bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of contamination on resin bond strength to nano‐structured alumina‐coated zirconia ceramic
Authors: Zhang Shanchuan , Kocjan Andraž , Lehmann Frank , Kosmač Tomaž , Kern Matthias
Published: July 2010

Zhang S, Kocjan A, Lehmann F, Kosmač T, Kern M. Influence of contamination on resin bond strength to nano‐structured alumina‐coated zirconia ceramic. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 396–403. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of contamination and subsequent cleaning on the bond strength and durability of an adhesive resin to nano‐structured alumina‐coated zirconia ceramic. Zirconia ceramic disks were coated with nano‐structured alumina, utilizing the hydrolysis of aluminum nitride powder. After immersion in saliva or the use of a silicone disclosing agent, specimens were cleaned with phosphoric acid etching or with tap water rinsing only. Uncontaminated specimens served as controls. Plexiglas tubes filled with composite resin were bonded with a phosphate monomer [10‐methacryloxydecyl‐dihydrogenphosphate (MDP)]‐containing resin (Panavia 21). Subgroups of eight specimens each were stored in distilled water at 37°C, either for 3 d without thermal cycling (TC) or for 150 d with 37,500 thermal cycles from 5 to 55°C. The tensile bond strength (TBS) was determined using a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 2 mm min−1. The topography of the debonded surface was scrutinized for fractographic features, utilizing both optical and scanning electron microscopy. The TBS to uncontaminated nano‐structured alumina‐coated zirconia ceramic was durable, while contamination significantly reduced the TBS. Phosphoric acid cleaning was effective in removal of saliva contamination from the coated bonding surface but was not effective in removal of the silicone disclosing agent. Nano‐structured alumina coating improves resin bonding to zirconia ceramic and eliminates the need for air‐abrasion before bonding.
Influence of power density and primer application on polymerization of dual‐cured resin cements monitored by ultrasonic measurement
Authors: Takubo Chikako , Yasuda Genta , Murayama Ryosuke , Ogura Yukari , Tonegawa Motoka , Kurokawa Hiroyasu , Miyazaki Masashi
Published: July 2010

Takubo C, Yasuda G, Murayama R, Ogura Y, Tonegawa M, Kurokawa H, Miyazaki M. Influence of power density and primer application on polymerization of dual‐cured resin cements monitored by ultrasonic measurement. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 417–422. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

We used ultrasonic measurements to monitor the influence of power density and primer application on the polymerization reaction of dual‐cured resin cements. The ultrasonic equipment comprised a pulser–receiver, transducers, and an oscilloscope. Resin cements were mixed and inserted into a transparent mould, and specimens were placed on the sample stage, onto which the primer, if used, was also applied. Power densities of 0 (no irradiation), 200, or 600 mW cm−2 were used for curing. The transit time through the cement disk was divided by the specimen thickness to obtain the longitudinal sound velocity. When resin cements were light‐irradiated, each curve displayed an initial plateau of ∼1,500 m s−1, which rapidly increased to a second plateau of 2,300–2,900 m s−1. The rate of sound velocity increase was retarded when the cements were light‐irradiated at lower power densities, and increased when the primer was applied. The polymerization behaviour of dual‐cured resin cements was therefore shown to be affected by the power density of the curing unit and the application of self‐etching primer.
Chlorhexidine increases the longevity of in vivo resin–dentin bonds
Authors: Ricci Hérica A. , Sanabe Mariane E. , De Souza Costa Carlos A. , Pashley David H. , Hebling Josimeri
Published: July 2010

Ricci HA, Sanabe ME, de Souza Costa CA, Pashley DH, Hebling J. Chlorhexidine increases the longevity of in vivo resin–dentin bonds. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 411–416. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

The aim of this study was to evaluate the mechanical stability of resin–dentin bonds produced in vivo in the presence of chlorhexidine. Children presenting at least one pair of contralateral primary molars with occlusal carious lesions were enrolled in the study. After cavity preparation and phosphoric acid etching, dentin was treated with 5 μl of either 2% chlorhexidine (control group) or deionized water (experimental group). Thirteen pairs of teeth were restored and were collected after physiological exfoliation. The periods in oral function after restoration were divided as follows: up to 30 d; and 1–5, 10–12, and 18–20 months. Beam‐shaped specimens (0.81 mm2) were obtained and subjected to microtensile bond‐strength testing. A significant decrease of the bond strength was observed in the control group starting at the 1–5 month period (30.6%), while in the experimental group this decrease started only after 10–12 months of function (26.3%). The use of chlorhexidine as an adjuvant to the adhesion to dentin did not produce any detrimental effect to the immediate bond strength and was capable of reducing the rate of resin–dentin bond degradation within the first few months after restoration.
Chemical aspects on dental hard tissues in primary teeth from preterm infants
Authors: Rythén Marianne , Sabel Nina , Dietz Wolfram , Robertson Agneta , Norén Jörgen G.
Published: July 2010

Rythén M, Sabel N, Dietz W, Robertson A, Norén JG. Chemical aspects on dental hard tissues in primary teeth from preterm infants. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 389–395. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

Preterm children with very low birth weight suffer from several neonatal and postnatal complications that may affect the mineralization of teeth. Clinical and morphological studies have shown enamel aberrations in teeth from preterm children. In this study, the chemical composition in enamel and dentin was compared in primary teeth from preterm children and full‐term children, and the relationship between the chemical composition and the morphological appearance was investigated. Enamel and dentin in 17 exfoliated primary teeth, from 14 children with a gestational age below 29 wk, were investigated and compared with 36 exfoliated primary teeth from full‐term children, using X‐ray microanalyses (XRMA). In comparison with the teeth from the controls, the teeth from preterm children had a higher relative value of carbon (C), a lower relative value of calcium (Ca), a lower ratio of calcium/phosphorus (Ca/P) and a lower ratio of Ca/C throughout the outer part of the enamel. In dentin, the relative values for P were higher, and Ca/P ratio was lower, at the dentin–pulp junction. The Ca/P ratio indicated normal hydroxyapatite in the crystals in enamel and dentin. The lower ratio of Ca/C in the bulk and outer part of the enamel indicated more porous enamel.
An atlas of prenatal development of the human orofacial region
Authors: Radlanski Ralf J. , Renz Herbert
Published: July 2010

Radlanski RJ, Renz H. An atlas of prenatal development of the human orofacial region. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 321–324. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

There are several atlases available showing prenatal human development. However, none is focused on prenatal orofacial development during maxillary and mandibular bone formation. These events, together with dental development and formation of the temporomandibular joint, take place during several fetal stages. While photographic atlases are limited to depicting the outer shape, and atlases based on histological sections only show a series of single sections, an atlas based on three‐dimensional reconstructions from serial sections can show both the outer skin and the structures underneath, which can be electronically dissected layer by layer. In this Focus article, we present our atlas on prenatal human orofacial development, which is accessible online at the Journal’s website.
Polymorphisms located in the region containing BHMT and BHMT2 genes as maternal protective factors for orofacial clefts
Authors: Mostowska Adrianna , Hozyasz Kamil K. , Biedziak Barbara , Misiak Jan , Jagodzinski Pawel P.
Published: July 2010

Mostowska A, Hozyasz KK, Biedziak B, Misiak J, Jagodzinski PP. Polymorphisms located in the region containing
BHMT
and
BHMT2
genes as maternal protective factors for orofacial clefts. Eur J Oral Sci 2010; 118: 325–332. © 2010 The Authors. Journal compilation © 2010 Eur J Oral Sci

Nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NCL/P) is one of the most common craniofacial malformations; however, its aetiology is still unclear. Because the effects of maternal nutrition on fetal development are well known, we decided to pursue the question of whether polymorphic variants of genes encoding enzymes involved in choline metabolism might be associated with the maternal risk of having a baby with NCL/P. Analysis of 18 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase (BHMT), betaine‐homocysteine methyltransferase‐2 (BHMT2), choline dehydrogenase (CHDH), choline kinase (CHKA), dimethylglycine dehydrogenase (DMGDH), choline‐phosphate cytidylyltransferase A (PCYT1A), and phosphatidylethanolamine N‐methyltransferase (PEMT) provided evidence that polymorphisms located in the region containing BHMT and BHMT2 were protective factors against NCL/P affected pregnancies in our population. The strongest signal was found for the SNP located in the intronic sequence of BHMT2. Women carrying two copies of the rs625879 T allele had a significantly decreased risk of having offspring with orofacial clefts. These results were significant, even after correction for multiple comparisons. Moreover, the gene–gene interaction analysis revealed a significant epistatic interaction of BHMT2 (rs673752), PEMT (rs12325817), and PCYT1A (rs712012) with maternal NCL/P susceptibility. Altogether, our study identified a novel gene, the nucleotide variants of which were be associated with a decreased risk of having a baby with NCL/P.
A B2 SINE insertion in the Comt1 gene (Comt1B2i) results in an overexpressing, behavior modifying allele present in classical inbred mouse strains
Authors: Kember R. L. , Fernandes C. , Tunbridge E. M. , Liu L. , Payá‐Cano J. L. , Parsons M. J. , Schalkwyk L. C.
Published: July 2010

Catechol‐O‐methyltransferase (COMT) is a key enzyme for dopamine catabolism and COMT is a candidate gene for human psychiatric disorders. In mouse it is located on chromosome 16 in a large genomic region of extremely low variation among the classical inbred strains, with no confirmed single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) between strains C57BL/6J and DBA/2J within a 600‐kB window. We found a B2 SINE in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of Comt1 which is present in C57BL/6J (Comt1B2i) and other strains including 129 (multiple sublines), but is not found in DBA/2J (Comt1+) and many other strains including wild‐derived Mus domesticus, M. musculus, M. molossinus, M.castaneus and M. spretus. Comt1B2i is absent in strains closely related to C57BL/6, such as C57L and C57BR, indicating that it was polymorphic in the cross that gave rise to these strains. The strain distribution of Comt1B2i indicates a likely origin of the allele in the parental Lathrop stock. A stringent association test, using 670 highly outbred mice (Boulder Heterogeneous Stock), indicates that this insertion allele may be responsible for a difference in behavior related to exploration. Gene expression differences at the mRNA and enzyme activity level (1.7‐fold relative to wild type) indicate a mechanism for this behavioral effect. Taken together, these findings show that Comt1B2i (a B2 SINE insertion) results in a relatively modest difference in Comt1 expression and enzyme activity (comparable to the human Val‐Met polymorphism) which has a demonstrable behavioral phenotype across a variety of outbred genetic backgrounds.
Age differences in fall‐related injury hospitalisations and trauma presentations
Authors: Mitchell Rebecca , Curtis Kate , Watson Wendy L , Nau Thomas
Published: July 2010

Aim:  To examine fall‐related hospitalised morbidity in New South Wales (NSW) and to describe the pattern of fall‐related major trauma presentations at a Level 1 Trauma Centre in NSW for younger and older fallers.

Methods:  Fall‐related injuries were identified in the NSW Admitted Patients Data Collection during 1 July 1999–30 June 2008 and the trauma registry of the NSW St George Public Hospital during 1 January 2006–6 December 2008.

Results:  There were 434 138 hospitalisations and 862 fall‐related trauma presentations. Older fallers had a higher incidence of hospitalisation, being more likely to fall on the same level during general activities at home, injuring their hip or thigh. Older fallers were also more likely to have an Injury Severity Score > 9, undergo physiotherapy and stay in hospital for >1 day than younger fallers.

Conclusion:  Falls, particularly for older individuals, are an important cause of serious injury, representing a considerable burden in terms of hospitalised morbidity.
Enhancement of Vancomycin Activity by Phenothiazines against Vancomycin‐Resistant Enterococcus Faecium in vitro
Authors: Rahbar Mohammad , Mehrgan Hadi , Hadji‐nejad Sanaz
Published: July 2010

Abstract:  The antimicrobial and resistance‐reversal activities of seven phenothiazine derivatives were evaluated against vancomycin‐sensitive Enterococcus faecalis ATCC 29212, vancomycin resistant E. faecalis ATCC 51299 and ten vancomycin‐resistant E. faecium strains originating from human infections. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of the compounds were determined by agar dilution method, and synergy between phenothiazines and vancomycin was investigated using Checkerboard (microbroth dilution) technique. We found that all enterococci strains, regardless of their susceptibility to vancomycin, were inhibited by phenothiazines at concentrations varying from 8 to 256 μg/ml, with thiethylperazine being the most potent inhibitory agent. Besides, all the phenothiazines showed partial synergy with vancomycin and could lessen MIC of vancomycin from 512 to 8 μg/ml at their sub‐inhibitory concentrations. The highest reduction in MIC was observed with chlorpromazine (32 times); however, thiethylperazine and promethazine stood next (24 times). Although resistance modification was observed at concentrations higher than those that phenothiazines reach in vivo, the potential offered by non‐antibiotics justify further animal experiments as well as clinical trials to establish their clinical relevance.
Psychometric properties of the Caregiving Burden Scale for Family Caregivers with Relatives in Nursing Homes: Scale development
Authors: FUKAHORI Hiroki , YAMAMOTO‐MITANI Noriko , SUGIYAMA Tomoko , SUGAI Yuichi , KAI Ichiro
Published: July 2010

Aim:  Most family caregivers continue their caregiving for frail relatives after admitting them to long‐term care facilities. The characteristics of this caregiving differ from those related to caregiving in home‐care settings. Thus, a new tool to evaluate the burden of family caregivers in institutional settings is needed. The aim of this study was to develop a new scale, the Caregiving Burden Scale for Family Caregivers with Relatives in Nursing Homes, and to confirm its validity and reliability.

Methods:  We conducted two cross‐sectional questionnaire surveys. The participants were a convenience sample of family members of residents in seven nursing homes for the validation study and in three nursing homes for the test‐retest study in Japan. Statistical analyses examined exploratory/confirmatory factor analyses, internal consistency, concurrent/discriminate validity, and test‐retest reliability.

Results:  A four‐factor solution with 16 items was selected as the most interpretable questionnaire. In the confirmatory factor analysis, the indices of fitness highly supported these results. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the total score was 0.86 and varied between 0.77 and 0.87 in the four domains. The scale showed moderate correlation with the Nursing Home Hassles Scale, suggesting its concurrent validity. The four domains had only a medium correlation with each other, indicating discriminate validity.

Conclusions:  The developed scale has acceptable validity and reliability for measuring the caregiving burden of family members with relatives in Japanese nursing homes. Future studies using the scale might lead to the improvement of care for family members with relatives in a long‐term care setting.
Interrelationship of Sildenafil Treatment Effects on the Physiological and Psychosocial Aspects of Erectile Dysfunction of Mixed or Organic Etiology
Authors: Althof Stanley E. , Berner Michael M. , Goldstein Irwin , Claes Hubert I.M. , Cappelleri Joseph C. , Bushmakin Andrew G. , Symonds Tara , Schnetzler Gabriel
Published: July 2010

Introduction

In a previous paper using mediation modeling, the direct and indirect effects of sildenafil on erection maintenance were demonstrated.

Objective

In an extension of this previous work, the historical psychosocial paradigm of ED, which focuses on performance anxiety, is tested by using mediation modeling to define the relationship of the physiological aspects (hardness and maintenance) and the associated psychosocial aspects (confidence, sexual relationship satisfaction, and performance anxiety) of ED.

Methods

Statistical mediation analysis using the following outcomes from a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of fixed-dose sildenafil 100 mg or 50 mg: Erection Hardness Score; the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), including item 4 (frequency of erection maintenance after penetration) and item 5 (difficulty of erection maintenance to intercourse completion); the Self-Esteem And Relationship questionnaire; and the question, “Do you feel anxious about your next attempt at sexual intercourse?”

Main Outcome Measures

Estimated percentages of direct and indirect effects of sildenafil on psychosocial aspects of ED (95% confidence intervals).

Results

The model estimated that erection hardness mediated 43.7% (29.3%, 62.4%) of the effect of treatment onto confidence and 45.9% (32.2%, 61.8%) of the effect of treatment onto sexual relationship satisfaction, and that erection maintenance (using IIEF item 4 as a proxy) mediated 23.0% (10.1%, 39.1%) and 22.4% (10.1%, 36.5%), respectively. Similar results were obtained when IIEF item 5 was used as the proxy for measurement of maintenance. Of all possible paths to performance anxiety, only that from treatment via confidence was statistically significant, mediating an estimated 88.6% (55.5%, 146.2%; item 4 model) or 74.9% (47.0%, 121.0%; item 5 model) of the effect of treatment onto anxiety. The direct path to anxiety from treatment was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

In men treated with sildenafil for ED, performance anxiety might be ameliorated by improved confidence. Improved confidence might be mainly mediated via increased erection hardness.
Priapus is Happier with Venus than with Bacchus
Authors: Boddi Valentina , Corona Giovanni , Monami Matteo , Fisher Alessandra Daphne , Bandini Elisa , Melani Cecilia , Balzi Daniela , Sforza Alessandra , Patussi Valentino , Forti Gianni , Mannucci Edoardo , Maggi Mario
Published: July 2010

Introduction

The relationship between alcohol consumption and erectile function is still not completely clarified.

Aim

Aims of the present study are to explore a number of biological and clinical correlates of alcohol consumption in a sample of men consulting for sexual dysfunction, and to verify possible associations with the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs).

Methods

A consecutive series of 1956 (mean age 55 ± 11.9 years old) attending our outpatient clinic for sexual dysfunction was retrospectively studied. A subset of the previous sample (N=1687) was enrolled in a longitudinal study.

Main Outcome Measures

Different clinical, biochemical, instrumental (penile Doppler ultrasound [PCDU]), and intrapsychic (Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire [MHQ]) were evaluated. We considered alcohol abuse more than three drinks per day.

Results

Among the patients studied 81% reported no or mild (<4 drinks/day) alcohol consumption whereas 14.3% and 3.9% declared a moderate (4–6 drinks/day) or severe (>6 drinks/day) alcohol abuse, respectively. After adjustment for confounders, both moderate or severe alcohol abuse was associated with low perceived partner’s sexual desire, worse couple relationship, and smoking abuse. Furthermore, moderate and severe alcohol abuse was associated with low prolactin and thyroid-stimulating hormone levels, as well as an increase in triglycerides and total cholesterol levels. Penile blood flow was reduced in moderate and severe alcohol drinkers even after adjustment for confounders. In the longitudinal study, after adjusting for confounding factors, any kind of alcohol abuse was independently associated with a higher incidence of MACE (hazard ratio=2.043 [1.059–3.943]; P <0.0001).

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that, in subjects consulting for erectile dysfunction, severe alcohol consumption is associated with a worse sexual function and a higher incidence of MACE.
Female Sexual Function during Pregnancy and after Childbirth
Authors: Serati Maurizio , Salvatore Stefano , Siesto Gabriele , Cattoni Elena , Zanirato Mara , Khullar Vik , Cromi Antonella , Ghezzi Fabio , Bolis Pierfrancesco
Published: July 2010

Introduction

Healthy sexual function during pregnancy and after childbirth is one of the cornerstones for couples to evolve from partners to parents.

Aim

The aim of our review is to evaluate the available evidence and define present knowledge about female sexual function during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Methods

PubMed was searched for articles on sexual function during pregnancy and after childbirth, published from 1960 up to date. The most relevant articles have been reviewed and included.

Main Outcome Measures

The main outcome is the review of the effect of pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum on female sexuality.

Results

A total of 48 articles which specifically addressed this topic were included. Sexual function was found to have a significant global decline during pregnancy, particularly in the third trimester and this persisted for 3–6 months following delivery. The lack of adequate information about sex in pregnancy and concerns about the possible adverse obstetric outcomes are the most relevant factors responsible for the avoidance of sexual activity during pregnancy. Breast-feeding, dyspareunia, and postpartum pelvic floor dysfunction were reported as possible causes for the delay in resuming sexual intercourses after childbirth.

Conclusions

Couples should be informed about the decline of libido, desire and orgasm, commonly encountered during pregnancy, particularly in the last trimester, and puerperium which may lead to reduction in sexual intercourse frequency.
Biochemical Factors Modulating Female Genital Sexual Arousal Physiology
Authors: Traish Abdulmaged M. , Botchevar Ella , Kim Noel N.
Published: July 2010

Introduction

Female genital sexual arousal responses are complex neurophysiological processes consisting of central and peripheral components that occur following sexual stimulation. The peripheral responses in sexual arousal include genital vasocongestion, engorgement and lubrication resulting from a surge of vaginal and clitoral blood flow. These hemodynamic events are mediated by a host of neurotransmitters and vasoactive agents.

Aim

To discuss the role of various biochemical factors modulating female genital sexual arousal responses.

Methods

A comprehensive literature review was conducted using the PubMed database and citations were selected, based on topical relevance, and examined for study methodology and major findings.

Main Outcome Measures

Data from peer-reviewed publications.

Results

Adrenergic as well as non-adrenergic non-cholinergic neurotransmitters play an important role in regulating genital physiological responses by mediating vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle contractility. Vasoactive peptides and neuropeptides also modulate genital sexual responses by regulating vascular and non-vascular smooth muscle cells and epithelial function. The endocrine milieu, particularly sex steroid hormones, is critical in the maintenance of tissue structure and function. Reduced levels of estrogens and androgen are associated with dramatic alterations in genital tissue structure, including the nerve network, as well as the response to physiological modulators. Furthermore, estrogen and androgen deficiency is associated with reduced expression of sex steroid receptors and most importantly with attenuated genital blood flow and lubrication in response to pelvic nerve stimulation.

Conclusions

This article provides an integrated framework describing the physiological and molecular basis of various pathophysiological conditions associated with female genital sexual arousal dysfunction.
Cost Distortions and Structural Imbalances in China
Authors: Huang Yiping , Wang Bijun
Published: July 2010

This paper attempts to explain the fundamental cause of China's growing imbalance problems. Economic data confirm that the key structural imbalance problems, such as overinvestment, large current account surpluses, low consumption share of GDP and income inequality, have all deteriorated over the past few years, despite continuous policy efforts to correct these problems. We argue that the key determining factor is repressed factor cost, which is associated with heavily distorted markets for labor, capital, land, resources and the environment. These are like implicit subsidies for producers, investors and exporters. They boost growth and, at the same time, lift investment and exports. Previous policy efforts have focused more on administrative measures, which have not been sustainable. Therefore, a more fundamental solution to the imbalance problem lies in completing market‐oriented reforms for production factors and allowing free markets to determine prices of labor, capital, land and resources.
China's Export‐led Growth Strategy: An International Comparison
Authors: Xu Yingfeng
Published: July 2010

A pressing challenge for China is determining where to accommodate millions of migrant workers displaced by the closing of many export‐oriented factories. The current global financial crisis has exposed the fragility of the export‐led growth strategy China has adopted over the past 30 years. Is there a better alternative for providing non‐agricultural jobs than the sweatshops of cheap export production? In the present paper, international experience is reviewed to shed light on China's situation. Using pooled regression models, we analyze data from the World Bank for 209 economies. We investigate the experience of other economies to answer the following questions: What is the common process of expanding the non‐agricultural economy? How is that process affected by the level of the real exchange rate? Is export production a common way of absorbing surplus rural labor? Finally, what are the ways that domestic demand and service employment can be expanded?
Is the Export‐led Growth Hypothesis Enough to Account for China's Growth?
Authors: Herrerias María Jesús , Orts Vicente
Published: July 2010

One of the missing pieces preventing us from understanding recent Chinese economic development is the role played by openness and capital accumulation in this process. The question is whether the sharp economic growth that the Chinese economy has experienced is another case of export‐led growth due to the open‐door policy or whether, on the contrary, this growth has been caused by high domestic savings and investment rates (and the consequent capital accumulation). To answer this question, we employed an empirical framework of the cointegrated vector autoregressive model. The empirical results show that both investment (in physical capital and R&D) and exports, as well as the exchange rate policy, are relevant factors in explaining China's long‐run economic growth over the past 4 decades.
What Caused the Sharp Downturn in the Chinese Economy during the Global Financial Crisis? A Critical Note on Causality in Trade Linkage
Authors: He Liping , Fan Gang , Yang Panpan
Published: July 2010

In responding to a view that attributes sharp downturns in the Chinese economy in late 2008 and early 2009 to the “collapse of external demand,” the present paper scrutinizes three relevant issues: How have large Chinese importers behaved in a demand‐price setting? How have Chinese commodity imports and exports interacted in recent years? Did the downturns in China's export growth come earlier and were they deeper than those in Chinese import growth? All answers appear to suggest a conclusion contrary to the abovementioned view: sharp downturns in China's trade and economy during the recent global financial crisis were, to a large extent, caused by certain domestic factors, or by factors that should not be regarded as entirely “external.” Insomuch as globalization has advanced, a large economy like China's today faces new potential sources of macroeconomic disturbances, from inside and outside.
Global Rebalancing and the Future of the Sino—US Codependency
Authors: Bonatti Luigi , Fracasso Andrea
Published: July 2010

The crisis of 2008 has shown the unsustainability of the global imbalances centered on the US—China symbiotic relationship that characterized the previous decade. This has revived the so‐called growth—rebalancing debate. In particular, the new emerging consensus calls for a re‐orientation of the US economy away from consumption and toward exports, and for policy shifts that can help China to reduce its dependence on external demand and inefficiently high rates of capital accumulation. We discuss the economic and political feasibility of the proposed patterns of re‐adjustment by focusing on the short‐term and long‐term trade‐offs faced by the policy‐makers. We argue that the rebalancing will be gradual and partial because of the costs associated with a radical shift in the growth models adopted by both countries. We believe that this scenario will be consistent with a world economy expanding at lower rates than over the past decade.
A mismatch of scales: challenges in planning for implementation of marine protected areas in the Coral Triangle
Authors: Mills Morena , Pressey Robert L. , Weeks Rebecca , Foale Simon , Ban Natalie C.
Published: July 2010

Regional systematic conservation planning is an effective approach to marine protected area (MPA) network design, ensuring complementarity, and functional connectivity of areas. However, regional planning and local conservation actions do not properly inform one another. One outcome is the failure of regional designs to guide conservation actions. Another is that site‐based MPAs constitute collections rather than functional systems for marine conservation. Understanding decisions related to spatial scale in conservation planning is essential for the development of ecologically functional networks of MPAs. Decisions about scale require that planners address trade‐offs between the respective advantages and limitations of different considerations in several parts of the planning process. We provide the first comprehensive review of decisions about spatial scale that influence planning outcomes. We illustrate these decisions and the trade‐offs involved with planning exercises undertaken in the Coral Triangle. We provide a framework in which decisions about spatial scale can be made explicit and investigated further. The framework helps to link theory and application in conservation planning, facilitates learning, and promotes the application of conservation actions that are both regionally and locally significant.
Linking site and regional scales of biodiversity assessment for delivery of conservation incentive payments
Authors: Seddon Julian A. , Barratt Thomas W. , Love Jamie , Drielsma Michael , Briggs Sue V. , Gibbons Phil , Ferrier Simon
Published: July 2010

We compared seven scenarios for selecting incentive proposals, and evaluated their contribution to regional conservation outcomes. Scenarios ranged from strategic site assessment where proposals were ranked on scores from site‐scale data and a priori regional value to systematic regional assessment with selection of proposals using optimization algorithms. The selection scenarios were simulated using proposals from a conservation investment program in South‐eastern Australia. All selection scenarios provided a positive gain in biodiversity compared with selecting no proposals. Regional assessments provided ∼4% gain in the biodiversity index over site assessments. The performance of scenarios using optimization was similar to scenarios using rankings. A framework for integrating site and regional approaches for selecting proposals for conservation management is proposed, where proposals are assessed on their contribution to regional biodiversity outcomes rather than just on the comparative gain in biodiversity at the site, and regional conservation priorities are updated between rounds of incentive programs.
Somatostatin receptor activation (sst1–sst5) differentially influences human retinal pigment epithelium cell viability
Authors: Papadaki Thekla , Tsilimbaris Miltiadis , Pallikaris Ioannis , Thermos Kyriaki
Published: July 2010

Purpose:  To investigate the differential effects of somatostatin and its receptors (sst1–5) on the viability of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells.

Methods:  MTT [3 (4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2yl)‐2, 5 diphenyltetrazolium bromide], APO PercentageTM and trypan blue assays were performed to assess the mechanisms via which somatostatin (10−10–10−4 m) and selective receptor (sst1–5) ligands (10−12–10−4 m) affect cell viability. The effect of orthovanadate (phosphatase inhibitor, 10−7–10−5 m) on somatostatin’s (10−5 m) actions was examined, and western blot analysis was employed to determine the presence of ssts and phosphotyrosine phosphatase SHP‐1 in human RPE cells.

Results:  Somatostatin and selective ligands for the five somatostatin receptor subtypes (sst1–5) decreased cell viability in a concentration‐dependent manner. The observed decrease in cell number was partly because of apoptosis via the activation of sst1 and sst5 receptors. Activation of sst2, sst3 and sst4 receptors led to inhibition of cell growth that did not involve apoptosis, but rather antiproliferative actions. SHP‐1 was found in the human RPE cells and sodium orthovanadate reversed somatostatin’s actions.

Conclusions:  This study provides new information regarding the involvement of ssts in human RPE cell viability and suggests that a pathway involving the phosphotyrosine phosphatase may mediate somatostatin’s actions.
Elevated levels of anti‐endotoxin antibodies in patients with bilateral idiopathic acute anterior uveitis
Authors: Misiuk‐Hojło Marta , Międzybrodzki Ryszard , Grzybowski Andrzej , Ługowski Czesław , Niedziela Tomasz , Turno‐Kręcicka Anna , Szymaniec Stanisław
Published: July 2010

Purpose: Endotoxins have been proved to be responsible for acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in animals in a well‐established experimental model of endotoxin‐induced uveitis (EIU). The purpose of our study was the detection of antibodies against endotoxins of selected enterobacteria in the serum of patients with idiopathic AAU and searching for correlations between the levels of these antibodies and the presence of HLA‐B27 antigen as well as characteristic signs of EIU such as bilaterality and the absence of spontaneous recurrences of the disease.

Methods: Reactions of serum IgG antibodies with lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) ofEscherichia coliO1,E. coliO10,E. coliO111,E. coliJ5, andKlebsiella pneumoniaeO3 were determined for 60 patients with idiopathic AAU and 40 healthy volunteers. The presence of HLA‐B27 antigen in patients was determined. Documentation of the frequency of recurrences of AAU during a follow‐up period of 8 years was collected.

Results: We have observed that the sera of patients with a first attack of AAU reacted stronger with the LPS ofK. pneumoniaeO3 than the sera of patients with relapse of the disease. Patients with bilateral AAU had markedly higher levels of antibodies against four of the five used LPSs than patients with one eye involved. A multiply comparison showed higher levels of IgG reacting with LPS ofE. coliO111 in patients with bilateral eye inflammation admitted with the first attack of AAU comparing to controls. The incidence of recurrent form of AAU was significantly increased in HLA‐B27‐positive patients compared to HLA‐B27‐negative patients. However, we found in HLA‐B27 carriers that those with the bilateral form of AAU had over three times smaller risk of recurrence and showed stronger immunization by endotoxins than patients with unilateral inflammation.

Conclusion: Our results suggest a potential role of endotoxins in the aetiology of the nonrecurrent bilateral form of AAU. We suggest that not only HLA‐B27 status but also determination of number of involved eyes may be useful to assess the risk of recurrence of the idiopathic AAU.
The Role of Dopamine in Symptoms and Treatment of Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease
Authors: Mitchell Robert A. , Herrmann Nathan , Lanctôt Krista L.
Published: July 2010

Background:Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a number of serious and debilitating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The most common of these BPSD is apathy, which represents a major source of morbidity and premature institutionalization in the AD population. Many studies have identified discrete changes to the dopaminergic (DAergic) system in patients with AD. The DAergic system is closely related to the brain reward system (BRS) and some studies have suggested that dysfunction in the DAergic system may account for symptoms of apathy in the AD population.Method:Changes to the dopamine (DA) system in AD will be reviewed, and evidence supporting the involvement of the DAergic system in the development of apathy will be examined. Additionally, some pharmacological interventions with DA activity have been identified. The utility of these treatments in the AD population will be reviewed, with a focus on apathy as an outcome.Results:Evidence presented in this review suggests that DA dysfunction in discrete brain areas is an important correlate of apathy in AD and that the DAergic system may be a rational target for pharmacological treatment of apathy.
Ecosystem Approach to the Simulation and Control of an Oil Refinery Waste Treatment Facility
Authors: Martin G. D. , Mulholland R. J. , Thornton K. W.
Published: July 2010

Ecosystems of a series of linked treatment ponds for oil refinery effluent are modeled by state variable techniques and simulated using a digital computer. The model response verifies the observed behavior of the pond series. A control philosophy, using pond series flow rate and feedback aeration, and a measure of system performance, using biological indicators, are both developed. A computer optimization search is conducted in order to maximize system performance.
Comprehension of Societal Impacts Via Technology Assessment
Authors: Garg D. P.
Published: July 2010

The general framework of interactions between technology and individual human beings, and between technology and society, is discussed. The principles underlying the process of technology assessment are presented, and the existing methodologies are described. An introduction of new technology or a modification of an extant technology leads to impacts in both technological and nontechnological areas. This paper examines several of the major techniques in use for societal impact assessment. The choice of a specific method depends upon the environment in which the assessment is conducted and upon the goals of the assessment effort. Such assessments form the inputs for generating optimal policies for complex societal multivariate systems.
Further Aspects of Turnpike Theory in Continuous Time With Applications
Authors: Haurie A. , Hung N. M.
Published: July 2010

In this paper, the Turnpike theorem for continuous time optimal control problems is extended. This extension is due to a relaxation of the rather strong assumptions used in previous analysis. The Turnpike results are then applied to an economic model of optimal growth in the presence of several replenishable resources and to the Kolgomorov’s prey-predator ecosystem.
The Early Development of Control Theory
Authors: Fuller A. T.
Published: July 2010

The early history of control theory is explored, beginning with the contributions of Hooke and Huygens in the seventeenth century, and ending with Airy’s papers of 1840 and 1851. It is argued that, despite appearances to the contrary, Huygens’ speed control system is actually a feedback system. A proof is given that the Huygens-Hooke parabolic governor has integral action, thus eliminating offset. A detailed exposition of Airy’s techniques is given. It is shown that he used a disguised form of linearization. Airy’s system is also investigated using block diagram and Nyquist diagram techniques. The centrifugal governor is shown to have a tendency to resonance which adversely affects closed-loop stability; in agreement with Airy’s findings. Biographical notes on the main contributors are included in order to bring out the background and motivations of their theories.
Frequency-Domain Synthesis of Optimal Inputs for Linear System Parameter Estimation
Authors: Mehra R. K.
Published: July 2010

This paper formulates the problem of estimating parameters in linear single-input multi-output dynamic systems as a regression problem in frequency domain. An expression for the information matrix is derived and its properties are studied. A frequency domain condition on the input for the nonsingularity of the information matrix is obtained. It is shown that a deterministic input with a point spectrum can always be found for single input multi-output systems such that it has the same information matrix as a mixed input (stochastic and deterministic) whose spectrum contains both continuous and discrete parts. A number of different criteria used in the design of regression experiments are stated and their relevance to input design is examined. Convergent numerical algorithms are obtained for globally minimizing the determinant or a suitable linear norm of the dispersion matrix (the inverse of the information matrix) with respect to the input spectrum. The algorithms are based on equivalence properties between criteria in the parameter space and criteria in the sample space.
Design of Deadbeat Controllers and Reduced-Order Observers for Linear Multivariable Discrete-Time Plants
Authors: Porter B. , Bradshaw A.
Published: July 2010

In this paper, a method based upon the use of the Brunovsky canonical form [1] is presented for the design of control systems incorporating deadbeat reduced-order discrete-time observers for a class of linear multivariable discrete-time plants with in-accessible state vectors. The design method is illustrated by the synthesis of a regulator for a multi-input multi-output third-order plant.
Minimal Time Start-Up Schedules for Industrial Processes With Constraint on Transient Thermal Stress in the Apparatus
Authors: Bednarski Stanislaw
Published: July 2010

Some industrial processes require a given variable, here called the control, to follow a prescribed time dependent path, most commonly being simply a constant. If the initial state is not on that path, then preliminary transient is necessary in which the control reaches the path and then follows it through the rest of the process. This initial transient, or start-up schedule may generate thermal, or other, stresses in the apparatus. The subject of this paper is calculating start-up schedules which reach the path in shortest possible time without the stresses exceeding the given limiting values. The above optimization problem is solved by iterative solution of a problem of minimization of terminal value (problem of Mayer) with inequality constraints on control and on output variable. The method involves a two dimensional search, the algorithm for which is provided. A sample numerical problem is solved as an illustration of the method.
Stability Analysis and Optimization of By-Pass Controlled Heat Exchanger With Boiling
Authors: Ansari J. S.
Published: July 2010

A heat exchanger with boiling is considered. The final temperature of steam is controlled with the help of a controller which regulates the flow rate of by-pass water mixing with the outcoming steam. The simplest known mathematical model retaining the nonlinear and distributed parameter nature of the process is adopted. A known method of analysis, namely, Liapunov-Razumikhin theorem, is used to derive results on stability. An interesting feature of the system is that a positive feedback is required for stability. If the control is designed on the basis of minimization of the error in the final temperature alone, then the optimal control, requiring a negative feeedback, leads to sustained oscillations in the intermediate variables, even when the output is steady. The analysis, therefore suggests that meaningful optimization must take into account fluctuations in intermediate variables in addition to the error. A derivative control is shown to improve the transient response.
Optimal Command Generation for Tracking a Class of Discontinuous Trajectories
Authors: Weissenberger S.
Published: July 2010

Commands are found to drive a linear system to optimally track a class of prescribed trajectories, each of which contains a point of discontinuity. The paper focuses on the guidance problem of command generation, to be implemented in a feedforward fashion; the necessary additional control or feedback regulation structure is not studied in detail, but assumed to be provided in applications as a conventional error-feedback regulator. Solutions are found for the infinite-time problem which are optimal with respect to a quadratic performance criterion; suboptimal controls which satisfy a continuity condition are also found. The controls have applications to certain problems in aircraft guidance where command trajectories are piecewise continuous. Several examples are worked out in detail, with comparisons with conventional, nonfeedforward solutions to the problem, and a brief discussion of a simpler, suboptimal solution.
Modeling of System Dynamics and Disturbance From Paper-Making Process Data
Authors: Pandit S. M. , Goh T. N. , Wu S. M.
Published: July 2010

A new method is described to simultaneously model the dynamics and disturbance for a paper-making process from a set of on-line step input response data. The response is decomposed into two parts — a deterministic part represented by the response of an nth order linear system, and a stochastic part characterized by an Autoregressive Moving Average time series model. The differential equations representing the dynamics of the noise are also obtained and discussed. A general modeling strategy and estimation procedure for arbitrary inputs and unkown deal-time is outlined.
Emergency Control of Vehicle Platoons: Control of Following-Law Vehicles
Authors: Rouse R. J. , Hoberock L. L.
Published: July 2010

This work presents a dynamical analysis of platooned following-law vehicles under longitudinal control proposed in [1]. It is shown that controller gains selected for normal operation give inadequate performance in emergency operation. Dangerous spacing in platoons moving at lower than design speed and delayed target velocity update effects are investigated. Stability of the vehicle system in emergency operation is related to controller gains, and simulations for various emergency contingencies are presented.