bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Stability Theory of Belief
Authors: Leitgeb Hannes
Published: April 2014

This essay develops a joint theory of rational (all-or-nothing) belief and degrees of belief. The theory is based on three assumptions: the logical closure of rational belief; the axioms of probability for rational degrees of belief; and the so-called Lockean thesis, in which the concepts of rational belief and rational degree of belief figure simultaneously. In spite of what is commonly believed, this essay will show that this combination of principles is satisfiable (and indeed nontrivially so) and that the principles are jointly satisfied if and only if rational belief is equivalent to the assignment of a stably high rational degree of belief. Although the logical closure of belief and the Lockean thesis are attractive postulates in themselves, initially this may seem like a formal “curiosity”; however, as will be argued in the rest of the essay, a very reasonable theory of rational belief can be built around these principles that is not ad hoc and that has various philosophical features that are plausible independently. In particular, this essay shows that the theory allows for a solution to the Lottery Paradox, and it has nice applications to formal epistemology. The price that is to be paid for this theory is a strong dependency of belief on the context, where a context involves both the agent's degree of belief function and the partitioning or individuation of the underlying possibilities. But as this essay argues, that price seems to be affordable.

This essay develops a joint theory of rational (all-or-nothing) belief and degrees of belief. The theory is based on three assumptions: the logical closure of rational belief; the axioms of probability for rational degrees of belief; and the so-called Lockean thesis, in which the concepts of rational belief and rational degree of belief figure simultaneously. In spite of what is commonly believed, I will show that this combination of principles is satisfiable (and indeed nontrivially so) and that the principles are jointly satisfied if and only if rational belief is equivalent to the assignment of a stably high rational degree of belief. Although the logical closure of belief and the Lockean thesis are attractive postulates in themselves, initially this may seem like a formal “curiosity”; however, as I am going to argue in the rest of the essay, a very reasonable theory of rational belief can be built around these principles that is not ad hoc but that has various philosophical features that are plausible independently.
Periodic convection within littoral lake sediments on the background of seiche‐driven oxygen fluctuations
Authors: Bernhardt Juliane , Kirillin Georgiy , Hupfer Michael
Published: April 2014

Lay Abstract

Sediments at the bottom of lakes are active biogeochemical zones where settled particulate organic matter is decomposed into dissolved compounds. The latter serve as building materials and energy sources for lake organisms. The amount of the dissolved matter released back to the water column determines, in part, the production and activity of lake biota and directly affects dissolved oxygen levels. However, low‐mixing conditions at the water–sediment interface limit the upward flow of dissolved matter from the sediment to the water. Standing internal waves (seiches), which occur, for example, after changes in wind speed or direction and are inherent for thermally stratified lakes, produce horizontal motions of lake water so that cold deep waters climb over warmer sediment along sloped lake bottoms. This process may initiate pore‐water convection—vertical flow of the interstitial water in the sediment—and accelerate the release of dissolved matter into the water column. We investigated pore‐water convection by using vertical heat flux within the upper sediment as an indicator of convective motions. This was achieved using fine‐resolution temperature measurements within the upper sediment of Lake Arendsee, Germany. Our field study demonstrated that cold water flowing over warmer sediment amplified the vertical heat flux within the sediment. The rate of heat flow increase agreed with theoretical estimates, suggesting that it originates from vertical convective motions. The average velocities of these motions were estimated as ∼0.5 mm s−1, penetrating up to 9 cm deep in the sediments and lasting for 2–4 h. The consequences of this hydrodynamic phenomenon for benthic microorganisms and for transport of solutes have yet to be quantified.
Co-activation of microRNAs by Zelda is essential for early Drosophila development
Authors: Fu Shengbo , Nien Chung-Yi , Liang Hsiao-Lan , Rushlow Christine
Published: April 2014

Transcription factors and microRNAs (miRNAs) are two important classes of trans-regulators in differential gene expression. Transcription factors occupy cis-regulatory motifs in DNA to activate or repress gene transcription, whereas miRNAs specifically pair with seed sites in target mRNAs to trigger mRNA decay or inhibit translation. Dynamic spatiotemporal expression patterns of transcription factors and miRNAs during development point to their stage- and tissue-specific functions. Recent studies have focused on miRNA functions during development; however, much remains to explore regarding how the expression of miRNAs is initiated and how dynamic miRNA expression patterns are achieved by transcriptional regulatory networks at different developmental stages. Here, we focused on the identification, regulation and function of miRNAs during the earliest stage of Drosophila development, when the maternal-to-zygotic transition (MZT) takes place. Eleven miRNA clusters comprise the first set of miRNAs activated in the blastoderm embryo. The transcriptional activator Zelda is required for their proper activation and regulation, and Zelda binding observed in genome-wide binding profiles is predictive of enhancer activity. In addition, other blastoderm transcription factors, comprising both activators and repressors, the activities of which are potentiated and coordinated by Zelda, contribute to the accurate temporal and spatial expression of these miRNAs, which are known to function in diverse developmental processes. Although previous genetic studies showed no early phenotypes upon loss of individual miRNAs, our analysis of the miR-1; miR-9a double mutant revealed defects in gastrulation, demonstrating the importance of co-activation of miRNAs by Zelda during the MZT.
A novel mouse model of Warburg Micro Syndrome reveals roles for RAB18 in eye development and organisation of the neuronal cytoskeleton
Authors: Carpanini Sarah M. , McKie Lisa , Thomson Derek , Wright Ann K. , Gordon Sarah L. , Roche Sarah L. , Handley Mark T. , Morrison Harris , Brownstein David , Wishart Thomas M. , Cousin Michael A. , Gillingwater Thomas H. , Aligianis Irene A. , Jackson Ian J.
Published: April 2014

Mutations in RAB18 have been shown to cause the heterogeneous autosomal recessive disorder Warburg Micro syndrome (WARBM). Patients with WARBM present with a range of clinical symptoms including ocular and neurological abnormalities. However, the underlying cellular and molecular pathogenesis of the disorder remains unclear, largely due to the lack of any robust animal models phenocopying both ocular and neurological features of the disease. We report here the generation and characterisation of a novel Rab18 mutant mouse model of WARBM. Rab18 mutant mice are viable and fertile. They present with congenital nuclear cataracts and atonic pupils, recapitulating characteristic ocular features associated with WARBM. In addition, Rab18 mutant cells have an increase in lipid droplet size following treatment with oleic acid. Lipid droplet abnormalities are a characteristic feature of WARBM patient cells, as well as cells from patients with other neurodegenerative conditions. Neurological dysfunction is also apparent in Rab18 mutant mice, including progressive weakness of the hind limbs. We show that the neurological defects are most likely not due to gross perturbations in synaptic vesicle recycling in the central or peripheral nervous system. Rather, loss of Rab18 is associated with widespread disruption of the neuronal cytoskeleton, including abnormal accumulations of neurofilament and microtubule proteins in synaptic terminals and gross disorganisation of the cytoskeleton in peripheral nerves. Global proteomic profiling of peripheral nerve in Rab18 mutant mice reveals significant alterations in several core molecular pathways regulating cytoskeletal dynamics in neurons. The clear similarities between WARBM and the phenotype we describe indicate that the Rab18 mutant mouse provides an important platform for investigating the disease pathogenesis and therapeutic interventions.
Nutrient-driven O-GlcNAc cycling – think globally but act locally
Authors: Harwood Katryn R. , Hanover John A.
Published: April 2014

Proper cellular functioning requires that cellular machinery behave in a spatiotemporally regulated manner in response to global changes in nutrient availability. Mounting evidence suggests that one way this is achieved is through the establishment of physically defined gradients of O-GlcNAcylation (O-linked addition of N-acetylglucosamine to serine and threonine residues) and O-GlcNAc turnover. Because O-GlcNAcylation levels are dependent on the nutrient-responsive hexosamine signaling pathway, this modification is uniquely poised to inform upon the nutritive state of an organism. The enzymes responsible for O-GlcNAc addition and removal are encoded by a single pair of genes: both the O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and the O-GlcNAcase (OGA, also known as MGEA5) genes are alternatively spliced, producing protein variants that are targeted to discrete cellular locations where they must selectively recognize hundreds of protein substrates. Recent reports suggest that in addition to their catalytic functions, OGT and OGA use their multifunctional domains to anchor O-GlcNAc cycling to discrete intracellular sites, thus allowing them to establish gradients of deacetylase, kinase and phosphatase signaling activities. The localized signaling gradients established by targeted O-GlcNAc cycling influence many important cellular processes, including lipid droplet remodeling, mitochondrial functioning, epigenetic control of gene expression and proteostasis. As such, the tethering of the enzymes of O-GlcNAc cycling appears to play a role in ensuring proper spatiotemporal responses to global alterations in nutrient supply.
Critical role for DOK1 in PDGF-BB stimulated glioma cell invasion via p130Cas and Rap1 signalling
Authors: Barrett Angela , Evans Ian M , Frolov Antonina , Britton Gary , Pellet-Many Caroline , Yamaji Maiko , Mehta Vedanta , Bandophadyay Rina , Li Ningning , Brandner Sebastian , Zachary Ian C. , Frankel Paul
Published: April 2014

The mechanisms which regulate tumour cell motility are essential for invasion and metastasis. We report here that PDGF-BB mediated glioma cell invasion and migration are dependent on the adaptor protein Downstream of Kinase 1 (DOK1). DOK1 is expressed in several glioma cell lines, and in tumour biopsies from high grade gliomas. DOK1 becomes tyrosine phosphorylated upon PDGF-BB stimulation of human glioma cells. Knockdown of DOK1, or expression of a DOK1 mutant (DOK1FF) containing Tyr/Phe substitutions at amino acids 362 and 398, resulted in inhibition of PDGF-BB induced p130Cas tyrosine phosphorylation and Rap1 activation. DOK1 co-localises with tyrosine phosphorylated p130Cas at the membrane of PDGF-BB treated cells. Expression of a non-tyrosine phosphorylatable substrate domain mutant of p130Cas (p130Cas15F) inhibited PDGF-BB mediated Rap1 activation. Knockdown of DOK1 and Rap1 expression inhibited PDGF-BB induced chemotactic cell migration, and knockdown of DOK1 and Rap1 expression, and expression of DOK1FF inhibited PDGF mediated 3D spheroid invasion. These data show a critical role for DOK1 in the regulation of PDGF-BB mediated tumour cell motility through a p130Cas/Rap1 signalling pathway.
The Rab-interacting lysosomal protein (RILP) regulates vacuolar ATPase acting on the V1G1 subunit
Authors: De Luca Maria , Cogli Laura , Progida Cinzia , Nisi Veronica , Pascolutti Roberta , Sigismund Sara , Di Fiore Pier Paolo , Bucci Cecilia
Published: April 2014

RILP is a downstream effector of the Rab7 GTPase. GTP-bound Rab7 recruits RILP on endosomal membranes and, together, they control late endocytic traffic, phagosome and autophagosome maturation and are responsible for signaling receptor degradation. We have identified, using different approaches, the V1G1 subunit of the vacuolar ATPase (V-ATPase) as a RILP interacting protein. V1G1 is a component of the peripheral stalk and it is fundamental for correct V-ATPase assembly. We established that RILP regulates the recruitment of V1G1 subunit to late endosomal/lysosomal membranes but also controls V1G1 stability. Indeed, we demonstrated that V1G1 is ubiquitinated and that RILP is responsible for proteasomal degradation of V1G1. Furthermore, we demonstrated that alterations of V1G1 expression levels impair V-ATPase activity. Thus, our data demonstrate for the first time that RILP regulates the activity of the V-ATPase through the interaction with V1G1. Given the importance of V-ATPase in several cellular processes and human diseases, these data suggest that modulation of RILP activity could be used to control V-ATPase function.
Bcl-2 binds to and inhibits ryanodine receptors
Authors: Vervliet Tim , Decrock Elke , Molgó Jordi , Sorrentino Vincenzo , Missiaen Ludwig , Leybaert Luc , De Smedt Humbert , Kasri Nael Nadif , Parys Jan B. , Bultynck Geert
Published: April 2014

The anti-apoptotic B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein not only counteracts apoptosis at the mitochondria by scaffolding pro-apoptotic Bcl-2-family members, but also acts at the endoplasmic reticulum, thereby controlling intracellular Ca2+ dynamics. Bcl-2 inhibits Ca2+ release by targeting the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R). Sequence analysis revealed that the Bcl-2-binding site on the IP3R displays strong homology with a conserved sequence present in all three ryanodine-receptor (RyR) isoforms. We now report that, Bcl-2 co-immunoprecipitated with RyRs in ectopic expression systems and in native rat hippocampi, indicating the existence of endogenous RyR/Bcl-2 complexes. Purified RyR domains containing the putative Bcl-2-binding site bound full-length Bcl-2 in pull-down experiments and interacted with Bcl-2's BH4 domain in surface-plasmon-resonance experiments, suggesting a direct interaction. Exogenous expression of full-length Bcl-2 or electroporation loading of Bcl-2's BH4-domain dampened RyR-mediated Ca2+ release in HEK293 cell models. Finally, introducing the BH4-domain peptide into hippocampal neurons via a patch pipette decreased RyR-mediated Ca2+ release. In conclusion, this study identifies Bcl-2 as a novel inhibitor of RyR-based intracellular Ca2+-release channels.
A Mean-Risk Model for the Traffic Assignment Problem with Stochastic Travel Times
Authors: Nikolova E. , Stier-Moses N. E.
Published: April 2014

Heavy and uncertain traffic conditions exacerbate the commuting experience of millions of people across the globe. When planning important trips, commuters typically add an extra buffer to the expected trip duration to ensure on-time arrival. Motivated by this, we propose a new traffic assignment model that takes into account the stochastic nature of travel times. Our model extends the traditional model of Wardrop competition when uncertainty is present in the network. The focus is on strategic risk-averse users who capture the trade-off between travel times and their variability in a mean-standard deviation objective, defined as the mean travel time plus a risk-aversion factor times the standard deviation of travel time along a path. We consider both infinitesimal users, leading to a nonatomic game, and atomic users, leading to a discrete finite game.

We establish conditions that characterize an equilibrium traffic assignment and find when it exists. The main challenge is posed by the users' risk aversion, since the mean-standard deviation objective is nonconvex and nonseparable, meaning that a path cannot be split as a sum of edge costs. As a result, even an individual user's subproblem—a stochastic shortest path problem—is a nonconvex optimization problem for which no polynomial time algorithms are known. In turn, the mathematical structure of the traffic assignment model with stochastic travel times is fundamentally different from the deterministic counterpart. In particular, an equilibrium characterization requires exponentially many variables, one for each path in the network, since an edge flow has multiple possible path-flow decompositions that are not equivalent. Because of this, characterizing the equilibrium and the socially optimal assignment, which minimizes the total user cost, is more challenging than in the traditional deterministic setting. Nevertheless, we prove that both can be encoded by a representation with just polynomially many paths.

Finally, under the assumption that the standard deviations of travel times are independent from edge loads, we show that the worst-case ratio between the social cost of an equilibrium and that of an optimal solution is not higher than the analogous ratio in the deterministic setting. In other words, uncertainty does not further degrade the system performance in addition to strategic user behavior alone.
Delay-Robust Event Scheduling
Authors: Caprara Alberto , Galli Laura , Stiller Sebastian , Toth Paolo
Published: April 2014

Robust optimisation is a well-established concept to deal with uncertainty. In particular, recovery-robust models are suitable for real-world contexts, where a certain amount of recovery—although limited—is often available. In this paper we describe a general framework to optimise event-based problems against delay propagation. We also present a real-world application to train platforming in the Italian railways in order to show the practical effectiveness of our framework.
Coordinating Inventory Control and Pricing Strategies for Perishable Products
Authors: Chen Xin , Pang Zhan , Pan Limeng
Published: April 2014

We analyze a joint pricing and inventory control problem for a perishable product with a fixed lifetime over a finite horizon. In each period, demand depends on the price of the current period plus an additive random term. Inventories can be intentionally disposed of, and those that reach their lifetime have to be disposed of. The objective is to find a joint pricing, ordering, and disposal policy to maximize the total expected discounted profit over the planning horizon taking into account linear ordering cost, inventory holding and backlogging or lost-sales penalty cost, and disposal cost. Employing the concept of L♮-concavity, we show some monotonicity properties of the optimal policies. Our results shed new light on perishable inventory management, and our approach provides a significantly simpler proof of a classical structural result in the literature. Moreover, we identify bounds on the optimal order-up-to levels and develop an effective heuristic policy. Numerical results show that our heuristic policy performs well in both stationary and nonstationary settings. Finally, we show that our approach also applies to models with random lifetimes and inventory rationing models with multiple demand classes.
Commissioning of primary care orthodontic services
Authors: Chadwick Stephen
Published: April 2014

The recently published Transitional commissioning of primary care orthodontic services represents an opportunity for real engagement between the British Orthodontic Society (BOS), British Dental Association (BDA) and NHS England.
Noggin Expression in the Adult Retina Suggests a Conserved Role during Vertebrate Evolution
Authors: Messina Andrea , Incitti Tania , Bozza Angela , Bozzi Yuri , Casarosa Simona
Published: April 2014

Vertebrates share common mechanisms in the control of development and in the maintenance of neural and retinal function. The secreted factor Noggin, a BMP inhibitor, plays a crucial role in neural induction during embryonic development. Moreover, we have shown its involvement in retinal differentiation of pluripotent cells. Here we show Noggin expression in the adult retina in three vertebrate species. Four Noggin genes are present in zebrafish ( Danio rerio; ZbNog1, 2, 3, 5), three in frog ( Xenopus laevis; XenNog1, 2 and 4), and one in mouse ( Mus musculus; mNog). Quantitative RT-PCR experiments show the presence of ZbNog3 and ZbNog5 mRNAs, but not ZbNog1 and ZbNog2, in the adult zebrafish retina. All three genes are expressed in the frog retina, and mNog in the mouse. Immunohistochemistry data show that Noggin proteins are predominantly localized in the Golgi apparatus of photoreceptors and in the fibers of the outer plexiform layer. Lower expression levels are also found in inner plexiform layer fibers, in ganglion cells, in the ciliary marginal zone, and in retinal pigmented epithelium. Our results show that Noggin has a specific cellular and sub-cellular expression in the adult vertebrate retina, which is conserved during evolution. In addition to its established role during embryonic development, we postulate that Noggin also exerts a functional role in the adult retina.
News Media Channels: Complements or Substitutes? Evidence from Mobile Phone Usage
Authors: Xu Jiao , Forman Chris , Kim Jun B. , Van Ittersum Koert
Published: April 2014

The media industry has undergone a fundamental shift over the past decade as new online distribution channels have proliferated in an unprecedented manner. Although mobile devices have experienced rapid adoption among consumers, their effect on consumer behavior and their subsequent implications for publishers and advertisers have yet to be understood. The authors examine consumers’ news consumption behavior on mobile news websites in response to the introduction of a mobile news app. Pseudo-panel analysis based on repeated cross-sectional data suggests that the introduction of a mobile app by a major national media company leads to a significant increase in demand at the corresponding mobile news website. In addition, the authors report that this effect is greater for consumers with (1) greater appreciation for concentrated news content, (2) stronger propensity for a particular political viewpoint, and (3) fewer time constraints. The results are consistent with the interpretation that the adoption of a provider's news app stimulates corresponding mobile news website visits. The authors discuss the implications of these findings for advertisers, media publishers, and policy makers.
Transatlantic and Transpacific Connections in Early American History
Authors: Yokota Kariann Akemi
Published: April 2014

This article explores America’s earliest engagement with the transpacific world and in particular with China. From the mid-eighteenth century, Americans seeking new economic opportunities considered Asia and the Pacific region important to their development. Taking advantage of their geographical proximity to both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Americans developed ways to connect the two regions. These transoceanic networks of trade proved crucial to the economic and political development of the young United States and set the stage for its future influence in the region.
Pacific Ocean
Authors: Sinn Elizabeth
Published: April 2014

This article takes a broad look at the Pacific Ocean in relation to Chinese migration. As trade, consumption and capital flows followed migrants, powerful networks were woven and sustained; in time, the networks fanned across the Pacific from British Columbia along the West Coast of the United States to New Zealand and Australia. The overlapping personal, family, financial, and commercial interests of Chinese in California and those in Hong Kong, which provide the focus of this study, energized the connections and kept the Pacific busy and dynamic while shaping the development of regions far beyond its shores. The ocean turned into a highway for Chinese seeking Gold Mountain, marking a new era in the history of South China, California, and the Pacific Ocean itself.
Chinese and American Collaborations through Educational Exchange during the Era of Exclusion, 1872–1955
Authors: Hsu Madeline Y.
Published: April 2014

Overlapping communities of American missionaries and higher education administrators and faculty laid the foundations for international education in the United States during the first half-century of that movement’s existence. Their interests and activities in China, in conjunction with Chinese efforts to develop modern educational systems in the early twentieth century, meant that Chinese students featured prominently among foreign students in the United States. Through the education and career of Meng Zhi, an American-educated convert to Christianity, staunch patriot, and long-term director of the China Institute in America, this article examines the transition of international education programs from U.S.-dominated efforts to extend influence overseas to initiatives intended to advance Chinese nationalist projects for modernization.
High Throughput Electrochemical Method for Contact Optimization in Printed Rectifying Diodes
Authors: Heljo Petri S. , Majumdar Himadri S. , Lupo Donald
Published: April 2014

We report a low cost and high throughput electrochemical anodic oxidation method to enhance the metal-semiconductor contact between a silver electrode and an organic semiconductor in a rectifying diode application. The oxidized layer enhances the contact properties, leading to better device performance. Three different anodic oxide thicknesses were used in the study. Current-voltage and AC rectification measurements were used to characterize the printed devices. The DC output voltage of the half-wave rectifier increased consistently as a function of the oxide thickness. This procedure points toward a cost-effective way to optimize printed organic devices.
Direct laser patterning of GaAs(001) surfaces
Authors: Yang Haeyeon
Published: April 2014

Analysis of surface images indicates that GaAs(001) surfaces can be patterned directly by applying interferential irradiation of high power laser pulses on the surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to image the patterned surfaces. The patterned surface shows strips that have the same separation as the interference period used. The direct laser patterning leaves the surface with trenches. The depth of trenches increases with the laser intensity and can be varied from few nanometers to a few hundred nanometers. At low laser intensity, strip shaped mound appears at the both edges of a trench, leaving a plateau area between them. The width of mound increases with the laser intensity, making the plateau area smaller. With a higher laser intensity, the plateau area disappear as the mounds merge together, forming a single strip between the adjacent trenches. AFM images from the patterned surface indicate that direct laser patterning can be used to fabricate nanostructures with a period smaller than that of the interference period as well as the wavelength of the laser used.
Title: Inkjet-printed rectifying metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diodes for flexible electronic applications
Authors: Mitra Kalyan Yoti , Martínez-Domingo Carme , Sowade Enrico , Ramon Eloi , Gomes Henrique Leonel , Baumann Reinhard. R.
Published: April 2014

Inkjet printing is a well-accepted deposition technology for functional materials in the area of printed electronics. It allows the precise deposition of patterned functional layers on both, rigid and flexible substrates. Furthermore, inkjet printing is considered as up-scalable technology towards industrial applications. Many electronic devices manufactured with inkjet printing have been reported in the recent years. Some of the evident examples are capacitors, resistors, organic thin film transistors and rectifying Schottky diodes. [1, 2, 3] In this paper we report on the manufacturing of an inkjet-printed metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) diode on flexible plastic substrate. The structure is comprised of an insulating and a polymeric semiconducting layer sandwiched between two silver electrodes. The current vs. voltage characteristics are rectifying with rectification ratio up to 100 at |4 V|. Furthermore, they can carry high current densities (up to mA/cm2) and have a low capacitance which makes them attractive for high frequency rectifying circuits. They are also an ideal candidate to replace conventional Schottky diodes for which the fabrication remains a challenge. This is because inkjet printing of Schottky diodes require additional processing steps such as intense pulsed light sintering (IPL sintering) [4] or post-treatments at high temperatures. The deposition of two different metal layers using inkjet printing e.g. Cu or Al with Ag is possible. However, the mentioned post treatment technologies might be incompatible with the already existing layer stack– e.g. it could degrade the organic semiconductor or can damage insulator which in this case is present in the MIS diode architecture.
Osstell Resonance Frequency Measurement Values as a Prognostic Factor in Implant Dentistry
Authors: Krafft Tim , Graef Friedrich , Karl Matthias
Published: April 2014

Resonance frequency analysis (RFA) using the Osstell device (Osstell AB, Gothenburg, Sweden) has been advocated for quantifying implant stability on a relative scale of implant stability quotients (ISQ). It was the goal of this prospective clinical study to evaluate whether a certain ISQ level, at the time an implant is placed, correlates with successful osseointegration as some have claimed. Four hundred ninety-five implants (Straumann AG, Basel, Switzerland), varying in length and diameter, were placed in a private practice, strictly adhering to the implant manufacturer's surgical protocol. After placement and after healing periods of 42 days in the mandible and 56 days (implant manufacturer's protocol) in the maxilla, implant stability was measured using RFA. After healing, implants were torqued forward at 35 Ncm and allowed to heal further if the patients felt discomfort. Statistical analysis of the data obtained was based on Welch tests and Kolmogorov-Smirnow tests (level of significance α = 0.05). Results showed that 432 implants were osseointegrated after the predefined healing periods while 8 implants were lost and, in 55 cases, healing was prolonged. Both at insertion (P = .025) and after healing (P < .001), successful implants showed significantly different ISQ values as compared to implant failures or implants with prolonged healing. However, overlapping ISQ distributions at implant insertion demonstrated that there was no correlation among the data that could be used to predict successful osseointegration. Within the limits of this study, the prognostic value of ISQ values appears to be ambiguous.
Less Invasive Surgical Procedures Using Narrow-Diameter Implants: A Prospective Study in 20 Consecutive Patients
Authors: Lambert France Emmanuelle , Lecloux Geoffrey , Grenade Charlotte , Bouhy Alice , Lamy Marc , Rompen Eric Henri
Published: April 2014

Narrow-diameter implants (NDIs) are increasingly produced and used in implant dentistry, especially since the introduction of new, more resistant materials. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the clinical performance of NDIs (3.3 mm) placed in thin alveolar crests. Twenty consecutive patients needing implant-supported fixed partial dentures and presenting an alveolar thickness ≤6 mm were treated with 1 or several NDIs. The surgical protocol was chosen according to the clinical situation: (1) flapless, (2) mini-cervical flap, (3) wide flap, (4) wide flap + guided bone regeneration (GBR). Implants were immediately loaded if the primary stability was higher than 20 Ncm. Implant survival and success, prosthodontic success rates, and patient-centered outcomes were evaluated after a follow-up period of 1 year. A total of 39 implants were placed in 20 patients, 12 and 27 implants in the anterior regions and in the posterior mandible, respectively. All but 1 implant reached an insertion torque higher than 20 Ncm and were loaded within 48 hours. The implant survival and success rates both reached 94.7%. The need for GBR was avoided in 60% of the implant sites. The mean peri-implant bone remodeling after a follow-up period of 1 year was −0.35 mm at the implant level. Peri-implant bone remodeling was higher in the posterior region, when the alveolar crest was thinner than 4 mm and GBR was required in addition. In conclusion, use of NDIs to restore partial edentation in sites with limited horizontal thickness seems to be an effective treatment option that prevented GBR in the majority of the present cases. Immediate provisionalization of NDIs does not seem to impair the results.
Briefing: Urban design evidence
Authors: Childs Mark C.
Published: April 2014

This article presents three ways in which evidence is used in urban design and related fields. Evidence informs design decisions (evidence-based design), is the product of design processes (prototyping) and can be seen as a critical goal of designed places (witnessing). The field of urban design needs to value and continue to refine all three practices.
Vertical Ridge Augmentation Using Allograft and Synthetic Hydroxyapatites After Strategic Extraction
Authors: Naruse Keiichi , Udagawa Nobuyuki , Garg Arun , Nakamura Midori , Nakano Keisuke
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Regeneration of sufficient bone mass for implant therapy is difficult in cases presenting with extensive vertical alveolar resorption, particularly when there is a severe loss of attachment at the distal surface adjacent to the area of vertical alveolar ridge resorption. In this case, sufficient bone augmentation for implant placement was achieved by strategic extraction of the canine. This allowed for vertical bone augmentation to be performed up to the alveolar crest of the distal lateral incisor.

Case Presentation: Clinical and radiographic assessment indicated inadequate bone for the insertion of dental implants. Severe residual ridge bone resorption was observed from the cervical area of the mandibular left canine to the second molar region. Because of extensive resorption in the distal alveolar bone of the mandibular left canine, adequate vertical bone regeneration could not be obtained without extraction. After the site of the extracted canine had healed, non‐resorbable and resorbable hydroxyapatite as well as demineralized freeze‐dried bone allograft were grafted at a ratio of 1:2:2. This was covered with titanium micromesh. A second bone augmentation on the buccal area was performed to achieve a functionally ideal dental arch. A total of 11.8 mm of vertical bone augmentation was achieved, which is a sufficient amount for implant placement. The regenerated bone remained stable at a loading time of >3 years.

Conclusion: This case describes a technique using a strategic extraction to facilitate greater bone height in advanced vertical ridge augmentation without using autogenous bone grafting.
Verruciform Xanthoma in Severe Phenytoin‐Induced Gingival Overgrowth: A Case Report
Authors: El‐Kaissi Abdel‐Magid N.
Published: April 2014

Introduction: Phenytoin is involved in drug‐induced gingival overgrowth (GO), with a prevalence rate reaching 50%. In the literature, tumorigenic implication has been discussed with this form of hyperplasia with considerable controversy. To the author's knowledge, this is the first report since 1971 of a combined phenytoin‐induced hyperplasia with verruciform xanthoma (VX). The importance of differentiating this lesion from classic hyperplasia is emphasized in this case report.

Case Presentation: A 23‐year‐old male presented with an advanced case of GO attributable to prolonged intake of phenytoin. Oral examination showed total coverage of the dentition, with one unusual cauliflower‐like lesion. Surgery was performed and a biopsy was taken. Histopathologic examination revealed the diagnosis of VX. No recurrence of the disease was evident 12 months after therapy.

Conclusions: The definitive pathogenesis of GO and VX is under discussion and some similarities and possible immunologic interactions that might determine the correct sequence of events can be found. The most relevant differential diagnosis of VX is squamous cell carcinoma, which needs to be detected as early as possible. Although no malignancy was found in this case, VX could be a potentially premalignant lesion.
Effective Stress in Unsaturated Silt at Low Degrees of Saturation
Authors: Alsherif N.A. , McCartney J.S.
Published: April 2014

This paper presents an evaluation of the effective stress concept in unsaturated, compacted silt at low degrees of saturation. A set of isothermal, consolidated‐drained triaxial tests was performed on silt specimens under different combinations of total suction and net normal stress. The total suction was controlled using an automated humidity system, and variables monitored during equilibration and shearing include anisotropic volume change, axial displacement, temperature, relative humidity at the top and bottom of the specimen, and the gas pressure difference across the specimen. The results from the triaxial tests were analyzed to examine the applicability of predicting the suction stress characteristic curve (SSCC) using parameters from soil water retention curve (SWRC) models fitted to experimental data obtained at low suction magnitudes. The SSCC predicted from the SWRC at low suctions was found to overpredict the suction stress values at high suctions obtained from back‐extrapolation of the failure envelope to define the tensile strength. However, small adjustments in the fitting of the SWRC were found to provide a better fit between the SSCC and experimental suction stress data. The suction stress defined using the adjusted SWRC was found to provide a good interpretation of the critical state line in terms of mean effective stress over both high and low suction ranges.
A Study of the Effects of the Ice-Microphysics, Surface Friction, and Surface Heat Flux on Tropical Cyclone Formation§
Authors: Yamasaki Masanori¶
Published: April 2014

This paper describes results from numerical experiments which have been performed to understand the effects of the ice microphysics, surface friction, and surface heat flux on tropical cyclone (TC) formation. This study uses the author’s non-hydrostatic model that intends to resolve cumulus convection. However, the horizontal grid size is taken to be somewhat large; 2 km in an area of 600 km x 600 km. A non-uniform coarse grid is used in the surrounding area with 4,000-km square. Several buoyancy perturbations arranged in the west-east direction, and a weak vortex with the maximum wind speed of 5 m s–1 are given at the initial time of the numerical time integrations.

It is confirmed from two numerical experiments with and without ice microphysics that the development of a vortex is slower, and TC formation is delayed, in the presence of ice microphysics. It is also confirmed that a vortex can develop even without surface friction. It is shown that a strong vortex with the maximum wind speed of 20~25 m s–1 can be obtained. As expected, however, no eye forms, and further development does not occur. That is, it is confirmed that surface friction is indispensable to eye formation and a very strong TC having an eye. As for the third concern of this study, it is shown that a vortex with the maximum wind speed of about 5 m s–1 does not develop in the absence of the surface heat flux. That is, the surface heat flux plays an important role even in a weak vortex. Important backgrounds and understandings that are concerned with these results are described, based on studies on TCs in the past 50 years.
New trends in food- and waterborne viral outbreaks
Authors: Radin Dragoslava
Published: April 2014

Current trends in food- and waterborne viral diseases have been reviewed.
Awareness and surveillance of viral food and waterborne pathogens is
generally not sufficient, with emphasis placed on noroviruses, hepatitis A
virus, rotaviruses and newly emerging viruses. In addition, previously
unknown food-borne pathogens, many of which are zoonotic, are constantly
emerging. Food can be contaminated with a virus either at the source via
contaminated water, or at the point of service by infected food handlers.
Viruses can spread by water, direct person-to-person contact, airborne
droplets or vomit, and they can persist in the environment as a source of
continuing infection despite disinfection efforts. Food production and supply
practices change, and food-borne pathogens seem able to exploit novel
opportunities, for example fresh produce, and generate new food safety and
public health challenges.
Listeria monocytogenes isolated in ready-to-eat food in South Backa region of Vojvodina province, Serbia
Authors: Gusman Vera , Medic Deana , Jelesic Zora , Mihajlovic-Ukropina Mira , Milosevic Vesna , Povazan Anika
Published: April 2014

Listeria monocytogenes is pathogenic bacterium that can contaminate food
products during and after processing. As ready-to-eat food does not undergo
any treatment to ensure its safety before consumption, the risk of foodborne
disease must be considered if this pathogen is present in the food. As
diseases caused by contaminated food are an important public health problem
today, the aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Listeria
monocytogenes in different ready-to-eat food products. In the seven-month
period from June 1 to December 31, 2011, a total of 1 380 food samples were
examined in the Division of Sanitary Bacteriology, Center for Microbiology,
Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina in Novi Sad. A total of 912 samples
were analyzed for the presence of Listeria monocytogenes according to ISO
11290-2. The identity of suspected Listeria monocytogenes was confirmed using
the VITEK 2 Compact system (BioMerieux, France). Out of 912 samples, Listeria
monocytogenes was detected in 18 (1.97%). Listeria monocytogenes was mostly
found in cooked meals (in 6 samples out of 18), sandwiches (4 samples) and
frozen food, such as ice-cream and frozen vegetables (4 samples). It was also
found in tofu bread spreads (2 samples), cream cheese (1 sample) and cakes (1
sample). The presence of Listeria monocytogenes in some ready-to-eat food
could present a public health hazard, particularly to the high-risk
population group, because of the high mortality rate associated with
listeriosis and the widespread nature of the organism. Monitoring of
listeriosis is essential to prevent foodborne outbreaks, and in assessing
human health risk in ready-to-eat foods.
The application of autochthonous potential of probiotic lactobacillus plantarum 564 in fish oil fortified yoghurt production
Authors: Radulovic Zorica , Paunovic Dusanka , Petrusic Milica , Mirkovic N. , Miocinovic Jelena , Kekus D. , Obradovic D.
Published: April 2014

The objective of this work was to investigate the survival of autochthonous,
potentially probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus plantarum 564, and the influence
of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid omega-3 (omega-3 PUFA) fish oil
fortification on the sensory quality of yoghurt. Three variants of yoghurt
were produced using starter cultures of Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp.
bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus (Chr. Hansen, Denmark), and the
potentially probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum 564 (Culture Collection of the
Department for Industrial Microbiology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of
Belgrade) as follows: (1) without omega-3 PUFA; (2) with 100 mg/l omega-3
PUFA; and (3) with 200mg/l omega-3 PUFA. The survival of potential probiotic
Lb. plantarum 564, the changes of starter bacteria counts, changes of pH
values, as well as sensory evaluation, were examined during 3 weeks of
yoghurt storage. Cells of Lb. plantarum 564 were maintained at >108 cfug?1.
Starter bacteria counts were >107 cfug?1 for streptococci and >106 cfug?1 for
lactobacilli. The changes of pH were within normal pH of fermented milks.
Sensory evaluation showed that all variants of yoghurt produced with Lb.
plantarum 564 and 2 concentrations of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids had
a high sensory quality (above 90% of maximal quality), and which did not
change significantly throughout the examined storage period. Although the
sensory quality of the control sample was evaluated as better, the
experimental samples fortified with fish oil were also characterized with
very acceptable sensory properties. Results of high viability of potential
probiotic Lb. plantarum 564, as well as very acceptable yoghurt sensory
properties, indicate that this strain can be successfully used in the
production of yoghurt fortified with PUFA omega-3 fish oil as a new
functional dairy product.
Molecular and biochemical characterization of Pseudomonas putida isolated from bottled uncarbonated mineral drinking water
Authors: Tasic S. , Kojic M. , Obradovic D. , Tasic Irena
Published: April 2014

Pseudomonas putida belongs to a group of opportunistic pathogens that can
cause disease in people with weakened or damaged immune systems. Some
strains have medical significance, and for most ingestion is not the primary
route of infection. If water used by predisposed subjects is contaminated by
P. putida, they may become ill. The aim of this work was the biochemical and
molecular characterization of strain ST3 of P. putida isolated from
non-carbonated bottled drinking water from Jakov Do 4 on Mt. Vlasina.
Characterization of P. putida was performed to assess the risk to human
health of the indigenous strains present in the water. Biochemical
characterization of strains was performed using the manual identification
system ID 32 GN (BioM?rieux). Identification was obtained using the database
identification software ATB System (Bio-M?rieux). Molecular characterization
was performed by PCR amplification and 16S rDNA ?thermal cycling
sequencing?. Biochemical identification of the strain ST3 was accurate (Id =
99.8%). Comparing the sequences obtained for strain ST3 with NCBI gene bank
sequences for 16S rRNA, the highest similarity of our strain (96% identity)
with a strain of P. putida, designated as biotype A
(gi|18076625|emb|AJ308311.1|.PPU308311) isolated in New Zealand, was
obtained. While comparison with the NCBI collection of all deposited
sequences showed that the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain ST3 has very high
homology, it is not identical, indicating indirectly that strain ST3 is an
indigenous strain.

 This article has been corrected. Link to the correction 10.2298/ABS151023125E
Influenza A and B viruses in the population of Vojvodina, Serbia
Authors: Radovanov J. , Milosevic V. , Hrnjakovic I. , Petrovic V. , Ristic M. , Elez I. , Petrovic T. , Stefan-Mikic S. , Patic A. , Jovanovic-Galovic A. , Djilas M.
Published: April 2014

At present, two influenza A viruses, H1N1pdm09 and H3N2, along with influenza
B virus co-circulate in the human population, causing endemic and seasonal
epidemic acute febrile respiratory infections, sometimes with
life-threatening complications. Detection of influenza viruses in
nasopharyngeal swab samples was done by real-time RT-PCR. There were 60.2%
(53/88) positive samples in 2010/11, 63.4% (52/82) in 2011/12, and 49.9%
(184/369) in 2012/13. Among the positive patients, influenza A viruses were
predominant during the first two seasons, while influenza B type was more
active during 2012/13. Subtyping of influenza A positive samples revealed the
presence of A (H1N1)pdm09 in 2010/11, A (H3N2) in 2011/12, while in 2012/13,
both subtypes were detected. The highest seroprevalence against influenza A
was in the age-group 30-64, and against influenza B in adults aged 30-64 and
>65.