bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing the coagulation process in a drinking water treatment plant – comparison between traditional and statistical experimental design jar tests
Authors: Zainal-Abideen M. , Aris A. , Yusof F. , Abdul-Majid Z. , Selamat A. , Omar S. I.
Published: March 2012

In this study of coagulation operation, a comparison was made between the optimum jar test values for pH, coagulant and coagulant aid obtained from traditional methods (an adjusted one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) method) and with central composite design (the standard design of response surface methodology (RSM)). Alum (coagulant) and polymer (coagulant aid) were used to treat a water source with very low pH and high aluminium concentration at Sri-Gading water treatment plant (WTP) Malaysia. The optimum conditions for these factors were chosen when the final turbidity, pH after coagulation and residual aluminium were within 0–5 NTU, 6.5–7.5 and 0–0.20 mg/l respectively. Traditional and RSM jar tests were conducted to find their respective optimum coagulation conditions. It was observed that the optimum dose for alum obtained through the traditional method was 12 mg/l, while the value for polymer was set constant at 0.020 mg/l. Through RSM optimization, the optimum dose for alum was 7 mg/l and for polymer was 0.004 mg/l. Optimum pH for the coagulation operation obtained through traditional methods and RSM was 7.6. The final turbidity, pH after coagulation and residual aluminium recorded were all within acceptable limits. The RSM method was demonstrated to be an appropriate approach for the optimization and was validated by a further test.
Performance of an ultra-compact biofilm reactor treating domestic and synthetic wastewaters
Authors: Koh Lee Chew , Zhang Haiyang , Ha Nguyen Thi Thai , Ong Say Leong
Published: March 2012

The performance of an ultra-compact biofilm reactor (UCBR) treating domestic wastewater (DWW) collected from a local water reclamation plant; and gradually shifting to a mono-type carbon source synthetic wastewater (SWW) combined with DDW (CWW) and finally SWW; was investigated in this study. The total COD concentrations of influent DWW and CWW/SWW were 413.6 ± 80.8 mg/L and 454.9 ± 51.3 mg/L, respectively. The UCBR was able to achieve average total COD removal efficiencies of 70 ± 10% and 80 ± 4% for DWW and SWW respectively. The total COD concentrations of the effluent of DWW and CWW/SWW were 122.5 ± 44.4 mg/L and 89.7 ± 10.3 mg/L, respectively. These observations suggested that heterotrophs in the UCBR system were able to better assimilate and remove carbon of mono-type SWW compared to diverse carbon sources such as DWW; although the influent soluble COD concentrations of the SWW were higher than those of the DWW. However, the effluent NH4+-N concentrations for both types of wastewater were rather similar, <3.0 mg/L; although the influent NH4+-N concentrations of the DWW were 1.5 times those of the SWW.
Comparison of different conditions, substrates and operation modes by dynamic simulation of a full-scale anaerobic SBR plant
Authors: Rönner-Holm S. G. E. , Żak A. , Holm N. C.
Published: March 2012

Simulation studies for a full-scale anaerobic unit of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) were performed using the anaerobic digestion model no. 1 (ADM1). The anaerobic full-scale plant consists of one mesophilic and one thermophilic digester, operated in an anaerobic sequential batch reactor (ASBR) mode, and sludge enrichment reactors (SER) for each digester. The digesters are fed with a mixture of vegetable waste and process wastewater from the food factory. Characteristics such as CODtotal, Ntotal and NH4-N concentrations in the influent and effluent of the digester and SERs were measured and used for input fractionation. Parameters such as level, pH, biogas amount and composition in the digester were measured online and used for calibration. For simulation studies, different temperatures and operation modes with varying chemical oxygen demand (COD) input loads corresponding to feedstocks such as fruits, vegetables and grain were analysed and compared. Higher gas production and digestion efficiency in the thermophilic reactor and in shorter cycles were found and confirmed at full scale. Serial operation mode increased the gas production, but pH inhibition occurred earlier. Feeding only biosolids into digester I and the effluent of digester I together with process water into digester II further improved gas production in serial operation mode.
Negative Special Items and Future Earnings: Expense Transfer or Real Improvements?
Authors: Cready William M. , Lopez Thomas J. , Sisneros Craig A.
Published: March 2012

Burgstahler et al. (2002) investigate the implications of special items for future earnings and report that firms use negative special items to accelerate the recognition of future expenses into the current period. That is, negative special items serve as an “inter-period transfer” device. We extend their analysis and find that earnings increase in post-special item quarters beyond the four quarters considered in Burgstahler et al. (2002). In particular, we find that future earnings increase over the subsequent 16 quarters by more than 130 percent of the reported negative special item. The earnings increases are greater for restructuring charges than for asset write-downs or goodwill impairment charges. Such patterns suggest that negative special items also signal real future performance improvements (i.e., performance improvement hypothesis) in addition to inter-period expense transfer (i.e., inter-period transfer hypothesis). Moreover, the real improvement effect appears to be driven by restructuring charges, the most prevalent type of special item.
Analysis of the role of the integrin signaling pathway in hepatocytes during rat liver regeneration
Authors: Xu Cunshuan , Yang Yanjie , Yang Junying , Chen Xiaoguang , Wang Gaiping
Published: March 2012

To explore the role of the integrin signaling pathway in hepatocytes during rat liver regeneration, the integrin signaling pathway-related gene expression profile in hepatocytes of regenerative liver was detected using Rat Genome 230 2.0 array. The chip data showed that 265 genes of the integrin signaling pathway were included by Rat Genome 230 2.0 array and 132 genes showed significant expression changes in hepatocytes of regenerative liver. The numbers of up-, down- and up/down-regulated genes were 110, 15 and 7 respectively. In addition, bioinformatics and systems biology methods were used to analyze the role of the integrin signaling pathway in hepatocytes. The analysis of gene synergy value indicated that paths 1, 8, 12, and 15 promoted hepatocyte proliferation at the priming phase of liver regeneration; paths 1, 3, 8, and 12–15 enhanced hepatocyte proliferation at the progressing phase; paths 11 and 14 promoted hepatocyte proliferation, while paths 12 and 13 reduced hepatocyte proliferation at the terminal phase. Additionally, the other 8 paths (2, 4, 5–7, 9–10, and 16) were not found to be related to liver regeneration. In conclusion, 132 genes and 8 cascades of the integrin signaling pathway participated in regulating hepatocyte proliferation during rat liver regeneration.
Deficiency in TR4 nuclear receptor abrogates Gadd45a expression and increases cytotoxicity induced by ionizing radiation
Authors: Yan Shian-Jang , Lee Yi-Fen , Ting Huei-Ju , Liu Ning-Chun , Liu Su , Lin Shin-Jen , Yeh Shauh-Der , Li Gonghui , Chang Chawnshang
Published: March 2012

The testicular receptor 4 (TR4) is a member of the nuclear receptor superfamily that controls various biological activities. A protective role of TR4 against oxidative stress has recently been discovered. We here examined the protective role of TR4 against ionizing radiation (IR) and found that small hairpin RNA mediated TR4 knockdown cells were highly sensitive to IR-induced cell death. IR exposure increased the expression of TR4 in scramble control small hairpin RNA expressing cells but not in TR4 knockdown cells. Examination of IR-responsive molecules found that the expression of Gadd45a, the growth arrest and DNA damage response gene, was dramatically decreased in Tr4 deficient (TR4KO) mice tissues and could not respond to IR stimulation in TR4KO mouse embryonic fibroblast cells. This TR4 regulation of GADD45A was at the transcriptional level. Promoter analysis identified four potential TR4 response elements located in intron 3 and exon 4 of the GADD45A gene. Reporter and chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays provided evidence indicating that TR4 regulated the GADD45A expression through TR4 response elements located in intron 3 of the GADD45A gene. Together, we find that TR4 is essential in protecting cells from IR stress. Upon IR challenges, TR4 expression is increased, thereafter inducing GADD45A through transcriptional regulation. As GADD45A is directly involved in the DNA repair pathway, this suggests that TR4 senses genotoxic stress and up-regulates GADD45A expression to protect cells from IR-induced genotoxicity.
Morphological Changes of the Muscovy Duckling Small Intestine during Development
Authors: Ding Bao An , Pirone Andrea , Lenzi Carla , Baglini Alessandro , Romboli Isabella
Published: March 2012

The morphology of the small intestine was investigated in Muscovy ducklings before and after the hatching period using light micoscopy. The villi, crypt depth, villi: crypt (V:C) ratio, were measured in embryos on days 24 and 30 of development, on the day of hatching, and in neonates on days 2, 9 and 13 post-hatching. The height, width and perimeter (girth of villi) of small intestinal villi significantly increased with age (P < 0.05). Villi number (per transverse section of small intestine) decrease from 2 to 13 days post-hatching (P < 0.05). The crypt depth and width were significantly affected by age from hatching to 2 days of age (P < 0.05). The number of crypts increased significantly in the duodenum and jejunum between hatching and 9 days of age (P < 0.05). In the duodenum and jejunum, the V:C ratio peaked at hatching, and decreased from hatching to 2 days of age (P < 0.05). The parameters of villi and crypt of the small intestine rapidly changed between hatching and 9 days post hatch suggesting that the first week of life is a crucial step in physiological changes.
Effect of Dietary Phosphorus and Calcium on Performance of Broilers from 3 to 7 Weeks of Age
Authors: Abudabos Alaeldein M.
Published: March 2012

In this experiment the effects of total dietary phosphorus (TP) and calcium (Ca) on growth, feed conversion ratio, breast muscle yield, serum phosphorus (P), and bone measurements were examined. From 3 to 6 weeks, four levels of TP (4.5, 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0g kg−1) and two levels of Ca (7.0 and 9.0g kg−1) provided eight treatments. From 6 to 7 weeks, diets with two levels of TP (4.5 and 5.5g kg−1) and three levels of Ca (6.0, 7.0, and 8.0g kg−1) were used. Diets with 4.5g kg−1 TP did not contain a source of inorganic P. Interactions were detected for feed intake, weight gain, and serum P at 6 weeks. Birds fed 5.0, 5.5, and 6.0g kg−1 TP with 9.0g kg−1 Ca consumed more feed and gained more weight as compared to the other groups. Feed conversion of birds fed the 9.0g kg−1 Ca diet was lower than those fed diets with 7.0g kg−1 Ca. Serum P was increased (P < 0.05) at the lowest level of TP when dietary Ca was lowered. Lowering the Ca level, in general, raised (P < 0.05) serum P. Ash was a function of the amounts of TP and Ca in the diets; Ca and P contents of the bones were not affected by the dietary treatments (P > 0.05). Interactions or main effects for TP and Ca were not detected for body weight gain, feed consumption, feed conversion, breast muscle yield, serum P and bone measurements at 7 weeks of age. Our findings demonstrate that from 3 to 6 weeks of age, dietary total P can be lowered to 5.0-5.5 g kg−1 while the inorganic P source can be removed in the finisher diets without loss in performance or bone integrity.
Response of Laying Hens to Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Performance and Egg Quality
Authors: Ahmad Shakeel , Ahsan-ul-Haq  , Yousaf Muhammad , Sabri Muhammad Alam , Kamran Zahid
Published: March 2012

With the growing awareness among the general public, the demand for food products rich in omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 PUFA) has increased over the years. Hen eggs enriched with n-3 PUFA are serving this purpose. Several earlier trials indicated that the addition of n-3 PUFA-enriched feed stuffs in laying hen rations readily promoted the n-3 PUFA contents of egg yolks. A major increase was noticed for linolenic acid content in the egg yolk and also for long chain n-3 PUFA. The egg cholesterol was also decreased to some extent by feeding n-3 PUFA-enriched diets to laying hens. However, the production performance and egg characteristics have been questioned in some of the studies conducted on n-3 PUFA feeding to laying hens. The major problem mentioned was a decrease in the egg weight and egg-yolk weight. It is suggested that more consideration should be given to the performance and egg characteristics in future studies on feeding n-3 PUFA to laying hens.
Thinking about Protecting the Vulnerable When Thinking about Immigration: Is There a ‘Responsibility to Protect’ in Immigration Regimes?
Authors: Straehle Christine
Published: March 2012

This paper analyses the ‘responsibility to protect’ (RtoP) from a moral cosmopolitan perspective. It argues, first, that RtoP postulates a remedial responsibility on the part of those nations that have the means and capacity to effectively protect individuals against vulnerability and to provide for the means of human security. Second, the paper explains that human security implies access to human development, including access to social and economic rights. Finally, it argues that developed nations can discharge their remedial responsibilities towards those who lack social and economic rights by adopting just immigration regimes, part of which can be based on temporary foreign labour programs that allow individuals access to the economic opportunities, thus providing them with means to establish economic security. The paper thus argues for an expansion of the interpretation of RtoP.
Between Repression and Anamnesis: Pierre Bourdieu and the Vicissitudes of Literary Form
Authors: Lane Jeremy F.
Published: March 2012

Pierre Bourdieu's work on literature has frequently been criticized for its perceived failure to attend to the specificities of literary form. This article argues that, in fact, literary form plays an important role in Bourdieu's theorizations of literature, or rather, that form is called upon to play a range of different, potentially conflicting roles. Through close readings of both The Rules of Art and the 1975 essay ‘L'Invention de la vie d'artiste’ (The Invention of the Life of the Artist), the article seeks to clarify the different roles Bourdieu attributes to literary form, as that which both conceals and reveals ‘repressed’, ‘incorporated’ or ‘unconscious’ social realities. It will examine Bourdieu's contention that the literary work functions analogously to the Freudian dreamwork in this respect, and will question how appropriate or convincing that analogy proves to be.
The Optimal Evaporation Temperature of Subcritical ORC Based on Second Law Efficiency for Waste Heat Recovery
Authors: Liu Chao , He Chao , Gao Hong , Xu Xiaoxiao , Xu Jinliang
Published: March 2012

The subcritical Organic Rankine Cycle (ORC) with 28 working fluids for waste heat recovery is discussed in this paper. The effects of the temperature of the waste heat, the critical temperature of working fluids and the pinch temperature difference in the evaporator on the optimal evaporation temperature (OET) of the ORC have been investigated. The second law efficiency of the system is regarded as the objective function and the evaporation temperature is optimized by using the quadratic approximations method. The results show that the OET will appear for the temperature ranges investigated when the critical temperatures of working fluids are lower than the waste heat temperatures by 18 ± 5 K under the pinch temperature difference of 5 K in the evaporator. Additionally, the ORC always exhibits the OET when the pinch temperature difference in the evaporator is raised under the fixed waste heat temperature. The maximum second law efficiency will decrease with the increase of pinch temperature difference in the evaporator.
Minimum Error Entropy Filter for Fault Detection of Networked Control Systems
Authors: Zhang Jianhua , Du Lilong , Ren Mifeng , Hou Guolian
Published: March 2012

In this paper, fault detection of networked control systems with random delays, packet dropout and noises is studied. The filter is designed using a minimum error entropy criterion. The residual generated by the filter is then evaluated to detect faults in networked control systems. An illustrative networked control system is used to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Management of Diabetes Mellitus: Could Simultaneous Targeting of Hyperglycemia and Oxidative Stress Be a Better Panacea?
Authors: Erejuwa Omotayo O.
Published: March 2012

The primary aim of the current management of diabetes mellitus is to achieve and/or maintain a glycated hemoglobin level of ≤6.5%. However, recent evidence indicates that intensive treatment of hyperglycemia is characterized by increased weight gain, severe hypoglycemia and higher mortality. Besides, evidence suggests that it is difficult to achieve and/or maintain optimal glycemic control in many diabetic patients; and that the benefits of intensively-treated hyperglycemia are restricted to microvascular complications only. In view of these adverse effects and limitations of intensive treatment of hyperglycemia in preventing diabetic complications, which is linked to oxidative stress, this commentary proposes a hypothesis that “simultaneous targeting of hyperglycemia and oxidative stress” could be more effective than “intensive treatment of hyperglycemia” in the management of diabetes mellitus.
BDMC33, A Curcumin Derivative Suppresses Inflammatory Responses in Macrophage-Like Cellular System: Role of Inhibition in NF-κB and MAPK Signaling Pathways
Authors: Lee Ka-Heng , Chow Yuh-Lit , Sharmili Vidyadaran , Abas Faridah , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu Mohamed , Shaari Khozirah , Israf Daud Ahmad , Lajis Nordin Haji , Syahida Ahmad
Published: March 2012

Our preliminary screening has shown that curcumin derivative BDMC33 [2,6-bis(2,5-dimethoxybenzylidene)cyclohexanone] exerted promising nitric oxide inhibitory activity in activated macrophages. However, the molecular basis and mechanism for its pharmacological action is yet to be elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory properties of BDMC33 and elucidate its underlying mechanism action in macrophage cells. Our current study demonstrated that BDMC33 inhibits the secretion of major pro-inflammatory mediators in stimulated macrophages, and includes NO, TNF-α and IL-1β through interference in both nuclear factor kappaB (NF-κB) and mitogen activator protein kinase (MAPK) signaling cascade in IFN-γ/LPS-stimulated macrophages. Moreover, BDMC33 also interrupted LPS signaling through inhibiting the surface expression of CD-14 accessory molecules. In addition, the inhibitory action of BDMC33 not only restricted the macrophages cell (RAW264.7), but also inhibited the secretion of NO and TNF-α in IFN-γ/LPS-challenged microglial cells (BV-2). The experimental data suggests the inflammatory action of BDMC33 on activated macrophage-like cellular systems, which could be used as a future therapeutic agent in the management of chronic inflammatory diseases.
Immunological Function of Sphingosine 1-Phosphate in the Intestine
Authors: Kunisawa Jun , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: March 2012

It has been shown that dietary materials are involved in immune regulation in the intestine. Lipids mediate immune regulation through a complex metabolic network that produces many kinds of lipid mediators. Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a lipid mediator that controls cell trafficking and activation. In this review, we focus on the immunological functions of S1P in the regulation of intestinal immune responses such as immunoglobulin A production and unique T cell trafficking, and its role in the development of intestinal immune diseases such as food allergies and intestinal inflammation, and also discuss the relationship between dietary materials and S1P metabolism.
New Quartz Oscillator Switching Method for Nano-Henry Range Inductance Measurements
Authors: Matko Vojko , Jezernik Karel
Published: March 2012

This article introduces a new method for nano-Henry inductance measurements at the frequency of 4.999 MHz with a single quartz crystal oscillating in the switching oscillating circuit. The real novelty of this method, however, lies in a considerable reduction of the temperature influence of AT-cut crystal frequency change in the temperature range between 0 °C and 50 °C through a switching method which compensates for the crystal’s natural temperature characteristics. This allows for the compensation of any influences on the crystal such as the compensation of the non-linear temperature characteristics and the ageing of both the crystal and other oscillating circuit elements, as well as the reduction of the output frequency measurement errors with the help of an additional reference frequency. The experimental results show that the switching method greatly improves the measurement of small inductance changes in the range between μH and nH, allowing as a result high-precision measurements (~0.35 fH) in this range.
Introducing Modern Energy Services into Developing Countries: The Role of Local Community Socio-Economic Structures
Authors: Ortiz Willington , Dienst Carmen , Terrapon-Pfaff Julia
Published: March 2012

Sustainable energy technologies are widely sought-after as essential elements in facing global challenges such as energy security, global warming and poverty reduction. However, in spite of their promising advantages, sustainable energy technologies make only a marginal contribution to meeting energy related needs in both industrialised and developing countries, in comparison to the widespread use of unsustainable technologies. One of the most significant constraints to their adoption and broad diffusion is the socio-economic context in which sustainable energy technologies are supposed to operate. The same holds true for community-based energy projects in developing countries supported by the WISIONS initiative. Practical strategies dealing with these socio-economic challenges are crucial elements for project design and, particularly, for the implementation of project activities. In this paper experiences from implementing community-based projects are reviewed in order to identify the practical elements that are relevant to overcome socio-economic challenges. In order to systematise the findings, an analytical framework is proposed, which combines analytical tools from the socio-technical transition framework and insights from participative approaches to development.
Noncontact atomic force microscopy study of the spinel MgAl2O4(111) surface
Authors: Rasmussen Morten K , Meinander Kristoffer , Besenbacher Flemming , Lauritsen Jeppe V
Published: March 2012

Based on high-resolution noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) experiments we reveal a detailed structural model of the polar (111) surface of the insulating ternary metal oxide, MgAl2O4 (spinel). NC-AFM images reveal a 6√3×6√3R30° superstructure on the surface consisting of patches with the original oxygen-terminated MgAl2O4(111) surface interrupted by oxygen-deficient areas. These observations are in accordance with previous theoretical studies, which predict that the polarity of the surface can be compensated by removal of a certain fraction of oxygen atoms. However, instead of isolated O vacancies, it is observed that O is removed in a distinct pattern of line vacancies reflected by the underlying lattice structure. Consequently, by the creation of triangular patches in a 6√3×6√3R30° superstructure, the polar-stabilization requirements are met.
Synthesis and photooxidation of styrene copolymer bearing camphorquinone pendant groups
Authors: Husár Branislav , Moszner Norbert , Lukáč Ivan
Published: March 2012

(±)-10-Methacryloyloxycamphorquinone (MCQ) was synthesized from (±)-10-camphorsulfonic acid either by a known seven-step synthetic route or by a novel, shorter five-step synthetic route. MCQ was copolymerized with styrene (S) and the photochemical behavior of the copolymer MCQ/S was compared with that of a formerly studied copolymer of styrene with monomers containing the benzil (BZ) moiety (another 1,2-dicarbonyl). Irradiation (λ > 380 nm) of aerated films of styrene copolymers with monomers containing the BZ moiety leads to the insertion of two oxygen atoms between the carbonyl groups of BZ and to the formation of benzoyl peroxide (BP) as pendant groups on the polymer backbone. An equivalent irradiation of MCQ/S led mainly to the insertion of only one oxygen atom between the carbonyl groups of camphorquinone (CQ) and to the formation of camphoric anhydride (11) covalently bound to the polymer backbone. While the decomposition of pendant BP groups formed in irradiated films of styrene copolymers with pendant BZ groups leads to crosslinking, only small molecular-weight changes in irradiated MCQ/S were observed.
Typology of Undergraduate Nursing Students’ Unsafe Clinical Practices: Q-Methodology
Authors: Mossey Sharolyn , Montgomery Phyllis , Raymond June M. , Killam Laura A.
Published: March 2012

Undergraduate nursing students, as members of the health care team, must uphold patient safety as a professional and moral obligation during their clinical learning experiences. To address this imperative, in a humanistic paradigm, students engage in critical appraisal of self as a developing practitioner. Using Q-methodology, this study describes undergraduate nursing students’ subjective understanding of unsafe clinical practices, and results revealed a typology of five groups of unsafe students. The results showed four discrete groups of students at risk for unsafe clinical practices—vulnerable, unprepared, unknowing, and distanced students. Overall, a consensus viewpoint described the presence of the displaced student as the greatest safety risk. Use of this typology as an assessment guide may help students and educators cooperatively create and maintain a culture of safety while developing competent novice nurses.
Quantification of Pupil Parameters in Diseased and Normal Eyes With Near Infrared Iris Transillumination Imaging
Authors: Roberts Daniel K. , Yang Yongyi , Lukic Ana S. , Wilensky Jacob T. , Wernick Miles N.
Published: March 2012

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

To investigate near infrared iris transillumination (NIRit) imaging as a new method to quantify pupil shape, size, and position because the imaging modality can uniquely provide simultaneous information regarding iris structural details that influence pupil characteristics and because exploration of related techniques could promote discovery helpful to clinical research and care.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Digital NIRit images of normal and diseased eyes were used along with computer-assisted techniques to quantify four primary pupil parameters, including pupil roundness (PR), pupil ovalness (PO), pupil size (PS), and pupil eccentricity (PE). A combined measure of PR and PO was also developed (the pupil circularity index [PCI]). Repeatability of the measures was studied and example analyses were performed.

RESULTS:

Pupil measures could be calculated for right eyes of 307 subjects (164 normal, 143 other), with fewer than 0.5% exclusions due to image quality. Repeatability study did not show significant bias (
P
< .05) for any of the four primary measures. Example analyses could show age-associated differences in pupil shape (⩾ 50 year olds had less regular pupils than < 50 year olds: median PCI = 0.009 vs 0.006;
P
< .01) and that a group of pigment dispersion syndrome subjects (n = 27) had less regular pupils than a group of matched controls (PO = 0.9966 vs 0.9990;
P
< .05).

CONCLUSION:

Digital NIRit imaging can provide novel, reliable, and informative methods to quantify pupil characteristics while providing simultaneous information about iris structure that may influence these parameters.
Cutting Edge: Dendritic Epidermal γδ T Cell Ligands Are Rapidly and Locally Expressed by Keratinocytes following Cutaneous Wounding
Authors: Komori H. Kiyomi , Witherden Deborah A. , Kelly Ryan , Sendaydiego Kevin , Jameson Julie M. , Teyton Luc , Havran Wendy L.
Published: March 2012

TCR-specific activation is pivotal to dendritic epidermal T cell (DETC) function during cutaneous wound repair. However, DETC TCR ligands are uncharacterized, and little is known about their expression patterns and kinetics. Using soluble DETC TCR tetramers, we demonstrate that DETC TCR ligands are not constitutively expressed in healthy tissue but are rapidly upregulated following wounding on keratinocytes bordering wound edges. Ligand expression is tightly regulated, with downmodulation following DETC activation. Early inhibition of TCR–ligand interactions using DETC TCR tetramers delays wound repair in vivo, highlighting DETC as rapid responders to injury. To our knowledge, this is the first visualization of DETC TCR ligand expression, which provides novel information about how ligand expression impacts early stages of DETC activation and wound repair.
Extracellular Superoxide Dismutase Inhibits Innate Immune Responses and Clearance of an Intracellular Bacterial Infection
Authors: Break Timothy J. , Jun Sujung , Indramohan Mohanalaxmi , Carr Karen D. , Sieve Amy N. , Dory Ladislav , Berg Rance E.
Published: March 2012

Reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species play important roles during immune responses to bacterial pathogens. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (ecSOD) regulates extracellular concentrations of reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species and contributes to tissue protection during inflammatory insults. The participation of ecSOD in immune responses seems therefore intuitive, yet is poorly understood. In the current study, we used mice with varying levels of ecSOD activity to investigate the involvement of this enzyme in immune responses against Listeria monocytogenes. Surprisingly, our data demonstrate that despite enhanced neutrophil recruitment to the liver, ecSOD activity negatively affected host survival and bacterial clearance. Increased ecSOD activity was accompanied by decreased colocalization of neutrophils with bacteria, as well as increased neutrophil apoptosis, which reduced overall and neutrophil-specific TNF-α production. Liver leukocytes from mice lacking ecSOD produced equivalent NO· compared with liver leukocytes from mice expressing ecSOD. However, during infection, there were higher levels of peroxynitrite (NO3·−) in livers from mice lacking ecSOD compared with livers from mice expressing ecSOD. Neutrophil depletion studies revealed that high levels of ecSOD activity resulted in neutrophils with limited protective capacity, whereas neutrophils from mice lacking ecSOD provided superior protection compared with neutrophils from wild-type mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ecSOD activity reduces innate immune responses during bacterial infection and provides a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Benign Familial Polycythaemia in a Young Male
Authors: Maitra Somanth , Bhowmik Sreejita
Published: March 2012

Polycythaemia has been reported rarely as a familial condition. There is evidence to suggest transmission as a Mendelian dominant trait, but recessive inheritance has also been described. We present here a case of benign familial polycythaemia in a 25-year-old male with similar presentation in his family members. Our patient presented with reddish discolouration of eyes, early satiety , weight loss and itching at intervals for four years. An additional examination revealed red beefy tongue and Grade III clubbing. The importance of presenting this case lies in the fact that the prognosis appears to be good in these patients, but regular observation is necessary as Kiladjian and colleagues have mentioned that there is a risk of leukaemia, thrombosis and myelofibrosis in these patients later on, as the idiopathic erythrocytosis group contains a certain number of polycythaemia patients.
Visfatin Polymorphism May Increase Tendency to Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Demir Serap , Özgöz Asuman , Içduygu Fadime Mutlu , Hekimler Kuyaş , Köken Tülay , Imirzalioğlu Necat
Published: March 2012

Visfatin is a novel adipocytokine, which is suggested to play a role in kidney diseases. We hypothesized that diabetics with diabetic nephropathy may have a different gene profile and this study was performed to evaluate the association between visfatin gene promoter region SNPs and diabetic nephropathy. Realtime PCR was used to study SNPs (1001T/G, 423A/G, 1535C/T) of the visfatin gene promoter region in 30 type 2 diabetics with nephropathy, 30 type 2 diabetics without nephropathy, and 30 healthy volunteers who served as control. Routine biochemical parameters, serum insulin, TNF-α, urinary protein and microalbumine were tested in subjects. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the HOMA method. Non-heterozygotes for the SNPs 423 A/G and 1001 T/G had significantly less risk of having nephropathy (for each group odds ratio 0.181 with 95% confidence interval:0.048–0.674). They also had lower serum visfatin levels than subjects with AA and TT genotypes (P=0.035 and P=0.030, respectively). We could not find any relationship between genotype and gender, BMI, HOMA-IR score, HbA1c, proteinuria, serum lipid and TNF-α levels. The two SNPs, 1001 T/G and 423 A/G were in perfect linkage disequilibrium. We, therefore, suggest that visfatin gene polymorphisms may increase the tendency to diabetic nephropathy.
Prevalence of Chronic Kidney Disease in HIV Positive Patients in Lagos, South-West Nigeria
Authors: Umeizudike Theophilus , Mabayoje Monica , Okany Charles , Abdulkareem Fatima , Adeyomoye Adekunle , Okubadejo Njideka , Okpechi Ikechi
Published: March 2012

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) pandemic is one of the leading causes of death in the developing world. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) associated with HIV are major causes of morbidity and mortality in HIV-positive patients. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors of CKD in HIV-positive, antiretroviral naïve patients at a single HIV clinic in Lagos, Nigeria. Of 402 patients, CKD was observed in 23.5% while among 146 controls, CKD was detected in 5.5% (odds ratio (OR) 5.34 [95% CI 2.4–12.2]; P<0.0001). Macroalbuminuria was seen in 20.1% of patients and 2.1% of controls, (OR 12 [95% CI 3.7–38.5]; P<0.0001). Most of the patients and controls were categorized into CKD stages 1 and 2, none among the control was in stage 4 or 5 CKD, while 2 and 2.2% of patients were in stages 4 and 5, respectively (P=0.005). Macroalbuminuria (P<0.0001) and HIV RNA viral load (P=0.010) correlated with CKD on multivariate linear regression analysis. Macroalbuminuria may, therefore, be a useful marker of degree of CKD in HIV seropositive patients. To reduce the burden of CKD and ESRD in populations with high prevalence of HIV, there is a need for increased screening and surveillance for CKD through performance of simple tests to estimate protein in the urine. One of the limitations of this is in using the abbreviated Modification of Diets in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation for estimating glomerular filtration rate.
Effect of selected endocrine disruptors on gene expression and male urogenital system development in male rats.
Authors: Patrick Sean M. , De Jager C. , Bornman M.S. , Joubert Annie M.
Published: March 2012

Endocrine disrupting chemicals may disrupt hormonal processesleading to impaired development. The studies aim was to investigate the relationship betweenvarious EDC exposures and development of urogenital system in male rats across twogenerations.
Rumen degradation of oil palm fronds is improved through pre-digestion with white rot fungi but not through supplementation with yeast or enzymes
Authors: Hassim H. A. , Lourenço M. , Goh Y. M. , Baars J. J. P. , Fievez V.
Published: March 2012

Hassim, H. A., Lourenço, M., Goh, Y. M., Baars, J. J. P. and Fievez, V. 2012. Rumen degradation of oil palm fronds is improved through pre-digestion with white rot fungi but not through supplementation with yeast or enzymes. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 92: 79–87. Rumen fermentation kinetics of oil palm fronds (OPF) supplemented or not with enzymes (Hemicell® or Allzyme SSF®) or yeasts (Levucell®SC or Yea-Sacc®) were studied through an in vitro gas production test (96 h) (exp. 1). In exp. 2, enzymes were supplemented to OPF pre-treated during 3 or 9 wk with either one of five white rot fungi strains. Yeasts and enzymes were tested both in active and inactive forms, which revealed the most appropriate set-up to distinguish between the rate of supplements as direct contributors to the fermentation substrate vs. stimulators of the fermentation of the basal substrate. In exp 1, addition of active and inactive Yea-Sacc® increased the apparently rumen degradable carbohydrates (ARDC) by 11%, whereas enzymes did not affect rumen degradability of non-inoculated OPF. Neither yeast nor enzymes influenced the rate of gas production of non-inoculated OPF, except for active Hemicell® at the low dose. In exp. 2, inoculation of OPF with Ceriporiopsis subvermispora for 3 wk and Lentinula edodes for 9 wk increased ARDC, but additional enzyme supplementation did not further improve ARDC or the rate of gas production.
Verification of SpacePy's radial diffusion radiation belt model
Authors: Welling D. T. , Koller J. , Camporeale E.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Model verification, or the process of ensuring that the prescribed equations are properly solved, is a necessary step in code development. Careful, quantitative verification guides users when selecting grid resolution and time step and gives confidence to code developers that existing code is properly instituted. This work introduces the RadBelt radiation belt model, a new, open-source version of the Dynamic Radiation Environment Assimilation Model (DREAM) and uses the Method of Manufactured Solutions (MMS) to quantitatively verify it. Order of convergence is investigated for a plethora of code configurations and source terms. The ability to apply many different diffusion coefficients, including time constant and time varying, is thoroughly investigated. The model passes all of the tests, demonstrating correct implementation of the numerical solver. The importance of DLL and source term dynamics on the selection of time step and grid size is also explored. Finally, an alternative method to apply the source term is examined to illustrate additional considerations required when non-linear source terms are used.
Correlations between solid tides and worldwide earthquakes MS ≥ 7.0 since 1900
Authors: Chen L. , Chen J. G. , Xu Q. H.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Most studies on the correlations between earthquakes and solid tides mainly concluded the syzygies (i.e. new or full moons) of each lunar cycle have more earthquakes than other days in the month. We show a correlation between the aftershock sequence of the ML = 6.3 Christchurch, New Zealand, earthquake and the diurnal solid tide. Ms ≥ 7 earthquakes worldwide since 1900 are more likely to occur during the 0°, 90°, 180° or 270° phases (i.e. earthquake-prone phases) of the semidiurnal solid earth tidal curve (M2). Thus, the semidiurnal solid tides triggers earthquakes. However, the long-term triggering effect of the lunar periodicity is uncertain. This proposal is helpful in defining possible origin times of aftershocks several days after a mainshock and can be used for warning of subsequent larger shocks.
Mental Illness: Medication or Therapy?
Authors: Clare Ajay
Published: March 2012

One in four people will suffer from mental health problems at some point in their lives (World Health Organization, 2001), a reality common to both developed and developing countries. In fact, so important is the issue that the Department of Health (2004) estimates that mental illnesses are the second biggest burden on the NHS (in terms of the years of healthy life that people lose due to disability and illness). Attempts to tackle the situation on a number of fronts have been seen: last year, £18 million were invested in a new action plan called Moving People, aimed at reducing the increasing stigma associated with having a mental illness in England. Despite this, mental health initiatives are often seen as a soft target for funding cuts within the NHS (Brindle, 2006). This has led to a situation in which, more often than not, doctors end up prescribing medication rather than more expensive psychological therapies. Therefore, it is more crucial than ever to have accurate information regarding the effectiveness of the different treatment options for various illnesses.
Intercultural Therapy and Ethnopsychoanalysis: are They Both 'Possession'?
Authors: Zanatta Francesca
Published: March 2012

The assumption that such a delicate practice as therapy is universal is a fault belonging to the past. The universality of therapy has been questioned for a long time without any consistent or final answer. The biggest contribution of Anthropology to therapy has been to open up new approaches to and points of view about therapy. Therefore the problems linked to assumptions about therapy’s universality have been overcome partially through the analysis and the understanding of differences and peculiarities of cultures. Ethnopsychoanalysis and Intercultural Therapy are two approaches to therapy that have been developed in response to the Anthropological critique and its identification of cultural variance. They both give effect to Littlewood’s suggestion (1990), which was developed in his article that promoted the rise of a new cross-cultural psychiatry: According to Littlewood, ‘we need to take into account the whole context of a particular experience and its personal meaning even if it leads us to such areas as local politics or social structure’. Each of the new therapies referred to above give effect to Littlewood’s suggestion in different ways. On the one hand, Intercultural Therapy, starting from the Western traditional theories, has been modeled on other cultures; on the other hand, Ethnopsychiatry has been based on traditional therapy belonging to non-Western cultures, with some help from psychoanalytic theories. Both these therapies are an attempt to overcome the problems caused by the assumption of universality. A question still remains: is this effort just another way to make therapy fit into non-Western cultures? Is this effort simply another way to ‘possess’ cultures?
Dream Isle
Authors: Lim C.
Published: March 2012

London is a city and cities are alive. They breathe, they grow, they spawn, they die and they dream. This is London’s dream. Feeding on the memories of its visitors and cosmopolitan populace, London’s dreams traverse icons such as St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament, Primrose Hill, Trafalgar Square and the green courts of Wimbledon, but not as we know them. In these dreams, the city is protagonist, and this is how it sees itself.
'I Killed Him for the Money': The American Dream in Billy Wilder's Double Indemnity
Authors: Thomas Adam
Published: March 2012

‘I killed him for money – and a woman - I didn’t get the money and I didn’t get the woman. Pretty isn’t it?’ (Wilder 1944). So begins Walter Neff’s (Fred MacMurray) confession in Billy Wilder’s Double Indemnity, a confession that tells how he fell for femme fatale Phyllis Dietrichson, how he planned and undertook the murder of her husband, and attempted to claim the life insurance he had himself sold to the dead man. The audience also hears that Neff’s actions aroused the suspicions of his boss and mentor, Keyes, and led to a shoot out with Phyllis that proves fatal for both. Hence that famous opening line. More than just an example of Raymond Chandler’s and Wilder’s pithy dialogue, the line encapsulates the film’s criticism of the American ideal. Neff’s future of upward mobility and a loving wife is gone. Furthermore, in the course of pursuing this dream, he has destroyed a family, attempted to cheat his employer and murdered a typical hard-working citizen. With this statement comes the verbal proof of what the plot goes on to demonstrate: the American Dream is dead.
Detection and Typing of Human Papilloma Virus by Multiplex PCR with Type-Specific Primers
Authors: Romero-Pastrana Francisco
Published: March 2012

The primary underlying cause of cervical cancer is infection with one or more high-risk (HR) types of the human papilloma virus (HPV). Detection and typing of HPV have been commonly carried out by PCR-based assays, where HPV detection and typing are two separate procedures. Here, we present a multiplex PCR-based HPV typing assay that detects 20 HPV types (15 HR, 3 probably HR and 2 low risk) using type-specific primers and agarose gel electrophoresis. 46 cervical, urethral, and biopsy samples were analyzed by both Multiplex PCR and PGMY09/11 consensus PCR, and results were compared. 611 samples were further analyzed by Multiplex PCR, 282 were positive for HR HPV, and 101 showed multiple HR HPV infections. The relatively ease and economic accessibility of the method and its improved ability to detect high-risk HPV types in multiple HPV-infected samples make it an attractive option for HPV testing.
Using Radial Basis Function Networks for Function Approximation and Classification
Authors: Wu Yue , Wang Hui , Zhang Biaobiao , Du K.-L.
Published: March 2012

The radial basis function (RBF) network has its foundation in the conventional approximation theory. It has the capability of universal approximation. The RBF network is a popular alternative to the well-known multilayer perceptron (MLP), since it has a simpler structure and a much faster training process. In this paper, we give a comprehensive survey on the RBF network and its learning. Many aspects associated with the RBF network, such as network structure, universal approimation capability, radial basis functions, RBF network learning, structure optimization, normalized RBF networks, application to dynamic system modeling, and nonlinear complex-valued signal processing, are described. We also compare the features and capability of the two models.
Liquid Chromatography Study on Atenolol--Cyclodextrin Inclusion Complex
Authors: Buha Shailesh M. , Baxi Girin A. , Shrivastav Pranav S.
Published: March 2012

Inclusion complex formation of atenolol with -cyclodextrin (-CD) has been investigated by HPLC on different stationary phases, by varying pH and concentration of -CD added as an additive in the mobile phase over a wide range of column temperature. Stationary phases of different polarity and hydrophobicity were evaluated to find the best conditions for complex formation. The optimum conditions for inclusion complexation were achieved on YMC ODS-AQ C18 ( mm, 5 μ) analytical column. The apparent formation constant () of the complex as evaluated by liquid chromatography using retention factors () was  M−1 at 25°C. The stoichiometry of the complex was 1 : 1 as is evident from the straight line plot of 1/ versus -CD concentration. The formation of inclusion complex was essentially enthalpy (−42.12 kJ/mol) driven and the binding forces included hydrophobic, van der Waals-London dispersion interactions. The enthalpy-entropy compensation criterion was used to prove the inclusion phenomena.
Integrin Signaling in Mammary Epithelial Cells and Breast Cancer
Authors: Lambert Arthur W. , Ozturk Sait , Thiagalingam Sam
Published: March 2012

Cells sense and respond to the extracellular matrix (ECM) by way of integrin receptors, which facilitate cell adhesion and intracellular signaling. Advances in understanding the mammary epithelial cell hierarchy are converging with new developments that reveal how integrins regulate the normal mammary gland. But in breast cancer, integrin signaling contributes to the development and progression of tumors. This paper highlights recent studies which examine the role of integrin signaling in mammary epithelial cells and their malignant counterparts.