bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indicators of water consumption and the quantity of wastewater formed in selected branches of food industry
Authors: Strzelczyk Maria , Steinhoff-Wrześniewska Aleksandra , Rajmund Agnieszka
Published: December 2010

Indicators of water consumption and the quantity of wastewater formed in selected branches of food industry

The studies covered the branches: sugar industry, fruit-and-vegetable processing and potato processing plants. The analyses of water consumption and quantities of wastewater formed in 24 production plants were performed in the paper. A comparison of water and wastewater management in three branches showed that the highest water consumption is in fruit-and-vegetable processing. The data collected in the paper indicates the drop of water consumption in potato as well as fruit-and-vegetable industry. The values obtained for sugar industry indicate that it is the least diversified branch.
Impact of composts with the participation of municipal sewage sludge on the content of the total forms of copper, manganese and zinc in soil
Authors: Krzywy-Gawrońska Ewa
Published: December 2010

Impact of composts with the participation of municipal sewage sludge on the content of the total forms of copper, manganese and zinc in soil

Pot experiment was conducted in the hall of vegetation at University of Agriculture in Szczecin over the years 2001 - 2003 on the soil of IVa complex of agriculture usefulness (very good rye) numbered among loamy sand as regards to the granulometric composition. The composts used in the experiment were after 8 months of decomposition. There was more nitrogen and phosphorus in the composts in comparison with potassium. In the pattern of the research the doses of composts, corresponding with 100, 200 and 300 kg N·ha-1, i.e. 0.63; 0.99 and 0.126 g N pot were used. The experiment was conducted in four repetitions. In 2001 spring rape Licomos variety was the test plant, in 2002 it was the spring triticale Wanad variety and in 2003 oats Polar variety. In the second and third year of the research of the soil there was 0.475 g N, 0.137 g P and 0.315 g K applied into every pot. It corresponded with the doses of 150 kg N·ha-1, 43.6 P·ha-1 and 100 kg K·ha-1. Mineral fertilizers were used in the form of urea, double superphosphate, 60% potassium salt.

The obtained results of the research indicate that the content of the total forms of copper, manganese and zinc in the composts, with the participation of sewage sludge fulfilled the norms concerning the organic fertilizers.

Over the years, since the time of an application into the soil the composts with the participation of municipal sewage sludge, the content of the total forms of copper, manganese and zinc has decreased. It was caused by the uptake of these micronutrients by plants.
LiOH.H2O as a catalyst for Knoevenagel and Gewald reactions
Authors: Gouda Moustafa
Published: December 2010

LiOH.H2O as a catalyst for Knoevenagel and Gewald reactions

Commercial available lithium hydroxide monohydrate LiOH.H2O was found to be a novel ‘dual activation’ catalyst for tandem cross Knoevenagel condensation between malononitrile or ethylcyanoacetate and aromatic aldehydes leading to an efficient and easy synthesis of the corresponding arylidenes at room temperature in a short reaction time. In the case of salicyaldehyde the reaction lead to the formation of 3-substituted coumarins. The high efficacy, cheapness and easy availability of LiOH.H2O prompted us to investigate its validity as a basic catalyst for Gewald reaction.
Precipitation of jarosite as a purifying procedure of the solution obtained after leaching of zinc secondary material
Authors: Jarosiński Andrzej , Przybyła Artur
Published: December 2010

Precipitation of jarosite as a purifying procedure of the solution obtained after leaching of zinc secondary material

Zinc oxide derived from processing of the slime obtained in an industrial process of electrolytic zinc obtaining was leached with the aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The effect of temperature and time on the extent of leaching was determined. The conditions lead to zinc recovery of about 90%. It was found that the extent of arsenic leaching did not depend upon the time and temperature of leaching. Next the conditions of the solution purification procedure were determined. It was found that jarosite formation as well as the degree of arsenic removal is connected with trivalent iron concentration in the solution.
Thermal degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates) and polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives
Authors: Zych Krzysztof , Pełech Robert , Czech Zbigniew
Published: December 2010

Thermal degradation of poly(alkyl methacrylates) and polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives

Gas chromatography, coupled with the temperature controlled pyrolysis technique, can be used as a quick method of identification of polymers such as acrylates, methacrylates and polyurethanes. Polymers based on alkyl methacrylates are widely used as construction materials and coatings. Polyurethanes are widely used as self-adhesives, sealants and electrical products (due to polyurethane's low glass transition temperature Tg). The aim of this work is to investigate which products can be obtained from polymethacrylates and polyurethanes.
A preliminary study on antifungal effect of TiO2-based paints in natural indoor light
Authors: Markowska-Szczupak Agata , Ulfig Krzysztof , Grzmil Barbara , Morawski Antoni
Published: December 2010

A preliminary study on antifungal effect of TiO2-based paints in natural indoor light

The antifungal activity of four commercial photocatalytic paints (KEIM Ecosil ME, Titanium FA, Photo Silicate and Silicate D) in natural indoor light was investigated. The paints contained TiO2 in rutile and anatase crystalline forms as evidenced by means of the X-ray diffraction analysis. In most cases the paints inhibited growth of fungi viz. Trichoderma viride, Aspergillus niger, Coonemeria crustacea, Eurotium herbariorum, and Dactylomyces sp. The KEIM Ecosil ME paint displayed the highest antifungal effect in the light, which could be explained with the highest anatase content. The paint antifungal activity and the fungal sensitivity to the TiO2-mediated photocatalytic reaction both decreased in the following orders: KEIM Ecosil ME > Titanium FA > Photo Silicate > Silicate D and T. viride > Dactylomyces sp. > A. niger > E. herbariorum.
UV-crosslinkable warm-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives based on acrylics
Authors: Czech Zbigniew , Butwin Agnieszka
Published: December 2010

UV-crosslinkable warm-melt pressure-sensitive adhesives based on acrylics

The target of this article is to show the preparation of new generation of UV-crosslinkable warm-melt acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) and the experimental test of their adhesive properties in comparison with typical conventional hot-melts adhesives. New generation of UV-crosslinkable acrylic warm-melts PSAs containing unsaturated photoinitiator, incorporated during polymerization process into polymer chain, and photoreactive diluents added to PSA systems after polymerization allows producing of wide range of self-adhesive materials, such as labels, mounting tapes, masking and splicing tapes, and sign and marking films.
Competing Explanations of Undergraduate Noncompletion
Authors: Attewell Paul , Heil Scott , Reisel Liza
Published: December 2010

In this paper we analyze longitudinal data from a nationally representative panel of college entrants to test and compare several theoretical explanations of college degree attainment and noncompletion. So far, relatively little emphasis has been placed on determining the relative and combined predictive power of competing explanations or mechanisms of college noncompletion. We utilize a methodological tool—the sheaf coefficient—to combine multiple variables into single conceptual predictors and estimate their relative effect sizes across college types. We then draw implications of these findings both for theory and for policy.
Coleman Revisited
Authors: Goldsmith Pat Rubio
Published: December 2010

Students from minority segregated schools tend to achieve and attain less than similar students from White segregated schools. This study examines whether peer effects can explain this relationship using normative models and frog-pond models. Normative models (where peers become alike) suggest that minority schoolmates are a liability. Frog-pond models (where students benefit from recognition) suggest that minority schoolmates are an asset. Data from the National Educational Longitudinal Study and the Census show that students from minority-concentrated schools attain less education in the long run than students from White-concentrated schools net of many covariates. Both normative processes and frog-pond processes (especially from class rank) help explain attainment, but they tend to cancel each other out and make the net effect of peers in minority and white concentrated schools small.
Have Anxiety Disorders Been Disowned By Psychiatrists?
Authors: Starcevic Vladan
Published: December 2010

Objective: The aim of this paper was to examine the place of anxiety disorders in contemporary psychiatry, its origins, and possible implications for the future of psychiatry.

Conclusions: Several factors have led psychiatry away from neuroses and anxiety disorders and towards depression as a social paradigm of distress: a perception that anxiety disorders have relatively little relevance, the decline of psychoanalysis and rise of biological psychiatry, the downfall of the benzodiazepines and a failure to replace them with better anxiolytics, and the development of newer antidepressants. The subsequent imposition of the rigid conceptual dichotomy between depression and anxiety strengthened a notion that the focus of psychiatry should be on the ‘depression side’ of this divide. Having promoted cognitive-behavioural therapy as the best treatment for anxiety disorders, clinical psychologists have largely ‘taken over’ the anxiety disorders from psychiatrists. It is suggested that psychiatrists’ surrender of the anxiety disorders may have negative consequences for the future of psychiatry.
Pharmacological Treatment of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Psychogeriatric Inpatient Units
Authors: Restifo Sam , Lemon Vivienne , Waters Flavie
Published: December 2010

Objective: This study involved an examination of the current patterns of pharmacological treatment of patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in psychogeriatric inpatient units.

Method: An audit was conducted of discharge medications of patients with BPSD who were hospitalized at three separate inpatient units in Perth, Western Australia over a 1-year period.

Results: Prescribing patterns were found to be relatively similar across the three units. Dementia-specific drugs such as choline-esterase inhibitors and memantine comprised a minority of prescribed medication. Antipsychotics, benzodiazepines and sodium valproate were the most commonly prescribed drugs. Cyproterone acetate was used in a small number of patients at each of the three units.

Conclusions: The broad range of medications used to treat BPSD, the relatively modest place of dementia-specific drugs in this patient group, and the co-prescribing of more than one psychotropic agent in the majority of patients support the prevailing impressions that BPSD are difficult to treat and that there is no consistently effective or superior medication or drug group.
Detection of up to 65% of Precancerous Lesions of the Human Colon and Rectum by Mutation Analysis of APC, K-Ras, B-Raf and CTNNB1
Authors: Schneider Mandy , Scholtka Bettina , Gottschalk Uwe , Faiss Siegbert , Schatz Daniela , Berghof-Jäger Kornelia , Steinberg Pablo
Published: December 2010

In the present study a recently conceived 4-gene marker panel covering the Wnt and Ras-Raf-MEK-MAPK signaling pathways was used to analyze 20 colorectal serrated lesions and 41 colorectal adenoma samples and to determine the percentage of each of the above-mentioned potentially precancerous lesions carrying at least one of the four above-mentioned genes in a mutated form. CTNNB1 and B-Raf were screened by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis, K-Ras by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis and the APC gene mutation cluster region (codons 1243–1567) by direct DNA sequencing. APC mutations were only detected in 10% of the serrated lesions but in 34% of the adenomas. Twenty percent of the serrated lesions and 14% of the adenomas carried a mutated K-Ras. B-Raf was found to be mutated in 50% of the serrated lesions and in 22% of the adenomas. CTNNB1 was altered in 12% of the adenomas, but not in serrated lesions. By using the above gene marker panel it could be shown that 65% of the serrated lesions and 61% of the adenomas carried at least one of the four genes in a mutated form. Based on its excellent performance in detecting mutations in sporadic preneoplastic (in this study) and neoplastic lesions (in a previous study) of the human colon and rectum, this primer combination might also be suited to efficiently and non-invasively detect genetic alterations in stool DNA of patients with early colorectal cancer.
Forest Values and Forest Management Attitudes among Private Forest Owners in Sweden
Authors: Nordlund Annika , Westin Kerstin
Published: December 2010

The present study focused on how forests will be managed in the future in light of the increased emphasis being put by the public on the ecological and recreational values of forests, the trend towards an increased share of non-resident forest owners, and the increased female forest ownership. The value and belief basis of forest management attitudes was explored using a questionnaire sent to a sample of private forest owners ‘residing on’ (n = 995, return rate = 51.3%) and ‘not residing on’ the forest property (n = 997, return rate = 50%). The results showed that a share of private forest owners strongly value both the view that the forest should predominately be used for timber production and the view that preservation is most important. The proposed hierarchical structure of influence, in which the forest management attitude was influenced by values and beliefs, was supported in the study. The ecological, recreational, and production forest values primarily influenced the most closely related forest management attitude, even if some cross-sectional effects and some effects of socio-demographics were found, showing that the view a private forest owner has on different forms of management styles is shaped by the perceived multiple values of the forest.
Optical and Electric Multifunctional CMOS Image Sensors for On-Chip Biosensing Applications
Authors: Tokuda Takashi , Noda Toshihiko , Sasagawa Kiyotaka , Ohta Jun
Published: December 2010

In this review, the concept, design, performance, and a functional demonstration of multifunctional complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors dedicated to on-chip biosensing applications are described. We developed a sensor architecture that allows flexible configuration of a sensing pixel array consisting of optical and electric sensing pixels, and designed multifunctional CMOS image sensors that can sense light intensity and electric potential or apply a voltage to an on-chip measurement target. We describe the sensors’ architecture on the basis of the type of electric measurement or imaging functionalities.
Estimation of Aboveground Biomass in Alpine Forests: A Semi-Empirical Approach Considering Canopy Transparency Derived from Airborne LiDAR Data
Authors: Jochem Andreas , Hollaus Markus , Rutzinger Martin , Höfle Bernhard
Published: December 2010

In this study, a semi-empirical model that was originally developed for stem volume estimation is used for aboveground biomass (AGB) estimation of a spruce dominated alpine forest. The reference AGB of the available sample plots is calculated from forest inventory data by means of biomass expansion factors. Furthermore, the semi-empirical model is extended by three different canopy transparency parameters derived from airborne LiDAR data. These parameters have not been considered for stem volume estimation until now and are introduced in order to investigate the behavior of the model concerning AGB estimation. The developed additional input parameters are based on the assumption that transparency of vegetation can be measured by determining the penetration of the laser beams through the canopy. These parameters are calculated for every single point within the 3D point cloud in order to consider the varying properties of the vegetation in an appropriate way. Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA) is performed to evaluate the influence of the additional LiDAR derived canopy transparency parameters for AGB estimation. The study is carried out in a 560 km2 alpine area in Austria, where reference forest inventory data and LiDAR data are available. The investigations show that the introduction of the canopy transparency parameters does not change the results significantly according to R2 (R2 = 0.70 to R2 = 0.71) in comparison to the results derived from, the semi-empirical model, which was originally developed for stem volume estimation.
Effect of Axial Force on the Performance of Micromachined Vibratory Rate Gyroscopes
Authors: Hou Zhanqiang , Xiao Dingbang , Wu Xuezhong , Dong Peitao , Chen Zhihua , Niu Zhengyi , Zhang Xu
Published: December 2010

It is reported in the published literature that the resonant frequency of a silicon micromachined gyroscope decreases linearly with increasing temperature. However, when the axial force is considerable, the resonant frequency might increase as the temperature increases. The axial force is mainly induced by thermal stress due to the mismatch between the thermal expansion coefficients of the structure and substrate. In this paper, two types of micromachined suspended vibratory gyroscopes with slanted beams were proposed to evaluate the effect of the axial force. One type was suspended with a clamped-free (C-F) beam and the other one was suspended with a clamped-clamped (C-C) beam. Their drive modes are the bending of the slanted beam, and their sense modes are the torsion of the slanted beam. The relationships between the resonant frequencies of the two types were developed. The prototypes were packaged by vacuum under 0.1 mbar and an analytical solution for the axial force effect on the resonant frequency was obtained. The temperature dependent performances of the operated mode responses of the micromachined gyroscopes were measured. The experimental values of the temperature coefficients of resonant frequencies (TCF) due to axial force were 101.5 ppm/°C for the drive mode and 21.6 ppm/°C for the sense mode. The axial force has a great influence on the modal frequency of the micromachined gyroscopes suspended with a C-C beam, especially for the flexure mode. The quality factors of the operated modes decreased with increasing temperature, and changed drastically when the micromachined gyroscopes worked at higher temperatures.
Sensory System for Implementing a Human—Computer Interface Based on Electrooculography
Authors: Barea Rafael , Boquete Luciano , Rodriguez-Ascariz Jose Manuel , Ortega Sergio , López Elena
Published: December 2010

This paper describes a sensory system for implementing a human–computer interface based on electrooculography. An acquisition system captures electrooculograms and transmits them via the ZigBee protocol. The data acquired are analysed in real time using a microcontroller-based platform running the Linux operating system. The continuous wavelet transform and neural network are used to process and analyse the signals to obtain highly reliable results in real time. To enhance system usability, the graphical interface is projected onto special eyewear, which is also used to position the signal-capturing electrodes.
Arsenic Contamination of Groundwater in Nepal—An Overview
Authors: Thakur Jay Krishna , Thakur Rinku Kumari , Ramanathan AL , Kumar Manish , Singh Sudhir Kumar
Published: December 2010

In Nepal, arsenic (As) contamination is a major issue of current drinking water supply systems using groundwater and has recently been one of the major environmental health management issues especially in the plain region, i.e., in the Terai districts, where the population density is very high. The Terai inhabitants still use hand tube and dug wells (with hand held pumps that are bored at shallow to medium depth) for their daily water requirements, including drinking water. The National Sanitation Steering Committee (NSSC), with the help of many other organizations, has completed arsenic blanket test in 25 districts of Nepal by analysing 737,009 groundwater samples. Several organizations, including academic institutions, made an effort to determine the levels of arsenic concentrations in groundwater and their consequences in Nepal. The results of the analyses on 25,058 samples tested in 20 districts, published in the status report of arsenic in Nepal (2003), demonstrated that the 23% of the samples were containing 10–50 µg/L of As, and the 8% of the samples were containing more than 50 µg/L of As. Recent status of over 737,009 samples tested, the 7.9% and 2.3% were contaminated by 10–50 µg/L and >50 µg/L, respectively of As. The present paper examines the various techniques available for the reduction of arsenic concentrations in Nepal in combination with the main results achieved, the socio-economic status and the strategies. This paper aims to comprehensively compile all existing data sets and analyze them scientifically, by trying to suggest a common sustainable approach for identifying the As contamination in the nation, that can be easily adopted by local communities for developing a sustainable society. The paper aims also to find probable solutions to quantify and mitigate As problem without any external support. The outcome of this paper will ultimately help to identify various ways for: identify risk areas; develop awareness; adopt the World Health Organization (WHO) guideline; identify alternative safe water sources and assess their sustainability; give priorities to water supply and simple eco-friendly treatment techniques; investigate impacts of arsenic on health and agriculture; strengthen the capability of government, public, Non-governmental Organization (NGO) and research institutions.
Dual Antiplatelet Therapy in Secondary Prevention of Ischemic Stroke: A Ghost from the Past or a New Frontier?
Authors: Balucani Clotilde , Barlinn Kristian , Zivanovic Zeljko , Parnetti Lucilla , Silvestrini Mauro , Alexandrov Andrei V.
Published: December 2010

With majority of ischemic strokes attributable to atherothrombosis and many being predictable after transient ischemic attacks (TIA), the role of early secondary prevention with antiplatelet agents is under renewed investigation. Prior major clinical trials of various secondary stroke prevention regimens pointed to a greater efficacy of dual antiplatelet agents if initiated early from symptom onset. This paper examines data and rationale behind dual antiplatelet regimens across the completed clinical trials. The safety of dual antiplatelets approach is of concern, but it could be outweighed, at least in early management, by a greater reduction in recurrence of ischemic events since this risk is “front loaded” after minor stroke or TIA. Aspirin monotherapy, though considered standard of care, is compared to aspirin-extended release dipiridamole and its combination with clopidogrel in early-phase completed and efficacy-phase ongoing clinical trials.
Age-Dependent Variation in Hormonal Concentration and Biochemical Constituents in Blood Plasma of Indian Native Fowl
Authors: Biswas Avishek , Mohan Jag , Sastry Kochigant Venkata Hanumant
Published: December 2010

This experiment was to investigate the age-related changes in hormonal concentration and biochemical constituents of blood plasma in Indian native desi fowl. One hundred and sixty two (54 from each breed, i.e., Kadaknath (KN), Aseel peela (AP), and White leghorn (WLH)) day-old female chicks were randomly divided into nine groups each of 18 chicks (3 groups × 3 replicates). WLH was taken in this study to compare the characteristics of Indian native desi fowl. The highest level of estrogen hormone in WLH and desi fowl in blood plasma was occurred at 18 and 24 wks of age, respectively. Whereas, the peak of progesterone hormone in WLH hens noticed around 24 wks, in case of desi fowls, it was at 30 wks of age. Irrespective of the breed, the hormonal profile of Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4) in blood plasma was found highest around 6 to 12 wks of age. Activities of acid phosphatase (ACP) increased with the reduction of alkaline phosphate (ALP) activities at different time intervals. Irrespective of the breed, transaminases (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT)) activities of blood plasma increased linearly with the advancement of the age. From this study, it may be concluded that sexual maturity of the Indian native desi fowl occurred nearly 6 wk later (24 wk) than WLH.
Age- and Sex-Specific In-Hospital Mortality after Myocardial Infarction in Routine Clinical Practice
Authors: Ani Chizobam , Pan Deyu , Martins David , Ovbiagele Bruce
Published: December 2010

Background. Literature regarding the influence of age/sex on mortality trends for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) hospitalizations is limited to hospitals participating in voluntary AMI registries.Objective. Evaluate the impact of age and sex on in-hospital AMI mortality using a nationally representative hospital sample.Methods. Secondary data analysis using AMI hospitalizations identified from the Nationwide-Inpatient-Sample (NIS). Descriptive and Cox proportional hazards analysis explored mortality trends by age and sex from 1997–2006 while adjusting for the influence of, demographics, co-morbidity, length of hospital stay and hospital characteristics.Results. From 1997–2006, in-hospital AMI mortality rates decreased across time in all subgroups (), except for males aged <55 years. The greatest decline was observed in females aged <55 years, compared to similarly aged males, mortality outcomes were poorer in 1997-1998 (RR 1.47, 95% CI  =  1.30–1.66), when compared with 2005-2006 (RR 1.03, 95% CI  =  0.90–1.18), adjusted value for trend demonstrated a statistically significant decline in the relative AMI mortality risk for females when compared with males (<0.001).Conclusion. Over the last decade, in-hospital AMI mortality rates declined for every age/sex group except males <55 years. While AMI female-male mortality disparity has narrowed, some room for improvement remains.
Sentinel Node Biopsy for Breast Cancer Patients: Issues for Discussion and Our Practice
Authors: Pechlivanides Georgios , Vassilaros Dorothy , Tsimpanis Anastasios , Apostolopoulou Anastasia , Vasilaros Stamatis
Published: December 2010

Sentinel node biopsy has been established for several years now as a standard procedure of breast cancer surgery, but there are several variations of the indications and the technique used. This paper provides information regarding several issues of debate for its application as are the selection criteria, the application to patients with multifocal/multicentric breast cancer or DCIS, postneoadjuvant chemotherapy, the necessary number of nodes to be biopsied, the need for lymphoscintigraphy, the technique for frozen section, the factors that may predict nonsentinel nodes (NSNs) involvement, the value of micrometastasis and isolated tumour cells, the internal mammary chain sentinel nodes, and finally the axillary recurrence after SLNB. Our view for these issues is included together with our experience of 430 SLNBs.
Occurrence of Type 1 Diabetes in Graves' Disease Patients Who Are Positive for Antiglutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibodies: An 8-Year Followup Study
Authors: Taniyama Matsuo , Kasuga Akira , Nagayama Chieko , Ito Koichi
Published: December 2010

Glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADAs) are one of the markers of islet cell autoimmunity and are sometimes present before the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D). GADA can be present in Graves' patients without diabetes; however, the outcome of GADA-positive Graves' patients is not fully understood, and the predictive value of GADA for the development of T1D in Graves' patients remains to be clarified. We investigated the prevalence of GADA in 158 patients with Graves' disease and detected GADA in 10 patients. They were followed up to discover whether or not T1D developed. In the course of eight years, 2 patients with high titers of GADA developed T1D, both had long-standing antithyroid drug-resistant Graves' disease. Thus, Graves' disease with high GADA titer seems to be at high risk for T1D.
Retrospective Analysis of Clinical and Cost Outcomes Associated with Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusComplicated Skin and Skin Structure Infections Treated with Daptomycin, Vancomycin, or Linezolid
Authors: Wright Bradley M. , Eiland Edward H.
Published: December 2010

Objective. The objective of this analysis was to compare clinical and cost outcomes associated with patients who had suspected or documented methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) infections treated with daptomycin, vancomycin, or linezolid in complicated skin and skin structure infections (cSSSIs).Design. This was a retrospective analysis conducted from February to June of 2007. Appropriate data was collected, collated, and subsequently evaluated with the purpose of quantifying length of stay, antibiotic therapy duration, clinical cure rates, adverse drug events, and cost of hospitalization.Results. All 82 patients included in the analysis experienced clinical cure. The duration of antibiotic therapy was similar among the three groups yet the length of hospitalization was slightly shorter in the daptomycin group.Conclusions. The incidence of resistant staphylococcal infections is increasing; therefore, judicious use of MRSA active agents is paramount. Future studies are necessary to determine if MRSA treatment options can be stratified based on the severity of the infectious process.
Catalytic Site Cysteines of Thiol Enzyme: Sulfurtransferases
Authors: Nagahara Noriyuki
Published: December 2010

Thiol enzymes have single- or double-catalytic site cysteine residues and are redox active. Oxidoreductases and isomerases contain double-catalytic site cysteine residues, which are oxidized to a disulfide via a sulfenyl intermediate and reduced to a thiol or a thiolate. The redox changes of these enzymes are involved in their catalytic processes. On the other hand, transferases, and also some phosphatases and hydrolases, have a single-catalytic site cysteine residue. The cysteines are redox active, but their sulfenyl forms, which are inactive, are not well explained biologically. In particular, oxidized forms of sulfurtransferases, such as mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase and thiosulfate sulfurtransferase, are not reduced by reduced glutathione but by reduced thioredoxin. This paper focuses on why the catalytic site cysteine of sulfurtransferase is redox active.
Spectroscopic Characterization of Intermolecular Interaction of Amyloid β Promoted on GM1 Micelles
Authors: Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Matsuo Koichi , Yanagisawa Katsuhiko , Gekko Kunihiko , Kato Koichi
Published: December 2010

Clusters of GM1 gangliosides act as platforms for conformational transition of monomeric, unstructured amyloid β (Aβ) to its toxic β‐structured aggregates. We have previously shown that Aβ(1–40) accommodated on the hydrophobic/hydrophilic interface of lyso‐GM1 or GM1 micelles assumes α‐helical structures under ganglioside‐excess conditions. For better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the α‐to‐β conformational transition of Aβ on GM1 clusters, we performed spectroscopic characterization of Aβ(1–40) titrated with GM1. It was revealed that the thioflavin T‐ (ThT‐) reactive β‐structure is more populated in Aβ(1–40) under conditions where the Aβ(1–40) density on GM1 micelles is high. Under this circumstance, the C‐terminal hydrophobic anchor Val39‐Val40 shows two distinct conformational states that are reactive with ThT, while such Aβ species were not generated by smaller lyso‐GM1 micelles. These findings suggest that GM1 clusters promote specific Aβ‐Aβ interactions through their C‐termini coupled with formation of the ThT‐reactive β‐structure depending on sizes and curvatures of the clusters.
Anesthetic Routines: The Anesthesiologist's Role in GI Recovery and Postoperative Ileus
Authors: Leslie John B. , Viscusi Eugene R. , Pergolizzi Joseph V. , Panchal Sunil J.
Published: December 2010

All patients undergoing bowel resection experience postoperative ileus, a transient cessation of bowel motility that prevents effective transit of intestinal contents or tolerance of oral intake, to varying degrees. An anesthesiologist plays a critical role, not only in the initiation of surgical anesthesia, but also with the selection and transition to effective postoperative analgesia regimens. Attempts to reduce the duration of postoperative ileus have prompted the study of various preoperative, perioperative, and postoperative regimens to facilitate gastrointestinal recovery. These include modifiable variables such as epidural anesthesia and analgesia, opioid-sparing anesthesia and analgesia, fluid restriction, colloid versus crystalloid combinations, prokinetic drugs, and use of the new peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor (PAM-OR) antagonists. Review and appropriate adaptation of these multiple modifiable interventions by anesthesiologists and their surgical colleagues will facilitate implementation of a best-practice management routine for bowel resection procedures that will benefit the patient and the healthcare system.
Simplicial Complexes and Open Subsets of Non-Separable LF-Spaces
Authors: Mine Kotaro , Sakai Katsuro
Published: December 2010

Let F be a non-separable LF-space homeomorphic to the direct sum , where . It is proved that every open subset U of F is homeomorphic to the product |K| × F for some locally finite-dimensional simplicial complex K such that every vertex v ∈ K(0) has the star St(v, K) with card St(v, K)(0) < 𝒯 = sup 𝒯n (and card K(0) ≤ 𝒯 ), and, conversely, if K is such a simplicial complex, then the product |K| × F can be embedded in F as an open set, where |K| is the polyhedron of K with the metric topology.
Locally Indecomposable Galois Representations
Authors: Ghate Eknath , Vatsal Vinayak
Published: December 2010

In a previous paper the authors showed that, under some technical conditions, the local Galois representations attached to the members of a non-CM family of ordinary cusp forms are indecomposable for all except possibly finitely many members of the family. In this paper we use deformation theoretic methods to give examples of non-CM families for which every classical member of weight at least two has a locally indecomposable Galois representation.
Viral Hepatitis: Retrospective Review in a Canadian Pediatric Hospital
Authors: Cybulska Paulina , Ni Andy , Jimenez-Rivera Carolina
Published: December 2010

Introduction. Clinical presentation of viral hepatitis ranges from mild symptoms to fulminant hepatitis. Our aim is to describe clinical presentation and outcomes of children with viral hepatitis from the Eastern Ontario/Western Quebec regions of Canada.Methods. Retrospective chart review of children diagnosed with viral hepatitis at our institution from January 1, 1998, to December 31, 2007.Results. There were 261 charts reviewed, only 64 had a confirmed viral etiology: 34 (53%) hepatitis B (HBV), 16 (25%) hepatitis C (HCV), 4 (6.3%) hepatitis A (HAV), 7 (11%) cytomegalovirus (CMV), and 3 (4.7%) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Children with HBV presented at a mean age of6.4±4.6 years. Spontaneous seroconversion (appearance of HBVeAb and loss of HBVeAg) occurred in 21/34 (61.7%). Children with acute hepatitis (HAV, CMV, and EBV) presented with mild abdominal pain, jaundice, and fevers. Overall outcome was excellent.Conclusion. Acute and chronic hepatitis in children has a benign course; moreover, HBV spontaneous seroconversion is common in pediatric patients.
Enhancement of the liquid feed distribution in gas‐solid fluidized beds by nozzle pulsations (induced by solenoid valve)
Authors: Sabouni Rana , Leach Aidan , Briens Cedric , Berruti Franco
Published: December 2010

In this work, it was found that spray nozzles pulsations greatly improved the liquid feed spray distribution on fluidized bed particles. Pulsating a spray nozzle doubled its nozzle performance index at various operating conditions. The objective of this study was to impose fluctuations of well‐defined frequency and amplitude on the liquid spray to investigate potentially beneficial effects of fluctuations on the liquid feed distribution on the particles in the fluidized bed. Three sets of experiments were conducted to study the quality of the spray jet‐bed interaction using a conductance probe method. The jet penetration for each experiment was calculated theoretically. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Internal model control design for input‐constrained multivariable processes
Authors: Adegbege Ambrose A. , Heath William P.
Published: December 2010

Multivariable plants under input constraints such as actuator saturation are liable to performance deterioration due to control windup and directionality change. A two‐stage internal model control (IMC) antiwindup design for open loop stable plants is presented. The design is based on the solution of two low‐order quadratic programs at each time step, which addresses both transient and steady‐state behaviors of the system. For analyzing the robust stability of such systems against any infinity‐norm bounded uncertainty, stability test have also been developed. In particular, we note that the controller input‐output mappings satisfy certain integral quadratic constraints. Simulated examples show that the two‐stage IMC has superior performance when compared with other existing optimization‐based antiwindup methods. The stability test is illustrated for a plant with left matrix fraction uncertainty. A scenario where the proposed two‐stage IMC competes favorably with a long prediction horizon model predictive control is described. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
When does a vessel become a pipe?
Authors: Mahgerefteh Haroun , Jalali Navid , Fernandez Maria Isabel
Published: December 2010

The conditions under which the transient outflow from a punctured pipeline may be approximated as that emanating from a vessel using a simplified analytically based vessel blowdown model (VBM) is investigated in this article. The above addresses the fundamental drawback of long computational run times associated with the numerically based techniques used for simulating pipeline puncture failures. The efficacy of the VBM is tested by comparison of its predictions against simulation data obtained using a validated rigorous but computationally demanding numerical technique based on the method of characteristics. The results show that the accuracy of the VBM increases with decreasing puncture/pipe diameter ratio, line pressure, and increasing pipeline length. Surprisingly, the VBM produces more accurate predictions for two‐phase mixtures when compared with permanent gases. This is found to be a consequence of the better applicability of the isothermal bulk fluid decompression assumption within the pipeline in the case of two‐phase mixtures. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2011
Nonalimentary tooth use in the neolithic population of the Lengyel culture in central Poland (4600–4000 BC)
Authors: Lorkiewicz Wiesław
Published: December 2010

One hundred and four skeletons of adult individuals representing Neolithic populations of the Brześć Kujawski group of the Lengyel Culture (Kuyavia, central Poland, 4600–4000 BC) were analyzed with regard to evidence of nonalimentary tooth use, periapical lesions and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL). Instances of nonalimentary behaviors were found in 47.1% of females and 27.5% of males. Females were primarily characterized by occlusal grooves on the incisors and canines, most probably resulting from yarn production or weaving. The most frequent defect in males was severe tooth wear extending from the incisors to first molars, caused by some hard‐to‐identify nonalimentary activities. Occlusal grooves were also found in males, but their morphology indicates processing of some coarser material. The occupational nature of the tooth defects has been confirmed by archaeological data. The only two burials with grave goods indicative of craft specialization at the sites studied contain the remains of individuals with marks of nonalimentary tooth use. Moreover, the sites provide unequivocal evidence of weaving and basketry production in the form of loom weights and imprints of cloth and mats. Periapical lesions have been found in 40.4% of males and 35.6% of females, and AMTL in 32.1% of males and 36.7% of females. Individuals with evidence of nonalimentary tooth wear are characterized both by ahigher incidence of these lesions in general, and by their more frequent location in the anterior part of the alveolar arch. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
Male ancestry structure and interethnic admixture in African‐descent communities from the Amazon as revealed by Y‐chromosome Strs
Authors: Palha Teresinha de Jesus Brabo Ferreira , Ribeiro‐Rodrigues Elzemar Martins , Ribeiro‐dos‐Santos Ândrea , Guerreiro João Farias , de Moura Luciene Soraya Souza , Santos Sidney
Published: December 2010

Some genetic markers on both the Y chromosome and mtDNA are highly polymorphic and population‐specific in humans, representing useful tools for reconstructing the past history of populations with poor historical records. Such lack of information is usually true in the case of recent African‐descent populations of the New World founded by fugitive slaves throughout the slavery period in the Americas, particularly in Brazil, where those communities are known as quilombos. Aiming to recover male‐derived ethnic structure of nine quilombos from the Brazilian Amazon, a total of 300 individuals, belonging to Mazagão Velho (N = 24), Curiaú (N = 48), Mazagão (N = 36), Trombetas (N = 20), Itacoã (N = 22), Saracura (N = 46), Marajó (N = 58), Pitimandeua (N = 26), and Pontal (N = 20), were investigated for nine Y‐STRs (DYS393, DYS19, DYS390, DYS389 I, DYS389 II, DYS392, DYS391, DYS385 I/II). From the 169 distinct haplotypes obtained, 120 were singletons. The results suggest the West African coast as the main origin of slaves brought to Brazil (54% of male contribution); the European contribution was high (41%), while the Amerindian's was low (5%). Those results contrast with previous mtDNA data that showed high Amerindian female contribution (46.6%) in African‐descent populations. AMOVA suggests that the genetic differentiation among the quilombos is mainly influenced by admixture with European. However, when restricting AMOVA to African‐specific haplotypes, low differentiation was detected, suggesting great genetic homogeneity of the African founding populations and/or a later homogenization by intense slave trade inside Brazil. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.
9‐Fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl‐basierte Festphasensynthese von α‐Peptidthioestern
Authors: Mende Franziska , Seitz Oliver
Published: December 2010

Peptidthioester sind Schlüsselverbindungen in der konvergenten Proteinsynthese, wie es die native chemische Verknüpfung, die spurlose Staudinger‐Verknüpfung und die Ag+‐vermittelte Thioesterverknüpfung beispielhaft belegen. Den zuverlässigsten Zugang zu Peptidthioestern bietet die Boc‐basierte Festphasensynthese. Die Säurelabilität vieler Peptidmodifikationen und die technische Ausstattung der meisten Parallelpeptidsyntheseautomaten erhöhen jedoch die Nachfrage nach der milderen Fmoc‐Synthesechemie. Die Fmoc‐basierte Peptidthioestersynthese ist oftmals mühevoll und verläuft in wesentlich geringeren Ausbeuten als die Synthese von Peptidsäuren und ‐amiden. Der Erfolg der nativen chemischen Verknüpfung und verwandter Techniken hat allerdings die Entwicklung neuer Synthesestrategien vorangetrieben. Gegenstand dieses Aufsatzes ist es, die neueren Entwicklungen auf diesem schnell expandierenden Forschungsgebiet aufzuzeigen.
9‐Fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl‐Based Solid‐Phase Synthesis of Peptide α‐Thioesters
Authors: Mende Franziska , Seitz Oliver
Published: December 2010

Peptide thioesters play a key role in convergent protein synthesis strategies such as native chemical ligation, traceless Staudinger ligation, and Ag+‐mediated thioester ligation. The Boc‐based solid‐phase synthesis provides a very reliable access to peptide thioesters. However, the acid lability of many peptide modifications and the requirements of most parallel peptide synthesizers call for the milder Fmoc‐based solid‐phase synthesis. The Fmoc‐based synthesis of peptide thioesters is more cumbersome and typically proceeds with lower yields than the synthesis of peptide acids and peptide amides. The success of native chemical ligation and related technologies has sparked intensive research effort devoted to the development of new methods. The recent progress in this rapidly expanding field is reviewed.
Simulation of continuous stirred ultrafiltration process: an approach based on surface renewal theory
Authors: Sarkar Debasish , Bardhan Shirshendu , Bandyopadhyay Amitava , Chakraborty Monojit , Bhattacharjee Chiranjib
Published: December 2010

Ultrafiltration (UF) is an important operation in many processes, including foods and pharmaceuticals, and shear enhanced dead‐end systems are particularly suitable for small‐scale operations. Most industrial applications require a high permeate flux and maximum solute rejection, combined with long membrane life. A rigorous surface renewal model has been developed which describes the mass transfer processes occurring in a single stirred UF cell. The model takes into consideration two distribution functions of random surface elements, one with respect to their point of origin and the other related to the corresponding residence time on the membrane surface. The back transport flux and the permeate flux are evaluated at the membrane surface in order to develop a component balance equation. The component balance equation and a rejection–flux relationship arising from irreversible thermodynamics are solved simultaneously to allow a dynamic simulation. The dynamic simulation enables a more complete understanding of the permeate flux, membrane surface concentration and permeate concentration under various operating conditions. For validation of the proposed model, experiments were conducted on UF of polyethylene glycol 6000 (PEG 6000) solution in a continuous stirred UF cell comprising a cellulose acetate membrane of 5000 Da molecular weight cut‐off. Model predicted values are in excellent agreement with the experimental results. The effects of different stirring mechanisms on mass transfer with flat disk, propeller and turbine impellers were also characterized using the developed model. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Value‐added products from unburned carbon in bagasse fly ash
Authors: Batra Vidya S. , Varghese Anna Ria , Vashisht Pooja , Balakrishnan Malini
Published: December 2010

Sugar factories in India commonly use bagasse, the residue after sugarcane juice extraction, as a boiler fuel. This leads to generation of large amounts of fly ash containing 16–33% unburned carbon, which poses a disposal problem. In this study, different separation methods have been examined to separate the unburned carbon. The separated carbon has been modified for different applications and characterized. Simple methods like sieving yielded high carbon fractions. The carbon content could be increased further by treatment with acid to remove the ash present. Pellets formed from unburned carbon had calorific values ranging between 20 920 and 25 104 kJ kg−1. Activation in steam led to increase in surface area from 90–100 m2 g−1 to more than 500 m2 g−1. These results indicate that there is potential for multiple and environmentally friendly utilization of unburned carbon in bagasse fly ash. Copyright © 2010 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.