bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decision Support Tool of the Sea Intermodal Corridor
Authors: Tsamboulas Dimitrios , Moraiti Panayota
Published: August 2013

Motorways of the sea, or marine highways, is a relatively new concept that is intended to shift freight traffic from the road network to more sustainable maritime links through the establishment of frequent, high-quality sea-based intermodal transportation supply chains. As with any other concept of this magnitude, the realization faces a series of challenges in technical and organizational barriers, market and policy framework support, and socioeconomic acceptance. A decision support tool was proposed for assessing whether a particular transportation supply chain connecting two ports located in different countries could successfully evolve into a motorway of the sea, that is, an intermodal corridor. Three proposed components addressed the three agents whose involvement was essential for implementation: shippers and forwarders, maritime operators, and port and other national infrastructure authorities. These key components were ( a) an estimation of the minimum threshold of traffic volumes for use of a specific motorway of the sea for the supply chains served, ( b) a socioeconomic and financial analysis leading to prioritization of the required investments in infrastructure and services, and ( c) a determination of the service's financial viability. A macro-level application focused on a proposed motorway of the sea that would link the ports of Kalamata, Greece, and Alexandria, Egypt, and would serve their respective hinterlands, southeast Europe and Northern Africa. The proposed decision support tool addressed the need to identify the many stakeholders involved in the chain; this identification assists decision making at various levels and optimizes the motorways of the sea concept.
Systematic Network Design for Liner Shipping Services
Authors: Wang Shuaian , Liu Zhiyuan , Meng Qiang
Published: August 2013

A systematic design for a liner shipping network was addressed. Many practical features in real-world operations, including multiple types of containers, container transshipment operations, empty container repositioning, origin-to-destination transit time constraints, consistent services with the current network, and joint services with other liner shipping companies, were considered. Given a set of candidate ship routes, some of these routes had to be used, and the use of others was optional. A mixed-integer linear programming model was proposed for the selection of optional ship routes. The solution of this model provided the laden and empty container flow on the selected ship routes. On the basis of the results of this model, techniques were proposed for refining ship routes by changing existing routes, designing new routes, and removing some routes. A large-scale numerical test based on the global shipping network of a liner shipping company, consisting of 166 ports, was performed.
How to Forecast Cruise Ship Arrivals for a New Port-of-Call Destination
Authors: Tsamboulas Dimitrios , Moraiti Panayota , Koulopoulou Giorgia
Published: August 2013

The cruise industry in recent years has experienced significant growth and has become one of the most dynamic segments of the transportation and tourism sector. Related research is mainly market oriented and focuses on operations and revenue optimization management; ports are addressed mainly in the context of revenues generated by a cruise ship visit. Trends are in favor of new and diversified itineraries, and opportunities are being sought for several unvisited ports to become new destinations for the cruise market. A methodology was proposed for estimating the number of cruise ship visits that could be attracted to a port aiming at becoming a destination of existing cruise line connections within the wider geographical area. The proposed framework estimated a cruise attractiveness index as a measure of a port's attractiveness for becoming a port of call. The framework then identified three scenarios under which the port could be integrated into the cruise line network. The result was a forecast of future cruise ship arrivals at the port. The methodology was applied to the Adriatic and Ionian Seas of the Mediterranean region, major cruise destinations. The cruise industry can use this decision-making tool to expand its destinations, and port authorities and other local agents can use it to attract tourism capital.
Modal Comparison of Domestic Freight Transportation Effects on the General Public
Authors: Protopapas Annie , Kruse C. James , Olson Leslie E.
Published: August 2013

Data from 2001 to 2009 were used to update the 2009 modal comparison study conducted by the Texas Transportation Institute, which used data from 2001 to 2005. The objective was to develop performance measures of rates per ton-mile to facilitate multimodal comparisons between inland towing, rail, and truck in six topical areas: cargo capacity, traffic congestion, energy efficiency, air quality, safety, and infrastructure. The study focused on several vital issues from a snapshot in time. Credible publicly available and independently verifiable data from federal, industry, and academic sources were used. The scope of the study and several data limitations necessitated the use of assumptions that were based on sound engineering principles, as well as development of innovative methods, to arrive at plausible results and fulfill the study's unconventional objectives. The study results showed that waterborne transportation continued to compare favorably with rail and highway modes for the examined performance measures. Any waterborne freight diversion to either of the two modes likely would result in serious negative effects on freight transportation operations and in possible system breakdowns. Chain reaction effects would jeopardize the well-being of the general public and the national economy.
Use of Data from Automatic Identification Systems to Generate Inland Waterway Trip Information
Authors: Dobbins James P. , Langsdon Lindsey C.
Published: August 2013

Data from archived automatic identification systems in the Paducah, Kentucky, region were analyzed to produce reliable trip data for inland waterway vessels. Because of confidentiality concerns, few options for finding such trip data exist; this lack of data affects the quality of risk calculations. A combination of geographic information systems, relational databases, custom programming, and data visualization tools was applied to extract meaningful vessel traffic information and to detect events occurring within ports and waterways. The geographic configuration of the Paducah port area made the generation of trip data more difficult. However, this problem was overcome by the categorization of all trips into general river movements and the calculation of the total number of towboat trips transiting in the area through river movements or engagement in fleeting, docking, or lockage operations. The data from automatic identification systems were discovered to be of high quality and capable of supporting many analyses. These analyses included waterway and port congestion, hotspot identification, accident reconstruction (and near-miss investigation), and the impact of extreme weather on port and waterway traffic.
Agent-Based Simulation Tool for Evaluating Pooled Queue Performance at Marine Container Terminals
Authors: Fleming Matthew , Huynh Nathan , Xie Yuanchang
Published: August 2013

Truck queuing at marine container terminal gates is one of the main sources of delay at terminals and is an area of concern because delays increase the logistical cost of transporting a container. Previous studies on terminal gates focused on the performance of strategies such as the appointment system and extended gate hours. However, no study has yet evaluated the performance of pooling trucks into a single queue at the gates. Previous studies on pooling offered mixed opinions on whether pooling was beneficial, but none of those studies attempted to model the movements of the entities in the queue. In a human system (no vehicles), the movements are not as important because the time to move up one space in the queue is negligible; however, because of the size and weight of the trucks at the gates, the time to move is significant and should be considered. A study was conducted with agent-based simulation to model the terminal gate system with two queuing strategies, a pooled queue and nonpooled queues, because analytical solutions could not capture vehicle movements within the queue. In the study, a car-following model was used to capture a realistic representation of how vehicles move within the queue. The developed simulation model was used to evaluate queuing strategies in various conditions. Results indicate that the use of a pooled queue yields significantly lower average queuing times and lower variability in queuing times.
Calculation Method for Quantifying Axial and Roll Stiffnesses of Rectangular Steel-Reinforced Elastomeric Bridge Bearing Pads
Authors: Harper Zachary S. , Consolazio Gary R.
Published: August 2013

Accurate estimates of bearing stiffnesses are often necessary for bridge design and construction calculations. In the case of steel-reinforced elastomeric bearing pads, the compression stiffness or roll stiffness is sometimes difficult to estimate because of complex deformations of the elastomer. A method of numerical analysis for estimating the axial and roll stiffnesses of bearing pads is presented. To validate the axial calculation method, experimental compression tests were performed on pad specimens constructed in accordance with Florida design standards. A method for calculating roll stiffness is also presented in which the pad is modeled as a grillage of compression-only axial springs. The grillage method was partially derived from roll stiffness data measured in a separate experimental study. The grillage method was demonstrated to accurately capture both the nonlinear moment–rotation behavior caused by liftoff of the girder from the pad and the observed sensitivity of roll stiffness to initial compressive loading caused by self-weight of the girder. Reductions in roll stiffness that are caused by girder slope relative to the pad were also examined.
Optimization of Design Details in Orthotropic Steel Decks Subjected to Static and Fatigue Loads
Authors: Xia Ye , Nassif Hani , Hwang Eui-Seung , Linzell Daniel
Published: August 2013

In recent decades, orthotropic steel decks (OSDs) have been routinely incorporated into long-span bridges. The most widely used method to reduce stress concentration, improve fatigue performance, and control crack propagation is to cut out the diaphragms (or subfloor beams) into which the OSDs frame. However, the capital cost of cutout fabrication in the United States is high and may not be economically feasible. Study is required of cost-effective modified design details without cutouts as well as comparisons with their corresponding flexural and fatigue performance against current design details that use cutouts. Alternative design details (e.g., deck ribs welded directly to the transverse diaphragms using full-penetration welds) with thicker deck plates, but without cutouts, were investigated for potential improvements in fatigue resistance and capital cost. A parametric study was conducted with calibrated finite element models of a portion of the Bronx–Whitestone Bridge in New York City to study the effects of cutouts, deck plate thickness, and other important parameters on fatigue performance. Various traffic load combinations and truck types were considered with the use of an elaborate weigh-in-motion database. Results detail the equivalent stress ranges at critical locations in the OSDs that were calculated to quantitatively estimate fatigue lives for two OSD models: one with cutouts and one without. On the basis of these comparisons, recommendations related to overall structural performance were made to ensure a safe and rational design for various OSD options in long-span bridges.
Three-Dimensional Parametric Data Exchange for Curved Steel Bridges
Authors: Karaman S. Gokhan , Chen Stuart S. , Ratnagaran Benny J.
Published: August 2013

Improved software interoperability is key to realizing more fully the potential benefits of integrated and accelerated project delivery in a way that also somehow ensures product quality. The increasing appeal of three-dimensional (3-D) building information modeling (BIM) notions applied to bridges [known as bridge information modeling (BrIM)] motivates the need for principled prescriptions of associated electronic data exchanges between various project stakeholders and the various software applications that they use. Such data exchanges must be sufficiently precise to facilitate detailing for fabrication and construction while being sufficiently concise to facilitate parametric modeling and thereby avoid needless data duplication. The highway geometry to which bridges must conform distinguishes BrIM from the building column grid orientation of BIM at the outset of the bridge life cycle. In contrast to the over defined highway geometry in the LandXML data exchange standard, a 3-D control curve is defined, presented, illustrated, and recommended as the basis for parametric data exchange suitable through the life cycle of steel I-girder bridges on (straight and) curved alignments. This 3-D control curve combines in a single curve the traditional horizontal control line and profile grade line that bridge structural engineers receive from highway designers to define bridge geometry. Data exchanges associated with three distinct stages in the life cycle of a steel bridge are defined and illustrated: analysis and design, detailing for fabrication, and erection and construction. The data exchange based on a 3-D control curve provides the data integrity required through the life cycle of a steel bridge.
Dynamic Behavior of Ribbon Floating Bridges
Authors: Viecili Giannin , Braimah Abass , Abd El Halim Abd El Halim O. , El-Desouky Osama
Published: August 2013

Floating bridges are economical means for crossing water bodies, especially in times of emergency or war. A special type of floating bridge, a ribbon pontoon floating bridge, is designed, built, and stocked by the military and emergency management organizations to be deployed in times of need. Lightweight and quickly erected, such bridges use the buoyancy of water to support their weight and imposed traffic loads. With increasing vehicular weights and the need for fast traversing times, analytical tools capable of designing and analyzing floating bridges are necessary. This development is ideal for optimizing vehicle weights and spacing to achieve greater economic efficiency. An analytical and experimental research program designed to study the dynamic behavior of ribbon pontoon floating bridges under two-axle vehicular loading is presented. This analytical method yielded maximum bridge displacements comparable to the experimental results. In most cases, analytical results were higher than experimental results; this difference provided a level of conservatism for design. Midspan displacements were accurately predicted as the vehicle traversed the floating bridge. However, at heavier vehicle weights, the analytical model failed to predict midspan displacement accurately at axle locations beyond midspan.
Flexural Behavior at Service and Ultimate Limit State of One-Way Concrete Slabs Reinforced with Corrosion-Resistant Reinforcing Bars
Authors: Bowen Galo , Zheng Paul , Moen Cristopher D. , Sharp Stephen R.
Published: August 2013

The paper presents the results of an experimental investigation of the structural performance and susceptibility to deformation of a concrete bridge deck with corrosion-resistant reinforcing (CRR) bars (i.e., bars that exhibit better corrosion resistance than traditional black steel when embedded in concrete). Flexural tests of one-way slabs were conducted to simulate negative transverse flexure over a bridge girder as assumed in the commonly used strip design method. Grade 60 (uncoated), epoxy-coated reinforcing Grade 60, Enduramet 32 stainless steel, 2304 stainless steel, MMFX2, and glass fiber–reinforced polymer bars were studied. The experimental program was designed to evaluate how flexural performance at service and ultimate limit states are affected by a one-to-one replacement of Grade 60 with CRR bars, a reduction of concrete top clear cover, and a reduction in rebar quantities in the top mat of the bridge deck. Moment–curvature predictions from Response 2000, a computer-based sectional analysis program, were consistent with the test results. This consistency demonstrated the viability of Response 2000 for use with high-strength and nonmetallic rebar without a defined yield plateau. The susceptibility of the specimens of concrete slab strips to deformation was defined with ultimate- to service-level ratios of midspan deflection and curvature. The susceptibility to deformation of the specimens of MMFX2 and Enduramet 32 stainless steel (one-to-one replacement) was consistent with the Grade 60 controls; this consistent response demonstrated that bridge deck slabs with high-strength rebar without a defined yield plateau still can provide sufficient ductility at an ultimate limit state. A reduction in rebar quantity and cover provided acceptable levels of ductility for the specimens of 2304 stainless steel and MMFX2-reinforced slabs.
Design Model for Confinement Reinforcement in Pretensioned Concrete I-Girders
Authors: Ross Brandon E. , Hamilton H. R. , Consolazio Gary R.
Published: August 2013

The 2007 edition of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications contains prescriptive requirements for the quantity and placement of confinement reinforcement located in the bottom bulb of pretensioned concrete I-girders. The proposed model can be used to design confinement reinforcement as an alternative to AASHTO's prescriptive requirements. The model considers a range of I-girder conditions and variations, yet is intended to be practical enough for use by bridge design engineers. Variables in the design model include flange and bearing geometry, strand size and placement, effective prestress force, concrete and steel material properties, and the effects of steel bearing plates. The model is based on strut-and-tie and shear-friction concepts and considers the lateral-splitting failure mode. Derivation of the model is presented, and the model is compared with experimental results from the published literature.
Dynamic Characterization of a Truss Bridge by Falling Weight Deflectometer
Authors: Fernstrom Eric V. , Carreiro Jessica L. , Rawn Jeremy D. , Grimmelsman Kirk A.
Published: August 2013

Several full-scale testing methods can be used to characterize and evaluate the global performance and condition of a bridge. These global methods consist of mainly static load tests and dynamic tests that use controlled or uncontrolled dynamic excitation. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages for experimental and logistical considerations, data analysis requirements, and scope and utility of the characterization results obtained. This paper presents a global dynamic characterization program based on controlled impact dynamic testing that was applied to a truss bridge. The impact testing was performed with a hand-held impact hammer and a falling weight deflectometer (FWD) as dynamic excitation sources. The objective of the project was to evaluate whether the FWD, which could produce a broadband dynamic force, could be an effective tool for the quantitative characterization of bridge performance and condition. Many transportation agencies already use FWD devices for their pavement evaluation programs, and it follows that if the device is suitable for the impact dynamic testing of bridges, then agencies also can use FWDs to evaluate bridges quantitatively. Dynamic testing approaches are discussed, and an impact dynamic testing program executed for the truss bridge is presented. The results obtained with the two dynamic excitation devices are presented and compared with each other and with the results from an analytical model of the bridge. Finally, several observations and conclusions related to the efficacy of FWD devices for the impact dynamic testing of bridges are presented and discussed.
Analysis of a GRACE global mascon solution for Gulf of Alaska glaciers
Authors: Arendt Anthony , Luthcke Scott , Gardner Alex , O’Neel Shad , Hill David , Moholdt Geir , Abdalati Waleed
Published: August 2013

We present a high-resolution Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mascon solution for Gulf of Alaska (GOA) glaciers and compare this with in situ glaciological, climate and other remote-sensing observations. Our GRACE solution yields a GOA glacier mass balance of −65 ± 11 Gt a−1 for the period December 2003 to December 2010, with summer balances driving the interannual variability. Between October/November 2003 and October 2009 we obtain a mass balance of −61 ± 11 Gt a−1 from GRACE, which compares well with −65 ± 12 Gt a−1 from ICESat based on hypsometric extrapolation of glacier elevation changes. We find that mean summer (June–August) air temperatures derived from both ground and lower-troposphere temperature records were good predictors of GRACE-derived summer mass balances, capturing 59% and 72% of the summer balance variability respectively. Large mass losses during 2009 were likely due to low early melt season surface albedos, measured by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and likely associated with the 31 March 2009 eruption of Mount Redoubt, southwestern Alaska. GRACE data compared well with in situ measurements at Wolverine Glacier (maritime Alaska), but poorly with those at Gulkana Glacier (interior Alaska). We conclude that, although GOA mass estimates from GRACE are robust over the entire domain, further constraints on subregional and seasonal estimates are necessary to improve fidelity to ground observations.
Weak bed control of the eastern shear margin of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica
Authors: MacGregor Joseph A. , Catania Ginny A. , Conway Howard , Schroeder Dustin M. , Joughin Ian , Young Duncan A. , Kempf Scott D. , Blankenship Donald D.
Published: August 2013

Recent acceleration and thinning of Thwaites Glacier, West Antarctica, motivates investigation of the controls upon, and stability of, its present ice-flow pattern. Its eastern shear margin separates Thwaites Glacier from slower-flowing ice and the southern tributaries of Pine Island Glacier. Troughs in Thwaites Glacier’s bed topography bound nearly all of its tributaries, except along this eastern shear margin, which has no clear relationship with regional bed topography along most of its length. Here we use airborne ice-penetrating radar data from the Airborne Geophysical Survey of the Amundsen Sea Embayment, Antarctica (AGASEA) to investigate the nature of the bed across this margin. Radar data reveal slightly higher and rougher bed topography on the slower-flowing side of the margin, along with lower bed reflectivity. However, the change in bed reflectivity across the margin is partially explained by a change in bed roughness. From these observations, we infer that the position of the eastern shear margin is not strongly controlled by local bed topography or other bed properties. Given the potential for future increases in ice flux farther downstream, the eastern shear margin may be vulnerable to migration. However, there is no evidence that this margin is migrating presently, despite ongoing changes farther downstream.
Position Paper: Safety for K-12 students
Authors: Sanders April
Published: August 2013

Students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender (LGBT) are at risk for harassment due to their sexual orientation or gender identification with over 85% of LGBT students in the United States (US) reporting such harassment. These statistics demonstrate one aspect of the significance of this issue, but the cost of human life in some instances has revealed another layer of importance related to a need for safety policies for LGBT students. Even though a need exists for such policies, the practice of heteronormativity found in US policymaking regarding bullying does not protect victims or curb the violence. This essay highlights several recent developments in anti-bullying policy in US schools that shows the existence of heteronormativity, which is not helping to pro-tect LGBT students. By understanding the discrimination encouraged by current policy, future policy can be better shaped to protect LGBT students.
Josephine Dolan & Estella Tincknell (eds.) (2012). Aging Femininities: Troubling Representations. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars, 248 pp. ISBN 1 4438 3883 7 (hardback)
Authors: Lövgren Karin
Published: August 2013

Not Available.
Alternative Land Management Strategies and Their Impact on Soil Conservation
Authors: Gomiero Tiziano
Published: August 2013

Soil conservation is threatened by a number of factors, namely the effects of intensive agricultural practices, the increasing pressure for food production linked to the increasing human population, the consumption patterns in developed and emerging economies, and the conversion of agriculture from the production of commodities (which is itself a goal in need of discussion) to the production of biofuels. The extent of human pressure and the effects of conflicting land use systems need to be addressed. Alternative and conservative agricultural practices need to be explored and widely adopted in order to preserve the soil fertility, assessing their pros and cons. In this paper, the main potential alternative practices are reviewed, focusing in particular on organic farming. It is also argued that in order to better plan to preserve soil health a strategy considering the whole food system is required.
Dynamic Length Changes of Telomeres and Their Nuclear Organization in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Samassekou Oumar
Published: August 2013

Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by the t(9;22) translocation. As in most cancers, short telomeres are one of the features of CML cells, and telomere shortening accentuates as the disease progresses from the chronic phase to the blastic phase. Although most individual telomeres are short, some of them are lengthened, and long individual telomeres occur non-randomly and might be associated with clonal selection. Telomerase is the main mechanism used to maintain telomere lengths, and its activity increases when CML evolves toward advanced stages. ALT might be another mechanism employed by CML cells to sustain the homeostasis of their telomere lengths and this mechanism seems predominant at the early stage of leukemogenesis. Also, telomerase and ALT might jointly act to maintain telomere lengths at the chronic phase, and as CML progresses, telomerase becomes the major mechanism. Finally, CML cells display an altered nuclear organization of their telomeres which is characterized by the presence of high number of telomeric aggregates, a feature of genomic instability, and differential positioning of telomeres. CML represents a good model to study mechanisms responsible for dynamic changes of individual telomere lengths and the remodeling of telomeric nuclear organization throughout cancer progression.
Differential Proinflammatory and Oxidative Stress Response and Vulnerability to Metabolic Syndrome in Habitual High-Fat Young Male Consumers Putatively Predisposed by Their Genetic Background
Authors: González-Muniesa Pedro , Marrades María , Martínez José , Moreno-Aliaga María
Published: August 2013

The current nutritional habits and lifestyles of modern societies favor energy overloads and a diminished physical activity, which may produce serious clinical disturbances and excessive weight gain. In order to investigate the mechanisms by which the environmental factors interact with molecular mechanisms in obesity, a pathway analysis was performed to identify genes differentially expressed in subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SCAAT) from obese compared to lean male (21–35 year-old) subjects living in similar obesogenic conditions: habitual high fat dietary intake and moderate physical activity. Genes involved in inflammation (ALCAM, CTSB, C1S, YKL-40, MIF, SAA2), extracellular matrix remodeling (MMP9, PALLD), angiogenesis (EGFL6, leptin) and oxidative stress (AKR1C3, UCHL1, HSPB7 and NQO1) were upregulated; whereas apoptosis, signal transcription (CITED 2 and NR3C1), cell control and cell cycle-related genes were downregulated. Interestingly, the expression of some of these genes (C1S, SAA2, ALCAM, CTSB, YKL-40 and tenomodulin) was found to be associated with some relevant metabolic syndrome features. The obese group showed a general upregulation in the expression of inflammatory, oxidative stress, extracellular remodeling and angiogenic genes compared to lean subjects, suggesting that a given genetic background in an obesogenic environment could underlie the resistance to gaining weight and obesity-associated manifestations.
Performance Analysis and Comparison of Bluetooth Low Energy with IEEE 802.15.4 and SimpliciTI
Authors: Mikhaylov Konstantin , Plevritakis Nikolaos , Tervonen Jouni
Published: August 2013

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) is a recently developed energy-efficient short-range wireless communication protocol. In this paper, we discuss and compare the maximum peer-to-peer throughput, the minimum frame turnaround time, and the energy consumption for three protocols, namely BLE, IEEE 802.15.4 and SimpliciTI. The specifics and the main contributions are the results both of the theoretical analysis and of the empirical measurements, which were executed using the commercially available hardware transceivers and software stacks. The presented results reveal the protocols’ capabilities and enable one to estimate the feasibility of using these technologies for particular applications. Based on the presented results, we draw conclusions regarding the feasibility and the most suitable application scenarios of the BLE technology.
Enhancement of Cunninghamella elegans UCP/WFCC 0542 Biomass and Chitosan with Amino Acid Supply
Authors: Dos Santos Ednaldo , Da Silva Marta , De Souza Patrícia , Da Silva Antonio , De Paiva Sergio , Albuquerque Clarissa , Nascimento Aline , Okada Kaoru , Campos-Takaki Galba
Published: August 2013

Studies were carried out with Cunninghamella elegans UCP/WFCC 0542 to evaluate the effects of an abundant supply of amino acids, asparagine and corn steep liquor associated with sucrose on the production of biomass and chitosan by submerged fermentation. The concentrations of the components of the culture medium which were determined by a 23 full factorial design evaluated the interactions and effects of the independent variables of the sucrose, asparagine and corn steep liquor in relation to carbon and nitrogen sources, on the production of chitosan regarding biomass. The best results were observed at the central point [asparagine 0.025%, sucrose 0.15% and 0.45% of corn steep liquor, ratio C:N=2:6], and produced maximum yields of 16.95 g/L biomass and 2.14 g/L chitosan, after 96 h of submerged fermentation. However, the lowest level of sucrose, asparagine and corn steep liquor produced a low amount of biomass (10.83 g/L) and chitosan (0.60g/L). The infrared spectrum absorption of the chitosan produced by C. elegans showed bands regarding OH-axial stretching between 3406 and 3432 cm−1, superimposed on the NH stretching band with axial deformation of the amide C=O group at about 1639 cm−1, NH angular deformation at approximately 1560 cm−1; axial deformation of amide-CN at around 1421 cm−1, symmetrical angular deformation in CH3 at 1379 cm−1, -CN axial deformation of amino groups from 1125 to 1250 cm−1 and polysaccharide structure bands in the range of between 890–1150 cm−1. The crystallinity index of chitosan was 60.92%, and its degree of deacetylation was 75.25%. A low percentage of a supply of sucrose and asparagine with corn steep liquor offered higher yields of biomass and chitosan production at low cost.
Variation of Vitamin D in Cow’s Milk and Interaction with β-Lactoglobulin
Authors: Bulgari Omar , Caroli Anna , Chessa Stefania , Rizzi Rita , Gigliotti Carmen
Published: August 2013

Vitamin D is the collective name for a group of closely related lipids, whose main biological function is to maintain serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations within the normal range by enhancing the efficiency of the small intestine to absorb these minerals from the diet. We used a commercially available ELISA method for the determination of vitamin D in bovine milk. Individual milk samples from two different Italian Friesian herds were analysed. The enzyme immunoassay method used was confirmed as a useful tool to measure the vitamin D in the milk as it greatly reduces the time required to perform the conventional HPLC analysis. An interesting variation was found among individual animals that may be associated with management factors and specific genetic effects. A relationship was highlighted between vitamin D and the genetic polymorphism of β-lactoglobulin, the main bovine whey protein which is involved in the transport of small hydrophobic molecules such as retinol and vitamin D. The relatively high content of vitamin D in most milk samples suggests an opportunity to improve the natural content of vitamin D in milk either by acting on the herd management or selecting individuals genetically predisposed to produce milk with a higher vitamin D content.
Synthesis and Anti-HBV Activity of Novel 3′-N-phenylsulfonyl Docetaxel Analogs
Authors: Chang Jun , Hao Yun-Peng , Hao Xiao-Dong , Lu Hong-Fu , Yu Jian-Ming , Sun Xun
Published: August 2013

Nine new 3′-N-phenylsulfonyl docetaxel analogs were synthesized in good yields from the key intermediate N-phenylsulfonyl oxazolidine via a six-step route. These analogs were tested for anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) activity in vitro. Compounds 3e, 3g and 3j showed more potent inhibitory activity against HBeAg secretion than the positive control lamivudine. Further extensive SAR and mechanistic studies will be reported in due course.
Comparison of Two Methods, UHPLC-UV and UHPLC-MS/MS, for the Quantification of Polyphenols in Cider Apple Juices
Authors: Verdu Cindy , Gatto Julia , Freuze Ingrid , Richomme Pascal , Laurens François , Guilet David
Published: August 2013

The aim of this study was to develop faster and more efficient phenotyping methods for in-depth genetic studies on cider apple progeny. The UHPLC chromatographic system was chosen to separate polyphenolic compounds, and quantifications were then simultaneously performed with a UV-PDA detector and an ESI-triple quadrupole mass analyzer (SRM mode). Both quantification methods were validated for 15 major compounds using two apple juice samples, on the basis of linearity, limits of detection and quantification, recovery and precision tests. The comparison between UV and SRM quantifications in 120 different samples of a cider apple progeny showed an excellent correlation for major compounds quantified with both methods. However, an overestimation was revealed for five compounds with the UV detector and the mass analyzer. Co-elution and matrix effects are discussed to explain this phenomenon. SRM methods should therefore be considered with restrictions in some cases for quantification measurements when several phenolic compounds are simultaneously quantified in complex matrices such as apple juices. For both methods, analyses were carried out over short periods of time while maintaining a high quality for the simultaneous quantification of phenolic compounds in apple juice. Each method is relevant for more in-depth genetic studies of the polyphenol content of apple juice.
Brefeldin A Effectively Inhibits Cancer Stem Cell-Like Properties and MMP-9 Activity in Human Colorectal Cancer Colo 205 Cells
Authors: Tseng Chao-Neng , Huang Chien-Fu , Cho Chung-Lung , Chang Hsueh-Wei , Huang Chao-Wei , Chiu Chien-Chih , Chang Yung-Fu
Published: August 2013

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a small subset of cancer cells with indefinite potential for self-renewal and the capacity to drive tumorigenesis. Brefeldin A (BFA) is an antibiotic that is known to block protein transport and induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in eukaryotic cells, but its effects on colorectal CSCs are unknown. We investigated the inhibitory effect of BFA on human colorectal cancer Colo 205 cells. We found that BFA effectively reduced the survival of suspension Colo 205 cells (IC50 = ~15 ng/mL) by inducing apoptosis, and inhibited the clonogenic activity of Colo 205 CSCs in tumorsphere formation assay and soft agar colony formation assay in the same nanogram per milliliter range. We also discovered that at such low concentrations, BFA effectively induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response as indicated by the increased mRNA expression of ER stress-related genes, such as glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), X-box binding protein 1 (XBP1), and C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). Finally, we found that BFA reduced the activity of matrix metallopeptidase 9 (MMP-9). These findings suggest that BFA can effectively suppress the progression of colorectal cancer during the tumorigenesis and metastasis stages. These results may lead to the development of novel therapies for the treatment of colorectal cancer.
GABAB-Agonistic Activity of Certain Baclofen Homologues
Authors: Attia Mohamed , Herdeis Claus , Bräuner-Osborne Hans
Published: August 2013

Baclofen (1) is a potent and selective agonist for bicuculline-insensitive GABAB receptors and is used clinically as an antispastic and muscle relaxant agent. In the search for new bioactive chemical entities that bind specifically to GABAB receptors, we report here the synthesis of certain baclofen homologues, namely (R,S)-5-amino-3-arylpentanoic acid hydrochlorides (R,S)-1a–h as well as (R,S)-5-amino-3-methylpentanoic acid [(RS)-1i] to be evaluated as GABABR agonists. Compound 1a is an agonist to GABAB receptors with an EC50 value of 46 μM on tsA201 cells transfected with GABAB1b/GABAB2/Gqz5, being the most active congener among all the synthesized compounds.
Photochemical Patterning of Ionically Cross-Linked Hydrogels
Authors: Bruchet Marion , Mendelson Nicole , Melman Artem
Published: August 2013

Iron(III) cross-linked alginate hydrogel incorporating sodium lactate undergoes photoinduced degradation, thus serving as a biocompatible positive photoresist suitable for photochemical patterning. Alternatively, surface etching of iron(III) cross-linked hydrogel contacting lactic acid solution can be used for controlling the thickness of the photochemical pattering. Due to biocompatibility, both of these approaches appear potentially useful for advanced manipulation with cell cultures including growing cells on the surface or entrapping them within the hydrogel.
An Estimation of the Private Value of Aquifer Recharge from Ephemeral Wetlands on the Texas High Plains
Authors: Bian Dacheng , Benson Aaron , Williams Ryan
Published: August 2013

Ecosystem services are benefits people derive from resources in ecosystems. Playa lakes in the Southern High Plains region of North America provide several ecosystem services for humans, including recharge to the Ogallala aquifer. The Ogallala aquifer occupies 450,000 km2, it is part of eight states, and provides irrigation water to over 25% of the irrigated land in the United States. The recharge provided by playas potentially makes them important and valuable in this region. We develop an econometric model (with spatial aspects) to determine how playas affect the water level of irrigation wells and estimate the economic value to farmers of playa ecosystem services in recharging the water in those wells. We find that, in some instances, additional playa surface area may have a small but statistically significant effect on well drawdown (and, we infer, on recharge) on nearby wells, but that the value of the additional water is likely too small to significantly affect private management decisions. Because of lack of appropriate data, these results are of only limited applicability. We therefore identify a need for more research on the effects of management of sedimentation of playa wetlands as a key component that may improve the findings reported here.
High Resolution Direction of Arrival (DOA) Estimation Based on Improved Orthogonal Matching Pursuit (OMP) Algorithm by Iterative Local Searching
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Wu Renbiao
Published: August 2013

DOA (Direction of Arrival) estimation is a major problem in array signal processing applications. Recently, compressive sensing algorithms, including convex relaxation algorithms and greedy algorithms, have been recognized as a kind of novel DOA estimation algorithm. However, the success of these algorithms is limited by the RIP (Restricted Isometry Property) condition or the mutual coherence of measurement matrix. In the DOA estimation problem, the columns of measurement matrix are steering vectors corresponding to different DOAs. Thus, it violates the mutual coherence condition. The situation gets worse when there are two sources from two adjacent DOAs. In this paper, an algorithm based on OMP (Orthogonal Matching Pursuit), called ILS-OMP (Iterative Local Searching-Orthogonal Matching Pursuit), is proposed to improve DOA resolution by Iterative Local Searching. Firstly, the conventional OMP algorithm is used to obtain initial estimated DOAs. Then, in each iteration, a local searching process for every estimated DOA is utilized to find a new DOA in a given DOA set to further decrease the residual. Additionally, the estimated DOAs are updated by substituting the initial DOA with the new one. The simulation results demonstrate the advantages of the proposed algorithm.
Polycarbonate as an Elasto-Plastic Material Model for Simulation of the Microstructure Hot Imprint Process
Authors: Narijauskaitė Birutė , Palevičius Arvydas , Gaidys Rimvydas , Janušas Giedrius , Šakalys Rokas
Published: August 2013

The thermal imprint process of polymer micro-patterning is widely applied in areas such as manufacturing of optical parts, solar energy, bio-mechanical devices and chemical chips. Polycarbonate (PC), as an amorphous polymer, is often used in thermoforming processes because of its good replication characteristics. In order to obtain replicas of the best quality, the imprint parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, time, etc.) must be determined. Therefore finite element model of the hot imprint process of lamellar periodical microstructure into PC has been created using COMSOL Multiphysics. The mathematical model of the hot imprint process includes three steps: heating, imprinting and demolding. The material properties of amorphous PC strongly depend on the imprint temperature and loading pressure. Polycarbonate was modelled as an elasto-plastic material, since it was analyzed below the glass transition temperature. The hot imprint model was solved using the heat transfer and the solid stress-strain application modes with thermal contact problem between the mold and polycarbonate. It was used for the evaluation of temperature and stress distributions in the polycarbonate during the hot imprint process. The quality of the replica, by means of lands filling ratio, was determined as well.
Breaks and Convergence in U.S. Regional Crime Rates: Analysis of Their Presence and Implications
Authors: Cook Steve , Watson Duncan
Published: August 2013

The literature examining the relative properties of U.S. regional crime rates is extended. Using a novel method, convergence in alternative classifications of crime is detected over the period 1965 to 2009. Subsequent statistical analysis identifies distinct epochs in the evolution of crime which match those noted anecdotally in the literature. The findings concerning convergence within these epochs prove interesting, with results found to vary both between the alternative crime classifications and through time. In particular, evidence of divergence is noted which contrasts starkly with other results for earlier and later periods. Potential explanations for the observed results, their importance for policy and their implications for theory and future research are discussed.
Enhanced Delivery and Potency of Self-Amplifying mRNA Vaccines by Electroporation in Situ
Authors: Cu Yen , Broderick Kate , Banerjee Kaustuv , Hickman Julie , Otten Gillis , Barnett Susan , Kichaev Gleb , Sardesai Niranjan , Ulmer Jeffrey , Geall Andrew
Published: August 2013

Nucleic acid-based vaccines such as viral vectors, plasmid DNA (pDNA), and mRNA are being developed as a means to address limitations of both live-attenuated and subunit vaccines. DNA vaccines have been shown to be potent in a wide variety of animal species and several products are now licensed for commercial veterinary but not human use. Electroporation delivery technologies have been shown to improve the generation of T and B cell responses from synthetic DNA vaccines in many animal species and now in humans. However, parallel RNA approaches have lagged due to potential issues of potency and production. Many of the obstacles to mRNA vaccine development have recently been addressed, resulting in a revival in the use of non-amplifying and self-amplifying mRNA for vaccine and gene therapy applications. In this paper, we explore the utility of EP for the in vivo delivery of large, self-amplifying mRNA, as measured by reporter gene expression and immunogenicity of genes encoding HIV envelope protein. These studies demonstrated that EP delivery of self-amplifying mRNA elicited strong and broad immune responses in mice, which were comparable to those induced by EP delivery of pDNA.
Gold-catalyzed intermolecular coupling of sulfonylacetylene with allyl ethers: [3,3]- and [1,3]-rearrangements
Authors: Jun Jungho , Yeom Hyu-Suk , An Jun-Hyun , Shin Seunghoon
Published: August 2013

Gold-catalyzed intermolecular couplings of sulfonylacetylenes with allyl ethers are reported. A cooperative polarization of alkynes both by a gold catalyst and a sulfonyl substituent resulted in an efficient intermolecular tandem carboalkoxylation. Reactions of linear allyl ethers are consistent with the [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangement mechanism, while those of branched allyl ethers provided [3,3]- and [1,3]-rearrangement products through the formation of a tight ion–dipole pair.
Discours sur la méthode d'enseignement : remise en cause du motif de la formation contemporaine des enseignants
Authors: Friedrich Daniel S.
Published: August 2013

L’article analyse les débats sur la formation des enseignants suscités aux États-Unis par la prolifération de voies alternatives à leur certification (ARTC) et qui la réduisent au strict minimum. Réformateurs et partisans d’une formation traditionnelle partagent un sens commun, la distinction théorie/pratique, qui prédétermine la discussion. Si les ARTC font de l’expérience en classe une panacée (toute personne qui connaît quelque chose est capable de l’enseigner après un peu de pratique), les programmes classiques considèrent la pratique comme l’espace dans lequel les théories abstraites sont confirmées ou réfutées. L’auteur expose les dangers sociaux, politiques et culturels de ces positions car la naturalisation de l’expérience et le fait de la privilégier sont communs aux deux voies qui conçoivent l’enseignement comme la promulgation dans la classe de ce qui s’est révélé efficace. Elles s’accordent aussi sur des recherches factuelles trouvant des moyens pour produire une connaissance applicable à grande échelle, qui peut être planifiée et utilisée pour planifier. Repositionner l’expérience (accepter qu’elle n’est pas l’origine de la connaissance mais un de ses effets) et ne plus confondre diversité et différence (la diversité est une négation de la différence par la préfiguration de catégories au travers desquelles cette différence doit être comprise) sont deux conditions pour rendre possible un changement radical de la façon dont nous comprenons la formation des enseignants.