bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Older People as Consumers - the Comparative Analysis of Old and New Member States of European Union
Authors: Bałandynowicz – Panfil Katarzyna
Published: July 2012

The aim of this paper is to investigate differences between the role of older people as consumers of goods and services in Old and New Member States of European Union. An ageing of society process causes changes in the structure of consumers of goods and services, in size and age respectively and therefore should be comprehensively considered. The consequences of an ageing process have been illustrated with an example of the tourism market. To reach the goal of this paper statistical analysis has been carried out, particularly in order to examine the differences between EU New and Old Member States2 with respect to dynamics of population ageing and characteristics of older customers. Most of the recent scientific literature considering the specific influence of demographic processes on customers behaviour has been reviewed. The key findings prove that an ageing of societies process is significant for each European country. However EU-12 societies are generally younger in comparison to EU-15. On the other hand EU-12 societies are exposed to higher risk of rising dynamics of demographic changes. In a consequence, the increasing role of older people as customers brings also essential changes in relation between supply and demand on each markets. What is highly important, older customers needs are evolving due to their increasing purchasing power, higher education level and better consumers awareness. For instance, these relationships can be observed on tourism services markets where older people are becoming a significant and more attractive group of consumers, due to the level of their tourism expenditures. Moreover, the study described clearly considerable differences between older customers behaviour in EU Old and New Member States: in the purchase frequency of tourism services, in the length of holiday trips and in the level of expenditures. In the subsequent years, a higher homogenisation of purchasing habits of older people in European countries is expected. This paper contributes to the most current European scientific discussions on an importance of older people for a development of economies from the perspective of their impact on goods and services markets. Furthermore, especially in a context of insufficient optimization of companies strategies, which are still directed to a shrinking group of young buyers and the lack of knowledge about changing needs of older customers need to be highlighted and analyzed to bring new solutions for producers, retailers and whole markets.
High Resolution Noise Radar without Fast ADC
Authors: Lukin Konstantin , Vyplavin Pavlo , Zemlyaniy Oleg , Palamarchuk Volodymyr , Lukin Sergii
Published: July 2012

High Resolution Noise Radar without Fast ADC

Conventional digital signal processing scheme in noise radars has certain limitations related to combination of high resolution and high dynamic range. The bandwidth of radar signal defines range resolution of any radar: the wider the spectrum the better the resolution. In noise radar with conventional processing the sounding and reference signals are to be digitized at intermediate frequency band and to be processed digitally. The power spectrum bandwidth of noise signal which can be digitized with ADC depends on its sampling rate. In currently available ADCs the faster is sampling rate the smaller is its depth (number of bits). Depth of the ADC determines relation between the smallest and highest observable signals and thus limits its dynamic range. Actually this is the main bottleneck of high resolution Noise Radars: conventional processing does not enable getting high range resolution and high dynamic range at the same time. In the paper we discuss ways to go around this drawback by changing signal processing ideology in noise radar. We present results of our consideration and design of two types of high resolution Noise Radar which uses slow ADCs: noise radar with digital generation of sounding signal and analog evaluation of cross-correlation and stepped frequency noise radar. We describe main ideas of these radar schemes and results of experimental tests of the approaches.
Trial Results on Bistatic Passive Radar Using Non-Cooperative Pulse Radar as Illuminator of Opportunity
Authors: Samczyński Piotr , Wilkowski Michał , Kulpa Krzysztof
Published: July 2012

Trial Results on Bistatic Passive Radar Using Non-Cooperative Pulse Radar as Illuminator of Opportunity

The paper presents the concept of passive radar exploiting the active Air Traffic Control (ATC) radar as the source of illumination, and the primary results of the measurement campaign carried out at the DSP Laboratory of the Warsaw University of Technology. The system, built using commercial off the shelf components, was able to detect and track airliners landing at Warsaw airport. To verify the system accuracy the IFF mode S messages were recorded, providing ground truth of the observed planes.
The Artificial Immune System Approach for Smart Air-Conditioning Control
Authors: Chaczko Zenon , Aslanzadeh Shahrzad , Kuleff Jonathan
Published: July 2012

The Artificial Immune System Approach for Smart Air-Conditioning Control

Biologically inspired computing that looks to nature and biology for inspiration is a revolutionary change to our thinking about solving complex computational problems. It looks into nature and biology for inspiration rather than conventional approaches. The Human Immune System with its complex structure and the capability of performing pattern recognition, self-learning, immune-memory, generation of diversity, noise tolerance, variability, distributed detection and optimisation - is one area that has been of strong interest and inspiration for the last decade. An air conditioning system is one example where immune principles can be applied. This paper describes new computational technique called Artificial Immune System that is based on immune principles and refined for solving engineering problems. The presented system solution applies AIS algorithms to monitor environmental variables in order to determine how best to reach the desired temperature, learn usage patterns and predict usage needs. The aim of this paper is to explore the AIS-based artificial intelligence approach and its impact on energy efficiency. It will examine, if AIS algorithms can be integrated within a Smart Air Conditioning System as well as analyse the impact of such a solution.
Thambema thunderstruckae sp. n., the first record of Thambematidae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the Southern Hemisphere shelf
Authors: Zemko Karol , Kaiser Stefanie
Published: July 2012

Thambema thunderstruckae sp. n., the first record of Thambematidae (Isopoda: Asellota) from the Southern Hemisphere shelf

A new thambematid species, Thambema thunderstruckae sp. n., is described from King George Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctic. Specimens of the new species were collected during two Polish Antarctic Expeditions in 1985 and 2007. It is the first record of this family from the Southern Hemisphere. The new species most closely resembles Thambema golanachum Harrison, 1987 and T. fiatum Harrison, 1987 but can be distinguished from both species by the shape of male pleopod 1, the number of claws on pereopods 2-7 and the setation of pereopod 1 and 2 carpus, respectively. A key to all known genera and species in the family Thambematidae is also provided.
Diet of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) in Slovakia
Authors: Dravecký Miroslav , Danko Štefan , Obuch Ján , Kicko Ján , Maderič Boris , Karaska Dušan , Vrána Josef , Šreibr Oldřich , Šotnár Karol , Vrlík Peter , Bohačík Ladislav
Published: July 2012

Diet of the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) in Slovakia

In the period 1964-2007, data on 1472 ex. of prey was acquired from whole Slovakia. It was confirmed that the location of the breeding population on the foothills and mountains of the Carpathian Arc has a cardinal contribution to diet diversity. The breeding sites and hunting-grounds were found from 100 to 1 000 meters above sea level. The dominant part of the diet created mammalian species (88.11 %, 19 species and Sorex sp., Apodemus sp., undetermined Artiodactyla). Birds were less represented but with higher diversity of species (6.25 %, 24 species and Columba sp., undetermined Passeriformes). In comparison with birds, the share of Amphibia, Reptilia and Pisces together (4.89 %, 5 species and Rana sp., Lacerta sp., undetermined Serpentes and Reptilia) was lower. Pisces constituted only 0.007 % with 1 ex. of prey species Cyprinus carpio. Evertebrata constituted 0.75 % and species from orders Orthoptera, Coleoptera, and Diptera were found. The dominant prey of A. pomarina in Slovakia was Microtus arvalis (69.57 %), followed by Arvicola terrestris (5.16 %) and Microtus agrestis (3.94 %) constituting significantly lower proportion. These three species from the category small rodents composed 75.67 % of diet. Less abundant species in range 2.24-1.00 % were Talpa europaea (2.31 %), Rana temporaria (2.24 %), Cricetus cricetus (1.70 %), Phasianus colchicus (1.15 %), and Lepus europaeus (1.09 %). In lesser extent (1.0-0.5 %) also other mammalian species such as Apodemus flavicollis (0.88 %) and Mustela nivalis (0.88 %) were represented. The most frequently encountered birds were Galliformes such as P. colchicus (1.15 %), Gallus gallus domesticus (0.48 %), and Coturnix coturnix (0.54 %). Other more abundant prey bird species were Alauda arvensis (0.48 %), Columba sp. (0.48 %), and Crex crex (0.34 %). From the class Reptilia relatively high share of Anguis fragilis (0.95 %) and Lacerta sp. (0.68 %; most probably Lacerta agilis) were recorded. Other species with representation lower than 0.3 % were a random prey of A. pomarina.
Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) colour ringing programme and its first results in the period 2000-2008 in Slovakia
Authors: Dravecký Miroslav , Maderič Boris , Šotnár Karol , Danko Štefan , Harvančík Stanislav , Kicko Ján , Karaska Dušan , Vrlík Peter , Vrána Josef , Balla Miloš , Boucný Dušan , Kišac Pavol
Published: July 2012

Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) colour ringing programme and its first results in the period 2000-2008 in Slovakia

In Slovakia during 2000-2008, 636 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina) were marked with readable colour rings with double figure code. This is the highest number of Lesser Spotted Eagles marked in such a way in Europe. From this sample, 621 ind. (97.6 %) were chicks at the nest and 15 ind. (2.4 %) were adult birds which were trapped and consequently ringed. In this period, 2 colour series of rings have been used in Slovakia. In 2000 the ringing started with yellow rings, and up until the end of 2008, 631 ex. (616 young and 15 adults) were ringed. In 2008, the ringing started with light blue series of rings and 5 young at the nest were ringed. In addition to readable rings, aluminium ornithological rings of the Ringing Centres of Czech Republic (NM Praha) and Slovakia (NM Bratislava) have been used. The yellow series was used in fewer numbers also in Germany and Poland for marking the Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina), the Greater Spotted Eagle (Aquila clanga), and eventually their hybrids. In this article the authors reported first observations in Slovakia of such marked Lesser Spotted Eagles in the field. Observed eagles were 1, 2, 4, 5, 7 and 8 years old. Some of them were already breeding and were observed taking care of their chicks.
Colour ringing of the Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina, Aquila clanga and their hybrids) in Europe - a review
Authors: Dravecký Miroslav , Sellis Urmas , Bergmanis Ugis , Dombrovski Valery , Lontkowski Jan , Maciorowski Grzegorz , Maderič Boris , Meyburg Bernd-Ulrich , Mizera Tadeusz , Stój Marian , Treinys Rimgaudas , Wójciak Janusz
Published: July 2012

Colour ringing of the Spotted Eagles (Aquila pomarina, Aquila clanga and their hybrids) in Europe - a review

During the years 2000-2008 1377 Spotted Eagles (SE) (Aquila pomarina, Aquila clanga and their hybrids) have been colour ringed in Europe. Out of these, 1303 (94.6 %) were young birds and 74 (5.4 %) were adults. Out of the total, 1290 (93.7 %) were the Aquila pomarina Lesser Spotted Eagles (LSE) - 1229 (95.3 %) young and 61 (4.7 %) adults, 50 (3.6 %) were the Aquila clanga Greater Spotted Eagles (GSE) - 44 (88.0 %) young and 6 (12.0 %) adults and 37 (2.7 %) were the Aquila pomarina x Aquila clanga hybrids (LSE x GSE) - 30 (81.1 %) young and 7 (18.9 %) adults. With respect to the individual European countries the following SE species and numbers were ringed: Slovakia 636 (46.2 %), Poland 333 (24.2 %), Estonia 153 (11.1 %), Germany 116 (8.4 %), Lithuania 68 (4.9 %), Latvia 45 (3.3 %) and Belarus 26 (1.9 %). In the article authors presents a review on Spotted Eagle colour ringing programmes running in individual European countries.
The diet of the Common Kestrel in the urban environment of the city of Nitra
Authors: Kečkéšová Lucia , Noga Michal
Published: July 2012

The diet of the Common Kestrel in the urban environment of the city of Nitra

The diet of the urban Common Kestrel population was studied in Nitra during 2003-2005. Totally, 671 prey items were identified by the analysis of pellets and prey remains collected under the nesting sites. Insect, mainly represented by order Coleoptera, was found to be the most abundant prey. Regarding biomass, the Common Vole (Microtus arvalis) was predominated. In comparison with other articles published, the studied sample was rather rich in the Lesser White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) and the House Mouse (Mus cf. musculus).
First breeding of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the "Borská nížina" lowland (SW Slovakia)
Authors: Mikuš Jaroslav , Noga Michal , Nemček Vladimír
Published: July 2012

First breeding of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in the "Borská nížina" lowland (SW Slovakia)

In 2007, breeding of the Imperial Eagle in locality "Devínske jazero" lake (near the village of "Vysoká pri Morave", SW Slovakia) was observed. The pair fledged 2 young. This was the first recorded breeding of this species in the "Záhorie" region. The eagles also bred the following year, 2008. During breeding, a change of male occurred so the nest remained unproductive (one fertile egg was found in the nest). Both cases suggest the current trend of occupying new sites in the Southwestern part of its breeding range.
Seasonal changes in food composition of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in the northern part of the "Záhorie" region
Authors: Latková Hana
Published: July 2012

Seasonal changes in food composition of the Barn Owl (Tyto alba) in the northern part of the "Záhorie" region

33 prey species (10 296 individuals) were recovered from pellets of the Barn Owl in northern part of the "Záhorie" region (Western Slovakia) during period 2002-2006. The family Arvicolidae constituted 65.68 % of recoveries, Soricidae 17.86 %, Muridae 16.64 %, Talpidae 0.04 %, Gliridae 0.02 %, Mustelidae 0.02 %, Vespertilionidae 0.04 % and Aves 4.7 %. Microtus arvalis was predominantly represented by 65.2 %. For evaluation of diet data "The marked differences from the mean method" was used. The results of pellet analyses provide, besides information about owl diet, also new data about occurrence and geographical distribution of small mammalian species and importance of predators in agricultural landscape.
Process optimization of nickel extraction from hazardous waste
Authors: Gharabaghi Mahdi , Irannajad Mehdi , Azadmehr Amir Reza , Ejtemaei Majid
Published: July 2012

Zinc plant residue is a hazardous waste which contains high quantity of nickel and other valuable metals. Process parameters such as reaction time, acid concentration, solid-liquid ratio, particle size, stirring speed and temperature for nickel extraction from this waste were optimized using factorial design. Main effects and their interactions were obtained by the analysis of variance ANOVA. Empirical regression model was obtained and used to predict nickel extraction with satisfactory results and to describe the relationship between the predicted results and the experiment results. The important parameters for maximizing nickel extraction were identifi ed to be a leaching time solid-liquid ratio and acid concentration. It was found that above 90% of nickel could be extracted in optimum conditions.
Current and Potential Uses of Immunocytokines as Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Sondel Paul M. , Gillies Stephen D.
Published: July 2012

Immunocytokines (ICs) are a class of molecules created by linking tumor-reactive monoclonal antibodies to cytokines that are able to activate immune cells. Tumor selective localization is provided by the ability of the mAb component to bind to molecules found on the tumor cell surface or molecules found selectively in the tumor microenvronment. In this way the cytokine component of the immunocytokine is selectively localized to sites of tumor and can activate immune cells with appropriate receptors for the cytokine. Immunocytokines have been made and tested by us, and others, using a variety of tumor-reactive mAbs linked to distinct cytokines. To date, the majority of clinical progress has been made with ICs that have linked human interleukin-2 (IL2) to a select number of tumor reactive mAbs that had already been in prior clinical testing as non-modified mAbs. Here we briefly review the background for the creation of ICs, summarize current clinical progress, emphasize mechanisms of action for ICs that are distinct from those of their constituent components, and present some directions for future development and testing.
The Impact of Social Interaction and Communications on Innovation in the Architectural Design Studio
Authors: Sidawi Bhzad
Published: July 2012

Design is a social phenomenon and researchers suggest that social interaction, negotiations and communication between designers are essential to initiate creativity. Within the design studio environment, a number of factors affect the healthy social interaction and design negotiations, such as the teaching style of tutors and the culture that governs a design studio’s environment. This may in turn affect the utilization of the outcome of negotiations in the design project. Design studio students from the third to fifth years at the College of Architecture, University of Dammam (UD), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), were surveyed to find out how far the design studio’s culture and communication would impact the production of innovative design projects. The results show that frequent communication and the establishment’s shared grounds are essential to develop knowledge and positively influence the design outcome. On the other hand, the research found that negative qualities on a personal level and on that of a design studio environment would hinder a student’s creativity. However, to develop students’ design/innovative abilities, the researcher recommends that certain measures should be considered. These would include transforming the design studio into an interactive and friendly learning environment, adjusting the teaching methodology, and developing interactive communication abilities of students and tutors.
Syndicate Innovation Venturing: Translating Academic Innovations into Commercial Successes
Authors: Vertès Alain A.
Published: July 2012

Innovations that initiate new technology cycles, i.e., radical innovations, bring tremendous value to Society and build for the companies that deploy them sustainable competitive advantages. However, large firms have typically been relatively inefficient at accessing from academia or technology start-ups such technological leaps. Indeed, most multiyear and multimillion dollar academia-industry partnerships have historically not resulted in any acceleration of the rate of deployment of game-changing innovations, which empirically proceeds in 25 year cycles, such as for example the expansion of the scope of the pharmaceutical industry from small molecules to biologics, or, projecting into the future, to siRNA or therapeutic stem cell technologies. Syndicated innovation venturing is a new strategic partnering concept described here that brings together actors from different economic segments in a non zero-sum game as a means to facilitate seed-funding, with the aim to de-risk technologies while reducing initial financial exposures. A case study in the pharmaceutical industry suggests that alleviating this hurdle may provide an appropriate environment to improve the dynamics of academic technology transfer to the commercial phase. By contributing to the de-risking of the creation of novel biotechnology businesses, this novel mechanism could help speed up the commercialization of emerging technologies on a large scale. At a time when knowledge-based firms such as pharmaceutical companies attempt to revisit their innovation models to advance science, in spite of an environment of increasing risk-aversion, such responses could tilt the balance in favor of disruptive products and sustained corporate financial performance by removing common barriers to radical innovation deployment.
Chemical Modifications of BDH-TTP [2,5-Bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene]: Control of Electron Correlation
Authors: Yamada Jun-ichi , Akutsu Hiroki
Published: July 2012

Organic molecular conductors with a strongly correlated electron system, in which the itinerancy of electrons (or holes) and the electron correlation (U/W, U, the on-site Coulomb repulsion, W, the bandwidth) compete with each other, are promising candidates for achieving superconductivity and also for exploring remarkable physical properties induced by external stimuli such as pressure, light, voltage and current. Our synthetic approach to the construction of strongly correlated organic electron systems is based on chemical modifications to the donor molecule BDH-TTP [2,5-bis(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene] capable of producing metallic CT (charge-transfer) salts stable down to low temperatures (4.2–1.5 K). This aims at enhancing the electron correlation in the itinerant electron system by decreasing the bandwidth. Chemical modifications of BDH-TTP such as ring expansion of two outer dithiolane rings, replacement of one sulfur atom in an outer dithiolane ring with an oxygen atom and introduction of two methyl substituents into an outer ditiolane ring led to BDA-TTP [2,5-bis(1,3-dithian-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene], DHOT-TTP [2-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-oxathiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene] and DMDH-TTP [2-(4,5-dimethyl-1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-5-(1,3-dithiolan-2-ylidene)-1,3,4,6-tetrathiapentalene], respectively. In this review, the physical properties and the crystal and electronic structures of molecular conductors derived from these donor molecules will be described.
Transient Studies in Large Offshore Wind Farms Employing Detailed Circuit Breaker Representation
Authors: Glasdam Jakob , Bak Claus Leth , Hjerrild Jesper
Published: July 2012

Switching overvoltages (SOV) are considered a possible source of component failures experienced in existing offshore wind farms (OWFs). The inclusion of sufficiently accurate and validated models of the main electrical components in the OWF in the simulation tool is therefore an important issue in order to ensure reliable switching operations. Transient measurement results in an OWF are compared with simulation results in PSCAD EMTDC and DigSILENT Power Factory. A user-defined model of the vacuum circuit breaker (VCB) is included in both tools, capable of simulating multiple prestrikes during the closing operation. An analysis of the switching transients that might occur in OWFs will be made on the basis of the validated model, and the importance of the inclusion of a sufficiently accurate representation of the VCB in the simulation tool will be described. The inclusion of the VCB model in PSCAD greatly improves the simulation results, whereas little improvement is found in DigSILENT. Based on the transient study it is found that the simulated SOV can be up to 60% higher at the sending end when using the detailed VCB representation compared to the built-in switch, which emphasises the need for accurate representation of the VCB for energisation studies.
e-Health Cloud: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: AbuKhousa Eman , Mohamed Nader , Al-Jaroodi Jameela
Published: July 2012

As the costs of healthcare services rise and healthcare professionals are becoming scarce and hard to find, it is imminent that healthcare organizations consider adopting health information technology (HIT) systems. HIT allows health organizations to streamline many of their processes and provide services in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. The latest technological trends such as Cloud Computing (CC) provide a strong infrastructure and offer a true enabler for HIT services over the Internet. This can be achieved on a pay-as-you-use model of the “e-Health Cloud” to help the healthcare industry cope with current and future demands yet keeping their costs to a minimum. Despite its great potential, HIT as a CC model has not been addressed extensively in the literature. There are no apparent frameworks which clearly encompass all viable schemes and interrelationships between HIT and CC. Therefore, analyzing and comparing the effectiveness of such schemes is important. In this paper we introduce the concept of “e-Health Cloud” highlighting many of its constituents and proposing building an e-health environment and elucidating many of the challenges confronting the success of the e-Health Cloud. We will also discuss different possible solutions to address challenges such as security and privacy.
Adaptive Measurement-Based Policy-Driven QoS Management with Fuzzy-Rule-based Resource Allocation
Authors: Yerima Suleiman Y. , Parr Gerard P. , McClean Sally I. , Morrow Philip J.
Published: July 2012

Fixed and wireless networks are increasingly converging towards common connectivity with IP-based core networks. Providing effective end-to-end resource and QoS management in such complex heterogeneous converged network scenarios requires unified, adaptive and scalable solutions to integrate and co-ordinate diverse QoS mechanisms of different access technologies with IP-based QoS. Policy-Based Network Management (PBNM) is one approach that could be employed to address this challenge. Hence, a policy-based framework for end-to-end QoS management in converged networks, CNQF (Converged Networks QoS Management Framework) has been proposed within our project. In this paper, the CNQF architecture, a Java implementation of its prototype and experimental validation of key elements are discussed. We then present a fuzzy-based CNQF resource management approach and study the performance of our implementation with real traffic flows on an experimental testbed. The results demonstrate the efficacy of our resource-adaptive approach for practical PBNM systems.
Genome-Wide Sequencing Reveals Two Major Sub-Lineages in the Genetically Monomorphic Pathogen Xanthomonas Campestris Pathovar Musacearum
Authors: Wasukira Arthur , Tayebwa Johnbosco , Thwaites Richard , Paszkiewicz Konrad , Aritua Valente , Kubiriba Jerome , Smith Julian , Grant Murray , Studholme David J.
Published: July 2012

The bacterium Xanthomonas campestris pathovar musacearum (Xcm) is the causal agent of banana Xanthomonas wilt (BXW). This disease has devastated economies based on banana and plantain crops (Musa species) in East Africa. Here we use genome-wide sequencing to discover a set of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) among East African isolates of Xcm. These SNPs have potential as molecular markers for phylogeographic studies of the epidemiology and spread of the pathogen. Our analysis reveals two major sub-lineages of the pathogen, suggesting that the current outbreaks of BXW on Musa species in the region may have more than one introductory event, perhaps from Ethiopia. Also, based on comparisons of genome-wide sequence data from multiple isolates of Xcm and multiple strains of X. vasicola pathovar vasculorum, we identify genes specific to Xcm that could be used to specifically detect Xcm by PCR-based methods.
Assessment of Knowledge, Behaviour and Sun Protection Practices among Health Services Vocational School Students
Authors: Yurtseven Eray , Ulus Tumer , Vehid Suphi , Köksal Selçuk , Bosat Merve , Akkoyun Kutay
Published: July 2012

There has been a significant increase in the cases of skin cancer throughout the world in the last few decades. Although the mortality rate of skin cancer is relatively low, its impact on other health aspects is high and the treatment of undesired aesthetic damage is costly. According to disability-adjusted life year rates (DALY), 1.5 million days are estimated to be lost from people’s lives every year worldwide due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The purpose of this study was to raise sun health awareness levels among health services vocational school students. A total of 414 students were included in the analysis. A questionnaire form was used to evaluate knowledge, attitudes and behaviours among the survey sample. The average level of knowledge concerning the effects of the sun was found to be 8.64 ± 2.5 out of 15 points. All socio-demographic factors were analysed, but the only significant variables found were age and the possible presence of skin cancer within the immediate family (p < 0.05).
First Report of a Toxic Nodularia spumigena (Nostocales/ Cyanobacteria) Bloom in Sub-Tropical Australia. I. Phycological and Public Health Investigations
Authors: McGregor Glenn B. , Stewart Ian , Sendall Barbara C. , Sadler Ross , Reardon Karen , Carter Steven , Wruck Dan , Wickramasinghe Wasa
Published: July 2012

Cyanobacterial blooms represent one of the most conspicuous and widespread waterborne microbial hazards to human and ecosystem health. Investigation of a cyanobacterial bloom in a shallow brackish water recreational cable ski lake in south-eastern Queensland, Australia revealed the dominance of the toxigenic species Nodularia spumigena. The bloom spanned three months, during which time cell concentrations exceeded human guideline thresholds for recreational risk, and concentrations of the hepatotoxic cyanotoxin nodularin exceeded 200 µg L−1. Cyanotoxin origin and identification was confirmed by amplification of the ndaF-specific PCR product and sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene. From the limited data available leading up to, and throughout the bloom, it was not possible to establish the set of causative factors responsible for its occurrence. However a combination of factors including salinity, hydraulic retention time and nutrient status associated with an extended period of drought are likely to have contributed. This was the first known occurrence of this species in bloom proportions from sub-tropical Australia and as such represents a hitherto uncharacterized risk to human and ecosystem health. It highlights the need for adaptive monitoring regimes to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the potentially toxic cyanobacteria likely to inhabit any given region. Such monitoring needs to recognize that cyanobacteria have a significant capacity for range expansion that has been facilitated by recent changes in global climate.
First Report of a Toxic Nodularia spumigena (Nostocales/ Cyanobacteria) Bloom in Sub-Tropical Australia. II. Bioaccumulation of Nodularin in Isolated Populations of Mullet (Mugilidae)
Authors: Stewart Ian , Eaglesham Geoffrey K. , McGregor Glenn B. , Chong Roger , Seawright Alan A. , Wickramasinghe Wasantha A. , Sadler Ross , Hunt Lindsay , Graham Glenn
Published: July 2012

Fish collected after a mass mortality at an artificial lake in south-east Queensland, Australia, were examined for the presence of nodularin as the lake had earlier been affected by a Nodularia bloom. Methanol extracts of muscle, liver, peritoneal and stomach contents were analysed by HPLC and tandem mass spectrometry; histological examination was conducted on livers from captured mullet. Livers of sea mullet (Mugil cephalus) involved in the fish kill contained high concentrations of nodularin (median 43.6 mg/kg, range 40.8–47.8 mg/kg dry weight; n = 3) and the toxin was also present in muscle tissue (median 44.0 μg/kg, range 32.3–56.8 μg/kg dry weight). Livers of fish occupying higher trophic levels accumulated much lower concentrations. Mullet captured from the lake 10 months later were also found to have high hepatic nodularin levels. DNA sequencing of mullet specimens revealed two species inhabiting the study lake: M. cephalus and an unidentified mugilid. The two mullet species appear to differ in their exposure and/or uptake of nodularin, with M. cephalus demonstrating higher tissue concentrations. The feeding ecology of mullet would appear to explain the unusual capacity of these fish to concentrate nodularin in their livers; these findings may have public health implications for mullet fisheries and aquaculture production where toxic cyanobacteria blooms affect source waters. This report incorporates a systematic review of the literature on nodularin measured in edible fish, shellfish and crustaceans.
Potential of Fruit Wastes as Natural Resources of Bioactive Compounds
Authors: Deng Gui-Fang , Shen Chen , Xu Xiang-Rong , Kuang Ru-Dan , Guo Ya-Jun , Zeng Li-Shan , Gao Li-Li , Lin Xi , Xie Jie-Feng , Xia En-Qin , Li Sha , Wu Shan , Chen Feng , Ling Wen-Hua , Li Hua-Bin
Published: July 2012

Fruit wastes are one of the main sources of municipal waste. In order to explore the potential of fruit wastes as natural resources of bioactive compounds, the antioxidant potency and total phenolic contents (TPC) of lipophilic and hydrophilic components in wastes (peel and seed) of 50 fruits were systematically evaluated. The results showed that different fruit residues had diverse antioxidant potency and the variation was very large. Furthermore, the main bioactive compounds were identified and quantified, and catechin, cyanidin 3-glucoside, epicatechin, galangin, gallic acid, homogentisic acid, kaempferol, and chlorogenic acid were widely found in these residues. Especially, the values of ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) and TPC in the residues were higher than in pulps. The results showed that fruit residues could be inexpensive and readily available resources of bioactive compounds for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
Occurrence of Aflatoxins in Selected Processed Foods from Pakistan
Authors: Mushtaq Muhammad , Sultana Bushra , Anwar Farooq , Khan Muhammad Zargham , Ashrafuzzaman Muhammad
Published: July 2012

A total of 125 (ready to eat) processed food samples (70 intended for infant and 55 for adult intake) belonging to 20 different food categories were analyzed for aflatoxins contamination using Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) with fluorescent detection. A solvent mixture of acetonitrile-water was used for the extraction followed by immunoaffinity clean-up to enhance sensitivity of the method. The limit of detection (LOD) (0.01–0.02 ng·g−1) and limit of quantification (LOQ) (0.02 ng·g−1) was established for aflatoxins based on signal to noise ratio of 3:1 and 10:1, respectively. Of the processed food samples tested, 38% were contaminated with four types of aflatoxins, i.e., AFB1 (0.02–1.24 μg·kg−1), AFB2 (0.02–0.37 μg·kg−1), AFG1 (0.25–2.7 μg·kg−1) and AFG2 (0.21–1.3 μg·kg−1). In addition, the results showed that 21% of the processed foods intended for infants contained AFB1 levels higher than the European Union permissible limits (0.1 μg·kg−1), while all of those intended for adult consumption had aflatoxin contamination levels within the permitted limits.
Risk-Association of DNA Methyltransferases Polymorphisms with Gastric Cancer in the Southern Chinese Population
Authors: Yang Xue-Xi , He Xuan-Qiu , Li Fen-Xia , Wu Ying-Song , Gao Yang , Li Ming
Published: July 2012

DNA hypomethylation and/or hypermethylation are presumed to be early events in carcinogenesis, and one or more DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) have been suggested to play roles in carcinogenesis of gastric cancer (GC). However, there have been no systematic studies regarding the association between DNMT gene polymorphisms and GC risk. Here, we examined the associations of 16 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from DNMT1 (rs2114724, rs2228611, rs2228612, rs8101866, rs16999593), DNMT2 (rs11695471, rs11254413), DNMT3A (rs1550117, rs11887120, rs13420827, rs13428812, rs6733301), DNMT3B (rs2424908, rs2424913, rs6087990) and DNMT3L (rs113593938) with GC in the Southern Chinese population. We assessed the associations of these 16 SNPs with GC in a case-control study that consisted of 242 GC cases and 294 controls, using the Sequenom MALDI-TOF-MS platform. Association analyses based on the χ2 test and binary logistic regression were performed to determine the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) for each SNP. We found that rs16999593 in DNMT1, rs11254413 in DNMT2 and rs13420827 in DNMT3A were significantly associated with GC susceptibility (OR 1.45, 0.15, 0.66, respectively; 95% CI 1.00–2.11, p = 0.047; 0.08–0.27, p < 0.01; 0.45–0.97, p = 0.034, respectively, overdominant model). These results suggested that DNMT1, DNMT2 and DNMT3A may play important roles in GC carcinogenesis. However, further studies are required to elucidate the mechanism.
Astragalus membranaceus Inhibits Inflammation via Phospho-P38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MAPK) and Nuclear Factor (NF)-κB Pathways in Advanced Glycation End Product-Stimulated Macrophages
Authors: Qin Qiaojing , Niu Jianying , Wang Zhaoxia , Xu Wangjie , Qiao Zhongdong , Gu Yong
Published: July 2012

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and inflammation contribute to the development of diabetic complications. Astragalus membranaceus has properties of immunological regulation in many diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the function of A. membranaceus extract (AME) on the AGE-induced inflammatory response in Ana-1 macrophages. The viability of cells treated with AME or AGEs was evaluated with the MTT [3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] method. The secretion and mRNA levels of IL-1β and TNF-α were measured by ELISA and RT-PCR, respectively. The activity of NF-κB was assayed by EMSA. The phosphorylation of p38 MAPK was assessed by western blotting. The results showed that AME was not toxic to macrophages. The treatment of macrophages with AME effectively inhibited AGE-induced IL-1β and TNF-α secretion and mRNA expression in macrophages. These effects may be mediated by p38 MAPK and the NF-κB pathway. The results suggest that AME can inhibit AGE-induced inflammatory cytokine production to down-regulate macrophage-mediated inflammation via p38 MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways and indicate that AME could be an immunoregulatory agent against AGE-induced inflammation in diabetes.
Thermal Hazard Evaluation of Lauroyl Peroxide Mixed with Nitric Acid
Authors: Tsai Lung-Chang , You Mei-Li , Ding Mei-Fang , Shu Chi-Min
Published: July 2012

Many thermal runaway incidents have been caused by organic peroxides due to the peroxy group, –O–O–, which is essentially unstable and active. Lauroyl peroxide (LPO) is also sensitive to thermal sources and is incompatible with many materials, such as acids, bases, metals, and ions. From the thermal decomposition reaction of various concentrations of nitric acid (HNO3) (from lower to higher concentrations) with LPO, experimental data were obtained as to its exothermic onset temperature (T0), heat of decomposition (ΔHd), isothermal time to maximum rate (TMRiso), and other safety parameters exclusively for loss prevention of runaway reactions and thermal explosions. As a novel finding, LPO mixed with HNO3 can produce the detonation product of 1-nitrododecane. We used differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermal activity monitor III (TAM III), and gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) analyses of the reactivity for LPO and itself mixed with HNO3 to corroborate the decomposition reactions and reaction mechanisms in these investigations.
Application of Hydrogen Peroxide Encapsulated in Silica Xerogels to Oxidation Reactions
Authors: Bednarz Szczepan , Ryś Barbara , Bogdał Dariusz
Published: July 2012

Hydrogen peroxide was encapsulated into a silica xerogel matrix by the sol-gel technique. The composite was tested as an oxidizing agent both under conventional and microwave conditions in a few model reactions: Noyori’s method of octanal and 2-octanol oxidation and cycloctene epoxidation in a 1,1,1-trifluoroethanol/Na2WO4 system. The results were compared with yields obtained for reactions with 30% H2O2 and urea-hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as oxidizing agents. It was found that the composite has activity similar to 30% H2O2 and has a several advantages over UHP such as the fact that silica and H2O are the only products of the composite decomposition or no contamination by urea or its derivatives occurs; the xerogel is easier to heated by microwave irradiation than UHP and could be used as both an oxidizing agent and as solid support for microwave assisted solvent-free oxidations.
Design, Synthesis, and Anti-Proliferative Evaluation of [1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ols as Inhibitor of HUVEC Migration and Tube Formation
Authors: Ran Yan , Ma Liang , Wang Xuewei , Chen Jinying , Wang Guangcheng , Peng Aihua , Chen Lijuan
Published: July 2012

Allylated biphenol neolignans contain a variety of chemopreventive entities that have been used as anti-tumor drug leads. Herein, 37 allylated biphenols were evaluated for anti-proliferative activity by the MTT assay and inhibitory effect on the migration and tube formation of HUVECs featuring anti-angiogenic properties. 3-(2-Methylbut-3-en-2-yl)-3′,5′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-[1,1′-biphenyl]-4-ol (5c) exerted an inhibitory effect on HUVECs compared to honokiol (IC50 = 47.0 vs. 52.6 μM) and showed significant blocking effects on the proliferation of C26, Hela, K562, A549, and HepG2 (IC50 = 15.0, 25.0, 21.2, 29.5, and 13.0 μM, respectively), superior to those of honokiol (IC50 = 65.1, 62.0, 42.0, 75.0, and 55.4 μM, respectively). Importantly, compound 5c inhibited the migration and capillary-like tube formation of HUVECs in vitro.
A New Synthetic Route to Original Sulfonamide Derivatives in 2-Trichloromethylquinazoline Series: A Structure-Activity Relationship Study of Antiplasmodial Activity
Authors: Primas Nicolas , Verhaeghe Pierre , Cohen Anita , Kieffer Charline , Dumètre Aurélien , Hutter Sébastien , Rault Sylvain , Rathelot Pascal , Azas Nadine , Vanelle Patrice
Published: July 2012

We report herein a simple and efficient two-step synthetic approach to new 2-trichloromethylquinazolines possessing a variously substituted sulfonamide group at position 4 used to prepare new quinazolines with antiparasitic properties. Thus, an original series of 20 derivatives was synthesized, which proved to be less-toxic than previously synthesized hits on the human HepG2 cell line, but did not display significant antiplasmodial activity. A brief Structure-Activity Relationship (SAR) evaluation shows that a more restricted conformational freedom is probably necessary for providing antiplasmodial activity.
Zinc and Cancer: Implications for LIV-1 in Breast Cancer
Authors: Grattan Bruce J. , Freake Hedley C.
Published: July 2012

Zinc is a trace mineral which is vital for the functioning of numerous cellular processes, is critical for growth, and may play an important role in cancer etiology and outcome. The intracellular levels of this mineral are regulated through the coordinated expression of zinc transporters, which modulate both zinc influx as well as efflux. LIV-1 (ZIP6) was first described in 1988 as an estrogen regulated gene with later work suggesting a role for this transporter in cancer growth and metastasis. Despite evidence of its potential utility as a target gene for cancer prognosis and treatment, LIV-1 has received relatively little attention, with only three prior reviews being published on this topic. Herein, the physiological effects of zinc are reviewed in light of this mineral’s role in cancer growth with specific attention being given to LIV-1 and the potential importance of this transporter to breast cancer etiology.
Zinc and Regulation of Inflammatory Cytokines: Implications for Cardiometabolic Disease
Authors: Foster Meika , Samman Samir
Published: July 2012

In atherosclerosis and diabetes mellitus, the concomitant presence of low-grade systemic inflammation and mild zinc deficiency highlights a role for zinc nutrition in the management of chronic disease. This review aims to evaluate the literature that reports on the interactions of zinc and cytokines. In humans, inflammatory cytokines have been shown both to up- and down-regulate the expression of specific cellular zinc transporters in response to an increased demand for zinc in inflammatory conditions. The acute phase response includes a rapid decline in the plasma zinc concentration as a result of the redistribution of zinc into cellular compartments. Zinc deficiency influences the generation of cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α, and in response to zinc supplementation plasma cytokines exhibit a dose-dependent response. The mechanism of action may reflect the ability of zinc to either induce or inhibit the activation of NF-κB. Confounders in understanding the zinc-cytokine relationship on the basis of in vitro experimentation include methodological issues such as the cell type and the means of activating cells in culture. Impaired zinc homeostasis and chronic inflammation feature prominently in a number of cardiometabolic diseases. Given the high prevalence of zinc deficiency and chronic disease globally, the interplay of zinc and inflammation warrants further examination.
Alcohol Exposure Alters Mouse Lung Inflammation in Response to Inhaled Dust
Authors: McCaskill Michael L. , Romberger Debra J. , DeVasure Jane , Boten Jessica , Sisson Joseph H. , Bailey Kristina L. , Poole Jill A. , Wyatt Todd A.
Published: July 2012

Alcohol exposure is associated with increased lung infections and decreased mucociliary clearance. Occupational workers exposed to dusts from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) are at risk for developing chronic inflammatory lung diseases. Agricultural worker co-exposure to alcohol and organic dust has been established, although little research has been conducted on the combination effects of alcohol and organic dusts on the lung. Previously, we have shown in a mouse model that exposure to hog dust extract (HDE) collected from a CAFO results in the activation of protein kinase C (PKC), elevated lavage fluid cytokines/chemokines including interleukin-6 (IL-6), and the development of significant lung pathology. Because alcohol blocks airway epithelial cell release of IL-6 in vitro, we hypothesized that alcohol exposure would alter mouse lung inflammatory responses to HDE. To test this hypothesis, C57BL/6 mice were fed 20% alcohol or water ad libitum for 6 weeks and treated with 12.5% HDE by intranasal inhalation method daily during the final three weeks. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), tracheas and lungs were collected. HDE stimulated a 2–4 fold increase in lung and tracheal PKCε (epsilon) activity in mice, but no such increase in PKCε activity was observed in dust-exposed mice fed alcohol. Similarly, alcohol-fed mice demonstrated significantly less IL-6 in lung lavage in response to dust than that observed in control mice instilled with HDE. TNFα levels were also inhibited in the alcohol and HDE-exposed mouse lung tissue as compared to the HDE only exposed group. HDE-induced lung inflammatory aggregates clearly present in the tissue from HDE only exposed animals were not visually detectable in the HDE/alcohol co-exposure group. Statistically significant weight reductions and 20% mortality were also observed in the mice co-exposed to HDE and alcohol. These data suggest that alcohol exposure depresses the ability of the lung to activate PKCε-dependent inflammatory pathways to environmental dust exposure. These data also define alcohol as an important co-exposure agent to consider in the study of inhalation injury responses.