bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First Results of the Free Flap Transfer for the Head and Neck Reconstruction: The Public Hospital Experience
Authors: Karpenko Andrey , Roman Laslo , Chumanikhina Natalia , Kostyuk Igor , Sibgatullin Ramil , Belova Elena , Evdokimova Nadezhda , Dzhalilov Dilavar
Published: October 2012

The aim of the study is to assess our first results with the free flap transfer. Since October 2006 through April 2012, 58 operations were performed. The upper digestive tract was reconstructed in 46 cases, the soft tissues and skin of the head and neck region—in 12 cases. The primary plasty was performed in all but two cases. Eighteen first cases were performed with 2. 5 and 4x binocular loupes magnification only. The operating microscope was used in 40 cases. Fourty-two radial forearm fasciocutaneous flaps, five latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flaps, nine anterolateral thigh flaps, one scapular osteocutaneous flap were used with the single case of the visceral flap— the jejunal flap. Death in early postoperative period occurred once. Complete flap loss occurred six times. Five radial and one latissimus dorsi free flaps were lost. The arterial thrombosis is considered as the primary cause of failure in one case, venous thrombosis—in two cases, postoperative infection—in one case with remaining two cases of the unknown primary cause of failure. There were three cases of the revision surgery with the attempts to reperform venous anastomosis, one of them was successful. The overall success rate in this series is 87.9%. Most of the failures occurred early in the series. The main cause of such a low rate of the success is a lack of experience. Even in a so small number of patients the results significantly improved from 72.2 to 94.4%.

How to cite this article

Karpenko A, Roman L, Chumanikhina N, Kostyuk I, Sibgatullin R, Belova E, Evdokimova N, Dzhalilov First Results of the Free Flap Transfer for the Head and Neck Reconstruction: The Public Hospital Experience. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):66-72.
Multiple Pin Wheel Flaps and Its Modification in Special Areas of the Scalp
Authors: Singh Gurcharan , Shetty Nikhil S
Published: October 2012

Closure of the defects in special areas of the scalp, such as forehead, above the ear and occipital protuberance produces distortion of the hairline, lifting of the eyebrow, lengthy scars and distortion of the ear. The treatment of this distortion presents a challenge, for which we had a very favorable response with modification of the original four flap closure in a pinwheel fashion as described by TR Vecchione.

In our series of eight cases, five flaps were marked at various convenient degrees instead of four flaps as originally described. In scalp defects in and around the hairline the length of the five flaps results in a smaller scar, without changing the hairline, lifting the eyebrow or distorting the position of the pinna.

How to cite this article

Singh G, Shetty NS. Multiple Pin Wheel Flaps and Its Modification in Special Areas of the Scalp. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):73-75.
Radiation-Induced Xerostomia
Authors: Agarwal Jai Prakash , Baijal Gunjan , Kar Ranajit
Published: October 2012

Xerostomia is a common complication following radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. This has long-term implications on the quality of life of these patients. The better understanding of salivary function and the interaction of radiotherapy dose-volume and fractionation with salivary function has allowed us to intervene with various modalities to prevent or treat this common complication. Thus we present a review of published literature describing the factors affecting xerostomia, its prevention and treatment.

How to cite this article

Baijal G, Kar R, Agarwal JP. Radiation-Induced Xerostomia. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2): 82-86.
An Unusually Large Symptomatic Paratracheal Air Cyst
Authors: Poddar Anil , Kedia Piyush
Published: October 2012

Paratracheal cysts, usually incidental findings on imaging for other reasons, rarely cause symptoms so as to necessitate treatment. Such a large paratracheal cyst indenting on the apex of the lung is barely reported in the literature.

How to cite this article

Poddar AK, Kedia P. An Unusually Large Symptomatic Paratracheal Air Cyst. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):99-100.
Acute Accidental Formic Acid Poisoning: A Common Problem Reported in Rubber Plantations in Sullia
Authors: Naik Sudhir , Naik Sarika S , Ravishankara S , Appaji Mohan K , Goutham MK , Devi Nonthombam Pinky , Mushannavar Annapurna S
Published: October 2012

Background

Ingestion of formic acid, accidentally or with suicidal intention is a common problem among the workers in rubber plantations in Sullia. The diluted form of formic acid is used in coagulation of rubber latex. Sullia, a small town in South India, is well known for its rubber plantations. Easy accessibility to formic acid makes it susceptible to be used for committing suicide in this region. Also accidental ingestion are very common in these workers.

Aim:

To study a case report of accidental formic acid poisoning and its management.

Intervention

The patient was managed successfully by medical line of treatment. No gastric lavage or antidote was used in treatment and no vomiting induced. Nasogastric tube feeding was done and electrolyte imbalance was corrected.

Conclusion

Easy availability of formic acid should be curtailed by enforcing statutory limitations in its distribution and the complication of formic acid poisoning should be educated to these rubber workers. Patients with hematemesis or melena, after successful treatment, should be followed up with serial esophagogastroduodenoscopy for diagnosis and early treatment of strictures.

How to cite this article

Naik SM, Ravishankara S, Appaji MK, Goutham MK, Devi NP, Mushannavar AS, Naik SS. Acute Accidental Formic Acid Poisoning: A Common Problem Reported in Rubber Plantations in Sullia. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):101-105.
Osteopetrosis: Oral and Maxillofacial Manifestations
Authors: Makarem Abbas , Lotfi Nosrat , Danesh-Sani Seyed Amir , Nazifi Soudabeh
Published: October 2012

Osteopetrosis is a rare hereditary bone disease characterized by osteoclasts malfunction and impaired bone resorption. Decreased vascularity of bone as well as compromised immune system may result in oral and maxillofacial complications. Osteomyelitis is life-threatening problem in these patients usually associated with dental caries or abscess. Dental practitioners could play a crucial role in early diagnosis of osteomyelitis and avoid inappropriate treatments and further complications.

How to cite this article

Makarem A, Lotfi N, Danesh-Sani SA, Nazifi S. Osteopetrosis: Oral and Maxillofacial Manifestations. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2):115-117.
Schwannoma of Parapharyngeal Space
Authors: Naseeruddin Khaja
Published: October 2012

Parapharyngeal tumors are rare and their surgical excision is challenging because of the anatomical complexicity of the area. They are late to present and symptomatology is varied till they become large in size. Herewith, a rare case of schwannoma probably arising from the cervical sympathetic chain is reported presenting as a mass in the parapharyngeal space.

How to cite this article

Naseeruddin K. Schwannoma of Parapharyngeal Space. Int J Head Neck Surg 2012;3(2): 118-120.
Morphological Features of Composite Resin Surfaces after Two- and Three-Body Wear Simulation
Authors: Kanehira Masafumi , Finger Werner J , Iwasaki Naohiko , Koottathape Natthavoot , Takahashi Hidekazu
Published: October 2012

Purpose

To investigate morphological surface features of different composite resins after 30,000 sliding wear cycles under two- and three-body wear action.

Materials and methods

The morphology of worn surfaces of four nanofiller containing composite resins, Filtek Supreme XT (FIL), MI Flow (MFL), Venus Diamond (VED) and Venus Pearl (VEP) were investigated and compared with three conventional composites as references, microfilled Durafill VS (DUR), microhybrid Filtek Z250 (Z250) and hybrid-type Clearfil AP-X (APX). Plane surfaces of the polymerized and water-saturated materials (n = 5) were tested in a custom-built pin-on-disk wear machine fitted with a zirconia ball, 4 mm in diameter, serving as the antagonist ‘cusp’ and loading the specimen at 15° angulation for 3.7 mm long sliding paths (50 N load, 1.2 Hz, 30,000 cycles) either in water, simulating two-body wear, or in slurries of PMMA beads or poppy seed, simulating three-body wear. Random samples of each material were selected and sputter-coated with gold for inspection of the wear patterns using scanning electron microscopy.

Results

Under two-body wear action all materials showed cracking as indicator of fatigue. MFL and VEP with prepolymer particles were least affected. Similarly, surfaces after three-body wearing with PMMA bead slurry revealed crack formation for five of the composites tested. The micro-hybrid Z250 and the nanofilled FIL displayed compressed and shallow delaminated areas. With poppy seed slurry as the third-body medium DUR was deeply destructed. Also the nanohybrid VED with a small fraction of up to 20 ƒÝm large ground glass fillers revealed deep cracks, whereas small delamination areas characterized the hybrid composite APX. Z250 as well as FIL, MFL and VEP were smoothly abraded without showing signs of cracking or delamination.

Conclusion

Composite resin surfaces, worn under two-body sliding showed mainly crack formation as an expression of fatigue. Similarly, three-body abrasion with a PMMA bead slurry revealed surface cracks to various extent and delamination, which is also an expression of fatigue related damage. With fine-ground poppy seed slurry only the microfilled composite with large prepolymer particles showed catastrophic failure. In all other cases the small poppy seed fragments in the slurry abraded the surfaces, removing polymer or fine particle loaded matrix uniformly. Supposedly, poppy seed slurry is a suitable third-body medium, simulating occlusal wear produced by food, rich in fibers or grain.

How to cite this article

Koottathape N, Takahashi H, Iwasaki N, Kanehira M, Finger WJ. Morphological Features of Composite Resin Surfaces after Two- and Three-Body Wear Simulation. World J Dent 2012;3(3):221-228.
Comparative Evaluation of the Shear Bond Strength of a Total Etch Adhesive with a Self-Etching Primer on an Endodontically Treated Teeth
Authors: Bawa Shamina
Published: October 2012

The presentin vitroinvestigation evaluated the shear bond strength of endodontically treated teeth restored with composite resin in conjunction with a total etch adhesive excite and a selfetching primer, Prompt-L-Pop.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the bond strength of two generation bonding systems when used on endodontically treated teeth.

Twenty-four freshly extracted noncarious intact human maxillary and mandibular teeth were selected for this study. They were divided into 2 groups of 12 teeth each. The occlusal surface of the teeth was ground to prepare flat dentin surface. In group I, 5th generation dentin bonding system excite was used and in group 2, Prompt-L-pop, a self-etching primer was used. Both the dentin bonding agents were placed on the flat dentinal surfaces according to the manufacturer's instructions. Cylinders of composite resin were built on the prepared surface using Teflon mold. The prepared specimen were then embedded on an acrylic jig of suitable dimension and transferred to Instron machine for shear bond strength analysis. Shear bond strengths were measured at a cross head speed of 0.03 mm/sec.

How to cite this article

Bawa S, Hegde MN. Comparative Evaluation of the Shear Bond Strength of a Total Etch Adhesive with a Self-Etching Primer on an Endodontically Treated Teeth. World J Dent 2012;3(3):247-249.
Deterministic nature of the underlying dynamics of surface wind fluctuations
Authors: Sreelekshmi R. C. , Asokan K. , Satheesh Kumar K.
Published: October 2012

Abstract. Modelling the fluctuations of the Earth's surface wind has a significant role in understanding the dynamics of atmosphere besides its impact on various fields ranging from agriculture to structural engineering. Most of the studies on the modelling and prediction of wind speed and power reported in the literature are based on statistical methods or the probabilistic distribution of the wind speed data. In this paper we investigate the suitability of a deterministic model to represent the wind speed fluctuations by employing tools of nonlinear dynamics. We have carried out a detailed nonlinear time series analysis of the daily mean wind speed data measured at Thiruvananthapuram (8.483° N,76.950° E) from 2000 to 2010. The results of the analysis strongly suggest that the underlying dynamics is deterministic, low-dimensional and chaotic suggesting the possibility of accurate short-term prediction. As most of the chaotic systems are confined to laboratories, this is another example of a naturally occurring time series showing chaotic behaviour.
The Court of Justice of the EU and the Common European Asylum System: Entering the Third Phase of Harmonisation?
Authors: Zarevac Samuel Boutruche
Published: October 2012

‘That assessment of the extent of the risk [of persecution] must, in all cases, be carried out with vigilance and care, since what are at issue are issues relating to the integrity of the person and to individual liberties, issues which relate to the fundamental values of the Union.’

The case law of the Court of Justice of the EU concerning the Common European Asylum System (CEAS) is still limited. Nonetheless, even this limited case law already offers interesting insights into analysing the potential role of the Court of Justice of the EU in the development of the CEAS, and this jurisprudence is in any event likely to grow significantly, due to the fact that the provisions of the CEAS are the result of a political compromise and so lack clarity. This chapter examines the ruling delivered by the Court in the case of Elgafaji, which contains certain elements which address the interpretative difficulties raised by Article 15(c) of the Qualification Directive, and goes on to consider, through a discussion of the recent ruling in Abdulla, the extent to which the Court’s interpretation of those provisions of the CEAS which replicate the wording of the 1951 Convention will influence the interpretation of this international instrument, and the difficulties presented in this context. The extent of this influence remains to be seen, but it is clear in any event that the Court of Justice is likely to play a major role in the development of the CEAS. One amendment which may prove necessary is the modification of the Court of Justice’s procedural rules such that it can take into account the views of third-party organisations with a special expertise in this field.
The Shaky Legal Foundations for Institutional Action under the Employment, Lisbon and EU2020 Strategies
Authors: Barnard Catherine
Published: October 2012

This chapter considers the legal foundations for the EU institutions to act in the context of the Lisbon and EU2020 Strategies, including the EES (the Luxembourg European Employment Strategy). It begins by examining the formal structure provided by the Treaties for these processes and the legal basis for the resulting measures, focusing on the social strand of the three strategies. The chapter then examines the documents resulting from these strategies to see whether a legal basis is specified and, if so, what. These data are used to conclude that, outside the context of the EES, there is a remarkable absence of any express legal basis for particular EU institutions to act. Nevertheless, the European Council has assumed a pre-eminent role, pushing forward these strategies even in the absence of express competence to do so. The legitimacy of this mode of decision-making is then considered, particularly in the light of the changes introduced by the Lisbon Treaty.
Private Party Liability in EU Law: In Search of the General Regime
Authors: Leczykiewicz Dorota
Published: October 2012

The emergence of private party liability in damages is EU law has been much discussed by academics, but it is clear from the case law of the Court of Justice that we do not yet have a principle of private party liability analogous to the principle of Member State liability. This chapter examines under what conditions it would be justified to claim that there was indeed a general principle of private party liability in EU law. Furthermore, the chapter explains that the introduction of the general principle of private party liability would require a thorough clarification of some of the most fundamental, yet still unclear, concepts of EU law, such as direct effect, the horizontal applicability of EU norms and the principle of effective judicial protection. It is argued that the jurisdiction of the Court of Justice to introduce a general regime of private party liability in damages is not without controversy and that the judicial creation of the principle will be legitimate only if adequate normative justification is provided for its presence in EU law. In this respect, it has to be recognised that EU competition law is not an adequate legal setting for the general regime to be born, because it does not bring to light tensions arising in other contexts.
The EU Constitution—What Will Really Change?
Authors: Dashwood Alan
Published: October 2012

So much disinformation about the Treaty establishing a Constitution for Europe—‘the Constitutional Treaty’, as I shall call it—has been disseminated by the media in this country (and not only here) that there is an urgent need to put the record straight. I am going to tackle the problem in two ways: first, by trying to assuage some false and exaggerated fears of changes that are either fictional or minor; and, secondly, by evaluating what seem to me to be the main changes the Constitutional Treaty is designed genuinely to bring about.
The Current Legal Framework on the Right to Seek Health Care Abroad in the European Union
Authors: Hervey Tamara K
Published: October 2012

Cases involving patients such as Mrs Yvonne Watts, who travelled from the UK to France for a hip replacement to avoid a ‘waiting list’ in the UK, relying on rights in European Union (EU) law, attract high levels of media attention. While the vast majority of patients are either unwilling or unable to travel across borders to receive health care, it is clear that some patients are seeking health care abroad. Although data on patient mobility within the EU are significantly limited, nevertheless, a relatively steady, small but not insignificant number of patients are moving across borders within the EU to receive health care. This paper considers the current legal framework on the rights in EU law of those patients who seek health care in another Member State. As the right to seek private health care abroad is (largely) non-contentious, and has been a well-established feature of EU law since at least the mid 1980s, the focus of this paper is on publicly or quasi-publicly funded health care.
Negotiating European Legislation: The Services Directive
Authors: Flower Joanna
Published: October 2012

The directive on Services in the Internal Market is one of the most controversial and disputed pieces of European legislation in recent years. Known in its infancy as the ‘Bolkestein’ Directive after Frits Bolkestein, the Internal Market Commissioner who first put forward the proposal on behalf of the Commission, and later in the run up to its adoption as the ‘Frankenstein’ Directive, it sparked mass protests across Europe and was even suggested by some as being the real reason why France voted against the draft Constitutional Treaty in 2005.
FromVan DuyntoMangoldviaMarshall:Reducing Direct Effect to Absurdity?
Authors: Dashwood Alan
Published: October 2012

In an article published in 1983, Pierre Pescatore who, as a Member of the Court of Justice, exercised a powerful intellectual influence over the development of European Community law during what might be deemed the Court’s Golden Age, once described direct effect as ‘an infant disease’. What he meant was that, in the early years of the Community, it may have seemed remarkable, even dangerous, that provisions of the EC Treaty or of acts adopted under it could give rise to rights and correlative duties which national courts were called upon to recognise and enforce. But now that Community law had reached maturity, direct effect should be taken for granted, as a normal incident of an advanced constitutional order.
‘What Has It Got to Do Necessarily with the European Union?’: International Family Law and European (Economic) Integration
Authors: Meeusen Johan
Published: October 2012

Family law has long been considered a domain which virtually escaped any impact from European Community law. Insofar as European cooperation was aimed at economic integration in the context of the EEC, the arguments in favour of keeping it that way seemed obvious and convincing. Today, the relationship between European law and (international) family law is often viewed in an entirely different way. The explanation for this shift lies in the broad, functional approach adopted by the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to the free movement of persons in the European Union, as well as in the transformation of the Community from the EEC into the EC and its incorporation into a ‘European Union’ (EU) not exclusively oriented towards economic integration.
Prohibited Grounds of Discrimination under EU Law and the European Convention on Human Rights: Problems of Contrast and Overlap
Authors: Bamforth Nicholas
Published: October 2012

Both EU law and the European Convention on Human Rights contain protections against invidious forms of discrimination. EU law has long been concerned to combat discrimination on the grounds of sex and nationality, and has more recently begun to tackle discrimination on the bases of race, sexual orientation, age, religion or belief and disability. Article 14 of the Convention is also concerned with these grounds—some explicitly, some through judicial interpretation—as well as others such as birth status. However, at a level of detail the two bodies of law differ in many ways: for example, in the contexts in which they apply, in their treatment of justifications for prima facie acts of discrimination, and in the extent to which direct and indirect discrimination are prohibited. It is thus a matter for debate how far they in fact overlap, or have the potential to do so. Furthermore, given that it is a shared concern of EU law and the Convention to combat invidious forms of discrimination, their respective anti-discrimination protections might be felt to provide a particularly strong illustration of the extent to which there are similarities and divergences between the two bodies of law. In this sense, anti-discrimination law offers an illuminating case study of the intersections and differences between the two bodies of ‘European’ law, both at European level and within the domestic legal systems of EU Member States.
Selected Opinions Delivered by Advocate General Lagrange
Authors: Greaves Rosa
Published: October 2012

Maurice Lagrange was appointed Advocate General in 1953 and retired in 1964. He delivered over 80 Opinions in a period of 10 years, covering a wide range of issues. The first 40 or so Opinions concerned the European Coal and Steel Treaty (ECSC Treaty) exclusively, whilst the remainder covered all three Treaties.
Combating Racial Discrimination Through the European Employment Strategy
Authors: Bell Mark
Published: October 2012

During the last decade, the European Union has taken a variety of initiatives that together form a policy on combating racial discrimination. Understandably, legal academics have so far devoted greatest attention to the legislative initiatives, most notably, the EU Race Directive. The Directive is striking, both because of its broad material scope (covering areas such as employment, education, housing and healthcare), but also as a result of the new directions that it introduced into EU antidiscrimination law. Whilst it is certainly the centrepiece of EU anti-racism policy, it is part of a broader policy framework. This includes other, less auspicious legal instruments, as well as various public expenditure programmes. The EU Monitoring Centre on Racism and Xenophobia provides an institutional dimension to the anti-racism policy.
The Transmission State Principle: The End of the Broadcasting Sovereignty of the Member States?
Authors: Katsirea Irini
Published: October 2012

Observers of the media policies of the European Union contend that the transmission state principle of the Television Without Frontiers Directive, by ruling out the restriction of transfrontier broadcasts, which are in compliance with the laws of the originating state, has signified the end of the broadcasting sovereignty of the Member States. The transmission state principle is central to the objective of the Television Without Frontiers Directive to create an internal market in broadcasting services. Laid down initially in Article 2(2) of Directive 89/552/EEC, it has been transferred to Article 2a(1) following the adoption of the revised Directive 97/36/EC. The meaning of the principle has remained the same: Member States are obliged to ensure the unhindered reception of broadcasts lawfully transmitted in their state of origin. They only have a limited possibility to derogate provisionally from the transmission state principle, when foreign television broadcasts manifestly, seriously and gravely breach provisions concerning the protection of minors or public order.
A Policy of Bits and Pieces? The Common Commercial Policy After Nice
Authors: Cremona Marise
Published: October 2012

It is of course by no means certain that the Treaty of Nice will be ratified and that we will face the most radical revision to the EC Treaty provisions on the Common Commercial Policy (CCP) since its inception in 1957. Unlike most other proposed changes, however, this revision was foreshadowed in substance if not in detail by the Treaty of Amsterdam, which by adding a new paragraph 5 to the existing Article 133, allowed for the possibility of the extension of the CCP by Council decision. This aspect of the Treaty of Nice is particularly worth discussing, even in the absence of certainty as to its coming into force, both because some alterations to the CCP would be possible even under the existing regime, and because the issues raised by the Nice amendment are extremely pertinent to any such development. Discussion of the implications of the choices made at Nice are instructive when considering not only the post-Nice CCP but alternative options in the event of other Treaty amendments. The complexity of the Nice amendment is a reminder of just how difficult it is to achieve consensus in this area, and also of how important in practice that consensus is.
Collective Dominance in EC Competition Law: Trojan Horse or Useful Tool?
Authors: Albors-Llorens Albertina
Published: October 2012

The evolution of the concept of joint or collective dominance has contributed an important chapter to EC Competition law and has been the focus of intense attention in the academic literature. This thorny notion has proved relevant both in the context of the application of Article 82 EC and of the EC Merger Regulation even if a textual reference to it was clear in the first case but non-existent in the second.
The Responsibility of Judges in France
Authors: Canivet Guy
Published: October 2012

In the mountains of Kashmir lived a Sultan, the Sultan of Salamandragore, so concerned that the laws he had prescribed were strictly observed that he found good reasons for his judges to condemn all his subjects to death, and to have them dispatched by his executioner. Deprived of sleep by remorse and haunted by his victims, he blamed his judges, and had them decapitated in their turn.

Thus begins a cruel Oriental tale, freely adapted in a poem by Jacques Prévert, which is, it seems to me, quite a good illustration of the paradox of the judge’s responsibility comparing the extraordinary nature of their power to their relationship to politics. Nevertheless, from this point of view, there is indeed in France a question, that is to say a democratic debate, a conflict of opinion generally perceived to be the result of the growing role of law in the regulation of social relationships and the increasing power of judges in the private domain as well as in the public, economic and social spheres.
Prospects for European Company Law After the Judgment of the European Court of Justice in Centros Ltd
Authors: Sørensen Karsten Engsig
Published: October 2012

The ruling of the European Court of Justice in C-212/97 Centros Ltd v. Erhvervs- og Selskabsstyrelsen suggests that the right of establishment enshrined in Article 43 (ex Article 52) of the EC Treaty includes the right to incorporate a company in the EC Member State with the most favourable company laws. The case provides a platform for arguing that choice of place of incorporation within the European Union is at the absolute discretion of business operators, after which point branches may be set up in any other Member State. Even if all activities are conducted in the Member State where the branch is situated, rather than in the Member State of incorporation, no abuse of Article 43 will arise, and the Member State in which the branch is located may be in no position to impede the establishment of a business which has utilised the vehicle of a foreign company.
13Stichting Greenpeaceand Environmental Public Interest Standing before the Community Judicature: Some lessons from the Federal Court of Canada
Authors: McLeod-Kilmurray Heather
Published: October 2012

On April 2,1998, three years after the ruling of the Court of First Instance, the European Court of Justice issued its appeal decision in theStichting Greenpeacecase. The Court of First Instance had deniedlocus standiunder Article 230(4) (Article 173(4)) of the EC Treaty to Greenpeace, two local environmental groups and a series of individual applicants to challenge the decision of the European Commission to continue providing Community structural funds under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) to Spain to build two power stations in the Canary Islands.
3 European Community Legislative Procedures After Amsterdam
Authors: Dashwood Alan
Published: October 2012

When it enters into force on 1 May 1999, the Treaty of Amsterdam will bring amendments to, among other things, the legislative process of the European Community. There will be no change as far-reaching as the introduction of the so-called “co-decision procedure” by the Treaty on European Union (TEU), but a genuine attempt is made to streamline the process, to render it more transparent and to enhance democratic accountability. Inevitably, though, not all the changes will be for the better. Two steps forwards and one back is, as ever, the favoured locomotive style of the Union’s constitution-makers.
The Future of the EC Merger Regulation
Authors: CBE Dan Goyder
Published: October 2012

In September 2000 a celebratory meeting was jointly organised in Brussels by the EC Directorate General for Competition (the former DGIV) and the International Bar Association, to mark the tenth anniversary of the implementation of Regulation 4064/89 which set up the EC system of merger control. As is usually the case at birthday parties, the emphasis was on the success already achieved by the celebrant rather than on any of its possible shortcomings! Much was said about the sound foundations laid in the years immediately before the Regulation was adopted, when a range of opinion was sought from all around the Community on how its procedures should be set up, drawing on the experience of officials and lawyers in many Member States as well as the USA. Tribute was also rightly paid at the celebrations to the proactive role of Commission officials in the Merger Task Force especially during its early years, when its traditions of a user-friendly approach and the positive use of the pre-notification period were established.
Plus ça Change? Article 5(1) of the Regulation on Jurisdiction and the Recognition and Enforcement of Judgments
Authors: Rogerson Pippa
Published: October 2012

In October 2000 the Commission of the European Community presented an amended proposal of the Council’s new Regulation on jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of judgments in civil and commercial matters. This Regulation proposes considerable changes to the Brussels Convention. Article 5(1) has been one of the most frequently used and often litigated provisions of the Brussels Convention. Academic criticism of it in England has occasionally been forceful. Article 5(1) has not escaped the reforming zeal of the Commission and it is interesting to reflect on the new Regulation.
Large-scale Enzymatic Synthesis of 12-Ketoursodeoxycholic Acid from Dehydrocholic Acid by Simultaneous Combination of 3α-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase from Pseudomonas testosteroni and 7β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase from Collinsella aerofaciens
Authors: Bakonyi Daniel , Wirtz Astrid , Hummel Werner
Published: October 2012

12-Keto-UDCA is an important optically active component for the drug ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). Starting from the three-keto compound dehydrocholic acid, the carbonyl groups at position 3 and 7 have to be reduced stereo- and regioselectively. In this case we applied two hydroxysteroid dehydrogenases for this purpose, the NAD-dependent 3α-HSDH from Pseudomonas testosteroni and the NADP-dependent 7β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase from Collinsella aerofaciens. Both enzymes can be produced in high yields by an Escherichia coli strain as recombinant proteins. In order to avoid impurities by the 7a-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of Escherichia coli, a mutant strain with an inactivated 7a-enzyme was applied for producing the three enzymes. For bioconversion, the dehydrogenases can be used as crude enzyme samples and are applied simultaneously. A 1.8 L batch of 100mM DHCA incubated at pH = 8.0 and 25°C resulted in 80 g crude product with a quite high purity of ≥ 99:5% as judged by HPLC analysis.
The Boundary Layer as Reaction Compartment for the Synthesis of Hydroxyalkyl-functionalized Siloxanes
Authors: Fröhlich Peter , Bertau Martin
Published: October 2012

Enzyme catalysis in two-phase systems, particularly in the functionalization of siloxanes, is a new challenge for biocatalysis. On the basis of three different reaction systems, stirred tank reactor, enzyme membrane reactor and micro mixer, the influence of the phase boundary layer along the interface between an aqueous system and an organosiloxane on the synthesis of hydroxyalkylfunctionalized siloxanes is discussed and solutions presented. Micro mixers produce, through a large surface area to volume ratio, boundary layers within which through a formate dehydrogenasecatalyzed reaction the conversion of 1,3-bis-(3-formoxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane to 1,3-bis-(3- hydroxypropyl)tetramethyldisiloxane can be achieved. In contrast, in a stirred tank reactor even after 96 h only 45% of the formoxy siloxane has been converted.
Indian Legal Deposit Legislation and its Impact on the National Library
Authors: Biswas Subhas C.
Published: October 2012

Over the last few decades the Indian legal deposit legislation or Delivery of Books Act 1954 together with limitations in its application has brought stagnation in every sphere of activity of the National Library of India. The other two relevant acts, Press and Registration of Books Act 1867 and Copyright Act 1957, running parallel have helped in creating more confusion within both the publishing and library world of India. Being under the direct control of the central government as a subordinate office of the Ministry of Culture has forced the Library to operate within the four walls of rigid rules and regulations with very little flexibility in management and policy matters. The author deals with these shortcomings and their effect on the National Library with suggestions that could be considered while redrafting new legislation.
Development of Educational Software for Designing Shell-and-Tube Heat Exchangers
Authors: El-Harbawi Mohanad , Acellam David , Yin Chun-Yang
Published: October 2012

A framework for developing educational software using the Visual Basic (VB) programming language for designing shell-and-tube heat exchangers (based on Kern and Bell–Delaware methods) is presented in this study. Simulation values from the software have been validated using manual calculations and compared with those from related software (HEXTRAN).
Teaching Material Behaviour and Processing to Undergraduate Mechanical Engineering Students: A Personal Viewpoint
Authors: Somashekar A. A.
Published: October 2012

This paper presents some experiences of teaching undergraduate mechanical engineering classes, including students' questioning of the need to learn certain aspects of engineering, and the author's responses, based on his own practical work background.
Dyspnea assessment and pulmonary hypertension in patients with systemic sclerosis: Utility of the University of California, San Diego, Shortness of Breath Questionnaire
Authors: Chung Lorinda , Chen Hubert , Khanna Dinesh , Steen Virginia D.
Published: October 2012

Objective

The University of California in San Diego Shortness of Breath Questionnaire (UCSD SOBQ) has been used to assess dyspnea‐related activity limitation in patients with airway and parenchymal lung disease. We sought to assess the construct validity and responsiveness of the UCSD SOBQ in systemic sclerosis (SSc; scleroderma) patients with incident pulmonary hypertension (PH) and those at high risk of developing PH.

Methods

We used data from 179 patients enrolled in the Pulmonary Hypertension Assessment and Recognition of Outcomes in Scleroderma Registry with pre‐PH (defined by criteria on pulmonary function tests and/or echocardiogram) or definite PH with mean pulmonary artery pressure ≥25 mm Hg by right‐sided heart catheterization within 6 months of enrollment. For this analysis, we included those subjects with complete data for self‐reported measures at baseline and at 12 months.

Results

At baseline, the UCSD SOBQ had strong correlations in the expected direction with the disability index (DI) of the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001), dyspnea assessment by visual analog scale (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001), and the Short Form 36 (SF‐36) health survey physical component summary (PCS) score (r = −0.77, P < 0.0001), as well as a moderate correlation with the 6‐minute walk test distance (r = −0.33, P < 0.0001), Borg dyspnea score (r = 0.47, P < 0.0001), and diffusing capacity of carbon monoxide (r = −0.33, P < 0.0001). Change in the UCSD SOBQ at 12 months correlated in the expected direction with change in the HAQ DI (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001) and change in the SF‐36 PCS (r = −0.44, P < 0.0001). Multivariate analysis adjusting for age, sex, and race identified male sex as a significant predictor of death (odds ratio [OR] 7.00, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.55–31.76), while the UCSD SOBQ showed a strong trend toward significance (OR 1.82, 95% CI 0.97–3.41).

Conclusions

The UCSD SOBQ demonstrates good construct validity and responsiveness to change in SSc patients with pulmonary vascular disease.
Leflunomide in psoriatic arthritis: Results from a large European prospective observational study
Authors: Behrens Frank , Finkenwirth Christoph , Pavelka Karel , S̆tolfa Jiří , S̆ipek‐Dolnicar Alenka , Thaçi Diamant , Burkhardt Harald
Published: October 2012

Objective

To determine the “real‐world” clinical effectiveness and safety of leflunomide in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA).

Methods

This prospective, multinational 24‐week observational study involved adult patients with active PsA who initiated treatment with leflunomide. Patients were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. The primary outcome was response as assessed by the Psoriatic Arthritis Response Criteria (PsARC) in patients with pre‐ and posttreatment data. A modified PsARC response analysis included patients with joint counts, but no severity scores. Other effectiveness evaluations included global assessments, fatigue, pain, skin disease, dactylitis, and nail lesions. All patients were evaluated for safety.

Results

A total of 514 patients were enrolled in this study (mean age 50.7 years, mean disease duration 6.1 years). In the primary effectiveness analysis, 380 (86.4%) of 440 patients (95% confidence interval 82.8%–89.4%) achieved a PsARC response at 24 weeks. Significant improvements were observed in tender and swollen joint scores and counts, patient and physician global assessments, fatigue, pain, skin disease, dactylitis, and nail lesions. The discontinuation rate was 12.3%. Ninety‐eight adverse drug reactions occurred in 62 (12.1%) patients; 3 drug reactions were serious (2 increased liver enzymes, 1 hypertensive crisis).

Conclusion

Leflunomide is an effective and well‐tolerated option for PsA in daily clinical practice, with beneficial effects on peripheral arthritis and on other PsA manifestations, including pain, fatigue, dactylitis, and skin disease.
Thermoluminescence characterization of Dy3+‐activated Mg5(BO3)3F low Zeff phosphor
Authors: Wani Javaid A. , Dhoble N.S. , Dhoble S.J.
Published: October 2012

Thermoluminescence characteristics of Dy3+‐activated Mg5(BO3)3F low Zeff phosphor are described. The Mg5(BO3)3F phosphor doped with Dy3+ as activator was prepared by the modified solid‐state reaction. Formation of the compound was confirmed by use of X‐ray powder diffraction. The X‐ray powder diffraction pattern of the as‐prepared compound shows a good match with the available JCPDS data. The γ‐irradiated Mg5(BO3)3F:Dy3+ phosphor shows a simple glow curve peaking at about 148°C indicating that only one type of trap is being activated within a particular temperature range. The kinetic parameters, including activation energy and frequency factor were determined using Chen's method. The activation energy and frequency factors were 0.75 eV and 4.508 × 109/s respectively. The Zeff of Mg5(BO3)3F:Dy3+ phosphor was 9.84. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Superoxide dismutase induces G1‐phase cell cycle arrest by down‐regulated expression of Cdk‐2 and cyclin‐E in murine sarcoma S180 tumor cells
Authors: Liu Dongyue , Liu Anjun
Published: October 2012

As an efficient reactive oxygen species–scavenging enzyme, superoxide dismutase (SOD) has been shown to inhibit tumor growth and interfere with motility and invasiveness of cancer cells. In this study, the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle arrest when S180 tumor cells were exposed to high levels of SOD were investigated. Here, both murine sarcoma S180 tumor cells and NIH‐3T3 mouse fibroblasts were respectively treated with varying concentrations of Cu/Zn‐SOD for 24, 48 and 72 h to determine optimal dose of SOD, which was a concentration of 800 U/ml SOD for 48 h. It is found that SOD induced S180 cell cycle arrest at G1‐phase with decreasing level of superoxide production, whereas SOD had less effect on proliferation of NIH‐3T3 cells. Moreover, the expression rate of Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA) in S180 tumor cells was suppressed after SOD treatment, which indicated the inhibition of DNA synthesis in S180 cells. Besides, there were significant down‐regulations of cyclin‐E and Cdk‐2 in S180 cells after SOD treatment, which contributed to the blockage of G1/S transition in S180 cell cycle. Together, our data confirmed that SOD could notably inhibit proliferation of S180 tumor cell and induce cell cycle arrest at G1‐phase by down‐regulating expressions of cyclin‐E and Cdk‐2. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Biodegradation of trichloroethylene in anaerobic hybrid reactor
Authors: Mitra Shibam , Gupta S.K.
Published: October 2012

In this study, anaerobic hybrid reactor (AHR) was intensively used for the treatment of synthetic wastewater containing trichloroethylene (TCE) by gradual increment in influent TCE and chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentrations. The acclimatization study revealed that 99.93 ± 0.13% and 97.81 ± 0.42% of TCE and COD could be removed at an influent TCE and COD concentrations of 50 and 2000 mg/L, respectively. The maximum yield coefficient (Ym) was found to be 0.05 mg biomass/mg COD, whereas the maximum specific substrate as COD (qm · S) and cosubstrate as TCE (qm · CS) utilization rates were found to be 0.526 mg COD/mg volatile suspended solids (VSS)/day and 0.0125 mg TCE/mg VSS/day, respectively, during the biokinetics study. An optimum hydraulic retention time for the maximum TCE removal was found to be 18 h. The AHR showed high potentiality for the treatment of wastewater containing high concentration of TCE. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1055–1060, 2013
Impact of temperature on the rate of formation of sulfuric acid in mine tailings
Authors: Street Gary
Published: October 2012

Acid mine drainage (AMD) results from the action of water and air on tailings left from the mining of certain sulfide containing ores. It has caused a great deal of environmental damage in the past, and remains an issue today. This article raises the question of the impact of seasonal temperature variation on the formation of AMD, as well as the impact of global warming on the formation of AMD. Preliminary calculations show that both can have a significant impact on the amount of AMD formed. As such increased ambient temperatures must be taken into account when designing systems to handle AMD. The Arrhenius equation along with literature values for the activation energy was used to make an initial assessment of the impact of temperature. These preliminary calculations show that the impact may be very dramatic from seasonal extremes, and enhanced even further by global warming. Additional work is needed to more accurately predict the relationship between AMD formation and temperature. Nevertheless, even the preliminary work presented here strongly suggests that AMD will increase with either or both of these conditions. © 2012 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 32: 1155–1157, 2013
Chemical markers for bitterness in wheat bread
Authors: Bin Qing , Jiang Deshou , Cho In Hee , Peterson Devin G.
Published: October 2012

The manufacture of high‐quality whole‐grain products is challenged by poor flavour attributes, such as excessive bitterness. In a recent study our group characterized eight compounds that contributed to the bitterness of a whole‐wheat bread sample. The goal of this study was to investigate the chemical profile of these bitter compounds in relation to the perceived bitterness of four commercial whole wheat breads and one refined wheat bread. Highly significant correlations (α = 0.01) were observed between the perceived bitterness in the crust and the quantity of 5‐(hydroxymethyl)furfural (r2 = 0.93) and 2,3‐dihydro‐3,5‐dihydroxy‐6‐methyl‐4(H)‐pyran‐4‐one (r2 = 0.95). In the crumb, the bitterness was correlated with the amount of l‐tryptophan (r2 = 0.91). In summary, both Maillard‐ and fermentation‐derived compounds were identified as potential chemical markers to predict bitterness of whole‐wheat bread. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.