bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Técnica para o estudo granulométrico da fração areia dos solos
Authors: Queiroz Netto José Pereira de
Published: March 2010

Neste trabalho é apresentada uma técnica para o estudo granulométrico da fração areia, sua expressão numérica, representação gráfica e análise estatística. Foi feito um ensaio preliminar para verificar a partir de que tempo de peneiragem os resultados obtidos se mostravam reprodutíveis. Os tempos de 10, 20 e 30 minutos deram resultados pràticamente iguais, revelando também ser pequeno o erro devido a outros fatores. A aplicação do método de estudo à fração areia de solos provenientes dos arenitos Bauru e Botucatu, do planalto de São Carlos e da Serra de Santana, permitiu evidenciar uma diferença flagrante das distribuições granulométricas respectivas. O emprêgo da representação gráfica ressaltou o caráter dessas diferenças, confirmadas pelos resultados da análise estatística. O solo do arenito Botucatu apresenta uma distribuição mais regular, com menor amplitude. A amplitude cresce para os solos da Serra de Santana e planalto de São Carlos e para o arenito Bauru. Nesta última amostra a distribuição é mais regular que naquelas duas. Em relação à moda, os resultados acusam maior quantidade de fração grosseira nas amostras da Serra de Santana e do planalto de São Carlos, maior predominância de frações finas no arenito Bauru. No arenito Botucatu as duas frações estão mais próximas, predominando ainda a areia fina. Apesar das restrições da expressão dos resultados ponderais em freqüência numérica, o método revelou-se eficiente na comparação da distribuição granulométrica da fração areia de solos provenientes de diversas formações sedimentares.
Influência da posição das sementes no fruto do cacaueiro sôbre a germinação e desenvolvimento das mudas
Authors: Cardoso Mário
Published: March 2010

Foram plantadas separadamente, para comparação, amostras de sementes oriundas da ponta, do centro e da base de frutos de cacaueiro. Não foram notadas diferenças, quer na germinação das sementes, quer no desenvolvimento das mudas, em duas variedades estudadas.
Fixação do nitrogênio do ar pelas bactérias que vivem em simbiose com as raízes da centrosema
Authors: Montojos J. Casado , Gargantini H.
Published: March 2010

Continuando a série de trabalhos sôbre a quantidade de nitrogênio atmosférico fixada por bactérias que vivem em simbiose com raízes de leguminosas, são relatados os resultados encontrados em centrosema (Centrosema pubescens Benth). Foram utilizados vasos de Mitscherlich, com terra-roxa-misturada. A colheita das plantas foi efetuada por ocasião do florescimento. A parte aérea foi pesada para cálculo da quantidade de massa verde produzida, e, em seguida, juntamente com as raízes, sêca a 60°C até pêso constante. Determinaram-se os teores de nitrogênio na parte aérea e subterrânea das plantas, assim como da terra dos vasos. Os resultados mostraram elevada capacidade de fixação simbiótica de nitrogênio pela centrosema correspondente a cêrca de 204 quilogramas de nitrogênio por hectare.
Saúde Pública e Colonização da Natureza
Authors: Ianni Áurea Maria Zöllner
Published: March 2010

Este trabalho apresenta algumas questões sobre as quais o campo da Saúde Pública/Coletiva no Brasil precisa se reposicionar. Tomando por referência a concepção de biológico e social que se consolidou no campo a partir da década de 1970, discute-se a concepção de natureza e cultura que subsidiou o debate. Mostra como esse debate foi circunstanciado historicamente, por isso mesmo merecendo uma revisão, tendo em vista o contexto das sociedades modernas contemporâneas. As práticas biotecnológicas são objeto da análise na medida em que, além do seu uso intensivo pela saúde, carregam consigo as características de articular o biológico e o social num mesmo objeto, de transformar e criar seres vivos e de atuar na diversidade biológica. Este cenário coloca, à Saúde Pública/Coletiva, a imperiosa necessidade de rever seus marcos teórico-epistemológicos.
Evaluation on the Pathogenesis of Streptococcus agalactiae in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Pretto-Giordano Lucienne Garcia , Müller Ernst Eckehardt , Freitas Julio Cesar de , Silva Vanessa Gomes da
Published: March 2010

The pathogenesis of a Streptococcus agalactiae was evaluated in a three-period experiment. Two groups of 40 fishes were intraperitoneally (i.p.) challenged in each experimental period with different infective doses of the pathogen. Doses varied from 1.0 x 10(6) to 1.5 x 10(8) CFU/fish. One group of 40 tilapia i.p. injected with tryptic soy broth (TSB) was used as a control group in each period. Mortalities varied from 67.5% in group 8 (infective dose 1.0 x 10(6) CFU/fish) to 90.0% in group 1 (infective dose 1.5 x 10(8) CFU/fish). Significant differences in mortalities were found only between group 8 and each of the other groups, except group 5 (infective dose 6.0 x 10(6) CFU/fish; mortality 75.0%). The highest mortality coefficients were observed in days 1-2 after inoculation (accumulated mortality 44.4%), and a second peak of mortality occurred at days 6-7. Challenged fishes from all the groups showed alterations in behaviour and similar clinical signs. These were anorexia, lethargy, erratic swimming, exophthalmia and ascites. Macroscopically, skin hemorrhage, splenomegaly, hepatomegaly with organ paleness and visceral adherences were observed. S. agalactiae was re-isolated from all the fishes from the experimental groups submitted to bacteriological examination. The illness observed in tilapia naturally infected with S. agalactiae was experimentally reproduced in this study, and the clinical signs produced were similar to those reported from the natural infections.
Filmes a base de céria dopados com gadolínio depositados por spray pirólise
Authors: Souza J. , Paes JR. H.R.
Published: March 2010

Filmes de céria dopados com gadolínio (CDG) foram depositados em substratos de quartzo utilizando-se a técnica de deposição spray pirólise. Os filmes foram depositados com concentrações de dopante de 0, 10, 20 e 30% at.. Foi investigada a influência da concentração do dopante (Gd) e da proporção água/álcool, utilizados como solvente na preparação da solução precursora, nas propriedades estruturais, morfológicas, composicionais e elétricas dos filmes. As análises por difração de raios-X mostraram que os filmes obtidos apresentam-se policristalinos com uma estrutura cúbica do tipo fluorita e uma orientação preferencial (200). Foi verificado que o crescimento dos filmes é fortemente dependente da proporção água/álcool utilizada na preparação da solução precursora, podendo resultar no crescimento de filmes com estrutura "colunar". Os resultados das análises por AFM ("Atomic Force Microscope") e MEV (Microscópio Eletrônico de Varredura) indicaram que os filmes obtidos são densos e livres de trincas. O tratamento térmico modificou significativamente o grau de cristalinidade e o tamanho de cristalito dos filmes. As análises por fluorescência de raios-X mostraram que a estequiometria utilizada na solução precursora foi mantida nos filmes depositados. As medidas da variação da condutividade elétrica em função da temperatura mostraram que os filmes dopados com 20% at. de Gd apresentaram condutividade elétrica mais elevada que os filmes intrínsecos.
Adrenocortical development and cancer: focus on SF-1
Authors: Lalli Enzo
Published: March 2010

Steroidogenic factor-1 (SF-1/Ad4-binding protein; NR5A1) is an essential regulator of tissue-specific gene expression in steroidogenic cells and of adrenogonadal development. Here, I discuss recent data in the literature showing the implication of SF-1 and the importance of its dosage not only during development but also for adrenal cortex tumorigenesis in humans and mice.
Thai Yoga as an Appropriate Alternative Physical Activity for Older Adults
Authors: Buranruk Orawan , La Grow Steve , Ladawan Suphannika , Makarawate Pattarapong , Suwanich Tewan , Leelayuwat Naruemon
Published: March 2010

Thai Yoga (TY), has been recommended by the Public Health Ministry of Thailand for keeping people fit. There is little known about the physiological demand it places on those practicing it. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to determine i) the exercise intensity of TY indicating by both absolute intensity (i.e. MET) and relative intensity (i.e. percentage of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2,max) and heart rate (HRmax)) and ii) the impact it has on the cardiovascular system and energy expenditure. Fourteen healthy adults ranging in age from 50 to 65 years performed 30-minute TY and exhaustive cycling exercise (to indicate maximal oxygen consumption) sessions one week apart. Mean of MET and the percentage of mean of VO2 and HR during TY to VO2,max and HRmax were found to be 1.51±0.43 METs, 35.5+/-11.9 ml/kg/min and 50.0+/-8.6 /min, respectively. The decreased HR was observed from baseline to warm up and the peak rates of energy were found to be expended in the standing posture. Results indicate that TY may be considered a very light- to light-intensity exercise. Performing longer duration in standing posture may improve cardiovascular fitness for older adults. Moreover, the relaxation component during warm up may improve psychological well-being.
Interactive effects of personality and friendship networks on contextual performance
Authors: Lee Yen-Hua , Yang Lih-Shing , Wan Kuang Man , Chen Guan-Hong
Published: March 2010

In this research 505 valid questionnaires collected from 17 selected companies including nonprofit organizations, insurance companies, and manufacturing firms were used to gauge the normalized in-degree centrality of a friendship network. Social network analysis techniques were administered.
The aim in this research was to present a model of how friendship networks and the personality characteristic of conscientiousness could intensify individual contextual performance of the employee. Theories and research investigations on different disciplines such as social and organizational
science were integrated to develop the model. The results indicate that the interaction between conscientiousness and friendship networks explains a significant incremental amount of the variance in employee individual contextual performance.
Validation of a German-language core self-evaluations scale
Authors: Heilmann Tobias , Jonas Klaus
Published: March 2010

In this study the validation of a German-language Core Self-Evaluations Scale (CSES; Judge, Erez, Bono, & Thoresen, 2003) is presented. Core self-evaluations are fundamental appraisals that individuals hold about their own capability, effectiveness, and worthiness as a person (Judge
et al., 2003). Data were collected from 2 samples, 200 from the workforce and 134 students. The data supported the underlying single-factor solution. The German-language CSES (G-CSES) was found to be reliable and shows convergent validity with regard to internality (Krampen, 1981) and International
Personality Item Pool (IPIP40) neuroticism, extraversion, and conscientiousness scales (Hartig, Jude, & Rauch, 2003) and discriminant validity with regard to the IPIP40 openness scale. The scale correlates significantly with job satisfaction and life satisfaction. Additionally, the G-CSES
is incrementally valid over and above traits of the 5-factor model of personality.
Personality implications of adaption-innovation: V. Birth order as a determinant of cognitive style
Authors: Skinner Nicholas F. , Fox-Francoeur Courtney A.
Published: March 2010

According to Kirton's (2003) theory of cognitive style, adaptors thrive on structure and prefer to use well-established procedures or rules to solve problems, whereas innovators eschew structure and prefer to solve problems in novel ways. In a sample of 168 undergraduate university
students, support was found for the hypothesis that adaptors would be primarily firstborn children. This result is explained in terms of (a) the preference of first-time (i.e., inexperienced) parents for "tried and true" approaches to problem solving, and (b) the tendency of firstborns to
identify with and readily obey their parents.
The effect of a woman's incidental tactile contact on men's later behavior
Authors: Guéguen Nicolas
Published: March 2010

Previous research has indicated that a light tactile contact is associated with a positive response towards the person who is touching. The effect of touch on courtship was investigated in this experiment, which was conducted in a field setting. A female confederate either slightly
touched or did not touch a man in a bar when asking him for some help. It was found that men who were touched showed more interest toward the female confederate than when no touch occurred. It was also found that touch was associated with stronger courtship intentions by men. The importance
of women's nonverbal patterns in the courtship context and the trend of men to misinterpret women's intent are proposed to explain these results.
Template synthesis and characterization of biologically active transition metal complexes comprising 14-membered tetraazamacrocyclic ligand
Authors: Singh Dharmpal , Kumar Krishan , Kumar Ramesh , Singh Jitender
Published: March 2010

A novel series of complexes of the type [M(C28H24N4)X2], where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II), X = Cl-, NO3 -, CH3COO- and (C28H24N4) corresponds to the tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, were synthesized by template condensation of 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and diacetyl in the presence of divalent metal salts in methanolic medium. The complexes were characterized by elemental analyses, conductance and magnetic measurements, as well as by UV/Vis, NMR, IR and MS spectroscopy. The low values of the molar conductance indicate non-electrolyte type of complexes. Based on these spectral data, a distorted octahedral geometry may be proposed for all of these complexes. All the synthesized macrocyclic complexes were tested for in vitro antibacterial activity against some pathogenic bacterial strains, viz Bacillus cereus, Salmonella typhi, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The MIC values shown by the complexes against these bacterial strains were compared with the MIC shown by the standard antibiotics linezolid and cefaclor.
PTEN Inhibition Improves Muscle Regeneration in Mice Fed a High-Fat Diet
Authors: Hu Zhaoyong , Wang Huiling , Lee In Hee , Modi Swati , Wang Xiaonan , Du Jie , Mitch William E.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Mechanisms impairing wound healing in diabetes are poorly understood. To identify mechanisms, we induced insulin resistance by chronically feeding mice a high-fat diet (HFD). We also examined the regulation of phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-trisphosphate (PIP3) during muscle regeneration because augmented IGF-1 signaling can improve muscle regeneration.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Muscle regeneration was induced by cardiotoxin injury, and we evaluated satellite cell activation and muscle maturation in HFD-fed mice. We also measured PIP3 and the enzymes regulating its level, IRS-1–associated phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and PTEN. Using primary cultures of muscle, we examined how fatty acids affect PTEN expression and how PTEN knockout influences muscle growth. Mice with muscle-specific PTEN knockout were used to examine how the HFD changes muscle regeneration.

RESULTS

The HFD raised circulating fatty acids and impaired the growth of regenerating myofibers while delaying myofiber maturation and increasing collagen deposition. These changes were independent of impaired proliferation of muscle progenitor or satellite cells but were principally related to increased expression of PTEN, which reduced PIP3 in muscle. In cultured muscle cells, palmitate directly stimulated PTEN expression and reduced cell growth. Knocking out PTEN restored cell growth. In mice, muscle-specific PTEN knockout improved the defects in muscle repair induced by HFD.

CONCLUSIONS

Insulin resistance impairs muscle regeneration by preventing myofiber maturation. The mechanism involves fatty acid–stimulated PTEN expression, which lowers muscle PIP3. If similar pathways occur in diabetic patients, therapeutic strategies directed at improving the repair of damaged muscle could include suppression of PTEN activity.
Glycerol-3-Phosphate Acyltransferase 1 Deficiency in ob/ob Mice Diminishes Hepatic Steatosis but Does Not Protect Against Insulin Resistance or Obesity
Authors: Wendel Angela A. , Li Lei O. , Li Yue , Cline Gary W. , Shulman Gerald I. , Coleman Rosalind A.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Hepatic steatosis is strongly associated with insulin resistance, but a causal role has not been established. In ob/ob mice, sterol regulatory element binding protein 1 (SREBP1) mediates the induction of steatosis by upregulating target genes, including glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 (Gpat1), which catalyzes the first and committed step in the pathway of glycerolipid synthesis. We asked whether ob/ob mice lacking Gpat1 would have reduced hepatic steatosis and improved insulin sensitivity.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Hepatic lipids, insulin sensitivity, and hepatic insulin signaling were compared in lean (Lep+/?), lean-Gpat1−/−, ob/ob (Lepob/ob), and ob/ob-Gpat1−/− mice.

RESULTS

Compared with ob/ob mice, the lack of Gpat1 in ob/ob mice reduced hepatic triacylglycerol (TAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG) content 59 and 74%, respectively, but increased acyl-CoA levels. Despite the reduction in hepatic lipids, fasting glucose and insulin concentrations did not improve, and insulin tolerance remained impaired. In both ob/ob and ob/ob-Gpat1−/− mice, insulin resistance was accompanied by elevated hepatic protein kinase C-ε activation and blunted insulin-stimulated Akt activation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that decreasing hepatic steatosis alone does not improve insulin resistance, and that factors other than increased hepatic DAG and TAG contribute to hepatic insulin resistance in this genetically obese model. They also show that the SREBP1-mediated induction of hepatic steatosis in ob/ob mice requires Gpat1.
Improved Pancreatic β-Cell Function in Type 2 Diabetic Patients After Lifestyle-Induced Weight Loss Is Related to Glucose-Dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide
Authors: Solomon Thomas P.J. , Haus Jacob M. , Kelly Karen R. , Rocco Michael , Kashyap Sangeeta R. , Kirwan John P.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Restoration of insulin secretion is critical for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Exercise and diet can alter glucose-induced insulin responses, but whether this is due to changes in β-cell function per se is not clear. The mechanisms by which lifestyle intervention may modify insulin secretion in type 2 diabetes have also not been examined but may involve the incretin axis.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Twenty-nine older, obese (aged 65 ± 1 years; BMI 33.6 ± 1.0 kg/m2) subjects, including individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes (obese-type 2 diabetic) and individuals with normal glucose tolerance (obese-NGT), underwent 3 months of nutritional counseling and exercise training. β-Cell function (oral glucose–induced insulin secretion corrected for insulin resistance assessed by hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps) and the role of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) were examined.

RESULTS

After exercise and diet-induced weight loss (−5.0 ± 0.7 kg), oral glucose–induced insulin secretion was increased in the obese-type 2 diabetic group and decreased in the obese-NGT group (both P < 0.05). When corrected for alterations in insulin resistance, the change in insulin secretion remained significant only in the obese-type 2 diabetic group (1.23 ± 0.26 vs. 2.04 ± 0.46 arbitrary units; P < 0.01). Changes in insulin secretion were directly related to the GIP responses to oral glucose (r = 0.64, P = 0.005), which were augmented in the obese-type 2 diabetic group and only moderately suppressed in the obese-NGT group.

CONCLUSIONS

After lifestyle-induced weight loss, improvements in oral glucose–induced insulin secretion in older, obese, nondiabetic subjects seem to be largely dependent on improved insulin sensitivity. However, in older obese diabetic patients, improved insulin secretion is a consequence of elevated β-cell function. We demonstrate for the first time that changes in insulin secretion after lifestyle intervention may be mediated via alterations in GIP secretion from intestinal K-cells.
Prolonged Nocturnal Hypoglycemia Is Common During 12 Months of Continuous Glucose Monitoring in Children and Adults With Type 1 Diabetes
Authors:   Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Continuous Glucose Monitoring Study Group
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

To characterize the amount of nocturnal hypoglycemia and evaluate factors associated with nocturnal hypoglycemia assessed with continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) in adults and children with type 1 diabetes who participated in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation CGM randomized clinical trial.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

The analysis included 36,467 nights with ≥4 h of CGM glucose readings between 12 midnight and 6:00 a.m. from 176 subjects assigned to the CGM group of the trial. The percentage of nights in which hypoglycemia occurred (two consecutive CGM readings ≤60 mg/dl in 20 min) was computed for each subject. Associations with baseline characteristics and clinical factors were evaluated using a multivariate regression model.

RESULTS

Hypoglycemic events occurred during 8.5% of nights, with the median percentage of nights with hypoglycemia per subject being 7.4% (interquartile range 3.7–12.1%). The duration of hypoglycemia was ≥2 h on 23% of nights with hypoglycemia. In a multivariate model, a higher incidence of nocturnal hypoglycemia was associated with 1) lower baseline A1C levels (P < 0.001) and 2) the occurrence of hypoglycemia on one or more nights during baseline blinded CGM (P < 0.001). The hypoglycemia frequency was not associated with age or with insulin modality (pump versus multiple daily injections).

CONCLUSIONS

Nocturnal hypoglycemia is frequent and often prolonged in adults and children with type 1 diabetes. Patients with low A1C levels are at an increased risk for its occurrence. One week of blinded CGM can identify patients who are at greater risk for nocturnal hypoglycemia.
Prognostic Value of Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography in Diabetic Patients Without Known Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Hadamitzky Martin , Hein Franziska , Meyer Tanja , Bischoff Bernhard , Martinoff Stefan , Schömig Albert , Hausleiter Jörg
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Diabetic patients have a high prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD), but timely diagnosis of CAD remains challenging. We assessed the ability of coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) to detect CAD in diabetic patients and to predict subsequent cardiac events.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We analyzed 140 diabetic patients without known CAD undergoing CCTA; 1,782 patients without diabetes were used as a control group. Besides calcium scoring and the degree of the most severe stenosis, the atherosclerotic burden score counting the number of segments having either a nonstenotic plaque or a stenosis was recorded. The primary end point was a composite of hard cardiac events defined as all-cause death, nonfatal myocardial infarction, or unstable angina requiring hospitalization.

RESULTS

During a mean follow-up of 33 months, there were seven events in the diabetic group and 24 events in the control group. The best predictor in diabetic patients was the atherosclerotic burden score: the annual event rate ranged from 0.5% for patients with <5 lesions to 9.6% for patients with >9 lesions, resulting in a hazard ratio (HR) of 1.3 (95% CI 1.1–1.7) for each additional lesion (P = 0.005). For comparison, in nondiabetic patients the annual event rate ranged from 0.3 to 2.2%, respectively, resulting in an HR of 1.2 (95% CI 1.1–1.3, P < 0.001). The atherosclerotic burden score improved the prognostic value of conventional risk factors significantly (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In diabetic patients without known CAD, CCTA can identify a patient group at particularly high risk for subsequent hard cardiac events.
Insulin Resistance Predicts Mortality in Nondiabetic Individuals in the U.S.
Authors: Ausk Karlee J. , Boyko Edward J. , Ioannou George N.
Published: March 2010

OBJECTIVE

Insulin resistance is a suspected causative factor in a wide variety of diseases. We aimed to determine whether insulin resistance, estimated by the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), is associated with all-cause or disease-specific mortality among nondiabetic persons in the U.S.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We determined the association between HOMA-IR and death certificate–based mortality among 5,511 nondiabetic, adult participants of the third U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1988–1994) during up to 12 years of follow-up, after adjustment for potential confounders (age, sex, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio, alcohol consumption, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, smoking status, physical activity, C-reactive protein, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, plasma total and HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides).

RESULTS

HOMA-IR was significantly associated with all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.16 [95% CI 1.01–1.3], comparing successive quartiles of HOMA-IR in a linear model and 1.64 [1.1–2.5], comparing the top [HOMA-IR >2.8] to the bottom [HOMA-IR ≤1.4] quartile). HOMA-IR was significantly associated with all-cause mortality only in subjects with BMI <25.2 kg/m2 (the median value) but not in subjects with BMI ≥25.2 kg/m2. Subjects in the second, third, and fourth quartile of HOMA-IR appeared to have higher cardiovascular mortality than subjects in the lowest quartile of HOMA-IR. HOMA-IR was not associated with cancer-related mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

HOMA-IR is associated with all-cause mortality in the nondiabetic U.S. population but only among persons with normal BMI. HOMA-IR is a readily available measure that can be used in the future to predict mortality in clinical or epidemiological settings.
Biotite from Čierna hora Mountains granitoids (Western Carpathians, Slovakia) and estimation of water contents in granitoid melts
Authors: Bónová Katarína , Broska Igor , Petrík Igor
Published: March 2010

Biotite from Čierna hora Mountains granitoids (Western Carpathians, Slovakia) and estimation of water contents in granitoid melts

Biotite is the dominant ferromagnesian mineral in different granites from the Čierna hora Mountains, in the Western Carpathians (Slovakia). A higher content of Fe3+(up to 20 %) is characteristic for the biotites from I-type Sokoľ and Sopotnica granitoid bodies in contrast to the biotites from S-type Ťahanovce granitoids showing decreased Fe3+amount (around 5 %). The Fe/(Fe + Mg) ratio in biotites from the Sokoľ and Sopotnica massifs between 0.47 and 0.54 is rather low with respect to that in biotite from the Ťahanovce [Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.55-0.63] and Miklušovce [Fe/(Fe + Mg) = 0.73-0.81] granite body. Water fugacities and contents calculated using Wones' (1981) calibration of biotite stability equation and Burnham's (1994) water dissolution model yield relatively similar values of 4-5 wt. % in remaining melts at 400 MPa and various levels of fo2and activities of annite for magnetite-bearing assemblages. This suggests an effective buffering role of biotite in both oxygen and water fugacities. Comparison of the peraluminosity index (A/CNK) of biotite with the same index in whole-rock shows distinctly higher A/CNK values for biotite indicating its aluminous character and important role as a significant aluminium carrier. The biotite composition indicates that granitoids in the Čierna hora Mts can be primarily derived from the lower crust; their protolith was influenced by mixing and/or assimilation process.
Thermal evolution of the Malá Fatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians): insights from zircon and apatite fission track thermochronology
Authors: Danišík Martin , Kohút Milan , Broska Igor , Frisch Wolfgang
Published: March 2010

Thermal evolution of the Malá Fatra Mountains (Central Western Carpathians): insights from zircon and apatite fission track thermochronology

We apply zircon and apatite fission track thermochronology (ZFT and AFT, respectively) to the Variscan crystal-line basement of the Malá Fatra Mts (Central Western Carpathians) in order to constrain the thermal history. The samples yielded three Early Cretaceous ZFT ages (143.7±9.6, 143.7±8.3, 135.3±6.9 Ma) and one Eocene age (45.2±2.1 Ma), proving that the basement was affected by a very low-grade Alpine metamorphic overprint. Although the precise timing and mechanisms of the overprint cannot be unequivocally resolved, we propose and discuss three alternative explanations: (i) a Jurassic/Cretaceous thermal event related to elevated heat flow associated with extensional tectonics, (ii) early Late Cretaceous thrusting and/or (iii) an Eocene orogeny. Thermal modelling of the AFT cooling ages (13.8±1.4 to 9.6±0.6 Ma) revealed fast cooling through the apatite partial annealing zone. The cooling is interpreted in terms of exhumation of the basement and creation of topographic relief, as corroborated by the sedimentary record in the surrounding Neogene depressions. Our AFT results significantly refine a general exhumation pattern of basement complexes in the Central Western Carpathians. A younging of AFT ages towards the orogenic front is evident, where all the external massifs located closest to the orogenic front (including Malá Fatra Mts) were exhumed after ~13 Ma from temperatures above ~120 °C.
High-frequency sea-level changes recorded in deep-water carbonates of the Upper Cretaceous Dol Formation (island of Brač, Croatia)
Authors: Bucković Damir , Martinuš Maja , Kukoč Duje , Tešović Blanka , Gušić Ivan
Published: March 2010

High-frequency sea-level changes recorded in deep-water carbonates of the Upper Cretaceous Dol Formation (island of Brač, Croatia)

The upper part of the Middle Coniacian/Santonian-Middle Campanian deep-water Dol Formation of the island of Brač is composed of countless fine-grained allodapic intercalations deposited in an intraplatform trough. Within the studied section 13 beds can be distinguished, each defined by its lower part built up of dark grey limestone with abundance of branched, horizontally to subhorizontally oriented burrows, and the upper part, in which the light grey to white limestone contains larger burrows, rarely branched, showing no preferential orientation. The lower, dark grey, intensively bioturbated levels are interpreted as intervals formed during high-frequency sea-level highstands, while the upper, light grey-to-white levels are interpreted as intervals formed during the high-frequency sea-level lowstands. Cyclic alternation of these two intervals within the fine-grained allodapic beds is interpreted as the interaction between the amount of carbonate production on the platform margin and the periodicity and intensity of shedding and deposition in the distal part of toe-of-slope environment, which is governed by Milankovitch-band high frequency sea-level changes.
The geological position, sedimentary record and composition of the Tylicz Conglomerate (Late Eocene-Oligocene): stratigraphical and paleogeographical implications (Magura Nappe, Polish Outer Carpathians)
Authors: Olszewska Barbara , Oszczypko Nestor
Published: March 2010

The geological position, sedimentary record and composition of the Tylicz Conglomerate (Late Eocene-Oligocene): stratigraphical and paleogeographical implications (Magura Nappe, Polish Outer Carpathians)

During the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene the Magura Basin was supplied with clastic material from, non-existing today, source areas situated on the northern and southern margins of the basin. The northern source area is traditionally connected with Silesian Ridge, whereas the position of the southern one is still under discussion. The Upper Eocene-Oligocene pebbly mudstones of the Tylicz/Krynica facies zone contain exotic material derived from the south-Magura source area. The studied pebbles and clasts contain fragments of crystalline rocks, derived from a continental type of crust, and frequent clasts of Mesozoic to Paleogene deep and shallow-water limestones. Volcanites, rarely granitoides as well as schists, gneisses, quartzites and cataclasites were found in the group of crystalline exotic pebbles. The isotopic ages of "exotic" pebbles from the Tylicz section document a Variscan age of plutonic and metamorphic rocks. The composition of the Tylicz exotic conglomerates occupied the transitional position between the Jarmuta/Proč (Maastrichtian-Lower Eocene) and Strihovce (Eocene) exotic pebbles. The provenance of these rocks could be connected with Eocene exhumation of the SE sector of the Magura Basin basement. Another possibility can be explain by supply of siliciclastic material from a SE source area (Dacia and Tisza Mega-Units) and carbonate material from a S source area (ALCAPA Mega-Unit: Central Carpathian Block and Pieniny Klippen Belt).
Sedimentation of deep-water turbidites in the SW part of the Pannonian Basin
Authors: Vrbanac Boris , Velić Josipa , Malvić Tomislav
Published: March 2010

Sedimentation of deep-water turbidites in the SW part of the Pannonian Basin

The Sava Depression and the Bjelovar Subdepression belong to the SW margin of the Pannonian Basin System, which was part of the Central Paratethys during the Pannonian period. Upper Pannonian deposits of the Ivanic-Grad Formation in the Sava Depression include several lithostratigraphic members such as Iva and Okoli Sandstone Member or their lateral equivalents, the Zagreb Member and Lipovac Marlstone Member. Their total thickness in the deepest part of the Sava Depression reaches up to 800 meters, while it is 100-200 meters in the margins of the depression. Deposits in the depression are composed of 4 facies. In the period of turbiditic activities these facies are primarily sedimented as different sandstone bodies. In the Bjelovar Subdepression, two lithostratigraphic members (lateral equivalent) were analysed, the Zagreb Member and Okoli Sandstone Member. The thickness of the Bjelovar Subdepression ranges from 50 meters along the S and SE margins to more than 350 meters along the E margin. Generally, detritus in the north-west part of the analysed area originated from a single source, the Eastern Alps, as demonstrated by sedimentological and physical properties, the geometry of the sandstone body and the fossil content. This clastic material was found to be dispersed throughout the elongated and relatively narrow Sava Depression and in the smaller Bjelovar Subdepression. Sedimentation primarily occurred in up to 200 meters water depth and was strongly influenced by the sub-aqueous paleorelief, which determined the direction of the flow of turbidity currents and sandstone body geometries. The main stream with medium- and fine-grained material was separated by two independent turbiditic flows from N-NW to the SE-E. Variability in the thickness of sandstone bodies is the result of differences in subsidence and cycles of progradation and retrogradation of turbidite fans.
A Presentation of Lie Tori of Type $B_ℓ$
Authors: Yousofzadeh Malihe
Published: March 2010

We give a ﬁnite presentation of the universal covering algebra of a Lie torus of type

B_ℓ

,

ℓ ≥ 3

.
Notes on Microstate Free Entropy of Projections
Authors: Hiai Fumio , Ueda Yoshimichi
Published: March 2010

We study the microstate free entropy χproj(_p_1 , . . . ,
pn
) of projections, and establish its basic properties similar to the self-adjoint variable case. Our main contribution is to characterize the pair-block freeness of projections by the additivity of χproj (Theorem 4.1), in the proof of which a transportation cost inequality plays an important role. We also brieﬂy discuss the free pressure in relation to χproj.
Simultaneous Linearization of Holomorphic Maps with Hyperbolic and Parabolic Fixed Points
Authors: Ueda Tetsuo
Published: March 2010

We study local holomorphic mappings of one complex variable with parabolic ﬁxed points as a limit of a families of mappings with attracting ﬁxed points. We show that the Fatou coordinate for a parabolic ﬁxed point can be obtained as a limit of some linear function of the solutions to Schröder equation for perturbed mappings o with attracting ﬁxed points.
On the Presentations of Extended Aﬃne Weyl Groups
Authors: Azam Saeid , Shahsanaei Valiollah
Published: March 2010

We give a ﬁnite presentation for reduced non-simply laced extended aﬃne Weyl groups of arbitrary nullity. When nullity is less than or equal to 3, this presentation reduces to a very simple presentation in which the generators and relations can be easily read from a set of data attached to the root system.
Quality assured ultrasound simulator training for the detection of fetal malformations
Authors: STABOULIDOU ISMINI , WÜSTEMANN MAX , VASKE BERNHARD , ELSÄSSER MICHAEL , HILLEMANNS PETER , SCHARF ALEXANDER
Published: March 2010

Objective. Sonographic training in obstetrics differs broadly in Germany, although there are clearly defined quality‐oriented requirements. In order to improve professional education, a training concept was devised utilizing an ultrasound simulator system. Design. Between October 2004 and May 2006, 100 obstetric ultrasound training courses were held in 12 federal states of Germany. In these daily courses, doctors were trained in the detection of the most common malformations. Sample. One hundred training courses with a total of 1,266 participants. Methods. As a measure of quality assurance, a standardized questionnaire focusing on testing sonographic proficiency before and after the courses was issued in order to analyze the effect of these simulator‐based ultrasound courses. Main outcome measures. Effectiveness of the method with reference to its potential role in structured sonographic training. Results. The concept found prevailing approval (90%) at the level of principle, practical implementation, and clinical usefulness. Of the participants, 91% estimated their subjective training effect as good. The questionnaire analysis showed significant improvement. On average, 75.3% of the questions relating to sonographic proficiency were answered correctly at the end of the course as opposed to 48.6% at the beginning. Conclusion. Structured ultrasound training courses based on an ultrasound simulator system seem to be useful for defining a basic standardized quality of training and significantly improving examiners’ skills. This is a suitable additional instrument to improve the education in obstetric ultrasound.
Hamman's syndrome associated with pharyngeal rupture occurring during childbirth
Authors: TIXIER HERVÉ , RATTIN CHRISTIAN , DUNAND ALEXIS , PEAUPARDIN YUKIKO , DOUVIER SERGE , SAGOT PAUL , MOURTIALON PASCAL
Published: March 2010

Hamman's syndrome is the classical association of subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum, with or without pneumothorax. Its onset during the expulsive phase of childbirth is exceptional. We report here the first case associated with pharyngeal rupture at the level of the piriform sinus and describe the warning signs and the management by endoscopy.
Prognostic significance of estrogen and progesterone receptor expression in LNG‐IUS (Mirena®) treatment of endometrial hyperplasia: an immunohistochemical study
Authors: AKESSON EMELIE , GALLOS IOANNIS D. , GANESAN RAJI , VARMA RAJESH , GUPTA JANESH K.
Published: March 2010

We performed immunohistochemical analysis of estrogen (ERα) and progesterone receptors (PRA and PRB), phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) and aromatase in endometrial hyperplasia treated with Mirena® (levonorgestrel‐releasing intrauterine system; LNG‐IUS) and explored their prognostic significance. The baseline pre‐treatment endometrial hyperplasia of a selected prospective cohort was analyzed [complex (n = 29) and atypical (n = 5)]. Study participants were categorized into those that showed endometrial regression (responders, n = 28) and those that showed non‐regression or histological progression to atypia or malignancy (non‐responders, n = 6). Immunohistochemical expression was expressed as a histological score (HS). Responders compared to non‐responders showed significantly higher HSs for estrogen and progesterone receptors. Absence of estrogen and progesterone receptors predicted non‐responder status with likelihood ratios of 9.33 (95% CI 2.19–39.81) and 2.92 (95% CI 1.47–5.79), respectively. Neither PTEN nor aromatase expression were associated with LNG‐IUS therapy responsiveness. Responsiveness of endometrial hyperplasia to LNG‐IUS therapy may be determined through analysis of baseline estrogen and progesterone receptors, but these exploratory findings require confirmation in a larger dataset.
Prenatal and neonatal Group B Streptococcus screening and serotyping in Lebanon: incidence and implications
Authors: SEOUD MUHEIDDINE , NASSAR ANWAR H. , ZALLOUA PIERRE , BOGHOSSIAN NANSI , EZEDDINE JIHAD , FAKHOURY HASSAN , ABBOUD JOSEPH , MELKI IMAD , ARAJ GEORGE , NACOUZI GHINWA , SANYOURA MAY , YUNIS KHALID ,   For The National Collaborative Perinatal Neonatal Network (NCPNN)
Published: March 2010

The study aimed at determining the prevalence, risk factors, perinatal transmission, and serotypes of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) among pregnant women and their newborns in Beirut, Lebanon. This was a cross‐sectional study of all pregnant women admitted from February to September 2006 to three major hospitals. Overall, 137 of 775 (17.7%) mothers and 50 of 682 newborns (7.3%) tested positive for GBS. Maternal colonization was not associated with maternal age, household income, gravidity, intrapartum fever, preterm labor, or premature rupture of membrane. Transmission rate was 40/120 (30%). Serotype 5 (24.1%) was the most common followed by serotype 1a (15.0%), 3 (14.4%), 2 (11.8%) and 1b (7.5%). Pregnant women in Lebanon appear to have a relatively high prevalence of GBS colonization with no identifiable risk factors for its acquisition. These results could provide basis for the institution of a national policy for universal maternal GBS screening to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality.
A systematic review of etiological factors for postpartum fecal incontinence
Authors: BOLS ESTHER M.J. , HENDRIKS ERIK J.M. , BERGHMANS BARY C.M. , BAETEN COR G.M.I. , NIJHUIS JAN G. , DE BIE ROB A.
Published: March 2010

Background. Conflicting results are reported about the contribution of maternal, obstetric and fetal characteristics to postpartum fecal incontinence (FI), which is hampering prevention and management of FI. Objective. To perform a systematic review identifying delivery‐related etiological factors for postpartum FI. Search strategy. Literature searches of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, DocOnline and reference lists from 1980 up to 2009 were conducted. Selection criteria. Prospective cohort studies evaluating maternal, obstetric or fetal risk factors for postpartum FI, with a follow‐up period of at least three months, were assessed. We reviewed full reports in English, German or Dutch, with anal incontinence (AI), FI, flatus incontinence, soiling, urgency and FI severity scores as reported outcomes. Data collection and analysis. Data on study characteristics, methodological quality and outcome were extracted from 31 studies according to a standardized protocol. Clinical and methodological sources of heterogeneity permitted only a qualitative analysis. Main results. A third‐ or fourth‐degree sphincter rupture was the only etiological factor strongly (AI) or moderately (flatus incontinence) associated with postpartum FI. No association with other postulated risk factors was found, for example, birth weight or instrumental delivery. The potential co‐existence of different risk factors impedes the interpretation of the influence of a single delivery‐related risk factor. Conclusions. This systematic review, including only longitudinal studies and recognizing the importance of separating results for different outcomes, identifies that a third‐ or fourth‐degree sphincter rupture is the only factor that is strongly (AI) or moderately (flatus incontinence) associated with postpartum FI.
Denial of smoking‐related risk among pregnant smokers
Authors: TOMBOR ILDIKÓ , URBÁN RÓBERT , BERKES TÍMEA , DEMETROVICS ZSOLT
Published: March 2010

Objective. To examine pregnant women's denial of risk, tobacco dependence and their partner's smoking status on smoking behavior during pregnancy. Design. Cross‐sectional design with convenience sampling. Setting. Data collection was carried out in hospitals and antenatal clinics in Budapest and 12 other Hungarian cities. Population or sample. A total of 406 adult pregnant women (mean age: 28.2 years; SD = 5.6) with a mean gestational age of 23.3 weeks ranging from 4 to 40 (SD = 8.9). Methods. Pregnant women were enrolled in the study by midwives and home‐care attendants. Main outcome measures. Smoking status was assessed by self‐report questions. Further measures included the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence to assess nicotine dependence, and the Wisconsin Inventory of Smoking Dependence Motives to assess the motivational background of smoking. Risk perception was assessed by Haslam and Draper's (2000) 12‐item risk perception questionnaire. Results. Prevalence of occasional and daily smokers was 21.7 and 29.3%, respectively. Some 59.7% of the pregnant women have a partner who smokes. Daily smokers had a higher level of risk denial than occasional or non‐smokers (Welch F = 91.607; p < 0.001). Current smokers also had a higher denial than temporary quitters (t = ‐3.153; p = 0.003). Denial of risk correlated significantly with nicotine dependence (r = 0.30) and the main motivational factors (r = 0.34−0.48). A multinomial logistic regression model of denial of risk concurrently predicted women's smoking status (p = 0.001), even when controlling for age, education, partner's smoking status and parity. Conclusions. A higher level of risk denial seems to be one of the major determinants of women's smoking status during pregnancy.
Anterior to posterior hippocampal MRS metabolite difference is mainly a partial volume effect
Authors: Starck Göran , Vkhoff-Baaz Barbro , Ljungberg Maria , Malmgren Kristina , Forssell-Aronsson Eva , Jönsson Lars , Ekholm Sven
Published: March 2010

Background: The concentration of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in hippocampus, as measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and the ratio of NAA/(choline (Cho) + creatine (Cr)) are valuable tools in the lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MRS of hippocampus is also increasingly used to study certain psychiatric and degenerative diseases. However, the reliability of such measurements of hippocampus has been questioned.

Purpose: To re-evaluate MRS imaging data from prior control subjects with regard to variation of metabolite concentrations in hippocampus from anterior to posterior and the partial volume ®contribution to the measurements from adjacent tissue.

Material and Methods: Twelve healthy subjects, mean age 33 years, were studied with MRS imaging. The measurement volume was angled along the temporal horns and metabolite concentration images were reconstructed at the MR system. Regions of interest (ROIs) in the anterior, medial, and posterior parts of both hippocampi were evaluated. Signal normalization to the total MRS signal from all ROIs permitted pooling of individual data with different and unknown signal scaling. One subject was re-examined with a high resolution three-dimensional (3D) volume of the brain for evaluation of partial volumes in the MRS examination.

Results: Overall, there were significantly lower concentrations of NAA in the anterior parts, and of (Cho+Cr) in the posterior parts, while the NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio in the posterior parts of the mesial temporal lobes was significantly higher. Hippocampus accounted for one-half, one-third, and one-quarter of the anterior, middle, and posterior ROIs, respectively. The NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio thus showed a reverse relationship to the relative volume of hippocampal tissue within the ROI.

Conclusion: Metabolite concentrations in the mesial temporal lobe obtained with MRS imaging represent the mean value of hippocampus and a considerable amount of adjacent tissue. To assess the hippocampus alone, an actual voxel well below 1 cm3 and a sub-centimeter slice thickness are required.