bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Theory on Cutter Layout for Improving PDC-Bit Performance in Hard-and Transit-Formation Drilling
Authors: Chen S. , Arfele R. , Anderle S. , Romero J.
Published: December 2013

It is well-known that cutter layout on a polycrystalline-diamond compact (PDC) bit plays a key role in bit stability and drilling efficiency. In today's PDC bit, cutters are laid out according to two general principles: single set or track set.

A single-set cutter layout is defined as having no cutters at the same radial or axial position after cutters are rotationally projected into a radial plane passing through the bit axis (this is referred to as bit profile in the industry). On the other hand, a track-set layout is defined as having at least two cutters at the same radial and axial positions on a bit profile but on different blades. In most track-set designs, cutters on primary blades are single set, and cutters on minor blades are redundant to those on primary blades. An extreme version of track set is called track loc, in which there is only one primary blade and cutters on all other blades are redundant to those on the primary blade (Weaver and Clayton 1993).

Figs. 1a through 1c depict single set, track set, and track loc, respectively, demonstrating that the major difference is the engagement area or width of indentation of cutters while drilling. The single-set cutter has the smallest indentation width, and the track-loc cutter has the largest indentation width. According to laboratory and field tests, a PDC bit with single-set cutters drills much more efficiently than a PDC bit with track-set cutters (Besson et al. 2000). On the other hand, a PDC bit with track-loc cutters is extremely stable but extremely inefficient.

Bit stability may be enhanced by laying out the cutters so that the bit lateral forces are balanced or minimized. This is called a "force-balanced" PDC bit (Glowka 1989; Behr et al. 1993; Clayton et al. 2005). In some applications, cutters are laid out so that a large lateral imbalance force [as high as 15 to 20% of weight on bit (WOB)] is created and directed toward a so-called low-friction gauge pad, which is on one side of the bit. The bit is called an "anti-whirl" PDC bit (Brett et al. 1989; Warren et al. 1990). Successful field applications of this technology have been reported (Warren et al. 1990).

In this paper, it is found that the force-balanced condition of a PDC bit with single-set cutters may be violated during transit-formation drilling. A new cutter layout procedure is proposed, which not only ensures the force-balanced condition during transit drilling but also significantly improves drilling efficiency. The concepts developed in the paper are first verified by laboratory tests of a core PDC head and then a full PDC bit. Two case studies of the new bits in drilling through hard and transit formations are detailed in the paper.
Is drinking water from ‘improved sources’ really safe? A case study in the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon)
Authors: Sorlini S. , Palazzini D. , Mbawala A. , Ngassoum M. B. , Collivignarelli M. C.
Published: December 2013

Within a cooperation project coordinated by the Association for Rural Cooperation in Africa and Latin America (ACRA) Foundation, water supplies were sampled across the villages of the Logone valley (Chad-Cameroon) mostly from boreholes, open wells, rivers and lakes as well as from some piped water. Microbiological analyses and sanitary inspections were carried out at each source. The microbiological quality was determined by analysis of indicators of faecal contamination, Escherichia coli, Enterococci and Salmonellae, using the membrane filtration method. Sanitary inspections were done using WHO query forms. The assessment confirmed that there are several parameters of health concern in the studied area; bacteria of faecal origins are the most significant. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) classification and E. coli measurement are not sufficient to state water safety. In fact, in the studied area, JMP defined ‘improved sources’ may provide unsafe water depending on their structure and sources without E. coli may have Enterococci and Salmonellae. Sanitary inspections also revealed high health risks for some boreholes. In other cases, sources with low sanitary risk and no E. coli were contaminated by Enterococci and Salmonellae. Better management and protection of the sources, hygiene improvement and domestic water treatment before consumption are possible solutions to reduce health risks in the Logone valley.
Surveillance of Legionella species in hospital water systems: the significance of detection method for environmental surveillance data
Authors: Asghari Farzaneh Baghal , Nikaeen Mahnaz , Hatamzadeh Maryam , Hassanzadeh Akbar
Published: December 2013

Monitoring of hospital water systems to prevent and control nosocomial legionellosis is important from a public health perspective. This study was conducted to survey the prevalence of Legionella contamination of hospital waters. A total of 44 water samples from the hot-water system of 11 hospitals were tested for Legionella by a culture method and a nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with Legionella-specific primers to identify the more sensitive method. Some physicochemical parameters and heterotrophic plate counts of water samples for possible association with Legionella contamination were also determined. The contamination rate of hospitals in our study varied between 64% (eight of 11)–100% based on culture method and nested PCR, respectively. Of the 44 water samples examined, 23% were positive for Legionella spp. by the culture method, while the nested PCR assay using the primers LEG448-JRP revealed 66% of the water samples being positive. Given the importance of monitoring hospital water systems for the presence of Legionella spp., the present PCR assay proved highly applicable for practical and sensitive surveillance of Legionella in such water systems. In addition, rapid monitoring of Legionella contamination could eliminate the potential exposure of high-risk patients through effective control measures.
Relationship of aquatic environmental factors with the abundance of Vibrio cholerae, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Vibrio mimicus and Vibrio vulnificus in the coastal area of Guaymas, Sonora, Mexico
Authors: León Robles A. , Acedo Félix E. , Gomez-Gil B. , Quiñones Ramírez E. I. , Nevárez-Martínez M. , Noriega-Orozco L.
Published: December 2013

Members of the genus Vibrio are common in aquatic environments. Among them are V. cholerae, V. vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. mimicus. Several studies have shown that environmental factors, such as temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen, are involved in their epidemiology. Therefore, the main objective of this study is to determine if there is a correlation between the presence/amount of V. cholerae, V, vulnificus, V. parahaemolyticus and V. mimicus and the environmental conditions of the seawater off the coast of Guaymas, México. Quantification of all four pathogenic bacteria was performed using the most probable number method, and suspected colonies were identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Correlations were found using principal component analysis. V. parahaemolyticus was the most abundant and widely distributed bacteria, followed by V. vulnificus, V. mimicus and V. cholerae. Positive correlations between V. parahaemolyticus, V. vulnificus and V. mimicus with temperature, salinity, electric conductivity, and total dissolved solids were found. The abundance of V. cholerae was mainly affected by the sampling site and not by physicochemical parameters.
Effects of a 20 year rain event: a quantitative microbial risk assessment of a case of contaminated bathing water in Copenhagen, Denmark
Authors: Andersen S. T. , Erichsen A. C. , Mark O. , Albrechtsen H.-J.
Published: December 2013

Quantitative microbial risk assessments (QMRAs) often lack data on water quality leading to great uncertainty in the QMRA because of the many assumptions. The quantity of waste water contamination was estimated and included in a QMRA on an extreme rain event leading to combined sewer overflow (CSO) to bathing water where an ironman competition later took place. Two dynamic models, (1) a drainage model and (2) a 3D hydrodynamic model, estimated the dilution of waste water from source to recipient. The drainage model estimated that 2.6% of waste water was left in the system before CSO and the hydrodynamic model estimated that 4.8% of the recipient bathing water came from the CSO, so on average there was 0.13% of waste water in the bathing water during the ironman competition. The total estimated incidence rate from a conservative estimate of the pathogenic load of five reference pathogens was 42%, comparable to 55% in an epidemiological study of the case. The combination of applying dynamic models and exposure data led to an improved QMRA that included an estimate of the dilution factor. This approach has not been described previously.
Detection of enteric viruses in Hungarian surface waters: first steps towards environmental surveillance
Authors: Kern Anita , Kadar Mihaly , Szomor Katalin , Berencsi György , Kapusinszky Beatrix , Vargha Marta
Published: December 2013

Waterborne viruses infect the human population through the consumption of contaminated drinking water and by direct contact with polluted surface water during recreational activity. Although water related viral outbreaks are a major public health concern, virus detection is not a part of the water quality monitoring scheme, mainly due to the absence of routine analysis methods. In the present study, we implemented various approaches for water concentration and virus detection, and tested on Hungarian surface water samples. Eighty samples were collected from 16 sites in Hungary. Samples were concentrated by glass wool and membrane filtration. Human adenoviruses were detected by conventional and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methods in 56% (45/80) of the samples; viral titers ranged from 8.60 × 101 to 3.91 × 104 genome copies per liter. Noroviruses and enteroviruses were detected in 30% (24/80) and 13% (10/80) of samples, respectively, by reverse transcription-PCR assays. Results indicate a high prevalence of viral human pathogens in surface waters, suggesting the necessity of a detailed survey focusing on the quality of natural bathing waters and drinking water sources.
Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Cardiovascular Risk after Pregnancy
Authors: Harreiter Jürgen , Dovjak Gregor , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra
Published: December 2013

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) affects many women in pregnancy and is enhanced by epidemic conditions of obesity, increasing age at the time of the first pregnancy, stressful life conditions, a sedentary lifestyle with less physical activity and unhealthy nutrition with highly processed, high-calorie food intake. GDM does not affect the mother and offspring in pregnancy alone, as there is compelling evidence of the long-term effects of the hyperglycemic state in pregnancy postpartum. Type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome are more common in GDM women, and even the offspring of GDM women are reported to have higher obesity rates and a higher risk for noncommunicable diseases. Early prevention of risk factors seems to be key to overcoming the vicious cycle of cardiometabolic disease onset.
Effects of an Ethinyl Estradiol/Gestodene Transdermal Contraceptive Patch on the Endometrium: A Single-Center, Uncontrolled Study
Authors: Merz Martin , Grunert Julia
Published: December 2013

Aim: This study aims to investigate the effect of a transdermal contraceptive patch containing ethinyl estradiol and gestodene on endometrial proliferation over 1 year. Materials & methods: In this open-label, uncontrolled, Phase IIb study, women (aged 18–35 years) used the patch for 13 cycles of 28 days. The primary variable was histologic endometrial effects at cycle 13. Secondary objectives included contraceptive efficacy and safety. Results: Overall, 89 women were treated. At all visits, endometrial biopsies were devoid of any abnormalities. One woman became pregnant. The patch was well tolerated, with no safety concerns. Conclusion: The ethinyl estradiol and gestodene patch had an endometrial effect consistent with suppression of endometrial proliferation in most patients. No endometrial abnormalities or other concerns were reported; compliance was good.
A Review of Osteoporosis Management in Younger Premenopausal Women
Authors: McLendon Amber N , Woodis C Brock
Published: December 2013

The purpose of this review is to describe the available evidence for osteoporosis treatments in young and premenopausal women. A review of articles evaluating the treatment or prevention of osteoporosis in young (age less than 50 years) or premenopausal women was conducted. Several trials evaluating the treatment of anorexia nervosa and use of hormone therapy in those women, the use of bisphosphonates in women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer and the use of bisphosphonates, teriparatide and vitamin D in women with glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis are described. Limited data were found to support the treatment of osteoporosis in women with idiopathic osteoporosis or cystic fibrosis, or after kidney transplant. The evidence for treatment of osteoporosis in premenopausal women is not nearly as robust as that for postmenopausal osteoporosis. Although fracture risk in the premenopausal population is low, women with secondary osteoporosis may benefit from treatment with various agents, depending upon the condition.
Psychopathology in Mothers of Children with Global Developmental Delay due to Spastic Diplegia
Authors: Mahalingam Soundarya , Kamath Nutan , Achappa Basavaprabhu , Madi Deepak
Published: December 2013

Background and Objectives: Parents of children with chronic illness like global developmental delay exhibit varied psychopathology in response to their child’s illness. Mothers of these children are more susceptible when compared to fathers, and hence show various psychopathological changes. Analysis of their psychological status is important to identify those families which need psychological help and counseling. The main aim of our study was to evaluate psychopathology in mothers of children with global developmental delay due to spastic diplegia. We also assessed the impact of intervention of the child on the psychological state of the mother over a 12 month follow up. Materials and methods: 60 mothers of children with global developmental delay due to spastic diplegia were selected from Neurodevelopmental Clinic of a tertiary care institution. Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL90R) was used to assess psychopathology. A repeat evaluation of mothers was done after 12 months of conventional intervention (Bobath technique) for their child. Data was analyzed using appropriate statistical measures. Results: On assessing the psychiatric morbidity by SCL 90R, significant psychopathology was found in 54(90%) out of 60 mothers. Depression was the predominant psychopathology in the study population. Anxiety was also significantly elevated. The GSI (General Symptomatic Index), a measure of general distress was extremely high in 90% of the mothers. On follow up analysis of mothers using SCL 90R, 33% of the mothers showed no improvement in their psychological status following conventional intervention for their child. Conclusions: Chronic illness like global developmental delay affects the psychological health of mothers. In addition to purely focusing on the medical management of the child it is essential to focus attention on the distress experienced by their parents. Psychological therapy is hence required to improve the quality of life of mothers. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.5469   Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 80-84
A Variant Course of Lateral Root of Median Nerve: Embryological Basis
Authors: Nagwani Mumal , Rani Archana , Rani Anita , Chopra Jyoti , Srivastava Ajai Kumar , Sharma Pradeep Kumar
Published: December 2013

During routine dissection of the right arm of 50 year old male cadaver, we observed that the lateral root of median nerve was piercing the coracobrachialis muscle before joining the medial root of median to form the median nerve. The lateral root of median nerve did not give any branch within the muscle and no communication was observed between musculocutaneous nerve and lateral root of median nerve within the coracobrachialis muscle or in the later course of these two nerves. The same muscle was being pierced by musculocutaneous nerve which was giving branches to the muscle. These variations are important for the anesthetists, surgeons, neurologists during surgery and anatomists during dissection in the region of axilla. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v5i2.8195 Asian Journal of Medical Science, Volume-5(2) 2014: 146-150
Dielectric Studies on Cyclohexanone and 1,4-Dioxane
Authors: Thapa B , Shrestha P , Bhattarai P , Pokharel B
Published: December 2013

No abstract availableScientific World, Vol. 11, No. 11, July 2013, page 13-16
Hip Hop and Religion: Gangsta Rap’s Christian Rhetoric
Authors: Tinajero Robert
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

This article analyzes gangsta rap discourse through the lens of rhetorical studies to reveal central features of its Christian religious ethos. The religious rhetorical output of many gangsta rappers, both textual and visual, reveals a religious ethos containing a form of religious phronesis (practical wisdom). This ethos has three central telling characteristics: solidarity with Jesus formed through the common theme of suffering; a mistrust of organized religion; and the presence of a psycho-social battle between good and evil, analyzed here through the examples of DMX and Mase.
Interpretive Treatments of Genesis in Comics: R. Crumb & Dave Sim
Authors: Jolly Don
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

In recent years, several interesting and complex exegetical works have been produced in the comic book format. The most notable are Robert Crumb’s Illustrated Book of Genesis, and the elaborate Genesis commentary by Dave Sim as part of his long-running independent series Cerebus. Crumb, I argue, uses the comic book format as a means to limit the theological dimension of the text. Sim, by contrast, subordinates the elements of his form to the creation of a highly idiosyncratic exegesis. A close examination of both works charts two radically different and innovative exegetical styles, united by the use of the novel methods of visual storytelling and existence within the context of previous Bible comics. This examination seeks to make these methods accessible to the religious scholar, thus opening the field of graphic exegesis to further examination.
Jewish Displacement of Irish Americans in Vaudeville: The Role of Religious and Cultural Values
Authors: Cherry Robert
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

During the second half of the nineteenth century, Irish Americans had a prominent if not dominant position in commercial vaudeville, but by the second decade of the next century they had a minor position. This paper documents that decline and focuses on the role that anti-pleasure Irish Catholic teachings played in it. When commercial vaudeville moved away from Victorian standards, it dramatically changed the way it was viewed by practicing Catholics and Catholic organizations. By contrast, newer Jewish immigrants, coming from a culture that rejected Victorian standards, embraced commercial vaudeville and came to play a dominant role in its growth in the early twentieth century, and its transition to silent films.
Real or Not Real:The Hunger Gamesas Transmediated Religion
Authors: Ringlestein Yonah
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

Transmedia is a powerful mode of mediated storytelling. Resembling the mythic imaginaries of Jewish mysticism and Christian Gnosticism, transmedia encourages fans to perform their desire for wholeness and ultimate reality. The Hunger Games franchise does religious work of shaping desire for wholeness through fan culture by promising fans they can overcome fragmentation and experience reintegration. Cultural analyses of transmedia franchises have yet to look at the mythic pattern of fragmentation, negotiation, and reunification of self through transmedia and fan-based activities. What makes The Hunger Games distinctive is how it functions as a transmediated world and also exposes the necessity of negotiation with media to recognize the difference between artifice and reality. I conclude that The Hunger Games eschews both the singular reality of modernity and the fluid realities of postmodernity, instead advocating for a persistently critical perspective of all kinds of constructed worlds and all realities.
Challenging Authority in Cyberspace: Evaluating Al Jazeera Arabic Writers
Authors: Lo Mbaye , Frkovich Andi
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

The Arab Spring has been widely branded as a social media revolution. Evidence has shown that many Arab citizens consider Al Jazeera one of the most popular and credible Arab news networks, making it important to explore the manner and the extent to which this media network may have impacted the Revolution. One way to do so is by examining the meaning, configuration, and providers of the Al Jazeera network’s news content. This exploration seems to raise important questions: what are the contents of Al Jazeera’s Arabic politico-religious articles? Are political writers revolutionaries in their views? Do they identify with the Arab mainstream or with a political/ideological group, or do they court the interests of Arab states? To what extent are writers affected by their country of origin, their ideological affiliations, or the country in which Al Jazeera is based—Qatar? This article attempts to answer these questions by analyzing the fluidity and the complexities of a sample of articles collected from Al Jazeera’s Arabic political columns between 30 January and 31 August 2011. In doing so, this article contributes to a timely discussion of social media, religion, and authority in the Arab world by presenting a case study of the political content of one of the Arab world’s leading media outlets.
Interfaith Encounters in Popular Culture
Authors: Stone Bryan
Published: December 2013

Abstract:

Popular culture in the context of the United States provides an important social “space” for exploring interfaith encounters that shape attitudes and behaviours with respect to how people understand religious difference and diversity. The article examines ways that popular culture functions as this formative space through its on-screen exploration of interfaith encounters and its mediation of interfaith encounters through a celebrity-endorsed and market-driven spirituality that coordinates America’s particular brand of religious pluralism by commodifying and thereby including diverse religious values, practices, and beliefs.
Röntgenographische Analyse von Restaustenit-Gehalten an pulvermetallurgisch hergestellten Stählen*
Authors: Hradil K. , Avakemian A. , Dlapka M. , Gierl-Mayer Ch. , Danninger H.
Published: December 2013

Kurzfassung

Die Restaustenit-Analyse mittels Röntgen-Beugungsverfahren wird häufig nach standardisierten Verfahren wie ASTM E975-03 [1] oder SAE-SP-452 [2] durchgeführt. Die Verfahren basieren auf der Analyse der integralen Intensitätsverhältnisse von wenigen Beugungsreflexen für die einzelnen Phasen. Die Anpassung erfolgt modellfrei bezüglich der unterliegenden strukturellen Phasen. Dabei ist die genaue Kenntnis der Mikrostruktureigenschaften (Texturierungen, Eigenspannungszustände), die sich empfindlich auf die Intensitäten der Beugungsreflexe auswirken können, und ein geringer Anteil an weiteren Phasen, beispielsweise Carbiden, eine notwendige Voraussetzung. Dies trifft für technologisch relevante Proben häufig nicht zu. Als Folge sind daher oftmals große Streubreiten der Restaustenitgehalte bei den standardisierten Analysen zu beobachten, siehe z. B. [3]. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird ein Vergleich zwischen dem standardisierten Verfahren und einer Analyse unter Verwendung einer durch Strukturmodelle gestützten Gesamtprofilanpassung für exemplarische Proben mit leichten Vorzugsorientierungen und für den Einsatz von 1-D- und 2-D-Detektoren vorgestellt.
Correction for Vol.10(2): 1-8 (Dec. 2012)
Authors: Editor The
Published: December 2013

ErratumIn the paper entitled Marker-assisted Foreground Selection for Identification of Salt Tolerant Rice Genotypes published in The Agriculturists 10(2): 1-8 (December 2012), the authors should be read as M. S. Alam, S. N. Begum, M. M. Islam, M. Moniruzzaman and M. A. K. Patwary instead of M. S. Alam, M. Salim, M. Moniruzzaman, J. A. Rashid and M. M. Islam.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/agric.v11i1.15289 The Agriculturists 2013; 11(1)
The Impact of Industrial Context on Procurement, Management and Development of Harvesting Services: A Comparison of Two Swedish Forest Owners Associations
Authors: Erlandsson Emanuel
Published: December 2013

Increasing demands to harvesting production and quality require improved management practices. This study’s purpose was to analyze the impact of industrial context on procurement, management, and development of harvesting services. Using interviews, functions were modeled at two forest owners associations (FOAs) with outsourced harvesting services. One FOA had its own sawmills, requiring frequent harvesting production adjustments to meet varying volume demand in the short-term. The long-term uncertainty was however low because of good visibility of future demand (>6 months). The other FOA did not own mills and produced wood according to fixed six-month delivery contracts. This meant few short-term production adjustments, but long-term uncertainty due to low visibility of future demand. Demand uncertainty resulted in corresponding needs for harvesting capacity flexibility. This could have been met by a corresponding proportion of short-term contracts for capacity. In this study, however, a large proportion (>90%) of long-term contracts was found, motivated by a perceived contractor shortage. It was also noted that although contractor investment cycles (4–6 years) matched the FOAs’ strategic horizons (3–5 years), contractors’ investment plans were not considered in the FOAs’ strategic planning. The study concludes with a characterization of different FOA contexts and their corresponding needs for capacity flexibility.
Factors Increasing Vulnerability to Health Effects before, during and after Floods
Authors: Lowe Dianne , Ebi Kristie , Forsberg Bertil
Published: December 2013

Identifying the risk factors for morbidity and mortality effects pre-, during and post-flood may aid the appropriate targeting of flood-related adverse health prevention strategies. We conducted a systematic PubMed search to identify studies examining risk factors for health effects of precipitation-related floods, among Organisation for Economic Co-Operation and Development (OECD) member countries. Research identifying flood-related morbidity and mortality risk factors is limited and primarily examines demographic characteristics such as age and gender. During floods, females, elderly and children appear to be at greater risk of psychological and physical health effects, while males between 10 to 29 years may be at greater risk of mortality. Post-flood, those over 65 years and males are at increased risk of physical health effects, while females appear at greater risk of psychological health effects. Other risk factors include previous flood experiences, greater flood depth or flood trauma, existing illnesses, medication interruption, and low education or socio-economic status. Tailoring messages to high-risk groups may increase their effectiveness. Target populations differ for morbidity and mortality effects, and differ pre-, during, and post-flood. Additional research is required to identify the risk factors associated with pre- and post-flood mortality and post-flood morbidity, preferably using prospective cohort studies.
Phylogenetic Relationships between Four Salix L. Species Based on DArT Markers
Authors: Przyborowski Jerzy , Sulima Paweł , Kuszewska Anna , Załuski Dariusz , Kilian Andrzej
Published: December 2013

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of DArT markers in genotypic identification of willow species and describe genetic relationships between four willow species: Salix viminalis, S. purpurea, S. alba and S. triandra. The experimental plant material comprised 53 willow genotypes of these four species, which are popularly grown in Poland. DArT markers seem to identify Salix species with a high degree of accuracy. As a result, the examined species were divided into four distinct groups which corresponded to the four analyzed species. In our study, we observed that S. triandra was very different genetically from the other species, including S. alba which is generally classified into the same subgenus of Salix. The above corroborates the findings of other authors who relied on molecular methods to reveal that the classification of S. triandra to the subgenus Salix was erroneous. The Principal Coordinate Analysis (PCoA) and the neighbor-joining dendrogram also confirmed the clear division of the studied willow genotypes into four clusters corresponding to individual species. This confirmed the usefulness of DArT markers in taxonomic analyses and identification of willow species.
Transcriptional Activity of the FUT1 Gene Promoter Region in Pigs
Authors: Zi Chen , Wu Zhengchang , Wang Jing , Huo Yongjiu , Zhu Guoqiang , Wu Shenglong , Bao Wenbin
Published: December 2013

This study aims to provide a theoretical basis on the regulatory mechanism of the α-l,2-fucosyltransferase (FUT1) gene in pigs by analyzing the transcriptional activity of its promoter region. On the basis of the previously obtained promoter sequence, primers upstream and downstream of the gene were designed using the restriction endonucleases KpnI and HindIII respectively, and the recombinant plasmids of the pGL3-promoter were constructed by inserting promoter sequences with partially missing regions. The resultant mutants were observed by transient transfection assay into HEK293 cells, and the transcriptional activity of the promoter region was determined by luciferase activity. The 5'-flanking region of the FUT1 gene (−1150 to +50 bp) exhibited promoter activity. The −1150-bp to −849-bp region showed negative regulation of the gene. The recombinant plasmid pGL3-898 showed the strongest luciferase activity, and the activity showed a decreasing trend when the deleted region was increased. Recombinant plasmids were successfully constructed, verified, and the positive and negative regulation areas and core promoter region were detected, providing a deeper insight into the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of the FUT1 gene.
Eight New Peptaibols from Sponge-Associated Trichoderma atroviride
Authors: Panizel Irina , Yarden Oded , Ilan Micha , Carmeli Shmuel
Published: December 2013

Eight new and four known peptaibols were isolated from a strain of the fungus, Trichoderma atroviride (NF16), which was cultured from an Axinellid sponge collected from the East Mediterranean coast of Israel. The structures of the pure compounds were determined using HRMS, MS/MS and one- and two-dimensional NMR measurements. The isolated compounds belong to the trichorzianines, a family of 19-residue linear hydrophobic peptides containing a high proportion of α-aminoisobutyric acid (Aib), an acetylated N-terminus and a C-terminal amino alcohol. These new peptaibols exhibited antimicrobial activity against environmental bacteria isolated from the Mediterranean coast of Israel.
New Dimeric Members of the Phomoxanthone Family: Phomolactonexanthones A, B and Deacetylphomoxanthone C Isolated from the Fungus Phomopsis sp.
Authors: Ding Bo , Yuan Jie , Huang Xishan , Wen Weitao , Zhu Xu , Liu Yayue , Li Hanxiang , Lu Yongjun , He Lei , Tan Hongmei , She Zhigang
Published: December 2013

Three new phomoxanthone compounds, phomolactonexanthones A (1), B (2) and deacetylphomoxanthone C (3), along with five known phomoxanthones, including dicerandrol A (4), dicerandrol B (5), dicerandrol (6), deacetylphomoxanthone B (7) and penexanthone A (8), were isolated in the metabolites of the fungus Phomopsis sp. HNY29-2B, which was isolated from the mangrove plants. The structures of compounds 1–3 were established on the basis of spectroscopic analysis. All compounds were evaluated against four human cancer cell lines including human breast MDA-MB-435, human colon HCT-116, human lung Calu-3 and human liver Huh7 by MTT assay. The compounds 4, 5, 7 and 8 showed cyctotoxic activities against tested cancer cell lines (IC50 < 10 μM).
A Triple Staining Method for Accurate Cell Cycle Analysis Using Multiparameter Flow Cytometry
Authors: Qiu Lin , Liu Ming , Pan Konglun
Published: December 2013

Cell cycle analysis is important for cancer research. We present herein a novel method for accurate cell cycle analysis. This method analyzes the cell cycle by multiparameter flow cytometry based on simultaneously labeling the cell nuclear DNA, RNA, and phosphorylated mitotic nuclei protein, using Hoechst 33342, pyronin Y, and MPM-2-Cy5, respectively, and our results demonstrated that this method could effectively divide the cell cycle into G0, G1, S, G2, and M phases. We further tested this method using the clinical anticancer agents crizotinib and taxol, and the results clearly illustrated that crizotinib and taxol arrested Jurkat cells in G0 and M phase, respectively. These results indicate that this method could be a very useful tool for cytokinetic and pharmacological research.
Are Public-Private Partnerships a Source of Greater Efficiency in Water Supply? Results of a Non-Parametric Performance Analysis Relating to the Italian Industry
Authors: Lo Storto Corrado
Published: December 2013

This article reports the outcome of a performance study of the water service provision industry in Italy. The study evaluates the efficiency of 21 “private or public-private” equity and 32 “public” equity water service operators and investigates controlling factors. In particular, the influence that the operator typology and service management nature - private vs. public - has on efficiency is assessed. The study employed a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis methodology. In the first stage, the operational efficiency of water supply operators is calculated by implementing a conventional BCC DEA model, that uses both physical infrastructure and financial input and output variables to explore economies of scale. In the second stage, bootstrapped DEA and Tobit regression are performed to estimate the influence that a number of environmental factors have on water supplier efficiency. The results show that the integrated water provision industry in Italy is characterized by operational inefficiencies of service operators, and scale and agglomeration economies may have a not negligible effect on efficiency. In addition, the operator typology and its geographical location affect efficiency.
Oligodendrocytes Engineered with Migratory Proteins as Effective Graft Source for Cell Transplantation in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: De La Pena Ike , Pabon Mibel , Acosta Sandra , Sanberg Paul R. , Tajiri Naoki , Kaneko Yuji , Borlongan Cesar V.
Published: December 2013

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is characterized by widespread immunomodulatory demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in nerve cell dysfunction. Accordingly, treatment strategies have been centered on immunodulation and remyelination, with the former primarily focused on reducing the pathology rather than enhancing myelin repair, which the latter targets. While conceding to the emerging view of heterogeneity in the pathology of MS, which precludes variations in degree of immune response (i.e., inflammation) and demyelination, the concept of enhancing myelin repair is appealing since it is likely to provide both disease-reducing and disease-inhibiting therapeutic approaches to MS. In this regard, we and several others have proposed that cell replacement therapy is an effective strategy to repair the myelin in MS. Here we hypothesize that transplantation of mouse bone marrow-derived oligodendrocytes (BMDOs) and BMDOs transfected with ephrin proteins (BMDO + ephrin), which are known to enhance cell and axonal migratory capacity, may produce therapeutic benefits in animal models of MS.
Efficient synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones via a three-component Biginelli-type reaction of urea, alkylaldehyde and arylaldehyde
Authors: Qu Haijun , Li Xuejian , Mo Fan , Lin Xufeng
Published: December 2013

A one-pot three-component synthesis of dihydropyrimidinones via a molecular iodine-catalyzed tandem reaction of simple readily available mono-substituted urea, alkylaldehyde, and arylaldehyde has been developed. The reaction proceeds with high chemo- and regioselectivity to give highly diverse dihydropyrimidinones in reasonable yields under mild reaction conditions. Moreover, the first catalytic enantioselective version of this reaction was also realized by using chiral spirocyclic SPINOL-phosphoric acids.
Resistencia al desgaste de recubrimientos Fe-Nb-Cr-W, Nb, AISI 1020 y AISI 420 producidos por proyección térmica por arco eléctrico
Authors: López-Covaleda E. A. , Mercado-Velandia J. L. , Olaya-Flórez J. J.
Published: December 2013

Mediante proyección térmica de arco eléctrico fueron depositados tres materiales comercialmente conocidos como: 140MXC (a base de hierro, wolframio, cromo y niobio), 530AS (acero AISI 1020) y 560AS (acero AISI 420), sobre acero AISI 4340. Con el objetivo de evaluar la mejor estrategia para incrementar la resistencia al desgaste abrasivo, los recubrimientos fueron depositados de dos formas: (1) monocapas homogéneas de cada material y (2) recubrimientos depositando con alambres disimiles de 140MXC + 530AS y 140MXC + 560AS. Los recubrimientos fueron caracterizados microestructuralmente mediante Difracción de rayos X, Microscopía óptica, Microscopía láser confocal y Microscopía electrónica de barrido. La evaluación de la resistencia al desgaste abrasivo se realizó mediante ensayo con arena seca y rueda de caucho (DSRW). Se encontró que la resistencia al desgaste depende entre otras de las propiedades mecánicas como la dureza. Por ejemplo, los recubrimientos más blandos tienen las mayores tasas de desgaste y su modo fallo se caracterizó por deformación plástica causada por indentación del abrasivo; por su parte los materiales más duros presentan la mejor resistencia al desgaste y un modo de fallo por microarado. Los detalles de los mecanismos de desgaste de los recubrimientos producidos se describen en esta investigación.
Descripción de las aleaciones hipoeutécticas Al-Si-Cu basada en su composición química
Authors: Djurdjevic M. B. , Vicario I.
Published: December 2013

La modelización de los procesos de fundición ha sido un tópico de interés durante las últimas décadas, y la cantidad de programas de simulación existentes en el mercado es un buen indicador del interés de la industria en este campo. La mayoría de los datos empleados en estos programas se basan en los diagramas de fase binarios, ternarios o incluso superiores. Desafortunadamente, excepto para los diagramas binarios, el ajuste de los datos no es lo suficiente bueno. Teniendo en cuenta que la mayoría de los sistemas binarios del aluminio están bien definidos se ha intentado convertir los sistemas multi-componentes en un pseudo binario sistema Al-Xi (en este caso el diagrama de fase Al-Si es el elegido como sistema de referencia). El nuevo algoritmo del Silicio Equivalente (SiEQ) expresa la cantidad de los elementos de la aleación que son mayoritarios y minoritarios, a través de una cantidad “equivalente” de silicio. Este sistema puede emplearse para calcular varias características termo-físicas y de solidificación de sistemas multicomponentes, como las aleaciones de aluminio. Esto permite al modelo tener la capacidad de realizar predicciones de las características de la solidificación de las piezas fundidas, donde las velocidades de enfriamiento son bajas y las características del proceso de solidificación son bien conocidas, para evitar posibles problemas en la fundición. Este trabajo demuestra cómo el algoritmo del SiEQ puede ser empleado para el cálculo de las características de las temperaturas de solidificación de las aleaciones multi-componentes Al-Si, así como sus calores latentes y el factor de restricción del crecimiento del grano. El análisis estadístico de los resultados obtenidos en un amplio rango de composiciones químicas de la aleación, muestra una muy buena correlación entre los datos experimentales y los cálculos realizados con el SiEQ. La misma aproximación matemática podría ser aplicada para otros sistemas metálicos como el hierro y el magnesio, empleando el carbono equivalente en el caso de los sistemas base hierro y de la equivalencia con el aluminio para las aleaciones multi-componentes base magnesio.
Obtención y caracterización de recubrimientos Zn-Al-Cu por inmersión en caliente sobre aceros de bajo carbono
Authors: Cervantes J. , Barba A. , Hernández M. A. , Salas J. , Espinoza J. L. , Dénova C. , Torres-Villaseñor G. , Conde A. , Covelo A. , Valdez R.
Published: December 2013

El presente estudio describe los trabajos desarrollados para generar y caracterizar recubrimientos de aleaciones Zn-Al-Cu sobre aceros de bajo carbono, mediante tecnología de inmersión en caliente. Los trabajos incluyen la determinación del proceso de preparación y la definición de los parámetros que permiten obtener el recubrimiento. Los recubrimientos obtenidos fueron sometidos a procesos de laminación en frío y a tratamientos de recocido en diferentes temperaturas y a diversos tiempos. Las piezas se caracterizaron empleando técnicas de microscopía óptica y electrónica, ensayos de microdureza, análisis químico puntual mediante microsonda, ensayos de embutido, ensayos de desgaste y de corrosión en solución de cloruro de sodio, empleando técnicas electroquímicas. Los recubrimientos muestran resistencia a la corrosión y al desgaste en presencia de cloruro de sodio, por lo que constituyen una alternativa de costo atractivo para su aplicación en zonas costeras y donde se requiera una adecuada resistencia al desgaste adhesivo.
Regional nitrogen oxides emission trends in East Asia observed from space
Authors: Mijling B. , van der A R. J. , Zhang Q.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Due to changing economic activity, emissions of air pollutants in East Asia are changing rapidly in space and time. Monthly emission estimates of nitrogen oxides derived from satellite observations provide valuable insight into the evolution of anthropogenic activity on a regional scale. We present the first results of a new emission estimation algorithm, specifically designed to use daily satellite observations of column concentrations for fast updates of emissions of short-lived atmospheric constituents on a mesoscopic scale (~ 0.25° × 0.25°). The algorithm is used to construct a monthly NOx emission time series for the period 2007–2011 from tropospheric NO2 observations of GOME-2 for East Chinese provinces and surrounding countries. The new emission estimates correspond well with the bottom-up inventory of EDGAR v4.2, but are smaller than the inventories of INTEX-B and MEIC. They reveal a strong positive trend during 2007–2011 for almost all Chinese provinces, related to the country's economic development. We find a 41% increment of NOx emissions in East China during this period, which shows the need to update emission inventories in this region on a regular basis. Negative emission trends are found in Japan and South Korea, which can be attributed to a combined effect of local environmental policy and global economic crises. Analysis of seasonal variation distinguishes between regions with dominant anthropogenic or biogenic emissions. For regions with a mixed anthropogenic and biogenic signature, the opposite seasonality can be used for an estimation of the separate emission contributions. Finally, the non-local concentration/emission relationships calculated by the algorithm are used to quantify the direct effect of regional NOx emissions on tropospheric NO2 concentrations outside the region. For regions such as North Korea and the Beijing municipality, a substantial part of the tropospheric NO2 originates from emissions elsewhere.
Feasibility and difficulties of China's new air quality standard compliance: PRD case of PM2.5 and ozone from 2010 to 2025
Authors: Liu H. , Wang X. M. , Pang J. M. , He K. B.
Published: December 2013

Abstract. Improving the air quality in China is a long and arduous task. Although China has made very aggressive plans for air pollutant control, the difficulties in achieving the new air quality goals are still significant. A lot of cities are developing their implementation plan (CIP) for new air quality goals. In this study, a southern city, Guangzhou, has been selected to analyze the feasibility and difficulties of new air quality standard compliance, as well as the CIP evaluation. A comprehensive study of the air quality status in Guangzhou and the surrounding area was conducted using 22 monitoring sites collection data for O3, PM2.5 and PM10. The monthly non-attainment rates for O3 vary from 7 to 25% for May to November. The city average PM2.5 concentration was 53 μg m−3 in Guangzhou in 2010, which needs to be reduced by at least 34% to achieve the target of 35 μg m−3. The PM2.5 high violation months are from November to March. A CIP was developed for Guangzhou, which focused on PM2.5. Based on the CIP, the emission amounts of NOx, PM10, PM2.5 and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in 2025 would be controlled to 119, 61, 26 and 163 thousand tons, respectively, reduced by 51.9%, 55.9%, 61.8% and 41.3%, respectively, compared to 2010. Analysis of air quality using the model MM5-STEM suggests that the long-term control measures would achieve the PM2.5 and PM10 goals successfully by 2025. The PM2.5 annual average concentration would be reduced to 27 μg m−3 in 2025. However, such PM2.5-based emission control scenarios may enhance the ozone pollution problems. The O3 non-attainment rate would increase from 7.1% in 2010 to 12.9% in 2025, implying that ozone will likely become a major compliance issue with the new national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). This suggests that O3 control must be taken into account while designing PM2.5 control strategies, especially PM2.5 compliance under increased atmospheric oxidation, and for VOCs / NOx reduction ratios need to be further investigated, in order to eventually achieve O3–PM2.5 co-improvement in this region or other cities.