bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical analysis on the clamping reliability of fixture–workpiece facility considering partial slip
Authors: Wang L , Wang Z-J , Wang W-Z , Hu Y-Z , Wang H
Published: September 2011

Fixture is a mechanical component to clamp a workpiece and to move it to a specific position. This paper analyses partial slip at the fixture–workpiece interface and addresses the effects of design parameters and working conditions of a fixture–workpiece facility on clamping reliability. A stick ratio, defined as the ratio of the stick area to the entire nominal contact area, is introduced in this study to characterize the clamping reliability. If the value of stick ratio equals to one, the clamping is most reliable, but when it drops to zero, a gross sliding will occur, which means clamping failure. This paper investigates the partial slip phenomenon by solving three-dimensional contacts between elastically dissimilar materials, using the conjugate gradient method (CGM) and discrete convolution-fast Fourier transform (DC-FFT) techniques, but focuses on its industrial applications. Results have demonstrated how the inferential factors, such as material property, normal and tangential loads, operational parameters, and geometric features of the fixture, would affect the clamping reliability, which can be used for guiding the design of the fixture, for example, the choice of material, friction coefficient, fixture’s opening angle, acceleration in manipulation, and so on.
Economic, Energy and Environmental Comparison Between an Ecological and Conventional House
Authors: Boukli Hacene M. A. , Chabane Sari N. E.
Published: September 2011

The total energy balance sheet of Algeria in the year 2009 shows that the final energy consumption is evaluated as 30.98 million TEP (Ton oil equivalent) and emphasizes a prevalence of energy consumption in the household sector as more than 41% compared with 19% from the industry sector and 33% from transport. In this article, an analysis of the use of the various energy vectors in an individual dwelling (conventional and ecological house) in urban environment is presented. The thermal parameters influencing the building are evaluated, illustrating the potential for energy losses, as well as energy gains for both types of buildings. The results are compared to demonstrate the requirement to use more ecological materials for buildings to realize savings in energy and economic terms to reduce heating and cooling and to minimize emissions of CO2, for a more carbon-efficient-sustainable built environment.
Models for Prediction of Daily Mean Indoor Temperature and Relative Humidity: Education Building in Izmir, Turkey
Authors: Özbalta Türkan Göksal , Sezer Alper , Yıldız Yusuf
Published: September 2011

In this research, several models were developed to forecast the daily mean indoor temperature (IT) and relative humidity values in an education building in Izmir, Turkey. The city is located at a hot–humid climatic region. In order to forecast the IT and internal relative humidity (IRH) parameters in the building, a number of artificial neural networks (ANN) models were trained and tested with a dataset including outdoor climatic conditions, day of year and indoor thermal comfort parameters. The indoor thermal comfort parameters, namely, IT and IRH values between 6 June and 21 September 2009 were collected via HOBO data logger. Fraction of variance ( R2) and root-mean squared error values calculated by the use of the outputs of different ANN architectures were compared. Moreover, several multiple regression models were developed to question their performance in comparison with those of ANNs. The results showed that an ANN model trained with inconsiderable amount of data was successful in the prediction of IT and IRH parameters in education buildings. It should be emphasized that this model can be benefited in the prediction of indoor thermal comfort conditions, energy requirements, and heating, ventilating and air conditioning system size.
Designing and implementing telemonitoring for early detection of deterioration in chronic disease: Defining the requirements
Authors: Peirce Susan C. , Hardisty Alex R. , Preece Alun D. , Elwyn Glyn
Published: September 2011

Patients with chronic disease may suffer frequent acute deteriorations and associated increased risk of hospitalisation. Earlier detection of these could enable successful intervention, improving patients’ well-being and reducing costs; however, current telemonitoring systems do not achieve this effectively. We conducted a qualitative study using stakeholder interviews to define current standards of care and user requirements for improved early detection telemonitoring.

We determined that early detection is not a concept that has informed technology or service design and that telemonitoring is driven by the available technology rather than by users’ needs. We have described a set of requirements questions to inform the design and implementation of telemonitoring systems and suggested the research needed to develop successful early detection telemonitoring. User-centred design and genuine interdisciplinary approaches are needed to create solutions that are fit for purpose, sustainable and address the real needs of patients, clinicians and healthcare organisations.
Exploring digital divides: An examination of eHealth technology use in health information seeking, communication and personal health information management in the USA
Authors: Lustria Mia Liza A. , Smith Scott Alan , Hinnant Charles C.
Published: September 2011

Recent government initiatives to deploy health information technology in the USA, coupled with a growing body of scholarly evidence linking online heath information and positive health-related behaviors, indicate a widespread belief that access to health information and health information technologies can help reduce healthcare inequalities. However, it is less clear whether the benefits of greater access to online health information and health information technologies is equitably distributed across population groups, particularly to those who are underserved. To examine this issue, this article employs the 2007 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) to investigate relationships between a variety of socio-economic variables and the use of the web-based technologies for health information seeking, personal health information management and patient-provider communication within the context of the USA. This study reveals interesting patterns in technology adoption, some of which are in line with previous studies, while others are less clear. Whether these patterns indicate early evidence of a narrowing divide in eHealth technology use across population groups as a result of the narrowing divide in Internet access and computer ownership warrants further exploration. In particular, the findings emphasize the need to explore differences in the use of eHealth tools by medically underserved and disadvantaged groups. In so doing, it will be important to explore other psychosocial variables, such as health literacy, that may be better predictors of health consumers’ eHealth technology adoption.
Design and dementia: A case of garments designed to prevent undressing
Authors: Iltanen-Tähkävuori Sonja , Wikberg Minttu , Topo Päivi
Published: September 2011

This article focuses on garments used in care environments. We investigate a patient overall, developed for the care of people with severe memory problems, severe learning difficulties and brain injuries. The aim of the use of a patient overall is to prevent undressing in socially inappropriate situations and/or to stop the user from removing an incontinence pad. This article is based on interviews of designers of medical textiles and patients and family carers in Finland. Both designers and patients found patient overalls to be infantilizing and stigmatizing for the user but accepted the basic functions of the product. We report results of a design project aimed at designing a new type of garment that takes into account the technical requirements but provides a more dignified look and opportunities for activity. We discuss the ethical issues concerning the use of this kind of product in the care of people with dementia.
Friendships among people with dementia in long-term care
Authors: de Medeiros Kate , Saunders Pamela A. , Doyle Patrick J. , Mosby Amanda , Van Haitsma Kimberly
Published: September 2011

Despite the growing literature on social interactions in dementia settings, few studies have investigated ‘friendships’ in people with dementia living in long-term care. ‘Social interactions’ describe communicating, verbally and/or non-verbally, at least once with another person while ‘friendship’ suggests a deeper, more meaningful connection that may include reciprocity, intimacy, and shared trust. During a 6-month, mixed-methods study, we investigated friendships among 31 assisted living residents with moderate to advanced dementia. Results revealed no correlation between test scores or demographic characteristics (except gender) and friendship dyads identified by staff. Staffs’ perceptions of residents’ friendships were not supported through our observations. We did observe friendships among residents characterized by voluntary participation and accommodation in conversation, and recognition of the uniqueness of the other. Findings suggest staff perceptions of residents’ friendships are not sufficient and that more research on this topic is needed.
Calligraphic Animation: Documenting the Invisible
Authors: Marks Laura U.
Published: September 2011

Calligraphic animation shifts the locus of documentation from representation to performance, from index to moving trace. Animation is an ideal playing field for the transformative and performative qualities that Arabic writing, especially in the context of Islamic art, has explored for centuries. In Islamic traditions, writing sometimes appears as a document or a manifestation of the invisible. Philosophical and theological implications of text and writing in various Islamic traditions, including mystic sciences of letters, the concept of latency associated with Shi‘a thought, and the performative or talismanic quality of writing, come to inform contemporary artworks. A historical detour shows that Arabic animation arose not directly from Islamic art but from Western-style art education and the privileging of text in Western modern art – which itself was inspired by Islamic art. A number of artists from the Muslim and Arab world, such as Mounir Fatmi (Morocco/France), Kutlug Ataman (Turkey), and Paula Abood (Australia) bring writing across the boundary from religious to secular conceptions of the invisible. Moreover, the rich Arabic and Islamic tradition of text-based art is relevant for all who practice and study text-based animation.
The President’s Questioners
Authors: Clayman Steven E. , Elliott Marc N. , Heritage John , Beckett Megan K.
Published: September 2011

Are members of the White House press corps unified in their treatment of the president at any given time, or does their behavior differ by demographic and professional attributes? This study addresses this issue through multidimensional measurement of the aggressiveness of questions put to nine presidents (1953–2000) in news conferences. In addition to the familiar print/broadcast distinction, three largely unexamined attributes are explored: (1) organizational status (journalists affiliated with prominent vs. marginal news outlets), (2) interpersonal familiarity (frequent vs. infrequent news conference participants), and (3) gender (male vs. female journalists). The results indicate that print/broadcast and organizational status, which received the most attention in previous research, are the least consequential here. By contrast, previously unexamined attributes of familiarity and gender were more consequential. Frequent participants were in some respects more aggressive than infrequent participants. Female journalists were in some respects more aggressive than their male counterparts in the earlier part of the study period, but these differences attenuated over time. Explanations for these differences, which may include processes that govern entry into the press corps and/or subsequent on-the-job factors, are also discussed.
Downregulation of E-Cadherin enhances proliferation of head and neck cancer through transcriptional regulation of EGFR
Authors: Wang Dongsheng , Su Ling , Huang Donghai , Zhang Hongzheng , Shin Dong M , Chen Zhuo G
Published: September 2011

Background

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) has been reported to downregulate E-cadherin (E-cad); however, whether the downregulation of E-cad has any effect on EGFR expression has not been elucidated. Our previous studies have found an inverse correlation between EGFR and E-cad expression in tissue specimens of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). To understand the biological mechanisms underlying this clinical observation, we knocked down E-cad expression utilizing E-cad siRNA in four SCCHN cell lines.

Results

It was observed that downregulation of E-cad upregulated EGFR expression compared with control siRNA-transfected cells after 72 hours. Cellular membrane localization of EGFR was also increased. Consequently, downstream signaling molecules of the EGFR signaling pathway, p-AKT, and p-ERK, were increased at 72 hours after the transfection with E-cad siRNA. Reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) showed EGFR mRNA was upregulated by E-cad siRNA as early as 24 hours. In addition, RT-PCR revealed this upregulation was due to the increase of EGFR mRNA stability, but not protein stability. Sulforhodamine B (SRB) assay indicated growth of E-cad knocked down cells was enhanced up to 2-fold more than that of control siRNA-transfected cells at 72-hours post-transfection. The effect of E-cad reduction on cell proliferation was blocked by treating the E-cad siRNA-transfected cells with 1 μM of the EGFR-specific tyrosine kinase inhibitor erlotinib.

Conclusion

Our results suggest for the first time that reduction of E-cad results in upregulation of EGFR transcriptionally. It also suggests that loss of E-cad may induce proliferation of SCCHN by activating EGFR and its downstream signaling pathways.
MicroRNA signature of cis-platin resistant vs. cis-platin sensitive ovarian cancer cell lines
Authors: Kumar Smriti , Kumar Arooshi , Shah Parag P , Rai Shesh N , Panguluri Siva K , Kakar Sham S
Published: September 2011

Background

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death from gynecologic cancer in women worldwide. According to the National Cancer Institute, ovarian cancer has the highest mortality rate among all the reproductive cancers in women. Advanced stage diagnosis and chemo/radio-resistance is a major obstacle in treating advanced ovarian cancer. The most commonly employed chemotherapeutic drug for ovarian cancer treatment is cis-platin. As with most chemotherapeutic drugs, many patients eventually become resistant to cis-platin and therefore, diminishing its effect. The efficacy of current treatments may be improved by increasing the sensitivity of cancer cells to chemo/radiation therapies.

Methods

The present study is focused on identifying the differential expression of regulatory microRNAs (miRNAs) between cis-platin sensitive (A2780), and cis-platin resistant (A2780/CP70) cell lines. Cell proliferation assays were conducted to test the sensitivity of the two cell lines to cis-platin. Differential expression patterns of miRNA between cis-platin sensitive and cis-platin resistant cell lines were analyzed using novel LNA technology.

Results

Our results revealed changes in expression of 11 miRNAs out of 1,500 miRNAs analyzed. Out of the 11 miRNAs identified, 5 were up-regulated in the A2780/CP70 cell line and 6 were down regulated as compared to cis-platin sensitive A2780 cells. Our microRNA data was further validated by quantitative real-time PCR for these selected miRNAs. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis was performed for the selected miRNAs and their putative targets to identify the potential pathways and networks involved in cis-platin resistance.

Conclusions

Our data clearly showed the differential expression of 11 miRNAs in cis-platin resistant cells, which could potentially target many important pathways including MAPK, TGF-β signaling, actin cytoskeleton, ubiquitin mediated proteasomal pathway, Wnt signaling, mTOR signaling, Notch signaling, apoptosis, and many other signaling pathways. Manipulation of one or more of these miRNAs could be an important approach for ovarian cancer chemotherapy.
Glucocorticoids Disrupt Neuroendocrine and Behavioral Responses during Lactation
Authors: Vilela Fabiana C. , Giusti-Paiva Alexandre
Published: September 2011

The influence of glucocorticoids on the neuroendocrine system and behavior of lactating rats is not well known. To evaluate the effects of glucocorticoids on the neuroendocrine system and maternal and aggressive behavior, lactating female rats were treated with dexamethasone or vehicle for 2 h before experiments. Blood samples were collected 15 min after the beginning of suckling to evaluate hormonal changes. To evaluate the maternal behavior of lactating rats, eight pups were placed in their home cages on the side opposite the location of the previous nest, and the resulting behavior of the lactating rat was filmed for 30 min. Aggressive behavior was evaluated by placing a male rat (intruder) in the home cage. Dexamethasone treatment reduced oxytocin and prolactin secretion during lactation and reduced pup weight gain. Relative to control treatment, dexamethasone treatment also adversely affected a variety of maternal behaviors; it increased the latency to build a new nest, decreased the number of pups gathered to the nest, increased the latency to retrieve the first pup, and decreased the percentage of time spent in the arched-nursing position. Dexamethasone treatment, compared with control, also reduced aggressive behavior, as evidenced by an increase in the latency to the first attack, a reduction in the number of front and side attacks, and a decrease in lateral threat and biting. Taken together, our results suggest dexamethasone treatment in lactating rats disrupts prolactin and oxytocin secretion, and this is followed by an attenuation of maternal and aggressive behavior.
Polysialic acid controls NCAM signals at cell–cell contacts to regulate focal adhesion independent from FGF receptor activity
Authors: Eggers Katinka , Werneburg Sebastian , Schertzinger Andrea , Abeln Markus , Schiff Miriam , Scharenberg Matthias Alexander , Burkhardt Hannelore , Mühlenhoff Martina , Hildebrandt Herbert
Published: September 2011

The polysialic acid (polySia) modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule NCAM is a key regulator of cell migration. Yet its role in NCAM-dependent or NCAM-independent modulation of motility and cell–matrix adhesion is largely unresolved. Here, we demonstrate that loss of polySia attenuates tumour cell migration and augments the number of focal adhesions in a cell–cell contact- and NCAM-dependent manner. In the presence or absence of polySia, NCAM never colocalised with focal adhesions but was enriched at cell–cell contacts. Focal adhesion of polySia- and NCAM-negative cells was enhanced by incubation with soluble NCAM or by removing polySia from heterotypic contacts with polySia–NCAM-positive cells. Focal adhesion was compromised by the src-family kinase inhibitor PP2, whereas loss of polySia or exposure to NCAM promoted the association of p59Fyn with the focal adhesion scaffolding protein paxillin. Unlike other NCAM responses, NCAM-induced focal adhesion was not prevented by inhibiting FGF receptor activity and could be evoked by NCAM fragments comprising immunoglobulin domains three and four but not by the NCAM fibronectin domains alone or by an NCAM-derived peptide known to interact with and activate FGF receptors. Together, these data indicate that polySia regulates cell motility through NCAM-induced but FGF-receptor-independent signalling to focal adhesions.
Nuclear relocalisation of cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding proteins PABP1 and PABP4 in response to UV irradiation reveals mRNA-dependent export of metazoan PABPs
Authors: Burgess Hannah M. , Richardson William A. , Anderson Ross C. , Salaun Christine , Graham Sheila V. , Gray Nicola K.
Published: September 2011

Poly(A)-binding protein 1 (PABP1) has a fundamental role in the regulation of mRNA translation and stability, both of which are crucial for a wide variety of cellular processes. Although generally a diffuse cytoplasmic protein, it can be found in discrete foci such as stress and neuronal granules. Mammals encode several additional cytoplasmic PABPs that remain poorly characterised, and with the exception of PABP4, appear to be restricted in their expression to a small number of cell types. We have found that PABP4, similarly to PABP1, is a diffusely cytoplasmic protein that can be localised to stress granules. However, UV exposure unexpectedly relocalised both proteins to the nucleus. Nuclear relocalisation of PABPs was accompanied by a reduction in protein synthesis but was not linked to apoptosis. In examining the mechanism of PABP relocalisation, we found that it was related to a change in the distribution of poly(A) RNA within cells. Further investigation revealed that this change in RNA distribution was not affected by PABP knockdown but that perturbations that block mRNA export recapitulate PABP relocalisation. Our results support a model in which nuclear export of PABPs is dependent on ongoing mRNA export, and that a block in this process following UV exposure leads to accumulation of cytoplasmic PABPs in the nucleus. These data also provide mechanistic insight into reports that transcriptional inhibitors and expression of certain viral proteins cause relocation of PABP to the nucleus.
Managing Delegated Search Over Design Spaces
Authors: Erat Sanjiv , Krishnan Vish
Published: September 2011

Organizations increasingly seek solutions to their open-ended design problems by employing a contest approach in which search over a solution space is delegated to outside agents. We study this new class of problems, which are costly to specify, pose credibility issues for the focal firm, and require finely tuned awards for meeting the firm's needs. Through an analytical model, we examine the relationship between problem specification, award structure, and breadth of solution space searched by outside agents toward characterizing how a firm should effectively manage such open-ended design contests. Our results independently establish and offer a causal explanation for an interesting phenomenon observed in design contests—clustering of searchers in specific regions of the solution space. The analysis also yields a cautionary finding—although the breadth of search increases with number of searchers, the relationship is strongly sublinear (logarithmic). Finally, from the practical perspective of managing the delegated search process, our results offer rules of thumb on how many and what size awards should be offered, as well as the extent to which firms should undertake problem specification, contingent on the nature (open-endedness and uncertainty) of the design problem solution being delegated to outside agents.

This paper was accepted by Kamalini Ramdas, entrepreneurship and innovation.
Parameter estimation for the heat equation on perforated domains
Authors: Banks H. T. , Cioranescu D. , Criner A. K. , Winfree W. P.
Published: September 2011

In this effort we investigate the behavior of a model derived from homogenization theory as the model solution in parameter estimation procedures for simulated data for heat flow in a porous medium. We consider data simulated from a model on a perforated domain with isotropic flow and data simulated from a model on a homogeneous domain with anisotropic flow. We report on both ordinary and generalized least squares parameter estimation procedures.
Moisture Sensitive Adhesives and Flooring Adhesive Failures
Authors: Nelson Peter E. , Hopps Emily R.
Published: September 2011

Over the last decade, changes in environmental government regulations have necessitated the reformulation of many historically durable adhesives used in the application of flooring materials. The most popular flooring adhesives traditionally used solvents containing volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but government-prescribed regulations that limit or restrict VOCs resulted in dramatic changes to most traditional flooring adhesives. Adhesives with VOC-containing solvents were replaced with water-based or 100 % solids adhesive formulations. While these new formulations may reduce the environmental impact of new flooring installations, new adhesives are less durable and more susceptible to moisture-related deterioration. Within the past ten years more moisture-related flooring failures have occurred as adhesive systems have switched away from the proven VOC-containing technology to a newer, low VOC-compliant technology. If the concrete is not properly sealed or allowed to dry, the moisture inherent to concrete substrates can break down, re-emulsify, and dissolve moisture-sensitive flooring adhesives. Consequentially, applied flooring materials can delaminate, buckle, blister, and crack. This paper will compare the composition of newer moisture-sensitive flooring adhesives with that of their VOC-containing predecessors, and describe the properties of the adhesives that reduce overall durability. Case studies of flooring failures resulting from moisture-related deterioration of adhesives will be presented for various flooring materials including carpet tile, sheet vinyl, and vinyl composition tile flooring. Recommendations for repairing failed flooring and providing durable new flooring installations using moisture-sensitive adhesives will also be included.
Alterations of Endocannabinoid Signaling, Synaptic Plasticity, Learning, and Memory in Monoacylglycerol Lipase Knock-out Mice
Authors: Pan Bin , Wang Wei , Zhong Peng , Blankman Jacqueline L. , Cravatt Benjamin F. , Liu Qing-song
Published: September 2011

Endocannabinoid (eCB) signaling is tightly regulated by eCB biosynthetic and degradative enzymes. The eCB 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) is hydrolyzed primarily by monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). Here, we investigated whether eCB signaling, synaptic function, and learning behavior were altered in MAGL knock-out mice. We report that MAGL−/−mice exhibited prolonged depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition (DSI) in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons, providing genetic evidence that the inactivation of 2-AG by MAGL determines the time course of the eCB-mediated retrograde synaptic depression. CB1receptor antagonists enhanced basal IPSCs in CA1 pyramidal neurons in MAGL−/−mice, while the magnitude of DSI or CB1receptor agonist-induced depression of IPSCs was decreased in MAGL−/−mice. These results suggest that 2-AG elevations in MAGL−/−mice cause tonic activation and partial desensitization of CB1receptors. Genetic deletion of MAGL selectively enhanced theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in the CA1 region of hippocampal slices but had no significant effect on LTP induced by high-frequency stimulation or long-term depression induced by low-frequency stimulation. The enhancement of TBS-LTP in MAGL−/−mice appears to be mediated by 2-AG-induced suppression of GABAAreceptor-mediated inhibition. MAGL−/−mice exhibited enhanced learning as shown by improved performance in novel object recognition and Morris water maze. These results indicate that genetic deletion of MAGL causes profound changes in eCB signaling, long-term synaptic plasticity, and learning behavior.
Bathrooms, Baseball, and Bra Shopping: Lesbian and Gay Parents Talk about Engendering Their Children
Authors: Berkowitz Dana , Ryan Maura
Published: September 2011

Drawing on an integrated theoretical lens of vocabularies of motive, gender interactionism, and queer theory, the authors explore how eighteen lesbian mothers and twenty-two gay fathers negotiate the cultural narratives of heteronormativity and gender essentialism as they imagine and participate in constructing their children's gender. Findings highlight the extent to which participants' parenting fantasies and realities occur within a context of heightened gender accountability that they manage for their children. The authors show how the practice of securing gender role models for their children is one way that non-heterosexual parents manage this accountability. Next, the authors introduce “queer ruptures” in participants' narratives and detail the subtle ways that they destabilize the existing heteronormative gender order. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for empirical and theoretical development.
Cognitive Advantages of East Asian American Children: When Do Such Advantages Emerge and What Explains Them?
Authors: Sun Yongmin
Published: September 2011

Using three waves of panel data from 7,800 infants in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Birth Cohort (ECLS-B), the current study compares cognitive abilities of East Asian American children with those in six other racial/ethnic groups at the ages of nine months, two years, and four years. At the age of nine months, East Asian American infants score slightly lower than their peers in most other racial/ethnic groups, after demographic and socioeconomic factors are held constant. East Asian American children clearly make greater cognitive progress than their peers in all other non-European American groups between the ages of nine months and two years. By age four, East Asian American children outperform their peers in all other racial/ethnic groups in math and literacy tests by a large margin. The analyses also find that much of the cognitive advantages of East Asian Americans at the ages of two and four are explained by differences in parental resources.
Gender, Social Class, and Exclusion: Collegiate Peer Cultures and Social Reproduction
Authors: Stuber Jenny M. , Klugman Joshua , Daniel Caitlin
Published: September 2011

This article explores gender and class exclusion among college students. The authors use qualitative data to explore how students talk about gender and class exclusion and quantitative data to model patterns of exclusion within the Greek system. The Greek system serves as a site for social reproduction. Students constructed young women as elitist and prone to class exclusion, while typifying young men as unconcerned with such matters. Quantitative analyses complicate these findings. Within the Greek system, women are less exclusive than alleged and men more so. This discontinuity may reflect gender stereotypes and gender differences in the embodiment of social class. The authors argue that these patterns reinforce male privilege through the assertion that they are not engaged in social class exclusion while lacing undue blame on women as agents of class reproduction.
Atlantic DIP: high prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance post partum is reduced by breast-feeding in women with prior gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: O'Reilly Michael W , Avalos Gloria , Dennedy Michael C , O'Sullivan Eoin P , Dunne Fidelma
Published: September 2011

Objective

Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes, and identifies women at risk of future type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Breast-feeding may improve post partum maternal glucose tolerance. Our objective was to identify the prevalence of post partum dysglycemia after GDM, to delineate associated factors and to examine the effect of lactation on post partum glucose tolerance.

Design

We compared post partum 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) results from 300 women with GDM and 220 controls with normal gestational glucose tolerance (NGT) in five regional centers. Breast-feeding data was collected at time of OGTT.

Methods

Post partum OGTT results were classified as normal (fasting plasma glucose (FPG) <5.6 mmol/l, 2 h <7.8 mmol/l) and abnormal (impaired fasting glucose (IFG), FPG 5.6–6.9 mmol/l; impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), 2 h glucose 7.8–11 mmol/l; IFG+IGT; T2DM, FPG ≥7 mmol/l±2 h glucose ≥11.1 mmol/l). Binary logistic regression was used to identify factors predictive of persistent hyperglycemia.

Results

Five hundred and twenty women were tested; six (2.7%) with NGT in pregnancy had post partum dysglycemia compared with 57 (19%) with GDM in index pregnancy (P<0.001). Non-European ethnicity (odds ratio (OR) 3.40; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–8.02, P=0.005), family history of T2DM (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.06–4.32, P=0.034), and gestational insulin use (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.17–5.87, P=0.019) were associated with persistent dysglycemia. The prevalence of persistent hyperglycemia was significantly lower in women who breast-fed vs bottle-fed post partum (8.2 vs 18.4%, P<0.001).

Conclusions

Non-European ethnicity, gestational insulin use, family history of T2DM, and elevated body mass index were associated with persistent dysglycemia after GDM. Breast-feeding may confer beneficial metabolic effects after GDM and should be encouraged.
Electronic Behavior of Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-d and SrCo0.9Nb0.1O3-d
Authors: Usiskin Robert E. , Wang Richard Y. , Haile Sossina M.
Published: September 2011

The perovskite Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O3-d (BSCF 5582) has attracted great interest as an oxygen reduction catalyst for solid oxide fuel cells and as an oxygen permeation membrane material. Mixed ionic and electronic conductivity is essential to the high catalytic activity it exhibits, however its electronic behavior and overall defect chemistry are not well understood. The related material SrCo0.9Nb0.1O3-d (SCN 091) is another promising composition that may have comparable performance, but with defect chemistry that is simpler to study. From a combination of thermogravimetric, impedance, and diffraction measurements we find SCN 091 to exhibit somewhat smaller oxygen nonstoichiometry, five times higher electronic conductivity, lower enthalpy of hole migration, and greater structural stability than BSCF 5582. We also observe that the enthalpy of hole migration in such materials tends to increase as oxygen content decreases; the origins of this behavior are unclear.
Spin-On Glass as low temperature gate insulator
Authors: Domínguez Miguel A. , Rosales Pedro , Torres Alfonso , Molina Joel , Moreno Mario , De la Hidalga Francisco J. , Zuñiga Carlos , Calleja Wilfrido
Published: September 2011

In this work, we report the characterization of Spin-On Glass (SOG) as low temperature gate insulator. Our SOG film was deposited at temperature of 200°C, which is compatible to use on flexible substrates. The optical and electrical characterization showed that the refractive index and dielectric constant are very close to those of thermally grown SiO2. Also, analysis of surface roughness by AFM is presented. We demonstrated the use of SOG as gate insulator, fabricating and characterizing inverted staggered a-SiGe:H TFTs. The observed results are promising and suggest that SOG films deposited at 200°C in the Laboratory of Microelectronics of INAOE could be an alternative to improve electrical characteristics of TFTs on low temperature flexible substrates.
Experimental and numerical study of coupled flow and heat transport
Authors: Wang Wenke , Zhao Guizhang , Li Junting , Hou Lili , Li Yunliang , Yang Feng
Published: September 2011

The greater difference between day and night temperatures in arid and semi-arid areas influences water movement and heat transport in the vadose zone, and further influences the water and heat fluxes between the water table and the atmosphere. An evaporator and lysimeter, designed by the authors, and combined numerical simulation technology were used to study water movement and heat transport in the vadose zone, and the evaporation of phreatic water under the influence of surface temperature for different groundwater depths. The differences between water movement of the vadose zone and phreatic water evaporation calculated by isothermal and anisothermal models were also compared. The results of experiment and numerical simulations show that the surface temperature has a great influence on both water movement and heat transport in the vadose zone, as well as on evaporation intensity and the evaporation depth of phreatic water when the surface temperature is more than 25°C. The influential depth for the soil water content of vadose zone and the temperature of unsaturated and saturated zones is about 70 cm, but the greatest change is in the top 35 cm. The limited evaporation depth of phreatic water was about 70 cm for the experimental medium (silt/fine sand). The evaporation intensity of phreatic water was found to be maximum for a groundwater level of 20–40 cm (about 0·096 cm/h for silt/fine sand). The error of more than 8% was due to water movement of the vadose zone and the evaporation intensity of phreatic water calculated using an isothermal model. A coupled water and heat model was used to simulate water movement of the vadose zone and the exchange flux between the water table and atmosphere for surface temperatures higher than 25°C. For surface temperature below 25°C, the results of the isothermal and anisothermal models were coherent. There is thus no need to consider the influence of surface temperature on water movement of the vadose zone or the flux between the water table and the atmosphere.
Conception and optimization of a membrane electrode assembly microbial fuel cell (MEA-MFC) for treatment of domestic wastewater
Authors: Lefebvre O. , Uzabiaga A. , Shen Y. J. , Tan Z. , Cheng Y. P. , Liu W. , Ng H. Y.
Published: September 2011

A membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for microbial fuel cells (MEA-MFC) was developed for continuous electricity production while treating domestic wastewater concurrently. It was optimized via three upgraded versions (noted α, β and γ) in terms of design (current collectors, hydrophilic separator nature) and operating conditions (hydraulic retention time, external resistance, aeration rate, recirculation). An overall rise of power by over 100% from version α to γ shows the importance of factors such as the choice of proper construction materials and prevention of short-circuits. A power of 2.5 mW was generated with a hydraulic retention time of 2.3 h when a Selemion proton exchange membrane was used as a hydrophilic separator in the MEA and 2.8 mW were attained with a reverse osmosis membrane. The MFC also showed a competitive value of internal resistance (≈40–50 Ω) as compared to the literature, especially considering its large volume (3 L). However, the operation of our system in a complete loop where the anolyte was allowed to trickle over the cathode (version γ) resulted in system failure.
Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals in a large scale membrane bioreactor plant combined with anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process for municipal wastewater reclamation
Authors: Wu Chunying , Xue Wenchao , Zhou Haidong , Huang Xia , Wen Xianghua
Published: September 2011

The removal of eight typical endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) in a full scale membrane bioreactor combined with anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process (A2/O-MBR) for municipal wastewater reclamation located in Beijing was investigated. These EDCs, including 4-octylphenol (4-OP), 4-n-nonylphenol (4-n-NP), bisphenol A (BPA), estrone (E1), 17α-estradiol (17α-E2), 17β-estradiol (17β-E2), estriol (E3) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), were simultaneously analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry after derivatization. The concentrations of eight EDCs were also measured in sludge of anaerobic, anoxic, oxic and membrane tanks to measure sludge-water distribution coefficients (Kd values) as the indicator of adsorption propensity of target compound to sludge. The removal efficiencies of EDCs reached above 97%, except for 4-n-NP removal efficiency of 72%, 4-OP removal efficiency of 75% and EE2 removal efficiency of 87% in the A2/O-MBR process. The high Kd values indicated that the sludge had a large adsorption capacity for these EDCs, and significantly contributed to removal of EDCs. Yeast estrogen screen assay was performed on samples to assess the total estrogenic activity by measuring the 17β-E2 equivalent quantity (EEQ), expressed in ng-EEQ/L. The measured EEQ value was markedly reduced from 72.1 ng-EEQ/L in the influent to 4.9 ng-EEQ/L in the effluent. Anoxic tank and anaerobic tank contributed to 80% and 37% in total EEQ removal, respectively.
In search of effective bioassessment of urban stormwater pond sediments: enhancing the ‘sediment quality triad’ approach with oligochaete metrics
Authors: Tixier G. , Rochfort Q. , Grapentine L. , Marsalek J. , Lafont M.
Published: September 2011

Stormwater ponds have been widely used to control increased volumes and rates of surface runoff resulting from urbanization. As receiving waters, they are under the influence of intermittent pollution from urban wet-weather discharges. Meanwhile they offer new aquatic habitats balancing the transformation of initial ecosystems and their associated biodiversity. Bioassessment of stormwater facilities is therefore crucial to insure the preservation and rehabilitation of biodiversity in urban areas. Nonetheless, the application of traditional bioassessment methodologies such as the sediment quality triad (SQT), based on the comparisons with reference sites, is challenged by the artificial and atypical features of urban stormwater ponds. Our concern in finding a more specific and effective bioassessment methodology led us to consider associating the Oligochaete Index Methodology (OIM) with the SQT. This study shows that although some adjustments were needed, the OIM brought new and complementary information to the SQT assessment on the effects of contaminants and on the biological quality status of the sediment in a test urban stormwater pond.
Dual Porosity Filtration for treatment of stormwater runoff: first proof of concept from Copenhagen pilot plant
Authors: Jensen Marina B. , Cederkvist Karin , Bjerager Per E. R. , Holm Peter E.
Published: September 2011

Dual Porosity Filtration (DPF) is designed for sedimentation-based removal of suspended solids (SS) and adsorption-based removal of dissolved contaminants from stormwater runoff. It consists of shallow (10 mm) low-porosity layers for contaminant retention, interlaid with high-porosity layers for horizontal, gravity-driven flow. First proof of concept was obtained in a 10 m by 60 m pilot plant receiving stormwater runoff from 1.3 hectares of trafficked area in Copenhagen. The pilot plant contains two versions of DPF-designs, a cheaper one with 6 pairs of low- and high-porosity layers (‘DPF-6-layers’), and a more expensive one with 18 such pairs (‘DPF-18-layers’). Both versions are designed for a flow capacity of 9 m3/h. The DPF-designs were tested on the basis of 25 rain events. Flow proportional event mean concentrations showed the concentration of SS to be on averaged reduced from 123 mg/L in the inlet to 10.4 mg/L in the outlet from the DPF-6-layers, and 1.4 mg/L from DPF-18-layers, Zn from 98 to 29 and 12.5 μg/L, Cu from 25 to 12.2 and 9.6 μg/L, Cr from 18 to 10.9 and 10 μg/L, Pb from 9 to 1.0 and 0.2 μg/L, and P from 178 μg/L to 47.4 μg/L and 38 μg/L, respectively for the DPF-6-layers and DFF-18-layers. Based on the observed hydraulic performance and contaminant removal rates the concept of DPF appears to hold a potential for treatment of road runoff to high water quality standards. Cu and Cr fate must be further studied. Suggestions for optimized full scale DPF-designs are given.
Pollutant monitoring in sludge treatment wetlands
Authors: Peruzzi E. , Masciandaro G. , Macci C. , Doni S. , Ceccanti B.
Published: September 2011

Phragmites australis for sludge dewatering and stabilization processes have been widely proved. The presence of reeds, indeed, efficiently allows solids dewatering and organic matter stabilization in order to obtain a stabilised product that can be suitable for land application, even if its environmental impact has to be considered. The actual revision of the European Union's Working Document on Sludge (2000), in fact, seems to be addressed to detect two principal categories of pollutants in sludge for agricultural use: heavy metals and toxic organic compounds. In this study are presented results about sludge stabilization and monitoring of heavy metal fractionation and organic compounds in four urban wastewater treatment plants managed by Acque S.p.A., (Tuscany, Italy). To evaluate the process of sludge stabilization parameters were determined that highlight the biochemical and chemico-structural properties of sludge organic matter. The results showed that stabilization of the sludge over time occurred as shown by the low content of water soluble carbon and dehydrogenase activity, and by the re-synthesis of humic-like matter highlighted by the pyrolytic indices of mineralization and humification. Results about fractionation showed that heavy metals were retained in fractions related to the stabilized organic matter. Moreover, toxic organic compounds showed a drastic reduction at the end of the monitoring period.
Anammox bacteria enrichment and characterization from municipal activated sludge
Authors: Araujo J. C. , Campos A. C. , Correa M. M. , Silva E. C. , Matté M. H. , Matté G. R. , Von Sperling M. , Chernicharo C. A. L.
Published: September 2011

A sustainable option for nitrogen removal is the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing (anammox) process in which ammonium is oxidized to nitrogen gas with nitrite as electron acceptor. Application of this process, however, is limited by the availability of anammox biomass. In this study, two Brocadia-like anammox phylotypes were successfully enriched, detected and identified from an activated sludge taken from a domestic wastewater treatment plant (Minas Gerais, Brazil) employing a Sequencing Batch Reactor (SBR). The dominant phylotype was closely related to ‘Candidatus Brocadia sinica’, but one clone seemed to represent a novel species for which we propose the name ‘Candidatus Brocadia brasiliensis’. Based on Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, this enrichment led to a relative population size of 52.7% (±15.6) anammox bacteria after 6 months of cultivation. The cultivation process can be divided into three phases: phase 1 (approximately 25 days) was characterized by heterotrophic denitrification metabolism, phase 2 was the propagation phase and phase 3 (from the 87th day onwards), in which significant anammox activity was detected. A long-term performance of the SBR showed a near perfect removal of nitrite based on the influent NO2−-N concentration of 61–95 mg L−1. The average ammonia removal efficiency was 90% with the influent NH4+-N concentration of 55–82 mg L−1. Therefore, anammox cultivation and enrichment from activated sludge was possible under a controlled environment within 3 months.
A new type of bentonite-based non-woven composite
Authors: Milutinovic-Nikolic Aleksandra , Dostanic Jasmina , Bankovic Predrag , Jovic-Jovicic Natasa , Lukic Slavenka , Rosic Branko , Jovanovic Dusan
Published: September 2011

Sandwich-like composites based on clays and textiles are extensively applied
in various fields, including civil engineering and environmental protection.
In this paper, the synthesis of a new type of composite with embedded
bentonite particles within a non-woven polyester matrix is presented. The
synthesized composite has improved mechanical properties compared to the
corresponding non-woven matrix. Although more than two-times thinner, the
synthesized composite showed mechanical properties similar to those of a
commercial composite chosen for comparison. Sorption test results confirmed
that the contribution of the textile component to the sorption of aqueous
Cu(II) ions by the composite was negligible. The sorption of aqueous Cu(II)
ions on the synthesized composite was best-fitted using the Langmuir model.
The presented study confirmed that the loss of bentonite particles from the
composite can be eliminated using the suggested synthesis method.