bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes, examination and treatment of dental disease in rabbits
Authors: Hamlin Jennifer
Published: May 2014

There are numerous dental problems that can affect rabbits including tooth root abscesses, periodontitis, jaw abnormalities, caries, and traumatic injury, however, the most common problems are malocclusions and most of these can be attributed to lack of wear and tooth elongation. Dental disease can be pronounced with visible protrusion of overgrown incisors, but often disease can only be assumed by observing clinical signs such as anorexia, weight loss, swelling of the jaw, hypersalivation, and an inability to fully close the mouth. The incidence of dental disease is very high so rabbits should be routinely examined for evidence of dental disease. Veterinary nurses should also actively educate clients about dental disease including preventative care, correct husbandry and routine observations for signs indicating early onset disease.
How to carry out initial treatment of traumatic wounds: assessment, preparation and lavage
Authors: Aldridge Paul
Published: May 2014

Traumatic wounds are commonly seen in veterinary practice, and can have a wide range of aetiology and severity. What all traumatic wounds have in common is that they present with the same impediments to healing: bacterial contamination; foreign material; and necrotic tissue. These impediments will be present in varying degrees depending on the aetiology and the time elapsed since injury, but in all cases they need to be addressed in the early stages of wound management.

Wound lavage and debridement are commonly performed with the aim of producing a healthy wound bed. This article looks at how wounds can be succesfully managed from presentation through to lavage. The goals are to prevent further contamination from the clinic environment and patient's skin, and then reduce the contamination present in the wound with effective lavage technique.
The National Equine Health Survey needs you
Authors: Taylor Gemma
Published: May 2014

Gemma Taylor, Blue Cross education officer, explains why the National Equine Health Survey (NEHS) needs your support.
How to assist shed the pet snake
Authors: Fitzgerald Gary
Published: May 2014

Reptiles are becoming an increasingly popular pet in housholds and although the shedding of a reptile's skin is a natural process it is not uncommon for complications to arise requiring assistance in removing any retained shed. For this reason veterinary nurses working with reptiles should be familiar with the normal shedding process and the procedure to assist any reptile patients with retained shed. A large percentage of these cases are husbandry related and the veterinary nurse can play an important role in educating clients regarding the husbandry of the specific species and prevention measures if it is known to be a problematic shedder.
Improving patient safety in the perioperative period: surgical safety checklists
Authors: Gasson James , Wager Catherine
Published: May 2014

Surgical complications are an unfortunate part of both medical and veterinary practice, but many are considered to be preventable if appropriate measures are implemented. In human healthcare, one of these measures has been the introduction of surgical safety checklists (SSCs). With proven origins in aviation, another high risk industry, checklists have been linked with the reduction of peri-operative complications and deaths in human hospitals by significant amounts.

Recognising that the core values of SSCs are equally applicable to veterinary practice, the Animal Health Trust implemented their use in November 2008. Since then, positive outcomes observed include increased unity among the multiple specialist teams working in the theatre environment and improved communicaiton of vital information regarding individual patients and surgical procedures.
How to implement an infection control strategy
Authors: O'Dwyer Louise
Published: May 2014

Infection control and prevention is a vital aspect of veterinary care for the whole team. Sadly, many aspects are often overlooked, or not considered, and these can be very simple areas such as hand hygiene, cleaning and disinfection, isolation of infectious patients and antimicrobial stewardship. This article will look at the importance of taking the individual patient's clinical condition into consideration, and the important aspects of infection control strategies, which should be considered when designing an infection control strategy.
The Effect of Interincisal Opening, Cavity Location and Operator Experience on the Energy Delivered by a Light-Curing Unit to a Simulated Dental Restoration
Authors: Harun Nor Asilah , Santini Ario , Roebuck Elizabeth M
Published: May 2014

Background

Curing of resin-based composites depends on the delivery of adequate total energy, which may be operator dependent.

Aim

To determine the effect of interincisal opening, cavity location and operator experience on the total energy delivered to simulated cavity preparation sites.

Design

Three cohorts were included: junior dental nurses, senior dental nurses and qualified dentists (N=5, each cohort). Each operator (participant) followed the same procedure and light-cured two simulated restorations in a MARC® patient simulator using a Demi™ light-curing unit for 20 seconds in each of the following situations: left upper second molar (UL7), interincisal opening at both 25mm and 45mm; upper central incisor (UR1), interincisal opening at 45mm. The light energy delivered by each operator in each situation was recorded. Five readings for each operator were taken at each interincisal distance. Statistical comparisons of delivered energy (J/cm2) between interincisal openings, location and groups in the total energy delivered were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test: α=0.05.

Results

Less total energy was delivered to the posterior cavity at 25mm (12.0 ± 5.3J/cm2) than at 45mm (16.9 ± 5.6J/cm2) by all operators ( P<0.05). At 45mm, less total energy was delivered to the posterior cavity compared to the anterior cavity (25.1 ± 7.4J/cm2; P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between junior nurses and qualified dentists ( P>0.05) but there was a significant difference in the total energy delivered between senior nurses (20.1 ± 7.8J/cm2) and junior nurses (17.5 ± 7.6J/cm2) and between senior nurses and qualified dentists (16.6 ± 8.7J/cm2) ( P<0.05).

Conclusions

Interincisal mouth opening, location of the cavity and operator experience affected the total energy delivered to cavities in a simulated clinical environment.
Stop motion: From plastic to plasmatic cinema
Authors: Lepot Cyril
Published: May 2014

When talking about Animation as a graphic or a plastic cinema it is underlying a certain idea of what the medium is and how it is different from live-action films. On the one hand it is about creating the movement and on the other hand it deals with an infinite kind of techniques related to fine arts and graphic arts to produce the images needed, in a word: the forms. Among these techniques, the Stop motion as a privileged medium based on frame-by-frame, shows that reality and its matter can be animated too and not only the abstract space of the representation, be it a drawing or 3D modelling. With Stop motion, even if the technique can be ‘reduced’ to animating puppets and a set or clay for example, we will argue that its specificity lies more specifically in the possibility of changing the propriety of a matter and its limit of elasticity to the point of breaking the consistency of things, transmuting the substance into another. In this state of thing, the link between creating form and creating movement cannot even be drawn anymore because the form and movement are one and the same consequence of the substance behaviour the artist is giving to matter, whereas in traditional animation you create a form more or less stable and you make it move. This art, now interrogating the global notion of arts of movement, cease to be a graphic or plastic cinema and becomes what we would call a plasmatic cinema. The form never really gets a permanent consistency and integrity to be able to be seen as a moving object or subject but as pure protoplasm constantly transforming and redefining a matter. Indeed, the natural limit of elasticity of matter can be modified with Stop motion to the point that anything can become subject to plasticity – not only a gum in cinema or the body of a drawn character in animation, for example. In these kinds of cinema the matter is pure virtuality, where in Stop motion it is real matter becoming virtual through the plasmatic process: movement is just a change of the form and form just a change of character through movement. The whole matter of the world is becoming a material to be liquefied and redefined where movement and forms are sharing the same state of the art. If a plasma is in chemical research the fourth state of matter (with solid, liquid and gas) we would say by analogy that it also helps to define another kind of animated picture dealing with a perpetual fusion (or fusing) of forms. In that sense, Stop motion is exemplifying what is plasticity of motion, in the overall arts of motion.
Aesthetic affordances: Computer animation and Wayang Kulit puppet theatre
Authors: Jernigan Daniel K. , Chansavang Anthony , Martin-Rall Hannes , Hock-Soon Seah , Lim Darren , Johan Henry
Published: May 2014

This article describes the various animation techniques we used in creating our short animated piece,
Si Lunchai (based on the Indonesian folktale of the same name). We took our aesthetic inspiration from Indonesian Shadow Puppetry (Wayang Kulit). Because 3D animation technology provides many ‘naturalistic’ advantages not available in traditional shadow puppet performances, much of the challenge of the work involved seeking out compelling compromises between retaining the aesthetic value of the original Wayang Kulit, while also taking advantage of the various affordances of 3D animation. Among other things, this essay describes working with 2D characters in a layered (2.5-D) environment, character mobility and pivot points, character ‘flipping’ and our attempt to maintain some sense of the live action quality of Wayang Kulit theatre.
Scene changes with plastic visual rhymes
Authors: Hinterwaldner Inge
Published: May 2014

In 1946, the surrealist artist Salvador Dalí was given the opportunity to realize an animation called Destino in cooperation with Walt Disney. The painter was highly motivated to explore different kinds of smooth transitions between the scenes. For Dalí, this was a way to further develop his already elaborated method of polyvalent ‘double images’ by enhancing it with explicit dynamics. A short typology of the different alternatives to the hard cut that Dalí envisioned is given here. The key aspects are anamorphosis, transmigration of forms, metamorphosis, figure/ground-reversal and change in reaction. The Japanese artist Tabaimo shares several iconographic motifs, as well as formal solutions, with Dalí. With her animation installation teleco-soup, it can be shown that astonishingly small pictorial interventions into a scene suffice to completely transform the interpretation, spatial suggestion and the way the beholder is located in relation to the image. Although objectively the scene remains similar, a great deal changes at once. Therefore, these ‘visual rhymes’ can be considered as condensed, elegant and surprising forms of expression.
Doña Mencía la Adelantada: una expedición al paraíso
Authors: Dionisi Maria Gabriella
Published: May 2014

«Silenciada» por la historiografía oficial durante siglos, la vida de Doña Mencía Calderón de Sanabria, viuda del Tercer Adelantado del Río de la Plata, ha sido rescatada del olvido gracias a la publicación de algunas novelas. Con el paso del tiempo, su figura, al principio glorificada como heroína de una empresa excepcional (cruzar en 1550 el Atlántico al mando de un pequeño «ejército» de mujeres destinadas a crear un hogar en Nuestra Señora de la Asunción) se ha transformado en un hito legendario de modernidad.
Evocación personal y literaria de José María Arguedas en la memoria y vida de un escritor
Authors: Morales Bermúdez Jesús
Published: May 2014

Este texto es un homenaje a José María Arguedas formulado por Jesús Morales Bermúdez, otro novelista y antropólogo, en el que se subrayan las similitudes entre los universos sociales, emotivos y novelísticos de ambos autores. La comparación con la obra del japonés Jasunari Kawabata señala, más allá de la realidad americana, la dimensión universal de sus obras. En estos tres autores, el acto de la escribir está asociado a la memoria. Es la memoria tanto el motor como el hilo que recorre la escritura de los tres narradores.
Ferrier–Nicholas pyranosidic cations: application to diversity-oriented synthesis
Authors: Lopez J. Cristobal , Lobo Fernando , Miranda Silvia , Uriel Clara , Gomez Ana M.
Published: May 2014

Pyranosidic allylic (Ferrier) cations that share dicobalt hexacarbonyl propargyl (Nicholas) stabilization at C-1, can be easily generated by treatment of hexacarbonyldicobalt alkynyl glycals with BF3·OEt2, and display a remarkable reactivity leading to a variety of products. The substituent at O-6 in these glycals plays a pivotal role in directing the outcome of the transformations. Accordingly, 6-O-benzyl or 6-O-allyl groups cause a series of transformations resulting in the stereoselective formation of oxepanes through a process that involves an initial hydride transfer step from the allyl or benzyl substituent to the Ferrier–Nicholas cation. On the contrary, 6-OH derivatives undergo an overall ring contraction to branched tetrahydrofuran derivatives. 6-O-Silyl derivatives, in the presence of heteroaryl nucleophiles, were transformed into C-3 branched bis-C-C-glycosides, containing two of such molecules.
Maersk Line: B2B Social Media—“It's Communication, Not Marketing”
Authors: Katona Zsolt , Sarvary Miklos
Published: May 2014

The case describes the launch of a social media platform by the largest container shipping company in the world Maersk Line garnered over 1 million fans on Facebook, 40,000 followers on Twitter, and 22,000 on Instagram They also launched and became active on other social media networks such as LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Google+ and created a social media home base for Maersk Line called Maersk Line Social that published articles and stories about the company in a less formal manner The case discusses the organizational aspects of the program launch, as well as pressure from the marketing department to better integrate the largely independent social media operation into the company's broader marketing efforts.
The Sino-Japanese energy dispute in the East China Sea: Strategic policy, economic opportunities, and cooperation
Authors: Manicom James
Published: May 2014

On 18 June 2008, Chinese and Japanese authorities announced that they had reached a new consensus in their maritime territorial dispute in the East China Sea. This article explores the sustainability of this agreement in light of past Sino-Japanese cooperation on energy issues, both generally and in the maritime realm. Specifically, it explores the impact of strategic and economic prerogatives on the cooperative track record in light of the consensus in the literature that Sino-Japanese energy relations, particularly the territorial dimension, are increasingly competitive. The article argues that the June 2008 agreement can be reinforced despite poor market conditions for offshore exploration.
Raman Spectroscopy for the Study of XVI-XVII Centuries Colonial Paintings
Authors: García-Bucio Ma. A. , Casanova-González E. , Ruvalcaba-Sil J. L.
Published: May 2014

Outstanding information about the material composition and pictorial techniques of the New Spain Colonial painting can be obtained via a full characterization using a set of analytical techniques. Given the cultural importance of this painting, a non-invasive approach is preferred. Moreover, the preparation and use of reference materials using original recipes is necessary for a correct interpretation of the spectroscopic data from historical objects. Here, we present the results obtained via an in-situ Raman spectroscopic analysis of a set of pictorial reference materials, created according to XVI and XVII centuries’ recipes. Several difficulties were encountered, such as the low Raman detection signal, an intrinsic fluorescence of the material, and in some cases even laser-induced degradation. For this reason, the usual molecular Raman analysis was extended to Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS), which enhances the Raman signal and quenches the fluorescence. It was then applied to the analysis of two wood paintings from the ex-convent San Francisco Tepeyanco, in Tlaxcala.
The Impact of Different Scoring Rubrics for Grading Virtual Patient-Based Exams
Authors: Fors Uno G. H. , Gunning William T.
Published: May 2014

Virtual patient cases (VPs) are used for healthcare education and assessment. Most VP systems track user interactions to be used for assessment. Few studies have investigated how virtual exam cases should be scored and graded. We have applied eight different scoring models on a data set from 154 students. Issues studied included the impact of penalizing guessing, requiring a correct diagnose, different grading levels, and the effect of using weighted diagnose metrics. Controlling the random-guessing approach is necessary and can be accomplished by a rubric that measures a relative efficiency of the learner's inquiries and the total number of inquiries. Using a straight percentage score versus a curved exam score had a major impact on grades. Significant differences were found when using different metrics as only one of the eight rubric models resulted in a Gaussian distribution. Course directors need to analyze expected learning outcomes from a course to determine a scoring metric to assess those particular needs; the grading rubric must also control for guessing.
Recovery of Hypoglycemia Awareness in Long-standing Type 1 Diabetes: A Multicenter 2 × 2 Factorial Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Insulin Pump With Multiple Daily Injections and Continuous With Conventional Glucose Self-monitoring (HypoCOMPaSS)
Authors: Little Stuart A. , Leelarathna Lalantha , Walkinshaw Emma , Tan Horng Kai , Chapple Olivia , Lubina-Solomon Alexandra , Chadwick Thomas J. , Barendse Shalleen , Stocken Deborah D. , Brennand Catherine , Marshall Sally M. , Wood Ruth , Speight Jane , Kerr David , Flanagan Daniel , Heller Simon R. , Evans Mark L. , Shaw James A.M.
Published: May 2014

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether impaired awareness of hypoglycemia (IAH) can be improved and severe hypoglycemia (SH) prevented in type 1 diabetes, we compared an insulin pump (continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion [CSII]) with multiple daily injections (MDIs) and adjuvant real-time continuous glucose monitoring (RT) with conventional self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG).

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A 24-week 2 × 2 factorial randomized controlled trial in adults with type 1 diabetes and IAH was conducted. All received comparable education, support, and congruent therapeutic targets aimed at rigorous avoidance of biochemical hypoglycemia without relaxing overall control. Primary end point was between-intervention difference in 24-week hypoglycemia awareness (Gold score).

RESULTS

A total of 96 participants (mean diabetes duration 29 years) were randomized. Overall, biochemical hypoglycemia (≤3.0 mmol/L) decreased (53 ± 63 to 24 ± 56 min/24 h; P = 0.004 [t test]) without deterioration in HbA1c. Hypoglycemia awareness improved (5.1 ± 1.1 to 4.1 ± 1.6; P = 0.0001 [t test]) with decreased SH (8.9 ± 13.4 to 0.8 ± 1.8 episodes/patient-year; P = 0.0001 [t test]). At 24 weeks, there was no significant difference in awareness comparing CSII with MDI (4.1 ± 1.6 vs. 4.2 ± 1.7; difference 0.1; 95% CI −0.6 to 0.8) and RT with SMBG (4.3 ± 1.6 vs. 4.0 ± 1.7; difference −0.3; 95% CI −1.0 to 0.4). Between-group analyses demonstrated comparable reductions in SH, fear of hypoglycemia, and insulin doses with equivalent HbA1c. Treatment satisfaction was higher with CSII than MDI (32 ± 3 vs. 29 ± 6; P = 0.0003 [t test]), but comparable with SMBG and RT (30 ± 5 vs. 30 ± 5; P = 0.79 [t test]).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycemia awareness can be improved and recurrent SH prevented in long-standing type 1 diabetes without relaxing HbA1c. Similar biomedical outcomes can be attained with conventional MDI and SMBG regimens compared with CSII/RT, although satisfaction was higher with CSII.
Potentiometric Oxygen Sensor with Solid State Reference Electrode
Authors: Dunst Katarzyna , Jasinski Grzegorz , Jasinski Piotr
Published: May 2014

The concentration or the partial pressure of oxygen in an environment can be determined using different measuring principles. For high temperature measurements of oxygen, ceramic-based sensors are the most practical. They are simple in construction, exploration and maintenance. A typical oxygen potentiometric sensor consists of an oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte and two electrodes deposited on the two sides of the electrolyte. In this paper different structures of potentiometric oxygen sensors with a solid state reference electrode were fabricated and investigated. The fabricated structures consisted of oxygen ion conducting solid electrolyte from yttria stabilized zirconia, a sensing platinum electrode and nickel-nickel oxide reference electrode. The mixture of nickel-nickel oxide was selected as the reference electrode because it provides reliable electrochemical potential in contact with oxygen conducting electrolyte. To avoid oxidation of nickel the reference electrode is sealed from ambient and the mixture of nickel-nickel oxide was formed electrochemically from nickel oxide after sealing. The effectiveness of the sealing quality and the effectiveness of nickel-nickel oxide mixture formation was investigated by impedance spectroscopy.
Thermovision in the Validation Process of Numerical Simulation of Braking
Authors: Baranowski Pawel , Damaziak Krzysztof , Malachowski Jerzy , Mazurkiewicz Lukasz , Polakowski Henryk , Piatkowski Tadeusz , Kastek Mariusz
Published: May 2014

This article presents the validation process of a brake FE model by means of temperature measured on a special stand using infrared technology. Unlike many other publications, the authors try to show the interaction between measurement technology and numerical modeling rather than only nice, perfectly correlated graphs. Some difficulties in choosing and using validation parameters are also pointed out and discussed. Finally, results of FE analyses are compared with measured data, followed by explanation of applied numerical technology and estimation of validation process effectiveness.
The effect of urbanization on soil properties and soil organic carbon accumulation in topsoil of Pruszków – a medium-sized city in the Warsaw Metropolitan Area, Poland
Authors: Oktaba Lidia , Paziewski Kamil , Kwasowski Wojciech , Kondras Marek
Published: May 2014

The objective of the study was to determine properties of soils located within a city, and to assess the effect of anthropopressure on the accumulation of carbon and nitrogen in soils of Pruszków . a medium sized town in central Poland. Surface soil layers (0.20 cm) were collected at 36 sites. A total of 12 samples from lawns, 11 from allotment gardens, 9 from fields and 4 from fallow lands were subject to analysis. Lawns and allotment gardens were treated as central zone I . under strong pressure of anthropogenic factors, fields and fallow lands were treated as zone II . with potentially low level of anthropogenic influence. The statistical analysis showed significantly higher (p=0.008) amount of organic carbon (Corg) in lawns (mean 20.5 g·kg-1) and allotment gardens (21.7 g·kg-1) . zone I, than on fallow lands (10.4 g·kg-1) and fields (1.27 g·kg-1) . zone II. The surface layer of soil from allotment gardens also contained significantly higher amount of total nitrogen (mean content 1.1 g·kg-1) than others. The amounts of Corg not depending on the soil texture and very high C/N ratio, suggests the anthropogenic origin of the carbon. The C/N ratio was the highest in the soils of lawns (mean value 26.2) and significantly differed (p=0.04) from C/N ratios in soils of fields and allotment gardens. This suggests low intensity of humus transformation. Other chemical characteristics as hydrolytic acidity (Ha), cation exchange capacity (CEC), exchangeable base cations (EBC) and EBC share in CEC were also higher in central part of Pruszków town (zone I), indicating the effect of urbanization on soil properties.
Postoperative Mycoplasma hominis infections after neurosurgical intervention
Authors: Whitson Wesley J. , Ball Perry A. , Lollis S. Scott , Balkman Jason D. , Bauer David F.
Published: May 2014

Object

Mycoplasma hominis is a rare cause of infection after neurosurgical procedures. The Mycoplasma genus contains the smallest bacteria discovered to date. Mycoplasma are atypical bacteria that lack a cell wall, a feature that complicates both diagnosis and treatment. The Gram stain and some types of culture media fail to identify these organisms, and typical broad-spectrum antibiotic regimens are ineffective because they act on cell wall metabolism. Mycoplasma hominis commonly colonizes the genitourinary tract in a nonvirulent manner, but it has caused postoperative, postpartum, and posttraumatic infections in various organ systems.

The authors present the case of a 17-year-old male with a postoperative intramedullary spinal cord abscess due to M. hominis and report the results of a literature review of M. hominis infections after neurosurgical procedures. Attention is given to time to diagnosis, risk factors for infection, ineffective antibiotic regimens, and final effective antibiotic regimens to provide pertinent information for the practicing neurosurgeon to diagnose and treat this rare occurrence.

Methods

A PubMed search was performed to identify reports of M. hominis infections after neurosurgical procedures.

Results

Eleven cases of postneurosurgical M. hominis infection were found. No other cases of intramedullary spinal cord abscess were found. Initial antibiotic coverage was inadequate in all cases, and diagnosis was delayed in all cases. Multiple surgical interventions were often needed. Once appropriate antibiotics were started, patients typically experienced rapid resolution of their neurological symptoms. In 27% of cases, a suspicious genitourinary source other than urinary catheterization was identified.

Conclusions

Postoperative M. hominis infections are rarely seen after neurosurgical procedures. They are typically responsive to appropriate antibiotic therapy. Mycoplasma infection may cause prolonged hospitalization and multiple returns to the operating room due to delay in diagnosis. Early clinical suspicion with appropriate antibiotic coverage could help prevent these significant complications.
Kinetic and Mechanistic Aspects of Ligand Substitution on cis- Diaqua (cis-1,2-Diaminocyclohexane)Platinum(II) with Three Glycine-Containing Dipeptides
Authors: Ray Sumon , Sarkar (Sain) Roshni , Chattopadhyay Animesh , Ghosh Alak K.
Published: May 2014

The kinetics of the interaction of glycyl-L-valine(L1-L′H), glycyl-L-isoleucine (L2-L′H) and glycyl-L-glutamine(L3-L′H) with cis-[Pt( cis-dach)(OH2)2]2+ (dach = 1,2-diaminocyclohexane) have been studied spectrophotometrically as a function of [ cis-[Pt( cis-dach)(OH2)2]2+], [ligand], pH and temperature at constant ionic strength, where the complex exists predominantly as the diaqua species and the dipeptides as a zwitterion. The substitution reactions show two consecutive steps: the initial is the ligand-assisted anation and the subsequent step is chelation. The activation parameters for both steps were evaluated using Eyring's equation. The low DL H1 ≠ and large negative value of Δ S1 ≠ as well as Δ H2 ≠ and Δ S2 ≠ indicate an associative mode of activation for both the aqua ligand substitution processes. The products of the reactions have been characterised using IR and ESI-mass spectroscopic analysis. The title complex is already established as an anticancer drug; but its reactivity with all biomolecules will confirm its therapeutic activity (i.e. its efficacy versus toxicity).
Mechanism of the Water-Catalysed Addition between Melamine and Formaldehyde: A Theoretical Investigation
Authors: Li Taohong , Xie Xiaoguang , Du Guanben
Published: May 2014

The addition reaction between melamine and formaldehyde in aqueous solution was investigated theoretically using the B3LYP and MP2 methods. The self-consistent reaction field method was employed with the polarisable continuum model to simulate the implicit solvent effects. The specific water molecules explicitly added in the computational models were found to play the role of catalyst that assists the proton transfer from amino nitrogen to carbonyl oxygen. In the absence of specific water molecules, the activation energy was calculated to be 134.2 kJ mol–1 at the MP2/6-31+G** level, while in the presence of one and two water molecules the barriers were lowered to be 62.7 and 52.9 kJ mol–1, respectively. The nucleophilic attack precedes the proton transfer, and the proton donation from water to carbonyl oxygen is ahead of the proton abstraction from the amino group. The potential energy profiles show that a zwitterionic-like intermediate previously found in the reactions of formaldehyde with ammonia and methylamine does not exist on the PES of the present reaction, indicating the reaction occurs with a concerted mechanism of asynchronous character.
Field Phenotyping and Long-Term Platforms to Characterise How Crop Genotypes Interact with Soil Processes and the Environment
Authors: George Timothy , Hawes Cathy , Newton Adrian , McKenzie Blair , Hallett Paul , Valentine Tracy
Published: May 2014

Unsustainable agronomic practices and environmental change necessitate a revolution in agricultural production to ensure food security. A new generation of crops that yield more with fewer inputs and are adapted to more variable environments is needed. However, major changes in breeding programmes may be required to achieve this goal. By using the genetic variation in crop yield in specific target environments that vary in soil type, soil management, nutrient inputs and environmental stresses, robust traits suited to specific conditions can be identified. It is here that long-term experimental platforms and field phenotyping have an important role to play. In this review, we will provide information about some of the field-based platforms available and the cutting edge phenotyping systems at our disposal. We will also identify gaps in our field phenotyping resources that should be filled. We will go on to review the challenges in producing crop ideotypes for the dominant management systems for which we need sustainable solutions, and we discuss the potential impact of three-way interactions between genetics, environment and management. Finally, we will discuss the role that modelling can play in allowing us to fast-track some of these processes to allow us to make rapid gains in agricultural sustainability.
Refolding Technologies for Antibody Fragments
Authors: Arakawa Tsutomu , Ejima Daisuke
Published: May 2014

Refolding is one of the production technologies for pharmaceutical grade antibody fragments. Detergents and denaturants are primarily used to solubilize the insoluble proteins. The solubilized and denatured proteins are refolded by reducing the concentration of the denaturants or detergents. Several refolding technologies have been used for antibody fragments, comprising dilution, dialysis, solid phase solvent exchange and size exclusion chromatography, as reviewed here. Aggregation suppressor or folding-assisting agents, including arginine hydrochloride, ionic liquids and detergents or denaturants at low concentrations, are included in the refolding solvent to enhance refolding yield.
Exact Test of Independence Using Mutual Information
Authors: Pethel Shawn , Hahs Daniel
Published: May 2014

Using a recently discovered method for producing random symbol sequences with prescribed transition counts, we present an exact null hypothesis significance test (NHST) for mutual information between two random variables, the null hypothesis being that the mutual information is zero (i.e., independence). The exact tests reported in the literature assume that data samples for each variable are sequentially independent and identically distributed (iid). In general, time series data have dependencies (Markov structure) that violate this condition. The algorithm given in this paper is the first exact significance test of mutual information that takes into account the Markov structure. When the Markov order is not known or indefinite, an exact test is used to determine an effective Markov order.
Performance Analysis of the Vehicle Diesel Engine-ORC Combined System Based on a Screw Expander
Authors: Yang Kai , Zhang Hongguang , Song Songsong , Zhang Jian , Wu Yuting , Zhang Yeqiang , Wang Hongjin , Chang Ying , Bei Chen
Published: May 2014

To achieve energy saving and emission reduction for vehicle diesel engines, the organic Rankine cycle (ORC) was employed to recover waste heat from vehicle diesel engines, R245fa was used as ORC working fluid, and the resulting vehicle diesel engine-ORC combined system was presented. The variation law of engine exhaust energy rate under various operating conditions was obtained, and the running performances of the screw expander were introduced. Based on thermodynamic models and theoretical calculations, the running performance of the vehicle diesel engine-ORC combined system was analyzed under various engine operating condition scenarios. Four evaluation indexes were defined: engine thermal efficiency increasing ratio (ETEIR), waste heat recovery efficiency (WHRE), brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of the combined system, and improvement ratio of BSFC (IRBSFC). Results showed that when the diesel engine speed is 2200 r/min and diesel engine torque is 1200 N·m, the power output of the combined system reaches its maximum of approximately 308.6 kW, which is 28.6 kW higher than that of the diesel engine. ETEIR, WHRE, and IRBSFC all reach their maxima at 10.25%, 9.90%, and 9.30%, respectively. Compared with that of the diesel engine, the BSFC of the combined system is obviously improved under various engine operating conditions.
Analysis of Threshold Voltage Flexibility in Ultrathin-BOX SOI FinFETs
Authors: Endo Kazuhiko , Migita Shinji , Ishikawa Yuki , Matsukawa Takashi , O'uchi Shin-ichi , Tsukada Junji , Mizubayashi Wataru , Morita Yukinori , Ota Hiroyuki , Yamauchi Hitomi , Masahara Meishoku
Published: May 2014

A threshold voltage (Vth) controllable multigate FinFET on a 10-nm-thick ultrathin BOX (UTB) SOI substrate have been investigated. It is revealed that the Vth of the FinFET on the UTB SOI substrate is effectively modulated thanks to the improved coupling between the Si channel and the back gate. We have also carried out analysis of the Vth controllability in terms of the size dependence such as the gate length (LG) and the fin width (TFin).
Production of Induced Secondary Metabolites by a Co-Culture of Sponge-Associated Actinomycetes, Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163
Authors: Dashti Yousef , Grkovic Tanja , Abdelmohsen Usama , Hentschel Ute , Quinn Ronald
Published: May 2014

Two sponge-derived actinomycetes, Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163, were grown in co-culture and the presence of induced metabolites monitored by 1H NMR. Ten known compounds, including angucycline, diketopiperazine and β-carboline derivatives 1–10, were isolated from the EtOAc extracts of Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163. Co-cultivation of Actinokineospora sp. EG49 and Nocardiopsis sp. RV163 induced the biosynthesis of three natural products that were not detected in the single culture of either microorganism, namely N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-acetamide (11), 1,6-dihydroxyphenazine (12) and 5a,6,11a,12-tetrahydro-5a,11a-dimethyl[1,4]benzoxazino[3,2-b][1,4]benzoxazine (13a). When tested for biological activity against a range of bacteria and parasites, only the phenazine 12 was active against Bacillus sp. P25, Trypanosoma brucei and interestingly, against Actinokineospora sp. EG49. These findings highlight the co-cultivation approach as an effective strategy to access the bioactive secondary metabolites hidden in the genomes of marine actinomycetes.
Cracking the Cytotoxicity Code: Apoptotic Induction of 10-Acetylirciformonin B is Mediated through ROS Generation and Mitochondrial Dysfunction
Authors: Shih Huei-Chuan , El-Shazly Mohamed , Juan Yung-Shun , Chang Chao-Yuan , Su Jui-Hsin , Chen Yu-Cheng , Shih Shou-Ping , Chen Huei-Mei , Wu Yang-Chang , Lu Mei-Chin
Published: May 2014

A marine furanoterpenoid derivative, 10-acetylirciformonin B (10AB), was found to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia, hepatoma, and colon cancer cell lines, with selective and significant potency against leukemia cells. It induced DNA damage and apoptosis in leukemia HL 60 cells. To fully understand the mechanism behind the 10AB apoptotic induction against HL 60 cells, we extended our previous findings and further explored the precise molecular targets of 10AB. We found that the use of 10AB increased apoptosis by 8.9%–87.6% and caused disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) by 15.2%–95.2% in a dose-dependent manner, as demonstrated by annexin-V/PI and JC-1 staining assays, respectively. Moreover, our findings indicated that the pretreatment of HL 60 cells with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), a reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger, diminished MMP disruption and apoptosis induced by 10AB, suggesting that ROS overproduction plays a crucial rule in the cytotoxic activity of 10AB. The results of a cell-free system assay indicated that 10AB could act as a topoisomerase catalytic inhibitor through the inhibition of topoisomerase IIα. On the protein level, the expression of the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-xL and Bcl-2, caspase inhibitors XIAP and survivin, as well as hexokinase II were inhibited by the use of 10AB. On the other hand, the expression of the pro-apoptotic protein Bax was increased after 10AB treatment. Taken together, our results suggest that 10AB-induced apoptosis is mediated through the overproduction of ROS and the disruption of mitochondrial metabolism.
Synthesis and Antiproliferative Effects of Amino-Modified Perillyl Alcohol Derivatives
Authors: Hui Zi , Zhang Meihui , Cong Lin , Xia Mingyu , Dong Jinhua
Published: May 2014

Two series of amino-modified derivatives of (S)-perillyl alcohol were designed and synthesized using (S)-perillaldehyde as the starting material. These derivatives showed increased antiproliferative activity in human lung cancer A549 cells, human melanoma A375-S2 cells and human fibrosarcoma HT-1080 cells comparing with that of (S)-perillyl alcohol. Among these derivatives, compounds VI5 and VI7 were the most potent agents, with the IC50s below 100 μM. It was demonstrated that the antiproliferative effect of VI5 was mediated through the induction of apoptosis in A549 cells.
Four New Flavonol Glycosides from the Leaves of Brugmansia suaveolens
Authors: Geller Fabiana , Murillo Renato , Steinhauser Lisa , Heinzmann Berta , Albert Klaus , Merfort Irmgard , Laufer Stefan
Published: May 2014

Four new flavonol glycosides were isolated from the leaves of Brugmansia suaveolens: kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1'''→2'')-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside (1), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-(1'''→2'')-O-α-L-arabinopyranoside-7-O-į-D-gluco-pyranoside (2), kaempferol 3-O-β-D-[6'''-O-(E-caffeoyl)]-glucopyranosyl-(1'''→2'')-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (3), and kaempferol 3-O-β-D-[2'''-O-(E-caffeoyl)]-glucopyranosyl-(1'''→2'')-O-α-l-arabinopyranoside-7-O-β-D-glucopyranoside (4). The structure elucidation was performed by MS, 1D and 2D NMR analyses.
A New Diterpene from Litsea cubeba Fruits: Structure Elucidation and Capability to Induce Apoptosis in HeLa Cells
Authors: Trisonthi Piyapat , Sato Akihiko , Nishiwaki Hisashi , Tamura Hirotoshi
Published: May 2014

A new diterpene, identified as (+)-6-(4-hydroxy-4-methyl-2-pentenoyl)-4,6-dimethyl-5-(3-methyl-2-butenyl)-1,3-cyclohexadienecarbaldehyde (1, cubelin), was isolated from a methanol extract of Litsea cubeba fruits by normal phase column chromatography and purified by preparative HPLC. The structure elucidation was conducted by spectroscopic methods (UV, IR, ESI-TOF-MS, 1-D and 2-D NMR). Cubelin exhibited activity against HeLa cell viability and proliferation. The cells also exhibited changes in nuclear morphology which are hallmarks of apoptotic cell death. The presence of cleaved caspase-3/-7, caspase-8 and caspase-9 in the cubelin treated population indicated the potential of the compound to induce apoptosis in HeLa cells via both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways.
Azetidinium Functionalized Polytetrahydrofurans: Antimicrobial Properties in Solution and Application to Prepare Non Leaching Antimicrobial Surfaces
Authors: Chattopadhyay Subrata , Heine Elisabeth , Keul Helmut , Moeller Martin
Published: May 2014

In this work, we report the antimicrobial efficacy of azetidinium functionalized polytetrahydrofurans in solution and their application in the preparation of non leaching, antimicrobial surfaces. The excellent antimicrobial efficacy of these water soluble polymers both in solution and on surfaces (>99.99%–100% bacterial growth inhibition) makes them excellent candidates for solving the hygiene related problems in the medical and hospital environment.
A Low-Power Integrated Humidity CMOS Sensor by Printing-on-Chip Technology
Authors: Lee Chang-Hung , Chuang Wen-Yu , Cowan Melissa , Wu Wen-Jung , Lin Chih-Ting
Published: May 2014

A low-power, wide-dynamic-range integrated humidity sensing chip is implemented using a printable polymer sensing material with an on-chip pulse-width-modulation interface circuit. By using the inkjet printing technique, poly(3,4-ethylene-dioxythiophene)/polystyrene sulfonate that has humidity sensing features can be printed onto the top metal layer of a 0.35 μm CMOS IC. The developed printing-on-chip humidity sensor achieves a heterogeneous three dimensional sensor system-on-chip architecture. The humidity sensing of the implemented printing-on-chip sensor system is experimentally tested. The sensor shows a sensitivity of 0.98% to humidity in the atmosphere. The maximum dynamic range of the readout circuit is 9.8 MΩ, which can be further tuned by the frequency of input signal to fit the requirement of the resistance of printed sensor. The power consumption keeps only 154 μW. This printing-on-chip sensor provides a practical solution to fulfill an ultra-small integrated sensor for the applications in miniaturized sensing systems.
Real-Time Algebraic Derivative Estimations Using a Novel Low-Cost Architecture Based on Reconfigurable Logic
Authors: Morales Rafael , Rincón Fernando , Gazzano Julio , López Juan
Published: May 2014

Time derivative estimation of signals plays a very important role in several fields, such as signal processing and control engineering, just to name a few of them. For that purpose, a non-asymptotic algebraic procedure for the approximate estimation of the system states is used in this work. The method is based on results from differential algebra and furnishes some general formulae for the time derivatives of a measurable signal in which two algebraic derivative estimators run simultaneously, but in an overlapping fashion. The algebraic derivative algorithm presented in this paper is computed online and in real-time, offering high robustness properties with regard to corrupting noises, versatility and ease of implementation. Besides, in this work, we introduce a novel architecture to accelerate this algebraic derivative estimator using reconfigurable logic. The core of the algorithm is implemented in an FPGA, improving the speed of the system and achieving real-time performance. Finally, this work proposes a low-cost platform for the integration of hardware in the loop in MATLAB.
The Symmetric-Partitioning and Incremental-Relearning Classification and Back-Propagation-Network Tree Approach for Cycle Time Estimation in Wafer Fabrication
Authors: Chen Toly
Published: May 2014

An innovative classification and back-propagation-network tree (CABPN tree) approach is proposed in this study to estimate the cycle time of a job in a wafer fabrication factory, which is one of the most important tasks in controlling the wafer fabrication factory. The CABPN tree approach is an extension from the traditional classification and regression tree (CART) approach. In CART, the cycle times of jobs of the same branch are estimated with the same value, which is far from accurate. To tackle this problem, the CABPN tree approach replaces the constant estimate with variant estimates. To this end, the cycle times of jobs of the same branch are estimated with a BPN, and may be different. In this way, the estimation accuracy can be improved. In addition, to determine the optimal location of the splitting point on a node, the symmetric partition with incremental re-learning (SP-IR) algorithm is proposed and illustrated with an example. The applicability of the CABPN tree approach is shown with a real case. The experimental results supported its effectiveness over several existing methods.
The DNA Damage Response Induced by Infection with Human Cytomegalovirus and Other Viruses
Authors: E Xiaofei , Kowalik Timothy
Published: May 2014

Viruses use different strategies to overcome the host defense system. Recent studies have shown that viruses can induce DNA damage response (DDR). Many of these viruses use DDR signaling to benefit their replication, while other viruses block or inactivate DDR signaling. This review focuses on the effects of DDR and DNA repair on human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication. Here, we review the DDR induced by HCMV infection and its similarities and differences to DDR induced by other viruses. As DDR signaling pathways are critical for the replication of many viruses, blocking these pathways may represent novel therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of certain infectious diseases. Lastly, future perspectives in the field are discussed.
Further Malignancies in Childhood
Authors: Levine Milton I
Published: May 2014

A Pediatrician's View
Nurses as Boundary-Spanners in Reducing Avoidable Hospitalizations Among Nursing Home Residents
Authors: Abrahamson Kathleen , Mueller Christine , Davila Heather Wood , Arling Greg
Published: May 2014

An increasing number of nursing home quality improvement efforts are aimed at reducing avoidable hospitalizations of residents. The current study focused on the experiences of nursing home nurses as “boundary-spanners” in the implementation of initiatives aimed at this effort. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 76 nursing staff members within 38 nursing homes. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis and an inductive category development approach. Nursing staff described multiple scenarios where they had acted to negotiate the hospitalization decision and described themselves as working both within the nursing home boundary and within the larger system of external stakeholders to avoid a hospital transfer. There is potential for role overload and strain, as nurses are required to provide for complex medical needs within facilities designed to encourage relationship-driven, home-like care. Future efforts to reduce avoidable hospitalizations may benefit by ensuring needed resources are in place to provide clinically complex care and by making efforts to reduce the challenges that emerge when nurses are in the position to span the boundary between the nursing home and outside stakeholders.
[Res Gerontol Nurs. 2014; 7(5):235–243.]