bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On optimal GQL estimation approach for longitudinal dynamic binary model: application to the maternal morbidity data of Bangladesh
Authors: Afroz Farzana , Bari Wasimul
Published: August 2014

A longitudinal non-linear binary dynamic (NLBD) model which provides a full range for the longitudinal correlation parameter was attempted to analyze longitudinal morbidity data for determining the potential determinants of antenatal care (ANC) seeking behavior of pregnant women during their pregnancies. The regression and dependence parameters were estimated by optimal generalized quasilikelihood (OGQL) estimation approach. The estimate of dependence parameter was found to be significantly large. Age at marriage, economic status, husband's occupation, distance from health facility and numbers of previous pregnancies were found to have significant impact on the ANC seeking behavior DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20227 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 21-28, December-2013
Level of noise pollution at different locations in Tangail municipal area, Bangladesh
Authors: Hoque MMM , Basak LK , Rokanuzzaman M , Roy Sajal
Published: August 2014

The study was carried out to ascertain the level of noise pollution at different locations in Tangail municipal area. For this purpose noise levels were measured at different locations at different periods of the day. At all the locations the level of noise were found to be higher than the acceptable level. The intensity of noise was found lower with increasing distance from the road side. The noise level on the main road near hospital, shopping center and bazars was above the standard level recommended by MoEF. From the survey motor vehicles were found as the main cause of high noise level. The most common problems with high noise level were found to increased heart beat, drowsiness, headache and hearing impairment. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20228 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 29-36, December-2013
Factors divide fertility between east and west areas of Bangladesh: implications for further strengthening the family planning program
Authors: Uddin M Sheikh Giash , Azad Md Abul Kalam , Kibria MG
Published: August 2014

Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey data were used for the study. The results suggest that women in the East have an average of 2.34 living children compared to an average of 1.83 living children in the West. Women with all living female children are two times more likely to give births than women having at least one male child in the East. Sex preference is an important determinant of current use of contraception in Bangladesh. In the East, women with two sons are 1.9 times more likely to use contraception than women with two daughters. Current use of contraception divides the East and West for fertility differential. It also implies that the reduction in fertility may largely depend on increased use of effective birth control methods in future in Bangladesh. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20229 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 37-46, December-2013
Influence of sewage sludge on yield and mineral contents of rice grain
Authors: Kamal ATMM , Islam MM , Hossain MS , Ullah SM
Published: August 2014

Sewage sludge at the rate of 0, 40, 80, 120 and 240 t/ha showed that the number of filled grains per panicle, dry weight of grains and weight of 1000 grains of rice (Oryza sativa L.) were the significantly highest where 240 tons of sewage sludge per hectare was added. The contents of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Cu, Zn and Pb in rice grains increased significantly with increasing rate of sewage sludge application, while that of Mn decreased significantly. Chromium, cadmium and nickel contents in the rice grain were below detection limit. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20231 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 57-60, December-2013
Comparison of conditional likelihood and modified score function approaches in the analysis of matched case-control data
Authors: Baten Abdul , Mallick Taslim S , Khan Jafar A
Published: August 2014

In this study, we compare Maximum Conditional Likelihood or MCL and Modified Score Function or MDS approach for modeling Antenatal Care (ANC) seeking behavior in matched case-control data obtained from Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey 2007. The estimates of parameters are almost identical under both approaches. Due to the computational complexity of the MDS approach, one may prefer using the alternative computationally simpler MCL approach for the analysis of similar datasets. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20233 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 75-82, December-2013
Mycoflora associated with Basella spp. and their pathogenic potentiality
Authors: Akter Sufia , Shamsi Shamim
Published: August 2014

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20235 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 83-87, December-2013
The function of apical ectodermal ridge in the formation of limb
Authors: Mallick Avijit
Published: August 2014

Abstract not available DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bjsr.v26i1-2.20237 Bangladesh J. Sci. Res. 26(1-2): 95-99, December-2013
Internal defects and water absorption behavior of environmentally friendly brick-MAB using film neutron radiography technique
Authors: Alam MK , Islam MR , Saha S , Islam MN , Islam SM Azaharul
Published: August 2014

Film neutron radiography (NR) technique has been adopted to study the internal defects likehomogeneity, porosity, incremental intrusion area, initial rapid absorption (IRA) and water penetratingheight/behavior of the automated machine made environmentally friendly brick-MAB sample.Thermal neutron radiography facility installed at the tangential beam port of 3 MW TRIGA MARK-IIreactor was used in this study. In here optical density or gray values of the neutron radiographicimages of the sample was measured. From the measurement it was found that most of the areas of thissample were homogeneous, which indicateed the presence of a little bit internal porosity andabsorption of water to be very poor. It also showed that its initial rapid absorption was less and waterabsorption behavior was capillary and of wave shape. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20197 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 1-6, 2014
Effects of Li2O additive on structural, magnetic and electrical properties of Ni-Mg ferrite
Authors: Rumy Sheikh Mohi Uddin , Bhuiyan Mahabub Alam , Ahmed MH Mesbah , Maria Kazi Hanium , Hakim MA , Saha DK , Choudhury Shamima
Published: August 2014

The effects of Li2O additives on the structural, magnetic and electrical properties of Ni0.5Mg0.5Fe2O4, prepared by conventional double sintering ceramic technique were investigated. The X-raydiffraction (XRD) pattern of the prepared samples showed single phase cubic spinel structure.Variation of lattice parameter has been observed with the variation of Li2O content. Theenhancement of bulk density has been observed for 2 mol% Li2O additive, but further increase inLi2O concentration, these values decrease. Enhancement of initial permeability (??) have beenobserved for the sample with 2 mol% Li2O additives while it decreases for higher concentration ofLi2O. The Curie temperature is found to decrease with the increase in Li2O additive. The resistivityincreases with increasing additive content and showed a significant dispersion with frequency,which is the normal ferromagnetic behavior. The dielectric constant (??) measurement showed thenormal dielectric behavior of spinel ferrite. Possible explanation for the observed features arediscussed. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20198 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 7-18, 2014
Soluble dietary fibers from Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. seed and their structures
Authors: Nahar Nilufar , Habib AKM Ahsan
Published: August 2014

Soluble dietary fibers of Trigonella foenum graecum Linn. seed were isolated and fractionatedinto neutral and acidic parts. Structures of both the fractions were determined by sugar analysis andhigh resolution 2D NMR spectroscopic studies including total correlation (TOCSY) spectroscopy.Main chain of the neutral SDF fraction was found to be a galactomannan composed of mannoseand galactose (~1 : 1.5 ratio) having 1,3-? linkages between each other. Terminal mannose residuewas linked to galactose residue of the main chain at its 4 position by ?-linkage. The acidic SDF wasa rhamnogalacturonan, in the main chain, galacturonic acids and rhamnose had 1,4-?- and 1,2-?-linkeages, respectively. Terminal ?-galactose and ?-glucuronic acid were linked to ?-galacturonicacid of the main chain at its 3-position DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20201 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 19-26, 2014
Performance of gerbera cultivars under different wavelengths of solar spectrum
Authors: Mehraj H , Taufique T , Ona AF , Nusrat A , Uddin AFM Jamal
Published: August 2014

To find out the response of potted gerbera under different light spectrum wavelengths of solarradiation was carried out. Three gerbera cultivars viz. V1 (red), V2 (pink), V3 (brick red) and seventreatments viz. L1 (full spectrum), L2 (no spectrum), L3 (cut of 380 - 750 nm wavelength), L4 (cut of620 - 750 nm wavelength), L5 (cut of 450 - 495 nm wavelength), L6 (cut of 495 - 570 nmwavelength) and L7 (cut of 570 - 590 nm wavelength) were exerted on the experiment. Among thecultivars brick red was the best one. Plants were green because they reflected 495 - 570 nmwavelengths (green band) from the visible spectrum of solar radiation. Current findings indicatedthat of 495 - 570 nm wavelengths (green band), the plants responded alike to the full spectrum. Nospectrum provided the worst result in all attributes of gerbera. Number of flower, peduncle length,peduncle diameter, flower head diameter and bending percentage were least after no spectrum in allthe treatments. All the treatments except full spectrum and of 495 - 570 nm wavelength (greenband) restricted for the entrance of the 620 - 750 nm wavelength (red band); 620 - 750 nmwavelength (red band) of light was very important for the plants. Besides, absence of 620 - 750 nmwavelengths (red band) and 450 - 495 nm wavelength (blue band) drastically hampered plantgrowth, yield and quality contributing characters. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20202 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 27-37, 2014
Seasonal variation of Aeromycoflora in vegetable market of karwan bazar, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Shamsi Shamim , Naher Najmun , Chowdhury Md Tajul Islam , Wahiduzzaman AKM
Published: August 2014

Aeromycoflora in relation to occurrence and prevalence, their seasonal variation and distribution of fungal spores in air was studied from October, 2010 to September, 2011. During the study a total of 31 fungal species belonging to 18 genera of fungi were isolated and identified. Total fungal colony count was 2308. The highest occurrence and prevalence of fungi was contributed by Aspergillus niger 1075 colonies, Penicillium spp. 582 colonies, Aspergillus fumigatus 167, A. flavus 112 colonies, Rhizopus sp. 121 colonies, Candida spp. 39 colonies, Chladosporium spp. 36 colonies, Syncephalestrum sp. 25 colonies, and Fusarium spp. 14 colonies. Lowest colony countwas recorded one, in Aspergillus ustus, Drechslera sp., Nigrospora sp. and Ulocladium sp. Maximum fungal pollutants were found 339 in July, 2010 at temperature 27.12°C and moisture 84.2% during the wet and rainy days and declined in January, 2011 when temperature and moisture label decreased to 20.26°C and 59.5%, respectively. Highest colony density was recorded in July, 2011, it was moderate in February and March, 2011. Lowest colony density was recorded in January and May, 2011 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20211 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 49-59, 2014
Micronutrient and fungicides management practices to control the Alternaria blight of mustard
Authors: Haider MN , Islam MR , Aminuzzaman FM , Mehraj H , Uddin AFM Jamal
Published: August 2014

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of different micronutrients and fungicides against Alternaria brassicae and Alternaria blight on growth and yield contributing attributes of mustard. Among the treatments, T6 showed the highest performance against Alternaria blight in terms of disease incidence. The lowest leaf infection (9.9%), leaf area diseases (2.5%), pod infection (9.3%) and number of spots per pod (0.6) were recorded in T6. Highest leaf infection (56.1%), diseased leaf area (18.31%), pod infection (42.7%) and number of spots per pod (1.9) were recorded in control. The highest yield (1086.0 kg/ha), germination percentage (99.1) and the lowest seed infection (6.5%) of harvested seeds were obtained from the T6, whereas lowest from T1. The performances of micronutrients were better than control but the performances of micronutrients did not differ significantly when it was used in combination with fungicides. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20212 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 61-69, 2014
Levels of reactive nitrogen in surface and ground water samples obtained from different parts of Bangladesh
Authors: Parvez M Anowar K , Marzan Mahfuza , Liza Syeda Moriam , Ahmed Zia Uddin
Published: August 2014

A total of 114 water samples collected from different parts of Bangladesh were analyzed for the level of reactive nitrogen species NO3 and NH3. Nitrate was determined in 20 surface water, 28 motorized deep tube well and 66 hand operated tube well samples. Ammonia was determined in 18 surface water, 14 deep tube well and 49 hand operated tube well samples. These sites were randomly selected. Nitrate levels were found to be generally low (below 3 mg/l) in 112 of the 114 samples tested, which is much below permissible level of 10 mg/l of drinking water in Bangladesh. Ammonia concentration was, however, found to be about 4 mg/l in majority of the samples tested which is higher than maximum permissible limit of 0.5 mg/l in drinking water. Possible reasons for low level of nitrate and relatively high level of ammonia in surface and ground water samples in Bangladesh is discussed DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20214 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 75-82, 2014
X-Ray crystal structure of [(?-H)Os2 (CO)4 (SnPh3)2 (?-HSnPh2) (?-dppf)] (dppf = 1,1´-bis (Diphenylphosphino) ferrocene
Authors: Sarker Jagodish C , Rahman Md Saifur , Kabir Shariff E , Siddiquee Tasneem A
Published: August 2014

The solid-state molecular structure determination of the bimetallic osmium-tin compound [(?-H)Os2(CO)4(SnPh3)2(?-HSnPh2)(?-dppf)] (1) was carried out to determine the relative orientationof the coordinated ligands. Compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P 21/c with a =22.366(7), b = 14.217(4), c = 25.213(8) Å, ? = 98.865(7)°, Z = 8 and V = 7921(4) Å3. It is a 34-electron bimetallic cluster with the Os-Os edge concomitantly bridged by a dppf and two HSnPh2 ligands DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbas.v38i1.20218 Journal of Bangladesh Academy of Sciences, Vol. 38, No. 1, 97-101, 2014
Factors Influencing U.S. Charitable Giving during the Great Recession: Implications for Nonprofit Administration
Authors: Marx Jerry , Carter Vernon
Published: August 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine factors influencing U.S. charitable giving during the first full year of the Great Recession. Demand on the services of human service nonprofits typically escalates during periods of extreme economic downturn; thus donations to agencies serving the most vulnerable groups—the young, the old, and the frail—become increasingly important. The study sample consisted of 8690 U.S. respondents. Results indicate the growing importance of computer ownership and the continuing importance of combined purpose agencies in assisting the needy in hard times. Suggestions for both future research and nonprofit administrative practice regarding charitable giving are provided.
Modeling Analysis of Bi-Layer Ni-(ZrO2)x(Y2O3)1−x Anodes for Anode-Supported Intermediate Temperature-Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
Authors: Enrico Anna , Cannarozzo Marco , Costamagna Paola
Published: August 2014

Intermediate temperature-solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC) Ni-(ZrO2)x(Y2O3)1−x (Ni-YSZ) anodes formed by two layers, with different thicknesses and morphologies, offer the possibility of obtaining adequate electrochemical performance coupled to satisfactory mechanical properties. We investigate bi-layered Ni-YSZ anodes from a modeling point of view. The model includes reaction kinetics (Butler-Volmer equation), mass transport (Dusty-Gas model), and charge transport (Ohm’s law), and allows to gain an insight into the distribution of the electrochemical reaction within the electrode. Additionally, the model allows to evaluate a reciprocal overall electrode resistance 1/Rp ≈ 6 S·cm−2 for a bi-layer electrode formed by a 10 µm thick active layer (AL) composed of 0.25 µm radius Ni and YSZ particles (34% vol. Ni), coupled to a 700 µm thick support layer (SL) formed by 0.5 µm radius Ni and YSZ particles (50% vol. Ni), and operated at a temperature of 1023 K. Simulation results compare satisfactorily to literature experimental data. The model allows to investigate, in detail, the effect of morphological and geometric parameters on the various sources of losses, which is the first step for an optimized electrode design.
Soil Microbial Functional and Fungal Diversity as Influenced by Municipal Sewage Sludge Accumulation
Authors: Frąc Magdalena , Oszust Karolina , Lipiec Jerzy , Jezierska-Tys Stefania , Nwaichi Eucharia
Published: August 2014

Safe disposal of municipal sewage sludge is a challenging global environmental concern. The aim of this study was to assess the response of soil microbial functional diversity to the accumulation of municipal sewage sludge during landfill storage. Soil samples of a municipal sewage sludge (SS) and from a sewage sludge landfill that was 3 m from a SS landfill (SS3) were analyzed relative to an undisturbed reference soil. Biolog EcoPlatesTM were inoculated with a soil suspension, and the Average Well Color Development (AWCD), Richness (R) and Shannon-Weaver index (H) were calculated to interpret the results. The fungi isolated from the sewage sludge were identified using comparative rDNA sequencing of the LSU D2 region. The MicroSEQ® ID software was used to assess the raw sequence files, perform sequence matching to the MicroSEQ® ID-validated reference database and create Neighbor-Joining trees. Moreover, the genera of fungi isolated from the soil were identified using microscopic methods. Municipal sewage sludge can serve as a habitat for plant pathogens and as a source of pathogen strains for biotechnological applications.
Identification of Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli Strains from Avian Organic Fertilizers
Authors: Puño-Sarmiento Juan , Gazal Luis , Medeiros Leonardo , Nishio Erick , Kobayashi Renata , Nakazato Gerson
Published: August 2014

The Brazilian poultry industry generates large amounts of organic waste, such as chicken litter, which is often used in agriculture. Among the bacteria present in organic fertilizer are members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. The objective of this study was to detect the presence of diarrheagenic Escherichia coli (DEC) strains in avian organic fertilizer, and assess the potential damage they can cause in humans due to antimicrobial resistance. The presence of DEC pathotypes and phylogenetic groups were detected by multiplex-PCR. Phenotypic assays, such as tests for adhesion, cytotoxicity activity, biofilm formation and especially antimicrobial susceptibility, were performed. Fifteen DEC strains from 64 E. coli were isolated. Among these, four strains were classified as enteropathogenic (EPEC; 6.2%), three strains as Shiga toxin-producing (STEC; 4.7%), 10 strains as enteroaggregative (EAEC; 12.5%), but two of these harbored the eaeA gene too. The low number of isolated strains was most likely due to the composting process, which reduces the number of microorganisms. These strains were able to adhere to HEp-2 and HeLa cells and produce Shiga-toxins and biofilms; in addition, some of the strains showed antimicrobial resistance, which indicates a risk of the transfer of resistance genes to human E. coli. These results showed that DEC strains isolated from avian organic fertilizers can cause human infections.
Curcumin Promotes KLF5 Proteasome Degradation through Downregulating YAP/TAZ in Bladder Cancer Cells
Authors: Gao Yang , Shi Qi , Xu Shan , Du Chong , Liang Liang , Wu Kaijie , Wang Ke , Wang Xinyang , Chang Luke , He Dalin , Guo Peng
Published: August 2014

KLF5 (Krüppel-like factor 5) plays critical roles in normal and cancer cell proliferation through modulating cell cycle progression. In this study, we demonstrated that curcumin targeted KLF5 by promoting its proteasome degradation, but not by inhibiting its transcription in bladder cancer cells. We also demonstrated that lentivirus-based knockdown of KLF5 inhibited cancer cell growth, while over-expression of a Flag-tagged KLF5 could partially reverse the effects of curcumin on cell growth and cyclin D1 expression. Furthermore, we found that curcumin could down-regulate the expression of Hippo pathway effectors, YAP and TAZ, which have been reported to protect KLF5 protein from degradation. Indeed, knockdown of YAP by small interfering RNA caused the attenuation of KLF5 protein, but not KLF5 mRNA, which was reversed by co-incubation with proteasome inhibitor. A xenograft assay in nude mice finally proved the potent inhibitory effects of curcumin on tumor growth and the pro-proliferative YAP/TAZ/KLF5/cyclin D1 axis. Thus, our data indicates that curcumin promotes KLF5 proteasome-dependent degradation through targeting YAP/TAZ in bladder cancer cells and also suggests the therapeutic potential of curcumin in the treatment of bladder cancer.
Compositional and Proteomic Analyses of Genetically Modified Broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica) Harboring an Agrobacterial Gene
Authors: Liu Mao-Sen , Ko Miau-Hwa , Li Hui-Chun , Tsai Shwu-Jene , Lai Ying-Mi , Chang You-Ming , Wu Min-Tze , Chen Long-Fang
Published: August 2014

Previously, we showed improved shelf life for agrobacterial isopentenyltransferase (ipt) transgenic broccoli (Brassica oleracea var. italica), with yield comparable to commercial varieties, because of the protection mechanism offered by molecular chaperones and stress-related proteins. Here, we used proximate analysis to examine macronutrients, chemical and mineral constituents as well as anti-nutrient and protein changes of ipt-transgenic broccoli and corresponding controls. We also preliminarily assessed safety in mice. Most aspects were comparable between ipt-transgenic broccoli and controls, except for a significant increase in carbohydrate level and a decrease in magnesium content in ipt-transgenic lines 101, 102 and 103, as compared with non-transgenic controls. In addition, the anti-nutrient glucosinolate content was increased and crude fat content decreased in inbred control 104 and transgenic lines as compared with the parental control, “Green King”. Gel-based proteomics detected more than 50 protein spots specifically found in ipt-transgenic broccoli at harvest and after cooking; one-third of these proteins showed homology to potential allergens that also play an important role in plant defense against stresses and senescence. Mice fed levels of ipt-transgenic broccoli mimicking the 120 g/day of broccoli eaten by a 60-kg human adult showed normal growth and immune function. In conclusion, the compositional and proteomic changes attributed to the transgenic ipt gene did not affect the growth and immune response of mice under the feeding regimes examined.
Sperm Proteases that May Be Involved in the Initiation of Sperm Motility in the Newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster
Authors: Yokoe Misato , Sano Makoto , Shibata Honami , Shibata Daisuke , Takayama-Watanabe Eriko , Inaba Kazuo , Watanabe Akihiko
Published: August 2014

A protease of sperm in the newt Cynops pyrrhogaster that is released after the acrosome reaction (AR) is proposed to lyse the sheet structure on the outer surface of egg jelly and release sperm motility-initiating substance (SMIS). Here, we found that protease activity in the sperm head was potent to widely digest substrates beneath the sperm. The protease activity measured by fluorescein thiocarbamoyl-casein digestion was detected in the supernatant of the sperm after the AR and the activity was inhibited by 4-(2-aminoethyl) benzenesulfonyl fluoride (AEBSF), an inhibitor for serine or cysteine protease, suggesting the release of serine and/or cysteine proteases by AR. In an in silico analysis of the testes, acrosins and 20S proteasome were identified as possible candidates of the acrosomal proteases. We also detected another AEBSF-sensitive protease activity on the sperm surface. Fluorescence staining with AlexaFluor 488-labeled AEBSF revealed a cysteine protease in the principal piece; it is localized in the joint region between the axial rod and undulating membrane, which includes an axoneme and produces powerful undulation of the membrane for forward sperm motility. These results indicate that AEBSF-sensitive proteases in the acrosome and principal piece may participate in the initiation of sperm motility on the surface of egg jelly.
Adult Stem Cell Transplantation: Is Gender a Factor in Stemness?
Authors: Tajiri Naoki , Duncan Kelsey , Borlongan Mia , Pabon Mibel , Acosta Sandra , De la Pena Ike , Hernadez-Ontiveros Diana , Lozano Diego , Aguirre Daniela , Reyes Stephanny , Sanberg Paul , Eve David , Borlongan Cesar , Kaneko Yuji
Published: August 2014

Cell therapy now constitutes an important area of regenerative medicine. The aging of the population has mandated the discovery and development of new and innovative therapeutic modalities to combat devastating disorders such as stroke. Menstrual blood and Sertoli cells represent two sources of viable transplantable cells that are gender-specific, both of which appear to have potential as donor cells for transplantation in stroke. During the subacute phase of stroke, the use of autologous cells offers effective and practical clinical application and is suggestive of the many benefits of using the aforementioned gender-specific cells. For example, in addition to being exceptionally immunosuppressive, testis-derived Sertoli cells secrete many growth and trophic factors and have been shown to aid in the functional recovery of animals transplanted with fetal dopaminergic cells. Correspondingly, menstrual blood cells are easily obtainable and exhibit angiogenic characteristics, proliferative capability, and pluripotency. Of further interest is the ability of menstrual blood cells, following transplantation in stroke models, to migrate to the infarct site, secrete neurotrophic factors, regulate the inflammatory response, and be steered towards neural differentiation. From cell isolation to transplantation, we emphasize in this review paper the practicality and relevance of the experimental and clinical use of gender-specific stem cells, such as Sertoli cells and menstrual blood cells, in the treatment of stroke.
Production of Structured Phosphatidylcholine with High Content of DHA/EPA by Immobilized Phospholipase A1-Catalyzed Transesterification
Authors: Li Xiang , Chen Jia-Feng , Yang Bo , Li Dao-Ming , Wang Yong-Hua , Wang Wei-Fei
Published: August 2014

This paper presents the synthesis of structured phosphatidylcholine (PC) enriched with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) by transesterification of DHA/EPA-rich ethyl esters with PC using immobilized phospholipsase A1 (PLA1) in solvent-free medium. Firstly, liquid PLA1 was immobilized on resin D380, and it was found that a pH of 5 and a support/PLA1 ratio (w/v) of 1:3 were the best conditions for the adsorption. Secondly, the immobilized PLA1 was used to catalyze transesterification of PC and DHA/EPA-rich ethyl esters. The maximal incorporation of DHA and EPA achieved was 30.7% for 24 h of reaction at 55 °C using a substrate mass ratio (PC/ethyl esters) of 1:6, an immobilized PLA1 loading of 15% and water dosage of 1.25%. Then the reaction mixture was analyzed by 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The composition of reaction product included 16.5% PC, 26.3% 2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-lysophosphatidylcholine (1-LPC), 31.4% 1-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-lysophosphatidylcholine (2-LPC), and 25.8% sn-glycerol-3-phosphatidylcholine (GPC).
Models of Formation and Activity of Spring Mounds in the Mechertate-Chrita-Sidi El Hani System, Eastern Tunisia: Implications for the Habitability of Mars
Authors: Essefi Elhoucine , Komatsu Goro , Fairén Alberto , Chan Marjorie , Yaich Chokri
Published: August 2014

Spring mounds on Earth and on Mars could represent optimal niches of life development. If life ever occurred on Mars, ancient spring deposits would be excellent localities to search for morphological or chemical remnants of an ancient biosphere. In this work, we investigate models of formation and activity of well-exposed spring mounds in the Mechertate-Chrita-Sidi El Hani (MCSH) system, eastern Tunisia. We then use these models to explore possible spring mound formation on Mars. In the MCSH system, the genesis of the spring mounds is a direct consequence of groundwater upwelling, triggered by tectonics and/or hydraulics. As they are oriented preferentially along faults, they can be considered as fault spring mounds, implying a tectonic influence in their formation process. However, the hydraulic pressure generated by the convergence of aquifers towards the surface of the system also allows consideration of an origin as artesian spring mounds. In the case of the MCSH system, our geologic data presented here show that both models are valid, and we propose a combined hydro-tectonic model as the likely formation mechanism of artesian-fault spring mounds. During their evolution from the embryonic (early) to the islet (“island”) stages, spring mounds are also shaped by eolian accumulations and induration processes. Similarly, spring mounds have been suggested to be relatively common in certain provinces on the Martian surface, but their mode of formation is still a matter of debate. We propose that the tectonic, hydraulic, and combined hydro-tectonic models describing the spring mounds at MCSH could be relevant as Martian analogs because: (i) the Martian subsurface may be over pressured, potentially expelling mineral-enriched waters as spring mounds on the surface; (ii) the Martian subsurface may be fractured, causing alignment of the spring mounds in preferential orientations; and (iii) indurated eolian sedimentation and erosional remnants are common features on Mars. The spring mounds further bear diagnostic mineralogic and magnetic properties, in comparison with their immediate surroundings. Consequently, remote sensing techniques can be very useful to identify similar spring mounds on Mars. The mechanisms (tectonic and/or hydraulic) of formation and evolution of spring mounds at the MCSH system are suitable for the proliferation and protection of life respectively. Similarly, life or its resulting biomarkers on Mars may have been protected or preserved under the spring mounds.
Closed-Cell Aluminum Foam of Improved Sound Absorption Ability: Manufacture and Properties
Authors: Byakova Alexandra , Gnyloskurenko Svyatoslav , Bezimyanniy Yuriy , Nakamura Takashi
Published: August 2014

The paper presents a new method for the production of the closed-cell Al foams of improved sound absorbing ability. Final heat treatment procedure including heating below the solidus temperature followed by water quenching is proposed as an alternative method to machining, which is used commonly for improvement of the sound absorption coefficient. Several kinds of foams based on AlZnMg-alloys comprising brittle eutectic domains of interdendritic redundant phase have been produced by the Alporas-like melting process to realize the method above. Opening of the closed cell structure required for ensuring high sound absorption ability has been achieved by cracking the walls between neighboring cells, making them gas permeable. They ultimately looked like Helmholtz micro-perforated resonators. Processing parameters and other variables that are favorable both for foaming regime and for final heat treatment are discussed and specified.
An Optofluidic Lens Array Microchip for High Resolution Stereo Microscopy
Authors: Gulari Mayurachat , Tripathi Anurag , Ghannad-Rezaie Mostafa , Chronis Nikos
Published: August 2014

We report the development of an add-on, chip-based, optical module—termed the Microfluidic-based Oil-immersion Lenses (μOIL) chip—which transforms any stereo microscope into a high-resolution, large field of view imaging platform. The μOIL chip consists of an array of ball mini-lenses that are assembled onto a microfluidic silicon chip. The mini-lenses are made out of high refractive index material (sapphire) and they are half immersed in oil. Those two key features enable submicron resolution and a maximum numerical aperture of ~1.2. The μOIL chip is reusable and easy to operate as it can be placed directly on top of any biological sample. It improves the resolution of a stereo microscope by an order of magnitude without compromising the field of view; therefore, we believe it could become a versatile tool for use in various research studies and clinical applications.
Elucidation of the Relationships between H-Bonding Patterns and Excited State Dynamics in Cyclovalone
Authors: Lamperti Marco , Maspero Angelo , Tønnesen Hanne , Bondani Maria , Nardo Luca
Published: August 2014

Cyclovalone is a synthetic curcumin derivative in which the keto-enolic system is replaced by a cyclohexanone ring. This modification of the chemical structure might in principle result in an excited state that is more stable than that of curcumin, which in turn should produce an enhanced phototoxicity. Indeed, although curcumin exhibits photosensitized antibacterial activity, this compound is characterized by very fast excited-state dynamics which limit its efficacy as a photosensitizer. In previous works we showed that the main non-radiative decay pathway of keto-enolic curcuminoids is through excited-state transfer of the enolic proton to the keto-oxygen. Another effective deactivation pathway involves an intermolecular charge transfer mechanism occurring at the phenyl rings, made possible by intramolecular H-bonding between the methoxy and the hydroxyl substituent. In this paper we present UV-Vis and IR absorption spectra data with the aim of elucidating the intramolecular charge distribution of this compound and its solvation patterns in different environments, with particular focus on solute-solvent H-bonding features. Moreover, we discuss steady state and time-resolved fluorescence data that aim at characterizing the excited-state dynamics of cyclovalone, and we compare its decay photophysics to that of curcumin. Finally, because during the characterization procedures we found evidence of very fast photodegradation of cyclovalone, its photostability in four organic solvents was studied by HPLC and the corresponding relative degradation rates were calculated.
A Nutritional-Toxicological Assessment of Antarctic Krill Oil versus Fish Oil Dietary Supplements
Authors: Bengtson Nash Susan , Schlabach Martin , Nichols Peter
Published: August 2014

Fish oil dietary supplements and complementary medicines are pitched to play a role of increasing strategic importance in meeting daily requirements of essential nutrients, such as long-chain (≥C20, LC) omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D. Recently a new product category, derived from Antarctic krill, has been launched on the omega-3 nutriceutical market. Antarctic krill oil is marketed as demonstrating a greater ease of absorption due to higher phospholipid content, as being sourced through sustainable fisheries and being free of toxins and pollutants; however, limited data is available on the latter component. Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) encompass a range of toxic, man-made contaminants that accumulate preferentially in marine ecosystems and in the lipid reserves of organisms. Extraction and concentration of fish oils therefore represents an inherent nutritional-toxicological conflict. This study aimed to provide the first quantitative comparison of the nutritional (EPA and DHA) versus the toxicological profiles of Antarctic krill oil products, relative to various fish oil categories available on the Australian market. Krill oil products were found to adhere closely to EPA and DHA manufacturer specifications and overall were ranked as containing intermediate levels of POP contaminants when compared to the other products analysed. Monitoring of the pollutant content of fish and krill oil products will become increasingly important with expanding regulatory specifications for chemical thresholds.
Religions and Psychotherapies—Special Issue
Authors: Baumann Klaus , Pajonk Frank-Gerald
Published: August 2014

The birth of modern psychotherapies—along with the birth of psychology as a science on one side and with psychoanalysis, other depth-psychological treatments and behavioral therapies in addition to medical treatments of psychological disorders on the other side—in the 19th and 20th centuries was accompanied by positivistic and mechanistic paradigms underlying empirical research and claims of scientific dignity [1]. Affirmations which could not be tested or observed empirically had to be excluded from science—including any kind of metaphysics and religious belief, notwithstanding pioneering studies by William James [2], Granville Stanley Hall, James Henry Leuba and Edwin Diller Starbuck [3] for psychology in general and for psychology of religion(s) in particular. In particular, the critique of religions by Sigmund Freud has continuously exerted a strong impact in the fields of psychiatry and psychotherapies; in addition, regarding psychodynamics and symptoms of psychic disorders, religious phenomena in the lives of patients may be just as affected as other cognitive and emotional aspects and behaviors [4]. Consequently, religious experience and religious behavior of patients in psychiatry and psychotherapies have rarely been object of research and teaching apart from predominantly symptomatic and pathogenic perspectives [5].
This Battlefield Called My Body: Warring over the Muslim Female
Authors: Medina Jameelah
Published: August 2014

This communication centers on the argument that there is an ideological tug-of-war over the Muslim female body. The author discusses how religious and secular patriarchies, as well as feminism all make claims to the bodies of Muslim women and purport to know what is best for her. With particular focus on the headscarf and using comparisons with how non-Muslim women’s bodies are fought over, the author argues that there is a common thread connecting the warring sides as they each employ patriarchal and imperialist views of the Muslim woman that attempt to consume her agency. As the author examines the personal agency and veiling motives of Muslim woman, she counters the idea of Muslim women as passive recipients of mainstream religious and secular narratives imposed upon them by sharing different ways in which they self-author their own narratives in a post-9/11 USA.
Detection of Potato Storage Disease via Gas Analysis: A Pilot Study Using Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry
Authors: Rutolo Massimo , Covington James , Clarkson John , Iliescu Daciana
Published: August 2014

Soft rot is a commonly occurring potato tuber disease that each year causes substantial losses to the food industry. Here, we explore the possibility of early detection of the disease via gas/vapor analysis, in a laboratory environment, using a recent technology known as FAIMS (Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry). In this work, tubers were inoculated with a bacterium causing the infection, Pectobacterium carotovorum, and stored within set environmental conditions in order to manage disease progression. They were compared with controls stored in the same conditions. Three different inoculation time courses were employed in order to obtain diseased potatoes showing clear signs of advanced infection (for standard detection) and diseased potatoes with no apparent evidence of infection (for early detection). A total of 156 samples were processed by PCA (Principal Component Analysis) and k-means clustering. Results show a clear discrimination between controls and diseased potatoes for all experiments with no difference among observations from standard and early detection. Further analysis was carried out by means of a statistical model based on LDA (Linear Discriminant Analysis) that showed a high classification accuracy of 92.1% on the test set, obtained via a LOOCV (leave-one out cross-validation).
Observability Analysis of a MEMS INS/GPS Integration System with Gyroscope G-Sensitivity Errors
Authors: Fan Chen , Hu Xiaoping , He Xiaofeng , Tang Kanghua , Luo Bing
Published: August 2014

Gyroscopes based on micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) technology suffer in high-dynamic applications due to obvious g-sensitivity errors. These errors can induce large biases in the gyroscope, which can directly affect the accuracy of attitude estimation in the integration of the inertial navigation system (INS) and the Global Positioning System (GPS). The observability determines the existence of solutions for compensating them. In this paper, we investigate the observability of the INS/GPS system with consideration of the g-sensitivity errors. In terms of two types of g-sensitivity coefficients matrix, we add them as estimated states to the Kalman filter and analyze the observability of three or nine elements of the coefficient matrix respectively. A global observable condition of the system is presented and validated. Experimental results indicate that all the estimated states, which include position, velocity, attitude, gyro and accelerometer bias, and g-sensitivity coefficients, could be made observable by maneuvering based on the conditions. Compared with the integration system without compensation for the g-sensitivity errors, the attitude accuracy is raised obviously.
Performance of SOI Bragg Grating Ring Resonator for Nonlinear Sensing Applications
Authors: De Leonardis Francesco , Campanella Carlo , Troia Benedetto , Perri Anna , Passaro Vittorio
Published: August 2014

In this paper, a spectroscopic sensor formed by a silicon-on-insulator waveguiding Bragg grating ring resonator working in linear and non-linear regime is proposed. In linear regime, the device shows a spectral response characterized by a photonic band gap (PBG). Very close to the band gap edges, the resonant structure exhibits split modes having a splitting magnitude equal to the PBG spectral extension, whose characteristics can be exploited to obtain a RI optical sensor almost insensitive to the fabrication tolerances and environmental perturbations. When the device operates in nonlinear regime, exactly in the spectral region showing the split resonant modes, the RI sensing performance is strongly improved with respect to the linear regime. This improvement, demonstrated by taking into account all the non-linear effects excited in the integrated silicon structure (i.e., Two Photon Absorption (TPA), TPA-induced Free Carrier Absorption, plasma dispersion, Self-Phase-Modulation and Cross-Phase-Modulation effects as induced by Kerr nonlinearity) as well as the deleterious thermal and stress effects, allows enhancing the performance of the RI split mode resonant sensors, while achieving good immunity to the fabrication tolerances and environmental perturbations. The improvement in terms of sensor resolution can be at least one order of magnitude, still without using optimal parameters.
Exercise as Labour: Quantified Self and the Transformation of Exercise into Labour
Authors: Till Chris
Published: August 2014

The recent increase in the use of digital self-tracking devices has given rise to a range of relations to the self often discussed as quantified self (QS). In popular and academic discourse, this development has been discussed variously as a form of narcissistic self-involvement, an advanced expression of panoptical self-surveillance and a potential new dawn for e-health. This article proposes a previously un-theorised consequence of this large-scale observation and analysis of human behaviour; that exercise activity is in the process of being reconfigured as labour. QS will be briefly introduced, and reflected on, subsequently considering some of its key aspects in relation to how these have so far been interpreted and analysed in academic literature. Secondly, the analysis of scholars of “digital labour” and “immaterial labour” will be considered, which will be discussed in relation to what its analysis of the transformations of work in contemporary advanced capitalism can offer to an interpretation of the promotion and management of the self-tracking of exercise activities. Building on this analysis, it will be proposed that a thermodynamic model of the exploitation of potential energy underlies the interest that corporations have shown in self-tracking and that “gamification” and the promotion of an entrepreneurial selfhood is the ideological frame that informs the strategy through which labour value is extracted without payment. Finally, the potential theoretical and political consequences of these insights will be considered.
Poverty Alleviation through Pro-Poor Tourism: The Role of Botswana Forest Reserves
Authors: Manwa Haretsebe , Manwa Farai
Published: August 2014

Both government and international donor agencies now promote the use of tourism to alleviate poverty. The Botswana government has embraced tourism as a meaningful and sustainable economic activity and diversification opportunity, which now ranks second after mining in its contribution to the country’s gross domestic product. The study reported in this paper investigates perceptions of stakeholders on the opportunities that would be created for the poor by opening up Botswana’s forest reserves for ecotourism. Data was collected through mixed methods involving in-depth interviews with government departments, traditional leaders, quasi-government organisations and the Hospitality and Tourism Association of Botswana. Focus group discussions were also held with village development committees, Chobe Enclave Conservation Trust (CECT) and Kasane, Lesoma and Pandematenga Trust (KALEPA) members, and a consultative national workshop of stakeholders was also held. The findings indicate that opening up forest reserves for ecotourism has the potential to alleviate poverty among the disadvantaged groups living adjacent to forest reserves through direct (employment, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)), secondary (linkages/partnerships) and dynamic effects (sustainable livelihoods). The study concludes by cautioning that whilst pro-poor tourism may yield short- and medium-term benefits, in keeping with sustainability objectives, participants in the programme need to be mindful of forestry encroachment and come up with strategies to ensure the sustainability of the Botswana forest reserves.
Comparison of ORC Turbine and Stirling Engine to Produce Electricity from Gasified Poultry Waste
Authors: Cotana Franco , Messineo Antonio , Petrozzi Alessandro , Coccia Valentina , Cavalaglio Gianluca , Aquino Andrea
Published: August 2014

The Biomass Research Centre, section of CIRIAF, has recently developed a biomass boiler (300 kW thermal powered), fed by the poultry manure collected in a nearby livestock. All the thermal requirements of the livestock will be covered by the heat produced by gas combustion in the gasifier boiler. Within the activities carried out by the research project ENERPOLL (Energy Valorization of Poultry Manure in a Thermal Power Plant), funded by the Italian Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, this paper aims at studying an upgrade version of the existing thermal plant, investigating and analyzing the possible applications for electricity production recovering the exceeding thermal energy. A comparison of Organic Rankine Cycle turbines and Stirling engines, to produce electricity from gasified poultry waste, is proposed, evaluating technical and economic parameters, considering actual incentives on renewable produced electricity.