bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The environmental structure of trilobite morphological disparity
Authors: Hopkins Melanie J.
Published: May 2014

Despite the mounting evidence that taxonomic diversity dynamics are patterned environmentally and that taxonomic diversity and morphological disparity are decoupled both temporally and spatially in many clades, very little work has been done to assess whether disparity is also influenced by environment. Here I investigate whether trilobite disparity shows environmental patterning through time. I used the method developed by Simpson and Harnik (2009) for estimating latitudinal, substrate, and bathymetric affinities from fossil occurrence data, downloaded from the Paleobiology Database. This method has the advantages that the biological null hypothesis is explicitly separated from the expectation due to sampling, and that the posterior probability can be used to infer degree of preference for one habitat compared to another. To measure morphology, I used a data set of outlines of the trilobite cranidium from Foote (1993). Many of the species in this data set are not represented in the Paleobiology Database in sufficient numbers to assess species-level affinity for these taxa, but species-level affinity could be estimated with high fidelity by using genus-level affinities. Results show that cranidial morphological diversity was structured by environmental preferences of the taxa but the structure was complex and changed through time. In particular, there was little differentiation in morphospace around latitudinal, substrate, or bathymetric affinity during the Cambrian. In contrast, both diversification and expansion into previously unoccupied areas of morphospace during the Ordovician were dominated by tropical, deeper-water taxa.
Understanding specifics in generalist diets of carnivorans by analyzing stable carbon isotope values in Pleistocene mammals of Florida
Authors: Feranec Robert S. , DeSantis Larisa R. G.
Published: May 2014

Within ancient ecosystems, it is generally difficult to determine the specific diets of species from higher trophic levels, which in turn hinders our understanding of trophic relationships and energy flow through these systems. To better understand the ecology of taxa at higher trophic levels, we used analysis of tooth enamel stable carbon isotope values to infer the dietary preferences ofCanis edwardiiandSmilodon gracilisfrom the Leisey Shell Pit 1A (LSP 1A) and Inglis 1A, two Pleistocene localities in Florida. The goals of the analyses were to (1) determine whether these carnivorans specialized in particular prey types or maintained a generalist diet; (2) ascertain whether carbon isotope values support what was previously suggested about the ecology of these species; and (3) establish what ecological details of ancient food webs can be discovered by carbon isotope analyses at higher trophic levels. Results show that the sampled carnivoran carbon isotope values are distributed among suspected prey isotope values, suggesting that varied prey were taken at the study localities. Prey compositions were modeled for each carnivoran species by using Stable Isotope Analysis in R (SIAR). The modeled diets indicate that each studied carnivoran had a generalist diet; however, there are differences in how these taxa achieved dietary generalization. At the glacial Inglis 1A locality, sampled individuals ofC. edwardiiandS. gracilisshow similar isotope values and modeled dietary prey proportions, although both carnivorans do show a preference for grazing prey species. The similar isotopic values, and calculated prey proportions, observed between these species may imply greater interspecific competition for food. At the interglacial LSP 1A locality,C. edwardiishows values similar to those observed at Inglis 1A. In contrast, the data forS. gracilisshows a preference for consuming browsing prey species. Further, its restricted range of carbon isotope values suggests thatS. gracilismay have concentrated its feeding within a particular habitat. Examination of stable carbon isotope values among species at higher trophic levels reveals that some intricacies of ancient food webs can be discerned.
Environmental controls on geographic range size in marine animal genera
Authors: Foote Michael
Published: May 2014

Here I test the hypothesis that temporal variation in geographic range size within genera is affected by the expansion and contraction of their preferred environments. Using occurrence data from the Paleobiology Database, I identify genera that have a significant affinity for carbonate or terrigenous clastic depositional environments that transcends the Database's representation of these environments during the stratigraphic range of each genus. These affinity assignments are not a matter of arbitrarily subdividing a continuum in preference; rather, genera form distinct, nonrandom subsets with respect to environmental preference. I tabulate the stage-by-stage transitions in range size within individual genera and the stage-by-stage changes in the extent of each environment. Comparing the two shows that genera with a preference for a given environment are more likely to increase in geographic range, and to show a larger average increase in range, when that environment increases in areal extent, and likewise for decreases in geographic range and environmental area. Similar results obtain for genera with preferences for reefal and non-reef settings. Simulations and subsampling experiments suggest that these results are not artifacts of methodology or sampling bias. Nor are they confined to particular higher taxa. Genera with roughly equal preference for carbonates and clastics do not have substantially broader geographic ranges than those with a distinct affinity, suggesting that, at this scale of analysis, spatial extent of preferred environment outweighs breadth of environmental preference in governing geographic range. These results pertain to changes over actual geologic time within individual genera, not overall average ranges. Recent work has documented a regular expansion and contraction when absolute time is ignored and genera are superimposed to form a composite average. Environmental preference may contribute to this pattern, but its role appears to be minor, limited mainly to the initial expansion and final contraction of relatively short-lived genera.
Progressive collapsed zone extent estimation in two-way slab floors by yield line analysis
Authors: Pachenari Alireza , Keramati Abolghassem
Published: May 2014

Loss of an external facade column is among the most probable scenarios in evaluating the vulnerability of a structural system to progressive collapse. In the case that the column loss causes adjoining panels to fall down in a two-way slab reinforced concrete structure, the capability of the lower floor to prevent formation of any collapse mechanism plays an important role in averting progressive collapse. This paper introduces relevant beam–slab collapse modes of the impacted storey, as well as developing a formula for the ultimate load of each mechanism using yield line analysis. The formulation includes beam and slab main properties and could be used as a way to roughly estimate the extent of collapsed area in lower storeys. A study is also performed to determine the influence of some parameters on the predicted ultimate load. It is concluded that the ratio of beam to slab flexural strength and existing dead and live loads on panels in the vicinity of impacted panels could change the yield line pattern and subsequently control the prevailing collapse mode.
Logging‐induced changes in habitat network connectivity shape behavioral interactions in the wolf–caribou–moose system
Authors: Courbin N. , Fortin D. , Dussault C. , Courtois R.
Published: May 2014

Habitat connectivity influences the distribution dynamics of animals. Connectivity can therefore shape trophic interactions, but little empirical evidence is available, especially for large mammals. In forest ecosystems, logging alters functional connectivity among habitat patches, and such activities can affect the spatial game between large herbivores and their predators. We used graph theory to evaluate how harvesting‐induced changes in habitat connectivity influence patch choice and residency time of GPS‐collared caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) and moose (Alces alces) in winter in the boreal forest. We then investigated the predator–prey game by assessing how GPS‐collared wolves (Canis lupus) adjusted their movements to changes in landscape properties and in the networks of their prey species. We built prey habitat networks using minimum planar graphs organized around species‐specific, highly selected habitat patches (i.e., network nodes). We found that spatial dynamics of large herbivores were influenced not only by the intrinsic quality of habitat patches, but also by the connectivity of those network nodes. Caribou and moose selected nodes that were connected by a high number of links, and moose also spent relatively more time in those nodes. By limiting node accessibility, human disturbances influenced travel decisions. Caribou and moose avoided nodes that were surrounded by a high proportion of cuts and roads, but once within these nodes, moose stayed longer than in other nodes. Caribou selectively moved among nodes with low distance costs, and their residency time increased with distance costs required to reach the nodes. Wolves selected their prey's nodes, where vegetation consumed by caribou and moose was highly abundant. Furthermore, wolves discriminated among those nodes by selecting the most connected ones. In fact, selection by wolves was stronger for their prey's nodes than for the prey's utilization distribution per se, a difference that increased with the level of human disturbance. Considering the difficulty of keeping track of highly mobile prey, predators may benefit by targeting not only their prey's resource patches, but also the most highly connected patches. Matrix quality and connectivity are therefore key elements shaping the predator–prey spatial game in human‐altered landscapes because of their impact on the spatial dynamics of the interacting species.
The spatial structure of Antarctic biodiversity
Authors: Convey Peter , Chown Steven L. , Clarke Andrew , Barnes David K. A. , Bokhorst Stef , Cummings Vonda , Ducklow Hugh W. , Frati Francesco , Green T. G. Allan , Gordon Shulamit , Griffiths Huw J. , Howard-Williams Clive , Huiskes Ad H. L. , Laybourn-Parry Johanna , Lyons W. Berry , McMinn Andrew , Morley Simon A. , Peck Lloyd S. , Quesada Antonio , Robinson Sharon A. , Schiaparelli Stefano , Wall Diana H.
Published: May 2014

Patterns of environmental spatial structure lie at the heart of the most fundamental and familiar patterns of diversity on Earth. Antarctica contains some of the strongest environmental gradients on the planet and therefore provides an ideal study ground to test hypotheses on the relevance of environmental variability for biodiversity. To answer the pivotal question, “How does spatial variation in physical and biological environmental properties across the Antarctic drive biodiversity?” we have synthesized current knowledge on environmental variability across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine Antarctic biomes and related this to the observed biotic patterns. The most important physical driver of Antarctic terrestrial communities is the availability of liquid water, itself driven by solar irradiance intensity. Patterns of biota distribution are further strongly influenced by the historical development of any given location or region, and by geographical barriers. In freshwater ecosystems, free water is also crucial, with further important influences from salinity, nutrient availability, oxygenation, and characteristics of ice cover and extent. In the marine biome there does not appear to be one major driving force, with the exception of the oceanographic boundary of the Polar Front. At smaller spatial scales, ice cover, ice scour, and salinity gradients are clearly important determinants of diversity at habitat and community level. Stochastic and extreme events remain an important driving force in all environments, particularly in the context of local extinction and colonization or recolonization, as well as that of temporal environmental variability. Our synthesis demonstrates that the Antarctic continent and surrounding oceans provide an ideal study ground to develop new biogeographical models, including life history and physiological traits, and to address questions regarding biological responses to environmental variability and change.
Longitudinal bio‐logging reveals interplay between extrinsic and intrinsic carry‐over effects in a long‐lived vertebrate
Authors: Daunt F. , Reed T. E. , Newell M. , Burthe S. , Phillips R. A. , Lewis S. , Wanless S.
Published: May 2014

Carry‐over effects have major implications for individual fitness and population and evolutionary dynamics. The strength of these effects is dependent on an individual's intrinsic performance and the environmental conditions it experiences. However, understanding the relative importance of environmental and intrinsic effects underpinning seasonal interactions has proved extremely challenging, since they covary. A powerful approach is longitudinal measurement of individuals across a range of conditions, whereby each animal is effectively acting as its own control. We related time spent foraging during the nonbreeding period to subsequent breeding performance in European Shags Phalacrocorax aristotelis. By following individuals for up to six years, we could test simultaneously for extrinsic and intrinsic effects using random regression modeling. We detected significant annual and among‐individual variation in daily foraging time during the late winter, and clear variation among individuals in the quadratic relationship between foraging time and date. Shorter foraging times were associated with earlier and more successful breeding, driven by differences among years and individuals, with no evidence of individual variation in the slope of these relationships. That both environmental and intrinsic variation shape carry‐over effects has important implications for population responses to environmental change.
Fitness maximization by dispersal: evidence from an invasion experiment
Authors: Bonte D. , De Roissart A. , Wybouw N. , Van Leeuwen T.
Published: May 2014

Dispersal is essential for population persistence in transient environments. While costs of dispersal are ubiquitous, individual advantages of dispersal remain poorly understood. Not all individuals from a population disperse, and individual heterogeneity in costs and benefits of dispersal underlie phenotype‐dependent dispersal strategies. Dispersing phenotypes are always expected to maximize their fitness by adaptive decision making relative to the alternative strategy of remaining philopatric. While this first principle is well acknowledged in theoretical ecology, empirical verification is extremely difficult, due to a plethora of experimental constraints. We studied fitness prospects of dispersal in a game theoretical context using the two‐spotted spider mite Tetranychus urticae as a model species. We demonstrate that dispersing phenotypes represent those individuals able to maximize their fitness in a novel, less populated environment reached after dispersal. In contrast to philopatric phenotypes, successful dispersers performed better in a low density post‐dispersal context, but worse in a high density philopatric context. They increased fitness about 450% relative to the strategy of remaining philopatric. The optimization of phenotype‐dependent dispersal, thus, maximizes fitness.
Modification of a Na-montmorillonite with quaternary ammonium salts and its application for organics removal from TNT red water
Authors: Zhang Qian , Meng Zilin , Zhang Yihe , Lv Guocheng , Lv Fengzhu , Wu Limei
Published: May 2014

Na-montmorillonite (Na-Mont) and organic montmorillonite modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB-Mont) and tetramethylammonium bromide (TMAB-Mont) were prepared as adsorbents to remove organic contaminants from 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) red water. The characterizations of the samples were performed with X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The adsorption capacity of CTAB-Mont (15.9 mg/g) was much larger than Na-Mont (0.26 mg/g) and TMAB-Mont (1.7 mg/g). Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models fitted the experimental results well. The main factor in the adsorption promotion was the distribution phase in the interlayer of CTAB-Mont. The arrangement of molecules analyzed by molecular simulation corresponded to the experimental data and supported the adsorption mechanism.
Simulation and optimization of airlift external circulation membrane bioreactor using computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Qing Zhang , Rongle Xu , Xiang Zheng , Yaobo Fan
Published: May 2014

The airlift external circulation membrane bioreactor (AEC-MBR) is a new MBR consisting of a separated aeration tank and membrane tank with circulating pipes fixed between the two tanks. The circulating pipe is called a H circulating pipe (HCP) because of its shape. With the complex configuration, it was difficult but necessary to master the AEC-MBR's hydraulic characteristics. In this paper, simulation and optimization of the AEC-MBR was performed using computational fluid dynamics. The distance from diffusers to membrane modules, i.e. the height of gas–liquid mixing zone (hm), and its effect on velocity distribution at membrane surfaces were studied. Additionally, the role of HCP and the effect of HCP's diameter on circulation were simulated and analyzed. The results showed that non-uniformity of cross-flow velocity existed in the flat-plate membrane modules, and the problem could be alleviated by increasing hm to an optimum range (hm/B ≥ 0.55; B is total static depth). Also, the low velocity in the boundary layer on the membrane surface was another reason for membrane fouling. The results also suggested that HCP was necessary and it had an optimum diameter to make circulation effective in the AEC-MBR.
Highly efficient co-removal of copper (II) and phthalic acid with self-synthesized polyamine resin
Authors: Ling Chen , Liu Fu-Qiang , Long Chao , Wei Meng-Meng , Li Aimin
Published: May 2014

A novel method was proposed for efficient co-removal of Cu (II) and phthalic acid (PA) using self-synthesized polyamine resin (R-NH2). The adsorption properties of R-NH2 were thoroughly investigated by equilibrium, kinetic and dynamic tests in sole and binary systems at pH 5.0. The Freundlich model was a good fit for all the isotherm data, showing higher Kf values in the binary system than the sole system. The pseudo-second-order kinetic equation showed a better correlation to the experimental data in all cases and PA uptake was much faster than that of Cu (II). R-NH2 showed highest adsorption capacities to both Cu (II) and PA among the five tested resins. Moreover, the presence of PA markedly enhanced the adsorption of Cu (II), being around 3.5 times of that of the sole system. The adsorption of PA was also slightly increased when Cu (II) was coexistent. Furthermore, using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) and species calculations, possible mechanisms were proposed that Cu (II) coordinated with –NH2 and negative PA species interacted with –NH3+ by electrostatic attraction. [Cu-PA] complex in the binary system possessed a much higher affinity than free Cu (II) to chelating with –NH2, resulting in mutual enhancement.
Spatial variability of nutrients (N, P) in a deep, temperate lake with a low trophic level supported by global navigation satellite systems, geographic information system and geostatistics
Authors: Łopata Michał , Popielarczyk Dariusz , Templin Tomasz , Dunalska Julita , Wiśniewski Grzegorz , Bigaj Izabela , Szymański Daniel
Published: May 2014

We investigated changes in the spatial distribution of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in the deep, mesotrophic Lake Hańcza. The raw data collection, supported by global navigation satellite system (GNSS) positioning, was conducted on 79 sampling points. A geostatistical method (kriging) was applied in spatial interpolation. Despite the relatively small area of the lake (3.04 km2), compact shape (shore development index of 2.04) and low horizontal exchange of water (retention time 11.4 years), chemical gradients in the surface waters were found. The largest variation concerns the main biogenic element – phosphorus. The average value was 0.032 at the extreme values of 0.019 to 0.265 mg L−1 (coefficient of variation 87%). Smaller differences are related to nitrogen compounds (0.452–1.424 mg L−1 with an average value of 0.583 mg L−1, the coefficient of variation 20%). The parts of the lake which are fed with tributaries are the richest in phosphorus. The water quality of the oligo-mesotrophic Lake Hańcza has been deteriorating in recent years. Our results indicate that inferences about trends in the evolution of examined lake trophic status should be based on an analysis of the data, taking into account the local variation in water chemistry.
Use of external carbon sources derived from biowaste for short-cut nutrient removal from anaerobic effluents
Authors: Katsou Evina , Frison Nicola , Malamis Simos , Fatone Francesco
Published: May 2014

This work evaluated the use of different external carbon sources to promote the via-nitrite nutrient removal from anaerobic effluents. The carbon sources consisted of fermentation liquid produced from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste (OFMSW FL), drainage liquid produced from OFMSW, fermentation liquid produced from vegetable and fruit waste (VFW FL) and acetic acid. Denitritation and phosphorus uptake via nitrite were evaluated in two sequencing batch reactors, one treating the anaerobic supernatant produced from the co-digestion of OFMSW and activated sludge (highly nitrogenous anaerobic effluent – HNAE), and the other one treating the weakly nitrogenous anaerobic effluent (WNAE) from an upflow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor. The use of OFMSW FL to treat HNAE resulted in high nitrite (27 mgN/(gVSS·h) (VSS – volatile suspended solids) and phosphate uptake (15 mgP/gVSS·h). In the WNAE, nutrient kinetics were much slower. The use of acetic acid and VFW FL performed poorly, while the use of OFMSW FL, which was rich in butyric acid and propionic acid, resulted in significant nutrient removal (7 mgN/gVSS·h and 6 mgP/gVSS·h). The economic evaluation showed that the use of OFMSW FL is a less expensive option than the acetic acid use.
Effect of operational pH on biohydrogen production from food waste using anaerobic batch reactors
Authors: Lee Chaeyoung , Lee Sewook , Han Sun-Kee , Hwang Sunjin
Published: May 2014

This study was performed to investigate the influence of operational pH on dark H2 fermentation of food waste by employing anaerobic batch reactors. The highest maximum H2 yield was 1.63 mol H2/mol hexoseadded at operational pH 5.3, whereas the lowest maximum H2 yield was 0.88 mol H2/mol hexoseadded at operational pH 7.0. With decreasing operational pH values, the n-butyrate concentration tended to increase and the acetate concentration tended to decrease. The highest hydrogen conversion efficiency of 11.3% was obtained at operational pH 5.3, which was higher than that (8.3%) reported by a previous study (Kim et al. (2011) ‘Effect of initial pH independent of operational pH on hydrogen fermentation of food waste’, Bioresource Technology 102 (18), 8646–8652). The new result indicates that the dark fermentation of food waste was stable and efficient in this study. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis showed that Clostridium species Cluster I accounted for 84.7 and 13.3% of total bacteria at operational pH 5.3 and pH 7.0, respectively, after 48 h operation.
Grease waste and sewage sludge co-digestion enhancement by thermal hydrolysis: batch and fed-batch assays
Authors: Cano R. , Nielfa A. , Pérez A. , Bouchy L. , Fdz-Polanco M.
Published: May 2014

Grease waste (GW) is an adequate substrate for sewage sludge co-digestion since, coming from a waste water treatment plant, it has a high methane potential (489 NmLCH4/gVSin); however, no synergistic effect takes place when co-digesting with 52%VS grease. Conversely, thermal hydrolysis (TH) improves the anaerobic digestion of GW (43% higher kinetics) and biological sludge (29% more methane potential). Therefore, the application of TH to a co-digestion process was further studied. First, biochemical methane potential tests showed that the best configuration to implement the TH to the co-digestion process is pretreating the biological sludge alone, providing a 7.5% higher methane production (398 NmLCH4/gVSin), 20% faster kinetics and no lag-phase. Its implementation in a fed-batch operation resulted in considerable methane production (363 NmLCH4/gVSin) and TH improved the rheology and dewaterability properties of the digestate. This leads to important economical savings when combined with co-digestion, reducing final waste management costs and showing interesting potential for full-scale application.
Different types of carbon nanotube-based anodes to improve microbial fuel cell performance
Authors: Thepsuparungsikul N. , Ng T. C. , Lefebvre O. , Ng H. Y.
Published: May 2014

The microbial fuel cell (MFC) is an innovative technology for producing electricity directly from biodegradable organic matter using bacteria. Among all the influenceable factors, anode materials play a crucial role in electricity generation. Recently, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have exhibited promising properties as electrode material due to their unique structural, and physical and chemical properties. In this study, the impacts of CNT types in CNT-based anodes were investigated to determine their effect on both efficiency of wastewater treatment and power generation. The CNTs, namely single-walled CNT with carboxyl group (SWCNT), multi-walled CNT with carboxyl group (MWCNT-COOH) and multi-walled CNT with hydroxyl group (MWCNT-OH) were used to fabricate CNT-based anodes by a filtration method. Overall, MWCNTs provided better results than SWCNTs, especially in the presence of the -OH groups. The highest power and treatment efficiencies in MFC were achieved with an anode made of MWCNT-OH filtered on Poreflon membrane; the open circuit voltage attained was 0.75 V and the maximum power density averaged 167 mW/m2, which was 130% higher than that obtained with plain carbon cloth. In addition, MWCNT-OH is more cost-effective, further suggesting its potential to replace plain carbon cloth generally used for the MFC anode.
Influence of extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) produced by two different green unicellular algae on membrane filtration in an algae-based biofuel production process
Authors: Matsumoto Takaki , Yamamura Hiroshi , Hayakawa Jyunpei , Watanabe Yoshimasa , Harayama Shigeaki
Published: May 2014

In the present study, two strains of green algae named S1 and S2, categorized as the same species of Pseudo-coccomyxa ellipsoidea but showing 99% homology, were cultivated under the same conditions and filtrated with a microfiltration membrane. On the basis of the results of the extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) characteristics of these two green algae and the degree of fouling, the influence of these characteristics on the performance of membrane filtration was investigated. There was no difference in the specific growth rate between the S1 and S2 strains; however, large differences were seen in the amount and quality of EPS between S1 and S2. When the S1 and S2 strains were filtered with a membrane, the trend in the increase in transmembrane pressure (TMP) was quite different. The filtration of the S1 strain showed a rapid increase in TMP, whereas the TMP of the filtration of the S2 strain did not increase at all during the operation. This clearly demonstrated that the characteristics of each strain affect the development of membrane fouling. On the basis of the detailed characterization of solved-EPS (s-EPS) and bound-EPS (b-EPS), it was clarified that s-EPS mainly contributed to irreversible fouling for both operations and the biopolymer-like organic matter contained in b-EPS mainly contributed to reversible fouling.
Co-optimisation of phosphorus and nitrogen removal in stormwater biofilters: the role of filter media, vegetation and saturated zone
Authors: Glaister Bonnie J. , Fletcher Tim D. , Cook Perran L. M. , Hatt Belinda E.
Published: May 2014

Biofilters have been shown to effectively treat stormwater and achieve nutrient load reduction targets. However, effluent concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus typically exceed environmental targets for receiving water protection. This study investigates the role of filter media, vegetation and a saturated zone (SZ) in achieving co-optimised nitrogen and phosphorus removal in biofilters. Twenty biofilter columns were monitored over a 12-month period of dosing with semi-synthetic stormwater. The frequency of dosing was altered seasonally to examine the impact of hydrologic variability. Very good nutrient removal (90% total phosphorus, 89% total nitrogen) could be achieved by incorporating vegetation, an SZ and Skye sand, a naturally occurring iron-rich filter medium. This design maintained nutrient removal at or below water quality guideline concentrations throughout the experiment, demonstrating resilience to wetting–drying fluctuations. The results also highlighted the benefit of including an SZ to maintain treatment performance over extended dry periods. These findings represent progress towards designing biofilters which co-optimise nitrogen and phosphorus removal and comply with water quality guidelines.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation therapy in reduction of orofacial pain
Authors: Djordjevic Igor , Lazic Vojkan , Todorovic Ana , Cairovic Aleksandra , Veselinovic Valentina , Zivkovic Slavoljub
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Patients with craniomandibular disorders suffer from
hypertonic, fatigued and painful masticatory muscles. This condition can lead
to limitation of mandibular jaw movements. All of these symptoms and signs
are included in myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome. Transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) has been used for treatment of these
patients. Objective. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of TENS
therapy on chronic pain reduction in patients with the muscular dysfunction
symptom. Methods. In order to evaluate the effect of TENS therapy before and
after the treatment, Craniomandibular Index (Helkimo) was used. Pain
intensity was measured by VAS. Patients had TENS treatment over two-week
period. BURST TENS modality was used. Current intensity was individually
adjusted. Results. Two patients did not respond to TENS therapy. Complete
pain reduction was recorded in 8 patients, while pain reduction was not
significantly different after TENS therapy in 10 patients. Conclusion. TENS
therapy was confirmed as therapeutic procedure in orofacial muscle relaxation
and pain reduction.
Utilization of two different surgical techniques in gingival recession treatment: A comparative study
Authors: Bajic Miljan , Jankovic Sasa , Milinkovic Iva , Cakic Sasa , Perunovic Neda , Novakovic Nada , Puletic Miljan , Aleksic Zoran
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Gingival recession is a displacement of gingival margin
apically to cementenamel junction. Objective. The aim of this study was to
compare the results achieved with two different surgical procedures used in
gingival recession treatment. Methods. Ten patients with bilateral buccal
recession on maxillary canines or premolars were included in the study.
Professional teeth cleaning was performed before surgery. Recession on the
experimental side was treated with connective tissue graft in combination
with coronally advanced, split thickness flap (tunnel technique). Control
side recession was treated with connective tissue graft in combination with
trapezoidal coronally advanced, full thickness flap. Coin toss was used for
side decision. The following parameters were evaluated before surgery and 6
months post-op: Vertical Recession Dimension, Clinical Attachment Level,
Apico-coronal width of the keratinized tissue, Healing index (Laundry), RES
index, and Patient evaluation of esthetic results. Student?s t-test was used
for statistical analysis. Results. Six months after surgery, mean root
coverage was 91.5?14.1% and 90.1?14.6% on the experimental and on the control
side, respectively. RES index, Healing index (Laundry) and Patient Subjective
evaluation of esthetic results showed significantly better results (p?0.05).
Conclusion. Both surgical procedures produce highly successful clinical
results based on evaluated parameters, but this tunnel technique provides
significantly better esthetic results.
Contribution to the method for determining femoral neck axis
Authors: Andjelkovic Zoran , Mladenovic Desimir , Vukasinovic Zoran , Arsic Stojanka , Mitkovic Milorad , Micic Ivan , Mladenovic Marko
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Femoral neck axis plotting is of great significance in
measuring parameters that define femoral head-neck junction sphericity in
the group of patients with the femoroacetabular impingement. Literature
methods of femoral neck axis determination have weaknesses associated with
the risk of obtaining inaccurate values of certain parameters. Objective.
Method of plotting of the femoral neck axis by two parallel lines that
belong to the medial quarter of the femoral neck is proposed. Method was
tested on the anatomic specimens and the respective radiograms. Methods. A
total of 31 anatomic specimens of the proximal femur and respective
radiographs were used, on which three axes of the femoral neck were plotted;
accordingly, alpha angle value was determined and tested with corresponding
parametric tests, with the measurement error of less than 5% and the
strength of the applied tests of 80%. Results. Alpha angle values obtained
by plotting femoral neck axis using the literature and methods we have
proposed were not significantly different in our series, and, in more than a
half of the specimens, the two axes overlapped each other. Conclusion. The
advantage of the proposed method does not depend on the position of the
femoral head rotation center in relation to the femoral neck, which favors
proposed method for measuring the angles of femoral head sphericity in
patients with the femoral head translation. Disadvantage of the study is a
small sample size for valid conclusions about the applicability of this
method in clinical practice.
Bradykinin stimulation of nitric oxide production is not sufficient for gamma-globin induction
Authors: Cokic Vladan , Suboticki Tijana , Beleslin-Cokic Bojana , Diklic Milos , Milenkovic Pavle , Jovcic Gordana
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Hydroxycarbamide, used in therapy of hemoglobinopathies,
enhances nitric oxide (NO) production both in primary human umbilical vein
endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human bone marrow endothelial cell line
(TrHBMEC). Moreover, NO increases ?-globin and fetal hemoglobin levels in
human erythroid progenitors. Objective. In order to find out whether simple
physiologic stimulation of NO production by components of hematopoietic
microenvironment can increase ?-globin gene expression, the effects of
NO-inducer bradykinin were examined in endothelial cells. Methods. The study
was performed in co-cultures of human erythroid progenitors, TrHBMEC and
HUVECs by ozone-based chemiluminescent determination of NO and real-time
quantitative RT-PCR. Results. In accordance with previous reports, the
endogenous factor bradykinin increased endothelial cell production of NO in a
dose- and time-dependent manner (0.1-0.6 ?M up to 30 minutes). This induction
of NO in HUVECs and TrHBMEC by bradykinin was blocked by competitive
inhibitors of NO synthase (NOS), demonstrating NOS-dependence. It has been
shown that bradykinin significantly reduced endothelial NOS (eNOS) mRNA level
and eNOS/?-actin ratio in HUVEC (by twofold). In addition, bradykinin failed
to increase ?-globin mRNA expression in erythroid progenitors only, as well
as in co-culture studies of erythroid progenitors with TrHBMEC and HUVEC
after 24 hours of treatment. Furthermore, bradykinin did not induce ?/?
globin ratio in erythroid progenitors in co-cultures with HUVEC. Conclusion.
Bradykinin mediated eNOS activation leads to short time and low NO production
in endothelial cells, insufficient to induce ?-globin gene expression. These
results emphasized the significance of elevated and extended NO production in
augmentation of ?-globin gene expression.
Second look procedure for large burn defect by banana peel pericranial flap based on one artery
Authors: Velickov Asen , Kovacevic Predrag , Petrovic Dragan , Petrovic Sladjana , Kovacevic Tatjana , Velickov Aleksandra
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Scalp and calvarial defects may result from trauma, thermal or
electrical burns, resection of benign or malignant tumors, infections or
radionecrosis. Reconstruction of large scalp defects is a demanding
procedure. The reconstructive ??ladder?? are applicable to scalp and
calvarial defects reconstruction. Case Outline. A 68-year-old female was
admitted to our clinic due to the nine-day old scalp burn wound, incurred
under unclear circumstances. Third degree burn wound affected the left
frontal-parietal, temporal and part of the occipital region with
carbonification of the whole left ear lobe. The treatment was carried out in
two stages. Radical full thickness necrectomy of the scalp was performed, the
defect margins were curetted to the active bleeding, and the ear lobe was
amputated. The defect sized 23 x 15 cm was reconstructed using the ?banana
peel? transposition galea-cutaneous flap from the remainder of the scalp,
which was based only on the right occipital artery. Two months after the
surgery the appearance was satisfactory, and all wounds were healed.
Conclusion. Designing of large-scale flaps is very hazardous, especially in
elderly people. Scalp reconstruction based on one artery has to be planned in
detail and performed when the possibility of complication is reduced to
minimum. Our case report underlines possible reconstruction as delayed
procedure even with the exposed bone (second look procedure), as well as the
reconstruction of half scalp with the local flap based on one pericranial
artery.
“Blue-toe” syndrome as a possible complication of the abdominal aortic aneurysm: A report of two cases
Authors: Popov Petar , Tanaskovic Slobodan , Sotirovic Vuk , Babic Srdjan , Nenezic Dragoslav , Radak Djordje
Published: May 2014

Introduction. Severe extremity ischemia and the presence of the ?blue-toe?
syndrome are rarely the first complications of the present abdominal aortic
aneurysm. We report two interesting cases of this rare entity. Outline of
Cases. A 61-year-old man presented with the rest pain of his toes
accompanied with digital ischemia of both feet. Physical examination
confirmed regular arterial pulses at lower extremities accompanied with
palpable pulsate mass in the abdomen. Vascular ultrasound and multidetector
tomography (MDCT) of blood vessels revealed small abdominal aortic aneurysm
(37 mm in diameter), filled with the irregular, ulcerated, heterogeneous
thrombotic masses. Aneurysm sac resection was performed with an
aorto-bi-iliac bypass reconstruction. A week later, it was mandatory to
amputate the fifth toe on the left foot because of the advanced gangrenous
process. The second case was a 77-year-old woman with 7-day history of
severe feet pain. Abdominal examination revealed pulsatile mass
paraumbilical to the left. Performed abdominal ultrasonography and MDCT
angiography confirmed coexistence of the infrarenal aortic aneurysm, 40.5 mm
in diameter, covered by significant mobile mural thrombus and ulcerations.
Surgical reconstruction was mandatory and patient underwent aneurysm sac
resection and aortobifemoral reconstruction. Conclusion. Embolic phenomenon
and peripheral embolic occlusion from the mural thrombus within the
abdominal aortic aneurysm are relatively rare events, but associated with
tissue loss. Thorough diagnostic examinations and prompt management are
required regardless of the aneurysm size once these signs occurred.
Hereditary hyperbilirubinemias
Authors: Radlovic Nedeljko
Published: May 2014

Inherited disorders of bilirubin metabolism involve four autosomal recessive
syndromes: Gilbert, Crigler- Najjar, Dubin-Johnson and Rotor, among which
the first two are characterized by unconjugated and the second two by
conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. Gilbert syndrome occurs in 2%-10% of general
population, while others are rare. Except for Crigler-Najjar syndrome,
hereditary hyperbilirubinemias belong to benign disorders and thus no
treatment is required.
The Role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Assurance in Investors' Judgments When Managerial Pay is Explicitly Tied to CSR Performance
Authors: Brown-Liburd Helen , Zamora Valentina L.
Published: May 2014

While corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports are intended to faithfully represent CSR performance, voluntarily disclosed CSR information tends to be positive, and demand is rising for both independent assurance and integrated reporting of CSR. However, the supply of CSR assurance is not widespread in the United States, and CSR performance information remains largely separated from supporting and governance information. We thus examine the role of CSR assurance when information on CSR investment level is integrated with information on whether managerial pay is explicitly tied to sustainability. While a firm may report a high level of CSR investment to indicate an authentic commitment to CSR, investors may become skeptical of reported information if managerial pay is explicitly tied to CSR performance. Such pay-for-CSR-performance provides managers with greater incentives to overinvest in CSR and thereby report strong CSR performance. In turn, investors will seek CSR assurance as a disclosure credibility signal. Accordingly, we find that, in the presence of pay-for-CSR-performance and high CSR investment level, investors' stock price assessments are greater only when CSR assurance is also present. Our findings highlight the importance of examining CSR disclosure factor interaction effects, and provide support for the expansion of CSR assurance and integrated reporting.

Data Availability: Data available upon request.
The Effect of Simplified Adhesives on the Bond Strength to Dentin of Dual-cure Resin Cements
Authors: Shade AM , Wajdowicz MN , Bailey CW , Vandewalle KS
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to compare the shear bond strengths to dentin of two dual-cure resin cements, one with a unique initiator, NX3 (Kerr Corp), and the other with a traditional redox-initiator system, Calibra (Dentsply), when used in combination with simplified or nonsimplified adhesive agents. The two dual-cure resin cements, in either self- or dual-cure activation modes, were bonded to human dentin with four dental adhesives to create 16 subgroups of 10 specimens each. After 24 hours of storage in distilled water at 37°C, the specimens were tested in shear in a universal testing machine. With both NX3 and Calibra, bond strengths significantly increased when the specimens were dual cured. In addition, with either cement in either mode, the nonsimplified adhesives performed significantly better than did the simplified adhesive bonding agents. When used specifically with simplified adhesives in either cure mode, NX3 did not produce significantly higher bond strengths than did Calibra. In general, lower dentin bond strengths were found with simplified adhesives or self-cure activation with either resin cement.
On the homotopy equivalence of the spaces of proper and local maps
Authors: Bartłomiejczyk Piotr , Nowak-Przygodzki Piotr
Published: May 2014

We prove that for n > 1 the space of proper maps P 0(n, k) and the space of local maps F 0(n, k) are not homotopy equivalent.
Epsilon Nielsen coincidence theory
Authors: Fenille Marcio
Published: May 2014

We construct an epsilon coincidence theory which generalizes, in some aspect, the epsilon fixed point theory proposed by Robert Brown in 2006. Given two maps f, g: X → Y from a well-behaved topological space into a metric space, we define µ ∈(f, g) to be the minimum number of coincidence points of any maps f 1 and g 1 such that f 1 is ∈ 1-homotopic to f, g 1 is ∈ 2-homotopic to g and ∈ 1 + ∈ 2 < ∈. We prove that if Y is a closed Riemannian manifold, then it is possible to attain µ ∈(f, g) moving only one rather than both of the maps. In particular, if X = Y is a closed Riemannian manifold and idY is its identity map, then µ ∈(f, idY) is equal to the ∈-minimum fixed point number of f defined by Brown. If X and Y are orientable closed Riemannian manifolds of the same dimension, we define an ∈-Nielsen coincidence number N ∈(f, g) as a lower bound for µ ∈(f, g). Our constructions and main results lead to an epsilon root theory and we prove a Minimum Theorem in this special approach.
Game saturation of intersecting families
Authors: Patkós Balázs , Vizer Máté
Published: May 2014

We consider the following combinatorial game: two players, Fast and Slow, claim k-element subsets of [n] = {1, 2, …, n} alternately, one at each turn, so that both players are allowed to pick sets that intersect all previously claimed subsets. The game ends when there does not exist any unclaimed k-subset that meets all already claimed sets. The score of the game is the number of sets claimed by the two players, the aim of Fast is to keep the score as low as possible, while the aim of Slow is to postpone the game’s end as long as possible. The game saturation numbers, gsatF(IIn,k) and gsatS(IIn,k), are the score of the game when both players play according to an optimal strategy in the cases when the game starts with Fast’s or Slow’s move, respectively. We prove that $\Omega _k (n^{k/3 - 5} ) \leqslant gsat_F (\mathbb{I}_{n,k} ),gsat_S (\mathbb{I}_{n,k} ) \leqslant O_k (n^{k - \sqrt {k/2} } )$.
EIT phenomenon for the three-level hydrogen atoms and its application to the era of cosmological recombination
Authors: Solovyev Dmitry , Dubrovich Victor
Published: May 2014

The paper evaluates the contribution of the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) phenomenon to the processes of the microwave background (CMB) formation in early universe. We found the additional function f to the integrated line absorption coefficient. This makes it the necessity to upgrade the Sobolev escape probability: p ij (τ S) → p ij (τ S · (1 + f)). We calculated the magnitude of the function f for different schemes of the hydrogen atom in the three-level approximation in terms of the field parameters. The electric field amplitudes are defined using the CMB distribution. We found that the contribution of f can be significant in some cases.
On some new forms of lattice integrable equations
Authors: Babalic Corina , Carstea Adrian
Published: May 2014

Inspired by the forms of delay-Painleve equations, we consider some new differential-discrete systems of KdV, mKdV and Sine-Gordon — type related by simple one way Miura transformations to classical ones. Using Hirota bilinear formalism we construct their new integrable discretizations, some of them having higher order. In particular, by this procedure, we show that the integrable discretization of intermediate sine-Gordon equation is exactly lattice mKdV and also we find a bilinear form of the recently proposed lattice Tzitzeica equation. Also the travelling wave reduction of these new lattice equations is studied and it is shown that all of them, including the higher order ones, can be integrated to Quispel-Roberts-Thomson (QRT) mappings.
Finitely continuous differentials on generalized power series
Authors: Huang I-Chiau
Published: May 2014

Let κ[[eG]] be the field of generalized power series with exponents in a totally ordered Abelian group G and coefficients in a field κ. Given a subgroup H of G such that G/H is finitely generated, we construct a vector space ΩG/H of differentials as a universal object in certain category of κ[[eH]]-derivations on κ[[eG]]. The vector space ΩG/H together with logarithmic residues gives rise to a framework for certain combinatorial phenomena, including the inversion formula for diagonal delta sets.