bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Trabalho assalariado e campesinato: uma etnografia com famílias camponesas
Authors: Nogueira Verena Sevá
Published: July 2013

Partindo de uma pesquisa etnográfica com famílias camponesas que saem de suas terras para trabalhar em diferentes lugares do Brasil, o objetivo deste texto é pensar a relação entre trabalho assalariado e campesinato. O recorte analítico privilegia a modalidade migratória atualmente mais significativa no município de Aracatu (BA), a "migração para o café", na qual, durante quatro meses ao ano, homens e mulheres fecham suas casas no sertão e se deslocam para trabalhar em lavouras de café da região Sudeste. Finalizado o trabalho, retornam para casa e ali permanecem até a colheita do próximo ano. O dinheiro ganho no café garante a "feira" do ano e a continuidade do "negócio" familiar. Um trabalho assalariado que se insere nas dinâmicas produtiva e reprodutiva dessas famílias camponesas, e possibilita a reprodução de uma ordem moral camponesa, no sentido proposto por Klaas Woortmann.
The non-economic dimension of changes prompted by cross-border acquisitions: a relational view
Authors: Rezende Sergio Fernando Loureiro , Ferreira Jeferson Vinhas , Versiani Angela França , Guimarães Liliane Oliveira
Published: July 2013

Building on the relational view of M&A suggested by the Industrial Network Approach, we looked at the non-economic dimension of post-acquisition changes in the relationships of the acquired firm. Based on a 2x2 matrix, this is illustrated by the relationships between the acquired firm with for-profit organizations through which non-economic resources are transacted (called Social) or with non-profit organizations with which it transacts either economic (called Partnership) or non-economic resources (called Community). We built a qualitative case study from the acquisition of the Brazilian firm Paraíso Group by the Swiss multinational Holcim, and focused on ten relationships of the acquired firm. We found that these relationships changed in terms of professionalism, degree of dependence and number of actors. An increase in professionalism is observed in all the relationships. This type and direction of change was considered the most important post-acquisition change. The degree of dependence and number of actors changes happened in specific segments of the acquired firm's network, represented by the Community and Social relationships, respectively.
The fate of an oil spill in São Sebastião channel: a case study
Authors: Zanardi-Lamardo Eliete , Bícego Marcia Caruso , Weber Rolf Roland
Published: July 2013

An oil pipeline ruptured in May 1994 and 2 700 tons of crude oil leaked into the São Sebastião Channel, affecting several neighboring areas. A program for the monitoring of hydrocarbons in sediments, using the gas chromatography / flame ionization detector methodology, was being undertaken in the area at the time. The data obtained were compared to those of samples collected after the accident to determine the fate of the oil spilled and ascertain its contribution to the environment. The earlier results showed that hydrocarbons were introduced from two different sources: biogenic, mainly from terrestrial plants, and anthropogenic, as oil, in sewage and from shipping. The later data indicated that the site closest to the pipeline rupture had been the most affected. Following that, two stations located at the north entrance of the channel presented the highest n-alkane concentrations, suggesting that the northeasterly wind-driven currents had carried the oil northward. Seven months later, one of these stations, a high-energy site, showed some signs of recovery, but this process was not observed at the other, which seemed to be a low-energy site. In conclusion, the data showed that the aliphatic hydrocarbon analyses were powerful tools for the assessment of the fate of the oil spill and that the northern part of the São Sebastião Channel is more subject to the effects of oil spills.
Influence of seasonality and pollution on the hematological parameters of the estuarine fish Centropomus parallelus
Authors: Seriani Robson , Abessa Denis Moledo de Souza , Pereira Camilo D. S. , Kirschbaum Aline A. , Assunção Andrea , Ranzani-Paiva Maria José T.
Published: July 2013

This study investigated the hematological parameters of the tropical estuarine fish Centropomus parallelus and their use as a non-destructive biomarker for aquatic pollution. Individuals were collected, in summer and winter, at two estuaries, Cananéia (CAN) and São Vicente (SVE), and blood was extracted by caudal puncture. The evaluated parameters were hematocrit (Ht), red blood cells (RBC), Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), and the leukocyte (WBC) and thrombocyte counts. Fishes from CAN showed higher values of absolute number of thrombocytes in the summer. The fishes from SVE presented lower values of Ht and MCV in winter. Comparing the hematological parameters of fishes from these two sites, Ht, MCV, WBC and RBC were higher in fishes from SVE in the summer, whereas during the winter, Ht and thrombocytes were higher in animals from SVE. The results allow attributing the changes in the blood of fishes to seasonality and the presence of contaminants.
Effect of a-Si:H–polymer interface on the behavior of hybrid solar cells
Authors: Mahadevapuram Rakesh C. , Dalal Vikram L. , Chaudhary Sumit
Published: July 2013

Organic photovoltaics (OPVs) are primary candidates for economical and flexible next-generation solar electricity conversion devices. However, efficiencies of the OPVs are limited, among other reasons, by poor charge transport and limited acceptor materials. To overcome this, hybrid organic–inorganic solar cells have been proposed. In this study, the authors investigated the photovoltaic characteristics of hybrid amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) films with varying doping nature with poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) only and P3HT:phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) bulk-heterojunction–based solar cells. Both intrinsic and doped a-Si:H films were used. Despite the higher short circuit current density of P3HT/intrinsic a-Si:H device, the charge collection and open circuit voltage in P3HT/n+ a-Si:H device were the highest. This was attributed to favorable band bending and high built-in electric field in P3HT. Previously proposed model for photovoltaic mechanism in polymer/a-Si:H devices was revisited, and a revision was proposed. P3HT:PCBM cells on the three types of cells largely followed the same trend as the P3HT-only devices, except that intrinsic device did not have a photocurrent contribution from the organic layer.
Congruence in demersal fish, macroinvertebrate, and macroalgal community turnover on shallow temperate reefs
Authors: Thomson Russell J. , Hill Nicole A. , Leaper Rebecca , Ellis Nick , Pitcher C. Roland , Barrett Neville S. , J. Edgar Graham
Published: July 2013

To support coastal planning through improved understanding of patterns of biotic and abiotic surrogacy at broad scales, we used gradient forest modeling (GFM) to analyze and predict spatial patterns of compositional turnover of demersal fishes, macroinvertebrates, and macroalgae on shallow, temperate Australian reefs. Predictive models were first developed using environmental surrogates with estimates of prediction uncertainty, and then the efficacy of the three assemblages as biosurrogates for each other was assessed.

Data from underwater visual surveys of subtidal rocky reefs were collected from the southeastern coastline of continental Australia (including South Australia and Victoria) and the northern coastline of Tasmania. These data were combined with 0.01°‐resolution gridded environmental variables to develop statistical models of compositional turnover (beta diversity) using GFM. GFM extends the machine learning, ensemble tree‐based method of random forests (RF), to allow the simultaneous modeling of multiple taxa. The models were used to generate predictions of compositional turnover for each of the three assemblages within unsurveyed areas across the 6600 km of coastline in the region of interest.

The most important predictor for all three assemblages was variability in sea surface temperature (measured as standard deviation from measures taken interannually). Spatial predictions of compositional turnover within unsurveyed areas across the region of interest were remarkably congruent across the three taxa. However, the greatest uncertainty in these predictions varied in location among the different assemblages. Pairwise congruency comparisons of observed and predicted turnover among the three assemblages showed that invertebrate and macroalgal biodiversity were most similar, followed by fishes and macroalgae, and lastly fishes and invertebrate biodiversity, suggesting that of the three assemblages, macroalgae would make the best biosurrogate for both invertebrate and fish compositional turnover.
Species interactions and a chain of indirect effects driven by reduced precipitation
Authors: Barton Brandon T. , Ives Anthony R.
Published: July 2013

Climate change can affect species directly and indirectly by altering interactions between species within communities. These indirect effects can ramify through a community and affect many species, including some that may not have been directly affected by the perturbation. Identifying these chains of indirect effects is difficult, and most studies only follow indirect effects across two or three species. Here, we use a factorial field experiment to demonstrate that precipitation affects spotted aphids through a complex chain of indirect interactions that are mediated by other herbivores and a generalist predator. We experimentally simulated drought, which reduced water content in alfalfa plants. While water stress in alfalfa had no direct effect on spotted aphids, it lowered the population growth rate of pea aphids, another common alfalfa pest. Because ladybeetle predators were attracted to high pea aphid densities, predator densities were lower in drought treatments. Consequently, spotted aphid densities were released from top‐down control (apparent competition) in drought treatments and reached densities three times higher than spotted aphids in ambient treatments with high pea aphid densities. Thus, drought affected spotted aphids in the interaction chain: drought → alfalfa → pea aphids → predators → spotted aphids. This result illustrates the lengthy path that indirect effects of climate change may take through a community, as well as the importance of community‐level experiments in determining the net effect of climate change.
A river stage correction approach using Fourier series
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqin , Bao Weimin
Published: July 2013

One-dimensional hydrodynamic models based on the Saint-Venant equations (the SVN model) are used widely for river stage prediction. Errors that originate from simplifying assumptions, improper specification of initial and boundary conditions, uncertainty in parameters, channel geometry, observed data, and solution methods produce the inconsistencies between actual flow and that represented by the SVN model; this problem is especially apparent in tidal rivers. All of these simplifications and sources of imprecision can accumulate and introduce substantial errors in application. Total errors due to the causes mentioned above are treated as an error function, which is introduced as an additive term in the SVN model momentum equation. The function is constructed using a Fourier series approximation of discrepancies between simulated and observed flow. By combining the SVN model with the error function, a river stage correction approach (the ISV model) is proposed to take account of unconsidered errors in application. The tidal reach of the Qiantang River is selected as the study case and results based on a classification of flood events show that the ISV model generally performs better than the SVN model alone. It indicates that the approach could help guide improvements on the SVN model performance.
On runoff generation and the distribution of storage deficits
Authors: Wood A. , Beven K. J.
Published: July 2013

A number of hydrological models use a distribution function to develop the non-linear rainfall–runoff catchment response. In this study the beta function is applied to represent a distribution of soil moisture storages in conjunction with a fast and slow pathway routing. The BETA3 and BETA4 modules, presented in this paper, have a distribution of discrete storage elements that have variable and redistributed water levels at each timestep. The PDM-BETA5 is an analytical solution with a similar structure to the commonly used probability distribution model (PDM). Model testing was performed on three catchments in the Northern Pennine region in England. The performances of the BETA models were compared with a commonly used formulation of the PDM. The BETA models performed marginally better than the PDM in calibration and parameter estimation was better with the BETA models than for the PDM. The BETA models had a small advantage in validation on the hydrologically fast responding test catchments.
Field galaxies and their AGNs: Nature versus nurture
Authors: Micic M.
Published: July 2013

This review attempts to present most recent findings related to the very
controversial question of which processes guide the flow of gas to the
galactic centers where the accretion and growth of supermassive black holes
occurs. Also, we put this question in the context of influence of the
environment (galaxy clusters versus field) onto these processes.
Randomized Clinical Trial on the Efficacy and Safety of Four Professional At-home Tooth Whitening Gels
Authors: de la Peña V Alonso , Ratón M López
Published: July 2013

Objective

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of four gels of differing concentrations used for at-home vital bleaching.

Materials and Methods

Ninety-six volunteers participated in the study and were divided into four groups of 24 individuals. A gel of differing concentration was used for each group: 10% and 15% carbamide peroxide and 7.5% and 9.5% hydrogen peroxide. The patients used the whitening agent in a tray without reservoirs for one hour per day for two weeks. The measurement of the change in tooth color was made by two observers in the maxillary right central incisor and with a colorimeter in both upper central incisors and canines, using the CIE L*a*b* and CIE L*C*h* values. Sensitivity was evaluated by the participants on a scale with values as follows: 0 = absent, 1 = minor, 2 = moderate, 3 = considerable, 4 = severe.

Results

At the baseline, the observers noted darker colors than the colorimeter (p<0.01), and there were differences between incisors and canines in all the CIE L*a*b* and CIE L*C*h* values (p<0.001). In all of the groups and for all of the CIE L*a*b* and CIE L*C*h* parameters, there were color changes in the assessments made in the four maxillary teeth after treatment (p<0.001). There were no differences in ΔL* and ΔE* between the groups. The number of patients who experienced sensitivity and the intensity of the sensitivity were not significant.

Conclusions

There were no differences in the degree of whitening among the different products. With all of the products there was an increase in L*, a decrease in chromatic intensity (C*), and an increase in the value (tone) or hue (h*).
Operator inequalities of Jensen type
Authors: Moslehian M. S. , Mićić J. , Kian M.
Published: July 2013

We present some generalized Jensen type operator inequalities involving sequences of self-adjoint operators. Among other things, we prove that if f : [0;1) → ℝ is a continuous convex function with f(0) ≤ 0, then

for all operators Ci such that (i=1 , ... , n) for some scalar M ≥ 0, where and
Central auditory development in children with hearing impairment
Authors: Sharma Anu , Glick Hannah , Campbell Julia , Biever Allison
Published: July 2013

Objective:

We review the development and plasticity of the central auditory pathways in infants and children with hearing loss who are fitted with cochlear implants (CIs). Secondly, we describe case studies demonstrating the clinical utility of the P1 central auditory evoked potential (CAEP) for evaluating cortical auditory maturation in the rapidly increasing number of cochlear-implanted children who have multiple disabilities.

Study design:

Children who receive CIs provide a platform to examine the trajectories of deprivation-induced and experience-dependent plasticity in the central auditory system. We review the evidence for, and time-limits of, sensitive periods for cortical auditory maturation framing an optimal period for cochlear implantation. Finally, we evaluate the use of the P1 biomarker as an objective assessment tool in the special case of children with multiple disabilities.

Results:

The P1 response was useful in assessing central auditory maturation in patients with CHARGE association, ANSD, and Pallister-Killian syndrome concomitant with hearing loss.

Conclusion:

The presence of coexisting disabilities in addition to hearing loss poses unique challenges regarding both pre-intervention evaluation and post-intervention rehabilitation for children with multiple disabilities. When combined with a standard audiological test battery, the P1 CAEP biomarker has a useful role in objectively evaluating the maturation of central auditory pathways to determine the effectiveness of various intervention strategies in hearing-impaired children with multiple disabilities.
From Spectrum to Prism: Shifting Positions on Dance Dramaturgy—a Conference Response
Authors: Hansen Pil
Published: July 2013

Three dramaturgs working with dance artists in Canada were tasked to share a summary and response to the Society of Dance History Scholars conference on dance dramaturgy in Toronto (2011) at a plenary closing panel. This article offers Pil Hansen's contribution to the panel alongside comments from DD Kugler and Jacob Zimmer. Perspectives presented at the conference by Bojana Bauer, Bonnie Brooks, Thomas DeFrantz, Christina Goletti, Elizabeth Kattner, Gabriele Klein, Jodie McNeilly, Selma Odom, Katherine Profeta, Freya Vass-Rhee, and Laura Vriend are recalled with a proposal to use them as a prism that can advance the field instead of regarding them as opposing positions and definitions.
Rewriting Distance: Bridging the Space between Dramaturg and Dancer
Authors: Muneroni Stefano , Cools Guy
Published: July 2013

ABSTRACT:

”Rewriting Distance: Bridging the Gap between Dramaturg and Dancer’ examines a recent collaboration between Lin Snelling, Guy Cools, and Stefano Muneroni in which the three participants tested how writing can be an integral part of the dramaturgical process. During an intensive workshop in 2012, the participants explored the effectiveness of writing as a dramaturgical tool when writing develops simultaneously to dancing, and how the two activities meaningfully affect each other in the creation of a movement piece. The three collaborators took turns occupying the roles of ”performer’, ”writer’, and ”observer’ and in so doing they experienced how writing and dancing shape each other when they develop together during rehearsal, and, even more importantly, how they foster a strong interdisciplinary collaboration by blending the role of the dramaturg and that of the dancer. By bridging the gap existing between the functions of the dramaturg and those of the dancer, Rewriting Distance constructed a non-hierarchical space and showed new critical avenues to reconfigure the working relationship between dramaturgs and dancers.
Writing Dramaturgical Notes for Dance: ”Carol’s Dance Notes” 1996–2012
Authors: Anderson Carol
Published: July 2013

In this article Carol Anderson describes how she approaches each new edition of Carol’s Dance Notes. She makes reference to the process of writing these notes, over a period of sixteen years, by viewing choreographers’ works and discussing their work with them. She discusses the challenge of finding language to express and illuminate, for audience members, the unique artistic world and signature of each choreography.
The Isle of Loch Clunie: the key to the see of Dunkeld
Authors: Shelley Matthew
Published: July 2013

Bishop George Brown had a great fondness for the comfortable country residence he built on the Isle of Loch Clunie. In the uncertain world of the early sixteenth century it offered relative safety during a bitter feud, and a dignified retreat during his final illness. Scotland's artificial islands (often called crannogs) are frequently associated with the prehistoric and early historic periods. The evidence from Clunie helps underline the reality that they remained in relatively widespread use between the fifteenth and seventeenth centuries. The extensive surviving physical remains and written records for Clunie also provide an opportunity to understand more about the workings of a pre-Reformation Scottish bishop's secondary residence; and allows insights into the running and occupation of an island settlement and its associated resources over an extended period of time as it moved between secular and ecclesiastical control.
Applying Evolutionary Thinking to the Study of Emotion
Authors: Weisfeld Glenn , Goetz Stefan
Published: July 2013

This paper argues for invoking evolutionary, functional thinking in analyzing emotions. It suggests that the fitness needs of normal individuals be kept in mind when trying to understand emotional behavior. This point of view is elaborated in sections addressing these topics: defining emotion; applying comparative analysis to the study of emotions; focusing on the elicitors and resulting motivated behaviors mediated by the various affects; recognizing that not all emotions have prominent, distinct facial expressions; acknowledging all of the basic emotions and not just some exemplars; crediting the more sensible Cannon-Bard theory over James-Lange; recognizing the more ancient, fundamental role of the limbic system in emotion compared with that of the neocortex; and analyzing socio-emotional interactions as they occur naturally, not just individual emotional behavior studied under artificial conditions. Describing the various facets and neuroendocrine mechanisms of each basic emotion can provide a framework for understanding the normal and pathological development of each emotion. Such an inventory, or ethogram, would provide a comprehensive list of all of the observable behavioral tendencies of our species.
Nearly Zero-Energy Buildings of the Lombardy Region (Italy), a Case Study of High-Energy Performance Buildings
Authors: Dall'O' Giuliano , Belli Valentina , Brolis Mauro , Mozzi Ivan , Fasano Mauro
Published: July 2013

The topic of nearly zero-energy buildings (n-ZEB), introduced by the Directive 2010/31/EU will direct the building market toward ever greater energy efficiency of new buildings. In some contexts, however, the building market for high-efficiency buildings has evolved, in recent years, on the basis of national and regional laws that have contributed to the acceleration of the process. This paper analyses the case study of the Lombardy Region (Italy), which transposed and assimilated the Directive 91/2002 (Energy Performance Building Directive), as of 2006, with regional legislation for energy efficiency of buildings. Within a few years the market for high energy-performance of buildings in the Lombardy Region had grown substantially: to date nearly 7500 energy performance certificates for buildings of Class A and Class A+ have been issued. The paper therefore analyses a success story in what is a field of great current interest, namely n-ZEB buildings. In the first part of the work, the evolution in terms of energy efficiency of the housing market in the Lombardy Region has been analyzed, with particular reference to the high energy-performance of buildings. The second part focuses on a sample of 20 n-ZEB buildings in order to highlight the design choices applied to them.
An Intuitive Approach to Understanding the Attributable Fraction of Disease Due to a Risk Factor: The Case of Smoking
Authors: Rosen Laura
Published: July 2013

The health damage from tobacco use has been studied intensively, yet quantifying the precise burden of disease and death due to smoking is a complex problem, and consequently open to manipulation by interested parties. The goals of this paper are to clearly communicate the concept of the attributable fraction (AF), i.e., the proportion of disease in a population which can be attributed to a risk factor, and to understand the relationship between the AF, the prevalence of exposure in a population, and the relative risk of disease given the exposure. The current approach to calculating the AF is summarized. An intuitive formula is proposed, with accompanying graphical illumination. For diseases caused by smoking, the AF of disease due to smoking increases with the prevalence of smoking and with the relative risk of disease due to smoking. The proposed method has the potential to help health professionals and decision makers understand the concept of the burden of disease due to smoking or other lifestyle, environmental, and occupational factors, in the context of public health importance. This will aid sound decision-making in public health policy.
Clinical Advances in Molecular Biomarkers for Cancer Diagnosis and Therapy
Authors: Sethi Seema , Ali Shadan , Philip Philip , Sarkar Fazlul
Published: July 2013

Cancer diagnosis is currently undergoing a paradigm shift with the incorporation of molecular biomarkers as part of routine diagnostic panel. The molecular alteration ranges from those involving the DNA, RNA, microRNAs (miRNAs) and proteins. The miRNAs are recently discovered small non-coding endogenous single-stranded RNAs that critically regulates the development, invasion and metastasis of cancers. They are altered in cancers and have the potential to serve as diagnostic markers for cancer. Moreover, deregulating their activity offers novel cancer therapeutic approaches. The availability of high throughput techniques for the identification of altered cellular molecules allowed their use in cancer diagnosis. Their application to a variety of body specimens from blood to tissues has been helpful for appreciating their use in the clinical context. The development of innovative antibodies for immunohistochemical detection of proteins also assists in diagnosis and risk stratification. Overall, the novel cancer diagnostic tools have extended their application as prognostic risk factors and can be used as targets for personalized medicine.
Posttranslational Modification of the Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Van der Steen Travis , Tindall Donald , Huang Haojie
Published: July 2013

The androgen receptor (AR) is important in the development of the prostate by regulating transcription, cellular proliferation, and apoptosis. AR undergoes posttranslational modifications that alter its transcription activity, translocation to the nucleus and stability. The posttranslational modifications that regulate these events are of utmost importance to understand the functional role of AR and its activity. The majority of these modifications occur in the activation function-1 (AF1) region of the AR, which contains the transcriptional activation unit 1 (TAU1) and 5 (TAU5). Identification of the modifications that occur to these regions may increase our understanding of AR activation in prostate cancer and the role of AR in the progression from androgen-dependent to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Most of the posttranslational modifications identified to date have been determined using the full-length AR in androgen dependent cells. Further investigations into the role of posttranslational modifications in androgen-independent activation of full-length AR and constitutively active splicing variants are warranted, findings from which may provide new therapeutic options for CRPC.
SnoRNA U50 Levels Are Regulated by Cell Proliferation and rRNA Transcription
Authors: Pacilli Annalisa , Ceccarelli Claudio , Treré Davide , Montanaro Lorenzo
Published: July 2013

rRNA post transcriptional modifications play a role in cancer development by affecting ribosomal function. In particular, the snoRNA U50, mediating the methylation of C2848 in 28S rRNA, has been suggested as a potential tumor suppressor-like gene playing a role in breast and prostate cancers and B-cell lymphoma. Indeed, we observed the downregulation of U50 in colon cancer cell lines as well as tumors. We then investigated the relationship between U50 and proliferation in lymphocytes stimulated by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and observed a strong decrease in U50 levels associated with a reduced C2848 methylation. This reduction was due to an alteration of U50 stability and to an increase of its consumption. Indeed, the blockade of ribosome biogenesis induced only an early decrease in U50 followed by a stabilization of U50 levels when ribosome biogenesis was almost completely blocked. Similar results were found with other snoRNAs. Lastly, we observed that U50 modulation affects ribosome efficiency in IRES-mediated translation, demonstrating that changes in the methylation levels of a single specific site on 28S rRNA may alter ribosome function. In conclusion, our results link U50 to the cellular proliferation rate and ribosome biogenesis and these findings may explain why its levels are often greatly reduced in cancers.
Identification and Expression Profile Analysis of Odorant Binding Proteins in the Oriental Fruit Fly Bactrocera dorsalis
Authors: Zheng Weiwei , Peng Wei , Zhu Chipan , Zhang Qun , Saccone Giuseppe , Zhang Hongyu
Published: July 2013

Olfaction is crucial in many insects for critical behaviors, including those regulating survival and reproduction. Insect odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) function in the first step of the olfactory system and play an essential role in the perception of odorants, such as pheromones and host chemicals. The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, is a destructive fruit-eating pest, due to its wide host range of up to 250 different types of fruits and vegetables, and this fly causes severe economic damage to the fruit and vegetable industry. However, OBP genes have not been largely identified in B. dorsalis. Based on our previously constructed B. dorsalis cDNA library, ten OBP genes were identified in B. dorsalis for the first time. A phylogenetic tree was generated to show the relationships among the 10 OBPs of B. dorsalis to OBP sequences of two other Dipteran species, including Drosophila melanogaster and the mosquito Anopheles gambiae. The expression profiles of the ten OBPs in different tissues (heads, thoraxes, abdomens, legs, wings, male antennae and female antenna) of the mated adults were analyzed by real-time PCR. The results showed that nine of them are highly expressed in the antenna of both sexes, except BdorOBP7. Four OBPs (BdorOBP1, BdorOBP4, BdorOBP8, and BdorOBP10) are also enriched in the abdomen, and BdorOBP7 is specifically expressed in leg, indicating that it may function in other biological processes. This work will provide insight into the roles of OBPs in chemoreception and help develop new pest-control strategies.
Could Radiotherapy Effectiveness Be Enhanced by Electromagnetic Field Treatment?
Authors: Francisco Artacho-Cordón , Mar Salinas-Asensio , Irene Calvente , Sandra Ríos-Arrabal , Josefa León , Elisa Román-Marinetto , Nicolás Olea , Isabel Núñez
Published: July 2013

One of the main goals in radiobiology research is to enhance radiotherapy effectiveness without provoking any increase in toxicity. In this context, it has been proposed that electromagnetic fields (EMFs), known to be modulators of proliferation rate, enhancers of apoptosis and inductors of genotoxicity, might control tumor recruitment and, thus, provide therapeutic benefits. Scientific evidence shows that the effects of ionizing radiation on cellular compartments and functions are strengthened by EMF. Although little is known about the potential role of EMFs in radiotherapy (RT), the radiosensitizing effect of EMFs described in the literature could support their use to improve radiation effectiveness. Thus, we hypothesized that EMF exposure might enhance the ionizing radiation effect on tumor cells, improving the effects of RT. The aim of this paper is to review reports of the effects of EMFs in biological systems and their potential therapeutic benefits in radiotherapy.
Design and Interpretation of Intensity Analysis Illustrated by Land Change in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia
Authors: Pontius Robert , Gao Yan , Giner Nicholas , Kohyama Takashi , Osaki Mitsuru , Hirose Kazuyo
Published: July 2013

Intensity Analysis has become popular as a top-down hierarchical accounting framework to analyze differences among categories, such as changes in land categories over time. Some aspects of interpretation are straightforward, while other aspects require deeper thought. This article explains how to interpret Intensity Analysis with respect to four concepts. First, we illustrate how to analyze whether error could account for non-uniform changes. Second, we explore two types of the large dormant category phenomenon. Third, we show how results can be sensitive to the selection of the domain. Fourth, we explain how Intensity Analysis’ symmetric top-down hierarchy influences interpretation with respect to temporal processes, for which changes during a time interval influence the sizes of the categories at the final time, but not at the initial time. We illustrate these concepts by applying Intensity Analysis to changes during one time interval (2000–2004) in a part of Central Kalimantan for the land categories Forest, Bare and Grass.
Self-Ordered Titanium Dioxide Nanotube Arrays: Anodic Synthesis and Their Photo/Electro-Catalytic Applications
Authors: Smith York , Ray Rupashree , Carlson Krista , Sarma Biplab , Misra Mano
Published: July 2013

Metal oxide nanotubes have become a widely investigated material, more specifically, self-organized titania nanotube arrays synthesized by electrochemical anodization. As a highly investigated material with a wide gamut of applications, the majority of published literature focuses on the solar-based applications of this material. The scope of this review summarizes some of the recent advances made using metal oxide nanotube arrays formed via anodization in solar-based applications. A general methodology for theoretical modeling of titania surfaces in solar applications is also presented.
Order-Induced Selectivity Increase of Cu60Pd40 in the Semi-Hydrogenation of Acetylene
Authors: Friedrich Matthias , Villaseca Sebastián , Szentmiklósi László , Teschner Detre , Armbrüster Marc
Published: July 2013

The two structural modifications of Cu60Pd40 were synthesized as bulk powders and tested as unsupported model catalysts in the semi-hydrogenation of acetylene. The partly ordered low-temperature modification (CsCl type of structure) showed an outstanding ethylene selectivity of >90% over 20 h on stream while the disordered high-temperature modification (Cu type of structure) was 20% less selective, indicating an influence of the degree of order in the crystal structure on the catalytic properties. The results are supported by XRD and in situ XPS experiments. The latter suggest the existence of partly isolated Pd sites on the surface. In situ PGAA investigations proved the absence of metal hydride formation during reaction. Quantum chemical calculations of the electronic structure of both modifications using the CPA-FPLO framework revealed significant differences in their respective density of states, thus still leaving open the question of whether the degree of structural order or/and the electronic hybridization is the decisive factor for the observed difference in selectivity.
Effects of Dietary Isoflavones from Puerariae Radix on Lipid and Bone Metabolism in Ovariectomized Rats
Authors: Lim Dong , Kim Jae , Kim Yun
Published: July 2013

Puerariae radix, the dried root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi, is one of the earliest and most important edible crude herbs used for various medical purposes in oriental medicine. This study evaluated the metabolic effects of total isoflavones from P. lobata (PTIF) in ovariectomized (OVX) rats. The OVX rats were divided into four groups treated with distilled water, 17β-estradiol (E2 10 μg/kg, once daily, i.p.) and PTIF (30 and 100 mg/kg, once daily, p.o.) for eight weeks. The treatments with high-dose PTIF significantly decreased the bone mineral density (BMD) loss in the femur and inhibited the increase in body weight and lipoprotein levels compared to the OVX-control group without elevating the serum levels of the liver enzymes, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT). Furthermore, PTIF exhibits a hepatoprotective effect in OVX-induced hepatic steatosis, indicated with reduced hepatic lipid contents. Taken together, our findings suggest that PTIF may be useful for controlling lipid and bone metabolism, at least in OVX rats. Further research is necessary to determine whether PTIF will have the same effects in humans.
Impact of Solar Radiation on Gene Expression in Bacteria
Authors: Matallana-Surget Sabine , Wattiez Ruddy
Published: July 2013

Microorganisms often regulate their gene expression at the level of transcription and/or translation in response to solar radiation. In this review, we present the use of both transcriptomics and proteomics to advance knowledge in the field of bacterial response to damaging radiation. Those studies pertain to diverse application areas such as fundamental microbiology, water treatment, microbial ecology and astrobiology. Even though it has been demonstrated that mRNA abundance is not always consistent with the protein regulation, we present here an exhaustive review on how bacteria regulate their gene expression at both transcription and translation levels to enable biomarkers identification and comparison of gene regulation from one bacterial species to another.
Estimating Total Discharge in the Yangtze River Basin Using Satellite-Based Observations
Authors: Ferreira Vagner , Gong Zheng , He Xiufeng , Zhang Yonglei , Andam‑Akorful Samuel
Published: July 2013

The measurement of total basin discharge along coastal regions is necessary for understanding the hydrological and oceanographic issues related to the water and energy cycles. However, only the observed streamflow (gauge-based observation) is used to estimate the total fluxes from the river basin to the ocean, neglecting the portion of discharge that infiltrates to underground and directly discharges into the ocean. Hence, the aim of this study is to assess the total discharge of the Yangtze River (Chang Jiang) basin. In this study, we explore the potential response of total discharge to changes in precipitation (from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission—TRMM), evaporation (from four versions of the Global Land Data Assimilation—GLDAS, namely, CLM, Mosaic, Noah and VIC), and water-storage changes (from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment—GRACE) by using the terrestrial water budget method. This method has been validated by comparison with the observed streamflow, and shows an agreement with a root mean square error (RMSE) of 14.30 mm/month for GRACE-based discharge and 20.98 mm/month for that derived from precipitation minus evaporation (P − E). This improvement of approximately 32% indicates that monthly terrestrial water-storage changes, as estimated by GRACE, cannot be considered negligible over Yangtze basin. The results for the proposed method are more accurate than the results previously reported in the literature.
Optimizing the Thermal Read-Out Technique for MIP-Based Biomimetic Sensors: Towards Nanomolar Detection Limits
Authors: Geerets Bram , Peeters Marloes , Grinsven Bart , Bers Karolien , De Ceuninck Ward , Wagner Patrick
Published: July 2013

In previous work, the novel heat-transfer method (HTM) for the detection of small molecules with Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIP)-type receptors was presented. In this study we focus on optimization of this sensor performance, with as final aim to lower the detection limit by reducing the noise level. It was determined that the noise originates foremost from the power supply, which can be controlled by varying the PID parameters. Therefore, the effect of the individual parameters was evaluated by tuning P, I and D separately at a temperature of 37 °C, giving a first indication of the optimal configuration. Next, a temperature profile was programmed and the standard deviation of the heat-transfer resistance over the entire regime was studied for a set of parameters. The optimal configuration, P1-I6-D0, reduced the noise level with nearly a factor of three compared to the original parameters of P10-I5-D0. With the optimized settings, the detection of L-nicotine in buffer solutions was studied and the detection limit improved significantly from 100 nM to 35 nM. Summarizing, optimization of the PID parameters and thereby improving the detection limit is a key parameter for first applications of the HTM-method for MIP receptors in analytical research.
Metal Oxide Gas Sensor Drift Compensation Using a Dynamic Classifier Ensemble Based on Fitting
Authors: Liu Hang , Tang Zhenan
Published: July 2013

Sensor drift is currently the most challenging problem in gas sensing. We propose a novel ensemble method with dynamic weights based on fitting (DWF) to solve the gas discrimination problem, regardless of the gas concentration, with high accuracy over extended periods of time. The DWF method uses a dynamic weighted combination of support vector machine (SVM) classifiers trained by the datasets that are collected at different time periods. In the testing of future datasets, the classifier weights are predicted by fitting functions, which are obtained by the proper fitting of the optimal weights during training. We compare the performance of the DWF method with that of competing methods in an experiment based on a public dataset that was compiled over a period of three years. The experimental results demonstrate that the DWF method outperforms the other methods considered. Furthermore, the DWF method can be further optimized by applying a fitting function that more closely matches the variation of the optimal weight over time.
Piezoelectric Driving of Vibration Conveyors: An Experimental Assessment
Authors: Rade Domingos , De Albuquerque Emerson , Figueira Leandro , Carvalho João
Published: July 2013

Vibratory feeders or vibratory conveyors have been widely used for the transport and orientation of individual parts and bulk materials in many branches of industrial activity. From the designer’s standpoint, the current endeavor is to conceive efficient vibratory feeders, satisfying constraints of power consumption, vibration transmission and noise emission. Moreover, the interest in the reduction of maintenance cost is always present. In this context, this paper investigates experimentally the concept of vibratory conveying based on the use of piezoelectric materials for motion generation. A small-size prototype of a linear conveyor, in which lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) patches are bonded to the resilient elements, is described. One of the main design goals is that the prototype is intended to be fed directly from the electric network, aiming at avoiding the use of electronic equipment for driving. To comply with this feature and, at the same time, enable to adjust the transport velocity, a mechanical device has been conceived in such a way that the first natural frequency of the conveyor can be changed. It is shown that the transport velocity is determined by the proximity between the excitation frequency and the first natural frequency of the conveyor. The experimental tests performed to characterize the dynamic behavior of the prototype are described and the range of transport velocities is determined.
Optimal Placement of Accelerometers for the Detection of Everyday Activities
Authors: Cleland Ian , Kikhia Basel , Nugent Chris , Boytsov Andrey , Hallberg Josef , Synnes Kåre , McClean Sally , Finlay Dewar
Published: July 2013

This article describes an investigation to determine the optimal placement of accelerometers for the purpose of detecting a range of everyday activities. The paper investigates the effect of combining data from accelerometers placed at various bodily locations on the accuracy of activity detection. Eight healthy males participated within the study. Data were collected from six wireless tri-axial accelerometers placed at the chest, wrist, lower back, hip, thigh and foot. Activities included walking, running on a motorized treadmill, sitting, lying, standing and walking up and down stairs. The Support Vector Machine provided the most accurate detection of activities of all the machine learning algorithms investigated. Although data from all locations provided similar levels of accuracy, the hip was the best single location to record data for activity detection using a Support Vector Machine, providing small but significantly better accuracy than the other investigated locations. Increasing the number of sensing locations from one to two or more statistically increased the accuracy of classification. There was no significant difference in accuracy when using two or more sensors. It was noted, however, that the difference in activity detection using single or multiple accelerometers may be more pronounced when trying to detect finer grain activities. Future work shall therefore investigate the effects of accelerometer placement on a larger range of these activities.
Diastereoselective radical addition to γ-alkyl-α-methylene-γ-butyrolactams and the synthesis of a chiral pyroglutamic acid derivative
Authors: Yajima Tomoko , Yoshida Eriko , Hamano Masako
Published: July 2013

The cis- and trans-stereoselective radical additions to α-methylene-γ-alkyl- γ-lactams were investigated and the scope and limitation of the reaction were also revealed. This stereoselective radical reaction was used for synthesis of chiral pyroglutamic acid derivatives starting from a commercially available chiral amino acid.
Maintaining consistent traceability in high-precision isotope measurements of CO2: a way to verify atmospheric trends of δ13C and δ18O
Authors: Huang L. , Chivulescu A. , Ernst D. , Zhang W. , Norman A.-L. , Lee Y.-S.
Published: July 2013

Abstract. Maintaining consistent traceability of high-precision measurements of CO2 isotopes is critical in order to obtain accurate atmospheric trends of δ13C and δ18O (in CO2). Although a number of laboratories/organizations around the world have been conducting baseline measurements of atmospheric CO2 isotopes for several decades, reports on the traceability and maintenance are rare. In this paper, a principle and an approach for maintaining consistent traceability in high-precision isotope measurements (δ13C and δ18O) of atmospheric CO2 are described. The concept of Big Delta is introduced and its role in maintaining traceability of the isotope measurements is described and discussed extensively. The uncertainties of the traceability have been estimated based on annual calibration records over the last 10 yr. The overall uncertainties of CO2 isotope measurements for individual ambient samples analyzed by the program at Environment Canada have been estimated (excluding these associated with the sampling). The values are 0.02 and 0.05‰ in δ13C and δ18O, respectively, which are close to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) targets for data compatibility. The annual rates of change in δ13C and δ18O of the primary anchor (which links the flask measurements back to the VPDB-CO2 scale) are close to zero (−0.0016 ± 0.0012‰, and −0.006 ± 0.003‰ per year, respectively) over a period of 10 yr (2001–2011). The average annual changes of δ13C and δ18O in air CO2 at Alert GAW station over the period from 1999 to 2010 have been evaluated and confirmed; they are −0.025 ± 0.003‰ and 0.000 ± 0.010‰, respectively. The results are consistent with a continuous contribution of fossil fuel CO2 to the atmosphere, having a trend toward more negative in δ13C, whereas the lack of change in δ18O likely reflects the influence from the global hydrologic cycle. The total change of δ13C and δ18O during this period is ~0.27‰ and ~0.00‰, respectively. Finally, the challenges and recommendations as strategies to maintain a consistent traceability are described.