bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A di‐tert‐butyl acrylate monomer for controlled radical photopolymerization
Authors: Page Zachariah A. , Bou Zerdan Raghida , Gutekunst Will R. , Anastasaki Athina , Seo Sungbaek , McGrath Alaina J. , Lunn David J. , Clark Paul G. , Hawker Craig J.
Published: November 2016

A new di‐tert‐butyl acrylate (diTBA) monomer for controlled radical polymerization is reported. This monomer complements the classical use of tert‐butyl acrylate (TBA) for synthesis of poly(acrylic acid) by increasing the density of carboxylic acids per repeat unit, while also increasing the flexibility of the carboxylic acid side‐chains. The monomer is well behaved under Cu(II)‐mediated photoinduced controlled radical polymerization and delivers polymers with excellent chain‐end fidelity at high monomer conversions. Importantly, this new diTBA monomer readily copolymerizes with TBA to further the potential for applications in areas such as dispersing agents and adsorbents. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017, 55, 801–807
Development of a mechanical sexing system to improve the efficacy of an area‐wide sterile insect release programme to control American serpentine leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae) in Canadian ornamental greenhouses
Authors: Sultan Maryam , Buitenhuis Rose , Murphy Graeme , Scott‐Dupree Cynthia D
Published: November 2016

BACKGROUND

American serpentine leafminer (ASL), Liriomyza trifolii (Burgess), is a significant pest of greenhouse ornamental crops, and females damage leaf tissue with their ovipositor during feeding and oviposition. The sterile insect technique has been advocated as a non‐chemical alternative to currently available control methods. In area‐wide sterile insect release programmes, males act as true vectors of sterility. Females should be eliminated from a cohort of pupae prior to irradiation to maximise production economics and sterility spread. The aim of this research was to develop a mechanical sexing system based on pupal size to reduce the proportion of ASL females.

RESULTS

Cumulative frequency distributions were used to examine significant differences in male and female pupal length and dorsal and lateral width distributions. Optimum size cut‐off points based on the largest differences in distribution curves were used to determine the dimensions of three different sieve designs. Sieve pores measuring 1.543 mm by 0.765 mm excluded 76% of female pupae and doubled the proportion of males in the throughput sample.

CONCLUSION

Pupal sexual dimorphisms identified in this research can be used to design a sieve to aid in reducing the proportion of females prior to irradiation, thus improving the efficacy of an area‐wide sterile insect release programme. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry
Surface morphology control of nonpolar m‐plane AlN homoepitaxial layers by flow‐rate modulation epitaxy
Authors: Nishinaka Junichi , Taniyasu Yoshitaka , Akasaka Tetsuya , Kumakura Kazuhide
Published: November 2016

We investigate the surface morphologies of nonpolar m‐plane AlN homoepitaxial layers grown by flow‐rate modulation epitaxy (FME). As source supply sequences, we employ a continuous supply and three types of FME: group‐III‐source FME, group‐V‐source FME, and FME with groups III and V alternated. We reveal that the average V/III ratio affects the step‐flow velocity in +c‐ and a‐directions, which determines step direction. In addition, steps toward the +c‐direction tend to bunch under N‐poor conditions. This is probably due to enhanced adatom migration resulting from the FME technique. Thus, we can control the surface morphologies of m‐plane AlN homoepitaxial layers and thereby obtain a flat surface with well‐aligned steps.
VRS: a values‐based reputation system for web services
Authors: Hsu Fu‐Hau , Hsu Yu‐Liang , Hwang Yan‐Ling , Chen Li‐Han , Wang Chuan‐Sheng , Tso Chang‐Kuo , Liu Szu‐Chi , Lin Po‐Ching , Hsu Chi‐Hsien
Published: November 2016

The reputation system is used to display the reputation of entities based on the ratings or appraisals given by users who have used or purchased those entities. Web service providers supply various reputation systems for their users. However, these promising reputation systems face some challenges. First, even though different persons have different preference and values (values are a person's beliefs about what things are good or bad), these systems still give the same rating to the same entity for all users. Second, they may be greatly influenced by Sybil attacks. In this paper, we propose a reputation system, called values‐based reputation system (VRS), to solve the aforementioned problems. VRS customizes the rating of an entity for each user based on the ratings of the entities provided by other users who have similar values or preference to the user. Experimental results on 256 users show that compared with existing reputation systems VRS is more robust to Sybil attacks and provides a recommendation rating that is closer to the rating given by the user after it used the related entity. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Tutorial on statistical considerations on subgroup analysis in confirmatory clinical trials
Authors: Alosh Mohamed , Huque Mohammad F. , Bretz Frank , D'Agostino Ralph B.
Published: November 2016

Clinical trials target patients who are expected to benefit from a new treatment under investigation. However, the magnitude of the treatment benefit, if it exists, often depends on the patient baseline characteristics. It is therefore important to investigate the consistency of the treatment effect across subgroups to ensure a proper interpretation of positive study findings in the overall population. Such assessments can provide guidance on how the treatment should be used. However, great care has to be taken when interpreting consistency results. An observed heterogeneity in treatment effect across subgroups can arise because of chance alone, whereas true heterogeneity may be difficult to detect by standard statistical tests because of their low power. This tutorial considers issues related to subgroup analyses and their impact on the interpretation of findings of completed trials that met their main objectives. In addition, we provide guidance on the design and analysis of clinical trials that account for the expected heterogeneity of treatment effects across subgroups by establishing treatment benefit in a pre‐defined targeted subgroup and/or the overall population. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Is work keeping us from acting healthy? How workplace barriers and facilitators impact nutrition and exercise behaviors
Authors: Mazzola Joseph J. , Moore J. Taylor , Alexander Katherine
Published: November 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify common barriers and facilitators to healthy nutrition and exercise behaviors in the workplace and examine their relationships to those actual daily health behaviors. We utilized a concurrent embedded mixed methods approach to collect data from 93 participants over the span of four days. Participants reported 2.80 nutrition and 3.28 exercise barriers on average over the 4 days, while reporting 2.93 nutrition and 1.98 exercise facilitators in the same timeframe. Results indicated that workload and temptations around the office prevented nutritious eating; exercise behaviors were frequently hindered by workload. The most commonly mentioned eating facilitator was proper planning, while having time to exercise facilitated physical activity. Furthermore, the number of barriers reported negatively related to their respective health behaviors (i.e., more nutrition barriers translated to poorer nutrition habits) and facilitators were positively related to them, both overall and more so on the specific day they were reported. The implications of these finding show the importance of barriers/facilitators in the workplace and aid in the creation of more targeted health promotion that could increase positive employee health behaviors by eliminating common barriers and enhancing facilitators.
A High‐Performance Lithium‐Ion Capacitor Based on 2D Nanosheet Materials
Authors: Li Shaohui , Chen Jingwei , Cui Mengqi , Cai Guofa , Wang Jiangxin , Cui Peng , Gong Xuefei , Lee Pooi See
Published: November 2016

Lithium‐ion capacitors (LICs) are promising electrical energy storage systems for mid‐to‐large‐scale applications due to the high energy and large power output without sacrificing long cycle stability. However, due to the different energy storage mechanisms between anode and cathode, the energy densities of LICs often degrade noticeably at high power density, because of the sluggish kinetics limitation at the battery‐type anode side. Herein, a high‐performance LIC by well‐defined ZnMn2O4‐graphene hybrid nanosheets anode and N‐doped carbon nanosheets cathode is presented. The 2D nanomaterials offer high specific surface areas in favor of a fast ion transport and storage with shortened ion diffusion length, enabling fast charge and discharge. The fabricated LIC delivers a high specific energy of 202.8 Wh kg−1 at specific power of 180 W kg−1, and the specific energy remains 98 Wh kg−1 even when the specific power achieves as high as 21 kW kg−1.
Coming to Terms with Knowledge Management in Telehealth
Authors: Standing Craig , Standing Susan , Gururajan Raj , Fulford Richard , Gengatharen Denise
Published: November 2016

Although telehealth has been used in the health sector for many years, there is still the perception that it is far from reaching its potential. Telehealth outcomes can be improved if knowledge is effectively managed, but this has proved complex to achieve in practice. Systems approaches that take a holistic view and address fundamental issues are likely to result in greater success than focusing solely on software systems. Managing knowledge in telehealth projects draws upon literature on knowledge management, team learning and virtual working. We report on the findings from interviews with telehealth professionals of their experiences and insights on managing knowledge. The major finding is that telehealth projects are functional in nature, focusing on patient diagnosis or training but rarely consider improving knowledge acquisition and sharing. We explain the reasons for this including the lack of understanding of knowledge management concepts that serve as a barrier to improvements. An integrated set of requirements for a telehealth knowledge management system is proposed that has potential to be a facilitator of change in this area. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Glycovariant of Human CD44 is Characteristically Expressed on Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Pachón-Peña Gisela , Donnelly Conor , Ruiz-Cañada Catalina , Katz Adam , Fernández-Veledo Sonia , Vendrell Joan , Sackstein Robert
Published: November 2016

The clinical effectiveness of systemically administered human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) depends on their capacity to engage vascular endothelium. hMSCs derived from bone marrow (BM-hMSCs) natively lack endothelial binding capacity, but express a CD44 glycovariant containing N-linked sialyllactosamines that can be α(1,3)-fucosylated using fucosyltransferase-VI (FTVI) to enforce sLeX decorations, thereby creating hematopoietic cell E-/L-selectin ligand (HCELL). HCELL expression programs potent shear-resistant adhesion of circulating cells to endothelial beds expressing E-selectin. An alternative source of hMSCs is adipose tissue (A-hMSCs), and we assessed whether A-hMSCs bind E-selectin and/or possess sialyllactosamine-decorated CD44 accessible to α(1,3)-fucosylation. Similar to BM-hMSCs, we found that A-hMSCs natively lack E-selectin ligands, but FTVI-mediated cell surface α(1,3)-fucosylation induces sLeX expression and robust E-selectin binding secondary to conversion of CD44 into HCELL. Moreover, treatment with the α(1,3)-fucosyltransferase-FTVII also generated expression of HCELL on both BM-hMSCs and A-hMSCs, with sLeX decorations created on N-linked glycans of the “standard” CD44 (CD44s) isoform. The finding that hMSCs from both source tissues each lack native E-selectin ligand expression prompted examination of the expression of glycosyltransferases that direct lactosaminyl glycan synthesis. These studies reveal that both types of hMSCs conspicuously lack transcripts encoding α(1,3)-fucosyltransferases, but equally express glycosyltransferases critical to creation of sialyllactosamines. Collectively, these data indicate that assembly of a sialyllactosaminyl-decorated CD44s glycovariant is a conserved feature of hMSCs derived from adipose tissue and marrow, thus identifying a CD44 glycosignature of these cells and supporting the applicability of cell surface α(1,3)-fucosylation in programming migration of systemically administered A-hMSCs to sites of tissue injury/inflammation.
Concise Review: Mesenchymal Stem (Stromal) Cells: Biology and Preclinical Evidence for Therapeutic Potential for Organ Dysfunction Following Trauma or Sepsis
Authors: Matthay Michael A. , Pati Shibani , Lee Jae-Woo
Published: November 2016

Several experimental studies have provided evidence that bone-marrow derived mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells (MSC) may be effective in treating critically ill surgical patients who develop traumatic brain injury, acute renal failure, or the acute respiratory distress syndrome. There is also preclinical evidence that MSC may be effective in treating sepsis-induced organ failure, including evidence that MSC have antimicrobial properties. This review considers preclinical studies with direct relevance to organ failure following trauma, sepsis or major infections that apply to critically ill patients. Progress has been made in understanding the mechanisms of benefit, including MSC release of paracrine factors, transfer of mitochondria, and elaboration of exosomes and microvesicles. Regardless of how well they are designed, preclinical studies have limitations in modeling the complexity of clinical syndromes, especially in patients who are critically ill. In order to facilitate translation of the preclinical studies of MSC to critically ill patients, there will need to be more standardization regarding MSC production with a focus on culture methods and cell characterization. Finally, well designed clinical trials will be needed in critically ill patient to assess safety and efficacy.
LUTS, alpha‐blockers and men's health
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: November 2016

With an increasing number of men presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS), erectile dysfunction (ED) and the metabolic syndrome, Roger Kirby suggests that it is time to review current treatment approaches to avoid making some problems worse, and to try combinations of treatments that may be more beneficial for our patients.
Potential trophic cascades triggered by the barred owl range expansion
Authors: Holm Samantha R. , Noon Barry R. , Wiens J. David , Ripple William J.
Published: November 2016

Recently, the barred owl (Strix varia) has expanded its range into the Pacific Northwest of the United States resulting in pronounced effects on the demography and behavior of the northern spotted owl (S. occidentalis caurina). The range expansion has brought together historically allopatric species, creating the potential for significant changes in the avian predator community with possible cascading effects on food‐web dynamics. The adverse effects of the barred owl on the behavior and demography of the northern spotted owl are well‐documented, but little is known about the immediate and long‐term effects changes in the predator community may have on native species composition and ecosystem processes. Based on northern spotted owl and barred owl selection for diet and habitat resources, there is a potential for trophic cascades within the region's predator and prey communities, differing responses by their shared and unique prey species, and possible direct and indirect effects on ecosystem processes. We explored the possible ecological consequences of the barred owl range expansion to wildlife communities of the Pacific Northwest based on the theoretical underpinnings of predator–prey relationships, interspecific competition, intraguild predation, and potential cascading trophic interactions. Negative effects on fitness of northern spotted owls because of interspecific competition with barred owls are strong selection forces that may contribute to the regional extinction of the northern spotted owl. In addition, we posit that shared prey species and those uniquely consumed by barred owls, along with other competing native predators, may experience changes in behavior, abundance, and distribution as a result of increased rates of predation by rapidly expanding populations of barred owls. © 2016 The Wildlife Society.
Integrated Water Resources Management as a New Approach to Water Security
Authors: Graefe Olivier
Published: November 2016

Access to safe water is a worldwide problem facing three quarters of a billion people every day. The problem of access to water is not primarily due to an overall scarcity of water, but rather the unequal geographical and seasonal distribution of the water resources. The key issue at stake here is, how to make water available. The new approach presented by international institutions for improving water access is Integrated Water Resource Management. This chapter questions this new approach and highlights the depoliticizing implications.
Challenges to Food Security in a Changing World
Authors: Spiess Walter E. L.
Published: November 2016

The next decades will see dramatic climatic changes and a pronounced population growth Asia—accompanied by the formation of huge human agglomerations, megacities—followed by increasing numbers of people in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean; North America and Oceania will experience a moderate population growth whereas the EU will face a shrinking population. Unfortunately regions with the highest population growth are those were most people are living in precarious conditions especially in SS Africa and to some extent in South East Asia. To feed the 9 billion people any effort has to be undertaken to utilize and exploit the available resources in a sustainable way and to minimize the interventions into the environment. Factors of relevance are competitive biofuel production, the extension of the Food Chain into the Mega-City household, minimizing of food losses by applying new communication systems and supporting Food Sovereignty efforts of Developing countries.
Moral Economies of Food in the Socialist/Post-socialist World
Authors: Wilson Marisa
Published: November 2016

This chapter explains how economic activities become associated with moral understandings such as the ‘right’ way to provision food. It shows how such moral economies developed in Western Europe under the headings “liberalism” and “socialism” and gives examples of ways each is actualised in the production, exchange and consumption of food. Historical and present-day ideas about “the right way” to provision food have real-life effects, illustrated by the way fruit is traded globally. The chapter concludes with a detailed example of the socialist moral economy of food in Cuba, showing how socialist ideas about how food “should be” provisioned affect people in everyday life.
The Nutrition Transition in Developing Asia: Dietary Change, Drivers and Health Impacts
Authors: Kelly Matthew
Published: November 2016

This chapter reviews the likely consequences of dietary change for human health and wellbeing in Asia where a transition is occurring from diets dominated by low fat, high fibre foods to increased consumption of processed and packaged convenience foods. These foods are higher in fats, sugars and salt and are linked to increased rates of diet-related non-communicable disease. The chapter traces between-country differences and considers the drivers of dietary change including economic growth and rising incomes, the effects of urbanization and changing family size, the industrialization of food systems and the liberalization of world trade. While levels of malnutrition have declined throughout the region, rates of obesity ad overweight have increased raising challenging questions for nutrition policy planners.
Histology is a Prognostic Indicator After Pulmonary Metastasectomy from Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Ohtaki Yoichi , Shimizu Kimihiro , Aokage Keiju , Nakao Masayuki , Yoshida Junji , Kamiyoshihara Mitsuhiro , Sugano Masayuki , Takahashi Yusuke , Nakazawa Seshiru , Nagashima Toshiteru , Obayashi Kai , Hishida Tomoyuki , Tsuboi Masahiro , Mori Shohei , Mun Mingyon , Okumura Sakae , Igai Hitoshi , Matsutani Noriyuki , Mogi Akira , Kuwano Hiroyuki
Published: November 2016

Objectives

There are only a few detailed reports concerning the prognosticators following surgical resection of pulmonary metastases (PMs) from renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We investigated the prognosis of patients with RCC PMs undergoing pulmonary metastasectomy and identified prognostic factors in a multi‐institutional retrospective study.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 84 patients who underwent resection of PMs from RCC between 1993 and 2014. We assessed the clinicopathological characteristics, focusing on the histological findings of PMs. We classified the histology into three types: pure clear cell carcinoma (N = 68), clear cell carcinoma combined with other histology type (N = 8), and non‐clear cell carcinoma (N = 8). We examined the relationship between these histological types and the prognosis of patients with PMs from RCC.

Results

Complete resection was achieved in 78 patients (93%). The 5‐year overall survival rate after metastasectomy was 59.7%. In multivariate analysis, three factors were found to be independent favorable prognostic factors of overall survival after lung metastasectomy [tumor size <2 cm, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.13–0.78, P = 0.012; clear cell type, HR = 0.37, 95% CI 0.16–0.83, P = 0.025; and complete resection, HR = 0.27, 95% CI 0.10–0.78, P = 0.015].

Conclusions

This study indicates that a histological finding of the clear cell type is a significant favorable prognostic factor in addition to complete resection and a tumor size <2 cm. Histological evaluation of PM lesions is important for predicting survival after metastasectomy.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Combined with the Simplified Hill Repair in the Treatment of Morbid Obesity and Gastro‐esophageal Reflux Disease: Preliminary Results in 14 Patients
Authors: Gero Daniel , Ribeiro‐Parenti Lara , Arapis Konstantinos , Marmuse Jean‐Pierre
Published: November 2016

Background

Our aim is to report our initial experience with a novel technique which addresses morbid obesity and gastro‐esophageal reflux disease (GERD) simultaneously by combination of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and simplified laparoscopic Hill repair (sLHR).

Methods

Retrospective analysis of LSG+sLHR patients >5 months postoperatively includes demographics, GERD status, proton‐pump inhibitor (PPI) use, body mass index (BMI), excess BMI loss (EBMIL), complications and GERD‐Health Related Quality of Life (GERD‐HRQL) questionnaire. LSG+sLHR surgical technique: posterior cruroplasty, standard LSG, fixation of the esophagogastric junction to the median arcuate ligament.

Results

Fourteen patients underwent LSG+sLHR [12 women and 2 men, mean (range) age 47 years (27–57), BMI 41 kg/m2 (35–65)]. Five patients had previous gastric banding (GB). All had symptomatic GERD confirmed by gastroscopy and/or upper‐gastrointestinal contrast study, two with chronic cough, 10 took PPI daily. Twelve had hiatus hernia and two patulous cardia at surgical exploration. Associated interventions were three GB removals and one cholecystectomy. Postoperative complication was one surgical site infection. Follow‐up of all patients at median 12.5 months (5–17) is as follows: symptomatic GERD 3/14 patients, chronic cough 0/14, daily PPI use in 1/14, mean EBMIL 68% (17–120), satisfaction 93%, mean GERD‐HRQL score 3,28/50 (0–15), with 4 patients 0/50, occasional bloatedness in 2 patients and dysphagia not reported.

Conclusion

The novel technique which combines LSG with sLHR is feasible, safe and can be associated with GB removal. Preliminary results showed patient satisfaction, high remission rate of preexisting GERD, decrease in PPI use and unimpaired weight loss. Further evaluation is necessary in a controlled and staged manner to establish the technique’s real effectiveness.
Mixed‐Methods Assessment of Trauma and Acute Care Surgical Quality Improvement Programs in Peru
Authors: LaGrone Lacey N. , Fuhs Amy K. , Egoavil Eduardo Huaman , Rodriguez Castro Manuel J. A. , Valderrama Roberto , Isquith‐Dicker Leah N. , Herrera‐Matta Jaime , Mock Charles N.
Published: November 2016

Background

Evidence for the positive impact of quality improvement (QI) programs on morbidity, mortality, patient satisfaction, and cost is strong. Data regarding the status of QI programs in low‐ and middle‐income countries, as well as in‐depth examination of barriers and facilitators to their implementation, are limited.

Methods

This cross‐sectional, descriptive study employed a mixed‐methods design, including distribution of an anonymous quantitative survey and individual interviews with healthcare providers who participate in the care of the injured at ten large hospitals in Lima, Peru.

Results

Key areas identified for improvement in morbidity and mortality (M&M) conferences were the standardization of case selection, incorporation of evidence from the medical literature into case presentation and discussion, case documentation, and the development of a clear plan for case follow‐up. The key barriers to QI program implementation were a lack of prioritization of QI, lack of sufficient human and administrative resources, lack of political support, and lack of education on QI practices.

Conclusions

A national program that makes QI a required part of all health providers’ professional training and responsibilities would effectively address a majority of identified barriers to QI programs in Peru. Specifically, the presence of basic QI elements, such as M&M conferences, should be required at hospitals that train pre‐graduate physicians. Alternatively, short of this national‐level organization, efforts that capitalize on local examples through apprenticeships between institutions or integration of QI into continuing medical education would be expected to build on the facilitators for QI programs that exist in Peru.
Comprehensive dataset of mangrove tree weights in Southeast Asia
Authors: Komiyama Akira , Kato Shogo , Poungparn Sasitorn , Sangtiean Tanuwong , Maknual Chatree , Piriyayotha Somsak , Jintana Vipak , Prawiroatmodjo Suhardjono , Sastrosuwondo Pramudji , Ogino Kazuhiko
Published: November 2016

We assembled a dataset tabulating the weights of Thai and Indonesian mangrove trees that we measured between 1982 and 2001. We selected four Thai study sites in Phang Nga, Ranong, Satun, and Trat Provinces and one site in eastern Indonesia on Halmahera Island in Maluku Province. The stands in Ranong Province and on Halmahera Island were in primary forests with data collected in the 1980s and the remaining stands were in secondary forests with data collected later. We collected 124 tree samples from ten species (Avicennia alba, Bruguiera cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, Ceriops tagal, Rhizophora apiculata, R. mucronata, Sonneratia alba, S. caseolaris, Xylocarpus granatum, and X. moluccensis) and measured the root weights of 32 individuals of nine species (A. alba, B. cylindrica, B. gymnorrhiza, C. tagal, R. apiculata, R. mucronata, S. alba, S. caseolaris, and X. granatum). All sampled trees were subjected to a standardized protocol to obtain aboveground weights. The trunks were divided into horizontal segments from which the leaves and branches were collected separately. Roots were collected by winching them out of the ground, by trench digging, or by complete excavation. Thus, we were able to compile the weights of the trunk, branches, leaves, and roots of each tree sampled. Aerial roots were included in root weight measurements, although they were collected above ground. We compiled separate lists of trunk diameters, trunk heights, heights of the lowest living branches, and the heights of aerial roots on the trunks of trees in different size categories. Our dataset includes a wide range of tree sizes (maximum trunk diameter 48.9 cm), geographical locations (1°10′N–12°24′N, 98°32′E–123°49′E) and organ weights (trunks, branches, leaves, and roots), and therefore should prove useful in future biomass studies of mangrove forests.
Effect of Selected Polyhydric Alcohols on Refining Oil Loss in the Neutralization Step
Authors: Yooritphun Kanok , Lilitchan Supathra , Aryusuk Kornkanok , Krisnangkura Kanit
Published: November 2016

Alkaline neutralization is a classical method for removal of free fatty acids (FFA) in crude oil. It is generally accompanied by neutral oil loss. Thus, reduction of refining losses associated with alkaline neutralization is very desirable. Refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oils with different FFA contents were used as oil models in this study. FFA in the oil models were neutralized with sodium hydroxide in polyhydric alcohols as neutralization media. Glycerol, propylene glycol and ethylene glycol in water were effective neutralization media. FFA in the oil models were totally removed in one step of neutralization, while percentages of refining losses were different. The losses were increased in the order of water > propylene glycol > ethylene glycol > glycerol used as neutralization media. Also, a higher concentration of polyhydric alcohol in the neutralizing media significantly reduced the percentage of refining loss (p < 0.05). Glycerol (90% in water) was the most effective neutralization media (p < 0.05). When neutralization was carried out on crude palm oil (containing 7.53% FFA), refining loss was reduced from 36.1% (in water) to 20.0% (in 90% glycerol in water).
Two Types of Archaean Supracrustal Belts in the Bundelkhand Craton, India: Geology, Geochemistry, Age and Implication for Craton Crustal Evolution
Authors: Singh Vinod K. , Slabunov Alexander
Published: November 2016

Two Archaean supracrustal complexes are documented in the Bundelkhand craton viz. 1) the Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex (formed the Babina and Mauranipur belts), and 2) the Southern Bundelkhand metasedimentary (paragneisses, schists) complex (formed the Girar belt). The Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex consists of (i) an early assemblage composed of basic-ultrabasic, felsic volcanics, banded iron formation (BIF), and (ii) a late assemblage which contains felsic volcanics. The U-Pb zircon ages of felsic volcanics from the early assemblage, formed in an arc-type subduction setting, are 2813 Ma (Mesoarchaean). The U-Pb zircon ages of felsic volcanics from the late assemblage, which also occur in subduction settings as an active continental marginal type, are 2542 Ma (Neoarchaean). The Girar belt, located in the southern part of the craton, consists generally of metasedimentary rocks namely quartzites and BIFs. Quartzites are represented by fuchsite- and hematite-bearing quartz arenite and lesser quartz pebble conglomerates that have been subjected to low-grade metamorphism. BIF is represented by thinly-bedded quartz–hematite (±magnetite) rocks. Some lenses of marble and chlorite schist are present at the contact between the two formations. BIF is fairly rich in Cr and Ni, poor in Zr, Hf, Ba, Th, Sr, Yb and Lu, and displays a distinct positive Euanomaly (Eu/Eu* = 1.14-2.46). Zircons from quartzites give two U-Pb ages: 3432±9.7 Ma and 3252±6.4 Ma. The Sm-Nd isotope study of quartzite from the Girar belt shows that the TDM is 3.29 Ga. This TDM correlates well with the U-Pb ages of zircon and indicates that the continental crust in the Girar area began to form in the Paleoarchaean (3.4-3.2 Ga). The Central Bundelkhand greenstone complex was thus formed in a subduction-accretion setting in Mesoarchaean (ca 2.8 Ga) and Neoarchaean (2.54 Ga) time, and the Southern Bundelkhand metasedimentary complex originated in a sedimentary basin on the old continental crust apparently at ca ~ 2.7 Ga.
Palyno-petrographical Facet and Depositional Account of Gondwana Sediments from East Bokaro Coalfield, Jharkhand
Authors: Murthy Srikanta , Mahesh S. , Roy Jyoti Shankar
Published: November 2016

Palynological and petrological studies have been undertaken on the Gondwana coal and associated lithologies encountered in borehole EBM-2 of East Bokaro coalfield of Damodar Basin, India. The palynological investigation resulted in the recognition of Assemblage –III (Densipollenites, 27.9 m – 214.30 m), Assemblage – II (Striatopodocarpites + Faunipollenites, 225.00 m – 297.60 m) and Assemblage – I (Faunipollenites + Scheuringipollenites, 307.00m – 433.00 m). Lithofacies study was also done for better understanding of the preservation and abundance/paucity of the spores and pollen in different lithologies as the current borehole has significant thickness of mudstones, shales and siltstone. Palynofacies study and Petrographical studies of coal samples encountered in the borehole were used to determine the depositional environment of the coal precursor peat swamp. Palynological data has revealed the presence of younger Raniganj palynoflora between 27.00-214.30 m depth that is lithologically defined as Barren Measures Formation. This spore pollen study has proved that these sediments were deposited during late early Permian to late Permian period. Further the maceral analysis of organic sediments as well as the Thermal Alteration Index (TAI) has revealed that the coaly shale at 336.5 m depth has hydrocarbon generation potential.
Temporal Multifractal Pattern of Seismicity in Northwest Himalayan Region
Authors: Mondal S. K. , Roy P. N. S.
Published: November 2016

The variation of temporal fractal dimension D2 (t) value may be well applied for understanding the future large earthquakes. In this present analysis the time series of inter-occurrence of earthquakes of consecutive hundred events window in Himalayan region is analyzed. We observed the variation in D2 (t) values in the range of 0.19 to 0.68 indicating the variation of clustering of events with respect to time. The multifractal nature of earthquakes is also investigated by plotting Dq(t) versus q. The result shows the temporal distribution of earthquakes have multifractal structure of definitive pattern rather than random pattern.
Stratigraphy and Correlation of Mesoproterozoic Rocks Associated with Mohar Cauldron, Shivpuri District, Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Gaur V. P. , Survanshi Hemraj , Shrivastava S. K. , Nambiar K. V.
Published: November 2016

A circular structure, termed as cauldron of volcanic origin, was located near Mohar village in Shivpuri district (M.P.) in the year 2000. Subsequently, the same structure was called as Dhala structure of impact origin. There may be debate over the origin and evolution of this circular structure, but it is characterized by a unique lithological set-up within the Bundelkhand craton. The circular structure is defined by annular disposition of igneous and sedimentary rocks. This includes a set of felsic volcanic rocks and associated breccias named as Mohar Formation, exposed in the outer rim of the circular structure. The inner part of the circular structure has sedimentary sequence, termed as Dhala Formation.

The field relations indicate that the Mohar and Dhala foarmations are younger than Bundelkhand granitoid complex but older than Kaimur Group. This period in Indian stratigraphy corresponds to Semri Group which consists of Porcellanite Formation, the rocks of which have formed due to deposition of volcanic ash.

The geochronological data and field relations between different litho-units indicate that the Mohar volcanism which generated large volume of volcanic ash was a possible source for the formation of Porcellanite Formation. The deposition of sedimentary sequence in main Vindhyan basin was continued, whereas the volcanic activity in Mohar area continued till H ≈ 1.0 Ga. Since, acid volcanic activity has been reported in different parts of the world at H ≈ 1.0 Ga., it is possible that the Mohar acid volcanic activity is not an isolated event; instead it may be a part of global volcanic activities around H ≈ 1.0 Ga.
Testing of Coupled SCS Curve Number Model for Estimating Runoff and Sediment Yield for Eleven Watersheds
Authors: Srivastava Rajiv Kumar , Imtiyaz M.
Published: November 2016

The soil conservation service (SCS) methodology for computing direct run-off, using soil-cover-moisture complexes involves the selection of a runoff curve number (CN) for such complex events. This method has been further simplified by introducing an assumption on initial abstraction, with only one unknown parameter CN, which is represented by the potential retention capacity of the watershed (S). In this study, coupled SCN-CN with USLE model was used for the estimation of the runoff and sediment yield for eleven watersheds of different land uses (urban, agricultural, and forest) from Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC), Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, India. For the validation, runoff-sediment yield model is employed to a large set of rainfall-runoff-sediment yield data (68 storm events) observed from eleven watersheds. Model performance was assessed by using Nash and Sutcliffe statistical method. The efficiency of results was varying from 60.42 to 92.99 % for sediment yield and 54.23 to 96.12 % for runoff; this efficiency showed a reliable performance of model for estimating the sediment yield and runoff.
Geochemical Assessment of Groundwater Pollution from Sewage Effluents in the University Campus of Ibadan, Southwestern Nigeria
Authors: Olaojo  , Adesola Abayomi , Oladunjoye  , Adeyinka Michael , Sanuade  , Adetola Oluseun
Published: November 2016

Sewage effluent is often rich in toxic constituents leading to environmental hazard. Continuous discharge of sewage effluents into an agricultural training farm in University of Ibadan is polluting groundwater used for cultivation of vegetables and cereals, as also for drinking, thus posing risk to human health. The study area is underlain by Precambrian banded gneisses. The study is based on seven groundwater samples and twenty-three soil samples collected from seven trial pits. The samples have been analysed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Emission Spectroscopy respectively. Water analyses data show that the concentrations of Fe, Pb and Cd have exceeded the WHO (2006) drinking-water quality guidelines. Correlation coefficient of water shows that the coefficient corresponding to zero has a percentage of 29, whereas 71 % of correlation is either from the same source or from different source of enrichment. The correlation analysis of soil samples shows that 92.9% of the elements have the same source. The enrichment factor and geo-accumulation analyses confirm enrichment of Cu, Cd, Fe, Pb, Zn, Sr, Ba, Mn, Ni and La concentrations contributing to the pollution. All the metals analysed in the soil sample from the farm have anthropogenic influence.
Various Silver Nanostructures on Sapphire
Using Plasmon Self-Assembly and Dewetting of Thin Films
Authors: Kunwar Sundar , Sui Mao , Zhang Quanzhen , Pandey Puran , Li Ming-Yu , Lee Jihoon
Published: November 2016

Silver (Ag) nanostructures demonstrate outstanding optical,
electrical, magnetic, and catalytic properties and are utilized in photonic,
energy, sensors, and biomedical devices. The target application and the
performance can be inherently tuned by control of configuration, shape, and size
of Ag nanostructures. In this work, we demonstrate the systematical fabrication of
various configurations of Ag nanostructures on sapphire (0001) by controlling the
Ag deposition thickness at different annealing environments in a plasma ion
coater. In particular, the evolution of Ag particles (between 2 and 20 nm),
irregular nanoclusters (between 30 and 60 nm), and nanocluster networks (between
80 and 200 nm) are found be depended on the thickness of Ag thin film. The results
were systematically analyzed and explained based on the solid-state dewetting,
surface diffusion, Volmer–Weber growth model, coalescence, and surface energy
minimization mechanism. The growth behavior of Ag nanostructures is remarkably
differentiated at higher annealing temperature (750 °C) due to the sublimation and
temperature-dependent characteristic of dewetting process. In addition, Raman and
reflectance spectra analyses reveal that optical properties of Ag nanostructures
depend on their morphology.
Pulmonary vein potential mapping in atrial fibrillation with high density and standard spiral (lasso) catheters: A comparative study
Authors: Meissner Axel , Maagh Petra , Christoph Arnd , Oernek Ahmet , Plehn Gunnar
Published: November 2016

Background

The dominant single‐shot procedure for Pulmonary Vein Isolation (PVI) is the Cryoballoon Ablation (CBA) technique using a spiral catheter (Achieve™, AC) for mapping and monitoring purposes. We hypothesized that Basket Catheters, such as the High Density Mesh Mapper (HDMM), with its high‐density mapping properties, could detect Pulmonary Vein Potentials (PVPs) that the octapolar AC would not be able to identify.

Methods

Twenty‐four patients (average age 61.8±10 years) with either paroxysmal or persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) (Paroxysmal AF or Persistent AF) were enrolled in the study. While the patients were in sinus rhythm, all pulmonary veins (PVs) were prospectively mapped both prior and subsequent to CBA with a 32‐pole HDMM and an 8‐pole AC. PVPs were recorded using both catheters, and their location was allocated to one of four PV quadrants. Then, the quadrant findings of the mapping catheters were compared.

Results

Mapping using the HDMM allowed for more precise identification of PVPs both before and after CBA compared to AC mapping. We identified an average of 83.6±4.8 PVPs in all four PVs (this means 20.9±10.5 PVPs /per single PV per patient [HDMM], 14.5±1.3 PVPs/in all four PVs and 3.6±2.7 PVPs /per single PV per patient [AC]) before ablation, thereby leading to a significant difference in the identification of PVPs per PV quadrant. Of 384 PV quadrants/24 patients analyzed, the HDMM identified PVPs in 279 and AC in only 192 quadrants (P<0.05).

Conclusion

High‐density mapping with a Basket Catheter, such as the HDMM, detects PVPs that remain undetected when using the standard AC catheter in CBA procedures.
Advances in the Study of SR Protein Family
Authors: Ma Xiaoyun , He Fuchu
Published: November 2016

The name of SR proteins is derived from their typical RS domain that is rich in serine (Ser, S) and arginine (Arg, R). They are conserved in evolution. Up to now, 10 members of the SR protein family have been identified in humans. SR proteins contain one or two RNA binding motifs aside from the RS domain, and also possess special biochemical and immunological features. As to the functions of SR proteins, they facilitate the recruitment of the components of splicesome via protein-protein interaction to prompt the assembly of early splicesome; while in alternative splicing, tissue-specifically expressed SR protein along with the relative ratio of SR protein and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP) is composed of two main regulative mechanisms for alternative splicing. Almost all of the biochemical functions are regulated by reversible phosphorylation.
A Statistical Approach Designed for Finding Mathematically Defined Repeats in Shotgun Data and Determining the Length Distribution of Clone-Inserts
Authors: Zhong Lan , Zhang Kunlin , Huang Xiangang , Ni Peixiang , Han Yujun , Wang Kai , Wang Jun , Li Songgang
Published: November 2016

The large amount of repeats, especially high copy repeats, in the genomes of higher animals and plants makes whole genome assembly (WGA) quite difficult. In order to solve this problem, we tried to identify repeats and mask them prior to assembly even at the stage of genome survey. It is known that repeats of different copy number have different probabilities of appearance in shotgun data, so based on this principle, we constructed a statistical model and inferred criteria for mathematically defined repeats (MDRs) at different shotgun coverages. According to these criteria, we developed software MDRmasker to identify and mask MDRs in shotgun data. With repeats masked prior to assembly, the speed of assembly was increased with lower error probability. In addition, clone-insert size affects the accuracy of repeat assembly and scaffold construction. We also designed length distribution of clone-inserts using our model. In our simulated genomes of human and rice, the length distribution of repeats is different, so their optimal length distributions of clone-inserts were not the same. Thus with optimal length distribution of clone-inserts, a given genome could be assembled better at lower coverage.
A Real-Time and Dynamic Biological Information Retrieval and Analysis System (BIRAS)
Authors: Zhou Qi , Zhang Hong , Geng Meiying , Zhang Chenggang
Published: November 2016

The aim of this study is to design a biological information retrieval and analysis system (BIRAS) based on the Internet. Using the specific network protocol, BIRAS system could send and receive information from the Entrez search and retrieval system maintained by National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) in USA. The literatures, nucleotide sequence, protein sequences, and other resources according to the user-defined term could then be retrieved and sent to the user by pop up message or by E-mail informing automatically using BIRAS system. All the information retrieving and analyzing processes are done in real-time. As a robust system for intelligently and dynamically retrieving and analyzing on the user-defined information, it is believed that BIRAS would be extensively used to retrieve specific information from large amount of biological databases in now days. The program is available on request from the corresponding author.
Evolution and Variation of the SARS-CoV Genome
Authors: Hu Jianfei , Wang Jing , Xu Jing , Li Wei , Han Yujun , Li Yan , Ji Jia , Ye Jia , Xu Zhao , Zhang Zizhang , Wei Wei , Li Songgang , Wang Jun , Wang Jian , Yu Jun , Yang Huanming
Published: November 2016

Knowledge of the evolution of pathogens is of great medical and biological significance to the prevention, diagnosis, and therapy of infectious diseases. In order to understand the origin and evolution of the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus), we collected complete genome sequences of all viruses available in GenBank, and made comparative analyses with the SARS-CoV. Genomic signature analysis demonstrates that the coronaviruses all take the TGTT as their richest tetranucleotide except the SARS-CoV. A detailed analysis of the forty-two complete SARS-CoV genome sequences revealed the existence of two distinct genotypes, and showed that these isolates could be classified into four groups. Our manual analysis of the BLASTN results demonstrates that the HE (hemagglutinin-esterase) gene exists in the SARS-CoV, and many mutations made it unfamiliar to us.
Analyzing the Biology on the System Level
Authors: Tong Wei
Published: November 2016

Although various genome projects have provided us enormous static sequence information, understanding of the sophisticated biology continues to require integrating the computational modeling, system analysis, technology development for experiments, and quantitative experiments all together to analyze the biology architecture on various levels, which is just the origin of systems biology subject. This review discusses the object, its characteristics, and research attentions in systems biology, and summarizes the analysis methods, experimental technologies, research developments, and so on in the four key fields of systems biology—systemic structures, dynamics, control methods, and design principles.