bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Statistical Seasonal Rainfall Forecast in the Neuquén River Basin (Comahue Region, Argentina)
Authors: González Marcela
Published: May 2015

A detailed statistical analysis was performed at the Neuquén river basin using precipitation data for 1980–2007. The hydrological year begins in March with a maximum in June associated with rainfall and another relative maximum in October derived from snow-break. General features of the rainy season and the excess or deficits thereof are analyzed using standardized precipitation index (SPI) for a six-month period in the basin. The SPI has a significant cycle of 14.3 years; the most severe excess (SPI greater than 2) has a return period of 25 years, while the most severe droughts (SPI less than −2) have a return period of 10 years. The SPI corresponding to the rainy season (April–September) (SPI9) has no significant trend and is used to classify wet/dry years. In order to establish the previous circulation patterns associated with interannual SPI9 variability, the composite fields of wet and dry years are compared. There is a tendency for wet (dry) periods to take place during El Niño (La Niña) years, when there are positive anomalies of precipitable water over the basin, when the zonal flow over the Pacific Ocean is weakened (intensified) and/or when there are negative pressure anomalies in the southern part of the country and Antarctic sea. Some prediction schemes using multiple linear regressions were performed. One of the models derived using the forward stepwise method explained 42% of the SPI9 variance and retained two predictors related to circulation over the Pacific Ocean: one of them shows the relevance of the intensity of zonal flow in mid-latitudes, and the other is because of the influence of low pressure near the Neuquén River basin. The cross-validation used to prove model efficiency showed a correlation of 0.41 between observed and estimated SPI9; there was a probability of detection of wet (dry) years of 80% (65%) and a false alarm relation of 25% in both cases.
Incidental Polymorphism, Non-Isomorphic and Isomorphic Substitution in Calcium-Valine Coordination Polymers
Authors: Lamberts Kevin , Englert Ulli
Published: May 2015

Five coordination polymers with the stoichiometry CaX2(valine)2(H2O)2 (X = Cl, Br) were obtained from the corresponding calcium halides and either racemic and enantiopure valine. In all cases the zwitterionic amino acid is exclusively O coordinated and the halides act as counteranions for the resulting one-dimensional cationic chains. The enantiopure chloride shows dimorphism; both forms differ in connectivity from the bromide. In contrast to this structural variability for L-valine, the derivatives of the racemic amino acid are isomorphous.
Does Whole Grain Consumption Alter Gut Microbiota and Satiety?
Authors: Cooper Danielle , Martin Roy , Keim Nancy
Published: May 2015

This review summarizes recent studies examining whole grain consumption and its effect on gut microbiota and satiety in healthy humans. Studies comparing whole grains to their refined grain counterparts were considered, as were studies comparing different grain types. Possible mechanisms linking microbial metabolism and satiety are described. Clinical trials show that whole grain wheat, maize, and barley alter the human gut microbiota, but these findings are based on a few studies that do not include satiety components, so no functional claims between microbiota and satiety can be made. Ten satiety trials were evaluated and provide evidence that whole oats, barley, and rye can increase satiety, whereas the evidence for whole wheat and maize is not compelling. There are many gaps in the literature; no one clinical trial has examined the effects of whole grains on satiety and gut microbiota together. Once understanding the impact of whole grains on satiety and microbiota is more developed, then particular grains might be used for better appetite control. With this information at hand, healthcare professionals could make individual dietary recommendations that promote satiety and contribute to weight control.
Evaluation of Quality of Life of Those Living near a Wind Farm
Authors: Mroczek Bożena , Banaś Joanna , Machowska-Szewczyk Małgorzata , Kurpas Donata
Published: May 2015

Objectives: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) can serve as a multidimensional means of evaluating the relationship between the presence of wind turbines in residential areas and their consequence for health. The purpose of this study was to determine whether a relationship exists between the presence of wind farms at different stages of development and the HRQoL of people living in their vicinity in Poland. Method: The instruments employed in this study were the SF-36v2, a questionnaire measuring self-reported health problems, and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The study involved 1277 people who lived within 2 km from a wind turbine. Results: The highest overall QoL scores were obtained by respondents living the closest to wind turbines. The mental health, role emotional, and social functioning scores were significantly higher among respondents living near wind farms and wind-farm construction sites than among those living close to locations where wind farms were planned but where construction had not yet begun. Positive correlations were found between physical and mental component scores and reactions to the news of plans to construct a wind farm. Significant differences in physical and mental component scores were observed between residents who reacted calmly and those who responded with apprehension. Residents who expected the improvement of their financial standing as a result of the wind farm assessed their general health higher than those who did not expect to receive any economic benefits. The lowest QoL scores corresponded to frequent headaches, stomach aches, and back pain over the previous three months, as well as recurrent problems with falling asleep, anxiety, and a lack of acceptance of the project. Conclusion: The lowest overall QoL and general health scores were noted among residents of places where wind-farm developments were either at the stage of planning or under construction. In order to find ways of reducing environmental stress and its adverse effects on health, it is necessary to conduct research on residents of places where a wind farm is either planned or under construction, or has just been completed.
An ICF-Based Model for Implementing and Standardizing Multidisciplinary Obesity Rehabilitation Programs within the Healthcare System
Authors: Brunani Amelia , Raggi Alberto , Sirtori Anna , Berselli Maria , Villa Valentina , Ceriani Francesca , Corti Stefania , Leonardi Matilde , Capodaglio Paolo , Group ICF-OBESITY
Published: May 2015

Introduction/Objective: In this study, we aimed to design an ICF-based individual rehabilitation project for obese patients with comorbidities (IRPOb) integrated into the Rehab-CYCLE to standardize rehabilitative programs. This might facilitate the different health professionals involved in the continuum of care of obese patients to standardize rehabilitation interventions. Methods: After training on the ICF and based on the relevant studies, ICF categories were identified in a formal consensus process by our multidisciplinary team. Thereafter, we defined an individual rehabilitation project based on a structured multi-disciplinary approach to obesity. Results: the proposed IRPOb model identified the specific intervention areas (nutritional, physiotherapy, psychology, nursing), the short-term goals, the intervention modalities, the professionals involved and the assessment of the outcomes. Information was shared with the patient who signed informed consent. Conclusions: The model proposed provides the following advantages: (1) standardizes rehabilitative procedures; (2) facilitates the flow of congruent and updated information from the hospital to outpatient facilities, relatives, and care givers; (3) addresses organizational issues; (4) might serve as a benchmark for professionals who have limited specific expertise in rehabilitation of comorbid obese patients.
Body Image and Nutritional Status Are Associated with Physical Activity in Men and Women: The ELSA-Brasil Study
Authors: Coelho Carolina , Giatti Luana , Molina Maria , Nunes Maria , Barreto Sandhi
Published: May 2015

The association of body image dissatisfaction and obesity with physical activity is likely to differ according to gender. To investigate this hypothesis, we conducted a cross-sectional study among the ELSA-Brasil cohort members aged 34–65 years (n = 13,286). The body image dissatisfaction was present even among normal weight individuals of both sexes and was associated with lesser chances of practicing moderate physical activity in women and intense physical activity in men. Men and women with central obesity were less prone to practice physical activity of high or moderate intensity. Overweight and obese men were more likely to report vigorous physical activity while obese women were less likely to report this level of physical activity. Body images as well as nutritional status are related to physical activity in both sexes, but the association with physical activity differs by gender.
Ecotoxicogenomic Approaches for Understanding Molecular Mechanisms of Environmental Chemical Toxicity Using Aquatic Invertebrate, Daphnia Model Organism
Authors: Kim Hyo , Koedrith Preeyaporn , Seo Young
Published: May 2015

Due to the rapid advent in genomics technologies and attention to ecological risk assessment, the term “ecotoxicogenomics” has recently emerged to describe integration of omics studies (i.e., transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and epigenomics) into ecotoxicological fields. Ecotoxicogenomics is defined as study of an entire set of genes or proteins expression in ecological organisms to provide insight on environmental toxicity, offering benefit in ecological risk assessment. Indeed, Daphnia is a model species to study aquatic environmental toxicity designated in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s toxicity test guideline and to investigate expression patterns using ecotoxicology-oriented genomics tools. Our main purpose is to demonstrate the potential utility of gene expression profiling in ecotoxicology by identifying novel biomarkers and relevant modes of toxicity in Daphnia magna. These approaches enable us to address adverse phenotypic outcomes linked to particular gene function(s) and mechanistic understanding of aquatic ecotoxicology as well as exploration of useful biomarkers. Furthermore, key challenges that currently face aquatic ecotoxicology (e.g., predicting toxicant responses among a broad spectrum of phytogenetic groups, predicting impact of temporal exposure on toxicant responses) necessitate the parallel use of other model organisms, both aquatic and terrestrial. By investigating gene expression profiling in an environmentally important organism, this provides viable support for the utility of ecotoxicogenomics.
Dependency Relations among International Stock Market Indices
Authors: Junior Leonidas , Mullokandov Asher , Kenett Dror
Published: May 2015

We develop networks of international stock market indices using information and correlation based measures. We use 83 stock market indices of a diversity of countries, as well as their single day lagged values, to probe the correlation and the flow of information from one stock index to another taking into account different operating hours. Additionally, we apply the formalism of partial correlations to build the dependency network of the data, and calculate the partial Transfer Entropy to quantify the indirect influence that indices have on one another. We find that Transfer Entropy is an effective way to quantify the flow of information between indices, and that a high degree of information flow between indices lagged by one day coincides to same day correlation between them.
The Antihyperlipidemic Mechanism of High Sulfate Content Ulvan in Rats
Authors: Qi Huimin , Sheng Jiwen
Published: May 2015

Numerous studies have suggested that hyperlipidemia is closely linked to cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible antihyperlipidemia mechanism of HU (high sulfate content of ulvan) in high-cholesterol fed rats. Wistar rats were made hyperlipidemic by feeding with a high-cholesterol diet. HU was administered to these hyperlipidemia rats for 30 days. Lipid levels and the mRNA expressions of FXR, LXR and PPARγ in liver were measured after 30 days of treatment. In the HU-treated groups, the middle dosage group of male rats (total cholesterol (TC): p < 0.01) and the low-dosage group of female rats (TC, LDL-C: p < 0.01) showed stronger activity with respect to antihyperlipidemia. Moreover, some HU groups could upregulate the mRNA expression of FXR and PPARγ and downregulate the expression of LXR. For the male rats, compared with the hyperlipidemia group, the middle dosage HU had the most pronounced effect on increasing the mRNA levels of FXR (p < 0.01); low- and high-dosage HU showed a significant inhibition of the mRNA levels of LXR (p < 0.01). All HU female groups could upregulate the mRNA expression of PPARγ in a concentration-dependent manner. In summary, HU could improve lipid profiles through upregulation of FXR and PPARγ and downregulation of LXR.
Biological Properties of Fucoxanthin in Oil Recovered from Two Brown Seaweeds Using Supercritical CO2 Extraction
Authors: Sivagnanam Saravana , Yin Shipeng , Choi Jae , Park Yong , Woo Hee , Chun Byung
Published: May 2015

The bioactive materials in brown seaweeds hold great interest for developing new drugs and healthy foods. The oil content in brown seaweeds (Saccharina japonica and Sargassum horneri) was extracted by using environmentally friendly supercritical CO2 (SC-CO2) with ethanol as a co-solvent in a semi-batch flow extraction process and compared the results with a conventional extraction process using hexane, ethanol, and acetone mixed with methanol (1:1, v/v). The SC-CO2 method was used at a temperature of 45 °C and pressure of 250 bar. The flow rate of CO2 (27 g/min) was constant for the entire extraction period of 2 h. The obtained oil from the brown seaweeds was analyzed to determine their valuable compounds such as fatty acids, phenolic compounds, fucoxanthin and biological properties including antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antihypertension effects. The amounts of fucoxanthin extracted from the SC-CO2 oils of S. japonica and S. horneri were 0.41 ± 0.05 and 0.77 ± 0.07 mg/g, respectively. High antihypertensive activity was detected when using mixed acetone and methanol, whereas the phenolic content and antioxidant property were higher in the oil extracted by SC-CO2. The acetone–methanol mix extracts exhibited better antimicrobial activities than those obtained by other means. Thus, the SC-CO2 extraction process appears to be a good method for obtaining valuable compounds from both brown seaweeds, and showed stronger biological activity than that obtained by the conventional extraction process.
New Anti-Inflammatory Cembranes from the Cultured Soft Coral Nephthea columnaris
Authors: Hsiao Ting-Hsi , Sung Chun-Sung , Lan Yu-Hsuan , Wang Yi-Chen , Lu Mei-Chin , Wen Zhi-Hong , Wu Yang-Chang , Sung Ping-Jyun
Published: May 2015

Two new cembranes, columnariols A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the cultured soft coral Nephthea columnaris. The structures of cembranes 1 and 2 were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. In the anti-inflammatory effects test, cembranes 1 and 2 were found to significantly inhibit the accumulation of the pro-inflammatory iNOS and COX-2 protein of the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Compound 1 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity toward LNCaP cells with an IC50 value of 9.80 μg/mL.
Entry Inhibition of Influenza Viruses with High Mannose Binding Lectin ESA-2 from the Red Alga Eucheuma serra through the Recognition of Viral Hemagglutinin
Authors: Sato Yuichiro , Morimoto Kinjiro , Kubo Takanori , Sakaguchi Takemasa , Nishizono Akira , Hirayama Makoto , Hori Kanji
Published: May 2015

Lectin sensitivity of the recent pandemic influenza A virus (H1N1-2009) was screened for 12 lectins with various carbohydrate specificity by a neutral red dye uptake assay with MDCK cells. Among them, a high mannose (HM)-binding anti-HIV lectin, ESA-2 from the red alga Eucheuma serra, showed the highest inhibition against infection with an EC50 of 12.4 nM. Moreover, ESA-2 exhibited a wide range of antiviral spectrum against various influenza strains with EC50s of pico molar to low nanomolar levels. Besides ESA-2, HM-binding plant lectin ConA, fucose-binding lectins such as fungal AOL from Aspergillus oryzae and AAL from Aleuria aurantia were active against H1N1-2009, but the potency of inhibition was of less magnitude compared with ESA-2. Direct interaction between ESA-2 and a viral envelope glycoprotein, hemagglutinin (HA), was demonstrated by ELISA assay. This interaction was effectively suppressed by glycoproteins bearing HM-glycans, indicating that ESA-2 binds to the HA of influenza virus through HM-glycans. Upon treatment with ESA-2, no viral antigens were detected in the host cells, indicating that ESA-2 inhibited the initial steps of virus entry into the cells. ESA-2 would thus be useful as a novel microbicide to prevent penetration of viruses such as HIV and influenza viruses to the host cells.
Synthesis and Physicochemical Characterization of the Impurities of Pemetrexed Disodium, an Anticancer Drug
Authors: Michalak Olga , Gruza Mariusz , Witkowska Anna , Bujak Iwona , Cmoch Piotr
Published: May 2015

A physicochemical characterization of the process-related impurities associated with the synthesis of pemetrexed disodium was performed. The possibility of pemetrexed impurities forming has been mentioned in literature, but no study on their structure has been published yet. This paper describes the development of the synthesis methods for these compounds and discusses their structure elucidation on the basis of two-dimensional NMR experiments and MS data. The identification of these impurities should be useful for the quality control during the production of the pemetrexed disodium salt.
A 1H-NMR-Based Metabonomic Study on the Anti-Depressive Effect of the Total Alkaloid of Corydalis Rhizoma
Authors: Wu Hongwei , Wang Peng , Liu Mengting , Tang Liying , Fang Jing , Zhao Ye , Zhang Yi , Li Defeng , Xu Haiyu , Yang Hongjun
Published: May 2015

Corydalis Rhizoma, named YuanHu in China, is the dried tuber of Corydalis yanhusuo W.T. Wang which is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine for pain relief and blood activation. Previous pharmacological studies showed that apart from analgesics, the alkaloids from YuanHu may be useful in the therapy of depression by acting on the GABA, dopamine and benzodiazepine receptors. In this study, the antidepressive effect of the total alkaloid of YuanHu (YHTA) was investigated in a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model using 1H-NMR-based metabonomics. Plasma metabolic profiles were analyzed and multivariate data analysis was applied to discover the metabolic biomarkers in CUMS rats. Thirteen biomarkers of CUMS-introduced depression were identified, which are myo-inositol, glycerol, glycine, creatine, glutamine, glutamate, β-glucose, α-glucose, acetoacetate, 3-hydroxybutyrate, leucine and unsaturated lipids (L7, L9). Moreover, a metabolic network of the potential biomarkers in plasma perturbed by CUMS was detected. After YHTA treatment, clear separation between the model group and YHTA-treated group was achieved. The levels of all the abnormal metabolites mentioned above showed a tendency of restoration to normal levels. The results demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of YHTA against depression and suggested that NMR-based metabolomics can provide a simple and easy tool for the evaluation of herbal therapeutics.
Comparison of Fruits of Forsythia suspensa at Two Different Maturation Stages by NMR-Based Metabolomics
Authors: Jia Jinping , Zhang Fusheng , Li Zhenyu , Qin Xuemei , Zhang Liwei
Published: May 2015

Forsythiae Fructus (FF), the dried fruit of Forsythia suspensa, has been widely used as a heat-clearing and detoxifying herbal medicine in China. Green FF (GF) and ripe FF (RF) are fruits of Forsythia suspensa at different maturity stages collected about a month apart. FF undergoes a complex series of physical and biochemical changes during fruit ripening. However, the clinical uses of GF and RF have not been distinguished to date. In order to comprehensively compare the chemical compositions of GF and RF, NMR-based metabolomics coupled with HPLC and UV spectrophotometry methods were adopted in this study. Furthermore, the in vitro antioxidant and antibacterial activities of 50% methanol extracts of GF and RF were also evaluated. A total of 27 metabolites were identified based on NMR data, and eight of them were found to be different between the GF and RF groups. The GF group contained higher levels of forsythoside A, forsythoside C, cornoside, rutin, phillyrin and gallic acid and lower levels of rengyol and β-glucose compared with the RF group. The antioxidant activity of GF was higher than that of RF, but no significant difference was observed between the antibacterial activities of GF and RF. Given our results showing their distinct chemical compositions, we propose that NMR-based metabolic profiling can be used to discriminate between GF and RF. Differences in the chemical and biological activities of GF and RF, as well as their clinical efficacies in traditional Chinese medicine should be systematically investigated in future studies.
PLS-Prediction and Confirmation of Hydrojuglone Glucoside as the Antitrypanosomal Constituent of Juglans Spp.
Authors: Ellendorff Therese , Brun Reto , Kaiser Marcel , Sendker Jandirk , Schmidt Thomas
Published: May 2015

Naphthoquinones (NQs) occur naturally in a large variety of plants. Several NQs are highly active against protozoans, amongst them the causative pathogens of neglected tropical diseases such as human African trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Chagas disease and leishmaniasis. Prominent NQ-producing plants can be found among Juglans spp. (Juglandaceae) with juglone derivatives as known constituents. In this study, 36 highly variable extracts were prepared from different plant parts of J. regia, J. cinerea and J. nigra. For all extracts, antiprotozoal activity was determined against the protozoans Trypanosoma cruzi, T. brucei rhodesiense and Leishmania donovani. In addition, an LC-MS fingerprint was recorded for each extract. With each extract’s fingerprint and the data on in vitro growth inhibitory activity against T. brucei rhodesiense a Partial Least Squares (PLS) regression model was calculated in order to obtain an indication of compounds responsible for the differences in bioactivity between the 36 extracts. By means of PLS, hydrojuglone glucoside was predicted as an active compound against T. brucei and consequently isolated and tested in vitro. In fact, the pure compound showed activity against T. brucei at a significantly lower cytotoxicity towards mammalian cells than established antiprotozoal NQs such as lapachol.
Three New Sesquiterpene Aryl Esters from the Mycelium of Armillaria mellea
Authors: Chen Chien-Chih , Kuo Yueh-Hsiung , Cheng Jing-Jy , Sung Ping-Jyun , Ni Ching-Li , Chen Chin-Chu , Shen Chien-Chang
Published: May 2015

Three new sesquiterpene aryl esters and eight known compounds were isolated from the EtOH extract of the mycelium of Armillaria mellea. The structures of new compounds were established by analysis of their spectroscopic data. Some of the isolates showed cytotoxicity to a variety of cancer cell lines, including MCF-7, H460, HT-29, and CEM.
Vitamin D Every Day to Keep the Infection Away?
Authors: Kroner Juliana , Sommer Andrea , Fabri Mario
Published: May 2015

Within the last decade, vitamin D has emerged as a central regulator of host defense against infections. In this regard, vitamin D triggers effective antimicrobial pathways against bacterial, fungal and viral pathogens in cells of the human innate immune system. However, vitamin D also mediates potent tolerogenic effects: it is generally believed that vitamin D attenuates inflammation and acquired immunity, and thus potentially limits collateral tissue damage. Nevertheless, several studies indicate that vitamin D promotes aspects of acquired host defense. Clinically, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with an increased risk for various infectious diseases in epidemiological studies; yet, robust data from controlled trials investigating the use of vitamin D as a preventive or therapeutic agent are missing. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the effect of vitamin D on innate and acquired host defense, and speculate on the difficulties to translate the available molecular medicine data into practical therapeutic or preventive recommendations.
A Model for the Force Exerted on a Primary Cilium by an Optical Trap and the Resulting Deformation
Authors: Lofgren Ian , Resnick Andrew
Published: May 2015

Cilia are slender flexible structures extending from the cell body; genetically similar to flagella. Although their existence has been long known, the mechanical and functional properties of non-motile (“primary”) cilia are largely unknown. Optical traps are a non-contact method of applying a localized force to microscopic objects and an ideal tool for the study of ciliary mechanics. We present a method to measure the mechanical properties of a cilium using an analytic model of a flexible, anchored cylinder held within an optical trap. The force density is found using the discrete-dipole approximation. Utilizing Euler-Bernoulli beam theory, we then integrate this force density and numerically obtain the equilibrium deformation of the cilium in response to an optical trap. The presented results demonstrate that optical trapping can provide a great deal of information and insight about the properties and functions of the primary cilium.
Standardized Time-Series and Interannual Phenological Deviation: New Techniques for Burned-Area Detection Using Long-Term MODIS-NBR Dataset
Authors: De Carvalho Júnior Osmar , Guimarães Renato , Silva Cristiano , Gomes Roberto
Published: May 2015

Typically, digital image processing for burned-areas detection combines the use of a spectral index and the seasonal differencing method. However, the seasonal differencing has many errors when applied to a long-term time series. This article aims to develop and test two methods as an alternative to the traditional seasonal difference. The study area is the Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (Central Brazil) that comprises different vegetation of the Cerrado biome. We used the MODIS/Terra Surface Reflectance 8-Day composite data, considering a 12-year period. The normalized burn ratio was calculated from the band 2 (250-meter resolution) and the band 7 (500-meter resolution reasampled to 250-meter). In this context, the normalization methods aim to eliminate all possible sources of spectral variation and highlight the burned-area features. The proposed normalization methods were the standardized time-series and the interannual phenological deviation. The standardized time-series calculate for each pixel the z-scores of its temporal curve, obtaining a mean of 0 and a standard deviation of 1. The second method establishes a reference curve for each pixel from the average interannual phenology that is subtracted for every year of its respective time series. Optimal threshold value between burned and unburned area for each method was determined from accuracy assessment curves, which compare different threshold values and its accuracy indices with a reference classification using Landsat TM. The different methods have similar accuracy for the burning event, where the standardized method has slightly better results. However, the seasonal difference method has a very false positive error, especially in the period between the rainy and dry seasons. The interannual phenological deviation method minimizes false positive errors, but some remain. In contrast, the standardized time series shows excellent results not containing this type of error. This precision is due to the design method that does not perform a subtraction with a baseline (prior year or average phenological curve). Thus, this method allows a high stability and can be implemented for the automatic detection of burned areas using long-term time series.
Validation and Performance Evaluations of Methods for Estimating Land Surface Temperatures from ASTER Data in the Middle Reach of the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China
Authors: Zhou Ji , Li Mingsong , Liu Shaomin , Jia Zhenzhen , Ma Yanfei
Published: May 2015

Validation and performance evaluations are beneficial for developing methods that estimate the remotely sensed land surface temperature (LST). However, such evaluations for Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) data are rare. By selecting the middle reach of the Heihe River basin (HRB), China, as the study area, the atmospheric correction (AC), mono-window (MW), single-channel (SC), and split-window (SW) methods were evaluated based on in situ measured LSTs. Results demonstrate that the influences of surface heterogeneity on the validation are significant in the study area. For the AC, MW, and SC methods, the LSTs estimated from channel 13 are more accurate than those from channel 14 in general cases. When the in situ measured atmospheric profiles are available, the AC method has the highest accuracy, with a root-mean squared error (RMSE) of about 1.4–1.5 K at the homogenous oasis sites. In actual application without sufficient in situ measured inputs, the MW method is highly accurate; the RMSE is around 1.5–1.6 K. The SC method systematically overestimates LSTs and it is sensitive to error in the water vapor content. The two SW methods are simple to use but their performances are limited by accuracies, revealed by the simulation dataset. Therefore, when the in situ atmospheric profiles are available, the AC method is recommended to generate reliable ASTER LSTs for modeling the eco-hydrological processes in the middle reach of the HRB. When sufficient in situ measured inputs are not available, the MW method can be used instead.
Balance of Comparative Advantages in the Processed Food Sector of the Danube Countries
Authors: Ignjatijević Svetlana , Milojević Ivan , Cvijanović Gorica , Jandrić Mersida
Published: May 2015

In this paper, we investigated the level of competitiveness of the processed food sector of the Danube region countries, in order to show the existence of comparative advantage and the correlation of exports. We used the Balassa (RCA–revealed comparative advantage) index and TPI (trade performance indexes). At first, using the Pearson and Spearman index, we examined the existence of correlations between the processed food sector of the Danube countries. Then, we applied the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test to further compare the value and answered the question: between which Danube countries are there significant differences? With the study, we found that the distribution of the RCA index in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Moldova and Slovenia deviates from normality. We also found the existence of a strong correlation of the RCA index of the Czech Republic with Romania, Hungary with Moldova and Serbia, Moldova with Serbia and Bulgaria with Ukraine. Finally, we concluded that the development of trade in the countries of the Danube region requires the participation of all relevant interest groups and could play an important role in providing faster economic development, that is in achieving sustainable development of the countries, with the sustainable use of available resources.
Updates on Oxaliplatin-Induced Peripheral Neurotoxicity (OXAIPN)
Authors: Argyriou Andreas
Published: May 2015

Oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy (OXAIPN) is of great clinical interest as it ranks among the most common dose limiting toxicities of oxaliplatin (OXA) administration with an obvious impact on the outcome of cancer patients. In addition, OXAIPN has a detrimental effect on the quality of life of cancer patients because it can be long lasting or even permanent. It has a unique spectrum of clinical presentation, being manifested with two distinct syndromes: the acute neurotoxicity that appears soon after OXA administration and is usually transient, and the chronic cumulative syndrome that resembles the characteristics of all platinum compounds. Despite advances in research in relation to the elucidation of the true OXAIPN pathogenesis, characteristics and management, there are still several open issues to be addressed. One of the most important open issues is to determine reliable biomarkers to allow prompt identification of patients at high risk to develop OXAIPN and towards this view well designed genome wide analyses are warranted to adequately address this gap in knowledge. Recent updates are provided in this article in relation to the pathogenesis, clinical characteristics, pharmacogenetics and management of OXAIPN.
Anti-Fibrotic Effect of Natural Toxin Bee Venom on Animal Model of Unilateral Ureteral Obstruction
Authors: An Hyun , Kim Kyung , Lee Woo , Kim Jung , Lee Sun , Pak Sok , Han Sang , Park Kwan
Published: May 2015

Progressive renal fibrosis is the final common pathway for all kidney diseases leading to chronic renal failure. Bee venom (BV) has been widely used as a traditional medicine for various diseases. However, the precise mechanism of BV in ameliorating the renal fibrosis is not fully understood. To investigate the therapeutic effects of BV against unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO)-induced renal fibrosis, BV was given intraperitoneally after ureteral ligation. At seven days after UUO surgery, the kidney tissues were collected for protein analysis and histologic examination. Histological observation revealed that UUO induced a considerable increase in the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells. However, BV treatment markedly reduced these reactions compared with untreated UUO mice. The expression levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly reduced in BV treated mice compared with UUO mice. In addition, treatment with BV significantly inhibited TGF-β1 and fibronectin expression in UUO mice. Moreover, the expression of α-SMA was markedly withdrawn after treatment with BV. These findings suggest that BV attenuates renal fibrosis and reduces inflammatory responses by suppression of multiple growth factor-mediated pro-fibrotic genes. In conclusion, BV may be a useful therapeutic agent for the prevention of fibrosis that characterizes progression of chronic kidney disease.
Food Contaminant Zearalenone and Its Metabolites Affect Cytokine Synthesis and Intestinal Epithelial Integrity of Porcine Cells
Authors: Marin Daniela , Motiu Monica , Taranu Ionelia
Published: May 2015

The intestinal epithelium is the first barrier against food contaminants. Zearalenone (ZEN) is an estrogenic mycotoxin that was identified as a common contaminant of cereal grains and food and feedstuffs. In the present study, we have investigated the in vitro effects of ZEN and some of its metabolites (α-ZOL, β-ZOL) in concentrations of 10–100 µM on a swine epithelial cell line: Intestinal porcine epithelial cells (IPEC-1). We demonstrated that both ZEN metabolites were more toxic for IPEC cells as resulted from the XTT test, while for doses lower than 10 µM, only β-ZOL showed a more pronounced cytotoxicity versus epithelial cells as resulted from neutral red assay. ZEN has no effect on TER values, while α-ZOL significantly decreased the TER values, starting with day 4 of treatment. β-ZOL had a dual effect, firstly it induced a significant increase of TER, and then, starting on day 6, it induced a dramatic decrease of TER values as compared with on day 0. Concerning the cytokine synthesis, our results showed that ZEN has a tendency to increase the synthesis of IL-8 and IL-10. By contrast, α- and β-ZOL decreased the expression of both IL-8 and IL-10, in a dose dependent manner. In conclusion, our results showed that ZEN and its metabolites differently affected porcine intestinal cell viability, transepithelial resistance and cytokine synthesis with important implication for gut health.
Water Institutions and Management in Cape Verde
Authors: Bosa Miguel
Published: May 2015

The water-management model used in Cape Verde for irrigation water is a singular one involving both public and private institutions. The institutional framework adopted since independence (1975) includes influences of both Portuguese colonial occupation and African culture. Water is a common-pool resource, which can take the form of communal, private or state property, or not be subject to any form of ownership. Thus, this case study enables us to compare theories about managing. From a neo-liberal point of view, the common administration of resources of this kind is inefficient, but for one school of the institutional theory, solutions can come “from within”; in other words, from user groups themselves, who can co-operate, once they have defined commitments. Research based on surveys and interviews with private sector administrators leads to the conclusion that user association management is successful, whereas, individual management can lead to squandering.
Areal Distribution of Ammonium Contamination of Soil-Water Environment in the Vicinity of Old Municipal Landfill Site with Vertical Barrier
Authors: Koda Eugeniusz , Osinski Piotr , Sieczka Anna , Wychowaniak Dorota
Published: May 2015

The content of the paper is focused on determining the influence of an old municipal landfill site on the pollution of soil and groundwater by ammonium. The assessment of the influence was conducted on piezometric recording basis, laboratory tests and site investigation, which gave information on contamination level and direction of pollutants migration. Based on the groundwater monitoring results, several maps of groundwater level changes were created. Moreover, mapping of ammonium distribution and migration paths within Lubna Landfill surroundings was also provided. The monitoring data show improvement of water quality in almost every piezometer after only a few years from when groundwater protection system was installed at the site. It indicates that reduction of ammonium within the vicinity of the landfill is continuously progressing in time. On the basis of the results obtained, the magnitude of variability in pollutant migration and changes in concentration, as well as efficiency of the vertical barrier were assessed.
Subgrid Parameterization of the Soil Moisture Storage Capacity for a Distributed Rainfall-Runoff Model
Authors: Guo Weijian , Wang Chuanhai , Zeng Xianmin , Ma Tengfei , Yang Hai
Published: May 2015

Spatial variability plays an important role in nonlinear hydrologic processes. Due to the limitation of computational efficiency and data resolution, subgrid variability is usually assumed to be uniform for most grid-based rainfall-runoff models, which leads to the scale-dependence of model performances. In this paper, the scale effect on the Grid-Xinanjiang model was examined. The bias of the estimation of precipitation, runoff, evapotranspiration and soil moisture at the different grid scales, along with the scale-dependence of the effective parameters, highlights the importance of well representing the subgrid variability. This paper presents a subgrid parameterization method to incorporate the subgrid variability of the soil storage capacity, which is a key variable that controls runoff generation and partitioning in the Grid-Xinanjiang model. In light of the similar spatial pattern and physical basis, the soil storage capacity is correlated with the topographic index, whose spatial distribution can more readily be measured. A beta distribution is introduced to represent the spatial distribution of the soil storage capacity within the grid. The results derived from the Yanduhe Basin show that the proposed subgrid parameterization method can effectively correct the watershed soil storage capacity curve. Compared to the original Grid-Xinanjiang model, the model performances are quite consistent at the different grid scales when the subgrid variability is incorporated. This subgrid parameterization method reduces the recalibration necessity when the Digital Elevation Model (DEM) resolution is changed. Moreover, it improves the potential for the application of the distributed model in the ungauged basin.
Les problèmes chronologiques de la morphogenèse méditerranéenne au quaternaire moyen (Time scale and dates problems of the mediterranean middle quaternary)
Authors: Dumas Bernard
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Si l'accord peut être trouvé pour définir les limites du Quaternaire moyen (900 000 à 1,2 million d'années d'une part, le début du dernier Interglaciaire d'autre part, soit 135 000 ans), les subdivisions des chronologies marocaines et de la chronologie alpine sont inadaptées à la réalité des 8 périodes froides, au minimum, indiquées par les courbes isotopiques issues des carottes océaniques. Le nombre de niveaux de glacis ou terrasses varie de 1 à 6, mais ils ne peuvent être rapportés à telle ou telle des 8 oscillations thermiques. La datation des formes peut interférer avec des problèmes de genèse de ces formes.
Les héritages du quaternaire moyen méditerranéen dans leur cadre régional (Inheritances from the mediterranean middle quaternary within their regional framework)
Authors: Dufaure Jean-Jacques
Published: May 2015

Abstract. The very high degree of intricacy with regard to the problems of the Middle Quaternary in the Mediterranean can be the result, more particularly, of the increasing inadequacy of the existing chronological data to the inheritances which are, as it is commonly observed, quite different according to the regional framework : not only by the number of the landforms inherited (such as the systems of terraces and glacis), but also by their types. Geomorphologists used to extrapolate (too often mistakenly ?) from the systems of terraces, with regional significance, to stratigraphical stages, with general value. The opposition between continental and oceanic chronological data is likely to be connected with the peculiar circumstances of geomorphological developments in continental environments (crossing of very subtle thresholds of response which are involved in the trend of the climatic changes). But the tectonics are also very important in the Mediterranean, absolutely prevalent in the piedmont systems developing a very high instability in the eastern basin ; in spite of their visible moderation in the western basin, they can however play a decisive role in some regional discrepancies.
Environnement et gestion de l'eau potable en Basse-Normandie (Environment and drinking water management in Basse Normandie)
Authors: Cador Jean-michel
Published: May 2015

Abstract. - Drinking water theme, a central part of water management, is essentially considered to be technical, outside the hydrosystem. But, the drought of early 90's revealed insufficiences and malfunctions, for a long time forgotten, and showed that it is impossible to deal without the weight of nature. Environment and regional geography impose many constraints on drinking water management, from production to supply organization.
Dernières découvertes géoarchéologiques dans la haute vallée de l'Authion (Restigné - Vivy, Indre-et-Loire - Maine-et-Loire) (Last geoarcheological discoveries in the high Authion valley : Restigné - Vivy, Indre-et-Loire - Maine-et-Loire)
Authors: Carcaud Nathalie , Mercier F. , Opritesco A. , Pont C.
Published: May 2015

Résume. - Les recherches interdisciplinaires menées sur le val d'Authion en précisent l'histoire holocène. Malgré son isolement partiel, la dépression latérale est intimement liée à la Loire qui dirige son évolution dynamique et lui confère la complémentarité de ses terroirs, mais l'assujettit à des risques d'inondation. C'est autour de cette rencontre entre l'homme et le milieu alluvial que se construit l'évolution morphologique de cet espace.
Les pluies sur la façade orientale du massif du Piton de la Fournaise, île de la Réunion (océan Indien) (Rainfall on the eastern slope of Piton de la Fournaise, la Réunion)
Authors: Barselo Alain , Robert René , Coudray Jean
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Les fortes pentes orientales du massif de la Fournaise (sud-est de l'île de la Réunion, océan Indien) sont directement influencés par les alizés. Les travaux de Barcelo (1996) ont montré qu'elles recevaient de très fortes quantités de pluies, supérieures à 12000 mm/an, nettement supérieures aux quantités enregistrées ailleurs dans l'île. Cela confirme et surtout précise les hypothèses formulées par Robert en 1986. Dans cette alimentation les alizés représentent la source la plus importante et la plus régulière, bien avant les cyclones tropicaux. Ces résultats, obtenus sur trois années (1993-1995) demandent à être confirmés.
L'automobile, agent de déconstruction et de recomposition de notre relation au territoire (The automobile, an agent deconstructing and recomposing our relationship to the territory)
Authors: Piveteau Jean-Luc
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - L'automobile bouscule les frontières de nos trois niveaux de référence anthropologiques fondamentaux : notre corps, notre maison, notre environnement. Mais son action est ambivalente, car en même temps qu'elle déconstruit nos territoires, elle les recompose autrement.

La «signalisation de direction», qui est un élément de l'infrastructure routière, pourrait jouer un rôle inattendu. Car si son objectif est d'améliorer la fluidité des déplacements, elle a également pour effet d'imprimer dans le psychisme des conducteurs des points de repères topographiques clairement différenciés.
L'automobile dans la recomposition de l'espace urbain chinois (The automobile in the recomposition of Chinese urban space)
Authors: Doulet Jean-François
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Le développement rapide de l'usage de l'automobile dans les principales métropoles chinoises illustre les transformations des comportements de la mobilité quotidienne. Les réformes socio-économiques qui marquent la fin de la période maoïste, dans leur souci d'établir de nouveaux processus dans la dynamique urbaine, participent à la remise en question des formes d'organisation de l'espace. L'évolution des espaces de vie, analysée à travers l'unité de travail (danwei), problématise les pratiques du quotidien, et en particulier celles de la mobilité. Dans ce contexte, la multiplication des déplacements en automobile correspond à une forme d'adaptation face à la recomposition de l'espace urbain en cours. En se généralisant sous une forme individuelle, l'usage de l'automobile pose des questions essentielles à un urbanisme chinois sensible aux contraintes liées à la densité et à l'économie d'espace.
La Regio Genevensis, un exemple d'espace de travailleurs frontaliers de type structuré (The Regio Genevensis, an example of border workers structurated space)
Authors: Soutif Véronique
Published: May 2015

Résumé. - Le nombre de travailleurs frontaliers de la «Regio Genevensis» (des personnes qui résident du côté français et qui travaillent régulièrement du côté suisse) a augmenté de manière remarquable : d'environ 1200 en 1955, leur nombre est passé à environ 45000 en 1995 ! Parmi eux, on compte approximativement 39000 frontaliers occupés dans le canton suisse de Genève. De manière générale, le phénomène relève essentiellement de facteurs structurels tels que la configuration topographique, la démographie et le relatif dynamisme économique du côté suisse. Même si les freins à la mobilité de ces actifs transfrontaliers sont encore nombreux, le phénomène n'a pas été sans rapprocher les populations, et les marchés de l'emploi et du logement sont inextricablement liés les uns aux autres de part et d'autre de la frontière franco-genevoise.