bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Population Genetic Structure of Tetranychus urticae and Its Sibling Species Tetranychus cinnabaribus (Acari: Tetranychidae) in China as Inferred From Microsatellite Data
Authors: Li Ting , Chen Xiao-Lin , Hong Xiao-Yue
Published: June 2009

The population structure of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch, and its sibling species the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) (Acari: Tetranychidae), from China were investigated using microsatellite markers. The two species exhibited significant polymorphism but generally low genetic diversity. The genetic differentiation between populations of T. urticae and T. cinnabarinus was extreme and was significantly related to geographical distance between the populations (Mantel test). The overall level of genetic diversity of T. cinnabarinus was significantly higher than that of T. urticae. However, the various geographical levels of T. cinnabarinus were lower than those of T. urticae. The average pairwise FST between geographical populations of T. cinnabarinus was far higher than that of T. urticae, suggesting that the genetic differentiation of T. cinnabarinus was much higher than that of T. urticae. A comparison of T. urticae and T. cinnabarinus collected in adjacent and sympatric areas provided no evidence that genetic differentiation was related to geographical distances, suggesting a lack of gene flow between populations of these two species. In a phylogenetic analysis, seven geographical populations of T. urticae clustered in one branch and six geographical populations of T. cinnabarinus were distributed in other branches.
Copulation Duration in Nonterritorial Odonate Species Lasts Longer Than in Territorial Species
Authors: Córdoba-Aguilar A , Serrano-Meneses M A , Cordero-Rivera A
Published: June 2009

We tested whether long copulation duration is more likely to have evolved in nonterritorial odonate species than in territorial species, given that nonterritorial males do not incur the costs of territory defense. A phylogenetic comparative method that controls for the phylogenetic nonindependence of species was used to compare copulation duration among 46 species of the two main odonate suborders (Anisoptera and Zygoptera). Copulation duration of nonterritorial anisopteran species was longer than for territorial dragonflies; however, this relationship was not found for Zygoptera. Long copulations in Anisoptera may be related to a male's ability to manipulate a female's stored sperm. It is suggested that constraints that prevent a territorial male from lengthening copulation do not seem to operate in Zygoptera. Other selective processes (i.e., cryptic female choice and/or sexual conflict) may also be important determinants of copulation duration in the Zygoptera. To our knowledge, this is the first exploration of the relation copulation duration and mating systems in insects.
Emerging roles of chemokines in prostate cancer
Authors: Vindrieux David , Escobar Pauline , Lazennec Gwendal
Published: June 2009

Prostate cancer (PCa) represents the second leading cause of death among all cancer types in men in Europe and North America. Among the factors suspected to control PCa, incidence and progression, chemokines, and their receptors are now intensively studied. Chemokines are produced by tumor cells and also by the stromal microenvironment, both in the primary tumor site and in distant metastatic locations. The wide and differential distribution of chemokines and their receptors account for the pleiotropic actions of chemokines in PCa, including the modulation of growth, angiogenesis, invasion, metastasis, and hormone escape. This review will focus on the roles and the mechanisms of action and regulation of chemokines in the different steps of PCa development and will discuss the novel strategies that are currently envisioned to target chemokines in PCa.
Leu27IGF2 plays an opposite role to IGF1 to induce H9c2 cardiomyoblast cell apoptosis via Gαq signaling
Authors: Chen Ray-Jade , Wu His-Chin , Chang Mu-Hsin , Lai Chao-Hung , Tien Yun-Chen , Hwang Jin-Ming , Kuo Wu-Hsien , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Tsai Chang-Hai , Chen Li-Mien , Huang Chih-Yang , Chu Chun-Hsien
Published: June 2009

This study examines the role of IGF2/mannose 6-phosphate receptor (IGF2R) signaling in the signaling transduction regulation and cell apoptosis in H9c2 cardiomyoblast cells. However, it is difficult to recognize the distinct activation of IGF2 signaling without interfacing with IGFI receptor (IGF1R) after exposure to IGF2. Leu27IGF2, an analog of IGF2 that interacts selectively with the IGF2R, was used to specifically activate IGF2R signaling in this study. DNA fragmentation and TUNEL assay revealed that in contrast to IGF1 treatment preventing angiotensin II and AG1024-induced cell apoptosis, Leu27IGF2 appears to synergistically increase apoptosis in those cells. We further found cell apoptosis induction and an increase in the active form of caspase 3 in the treatment of cells with Leu27IGF2, but not IGF1. To detect the interaction between IGF2R and Gαq using the immunoprecipitation assay, we found that IGF2R could directly interact with Gαq and after treatment with Leu27IGF2 the binding ability of Gαq to IGF2R had increased. This sequentially resulted in the phosphorylation of phospholipase C-β, a key downstream modulator of Gαq, on serine 537. Moreover, disruption of the Gαq protein by small interferon RNA reduced the cell apoptosis induced by Leu27IGF2. Our findings demonstrate that IGF2R activation appears to induce cell apoptosis via Gαq-deriving signaling cascades and its effect is completely different from IGF1R survival signaling.
THE PLANNING AND DESIGN OF MODERN SWIMMING-BATHS. (INCLUDES PHOTOGRAPHS). STUDENTS PAPER NO. 1051.
Authors: HEATLEY P
Published: June 2009

Synopsis

The importance of swimming-baths as an essential part of a planned community has been realized and future years will witness a rapid increase in the number of these establishments in the United Kingdom. Many departures from the commonly accepted type of design will be necessary if new baths are to conform with all the latest recognized standards.

Costs of several existing swimming-baths are listed and a study of these indicates that large sums of public money will be required for the erection of future baths. Such expense can only be justified if the result fully satisfies the needs of the community it is intended to serve.

The various aspects that must be considered in the design of a swimming-bath are dealt with, and particular attention is drawn to details, which, whilst seldom affecting initial cost, add greatly to the usefulness of the building.

Suitable lay-outs for future swimming-baths are shown in detail.

The installation of wave-making machinery is discussed, and mention is made of the performances of existing plant. Special features that must be incorporated in the construction of a wave-bath are listed.

The Paper concludes with a review of foreign swimming-baths, and attention is drawn to these establishments which have unusual features incorporated in their design.
Life cycle assessment-driven selection of industrial ecology strategies
Authors: Ardente Fulvio , Cellura Maurizio , Lo Brano Valerio , Mistretta Marina
Published: June 2009

The paper presents an application of the Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) to the planning and environmental management of an “eco-industrial cluster.” A feasibility study of industrial symbiosis in southern Italy is carried out, where interlinked companies share subproducts and scraps, services, structures, and plants to reduce the related environmental impact. In particular, the research focuses on new recycling solutions to create open recycling loops in which plastic subproducts and scraps are transferred to external production systems. The main environmental benefits are the reduction of resource depletion, air emissions, and landfilled wastes. The proposed strategies are also economically viable and they suggest cost abatement for the involved companies. This research shows the need for a multidisciplinary approach to data processing and to complexity managing of the investigated systems. In this context, life-cycle thinking is required to be promoted throughout the economy, as well to be as a part of all decisions on products and other criteria such as functionality, health, and safety. The Life-Cycle Assessment approach can be assumed as a methodology for influencing decision makers to make sustainable choices. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010; 6:52–60. © 2009 SETAC
An approach for assessing cumulative effects in a model river, the Athabasca River basin
Authors: Squires Allison J , Westbrook Cherie J , Dubé Monique G
Published: June 2009

Novel approaches addressing aquatic cumulative effects over broad temporal and spatial scales are required to track changes and assist with sustainable watershed management. Cumulative effects assessment (CEA) requires the assessment of changes due to multiple stressors both spatially and temporally. The province of Alberta, Canada, is currently experiencing significant economic growth as well as increasing awareness of water dependencies. There has been an increasing level of industrial, urban, and other land-use related development (pulp and paper mills, oil sands developments, agriculture, and urban development) within the Athabasca River basin. Much of the historical water quantity and quality data for this basin have not been integrated or analyzed from headwaters to mouth, which affects development of a holistic, watershed-scale CEA. The main objectives of this study were 1) to quantify spatial and temporal changes in water quantity and quality over the entire Athabasca River mainstem across historical (1966–1976) and current day (1996–2006) time periods and 2) to evaluate the significance of any changes relative to existing benchmarks (e.g., water quality guidelines). Data were collected from several federal, provincial, and nongovernment sources. A 14% to 30% decrease in discharge was observed during the low flow period in the second time period in the lower 3 river reaches with the greatest decrease occurring at the mouth of the river. Dissolved Na, sulfate, chloride, and total P concentrations in the second time period were greater than, and in some cases double, the 90th percentiles calculated from the first time period in the lower part of the river. Our results show that significant changes have occurred in both water quantity and quality between the historical and current day Athabasca River basin. It is known that, in addition to climatic changes, rivers which undergo increased agricultural, urban, and industrial development can experience significant changes in water quantity and quality due to increased water use, discharge of effluents, and surface run-off. Using the results from this study, we can begin to quantify dominant natural and man-made stressors affecting the Athabasca River basin as well as place the magnitude of any local changes into an appropriate context relative to trends in temporal and spatial variability. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010; 6:119–134. © 2009 SETAC
Carcinogenic risk as the basis for fish advisories: A critique
Authors: Stone David , Hope Bruce K
Published: June 2009

Fish advisories are important tools in public health practice and are primarily used to translate fish contaminant levels into consumption recommendations for consumers. Even when a targeted advisory is issued, it may alter broad food consumption patterns among the public, including diminishing intake of fish-based protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Such alterations may have both positive (e.g., reduced exposure to contaminants) and negative (e.g., loss of health benefits or cultural traditions associated with consuming fish) consequences. Currently, a fish advisory may be based on the potential for either noncarcinogenic or carcinogenic endpoints. Consumption recommendations based on a cancer outcome are likely to be highly restrictive, potentially diminishing opportunities for the recognized health benefits associated with a fish-rich diet. This possibility causes us to raise 3 arguments against using cancer risk as the basis for fish consumption advisories. First, the benefits of fish consumption are widely recognized. Second, the standard methodology to predict cancer risk is likely to overestimate actual risk, often by orders of magnitude. Third, the public's real and perceived concerns about cancer may result in unintended consequences, such as avoidance of fish altogether. As an alternative to cancer-based advisories, we suggest that future advisories incorporate a multidisciplinary public health framework focused on avoiding noncarcinogenic health outcomes and encouraging the public to consume a balanced diet rich in fish. We also suggest that decision makers need to 1) understand which elements of the advisory process are science and which are implicit or default policy, 2) consciously consider whether these policy elements are appropriate for their particular situation, and 3) if not, be willing to make and defend alternative policy choices. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010; 6:180–183. © 2009 SETAC
A risk-ranking methodology for prioritizing historic, potentially contaminated mine sites in British Columbia
Authors: Power Beth A , Tinholt Mark J , Hill Ryan A , Fikart Alena , Wilson Ross M , Stewart Gregg G , Sinnett Geoff D , Runnells Joanna L
Published: June 2009

The Crown Land Restoration Branch (CLRB) of the British Columbia Ministry of Agriculture and Lands is responsible for managing thousands of historic and abandoned mine sites on provincial lands (referred to as Crown Contaminated Sites). For most of these sites, there is limited information available regarding the extent of potential contamination or potential human health and ecological risks. Given the large number of sites, the CLRB sought a system for prioritizing investigation and management efforts among them. We developed a Risk-Ranking Methodology (RRM) to meet this objective, which was implemented in 2007/2008 with an emphasis on historic mine sites because of the significant number of sites and related potential risk. The RRM uses a risk-based Preliminary Site Investigation to gather key information about the sites. The information for each site is analyzed and summarized according to several attributes aimed at characterizing potential health and ecological risks. The summary information includes, but is not limited to, generic comparisons of exposure with effects levels (screening quotients) for human and ecological exposure pathways. The summary information (more than 25 attributes) is then used in a workshop setting to evaluate relative rankings among sites, and also to identify subsequent management actions for each site. Application of the RRM in 2007/2008 was considered successful, because there was confidence in the process, the content and the outputs. A key challenge was keeping the number of attributes to a manageable level. Ranking was based on discussion and consensus, which was a feasible approach given the relatively small number of sites that need to be ranked each year, and facilitated transparency in the ranking process. We do not rule out the future possibility of developing a quantitative function to capture trade-offs among attributes. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2010; 6:145–154. © 2009 SETAC
Black-Oil Simulations for Three-Component, Three-Phase Flow in Fractured Porous Media
Authors: Geiger S. , Matthäi S. , Niessner J. , Helmig R.
Published: June 2009

Discrete-fracture modeling and simulation of two-phase flow in realistic representations of fractured reservoirs can now be used for the design of improved-oil-recovery (IOR) and enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) strategies. Thus far, however, discrete-fracture simulators usually do not include a third compressible gaseous phase. This hinders the investigation of the performance of gas gravity drainage, water alternating gas injection, and blowdown in fractured reservoirs.

We present a new numerical method that expands the capabilities of existing black-oil models for three-component, three-phase flow in three ways: (a) It uses a finite-element/finite-volume discretization generalized to unstructured hybrid element meshes. (b) It employs higher-order accurate representations of the flux terms. (c) Flash calculations are carried out with an improved equation of state allowing for a more realistic treatment of phase behavior.

We illustrate the robustness of this numerical method in several applications. First, quasi-ID simulations are used to demonstrate grid convergence. Then, 2D discrete-fracture models are used to illustrate the effect of mesh quality on predicted production rates in discrete-fracture models. Finally, the proposed method is used to simulate three-component, three-phase flow in a realistic 2D model of fractured limestone mapped in the Bristol Channel, UK, and create a 3D stochastically generated discrete-fracture model.
The Effect of Pressure-Decline Rate and Pressure Gradient on the Behavior of Solution-Gas Drive in Heavy Oil
Authors: Sheikha Hussain , Pooladi-Darvish Mehran
Published: June 2009

Heavy-oil recovery under solution-gas drive is affected by several interacting factors including pressure-decline rate and pressure gradients. It has been suggested that a high pressure decline rate (dp/df) generates larger supersaturation and faster nucleation that leads to more-dispersed gas bubbles, while a high pressure gradient (∇p) increases the viscous forces acting on the gas phase, enhancing bubble break up and gas dispersion. Both effects lead to lower gas mobility, affecting oil recovery; however, the relative importance of each is not known. Finding this is important to develop mathematical models and to allow extrapolation of experimental results to field conditions, where the relative importance of these factors changes with time and space. Previous experimental studies were affected by a combination of the two effects.

In this paper, we distinguish between the effect of the pressure-decline rate and pressure gradient on gas mobility and oil recovery by varying these independently. In the experimental work reported in this paper, change in confining pressure is used to create a change in pressure-decline rate, and a change in production rate is used to change the pressure gradient. Several depletion experiments at varying pressure-decline rates and production rates are reported here.

At a constant pressure-decline rate, the recovery factor tripled when the flow rate was increased by one order of magnitude. Similar experiments were conducted when the pressure-decline rate was increased by one order of magnitude but the flow rate was kept constant. In this case, the recovery factor did not change significantly. The results of this study clearly indicate that the pressure gradient has a much greater effect on gas mobility and oil recovery than pressure-decline rate has. This paper presents the experimental results and their analysis, along with the implications of these findings on modeling of solution-gas drive in heavy oils.
Updating the Geomechanical Model and Calibrating Pore Pressure From 3D Seismic Using Data From the Gnu-1 Well, Dampier Subbasin, Australia
Authors: White Adrian , Mclntyre Brett , Castillo David , Kowan Julie , Magee Marian , Ward Chris , O'shea Paul
Published: June 2009

A post-mortem analysis of the Gnu-1 well was conducted to help us to understand drilling experiences in the context of the pore-pressure and stress profiles. The post-mortem involved a review of the drilling experiences and an analysis of circumferential acoustic scanning tool (CAST) image data, wireline-log data, and the logging-while-drilling (LWD) data. This information was used to refine and verify a geomechanical model (i.e., in-situ stress, pore pressure, and rock-mechanical properties) in the vicinity of the Gnu-1 well. Of prime concern was the verification of the predrill pore-pressure prediction previously undertaken using 3D-seismic-velocity data and offset-well data. Wellbore-failure and natural-fracture analyses were integral parts of the post-mortem. Wellbore breakouts seen in the image data allowed the pore pressure in the 8.5-in. hole section of Well Gnu-1 to be constrained. Modeling using image data collected in the Athol formation indicates that the pore pressure does not increase as rapidly as was estimated in the predrill study. Pore pressures in the North Rankin formation and in deeper formations were consistent with the predrill study. The geomechanical model was able to explain the losses seen in the Athol formation in Well Gnu-1 when using the mud weights experienced by the open hole at the time of drilling.
A New Polymer Application for North Sea Reservoirs
Authors: Spildo K. , Skauge A. , Aarra M. G. , Tweheyo M. T.
Published: June 2009

Field trials have demonstrated increased oil recovery by injection of colloidal dispersion gels (CDG). Characteristics of these trials include reservoirs characterized by high permeability heterogeneity and low injection water salinities. The enhanced oil recovery (EOR) has been attributed to improved waterflood sweep in the rather heterogeneous reservoirs where this method has been applied. This study presents an investigation of the applicability of CDG at higher salinity, and particularly sandstone North Sea oil reservoir applications.

Earlier laboratory work and field trials involving CDG have involved relatively low reservoir temperatures and low injection water salinity (≈5000 μg/g). This study involves experiments at high temperature (85°C) and salinity (≈35 000 μg/g). When crosslinking is complete, the CDG solutions have slightly lower viscosities than the corresponding polymer solutions, and they also appear to be more stable at high temperatures.

In preparation for a field pilot, several coreflood experiments have been conducted. Significant increase in oil recovery resulting from CDG injection has increased the interest for a field trial in a North Sea oil field. On average, 40% of the remaining oil after waterflooding was produced by CDG injection in linear core-floods, and a mechanism of microscopic diversion is proposed to explain these results. Our hypothesis is that CDG injection can contribute as an EOR method, giving both a microscopic diversion and a macroscopic sweep.
An Integrated Method for Calibrating a Heterogeneous/Fractured Reservoir Model From Wellbore Flow Measurements: Case Study
Authors: Pourpak Hamid , Bourbiaux Bernard , Roggero Frédéric , Delay Frederick
Published: June 2009

Reliable flow modeling of highly heterogeneous/fractured reservoirs necessarily goes through the calibration of poorly determined geological and/or petrophysical parameters to field flow measurements. To that end, optimization procedures based on gradient methods or on gradual-deformation techniques have been developed in recent years.

This paper proposes a sequential method combining those two approaches. The case under consideration is a water-bearing reservoir constituted of heterogeneous, karstic and fractured limestones located near Poitiers, France. In a preliminary step, drilling, core, and log data acquired in approximately 30 wells were integrated into a geostatistical facies model used as the support for flow simulation.

First the facies petrophysical properties of this model were calibrated to well pumping and interference responses within a gradient-based inversion loop. Flow responses could be reproduced, with the exception of a few "problematic" observation wells.

Second the gradual-deformation method was applied, globally then locally, to improve the distribution of facies while keeping the previously optimized petrophysical properties. The problematic wells' responses could be reproduced better without altering the other wells' match. Furthermore, that good match of calibration wells was obtained on a simplified geostatistical model involving fewer facies than in the initial model. The gradual-deformation method then appears as a robust and effective approach to find a model best matching a set of flow data among equiprobable geos-tatistical models.

To conclude, the sequential-modeling method demonstrated herein is an effective way to actually integrate geological and flow data and to link geosciences and reservoir-engineering skills, for setting up consistent models of hardly tractable highly heterogeneous reservoirs.
Effects of High Oil Viscosity on Drift Velocity for Horizontal and Upward Inclined Pipes
Authors: Gokcal B. , Al-Sarkhi A. S. , Sarica C.
Published: June 2009

The translational velocity, velocity of slug units, is one of the key closure relationships in two-phase flow mechanistic modeling. It is described as the summation of the maximum mixture velocity in the slug body and the drift velocity. The existing equation for the drift velocity is developed by using potential flow theory. Surface tension and viscosity are neglected. However, the drift velocity is expected to be affected with high oil viscosity. In this study, the effects of high oil viscosity on drift velocity for horizontal and upward inclined pipes are experimentally observed. The experiments are performed on a flow loop with a test section 50.8 mm ID for inclination angles of 0° to 90°. Water and viscous oil are used as test fluids. Liquid viscosities vary from 0.001 to 1.237 Pa·s. A new drift velocity model is proposed for high oil viscosity for horizontal and upward inclined pipes. The experimental results are used to evaluate the performances of proposed model for drift velocity. The calculated drift velocities are compared very well with the experimental results. The proposed model could be easily implemented into translational velocity equation. It should improve the existing two-phase flow models in the development and maintenance of heavy oil fields.
Modeling of Inversion Point for Heavy Oil-Water Emulsion Systems
Authors: Ersoy G. , Yu M. , Sarica C.
Published: June 2009

As the world's demand for oil increases, more heavy oil reservoirs are being discovered, drilled, and produced. However, heavy oil production brings new challenges. One of the challenges is the formation of emulsions. Emulsions can cause high pressure losses, resulting in transportation and pumping problems and separation. The inversion point, at which continuous and dispersed phases in an emulsion changes, needs to be studied to improve knowledge of heavy oil-water emulsions.

A new mathematical model was developed in this study using fundamental thermodynamics and conservation of mass laws to predict the inversion point of an emulsion system. Simulation results indicate that the properties of surfactant, emulsion droplet size, and standard chemical potentials of the liquid phases play a very important role in controlling the inversion point of an emulsion system. The model proposed in this paper can help predict inversion point of an emulsion system. Estimation of inversion point of emulsions helps improve the existing emulsion viscosity correlations and develop new models when necessary. The improved heavy oil-water emulsion viscosity models can be used in design and operation phases of heavy oil fields.
The Cliff Head Field Development—Flow Assurance and Production Chemistry Challenges in a Marginal Field Context
Authors: Daniel Simon , Roberts Jon
Published: June 2009

The Cliff Head Field, offshore Western Australia, faced significant development challenges because of its location and reservoir fluid properties. The influence of these challenges is apparent in the development solution adopted from sandface to market. The modest reserve size required the application of a number of firsts, including coiled tubing (CT), deployed electric submersible pumps (ESPs) combined with intelligent completion technology, a novel water "spike" approach to waxy crude transportation, a distributed chemical injection system, a remote-controlled, normally unmanned production platform, produced water re-injection, and "hydrofrac" water-injection capacity.

This paper describes the flow assurance and production chemistry challenges facing the development, the resulting development solution, and the production history to date.
Latest Concepts of Plastic-Lined Water Injection Flowlines for Deepwater Field Developments
Authors: Beunier M. , Pionetti F. R. , Ardavanis K. , Gourdoux E. , Mauriès B. , Verdeil J. , Lachheb K.
Published: June 2009

In deepwater, corrosion protection of flowlines is becoming a major issue as fluid (production or injection) aggressiveness, temperature, and pressure increase. Conventional corrosion allowance of carbon steel flowlines leads to excessive procurement costs, installation weight, and welding thickness, resulting in noneconomical solutions. Clad flowlines present excellent corrosion protection, but the implementation of this technology results in quite expensive solutions with additional NDT difficulties during installation.

An interesting alternative to achieve an acceptable corrosion protection in most conditions is the use of plastic liners. However, plastic lining has been mostly limited up to now to reel lay. Transposing this technology to J-lay results in a complex quad joint design, inducing more welding and NDT difficulties at every offshore joint. Therefore, the use of this attractive technology in J-lay implies the development of a specific field joint design.

SAIPEM has developed and patented an innovative and cost effective field-joint system (the Inconel Field Joint). This system maintains the corrosion barrier across girth weld locations along the flowline. This technology has minimal impact on the offshore laying rate because of performing standard steel to steel welds. It is associated with an integrated lining solution including all piping accessories by rotolining.

This paper presents the main characteristics of the IFJ system for a typical deepwater water injection application, and discusses the results of the extensive qualification program carried out over the last 2 years, including swage lining, machining, sleeve insertion, leak test, and welding tests.
Spatial and Temporal Extrapolation of Disdrometer Size Distributions Based on a Lagrangian Trajectory Model of Falling Rain
Authors: Lane John E. , Kasparis Takis , Metzger Philip T. , Jones W. Linwood
Published: June 2009

Methodologies to improve disdrometer processing, loosely based on mathematical techniques common to the field of particle flow and fluid mechanics, are examined and tested. The inclusion of advection and vertical wind field estimates appears to produce significantly improved results in a Lagrangian hydrometeor trajectory model, in spite of very strict assumptions of noninteracting hydrometeors, constant vertical air velocity, and time independent advection during a radar scan time interval. Wind field data can be extracted from each radar elevation scan by plotting and analyzing reflectivity contours over the disdrometer site and by collecting the radar radial velocity data to obtain estimates of advection. Specific regions of disdrometer spectra (drop size versus time) often exhibit strong gravitational sorting signatures, from which estimates of vertical velocity can be extracted. These independent wind field estimates can be used as initial conditions to the Lagrangian trajectory simulation of falling hydrometeors.
Characterization of the Group I Allergen of Bahia Grass Pollen
Authors: M. White J. , Majidi A. , A. Naser S. , J. Sweeney M. , S. White R.
Published: June 2009

Four allergenic proteins of Bahia (BA) grass pollen with estimated molecular weights of 45, 33, 31 and 28 kD were previously detected. Although all four proteins were reactive with BA grass allergic patient sera, the 33kD component was previously verified as a major allergen. The investigators report here for the first time, the similarities between the group I 33 kD allergen of BA grass, Pas n 1, and Group I allergen of Timothy grass, Phl p 1, using N-terminal amino acid sequencing and monoclonal antibodies, IG12 and BOT14, made to Timothy Phl p 1.
Sigma-2 Receptors as Potential Novel Biomarkers During the Progression of Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) into Prostate Cancer
Authors: Antonio Colabufo Nicola , Saponaro Pasquale , Bottalico Michele , Contino Marialessandra , Inglese Carmela , Pagliarulo Vincenzo , Pagliarulo Arcangelo , Berardi Francesco , Perrone Roberto
Published: June 2009

BPH could be considered the most common benign tumor for men between 60 and 75 years of age. PSA is an
unsatisfactory biomarker to define BPH progression to cancer. Recently, sigma-2 receptors have been recognized in several
prostate cancer cell lines such as PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP. It is reported that, in some cases, BPH could progress to
malignancy and this progression can not easily be monitored by biomarkers such as PSA. In this paper we investigated 10
specimens from TURP, finding overexpression of sigma-2 receptors in two of these specimens (specimen 1 and 2) accompanied
by 4 ng/mL PSA values. We hypothesize that the presence of sigma-2 receptors is related to a BPH progressing
in prostate cancer. A possible correlation between sigma-2 receptors and PSA values could be useful to identify this
pathological progression.
Power Quality Disturbance Classification Based on Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy System
Authors: Nguyen Thai , Liao Yuan
Published: June 2009

This paper presents an adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system and a set of novel features for classification of power quality disturbances. The most common types of disturbances including flickers, harmonics, impulses, notches, outages, sags, swells, and switching transients are considered in this research. The proposed method employs voltage waveforms for analysis. The features are extracted utilizing the signal processing techniques such as the windowed discrete Fourier transform and S-transform. Evaluation studies based on both simulated and field data are reported.
Modelling of Chlorine Contact Tank and the Combined Applications of Linear Model Predictive Control and Computational Fluid Dynamics
Authors: Muslim Abrar , Li Qin , Tadé Moses O.
Published: June 2009

A dynamic model is developed to present chlorine decay in chlorine contact tank, and a single-input single-output (SISO) model that presents both chlorine dosing and decay process is developed in Simulink of Matlab software with considerations of the process disturbances of temperature and stagnant flow in the tank. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of chlorine transport and decay in the tank is also developed with the use of mixture multiphase model to present the chlorine mixing and decay models in the tank. To optimally control free chlorine residual (FCR) concentration in the SISO system, a linear model predictive control (LMPC) is designed using the SISO system and LMPC control algorithm. The LMPC control objective is to regulate the optimal mass flow rates of gaseous chlorine to control the chlorine decay process inputs/outputs within the constraints. The results on the LMPC simulation using reference data from a real water plant show that the LMPC can control the FCR concentration in the tank within the constraint by regulating the optimal mass flow rates of gaseous chlorine. Commercial CFD software, FluentTM, has been used in this study to simulate the FCR distribution in the CCT channel based on the LMPC result.
Modeling and Simulation studies for Aluminium - Fluoride Interactions in Nalgonda Defluoridation Process
Authors: George Suja , Pandit Prabhat , Gupta Akhilendra Bhushan , Agarwal Madhu
Published: June 2009

A model simulator NALD-2 has been developed to study the interactions of fluoride and aluminium in the Nalgonda Defluoridation Process, which principally involves the preferential adsorption of fluoride ions onto insoluble aluminium hydroxides that are formed from alum hydrolysis reactions and undergo precipitation. This model represents the defluoridation mechanism taking into account the charged behavior of the amphoteric aluminium hydroxide colloids, charged site densities, and fluoride complexation reactions in order to predict the extent of defluoridation and concentrations of dissolved and colloidal aluminium in the treated water as functions of pH, alum dosage and raw fluoride concentrations. Model validations were carried out using secondary data of Selvapathy & Arjunan (1995) for total residual aluminium in Nalgonda treated water. Slight variations in pH into the acidic range cause substantial increase in colloidal aluminium and hence pH and alum dosages are important control parameters to limit residual aluminium in treated water. The NALD-2 simulator helps in predicting optimum alum dosages for minimum residual aluminium in the treated water. It was concluded that the dosages of alum recommended in the Nalgonda method cannot bring down the residual Al below the permissible limit of 0.2mg/L in the treated water.
Psychometric Comparisons of 4 Measures for Assessing Upper-Extremity Function in People With Stroke
Authors: Lin Jau-Hong , Hsu Miao-Ju , Sheu Ching-Fan , Wu Tzung-Shian , Lin Ruey-Tay , Chen Chia-Hsin , Hsieh Ching-Lin
Published: June 2009

Background

Functional limitation of the upper extremities is common in patients with stroke. An upper-extremity measure with sound psychometric properties is indispensable for clinical and research use.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of 4 clinical measures for assessing upper-extremity motor function in people with stroke: the upper-extremity subscale of the Fugl-Meyer Motor Test (UE-FM), the upper-extremity subscale of the Stroke Rehabilitation Assessment of Movement, the Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and the Wolf Motor Function Test.

Design

This was a prospective, longitudinal study.

Methods

Fifty-three people with stroke were evaluated with the 4 measures at 4 time points (14, 30, 90, and 180 days after stroke). Thirty-five participants completed all of the assessments. The ceiling and floor effects, validity (concurrent validity and predictive validity), and responsiveness of each measure were examined. Interrater reliability and test-retest reliability also were examined.

Results

All measures, except for the UE-FM, had significant floor effects or ceiling effects at one or more time points. The Spearman ρ correlation coefficient for each pair of the 4 measures was ≥.81, indicating high concurrent validity. The predictive validity of the 4 measures was satisfactory (Spearman ρ, ≥.51). The responsiveness of the 4 measures at 14 to 180 days after stroke was moderate (.52 ≤ effect size ≤ .79). The 4 measures had good interrater reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC], ≥.92) and test-retest reliability (ICC, ≥.97). Only the minimal detectable changes of the UE-FM (8% of the highest possible score) and the ARAT (6%) were satisfactory.

Limitations

The sample size was too small to conduct data analysis according to type or severity of stroke. In addition, the timed component of the Wolf Motor Function Test was not used in this study.

Conclusions

All 4 measures showed sufficient validity, responsiveness, and reliability in participants with stroke. The UE-FM for assessing impairment and the ARAT for assessing disability had satisfactory minimal detectable changes, supporting their utility in clinical settings.
In-mold Melt Front Rate Control Using a Capacitive Transducer in Injection Molding
Authors: Zhou F. , Yao K. , Chen X. , Gao F.
Published: June 2009

In the filling phase of injection molding process, melt-front rate plays a particularly important role in determining the part quality. Prior researches recommend a constant melt-front rate for this phase. A measurement device based on a capacitor principle has been developed. It has been shown that this sensor is effective to measure online and continuously melt-front position in mold cavity. Based on this sensor, this work develops and tests closed-loop control system of direct in-mold melt-front rate control. Several advanced control algorithms, Generalized Predictive Control (GPC), Iterative Learning Control (ILC), and Generalized 2D Model Predictive Iterative Learning Control (2D-GPILC), are designed, implemented, and tested with different mold inserts. The results show that 2D-GPILC, a combination scheme of feedback and iterative learning scheme, gives the best control results.
Preoperative antiepileptic drug administration and the incidence of postoperative seizures following bur hole–treated chronic subdural hematoma
Authors: Grobelny Bartosz T. , Ducruet Andrew F. , Zacharia Brad E. , Hickman Zachary L. , Andersen Kristen N. , Sussman Eric , Carpenter Austin , Connolly E. Sander
Published: June 2009

Object

Despite the prevalence of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDHs) in the rapidly growing elderly population, several aspects of disease management remain unclear. In particular, there is still conflicting evidence regarding the efficacy of antiepileptic drug (AED) prophylaxis in patients with CSDH who undergo bur hole drainage. The authors endeavored to evaluate the efficacy of AED prophylaxis in reducing the incidence of seizures and improving outcome in this patient population.

Methods

A single surgeon's clinical database (E.S.C.) was analyzed for cases involving bur hole drainage for CSDH. Cases involving nonhemorrhagic subdural effusions as well as acute subdural hemorrhages evacuated by craniotomy were excluded from this study. Patient medical records were evaluated for relevant demographic data, medical history, imaging characteristics, clinical details of the treatment, hospital stay, and discharge summaries.

Results

The authors included 88 patients with bur hole–treated CSDH. Eleven patients (12.5%) suffered at least 1 seizure between hemorrhage onset and discharge from their treatment hospital admission. Seizures were more frequent in women than men (p = 0.030) and least frequent in patients with right-sided lesions (p = 0.030). In a multiple logistic regression model, preoperative initiation of AED prophylaxis was the only significant predictor of the lower incidence of postoperative seizures (OR 0.10, p = 0.013). However, preoperative initiation of AED prophylaxis did not significantly affect outcome at discharge.

Conclusions

The finding in this study demonstrates that preoperative AED prophylaxis likely reduces the incidence of postoperative seizures in patients with CSDH treated with bur hole drainage. A future prospective randomized study is necessary to evaluate the effect of seizure reduction on clinical outcome.
Dancing without Space – On Nijinsky'sL'Après-midi d'un Faune(1912)
Authors: Järvinen Hanna
Published: June 2009

Three-dimensional theatrical space is often taken for granted as a precondition of dance. Already in 1912, the choreographer Vaslav Nijinsky provoked much discussion with a work that seemingly turned the performance into a moving, two-dimensional picture. L'Après-midi d'un Faune has achieved notoriety because of the objections some contemporary critics raised against the ‘immoral’ behaviour of the principal character, but I argue the style of the work brought about an important shift in how dancing was conceptualised as something composed by a choreographic author.
Diaghilev and British Writing
Authors: Jones Susan
Published: June 2009

This article explores the diversity of British literary responses to Diaghilev's project, emphasising the way in which the subject matter and methodologies of Diaghilev's modernism were sometimes unexpectedly echoed in expressions of contemporary British writing. These discussions emerge both in writing about Diaghilev's work, and, more discretely, when references to the Russian Ballet find their way into the creative writing of the period, serving to anchor the texts in a particular cultural milieu or to suggest contemporary aesthetic problems in the domain of literary aesthetics developing in the period. Figures from disparate fields, including literature, music and the visual arts, brought to their criticism of the Ballets Russes their individual perspectives on its aesthetics, helping to consolidate the sense of its importance in contributing to the inter-disciplinary flavour of modernism across the arts. In the field of literature, not only did British writers evaluate the Ballets Russes in terms of their own poetics, their relationship to experimentation in the novel and in drama, they developed an increasing sense of the company's place in dance history, its choreographic innovations offering material for wider discussions, opening up the potential for literary modernism's interest in impersonality and in the ‘unsayable’, discussions of the body, primitivism and gender.
BETWEEN THE EAST AND THE WEST: THE PENETRATION OF CONTEMPORARY ISLAM INTO POLAND
Authors: Boćkowski Daniel
Published: June 2009

The internet is one of the fastest developing media of today. It is through the internet that Islamic ideas spread throughout the world on a level that has never been reported before. Internet portals and web‐sites containing information about Muslim religion and culture can be accessed from the furthest corners of the world. They popularize Islam which for ages seemed to have been attributed exclusively to the Middle East, Northern Africa and South‐East Asia. Poland is located on the Islam's expansion route and takes an extremely important, if not strategic, position. Due to the position of the Catholic religion in our country, the development of Islam in Poland (an increasing number of converts) appears to be a fundamental factor in the growth of the Muslim world. Many believers do not conceal the fact that they dream of the European caliphate, which is an important step in the restoration of the world caliphate. “Religious fundamentalism” of Polish people, according to many Muslim clergymen and political activists, guarantees that Islamic believers obtained in our country as opposed to converts from the “lay West”, will be as active and religiously engaged as the believers of the Roman Catholic Church. Thus, in the following paper on the penetration of contemporary Islam into Poland, I will focus on this most dynamic instrument of the expansion of the Islamic world.
BORDERS BETWEEN EUROPE AND CHINA: WHY DO EUROPEANS (MIS)UNDERSTAND CHINESE CULTURE?
Authors: Juzefovič Agnieška
Published: June 2009

The article goes deeper into the dialogue of inter‐cultural Chinese and Western civilizations. It is analyzed how the Westerners perceive Chinese civilization and culture. The methods used here are the comparative and hermeneutical ones, as it is aimed to compare two different cultures and to penetrate the problems of understanding. The problems of understanding are not new, they have been analyzed a lot. The novelty of this article is determined by the fact that these problems are investigated in the outlooks of the understanding of Chinese culture and, especially, landscape aesthetics. Thus, the objects of this research are an inter‐civilization dialogue and an inter‐civilization conflict. The author of this article discusses why often it is difficult to develop a meaningful cultural dialogue between China and Europe, why this dialogue is relevant and how it could help Europeans to understand the Other and themselves. The idea presented in the article is that the Westerners are often mislead by a Chinese traditionalism, which is ambivalent and closely related to creativity and constant change, thus it should not be identified with stagnation and dogmatism. One more aspect of Chinese culture, which Europeans find difficult to understand, is its unity, which has deep philosophical implications and ability to connect the opposites. The author assumes that Western‐Eastern Europe has many distinctive features, but the inhabitants of this region view classical Chinese culture and an art in a similar way as the inhabitants of the rest of Europe: all Europeans have similar stereotypes and difficulties to understand separate aspects. This allows us to speak about a common European approach.