bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparing for Agroterror: How is the Texas Animal Health Commission Implementing Federal Food Security Regulations?
Authors: Hunter Jordan
Published: December 2015

Agroterrorism is a subform of bioterrorism with the potential to have a crippling impact on both the agricultural industry and the food supply of a nation. A calculated attack using a miniscule amount of pathogenic or disease causing substances on the livestock or crops in one rural community can spread to animals and metropolitan regions much farther away long before any response from state or federal veterinary or agricultural organizations. Although there have been no large-scale agroterrorism attacks in the United States, there have been historical precedents for agricultural biological warfare and recent examples of unintentional or accidental spread of pathogens in the food supply that have threatened the health and safety of the public. Along with an ongoing push for preparedness to prevent a biological attack on the U.S. agricultural industry, there is a great deal of uncertainty and conflict among landowners, farmers, analysts, and politicians about what methods should be implemented to safeguard the public. In response to this possible threat, the United States government has implemented legislation that it considers preemptive in its ability to safeguard the food supply and manage the public health and/or biological crime response in a widespread agroterrorist attack scenario. However, this requires cooperation on both the state and federal levels, and of several agencies including the department of Health, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Department of Health and Human Services. This paper examines the steps being taken by the USDA in fulfilling the orders of the federal government in response to the looming threat of agroterrorism and how the TAHC works cooperatively with federal agencies and the private agricultural industry to carry out these regulations.
Takeover Premia and Leverage: Theory, Empirical Observations and Recommendations
Authors: Covrig Vincent , McConaughy Daniel L. , Travers Mary Ann K.
Published: December 2015

The greater a target company’s leverage, the less cash or shares an acquirer needs to control the target enterprise. Given the benefits of acquiring a target, the equity takeover premium is spread over relatively more assets in a more highly leveraged target, thus reducing the premium paid relative to the entire enterprise. This suggests that more levered targets may receive greater equity premia, expressed as a percent of the unaffected share price, other things equal. To test this, we examine takeover transactions that occurred during the 2003–2013 time period. We find that higher equity takeover premia are related to higher pre-deal leverage levels, consistent with theory. Our results are robust with respect to size, industry, profitability, year of transaction, synergy potential, and type of acquirer (strategic, horizontal or financial). Our empirical analyses support the Appraisal Foundation Working Group’s recommendation for best practices, namely, to adjust takeover premia for leverage.
Infinite-dimensional Monte-Carlo integration
Authors: Pantsulaia Gogi R.
Published: December 2015

By using main properties of
uniformly distributed sequences of increasing finite
sets in infinite-dimensional rectangles in ℝ∞ described in
[Real Anal. Exchange 36 (2010/2011), no. 2,
325–340], a new approach for an infinite-dimensional Monte-Carlo integration is introduced and the validity of some infinite-dimensional strong law type theorems are obtained in this paper. In addition, by using properties of uniformly distributed sequences in the unit interval, a new proof of Kolmogorov's strong law of large numbers is obtained which essentially differs from its original proof.
Micro-flow assisted synthesis of fluorescent polymer nanoparticles with tuned size and surface properties
Authors: Visaveliya Nikunjkumar , Hoffmann Christian , Groß Alexander , Täuscher Eric , Ritter Uwe , Koehler J. Michael
Published: December 2015

Numerous different photonics and biomedical applications depend on the fluorescent polymer micro- and nanoparticles. Besides optical or spectroscopic properties, the performance of the polymer nanoparticles is determined by their size, size distribution, and surface charge. Moreover, in order to realize a very uniform performance, the functional polymer nanoparticles should be of high homogeneity and demand for the preparation in a minimum number of synthesis steps. Here, we present a microfluidic-assisted synthesis of different types of reproducible fluorescent polymer nanoparticles with tuned size (40 nm up to 600 nm) and surface charge (ζ potential=-52 mV up to +45 mV). Four different preparation strategies were introduced for fluorophore-functionalized nanoparticles: (a) noncovalent binding of fluorophores with high loading, (b) covalent linking of fluorophores with enhanced stability, (c) surface-anchored fluorophores by hydrophobic interactions for triple function at the same time, and (d) surface immobilization of biomolecules and fluorophore by ionic as well as secondary interactions. In this way, four different classes of nanoparticles suited for different applications were prepared with a spherical shape as a model system. Moreover, the principle has been extended to the different types of nonspherical and composite polymer nanoparticles.
Graphene and its analogues
Authors: Kalavakunda Vijayaraghavan , Hosmane Narayan S.
Published: December 2015

Graphene, a perfect lattice of hexagonally arranged carbon atoms, is currently among the most intensively researched material because of its mechanical, electronic, optical, and DNA-binding properties, and has found enormous applications in electronics, transistors, sensors, photovoltaics, optical and biological materials, among others. Many recent studies have established that graphene, in combination with other non-carbon nanoparticles, yields hybrid materials with improved properties. Graphene-boron nanohybrids are one such class of materials with alluring properties currently reported to be more advantageous than graphene as such. This review is intended to present a brief discussion about graphene, other carbon nanoallotropes, and a compilation of carbon nanoallotropes-boron nanoparticle hybrids much envisioned to expedite the boron-graphene hybrid research. We have attempted to present recent developments in these boron-based hybrid structures of carbon nanoallotropes, and augment the need for such advantageous materials.
Using informative Multinomial-Dirichlet prior in a t-mixture with reversible jump estimation of nucleosome positions for genome-wide profiling
Authors: Samb Rawane , Khadraoui Khader , Belleau Pascal , Deschênes Astrid , Lakhal-Chaieb Lajmi , Droit Arnaud
Published: December 2015

Genome-wide mapping of nucleosomes has revealed a great deal about the relationships between chromatin structure and control of gene expression. Recent next generation CHIP-chip and CHIP-Seq technologies have accelerated our understanding of basic principles of chromatin organization. These technologies have taught us that nucleosomes play a crucial role in gene regulation by allowing physical access to transcription factors. Recent methods and experimental advancements allow the determination of nucleosome positions for a given genome area. However, most of these methods estimate the number of nucleosomes either by an EM algorithm using a BIC criterion or an effective heuristic strategy. Here, we introduce a Bayesian method for identifying nucleosome positions. The proposed model is based on a Multinomial-Dirichlet classification and a hierarchical mixture distributions. The number and the positions of nucleosomes are estimated using a reversible jump Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation technique. We compare the performance of our method on simulated data and MNase-Seq data from Saccharomyces cerevisiae against PING and NOrMAL methods.
Psychosomatic Aspects of Bronchial Asthma in Children
Authors: Krivonogova T. S. , Shemyakina T. A. , Babikova Yu. A. , Gavrilova A. N.
Published: December 2015

Bronchial asthma is the most common chronic disease in children affecting 30% of the child population. The purpose of this review was to analyze and summarize the works of foreign and Russian authors who evaluated the impact of mental disorders on the course of asthma in children. The article presents the definition of asthma as a psychosomatic disease and relevance of the study against this background. The authors adduce the results of research studies which allow us to estimate the interaction between the degree of anxiety, accentuation of the nature, severity of asthma, and the duration of the disease. The existing publications demonstrate that the researchers' opinions are polarized regarding the cause-and-effect relationship between psychological disorders and controlled asthma. The authors came to a conclusion that early detection of psychopathological symptoms and appropriate psychotherapeutic administration would improve the efficacy of treatment in children with bronchial asthma and the social adaptation, adjust the system of family relations, and have a positive effect on the course of the disease.
Thyroid Adenomas in Children
Authors: Morozov D. A. , Pimenova E. S. , Mirokova E. D.
Published: December 2015

According to the papers thyroid nodules are quite rare in the first two decades of life. However, there are some exceptions, relating to areas with an iodine deficiency or affected by radioactive fallout, where the risk of nodules and carcinomas is increased. Therefore, it is a great challenge for the physician to distinguish between benign and malignant lesions preoperatively, and not only in these areas of greater risk. The authors analyzed current works, which are devoted to diagnostics and treatment of adenomas of thyroid gland in children. This literature review is based on works dedicated to epidemiology, histotypes study, and methods of diagnostics, surgical treatment, prognosis and complications of this pathology. The current tendencies in surgical approaches, intraoperative monitoring of recurrent laryngeal nerve are also discussed. The actuality of this problem is connected with last decade increase of adenomas in structure of thyroid gland nodules, increase of number of patients with multiple adenomas and with polypathias: adenomas with nodular goiter, autoimmune thyroiditis and cancer in children. The difficulties of diagnostic of adenomas are related to the similar clinical symptoms, cytogenetic characteristics of growth of benign and malignant lesions of thyroid gland. Additionally there is no systematic review about thyroid adenomas in children recent years.
Vitamin D — A New Vector of Cancer Prevention?
Authors: Kobyakova O. S. , Deev I. A. , Tyufilin D. S. , Kulikov E. S.
Published: December 2015

Currently, a great number of research projects are focused on finding new treatment methods for cancer and carcinogenesis predictors, as well as the ways to dicrease cancer development risks. This article provides an overview of research on vitamin D as cancer prevention factor. The results of independent experiments and in vitro tests explaining the mechanisms of protective effect of vitamin D and its derivatives on cancer are illustrated. The review of epidemiological survey results obtained from different countries and various populations that were focused on the association of vitamin D use with various cancer pathologies incidence was performed.
Epigenetic Aspects of Osteoporosis
Authors: Grebennikova T. A. , Belaya Zh. E. , Rozhinskaya L. Ya. , Mel'nichenko G. A. , Dedov I. I.
Published: December 2015

This review describes the epigenetic regulation of osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis and its future implementation in the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. A considerable part of the review is dedicated to the microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small regulatory factors that regulate gene expression, by post-transcriptional regulation of genes playing an important role in numerous cellular processes, including cell differentiation and apoptosis. Recently, a number of studies have revealed that miRNAs participate in bone homeostasis and their role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis is practically evident. In this review, we highlight the miRNAs involved in bone remodelling and their roles in osteoporosis. miRNAs are stable molecules which make them promising potential markers for bone remodeling and osteoporosis.
Mathematical Modeling of the Blood Glucose Regulation System in Diabetes Mellitus Patients
Authors: Karpel’ev V. A. , Filippov Yu. I. , Tarasov Yu. V. , Boyarsky M. D. , Mayorov A. Yu. , Shestakova M. V. , Dedov I. I.
Published: December 2015

Interest in the mathematical modeling of the carbohydrate metabolism regulation system increases in recent years. This is associated with a «closed loop» insulin pump development (it controls an insulin infusion depending on the blood glucose level). To create an algorithm for the automatic control of insulin (and other hormones) infusion using an insulin pump it is necessary to accurately predict glycaemia level. So, the primary objective of mathematical modeling is to predict the blood glucose level changes, caused by the wide range of external factors. This review discusses the main mathematical models of blood glucose level control physiological system (simplified insulin–glucose system). The two major classes of models — empirical and theoretical — are described in detail. The ideal mathematical model of carbohydrate metabolism regulatory system is absent. However, the success in the field of blood glucose level control modeling and simulating is essential for the further development of diabetes prevention and treatment technologies, and creating an artificial pancreas in particular.
In vitro Cultivation of Functioning Passaged Ciliated Epithelium for Trachea Tissue Engineering
Authors: Baranovsky D. S. , Lyundup A. V. , Parshin V. D.
Published: December 2015

Background: Currently all tissue engineered trachea transplants had no ciliated epithelium until transplantation, and long-term temporary lack of mucociliary clearance leads to patients’ condition decline and reduced life quality in postoperative period. So, the need for a better cultivation method and studying ciliated epithelium growth characteristics in cell culture increased rapidly.Objective: The aim of our study was to investigate cultivation of functionally complete passaged ciliated epithelium for trachea tissue engineering.Methods: Human ciliated epithelium isolated from intraoperative bioptate was used for culturing in the special complex medium with morphological and functional characteristics evaluation.Results: Ciliated epithelial cell-groups were obtained by culturing in the special complex medium. Generated cell-groups had ciliary activity and showed well-coordinated movement with functional characteristics similar to native epithelial tissue. The basic parameters of cell-activity were studied.Conclusion: Thus our study provides a new insight for the problem of ciliated epithelium in vitro culturing as well as developing the optimal laboratory method.
Natriuretic Peptides: Role in Current Cardiology
Authors: Burnasheva G. A. , Napalkov D. A.
Published: December 2015

Natriuretic peptides were discovered in 50–70s of the XX century. BNP was more diagnostically and prognostically significant, as it is secreted directly into the ventricles of the heart. The studies demonstrated a high predictive value of increasing the level of BNP in acute decompensation of heart failure and in patients with chronic heart failure in a study of Val-HeFT. It was demonstrated that monitoring the level of NT-proBNP can be used for the selection of optimal therapy, affect the course and outcome of the disease, and reduce the cost of treatment. The next step in learning BNP was to undertake attempts of their use in the therapy of heart failure. Long-term therapy BNP (drug nesiritide) improved left ventricular remodelling in patients with stable heart failure. Currently the definition of the levels of BNP and NT-proBNP is used for the diagnosis and management of patients with heart failure.
Gender Differences of Behavioral Risk Factors in Saint-Petersburg Inhabitants
Authors: Orlov A. V. , Rotar' O. P. , Boyarinova M. A. , Alieva A. S. , Dudorova E. A. , Kolesova E. P. , Moguchaya E. V. , Paskar' N. A. , Solntsev V. N. , Baranova E. A. , Konradi A. O.
Published: December 2015

Background: In developed countries there are significant gender differences in lifetime expectancy that can be explained by behavioral risk factors (RF).Objective: The aim of our study was to estimate gender features of behavioral RF in general population of Saint-Petersburg, Russia.Methods: As a part of all-Russian epidemiology survey ESSE-RF a random sampling of 1600 Saint-Petersburg inhabitants (25-64 y.o.) stratified by age and sex was performed. All participants filled in the questionnaire. Anthropometry (weight, height, body-mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC)) and fasting blood-tests (lipids, glucose by Abbott Architect 8000 (USA)) were performed.Results: There were examined 573 (36%) men and 1027 (64%) women. No gender differences in obesity were found according to BMI criteria — in 178 (31.2%) women and 352 (35.1%) men. Obesity was more often detected in females according to WC criteria: АТРIII — 44.1 vs 30.3%; IDF 51.2 vs 66.4% (p 0.001 for both). Linear regression analysis was performed and age was associated with BMI — 1.6 kg/m2/decade, WC in women — 5,2 cm/decade and WC in men — 2.8 cm/decade, р 0.001 for all anthropometric parameters. Optimal level of physical activity was equally documented in both genders — 540 (61.2%) women and 286 (58.9%) men. Daily intake of sweets was lower in men — 228 (39.8%) vs 539 (52.5%) in women (p 0.001). 810 (50,6%) of trial subjects were non-smokers, 395 (24,7%) were former smokers, and 395 (24,7%) were smokers at the moment of trial. The higher number of female smokers was observed — 194 (19.1%).Conclusion: A high prevalence of obesity is observed in sample of Saint-Petersburg inhabitants — it is higher among women according to WC criteria regardless of menopause, possibly due to bigger sweets consumption. Males smoke more often and consume less fresh fruits and vegetables which is accompanied by a higher prevalence of hyperglycemia and hypertriglyceridemia.
Morphofunctional Changes of Spleen After Hemostasis by Nonequilibrium Plasma
Authors: Semichev E. V. , Baikov A. N. , Shevtsova N. M. , Bushlanov B. S. , Gereng E. A. , Aleinik A. N.
Published: December 2015

Background: Heavy bleeding is developed in case of spleen injury. It often leads to death. At present the search and development of new methods for hemostasis of spleen bleeding continues. An innovative method is coagulation of nonequilibrium plasma.Objective: Our aim was to study the effect of nonequilibrium plasma on the morphofunctional state of the spleen.Methods: The non-randomized study by type of «case-control» was conducted. The experiment was carried out on 45 male rabbits weighing 3000–3200 g. 1st group (control; n =5) — intact animals without surgery; 2nd group (experimental, n =40) — animals after atypical resection of the spleen and hemostasis by nonequilibrium plasma. The volume of blood loss, FBC, histological data, splenogram analysis data were assessed at defined periods (60 min, 3rd, 5th, 7th, 14th, 30th, 90th, 180th days) after surgery. They were compared with data of the control group.Results: The volume of blood loss during the resection of the spleen with hemostasis by nonequilibrium plasma was 16.6 [15.98;17.22] ml. Increase of neutrophil to 38 [24; 39] (control group 17 [13, 18], p =0.009), monocytes to 15 [14, 18] (control group 8 [6, 11], p =0.036) is revealed in the FBC in the early period after hemostasis with nonequilibrium plasma. It is reduced to the norm on 30 day. Histological examination revealed leukocyte infiltration, edema, microvascular stasis, dilatation of vessels in the early period. At long-term period structure of the organ is normalized. Splenogramm analysis revealed a statistically significant (p =0.023) decrease in the relative number of small lymphocytes by 28% in animals after hemostasis with nonequilibrium plasma as compared to control (23.3 [17.9; 26.7] versus 30.8 [29.25; 34.3]respectively).Conclusion: treatment of bleeding surface by plasma flow for 1.5–2 min is required order to achieve effective hemostasis during surgeryof spleen injuries in the experiment. After coagulation there is minimal damage of the spleen parenchyma, which manifests itself as activation reaction. At long-term period parenchyma of the spleen completely regenerates with the formation of cicatrical tissue that does not affect the functioning of organ.
Pathogenetic Relationship between Endothelial Dysfunction and Disorders of Blood Coagulation Potential in Pregnancy Complicated by Pre-Eclampsia
Authors: Sergeeva O. N. , Chesnokova N. P. , Ponukalina E. V. , Rogozhina I. E. , Glukhova T. N.
Published: December 2015

Until now, there is no systematic information on the role of endothelial dysfunction in the mechanisms of disorders of blood coagulation potential and microcirculation in different organs and tissues in preeclampsia.Objective: Our aim was to extend the existing principles of diagnosis of pre-eclampsia by establishing the role of endothelial dysfunction in the mechanisms of blood coagulation potential violations. Methods: A prospective comparative study was performed. Condition of coagulation processes studied by conventional techniques, parameters of a functional endothelium (nitric oxide metabolites, endothelin 1, thrombospondin, thrombomodulin and intercellular adhesion molecules in blood plasma) — by ELISA.Results: The study group included 55 patients with moderate preeclampsia and 49 pregnant women with severe pre-eclampsia, in the control group — 40 women with physiological pregnancy. In patients with pre-eclampsia moderate observed increase in plasma endothelin-1 (p 0.001), thrombospondin (p 0.001), intercellular adhesion molecules (p 0.001) while reducing the level of nitrogen oxide (p 0.001), increase in time of fibrinolysis (p 0.050) and decreased international normalized ratio (p 0.050) compared with the control group. With increasing severity of preeclampsia the researchers detected in blood plasma of patients a progressive increase in endothelin 1 (p1 0.020), thrombospondin (p1 0.001), intercellular adhesion molecules (p1 0.001) and decrease of nitric oxide metabolites (p1 0.001) and thrombomodulin (p1 0.001); the last combined with the activation of procoagulant hemostasis.Conclusion: There is a pathogenetic relationship between the development of endothelial dysfunction, impaired blood coagulation potential and the severity of clinical signs of preeclampsia. To widen the number of existing techniques to diagnose the severity of pre-eclampsia we recommende to mesure endothelin 1, thrombomodulin, thrombospondin, intercellular adhesion molecules and nitric oxide metabolites in the blood plasma, and use traditional indicators to assess the hemostatic system.
Gender Features of Intellectual Development of Students of VI-X Classes
Authors: Sorokova M.G. , Ermakov S.S.
Published: December 2015

The study was conducted as part of the monitoring of giftedness, organized by the City Resource Centre of Giftedness, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, in 2012. One of the objectives of the study was the identification of gender-specific intelligence in high school students at different grade levels. The sample size was 2023 students of VI-X grades from 24 schools in Moscow, including 990 boys and 1033 girls. Intelligence was measured using Raven's "Standard Progressive Matrices Plus". It is shown that in VI-VIII grades, the percent of girls with "intelligence is clearly above average" is more, and with the "intelligence is clearly below average" is less than of boys, and the proportions of students of both sexes with average intelligence at this stage of training are almost identical. In IX and X grades, the differences in proportions were found. In general, girls also show significantly higher rates for subscales B, C and D and the total scale of the test than boys, and no differences were revealed in the subscales A and E. The tendency was shown of decreasing the differences with age: girls performed better on scales A and B in VI-IX grades (p < 0,01 and p < 0,05), on the scale of C and D in the VI-VII grades (p < 0,001 and p < 0,05). In grade X, no gender differences were shown. We statistically confirmed the trend of rising intelligence with age in both boys and girls. The consideration of these features is required in the school teacher working with the high school students.
TheTeenagerinan Online Game: Included Observation and Experience in Social Work
Authors: Khlomov K.D. , Kondrashkin A.V. , Kuzin P.A. , Kalyakina S.M. , Tyulkanova K.I. , Medvedev D.P.
Published: December 2015

The article refers to the need to change the existing view of the development in adolescence. We provide the data of observations of the behavior of teenagers in theonlinegame "DragonNest" conductedin 2013 by experts of the Center of social and psychological adaptation and development of adolescents "Crossroads" of MSUPE, which led to the assumption about the problems arising in adolescence. As a theoretical basis for the construction of this work was selected restorative approach, which is a practical application of the cultural-historical theory and of activity theory to social and psychological assistance to adolescents. The analysis of the activity of the teenager in the game, the structure of communication, observation on the adolescents in online gaming space allowed us to make assumptions about the role of communication with peers in a modern society in terms of identity formation and development of adolescents.
Moral Orientation Dynamics in Adolescence and Youth
Authors: Molchanov S.V. , Markina O.S.
Published: December 2015

The problem of moral development is actual for modern psychology. Modern conception of moral development defines two main principles in the basis of moral orientation: care principle and justice principle. Adolescence and youth are sensitive period to develop moral orientation. 139 subjects from three age groups: young adolescents, older adolescents and youth took part in the investigation. Results shows age dynamic of moral judgments preferences, moral dilemma solving with different levels of motivation to achieve and be approved.
The role of P2X7R purinoreceptor in osteosarcoma
Authors: Yadav Manish , Singh Ajai , Rizvi Nazia , Ali Sabir , S Salma , Kumar Vineet , Hussain Syed Rizwan
Published: December 2015

Osteosarcoma is the most common type of bone cancer, which appears mainly in the metaphysis of long bones, especially in males between the age of 0–14 years. Malignancy usually emerges with the abnormal growth of tumor-forming bone cells. These tumor cells act like new bones that are responsible for the spread of sarcoma throughout the bone matrix. In this review, we focused on the expression and function of the P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) as a therapeutic target in osteosarcoma malignancy. Two known human P2X7R functional splice variants in osteosarcoma cell growth are the full length P2X7RA and the truncated P2X7RB. The stimulation of growth is attributed to an increase (i) in the mobilization of Ca2+ ions, and (ii) in the nuclear factor of activated T-cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1) activity. Furthermore, Te85 P2X7RA+B cells caused membrane depolarization and spontaneous release of extracellular adenosine triphosphate (ATP). The P2X7R agonist, benzoyl adenosine triphosphate (BzATP), may increase the liberation of ATP and this may be regulated by P2X7R. As a result, cell proliferation occurs with the spread of osteosarcoma throughout the bone matrix. BzATP also increases cell growth and activates NFATc1 to make it cancerous. In this review, we have highlighted the crucial role of the P2X7R purinoreceptor in osteosarcoma pathogenesis. It is an upstream regulator of all paths that may inhibit the receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL) and a mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) blockers. This review suggests that P2X7R is an attractive therapeutic target for osteosarcoma.
Synthesis and antiproliferative activity of various novel indole Mannich bases
Authors: El Sayed Mardia T , Hussein Hoda A R , Ahmed Khadiga M , Hamdy Nehal A
Published: December 2015

Various secondary and primary amines were converted into bis-indolyl Mannich bases with good to excellent yields via double condensation reactions with indole and glutaraldehyde. The expected bis-indolyl Mannich bases (2, 3 and 4) were formed by using piperazinehexahydrate and 4,4′-trimethylenedipiperidine. Whereas, the use of primary amines, phenylhydrazine, amino acids and primary diamine produced the corresponding bis-indolyl-1,2,6-trisubstituted pipridines (5a-e) and indolyl-quinolizine (6) and dibis-indolyl-1,2,6-trisubstituted pipridines (7). All analytical and spectral data of these bis-indolyl Mannich bases have been determined. Six of the synthesized bis-indolyl Mannich bases have been subjected for antiproliferative activity screening at National Cancer Institute (NCI), Egypt, towards three human tumor cell lines representing different tumor types: breast adenocarcinoma cell (MCF-7), non-small lung cancer cell (NCI-H460), and central nervous system (CNS) cancer cell (SF-268). Compound (4) indicated the best and highest inhibitory effect against all three tested tumor cell lines with inhibition of 50% concentration (IC50) for MCF-7 (0.08 µmol/L), NCI-H460 (0.05 µmol/L) and SF-268 (0.01 µmol/L).
Association between PER3 length polymorphism and onco-hematological diseases and its influences on fatigue on awakening in patients
Authors: Cerliani María Belén , Gili Juan Antonio , Pavicic Walter Hernán , Klein Graciela , Saba Silvia , Richard Silvina Mariel
Published: December 2015

Circadian clock gene PER3 and its length polymorphism may have a role in oncogenesis as clock genes act as key regulators of cell cycle and DNA repair pathways. The polymorphism may affect the condition of patients who show disrupted circadian rhythm due to tumor development. The aim was to assess the association between PER3 polymorphism and onco-hematological diseases, and analyze whether this variant has an impact on patient’s functionality. We conducted a case-control study on 125 patients with onco-hematological diseases and 310 control patients. PER3 allelic variants were detected by using polymerase chain reaction. Sociodemographic data and information on patient’s habits and functionality were obtained through questionnaire. Genotypes 4/5 + 5/5 showed an odd ratio (OR) = 1.39, with no statistical significance. However, those genotypes were associated with a two-fold increase in the risk of acute/chronic lymphoblastic/myeloblastic leukemia, taken all together. The occurrence of “changes in humor during last two months” was significantly associated with onco-hematological diseases. “Fatigue on awakening” and “self-reported snore” were associated with cases carrying the 4/5 or 5/5 genotypes. The results suggested that PER3 polymorphism may have a role in the risk of leukemia, and might be a possible marker for individual differences in susceptibility to sleep disruption. This work provides insights for the identification of individuals at high risk of cancer, and those who are more susceptible to circadian disruption, which may decrease the physiological defenses against the tumor.
Administration of anti-neoplastic agents to treat malignancies in solid organ transplant recipients
Authors: Al Ustwani Omar , Gupta Neha , Groman Adrienne , Chen Hongbin
Published: December 2015

The management of advanced malignancies in solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients is not well-structured as the patients need immunosuppressive agents to avoid graft rejection. Simultaneous administration of chemotherapy and immunosuppressive agents may increase treatment toxicities. The data of SOT recipients treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) was reviewed for different malignancies to assess their treatment patterns, tolerance and outcomes. Chart review of 40 SOT patients seen at RPCI (2000–2012) for cancer management was conducted. The median age was 61.5 years and 50% were males. The median lag time between SOT and cancer diagnosis was 8.4 years. It was found that 46% of solid tumors were metastatic at diagnosis, 78% received chemotherapy and 22% had hormonal therapy alone. In the chemotherapy group, the patients received an average of 1.8 lines of therapy, where 13% were given definitive chemotherapy and radiotherapy while 26% received chemotherapy in the neoadjuvant/adjuvant setting. Treatment delays were necessary in 32%, and dose omission or reduction in 42%. The most common hematologic adverse events (AEs) were anemia (78%) and thrombocytopenia (59%). Febrile neutropenia occurred in 12.5%. The most common non-hematologic AEs were fatigue (55%) and hepatic dysfunction (45%). The most common grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were neutropenia (33%) and leukopenia (27%) while non-hematologic grade 3/4 AEs was fatigue (12.5%). At the time of analysis, 26% patients were still alive. The median overall survival period of the patients was 28.5 months. In conclusion, SOT patients can tolerate chemotherapy; however AEs, dose reductions and delays occur. Thus, the treating physicians should be cautious on dosing chemotherapy in these cases.
Economic burden of patients with inoperable advanced breast cancer receiving early or late capecitabine or trastuzumab as second-line treatment: A population-based study
Authors: Liu Chieh-Yu
Published: December 2015

This study aimed to investigate the economic burden and healthcare resource utilization of receiving early or late capecitabine and trastuzumab as second-line anthracycline- or taxane-based treatments for inoperable advanced breast cancer (IABC). Data was retrieved from the National Health Insurance Research Database of Taiwan. The demographic characteristics, healthcare resource utilization, and economic burden of patients with IABC receiving capecitabine and trastuzumab for 0–3, 3–6, 6–9 and 9–12 months after anthracycline- or taxane-based treatments were analyzed. 1,629 women newly diagnosed with IABC were recruited. IABC incidence rates reduced from 9.75% in 2004 to 7.35% in 2006. However, the proportion of patients receiving capecitabine or trastuzumab after anthracycline- or taxane-based treatments increased. Inpatient admissions (times/year), length of hospital stay (days/year), and outpatient visits (visits/year) did not differ significantly for the 2004–2005, 2005–2006 and 2006–2007 cohorts of patients with IABC receiving capecitabine and trastuzumab at different time points. The 1-year healthcare cost and outpatient, inpatient, and total costs (USD/year) differed significantly for trastuzumab but not for capecitabine. The conclusion indicated that early or late capecitabine or trastuzumab administration after first-line anthracycline or taxane-based treatments did not exhibit a change in healthcare resource utilization. In addition, the 1-year healthcare costs did not differ significantly for patients with IABC receiving early or late capecitabine. However, patients with IABC receiving trastuzumab continue to face an economic burden.
Detecting anomalies in water distribution networks using EPR modelling paradigm
Authors: Laucelli Daniele , Romano Michele , Savić Dragan , Giustolisi Orazio
Published: December 2015

Sustainable management of water distribution networks (WDNs) requires effective exploitation of available data from pressure/flow devices. Water companies collect a large amount of such data, which need to be managed correctly and analysed effectively using appropriate techniques. Furthermore, water companies need to balance the data gathering and handling costs with the benefits of extracting useful information. Recent approaches implementing data mining techniques for analysing pressure/flow data appear very promising, because they can automate mundane tasks involved in data analysis process and efficiently deal with sensor data collected. Furthermore, they rely on empirical observations of a WDN behaviour over time, allowing reproducing/predicting possible future behaviour of the network. This paper investigates the effectiveness of the evolutionary polynomial regression (EPR) paradigm to reproduce the behaviour of a WDN using on-line data recorded by low-cost pressure/flow devices. Using data from a real district metered area, the case study presented shows that by using the EPR paradigm a model can be built which enables the accurate reproduction and prediction of the WDN behaviour over time and detection of flow anomalies due to possible unreported bursts or unknown increase of water withdrawal. Such an EPR model might be integrated into an early warning system to raise alarms when anomalies are detected.
Stemflow and its controlling factors in the subshrub Artemisia ordosica during two contrasting growth stages in the Mu Us sandy land of northern China
Authors: Li Liu , Li Xiao-Yan , Zhang Si-Yi , Jiang Zhi-Yun , Zheng Xiao-Ran , Hu Xia , Huang Yong-Mei
Published: December 2015

The yield of stemflow from vegetation is mostly affected by rainfall and canopy structure, but few past studies have paid attention to the dynamics of canopy structure during the growth season. Artemisia ordosica is a typical subshrub, very different from trees and shrubs. Assessing the influence of canopy structure and rainfall on stemflow yield in A. ordosica during the growth season will fill a knowledge gap in our understanding of stemflow yield from subshrub species. This study therefore examined the effects of those two factors on stemflow at two growth stages of A. ordosica, using 20 experimental individuals in the Mu Us sandy land of northern China. It demonstrated that the mean stemflow percentage of gross rainfall (SF%) for this subshrub was 8.56%, and the average funneling ratio was 75.80. The critical control factors of stemflow volumes were rainfall amount and canopy area, which varied greatly during the growth season. The SF% was significantly lower during the reproductive growth stage than during the vegetative growth stage, because of the rapid increase in leaf area index at the former stage. This evaluation of the effects of vegetation growth dynamics on stemflow yield will improve the accuracy of future hydrological models.
Quantification of exposure to fecal contamination in open drains in four neighborhoods in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Gretsch Stephanie R. , Ampofo Joseph A. , Baker Kelly K. , Clennon Julie , Null Clair A. , Peprah Dorothy , Reese Heather , Robb Katharine , Teunis Peter , Wellington Nii , Yakubu Habib , Moe Christine L.
Published: December 2015

In low-income countries, rapid urbanization adds pressure to already stressed water and sanitation systems that are critical to the health of communities. Drainage networks, designed for stormwater but commonly used for disposing of waste, are rarely covered completely, allowing residents to easily come into contact with their contents. This study used spatial mapping, documentation of physical drain characteristics, microbiological analysis of drain samples, and behavioral observation to comprehensively examine drains as a route of exposure to fecal contamination in four low-income neighborhoods in Accra, Ghana. A stochastic model of six likely exposure scenarios was constructed to estimate children's exposure to drain water. Regardless of the age of the child, any exposure scenario considered resulted in exposure to a high level of fecal contamination. Fecal contamination levels in drains were high (Escherichia coli: geometric mean (GM), 8.60 cfu log10/100 mL; coliphage: GM, 5.56 pfu log10/100 mL), and did not differ by neighborhood or physical drain characteristics, indicating that frequency of contact with drains, and not drain type or location, drives exposure risk. To mitigate health risks associated with this exposure, drains should be covered, with priority given to large concrete and small to medium dirt-lined drains that children were most commonly observed entering.
Effect of operational parameters and kinetic study on the photocatalytic degradation of m-cresol purple using irradiated ZnO in aqueous medium
Authors: Khezrianjoo Sajjad , Revanasiddappa Hosakere Doddarevanna
Published: December 2015

A detailed investigation of photocatalytic degradation of m-cresol purple (mCP) dye has been carried out in aqueous heterogeneous medium containing zinc oxide (ZnO) as the photocatalyst in a batch reactor. The effects of some parameters such as amount of photocatalyst, dye concentration, initial pH of solution, ethanol concentration and temperature were examined. The most efficient pH in removal of the dye with photocatalytic degradation and dark surface adsorption processes was observed to be 8. The adsorption constant calculated from the linear transform of the Langmuir isotherm model was similar to that obtained in photocatalytic degradation at pH = 8; hence, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood model was found to be accurate for photocatalytic degradation at this pH. Dark surface adsorption and degradation efficiency were increased by enhancement in the temperature at the optimum pH of 8 and the apparent activation energy (Ea) for the photocatalytic degradation of mCP was determined as 14.09 kJ/mol at this pH. The electrical energy consumption per order of magnitude (EEO) for photocatalytic degradation of mCP was also determined.
Study of copper-charged membranes for control of fouling due to bacteria and algae organic matter
Authors: Asapu Sunitha , Pant Santosh , Majid Peyman , Escobar Isabel C. , Gruden Cyndee L.
Published: December 2015

The accumulation of micro-organisms, along with the presence of nutrients, forms biofilms. Biofoulants that are typically encountered in desalination systems include cellular organisms (e.g. bacteria or algae) and organic debris, including algae organic matter. The accumulation of these micro-organisms is problematic to membranes by causing irreversible fouling. The most adverse effects due to biofouling include declines in permeate flux and salt rejection. In addition, biofilm formation necessitates frequent membrane cleaning, increasing operating costs and decreasing membrane life. The goal of this research was to investigate the performance of low-fouling copper-charged membranes for microbial resistance. The extent of fouling on the microbial resistant membranes was characterized by assessing surface area coverage by image analysis. Fluorescent microscopy was used to determine activity of biofilm cells on the surface. The presence of extracellular polymeric substance was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The permeate flux values were compared for both unmodified and copper-charged membranes by conducting dead-end filtration experiments using synthetic brackish water.
Combination of microwave demulsification, ozone oxidation and biological aerated filter for advanced treatment of oilfield wastewater with low biodegradability
Authors: Kang Zhi-Hong , Zhou Lei , Jiang Qi , Zhang Zi-Yi , Men Hong-Kun
Published: December 2015

In this study, a combination process was developed in laboratory-scale including microwave demulsification, ozonation, and biological aerated filter (BAF) in series for the purpose of removing pollutants in oilfield wastewater with high microtoxicity. The microwave demulsification treatment removed 63.4% of oil. The ozonation treatment removed 79.3% of petroleum sulfonate, resulting in a substantial reduction of microtoxicity and great enhancement of biodegradability of the wastewater. During the following BAF process, the residual contaminants were effectively degraded by microbes. The final effluent could meet the emission standards for pollutants from petrochemical industry set by China's Environmental Protection Agency.
Temperature effect on ion exchange equilibrium between CMX membrane and electrolytes solutions
Authors: Chaabouni Akrem , Guesmi Fatma , Louati Islem , Hannachi Chiraz , Hamrouni Béchir
Published: December 2015

Ion exchange equilibrium for three systems involving monovalent and divalent ions has been investigated over various temperatures (283, 298 and 313 K) using CMX cationic exchange membrane. All experiments were carried out at 0.1 mol/L. Ion exchange isotherms for the binary systems (Na+/K+), (Na+/Ca2+) and (K+/Ca2+) were established at temperatures ranging from 283 to 313 K. The obtained affinity order is: K+>Ca2+>Na+. Selectivity coefficients KK+2Na+, K2Na+Ca2+ and KCa2+2K+ were determined and found to increase with rise in temperature. Thermodynamic equilibrium constants Ki°j were calculated. Wilson and Debye–Hückel equations have been used to calculate activity coefficients in the membrane and solution, respectively. Standard free energy ΔGT°, standard enthalpy change ΔHT° and standard entropy change ΔST° were calculated. The values of ΔHT° were found to be 51.98 kJ/mol, 64.59 kJ/mol and 29.57 kJ/mol, respectively, for (Na+/K+), (Na+/Ca2+) and (K+/Ca2+) binary systems, which indicate that the ion exchange process between the CMX membrane and the studied binary systems is an endothermic process. ΔST° is found to be positive, which means that the increased randomness appeared on the membrane-solution interface during the ion exchange reaction. In addition, the standard free enthalpy change ΔGT° value for all systems is negative, which is an indication that the ion exchange equilibrium is spontaneous in standard conditions.
Comparative investigation of artificial neural network learning algorithms for modeling solar still production
Authors: Mashaly Ahmed F. , Alazba A. A.
Published: December 2015

Three artificial neural network learning algorithms were utilized to forecast the productivity (MD) of a solar still operating in a hyper-arid environment. The learning algorithms were the Levenberg–Marquardt (LM), the conjugate gradient backpropagation with Fletcher–Reeves restarts, and the resilient backpropagation. The Julian day, ambient air temperature, relative humidity, wind speed, solar radiation, temperature of feed water, temperature of brine water, total dissolved solids (TDS) of feed water, and TDS of brine water were used in the input layer of the developed neural network model. The MD was located in the output layer. The developed model for each algorithm was trained, tested, and validated with experimental data obtained from field experimental work. Findings revealed the developed model could be utilized to predict the MD with excellent accuracy. The LM algorithm (with a minimum root mean squared error and a maximum overall index of model performance) was found to be the best in the training, testing, and validation stages. Relative errors in the predicted MD values of the developed model using the LM algorithm were mostly in the vicinity of ±10%. These results indicated that the LM algorithm is the most ideal and accurate algorithm for the prediction of the MD with the developed model.
Removal of color and COD from actual textile effluent by hybrid biosorption and ultrafiltration processes
Authors: Radhakrishnan Kannan , Sivaraman Prabhakar , Thilagaraj Wilson Richard
Published: December 2015

The present study was investigated to find the efficiency of a hybrid process of an ecofriendly dehydrated Moringa oleifera biosorbent beads (DMB) and ultrafiltration (UF) membrane to remove organic pollutants from actual textile effluents. Experiments were conducted with a packed bed column (PBC) for the removal of dyes using various parameters such as flow rate, material mass and size of the biosorbent. The optimized biosorption process was then combined with a dead-end UF process for the removal of chemical oxygen demand/biochemical oxygen demand (COD/BOD) and turbidity. Three strategies were adopted by varying the sequences of UF and PBC. PBC followed by the UF process appears to be more effective for the removal of color (>99%), COD (90–93%) and turbidity (>95%), when compared to UF followed by the PBC process and the UF membrane alone. The results suggested that the treated effluent could be reused in industries for various purposes such as floor cleaning, gardening, etc.