bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring Inappropriate Responses of Adolescents to Problematic Social Situations in Secure Institutional and Correctional Youth Care
Authors: van der Helm G. H. P. , Matthys W. , Moonen X. , Giesen N. , van Der Heide ES. , Stams G. J. J. M.
Published: December 2012

The present study examined the construct, concurrent and divergent validity, and reliability of the “Taxonomy of Problematic Social Situations-Adolescent self-report version” (TOPS-A) in a sample of 128 adolescents placed in Dutch secure juvenile facilities. The instrument measures inappropriate responses of adolescents to problematic social situations at the living group. Confirmatory factor analysis of a four-factor model (inappropriate responses to situations of disadvantage, competition, accepting/giving help, and accepting authority) with a second-order factor (inappropriate responses to problematic social situations) showed an exact fit to the data, indicating construct validity of the TOPS-A. Evidence for concurrent validity was found in associations with aggression and living group climate. Divergent validity could not be reliably assessed. Cronbach’s α reliability coefficients were satisfactory. The TOPS-A is a parsimonious instrument that can be used to assess and target inappropriate responses to problematic social situations in (delinquent) adolescents in secure institutional and correctional youth care.
Gender and Intimate Partner Violence
Authors: Gerstenberger Caryn Bell , Williams Kirk R.
Published: December 2012

Research on Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) has ignited considerable controversy about gender and IPV. Feminist scholars have viewed IPV as a manifestation of male dominance and control, with women primarily the victims and men primarily the perpetrators of this behavior (gender asymmetry). Conversely, family violence researchers have viewed IPV as emerging from conflicts in relationships, with both men and women being involved (gender symmetry). The present study was framed within the context of this controversy using new empirical evidence on one person arrested (single arrest) or both persons arrested (dual arrest) in IPV incidents. Data were acquired on the assessed risk of IPV recidivism immediately after arrest and actual IPV recidivism over an 18-month period postassessment across the state of Connecticut involving heterosexual partners ( N = 2,155). Though not definitive, the findings showed persistent gender asymmetry on these behavioral characteristics across arrest categories.
The Longitudinal Relation Between Peer Violent Victimization and Delinquency
Authors: Jackson Corrie L. , Hanson Rochelle F. , Amstadter Ananda B. , Saunders Benjamin E. , Kilpatrick Dean G.
Published: December 2012

Using a nationally representative sample of adolescents from the United States aged 12 to 17 years (Wave 1, n = 3,614; Wave 2, n = 2,511), this study examined (a) demographic and descriptive information about peer violent victimization (PVV); and (b) the longitudinal relation between a history of PVV and delinquency. Results indicated that 12.4% of adolescents reported lifetime exposure to PVV, and many of these adolescents with a previous history of PVV also reported exposure to other forms of interpersonal violence, with witnessing community/school violence being the most commonly endorsed exposure category. Males, older adolescents, African American adolescents, and adolescents from low-income households were significantly more likely to endorse PVV. Regardless of the victim’s gender, the majority of the perpetrators were male. After controlling for exposure to other forms of interpersonal violence and a history of delinquency, PVV was related to subsequent delinquency. Implications for policy, practice, and future research are discussed.
Coping Zone Construction and Mapping
Authors: Sloan-Power Elizabeth M. , Boxer Paul , McGuirl Colleen , Church Ruslana
Published: December 2012

This mixed-method study explored how urban children aged 11 to 14 cope with multicontextual violence exposures simultaneously and analyzed the immediate action steps these children took when faced with such violence over time. Participants’ ( N = 12) narratives were initially analyzed utilizing a grounded theory framework as 68 violent incidents were coded for perceived threat and coping levels. Coping strategies were examined from a Transactional Model of Stress and Coping perspective taking into account the context and severity of each violent exposure itself. A comprehensive assessment map was developed to plot and visually reveal participants ( N = 12) overall contextualized coping responses. Overall “coping zone” scores were generated to index perceived threat and coping responses associated with each violent incident described. These scores were then correlated with indicators of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Results indicated that urban children with less optimal coping zone scores across context have a greater likelihood of PTSD than do children who do not.
Processing of Intimacy-Related Stimuli in Survivors of Sexual Trauma
Authors: Martinson Amber A. , Sigmon Sandra T. , Craner Julia , Rothstein Ethan , McGillicuddy Morgan
Published: December 2012

To fully understand the negative impact of sexual trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon adult intimacy-related functioning, cognitive models designed to investigate implicit processing of stimuli with emotional content are warranted. Using an emotional Stroop paradigm, the present study examined the impact of sexual trauma history (childhood sexual abuse and/or adult sexual assault) and a PTSD diagnosis on the implicit processing of 3 types of word stimuli: intimacy, sexual trauma, and neutral. Based on the results of a structured clinical interview and a behavioral-specific sexual trauma questionnaire, participants ( n = 101; 74 females, 27 males) were placed in 3 groups: sexual trauma only ( n = 33), sexual trauma and PTSD ( n = 33), and controls ( n = 35). Results indicated that men and women with a history of sexual trauma and a current PTSD diagnosis had increased latency for intimacy-related words and trauma words compared to controls, whereas individuals with only a history of sexual trauma did not differ from controls. Thus, it appears that the presence of symptoms associated with a diagnosis of PTSD is important for implicit processing of intimacy stimuli, rather than having a history of sexual trauma alone. Avoidance, a key feature of PTSD, may strengthen this relationship. More research is needed to determine the mechanisms by which individuals with a history of sexual trauma and PTSD experience intimacy difficulties.
Intimate Partner Violence in Rwanda
Authors: Verduin Femke , Engelhard Esther A. N. , Rutayisire Theoneste , Stronks Karien , Scholte Willem F.
Published: December 2012

Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a common feature of women living in low- and middle-income countries. Several studies have shown a significant association between IPV against women and mental health in both developed and in low- and middle-income countries. In postconflict settings, the relationship between IPV and mental health is likely more complex, given the high levels of violence experienced by the population as a whole. In this cross-sectional study the authors explore the association between IPV and common mental health disorders (CMD), and more specifically, suicidal ideation, among inhabitants of postgenocide Rwanda. The authors use the concept of “mutual partner violence,” thereby exploring the association between IPV and CMD in victims, perpetrators, and those who state they are both. Data of 241 married men and women were used. Symptoms suggestive of CMD were established by use of the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20), and physical intimate partner violence was measured using the Conflict Tactics Scale, Short Version (CTS2S). The authors applied multivariate logistic regressions with total SRQ-20 scores (above/below cutoff) and suicidal ideation as the outcome measures and corrected for age and gender. The study findings suggest that reported IPV is associated with CMD (odds ratio [OR] = 1.7, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.92-3.15) and suicidal ideation (OR = 1.6, 95% CI = 0.70-3.53). Those who state to be both victim and perpetrator (OR = 1.75, 95% CI = 0.82-3.72), or only perpetrator (OR = 3.13, 95% CI = 0.49-20.0), are more likely to report mental health problems than victims and people who do not report IPV. In a postconflict situation, perpetrators of IPV may suffer from mental health problems as much as, or even more than, victims. Longitudinal data are needed to clarify the complex relationship between CMD and IPV, especially if outcomes may also be related to other forms of violence experienced in the past.
“To Cure, Uplift and Ennoble the Village”
Authors: Muşat Raluca
Published: December 2012

Focusing on the project of cultural work ( muncă culturală), involving hundreds of university students from different disciplines going to the countryside to study rural life and to aid its modernisation, this article examines the prominent role sociology played in King Carol II’s Romania as a scientific tool for planning rural reform and as a practical project of mass social organisation. Designed and launched by the sociologist Dimitrie Gusti in 1934, cultural work competed with the fascist Legion of the Archangel Michael’s work camps, providing an “official” project of rural modernisation, meant to bridge the gap between the educated youth and the peasantry and increase support for the King. Largely ignored by scholars of this period, this project offers a new perspective on the country’s social, political, and intellectual history, one that concentrates on the “rise of the social” in Romania, to which the transformation of the peasantry was central.
Young people and the evaluation of information on the World Wide Web: Principles, practice and beliefs
Authors: Pickard Alison J. , Shenton Andrew K. , Johnson Andrew
Published: December 2012

A recurrent theme in LIS literature is the tendency of young people not to evaluate rigorously the information with which they come into contact. Although many information literacy models stress the need to take a critical approach, the reality of behaviour is often very different. Recent research conducted in an English high school has explored the importance that teenagers attach to 10 particular evaluative criteria. Data were contributed by 149 youngsters via an online questionnaire. Participants felt that information on the Web should be current/topical, free from spelling and grammatical errors and easily verifiable elsewhere but authorship was much less of a priority to them. The findings are likely to be of special relevance to information literacy teachers who are defining priorities for their own programmes.
Meta-analysis of two-arm studies: Modeling the intervention effect from survival probabilities
Authors: Combescure C , Courvoisier DS , Haller G , Perneger TV
Published: December 2012

Pooling the hazard ratios is not always feasible in meta-analyses of two-arm survival studies, because the measure of the intervention effect is not systematically reported. An alternative approach proposed by Moodie et al. is to use the survival probabilities of the included studies, all collected at a single point in time: the intervention effect is then summarised as the pooled ratio of the logarithm of survival probabilities (which is an estimator of the hazard ratios when hazards are proportional). In this article, we propose a generalization of this method. By using survival probabilities at several points in time, this generalization allows a flexible modeling of the intervention over time. The method is applicable to partially proportional hazards models, with the advantage of not requiring the specification of the baseline survival. As in Moodie et al.’s method, the study-level factors modifying the survival functions can be ignored as long as they do not modify the intervention effect. The procedures of estimation are presented for fixed and random effects models. Two illustrative examples are presented.
Damage evolution in delaminated woven fabric E-glass/epoxy composite plates under transverse static patch loading
Authors: Sathish S , Prasath J , Reddy K Satyanarayana , Naik NK
Published: December 2012

Delaminations present in a laminated composite structure can grow under different loading conditions, thus further weakening the structure. Along with this, initiation and propagation of damages within the layers can take place because of in-plane stresses. Studies have been presented on damage evolution in delaminated woven fabric composite plates with initial delamination under pressure loading, normal to the plane of the plate, distributed over a small area. Delamination propagation has been studied using crack closure integral technique and finite element analysis. Initiation of failure of layers because of in-plane stresses has been studied using maximum stress failure criterion. Size and shape of the damage has been evaluated using the method presented and compared with the experimental results available in the literature.
Design rationale and system description aspects in product platform design: Focusing reuse in the design lifecycle phase
Authors: Gedell Stellan , Johannesson Hans
Published: December 2012

One key to efficient and effective reuse in product-developing companies is platform-based design. Future platforms need to more efficiently deal with: concurrency, information-rich designs and fast realization of design derivates. This calls for new ways to describe platform-based designs. The configurable component framework is intended to support concurrent, complex, and variant-rich system design considering the complete product life cycle. This article presents case studies where an extended function-means model, acting as a design rationale, is incorporated into the configurable component concept. This includes an adaptation to handle design bandwidth, a more transparent and explicit constraint handling, and the composition of a system design rationale based on multiple function-means models. This approach enables the description of complex, encapsulated configurable systems composed using multiple (sub) systems and supports concurrent engineering in a supply chain.
Social identity complexity: Comparing majority and minority ethnic group members in a multicultural society
Authors: Brewer Marilynn B. , Gonsalkorale Karen , van Dommelen Andrea
Published: December 2012

Social identity complexity (SIC) as defined by Roccas and Brewer is an individual’s subjective representation of the combination of his or her multiple ingroup memberships. Almost all prior research on SIC and its relationship to intergroup attitudes has been conducted with members of ethnic majority groups. The present research assesses SIC and its correlates among ethnic majority group members (Anglo-Australian students) and members of a salient ethnic minority group (Asian-Australian students). Study 1 found that Asian-Australians perceived significantly more overlap among their ingroups (lower SIC) than did Anglo-Australians, despite the fact that objective overlap is actually greater for majority than minority ethnic groups. Study 2 replicated this difference and found that perceived overlap was predicted by proportion of ingroup friends. Further, for the majority group, low SIC is associated with less inclusive Australian identity, but for minority group members, SIC and Australian identity inclusiveness are essentially independent. Results are discussed in terms of the social-structural environment in which multiple identities are managed.
Why design history? A multi-national perspective on the state and purpose of the field
Authors: Huppatz DJ , Lees-Maffei Grace
Published: December 2012

This article asks: what is the significance of design history within higher education? It reviews the practice and purpose of design history, in the education of historically aware and critically engaged designers, as an emerging independent discipline, and in terms of what the subject has to offer allied fields such as history, sociology, cultural studies, history of technology, area studies and anthropology. It considers the development and current state of design history as it is taught in the UK and non-Anglophone Europe (including France, Italy, Scandinavia, Spain, Turkey and Greece), in the US, Australia and East Asia. The argument that follows is grounded in recent design historical scholarship, combined with the views of design historians working in the abovementioned countries, in order to provide both a contemporary perspective on current practice and suggestions about possible futures.
When individual locations affect the choice of multi-location acquisition targets
Authors: Ramos Miguel A , Shaver J Myles
Published: December 2012

When examining how geographic location affects acquisitions, existing research has largely overlooked that many acquired firms operate in multiple locations. We examine the role of inter-firm and intra-firm agglomeration effects through the use of acquisitions of multi-location targets in knowledge-intensive industries, focusing on the importance of knowledge transfer. We argue that in such settings, acquirers value specific location characteristics of multi-location firms and not aggregate location characteristics. We hypothesize that in knowledge-intensive industries, an acquirer is more likely to select a multi-location target the higher the knowledge intensity of its most knowledge-intensive location. We also hypothesize that in knowledge-intensive industries, an acquirer is more likely to select a multi-location target the more locations their operations overlap because it facilitates internal knowledge transfer in the combined firm. Using a sample of multi-location acquisitions of US manufacturing firms between 2002 and 2004 and employing a discrete choice methodology, we find support for these predictions. Our results highlight the importance that specific locations play in the choice of multi-location acquisition targets.
Revisiting the TV Object
Authors: Olofsson Jennie
Published: December 2012

This article explores the site-specific location and objecthood of the Swedish television during its inception. It offers an understanding not only of how people in Sweden experienced the arrival of the television but also of the ways in which its material properties fashioned peoples’ use of space and how this worked in tandem with social stratifications, national discourses, and gendered ideals. Engaging in the historical and material actuality of the television offers additional insights into the ways in which the television is experienced today, and how these experiences continuously contribute to fashioning peoples’ experience of the TV object.
Social Capital in the 50 States: Measuring State-Level Social Capital, 1986–2004
Authors: Hawes Daniel , Rocha Rene , Meier Kenneth
Published: December 2012

The idea of social capital has had a powerful impact on the study of politics, policy, and social science at large. Much of what we know about the causes and effects of social capital, however, is limited by the nature of data used regularly by scholars working in this area. Current data sets allow researchers to study changes in social capital over time at the national level and static differences in the distribution of social capital across the states. The inability of scholars to know how social capital varies over time and across space limits the kinds of questions that can be asked. In this article, we use sample data of more than 20,000 individuals conducted biannually in the continuous 48 states by the marketing research firm MediaMark Research, Inc. to create a unique measure of social capital that varies across time and space. These data are available at the state level from 1986 through 2004.
Unwelcome Constituents: Redistricting and Countervailing Partisan Tides
Authors: Hood M. V. , McKee Seth C.
Published: December 2012

We analyze the effect of redrawn constituents on incumbent vote shares in Georgia U.S. House elections from 1992 to 2006. The Georgia General Assembly redrew the congressional boundaries for the 2006 midterm and the new lines redistributed approximately 31% of residents into districts with a different incumbent than the one representing them in 2004. With the use of Voting Tabulation District (VTD) data, we use a hierarchical model to evaluate the effect these redrawn constituents had on their new incumbent's vote share. We find a consistent pattern: both Democratic and Republican incumbents experienced significant reductions in their vote shares as a consequence of the redrawn VTDs placed in their districts. The short-term political climate featuring a national Democratic tide and a simultaneous statewide trend favoring the Grand Old Party (GOP) helps to explain this finding. With offsetting partisan conditions, the incumbency advantage came to the fore as Georgia U.S. House members, irrespective of party affiliation, performed better among the constituents they retained prior to redistricting. Our findings for the 2006 election run counter to the significant Republican redistricting advantage prevailing in Georgia congressional contests from 1992 to 2004.
The Experiences of Low-Income Latino/a Students in the California Community College System at a Time of Education Budget Cuts
Authors: Chacón Justin Akers
Published: December 2012

Budget cuts have reduced courses and student services within California community colleges. This coincides with the growth of low-income Latino male (Latinos) and Latina female (Latinas) student enrollment. Budget cuts have been implemented throughout the system, including in the Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS), which disproportionately serve low-income Latino/a students. The purpose of this study was to analyze the experiences and perceptions of low-income Latino/a students enrolled in the community college and in EOPS at a time of budget cuts. The research revealed that the students in the study experienced additional difficulties in completing their educational objectives due to budget cuts, resulting in the perception that their education was of less social significance. To ensure full and equal access for this student population, students, educators, and administrators will need to become advocates for student equity at a time of budget cuts.
The Impact of Redistricting on Latino Education Policy
Authors: Chapa Jorge , Garcia Emmanuel
Published: December 2012

Redistricting, the redrawing of electoral district boundaries to reflect the latest population counts, occurs for most electoral districts after each decennial census. While normally a topic of concern mainly to politicians and politicos, redistricting can alter the opportunities for representation and policy alternatives. For a number of reasons, Latino representation at many electoral levels has lagged far behind Latino population percentages. Latino representation has been shown to increase Latino educational opportunities, access, and success. One higher education example of this is Texas’ top ten percent plan (TTP) spearheaded by Latino/a legislators. This plan has led to substantially increased Latino enrollments in Texas’ public universities.
Influence of aluminium incorporation in the preparation of zirconia-pillared clay and catalytic performance in the acetalization reaction
Authors: Mnasri S. , Frini-Srasra N.
Published: December 2012

The exchange reaction of Na-bentonite with zirconium pillars gives products which suffer from a loss of crystallinity, with basal spacing about 18 Å and surface area of 200 m2 g–1. Aluminium introduced in different amounts in the zirconium intercalated solution leads to an improvement in the stability and crystallinity of zirconia-pillared clays (Zr-PILCs) and creates pillared clays with new properties. Adding a small amount of Al (10 molar %) leads to an increase of d001 from 18 Å to 20.5 Å and an increase of the percentage of introduced zirconium from 16.71 to 21, expressed as ZrO2 wt.%, accompanied by an increase of the Brönsted and Lewis acidic sites. The acetalization of acetone with ethylene glycol was studied in order to compare the activity of PILCs. The results show that the yield of the aforementioned reaction depends strongly of the composition and acidity of the catalyst.
Genomic insights of protein arginine methyltransferase Hmt1 binding reveals novel regulatory functions
Authors: Milliman Eric J , Hu Zihua , Yu Michael C
Published: December 2012

Background

Protein arginine methylation is a post-translational modification involved in important biological processes such as transcription and RNA processing. This modification is catalyzed by both type I and II protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs). One of the most conserved type I PRMTs is PRMT1, the homolog of which is Hmt1 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Hmt1 has been shown to play a role in various gene expression steps, such as promoting the dynamics of messenger ribonucleoprotein particle (mRNP) biogenesis, pre-mRNA splicing, and silencing of chromatin. To determine the full extent of Hmt1’s involvement during gene expression, we carried out a genome-wide location analysis for Hmt1.

Results

A comprehensive genome-wide binding profile for Hmt1 was obtained by ChIP-chip using NimbleGen high-resolution tiling microarrays. Of the approximately 1000 Hmt1-binding sites found, the majority fall within or proximal to an ORF. Different occupancy patterns of Hmt1 across genes with different transcriptional rates were found. Interestingly, Hmt1 occupancy is found at a number of other genomic features such as tRNA and snoRNA genes, thereby implicating a regulatory role in the biogenesis of these non-coding RNAs. RNA hybridization analysis shows that Hmt1 loss-of-function mutants display higher steady-state tRNA abundance relative to the wild-type. Co-immunoprecipitation studies demonstrate that Hmt1 interacts with the TFIIIB component Bdp1, suggesting a mechanism for Hmt1 in modulating RNA Pol III transcription to regulate tRNA production.

Conclusions

The genome-wide binding profile of Hmt1 reveals multiple potential new roles for Hmt1 in the control of eukaryotic gene expression, especially in the realm of non-coding RNAs. The data obtained here will provide an important blueprint for future mechanistic studies on the described occupancy relationship for genomic features bound by Hmt1.
Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of Bersama engleriana leaves in nicotinamide/streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats
Authors: Pierre Watcho , Gildas Achountsa Jeugo Hugues , Ulrich Mbiakop Carlos , Modeste Wankeu-Nya , Benoît Nguelefack azTélesphore , Albert Kamanyi
Published: December 2012

Background

The present investigation was aimed at evaluating the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic properties of the aqueous and methanolic extracts from Bersama engleriana leaves in streptozotocin/nicotinamide (STZ-NA)-induced type 2 diabetic rats.

Methods

Animals were orally treated for 4 consecutive weeks with Bersama engleriana extracts at doses of 300 or 600 mg/kg. The anti-diabetic effect was examined by measuring blood glucose (BG) at 0, 1, 14 and 28 days after STZ-NA treatment and, total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides (TG) levels at sacrifice (day 29). Glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) was used for comparison.

Results

STZ-NA-induced diabetic rats showed moderate to significant increases in the levels of BG, TG, TC, LDL-C while body weight, HDL-C levels and relative weights of liver and pancreas were decreased compared to controls (non diabetic rats). Administration of the plant extracts to STZ-NA diabetic rats resulted in a significant decrease in BG, TG, TC and LDL-C and the dose 600 mg/kg of the methanolic extract was the most effective; HDL-C level was markedly increased after four weeks compared to untreated diabetic rats. A dose-dependent increase in the relative weights of the diabetogenic organs was observed in the Bersama engleriana groups. It can be also noticed that the methanolic extract, especially the dose 600 mg/kg (p<0.001), produced more effects than glibenclamide and aqueous extract. Rats treated with glibenclamide (0.25 mg/kg) generally gave lower results compared to groups treated with plant extracts.

Conclusion

Results of the present study showed that Bersama engleriana extracts and especially its methanolic extract possess antidiabetogenic properties and beneficial effects on diabetic hyperlipidemia. All these effects could be due to the bioactive components revealed in the Bersama engleriana extracts such as triterpenes and phenols and which could justify its ethnomedical use.
High level of oxidized nucleosides in thyroid mitochondrial DNA; damaging effects of Fenton reaction substrates
Authors: Karbownik-Lewińska Małgorzata , Stępniak Jan , Lewiński Andrzej
Published: December 2012

Background

The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lies in close proximity to the free radical-producing electron transport chain, thus, it is highly prone to oxidative damage. Oxyphilic type of follicular thyroid carcinoma consists of cells filled – almost exclusively – with aberrant mitochondria. In turn, bivalent iron (Fe2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) are indispensable for thyroid hormone synthesis, therefore being available in physiological conditions presumably at high concentrations. They participate in Fenton reaction (Fe2++H2O2→Fe3++·OH + OH-), resulting in the formation of the most harmful free radical – hydroxyl radical (·OH). The same substrates may be used to experimentally induce oxidative damage to macromolecules. The aim of the study was to evaluate the background level of oxidative damage to mtDNA and the damaging effects of Fenton reaction substrates.

Methods

Thyroid mtDNA was incubated in the presence of either H2O2[100, 10, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1, 0.001, 0.00001 mM] or FeSO4(Fe2+) [300, 150, 30, 15, 3.0, 1.5 μM], or in the presence of those two factors used together, namely, in the presence of Fe2+[30 μM] plus H2O2[100, 10, 1.0, 0.5, 0.1, 0.001, 0.00001 mM], or in the presence of H2O2[0.5 mM] plus Fe2+[300, 150, 30, 15, 3.0, 1.5 μM]. 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2’-deoxyguanosine (8-oxodG) concentration, as the index of DNA damage, was measured by HPLC.

Results

Both Fenton reaction substrates, used separately, increased 8-oxodG level for the highest H2O2concentration of 100 mM and in Fe2+concentration-dependent manner [300, 150, and 30 μM].

When Fe2+and H2O2were applied together, Fe2+enhanced H2O2damaging effect to a higher degree than did H2O2on Fe2+effect.

Conclusions

The level of oxidized nucleosides in thyroid mtDNA is relatively high, when compared to nuclear DNA. Both substrates of Fenton reaction, i.e. ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide, increase oxidative damage to mtDNA, with stronger damaging effect exerted by iron. High level of oxidative damage to mtDNA suggests its possible contribution to malignant transformation of thyroid oncocytic cells, which are known to be especially abundant in mitochondria, the latter characterized by molecular and enzymatic abnormalities.
Induction of G1 cell cycle arrest and cyclin D1 down-regulation in response to pericarp extract of Baneh in human breast cancer T47D cells
Authors: Rezaei Parisa Fathi , Fouladdel Shamileh , Ghaffari Seyed Mahmood , Amin Gholamreza , Azizi Ebrahim
Published: December 2012

Background and the purpose of the study

Natural products from plants have an important role in the development and production of new drugs mainly for cancer therapy. More recently, we have shown that the pericarp methanolic extract of Pistacia atlantica sub kurdica (with local name of Baneh) as a rich source of active biological components with high antioxidant and radical scavenging activities, has ability to cease proliferation and induce apoptosis in T47D human breast cancer cells. The present study aimed to clarify whether Baneh extract able to alter cell cycle progression of T47D cells or not.

Methods

In order to study the possible effect of Baneh extract on cell cycle of T47D cells, we evaluated cell cycle distribution and its regulatory proteins by flow cytometry and western blot analysis respectively.

Results

Baneh extract induced G0/G1 cell cycle arrest in conjunction with a marked decrease in expression of cyclin D1 and cdk4 that was strongly dependent on time of exposure. In parallel, Dox-treated T47D cells in early time points were accumulated on S phase, but after 48 h cell cycle progression was inhibited on G2/M. Dox promoted striking accumulation of cyclin B1 rapidly and enhanced cyclin A abundance.

Conclusion

Taken together, our results establish that the antitumor activity of the pericarp extract of Baneh partly is mediated via cell cycle arrest and downregulation of cyclin D1 and cdk4 expression. These findings warrant further evaluation regarding the mechanism(s) of action of this promising anticancer agent.
Calculation of Heat of Adsorption of Gases and Refrigerants on Activated Carbons from Direct Measurements Fitted to the Dubinin–Astakhov Equation
Authors: Srinivasan Kandadai , Dutta Pradip , Ng Kim Choon , Saha Bidyut Baran
Published: December 2012

The heat of adsorption of methane, ethane, carbon dioxide, R-507a and R-134a on several specimens of microporous activated carbons is derived from experimental adsorption data fitted to the Dubinin–Astakhov equation. These adsorption results are compared with literature data obtained from calorimetric measurements and from the pressure–temperature relation during isosteric heating/cooling. Because the adsorbed phase volume plays an important role, its dependence on temperature and pressure needs to be correctly assessed. In addition, for super-critical gas adsorption, the evaluation of the pseudo-saturation pressure also needs a judicious treatment. Based on the evaluation of carbon dioxide adsorption, it can be seen that sub-critical and super-critical adsorption show different temperature dependences of the isosteric heat of adsorption. The temperature and loading dependence of this property needs to be taken into account while designing practical systems. Some practical implications of these findings are enumerated.
Enhancing Adsorption of Dyes onto Clay in Bubble Column Adsorber
Authors: Nassar Mamdouh M. , El-Geundi Mohammad S. , Al-Wahbi Abdulrkib A.
Published: December 2012

Herein, we studied the adsorption of acid dye onto Yemen natural clay in a bubble column adsorber. In addition, the effect of different parameters such as air flow rate, initial dye concentration and clay mass on the adsorption using clay has been investigated. The external and internal mass transfers were analyzed based on external mass transfer and intra-particle diffusion models. Our results showed that the calculated external mass transfer coefficient increased with the increase in air flow rate and mass of clay, but decreased with the increase in initial dye concentration. For the external mass transfer, different coefficient variables can be correlated by the following dimensionless correlation: Sh/Sc0.33 = 261.65 (F)0.165 (C0)−0.743 (m)−0.311. The intra-particle diffusion coefficient, KP, was found to increase with the increase in air flow rate and initial dye concentration, and with the decrease in the mass of clay. For the intra-particle diffusion, the studied variables can be correlated by the equation KP = X (variable)Y. The results of this study reveal that air flow rate has more influence on increasing the rate of adsorption than the initial dye concentration and mass of clay.
Synthesis of Magnetic Halloysite Composites for the Effective Removal of Tetracycline Hydrochloride from Aqueous Solutions
Authors: Guan Weisheng , Wang Xu , Pan Jianming , Lei Junru , Zhou Ya , Lu Chenchen , Yan Yongsheng
Published: December 2012

Herein, we explain an effective method for the synthesis of halloysite/CoFe2O4 magnetic composites (magnetic halloysite nanotubes or MHNTs) and their use as as adsorbents to effectively remove tetracycline hydrochloride (TC–HCl) from aqueous solutions. The synthesized composites were characterized by the following methods: Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry and atomic absorption spectrometry. Our study results indicated that MHNTs have strong magnetic (Ms = 34.02 emu/g) and low leakage properties. The adsorption capacities of MHNTs were investigated by performing a series of experiments with different pH, temperatures, initial concentrations and reaction time. The Langmuir isotherm model fitted to equilibrium data better than the Freundlich model. The kinetic properties of the composites were well-described by applying the pseudo-second-order equation. Even after carrying out two repeated experimental cycles, the reusability of the synthesized composites did not obviously degenerate.
Mathematical Model of Mercury Capture in the Filter of an Entrained-Flow Reactor System
Authors: Keener Tim C. , Oh Kwang-Joong , Lee Sang-Sup
Published: December 2012

Results of full-scale tests have shown that mercury capture in a fabric filter is more effective than in an electrostatic precipitator. This is in accordance with our previous experimental results in which significant amounts of oxidized mercury were easily adsorbed in the filter rather than in the entrained-flow reactor portion. In this study, mercury capture in the filter was modelled using a tanks-in-series model. Based on the experimental results of this study, we conclude that the modelling results predicted an effective mercury capture in the filter.
Air Regeneration of a Silicalite Column Loaded with Ethanol: Modelling and Energy Estimation
Authors: Delgado José A. , Agueda Vicente I. , Uguina María A. , Sotelo José L. , García Alvaro , García-Sanz Alicia
Published: December 2012

Concentration-thermal swing adsorption (CTSA) using an ethanol-selective adsorbent can be an attractive option to reduce the energy costs associated with the separation of ethanol from water. In this process, ethanol regeneration is the only step with significant energy consumption, in which the adsorbent column saturated with liquid ethanol is purged with a hot inert gas to recover ethanol by condensation. Despite many showing interest in applying CTSA, the method has received little attention in the open literature, and consequently little information is available about its energy requirement. In this work, we experimentally measured the regeneration dynamics of a heated silicalite column saturated with liquid ethanol by air purge using different column wall temperatures and purge gas flow rates. Using a theoretical model based on conservation equations, the mass and heat transfer kinetics in this process are adequately reproduced. The proposed model has been used to estimate the overall energy requirement of the ethanol vapourization/desorption and the subsequent condensation processes.
CO2 Adsorption Properties of Activated Carbon Fibres under Ambient Conditions
Authors: Nakahigashi Yoshitaka , Kanoh Hirofumi , Ohba Tomonori , Baba Masumi , Hattori Yoshiyuki , Inoue Naoya , Morimoto Masafumi
Published: December 2012

In this study, we investigated the possibilities of using activated carbon fibre (ACF) as a carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology. The CO2 adsorption isotherms of ACFs with different porosities were systematically examined at 273 and 298 K under ambient pressure conditions. The porosities of the ACFs were characterized by the adsorption of nitrogen at 77 K. We analyzed the adsorption capabilities of three types of ACFs (A5, A10 and A20) having different slit-shaped pore widths, specific surface areas and micropore volumes. Our results reveal that A5 had ultramicropores and achieved a higher adsorption of CO2 at low relative pressure (<0.015) at 273 K. However, A10, which had an average pore width of 0.9 nm, exhibited the highest adsorption capacity of 195 mg g−1 at a higher pressure of about 100 kPa, which is a relatively high value compared with that of conventional activated carbon. By establishing the temperature dependence of CO2 adsorptivity and using Dubinin–Radushkevich analysis, we characterized the interaction energy between pores and CO2 molecules. Our results shed light on the fundamental aspects of CO2 adsorption of ACFs, moving them towards being a viable CCS.
Adsorption of Pb2+ Using Mesoporous Activated Carbon and its Effects on Surface Modifications
Authors: Deliyanni Eleni , Arabatzidou Anastasia , Tzoupanos Nikolaos , Matis Kostas A.
Published: December 2012

This study explains the use of modified activated carbon (microporous or mesoporous) as adsorbents for the removal of lead ions from water. The modifications involved the following: (i) oxidation, to introduce oxygen-containing functional groups, and (ii) treatment with aqueous ammonia, to introduce basic nitrogen functional groups. The pristine materials, namely, those after surface modifications and those after adsorption, were characterized by the adsorption of nitrogen, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and thermal analyses. We conducted batch experiments to study the effect of initial concentration, pH and temperature on the removal of Pb2+. Our experiments showed that adsorption was pH dependent, and any rise in temperature results in increased adsorption, which indicates the endothermic nature of the process. Typical isotherm models were fitted to describe the data. In addition, during adsorption, homogeneous accumulation of lead ions on the carbonaceous surface was observed. The higher adsorption capacity of chemically oxidized mesoporous carbon for lead was mainly due to the presence of functional groups of oxygen and nitrogen on the surfaces of activated carbon, which presumably react with the metal ions to form salt or complexes that deposit on the carbon surface.
Digital to Physical: Comparative Evaluation of Three Main CNC Fabrication Technologies Adopted for Physical Modelling in Architecture
Authors: Globa Anastasia , Donn Michael , Twose Simon
Published: December 2012

The objective of this experimental study is to investigate and systematise data regarding the production issues and limitations of Computer Numerically Controlled fabrication technologies typically adopted for physical modelling in architecture. This study also aims to observe the value of potential feedback to the design process from different types of digitally fabricated architectural models. This experimental research systematically explores digital fabrication as a computer-aided modelling tool using two international architectural competition projects as case studies: the design of a skyscraper and relocatable schools. Developed by the authors especially for this research paper, each case study acts as a test bed to compare and evaluate digital production techniques adopted for physical modelling in architecture. Designs go through a process of refinement using CNC fabrication as an integral part of the design process. Each step in the process is closely evaluated as to its effectiveness according to a matrix of feedback criteria.
Custom Digital Workflows: A New Framework for Design Analysis Integration
Authors: Toth Bianca , Janssen Patrick , Stouffs Rudi , Chaszar Andre , Boeykens Stefan
Published: December 2012

Flexible information exchange is critical to successful design-analysis integration, but current top-down, standards-based and model-oriented strategies impose restrictions that contradict this flexibility. In this article we present a bottom-up, user-controlled and process-oriented approach to linking design and analysis applications that is more responsive to the varied needs of designers and design teams. Drawing on research into scientific workflows, we present a framework for integration that capitalises on advances in cloud computing to connect discrete tools via flexible and distributed process networks. We then discuss how a shared mapping process that is flexible and user friendly supports non-programmers in creating these custom connections. Adopting a services-oriented system architecture, we propose a web-based platform that enables data, semantics and models to be shared on the fly. We then discuss potential challenges and opportunities for its development as a flexible, visual, collaborative, scalable and open system.
PARA-Typing Informing Form and the Making of Difference
Authors: Gerber David J.
Published: December 2012

This paper presents design research and instruction into the use of constraint based digital and analogue modelling techniques and the development of associative parametric models to simulate highly differentiated fabricated form. One set of these design research projects were conceived as manual analogue generative processes for prototyping modularity and serial differentiation. Then through parametric design techniques, modular aggregations were design explored and developed in concert with material properties and constraints. Utilizing digital fabrication full-scale installations were designed, manufactured, and for site-specific configurations. A second set of projects provides an extension of the design instruction that includes the integration of performance criteria into these design objectives. The objectives of the research are to present benefits and limitations of the incorporation of parametric design, performance analysis, and prototyping techniques in comprehensive studio instruction. The paper discusses the resultant informed materialized difference and the impacts on achieving reinforced and hands on learning objectives.
A New Palladian Shape Grammar
Authors: Benrós Deborah , Duarte José P. , Hanna Sean
Published: December 2012

The following paper describes a shape grammar that recreates Palladian villas. A Palladian grammar was originally proposed by Stiny and Mitchell. However, this alternative grammar uses different parametric shape rules and methodology to test the hypothesis that different grammars can generate the same corpus of designs. The formalism is then implemented using a computerised design tool. The grammar includes subdivision rules that allow for a more economical formulation. A new corpus of solutions is explored and the derivation is compared with the original Palladian grammar. The project is part of wider research aimed at formulating a generic housing grammar.
Digital and Physical Tools for Industrial Robots in Architecture: Robotic Interaction and Interfaces
Authors: Braumann Johannes , Cokcan Sigrid-Brell
Published: December 2012

The development of digital and physical tools is highly dependent on interfaces, which define the terms of interaction both between humans and machines, as well as between machines and other machines. This research explores how new, advanced human machine interfaces, that are built upon concepts established by entertainment electronics can enhance the interaction between users and complex, kinematic machines. Similarly, physical computing greatly innovates machine-machine interaction, as it allows designers to easily customize microcontroller boards and to embed them into complex systems, where they drive actuators and interact with other machines such as industrial robots. These approaches are especially relevant in the creative industry, where customized soft- and hardware is now enabling innovative and highly effective fabrication strategies that have the potential to compete with high-tech industry applications.