bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial Variability of Rice Grain Arsenic in Confined and Unconfined Basins of Ganges River Floodplain Soils of Bangladesh
Authors: Kabir MH , Rahman GKMM , Ahmed ZU , Rahman MM , Rahman MM
Published: February 2016

Arsenic (As) accumulates in rice grain from contaminated irrigation water and soils may vary with the land types and water receiving basins. Two confined and one unconfined basins comprised of different land types in the As contaminated Ganges River Floodplain soils of Faridpur district of Bangladesh were selected to assess the contribution of different land types on spatial distribution of As uptake by rice grain. Sites in Faridpur Sadar and Madhukhali upazilas were confined basins, while a third site in Boalmari upazila was an unconfined basin connected to a river. Each site consisted of a mosaic of between 16-31 shallow tube well (STW) irrigation command areas with water As concentrations ranging from about 20 to 170 ?g-l in Faridpur and Boalmari sites and 20-110 ?g-l in Madhukhali site. Soil arsenic concentrations ranged from about 4-42, 5-31 and 5-29 mg kg-1 in Madhukhali, Faridpur Sadar and Boalmari, respectively, while the resultant rice grain As were 0.22 - 0.69, 0.095  0.751 and 0.030  0.92 mg kg-1, respectively. Arsenic concentrations in rice grain of different sites were in the order of Madhukhal>Faridpur Sadar>Boalmari basin. Arsenic accumulated high in the confined basins because of its less mobilization while more mobilization and loss of As in the open unconfined basin was obvious which materialized in the rice grain arsenic of the corresponding study sites.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 51-55 2015
In Vitro Regeneration of Dendrobium sp. of Orchid Using Leaf Tip as Explant
Authors: Goswami K , Yasmin S , Nasiruddin KM , Khatun F , Akte J
Published: February 2016

Plant growth regulators (PGRs) namely, 2,4-D, NAA and BAP were added into Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium to observe the effect of PGRs on the growth and development of Dendrobium sp. orchid. Leaf tips of Dendrobium sp. were used as explants and inoculated on MS medium supplemented with 2, 4 D (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5, 10 mgL?1) for development of PLBs. The maximum PLBs formation (90%) and the maximum number of PLBs (16.00) were observed in 10 mgL?1 2, 4-D into MS medium after 60 days of culture. Subcultured PLBs were inoculated on MS medium supplemented with different combinations of NAA (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5 mgL?1) and BAP (0, 0.5, 2.5, 5 mgL?1) for shoot regeneration. The maximum number of shoot (11.00), the highest fresh weight (0.6233g) and the highest shoot length (3.613 cm) were observed in 0.5 mgL?1 NAA + 0.5 mgL?1 BAP after 60 days of culture. Even, the maximum number of root (4.00), the maximum root length (1.627cm) and the maximum plantlet regeneration percentage (93.33%) were observed with the combined effect of 0.5 mg NAA and 0.5 mg BAP after 60 days of culture. Finally, regenerated plantlets were transferred into half strength MS medium to obtain plants.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 75-78 2015
Spatial Effects of Industrial Effluent on Soil Quality around the Textile Industrial Area of Bhaluka Upazila, Mymensingh
Authors: Tabassum N , Khatun R , Baten MA
Published: February 2016

The study was carried out to investigate the spatial effects of industrial effluent on physico-chemical properties of soil around the textile industrial area of Bhaluka upazila, Mymensingh, from January to March, 2015. Total 15 soil samples were collected at 0m, 50m, 100m, 200m and 300m distances from the effluent discharging point. Soil texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), organic matter (OM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), sulphur (S), sodium (Na) and heavy metal (lead, Pb and cadmium, Cd) content were investigated in this study. Soil pH, EC, OM and nutrient content of soil were higher at discharge point (at 0m) and lowest at 300m distance. The Pb content was maximum (36.9 ppm) at 0m and minimum (24.27 ppm) at 300m distance. The highest value (3.0 ppm) of Cd was observed at 0m and lowest value (2.8 ppm) was at 300m distance. All of the studied values were higher at the adjacent of industrial area and gradually decreased with distance.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 79-82 2015
Yield and Nutrient Content of Tomato as Influenced by the Application of Vermicompost and Chemical Fertilizers
Authors: Mukta S , Rahman MM , Mortuza MG
Published: February 2016

A pot experiment was conducted to investigate the yield and nutrient content of tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) as influenced by the application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. The experiment was laid out in a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 replications and comprised of 8 treatments viz., T1 - control, T2 - recommended dose of NPK fertilizers (CF), T3 - vermicompost @ 5 t ha-1 (VC1), T4 - vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1 (VC2), T5 - VC1 + 50% CF, T6 - VC1 + 75% CF, T7 - VC2 + 50% CF and T8 - VC2 + 75% CF. Application of vermicompost @ 10 t ha-1 along with 50% chemical fertilizers showed the best performance for plant height, number of leaves plant-1, number of flowers branch-1, number of fruits branch-1, number of fruits plant-1, fruit size and yield of tomato. Vermicompost treated soils significantly contributed the highest contents of sugar, pH, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn & B in tomato, influenced nutrient status of the postharvest soil and conserved more organic C, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn & B contents over control. However, soluble solids and vitamin C content in tomato were not significantly influenced by the application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers. Results of the study demonstrate that the combined application of vermicompost and chemical fertilizers would help to maintain the long-term soil productivity for sustainable tomato cultivation.J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 8(2): 115-122 2015
Melanoma and the Unfolded Protein Response
Authors: Sykes Erin , Mactier Swetlana , Christopherson Richard
Published: February 2016

The UPR (unfolded protein response) has been identified as a key factor in the progression and metastasis of cancers, notably melanoma. Several mediators of the UPR are upregulated in cancers, e.g., high levels of GRP78 (glucose-regulator protein 78 kDa) correlate with progression and poor outcome in melanoma patients. The proliferative burden of cancer induces stress and activates several cellular stress responses. The UPR is a tightly orchestrated stress response that is activated upon the accumulation of unfolded proteins within the ER (endoplasmic reticulum). The UPR is designed to mediate two conflicting outcomtes, recovery and apoptosis. As a result, the UPR initiates a widespread signaling cascade to return the cell to homeostasis and failing to achieve cellular recovery, initiates UPR-induced apoptosis. There is evidence that ER stress and subsequently the UPR promote tumourigenesis and metastasis. The complete role of the UPR has yet to be defined. Understanding how the UPR allows for adaption to stress and thereby assists in cancer progression is important in defining an archetype of melanoma pathology. In addition, elucidation of the mechanisms of the UPR may lead to development of effective treatments of metastatic melanoma.
Building a Plant DNA Barcode Reference Library for a Diverse Tropical Flora: An Example from Queensland, Australia
Authors: Costion Craig , Lowe Andrew , Rossetto Maurizio , Kooyman Robert , Breed Martin , Ford Andrew , Crayn Darren
Published: February 2016

A foundation for a DNA barcode reference library for the tropical plants of Australia is presented here. A total of 1572 DNA barcode sequences are compiled from 848 tropical Queensland species. The dataset represents 35% of the total flora of Queensland’s Wet Tropics Bioregion, 57% of its tree species and 28% of the shrub species. For approximately half of the sampled species, we investigated the occurrence of infraspecific molecular variation in DNA barcode loci rbcLa, matK, and the trnH-psbA intergenic spacer region across previously recognized biogeographic barriers. We found preliminary support for the notion that DNA barcode reference libraries can be used as a tool for inferring biogeographic patterns at regional scales. It is expected that this dataset will find applications in taxonomic, ecological, and applied conservation research.
The Impact of Entropy Production and Emission Mitigation on Economic Growth
Authors: Kümmel Reiner
Published: February 2016

Entropy production in industrial economies involves heat currents, driven by gradients of temperature, and particle currents, driven by specific external forces and gradients of temperature and chemical potentials. Pollution functions are constructed for the associated emissions. They reduce the output elasticities of the production factors capital, labor, and energy in the growth equation of the capital-labor-energy-creativity model, when the emissions approach their critical limits. These are drawn by, e.g., health hazards or threats to ecological and climate stability. By definition, the limits oblige the economic actors to dedicate shares of the available production factors to emission mitigation, or to adjustments to the emission-induced changes in the biosphere. Since these shares are missing for the production of the quantity of goods and services that would be available to consumers and investors without emission mitigation, the “conventional” output of the economy shrinks. The resulting losses of conventional output are estimated for two classes of scenarios: (1) energy conservation; and (2) nuclear exit and subsidies to photovoltaics. The data of the scenarios refer to Germany in the 1980s and after 11 March 2011. For the energy-conservation scenarios, a method of computing the reduction of output elasticities by emission abatement is proposed.
Evaluating the Appropriateness of Downscaled Climate Information for Projecting Risks of Salmonella
Authors: Guentchev Galina , Rood Richard , Ammann Caspar , Barsugli Joseph , Ebi Kristie , Berrocal Veronica , O’Neill Marie , Gronlund Carina , Vigh Jonathan , Koziol Ben , Cinquini Luca
Published: February 2016

Foodborne diseases have large economic and societal impacts worldwide. To evaluate how the risks of foodborne diseases might change in response to climate change, credible and usable climate information tailored to the specific application question is needed. Global Climate Model (GCM) data generally need to, both, be downscaled to the scales of the application to be usable, and represent, well, the key characteristics that inflict health impacts. This study presents an evaluation of temperature-based heat indices for the Washington D.C. area derived from statistically downscaled GCM simulations for 1971–2000—a necessary step in establishing the credibility of these data. The indices approximate high weekly mean temperatures linked previously to occurrences of Salmonella infections. Due to bias-correction, included in the Asynchronous Regional Regression Model (ARRM) and the Bias Correction Constructed Analogs (BCCA) downscaling methods, the observed 30-year means of the heat indices were reproduced reasonably well. In April and May, however, some of the statistically downscaled data misrepresent the increase in the number of hot days towards the summer months. This study demonstrates the dependence of the outcomes to the selection of downscaled climate data and the potential for misinterpretation of future estimates of Salmonella infections.
AfAP2-1, An Age-Dependent Gene of Aechmea fasciata, Responds to Exogenous Ethylene Treatment
Authors: Lei Ming , Li Zhi-Ying , Wang Jia-Bin , Fu Yun-Liu , Ao Meng-Fei , Xu Li
Published: February 2016

The Bromeliaceae family is one of the most morphologically diverse families with a pantropical distribution. To schedule an appropriate flowering time for bromeliads, ethylene is commonly used to initiate flower development in adult plants. However, the mechanism by which ethylene induces flowering in adult bromeliads remains unknown. Here, we identified an APETALA2 (AP2)-like gene, AfAP2-1, in Aechmea fasciata. AfAP2-1 contains two AP2 domains and is a nuclear-localized protein. It functions as a transcriptional activator, and the activation domain is located in the C-terminal region. The expression level of AfAP2-1 is higher in juvenile plants than in adult plants, and the AfAP2-1 transcript level was rapidly and transiently reduced in plants treated with exogenous ethylene. Overexpression of AfAP2-1 in Arabidopsis thaliana results in an extremely delayed flowering phenotype. These results suggested that AfAP2-1 responds to ethylene and is a putative age-dependent flowering regulator in A. fasciata.
Infrastructure for Personalized Medicine at Partners HealthCare
Authors: Weiss Scott , Shin Meini
Published: February 2016

Partners HealthCare Personalized Medicine (PPM) is a center within the Partners HealthCare system (founded by Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital) whose mission is to utilize genetics and genomics to improve the care of patients in a cost effective manner. PPM consists of five interconnected components: (1) Laboratory for Molecular Medicine (LMM), a CLIA laboratory performing genetic testing for patients world-wide; (2) Translational Genomics Core (TGC), a core laboratory providing genomic platforms for Partners investigators; (3) Partners Biobank, a biobank of samples (DNA, plasma and serum) for 50,000 Consented Partners patients; (4) Biobank Portal, an IT infrastructure and viewer to bring together genotypes, samples, phenotypes (validated diagnoses, radiology, and clinical chemistry) from the electronic medical record to Partners investigators. These components are united by (5) a common IT system that brings researchers, clinicians, and patients together for optimal research and patient care.
Al-Co Alloys Prepared by Vacuum Arc Melting: Correlating Microstructure Evolution and Aqueous Corrosion Behavior with Co Content
Authors: Lekatou Angeliki , Sfikas Athanasios , Petsa Christina , Karantzalis Alexandros
Published: February 2016

Hypereutectic Al-Co alloys of various Co contents (7–20 weight % (wt.%) Co) were prepared by vacuum arc melting, aiming at investigating the influence of the cobalt content on the microstructure and corrosion behavior. Quite uniform and directional microstructures were attained. The obtained microstructures depended on the Co content, ranging from fully eutectic growth (7 wt.% and 10 wt.% Co) to coarse primary Al9Co2 predominance (20 wt.% Co). Co dissolution in Al far exceeded the negligible equilibrium solubility of Co in Al; however, it was hardly uniform. By increasing the cobalt content, the fraction and coarseness of Al9Co2, the content of Co dissolved in the Al matrix, and the hardness and porosity of the alloy increased. All alloys exhibited similar corrosion behavior in 3.5 wt.% NaCl with high resistance to localized corrosion. Al-7 wt.% Co showed slightly superior corrosion resistance than the other compositions in terms of relatively low corrosion rate, relatively low passivation current density and scarcity of stress corrosion cracking indications. All Al-Co compositions demonstrated substantially higher resistance to localized corrosion than commercially pure Al produced by casting, cold rolling and arc melting. A corrosion mechanism was formulated. Surface films were identified.
Fabrication of Corrosion Resistance Micro-Nanostructured Superhydrophobic Anodized Aluminum in a One-Step Electrodeposition Process
Authors: Huang Ying , Sarkar Dilip , Chen X.-Grant
Published: February 2016

The formation of low surface energy hybrid organic-inorganic micro-nanostructured zinc stearate electrodeposit transformed the anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) surface to superhydrophobic, having a water contact angle of 160°. The corrosion current densities of the anodized and aluminum alloy surfaces are found to be 200 and 400 nA/cm2, respectively. In comparison, superhydrophobic anodic aluminum oxide (SHAAO) shows a much lower value of 88 nA/cm2. Similarly, the charge transfer resistance, Rct, measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that the SHAAO substrate was found to be 200-times larger than the as-received aluminum alloy substrate. These results proved that the superhydrophobic surfaces created on the anodized surface significantly improved the corrosion resistance property of the aluminum alloy.
The Hot Deformation Activation Energy of 7050 Aluminum Alloy under Three Different Deformation Modes
Authors: Sang Deli , Fu Ruidong , Li Yijun
Published: February 2016

In this study, the hot deformation activation energy values of 7050-T7451 aluminum alloy, calculated with two different methods under three deformation modes, were compared. The results showed that the hot deformation activation energy values obtained with the classical constitutive equation are nearly equivalent under the hot tensile, compression, and shear-compression deformation modes. Average values exhibited an obvious increase when calculated with the modified constitutive equation because it can reflect the variation of activation energy with deformation conditions such as deformation temperature, strain rate and strain state. Moreover, the values under tensile and compression deformation modes were nearly the same regardless of the calculation method. The higher average value under the shear-compression deformation mode with modified equation indicates that the strain state has a significant effect on the hot deformation activation energy. In addition, when the activation energy was investigated for various deformation conditions, the effect of the strain state on the activation energy was more significant. Under a certain condition, the activation energy was the same for the three deformation modes.
Natural Products from Chinese Medicines with Potential Benefits to Bone Health
Authors: Che Chun-Tao , Wong Man , Lam Christopher
Published: February 2016

Osteoporosis is a progressive, systemic bone disorder characterized by loss of bone mass and microstructure, leading to reduced bone strength and increased risk of fracture. It is often associated with reduced quality of life and other medical complications. The disease is common in the aging population, particularly among postmenopausal women and patients who receive long-term steroidal therapy. Given the rapid growth of the aging population, increasing life expectancy, the prevalence of bone loss, and financial burden to the healthcare system and individuals, demand for new therapeutic agents and nutritional supplements for the management and promotion of bone health is pressing. With the advent of global interest in complementary and alternative medicine and natural products, Chinese medicine serves as a viable source to offer benefits for the improvement and maintenance of bone health. This review summarizes the scientific information obtained from recent literatures on the chemical ingredients of Chinese medicinal plants that have been reported to possess osteoprotective and related properties in cell-based and/or animal models. Some of these natural products (or their derivatives) may become promising leads for development into dietary supplements or therapeutic drugs.
Rapid Authentication of the Herbal Medicine Plant Species Aralia continentalis Kitag. and Angelica biserrata C.Q. Yuan and R.H. Shan Using ITS2 Sequences and Multiplex-SCAR Markers
Authors: Kim Wook , Moon Byeong , Yang Sungyu , Han Kyeong , Choi Goya , Lee A
Published: February 2016

Accurate identification of the plant species that are present in herbal medicines is important for quality control. Although the dried roots of Aralia continentalis (Araliae Continentalis Radix) and Angelica biserrata (Angelicae Pubescentis Radix) are used in the same traditional medicine, namely Dok-Hwal in Korean and Du-Huo in Chinese, the medicines are described differently in the national pharmacopeia. Further confusion arises from the distribution of dried Levisticum officinale and Heracleum moellendorffii roots as the same medicine. Medicinal ingredients from all four plants are morphologically similar, and discrimination is difficult using conventional methods. Molecular identification methods offer rapidity and accuracy. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) was sequenced in all four plant species, and the sequences were used to design species-specific primers. Primers for each species were then combined to allow sample analysis in a single PCR reaction. Commercial herbal medicine samples were obtained from Korea and China and analyzed using the multiplex assay. The assay successfully identified authentic medicines and also identified inauthentic or adulterated samples. The multiplex assay will be a useful tool for identification of authentic Araliae Continentalis Radix and/or Angelicae Pubescentis Radix preparations in Korea and China.
Biological Validation of Novel Polysubstituted Pyrazole Candidates with in Vitro Anticancer Activities
Authors: Fahmy Hoda , Khalifa Nagy , Ismail Magda , El-Sahrawy Hend , Nossier Eman
Published: February 2016

With the aim of developing novel antitumor scaffolds, a novel series of polysubstituted pyrazole derivatives linked to different nitrogenous heterocyclic ring systems at the C-4 position were synthesized through different chemical reactions and characterized by means of spectral and elemental analyses and their antiproliferative activity against 60 different human tumor cell lines was validated by the U.S. National Cancer Institute using a two stage process. The in vitro anticancer evaluation revealed that compound 9 showed increased potency toward most human tumor cell lines with GI50MG-MID = 3.59 µM, as compared to the standard drug sorafenib (GI50 MG-MID = 1.90 µM). At the same time, compounds 6a and 7 were selective against the HOP-92 cell line of non-small cell lung cancer with GI50 1.65 and 1.61 µM, respectively.
Quantitative Variation of Flavonoids and Diterpenes in Leaves and Stems of Cistus ladanifer L. at Different Ages
Authors: Valares Masa Cristina , Sosa Díaz Teresa , Alías Gallego Juan , Chaves Lobón Natividad
Published: February 2016

The compounds derived from secondary metabolism in plants perform a variety of ecological functions, providing the plant with resistance to biotic and abiotic factors. The basal levels of these metabolites for each organ, tissue or cell type depend on the development stage of the plant and they may be modified as a response to biotic and/or abiotic stress. As a consequence, the resistance state of a plant may vary in space and time. The secondary metabolites of Cistus ladanifer have been quantified in leaves and stems throughout autumn, winter, spring and summer, and at different ages of the plant. This study shows that there are significant differences between young leaves, mature leaves and stems, and between individuals of different ages. Young leaves show significantly greater synthesis of flavonoids and diterpenes than mature leaves and stems, with a clear seasonal variation, and the differences between leaves at different growth stages and stems is maintained during the quantified seasons. With respect to age, specimens under one year of age secreted significantly lower amounts of compounds. The variation in the composition of secondary metabolites between different parts of the plant, the season and the variations in age may determine the interactions of Cistus ladanifer with the biotic and abiotic factors to which it is exposed.
Targeting Reactive Carbonyl Species with Natural Sequestering Agents
Authors: Hwang Sung , Lee Yoon-Mi , Aldini Giancarlo , Yeum Kyung-Jin
Published: February 2016

Reactive carbonyl species generated by the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids and sugars are highly reactive due to their electrophilic nature, and are able to easily react with the nucleophilic sites of proteins as well as DNA causing cellular dysfunction. Levels of reactive carbonyl species and their reaction products have been reported to be elevated in various chronic diseases, including metabolic disorders and neurodegenerative diseases. In an effort to identify sequestering agents for reactive carbonyl species, various analytical techniques such as spectrophotometry, high performance liquid chromatography, western blot, and mass spectrometry have been utilized. In particular, recent advances using a novel high resolution mass spectrometry approach allows screening of complex mixtures such as natural products for their sequestering ability of reactive carbonyl species. To overcome the limited bioavailability and bioefficacy of natural products, new techniques using nanoparticles and nanocarriers may offer a new attractive strategy for increased in vivo utilization and targeted delivery of bioactives.
Biofuels and Their Co-Products as Livestock Feed: Global Economic and Environmental Implications
Authors: Popp József , Harangi-Rákos Mónika , Gabnai Zoltán , Balogh Péter , Antal Gabriella , Bai Attila
Published: February 2016

This review studies biofuel expansion in terms of competition between conventional and advanced biofuels based on bioenergy potential. Production of advanced biofuels is generally more expensive than current biofuels because products are not yet cost competitive. What is overlooked in the discussion about biofuel is the contribution the industry makes to the global animal feed supply and land use for cultivation of feedstocks. The global ethanol industry produces 44 million metric tonnes of high-quality feed, however, the co-products of biodiesel production have a moderate impact on the feed market contributing to just 8–9 million tonnes of protein meal output a year. By economically displacing traditional feed ingredients co-products from biofuel production are an important and valuable component of the biofuels sector and the global feed market. The return of co-products to the feed market has agricultural land use (and GHG emissions) implications as well. The use of co-products generated from grains and oilseeds can reduce net land use by 11% to 40%. The proportion of global cropland used for biofuels is currently some 2% (30–35 million hectares). By adding co-products substituted for grains and oilseeds the land required for cultivation of feedstocks declines to 1.5% of the global crop area.
On the Traceability of Commercial Saffron Samples Using 1H-NMR and FT-IR Metabolomics
Authors: Consonni Roberto , Ordoudi Stella , Cagliani Laura , Tsiangali Maria , Tsimidou Maria
Published: February 2016

In previous works on authentic samples of saffron of known history (harvest and processing year, storage conditions, and length of time) some biomarkers were proposed using both FT-IR and NMR metabolomics regarding the shelf life of the product. This work addresses the difficulties to trace back the “age” of commercial saffron samples of unknown history, sets a limit value above which these products can be considered substandard, and offers a useful tool to combat saffron mislabeling and fraud with low-quality saffron material. Investigations of authentic and commercial saffron samples of different origin and harvest year, which had been stored under controlled conditions for different lengths of time, allowed a clear-cut clustering of samples in two groups according to the storage period irrespectively of the provenience. In this respect, the four-year cut off point proposed in our previous work assisted to trace back the “age” of unknown samples and to check for possible mislabeling practices.
Recent Advances in Solid Catalysts Obtained by Metalloporphyrins Immobilization on Layered Anionic Exchangers: A Short Review and Some New Catalytic Results
Authors: Nakagaki Shirley , Mantovani Karen , Sippel Machado Guilherme , Dias de Freitas Castro Kelly , Wypych Fernando
Published: February 2016

Layered materials are a very interesting class of compounds obtained by stacking of two-dimensional layers along the basal axis. A remarkable property of these materials is their capacity to interact with a variety of chemical species, irrespective of their charge (neutral, cationic or anionic). These species can be grafted onto the surface of the layered materials or intercalated between the layers, to expand or contract the interlayer distance. Metalloporphyrins, which are typically soluble oxidation catalysts, are examples of molecules that can interact with layered materials. This work presents a short review of the studies involving metalloporphyrin immobilization on two different anionic exchangers, Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs) and Layered Hydroxide Salts (LHSs), published over the past year. After immobilization of anionic porphyrins, the resulting solids behave as reusable catalysts for heterogeneous oxidation processes. Although a large number of publications involving metalloporphyrin immobilization on LDHs exist, only a few papers have dealt with LHSs as supports, so metalloporphyrins immobilized on LHSs represent a new and promising research field. This work also describes new results on an anionic manganese porphyrin (MnP) immobilized on Mg/Al-LDH solids with different nominal Mg/Al molar ratios (2:1, 3:1 and 4:1) and intercalated with different anions (CO32− or NO3−). The influence of the support composition on the MnP immobilization rates and the catalytic performance of the resulting solid in cyclooctene oxidation reactions will be reported.
Modified Polyacrylic Acid-Zinc Composites: Synthesis, Characterization and Biological Activity
Authors: Shaik Mohammed , Kuniyil Mufsir , Khan Mujeeb , Ahmad Naushad , Al-Warthan Abdulrahman , Siddiqui Mohammed , Adil Syed
Published: February 2016

Polyacrylic acid (PAA) is an important industrial chemical, which has been extensively applied in various fields, including for several biomedical purposes. In this study, we report the synthesis and modification of this polymer with various phenol imides, such as succinimide, phthalimide and 1,8-naphthalimide. The as-synthesized derivatives were used to prepare polymer metal composites by the reaction with Zn+2. These composites were characterized by using various techniques, including NMR, FT-IR, TGA, SEM and DSC. The as-prepared PAA-based composites were further evaluated for their anti-microbial properties against various pathogens, which include both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and different fungal strains. The synthesized composites have displayed considerable biocidal properties, ranging from mild to moderate activities against different strains tested.
Dairy Product Consumption and Risk of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Wang Jia , Li Xutong , Zhang Dongfeng
Published: February 2016

Many epidemiologic studies have explored the association between dairy product consumption and the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), but the results remain controversial. A literature search was performed in PubMed, Web of Science and Embase for relevant articles published up to October 2015. Pooled relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated with a random-effects model. The dose-response relationship was assessed by restricted cubic spline. A total of 16 articles were eligible for this meta-analysis. The pooled RRs (95% CIs) of NHL for the highest vs. lowest category of the consumption of total dairy product, milk, butter, cheese, ice cream and yogurt were 1.20 (1.02, 1.42), 1.41 (1.08, 1.84), 1.31 (1.04, 1.65), 1.14 (0.96, 1.34), 1.57 (1.11, 2.20) and 0.78 (0.54, 1.12), respectively. In subgroup analyses, the positive association between total dairy product consumption and the risk of NHL was found among case-control studies (RR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17–1.70) but not among cohort studies (RR = 1.02, 95% CI: 0.88–1.17). The pooled RRs (95% CIs) of NHL were 1.21 (1.01, 1.46) for milk consumption in studies conducted in North America, and 1.24 (1.09, 1.40) for cheese consumption in studies that adopted validated food frequency questionnaires. In further analysis of NHL subtypes, we found statistically significant associations between the consumption of total dairy product (RR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.22–2.45) and milk (RR = 1.49, 95% CI: 1.08–2.06) and the risk of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. The dose-response analysis suggested that the risk of NHL increased by 5% (1.05 (1.00–1.10)) and 6% (1.06 (0.99–1.13)) for each 200 g/day increment of total dairy product and milk consumption, respectively. This meta-analysis suggested that dairy product consumption, but not yogurt, may increase the risk of NHL. More prospective cohort studies that investigate specific types of dairy product consumption are needed to confirm this conclusion.
Detection and Characterization of Ship Targets Using CryoSat-2 Altimeter Waveforms
Authors: Gómez-Enri Jesús , Scozzari Andrea , Soldovieri Francesco , Coca Josep , Vignudelli Stefano
Published: February 2016

This article describes an investigation of the new possibilities offered by SAR altimetry compared with conventional altimetry in the detection and characterization of non-ocean targets. We explore the capabilities of the first SAR altimeter installed on the European Space Agency satellite CryoSat-2 for the detection and characterization of ships. We propose a methodology for the detection of anomalous targets in the radar signals, based on the advantages of SAR/Doppler processing over conventional altimetry. A simple metric is proposed for the automatic detection and separation of ship targets; additional geometric considerations are introduced, to assess the compatibility between the structures detected and the actual location and characteristics of the ships observed. A test-case is presented with multiple targets that are confirmed as large vessels cruising in the proximity of a CryoSat-2 track crossing the Alboran Sea (Western Mediterranean). The presence and position of these ships at the time of satellite passage have been corroborated by the data retrieved from the Automatic Information System database. A principal motive for this research is the future altimetry missions that will provide global SAR coverage (e.g., Sentinel-3). This methodology may complement the existing tracking systems, with particular reference to the capability of compiling global statistics based on freely available data.
Sensitive Detection of Small Particles in Fluids Using Optical Fiber Tip with Dielectrophoresis
Authors: Tai Yi-Hsin , Chang Dao-Ming , Pan Ming-Yang , Huang Ding-Wei , Wei Pei-Kuen
Published: February 2016

This work presents using a tapered fiber tip coated with thin metallic film to detect small particles in water with high sensitivity. When an AC voltage applied to the Ti/Al coated fiber tip and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrate, a gradient electric field at the fiber tip induced attractive/repulsive force to suspended small particles due to the frequency-dependent dielectrophoresis (DEP) effect. Such DEP force greatly enhanced the concentration of the small particles near the tip. The increase of the local concentration also increased the scattering of surface plasmon wave near the fiber tip. Combined both DEP effect and scattering optical near-field, we show the detection limit of the concentration for 1.36 μm polystyrene beads can be down to 1 particle/mL. The detection limit of the Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria was 20 CFU/mL. The fiber tip sensor takes advantages of ultrasmall volume, label-free and simple detection system.
The Systemic and Global Dimension of Business Resilience in a Socio-Technical Perspective
Authors: Garrido Paulo
Published: February 2016

This paper proposes to augment the concept of a business resilience improving process by enlarging such a process with a dimension of external action that addresses the vaster frame of systemic resilience of our societies. To this aim, I propose to widen the concept of socio-technical system (STS) to human societies, based on the idea that the development and survival of human societies has necessary social and technical factors. I also propose a concept of resilience in terms of dealing with failures of STS. Two particular cases of very large failure avoidance are considered: nuclear war and civilizational collapse, and I propose that such cases should be present in the referred dimension of external action of any business resilience program. Because the action of public governments and their cooperation is crucial for advancing global systemic resilience, I suggest that businesses should analyze and model the decisions of governments in a wider context of naturally occurring cooperating and conflicting human groups.
A Rethinking of the Production Approach in IPCC: Its Objectiveness in China
Authors: Yang Hongqiang , Zhang Xiaobiao
Published: February 2016

The trade of harvested wood products (HWPs) and their feedstock increasingly affects the dynamics of the complete national HWP carbon pool ignored by the Production Approach (PA), the current universal method, proposed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Existing research also overlooks the inherent factors that lead to the non-objectiveness of PA that affects the potential carbon trade and the sustainable use of forestry resources. This study aimed to investigate such inherent factors through a deductive derivation of PA and the Stock-Change Approach (SCA), based on which an empirical study on China was conducted to rethink the objectiveness of PA in the complete national HWP carbon pool. The deductive derivation indicated that the inherent factors rely on the balance between coefficients that describe the relationship between HWP trade and production and the relationship between the corresponding feedstock trade and production. The empirical study further illustrated that the dynamics of balance between coefficients negatively influence the objectiveness of PA. The absolute objectiveness of this approach was constantly weakened in the past 55 years and may potentially occur yet again in the future despite an improvement in its annual relative objectiveness.
Nikolaï Gogol et la géographie
Authors: Coldefy-Faucart Anne
Published: February 2016

Dans un article de 1835, Nikolaï Gogol recommande d'enseigner avant tout aux enfants la géographie. Mais quelle géographie ? Principalement physique, et plus encore souterraine, cette dernière lui apparaissant comme le sommet de la poésie. L'auteur des Ames mortes hésite ici entre un déterminisme géographique caractéristique de la science du XIXe siècle et une vision du Globe qui rejoint le mythe.
Hydration of magnesia cubes: a helium ion microscopy study
Authors: Schwaiger Ruth , Schneider Johannes , Bourret Gilles R , Diwald Oliver
Published: February 2016

Physisorbed water originating from exposure to the ambient can have a strong impact on the structure and chemistry of oxide nanomaterials. The effect can be particularly pronounced when these oxides are in physical contact with a solid substrate such as the ones used for immobilization to perform electron or ion microscopy imaging. We used helium ion microscopy (HIM) and investigated morphological changes of vapor-phase-grown MgO cubes after vacuum annealing and pressing into foils of soft and high purity indium. The indium foils were either used as obtained or, for reference, subjected to vacuum drying. After four days of storage in the vacuum chamber of the microscope and at a base pressure of p < 10−7 mbar, we observed on these cubic particles the attack of residual physisorbed water molecules from the indium substrate. As a result, thin magnesium hydroxide layers spontaneously grew, giving rise to characteristic volume expansion effects, which depended on the size of the particles. Rounding of the originally sharp cube edges leads to a significant loss of the morphological definition specific to the MgO cubes. Comparison of different regions within one sample before and after exposure to liquid water reveals different transformation processes, such as the formation of Mg(OH)2 shells that act as diffusion barriers for MgO dissolution or the evolution of brucite nanosheets organized in characteristic flower-like microstructures. The findings underline the significant metastability of nanomaterials under both ambient and high-vacuum conditions and show the dramatic effect of ubiquitous water films during storage and characterization of oxide nanomaterials.
Do Modern Hearing Aids Meet ANSI Standards?
Authors: Holder Jourdan T. , Picou Erin M. , Gruenwald Jill M. , Ricketts Todd A.
Published: February 2016

Background:The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) provides standards used to govern standardization of all hearing aids. If hearing aids do not meet specifications, there are potential negative implications for hearing aid users, professionals, and the industry. Recent
literature has not investigated the proportion of new hearing aids in compliance with the ANSI specifications for quality control standards when they arrive in the clinic before dispensing.Purpose:The aims of this study were to determine the percentage of new hearing aids compliant
with the relevant ANSI standard and to report trends in electroacoustic analysis data.Research Design:New hearing aids were evaluated for quality control via the ANSI S3.22-2009 standard. In addition, quality control of directional processing was also assessed.Study Sample:Seventy-three
behind-the-ear hearing aids from four major manufacturers, that were purchased for clinical patients were evaluated before dispensing.Data Collection and Analysis:Audioscan Verifit (version 3.1) hearing instrument fitting system was used to complete electroacoustic analysis and directional
processing evaluation of the hearing aids. Frye’s Fonix 8000 test box system (Fonix 8000) was also used to cross-check equivalent input noise (EIN) measurements. These measurements were then analyzed for trends across brands and specifications.Results:All of the hearing aids evaluated
were found to be out of specification for at least one measure. EIN and attack and release times were the measures most frequently out of specification. EIN was found to be affected by test box isolation for two of the four brands tested. Systematic discrepancies accounted for ∼93% of
the noncompliance issues, while unsystematic quality control issues accounted for the remaining 7%.Conclusions:The high number of systematic discrepancies between the data collected and the specifications published by the manufacturers suggests there are clear issues related to the
specific protocols used for quality control testing. These issues present a significant barrier for hearing aid dispensers when attempting to accurately determine if a hearing aid is functioning appropriately. The significant number of unsystematic discrepancies supports the continued importance
of quality control measures of new and repaired hearing aids to ensure that the device is functioning properly before it is dispensed and to avoid future negative implications of fitting a faulty device.
The Effects of Hearing Impairment, Age, and Hearing Aids on the Use of Self-Motion for Determining Front/Back Location
Authors: Brimijoin W. Owen , Akeroyd Michael A.
Published: February 2016

Background:There are two cues that listeners use to disambiguate the front/back location of a sound source: high-frequency spectral cues associated with the head and pinnae, and self-motion‐related binaural cues. The use of these cues can be compromised in listeners with
hearing impairment and users of hearing aids.Purpose:To determine how age, hearing impairment, and the use of hearing aids affect a listener’s ability to determine front from back based on both self-motion and spectral cues.Research Design:We used a previously published
front/back illusion: signals whose physical source location is rotated around the head at twice the angular rate of the listener’s head movements are perceptually located in the opposite hemifield from where they physically are. In normal-hearing listeners, the strength of this illusion
decreases as a function of low-pass filter cutoff frequency, this is the result of a conflict between spectral cues and dynamic binaural cues for sound source location. The illusion was used as an assay of self-motion processing in listeners with hearing impairment and users of hearing aids.Study
Sample:We recruited 40 hearing-impaired participants, with an average age of 62 yr. The data for three listeners were discarded because they did not move their heads enough during the experiment.Data Collection and Analysis:Listeners sat at the center of a ring of 24 loudspeakers,
turned their heads back and forth, and used a wireless keypad to report the front/back location of statically presented signals and of dynamically moving signals with illusory locations. Front/back accuracy for static signals, the strength of front/back illusions, and minimum audible movement
angle were measured for each listener in each condition. All measurements were made in each listener both aided and unaided.Results:Hearing-impaired listeners were less accurate at front/back discrimination for both static and illusory conditions. Neither static nor illusory conditions
were affected by high-frequency content. Hearing aids had heterogeneous effects from listener to listener, but independent of other factors, on average, listeners wearing aids exhibited a spectrally dependent increase in “front” responses: the more high-frequency energy in the
signal, the more likely they were to report it as coming from the front.Conclusions:Hearing impairment was associated with a decrease in the accuracy of self-motion processing for both static and moving signals. Hearing aids may not always reproduce dynamic self-motion‐related
cues with sufficient fidelity to allow reliable front/back discrimination.
The Use of Lexical Borrowings and their Lithuanian Equivalents in the Computer-Mediated Environment in Students’ Speech
Authors: Marmienė Auksė
Published: February 2016

The paper aims to establish the differences between lexical borrowings and their Lithuanian equivalents, to introduce the concept of borrowing, what has been achieved in this field and to examine the challenges the learners face in using specific terminology in the computer-mediated environment. Different types of borrowings have been analysed according to the degree of their assimilation. The rate of occurrence of borrowings in students’ speech has been examined as well as the reasons for choosing borrowings rather than native words. The factors determining the degree of borrowings’ recognition are age, knowledge of foreign languages and the degree of assimilation of borrowings.