bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bioremedation of Oil and Oil Products Bacterial Species of the Genus Pseudomonas
Authors: Doszhanov Ye.O. , Ongarbaev Ye.K. , Mansurov Z.A. , Zhubanova A.A. , Hofrichter Martin
Published: November 2015

In the article the results of investigation of oxidation processes of crude-oil by bacteria of genus Pseudomonas: Pseudomonas mendocina H-3, Pseudomonas sp. H-7, Pseudomonas stutzeri H-10, Pseudomonas aeruginosa H-14, Pseudomonas alcaligenes H-15 and Pseudomonas sp H-16. It was shown that these microorganisms are capable to oxidize oil’s hydrocarbons and oil products. It means that the bacteria may be used for bioremediation of oil-pollutant soils.
Biological Active Esters of the Isovaleric Acid
Authors: Suerbaev Kh.A. , Zhaksylykova G.Zh. , Appazov N.O.
Published: November 2015

Hydroalkoxycarbonylation of olefins with carbon monoxide and alcohols under condition of homogeneous –catalysis with transition metal complexes allows facile one-step synthesis of practically
 useful carbon acid esters. Many of them have biological activity and are constituents of drugs or valuable intermediate products in drug synthesis. Hydroalkoxycarbonylation of isobutylene with carbon monoxide and alcohols in the presence of catalytic system Pd(PPh3)4-PPh3-TsOH was applied for preparing of biological active isovaleric acid esters: 1-menthylisovalerate (main active component of the spasmolytic medicine “Validolum”), ethylisovalerate (intermediate product for obtaining sedative and spasmolytic medicines “Ethyl ester of α-bromisovaleric acid” and “Corvalolum”), cyclohexylisovalerate (bactericide activity) and benzylisovalerate (bactericide and antifungus activity). Hydroalkoxycarbonylation reaction of isobutylene with carbon monoxide and alcohols (ethanol, cyclohexanol, l-menthol, benzyl alcohol) in the presence Pd(PPh3)4-PPh3-TsOH system carried out at conditions: temperature 100 °C; CO pressure 2.0 MPa; reaction time 4 h; reactants and catalyst components ratio [alcohol]:[isobutylene]:[Pd(PPh3)4]:[PPh3]:[TsOH] = 435:550:1:3:12. The yields of the products were 71-95% (on converted alcohols). The selectivity in linear reaction products was 100%. Such a high regioselectivity is apparently provided both by the structure of the starting alkene (isobutylene) and by the reaction mechanism. The most probable is a hydride mechanism. Due to the more advanced technology of production the Medicines will have better qualitative characteristics. The cost of production of the Medicines with the use of new technologies is 2-3 times lower as compared to the medicines produced by existing at the present traditional technologies.
Phase Equilibria in Triacylglycerols – Ethanol – Oleic Acid – Athyl Oleate Quasi-Quaternary System
Authors: Permyakova I.A. , Vol’khin V.V. , Kazakov D.A. , Kaczmarski K. , Kudryashova O.S. , Sukhoplecheva E.A.
Published: November 2015

In order to use waste vegetable oils to produce biodiesel a possibility of reagents (sunflower oil and ethanol) mixture homogenization under the simultaneous effect of two cosolvents (oleic acid and ethyl  oleate) was investigated. The possibility of action of oleic acid and ethyl oleate as cosolvents was analyzed with GSP model. For qualitative assessment of the intermolecular interaction parameter ξ was used. This parameter is a measure
of the ratio between cross-association (solvation) energy A–B and self-association (association) energies A–A and B–B. It was shown that most important role at intermolecular interactions of oleic acid and ethyl oleate with triglycerides belonged to dispersion forces. Predominant contribution of hydrogen bonds in the interaction of oleic acid and ethyl oleate with ethanol was shown. The prediction of improving the effect of the cosolvents with temperature increasing was done, and it was confirmed by experimental results.
The effect of oleic acid and ethyl oleate as cosolvents for homogenization of mixtures of sunflower oil and ethanol was investigated experimentally by studying the phase equilibria in the quasi-quaternary system triacylglycerols (sunflower oil) –ethanol –oleic acid –ethyl oleate at 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 °C. The results of the experiments are presented in the form of phase diagrams of quasi-ternary boundary systems: triacylglycerols –oleic acid –ethanol and triacylglycerols –ethyl oleate –ethanol, and the phase
diagrams of composition tetrahedron sections with five different ratios of components oleic acid: ethyl oleate. Generalization of the research results is presented in the form of polythermal phase diagram for the system triacylglycerols –ethanol –oleic acid –ethyl oleate. Solubility polytherms (from 30 to 70 °C) for the system triacylglycerols –ethanol –mixed cosolvent with different ratios of oleic acid and ethyl oleate were plotted.
Corrosion of Indium in Chloride and Sulfate Electrolytes
Authors: Rakhymbay G. , Nauryzbayev M.K. , Burkitbayeva B.D. , Argimbaeva A.M. , Kurbatov A.P. , Vacandio F.
Published: November 2015

When the electrochemical purification of rough indium is used as sulfate, and chloride electrolytes. Significant differences in the values of the stationary potential indium electrode in the above solutions weren’t observed. The corrosion behavior of rough indium in chloride and sulfate electrolytes with potentiodynamic
method was studied. For determining the influence of the electrolyte composition obtained corrosive diagram for solution: sodium chloride; sodium chloride containing indium chloride (III); indium chloride (III); sulfuric acid; sulfuric acid containing sulfate indium (III). Experimental results allowed to determine the composition of the electrolyte, characterized by a high rate of dissolution of indium. It was found that dissolution of the indium occurs at high velocity in the indium-containing electrolytes and at higher temperatures. For electrolytes containing indium with pH = 4 was observed increase dissolution rate of indium anode with increasing temperature, indicating that the limitation of the process electrochemical stage and the beginning of the formation of indium hydroxide. Research results can be used in the electrochemical refining of rough indium.
Aerogels Based on Graphene Oxide with Addition of Carbon Nanotubes: Synthesis and Properties
Authors: Sultanov F.R. , Pei Shin-Shem Steven , Auyelkhankyzy M. , Smagulova G. , Lesbayev B.T. , Mansurov Z.A.
Published: November 2015

Nowadays numerous sorbents based on graphene and other carbon nanomaterials have been synthesized for the removal or collecting of oil remains due to its unique physico-chemical properties. Obtaining of aerogels based on graphene oxide and carbon nanotubes with addition of chitosan solution as a binder
component is shown in this paper. Aerogels were synthesized by reduction of aqueous dispersion of graphene oxide using the reducing agents, followed by ultrasonic and thermal treatment. Ultrasound destroys the graphene layers, decreasing them in size, thereby exposing new layers to form edges that already have no stabilizing carboxyl groups, which are located at the edges, and participate in the formation of bonds. The surface morphology of obtained aerogels was studied by SEM. The study of the sorption capacity showed that graphene/CNTs aerogel is characterized by short absorption time and high sorption ability that depend
on densities of the used solvents. All experimental results show the possibility of using the aerogels based on graphene and CNTs as sorbents for collection of oil residues.
Making Educational and Scholarly Videos with Screen Capture Software
Authors: Burkey Mark L.
Published: November 2015

This resource describes several options for making educational videos using “screencasting”, or “screen capture” software.  The author (who has over 300 screencasted videos on YouTube and indexed on his website, www.burkeyacademy.com) describes the software and hardware tools needed, including some open source and free-to-use tools.  Links to some “how to” videos are included, as well as some links to other example videos demonstrating novel professional uses for screencasting.
Land use changes caused by bank erosion along the lower part of the Bosna river from 2001 to 2013
Authors: Tosic Radislav , Lovric Novica , Dragicevic Slavoljub
Published: November 2015

The river channel dynamics are result of the complex interaction between
natural and human impact. In the presented study, we assessed spatial and
temporal dynamics of Bosna river channel migration during 2001-2013 period
using orthophoto images and GIS. We have identified that the total area of
bank erosion during given period equaled 2.8695 km2, of which 1.2178 km2 were
on the left bank and 1.6516 km2 on the right bank. The total area of bank
accretion from 2001 to 2013 equaled 2.6841 km2, of which 1.2864 km2 was on
the left bank and 1.3977 km2 on the right bank. The Bosna riverbed average
movement in the period 2001-2013 was established in the amount of 60.7 m.
During this period, the average lateral channel migration was 5.05 m per
year. Lateral migration of the Bosna River has caused serious problems:
disappearance of arable land, forests, pastures and meadows, economic loss
due to the reduction of agricultural. Using statistical analysis of a land
use structure changes along the lower part of Bosna River, we obtained the
results which show significant lost in arable land. According to results,
42.3 ha of arable land, 171.9 ha forests and 31.8 ha pastures and meadows
were lost during 2001-2013 period. The data presented here are significant
for practical issues such as predicting channel migration rates for
engineering and planning purposes, soil and water management.
Dimension Increase via Hierarchical Hydrogen Bonding from Simple Pincer-like Mononuclear complexes
Authors: Zheng Sheng-Run , Hou Jun-Ya , Pan Mei , Ling-Chen  , Yin Shao-Yun , Wu Kai , Zhang Lu-Yin , Su Cheng-Yong
Published: November 2015

A tetradentate symmetric ligand bearing both coordination and hydrogen bonding sites, N1,N3-bis(1-(1H-benzimidazol-2-yl)-ethylidene)propane-1,3-diamine (H2bbepd) was utilized to synthesize a series of transition metal complexes, namely [Co(H2bbepd)(H2O)2]·2ClO4
(1), [Cu(H2bbepd)(OTs-)]·OTs- (2),[Cu(bbepd)(CH3OH)] (3), [Cd(H2bbepd)(NO3)2]·CH3OH (4), [Cd(H2bbepd)(CH3OH)Cl]·Cl (5), and
[Cd(bbepd)(CH3OH)2] (6). These complexes show similar discrete pincer-like coordination units, possessing different arrangements of hydrogen bonding donor and acceptor sites. With or without the aid of uncoordinated anions and solvent molecules, such mononuclear
units have been effectively involved in the construction of hierarchical hydrogen bonding assemblies (successively via level I and level II), leading to discrete binuclear ring (complex 2), one-dimensional chain or ribbon (complexes 3, 4 and 6) and
two-dimensional layer (complexes 1 and 5) aggregates.
Who Chooses Incentivized Pay Structures? Exploring the Link Between Performance and Preferences for Compensation Reform in the Teacher Labor Market
Authors: Goldhaber Dan , Bignell Wes , Farley Amy , Walch Joe , Cowan James
Published: November 2015

We report on research examining the revealed preferences of teachers in Denver Public Schools who were given the opportunity to select between remaining on a traditional salary schedule and opting into one of the nation’s high-profile pay reform systems, Denver’s Professional Compensation System for Teachers. The incentive structure creates differential earnings risk for teachers according to their experience and measured effectiveness as well as their staffing assignment and school. We find that teachers are generally responsive to the eligibility criteria, but many teachers who would have earned more under the new system chose not to participate.
Assessment of the deep abdominal muscles at rest and during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver in adolescents practicing volleyball: A case control study
Authors: Pawel Linek
Published: November 2015

BACKGROUND: To date, an assessment of the differences in the deep abdominal muscles among adolescent volleyball players at rest and during the abdominal drawing-in maneuver (ADIM) has not been performed.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess the thickness of the transversus abdominis (TrA) and internal oblique (OI) muscles at rest and during the ADIM in healthy adolescent volleyball players.

METHODS: Ninety-two secondary school students and members of volleyball sports clubs participated in the study. Measurements of the thickness of the muscles at rest and during ADIM were made in the supine position with ultrasound imaging.

RESULTS: The TrA was thicker in the volleyball group versus controls by 0.50 mm (95% CI: 0.09-0.99; p= 0.02). The OI was thicker in the volleyball group by 1.02 mm (95% CI: 0.34-1.71; p< 0.001). The analysis of the TrA preferential activity ratio showed that it was significantly higher, by an average of 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01-0.04; p< 0.001), in the volleyball group. The TrA contraction ratio was also significantly higher in the volleyball group, by an average of 0.20 (95% CI: 0.02-0.34; p= 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents who participate in volleyball training have higher TrA and OI thickness. The study showed higher values of the TrA preferential activation and contraction ratios in the volleyball group.
pH Control in Fog and Rain in East Asia: Temporal Advection of Clean Air Masses to Mt. Bamboo, Taiwan
Authors: Klemm Otto , Tseng Wei-Ti , Lin Chia-Ching , Klemm Kerstin , Lin Neng-Huei (George)
Published: November 2015

Fog and rain was collected during an 18-day period in January 2011 at Mt. Bamboo, northern Taiwan. Almost 300 hourly fog samples and 16 daily rain samples were taken. One single fog sample (pH 3.17) was influenced by local volcanic activity, otherwise the pH ranged from 3.23 to 6.41 in fog and from 3.59 to 6.31 in rain. All the respective air masses arrived from the northeast, but exhibited two distinct groups: Group_1 had high concentrations of all ions (median interquartile range of total ion concentrations 3200–6200 µeq.·L−1) and low pHs (median 3.52), the respective air masses had travelled over densely populated and industrialized regions of mainland China. Group_2 was from air masses with long travel times over the ocean and relatively low total ion concentrations (80–570 µeq.·L−1) and higher pHs (median 4.80). The cleanest samples are among the cleanest reported in the literature of worldwide fog and rain. In both groups, the pH was governed by the balance of sulfate, nitrate, ammonium, and, in some cases, calcium. The variability of these ions was higher than the variability of 10−pH, which shows that the pH is a rather robust parameter in contrast to its drivers such as non-sea-salt sulfate.
PM2.5 Concentration Differences between Various Forest Types and Its Correlation with Forest Structure
Authors: Liu Xuhui , Yu Xinxiao , Zhang Zhenming
Published: November 2015

The Plain Forestation Project is an important measure designed to alleviate air pollution in Beijing, the capital of China. Ten commonly cultivated forest types of the Plain Forestation Project were studied at three growth stages of leaves. The particulate matter (PM)2.5 concentrations and forest structures were surveyed to analyze the PM2.5 concentration differences between different forest types, and establish a linear relationship between forest structures and PM2.5 concentration differences. The results suggested that forest ecosystems can block and capture PM2.5 from the air. Forests with luxuriant foliage are most effective in removing PM2.5 from the air. The average PM2.5 mass concentration in the Leaf-on Period (LOP) was the lowest when compared with other periods. The PM2.5 concentrations in the forest usually were higher than the control. Correspondingly, PM2.5 concentration indexes were negative values during daytime, but this results were reversed at night. Forests can reduce the diffusion rate of PM2.5 leading to PM2.5 were detained in the forest during daytime, and play an important role in the adsorption or deposition of particulate matter at night. Forest structure was primary reason of the PM2.5 concentration difference between different forests. The PM2.5 concentration index was positively correlated to canopy density, leaf area index (LAI), and mean diameter at breast height (DBH), and negatively correlated to the average tree height (height), forestland area, grass coverage and height.
An Assessment of the South Asian Summer Monsoon Variability for Present and Future Climatologies Using a High Resolution Regional Climate Model (RegCM4.3) under the AR5 Scenarios
Authors: Hassan Mujtaba , Du Pengfei , Jia Shaofeng , Iqbal Waheed , Mahmood Rashid , Ba Wulong
Published: November 2015

We assessed the present and future climatologies of mean summer monsoon over South Asia using a high resolution regional climate model (RegCM4) with a 25 km horizontal resolution. In order to evaluate the performance of the RegCM4 for the reference period (1976–2005) and for the far future (2070–2099), climate change projections under two greenhouse gas representative concentration pathways (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5) were made, the lateral boundary conditions being provided by the geophysical fluid dynamic laboratory global model (GFDL-ESM2M). The regional climate model (RCM) improves the simulation of seasonal mean temperature and precipitation patterns compared to driving global climate model (GCM) during present-day climate conditions. The regional characteristic features of South Asian summer monsoon (SASM), like the low level jet stream and westerly flow over the northern the Arabian Sea, are well captured by the RegCM4. In spite of some discrepancies, the RegCM4 could simulate the Tibetan anticyclone and the direction of the tropical easterly jet reasonably well at 200 hPa. The projected temperature changes in 2070–2099 relative to 1976–2005 for GFDL-ESM2M show increased warming compared to RegCM4. The projected patterns at the end of 21st century shows an increase in precipitation over the Indian Peninsula and the Western Ghats. The possibilities of excessive precipitation include increased southwesterly flow in the wet period and the effect of model bias on climate change. However, the spatial patterns of precipitation are decreased in intensity and magnitude as the monsoon approaches the foothills of the Himalayas. The RegCM4-projected dry conditions over northeastern India are possibly related to the anomalous anticyclonic circulations in both scenarios.
A Refined Multiscale Self-Entropy Approach for the Assessment of Cardiac Control Complexity: Application to Long QT Syndrome Type 1 Patients
Authors: Bari Vlasta , Girardengo Giulia , Marchi Andrea , De Maria Beatrice , Brink Paul , Crotti Lia , Schwartz Peter , Porta Alberto
Published: November 2015

The study proposes the contemporaneous assessment of conditional entropy (CE) and self-entropy (sE), being the two terms of the Shannon entropy (ShE) decomposition, as a function of the time scale via refined multiscale CE (RMSCE) and sE (RMSsE) with the aim at gaining insight into cardiac control in long QT syndrome type 1 (LQT1) patients featuring the KCNQ1-A341V mutation. CE was estimated via the corrected CE (CCE) and sE as the difference between the ShE and CCE. RMSCE and RMSsE were computed over the beat-to-beat series of heart period (HP) and QT interval derived from 24-hour Holter electrocardiographic recordings during daytime (DAY) and nighttime (NIGHT). LQT1 patients were subdivided into asymptomatic and symptomatic mutation carriers (AMCs and SMCs) according to the severity of symptoms and contrasted with non-mutation carriers (NMCs). We found that RMSCE and RMSsE carry non-redundant information, separate experimental conditions (i.e., DAY and NIGHT) within a given group and distinguish groups (i.e., NMC, AMC and SMC) assigned the experimental condition. Findings stress the importance of the joint evaluation of RMSCE and RMSsE over HP and QT variabilities to typify the state of the autonomic function and contribute to clarify differences between AMCs and SMCs.
Feasibility Study of a Solar-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station Model
Authors: Ye Bin , Jiang Jingjing , Miao Lixin , Yang Peng , Li Ji , Shen Bo
Published: November 2015

In China, the power sector is currently the largest carbon emitter and the transportation sector is the fastest-growing carbon emitter. This paper proposes a model of solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles to mitigate problems encountered in China’s renewable energy utilization processes and to cope with the increasing power demand by electric vehicles for the near future. This study applies the proposed model to Shenzhen City to verify its technical and economic feasibility. Modeling results showed that the total net present value of a photovoltaic power charging station that meets the daily electricity demand of 4500 kWh is $3,579,236 and that the cost of energy of the combined energy system is $0.098/kWh. In addition, the photovoltaic powered electric vehicle model has pollutant reduction potentials of 99.8%, 99.7% and 100% for carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides, respectively, compared with a traditional gasoline-fueled car. Sensitivity analysis results indicated that interest rate has a relatively strong influence on COE (Cost of Energy). An increase in the interest rate from 0% to 6% increases COE from $0.027/kWh to $0.097/kWh. This analysis also suggests that carbon pricing promotes renewable energy only when the price of carbon is above $20/t.
SimpleTree —An Efficient Open Source Tool to Build Tree Models from TLS Clouds
Authors: Hackenberg Jan , Spiecker Heinrich , Calders Kim , Disney Mathias , Raumonen Pasi
Published: November 2015

An open source tool named SimpleTree, capable of modelling highly accurate cylindrical tree models from terrestrial laser scan point clouds, is presented and evaluated. All important functionalities, accessible in the software via buttons and dialogues, are described including the explanation of all necessary input parameters. The method is validated utilizing 101 point clouds of six different tree species, in the main evergreen and coniferous trees. All scanned trees have been destructively harvested to get accurate estimates of above ground biomass with which we assess the accuracy of the SimpleTree-reconstructed cylinder models. The trees were grouped into four data sets and for each one a Concordance Correlation Coefficient of at least 0.92 (0.92, 0.97, 0.92, 0.94) and an total relative error at most ~8 % (2.42%, 3.59%, –4.59%, 8.27%) was achieved in the comparison of the model results to the ground truth data. A global statistical improvement of derived cylinder radii is presented as well as an efficient optimization approach to automatically improve user given input parameters. An additional check of the SimpleTree results is presented via comparison to the results of trees reconstructed using an alternative, published method.
Pooling Bio-Specimens in the Presence of Measurement Error and Non-Linearity in Dose-Response: Simulation Study in the Context of a Birth Cohort Investigating Risk Factors for Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Heavner Karyn , Newschaffer Craig , Hertz-Picciotto Irva , Bennett Deborah , Burstyn Igor
Published: November 2015

We sought to determine the potential effects of pooling on power, false positive rate (FPR), and bias of the estimated associations between hypothetical environmental exposures and dichotomous autism spectrum disorders (ASD) status. Simulated birth cohorts in which ASD outcome was assumed to have been ascertained with uncertainty were created. We investigated the impact on the power of the analysis (using logistic regression) to detect true associations with exposure (X1) and the FPR for a non-causal correlate of exposure (X2, r = 0.7) for a dichotomized ASD measure when the pool size, sample size, degree of measurement error variance in exposure, strength of the true association, and shape of the exposure-response curve varied. We found that there was minimal change (bias) in the measures of association for the main effect (X1). There is some loss of power but there is less chance of detecting a false positive result for pooled compared to individual level models. The number of pools had more effect on the power and FPR than the overall sample size. This study supports the use of pooling to reduce laboratory costs while maintaining statistical efficiency in scenarios similar to the simulated prospective risk-enriched ASD cohort.
Prolonged Sitting is Associated with Attenuated Heart Rate Variability during Sleep in Blue-Collar Workers
Authors: Hallman David , Sato Tatiana , Kristiansen Jesper , Gupta Nidhi , Skotte Jørgen , Holtermann Andreas
Published: November 2015

Prolonged sitting is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular diseases and mortality. However, research into the physiological determinants underlying this relationship is still in its infancy. The aim of the study was to determine the extent to which occupational and leisure-time sitting are associated with nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) in blue-collar workers. The study included 138 blue-collar workers (mean age 45.5 (SD 9.4) years). Sitting-time was measured objectively for four days using tri-axial accelerometers (Actigraph GT3X+) worn on the thigh and trunk. During the same period, a heart rate monitor (Actiheart) was used to sample R-R intervals from the electrocardiogram. Time and frequency domain indices of HRV were only derived during nighttime sleep, and used as markers of cardiac autonomic modulation. Regression analyses with multiple adjustments (age, gender, body mass index, smoking, job-seniority, physical work-load, influence at work, and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity) were used to investigate the association between sitting time and nocturnal HRV. We found that occupational sitting-time was negatively associated (p < 0.05) with time and frequency domain HRV indices. Sitting-time explained up to 6% of the variance in HRV, independent of the covariates. Leisure-time sitting was not significantly associated with any HRV indices (p > 0.05). In conclusion, objectively measured occupational sitting-time was associated with reduced nocturnal HRV in blue-collar workers. This indicates an attenuated cardiac autonomic regulation with increasing sitting-time at work regardless of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. The implications of this association for cardiovascular disease risk warrant further investigation via long-term prospective studies and intervention studies.
Harm Reduction as “Continuum Care” in Alcohol Abuse Disorder
Authors: Maremmani Icro , Cibin Mauro , Pani Pier , Rossi Alessandro , Turchetti Giuseppe
Published: November 2015

Alcohol abuse is one of the most important risk factors for health and is a major cause of death and morbidity. Despite this, only about one-tenth of individuals with alcohol abuse disorders receive therapeutic intervention and specific rehabilitation. Among the various dichotomies that limit an effective approach to the problem of alcohol use disorder treatment, one of the most prominent is integrated treatment versus harm reduction. For years, these two divergent strategies have been considered to be opposite poles of different philosophies of intervention. One is bound to the search for methods that aim to lead the subject to complete abstinence; the other prioritizes a progressive decline in substance use, with maximum reduction in the damage that is correlated with curtailing that use. Reduction of alcohol intake does not require any particular setting, but does require close collaboration between the general practitioner, specialized services for addiction, alcohology services and psychiatry. In patients who reach that target, significant savings in terms of health and social costs can be achieved. Harm reduction is a desirable target, even from an economic point of view. At the present state of neuroscientific knowledge, it is possible to go one step further in the logic that led to the integration of psychosocial and pharmacological approaches, by attempting to remove the shadows of social judgment that, at present, are aiming for a course of treatment that is directed towards absolute abstention.
Factors Associated with Suicidal Ideation and Suicide Attempt among School-Going Urban Adolescents in Peru
Authors: Sharma Bimala , Nam Eun , Kim Ha , Kim Jong
Published: November 2015

The study examines the prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempt, and associated factors among school-going urban adolescents in Peru. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of 916 secondary school adolescents in 2014. A structured questionnaire adapted from Global School-based Student Health Survey was used to obtain information. Data were analyzed using logistic regression models at 5% level of significance. Overall, 26.3% reported having suicidal ideation, and 17.5% reported having attempted suicide during the past 12 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that female sex, being in a fight, being insulted, being attacked, perceived unhappiness, smoking and sexual intercourse initiation were significantly associated with increased risk of suicidal ideation, while female sex, being in a fight, being insulted, being attacked, perceived unhappiness, alcohol and illicit drug use were related to suicide attempt. The prevalence of suicidal ideation and suicide attempts observed in the survey area is relatively high. Female adolescents are particularly vulnerable to report suicidal ideation and suicide attempt. Interventions that address the issue of violence against adolescents, fighting with peers, health risk behaviors particularly initiation of smoking, alcohol and illicit drug use and encourage supportive role of parents may reduce the risk of suicidal behaviors.
Workplace Violence and Job Performance among Community Healthcare Workers in China: The Mediator Role of Quality of Life
Authors: Lin Wei-Quan , Wu Jiang , Yuan Le-Xin , Zhang Sheng-Chao , Jing Meng-Juan , Zhang Hui-Shan , Luo Jia-Li , Lei Yi-Xiong , Wang Pei-Xi
Published: November 2015

Objective: To explore the impact of workplace violence on job performance and quality of life of community healthcare workers in China, especially the relationship of these three variables. Methods: From December 2013 to April 2014, a total of 1404 healthcare workers were recruited by using the random cluster sampling method from Community Health Centers in Guangzhou and Shenzhen. The workplace violence scale, the job performance scale and the quality of life scale (SF-36) were self-administered. The structural equation model constructed by Amos 17.0 was employed to assess the relationship among these variables. Results: Our study found that 51.64% of the respondents had an experience of workplace violence. It was found that both job performance and quality of life had a negative correlation with workplace violence. A positive association was identified between job performance and quality of life. The path analysis showed the total effect (β = −0.243) of workplace violence on job performance consisted of a direct effect (β = −0.113) and an indirect effect (β = −0.130), which was mediated by quality of life. Conclusions: Workplace violence among community healthcare workers is prevalent in China. The workplace violence had negative effects on the job performance and quality of life of CHCs’ workers. The study suggests that improvement in the quality of life may lead to an effective reduction of the damages in job performance caused by workplace violence.
The Role of Porphyrin-Free-Base in the Electronic Structures and Related Properties of N-Fused Carbazole-Zinc Porphyrin Dye Sensitizers
Authors: Li Xing-Yu , Zhang Cai-Rong , Wu You-Zhi , Zhang Hai-Min , Wang Wei , Yuan Li-Hua , Yang Hua , Liu Zi-Jiang , Chen Hong-Shan
Published: November 2015

Dye sensitizers can significantly affect power conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Porphyrin-based dyes are promising sensitizers due to their performances in DSSCs. Here, based upon a N-fused carbazole-zinc porphyrin-free-base porphyrin triad containing an ethynyl-linkage (coded as DTBC), the novel porphyrin dyes named DTBC-MP and DTBC-TP were designed by varying the porphyrin-free-base units in the π conjugation of DTBC in order to study the effect of porphyrin-free-base in the modification of electronic structures and related properties. The calculated results indicate that, the extension of the conjugate bridge with the porphyrin-free-base unit results in elevation of the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) energies, decrease of the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energies, reduction of the HOMO-LUMO gap, red-shift of the absorption bands, and enhancement of the absorbance. The free energy changes demonstrate that introducing more porphyrin-free-base units in the conjugate bridge induces a faster rate of electron injection. The transition properties and molecular orbital characters suggest that the different transition properties might lead to a different electron injection mechanism. In terms of electronic structure, absorption spectra, light harvesting capability, and free energy changes, the designed DTBC-TP is a promising candidate dye sensitizer for DSSCs.
Molecular, Cellular and Functional Effects of Radiation-Induced Brain Injury: A Review
Authors: Balentova Sona , Adamkov Marian
Published: November 2015

Radiation therapy is the most effective non-surgical treatment of primary brain tumors and metastases. Preclinical studies have provided valuable insights into pathogenesis of radiation-induced injury to the central nervous system. Radiation-induced brain injury can damage neuronal, glial and vascular compartments of the brain and may lead to molecular, cellular and functional changes. Given its central role in memory and adult neurogenesis, the majority of studies have focused on the hippocampus. These findings suggested that hippocampal avoidance in cranial radiotherapy prevents radiation-induced cognitive impairment of patients. However, multiple rodent studies have shown that this problem is more complex. As the radiation-induced cognitive impairment reflects hippocampal and non-hippocampal compartments, it is of critical importance to investigate molecular, cellular and functional modifications in various brain regions as well as their integration at clinically relevant doses and schedules. We here provide a literature overview, including our previously published results, in order to support the translation of preclinical findings to clinical practice, and improve the physical and mental status of patients with brain tumors.
Molecular Cloning, Promoter Analysis and Expression Profiles of the sox3 Gene in Japanese Flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus
Authors: Gao Jinning , Li Peizhen , Zhang Wei , Wang Zhigang , Wang Xubo , Zhang Quanqi
Published: November 2015

Sox3, which belongs to the SoxB1 subgroup, plays major roles in neural and gonadal development. In the present study, Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus sox3 gene (Posox3) and its promoter sequence were isolated and characterized. The deduced PoSox3 protein contained 298 amino acids with a characteristic HMG-box domain. Alignment and phylogenetic analyses indicated that PoSox3 shares highly identical sequence with Sox3 homologues from different species. The promoter region of Posox3 has many potential transcription factor (TF) binding sites. The expression profiles of Posox3 in different developmental stages and diverse adult tissues were analyzed by quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Posox3 mRNA was maternally inherited, and maintained at a considerably high expression level between the blastula stage and the hatching stage during embryonic development. Posox3 was abundantly expressed in the adult brain and showed sexually dimorphic expression pattern. In situ hybridization (ISH) was carried out to investigate the cellular distribution of Posox3 in the ovary, and results showed the uniform distribution of Posox3 throughout the cytoplasm of oogonia and stage I–III oocytes. These results indicate that Posox3 has potentially vital roles in embryonic and neural development and may be involved in the oogenesis process. Our work provides a fundamental understanding of the structure and potential functions of Sox3 in Paralichthys olivaceus.
Extrinsic Contribution and Instability Properties in Lead-Based and Lead-Free Piezoceramics
Authors: García José
Published: November 2015

Piezoceramic materials generally exhibit a notable instability of their functional properties when they work under real external conditions. This undesirable effect, known as nonlinear behavior, is mostly associated with the extrinsic contribution to material response. In this article, the role of the ferroelectric domain walls’ motion in the nonlinear response in the most workable lead-based and lead-free piezoceramics is reviewed. Initially, the extrinsic origin of the nonlinear response is discussed in terms of the temperature dependence of material response. The influence of the crystallographic phase and of the phase boundaries on the material response are then reviewed. Subsequently, the impact of the defects created by doping in order to control the extrinsic contribution is discussed as a way of tuning material properties. Finally, some aspects related to the grain-size effect on the nonlinear response of piezoceramics are surveyed.
Characterization of Thermo-Physical Properties of EVA/ATH: Application to Gasification Experiments and Pyrolysis Modeling
Authors: Girardin Bertrand , Fontaine Gaëlle , Duquesne Sophie , Försth Michael , Bourbigot Serge
Published: November 2015

The pyrolysis of solid polymeric materials is a complex process that involves both chemical and physical phenomena such as phase transitions, chemical reactions, heat transfer, and mass transport of gaseous components. For modeling purposes, it is important to characterize and to quantify the properties driving those phenomena, especially in the case of flame-retarded materials. In this study, protocols have been developed to characterize the thermal conductivity and the heat capacity of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) flame retarded with aluminum tri-hydroxide (ATH). These properties were measured for the various species identified across the decomposition of the material. Namely, the thermal conductivity was found to decrease as a function of temperature before decomposition whereas the ceramic residue obtained after the decomposition at the steady state exhibits a thermal conductivity as low as 0.2 W/m/K. The heat capacity of the material was also investigated using both isothermal modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and the standard method (ASTM E1269). It was shown that the final residue exhibits a similar behavior to alumina, which is consistent with the decomposition pathway of EVA/ATH. Besides, the two experimental approaches give similar results over the whole range of temperatures. Moreover, the optical properties before decomposition and the heat capacity of the decomposition gases were also analyzed. Those properties were then used as input data for a pyrolysis model in order to predict gasification experiments. Mass losses of gasification experiments were well predicted, thus validating the characterization of the thermo-physical properties of the material.
A Direct Electric Field-Aided Biomimetic Mineralization System for Inducing the Remineralization of Dentin Collagen Matrix
Authors: Wu Xiao-Ting , Mei May , Li Quan-Li , Cao Chris , Chen Jia-Long , Xia Rong , Zhang Zhi-Hong , Chu Chun
Published: November 2015

This in vitro study aimed to accelerate the remineralization of a completely demineralized dentine collagen block in order to regenerate the dentinal microstructure of calcified collagen fibrils by a novel electric field-aided biomimetic mineralization system in the absence of non-collagenous proteins. Completely demineralized human dentine slices were prepared using ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and treated with guanidine hydrochloride to extract the bound non-collagenous proteins. The completely demineralized dentine collagen blocks were then remineralized in a calcium chloride agarose hydrogel and a sodium hydrogen phosphate and fluoride agarose hydrogel. This process was accelerated by subjecting the hydrogels to electrophoresis at 20 mA for 4 and 12 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to evaluate the resultant calcification of the dentin collagen matrix. SEM indicated that mineral particles were precipitated on the intertubular dentin collagen matrix; these densely packed crystals mimicked the structure of the original mineralized dentin. However, the dentinal tubules were not occluded by the mineral crystals. XRD and EDX both confirmed that the deposited crystals were fluorinated hydroxyapatite. TEM revealed the existence of intrafibrillar and interfibrillar mineralization of the collagen fibrils. A novel electric field-aided biomimetic mineralization system was successfully developed to remineralize a completely demineralized dentine collagen matrix in the absence of non-collagenous proteins. This study developed an accelerated biomimetic mineralization system which can be a potential protocol for the biomineralization of dentinal defects.
Preparation of Cotton-Wool-Like Poly(lactic acid)-Based Composites Consisting of Core-Shell-Type Fibers
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhou Pin , Obata Akiko , Jones Julian , Kasuga Toshihiro
Published: November 2015

In previous works, we reported the fabrication of cotton-wool-like composites consisting of siloxane-doped vaterite and poly(l-lactic acid) (SiVPCs). Various irregularly shaped bone voids can be filled with the composite, which effectively supplies calcium and silicate ions, enhancing the bone formation by stimulating the cells. The composites, however, were brittle and showed an initial burst release of ions. In the present work, to improve the mechanical flexibility and ion release, the composite fiber was coated with a soft, thin layer consisting of poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA). A coaxial electrospinning technique was used to prepare a cotton-wool-like material comprising “core-shell”-type fibers with a diameter of ~12 µm. The fibers, which consisted of SiVPC coated with a ~2-µm-thick PLGA layer, were mechanically flexible; even under a uniaxial compressive load of 1.5 kPa, the cotton-wool-like material did not exhibit fracture of the fibers and, after removing the load, showed a ~60% recovery. In Tris buffer solution, the initial burst release of calcium and silicate ions from the “core-shell”-type fibers was effectively controlled, and the ions were slowly released after one day. Thus, the mechanical flexibility and ion-release behavior of the composites were drastically improved by the thin PLGA coating.
Application of Membrane Crystallization for Minerals’ Recovery from Produced Water
Authors: Ali Aamer , Quist-Jensen Cejna , Macedonio Francesca , Drioli Enrico
Published: November 2015

Produced water represents the largest wastewater stream from oil and gas production. Generally, its high salinity level restricts the treatment options. Membrane crystallization (MCr) is an emerging membrane process with the capability to extract simultaneously fresh water and valuable components from various streams. In the current study, the potential of MCr for produced water treatment and salt recovery was demonstrated. The experiments were carried out in lab scale and semi-pilot scale. The effect of thermal and hydrodynamic conditions on process performance and crystal characteristics were explored. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed that the recovered crystals are sodium chloride with very high purity (>99.9%), also indicated by the cubic structure observed by microscopy and SEM (scanning electron microscopy) analysis. It was demonstrated experimentally that at recovery factor of 37%, 16.4 kg NaCl per cubic meter of produced water can be recovered. Anti-scaling surface morphological features of membranes were also identified. In general, the study provides a new perspective of isolation of valuable constituents from produced water that, otherwise, is considered as a nuisance.
Uranium, Cesium, and Mercury Leaching and Recovery from Cemented Radioactive Wastes in Sulfuric Acid and Iodide Media
Authors: Reynier Nicolas , Lastra Rolando , Laviolette Cheryl , Fiset Jean-François , Bouzoubaâ Nabil , Chapman Mark
Published: November 2015

The Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is developing a long-term management strategy for its existing inventory of solid radioactive cemented wastes, which contain uranium, mercury, fission products, and a number of minor elements. The composition of the cemented radioactive waste poses significant impediments to the extraction and recovery of uranium using conventional technology. The goal of this research was to develop an innovative method for uranium, mercury and cesium recovery from surrogate radioactive cemented waste (SRCW). Leaching using sulfuric acid and saline media significantly improves the solubilization of the key elements from the SRCW. Increasing the NaCl concentration from 0.5 to 4 M increases the mercury solubilization from 82% to 96%. The sodium chloride forms a soluble mercury complex when mercury is present as HgO or metallic mercury but not with HgS that is found in 60 °C cured SRCW. Several leaching experiments were done using a sulfuric acid solution with KI to leach SRCW cured at 60 °C and/or aged for 30 months. Solubilization yields are above 97% for Cs and 98% for U and Hg. Leaching using sulfuric acid and KI improves the solubilization of Hg by oxidation of Hg0, as well as HgS, and form a mercury tetraiodide complex. Hg and Cs were selectively removed from the leachate prior to uranium recovery. It was found that U recovery from sulfuric leachate in iodide media using the resin Lewatit TP260 is very efficient. Considering these results, a process including effluent recirculation was applied. Improvements of solubilization due to the recycling of chemical reagents were observed during effluent recirculation.
Cyclovirobuxine D Inhibits Cell Proliferation and Induces Mitochondria-Mediated Apoptosis in Human Gastric Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Jie , Tan Zhujun , Chen Jian , Dong Cheng
Published: November 2015

Gastric cancer is one of the most common malignant cancers, with high death rates, poor prognosis and limited treatment methods. Cyclovirobuxine D (CVB-D) is the main active component of the traditional Chinese medicine Buxus microphylla. In the present study, we test the effects of CVB-D on gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms of action. CVB-D reduced cell viability and colony formation ability of MGC-803 and MKN28 cells in a time- and concentration-dependent manner. Flow cytometry showed that cell cycle of CVB-D treated cells was arrested at the S-phase. CVB-D also induced apoptosis in MGC-803 and MKN28 cells, especially early stage apoptosis. Furthermore, mitochondria membrane potential (Δψm) was reduced and apoptosis-related proteins, cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax/Bcl-2, were up-regulated in CVB-D-treated MGC-803 and MKN28 cells. Taken together, our studies found that CVB-D plays important roles in inhibition of gastric tumorigenesis via arresting cell cycle and inducing mitochondria-mediated apoptosis, suggesting the potential application of CVB-D in gastric cancer therapy.
DNA Catalysis: The Chemical Repertoire of DNAzymes
Authors: Hollenstein Marcel
Published: November 2015

Deoxyribozymes or DNAzymes are single-stranded catalytic DNA molecules that are obtained by combinatorial in vitro selection methods. Initially conceived to function as gene silencing agents, the scope of DNAzymes has rapidly expanded into diverse fields, including biosensing, diagnostics, logic gate operations, and the development of novel synthetic and biological tools. In this review, an overview of all the different chemical reactions catalyzed by DNAzymes is given with an emphasis on RNA cleavage and the use of non-nucleosidic substrates. The use of modified nucleoside triphosphates (dN*TPs) to expand the chemical space to be explored in selection experiments and ultimately to generate DNAzymes with an expanded chemical repertoire is also highlighted.