bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Logic Tester for the Classification of Cyberterrorism Attacks
Authors: Veerasamy N. , Grobler M.M.
Published: August 2015

The merging of terrorism with the cyber domain introduces the potential for using computers and networked technologies in cyberspace to carry out extremist activities. Despite the current debate on whether cyberterrorism can be regarded as a real threat, this research will propose a method for classifying incidents as either cyberterrorism or cyber attacks. Although there have been no reported cases of Information Communication Technologies causing life-threatening situations or death, this research aims to show that cyberterrorism is not a negligible threat but instead a dangerous risk that should not be overlooked. This research will investigate the merging of terrorism with the cyber domain and present a multi-layered definition for cyberterrorism. This proposed definition is founded on the definition for traditional terrorism and incorporates elements of the international understanding of cyberterrorism. The research future presents a Logic Tester that uses Boolean logic to test the application of the multi-layered definition for cyberterrorism in terms of past international cyber incidents. The merit of the Logic Tester is presented through its application on a number of potential cyberterrorism scenarios, using the definition to classify these as either cyberterrorism or cyber attacks.
The Restructuring and Re-Orientation of Civil Society in a Web 2.0 World
Authors: Pillay Kiru , Maharaj Manoj
Published: August 2015

This study focuses on how civil society organisations strategically deploy Web 2.0 technologies for transnational social advocacy and the impact of this technology adoption on civil society organisations' roles, structure, and orientation. The global environmental justice organisation, Greenpeace is used as a case study. Greenpeace advocates for changes in environmental policy and behaviour, has been at the forefront of environmental issues, and has used the mass media as an effective campaigning tool. The key findings that emerged was that social media has become a key ingredient of Greenpeace's campaigning strategy and has been embraced at both a strategic and operational level. The emergence of a collaborative communications paradigm has necessitated a level of organisational introspection evidenced in both changes in the organisation's strategic planning processes and changes to the organisational structure.
Checking Opacity of Vulnerable Critical Systems On-The-Fly
Authors: Bourouis Amina , Klai Kais , El Touati Yamen , Ben Hadj-Alouane Nejib
Published: August 2015

Opacity is a security property capturing a system's ability to keep a subset of its behavior hidden from passive, but knowledgeable, observers. In this paper we use the formal definitions of opacity in three of its forms (simple opacity, -step weak opacity and -step strong opacity), basing on finite Labeled Transition Systems as a model. Then we present efficient algorithms for verifying opacity in all these forms within the context of a hybrid, on-the-fly approach. This approach is based on the construction of a Symbolic Observation Graph (SOG) that allows not only the abstraction of the systems behavior but also the preservation of the structure necessary for conducting opacity checking. Our preliminary experimental results are promising and demonstrate effectiveness facing the state-explosion problem which represents the main drawback of existing model checking techniques.
Control of Economic Situations by Utilizing an Electronic Circuit
Authors: Stavrinides S.G. , Hanias M.P. , Magafas L. , Banerjee S.
Published: August 2015

In this paper a circuit (physical system), implementing a financial system with time-delayed feedbacks, is designed and studied. The simple form of this dynamical system, without any time-delayed feed, has been already investigated and was found to demonstrate both a periodic and chaotic behavior. By introducing the time-delayed feedback, according to the Pyragas method, control of the circuit's-system's chaotic behaviour could be achieved. Its overall operation was simulated, using NI's Multisim and control of its behaviour was achieved by controlling feedback delay-time of a certain system variable, corresponding to a financial variable.
Planimetry of Economic States
Authors: Melnyk S. , Tuluzov I. , Melnyk A.
Published: August 2015

The new information physical method of constructing the space of economic states is proposed. Unlike the existing theories of consumption, its properties are completely determined axiomatically by the operation of measurement and do not require phenomenological assumptions. The authors consider a transaction of exchange of valuables between two proprietors as such operation. The result of measurement is a dimensional number equal to the proportion of exchange. The constructed space appears to be Euclidean vector space with ordinary operators of composition of vectors, their scalar product, etc. The task of determining the parameters of equilibrium of a complex economic system can be formulated as a task of statics in the constructed space and can be solved by one of the physical methods.
AHP Model for Identifying Best Health Care Establishment
Authors: Azam Mohammad , Qureshi M.N. , Talib Faisal
Published: August 2015

The purpose of this study is to develop an analytic hierarchy process (AHP) model utilizing components, parameters, and factors of a specifically designed Integrated Quality Model for Health Care Establishment (HCE). In doing so, the authors have utilized AHP approach to identify the best health care service quality performer among alternatives of HCEs. To select the best HCE, three HCEs of North India namely: HCE-A; HCE-B; and HCE-C were chosen. The criteria components of the integrated quality model for the HCE designed and suggested by and were adopted. Further, this study has undertaken an extensive in-depth literature review about AHP and its applications for HCEs from various aspects. A specifically developed integrated quality model for HCE with its components parameters, factors thereof, duly coded as criteria and sub-criteria have been utilized. It thus, facilitates the development of an AHP model to rank the chosen HCEs helping to identify potentially the best HCE among them. On the basis of the proposed hierarchical model, the findings suggest that the HCE-A may be selected first followed by HCE-C and HCE-B based on overall rating. The study provides a mechanism through AHP model to select potentially best HCE utilizing specifically developed integrated quality model for HCE with impacts both for the clients and the patients to enjoy the service of best HCE as well as for the managers to improve the services of HCE and the business. The study thus, adds a new perspective by developing a selection process to select the best HCE through an AHP model utilizing criteria and sub-criteria of an integrated quality model specifically developed for HCE. It has practical value for maintaining service quality of HCE to benefit the clients and related stakeholders as well as the managers by improving quality, enhancing reputation and business thereof.
An Effective Edge and Texture Based Approach towards Curved Videotext Detection and Extraction
Authors: Sudir P. , Ravishankar M.
Published: August 2015

In present day video text greatly helps video indexing and retrieval system as they often carry significant semantic information. Video text analysis is challenging due to varying background, multiple orientations and low contrast between text and non-text regions. Proposed approach explores a new framework for curved video text detection and recognition where from the observation that curve text regions can be well defined by edges size and uniform texture, Probable curved text edge detection is accomplished by processing wavelet sub bands followed by text localization by utilizing fast texture descriptor LU-transform. Binarization is achieved by maximal H-transform. A Connected Component filtering method followed by B-Spline curve fitting on centroid of each character vertically aligns each oriented character. The aligned text string is recognized by optical character recognition (OCR). Experiments on various curved video frames shows that proposed method is efficacious and robust in detecting and recognizing curved videotext.
Analysis of SSIM based Quality Assessment across Color Channels of Images
Authors: Chandrakanth T. , Sandhya B.
Published: August 2015

Advances in imaging and computing hardware have led to an explosion in the use of color images in image processing, graphics and computer vision applications across various domains such as medical imaging, satellite imagery, document analysis and biometrics to name a few. However, these images are subjected to a wide variety of distortions during its acquisition, subsequent compression, transmission, processing and then reproduction, which degrade their visual quality. Hence objective quality assessment of color images has emerged as one of the essential operations in image processing. During the last two decades, efforts have been put to design such an image quality metric which can be calculated simply but can accurately reflect subjective quality of human perception. In this paper, the authors evaluated the quality assessment of color images using SSIM (structural similarity index) metric across various color spaces. They experimented to study the effect of color spaces in metric based and distance based quality assessment. The authors proposed a metric using CIE Lab color space and SSIM, which has better correlation to the subjective assessment in a benchmark dataset.
Learning Algorithms for Anomaly Detection from Images
Authors: Ahmed Tarem , Pathan Al-Sakib Khan , Ahmed Supriyo Shafkat
Published: August 2015

Visual surveillance networks are installed in many sensitive places in the present world. Human security officers are required to continuously stare at large numbers of monitors simultaneously, and for lengths of time at a stretch. Constant alert vigilance for hours on end is difficult to maintain for human beings. It is thus important to remove the onus of detecting unwanted activity from the human security officer to an automated system. While many researchers have proposed solutions to this problem in the recent past, significant gaps remain in existing knowledge. Most existing algorithms involve high complexities. No quantitative performance analysis is provided by most researchers. Most commercial systems require expensive equipment. This work proposes algorithms where the complexities are independent of time, making the algorithms naturally suited to online use. In addition, the proposed methods have been shown to work with the simplest surveillance systems that may already be publicly deployed. Furthermore, direct quantitative performance comparisons are provided.
Measuring the Effects of Cognitive Preference to Enhance Online Instruction through Sound ePedagogy Design
Authors: Mohamad Marlina , McKay Elspeth
Published: August 2015

Researchers are keen to know whether online instruction is effective and whether people learn anything while undertaking an online course. To this end, a research programme was devised to evaluate an ePedagogy, which involves the interactive effects of online instructional strategies enhanced with text-plus-textual metaphors or text-plus-graphical metaphors, and cognitive preference for learning basic programming concepts. The QUEST Interactive Test Analysis System () was used to measure cognitive performance, ensuring an absence of error measurement in the programming knowledge testing instruments. Reliability of these instruments was therefore assured through the calibration afforded by the QUEST estimate that provided predictability of the research design. A means analysis of the QUEST data, using the approach to size effect and statistical power, further quantified the significance of the findings.
Do Managers Understand Importance of Securing IT Resources?
Authors: Musa Nadianatra , Malhotra Vishv , Wilmshurst Trevor
Published: August 2015

Information infrastructures and resources has become critical component of the modern business and non-business organizations. In turn this dependence makes these organizations vulnerable to any significant failure in their information infrastructures and resources. Literature is full of examples of the companies suffering major losses and even demise as a result of information infrastructure and resources failures. To mitigate this vulnerability the senior management and governance of the organizations needs to pay direct role and attention to protect their critical information infrastructures and resources. This paper provides some results of a study we conducted recently to determine how the senior management of Malaysian business organizations view and control the information infrastructure and resources in their organizations to mitigate vulnerabilities to this critical component of their business organization.
Toward the development of a corporate social responsibility leadership questionnaire: An adaptation of the LBI-2
Authors: Du Preez Ronel , Van Zyl Liam T.
Published: August 2015

Orientation: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has grown exponentially in South African organisations, making leadership in CSR crucial. This article describes the first phase towards the development of a CSR leadership questionnaire (CSR-LQ), based on the Leadership Behaviour Inventory version 2 (LBI-2). Research purpose: To develop a CSR leadership questionnaire (the CSR-LQ) that would serve as a basis for developing a CSR leadership competency model in future.Motivation for the study: Effective leadership in companies’ CSR undertakings is imperative. The development of a leadership measure is the first step toward the development of a CSR leadership competency framework.Research approach, design and method: A three-phase mixed-method ex post facto research approach (qualitative and quantitative) was applied. Purposive sampling included CSR leaders in Phase 1 (n = 5) and Phase 2 (n = 13) to develop the CSR-LQ prior to empirical testing. Main findings: The CSR-LQ was developed based on the LBI-2. The final version of the CSR-LQ consists of 123 items measuring the leadership competencies in three stages. Stage 1 is creating a CSR vision and strategy (analysing and interpreting the CSR environment; formulating the CSR vision and strategy); Stage 2 is preparing the organisation for implementing the CSR vision and strategy (preparing the leader and organisation members; preparing the organisation) and Stage 3 is implementing the CSR vision and strategy (sharing the CSR vision and inspiring organisation members; leading with integrity and courage; leading with compassion; Leading across boundaries; reviewing and rewarding CSR performance). Practical/managerial implications: The CSR-LQ could be used to obtain assessment and development of CSR leadership competencies after empirical testing. Contribution/value-add: This study is the first step towards developing a South African CSR leadership measure that could be used to obtain 360° assessments of the CSR leadership competencies and form the basis of the development of a comprehensive CSR leadership competency framework.
How accurate is ultrasound of the optic nerve sheath diameter performed by inexperienced operators to exclude raised intracranial pressure?
Authors: Du Toit G. J. , Hurter D. , Nel M.
Published: August 2015

Background: It has been well documented that ultrasound measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter performed by an experienced operator shows good correlation with raised intracranial pressure, irrespective of the cause. Objective: To establish the accuracy of this technique performed by inexperienced operators.Method: A prospective analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. All patients ≥18 years of age who presented at our medical casualty and emergency departments with suspected meningitis were enrolled in the study. All patients were evaluated with the use of optic nerve sheath diameter ultrasound with or without computed tomography brain scan prior to lumbar puncture. Lumbar puncture opening pressure measurements were compared with the ultrasound measurements.Results: A total of 73 patients were enrolled in the study, of whom 14 had raised intracranial pressure. The study had a sensitivity of 50% (95% confidence interval (CI) 26.8%–73.2%) and specificity of 89.8% (95% CI 79.5%–95.3%) with a positive predictive value of 54.8% (95% CI 29.1%–76.8%) and negative predictive value of 88.3% (95% CI 77.8%–94.2%). The likelihood ratio of a positive test was 4.92 (95% CI 1.95–11.89) and that of a negative test 0.56 (95% CI 0.29–0.83). Cohen’s kappa value was 0.41 which indicates a moderate agreement. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve had an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.73 (95% CI 0.51–0.95). Conclusion: Ultrasound measurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter can be used to exclude raised intracranial pressure, even in the hands of inexperienced operators.
MORFOLOGIA DE FRUTOS, SEMENTES E PLÂNTULAS DE Couroupita guianensis Aubl. (LECYTHIDACEAE)
Authors: Silva Rejane Maria da , Ribeiro Rayane de Tasso Moreira , Coutinho Diogenes José Gusmão , Silva Suzene Izídio da , Gallão Maria Izabel
Published: August 2015

Couroupita guianensis Aubl., conhecida popularmente como abricó de macaco, é uma espécie arbórea neotropical que ocorre nas florestas Atlântica e Amazônica. Considerando-se o potencial ecológico, econômico e a abundância dessa espécie, em especial na Floresta Atlântica, objetivou-se, com este trabalho, caracterizar morfologicamente frutos, sementes, germinação e plântulas, assim como, a citoquímica das sementes de C. guianensis, acrescentando informações para subsidiar estudos sobre sua conservação e utilização. Os frutos maduros foram coletados de 20 árvores no município de Recife-PE. Em seguida, foram realizadas a pesagem de mil sementes e medições individuais de comprimento, largura e espessura dos frutos e sementes para determinações biométricas e a caracterização morfológica de suas partes internas e externas, além da caracterização da plântula e de suas respectivas estruturas. O fruto de C. guianensis é indeiscente, drupisarcídio e globoso. A semente é eurispérmica, albuminosa e bitegumentada, e a massa de mil sementes desse lote foi de 153,5 g. A germinação da espécie é do tipo epígea, com o tegumento aderido aos cotilédones na fase inicial do crescimento da plântula, que tem início a partir do segundo dia após a semeadura, em condições de laboratório. O tempo médio e o índice de velocidade de germinação (IVG) foram de 2 dias e 2,174, respectivamente. A plântula com 30 dias apresenta todas as estruturas, sendo classificada no tipo morfofuncional faneroepígea-foliácea – PEF.
QUANTIFICAÇÃO DA BIOMASSA EM PLANTIOS DE Pinus elliottii Engelm. em CLEVELÂNDIA – PR
Authors: Lisboa Gerson Dos Santos , Lanzarin Karina , Lira David Fagner de Souza , Pescador Camila Mariah Magri , Watzlawick Luciano Farinha , Valério Alvaro Felipe
Published: August 2015

Este trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar e modelar a biomassa em plantações de Pinus elliottii Engelm., com diferentes idades, no município de Clevelândia, Estado do Paraná. Os dados para a realização deste estudo foram provenientes de 25 povoamentos com idades de 1 a 25 anos, totalizando 125 árvores, sendo 5 para cada idade. As árvores foram derrubadas e seccionadas nos compartimentos: acículas, galhos vivos, galhos mortos, raízes, estruturas reprodutivas, madeira do fuste e casca do fuste. Em seguida, uma amostra de cada componente foi tomada para a obtenção de matéria seca. A ordenação da biomassa nos distintos componentes se distribuiu na ordem: madeira do fuste > raiz > casca > galhos vivos > acículas (estrutura fotossintética) > galhos mortos e estruturas reprodutivas. Visando à obtenção de estimativas do peso de biomassa nos diferentes compartimentos da árvore por meio de variáveis dendrométricas, foram ajustados vários modelos matemáticos, entre eles, modelos tradicionalmente encontrados na literatura florestal. De uma maneira geral, a quantidade de biomassa da maioria dos componentes, apresentou alta relação com as variáveis dendrométricas, resultando em equações adequadas, exceto para os componentes galhos mortos e estruturas reprodutivas. As equações geradas para estimativa de peso total e dos componentes arbóreos da biomassa nas árvores de Pinus elliottii Engelm. são importantes ferramentas para análises técnicas, planejamento de projetos e estudos de viabilidade para uso da madeira
On the link between hygroscopicity, volatility, and oxidation state of ambient and water-soluble aerosols in the southeastern United States
Authors: Cerully K. M. , Bougiatioti A. , Hite J. R. , Guo H. , Xu L. , Ng N. L. , Weber R. , Nenes A.
Published: August 2015

Abstract. The formation of secondary organic aerosols (SOAs) combined with the partitioning of semivolatile organic components can impact numerous aerosol properties including cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity, hygroscopicity, and volatility. During the summer 2013 Southern Oxidant and Aerosol Study (SOAS) field campaign in a rural site in the southeastern United States, a suite of instruments including a CCN counter, a thermodenuder (TD), and a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (AMS) were used to measure CCN activity, aerosol volatility, composition, and oxidation state. Particles were either sampled directly from ambient or through a particle-into-liquid sampler (PILS), allowing the investigation of the water-soluble aerosol component. Ambient aerosols exhibited size-dependent composition with larger particles being more hygroscopic. The hygroscopicity of thermally denuded aerosols was similar between ambient and PILS-generated aerosols and showed limited dependence on volatilization. Results of AMS three-factor positive matrix factorization (PMF) analysis for the PILS-generated aerosols showed that the most hygroscopic components are most likely the most and the least volatile features of the aerosols. No clear relationship was found between organic hygroscopicity and the oxygen-to-carbon ratio; in fact, isoprene-derived organic aerosols (isoprene-OAs) were found to be the most hygroscopic factor, while at the same time being the least oxidized and likely most volatile of all PMF factors. Considering the diurnal variation of each PMF factor and its associated hygroscopicity, isoprene-OA and more-oxidized oxygenated organic aerosols are the prime contributors to hygroscopicity and co-vary with less-oxidized oxygenated organic aerosols in a way that induces the observed diurnal invariance in total organic hygroscopicity. Biomass burning organic aerosols contributed little to aerosol hygroscopicity, which is expected since there was little biomass burning activity during the sampling period examined.
The Royal Bank of Scotland and Its Reputational Decline: A Case Study
Authors: Taj Saud Al
Published: August 2015

After decades of success in the global banking industry, the Royal Bank of Scotland fell to the brink of its collapse in 2008 owing to the recent global financial crisis that entirely shook the financial sector of the United Kingdom. The man whose leadership was once acknowledged for the remarkable success of the bank, former CEO Sir Fred Goodwin, was held entirely responsible for the collapse owing to his decisions of hostile acquisition of the ABN-Amro bank and pushing the banking industry into ‘filthy’ executive pay and bonus culture. The case study will review the evidence from 2000-2009 to discuss the rise and fall of the royal bank in the light of the corporate governance failures during the difficult times of global recession.
Publication of pediatric residency research theses from Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Thailand
Authors: Jaruratanasirikul Somchit , Khotchasing Wassana
Published: August 2015

Background

The Royal College of Pediatricians of Thailand requires that all its residents complete a full thesis before their final Thai Pediatric Board Examination. The Department of Pediatrics of the Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University (PSU) has been certified for pediatric residency training since 1985.

Objectives

To determine the number of articles published in medical journals that are based on the theses of residents during 25 years of pediatric resident training, and how long after finishing their residency training the articles were published.

Methods

Medical journal databases were searched for the names of former pediatric residents. The faculty staff who had supervised them during their training were asked to confirm whether the residents had published their work.

Results

During the 25 years (1988–2012), we found records of 34 articles based on the theses of 130 residents published in a medical journal (26%). In the early phase (1988–2002), 15 articles from 67 theses (22%) were published: 10 (67%) in Thai or regional English language journals, and 5 (33%) in international peer-reviewed journals. In the second phase (2003–2012), 19 articles from 63 theses (30%) were published: 6 (32%) in regional English language journals, and 13 (68%) in peer-reviewed international journals.

Conclusions

The publication rate of PSU pediatric residency research theses during the 25 years was 26%. We recommend that our faculty devote more time to ensuring supervision of the thesis writing component of the residency training to increase the publication rate of research theses by our residents.
Consciousness of Muslim Converts Towards Halal Food in Malaysia
Authors: Kawangit Razaleigh Muhamat At , Guleng Marlon Pontino
Published: August 2015

This study aims to identify the consciousness level of Muslim converts towards halal food in Malaysia. This is a quantitative form of study involving 100 of Malaysian Muslim converts who attend classes in Malaysian Islamic Welfare Organisation (PERKIM) Centre, Malaysian Chinese Association (MACMA), Department of Federal Territory Islamic Affairs (JAWI) and Darul Falah Hostel located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The students were randomly selected for the study. The main objective of the study is to identify the most frequent attended food stores, to analyze the aspects affecting the Muslim converts prior to food purchase as well as to identify the common action been taken regarding the status of a food product for self-satisfaction. The findings show that the frequency of those Muslim converts attending the food stores is at the low level (mean 2.52). However, the significant level for the aspects affecting them prior to food purchase is at the moderate level (mean 2.84), while the level of common action been taken regarding the status of a food product for self-satisfaction as a whole is also at the moderate level (mean 3.37).
Derivation of Generalized Young’s Equation for Wetting of Cylindrical Droplets on Rough Solid Surface
Authors: Wang Xiao-Song
Published: August 2015

The surface tension depends on the radius of curvature of the liquid-vapor interface. For nano-scale wetting phenomena of cylindrical droplets, we should consider the curvature effects of the surface tension and the line tension. However, previous works have not analyzed the influence of the curvature effects of the surface tension. In this paper, we discuss the influence of the curvature effects of the surface tension on the contact angles based the Kim-Lee-Han-Park equation. The hydrophilic wetting of cylindrical droplets on rough and chemically homogeneous non-deformable substrates were studied by methods of thermodynamics. A generalized Young’s equation for wetting of cylindrical droplets on chemically homogeneous and rough non-deformable substrates was derived based on the thermodynamic equilibrium conditions. This equation reduces to the Wenzel equation if we ignore the influence of line tension. For contact angles of cylindrical droplets with sufficiently large radii, a generalized Young’s equations were derived considering the curvature effects of the surface tension.
Taking Sides: Physician's Perceptions on the Use of the Wada Test in Epilepsy Surgery—Q-PULSE Survey Commentary
Authors: Quigg Mark
Published: August 2015

The recent Q-PULSE Survey compiled by Chad Carlson asked members to place the Wada test (bilateral intracarotid amobarbital test) in the context of the current practice of epilepsy surgery. Historically, the Wada test has three purposes: to lateralize language, to assess the risk of memory loss after epilepsy surgery, and to help provide predictive data in localization of the epileptic focus.
RNASeq in C. elegans Following Manganese Exposure
Authors: Parmalee Nancy L. , Maqbool Shahina B. , Ye Bin , Calder Brent , Bowman Aaron B. , Aschner Michael
Published: August 2015

Manganese is a metal that is required for optimal biological functioning of organisms. Absorption, cellular import and export, and excretion of manganese are all tightly regulated. While some genes involved in regulation, such as DMT‐1 and ferroportin, are known, it is presumed that many more are involved and as yet unknown. Excessive exposure to manganese, usually in industrial settings such as mining or welding, can lead to neurotoxicity and a condition known as manganism that closely resembles Parkinson's disease. Elucidating transcriptional changes following manganese exposure could lead to the development of biomarkers for exposure. This unit presents a protocol for RNA sequencing in the worm Caenorhabditis elegans to assay for transcriptional changes following exposure to manganese. This protocol is adaptable to any environmental exposure in C. elegans. The protocol results in counts of gene transcripts in control versus exposed conditions and a ranked list of differentially expressed genes for further study. © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Methane emission bursts from permafrost environments during autumn freeze‐in: New insights from ground‐penetrating radar
Authors: Pirk Norbert , Santos Telmo , Gustafson Carl , Johansson Anders J. , Tufvesson Fredrik , Parmentier Frans‐Jan W. , Mastepanov Mikhail , Christensen Torben R.
Published: August 2015

Large amounts of methane (CH4) are known to be emitted from permafrost environments during the autumn freeze‐in, but the specific soil conditions leading up to these bursts are unclear. Therefore, we used an ultrawide band ground‐penetrating radar in Northeast Greenland in autumn 2009 to estimate the volumetric composition inside the soil through dielectric characterization from 200 to 3200 MHz. Our results suggest a compression of the gas reservoir during the phase transition of soil water, which is accompanied by a peak in surface CH4 emissions. About 1 week thereafter, there seems to be a decompression event, consistent with ground cracking which allows the gas reservoir to expand again. This coincides with the largest CH4 emission, exceeding the summer maximum by a factor of 4. We argue that these complementary measurement techniques are needed to come to an understanding of tundra CH4 bursts connected to soil freezing.
A High‐Performance Supercapacitor Based on KOH Activated 1D C70 Microstructures
Authors: Zheng Shushu , Ju Hui , Lu Xing
Published: August 2015

Fullerenes are of tremendous interest from fundamental researches to applied perspectives in the past decades. However, their application in supercapacitors has been underdeveloped for a long time. Here, the KOH activation of C70 microtubes is reported at high temperatures, which provides activated samples exhibiting excellent capacitive properties. The improved capacitive performance can be attributed to three aspects: the generation of macropores and micropores, the introduction of oxygen functionalities, and the formation of graphitic carbons from ellipsoidal fullerenes. The optimum activated state for supercapacitor application is achieved at 600 °C, at which the product exhibits the best electrochemical behavior with a gravimetric capacitance of 362.0 F g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and excellent cycling stability with capacitance retention of 92.5% over 5000 cycles at 1 A g−1.
Toward an Active and Stable Catalyst for Oxygen Evolution in Acidic Media: Ti‐Stabilized MnO2
Authors: Frydendal Rasmus , Paoli Elisa A. , Chorkendorff Ib , Rossmeisl Jan , Stephens Ifan E. L.
Published: August 2015

Catalysts are required for the oxygen evolution reaction, which are abundant, active, and stable in acid. MnO2 is a promising candidate material for this purpose. However, it dissolves at high overpotentials. Using first‐principles calculations, a strategy to mitigate this problem by decorating undercoordinated surface sites of MnO2 with a stable oxide is developed here. TiO2 stands out as the most promising of the different oxides in the simulations. This prediction is experimentally verified by testing sputter‐deposited thin films of MnO2 and Ti–MnO2. A combination of electrochemical measurements, quartz crystal microbalance, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements, and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy is performed. Small amounts of TiO2 incorporated into MnO2 lead to a moderate improvement in stability, with only a small decrease in activity. This study opens up the possibility of engineering surface properties of catalysts so that active and abundant nonprecious metal oxides can be used in acid electrolytes.
High pressure measurements and molecular modeling of the water content of acid gas containing mixtures
Authors: Fouad Wael A. , Yarrison Matt , Song Kyoo Y. , Cox Kenneth R. , Chapman Walter G.
Published: August 2015

Water content of three carbon dioxide containing natural gas mixtures in equilibrium with an aqueous phase was measured using a dynamic saturation method. Measurements were performed up to high temperatures (477.6 K = 400°F) and pressures (103.4 MPa = 15,000 psia). The perturbed chain form of the statistical associating fluid theory was applied to predict water content of pure carbon dioxide (CO2), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), nitrous oxide (N2O), nitrogen (N2), and argon (Ar) systems. The theory application was also extended to model water content of acid gas mixtures containing methane (CH4). To model accurately the liquid‐liquid equilibrium at subcritical conditions, cross association between CO2, H2S, and water was included. The agreement between the model predictions and experimental data measured in this work was found to be good up to high temperatures and pressures. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3038–3052, 2015
Population balance modeling of a microalgal culture in photobioreactors: Comparison between experiments and simulations
Authors: Bertucco Alberto , Sforza Eleonora , Fiorenzato Valentina , Strumendo Matteo
Published: August 2015

The growth of Scenedesmus obliquus in photobioreactors was both experimentally investigated and numerically simulated by solving a population balance equation (PBE), accounting for cell growth and division. The PBE is solved using the Finite size domain Complete set of trial functions Method Of Moments (FCMOM) and a wide range of operative conditions, namely both a batch and a continuous reactor under different light intensities, were considered in the experiments and in the numerical simulations. A thorough validation of the mathematical model was performed by comparing the experimental temporal profiles and steady‐state values of the cell density, wet weight, cell average mass, and mass distributions of the microalgal culture with the corresponding simulation results. The parameters of the distribution of division mass were identified to fit the experimental data; specifically, from the continuous reactor data, the dependence of the mean division mass from the cell average mass was obtained. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2702–2710, 2015
Predicting the thermodynamic properties and dielectric behavior of electrolyte solutions using the SAFT‐VR+DE equation of state
Authors: Das Gaurav , Hlushak Stepan , dos Ramos M. Carolina , McCabe Clare
Published: August 2015

We extend the SAFT‐VR+DE equation of state to describe 19 aqueous electrolyte solutions with both a fully dissociated and a partially dissociated model. The approach is found to predict thermodynamic properties such as the osmotic coefficient, water activity coefficient, and solution density, across different salt concentrations at room temperature and pressure in good agreement with experiment using only one or two fitted parameters. At higher temperatures and pressures, without any additional fitting, the theory is found to be in qualitative agreement with experimental mean ionic activities and osmotic coefficients. The behavior of the dielectric constant as a function of salt concentration is also reported for the first time using a statistical associating fluid theory (SAFT)‐based equation of state. At high salt concentrations, the stronger electrostatic interactions between the ionic species due to the dielectric decrement, is captured through the inclusion of ion association. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 3053–3072, 2015
Molecular thermodynamics of LNA:LNA base pairs and the hyperstabilizing effect of 5′‐proximal LNA:DNA base pairs
Authors: Fakhfakh Kareem , Marais Olivia , Cheng Xin Bo Justin , Castañeda Jorge Real , Hughesman Curtis B. , Haynes Charles
Published: August 2015

Locked nucleic acids (LNAs) can greatly enhance duplex DNA stability, and are therefore creating opportunities to improve therapeutics, as well as PCR‐based disease and pathogen diagnostics. Realizing the full potential of LNAs will require better understanding of their contributions to duplex stability, and the ability to predict their hydridization thermodynamics. Melting thermodynamics data for a large set of diverse duplexes containing LNAs in one or both strands are presented. Those data reveal that LNAs, when present on both strands, can stabilize a duplex not only through direct interaction with their base‐pair partner, but also through nonlocal hyperstablization effects created by LNA:LNA base pairs and/or specific patterns of oppositely oriented LNA:DNA base pairs. The data are, therefore, used to extend a thermodynamic model previously developed in our lab to permit accurate prediction of melting temperatures for duplexes bearing LNA substitutions within both strands using a classic group‐contribution approach. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2711–2731, 2015
Separation of conglomerate forming enantiomers using a novel continuous preferential crystallization process
Authors: Vetter Thomas , Burcham Christopher L. , Doherty Michael F.
Published: August 2015

Providing enantiomerically pure products is of key importance in the fine chemicals, food, and pharmaceutical industries. A continuous preferential crystallization process is presented that allows the separation of conglomerate forming enantiomers in a stable, robust, and flexible way. This is achieved by coupling two continuous crystallizers by exchanging their clear liquid phases. Each crystallizer is connected to a suspension mill responsible for in situ seed generation through particle breakage. The dynamic and steady‐state behavior of this process is extensively analyzed for racemic feed streams through process simulations, and parameter regions, which yield pure enantiomers in both crystallizers, are identified. For enriched feed streams, it is further shown when this novel flow sheet is capable of outperforming an ideal batch process in terms of solvent consumption per unit mass of desired enantiopure product produced. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2810–2823, 2015
Lidocaine‐ibuprofen ionic liquid for dermal anesthesia
Authors: Park Han Jung , Prausnitz Mark R.
Published: August 2015

Local anesthesia in the skin occurs approximately 1 h after application of a commercial topical formulation of lidocaine and prilocaine prepared as a eutectic mixture. A number of lidocaine salts was screened and lidocaine‐ibuprofen was found to form a room‐temperature ionic liquid. When applied to the skin of rats, local anesthesia of skin was achieved within 10–20 min in the rats’ paws and tails with no apparent adverse effects to the skin as determined by histological analysis. We believe that the lidocaine‐ibuprofen ionic liquid increased lidocaine absorption into the skin due to the high lidocaine concentration in the ionic liquid and due to possible interactions between the ionic liquid and the skin to increase skin permeability. These findings suggest that lidocaine‐ibuprofen ionic liquid may provide a more rapid method of drug delivery to the skin for local anesthesia. © 2015 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 61: 2732–2738, 2015
Vascular remodeling underlies rebleeding in hemophilic arthropathy
Authors: Bhat Vikas , Olmer Merissa , Joshi Shweta , Durden Donald L. , Cramer Thomas J. , Barnes Richard FW , Ball Scott T. , Hughes Tudor H. , Silva Mauricio , Luck James V. , Moore Randy E. , Mosnier Laurent O. , von Drygalski Annette
Published: August 2015

Hemophilic arthropathy is a debilitating condition that can develop as a consequence of frequent joint bleeding despite adequate clotting factor replacement. The mechanisms leading to repeated spontaneous bleeding are unknown. We investigated synovial, vascular, stromal, and cartilage changes in response to a single induced hemarthrosis in the FVIII‐deficient mouse. We found soft‐tissue hyperproliferation with marked induction of neoangiogenesis and evolving abnormal vascular architecture. While soft‐tissue changes were rapidly reversible, abnormal vascularity persisted for months and, surprisingly, was also seen in uninjured joints. Vascular changes in FVIII‐deficient mice involved pronounced remodeling with expression of α‐Smooth Muscle Actin (SMA), Endoglin (CD105), and vascular endothelial growth factor, as well as alterations of joint perfusion as determined by in vivo imaging. Vascular architecture changes and pronounced expression of α‐SMA appeared unique to hemophilia, as these were not found in joint tissue obtained from mouse models of rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis and from patients with the same conditions. Evidence that vascular changes in hemophilia were significantly associated with bleeding and joint deterioration was obtained prospectively by dynamic in vivo imaging with musculoskeletal ultrasound and power Doppler of 156 joints (elbows, knees, and ankles) in a cohort of 26 patients with hemophilia at baseline and during painful episodes. These observations support the hypothesis that vascular remodeling contributes significantly to bleed propagation and development of hemophilic arthropathy. Based on these findings, the development of molecular targets for angiogenesis inhibition may be considered in this disease. Am. J. Hematol. 90:1027–1035, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evaluating noninvasive markers of nonhuman primate immune activation and inflammation
Authors: Higham James P. , Kraus Cornelia , Stahl‐Hennig Christiane , Engelhardt Antje , Fuchs Dietmar , Heistermann Michael
Published: August 2015

Objectives

Health, disease, and immune function are key areas of research in studies of ecology and evolution, but work on free‐ranging primates has been inhibited by a lack of direct noninvasive measures of condition. Here, we evaluate the potential usefulness of noninvasive measurement of three biomarkers, the acute‐phase proteins C‐reactive protein (CRP) and haptoglobin, and neopterin, a by‐product of macrophage activity.

Materials and Methods

We took advantage of veterinary checks on captive rhesus (24) and long‐tailed (3) macaques at the German Primate Center (DPZ) to analyze serum marker measures, before measuring concentrations in feces and urine, and evaluating relationships between matched serum, urine, and fecal concentrations. In a second study, we monitored excretion of these markers in response to simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) infection and surgical tissue trauma, undertaken for a separate study.

Results

We found that each biomarker could be measured in each matrix. Serum and urinary concentrations of neopterin were strongly and significantly correlated, but neither haptoglobin nor CRP concentrations in excreta proxied circulating serum concentrations. Our infection study confirmed that urinary neopterin, in particular, is a reliable marker of viral infection in macaques, but also indicated the potential of urinary and fecal CRP and haptoglobin as indicators of inflammation.

Discussion

We highlight the potential of noninvasive markers of immune function, especially of urinary neopterin, which correlates strongly with serum neopterin, and is highly responsive to infection. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:673–684, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Is the establishment of MPAs enough to preserve endangered intertidal species? The case of Patella ferruginea in Mal di Ventre Island (W Sardinia, Italy)
Authors: Coppa Stefania , De Lucia G. Andrea , Massaro Giorgio , Camedda Andrea , Marra Stefano , Magni Paolo , Perilli Angelo , Di Bitetto Massimiliano , García‐Gómez José Carlos , Espinosa Free
Published: August 2015

The giant limpet Patella ferruginea is the most endangered endemic species in the Mediterranean Sea. It is at serious risk of extinction, especially along the coast of Corsica and Italy. The small population of P. ferruginea in the marine protected area (MPA) Penisola del Sinis ‐ Isola di Mal di Ventre (W Sardinia, Italy) is an isolated unit whose preservation is critical also from the perspective of conservation genetics.

This study considered the impact of illegal harvesting on the conservation status of P. ferruginea in the MPA. Site accessibility (semi‐accessible and hardly accessible) and legal protection (Zone A, B, C) were considered in two field surveys conducted in the Mal di Ventre Island in 2011 and 2013. Furthermore, Zone A was monitored annually from 2009 to 2013 to assess population dynamics and extinction risk.

In summer 2013 the total population size was estimated at 310 specimens (0.016±0.005 ind m‐1) with a significant decrease compared with 2011 (–52%), mainly due to poaching. Significantly higher density was found in the hardly accessible sites (0.039±0.007 ind m‐1 in 2013) and generally in Zone A (0.042±0.009 ind m‐1 in 2013). The size distribution showed a similar pattern, with larger sized individuals in those sites with maximum legal protection and a lower degree of accessibility. Juveniles (<25 mm) were almost absent and the mean individual growth rate (2.6±0.5 mm yr‐1) was lower in comparison with other Mediterranean populations. The population viability analysis predicted that, with current rates of harvesting, P. ferruginea may face local extinction within the next 10 years.

Without a joint effort towards the protection of intertidal habitats by enforcement bodies, regulators, researchers and sea users, the MPA will not achieve its conservation objectives and P. ferruginea will disappear from Mal di Ventre Island. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.