bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dosimetric effect of CT contrast agent in CyberKnife treatment plans
Authors: Kim Hee Jung , Chang Ah Ram , Park Yang-Kyun , Ye Sung-Joon
Published: October 2013

Background

To investigate the effect of computed tomography (CT) contrast enhancement (CE) on the 3D dose distributions of non-coplanar small field beams in the CyberKnife (CK) treatment planning system (TPS) for the stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR).

Methods

Twenty-two pre-CE CT treatment plans were recruited to this retrospective plan study. Their post-CE CT plans were based on the pre-CE CT plan data and calculated using the same MU and beam paths in either Ray-Tracing or Monte Carlo (MC) algorithms. The differences in the doses of the beam path and the reference point between the pre- and post-CE CT plans were compared. The minimum, maximum, and mean doses in dose-volume histograms (DVHs) of target and organs-at-risk (OARs) were also compared.

Results

The dose differences between the pre- and post-CE plans in a single beam path were less than 1.05% in both calculation algorithms, with respect to the prescription dose. At the center of the target volume, it was 1.9% (maximum 6.2%) in Ray-Tracing and 1.6% (maximum 4.0%) in MC. The CA effect showed on average 1.2% difference in the OAR maximum dose (maximum 7.8% in Ray-Tracing and 7.2% in MC). In the lung cases, the CT CE resulted in a dose difference of 2.4% (from 1.0% to 6.5%) without the calculation algorithm effect (maximum 20.3%).

Conclusions

The CK treatment plan using the post-CE CT generally afforded less than 2% dose differences from the pre-CE CT plan. However, it could be up to 7.8% depending on the target positions in a body and be more than 20% with the calculation algorithms. Thus, the post-CE CT in CK treatment plans should be used with careful consideration for the CA effect, target position, and calculation algorithm factors.
Glycemic control and diabetes management in hospitalized patients in Brazil
Authors: Moreira Jr Edson Duarte , Silveira Patricia Carvalho Balthazar , Neves Raimundo Celestino Silva , Souza Jr Clodoaldo , Nunes Zaira Onofre , Almeida Maria da Conceição C ,   the Brazilian Diabetes Investigators’ Group
Published: October 2013

Background

The importance of tight blood glucose control among outpatients with diabetes mellitus is well established, however, the management of diabetes in the hospital setting is generally considered secondary in importance. This study sought to assess glycemic control and diabetes management in adult patients admitted to hospitals in Brazil.

Methods

A cross-sectional and nationwide survey was conducted from July 2010 to January 2012. Eligible cases were 18 years of age or older, had a diagnosis of diabetes and a hospitalization length of stay ≥72 hours. Socio-demographic information, hospitalization details, and data on diabetes diagnosis, management and treatment were collected for all patients by chart review. Information on all blood glucose (BG) readings for a maximum of 20 consecutive days of hospitalization was recorded for each patient.

Results

Overall, 2,399 patients were surveyed in 24 hospitals located in 13 cities from all five Brazilian regions. The prevalence of patients presenting hyperglycemic (BG >180 mg/dL) or hypoglycemic (BG <70 mg/dL) events was 89.4% and 30.9% in patients in general wards, and 88.2% and 27.7% in those in Intensive Care Units (ICUs), respectively. In addition, a BG measure >180 mg/dL was recorded in two-thirds of the patient-days. A high proportion of patients were treated with sliding-scale insulin regimen alone in the general wards (52.0%) and in the ICUs (69.2%), and only 35.7% and 3.9% received appropriate insulin therapy in general wards (basal + bolus insulin) and in ICUs (continuous IV insulin), respectively.

Conclusions

Inpatient glycemic control and diabetes management needs improvement. Opportunities to improve care in Brazilian hospitals include expanded use of intravenous insulin and subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin protocols, avoiding use of sliding-scale insulin alone, increased frequency of blood glucose monitoring, and institution wide quality improvement efforts targeting both physician and nursing behavior.
The Coriell personalized medicine collaborative pharmacogenomics appraisal, evidence scoring and interpretation system
Authors: Gharani Neda , Keller Margaret A , Stack Catharine B , Hodges Laura M , Schmidlen Tara J , Lynch Daniel E , Gordon Erynn S , Christman Michael F
Published: October 2013

Implementation of pharmacogenomics (PGx) in clinical care can lead to improved drug efficacy and reduced adverse drug reactions. However, there has been a lag in adoption of PGx tests in clinical practice. This is due in part to a paucity of rigorous systems for translating published clinical and scientific data into standardized diagnostic tests with clear therapeutic recommendations. Here we describe the Pharmacogenomics Appraisal, Evidence Scoring and Interpretation System (PhAESIS), developed as part of the Coriell Personalized Medicine Collaborative research study, and its application to seven commonly prescribed drugs.
Analysis of epigenetic changes in survivors of preterm birth reveals the effect of gestational age and evidence for a long term legacy
Authors: Cruickshank Mark N , Oshlack Alicia , Theda Christiane , Davis Peter G , Martino David , Sheehan Penelope , Dai Yun , Saffery Richard , Doyle Lex W , Craig Jeffrey M
Published: October 2013

Background

Preterm birth confers a high risk of adverse long term health outcomes for survivors, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms are unclear. We hypothesized that effects of preterm birth can be mediated through measurable epigenomic changes throughout development. We therefore used a longitudinal birth cohort to measure the epigenetic mark of DNA methylation at birth and 18 years comparing survivors of extremely preterm birth with infants born at term.

Methods

Using 12 extreme preterm birth cases and 12 matched, term controls, we extracted DNA from archived neonatal blood spots and blood collected in a similar way at 18 years of age. DNA methylation was measured at 347,789 autosomal locations throughout the genome using Infinium HM450 arrays. Representative methylation differences were confirmed by Sequenom MassArray EpiTYPER.

Results

At birth we found 1,555 sites with significant differences in methylation between term and preterm babies. At 18 years of age, these differences had largely resolved, suggesting that DNA methylation differences at birth are mainly driven by factors relating to gestational age, such as cell composition and/or maturity. Using matched longitudinal samples, we found evidence for an epigenetic legacy associated with preterm birth, identifying persistent methylation differences at ten genomic loci. Longitudinal comparisons of DNA methylation at birth and 18 years uncovered a significant overlap between sites that were differentially-methylated at birth and those that changed with age. However, we note that overlapping sites may either differ in the same (300/1,555) or opposite (431/1,555) direction during gestation and aging respectively.

Conclusions

We present evidence for widespread methylation differences between extreme preterm and term infants at birth that are largely resolved by 18 years of age. These results are consistent with methylation changes associated with blood cell development, cellular composition, immune induction and age at these time points. Finally, we identified ten probes significantly associated with preterm individuals and with greater than 5% methylation discordance at birth and 18 years that may reflect a long term epigenetic legacy of preterm birth.
Efficient expansion of human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene with lentiviral vector
Authors: Nanba Daisuke , Matsushita Natsuki , Toki Fujio , Higashiyama Shigeki
Published: October 2013

Introduction

The development of an appropriate procedure for lentiviral gene transduction into keratinocyte stem cells is crucial for stem cell biology and regenerative medicine for genetic disorders of the skin. However, there is little information available on the efficiency of lentiviral transduction into human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells and the effects of gene transduction procedures on growth potential of the stem cells by systematic assessment.

Methods

In this study, we explored the conditions for efficient expansion of human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene with a lentiviral vector, by using the culture of keratinocytes on a feeder layer of 3 T3 mouse fibroblasts. The gene transduction and expansion of keratinocytes carrying a transgene were analyzed by Western blotting, quantitative PCR, and flow cytometry.

Results

Polybrene (hexadiamine bromide) markedly enhanced the efficiency of lentiviral gene transduction, but negatively affected the maintenance of the keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells at a concentration higher than 5 μg/ml. Rho-assiciated kinase (ROCK) inhibitor Y-27632, a small molecule which enhanced keratinocyte proliferation, significantly interfered with the lentiviral transduction into cultured human keratinocytes. However, a suitable combination of polybrene and Y-27632 effectively expanded keratinocytes carrying a transgene.

Conclusions

This study provides information for effective expansion of cultured human keratinocyte stem/progenitor cells carrying a transgene. This point is particularly significant for the application of genetically modified keratinocyte stem/progenitor stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Tecum, the Fallen Sun: Mesoamerican Cosmogony and the Spanish Conquest of Guatemala
Authors: Mazariegos Oswaldo Chinchilla
Published: October 2013

A major debate in the history of the Spanish conquest of Guatemala revolves around Tecum (Tecún Umán), the K'iche' captain who died in confrontation with Pedro de Alvarado, according to sixteenth-century indigenous texts. Analysis of these texts shows that Tecum's death was recast in terms of widespread solar myths that provided an overarching framework to explain the rise and fall of Mesoamerican rulers and cities. His fate was explained as an ineludible outcome that created the conditions for the advent of a new era, marked by the introduction of Christianity and the colonial order. Thus, these texts made the conquest understandable in terms of indigenous historiography and religion. The portents described in these narratives stimulated the growth of Tecum's legendary status, partly explaining his controversial standing in Guatemala's historiography and politics. Modern versions of the Dance of the Conquest perpetuate the mythical motives that first appeared in the sixteenth-century narratives.
The myopathy-causing mutation DNM2-S619L leads to defective tubulation in vitro and in developing zebrafish
Authors: Gibbs Elizabeth M. , Davidson Ann E. , Telfer William R. , Feldman Eva L. , Dowling James J.
Published: October 2013

DNM2 is a ubiquitously expressed GTPase that regulates multiple subcellular processes. Mutations in DNM2 are a common cause of centronuclear myopathy, a severe disorder characterized by altered skeletal muscle structure and function. The precise mechanisms underlying disease-associated DNM2 mutations are unresolved. We examined the common DNM2-S619L mutation using both in vitro and in vivo approaches. Expression of DNM2-S619L in zebrafish led to the accumulation of aberrant vesicular structures and to defective excitation-contraction coupling. Expression of DNM2-S619L in COS7 cells resulted in defective BIN1-dependent tubule formation. These data suggest that DNM2-S619L causes disease, in part, by interfering with membrane tubulation.
Si–CN Bond Cleavage of Silyl Cyanides by an Iron Catalyst. A New Route of Silyl Cyanide Formation
Authors: Renzetti Andrea , Koga Nobuaki , Nakazawa Hiroshi
Published: October 2013

The reaction of silyl cyanide (R3SiCN) with hydrosilane (R′3SiH) in the presence of a catalytic amount of [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)2Me] formed R′3SiCN and R3SiH. This reaction involves Si–CN bond cleavage and provides a new method for the preparation of silyl cyanides. DFT calculation showed that coordinatively unsaturated [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(SiMe3)] reacts exothermically with Me3SiCN to give the CN π-coordinated complex, [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(η2-Me3SiCN)(SiMe3)], followed by exothermic silyl migration from the iron to the nitrogen atom of the η2-coordinated Me3SiCN with the activation energy of 8.8 kcal mol−1 to give [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(Me3SiC=NSiMe3-κC,κN)]. The complex is one of the intermediates in the catalytic cycle. The related complex [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(CO)(κ-C,N-t-BuMe2SiC=NSiPh3)] was isolated in the reaction of [(η5-C5Me5)Fe(CO)(py)(SiPh3)] with t-BuMe2SiCN and characterized by 1H, 13C, and 29Si NMR spectroscopy. The activation energy of the Si–CN bond cleavage in [(η5-C5H5)Fe(CO)(κ-C,N-Me3SiC=NSiMe3)] was evaluated by DFT calculation to be 33.7 kcal mol−1 which is comparable to that in the reaction of acetonitrile (32.9 kcal mol−1).
MnO2–Au Composite Electrodes for Supercapacitors
Authors: Dai Yuming , Tang Shaochun , Wang Xiaoyu , Huang Xiang , Zhu Chao , Hang Zusheng , Meng Xiangkang
Published: October 2013

The MnO2 nanorod–Au nanoparticle composites that exhibit superior supercapacitance and long-term durability have been fabricated using a two-step procedure. The role of Au nanoparticles is not only to improve the electrical conductivity but also to enhance the structural stability. The composites have a specific capacitance of 406.8 F g−1 at a scan rate of 50 mV s−1, which is almost five times that of the pure MnO2 nanorods. The composites have 91.3% capacitance retention over 2000 charge–discharge cycles at 5 A g−1, which is much better than the capacitance retention of pure MnO2 nanorods (74.6%).
Energy Transfer Dynamics of CdTe Quantum Dots on Epitaxial Graphene Prepared by Si Sublimation of 4H-SiC(0001)
Authors: Hirose Takuya , Shigemasa Hidefumi , Kutsuma Yasunori , Kaneko Tadaaki , Tamai Naoto
Published: October 2013

We prepared high quality and single- or bilayer graphene by Si sublimation method from 4H-SiC. The exciton relaxation dynamics of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) on epitaxial graphene was analyzed by picosecond single-photon timing spectroscopy, and the fast component was estimated to be 49 ps. This lifetime is in good agreement with the values calculated from Persson–Lang model (59 ps) and Swathi–Sebastian model (36 ps) of energy transfer, suggesting that the dominant process is energy transfer from CdTe QDs to graphene.
Generation of Arynes Triggered by Sulfoxide–Metal Exchange Reaction of ortho-Sulfinylaryl Triflates
Authors: Yoshida Suguru , Uchida Keisuke , Hosoya Takamitsu
Published: October 2013

Arynes were efficiently generated from readily available ortho-sulfinylaryl triflates by the treatment with phenylmagnesium bromide in tetrahydrofuran at −78 °C. Aryne generation was initiated by a rapid sulfoxide–metal exchange reaction, followed by the immediate elimination of the ortho-OTf group. Various arynophiles efficiently reacted with arynes generated by this method within 10 min, providing the corresponding adducts in high yields.
The Human dsRNA binding protein PACT is unable to functionally substitute for the Drosophila dsRNA binding protein R2D2
Authors: Dickerman Benjamin K , McDonald Jocelyn A , Sen Ganes C
Published: October 2013

The primary function of the dsRNA binding protein (dsRBP) PACT/RAX is to activate the dsRNA dependent protein kinase PKR in response to stress signals.  Additionally, it has been identified as a component of the small RNA processing pathway.  A role for PACT/RAX in this pathway represents an important interplay between two modes of post-transcriptional gene regulation.  The function of PACT/RAX in this context is poorly understood.  Thus, additional models are required to clarify the mechanism by which PACT/RAX functions.  In this study,Drosophila melanogasterwas employed to identify functionally orthologous dsRNA-binding proteins.  TransgenicDrosophilaexpressing human PACT were generated to determine whether PACT is capable of functionally substituting for theDrosophiladsRBP R2D2, which has a well-defined role in small RNA biogenesis.  Results presented here indicate that PACT is unable to substitute for R2D2 at the whole organism level.
The self-assessment of lifestyle and prevention of breast cancer on the example of female students from selected high schools in Tricity
Authors: Książek Janina , Habel Agnieszka , Cieszyńska Marta , Kruk Agnieszka ,   Department of Surgical Nursing, Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland
Published: October 2013

Introduction. Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed female malignancies in Poland and worldwide. Detection of the disease at its early stages increases the probability of recovery. Obeying the rules of healthy lifestyle, participation in mammographic screening, and self-examination of breasts play vital role in breast cancer prevention.
Aim. To analyze the health-related behaviors regarding breast cancer prevention among the female students of higher education institutions from Tricity.
Material and methods. The study included 168 female students of the Medical University of Gdansk, University of Gdansk, Gdansk University of Technology, and Gdansk Higher School of Humanities, and was conducted between March and June 2010. We used the method of diagnostic survey, and relationships between studied variables were determined on the basis of Pearson’s coefficient of linear correlation.
Results. Our study revealed that the group of students from selected Gdansk higher education institutions present satisfactory level of knowledge with regards to health-related behaviors, self-examination of breast, and mammographic screening. Despite possessed knowledge, our students do not self-examine their breasts, and their diet is not sufficiently balanced. Moreover, our findings suggest that the issue of drinking alcohol by women cannot be ignored.
Conclusions. The lack of breast self-examination habit among the students of Gdansk higher education institutions points to the inefficiency of existing education programs. This fact should be acknowledged by healthcare professionals, including nurses and midwives.
Achilles tendinopathy management
Authors: Kearney R. S. , Parsons N. , Costa M. L.
Published: October 2013

Objectives

To conduct a pilot randomised controlled trial to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a larger trial to evaluate the difference in Victorian Institute of Sports Assessment-Achilles (VISA-A) scores at six months between patients with Achilles tendinopathy treated with a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection compared with an eccentric loading programme.

Methods

Two groups of patients with mid-substance Achilles tendinopathy were randomised to receive a PRP injection or an eccentric loading programme. A total of 20 patients were randomised, with a mean age of 49 years (35 to 66). All outcome measures were recorded at baseline, six weeks, three months and six months.

Results

The mean VISA-A score for the injection group at the primary endpoint of six months was 76.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 58.3 to 93.7) and for the exercise group was 57.4 (95% CI 38.1 to 76.7). There was no statistically significant difference between these scores (p = 0.171), which was expected from such a pilot study.

Conclusions

This pilot study has been key to providing data to inform a larger study and shows that the methodology is feasible. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2013;2:227–32.
What is being conveyed to health professionals and consumers through web and print sources of nutrition information?
Authors: Wills Wendy J. , Dickinson Angela M. , Short Frances , Comrie Fiona
Published: October 2013

Nutrition misinformation can be harmful. Within dietetics there is an acknowledgement that nutrition information should be consistent, science-based and made relevant to different segments of the population. This paper reports on a study, conducted in Scotland, which involved focus groups and interviews with consumers and health professionals to explore messages relating to a healthy diet and to starchy foods and foods high in fat or sugar in particular. The research also involved a discourse analysis of articles aimed at health professionals and consumers. Evidence based, clearly written web and print articles were not the norm. Many articles contained value-laden messages and inconsistent or unclear advice. Nutrition information was rarely contextualized for consumers to help them incorporate the advice into their daily lives. Consumers and health professionals reported feeling ‘bombarded’ by messages about diet, which was sometimes confusing. There is considerable scope for improving nutrition messaging in Scotland.
Trust in science – not in scientists
Authors: Estupinyà Pere
Published: October 2013

This article offers the personal viewpoint of author and science journalist, Pere Estupinyà, regarding food-related science communication, addressing various issues related to food, the media and the work of journalists. The author advocates adopting a critical standpoint that combines documentary rigour and journalistic clarity. He also introduces a reflection about the impact of social media in science journalism.
Communication 2.0, food and human evolution: The case of IPHES
Authors: Bellmunt Cinta S.
Published: October 2013

This short professional note describes the science communication experience of the Catalan Institute of Human Paleoecology and Social Evolution, specifically its focus on food research and advances made in researching the links between hominids and large social carnivores to ascertain food resource distribution and competition for territory.
Public Election Funding: An Assessment of What We Would Like to Know
Authors: Mayer Kenneth R.
Published: October 2013

The implementation and expansion of public funding programs around the US over the past decade raised the possibility of major changes in the financing of campaigns at the state and local level. Advocates claimed that these programs increased electoral competition, reduced the influence of campaign contributors and lobbyists, and changed the distribution of political power. While there was evidence of a modest increase in competitiveness, primarily through reducing the number of incumbents who ran uncontested, the longer-term pattern has shown no significant change in incumbency reelection rates, margins of victory, or legislature demographics. Claims of major policy change have also been overstated. The Supreme Court’s rejection of spending triggers for additional grant awards in Arizona Free Enterprise PAC v. Bennett makes full public funding programs less attractive, since publicly funded candidates are less able to keep pace with high-spending opponents or independent expenditures. Future research should focus on how these programs affect the way that candidates and legislators engage with the public.
Impregnation of laser incised wood of Douglas fir and Japanese cedar by dipping (passive impregnation) in solutions of copper azole (CuAz-B) and a fire retardant (PPC)
Authors: Islam Md Nazrul , Ando Keisuke , Yamauchi Hidefumi , Kamikawa Daisuke , Harada Toshiro , Khalil H.P.S. Abdul , Hattori Nobuaki
Published: October 2013

The performance of the passive impregnation method of CO2-laser incised lumber has been investigated concerning wood preservation against different wood-destroying agents. Copper azole type B (CuAz-B) preservative and polyphosphatic carbamate (PPC) fire retardant were impregnated into Douglas fir and Japanese cedar lumber under both green and kiln-dried conditions. Final drying of the lumber was performed by steam injection or kiln drying. The temperature and pressure change in the lumber, as well as the total chemical retention, penetration, decay resistance, fire retardancy and total treatment time were calculated according to different standards. The preservative retention was higher in the Japanese cedar for both green and kiln-dried conditions (5.32 and 5.58 kg m-3, respectively) compared to Douglas fir (5.01 and 4.81 kg m-3). Fire retardant retentions were more than 100 kg m-3 in all cases. The penetration was approximately 100% throughout the lumber. There were no significant differences in the decay resistance test between the different categories of lumber. Moreover, it was possible to treat the green lumber in less than 48 h starting from the green conditon to the final drying. Hence, the presented passive impregnation technique could be useful for industrial application.
Assembling the Puzzle of the Nonprofit-Economic Development Linkage
Authors: Brennan John F. , Paarlberg Laurie , Hoyman Michele
Published: October 2013

This study seeks to quantify the impact of the nonprofit sector on economic development by more clearly defining the diverse roles that nonprofits may play in development – instrumental, expressive, and connective. We begin by summarizing existing research on nonprofit organizations and economic development. Using secondary data, we test our model in 360 U.S. metropolitan areas for the years 2001–2006. Do nonprofit organizations produce economic growth? Our statistical findings suggest, “Not really” and “It depends.” While some forms of nonprofit organizations (business associations) are positively related to growth, others such as congregations and social and fraternal associations may have a dampening effect. Overall, our findings suggest complex relationships between individual forms of capital, organizational structures, and development that may be place and time dependent. While our findings currently provide little guidance for policy makers attempting to promote economic development, our findings do have important implications for nonprofit and public policy scholars. Any attempt to explore the relationship between nonprofit activity and development must untangle indicators of individual behavior (church attendance or census return rates) from indicators of organizational structures (such as the number of specific organizations). Second, any effort to understand the impact of the nonprofit sector should disaggregate sector measures based upon a conceptual understanding of the diverse roles of various organizational types (for example, human service organizations versus social and fraternal organizations). Finally, growth and development and the role of the sector are contextual, exhibiting significant regional and temporal variation.
Difficult Histories
Authors: Attwood Bain
Published: October 2013

In recent decades many democracies around the world have tried to meet growing political demands to make amends for past wrongs by showing their troubling pasts. Museums, especially new national museums, have performed a crucial role in this historical work. In this article I examine the attempt of one of these, the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, to stage an exhibit about a historic agreement between the indigenous Maori people and the British government that had come to be regarded as the nation’s founding constitutional document at the same time as it remained the subject of much controversy and enormous contestation.
Influência dos valores organizacionais sobre estilos de gerenciamento em empresas de pequeno porte
Authors: Gosendo Eliana Elisabete Moreira , Torres Cláudio Vaz
Published: October 2013

No cenário das pequenas empresas são escassas as pesquisas realizadas pela Psicologia Social e do Trabalho, bem como pouco se têm estudado populações com baixa escolaridade. Os objetivos desta pesquisa foram identificar a hierarquia dos valores organizacionais e os estilos de gerenciamento e investigar a influência dos valores organizacionais nos estilos de gerenciamento. A amostra foi composta de empregados de 30 empresas. Na coleta de dados, adotou-se método adaptado para pessoas com baixa escolaridade. Os resultados apontaram o valor organizacional Domínio e o estilo de gerenciamento Tarefa como os mais percebidos pelos empregados. Os valores Autonomia e Bem-Estar aparecem como os melhores preditores para o estilo Relacionamento. O valor Conformidade é o único preditor do estilo Tarefa e o valor Autonomia é o melhor preditor do estilo Situação.
Delivery of subway line 9 in Seoul, South Korea – lessons in public–private partnering
Authors: Lee In Keun , Shin Jong-Ho
Published: October 2013

The latest subway line in Seoul, South Korea is different to the previous eight publicly funded lines in that its operational systems have been part-delivered by the private-sector in return for a 30 year operating concession. The first US$3 billion phase of subway line 9 opened in 2009 and is proving popular with commuters, while the remaining 14 km of the route is due for completion by 2016. However, the concessionaire has already run into trouble by trying to impose a 50% fare increase last year to improve its under-performing return on investment. This paper describes Korea's first urban rail project to be privately part-funded and operated and discusses the various issues encountered. It concludes with a number of lessons learnt for future public–private partnering infrastructure projects.
The Rio Grande Port breakwater, Brazil: geotechnical design
Authors: Schnaid Fernando , Dienstmann Gracieli , de Mello Luiz Guilherme , Sandroni Sandro
Published: October 2013

Brazil is stimulating innovation in near-shore works design as part of its current effort to invest, extend and build new infrastructure facilities. The Rio Grande Port expansion project in the south is a strategic investment requiring the extension of the existing 20 m high, 3·2 km long parallel marine breakwaters that protect the entrance to the lagoon and port area by a total of over 1 km. The project involved an extensive geotechnical site investigation to characterise the site's soft clay deposits. Field performance during and after embankment construction was monitored to check the design hypothesis, evaluate uncertainties and ensure the work conformed to acceptable limits of behaviour. Numerical back-analysis of each construction stage enabled the design to be optimised during construction. The works were successfully completed in 2012.
Flash flood control works around the Maracanã stadium district in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Authors: Duarte Mauro , Fonseca Paulo , Ortigao Alberto
Published: October 2013

Summer rainstorms frequently cause flash flooding in northern areas of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. After decades of problems the city's water authority has finally planned a coordinated series of works to mitigate the hazard once and for all. One of the most critical areas is in the Mangue district, home to the Maracanã stadium, which is drained by five rivers. This paper describes the planning, design and management of a variety of flood control works currently under construction. Valued at around £300 million, these include five new deep detention reservoirs, enlargement of existing 1·8 km long culverts and construction of a 2·4 km long river diversion tunnel. All river flows are also now monitored by the city's new operation and control centre.
Rio 2016 sustainable construction commitments lead to new developments in recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Filho Romildo Dias Toledo , Koenders Eduard , Pepe Marco , Cordeiro Guilherme Chagas , Fairbairn Eduardo , Martinelli Enzo
Published: October 2013

The Brazilian construction industry is committed to delivering the venues and infrastructure of the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games with zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, reduced consumption of raw materials, increased use of renewable materials and 100% local recycling of construction waste. This in turn has led to significant research and development into using cement replacements – particularly sugar-cane ash from local ethanol production – and recycled aggregates in concrete production. This paper reports on the initial and promising results for ecological concrete mixes using up to 20% sugar-cane ash and 50% cleaned recycled aggregates from demolition waste.
Carbon dioxide capture and storage faces a challenging future
Authors: Hammond Geoffrey
Published: October 2013

Capturing carbon dioxide from fossil-fuel power stations could play a major role in cutting Britain's greenhouse gas emissions, but there are several technological and financial obstacles that need to be overcome. Geoffrey Hammond of the University of Bath reports.
Simulations of masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frame failure
Authors: Kuang J S , Yuen Y P
Published: October 2013

In engineering practice, a competent and effective numerical tool for the comprehensive and accurate analysis of infilled frame structures subjected to different complex load patterns has not been developed. Here, a discrete method of analysis with the damage-based cohesive crack modelling technique is proposed for numerical simulations of masonry-infilled reinforced concrete frame failure. The proposed approach employs the surface-based interaction modelling technique to simulate the interfacial traction-separation behaviour, including mixed modes of fracture, crack propagation, post-fracture behaviour, and finite sliding and separation of the bonded surfaces, between contacting surfaces of masonry units. Applicability of the modelling approach for both masonry and infilled frame structures subjected to different load patterns is checked by performing computer simulations with the proposed model; the model is verified by comparing the results of experimental data. To demonstrate the wide variety of applications of the verified cohesive crack modelling technique, case studies on the non-linear behaviour of infilled frame structures under combined in-plane and out-of-plane loads and subjected to seismic excitation are conducted.
Soil–foundation modelling in laterally loaded historical towers
Authors: PISANò F. , DI PRISCO C.G. , LANCELLOTTA R.
Published: October 2013

The seismic stability analysis of historical towers requires reliable soil–structure interaction (SSI) modelling. To avoid the complexity of non-linear dynamic computations, engineers frequently resort to simplified static approaches, such as the so-called pushover analyses. Their outcomes are deeply affected by the foundation response under horizontal/moment (HM) loading. This paper encompasses a comprehensive SSI modelling process, taking as a reference case study the embedded shallow footing of the Ghirlandina tower in Modena, Italy. First, a finite-element (FE) soil–foundation model is developed with an inhomogeneous distribution of the undrained soil strength, related to the in situ inhomogeneity of the stress state. Total stress FE analyses are then performed to derive the undrained failure locus of the footing and numerical data about its pre-failure performance. This locus is found to exhibit distorted HM cross-sections, depending on the vertical load and hardly reproducible through standard analytical formulae. The FE evidences are then condensed into a simple elasto-plastic HM ME model, reproducing the outcomes of the inhomogeneous FE model, and employable for the pushover seismic analysis of historical towers.
Embankment reinforced with limited life geotextiles on soft clay
Authors: Artidteang Suthasinee , Bergado Dennes T. , Chaiyaput Salisa , Tanchaisawat Tawatchai
Published: October 2013

This paper focuses on the behaviour of a full-scale test embankment with silty sand backfill on soft ground reinforced with kenaf limited life geotextiles (LLGs). Slide 5·0 software is used to analyse the stability of the embankment with kenaf LLGs and indicates a higher factor of safety than without kenaf LLGs. Surface settlements, subsurface settlements, excess pore water pressures and deformations of kenaf LLGs reinforcement are monitored and predicted. The predicted settlements agree well with measured values in the field but are overestimated by the Terzaghi one-dimensional consolidation method, as expected. There is close agreement between the measured and predicted settlements by Asaoka's method, as well as the predicted pore pressures using Skempton–Bjerrum predictions. Deformations are observed for LLG reinforcements which mobilised reinforcement tension up to 20 kN/m following the settlement pattern. After construction, the rates of settlement increase up to 250 days owing to the dissipation of excess pore water pressures. The time to 90% degree of consolidation (t90) is 250 days, which is less than the estimated life of kenaf LLGs. Based on the performance of the test embankments, kenaf LLGs can be used for soil reinforcement on soft clay for short-term applications.
Effects of hydration heat velocity on autogenous shrinkage of high-strength concrete
Authors: Kim Gyuyong , Koo Kyungmo
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the effects of a micro encapsulated retarder (MER) on the hydration heat velocity (HHV) and autogenous shrinkage velocity (ASV) of high-strength concrete (HSC). A series of laboratory experiments was designed and conducted with the main variables being the amount of MER (0, 0·4 and 0·8% of total cement weight), specimen size (300 × 300 × 300 mm3 and 100 × 100 × 400 mm3) and two different curing conditions (semi-adiabatic and in air at 20°C). As a result, the MER was demonstrated to be effective for retarding the cement hydration process without reducing the compressive strength of the hardened concrete. Analysis of the results showed that the hydration temperature and the HHV of the HSC decreased as MER amount increased. Increasing the amount of MER also decreased the ASV and ultimate autogenous shrinkage for HSC. Finally, it was found that the HHV is strongly correlated with the ASV, and an approximate formula relating the two parameters is proposed. The findings in this study will be useful for optimum concrete design by controlling early-age shrinkage in HSC.
Managing Tall Fescue and Zoysiagrass Mixtures as Turfgrass in the Transition Zone
Authors: Yin Shuxia , Li Qing , Liu Wei , Li Deying
Published: October 2013

Maintaining a mixture of cool‐ and warm‐season turfgrasses year‐round instead of overseeding into a perennial monoculture stand annually in the transition zone may be an effective way to combine the strengths of two species. Four mixtures of tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea L.) (Jaguar 3 and Bonsai) and zoysiagrass (Zoysia japonica Steud.) (Zenith and Cathy) were evaluated under 5‐ and 7.5‐cm mowing heights and N regimes of 400, 200, and 100 kg ha–1 yr–1 in Beijing, China, during 2011 and 2012. Turf quality was better at a 5‐cm mowing height than a 7.5‐cm mowing height in July and October and was equivalent between the two mowing heights for the other months. Visual quality was highest in plots receiving N at 400 kg ha–1 yr–1 in May, June, September, October, and November. In August, however, the highest visual turf quality was observed for an N rate of 100 kg ha–1 yr–1. Generally, the 5‐cm mowing height and low N application produced high shoot density and ground coverage by zoysiagrass, whereas the shoot density of tall fescue showed no difference between the two mowing heights. The higher N rate most often favored greater tall fescue shoot density and ground coverage. Based on the results, we recommend a 5‐cm mowing height and an N rate of 400 kg ha–1 yr–1, avoiding application in August, for the mixture.
Permanent Raised Beds Improved Soil Physical Properties in an Annual Double‐Cropping System
Authors: Li Hui , Wang Qing Jie , He Jin , Li Hong Wen , Lu Zhan Yuan , Rasaily Rabi G. , Lu Cai Yun , Zhang Xiang Cai , Zheng Zhi Qi
Published: October 2013

As a typical semi‐humid area with a wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)–maize (Zea mays L.) annual double‐cropping system, Beijing has the lowest food production per capita and is suffering from severe soil degradation and low seedbed temperature in winter. This study evaluated the permanent raised bed (PRB) system in Beijing from 2005 to 2011 to investigate the effects of combining no tillage, residue cover, and controlled traffic with raised beds for improving soil properties. We found that the overall soil bulk density (0–30 cm) in PRB plots was significantly (P < 0.05) lower (by 12.4%) than that in traditional tillage (TT) plots, while the penetration resistance in the 10‐ to 20‐ and 20‐ to 30‐cm soil layers of PRB plots was 18.2 and 26.1% lower (P < 0.05), respectively, than that of TT. The percentage of water‐stable soil macroaggregates (>0.25 mm) in the PRB plots was 89.8% (P < 0.05) higher than in the TT plots, while the soil temperature was approximately 1.3 and 1.0°C higher under TT at the 5‐ and 15‐cm depths, respectively, in winter. With these improvements, yields of PRBs appeared to have an increasing trend compared with no‐till and TT treatments.
Tillage Effects on Nitrogen Leaching and Nitrous Oxide Emission from Double‐Cropped Paddy Fields
Authors: Cui Si‐Yuan , Xue Jian‐Fu , Chen Fu , Tang Wen‐Guang , Zhang Hai‐Lin , Lal Rattan
Published: October 2013

Tillage practices affect the fate of N fertilizer by influencing its transformation. Few studies have examined N leaching and N2O emission from double‐cropped paddy fields in southern China. This study was aimed at assessing the influence of tillage systems on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ks), N leaching, and N2O emission from double‐cropped paddy fields in southern China. The experiment was conducted with rice (Oryza sativaL.) during the growing seasons of 2010 and 2011. Four treatments in a randomized complete block design were: no‐till (NT), conventional tillage (CT), rotary tillage (RT), and conventional tillage with residue removed (CT0). Results showed that NT significantly increasedKsat the 0‐ to 40‐cm depth relative to other treatments (P< 0.05); however, there were no significant differences inKsat the 40‐ to 80‐cm depth. Compared with other treatments, the meanKsfor NT at the 0‐ to 80‐cm depth increased significantly (P< 0.05), by 76.3, 44.7, and 64.8% compared with CT, RT, and CT0, respectively. Despite significant differences (P< 0.05) on some occasions, higher concentrations of NH4+–N and NO3––N were observed in soil solutions from NT than from other tillage treatments. Conversion of CT to NT reduced N2O emissions, and the magnitude of reduction was usually significant (P< 0.05) compared with other treatments, especially during the stage of peak emissions. Therefore, in the context of yield increase, environmental concern, and climate change, integrated N management under a NT system in paddy fields is needed to attain high N use efficiency and crop yield.
Electrical Conductivity Imaging of Active Layer and Permafrost in an Arctic Ecosystem, through Advanced Inversion of Electromagnetic Induction Data
Authors: Dafflon Baptiste , Hubbard Susan S. , Ulrich Craig , Peterson John E.
Published: October 2013

Characterizing the spatial variability of active layer and permafrost properties is critical for parameterizing process‐rich models that simulate feedbacks from Arctic ecosystem to a changing climate. Because of the sensitivity of electrical conductivity (EC) measurements to moisture content, salinity, and freeze state and the ease of collecting electromagnetic induction (EMI) data with portable tools (e.g., EM38, GEM2, or DUALEM) over large regions, EMI surveys hold great potential for Arctic ecosystem characterization. However, estimation of subsurface EC distribution from such data is challenging because of the insufficient amount of information such data provide towards finding a unique solution. The non‐uniqueness problem is often approached by fixing inversion constraints and initial models without a clear understanding of their possible effects on the obtained results. Here we developed a direct search method, which involves a grid‐based evaluation of one‐dimensional layered model parameters, to estimate EC distribution from EMI data and evaluate the influence of prior constraints, data information content, and solution non‐uniqueness. We applied the new method to EMI data acquired in Barrow, AK, as part of the Department of Energy Next‐Generation Ecosystem Experiments (DOE NGEE–Arctic). Results demonstrate the success of the developed approach for estimating models that reproduce recorded data within a specified range of uncertainty at each measurement location, as well as the value of different types of constraints. Importantly, the method can be used to quickly investigate the need for and effects of different priors at numerous measurement locations, since the time‐consuming simulation of the EMI signals from the multidimensional search grid is performed only once.
Intra‐Aggregate Pore Structures and Escherichia coli Distribution by Water Flow within and Movement Out of Soil Macroaggregates
Authors: Wang W. , Kravchenko A.N. , Johnson T. , Srinivasan S. , Ananyeva K.A. , Smucker A.J.M. , Rose J.B. , Rivers M.L.
Published: October 2013

Soil aggregates are an important structural component of the soil matrix that could harbor Escherichia coli and provide an environment for its survival and water flow reentering. Knowledge of the exact pore locations within soil aggregates obtained using X‐ray computed microtomography opens new opportunities for understanding microorganism movement within the soil matrix. The first objective of this study was to assess E. coli spatial distribution within soil macroaggregates and its potential for leaving the aggregates with the saturated water flow. The second objective was to study the relationships between the distribution and movement of E. coli within soil aggregates and the aggregates' internal pore structures. We studied aggregates from the top (A) horizon of conventionally tilled (CT) and no‐till (NT) corn–soybean–wheat rotations and native succession vegetation (NS) treatments at NSF Long‐Term Ecological Research site, southwest Michigan. The results confirmed that E. coli movement in soil aggregates was mainly driven by water flow via capillary forces. E. coli redistribution was most pronounced in CT aggregates, followed by NT, and was almost negligible in NS aggregates. Pore characteristics that positively contributed to E. coli redistribution through the aggregates were the maximum flow in the aggregate centers and the ratio of the maximum flow and pore tortuosity. The E. coli retention in the aggregate's centers was positively related to porosity, percent of medium and large pores, and pore tortuosity.