bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Autoantibodies to Epilepsy-Related LGI1 in Limbic Encephalitis Neutralize LGI1-ADAM22 Interaction and Reduce Synaptic AMPA Receptors
Authors: Ohkawa Toshika , Fukata Yuko , Yamasaki Miwako , Miyazaki Taisuke , Yokoi Norihiko , Takashima Hiroshi , Watanabe Masahiko , Watanabe Osamu , Fukata Masaki
Published: November 2013

More than 30 mutations in LGI1, a secreted neuronal protein, have been reported with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE). Although LGI1 haploinsufficiency is thought to cause ADLTE, the underlying molecular mechanism that results in abnormal brain excitability remains mysterious. Here, we focused on a mode of action of LGI1 autoantibodies associated with limbic encephalitis (LE), which is one of acquired epileptic disorders characterized by subacute onset of amnesia and seizures. We comprehensively screened human sera from patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders for LGI1 autoantibodies, which also uncovered novel autoantibodies against six cell surface antigens including DCC, DPP10, and ADAM23. Our developed ELISA arrays revealed a specific role for LGI1 antibodies in LE and concomitant involvement of multiple antibodies, including LGI1 antibodies in neuromyotonia, a peripheral nerve disorder. LGI1 antibodies associated with LE specifically inhibited the ligand-receptor interaction between LGI1 and ADAM22/23 by targeting the EPTP repeat domain of LGI1 and reversibly reduced synaptic AMPA receptor clusters in rat hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we found that disruption of LGI1-ADAM22 interaction by soluble extracellular domain of ADAM22 was sufficient to reduce synaptic AMPA receptors in rat hippocampal neurons and that levels of AMPA receptor were greatly reduced in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the epileptic LGI1 knock-out mouse. Therefore, either genetic or acquired loss of the LGI1-ADAM22 interaction reduces the AMPA receptor function, causing epileptic disorders. These results suggest that by finely regulating the synaptic AMPA receptors, the LGI1-ADAM22 interaction maintains physiological brain excitability throughout life.
Kunstbetrachtung als Meditation
Authors: Bilstein Johannes
Published: November 2013

Im Laufe des 18. Jahrhunderts verändern sich die Formen der Kunst-Rezeption: Die Auseinandersetzung mit Kunstwerken fungiert nicht mehr vor allem als Anlass für gesellige Diskussionen mit dem Anspruch von Kennerschaft, sondern wird mehr und mehr mit dem Anspruch der Nach-Schöpfung und der meditativen Versenkung verbunden. Diese beiden Rezeptions-Stile lassen sich sowohl nationalen - französisch versus deutsch - Stereotypien zuschreiben als auch nach Geschlechtern - weiblich gegen männlich - zuordnen. Darüber konturieren sich in diesen verschiedenen Arten des Umganges mit der Kunst klassenspezifische Habitualisierungen: Das Entstehen der bürgerlichen Kunstreligion ist direkt mit den neuen, reflexiv-meditativen Rezeptionsformen verbunden.
People Operations at Mozilla Corporation: Scaling a Peer-to-Peer Global Community
Authors: Bahrami Homa
Published: November 2013

The Mozilla case study describes Vice President and Chief of People Debbie Cohen's key initiatives in a software entity that was one of the pioneers of the “open source” movement. The case study showcases Mozilla's unique culture of distributed decision making and delegated leadership. Mozilla has a small staff of over 1,100 and millions of volunteers around the world. The case also showcases Cohen's innovative, yet tailored, talent strategy for Mozilla, and the implementation of a series of initiatives related to compensation, onboarding, and development. The case study concludes in April 2013, when Cohen is able to reflect on her time working at such a unique and some would say “cultish” organization.
Role of the neural pathway from hindbrain to hypothalamus in interaction of GLP1 and leptin in rats
Authors: Akieda-Asai Sayaka , Poleni Paul-Emile , Hasegawa Kazuya , Date Yukari
Published: November 2013

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP1) and leptin are anorectic hormones. Previously, we have shown that i.p. coadministration of subthreshold GLP1 with leptin dramatically reduced food intake in rats. In this study, by using midbrain-transected rats, we investigated the role of the neural pathway from the hindbrain to the hypothalamus in the interaction of GLP1 and leptin in reducing food intake. Food intake reduction induced by coinjection of GLP1 and leptin was blocked in midbrain-transected rats. These findings indicate that the ascending neural pathway from the hindbrain plays an important role in transmitting the anorectic signals provided by coinjection of GLP1 and leptin.
Hypothalamic and brainstem neuronal circuits controlling homeostatic energy balance
Authors: Schneeberger Marc , Gomis Ramon , Claret Marc
Published: November 2013

Alterations in adequate energy balance maintenance result in serious metabolic disturbances such as obesity. In mammals, this complex process is orchestrated by multiple and distributed neuronal circuits. Hypothalamic and brainstem neuronal circuits are critically involved in the sensing of circulating and local factors conveying information about the energy status of the organism. The integration of these signals culminates in the generation of specific and coordinated physiological responses aimed at regulating energy balance through the modulation of appetite and energy expenditure. In this article, we review current knowledge on the homeostatic regulation of energy balance, emphasizing recent advances in mouse genetics, electrophysiology, and optogenetic techniques that have greatly contributed to improving our understanding of this central process.
Analytical studies of sloshing in half-cylindrical tanks
Authors: Lundberg Peter A. , Nilsson Jenny A. U.
Published: November 2013

The technically important problem of two-dimensional inviscid standing-wave motion of a fluid in a semi-cylindrical vessel is examined using a variety of the Boussinesq wave equation as well as the directed fluid sheet technique. The associated eigenvalue problems are dealt with by employing perturbative procedures and series expansions. The predictions were compared with the outcome of laboratory tank experiments and also with ‘exact' results. The Boussinesq equation perturbative scheme based on an approximate representation of the vessel geometry not only gave the best results, but was also the most straightforward to apply. Furthermore, it yielded practically useful explicit formulae for the frequencies at which sloshing may be initiated. A limitation is, however, that this formalism is only applicable to systems with comparatively small fill ratios.
Long‐term modeling of the forest–grassland ecotone in the French Alps: implications for land management and conservation
Authors: Carlson Bradley Z. , Renaud Julien , Biron Pierre Eymard , Choler Philippe
Published: November 2013

Understanding decadal‐scale land‐cover changes has the potential to inform current conservation policies. European mountain landscapes that include numerous protected areas provide a unique opportunity to weigh the long‐term influences of land‐use practices and climate on forest–grassland ecotone dynamics. Aerial photographs from four dates (1948, 1978, 1993, and 2009) were used to quantify the extent of forest and grassland cover at 5‐m resolution across a 150‐km2 area in a protected area of the southwestern French Alps. The study area included a grazed zone and a nongrazed zone that was abandoned during the 1970s. We estimated time series of a forestation index (FI) and analyzed the effects of elevation and grazing on FI using a hierarchical linear mixed effect model. Forest extent (composed primarily of mountain pine, Pinus uncinata) expanded from 50.6 km2 in 1948 to 85.5 km2 in 2009, i.e., a 23% increase in relative cover at the expense of grassland communities. Over the sixty‐year period, the treeline rose by 118 m, from 1564 to 1682 m. Rapid forest expansion within the nongrazed zone followed the cessation of logging activities and was likely accelerated by climate warming during the 1980s. Within the grazed zone, the maintained presence of sheep did not fully counteract mountain pine expansion and led to highly contrasting rates of land‐cover change based on the location of shepherds' cabins and water sources. Projections of FI for 2030 showed remnant patches of intensively used grasslands interspersed in a densely forested matrix. Our analysis of mountain land‐cover dynamics provided strong evidence for forest encroachment into grassland habitat despite consistent grazing pressure. This pattern may be attributed to the disappearance of traditional land‐use practices such as shrub burning and removal. Our findings prompt land managers to reconsider their initial conservation priority (i.e., the protection of a renowned mountain pine forest) and to implement proactive management strategies in order to preserve landscape heterogeneity and biological diversity. Projecting historical trends in the forest–grassland ecotone to 2030 provides stakeholders with a policy relevant tool for near‐term land management.
Herbivory and climate interact serially to control monoterpene emissions from pinyon pine forests
Authors: Trowbridge Amy M. , Daly Ryan W. , Helmig Detlev , Stoy Paul C. , Monson Russell K.
Published: November 2013

The emission of volatile monoterpenes from coniferous trees impacts the oxidative state of the troposphere and multi‐trophic signaling between plants and animals. Previous laboratory studies have revealed that climate anomalies and herbivory alter the rate of tree monoterpene emissions. However, no studies to date have been conducted to test these relations in situ. We conducted a two‐year field experiment at two semiarid sites dominated by pinyon pine (Pinus edulis) during outbreaks of a specialist herbivore, the southwestern tiger moth (Lophocampa ingens: Arctiidae). We discovered that during the early spring, when herbivory rates were highest, monoterpene emission rates were approximately two to six times higher from undamaged needles on damaged trees, with this increase in emissions due to α‐pinene, β‐pinene, and camphene at both sites. During mid‐summer, emission rates did not differ between previously damaged and undamaged trees at the site on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, but rather tracked changes in the temperature and precipitation regime characteristic of the region. As the mid‐summer drought progressed at the Eastern Slope site, emission rates were low, but differences between previously damaged and undamaged trees were not statistically significant. Despite no difference in emissions, mid‐summer tissue monoterpene concentrations were significantly lower in previously damaged trees at both sites. With the onset of monsoon rains during late summer, emission rates from previously damaged trees increased to levels higher than those of undamaged trees despite the lack of herbivory. We conclude that (1) herbivory systemically increases the flux of terpenes to the atmosphere during the spring, (2) drought overrides the effect of past herbivory as the primary control over emissions during the mid‐summer, and (3) a release from drought and the onset of late‐summer rains is correlated with a secondary increase in emissions, particularly from herbivore‐damaged trees, possibly due to a drought‐delayed stimulation of induced monoterpene synthesis and/or increases in stomatal conductance. A greater understanding of the interactive effects of seasonality and herbivory on monoterpene emissions provides much needed information regarding the atmospheric and ecological consequences that these compounds will have for semiarid ecosystems.
Seismic Surface-wave Prospecting Methods for Sinkhole Hazard Assessment along the Dead Sea Shoreline
Authors: Ezersky Michael G , Bodet Ludovic , Akawwi Emad , Al-Zoubi Abdallah S , Camerlynck Christian , Dhemaied Amine , Galibert Pierre-Yves
Published: November 2013

The Dead Sea (DS) coastal areas have been dramatically hit by sinkhole occurrences since around 1990. It has been shown that the sinkholes along both Israeli and Jordanian shorelines are linked to evaporate karst cavities that are formed by slow salt dissolution. Both the timing and location of sinkholes suggest that: 1) the salt weakens as the result of unsaturated water circulation, thus enhancing the karstification process; and 2) sinkholes appear to be related to the decompaction of the sediments above karstified zones. The location, depth, thickness and weakening of salt layers along the DS shorelines, as well as the thickness and mechanical properties of the upper sedimentary deposits, are thus considered as controlling factors of this on-going process. The knowledge of shear-wave velocities (Vs) should add valuable insights on mechanical properties of both the salt and its overburden. We have suggested Vs estimation using surface-wave prospecting methods, based on surface-wave dispersion measurements and inversion. Two approaches have been used. Along the Israeli shoreline, Vs mapping has been performed to discriminate weak and hard zones within salt layers, after calibration of inverted Vs near boreholes. It has been shown that there is a Vs increase in the DS direction. Initially examined weak zones, located near the salt edge, associated with karstified salt, are characterized by Vs values of 760–1,050 m/s, and extend 60–100 m from the salt edge in the DS direction. Hard salt zones with velocity Vs values greater than 1,500 m/s are located at distances of more than 100–220 m from the salt edge. Finally, transition zones (1,050 < Vs < 1,500 m/s) have a 40–160 m spread. On a Jordanian site, roll-along acquisition and dispersion stacking has been performed to achieve multi-modal dispersion measurements along linear profiles. Inverted pseudo-2-D Vs sections present low Vs anomalies in the vicinity of existing sinkholes and made it possible to detect decompacted sediments associated with potential sinkhole occurrences. Moreover, Vs profiles showed a high velocity unit at 40–50 m depth that can be interpreted as a salt layer.
Seismic Reflection for Hardrock Mineral Exploration: Lessons from Numerical Modeling
Authors: Greenhalgh Stewart , Manukyan Edgar
Published: November 2013

The seismic reflection technique is an essential tool that is extensively applied in hydrocarbon exploration and development, but in hardrock mining and mineral exploration its use has been restricted. Ore bodies present quite elusive targets, in that they are often of limited lateral extent, have steep boundaries and complex shape, lie within high velocity undifferentiated rock and are characterized by small reflection signatures. Additional complications are that they occur at relatively shallow depth and the weak diffracted signals from the mineralization are frequently masked by many overlapping and interfering arrivals, especially mode conversions and reverberations within the weathered surface layer. Conventional CDP (common depth point) reflection profiling and even pre-stack migration reflection approaches do not favor the imaging of such structures.

We have undertaken numerical model studies to determine the response of ore bodies and related geological structures (contacts, intrusions) with a view to detection and recognition on actual seismic sections. One type of modeling performed is 3-D acoustic, based on the Kirchhoff integral, to highlight the influence of out-of-plane reflections and the complicated diffraction patterns produced. The other type of modeling is full 2-D finite difference time-domain elastic simulation to not only study the reflection behavior of steeply dipping structures, but also to investigate the influence of mode conversions and to identify the most troublesome forms of noise. It is clear that ore bodies and associated geology present detectable targets, but the high velocity contrast at the base of weathering produces strong surface waves and reverberations which obscure the events of interest. The modeling can help in designing field layouts, which require long apertures and close detector spacing to image steep dips and avoid spatial aliasing problems. The classes of models investigated are quite limited, but the results nevertheless serve to illustrate the difficulties.
Geophysical Modeling of Typical Cavity Shapes to Calculate Detection Probability and Inform Survey Design
Authors: James Paul , Ferreira Pedro
Published: November 2013

Feasibility analysis of near-surface cavity detection is presented using modeling of the gravity, gravity gradient, magnetic, magnetic gradient, and ground penetrating radar techniques. The geophysical signal is modeled over typical cavity shapes in three-dimensional subsurface environments with varying geologies and survey parameters. The cavity detection probability is calculated for each technique in the outlined environments and these values are used to aid technique choice, assess the feasibility of cavity detection, assess the limits of detection for each technique, and optimise survey design before entering the field.

Tests in a range of conditions show that technique choice is conditional to site characteristics and site parameters, and highlight the need for modeling in the desk study stage of site investigation and survey design. Detection probability results show that standard survey direction practice in magnetometry is not always optimal, and demonstrate the importance of site specific noise level consideration. Comparisons with case study measurements demonstrate that the modelling and subsequent detection probability calculation chose appropriate techniques and survey parameters, but also highlights the limitations of the method.
Impact of rainfall data resolution in time and space on the urban flooding evaluation
Authors: Notaro Vincenza , Fontanazza Chiara Maria , Freni Gabriele , Puleo Valeria
Published: November 2013

Climate change and modification of the urban environment increase the frequency and the negative effects of flooding, increasing the interest of researchers and practitioners in this topic. Usually, flood frequency analysis in urban areas is indirectly carried out by adopting advanced hydraulic models to simulate long historical rainfall series or design storms. However, their results are affected by a level of uncertainty which has been extensively investigated in recent years. A major source of uncertainty inherent to hydraulic model results is linked to the imperfect knowledge of the rainfall input data both in time and space. Several studies show that hydrological modelling in urban areas requires rainfall data with fine resolution in time and space. The present paper analyses the effect of rainfall knowledge on urban flood modelling results. A mathematical model of urban flooding propagation was applied to a real case study and the maximum efficiency conditions for the model and the uncertainty affecting the results were evaluated by means of generalised likelihood uncertainty estimation (GLUE) analysis. The added value provided by the adoption of finer temporal and spatial resolution of the rainfall was assessed.
Paraben resistance in bacteria from sewage treatment plant effluents in India
Authors: Selvaraj Krishna Kumar , Sivakumar Senthilkumari , Sampath Srimurali , Shanmugam Govindaraj , Sundaresan Umamaheswari , Ramaswamy Babu Rajendran
Published: November 2013

Parabens, the antimicrobial preservatives used in cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals, are often detected in the aquatic environment. Generally, sewage treatment plants (STPs) receive community sewage containing parabens, which are ultimately released into streams/rivers. In this study, bacteria in STP effluents were evaluated for their resistance to parabens. The susceptibility was in the order of Staphylococcus aureus > Bacillus sp. >Escherichia coli > Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Gram-negative bacteria showed less susceptibility than their control and Gram-positive bacteria. Further, the bacteria were more sensitive towards butyl and ethyl parabens. Interestingly, the strains showed resistance to ≥5 mg of parabens, which is equivalent to or higher than reported environmental concentrations. The increase in paraben chain length did not enhance the susceptibility in all cases and it was understood that the activity may differ for each bacterium in the environment. This is the first profile on paraben resistance in common pathogens of Indian STPs. Paraben resistance may be developed due to continuous exposure even at sub-inhibitory and/or chronic levels in the environment and this resistance may be transferred to other pathogenic bacteria in receiving waters. Thus the study demonstrates the effectiveness of the disc diffusion method in environmental bacterial resistance assessment and addresses the risk involved in the use of parabens.
Assessing the potential for restoration of surface permeability for permeable pavements through maintenance
Authors: Drake Jennifer , Bradford Andrea
Published: November 2013

Permeable pavements (PPs) have been in use as stormwater management systems in Canada and the United States for over 20 years. After years of exposure to sediment and debris build-up, surface clogging reduces the infiltration of stormwater and inhibits the hydraulic and environmental functions of the pavement. Removal of surface material has been shown to restore infiltration but the majority of studies have been limited to small-scale testing. This paper presents the results of small- and full-sized equipment testing aimed at restoring surface permeability, including the first testing of regenerative-air and vacuum-sweeping streetsweepers in Ontario. Maintenance achieved partial restoration of PP surface permeability. Post-treatment surface infiltration rates displayed large spatial variability, highlighting that localized conditions throughout the pavement have a confounding influence on the overall effectiveness of maintenance. The impact of maintenance may be improved by establishing regular cleaning intervals and developing instructional guidelines for pavement owners and equipment operators.
AOX removal from industrial wastewaters using advanced oxidation processes: assessment of a combined chemical–biological oxidation
Authors: Luyten J. , Sniegowski K. , Van Eyck K. , Maertens D. , Timmermans S. , Liers Sven , Braeken L.
Published: November 2013

In this paper, the abatement of adsorbable halogenated organic compounds (AOX) from an industrial wastewater containing relatively high chloride concentrations by a combined chemical and biological oxidation is assessed. For chemical oxidation, the O3/UV, H2O2/UV and photo-Fenton processes are evaluated on pilot scale. Biological oxidation is simulated in a 4 h respirometry experiment with periodic aeration. The results show that a selective degradation of AOX with respect to the matrix compounds (expressed as chemical oxygen demand) could be achieved. For O3/UV, lowering the ratio of O3 dosage to UV intensity leads to a better selectivity for AOX. During O3-based experiments, the AOX removal is generally less than during the H2O2-based experiments. However, after biological oxidation, the AOX levels are comparable. For H2O2/UV, optimal operating parameters for UV and H2O2 dosage are next determined in a second run with another wastewater sample.
Production of propionic acid-enriched volatile fatty acids from co-fermentation liquid of sewage sludge and food waste using Propionibacterium acidipropionici
Authors: Li Xiang , Mu Hui , Chen Yinguang , Zheng Xiong , Luo Jingyang , Zhao Shu
Published: November 2013

Volatile fatty acids (VFA), derived from sludge fermentation, have been used as one effective carbon source for biological nutrient removal, especially favorable with VFA containing with high levels of propionic acid. In this paper, a new fermentation method was employed to significantly produce the propionic acid-enriched VFA from the co-fermentation liquid of sewage sludge and food waste: including (1) mixing food waste with sludge in the anaerobic digester (the first stage) and (2) separating the mixture, sterilizing the first stage liquid and fermenting it after inoculation with Propionibacterium acidipropionici (the second stage). The effect of the key parameters including pH, the mixing ratio of the food waste and sludge, fermentation time and temperature of the first stage on the propionic acid-enriched VFA production (the second stage) was individually discussed. By the molecular weight distribution analysis, the comparison of the solubilisation and hydrolysis process in difference parameters was fully elaborated. The optimal combination of the parameters was then obtained. Finally, the propionic acid-enriched VFA fermentation was successfully conducted in a semi-continuous reactor using the first stage liquid from the optimal condition.
Simulating future trends in urban stormwater quality for changing climate, urban land use and environmental controls
Authors: Borris Matthias , Viklander Maria , Gustafsson Anna-Maria , Marsalek Jiri
Published: November 2013

The effects of climatic changes, progressing urbanization and improved environmental controls on the simulated urban stormwater quality in a northern Sweden community were studied. Future scenarios accounting for those changes were developed and their effects simulated with the Storm Water Management Model (SWMM). It was observed that the simulated stormwater quality was highly sensitive to the scenarios, mimicking progressing urbanization with varying catchment imperviousness and area. Thus, land use change was identified as one of the most influential factors and in some scenarios, urban growth caused changes in runoff quantity and quality exceeding those caused by a changing climate. Adaptation measures, including the reduction of directly connected impervious surfaces (DCIS) through the integration of more green spaces into the urban landscape, or disconnection of DCIS were effective in reducing runoff volume and pollutant loads. Furthermore, pollutant source control measures, including material substitution, were effective in reducing pollutant loads and significantly improving stormwater quality.
Performic acid for advanced wastewater disinfection
Authors: Karpova T. , Pekonen P. , Gramstad R. , Öjstedt U. , Laborda S. , Heinonen-Tanski H. , Chávez A. , Jiménez B.
Published: November 2013

The disinfection efficiency of performic acid (PFA) against various microbial contaminants has been studied in municipal secondary effluent. The study demonstrated that PFA provides rapid, efficient and safe disinfection, degrading both bacteria and viruses even at low doses. The resistance order starting from the most resistant microorganism is as follows: MS2-coliphages > DNA-coliphages > enterococci and Escherichia coli. PFA is also efficient in the elimination of Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens spores and Giardia cysts. The results showed that a PFA dose as low as 0.5–1 mg L–1 with contact time of 10 min was efficient in achieving and maintaining for 72 h the disinfection level required for unrestricted agricultural water reuse (≤3 log units for faecal coliforms). However, the optimal dose will depend on the quality of wastewater. Regarding the formation of by-products during disinfection with PFA, very low amounts of hydrogen peroxide and organic per-acids were observed; active oxygen was not detected. The amounts of adsorbable organically bound halogens (AOX) compounds formed were significantly lower compared to the amounts generated during chlorine disinfection. This chlorine-free solution enables compliance with microbiological criteria for various water reuse applications and is already on the market for advanced disinfection.
A 12-Year Retrospective Survey of Management of Patients with Malignant Neoplasms in the Orbital Cavity in a Brazilian Cancer Hospital
Authors: Sirianni Daniela , Leles Cláudio Rodrigues , Mendonça Elismauro Francisco
Published: November 2013

Purpose:

The aim of this study was to investigate the distribution of different types of malignant tumors in the orbital cavity, surgical treatments, and subsequent prosthetic rehabilitation.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective sample of 269 charts of patients attending a public reference cancer hospital in Goiania, Goias, Brazil, between 1998 and 2009 was selected. Study variables included demographic data, clinical and histopathological features, and patient rehabilitation. Frequency analysis, chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used for data analysis.

Results:

Patients’ age ranged from 1 to 92 years and 50.2% were female. The most prevalent tumors were basal cell carcinoma (58%), retinoblastoma (17.1%), squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva (7.1%), malignant melanoma (6.7%), and rhabdomyosarcoma (4.5%). Surgical treatment was performed in 250 patients (92.3%), but only 29 patients (10.8%) received ocular prosthetic rehabilitation. Lower age (p<0.001) and enucleation surgery (p<0.001) were significantly associated with prosthetic rehabilitation.

Conclusions:

Results revealed high occurrence of mutilating interventions and low provision of prosthetic care, limited to younger patients who had undergone enucleation surgery. The high unmet demand for rehabilitation emphasizes the need to incorporate appropriate care for ocular and orbital deformities into the Brazilian public health system.
Enhancement of heat transfer coefficient multi-metallic nanofluid with ANFIS modeling for thermophysical properties
Authors: Balla Hyder , Abdullah Shahrir , Faizal Wan , Zulkifli Rozli , Sopian Kamaruzaman
Published: November 2013

Cu and Zn-water nanofluid is a suspension of the Cu and Zn nanoparticles with
the size 50 nm in the water base fluid for different volume fractions to
enhance its Thermophysical properties. The determination and measuring the
enhancement of Thermophysical properties depends on many limitations.
Nanoparticles were suspended in a base fluid to prepare a nanofluid. A coated
transient hot wire apparatus was calibrated after the building of the all
systems. The vibro-viscometer was used to measure the dynamic viscosity. The
measured dynamic viscosity and thermal conductivity with all parameters
affected on the measurements such as base fluids thermal conductivity, volume
factions, and the temperatures of the base fluid were used as input to the
Artificial Neural Fuzzy inference system to modeling both dynamic viscosity
and thermal conductivity of the nanofluids. Then, the ANFIS modeling
equations were used to calculate the enhancement in heat transfer coefficient
using CFD software. The heat transfer coefficient was determined for flowing
flow in a circular pipe at constant heat flux. It was found that the thermal
conductivity of the nanofluid was highly affected by the volume fraction of
nanoparticles. A comparison of the thermal conductivity ratio for different
volume fractions was undertaken. The heat transfer coefficient of nanofluid
was found to be higher than its base fluid. Comparisons of convective heat
transfer coefficients for Cu and Zn nanofluids with the other correlation for
the nanofluids heat transfer enhancement are presented. Moreover, the flow
demonstrates anomalous enhancement in heat transfer nanofluids.
Initial boundary value problem for fractal heat equation in the semi-infinite region by Yang-Laplace transform
Authors: Zhang Yu-Zhu , Yang Ai-Min , Long Yue
Published: November 2013

Analytical solution of transient heat conduction through a semi-infinite
fractal medium is developed. The solution focuses on application of a local
fractional derivative operator to model the heat transfer process and a
solution through the Yang-Laplace transform.
Institutional Environment, Ownership, and Disclosure of Intangibles: Evidence from East Asia
Authors: Ariff Akmalia M. , Cahan Steven F. , Emanuel David M.
Published: November 2013

This paper examines the value relevance of voluntary disclosures about intangibles in eight East Asian countries, and the effect of variation in company-level and country-level governance on the valuation of these disclosures. Using Easton and Sommers' (2003) deflated valuation approach in analyses involving 459 companies, we find that the voluntary disclosures are value relevant, over and above the numbers in the balance sheet and income statement. We also find that the value relevance of these disclosures is conditional on the level of director ownership and the strength of the institutional features of a country.
Performance Measures for Bridge Preservation
Authors: Hearn George , Juntunen David , Ahmad Anwar , Johnson Bruce V.
Published: November 2013

A study of performance measures for bridge preservation is presented. The performance measures use National Bridge Inventory general condition ratings, element-level condition states, and average costs to identify which bridges to preserve, determine the annual need for preservation work and resources, and quantify the impacts of preservation programs on bridge conditions and program costs. The proposed measures of performance for bridge preservation are demonstrated for the inventory of state-owned bridges in Colorado.
Modeling the Risk of Advanced Deterioration in Bridge Management Systems
Authors: Thompson Paul D. , Sobanjo John O. , Kerr Richard
Published: November 2013

The Florida Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed a set of risk models for its bridge management system; the models are built into its existing Excel-based project-level and network-level decision support tools and are intended for eventual use in AASHTO's Pontis 5.2. One of these new models is an analysis of the risk associated with advanced deterioration. This model extends the reach of Florida's existing deterioration models to estimate the likelihood of service disruption if a badly deteriorated element should be unrepaired. The Florida DOT maintains data about demolished and replaced bridges as inactive records in its Pontis database. The condition and characteristics of the removed bridges were statistically analyzed to explore the reasons for the end of each bridge's life. On the basis of the available data, including information on load posting and reconstruction, the likelihood of service disruption was reasonably quantified. The best models developed in the research used a combination of linear and lognormal forms and reflected the buildup of risk caused by repeated Markovian deterioration as well as the typical delay that occurred between the observation of the deteriorated conditions and the resulting action to replace or reconstruct the bridge. As a by-product of the research, a linear failure probability model was developed; the model is suitable for Pontis releases up to 4.5. This model will be helpful to bridge owners who do not have their own source of estimates for the probability of bridge element failure.
Test Method to Assess Bonding Characteristics of Membrane Layers in Wearing Course on Orthotropic Steel Bridge Decks
Authors: Liu Xueyan , Scarpas Tom , Li Jinlong , Tzimiris George , Hofman Rob , Voskuilen Jan
Published: November 2013

For the adequate characterization of the adhesive-bonding strength of various membranes and surrounding materials on orthotropic steel decks and for the collection of the necessary parameters for finite element modeling, details of the membrane adhesion test (MAT) are introduced. Analytical constitutive relations of the MAT device have been derived from the same methodology used by Williams (1997). Furthermore, through the use of the experimental data obtained from the MAT, the ranking of the bonding characteristics of various membrane products is demonstrated, as is the role of other influencing factors, such as test temperatures and types of substrate.
Methods for Fog Seal Field Test with Polymer-Modified Emulsions
Authors: Im Jeong Hyuk , Kim Y. Richard
Published: November 2013

Findings from a laboratory evaluation of fog seal emulsions are presented. Curing time and adhesive behavior of polymer-modified emulsions (PMEs) were compared with those of unmodified emulsions as fog seal materials. The study showed that polymer modification could improve certain properties of emulsions, such as an increase in adhesion. The evaporation test and the pneumatic adhesion tension testing instrument were used to investigate emulsion curing and adhesive behavior. Also, the rolling ball test and the damping test were developed as in situ test methods to determine an appropriate traffic opening time for roadways treated with fog seals. Finally, the third-scale Model Mobile Load Simulator was employed to compare the performance properties of the fog seal emulsions. The following main findings are presented: use of PMEs improved the emulsion bond strength and lessened the time a road was closed to traffic; PMEs showed more effective emulsion curing rates than did unmodified emulsions; strong relationships existed between the bond strength and both the measured rolling distance (from the rolling ball test) and the measured percentage of stained area (from the damping test); field test methods could be used to help determine whether emulsions were fully cured; and PMEs exhibited better aggregate retention and bleeding performance properties than did unmodified emulsions as a fog seal.
Sensitive Detection of Capsaicinoids Using a Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor with Anti-Homovanillic Acid Polyclonal Antibodies
Authors: Nakamura Shingo , Yatabe Rui , Onodera Takeshi , Toko Kiyoshi
Published: November 2013

Recently, highly functional biosensors have been developed in preparation for possible large-scale terrorist attacks using chemical warfare agents. Practically applicable sensors are required to have various abilities, such as high portability and operability, the capability of performing rapid and continuous measurement, as well as high sensitivity and selectivity. We developed the detection method of capsaicinoids, the main component of some lachrymators, using a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) immunosensor as an on-site detection sensor. Homovanillic acid, which has a vanillyl group similar to capsaicinoids such as capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin, was bound to Concholepas concholepas hemocyanin (CCH) for use as an immunogen to generate polyclonal antibodies. An indirect competitive assay was carried out to detect capsaicinoids using SPR sensor chips on which different capsaicin analogues were immobilized. For the sensor chip on which 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzylamine hydrochloride was immobilized, a detection limit of 150 ppb was achieved. We found that the incubation time was not required and the detection can be completed in five minutes.
Dynamical Structure of a Traditional Amazonian Social Network
Authors: Hooper Paul , DeDeo Simon , Caldwell Hooper Ann , Gurven Michael , Kaplan Hillard
Published: November 2013

Reciprocity is a vital feature of social networks, but relatively little is known about its temporal structure or the mechanisms underlying its persistence in real world behavior. In pursuit of these two questions, we study the stationary and dynamical signals of reciprocity in a network of manioc beer (Spanish: chicha; Tsimane’: shocdye’) drinking events in a Tsimane’ village in lowland Bolivia. At the stationary level, our analysis reveals that social exchange within the community is heterogeneously patterned according to kinship and spatial proximity. A positive relationship between the frequencies at which two families host each other, controlling for kinship and proximity, provides evidence for stationary reciprocity. Our analysis of the dynamical structure of this network presents a novel method for the study of conditional, or non-stationary, reciprocity effects. We find evidence that short-timescale reciprocity (within three days) is present among non- and distant-kin pairs; conversely, we find that levels of cooperation among close kin can be accounted for on the stationary hypothesis alone.
Nordic Forest Energy Solutions in the Republic of Karelia
Authors: Gerasimov Yuri , Senko Sergei , Karjalainen Timo
Published: November 2013

The situation in Karelia, a region in Northwest Russia, is analyzed in the context of forest energy. The annual potential energy available from wood harvesting is about 7 tera watt hours (TWh) (3.6 million m3), which is equal to the total need of Karelia in energy for municipal heating. We point out that the contribution to the municipal economy, the moderate heating cost, the enhanced energy security in the cold Russian climate, the environmental friendliness, the better access to the forests and the utilization of the proven Nordic forest energy solutions (NFES) might have important consequences for strategy-making processes in forest energy development. For this purpose, connecting Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) with SWOT (internal strengths (S) or weaknesses (W) and external opportunities (O) or threats (T)) analysis is proposed to identify local operational strategies and assign priorities. Major threats include lack of government support, an insufficient road network, the dominance of extensive forest management, gasification and financial indiscipline. Analysis indicates that NFES are viewed positively for the Russian conditions. The forest biomass market has virtually unlimited opportunities for growth. Together, with the transition to intensive forest management, favorable policy in terms of forestry development programs can support bioenergy development. The advantageous location of existing power plants next to forests, increasing fossil fuel prices, the improvement of the road network and the availability of new technology are seen as potential opportunities for NFES. However, the results also indicate that there is substantial uncertainty and skepticism concerning how such markets benefit forest leaseholders who would like to adopt forest energy. The lack of bioenergy technology development, high transportation cost, low awareness of NFES, high demands for roads, the requirement for skilled specialists and wood fuel quality are the main weaknesses regarding the transfer of NFES to Karelia.
An Application for Regional Coastal Erosion Processes in Urban Areas: A Case Study of the Golden Horseshoe in Canada
Authors: Vaz Eric , Bowman Lisa
Published: November 2013

Urban growth has had unprecedented consequences on environmental sustainability and anthropogenic activity. The eroding coastlines throughout the world are subject to the massive expansion of urban areas and the accountability of sustainable hinterland landscapes. The Golden Horseshoe is Canada’s fastest growing region extending from the Niagara Peninsula and one of the most active economic regions in North America. This paper adopts a combined assessment of land use change and transitions in the coastal stretches of the Greater Golden Horseshoe. Comprising the urban expansion of the region between 1990 and 2011, an integrated assessment was carried out to: (i) detect changes in coastal lines along Lake Ontario; (ii) derive land use changes along the coast through spatial accounting matrices; and (iii) integrate climate change data for a combined assessment of future erosion loci. Visible erosion was found between the decade of 1990 and 2000, while certain areas have shown coastal recession in the southern region. The maximum recession was found to be 30 m, with an increasing urban sprawl of 19.8% between 1990 and 2000. A combined temperature increase of 2 °C over the coming decades brings the increase in urban heat islands leading to the importance of combined land policies to mitigate the common problem of erosion in vulnerable urban stretches and liveability concerning spatial resilience of growing urban regions in North America.
Optimization of a Pre-MEKC Separation SPE Procedure for Steroid Molecules in Human Urine Samples
Authors: Olędzka Ilona , Kowalski Piotr , Dziomba Szymon , Szmudanowski Piotr , Bączek Tomasz
Published: November 2013

Many steroid hormones can be considered as potential biomarkers and their determination in body fluids can create opportunities for the rapid diagnosis of many diseases and disorders of the human body. Most existing methods for the determination of steroids are usually time- and labor-consuming and quite costly. Therefore, the aim of analytical laboratories is to develop a new, relatively low-cost and rapid implementation methodology for their determination in biological samples. Due to the fact that there is little literature data on concentrations of steroid hormones in urine samples, we have made attempts at the electrophoretic determination of these compounds. For this purpose, an extraction procedure for the optimized separation and simultaneous determination of seven steroid hormones in urine samples has been investigated. The isolation of analytes from biological samples was performed by liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) with dichloromethane and compared to solid phase extraction (SPE) with C18 and hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) columns. To separate all the analytes a micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography (MECK) technique was employed. For full separation of all the analytes a running buffer (pH 9.2), composed of 10 mM sodium tetraborate decahydrate (borax), 50 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), and 10% methanol was selected. The methodology developed in this work for the determination of steroid hormones meets all the requirements of analytical methods. The applicability of the method has been confirmed for the analysis of urine samples collected from volunteers—both men and women (students, amateur bodybuilders, using and not applying steroid doping). The data obtained during this work can be successfully used for further research on the determination of steroid hormones in urine samples.
Molecular MRI of Atherosclerosis
Authors: Phinikaridou Alkystis , Andia Marcelo , Lacerda Sara , Lorrio Silvia , Makowski Marcus , Botnar René
Published: November 2013

Despite advances in prevention, risk assessment and treatment, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Western countries. The lion’s share is due to acute coronary syndromes (ACS), which are predominantly triggered by plaque rupture or erosion and subsequent coronary thrombosis. As the majority of vulnerable plaques does not cause a significant stenosis, due to expansive remodeling, and are rather defined by their composition and biological activity, detection of vulnerable plaques with x-ray angiography has shown little success. Non-invasive vulnerable plaque detection by identifying biological features that have been associated with plaque progression, destabilization and rupture may therefore be more appropriate and may allow earlier detection, more aggressive treatment and monitoring of treatment response. MR molecular imaging with target specific molecular probes has shown great promise for the noninvasive in vivo visualization of biological processes at the molecular and cellular level in animals and humans. Compared to other imaging modalities; MRI can provide excellent spatial resolution; high soft tissue contrast and has the ability to simultaneously image anatomy; function as well as biological tissue composition and activity.
Design, Synthesis and Cytotoxic Activities of Novel Aliphatic Amino-Substituted Flavonoids
Authors: Liu Guannan , Ge Zhen , Zhao Mengdan , Zhou Yifeng
Published: November 2013

A series of flavonoids 9a–f, 13b, 13d, 13e and 14a–f bearing diverse aliphatic amino moieties were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxic activities against the ECA-109, A-549, HL-60, and PC-3 cancer cell lines. Most of the compounds exhibited moderate to good activities. The structure-activity relationships were studied, revealing that the chalcone skeleton is the most preferable for cytotoxic activities. Chalcone 9d was the most promising compound due to its high potency against the examined cancer cell lines (its IC50 values against ECA-109, A549, HL-60 and PC-3 cells were 1.0, 1.5, 0.96 and 3.9 μM, respectively).