bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Simultaneous phacoemulsification, lens implantation and endothelial keratoplasty: Triple procedure
Authors: Nikolic Ljubisa , Jovanovic Vesna
Published: September 2011

Introduction. Simultaneous Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty,
phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation are indicated in
Fuchs? dystrophy with associated cataract. Compared to the standard method of
the triple procedure which includes penetrating keratoplasty, this new method
has the advantages of sutureless surgery, small limbal incision, faster
recovery, less surface problems, less astigmatism, stronger tensile strength
and more predictable calculation of the intraocular lens power. This is the
first report of such a combination of procedures in our literature. Case
report. A 76-year-old woman suffered from a gradual bilateral visual loss.
The best corrected visual acuity was 20/60 (right eye) and finger counting at
1m (left eye). Corneal thickness was 590 ?m and 603 ?m, respectively. A
marked cornea guttata and nuclear cataract were present in both eyes.
Phacoemulsification, lens implantation, and Descemet stripping were done in
the left eye. The posterior lamellar corneal graft, 8.0 mm in diameter and
about 150 ?m thick, was bent and inserted through the limbal incision. The
air was injected into the anterior chamber to attach the graft to the
recipient stroma. The cornea remained clear, and the transplant was attached
during a two-year follow-up. Visual acuity was 20/40 after two months, and
20/25 after one year. Conclusion. The new technique proved itself as a good
choice for the treatment of a mild Fuchs? dystrophy associated with cataract.
Cuckoo chicks evicting their nest mates: coincidental observations by Edward Jenner in England and Antoine Joseph Lottinger in France
Authors: Sealy Spencer G. , Guigueno Mélanie F.
Published: September 2011

For centuries, naturalists were aware that soon after hatching the common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) chick became the sole occupant of the fosterer's nest. Most naturalists thought the adult cuckoo returned to the nest and removed or ate the fosterer's eggs and young, or the cuckoo chick crowded its nest mates out of the nest. Edward Jenner published the first description of cuckoo chicks evicting eggs and young over the side of the nest. Jenner's observations, made in England in 1786 and 1787, were published by the Royal Society of London in 1788. Four years before Jenner's observations, in 1782, Antoine Joseph Lottinger recorded eviction behaviour in France and published his observations in Histoire du coucou d'Europe, in 1795. The importance of Lottinger's and Jenner's observations is considered together.
NS3 Protease Polymorphism and Natural Resistance to Protease Inhibitors in French Patients Infected with HCV Genotypes 1–5
Authors:   the ANRS AC11 HCV Group, Vallet Sophie , Viron Florent , Henquell Cecile , Le Guillou-Guillemette Helene , Lagathu Giséle , Abravanel Florence , Trimoulet Pascale , Soussan Patrick , Schvoerer Evelyne , Rosenberg Arielle , Gouriou Stephanie , Colson Philippe , Izopet Jacques , Payan Christopher
Published: September 2011

Background

Resistant HCV populations may pre-exist in patients before NS3 protease inhibitor therapy and would likely be selected under specific antiviral pressure. The higher prevalence and lower rate of response to treatment associated with HCV genotype 1 infections has led to drug discovery efforts being focused primarily on enzymes produced by this genotype. Protease inhibitors may also be useful for non-genotype-1-infected patients, notably for non-responders.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence of dominant resistance mutations and polymorphism in 298 HCV pro-tease-inhibitor-naive patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. Genotype-specific NS3 primers were designed to amplify and sequence the NS3 protease gene.

Results

None of the 233 analysed sequences contained major telaprevir (TVR) or boceprevir (BOC) resistance mutations (R155K/T/M, A156S/V/T and V170A). Some substitutions (V36L, T54S, Q80K/R, D168Q and V170T) linked to low or moderate decreases in HCV sensitivity to protease inhibitors were prevalent according to genotype (between 2% and 100%). Other than genotype signature mutations at positions 36, 80 and 168, the most frequent substitution was T54S (4 genotype 1 and 2 genotype 4 sequences). All genotype 2–5 sequences had the non-genotype-1 signature V36L mutation known to confer low-level resistance to both TVR and BOC.

Conclusions

We have developed an HCV protease NS3 inhibitor resistance genotyping tool suitable for use with HCV genotypes 1–5. Polymorphism data is valuable for interpreting genotypic resistance profiles in cases of failure of anti-HCV NS3 protease treatment.
Pharmacokinetics of Abacavir and its Anabolite Carbovir Triphosphate without and with Darunavir/ Ritonavir or Raltegravir in HIV-Infected Subjects
Authors: Jackson Akil , Moyle Graeme , Dickinson Laura , Back David , Khoo Saye , Taylor Jessica , Gedela Keerti , Abongomera George , Gazzard Brian , Boffito Marta
Published: September 2011

Background

Here, we aimed to investigate the pharmacokinetics of abacavir and carbovir triphosphate (CBV-TP) with darunavir/ritonavir 900/100 mg once daily or raltegravir 400 mg twice daily.

Methods

HIV-infected subjects on abacavir (600 mg once daily) underwent steady-state pharmacokinetic assessments without and with darunavir/ritonavir or raltegravir. Within-subject changes in plasma and intracellular pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated by geometric mean ratios (GMRs) and 90% CIs.

Results

A total of 19 patients completed the study. With darunavir/ritonavir (versus abacavir alone), abacavir GMRs (90% CI) were 0.73 (0.66, 0.80), 0.62 (0.50, 0.77) and 0.78 (0.69, 0.87) for area under the curve (AUC), trough concentration (Ctrough) and maximum concentration (Cmax), respectively. With raltegravir, they were 1.03 (0.97, 1.10), 0.83 (0.62, 1.11) and 1.06 (0.95, 1.18), respectively. Intracellular CBV-TP GMRs (90% CI) were 0.88 (0.72, 1.07), 0.68 (0.48, 0.95) and 0.98 (0.79, 1.23) for AUC, Ctrough and Cmax, respectively, with darunavir/ritonavir, and 0.96 (0.76, 1.20), 0.57 (0.33, 1.00) and 1.07 (0.85, 1.35), respectively, with raltegravir.

Conclusions

There was a 27% decrease in abacavir plasma exposure with darunavir/ritonavir and no changes with raltegravir. CBV-TP Ctrough was significantly decreased with darunavir/ritonavir (32%) and showed a high inter-individual variability with raltegravir.
Transatlantic Football: Rethinking the Transfer of Football from Europe to the usa, c.1880-c.1930s
Authors: Taylor Matthew
Published: September 2011

Le transfert du football d’une rive à l’autre de l’Atlantique entre 1880 et 1930 Le football associatif a souvent été discrédité, considéré comme une représentation marginale de la culture sportive des États-Unis. Conventionnellement regardé comme un sport d'étrangers et d'immigrés, son apparente difficulté à se mesurer au baseball et au gridiron football, emblèmes de l'identité américaine, a confirmé que peu de recherches ont été faites sur son développement dans les décennies qui suivirent son transfert initial. Cet article présente une nouvelle perspective de la diffusion du football de l'Europe aux États-Unis en se concentrant à la fois sur son transfert à long terme et sur les réseaux et les échanges transnationaux si importants alors dans la formation du jeu américain. Fondé sur une vaste analyse de la littérature universitaire et populaire existante et sur l'étude de sources journalistiques sélectionnées, il rejette la catégorisation simpliste du soccer comme étant « non américain ». Il montre, au contraire, comment l'aspect transnational du jeu lui permet de faire appel de différentes façons aux identités complexes et changeantes qui ont défini la société américaine avant la Seconde Guerre mondiale.
Le rodéo américain sur la frontière du sport et de la tauromachie, ou de la diffusion considérée comme un système de transformations
Authors: Saumade Frédéric
Published: September 2011

Se fondant sur l'exemple de la genèse et de la diffusion du rodéo en Amérique, cet article met en évidence la complexité des processus d'influence et de recomposition au sein d'un univers moderne où les puissances impériales européennes à l'origine des spectacles sportifs se sont à la fois affrontées et interpénétrées. L'auteur peut ainsi remettre radicalement en cause la théorie évolutionniste et diffusionniste du sport, centrée sur l'Angleterre comme « foyer de civilisation », que Norbert Elias a imposée comme paradigme.
La diffusion spatiale à l'épreuve des rodéos
Authors: Maudet Jean-Baptiste
Published: September 2011

La corrida et le rodéo, à travers les transformations qui les relient, attestent d'un phénomène singulier de diffusion spatiale des pratiques. Ce phénomène cadre mal avec les théories de la diffusion spatiale inspirées d'Hägerstrand, abondamment utilisées en géographie dans l'analyse de la diffusion des sports. Dans le cas des rodéos, la diffusion et la transformation des pratiques s'opèrent à partir d'une hybridation, géographiquement variable, de la corrida ibérique et des techniques d'élevage.
Très petite entreprise et croissance : à la découverte d'un continent inexploré
Authors: Arlotto Jacques , Cyr André , Meier Olivier , Pacitto Jean-Claude
Published: September 2011

Résumé La focalisation sur les PME à forte croissance, les fameuses gazelles de Birch (1987), a entraîné un effet pervers redoutable : celui de penser que l’essentiel de la croissance de l’emploi était assuré par un pourcentage réduit de PME et que ces PME étaient pour l’essentiel des moyennes entreprises. La conséquence a été une marginalisation des « souris » (les petites entreprises) et encore plus des très petites entreprises ou bien un intérêt porté aux seules petites entreprises technologiquement innovantes nouvellement créées. Aussi, on est que très mal renseigné sur les processus de croissance interne à l’œuvre dans les TPE qui constituent la très grande majorité des PME. Notre travail visera donc à faire le point sur l’état des connaissances sur ce thème et dans les TPE de même qu’à ouvrir des pistes de recherche susceptibles, à terme, d’alimenter le stock de connaissances sur cette question. Plutôt que de nous concentrer sur les seuls facteurs de la croissance nous avons voulu explorer les éléments déclencheurs de celle-ci. Il nous a paru aussi nécessaire dans cet état des lieux de faire le point sur un certain nombre d’assertions qui à force d’être répétées ont fini par devenir des certitudes comme par exemple le rôle joué par les territoires ou le profil des dirigeants. Notre étude visera donc à répondre à une interrogation : qu’est-ce qui fait qu’à un moment donné une TPE croît ? Et à contrario pourquoi une majorité d’entre elles ne croissent pas. Ce sont donc tous les mécanismes de la croissance des TPE que nous souhaitons explorer.
Stratégie et structuration des trajectoires d'hyper croissance des PME. Une étude de cas comparative
Authors: Chanut-Guieu Cécile , Guieu Gilles
Published: September 2011

Résumé Les gazelles constituent un enjeu tant théorique qu’économique. A partir d’un comparatif de cinq PME à forte croissance des régions Rhône-Alpes et PACA, une lecture processuelle des trajectoires d’hyper croissance est proposée. Les trajectoires sont multiples, mais présentent trois points communs : des dirigeants volontaires, indépendants, confiants ; une géographie articulant centre et périphérie ; une structuration fonctionnelle tardive, mais rapide.
Revenue management : fermeture d'allotements et coût d'opportunité dans le tourisme B to B
Authors: Kaswengi Joseph
Published: September 2011

Résumé Le coût d’opportunité et le B2B restent des sujets moins clairs en revenue management. Cet article étudie l’impact des allotements fermés sur le coût d’opportunité dans le tourisme B2B . Sur un échantillon de 132 hôtels et un tour opérateur français au cours de la période 2006-2007, les résultats montrent que le coût d’opportunité est associé positivement et significativement à la fermeture d’allotements, au lieu et à la catégorie d’un service à forte demande.
GRH et encadrement au féminin : cas d'une PME marocaine
Authors: Igalens Jacques , Louitri Abdenbi , Sahraoui Doha
Published: September 2011

Résumé L’objectif de cet article est d’explorer la place des femmes dans les PME, comme une nouvelle piste de réflexion à l’intégration des femmes aux postes de Management. Les PME par leurs mécanismes et structures souples et adaptatives pourraient offrir un meilleur cadre de travail pour les femmes. Dans ce sens nous explorons les spécificités d’une PME marocaine qui a réussi cette intégration.
Développement durable et management des PME : une analyse en termes de proximité. Illustration par un cas du secteur Textile-Habillement
Authors: Hattabou Anas , Louitri Abdenbi
Published: September 2011

Résumé Le défi posé par le développement durable et la RSE aux PME crée un contexte de changement rapide qui, pour y faire face, implique la mise en œuvre de normes et des modes de management contre-nature du modèle classique de la PME. Cette communication propose une conceptualisation des rapports entre développement durable et management des PME. Nous recensons tout d’abord la difficulté de trois corps de travaux dominants pour aborder cette question. Nous proposons alors le concept de proximité pour articuler la problématique du développement durable avec les spécificités de gestion des PME. Dans une seconde partie, nous présentons les résultats d’une étude de cas menée au sein d’une PME du secteur textile. L’analyse suggère la nécessité d’une approche différenciée en fonction de la complexité de la gestion des enjeux sociaux et environnementaux, de la nature des ressources et expertises à mobiliser et, enfin, de la nature des rapports entretenus avec les parties prenantes. En termes de perspectives, nous soulignons l’intérêt d’interroger l’impact des effets de proximité sur la performance des PME en matière de développement durable.
Diversité dans l'entreprise : d'impératif éthique à levier de créativité
Authors: Bruna Maria Giuseppina
Published: September 2011

Résumé Cet article questionne la véridicité et analyse le déploiement - plus logique que chronologique - des arguments - éthico-juridiques et économiques - mobilisés pour sous-tendre, crédibiliser et supporter la dissémination de la politique diversité dans le champ professionnel. Dans une République universaliste ne reconnaissant ni minorités ni communautés, la question de la diversité a d’abord été appréhendée sous le prisme de l’égalité. Promouvoir la diversité revenait pour l’entreprise à réinvestir sa mission d’intégration sociale par le travail (I). Au fil du temps, le discours pro-diversité allait s’enrichir de connotations économiques, traduisant ainsi le passage d’un impératif partiellement exogène à l’entreprise (exigence morale, injonction légale) à un enjeu endogène de développement de l’organisation (vecteur de performance managériale et commerciale, levier de créativité). D’où la nécessité de questionner scientifiquement l’impact de la diversité sur la performance économique, en s’intéressant aux dimensions managériales, commerciales et productives (II). Erigé en pierre-angulaire de l’argumentaire pro-diversité, l’impact - présumé positif - d’une diversification du profil des collaborateurs sur la créativité de leurs équipes d’appartenance mérite que l’on s’y attarde (III).
George Kelly's Repertory grids in Social Constructionist research in the French Context
Authors: Klapper Rita G.
Published: September 2011

Résumé Cet article introduit ‘repertory grids’, un outil de la psychologie cognitive, développé par George Kelly comme technique en recherche entrepreneuriale dans le paradigme du Social Constructionisme. L’article est d’une nature théorique, mais l’auteur a expérimentés les grilles dans le cadre d’un projet de recherche doctoral de 4 ans. Le focus de cette recherche était les réseaux entrepreneuriales dans le contexte français. Repertory grids étaient aussi récemment intégrées dans de cadre de l’enseignement entrepreneurial en France et à l’international.
Modèles et management : le cycle CDEPM de construction et d'évaluation de la connaissance
Authors: Magne Laurent
Published: September 2011

Résumé Afin de dépasser certains problèmes épistémologiques classiques, nous proposons une justification et une illustration du modèle CDEPM de Magne (2009) du processus de création de modèles en un cycle de 5 étapes de construction et d’évaluation de la connaissance (Comprendre, Décrire, Expliquer, Prédire, Maîtriser ou CDEPM). Il permet aux chercheurs et aux praticiens d’expliciter la ou les finalités de leurs modèles et donc d’en tester les propriétés, afin de les améliorer, de les rendre plus robustes. Deux études de modèles classiques (Hawthorne et le néo-institutionnalisme sociologique) permettent d’illustrer sa logique et sa pertinence.
Pour une épistémologie du risque
Authors: Pesqueux Yvon
Published: September 2011

Résumé Parler de risque nécessite de définir ce dont il est question et il faut souligner la prolifération actuelle des risques « à épithète ». La notion de risque peut être considérée comme un « objet frontière », c’est-à-dire une référence qui peut circuler à l’intérieur de plusieurs communautés en conservant le même nom sans pour autant recouvrir les mêmes « réalités » sans qu’elles ne soient pour autant disjonctives. Elle permettrait ainsi de satisfaire aux « besoins » informationnels et de compréhension de différentes communautés de pensée en étant utilisée de manière à la fois robuste et flexible tant à l’intérieur qu’à l’extérieur de celles-ci, tenant aussi bien à la fois du concret que de l’abstrait.
Comparison of Residual Stromal Bed Thickness Measurement Among Very High-frequency Digital Ultrasound, Intraoperative Handheld Ultrasound, and Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Reinstein Dan Z. , Archer Timothy J. , Gobbe Marine
Published: September 2011

PURPOSE:

To compare residual stromal thickness (RST) measurement by three methods: very high-frequency digital ultrasound (VHFDU), intraoperative handheld ultrasound (US), and optical coherence tomography (OCT).

METHODS:

This was a retrospective analysis of 93 eyes (55 patients) that underwent LASIK retreatment by flap lift where VHFDU and OCT measurements were obtained before the retreatment and intraoperative US RST measurement was performed after lifting the flap. Corneal vertex RST measurements for intraoperative US and OCT were compared with the VHFDU measurement. Linear regression and Bland-Altman analysis were performed.

RESULTS:

Mean corneal vertex RST was 327±53 μm for VHFDU, 338±54 μm for intraoperative US, and 326±43 μm for OCT. Mean difference between VHFDU and intraoperative US was 11±11 μm (range: −12 to 46 μm). Mean difference between VHFDU and OCT was −2±23 μm (range: −53 to 57 μm). The coefficient of determination (R
2
) was 0.96 between VHFDU and intraoperative US and 0.82 between VHFDU and OCT. Intraoperative US was on average 11 μm thicker than VHFDU independent of RST value. Optical coherence tomography was on average thicker than VHFDU for low RST values (250 to 300 μm) and thinner than VHFDU for high RST values (>350 μm). The RST was thicker than VHFDU by >10 μm in 50% and >20 μm in 21% of eyes measured with intraoperative US and by >10 μm in 32% and >20 μm in 18% of eyes measured with OCT.

CONCLUSIONS:

Residual stromal thickness measured by both intraoperative US and OCT was thicker than VHFDU in a significant number of eyes, which could have resulted in retreatment being performed in an eye with insufficient RST.
Finite Element Analysis of Blunt Foreign Body Impact on the Cornea After PRK and LASIK
Authors: Mousavi Seyed Jamaleddin , Nassiri Nariman , Masoumi Nafiseh , Nassiri Nader , Majdi-N Mercede , Farzaneh Solmaz , Djalilian Ali R. , Peyman Gholam A.
Published: September 2011

PURPOSE:

To investigate the effect of blunt foreign body impact on a human cornea after photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) and LASIK using a simulation model.

METHODS:

Computational simulations were performed using a finite element analysis program (LS-Dyna, Livermore Software Technology Corp). The blunt foreign body was set to impact at the center of the corneal surface models (after PRK and LASIK) with thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm. Corneal rupture was assumed to occur at a peak stress of 9.45 MPa and at a strain of 18%. The foreign body projectile was blunt in shape, made from aluminum, contained plastic-kinematic properties, and had a density of 2700 kg/m
3
.

RESULTS:

The projectile was launched at the center of the cornea with velocities ranging from 20 to 60 m/s. The threshold of impact velocities creating rupture in corneal thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm were 33, 32.8, 30.7, 27.9, and 22.8 m/s, respectively, in the PRK model. In the LASIK model, the thresholds creating rupture in the stromal bed of the corneas with thicknesses of 500, 450, 400, 350, and 300 μm were 40, 38.1, 35.6, 31.5, and 26.7 m/s, respectively. The 110-μm corneal flap in the LASIK model ruptured at all velocities.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ruptures occurred at lower velocities in the PRK cornea model than in the corneal stromal bed of the LASIK model following blunt foreign body impact.
Evaluating the Quality of Social Media in an Educational Context
Authors: Silius Kirsi , Kailanto Meri , Tervakari Anne-Maritta
Published: September 2011

Social media enhanced learning systems bring new challenges to evaluate learning environments. Many features are common with any web-based services and can be evaluated with common criteria. But with social media services users can also contribute content, change opinions and create communities for different needs, which bring new dimensions to a quality evaluation. This research focused on finding out which are the most important characters and functions in social media enhanced learning system in the context of higher education. The paper also reports the former research results that were used as a background for this study. Earlier researches were carried out in 2008-2009 and they focused on how to evaluate social media services, what are the studentsâ?? expectations and what motivates them to use social media services in higher educational context.
Le roi, la Cour et les sciences en France, xviie-xviiie siècles
Authors: Grell Chantal
Published: September 2011

La cour de France n’a jamais eu la réputation d’être une cour « scientifique », ni aux yeux des contemporains, ni aux yeux des historiens. Le grand âge des « cours scientifiques » semble d’ailleurs révolu lorsque la cour de France s’installe à Versailles. En France, la grande institution où se fait la recherche, dans tous les domaines de la science, est l’Académie royale des sciences, créée par Colbert en 1666. Il existe une ample bibliographie sur l’Académie des sciences, sur l’évolution des sciences et sur les savants eux-mêmes ; les rois de France, la Cour et Versailles ont fait l’objet de publications plus nombreuses encore. Mais au-delà du mécénat princier dans ses formes variées, le lien entre le pouvoir et le savoir – qui évolue d’ailleurs au cours de ce siècle et demi – n’a pas été envisagé à travers le prisme de la cour, sinon à l’occasion de cette exposition. Aussi n’est-il pas possible de dresser un état des lieux, mais seulement d’esquisser quelques réflexions sur un sujet dont il convient de définir les contours, et sur des recherches qui restent, en grande partie, à réaliser. On s’interrogera, entre autres, sur les valeurs et les idéaux sociaux qui ont présidé, dans le cadre versaillais, à la rencontre de la Cour et des sciences ; sur les interactions entre sciences et vie curiale ; sur les choix des rois, des ministres, des savants, et les enjeux qu’ils recouvrent ; sur la manière dont l’existence même de la Cour a pu, au-delà de la théâtralisation, de la mise en scène et des besoins concrets, influer sur le contenu même des sciences.L’intitulé de l’exposition, qui associe « sciences » et « curiosités », est paradoxal. Le terme de « curiosités » évoque les cabinets qui eurent la faveur des princes, allemands ou italiens notamment, de la Renaissance, et se rapporte à un type de savoir déjà dépassé, à l’âge de la « révolution scientifique ». « Sciences », en revanche, est à prendre dans son acception actuelle, et désigne les différentes disciplines qui s’individualisèrent lorsque prévalut la nouvelle conception du monde : mathématiques, physique, botanique, astronomie… L’association de ces deux termes suppose une tension : est-elle seulement liée à l’évolution du savoir scientifique ? Ou la Cour fut-elle elle-même une source de tensions, voire de contradictions, entre différentes conceptions de la science ?
Survey of the livestock ticks of the North West province, South Africa
Authors: Spickett Arthur M. , Heyne I. Heloise , Williams Roy
Published: September 2011

Ticks, as vectors of disease and damage agents, impact directly and indirectly on the economy of the livestock industry in southern Africa. This study surveyed the occurrence and distribution of ticks infesting livestock across the North West province, South Africa. During three phases in consecutive years, officers of the provincial Veterinary Department collected specimens monthly from livestock hosts at specified sites across the province. Data analysis constituted the fourth phase of the study. A total of 1090 collections from 265 sites yielded 42 566 tick specimens, comprising 22 different tick species (18 ixodids, 4 argasids). The specimens represent all of the major tick vectors of disease that occur in South Africa. The major tick-borne diseases (i.e. heartwater, both African and Asiatic bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis) were found to be prevalent mainly in the north-eastern region of the province, which also displayed the highest tick species diversity. The central region appears transitory to some of the major vectors. Although some tick species were contained within specific regions, others were widespread across the province. Associated serology data show that most herds sampled in areas endemic for babesiosis and anaplasmosis in the north-eastern region are endemically unstable and at risk to these tick-borne diseases should vector control measures become ineffective.
Phytoplankton communities and stoichiometry are interactively affected by light, nutrients, and fish
Authors: Mette Elizabeth M. , Vanni Michael J. , Newell Jennifer M. , Gonzàlez María J.
Published: September 2011

We examined the separate and interactive effects of light, nutrients, and zooplanktivorous fish on phytoplankton nutrient stoichiometry, taxonomic richness, community composition, and the associations among these variables. We manipulated light supply, nutrient supply, and zooplanktivorous fish (presence or absence), in a factorial design using mesocosms containing regional phytoplankton and zooplankton assemblages. C : N and C : P were highest under high nutrients and high light. We observed interactive effects on the relative abundance of major phytoplankton taxa. Chlorophytes were most abundant in the majority of the treatments, although cyanobacteria dominated under high light, low nutrients, and with fish present. Cryptomonads were rare in all but the low‐light, high‐nutrient treatment. Relative abundance of diatoms was negatively affected by light, but only in the presence of fish. Chlorophyte relative abundance (% chlorophytes) was positively correlated with seston C : P, while relative abundances of diatoms and cryptomonads were negatively correlated with C : P. Phytoplankton taxon richness was positively associated with both % chlorophytes and seston C : P, and the number of chlorophyte taxa increased disproportionately with total taxon richness. Assemblage‐level stoichiometric responses may be driven not only by direct responses to resource supply ratios, but also by algal community response. In particular, factors that increase taxonomic richness and both the richness and biomass of chlorophytes also result in increased seston C : P. Our results suggest strong feedbacks between phytoplankton community composition and stoichiometry, induced by interactive effects of light, nutrients, and predators.
Adaptive strategies by Southern Ocean phytoplankton to lessen iron limitation: Uptake of organically complexed iron and reduced cellular iron requirements
Authors: Strzepek Robert F. , Maldonado Maria T. , Hunter Keith A. , Frew Russell D. , Boyd Philip W.
Published: September 2011

We report results of laboratory studies examining the effect of low levels of iron (Fe) availability on the intracellular Fe concentrations and specific growth rates in Southern Ocean diatoms (Fragilariopsis kerguelensis, Eucampia antarctica, Proboscia inermis, and Thalassiosira antarctica) and Phaeocystis antarctica. All species grew on Fe complexed to the siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFB). Concentrations of DFB up to 100‐fold in excess of Fe were required to limit growth rates by ≥ 50%. Southern Ocean phytoplankton also grew on Fe complexed by ≥ 10‐fold excess concentrations of the siderophores ferrichrome, enterobactin, or aerobactin, whereas the temperate coastal diatoms Thalassiosira weissflogii and Thalassiosira pseudonana did not. Intracellular Fe concentrations and Fe : C ratios of all Southern Ocean species were exceptionally low and decreased with decreasing Fe availability. However, large diatoms had significantly lower cell‐volume‐normalized Fe content and Fe : C ratios than Phaeocystis. Short‐term Fe uptake and extracellular Fe(II) production measurements provided evidence that Phaeocystis possesses a reductive Fe transport pathway. Our findings demonstrate that the large‐diatom Fe requirements are at least 2‐fold lower than currently reported for oceanic algal species and suggest that bioreduction may enable resident phytoplankton to directly use Fe bound to strong organic ligands.
Fully Automated Surveillance of Healthcare-Associated Infections with MONI-ICU
Authors: Mandl H. , Adlassnig K.-P. , Koller W. , Blacky A.
Published: September 2011

Objective: Expert surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) is a key parameter for good clinical practice, especially in intensive care medicine. Assessment of clinical entities such as HCAIs is a time-consuming task for highly trained experts. Such are neither available nor affordable in sufficient numbers for continuous surveillance services. Intelligent information technology (IT) tools are in urgent demand.

Methods: MONI-ICU (monitoring of nosocomial infections in intensive care units (ICUs)) has been developed methodologically and practically in a stepwise manner and is a reliable surveillance IT tool for clinical experts. It uses information from the patient data management systems in the ICUs, the laboratory information system, and the administrative hospital information system of the Vienna General Hospital as well as medical expert knowledge on infection criteria applied in a multilevel approach which includes fuzzy logic rules.

Results: We describe the use of this system in clinical routine and compare the results generated automatically by MONI-ICU with those generated in parallel by trained surveillance staff using patient chart reviews and other available information (“gold standard”). A total of 99 ICU patient admissions representing 1007 patient days were analyzed. MONI-ICU identified correctly the presence of an HCAI condition in 28/31 cases (sensitivity, 90.3%) and their absence in 68/68 of the non-HCAI cases (specificity, 100%), the latter meaning that MONI-ICU produced no “false alarms”. The 3 missed cases were due to correctable technical errors. The time taken for conventional surveillance at the 52 ward visits was 82.5 hours. MONI-ICU analysis of the same patient cases, including careful review of the generated results, required only 12.5 hours (15.2%).

Conclusion: Provided structured and sufficient information on clinical findings is online available, MONI-ICU provides an almost real-time view of clinical indicators for HCAI – at the cost of almost no additional time on the part of surveillance staff or clinicians.
Oral Melanosis
Authors: Kumar Harvinder
Published: September 2011

There is very little information in literature about oral melanosis not associated with racial pigmentation or secondary to other syndromes. Various stimuli that can result in an increased production of melanin at the level of mucosa include trauma, hormones, radiation and medications. Three such cases are reported in which stimulus for genesis of melanosis was mechanical trauma in form of smoking.
Implantation Techniques
Authors: Shrikhande Laxmi , Dargan Ritu
Published: September 2011

Decades of research and improving technology have taken in vitro fertilization techniques to a highly sophisticated level. Attention in the later twentieth century was increasingly paid to the endocrine stimulation of follicle growth and oocyte maturation. Hormonal stimulation became more complex. Methods for ovarian hyperstimulation became complex. GnRH agonists and antagonists came into play to provide a better control over FSH and LH concentrations during follicular and luteal phases of stimulated cycles including the correction of premature LH surges. A lot of stress is being paid nowadays on natural remedies to replace the high tech treatment modalities and so also evolved the so called natural cycle in vitro fertilization, the drug free or minimal drug fertility treatment. There are opinions worldwide of experts that the methods that are currently being used for ovulation and to stimulate growth of the follicle in infertile women are too expensive in addition to being extreme measures. Not only are they costly but the effect on the human body has given rise for the need for a more nature-friendly method. Alternative approaches are therefore being sought including minimal stimulation IVF, natural cycle IVF and maturing human oocytes in vitro to prepare them for fertilization in vitro. Each of these approaches avoids the use of large doses of human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) that have become essential for routine IVF. This article reviews the available literature on these methods and also their fallacies, if any.
A Rare Case of Vaginal Leiomyoma Diagnosed Postoperatively
Authors: Bhute Sindhu , Shrivastava Deepti , Kakani Anuradha , Patil Vijya , Jajoo Shubhda , Joshi Shikha
Published: September 2011

Vaginal fibroids are very rare tumor of vagina and it is difficult to rule out its origin as a primary vaginal or its connection with cervix or uterus preoperatively. We are presenting a case of vaginal fibroid diagnosed postoperatively.
Live Birth following Treatment of Metastatic Cerebral Choriocarcinoma
Authors: Gupta Vineeta , Nanda Anuja , Sharma Arti , Choudhary Priyanka , Kudesia Sandip
Published: September 2011

Choriocarcinoma is a malignant tumor of trophoblastic tissue and constitutes about 30 to 40% of the trophoblastic neoplasia cases. Early hematogenous spread is characterstic of choriocarcinoma. We report a case of metastatic cerebral choriocarcinoma in a 23-year-old female with appearance of acute neurological signs following spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage as the initial presentation. She underwent successful treatment of choriocarcinoma with chemotherapy (EMA-CO regime) and was able to have normal baby with good apgar score. The case emphasizes the importance of suspecting an underlying choriocarciroma in women of child bearing age group presenting with spontaneous cerebral hemorrhage and an uncomplicated term delivery can be expected after complete chemotherapy for GTN.
A Hospital based Randomized Controlled Trial to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Kegel's Exercise on Postpartum Perineal Laxity
Authors: Raddi Sudha A , Sheeba TT , Ballad MB
Published: September 2011

Objectives

The objectives of the study are to: (i) Assess the perineal muscle strength of postnatal mothers after vaginal delivery in the experimental and control groups before and after the intervention. (ii) Evaluate the effectiveness of Kegel's exercise on perineal laxity in the experimental group compared to control group.

Methods

This single blinded randomized controlled trial at a 1000 bedded tertiary care teaching hospital in India, enrolled 290 postnatal mothers between 20 and 40 years who had vaginal delivery with < 2 on modified Oxford grading scale as measured by per vaginal digital examination. The subjects were randomized into experimental and control groups. The experimental group received instructions to perform Kegel's exercises along with routine postnatal care while the control group received advice on routine postnatal care. Two follow-up assessments were done at 6 and 10 weeks. The primary outcome measure was increase in Oxford grading score.

Results

Major findings of the study were: The mean perineal muscle strength assessment scores noted before the intervention and during first and second postintervention assessments were 1.5 ± 0.52, 3.58 ± 0.51 and 4.28 ± 0.57 respectively for the experimental group and 1.56 ± 0.55, 2.41 ± 0.52 and 3 ± 0.51 respectively for the control group. Comparison of these scores between the groups by unpaired t-test yielded p-value of < 0.0001 suggesting high significant difference in favor of the experimental group. However, no additional benefit was observed after Kegel's exercise in the mothers who had episiotomy during vaginal delivery.

Conclusion

The Kegel's exercise is effective to reduce perineal laxity and hence should be included as a part of routine postnatal care.
The effects of nutrient additions on particulate and dissolved primary production and metabolic state in surface waters of three Mediterranean eddies
Authors: Lagaria A. , Psarra S. , Lefèvre D. , Van Wambeke F. , Courties C. , Pujo-Pay M. , Oriol L. , Tanaka T. , Christaki U.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. We examined the effects of nutrient additions on rates of 14C-based particulate and dissolved primary production as well as O2-based metabolic rates in surface waters (8 m) of three anticyclonic eddies, located in the Western, Central and Eastern Mediterranean. Ship-board microcosm experiments employing additions of inorganic nitrogen (+N) and phosphorus (+P), alone and in combination (+NP), were conducted in June/July 2008 during the BOUM (Biogeochemistry from the Oligotrophic to the Ultra-oligotrophic Mediterranean) cruise. In all three experiments, particulate primary production was significantly stimulated by the additions of nitrogen (+N, +NP) while no effect was observed with the addition of phosphorus alone (+P). Percent extracellular release of photosynthate (PER) displayed the lowest values (4–8 %) in the +NP treatment. Among the three treatments (+N, +P, +NP), the +NP had the strongest effect on oxygen metabolic rates, leading to positive values of net community production (NCP > 0). These changes of NCP were mainly due to enhanced gross primary production (GPP) rather than reduced dark community respiration rates (DCR). In all three sites, in +NP treatment autotrophic production (whether expressed as GPP or PPtotal) was sufficient to fulfil the estimated carbon requirements of heterotrophic prokaryotes, while addition of nitrogen alone (+N) had a weaker effect on GPP, resulting in metabolically balanced systems. At the three sites, in treatments with N (+N, +NP), phytoplankton and heterotrophic prokaryote production were positively correlated. Heterotrophic conditions were observed in the Control and +P treatment at the central and eastern sites, and autotrophic production was not sufficient to supply estimated bacterial carbon demand, evidence of a decoupling of phytoplankton production and consumption by heterotrophic prokaryotes.
A novel approach to climate reconstructions using Ensemble Kalman Filtering
Authors: Bhend J. , Franke J. , Folini D. , Wild M. , Brönnimann S.
Published: September 2011

Abstract. Data assimilation is a promising approach to obtain climate reconstructions that are both consistent with observations of the past and with our understanding of the physics of the climate system as represented in the climate model used. Here, we investigate the use of Ensemble Square Root Filtering (EnSRF) – a technique used in weather forecasting – for climate reconstructions. We constrain an ensemble of 29 simulations from an atmosphere-only general circulation model (GCM) with 37 pseudo-proxy time series. Assimilating spatially sparse information with low temporal resolution (semi-annual) improves the representation of not only surface quantities such as temperature and precipitation, but also upper-air features such as the intensity of the northern stratospheric polar vortex or the strength of the northern subtropical jet. Given the sparsity of the assimilated information and the limited size of the ensemble used, a localisation procedure is crucial to reduce "overcorrection" of climate variables far away from the assimilated information.
On the variability of spore ornamentation in Laccaria tortilis (Basidiomycota, Agaricales)
Authors: Vizzini Alfredo , Contu Marco , Kalamees Kuulo , Ercole Enrico , Musumeci Enzo , Moreno Gabriel , Manjón Jose Luis , Alvarado Pablo
Published: September 2011

“Laccaria tortilis” sensu Clémençon 1984 is described as the new form, Laccaria tortilis f. clemenconii, based on material from Kamchatka (Asiatic Russia), Switzerland, Austria, and Italy. ITS rDNA analysis indicates that the new form is
molecularly identical to Laccaria tortilis, although smaller spores with shorter spines distinguish it morphologically. Scanning electronic micrographs of the spores and a dichotomous key to European Laccaria species with mono-bisporic basidia, are provided.
Melanoderma microcarpum gen. et sp. nov. (Basidiomycota) from China
Authors: Cui Bao-Kai , Zhao Chang-Lin , Dai Yu-Cheng
Published: September 2011

A new genus Melanoderma (Polyporales, Basidiomycota), collected from Hainan and Hunan Provinces in southern China, is proposed and typified by M. microcarpum. The new species is characterized by a perennial habit, pileate to effused-reflexed basidiocarps with a
black crust at the pileal surface, small round pores, a dimitic hyphal system with clamped generative hyphae, dextrinoid and cyanophilous skeletal hyphae, cylindrical, thin-walled, non-amyloid, non-dextrinoid and acyanophilous basidiospores, the presence of apically encrusted cystidia, and
lack of both hyphal pegs and dendrohyphidia. The new genus is compared with related genera of Australoporus, Datronia, Dichomitus, Megasporoporia, and Perenniporia. rDNA sequence analysis supports Melanoderma as a monophyletic clade that is closely
related to Vanderbylia.
Zygomycetes from “Reserva Biológica de Mogi Guaçu”, São Paulo State, Brazil
Authors: de Souza; José Ivanildo , Pires-Zottarelli Carmen Lidia Amorim , Santos Jailson Francisco dos , Costa Janaina Pinheiro
Published: September 2011

The taxonomic composition of zygomycetes from a reserve of Brazilian Cerrado was analyzed. Soil and leaf litter samples were collected at five sampling dates. Cultures of Absidia, Backusella, Circinella, Rhizopus and Conidiobolus were obtained from canopy- and soil-plates.
Due to the scarcity of detailed taxonomic information for Brazilian zygomycetes, additional information such as descriptions, standard colony colour codes, illustrations, geographical coordinates and vouchers are provided for Absidia spinosa var. spinosa, Backusella lamprospora,
Circinella simplex, Rhizopus stolonifer var. stolonifer and Conidiobolus coronatus.
Two new species of Septobasidium (Septobasidiaceae) from Gaoligong Mountains in China
Authors: Lu Chunxia , Guo Lin
Published: September 2011

Two new species, Septobasidium lyoniae on Lyonia ovalifolia associated with Pseudaulacaspis sp. and Septobasidium pittospori on Pittosporum kerrii associated with Chionaspis sp., are described. They were collected from Gaoligong Mountains in
Yunnan Province, China.
Notes on the identity of Chrysothrix populations (Arthoniales, Ascomycota) containing pinastric acid from southern and central California
Authors: Kukwa Martin , Knudsen Kerry
Published: September 2011

Chrysothrix xanthina is reported new for coastal California from San Diego to Point Reyes. Notes on the taxonomy of C. candelaris and C. xanthina are provided. The differences in diameter of granules in published sources are also discussed.
Cantharellus in southwestern China: a new species and a new record
Authors: Shao Shi-Cheng , Tian Xiao-Fei , Liu Pei-Gui
Published: September 2011

A new Cantharellus species from southwestern China is described, based on morphology and DNA sequencing (LSU rDNA). The new species, C. vaginatus, can be distinguished from other chanterelles by the combination of a dark-colored flocculososquamulose pileus, a rugulose
hymenophore, and thick-walled hyphae in the pileipellis. Cantharellus appalachiensis, a species originally described from southeastern North America, is newly reported from China.
Fungal nomenclature. 1. Melbourne approves a new Code
Authors: Norvell Lorelei L.
Published: September 2011

The 18th International Botanical Congress, held in Melbourne, Australia, during July 2011, ratified several sweeping changes that will affect fungal nomenclature for years to come. Proposals to amend the Vienna Code were approved by the Nomenclature Section during the first week (July
18–22) and ratified by the entire IBC on the final day (July 30). Of particular interest to mycologists are a new title (International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants), radical modification of Article 59 establishing the principle of 'one fungus : one name', valid publication
using English descriptions or diagnoses and effective electronic publication (both effective on January 1, 2012), required deposition of fungal names in a recognized repository, clarification of the orthography and typification of sanctioned names, exclusion of microsporidians and other organisms
treated in other Codes, and recommendations regarding designation of type cultures. Acceptance of recommendations of the Nomenclature Committee for Fungi and new appointments are also briefly discussed.
Water-soluble Fraction of Abelmoschus esculentus L Interacts with Glucose and Metformin Hydrochloride and Alters Their Absorption Kinetics after Coadministration in Rats
Authors: Khatun Hajera , Rahman Ajijur , Biswas Mohitosh , Islam Anwar Ul
Published: September 2011

This study was done to investigate the effects of water-soluble fraction (WSF) of the fruits of Abelmoschus esculentus L (okra/lady's fingers) on absorption of oral glucose as well as metformin from the gastrointestinal tract in the Long Evans rats. WSF of A. esculentus significantly () reduced the absorption of glucose as studied in the 24 hrs fasting rats. The effect of WSF of A. esculentus on metformin absorption was studied in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. Significant differences () were observed in the average blood glucose level from 2 to 24 hours after metformin therapy in presence (33.6 to 34.2 mmol/L) or absence (15.2 to 20.2 mmol/L) of oral WSF of A. esculentus. In both of the experiments, Na-carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) was used as positive control. The results of this study indicate that A. esculentus may improve glycemic control but should not be taken concurrently with metformin hydrochloride in controlling diabetes mellitus.
An Explicit Description of Coxeter Homology Complexes
Authors: Callegaro Filippo , Gaiffi Giovanni
Published: September 2011

Rains (2010) computes the integral homology of real De Concini-Procesi models of subspace arrangements, using some homology complexes whose main ingredients are nested sets and building sets of subspaces. We think that it is useful to provide various different descriptions of these complexes, since they encode relevant information about the homotopy type of the models and there still are interesting open questions about -bases of the homology modulo its torsion (see the work by Rains (2010)). In this paper we focus on the case of the Coxeter arrangements: we give an explicit and elementary description, in terms of the combinatorics of the Coxeter groups, of the cells and of the boundary maps of these complexes.