bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of Microwave Pre-Processing of Pelletized Biomass on its Gasification and Combustion / Mikroviļnu Priekšapstrādes Ietekme Uz Granulētas Biomasas Gazifikācijas Un Degšanas Procesiem
Authors: Barmina I. , Līckrastiņa A. , Valdmanis J. , Valdmanis R. , Zaķe M. , Arshanitsa A. , Telysheva G. , Solodovnik V. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
To effectively produce clean heat energy from biomass, microwave (mw) pre-processing of its different types - pelletized wood (spruce), herbaceous biomass (reed canary grass) and their mixture (50:50) - was carried out at the 2.45 GHz frequency with different durations of biomass exposure to high-frequency oscillations. To estimate the mw pre-processing effect on the structure, composition and fuel characteristics of biomass, its thermogravimetric (TG), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) measurements and elemental analysis were made. The pre-processing is shown to enhance the release of moisture and low-calorific volatiles and the partial destruction of biomass constituents (hemicelluloses, cellulose), promoting variations in the elemental composition and heating values of biomass. The field-enhanced variations of biomass characteristics and their influence on its gasification and combustion were studied using an integrated system of a biomass gasifier and a combustor with swirl-enhanced stabilization of the flame reaction zone. The results show that the mw pre-processing of biomass pellets provides a faster weight loss at the gasification, and, therefore, faster ignition and combustion of the activated pellets along with increased output of heat energy at their burnout
Transient mutism and cerebellar ischemic stroke: case report
Authors: Moscote-Salazar Luis Rafael , Alvis-Miranda Hernando , Lee Angel , Escorcia Hector Farid , Castellar-Leones Sandra Milena 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
The ischemic stroke is one of the most common conditions in our hospitals, representing 50% of revenues of neurology services. A variety of processes is cerebral ischemic myocardial cerebellum. Cerebellar infarction is not a rare disease, representing between 2 to 4% of all cerebrovascular events in clinical and autopsy series, and their ratio is 4-5 times higher than cerebellar hemorrhage. Although it is increasingly documented, it rarely Recognized stills like a phenomenon. Mutism occurs primarily in children and occasionally in adults as a well-recognized complication of posterior fossa surgery. Rarely been reported transient mutism associated with cerebellar infarction as isolated episode
Telomerase and its extracurricular activities
Authors: Jaiswal Rishi , Kumar Pramod , Yadava Pramod 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThe classical activity of telomerase is to synthesize telomeric repeats and thus maintain telomere length, which in turn ensures chromosome stability and cellular proliferation. However, there is growing evidence that implicates telomerase in many other functions that are independent of TERC being used as its template. Telomerase has an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity in the mitochondria. Other than viral RdRPs, it is the only RNA-dependent RNA polymerase that has been identified in mammals. It also plays a role in the Wnt signaling pathway by acting as a transcriptional modulator. Telomerase acts as a reverse transcriptase independent of its core subunit, TERC. Studies indicate that telomerase is also involved in apoptosis and DNA repair.
Production and application of amylases of Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus from industrial waste in acquisition of glucose
Authors: Freitas Aline , Escaramboni Bruna , Carvalho Ana , Lima Valéria , Oliva-Neto Pedro 
Published: September 2013

AbstractAmylases from Rhizopus oryzae and Rhizopus microsporus var. oligosporus were obtained using agro-industrial wastes as substrates in submerged batch cultures. The enzymatic complex was partially characterised for use in the production of glucose syrup. Type II wheat flour proved better than cassava bagasse as sole carbon source for amylase production. The optimum fermentation condition for both microorganisms was 96 hours at 30°C and the amylase thus produced was used for starch hydrolysis. The product of the enzymatic hydrolysis indicated that the enzyme obtained was glucoamylase, only glucose as final product was attained for both microorganisms. R. oligosporus was of greater interest than R. oryzae for amylase production, taking into account enzyme activity, cultivation time, thermal stability and pH range. Glucose syrup was produced using concentrated enzyme and 100 g L−1 starch in a 4 hours reaction at 50°C. The bioprocess studied can contribute to fungus glucoamylase production and application.
Iodine status of school age children in the two hilly districts Dhankuta and Tehrathum of Eastern Nepal
Authors: Nepal AK , Gautam S , Khatiwada S , Shakya PR , Gelal B , Lamsal M , Brodie D , Baral N 
Published: September 2013

Background: Iodine deficiency remains a significant health problem in developing countries, including Nepal. Objective: This study was conducted to measure the iodine status of school children in two districts Dhankuta and Tehrathum of Eastern Nepal by estimating median urinary iodine concentration (UIC) as a population parameter in the school children. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2010 to July 2011 in school children (6-12 years of age) of two hilly districts of Eastern Nepal, Dhankuta and Tehrathum. A total of 154 school age children from the two districts were chosen for the study after obtaining written consent from their guardians and school authority. UIC was estimated in these school children by ammonium persulphate digestion microplate method. Results: Among the school age children selected for the study median inter-quartile range (IQR) of urinary iodine in Dhankuta (n=63) and Tehrathum (n=91) districts were 214.04 (126.44; 323.0) μg/L and 252.34 (161.81; 301.63) μg/L. No significant differences were observed between the median UIC of these two districts (p=0.235). Among the school children in Dhankuta districts 2(3.2%) were severely deficient, 4(6.3%) were moderately deficient and 6(9.5%) were mildly deficient. In Tehrathum district 2(2.2%) were moderately deficient and 5(5.5%) were mildly deficient. Conclusion: The present study showed improved iodine status with optimal levels of median urinary iodine concentration in the two districts, Dhankuta and Tehrathum of Eastern Nepal. Regular monitoring of population median urinary iodine concentration is recommended for sustainable optimal iodine nutrition.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/stcj.v1i1.7986 Sunsari Technical College Journal Vol.1(1) 2012 38-41
Catecholamines influence myocardial 123I MIBG uptake in neuroblastoma patients
Authors: van der Palen R. L. F. , Mavinkurve-Groothuis A. M. C. , Bellersen L. , van Laarhoven H. W. M. , Kapusta L. , de Geus-Oei L. F. , Bulten B. F. 
Published: September 2013

SummaryAim: Cardiac 123I metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) imaging can be influenced by several factors. We evaluated the relationship between catecholamine measurements and cardiac 123I MIBG uptake in neuroblastoma patients. Patients, methods: 30 neuroblastoma patients were retrospectively assessed on cardiac 123I MIBG uptake and urinary catecholamine dopamine and metabolites, homovanillic acid (HVA) and vanillylmandelic acid (VMA). Cardiac 123I MIBG uptake was quantified by heart-to-mediastinum (H/M) ratios, which were calculated into standard deviation scores (SDS) using age-specific reference values. Results: In 17 (57%) and 12 patients (40%) H/M ratio measurements were below –1.0 and –2.0 SDS at diagnosis. A significant inverse correlation between the average of urine metabolites HVA and VMA, and H/M ratio SDS was observed (r -.39, p = 0.04). Furthermore, there was a significant correlation between the urinary catecholamine metabolite HVA and H/M ratio SDS (r -.40, p = 0.04). Conclusion: Routine calculation of H/M ratios in 123I MIBG scintigrams of neuroblastoma patients is not helpful because it will not identify cardiac ventricular dysfunction in this patient category. A low H/M ratio on 123I MIBG scintigraphy is explained by increased cathecholamine levels secreted by neuroblastoma tumours.
Can Reliable Sage-Grouse Lek Counts Be Obtained Using Aerial Infrared Technology?
Authors: Gillette Gifford L. , Coates Peter S. , Petersen Steven , Romero John P. 
Published: September 2013

Abstract
More effective methods for counting greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) are needed to better assess population trends through enumeration or location of new leks. We describe an aerial infrared technique for conducting sage-grouse lek counts and compare this method with conventional ground-based lek count methods. During the breeding period in 2010 and 2011, we surveyed leks from fixed-winged aircraft using cryogenically cooled mid-wave infrared cameras and surveyed the same leks on the same day from the ground following a standard lek count protocol. We did not detect significant differences in lek counts between surveying techniques. These findings suggest that using a cryogenically cooled mid-wave infrared camera from an aerial platform to conduct lek surveys is an effective alternative technique to conventional ground-based methods, but further research is needed. We discuss multiple advantages to aerial infrared surveys, including counting in remote areas, representing greater spatial variation, and increasing the number of counted leks per season. Aerial infrared lek counts may be a valuable wildlife management tool that releases time and resources for other conservation efforts. Opportunities exist for wildlife professionals to refine and apply aerial infrared techniques to wildlife monitoring programs because of the increasing reliability and affordability of this technology.
Molecular Insights on Post-chemotherapy Retinoblastoma by Microarray Gene Expression Analysis
Authors: Nalini Venkatesan , Segu Ramya , Deepa Perinkulam Ravi , Khetan Vikas , Vasudevan Madavan , Krishnakumar Subramanian 
Published: September 2013

PurposeManagement of Retinoblastoma (RB), a pediatric ocular cancer is limited by drug-resistance and drug-dosage related side effects during chemotherapy. Molecular de-regulation in post-chemotherapy RB tumors was investigated.Materials and MethodscDNA microarray analysis of two post-chemotherapy and one pre-chemotherapy RB tumor tissues was performed, followed by Principle Component Analysis, Gene ontology, Pathway Enrichment analysis and Biological Analysis Network (BAN) modeling. The drug modulation role of two significantly up-regulated genes ( P≤0.05) — Ect2 (Epithelial-cell-transforming-sequence-2), and PRAME (preferentially-expressed-Antigen-in-Melanoma) was assessed by qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry and cell viability assays.ResultsDifferential up-regulation of 1672 genes and down-regulation of 2538 genes was observed in RB tissues (relative to normal adult retina), while 1419 genes were commonly de-regulated between pre-chemotherapy and post- chemotherapy RB. Twenty one key gene ontology categories, pathways, biomarkers and phenotype groups harboring 250 differentially expressed genes were dys-regulated ( EZH2, NCoR1, MYBL2, RB1, STAMN1, SYK, JAK1/2, STAT1/2, PLK2/4, BIRC5, LAMN1, Ect2, PRAME and ABCC4). Differential molecular expressions of PRAME and Ect2 in RB tumors with and without chemotherapy were analyzed. There was neither up- regulation of MRP1, nor any significant shift in chemotherapeutic IC50, in PRAME over-expressed versus non-transfected RB cells.ConclusionCell cycle regulatory genes were dys-regulated post-chemotherapy. Ect2 gene was expressed in response to chemotherapy-induced stress. PRAME does not contribute to drug resistance in RB, yet its nuclear localization and BAN information, points to its possible regulatory role in RB.
Monitoring fitness of caged mussels (Elliptio complanata) to assess and prioritize streams for restoration
Authors: Gray Matthew W. , Kreeger Danielle 
Published: September 2013

ABSTRACT

Freshwater mussels (order: Unionidae) are among the most endangered aquatic organisms in North America. Conservationists and resource managers within the United States are increasingly advocating restoration of these animals to preserve biodiversity and boost ecosystem services in the nation's waterways.
Historically, restoration methods have yielded less than optimal survival rates due in part to an inability to identify suitable habitat for these organisms. Through the use of caged mussels as bioindicators, a method was developed to test prospective restoration sites for their ability to support mussel fitness before beginning restoration so that investments are strategic.
Mussels (Elliptio complanata) from a healthy population were caged and deployed to candidate streams. Their survivorship, condition, and proximate biochemical composition (protein, carbohydrate, lipid) was then monitored for 1 year. Streams that supported mussel fitness as well as or better than their source stream were considered to be suitable for restoration.
Four of five candidate streams were found to support mussel fitness. In addition, reciprocal transfers between two source populations showed that the seasonal patterns of tissue biochemical composition responded to ambient stream conditions, indicating that this species is diagnostic as a bioindicator of stream quality and habitat suitability. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Die elektrische Leitfähigkeit geschmolzener Alkalinitrate bei hohen Drücken III. Der Druckbereich bis 55 kbar
Authors: Pilz V. , Tödheide K. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractDie spezifischen Leitfähigkeiten der geschmolzenen Alkalinitrate mit Ausnahme des Cäsiumnitrats wurden in einer Belt‐Apparatur bis 700°C und maximal 55 kbar gemessen. Die Leitfähigkeiten von Natrium‐, Kalium‐ und Rubidiumnitxat zeigen logarithmisch als Funktion des Druckes bei konstanten Temperaturen aufgetragen in einem schmalen Bereich bei mittleren Drücken eine starke Krümmung. In diesem Bereich, der sich mit zunehmender Kationengröße zu niedrigeren Drücken verschiebt, fällt das Aktivierungsvolumen auf etwa die Hälfte seines Niederdruckwertes ab. Bei den gleichen Bedingungen ändert die isochore Aktivierungsenergie, die mit Hilfe extrapolierter PVT‐Daten berechnet wurde, ihre Volumabhängigkeit drastisch. Beim Lithiumnitrat wurden beide Erscheinungen nicht gefunden. Die experimentellen Beobachtungen, die auf einen Wechsel im Mechanismus des Ladungstransports bei hohen Drücken hindeuten, lassen sich qualitativ mit einem von Fürth entwickelten Flüssigkeitsmodell interpretieren.
Data Visualization and Evaluation
Authors: Azzam Tarek , Evergreen Stephanie , Germuth Amy A. , Kistler Susan J. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis chapter elaborates on the definition of data visualization, highlights its historical development, and offers examples of how data visualization has been used in evaluations to help aid understanding, collect data and information, conduct analysis, and communicate to a variety of stakeholders. This chapter also outlines future trends in data visualization and their potential influence on evaluation practice. The chapter concludes with some of the main limitations and cautions that are associated with data visualization. © Wiley Periodicals, Inc., and the American Evaluation Association.
Goal‐Directed Fluid Therapy in Gastrointestinal Surgery in Older Coronary Heart Disease Patients: Randomized Trial
Authors: Zheng Hong , Guo Hai , Ye Jian‐rong , Chen Lin , Ma Hai‐ping 
Published: September 2013

AbstractBackgroundOur aim was to determine whether substitution of goal‐directed fluid therapy (GDT) (perioperative fluid administration) for traditional therapy to manage elderly patients with coronary heart disease scheduled for gastrointestinal (GI) surgery was advantageous. We determined if it would reduce cardiac complications and shorten time to recovery and discharge.MethodsAltogether, 60 of these elderly patients were randomized into GDT (n = 30) and control (n = 30) groups. In the GDT group, fluid management was carried out under guidance of hemodynamic status indicators. Types and quantities of fluids administered, blood loss, intraoperative urine output, time of extubation, intensive care unit (ICU) stay, hospital stay, postoperative adverse cardiac events, and GI complications were recorded.ResultsTotal fluids infused were 2,910 ± 645 ml (GDT group) and 3,640 ± 771 ml (control group) (p < 0.05). Numbers of adverse cardiac events in the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.121). Return of GI function was significantly faster in the GDT group (p < 0.001). Median ICU stay was 32.5 h in the GDT group and 47.5 h in the control group (p < 0.001). Median hospital stay was 18 days in the GDT group and 22 days in the control group (p < 0.001).ConclusionsGDT was associated with shorter ICU stay and time to discharge and faster return of GI function compared to traditional fluid therapy. The number of adverse cardiac events was similar in the two groups.
Social Cohesion and Self‐Rated Health: The Moderating Effect of Neighborhood Physical Disorder
Authors: Bjornstrom Eileen E. S. , Ralston Margaret L. , Kuhl Danielle C. 
Published: September 2013

AbstractUsing data from the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey and its companion datasets, we examined how neighborhood disorder, perceived danger and both individually perceived and contextually measured neighborhood social cohesion are associated with self‐rated health. Results indicate that neighborhood disorder is negatively associated with health and the relationship is explained by perceived cohesion and danger, which are both also significant predictors of health. Further, individually perceived cohesion emerges as a more important explanation of self‐rated health than neighborhood‐level social cohesion. Finally, neighborhood disorder and perceived cohesion interact to influence health, such that cohesion is especially beneficial when residents live in neighborhoods characterized by low to moderate disorder; once disorder is at high levels, cohesion no longer offers protection against poor health. We interpret our findings as they relate to prior research on neighborhoods, psychosocial processes, and health, and discuss their implications for intervention efforts that address disorder in urban communities.
Genetic Counseling/Consultation in South‐East Asia: A Report from the Workshop at the 10th Asia Pacific Conference on Human Genetics
Authors: Zayts Olga , Sarangi Srikant , Thong Meow‐Keong , Chung Brian Hon‐yin , Lo Ivan Fao‐man , Kan Anita Sik‐yau , Lee Juliana Mei‐Har , Padilla Carmencita David , Cutiongco‐de la Paz Eva Maria , Faradz Sultana M. H. , Wasant Pornswan 
Published: September 2013

AbstractThis paper reports on the workshop ‘Genetic Counseling/Consultations in South‐East Asia’ at the 10thAsia Pacific Conference on Human Genetics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in December 2012. The workshop brought together professionals and language/communication scholars from South‐East Asia, and the UK. The workshop aimed at addressing culture‐ and context‐specific genetic counseling/consultation practices in South‐East Asia. As a way of contextualizing genetic counseling/consultation in South‐East Asia, we first offer an overview of communication‐oriented research generally, drawing attention to consultation and counseling as part of a communicative continuum with distinctive interactional features. We then provide examples of genetic counseling/consultation research in Hong Kong. As other countries in South‐East Asia have not yet embarked on communication‐oriented empirical research, we report on the current practices of genetic counseling/consultation in these countries in order to identify similarities and differences as well as key obstacles that could be addressed through future research. Three issues emerged as ‘problematic’: language, religion and culture. We suggest that communication‐oriented research can provide a starting point for evidence‐based reflections on how to incorporate a counseling mentality in genetic consultation. To conclude, we discuss the need for creating a platform for targeted training of genetic counselors based on communication‐oriented research findings.
Natural spatial variability of algal endosymbiont density in the coralAcropora globiceps: a small-scale approach along environmental gradients around Moorea (French Polynesia)
Authors: Ladrière Ophélie , Penin Lucie , Van Lierde Elodie , Vidal-Dupiol Jeremie , Kayal Mohsen , Roberty Stéphane , Poulicek Mathieu , Adjeroud Mehdi 
Published: September 2013

This study provides a baseline describing natural small scale variability ofSymbiodiniumdensity in the sentinel coralAcropora globicepsduring the summer, under non-bleaching conditions. Spatial scales investigated range from the colony scale (1–10 cm, i.e. among branches of the same colony) to the reef scale (1–10 km, i.e. among stations distributed over several locations and depths), at Moorea Island, French Polynesia. The coral–Symbiodiniumsymbiosis is a key process in scleractinian coral physiology, andSymbiodiniumdensity provides an easy-to-measure and inexpensive biomarker of this symbiosis health. Spatial variability of three major environmental factors: light intensity, sedimentation and water motion was also assessed to evaluate their potential link withSymbiodiniumdensity. Density ofSymbiodiniumdid not significantly differ within colonies or among colonies within a station. However, a marked depth gradient was observed, showing increasing density with increasing depth and decreasing light intensity. These observations provide an interesting reference for forthcoming comparisons with disturbed conditions, such as bleaching events.
Trends of human brucellosis in Italy, 1998–2010
Authors: MANCINI F. R. , BELLA A. , GRAZIANI C. , MARIANELLI C. , MUGHINI-GRAS L. , PASQUALI P. , POMPA M. G. , RIZZO C. , RIZZUTO E. , BUSANI L. 
Published: September 2013

SUMMARYWe describe the epidemiological trends and spatial distribution of human brucellosis in Italy over 13 years (1998–2010). In the study period 8483 cases were notified in Italy, with a relevant decrease (−89%) from 1998 to 2010. Most cases were notified in southern Italy (Campania, Apulia, Calabria, Sicily). In these regions we observed relevant differences in the risk of brucellosis at province level. Cases were distributed with a seasonal pattern, male patients represented 60% of the cases and no significant differences were observed between age groups. We modelled the underreporting rate that ranged between 2 and 21 (average 12·5). According to our estimates the true number of cases would have ranged from 41 821 to 155 324 providing a far more severe picture of human brucellosis in Italy than the one provided by the surveillance system.