bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-Value Components and Bioactives from Sea Cucumbers for Functional Foods—A Review
Authors: Bordbar Sara , Anwar Farooq , Saari Nazamid
Published: October 2011

Sea cucumbers, belonging to the class Holothuroidea, are marine invertebrates, habitually found in the benthic areas and deep seas across the world. They have high commercial value coupled with increasing global production and trade. Sea cucumbers, informally named as bêche-de-mer, or gamat, have long been used for food and folk medicine in the communities of Asia and Middle East. Nutritionally, sea cucumbers have an impressive profile of valuable nutrients such as Vitamin A, Vitamin B1 (thiamine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B3 (niacin), and minerals, especially calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. A number of unique biological and pharmacological activities including anti-angiogenic, anticancer, anticoagulant, anti-hypertension, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antithrombotic, antitumor and wound healing have been ascribed to various species of sea cucumbers. Therapeutic properties and medicinal benefits of sea cucumbers can be linked to the presence of a wide array of bioactives especially triterpene glycosides (saponins), chondroitin sulfates, glycosaminoglycan (GAGs), sulfated polysaccharides, sterols (glycosides and sulfates), phenolics, cerberosides, lectins, peptides, glycoprotein, glycosphingolipids and essential fatty acids. This review is mainly designed to cover the high-value components and bioactives as well as the multiple biological and therapeutic properties of sea cucumbers with regard to exploring their potential uses for functional foods and nutraceuticals.
Fucoxanthin, a Marine Carotenoid Present in Brown Seaweeds and Diatoms: Metabolism and Bioactivities Relevant to Human Health
Authors: Peng Juan , Yuan Jian-Ping , Wu Chou-Fei , Wang Jiang-Hai
Published: October 2011

The marine carotenoid fucoxanthin can be found in marine brown seaweeds, the macroalgae, and diatoms, the microalgae, and has remarkable biological properties. Numerous studies have shown that fucoxanthin has considerable potential and promising applications in human health. In this article, we review the current available scientific literature regarding the metabolism, safety, and bioactivities of fucoxanthin, including its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, anti-obese, antidiabetic, antiangiogenic and antimalarial activities, and its protective effects on the liver, blood vessels of the brain, bones, skin, and eyes. Although some studies have shown the bioavailability of fucoxanthin in brown seaweeds to be low in humans, many studies have suggested that a dietary combination of fucoxanthin and edible oil or lipid could increase the absorption rate of fucoxanthin, and thus it might be a promising marine drug.
Polyhydroxylated Steroids from the Bamboo Coral Isis hippuris
Authors: Chen Wei-Hua , Wang Shang-Kwei , Duh Chang-Yih
Published: October 2011

In previous studies on the secondary metabolites of the Taiwanese octocoral Isis hippuris, specimens have always been collected at Green Island. In the course of our studies on bioactive compounds from marine organisms, the acetone-solubles of the Taiwanese octocoral I. hippuris collected at Orchid Island have led to the isolation of five new polyoxygenated steroids: hipposterone M–O (1–3), hipposterol G (4) and hippuristeroketal A (5). The structures of these compounds were determined on the basis of their spectroscopic and physical data. The anti-HCMV (human cytomegalovirus) activity of 1–5 and their cytotoxicity against selected cell lines were evaluated. Compound 2 exhibited inhibitory activity against HCMV, with an EC50 value of 6.0 μg/mL.
Antitumor Peptides from Marine Organisms
Authors: Zheng Lan-Hong , Wang Yue-Jun , Sheng Jun , Wang Fang , Zheng Yuan , Lin Xiu-Kun , Sun Mi
Published: October 2011

The biodiversity of the marine environment and the associated chemical diversity constitute a practically unlimited resource of new antitumor agents in the field of the development of marine bioactive substances. In this review, the progress on studies of antitumor peptides from marine sources is provided. The biological properties and mechanisms of action of different marine peptides are described; information about their molecular diversity is also presented. Novel peptides that induce apoptosis signal pathway, affect the tubulin-microtubule equilibrium and inhibit angiogenesis are presented in association with their pharmacological properties. It is intended to provide useful information for further research in the fields of marine antitumor peptides.
Cnidarians as a Source of New Marine Bioactive Compounds—An Overview of the Last Decade and Future Steps for Bioprospecting
Authors: Rocha Joana , Peixe Luisa , Gomes Newton C.M. , Calado Ricardo
Published: October 2011

Marine invertebrates are rich sources of bioactive compounds and their biotechnological potential attracts scientific and economic interest worldwide. Although sponges are the foremost providers of marine bioactive compounds, cnidarians are also being studied with promising results. This diverse group of marine invertebrates includes over 11,000 species, 7500 of them belonging to the class Anthozoa. We present an overview of some of the most promising marine bioactive compounds from a therapeutic point of view isolated from cnidarians in the first decade of the 21st century. Anthozoan orders Alcyonacea and Gorgonacea exhibit by far the highest number of species yielding promising compounds. Antitumor activity has been the major area of interest in the screening of cnidarian compounds, the most promising ones being terpenoids (monoterpenoids, diterpenoids, sesquiterpenoids). We also discuss the future of bioprospecting for new marine bioactive compounds produced by cnidarians.
In Vitro Anti-HMPV Activity of Meroditerpenoids from Marine Alga Stypopodium zonale (Dictyotales)
Authors: Mendes Gabriella , Soares Angélica Ribeiro , Sigiliano Lorena , Machado Fernanda , Kaiser Carlos , Romeiro Nelilma , Gestinari Lísia , Santos Norma , Romanos Maria Teresa Villela
Published: October 2011

In this paper, we evaluated the antiviral activity against HMPV replication of crude extract of the marine algae Stypopodium zonale and of two meroditerpenoids obtained from it, atomaric acid and epitaondiol, and a methyl ester derivative of atomaric acid. Their selectivity indexes were 20.78, >56.81, 49.26 and 12.82, respectively. Compared to ribavirin, the substances showed a relatively low cytotoxicity on LLC-MK2 cells, with a significant antiviral activity, inhibiting at least 90% of viral replication in vitro, which demonstrates the potential of these marine natural products to combat infections caused by HMPV in vitro.
Antimicrobial, Antiviral and Immunomodulatory Activity Studies of Pelargonium sidoides (EPs® 7630) in the Context of Health Promotion
Authors: Kolodziej Herbert
Published: October 2011

Pelargonium species contribute significantly to the health care of a large population in the Southern African region, as part of a long-standing medical system intimately linked to traditional healing practices. Most notably, extracts of the roots of P. sidoides have commonly been applied for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhoea but only occasionally for respiratory complaints. Clinical trials have shown that a modern aqueous-ethanolic formulation of P. sidoides extracts (EPs® 7630) is an efficacious treatment for disorders of the respiratory tract, for example bronchitis and sinusitis. It should be noted that EPs® 7630 is the most widely investigated extract and therefore is the focus of this review. In order to provide a rationale for its therapeutic activity extracts have been evaluated for antibacterial activity and for their effects on non-specific immune functions. Only moderate direct antibacterial capabilities against a spectrum of bacteria, including Mycobacteria strains, have been noted. In contrast, a large body of in vitro studies has provided convincing evidence for an anti-infective principle associated with activation of the non-specific immune system. Interestingly, significant inhibition of interaction between bacteria and host cells, a key to the pathogenesis of respiratory tract infections, has emerged from recent studies. In addition, antiviral effects have been demonstrated, including inhibition of the replication of respiratory viruses and the enzymes haemagglutinin and neuraminidase. Besides, an increase of cilliary beat frequency of respiratory cells may contribute to the beneficial effects of P. sidoides extracts. This example provides a compelling argument for continuing the exploration of Nature and traditional medical systems as a source of therapeutically useful herbal medicines.
Biodegradable Cell-Seeded Nanofiber Scaffolds for Neural Repair
Authors: Han Dong , Cheung Karen C.
Published: October 2011

Central and peripheral neural injuries are traumatic and can lead to loss of motor and sensory function, chronic pain, and permanent disability. Strategies that bridge the site of injury and allow axonal regeneration promise to have a large impact on restoring quality of life for these patients. Engineered materials can be used to guide axonal growth. Specifically, nanofiber structures can mimic the natural extracellular matrix, and aligned nanofibers have been shown to direct neurite outgrowth and support axon regeneration. In addition, cell-seeded scaffolds can assist in the remyelination of the regenerating axons. The electrospinning process allows control over fiber diameter, alignment, porosity, and morphology. Biodegradable polymers have been electrospun and their use in tissue engineering has been demonstrated. This paper discusses aspects of electrospun biodegradable nanofibers for neural regeneration, how fiber alignment affects cell alignment, and how cell-seeded scaffolds can increase the effectiveness of such implants.
Optical Sensing Method for Screening Disease in Melon Seeds by Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Lee Changho , Lee Seung-Yeol , Kim Jeong-Yeon , Jung Hee-Young , Kim Jeehyun
Published: October 2011

We report a noble optical sensing method to diagnose seed abnormalities using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Melon seeds infected with Cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) were scanned by OCT. The cross-sectional sensed area of the abnormal seeds showed an additional subsurface layer under the surface which is not found in normal seeds. The presence of CGMMV in the sample was examined by a blind test (n = 140) and compared by the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. The abnormal layers (n = 40) were quantitatively investigated using A-scan sensing analysis and statistical method. By utilizing 3D OCT image reconstruction, we confirmed the distinctive layers on the whole seeds. These results show that OCT with the proposed data processing method can systemically pick up morphological modification induced by viral infection in seeds, and, furthermore, OCT can play an important role in automatic screening of viral infections in seeds.
Representation of Ecodesign Practice: International Comparison of Industrial Design Consultancies
Authors: Behrisch Johannes , Ramirez Mariano , Giurco Damien
Published: October 2011

Ecodesign offers significant potential to reduce the environmental impacts of products. Whilst some integration of environmental considerations into design occurs in progressive companies when engineering the product, this only represents a small share of the possible design interventions to improve the environmental performance of products. For example, developing new product concepts to fulfill needs in a less environmentally harmful way and considering user related aspects offers a large, currently under-realized potential. This paper identifies industrial design (ID) consultancies as potential agents to tackle this issue on a strategic and operational basis. The extent to which this potential is currently applied was assessed by conducting a content analysis of websites of ID consultancies in Australia, China, and Germany. How ID consultancies represent their ecodesign practice is country-specific. Despite the differences, some ID consultancies in all countries announce and/or show the capability to develop completely new concepts and to influence user related factors to improve environmental performance. This shows their potential to address current shortcomings in ecodesign practice. As ID consultancies embracing that potential still are a minority, further research should be directed to a deeper examination of barriers and stimuli for ID consultancies to take up ecodesign.
A Summary on the Special Issue “Sustainability of Groundwater”
Authors: Becker Veith , Myrttinen Anssi , Barth Johannes A.C. , Bayer Peter
Published: October 2011

One of the most common denominators for almost any form of life is the existential need for water. This need has recently received much attention in the frame of sustainability discussions [1,2]. In addition, environmental sustainability and safe access to fresh water is one of the eight United Nation’s millennium development goals, and ultimately most conditions of life rely on water. Expected higher water demands for irrigation, industrial and household purposes outline the need for more investment in freshwater characterization and quantification. In addition, factors including climate change, large-scale reservoirs, re-channelling of streams, expansion of urban centres as well as chemical and microbial loading need to be taken into account. [...]
Next Generation Sequencing Technologies for Insect Virus Discovery
Authors: Liu Sijun , Vijayendran Diveena , Bonning Bryony C.
Published: October 2011

Insects are commonly infected with multiple viruses including those that cause sublethal, asymptomatic, and latent infections. Traditional methods for virus isolation typically lack the sensitivity required for detection of such viruses that are present at low abundance. In this respect, next generation sequencing technologies have revolutionized methods for the discovery and identification of new viruses from insects. Here we review both traditional and modern methods for virus discovery, and outline analysis of transcriptome and small RNA data for identification of viral sequences. We will introduce methods for de novo assembly of viral sequences, identification of potential viral sequences from BLAST data, and bioinformatics for generating full-length or near full-length viral genome sequences. We will also discuss implications of the ubiquity of viruses in insects and in insect cell lines. All of the methods described in this article can also apply to the discovery of viruses in other organisms.
Publish or Perish: Writing Clinical Manuscripts Suitable for Publication
Authors: Batcheller Joyce , Kirksey Kenn M. , VanDyke Yvonne , Armstrong Myrna L.
Published: October 2011

A successful hospital network and university faculty collaboration offered 21 staff nurses and nurse leaders opportunities to develop clinical manuscripts that would be suitable for publishing their innovative ideas. This process prepared them to synthesize relevant literature and develop their ideas into manuscripts. Ten nurses submitted their final manuscripts to refereed journals, and nine individuals or team members had their articles accepted. These accepted publications provided a boost to individual career development and stimulated further valuable professional dissemination goals. One major challenge was to seek further ways to find time to write while working in today’s health care arena. Suggestions for future manuscript development are provided.
Assessing the Learning Needs of South Carolina Nurses by Exploring Their Perceived Knowledge of Emergency Preparedness: Evaluation of a Tool
Authors: McKibbin Anne E. , Sekula Kathleen , Colbert Alison M. , Peltier James W.
Published: October 2011

Background:

This study assessed South Carolina nurses’ perceived knowledge of emergency preparedness to gain a better understanding of their learning needs and to prioritize continuing education and training efforts based on these needs.

Methods:

Boone’s programming model concept of planning provided the framework for this study, which used a descriptive correlational design and the Emergency Preparedness Information Questionnaire (EPIQ). Data from 207 eligible survey participants were analyzed.

Results:

Nurses showed an overall low level of self-reported knowledge of emergency preparedness. Nurses reported being most familiar with triage and least familiar with clinical decision making in epidemiology and biological agents.

Conclusion:

By prioritizing learning needs based on a needs assessment and accommodating learning preferences, a systematic and planned approach to educating nurses about this extremely important topic can be implemented to significantly strengthen nurses’ ability to respond to disaster events competently and effectively.
The Effectiveness of Nurses’ Ability to Interpret Basic Electrocardiogram Strips Accurately Using Different Learning Modalities
Authors: Spiva LeeAnna , Johnson Kimberly , Robertson Bethany , Barrett Darcy T. , Jarrell Nicole M. , Hunter Donna , Mendoza Inocencia
Published: October 2011

Background:

Historically, the instructional method of choice has been traditional lecture or face-to-face education; however, changes in the health care environment, including resource constraints, have necessitated examination of this practice.

Methods:

A descriptive pre-/posttest method was used to determine the effectiveness of alternative teaching modalities on nurses’ knowledge and confidence in electrocardiogram (EKG) interpretation. A convenience sample of 135 nurses was recruited in an integrated health care system in the Southeastern United States. Nurses attended an instructor-led course, an online learning (e-learning) platform with no study time or 1 week of study time, or an e-learning platform coupled with a 2-hour post-course instructor-facilitated debriefing with no study time or 1 week of study time. Instruments included a confidence scale, an online EKG test, and a course evaluation.

Results:

Statistically significant differences in knowledge and confidence were found for individual groups after nurses participated in the intervention. Statistically significant differences were found in pre-knowledge and post-confidence when groups were compared.

Conclusion:

Organizations that use various instructional methods to educate nurses in EKG interpretation can use different teaching modalities without negatively affecting nurses’ knowledge or confidence in this skill.
Goal-Directed Actions and Early Experience with Crawling
Authors: Zachry Anne H. , Mitchell Anita Witt
Published: October 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in infant goal-directed actions after a period of experience with crawling. Sixty-four infants from ages 24 to 54 weeks were divided into pre-crawling ( n = 33) and crawling ( n = 31) groups and the mean number of goal-directed actions was compared using an analysis of covariance to control for the effect of age. Three infants were selected for longitudinal observations on a bimonthly basis providing descriptive examples of daily observations. Controlling for age, the main effect for crawling status was statistically significant (F(1, 61) = 11.13, p = .001), with crawlers demonstrating a greater mean number of goal-directed actions than precrawlers. This study is the first to compare the goal-directed actions of precrawlers and crawlers, confirming an increase in infant goal-directed actions after infants gained experience with crawling.
Using Mobile Devices and Gaming as a Means of Building Vocabulary
Authors: Redd Jennifer Betsy , Schmidt Denise
Published: October 2011

Mobile devices are gaining momentum and popularity in the daily lives of todayâ??s youth. These devices embrace and encourage ubiquitous learning through their ease of portability and access to various activities that can allow for learning to occur. Learning theories and cognitive techniques are explored as a means of providing a mobile educational experience that is individualized, motivational, and beneficial for transfer to later word learning and reading comprehension.
GPS Navigation and Tracking Device
Authors: Khraisat Yahya Salameh , Al-Khateeb Mohammad , Abu-Alreesh Yahya , Ayyash Anas , Lahlouh Osama
Published: October 2011

Since the introduction of GPS Navigation systems in the marketplace, consumers and businesses have been coming up with innovative ways to use the technology in their everyday life. GPS Navigation and Tracking systems keep us from getting lost when we are in strange locations, they monitor children when they are away from home, keep track of business vehicles and can even let us know where a philandering partner is at all times.

Because of this we attend to build a GPS tracking device to solve the mentioned problems.

Our work consists of the GPS module that collects data from satellites and calculates the position information before transmitting them to the userâ??s PC (of Navigation system) or observers (of Tracking System) using wireless technology (GSM).
Developing Mobile Collaborative Learning Applications for Mobile Users
Authors: Lee Kwang B
Published: October 2011

With the rapid growth wireless communication technologies, the number of mobile applications have been developing. One of them is approached for mobile learning area since it is unique in its own way and offers learning opportunities anywhere and anytime. Mobile collaborative learning (MCL) is a small group learning application based on mobile devices. MCL is a new exciting research area in which students can earn knowledge about a topic and concept via communicating with others by a mobile device. This paper introduces describes the theoretical and technical foundations for designing and developing an effective MCL environment. Also, the paper describes a new approach for building the MCL application towards mobile technology. The prototype will be constructed using Android operating system with suggesting necessary infrastructure and middleware. Finally, the paper include the result of a usability test to find valuable hidden facilitating issues to efficiently access and obtain the class contents in collaborative learning environment.
Lingual Kinematics in Dysarthric and Nondysarthric Speakers with Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Wong Min Ney , Murdoch Bruce E. , Whelan Brooke-Mai
Published: October 2011

Articulatory dysfunction is recognised as a major contributor to the speech disturbances seen in Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study aimed to compare lingual kinematics during consonant production within a sentence in eight dysarthric (DPD) and seven nondysarthric (NDPD) speakers with PD with those of eleven nonneurologically impaired normal participants. The tongue tip and tongue back movements of the participants during sentence production were recorded using electromagnetic articulography (EMA). Results showed that both the DPD and NDPD had deviant articulatory movement during consonant production that resulted in longer duration of consonant production. When compared with the NDPD group, the DPD group primarily exhibited increased range of lingual movement and compatible duration of production with an accompanying increase in maximum velocity, maximum acceleration, and maximum deceleration. These findings are contrary to proposed theories that suggest articulatory imprecision in dysarthric speakers with PD is the outcome of reduced range of articulatory movement.
The Sound of Silence: Mouse Models for Hearing Loss
Authors: Chatterjee Sumantra , Lufkin Thomas
Published: October 2011

Sensorineural hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities in humans. It is estimated that about 278 million people worldwide have slight to extreme hearing loss in both ears, which results in an economic loss for the country and personal loss for the individual. It is thus critical to have a deeper understanding of the causes for hearing loss to better manage and treat the affected individuals. The mouse serves as an excellent model to study and recapitulate some of these phenotypes, identify new genes which cause deafness, and to study their rolesin vivoand in detail. Mutant mice have been instrumental in elucidating the function and mechanisms of the inner ear. The development and morphogenesis of the inner ear from an ectodermal layer into distinct auditory and vestibular components depends on well-coordinated gene expression and well-orchestrated signaling cascades within the otic vesicle and interactions with surrounding layers of tissues. Any disruption in these pathways can lead to hearing impairment. This review takes a look at some of the genes and their corresponding mice mutants that have shed light on the mechanism governing hearing impairment (HI) in humans.
Estradiol Modulates Membrane-Linked ATPases, Antioxidant Enzymes, Membrane Fluidity, Lipid Peroxidation, and Lipofuscin in Aged Rat Liver
Authors: Kumar Pardeep , Kale R. K. , Baquer Najma Zaheer
Published: October 2011

Free radical production and oxidative stress are known to increase in liver during aging, and may contribute to the oxidative damage. These changes increase during menopausal condition in females when the level of estradiol is decreased. The objective of this study was to observe the changes in activities of membrane linked ATPases (Na+K+ATPase, Ca2+ATPase), antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase), lipid peroxidation levels, lipofuscin content and membrane fluidity occurring in livers of female rats of 3, 12 and 24 months age groups, and to see whether these changes are restored to 3 months control levels rats after exogenous administration of 17-β-estradiol (E2). The aged rats (12 and 24 months) were given subcutaneous injection of E2 (0.1 μg/g body weight) daily for one month. The results obtained in the present work revealed that normal aging was associated with significant decrease in the activities of membrane linked ATPases, antioxidant enzymes, membrane fluidity and an increase in lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin content in livers of aging female rats. The present study showed that E2 treatment reversed the changes to normal levels. E2 treatment may be beneficial in preventing some of the age related changes in the liver by increasing antioxidant defenses.
Coupling Strategies for the Synthesis of Peptide-Oligonucleotide Conjugates for Patterned Synthetic Biomineralization
Authors: Carter Joshua D. , LaBean Thomas H.
Published: October 2011

This work describes preparation strategies for peptide-oligonucleotide conjugates that combine the self-assembling behavior of DNA oligonucleotides with the molecular recognition capabilities of peptides. The syntheses include a solution-phase fragment coupling reaction and a solid-phase fragment coupling strategy where the oligonucleotide has been immobilized on DEAE Sepharose. The yield of four coupling reagents is evaluated, two reagents in water, EDC (1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride) and DMTMM (4-(4,6-dimethoxy[1,3,5]triazin-2-yl)-4-methyl-morpholinium chloride), and two in dimethylformamide (DMF), PyBOP ((Benzotriazol-1-yloxy) tripyrrolidinophosphonium hexafluorophosphate) and HBTU (O-benzotriazole-N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyluronium hexafluorophosphate), while the oligonucleotide fragment is either in solution or immobilized on DEAE. These coupling strategies rely on an unprotected 5′ amino linker on the oligonucleotide reacting with the peptide C-terminus. The peptide, selected from a combinatorial library for its gold-binding behavior, was 12 amino acids long with an N-terminus acetyl cap. Formation of the conjugates was confirmed by gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry while molecular recognition functionality of the peptide portion was verified using atomic force microscopy. Solution-phase yields were superior to their solid-phase counterparts. EDC resulted in the highest yield for both solution-phase (95%) and solid-phase strategies (24%), while the DMF-based reagents, PyBOP and HBTU, resulted in low yields with reduced recovery. All recoverable conjugates demonstrated gold nanoparticle templating capability.
Asbestos-the Silent Killer: a review of screening and diagnostic imaging of asbestos related lung disease
Authors: Khan Ali Nawaz , Al-Jahdali Hamdan , Irion Klaus L. , Koteyar Shyam Sunder
Published: October 2011

An epidemic of asbestos related lung (ARLD) disease stares the developed countries in the face. However, these countries have lately banned the use of asbestos. Nevertheless, Western countries have no qualms of selling asbestos to poor countries that have no credible health safety regulations in the work place. Epidemiologic studies predicted a decline in incidence of ARLD in the US after the year 2000, with a peak incidence in the UK in 2020. Lung cancer (LC) develops in up to 25% of asbestos workers. In exposed nonsmokers, there is 5-fold increase. In exposed individuals, smoking further increases the risk of bronchogenic carcinoma by 80-90-fold. However the silent killer, asbestos is still active in developing countries and is likely to remains so in decades to come. In the Middle East, immigrant workers still work in asbestos environment. Saudi Arabia is the only major country in the Middle East that has banned asbestos, but workers continue to be at risk due to maintenance work on buildings built before the ban. As asbestos related lung disease remains silent in many and has a long latent period, the only way of detecting these diseases early is by diligence being aware of the patient’s occupational history and affective imaging. Presently there is no credible screening for ARLD. Here we review imaging studies in ARLD to increase awareness of this potentially lethal disease. Whereas diagnosis of ARLD is a matter for compensation in the developed countries it is a matter of survival in the developing world where industrialization has just begun and may take decades to remove the threat of asbestos. In this review we will discuss the clinical, radiologic, and pathologic features of ARLD.
A semidiscrete scheme for a one-dimensional Cahn–Hilliard equation
Authors: Geldhauser Carina , Novaga Matteo
Published: October 2011

We analyze a semidiscrete scheme for the Cahn–Hilliard equation in one space dimension, when the interface length parameter is equal to zero. We prove convergence of the scheme for a suitable class of initial data, and we identify the limit equation. We also characterize the long-time behavior of the limit solutions.
On the blow-up mechanism of moving boundary problems
Authors: Lippoth Friedrich
Published: October 2011

We introduce the notion of maximal solutions of a class of moving boundary problems in the sense that we characterize what inhibits global existence of solutions. The technique is demonstrated on a model describing the growth of an avascular tumor. Further applications of the main result will be given elsewhere.
Abubakar Gumi’s al-͑Aqīda al-Ṣaḥīḥa bi-Muwāfaqat al-Sharī͑a: Global Salafi sm and Locally Oriented Polemics in a Northern Nigerian Text
Authors: Thurston Alex
Published: October 2011

Al-͑Aqīda al-Ṣaḥīḥa bi-Muwāfaqat al-Sharī͑a, published by the Nigerian scholar Abubakar Gumi in 1972, caused controversy within the Northern Nigerian Muslim community due to the book’s fierce attacks on Sufi beliefs and practices. Building on previous analyses of the text that address its role within theological debates in West Africa, this article situates al Aqida al Sahiha with regard to global intellectual currents in Salafism, a loose movement that aims to base Islamic life and thought strictly in the Qurʾan and the Sunna of the Prophet Muhammad. The article identifies key Salafi themes that appear in the text and argues that Gumi’s concerns focused largely on religious and political struggles in Nigeria. This interaction between global discourses and local debates gives insight into the intellectual contributions that Arab-educated Muslims like Gumi have made to religious change in West Africa.
Central Sudanic Arabic Scripts (Part 1): The Popularization of the Kanawī Script
Authors: Brigaglia Andrea
Published: October 2011

In this article, I want to draw attention to the Arabic calligraphic styles used in manuscripts and “market editions” produced in twentiethcentury northern Nigeria. While research on the origins and history of the Arabic calligraphic scripts of the Central Sudan still needs to answer many questions, this article contends that, instead of focusing only on the few available sixteenth- or seventeenth-century manuscripts, researchers could also benefit from the study of the easily accessible twentieth-century Nigerian calligraphic hands, which have inherited and popularized more ancient calligraphic traditions. After reconstructing the career of a legendary calligrapher of Kano city and looking at his works as well as those of other contemporary calligraphers of the northern Nigerian metropolis, I argue for the existence of a specific “Kanawī” script used today for the realization of Qurʾāns and decorative copies of religious books and characterized by a maximization of the thickness of the traditional styles of the Central Sudan. The contemporary Kanawī, in fact, is only an extension of a style that was known in the rest of West Africa as “Hausāwī” already in precolonial times. Nigerian calligraphers consider this style, in its turn, to be an offshoot of more ancient scribal traditions that had their center in Borno (northeastern Nigeria/southwestern Chad). If the script of Borno is certainly the oldest form of Central Sudanic script, more research on the origins and development of the Borno scribal traditions and their Hausa offshoots will be necessary in order to shed light on the position of the Central Sudan within the wider family of western Arabic scripts.
Condensational uptake of semivolatile organic compounds in gasoline engine exhaust onto pre-existing inorganic particles
Authors: Li S.-M. , Liggio J. , Graham L. , Lu G. , Brook J. , Stroud C. , Zhang J. , Makar P. , Moran M. D.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. This paper presents the results of laboratory studies on the condensational uptake of gaseous organic compounds in the exhaust of a light-duty gasoline engine onto preexisting sulfate and nitrate seed particles. Significant condensation of the gaseous organic compounds in the exhaust occurs onto these inorganic particles on a time scale of 2–5 min. The amount of condensed organic mass (COM) is proportional to the seed particle mass, suggesting that the uptake is due to dissolution determined by the equilibrium partitioning between gas phase and particles, not adsorption. The amount of dissolution in unit seed mass, S, decreases as a power function with increased dilution of the exhaust, ranging from 0.23 g g−1 at a dilution ratio of 81, to 0.025 g g−1 at a dilution ratio of 2230. It increases nonlinearly with increasing concentration of the total hydrocarbons in the gas phase (THC), rising from 0.12 g g−1 to 0.26 g g−1 for a CTHC increase of 1 to 18 μg m−3, suggesting that more organics are partitioned into the particles at higher gas phase concentrations. In terms of gas-particle partitioning, the condensational uptake of THC gases in gasoline engine exhaust can account for up to 30% of the total gas + particle THC. The organic mass spectrum of COM has the largest fragment at m/z 44, with mass ratios of mass fragments 43/44 and 57/44 at 0.59 and 2.91, much lower than those reported for gasoline engine primary organic aerosols. The mass fragment 44/total organic mass ratio of 0.097 indicates that COM contains large oxygenated components. By incorporating the present findings, regional air quality modelling results suggest that the condensational uptake of THC onto sulfate particles alone can be comparable to the primary particle mass under moderately polluted ambient conditions. These findings are important for modelling and regulating the air quality impacts of gasoline vehicular emissions.
Aircraft study of the impact of lake-breeze circulations on trace gases and particles during BAQS-Met 2007
Authors: Hayden K. L. , Sills D. M. L. , Brook J. R. , Li S.-M. , Makar P. A. , Markovic M. Z. , Liu P. , Anlauf K. G. , O'Brien J. M. , Li Q. , McLaren R.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. High time-resolved aircraft data, concurrent surface measurements and air quality model simulations were explored to diagnose the processes influencing aerosol chemistry under the influence of lake-breeze circulations in a polluted region of southwestern Ontario, Canada. The analysis was based upon horizontal aircraft transects conducted at multiple altitudes across an entire lake-breeze circulation. Air mass boundaries due to lake-breeze fronts were identified in the aircraft meteorological and chemical data, which were consistent with the frontal locations determined from surface analyses. Observations and modelling support the interpretation of a lake-breeze circulation where pollutants were lofted at a lake-breeze front, transported in the synoptic flow, caught in a downdraft over the lake, and then confined by onshore flow. The detailed analysis led to the development of conceptual models that summarize the complex 3-D circulation patterns and their interaction with the synoptic flow. The identified air mass boundaries, the interpretation of the lake-breeze circulation, and the air parcel circulation time in the lake-breeze circulation (3.0 to 5.0 h) enabled formation rates of organic aerosol (OA/ΔCO) and SO42− to be determined. The formation rate for OA (relative to excess CO in ppmv) was found to be 11.6–19.4 μg m−3 ppmv−1 h−1 and the SO42− formation rate was 5.0–8.8% h−1. The formation rates are enhanced relative to regional background rates implying that lake-breeze circulations are an important dynamic in the formation of SO42− and secondary organic aerosol. The presence of cumulus clouds associated with the lake-breeze fronts suggests that these enhancements could be due to cloud processes. Additionally, the effective confinement of pollutants along the shoreline may have limited pollutant dilution leading to elevated oxidant concentrations.
Direct measurement of ozone production rates in Houston in 2009 and comparison with two estimation methods
Authors: Cazorla M. , Brune W. H. , Ren X. , Lefer B.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Ozone production rates, P(O3), were measured directly using the Penn State Measurement of Ozone Production Sensor (MOPS) during the Study of Houston Atmospheric Radical Precursors (SHARP 2009). Measured P(O3) peaked in the late morning, with values between 15 ppbv h−1 and 100 ppbv h−1, although values of 40–80 ppbv h−1 were typical for higher ozone days. These measurements were compared against ozone production rates calculated using measurements of hydroperoxyl (HO2), hydroxyl (OH), and nitric oxide (NO) radicals, called "calculated P(O3)". The same comparison was done using modeled radicals obtained from a box model with the RACM2 mechanism, called "modeled P(O3)". Measured and calculated P(O3) had similar peak values but the calculated P(O3) tended to peak earlier in the morning when NO values were higher. Measured and modeled P(O3) had a similar dependence on NO, but the modeled P(O3) was only half the measured P(O3). This difference indicates possible missing radical sources in the box model with the RACM2 mechanism and thus has implications for the ability of air quality models to accurately predict ozone production rates.
Storm-time total electron content and its response to penetration electric fields over South America
Authors: de Siqueira P. M. , de Paula E. R. , Muella M. T. A. H. , Rezende L. F. C. , Abdu M. A. , Gonzalez W. D.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. In this work the response of the ionosphere due to the severe magnetic storm of 7–10 November 2004 is investigated by analyzing GPS Total Electron Content (TEC) maps constructed for the South America sector. In order to verify the disturbed zonal electric fields in South America during the superstorm, ionospheric vertical drift data obtained from modeling results are used in the analysis. The vertical drifts were inferred from ΔH magnetometer data (Jicamarca-Piura) following the methodology presented by Anderson et al. (2004). Also used were vertical drifts measured by the Jicamarca ISR. Data from a digisonde located at São Luís, Brazil (2.33° S, 44.2° W, dip latitude 0.25°) are presented to complement the Jicamarca equatorial data. Penetration electric fields were observed by the comparison between the equatorial vertical drifts and the Interplanetary Electric Field (IEF). The TEC maps obtained from GPS data reflect the ionospheric response over the South America low-latitude and equatorial region. They reveal unexpected plasma distributions and TEC levels during the main phase of the superstorm on 7 November, which is coincident with the local post-sunset hours. At this time an increase in the pre-reversal enhancement was expected to develop the Equatorial Ionization Anomaly (EIA) but we observed the absence of EIA. The results also reveal well known characteristics of the plasma distributions on 8, 9, and 10 November. The emphasized features are the expansion and intensification of EIA due to prompt penetration electric fields on 9 November and the inhibition of EIA during post-sunset hours on 7, 8, and 10 November. One important result is that the TEC maps provided a bi-dimensional view of the ionospheric changes offering a spatial description of the electrodynamics involved, which is an advantage over TEC measured by isolated GPS receivers.
Fire history in western Patagonia from paired tree-ring fire-scar and charcoal records
Authors: Holz A. , Haberle S. , Veblen T. T. , De Pol-Holz R. , Southon J.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. Fire history reconstructions are typically based on tree ages and tree-ring fire scars or on charcoal in sedimentary records from lakes or bogs, but rarely on both. In this study of fire history in western Patagonia (47–48° S) in southern South America (SSA) we compared three sedimentary charcoal records collected in bogs with tree-ring fire-scar data collected at 13 nearby sample sites. We examined the temporal and spatial correspondence between the two fire proxies and also compared them to published charcoal records from distant sites in SSA, and with published proxy reconstructions of regional climate variability and large-scale climate modes. Two of our three charcoal records show fire activity for the last 4ka yrs and one for the last 11 ka yr. For the last ca. 400 yr, charcoal accumulation peaks tend to coincide with high fire activity in the tree-ring fire scar records, but the charcoal records failed to detect some of the fire activity recorded by tree rings. Potentially, this discrepancy reflects low-severity fires that burn in herbaceous and other fine fuels without depositing charcoal in the sedimentary record. Periods of high fire activity tended to be synchronous across sample areas, across proxy types, and with proxy records of regional climatic variability as well as major climate drivers. Fire activity throughout the Holocene in western Patagonia has responded to regional climate variation affecting a broad region of southern South America that is teleconnected to both tropical- and high-latitude climate drivers – El Nino-Southern Oscillation and the Southern Annular Mode. An early Holocene peak in fire activity pre-dates any known human presence in our study area, and consequently implicates lightning as the ignition source. In contrast, the increased fire activity during the 20th century, which was concomitantly recorded by charcoal from all the sampled bogs and at all fire-scar sample sites, is attributed to human-set fires and is outside the range of variability characteristic of these ecosystems over many centuries and probably millennia.
Landslide mapping with multi-scale object-based image analysis – a case study in the Baichi watershed, Taiwan
Authors: Lahousse T. , Chang K. T. , Lin Y. H.
Published: October 2011

Abstract. We developed a multi-scale OBIA (object-based image analysis) landslide detection technique to map shallow landslides in the Baichi watershed, Taiwan, after the 2004 Typhoon Aere event. Our semi-automated detection method selected multiple scales through landslide size statistics analysis for successive classification rounds. The detection performance achieved a modified success rate (MSR) of 86.5% with the training dataset and 86% with the validation dataset. This performance level was due to the multi-scale aspect of our methodology, as the MSR for single scale classification was substantially lower, even after spectral difference segmentation, with a maximum of 74%. Our multi-scale technique was capable of detecting landslides of varying sizes, including very small landslides, up to 95 m2. The method presented certain limitations: the thresholds we established for classification were specific to the study area, to the landslide type in the study area, and to the spectral characteristics of the satellite image. Because updating site-specific and image-specific classification thresholds is easy with OBIA software, our multi-scale technique is expected to be useful for mapping shallow landslides at watershed level.
Outcomes of Arteriovenous Fistulae Compared with Heparin-Bonded and Conventional Grafts for Hemodialysis Access
Authors: Charlton-Ouw Kristofer M. , Nosrati Naveed , Miller Charles C. , Coogan Sheila M. , Safi Hazim J. , Azizzadeh Ali
Published: October 2011

Purpose

Arteriovenous fistulae (AVF) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis patients. However, patients who do not have suitable veins require prosthetic arteriovenous graft (AVG) placement. We analyzed the patency and complication rates of upper extremity brachiocephalic AVF compared to brachioaxillary tapered heparin-bonded AVG and conventional AVG.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent a permanent vascular access procedure at our tertiary referral center from 2006 to 2008. Factors presumed to affect patency and complication rates including age, body-mass index, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and diabetes were analyzed. Complication rates, re-interventions, primary, primary-assisted, and cumulative patency rates were compared using logistic regression analysis.

Results

We performed 138 upper extremity access procedures during the study period, including 64 brachiocephalic fistulae, 21 brachioaxillary heparin-bonded, and 21 brachioaxillary conventional AVGs. Nine patients were excluded from long-term follow-up. The 1-year cumulative patency rates for AVF, heparin-bonded, and conventional AVGs were 83%, 44%, and 67%, respectively (P=.0001). On multivariate regression analysis, only use of heparin-bonded AVG affected cumulative patency.

Conclusions

Although selection bias cannot be excluded in this retrospective study, heparin-bonded AVGs did not perform better than conventional AVGs. Co-morbid conditions did not affect the cumulative patency or complication rates of brachiocephalic AVF or AVG in this analysis. Larger, randomized trials are needed to validate the results of this study.