bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Formulation and characterization of self emulsifing pellets of carvedilol
Authors: Bhandari Vikas , Avachat Amelia
Published: November 2015

The purpose of present study was aimed at developing self emulsifying drug delivery system in liquid and then in pellet form that would result in improved solubility, dissolution and permeability of the poorly water soluble drug carvedilol. Pellets were prepared using extrusion-spheronization technique incorporating liquid SEDDS (carvedilol, capmul MCM EP, cremophore EL, tween 20, propylene glycol), adsorbents ( and crospovidone), microcrystalline cellulose and binder (povidone K-30). Ternary phase diagram was constructed to identify different oil-surfactant-cosurfactant mixtures according to the proportion of each point in it. The optimal CAR-SEDDS pellets showed a quicker redispersion with a droplet size of the reconstituted microemulsion being 160.47 nm, which was almost unchanged after solidification. SEM analysis confirmed good spherical appearance of solid pellets; DSC and XRD analysis confirmed that there was no crystalline carvedilol in the pellets. Pellets were then capable of transferring lipophilic compounds into the aqueous phase and significantly enhancing its release with respect to pure drug.
Scaled model tests on influence factors of full geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported embankments
Authors: Xu C. , Song S. , Han J.
Published: November 2015

A geosynthetic-reinforced pile-supported (GRPS) embankment that consists of embankment fill, geosynthetic, piles, and foundation soils is a complex soil–structure system. Its key load transfer mechanisms include soil arching and tensioned membrane effects and subsoil resistance. Type of embankment fill (cohesive or cohesionless) and type of pile (end-bearing or floating) are expected to affect these load transfer mechanisms; however, their influence has not been well investigated. Six scaled model tests were conducted in this study to investigate the influence of the embankment fill properties, the clear spacing of pile caps, and the pile type on soil arching and tensioned membrane effects. This study used cohesive and cohesionless embankment fills and end-bearing and floating piles. The test results show that the cohesive embankment fill strengthened the soil-arching effect, increased the pile efficacy, and reduced the settlements of the subsoil between pile caps and the embankment crest under the same load as compared with the cohesionless embankment fill. The soil arching-effect was inversely proportional to the clear spacing of pile caps. Soil arching initiated at a low ratio of the embankment height to the clear spacing of pile caps (i.e. 0.5 to 0.7) and became stable at a higher ratio (i.e. 1.1 to 1.5). The embankment height when the soil arching becomes stable is also referred to as the critical height, at which full soil arching is formed. The measured vertical earth pressures at the edges of the pile caps were higher than those in the middle of the pile caps in all six model tests. When the end-bearing or floating piles were used, the loads on the piles (i.e. the pile efficacy) increased during the construction of the embankment. However, when the floating piles started to penetrate into the underlying soil under a higher load; the pile efficacy decreased with the embankment and the surcharge load. Floating piles resulted in less soil arching and larger settlement.
Effects of aggregate size on water retention capacity and microstructure of lime-treated silty soil
Authors: Wang Y. , Cui Y. J. , Tang A. M. , Tang C. S. , Benahmed N.
Published: November 2015

Lime treatment is a common technique of improving the workability and geotechnical properties of soils. In this study, the aggregate size effects on the water retention capacity and microstructure of lime-treated soil were investigated. Two soil powders with different maximum aggregate sizes (Dmax = 0·4 and 5 mm) were prepared and stabilised by 2% lime (by weight of dry soil). Soil samples were prepared by compaction at dry side of optimum water content (w = 17%) with a dry density of 1·65 Mg/m3. Suction and pore size distribution were determined after different curing periods. The results obtained show that: (a) the treated soil with smaller Dmax presents relatively smaller modal sizes and lower frequency of macropores (10–330 μm); (b) lime addition effectively improves the soil water retention capacity and decreases both the modal sizes of macro- and micropores gradually over time. Moreover, a higher air entry value and larger water retention capacity were also observed for a smaller Dmax value, in agreement with the pore size distributions.
VOÇOROCAS EM NAZARENO (MG): ANÁLISE PERCEPTIVA COMO SUBSÍDIO PARA POLÍTICAS AMBIENTAIS
Authors: Pereira José Aldo Alves , Barros Dalmo Arantes de , Silva Rossi Allan , Loschi Ricardo Ayres
Published: November 2015

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar o nível de percepção da população do município de Nazareno (MG), no que tange os problemas de voçorocamento, enfatizando-se as diferenças do entendimento da população. Foram realizadas 20 entrevistas com moradores do município, por meio de amostragem não probabilística por cotas. O questionário aplicado foi do tipo semiestruturado com 53 questões, e as perguntas seguiram um padrão específico. A maioria dos entrevistados soube relacionar o nome ao problema em questão, parte deles utilizou outros termos para se referirem ao fenômeno; grande parte da população não soube responder sobre a origem das voçorocas; de um modo geral, a população possui baixa percepção sobre a influência das voçorocas no seu cotidiano; para uma pequena parte dos entrevistados, o maior problema é a sua utilização como local de depósito de resíduos sólidos domésticos; as pessoas que residem ou tem experiência com trabalhos na zona rural ofereceram sugestões mais aplicáveis para a contenção e estabilização dos processos de voçorocamento, mesmo que as sugestões não apontem na direção tecnicamente correta; as voçorocas têm o problema agravado nas regiões mais carentes, onde são utilizadas como depósito de lixo e acabam causando novos problemas. Esta realidade é amenizada ao passo que se avança para as áreas com infraestrutura melhor. Induzidos a opinar sobre a criação e utilização de cartilhas técnicas como instrumento de informação e educação ambiental da população, todos os entrevistados aprovaram a sugestão.Palavras-chave: Voçorocas, Percepção Ambiental, Educação Ambiental.
MUDANÇAS CLIMÁTICAS: O EFEITO ESTUFA E A PRODUÇÃO AGRÍCOLA
Authors: Pinê Rafael E duardo Lourenço , Pinheiro Rafael Silvio Bonilha , Chadouteaud Laetitia Marie Louise , Américo Gabriela Helena Pinê
Published: November 2015

Há crescente preocupação com o aumento das concentrações de gases do efeito estufa (GEE) na atmosfera, principalmente de CO2, CH4, e N2O, e o consequente aquecimento global. É premente a necessidade de várias ações para a redução das emissões dos gases do efeito estufa e sequestro de carbono nos ecossistemas terrestres. A atividade agrícola exige mudanças no uso da terra, nos hábitos como o ritmo de consumo de combustíveis fosseis e também na implantação de manejo correto nas áreas agricultáveis, não sendo a única responsável por esse efeito. A aplicação de técnicas e sistemas mais eficientes na utilização da terra como sequestro de carbono por plantas, a utilização de plantas para fabricação de biocombustíveis que emitem menos gases do efeito estufa. Agricultores devem agir de modo sustentável visando assim minimizar as causas do efeito estufa e preservando o planeta para as futuras gerações. Palavras-chave: Agricultura. Dióxido de carbono. Metano. Oxido nitroso.
INTERPRETAÇÃO DE DADOS ISOTÓPICOS DE Pb EM DIFERENTES AMBIENTES INVESTIGATIVOS VISANDO O DIAGNÓSTICO DE FONTES GEOGÊNICAS E/OU ANTRÓPICAS
Authors: Vecchia Adriana Mônica Dalla , Rodrigues Paulo César Horta , Ladeira Ana Cláudia Queiroz , Rios Francisco Javier
Published: November 2015

Existem quatro isótopos naturais de Pb, três dos quais, 206Pb, 207Pb e 208Pb, são, respectivamente, os produtos finais estáveis provenientes dos decaimentos radioativos do 238U, 235U e 232Th. Na natureza, ocorre um quarto isótopo não radiogênico, o 204Pb, cuja abundância não é afetada pelo decaimento radioativo do U ou do Th, sendo considerada constante, desde a formação da Terra. As razões isotópicas entre esses isótopos de Pb têm sido utilizadas em investigações ambientais, onde os isótopos estáveis se comportam como traçadores capazes de caracterizar fontes geogênicas e/ou antropogênicas. Entretanto, a interpretação dos dados provenientes de investigações isotópicas de Pb, realizadas em qualquer compartimento ambiental, requer uma abordagem integrada às principais referências isotópicas geogênicas e/ou antrópicas, pertinentes ao contexto da área de estudo. Sendo assim, este artigo apresenta uma revisão sobre a aplicação dos isótopos estáveis de chumbo, os métodos de análise usualmente utilizados para determinação destes, assim como uma abordagem didática sobre ou uso do diagrama 208Pb/204Pb versus 206Pb/204Pb como ferramenta de investigação para a caracterização de fontes antropogênicas e/ou geogênicas.Palavras-chave: Isótopos estáveis de chumbo, assinaturas isotópicas, aplicações, identificação de fontes. Abstract: INTERPRETATION OF Pb ISOTOPIC DATA IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENTS INVESTIGATIVE TARGETING DIAGNOSIS OF SOURCES GEOGENIC AND/OR ANTHROPIC. There are four naturally occurring isotopes of Pb, three of which, 206Pb, 207Pb e 208Pb, are, respectively, the stable end products from radioactive decays of 238U, 235U e 232Th. In nature, no quarter radiogenic isotope, 204Pb, whose abundance is not affected by the radioactive decay of U and Th occurs and is considered constant, since the formation of the Earth. The isotopic ratios have been used in environmental investigations, where stable isotopes as tracers behave able to characterize geogenic and/or anthropogenic sources.Keywords: Lead stable isotopes, isotopic fingerprinting, applications, source identification.
Árboles del Valle Central de Costa Rica: reproducción Casuarina (Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq.)
Authors: Rojas-Rodríguez Freddy , Torres-Córdoba Gustavo
Published: November 2015

Se presenta una breve descripción del árbol casuarina (Casuarina cunninghamiana Miq.) e información sobre fenología como base para la recolección de frutos, el manejo de las semillas, la viverización y el proceso de germinación.
Ecología del paisaje y caracterización de la cobertura forestal de la microcuenca del Río La Balsa, Costa Rica
Authors: Ortega-Rivera Marilyn , Vílchez-Alvarado Braulio
Published: November 2015

Se evaluó la ecología del paisaje, el cual está dominado por tres coberturas: bosques, pastos y cultivos. Las principales métricas de paisaje obtenidas: a) Bosque: Área de la clase (CA): 11447,72 ha; Número de Parches (NumP): 16344; Tamaño promedio de parches (MPS): 0,70 ± 10,73 ha; Borde Total (TE): 5245378,35 m; Borde promedio de parche (MPE): 320,94 m/ha; Índice de forma promedio (MSI): 1,47. b) Pastos: CA: 10467,63 ha; NumP: 13930; MPS: 0,75 ± 23,93 ha; TE: 4432678,19 m; MPE: 318,21 m/ha; MSI: 1,47. c) Cultivos: CA: 3603,76 ha; NumP: 636; MPS: 5,67 ± 63,59 ha; TE: 7666342,78 m; MPE: 1204,94 m/ha; MSI: 1,93. Se obtuvo además un índice de diversidad de Shannon para el paisaje de 1,32. La composición florística y estructura se evaluaron en tres pisos altitudinales y para las principales coberturas forestales presentes. Se establecieron 68 parcelas temporales de 2000 m2 (20 x 100 m), identificándose las especies, la altura total y el diámetro de todos los árboles mayores a 10 cm de diámetro presentes en las parcelas de medición. Los valores promedio obtenidos: a) Basal: bosques
intervenidos, d: 23,3 cm; Ht: 24 m; N ha-1: 458 y G/ha: 22,8 m2. b) Premontano: bosques intervenidos, d: 22,6 cm; Ht: 27,3 m; N ha-1: 423 y G/ha: 20,6 m2, potreros arbolados, d: 24,3 cm; Ht: 18,9 m; N ha-1: 121 y G/ha: 6,6 m2. c) Montano bajo: bosques de altura, d: 26,6 cm; Ht: 27,5 m; N ha-1: 380 y G/ha: 27,2 m2, bosques intervenidos, d: 22,9 cm; Ht: 27 m; N ha-1: 318 y G/ha: 15,8 m2, potreros arbolados, d: 24,5 cm; Ht: 25 m; N ha-1: 118 y G/ha: 6,9 m2. La composición florística y las variables estructurales sugieren que los hábitats presentes en la microcuenca se encuentran en estado de recuperación.
Esfuerzos admisibles de diseño por grado estructural para nueve maderas de plantación de Costa Rica
Authors: Moya-Roque Róger , Gonzáles-Beltrán Guillermo
Published: November 2015

Costa Rica cuenta con madera de varias especies proveniente de plantaciones forestales para abastecer la demanda de madera. Sin embargo, no se tienen los valores de esfuerzos admisibles para grados estructurales de estas maderas. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo, mostrar los valores de diseño derivados de madera libre de defectos para nueve especies de plantación utilizadas en la reforestación comercial. Los esfuerzos analizados fueron flexión estática, compresión paralela y perpendicular al grano y cortante y tensión paralela al grano. Los resultadosen la madera libre de defectos mostró que Tectona grandis, Terminalia oblonga y Acacia mangium presentaron los más altos valores en MOE y MOR en flexión. En compresión paralela y perpendicular, T. grandis presentó la más alta resistencia, A. mangium y T. grandis fueron las especies con la mayor resistencia en tensión paralela al grano. A. mangium y Cupressus lusitanica mostraron los más altos valores en cortante paralela al grano. Vochysia guatemalensis y Bombacopsis quinata mostraron la resistencia más baja en todas las propiedades medidas. La derivación
de los esfuerzos de diseño permitió establecer tres grupos de especies. El grupo 1 está formado por Acacia mangium, T. grandis, Terminalia amazonia y T. oblonga con los más altos valores admisibles. El grupo 2, con valores intermedios de valores admisibles, lo componen Gmelina arborea y C. lusitanica. El grupo 3, con los valores admisibles más bajos, compuesto por
Alnus acuminata, B. quinata y V. guatemalensis.
Enraizamiento de brotes de capirona Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) Hook. f. ex Schum., en la amazonía peruana.
Authors: Vallejos-Torres Geomar , Gonzales-Polar Luis Enrique Toledo , Arévalo-López Luis Alberto
Published: November 2015

En la ciencia del mejoramiento genético no existe una metodología para la propagación asexual por enraizamiento de estacas de Calycophyllum spruceanuma escala comercial. A continuación se presenta una metodología del proceso de enraizamiento para la producción de plantones clonales a escala comercialde C. spruceanum. El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar el enraizamiento de brotes, bajo el efecto del número de hojas (una y dos) y tres dosis de ácido indol-3-butírico (2000, 3000 y 4000 ppm) utilizando microtúneles como ambientes de enraizamiento. El estudio se realizó en el vivero de la Empresa REFORESTA PERU S.A.C. ubicado en la Región San Martín. Se empleó un diseño completamente al azar (DCA), con un arreglo factorial de 3A x 2B, el cual constó de tres repeticiones por tratamiento y seis brotes por cada una de las tres repeticiones. Al término de 12 días, los brotes de dos hojas con dosis de AIB de 3000 ppm mostraron enraizamientos de 99%, haciendo uso de pellets - jiffys como sustrato. Se concluye que es posible propagar C. spruceanum (99 %de enraizamiento) si se aplica la dosis adecuada de AIB en estaquillas con 2 hojas.
Desarrollo juvenil de clones de Gmelina arborea Roxb. de dos procedencias, en sitios planos del Pacífico Sur de Costa Rica
Authors: Ávila-Arias Carlos , Murillo-Cruz Rafael , Murillo-Gamboa Olman , Sandoval-Sandoval Christopher
Published: November 2015

El objetivo de esta investigación fue identificar si hay diferencias en el desarrollo dasométrico y en la calidad entre clones y procedencias plantadas en sitios planos. Se evaluaron a los 27 meses los parámetros diámetro a la altura de pecho (DAP), altura comercial, volumen comercial con corteza, calidad y volumen comercial de calidad, sobre clones procedentes de zona norte y zona sur. Se realizó un Análisis de varianza para cada parámetro por procedencia y clon, además una prueba de medias de Tuckey (α = 0,05), utilizando el software SAS versión 9.2. No se registraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas en los clones de ambas procedencias para ninguna de las variables evaluadas en Finca La Amapola. Para ese sitio, los clones zona sur registraron 97% más de volumen comercial de calidad comparados con los de zona norte. Ese mismo parámetro registró la mayor variación fenotípica, lo que es importante para etapas posteriores, aunque la heredabilidad fuese baja. Finca Puntarenas, con suelos clase I para la producción de melina, sí permitió que los conjuntos genéticos expresaran su verdadero potencial, con lo que se identificó el clon 10 como el de menor desarrollo y los clones 22 y 11 como los de mayor desarrollo en volumen comercial de calidad. En dicho sitio, los clones de zona sur registraron una calidad promedio de 87,4% y máxima de 96,7% para el clon 23. Se registraron incrementos medios anuales (IMA) en volumen comercial ligeramente inferiores a los valores máximos de 50 m3 ha-1 año-1 en volumen total, encontrados en la literatura.
Árboles del Valle Central de Costa Rica: reproducción Ciprés (Cupressus lusitanica Mill.)
Authors: Rojas-Rodríguez Freddy , Torres-Córdoba Gustavo
Published: November 2015

Se presenta una breve descripción del árbol ciprés (Cupressus lusitanica Mill.) información sobre fenología como base para la recolección de frutos, el manejo de las semillas, la viverización y el proceso de germinación.
Árboles del Valle Central de Costa Rica: reproducción Cirrí rojo (Mauria heterophylla Kunth.)
Authors: Rojas-Rodríguez Freddy , Torres-Córdoba Gustavo
Published: November 2015

Se presenta una breve descripción del árbol cirrí rojo Mauria heterophylla Kunth. información sobre fenología como base para la recolección de frutos, el manejo de las semillas, la viverización y el proceso de germinación.
Interacción genotipo sitio para dos conjuntos clonales de Gmelina arborea Roxb., en sitios planos del Pacífico Sur de Costa Rica
Authors: Ávila-Arias Carlos , Murillo-Cruz Rafael , Murillo-Gamboa Olman , Sandoval-Sandoval Christopher
Published: November 2015

Se estudió la interacción genotipo-sitio para dos conjuntos clonales de Gmelina arborea en el Pacífico Sur de Costa Rica. Esta especie tiene gran importancia como fuente de materia prima, principalmente por su rápido crecimiento, fácil adaptación a diversidad de condiciones de sitio y variedad de usos para su madera. Esta investigación se realizó en dos ensayos clonales, instalados en el pacífico sur de Costa Rica por parte del INSEFOR-UNA. Se evaluaron 2 conjuntos de clones procedentes de la zona norte y la zona sur de Costa Rica. A los 24 meses se evaluaron los siguientes parámetros: diámetro altura de pecho (DAP), altura comercial, volumen comercial con corteza, calidad y volumen comercial de calidad. Se realizó un análisis de varianza y una prueba de medias de Tuckey (α= 0,05) con el programa estadístico SAS versión 9,2. El sitio generó diferencias significativas en el desarrollo del conjunto clonal de la zona sur en los parámetros DAP, altura comercial, calidad y volumen comercial de calidad. El clon 17 de zona sur se mantuvo en las dos primeras posiciones en ambos sitios. La procedencia zona norte expresó mayor sensibilidad a las condiciones de sitio tanto para la calidad como para el volumen comercial de calidad, que los de la zona sur. El conjunto clonal zona norte no debería ser recomendada para establecer plantaciones comerciales en sitios clase II-III, que presenten problemas de encharcamiento por exceso de agua, condiciones físicas adversas del suelo o lento drenaje natural.
Intercepción de precipitación en dos especies forestales nativas: Vochysia guatemalensis Donn. Sm. y Vochysia ferruginea Mart.
Authors: Carvajal-Vanegas Dorian , Calvo-Alvarado Julio
Published: November 2015

La intercepción de precipitación en plantaciones de V. ferruginea Mart. y V. guatemalensis Donn. Sm. fue estudiada en la estación biológica La Selva, Heredia, Costa Rica. Se realizaron mediciones diarias de precipitación bruta, precipitación de copas y escorrentía fustal de agosto a noviembre del 2004. Se determinó estadísticamente si el número de pluviómetros utilizados fue el correcto para una precisión aceptable. El porcentaje de precipitación de copas para V. ferruginea fue de 87,65% de la precipitación bruta, en V. guatemalensis fue del 92,12%. Los porcentajes de escorrentía de fuste fueron 2,98% y 3,39% de la precipitación bruta respectivamente. Las pérdidas totales por intercepción en V. ferruginea fueron de 9,37% de la precipitación bruta, en V. guatemalensis fueron de 4,49%.
Evaluación de métodos de curación de sustratos para la prevención del mal de talluelo
Authors: Solano-Bonilla María , Brenes-Chacón Denia
Published: November 2015

Se evaluó el efecto de diferentes tratamientos (Vitavax, Orthocide, solarización y testigo), sobre porciones de suelo inoculado con Fusarium spp, en la etapa de germinación de cedro dulce (Cedrela tonduzii). Este hongo es uno de los causantes del mal del talluelo en la etapa temprana de muchas especies, influyendo negativamente en el crecimiento y desarrollo de las plantas. El tratamiento que obtuvo mayor porcentaje de germinación de la semilla y crecimiento de las plantas fue el de solarización, indicando que este tratamiento logró controlar y eliminar la presencia del inóculo, con respecto a los demás tratamientos. La utilización de esta técnica podría mejorar el rendimiento y producción de especies susceptibles a esta enfermedad en la fase de viverización.
Árboles del Valle Central de Costa Rica: reproducción Güitite (Acnistus arborescens)
Authors: Rojas-Rodríguez Freddy , Torres-Córdoba Gustavo
Published: November 2015

Se presenta una breve descripción del güitite (Acnistus arborescens (L.) Schltdl.), e información sobre fenología como base para la recolección de frutos, el manejo de las semillas, la viverización y el proceso de germinación.
Determinación del módulo elástico de Young en tableros contrachapados de madera de Eucalyptus nitens (Deane & Maiden)
Authors: Muñoz-Acosta Freddy
Published: November 2015

Se determinó el módulo elástico de Young (MOE),mediante tres métodos, en tableros contrachapados decinco capas de madera de Eucalyptus nitens. El métodocontrol obtuvo la menor variabilidad (CV= 22,45 %),mientras que la mayor correspondió al método 3 (CV=29,91 %). Sin embargo, el ANOVA indicó que no existediferencia significativa entre las medias de cada método.El valor promedio del MOE en tensión en dirección axialobtenido de 10,18 GPa indicó que el comportamientoelástico del tablero contrachapado es similar a lamadera sólida de E. nitens (9,6 GPa). También el valorde MOE obtenido señaló que los tableros cumplen conlos requerimientos de las normas brasileñas NBR 9531y NBR 9532 y europea EN 310-1993, lo que permite suuso en construcción liviana interna, como molde paraconcreto, mueblería y uso general, aunque de acuerdoa la norma APA no clasifica para construcción pesada,naval y uso industrial.
PENGARUH BAHASA ARAB TERHADAP PERKEMBANGAN BAHASA INDONESIA
Authors: Pantu Ayuba
Published: November 2015

This study aims to discover and describe how the Arabic influence on the development of the Indonesian language,  which focused on the influence of the vocabulary,  the influence of the Arabic alphabet and its influences on Indonesian syntax,  as well as to discover how changes are absorbed Arabic vocabulary into Indonesian. The method used in this study is a literature review using the technique of content analysis,  which is a research technique for making inferences that can be replicable,  and valid the data by looking at the context. Sources of data in this study are the books relating to the object of research,  among Indonesian Dictionary and other books. The results showed that the effect of Indonesian Arabic is big enough. This can be seen in the uptake of the Arabic word which ranks third after Dutch and English 1, 495 words. In addition,  the use of Arabic script in Indonesian,  which until now still many books,  both Islamic religious books,  Arabic books,  tales,  literature,  written in Arabic alphabet Malay. Arabic influence on Indonesian syntax can be seen in books or Qur’an translations. The words of the absorption Arabic generally undergo changes in shape,  as adapted to the Indonesian grammar or phonemes. It also changes the meaning,  although the numbers are limited.
Native and exotic plant species show differential growth but similar functional trait responses to experimental rainfall
Authors: Ashbacher A. C. , Cleland E. E.
Published: November 2015

In the coming decades, rainfall in many Mediterranean‐type ecosystems is expected to decline overall, but also become more variable interannually. Historically plant communities in these regions have been dominated by native shrubs, but are becoming increasingly invaded by exotic annual species, making it important to evaluate how native versus exotic species will respond to shifting rainfall patterns associated with climate change. Exotic species are often found to possess a suite of traits associated with fast growth and resource uptake, as well as high plasticity in traits. Hence, we hypothesized that exotic species would benefit disproportionately over native species under high rainfall conditions, while native species with more conservative growth strategies would better tolerate drought. We evaluated these expectations by manipulating rainfall (five levels, from total exclusion to a doubling of ambient rainfall) over plots containing a mix of herbaceous exotic species, mature native shrubs, and planted shrub seedlings, and measured functional trait and growth responses of focal species. We found significant variation among groups in their response to variation in rainfall quantity: growth of exotic herbaceous species was higher in response to high rainfall, and lower in response to drought, compared with native adult shrubs, with juvenile shrubs having an intermediate response. In contrast with these growth responses, functional traits of native and exotic species responded similarly to experimental variation in rainfall. Further, although we found exotic species possessed thinner leaves and higher photosynthetic capacity, neither mean trait values nor trait plasticity were predictive of species‐level responses to altered rainfall in this system. We conclude that while some functional traits often predict community composition across large environmental gradients, traits may not predict species responses to environmental change at local scales with limited species pools.
Master’s Students’ Rehabilitation Counselor Identity Formation: A Descriptive Study
Authors: Louw Julia S. , Austin Bryan S. , Rak Eniko , Barnes Erin
Published: November 2015

Purpose: This article aims to advance understanding of professional identity by exploring the process by which development occurs. Drawing on Hall’s model of professional identity development that explores the structural and attitudinal changes that occur in the identity development process, this study describes master’s students’ developmental process in rehabilitation counseling.

Method: Data were collected through 5 open-ended questions, which formed part of a survey questionnaire.

Results: Using grounded theory analysis, findings indicate that both structural- and attitudinal-level factors impacted master’s students’ professional identity development. Students described their professional identity as not yet defined, connected to their counseling competencies and skills, or reflective of their personal qualities.

Discussion: Implications of these findings for counselor training and evolution of the field toward a strong and unified professional identity are discussed.
Experimental and Numerical Assessment of Chemical Enhanced Oil Recovery in Oil-Wet Naturally Fractured Reservoirs
Authors: Bourbiaux Bernard , Fourno André , Nguyen Quang-Long , Norrant Françoise , Robin Michel , Rosenberg Elisabeth , Argillier Jean-François
Published: November 2015

Among various ways to extend the lifetime of mature fields, chemical enhanced-oil-recovery (EOR) processes have been subject of renewed interest in the recent years. Oil-wet fractured reservoirs represent a real challenge for chemical EOR because the matrix medium does not spontaneously imbibe the aqueous solvent of chemical additives. The present paper deals with chemical EOR by use of wettability modifiers (WMs).

The kinetics of spontaneous imbibition of chemical solutions in oil-wet limestone plugs and mini-plugs was quantified thanks to X-ray computed-tomography (CT) scanning and nuclear-magnetic-resonance (NMR) measurements. Despite the small size of samples and the slowness of experiments, accurate recovery curves were inferred from in-situ fluid-saturation measurements. Scale effects were found quite consistent between mini-plugs and plugs. During a second experimental step, viscous drive conditions were imposed between the end faces of a plug, to account for the possibly significant contribution of fracture viscous drive to matrix oil recovery.

The recovery kinetics and behavior, especially the occurrence of countercurrent and cocurrent flow, are interpreted through the analysis of modified forces in the presence of a diffusing or convected WM that alters rock wettability and reduces water/oil interfacial tension (IFT) to a lesser extent. This work calls for an extensive modeling study to specify the conditions on chemical additives and recovery-process implementation that optimize the recovery kinetics.
Nonlinear Multigrid for Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Christensen Max la , Eskildsen Klaus Langgren , Engsig-Karup Allan Peter , Wakefield Mark
Published: November 2015

A feasibility study is presented on the effectiveness of applying nonlinear multigrid methods for efficient reservoir simulation of subsurface flow in porous media. A conventional strategy modeled after global linearization by means of Newton’s method is compared with an alternative strategy modeled after local linearization, leading to a nonlinear multigrid method in the form of the full-approximation scheme (FAS). It is demonstrated through numerical experiments that, without loss of robustness, the FAS method can outperform the conventional techniques in terms of algorithmic and numerical efficiency for a black-oil model. Furthermore, the use of the FAS method enables a significant reduction in memory usage compared with conventional techniques, which suggests new possibilities for improved large-scale reservoir simulation and numerical efficiency. Last, nonlinear multilevel preconditioning in the form of a hybrid-FAS/Newton strategy is demonstrated to increase robustness and efficiency.
Changes in salivary periodontal pathogens after orthodontic treatment: An in vivo prospective study
Authors: Kim Kyungsun , Jung Woo-Sun , Cho Soha , Ahn Sug-Joon
Published: November 2015

Objective: 

To analyze the initial changes in salivary levels of periodontal pathogens after orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances.

Materials and Methods: 

The subjects consisted of 54 adult patients. The Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, Plaque Index, and Gingival Index were measured as periodontal parameters. Both the plaque and gingival indexes were obtained from the central and lateral incisors and first molars of both arches. Whole saliva and periodontal parameters were obtained at the following four time points: immediately before debonding (T1), 1 week after debonding (T2), 5 weeks after debonding (T3), and 13 weeks after debonding (T4). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to determine salivary bacterial levels and periodontal parameters among the four time points after quantifying salivary levels of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), and total bacteria using the real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results: 

All periodontal parameters were significantly decreased immediately after debonding (T2). The salivary levels of total bacteria and Pg were decreased at T3, while Pi and Tf levels were decreased at T4. However, the amount of Aa and Fn remained at similar levels in saliva during the experimental period. Interestingly, Aa and Fn were present in saliva at higher levels than were Pg, Pi, and Tf.

Conclusion: 

The higher salivary levels of Aa and Fn after debonding suggests that the risk of periodontal problems cannot be completely eliminated by the removal of fixed orthodontic appliances during the initial retention period, despite improved oral hygiene.
The ΔF508 Mutation in the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Is Associated With Progressive Insulin Resistance and Decreased Functional β-Cell Mass in Mice
Authors: Fontés Ghislaine , Ghislain Julien , Benterki Isma , Zarrouki Bader , Trudel Dominique , Berthiaume Yves , Poitout Vincent
Published: November 2015

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the result of mutations in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). CF-related diabetes affects 50% of adult CF patients. How CFTR deficiency predisposes to diabetes is unknown. Herein, we examined the impact of the most frequent cftr mutation in humans, deletion of phenylalanine at position 508 (ΔF508), on glucose homeostasis in mice. We compared ΔF508 mutant mice with wild-type (WT) littermates. Twelve-week-old male ΔF508 mutants had lower body weight, improved oral glucose tolerance, and a trend toward higher insulin tolerance. Glucose-induced insulin secretion was slightly diminished in ΔF508 mutant islets, due to reduced insulin content, but ΔF508 mutant islets were not more sensitive to proinflammatory cytokines than WT islets. Hyperglycemic clamps confirmed an increase in insulin sensitivity with normal β-cell function in 12- and 18-week-old ΔF508 mutants. In contrast, 24-week-old ΔF508 mutants exhibited insulin resistance and reduced β-cell function. β-Cell mass was unaffected at 11 weeks of age but was significantly lower in ΔF508 mutants versus controls at 24 weeks. This was not associated with gross pancreatic pathology. We conclude that the ΔF508 CFTR mutation does not lead to an intrinsic β-cell secretory defect but is associated with insulin resistance and a β-cell mass deficit in aging mutants.
Measurements of Gluconeogenesis and Glycogenolysis: A Methodological Review
Authors: Chung Stephanie T. , Chacko Shaji K. , Sunehag Agneta L. , Haymond Morey W.
Published: November 2015

Gluconeogenesis is a complex metabolic process that involves multiple enzymatic steps regulated by myriad factors, including substrate concentrations, the redox state, activation and inhibition of specific enzyme steps, and hormonal modulation. At present, the most widely accepted technique to determine gluconeogenesis is by measuring the incorporation of deuterium from the body water pool into newly formed glucose. However, several techniques using radioactive and stable-labeled isotopes have been used to quantitate the contribution and regulation of gluconeogenesis in humans. Each method has its advantages, methodological assumptions, and set of propagated errors. In this review, we examine the strengths and weaknesses of the most commonly used stable isotopes methods to measure gluconeogenesis in vivo. We discuss the advantages and limitations of each method and summarize the applicability of these measurements in understanding normal and pathophysiological conditions.
Plasma Prekallikrein Is Associated With Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Type 1 Diabetes
Authors: Jaffa Miran A. , Luttrell Deirdre , Schmaier Alvin H. , Klein Richard L. , Lopes-Virella Maria , Luttrell Louis M. , Jaffa Ayad A. ,   the DCCT/EDIC Research Group
Published: November 2015

The hypothesis that plasma prekallikrein (PK) is a risk factor for the development of vascular complications was assessed in a study using the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT)/Epidemiology and Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) cohort of subjects with type 1 diabetes. The circulating levels of plasma PK activity were measured in the plasma of 636 subjects with type 1 diabetes (EDIC years 3–5). Common and internal carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured by B-mode ultrasonography in EDIC years 1 and 6. Plasma PK levels were positively and significantly associated with BMI, hemoglobin A1c, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides but not with age, sex, duration of diabetes, or HDL cholesterol. Univariate and multivariable statistical models after controlling for other risk factors consistently demonstrated a positive association between plasma PK and progression of internal carotid IMT. Multivariate analysis using a general linear model showed plasma PK to be significantly associated with progression of both internal and combined IMT (Wilks Λ P value of 0.005). In addition, the mean internal carotid IMT levels were higher in subjects with plasma PK levels in the highest 10th percentile compared with subjects with plasma PK levels in the lower 10th percentile (P = 0.048). These novel findings implicate plasma PK as a risk factor for vascular disease in type 1 diabetes.
Investigating Reflective Cracking Mechanisms in Grid-Reinforced Asphalt Specimens
Authors: Safavizadeh Seyed Amirshayan , Wargo Andrew , Guddati Murthy , Kim Y. Richard
Published: November 2015

The main purpose of this research was to examine the effects of interfacial conditions on the reflective cracking-related failure mechanisms of fiber-glass grid-reinforced asphalt concrete beams using four-point bending notched beam fatigue tests (NBFTs). This study also aimed to determine whether conventional stiffness-based failure criteria could be used to rank the performance of grid-reinforced beam specimens. For these objectives to be fulfilled, asphalt concrete interfaces were reinforced with two types of fiberglass grid, G12.5 and G25, with and without a tack coat. The tack coats used in this study were PG 64-22 asphalt binder, SS-1 emulsion, and a highly polymer-modified tack coat. Also, two types of mixtures, with 9.5-mm and 12.5-mm nominal maximum aggregate sizes, were included in the testing plan. The beam fatigue tests were conducted at 20°C, and digital image correlation was used to measure the displacements and strains. The results suggest that different interlayer conditions do not reflect a unique failure mechanism, and, therefore, traditional stiffness-based failure criteria can be misleading. Thus all mechanisms, including damage within the asphalt layers and along the interface, that result in weakening the structural integrity of the layered samples must be considered when the performance of reinforced beams under NBFT loading is evaluated. The results indicate that grid-reinforced specimens outperform non reinforced specimens and that the presence of a high-quality tack coat extends the fatigue life of grid-reinforced specimens.
Characterizing Cracking of Asphalt Mixtures with Fiber Reinforcement
Authors: Gibson Nelson , Li Xinjun
Published: November 2015

This study characterized the cracking resistance of two independent sets of mixtures from the FHWA full-scale accelerated loading facility and a Pennsylvania Department of Transportation trial section. Both sets had the same selection of three types of comparative materials: an unmodified control mixture, a mixture with a binder modified with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS), and the same control mixture modified with synthetic fiber reinforcement. Two methods of cracking characterization that can be conducted with the Asphalt Mixture Performance Tester were evaluated: simplified viscoelastic continuum damage cyclic fatigue and direct tension monotonic strength. Dynamic modulus results showed that fiber modification had less of an effect than did polymer modification. Cyclic fatigue test results predicted that both SBS- and fiber-modified mixes performed better than did the control mixes in both sets of materials. Furthermore, the cyclic fatigue tests also indicated that the SBS-modified mix performed better than did fiber under smaller fatigue strains, but the fiber-reinforced mix performed better at higher strains. Recent performance data from the FHWA full-scale accelerated loading facility agreed with the laboratory observation. The pattern where the fiber mixtures exhibited a strain-dependent performance benefit was also observed when the same continuum damage models were used but with data from a different testing methodology by means of monotonic direct tension tests. When all test data are considered, the performance benefits of fiber modification for crack resistance appear to be subtle when observed in the laboratory, but benefits are likely at relatively higher strains.
Identification of Pathogenicity-Related Genes in Biofilm-Defective Acidovorax citrulli by Transposon Tn5 Mutagenesis
Authors: Luo Jinyan , Qiu Wen , Chen Lei , Anjum Syed , Yu Menghao , Shan Changlin , Ilyas Mehmoona , Li Bin , Wang Yanli , Sun Guochang
Published: November 2015

Biofilm formation is important for virulence of a large number of plant pathogenic bacteria. Indeed, some virulence genes have been found to be involved in the formation of biofilm in bacterial fruit blotch pathogen Acidovorax citrulli. However, some virulent strains of A. citrulli were unable to format biofilm, indicating the complexity between biofilm formation and virulence. In this study, virulence-related genes were identified in the biofilm-defective strain A1 of A. citrulli by using Tn5 insertion, pathogenicity test, and high-efficiency thermal asymmetric interlaced PCR (hiTAIL-PCR). Results from this study indicated that 22 out of the obtained 301 mutants significantly decreased the virulence of strain A1 compared to the wild-type. Furthermore, sequence analysis indicated that the obtained 22 mutants were due to the insertion of Tn5 into eight genes, including Aave 4244 (cation diffusion facilitator family transporter), Aave 4286 (hypothetical protein), Aave 4189 (alpha/beta hydrolase fold), Aave 1911 (IMP dehydrogenase/GMP reductase domain), Aave 4383 (bacterial export proteins, family 1), Aave 4256 (Hsp70 protein), Aave 0003 (histidine kinase, DNA gyrase B, and HSP90-like ATPase), and Aave 2428 (pyridoxal-phosphate dependent enzyme). Furthermore, the growth of mutant Aave 2428 was unaffected and even increased by the change in incubation temperature, NaCl concentration and the pH of the LB broth, indicating that this gene may be directly involved in the bacterial virulence. Overall, the determination of the eight pathogenicity-related genes in strain A1 will be helpful to elucidate the pathogenesis of biofilm-defective A. citrulli.
MicroRNAs: Clinical Relevance in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Thomas Joe , Ohtsuka Masahisa , Pichler Martin , Ling Hui
Published: November 2015

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancer diagnoses and causes of mortality worldwide. MicroRNAs are a class of small, non-coding regulatory RNAs that have shown strong associations with colorectal cancer. Through the repression of target messenger RNAs, microRNAs modulate many cellular pathways, such as those involved in cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation. The utilization of microRNAs has shown significant promise in the diagnosis and prognosis of colorectal cancer, owing to their unique expression profile associations with cancer types and malignancies. Moreover, microRNA therapeutics with mimics or antagonists show great promise in preclinical studies, which encourages further development of their clinical use for colorectal cancer patients. The unique ability of microRNAs to affect multiple downstream pathways represents a novel approach for cancer therapy. Although still early in its development, we believe that microRNAs can be used in the near future as biomarkers and therapeutic targets for colorectal cancer.
Adjuvant Immune Enhancement of Subunit Vaccine Encoding pSCPI of Streptococcus iniae in Channel Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Authors: Jiang Jie , Zheng Zonglin , Wang Kaiyu , Wang Jun , He Yang , Wang Erlong , Chen Defang , Ouyang Ping , Geng Yi , Huang Xiaoli
Published: November 2015

Channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) is an important agricultural fish that has been plagued by Streptococcus iniae (S. iniae) infections in recent years, some of them severe. C5a peptidase is an important virulent factor of S. iniae. In this study, the subunit vaccine containing the truncated part of C5a peptidase (pSCPI) was mixed with aluminum hydroxide gel (AH), propolis adjuvant (PA), and Freund’s Incomplete Adjuvant (FIA). The immunogenicity of the pSCPI was detected by Western-blot in vitro. The relative percent survival (RPS), lysozyme activity, antibody titers, and the expression of the related immune genes were monitored in vivo to evaluate the immune effects of the three different adjuvants. The results showed that pSCPI exerted moderate immune protection (RPS = 46.43%), whereas each of the three adjuvants improved the immune protection of pSCPI. The immunoprotection of pSCPI + AH, pSCPI + PA, and pSCPI + FIA was characterized by RPS values of 67.86%, 75.00% and, 85.71%, respectively. Further, each of the three different adjuvanted pSCPIs stimulated higher levels of lysozyme activity and antibody titers than the unadjuvanted pSCPI and/or PBS buffer. In addition, pSCPI + FIA and pSCPI + PA induced expression of the related immune genes under investigation, which was substantially higher than the levels stimulated by PBS. pSCPI + AH significantly stimulated the induction of MHC II β, CD4-L2, and IFN-γ, while it induced slightly higher production of TNF-α and even led to a decrease in the levels of IL-1β, MHC I α, and CD8 α. Therefore, we conclude that compared with the other two adjuvants, FIA combined with pSCPI is a more promising candidate adjuvant against S. iniae in channel catfish.
Critical Role of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Cognitive Impairment Induced by Microcystin-LR
Authors: Cai Fei , Liu Jue , Li Cairong , Wang Jianghua
Published: November 2015

Recent studies showed that cyanobacteria-derived microcystin-leucine-arginine (MCLR) can cause hippocampal pathological damage and trigger cognitive impairment; but the underlying mechanisms have not been well understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the mechanism of MCLR-induced cognitive deficit; with a focus on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. The Morris water maze test and electrophysiological study demonstrated that MCLR caused spatial memory injury in male Wistar rats; which could be inhibited by ER stress blocker; tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA). Meanwhile; real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR) and immunohistochemistry demonstrated that the expression level of the 78-kDa glucose-regulated protein (GRP78); C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and caspase 12 were significantly up-regulated. These effects were rescued by co-administration of TUDCA. In agreement with this; we also observed that treatment of rats with TUDCA blocked the alterations in ER ultrastructure and apoptotic cell death in CA1 neurons from rats exposed to MCLR. Taken together; the present results suggested that ER stress plays an important role in potential memory impairments in rats treated with MCLR; and amelioration of ER stress may serve as a novel strategy to alleviate damaged cognitive function triggered by MCLR.