bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metal‐Ceramic Interface Evaluation of a Gold‐Infiltrated Alloy
Authors: Vasani Rupal , Kawashima Isao , Ziebert Gerald J. , Berzins David W.
Published: June 2009

Purpose: The success of metal‐ceramic systems partially depends on the formation of a stable bond between metal and porcelain. The purpose of this study was to investigate the porcelain/metal interface and the mechanism of interfacial bonding in a gold‐infiltrated alloy (Captek).

Materials and Methods: Captek specimens with feldspathic porcelain were evaluated by optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and the Schwickerath crack initiation test for metal‐ceramic bond compatibility. Specimens were processed with or without Capbond, a bonding agent. A traditional metal‐ceramic alloy was also analyzed with microscopy for comparative purposes.

Results: Optical and scanning electron micrographs of Captek specimens processed with Capbond revealed close adaptation of porcelain to the surface of the metal with sporadic nodules extending from the Captek surface. In contrast, the specimens of Captek without Capbond showed a much flatter porcelain/metal interface. Comparatively, the porcelain/metal interface of the traditional metal‐ceramic crown showed greater surface roughness than the Captek specimens. No metal oxides were observed at the porcelain/metal interface of the Captek specimens with XRD. During the Schwickerath test, the Captek specimens permanently deformed, not allowing for crack initiation at the porcelain/metal interface.

Conclusions: Microscopy and XRD analysis showed that micromechanical interlocking is the primary mechanism of porcelain adherence to Captek metal. The use of Capbond prior to porcelain application to Captek results in gold nodules on the surface to aid retention. Existing metal‐ceramic bond compatibility standardized tests are not sufficient for evaluating Captek, primarily due to the flexibility of the material.
Coram Mundo: A Lutheran Feminist Theological Anthropology of Hope1
Authors: Riswold Caryn D.
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  Human life coram mundo, in relationship to the world, is complex and challenging. Third wave feminist resources provide a lens for reading Martin Luther's ontology of the human person because the two share a commitment to seeing human life at the intersections. A Lutheran feminist theological anthropology of hope responds to unique anxieties produced by a more subversive patriarchy, bound to racism, classism, homophobia and multinational corporate structures in the twenty‐first century.
Animals and the Image of God in the Bible and Beyond
Authors: Moritz Joshua M.
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  This article examines theological thought pertaining to the imago Dei doctrine in light of its relation to non‐human animals within the framework of biblical, intertestamental Jewish, and early Christian writings. Evaluating theological understandings of human nature as they relate to and interact with theological and philosophical understandings of animals and animal nature, the author finds that the understandings of the image of God and dominion as they are ideally conceived in the Jewish and Christian Scriptures are significantly more closely related to the ideas of human‐animal continuity, compassion, and responsibility than to human rationality or the human immaterial immortal soul (and the entailed implication of animals' lack thereof).
The Animal that Aspires to be an Angel: The Challenge of Transhumanism
Authors: Hefner Philip
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  In what is called its ‘upper case’ form, transhumanism (TH) projects a fantastical posthuman existence akin to science fiction, but in its ‘lower case’ form it permeates our American culture. TH is expressed in the conviction that we need not settle for our birth‐nature; we can alter that nature in ways that we deem desirable. As such, TH represents a fundamental challenge to our understanding of human nature, and in particular what God has created us to become. The encounter with TH is more than an ethical challenge; it is an encounter with the numinous.
We Preach Christ Crucified: Rejecting the Prosperity Gospel and Responding to Feminist Criticism Using Luther's Second Theology of the Cross
Authors: Peterson Daniel J.
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  This article affirms that Luther's theology of the cross should serve as a counterpoint to ideologies like the prosperity gospel that encourage adherents to amass personal wealth while remaining indifferent to the suffering of others. To employ Luther's theology of the cross responsibly, however, one must take into consideration the feminist critique that it potentially encourages passive suffering and abuse, especially on the part of women in abusive situations who are told to ‘bear their cross’ and simply endure what they suffer. A second theology of the cross implicit in Luther's writings, one that portrays God not as the cause of suffering but as the healing power that brings life out of suffering and death that already exists, provides the basis for a rejection of the prosperity gospel while meeting (at least partially) the concern of feminist critics.
Christian Stewardship in Light of a Theology of the Cross1
Authors: Cooper‐White Michael L.
Published: June 2009

Abstract:  The article translates a keynote address delivered in Spanish at the November 2007 “Life and Mission” special assembly of the United Lutheran Evangelical Church in Argentina, held in Buenos Aires. Departing from Jesus' “giving it all away on the cross,” it lays a cruciform foundation for a Christian theology of abundant generosity, and offers practical implications for stewardship leaders.
Bayesian Semiparametric Multiple Shrinkage
Authors: MacLehose Richard F. , Dunson David B.
Published: June 2009

SummaryHigh‐dimensional and highly correlated data leading to non‐ or weakly identified effects are commonplace. Maximum likelihood will typically fail in such situations and a variety of shrinkage methods have been proposed. Standard techniques, such as ridge regression or the lasso, shrink estimates toward zero, with some approaches allowing coefficients to be selected out of the model by achieving a value of zero. When substantive information is available, estimates can be shrunk to nonnull values; however, such information may not be available. We propose a Bayesian semiparametric approach that allows shrinkage to multiple locations. Coefficients are given a mixture of heavy‐tailed double exponential priors, with location and scale parameters assigned Dirichlet process hyperpriors to allow groups of coefficients to be shrunk toward the same, possibly nonzero, mean. Our approach favors sparse, but flexible, structure by shrinking toward a small number of random locations. The methods are illustrated using a study of genetic polymorphisms and Parkinson's disease.
A Bayesian Semiparametric Survival Model with Longitudinal Markers
Authors: Zhang Song , Müller Peter , Do Kim‐Anh
Published: June 2009

SummaryWe consider inference for data from a clinical trial of treatments for metastatic prostate cancer. Patients joined the trial with diverse prior treatment histories. The resulting heterogeneous patient population gives rise to challenging statistical inference problems when trying to predict time to progression on different treatment arms. Inference is further complicated by the need to include a longitudinal marker as a covariate. To address these challenges, we develop a semiparametric model for joint inference of longitudinal data and an event time. The proposed approach includes the possibility of cure for some patients. The event time distribution is based on a nonparametric Pólya tree prior. For the longitudinal data we assume a mixed effects model. Incorporating a regression on covariates in a nonparametric event time model in general, and for a Pólya tree model in particular, is a challenging problem. We exploit the fact that the covariate itself is a random variable. We achieve an implementation of the desired regression by factoring the joint model for the event time and the longitudinal outcome into a marginal model for the event time and a regression of the longitudinal outcomes on the event time, i.e., we implicitly model the desired regression by modeling the reverse conditional distribution.
Using the Optimal Robust Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) Curve for Predictive Genetic Tests
Authors: Lu Qing , Obuchowski Nancy , Won Sungho , Zhu Xiaofeng , Elston Robert C.
Published: June 2009

Summary Current ongoing genome‐wide association (GWA) studies represent a powerful approach to uncover common unknown genetic variants causing common complex diseases. The discovery of these genetic variants offers an important opportunity for early disease prediction, prevention, and individualized treatment. We describe here a method of combining multiple genetic variants for early disease prediction, based on the optimality theory of the likelihood ratio (LR). Such theory simply shows that the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve based on the LR has maximum performance at each cutoff point and that the area under the ROC curve so obtained is highest among that of all approaches. Through simulations and a real data application, we compared it with the commonly used logistic regression and classification tree approaches. The three approaches show similar performance if we know the underlying disease model. However, for most common diseases we have little prior knowledge of the disease model and in this situation the new method has an advantage over logistic regression and classification tree approaches. We applied the new method to the type 1 diabetes GWA data from the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium. Based on five single nucleotide polymorphisms, the test reaches medium level classification accuracy. With more genetic findings to be discovered in the future, we believe a predictive genetic test for type 1 diabetes can be successfully constructed and eventually implemented for clinical use.
Bayesian Estimation of the Probability of Asbestos Exposure from Lung Fiber Counts
Authors: Weichenthal Scott , Joseph Lawrence , Bélisle Patrick , Dufresne André
Published: June 2009

Summary Asbestos exposure is a well‐known risk factor for various lung diseases, and when they occur, workmen's compensation boards need to make decisions concerning the probability the cause is work related. In the absence of a definitive work history, measures of short and long asbestos fibers as well as counts of asbestos bodies in the lung can be used as diagnostic tests for asbestos exposure. Typically, data from one or more lung samples are available to estimate the probability of asbestos exposure, often by comparing the values with those from a reference nonexposed population. As there is no gold standard measure, we explore a variety of latent class models that take into account the mixed discrete/continuous nature of the data, that each subject may provide data from more than one lung sample, and that the within‐subject results across different samples may be correlated. Our methods can be useful to compensation boards in providing individual level probabilities of exposure based on available data, to researchers who are studying the test properties for the various measures used in this area, and more generally, to other test situations with similar data structure.
Food Safety Education Using Music Parodies
Authors: Winter Carl K. , Fraser Angela M. , Gleason Jeanne B. , Hovey Susan K. , McCurdy Sandra M. , Snider O. Sue
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:  Musical parodies of contemporary songs with their lyrics altered to address current food safety issues were incorporated into a variety of food safety educational programs and the effectiveness of the music was evaluated by semiquantitative and qualitative measures. Audiences receiving the music‐enriched curricula included school foodservice supervisors, school foodservice managers, culinary arts instructors, culinary arts students, Family and Consumer Sciences teachers, and youth aged 8 to 12 y and studies were conducted in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Delaware. Among school foodservice supervisors, school foodservice managers, and culinary arts students, most participants were able to recall the main points of each song that was introduced in the curriculum. The culinary arts students were less likely to recall the main points of each song than were the other 2 groups, possibly because of the lack of prior knowledge of food safety practices as well as a lack of preference for the style of songs used. Family and Consumer Sciences teachers were enthusiastic about the use of the music but also identified potential barriers to the successful use of the music, due to the potential lack of appropriate audiovisual equipment, a lack of skills in using such equipment, and time constraints for the use of music in curricula due to the strong emphasis on end of year testing. Participants in the summer youth groups demonstrated significant increases between pre‐ and posttest examinations of safe food handling behaviors and most were able to quote lines or phrases from the songs.
Control of Pathogenic and Spoilage Microorganisms in Fresh‐cut Fruits and Fruit Juices by Traditional and Alternative Natural Antimicrobials
Authors: Raybaudi‐Massilia Rosa M. , Mosqueda‐Melgar Jonathan , Soliva‐Fortuny Robert , Martín‐Belloso Olga
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT: Traditional antimicrobials have been extensively used for many years. However, consumers are currently demanding wholesome, fresh‐like, and safe foods without addition of chemically synthesized preservatives. The application of novel natural antimicrobials to assure safety of fresh‐cut fruits and unpasteurized juices while preventing quality loss is a promising alternative. The effectiveness of these natural substances added to fruit derivatives has been studied by different researchers. Antimicrobials of animal (lactoperoxidase, lysozyme, and chitosan), plant (essential oils, aldehydes, esters, herbs, and spices), and microbial origin (nisin) can be used to effectively reduce pathogenic and spoilage microorganisms in fresh‐cut fruits and fruit juices. Nevertheless, the use of these compounds at a commercial level is still limited due to several factors such as impact on sensory attributes or, in some cases, regulatory issues concerning their use. Therefore, extensive research on the effects of each antimicrobial on food sensory characteristics is still needed so that antimicrobial substances of natural origin can be regarded as feasible alternatives to synthetic ones.
Nutritional Value of Cassava for Use as a Staple Food and Recent Advances for Improvement
Authors: Montagnac Julie A. , Davis Christopher R. , Tanumihardjo Sherry A.
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:  Cassava is a drought‐tolerant, staple food crop grown in tropical and subtropical areas where many people are afflicted with undernutrition, making it a potentially valuable food source for developing countries. Cassava roots are a good source of energy while the leaves provide protein, vitamins, and minerals. However, cassava roots and leaves are deficient in sulfur‐containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine) and some nutrients are not optimally distributed within the plant. Cassava also contains antinutrients that can have either positive or adverse effects on health depending upon the amount ingested. Although some of these compounds act as antioxidants and anticarcinogens, they can interfere with nutrient absorption and utilization and may have toxic side effects. Efforts to add nutritional value to cassava (biofortification) by increasing the contents of protein, minerals, starch, and β‐carotene are underway. The transfer of a 284 bp synthetic gene coding for a storage protein rich in essential amino acids and the crossbreeding of wild‐type cassava varieties with Manihot dichotoma or Manihot oligantha have shown promising results regarding cassava protein content. Enhancing ADP glucose pyrophosphorylase activity in cassava roots or adding amylase to cassava gruels increases cassava energy density. Moreover, carotenoid‐rich yellow and orange cassava may be a foodstuff for delivering provitamin A to vitamin A–depleted populations. Researchers are currently investigating the effects of cassava processing techniques on carotenoid stability and isomerization, as well as the vitamin A value of different varieties of cassava. Biofortified cassava could alleviate some aspects of food insecurity in developing countries if widely adopted.
Reduction of Sodium and Fat Levels in Natural and Processed Cheeses: Scientific and Technological Aspects
Authors: Johnson Mark E. , Kapoor Rohit , McMahon Donald J. , McCoy David R. , Narasimmon Raj G.
Published: June 2009

ABSTRACT:  The various types of cheese are nutrient‐dense foods that are good sources of calcium, phosphorus, and protein. They are also important ingredients in many highly consumed foods such as pizza, cheeseburgers, and sauces. However, they are also perceived as being high in fat and sodium. Consumers have indicated that they would like to continue utilizing cheese in their diet but would prefer to have lower‐fat and lower‐sodium products. Fat and salt are important elements in the flavor, texture, food safety, and overall acceptability of cheese. Alternatives to fat and salt are being investigated but have not been found to be acceptable, especially in those products that meet the FDA's definition of low‐fat and/or low‐sodium. This review is primarily a report on the current status of research to develop desirable cheeses with low‐fat and/or low‐sodium, their regulatory and labeling status, consumer acceptability, and challenges for further efforts.
Summary Comments
Authors: Mintz Sidney
Published: June 2009

This article provides a set of summary comments on the articles written in response to Manning's book. It also comments on Manning's book itself by highlighting its elegant sweeping account, while also reminding the reader that humans are cultural creatures with agency to change the messes Manning articulates.
Negotiating Landscapes, Survival, and Modernity: Goats, Migration, and Gender in the Arid Lands of Northern Peru
Authors: Espinosa M. Cristina
Published: June 2009

This paper explores the role of gender, cultural change, and market dynamics affecting the resilience of adaptive livelihoods in arid landscapes in Northern Peru for families who lack access to irrigation and rely on goat herding in a context of cyclical droughts. Based on interviews conducted in the community of Salas in 1982, 1983, and 2007, the analysis shows that better access to formal education and/or migratory experience can facilitate cultural change that supports economic diversification and larger herds. However, market dynamics keeps “traditional” ways instrumental to reduce costs of goat herding and livelihoods, therefore it reinforces the persistence of “traditional” cultural elements in daily life. The article shows the structural limits of adaptation for established families and how access to high school for younger generations of men and women seem to accelerate their emigration as they cannot find stable employment in Salas.
Immediate vs. conventional loading of palatal implants in humans
Authors: Göllner Peter , Jung Britta A. , Kunkel Martin , Liechti Thomas , Wehrbein Heinrich
Published: June 2009

Objectives: To analyze the clinical performance and bone‐to‐implant contact (BIC) rate of two loading concepts on successfully healed and explanted palatal implants in humans.

Methods: From 2000 to 2006, two independent groups of patients, requiring maximum anchorage, were treated. Group 1 (n=36) was subjected to immediate functional loading within the first 24 h after insertion while group 2 (n=40) received conventional implant loading after 12 weeks. The magnitude of orthodontic forces ranged between 1 and 3 N. After orthodontic treatment, the implants were removed with a trephine drill. Histological workup by the cutting and grinding technique was performed for nearly the last third of palatal implants. Outcome variables were clinical implant survival and histological BIC rates.

Results: The implants in both groups were initially stable at the time of insertion. However, 3/36 in group 1 and 1/40 in group 2 were lost. The remaining implants were clinically stable and no mobility was recognized. The median BIC rates were 76% (SD, 25) in group 1 (n=10) and 84% (SD, 13) in group 2 (n=12) (P=0.262; Mann–Whitney U‐test, not significant).

Conclusions: The data support the concept of immediate indirect loading on palatal implants with forces of up to 3 N. On histological evaluation, immediate loading yielded similar BIC rates as conventional loading.
The efficacy of a double‐layer collagen membrane technique for overlaying block grafts in a rabbit calvarium model
Authors: Kim Su‐Hwan , Kim Do‐Young , Kim Kyoung‐Hwa , Ku Young , Rhyu In‐Chul , Lee Yong‐Moo
Published: June 2009

Objectives: To analyze the outcomes of a single‐ and a double‐layered collagen membrane on the efficacy of onlay block grafts in terms of bone resorption and augmentation.

Material and methods: A total of 36 New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. Calvarial bone blocks were obtained from one side of the parietal bone and fixed on the contaralateral side. The onlay grafts were covered with either no (C group), one (M1 group), or two (M2 group) layers of a non‐cross‐linked collagen membrane (BioGide®). After 2, 4, and 6 months of healing, rabbits were sacrificed and explanted specimens were prepared for histologic and histomorphometric analysis. At each period, the overall pattern of graft bone resorption and membrane biodegradation were examined histologically, and the sustained external form of grafted bone (%) and the remaining mineralized bone volume (%) were measured histomorphometrically.

Results: The M1 and M2 groups exhibited decreased bone resorption compared with the C group at all periods. The M2 group had less graft resorption and a higher bone density of the grafted bone than the M1 group. In the M1 group, the collagen membrane was degraded partially or completely by 4 months and was absent at 6 months. Conversely, for the M2 group, the membrane body was retained up to 6 months.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that the collagen membrane used here can reduce graft bone resorption. Furthermore, the double‐layer technique using non‐cross‐linked collagen membranes (BioGide®) can enhance the efficacy of the onlay block bone graft technique in terms of both bone resorption and augmentation compared with a single‐layer collagen membrane.
The use of real‐time PCR technique in the detection of novel protein 4.2 gene mutations that coexist with thalassaemia alpha in a single patient
Authors: Maciag Monika , Adamowicz‐Salach Anna , Siwicka Alicja , Spychalska Justyna , Burzynska Beata
Published: June 2009

α‐Thalassaemia is a very rare disease in Northern Europe in contrast to hereditary spherocytosis that is associated with red blood cell membrane defects. We report here α‐thalassaemia case who was also found to bear the erythrocyte membrane protein 4.2 gene mutations. mRNA relative quantification of red cell membrane protein genes in a Polish patient with α‐thalassaemia trait indicated EPB42 as the gene that could also be involved in anaemia pathogenesis. Sequencing revealed the presence of two novel mutations in the protein 4.2 gene: a G1701A genetic change that predicts an alanine to threonine at position 567 of the protein (A567T) and a T→A substitution that is located at position +6 of the donor splice site of intron 2 (IVS2nt+6T>A). This is the sixth variant of the erythrocyte membrane protein 4.2 gene mutations identified outside the Japanese population.
Rituximab for refractory and or relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura related to immune‐mediated severe ADAMTS13‐deficiency: a report of four cases and a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Elliott Mischelle A. , Heit John A. , Pruthi Rajiv K. , Gastineau Dennis A. , Winters Jeffrey L. , Hook C. Christopher
Published: June 2009

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a potentially life‐threatening disorder that in significant proportion of cases is related to the development of autoantibodies to, and resulting severe deficiency of, the ADAMTS13 protease. However, ADAMTS13 deficiency does not account for all cases. Response to plasma exchange (PE) is seen in TTP with and without ADAMTS13 deficiency and is therefore indicated for all with a clinical diagnosis of TTP, although the pathogenesis of the latter group remains to be defined. Although the majority of cases respond to PE, a significant percent are refractory or experience relapse. Rituximab is being increasingly used off‐label in this setting, but many reports do not define the pathogenesis of TTP so treated. We here report our experience with, and systematically review the published experience to date, of rituximab in management of refractory and or relapsing TTP specifically related to immune‐mediated severe ADAMTS13‐deficiency. In total, 73 patients met defined study inclusion criteria. The majority (∼95%) achieved complete remission within weeks of the first application of rituximab. The reported relapse rate was low in this patient subgroup, which carry an anticipated relapse rate of up to 60%. However, caution in interpretation of this data is needed given the relatively short median duration of follow‐up of approximately 10 months. Rituximab was generally well tolerated, with few serious adverse events reported. However, three severe infectious complications were identified, including viral reactivation in keeping with black box warnings for this agent. Furthermore, reflecting the rarity of this disorder, only a relatively small number of patients have been treated and data with regards to long‐term follow‐up are largely based on individual case reports. Prospective studies are urgently needed to define the true efficacy and long‐term safety of rituximab.
Bhutani‐based nomograms for the prediction of significant hyperbilirubinaemia using transcutaneous measurements of bilirubin
Authors: Bental YA , Shiff Y , Dorsht N , Litig E , Tuval L , Mimouni FB
Published: June 2009

Aim:  Prospectively establish the relationship between transcutaneous bilirubin (TcB) and total serum bilirubin (TSB), and develop nomograms similar to Bhutani’s nomograms, based on our TcB data.

Methods:  Our study sample was from a total population of 1069 infants, near term and term healthy newborns, admitted during 2.5 month period of the study. TSB was performed on all infants who were felt to be clinically jaundiced. Before obtaining the TSB, a TcB was performed (Jaundice Meter Minolta/Draeger JM‐103). Measurements were performed on two sites: forehead and mid‐sternum, and the mean of both measurements was calculated.

Results:  A total of 1091 paired measurements were obtained from 628 infants. Linear regression showed a significant relation between TSB and TcB (R2 of 0.846). In multiple regression analysis, all independent variables studied, i.e. gestational age (or birthweight), age at sampling and ethnicity had a negligible influence on the relationship. We subsequently developed our local‐nomograms of hour‐specific mean TcB with 40, 75 and 95 percentile lines.

Conclusions:  In our local settings and population, we found a reliable correlation between laboratory measurements of TSB and TcB. We were able to develop our local‐Bhutani‐based TcB nomograms for screening babies during hospital stay and pre‐discharge for assessing the risk of hyperbilirubinaemia.
Patterns of species impoverishment in managed forests of Catalonia (NE Spain)
Authors: Lloret F. , Solé A. , Pino J. , Vayreda J. , Font X. , Terradas J.
Published: June 2009

Question: In managed forests, woody plant richness shows great variations in pattern. Herein we try to elucidate the role of major factors, such as successional status, to explain this variation. Assuming that less competitive or disturbance‐sensitive species will be systematically more prone to disappear, we investigate the existence of non‐random patterns of species impoverishment – i.e., the number of species unable to attain maximal richness – and the ecological and successional status of species associated with impoverishment in relation to a regional climatic gradient.

Methods: We explored species composition in approximately 7500 forest plots in Catalonia (NE Spain). We evaluated non‐random patterns of species impoverishment by analyzing their nestedness. Multivariate analysis was used to relate environmental variables and impoverishment to species occurrence. Plot successional status and ecological range were also estimated from species composition, and species impoverishment was then correlated to these estimators.

Results: Most forests show a non‐random pattern of species loss: poor stands tend to retain the same species, and the species determining high richness tend to be the same. Late successional species tend to be more common in impoverished plots of drier and warmer forests, while species typical of open or disturbed habitats are more common in impoverished plots of moister and colder forests. Communities dominated by early or late successional species are mostly impoverished, while the richest stands are constituted by species of intermediate stages. Forests dominated by species with a narrow or wide ecological range showed high impoverishment levels, while the richest stands had species with an intermediate ecological range.

Discussion: In warmer Mediterranean forests, impoverishment tends to be associated with late successional stages, while in moister and colder forests, species loss is more closely related to disturbance and exploitation. This study reveals the difficulties involved in using species richness as a simple descriptor of the degree of forest conservation. Identification of dominant species and species indicative of ecological processes would constitute an easily applicable practice that would consolidate assessment of forests status.
Effect of repeated cycles of chemical disinfection on the roughness and hardness of hard reline acrylic resins
Authors: De Rezende Pinto Luciana , Rodríguez Acosta Emílio José T. , Távora Flora Freitas Fernandes , Da Silva Paulo Maurício Batista , Porto Vinícius Carvalho
Published: June 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00282.x
 
Effect of repeated cycles of chemical disinfection on the roughness and hardness of hard reline acrylic resins

Objective:  The aim of this study was to assess the effect of repeated cycles of five chemical disinfectant solutions on the roughness and hardness of three hard chairside reliners.

Methods:  A total of 180 circular specimens (30 mm × 6 mm) were fabricated using three hard chairside reliners (Jet; n = 60, Kooliner; n = 60, Tokuyama Rebase II Fast; n = 60), which were immersed in deionised water (control), and five disinfectant solutions (1%, 2%, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite; 2% glutaraldehyde; 4% chlorhexidine gluconate). They were tested for Knoop hardness (KHN) and surface roughness (μm), before and after 30 simulated disinfecting cycles. Data was analysed by the factorial scheme (6 × 2), two‐way analysis of variance (anova), followed by Tukey’s test.

Results:  For Jet (from 18.74 to 13.86 KHN), Kooliner (from 14.09 to 8.72 KHN), Tokuyama (from 12.57 to 8.28 KHN) a significant decrease in hardness was observed irrespective of the solution used on all materials. For Jet (from 0.09 to 0.11 μm) there was a statistically significant increase in roughness. Kooliner (from 0.36 to 0.26 μm) presented a statistically significant decrease in roughness and Tokuyama (from 0.15 to 0.11 μm) presented no statistically significant difference after 30 days.

Conclusions:  This study showed that all disinfectant solutions promoted a statistically significant decrease in hardness, whereas with roughness, the materials tested showed a statistically significant increase, except for Tokuyama. Although statistically significant values were registered, these results could not be considered clinically significant.
Cytogenetical damage in exfoliated oral mucosa cells in elderly people suffering denture stomatitis
Authors: Matsumoto Mariza A. , Castanho Juliane , Kawakami Roberto Y. , Ribeiro Daniel A.
Published: June 2009

doi:10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2009.00315.x
 
Cytogenetical damage in exfoliated oral mucosa cells in elderly people suffering denture stomatitis

Objectives:  The aim of this study was to evaluate comparatively the DNA damage (micronucleus) and cellular death (pyknosis, karyolysis and karyorrhexis) in exfoliated oral mucosa cells from chronic denture stomatitis patients and healthy controls.

Background:  Over the course of ageing, individuals may develop many diseases such as denture stomatitis.

Material and methods:  A total of 23 chronic denture stomatitis patients and 23 controls presenting good oral conditions were included in this study. Individuals had epithelial cells mechanically exfoliated, placed in fixative and placed on clean slides, which were checked for nuclear phenotypes.

Results:  The results indicated no statistically significant differences (p > 0.05) of micronucleated oral mucosa cells from chronic denture stomatitis patients when compared to healthy controls. Nevertheless, chronic denture stomatitis was able to increase other nuclear alterations closely related to cytotoxicity such as karyorrhexis, pyknosis and karyolysis as depicted by significant differences (p < 0.05) between groups. No interaction was observed between smoking and chronic denture stomatitis.

Conclusion:  In summary, these data indicated that chronic denture stomatitis was able to induce cytotoxic effects as assessed by a micronucleus test.
Sequence‐based characterization of swine leucocyte antigen alleles in commercially available porcine cell lines
Authors: Ho C. S. , Franzo‐Romain M. H. , Lee Y. J. , Lee J. H. , Smith D. M.
Published: June 2009

A total of 53 alleles at five highly polymorphic swine leucocyte antigen (SLA) loci (SLA‐1, SLA‐3, SLA‐2, SLA‐DRB1, and SLA‐DQB1) were identified in eight commercially available porcine cell lines (ESK‐4, LLC‐PK1, MPK, PK13, PK15, PT‐K75, SK‐RST, and ST). This information is essential for the use of these cell lines to understand the role of SLA genes and proteins in swine models of transplantation, xenotransplantation, and in swine immune responses to infectious diseases and vaccines. The ready availability of these cell lines also makes them a good source of reference DNA for SLA allele typing.
The Earliest Normal Flower from Liaoning Province, China
Authors: Wang Xin , Zheng Shaolin
Published: June 2009

The early evolution of angiosperms has been a focus of intensive research for more than a century. The Yixian Formation in western Liaoning yields one of the earliest angiosperm macrofloras. Despite multitudes of angiosperm fossils uncovered, includingArchaefructusandSinocarpus, nobona fidenormal flower has been dated to 125 Ma (mega‐annum) or older. Here we reportCallianthus dilaegen. et sp. nov. from the Yixian Formation (Early Cretaceous) in western Liaoning, China as the earliest normal flower known to date. The flower demonstrates a typical floral organization, including tepals, androecium, and gynoecium. The tepals are spatulate with parallel veins. The stamens have a slender filament, a globular anther, bristles at the anther apex, andin situround‐triangular pollen grains. The gynoecium is composed of two stylate carpels enclosed in a fleshy envelope, and develops into a “hip” when mature. Since the well‐accepted history of angiosperms is not much longer than 125 Ma,Callianthustogether withChaoyangia, ArchaefructusandSinocarpusfrom the Yixian Formation demonstrate a surprisingly high diversity of angiosperms, implying a history of angiosperms much longer than currently accepted.
The Role of the State in the Protection of Geographical Indications: From Disengagement in France/Europe to Significant Involvement in India
Authors: Marie‐Vivien Delphine
Published: June 2009

Geographical indications (GIs) are remarkably different from other instruments of intellectual property rights (IPRs). Their acreage to the local provides an original scheme of governance. Contrary to other IPRs, GIs have only been homogenized in a very small way in the international legal framework. The issue is whether GIs are implemented as any other IPR, due to their collective and public dimensions. In particular, what is the role conferred to the state in the protection of GIs? The French legal framework, which largely influenced the European legal framework, is based on long traditions of protection of the appellations of origin and GIs where the role of the state has been declining, in order to give more responsibilities to the producer groups. The control task has been transferred from the state to the certification bodies to increase the guarantee of quality. The Indian experience, a post‐TRIPS Agreement (the Agreement on Trade‐Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) example, shows a state and its agencies which are very active in the process of filing GI applications, including being themselves the applicant and eventually the proprietor. This might be justified by the lack of strong producer organization. These different roles of the state between France/Europe and India give a new understanding of the legal nature of GIs.
Frege's Judgement Stroke and the Conception of Logic as the Study of Inference not Consequence
Authors: Smith Nicholas J. J.
Published: June 2009

One of the most striking differences between Frege's Begriffsschrift (logical system) and standard contemporary systems of logic is the inclusion in the former of the judgement stroke: a symbol which marks those propositions which are being asserted, that is, which are being used to express judgements. There has been considerable controversy regarding both the exact purpose of the judgement stroke, and whether a system of logic should include such a symbol. This paper explains the intended role of the judgement stroke in a way that renders it readily comprehensible why Frege insisted that this symbol was an essential part of his logical system. The key point here is that Frege viewed logic as the study of inference relations amongst acts of judgement, rather than – as in the typical contemporary view – of consequence relations amongst certain objects (propositions or well‐formed formulae). The paper also explains why Frege's use of the judgement stroke is not in conflict with his avowed anti‐psychologism, and why Wittgenstein's criticism of the judgement stroke as ‘logically quite meaningless’ is unfounded. The key point here is that while the judgement stroke has no content, its use in logic and mathematics is subject to a very stringent norm of assertion.
The British partnership phenomenon: a ten year review
Authors: Johnstone Stewart , Ackers Peter , Wilkinson Adrian
Published: June 2009

This article presents a detailed review of the vast partnership literature that has emerged in the UK between 1998 and 2008. It begins by examining definitions of partnership, and suggests that while academic definitions are vague, practitioner definitions tend to conflate partnership processes with partnership outcomes. An alternative definition based upon processes and practices is offered. This is followed by a review of the conceptual advocates/critics debate, and the key themes of empirical partnership studies. It is proposed that while recent empirical evidence identifies a variety of outcomes and presents various typologies of partnership, there is an absence of debates on typologies in the literature. The article then identifies several limitations of the existing literature, including ideological positions, a lack of sensitivity to context and to different types of partnership, and a focus on outcomes. The article concludes by suggesting avenues for future partnership research.
Underpricing and Ex Post Value Uncertainty
Authors: Falconieri Sonia , Murphy Albert , Weaver Daniel
Published: June 2009

As documented by a vast empirical literature, initial public offerings (IPOs) are characterized by underpricing. A number of papers have shown that underpricing is directly related to the amount of ex ante uncertainty concerning the IPOs valuation. Recent theoretical papers propose that not all value uncertainty is resolved prior to the start of trading, but rather continues to be resolved in the beginning of the after market. We term this type of uncertainty as ex post value uncertainty and develop proxies for it. We find strong support for the existence of ex post value uncertainty and find that including a proxy for it more than doubles the explanatory power of previous models.
The Underpricing of Insurance IPOs
Authors: Wang Qiming , Ligon James A.
Published: June 2009

The previous literature documents that insurance initial public offerings (IPOs) are less underpriced than those of noninsurance firms. This difference is usually attributed to lower information asymmetry for regulated firms. However, we find that once one controls for the file price adjustment insurance IPOs, both stock and mutual, are no less underpriced than other noninsurance offerings suggesting the book‐building process resolves any such information asymmetries. We also find that mutual IPOs appear more underpriced than stock insurance IPOs, but this difference is related to the differences in pre‐issue managerial ownership.
The Relation between IPO Underpricing and Litigation Risk Revisited: Changes between 1990 and 2002
Authors: Zhu Yun (Ellen)
Published: June 2009

This paper reexamines the litigation risk hypothesis of initial public offering (IPO) underpricing in different legal and economic environments. When litigation risk is reduced in the three‐year period after the enactment of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, firms' litigation risk plays a less significant role in IPO underpricing strategy. Furthermore, underpricing deters more traditional IPO lawsuits compared to that effect in the pre‐1995 period. In the period after that, however, there is another structural change in which firms again use underpricing as insurance against IPO lawsuits. This underpricing may actually have led to greater litigation relating to IPO allocation irregularities.
Equity Market Comovement and Contagion: A Sectoral Perspective
Authors: Phylaktis Kate , Xia Lichuan
Published: June 2009

This paper takes an asset pricing perspective to investigate the equity market comovement and contagion at the sector level during the period 1990‐2004 across the regions of Europe, Asia, and Latin America. It examines whether unexpected shocks from a particular market, or group of markets, are propagated to the sectors in other countries. The results confirm the sector heterogeneity of contagion. This implies that there are sectors that can still provide a channel for achieving the benefits of international diversification during crises despite the prevailing contagion at the market level. In addition, the results lend support to the importance of financial links in the propagation of contagion.
Is Innovativeness a Link between Pay and Performance?
Authors: Fung Michael K.
Published: June 2009

The relationship between innovativeness and pay‐performance sensitivity is theoretically ambiguous because innovative activities simultaneously enhance the productivity of executives in creating shareholder value (productivity effect) and increase the volatility of the firm's performance (volatility effect). The empirical findings from the pooled sample suggest that innovativeness and executive pay‐performance sensitivity are inversely related. The extent to which the volatility effect outweighed the productivity effect was especially pronounced during the 2000‐2003 market crash period. While the productivity effect is stronger than the volatility effect in both the CEO and low‐free‐cash‐flow subsamples, the volatility effect is stronger than the productivity effect in both the non‐CEO and high‐free‐cash‐flow subsamples.
Total Daycare Shoulder Surgery
Authors: Iossifidis Anestis , Bismil Quamar , Lakkireddi Prabhat , Mekala Venkat , Nethirasigamani Dinesh , Menon Gita
Published: June 2009

Background

There is continued interest in day surgery. Arthroscopic shoulder surgery may be performed on a daycase basis. Historically, daycase shoulder surgery has been limited by peri-operative pain and anaesthetic issues; and to date there are no reports of daycase shoulder arthoplasty in the literature.

Methods

A prospective study of 112 patients having shoulder therapeutic arthroscopy or arthroplasty managed according to the total daycare pathway, which includes balanced anaesthesia and simple analgesia.

Results

One hundred and eight patients (96%) were discharged home by 17.00 hours without complications. However the remaining five cases required overnight admission for medical or anaesthetic reasons.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that, with the correct infrastructure and a multidisciplinary approach: the full spectrum of shoulder surgery may be performed on a daycase basis using interscalene block and simple analgesia.
Kudo 5 Total Elbow Replacement in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis. A Two Centre 2 Year to 11 Year Follow-up Study
Authors: Thomas Michael , Adeeb Murtaza , Mersich Istvan , Neumann Lars
Published: June 2009

Background

Very few longer term follow-up of unlinked elbow replacements have been published and most series are small.

Methods

Since 1994 87 Kudo 5 total elbow replacements in 70 patients were undertaken by two specialist elbow surgeons (LN and MT) for adult rheumatoid arthritis. These were evaluated at a mean follow-up of 79 months (29 months to 137 months) using the Mayo Clinic performance index. Post-operative radiographs were also reviewed for loosening using standard antero-posterior and lateral films.

Results

Eight patients were lost to follow-up and 16 patients had died leaving 62 total elbow replacements in 46 patients. Pre-operatively 6 had moderate pain and 56 had severe pain. Post-operatively the pain was rated as none by 58 and moderate by 4. The average Mayo elbow score improved from 37 pre-operatively to 86 post-operatively. The flexion extension arc improved from 60? to 99?, whilst pronation and supination improved by 18? and 20? respectively. The overall complication rate was 24% with ulnar neuropraxia being the commonest problem. Six cases were revised, four for aseptic loosening and two for sepsis. The ulnar component was the more commonly affected and appeared to be the cause of more problems. However with revision as the endpoint, the probability of survival of the Kudo 5 at 79 months using the Kaplan Meier method was 96% reducing to 86% at 100 months.

Conclusion

The results of the Kudo 5 total elbow replacement in patients with adult rheumatoid arthritis are acceptable and comparable with other reported series and to other unlinked implants with similar follow-up.
Suture Fixation of Displaced Two, Three and Four Part Proximal Humeral Fractures
Authors: Parfitt Daniel , Gillespie Gordon , Lewis Mark , Roberts Paul , Kulkarni Rohit
Published: June 2009

We present a case series study of 50 patients who sustained two, three and four part displaced proximal humerus fractures treated by open reduction and suture fixation. All patients presenting to our department with these fractures were included in the study except for those with undisplaced fractures, head splitting fractures, isolated greater tuberosity fractures and those aged over 60 years of age with a four part fracture. Patients were followed up for an average of 13 months from surgery. They were assessed clinically and radiologically. Clinical assessment consisted of Constant scoring, abduction measurement and patient satisfaction.

The average Constant score at last follow-up was 80. Overall patient satisfaction was high. Radiological union was achieved on average in less than 3 months.

We conclude that suture fixation for this group of fractures is a highly effective treatment option.