bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of the Two-Handed Rugby Ball Carry on Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility: Implications for Sport Specific Testing
Authors: Meir Rudi , Holding Ryan , Hetherington Jamie
Published: December 2014

The primary aim of this research was to determine if the two-handed ball carry impacted on time to completion of a change of direction speed (CODS) test and a reactive agility test (RAT). Fourteen males, registered in the local rugby league/union or touch football competitions, completed an L-Run (CODS) and a modified RAT while running either with (mean L-Run = 5.69 ±0.14; mean RAT stepping left = 3.50 ±0.18; stepping right = 3.46 ±0.14) or without (mean L-Run = 5.60 ±0.16; mean RAT stepping left = 3.43 ±0.15; stepping right = 3.44 ±0.16) a rugby ball to determine if the two-handed ball carry produced significant (p < 0.05) differences in test time. Statistical analysis showed that the two-handed ball carry produced significantly slower times in both the CODS test (p = < 0.002) and RAT (p = 0.022). It is suggested that sports, such as rugby league, rugby union, and touch football that require participants to run in possession of a ball while displaying different forms of agility, should consider implementing testing methods that incorporate the two-handed ball carry to more specifically reflect what transpires during play.
Is the southern South American genus Tweedia (Apocynaceae: Asclepiadoideae) monophyletic? Molecular phylogenies, distribution and taxonomy
Authors: Calviño Carolina I. , Fernandez Martina , Ezcurra Cecilia
Published: December 2014

Tweedia is a genus traditionally regarded as composed of seven species distributed on both sides of the Andes in southern South America. Recent molecular analyses of two of its species have shown that they are found in different lineages within the MOOG clade of Apocynaceae subfam. Asclepiadoideae, which questions its monophyly and generic affinities. Whereas Tweedia australis falls within the Diplolepis clade of MOOG, T. brunonis appears within tribe Oxypetalinae. This work provides a molecular phylogeny of all species of Tweedia including its type, T. birostrata, to test the monophyly of the group and assess its relationships with Diplolepis and other genera of the MOOG clade. Phylogenetic analyses of cpDNA trnT‐trnF and rps16 regions of 68 accessions of Apocynaceae using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian inference methods show that Tweedia species form a well‐supported monophyletic group that is morphologically distinct, allied to Araujia and Philibertia of the Oxypetalinae. The study also supports the recent transfer of the former T. australis to Diplolepis as D. australis. Within Tweedia, two clades divided by the Andes can be recognized, one from the west (central Chile) and one from the east (western Argentina). The geographical and environmental characteristics of the genus and of these two groups are discussed in an evolutionary context.
Sampling of Alternatives in Random Regret Minimization Models
Authors: Guevara C. Angelo , Chorus Caspar G. , Ben-Akiva Moshe E.
Published: December 2014

Sampling of alternatives is often required in discrete choice models to reduce the computational burden and to avoid describing a large number of attributes. This approach has been used in many areas, including modeling of route choice, vehicle ownership, trip destination, residential location, and activity scheduling. The need for sampling of alternatives is accentuated for random regret minimization (RRM) models because, unlike random utility models, the regret function for each alternative depends on all of the alternatives in the choice-set. In this paper we develop and test a method to achieve consistency, asymptotic normality, and relative efficiency of the estimators while sampling alternatives in a class of models that includes RRM. The proposed method can be seen as an extension of the approach used to address sampling of alternatives in multivariate extreme value models. We illustrate the methodology using Monte Carlo experimentation and a case study with real data. Experiments show that the proposed method is practical, performs better than a truncated model, and results in finite-sample estimates that provide a good approximation of those obtained with a model considering all of the alternatives.
Hard choices for single parents as welfare cuts bite
Authors: McLeish Jenny
Published: December 2014

Thousands of babies born to single mothers this year will be welcomed to the world by a swingeing cut in social security benefits available to lone parents. Women who become dependent on Income Support will each be about five pounds worse off a week because the lone parent premium is being abolished. All working women who become single parents will lose the extra Child Benefit that single mothers currently receive, and if they are in low paid work, they will lose lip to £10.70 a week each through additional cuts to Family Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit. On top of this, everyone will now have to claim Child Benefit within just one month of their baby's birth, or face losing some of the benefit — whether or not they are coping with postnatal depression, a baby in Special Care, or their own recovery from a Caesarean.
Book Reviews
Authors: Gaffney Liz , Lessing-Turner Georgina
Published: December 2014

This is an easily read, comprehensive introduction to child protection for all midwives. The book opens with a brief but adequate review of the motherbaby relationship; leading in smoothly to a description of behavioural disturbance displayed by babies and parents, in response to family strife. The midwife's role in child protection is dealt with early in the book, clearly establishing the midwife as a key member of the support team and underlining the unique position of the trust held by the midwife in the postnatal period.
Continuing to care
Authors: Bates Carol
Published: December 2014

A recent publication, Continuing to Care (Green et al, 1998) documents the results of a structured review of several studies relating to the organization of midwifery services. The review was commissioned by a group of purchasers who were seeking evidence-based information about the best way to organize their midwifery services. It did not, however, include a review of the content of care that women received, although it does briefly assess the clinical outcomes of care, and apart from a reduction in epidural analgesia and episiotomies, little if any statistical evidence in clinical outcomes between midwife-led and conventional care was demonstrated in the studies examined.
Local knowledge of medicinal plants in sub-ethnic Batak Simalungun of North Sumatra, Indonesia
Authors: SILALAHI MARINA , SUPRIATNA JATNA , WALUJO EKO BAROTO , NISYAWATI NISYAWATI
Published: December 2014

Silalahi M, Supriatna J, Walujo EB, Nisyawati. 2015. Local knowledge of medicinal plants in sub-ethnic Batak Simalungun of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 16: 44-54. Research on the local knowledge of medicinal plants by sub-ethnic BatakSimalungun of North Sumatra was conducted, using an ethnobotanical approach. The sample consisted of 8 key informants and 32general respondents, who were grouped into two, namely those who were 30-50 years old and >50 years old. Data were analyzed bothqualitatively by descriptive statistics and quantitatively by calculating the index of cultural significance (ICS) and the use value (UVs).It was found that 239 species (170 genera, 70 families) of medicinal plants were used to cure 18 kinds of natural diseases and 2 kinds ofsupra natural diseases. Almost half of those plants (119 species) had leaves used as medicines. Among the diseases, gastrointestinaldisorders had the highest number of medicinal plants used (72 species), followed by fever (64 species), and fractures (41 species). Itseemed that younger generation had lost their knowledge in the medicinal plants because their knowledge of medicinal plants (48.19 Â±8.35 species) was lower than the that of older generation (170.19 Â± 18.38 species), while our key informants had the highest knowledgeof medicinal plants among respondents (202.00 Â± 12.32 species).
Physiological and biochemical responses of thyme plants to some antioxidants
Authors: ORABI SALWA A. , TALAAT IMAN M. , BALBAA LAILA K.
Published: December 2014

Abstract. Orabi SA, Talaat IM, Balbaa LK. 2014. Physiological and biochemical responses of thyme plants to some antioxidants. Nusantara Bioscience 6: 118-125. Two pot experiments were conducted to investigate the effect of tryptophan, nicotinamide and α-tocopherol (each at 50 and 100 mg/L) on plant growth, essential oil yield, and its main constituents. All treatments significantly promoted plant height, and increased fresh and dry mass (g/plant) of thyme (Thymus vulgaris L.). The treatment with 100 mg/L nicotinamide showed increases in total potassium mainly in the first cut. Total soluble sugars, oil percentage, and oil yield and protein recorded increments with tryptophan treatments. Treatment of Thymus plants with 100 mg/L nicotinamide observed the highest percentage of thymol (67.61%). Oxygenated compounds recorded the highest value with 50 mg/L α-tocopherol treatment, while the maximum non-oxygenated ones resulted from the application of 100 mg/L nicotinamide. All treatments under study significantly affected the activity of oxidoreductase enzymes (POX and PPO). Nicotinamide at the concentration of 100 mg/L recorded the highest increments in APX and GR and the lowest values in oxidoreductase enzyme activities added to the lowest values of lipid peroxidation to enhance the best protection of thyme plants.
FORMAÇÃO INICIAL DOCENTE: O ESTÁGIO COMO ESPAÇO DE APRENDIZAGENS
Authors: Nascimento Mari Clair Moro , Barbosa Raquel Lazzari Leite
Published: December 2014

O estudo ora apresentado buscou entender como o supervisor de estágio curricular pode atuar para que este momento seja de aprendizagens valorosas para o futuro docente, tendo em vista a sua atuação para a ampliação do conhecimento dos alunos. Para isso, analisaram-se ações pedagógicas ocorridas durante o estágio supervisionado, de um curso de Pedagogia de uma universidade pública, situada no Estado do Paraná. Amparada na pesquisa qualitativa, a investigação apresenta ações da supervisora que, na visão de estagiárias, favoreceram a formação docente: o respeito da supervisora para com as pessoas; a sua orientação para a importância de se refletir sobre aspectos reconhecidos como negativos, o seu auxílio na elaboração do plano de aula interdisciplinar; bem como a necessidade de flexibilização do plano de aula; a sua presença nos momentos das intervenções; o feedback atribuído e a valorização do papel do pedagogo no processo ensino/aprendizagem.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v25i3.2948
AVALIAÇÃO DA QUALIDADE EM CRECHE: O BEM-ESTAR E O ENVOLVIMENTO DA CRIANÇA COMO PROCESSOS CENTRAIS
Authors: Araújo Sara Barros
Published: December 2014

A qualidade da educação em creche tem vindo a ser associada a efeitos positivos na aprendizagem, desenvolvimento e bem-estar da criança. Neste artigo, apresenta-se uma proposta de avaliação dessa qualidade em que o bem-estar e envolvimento da criança são reconhecidos como processos catalisadores, ao serviço da formação e investigação. O estudo centra-se na formação de profissionais orientada para a melhoria das práticas, com base na experimentação refletida de referenciais pedagógicos específicos para a creche. Os resultados revelam efeitos positivos do processo formativo na observação e interpretação das experiências das crianças e na monitorização das práticas, bem como um aumento dos níveis de bem-estar e envolvimento das crianças. Estas evidências são relevantes considerando a necessidade de quadros de referência pedagógicos que apoiem de forma consistente e fundamentada a avaliação e melhoria da qualidade em contextos de atendimento à primeira infância.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v25i3.3143
APRENDER A DOCUMENTAR A VOZ E AS APRENDIZAGENS DAS CRIANÇAS
Authors: Mesquita Cristina
Published: December 2014

O estudo de caso que se apresenta centra-se nos processos de observação e avaliação da aprendizagem das crianças. Pretendia-se que as educadoras construíssem uma compreensão concetual destas dimensões bem como na utilização de instrumentos que permitam evidenciar as aprendizagens das crianças. Este estudo visa a transformação e envolveu colaborativamente as educadoras e a investigadora, para reunir e organizar conhecimento relevante, analisar os dados e desenhar intervenções para a mudança. O quadro de referência para a transformação praxiológica foi a pedagogia da infância que valoriza a voz da criança, a sua competência participativa e a emergência de um currículo socialmente situado. Este estudo de cariz construtivista usa a investigação-ação como metodologia e relaciona-se com o Projeto EEL/DQP. A análise dos dados situou-se numa linha descritiva e interpretativa, procurando aceder às perspetivas e práticas assumidas, pelas educadoras em duas fases do processo.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v25i3.3147
PORTFÓLIO NA PROMOÇÃO DA AUTOAVALIAÇÃO DA APRENDIZAGEM: A EDUCAÇÃO INFANTIL SOB FOCO
Authors: De Souza Nadia Aparecida
Published: December 2014

O compromisso formativo e o interesse em envolver as crianças na gestão do próprio processo de aprendizagem ocasionaram a adoção de portfólio e suscitaram o problema: como o portfólio pode favorecer a autoavaliação para seus autores, crianças que integram uma turma de educação infantil. O objetivo estabelecido, consequentemente, foi: mapear e compreender os limites e possibilidades do portfólio favorecer a autoavaliação, por crianças que integram turma de educação infantil. A pesquisa, um estudo de caso de abordagem qualitativa, contou com as 20 crianças de turma de educação infantil de escola pública localizada em Londrina, Paraná. A coleta de dados deu-se por documentos produzidos pelas crianças, entrevistas e observação. A análise de conteúdo temática revelou que o portfólio configurou-se instrumento autoavaliativo, que facultou às crianças identificarem a presença de dificuldades, superações e aprendizagens no decorrer de sua construção e análise.http://dx.doi.org/10.14572/nuances.v25i3.3200
Direct identification of Gram-positive bacteria and resistance determinants from blood cultures using a microarray-based nucleic acid assay: in-depth analysis of microarray data for undetermined results
Authors: Kim Seon Young , Hong Yun Ji , Hwang Sang Mee , Kim Taek Soo , Kim Jae-Seok , Park Kyoung Un , Song Junghan , Kim Eui-Chong
Published: December 2014

The Verigene Gram-Positive Blood Culture (BC-GP) nucleic acid assay (Nanosphere, Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA) is a newly developed microarray-based test with which 12 Gram-positive bacterial genes and three resistance determinants can be detected using blood culture broths. We evaluated the performance of this assay and investigated the signal characteristics of the microarray images.

At the evaluation stage, we tested 80 blood cultures that were positive for various bacteria (68 bacteria covered and 12 not covered by the BC-GP panel) collected from the blood of 36 patients and 44 spiked samples. In instances where the automated system failed and errors were called, we manually inspected microarray images, measured the signal intensities of target spots, and reclassified the results.

With the manual analysis of the microarray images of 14 samples for which error calls were reported, we could obtain correct identification results for 12 samples without the need for retesting, because strong signals in the target spots were clearly discriminable from background noise. With our interpretation strategy, we could obtain 97.1% sensitivity and 100% specificity for bacterial identification by using the BC-GP assay. The two unidentified bacteria were viridans group streptococci, which produced weaker target signals. During the application stage, among 25 consecutive samples positive for Gram-positive bacteria, we identified two specimens with error calls as

With help of the manual review of the microarray images, the BC-GP assay could successfully identify species and resistance markers for many clinically important Gram-positive bacteria.
Vision verbs dominate in conversation across cultures, but the ranking of non-visual verbs varies
Authors: San Roque Lila , Kendrick Kobin H. , Norcliffe Elisabeth , Brown Penelope , Defina Rebecca , Dingemanse Mark , Dirksmeyer Tyko , Enfield NJ , Floyd Simeon , Hammond Jeremy , Rossi Giovanni , Tufvesson Sylvia , van Putten Saskia , Majid Asifa
Published: December 2014

To what extent does perceptual language reflect universals of experience and cognition, and to what extent is it shaped by particular cultural preoccupations? This paper investigates the universality~relativity of perceptual language by examining the use of basic perception terms in spontaneous conversation across 13 diverse languages and cultures. We analyze the frequency of perception words to test two universalist hypotheses: that sight is always a dominant sense, and that the relative ranking of the senses will be the same across different cultures. We find that references to sight outstrip references to the other senses, suggesting a pan-human preoccupation with visual phenomena. However, the relative frequency of the other senses was found to vary cross-linguistically. Cultural relativity was conspicuous as exemplified by the high ranking of smell in Semai, an Aslian language. Together these results suggest a place for both universal constraints and cultural shaping of the language of perception.
Formal pseudodifferential operators and Witten’s r-spin numbers
Authors: Liu Kefeng , Vakil Ravi , Xu Hao
Published: December 2014

We derive an effective recursion for Witten’s
r-spin intersection numbers, using Witten’s
conjecture relating r-spin numbers to the Gel’fand–Dikii
hierarchy.
Consequences include
closed-form descriptions of the intersection numbers
(for example, in
terms of gamma functions).
We use these closed-form descriptions
to prove Harer–Zagier’s
formula for the Euler characteristic of

ℳ

g
,
1

{\mathcal{M}_{g,1}}

.
Finally, we extend Witten’s series expansion formula for the Landau–Ginzburg
potential to study r-spin numbers in the small phase space in
genus zero.
Our key tool is the calculus of formal pseudodifferential
operators, and is partially motivated by work of Brézin
and Hikami.
Integrating nanoscience and technology in the high school science classroom
Authors: Huffman Douglas , Ristvey John , Tweed Anne , Palmer Elisabeth
Published: December 2014

In the National Science Foundation funded NanoTeach development project, high school teachers participated in a year-long professional development experience where they learned about emerging nanoscale science and technology (NS&T) content and research-based instructional strategies to support effective classroom lesson design and implementation. Program participants from four states were assigned either to the fully facilitated model or to the team study approach. Case studies were prepared for four participants from the Louisiana site, two from the fully facilitated NanoTeach model group and two from the team study NanoTeach group. Data for the case studies included in this article include qualitative and quantitative data regarding the changes in teachers’ NS&T knowledge and their ability to teach the content using the effective strategies included in the professional development sessions and resource materials. The case studies provide new insights into the ways teachers’ integrated NS&T in the high school curriculum.
Asymptotic behavior of the Bernoulli type Galton–Watson branching process with immigration
Authors: Uchimura Yoshinori , Saitô Kimiaki
Published: December 2014

In this paper, we present a random variable to which the Bernoulli type Galton–Watson branching process with immigration converges in law.
This convergence is based on the limiting distribution of the process given in [Commun. Stoch. Anal. 5 (2011), no. 3, 457–480].
We also give another proof of the result in [Commun. Stoch. Anal. 5 (2011), no. 3, 457–480] in this paper.
Microstructure and erosion characteristics of Ni-AlN thin films prepared by electrodeposition
Authors: Li Wei , Zhu Yongyong , Xia Fafeng
Published: December 2014

Ni-AlN thin films were successfully fabricated via direct-current (DC), pulse-current (PC), and ultrasonic-assisted pulse-current (UAPC) deposition. The microstructure, microhardness, and erosion characteristics of the Ni-AlN thin films were determined with the use of scanning probe microscopy (SPM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Vickers hardness test, electrochemical station, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SPM results revealed that the Ni-AlN thin films synthesized by UAPC deposition have a compact and fine morphology with average grain diameters of the Ni and AlN particles of approximately 97.7 and 40.2 nm, respectively. Based on the XRD results, the Ni-AlN thin films consist of Ni and AlN phases. The Ni-AlN thin films prepared by DC, PC, and UAPC deposition at 4.5 A/dm2 current density exhibited an optimum microhardness value of 904, 943, and 987 HV, respectively. Based on the erosion test results, the films prepared by UAPC deposition possesses the best corrosion resistance among the prepared thin films. The corrosion potentials of the DC-, PC-, and UAPC-deposited films were -0.552, -0.473, and -0.446 V vs. SCE, respectively.
Hexagonal paracrystals
Authors: Welberry Thomas Richard
Published: December 2014

Spatially interacting Gaussian random variables arranged on a hexagonal lattice are used to construct examples of hexagonal paracrystals. As for previously described paracrystals on a square lattice the distributions may be specified by a variance,

σ
L
2

,

$\sigma _L^2,$

defining the magnitude of the displacement away from the underlying perfect lattice together with parameters defining transverse and longitudinal correlations (ρ

T
and ρ

L
) between neighbouring displacements. A strong longitudinal correlation indicates a small variation from cell to cell in the length of the cell edge whereas a strong transverse correlation indicates a small variation in the cell edge direction. For values of σ

L
>∼0.30 of the unit cell spacing the diffraction patterns contain diffuse peaks only with no evidence of Bragg peaks arising from the underlying regular lattice.
The Curious Case of China’s Aid to North Korea
Authors: Reilly James
Published: December 2014

Nowhere is China’s aid program both more important and yet less understood than with North Korea. This article examines two puzzles: China’s aid to North Korea coexists with a discriminatory trading relationship, and China continues to provide aid even as it tightens economic sanctions on North Korea’s nuclear program.
The Music of Power:
Authors: Everist Mark
Published: December 2014

Music for the stage has always been embedded in a network of power relationships between states, impresarios, librettists, artists, entrepreneurs, and composers. This article seeks to understand and explain how these relationships functioned in the period when French music drama was subject to a system of licenses, 1806–64. At the center of the inquiry are institutional structures and their relationship to those responsible for both the creation and the cultivation of stage music in the period. They explain the context for the cultural agents and products not only of the main opera houses in nineteenth-century Paris—the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien—but also of the host of smaller, shorter-lived institutions that supported and promoted opera during the period.
Modulation of TNF‐α mRNA stability by human antigen R and miR181s in sepsis‐induced immunoparalysis
Authors: Dan Cao , Jinjun Bian , Zi‐Chun Hua , Lin Ma , Wei Chen , Xu Zhang , Ri Zhou , Shun Cheng , Wen‐Zhu Sun , Qing‐Cai Jiao , Wu Yin
Published: December 2014

Immunoparalysis is an important pathological mechanism in sepsis. However, an effective small molecule therapy is lacking. Here, we show that ouabain, a Na+,K+‐ATPase ligand, can reverse immunoparalysis in vitro, in vivo, and in clinical samples. Notably, the effect of ouabain was critically dependent on TNF‐α expression. However, ouabain had opposing effects on the stability of TNF‐α mRNA: Ouabain triggered miR‐181 transcription, which promoted TNF‐α mRNA degradation and induced immunoparalysis, and ouabain triggered the nuclear export of human antigen R (HuR), which stabilized TNF‐α mRNA and suppressed immuno‐paralysis. Interestingly, because the miR‐181 binding site is located within the HuR binding site in the 3′‐untranslated region of TNF‐α, in ouabain‐treated cells, HuR competed with miR‐181 for binding to TNF‐α mRNA and recruited TNF‐α mRNA to stress granules, thereby stabilizing TNF‐α mRNA and reversing immunoparalysis. Ouabain also induced GM‐CSF and interferon‐γ expression in a HuR‐dependent manner. Hence, the fine‐tuning of TNF‐α mRNA stability by HuR and miR181 plays a crucial role in immunoparalysis, and Na+,K+‐ATPase ligands are promising agents for immunoparalysis therapy.
The Dnmt1 Intrinsically Disordered Domain Regulates Genomic Methylation During Development
Authors: Shaffer Ben , McGraw Serge , Xiao Siyu C , Chan Donovan , Trasler Jacquetta , Chaillet J Richard
Published: December 2014

The DNMT1 cytosine methyltransferase enzyme contains a large ∼300-aa intrinsically disordered domain (IDD) that we previously showed regulated DNA methylation patterns in mouse ES cells. Here we generated seven mouse lines with different mutations in the IDD. Homozygous mutant mice of five lines developed normally, with normal levels of methylation on both imprinted and nonimprinted DNA sequences. The other two lines, however, had alterations in imprinted and/or nonimprinted (global) DNA methylation appearing during embryonic development. Embryos of one line expressing a DNMT1 variant containing a 6-aa rat orthologous sequence in the IDD maintained imprinted methylation, showed very reduced levels of global methylation and occasionally completed fetal development. These in vivo studies demonstrate that at least two DNMT1-dependent methylation processes can be distinguished during fetal development. One process maintains the bulk of genomic methylation on nonimprinted sequences. The other process maintains methylation on a much smaller class of sequences including but not limited to gametic differentially methylated domains (gDMDs) that transmit essential imprinted parent-specific methylation for embryonic development.
Coronary vasomotion dysfunction after everolimus-eluting stent implantation
Authors: Giudice Pietro , Attisano Tiziana , Di Maio Marco , Bellino Elisabetta , Polito Maria , Baldi Cesare , Vigorito Francesco , Di Muro Michele , Tomasello Salvatore , Galassi Alfredo , Piscione Federico
Published: December 2014

First generation drug-eluting stent can cause a paradoxical “in-segment” coronary vasoconstriction. This phenomenon was seen with sirolimus, paclitaxel, and, more recently, also with zotarolimus-eluting stent. For the first time, we describe a case of coronary-induced vasoconstriction by everolimus-eluting stents (EES).
Coronary spasm during cardiac electrophysiological study following isoproterenol infusion
Authors: Kumar Narendra , Aksoy Ismail , Phan Kevin , Vainer Jindra , Timmermans Carl
Published: December 2014

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains the leading cause of death in industrialized world. The majority of SCD is caused by ventricular fibrillation associated with structural and/or ischemic heart disease. Ventricular fibrillation represents the final common pathway for SCD and, thus, is an attractive target for ablation. According to class I recommendation level of evidence A, an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) should be implanted for such patients [1]. Other than programmed electrical extrastimulus technique, isoproterenol infusion is commonly used in invasive cardiac electrophysiology labs for arrhythmia induction. We hereby report a rare case of transient coronary spasm during isoproterenol infusion for ventricular tachycardia induction testing.disorder is very rare and usually appears in middle aged patients. It is a clinical diagnosis. It could cause a variety of symptoms, especially, acute appendicitis and unidentified lesion in the right iliac fossa. According to the reasons, it could be just a curiosity without any relevancy or the sign of a malignant lesion with bad prognostic factors. The histopathological findings prove the origin.
Microbial Leakage at the Implant-Abutment Connection Due to Implant Insertion Maneuvers: Cross-Sectional Study 5 Years Postloading in Healthy Patients
Authors: Peñarrocha-Oltra David , Rossetti Paulo H. O. , Covani Ugo , Galluccio Federica , Canullo Luigi
Published: December 2014

The aim of this study was to test if stress on the prosthetic connection during insertion maneuvers can induce micro-warping at the implant connection. From September 2011 to July 2013, patients with implants loaded for at least 5 years that were placed with 2 different insertion implant mounters—MP (conventional) and ME (mountless)—were selected from all of those who had received dental implant therapy in the past and were attending routine check-up or spontaneous visits during the study period. Samples were obtained from inside the connection and the abutment surface using absorbent sterile paper tips. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed for total bacterial counts and loads of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythensis (Tf), Treponema denticola (Td), Prevotella intermedia (Pi), Peptostreptococcus micros (Pm), Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), Campylobacter rectus (Cr), Eikenella corrodens (Ec), and Candida albicans (Ca). The analysis of variance test was used to test for differences. Nine patients (20 implants) were included in the MP group and 5 patients (10 implants) in the ME group. Regarding the red complex, Tf was seen in 80% and 30% of MP and ME implants, respectively (P < .001). Significant differences were also found in microbial load. For Td, proportions were 45% vs 10% (P = .022), with no significant differences at load levels. Regarding the orange complex, higher prevalence values were found in MP implants, although differences were nonsignificant. Microbial load levels for orange complex bacteria were higher for MP than ME, and these differences were statistically significant for Fn (4.94 vs 3.09; P = .001). Finally, Ec was detected only in the MP group, and Ca and Aa were not found in either group. Within its limitation (small sample size, retrospective analysis, indirect measurement method), the present study suggests that a mounter not affecting the prosthetic connection should be used to reduce microbial contamination of implants.
IMMUNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS IN PATIENTS WITH MONOINFECTION BY HUMAN PAPILLOMAVIRUS AND IN PATIENTS CO-INFECTED BY PAPILLOMAVIRUS AND UROGENITAL PATHOGENS
Authors: Savchenko A. A. , Tshai V. B. , Kruglova K. Y. , Borisov A. G.
Published: December 2014

Aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics of cellular and humoral immunity and functional activity of neutrophilic granulocytes in women with monoinfection by human papillomavirus and combination of human papillomavirus (HPVI) and urogenital pathogens (UGI). It was established that more serious disorders in the immune system in women were revealed in case of mixed HPVI and UGI in compare with case of monoinfection by human papillomavirus. Only in patients with combined HPVI and UGI the content of total lymphocytes, T-cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes was reduced. In patients with combined HPVI and UGI the humoral immunity was characterised by increased concentration of IgM, its level of relative synthesis and content of circulating immune complexes. Independently of the infection type in women the reduction of CD4+ lymphocytes, NK-cells, increased number of γδТ-lymphocytes, as well as increase the functional activity of blood neutrophils have been detected. However, in case of combined HPVI and UGI an inhibitory effect on the reserve capacities of phagocytic cells was revealed.
EPIDEMIOLOGICAL FEATURES OF HEPATITIS C VIRUS INFECTION IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION IN 1994–2013
Authors: Trifonova G. F. , Levakova I. A. , Bolsun D. D. , Mukomolov S. L.
Published: December 2014

Since discovery of Hepatitis C virus in 1989 and starting of official registration of acute and chronic cases of Hepatitis C (HC) in the Russian Federation in 1994 there are a lot of data demonstrating epidemic process development of HCV infection in the country as well as features of HCV epidemiology.
Drought but not population density influences dietary niche breadth in white‐tailed deer in a semiarid environment
Authors: Folks Donald J. , Gann Kory , Fulbright Timothy E. , Hewitt David G. , DeYoung Charles A. , Wester David B. , Echols Kim N. , Draeger Don A.
Published: December 2014

A premise in ungulate foraging theory is that animals become less selective and expand the breadth of their dietary niche as the availability of palatable forage declines with increasing herbivore population density or drought. Increased niche variation resulting from intraspecific competition is thought to create less similar diet composition and decreased diet overlap between individuals within a population at higher densities than between individuals within less dense populations. These ideas were largely developed in relatively mesic environments and their applicability to ungulate foraging in semiarid environments is unclear. We tested the idea that white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) contract dietary niche breadth; reduce dietary plant species diversity, richness, and evenness; and become more individualistic in forage choices in response to a fourfold difference in population density (12 deer/km2 versus 50 deer/km2) in semiarid shrubland in Texas, USA. We used the bite count method to determine diet composition of tame female white‐tailed deer seasonally during summer 2009 to spring 2011. We were able to determine impacts of drought on foraging dynamics a posteriori because sampling during each season fortuitously occurred under both drought and non‐drought conditions. Population density did not affect diet richness, diversity, breadth, evenness, overlap, and similarity. Diet richness, diversity, breadth, and evenness tended to be greater in non‐drought conditions. For white‐tailed deer, the idea that dietary niches expand in response to increasing population density is not robust across environments. In semiarid environments, variation in precipitation has a much stronger influence on dietary niche breath and intraspecific diet overlap of deer than population density does.
The interaction of climate change, land cover, and political representation in the USA
Authors: Allred Brady W. , Twidwell Dirac , Fuhlendorf Samuel D.
Published: December 2014

The difficulties in tackling climate change are inherently complex and primarily centered on political and social values. This is evident in the United States where political divisions and polarizations are fundamental barriers to advancing national policies, which in turn hinder international agreements, mitigation, and adaptation. Within the United States, the vast majority of agricultural and natural resource lands are projected to incur significant climate departures and are represented by the Republican Party. The resources and economic sectors that will be directly affected by climate change are represented by national leadership that is unlikely to accept policies to prevent or adapt to change. Given the large impact of climate change on ecosystem services, the predominance of political polarizations raises serious concerns about the ability to enhance the resilience of the nation's agricultural and natural resource lands in the face of future change.
Insights Into the Role of the Microbiome in Obesity and Type 2 Diabetes
Authors: Hartstra Annick V. , Bouter Kristien E.C. , Bäckhed Fredrik , Nieuwdorp Max
Published: December 2014

The worldwide prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) continues to rise at an alarming pace. Recently the potential role of the gut microbiome in these metabolic disorders has been identified. Obesity is associated with changes in the composition of the intestinal microbiota, and the obese microbiome seems to be more efficient in harvesting energy from the diet. Lean male donor fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) in males with metabolic syndrome resulted in a significant improvement in insulin sensitivity in conjunction with an increased intestinal microbial diversity, including a distinct increase in butyrate-producing bacterial strains. Such differences in gut microbiota composition might function as early diagnostic markers for the development of T2DM in high-risk patients. Products of intestinal microbes such as butyrate may induce beneficial metabolic effects through enhancement of mitochondrial activity, prevention of metabolic endotoxemia, and activation of intestinal gluconeogenesis via different routes of gene expression and hormone regulation. Future research should focus on whether bacterial products (like butyrate) have the same effects as the intestinal bacteria that produce it, in order to ultimately pave the way for more successful interventions for obesity and T2DM. The rapid development of the currently available techniques, including use of fecal transplantations, has already shown promising results, so there is hope for novel therapies based on the microbiota in the future.
Effects of the Concentration and Composition of In-office Bleaching Gels on Hydrogen Peroxide Penetration into the Pulp Chamber
Authors: Mena-Serrano AP , Parreiras SO , Nascimento EMS do , Borges CPF , Berger SB , Loguercio AD , Reis A
Published: December 2014

In tooth whitening, the hydrogen peroxide (HP) diffuses in the enamel and dentin, reaching the pulp. This in vitro study aimed to quantify the penetration of HP in the pulp chamber in teeth submitted to bleaching agents of different concentrations of HP without calcium (HP 20% [20CF], HP 35% [35CF]) and with calcium (HP 20% [20CC], HP 35% [35CC]).

Method

Fifty human premolars were sectioned 3 mm from the cemento-enamel junction and the pulp tissue was removed. The teeth were divided into five groups according to treatment and with a control group (n=10). An acetate buffer solution was placed in the pulp chamber of all teeth. The control group was exposed only to distilled water, while the other groups were treated with a bleaching procedure, according to the manufacturer's recommendations. After treatment, the acetate buffer solution was transferred to a glass tube in which leuco-crystal violet and peroxidase solutions were added, resulting in a blue solution. The optical density of this blue solution was determined spectrophotometrically and converted into micrograms equivalent to the HP. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and Tukey tests (α=0.05).

Results

The HP concentration did not affect the HP inside the pulp chamber, but the presence of calcium significantly reduced it (p<0.0001).

Conclusion

The amount of HP that reaches the pulp chamber depends on the bleaching protocol and the product employed, and it seems to be less affected by HP concentration.
Evaluation of Genotoxicity and Efficacy of At-home Bleaching in Smokers: A Single-blind Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: de Geus JL , Rezende M , Margraf LS , Bortoluzzi MC , Fernández E , Loguercio AD , Reis A , Kossatz S
Published: December 2014

Objective

This single-blind controlled study evaluated the genotoxicity and efficacy of at-home bleaching in smokers and nonsmokers.

Methods

We selected 60 patients with central incisors A2 or darker: 30 smokers (experimental group) and 30 nonsmokers (control group). The bleaching was carried out with 10% carbamide peroxide for three hours a day for three weeks. The color was evaluated using a shade guide, Vita Bleachedguide 3D-Master, at baseline, during bleaching (first, second, and third weeks), and one week and one month after bleaching. Smears were obtained with a moistened wooden spatula from marginal gingiva. All the cytologic smears were stained with Giemsa solution. From each slide, 1000 cells were examined under 40× magnification and where micronuclei (MN) were located, they were examined under 100× magnification. The change in shade guide units at the different assessment periods and the frequency of MN were subjected to a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance and Tukey test (α=0.05).

Results

In both groups we detected a whitening of approximately 4 to 5 shade guide units, without color rebound after one month (p>0.05). The frequency of MN was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, regardless of the bleaching treatment (p>0.001).

Conclusion

The efficacy of bleaching does not appear to be affected by the smoking habit. Additionally, at-home bleaching did not induce DNA damage to the gingival tissue during the bleaching period.
The Effect of Combining Radiographs and DIAGNOdent With Visual Examination on Detection and Treatment Decisions of Noncavitated Occluso-dentinal Caries
Authors: Alomari QD , Qudiemat M , Khalaf ME , Al-Tarakemah Y
Published: December 2014

The aim of this laboratory study was to evaluate the effectiveness of incorporating radiographic examination and DIAGNOdent with visual examination for the detection and treatment of noncavitated occluso-dentinal caries. Four examiners examined the occlusal surfaces of 160 extracted posterior teeth. Teeth were examined three times with a one-month interval in between. The first examination was visual (V), the second examination was visual with radiograph (VR), and the third examination was visual with radiograph and DIAGNOdent (VRD). Examiners were asked to detect the presence of caries (if any) and identify the extent of caries (if present; ie, enamel or dentin). The examiners were also asked to choose a treatment for each tooth. The examined teeth were later sectioned, and the presence of caries was charted as 0 = no caries, 1 = caries confined to enamel, 2 = caries in the outer dentin, and 3 = caries in the inner dentin. Sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (Az values), rank correlation coefficient, interexaminer reproducibility, and McNemar χ2 tests were calculated. VR had statistically higher specificity and lower sensitivity than V and VRD. The means of Az values ranged from 0.58 to 0.63, with no statistical difference between the three examinations (p>0.05). The means of the rank correlation coefficients with histology for detection of dentinal caries were 0.48, 0.23, and 0.44 using V, VR, and VRD, respectively. Interexaminer reproducibility was best for V alone. The percentages of teeth indicated for restorative treatment were 31%, 33%, and 41% using V, VR, and VRD, respectively. The percentages of teeth correctly treated according to histology were 69.4%, 70.0%, and 67.5% using V, VR, and VRD, respectively. There was no difference in the accuracy of treatment decisions between the three examination points (p>0.05). The addition of radiographs and DIAGNOdent to visual examination did not have a significant effect on the improvement of the detection or treatment decisions of examiners of noncavitated occluso-dentinal carious lesions.
Quaternions, 2x2 complex matrices and Lorentz transformations
Authors: Carvajal-Gámez B. E. , Guerrero-Moreno I. J. , López-Bonilla J.
Published: December 2014

We show that the matrix method to construct Lorentz transformations  permit to deduce the   corresponding quaternionic procedure.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v12i0.11671BIBECHANA 12 (2015) 30-34
Molecular electrostatic potential, HOMO-LUMO and vibrational study of aristolochic acid II using density functional theory
Authors: Khadka Jang Bahadur , Joshi Bhawani Datt
Published: December 2014

Because of their wide applications in human or animal medicine, the natural products have been the subject of investigation. Aristolochic acids (AAs) (Aristolochiaceae), however toxic, are reported for many medicinal uses. In this work, computational study on the molecular properties of AA II is presented using density functional theory (DFT), B3LYP functional along with Hartree-Fock (HF) theory at 6-311++G(d,p) level.  A complete vibrational assignment has been done for the observed FT-IR and Raman wavenumbers with the results of quantum chemical calculations. The structure–activity relationship has been interpreted by mapping electrostatic potential surface (MEP). Graphical representation of frontier molecular orbitals with their energy gap has been analyzed theoretically for both the gaseous and solvent environment employing TD-DFT using IEF-PCM model.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v12i0.11702BIBECHANA 12 (2015) 40-52
Energy of Sitnikov's restricted three body problem if the primaries are source of radiation and triaxial rigid bodies
Authors: Thapa R. R.
Published: December 2014

In this paper the joint effect of source of radiation and triaxial rigid body has been studied. The energy of Sitnikov's restricted three body problem when primaries are sources of radiation and energy of Sitnikov's restricted problem of three bodies when primaries are triaxial rigid bodies have been studied to calculate the joint effect. Equation of motion of the third body of infitesimal mass, if primaries are sources of radiation and triaxial rigid bodies,  are calculated.    DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/bibechana.v12i0.11707BIBECHANA 12 (2015) 53-58
The Swine flu returns!
Authors: Neopane Arpana
Published: December 2014

Not available.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i4.11738Journal of Kathmandu Medical CollegeVol. 2, No. 4, Issue 6, Oct.-Dec., 2013Page: 168-169
Study of obstetric patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital
Authors: Saha Rachana , Shakya Archana
Published: December 2014

Background: Pregnancy though physiological and uneventful can be associated with major maternal morbidity with potential catastrophic consequences requiring utilization of facilities of Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Reports regarding such admissions are few from developing countries.Objective: To study the indication for admission, intervention and outcome of obstetric patients admitted to intensive care unit at Kathmandu Medical College Teaching Hospital and also to identify risk factors for admission to intensive care unit.Methods: A hospital based descriptive observational study was conducted from 1st January 2012 to 31st December 2013. All obstetric admissions to the ICU up to 42 days postpartum were included. Data obtained included demography, obstetric history, pre- existing medical problems, indication for ICU admission, intervention in ICU and outcome. Risk factors were assessed by comparing cases with control which included women who delivered before and after the indexed cases.Results: A total of 50 obstetric patients required ICU admission during the study period. This accounts for 0.87% of total hospital deliveries and 4.32% of all ICU admissions. Forty-two percent of the patients were admitted due to hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Sixteen percent patients were of obstetric haemorrhage. Heart diseases topped the list with 16% in non-obstetric group. Risk factors for admission included lesser gestational age, Caesarean section, blood loss and co-morbid conditions of the patient. Mean age was 24.5±4.8 years; average length of stay in ICU was 3.44±3.7 days. Inotropic support was received by six patients (12%), CVP monitoring was done in three patients (6%). Ventilator support was needed in six (12%). There were three cases (6%) of mortality which accounts for 2.09% of total ICU mortality. Seventeen patients (34%) were referred from other centres.Conclusion: Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, Obstetric haemorrhage and Heart disease were the most common indications of ICU admissions. Risk factors for admission included lesser gestational age, caesarean section, blood loss, and co- morbid conditions of the patients. Optimal outcome was achieved with combined effort of multidisciplinary team.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jkmc.v2i4.11777Journal of Kathmandu Medical CollegeVol. 2, No. 4, Issue 6, Oct.-Dec., 2013Page: 196-200