bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
New Radiation-Protective Binder for Special-Purpose Composites
Authors: Grishina Anna Nikolaevna , Korolev Evgeniy Valerjevich
Published: February 2016

The present work is devoted to the examination of new radiation-protective binder for special-purpose composite materials. The mixture for such advanced binder is developed. The mixture includes portland cement together with special component – barium hydrosilicates. The latter are micro-sized mineral admixtures which are synthesized by means of low-temperature sol-gel process. The parameters of early structure forming process (including normal density and setting time) are studied. Mechanical properties of the developed binders are determined. It has been shown that admixture of barium hydrosilicates leads to an increase of normal density. Both low and high setting times are reducing for composite binder with barium hydrosilicates. Values of compressive strength are significantly higher (up to 75%) if compared with traditional binder for radiation-protective building materials. It is also revealed during examination of protective properties that for X-ray photons with energy Eγ = 0.1 MeV linear coefficient of attenuation increases by 80%.
Research of Dysprosium, Terbium and Neodymium Oxides Fluoration
Authors: Sofronov Vladimir , Ivanov Zakhar , Makaseyev Yuriy , Kostareva Tamara
Published: February 2016

Production of high energy permanent magnets (HEPM) on the basis of rare-earth metals is one of leading knowledge intensive branches of world industry. Raw materials for production of magnets are magnetic alloys. In order to increase magnetic features scientists implement the additives of certain metals and their compounds, such as dysprosium and terbium additives in substantial amounts – up to 7-8 %.Within the framework of a ladle fluoride technology of HEPM manufacturing on the basis of a system Nd-Fe-B, developed by authors, scientists implement the additives of dysprosium and terbium fluoride, by virtue where of there was conducted a research on fluoration kinetics of corresponding oxides by elemental fluorine. The present article quotes results of such research and defines main kinetic parameters of examined processes – diffusion coefficient, kinetic constant and activation energy. Aiming to cost reduction of fluoride manufacture ammonium fluoride was used as a fluorinating agent by the example of fluoration of neodymium oxide.
Effect of Surface Topography and Chemical Composition on Wettability of Calcium Phosphate Coatings Formed on Ti-40Nb Alloy
Authors: Komarova Ekaterina G. , Chebodaeva Valentina , Sharkeev Yuri P. , Sedelnikova Maria
Published: February 2016

The influence of the microarc oxidation parameters as electrical voltage and process duration on the surface morphology and topography, wettability and chemical composition of calcium phosphate coatings on the low elastic module Ti-40mas.%Nb (Ti-40Nb) alloy surface has been investigated. The linear growth of thickness and roughness and the linear decrease of the free surface energy with increasing process electrical voltage have been obtained. It was shown that calcium phosphate coatings have low contact angle with liquids and high free surface energy, as a consequence. It indicates a high hydrophilicity. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the coatings after deposition have X-ray amorphous state that indicates high rate of coating dissolution. The coatings have maximum Ca/P ratio is 0.6. The optimal range of the oxidation voltage from 200 to 250 V and process duration from 5 to 10 min has been found. Such parameters allow to form the coating with the specific morphology, roughness and thickness and high hydrophylicity.
Method for Determining the Doping Efficiency of Dispersed Semiconductor Metal Oxide Materials
Authors: Malinovskaya Tatyana D. , Sachkov Victor I. , Zhek Valentina V. , Nefedov Roman A.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, a method for determining the doping efficiency of dispersed semiconductor metal oxide materials is proposed proposing to use the dependences of the free charge carrier concentration, normalized to the concentration of the doping impurity (Ne spec.), on the content of this impurity. The possibilities of this method are demonstrated by the example of studying the effect of technological factors on the efficiency of doping of indium oxide with tin and doping of tin oxide with antimony. It is shown that it is impossible to achieve the concentration of free charge carriers in the ITO material, higher than that in ATO materials, due to the lower solubility of tin in the In2O3 lattice, as compared with the solubility of antimony in the SnO2 lattice.
Electrochemical Dispersion Method for TiO2 Nanoparticles Preparation
Authors: Kuriganova Alexanra , Alexandrin Alexandr , Smirnova Nina
Published: February 2016

Electrochemical dispersion method for producing of TiO2 nanoparticles in anatase form has been proposed. It was found that the ratio between the current density of the anodic and cathodic pulses has an impact on the specific surface area (90–155 m2 g-1) and particles size (≈10-14 nm) of prepared TiO2 powders was but doesn’t impact on the products composition. The electrolyte concentration doesn’t impact on the rate of Ti electrode dispersion as well as TiO2 powders morphology.
Natural Resources of Medicinal Plants: Estimation of Reserves on Example of Rhaponticum carthamoides
Authors: Nekratova Natalya , Shurupova Margarita
Published: February 2016

Wild medicinal plants often become the source of advanced materials for the manufacture of effective medicines. The long-term use of their natural resources depends on observance of biologically based rules, i.e. the annual possible volume of harvesting. The paper aims to estimate the reserves of subsurface parts of the valuable medicinal plant Rhaponticum carthamoides in the Kuznetsk Alatau (Siberia, Russia). We set 31 resource profiles with total length of 41895 m in key areas and mapped locations of plant communities with R. carthamoides. Based on data in 2000 calculating plots we defined the average number of shoots per 1 m2 in the phytocenoses with great abundance of this species and estimated the average weight of subsurface parts per shoot in 43 special key plots. Predictable exploitable reserves of R. carthamoides in the Kuznetsk Alatau amount 202 t with 6.73 t of annual possible volume of harvesting. The demand for raw materials of this species can be satisfied by natural resources but only if harvesting is held in a sustainable manner observing also the rules of collection on the population level.
Study on Different Mechanisms of Gastric Damage after Oral Administration of Titanium Dioxide Nano- and Microparticles
Authors: Krivova Natalya , Zaeva Olga , Misina Tatiana , Kuvshinov Nikolay
Published: February 2016

The study was performed with male Wistar rats who individually received nano (NPs) or fine (FPs) titanium dioxide (TiO2) particles with an attractive food for 7 days. Two doses of TiO2 NPs (200 and 400 mg/kg) and one dose of TiO2 FPs (200 mg/kg) were used. The macroscopic status of the gastric mucosa as well as the pro-and antioxidant activity of the adherent mucus layer were examined. Our experiments showed that a chronic (7-day) oral administration of TiO2 nanoor microparticles increased the area of erosive lesions and the amount of mucosal hemorrhages with respect to control. However, the damage mechanisms in the group “TiO2 FPs 200 mg/kg” were different from those in the groups “TiO2 NPs 200 mg/kg” and “TiO2 NPs 400 mg/kg”. The oxidative damage of glycoproteins occurred in the gastric mucus of animals who received TiO2 NPs; this led to degradation of the adherent mucus layer and deterioration of its protective properties. Therewith, a dose-dependent reaction was not observed at the indicated doses of TiO2 NPs. The oxidative damage of glycoproteins was not found in the gastric mucus of animals who received TiO2 FPs; erosive lesions and mucosal hemorrhages could be induced by TiO2 FPs as the mechanical and chemical agent that does not provoke oxidative stress at the indicated dose. Our study demonstrated that the use of TiO2 in any form for increasing the attractivity of foodstuffs can be harmful for the digestive tract.
Bimodal Fluorescent and Magnetic Nanoparticles Based on Carbon Quantum Dots and Metal-Carbon Nanocomposites for Bio-Applications
Authors: Minin Artem , Byzov Ilya , Uimin Mikhail , Ermakov Anatoly Ye. , Shchegoleva Nina , Zhakov Sergey , Smoluk Leonid , Ulitko Maria , Minin Artem
Published: February 2016

The simultaneous combination of optical and magnetic properties of nanoparticles would greatly benefit in vivo disease diagnosis as well as in situ monitoring of cell in cell culture. The most promising application of magnetic particles in biomedicine is MRI contrast enhancement and magnetic hyperthermia. Another important thing is the determination of exact localization of nanoparticles in the cell culture that can be defined by e.g. optical way. In our investigation we used the iron nanoparticles encapsulated in carbon as a magnetic component and carbon quantum dots as an optical labels to provide the photostability and fluorescence in a wide range of wavelengths. In order to avoid the fluorescence quenching in bimodal particles the optical and magnetic components should be separated by insulator layer. To create the optimal bimodal nanoparticles for this purpose the non-typical configuration of nanocomposites was realized, namely, a fluorescent core was separated from the coated magnetic particles by silicon dioxide matrix. Finally, it was shown that these bimodal nanocomposites demonstrate the high magnetic properties, good visualized ability and low toxicity for living cells as well.
A Heterozygous RAB27A Mutation Associated with Delayed Cytolytic Granule Polarization and Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis
Authors: Zhang Mingce , Bracaglia Claudia , Prencipe Giusi , Bemrich-Stolz Christina J. , Beukelman Timothy , Dimmitt Reed A. , Chatham W. Winn , Zhang Kejian , Li Hao , Walter Mark R. , De Benedetti Fabrizio , Grom Alexei A. , Cron Randy Q.
Published: February 2016

Frequently fatal, primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) occurs in infancy resulting from homozygous mutations in NK and CD8 T cell cytolytic pathway genes. Secondary HLH presents after infancy and may be associated with heterozygous mutations in HLH genes. We report two unrelated teenagers with HLH and an identical heterozygous RAB27A mutation (c.259G→C). We explore the contribution of this Rab27A missense (p.A87P) mutation on NK cell cytolytic function by cloning it into a lentiviral expression vector prior to introduction into the human NK-92 cell line. NK cell degranulation (CD107a expression), target cell conjugation, and K562 target cell lysis was compared between mutant– and wild-type–transduced NK-92 cells. Polarization of granzyme B to the immunologic synapse and interaction of mutant Rab27A (p.A87P) with Munc13-4 were explored by confocal microscopy and proximity ligation assay, respectively. Overexpression of the RAB27A mutation had no effect on cell conjugate formation between the NK and target cells but decreased NK cell cytolytic activity and degranulation. Moreover, the mutant Rab27A protein decreased binding to Munc13-4 and delayed granzyme B polarization toward the immunologic synapse. This heterozygous RAB27A mutation blurs the genetic distinction between primary and secondary HLH by contributing to HLH via a partial dominant-negative effect.
LincRNA-Cox2 Promotes Late Inflammatory Gene Transcription in Macrophages through Modulating SWI/SNF-Mediated Chromatin Remodeling
Authors: Hu Guoku , Gong Ai-Yu , Wang Yang , Ma Shibin , Chen Xiqiang , Chen Jing , Su Chun-Jen , Shibata Annemarie , Strauss-Soukup Juliane K. , Drescher Kristen M. , Chen Xian-Ming
Published: February 2016

Long intergenic noncoding RNAs (lincRNAs) are long noncoding transcripts (>200 nt) from the intergenic regions of annotated protein-coding genes. One of the most highly induced lincRNAs in macrophages upon TLR ligation is lincRNA-Cox2, which was recently shown to mediate the activation and repression of distinct classes of immune genes in innate immune cells. We report that lincRNA-Cox2, located at chromosome 1 proximal to the PG-endoperoxide synthase 2 (Ptgs2/Cox2) gene, is an early-primary inflammatory gene controlled by NF-κB signaling in murine macrophages. Functionally, lincRNA-Cox2 is required for the transcription of NF-κB–regulated late-primary inflammatory response genes stimulated by bacterial LPS. Specifically, lincRNA-Cox2 is assembled into the switch/sucrose nonfermentable (SWI/SNF) complex in cells after LPS stimulation. This resulting lincRNA-Cox2/SWI/SNF complex can modulate the assembly of NF-κB subunits to the SWI/SNF complex, and ultimately, SWI/SNF-associated chromatin remodeling and transactivation of the late-primary inflammatory-response genes in macrophages in response to microbial challenge. Therefore, our data indicate a new regulatory role for NF-κB–induced lincRNA-Cox2 as a coactivator of NF-κB for the transcription of late-primary response genes in innate immune cells through modulation of epigenetic chromatin remodeling.
T-bet Regulates Natural Regulatory T Cell Afferent Lymphatic Migration and Suppressive Function
Authors: Xiong Yanbao , Ahmad Sarwat , Iwami Daiki , Brinkman C. Colin , Bromberg Jonathan S.
Published: February 2016

T-bet is essential for natural regulatory T cells (nTreg) to regulate Th1 inflammation, but whether T-bet controls other Treg functions after entering the inflammatory site is unknown. In an islet allograft model, T-bet−/− nTreg, but not induced Treg, failed to prolong graft survival as effectively as wild-type Treg. T-bet−/− nTreg had no functional deficiency in vitro but failed to home from the graft to draining lymph nodes (dLN) as efficiently as wild type. T-bet regulated expression of adhesion- and migration-related molecules, influencing nTreg distribution in tissues, so that T-bet−/− nTreg remained in the grafts rather than migrating to lymphatics and dLN. In contrast, both wild-type and T-bet−/− CD4+ conventional T cells and induced Treg migrated normally toward afferent lymphatics. T-bet−/− nTreg displayed instability in the graft, failing to suppress Ag-specific CD4+ T cells and prevent their infiltration into the graft and dLN. Thus, T-bet regulates nTreg migration into afferent lymphatics and dLN and consequently their suppressive stability in vivo.
An outbreak of Japanese encephalitis after two decades in Odisha, India
Authors: Dwibedi Bhagirathi , Mohapatra Namita , Rathore Sushil Kumar , Panda Maheswar , Pati Satya Sundar , Sabat Jyotsnamayee , Thakur Bandana , Panda Sailendra , Kar Shantanu Kumar
Published: February 2016

Sudden deaths in children due to acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) from a tribal dominated district of Malkangiri in Odisha, India, was reported during September-November, 2012. The investigation was carried out to search for the possible viral aetiology that caused this outbreak. Clinico-epidemiological survey and seromolecular investigation were carried out to confirm the viral aetiology. Two hundred seventy two suspected cases with 24 deaths were observed. The patients presented with low to moderate grade fever (87%), headache (43%), vomiting (27%), cold (18%), cough (17%), body ache (15%), joint pain (15%), rash (15%), abdomen pain (9%), lethargy (5%), altered sensorium (8%), convulsion (2%), diarrhoea (3%), and haematemesis (3%). Laboratory investigation showed Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) IgM in 13.8 per cent (13/94) in blood samples and JEV RNA in one of two cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples. Paddy fields close to the houses, high pig to cattle ratio, high density (33 per man hour density) of Culex vishnui mosquitoes, low socio-economic status and low health awareness in the tribal population were observed. This report confirmed the outbreak of JEV infection in Odisha after two decades.
Bagaza virus inhibits Japanese encephalitis & West Nile virus replication in Culex tritaeniorhynchus & Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes
Authors: Sudeep A.B. , Bondre V.P. , George R. , Ghodke Y.S. , Aher R.V. , Gokhale M.D.
Published: February 2016

Background & objectives:

Studies have shown that certain flaviviruses influence susceptibility of mosquitoes by inhibiting/enhancing replication of important flaviviruses. Hence, a study was designed to determine whether Bagaza virus (BAGV), a flavivirus isolated from Culex tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes in India, alters susceptibility of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to Japanese encephalitis (JEV) and West Nile viruses (WNV).

Methods:

JEV and WNV infection in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in the presence of BAGV was carried out by intrathoracic (IT) inoculation and oral feeding methods. Mosquitoes were infected with BAGV and WNV/JEV either simultaneously or in a phased manner, in which mosquitoes were infected with BAGV by IT inoculation followed by super-infection with JEV/WNV after eight days post-infection (PI). JEV and WNV yield on 7th and 14th day PI after super-infection was determined by 50 per cent tissue culture infective dose (TCID50) method.

Results:

In Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes, prior infection with BAGV significantly reduced JEV and WNV replication while in Cx. quinquefasciatus, BAGV influence was only seen with WNV. Reduction in virus titre was observed in IT inoculated and oral fed mosquitoes irrespective of the infection mode. JEV replication was also found reduced in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus mosquitoes persistently infected with BAGV at passage four.

Interpretation & conclusions:

BAGV infection in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes altered their susceptibility to JEV and WNV producing low virus yield. However, the role of BAGV in inhibiting JEV/WNV replication in field mosquitoes needs further investigations.
Antimalarial efficacy of Albizia lebbeck (Leguminosae) against Plasmodium falciparum in vitro & P. berghei in vivo
Authors: Kalia Shagun , Walter Neha Sylvia , Bagai Upma
Published: February 2016

Background & objectives:

Albizia lebbeck Benth. (Leguminosae) has long been used in Indian traditional medicine. The current study was designed to test antimalarial activity of ethanolic bark extract of A. lebbeck (EBEAL).

Methods:

EBEAL was prepared by soxhlet extraction and subjected to phytochemical analysis. The extract was evaluated for its in vitro antimalarial activity against Plasmodium falciparum chloroquine (CQ) sensitive (MRC2) and CQ resistant (RKL9) strains. Cytotoxicity (CC50) of extract against HeLa cells was evaluated. Median lethal dose (LD50) was determined to assess safety of EBEAL in BALB/c mice. Schizonticidal (100-1000 mg/kg) and preventive (100-750 mg/kg) activities of EBEAL were evaluated against P. berghei. Curative activity (100-750 mg/kg) of extract was also evaluated.

Results:

Phytochemical screening revealed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, terpenes and phytosterols. The extract exhibited IC50 of 8.2 μg/ml (MRC2) and 5.1 μg/ml (RKL9). CC50 of extract on HeLa cell line was calculated to be >1000 μg/ml. EBEAL showed selectivity indices (SI) of >121.9 and >196.07 against MRC2 and RKL9 strains of P. falciparum, respectively. LD50 of EBEAL was observed to be >5 g/kg. Dose-dependent chemosuppression was observed with significant (P<0.001) schizonticidal activity at 1000 mg/kg with ED50 >100 mg/kg. Significant (P<0.001) curative and repository activities were exhibited by 750 mg/kg concentration of extract on D7.

Interpretation & conclusions:

The present investigation reports antiplasmodial efficacy of EBEAL in vitro against P. falciparum as evident by high SI values. ED50 of <100 mg/kg against P. berghei categorizes EBEAL as active antimalarial. Further studies need to be done to exploit its antiplasmodial activity further.
Knowledge and practice regarding hypertension and diabetes among the elderly in a rural area in southern India following an educational program: A comparative study
Authors: Kasthuri Arvind , Krishnamurthy Aditi , Kiran Pretesh , Mohammad As , Shanbhag Deepthi
Published: February 2016

Aim: Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are important problems in the elderly. They can largely be avoided through appropriate lifestyle modification. We implemented an ongoing education program for the elderly in the villages near Bangalore, Southern Karnataka, India. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice regarding hypertension and diabetes among elderly residents in the study area with and without exposure to the education program. Materials and Methods: Elderly residents of three villages who attended the educational sessions (exposed) and two similar villages without educational exposure (unexposed) were identified, matched with regard to age and gender, and interviewed to assess the knowledge and practice regarding hypertension and diabetes. The responses were scored, and mean scores were calculated in the two groups. Results and Discussion: A total of 130 elderly persons, 65 exposed and 65 unexposed to the education program were interviewed. Overall, the exposed group scored significantly higher than the unexposed group with respect to knowledge (11.17 vs 4.97, P < 0.05) and practice (1.35 vs 0.40, P < 0.05) regarding hypertension. Knowledge (14.85 vs 6.57, P < 0.05) and practice (1.49 vs 0.34, P < 0.05) scores regarding diabetes were also higher in the exposed group. However, the scores were less than 50% of the maximum attainable score even in the exposed group showing the need for further educational input. Conclusion: Regular health education sessions by physicians, nurses, and community health workers for the elderly are a useful strategy in improving the knowledge and practice for preventing and managing chronic disease. This is a model of health promotion in the elderly.
Assessment of Neutrophil Gelatinase-Associated Lipocalin (NGAL) and Retinol-Binding Protein 4 (RBP4) in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Nephropathy
Authors: Mahfouz Mohamed H. , Assiri Adel M. , Mukhtar Mohammed H.
Published: February 2016

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most serious microvascular complications of diabetes. The study aims to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) as biomarkers for early detection of nephropathy in type 2 diabetic patients. The current study was performed on 150 type 2 diabetic patients. These patients were classified into three equal groups according to their albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR), including patients with normoalbuminuria (ACR <30 mg/g creatinine), patients with microalbuminuria (ACR = 30–300 mg/g creatinine), and patients with macroalbuminuria (ACR >300 mg/g creatinine). Fifty apparently healthy subjects matching the same age and socioeconomic status with diabetic subjects were selected as a control group. The plasma glucose, insulin, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, urea, creatinine, cystatin C, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), NGAL, and RBP4 were measured in the studied groups. Significantly elevated NGAL and RBP4 levels were observed in micro- and macroalbuminuric diabetic groups when compared to the control and normoalbuminuric diabetic groups. NGAL and RBP4 were found to correlate positively with duration of diabetes, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, glucose, HbA1c, HOMA-IR, triacylglycerol, and ACR, but correlate inversely with GFR in DN groups. Receiver operating characteristic curves revealed that for early detection of DN, the best cutoff values to discriminate DN and diabetic without nephropathy groups were 91.5 ng/mL for NGAL with 87% sensitivity, 74% specificity, and area under the curve (AUC) = 0.881; 24.5 ng/mL for RBP4 with 84% sensitivity, 90% specificity, and AUC = 0.912; and 37.5 mg/g creatinine for ACR with 89% sensitivity, 72% specificity, and AUC = 0.819. RBP4 is more specific (90% specificity) than NGAL (74% specificity) and ACR (72% specificity). Therefore, RBP4 marker may serve as a tool to follow-up clinical monitoring of the development and progression of DN.
Infectious Diseases in Sub-Saharan Immigrants to Spain
Authors: Serre Delcor Núria , Maruri Begoña Treviño , Arandes Antoni Soriano , Guiu Isabel Claveria , Essadik Hakima Ouaarab , Soley Mateu Espasa , Romero Israel Molina , Ascaso Carlos
Published: February 2016

Immigrants may be carriers of infectious diseases because of the prevalence of these diseases in their country of origin, exposure during migration, or conditions during resettlement, with this prevalence being particularly high in sub-Saharan Africans. We performed a retrospective review of 180 sub-Saharan immigrants screened for infectious diseases at an International Health Center from January 2009 to December 2012. At least one pathogenic infectious disease was diagnosed in 72.8% patients: 60.6% latent tuberculosis infection, 36.8% intestinal parasites (intestinal protozoa or helminths), 28.1% helminths, 14.8% hepatitis B surface antigen positive, 1.2% anti-hepatitis C virus positive, 1.2% human immunodeficiency virus–positive, and 1.2% malaria. Coinfections were present in 28.4%. There was significant association between eosinophilia (absolute count or percentage) or hyper-IgE and the presence of helminths (P < 0.001). Relative eosinophilia and hyper-IgE were better indicators of helminth infection than absolute eosinophilia, particularly for schistosomiasis and strongyloidiasis. We found a high prevalence of infectious diseases in sub-Saharan immigrants, which could lead to severe health problems (in the absence of prompt treatment), representing a high cost to the public health system and possible transmission in the host country. Accurate screening and tailored protocols for infectious diseases are recommended in sub-Saharan immigrants.
Phenotypic characterization of the indigenous chickens (Gallus gallus) in the northwest of Algeria
Authors: Dahloum L. , Moula N. , Halbouche M. , Mignon-Grasteau S.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. This study was conducted to characterize local chickens in the northwest of Algeria based on some phenotypic traits and to look at prediction of body weight from morphometric measurements (linear body). The results indicated that the predominant comb colour was dark red (77.8 %), followed by light red (22.2 %). Tarsus colour was either white (40.9 %), grey (31 %), yellow (15.39 %), dark (8.05 %), or green (4.51 %). Most chickens (81.7 %) had orange eyes, while 10.37 and 7.92 % had yellow and dark-brown eyes, respectively. The dominant earlobe colour was white (73.96 %), followed by red (16.81 %). The remaining proportion included yellow and red-mottled yellow and black earlobes. Proportions of the adaptive genes were low. Incidences of Na, F, Pti, Cr, R, and P genes were 8.82, 0.45, 1.22, 5.54, 3.35, and 4.7 %, respectively. The calculated gene frequencies ranged from 0.002 to 0.045. Variations were also found in quantitative morphological traits. Sex-associated differences (P < 0.001) were observed in almost all the parameters evaluated with higher values recorded for males. Phenotypic correlations of body weight and biometric traits ranged from −0.13 to 0.88 and −0.15 to 0.97 for males and females, respectively. From the factor analysis with varimax rotation of the intercorrelated traits, three principal components which accounted for 71.6 and 73.2 % of the total variance were extracted in males and females, respectively. Orthogonal body shape characters derived from the factor analysis accounted for 84.3 and 94.2 % of the variation in body weight of males and females, respectively. Information obtained from this study could be useful in an appropriate management, breeding programmes for selection and utilization of Algerian chicken genetic resources.
Impact of climate change on the production and transport of sea salt aerosol on European seas
Authors: Soares J. , Sofiev M. , Geels C. , Christensen J. H. , Andersson C. , Tsyro S. , Langner J.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The impact of climate change on sea salt aerosol production, dispersion, and fate over the Europe is studied using four offline regional chemistry transport models driven by the climate scenario SRES A1B over two periods: 1990–2009 and 2040–2059. The study is focused mainly on European seas: Baltic, Black, North and Mediterranean. The differences and similarities between predictions of the individual models on the impact on sea salt emission, concentration and deposition due to changes in wind gusts and seawater temperature are analysed. The results show that the major driver for the sea-salt flux changes will be the seawater temperature, as wind speed is projected to stay nearly the same. There are, however, substantial differences between the model predictions and their sensitivity to changing seawater temperature, which demonstrates substantial lack of current understanding of the sea-salt flux predictions. Although seawater salinity changes are not evaluated in this study, sensitivity of sea-salt aerosol production to salinity is similarly analysed, showing once more the differences between the different models. An assessment on the impact of SSA to the radiative balance is presented.
The Role of the Size Distribution Shape in Determining Differences between Condensation Rates in Bin and Bulk Microphysics Schemes
Authors: Igel Adele L. , van den Heever Susan C
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The condensation rates predicted by bin and bulk microphysics schemes in the same model framework are compared in a novel way using simulations of non-precipitating shallow cumulus clouds. The bulk scheme generally predicts lower condensation rates than does the bin scheme, even when the saturation ratio and the integrated diameter of the droplet size distribution are identical. Despite other fundamental disparities between the bin and bulk condensation parameterizations, the differences in condensation rates are predominantly explained by accounting for the shape of the cloud droplet size distributions simulated by the bin scheme. This shape is not well constrained by observations and thus it is difficult to know how to appropriately specify it in double-moment bulk microphysics schemes. However, this study shows that enhancing our observations may be important since the choice of distribution shape can have a large impact on condensation rates, changing them by 50 % or more in some cases.
The Role of Cloud Contamination, Aerosol Layer Height and Aerosol Model in the Assessment of the OMI near-UV Retrievals over the Ocean
Authors: Gassó Santiago , Torres Omar
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Retrievals of aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 388 nm over the ocean from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) two-channel near UV algorithm (OMAERUV) have been compared with independent AOD measurements. The analysis was carried out over the open ocean (OMI and MODIS AOD comparisons) and over coastal and island sites (AERONET and OMI). Also, a research version of the retrieval algorithm (using MODIS and CALIPSO information as constraints) was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity of the retrieval to different assumed aerosol properties. Overall, the comparison resulted in differences (OMI minus independent measurements) within the expected levels of uncertainty for the OMI AOD retrievals. Using examples from case studies with outliers, the reasons that lead to the observed differences are examined with specific purpose to determine if they are related to instrument (i.e., pixel size, calibration) limitations or algorithm assumptions (such as aerosol shape, aerosol height). The analysis confirms that OMAERUV does an adequate job at rejecting cloudy scenes within the instrument capabilities. There is a residual cloud contamination in OMI pixels with quality flag 0 (the best conditions for aerosol retrieval according to the algorithm) resulting in a bias towards high AODs in OMAERUV. This bias is more pronounced at low concentrations of absorbing aerosols (AOD 388 nm ~< 0.5). For higher aerosol loadings, the bias remains within OMI’s AOD uncertainties. In pixels where OMAERUV assigned a dust aerosol model, a fraction of them (< 20 %) had retrieved AODs significantly lower than AERONET and MODIS AODs. In a case study, a detailed examination of the aerosol height from CALIOP and AODs from MODIS along with sensitivity tests was carried out by varying the different assumed parameters in the retrieval (imaginary index of refraction, size distribution, aerosol height, particle shape). It was found that spherical shape assumption for dust in the current retrieval is the main cause of the underestimate. Also, it is shown with an example how an incorrect assumption of the aerosol height can lead to an underestimate but this is not as large as the effect of particle shape. These findings will be incorporated in a future version of the retrieval algorithm.
Evaluation of the Sequential Spot Sampler (S3) for time-resolved measurement of PM2.5 sulfate and nitrate through lab and field measurements
Authors: Hecobian A. , Evanoski-Cole A. , Eiguren-Fernandez A. , Sullivan A. P. , Lewis G. S. , Hering S. V. , Collett Jr. J. L.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. The Sequential Spot Sampler (S3), a newly developed instrument to collect aerosols for time-resolved chemical composition measurements, was evaluated in the laboratory and field for the measurement of particulate sulfate and nitrate. The S3 uses a multi-temperature condensation growth tube to grow individual aerosols to droplets which are then deposited as a ∼ 1 mm diameter dry spot at the end of the growth tube in a 100 µL well of a multi-well plate. The well plate advances automatically to provide a sequence of time-resolved samples. The collected aerosols are subsequently analyzed in the laboratory. The sample is concentrated during the collection process, and the laboratory extraction and analysis steps can be automated. The well plate, as received from the field, is placed onto a needle-based autosampler that adds liquid for sample extraction and injects sample extract from each well onto an ion chromatograph for analysis. Laboratory evaluation for sulfate and nitrate ions showed that poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) used as well plate material does not contribute any artifacts; a 60 min extraction procedure leads to the recovery of sulfate and nitrate from the dry spots at above 95 % extraction efficiency; and samples stored frozen and analyzed up to 23 months later show less than a 10 % change in sulfate and nitrate concentrations. The limit of detection was 0.5 µg m−3 for sulfate and 0.2 µg m−3 for nitrate for a 1 h sampling period. In a month-long field study conducted in southern California, two S3s were deployed alongside a URG denuder–filter-pack and a Particle-Into-Liquid Sampler combined with an Ion Chromatograph (PILS-IC). Collocated S3 sampler concentrations compared by linear regression show good agreement, with r2 =  0.99 and slope = 0.99 (±0.004) µg m−3 for sulfate and r2 = 0.99 and slope = 1.0 (±0.006) µg m−3 for nitrate. When compared to the URG denuder–filter-pack and the PILS-IC, the S3 sulfate and nitrate concentrations yielded correlations above 0.84 for the square of the correlation coefficient and regression slopes close to 1.
Three parameter based Streamflow elasticity model: Application to MOPEX basins in USA at Annual and Seasonal Scale
Authors: Konalapa G. , Mishra A. K.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. We present a three parameter streamflow elasticity model as a function of precipitation, potential evaporation and change in storage applicable at both seasonal and annual scales. The model was applied to 245 Model parameter estimation experiment (MOPEX) basins located in USA. We tested the performance of the modified equation and showed that at annual scale groundwater and surface water storage change also contributes significantly to the streamflow elasticity. It was found that there are significant differences among elasticities seasonally as well as spatially. Our observations indicated that streamflow elasticity of watersheds in eastern and western USA tends to vary in clusters and exhibit a cyclic seasonal pattern. It was observed that watershed hydroclimatology has a major influence on seasonal streamflow elasticity due to precipitation in comparison to potential evapotranspiration and storage change.
Real-time monitoring of nitrate transport in deep vadose zone under a crop field – implications for groundwater protection
Authors: Turkeltaub T. , Kurtzman D. , Dahan O.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Nitrate is considered the most common non-point pollutant in groundwater. It is often attributed to agricultural management, when excess application of nitrogen fertilizer leaches below the root zone and is eventually transported as nitrate through the unsaturated zone to the water table. A lag time of years to decades between processes occurring in the root zone and their final imprint on groundwater quality prevents proper decision-making on land use and groundwater-resource management. In this study, water flow and solute transport through the deep vadose zone underlying an agricultural field were monitored using a vadose-zone monitoring system (VMS). Data obtained by the VMS over a period of 6 years allowed detailed tracking of water percolation and nitrate migration from the surface through the entire deep vadose zone to the water table at 18 m depth. The temporal variations in the vadose zone sediment water content were used to evaluate the link between rain patterns and water fluxes. A nitrate concentration time series, which varied with time and depth, revealed – in real time – a major pulse of nitrate mass propagating down through the vadose zone from the root zone toward the water table. Analysis of stable nitrate isotopes indicated that manure is the prevalent source of nitrate in the deep vadose zone, and these isotopes were barely affected by natural soil or industrial nitrogen components. Total nitrate mass estimations and simulated pore-water velocity using the analytical solution of the convection–dispersion equation indicated dominance of nitrate vertical transport, and excluded the possibility of lateral nitrate input. Accordingly, prevention of groundwater pollution from surface sources such as agriculture has to include effective and continuous monitoring of the entire vadose zone.
How essential are Argo observations to constrain a global ocean data assimilation system?
Authors: Turpin V. , Remy E. , Le Traon P. Y.
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Observing system experiments (OSEs) are carried out over a 1-year period to quantify the impact of Argo observations on the Mercator Ocean 0.25° global ocean analysis and forecasting system. The reference simulation assimilates sea surface temperature (SST), SSALTO/DUACS (Segment Sol multi-missions dALTimetrie, d'orbitographie et de localisation précise/Data unification and Altimeter combination system) altimeter data and Argo and other in situ observations from the Coriolis data center. Two other simulations are carried out where all Argo and half of the Argo data are withheld. Assimilating Argo observations has a significant impact on analyzed and forecast temperature and salinity fields at different depths. Without Argo data assimilation, large errors occur in analyzed fields as estimated from the differences when compared with in situ observations. For example, in the 0–300 m layer RMS (root mean square) differences between analyzed fields and observations reach 0.25 psu and 1.25 °C in the western boundary currents and 0.1 psu and 0.75 °C in the open ocean. The impact of the Argo data in reducing observation–model forecast differences is also significant from the surface down to a depth of 2000 m. Differences between in situ observations and forecast fields are thus reduced by 20 % in the upper layers and by up to 40 % at a depth of 2000 m when Argo data are assimilated. At depth, the most impacted regions in the global ocean are the Mediterranean outflow, the Gulf Stream region and the Labrador Sea. A significant degradation can be observed when only half of the data are assimilated. Therefore, Argo observations matter to constrain the model solution, even for an eddy-permitting model configuration. The impact of the Argo floats' data assimilation on other model variables is briefly assessed: the improvement of the fit to Argo profiles do not lead globally to unphysical corrections on the sea surface temperature and sea surface height. The main conclusion is that the performance of the Mercator Ocean 0.25° global data assimilation system is heavily dependent on the availability of Argo data.
Characterization of soil organic matter by near infrared spectroscopy – determination of glomalin in different soils
Authors: Zbíral Jiří , Čižmár David , Malý Stanislav , Obdržálková Elena
Published: February 2016

Abstract. Determining and characterizing soil organic matter (SOM) cheaply and reliably can help to support decisions concerning sustainable land management and climate policy. Glomalin, a glycoprotein produced by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, was recommended as a promising indicator of SOM quality. But extracting glomalin from and determining glomalin in soils using classical chemical methods is too complicated and time consuming and therefore limits the use of this parameter in large scale surveys. Near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a very rapid, non-destructive analytical technique that can be used to determine many constituents of soil organic matter. Representative sets of 84 different soil samples from arable land and grasslands and 75 forest soils were used to develop reliable NIRS calibration models for glomalin. One calibration model was developed for samples with a low content of glomalin (arable land and grasslands), the second for soils with a high content of glomalin (forest soils), and the third calibration model for all combined soil samples. Calibrations were validated and optimized by leave-one-sample-out-cross-validation (LOSOCV) and by the external validation using eight soil samples (arable land and grassland), and six soil samples (forest soils) not included in the calibration models. Two different calibration models were recommended. One model for arable and grassland soils and the second for forest soils. No statistically significant differences were found between the reference and the NIRS method for both calibration models. The parameters of the NIRS calibration model (RMSECV = 0,70 and R = 0,90 for soils from arable land and grasslands and RMSECV = 3,8 and R = 0,94 for forest soils) proved that glomalin can be determined directly in air-dried soils by NIRS with adequate trueness and precision.
USO DA MORINGA OLEIFERA NO TRATAMENTO DE ÁGUAS REDISUÁRIAS DE USINAS DE CONCRETO: MAPEAMENTO SISTEMÁTICO (doi:10.5216/reec.V11i1.35149)
Authors: Martins de Paula Heber , Sangoi Oliveira Ilha Marina
Published: February 2016

RESUMO: A destinação correta dos resíduos de usinas de concreto é exigida por lei, sendo a água residuária um dos principais resíduos a serem considerados. Este trabalho apresenta uma revisão sistemática de estudos que investigaram a gestão ambiental em usinas de concreto, com foco no reuso das águas residuárias e no emprego da Moringa oleifera como coagulante natural a ser utilizado como processo complementar à sedimentação. Este estudo faz parte de uma pesquisa que tem como objetivo avaliar o potencial de uso da Moringa oleifera no tratamento de águas residuárias em usinas de concreto. As fontes de pesquisa foram as seguintes bases de dados indexadas: Portal de Periódicos da Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES), Scopus, Conpemdex e Science Direct. Cabe destacar que a aplicação do Mapeamento Sistemático na elaboração de revisão bibliográfica permitiu identificar as principais lacunas para o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas, além disso, direciona para as principais publicações ligadas ao estudo. Por fim, os resultados obtidos fornecem, de um lado, subsídios para a caracterização da água residuária do concreto e os tipos de tratamento usualmente empregados e, de outro, evidenciam o potencial do uso da Moringa oleifera para este fim. ABSTRACT: Law requires the correct disposal of waste of concrete plants and the wastewater is one of the most important wastes to be considered. This paper presents a systematic review of studies investigating the environmental management in concrete plants, focusing on the reuse of wastewater and use of Moringa oleifera as a natural coagulant in the process of sedimentation. This study is part of a research that aims to evaluate the potential use of Moringa oleifera in the wastewater treatment in concrete plants. The sources used in this research were the following indexed databases: Portal of Periodicals of Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), Scopus, Conpemdex and Science Direct. Is worth highlighting that the application of Systematic Mapping in the development of literature review identified the main gaps in the development of new research also directs you to the main publications related to the study. Finally, the results provideon one side, subsidies for the characterization of the wastewater and the particular type of treatment usually employed, and others, highlight the potential use of Moringa oleifera for this purpose
Enterprise Resources Planning effectiveness and Organizational Performance: The case of “Jordanian Hashemite fund for human development”
Authors: Alkhaffaf Maha Mahdi , Aldalahmeh Mahmood
Published: February 2016

The study aimed at analysing the impact of Enterprise Resources Planning (ERP) system effectiveness on achieving better organizational performance in the Hashemite foundation for human development by analysing the effectiveness dimensions of ERP system (Information quality, System quality, User satisfaction). In order to achieve the study goal the researchers has designed questionnaire to collect preliminary data, consisting of 25 paragraphs and distributed to the members of the study sample. The study sample contains the entire department that uses ERP in the Jordanian Hashemite fund for human development. The study found a significant relationship between effectiveness of ERP and their combined impact on organizational performance
Seeming and Being in the “Cosmetics” of Sophistry: The Infamous Analogy of Plato'sGorgias
Authors: Reames Robin
Published: February 2016

The earliest record of the term “kommōtikē,” commonly translated as “cosmetics” or “self-adornment,” occurs in the “most famous passage” of Plato's dialogue Gorgias (Kennedy 1994, 37). There, Socrates compares rhetoric to cookery and sophistry to “kommōtikē” (464b–66a). This marks a decisive moment in the Platonic corpus, a moment when rhetoric and sophistry are associated with seeming and appearance and therefore distanced from being and reality. I outline the reasons why this translation is incomplete if not misleading. I propose an adjustment that pulls both the analogy and the dialogue away from a Platonist distinction between seeming and being and toward a distinction between foreign profligacy and domestic austerity. This transformation discharges the vulgarization of appearance as mere appearance and mere seeming that has long infected and hampered both our understanding of Plato's thought and of early rhetoric.