bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ripening stage on the development of the microbial community during spontaneous fermentation of green tomatoes
Authors: Paramithiotis Spiros , Kouretas Konstantinos , Drosinos Eleftherios H
Published: October 2013

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous fermentation of plant‐derived material is mainly performed on a small scale, with the exception of fermented olives, cucumbers, sauerkraut and kimchi, which have met worldwide commercial significance.

RESULTS

This study of spontaneous fermentation of green tomatoes at different stages of ripening revealed a significant effect on the growth kinetics of lactic acid bacteria and the final pH value. Leuconostoc mesenteroides dominated spontaneous fermentation when the initial pH value ranged from 3.8 to 4.8 whereas at higher pH values (4.9–5.4) it co‐dominated with Leu. citreum and Lactobacillus casei. Application of RAPD‐PCR and rep‐PCR allowed differentiation at sub‐species level, suggesting a microbial succession at that level accompanying the respective at species level.

CONCLUSION

Ripening stage affected the development of the micro‐ecosystem through the growth of lactic acid bacteria and concomitant pH value reduction; however, the outcome of the fermentation was only marginally different. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Local recurrence after radical nephrectomy for kidney cancer: management and prediction of outcomes. a multi‐institutional study
Authors: Paparel Philippe , Bigot Pierre , Matillon Xavier , Bensalah Karim , Salomon Laurent , Baumert Hervé , Bastide Cyril , Thuret Rodolphe , Karsenty Gilles , Long Jean Alexandre , Ammi Myriam , Bessede Thomas , Bin Sylvie , Roux Adeline , Escudier Bernard , Rioux Leclercq Nathalie , Pignot Géraldine , Soulie Michel , Patard Jean‐Jacques
Published: October 2013

Background

Local recurrence (LR) after radical nephrectomy (RN) for kidney cancer is uncommon. Our objectives were to analyse characteristics and therapeutic options of LR after RN and to identify survival prognostic factors.

Materials and Methods

From a multi‐institutional retrospective database, we identified 72 patients who experienced LR after RN.

Results

Mean time to LR was 26.5 ± 3.3 months. The location of the recurrence was renal fossa, regional lymph node, homolateral adrenal and both renal fossa and regional lymph node for 43 (59.7%), 27 (37.5%), 9 (12.5%) and 7 (9.7%) patients, respectively. Patients were treated by surgery, systemic therapies, combination of therapies and palliative treatment in 24 (33.3%), 18 (25%), 24 (33.3%) and 6 (8.4%) cases, respectively. Within a mean follow‐up of 26.4 ± 3.3 months from the date of local recurrence, 12 (16.6%) patients were alive without disease, 30 (41.7%) patients were alive with disease, 30 patients (41.6%) died including 28 (38.8%) from the disease. In multivariate analysis, time to recurrence <1 year (P < 0.001; HR: 4.81) and surgical treatment (P = 0.027; HR: 0.33) were predictive factors.

Conclusions

Local recurrence after radical nephrectomy is associated with poor prognosis. The time to recurrence and the completeness of the surgical treatment are major prognostic factors. J. Surg. Oncol. 2014 109:126–131. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Effects of dynamic elongational flow on the dispersion and mechanical properties of low‐density polyethylene/nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate composites
Authors: Jia Shikui , Qu Jinping , Zhai Shufeng , Huang Zan , Wu Chengran , Chen Rongyuan , Feng Yanhong
Published: October 2013

Low‐density polyethylene (LDPE)/nanoprecipitated calcium carbonate (NPCC) nanocomposites were prepared with a self‐made vane extruder (VE) that generates global dynamic elongational flow and with a single‐screw extruder (SSE) that generates low shear flow. The mechanical properties, dispersed phase morphology, and thermal behavior of the nanocomposites were investigated to compare the different processing techniques. Scanning electron micrograph and transmission electron micrograph show that the elongational flow in the VE improves the dispersion of NPCC (5 wt%) particles in the LDPE matrix. The dimensional distribution of NPCC particles in the VE is significantly lower than that of the SSE. Differential scanning calorimetric curves indicate that dynamic elongational flow can enhance the crystallization ability of the LDPE/NPCC nanocomposites. The mechanical properties of the VE‐extruded samples are superior to those of the SSE‐extruded samples. When compared with that of SSE, morphology of tensile fracture surfaces suggests that the uniform and fine dispersion of NPCC particles in the LDPE matrix can successfully improve modulus and toughness of the LDPE/NPCC nanocomposites based on the novel VE. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:884–891, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Performance enhancement of nylon/kevlar fiber composites through viscoelastically generated pre‐stress
Authors: Fazal Adnan , Fancey Kevin S.
Published: October 2013

Kevlar‐29 fibers have high strength and stiffness but nylon 6,6 fibers have greater ductility. Thus by commingling these fibers prior to molding in a resin, the resulting hybrid composite may be mechanically superior to the corresponding single fiber‐type composites. The contribution made by viscoelastically generated pre‐stress, via the commingled nylon fibers, should add further performance enhancement. This paper reports on an initial study into the Charpy impact toughness and flexural stiffness of hybrid (commingled) nylon/Kevlar fiber viscoelastically pre‐stressed composites at low fiber volume fractions. The main findings show that (i) hybrid composites (with no pre‐stress) absorb more impact energy than Kevlar fiber‐only composites; (ii) pre‐stress further increases impact energy absorption in the hybrid case by up to 33%; (iii) pre‐stress increases flexural modulus by ∼40% in the hybrid composites. These findings are discussed in relation to practical composite applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:931–938, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Indentation and scratch behavior of functionalized MWCNT–PMMA composites at the micro/nanoscale
Authors: Chakraborty Himel , Sinha Arijit , Mukherjee Nillohit , Ray Dipa , Protim Chattopadhyay Partha
Published: October 2013

Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotube (F‐MWCNT) based composite films were prepared using solution casting method. Nanoindentation and scratch measurements were carried out to study the influence of F‐MWCNT as the reinforcement on the mechanical properties of the composite at the sub‐micron scale. The composites were prepared with varying weight percentages of F‐MWCNT in the PMMA matrix. The composites containing an adequate amount (0.25 wt%) of F‐MWCNT was found to demonstrate the maximum nanomechanical properties, viz. hardness, elastic modulus, recovery index. Scratch resistance measured in terms of coefficient of friction, also showed maximum value for the PMMA composite reinforced with 0.25 wt% of F‐MWCNT. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:948–955, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Reinforcing effect and isothermal crystallization kinetics of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) nanocomposites blended with organically modified montmorillonite
Authors: Prakalathan K. , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K.
Published: October 2013

Organically modified montmorillonite (OMMT) has been incorporated up to 7 wt% in poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) by melt compounding in a twin screw extruder. PHB nanocomposites reinforced with C93A showed significant increase in tensile and flexural modulus and impact strength comparatively. Wide angle X‐ray diffraction showed an increase in overall d‐spacing indicating intercalated structure. The intercalation morphology was further supported by transmission electron microscope images indicating formation of intercalated structure in case of PHB/OMMT and a mixture of Intercalated/exfoliated structure in case of PHB/TMI‐MMT nanocomposites. Thermogravimetric analyses indicate that the thermal stability of PHB/TMI‐MMT nanocomposites is higher among all other nanocomposites under investigation and virgin PHB. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis of PHB nanocomposites shows marginal increase in glass transition temperature and decrease in crystallization temperature compared to virgin PHB. The isothermal crystallization kinetics of PHB/C93A nanocomposites was investigated by DSC in the temperature range of 100–120°C and the development of relative crystallinity with the crystallization time was analyzed by Avrami equation. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:999–1012, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers
Two‐dimensional gel‐based proteomic of the caries causative bacterium Streptococcus mutansUA159 and insight into the inhibitory effect of carolacton
Authors: Li Jinshan , Wang Wei , Wang Yi , Zeng An‐Ping
Published: October 2013

Streptococcus mutans is considered to be the most cariogenic organism. Carolacton, isolated from the myxobacterium Sorangium cellulosum, shows the ability to disturb S. mutans biofilm viability that makes it a potential anti‐biofilm drug. However, the molecular mechanism of carolacton remains to be elucidated. In order to use proteomics to characterize the effect of carolacton, we constructed a 2DE‐based proteome reference map of the cytoplasmic and extracellular proteins for S. mutans in the present study. In total, 239 protein spots representing 192 different cytoplasmic proteins were identified by MALDI‐TOF MS and PMF. This represents the highest number of identified proteins so far for S. mutans UA159 in the pI range of 4–7 and would benefit further research on the physiology and pathogenicity of this strain. Based on the constructed reference map, the inhibitory effects of carolacton on S. mutans biofilm and planktonic‐growing cells were investigated. The results of the comparative proteome analysis indicate that carolacton exerts its inhibitory effects by disturbing the peptidoglycan biosynthesis and degradation and thereby causes damages to the integrity of the cell envelope, leading ultimately to cell death.
Comparative proteomics reveals key proteins recruited at the nucleoid of Deinococcus after irradiation‐induced DNA damage
Authors: de la Tour Claire Bouthier , Passot Fanny Marie , Toueille Magali , Mirabella Boris , Guérin Philippe , Blanchard Laurence , Servant Pascale , de Groot Arjan , Sommer Suzanne , Armengaud Jean
Published: October 2013

The nucleoids of radiation‐resistant Deinococcus species show a high degree of compaction maintained after ionizing irradiation. We identified proteins recruited after irradiation in nucleoids of Deinococcus radiodurans and Deinococcus deserti by means of comparative proteomics. Proteins in nucleoid‐enriched fractions from unirradiated and irradiated Deinococcus were identified and semiquantified by shotgun proteomics. The ssDNA‐binding protein SSB, DNA gyrase subunits GyrA and GyrB, DNA topoisomerase I, RecA recombinase, UvrA excinuclease, RecQ helicase, DdrA, DdrB, and DdrD proteins were found in significantly higher amounts in irradiated nucleoids of both Deinococcus species. We observed, by immunofluorescence microscopy, the subcellular localization of these proteins in D. radiodurans, showing for the first time the recruitment of the DdrD protein into the D. radiodurans nucleoid. We specifically followed the kinetics of recruitment of RecA, DdrA, and DdrD to the nucleoid after irradiation. Remarkably, RecA proteins formed irregular filament‐like structures 1 h after irradiation, before being redistributed throughout the cells by 3 h post‐irradiation. Comparable dynamics of DdrD localization were observed, suggesting a possible functional interaction between RecA and DdrD. Several proteins involved in nucleotide synthesis were also seen in higher quantities in the nucleoids of irradiated cells, indicative of the existence of a mechanism for orchestrating the presence of proteins involved in DNA metabolism in nucleoids in response to massive DNA damage. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD00196 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD000196).
Silicon Fuel in High Performance Explosives
Authors: Anderson Paul E. , Cook Paula , Davis Andy , Mychajlonka Kyle , Mileham Melissa
Published: October 2013

In an effort to improve the insensitive munition (IM) response but maintain performance of aluminized formulations, silicon was investigated as a possible replacement for aluminum. An RDX‐based silicon explosive was developed in which nearly 90 % reaction of silicon to silicon dioxide was realized by 7 volume expansions as measured by the 2.54 cm diameter copper cylinder expansion test. In spite of the low nitramine loading in the formulation (79 wt.‐%), the corresponding Gurney constant for the explosive was 2.81±0.02 km s−1, which is superior to Composition A‐3 under the same experimental conditions (91 % RDX, 2.69±0.02 km s−1). Energy calculations from detonation calorimetry also indicate reaction of the silicon, which was further confirmed by both silicon metal and silicon dioxide in the analyzed residue. The energy release, despite it being equivalent to a highly loaded explosive, was found to lag behind the rate of A‐3. This indicates silicon oxidation may occur sometime after lighter gas reactions in the reaction front, but is fast enough to impart work in the copper cylinder test.
Inhibitory effect of short cationic homopeptides against Gram‐positive bacteria
Authors: Guzmán Fanny , Marshall Sergio , Ojeda Claudia , Albericio Fernando , Carvajal‐Rondanelli Patricio
Published: October 2013

In the selection or design of antimicrobial peptides, the key role played by cationic amino acids and chain length on the inhibitory potency and specificity is not clear. A fundamental study was conducted using chemically synthesized homopeptides of l‐Lys and l‐Arg ranging from 7 to 14 residues. Their effect on growth inhibition was evaluated over a wide range of Gram‐positive bacteria at different levels of concentration. Interestingly, at lower concentrations (10 μM), Lys homopeptides with odd number of residues, especially with 11 residues, showed a broader inhibitory activity than those with even number of residues. At higher peptide concentrations (>20 μM), the inhibitory activity of Lys homopeptides was directly related to the number of residues in the chain. In contrast, Arg homopeptides, at lower concentrations, did not exhibit a defined pattern of bacterial inhibition related to the number of residues; however, at higher concentrations (>20 μM), the inhibitory effects were more pronounced. Lys homopeptides at concentrations up to 300 μM showed a remarkably lower toxicity against CHSE‐214 cells. Arg homopeptides exhibited negligible cytotoxicity up to chain length of 11 residues at concentrations lower than 100 μM, but an abrupt increase in toxicity resulted when the peptide chain length reached 12 amino acid residues and higher concentrations. All synthesized homopeptides displayed characteristic polyproline II helix conformation in both buffer and liposomes, as shown by CD spectroscopy. This result suggests that short Lys homopeptides with an odd number of residues (9 and 11) have a broad spectrum of activity against Gram‐positive bacterial cells compared with Arg homopeptides, which in turn showed a considerably higher selectivity toward those cells. By investigating the differences between Lys and Arg homopeptides, this study contributes to the understanding of their mechanism of growth inhibition and selectivity. Thus, it provides further guidelines for a rational design of short antimicrobial peptides. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Microwave‐assisted synthesis of CuInSe2 nanoparticles in low‐absorbing solvents
Authors: Oleksak Richard P. , Flynn Brendan T. , Schut David M. , Herman Gregory S.
Published: October 2013

Copper indium diselenide (CIS) nanoparticles were synthesized using a microwave‐assisted one‐pot solvothermal approach. For these studies high microwave‐absorbing precursors were used in combination with low microwave absorbing solvents tri‐n‐octylphosphine (TOP) and oleic acid (OA) to investigate the effect of selective heating of the precursors on nanoparticle synthesis. High‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results indicated that the nanoparticles were spherical, crystalline and 4–5 nm in diameter. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated that the nanoparticles had a body‐centered tetragonal structure with planar defects that decreased in concentration with increasing reaction temperature and reaction time. The nanoparticle compositions varied depending on the reaction conditions and the compositions were found to approach stoichiometry for increased reaction times. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated both solvents adsorbed to the nanoparticle surface and energy dispersive spectroscopy indicated that these ligands became chlorinated during the reaction. The uniform temperature profile offered by the microwave heating allowed for highly reproducible batch‐to‐batch reactions, allowing for tight control over composition and defect concentration.
In Situ Synthesis of CuO and Cu Nanostructures with Promising Electrochemical and Wettability Properties
Authors: Zhang Qiaobao , Xu Daguo , Zhou Xiang , Wu Xianwen , Zhang Kaili
Published: October 2013

A strategy is presented for the in situ synthesis of single crystalline CuO nanorods and 3D CuO nanostructures, ultra‐long Cu nanowires and Cu nanoparticles at relatively low temperature onto various substrates (Si, SiO2, ITO, FTO, porous nickel, carbon cotton, etc.) by one‐step thermal heating of copper foam in static air and inert gas, respectively. The density, particle sizes and morphologies of the synthesized nanostructures can be effectively controlled by simply tailoring the experimental parameters. A compressive stress based and subsequent structural rearrangements mechanism is proposed to explain the formation of the nanostructures. The as‐prepared CuO nanostructures demonstrate promising electrochemical properties as the anode materials in lithium‐ion batteries and also reversible wettability. Moreover, this strategy can be used to conveniently integrate these nanostructures with other nanostructures (ZnO nanorods, Co3O4 nanowires and nanowalls, TiO2 nanotubes, and Si nanowires) to achieve various hybrid hierarchical (CuO‐ZnO, CuO‐Co3O4, CuO‐TiO2, CuO‐Si) nanocomposites with promising properties. This strategy has the potential to provide the nano society with a general way to achieve a variety of nanostructures.
Analysis of complicated one‐dimensional stress oscillation behaviour in a functionally graded material plate
Authors: Ashida Fumihiro , Sakata Sei‐ichiro , Ohtsuka Tatsuya
Published: October 2013

A one‐dimensional elastodynamic problem in a functionally graded material (FGM) plate subjected to an impact pressure is analyzed in this paper. Applying techniques of the space‐variable transformation and Laplace transform, exact analytical solutions are derived for two cases of variations in material properties when nonhomogeneous material properties are expressed as exponential functions of the space‐variable. Numerical calculations for time histories of stresses have been carried out. Analytical and numerical results reveal that the stress oscillation obtained from one analytical solution is complicated and quasi‐periodic when the mechanical impedance depends on the space‐variable, whereas it derived from the other analytical solution is monotonic and periodic when the impedance is independent of the space‐variable. The factor which causes the different behaviours is also investigated based on the analytical and numerical results. This effect could be a key to controlling a complicated stress oscillation in an FGM plate.
Heterotic moduli stabilisation
Authors: Cicoli M. , de Alwis S. , Westphal A.
Published: October 2013

Abstract

We perform a systematic analysis of moduli stabilisation for weakly coupled heterotic string theory compactified on internal manifolds which are smooth Calabi-Yau three-folds up to α′ effects. We first review how to stabilise all the geometric and gauge bundle moduli in a supersymmetric way by including fractional fluxes, the requirement of a holomorphic gauge bundle, D-terms, higher order perturbative contributions to the superpotential as well as non-perturbative and threshold effects. We then show that the inclusion of α′ corrections to the Kähler potential leads to new stable Minkowski (or de Sitter) vacua where the complex structure moduli and the dilaton are fixed supersymmetrically at leading order, while the stabilisation of the Kähler moduli at a lower scale leads to spontaneous breaking supersymmetry. The minimum lies at moderately large volumes of all the geometric moduli, at perturbative values of the string coupling and at the right phenomenological value of the GUT gauge coupling. We also provide a dynamical derivation of anisotropic compactifications with stabilised moduli which allow for perturbative gauge coupling unification around 1016 GeV. The value of the gravitino mass can be anywhere between the GUT and the TeV scale depending on the stabilisation of the complex structure moduli. In general, these are fixed by turning on background fluxes, leading to a gravitino mass around the GUT scale since the heterotic three-form flux does not contain enough freedom to tune the superpotential to small values. Moreover accommodating the observed value of the cosmological constant is a challenge. Low-energy supersymmetry could instead be obtained by focusing on particular Calabi-Yau constructions where the gauge bundle is holomorphic only at a point-like sub-locus of complex structure moduli space, or situations with a small number of complex structure moduli (like orbifold models), since in these cases one may fix all the moduli without turning on any quantised background flux. However obtaining the right value of the cosmological constant is even more of a challenge in these cases. Another option would be to focus on compactifications on non-complex manifolds, since these allow for new geometric fluxes which could be used to tune the superpotential as well as the cosmological constant, even if the moduli space of these manifolds is presently only poorly understood.
An infalling observer in AdS/CFT
Authors: Papadodimas Kyriakos , Raju Suvrat
Published: October 2013

Abstract

We describe the experience of an observer falling into a black hole using the AdS/CFT correspondence. In order to do this, we reconstruct the local bulk operators measured by the observer along his trajectory outside the black hole. We then extend our construction beyond the black hole horizon. We show that this is possible because of an effective doubling of the observables in the boundary theory, when it is in a purestate that is close to the thermal state. Our construction allows us to rephrase questions about information-loss and the structure of the metric at the horizon in terms of more familiar CFT correlators. It suggests that to precisely identify black-hole microstates, the observer would need to conduct measurements to an accuracy of
$ {e^{{-{S_{\mathrm{BH}}}}}} $
. This appears to be inconsistent with the “fuzzball” proposal, and other recent proposals in which pure states in the ensemble of the black hole are represented by macroscopically distinct geometries. Furthermore, our description of the black hole interior in terms of CFT operators provides a natural realization of black hole complementarity and a method of preserving unitarity without “firewalls.”
Clinical Outcomes After Unplanned Extubation in a Surgical Intensive Care Population
Authors: Lee Ji‐Hyun , Lee Hyung‐Chul , Jeon Young‐Tae , Hwang Jung‐Won , Lee Hannah , Oh Hye‐Won , Park Hee‐Pyoung
Published: October 2013

Background

Clinical outcome after unplanned extubation (UE) in patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) has not been fully investigated. In this study we assessed in‐hospital mortality of patients with UE and determined whether UE is a predictor of in‐hospital mortality. Finally, we sought to identify predictors of reintubation after UE in mechanically ventilated patients in the SICU.

Methods

Medical charts of patients (n = 4,407) admitted to the SICU between October 2007 and December 2011 were reviewed retrospectively.

Results

Eighty‐five episodes of UE occurred in 81 patients. Patients with UE required emergency surgery more frequently and had higher ICU and hospital mortality rates, reintubation rate, and APACHE II scores and longer mechanical ventilation (MV) and ICU stay than patients without UE (P < 0.05 for all associations). Multivariate analysis revealed that reintubation (odds ratio [95 % confidence interval]: 4.14 [2.58–6.67]; P < 0.001), APACHE II scores (1.14 [1.12–1.17]; P < 0.001), emergency surgery (1.73 [1.18–2.53]; P = 0.005), and chronic neurologic disease (2.11 [1.30–3.41]; P = 0.002) were associated with hospital mortality. Reintubation was necessary in 17 patients. On multivariate analysis, a score on the Richmond Agitation–Sedation Scale (RASS, 0.48 [0.31–0.76]; P = 0.001), PaO2/FiO2 ratio (0.99 [0.99–1.00]; P = 0.048), and MV duration before UE (1.46 [1.08–1.98]; P = 0.014) were independently associated with reintubation after UE.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that although patients with UE had high in‐hospital mortality, UE was not directly associated with in‐hospital mortality. Reintubation, chronic neurologic disease, emergency operation, and higher APACHE II score were related to increased in‐hospital mortality. A low RASS score, a low PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and long MV duration before UE were related to reintubation after UE.
Long‐Term Outcome of Patients with Acute Cholecystitis Receiving Antibiotic Treatment: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Wang Chih‐Hung , Chou Hao‐Chang , Liu Kao‐Lang , Lien Wan‐Ching , Wang Hsiu‐Po , Wu Yao‐Ming
Published: October 2013

Background

Few studies have followed patients who received antibiotic treatment for acute cholecystitis (AC). The present retrospective study investigated recurrence rates of AC and analyzed factors associated with recurrence after antibiotic treatment in adult AC patients.

Methods

We analyzed patients treated with antibiotics for AC between October 1, 2004, and November 30, 2010. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify factors associated with early recurrence. Generalized additive models were applied to detect the nonlinear effects of continuous covariates.

Results

The study included 226 patients (mean age: 62.2 years; 144 men [63.7 %]). The average duration of parenteral antibiotics was 8.0 days. Second‐generation cephalosporins were administered to 199 patients (88.1 %). The Kaplan–Meier plot indicated that recurrences were more frequent within 100 days of AC; these were defined as early recurrences. The recurrence rate was 13.7 % (31/226) at a median follow‐up of 308.5 days (early recurrences: 19/226 [8.4 %]). The duration of parenteral antibiotic use significantly correlated with early recurrence (hazard ratio: 0.83; 95 % confidence interval, 0.73–0.95; p = 0.005). Generalized additive models revealed that patients using parenteral antibiotics longer than 8 days were less likely to suffer from early recurrence.

Conclusions

The rate of recurrence of AC in patients who received antibiotics alone was low. The recurrence rate was higher within 100 days of AC. Because of the inherent limitations of a retrospective study, further research is needed to identify factors associated with early recurrence.
Use of Spiral Computed Tomography Volumetry for Determining the Operative Approach in Patients with Graves’ Disease
Authors: Choi June Young , Lee Kyu Eun , Koo Do Hoon , Kim Kyu Hyung , Kim Eun young , Bae Dong Sik , Jung Sung Eun , Youn Yeo‐Kyu
Published: October 2013

Background

The purposes of the present study were to assess (1) the correlation between the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen and the spiral computed tomography (CT) volumetry results of the thyroid gland in patients with Graves’ disease, and (2) the utility of CT volumetry for determining the operative approach.

Methods

From 2009 to 2010, a total of 56 patients with Graves’ disease underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomy. An enhanced spiral CT was taken in all patients prior to the operation. From 2.5 mm‐thick slices of the thyroid gland, the surface area was calculated to measure the volume of the thyroid gland. The glandular volume was compared to the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen.

Results

A total of 42 and 14 patients underwent total and subtotal thyroidectomy, respectively. The mean weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen was 43.9 ± 33.4 g, and the mean volume obtained by CT volumetry was 44.2 ± 32.8 mL. A good correlation was observed between the weight of the postoperative thyroid specimen and the volume calculated by CT (r = 0.98, p < 0.001). When 100 mL was set as the higher cut‐off value of the thyroid volume for minimally invasive thyroid surgery, the estimated blood loss showed a significant difference between the >100 mL and the ≤100 mL groups (608.3 ± 540.8 vs. 119.7 ± 110.4 mL; p = 0.036).

Conclusions

: Spiral CT volumetry may be used to measure the thyroid volume reliably in patients with Graves’ disease. For cases in which surgery is indicated in patients with Graves’ disease, CT volumetry provides useful information from which to determine the operative approach. One hundred milliliter or less of thyroid volume in CT volumetry is recommended to perform minimally invasive thyroid surgery.
Synthesis and Surface Properties of N,N‐Dimethyl‐N‐dodecyl Polyoxyethylene Amine‐Based Surfactants: Amine Oxide, Betaine and Sulfobetaine
Authors: Hou Liya , Zhang Huinian , Chen Hui , Xia Qibo , Huang Dongyang , Meng Li , Liu Xuefeng
Published: October 2013

Nonionic–zwitterionic hybrid surfactants, namely N,N‐dimethyl‐N‐dodecyl polyoxyethylene (3) amine oxide, and the corresponding betaine and/or sulfobetaine, have been synthesized. Their molecule structures were characterized by means of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance. Compared to the structurally related conventional amine oxide, betaine and sulfobetaine, the critical micelle concentrations of the three hybrid surfactants are one order of magnitude smaller than those of traditional ones. The polyoxyethylene segment between the hydrophilic head group and the hydrophobic tail makes the surface activities of the hybrid surfactants superior to their structure‐related counterparts.
Leben mit chronischer spinaler Muskelatrophie
Authors: Brandt C. , Brandt I.
Published: October 2013

Eines der höchsten Ziele der individuellen menschlichen Entwicklung ist es, erwachsen zu werden, sein Leben selbstständig und eigenverantwortlich in die Hand zu nehmen und vielleicht sogar seinen Beitrag für die Gemeinschaft zu leisten. Dies kann aufgrund einer schweren Körperbehinderung, z. B. wenn wegen einer Muskelerkrankung nicht einmal die Gabel zum Essen gehalten werden kann, als praktisch schwierig und für nicht umsetzbar angesehen werden. Ins Erwachsenenalter zu kommen und auch Erwachsen zu sein, d. h. eigenverantwortlich und selbstbestimmt zu leben, ist aber durchaus möglich, auch wenn die rein körperliche Kraft dazu fehlt.

Wir berichten über unser Leben mit einer spinalen Muskelatrophie (SMA) vom Typ II, 3 Survival-motor-neuron-2(SMN2)-Genkopien, ein Leben voller Herausforderungen und Abhängigkeiten und doch ein ganz normales Leben.
Klinik und Genetik syndromaler und nichtsyndromaler Kraniosynostosen
Authors: Rachwalski M. , Wollnik B. , Kress W.
Published: October 2013

Kraniosynostosen gehören mit einer Inzidenz von 1:2000 bis 1:3000 Geburten zu den häufigsten kraniofazialen Anomalien. Die durch die vorzeitige Verknöcherung einer oder mehrerer Schädelnähte verursachte Wachstumshemmung kann zu schweren Deformitäten des Schädel- und Gesichtsskeletts führen. Dies sorgt nicht nur für eine große ästhetische Beeinträchtigung, sondern hat auch funktionelle Auswirkungen für die Patienten. Hierzu können u. a. gehören: intrakranielle Drucksteigerung, Atrophie des N. opticus, Atem-, Hör- und Entwicklungsstörungen. Trotz großer Anstrengungen konnten bisher nur für einen Teil der autosomal-dominanten syndromalen Kraniosynostosen die ursächlichen Gene, z. B „fibroblast growth factor receptor 1-3“ (FGFR1-3), „twist basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 1“ (TWIST1) etc., gefunden werden. Die Ätiologie der nichtsyndromalen Kraniosynostosen bleibt weiterhin ungeklärt. Aufgrund der verbreiteten Anwendung neuer Sequenziertechnologien zur Identifizierung neuer kausaler Gene bei Patienten mit Kraniosynostose kann in den nächsten Jahren mit der Entschlüsselung vieler weiterer krankheitsverursachender Gene gerechnet werden. Insbesondere die syndromalen Formen der Kraniosynostose bedürfen aufgrund ihrer klinischen Komplexität einer interdisziplinären Betreuung. Die einzige Therapieoption besteht derzeit in der kraniofazialen Chirurgie, welche aber die genetisch determinierten pathologischen Wachstumsmuster der komplexen syndromalen Kraniosynostosen langfristig oft nicht beheben kann.
Contextualizing Value Propositions: Examining how Consumers Experience Value Propositions in Their Practices
Authors: Holttinen Heli
Published: October 2013

As a value proposition connects firms and customers, it becomes one of the central marketing concepts. Currently it has remained de-contextualized. Drawing on service-dominant logic, practice theory and consumer culture theory, this study aims at contextualizing value propositions by investigating theoretically how consumers experience and evaluate value propositions in practices. It pinpoints what their essence is in customers’ lives; the ability of offerings to help customers to enact desirable cultural discourses into experience in practices. Hence the study constructs value propositions as firms’ proposals that integrate sign value (the meanings of value propositions addressing desirable cultural discourses), experience value (sign value materialized into experience in a practice), exchange value (financial and non-financial sacrifices), and resources needed to address and materialize sign value. In general this study extends understanding on the socio-cultural and situational character of value propositions, value creation and value co-creation.
THE ROLE OF THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN A CONTEXT OF FRAGMENTATION
Authors: Lang Andrew
Published: October 2013

Over a decade ago, an important debate began concerning the proper role of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in an international legal universe characterized by a large and rapidly increasing number of specialized courts and tribunals. What functions can and should the Court perform in response to the fragmentation of international law, and the proliferation of international tribunals? Initial proposals, especially those emerging in the late 1990s, were hierarchical and centralist in their orientation, and have justifiably fallen out of favour. This article uses the current international legal disputes about Australia's plain packaging tobacco legislation as the basis for an exploration of the possibilities for an alternative, non-centralist vision for the ICJ, which is sensitive both to the institutional limits of the international judiciary, and to the benefits of a fundamentally pluralist international legal order.
THE EUROPEAN PATENT: AN OLD AND VEXING PROBLEM
Authors: Pila Justine
Published: October 2013

In December 2012, the European Parliament supported the creation of a European patent with unitary effect. For the next year at least, the international patent community will be on the edge of its proverbial seat, waiting to see whether the proposal becomes a reality. If it does, it will be a significant event in both the long and rich history of patent law, and in the equally rich and understudied history of attempts to create a European patent system. In this article I consider the three post-war European patent initiatives of the most direct and enduring relevance in that regard with a view to answering the following questions. First, what drove them? Second, what issues confronted them? And third, how were those issues resolved and with what ultimate effect? In the concluding section I relate the discussion back to the present by offering some remarks on the current European patent proposal in light of the same.
GOVERNING SHARED OFFSHORE ELECTRICITY INFRASTRUCTURE IN THE NORTHERN SEAS
Authors: Roeben Volker
Published: October 2013

Through the joint ‘North Seas Countries Offshore Grid Initiative’ the states bordering the North Seas are establishing shared large-scale offshore electricity infrastructure in order to exploit their offshore wind energy resources. The article argues that this international governance of oceans space comes about legally because international law, European law and national law each fulfil a specific function. The climate regime provides the normative impetus, the law of the sea allocates competences, and European law contains principles of cooperation, which are then implemented through coordinated national law. International law, European law and national law thus become functionally integrated. This analysis has significance beyond shared offshore electricity infrastructure. It illustrates the way in which the functional integration of international law, European law and national law is emerging as a distinct legal institution in its own right, separate and distinct from the various legal orders themselves.
The relative anthelmintic efficacy of plant-derived cysteine proteinases on intestinal nematodes
Authors: Luoga W. , Mansur F. , Buttle D.J. , Duce I.R. , Garnett M.C. , Lowe A. , Behnke J.M.
Published: October 2013

We examined thein vitroandin vivoefficacy of plant cysteine proteinases (CPs) derived from pineapple (Ananas comosus) and kiwi fruit (Actinidia deliciosa), and compared their efficacy as anthelmintics to the known effects of CPs from the latex of papaya (Carica papaya) against the rodent intestinal nematode,Heligmosomoides bakeri.Both fruit bromelain and stem bromelain had significantin vitrodetrimental effects onH. bakeribut in comparison, actinidain from kiwi fruit had very little effect. However,in vivotrials indicated far less efficacy of stem bromelain and fruit bromelain than that expected from thein vitroexperiments (24.5% and 22.4% reduction in worm burdens, respectively) againstH. bakeri.Scanning electron microscopy revealed signs of cuticular damage on worms incubated in fruit bromelain, stem bromelain and actinidain, but this was far less extensive than on those incubated in papaya latex supernatant. We conclude that, on the basis of presently available data, CPs derived from pineapples and kiwi fruits are not suitable for development as novel anthelmintics for intestinal nematode infections.
Fibrous dysplasia of the nasal bone: case reports and literature review
Authors: Wong G , Randhawa P , Stephens J , Saleh H
Published: October 2013

Introduction:

Craniofacial fibrous dysplasia commonly affects the larger mandible and the maxillary bones. Although involvement of the frontal, temporal and sphenoid bones has been described, fibrous dysplasia of the nasal bone has not been previously described; the two cases reported here have been made rarer by their isolated involvement. Clinical management is dependent on disease activity and patient symptoms.

Objective:

To present two cases of isolated fibrous dysplasia of the nasal bone: a 46-year-old woman with gradual widening of the nasal bridge and a 47-year-old man with an incidental finding of a nasal bone mass.

Method:

Two case reports.

Results:

The 46-year-old woman underwent excision of the lesion while the 47-year-old man opted for watchful waiting.

Conclusion:

We have presented the first case reports of fibrous dysplasia of the nasal bone. The care of these patients should be customised to their needs and wishes.
Changes in the epiphytic lichen biota in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) stands affected by a colony of grey heron (Ardea cinerea): a case study from northern Poland
Authors: ŻÓŁKOŚ Katarzyna , KUKWA Martin , AFRANOWICZ-CIEŚLAK Renata
Published: October 2013

Bird colonies affect all elements of inhabited ecosystems, such as the soil, floristic composition and phytocoenosis structure, including the lichen biota. To date, the few papers focusing on changes in the composition of lichen vegetation caused by bird colonies are concerned with saxicolous ornithocoprophilous communities. The aim of this study was to define the impact of the grey heron in two breeding colonies on epiphytic lichens on Scots pines presently inhabited by birds, as well as those recently abandoned. Analysis of the lichen biota showed that the species composition and number of lichens were significantly modified in the functioning colony and the post-colony areas when compared with the control plots never inhabited by grey heron. Within the functioning and post-colony areas, mainly species with a wide ecological amplitude and those characteristic of fertile habitats dominated, while acidophilous and ubiquitous taxa occurred in the control plots. Multivariate analyses (for species abundance and ecological characteristics) showed that lichens growing within the functioning colony and post-colony areas differed significantly from those in the control area in their habitat requirements, as they demanded nutrient-rich, low or moderately moist and deacidified bark. Within the control plots, lichens preferring a relatively acidic and slightly nitrified substratum occurred. The direct impact of bird excrement and the fertilized bark could cause significant modifications in qualitative and quantitative species composition compared to the epiphytic lichen biota usually occurring on Scots pines.
Ecological extinction of the Critically Endangered northern white-cheeked gibbon Nomascus leucogenys in China
Authors: Fan Peng-Fei , Fei Han-Lan , Luo Ai-Dong
Published: October 2013

We conducted an interview survey around and within Mengla and Shangyong Nature Reserves, Mengla County, Yunnan, China, in December 2008 to ascertain whether gibbons were present in the area, and in December 2011 we surveyed two sites in the Reserves for the northern white-cheeked gibbon Nomascus leucogenys. We found no signs of the existence of gibbons during the survey. Illegal hunting was common at both sites. Only 36 individuals in nine groups were recorded in Mengla and Shangyong Nature Reserves in the 1980s, and this small and fragmented population was probably unable to survive the pressure of hunting. No white-cheeked gibbon was recorded in Huanglianshan Nature Reserve in a survey carried out by other researchers in 2003. Gibbons have a very low chance of survival in unprotected forest, and we conclude that the white-cheeked gibbon is extinct, or at least ecologically extinct, in China.
“Meaningful Adjacencies”: Disunity and the Commemoration of 9/11 in John Adams'sOn the Transmigration of Souls
Authors: BLIM DAN
Published: October 2013

Although responses to 9/11 have often called for unity, the process of memorializing it has proven extremely contentious. This article examines the role of disunity in modern memorialization, focusing specifically on John Adams'sOn the Transmigration of Souls, a work commissioned and premiered by the New York Philharmonic in 2002 to commemorate the victims of the World Trade Center terrorist attack. Drawing on critical theories of memorialization and on audience surveys I conducted at several performances ofOn the Transmigration of Souls, I suggest that disunity serves the process of memorializing by mirroring the experience of traumatic memory, by acknowledging loss and absence, and by negotiating regional, racial, gendered, religious, and political differences. Disunity thus encourages reflection on how multiple perspectives recast the act of memorialization. Such reflection, I argue, can inform both performance and scholarship of musical memorials toward what Judith Butler calls the “ethical responsibility” of mourning.
‘Candidatus Competibacter’-lineage genomes retrieved from metagenomes reveal functional metabolic diversity
Authors: McIlroy Simon J , Albertsen Mads , Andresen Eva K , Saunders Aaron M , Kristiansen Rikke , Stokholm-Bjerregaard Mikkel , Nielsen Kåre L , Nielsen Per H
Published: October 2013

The glycogen-accumulating organism (GAO) ‘Candidatus Competibacter’ (Competibacter) uses aerobically stored glycogen to enable anaerobic carbon uptake, which is subsequently stored as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). This biphasic metabolism is key for the Competibacter to survive under the cyclic anaerobic-‘feast’: aerobic-‘famine’ regime of enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) wastewater treatment systems. As they do not contribute to phosphorus (P) removal, but compete for resources with the polyphosphate-accumulating organisms (PAO), thought responsible for P removal, their proliferation theoretically reduces the EBPR capacity. In this study, two complete genomes from Competibacter were obtained from laboratory-scale enrichment reactors through metagenomics. Phylogenetic analysis identified the two genomes, ‘Candidatus Competibacter denitrificans’ and ‘Candidatus Contendobacter odensis’, as being affiliated with Competibacter-lineage subgroups 1 and 5, respectively. Both have genes for glycogen and PHA cycling and for the metabolism of volatile fatty acids. Marked differences were found in their potential for the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas and Entner–Doudoroff glycolytic pathways, as well as for denitrification, nitrogen fixation, fermentation, trehalose synthesis and utilisation of glucose and lactate. Genetic comparison of P metabolism pathways with sequenced PAOs revealed the absence of the Pit phosphate transporter in the Competibacter-lineage genomes—identifying a key metabolic difference with the PAO physiology. These genomes are the first from any GAO organism and provide new insights into the complex interaction and niche competition between PAOs and GAOs in EBPR systems.
Monthly to interannual variability of microbial eukaryote assemblages at four depths in the eastern North Pacific
Authors: Kim Diane Y , Countway Peter D , Jones Adriane C , Schnetzer Astrid , Yamashita Warren , Tung Christine , Caron David A
Published: October 2013

The monthly, seasonal and interannual variability of microbial eukaryote assemblages were examined at 5 m, the deep chlorophyll maximum, 150 m and 500 m at the San Pedro Ocean Time-series station (eastern North Pacific). The depths spanned transitions in temperature, light, nutrients and oxygen, and included a persistently hypoxic environment at 500 m. Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism was used for the analysis of 237 samples that were collected between September 2000 and December 2010. Spatiotemporal variability patterns of microeukaryote assemblages indicated the presence of distinct shallow and deep communities at the SPOT station, presumably reflecting taxa that were specifically adapted for the conditions in those environments. Community similarity values between assemblages collected 1 month apart at each depth ranged between ∼20% and ∼84% (averages were ∼50–59%). The assemblage at 5 m was temporally more dynamic than deeper assemblages and also displayed substantial interannual variability during the first ∼3 years of the study. Evidence of seasonality was detected for the microbial eukaryote assemblage at 5 m between January 2008 and December 2010 and at 150 m between September 2000 and December 2003. Seasonality was not detected for assemblages at the deep chlorophyll a maximum, which varied in depth seasonally, or at 500 m. Microbial eukaryote assemblages exhibited cyclical patterns in at least 1 year at each depth, implying an annual resetting of communities. Substantial interannual variability was detected for assemblages at all depths and represented the largest source of temporal variability in this temperate coastal ecosystem.