bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parental knowledge is an environmental influence on adolescent externalizing
Authors: Marceau Kristine , Narusyte Jurgita , Lichtenstein Paul , Ganiban Jody M. , Spotts Erica L. , Reiss David , Neiderhiser Jenae M.
Published: June 2014

Background

There is evidence both that parental monitoring is an environmental influence serving to diminish adolescent externalizing problems and that this association may be driven by adolescents' characteristics via genetic and/or environmental mechanisms, such that adolescents with fewer problems tell their parents more, and therefore appear to be better monitored. Without information on how parents' and children's genes and environments influence correlated parent and child behaviors, it is impossible to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association.

Method

The present study used the Extended Children of Twins model to distinguish types of gene–environment correlation and direct environmental effects underlying associations between parental knowledge and adolescent (age 11–22 years) externalizing behavior with a Swedish sample of 909 twin parents and their adolescent offspring and a US‐based sample of 405 White adolescent siblings and their parents.

Results

Results suggest that more parental knowledge is associated with less adolescent externalizing via a direct environmental influence independent of any genetic influences. There was no evidence of a child‐driven explanation of the association between parental knowledge and adolescent externalizing problems.

Conclusions

In this sample of adolescents, parental knowledge exerted an environmental influence on adolescent externalizing after accounting for genetic influences of parents and adolescents. Because the association between parenting and child development originates in the parent, treatment for adolescent externalizing must not only include parents but should also focus on altering their parental style. Thus, findings suggest that teaching parents better knowledge‐related monitoring strategies is likely to help reduce externalizing problems in adolescents.
Review of Translucency Determinations and Applications to Dental Materials
Authors: Johnston William M.
Published: June 2014

Statement of Problem

There are several ways to measure the translucency of materials, as various basic colorimetric concepts have been used to describe the translucency of natural and esthetic dental materials. There are currently no guidelines regarding which method to use to describe the translucency of these materials.

Purposes of Study

Two initial purposes of this study are to review the initial developments of the major translucency measurement methods first in the color science literature and then in the dentistry literature, and to review in the dentistry literature the recent uses of the various translucency measurement methods in light of the objectives of the presented research.

Material and Methods

A major color science textbook was reviewed to obtain the background information and selected references regarding the original methods of opacity measurement and the original references regarding the development and use of a translucency parameter were also reviewed. Then the recent dentistry literature was reviewed to describe the uses of the various methods of opacity or translucency determinations for various dental materials.

Results

The three major methods of translucency measurement were found to be contrast ratio, transmittance, and translucency parameter, with the contrast ratio and transmittance methods each having the possibility of being either luminous or spectral. Translucency measurements were mainly used to describe dental resin composites and dental ceramic materials, but prosthetic elastomers, fiber posts, orthodontic brackets, natural tooth dentine and enamel, and combinations of materials were also studied using at least one of these methods.

Conclusions

The more‐developed use of models that relate the thickness of the translucent materials to the translucency measurement of interest is encouraged. Also, care must be taken when comparing previously generated translucency measurements with any newly generated data because technical details of the thickness and the backings used in previous research must be matched or adjustments must be made to make any newly generated data comparable with published values.

Clinical Significance

The method of specifying the translucency of esthetic dental materials may be based on clinical appearance requirements of the patient, on technical demands of optimizing the setting of underlying material, or on both. The method or methods used to describe translucency may provide clinically relevant information in order for the clinician to select the optimum material to satisfy these requirements.
Esthetic Treatment of a Periodontal Patient with Prefabricated Composite Veneers and Fiber‐Reinforced Composite: Clinical Considerations and Technique
Authors: Novelli Claudio
Published: June 2014

The advances in periodontal therapy and the clinical success of adhesive dentistry have changed the way dentists treat periodontal patients. As more teeth are saved, the demand for functional and esthetic restoration of periodontally involved teeth grows. Once, these teeth were restored with full‐coverage splinted restorations, whereas today, adhesive techniques provide less invasive and less complicated treatment options.

This paper presents a novel adhesive combination of fiber‐reinforced composite and prefabricated composite veneers to restore function and esthetics in a periodontal patient with severe bone and attachment loss. After successful completion of the periodontal treatment, fiber‐reinforced composite has been bonded to the buccal surface of the maxillary anterior teeth in order to control teeth mobility. At the same appointment, prefabricated composite veneers have been bonded to the splinted teeth in order to restore esthetics. The final result shows full integration of contemporary adhesive techniques for single‐appointment, minimally invasive treatment of a periodontal patient.

Clinical Significance

This paper describes the use of fiber‐reinforced composite and prefabricated composite veneers for the treatment of severe periodontal patients with a minimally invasive, single‐appointment technique.
An experience sampling study of expressing affect, daily affective well‐being, relationship quality, and perceived performance
Authors: Daniels Kevin , Glover Jane , Mellor Nadine
Published: June 2014

Few studies have directly examined the processes through which workers use job resources, such as job control and social support, to regulate affect. We focused on affective expression, which is a specific form of affect regulation. We investigated the extent to which workers used both job control and social support to express affect. Thirty‐nine call centre workers provided data up to four times a day over five consecutive working days (number of observations = 272). Executing job control to allow workers to express affect was related to using social support to express affect. Workers' understanding of their personal goals mediated relationships between using social support to express affect and four outcomes (negative affect, positive affect, perceived performance, and quality of workplace relationships). Perceived empathy mediated relationships between using social support to express affect and three outcomes (negative affect, positive affect, and quality of workplace relationships). The findings indicated that (1) one job resource can be used to facilitate using another job resource for affect regulation and (2) different job resources may play different roles in conferring benefits from affective expression.

Practitioner points

Jobs cannot be treated as static entities with fixed characteristics. Rather workers will use resources embedded in job design for specific purposes.

Job redesign interventions intended to enhance affective well‐being need to take account of the social and cognitive processes that mediate the relationship between work and affective well‐being.

Job redesign interventions need to integrate information about dynamic processes in which use of one job resource can enable use of another job resource.
Below‐ground competition drives the self‐thinning process of Stipa purpurea populations in northern Tibet
Authors: Zhu Juntao , Jiang Lin , Zhang Yangjian , Jiang Yanbin , Tao Jian , Tian Li , Zhang Tao , Xi Yi
Published: June 2014

Questions

Above‐ground, below‐ground and individual mass–density relationships for perennial herbs were examined along a natural precipitation gradient in northern Tibet. We asked: (1) how do the self‐thinning exponents respond to variation in precipitation; and (2) what mechanisms drive the observed population self‐thinning?

Location

The alpine grassland of northern Tibet.

Methods

Forty‐seven fenced sites along a precipitation gradient were established and surveyed in 2011 and 2012. Data (geographic coordinates, elevation, and vegetation information) were collected for Stipa purpurea populations at each site. Population self‐thinning exponents were estimated using reduced major axis regression.

Results

The self‐thinning exponents for below‐ground (−1.27, −0.47) and individual biomass (−1.26, −0.46) increased with increasing mean annual precipitation, but those for above‐ground biomass decreased with precipitation (0.18, −0.25). Soil resources (moisture and nutrients) are a more important constraining factor for below‐ground components than light is for above‐ground components. Root competition for below‐ground resources dominated in S. purpurea population self‐thinning. The driving force of density regulation changed from above‐ground competition to below‐ground competition with increased drought stress. Our results indicate that an increased root/shoot ratio was linked to enhanced below‐ground competition and weakened above‐ground competition. Our study further confirmed the hypothesis that plant populations in different environments exhibit different biomass allocation patterns, which, in turn, leads to different biomass–density relationships.

Conclusions

Our study revealed the mechanisms of population self‐thinning for perennial herbs in the extreme environment of northern Tibet, where below‐ground processes play a critical role in regulating population self‐thinning. Our study also advances understanding of the interactions between above‐ and below‐ground processes, providing baseline knowledge useful for local grassland management.
Being depleted and being shaken: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of the experiential features of a first episode of depression
Authors: Smith Jonathan A. , Rhodes John E.
Published: June 2014

Objectives

This article presents a detailed idiographic analysis of patients' experience of first‐episode depression.

Design

This is a qualitative interview study using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were carried out with a purposive sample of seven patients presenting to a mental health service in London, UK with symptoms of first‐episode major depression. There were four males and three females; mean age was 44 years. Interviews were audio‐recorded and subjected to IPA.

Results

Participants described a significant loss event prior to onset of depression. The depression involved a major diminishing of the life‐world with relational, corporeal, and temporal depletion. This depletion was accompanied in each case by occasional extreme emotions, frenzied thoughts, confused sense of self.

Conclusions

Depression can represent a major existential threat to the sufferer. We discuss how our findings can illuminate the extant literature. The study suggests the value of exploring these existential features in early therapy.

Practitioner points

Offers a detailed phenomenological analysis of core experiential features of first episode depression: being alone, being empty, life is over.

Also reveals an unstable dynamic of major psychological depletion interrupted by emotional and cognitive agitation involving confusion, lack of confidence, and/or trust.

Provides rationale and material for intensive exploration of these features in therapy.
Molecular phylogeny of hipposiderid bats (Chiroptera:Hipposideridae) fromSolomonIslands andCapeYorkPeninsula,Australia
Authors: Lavery Tyrone H. , Leung Luke K.‐P. , Seddon Jennifer M.
Published: June 2014

Throughout theOldWorldTropics, examples of cryptic diversity have been demonstrated in leaf‐nosed bats from theFamilyHipposideridae. In addition to cryptic diversity, the widespread distributions and graded morphologies of some species render the taxonomy of this family poorly resolved. We used sequences of the mitochondrial geneND2 and the nuclear geneRAG1 to reconstruct molecular phylogenetic relationships for hipposiderid species. Specimens fromSolomonIsland andCapeYorkPeninsula,Australia, were sequenced and combined with published sequences fromSoutheastAsia. Our results suggest the presence of undescribed diversity in northernAustralia. Sequences ofND2 andRAG1 for samples ofCapeYorkHipposideros aterwere distinct from those ofSoutheastAsia, with corrected sequence divergence estimates for the mitochondrial gene exceeding 23%. In comparison, there was no cryptic diversity detected in Solomon Island specimens when compared to conspecifics fromSoutheastAsia. On the contrary, three species members of thediademamorphological group from the region exhibit variability in the mitochondrial geneND2, far below that of other species included in the analyses.
Characterization of products of theta divisors
Authors: Jiang Zhi , Lahoz Martí , Tirabassi Sofia
Published: June 2014

We study products of irreducible theta divisors from two points of view. On the one hand, we characterize them as normal subvarieties of abelian varieties such that a desingularization has holomorphic Euler characteristic$\def \xmlpi #1{}\def \mathsfbi #1{\boldsymbol {\mathsf {#1}}}\let \le =\leqslant \let \leq =\leqslant \let \ge =\geqslant \let \geq =\geqslant \def \Pr {\mathit {Pr}}\def \Fr {\mathit {Fr}}\def \Rey {\mathit {Re}}1$. On the other hand, we identify them up to birational equivalence among all varieties of maximal Albanese dimension. We also describe the structure of varieties$X$of maximal Albanese dimension, with holomorphic Euler characteristic$1$and irregularity$2\dim X-1$.
Sensitive Material Behavior: Theoretical Model and Experiment for Compression Collapse of Gold Particles at Submicron Scale
Authors: Hu J. Q. , Liu Z. L. , Cui Y. N. , Wang Z. J. , Shan Z. W. , Zhuang Z.
Published: June 2014

Recent in situ TEM experiments observed that single crystalline gold particles with diameter ranging from 300 to 700 nm suddenly collapse, accompanying numerous dislocations escaping from the free surface during a flat punch pushing toward the particle. This collapse is catastrophic for the microdevices in service. In this work, we numerically and theoretically analyze the collapse mechanisms of this kind of “sensitive material.” First, by carrying out molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and finite element (FEM) analysis, we conclude that the strong strain burst in the collapse is derived from the robust emissions of plentiful pile-up dislocations in a particular area. Then, on the basis of numerical analyses, a theoretical model based on the virtual work principle is developed to predict the load–displacement curve during the indentation and reveal the energy dissipation and transformation before the particle collapse. Furthermore, a micromechanics-based dislocation pile-up model is established to quantitatively interpret the mechanism of particle collapse. Based on these studies, we propose the dislocation avalanche at the microscale depends not only on the peak stress but also on the stress gradients. The research is helpful for the design of reliable microdevices.
Neural Network-Based Tracking Control of Underactuated Autonomous Underwater Vehicles With Model Uncertainties
Authors: Seok Park Bong
Published: June 2014

In this paper, we propose a neural network (NN)-based tracking control method for underactuated autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) with model uncertainties. In order to solve the difficulties in designing the controller for underactuated AUVs, the additional virtual control input is developed, and the approach angle, which generates the desired yaw angle to track any reference trajectory, is introduced. Moreover, the NNs are used to deal with model uncertainties in the hydrodynamic damping terms of AUVs. Finally, the proposed controller is designed based on the dynamic surface control (DSC) method, and the boundedness of all tracking errors is proved by using the Lyapunov stability theory. Some simulation results demonstrate the performance of the proposed control method.
A Lumped-Parameter Modeling Methodology for One-Dimensional Hyperbolic Partial Differential Equations Describing Nonlinear Wave Propagation in Fluids
Authors: Stockar Stephanie , Canova Marcello , Guezennec Yann , Rizzoni Giorgio
Published: June 2014

Modeling the transient response of compressible fluid systems using dynamic systems theory is relevant to various engineering fields, such as gas pipelines, compressors, or internal combustion engines. Many applications, for instance, real-time simulation tools, system optimization, estimation and control would greatly benefit from the availability of predictive models with high fidelity and low calibration requirements. This paper presents a novel approach for the solution of the nonlinear partial differential equations (PDEs) describing unsteady flows in compressible fluid systems. A systematic methodology is developed to operate model-order reduction of distributed-parameter systems described by hyperbolic PDEs. The result is a low-order dynamic system, in the form of ordinary differential equations (ODEs), which enables one to apply feedback control or observer design techniques. The paper combines an integral representation of the conservation laws with a projection based onto a set of eigenfunctions, which capture and solve the spatially dependent nature of the system separately from its time evolution. The resulting model, being directly derived from the conservation laws, leads to high prediction accuracy and virtually no calibration requirements. The methodology is demonstrated in this paper with reference to classic linear and nonlinear problems for compressible fluids, and validated against analytical solutions.
Computational Analysis of Combustion of High and Low Cetane Fuels in a Compression Ignition Engine
Authors: Kavuri Chaitanya , Singh Satbir , Rajan Krishnan Sundar , Kumar Srinivasan Kalyan , Ciatti Stephen
Published: June 2014

Past research has shown that the combustion of low cetane fuels in compression ignition (CI) engines results in higher fuel conversion efficiencies. However, when high-cetane fuels such as diesel are substituted with low-cetane fuels such as gasoline, the engine operation tends to suffer from high carbon monoxide (CO) emissions at low loads and combustion noise at high loads. In this paper, we present a computational analysis of a light-duty CI engine operating on diesel, kerosene and gasoline. These three fuels cover a range of cetane numbers (CNs) from 46 for diesel to 25 for gasoline. Similar to experiments, the model predicted higher CO emissions at low load operation with gasoline. Predictions of in-cylinder details were utilized to understand differences in combustion characteristics of the three fuels. The in-cylinder mass contours and the evolution of model predicted in-cylinder mixture in Φ–T coordinates were then used to explain the emission trends. From the analysis, overmixing due to early single injection was identified as the reason for high CO emissions with low load gasoline low temperature combustion (LTC). Additional simulations were performed by introducing techniques like cetane enhancement, adding hot exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), and variation of the injection scheme. Their effects on low load gasoline LTC were studied. Finally, it is shown that use of a dual pulse injection scheme with hot EGR helped to reduce the CO emissions for low load gasoline LTC while maintaining low NOx emissions.
Intelligent Fault Tolerant Energy Management System With Layered Architecture for a Photovoltaic Power Plant
Authors: Selseleh Jonban Mansour , Akbarimajd Adel , Javidan Javad
Published: June 2014

Increasing of renewable power plants has raised the need for intelligent energy management systems (EMSs). The aim of management system is to reduce energy absorbed from fossil sources. In this paper a layered behavioral based architecture named subsumption is employed for energy management in PV based power plant with storage devices and active load. In the proposed architecture components of the plant including SC, PV, battery, and the grid are organized in different layers. Each layer is implemented as a behavioral rule that can independently perceive and act in the environment. There is a hierarchy in the layers where lower layers have more priority and can inhibit higher layers. The layers use a simple protocol to communicate with management unit. Using this approach, a simple, fast, extensible, and fault tolerant EMS is achieved.
Implementation and Validation of Aortic Remodeling in Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Zhao Shijia , Gu Linxia
Published: June 2014

A computational framework was implemented and validated to better understand the hypertensive artery remodeling in both geometric dimensions and material properties. Integrating the stress-modulated remodeling equations into commercial finite element codes allows a better control and visualization of local mechanical parameters. Both arterial thickening and stiffening effects were captured and visualized. An adaptive material remodeling strategy combined with the element birth and death techniques for the geometrical growth were implemented. The numerically predicted remodeling results in terms of the wall thickness, inner diameter, and the ratio of elastin to collagen content of the artery were compared with and fine-tuned by the experimental data from a documented rat model. The influence of time constant on the material remodeling was also evaluated and discussed. In addition, the geometrical growth and material remodeling were isolated to better understand the contributions of each element to the arterial remodeling and their coupling effect. Finally, this framework was applied to an image-based 3D artery generated from computer tomography to demonstrate its heterogeneous remodeling process. Results suggested that hypertension induced arterial remodeling are quite heterogeneous due to both nonlinear geometry and material adaptation process. The developed computational model provided more insights into the evolutions of morphology and material of the artery, which could complement the discrete experimental data for improving the clinical management of hypertension. The proposed framework could also be extended to study other types of stress-driven tissue remodeling including in-stent restenosis and grafting.
Friction Stir Welding of Bulk Metallic Glass Vitreloy 106a
Authors: Ma Xiaoqian , Howard Stanley M. , Jasthi Bharat K.
Published: June 2014

A Zr58.5Nb2.8Cu15.6Ni12.8Al10.3 (Vitreloy 106a) bulk metallic glass (BMG) was successfully welded by friction stir welding (FSW) with a fixed polycrystalline cubic boron nitride (PCBN) pin tool below its crystallization temperature. The microstructure was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) to evaluate the crystallization of the weld. The reduced radial distribution function (RDF), short-range order (SRO) domain size, and atomic pair distribution function (PDF) were analyzed to evaluate the effect of FSW at atomic scale. As a result, the SRO domain size was reduced for the weld surface, while increased for the weld nugget.
Standardizing Accelerometer-Based Activity Monitor Calibration and Output Reporting
Authors: Coolbaugh Crystal L. , Hawkins David A.
Published: June 2014

Wearable accelerometer-based activity monitors (AMs) are used to estimate energy expenditure and ground reaction forces in free-living environments, but a lack of standardized calibration and data reporting methods limits their utility. The objectives of this study were to (1) design an inexpensive and easily reproducible AM testing system, (2) develop a standardized calibration method for accelerometer-based AMs, and (3) evaluate the utility of the system and accuracy of the calibration method. A centrifuge-type device was constructed to apply known accelerations (0-8g) to each sensitive axis of 30 custom and two commercial AMs. Accelerometer data were recorded and matrix algebra and a least squares solution were then used to determine a calibration matrix for the custom AMs to convert raw accelerometer output to units of g’s. Accuracy was tested by comparing applied and calculated accelerations for custom and commercial AMs. AMs were accurate to within 4% of applied accelerations. The relatively inexpensive AM testing system (< $100) and calibration method has the potential to improve the sharing of AM data, the ability to compare data from different studies, and the accuracy of AM-based models to estimate various physiological and biomechanical quantities of interest in field-based assessments of physical activity.
Age Differences in the Required Coefficient of Friction During Level Walking Do Not Exist When Experimentally-Controlling Speed and Step Length
Authors: Anderson Dennis E. , Franck Christopher T. , Madigan Michael L.
Published: June 2014

The effects of gait speed and step length on the required coefficient of friction (COF) confound the investigation of age-related differences in required COF. The goals of this study were to investigate whether age differences in required COF during self-selected gait persist when experimentally-controlling speed and step length, and to determine the independent effects of speed and step length on required COF. Ten young and 10 older healthy adults performed gait trials under five gait conditions: self-selected, slow and fast speeds without controlling step length, and slow and fast speeds while controlling step length. During self-selected gait, older adults walked with shorter step lengths and exhibited a lower required COF. Older adults also exhibited a lower required COF when walking at a controlled speed without controlling step length. When both age groups walked with the same speed and step length, no age difference in required COF was found. Thus, speed and step length can have a large influence on studies investigating age-related differences in required COF. It was also found that speed and step length have independent and opposite effects on required COF, with step length having a strong positive effect on required COF, and speed having a weaker negative effect.
Trunk Coordination in Dancers and Nondancers
Authors: Jarvis Danielle N. , Smith Jo Armour , Kulig Kornelia
Published: June 2014

Variability, or how a task changes across trials, may reveal differences between athletes of differing skill levels. The purpose of this study was to examine trunk and lower extremity (LE) single joint kinematic variability and intersegmental coordination variability in dancers and nondancers during bipedal vertical dance jumps (sautés). Twenty healthy females, 10 with no formal dance training and 10 professional dancers, performed 20 consecutive sautés. Single joint kinematic variability was assessed using mean standard deviation of angular displacement, and intersegmental coordination variability was assessed using angular deviation of the coupling angle between segments. Within the context of the standard error of measure, there was no difference in single joint kinematic variability between dancers and nondancers. Intersegmental coordination variability in the trunk was higher than variability in LE couplings for both groups. Dancers had lower intersegmental coordination variability than nondancers for LE sagittal, frontal, and transverse plane couplings, and sagittal plane trunk couplings. Trunk adjustments may be important for successful performance, but lower intersegmental coordination variability in expert dancers indicates a higher level of control. Trunk coordination and postural control may be important factors to investigate in skilled athletes.
Antimicrobial Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae in the 21st Century: Past, Evolution, and Future
Authors: Unemo Magnus , Shafer William M.
Published: June 2014

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
is evolving into a superbug with resistance to previously and currently recommended antimicrobials for treatment of gonorrhea, which is a major public health concern globally. Given the global nature of gonorrhea, the high rate of usage of antimicrobials, suboptimal control and monitoring of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and treatment failures, slow update of treatment guidelines in most geographical settings, and the extraordinary capacity of the gonococci to develop and retain AMR, it is likely that the global problem of gonococcal AMR will worsen in the foreseeable future and that the severe complications of gonorrhea will emerge as a silent epidemic. By understanding the evolution, emergence, and spread of AMR in
N. gonorrhoeae
, including its molecular and phenotypic mechanisms, resistance to antimicrobials used clinically can be anticipated, future methods for genetic testing for AMR might permit region-specific and tailor-made antimicrobial therapy, and the design of novel antimicrobials to circumvent the resistance problems can be undertaken more rationally. This review focuses on the history and evolution of gonorrhea treatment regimens and emerging resistance to them, on genetic and phenotypic determinants of gonococcal resistance to previously and currently recommended antimicrobials, including biological costs or benefits; and on crucial actions and future advances necessary to detect and treat resistant gonococcal strains and, ultimately, retain gonorrhea as a treatable infection.
Molecular and Nonmolecular Diagnostic Methods for Invasive Fungal Infections
Authors: Arvanitis Marios , Anagnostou Theodora , Fuchs Beth Burgwyn , Caliendo Angela M. , Mylonakis Eleftherios
Published: June 2014

Invasive fungal infections constitute a serious threat to an ever-growing population of immunocompromised individuals and other individuals at risk. Traditional diagnostic methods, such as histopathology and culture, which are still considered the gold standards, have low sensitivity, which underscores the need for the development of new means of detecting fungal infectious agents. Indeed, novel serologic and molecular techniques have been developed and are currently under clinical evaluation. Tests like the galactomannan antigen test for aspergillosis and the β-glucan test for invasiveCandidaspp. and molds, as well as other antigen and antibody tests, forCryptococcusspp.,Pneumocystisspp., and dimorphic fungi, have already been established as important diagnostic approaches and are implemented in routine clinical practice. On the other hand, PCR and other molecular approaches, such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) and fluorescencein situhybridization (FISH), have proved promising in clinical trials but still need to undergo standardization before their clinical use can become widespread. The purpose of this review is to highlight the different diagnostic approaches that are currently utilized or under development for invasive fungal infections and to identify their performance characteristics and the challenges associated with their use.
The Evolution of Respiratory Cryptosporidiosis: Evidence for Transmission by Inhalation
Authors: Sponseller Jerlyn K. , Griffiths Jeffrey K. , Tzipori Saul
Published: June 2014

The protozoan parasite
Cryptosporidium
infects all major vertebrate groups and causes significant diarrhea in humans, with a spectrum of diseases ranging from asymptomatic to life-threatening. Children and immunodeficient individuals are disproportionately affected, especially in developing countries, where cryptosporidiosis contributes substantially to morbidity and mortality in preschool-age children. Despite the enormous disease burden from cryptosporidiosis, no antiprotozoal agent or vaccine exists for effective treatment or prevention. Cryptosporidiosis involving the respiratory tract has been described for avian species and mammals, including immunocompromised humans. Recent evidence indicates that respiratory cryptosporidiosis may occur commonly in immunocompetent children with cryptosporidial diarrhea and unexplained cough. Findings from animal models, human case reports, and a few epidemiological studies suggest that
Cryptosporidium
may be transmitted via respiratory secretions, in addition to the more recognized fecal-oral route. It is postulated that transmission of
Cryptosporidium
oocysts may occur by inhalation of aerosolized droplets or by contact with fomites contaminated by coughing. Delineating the role of the respiratory tract in disease transmission may provide necessary evidence to establish further guidelines for prevention of cryptosporidiosis.
Biosensors for Whole-Cell Bacterial Detection
Authors: Ahmed Asif , Rushworth Jo V. , Hirst Natalie A. , Millner Paul A.
Published: June 2014

Bacterial pathogens are important targets for detection and identification in medicine, food safety, public health, and security. Bacterial infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In spite of the availability of antibiotics, these infections are often misdiagnosed or there is an unacceptable delay in diagnosis. Current methods of bacterial detection rely upon laboratory-based techniques such as cell culture, microscopic analysis, and biochemical assays. These procedures are time-consuming and costly and require specialist equipment and trained users. Portable stand-alone biosensors can facilitate rapid detection and diagnosis at the point of care. Biosensors will be particularly useful where a clear diagnosis informs treatment, in critical illness (e.g., meningitis) or to prevent further disease spread (e.g., in case of food-borne pathogens or sexually transmitted diseases). Detection of bacteria is also becoming increasingly important in antibioterrorism measures (e.g., anthrax detection). In this review, we discuss recent progress in the use of biosensors for the detection of whole bacterial cells for sensitive and earlier identification of bacteria without the need for sample processing. There is a particular focus on electrochemical biosensors, especially impedance-based systems, as these present key advantages in terms of ease of miniaturization, lack of reagents, sensitivity, and low cost.
Image guided biopsy of the pleura: a useful diagnostic tool even when fluid is minimal
Authors: Manu Mohan K , Prakashini Koteshwara , Mohapatra Aswini Kumar , Kudva Ranjini
Published: June 2014

A man in his late thirties presented with left-sided chest pain, recurrent fever and cough. Radiographical study revealed left pleural effusion which on ultrasonic imaging was minimal and non-tappable. Image guided trucut pleural biopsy yielded pleural specimens which helped in confirming the diagnosis of tuberculosis.
Cervical–petrous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm presenting with otorrhagia treated with endovascular techniques
Authors: Mascitelli Justin R , De Leacy Reade A , Oermann Eric K , Skovrlj Branko , Smouha Eric E , Ellozy Sharif H , Patel Aman B
Published: June 2014

Cervical–petrous internal carotid artery (CP-ICA) pseudoaneurysms are rare and have different etiologies, presentations, and treatment options. A middle-aged patient with a history of chronic otitis media presented with acute otorrhagia and was found to have a left-sided CP-ICA pseudoaneurysm. The patient was a poor surgical candidate with difficult arterial access. The pseudoaneurysm was treated with stand-alone coiling via a left brachial approach with persistent contrast filling seen only in the aneurysm neck at the end of the procedure. The patient re-presented 12 days later with repeat hemorrhage and rapid enlargement of the neck remnant, and was treated with a covered stent via a transcervical common carotid artery cut-down. A covered stent may provide a more definitive treatment for CP-ICA pseudoaneurysms compared with standalone coiling.
Primary mesenchymal stem cells in human transplanted lungs are CD90/CD105 perivascularly located tissue-resident cells
Authors: Rolandsson Sara , Andersson Sjöland Annika , Brune Jan C , Li Hongzhe , Kassem Moustapha , Mertens Fredrik , Westergren Albert , Eriksson Leif , Hansson Lennart , Skog Ingrid , Bjermer Leif , Scheding Stefan , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla
Published: June 2014

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have not only been implicated in the development of lung diseases, but they have also been proposed as a future cell-based therapy for lung diseases. However, the cellular identity of the primary MSC in human lung tissues has not yet been reported. This study therefore aimed to identify and characterise the ‘bona fide’ MSC in human lungs and to investigate if the MSC numbers correlate with the development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome in lung-transplanted patients.

Methods

Primary lung MSC were directly isolated or culture-derived from central and peripheral transbronchial biopsies of lung-transplanted patients and evaluated using a comprehensive panel of in vitro and in vivo assays.

Results

Primary MSC were enriched in the CD90/CD105 mononuclear cell fraction with mesenchymal progenitor frequencies of up to four colony-forming units, fibroblast/100 cells. In situ staining of lung tissues revealed that CD90/CD105 MSCs were located perivascularly. MSC were tissue-resident and exclusively donor lung-derived even in biopsies obtained from patients as long as 16 years after transplantation. Culture-derived mesenchymal stromal cells showed typical in vitro MSC properties; however, xenotransplantation into non-obese diabetic/severe combined immunodeficient (NOD/SCID) mice showed that lung MSC readily differentiated into adipocytes and stromal tissues, but lacked significant in vivo bone formation.

Conclusions

These data clearly demonstrate that primary MSC in human lung tissues are not only tissue resident but also tissue-specific. The identification and phenotypic characterisation of primary lung MSC is an important first step in identifying the role of MSC in normal lung physiology and pulmonary diseases.
Dynamical torsion as the microscopic origin of the neutrino seesaw
Authors: Zubkov M. A.
Published: June 2014

It is assumed, that there are two scales in quantum gravity. Metric fluctuates at the scales of the order of the Planck mass. The second scale MT is related to the fluctuations of torsion. We suppose, that it may be as low as MT~1 TeV . Due to the non-minimal coupling to torsion, the attractive interaction between the fermions appear. The non-minimal coupling admits the appearance of different coupling constants for different fermions. This opens the possibility that the interaction with torsion gives the Majorana masses for the right-handed neutrinos (that are assumed to be of the order of MT). We suppose, that the Dirac masses for the neutrino are all close to the mass of electron. This gives the light neutrino masses ≤0.25 eV. In addition, the model predicts the appearance of Majorons that may contribute to the dark matter as well as to the invisible decay of the 125 GeV Higgs boson.
Critical behavior of a 3D Ising-like system in the higher non-Gaussian approximation: Inclusion of the critical exponent of the correlation function
Authors: Yukhnovskii I. R. , Kozlovskii M. P. , Pylyuk I. V.
Published: June 2014

A microscopic description of the critical behavior of systems belonging to the universality class of the three-dimensional (3D) Ising model is developed within the collective variables (CV) approach. The higher non-Gaussian approximation (the sextic distribution for the modes of spin-moment density oscillations or the ρ6model) is used. A specific feature of the partition function calculation for an Ising-like system is the inclusion of the correction for the potential averaging. This correction leads to the modified recurrence relations (RR) for the ρ6model and a nonzero critical exponent of the correlation function η. The RR between the coefficients of the effective sextic distributions are written and analyzed. A technique for determining the small critical exponent η is elaborated in the higher non-Gaussian approximation. It is shown that the renormalized critical exponent of the correlation length has a tendency to a reduction in the case when the exponent η is taken into account.
VITAMIN C AND E SUPPLEMENTATION VERSUS STANDARD MELOXICAM REGIMEN IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC DEGENERATIVE ARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE: A PRELIMINARY PILOT STUDY
Authors: Oikonomidis Stergios A. , Simos Yannis V. , Toliopoulos Ioannis K. , Verginadis Ioannis I. , Oikonomidis Alexandros S. , Ragos Vasilios N. , Karkabounas Spyridon Ch. , Evangelou Angelos M.
Published: June 2014

Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of vitamin C and E supplementation in remission of the symptoms of chronic degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) of the knee. Design: A pilot controlled trial conducted from December 2009 until April 2011 among 46 patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis (OA) in one or both knees. Intervention: Patients were randomly assigned to two different treatment groups and were either supplemented with ascorbic acid 1 gr × 2 daily per os together with vitamin E 100 mg × 3 daily per os or they were treated with meloxicam tabs 15 mg × 1 daily per os. Main outcome measures: A. Clinical markers: functionality of the knee (WOMAC index), pain (using a pain visual analogue scale) and the deficit in knee flexion and extension B. Laboratory markers: total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and concentration of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) in the synovial fluid. Results: Twenty patients were randomly allocated into each of the two intervention groups. The treatment lasted for 20 days and the patients' status was evaluated every 10 days. The condition of the patients' knees in both treatment groups presented a significant improvement as recorded by the clinical markers; accompanied by an enhancement of TAC but with no effect on MDA levels. Conclusions: Administration of vitamins C and E has a similar effect in the remission of the symptoms of the OA in the knee, comparable to that of the treatment with meloxicam, but without the possible side effects and thus can be proposed as adjuvant therapy.
Structural evolution and stabilities of negatively charged lead telluride clusters
Authors: Mulugeta Yonas , Woldeghebriel Hagos
Published: June 2014

The equilibrium geometric structures, relative stabilities and electronic properties of negatively charged lead telluride clusters are systematically investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The result offered both vertical and adiabatic detachment energies (VDEs and ADEs) for these clusters, divulging an outline of alternating values in which odd n clusters exhibited higher values than even n clusters. Simulations found the negatively charged lead telluride clusters with even n to be thermodynamically more stable than their immediate odd n neighbors, with a consistent pattern also being found in their HOMO–LUMO (HL) gaps. Analysis of the clusters dissociation energies found at [Formula: see text] cluster to be the preferred product of the queried fragmentation processes, consistent with our finding that [Formula: see text] cluster exhibits enhanced stability. Beyond n = 12, this study showed that the negatively charged ( PbTe )nclusters in the size range n = 13 – 20, prefer two-dimensional stacking of face-sharing lead telluride cubical units, where lead and tellurium atoms possess a maximum of five-fold coordination. The preference for six-fold coordination, which is observed in the bulk, was not observed at these cluster sizes.
俄罗斯华商的生存困境与行动策略: 莫斯科实地调查
Authors: 于涛
Published: June 2014

俄罗斯华商群体有其鲜明特征。由于受到迁入国的排斥，他们难以获得正式的移民身份，只能销售中国轻工业品，并经常往返于中俄两国之间。俄罗斯正处在社会转型时期，法律制度并不完善。在此背景下，华商面临着三重生存困境:签证身份困境、灰色清关困境、经营不确定困境。面对困境，华商采取的行动策略是:在利用自身乡土关系的同时，根据俄罗斯市场的特征，又与当地警察构建一定的关系，并在商业经营中积极运用这种非正式关系。
Epstein-Barr Virus (HHV-4) Inoculation to Rabbits by Intranasal and Oral Routes Results in Subacute and/or Persistent Infection Dissimilar to Human Disease
Authors: Rajčáni Julius , Szenthe Kalman , Ďurmanová Vladimira , Tóth Agnes , Ásványi Balazs , Pitlik Ervin , Stipkovits Laszlo , Szathmary Susan
Published: June 2014

Objective: We report the infection of New Zealand white rabbits with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Methods: EBV prepared in B95-8 (producer) cells was inoculated to rabbits by combined intranasal and oral routes. Blood and white blood cell (WBC) samples were taken before infection, then on days 8, 28 and 98 post-infection (p.i.). Results: Administration of either 3 × 108 (group A, 11 rabbits) or 1 × 109 (group B, 10 rabbits) EBV DNA copies per animal induced subacute and/or persistent infection. The IgG antibodies in plasma were detected by ELISA as well as by immunoblot (IB). The IB bands showed mainly antibodies to the BZRF1/Zta transactivation polypeptide (69.2%), the p54 early protein (53.4%) and to the p23 capsid protein (35.8%). No anti-EBNA1 antibody was detected throughout. Viral DNA could be detected by PCR in WBCs and/or spleen of 7 out of 21 infected rabbits (30%), while 60-80% of them showed serologic response. The transiently present EBV DNA was accompanied by LMP1 antigen. Conclusions: Rabbits developed persistent EBV infection in the absence of EBNA1 antibodies and by the lack of typical infectious mononucleosis-like syndrome. The absence of EBNA1 antibody may reflect the lack of EBNA1 in B cells of EBV-inoculated rabbits.