ju , Wu Yang-Chang , Sheu Jyh-Horng
Published: September 2013

Chemical examination of a Taiwanese soft coral Lemnalia philippinensis led to the isolation of three oxygenated ylangene-derived sesquiterpenoids 1–3, including two new metabolites, philippinlins A and B (1 and 2). The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of detailed spectroscopic data. Compound 1 was shown to exhibit cytotoxicity against HepG2, MDA-MB231 and A549 cancer cell lines.
Comparative Pharmacokinetics of Naringin in Rat after Oral Administration of Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San Aqueous Extract and Naringin Alone
Authors: Li Shu-Qi , Dong Shu , Su Zhi-Heng , Zhang Hong-Wu , Peng Jing-Bo , Yu Chang-Yuan , Zou Zhong-Mei
Published: September 2013

Chaihu-Shu-Gan-San (CSGS), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula containing seven herbal medicines, has been used in the clinical treatment of gastritis, peptic ulcer, irritable bowel syndrome and depression in China. In order to explore the interaction between naringin and other constituents in CSGS, the pharmacokinetic difference of naringin in rats after oral administration of CSGS aqueous extract and naringin alone was investigated. The pharmacokinetic parameters of naringin in rats were achieved by quantification of its aglycone, naringenin by LC-MS/MS method. The double peaks phenomenon was observed in both serum profiles of rats after orally administered CSGS aqueous extract and naringin alone. However, the T1/2b was significantly decreased in rats given CSGS aqueous extract compared with naringin alone, and the mean residence time (MRT) and the area under the serum concentration–time curve (AUC0-τ) were higher than those of naringin, which indicated that naringin in CSGS had higher bioavailability, longer term efficacy and somewhat faster metabolism and excretion than those of naringin. The results suggested that certain ingredients co-exist in CSGS could influence pharmacokinetic behavior of naringin. This also provides a reference for human studies.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiencies Are Highly Prevalent in Newly Diagnosed Celiac Disease Patients
Authors: Wierdsma Nicolette , Van Bokhorst-de van der Schueren Marian , Berkenpas Marijke , Mulder Chris , Van Bodegraven Ad
Published: September 2013

Malabsorption, weight loss and vitamin/mineral-deficiencies characterize classical celiac disease (CD). This study aimed to assess the nutritional and vitamin/mineral status of current “early diagnosed” untreated adult CD-patients in the Netherlands. Newly diagnosed adult CD-patients were included (n = 80, 42.8 ± 15.1 years) and a comparable sample of 24 healthy Dutch subjects was added to compare vitamin concentrations. Nutritional status and serum concentrations of folic acid, vitamin A, B6, B12, and (25-hydroxy) D, zinc, haemoglobin (Hb) and ferritin were determined (before prescribing gluten free diet). Almost all CD-patients (87%) had at least one value below the lower limit of reference. Specifically, for vitamin A, 7.5% of patients showed deficient levels, for vitamin B6 14.5%, folic acid 20%, and vitamin B12 19%. Likewise, zinc deficiency was observed in 67% of the CD-patients, 46% had decreased iron storage, and 32% had anaemia. Overall, 17% were malnourished (>10% undesired weight loss), 22% of the women were underweight (Body Mass Index (BMI) < 18.5), and 29% of the patients were overweight (BMI > 25). Vitamin deficiencies were barely seen in healthy controls, with the exception of vitamin B12. Vitamin/mineral deficiencies were counter-intuitively not associated with a (higher) grade of histological intestinal damage or (impaired) nutritional status. In conclusion, vitamin/mineral deficiencies are still common in newly “early diagnosed” CD-patients, even though the prevalence of obesity at initial diagnosis is rising. Extensive nutritional assessments seem warranted to guide nutritional advices and follow-up in CD treatment.
An Introduction to Environmentally-Extended Input-Output Analysis
Authors: Kitzes Justin
Published: September 2013

Environmentally-extended input-output (EEIO) analysis provides a simple and robust method for evaluating the linkages between economic consumption activities and environmental impacts, including the harvest and degradation of natural resources. EEIO is now widely used to evaluate the upstream, consumption-based drivers of downstream environmental impacts and to evaluate the environmental impacts embodied in goods and services that are traded between nations. While the mathematics of input-output analysis are not complex, straightforward explanations of this approach for those without mathematical backgrounds remain difficult to find. This manuscript provides a conceptual and intuitive introduction to the goals of EEIO, the principles and mathematics behind EEIO analysis and the strengths and limitations of the EEIO approach. The wider adoption of EEIO approaches will help researchers and policy makers to better measure, and potentially decrease, the ultimate drivers of environmental degradation.
Hyperspectral Reflectance Imaging Technique for Visualization of Moisture Distribution in Cooked Chicken Breast
Authors: Kandpal Lalit , Lee Hoonsoo , Kim Moon , Mo Changyeun , Cho Byoung-Kwan
Published: September 2013

Spectroscopy has proven to be an efficient tool for measuring the properties of meat. In this article, hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques are used to determine the moisture content in cooked chicken breast over the VIS/NIR (400–1,000 nm) spectral range. Moisture measurements were performed using an oven drying method. A partial least squares regression (PLSR) model was developed to extract a relationship between the HSI spectra and the moisture content. In the full wavelength range, the PLSR model possessed a maximum of 0.90 and an SEP of 0.74%. For the NIR range, the PLSR model yielded an of 0.94 and an SEP of 0.71%. The majority of the absorption peaks occurred around 760 and 970 nm, representing the water content in the samples. Finally, PLSR images were constructed to visualize the dehydration and water distribution within different sample regions. The high correlation coefficient and low prediction error from the PLSR analysis validates that HSI is an effective tool for visualizing the chemical properties of meat.