bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Biomechanical Analysis of Relative Position Between Implant and Alveolar Bone: Finite Element Method
Authors: Huang Cheng‐Chun , Lan Ting‐Hsun , Lee Huey‐Er , Wang Chau‐Hsiang
Published: October 2010

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze biomechanical interactions in the alveolar bone surrounding implants with smaller‐diameter abutments by changing position of the fixture–abutment interface, loading direction, and thickness of cortical bone using the finite element method.

Methods: Twenty different finite element models including four types of cortical bone thickness (0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 mm) and five implant positions relative to bone crest (subcrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm below bone crest; subcrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm below bone crest; at crestal implant shoulder even with bone crest; supracrestal 0.5, implant shoulder 0.5 mm above bone crest; and supracrestal 1, implant shoulder 1 mm above bone crest) were analyzed. All models were simulated under two different loading angles (0 and 45 degrees) relative to the long axis of the implant, respectively. The three factors of implant position, loading type, and thickness of cortical bone were computed for all models.

Results: The results revealed that loading type and implant position were the main factors affecting the stress distribution in bone. The stress values of implants in the supracrestal 1 position were higher than all other implant positions. Additionally, compared with models under axial load, the stress values of models under off‐axis load increased significantly.

Conclusions: Both loading type and implant position were crucial for stress distribution in bone. The supracrestal 1 implant position may not be ideal to avoid overloading the alveolar bone surrounding implants.
Using excess sludge as carbon source for enhanced nitrogen removal and sludge reduction with hydrolysis technology
Authors: Gao Yong-Qing , Peng Yong-Zhen , Zhang Jing-Yu , Wang Jian-Long , Ye Liu
Published: October 2010

In order to improve the nitrogen removal efficiency and to achieve the sludge reduction in traditional wastewater treatment plants, a combined hydrolysis-anoxic-oxic (H-A-O) pilot-scaled reactor was used in this study to investigate the possibility and validity of using excess activated sludge (EAS) fermentation liquids to enhance the nitrogen removal. The results clearly showed that sludge acidification rate in fermentation reactor can reach to 43.2%. The percentages of acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid in the fermentation liquids were 68.4, 25.3 and 6.3%, respectively, while those in domestic wastewater were 73.0, 12.2 and 13.8%, respectively. Bioavailability of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD) from fermentation liquids and domestic wastewater were investigated in batch reactors with nitrate as the electron accepter as well. The corresponding specific denitrification rates were 0.15 g NO3−-N/g VSS d−1 and 0.09 g NO3−-N/g VSS d−1. When the substances were enough, the denitrification reaction appeared to follow the zero-order kinetics. The results also showed that, when the H-A-O pilot-scaled reactor was operated continuously and sludge fermentation liquids were applied as additional carbon source in the A-O reactor, the removal efficiencies of SCOD, NH4+-N and total nitrogen (TN) were higher than 90, 95 and 79%, respectively. EAS reduction rate in this system was able to reach 40.4%, and the sludge VSS/SS ratio decreased from 0.82 to 0.59 after hydrolysis step.
Factors affecting the performance and risks to human health of on-site wastewater treatment systems
Authors: Levett K. J. , Vanderzalm J. L. , Page D. W. , Dillon P. J.
Published: October 2010

Aerobic wastewater treatment systems (aerobic systems) are the preferred choice in a region overlying a karstic aquifer used for drinking water supplies, as they are thought to provide better protection to groundwater and human health than standard septic systems. However, aerobic systems in operation do not always perform to design standard; while this is often blamed on lack of maintenance, few studies have investigated the link directly. This study investigates the performance of domestic on-site wastewater treatment systems in South Australia, and compares effluent quality to maintenance records. Effluent from 29 septic tanks and 31 aerobic systems was analysed for nutrients, physico-chemical parameters and microbiological indicators. Aerobic systems generally provided greater treatment than septic tanks, yet most aerobic systems did not meet regulatory guidelines with high levels of indicator bacteria in 71% of samples. The effect of system size, number of household occupants and maintenance on aerobic system treatment performance was analysed: chlorine levels were positively correlated with time of last service, and nutrient concentrations were positively correlated with the number of occupants. A microbial risk assessment revealed the observed irrigation practices to be high risk; and sufficient residence time in the aquifer cannot be guaranteed for protection of groundwater used for drinking. Additional preventive measures such as irrigation management or post treatment of drinking water supply (such as UV disinfection) are required to meet public health targets.
Membrane process treatment for greywater recycling: investigations on direct tubular nanofiltration
Authors: Hourlier F. , Massé A. , Jaouen P. , Lakel A. , Gérente C. , Faur C. , Cloirec P. Le
Published: October 2010

On-site greywater recycling and reuse is one of the main ways to reduce potable water requirement in urban areas. Direct membrane filtration is a promising technology to recycle greywater on-site. This study aimed at selecting a tubular nanofiltration (NF) membrane and its operating conditions in order to treat and reuse greywater in buildings. To do so, a synthetic greywater (SGW) was reconstituted in order to conduct experiments on a reproducible effluent. Then, three PCI NF membranes (AFC30, AFC40 and AFC80) having distinct molecular weight cut-offs were tested to recycle this SGW with a constant concentration at 25°C at two different transmembrane pressures (20 and 35 bar). The best results were obtained with AFC80 at 35 bar: the flux was close to 50 L m−2 h−1, retentions of 95% for chemical oxygen demand and anionic surfactants were observed, and no Enterococcus were detected in the permeate. The performances of AFC80 were also evaluated on a real greywater: fluxes and retentions were similar to those observed on SGW. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of direct nanofiltration to recycle and reuse greywater.
Computational benefits using artificial intelligent methodologies for the solution of an environmental design problem: saltwater intrusion
Authors: Papadopoulou Maria P. , Nikolos Ioannis K. , Karatzas George P.
Published: October 2010

Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) comprise a powerful tool to approximate the complicated behavior and response of physical systems allowing considerable reduction in computation time during time-consuming optimization runs. In this work, a Radial Basis Function Artificial Neural Network (RBFN) is combined with a Differential Evolution (DE) algorithm to solve a water resources management problem, using an optimization procedure. The objective of the optimization scheme is to cover the daily water demand on the coastal aquifer east of the city of Heraklion, Crete, without reducing the subsurface water quality due to seawater intrusion. The RBFN is utilized as an on-line surrogate model to approximate the behavior of the aquifer and to replace some of the costly evaluations of an accurate numerical simulation model which solves the subsurface water flow differential equations. The RBFN is used as a local approximation model in such a way as to maintain the robustness of the DE algorithm. The results of this procedure are compared to the corresponding results obtained by using the Simplex method and by using the DE procedure without the surrogate model. As it is demonstrated, the use of the surrogate model accelerates the convergence of the DE optimization procedure and additionally provides a better solution at the same number of exact evaluations, compared to the original DE algorithm.
Design and development of decentralized water and wastewater technologies: a combination of safe wastewater disposal and fertilizer production
Authors: Fach S. , Fuchs S.
Published: October 2010

Modern wastewater treatment plants are often inappropriate for communities in developing countries. Such communities lack the funding, resources and skilled labour required to implement, operate, and maintain these plants. This research was conducted to investigate and establish an appropriate wastewater treatment system for the district of Gunung Kidul, Indonesia. Due to its lack of water during the dry season, this district is considered one of the poorest areas in the nation. First, wastewater was stored in septic tank units for a retention time of 26 days. Anaerobic conditions occurred, resulting in an 80% reduction of initial COD. The retained sludge was well stabilized with great potential, if dewatered, for reuse as fertilizer. Consequently, supernatant was separated for experiments consisting of lab scale aerobic sand filtering unit. Through filtration, further removals of COD (about 30%) and pathogens were achieved. Rich in nitrogen, the resulting effluent could be used for irrigation and soil conditioning. With faecal sludge and also a mixture of septic sludge and food waste, the hydrolysis stage of anaerobic digestion was examined. This paper discusses the laboratory findings in Karlsruhe and the design and implementation of a treatment system in Glompong, Indonesia.
A water sustainability index for West Java. Part 1: developing the conceptual framework
Authors: Juwana I. , Perera B. J. C. , Muttil N.
Published: October 2010

Sustainable water resources management is essential since it ensures the integration of social, economical and environmental issues into all stages of water resources management. The development and application of water sustainability indices to achieve sustainable water management has been successfully done in the last few years. Although existing water sustainability indices have successfully provided information on current conditions of water resources and prioritised water related issues, they have been developed for specific case study areas. This study therefore aims at developing a water sustainability index for West Java, Indonesia. The overall steps for developing the index include developing a conceptual framework, application of Delphi technique to finalise the components/indicators of the index, applying the index to case studies and robustness analysis of the index. This paper, which is the first in a two-part series, discusses the first step, namely developing the conceptual framework of the West Java Water Sustainability Index (WJWSI). It outlines the criteria for identifying the initial set of components/indicators and based on those criteria, a detailed justification for selecting each component and indicator is also presented. The second paper of the series presents the application of Delphi technique to finalise the framework of WJWSI based on feedback from selected stakeholders. The remaining steps of developing WJWSI will be undertaken in the future.
Preliminary identification of watershed management strategies for the Houjing river in Taiwan
Authors: Lin C. E. , Kao C. M. , Jou C. J. , Lai Y. C. , Wu C. Y. , Liang S. H.
Published: October 2010

The Houjing River watershed is one of the three major river watersheds in the Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. Based on the recent water quality analysis, the Houjing River is heavily polluted. Both point and non-point source (NPS) pollutants are the major causes of the poor water quality in the Houjing River. Investigation results demonstrate that the main point pollution sources included municipal, agricultural, and industrial wastewaters. In this study, land use identification in the Houjing River watershed was performed by integrating the skills of geographic information system (GIS) and global positioning system (GPS). Results show that the major land-use patterns in the upper catchment of the Houjing River watershed were farmlands, and land-use patterns in the mid to lower catchment were residential and industrial areas. An integrated watershed management model (IWMM) and Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model (QUAL2K) were applied for the hydrology and water quality modeling, watershed management, and carrying capacity calculation. Modeling results show that the calculated NH3-N carrying capacity of the Houjing River was only 31 kg/day. Thus, more than 10,518 kg/day of NH3-N needs to be reduced to meet the proposed water quality standard (0.3 mg/L). To improve the river water quality, the following remedial strategies have been developed to minimize the impacts of NPS and point source pollution on the river water quality: (1) application of BMPs [e.g. source (fertilizer) reduction, construction of grassy buffer zone, and land use management] for NPS pollution control; (2) application of river management scenarios (e.g. construction of the intercepting and sewer systems) for point source pollution control; (3) institutional control (enforcement of the industrial wastewater discharge standards), and (4) application of on-site wastewater treatment systems for the polishment of treated wastewater for water reuse.
Characterization of microbial communities in exhaust air treatment systems of large-scale pig housing facilities
Authors: Haneke J. , Lee N. M. , Gaul T. W. , Van den Weghe H. F. A.
Published: October 2010

Exhaust air treatment has gained importance as an essential factor in intensive livestock areas due to the rising emissions in the environment. Wet filter walls of multi-stage exhaust air treatment systems precipitate gaseous ammonia and dust particles from exhaust air in washing water. Microbial communities in the biomass developed in the washing water of five large-scale exhaust air treatment units of pig housing facilities, were investigated by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and 16S rDNA sequence analyses. No “standard” nitrifying bacteria were found in the washing water. Instead mainly α-Proteobacteria, aggregating β- and χ-Proteobacteria, a large number of Actinobacteria, as well as individual Planctomycetales and Crenarchaeota were detected after more than twelve months' operation. The main Proteobacteria species present were affiliated to the families Alcaligenaceae, Comamonadaceae and Xanthomonadaceae. Furthermore, we investigated the consumption of inorganic nitrogen compounds in the washing water of one exhaust air treatment unit during a fattening period with and without pH control. Maintaining the pH at 6.0 resulted in a ca. fivefold higher ammonium concentration and a ca. fourfold lower concentration of oxidized nitrogen compounds after the fattening period was finished.
An analysis of the combined consequences of pluvial and fluvial flooding
Authors: Chen A. S. , Djordjević S. , Leandro J. , Savić D. A.
Published: October 2010

Intense rainfall in urban areas often generates both pluvial flooding due to the limited capacity of drainage systems, as well as fluvial flooding caused by deluges from river channels. The concurrence of pluvial and fluvial flooding can aggravate their (individual) potential damages. To analyse the impact caused by individual and composite type of flooding, the SIPSON/UIM model, an integrated 1D sewer and 2D overland flow was applied to numerical modelling. An event matrix of possible pluvial scenarios was combined with hypothetic overtopping and breaching situations to estimate the surface flooding consequences in the Stockbridge area, Keighley (Bradford, UK). The modelling results identified different flooding drivers in different parts of the study area and showed that the worst scenarios resulted from synthesised events.
Replacement of fresh water use by final effluent recovery in a highly optimized 100% recovered paper mill
Authors: Ordóñez R. , Hermosilla D. , San Pío I. , Blanco A.
Published: October 2010

A further closure of the water circuit in paper mills with a relative high optimization of their water network is limited by the increase of contamination in the water and runnability problems of the paper machine. Therefore, new strategies for saving water must be focussed on the treatment of final effluents of the paper mill, aiming to obtain high quality water that may replace fresh water use in some applications. An appropriate treatment train performed at pilot scale, consisting on a previous clarification stage followed by anaerobic and aerobic treatments, ultrafiltration, and reverse osmosis, made possible producing the highest water quality from the final effluent of the mill. Anaerobic pre-treatment showed very good performance assisting the aerobic stage on removing organics and sulphates, besides it produced enough biogas for being considered as cost-effective. Permeate recovery depended on the silica content of the paper mill effluent, and it was limited to a 50–60%. The reject of the membranes fully met the legislation requirements imposed to effluents arriving to municipal wastewater treatment plants.
Industrial membrane processes in the treatment of process waters and liquors
Authors: Mänttäri M. , Kallioinen M. , Pihlajamäki A. , Nyström M.
Published: October 2010

A review on pulp and paper industrial membrane processes using a variety of modules and processes is presented. Membranes are mostly used today to purify process waters and to recover coating colours. Ultrafiltration using tubular membrane modules or cross-rotational (CR) filtration has been widely applied for the purification of process waters. The reuse of UF membrane permeate has decreased the fresh water consumption to lower than 6 m3/t of paper in some paper machines. Some industrial membrane processes also recover valuable products from different streams (e.g lignosulphonates). Membranes are also combined with biological degradation processes in some paper mills. Nanofiltration has been used to purify the effluents discharged from the activated sludge process. At least two reverse osmosis plants purify river water to be used as raw water in the mill. Furthermore, advantages of different membrane modules and the current ways to treat membrane concentrate are discussed.
Effluent carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) characterization for modern pulp and paper facilities
Authors: Palumbo J. E. , Brown L. C. , Maltby C. V. , Eppstein L.
Published: October 2010

As receiving water quality models are being used to address dissolved oxygen issues requiring an increased degree of resolution, a more refined characterization of effluent CBOD can become an important aspect of the analysis. The selection and use of kinetic models to identify effluent specific parameters can have a significant impact on this characterization. This study modeled effluents from six pulp and paper facilities in order to reassess the kinetic models, the data, and experimental design used for a typical effluent characterization. The dual first order model fit these effluents with significantly less error than the traditional first order model suggesting a significant fraction of the CBOD is slowly degradable. Because the dual first order model produces a more refined characterization of CBOD kinetics than the first order model, it places an increased demand upon the data used to inform the parameter estimates. Therefore, analysis of the precision of the parameter estimates and methods for improving estimation precision via experimental design are also discussed.
Copeptin, a Surrogate Marker of Vasopressin, Is Associated with Disease Severity in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Meijer Esther , Bakker Stephan J.L. , van der Jagt Eric J. , Navis Gerjan , de Jong Paul E. , Struck Joachim , Gansevoort Ron T.
Published: October 2010

Background and objectives

Experimental studies suggest a detrimental role for vasopressin in the pathogenesis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). However, it is unknown whether endogenous vasopressin concentration is associated with disease severity in patients with ADPKD.

Design, setting, participants, & measurements

Plasma copeptin concentration (a marker of endogenous vasopressin levels) was measured in 102 ADPKD patients (diagnosis based on Ravine criteria) by an immunoassay. Plasma and urinary osmolarity were also measured. To assess disease severity, GFR and effective renal blood flow were measured by continuous infusion of 125I-iothalamate and 131I-hippuran, total renal volume by magnetic resonance imaging, and 24-hour urinary albumin excretion by nephelometry.

Results

In these ADPKD patients, copeptin was associated with the various markers of disease severity in ADPKD (positively with total renal volume [R = 0.47] and albuminuria [R = 0.39] and negatively with GFR [R = −0.58] and effective renal blood flow [R = −0.52], all P < 0.001). These associations were independent of age, gender, and use of diuretics. Copeptin was furthermore associated with plasma osmolarity (P < 0.001) but not with 24-hour urinary volume, 24-hour urinary osmolarity or fractional urea excretion (P = 0.7, 0.9, and 0.3, respectively).

Conclusions

On cross-sectional analysis, copeptin is associated with disease severity in ADPKD patients, supporting the results of experimental studies that suggest that vasopressin antagonists have a renoprotective effect in ADPKD and offering a good prospect for clinical studies with these agents.
Autologous Mesenchymal Stromal Cells and Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Perico Norberto , Casiraghi Federica , Introna Martino , Gotti Eliana , Todeschini Marta , Cavinato Regiane Aparecida , Capelli Chiara , Rambaldi Alessandro , Cassis Paola , Rizzo Paola , Cortinovis Monica , Marasà Maddalena , Golay Josee , Noris Marina , Remuzzi Giuseppe
Published: October 2010

Background and objectives

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) abrogate alloimmune response in vitro, suggesting a novel cell-based approach in transplantation. Moving this concept toward clinical application in organ transplantation should be critically assessed.

Design, setting, participants & measurements

A safety and clinical feasibility study (ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT00752479) of autologous MSC infusion was conducted in two recipients of kidneys from living-related donors. Patients were given T cell–depleting induction therapy and maintenance immunosuppression with cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil. On day 7 posttransplant, MSCs were administered intravenously. Clinical and immunomonitoring of MSC-treated patients was performed up to day 360 postsurgery.

Results

Serum creatinine levels increased 7 to 14 days after cell infusion in both MSC-treated patients. A graft biopsy in patient 2 excluded acute graft rejection, but showed a focal inflammatory infiltrate, mostly granulocytes. In patient 1 protocol biopsy at 1-year posttransplant showed a normal graft. Both MSC-treated patients are in good health with stable graft function. A progressive increase of the percentage of CD4+CD25highFoxP3+CD127− Treg and a marked inhibition of memory CD45RO+RA−CD8+ T cell expansion were observed posttransplant. Patient T cells showed a profound reduction of CD8+ T cell activity.

Conclusions

Findings from this study in the two patients show that MSC infusion in kidney transplant recipients is feasible, allows enlargement of Treg in the peripheral blood, and controls memory CD8+ T cell function. Future clinical trials with MSCs to look with the greatest care for unwanted side effects is advised.
Osteoprotegerin and Mortality in Type 2 Diabetic Patients
Authors: Reinhard Henrik , Lajer Maria , Gall Mari-Anne , Tarnow Lise , Parving Hans-Henrik , Rasmussen Lars M. , Rossing Peter
Published: October 2010

OBJECTIVE

Plasma osteoprotegerin (OPG) is an emerging strong and independent predictor of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high-risk populations. OPG is a bone-related glycopeptide produced by vascular smooth muscle cells, and increased plasma OPG levels may reflect arterial vascular damage. We aimed to investigate the prognostic value of OPG in relation to all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

In a prospective observational follow-up study, 283 type 2 diabetic patients (172 men; aged 53.9 ± 8.8 years) were followed for a median of 16.8 years (range 0.2–23.0). Baseline plasma OPG concentrations were determined by immunoassay.

RESULTS

During follow-up, 193 (68%) patients died. High versus low levels of OPG predicted all-cause mortality (covariate-adjusted for urinary albumin excretion rate [UAER], estimated glomerular filtration rate, and conventional risk factors); hazard ratio (HR) 1.81 [95% CI 1.21–2.69]. The all-cause predictive effect of OPG was independent of NH2-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and was also useful within groups divided according to level of UAER. In total, 103 (73%) patients died because of CVD. High and medium versus low levels of OPG predicted cardiovascular mortality (unadjusted HR 1.86 [95% CI 1.07–3.23] and 3.51 [2.10–5.85], respectively). However, after adjustment for the covariates, HRs were no longer significant.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated plasma OPG is a strong predictor of all-cause mortality in type 2 diabetic patients. The effect of OPG on all-cause mortality was independent of conventional cardiovascular risk factors, UAER, and NT-proBNP levels.
The First Year of Practice: An Investigation of the Professional Learning and Development of Promising Novice Physical Therapists
Authors: Black Lisa L. , Jensen Gail M. , Mostrom Elizabeth , Perkins Jan , Ritzline Pamela D. , Hayward Lorna , Blackmer Betsy
Published: October 2010

Background

The goal in studying expertise is not merely to describe ways in which experts excel but also to understand how experts develop in order to better facilitate the development of novices. The study of novice progression helps us to understand what successful versus unsuccessful learning looks like. This understanding is critical, as autonomous practice places increased demands for advanced clinical judgments and the ability to assume professional responsibilities.

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences, learning, and development of promising novice therapists throughout their first year of practice in the United States.

Design and Methods

A longitudinal, multiple-site qualitative case study method was used for within-case and across-case analysis. A purposive sample of 11 promising new graduates from 4 physical therapist education programs participated. Investigators followed the graduates throughout their first year of practice. Data sources included: (1) semistructured interviews conducted at baseline and every 3 months thereafter for 1 year, (2) reflective journals completed at regular intervals, and (3) review of academic and clinical education records and résumés.

Results

Four themes emerged: (1) the clinical environment influenced the novice physical therapists' performance, (2) participants learned through experience and social interaction and learning was primarily directed toward self, (3) growing confidence was directly related to developing communication skills, and (4) therapists were engaged in professional identity formation and role transitions.

Conclusions

The findings suggest there are common experiences and themes that emerge as novice physical therapists develop. Although research has been conducted on expertise in physical therapy, few longitudinal investigations have explored the development of therapists across transitions from graduate to novice to expert practitioner. This study explored and described the learning and development of graduates during their first year of practice.
The intracranial denticulate ligament: anatomical study with neurosurgical significance
Authors: Tubbs R. Shane , Mortazavi Martin M. , Loukas Marios , Shoja Mohammadali M. , Cohen-Gadol Aaron A.
Published: October 2010

Object

Knowledge of the detailed anatomy of the craniocervical junction is important to neurosurgeons. To the authors' knowledge, no study has addressed the detailed anatomy of the intracranial (first) denticulate ligament and its intracranial course and relationships.

Methods

In 10 embalmed and 5 unembalmed adult cadavers, the authors performed posterior dissection of the craniocervical junction to expose the intracranial denticulate ligament. Rotation of the spinomedullary junction was documented before and after transection of unilateral ligaments.

Results

The first denticulate ligament was found on all but one left side and attached to the dura of the marginal sinus superior to the vertebral artery as it pierced the dura mater. The ligament always traveled between the vertebral artery and spinal accessory nerve. On 20% of sides, it also attached to the intracranial vertebral artery and, histologically, blended with its adventitia. In general, this ligament tended to be thicker laterally and was often cribriform in nature medially. The hypoglossal nerve was always superior to the ligament, which always concealed the ventral roots of the C-1 spinal nerve. The posterior spinal artery traveled posterior to this ligament on 93% of sides. On one left side, the ascending branch of the posterior spinal artery traveled anterior to the ligament and the descending branch traveled posterior to it. Following unilateral transection of the intracranial denticulate ligament, rotation of the spinomedullary junction was increased by approximately 25%.

Conclusions

Knowledge of the relationships of the first denticulate ligament may prove useful to the neurosurgeon during procedures at the craniocervical junction.
Exploring the Relationship between Noise Sensitivity, Annoyance and Health-Related Quality of Life in a Sample of Adults Exposed to Environmental Noise
Authors: Shepherd Daniel , Welch David , Dirks Kim N. , Mathews Renata
Published: October 2010

The relationship between environmental noise and health is poorly understood but of fundamental importance to public health. This study estimated the relationship between noise sensitivity, noise annoyance and health-related quality of life in a sample of adults residing close to the Auckland International Airport, New Zealand. A small sample (n = 105) completed surveys measuring noise sensitivity, noise annoyance, and quality of life. Noise sensitivity was associated with health-related quality of life; annoyance and sleep disturbance mediated the effects of noise sensitivity on health.
Health Risk-Based Assessment and Management of Heavy Metals-Contaminated Soil Sites in Taiwan
Authors: Lai Hung-Yu , Hseu Zeng-Yei , Chen Ting-Chien , Chen Bo-Ching , Guo Horng-Yuh , Chen Zueng-Sang
Published: October 2010

Risk-based assessment is a way to evaluate the potential hazards of contaminated sites and is based on considering linkages between pollution sources, pathways, and receptors. These linkages can be broken by source reduction, pathway management, and modifying exposure of the receptors. In Taiwan, the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act (SGWPR Act) uses one target regulation to evaluate the contamination status of soil and groundwater pollution. More than 600 sites contaminated with heavy metals (HMs) have been remediated and the costs of this process are always high. Besides using soil remediation techniques to remove contaminants from these sites, the selection of possible remediation methods to obtain rapid risk reduction is permissible and of increasing interest. This paper discusses previous soil remediation techniques applied to different sites in Taiwan and also clarified the differences of risk assessment before and after soil remediation obtained by applying different risk assessment models. This paper also includes many case studies on: (1) food safety risk assessment for brown rice growing in a HMs-contaminated site; (2) a tiered approach to health risk assessment for a contaminated site; (3) risk assessment for phytoremediation techniques applied in HMs-contaminated sites; and (4) soil remediation cost analysis for contaminated sites in Taiwan.
Three-Dimensional Models of the Oligomeric Human Asialoglycoprotein Receptor (ASGP-R)
Authors: Massarelli Ilaria , Chiellini Federica , Chiellini Emo , Bianucci Anna Maria
Published: October 2010

The work presented here is aimed at suggesting plausible hypotheses for functional oligomeric forms of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor (ASGP-R), by applying a combination of different computational techniques. The functional ASGP-R is a hetero-oligomer, that comprises of several subunits of two different kinds (H1 and H2), which are highly homologous. Its stoichiometry is still unknown. An articulated step-wise modeling protocol was used in order to build the receptor model in a minimal oligomeric form, necessary for it to bind multi-antennary carbohydrate ligands. The ultimate target of the study is to contribute to increasing the knowledge of interactions between the human ASGP-R and carbohydrate ligands, at the molecular level, pertinent to applications in the field of hepatic tissue engineering.
Component Analysis and Free Radicals Scavenging Activity of Cicer arietinum L. Husk Pectin
Authors: Urias-Orona Vania , Huerta-Oros Joselina , Carvajal-Millán Elizabeth , Lizardi-Mendoza Jaime , Rascón-Chu Agustin , Gardea Alfonso A.
Published: October 2010

A pectin (CAP) was extracted from the husk of Cicer arietinum L.. Monosaccharide analysis of CAP revealed the dominance of galacturonic acid and smaller amounts of galactose, arabinose, rhamnose, glucose, xylose and mannose. Viscosimetric analysis showed that the intrinsic viscosity ([η]) and the molecular weight (MW) of CAP were 296 mL/g and 105 kDa, respectively. The degree of esterification (DE = 10%) was determined by FTIR spectroscopy. CAP exhibited a dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity, as shown by its DPPH radical inhibition. At 1.0 mg/mL CAP exhibited a scavenging rate of 29% on DPPH radicals. The evaluation of antioxidant activity suggested that CAP had good potential for DPPH radical scavenging activity and should be explored as a novel potential antioxidant.
Evaluation of Antioxidant Capacity and Synergistic Associations of Quinonemethide Triterpenes and Phenolic Substances from Maytenus ilicifolia (Celastraceae)
Authors: Aparecida de Freitas Formenton Macedo dos Santos Vânia , Pereira dos Santos Daniela , Castro-Gamboa Ian , Zanoni Maria Valnice Boldrin , Furlan Maysa
Published: October 2010

This work describes the isolation of the secondary metabolites identified as the quinonemethides maytenin (1) and pristimerin (2) from Maytenus ilicifolia extracts obtained from root barks of adult plants and roots of seedlings and their quantification by high performance liquid chromatography coupled to a diode array detector. The electrochemical profiles obtained from cyclic voltammetry and a coulometric detector coupled to high-performance liquid chromatography contributed to the evaluation of their antioxidant capacity. The antioxidant properties of individual components and the crude extracts of the root barks of Maytenus ilicifolia were compared and the possible synergistic associations of quinonemethide triterpenes and phenolic substances were investigated by using rutin as a model phenolic compound.
LYRM1, a Gene that Promotes Proliferation and Inhibits Apoptosis during Heart Development
Authors: Zhu Chun , Liu Yao-Qiu , Chen Fu-Kun , Hu De-Liang , Yu Zhang-Bin , Qian Ling-Mei
Published: October 2010

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect, but its underlying molecular mechanisms remain unidentified. Previous studies determined that Homo sapiens LYR motif containing 1 (LYRM1) is a novel nucleoprotein expressed at the highest level in adipose tissue and in high levels in heart tissue. The LYRM1 gene may play an important role in the development of the human heart. This study was designed to identify the biological characteristics of the LYRM1 gene in heart development. On the basis of expression-specific differentiation markers identified with quantitative real-time RT-PCR and the morphology of LYRM1-overexpressing cells during differentiation, ectopic expression was not found to significantly affect differentiation of P19 cells into cardiomyocytes. MTT assays and cell cycle analysis showed that LYRM1 dramatically increases the proliferation of P19 cells. Furthermore, data from annexin V-FITC binding and caspase-3 activity revealed that LYRM1 can inhibit the apoptosis of P19 cells. Our data suggest that LYRM1 might have the potential to modulate cell growth, apoptosis, and heart development.
Targeted Thiazole Orange Derivative with Folate: Synthesis, Fluorescence and in Vivo Fluorescence Imaging
Authors: Fei Xuening , Gu Yingchun , Wang Yiqi , Meng Qingyang , Zhang Baolian
Published: October 2010

A Thiazole Orange conjugated with folate derivative was synthesized in two steps. Firstly, folate was coupled with 1-(3-aminopropyl)-4-methylquinolinium bromide to afford folate-methylquinolinium bromide, which then reacted with benzothiazolium to obtain the title folate-conjugated compound. The compound was evaluated by 1H-NMR MS, TG/DTA and fluorescence spectroscopic methods. The title compound could selectively target folate receptor expressing tumors according to the in vivo fluorescence imaging preliminarily performed on nude mice with breast tumors.
Dual Allosteric Effect in Glycine/NMDA Receptor Antagonism: A Comparative QSAR Approach
Authors: Sharma Manish , Gupta Vipin B.
Published: October 2010

A comparative Hantzsch type QSAR study was conducted using multiple regression analysis on various sets of quinoxalines, quinoxalin-4-ones, quinazoline-2-carboxylates, 4-hydroxyquinolin-2(1H)-ones, 2-carboxytetrahydroquinolines, phenyl-hydroxy-quinolones, nitroquinolones and 4-substituted-3-phenylquinolin-2(1H)-ones as selective glycine/NMDA site antagonists. Ten statistically validated equations were developed, which indicated the importance of CMR, Verloop’s sterimol L1 and ClogP parameters in contributing towards biological activity. Interestingly, normal and inverse parabolic relationships were found with CMR in different series, indicating a dual allosteric binding mode in glycine/NMDA antagonism. Equations reveal an optimum CMR of 10 ± 10% is required for good potency of antagonists. Other equations indicate the presence of anionic functionality at 4-position of quinoline/quinolone ring system is not absolutely required for effective binding. The observations are laterally validated and in accordance with previous studies.
Polymerization in Liquid Crystal Medium: Preparation of Polythiophene Derivatives Bearing a Bulky Pyrimidine Substituent
Authors: Ohkawa Satoshi , Ohta Reina , Kawabata Kohsuke , Goto Hiromasa
Published: October 2010

We carried out polycondensation of monomers bearing a bulky pyrimidine substituent in a liquid crystal solvent. The resultant polymers formed nematic liquid crystals. The polymers prepared in liquid crystals had higher coplanarity than the polymers prepared in toluene. This can be due to the fact that the ordered medium of the liquid crystal produces an aggregated structure with well-developed π-stacking between the main chains. The present results demonstrated that polymerization of bulky monomers is possible in liquid crystal solvents.
Dust and Smoke Detection for Multi-Channel Imagers
Authors: Zhao Tom X.-P. , Ackerman Steve , Guo Wei
Published: October 2010

A detection algorithm of dust and smoke for application to satellite multi-channel imagers is introduced in this paper. The algorithm is simple and solely based on spectral and spatial threshold tests along with some uniformity texture. Detailed examinations of the threshold tests are performed along with explanations of the physical basis. The detection is performed efficiently at the pixel level and output is in the form of an index (or flag): 0 (no dust/smoke) and 1 (dust/smoke). The detection algorithm is implemented sequentially and designed to run on segments of data instead of pixel by pixel for efficient processing. MODIS observations are used to test the operation and performance of the algorithm. The algorithm can capture heavy dust and smoke plumes very well over both land and ocean and therefore is used as a global detection algorithm. The method can be applied to any multi-channel imagers with channels at (or close to) 0.47, 0.64, 0.86, 1.38, 2.26, 3.9, 11.0, 12.0 μm (such as current EOS/MODIS and future JPSS/VIIRS and GOES-R/ABI) for the detection of dust and smoke. It can be used to operationally monitor the outbreak and dispersion of dust storms and smoke plumes that are potentially hazardous to our environment and impact climate.
Genomic Damage in Endstage Renal Disease—Contribution of Uremic Toxins
Authors: Schupp Nicole , Heidland August , Stopper Helga
Published: October 2010

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), whether on conservative, peritoneal or hemodialysis therapy, have elevated genomic damage in peripheral blood lymphocytes and an increased cancer incidence, especially of the kidney. The damage is possibly due to accumulation of uremic toxins like advanced glycation endproducts or homocysteine. However, other endogenous substances with genotoxic properties, which are increased in ESRD, could be involved, such as the blood pressure regulating hormones angiotensin II and aldosterone or the inflammatory cytokine TNF-a. This review provides an overview of genomic damage observed in ESRD patients, focuses on possible underlying causes and shows modulations of the damage by modern dialysis strategies and vitamin supplementation.
Les arabisants européens et le système grammatical arabe
Authors: Troupeau Gérard
Published: October 2010

NOTES 1 Ces huit arabisants sont: Kirsten, Raimond, Erpenius, Obicin, au XVIIe siècle; Silvestre de Sacy, Dieterici, Goguyer, Pinto, au XIXe siècle; il faut noter qu'on ne trouve aucun nom pour le XVIIIe siècle. 2 Ces dix ouvrages grammaticaux arabes sont: la Muqaddima d'Ibn Ajurrûm; le K. al-Tasrîf de Zanjâni; le K. al · ' Awâmil al-mPa de Jurjâni; le Kitâb de Sibawayhi; le K. al-Prâb~ an qawâ-» id al-I-' râb d'Ibn Hishâm; le K. al-Misbâh de Mutarrizi; le K. al-Unmûdhaj de Zamakhshari; le K. Mulhat al-I'râb de Hariri; l'Alfiyya d'Ibn Mâlik; le K. Qatr alnadâ d'Ibn Hishâm. 3 La Muqaddima d'Ibn Ajurrûm fut étudiée par Kirsten, Erpenius et Obicin; l'Alfiyya d'Ibn Mâlik fut étudiée par Silvestre de Sacy, Dieterici et Goguyer; le K. Mulhat al-I'râb fut étudié par de Sacy et Pinto. 4 Comme l'indiquent certains titres: Muqaddima: «Introduction», Khulâsa: «Quintessence», Unmûdhaj: «Echantillon». 5 Ce sont: la Muqaddima d'Ibn Ajurrûm, l'Alfiyya d'Ibn Mâlik et le K. Mulhat al-I" râb de Harîri. 6 Jurjâni et Harîri. 7 Zamakhshari et Mutarrizi. 8 Zanjâni, Ibn Mâlik et Ibn Ajurrûm. 9 Ibn Hishâm. 10 Silvestre de Sacy, Anthologie grammaticale arabe, Paris 1829, p. V.

Il Silvestre de Sacy, Grammaire arabe, Paris 1810, p. IX. 12 Silvestre de Sacy, Alfiyya ou la Quintessence de la grammaire arabe, Paris 1833, p. V. 13 Goguyer, La pluie de rosée et l'étanchement de la soif, Leyde 1887, p. XIV. 14 Il s'agit des grammaires de: Martellot, Institutiones linguae arabicae, Rome 1620; Metoscita, Institutiones linguae arabicae, Rome 1624; Guadagnoli, Breves arabicae linguae institutiones, Rome 1642. 15 Silvestre de Sacy, op. cit., p. X. 16 Vernier, Grammaire arabe composée d'après les sources primitives, Beyrouth 1891, t. II, p. 2. 17 Vernier, op. cit., p. 4. 18 Goguyer, op. cit., p. X. 19 Silvestre de Sacy, op. cit., p. VII.
Le syndrome chinois des Idéologues ou les débuts de la sociolinguistique
Authors: Jamin Jean
Published: October 2010

Le syndrome chinois des idéologues ou les débuts de la sociolinguistique (J. Jamin) The Ideologists' political imagination sees the Chinese social hierarchy, cominated by the Mandarins, as a fascinating pattern, -is it a model or not? -for the status of French inteUectuals (then called: la classe savante) in the state that is being founded. The visit of the Chinaman Tchong-A-Sam to Paris in 1799, initiates a debate on another type of hierarchy: that of the world's languages, and leads fmally to significant choices about the shaping of concepts and inquiry procedures of the then emerging sciences: ethnography and sociolinguistics.
Un adversaire des Idéologues aux Ecoles Normales : la controverse Garat Saint-Martin
Authors: Jacques-Chaquin N.
Published: October 2010

La controverse Garat/ Saint-Martin (N. Jacques-Chaquin) The author takes up the controversy that opposed the famous theosophist to the Ideologist during the lectures Garat gave at the Ecole Normale. The former claims that " feeling and thinking are one", while the latter considers desire and will to be the roots of knowledge. Saint-Martin reproaches the Ideologists for supporting a genetic point of view; he sees language above aU as the manifestation of the characteristics present in each human being. For him desire is the teacher of language.
L'ellipse dans quelques grammaires françaises du XXe siècle
Authors: Sliwa Dorota
Published: October 2010

deny that ellipsis exists at all (WAGNER & PINCHON) while the advocates postulate its existence (the authors of the other three grammars). For the advocates, ellipsis is defined at two levels -form and meaning -and considered from threepoints of view -syntax, semantics and the relation to the speaker.
Remarques sur la théorie stoïcienne du nom propre
Authors: Brunschwig Jacques
Published: October 2010

JACQUES BRUNSCHWIG: Remarks on the Stoic Theory ofNames

The Stoics' «invention» of the name as a grammatical category is linked to the general characteristics of Stoic logic, ontology and gnoseology. It is within this framework that the grammar of names (in particular, the fact of their declension and possible construction with the article) and, subsequently, the semantic definitions of the name and the common noun are examined. The paper goes on to analyse the truth-conditions of simple propositions in order to throw light on the peculiarities of the case where the subject is a name. In conclusion, an attempt is made to relate the logic of names and the physics of the individual by showing that the study of the construction of the name with the article is strictly similar to physical or grammatical analysis.
Du latin médiéval au pluriel des langues, le tournant de la Renaissance
Authors: Giard Luce
Published: October 2010

LUCE GIARD: From Medieval Latin to the Piurality of Languages at the Turn ofthe Renaissance

The transformation, between 1400 and 1600, of the relationship between logic and grammar in the major European languages is explained by the transformation of the object-Ianguage of this relationship on the one hand, and of its status on the other. In the Middle Ages, logic and grammar operated on an impoverished Latin which, while it held a monopoly over writing, did not have any reaI speakers, but constituted a second language, semi-artificiaI in character, comfortable in the stability of its synchrony and of its own formaI linguistic knowledge. With the humanistic rupture, the vemacular made a debut. As they acceded to writing, slowly constituting their own corpus of textual references and defming their own ways of a proper fonnal linguistic knowledge, these actually-lïving, natural, and hence changing languages became the raw materiaI for a new grammatical and logical analysis conscious of the diversity and non-systematicism of use.