bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
[NO TITLE AVAILABLE]
Authors: Marjorel Jérémie
Published: December 2011

O estilo espetacular da filósofa americana Avital Ronell, inspirada pelos dispositivos performativos de Derrida, está a serviço de um pensamento filosófico autêntico. Ela procede menos por desconstrução da clausura da metafísica ocidental do que por ramificações clandestinas e curtos-circuitos que eletrificam redes de sentidos despercebidos em autores fundamentais, de Platão a Blanchot, passando por Flaubert, Nietzsche e Heidegger.
Incidence, Predictive Factors, and Prognosis of Chondrosarcoma in Patients with Ollier Disease and Maffucci Syndrome: An International Multicenter Study of 161 Patients
Authors: Verdegaal Suzan H.M. , Bovée Judith V.M.G. , Pansuriya Twinkal C. , Grimer Robert J. , Ozger Harzem , Jutte Paul C. , San Julian Mikel , Biau David J. , Geest Ingrid C.M. , Leithner Andreas , Streitbürger Arne , Klenke Frank M. , Gouin Francois G. , Campanacci Domenico A. , Marec-Berard Perrine , Hogendoorn Pancras C.W. , Brand Ronald , Taminiau Antonie H.M.
Published: December 2011

Learning Objectives

After completing this course, the reader will be able to: Describe major enchondroma distribution patterns that were identified in this study.Identify variables that are predictive for the secondary transformation of enchondroma over the lifetime of individuals with Ollier disease or Maffucci syndrome.

CME This article is available for continuing medical education credit at CME.TheOncologist.com

Background.

Enchondromatosis is characterized by the presence of multiple benign cartilage lesions in bone. While Ollier disease is typified by multiple enchondromas, in Maffucci syndrome these are associated with hemangiomas. Studies evaluating the predictive value of clinical symptoms for development of secondary chondrosarcoma and prognosis are lacking. This multi-institute study evaluates the clinical characteristics of patients, to get better insight on behavior and prognosis of these diseases.

Method.

A retrospective study was conducted using clinical data of 144 Ollier and 17 Maffucci patients from 13 European centers and one national databank supplied by members of the European Musculoskeletal Oncology Society.

Results.

Patients had multiple enchondromas in the hands and feet only (group I, 18%), in long bones including scapula and pelvis only (group II, 39%), and in both small and long/flat bones (group III, 43%), respectively. The overall incidence of chondrosarcoma thus far is 40%. In group I, only 4 patients (15%) developed chondrosarcoma, in contrast to 27 patients (43%) in group II and 26 patients (46%) in group III, respectively. The risk of developing chondrosarcoma is increased when enchondromas are located in the pelvis (odds ratio, 3.8; p = 0.00l).

Conclusions.

Overall incidence of development of chondrosarcoma is 40%, but may, due to age-dependency, increase when considered as a lifelong risk. Patients with enchondromas located in long bones or axial skeleton, especially the pelvis, have a seriously increased risk of developing chondrosarcoma, and are identified as the population that needs regular screening on early detection of malignant transformation.
Successional changes in plant resistance and tolerance to herbivory
Authors: Hakes Alyssa S. , Cronin James T.
Published: December 2011

Despite considerable research on plant defenses, we know very little about how temporal changes in the environment may influence resistance and tolerance levels, or the costs and benefits of these defense strategies for long‐lived plant species. We hypothesized that, in successional habitats, predictable environmental changes should favor strong plasticity in defense phenotypes and that the costs, benefits, and levels of tolerance and resistance will change with environmental context. Using a widely distributed, old‐field perennial, late goldenrod (Solidago altissima), we conducted a field experiment to test these predictions. We planted goldenrod genets exhibiting varying levels of resistance and tolerance into three early‐successional and three late‐successional fields (approximately three and 15 years in age, respectively) and experimentally measured resistance and tolerance levels and their associated costs and selection coefficients. We found a significant effect of successional stage but no effect of genotype or stage–genotype interaction on defense levels. Genets planted in early‐successional fields appeared to be more resistant and less tolerant to herbivory than those same genets planted in late‐successional fields. There were significant trade‐offs between resistance and tolerance in early‐successional fields but not in late‐successional fields. Each late‐successional field exhibited a significant cost or selection gradient for resistance, but there was no general pattern of resistance costs or selection gradients specific to a successional stage class. In contrast, there was evidence of stage‐specific costs of tolerance; late‐successional fields exhibited significant costs of tolerance whereas early‐successional fields did not. There was no evidence of direct selection for or against tolerance in either stage. Our results suggest that defense phenotypes might change in qualitative ways during succession. High resistance in early stages may be attributed to associational effects of the early‐successional community, reducing the probability of damage, and despite a cost of tolerance in late stages, tolerance may be beneficial in mitigating the effects of both herbivory and environmental stresses (i.e., low light availability) that limit fitness in these fields. This study provides experimental evidence that succession can strongly influence defense phenotypes and promote temporal variability in relative resistance and tolerance levels.
Variation partitioning involving orthogonal spatial eigenfunction submodels
Authors: Legendre Pierre , Borcard Daniel , Roberts David W.
Published: December 2011

When partitioning the variation of univariate or multivariate ecological data with respect to several submodels of spatial eigenfunctions (e.g., Moran's eigenvector maps, MEM) acting as explanatory data, a problem occurs: although the submodels are constructed to be orthogonal to one another, the partitioning based on adjusted R2 statistics produces nonzero values in the intersections between spatial submodels. This phenomenon is described and two solutions are proposed. The first solution is to apportion the intersection fractions proportionally to the variation explained by each submodel. The second solution consists in creating a hierarchy among the spatial submodels, in accordance with hierarchy theory. These solutions lead to new partitioning equations that are described in the Appendix. R functions are provided to carry out partitioning with respect to environmental variables and spatial eigenfunction submodels. This development is important for the correct interpretation of spatial modeling results implying explanatory environmental data as well as submodels of spatial eigenfunctions involving two or more spatial scales.
Production of Gallic Acid by Immobilized Aspergillus niger Using Polyurethane Foam as Solid Support
Authors: Srivastava Anita , Kar Rita
Published: December 2011

The present study was aimed at finding the optimal conditions for maximum gallic acid production using polyurethane-immobilized Aspergillus niger cells and determining the operational stability of recycled cells for gallic acid production. Maximum gallic acid (142 µg/ml) was produced with 1% tannic acid at 40°C, pH 5.0, with polyurethane foam size of 1.5 cm3 cubes after 48 h under submerged fermentation at 220 rpm, as compared to free cells, which produced 72 µg /ml gallic acid in 72 h at 37°C and pH 5.0. Continuous production of gallic acid by recycling of the immobilized cells resulted in maximum gallic acid production of 199 µg/ml after the fourth cycle, and thereafter remained stable till the seventh cycle and could be continued till the tenth cycle. Pyrogallol, a degradation product of gallic acid and gallic acid decarboxylase (GADC), was also monitored under static and aerobic states and showed comparable values, in contrast to bacteria where aeration caused inhibition. However, 72.73% inhibition of GADC activity by oxidizing agents with simultaneous increase in gallic acid production was observed. This is the first report of gallic acid production by immobilized A. niger cells, producing higher amounts of gallic acid in a shorter cultivation time.
Comparison of Vacuum Cooling with Conventional Cooling for Purslane
Authors: Mutlu Ozturk Hande , Ozturk Harun Kemal , Kocar Gunnur
Published: December 2011

Vacuum cooling technology is a proven technology widely applied on precooling of leafy vegetables, mushrooms, baked goods, fish, sauces, cooked foods, and particulate foods. Vacuum cooling is known as a rapid evaporative cooling technique for moist and porous products. Vacuum cooling has some advantages, such as shortened processing time, extended product shelf life, and improved product quality and safety. The aim of this paper is to apply the vacuum cooling technique to the cooling of purslane and show the pressure effect (for 0.7 kPa, 1 kPa, 1.5 kPa) on the cooling time and temperature decrease. Another purpose of this article is to compare conventional cooling (cooling by refrigerator) with vacuum cooling. It has been seen that purslane can be cooled much more rapidly and efficiently with vacuum cooling than with conventional cooling.
Adsorption Isotherms for Red Onion Slices Using Empirical and Neural Network Models
Authors: Gazor Hamid Reza , Eyvani Afshin
Published: December 2011

Moisture sorption isotherms of red onion slices were determined at 30, 40, 50, and 60°C using the standard gravimetric static method over a range of relative humidity from 0.11 to 0.83. The experimental sorption curves were fitted by seven empirical equations: modified Henderson, modified ChungPfost, modified Halsey, modified Oswin, modified Smith, modified BET, and GAB. Also three types of Artificial neural network models: linear, multilayer perceptron, and radial basis function were tested and developed to predict the equilibrium moisture content of onion slices and the selected models were trained by using related algorithms. The modified Oswin model was found acceptable for predicting adsorption moisture isotherms and fitting to the experimental data, based on the coefficient of determination (R2= 0.991), mean relative percent error (MRE=15.019), and standard error of estimation (SEE=1.371). Besides, multilayer perceptron model with four layers (2: 17: 14: 1) was selected as the best artificial neural network for estimation of onion slices equilibrium moisture content by considering R2= 0.993 and good performance. The net isosteric heat of adsorption of moisture was determined by applying the ClausiusClapeyron equation to the sorption isotherms at different temperatures. The net isosteric heat of adsorption of red onion slices varied between 1.46 and 4.96 kJ/mol at moisture content varying between 2% and 52% (d.b.).
A Descriptive Study of Institutional Characteristics of the Introductory Accounting Course
Authors: Duchac Jonathan E. , Amoruso Anthony J.
Published: December 2011

Introductory accounting has historically been a foundational course in most undergraduate business curriculums. In many cases, the course serves as a prerequisite for all upper-level business and accounting courses. However, no current public data exist on the structure and characteristics of introductory accounting across a large sample of institutions. This study begins to fill this void by providing descriptive data on institutional characteristics of the introductory accounting course. Data are collected on seven different dimensions of the course suggested by the recommendations of the Accounting Education Change Commission (AECC) and recent trends in higher education: course size and staffing, pedagogical orientation/teaching approach, standardization of course elements across instructors, the textbook selection process, use of technology-based course management tools, off-site course delivery, and transfer credit acceptance. In some cases, the current data can be compared to previous research that examined similar characteristics. The resulting data can provide instructors, administrators, and researchers with a useful benchmark for developing teaching plans, curriculum, and future academic research.
Using a Social Enterprise Service-Learning Strategy in an Introductory Management Accounting Course
Authors: Zamora Valentina L.
Published: December 2011

The accounting profession has long called for learning strategies that actively develop students' critical analysis and problem-solving skills in unstructured settings (Accounting Education Change Commission [AECC] 1990), and where learning outcomes map into American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) (2000) core competencies. This paper proposes the use of a service-learning strategy in the introductory management accounting course. This learning strategy reflects the Institute of Management Accountants' (IMA) new definition of management accounting as a strategic imperative (IMA 2008), and responds to Rama's (1998) monograph revealing limited examples of service-learning in management accounting. In addition, this paper proposes that faculty work with real social enterprises that sell goods and services for profit and in support of a broader social mission. I argue that relative to working on nonprofit/government cases, working in the social enterprise setting may offer students a more tractable transition from the for-profit examples in many textbooks. I also argue that relative to working on for-profit cases, working in the social enterprise setting may provide students access to proprietary data used internally for managerial decision-making. The pedagogy of service-learning in the accounting curriculum and its relevance to that proposed in this paper is discussed. Generalized service-learning planning documents, examples, adaptations of case study questions, and a responsibility checklist are provided. Implementation guidelines that address key stakeholder barriers to success (Kenworthy-U'Ren 2008) are discussed, and examples of social enterprise service-learning implementations are presented. Post-implementation survey responses from students suggest that the social enterprise service-learning experience positively affected their learning of specific management accounting concepts, issues faced by mission-driven organizations, and how they can uniquely contribute by applying what they learn.
Integrated Accounting Principles: A Best Practices Course for Introductory Accounting
Authors: Warren D. Lee , Young Marilyn N.
Published: December 2011

For many years, the accounting profession has encouraged accounting educators to rethink the introductory accounting principles courses. In response, accounting educators have developed strategies for enhancing the first courses, including: a new sequence for the course topics, active learning pedagogies, an emphasis on critical thinking, use of simulations, use of articles from the business press, and a reduced emphasis on debits and credits. Individually, each of these innovations moves us closer to the ideal course envisioned by the leaders in the profession, but what if all of these innovations were combined into the learning goals of a single principles course? The purpose of this paper is to describe a best practices course entitled “Integrated Accounting Principles” (IAP). This course focuses on accounting knowledge and skills development in the learning goals, and is taught with an active learning pedagogy in a six-hour format. This course draws on many innovative learning strategies from the accounting and education literature, as well as a few new and adapted tactics. In addition, the course is aligned with the goals outlined by the accounting profession and encourages a high level of student engagement.
High-Dose Aspirin Is Required to Influence Plasma Fibrin Network Structure in Patients With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Tehrani Sara , Antovic Aleksandra , Mobarrez Fariborz , Mageed Koteiba , Lins Per-Eric , Adamson Ulf , Wallén Håkan N. , Jörneskog Gun
Published: December 2011

OBJECTIVE

Patients with type 1 diabetes form a less permeable fibrin network, which could contribute to their increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Low-dose aspirin treatment is the standard in the management of CVD; however, the effect seems reduced in patients with diabetes. We investigated the effects of low- and high-dose aspirin treatment on fibrin network formation in patients with type 1 diabetes (primary aim) and the possible interaction between the treatment effects of aspirin on fibrin network permeability and glycemic control in these patients (secondary aim).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Forty-eight patients (24 subjects with good [HbA1c <7.4%] and 24 subjects with poor [HbA1c >8.4%] glycemic control) were randomly assigned to treatment with 75 or 320 mg/day aspirin during 4 weeks in a crossover fashion. A 4-week washout period separated the treatment periods. The plasma fibrin network was assessed by determination of the permeability coefficient (Ks).

RESULTS

Treatment with 75 mg aspirin did not influence fibrin network permeability (Ks). However, Ks increased significantly during treatment with 320 mg aspirin (P = 0.004), and a significant treatment effect was seen compared with treatment with 75 mg aspirin (P = 0.009). The increase in Ks during high-dose aspirin treatment was significant in patients with poor glycemic control (P = 0.02), whereas Ks only tended to increase in patients with good glycemic control (P = 0.06).

CONCLUSIONS

A high dose of aspirin is required to influence fibrin network permeability in patients with type 1 diabetes. The observed lack of effect with low-dose aspirin may contribute to aspirin treatment failure in diabetes.
Total and High-Molecular-Weight Adiponectin and Risk of Incident Diabetes in Older People
Authors: Kizer Jorge R. , Arnold Alice M. , Benkeser David , Ix Joachim H. , Djousse Luc , Zieman Susan J. , Barzilay Joshua I. , Tracy Russell P. , Mantzoros Christos S. , Siscovick David S. , Mukamal Kenneth J.
Published: December 2011

OBJECTIVE

To delineate the associations of total adiponectin, high-molecular-weight (HMW) adiponectin, and the HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio with diabetes in older adults.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Total and HMW adiponectin were measured in a population-based study of older adults. The relations of total adiponectin, HMW adiponectin, and their ratio with incident diabetes (n = 309) were assessed in 3,802 individuals.

RESULTS

Total and HMW adiponectin were highly correlated (r = 0.94). Analysis using cubic splines revealed that the associations between total and HMW adiponectin and new-onset diabetes were not linear. Specifically, after adjustment for confounders, there were similar inverse relationships for total (hazard ratio per SD 0.49 [95% CI 0.39–0.63]) and HMW adiponectin (0.42 [0.32–0.56]) with diabetes up to values of 20 and 10 mg/L, respectively, above which the associations plateaued. These associations persisted after adjustment for potential mediators (blood pressure, lipids, C-reactive protein, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance [HOMA-IR]). There was, however, evidence of interaction by HOMA-IR in the lower range of adiponectin, with stronger inverse associations among insulin-sensitive than insulin-resistant participants. HMW-to-total adiponectin ratio showed a linear adjusted association with outcome, but this was abolished by inclusion of mediating variables.

CONCLUSIONS

In this older cohort, increasing concentrations of total and HMW adiponectin were associated with comparably lower risks of diabetes, but these associations leveled off with further increases above concentrations of 20 and 10 mg/L, respectively. The more pronounced risk decreases at the lower range among participants without insulin resistance support a role for adiponectin that is independent of baseline hyperinsulinemia, but this will require further investigation.
Site-Specific Variance in Radius and Tibia Bone Strength as Determined by Muscle Size and Body Mass
Authors: Frank Andrew William , Labas Megan Crystal , Johnston James Duncan , Kontulainen Saija Annukka
Published: December 2011

Purpose: To investigate the predictive ability of muscle cross-sectional area (MCSA) and body mass on bone mineral content, compressive bone strength index (BSIc), and the polar stress-strain index (SSIp) of the forearms and lower legs of middle-aged adults. Methods: A total of 53 healthy adults (37 male, 16 female; mean age 50.4; SD 2.1 y) were scanned with peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) to measure radius and tibia total and cortical bone mineral content, BSIc, SSIp, and forearm and lower-leg MCSA (BSIc: 4% distal; SSIp and MCSA at 65% and 66% radius and tibia shaft sites, respectively). Multiple regression models adjusted for sex and height were used to assess the relative variance in radius or tibia bone outcomes predicted by body mass and/or forearm or lower-leg MCSA. Results: Forearm MCSA independently predicted total bone-mineral content, BSIc, and SSIp in radius (rpartial=0.59, 0.56, 0.42). Body mass was a negative predictor of radius BSIc (rpartial=−0.32) and did not predict other radius outcomes when both body mass and MCSA were forced in the models. In the lower leg shaft, MCSA, and body mass predicted bone content and strength similarly when independently added to the models with sex and height. Conclusions: Forearm MCSA was a dominant predictor of radius bone content and estimated strength. In the tibia, both body mass and lower-leg MCSA contributed to predicting bone content and estimated strength.
A Shortened Version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Disability Index: Development and Measurement Properties
Authors: Razmjou Helen , Stratford Paul , Holtby Richard
Published: December 2011

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop and examine the measurement properties of a shortened version of the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff Index (WORC), the SHORTWORC, in individuals with rotator-cuff pathology. Methods: The study occurred in two stages, both using secondary analysis of existing data sets. The first stage used cross-sectional data from candidates for rotator-cuff surgery to develop the SHORTWORC. The second stage examined various measurement properties of the SHORTWORC by analyzing scores from the WORC, the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and the Constant–Murley score obtained from patients before and after rotator-cuff surgery. Approaches to validating the SHORTWORC included calculating the standard error of measurement (SEM) at an instant in time, performing a confirmatory factor analysis, correlating findings among the questionnaires, and examining differences between men and women. Sensitivity to change was investigated using standardized response mean and relative efficiency. Results: Data for 712 patients were used to develop the SHORTWORC, the final version of which consisted of 7 questions. Data for 166 patients (86 men, 80 women; mean age 57±11 years) were used for validation. The SEM based on internal consistency (SEMIC) was calculated as 7.43 SHORTWORC points. The SHORTWORC had similar convergent validity (r=0.72−0.82) and sensitivity to change (SRM=1.20 vs. 1.25, p>0.05) to the longer version. The relative efficiency of the SHORTWORC was 3.19 times that of the WORC (95% CI, 1.50–71.51) in discriminating men's from women's level of disability. Conclusions: The SHORTWORC has indicators of validity, relative efficiency, and sensitivity to change comparable to those of the original version but has a smaller response burden.
Selection of Pavement for Highway Rehabilitation Based on Life-Cycle Cost Analysis
Authors: Lee Eul-Bum , Kim Changmo , Harvey John T.
Published: December 2011

Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for highway projects is an analytical technique that uses economic principles to evaluate long-term alternative investment options, especially for comparing the value of alternative pavement structures and strategies. Recently, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) mandated LCCA implementation to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of pavement design alternatives for highway projects in the state. An LCCA approach was utilized for validation of the pavement design on the I-710 Long Beach rehabilitation project with three pavement types: innovative (long-life) asphalt concrete pavement (ACP), standard-life ACP, and long-life portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP). The LCCA followed the Caltrans procedure and incorporated information filed by the project team. The software tools Construction Analysis for Pavement Rehabilitation Strategies (CA4PRS) and RealCost were used for quantitative estimates of construction schedule, work zone user cost, and agency cost for initial and future maintenance and rehabilitation activities. Conclusions from the LCCA supported use of the innovative ACP alternative, the one actually implemented in the I-710 Long Beach project (Phase 1), since the innovative ACP alternative had the lowest life-cycle costs over the 60-year analysis period. For example, the life-cycle agency cost for the innovative ACP alternative ($33.2 million) was about $7.9 million more cost-effective than that of the standard-life ACP alternative ($41.1 million) and about $17.2 million less expensive than the long-life PCCP alternative ($50.4 million). Utilization of the proposed computer tool–aided LCCA procedure would contribute substantial economic benefits to nationwide highway projects, especially rehabilitation and reconstruction.
Evaluation of Pavement System Based on Ground-Penetrating Radar Full-Waveform Simulation
Authors: Cao Yuejian , Labuz Joseph , Guzina Bojan
Published: December 2011

The purpose of this study is to extend the use of ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methodology toward a more reliable and accurate interpretation of pavement conditions. With the electromagnetic Green's function for a layered system with a horizontal electric dipole, the GPR scan can be simulated over a wide range of pavement profiles. Examples are provided for GPR simulation on a three-layer pavement system. With forward model, the best match of the GPR scan in terms of the full waveform can be recovered within thousands of simulations via the optimization routine, where the in situ layer parameters associated with the measurement are found to be equal to the simulation inputs. The accuracy of the interpreted layer thickness from the proposed scheme is verified by ground truth, with average error around 2.3% compared with 7.5% average error for the traditional method. In addition, the proposed scheme, unlike the traditional method, allows an evaluation of the relevant pavement properties with no prior assumptions or subjective image adjustments.
Data Processing and Analysis Software for Continuous Friction Measurement Equipment
Authors: de León Izeppi Edgar D. , Flintsch Gerardo W. , Archilla Adrián Ricardo , Sequeira Wendy
Published: December 2011

A major advantage of fixed-slip devices over locked-wheel testers is that fixed-slip devices collect friction data continuously at highway speeds with low water consumption and thus make fixed-slip devices a practical choice for collection of network-level pavement friction data. These devices are highly maneuverable and especially adapted for investigating accident sites, supporting wet-weather accident reduction programs, and identifying localized areas with reduced friction. These devices have not been implemented for use on highways in the United States to an extent commensurate with their potential benefits. But the decision to implement this type of equipment will also be influenced by how easy it is to gather and present the information it collects. Although it is inarguable that the quality of a continuous friction profile provides a wealth of information not achievable with most locked-wheel testers, the processing of vast amounts of information can be overwhelming for an operator or an analyst responsible for preparing reports. A software program has been developed to allow users to view and analyze continuous pavement friction data automatically without further processing. This program allows users to perform averages, segmentations, and other desirable data analysis while enabling the construction of user-defined plots for presentations, documents, or both, allowing an improved procedure to evaluate and schedule any maintenance work required.
Performance of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement Containing Recycled Concrete Aggregates
Authors: Roesler Jeffery R. , Huntley James Gregory , Amirkhanian Armen N.
Published: December 2011

Between 1986 and 1987, the Illinois Department of Transportation constructed a section of 10-in. continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) containing recycled concrete aggregate on I-57 near Effingham, Illinois. Functional and structural data, including falling weight deflectometer tests, visual distress surveys, surface profiles, and skid numbers were collected periodically throughout the service life of the pavement. Falling weight deflectometer results indicated that the pavement section exhibited excellent load carrying, with an average load transfer efficiency greater than 90% across the transverse cracks. The prominent distress was longitudinal cracking, which appeared over the reinforcement bars in all lanes. This abnormal cracking pattern had been noted for many years and had been attributed to problems with the original tube feeding process. The section developed a significant amount of localized distresses and patches over its last 5 years as a result of further deterioration of the longitudinal cracking. A petrographic examination concluded that no deleterious alkali–silica reaction had occurred in the pavement and that the air void system had been normal. The mean transverse crack spacing was approximately 1.5 ft, which was significantly shorter than normal CRCP and was attributed to the greater drying shrinkage potential of recycled concrete aggregate. Functionally, the pavement showed good skid resistance and fair-to-good ride quality. The overall performance of this CRCP section exceeded the performance of roughly 50% of the 10-in. CRCP within Illinois in terms of age and 25% in terms of traffic. In June 2010, this CRCP section was overlaid with 3.5 in. of asphalt concrete.
Role of Chitin for Harbouring of Toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor in Aquatic Environment
Authors: Hasan M Mahmud , Neogi Sucharit Basu , Jahid Iqbal Kabir , Islam M Sirajul , Begum Anwara
Published: December 2011

Vibrio cholerae, the etiological agent of cholera is an autochthonous bacterium of aquatic environment, often found attached to crustacean zooplankton. Chitin is the main component of crustacean exoskeleton, an insoluble polysaccharide. V. cholerae can secrete chitinase enzymes, which can facilitate the bacterium's association with chitinous aquatic organisms to utilize it as a potential nutrient source. In the present study, we checked the role of chitin for long term survival of V. cholerae. Laboratory based microcosms were prepared with purified artificial chitin chips and a toxigenic strain of V. cholerae O1 El Tor. In the presence of chitin, V. cholerae was found in a higher cellular density for >61 days in culturable condition than control water. We observed that the older chitin chips gradually thinner which indicated that V. cholerae utilized chitin. PCR experiment confirmed the presence of the bacterium's cholera toxin coding gene (ctxA) and membrane associated virulent gene ompU remained unaltered. Finally, from randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis no significant genotypic variation was detected in the bacterium's genome after its long time association with chitin. Keywords: Vibrio cholerae; Chitin; Polymerase chain reaction (PCR); MicrocosmDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4851 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 26-30
Natural Transformation of Plasmid DNA in Escherichia coli in Sterilized Soil Column
Authors: Mahabub-Uz-Zaman M , Ahmed Zia Uddin
Published: December 2011

The present study was carried out to assess transformability of natural and laboratory strains of Escherichia coli by plasmid DNA under different transformation conditions in sterilized soil column. Transformation experiments were carried out in laboratory conditions and in sterile soil columns with CaCl2-treated competent cells and non-competent cells at log phase and stationary phase of growth using the broad host range plasmid pUC18. In soil column experiments, transformants were obtained after CaCl2 induced competence in both E. coli K12 DH5α and strain BM09 in the frequency of 10-8 to 10-9. In natural transformation assays, transformants appeared only in log phase cells of strain DH5α at a lower frequency (5.0 x 10-9), and in CaCl2-competent BM09 cells, but not in fresh cells. Thus the major limiting factor for natural transformation in environmental E. coli in soil column is probably the absence of a competent state. The significance of this finding has been discussed with respect to generally observed lower antibiotic resistance in environmental E. coli isolates from aquatic sources. Keywords: Natural transformation; Plasmid DNA; Escherichia coli; Competent stateDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4856 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 49-52
Partial Characterization of Extracellular α-Amylase from Three Bacillus Isolates
Authors: Nusrat Arifa , Rahman Sabita Rezwana
Published: December 2011

α-Amylase produced by three Bacillus isolates had been compared on the basis of the following criteria: heat and pH effects on activity and stability, effect of metal ions on enzyme activity and kinetic parameters. The culture filtrates obtained by growing the organisms in starch medium were fractionated by ammonium sulphate precipitation technique, and the highest enzyme activities were recovered from 70% saturation fraction. The enzyme from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens showed optimum activity at 60°C, while B. subtilis and another Bacillus isolate at lower (55°C) temperature. The pH optima of the enzymes from all sources were between 6.5 and 7.0 with an optimum reaction time of 10 to 15 min. α-Amylases were moderately thermostable exhibiting almost full activities at 50°C for at least 20 min. The enzyme from all sources showed stability over a wide range of pH (4.0-8.5). The apparent Km values on soluble starch varied between 1.6 mg/ml in case of B. amyloliquefaciens and 2.5 mg/ml in case of B. subtilis. Metal ions like Mg2+ and Mn2+ seemed to have positive influence on the enzyme activities of B. subtilis and Bacillus sp. The enzyme activities from three isolates were strongly inhibited by Cu2+, Hg2+ and Zn2+. Key words: Extracellular α-amylase; Bacillus spp.; Enzyme characterizationDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4864 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 76-78
Role of L-Glutamate in the Tolerance of Osmotic Stress by Escherichia coli
Authors: Islam M Shariful , Ahsan Sunjukta
Published: December 2011

Studies on the cellular response to conditions of physical or chemical stress have played a very significant role in diverse areas of biology. The present investigation aims at determining concentrations of NaCl that are stressful for environmental and clinical strains of Escherichia coli and to investigate the effect of L-glutamate to counteract such stressful conditions. It was observed that growth of environmental, clinical and reference strains could be stressed by a NaCl concentration of 0.9 M. Growth decreased under conditions of stress as opposed to that without added NaCl. Clinical isolates showed much higher resistance than environmental strains to osmotic stress. Glutamate had a significant effect in overcoming osmotic stress under laboratory conditions. This was indicated by increased growth in the presence of glutamate (15 mM) compared to that occurred at 0.9 M NaCl without added glutamate. Distinct protein bands were produced under stressful conditions, which indicate that these proteins might be stress proteins that aid the isolates to counteract osmotic stress. Keywords: Osmotic stress; L-Glutamate; Escherichia coliDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4865 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 79-81
Antibacterial and Cytotoxic Activity of Longiverbenone Isolated from the Rhizome of Cyperus scariosu
Authors: Rahman M Shafiqur , Anwar M Nural
Published: December 2011

Longiverbenone is a naturally occurring sesquiterpene isolated from ethanolic extract of Cyperus scariosus rhizome by solvent-solvent portioning and chromatographic technique. The antibacterial activity of longiverbenone was evaluated against eleven potential human pathogenic bacteria using disc diffusion method. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were determined by broth macrodilution method. Cytotoxic activity (lethal concentration 50%, LC50) of longiverbenone was determined on new borne brine shrimp (Artemia salina). Longiverbenone showed moderate to good antibacterial activity against the test organisms tested herein. It exhibited the lowest MIC (20 μg/ml) and MBC (80 μg/ml) against Vibrio cholerae. The LC50 of the isolated sesquiterpene was found to be 14.38 μg/ml against new borne brine shrimp. Keywords: Antibacterial activity; Cytotoxic activity (LC50); Cyperus scariosu; Longiverbenone; Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i1.4866 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 1, June 2008, pp 82-84
In vitro Antibacterial and Antifungal Activity of Borreria articularis
Authors: Sultana Razia , Rahman M Shafiqur , Bhuiyan M Nazrul Islam , Begum Jaripa , Anwar M Nurul
Published: December 2011

Petroleum ether extract, chloroform extract, ethyl acetate extract, ethyl alcohol extract and a pure compound 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol obtained from aerial parts of Borreria articularis were studied for their antimicrobial activities against eleven human pathogenic bacteria and four human pathogenic fungi using disc diffusion and poisoned food method respectively. Ethyl acetate extract, ethanol extracts and the pure compound 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol exhibited good antibacterial and antifungal activity against all the pathogens tested herein. The ethanol extract and 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol exhibited the largest zone of inhibition (20 mm) at a concentration of 2,000 ìg/disc against Escheichia coli and Vibrio cholerae respectively. In case of fungi, the crude extract of ethanol and the pure compound exhibited the highest inhibition 53.5 and 52.0% of fungal radial mycelial growth (with 100 ìg/ml medium) against Aspergillus ustus and A. ochraceus respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) and minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) of the pure compound 6-methyl-5-cyclodecen-1-ol were determined by broth macrodilution method. The lowest MIC (500 μg/ml) and MBC (1,000 μg/ml) were determined against V. cholerae. However, for fungi, the lowest MIC (750 μg/ml) and MFC (1,500 μg/ml) were recorded against A. ochraceus. The results suggest that active antimicrobial agent(s) present in the extracts of B. articularis may have potential for the treatment of bacterial and fungal infections. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Borreria articularis; Crude extracts; 6-Methyl-5 cyclodecen-1-olDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i2.4869 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 2, December 2008, pp 95-98
Azadirachta indica and Terminalia arjuna Leaf Extracts Induce Death of Bacterial Cells Involving Aggregation of Proteins
Authors: Chowdhury Miraj Kobad , Ahsan Nazmul , Akhand Anwarul Azim
Published: December 2011

Different parts of various plants or their extracts have been used to treat a number of diseases from the ancient time due to their therapeutic value. However, their mechanism of actions remains mostly undiscovered. In this study, brine shrimp (Artemia salina) lethality and antibacterial activity of Azadirachta indica and Terminalia arjuna ethanolic leaf extracts were investigated. A. indica extract showed greater brine shrimp cytotoxicity with lethal concentration 50 (LC50) value of 36.813 mg/ml, whereas the LC50 value of T. arjuna extract was 44.157 mg/ml. Antimicrobial activity of these extracts was assayed by agar-well diffusion method and it was found that both of the extracts were effective against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Later, we found that the cellular proteins isolated from Shigella dysenteriae, which were treated with both of the plant extracts, were aggregated. This aggregation of proteins was demonstrated by detection of protein bands at the upper portion of both of the stacking and separating gels. The extracts-mediated aggregation of cellular proteins might be responsible for the cytotoxic effect that ultimately caused death of the bacterial cells. All of the above results suggest that both of the plant extracts have potential bioactivities that may have therapeutic value. These findings may lead us to develop new effective medicine in future. Key words: Azadirachta indica; Terminalia arjuna; Brine shrimp; Antibacterial activity; Protein aggregationDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i2.4873 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 2, December 2008, pp 115-121
Fuel Ethanol Production from Molasses by Some Indigenous Yeast Isolates
Authors: Sheela Sabera Hasibe , Ahmed M Firoz , Gomez Donald James
Published: December 2011

In view of the anticipated shortage of the traditional supplies of fossil fuels there is a great deal of interest in production of ethanol as an alternative biofuel in recent years. The present report describes the search for potential yeast isolates from various ferments capable of producing ethanol. Twenty-one indigenous yeast isolates were recovered from various sources. Thirteen of them were found to produce ethanol belonging to the genera Saccharomyces, Zygosaccharomyces and Kluyveromyces. Comparative studies of the desirable properties of yeast showed that five isolates were promising from the industrial viewpoint, of them S. cerevisiae EP-17 was the most potent isolate for ethanol production. The isolates showed good tolerance of ethanol. Ethanol production by the selected yeasts was highest at pH 4.5 and 30°C in molasses medium with initial sugar concentration of 15%. S. cerevisiae EP-17 produced 7.89% ethanol using an inoculum size of 108 cells/ml. In larger fermentation tank, the yeast isolate produced 6.65% ethanol. After one-step distillation, 210 ml ethanol was obtained from 3 l molasses ferments and the concentration of ethanol was 65.56%. This study further revealed that indigenous yeast isolates could be used to benefit the fuel ethanol, spirit and industrial alcohol industries. Keywords: Biofuel; Ethanol; Indigenous yeasts; Saccharomyces cerevisiaeDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i2.4875 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 2, December 2008, pp 129-133
Antimicrobial Activity of Crude Extract from Calycopteris floribunsa
Authors: Saha Anapama , Rahman M Shafiqur
Published: December 2011

Petroleum ether, chloroform, ethyl acetate and ethanol extracts of Calycopteris floribunda leaves were investigated for their antimicrobial activities against ten human pathogenic bacteria and five phytopathogenic fungi using disc diffusion and poisoned food method respectively. The extracts showed good antibacterial and antifungal activity against the organisms tested herein. The chloroform extract exhibited the largest zone of inhibition (35 mm in diameter with 2 mg/disc extract) against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the highest inhibition of fungal radial mycelial growth (71.5% with 100 mg extract/ml medium) was recorded against Alternaria alternata using the same extract. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by broth macrodilution method and the lowest was recorded against P. aeruginosa (MIC 250 μg/ml) among the bacterial isolates and A. alternata (125 μg/ml) among the fungal isolates. The crude chloroform extract was found to be active against most of the fungal pathogens. So it may be used as a novel antimicrobial agent for controlling a number of pathogens. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity; Calycopteris floribunda; leaf extractDOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjm.v25i2.4877 Bangladesh J Microbiol, Volume 25, Number 2, December 2008, pp 137-139
Tetrahydrofuran Cembranoids from the Cultured Soft Coral Lobophytum crassum
Authors: Lee Nai-Lun , Su Jui-Hsin
Published: December 2011

Three new cembranoids, culobophylins A–C (1–3), along with two known compounds (4 and 5) were isolated from the cultured soft coral Lobophytum crassum. The structures of these compounds were elucidated on the basis of their spectroscopic data and comparison of the NMR data with those of known analogues. Among these metabolites, 2 is rarely found in cembranoids possessing an isopropyl moiety with an epoxide group. Compound 1 exhibited significant cytotoxic activity against HL60 and DLD-1 cancer cell lines.
Antioxidant Phenolic Compounds of Cassava (Manihot esculenta) from Hainan
Authors: Yi Bo , Hu Lifei , Mei Wenli , Zhou Kaibing , Wang Hui , Luo Ying , Wei Xiaoyi , Dai Haofu
Published: December 2011

An activity-directed fractionation and purification process was used to isolate antioxidant components from cassava stems produced in Hainan. The ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions showed greater DPPH˙and ABTS·+ scavenging activities than other fractions. The ethyl acetate fraction was subjected to column chromatography, to yield ten phenolic compounds: Coniferaldehyde (1), isovanillin (2), 6-deoxyjacareubin (3), scopoletin (4), syringaldehyde (5), pinoresinol (6), p-coumaric acid (7), ficusol (8), balanophonin (9) and ethamivan (10), which possess significant antioxidant activities. The relative order of DPPH· scavenging capacity for these compounds was ascorbic acid (reference) > 6 > 1 > 8 > 10 > 9 > 3 > 4 > 7 > 5 > 2, and that of ABTS·+ scavenging capacity was 5 > 7 > 1 > 10 > 4 > 6 > 8 > 2 > Trolox (reference compound) > 3 > 9. The results showed that these phenolic compounds contributed to the antioxidant activity of cassava.
Oil Detection in a Coastal Marsh with Polarimetric Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Authors: Ramsey III Elijah , Rangoonwala Amina , Suzuoki Yukihiro , Jones Cathleen E.
Published: December 2011

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s airborne Uninhabited Aerial Vehicle Synthetic Aperture Radar (UAVSAR) was deployed in June 2010 in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. UAVSAR is a fully polarimetric L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) sensor for obtaining data at high spatial resolutions. Starting a month prior to the UAVSAR collections, visual observations confirmed oil impacts along shorelines within northeastern Barataria Bay waters in eastern coastal Louisiana. UAVSAR data along several flight lines over Barataria Bay were collected on 23 June 2010, including the repeat flight line for which data were collected in June 2009. Our analysis of calibrated single-look complex data for these flight lines shows that structural damage of shoreline marsh accompanied by oil occurrence manifested as anomalous features not evident in pre-spill data. Freeman-Durden (FD) and Cloude-Pottier (CP) decompositions of the polarimetric data and Wishart classifications seeded with the FD and CP classes also highlighted these nearshore features as a change in dominant scattering mechanism. All decompositions and classifications also identify a class of interior marshes that reproduce the spatially extensive changes in backscatter indicated by the pre- and post-spill comparison of multi-polarization radar backscatter data. FD and CP decompositions reveal that those changes indicate a transform of dominant scatter from primarily surface or volumetric to double or even bounce. Given supportive evidence that oil-polluted waters penetrated into the interior marshes, it is reasonable that these backscatter changes correspond with oil exposure; however, multiple factors prevent unambiguous determination of whether UAVSAR detected oil in interior marshes.