bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Petrographic Analysis of Ancient Jordanian Ceramic Building Materials
Authors: Dupuis Dominique
Published: April 2021

Although ceramic building materials (CBM) such as brick, pipe and roof-tiles were commonly used in the classical world, these types of artifacts have received only cursory study by modern scholars. Past studies have focused almost entirely on the inscriptions or decorations displayed on a small subset of CBM while ignoring the more crucial questions such as their composition and fabric. The goal of this research project was to decipher the similarities and differences in ancient Jordanian CBM using both a historical and scientific approach. This study was a continuation on the typology created by Humayma Excavation Project archaeologists (Reeves and Harvey) based on samples of CBM from Humayma and other Jordanian sites. The Humayma archaeologists have been developing typologies for each class of ceramic building material based on macroscopic differences in form and fabric. In order to test and refine the typologies created, a chemical and petrographic evaluation of these ceramic buildings materials was undergone. Geological laboratory evaluations were conducted in order to investigate whether these typologies were differentiable on a scientific level. The principal purpose of this project was to analyze ancient bricks and tiles in order to refine a diagnostic tool for dating the phases of occupation of the Nabataean to Early Islamic site of Humayma. Additionally, this research project examined CBM from other Jordanian in order to address questions of production and distribution.
“What Does the Fox Say” – A Review of the Grey Fox in Canada and its Current Status as a Threatened Species
Authors: Deere Marina
Published: April 2021

In Canada, the grey fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) is found with certainty in Ontario and Manitoba, but has also been sighted in other provinces. Interestingly, there is little Canadian research on the grey fox, despite its status as “threatened” on both the Ontario Species at Risk list and on the Canadian Species at Risk Act. Possible reasons that the grey fox has not received as much attention as other at-risk species in Canada include its lack of economic value and its high abundance in the United States (US). It is believed that the grey fox was once as widespread as the red fox (Vulpes Vulpes) in Southern Ontario, but today that is no longer the case. It is currently believed that less than 250 individuals are found in Canada and the fate of their population is unknown. This change in population abundance shows the importance of gaining more information on the grey fox’s current distribution in Canada. Within the US, the primary threat to this species is excessive hunting; while in Canada, by-catch, deforestation, and road mortality represent greater dangers. The focus of this presentation will be to summarize current knowledge on Canadian populations of the grey fox with some reference to populations in the US in order to highlight the importance of this trans-boundary species within Canadian ecosystems. I will provide recommendations to both the Federal Government of Ontario and the Municipality of Peelee Island, while outlining possible conservation solutions for the population decline of the grey fox in Canada.
Using a Conservation Biology Blueprint to Protect Seven Species found in the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve, Canada
Authors: Kelly Alexandra , Seidel Monica
Published: April 2021

This project developed a conservation biology blueprint for the Frontenac Arch Biosphere Reserve (FABR) region that can be used towards assessing current conservation practices as well as making future recommendations. The findings of the study can be used towards the Ten Year Biosphere Review for UNESCO, which the FABR submits to keep their biosphere designation. By gathering information in real time, appropriate actions can be taken much more quickly than if the information was only gathered every ten years. This means that different actors can alter their actions to preserve species diversity and success as different factors influence those species through time. For this study, seven species (bald eagle, red-headed woodpecker, common five-lined skink, black rat snake, milksnake, spotted turtle, and great blue heron) were mapped in the area between Frontenac Provincial Park and Charleston Lake Provincial Park. The black rat snake, spotted turtle, and great blue heron were specifically explored in an online survey as well. This study area was chosen on the suggestion of the FABR because it connects Crown Land with the provincial parks, making implementing any new policies easier than land found in the North-South corridor of Ontario which contains a high amount of private development. Using the predicted tree species data, county land usage, eBird data, and endangered species general distribution, this paper hopes to identify where key areas of protection are. By quickly locating hotspots for endangered species, stricter conservation regulations can be implemented to help the recovery of these species.
Impact of Surface Temperature and Salinity on the Ratio of Marine Diatoms to Dinoflagellates in the Trevor Channel Area
Authors: Combs Leah
Published: April 2021

In an effort to illuminate the factors that influence surface phytoplankton community composition with respect to marine diatoms (Class Bacillariophyceae) and dinoflagellates (Phylum Dinoflagellata), temperature and salinity data were collected. Phytoplankton samples were collected at six surface water locations along the Trevor channel near Bamfield, British Columbia where sampling locations were of known gradients of salinity and temperature. Each sample was analysed under a light microscope, where 2 µL volumes of seawater were counted for both dinoflagellate and diatom abundances. The ratio of diatoms to dinoflagellates was determined by averaging multiple counts of well-mixed samples from each station. Surface temperature and salinity data were collected using individual CTD (Conductivity, Temperature, Depth) casts, where only the surface values were considered. The phytoplankton ratios were then correlated to each of temperature and salinity. It was found with strong positive correlation that conditions with higher salinity favoured dinoflagellate-dominant communities (r = 0.97, p = 0.00013) and conditions with higher temperature favoured diatom-dominant communities (r = 0.92, p = 0.0035). This data may prove useful in studies regarding how small and large scale climatic changes affect phytoplankton community composition, and proves interesting directions in research as to how bottom-up controls on community structure can impact abundances of macro-organisms.
Not just a peep: The evolution of calling in Pseudacris crucifer
Authors: Cicchino Amanda
Published: April 2021

Reproductive isolation is the hallmark of speciation as defined by the biological species concept. A species that is evolving towards reproductive isolation, but has not reached full isolation, is defined as an incipient species. One mechanism used by incipient species to further drive speciation is the use of mate recognition signals. The spring peeper, Pseudacris crucifer, is a North American frog that can be classified as an incipient species, as previous studies have found 6 distinct mitochondrial lineages within its range. Spring peepers use vocal signals for mate recognition and exhibit a female choice mating system where the males call to attract females. This study investigates the evolution of calling in spring peepers. Using calls from each lineage across the full range of spring peepers, I analyzed 11 different characteristics to determine whether the calls were different, and if so, which characteristics are being selected for. Preliminary evidence suggests that the calls between the lineages are distinct and that certain characteristics of the call are more heavily selected for than others. Full analysis on the data has not been completed at this time. This study will expand the understanding of the evolution of spring peepers, as well as offer insight into the role of mating systems on reproductive isolation.
Iohexol Plasma Clearance in Animal Models: The Clear Choice for Measuring Early Renal Dysfunctio
Authors: Turner Mandy
Published: April 2021

Glomerular filtration rate is a measure of the kidney’s ability to filter blood. In animal models of early kidney failure, there is no routine method to accurately measure GFR. The expensive gold standard of GFR measurement is exogenous inulin clearance. The commonly used method, endogenous plasma creatinine concentration, is unreliable and insensitive, especially at normal levels of renal function. This study investigates the utility of iohexol, an inexpensive radio-contrast agent as a promising exogenous marker for plasma clearance kidney function evaluation in rats. Early stages of progressive kidney failure were induced with a 0.25% adenine diet in male Sprague Dawley rats (N=8) over 5 weeks. Both plasma clearance of iohexol and inulin and creatinine concentration were evaluated following weekly venous injections and blood sampling. Plasma iohexol clearance and plasma inulin clearance strongly correlate (R2=0.95). However, plasma creatinine concentration correlated weakly with iohexol(R2=0.53) and inulin(R2=0.58). Iohexol plasma clearance accurately measures changes in kidney function, especially in in comparison to creatinine analysis. The data demonstrates creatinine is an inappropriate marker for renal function in early adenine-induced CKD rat models. Ongoing analysis of this data suggests refinement of the protocol will yield a simple method for routine measure of kidney function in murine lab animals. This tool will facilitate advancement in kidney disease onset and allow for more accurate interpretation of kidney function in the various animal models.
Targeting TAZ and YAP as a New Therapeutic Approach to Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Chan Lauren
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Fibrosis is a major contributor to chronic kidney disease (CKD), for which no effective clinical treatment exists. The primary source of fibrosis is the activation of fibroblasts to the myofibroblast state. Fibroblast-myofibroblast transition requires transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) and its canonical Smad signaling pathway.

 

Purpose

Recent findings suggest that mechanical stimuli affect fibroblast behavior. Nuclear localization of YAP/TAZ, closely associated mechanosensitive transcriptional co-factors, are regulated by substrate stiffness. As YAP/TAZ are Smad nuclear retention factors promoting TGF- β signaling, we hypothesized that YAP/TAZ inhibition could attenuate stiffness-mediated, TGF- β induced pro-fibrotic responses.

 

Methods

Immunostaining and immunoblotting were used to analyze localization and activity of YAP/TAZ and Smad levels, respectively.

 

Results

YAP/TAZ are in an active nuclear location in fibroblasts grown on stiff, fibrotic-like substrates (100kPa). In fibroblasts grown on soft substrates (2kPa), YAP/TAZ are primarily in an inactive cytosolic position. Cells grown on soft surfaces demonstrated strongly attenuated nuclear Smad 2/3 translocation and Smad-3 dependent transcription upon TGF-β stimulation, indicating impaired pro-fibrotic signaling. Verteporfin, a clinically approved drug with YAP inhibitory properties, was used to test the role of YAP/TAZ in reduced TGF-β signaling. Verteporfin reduced TGF-β-induced nuclear Smad2/3 accumulation and Smad3-mediated 

transcription in fibroblasts grown on stiff surfaces. In vivo, Verteporfin significantly reduces markers of renal fibrosis.

 

Conclusions

Soft, healthy kidney-like substrates inhibit, while stiff fibrotic-like substrates promote, pro-fibrotic TGF-β Smad signalling. Verteporfin inactivates the YAP/TAZ fibroblast mechanosensor, reduces stiffness-augmented fibroblast responses to TGF-β through blockade of Smad signalling, and may be a novel anti-fibrotic agent for CKD.
1. Impact of Surface Stability and Hand Separation on Activation of Agonist and Stabilizing Muscles During Push-Up Exercise
Authors: Bhalla Mahadev
Published: April 2021

Stability is an important factor to consider when designing an exercise program as recent studies have suggested that there can be benefits to performing exercises on unstable surfaces compared to rigid ones. Furthermore, to increase strength of the agonist muscles, pectoralis major and triceps brachii, various hand positions can also be implemented to increase stress on these muscles during an exercise.  Thus, our goal was to test the impact that surface stability and hand position can have on muscle activity of stabilizing and agonist muscles during a push-up exercise. Surface electrodes were attached to specific stabilizing and agonist muscles and electromyography (EMG) data was used to measure muscle activity. When compared to a rigid surface, a push up exercise performed on an unstable surface of a BOSU ball resulted in higher muscle activity for all the stabilizing muscles, while only the pectoralis major had an increase in activity for the agonist muscle group. In regards to hand position, a narrow hand spacing resulted in greater activation of all the stabilizing muscles and was able to specifically target the triceps brachii, while the use of wide hand spacing only isolated the pectoralis major. Hence an exercise program consisting of push-ups can target the stabilizing muscles further by using an unstable surface and a narrow hand position. In regards to the agonist muscles, the use of a specific surface and hand position can allow the user to target the agonist muscle they desire in a more efficient manner.
3. The Possibilities and Implications of Policy Strategies to Integrate Aviation Biofuels into Transoceanic Commercial Canadian Jet Aircrafts
Authors: Goodfield Joshua
Published: April 2021

Aviation is a rapidly growing industry and transportation method in today’s globalized world. Due to Canada’s widespread metropolis areas across its large landmass, there is an increasing demand to offer international flights to support recreational travel and commerce. This project assesses the current emissions created through Air Canada’s flights that deliver passengers to and from South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Through the data this project contains, Canadian policymakers can better understand the trends of the industry to best predict how more sustainable second-generation biofuels can be utilized to enact positive environmental change. The shift towards green aviation is progressing at very different rates throughout the world. However, as the environmental movement gains governmental legitimacy, contemporary innovators are beginning to challenge the ways in which carbon emissions can be effectively minimized. Canada has a clear lack of policy that makes biofuels, in the context of aviation, appear to be more of an idea instead of a practical solution. Various regions of the world have differing policies regarding how their governments and industry prioritize sustainable aviation. There are market-based policy approaches and mechanisms that Canada may choose to implement that would dictate the future of Canada’s growing aviation sector.
4. The Role of Glycosylation in Cardiac Arrhythmias
Authors: Hulbert Maggie
Published: April 2021

Long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a debilitating cardiac arrhythmia, and mutations or malfunctions in the human ether-a-go-go–related gene (hERG) are the most common cause of LQTS. hERG is responsible for the cardiac potassium current (IKr), which is important for cardiac repolarization. It has 6 transmembrane domains, ranging from S1 to S6, and a complex N-linked oligosaccharide chain resides on the extracellular S5 pore linker region. The role of this glycosylation chain in hERG function has not yet been well distinguished and in the current study we aim to investigate the relationship between hERG protease susceptibility and the presence of the glycosylation chain. Using molecular techniques, we demonstrate that de-glycosylated hERG channels are degraded by the serine protease Proteinase K at a much faster rate than their glycosylated counter parts. Additionally, through removal of the end-chain sialic acid residues using the enzyme neuraminidase, we conclude that it is likely the physical blockade of susceptible protease sites that grants wild type hERG this glycosylation-dependent protection as opposed to charge repulsion facilitated by specific sugars in the carbohydrate chain. Our data show that the glycosylation chain found on hERG plays a role in protecting the channel from protease degradation, and could provide valuable insight into the development of the cardiac arrhythmia Long QT Syndrome.
8. Evaluation of Snow Fungus Polysaccharides on benzo[a]pyrene-induced DNA Damage
Authors: Liu Daisy
Published: April 2021

Snow fungus, Tremella fuciformis, has been demonstrated to have numerous health benefits including purported chemopreventive properties due to free radical-scavenging ability. Protective effects derived from snow fungus polysaccharides are evaluated on Chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (CCL-39) exposed to carcinogen benzo[a]pyrene known to cause free radical formation and oxidative stress to cells.

In this experiment, it was hypothesized that the naturally occurring polysaccharides in snow fungus are able to protect against or reduce oxidative stress-induced DNA damage. Polysaccharides were isolated through an alkaline extraction and in-vitro digestion. DNA damage was measured using the single-cell gel electrophoresis comet assay after exposure to benzo[a]pyrene and polysaccharide extract to lung fibroblasts. Results were calculated using the mean and standard deviation data of tail length and area, respectively. Each damaged cell was measured and analyzed through ImageJ Editing Software. The results indicate a promising trend which depict snow fungus polysaccharides yielding lower levels of DNA damage compared to cells exposed to benzo[a]pyrene and compared to the negative control (phosphate buffered saline and Dulbecco’s cell medium). This study suggests polysaccharides from Tremella fuciformis could truly prevent cellular DNA damage by protecting against oxidative stress.
9. A Stylistic and Chronological Assessment of the Footprint Petroglyphs from Humayma
Authors: Lovsin Darcye
Published: April 2021

The archaeological site of ancient Hawara (modern day Humayma), located in Southern Jordan, consists of occupational phases extending from the Neolithic period until present day. The site represents many diverse cultural groups, including Nabataean, Roman, and Byzantine. During a 2014 field survey, more than 150 petroglyphs were discovered in the mountainous area to the west of the ancient site. These petroglyphs included rock carvings of bovids, humans, and of particular interest to this research project, footprints. Since early humanity, man has been carving footprints all over the world, with various meanings and reasons for doing so. The goal of this research project was to analyze the footprint petroglyphs found surrounding Hawara, in order to determine what each carving was meant to represent, and what general time period each carving came from. This was accomplished by focusing on the artistic style and representation of each footprint, as well as the stratigraphic layering of the carvings. By organizing photographs taken of each footprint into a database, and cross-analyzing them against each other, as well as against other known petroglyphs from Southern Jordan, the study showed that humans have been carving footprints into the hills surrounding Hawara since ancient times, presumably as a way to mark their presence in the area. Over the course of the site’s history, humanity’s motivation for wishing to leave their mark on the land differs, from religious or spiritual reasons to personal. It is hypothesized that over the centuries people carved the footprints around Humayma as offerings to their local gods, most likely to ensure a healthy rainfall and successful harvest in the desert climate.
12. Fantasy and the Holocaust: Suspending Belief to Grasp the Unbelievable
Authors: Nauth Sheryl
Published: April 2021

This paper endeavors to explore how recent media has engaged with the memory of the Holocaust, and, more broadly, how fiction and technologies have found new and effective ways to engage with controversial histories. I propose specifically, fiction, fantasy, and magical realism are innovative ways of keeping memory of atrocities in history, such as the Holocaust, alive. I examine the genre of fiction and magical realism, while bringing particular examples from Yoram Gross’ animated series Sarah and the Squirrel, Jonathan Safran Foer’s film Everything is Illuminated, and Luc Bernard’s upcoming video game Imagination is the Only Escape. These three are all vastly different medias, but share very common motivations: to engage with history, principally the Holocaust, through imaginative and interactive story telling. Each also treat the subject of representation and memory, concluding that “reality” is diverse, fragmented, and ever changing through time and people. Through the fantastical, their stories lead spectators with a child-like perspective through experiences that transfer meaning, feelings, and affect, rather than facts. As survivors continue to pass away and time and distance puts the unbelievable events of the Holocaust in the far inaccessible past, the new generation endeavors to find immersive, interactive medium to continue to keep memory –what Alison Landsberg refers to as “prosthetic” or artificial memory –alive. While unconventional, the works listed above demonstrate that fantasy and magical realism can be an engaging, informative, and worthwhile form to engage with history, especially histories of violence.
14. Implementing a Quantum Solution to Database Hierarchy Control
Authors: Percival Helen
Published: April 2021

Data access control in a hierarchy is currently a complex structure. Diﬀerent groups need access to sets of data, some of which overlap, while the rest of the data remains secret. Managers and directors need to access the data that is hidden from regular users. To manage this, users are organized into partially ordered sets, or posets. Nodes in the posets represent users with the same access rights.

Current solutions use independent keys to access sections of data. This is chaotic, particularly for upper users in the hierarchy. A proposed solution is up-down computable keys, as described by Nagy and Akl in 2010 [1]. The downfall of this solution is that it is only applicable to stable posets. Users leaving and entering the organization at arbitrary levels or even moving within the structure, may invalidate multiple keys or even all the keys in a poset.

Nagy and Akl [1] propose a quantum mechanical solution; by managing systems with two keys per user, a quantum and a classical key, the database is able to use computable keys that the user has no access to. Instead of direct access to the key, the system uses the quantum and the classical keys to compute the access key.

The purpose of the study is to design a physical system to implement quantum key database access, able to accommodate large businesses and governments with large, ﬂuctuating and complex organizational hierarchies. Such a system would also be highly secure, suitable for databases with sensitive data.

References

[1] N. Nagy and S. G. Akl, “A quantum cryptographic solution to the problem of access control in a hierarchy,” Parallel Processing Letters, vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 251–261, 2010.
18. Comparing Relationships between Plant Body Sizes and Minimum Reproductive Threshold Sizes for Species of Contrasting Life History
Authors: Serafini John
Published: April 2021

Two traits are fundamental in defining plant life history strategies: How big can a species get? And how big does it need to get before it can reproduce? Previous research has shown that there is a general positive relationship between these two traits, across species, and this can be accounted for as a trade-off. In this project, I explored whether this relationship differs among herbaceous species with perennial versus annual or biennial life histories. Perennials, because of their capacity to grow across several years, might generally be expected to display a relatively large MAX (maximum potential body size) and hence large MIN (minimum reproductive threshold size) compared with annuals or biennials that live only one or two years. In addition, annuals/biennials might be expected generally to have a smaller MIN for a given MAX, compared with perennials because of selection in the ancestral past — i.e. in frequently disturbed habitats, where annuals and biennials are common, predictable early death (from disturbance) has imposed strong selection to produce at least some offspring quickly, regardless of how small/suppressed the plant might be. I tested these predictions for resident plants sampled from natural populations of 105 species found in the vicinity of Kingston, Ontario. Remarkably, the results support neither prediction, and point to an alternative consequence of selection in shaping plant life history strategies; i.e. small MIN for a given MAX has also been favoured in perennials but for a different reason — as a strategy for competitive fitness.
19. Determining the Ice-binding Face of an Antifreeze Protein from the Grass, Brachypodium distachyon
Authors: Smith Lindsay
Published: April 2021

At subzero temperatures extracellular ice growth can kill plants by dehydrating cells and rupturing their membranes. Some grasses can protect themselves from this damage by producing antifreeze proteins (AFPs). These AFPs irreversibly adsorb to growing ice crystals and prevent further gowth. This is measured by ice-recrystallization inhibition (IRI), whereby ice crystals remain small at high sub-zero temperatures. An AFP from Brachypodium distachyon, a temperate grass, has been structurally modelled as a left-handed beta helix with two flat ‘faces’ on either side of the molecule. I am trying to determine which ‘face’ is important for ice adsorption. I have made mutations in the sequence encoding the AFP so that a small, flat amino acid is replaced by a bulky residue, which will likely interfere with the “fit” of the protein to ice. A mutation on one of the flat ‘faces’ of the protein seems to retain all AFP activity, whereas mutations on the opposite ‘face’ appear to cause a loss in activity. Therefore, I believe that this latter ‘face’ is the one important for ice-binding. By understanding how proteins interact with ice, it may be possible to develop new technologies such as environmentally-friendly de-icing agents.
20. Discovery of Novel Proteins Involved the Insulin/IGF-1 Signalling Pathway
Authors: Wei David (Wen Xiao)
Published: April 2021

The insulin/insulin growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signalling (IIS) pathway plays a key role in metabolism, growth and development. Though research has elucidated aspects of this pathway, it is not fully characterized or understood. A better understanding of the pathway will give insight into related diseases such as cancer. To discover novel proteins involved in the IIS pathway, the C. elegans worm was used due to the homology its insulin/IGF-1 receptor shares with that of humans. 

To identify novel protein interactions with the insulin/IGF-1 receptor, we performed a yeast two-hybrid screen using a library of worm proteins. We found several separate interactions with the worm homolog of the HSP90 protein.

To support the involvement of HSP90 in the IIS pathway, we studied the phenotypes of worm strains with a mutant form of HSP90. They showed a similar phenotype to those that have a mutant form of the insulin/IGF-1 receptor, inappropriately entering a developmental stage known as dauer. This strongly suggests the involvement of HSP90 in the IIS pathway.

Based on previous research, we hypothesized the interaction between HSP90 and the insulin/IGF-1 receptor may allow it to bind other proteins. Thus, we performed a modified yeast two-hybrid screen to identify proteins which interact with the receptor in the presence of HSP90. The screen identified 15 interactions, many more than with the insulin/IGF-1 receptor alone, supporting this hypothesis.

Overall, we provide evidence of a novel interaction with insulin/IGF-1 receptor, suggesting HSP90 may be a potential target for developing therapies for IIS pathway related diseases.
22. Immune Response to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in Cystic Fibrosis Patients
Authors: Wettlaufer Jillian
Published: April 2021

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is one of the most common multidrug-resistant organisms isolated from the cystic fibrosis (CF) respiratory tract but it is unknown how it influences the long term clinical outcomes of CF patients.

 

Objective/Hypothesis: To characterize the immune response to S. maltophilia and its association with clinical outcomes in CF patients over time. 

Methods: This was a longitudinal study from 2007-2014 of CF patients followed at The Hospital for Sick Children and St. Michael’s Hospital. All patients were classified as: 1) those with chronic S. maltophilia: ³2 positive cultures/year, 2) intermittent S. maltophilia: 1 positive sputum culture/year, and 3) no S. maltophilia cultures/year with and without chronic P. aeruginosa. IgG/IgA/IgM serologic responses were measured in serial sera samples by ELISA using whole cell S. maltophilia antigen. Results were calculated as the ratio of the average serum sample optical density to the average optical density of the negative control wells. Antibody levels for each patient were compared longitudinally to their rate of decline in FEV1 % predicted, body mass index, and rate of hospitalization.

 

Results: S. maltophilia antibody levels were measured in 350 sera samples from 113 CF patients. Median baseline antibody levels were 1.56 (range 0.996-5.15) in chronic patients, 1.09 (range 0.907-3.79) in intermittent patients, and 1.12 (range 0.737-4.86) in patients with no S. maltophilia. 

Conclusions:

Preliminary data suggests antibody levels to be significantly higher in patients with chronic S. maltophilia, and no significant difference between intermittent S. maltophilia and no S. maltophilia.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in voice rehabilitation of patients after laryngectomy
Authors: Shinkarev S. A. , Boldyrev S. V. , Zagadaev A. P. , Podolsky V. N. , Borisov V. A. , Kostyushina Y. I.
Published: April 2021

The article is devoted to the problem of voice rehabilitation of patients after laryngectomy. Modern possibilities of repairing laryngeal vocal function, methods for extending the lifetime of voice prostheses are considered. The author’s method of prevention of infection of vocal prostheses using the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (PDT) with chlorin-type photosensitizer Radagel is presented. Performing antimicrobial PDT of vocal prostheses increased the average operating time to 11.9 months compared to the control group (6.8 months), where a monthly dose of 150 mg of fluconazole was used for prevention. The method developed by the authors makes it possible to significantly extend the lifetime of vocal prostheses, is devoid of adverse events, is well tolerated by patients.
Antimicrobial and antimycotic photodynamic therapy (review of literature)
Authors: Semyonov D. Yu. , Vasil’ev Yu. L. , Dydykin S. S. , Stranadko E. F. , Shubin V. K. , Bogomazov Yu. K. , Morokhotov V. A. , Shcherbyuk A. N. , Morozov S. V. , Zakharov Yu. I.
Published: April 2021

This review highlights the possibilities of photodynamic therapy (PDT) using drugs based on chlorin e6, aluminum phthalocyanine, methylene blue as photosensitizers for bacterial and fungal pathologies. This method was developed initially to treat tumor diseases, where it had shown its high efficiency and safety. Now photodynamic therapy is actively used in the treatment of cancers of the skin, bronchi, stomach, cervix, larynx, or other regions. However, numerous studies have been carried out for the entire existence of the method, demonstrating new possibilities of its application. This review highlights a number of studies in which the efficacy and safety of antimicrobial and antimycotic PDT were studied in vivo and in vitro. It has been proven to have a positive effect on the reparative processes in the wound. An experimental study was carried out to study the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in the treatment of peritonitis in mice. Demonstrated anti-inflammatory potential in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Física, gramática e pragmática dos sons de fala
Authors: Albano Eleonora C.
Published: April 2021

Este artigo argumenta que a cisão entre a Fonética e a Fonologia deve ser superada em prol de uma visão integrada dos fatos fônicos, que vem obtendo crescente respaldo na literatura. Parte desse respaldo vem da evidência de que certos processos fônicos podem ser categóricos ou gradientes sob condições só ligeiramente distintas, tornando implausível a existência de um componente fonológico independente da fonética. Outra parte do respaldo vem da evidência contra a existência de uma mecânica fônica universal, o que torna implausível um componente fonético independente da fonologia.  O artigo focaliza o último caso, cuja discussão na literatura é ainda insuficiente. A exposição baseia-se em quatro argumentos. O primeiro sustenta que mesmo as restrições biomecânicas mais fortes são flexíveis. O caso exemplar é a incompressibilidade da língua, decorrência incontornável do seu caráter de hidróstato muscular. O segundo argumento explora a manifestação da incompressibilidade numa região de conhecida instabilidade articulatória, o palato duro, mostrando que algumas das suas consequências estão, contudo, sujeitas a condições bastante abstratas. O terceiro argumento vai além, examinando processos fônicos relacionados à incompressibilidade em línguas com bases articulatórias distintas. O quarto argumento apoia-se em indícios de que as línguas tomam a base articulatória não só como postura preferencial, mas também como plataforma de alavancagem para a aquisição de linguagem. Em conjunto, esses argumentos sugerem fortemente que a Fonologia e a Fonética são interdependentes.
The micro-shear bond strength of two different repair systems to indirect restorative materials
Authors:   Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Altinbaș University, TR-34147, Bakırkoy/Istanbul, Turkey, Ayșe Atay , Lamia Najafova ,   Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Aydin University, TR-34295, Kucukcekmece/Istanbul, Turkey, Huseyin Mehmet Kurtulmus ,   Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Istanbul Aydin University, TR-34295, Kucukcekmece/Istanbul, Turkey, Aslihan Üşümez ,   Private Clinic, TR-34147, Bakırkoy/Istanbul, Turkey
Published: April 2021

Introduction The aim of this study was to evaluate the micro-shear bond strength (μSBS) of different repair systems (Clearfil Repair, iGOS Repair) to restorative materials for CAD/CAM (Cerasmart, Lava Ultimate, InCoris TZI , VITA Suprinity, VITA Mark II, IPS e.max CAD, IPS Empress CAD). Methodology The 140 1.2 mm-thick specimens were prepared from CAD/CAM blocks (n=20) and thermocycled (10,000 cycles, 5–55°C, dwell time 20s). The specimens were randomly divided into two groups according to the repair system: Clearfil Repair (40% phosphoric acid+mixture of Clearfil Porcelain Bond Activator and Clearfil SE Bond Primer+Clearfil SE Bond+CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES-2) and iGOS Repair (40% phosphoric acid+ Multi Primer LIQUID+ iGOS Bond+ iGOS Universal). The composite resins were polymerized. All specimens were stored in distilled water at 37°C for 24 hours. The μSBS test was performed with a micro-shear testing machine (at 1 mm/min). The data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, Tukey’s multiple comparison tests at a significance level of p<0.05. Each failure modes were examined under a stereomicroscope at×16 magnification. Results The type of CAD/CAM restorative material and repair system showed a significant effect on the μSBS (p<0.05). Specimens repaired with the iGOS Repair system showed the highest μSBS values than the Clearfil Repair system among all tested materials except for the InCoris TZI group (p<0.05). Conclusion All groups, except for the InCoris TZI group, repaired with iGOS Repair system showed higher μSBS than Clearfil Repair. The type of restoration and repair material is important in the success of the fracture repair.
Knowledge, awareness and perceptions of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in a cohort of indian dental professionals: A questionnaire-based study
Authors:   Department of Conservative Dentistry, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India, Niraj Kinariwala , Lakshman Perera Samaranayake ,   Department of Oral Biosciences, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, Irosha Perera ,   Preventive Oral Health Unit, National Dental Hospital (Teaching), Colombo, Sri Lanka, Zeal Patel ,   Department of Community Dentistry / Public Health Dentistry, Karnavati School of Dentistry, Karnavati University, Gandhinagar, India
Published: April 2021

Objectives COVID-19 is an unprecedented global public health emergency currently impacting heavily on India. The objective of this study was to assess the knowledge, awareness, perceptions of Indian dentists on COVID-19. Methods A cross-sectional, on-line questionnaire-based study was conducted amongst 403 Indian dentists in solo, and group practices as well as academics. The self-administered questionnaire assessed 1) knowledge/awareness of factors related to COVID-19 patient identification and symptomatology, 2) knowledge/awareness of COVID-19 transmission and 3) perceptions of COVID-19 history taking procedure. Statistical analyses were conducted using Statistical Package for Social Sciences for Windows, version 21.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). Frequency distributions and logistic regression analyses were used. Results Indian dentists demonstrated an overall modest level of knowledge on identification of patients with COVID-19. Moreover, they had a high level of awareness of the COVID-19 transmission means, and the generally accepted procedural perceptions on patient history taking. However, there were some gaps in specific aspects of knowledge and perceptions. Those who were aged ≥ 30-years had a significantly higher level of knowledge of patient identification means than those who were < 30-years (OR=1.78:1.12-2.83); p=0.01. Moreover, specialized dentists were significantly more knowledgeable of COVID-19 transmission means than general dentists (OR=1.89:1.22-2.93; p=0.004). Conclusion Our findings demonstrate identifiable gaps in knowledge/awareness and perceptions of COVID-19 in Indian dental professionals. These gaps should be fulfilled, at the earliest, due to the rising burden of COVID-19 in India, to ensure safe dental care delivery.
Temperature changes in bone using an air scaler Ex Vivo
Authors:   Department of Prosthodontics and Digital Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA, Dana M. Marzocco , Sean Lee ,   Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA, Kenneth S Kurtz ,   Department of Prosthodontics and Digital Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA, Javed Fawad ,   Department of Orthodontics, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, University of Rochester, NY, USA, Rafael Delgado-Ruiz ,   Department of Prosthodontics and Digital Technology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA, Georgios E Romanos ,   Department of Periodontology, School of Dental Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, USA,   Department of Oral Surgery and Implant Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt, Germany
Published: April 2021

Introduction Frictional forces induced by osteotomy devices may induce an unwanted temperature increase in bone. This experimental study aimed to evaluate temperature changes produced in dense bone by three different osteotomies produced by an air scaler device. Methodology Under the same parameters, forty-five linear osteotomies were prepared on the cortical layer of fresh porcine ribs resembling dense bone with three different air scaler insert tips: sagittal saw (Tip A), diamond ball (Tip B) and square chisel (Tip C). The length of the osteotomies was standardized to 10 mm in length. The depths of cuts ranged from 0.5 mm to 2.0 mm. The future osteotomy areas were marked with a graphite pen, and thermocouple microprobes were placed 1 mm lateral at both sides of the marks. The maximum temperature, differential temperature, and time for cut completion were recorded. Analysis of Variance and Kruskal Wallis test were used for the group comparisons. Results Tip A induced the highest of the maximum temperature recordings (Tip A: 48.0 o C). Tip B and C produced comparable maximum temperatures (Tip B: 43.6 o C and Tip C: 44.0 o C). Total mean temperature change increased more for Tip B (4.13) and less in Tip C (0.2). Timing of cuts ranged from 30 seconds to 5 minutes (2.30 ± 1.76 min). Overall average temperature change was less than 100 o C within one minute. Conclusion Osseous site preparation can be achieved with the Air scaler and different air scaler inserts without inducing significant critical thermal changes in bone.
The effects of tongue plate and tongue appliance on maxillary deficiency in growing patients
Authors:   Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Cranio Maxillofacial Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, Abdolreza Jamilian , Ludovica Nucci ,   Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Dental School, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy, Ehsun Amini ,   Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental School, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran, Mitra Toliat ,   Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Cranio Maxillofacial Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran, Shima Bagherzadeh Hamedani ,   Clinical Division of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria, Felice Femiano ,   Multidisciplinary Department of Medical-Surgical and Dental Specialties, Dental School, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Naples, Italy
Published: April 2021

Objectives The purpose of this randomized trial study was to compare the effects of tongue plate and tongue appliance in the treatment of Class III malocclusion with maxillary deficiency in growing patients. Material and Methods 40 patients (19 males, 21 females) with maxillary deficiency were selected. 20 patients (9 boys, 11 girls) with the mean age of 9.3±1.2 were treated with tongue plate. 20 patients (10 boys, 10 girls) with the mean age of 10.1±0.7 were treated by tongue appliance. Lateral cephalograms obtained at the beginning and end of the study were analyzed. Results Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon test showed that SNA and ANB significantly increased in both groups. The Mann-Whitney test showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups except for Jarabak ratio. Jarabak increased by 0.6±3.2° in the tongue appliance group and it decreased 0.4±1.6° in the tongue plate group (p<0.03). Conclusion Both treatment modalities were successful in moving the maxilla forward. The crib of the tongue appliance might bother the tongue and consequently parents are complaining about minor inflammation of the tongue. The smooth surface of the tongue plate might therefore confer some advantages to this system as compared to the tongue plate.
Application of modern 3d image acquisition systems to the morphological analysis of faces: a novel approach for the assessment of facial growth
Authors:   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Daniele Maria Gibelli , Pasquale Poppa ,   LABANOF, Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Odontology, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University  of Milan, Milan, Italy, Annalisa Cappella ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Riccardo Rosati ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Claudia Dolci ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy, Cristina Cattaneo ,   LABANOF, Laboratory of Anthropology and Forensic Odontology, Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University  of Milan, Milan, Italy, Chiarella Sforza ,   Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
Published: April 2021

Introduction The assessment of facial growth has always had a relevant importance in anatomy and morphological sciences. This article aims at presenting a method of facial superimposition between 3D models which provides a topographic map of those facial areas modified by growth. Methodology Eight children aged between 6 and 10 years were recruited. In December 2010 they underwent a 3D scan by the Vivid 910 laser scanner (Konica Minolta, Osaka, Japan). The same procedures were performed another five times, in June 2011, September 2011, January 2012 and September 2012; in total 6 analyses were performed on the same subjects in a time span of 21 months. Three-dimensional digital models belonging to the same individual were then superimposed on each other according to 11 facial landmarks. Three comparisons were performed for each individual, referring to the period between December 2010 and June 2011, between June 2011 and January 2012 and between January and September 2012. Results Results show that the protocol of superimposition gives a reliable image of facial growth with high sensibility: in detail, even the slight facial modifications due to different expressions are recorded. The method can also quantify the point-to-point difference between the two models, and therefore give an indication concerning the general increase or decrease of facial volume. Conclusion This approach may provide useful indications for the analysis of facial growth on a large sample and give a new point of view of the complex field of face development.
Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on dental practice: why measures to be taken – the experience of an European University Hospital (part 2)
Authors:   Department OMFS, Department Imaging and Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium, Constantinus Politis , Annette Schuermans ,   Department of Hygiene, Infection Control and Epidemiology, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium, Katrien Lagrou ,   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium, Mia Vande Putte ,   Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control Department, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium, Jean-Pierre Kruth ,   Wet Engineering Department, Technical Service, Faculty of Medicine, Leuven University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium
Published: April 2021

Background The COVID-19 pandemic does not leave the dental practice unattended. In Part 1 the reason why measures should be taken was explored. Objective The objective is to review the measures that can be taken to minimize the risk of tranmission in the dental practice. Data Sources These measures can be classified according to the guidelines of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Study Selection A qualitative approach explores the applicability of these guidelines to the dental practice. Data Extraction In order to prevent aerosol transmission in the dental practice a large number of changes are needed. It concerns hygiene protocols, organizational protocols and architectural changes, none of which are backed by a legal framework. Conclusion Until a vaccination program is introduced to counter the COVID-19 pandemic in a country, the dental society will need to take measures to prevent aerosol transmission in the dental office. The pyramid of measures according to NIOSH offers a suitable frame to classify all measures. Any legal regulatory intervention could use this framework.