bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tumor Growth Rates Derived from Data for Patients in a Clinical Trial Correlate Strongly with Patient Survival: A Novel Strategy for Evaluation of Clinical Trial Data
Authors: Stein Wilfred D. , Figg William Doug , Dahut William , Stein Aryeh D. , Hoshen Moshe B. , Price Doug , Bates Susan E. , Fojo Tito
Published: October 2008

Purpose.

The slow progress in developing new cancer therapies can be attributed in part to the long time spent in clinical development. To hasten development, new paradigms especially applicable to patients with metastatic disease are needed.

Patients and Methods.

We present a new method to predict survival using tumor measurement data gathered while a patient with cancer is receiving therapy in a clinical trial. We developed a two-phase equation to estimate the concomitant rates of tumor regression (regression rate constant d) and tumor growth (growth rate constant g).

Results.

We evaluated the model against serial levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in 112 patients undergoing treatment for prostate cancer. Survival was strongly correlated with the log of the growth rate constant, log(g) (Pearson r = −0.72) but not with the log of the regression rate constants, log(d) (r = −0.218). Values of log(g) exhibited a bimodal distribution. Patients with log(g) values above the median had a mortality hazard of 5.14 (95% confidence interval, 3.10–8.52) when compared with those with log(g) values below the median. Mathematically, the minimum PSA value (nadir) and the time to this minimum are determined by the kinetic parameters d and g, and can be viewed as surrogates.

Conclusions.

This mathematical model has applications to many tumor types and may aid in evaluating patient outcomes. Modeling tumor progression using data gathered while patients are on study, may help evaluate the ability of therapies to prolong survival and assist in drug development.
Application of plasticity theory to reinforced concrete deep beams: a review
Authors: Ashour A. , Yang K.-H.
Published: October 2008

This paper reviews the application of the plasticity theory to reinforced concrete deep beams. Both the truss analogy and mechanism approach were employed to predict the capacity of reinforced concrete deep beams. In addition, most current codes of practice, for example Eurocode 2 and ACI 318-05, recommend the strut-and-tie model for designing reinforced concrete deep beams. Compared with methods based on empirical or semi-empirical equations, the strut-and-tie model and mechanism analyses are more rational, adequately accurate and sufficiently simple for estimating the load capacity of reinforced concrete deep beams. There is, however, a problem in selecting the effectiveness factor of concrete as reflected in the wide range of values reported in the literature for deep beams.
Shear behaviour of reinforced concrete beams with confinement near plastic hinges
Authors: Jaafar K.
Published: October 2008

The vast majority of structures, even in high-risk zones, will not actually be subjected to earthquake during their design lives. It is therefore felt that spiral binding is only likely to be used in practice if it can contribute to the static shear strength of the structure and so replace at least some of the stirrups. The question addressed here is whether such spirals are useful to carry shear in beams and in particular whether they can usefully improve the residual shear strength at hinges after severe cyclic bending.
Setting a challenge to landfill modellers
Authors: Beaven R. P. , Ivanova L. K. , Richards D. J.
Published: October 2008

A modelling challenge made to international research groups with landfill modelling capabilities is described. The challenge invited participants to model and predict the performance of a well-constrained laboratory experiment on the settlement and biodegradation of municipal solid waste (MSW). Data on the set-up and operational procedures of two laboratory-scale waste reactors were provided, together with limited results on leachate chemistry in the first two months of a 2½-year experiment. Participants were then invited to submit their modelled predictions over time for any (or all) of: waste settlement; degradation and gas production; evolution of leachate chemistry. Results from the exercise were collated by an organising committee prior to presentation and discussion at HPM2, an international workshop on the hydrological, physical and mechanical behaviour of landfills.
Disinfection by-product formation from chloramination of clarified water after prechlorination and preozonation
Authors: Yang X. , Zhao Q. , Shang C.
Published: October 2008

The formation of disinfection by-products (DBPs) was evaluated from a chloraminated water after coagulation with and without prechlorination or preozonation. Prechlorination enhanced formation of trihalomethane (THM), 1,1,1-trichloro-2-propanone (1,1,1-TCP) and total organic chlorine (TOCl) and the concentrations of most DBPs increased with increasing chlorine dosages. Preozonation reduced dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN) and TOCl formation but increasing ozone (O3) dosages did not necessarily reduce the formation of THM, 1,1-dichloro-2-propanone (1,1-DCP) and total organic bromine (TOBr). Increasing coagulant doses reduced the formation of most DBPs and TOCl. However, the formation of TOBr cannot be readily controlled by coagulation in most cases except the case involving prechlorination.
Objectives for optimization and consequences for operation, design and concept of drinking water treatment plants
Authors: van der Helm A. W. C. , Rietveld L. C. , Bosklopper Th. G. J. , Kappelhof J. W. N. M. , van Dijk J. C.
Published: October 2008

Optimization for operation of drinking water treatment plants should focus on water quality and not on environmental impact or costs. Using improvement of water quality as objective for optimization can lead to new views on operation, design and concept of drinking water treatment plants. This is illustrated for ozonation in combination with biological activated carbon (BAC) filtration at drinking water treatment plant Weesperkarspel of Waternet, the water cycle company for Amsterdam and surrounding areas. The water quality parameters that are taken into account are assimilable organic carbon (AOC), dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and pathogens. The operational parameters that are taken into account are the ozone dosage and the regeneration frequency of the BAC filters. It is concluded that ozone dosage and regeneration frequency should be reduced in combination with application of newly developed insights in design of ozone installations. It is also concluded that a new concept for Weesperkarspel with an additional ion exchange (IEX) step for natural organic matter (NOM) removal will contribute to the improvement of the disinfection capacity of ozonation and the biological stability of the produced drinking water.
Optimum use of gravity springs in water supply systems
Authors: Tothova K. , Mrnco I.
Published: October 2008

The potable water supply concept reflects relationships between distribution of available water resources that determine hydrogeological attributes of the region, and distribution of water service areas. The distribution of the water resources is often uneven, which is one of reasons of development of extensive long distance water supply systems. The long distance water supply systems connect deficit areas with surplus water resources areas. For example, the yield of large capacity wells in Danube region near Bratislava is several times higher than the real demand in this region. In this case, water from the wells is transferred by multiple pumping over a long distance (tens or hundreds of kilometres) to the areas with shortage of sources. The Little Carpathians foothills, where local water sources (springs) do not give a sufficient yield all year long. Most of these springs offer high-quality water, but fluctuating yields of the sources and do not guarantee continuous water supply. The sources are important for its quality and yield as well as for their elevation. The elevation potential allows gravity water supply without a need for pumping. However, the water supply systems do not even use average yields of the springs. The balance capacity of the springs is technically designed for minimum yields. Therefore, several reasonable questions arise: Is it efficient to pump and transport water over a long distance even in the time of maximum yields of the gravity springs? How can we determine efficiency rate of use of such yield in its extreme status? The answers can be found in the analysis of the necessary technical measures and investments, and calculation of operating costs of a system dependent on variable yield of gravity springs.
Chlorine dioxide by-products predictive models for drinking water oxidation treatment
Authors: Zanetti Mariachiara , Godio Alberto , Gilardi Francesca , Binetti Rita , Laureri Chiara
Published: October 2008

This study was aimed at developing statistically based model equations capable of predicting chlorite and chlorate formation during the primary oxidation/disinfection treatment using data collected on two real scale treatment plants. In this phase many operational parameters, raw water quality as well as the second oxidant dose applied, sodium hypochlorite, importantly influence the chlorite and chlorate formation. The operational parameters and the raw water quality correlated with chlorite and chlorate formation were: contact time, chemical doses, temperature, turbidity, organic substances (non-purgeable organic carbon and UV254nm absorbance), pH, iron and ammonium concentration. Given the high numbers of variables two models have been developed. The first one (complex) includes all the studied parameters; the other model (simplified) takes into account only the parameters that gave a significant correlation (>0.55) with the dependent variable. Nearly 60% of the predictions for chlorite formation were observed to be within ±40% of the measured levels and the found key parameters were the water organic content and the physico-chemical characteristics (pH and temperature). Nearly 85% of the predictions for chlorate formation were observed to be within ±40% of the measured levels and the found key parameters were again the chemical physical water characteristics (pH and temperature) and the applied chemicals doses.
The price-setting process and a potential role for economic regulation in a water scarce developing country
Authors: Matros-Goreses Anna , Franceys Richard
Published: October 2008

Setting appropriate prices, as one of the most versatile tools of demand management, is increasingly being promoted to send out the proper signal that water is a valuable resource and should be used accordingly, especially where resources are limited. Setting prices is also critical to assure affordable access by lower-income households. The price-setting process, within the government's existing legal framework, given the challenge of growing water scarcity and skewed income distribution in Windhoek (capital of Namibia), is explored in this paper. Based on fieldwork undertaken in Namibia, the paper considers policies relevant to the price-setting process; the cost of service provision; affordability of services and perceptions about the benefits of a future economic regulatory system. The researchers found that the price-setting process, although successful relative to many lower-income countries, could be improved with respect to transparency of decision-making and clarity regarding the incorporation of the interests and needs of various stakeholders. Respondents saw the need for a more autonomous level of economic regulation in order to ensure sustainability of improved urban water and sanitation services for all in Namibia.
Pretreatment of wastewater containing a mixture of organic pollutants obtained from a CC2 plant by coagulation
Authors: Bag Bidhan C. , Sai Makireddi , Kaushik Mahavir P. , Sekhar Krishnamurthy , Bahttacharya Chiranjib
Published: October 2008

Coagulation is one of the most important physicochemical treatment steps in industrial wastewater to reduce the suspended and colloidal materials responsible for colour and turbidity of the wastewater. The manufacturing plant of N,N′-Dichloro bis (2,4,6-trichlorophenyl) urea (CC2) produces wastewater containing pyridine, acetic acid and diphenyl urea (DPU). The wastewater also contains lot of suspended solids like CC2 and various poly-aromatic compounds. In our present investigation, our basic aim was to find an effective coagulation process for the pretreatment of wastewater discharged from the CC2 plant. Studies were conducted to find out a suitable and effective coagulant for pretreatment of this wastewater. Various coagulating agents such as alum, ferric chloride, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) were used. Alum was found to be the most effective coagulant. Coagulation of the wastewater resulted in the total suspended solids (TSS) removal in the range of 92–94% and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the range of 59 to 65% at a dose of 500 mg L−1 of alum at a pH ≥ 7.0. After coagulation the concentration of pyridine in wastewater was found to be reduced by 10.0% and that of DPU 40–45% with a dosage of 500 mg L−1 alum.
Effect of full and partial-bed configuration on carbon removal performance of biological aerated filters
Authors: Suja Fatihah , Donnelly Tom
Published: October 2008

A comparative study to explore the characteristics of partially and fully packed biological aerated filters (BAFs) in the removal of carbon pollutant, reveals that the partial-bed reactor can perform comparably well with the full-bed reactor. The organic removal rate was 5.34 kg COD m−3 d−1 at Organic Loading Rates (OLR) 5.80±0.31 kg COD m−3 d−1 for the full-bed, and 5.22 kg COD m−3 d−1 at OLR 5.79±0.29 kg COD m−3 d−1 for the partial-bed. In the partial-bed system, where the masses of biomass were only 41–51% of those of the full-bed, the maximum carbon removal limit was still between 5 to 6 kg COD m−3 d−1. At organic loadings above 5.0 kg COD m−3 d−1, the carbon removal capacity in both systems was limited by the mass and activity of microorganisms. The SRT in the full and partial-bed reactors was primarily controlled by the biomass loss in the effluent and during backwash operation. The SRT was reduced from 20.08 days at OLR 4.18±0.20 kg COD m−3 d−1 to 7.62 days at OLR 5.80±0.31 kg COD m−3 d−1 in the full-bed, and from 7.17 days to 4.21 days in the partial-bed. After all, SRT values in the partial-bed were always lower than those in the full-bed.
Optimized plan of centralized and decentralized wastewater reuse systems for housing development in the urban area of Xi'an, China
Authors: Wang X. C. , Chen R. , Zhang Q. H. , Li K.
Published: October 2008

In an arid and water deficient urban area, such as Xi'an in the northwest region of China, gardening and forestation often use large amounts of tap water. Therefore, there is a need for treated wastewater reuse for such purpose to mitigate urban water shortage, especially in the newly developed housing area, where a high green coverage is often required for both commercial value and living condition improvement. Supply of the treated wastewater through a centralized system which has been planned and partially constructed is one measure to meet such need, but it may require an extension of the distribution system for a full coverage of the whole city area. A supplementary measure is to construct decentralized wastewater treatment and reuse (DESAR) systems in areas that are distant from the planned centralized system. In order to optimize the plan of wastewater reuse for housing development in the urban area, the authors analyzed the existing plan of centralized wastewater reuse and the envisaged plan of housing development in Xi'an urban area. A method was proposed for selection of a feasible way of reclaimed water reuse from two options, namely centralized and decentralized ones, by introducing a critical distance L0 which depends on the relationship between the cost for DESAR system installation and that for water delivery pipeline construction. If the distance from the project site to the nearest access point of the centralized system L is shorter than L0 then using reclaim water from the centralized system becomes more feasible, and otherwise DESAR system installation becomes more feasible. A distribution map was thus obtained to show an optimized plan of centralized and decentralized wastewater reuse systems for housing development in Xi'an city. An example was also given to show the advantage of a DESAR system installed.
Mechanism studies on chlorine and potassium permanganate degradation of microcystin-LR in water using high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Huang Ting-Lin , Zhao Jian-Wei , Chai Bei-Bei
Published: October 2008

The presence of microystins (MCs) in water has the potential to harm people's health. In the MCs various isomers, MC-LR has the strongest toxicity and is the most harmful one. At present, several kinds of pre-oxidants, which are commonly used in water treatment process, are effective to remove MC-LR. However, it is still not clear about their degeneration mechanisms. Chlorine and potassium permanganate were selected in the present work since they are used worldwide for preoxidation treatment. Using the testing method of HPLC-MS, studies on the degeneration of MC-LR were conducted. The results indicate that HPLC-MS is creditable and sensitive. It was also found that linear relationship between concentration of MC-LR and peak area holds in the range of 5–500 μg·L−1 on the calibration curves, the correlation coefficient (R2) is 0.9993. Under the general condition of oxidant dose and reaction time, MC-LR was degraded rapidly. With active chlorine and potassium permanganate the degradation reaction followed the mode of first-order kinetics. The molecular weight of the degradation product was determined through analyzing the full-scan mass spectrum of MC-LR. And the oxidative degradation mechanism of MC-LR was discussed as well.
Advanced H2O2 oxidation for diethyl phthalate degradation in treated effluents: effect of nitrate on oxidation and a pilot-scale AOP operation
Authors: Ko K. B. , Park C. G. , Moon T. H. , Ahn Y. H. , Lee J. K. , Ahn K. H. , Park J. H. , Yeom I. T.
Published: October 2008

One of the objectives of this study was to delineate the effect of nitrate on diethyl phthalate (DEP) oxidation by conducting a bench-scale ultraviolet (UV)/H2O2 and O3/H2O2 operations as suggested in a previous study. We also aim to investigate DEP oxidation at various UV doses and H2O2 concentrations by performing a pilot-scale advanced oxidation processes (AOP) system, into which a portion of the effluent from a pilot-scale membrane bioreactor (MBR) plant was pumped. In the bench-scale AOP operation, the O3 oxidation alone as well as the UV irradiation without H2O2 addition could be among the desirable alternatives for the efficient removal of DEP dissolved in aqueous solutions at a low DEP concentration range of 85±15 μg/L. The adverse effect in the UV/H2O2 process was significantly greater than that in the UV oxidation alone, and its oxidation was almost halved by the nitrate. However, the nitrate clearly enhanced the DEP oxidation in the O3 oxidation and O3/H2O2 process. Especially, the addition of nitrate almost doubled the DEP oxidation efficiency in the O3/H2O2 process. The series of pilot-scale AOP operations confirmed that about 30–50% of DEP dissolved in the treated MBR effluent streams was, at least, oxidized by the O3 oxidation alone as well as the UV irradiation without H2O2 addition. The UV photolysis of H2O2 was most effective for DEP degradation with an H2O2 concentration of 40 mg/L at a UV dose of 500 mJ/cm2.
Evaluation of performance and microbial ecology of sequencing batch reactor and membrane bioreactor treating thin-film transistor liquid crystal display wastewater
Authors: Wu Y. J. , Whang L. M. , Huang S. J. , Yang Y. F. , Lei C. N. , Cheng S. S.
Published: October 2008

In Taiwan, a substantial amount of thin-film transistor liquid crystal display (TFT-LCD) wastewater is produced daily due to an increasing production of the opto-electronic industry in recent years. The main components of TFT-LCD wastewater include dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO), monoethanolamine (MEA), and tetra-methyl ammonium hydroxide (TMAH), which are recognized as non-or slow-biodegradable organic compounds and limited information is available regarding their biological treatablility. This study was conducted to evaluate the long-term performance of two bioreactors, anaerobic-aerobic (A/O) sequencing batch reactor (SBR) and aerobic membrane bioreactor (MBR), treating synthetic TFT-LCD wastewater containing DMSO, MEA, and TMAH with different loadings. For the A/O SBR, the influent wastewater was composed of 800 mg MEA/L, 430 mg DMSO/L, and 90 mg TMAH/L, respectively. After reaching steady-state, SBR was able to achieve more than 99% degradation efficiencies for the three compounds examined. For the case of aerobic MBR, the influent wastewater was composed of 550 mg MEA/L, 270 mg DMSO/L, and 330 mg TMAH/L, respectively, and degradation efficiencies for the three compounds achieved more than 99%. Although both different reactors shared similar and satisfactory degradation efficiencies for DMSO, MEA, and TMAH, the microbial ecology of these two reactors, as elucidated with molecular methods, was apparently different. The 16S rDNA-based cloning/sequencing results indicated that the dominant sequences retrieved from the aerobic MBR, including Hyphomicrobium denitrificans, Hyphomicrobium zavarzinii, Rhodobacter sp., and Methyloversatilis universalis, showed a clear linkage to their physiological properties of DMSO and TMAH degradation. On the other hand, Zoogloea sp., Chlorobium chlorochromatii, Agricultural soil bacterium, and Flavosolibacter ginsengiterrae were proliferated in the A/O SBR Run1, while Thiobacillus sp., Nitrosomonas sp., Thauera aromatica and Azoarcus sp. became dominant in Run2. Furthermore, the sequences retrieved from different reactors were used to establish the terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) fingerprint methodology for monitoring the dynamics of dominant degrading bacteria in the aerobic MBR treating TFT-LCD wastewater.
Advanced oxidation processes: mechanistic aspects
Authors: von Sonntag C.
Published: October 2008

The reactive intermediate in Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) is the •OH radical. It may be generated by various approaches such as the Fenton reaction (Fe2 + /H2O2), photo-Fenton reaction (Fe3 + /H2O2/hν), UV/H2O2, peroxone reaction (O3/H2O2), O3/UV, O3/activated carbon, O3/dissolved organic carbon (DOC) of water matrix, ionizing radiation, vacuum UV, and ultrasound. The underlying reactions and •OH formation efficiencies are discussed. The key reactions of •OH radicals also addressed in this review.
Hydrological analysis of single and dual storage systems for stormwater harvesting
Authors: Brodie I. M.
Published: October 2008

As stormwater flows are intermittent, the requirement to store urban runoff is important to the design of a stormwater re-use scheme. In many urban areas, the space available to provide storage is limited and thus the need to optimise the storage volume becomes critical. This paper will highlight the advantages and disadvantages of two different approaches of providing storage: 1) a single shallow storage (0.5 m depth) in which stormwater capture and a balanced release to supply users is provided by the one unit; and 2) a dual system in which the functions of stormwater capture and supply release are provided by two separate deeper storage units (2 m depth). The comparison between the two strategies is supported by water balance modelling assessing the supply reliability and storage volume requirements for both options. Above a critical volumetric capacity, the supply yield of a dual storage system is higher than that from a single storage of equal volume mainly because of a smaller assumed footprint. The single storage exhibited greater evaporation loss and is more susceptible to algae blooms due to long water residence times. Results of the comparison provide guidance to the design of more efficient storages associated with stormwater harvesting systems.
The role of reactive oxygen species in Staphylococcus aureus photoinactivation by methylene blue
Authors: Sabbahi Sonia , Alouini Zoubeir , Jemli Meryam , Boudabbous Abdellatif
Published: October 2008

Methylene blue (MB) has been shown to photoinduce the direct inactivation of Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) in water. We have investigated the mechanism of S. aureus photoinactivation conducting firstly sodium azide (reactive ion N3−), as a good physical singlet oxygen quencher, then the amino acids tryptophan (Trp), as a non-specific singlet oxygen quencher and the mannitol, as an hydroxyl free radical scavenger. Inactivation of MB photosensitization is the antioxidants type dependent. When the bacteria was treated with MB (20 μM) under light during 10 min of exposure, it was found that survival fraction had decreased dramatically to about 31.27±5.39%. The presence of sodium azide and Trp failed to shown any protection from the MB photodynamic activity. In the presence of mannitol, S. aureus could be protected, reaching a protection level of about 27%. It is possible that the photodynamic activity of MB occurred in part, via a Type I mechanism in which •OH was produced.

The interactions between MB and S. aureus were studied spectrophotometrically. This demonstrated that a metachromatic reaction took place between MB and S. aureus bacteria. Furthermore, S. aureus bacteria induced additional dimerization of MB.
Application of real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with ethidium monoazide treatment for selective quantification of viable bacteria in aquatic environment
Authors: Inoue D. , Tsutsui H. , Yamazaki Y. , Sei K. , Soda S. , Fujita M. , Ike M.
Published: October 2008

Ethidium monoazide (EMA) was used to quantify DNA selectively from viable cells with healthy membrane/cell wall system, but not from dead cells, of a target bacterium in the aquatic environment using real-time PCR. Spiking experiments to determine the EMA treatment conditions showed that EMA treatment with EMA at 10–25 μg/ml and subsequent halogen light exposure for 2 min was suitable for selective quantification of DNA from viable cells in an aquatic sample using real-time PCR coupled with EMA treatment (real-time EMA-PCR). Optimized real-time EMA-PCR was applied in combination with culture-based method and conventional real-time PCR without EMA treatment to elucidate the behavior of an Escherichia coli strain inoculated into a pond water microcosm. Quantification results obtained using real-time EMA-PCR were lower than those by conventional real-time PCR without EMA treatment and higher than those by culture-based method. The results suggest that quantification by real-time EMA-PCR seemed to represent the viable population, which would partly include viable but non-culturable state bacteria. Real-time EMA-PCR optimized here can be a useful tool for selective monitoring of the viable population of a target bacterium in the aquatic environment, and thereby contribute to assessment of potential microbial risks generated from waterborne pathogenic bacteria.
Granular biomass capable of partial nitritation and anammox
Authors: Vlaeminck S. E. , Cloetens L. F. F. , Carballa M. , Boon N. , Verstraete W.
Published: October 2008

A novel and efficient way of removing nitrogen from wastewater poor in biodegradable organic carbon, is the combination of partial nitritation and anoxic ammonium oxidation (anammox), as in the one-stage oxygen-limited autotrophic nitrification/denitrification (OLAND) process. Since anoxic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria grow very slowly, maximum biomass retention in the reactor is required. In this study, a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor (SBR) was used to develop granular, rapidly settling biomass. With SBR cycles of one hour and a minimum biomass settling velocity of 0.7 m/h, OLAND granules were formed in 1.5 months and the nitrogen removal rate increased from 50 to 450 mg N L−1 d−1 in 2 months. The granules had a mean diameter of 1.8 mm and their aerobic and anoxic ammonium-oxidizing activities were well equilibrated to perform the OLAND reaction. Fluorescent in-situ hybridization (FISH) demonstrated the presence of both β-proteobacterial aerobic ammonium oxidizers and planctomycetes (among which anoxic ammonium oxidizers) in the granules. The presented results show the applicability of rapidly settling granular biomass for one-stage partial nitritation and anammox.
The effects of superoxide dismutase knockout on the oxidative stress parameters and survival of mouse erythrocyt
Authors: Grzelak Agnieszka , Kruszewski Marcin , Macierzyńska Ewa , Piotrowski Łukasz , Pułaski Łukasz , Rychlik Błażej , Bartosz Grzegorz
Published: October 2008

The erythrocytes of 12-month old Sod1 −/− mice showed an increased level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), as estimated by the degree of dihydroethidine and dihydrorhodamine oxidation, and the increased level of Heinz bodies. No indices of severe oxidative stress were found in the red blood cells and blood plasma of Sod1 −/− mice as judged from the lack of significant changes in the levels of erythrocyte and plasma glutathione, plasma protein thiol and carbonyl groups and thiobarbituric-acid reactive substances in the blood plasma. However, a decreased erythrocyte lifespan, increased reticulocyte count and splenomegaly were noted, indicating the importance of superoxide dismutase for maintaining erythrocyte viability. The levels of erythrocyte ROS and Heinz bodies and the reticulocyte count were indistinguishable in Sod1 +/+ and Sod1 +/− mice, suggesting that a superoxide dismutase activity decrease to half of its normal value may be sufficient to secure the protective effects of the enzyme.
The carnitine acetyltransferase gene (CRAT): A characterization of porcine transcripts with insights into the 5’-end variants of mammalian transcripts and their possible sub-cellular localization
Authors: Robic Annie , Faraut Thomas , Liaubet Laurence , Milan Denis
Published: October 2008

Carnitine acetyltransferase (CRAT) is an important enzyme for energy homeostasis and fat metabolism. We characterized the predicted full length cDNA sequence of the porcine CRAT gene. Its structure is very similar to that in humans with respect to the size and organization of the 14 exons. We demonstrated the existence of a porcine alternative transcript resulting from a partial intron-retention at the 5’ end of exon 2. To perform a comparison of the 5’ end variants of the mammalian CRAT gene, we analyzed the Genbank data, and here we propose a new 5’ variant for dog, rat and mouse. In contrast to other mammals where this variant encodes a shorter protein (−21 aa in human, mouse and rat, and −14 aa in dog), the pig variant encodes for a longer protein (+18 aa). In all mammalian species, variant 1 has a high probability of a preferential mitochondrial sub-cellular localization. Nevertheless, it is not evident, in particular in porcine and dog species, that the second variant is associated with a different sub-cellular specificity.
Homing of annexin-labeled stem cells to apoptotic cells
Authors: Gerasimou Argyrios , Ramella Roberta , Brero Alessia , Boero Ombretta , Sheiban Imad , Levi Renzo , Gallo Maria
Published: October 2008

Ischemic diseases are characterized by the presence of pro-apoptotic stimuli, which initiate a cascade of processes that lead to cell injury and death. Several molecules and events represent detectable indicators of the different stages of apoptosis. Among these indicators is phosphatidylserine (PS) translocation from the inner to the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, which can be detected by annexinV (ANXA5) conjugation. This is a widely used in vivo and in vitro assay marking the early stages of apoptosis. We report here on an original method that employs PS-ANXA5 conjugation to target stem cells to apoptotic cells. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from GFP-positive transgenic rats were biotinylated on membrane surfaces with sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinamido) hexanoate (sulfo-NHS-LC-biot) and then bound to avidin. The avidin-biotinylated MSCs were labeled with biotin conjugated ANXA5. Bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAE-1 cells) were exposed to UVC to induce caspasedependent apoptosis. Finally, we tested the ability of ANXA5-labeled MSCs to bind BAE-1 apoptotic cells: suspended ANXA5-labeled MSCs were seeded for 1 hour on a monolayer of UV-treated or control BAE-1 cells. After washing, the number of MSCs bound to BAE-1 cells was evaluated by confocal microscopy. Statistical analysis demonstrated a significant increase in the number of MSCs tagged to apoptotic BAE-1 cells. Therefore, stem cell ANXA5 tagging via biotin-avidin bridges could be a straightforward method of improving homing to apoptotic tissues.
Block-Based Physical Modeling with Applications in Musical Acoustics
Authors: Rabenstein Rudolf , Petrausch Stefan
Published: October 2008

Block-Based Physical Modeling with Applications in Musical Acoustics

Block-based physical modeling is a methodology for modeling physical systems with different subsystems. Each subsystem may be modeled according to a different paradigm. Connecting systems of diverse nature in the discrete-time domain requires a unified interconnection strategy. Such a strategy is provided by the well-known wave digital principle, which had been introduced initially for the design of digital filters. It serves as a starting point for the more general idea of block-based physical modeling, where arbitrary discrete-time state space representations can communicate via wave variables. An example in musical acoustics shows the application of block-based modeling to multidimensional physical systems.
Natural Quantum Operational Semantics with Predicates
Authors: Sawerwain Marek , Gielerak Roman
Published: October 2008

Natural Quantum Operational Semantics with Predicates

A general definition of a quantum predicate and quantum labelled transition systems for finite quantum computation systems is presented. The notion of a quantum predicate as a positive operator-valued measure is developed. The main results of this paper are a theorem about the existence of generalised predicates for quantum programs defined as completely positive maps and a theorem about the existence of a GSOS format for quantum labelled transition systems. The first theorem is a slight generalisation of D'Hondt and Panagaden's theorem about the quantum weakest precondition in terms of discrete support positive operator-valued measures.
Determining the Weights of A Fourier Series Neural Network on the Basis of the Multidimensional Discrete Fourier Transform
Authors: Halawa Krzysztof
Published: October 2008

Determining the Weights of A Fourier Series Neural Network on the Basis of the Multidimensional Discrete Fourier Transform

This paper presents a method for training a Fourier series neural network on the basis of the multidimensional discrete Fourier transform. The proposed method is characterized by low computational complexity. The article shows how the method can be used for modelling dynamic systems.
Myopathy in a Haflinger horse: An initiating search for a fatty acid oxidation deficiency
Authors: Wijnberg I. D. , Ruitenbeek W. , Jansen G. , Westermann C. M. , van der Kolk J. H.
Published: October 2008

So far, the area of fat metabolism disturbances has been poorly explored in the horse but, as in man, deficiencies in the β‐oxidation of fatty acids (FAOX) and in carnitine metabolism or carnitine transport potentially can be a cause of myopathy. A 9‐year‐old Haflinger patient with recurrent rhabdomyolysis and 5 healthy horses of various breeds with a mean age of 16 ± 5.9 years were used as a comparison. Blood biochemical analysis revealed elevated aspartate amino transferase, lactate dehydrogenase and creatine kinase activities. Plasma vitamin E concentration was low and selenium was within the reference range. Quantitative electromyography was indicative of myopathy based on the short duration and low amplitude motor unit action potentials. Staining of muscle biopsies was suggestive for a myopathy based on a disturbance in fat catabolism. Carnitine, acylcarnitines, very‐long‐chain fatty acids and organic acids screening in blood and urine established no differences between these parameters in the patient and control horses. Even though this patient was negative on FAOX or carnitine disturbances, the potency of the applied methods seems large and indicates a potential diagnostic value.
An update on cyathostomins: Anthelmintic resistance and worm control
Authors: Matthews J. B.
Published: October 2008

Intestinal nematodes are an important cause of equine disease. Of these parasites, the Cyathostominae are the most important group, both in terms of their prevalence and their pathogenicity. Cyathostomin infections are complex and control is further complicated by ever‐increasing levels of resistance to some of the commonly used anthelmintics. There are no new equine anthelmintics under development, so it is imperative that the efficacy of any currently‐effective drug classes be maintained for as long as possible.

It is believed that the proportion of refugia (i.e. the percentage of parasites not exposed to a drug at each treatment) is one of the most crucial factors in determining the rate at which anthelmintic resistance develops. It is important, therefore, that levels of refugia be taken into account when designing nematode control programmes for horses. This can be assisted by knowledge of the local epidemiology of the infection, supplemented by faecal egg count analysis to identify those animals that are making the major contribution to pasture contamination. This type of rational nematode control requires equine veterinary surgeons to get involved in designing and implementing deworming programmes. The advice given must be based on a combination of knowledge of cyathostomin biology and epidemiology as well as an awareness of the parasite population's current drug sensitivity and a sound history of husbandry at the establishment.

As anthelmintic resistance will be the major constraint on the future control of cyathostomins, researchers are now actively investigating this area. Studies are underway to develop tests that will enable earlier detection of anthelmintic resistance and an assay that will help identify those horses that require anthelmintic treatments targeted at intestinal wall larvae.
Leaky modes of a left-handed slab
Authors: Moreau A. , Felbacq D.
Published: October 2008

Using complex plane analysis we show that left-handed slab may support either leaky slab waves, which are backward because of negative refraction, or leaky surface waves, which are backward or forward depending on the propagation direction of the surface wave itself. Moreover, there is a general connection between the reflection coefficient of the left-handed slab and the one of the corresponding right-handed slab (with opposite permittivity and permeability) so that leaky slab modes are excited for the same angle of incidence of the impinging beam for both structures. Many negative giant lateral shifts can be explained by the excitation of these leaky modes.
Stability Analysis and Full-Scale Test of Traffic Barrier–Moment Slab System
Authors: Briaud Jean-Louis , Bligh Roger P. , Abu-Odeh Akram , Kim Kangmi
Published: October 2008

Traffic barriers that can resist vehicle impact without being tied to a structure are needed at the top of mechanically stabilized earth walls. These barriers are usually constructed in an L-shape so that the impact load on the vertical part of the L can be resisted by the inertia force necessary to uplift the horizontal part of the L. The design load for such barriers has changed from 44.5 kN (10 kips) to 240 kN (54 kips) over the past decade. This increase has created concern about which load should be used. This paper contributes to answering that question. It shows the results of analytical solutions to the problem as well as one static load test and two impact tests on the same full-scale barrier. The conclusions are that 44.5 kN (10 kips) is an equivalent static load and that the 240 kN (54 kips) is a peak-impact load. Analytical and experimental approaches are used to provide better understanding of the behavior of the barrier–moment slab system. Guidelines for the dimensions of the barrier– moment slab system are presented and justified on the basis of the work described.
Analysis of Steel Girder Bridges
Authors: Coletti Domenic , Yadlosky John
Published: October 2008

As the design challenges faced by bridge engineers become more complex, the importance of properly analyzing steel girder bridges is increasing dramatically. Improper modeling of steel girder bridges can result in misleading analysis results, which can lead to constructability problems or, worse still, problems with structures in service. This paper broadly outlines the various methods of analysis and presents key modeling issues for consideration in steel girder bridge analysis. Some recent comparisons of modeling techniques demonstrate the variability in analysis results for identical bridges modeled in different ways.
Evaluation of Sensor Performance for Concrete Applications
Authors: Yehia Sherif , Abudayyeh Osama , Abdel-Qader Ikhlas , Zalt Ammar , Meganathan Vijay
Published: October 2008

Structural health monitoring using sensor technology is one of the most promising ways that can provide an excellent means for protecting important structures such as bridges, dams, and nuclear reactors. These sensors provide real-time information about structural conditions such as strain, temperature, and vibration. The information obtained from these sensors can later be analyzed and compared with the design data; the process allows the early detection of problems. This paper presents experimental results on two types of sensors to verify their behavior, accuracy, and applicability for strain monitoring of concrete applications. The investigation included concrete curing-behavior test, thermal test, accuracy test, and other tests to assess the mechanical properties of concrete with embedded sensors.
Finite Element Study of Stability of Corroded Metal Culverts
Authors: El-Taher Mohamed , Moore Ian D.
Published: October 2008

The development and the use of finite element analyses in the 1970s and 1980s changed the nature of culvert assessment because they permitted consideration of the geometrical and material details of the burial condition, as well as the construction process, culvert geometry, and earth and vehicle loads. While these procedures have been used to study a wide range of new culvert and pipe structures, there has been little consideration of the structural deterioration that is precipitating most current infrastructure investments. This study therefore examines the influence of corrosion on the stability of corrugated steel culverts. Corrosion in the lower half of the structure is considered, including a range of losses in wall thickness and lateral extents. Changes in the factor of safety against yield are assessed as corrosion develops, as are changes in culvert resistance to buckling failure. For the five specific design cases considered, the governing design criterion was stability against yield, and the factor of safety against yield was found to decrease almost in proportion to wall thickness (when maximum wall thrust within the corroded zone was considered). This decrease occurred because the corroded metal culverts experienced little change in the distributions of thrust or moment as a result of local losses in wall thickness. While the results presented are purely theoretical, they provide a starting point for an appreciation of the influence of metal culvert deterioration and can guide future research, including physical test programs.
To Value Functions or Services? An Analysis of Ecosystem Valuation Approaches1
Authors: Ansink Erik , Hein Lars , Hasund Knut Per
Published: October 2008

Monetary valuation of ecosystem services is a widely used approach to quantify the benefits supplied by the natural environment to society. An alternative approach is the monetary valuation of ecosystem functions, which is defined as the capacity of the ecosystem to supply services. Using two European case-study areas, this paper explores the relative advantages of the two valuation approaches. This is done using a conceptual analysis, a qualitative application, and an overall comparison of both approaches. It is concluded that both approaches can be defended on theoretical grounds, and – if properly applied – will provide the same value estimates. However, valuation of ecosystem services is preferred from a practical point of view. Because there is no one-to-one match between functions and services, researchers should be consistent in their valuation approach. To avoid overlooking or overlapping of values, valuation should either be solely based on functions, or solely based on services.
Forest Conservation and the Reciprocal Timber Trade between New Zealand and New South Wales, 1880s-1920s
Authors: Stubbs Brett J.
Published: October 2008

A substantial inter-colonial timber trade between hardwood-scarce New Zealand and softwood-scarce New South Wales developed in the late nineteenth century. The northern coastal area of New South Wales, that colony's main timber-producing district, supplied mainly ironbark (Eucalyptus paniculata, E. crebra and E. siderophloia) for use in New Zealand's railways, bridges and wharves. North-eastern New South Wales was also that colony's most important dairying district, and kahikatea (Dacrycarpus dacrydioides), a New Zealand softwood timber, was imported for the manufacture of butter boxes. The magnitude of this two-way trade created domestic timber shortages on both sides of the Tasman Sea, and stimulated conservation efforts from the early years of the twentieth century. Anticipated shortages of kahikatea also forced the New South Wales dairying industry to seek alternatives, including the arguably less suitable indigenous hoop pine (Araucaria cunninghamii), for its butter boxes.
Imperial Ethos, Dominions Reality: Forestry Education in New Zealand and Australia, 1910-1965
Authors: Roche Michael M. , Dargavel John
Published: October 2008

The forces that started formal forestry education in Australia and New Zealand from 1910 and 1924 respectively are traced. The controversies and difficulties experienced by the forestry schools that were started are examined and the links between the two countries in forestry education are noted. Forestry education arose amidst inter-state jealousies, class divisions and personal animosities. It emerged in the 1960s as a truly university education that melded some of the ethos of imperial forestry with other philosophies in ways that could be applied in Dominion realities.
Trees of Gold and Men Made Good? Grand Visions and Early Experiments in Penal Forestry in New South Wales, 1913-1938
Authors: Taylor Benedict
Published: October 2008

While modern penal institutions exist, putatively, to transform the people held within them into law-abiding citizens, it is not generally recognised that since the early twentieth century, Australian and New Zealand penal systems have also sought to transform 'wastelands' into ordered, productive landscapes. In Australia, this experiment began in 1913 on the north coast of New South Wales, where small groups of prisoners were set to work creating a pine plantation. Penologists and foresters saw themselves as the architects of a grand project; men with 'wasted lives' would reclaim 'wasted land', and, in the process, reclaim themselves. Depraved city-dwelling criminals would be transformed into hardy, upright bushmen, while the unproductive native landscapes would be replaced by useful exotic softwood forests. Although these reforms were hailed as modern and progressive, a close study of the history of this scheme reveals that a range of relationships to landscapes, some very old indeed, are deeply embedded in historical understandings of human rehabilitation.