bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maxillary sinus floor augmentation with Bio‐Oss or Bio‐Oss mixed with autogenous bone as graft: a systematic review
Authors: Jensen Thomas , Schou Søren , Stavropoulos Andreas , Terheyden Hendrik , Holmstrup Palle
Published: March 2011

Aims: The objective of the present systematic review was to test the hypothesis of no differences in the implant treatment outcome when Bio‐Oss or Bio‐Oss mixed with autogenous bone is used as graft for the maxillary sinus floor augmentation (MSFA) applying the lateral window technique.

Material and methods: A MEDLINE (PubMed) search in combination with a hand search of relevant journals was conducted by including human studies published in English from January 1, 1990 to June 1, 2010. The search provided 879 titles and 35 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Considerable variation in the included studies prevented meta‐analysis from being performed and no long‐term study comparing MSFA with the two treatment modalities was identified. Also, the survival of suprastructures after the two augmentation procedures was not compared within the same study.

Results: The 1‐year implant survival was compared in one study demonstrating no statistically significant difference. The implant survival was 96% with Bio‐Oss and 94% with a mixture of 80% Bio‐Oss and 20% autogenous mandibular bone. Addition of a limited amount of autogenous bone to Bio‐Oss seemed not to increase the amount of new bone formation and bone‐to‐implant contact compared with Bio‐Oss.

Conclusions: Therefore, the hypothesis of no differences between the use of Bio‐Oss or Bio‐Oss mixed with autogenous bone as graft for MSFA could neither be confirmed nor rejected.

To cite this article: Jensen T, Schou S, Stavropoulos A, Terheyden H, Holmstrup P. Maxillary sinus floor augmentation with Bio‐Oss or Bio‐Oss mixed with autogenous bone as graft: a systematic review. Clin. Oral Impl. Res. 23, 2012; 263–273 doi: 10.1111/j.1600‐0501.2011.02168.x
2D luminescence imaging of physiological wound oxygenation
Authors: Schreml Stephan , Meier Robert J. , Wolfbeis Otto S. , Maisch Tim , Szeimies Rolf‐Markus , Landthaler Michael , Regensburger Johannes , Santarelli Francesco , Klimant Ingo , Babilas Philipp
Published: March 2011

Abstract:  In cutaneous wound healing, the role of oxygen in vivo is poorly understood. We studied wound surface pO2 during physiological wound healing in humans. Split‐thickness skin graft donor sites (n = 12) served as standardized wound models. Wound surface pO2 was measured at 1, 6 and 14 days after split‐skin harvesting using two‐dimensional luminescence lifetime imaging (2D‐LLI) of palladium(II)‐meso‐tetraphenyl‐tetrabenzoporphyrin (Pd‐TPTBP) in polystyrene‐co‐acrylonitrile (PSAN) particles on transparent foils. In another experiment, we removed the stratum corneum (SC) on the volar forearm (n = 10) by tape strippings to study the impact of the SC on the epidermal oxygen barrier. Split‐skin donor site pO2 significantly decreased during the time course of physiological healing. Regional differences in pO2 within donor site wounds were visualized for the first time in literature. No difference was found in pO2 before and after SC removal, showing that the SC is not a major constituent of the epidermal oxygen barrier.
Mutualisms matter: pollination rate limits the distribution of oil‐secreting orchids
Authors: Pauw Anton , Bond William J.
Published: March 2011

There are at least two immediate reasons why it is important to determine the role of biotic interactions, such as pollination, in limiting species distribution ranges. Firstly, if range limits are imposed by biotic factors, current and future distribution ranges might not be constrained by climate. Secondly, if biotic interactions limit the distribution ranges of species, anthropogenic impacts on these interactions are likely to have a major effect on biodiversity. Here we test the role of pollination in limiting plant distributions by studying plant community assembly in a guild of 15 oil‐secreting orchids (Coryciinae) along a pollination gradient. In all members of the guild, seed production depends on pollination by the oil‐collecting bee Rediviva peringueyi (Melittidae). While the mode of aboveground reproduction is uniform across the guild, the orchid species differ widely in their capacity for belowground clonal reproduction through the formation of bulbils, and hence span a range of predicted dependence on pollination (and subsequent seed set) for population persistence. Pollination rate by R. peringueyi varied across the landscape from 0 to 98% of flowers pollinated. With decreasing pollination, species richness of the orchid guild declined, and species were lost by the successive deletion of the least clonal species. Thus, pollination is shown to act as a biotic filter, excluding non‐clonal species from pollinator‐poor communities. The findings are consistent with the idea that pollination mutualisms matter ecologically by limiting the distribution of non‐clonal plants. Conversely, the results suggest that clonality allows some plant species to escape from the range of their pollinators.
Parapneumonic empyema in children before the era of pneumococcal vaccination
Authors: Niemi E , Korppi M
Published: March 2011

Background:  During the past two decades, the incidence of paediatric empyema has increased in many countries.

Purpose:  The aim of this retrospective hospital chart review was to evaluate the incidence, aetiology and clinical and laboratory characteristics of parapneumonic empyema in children.

Subjects and methods:  Twenty‐one patients were admitted to a university hospital from the area with a population of 84 000 children in 1991–2009.

Results:  The annual incidence of parapneumonic empyema was 1.6/100 000 children in 1991–1998, 0.2/100 000 children in 1999–2005 and 2.7/100 000 children in 2006–2009. Bacterial aetiology was identified in 52% of the cases, and pneumococcus caused 45% of the cases with bacterial aetiology detected. The clinical and laboratory findings in children with and without pleural effusion on admission were surprisingly similar. The development of empyema in hospital during antibiotic therapy was associated with persistent fever and serum C‐reactive protein (CRP) >200 mg/L for 48 h after admission.

Conclusion:  The incidence of parapneumonic empyema in children fluctuated but in the long run, increased in 1991–2009. Pneumococcus caused half of the cases with bacterial diagnosis available. Since 2010, pneumococcal vaccination has belonged to the general vaccination programme, and the effect on the incidence of empyema remains to be seen.
Microalbuminuria in the paediatric age: current knowledge and emerging questions
Authors: Tsioufis Costas , Mazaraki Anastasia , Dimitriadis Kyriakos , Stefanidis Costas J , Stefanadis Christodoulos
Published: March 2011

The prevalence of microalbuminuria (MA) in children and adolescents differs from the one in adults, and it is estimated to be about 5.7–7.3% in boys and 12.7–15.1% in girls. The percentage is greater in smaller age group, whereas a positive association is found between albumin excretion rate and pubertal development stage in nondiabetic subjects. The data so far suggest that impairment of glucose metabolism, obesity‐related proatherosclerotic pathways and the impact of haemodynamic load constitute major determinants of albuminuria development in the early years of life. In everyday practice if persistent MA is present at a young age, especially in the setting of diabetes, further investigation of cardiovascular risk factors, a more careful follow‐up and dietary/lifestyle interventions are needed.

Conclusion:  Although the significance of MA in paediatric essential hypertension has yet to be determined, its role in diabetic children and adolescents is established and albuminuria assessment has been utilized as a screening test for the presence of diabetes‐related kidney disease.
Taste disorders in Australian Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children
Authors: Laing DG , Wilkes FJ , Underwood N , Tran L
Published: March 2011

Aim: To assess the prevalence and type of taste disorders in Aboriginal and non‐Aboriginal children matched for age, gender and living in the same general and educational environment.

Methods: Taste function was assessed in 432 Aboriginal (n = 166) and non‐Aboriginal (n = 266) children aged 8–12 years from six public schools in a rural township using a three‐choice taste identification test and a cross‐sectional design.

Results: The prevalence of taste disorders was very high and significantly more common in Aboriginal (20/166; 12.0%) than in non‐Aboriginal (21/266; 7.9%) children. Forty‐one children had quality‐specific disorders, of whom 27 (65.9%) had sweet disorders. Children often had more than one quality disorder.

Conclusion: The prevalence of taste disorders in children was high and exceeded the level (4%) designated by the World Health Organisation as requiring immediate action by health authorities. As the cause of the disorders is unknown, there is a need for a wider investigation of the causes and the consequences.
Literacy in church and family sites through the eyes of Samoan children in New Zealand
Authors: Dickie John , McDonald Geraldine
Published: March 2011

Samoan school children living in New Zealand were given disposable cameras and asked to photograph examples of the uses of reading and writing outside the school. Interviewed later, they explained their photographs including information about literacy in church and family. Rote learning and oral presentation of biblical texts that were read and committed to memory were characteristic of church literacy and supported by practices in the home as Shirley Brice Heath and others have reported. The purpose is closely connected to maintenance of Samoan culture and survival of the language. However, it was found that older siblings introduced school ways of learning to younger family members and that church literacy involved techniques for understanding and assessment that were similar to those of the school. It is asked whether the disparity in measured literacy performance of Samoan people is the consequence of a mismatch between church and family literacy and the literacy of the school.
An alternative mature form of subtilisin homologue, Tk‐SP, from Thermococcus kodakaraensis identified in the presence of Ca2+
Authors: Sinsereekul Nitat , Foophow Tita , Yamanouchi Mai , Koga Yuichi , Takano Kazufumi , Kanaya Shigenori
Published: March 2011

Pro‐Tk‐SP from Thermococcus kodakaraensis consists of the four domains: N‐propeptide, subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62) domain, β‐jelly roll domain and C‐propeptide. To analyze the maturation process of this protein, the Pro‐Tk‐SP derivative with the mutation of the active‐site serine residue to Cys (Pro‐Tk‐S359C), Pro‐Tk‐S359C derivatives lacking the N‐propeptide (ProC‐Tk‐S359C) and both propeptides (Tk‐S359C), and a His‐tagged form of the isolated C‐propeptide (ProC*) were constructed. Pro‐Tk‐S359C was purified mostly in an autoprocessed form in which the N‐propeptide is autoprocessed but the isolated N‐propeptide (ProN) forms a stable complex with ProC‐Tk‐S359C, indicating that the N‐propeptide is autoprocessed first. The subsequent maturation process was analyzed using ProC‐Tk‐S359C, instead of the ProN:ProC‐Tk‐S359C complex. The C‐propeptide was autoprocessed and degraded when ProC‐Tk‐S359C was incubated at 80 °C in the absence of Ca2+. However, it was not autoprocessed in the presence of Ca2+. Comparison of the susceptibility of ProC* to proteolytic degradation in the presence and absence of Ca2+ suggests that the C‐propeptide becomes highly resistant to proteolytic degradation in the presence of Ca2+. We propose that Pro‐Tk‐SP derivative lacking N‐propeptide (Val114‐Gly640) represents a mature form of Pro‐Tk‐SP in a natural environment. The enzymatic activity of ProC‐Tk‐S359C was higher than (but comparable to) that of Tk‐S359C, suggesting that the C‐propeptide is not important for activity. However, the Tm value of ProC‐Tk‐S359C determined by far‐UV CD spectroscopy was higher than that of Tk‐S359C by 25.9 °C in the absence of Ca2+ and 7.5 °C in the presence of Ca2+, indicating that the C‐propeptide contributes to the stabilization of ProC‐Tk‐S359C.
Tension–Tension Fatigue Behavior of NextelTM720/Alumina under Combustion Environment
Authors: Mall Shankar , Nye Andrew R. , Jefferson George
Published: March 2011

Fatigue behavior of Nextel720™/alumina was investigated under combustion environment, which was then compared with that in laboratory environment. Fatigue strength for 90,000 cycles was equal to 150 MPa under combustion condition, while 170 MPa in laboratory environment. However, normalized fatigue strength (ratio of fatigue strength and ultimate tensile strength) was equal in combustion and laboratory environments. The difference in fatigue strength was due to thermal stresses from impingement of combustion flame on one side of specimen. Fractographic analysis showed that combustion had little effect on fiber/matrix bonding in only flame impingement region. Combustion environment was not thus damaging to Nextel720™/alumina.
Porous Si3N4 Ceramics Prepared via Nitridation of Si Powder with Si3N4 Filler and Postsintering
Authors: Yao Dongxu , Zeng Yu‐Ping , Zuo Kai‐hui , Jiang Dongliang
Published: March 2011

Porous silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramics with high porosity were prepared via nitridation of Si powder, using Si3N4 as filler and Y2O3 as sintering additive. After nitridation, samples with high Si3N4 filler content showed high porosity, low flexural strength, and low grain size. A porosity of 50–62% a flexural strength of 16–49 MPa were obtained. After postsintering at 1750°C, sample with Si3N4 filler content of 50% exhibited a bimodal grain size distribution of elongated β‐Si3N4 grains with high aspect ratio embedded in fine‐grained matrix. Porous Si3N4 ceramics with a porosity of 48–60% and a flexural strength of 100–145 MPa were obtained.
Effects of Magnesium Doping on Phase Transitions and Dielectric Figure of Merit of Barium Strontium Titanate Ceramics
Authors: Ren Pengrong , Fan Huiqing , Wang Xin , Liu Kun
Published: March 2011

Ba0.6Sr0.4(Ti1−xMgx)O3 (BSTM) ceramics were prepared by using a solid‐state reaction process. X‐ray diffraction results indicated that the solubility limit of Mg in Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 was about 3 mol%. Doping of Mg into BST led to diffused cubic–tetragonal (C–T) phase transition and reduced Curie temperature. The diffused parameter γ obtained by fitting the modified Curie–Weiss laws increased with increasing Mg content. Dielectric properties of the BSTM ceramics were measured. Figure of merit of BSTM3 was up to 127.8 at 17.5 kV/cm. Its dielectric loss was as low as 0.00133 at 1 kHz and room temperature.
Nanostructured, Infrared‐Transparent Magnesium‐Aluminate Spinel with Superior Mechanical Properties
Authors: Mroz Thomas , Goldman Lee M. , Gledhill Andrew D. , Li Dongsheng , Padture Nitin P.
Published: March 2011

Here, we show that nanostructured magnesium‐aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) with a highly uniform grain‐size distribution can be fabricated using Y2O3 sintering additive for infrared (IR) window/dome applications. The average grain size of this nanostructured spinel is 345 nm, and the size of the largest grain is 970 nm. As a consequence this nanostructured spinel has high room‐temperature strength (470 MPa) and reliability (Weibull modulus 6.2). It also has improved erosion resistance (sand and rain) and thermal‐shock resistance. Near‐theoretical in‐line IR transmission is observed in this nanostructured spinel at room temperature, with an optical scatter of <0.2/cm at 3.39 μm wavelength.
SiAlON–SiC Sandwich Structures with Tailored Surface Compression
Authors: Hoff Kyle , Green David J. , Jin Youngho , Ryba Earle , Hellmann John R.
Published: March 2011

The feasibility of producing high‐hardness ceramic sandwich structures, with compressive residual stresses in the faces, was evaluated in this study. The faces were originally chosen to be SiAlON with an SiC core. To produce structures that did not crack during processing, however, it was necessary to hybridize the faces by adding SiC particles to the SiAlON. This modification resulted in a composite face that reduced the thermal expansion mismatch with the core. The residual stresses in the face were measured with an indentation technique and these values agreed well with those measured by X‐ray diffraction and calculated from the theory using experimental values.
Ancient Skepticism: The Skeptical Academy
Authors: Machuca Diego
Published: March 2011

Ancient philosophy knew two main skeptical traditions: the Pyrrhonian and the Academic. In this final paper of the three‐part series devoted to ancient skepticism, I present some of the topics about Academic skepticism which have recently been much debated in the specialist literature. I will be concerned with the outlooks of Arcesilaus, Carneades, and Philo of Larissa.
Factors Affecting Conformity to Renin‐Angiotensin System Inhibitor Usage in Chronic Kidney Disease and Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Laflam Paul , Schmitt Kristen E. , Edie Christine F. , Simbartl Loretta A. , Thakar Charuhas V.
Published: March 2011

J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:473–478.©2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Renin‐angiotensin system inhibitor (RASi) agents improve renal and cardiovascular outcomes in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Studies examining conformity to guidelines have relied on pharmacy claims or filled prescriptions rather than provider‐based information. The main outcome of RASi use was examined in 2889 patients with CKD and DM for its association with patient characteristics and specialty clinic visits. RASi use was 77% during the 2‐year study period, and declined with worsening CKD stages (79%, 59%, and 48% in stages III, IV, and V, respectively; P<.0001). By multivariate analysis, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 5.49, 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.16–7.25); older age (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.78–0.93), and higher glomerular filtration rate (OR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.31–1.53) were associated with RASi use. In a model examining the effect of each specialty, RASi use was greater in patients attending cardiology (OR, 3.52; 95% CI, 2.63–4.71), pharmacy (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 2.49–3.98), endocrine (OR, 3.39; 95% CI, 2.22–5.16), and renal clinic visits (OR, 2.04; 95% CI, 1.54–2.71). Diagnosis of hypertension increases RASi usage, whereas older age and lower glomerular filtration rate reduce that likelihood. Appropriate specialty referrals improve conformity to guidelines in practice.
Relativized Propositions and the Fregean Orthodoxy
Authors: EINHEUSER IRIS
Published: March 2011

This paper answer the question how propositions whose truth is relativized to times, places, asserters or assessers can, despite their relativity, be used to represent the world.
Interaction of oral bacteria with gingival epithelial cell multilayers
Authors: Dickinson B.C. , Moffatt C.E. , Hagerty D. , Whitmore S.E. , Brown T.A. , Graves D.T. , Lamont R.J.
Published: March 2011

Primary gingival epithelial cells were cultured in multilayers as a model for the study of interactions with oral bacteria associated with health and periodontal disease. Multilayers maintained at an air–liquid interface in low‐calcium medium displayed differentiation and cytokeratin properties characteristic of junctional epithelium. Multilayers were infected with fluorescently labeled Porphyromonas gingivalis, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, Fusobacterium nucleatum or Streptococcus gordonii, and bacterial association was determined by confocal microscopy and quantitative image analysis. Porphyromonas gingivalis invaded intracellularly and spread from cell to cell; A. actinomycetemcomitans and F. nucleatum remained extracellular and showed intercellular movement through the multilayer; whereas S. gordonii remained extracellular and predominantly associated with the superficial cell layer. None of the bacterial species disrupted barrier function as measured by transepithelial electrical resistance. P. gingivalis did not elicit secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. However, A. actinomycetemcomitans and S. gordonii induced interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), IL‐6 and IL‐8 secretion; and F. nucleatum stimulated production of IL‐1β and TNF‐α. Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, F. nucleatum and S. gordonii, but not P. gingivalis, increased levels of apoptosis after 24 h infection. The results indicate that the organisms with pathogenic potential were able to traverse the epithelium, whereas the commensal bacteria did not. In addition, distinct host responses characterized the interaction between the junctional epithelium and oral bacteria.
Distance sampling and the challenge of monitoring butterfly populations
Authors: Isaac Nick J. B. , Cruickshanks Katie L. , Weddle Ann M. , Marcus Rowcliffe J. , Brereton Tom M. , Dennis Roger L. H. , Shuker David M. , Thomas Chris D.
Published: March 2011

1. Abundance indices generated by the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) have been influential in informing our understanding of environmental change and highlighting UK conservation priorities. Here, we critically evaluate the standard ‘Pollard Walk’ methodology employed by the UKBMS.

2. We consider the systematic sampling biases among different butterfly species and biotopes using distance sampling. We collected over 5000 observations on 17 species using distance sampling at 13 study sites in England and Wales. We fitted detection functions to explore variation in detectability among species and sites.

3. Our results suggest that around one‐third of individual butterflies in the Pollard Walk box were missed. However, detectability varies markedly among species and sites. We provide the first species‐specific estimates of detectability for converting Pollard Walk data into population densities. A few species show no drop off in detectability and most require only a modest correction factor, but for the least detectable species, we estimate that 3/4 of individuals are not recorded.

4. Much of the variation among sites is explained by substantially higher detectability among sites in England than in Wales, which had different recorders. Biological traits have only limited explanatory power in distinguishing detectable vs undetectable species.

5. The variation in detectability is small compared with the variation in true abundance, such that population density estimates from the Pollard Walk are highly correlated with those derived from distance sampling.

6. These results are used to evaluate the robustness of the Pollard Walk for comparisons of abundance across species, across sites and over time. UKBMS data provide a good reflection of relative abundance for most species and of large‐scale trends in abundance. We also consider the practicalities of applying distance sampling to butterfly monitoring in general. Distance sampling is a valuable tool for quantifying bias and imprecision and has a role in surveying species of conservation concern, but is not viable as a wholesale replacement for simpler methods for large‐scale monitoring of multispecies butterfly communities by volunteer recorders.
Attachment to the clinical team and its association with therapeutic relationships, social networks, and clinical well‐being
Authors: Catty Jocelyn , Cowan Naomi , Poole Zoe , Ellis Gemma , Geyer Connie , Lissouba Pascale , White Sarah , Burns Tom
Published: March 2011

Objectives. To determine (1) inter‐relationships between social network size and quality and therapeutic relationship ratings and (2) inter‐relationships between attachment style, team attachment, therapeutic relationships, social networks, and clinical and social functioning.

Design. A cross‐sectional survey.

Method. A sample of 93 people using community mental health teams were assessed on their attachment status, social networks, relationship to the keyworker, attachment to the team, characteristics, and clinical and social functioning. Network size and the number friends and confidants were tested for associations with user‐ and professional‐rated therapeutic relationship. Regression analysis was used to determine variables associated with team attachment.

Results. There was no evidence that network size or number of confidants was associated with therapeutic relationship ratings. Therapeutic relationship was strongly associated with team attachment, but of the four attachment dimensions, only preoccupied attachment was associated with team attachment.

Conclusion. There is no evidence that therapeutic relationships are associated with the service user's ‘affability’ or predisposition to form relationships, suggesting that measures of therapeutic relationship and service attachment do measure something distinct about service users’ experience of their care. Team attachment and therapeutic relationship measures seem likely to be measuring very similar constructs. It is possible that service users with more preoccupied attachment styles may find it particularly difficult to form positive attachments to services undergoing frequent change.
Direct JP-8 Conversion Using a Liquid Tin Anode Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (LTA-SOFC) for Military Applications
Authors: McPhee W. A. G. , Bateman L. , Koslowske M. , Slaney M. , Uzep Z. , Bentley J. , Tao T.
Published: March 2011

A liquid tin anode solid oxide fuel cell (LTA-SOFC) is actively being developed for direct utilization of JP-8 logistic fuel. Since its invention in 1998, the LTA-SOFC has demonstrated the ability to operate on various carbonaceous fuels including hydrocarbons, alcohols, carbon, biomass, and coal without fuel reforming or reprocessing to remove known impurities such as sulfur. Natural gas fueled 1kW stand alone prototypes for distributed power generation and have previously demonstrated over 2000h of continuous operation. The aim is to develop simple and reliable portable power that operates directly off JP-8 and other carbonaceous fuels. The current program focuses on improvement of power density and cell manufacturability. Cell geometry was modified from the previous design to optimize power density while minimizing cell weight and volume. The cell construction is a liquid tin anode housed in a porous separator, an 8mol% yttria stabilized electrolyte, and a strontium doped lanthanum magnate cathode. Experimentation was conducted on single cells at 1000°C. The JP-8 fuel used for experimentation contained a sulfur content of 1400ppm. The direct JP-8 conversion in a LTA-SOFC demonstrated up to 41% efficiency. The LTA-SOFC was also capable of maintaining greater than 30% efficiency at 70% of maximum power output at a JP-8 flow rate of 10μlmin−1. Continuous operation with direct conversion of JP-8 was sustained for over 100h with efficiencies of 41–17%. A maximum power density of 120mWcm−2 was sustainable on a JP-8 flow rate of 50μlmin−1. The current Gen 3.1 cell design can sustain a maximum power of 120mWcm−2 by direct conversion of JP-8 without fuel processing, reforming, or sulfur removal. Efficiencies of up to 41% were sustained for a minimum of 1h, with continuous operation on JP-8 for over 100h. Further performance improvements are anticipated, thereby facilitating LTA-SOFCs use for military and civilian applications that demand flexible fuel.
Electrical Performance of PEM Fuel Cells With Different Gas Diffusion Layers
Authors: Stampino P. Gallo , Omati L. , Dotelli G.
Published: March 2011

The microporous layer (MPL) is a key component of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEM-FCs), and it is in charge of the gas and water management at the electrode-gas diffusion layer (GDL) interfaces. A MPL was prepared and coated onto two different commercial GDLs: a carbon paper (woven-non-woven (WNW)) and a carbon cloth (CC). Electrical performances of the so-obtained gas diffusion media (GDM), i.e., GDL coated with the MPL, were investigated in single cell testing (steady-state polarization curves) using a Nafion® catalyst coated membrane with a platinum loading of 0.5 mg/cm2 both for the anode and the cathode. Moreover, in order to better understand the polarization phenomena during the running of the FC, impedance spectroscopy was carried out in galvanostatic mode at different current densities. In particular, the effect of the air relative humidity (RH 100%, 80%, and 60%) was investigated, while the hydrogen was fed always fully humidified (100%). The WNW substrate has demonstrated to be superior to CC in a vast range of current densities (from open circuit voltage to 0.8 A/cm2). However, at high current density, the WNW GDM has some problems in water management.
Enhanced resolution and groove-width simulation in cold development of ZEP520A
Authors: Okada Takeru , Fujimori Jiro , Aida Makoto , Fujimura Megumi , Yoshizawa Tatsuya , Katsumura Masahiro , Iida Tetsuya
Published: March 2011

Cold development of positive-tone resist ZEP520A (Nippon Zean) in electron-beam lithography needs quantitative analysis for further improvement in resolution. Contrast curves and groove widths in cold development of ZEP520A were analyzed using models, and resolution enhancement was confirmed experimentally. Although the contrast improved at the expense of sensitivity in cold development, the improvement of contrast became smaller when the development temperature became colder. The dependence of contrast curve on developing temperature can be explained assuming resist dissolution rates that have an activation energy. For resolution evaluation, circumferentially aligned line-and-space patterns were exposed using an electron-beam recorder with a rotary stage. The resolved groove widths were explained by using the resist dissolution model and an incident electron distribution that consists of three Gaussians. Using these models, groove widths after development can be easily calculated at arbitrary development and exposure conditions. The resolution improved in lower temperature, and dense line-and-space patterns of 35 nm pitch were resolved in −10 °C.
Effects of vacuum ultraviolet radiation on deposited and ultraviolet-cured low-k porous organosilicate glass
Authors: Sinha H. , Antonelli G. A. , Jiang G. , Nishi Y. , Shohet J. L.
Published: March 2011

The authors compare the effects of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation on pristine and UV-cured low-k porous organosilicate glass (SiCOH). The authors find that during VUV irradiation, more trapped charges are generated in UV-cured SiCOH as compared to pristine SiCOH. VUV is also used as a tool to investigate effects of UV curing. From comparison of VUV spectroscopy and photoinjection current of the two samples, the authors find that UV curing reduces the number of defect states in SiCOH. The authors also find that UV-cured SiCOH has higher photoconductivity and intrinsic conductivity from VUV spectroscopy and trapped-charge decay rate, respectively.
Effective and equivalent organ doses in patients undergoing coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary interventions
Authors: Compagnone Gaetano , Ortolani Paolo , Domenichelli Sara , Ovi Valentina , Califano Giorgia , Dall'Ara Gianni , Marzocchi Antonio
Published: March 2011

Purpose:

Recent recommendations of the International Commission on Radiological Protection state that the use of effective dose for assessing patient exposure has severe limitations, though it can be kept for dose comparisons. In cardiology procedures, the equivalent dose is one of the most appropriate dose quantity to be evaluated for risk‐benefit assessment. In this study, both and values for ten critical organs in coronary angiography (CA) and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) were derived from in‐the‐field dose‐area‐product (DAP) measurements in order to provide a database for doses in those procedures.

Methods:

Conversion factors calculated by Monte Carlo methods in two different mathematical human phantoms were applied to DAP values measured on 193 patients (118 CA and 75 PCI). Partial DAP values were recorded in‐the‐field for each projection and for all patients. The partial effective doses of all projections were summed up to calculate the of the entire procedure. Similarly, equivalent doses for ten critical organs/tissues (bone, colon, heart, liver, lung, esophagus, red bone marrow, skin, stomach, and thyroid) were derived from conversion factors for different projections calculated by Monte Carlo method.

Results:

All parameters related to the patient dose, i.e., fluoroscopy times, number of images, DAP, effective doses, and equivalent doses, show a wide range of values depending on the complexity of the patient case and the experience of the cardiologist. The mean fluoroscopy time, DAP, and values for coronary angiography patients were approximately threefold lower than those for PCI patients; the number of images for CA was half that for PCI. The correlation between effective dose and DAP was excellent for both CA and PCI. The equivalent doses values were in good correlations with DAP values in CA examinations, with Pearson's coefficients ranging from 0.87 (stomach) to 0.99 (skin) and . The same analysis was performed for PCI procedures. In this case, the trends were only slightly worse because “” ranged from 0.70 (stomach) to 0.92 (bone) and . Simple conversion coefficients to estimate equivalent doses to ten critical organs/tissues from DAP values, for both CA and PCI, were provided for avoiding the need to carry out detailed in‐the‐field analysis for all projections and for all patients.

Conclusions:

Measurements in‐the‐field of DAP values were carried out for two common cardiology procedures and effective doses were derived for each technique from detailed analysis of dose and projection data, using conversion factors provided by two different theoretical models. Equivalent doses to organs/tissues were also calculated using conversion factors proposed in the literature for different projections and cumulative conversion factors for ten organs/tissues were estimated.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis embB
Codon 306 Mutations Confer Moderately Increased Resistance to Ethambutol In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Plinke Claudia , Walter Kerstin , Aly Sahar , Ehlers Stefan , Niemann Stefan
Published: March 2011

Ethambutol (EMB) is a major component of the first-line therapy of tuberculosis. Mutations in codon 306 of
embB
(
embB
306) were suggested as a major resistance mechanism in clinical isolates. To directly analyze the impact of individual
embB
306 mutations on EMB resistance, we used allelic exchange experiments to generate
embB
306 mutants of
M. tuberculosis
H37Rv. The level of EMB resistance conferred by particular mutations was measured
in vitro
and
in vivo
after EMB therapy by daily gavage in a mouse model of aerogenic tuberculosis. The wild-type
embB
306 ATG codon was replaced by
embB
306 ATC, ATA, or GTG, respectively. All of the obtained
embB
306 mutants exhibited a 2- to 4-fold increase in EMB MIC compared to the wild-type H37Rv.
In vivo
, the one selected
embB
306 GTG mutant required a higher dose of ethambutol to restrict its growth in the lung compared to wild-type H37Rv. These experiments demonstrate that
embB
306 point mutations enhance the EMB MIC
in vitro
to a moderate, but significant extent, and reduce the efficacy of EMB treatment in the animal model. We propose that conventional EMB susceptibility testing, in combination with
embB
306 genotyping, may guide dose adjustment to avoid clinical treatment failure in these low-level resistant strains.
Role of T Lymphocytes in Liver Abscess Formation by Bacteroides fragilis in Mice
Authors: Chung Doo Ryeon , Park Hye-Rim , Park Chung-Gyu , Hwang Eung-Soo , Cha Chang-Yong
Published: March 2011

The underlying mechanisms of liver abscess formation have not been fully elucidated with regard to the interaction between bacterial virulence factors and the immune response. The objective of this study was to determine the role of the host T cells in liver abscess formation caused byBacteroides fragilis. We developed a liver abscess mouse model with inoculation ofB. fragilisthrough the hepatic portal vein and examined the role of T cells by studying T cell-deficient mice, as well as conducting adoptive T cell transfer experiments. No microabscess was formed in the αβ T cell receptor-positive (αβTCR+) T cell-depleted mice, in contrast to the results for the control mice. In addition, the αβTCR knockout (KO) mice showed significantly lower numbers of microabscesses, and the abscesses were smaller in size than those in the wild-type mice. Adoptive transfer of T cells purified from the wild-type mice into the αβTCR KO mice resulted in liver abscess formation in those mice. These findings suggest that T cells play an essential role in liver abscess formation caused byB. fragilisin mice.
Which growth criteria better predict fetal programming?
Authors: Mattos Sandra S , Chaves Maria Elizabeth C , Costa Suzana Maria Ramos , Ishigami Ana Catarina Matos , Rêgo Sarah Bezerra , Souto Maior Vinicius , Severi Rossana , de Lima Filho José Luiz
Published: March 2011

Objective

To test whether customised (ct) growth criteria are more reliable than standard (st) ones to predict intrauterine insult.

Patients

32 mothers and their singleton term neonates selected as small for gestational age (st-SGA=8) or appropriate for gestational age (st-AGA=24).

Main outcome measures

Nitric oxide, high-sensitive C reactive protein (hs-CRP), uric acid, blood lipids and protein levels were analysed in maternal and cord blood.

Results

Applying customised criteria yielded 16 ct-AGA, 13 ct-SGA and 3 ct-LGA (large for gestational age) babies. Both st-SGA and ct-SGA babies had higher nitric oxide and hs-CRP levels. Their mothers had lower albumin fractions. st-SGA babies also had higher triglyceride and cholesterol levels. ct-LGA babies and mothers had higher uric acid levels, and the mothers had higher triglyceride levels.

Conclusions

Customised growth criteria better identify babies submitted to unfavourable intrauterine environments. The authors suggest that combined with maternal biochemistry, these growth criteria can be used to screen for adversefetal programming.
The efficacy of the 11 and the 11+ in injury prevention and physical fitness improvement on male collegiate football teams
Authors: Saho Y , Suzuki T , Setojima M , Ogai T , Fukubayashi T
Published: March 2011

Background

The 11 and The 11+ are accepted effective injury-prevention training programs for junior football players. However, their impact on physical fitness is unclear.

Objective

To elucidate the effectiveness of The 11 and The 11+A in injury prevention and physical fitness improvement.

Design

A prospective and pre-post intervention study.

Setting

The first division of a Japanese collegiate football league.

Participants

This study included 182 collegiate male football players, who were divided into three groups: The 11 (n=62), The 11+A (n=60) and Control (n=59). 77 players were evaluated for physical fitness.

Interventions

The 11 program, originally developed by FIFA, and The 11+A, by one of the authors, were conducted once or twice a week for 6 months. The 11+A focuses on plyometric training and differs slightly from The 11+.

Main outcome measures

Injury incidence rates during football (game and training), game and training were reported as the number of injuries per 1000 player-hours (PH). Using several field tests (sprint, pro-agility, bounding and balance), each subject's physical fitness level was evaluated prior to and 6 months after training.

Results

The incidence rates during football, game and training were 3.62, 19.18 and 2.58 injuries/PH in the Control group, 2.27, 11.92 and 1.53 injuries/PH in The 11 group and 2.24, 10.75 and 1.75 injuries/PH in The 11+A group, respectively. The injury incidence rate during football was significantly lower in both the training groups than in the Control group (p<0.05). Pro-agility time was significantly decreased in both training groups than in the Control groups (p<0.05). Balance ability improved significantly only in the 11 group (p<0.05).

Conclusion

The 11 and The 11+A were effective in injury prevention and physical fitness improvement.
The adductor squeeze test: which is the optimal test position for eliciting maximum squeeze values and adductor muscle activity?
Authors: Delahunt E , McEntee B L , Kennelly C , Coughlan G F , Green B S
Published: March 2011

Background

Groin injuries are a common occurrence in field based sports that have a high component of twisting and turning activities. The adductor squeeze test is commonly utilised, as a diagnostic and injury screening tool. Currently no reports exist in the published literature, which detail the level of activation of the adductor musculature and concomitant squeeze values during the test positions of the adductor squeeze test which are commonly utilised in a clinical setting.

Objective

The aim of the present study was to investigate the level of adductor musculature surface EMG (SEMG) activity and concomitant squeeze values in a healthy population of male Gaelic games athletes during performance of the adductor squeeze test in the three commonly utilised test positions (ie, 0°, 45°, and 90° of hip flexion).

Setting

University biomechanics laboratory.

Participants

18 male Gaelic games players without any previous or current history of groin or hip injury.

Main outcome measures

Each participant performed three maximal effort repetitions of the adductor squeeze test in the positions of 0°, 45°, and 90° of hip flexion. Bilateral adductor SEMG activity and concomitant squeeze values quantified by a sphygmomanometer were recorded for each test. Repeated measures ANOVA was used to test for differences in the values obtained during each of the three test positions for both SEMG activity and squeeze values.

Results

The greatest amount of adductor muscle activity and squeeze values were observed in the 45° of hip flexion test position.

Conclusion

The results of the present study suggest that the adductor squeeze test performed in a position of 45° of hip flexion is the optimal test position for eliciting maximal adductor muscle activity and squeeze values. Therefore, the 45° of hip flexion test position can be recommended as the optimal test position for injury screening in non-pathological groups.
Injuries in high-level heptathlon and decathlon
Authors: Edouard P , Morin J-B , Pruvost J , Kerspern A
Published: March 2011

Background

Decathlon and heptathlon are track and field disciplines during which participants run, jump, and throw. The training and the competitions are highly demanding from both the physical and psychological standpoints because of the frequency and intensity of the events that could lead to important risk of injury.

Objective

To prospectively determine the frequency, location and types of injuries suffered by the high-level decathletes and heptathletes.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Athletes selected from the combined events French National team for heptathlon or decathlon competitions during the 1994 to 1998 seasons.

Participants

69 international level athletes: 30 heptathletes (21±4 yr, 176±6 cm, 61±4 kg) and 39 decathletes (22±6 yr, 186±6 cm, 80±8 kg).

Main outcome measurements

All injuries were recorded during the 1994 to 1998 seasons. For each injury data, the circumstances of onset (training or competition), the injured body part, the type and the cause of injury were collected.

Results

Among the 69 athletes included in this study, 32 athletes presented a total of 86 injuries. The injured rate was 31.1 injuries per 100 athletes per season. 43% of the injuries occurred during competitions, 30% during training and 27% unknown. In approximately half of the cases, the injuries were caused by overuse (49%), and in the other half by non-contact trauma (43%). The majority of injuries were located on the lower extremity (77%), and 9% on the lower back. The injuries concerned tendons (41%) and muscles (23%). The most common diagnoses were knee tendinopathy (14%), followed by lower leg strain (13%), thigh strain (11%) and Achilles tendinopathy (11%).

Conclusion

Injuries are common in high-level decathletes and heptathletes. Specific preventive measures of the most common injuries (knee and Achilles tendinopathies, lower leg and thigh strains) should be introduced and their effectiveness evaluated by prospective surveillance.
Epidemiology of injuries among elite pre-professional ballet students
Authors: Ekegren C , Quested R , Brodrick A
Published: March 2011

Background

Dancers destined for a career in professional ballet undergo intensive training from a young age and have a reportedly high risk of injury. The extent of this risk is currently unclear as there is a deficiency of high-quality injury surveillance studies in dance.

Objective

To determine the incidence, nature and severity of injuries among a sample of elite pre-professional ballet students and to compare these factors across year level and gender.

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

Three elite pre-professional ballet schools in London, UK.

Participants

266 (107 male) full-time ballet students aged 15–19 years.

Assessment of risk factors

Year level and gender.

Main outcome measurements

Physiotherapists recorded injury details using a standardised database during the 2009–2010 academic year. Injury definition included ‘any dance injury resulting in medical attention and time lost from dance for >1 day beyond the day of injury’. Incidence rate (IR) was reported per 1000 dance exposures (DE=1 performance, rehearsal or class). Injury severity was reported according to time loss and treatments required. Other details collected included type and anatomical location of injury and date and time of onset.

Results

378 recordable injuries were sustained by 203 (76%) dancers over the study period. The IR was 1.9/1000 DEs. There were no significant differences in IRs between genders or between 1st and 2nd year students. However, 1st and 2nd year students had a significantly lower rate of injury than 3rd years (IR ratio 0.63, 95% CI 0.49 to 0.81 and IR ratio 0.75, 95% CI 0.59 to 0.95 respectively).

Conclusion

In comparison with other adolescent athletic populations, participants in this study had a similar injury incidence but a higher risk of injury. Third year students, who perform more than other students, had a higher injury rate than younger dancers. This may suggest that performances carry a higher risk of injury than classes.
Description of plantar pressure distribution in athletes
Authors: Esparza F , Abellàn J , Ibañez P , Ayuso J M Sànchez
Published: March 2011

Background

Lower extremities injuries caused by non-body contact are highly prevalent in sports. Repetitive high loads on the foot could cause these injuries. Plantar pressure refers to the pressure measured on the plantar surface of the foot.

Objective

To measure the plantar pressure in soccer and basketball players.

Design

Descriptive study.

Setting

Soccer and basketball players enrolled in elite division leagues.

Participants

Players were selected from the teams of the Federation of Soccer and Basketball of Murcia.

Interventions

Plantar pressure was assessed with Biofoot/IBV system. This system provides a digital footprint with the pressure distribution according to a colour code.

Main outcome

Footprint was divided into nine areas: 1. Lateral heel, 2. Medial heel, 3. Lateral arch, 4. Medial arch, 5. Medial forefoot, 6. Central forefoot, 7. Lateral forefoot, 8. Hallux, and 9. Lateral toes. Each placer was assessed to detect the peak pressure area.

Results

72 male athletes were assessed, 40 soccer players (mean (SD) age 23.95 (3.62)) and 32 basketball players (mean (SD) age 25.97 (5.52)). 16 of the 40 soccer players (40%) presented the highest pressure in area 6 (central forefoot), in 10 of them (25%) peak pressure was detected in area 8 (hallux), and 8 players (20%) presented the highest pressure in area 5 (medial forefoot). Similarly, in 16 of the 32 basketball players (50%) the peak pressure was detected in area 6, and 8 players (25%) presented the highest pressure in area 8. The value of Peak pressure was equal in both groups.

Conclusion

Both soccer and basketball players show similar plantar pressure distribution. Soccer players present more frequently the peak pressure in the medial forefoot. Further studies should compare the plantar pressure of different sport-related movements.