bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of operational parameters and its relation on the stoichiometry of Fenton’s oxidation to textile wastewater
Authors: Ilhan Fatih , Yetilmezsoy Kaan , Kabuk Akif , Ulucan Kubra , Coskun Tamer , Akoglu Busra
Published: December 2015

The operation conditions for the implementation of the Fenton process are of utmost importance because there are problems related to the proportion of H2O2 dosage to COD and Fe2+ dosage to the specified H2O2 amount. The relevant lite-rature shows that COD/H2O2 ratios range between 0.0084 and 113.9. Similarly, the COD/Fe2+ ratio varies between 0.079 and 292.6, while the H2O2/Fe2+ ratio varies between 0.09 and 287. Moreover, the ratio of the maximum value to the minimum value used in the operations on the basis of COD is 13560 for COD/ /H2O2 (0.0084-113.9), 2210 for COD/Fe2+ (0.079-174.7), and finally 3190 for H2O2/Fe2+ (0,09-287). The aim of this study was to re-evaluate these values that significantly differ from each other with specific emphasis on textile wastewater and considering stoichiometric ratios. Results showed that values ranging between 0.43 and 4.0 for COD/H2O2 and those ranging between 0.75 and 3.0 for H2O2/Fe2+ are more suitable. The results showed that in a Fenton process con-ducted by dosing H2O2 at different times, the TOC reduction efficiencies inc-reased from 80.8 up to 88.9%. Similarly, the color reduction efficiency also rose from 96.5 to 98.7%.

 This article has been corrected. Link to the correction 10.2298/CICEQ170425016E
Can posterior teeth of patients be translated buccally, and does bone form on the buccal surface in response?
Authors: Capps Chad J. , Campbell Phillip M. , Benson Byron , Buschang Peter H.
Published: December 2015

Objective: 

To produce buccal translation and determine whether buccal bone forms on the cortical surfaces.

Materials and Methods: 

Eleven patients requiring maxillary first premolar extractions participated in this prospective, randomized, split-mouth study. Pre- and posttreatment records included models, photographs, and small field of view CBCT images. One randomly chosen maxillary first premolar was moved buccally with 50 g of force applied approximately at the tooth’s center of resistance. The other premolar served as the control. Forces were re-activated every 3 weeks for approximately 9 weeks, after which the teeth were held in place for 3 weeks. Pre- and posttreatment records were analyzed and superimposed to evaluate changes in the dental-alveolar complex.

Results: 

There was significant (P < .05) movement of the experimental premolar with minimal buccal tipping (2.2°). Changes in maximum bone height were bimodal, with 6 patients showing 0.42 mm and 5 patients showing 8.3 mm of vertical bone loss. Buccal bone thickness 3 mm apical to the CEJ decreased 0.63 mm. Direct measurements and CBCT superimpositions showed that buccal bone over the roots grew 0.46 mm and 0.51 mm, respectively.

Conclusions: 

It is possible to produce buccal bodily tooth movement with only limited amounts of tipping. Such movements are capable of producing buccal bone apposition, but there are potential limitations.
Effect of Storage Time on Bond Strength and Nanoleakage Expression of Universal Adhesives Bonded to Dentin and Etched Enamel
Authors: Makishi P , André CB , Ayres APA , Martins AL , Giannini M
Published: December 2015

Purpose: To investigate bond strength and nanoleakage expression of universal adhesives (UA) bonded to dentin and etched enamel.

Methods: Extracted human third molars were sectioned and ground to obtain flat surfaces of dentin (n = 36) and enamel (n = 48). Dentin and etched enamel surfaces were bonded with one of two UAs, All-Bond Universal (ABU) or Scotchbond Universal (SBU); or a two-step self-etching adhesive, Clearfil SE Bond (CSEB). A hydrophobic bonding resin, Adper Scotchbond Multi-Purpose Bond (ASMP Bond) was applied only on etched enamel. Following each bonding procedure, resin composite blocks were built up incrementally. The specimens were sectioned and subjected to microtensile bond strength (MTBS) testing after 24 hours or one year water storage, or immersed into ammoniacal silver nitrate solution after aging with 10,000 thermocycles and observed using scanning electron microscopy. The percentage distribution of silver particles at the adhesive/tooth interface was calculated using digital image-analysis software.

Results: The MTBS (CSEB = SBU > ABU, for dentin; and CSEB > ABU = SBU = ASMP Bond, for etched enamel) differed significantly between the adhesives after 24 hours. After one year, MTBS values were reduced significantly within the same adhesive for both substrates (analysis of variance, Bonferroni post hoc, p<0.05), and no significant differences were found among the adhesives for etched enamel. Silver particles could be detected within the adhesive/dentin interface of all specimens tested. Kruskal-Wallis mean ranks for nanoleakage in ABU, SBU, and CSEB were 16.9, 18.5 and 11, respectively (p>0.05).

Conclusions: In the short term, MTBS values were material and dental-substrate dependent. After aging, a decrease in bonding effectiveness was observed in all materials, with nanoleakage at the adhesive/dentin interface. The bonding of the UAs was equal or inferior to that of the conventional restorative systems when applied to either substrate and after either storage period.
Unstable bilateral simultaneous fracture dislocation of glenohumeral joint
Authors: Shah Kalawar R P , Shrestha B P , Khanal G P , Chaudhary P , Rijal R , Maharjan R , Paneru S R
Published: December 2015

Unstable dislocations of the bilateral glenohumeral joint with fractures of both greater tuberosities are very rare. A 48-year-old gentleman sustained a bilateral anterior dislocation of his glenohumeral joint with fractures of the greater tuberosities on both sides after an episode of seizure. Attitude of both shoulders were abducted and externally rotated. Radiological examination revealed the dislocations of bilateral glenohumeral joint and also the fractures of the bilateral greater tuberosities. Closed reduction and shoulder derotation immobilizer was applied. The Reduction was unstable and needed fixation of both sides greater tuberosity with cannulated cancellous screws. Bilateral glenohumeral joint dislocations with bilateral fractures of the greater tuberosities may be unstable needing fixation of greater tuberosity fracture.Health Renaissance 2014;12(2): pp: 133-136
Ashis Sengupta, ed., Mapping South Asia Through Contemporary Theatre: Essays on the Theatre of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka
Authors: Mason David
Published: December 2015

Mapping South Asia through Contemporary Theatre provides a useful summary of the interplay of politics and theatre in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
J. Chris Westgate, Staging the Slums, Slumming the Stage: Class, Poverty, Ethnicity, and Sexuality in American Theatre, 1890–1916
Authors: Murphy Brenda
Published: December 2015

This book addresses a neglected area of American drama and theatre studies, plays that were identified with the Progressive Era, specifically the subgenre of the slum play. Westgate elucidates the tension between what he defines as the tourism and the sociological narratives of these plays.
Timothy R. White, Blue-Collar Broadway: The Craft and Industry of American Theatre
Authors: Chambers Jonathan
Published: December 2015

White accounts for the frequently forgotten efforts of the skilled workers who constructed and crafted pre-Broadway and Broadway productions, from the late nineteenth century to the present. In doing so, he traces the rise and fall of the Times Square theatre craft district and the conditions that altered the Broadway production model.
Improved Methodology to Evaluate Fracture Properties of Warm-Mix Asphalt Using Overlay Test
Authors: Gu Fan , Zhang Yuqing , Luo Xue , Luo Rong , Lytton Robert L.
Published: December 2015

This study developed a reliable and repeatable methodology to evaluate the fracture properties of asphalt mixtures with an overlay test (OT). In the proposed methodology, first, a two-step OT protocol was used to characterize the undamaged and damaged behaviors of asphalt mixtures. Second, a new methodology combining the mechanical analysis of viscoelastic force equilibrium in the OT specimen and finite element simulations was used to determine the undamaged properties and crack growth function of asphalt mixtures. Third, a modified Paris's law replacing the stress intensity factor by the pseudo J-integral was employed to characterize the fracture behavior of asphalt mixtures. Theoretical equations were derived to calculate the parameters A and n (defined as the fracture properties) in the modified Paris's law. The study used a detailed example to calculate A and n from the OT data. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to evaluate the impact of warm-mix asphalt (WMA) technologies on fracture properties. The results of the tested specimens showed that Evotherm WMA technology slightly improved the cracking resistance of asphalt mixtures, while foaming WMA technology provided comparable fracture properties. In addition, the study found that A decreased with the increase in n in general. A linear relationship between –log( A) and n was established.
Hyperactivity with Agitative-Like Behavior in a Mouse Tauopathy Model
Authors: Jul Pia , Volbracht Christiane , de Jong Inge E.M. , Helboe Lone , Elvang Anders Brandt , Pedersen Jan Torleif
Published: December 2015

Tauopathies, such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), are characterized by formation of neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau. In addition to memory loss, patients experience behavioral symptoms such as agitation, aggression, depression, and insomnia. We explored the behavioral phenotype of a mouse model (rTg4510) carrying the human tau P301L mutation found in a familial form of FTD. We tested these mice in locomotor activity assays as well as in the Morris water maze to access spatial memory. In addition to cognitive impairments, rTg4510 mice exhibited a hyperactivity phenotype which correlated with progression of tau pathology and was dependent on P301L tau transgene expression. The hyperactive phenotype was characterized by significantly increased locomotor activity in a novel and in a simulated home cage environment together with a disturbed day/night cycle. The P301L-tau-dependent hyperactivity and agitative-like phenotype suggests that these mice may form a correlate to some of the behavioral disturbances observed in advanced AD and FTD.
Clinical Impact of a Second FDG-PET in Atypical/Unclear Dementia Syndromes
Authors: Bergeron David , Beauregard Jean-Mathieu , Guimond Jean , Fortin Marie-Pierre , Houde Michèle , Poulin Stéphane , Verret Louis , Bouchard Rémi W. , Laforce Robert
Published: December 2015

Diagnosis of atypical/unclear dementia is often difficult and this delays treatment initiation. Several authors have shown that beyond standard dementia workup, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) reduces the number of unclear diagnoses, leads to earlier treatment, and has a beneficial impact on families. However, it is not uncommon that the FDG-PET findings are equivocal in this setting. For those cases, a repeat FDG-PET may clarify the diagnosis and prevent treatment delay. We retrospectively assessed the clinical impact of a repeat FDG-PET in 59 patients with atypical/unclear dementia syndromes and inconclusive initial FDG-PET. Changes in primary diagnosis, diagnostic confidence, and management following the second FDG-PET were examined. Conducting a second FDG-PET reduced the number of unclear diagnoses from 80% to 34% , led to diagnostic change in 24% of cases, and treatment modification in 22% of patients. Overall, the clinical impact was higher when initial diagnostic confidence was low and the second FDG-PET repeated ≥12 months after the first one. In tertiary care memory clinic settings, when diagnostic incertitude persists despite extensive evaluation and an equivocal FDG-PET, repeating the FDG-PET 12 months later can greatly clarify the diagnosis and improve management.
Higher Fasting Plasma Glucose Levels, within the Normal Range, are Associated with Decreased Processing Speed in High Functioning Young Elderly
Authors: Raizes Meytal , Elkana Odelia , Franko Motty , Ravona Springer Ramit , Segev Shlomo , Beeri Michal Schnaider
Published: December 2015

We explored the association of plasma glucose levels within the normal range with processing speed in high functioning young elderly, free of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A sample of 41 participants (mean age = 64.7, SD = 10; glucose 94.5 mg/dL, SD = 9.3), were examined with a computerized cognitive battery. Hierarchical linear regression analysis showed that higher plasma glucose levels, albeit within the normal range (<110 mg/dL), were associated with longer reaction times (p <  0.01). These findings suggest that even in the subclinical range and in the absence of T2DM, monitoring plasma glucose levels may have an impact on cognitive function.
Mild Cognitive Impairment and Susceptibility to Scams in Old Age
Authors: Han S. Duke , Boyle Patricia A. , James Bryan D. , Yu Lei , Bennett David A.
Published: December 2015

Background: Falling victim to financial scams can have a significant impact upon social and financial wellbeing and independence. A large proportion of scam victims are older adults, but whether older victims with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are at higher risk remains unknown. Objective: We tested the hypothesis that older persons with MCI exhibit greater susceptibility to scams compared to those without cognitive impairment. Methods: Seven hundred and thirty older adults without dementia were recruited from the Rush Memory and Aging Project, a community-based epidemiologic study of aging. Participants completed a five-item self-report measure of susceptibility to scams, a battery of cognitive measures, and clinical diagnostic evaluations. Results: In models adjusted for age, education, and gender, the presence of MCI was associated with greater susceptibility to scams (B = 0.125, SE = 0.063, p-value = 0.047). Further, in analyses of the role of specific cognitive systems in susceptibility to scams among persons with MCI (n = 144), the level of performance in two systems, episodic memory and perceptual speed abilities, were associated with susceptibility. Conclusions: Adults with MCI may be more susceptible to scams in old age than older persons with normal cognition. Lower abilities in specific cognitive systems, particularly perceptual speed and episodic memory, may contribute to greater susceptibility to scams in those with MCI.
LRP/LR Antibody Mediated Rescuing of Amyloid-β-Induced Cytotoxicity is Dependent on PrPc in Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Pinnock Emma C. , Jovanovic Katarina , Pinto Maxine G. , Ferreira Eloise , Dias Bianca Da Costa , Penny Clement , Knackmuss Stefan , Reusch Uwe , Little Melvyn , Schatzl Hermann M. , Weiss Stefan F.T.
Published: December 2015

The neuronal perturbations in Alzheimer’s disease are attributed to the formation of extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) neuritic plaques, composed predominantly of the neurotoxic Aβ42 isoform. Although the plaques have demonstrated a role in synaptic dysfunction, neuronal cytotoxicity has been attributed to soluble Aβ42 oligomers. The 37kDa/67kDa laminin receptor has been implicated in Aβ42 shedding and Aβ42-induced neuronal cytotoxicity, as well as internalization of this neurotoxic peptide. As the cellular prion protein binds to both LRP/LR and Aβ42, the mechanism underlying this cytotoxicity may be indirectly due to the PrPc-Aβ42 interaction with LRP/LR. The effects of this interaction were investigated by 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assays. PrPc overexpression significantly enhanced Aβ42 cytotoxicity in vitro, while PrP–/–  cells were more resistant to the cytotoxic effects of Aβ42 and exhibited significantly less cell death than PrPc expressing N2a cells. Although anti-LRP/LR specific antibody IgG1-iS18 significantly enhanced cell viability in both pSFV1-huPrP1-253 transfected and non-transfected cells treated with exogenous Aβ42, it failed to have any cell rescuing effect in PrP–/–  HpL3-4 cells. These results suggest that LRP/LR plays a significant role in Aβ42-PrPc mediated cytotoxicity and that anti-LRP/LR specific antibodies may serve as potential therapeutic tools for Alzheimer’s disease.
Aging as a Precipitating Factor in Chronic Restraint Stress-Induced Tau Aggregation Pathology, and the Protective Effects of Rosmarinic Acid
Authors: Shan Ye , Wang Dan-Dan , Xu Yu-Xia , Wang Chu , Cao Lan , Liu Yun-Sheng , Zhu Cui-Qing
Published: December 2015

Stress is an important risk factor of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It has been evidenced that stress could induce tau phosphorylation and increase tau insolubility in brain; however, little is known about the interactional effect of stress with aging on tauopathy. Therefore, we explored the effects of aging on stress-induced tauopathy and the potential mechanism in mouse model of chronic restraint stress (CRS). Here we found that in general, the level of phosphorylated tau (P-tau) was higher in brain of middle-aged mice than that in adult mice under physiological conditions. CRS-induced tau phosphorylation and its insolubility were more prominent in middle-aged mice. The increase of AT8-labeled insoluble P-tau was dramatic in middle-aged mice, which was highly ubiquitinated but did not form PHF structures. The levels of chaperones were relatively lower in middle-aged mice brain; CRS further reduced the expression, especially for HDJ2/HSP40. CRS also suppressed the expression of Pin1, the peptidylprolyl cis/trans isomerase, in middle-aged mice but not in adult mice. Downregulation of HSP40 or Pin1 caused an increase of transfected extraneous tau in 293 cells. Rosmarinic acid (RA) could effectively suppress the elevation of P-tau and insoluble P-tau formation induced by CRS, and reversed the abnormal changes of chaperones and Pin1 particularly in middle-aged mice. Taken together, our findings provided evidence that aging could be a promoting factor in stress-induced tauopathy, which was relevant with malregulation of chaperones and Pin1, and RA might be a promising beneficial agent for stress-induced tauopathy.
Characterizing White Matter Tract Degeneration in Syndromic Variants of Alzheimer’s Disease: A Diffusion Tensor Imaging Study
Authors: Madhavan Ajay , Schwarz Christopher G. , Duffy Joseph R. , Strand Edythe A. , Machulda Mary M. , Drubach Daniel A. , Kantarci Kejal , Przybelski Scott A. , Reid Robert I. , Senjem Matthew L. , Gunter Jeffrey L. , Apostolova Liana G. , Lowe Val J. , Petersen Ronald C. , Jack Clifford R. , Josephs Keith A. , Whitwell Jennifer L.
Published: December 2015

Background: Different clinical syndromes can arise from Alzheimer’s disease (AD) neuropathology, including dementia of the Alzheimer’s type (DAT), logopenic primary progressive aphasia (lvPPA), and posterior cortical atrophy (PCA). Objective: To assess similarities and differences in patterns of white matter tract degeneration across these syndromic variants of AD. Methods: Sixty-four subjects (22 DAT, 24 lvPPA, and 18 PCA) that had diffusion tensor imaging and showed amyloid-β deposition on PET were assessed in this case-control study. A whole-brain voxel-based analysis was performed to assess differences in fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity, axial diffusivity, and radial diffusivity across groups. Results: All three groups showed overlapping diffusion abnormalities in a network of tracts, including fornix, corpus callosum, posterior thalamic radiations, superior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior longitudinal fasciculus, inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus, and uncinate fasciculus. Subtle regional differences were also observed across groups, with DAT particularly associated with degeneration of fornix and cingulum, lvPPA with left inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus and uncinate fasciculus, and PCA with posterior thalamic radiations, superior longitudinal fasciculus, posterior cingulate, and splenium of the corpus callosum. Conclusion: These findings show that while each AD phenotype is associated with degeneration of a specific structural network of white matter tracts, striking spatial overlap exists among the three network patterns that may be related to AD pathology.
Sensitivity of Neuropsychological Tests to Identify Cognitive Decline in Highly Educated Elderly Individuals: 12 Months Follow up
Authors: Elkana Odelia , Eisikovits Osnat Reichman , Oren Noga , Betzale Vered , Giladi Nir , Ash Elissa L.
Published: December 2015

Highly educated individuals have a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). A common assumption is that their “cognitive reserve” protects them from cognitive decline and postpones the clinical manifestation of dementia. These highly educated individuals usually obtain normal scores on cognitive screening tests, although at the same time they can experience subjective cognitive decline and difficulty in multiple cognitive domains. Although comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations usually identify subtle changes in cognition, they demand extensive resources and thus are expensive and difficult to obtain. Therefore, lack of sensitivity of screening tests on the one hand, along with difficulty to acquire a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation on the other hand, impede identification of cognitive decline at its earliest stages in this special population. Accordingly, this study aims to identify which neuropsychological tests have the highest sensitivity to detect the earliest stages of cognitive decline among highly educated elderly [n = 27, ages 66–80 (mean = 72.6 SD = 4.54), mean education level = 17.14 (SD = 3.21 range: 12–24 years)]. Baseline scores and scores at one-year follow up were obtained. We also conducted MRI scans to characterize the relation between brain volume and cognitive performance. Results show significant reductions in RVALT, Semantic verbal Fluency, ROCF copy, and MoCA scores whereas PF, TMT, ROCF delay, digit span, and knowledge tests were not significant. The study stresses the importance of using sensitive neuropsychological tests to examine this special population and the need to create norms that combine an individual’s education with age.
Removal of Lead from Battery Effluent by Electrocoagulation
Authors: Rahman Syed Hafizur , Yesmin Riffat Ara , Islam SM Nazrul , Siraj Shajahan , Adyel Tanveer Mehedi , Ahmed Md Sabbir
Published: December 2015

The efficiency of iron electrode based electrocoagulation (EC) technique at laboratory scale to remove lead (Pb) from battery industrial effluent in Bangladesh is investigated. Different combinations of voltage (15, 30 and 45), effluent pH (1, 3, 5, 7 and 9) and electrolysis time (15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes) at the EC reactor was examined for searching the ideal operating conditions of maximum lead removal. Initial battery effluent pH of 3, electro coagulating at 30 V for 15 minutes would be the optimum conditions for treatment where 99.9% Pb removal was achieved. Treated effluent quality was compared with national environmental standard to discharge into surface water bodies and found physico-chemical parameters (TDS, TSS, DO and pH) were within prescribed limit except electrical conductivity.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 2, 125-134, 2015
Status of Ambient Particulate Matter and Black Carbon Concentrations in Rajshahi Air, Bangladesh
Authors: Begum Bilkis A , Ahmed K Shahin , Sarkar M , Islam JB , Rahman AKM Lutfor
Published: December 2015

Air borne particulate matter (PM) samples (both PM10 and PM2.5) were collected simultaneously from continuous air quality monitoring station (CAMS) at Rajshahi city from December 2012 to February 2013 using two Air Metrics MiniVol samplers. The samples were analyzed for mass and black carbon (BC) concentrations. The present results were compared with the data set during December 2001 to February 2002. It was found that the mean PM10, PM2.5 and BC concentrations have increased 3.3, 6.1 and 3.4 times, respectively than in December 2001 to February 2002 period. Similarly, the ratio of PM2.5/PM10 has increased twice than the previous cited time. In case of BC/PM2.5 ratio, value becomes more than half than the previous period. Hence, PM2.5 concentration has increased tremendously and due to the implementation of policies especially on motor vehicles, BC concentration does not increase linearly as PM2.5. The present data have showed that about 78% of PM10 is PM2.5 whereas in 2001-2002, PM2.5 was only 38% of PM10. The high PM2.5 at Rajshahi city might be due to both local effect and long-range transport.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 2, 147-155, 2015
Quality Assessment of the Permian Coals from Dighipara Basin, Bangladesh Based On Proximate, Ultimate and Microscopic Analyses
Authors: Farhaduzzaman Md , Abdullah Wan Hasiah , Islam Md Aminul , Sia Say Gee
Published: December 2015

Assessment of coal quality based on proximate (volatile matter, fixed carbon, ash, moisture), ultimate (C, H, N, S, O) and microscopic (macerals, microlithotypes, coal facies) analyses of the Permian coals from the Dighipara basin, Bangladesh was carried out. A total of 11 coal core samples collected from two bore holes of Dighipara basin were analyzed. ASTM standards were followed for proximate and ultimate analyses. ICCP systems were used for the microscopic study. Thermal maturity, physical characteristics of the coal seams, gross calorific value and atomic ratios of H/C and O/C were also considered.Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 39, No. 2, 177-194, 2015
Anatomical Variations of Mandibular Molar Tooth morphology- An Endodontic importance
Authors: Chowdhury Shirin Sultana , Quader SM Abdul
Published: December 2015

Abstract not availableUpdate Dent. Coll. j: 2015; 5 (1): 01-02
A Data Analytic Algorithm for Managing, Querying, and Processing Uncertain Big Data in Cloud Environments
Authors: Jiang Fan , Leung Carson
Published: December 2015

Big data are everywhere as high volumes of varieties of valuable precise and uncertain data can be easily collected or generated at high velocity in various real-life applications. Embedded in these big data are rich sets of useful information and knowledge. To mine these big data and to discover useful information and knowledge, we present a data analytic algorithm in this article. Our algorithm manages, queries, and processes uncertain big data in cloud environments. More specifically, it manages transactions of uncertain big data, allows users to query these big data by specifying constraints expressing their interests, and processes the user-specified constraints to discover useful information and knowledge from the uncertain big data. As each item in every transaction in these uncertain big data is associated with an existential probability value expressing the likelihood of that item to be present in a particular transaction, computation could be intensive. Our algorithm uses the MapReduce model on a cloud environment for effective data analytics on these uncertain big data. Experimental results show the effectiveness of our data analytic algorithm for managing, querying, and processing uncertain big data in cloud environments.
What Is an Artificial Muscle? A Systemic Approach.
Authors: Tondu Bertrand
Published: December 2015

Artificial muscles define a large category of actuators we propose to analyze in a systemic framework by considering any artificial muscle as an open-loop stable system for any output which represents an artificial muscle dimension resulting from its “contraction”, understood in a broad meaning. This approach makes it possible to distinguish the artificial muscle from other actuators and to specify an original model for a linear artificial muscle, according to the theory of linear systems. Such a linear artificial muscle concept exhibits a constant stiffness independent on its control value. It is shown that a biomimetic actuator, made of two antagonist artificial muscles, requires that artificial muscle static characteristic, even in its most simplified form, is non-linear in the meaning of systems theory, to make possible the control of both actuator position and stiffness. However, we also attempt to show that a linear viscous damping can be a practical way for the dynamic behavior of the artificial muscle to be in relatively good accordance with the so-called Hill curve, interpreted as the dynamic characteristic linking the maximum contraction velocity of the artificial muscle to varying loads lifted against gravity.
Selenium Biochemistry and Bioavailability: Implications for Animal Agriculture
Authors: Shini Shaniko , Sultan Asad , Bryden Wayne
Published: December 2015

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace mineral required for growth, development, immune function, and metabolism. Selenium exerts its biological effects as an integral component of selenoproteins (SePs). Deficiency or low Se status leads to marked changes in many biochemical pathways and a range of pathologies and disorders which are associated with SeP function. Animals, and presumably humans, are able to efficiently utilize nutritionally adequate levels of Se in both organic and inorganic forms. It is now clear that the bioavailability of Se varies depending on the source and chemical form of the Se supplement. There are a range of products available for dietary Se supplementation, however, organic sources have been shown to be assimilated more efficiently than inorganic compounds and are considered to be less toxic and more appropriate as a feed supplement. Yeast enriched with Selenohomoalanthionine (SeHLan) has recently become commercially available, and initial research suggests that it may be an efficacious source for the production of Se enriched animal products.
Enhancement Effects of the Terahertz Near-Field Microscopy
Authors: Huang Jian , Yang Zhongbo , Wei Dongshan , Du Chunlei , Cui Hong-Liang
Published: December 2015

Terahertz near-field detection based and imaging on a nanotip has drawn wide attention following extensive applications of terahertz imaging technologies. Through the local enhanced electric field created by a terahertz nanotip in the near field, it is very likely to attain superior detection sensitivity and higher spatial resolution. This paper simulates the local enhancement effects of the terahertz near-field microscopy using a two-dimension finite difference time domain (2D-FDTD) method. Factors that influence the enhancement effects are investigated and analyzed in detail. Simulation results show that the size of the nanotip apex, the apex-substrate distance, dielectric properties of the substrate and the detected sample, etc., have significant impacts on the electric field enhancement and spatial resolution of the terahertz near-field nanotip, which can be explained from the effective polarizability of the nanotip-sample/substrate system.
Treatment of Danish Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse—A Cohort Study
Authors: Elklit Ask
Published: December 2015

Objective: To investigate the changes in psychological and social domains associated with treatment in survivors of child sexual abuse. Method: Participants from four centers were assessed at baseline and were followed up after six and 12 months. The battery covered posttraumatic and general distress symptoms, attachment, coping styles, self-worth, and social support. Results: The estimated prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) was 78% at baseline; this rate declined to 40% after one year. There were no differences in outcome measures across the different centers or between the individual and group treatments. Half of the PTSD variation at 12 months was explained by four factors: education, avoidance attachment, emotional coping, and social support. Conclusion: The findings in this study indicated a substantial reduction in mental health problems in survivors following 12 months of treatment and identified personality and social factors important for recovery.
Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Isolated Trisomy 19 Associated with Diffuse Myelofibrosis and Osteosclerosis
Authors: Stelling Adam , Jonas Brian , Rashidi Hooman , Abedi Mehrdad , Chen Mingyi
Published: December 2015

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF), per WHO criteria, is a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm that usually presents with a proliferation of granulocytic and megakaryocytic lineages with an associated fibrous deposition and extramedullary hematopoiesis. The bone marrow histologic findings of this disorder are typically characterized by the presence of myeloid metaplasia with an associated reactive fibrosis, angiogenesis, and osteosclerosis. However, marked myelofibrosis is not solely confined to PMF and may also be associated with other conditions including but not limited to acute megakaryoblastic leukemias (FAB AML-M7). Here, we describe a rare case of a non-megakaryoblastic acute myeloid leukemia with marked myelofibrosis with osteosclerosis and an isolated trisomy 19. A 19-year-old male presented with severe bone pain of one week duration with a complete blood cell count and peripheral smear showing a mild anemia and occasional circulating blasts. A follow up computed tomography (CT) scan showed diffuse osteosclerosis with no evidence of hepatosplenomegaly or lymphadenopathy. Subsequently, the bone marrow biopsy showed markedly sclerotic bony trabeculae and a hypercellular marrow with marked fibrosis and intervening sheets of immature myeloid cells consistent with myeloblasts with monocytic differentiation. Importantly, these myeloblasts were negative for megakaryocytic markers (CD61 and vWF), erythroid markers (hemoglobin and E-cadherin), and lymphoid markers (CD3, CD19, and TdT). Metaphase cytogenetics showed an isolated triosomy 19 with no JAK2 V617F mutation. The patient was treated with induction chemotherapy followed by allogenic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation which subsequently resulted in a rapid resolution of bone marrow fibrosis, suggesting graft-anti-fibrosis effect. This is a rare case of a non-megakaryoblastic acute myeloid leukemia with myelofibrosis and osteosclerosis with trisomy 19 that may provide insights into the prognosis and therapeutic options of future cases.
Electromagnetic Performance Analysis of Novel Flux-Regulatable Permanent Magnet Machines for Wide Constant-Power Speed Range Operation
Authors: Wang Yunchong , Niu Shuangxia , Fu Weinong
Published: December 2015

Two novel structures of permanent magnet (PM) machine, namely a hybrid excitation flux modulation machine (HEFMM) and a variable flux memory machine (VFMM), which have excellent field-weakening capability, are presented in this paper. The HEFMM incorporates the advantages of parallel hybrid excitation structure and flux modulation structure, so as to increase the torque density as well as increase the constant-power speed range. Inspired by the HEFMM, aiming to further improve the efficiency of machine, the VFMM with aluminum-nickel-cobalt (AlNiCo) PMs in the inner stator which can be magnetized by the current pulse of the direct current (DC) windings is developed. With double-stator structure, flux modulation effect in both machines can be employed to realize the hybrid excitation and regulate the air-gap flux density readily. The operation principle is illustrated and the static and steady performances of the machines are analyzed and compared with time stepping finite element analysis, which validates the effectiveness of the proposed designs.
Provision of Supplementary Load Frequency Control via Aggregation of Air Conditioning Loads
Authors: Zhou Lei , Li Yang , Wang Beibei , Wang Zhe , Hu Xiaoqing
Published: December 2015

The integration of large-scale renewable energy poses great challenges for the operation of power system because of its increased frequency fluctuations. More load frequency control (LFC) resources are demanded in order to maintain a stable system with more renewable energy injected. Unlike the costly LFC resources on generation side, the thermostatically controlled loads (TCLs) on the demand side become an attractive solution on account of its substantial quantities and heat-storage capacity. It generally contains air conditioners (ACs), water heaters and fridges. In this paper, the supplementary LFC is extracted by the modeling and controlling of aggregated ACs. We first present a control framework integrating the supplementary LFC with the traditional LFC. Then, a change-time-priority-list method is proposed to control power output taking into account customers’ satisfaction. Simulations on a single-area power system with wind power integration demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The impact of ambient temperature changes and customer preferences on room temperature is also involved in the discussion. Results show that the supplementary LFC provided by ACs could closely track the LFC signals and effectively reduce the frequency deviation.
Habitat Effect on Allometry of a Xeric Shrub (Artemisia ordosica Krasch) in the Mu Us Desert of Northern China
Authors: She Weiwei , Zhang Yuqing , Qin Shugao , Wu Bin , Liu Zhen , Liu Jun , Zhang Wenjin
Published: December 2015

Allometric models are useful for assessment of aboveground net primary productivity (ANPP) and aboveground biomass (AGB) of forests and shrubs, and are widely implemented in forest inventory and management. Multiple forms of allometric models have been used to estimate vegetation carbon storage for desert shrubland, but their validity for biomass estimation has not been tested at a region scale with different habitats. To verify the validity of habitat-specific models, general models (combining data from all habitats/sites), and previously developed models for biomass prediction, we developed both general models and habitat-specific models for aboveground biomass and ANPP of Artemisia ordosica Krasch, a dominant shrub of the Mu Us Desert. Our results showed that models based on crown area or canopy volume consistently explained large parts of the variations in aboveground biomass and ANPP. Model fitting highlighted that general allometric models were inadequate across different habitats, and habitat-specific models were useful for that specific habitat. Previous models might be inappropriate for other sites because of site quality differences. There was a strong habitat effect on the allometric relationships of A. ordosica. Although our study is a case in point, the results indicate that allometric models for desert shrubs should be used with caution and require robust validation if adopted from other studies or applied to different sites/habitats.
Physical Comorbidities in Depression Co-Occurring with Anxiety: A Cross Sectional Study in the Czech Primary Care System
Authors: Winkler Petr , Horáček Jiří , Weissová Aneta , Šustr Martin , Brunovský Martin
Published: December 2015

Comorbidities associated with depression have been researched in a number of contexts. However, the epidemiological situation in clinical practice is understudied, especially in the post-Communist Central and Eastern Europe region. The aim of this study was to assess physical comorbidities in depression, and to identify whether there are increased odds of physical comorbidities associated with co-occurring depressive and anxiety disorders. Data on 4264 patients aged 18–98 were collected among medical doctors in the Czech Republic between 2010 and 2011. Descriptive statistics were calculated and multiple logistic regressions were performed to assess comorbidities among patients with depressive disorder. There were 51.29% of those who have a physical comorbidity, and 45.5% of those who have a comorbid anxiety disorders among patients treated with depression in Czech primary care. Results of logistic regressions show that odds of having pain, hypertension or diabetes mellitus are particularly elevated at those who have co-occurring depressive and anxiety disorder. Our findings demonstrate that comorbidities associated with depressive disorders are highly prevalent in primary health care practice, and that physical comorbidities are particularly frequent among those with co-occurring depressive and anxiety disorders.
As(V) and P Competitive Sorption on Soils, By-Products and Waste Materials
Authors: Rivas-Pérez Ivana , Paradelo-Núñez Remigio , Nóvoa-Muñoz Juan , Arias-Estévez Manuel , Fernández-Sanjurjo María , Álvarez-Rodríguez Esperanza , Núñez-Delgado Avelino
Published: December 2015

Batch-type experiments were used to study competitive As(V) and P sorption on various soils and sorbent materials. The materials assayed were a forest soil, a vineyard soil, pyritic material, granitic material, coarsely and finely ground mussel shell, calcinated mussel shell ash, pine sawdust and slate processing fines. Competition between As(V) and P was pronounced in the case of both soils, granitic material, slate fines, both shells and pine sawdust, showing more affinity for P. Contrary, the pyritic material and mussel shell ash showed high and similar affinity for As(V) and P. These results could be useful to make a correct use of the soils and materials assayed when focusing on As and P removal in solid or liquid media, in circumstances where both pollutants may compete for sorption sites.
Detection of Engineered Copper Nanoparticles in Soil Using Single Particle ICP-MS
Authors: Navratilova Jana , Praetorius Antonia , Gondikas Andreas , Fabienke Willi , Von der Kammer Frank , Hofmann Thilo
Published: December 2015

Regulatory efforts rely on nanometrology for the development and implementation of laws regarding the incorporation of engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) into industrial and consumer products. Copper is currently one of the most common metals used in the constantly developing and expanding sector of nanotechnology. The use of copper nanoparticles in products, such as agricultural biocides, cosmetics and paints, is increasing. Copper based ENMs will eventually be released to the environment through the use and disposal of nano-enabled products, however, the detection of copper ENMs in environmental samples is a challenging task. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy (spICP-MS) has been suggested as a powerful tool for routine nanometrology efforts. In this work, we apply a spICP-MS method for the detection of engineered copper nanomaterials in colloidal extracts from natural soil samples. Overall, copper nanoparticles were successfully detected in the soil colloidal extracts and the importance of dwell time, background removal, and sample dilution for method optimization and recovery maximization is highlighted.
Transfer Rates of 238U and 232Th for E. globulus, A. mearnsii, H. filipendula and Hazardous Effects of the Usage of Medicinal Plants From Around Gold Mine Dump Environs
Authors: Tshivhase Victor , Njinga Raymond , Mathuthu Manny , Dlamini Thulani
Published: December 2015

Medicinal plant consumption can be a source of human exposure to radioactive elements such as 238U and 232Th, which can lead to internal radiation doses. The uptake of 238U and 232Th from soils to the leaf samples of three different medicinal plant species (Eucalyptus globulus, Acacia mearnsii and Hyparrhenia filipendula) from the purlieu of the Princess gold mine dump, an abandoned contaminated tailings storage site (TSS), located at longitude 27°55′00″E and latitude 26°09′30″S in Davidsonville (Roodepoort, west of Johannesburg, South Africa) was measured. This was done using ICP-MS spectrometry and substantial differences were observed in the soil-plant transfer factor (TF) values between these radionuclides. The plant species E. globulus exhibited the highest uptake of 238U, with an average TF of 3.97, while that of H. filipendula was 0.01 and the lowest TF of 0.15 × 10−2 was measured for A. mearnsii. However, in the case of 232Th, the highest average TF was observed for A. mearnsii (0.29), followed by E. globulus (0.10) and lowest was measured for H. filipendula (0.27 × 10−2). The ratio of TF average value i.e., 238U to 232Th in the soil-plant leaves was 38.05 for E. globulus, 0.01 for A. mearnsii and 4.38 for H. filipendula.
Estimating Plant Traits of Grasslands from UAV-Acquired Hyperspectral Images: A Comparison of Statistical Approaches
Authors: Capolupo Alessandra , Kooistra Lammert , Berendonk Clara , Boccia Lorenzo , Suomalainen Juha
Published: December 2015

Grassland ecosystems cover around 40% of the entire Earth’s surface. Therefore, it is necessary to guarantee good grassland management at field scale in order to improve its conservation and to achieve optimal growth. This study identified the most appropriate statistical strategy, between partial least squares regression (PLSR) and narrow vegetation indices, for estimating the structural and biochemical grassland traits from UAV-acquired hyperspectral images. Moreover, the influence of fertilizers on plant traits for grasslands was analyzed. Hyperspectral data were collected from an experimental field at the farm Haus Riswick, near Kleve in Germany, for two different flight campaigns in May and October. The collected image blocks were geometrically and radiometrically corrected for surface reflectance. Spectral signatures extracted for the plots were adopted to derive grassland traits by computing PLSR and the following narrow vegetation indices: the MERIS Terrestrial Chlorophyll Index (MTCI), the ratio of the Modified Chlorophyll Absorption in Reflectance and Optimized Soil-Adjusted Vegetation Index (MCARI/OSAVI) modified by Wu, the Red-edge Chlorophyll Index (CIred-edge), and the Normalized Difference Red Edge (NDRE). PLSR showed promising results for estimating grassland structural traits and gave less satisfying outcomes for the selected chemical traits (crude ash, crude fiber, crude protein, Na, K, metabolic energy). Established relations are not influenced by the type and the amount of fertilization, while they are affected by the grassland health status. PLSR is found to be the best strategy, among the approaches analyzed in this paper, for exploring structural and biochemical features of grasslands. Using UAV-based hyperspectral sensing allows for the highly detailed assessment of grassland experimental plots.
Histone Methylation Marks on Circulating Nucleosomes as Novel Blood-Based Biomarker in Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Gezer Ugur , Yörüker Ebru , Keskin Metin , Kulle Cemil , Dharuman Yoganiranjana , Holdenrieder Stefan
Published: December 2015

Circulating nucleic acids (CNAs) are under investigation as a liquid biopsy in cancer as potential non-invasive biomarkers, as stable structure in circulation nucleosomes could be valuable sources for detection of cancer-specific alterations in histone modifications. Our interest is in histone methylation marks with a focus on colorectal cancer, one of the leading cancers respective the incidence and mortality. Our previous work included the analysis of trimethylations of lysine 9 on histone 3 (H3K9me3) and of lysine 20 on histone 4 (H4K20me3) by chromatin immuno- precipitation-related PCR in circulating nucleosomes. Here we asked whether global immunologic measurement of histone marks in circulation could be a suitable approach to show their potential as biomarkers. In addition to H3K9me3 and H4K20me3 we also measured H3K27me3 in plasma samples from CRC patients (n = 63) and cancer free individuals (n = 40) by ELISA-based methylation assays. Our results show that of three marks, the amounts of H3K27me3 (p = 0.04) and H4K20me3 (p < 0.001) were significantly lower in CRC patients than in healthy controls. For H3K9me3 similar amounts were measured in both groups. Areas under the curve (AUC) in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves indicating the power of CRC detection were 0.620 for H3K27me3, 0.715 for H4K20me3 and 0.769 for the combination of both markers. In conclusion, findings of this preliminary study reveal the potential of blood-based detection of CRC by quantification of histone methylation marks and the additive effect of the marker combination.