bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Build quality of groundwater wells and contamination problems
Authors: Montagnani Fabio , Berti Fausto , Magini Stefano
Published: June 2016

The protection of water resources from pollution risks cannot be considered apart from the build quality of water work, particularly with regard to water wells. Its design features are essential to preserve the quality and quantity of the resource put in charge. The construction elements work well, which can lead to contamination of groundwater, are different and have different processes and pathways of contamination that are generated. The wellhead is a constructive element often overlooked but is the first vehicle of contamination of underground aquifers by infiltration surface direct from the floor bell. The breaking of the casing are then a second important element for contamination of aquifers through paths of cross-contamination. The natural aging of the works for the presence of corrosions and stray currents together with the use of materials of low resistance and their incorrect project are the main causes of this phenomenon. It is therefore important to the executive project of the casing with the relative strength checks . Another important constructive element which generates often problems of contamination of aquifers, both on the part of the infiltration surface both for interconnection between different aquifers, is cementation and more generally the isolations. Their main function is that of isolating the circuits put in charge of the well preventing mixing between aquifers separated. Are analyzed and described the main methods and materials used in conjunction with the operating procedures for the proper execution of cementation.
Evaluation of groundwater-surface water interaction through groundwater modelling: simulation of the effects of removal of a dam along a river at a contaminated site in Northern France
Authors: Remonti Michele , Mori Piero
Published: June 2016

A numerical groundwater flow model has been developed for an industrial site bounded by a river in in Basse Normandie, Northern France. The scope of the work was the optimisation of the existing groundwater pump and treat system and the prediction of possible effects on groundwater circulation after the future removal of a dam located along the river. The model has been implemented with the finite difference code MODFLOW 2005 and represents an area with an extension of approximately 800 x 500 m. It has been calibrated using static conditions groundwater head data (wells deactivated) and verified with 1) abstracting conditions (wells abstracting) head data, 2) simulating pumping tests with transient simulations and 3) comparing measured average river baseflow with modelled river drainage. The model indicates that the hydraulic barrier in the present abstraction scenario has some problematic areas and needs some improvements, as confirmed by the hydrochemical data of the river water. A first predictive scenario has been developed to optimise the barrier, indicating that a flow rate of 0.5 m3/h each at three new barrier wells, in addition to the present abstraction scenario, should ensure the hydraulic containment of the site. A second predictive scenario simulates the optimised groundwater abstractions without the presence of the dam along the neighbouring river. In these conditions, the river will increase the drainage effect on the aquifer, requiring a further increase in the rate of abstraction from the existing and new wells to ensure the hydraulic containment. With this paper we would like to present an example of what we think is a correct professional approach, with the design of the simplest model as possible depending on the hydrogeological conceptual model complexity, the abundance of data and the model objectives, and where multiple confirmations of the correctness of groundwater model results have been searched for.
Earthquake hydrology
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Energia geotermica o geoscambio?
Authors: Cultrera Matteo
Published: June 2016

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Tutelare le imprese specialistiche del sottosuolo
Authors: Fias Notizie da
Published: June 2016

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La sofferta chiusura del cerchio. Il contributo di Edmond Halley all’idrologia
Authors: Luzzini Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Virus e batteri nelle acque sotterranee
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Il rapporto isotopico dell’ossigeno dei fosfati (δ18Op): un nuovo tracciante per lo studio del metabolismo del fosforo negli ecosistemi?
Authors: Pistocchi Chiara
Published: June 2016

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Idrogeologia delle aree vulcaniche
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Il design delle reti di monitoraggio idrogeologiche
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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La determinazione dei valori di fondo naturale ed antropico nelle acque sotterranee dei grandi agglomerati urbani
Authors: La Vigna Francesco , Bonfà Isidoro , Martelli Simona
Published: June 2016

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News from the EU cluster ICT for Water
Authors: Anzaldi Gabriel
Published: June 2016

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Il passato, il presente e il futuro degli strumenti di misura delle variabili idrogeologiche
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Some aspects of the state of the art of contaminated sites remediation in Italy
Authors: Beretta Giovanni Pietro
Published: June 2016

The remediation of contaminated sites has been faced in Italy and elsewhere in the world with a series of works originated by the availability of specific technologies for the recovery of soils and groundwater quality, acting in accordance with the principle of sustainability. A framework of rules (target values and type of intervention) and a summary of the quality of soil and groundwater in Italian contaminated sites must be mentioned first. The design of the remediation was also permitted by the improvement of the site characterization, with specific equipments addressed for example to identify the stratigraphy of the contaminants, the presence of volatile compounds, the sampling of water of significant groundwater quality, etc.. The text describes some interventions relating to physical and hydraulic barriers that involve substantial capital and O&M costs and also the consumption of natural resources. Subsequently they are also considered important in situ interventions that resulted in a reduction in the concentration and significant recovery of the pollutants mass. The evolution of the residual concentration in the groundwater must be considered by monitoring natural attenuation. Despite the recovery of the mass of pollutants even up to 90-99%, values of cleanup (expected concentrations of the order of μg/L) which are established by national legislation have not been achieved. It can be stated that the scientific community is considering the new paradigm expressed by the “order of magnitude of the flow of pollutant mass” to replace the old paradigm consisting in the “limit value of final concentrations”.
FREEWAT - FREE and open source software tools for WATer resource management: an Horizon 2020 for promoting innovative ICT tools in water management
Authors: Borsi Iacopo , Rossetto Rudy , Foglia Laura
Published: June 2016

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Some simple procedures for the calculation of the influence radius and well head protection areas (theoretical approach and a field case for a water table aquifer in an alluvial plain)
Authors: Fileccia Alessio
Published: June 2016

The paper describes some simple methodologies for the delineation of well-head protection areas, together with an overview of the main regulations published in Italy and Europe. Starting from a general explanation of the main parameters, like the radius of influence and the zone of capture in homogeneous isotropic aquifers, basic methodologies suggested in the literature are then illustrated. Different criteria are involved: from the simple 200 m radius, to more complex analytical and numerical simulations. Five different approaches are applied and compared, to a well field in a water table aquifer along a river. Results have shown that, while simpler methods can be satisfactory at a first stage of the study, they fail to account correctly, for local heterogeneities. On the other hand the more accurate description of the aquifer obtained with a full numerical model requires extensive time, expertise and amount of data, that are not always available in case of small water supply systems. As many Authors have underlined, one of the most effective outcome of the numerical tool, lays in the capability to increase our knowledge on the groundwater dynamics of the system and the amount of the sustainable yield.
Linee guida per le indagini geofisiche - II parte
Authors: Rossi Claudio
Published: June 2016

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Acque sotterranee e cambiamenti climatici
Authors: La Vigna Francesco
Published: June 2016

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Geotermia e geofisica
Authors: Cultrera Matteo
Published: June 2016

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AQUA2015: il Congresso IAH di Roma
Authors: Petitta Marco , Ducci Daniela
Published: June 2016

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Il mistero e la bellezza. La Fonte Aretusa tra mito, storia e scienza
Authors: Luzzini Francesco
Published: June 2016

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The synthesis of decades of groundwater knowledge: the new Hydrogeological Map of Rome
Authors: La Vigna Francesco , Mazza Roberto , Amanti Marco , Di Salvo Cristina , Petitta Marco , Pizzino Luca
Published: June 2016

This paper describes the contents and the path taken to get to the new Hydrogeological map of the City of Rome. The map, which is the result of a combination of “expert elaborations” and GIS processing performed using the most recent available data, extends to the entire municipality (1285 km2) and is based on both the most recent scientific studies on groundwater field and new survey activities carried out in order to fill the data gaps in several areas of the examined territory. The work represents also an example of inter-institutional collaboration between government agencies, research institutes and universities.
Hydrogeology of Rome
Authors: Mazza Roberto , La Vigna Francesco , Capelli Giuseppe , Dimasi Michele , Mancini Marco , Mastrorillo Lucia
Published: June 2016

In this paper the hydrogeological setting of Rome is figured out. This setting has been strongly influenced by different factors as tectonic activity, volcanism and seal level variations. The conceptual model of the groundwater flow in the roman area is represented by four aquifers, three of which being overlappingones. These aquifers flow from peripheral sectors of the study area toward Tiber and Aniene Rivers and the Sea.
The City of Rome and its groundwater: from critical issues, to urban resilience opportunities
Authors: La Vigna Francesco , Bonfà Isidoro , Coppola Alessandro Gianni , Corazza Angelo , Di Filippo Cristiano , Ferri Gianluca , Martelli Simona , Rosa Carlo , Succhiarelli Claudio
Published: June 2016

This paper emphasizes the importance of groundwater resources of Rome with regard to its protection, and the associated issues. There are different tipologies of interference between human presence and groundwater in the city, ranging from the presence of water circulating inside the thick layers of anthropogenic deposits, the frequent contamination of groundwater, the presence of mining activities, the presence of archaeological heritage in underground or in low areas affected by flooding also induced by water table rising. Despite the various issues that are found, the knowledge of groundwater resources of Rome can be an important starting point to enhance its protection s and take advantage of the related countless benefits also aim to increase urban resilience.
La Marrana dell’acqua Mariana. Un corso d’acqua al servizio dei Papi
Authors: Capelli Giuseppe
Published: June 2016

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Interactions between respiratory oscillators in adult rats
Authors: Huckstepp Robert TR , Henderson Lauren E , Cardoza Kathryn P , Feldman Jack L
Published: June 2016

Breathing in mammals is hypothesized to result from the interaction of two distinct oscillators: the preBötzinger Complex (preBötC) driving inspiration and the lateral parafacial region (pFL) driving active expiration. To understand the interactions between these oscillators, we independently altered their excitability in spontaneously breathing vagotomized urethane-anesthetized adult rats. Hyperpolarizing preBötC neurons decreased inspiratory activity and initiated active expiration, ultimately progressing to apnea, i.e., cessation of both inspiration and active expiration. Depolarizing pFL neurons produced active expiration at rest, but not when inspiratory activity was suppressed by hyperpolarizing preBötC neurons. We conclude that in anesthetized adult rats active expiration is driven by the pFL but requires an additional form of network excitation, i.e., ongoing rhythmic preBötC activity sufficient to drive inspiratory motor output or increased chemosensory drive. The organization of this coupled oscillator system, which is essential for life, may have implications for other neural networks that contain multiple rhythm/pattern generators.
Loss reduction of leaky surface acoustic wave by loading with high-velocity thin film
Authors: Kakio Shoji , Hosaka Keiko
Published: June 2016

The propagation properties of a leaky surface acoustic wave (LSAW) on rotated Y-cut X-propagating lithium niobate (YX-LN) substrates loaded with an aluminum nitride (AlN) thin film with a higher phase velocity than that of the substrate were investigated theoretically and experimentally. From the theoretical calculation, it was found that the minimum attenuation can be obtained at a certain thickness of the AlN thin film for a cut angle ranging from 0 to 60° because the cut angle giving the minimum attenuation shifts toward a smaller cut angle as the film thickness is increased. The propagation properties of an LSAW on several rotated YX-LN substrates were measured by using an interdigital transducer (IDT) pair with a wavelength λ of 8 µm, and the predicted shifts of the minimum attenuation toward a smaller cut angle were demonstrated experimentally. For 0° and 10°YX-LN samples, the measured insertion loss and propagation loss were markedly reduced by loading with the AlN thin film. A larger electromechanical coupling factor (16.9%) than that at the cut angle giving zero attenuation without a film and a propagation loss less of 0.02 dB/λ were obtained simultaneously at a film thickness of 0.125 λ for the 10°YX-LN sample.
Induction thermal plasma synthesis of lithium oxide composite nanoparticles with a spinel structure
Authors: Sone Hirotaka , Kageyama Takuya , Tanaka Manabu , Okamoto Daisuke , Watanabe Takayuki
Published: June 2016

Li–Mn composite oxide nanoparticles are synthesized using an induction thermal plasma, and the formation mechanism is investigated on the basis of the homogenous nucleation rate and thermodynamic considerations. Under a high O2 partial pressure, MnO crystals nucleate and Li oxide condenses on MnO nuclei at a relatively high rate, forming LiMn2O4 in a single phase. On the other hand, under a low partial pressure of O2, LiMnO2 is obtained owing to the low condensation rate of Li oxide. This study presents the successful selective synthesis of LiMn2O4 nanoparticles by controlling the partial pressure of O2.
Smart Brix—a continuous evolution framework for container application deployments
Authors: Schleicher Johannes M. , Vögler Michael , Inzinger Christian , Dustdar Schahram
Published: June 2016

Container-based application deployments have received significant attention in recent years. Operating system virtualization based on containers as a mechanism to deploy and manage complex, large-scale software systems has become a popular mechanism for application deployment and operation. Packaging application components into self-contained artifacts has brought substantial flexibility to developers and operation teams alike. However, this flexibility comes at a price. Pracitioners need to respect numerous constraints ranging from security and compliance requirements, to specific regulatory conditions. Fulfilling these requirements is especially challenging in specialized domains with large numbers of stakeholders. Moreover, the rapidly growing number of container images to be managed due to the introduction of new or updated applications and respective components, leads to significant challenges for container management and adaptation. In this paper, we introduce Smart Brix, a framework for continuous evolution of container application deployments that tackles these challenges. Smart Brix integrates and unifies concepts of continuous integration, runtime monitoring, and operational analytics. Furthermore, it allows practitioners to define generic analytics and compensation pipelines composed of self-assembling processing components to autonomously validate and verify containers to be deployed. We illustrate the feasibility of our approach by evaluating our framework using a case study from the smart city domain. We show that Smart Brix is horizontally scalable and runtime of the implemented analysis and compensation pipelines scales linearly with the number of container application packages.
HBPF: a Home Blood Pressure Framework with SLA guarantees to follow up hypertensive patients
Authors: Cuadrado Josep , Vilaplana Jordi , Mateo Jordi , Solsona Francesc , Solsona Sara , Rius Josep , Alves Rui , Camafort Miguel
Published: June 2016

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition on the rise. Not only does it affect the elderly but is also increasingly spreading to younger sectors of the population. Treating it involves exhaustive monitoring of patients. A tool adapted to the particular requirements of hypertension can greatly facilitate monitoring and diagnosis. This paper presents HBPF, an efficient cloud-based Home Blood Pressure Framework. This allows hypertensive patients to communicate with their health-care centers, thus facilitating monitoring for both patients and clinicians. HBPF provides a complete, efficient, and cross-platform framework to follow up hypertensive patients with an SLA guarantee. Response time below one second for 80,000 requests and 28% increase in peak throughput going from one to three virtual machines were obtained. In addition, a mobile app (BP) for Android and iOS with a user-friendly interface is also provided to facilitate following up hypertensive patients. Among them, between 54% and 87% favorably evaluated the tool. BP can be downloaded for free from the website Hesoft Group repository (http://www.hesoftgroup.eu).
EDUCACIÓN Y RELIGIÓN EN URUGUAY. HISTORIA Y PERSPECTIVAS
Authors:   Universidad Católica del Uruguay, González Merlano José Gabriel
Published: June 2016

La realidad actual de la enseñanza pública en el Uruguay tiene su génesis en la segunda mitad del siglo XIX. En esa época se verifica una transformación ideológica, un intenso proceso secularizador que tiene como inicio e hito fundamental la reforma de la enseñanza escolar. El cambio que suscitó mayor conflicto fue el referido a la laicidad. La avanzada postura positivista y liberal, encarnada por el reformador José P. Varela, se enfrenta a la posición de la Iglesia, en relación a la permanencia de la enseñanza de la religión en la escuela pública. Si bien la Iglesia, tal como lo expresa Mons. Vera, recibe con beneplácito la reforma escolar, pues significaba la universalización de la enseñanza, no ve con buenos ojos la filosofía subyacente, que al quitar la religión de la escuela pretende destruir los valores espirituales, base del desarrollo de los hombres y de los pueblos. De hecho, la acción de la Iglesia impidió, al menos por unas décadas, que los designios laicizadores lograran a corto plazo sus cometidos, en un país cuya Constitución lo consagraba católico. Pero, debemos señalar que en el pensamiento de Varela, contra lo que generalmente se cree, no estaba la exclusión total de la enseñanza de la religión en la escuela, aunque sí se oponía a la enseñanza del catecismo católico. En este sentido, al no oponerse a la mención de Dios y la religión en general en la escuela pública, era partidario de una auténtica laicidad y no del laicismo que finalmente resultó de la mano de un exacerbado positivismo. Esta laicidad negativa que se instaló en la escuela, y en todo el ámbito público, llega hasta nuestros días e impide que los padres puedan ejercer el derecho a elegir la educación para sus hijos de acuerdo a sus convicciones. Por ello, conocer el pasado nos permite evaluar el presente y construir perspectivas de futuro para una auténtica libertad religiosa en el campo de la enseñanza promovida por el Estado.
LA LIBERTAD RELIGIOSA Y DE CONCIENCIA EN LAS RELACIONES DE TRABAJO. UN INTENTO DE ARMONIZACIÓN DESDE EL DERECHO ESPAÑOL Y LO RESUELTO POR EL TRIBUNAL EUROPEO DE DERECHOS HUMANOS
Authors:   Universidad Internacional de la Rioja (España), Aparicio Aldana Rebeca Karina
Published: June 2016

Las relaciones laborales tienen la particularidad de servir de medio para la interrelación de personas de diversas culturas, costumbres y religión. Todas estas idiosincrasias deben ser respetadas, tanto por el empleador, como por los compañeros de trabajo, pues son expresión del desarrollo del ser personal de cada individuo, de su dignidad. Por este motivo resulta de particular interés, la delimitación adecuada del derecho a la libertad religiosa sobre todo teniendo en cuenta el reciente fenómeno migratorio que en las últimas décadas ha disfrutado la Unión Europea y que, en vista de la globalización, parece extenderse a diferentes partes del mundo, sobre todo a aquellos países denominados emergentes2. El presente trabajo tiene como objetivo el análisis jurídico del ejercicio del derecho a la libertad religiosa y su impacto en las relaciones laborales con el objeto de armonizar su ejercicio con las exigencias empresariales
Response of the hyporheic zone to transient groundwater fluctuations on the annual and storm event time scales
Authors: Malzone Jonathan M. , Lowry Christopher S. , Ward Adam S.
Published: June 2016

The volume of the water stored in and exchanged with the hyporheic zone is an important factor in stream metabolism and biogeochemical cycling. Previous studies have identified groundwater direction and magnitude as one key control on the volume of the hyporheic zone, suggesting that fluctuation in the riparian water table could induce large changes under certain seasonal conditions. In this study, we analyze the transient drivers that control the volume of the hyporheic zone by coupling the Brinkman‐Darcy equation to the Navier‐Stokes equations to simulate annual and storm induced groundwater fluctuations. The expansion and contraction of the hyporheic zone was quantified based on temporally dynamic scenarios simulating annual groundwater fluctuations in a humid temperate climate. The amplitude of the groundwater signal was varied between scenarios to represent a range of annual hydrologic forcing. Storm scenarios were then superimposed on the annual scenario to simulate the response to short‐term storm signals. Simulations used two different groundwater storm responses; one in‐phase with the surface water response and one 14 h out‐of‐phase with the surface water response to represent our observed site conditions. Results show that annual groundwater fluctuation is a dominant control on the volume of the hyporheic zone, where increasing groundwater fluctuation increases the amount of annual variation. Storm responses depended on the antecedent conditions determined by annual scenarios, where the time of year dictated the duration and magnitude of the storm induced response of the hyporheic zone.
Revisiting the cause of the eastern equatorial Atlantic cold event in 2009
Authors: Burmeister Kristin , Brandt Peter , Lübbecke Joke F.
Published: June 2016

An extreme cold sea surface temperature event occurred in the Atlantic cold tongue region in boreal summer 2009. It was preceded by a strong negative Atlantic meridional mode event associated with north‐westerly wind anomalies along the equator from March to May. Although classical equatorial wave dynamics suggest that westerly wind anomalies should be followed by a warming in the eastern equatorial Atlantic, an abrupt cooling took place. In the literature two mechanisms—meridional advection of subsurface temperature anomalies and planetary wave reflection—are discussed as potential causes of such an event. Here, for the first time we use in situ measurements in addition to satellite and reanalysis products to investigate the contribution of both mechanisms to the 2009 cold event. Our results suggest that meridional advection is less important in cold events than in corresponding warm events, and, in particular, did not cause the 2009 cold event. Argo float data confirm previous findings that planetary wave reflection contributed to the onset of the 2009 cold event. Additionally, our analysis suggests that higher baroclinic modes were involved.
Oxidative dehydrogenation of butenes over Bi‐Mo and Mo‐V based catalysts in a two‐zone fluidized bed reactor
Authors: Rischard Julius , Franz Robert , Antinori Claudia , Deutschmann Olaf
Published: June 2016

The oxidative dehydrogenation of a 1‐butene/trans‐butene (1:1) mixture to 1,3‐butadiene was carried out in a two‐zone fluidized bed reactor using a Mo‐V‐MgO and a γ‐Bi2MoO6 catalyst. The significant operating conditions temperature, oxygen/butene molar ratio, butene inlet height, and flow velocity were varied to gain high 1,3‐butadiene selectivity and yield. Furthermore, axial concentration profiles were measured inside the fluidized bed to gain insight into the reaction network in the two zones. For optimized conditions and with a suitable catalyst, the two‐zone fluidized bed reactor makes catalyst regeneration and catalytic reaction possible in a single vessel. In the lower part of the fluidized bed, the oxidation of coke deposits on the catalyst as well as the filling of oxygen vacancies in the lattice can occur. The oxidative dehydrogenation reaction takes place in the upper zone. Thorough particle mixing inside fluidized beds causes permanent particle exchange between both zones. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 43–50, 2017
Heterogeneous fenton and photo‐fenton oxidation for paracetamol removal using iron containing ZSM‐5 zeolite as catalyst
Authors: Velichkova Filipa , Delmas Henri , Julcour Carine , Koumanova Bogdana
Published: June 2016

Paracetamol is commonly found in wastewaters, as a consequence of its high consumption and incomplete elimination by conventional treatments. Homogenous (photo‐)Fenton oxidation has proved efficient for its remediation, but it suffers from uneasy dissolved iron recovery. Therefore this work examines the performance and stability of an iron containing zeolite (Fe/MFI) as catalyst for this reaction. Effects of reaction parameters (pH, temperature, catalyst and H2O2 concentrations, UV/vis irradiation) are investigated in batch conditions, by comparing the pollutant and Total Organic Carbon disappearance rates in solution, as well as the overall mineralization yield (including solid phase) and oxidant consumption. At near neutral pH paracetamol can be fully converted after 5 h, while TOC removal reaches up to 60%. Finally, thanks to good catalyst stability (low leaching), a continuous process coupling oxidation and membrane filtration is proposed, showing constant TOC conversion over 40 h and iron loss in the permeate <0.3 ppm. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 63: 669–679, 2017
Patterns of morphological integration in the dental arches of individuals with malocclusion
Authors: Miller Steven F. , Vela Kaci C. , Levy Steven M. , Southard Thomas E. , Gratton David G. , Moreno Uribe Lina M.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

In humans, there is a large range of variation in the form of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches. This variation can manifest as either prognathism or retrognathism in either or both arches, which can cause malocclusion and lead to abnormal masticatory function. This study aims to identify aspects of variation and morphological integration existing in the dental arches of individuals with different types of malocclusion.

Methods

Coordinate landmark data were collected along the gingival margins of 397 scanned dental casts and then analyzed using geometric morphometric techniques to explore arch form variation and patterns of morphological integration within each malocclusion type.

Results

Significant differences were identified between Class II forms (increased projection of upper arch relative to the lower arch) and Class III forms (lower arch projection beyond the upper arch) in symmetrical shape variation, including anteroposterior arch discrepancies and abnormal anterior arch divergence or convergence. Partial least squares analysis demonstrated that Class III dental arches have higher levels of covariance between upper and lower arches (RV = 0.91) compared to the dental arches of Class II (RV = 0.78) and Class I (RV = 0.73). These high levels of covariance, however, are on the lower end of the overall range of possible masticatory blocks, indicating weaker than expected levels of integration.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence for patterns of variation in dental arch shape found in individuals with Class II and Class III malocclusions. Moreover, differences in integration found between malocclusion types have ramifications for how such conditions should be studied and treated. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:879–889, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Genetic analysis of novel Alu insertion polymorphisms in selected indian populations
Authors: Laybourn Susie , Akam Elizabeth Claire , Cox Nick , Singh Puneetpal , Mastana Sarabjit S.
Published: June 2016

Objectives

Indian subpopulations (Chenchu, Koya, and Lobana Sikh) were analyzed at the genetic level for 12 Alu polymorphisms. These markers were then utilized to establish levels of genetic identity between the Indian populations and more widely between the Indian populations and a European population.

Methods

Previously collected blood samples were extracted using the phenol‐chloroform method. The samples were utilized as templates for PCR using Alu specific primers and then analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis for the presence and absence of the approximately 300 bp insertions. Allele frequencies were calculated by the gene counting method and were tested for Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, heterozygosities, inbreeding coefficient, and GST to assess the level of genetic differentiation.

Results

All of the Alu loci were polymorphic in the three Indian populations studied and their average observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.294 (Lobana Sikh) to 0.357 (Koya). Allele and genotype frequency variation at the 2b, 9a, and ACE loci led to statistically significant pairwise differences among the three study populations. Overall population heterogeneity was observed for 7 out of 12 Alu polymorphisms.

Conclusion

The overall results show that these Indian samples, though displaying significant genetic variation and differences among themselves, form an Indian cluster, which as expected, is distinct from the European sample (Russian). As Alus are easily analyzed and quantified by standard and cost‐effective methodologies, this finding further reinforces their utility as effective population genetic markers. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 28:941–944, 2016. © 2016Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Sexual dimorphism in growth in the relative length of the forearm and relative knee height during adolescence
Authors: Nowak‐Szczepanska Natalia , Koziel Slawomir
Published: June 2016

There are numerous studies concerning sexual dimorphism in body proportions, but only a few have investigated growth in the relative length of particular segments of the upper and lower limbs during adolescence. The aim of the study is an assessment of sex differences of longitudinal growth in the relative length of the forearm and knee height among adolescents. Sample involved 121 boys and 111 girls, participants of the Wroclaw Growth Study, examined annually between 8 and 18 years of age. Sexual dimorphism in six ratios: forearm length and knee height relatively to: trunk, height, and limb length were analyzed using a two‐way analysis of variance with repeated measurements. The sex and age relative to an estimate of maturity timing (3 years before, and after age class at peak height velocity [PHV]) were independent variables. All of the ratios showed significant sex differences in interaction with age relative to age at PHV. The relative length of the forearm, in boys, did not change significantly with the years relative to age at PHV, whereas in girls, was the lowest in the two first age classes and afterward significantly increased just 1 year before and during the adolescent growth spurt, remaining unchanged in further age classes. For relative knee height no clear pattern for sex differences was noticed. It is proposed that relatively longer forearms, particularly in relation to the trunk in girls, could have evolved as an adaptation to more efficient infant carrying and protection during breastfeeding.
Formation of Self‐Templated 2,6‐Bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine [2]Catenanes by Triazolyl Hydrogen Bonding: Selective Anion Hosts for Phosphate
Authors: Byrne Joseph P. , Blasco Salvador , Aletti Anna B. , Hessman Gary , Gunnlaugsson Thorfinnur
Published: June 2016

We report the remarkable ability of 2,6‐bis(1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)pyridine (btp) compounds 2 with appended olefin amide arms to self‐template the formation of interlocked [2]catenane structures 3 in up to 50 % yield when subjected to olefin ring‐closing metathesis in CH2Cl2. X‐ray diffraction crystallography enabled the structural characterization of both the [2]catenane 3 a and the non‐interlocked macrocycle 4 a. These [2]catenanes showed selective triazolyl hydrogen‐bonding interactions with the tetrahedral phosphate anion when screened against a range of ions; 3 a,b are the first examples of selective [2]catenane hosts for phosphate.
An Aurivillius Oxide Based Cathode with Excellent CO2 Tolerance for Intermediate‐Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Zhu Yinlong , Zhou Wei , Chen Yubo , Shao Zongping
Published: June 2016

The Aurivillius oxide Bi2Sr2Nb2MnO12−δ (BSNM) was used as a cobalt‐free cathode for intermediate‐temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT‐SOFCs). To the best of our knowledge, the BSNM oxide is the only alkaline‐earth‐containing cathode material with complete CO2 tolerance that has been reported thus far. BSNM not only shows favorable activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at intermediate temperatures but also exhibits a low thermal expansion coefficient, excellent structural stability, and good chemical compatibility with the electrolyte. These features highlight the potential of the new BSNM material as a highly promising cathode material for IT‐SOFCs.
Dizinc Lactide Polymerization Catalysts: Hyperactivity by Control of Ligand Conformation and Metallic Cooperativity
Authors: Thevenon Arnaud , Romain Charles , Bennington Michael S. , White Andrew J. P. , Davidson Hannah J. , Brooker Sally , Williams Charlotte K.
Published: June 2016

Understanding how to moderate and improve catalytic activity is critical to improving degradable polymer production. Here, di‐ and monozinc catalysts, coordinated by bis(imino)diphenylamido ligands, show remarkable activities and allow determination of the factors controlling performance. In most cases, the dizinc catalysts significantly out‐perform the monozinc analogs. Further, for the best dizinc catalyst, the ligand conformation controls activity: the catalyst with “folded” ligand conformation shows turnover frequency (TOF) values up to 60 000 h−1 (0.1 mol % loading, 298 K, [LA]=1 m), whilst that with a “planar” conformation is much slower, under similar conditions (TOF=30 h−1). Dizinc catalysts also perform very well under immortal conditions, showing improved control, and are able to tolerate loadings as low as 0.002 mol % whilst conserving high activity (TOF=12 500 h−1).
Synthesis of iron chalcogenides from single source precursors
Authors: Um‐e‐Habiba  , Badshah Amin , Hussain Raja Azadar
Published: June 2016

In this review article the synthesis of iron chalcogenides using single source precursors is discussed. The effect on morphology and phase of iron chalcogenides formed is studied by varying single source precursors, reaction temperature, reaction time, surfactants and their concentration. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Palladium 2‐mercapto‐N‐propylacetamide complex anchored onto MCM‐41 as efficient and reusable nanocatalyst for Suzuki, Stille and Heck reactions and amination of aryl halides
Authors: Nikoorazm Mohsen , Ghorbani‐Choghamarani Arash , Noori Nourolah , Tahmasbi Bahman
Published: June 2016

A palladium 2‐mercapto‐N‐propylacetamide complex supported on functionalized MCM‐41 was prepared by a post‐grafting method and considered as an efficient catalyst for CC cross‐coupling reactions between various aryl halides and sodium tetraphenylborate, phenylboronic acid, triphenyltin chloride or alkenes. Also, this catalyst shows good reactivity towards amination of aryl halides. This nanocatalyst was characterized using thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma and transmission electron microscopy techniques. Further results indicated that the heterogeneous catalyst could be recovered easily and reused several times without any loss of its catalytic activity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Analysis of Rocky Mountain mesoscale convective system initiation location clusters in the Arkansas‐Red River Basin
Authors: Callen Elisabeth , Tucker Donna F.
Published: June 2016

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are the largest precipitation producers in terms of total accumulated precipitation and are, therefore, the focus of this study. For this analysis, the MCSs forming within the Rocky Mountain portion of the Arkansas‐Red River Basin were studied in April through September in 1996–2006. Once variables favourable for the initiation were determined, statistical analyses were performed on the variables. Presented are the general results of an analysis of the multiple linear regressions and principal component analyses showing that in each area where MCSs initiate, the most favourable conditions for initiation are unique.
PyMOL mControl: Manipulating molecular visualization with mobile devices
Authors: Lam Wendy W. T. , Siu Shirley W. I.
Published: June 2016

Viewing and manipulating three‐dimensional (3D) structures in molecular graphics software are essential tasks for researchers and students to understand the functions of molecules. Currently, the way to manipulate a 3D molecular object is mainly based on mouse‐and‐keyboard control that is usually difficult and tedious to learn. While gesture‐based and touch‐based interactions are increasingly popular in interactive software systems, their suitability in handling molecular graphics has not yet been sufficiently explored. Here, we designed the gesture‐based and touch‐based interaction methods to manipulate virtual objects in PyMOL utilizing the motion and touch sensors in a mobile device. Three fundamental viewing controls–zooming, translation and rotation–and frequently used functions were implemented. Results from a pilot user study reveal that task performances on viewing controls using a mobile device are slightly reduced as compared to mouse‐and‐keyboard method. However, it is considered to be more suitable for oral presentations and equally suitable for education scenarios such as school classes. Overall, PyMOL mControl provides an alternative way to manipulate objects in molecular graphic software with new user experiences. The software is freely available at http://cbbio.cis.umac.mo/mcontrol.html. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(1):76–83, 2017.
Of responsible research—Exploring the science‐society dialogue in undergraduate training within the life sciences
Authors: Almeida Maria Strecht , Quintanilha Alexandre
Published: June 2016

We explore the integration of societal issues in undergraduate training within the life sciences. Skills in thinking about science, scientific knowledge production and the place of science in society are crucial in the context of the idea of responsible research and innovation. This idea became institutionalized and it is currently well‐present in the scientific agenda. Developing abilities in this regard seems particularly relevant to training in the life sciences, as new developments in this area somehow evoke the involvement of all of us citizens, our engagement to debate and take part in processes of change. The present analysis draws from the implementation of a curricular unit focused on science‐society dialogue, an optional course included in the Biochemistry Degree study plan offered at the University of Porto. This curricular unit was designed to be mostly an exploratory activity for the students, enabling them to undertake in‐depth study in areas/topics of their specific interest. Mapping topics from students' final papers provided a means of analysis and became a useful tool in the exploratory collaborative construction of the course. We discuss both the relevance and the opportunity of thinking and questioning the science‐society dialogue. As part of undergraduate training, this pedagogical practice was deemed successful. © 2016 by The International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 45(1):46–52, 2017.
Diagnosis of congenital von Willebrand disease during a preoperative assessment in a multiple myeloma patient without bleeding history
Authors: El Ouaaliti Malika , Li Rong , Gobin Delphine , Bron Dominique , Cantinieaux Brigitte
Published: June 2016

Key Clinical Message

We report a rare case of type 2M von Willebrand disease diagnosed in an elderly multiple myeloma patient who had no personal and family bleeding history. This case report emphasis the importance to not systematically exclude a congenital vWD in adult patients when coagulation screening tests indicate toward a vWD.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylation of Indoles using Aryl Formates as Bifunctional Reagents: A Route to Indol‐3‐yl Aryl Ketones
Authors: Gu Li‐Jun , Wang Yu‐Shen , Zhang Hong‐Tao , Tang Huai‐Jun , Li Gan‐Peng , Yuan Ming‐Long
Published: June 2016

A new Pd‐catalyzed carbonylation of indoles for the synthesis of indol‐3‐yl aryl ketones under CO‐free conditions was developed. The reaction showed a broad substrate scope with moderate to excellent yields.
Modulation of the Physicochemical Properties of Donor–Spiro–Acceptor Derivatives through Donor Unit Planarisation: Phenylacridine versus Indoloacridine—New Hosts for Green and Blue Phosphorescent Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes (PhOLEDs)
Authors: Thiery Sébastien , Tondelier Denis , Geffroy Bernard , Jeannin Olivier , Rault‐Berthelot Joëlle , Poriel Cyril
Published: June 2016

This work reports a detailed structure–property relationship study of a series of efficient host materials based on the donor–spiro–acceptor (D‐spiro‐A) design for green and sky‐blue phosphorescent organic light‐emitting diodes (PhOLEDs). The electronic and physical effects of the indoloacridine (IA) fragment connected through a spiro bridge to different acceptor units, namely, fluorene, dioxothioxanthene or diazafluorene moiety, have been investigated in depth. The resulting host materials have been easily synthesised through short, efficient, low‐cost, and highly adaptable synthetic routes by using common intermediates. The dyes possess a very high triplet energy (ET) and tuneable HOMO/LUMO levels, depending on the strength of the donor/acceptor combination. The peculiar electrochemical and optical properties of the IA moiety have been investigated though a fine comparison with their phenylacridine counterparts to study the influence of planarisation. Finally, these molecules have been incorporated as hosts in green and sky‐blue PhOLEDs. For the derivative SIA‐TXO2 as a host, external quantum efficiencies as high as 23 and 14 % have been obtained for green and sky‐blue PhOLEDs, respectively.
TheFoxb1‐expressing neurons of the ventrolateral hypothalamic parvafox nucleus project to defensive circuits
Authors: Bilella Alessandro , Alvarez‐Bolado Gonzalo , Celio Marco R.
Published: June 2016

The parvafox nucleus is an elongated structure that is lodged within the ventrolateral hypothalamus and lies along the optic tract. It comprises axially located parvalbumin (Parv)‐positive neurons and a peripheral cuff ofFoxb1‐expressing ones. In the present study, injections of Cre‐dependent adenoviral constructs were targeted to the ventrolateral hypothalamus ofFoxb1/Cremice to label specifically and map the efferent connections of theFoxb1‐expressing subpopulation of neurons of the parvafox nucleus. These neurons project more widely than do the Parv‐positive ones and implicate a part of the axons known to emanate from the lateral hypothalamus. High labeling densities were found in the dorsolateral and the upper lateral portion of the periaqueductal gray (PAG), the Su3 and PV2 nuclei of the ventrolateral PAG, the cuneiform nucleus, the mesencephalic reticular formation, and the superior colliculus. Intermediate densities of terminals were encountered in the septum, bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, substantia innominata, various thalamic and hypothalamic nuclei, pedunculopontine nucleus, Barrington's nucleus, retrofacial nucleus, and retroambigual nucleus. Scattered terminals were observed in the olfactory bulbs, the prefrontal cortex and the lamina X of the cervical spinal cord. Because the terminals were demonstrated to express the glutamate transporter VGlut2, the projections are presumed to be excitatory. A common denominator of the main target sites of theFoxb1‐positive axons of the parvafox nucleus appears to be an involvement in the defensive reactions to life‐threatening situations. The hypothalamic parvafox nucleus may contribute to the autonomic manifestations that accompany the expression of emotions. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:2955–2981, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Immunocytochemical organization and sour taste activation in the rostral nucleus of the solitary tract of mice
Authors: Stratford Jennifer M. , Thompson John A. , Finger Thomas E.
Published: June 2016

Sensory inputs from the oropharynx terminate in both the trigeminal brainstem complex and the rostral part of the nucleus of the solitary tract (nTS). Taste information is conveyed via the facial and glossopharyngeal nerves, while general mucosal innervation is carried by the trigeminal and glossopharyngeal nerves. In contrast, the caudal nTS receives general visceral information largely from the vagus nerve. Although the caudal nTS shows clear morphological and molecularly delimited subdivisions, the rostral part does not. Thus, linking taste‐induced patterns of activity to morphological subdivisions in the nTS is challenging. To test whether molecularly defined features of the rostral nTS correlate with patterns of taste‐induced activity, we combined immunohistochemistry for markers of various visceral afferent and efferent systems with c‐Fos–based activity maps generated by stimulation with a sour tastant, 30 mM citric acid. We further dissociated taste‐related activity from activity arising from acid‐sensitive general mucosal innervation by comparing acid‐evoked c‐Fos in wild‐type and “taste blind” P2X2/P2X3 double knockout (P2X‐dbl KO) mice. In wild‐type mice, citric acid stimulation evoked significant c‐Fos activation in the central part of the rostral nTS—activity that was largely absent in the P2X‐dbl KO mice. P2X‐dbl KO mice, like wild‐type mice, did exhibit acid‐induced c‐Fos activity in the dorsomedial trigeminal brainstem nucleus situated laterally adjacent to the rostral nTS. This dorsomedial nucleus also showed substantial innervation by trigeminal nerve fibers immunoreactive for calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP), a marker for polymodal nociceptors, suggesting that trigeminal general mucosal innervation carries information about acids in the oral cavity. J. Comp. Neurol. 525:271–290, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.