bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using a New Finite Slit Pore Model for NLDFT Analysis of Carbon Pore Structure
Authors: Jagiello Jacek , Kenvin Jeffrey , Olivier James P. , Lupini Andrew R. , Contescu Cristian I.
Published: March 2012

In this work, we present a model for analyzing activated carbon micropore structures based on graphene sheet walls of finite thickness and extent. This is a two-dimensional modification of the widely used infinite slit pore model that assumes graphite-like infinitely extended pore walls. The proposed model has two versions: (1) a strip pore constructed with graphene strip walls that have a finite length L in the x-direction and are infinite in the y-direction. Strip pores are open on both sides in the x-direction; (2) a channel pore, i.e. a strip pore partially closed along one edge by a perpendicularly orientated graphene wall. This more realistic model allows pore termination via both physical pore entrances and pore blockage. The model consequently introduces heterogeneity of the adsorption potential that is reduced near pore entrances and enhanced near the corners of pore walls. These energetically heterogeneous structures fill with adsorbate more gradually than homogeneous pores of the same width. As a result, the calculated adsorption isotherms are smoother and less steep for the finite versus the infinite pore model. In the application of this model for carbon characterization, it is necessary to make an assumption about the pore length. In this work, we made this assumption based on high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) results. We find the agreement between the experiment and the model significantly better for the finite than for the infinite pore model.
Supercritical Hydrogen Adsorptivity of Amorphous Carbon Mesotubes
Authors: Kawase Yusuke , Ohmori Takumi , Niimura Subaru , Fujimori Toshihiko , Itoh Tsutomu , Sakamoto Hirotoshi , Miyamoto Junichi , Noguchi Hiroshi , Tanaka Hideki , Kanoh Hirofumi , Nishino Hitoshi , Nishida Ryoichi , Kaneko Katsumi
Published: March 2012

High-pressure adsorption isotherms of hydrogen onto amorphous carbon mesotubes (ACMs) prepared from fluorine polymer and onto activated carbon fibres (ACFs) were measured at temperatures of 77, 196 and 303 K, respectively, at pressures up to 10 MPa. The adsorption isotherms for ACMs and ACFs at 77 K exhibited maxima at 1 MPa (8.0 wt%) and 4 MPa (3.7 wt%), respectively, although both isotherms at 303 K were of the Henry type and both amounts of hydrogen adsorbed at 8 MPa were less than 0.3 wt%. The maximum hydrogen adsorption amount for ACMs per unit micropore volume as determined by N2 adsorption was 10-times larger than that for ACFs. ACMs are different from ACFs in that they are thought to have specific ultramicropores, although characterization using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy showed that they possessed a nanographitic structure similar to that of ACFs.
Preliminary Impacts of Wind Power Integration in the Hydro-Quebec System
Authors: Robitaille André , Kamwa Innocent , Oussedik Annissa Heniche , de Montigny Martin , Menemenlis Nickie , Huneault Maurice , Forcione Alain , Mailhot Richard , Bourret Jacques , Bernier Luc
Published: March 2012

Recent studies undertaken by Hydro-Québec evaluate three aspects of the integration of wind generation on their system reliability/security. In an operations setting, the impacts on intra-hourly operating reserves and on extra-hourly balancing reserves are examined. On an operations planning horizon, the wind power capacity credit is evaluated for winter peak loading conditions, when very cold temperatures risk disabling part of the wind generation. Depending on the study, various mathematical tools were used to generate the statistical characteristics of the load and anticipated wind generation: time-series analysis, wind simulation at new/future wind plant sites, power system simulation and a posteriori determination of forecast errors. However, in each case the measure used to quantify the impact of wind generation has been related to the change in the variance of the total system uncertainty as a result of the addition of wind power generation.
Investigation of Instabilities Arising with Non-Orthogonal Meshes Used in Cell Centred Elliptic Finite Volume Computations
Authors: Lebon Gerard SB , Patel Mayur K , Pericleous Koulis A
Published: March 2012

Transport processes in most engineering applications occur within complex geometries. In engineering practice, users rely heavily on commercial mesh generators, which can produce unacceptably skewed meshes. Convergence behaviour and absolute accuracy in finite volume CFD computations depend critically on mesh quality and in particular, mesh orthogonality. In this paper, the effects of non-orthogonality on the main component algorithms of pressure-correction type cell-centred finite volume codes are closely examined, systematically adjusted and tested. The modifications to the pressure correction method applied to cases using non-orthogonal grids are described. The SIMPLEC algorithm [1], with the aid of an inverse square distance interpolation, is used for overcoming instabilities arising in a few problematic cells. Solution instabilities which arise when using hexahedral or tetrahedral meshes are attenuated by bounding the maximum and minimum values of solved variables within a physically realistic range. The consistency and accuracy of the proposed method are compared with benchmark solutions [2] available in the literature. The usefulness of the present method is demonstrated by its application to illustrative problems for which comparison data are available.
Use of a Static Magnetic Field in Measuring the Thermal Conductivity of a Levitated Molten Droplet
Authors: Roy A.A. , Easter S. , Bojarevics V. , Pericleous K.
Published: March 2012

Numerical models are used to analyze the complex behaviour of magnetically levitated droplets in the context of determining their thermophysical properties. We focus on a novel method reported in Tsukada et al. [4] which uses periodic laser heating to determine the thermal conductivity of an electromagnetically levitated droplet in the presence of a static DC field to suppress convection. The results obtained from the spectral-collocation based free surface code SPHINX and the commercial package COMSOL independently confirm and extend previous findings in [4]. By including the effects of turbulence and movement of the free surface SPHINX can predict the behaviour of the droplet in dynamic regimes with and without the DC magnetic field. COMSOL is used to investigate arbitrary amplitude axial translational oscillations when the spherical droplet is displaced off its equilibrium. The results demonstrate that relatively small amplitude oscillations could cause significant variation in Joule heating and redistribution of the temperature. The effect of translational oscillations on the lumped circuit inductance is analysed. When a fixed voltage drive is applied across the terminals of the levitation coil, this effect will cause the coil current to change and a correction is needed to the electromagnetic force acting on the droplet.
A Numerical Model Coupling Thermoelectricity, Magnetohydrodynamics and Dendritic Growth
Authors: Kao A. , Pericleous K.
Published: March 2012

The purpose of this paper is to discuss in detail the numerical techniques used to investigate the effects of Thermoelectric Magnetohydrodynamics on dendrtic growth. A numerical model is proposed which couples the growth mechanics, solution to the electric potential, fluid mechanics and the transport of heat and mass. The implementation of the equations, solution techniques and the coupling between each of the various physical phenomena is described. A finite difference sharp interface enthalpy based method is used to solve the evolution of the liquid/solid front. The electric potential becomes the solution to Laplace's equation, with a boundary condition applied to the interface and a sub meshing technique is applied to improve the accuracy. The problem is also inherently 3-dimensional and it can be shown analytically that classical 2-dimensional approximations lead to stagnation of the flow. Therefore a quasi 3-dimensional approximation is used which effectively allows simulations to be carried out in 2-dimensions, which significantly reduces the computational time required.
Zonal Method for Simultaneous Definition of Block-Structured Geometry and Mesh
Authors: Djambazov Georgi S.
Published: March 2012

A new method is proposed for specifying the geometrical shape and for meshing of the computational domain for CFD or general numerical PDE solvers which allow block-structured or unstructured meshes. The new method is based on highlighting pre-meshed spatial zones for boundary and material definitions with subsequent shape-matching deformations. The new method combines functionality with ease of implementation and ease of use which make it suitable for in-house computational codes. Although intended predominantly for research, the proposed method has been used successfully in a number of computational engineering projects.
Feature Selection for Predicting Building Energy Consumption Based on Statistical Learning Method
Authors: Zhao Hai-Xiang , Magoulès Frédéric
Published: March 2012

Machine learning methods are widely studied and applied to predict building energy consumption. Since the factors associated with building energy behaviors are quite abundant and complex, this paper investigates for the first time how the selection of subsets of features influence the model performance when statistical learning method is adopted to derive the model. In this paper the optimal features are selected based on the feasibility of obtaining them and on the scores they provide under the evaluation of some filter methods. The selected subset is then evaluated on three data sets by support vector regression involving two kernel functions: radial basis function and polynomial function. Experimental results confirm the validity of the selected subset and show that the proposed feature selection method can guarantee the prediction accuracy and reduces the computational time for data analyzing.
A Continuous Formulation of A(α)-Stable Second Derivative Linear Multistep Methods for Stiff IVPs in ODEs
Authors: Okuonghae R. I. , Ikhile M. N. O.
Published: March 2012

This paper considers family of A(α)-stable second derivative linear multistep methods of order p = k + 3 for step number k ≥ 15 for the solution of stiff IVPs in ODEs. The methods are demonstrated to be A(α)-stable for k ≥ 13. At k = 14, the method is stable but not A(α)-stable. The instability of the new methods sets in when k > 15. Numerical examples are given to demonstrate the application of the methods.
Delivery Strategies for Stem Cell‐Based Therapy
Authors: Glotzbach Jason P. , Wong Victor W. , Levi Benjamin , Longaker Michael T. , Gurtner Geoffrey C.
Published: March 2012

Before stem cell‐based therapies can become a clinical reality, technologies for cell delivery must be developed that can control differentiation and pluripotency, maintain a hospitable environment for cell survival and function, and provide a structural framework for regenerative healing of the target tissue. Insights gained from developmental and stem cell biology should guide the design of devices and techniques to facilitate stem cell‐based therapies. Several strategies have been developed for surgical delivery of stem cells, including synthetic and biologic matrices for cell seeding, complex biochemical delivery devices for maintenance and modulation of stem cell properties, and smart constructs with the ability to adapt to the dynamic in vivo environment after implantation. In aggregate, surgical delivery of complex stem cell‐seeded constructs has the potential to revolutionize surgical therapies for a wide range of diseases in order to provide a more regenerative platform for tissue and organ healing.
Usability Assessment of Two Different Control Modes for the Master Console of a Laparoscopic Surgical Robot
Authors: Zhang Xiaoli , Nelson Carl A. , Oleynikov Dmitry
Published: March 2012

The objective of this study is to evaluate potential interface control modes for a compact four‐degree‐of‐freedom (4‐DOF) surgical robot. The goal is to improve robot usability by incorporating a sophisticated haptics‐capable interface. Two control modes were developed using a commercially available haptic joystick: (1) a virtually point‐constrained interface providing an analog for constrained laparoscopic motion (3‐DOF rotation and 1‐DOF translation), and (2) an unconstrained Cartesian input interface mapping more directly to the surgical tool tip motions. Subjects (n = 5) successfully performed tissue identification and manipulation tasks in an animal model in point‐constrained and unconstrained control modes, respectively, with speed roughly equal to that achieved in similar manual procedures, and without a steep learning curve. The robot control was evaluated through bench‐top tests and a subsequent qualitative questionnaire (n = 15). The results suggest that the unconstrained control mode was preferred for both camera guidance and tool manipulations.
Intelligent Identification of Childhood Musical Murmurs
Authors: Chen Yuerong , Wang Shengyong , Shen Chia-Hsuan , Choy Fred K.
Published: March 2012

Heart murmurs are often the first signs of heart valvular disorders. However, most heart murmurs detected in children are innocent musical murmurs (also called Still′s murmurs), which should be distinguished from other murmur types that are mostly pathological, such as regurgitant, obstructive, and flow murmurs. In order to reduce both unnecessary healthcare expenditures and parental anxiety, this study aims to develop algorithms for intelligently identifying musical murmurs in children. Discrete wavelet transform was applied to phonocardiographic signals to extract features. Singular value decomposition was applied on the matrix derived from continuous wavelet transform to extract extra features. The sequential forward feature selection algorithm was then utilized to select significant features. Musical murmurs were subsequently differentiated via a classification procedure consisting of three classification techniques: discriminant analysis, support vector machine, and artificial neural network. The results of 89.02% sensitivity, 84.76% specificity and 87.36% classification accuracy were achieved.
Numerical Simulations on the Collapse Behaviors of High-Rise Towers
Authors: Isobe Daigoro , Thanh Le Thi Thai , Sasaki Zion
Published: March 2012

In this paper, several numerical simulations of framed structures were performed to identify the specific structural cause of the high-speed total collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC) towers, which occurred during the 9/11 terrorist attacks. A full-scale aircraft impact simulation of the WTC tower 2 was conducted to examine the dynamic unloading phenomena that occurred in the core columns during impact, which may have caused the destruction of the splices between column sections. Fire-induced progressive collapse analyses of a high-rise tower with an outrigger truss system were carried out to qualitatively demonstrate the effects of fire patterns and structural parameters on the behavior of this tower's collapse. In general, the tower remained standing for a longer period of time due to the catenary action of the outrigger truss system only if the load paths in the tower were protected and if the member connections were strong enough. However, in these analyses, the collapse speed never reached a value as high as that of the free fall observed in the WTC collapse, which occurred while the splices between column sections still retained their tensile strength. From these results, it is evident that the high-speed collapse of the WTC towers might have been caused by an inherent weakness in their member connections in addition to the destruction directly caused by the aircraft impact.
Terminal Strength and Energy Capacity of RC Beams during Progressive Collapse of Multistory Buildings
Authors: Szuladziński Gregory
Published: March 2012

The objective of this work is to create a set of engineering formulas approximating structure response to a loss of one of supporting columns. Those expressions are created for the beam mode, arching mode, and the cable mode of a beam losing the column support. The correction coefficients are derived on the basis of experimental results. To assess the design load for an isolated beam subjected to a test, it is proposed to use the safety factor as a guide, the factor that can easily be calculated for any real project. The response to dynamic column removal is quantified and the Dynamic Factor is determined. This is helpful in the initial assessment of RC elements. The proposed column failure mechanism has two phases; the first one can be slow, but the second is usually fast, because of the altered configuration. The energy criterion presented provides another check of the capacity of a beam to withstand a column removal.
Simultaneous selection in progenies of yellow passion fruit using selection indices
Authors: Rosado Luciana Domiciano Silva , Santos Carlos Eduardo Magalhães dos , Bruckner Claudio Horst , Nunes Endson Santana , Cruz Cosme Damião
Published: March 2012

This study aimed to evaluate the efficiency of simultaneous selection (selection indices) using estimated genetic gains in yellow passion fruit and to make a comparison between the methodologies of Mulamba & Mock and Elston. The study was conducted with 26 sib progenies of yellow passion fruit for intrinsic production characteristics including fruit number, fruit mass, fruit length and diameter, and for the fruit characteristics skin thickness, soluble solids and acidity. Two methodologies were applied: first, in the joint analysis of fruit characteristics and of intrinsic production characteristics in a single phase of selection; and second, in the analysis in two phases, in which priority was given to the intrinsic production characteristics in the first phase, and later, in the second phase, the best fruit characteristics were chosen among the progenies of the first phase. The analysis of variance was applied to the data to detect genetic variability among progenies. The Elston's selection indice was unable to provide distribution of genetic gains consistent with the purposes of the study, as it selected a single progeny of passion fruit. However, the index based on the sum of ranks of Mulamba & Mock was more suitable, as it provided a balanced distribution of gains, selecting a larger number of progenies. The methodology of selection using indices is advantageous in passion fruit, since it contributes to higher genetic gains for all the traits evaluated, and the selection in a single phase was proved efficient for progeny selection.
Crescimento, consumo hídrico e composição mineral de alface cultivada em hidroponia com águas salinas
Authors: Paulus Dalva , Paulus Eloi , Nava Gilmar Antônio , Moura Cláudia Andrade
Published: March 2012

Objetivou-se, com este trabalho, avaliar o crescimento, o consumo hídrico e a extração de nutrientes, por alface (Lactuca sativa L.) em sistema hidropônico NFT (fluxo laminar de nutrientes), com a utilização de águas salinas no preparo da solução nutritiva e reposição da lâmina diária evapotranspirada. Foram conduzidos dois experimentos, em ambiente protegido. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos ao acaso, sendo estudados os efeitos de cinco níveis de salinidade da água, utilizando-se NaCl. O aumento da salinidade da água reduziu, de forma linear, o crescimento e o consumo hídrico da alface. A salinidade reduziu a concentração de macronutrientes na parte aérea, mas não se observaram sintomas de deficiência nutricional. O rendimento (massa de matéria fresca da parte aérea) foi reduzido entre 6 e 6,5% por dS m-1, no primeiro e segundo cultivo, respectivamente. Os resultados obtidos em sistema de cultivo NFT podem indicar a possibilidade do uso da água salina como alternativa para produção de hortaliças, para produtores que têm disponibilidade restrita de água doce, porém, com redução de produtividade.
O estudo das Relações Internacionais no Brasil: o estado da arte
Authors: Miyamoto Shiguenoli
Published: March 2012

Este artigo faz um balanço do estudo das Relações Internacionais no Brasil em dois momentos: antes de 1978 e depois. No primeiro instante verifica-se um número reduzido de profissionais e instituições voltados para esta temática, enquanto que a partir dos anos oitenta ocorre um incremento apreciável, principalmente com a criação de vários cursos de graduação em Relações Internacionais. O artigo também aponta as dificuldades enfrentadas pela área no País, face à intermitência tanto das instituições de ensino e pesquisa voltadas para o tema, quanto das publicações especializadas.
Pesquisa qualitativa em saúde coletiva: panorama e desafios
Authors: Bosi Maria Lúcia Magalhães
Published: March 2012

Este artigo apresenta um panorama concernente a objetos nucleares no debate atual do enfoque qualitativo referido ao contexto cientifico brasileiro e, mais especificamente, ao campo da saúde coletiva. Partindo da demarcação de conceitos centrais à delimitação do objeto focalizado na análise, a autora recupera o cenário atual desta tradição de pesquisa na saúde, aponta um elenco de desafios, passando, então, à análise de cada um deles. Para tanto, a discussão transita entre os planos epistêmico, ético e operacional, em suas relações com o estatuto cientifico desse enfoque na saúde coletiva. Mediante um extenso conjunto de indagações associado a exemplos fundamentados na empiria, a análise evidencia que, a despeito da grande expansão verificada e dos aportes à saúde coletiva, a pesquisa qualitativa ainda se depara com vários desafios para a sua plena consolidação. Nesse sentido, demanda investimentos internos ao enfoque e, ainda mais fortemente, certas dinâmicas na interface com os demais núcleos que constituem o campo analisado. Não obstante os desafios, o artigo conclui sinalizando para a possibilidade de novos pactos na saúde coletiva, tal como vem ocorrendo no que concerne à construção de outras agendas importantes nesse campo, com vistas a um modelo de ciência que responda à diversidade e à complexidade que o caracterizam.
La enseñanza-aprendizaje de la investigación cualitativa en el medio sanitario
Authors: Calderón Carlos
Published: March 2012

La IC constituye una perspectiva de conocimiento necesaria en el medio sanitario. El trabajo asistencial se lleva a cabo siempre en contextos complejos y su mejora requiere de metodologías de investigación que asuman dicha complejidad. Sin embargo, el conocimiento y la puesta en práctica de la investigación cualitativa (IC) en los servicios de salud continúan siendo muy limitados. Entre los diversos factores que condicionan su desarrollo, la enseñanza-aprendizaje (E-A) de la IC resulta fundamental, y no sólo a nivel de pre-grado. Los profesionales y el medio sanitario presentan determinadas particularidades que han de ser tenidas en cuenta en el diseño y desarrollo de la E-A orientada a dicho campo. A partir de una experiencia formativa on-line durante ocho años para profesionales de Atención Primaria, se discuten los principales retos identificados al respecto.
Indicadores do Serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica (SAF) da Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina
Authors: Alano Graziela Modolon , Corrêa Taís dos Santos , Galato Dayani
Published: March 2012

A Atenção Farmacêutica tem se constituído numa nova prática clínica para o farmacêutico. O estudo tem por objetivo apresentar os indicadores do Serviço de Atenção Farmacêutica da Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina. Foi realizada a análise documental dos prontuários farmacêuticos de 58 pacientes entre setembro de 2007 a março de 2008. A maioria dos pacientes eram mulheres (77,6%) com idade média de 54 anos. Identificou-se no primeiro encontro a média de 4,6 problemas de saúde por paciente e no último 4,3. As classes farmacológicas mais prevalentes foram a cardiovascular (30,2%) e no sistema nervoso (27,5%). Detectou-se média de 2,7 problemas relacionados com medicamentos por paciente, sendo os mais comuns aqueles relacionados à efetividade e à segurança. Dos problemas identificados 82,2% foram classificados como evitáveis e 63,7% como manifestados. Das intervenções farmacêuticas registradas soube-se da aceitação de 79,0% com 78,9% de resultados positivos. Encontrou-se média de 2,6 necessidades relacionadas ao paciente sendo, principalmente, dúvidas quanto à terapia farmacológica (30,4%) sendo em 84,8% dos casos supridas.
Consumo de micronutrientes e excesso de peso: existe relação?
Authors: Leão Ana Luisa Marcucci , Santos Luana Caroline dos
Published: March 2012

INTRODUÇÃO: O incremento da obesidade nas últimas décadas se associa às mudanças nos modos de vida da população, incluindo amplas alterações dietéticas, sobretudo na ingestão de micronutrientes. OBJETIVO: Descrever o consumo de micronutrientes e revisar sua implicação no estado nutricional. MÉTODOS: Realizou-se levantamento bibliográfico contemplando artigos nacionais e internacionais, publicados nos últimos 11 anos, nas bases de dados SciELO, LILACS, Medline e sites de organizações governamentais, usando como descritores: "micronutrientes", "consumo alimentar", "excesso de peso" , "saúde" e "estado nutricional" e suas traduções em inglês. RESULTADOS: A deficiência no consumo de micronutrientes é um problema de saúde global, atingindo cerca de 2 bilhões de pessoas, e parece se associar com maior risco de doenças e agravos não transmissíveis, incluindo a obesidade. A insuficiente ingestão de vitamina A favorece o excesso de peso por alteração no metabolismo da tireóide, enquanto a vitamina C se relaciona à síntese de carnitina e oxidação da gordura; e a vitamina D favorece o controle da saciedade e do gasto energético. Quanto aos minerais, o cálcio auxilia a regulação da termogênese e lipogênese/lipólise; e o zinco está envolvido na regulação de insulina e leptina. CONCLUSÃO: A promoção de hábitos alimentares saudáveis por meio de práticas educativas se faz necessária para maior conscientização da população acerca das implicações do consumo de micronutrientes no estado nutricional, devendo compor as estratégias de Saúde Pública de controle da obesidade e suas complicações.
Human Neutrophil Defensins and Their Effect on Epithelial Cells
Authors: Gursoy Ulvi K. , Könönen Eija , Luukkonen Noora , Uitto Veli‐Jukka
Published: March 2012

Background: The aims of the present study include: 1) to localize human neutrophil defensin‐1 (HNP‐1) through HNP‐3 in gingiva and in neutrophil extract‐treated epithelial cell monolayers; 2) to determine the effects of HNP‐1 on the epithelial cell viability, attachment, and spreading; and 3) to analyze the effect of HNP‐1 on the bacterial adherence to epithelial cells.

Methods: For localization of HNP‐1 through HNP‐3 in gingival tissue and in preincubated cell monolayers, immunohistochemical and immunocytochemical methods were used. Viability and proliferation of epithelial cells were determined with commercial kits after incubating the keratinocytes with different HNP‐1 concentrations (low, 1 to 5 μg/mL; moderate, 10 μg/mL; high, 20 to 50 μg/mL). Attachment and spreading of keratinocytes on fibronectin‐coated surfaces in the presence of HNP‐1 were evaluated under microscope. Attachment of Fusobacterium nucleatum ATCC25586 and Prevotella intermedia ATCC25611 on keratinocytes preincubated with HNP‐1 were determined with a standard antibiotic test.

Results: HNP‐1 through HNP‐3 localized in the junctional epithelium of clinically healthy gingiva and in the pocket epithelium of gingiva with periodontitis. When keratinocyte monolayers were incubated with neutrophil extracts, HNP‐1 through HNP‐3 were bound to the periphery of the growing cell colonies. In low HNP‐1 concentrations, the keratinocyte proliferation enhanced. Moderate and high concentrations of HNP‐1 increased the cellular death significantly. HNP‐1 increased the attachment and spreading of keratinocytes on fibronectin‐coated surfaces and bacterial attachment to keratinocytes in a concentration‐dependent manner.

Conclusion: HNP‐1 plays a role in the integrity of keratinocytes by stimulating their proliferation, attachment, and spreading, whereas higher doses increase the bacterial attachment and keratinocyte death.
Risk of Cardiovascular and All-Cause Mortality: Impact of Impaired Health-Related Functioning and Diabetes
Authors: Williams Emily D. , Rawal Lal , Oldenburg Brian F. , Renwick Carla , Shaw Jonathan E. , Tapp Robyn J.
Published: March 2012

OBJECTIVE

There is an established link between health-related functioning (HRF) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, and it is known that those with diabetes predominantly die of CVD. However, few studies have determined the combined impact of diabetes and impaired HRF on CVD mortality. We investigated whether this combination carries a higher CVD risk than either component alone.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The Australian Diabetes, Obesity and Lifestyle (AusDiab) study included 11,247 adults aged ≥25 years from 42 randomly selected areas of Australia. At baseline (1999–2000), diabetes status was defined using the World Health Organization criteria and HRF was assessed using the SF-36 questionnaire.

RESULTS

Overall, after 7.4 years of follow-up, 57 persons with diabetes and 105 without diabetes had died from CVD. In individuals with and without diabetes, HRF measures were significant predictors of increased CVD mortality. The CVD mortality risks among those with diabetes or impaired physical health component summary (PCS) alone were similar (diabetes only: hazard ratio 1.4 [95% CI 0.7–2.7]; impaired PCS alone: 1.5 [1.0–2.4]), while those with both diabetes and impaired PCS had a much higher CVD mortality (2.8 [1.6–4.7]) compared with those without diabetes and normal PCS (after adjustment for multiple covariates). Similar results were found for the mental health component summary.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that the combination of diabetes and impaired HRF is associated with substantially higher CVD mortality. This suggests that, among those with diabetes, impaired HRF is likely to be important in the identification of individuals at increased risk of CVD mortality.
Rehearsing for the Plague: Citizens, Security, and Simulation
Authors: Armstrong Melanie
Published: March 2012

Abstract:

Daily practices of bioterrorism preparedness are producing a security community in which citizens are bound together by common biological risk, access to care during times of crisis, and the ability and authority to provide care in an emergency. Through the study of national-level exercise programmes and city-wide preparedness plans in Albuquerque, New Mexico, this ethnographic research asks how communities are materially and ideologically organized around the idea of mitigating biological risk. The dual acts of planning for bioterrorism and simulating a response prescribe a distinct role for government in caring for a population, and not just during times of crisis. This paper explores the outcomes of publicly rehearsing the care practices of government through bioterror simulation by considering how restructuring health systems around the idea of biopreparedness confounds the specter of war with life-giving acts of health care, offering citizens a way of living within the state of emergency.
Effect of Gold Nanoparticle Conjugation on Peptide Dynamics and Structure
Authors: Lee Kuo Hao , Ytreberg F. Marty
Published: March 2012

Molecular dynamics simulations were used to characterize the structure and dynamics for several peptides and the effect of conjugating them to a gold nanoparticle. Peptide structure and dynamics were compared for two cases: unbound peptides in water, and peptides bound to the gold nanoparticle surface in water. The results show that conjugating the peptides to the gold nanoparticle usually decreases conformational entropy, but sometimes increases entropy. Conjugating the peptides can also result in more extended structures or more compact structures depending on the amino acid sequence of the peptide. The results also suggest that if one wishes to use peptide-nanoparticle conjugates for drug delivery it is important that the peptides contain secondary structure in solution because in our simulations the peptides with little to no secondary structure adsorbed to the nanoparticle surface.
Efficient Design of Coupled Microcavities at Optical Frequencies
Authors: Swillam Mohamed A. , Ahmed Osman S. , Bakr Mohamed H.
Published: March 2012

Simple and efficient approaches for filter design at optical frequencies using a large number of coupled microcavities are proposed. The design problem is formulated as an optimization problem with a unique global solution. Various efficient filter designs are obtained at both the drop and through ports. Our approaches are illustrated through a number of examples.
Screening of Anti-Obesity Agent from Herbal Mixtures
Authors: Roh Changhyun , Jung Uhee , Jo Sung-Kee
Published: March 2012

Globally, one in three of the World’s adults are overweight and one in 10 is obese. By 2015, World Health Organization (WHO) estimates the number of chubby adults will balloon to 2.3 billion—Equal to the combined populations of China, Europe and the United States. The discovery of bioactive compounds from herbs is one possible way to control obesity and to prevent or reduce the risks of developing various obesity-related diseases. In this study, we screened anti-obesity agents such as methyl gallate from the herbal composition known as HemoHIM that actively inhibits lipid formation as evidenced by Oil Red O staining and triglyceride (TG) contents in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, suggesting their use as an anti-obesity agent. Furthermore, the amount of glycerol released from cells into the medium had increased by treatment of methyl gallate in a concentration-dependent manner. The present study suggests that a promising anti-obesity agent like methyl gallate might be of therapeutic interest for the treatment of obesity.
Synthesis of core‐shell fluoroacrylate copolymer latex via emulsion polymerization and its application in ink‐jet ink
Authors: Li Xuefeng , Zhang Jingfang , Zhou Xingping , Lu Chuan , Tong Xiantao , He Guoxing , Wang Xiaqin
Published: March 2012

Core‐shell fluoroacrylate copolymer latex was synthesized via semicontinuous seed emulsion polymerization, in which ethyl acrylate was utilized to prepare core, and methyl methacrylate, butyl acrylate, methacrylate acid, and hexafluorobutyl methacrylate were employed to constitute the shell. So the yielded latex particles had the soft core and hard shell. Multifunction and low viscosity of the latex had been applied as the binder of latex inks. The ζ potential showed that the latex particles had high thermodynamic stability. The latex and latex inks exhibited viscosity plateau of Newtonian fluid behaviors. Rheological tests revealed that viscous behaviors dominated in the latex and latex inks. However, there was some interaction among the latex and pigment particles. The hydrophobicity of the cast films of the latex increased with the amount of the fluoroacrylate monomer. Fluorine tended to migrate to the interface between the cast film and air. Therefore, the hydrophobicity was derived from the fluorine enrichment phenomena on the top side of the cast films. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012
Overexpressing Transcriptional Regulator in Aspergillus oryzae Activates a Silent Biosynthetic Pathway to Produce a Novel Polyketide
Authors: Nakazawa Takehito , Ishiuchi Kan'ichiro , Praseuth Alex , Noguchi Hiroshi , Hotta Kinya , Watanabe Kenji
Published: March 2012

Fungal genomes carry many gene clusters seemingly capable of natural product biosynthesis, yet most clusters remain silent. This places a major constraint on the conventional approach of cloning these genes in more amenable heterologous host for the natural product biosynthesis. One way to overcome this difficulty is to activate the silent gene clusters within the context of the target fungus. Here, we successfully activated a silent polyketide biosynthetic gene cluster in Aspergillus oryzae by overexpressing a transcriptional regulator found within the cluster from a plasmid. This strategy allowed us to isolate a new polyketide product and to efficiently decipher its biosynthetic pathway. Through this exercise, we also discovered unexpected activities of the biosynthetic enzymes found in the cluster. These results indicate that our approach would be valuable for isolating novel natural products and engineering analogues of comparable, if not more potent, bioactivity.
Structurally Diverse Polyamides Obtained from Monomers Derived via the Ugi Multicomponent Reaction
Authors: Kreye Oliver , Türünç Oğuz , Sehlinger Ansgar , Rackwitz Jenny , Meier Michael A. R.
Published: March 2012

The combination of the Ugi four‐component reaction (Ugi‐4CR) with acyclic diene metathesis (ADMET) or thiol–ene polymerization led to the formation of poly‐1‐(alkylcarbamoyl) carboxamides, a new class of substituted polyamides with amide moieties in the polymer backbone, as well as its side chains. 10‐Undecenoic acid, obtained by pyrolysis of ricinoleic acid, the main fatty acid of castor oil, was used as the key renewable building block. The use of different primary amines, as well as isonitriles (isocyanides) for the described Ugi reactions provided monomers with high structural diversity. Furthermore, the possibility of versatile post‐modification of functional groups in the side chains of the corresponding polymers should be of considerable interest in materials science. The obtained monomers were polymerized by ADMET, as well as thiol–ene, chemistry and all polymers were fully characterized. Finally, ortho‐nitrobenzylamide‐containing polyamides obtained by this route were shown to be photoresponsive and exhibited a dramatic change of their properties upon irradiation with light.
The impact of soil moisture availability on forest growth indices for variably layered coarse‐textured soils
Authors: Huang Mingbin , Zettl Julie D. , Barbour S. Lee , Elshorbagy Amin , Si Bing Cheng
Published: March 2012

The reestablishment of productive forests over mining waste and overburden is a primary reclamation goal in oil sands mining in Northern Alberta, Canada. Soil water conditions in coarse‐textured soils can be limiting to forest growth. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect that textural variability may have on plant‐available water and concomitant forest productivity on coarse‐textured reclamation soils. The ecophysiological and biogeochemical processes model, Biome‐BGC (Thornton et al., Agricultural and Forest Meteorology 113: 185–222, 2002), was employed to simulate forest dynamics. The water flow sub‐model in Biome‐BGC was replaced by a field‐validated physically based formulation for transient unsaturated water flow. The modified model was assessed using validated physiological parameters, and model predictions were compared with measurements of aboveground biomass dynamics for jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb), white spruce [Picea glauca (Moench) Voss], and trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.). The modified Biome‐BGC model was then used to evaluate the response of leaf area index and net primary production to available water holding capacity on texturally variable, coarse‐textured soils. The results indicate that textural variability could increase the available water holding capacity within a 1‐m profile of coarse‐textured soil by 8 to 16 mm. This enhanced available water holding capacity could increase forest leaf area index by 0·3 to 0·8 and net primary production by 14–30% depending on the specific soil texture and tree species. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Simultaneous Determination of Nitrophenol Isomers Based on β‐Cyclodextrin Functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide
Authors: Liu Zhaona , Ma Xuemei , Zhang Huacheng , Lu Weijie , Ma Houyi , Hou Shifeng
Published: March 2012

β‐CD modified reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets have been prepared and characterized by TEM, AFM, IR, EIS and CVs. In comparison with bare glass carbon electrode (GCE) and RGO modified GCE, CD‐RGO/GCE showed much higher peak currents to the reduction of nitrophenol isomers (NPs), attributed to the larger specific surface area of RGO and high quantities of host–guest recognition sites. Three pairs of redox peaks are observed on the CVs of CD‐RGO for p‐NP (0.3 V), o‐NP (−0.2 V) and m‐NP (0.05 V), separating well with each other. Under the optimized condition, the anodic peak currents were linear over ranges around 1–10 mg dm−3 for p‐NP, 1–9 mg dm−3 for o‐NP and 1–6 mg dm−3 for m‐NP, with the detection limits of 0.05 mg dm−3, 0.02 mg dm−3 and 0.1 mg dm−3, respectively. Thus, the CD‐RGO is expected to be a promising sensor material for detecting trace NPs in waste water.
Impedimetric Aptasensor for Thrombin Recognition Based on CD Support
Authors: Castillo Gabriela , Trnkova Libuse , Hrdy Radim , Hianik Tibor
Published: March 2012

We report an aptamer biosensing array for thrombin detection by measuring the electrochemical impedance upon aptamer‐protein formation at the surface of CD‐trodes (GCDTs) in the presence of the redox couple [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−. GCDTs are fabricated from recordable compact discs that contain a fine gold layer. The biosensor is constructed by self‐assembling of a thiol‐modified thrombin binding aptamer (TBA) onto a GCDT surface. The sensor reveals good ligand specificity, recognition in a wide range of thrombin concentrations from 20 nM to 1 µM with a limit of detection of 5 nM.
A conceptual model of water yield effects from beetle‐induced tree death in snow‐dominated lodgepole pine forests
Authors: Pugh Evan , Gordon Eric
Published: March 2012

In regions of western North America with snow‐dominated hydrology, the presence of forested watersheds can significantly influence streamflow compared to areas with other vegetation cover types. Widespread tree death in these watersheds can thus dramatically alter many ecohydrologic processes including transpiration, canopy solar transmission and snow interception, subcanopy wind regimes, soil infiltration, forest energy storage and snow surface albedo. One of the more important causes of conifer tree death is bark beetle infestation, which in some instances will kill nearly all of the canopy trees within forest stands. Since 1996, an ongoing outbreak of bark beetles (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) has caused widespread mortality across more than 600,000 km2of coniferous forests in western North America, including numerous Rocky Mountain headwaters catchments with high rates of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) mortality from mountain pin beetle (Dendroctonous ponderosae) infestations. Few empirical studies have documented the effects of MPB infestations on hydrologic processes, and little is known about the direction and magnitude of changes in water yield and timing of runoff due to insect‐induced tree death. Here, we review and synthesize existing research and provide new results quantifying the effects of beetle infestations on canopy structure, snow interception and transmission to create a conceptual model of the hydrologic effects of MPB‐induced lodgepole pine death during different stages of mortality. We identify the primary hydrologic processes operating in living forest stands, stands in multiple stages of death and long‐dead stands undergoing regeneration and estimate the direction of change in new water yield. This conceptual model is intended to identify avenues for future research efforts. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of induced drought on transpiration and growth in a temperate pine plantation forest
Authors: MacKay Samantha L. , Arain M. Altaf , Khomik Myroslava , Brodeur Jason J. , Schumacher Jens , Hartmann Henrik , Peichl Matthias
Published: March 2012

The effects of early growing season droughts on water and carbon balances in conifer forests are poorly understood. In this study, the response of canopy transpiration (Ec) and growth rates to reduced precipitation input during the early growing season was evaluated in a 70‐year old temperate white pine (Pinus strobus L.) plantation forest, in Southern Ontario, Canada. In order to induce the drought, a 20 × 20 m throughfall exclusion setup was established. Throughfall was excluded from 1 April to 3 July 2009. During this period, 270 mm of rainfall occurred (27% of annual precipitation), of which more than 90% was excluded. Sapflow, stem growth, soil moisture and soil temperature were measured in both drought and reference plots. Prior to the induced drought, both plots showed similar soil water content, transpiration rates and tree diameters. The primary control on forest water loss was vapour pressure deficit, whereas soil moisture had an effect when it reached below 0.068 m3 m−3 during the growing season. The rainfall exclusion did not negatively affect Ec until early June, approximately 54 days after drought initiation. Ec was 27% less in the drought plot compared to the reference plot when evaluated at the end of the growing season in November. Tree growth estimates at the end of the growing season indicated a 17% decrease in growth in the drought plot as compared to the reference plot. Because climate predictions foresee changes in precipitation pattern, drought spells – similar to this artificial short‐term rainfall manipulation – may be more frequent in the future. Hence, although overall precipitation may remain the same, the short‐term deficit in water supply may have important implications for forest ecosystems. The findings of this rainfall manipulation will help quantify the impacts of spring and early summer water deficit on forest ecosystems and evaluate their potential responses to future climate regimes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lectin‐binding pattern of the senegalese sole Solea senegalensis oogenesis
Authors: Accogli Gianluca , Zizza Sara , García‐lópez Angel , Sarasquete Carmen , Desantis Salvatore
Published: March 2012

The glycoconjugate pattern of developing ovarian follicles in wild and cultured Senegalese sole Solea senegalensis was investigated by means of lectin histochemistry. Ovaries from cultured fish contained oocytes up to the late vitellogenic stage, whereas they reached the hydration stage in wild specimens. The follicular cells bound MAL II, SBA, HPA, DBA, Con A, KOH‐sialidase (K‐s)‐WGA, GSA I‐B4 in the late vitellogenic stage, and in wild fish also SNA and K‐s‐PNA, whereas in the hydration stage SBA, HPA, DBA, and GSA I‐B4 only. The zona radiata reacted with SBA, HPA, DBA, Con A, and GSA I B4 in the late vitellogenic stage and in cultured fish also with UEA I, whereas in the hydration stage it stained with SBA only. The cortical alveoli bound SBA, HPA, RCA120 during the late vitellogenic stage, also SNA, PNA, K‐s‐PNA, GSA I‐B4 in cultured fish, DBA, and K‐s‐WGA in wild ones which stained with SBA, HPA, and GSA I‐B4 in the hydrated stage. The yolk reacted with Con A in the late vitellogenic oocytes, and also with MAL II, SNA, K‐s‐PNA, SBA, HPA, K‐s‐WGA, GSA I‐B4, UEA I in the hydrated ones. From perinucleolus to late vitellogenic stages, the oocyte nucleoplasm bound Con A, GSA I‐B4, GSA II, UEA I, and in wild fish also MAL II, SNA, LTA but only GSA I‐B4 reactivity in the early maturation stage. These findings demonstrate that the glycan pattern of fish ovarian follicles changes during the maturative stages and that it is affected by culture‐rearing conditions. Microsc. Res. Tech. 75:1124–1135, 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.