bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical Influences of Anvil Shading on Simulated Supercell Thunderstorms
Authors: Frame Jeffrey , Markowski Paul
Published: February 2013

Numerical simulations of supercell thunderstorms including parameterized radiative transfer and surface fluxes are performed using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model to investigate how low-level air temperature deficits within anvil shadows affect the simulated storms. The maximum temperature deficits within the modeled cloud shadows are 1.5–2.0 K, which is only about half that previously observed. Within the shadows, the loss of strong solar heating cools and stabilizes the near-surface layer, which suppresses vertical mixing and modifies the near-surface vertical wind shear. In a case of a stationary storm, the enhanced easterly shear present beneath the anvil leads to a thinning of the outflow layer and corresponding acceleration of the rear-flank gust front far ahead of the overlying updraft, weakening the low-level mesocyclone. It is further shown that the direct absorption and emission of radiation by clouds does not significantly affect the simulated supercells. Varying the time of day of model initialization does not prevent the simulated storms from weakening. This behavior is mirrored for storms that slowly move along the major axis of the anvil shadow. If the rear-flank gust front moves into the anvil shadow and the updraft moves normal to the shadow (i.e., northward movement of the updraft), cyclic periods of intensification and decay can result, although this result is likely highly dependent on the storm-relative wind profile. If the gust front does not advance into the shaded region (i.e., southward movement), or if the storm moves rapidly, the storm is relatively unaffected by anvil shading because the rear-flank gust front speed and outflow depth remain relatively unchanged.
Expression of a secretory α-glucosidase II from Apis cerana indica in Pichia pastoris and its characterization
Authors: Kaewmuangmoon Jirattikarn , Kilaso Manlika , Leartsakulpanich Ubolsree , Kimura Kiyoshi , Kimura Atsuo , Chanchao Chanpen
Published: February 2013

Background

α–glucosidase (HBGase) plays a key role in hydrolyzing α-glucosidic linkages. In Apis mellifera, three isoforms of HBGase (I, II and III) have been reported, which differ in their nucleotide composition, encoding amino acid sequences and enzyme kinetics. Recombinant (r)HBGase II from A. cerana indica (rAciHBGase II) was focused upon here due to the fact it is a native and economic honeybee species in Thailand. The data is compared to the two other isoforms, AciHBGase I and III from the same bee species and to the three isoforms (HBGase I, II and III) in different bee species where available.

Results

The highest transcript expression level of AciHBGase II was found in larvae and pupae, with lower levels in the eggs of A. cerana indica but it was not found in foragers. The full-length AciHBGase II cDNA, and the predicted amino acid sequence it encodes were 1,740 bp and 579 residues, respectively. The cDNA sequence was 90% identical to that from the HBGase II from the closely related A. cerana japonica (GenBank accession # NM_FJ752630.1). The full length cDNA was directionally cloned into the pPICZαA expression vector in frame with a (His)6 encoding C terminal tag using EcoRI and KpnI compatible ends, and transformed into Pichia pastoris. Maximal expression of the rAciHBGase II–(His)6 protein was induced by 0.5% (v/v) methanol for 96 h and secreted into the culture media. The partially purified enzyme was found to have optimal α-glucosidase activity at pH 3.5 and 45°C, with > 80% activity between pH 3.5–5.0 and 40–55°C, and was stabile (> 80% activity) at pH 4–8 and at < 25–65°C. The optimal substrate was sucrose.

Conclusions

Like in A. mellifera, there are three isoforms of AciHBGase (I, II and III) that differ in their transcript expression pattern, nucleotide sequences and optimal enzyme conditions and kinetics.
SNS-032 inhibits mTORC1/mTORC2 activity in acute myeloid leukemia cells and has synergistic activity with perifosine against Akt
Authors: Meng Haitao , Jin Yingming , Liu Hui , You Liangshun , Yang Chunmei , Yang Xue , Qian Wenbin
Published: February 2013

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disorder with aberrant regulation of a variety of signal pathways. Therefore, simultaneous targeting of two or even more deregulated signal transduction pathways is needed to overcome drug resistance. Previously, it was reported that SNS-032, a selective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, is an effective agent for treatment of AML; however, the molecular mechanisms of SNS-032-induced cell death of AML cells are not yet fully understood. The aim of the study was to characterize the effects in vitro of SNS-032, used alone and in combination with an Akt inhibitor perifosine, against AML cells and to identify the mechanism involved.

Results

SNS-032 significantly induced cytotoxicity in human AML cell lines and blasts from patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed AML. However, Kasumi-1 cells and some of leukemic samples (14.9%) from AML patients were resistant to SNS-032-mediated cell death. Western blot analysis showed that SNS-032 strongly inhibited the phosphorylation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) on Ser 2448 and Ser2481, and that removal of SNS-032 resulted in partial recovery of cell death and reactivation of phosphorylation of mTOR. Moreover, exogenous insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) did not reverse SNS-032-induced cell growth inhibition and downregualtion of phosphor-mTOR at Ser2448 and Ser2481 although slight suppression of IGF-1R expression was triggered by the agent. Furthermore, SNS-032 at a lower concentration (60–80 nM) enhanced AML cell cytotoxicity induced by perifosine, an Akt inhibitor. Importantly, SNS-032 treatment reduced colony formation ability of AML cells, which was significantly increased when two agents were combined. This combination therapy led to almost complete inhibition of Akt activity.

Conclusion

We conclude that SNS-032 might directly target mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)/mTORC2. Our results further provide a rationale for combining SNS-032 with perifosine for the treatment of AML.
Short communication: genetic variations of SLC2A9 in relation to Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Gao Jianjun , Xu Hong , Huang Xuemei , Chen Honglei
Published: February 2013

Background

Epidemiological studies showed that higher plasma urate was associated with lower risk for Parkinson’s disease (PD) and slower disease progression. Recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) consistently showed that several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the solute carrier family 2 member 9 gene (SLC2A9 ) were associated with plasma urate concentration and the risk of gout.

Methods

We conducted a case–control study to examine twelve tag SNPs of the SLC2A9 gene in relation to PD among 788 cases and 911 controls of European ancestry. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were derived from logistic regression models, adjusting for age, sex, smoking and caffeine consumption.

Results

These SNPs were all in linkage disequilibrium (R2 > 0.7). None of them were associated with PD risk. Among women, however, there was a suggestion that the presence of the minor allele of one SNP (rs7442295) was related to a small increase in PD risk [OR (95% CI) = 1.48 (1.01-2.16)].

Conclusion

This study provides little support for genetic variations of SLC2A9 and PD risk.
Biochemical and histopathological study in rats intoxicated with carbontetrachloride and treated with camel milk
Authors: Althnaian Thnaian , Albokhadaim Ibrahim , El-Bahr Sabry M
Published: February 2013

The unique characters of camel’s milk make it used extensively in the field of medicine as anti-microbial, anti-diabetic and hepatoprotective agent. The lack of studies demonstrating the protective effect of camel’s milk against hepatotoxic compound was the main reason beyond the conduction of the current experiment which aimed to investigate the protective effects of camel’s milk against carbontetrachloride (CCl4) induced hepatotoxicity. Therefore, 24 rats were fed on standard diet and divided into four groups. Rats of the first group and second groups were injected i/p with paraffin oil and received either tap water (control 1) or camel’s milk (control 2), respectively. Rats of the third and fourth groups were injected i/p with CCl4 and received either tap water or camel’s milk, respectively. At the end of the experiment (5 weeks), blood and liver samples were collected for biochemical and histopathological analysis. The present findings revealed that, CCl4 elevated serum enzyme activities of liver and some biochemical parameters, but these effects were prevented by the treatment of rats with camel milk. Histopathologically, a great amount of mononuclear cells infiltration, necrotic cells and few fibroblasts were observed in liver of CCl4 treated group. The present study concluded that camel milk treatment may play a protective role against CCl4-induced liver damages in rats. These protective effects were in the form of improving of liver enzyme activities, blood biochemical parameters and histological picture of liver of intoxicated rats. In the future, examination of the liver protective effect of camel milk against CCl4 in dose dependant manner could be investigated.
Efficient synthesis, X-ray diffraction study and antimicrobial activity of some novel thiazolidin-4-ones and perhydro-1,3-thiazin-4-ones
Authors: Gautam Deepika , Gautam Poonam , Chaudhary Ram P.
Published: February 2013

Condensations of thiosemicarbazones 1 derived from 1-tetralones with chloroacetic acid and 2-bromopropionic acid in the presence of N-methylpyridinium p-toluenesulfonate (an ionic liquid) yield the corresponding 2-substituted 4-thiazolidinones 2. The reactions of 1 with 3-chloropropionic acid afford perhydro-1,3-thiazinan-4-ones 3 in excellent yields. The structures of compounds 2 and 3 were established on the basis of elemental analysis, IR, NMR and mass spectral data. X-Ray crystallographic studies of compound 2a are reported. Compounds 1–3 were investigated for antimicrobial activities against Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive bacteria) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli (Gram-negative bacteria) and the fungi Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus. Thiazolidin-4-ones were found to be more active than perhydrothiazin-4-ones.
Synthesis and applications of benzothiazole containing cyanine dyes
Authors: Henary Maged , Paranjpe Shirish , Owens Eric A.
Published: February 2013

Heterocyclic compounds are of immense interest due to their extensive occurrence in nature as well as their applicability in the pharmaceutical industry. Benzothiazole and its derivatives encompass an attractive heterocyclic class that displays practical applications ranging from mevdicine to photography and agriculture, among other things. This review focuses on the synthesis and specific applications of various benzothiazole cyanine dyes. Benzothiazole-containing heterocyclic structures are prominent throughout the literature and it is very important to acknowledge their efficacy and applicability as we discuss herein.
Skills of the trade: valuing health risk reductions in benefit-cost analysis
Authors: Robinson Lisa A. , Hammitt James K.
Published: February 2013

Many public policies and private actions affect the risk of injury, illness, or death, yet changes in these risks are not easily valued using market prices. We discuss how to value these risk reductions in the context of benefit-cost analysis. We begin with a pragmatic focus, describing the analytic framework and the approaches currently used for valuation, including estimates of willingness to pay, cost of illness, and monetized quality-adjusted life years. We then turn to some conceptual issues that illustrate areas in need of further exploration.
Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue Part 2: From Frankenstein to Battlefield Drones; A Perspective on Machine Ethics
Authors: Dougherty Mark
Published: February 2013

Intelligent systems are reaching the point where they can take very
significant decisions on behalf of humans and society. The moral and ethical
impact of such systems needs to be taken very seriously, both internally and
externally in respect of such systems. Although some work into defining and
systematizing machine ethics has begun, a great deal of work remains to be
done and many research questions remain open.
Bender Elements and Bending Disks for Measurement of Shear and Compression Wave Velocities in Large Fully and Partially Saturated Sand Specimens
Authors: Eseller-Bayat E. , Gokyer S. , Yegian M. K. , Deniz R. O. , Alshawabkeh A.
Published: February 2013

Bender element and bending disk setups were designed and implemented in a liquefaction box that accommodated a large sand specimen (190 mm × 300 mm × 490 mm). The box was manufactured for testing fully and partially saturated sand specimens under cyclic and earthquake excitation. Special housings for bender elements (31.8 mm × 12.7 mm × 0.51 mm) were manufactured to allow insertion of the elements through the side walls of the box. The bender elements were used to measure shear wave velocities in multiple directions to ascertain the uniformity of a sand specimen prepared in the liquefaction box. Large bending disks (31.8 mm × 0.41 mm) in special housings were utilized to measure compression wave velocities with the aim of investigating the presence and effect of the degree of partial saturation in specimens. The housings for bender elements and bending disks were designed to minimize the boundary effects of the Plexiglas walls of the liquefaction box. This paper provides details of the experimental setup and the designs of the bender element and bending disk housings. Sample test results of shear and compression wave measurements are also included to demonstrate successful application of the test setup. The experimental setup described is well suited for utilizing bender elements and bending disks for shear and compression wave velocity measurements in fully and partially saturated large sand specimens.
Some Observations on the State of Stress in the Direct Simple Shear Test Using 3D Discrete Element Analysis
Authors: Wijewickreme Dharma , Dabeet Antone , Byrne Peter
Published: February 2013

Assessment of the mobilized friction angle in a soil specimen tested in a given shear apparatus requires adequate information to establish the stress state at the instance of interest. In the most commonly used version of the direct simple shear (DSS) apparatus, where a cylindrical soil specimen is confined by wire-reinforced membrane, only the normal and shear stresses on the horizontal plane are measured. The knowledge of these stresses alone does not provide adequate information to construct the Mohr circle defining the state of stress. In this context, drained and constant volume (i.e., equivalent to undrained) discrete element simulations of a cylindrical DSS specimen were performed and the results are presented with emphasis on the DSS mobilized friction angle during shearing. It was found that planes of maximum stress obliquity rotate with the development of shear strain. This finding implies that it is not possible to calculate the friction angle accurately from typical DSS laboratory tests with unknown normal stress on the vertical plane. However, it seems that at large shear strains, the horizontal plane becomes a plane of maximum stress obliquity, and the friction angle calculated using the stress state on the horizontal plane is a good approximation to the mobilized friction angle at such shear strain levels.
Development of Rutting Model for Unbound Aggregates Containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement
Authors: Wen Haifang , Wu Mengqi , Wang Jingan
Published: February 2013

The use of recycled materials for construction is beneficial to both the environment and the economy. Recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) is one of the most commonly used recycled materials. Different state departments of transportation allow the use of RAP in base materials using various RAP percentages. Unlike conventional crushed aggregate, RAP exhibits a high resilient modulus, but also low resistance to permanent deformation, which contradicts the relationship between the modulus and permanent deformation in the permanent deformation model for unbound materials found in the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). In this study, repeated triaxial tests are conducted on samples containing different percentages of RAP and crushed aggregate. Permanent deformation prediction models for granular base course materials, introduced in 1989 by Tseng and Lytton, are modified by adding the RAP percentage as a parameter for base course materials containing RAP. The results indicate that the proposed model accounts for the effects of RAP reasonably well. Further studies are needed to validate the new rutting model by including different virgin aggregates and RAP mixtures under various testing conditions.
Retrospective Evaluation of a New Neonatal Trigger Score
Authors: Holme Harriet , Bhatt Reena , Koumettou Marita , Griffin Mark A.S. , Winckworth Lucinda C.
Published: February 2013

OBJECTIVES:

To design and validate an objective clinical scoring system to identify unwell neonates, by using routinely collected bedside observations.

METHODS:

A Neonatal Trigger Score (NTS) was designed by using local expert consensus and incorporated into a new observation chart. All neonates >35 weeks’ gestation admitted to the NICU over an 18-month period, and an age-matched “well” cohort, were retrospectively scored by using the newly constructed NTS and all established pediatric early warning system (PEWS) scores.

RESULTS:

Scores were calculated for 485 neonates. The NTS score area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.924 with a score of 2 or more predicting need for admission to the NICU with 77% sensitivity and 97% specificity. Neonates scoring ≥2 had increased odds of needing intensive care (odds ratio [OR] 48.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 27.5–86.3), intravenous fluids (OR 48.1, 95% CI 23.9–96.9), and continuous positive airway pressure (OR 29.5, 95% CI 6.9–125.8). The NTS was more sensitive than currently established PEWS scores.

CONCLUSIONS:

The NTS observation chart acts as an adjunct to clinical assessment, highlighting unwell neonates. Its simplicity allows successful and safe use by nonpediatric specialists. NTS out-performed PEWS, with significantly better sensitivity, particularly in neonates who deteriorated within the first 12 hours after birth (P < .001) or in neonates with sepsis or respiratory symptoms (P < .001). Neonates with a score of 1 should be reviewed and those scoring ≥2 should be considered for NICU admission for further management.
Voice Abnormalities at School Age in Children Born Extremely Preterm
Authors: French Noel , Kelly Rona , Vijayasekaran Shyan , Reynolds Victoria , Lipscombe Jodi , Buckland Ali , Bailey Jean , Nathan Elizabeth , Meldrum Suzanne
Published: February 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Voice abnormality is a frequent finding in school age children born at <25 weeks’ gestation in Western Australia. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of voice abnormality, voice-related quality of life, and demographic and intubation factors in this population.

METHODS:

Survivors <25 weeks’ gestational age in Western Australia born from 1996 to 2004 were included. Voice assessments (auditory perceptual assessment scale and Pediatric Voice Handicap Index) were carried out by speech pathologists. Intubation history was obtained by retrospective chart review.

RESULTS:

Of 251 NICU admissions, 154 (61%) survived. Exclusions were based on severe disability (11) or distant residence (13). Of 70 assessed, 67 completed assessments, 4 (6%) were in the normal range and 39 (58%) showed moderate-severe hoarseness. Simultaneous modeling of demographic and intubation characteristics showed an increased odds of moderate-severe voice disorder for children who had more than 5 intubations (odds ratio 6.96, 95% confidence interval 2.07–23.40, P = .002) and for girls relative to boys (odds ratio 3.46, 95% confidence interval 1.12–10.62, P = .030). Tube size and duration of intubation were not significant in the multivariable model. Median scores of parent-reported voice quality of life on the Pediatric Voice Handicap Index were markedly different for preterm (22) and term (3) groups, P < .001.

CONCLUSIONS:

Voice disorders in this population were much more frequent than expected. Further studies are required to assess voice across a broader range of gestational ages, and to investigate voice-protective strategies in infants requiring multiple episodes of intubation.
Study of the Electrochemical Deposition of Cu/Sn Alloy Nanoparticles on Boron Doped Diamond Films for Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction
Authors: Matsushima Jorge T. , Couto Andrea B. , Ferreira Neidenei G. , Baldan Mauricio R.
Published: February 2013

This paper presents the study of the electrochemical deposition of Cu/Sn alloy nanoparticles on Boron Doped Diamond (BDD) films in order to improve their electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for application in nitrate electrochemical reduction. Cyclic voltammetry measurements evidenced the formation of Cu/Sn alloy electrodeposited on BDD electrode. The electrodeposited Cu/Sn can be better visualized by analyzing the dissolution process. By studying the dissolution peak separately, the dissolution peak of the Sn was obtained at a more positive potential, when compared with the dissolution peak of Cu. From the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) analysis, the homogeneous distribution of the Cu/Sn alloys particles on BDD surface with grain size in nanometric scale was verified. From X-ray diffraction analysis, two Cu/Sn alloy phases (Cu41Sn11 and Cu10Sn3) were identified for the electrodeposits obtained at -0.5V and charge of 0.26 C. The electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate in 0.1 M Britton-Robinson (BR) buffer solution with pH 9 was analyzed. The BDD electrode modified with Cu/Sn alloy nanoparticles proved to potentiate the electrocatalytic reduction of nitrate.
Impact of Small Miscuts of (0001) Sapphire on the Growth of AlxGa1-xN/AlN
Authors: Gong Zheng , Sun Wenhong , Zhang Jianping , Gaevski Mikhail E. , Wang Hongmei , Yang Jinwei , Khan M. Asif
Published: February 2013

In this paper, using chemical etching, atomic force microscope (AFM) and High- resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD), we report a study of the effect of various small miscuts of (0001) sapphire substrate (<1°) and the way to further improve the material quality. A set of AlN epilayers and AlN/AlxGa1-xN Superlattices (SLs) were grown by Migration-enhanced Metalorganic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MEMOCVD) on vicinal (0001) sapphire substrates. The threading dislocation density was found to be very sensitive to the miscut angles. The etch pit density reduced to 7×106 cm-2 for normal-oriented (0°-off) from the starting value of 7×107 cm-2 for 0.5°-off. We found the surface morphologies can be easily controlled by the different substrate miscut angles. The 1-2 Monolayers (MLs) step flow morphology for normal- oriented substrate changed to step bunches of 10 MLs height for 0.5°-off substrate. Correspondingly, AFM Root Mean Square (RMS) increased from 1.52 to 9.15 Å with a 5um×5um scan. This finding may help enhance the quality of full structure UVLED material and eventually improve the lifetime of UVLEDs.
An Experimental Study of GPU Acceleration for Reservoir Simulation
Authors: Bayat M. , Killough J. E.
Published: February 2013

For the past several years the possible benefits of GPU acceleration for reservoir simulation have been the subject of intense study by many researchers. To date results have been somewhat mixed in that the promise of using hundreds of processors available on the GPU did not achieve the anticipated parallel speedups. The reasons for this are many, but the question still remained as to whether GPU acceleration could become a viable solution for reservoir simulation. To attempt to answer this question an experimental investigation of GPU acceleration was undertaken. Experimental parameters included not only simulation model size but also the number of GPUs. Models varying up to millions of gridblocks were accelerated with up to four GPUs each with hundreds of processors. A highly parallel simple linear equation solver was the main focus of the study. Results for a single GPU indicated that speedups from approximately 25-45 could be easily achieved on the GPU if attention is paid to the use of shared memory, allocation with reduced bank conflicts, warp synchronization, coalescence, and efficient use of registers. When increasing the number of GPUs from one to four, it was noted that poor scalability occurred for the smaller simulation problems due to the dominance of overhead. Finally, a unique mixed precision algorithm showed excellent promise for improving GPU performance and scalability to greater than a factor of one hundred with four GPU accelerators. The mixed precision algorithm utilized single precision for the preconditioning with orthogonal acceleration and update being performed in double precision resulting in higher processor performance and lower memory access requirements.
Estimating quantiles of annual maximum suspended sediment load in the tributaries of the Lower Mekong River
Authors: Heng Sokchhay , Suetsugi Tadashi
Published: February 2013

Sediment is an important factor involved in sustainable development of water resources systems. Suspended sediment is a major portion of total load transported by streams. Quantification of annual maximum suspended sediment load (SSLm) and its quantiles (SSLm*) is the basic requirement for planning, design and management of hydraulic structures and water resources-related projects. Less sediment sampling is very common in developing and remote regions and it is the main constraint for extreme event study. This research attempts to estimate site-specific SSLm* based on discontinuous time series with low sampling frequency and develop regional empirical approaches for predicting SSLm* of ungauged tributaries in the Lower Mekong Basin. Firstly, SSLm were distinguished from the observed records. Due to data insufficiency for fitting probability distribution, two methods were then applied to estimate SSLm for each station, but only the one using regional linear regression was valid. The site-specific SSLm* could be estimated with an accuracy of an average mean absolute percentage error of 35%. Finally, empirical equations associated with catchment area with slope greater than 15% (A15) were established and can be used to estimate SSLm* until 100-year return period with A15 ranging between 120 and 6,540 km2.
Groundwater levels under climate change in the Gnangara system, Western Australia
Authors: Gallardo Adrian H.
Published: February 2013

The Gnangara system is the main source of freshwater for Perth, Western Australia. However, aquifers in the region are under severe stress due to a drying climate, intensive pumping and changes in land use. The aim of this study is to apply the mean rainfall cumulative deviation and Mann-Kendall analyses at 77 monitoring bores to investigate the response of the water table to key recharge components. This information is critical for setting new allocation limits and reviewing current policies in the region. Results show that overall there is a good correspondence between water levels and rainfall fluctuations. Areas of groundwater recharge are highly sensitive to climate change and have been severely affected by reduction in rainfall rates in recent years. Further, removal of pine plantations correlated well with a rise in groundwater levels although the effect seems to be temporary. The impact of pumping is mainly observed in vicinities of public-supply borefields. Elsewhere, water table trends show a relative stabilisation indicating that storage still exceeds the influence of rainfall reduction in areas dominated by through flow or groundwater discharge. The study contributes to update the status of the Gnangara groundwater resource, and provides new insights for the sustainable management of one of the main aquifer systems in Australia.
Energy utilization in sewage treatment – a review with comparisons
Authors: Zhou Yan , Zhang Dong Qing , Le Minh Tuyet , Puah Aik Num , Ng Wun Jern
Published: February 2013

In recent years, the operating cost of sewage treatment plants (STPs) in some parts of the world has been rising due to increases in the cost of energy. STPs have focused on energy reduction and recovery from treatment processes in order to lower energy consumption. The development involves the improvement of capital set-up for treatment plants in terms of equipment upgrading/plant sizing as well as exploration of novel technologies for sewage, excess sludge treatment and biogas recovery. This review compares the current technologies applied in STPs around the world and discusses these technologies and facilities which may enhance energy reduction and recovery in sewage treatment.
High NH4+-N concentration wastewater treatment by shortcut nitriﬁcation–denitriﬁcation using a system of A/O inner loop fluidized bed biofilm reactors
Authors: Hu X. M. , Chen Y. W. , Liao Y. G. , Yan W. F. , Zhu S. M. , Shen S. B.
Published: February 2013

In this experiment, a rapid mass-transfer inner loop fluidized bed biofilm reactor (ILFBBR) was employed to treat synthetic high ammonia nitrogen-containing (NH4+-N) wastewater by shortcut nitriﬁcation–denitriﬁcation. The reactor operation was stable after a short start-up period. Ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) were predominant and 65% nitrite (NO2−-N/NOx−-N) levels were achieved. During the nitriﬁcation–denitriﬁcation period, the removal rates of NH4+-N and total nitrogen (TN) reached 94 and 82%, respectively. From the material balance, it was indicated that 87% of NH4+-N was removed by shortcut nitrification. The features of ILFBBR and the beneﬁts of shortcut nitrification were combined in this experiment, and showed an excellent removal of NH4+-N from high-concentration NH4+-N wastewater.
Water treatment plant sludge disposal into stabilization ponds
Authors: Filho Sidney Seckler Ferreira , Piveli Roque Passos , Cutolo Silvana Audrá , de Oliveira Alexandre Alves
Published: February 2013

Researchers have paid particular attention to the disposal of sludge produced in water treatment plants (WTPs) into wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) for further processing, mainly because it is considered an attractive alternative for the treatment of waste generated in water production processes. This study evaluated the effects of flow equalization and disposal of sludge, from a conventional WTP, into a WWTP system that includes an anaerobic stabilization pond followed by a facultative pond. During the period of sludge discharge from the WTP into the wastewater system, the influent to the WWTP presented an increase of 17% (from 171 to 200 mg L−1) of total suspended solids (TSS) and a 7.0% flow rate increase, without showing adverse effects on the organic load, TSS and nutrients removal. The most significant impact observed in the WWTP was the increase of solids accumulation rate in the anaerobic pond, with a value of 141 mm/year during the sludge discharge period. The operating time, before the dredging and desludging cycles required for this specific anaerobic pond, decreased from 12.7 to 10.4 years, which is consistent with previous studies in literature. Thus, based on the observed parameters of this study, it is viable to release solids from a WTP effluent into a WWTP that includes anaerobic stabilization ponds followed by a facultative pond. Indeed, this process scheme becomes a viable technical, environmental, and economical alternative for small to medium WWTPs.
Operation and recovery of a seasonally-loaded UK waste stabilisation pond system
Authors: Zhang S. , Banks C. J. , Heaven S. , Salter A. M.
Published: February 2013

An intermittent discharge waste stabilisation pond system was trialled for treatment of a seasonal wastewater load from a campsite. The system showed rapid acclimatisation to incoming load, with chlorophyll-a exceeding 700 mg l−1 within 2 weeks and filtered and unfiltered effluent biochemical oxygen demand below 20 and 30 mg l−1 respectively. Good performance continued for some weeks, after which photosynthetic oxygenation capacity in the first pond was seriously impaired by a shock loading believed to include fatty material. Inflow to the system was suspended and a surface film was broken up, after which the pond recovered within an 8-day period. Laboratory experiments indicated that interventions such as artificial aeration and dilution with effluent had no beneficial effect although mixing may have increased the rate of recovery.
Antimicrobial resistance, plasmids and class 1 and 2 integrons occurring in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from Brazilian aquatic environments
Authors: Zanetti Maria Olívia , Martins Vinicius Vicente , Pitondo-Silva André , Stehling Eliana Guedes
Published: February 2013

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen also found in water, soil, plants and in human and animal fecal samples. In this study, 31 isolates from water samples were analyzed by enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus-polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) and PCR to detect integrons and investigated for antibiotic resistance and plasmidial profile. The results demonstrated the presence of plasmids in four isolates. Three of these, isolates from water in a city park (Curupira Park, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) and a lake at the University of São Paulo (Campus of Ribeirão Preto), had plasmids with the same molecular weight (21MDa) and similar resistance profiles, although they were shown to be genetically different by ERIC-PCR. Class 1 and class 2 integrons were detected in one of these isolates. The results suggest that environmental P. aeruginosa strains may be a potential reservoir of plasmids and antibiotic resistance genes.
Impact of hearing impairment on quality of life of adolescents
Authors: Skrbic Renata , Milankov Vesela , Veselinovic Mila , Todorovic Aleksandar
Published: February 2013

Introduction. Hearing impairment, as a type of sensory disability affects the
quality of life of adolescents. The aim of this study was to determine
whether the quality of life of adolescents with hearing impairments was
different from the quality of life of adolescents without disabilities, and
to examine the correlation between self- reported quality of life and proxy-
report by their parents. Materials and Methods. The study included 52
adolescents with hearing impairment and 122 adolescents without developmental
disabilities, aged from 13 to 18 years and their parents. Data were collected
by a standardized questionnaire, the PedsQLTM 4.0 Generic Core Scale. The
survey was conducted during May and June 2011 in 6 schools in Novi Sad and
Belgrade. Results. Adolescents with hearing impairment and their parents
reported lower scores on all scales of questionnaire. The average score of
physical health was 77.58; p<0.001 (adolescents), and 75; p=0,006 (parents);
on psycho-social summary scale 75.35; p=0.025 (adolescents), and 73.37;
p=0.02 (parents). On the overall scale, the adolescents scored 76.13;
p<0.001, and parents reported 73.93; p<0.001. The parents assessed the
quality of life lower than their children. On the total summary scale, a
moderate agreement (r = 0.51) was found between self- report and proxy-
report. Conclusion. Hearing loss affects all aspects of the quality of life
of adolescents. A multidisciplinary approach is required in order to provide
better conditions for functioning of these children and improve their quality
of life.
The type and screen method of blood requisition in General Hospital Zrenjanin
Authors: Tesic Ivana , Velisavljev Dusan , Martinov Dobrivoje
Published: February 2013

Introduction. The basic principle of patient?s chemotherapy is that its
performance is rational, safe and of high quality. In order to rationalize
the whole process, the Transfusiology Committee has decided to introduce the
Type and Screen method (typifying of blood types and screening of antibodies)
in pre-transfusion testing in General Hospital ?Djordje Joanovic? in Zrenjanin.
The method represents the strategy of clear defining and standardizing of the
blood requirement process during various elective surgical operations.
Material and Methods. In order to record chemotherapy efficiency, the
following parameters are used: crossmatch/ transfusion ratio, transfusion
probability and transfusion index. These parameters give us exact data that
enable us to understand whether adequate blood requisition is made. The
aforementioned parameters are followed both before and after the introduction
of the Type and Screen method. Results. Since the Type and Screen method was
introduced, the percentage of the reserved blood has been used more
efficiently, i.e. the number of patients taken off the reservations list has
been reduced, which can be seen from the correction of transfusion
probability from 44.96 to 61.28 and transfusion index from 0.36 to 0.60.
Crossmatch/transfusion ratio has changed from 2.33 to 1.81 after the Type and
Screen method was introduced, which implies that deplasmatised erythrocytes
reservation has been rationalized. Conclusion. By following the above
parameters, data have been obtained which point to the rationalization in
blood reservations, resulting in greater number of blood units available. The
?Type and Screen? list has become a standard in our hospital when it comes to
blood products requisition.
The importance of cytology in diagnosing rare breast carcinoma: Two case reports
Authors: Cuk Mirjana , Gajanin Radoslav , Malis Milos , Eric Drazan , Lalovic Nenad , Maric Helena
Published: February 2013

Introduction. This paper presents two cases of very rare tumors of breast:
breast sebaceos carcinoma, which has rarely been described in medical
literature, and breast carcinosarcoma. Morphological characteristics and
biological behavior of sebaceos carcinoma are still rather vague.
Carcinosarcoma of the breast is a rare malignancy with distinct cell lines
described as a breast carcinoma of ductal type with a sarcoma-like component.
Case report. The first presented case is a 73-year-old female referred to our
hospital in January 2008 with tumor of the right breast in the upper outer
region of the breast and enlarged lymph nodes in the right axillary region.
The second presented case is a 51-year-old female with carcinosarcoma, also a
very rare primary breast tumor. She was admitted to our hospital in June 2011
with history of lump in the upper and lower outer quadrant of the left
breast. In both cases, biopsy of tumor tissue was carried out with a thin
needle, i.e. the aspiration cytology was applied as a diagnostic method, and
during the operation the fast diagnostics of frozen sections and cytologic
diagnostics were done. Although this methodology is important in diagnosis,
in both cases it showed certain limitations in diagnosing such rare tumors.
The final diagnosis was made after carefully synthesizing the histological
findings and immunohistochemical phenotype. Conclusion. An accurate
classification of breast tumors on cytological preparations is not possible
in case of poorly differentiated and rare tumors. A careful and accurate
classification of these tumors is necessary.
How nations of former Yugoslavia look on modern Turkey
Authors: Jevtic Miroljub
Published: February 2013

The states that were created after the breakup of former Yugoslavia in the
last decade of the 20th century had long been either part of the Ottoman
Empire or in conflict with it. It is all reflected in their relationship with
today?s Turkey, the successor of the Ottoman Empire. The author shows how the
newly independent states look on Turkey today. Special attention was
dedicated to the causes of different views on Turkey. In author?s opinion, it
is the basis for mutual understanding and the development of good relations
among Balkan States and in the European Region and it is also the condition
for peace and stability in Europe (and in the Mediterranean).
Towards a humane school in modern knowledge society: Antique guidelines
Authors: Djukic Mara , Djermanov Jelena
Published: February 2013

This article discusses the concept of humane schools in the context of
contemporary knowledge society, from pedagogical aspect. The authors
specifically indicate that the knowledge society achieves its true meaning
and proper importance as well as full pedagogical potential, only when the
values on which it is based are defined, and what kind of knowledge it
implies. The basic features of humane school are discussed, their
interdependence explained and major paradoxes that may occur in this regard
perceived. Listening to the voices of some ancient thinkers that can be
clearly heard, the authors discover deep roots and distant traces of
important arguments in favor of the implementation of a school of thought in
a new way, that is authentic humane school. Accordingly, it is concluded that
on the uncertain and laden with contradictions road towards European
knowledge society for the 21st century and the humane school in it, we need
solid guidelines. By all accounts, these guidelines may be sought and found
in the creatively transformed and newly assumed ideas of ancient Greek
philosophers and in their global application on lifelong education for all
people, i.e. for each man as a conscious and self-responsible human being.
Connections between migrations and commuting in Vojvodina
Authors: Lukic Vesna
Published: February 2013

Various forms of population mobility are usually studied independently and
thus lacking information if there is a connection between migration processes
and if so, whether it is positive or negative. Based on the correlation
method, this paper presents a study of the relationship between migration and
commuting by the example of Vojvodina. Population and economic activities in
Vojvodina are unevenly distributed and mainly concentrated to certain areas.
Considering that the majority of rural population is no longer engaged in
agriculture and that there are not enough local jobs in rural areas, numerous
rural residents commute to work to cities. So, the majority of commuting
flows in Vojvodina are flows of labour force from rural to urban areas.
Results of statistical analysis, based on data about migrations to rural
settlements of Vojvodina and data about divergent commuters, have shown a
positive correlation between the two types of population mobility for all
observed settlements (defined as addition), and that a significant proportion
of migration variations can be explained by variations in the scope of
commuting flows.
Zearalenone Contamination of the Aquatic Environment as a Result of its Presence in Crops / Pojava Mikotoksina U Vodenom Okolišu Zbog Njihove Prisutnosti U Usjevima
Authors: Waśkiewicz Agnieszka , Gromadzka Karolina , Bocianowski Jan , Pluta Paulina , Goliński Piotr
Published: February 2013

The aim of this study was to establish a relation between zearalenone contamination of crops in the Polish province of Wielkopolska and its occurrence in aquatic ecosystems close by the crop fields. Water samples were collected from water bodies such as drainage ditches, wells, or watercourses located in four agricultural areas. Moreover, control water samples were collected from the Bogdanka river, which was located outside the agricultural areas and near an urban area. Cereal samples were collected in the harvest season from each agricultural area close to tested water bodies. Zearalenone (ZEA) was found in all water and cereal samples. The highest concentrations were recorded in the postharvest season (September to October) and the lowest in the winter and spring. Mean ZEA concentrations in water ranged between 1.0 ng L-1 and 80.6 ng L-1, and in cereals from 3.72 ng g-1 to 28.97 ng g-1. Our results confirm that mycotoxins are transported to aquatic systems by rain water through soil.
Susceptibility To Caspofungin And Fluconazole And Als1/Als3 Gene Expression In Biofilm And Dispersal Cells Of Candida Albicans / Profil Osjetljivosti Na Kaspofungin I Flukonazol I Ekspresija Gena Als1 I Als3 U Stanicama Biofilma Te Planktonskim Stanicama Vrste Candida Albicans
Authors: Bujdáková Helena , Kulková Naďa , Černáková Lucia
Published: February 2013

The biofilm of Candida albicans has been implicated as a source of bloodstream infections. Dispersal cells, as the final biofilm stage, are responsible for its spread. The aim of this study was to compare the susceptibility of biofilm and dispersal cells vs. planktonic cells (overnight liquid culture) of C. albicans to caspofungin (CAS) and fluconazole (FLU) when the drugs were added: i) at the beginning of the experiment; ii) after 1.5 h (adherence stage); iii) after 24 h (early mature biofilm). The findings were evaluated after 48 h (mature biofilm) using the XTT reduction assay. Later administration of the drug increased biofilm sessile minimal inhibitory concentration (SMIC80) of both FLU and CAS from 1 μg mL-1 to over 64 μg mL-1 and from 0.125 μg mL-1 to over 16 μg mL-1, respectively. Susceptibility of dispersal cells also decreased with time of administration.

We also determined the expression of the Als1 and Als3 genes in 48-h sessile biofilm and dispersal cells of C. albicans SC5314 and compared it to planktonic cells. The expression was normalised to the standard Act1 gene in every condition tested. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed a strong up-regulation of the Als1 gene in the dispersal cells but not in biofilm and high expression of the Als3 gene in both biofilm and dispersal cells. High expression of both Als1 and Als3 genes supports the hypothesis that dispersal cells pose a high-risk of infection.
Obesity: genome and environment interactions
Authors: Bašić Martina , Butorac Ana , Landeka Jurčević Irena , Bačun-Družina Višnja
Published: February 2013

Obesity has become one of the major threats for public health in industrialised world among adults, but also among adolescents and children. It is infl uenced by the interaction of genes, nutrition, environment, and lifestyle. Environmental and lifestyle risk factors include foetal and lifelong environment, nutrient quality, chemical and microbial exposure, and psychical stress, all of which are important contributing infl uences. Removing or limiting chemical and pharmaceutical obesogens from human environment could make a difference in the growing epidemic of obesity. Additionally, nutrigenomics describes how modifi cations in individual diets can improve health and prevent chronic diseases, as well as obesity, by understanding the effects of a genetic profi le in the interaction between food and increase in body weight. Furthermore, individual genetic variations in genome represent an individual′s predisposition for obesity. Therefore, the use of individual genetic information, avoiding obesogens, and a healthy lifestyle could help to improve the management of obesity and maintain a healthy weight.
The Impact Of Mycotoxicoses On Human History / Utjecaj Mikotoksikoza Na Povijest
Authors: Peraica Maja , Rašić Dubravka
Published: February 2013

Mycotoxicoses are acute or chronic diseases of humans and animals caused by mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by moulds. Of about 400 known mycotoxins only a small number are known to cause mycotoxicoses in humans. Organs that are most targeted are those in which mycotoxins are metabolised, that is, the liver and kidneys, but the lesions may affect the neurological, respiratory, digestive, haematological, endocrine, and immune systems as well.

The epidemics of mycotoxicoses are often connected with times of famine, when population consumes food that would not be consumed in normal circumstances. Mycotoxicoses have influenced human history, causing demographic changes, migrations, or even influencing the outcomes of wars. Fortunately, epidemics affecting so many persons and with so many fatalities belong to the past. Today they only appear in small communities such as schools and factory canteens. This paper presents epidemics and pandemics of mycotoxicoses that influenced human history.