Geochemical analysis at ODP Site 207-1261 from the Demerara Rise in the western equatorial Atlantic

A high-resolution geochemical record of a 120 cm black shale interval deposited during the Coniacian-Santonian Oceanic Anoxic Event 3 (ODP Leg 207, Site 1261, Demerara Rise) has been constructed to provide detailed insight into rapid changes in deep ocean and sediment paleo-redox conditions. High contents of organic matter, sulfur and redox-sensitive trace metals (Cd, Mo, V, Zn), as well as continuous lamination, point to deposition under consistently oxygen-free and largely sulfidic bottom water conditions. However, rapid and cyclic changes in deep ocean redox are documented by short-term (~15-20 ka) intervals with decreased total organic carbon (TOC), S and redox-sensitive trace metal contents, and in particular pronounced phosphorus peaks (up to 2.5 wt% P) associated with elevated Fe oxide contents. Sequential iron and phosphate extractions confirm that P is dominantly bound to iron oxides and incorporated into authigenic apatite. Preservation of this Fe-P coupling in an otherwise sulfidic depositional environment (as indicated by Fe speciation and high amounts of sulfurized organic matter) may be unexpected, and provides evidence for temporarily non-sulfidic bottom waters. However, there is no evidence for deposition under oxic conditions. Instead, sulfidic conditions were punctuated by periods of anoxic, non-sulfidic bottom waters. During these periods, phosphate was effectively scavenged during precipitation of iron (oxyhydr)oxides in the upper water column, and was subsequently deposited and largely preserved at the sea floor. After ~15-25 ka, sulfidic bottom water conditions were re-established, leading to the initial precipitation of CdS, ZnS and pyrite. Subsequently, increasing concentrations of H2S in the water column led to extensive formation of sulfurized organic matter, which effectively scavenged particle-reactive Mo complexes (thiomolybdates). At Site 1261, sulfidic bottom waters lasted for ?90-100 ka, followed by another period of anoxic, non-sulfidic conditions lasting for ~15-20 ka. The observed cyclicity at the lower end of the redox scale may have been triggered by repeated incursions of more oxygenated surface- to mid-waters from the South Atlantic resulting in a lowering of the oxic-anoxic chemocline in the water column. Alternatively, sea water sulfate might have been stripped by long-lasting high rates of sulfate reduction, removing the ultimate source for HS**- production.

Qualit��tssicherung an ��sterreichischen Hochschulen. Eine Bestandsaufnahme. Bericht gem���� ��28 HS-QSG zum Stand 2015

Die AQ Austria ist durch das Hochschul-Qualit��tssicherungsgesetz (HS-QSG) beauftragt, alle drei Jahre einen Bericht zur Entwicklung der Qualit��tssicherung an hochschulischen Bildungseinrichtungen zu erstellen. In diesem ersten Bericht werden Gemeinsamkeiten und Spezifika der drei Hochschulsektoren ��� ��ffentliche Universit��ten, Privatuniversit��ten und Fachhochschulen ��� bei der Gestaltung des internen Qualit��tsmanagements sowie bei den Ma��nahmen der Qualit��tssicherung und ���entwicklung aufgezeigt. Die aktuellen Themenbereiche und Fragestellungen sind in die nationalen Rahmenbedingungen eingebettet, innerhalb derer die ��sterreichischen Hochschulen agieren und die die Qualit��tssicherung an den ��sterreichischen Hochschulen mitbestimmen.

Secure Web Service Clients on Mobile Devices

Enterprise apps on mobile devices typically need to communicate with other system components by consuming web services. Since most of the current mobile device platforms (such as Android) do not provide built-in features for consuming SOAP services, extensions have to be designed. Additionally in order to accommodate the typical enhanced security requirements of enterprise apps, it is important to be able to deal with SOAP web service security extensions on client side. In this article we show that neither the built-in SOAP capabilities for Android web service clients are sufficient for enterprise apps nor are the necessary security features supported by the platform as is. After discussing different existing extensions making Android devices SOAP capable we explain why none of them is really satisfactory in an enterprise context. Then we present our own solution which accommodates not only SOAP but also the WS-Security features on top of SOAP. Our solution heavily relies on code generation in order to keep the ���exibility bene���ts of SOAP on one hand while still keeping the development effort manageable for software development. Our approach provides a good foundation for the implementation of other SOAP extensions apart from security on the Android platform as well. In addition our solution based on the gSOAP framework may be used for other mobile platforms in a similar manner.

Evaluation of the zinox and zeolite materials as adsorbents to remove H2S from natural gas

MELO, Dulce Maria de Ara��jo et al. Evaluation of the Zinox and Zeolite materials as adsorbents to remove H2S from natural gas. Colloids and Surfaces. A, Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects, Estados Unidos, v. 272, p. 32-36, 2006.

Pitkitt��istutkimus kymmenen S1- ja S2-pojan kirjoitustaidon sujuvuuden, tarkkuuden ja kompleksisuuden kehittymisest��

Olen tutkimuksessani seurannut kymmenen pojan kielitaidon kehittymist�� vuodesta 2010 vuoteen 2015. Viisi informanttia puhuu suomea ��idinkielen�� ja viisi suomea toisena kielen��. Tutkimus on pragmaattis-funktionaalinen ja laadullinen pitkitt��istutkimus. Kielitaidon mittareina k��yt��n sujuvuutta, tarkkuutta ja kompleksisuutta. N��iden kolmen mittarin alle sijoitan kielen ainekset, joita ovat seuraavat: s��hk��postin tervehdys ja lopetus sek�� tekstilajinomaisuus (sujuvuus), possessiivisuffiksin k��ytt�� (tarkkuus), direktiivin valinta ja pyynn��n vahvistaminen (syv��kompleksisuus) sek�� sanam����r�� ja lauseen osien lukum����r�� (pintakompleksisuus). Tutkin lis��ksi, miten hyv��n osaamisen kuvaukset ja eurooppalaisen viitekehyksen taitotasoasteikot toimivat k��yt��nn��n arvioinnissa. Informantit kirjoittivat kukin nelj�� teksti��: s��hk��postin verkkokauppaan vuosina 2010 ja 2015 sek�� vapaan tarinan pelottavasta tai hauskasta tapahtumasta vuosina 2011 ja 2015. Informantit olivat tutkimuksen alkaessa 4.-luokkalaisia ja p����ttyess�� 9.-luokkalaisia. Tuloksista selvi����, ett�� sek�� S1-pojat ett�� S2-pojat osaavat suhteellisen hyvin tekstilajien piirteet, esitt��v��t pyynn��n konditionaalissa kohteliaasti ja vahvistavat pyynn��n eri keinoin. S1-pojat k��ytt��v��t S2-poikia enemm��n possessiivisuffiksia, mutta S2-poikien oppivat k��ytt��m����n sit�� tutkimusjakson aikana. S1-pojat kirjoittavat sanam����riss�� laskettuna aluksi pidempi�� tekstej��, mutta 9. luokalla S2-pojat kirjoittavat pidemm��t vapaatekstit kuin S1-pojat. Virkkeiden jakaantumisessa eri osiin ei ole suurta eroa. Pojista on muodostettavissa viisi erilaista kirjoittajaprofiilia: varovainen kirjoittaja, vaihteleva kirjoittaja, sujuva kirjoittaja (S1) / kehittyv�� sujuva kirjoittaja (S2), motivoitumaton kirjoittaja ja taitava kirjoittaja. Tutkimuksen perusteella ehdotan, ett�� koulujen kirjoitusaiheissa olisi enemm��n pojille suunnattuja aiheita. Arvioinnin oikeudenmukaisuuden toteutumiseksi voi harkita tekstink��sittelyohjelmien k��ytt��mist�� merkityksellisiss�� kokeissa. Opettajat tarvitsevat enemm��n konkreettisia mittareita kirjoitusten arviointiin. Kirjoitusprofiilin ja kohdennetun tuen antaminen saattaisi olla hy��dyllist��. S2-opetuksessa on j��rkev���� s��ilytt���� nykyiset pienryhm��t tai tehd�� S1- ja S2-oppilaita sis��lt��v��t yhdistelm��ryhm��t riitt��v��n pieniksi yksil��llisen ohjauksen varmistamiseksi erityisesti kirjoitusteht��viss��. S2-oppijoille tulee tarjota oman kielitasonsa mukainen opetusryhm��, jotta heid��n kielitaitonsa kehittyy riitt��v��sti. Toisen polven S2-oppijoiden kannattaa opiskella eri ryhm��ss�� kuin juuri maahan tulleiden S2-oppijoiden.

Turkulaisten kuudesluokkalaisten suomenkielisten ja S2-oppijoiden lounaismurteiden piirteet puheessa ja kirjoituksessa

Tutkin 21 turkulaisen S2-oppijan lounaismurteisia piirteit�� puhutussa ja kirjoitetussa kieless��. Vertaan heit�� 20:een suomea ��idinkielen�� puhuvaan informanttiin. Erityisen�� kiinnostuksen kohteena tutkimuksessani ovat toisen kielen oppijoiden alueellisen variaation piirteet. Olen ker��nnyt aineiston kahdesta Turun alakoulusta kolmelta eri luokalta. Tutkimusmenetelm��n�� hy��dynn��n ensisijaisesti laadullista tutkimusta, mutta taustalla on my��s m����r��llist�� tutkimusta. Tutkimuksessani tarkastelen, millaisia Turun murteen ominaispiirteit�� (Rapola 1969; Gr��nholm 1988) informantit k��ytt��v��t puheessaan ja kirjoituksessaan ja millaisia eroja tai yht��l��isyyksi�� aineistojen v��lill�� on. Lis��ksi tarkastelen S2-informanttien kaksikielisyytt�� Li Wein (2000: 6���7) kaksikielisyyden m����ritelmien avulla. Aineistoni koostuu suullisesta ja kirjallisesta aineistosta. Aineistonkeruuteht��viin sis��ltyi kerrontateht��v�� imperfektiss�� nelj��st�� kuvasta sek�� vapaamuotoinen kerronta menneest�� tapahtumasta. Tutkimukseni yleisimm��t imperfektiesiintym��t ovat molemmilla informanttiryhmill�� verbeiss�� katsoa, leikki��, nukkua, istua, imuroida ja ruokkia kuvallisten aineistonkeruuteht��vien vaikutuksesta. Eri informanttiryhm��t k��ytt��v��t toisiinsa n��hden lounaismurteiden si-imperfekti�� puhutussa kieless�� l��hes saman verran. Suurin ero informanttiryhmien v��lill�� onkin nimenomaan kirjallisen aineiston imperfektiesiintymiss��, sill�� S2-oppijat k��ytt��v��t kirjoituksessaan huomattavasti enemm��n lounaismurteiden si-imperfekti�� kuin S1-oppijat: S2-oppijoiden kirjallisessa aineistossa on yhteens�� 33 lounaismurteiden si-imperfektiesiintym����, kun taas S1-oppijoiden aineistossa niit�� on kaiken kaikkiaan vain 6. Eri ryhmien kirjallisessa aineistossa on kuitenkin selv�� yhtenev��isyys: lounaismurteiden si-imperfekti�� k��ytet����n eniten leikki��-verbist��, mik�� mielest��ni viittaa S2-oppijoiden kohdalla Wein (2000: 6���7) m����rittelem����n luontaiseen ja varhaiseen kaksikielisyyteen. Alueellisen variaation analyysini perusteella olen jakanut molemmat informanttiryhm��t seuraavasti eri ryhmiin: suomenkieliset informantit yleiskielisiin (35 %) ja yleiskielen lis��ksi lounaismurteiden piirteit�� k��ytt��viin (65 %) sek�� vastaavasti S2-informantit yleiskielisiin (24 %) ja yleiskielen lis��ksi lounaismurteiden piirteit�� k��ytt��viin (76 %). Vertikaalista kaksikielisyytt�� (Wei 2000: 7) edustaa vain kaksi S2-oppijaa, sill�� he k��ytt��v��t murrepiirteit�� ainoastaan puheessaan. Tutkimukseni antaa viitteit�� siit��, ett�� turkulaisten kuudesluokkalaisten suomenkielisten ja S2-oppijoiden lounaismurteiden si-imperfekti kuuluu el��v����n puhekielisyyteen.

An innovative rapid method for analysis of 10 organophosphorus pesticide residues in wheat by HS-SPME-GC-FPD/MSD

Avalia����o da dolomita funcionalizada para remo����o de H2S em g��s natural

The natural gas is an alternative source of energy which is found underground in porous and permeable rocks and being associated or not to the oil. Its basic composition includes methane, other hydrocarbon and compounds such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, sulphidric gas, mercaptans, water and solid particles. In this work, the dolomite mineral, a double carbonate of calcium and magnesium whose the chemical formula is CaMg(CO3)2, was evaluated as adsorbent material. The material was characterized by granulometric analysis, X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, specific surface area, porosity, scanning electronic microscopy and infrared spectroscopy. Then the material was functionalized with diethanolamine (dolomite+diethanolamine) and diisopropylamine (dolomite+diisopropylamine). The results indicated that the adsorbents presented appropriate physiochemical characteristics for H2S adsorption. The adsorption tests were accomplished in a system coupled to a gas chromatograph and the H2S monitoring in the output of the system was accomplished by a pulsed flame photometric detector (PFPD). The adsorbents presented a significant adsorption capacity. Among the analyzed adsorbents, the dolomite+diethanolamine presented the best capacity of adsorption. The breakthrough curves obtained proved the efficiency of this process

Designing a S2-Enterprise (Smart x Sensing) Reference Model

Part 11: Reference and Conceptual Models

Completing the jigsaw : ESL and EFL undergraduate views on interactive peer-based learning

English as a Second Language (ESL) and English as a Foreign Language (EFL) students often face incongruence with Western teaching methods and learning expectations. The aim of this paper is to explore the potential for interactive peer-based learning to engage ESL and EFL language learners provide authentic communication experiences and accelerate learning through two case studies in different contexts. A study was undertaken to investigate student ���voice��� (Rudduck, 1999, 2005; Rudduck & Flutter, 2004) during an intervention of communicative language teaching using peer-based learning strategies. This article describes unique similarities and subtle differences between ESL and EFL undergraduate learning in two different cultural contexts, using a 'stages of learning matrix' teaching tool to encourage civic skills and self-efficacy. It also suggests ways for teachers to improve on inconsistencies in group-based learning in order to promote more inclusive and congruent learning experiences for English language learners.

A surface plasmon resonance-based solution affinity assay for heparan sulfate-binding proteins

A surface plasmon resonance-based solution affinity assay is described for measuring the Kd of binding of heparin/heparan sulfate-binding proteins with a variety of ligands. The assay involves the passage of a pre-equilibrated solution of protein and ligand over a sensor chip onto which heparin has been immobilised. Heparin sensor chips prepared by four different methods, including biotin���streptavidin affinity capture and direct covalent attachment to the chip surface, were successfully used in the assay and gave similar Kd values. The assay is applicable to a wide variety of heparin/HS-binding proteins of diverse structure and function (e.g., FGF-1, FGF-2, VEGF, IL-8, MCP-2, ATIII, PF4) and to ligands of varying molecular weight and degree of sulfation (e.g., heparin, PI-88, sucrose octasulfate, naphthalene trisulfonate) and is thus well suited for the rapid screening of ligands in drug discovery applications.

Comparison of molecular markers to detect fresh sewage in environmental waters

Human-specific Bacteroides HF183 (HS-HF183), human-specific Enterococci faecium esp (HS-esp), human-specific adenoviruses (HS-AVs) and human-specific polyomaviruses (HS-PVs) assays were evaluated in freshwater, seawater and distilled water to detect fresh sewage. The sewage spiked water samples were also tested for the concentrations of traditional fecal indicators (i.e., Escherichia coli, enterococci and Clostridium perfringens) and enteric viruses such as enteroviruses (EVs), sapoviruses (SVs), and torquetenoviruses (TVs). The overall host-specificity of the HS-HF183 marker to differentiate between humans and other animals was 98%. However, the HS-esp, HS-AVs and HS-PVs showed 100% hostspecificity. All the human-specific markers showed >97% sensitivity to detect human fecal pollution. E. coli, enterococci and, C. perfringens were detected up to dilutions of sewage 10_5, 10_4 and 10_3 respectively.HS-esp, HS-AVs, HS-PVs, SVs and TVs were detected up to dilution of sewage 10_4 whilst EVs were detected up to dilution 10_5. The ability of the HS-HF183 marker to detect freshsewagewas3���4 orders ofmagnitude higher than that of the HS-esp and viral markers. The ability to detect fresh sewage in freshwater, seawater and distilled water matrices was similar for human-specific bacterial and viral marker. Based on our data, it appears that human-specific molecular markers are sensitive measures of fresh sewage pollution, and the HS-HF183 marker appears to be the most sensitive among these markers in terms of detecting fresh sewage. However, the presence of the HS-HF183 marker in environmental waters may not necessarily indicate the presence of enteric viruses due to their high abundance in sewage compared to enteric viruses. More research is required on the persistency of these markers in environmental water samples in relation to traditional fecal indicators and enteric pathogens.

Kallikrein-related peptidase 4 activation of protease-activated receptor family members and association with prostate cancer

Two areas of particular importance in prostate cancer progression are primary tumour development and metastasis. These processes involve a number of physiological events, the mediators of which are still being discovered and characterised. Serine proteases have been shown to play a major role in cancer invasion and metastasis. The recently discovered phenomenon of their activation of a receptor family known as the protease activated receptors (PARs) has extended their physiological role to that of signaling molecule. Several serine proteases are expressed by malignant prostate cancer cells, including members of the kallikreinrelated peptidase (KLK) serine protease family, and increasingly these are being shown to be associated with prostate cancer progression. KLK4 is highly expressed in the prostate and expression levels increase during prostate cancer progression. Critically, recent studies have implicated KLK4 in processes associated with cancer. For example, the ectopic over-expression of KLK4 in prostate cancer cell lines results in an increased ability of these cells to form colonies, proliferate and migrate. In addition, it has been demonstrated that KLK4 is a potential mediator of cellular interactions between prostate cancer cells and osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The ability of KLK4 to influence cellular behaviour is believed to be through the selective cleavage of specific substrates. Identification of relevant in vivo substrates of KLK4 is critical to understanding the pathophysiological roles of this enzyme. Significantly, recent reports have demonstrated that several members of the KLK family are able to activate PARs. The PARs are relatively new members of the seven transmembrane domain containing G protein coupled receptor (GPCR) family. PARs are activated through proteolytic cleavage of their N-terminus by serine proteases, the resulting nascent N-terminal binds intramolecularly to initiate receptor activation. PARs are involved in a number of patho-physiological processes, including vascular repair and inflammation, and a growing body of evidence suggests roles in cancer. While expression of PAR family members has been documented in several types of cancers, including prostate, the role of these GPCRs in prostate cancer development and progression is yet to be examined. Interestingly, several studies have suggested potential roles in cellular invasion through the induction of cytoskeletal reorganisation and expression of basement membrane-degrading enzymes. Accordingly, this program of research focussed on the activation of the PARs by the prostate cancer associated enzyme KLK4, cellular processing of activated PARs and the expression pattern of receptor and agonist in prostate cancer. For these studies KLK4 was purified from the conditioned media of stably transfected Sf9 insect cells expressing a construct containing the complete human KLK4 coding sequence in frame with a V5 epitope and poly-histidine encoding sequences. The first aspect of this study was the further characterisation of this recombinant zymogen form of KLK4. The recombinant KLK4 zymogen was demonstrated to be activatable by the metalloendopeptidase thermolysin and amino terminal sequencing indicated that thermolysin activated KLK4 had the predicted N-terminus of mature active KLK4 (31IINED). Critically, removal of the pro-region successfully generated a catalytically active enzyme, with comparable activity to a previously published recombinant KLK4 produced from S2 insect cells. The second aspect of this study was the activation of the PARs by KLK4 and the initiation of signal transduction. This study demonstrated that KLK4 can activate PAR-1 and PAR-2 to mobilise intracellular Ca2+, but failed to activate PAR-4. Further, KLK4 activated PAR-1 and PAR-2 over distinct concentration ranges, with KLK4 activation and mobilisation of Ca2+ demonstrating higher efficacy through PAR-2. Thus, the remainder of this study focussed on PAR-2. KLK4 was demonstrated to directly cleave a synthetic peptide that mimicked the PAR-2 Nterminal activation sequence. Further, KLK4 mediated Ca2+ mobilisation through PAR-2 was accompanied by the initiation of the extra-cellular regulated kinase (ERK) cascade. The specificity of intracellular signaling mediated through PAR-2 by KLK4 activation was demonstrated by siRNA mediated protein depletion, with a reduction in PAR-2 protein levels correlating to a reduction in KLK4 mediated Ca2+mobilisation and ERK phosphorylation. The third aspect of this study examined cellular processing of KLK4 activated PAR- 2 in a prostate cancer cell line. PAR-2 was demonstrated to be expressed by five prostate derived cell lines including the prostate cancer cell line PC-3. It was also demonstrated by flow cytometry and confocal microscopy analyses that activation of PC-3 cell surface PAR-2 by KLK4 leads to internalisation of this receptor in a time dependent manner. Critically, in vivo relevance of the interaction between KLK4 and PAR-2 was established by the observation of the co-expression of receptor and agonist in primary prostate cancer and prostate cancer bone lesion samples by immunohistochemical analysis. Based on the results of this study a number of exciting future studies have been proposed, including, delineating differences in KLK4 cellular signaling via PAR-1 and PAR-2 and the role of PAR-1 and PAR-2 activation by KLK4 in prostate cancer cells and bone cells in prostate cancer progression.