Literature survey

About: Literature survey is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 15372 publications have been published within this topic receiving 459196 citations.

Toxicological Characteristics of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: Developmental Toxicity, Carcinogenicity, and Mutagenicity

Abstract: It is generally accepted that endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) play a role in a variety of adverse health effects in an intact organism or its progeny as a consequence of changes in the endocrine system. Primary toxic effects of EDCs were reported to be related to infertility, reduction in sperm count, and teratogenicity, but other important toxic effects of EDCs such as carcinogenicity and mutagenicity have also been demonstrated. The aim of the present study was to systematically analyze the toxicological characteristics of EDCs in pesticides, industrial chemicals, and metals. A comprehensive literature survey on the 48 EDCs classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was conducted using a number of databases which included Medline, Toxline, and Toxnet. The survey results revealed that toxicological characteristics of EDCs were shown to produce developmental toxicity (81%), carcinogenicity (79%, when positive in at least one animal species; 48%, when classified based on IARC evaluation), mutagenicity (79%), immunotoxicity (52%), and neurotoxicity (50%). Regarding the hormone-modulating effects of the 48 EDCs, estrogenic effects were the most predominant in pesticides, while effects on thyroid hormone were found for heavy metals. EDCs showing estrogen-modulating effects were closely related to carcinogenicity or mutagenicity with a high degree of sensitivity. Systematic information on the toxicological characteristics of the EDCs will be useful for future research directions on EDCs, the development of new screening methods, legal regulation, and for investigations of their mechanism of action.

Is there a Specific Ecological Niche for Electroactive Microorganisms

Abstract: The core of primary microbial electrochemical technologies (METs) is the ability of the electroactive microorganisms to interact with electrodes via extracellular electron transfer (EET), allowing wiring of current flow and microbial metabolism. Geobacter sulfurreducens and Shewanella oneidensis are the model organisms for understanding and engineering EET. Many other microorganisms are reported being electroactive but are often sparsely characterized. Based on a literature survey 94 species are ascribed as electroactive. Their apparent diversity raises questions on the natural importance and distribution of the EET capacity, that is, of the ecological niche of microbial electroactivity. To identify this potential niche the environmental preferences and natural habitat characteristics of all electroactive species were combined with their metabolic, growth and EET characteristics and an extensive meta-analysis performed. The results indicate that there is not a single ecological niche for electroactive microorganisms. Significantly more electroactive species presumably exist in nature as well as already existing strain collections but due to current cultivation techniques their EET potential is not leveraged. Thus, in the light of specific traits required for industrial application, microbial resource mining based on ecological knowledge bears a great potential for broadening the foundation of microbial electrochemistry as well as for future developments of primary METs.

A Literature Review of Wind Forecasting Methods

Abstract: In this paper, an overview of new and current developments in wind forecasting is given where the focus lies upon principles and practical implementations High penetration of wind power in the electricity system provides many challenges to the power system operators, mainly due to the unpredictability and variability of wind power generation Although wind energy may not be dispatched, an accurate forecasting method of wind speed and power generation can help the power system operators reduce the risk of unreliability of electricity supply This paper gives a literature survey on the categories and major methods of wind forecasting Based on the assessment of wind speed and power forecasting methods, the future development direction of wind forecasting is proposed

Critical success factors for software process improvement implementation: an empirical study

Abstract: In this article, we present findings from our recent empirical study of the critical success factors (CSFs) for software process improvement (SPI) implementation with 34 SPI practitioners. The objective of this study is to provide SPI practitioners with sufficient knowledge about the nature of issues that play a positive role in the implementation of SPI programmes in order to assist them in effectively planning SPI implementation strategies. Through our empirical study we identified seven factors (higher management support, training, awareness, allocation of resources, staff involvement, experienced staff and defined SPI implementation methodology) that are generally considered critical for successfully implementing SPI. We also report on a literature survey of CSFs that impact SPI and identify six factors (senior management commitment, staff involvement, staff time and resources, training and mentoring, creating process action teams and reviews). We compared our empirical study results with the literature and confirmed the factors identified in the literature, and also identified two new CSFs (SPI awareness and defined SPI implementation methodology) that were not identified in the literature. Finally, we analyzed the CSFs identified by different groups of practitioners and found that they are aware of what is imperative for the successful implementation of SPI programmes. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.