bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A DNA vaccine against tuberculosis based on the 65 kDa heat-shock protein differentially activates human macrophages and dendritic cells
Authors: Franco Luís H , Wowk Pryscilla F , Silva Célio L , Trombone Ana PF , Coelho-Castelo Arlete AM , Oliver Constance , Jamur Maria C , Moretto Edson L , Bonato Vânia LD
Published: January 2008

Background

A number of reports have demonstrated that rodents immunized with DNA vaccines can produce antibodies and cellular immune responses presenting a long-lasting protective immunity. These findings have attracted considerable interest in the field of DNA vaccination. We have previously described the prophylactic and therapeutic effects of a DNA vaccine encoding theMycobacterium leprae65 kDa heat shock protein (DNA-HSP65) in a murine model of tuberculosis. As DNA vaccines are often less effective in humans, we aimed to find out how the DNA-HSP65 stimulates human immune responses.

Methods

To address this question, we analysed the activation of both human macrophages and dendritic cells (DCs) cultured with DNA-HSP65. Then, these cells stimulated with the DNA vaccine were evaluated regarding the expression of surface markers, cytokine production and microbicidal activity.

Results

It was observed that DCs and macrophages presented different ability to uptake DNA vaccine. Under DNA stimulation, macrophages, characterized as CD11b+/CD86+/HLA-DR+, produced high levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 (pro-inflammatory cytokines), and IL-10 (anti-inflammatory cytokine). Besides, they also presented a microbicidal activity higher than that observed in DCs after infection withM. tuberculosis. On the other hand, DCs, characterized as CD11c+/CD86+/CD123-/BDCA-4+/IFN-alpha-, produced high levels of IL-12 and low levels of TNF-alpha, IL-6 and IL-10. Finally, the DNA-HSP65 vaccine was able to induce proliferation of peripheral blood lymphocytes.

Conclusion

Our data suggest that the immune response is differently activated by the DNA-HSP65 vaccine in humans. These findings provide important clues to the design of new strategies for using DNA vaccines in human immunotherapy.
Intrauterine environments and breast cancer risk: meta-analysis and systematic review
Authors: Park Sue Kyung , Kang Daehee , McGlynn Katherine A , Garcia-Closas Montserrat , Kim Yeonju , Yoo Keun Young , Brinton Louise A
Published: January 2008

Introduction

Various perinatal factors, including birth weight, birth order, maternal age, gestational age, twin status, and parental smoking, have been postulated to affect breast cancer risk in daughters by altering the hormonal environment of the developing fetal mammary glands. Despite ample biologic plausibility, epidemiologic studies to date have yielded conflicting results. We investigated the associations between perinatal factors and subsequent breast cancer risk through meta-analyses.

Methods

We reviewed breast cancer studies published from January 1966 to February 2007 that included data on birth weight, birth order, maternal age, gestational age, twin status, and maternal or paternal smoking. Meta-analyses using random effect models were employed to summarize the results.

Results

We found that heavier birth weights were associated with increased breast cancer risk, with studies involving five categories of birth weight identifying odds ratios (ORs) of 1.24 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04 to 1.48) for 4,000 g or more and 1.15 (95% CI 1.04 to 1.26) for 3,500 g to 3,999 g, relative to a birth weight of 2,500 to 2,599 g. These studies provided no support for a J-shaped relationship of birthweight to risk. Support for an association with birthweight was also derived from studies based on three birth weight categories (OR 1.15 [95% CI 1.01 to 1.31] for ≥4,000 g relative to <3,000 g) and two birth weight categories (OR 1.09 [95% CI 1.02 to 1.18] for ≥3,000 g relative to <3,000 g). Women born to older mothers and twins were also at some increased risk, but the results were heterogeneous across studies and publication years. Birth order, prematurity, and maternal smoking were unrelated to breast cancer risk.

Conclusion

Our findings provide some support for the hypothesis that in utero exposures reflective of higher endogenous hormone levels could affect risk for development of breast cancer in adulthood.
Alveolar recruitment can be predicted from airway pressure-lung volume loops: an experimental study in a porcine acute lung injury model
Authors: Koefoed-Nielsen Jacob , Nielsen Niels Dahlsgaard , Kjærgaard Anders J , Larsson Anders
Published: January 2008

Introduction

Simple methods to predict the effect of lung recruitment maneuvers (LRMs) in acute lung injury (ALI) and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) are lacking. It has previously been found that a static pressure–volume (PV) loop could indicate the increase in lung volume induced by positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) in ARDS. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that in ALI (1) the difference in lung volume (ΔV) at a specific airway pressure (10 cmH2O was chosen in this test) obtained from the limbs of a PV loop agree with the increase in end-expiratory lung volume (ΔEELV) by an LRM at a specific PEEP (10 cmH2O), and (2) the maximal relative vertical (volume) difference between the limbs (maximal hysteresis/total lung capacity (MH/TLC)) could predict the changes in respiratory compliance (Crs), EELV and partial pressures of arterial O2 and CO2 (PaO2 and PaCO2, respectively) by an LRM.

Methods

In eight ventilated pigs PV loops were obtained (1) before lung injury, (2) after lung injury induced by lung lavage, and (3) after additional injurious ventilation. ΔV and MH/TLC were determined from the PV loops. At all stages Crs, EELV, PaCO2 and PaO2 were registered at 0 cmH2O and at 10 cmH2O before and after LRM, and ΔEELV was calculated. Statistics: Wilcoxon's signed rank, Pearson's product moment correlation, Bland–Altman plot, and receiver operating characteristics curve. Medians and 25th and 75th centiles are reported.

Results

ΔV was 270 (220, 320) ml and ΔEELV was 227 (177, 306) ml (P < 0.047). The bias was 39 ml and the limits of agreement were – 49 ml to +127 ml. The R2 for relative changes in EELV, Crs, PaCO2 and PaO2 against MH/TLC were 0.55, 0.57, 0.36 and 0.05, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity for MH/TLC of 0.3 to predict improvement (>75th centile of what was found in uninjured lungs) were for EELV 1.0 and 0.85, Crs 0.88 and 1.0, PaCO2 0.78 and 0.60, and PaO2 1.0 and 0.69.

Conclusion

A PV-loop-derived parameter, MH/TLC of 0.3, predicted changes in lung mechanics better than changes in gas exchange in this lung injury model.
An improved method for detecting and delineating genomic regions with altered gene expression in cancer
Authors: Nilsson Björn , Johansson Mikael , Heyden Anders , Nelander Sven , Fioretos Thoas
Published: January 2008

Genomic regions with altered gene expression are a characteristic feature of cancer cells. We present a novel method for identifying such regions in gene expression maps. This method is based on total variation minimization, a classical signal restoration technique. In systematic evaluations, we show that our method combines top-notch detection performance with an ability to delineate relevant regions without excessive over-segmentation, making it a significant advance over existing methods. Software (Rendersome) is provided.
Ellagic acid, pomegranate and prostate cancer — a mini review
Authors: Bell Carolyn , Hawthorne Susan
Published: January 2008

There is currently a shifting focus towards finding natural compounds that may prevent or treat cancer, due to the problems that exist with current chemotherapeutic regimens. The fruit of the Punica granatum (pomegranate) contains hundreds of phytochemicals and pomegranate extracts have recently been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties, thought to be due to the action of ellagic acid, the main polyphenol in pomegranate. In this mini review the effects of pomegranate extracts and ellagic acid on the proliferation of prostate cancer cells and their future potential are discussed.
Transport of fluoroalkyl dihydroartemisinin derivatives across rat intestinal tissue
Authors: Bigucci Federica , Kamsu-Kom Tayou , Cholet Constance , Besnard Madeleine , Bonnet-Delpon Danièle , Ponchel Gilles
Published: January 2008

Artemisinin and its derivatives represent an important class of antimalarials. In order to obtain new derivatives with a longer half-life and better bioavailability, the development of fluorinated analogues has received increasing attention. The purpose of this study was to investigate the permeation of artemisinin and of two fluoroalkyl derivatives of dihydroartemisinin (DHA), namely 10β-(trifluoropropyloxy)dihydroartemisinin (F1-DHA) and 10-trifluoromethyl-16-[2-(hydroxyethyl)piperazine] (F2-DHA), across rat intestine using Ussing diffusion chambers. Further, the saturation solubility and partition coefficient of the compounds were determined in order to determine whether the substitution of hydrogen atoms by fluorine can induce great changes in these molecular properties. Artemisinin and F2-DHA permeability coefficients of 27.5 ± 1.6 and 23.2 ± 1.2 (x 10−6, cm s−1), respectively, are predictive of good oral absorption. This indicates that the introduction of a fluoroalkyl group in a compound such as artemisinin in order to prolong its half-life does not constitute an obstacle for its absorption after oral administration. Moreover, the introduction of a polar substituent into the DHA structural scaffold increased the aqueous solubility of F2-DHA relative to artemisinin. F1-DHA permeability measurements showed low transepithelial diffusion across the intestinal mucosa. This indicates that the introduction of a fluorinated substituent at the α-methylene carbon of DHA ethers in order to provide protection against oxidative processes constitutes an obstacle for the absorption after oral administration.
Pharmacokinetics and brain uptake of AM-36, a novel neuroprotective agent, following intravenous administration to rats
Authors: Nicolazzo Joseph A , Nguyen Tien T , Katneni Kasiram , Steuten Jessica A , Smith Gregg , Jarrott Bevyn , Callaway Jennifer K , Charman Susan A
Published: January 2008

The plasma pharmacokinetics and brain uptake of the novel neuroprotective agent AM-36 (1-(2-(4-chlorophenyl)-2-hydroxy)ethyl-4-(3,5-bis-(1, 1dimethylethyl)-4-hydroxyphenyl) methylpiperazine) were assessed over 72 h following i.v. administration to male Sprague-Dawley rats. At nominal i.v. doses of 0.2, 1 and 3 mg kg−1, AM-36 exhibited an extremely large volume of distribution (18.2–24.6 L kg−1) and a long terminal elimination half-life, ranging from 25.2 to 37.7 h. Over this dose range, AM-36 exhibited linear pharmacokinetics, with no apparent change in clearance, volume of distribution or dose-normalised area under the plasma concentration-time curve. AM-36 was very highly bound to plasma proteins (> 99.6%); however, this did not appear to affect the ability of AM-36 to permeate the blood-brain barrier. Following a single i.v. dose of AM-36 at 3 mg kg−1 to rats, brain concentrations were detected for up to 72 h, and the brain-to-plasma ratios were high at all time points (ranging from 8.2 at 5 min post-dose to 0.9 at 72 h post-dose). The very high brain uptake of AM-36 supports previous in-vivo efficacy studies demonstrating the neuroprotective effects of this compound when administered to rats with middle cerebral artery occlusion.
Anti-tumour effects of HL-37, a novel anthracene derivative, in-vivo and in-vitro
Authors: Xie Song-Qiang , Hu Guo-Qiang , Zhang Zhong-Quan , Xu Mei , Ji Bian-Sheng
Published: January 2008

Many anthracene derivatives possess excellent anti-tumour activity and are extensively used clinically as anti-tumour agents. However, their clinical use is frequently limited by emergence of multidrug resistance (MDR) in tumour cells. Therefore, new agents with the ability to overcome MDR are needed for cancer treatment. HL-37, a novel anthracene derivative, exhibited potent anti-cancer activity in both drug-sensitive (K562) and multidrug-resistant (K562/DOX) leukaemia cells. Mechanistically, we found that HL-37 was neither a substrate nor an inhibitor of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and could overcome apoptotic resistance via up-regulation of p53 protein and down-regulation of Bcl-xL protein. In addition, HL-37 also induced K562/DOX cell apoptosis and a decrease in G0/G1 phase. Moreover, reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c and an increased expression of cleaved protein fragment of caspase-3, caspase-9 and caspase-8 were also observed. Importantly, HL-37 was found to be better tolerated and more effective at inhibiting tumour growth than bisantrene in a xenograft mouse model.
Cytotoxic activity of an octadecenoic acid extract from Euphorbia kansui (Euphorbiaceae) on human tumour cell strains
Authors: Yu Farong , Lu Shunqing , Yu Fahong , Shi Junnian , McGuire Peter M , Wang Rui
Published: January 2008

We have investigated the cytotoxic and antitumour activity of an octadecenoic acid extract, mainly containing oleic and linoleic acids, from Euphorbia kansui on human gastric (SGC-7901), hepatocellular carcinoma (BEL-7402), and leukaemia (HL-60) tumour cell strains. Significant and dose-dependent antiproliferation effects were observed on tumour cells from the dose of 3.2 μg mL−1, which were comparable with or better than those of the common antitumour agent 5-fluorouracil. Results from the clone formation assay and flow cytometry indicated that the mixture of octadecenoic acids resulted in a dose-dependent reduction in the number of tumour cells and significantly inhibited cell proliferation, with induced apoptosis and G0/G1 phase cell cycle arrest. Also, the octadecenoic acids could not only cause cell apoptosis/necrosis but also functionally and structurally damage the tumour cell membrane and cell ultra-structures. These observations encourage further clinical evaluation of the inhibitory effects of octadecenoic acids on various forms of cancer.
Force measurements on U-shaped electrothermal microactuators: Applications to packaging
Authors: Boutchich M , Mamtora T J , McShane G J , Haneef I , Moore D F , Williams J A
Published: January 2008

The current paper critically reviews the prospects for the electrothermal actuation of elastic fixtures used as packaging elements for opto-electronic components. A convenient design methodology is presented together with a practical scheme for both prototyping out-of-plane bimorph actuators and measuring the vertical forces that they can deliver. A test bench has been assembled capable of measuring both the displacement and the restoring force delivered by such actuators which are patterned using laser micromachining of a bilayer consisting of 500 nm titanium tungsten (Ti-W) and 3 μm silicon nitride (SiN) thin films on a silicon substrate. An analytical model is derived to predict the dependence of the restoring force on the input electrical power and topology of the actuator. Experimental results are presented for bilayer actuators made of Ti-W/SiN in which attainable forces are of the order of 25 μN for input powers of 70 mW. An approximate theoretical model correlates well on the measured results of restoring force for different actuator geometries and supply currents. A packaging prototype was successfully tested using 550 μm long U-shape actuators with a gap width of 200 μm. These were able to move macroscopic components with rotations of up to 3°.
Design and fabrication of a micromachined electrostatically suspended gyroscope
Authors: Damrongsak B , Kraft M , Rajgopal S , Mehregany M
Published: January 2008

The current paper describes the design and fabrication of a micromachined electrostatically suspended gyroscope. Electrostatic levitation is employed to suspend the rotor, eliminating the mechanical bearing and thus friction effects between the rotor and the substrate, hence improving long-term stability. The rate of rotation can be measured by detecting the torque-induced displacement of the spinning rotor using capacitive interface circuits. The device structure and its basic operating principle are described, as well as theoretical background and design considerations. The fabrication process of the gyroscope relies on glass/silicon/glass stack bonding and deep dry etching and is outlined in detail. Initial prototypes realized with this fabrication process are presented and described.
Simple parametric resonance in an electrostatically actuated microelectromechanical gyroscope: Theory and experiment
Authors: Harish K M , Gallacher B J , Burdess J S , Neasham J A
Published: January 2008

One of the major issues facing electrostatically actuated and sensed microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) sensors is electrical feed-through between the drive and the sense electrodes due to parasitic capacitances. This feed-through, in the case of a ‘tuned’ MEMS gyroscope, limits the sensor sensitivity. In the current paper, the first practical step towards demonstrating reduced feed-through using a combined harmonic forcing and parametric excitation scheme is demonstrated. The equation of motion for the primary mode of vibration of the electrostatically actuated MEMS ring gyroscope is shown to contain a stiffness modulating term which, when modulated at a frequency near twice the natural frequency of the mode, results in parametric resonance. A solution for the equation of motion is assumed, based on Floquet theory, and the method of harmonic balance is employed for analysis. Regions of stability and instability and the stability boundary demarcating the stable and unstable regions are determined. Frequency sweeps, centred on twice the measured resonant frequency of the primary mode, were performed at various values of voltage amplitudes of the parametric excitation and the parametric resonance was observed electrically at half the excitation frequency. This data were used to map the stability boundary of the parametric resonance. The theoretical and experimental stability boundaries are shown to demonstrate significant similarity.
The effect of a carbon-nanotube forest-mat strike face on the ballistic-protection performance of E-glass reinforced poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy composite armour
Authors: Grujicic M , Bell W C , Biggers S B , Koudela K L , Tarter J F , Cheeseman B A
Published: January 2008

In the present work, a ballistic material-model development approach is combined with transient non-linear dynamics simulations of the projectile/armour interactions to explore the armour-hard-facing potential of multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforced, poly-vinyl-ester-epoxy (PVEE)-matrix composite mats. This approach is applied to improving the ballistic-protection performance of E-glass fibre-mat reinforced PVEE-matrix laminate armour. Two different architectures of the MWCNT-reinforced/PVEE-matrix composite mats were considered: (a) a MWCNT-ply mat structure in which the MWCNT reinforcements are aligned parallel to the armour faces and (b) a MWCNT-forest mat structure in which the MWCNT reinforcements are aligned orthogonally to the armour faces. The projectile/armour interaction simulation results showed that, at low volume fractions of MWCNTs, both armour architectures yield no discernable increase in the armour ballistic-protection performance as measured by the armour. On the other hand, at high MWCNT volume fractions of MWCNTs, the first armour architecture remained ineffective whereas the second showed a minor improvement in the ballistic-protection performance relative to the corresponding monolithic armour. These results were rationalized using published experimental observations pertaining to the effect of MWCNTs on the in-plane and the through-the-thickness properties of fibre-mat/polymer-matrix composite materials.
Torque strength of bolted connections with locked anaerobic adhesive
Authors: Sekercioglu T. , Kovan V.
Published: January 2008

The strength of adhesively bonded bolt assemblies depends on various factors such as coating material, bolt diameter, pitch type, thread length, thread material match, surface finish, and pre-torque. In the current study, the effects of different coated bolts (uncoated steel, zinc, and zinc phosphated), three different bolt diameters, and coarse—fine pitch on breakloose, breakaway, and prevailing torques were experimentally investigated. The experiments were carried out for seated and unseated loading conditions. The highest breakloose and breakaway torque values were obtained in zinc phosphate coated bolts. On the other hand, the lowest value was obtained in non-coated bolt assemblies.
Effects of new materials on the crashworthiness of S-rails
Authors: Hosseini-Tehrani P , Asadi E
Published: January 2008

Weight reduction and economy in the use of material and resources, are among the most important goals of auto-body designers. In order to reduce car's weight without impairment of crashworthiness, a method of the S-rail's material replacement from mild steel to high-strength steel, like transformation-induced plasticity (TRIP) or dual phase steel (DP) is brought forward. These materials improve crash performance due to their great work hardening during the forming compared with high strength low alloy (HSLA) or complex phase steel. In the current paper, energy absorption and reaction force of S-rails that are made of these new materials considering forming history are studied and an optimum design for improving crash performance of the S-rail using trigger is proposed. The explicit finite-element code LS-DYNA3D is used to simulate the forming process and crash behaviour of S-rails.
Characteristics of CdO—Si heterostructure produced by plasma-induced bonding technique
Authors: Hamadi O. A.
Published: January 2008

In the current work, the characteristics of the CdO—Si structure produced by plasma-induced bonding technique were studied. The produced structure was an asymmetric heterojunction consisting of n-type cadmium oxide (CdO) on a p-type silicon substrate. The Si substrate and CdO sample were bonded by subjecting them to the plasma formed between two electrodes. The measurements included the structural and electrical characteristics. The built-in potential of the produced heterojunction is about 0.9 eV with typical spectral responsivity within the range 300–900 nm. With dark current of 50 µA, maximum reverse bias current of 180 µA and ideality factor of 1.18, the results explained better characteristics than those of the same heterojunction produced by thermal evaporation technique.
Adsorption of Carbon Dioxide in Several Aged Hydrotalcites and Calcined Hydrotalcites: Influence of Microwave Irradiation during the Ageing Step on Their Basic Properties
Authors: Bergadà Olga , Salagre Pilar , Cesteros Yolanda , Medina Francisco , Sueiras Jesús E.
Published: January 2008

Several Ni/Mg/Al hydrotalcites were aged by autoclaving under microwave irradiation, refluxing under microwave irradiation and by traditional refluxing methods. The hydrotalcite aged by autoclaving under microwave irradiation at a higher temperature (453 K) and for a longer time (120 min) exhibited a higher surface area and a higher basicity than the hydrotalcites aged by refluxing under microwave irradiation or by traditional refluxing. This can be explained by the generation of surface-defective sites accompanied by a loss of aluminium due to the effect of microwave irradiation. However, after calcination, high-area mixed oxides obtained from hydrotalcites aged by refluxing under microwave irradiation exhibited a higher basicity per square metre than those obtained from hydrotalcites aged under more drastic conditions. For the hydrotalcites aged under microwave irradiation, this may be related to the surface characteristics of the amorphous alumina generated during calcination. The sample with the lowest amount of alumina was that obtained from the hydrotalcite which had been aged at a higher temperature and for a longer time.
Rethinking Green Building Standards for Comprehensive Continuous Improvement
Authors: Lent Tom , Walsh Bill
Published: January 2008

Climate change is only one of a series of challenges for which members of the scientific community are suggesting urgent action on a global scale to avoid irreversible health, environmental, and social damage. Labels and standards can play an important role in transforming our material economy to address these problems. Current trends in standard setting, however, threaten to confuse consumers and may actually stifle innovation. The problems of climate change and persistent bioaccumulative toxicants (PBTs) and the host of other resource depletion, toxicity, and social justice issues presented by current building material practice are urgent but complex. A rethinking of our approach to standards and labeling from a goal-oriented, strategic perspective can help resolve tradeoffs and energize markets to deliver better goods that strive toward sustainability ideals. Effective standards and labels must be: clear about their ultimate goals, comprehensive in scope, able to deal with uncertainty and data gaps, transparent, and designed to reward continuous improvement. The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has initiated a process that demonstrates components of this strategic approach in addressing climate change. HBN’s Pharos Project is seeking to provide a framework to help map out and facilitate that strategic approach by establishing ideals in each category of impact and a roadmap to score progress toward that goal. The project models the use of this approach on a building material product database with a full range of environmental attributes and tools for evaluation.
Retooling the Ethanol Industry: Thermophilic Anaerobic Digestion of Thin Stillage for Methane Production and Pollution Prevention
Authors: Schaefer Scott H. , Sung Shihwu
Published: January 2008

Anaerobic digestion of corn ethanol thin stillage was tested at thermophilic temperature (55°C) with two completely stirred tank reactors. The thin stillage wastestream was organically concentrated with 100 g/L total chemical oxygen demand and 60 g/L volatiles solids and a low pH of approximately 4.0. Steady‐state was achieved at 30‐, 20‐, and 15‐day hydraulic retention times (HRTs) and digester failure at a 12‐day HRT. Significant reduction of volatile solids was achieved, with a maximum reduction (89.8%) at the 20‐day HRT. Methane yield ranged from 0.6 to 0.7 L methane/g volatile solids removed during steady‐state operation. Effluent volatile fatty acids below 200 mg/L as acetic acid were achieved at 20‐ and 30‐day HRTs. Ultrasonic pretreatment was used for one digester, although no significant improvement was observed. Ethanol plant natural gas consumption could be reduced 43 to 59% with the methane produced, while saving an estimated $7 to $17 million ($10 million likely) for a facility producing 360 million L ethanol/y.
Role of Protein, Amino Acids, and Enzyme Activity on Odor Production from Anaerobically Digested and Dewatered Biosolids
Authors: Higgins Matthew J. , Adams Gregory , Chen Yen‐Chih , Erdal Zeynep , Forbes Robert H. , Glindemann Dietmar , Ronald Hargreaves J. , McEwen David , Murthy Sudhir N. , Novak John T. , Witherspoon Jay
Published: January 2008

The main objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that bioavailable protein and, more specifically, the sulfur‐containing amino acids within the protein, can be degraded by proteolytic enzymes to produce odor‐causing compounds—mainly volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs)—during biosolids storage. To achieve these objectives, samples of digester effluent and cake solids were collected at 11 different wastewater treatment plants in North America, and the samples were analyzed for protein and amino acid content and general protein‐degrading enzyme activity. At the same time, cake samples were stored using headspace bottles, the concentration of VSCs were measured using gas chromatography, and olfactometry measurements were made by a trained odor panel. The results showed that the bound cake protein content and methionine content was well‐correlated with VSC production and the detection threshold measured by the odor panel.
Simultaneous Nitrification and Denitrification of Municipal Wastewater in Aerobic Membrane Bioreactors
Authors: Baek Seung H. , Pagilla Krishna R.
Published: January 2008

Simultaneous nitrification–denitrification (SND) of municipal wastewater was investigated in a laboratory‐scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) operated at two different hydraulic retention times (HRTs), 0.5 and 1 day, dissolved oxygen 3.0 to 0.5 mg/L, and solids retention time (SRT) between 28 and 120 days. The organic loading rate (OLR) (0.11 to 0.64 kg chemical oxygen demand [COD]/m 3/d) and influent soluble COD (SCOD)/total Kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN) ratio (5 to 19) were varied by the addition of glucose. The ammonia‐nitrogen and TKN removals were over 97%, and total nitrogen removal was approximately 89% in the MBR. The maximum specific nitrification rates (98 mg N/d/g VSS) and specific denitrification rates (81 mg N/d/g VSS) occurred at an SCOD/TKN ratio of 9.1. The optimum conditions for maximum total nitrogen removal by SND in a single reactor MBR have been found to be low dissolved oxygen (<0.6 mg/L) and high OLR (approximately 0.64 kg COD/m 3/d) at an HRT of 0.5 day and SRT of approximately 85 days.
Catalytic Oxidative Treatment of Diluted Black Liquor at Mild Conditions Using Copper Oxide/Cerium Oxide Catalyst
Authors: Garg Anurag , Mishra Indra M. , Chand Shri
Published: January 2008

Wet‐air oxidation of diluted black liquor (chemical oxygen demand [COD] approximately 3250 to 14 500 mg/L) was performed at mild operating conditions (temperature = 388 to 423 K and total pressure = 0.6 MPa) in the presence of heterogeneous 60% copper oxide (CuO)/ 40% cerium oxide (CeO 2) catalyst. Maximum COD reduction of 77.3% was obtained at 423 K at pH 3.0, which was marginally higher than that obtained at 413 K temperature (77.1%). In the acidic environment (pH ≤3), most of the COD was removed in the form of settleable solids during the transient heating of the wastewater from room temperature to the desired one. The solid residue obtained after the reaction has a heating value of 20.1 MJ/kg, which is comparable with that of Indian coal. Thermal degradation kinetic determination suggested that thermal characteristics of the solid residue are well represented by a power law model with Agarwal and Sivasubramanian approximation (Safi et al., 2004).
Incidence of Clostridium perfringens in Broiler Chickens in the Czech Republic
Authors: Svobodová I. , Steinhauserová I. , Nebola M.
Published: January 2008

Clostridium perfringens is a causative agent of human and animal foodborne diseases. It is known as a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract of chickens as well as a potential pathogen causing necrotic enteritis. The aim of the present study was to detect the incidence of C. perfringens in healthy broiler chickens. From May 2005 to September 2006, 609 samples of caecal content from broilers from 23 intensive poultry farms were analyzed. The samples were cultivated on TSC and blood agar, typical colonies were identified and biochemically confirmed. the total number of positive samples was 112 (18.39%). the samples were processed by the multiplex polymerase chain reaction method (PCR) for toxin genotyping. The presence of alpha, beta, beta2 and enterotoxin gene was detected. All C. perfringens isolates were classified as type A, four isolates had the cpb2 gene. In conclusion the prevalence of C. perfringens-positive farms is approximately 74% and the amount ranges about 104 cfu/g of caecal content.
Positive Effect of Plant-Based Diet on the Performance and Health of Laying Hens
Authors: Straková E. , Suchý P. , Šugerková M. , Macháček O.
Published: January 2008

An entirely plant-based feed mixture was prepared to minimize the potential risk of transmitting prion infections through animal feed. It consisted of two protein components (soya extracted meal and lupin seed meal) and was compared with a diet containing animal protein components (fish meal). The objective of the present work was to prepare and verify the effect of the entirely plant-based diet on the performance, selected qualitative indicators of eggs and the hens' state of health. A specially prepared feed mixture containing fish meal was used as a control diet. The tested plant-based diet administered to experimental hens produced no negative effect on egg production variables such as number of eggs per hen or laying performance. The weight of eggs laid by experimental hens was significantly higher (61.66 g, P ⪬ 0.01), as compared with the control group (60.03 g). The higher average weight of eggs in the experimental group increased the production of egg mass per layer by 540 g in 252-day experimental period. the beneficial effect of the plant-based diet was demonstrated particularly in the improved egg quality, manifesting itself in a highly significant improvement in yolk colour (P ⪬ 0.01) and a significant decrease (P ⪬ 0.05) in cholesterol level in egg yolk. Haematological examination did not indicate statistical differences between experimental and control layers in red blood cell indices such as RBC, haemoglobin, hematocrit, MCHC, MCH, and MCV, while white blood cell indices showed a highly significant increase (P ⪬ 0.01) in Le in experimental hens. Biochemical tests performed in blood plasma revealed significantly lower molar concentrations of glucose (P ⪬ 0.05) and highly significantly lower levels of total lipids, cholesterol, lipoproteins (HDL and LDL) in experimental hens (P ⪬ 0.01), as compared with the control group. The results of the study confirm that animal protein in diet for laying hens can be replaced by combination of vegetable protein feeds (soybean and lupin protein) without a negative impact on their performance and health, thereby contributing to solving issues of food safety (a prevention of prion infections).
Chromosomal Aberrations in Early Embryos of Weatherfish (Misgurnus fossilis L.) Exposed to Crude Cyanobacterial Extract and Semipurified Compound of Microcystins - a Pilot Study
Authors: Palíková M. , Rábová M. , Krejčí R. , Navrátil S. , Bláha L.
Published: January 2008

The genotoxicity of semipurified compound of microcystins and crude extract of cyanobacteria was analyzed and assessed using detection of chromosomal aberrations in early life stages of weatherfish. For 96 hours, weatherfish eggs at an eye spot stage were exposed to semipurified compound of microcystins (MC-LR: ΣMC= 1: 2.6) and crude cyanobacterial extract (MC-LR: ΣMC= 1: 2.1) both at doses of 130, 50 and 13 μg l-1. Hatching time in individual groups and aberrations in the behaviour of hatched specimens were recorded. Cumulative mortality and the proportion of deformed specimens were determined; materials for histological and cytogenetic screening were simultaneously sampled. Cumulative mortality (28 and 26%, respectively) increased after the application of higher doses (130 and 50 μg l-1) of crude cyanobacterial extract (p ⪬ 0.05). In these groups, hatched embryos showed reduced agility and stayed in clusters and in the group with the highest dose of crude cyanobacterial extract white spots on yolk sacks appeared. Cytogenetic screening revealed both chromatid (gaps) and chromosomal aberrations (rings, dicentrics), percentage of which increased with the increased concentration of microcystins and the higher doses of crude cyanobacterial extract. The highest number of aberrant metaphases was recorded after the application of the highest concentrations of cyanobacterial extract and microcystin (p ⪬ 0.05). Embryo mortality was affected especially by crude cyanobacterial extract, therefore other toxic elements than microcystins present in the extract were probably involved.
Change of Colour and pH-value in Pheasant Meat after Exposure to Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Dvořák P. , Kunová J. , Vodňanský M.
Published: January 2008

The purpose of this paper was to study the impact of ionizing radiation on the changes of colour and the pH-value of pectoral and femoral musculature in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). The parameters of colour L*, a* and b* were observed before irradiation (24 hours post mortem) and after irradiation (60Co source, doses of 2.5 and 5 kGy). Reduction of the L* parameter, i.e. darkening, for all exposed samples was not significant. On the other hand, a significantly higher b* parameters for both exposed groups shown rather remarkably yellow colouring of pectoral musculature. Due to irradiation with a dose of 5 kGy a significant reduction (α = 0.05) of the average a* parameter from 8.99 to 7.10 was observed. However, the above-mentioned changes would not have any negative impact on the consumer.
Mortality Rates in Poultry Species and Categories during Transport for Slaughter
Authors: Voslářová E. , Janáčková B. , Rubešová L. , Kozák A. , Bedáňová I. , Steinhauser L. , Večerek V.
Published: January 2008

Transport-related mortality rates were compared for various poultry species and categories where published data are limited. The numbers of broilers, hens and cockerels, turkeys, ducks, and geese transported for slaughter, and the numbers that died during such transport, were recorded from 1997 to 2006 in cooperation with the State Veterinary Administration of the Czech Republic. The mortality rate for individual poultry species and categories was calculated overall, and was also recorded for the following transport distances: up to 50 km, from 51 km to 100 km, from 101 km to 200 km, from 201 km to 300 km, and over 300 km. Transport of poultry for slaughter was accompanied by varying mortality rates depending on poultry species and categories. The highest mortality rates occurred in hens and cockerels (1.013%), followed by turkeys (0.272%), broilers (0.253%), ducks (0.103%), and geese (0.056%). Differences among the mortality rates estimated were highly significant (p < 0.001). Mortality rates highly correlated with transport distance. The lowest mortality rates were for the shortest transport distances: In broilers (0.154%), turkeys (0.164%), and hens and cockerels (0.595%) for a transport distance up to 50 km; and in ducks (0.069-0.111%) and geese (0.021 - 0.053%) for transport distances up to 300 km. Highest mortality rates in hens and cockerels (1.892%), turkeys (0.341%), and broilers (0.536%) were observed for transport distances over 200 km, while in ducks (0.147%) and geese (0.253%), highest mortality rates were with transport distances exceeding 300 km. The highest mortality rates for all transport distances were in hens and cockerels, followed by turkeys and broilers. The mortality rate in turkeys for a transport distance up to 50 km was significantly higher than that in broilers. No significant differences were found between mortality rates in turkeys and broilers for transport distances of 51-100 km and 101-200 km whereas, for a distance of 201-300 km and in distances exceeding 300 km, the mortality rates in broilers were significantly higher compared to turkeys. The lowest mortality rates were observed in ducks and geese, with a significant difference between them only for transport distances of 51 to 100 km, where the mortality rate in ducks was higher, and over 300 km, where the mortality rate in geese was higher. When planning the transport of poultry for slaughter, susceptibility to stress induced by transport and transport distance (i.e. the duration of transport) of poultry species and categories should be considered.
Characteristics of Breakdown Phenomenon in Merging Sections of Urban Expressways in Japan
Authors: Shawky Mohamed , Nakamura Hideki
Published: January 2008

This paper aims to investigate the breakdown phenomenon at on-ramp merging sections of urban expressways in Japan. The breakdown events are treated here as a probabilistic phenomenon. Six merging sections at which breakdowns frequently occur are selected to be different in their geometry in relation to acceleration lane length and ramp entrance side. Three different aspects of merging capacity are recognized: the maximum outflow rate before the breakdown, the outflow rate when the breakdown starts to occur, and the outflow rates during the queue discharge period. These outflow aspects are analyzed after they are converted into an equivalent passenger car unit to eliminate the effect of heavy vehicles. Then the probability of breakdown at these sections is investigated as a function of outflow rates. The observed breakdown probabilities follow the Weibull distribution function at all sections, with close values of shape parameter and wide range values of scale parameter. The values of the scale parameter are used to investigate the effects of the acceleration lane length and entrance ramp side. Moreover, the breakdown probability is investigated as a function of the occupancy observed immediately downstream of the merging section. Last, the effects of ramp flow ratio and interval length of aggregated data are discussed.
Traffic Diversion Effect of Ramp Metering at Individual and System Levels
Authors: Zhang Lei
Published: January 2008

Understanding traffic diversion due to control actions is essential to the success of advanced traffic management systems such as ramp metering, arterial signal control, and traveler information services. This paper explores the systemwide traffic diversion effect of a well-documented control algorithm on a large real-world network. By using an unconventional positive approach that models how travelers actually learn the road network experientially and make heuristic route search and choice decisions in the presence of information and decision costs, this research is able to explore traffic diversion as an emergent process, with travelers’ decision-making processes individually traced. The supply-side effect of ramp metering is modeled as capacity changes at freeway bottlenecks and metered entrance ramps. Results show that only 1% of all peak-hour travelers (6,200) on the Twin Cities (Minneapolis–St. Paul), Minnesota, network change routes after meters are deployed, even though a much larger number of them (14%) are significantly hurt by the algorithm. It is also evident that ramp meters can benefit and hurt all types of roads in a large network, including freeways, local streets, and ramps. An important conclusion with practical significance is that different behavioral assumptions could produce opposing policy recommendations in traffic operations. For instance, models with normative assumptions (e.g., DUE) lead to systematic benefit overestimation because of a particular microbehavioral mechanism.
Improving Queue Size Estimation for Minnesota's Stratified Zone Metering Strategy
Authors: Liu Henry X. , Wu Xinkai , Michalopoulos Panos G.
Published: January 2008

Stratified zone metering (SZM), a successor of zone metering, was recently implemented in the United States in the Twin Cities. SZM not only restricts metering rates subject to the freeway capacity constraints but also limits the on-ramp waiting time to a predetermined threshold. In SZM, accurate queue size estimation is crucial because inaccurate queue size can violate the maximum wait time constraint or reduce the service quality of the main-line system. Currently, a uniform and pre-calibrated regression equation is adopted for ramp queue size estimation for all ramps. It has been verified that such an estimation method may lead to outstanding estimation errors for ramp queues. In this paper, different ramp queue estimation algorithms are proposed for ramps with different categories, depending on the counting errors of queue and passage detectors. For ramps with minor counting error, queue size is estimated on the basis of flow conservation. For ramps with significant counting error on passage detectors but minor counting error on queue detectors, the flow conservation model can still be applied, but the traffic counts of passage detectors are replaced by the “green counts,” which are calculated by the ramp metering rate. For ramps with significant count errors from both queue and passage detectors, a Kalman filtering model is adopted. To verify the proposed methods, surveillance video data were used to compare actual and estimated queue sizes. Results indicate that the proposed methods greatly improve the accuracy of queue size estimation as compared with the original SZM queue size estimation.
Evaluating Benefits of Systemwide Adaptive Ramp-Metering Strategy in Portland, Oregon
Authors: Ahn Soyoung , Bertini Robert L. , Auffray Benjamin , Ross June H. , Eshel Oren
Published: January 2008

A systemwide adaptive ramp-metering (SWARM) system is being implemented in the Portland, Oregon, metropolitan area, replacing the previous pretimed ramp-metering system. SWARM has been deployed on six major corridors and operates during the morning and afternoon peak hours. This study entails a before and after evaluation of the benefit of the new SWARM system as compared with the pretimed system using the existing data, surveillance, and communications infrastructure. In particular, the objective of this study is to quantify the systemwide benefits in relation to savings in delay, emissions and fuel consumption, and safety improvements on and off the freeway due to the implementation of the SWARM system. A pilot study was conducted for 2 weeks on a 7-mi freeway corridor in an attempt to develop a strategic design for the future regional-level study. This paper discusses the selection process of the study corridor, the experimental design, and the results obtained from the pilot study.
Probe Vehicle Runs or Loop Detectors?
Authors: Kwon Jaimyoung , Petty Karl , Varaiya Pravin
Published: January 2008

Freeway congestion monitoring can be based either on sampling-based methods, such as probe vehicle runs, or on continuous data from loop detector infrastructure. Sample size, in terms of the number of days sampled, affects the accuracy of sampling-based methods; detector spacing or detector density affects the accuracy of the detector-based method. This paper presents an empirical model of the effect of the two parameters—sample size and detector spacing—on the accuracy of both methods in estimating the annual average of three congestion parameters: total delay, average duration of congestion, and average spatial extent of congestion. The model is developed with data from four urban freeway corridors in California. Among other conclusions, the model predicts that to measure the congestion parameters with 10% error, 4 to 6 days’ worth of good probe vehicle data or loop detector data with half-mile spacing is needed. The proposed model facilitates comparison of the two alternatives in regard to the cost for achieving the same target accuracy. The result can also be used as a guide to determine the sample size or detector spacing in planning new congestion monitoring.
License Plate and Telephone Numbers in Changeable Message Sign Amber Alert Messages
Authors: Dudek Conrad L. , Schrock Steven D. , Ullman Brooke R.
Published: January 2008

Studies were conducted with a driving simulator and laptop computers to determine the effects of displaying license plate and 10-digit telephone numbers in Amber (America's Missing: Broadcast Emergency Response) alert changeable message sign messages. The first study was conducted using the Texas Transportation Institute driving environment simulator in College Station, Texas. A laboratory study was also conducted in six cities in Texas. It was found that the average reading time for Amber alert messages with a license plate number was significantly longer than for messages without a license plate number. In addition, the majority of subjects were not able to recall the entire number. A license plate number was found to be equivalent to more than three units of information. Thus a message with a license plate number exceeds current effective message design guidelines that specify a maximum of four units of information in a message and a maximum of three units of information in a message phase. Similarly, the average reading time for messages with a 10-digit telephone number is significantly longer than for messages without a telephone number. The majority of subjects were not able to recall the entire number. A telephone number was found to be equivalent to more than three units of information. A message with a 10-digit telephone number exceeds current effective message design guidelines.