bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hygienic and physicochemical quality characterisation of artisanal and industrial Pecorino Calabrese cheese
Authors: Campolo Orlando , Romeo Flora V , Attinà Alda , Zappalà Lucia , Palmeri Vincenzo
Published: July 2013

Samples of artisanal and industrial Pecorino Calabrese cheese were collected from 20 dairy farms located in Calabria (Italy) and analysed to evaluate the microscopic and microbiological quality. The number of yeasts and moulds, total coliforms and enterococci was significantly higher in the artisanal cheese. The presence of two samples in both farms exceeding the hygienic limit in terms of Escherichia coli count highlights incorrect hygienic procedures in this kind of production. The filth analysis showed that the amount of solid impurities was significantly higher in the artisanal cheese, while only arthropods were more frequent in the industrial one.
Diadenosine polyphosphates after laser in situ keratomileusis and photorefractive keratectomy refractive techniques
Authors: Carracedo Gonzalo , Cacho Isabel , Sanchez‐Naves Juan , Pintor Jesus
Published: July 2013

Purpose:  To study the concentrations of diadenosine polyphosphates in the ocular surface after PRK and LASIK.

Methods:  Sixty‐one patients (30 males and 31 females) with ages ranging from 20 to 63 (34.04 ± 9.13 years) were recruited in Balear Institute of Ophthalmology, Palma de Mallorca, Spain. LASIK was performed in 92 eyes of 46 patients and PRK in 25 eyes of 15 patients. Variations in the levels of diadenosine polyphosphate (Ap4A and Ap5A), Schirmer I (Jones test), TBUT, corneal staining together with the Dry Eye Questionnaire to evaluate discomfort and dryness were studied. All tests were performed at the preoperative visit and at 1‐day, 2‐week, 1‐month and 3‐month postoperative visits.

Results:  Ap4A showed a 5 and 3.5 fold increase at the 1‐day visit for LASIK and PRK, respectively. LASIK patients continued having higher statistically significant concentrations (p = 0.01) all over the follow‐up. Ap5A showed no significant differences at any visit. Tear volume decreased during the 3 months in LASIK. The PRK cases had a normal volume at 1 month. TBUT in LASIK increased at the 1‐day visit (p = 0,002) and decreased from the 2 weeks onwards and for the PRK, decreased by a 35% at the 1‐day visit and kept reduced for a month. Discomfort only increased at the 1‐day visit (p = 0.007). Dryness frequency was similar in all visits.

Conclusions:  Ap4A levels only are increased in refractive surgery patients during the first day after the surgery. This increasing suggests that Ap4A may help accelerating the healing process.
Immediate Implants Placed in Infected and Noninfected Sites after Atraumatic Tooth Extraction and Placement with Ultrasonic Bone Surgery
Authors: Blus Cornelio , Szmukler‐Moncler Serge , Khoury Paul , Orrù Germano
Published: July 2013

Background

Only a few reports deal with implants placed in infected postextraction sites.

Purpose

Survival rates of a cohort of immediate implants cases placed in acute and chronically infected sites were compared with a cohort of noninfected ones while (1) tooth extraction and osteotomy sites were prepared with a piezosurgery device and (2) ultrasonication was applied to abate the bacterial charge at infected sites.

Materials and Methods

Eighty‐six patients received 168 immediate implants distributed into three groups: noninfected (85), acute (36), and chronically (47) infected sites. Atraumatic extraction and implant osteotomy were performed with an ultrasonic surgery device without flap elevation. All sites received the same medication and surgical protocol; infected sites were ultrasonicated during 30 seconds at 72 W. Kaplan–Meyer survival rates were calculated at 1 year.

Results

The 1‐year survival rates of the noninfected, chronically, and acute infected groups were 98.8, 100, and 94.4%, respectively. The differences were not statistically significant. No implant was lost after loading. All teeth and roots could be extracted in one piece. Drilling at extraction sockets was uncomplicated, without skidding.

Conclusions

Implant survival rates might be similar in infected and noninfected sites when infected sites receive standard medical and surgical treatment and are ultrasonicated. Atraumatic tooth/root extraction and implant placement can be reliably performed with piezoelectric surgery.
Dentin sialoprotein (DSP) transcripts: developmentally‐sustained expression in odontoblasts and transient expression in pre‐ameloblasts
Authors: Ritchie H. H. , Berry J. E. , Somerman M. J. , Hanks C. T. , Bronckers A. L. J. J. , Hotton D. , Papagerakis P. , Berdal A. , Butler W. T.
Published: July 2013

Dentin sialoprotein (DSP), a 53 kDa glycoprotein, is believed to be present exclusively in dentin. Using rat and mouse digoxigenin labeled (DIG)‐DSP and 35S‐DSP riboprobes, and in situ hybridization techniques, we have studied the presence of DSP mRNA at specific developmental stages of dentinogenesis. In mouse and rat molars and incisors, DSP transcripts were localized in young odontoblasts associated with early stages of predentin formation, as well as in mature odontoblasts, cells with cytoplasmic extensions embedded in the forming dentin. No DSP transcripts were detected in dental pulp, enamel organ, ameloblasts, epithelial root sheath, Meckel's cartilage, alveolar bone or tibia. Furthermore, no DSP mRNA was observed in other soft tissues including heart, lung, kidney, intestine, eye, and muscle. In addition to the intense and prolonged expression by odontoblasts, DSP mRNA was transiently expressed by pre‐ameloblasts in both developing molars and incisors. These observations are consistent with the results of previous immunohistochemical studies (1). The transient expression of DSP in pre‐ameloblasts across from young odontoblasts suggests an involvement of DSP in epithelial‐mesenchymal interactions that are crucial to later stages of tooth development.
STANDARDISING DIALYSATE POTASSIUM DOES NOT INCREASE PATIENT RISK
Authors: Abeleda Kristoffer L. , Bennett Paul N. , Ockerby Cherene
Published: July 2013

Background

Rapid intradialytic potassium shifts during haemodialysis have been associated with increased mortality and morbidity. Standardising dialysate potassium to 2 mmol/l may decrease the potassium shift.

Objective

To examine the effect of standardising dialysate potassium to 2 mmol/l for all chronic dialysis treatments.

Design

Pre‐ and post‐intervention comparison of monthly serum potassium.

Participants

Ninety‐seven individuals, of whom 56 patients could be matched across both data collection periods.

Methods

Serum potassium data were categorised based on a target range 3.5–6.0 mmol/l. Overall pre‐ and post‐intervention mean scores were compared using a paired samples t‐test. Data for patients routinely prescribed dialysate potassium 1 mmol/l pre‐intervention (n = 6) underwent paired samples t‐test to compare their mean serum potassium pre‐ and post‐intervention.

Results

There was no statistically significant change in serum potassium post‐intervention. The majority of patients remained within the target range, including the subset of patients who had a history of high serum potassium during the pre‐intervention period.

Conclusions

A standard potassium dialysate of 2 mmol/l may reduce intradialytic serum potassium shifts and may assist in standardising safer work practices.
Health Disparities of Adults with Intellectual Disabilities: What Do We Know? What Do We Do?
Authors: Krahn Gloria L. , Fox Michael H.
Published: July 2013

Background

Recent attention to health of people with intellectual disabilities has used a health disparities framework. Building on historical context, the paper summarizes what is known about health disparities from reports and research and provide direction on what to do to reduce these disparities among adults with intellectual disabilities.

Methods

The present authors examined literature from 2002 to 2011 on health disparities and people with disabilities looking for broad themes on documenting disparities and on research approaches and methods.

Results

Multiple countries published reports on health of people with intellectual disabilities. Researchers summarized existing research within a health disparities framework. A number of promising methodologies are identified such as health services research, health indicators, enhanced surveillance and mixed‐methods.

Conclusions

Strategies to reduce health disparities include use of data to educate decision makers, attention to social determinants and a life‐course model and emphasis on leveraging inclusion in mainstream services where possible.
Invasion ratcheting in the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) and the ability of native and invaded ranges to predict its global distribution
Authors: Gallardo Belinda , zu Ermgassen Philine S. E. , Aldridge David C.
Published: July 2013

Aim

In this study, we investigate changes in the environmental niche of an important pest species, the zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha), across its world‐wide distribution. The ability of models based on the native (Ponto‐Caspian) and invaded (Western European and North American) ranges to accurately model the potential distribution of zebra mussel elsewhere was also investigated.

Location

Europe and North America.

Methods

A comprehensive cross‐continental occurrence database of the zebra mussel was used to explore the species' native and invaded ranges using univariate and multivariate analyses. In addition, ecological niche models (ENMs, employing MaxEnt) were used to investigate the ability of the native and invaded ranges to describe the species' distribution elsewhere.

Results

We found the zebra mussel to occupy different, but partly overlapping, environmental niches in the native Ponto‐Caspian region and invaded European and North American regions. Accordingly, the ENMs calibrated with the native range accurately predicted regions of early colonization in Europe and North America, but not the subsequent expansion. ENMs calibrated with data from the European range failed to describe the invaded range in North America, and vice versa. Climate suitability curves further confirmed a progressive spatio‐temporal stretching of the climatic tolerance of the zebra mussel.

Main conclusions

This study provides novel evidence of multiple episodes of niche expansion in a notorious invasive species, and supports the use of partial ranges to better understand the species' spatio‐temporal history of invasion. Separately, the native and invaded ranges provided important information regarding the species' environmental tolerance and the regions that are most suitable for first colonization, as well as identifying regions at risk in the case of a possible reintroduction. Collectively, the differences between the three ecological niche projections of the zebra mussel demonstrate that niche expansion of an invasive species within a new geographical region promotes the organism's further invasion in space and time, a process known as invasion ratcheting.
Comparison of peri‐implant crevicular fluid levels of adrenomedullin and human beta defensins 1 and 2 from mandibular implants with different implant stability quotient levels in nonsmoker patients
Authors: Ertugrul A. S. , Tekin Y. , Alpaslan N. Z. , Bozoglan A. , Sahin H. , Dikilitas A.
Published: July 2013

Background and Objective

To achieve satisfactory osseointegration, primary stability and healthy peri‐implant tissue must be available. In this study, our objective was to compare the adrenomedullin, human beta‐defensin (hBD)‐1 and hBD‐2 levels in implants with different implant stability quotient (ISQ) values and with different peri‐implant tissue health values in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid.

Material and Methods

Thirty patients with 60 endosseous osseointegrated implants were included in this study. Following the completion of the osseointegration process, these implants were divided into two main groups: a group of 15 implants with peri‐implantitis (peri‐implantitis: 40 ≤ ISQ ≤ 80 peri‐implantitis, n = 15) and a group of 45 implants with healthy peri‐implant tissue. The healthy peri‐implant tissue group was further divided into three subgroups according to their ISQ values (Healthy‐60: 60 ≤ ISQ ≤ 70, healthy peri‐implant, n = 15; Healthy‐80: 71 ≤ ISQ ≤ 80, healthy peri‐implant, n = 15; and Healthy‐100: 81 ≤ ISQ ≤ 100, healthy peri‐implant, n = 15). The levels of adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid were assessed using ELISAs.

Results

When the peri‐implant clinical measurements were compared within groups, they were found to be highest in the peri‐implantitis group and lowest in the Healthy‐100 group. The adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 levels in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid of the peri‐implantitis group were found to be significantly higher than those in the Healthy‐60, Healthy‐80 and Healthy‐100 groups. When only the healthy peri‐implant tissue groups were evaluated, the adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 levels in the peri‐implant crevicular fluid of the Healthy‐60 group were found to be significantly higher than those in the Healthy‐80 and Healthy‐100 groups. The lowest adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 levels were observed in the Healthy‐100 group.

Conclusion

In cases of peri‐implantitis, higher adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 levels were observed. These results indicate the presence of a tissue response to prevent the creation of a pathological environment in the peri‐implant tissue. In groups with healthy peri‐implant tissues, the ISQ value decreases as the adrenomedullin, hBD‐1 and hBD‐2 levels increase. This condition is thought to be caused by increased dental plaque accumulation and bone resorption in addition to increased lateral implant movements and colonization of microorganisms in the microcavities between the implant elements.
Interaction of Penicillin‐Binding Protein 2x and Ser/Thr protein kinase StkP, two key players in Streptococcus pneumoniae R6 morphogenesis
Authors: Morlot C. , Bayle L. , Jacq M. , Fleurie A. , Tourcier G. , Galisson F. , Vernet T. , Grangeasse C. , Di Guilmi A. M.
Published: July 2013

Bacterial cell growth and division require the co‐ordinated action of peptidoglycan biosynthetic enzymes and cell morphogenesis proteins. However, the regulatory mechanisms that allow generating proper bacterial shape and thus preserving cell integrity remain largely uncharacterized, especially in ovococci. Recently, the conserved eukaryotic‐like Ser/Thr protein kinase of Streptococcus pneumoniae (StkP) was demonstrated to play a major role in cell shape and division. Here, we investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying the regulatory function(s) of StkP and show that it involves one of the essential actors of septal peptidoglycan synthesis, Penicillin‐Binding Protein 2x (PBP2x). We demonstrate that StkP and PBP2x interact directly and are present in the same membrane‐associated complex in S. pneumoniae. We further show that they both display a late‐division localization pattern at the division site and that the positioning of PBP2x depends on the presence of the extracellular PASTA domains of StkP. We demonstrate that StkP and PBP2x interaction is mediated by their extracellular regions and that the complex formation is inhibited in vitro in the presence of cell wall fragments. These data suggest that the role of StkP in cell division is modulated by an interaction with PBP2x.
Near Zero Fluoroscopic Implantation of BIV ICD Using Electro‐anatomical Mapping
Authors: MINA ADEL , WARNECKE NICHOLAS
Published: July 2013

Background

Biventricular (BIV) implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantations are traditionally performed using fluoroscopic guidance, exposing both patients and laboratory staff to the risks of radiation. Three‐dimensional (3D) electro‐anatomical mapping (EAM) has been used in limited reports with modest decrease in fluoroscopy time in adjunct to standard use of contrast. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of EAM in BIV ICD implantation with near zero use of fluoroscopy and contrast.

Methods and Results

Retrospective analysis was performed in two patient groups (both n = 10): (1) the near zero fluoroscopy (NZF) group consisting of consecutive adult patients, in which BIV implantation was accomplished by EAM; and (2) the fluoroscopy (F) group, in which BIV implantation was additionally guided by fluoroscopy and contrast use. The same operator performed all procedures with a step‐by‐step approach detailed below. Complications were limited to one patient in the standard (F) group who had a pneumothorax related to difficult access with occluded collateralized subclavian vein and small hematoma with no intervention required. Another patient in the NZF group had lead revision with an extra 0.5 minutes of fluoroscopy related to microdislodgement secondary to body habitus and postural changes.

Conclusion

This NZF technique was feasible and effective in near elimination of contrast use, as well as in decreasing fluoroscopy exposure to as low as 0.1 minutes or near zero exposure. We also highlighted the technique in detailed step‐by‐step approach. It was also discovered that 3D mapping does not increase procedure time. In fact there was a tendency toward shortening the procedure time, further demonstrating the feasibility of this technique for the implantation of BIV ICD. Acute procedural success, complications, and clinical outcome were comparable in both groups.
Attentional processing of multiple targets and distractors
Authors: Munneke Jaap , Fait Elisa , Mazza Veronica
Published: July 2013

We assessed the functioning of attention when multiple relevant objects are intermingled with multiple distractors, measuring two electrophysiological subcomponents of the N2pc that have been associated, respectively, with target selection and distractor suppression: the target negativity (Nt) and the distractor positivity (Pd). To this aim, we orthogonally manipulated the number of targets and distractors in an enumeration task. The Nt was modulated by target, but not distractor numerosity, suggesting that an increase in target numerosity leads to an increase in attentional resources needed to form individual representations of the targets. In contrast, the number of distractors did not differentially alter the Pd. We hypothesize that distractors sharing similar visual features can be processed (and possibly suppressed) as a set, without the need for individuation.
Application of Shakedown Analysis to Evaluation of Creep-Fatigue Limits
Authors: Carter Peter , Jetter R. I. , Sham T.-L. (Sam)
Published: July 2013

Shakedown analysis may be used to provide a conservative estimate of local rupture and hence cyclic creep damage for use in a creep-fatigue assessment. The shakedown analysis is based on an elastic-perfectly plastic material with a temperature-dependent pseudo yield stress defined to guarantee that a shakedown solution exists, which does not exceed rupture stress and temperature for a defined life. The ratio of design life to the estimated cyclic life is the shakedown creep damage. Fatigue damage may be calculated from the local strain values in the shakedown analysis using the existing procedures in Appendix T of Subsection NH for equivalent strain range. The methodology does not require stress classification and is also applicable to cycles over the full range of temperature above and below the creep regime.
Crack Initiation/Propagation of Perforated Plate Under Displacement-Controlled Creep-Fatigue Test at Elevated Temperature
Authors: Watanabe Osamu , Akiyama Taisuke , Matsuda Akihiro
Published: July 2013

In structures having stress concentration under cyclic and holding loading, a small crack initiates and it grows and propagates. The present paper shows the experimental results of the perforated plate having the different diameters and the prescribed different strain amplitude. In the specimens having a circular hole, a crack initiates at the hole side having the most severe stress concentration in the specimen, and then the other crack also starts to initiate at the opposite hole side. Growth of both cracks is observed from the photographs taken at each cycle to study the relation between crack growth and load decrease. The feature of crack growth initiating of creep-fatigue test from multiple origins will be discussed for those of fatigue test.
Analysis of Cracks in the 15MnNbR Spherical Tanks
Authors: Wang Weihua , Li Xiang , Li Guanghai , Zhang Yiliang , Wang Zhen
Published: July 2013

15MnNbR Spherical tanks in a lighter hydrocarbon reservoir were tested by internal MT. Almost whole circle crack located at fusion zone of the weld connecting equator plate and the lower pole plate was found. The cracks are parallel to the weld and the deepest depth is 10 mm. Through hardness testing, metallographic testing and residual stress testing, etc, the causes of cracks were analyzed. The analysis shows that strong assembly, poor welding process controlling and poor effect of post weld heat treatment are the main causes for formation of the cracks.
Research on Systemic Risk of Pressure Special Equipment
Authors: Yang Jingbiao , Zheng Jiong , Li Xufeng , Luo Weijian
Published: July 2013

Traditional risk management or risk-based inspection focuses on the probability and the consequences of failure almost without considering the impact on society of the failure events. Social impact of a failure event resulting from a same type of equipment but with the occurrence of the event in the occasion with different public opinion and mental capacity is not the same. The social impact of an event resulting from a pressure special equipment, namely a risk intensity as a modified factor is introduced in this paper based on the traditional description of risk. A systemic risk model is developed after the consequences of failure is modified by the risk intensity. The model built explains the phenomenon well that the failure of the same equipment in different occasions has different social impact.
Reliability of Water Jet Peening for Alloy 600 PWSCC Mitigation
Authors: Okimura Koji , Sugimoto Noriaki , Suzuki Harutaka
Published: July 2013

As a countermeasure against high residual stress, we have developed some residual stress improvement methods; Water Jet Peening (WJP) [1] [2] for components installed in water, Shot Peening by Ultrasonic-wave vibration (USP) for components installed in air, and outer surface irradiated Laser Stress Improvement Process (L-SIP)[3] for components that can only be accessed from the outer surface.

WJP is applied to Reactor Vessel (RV) outlet/inlet nozzle safe-end joints (Alloy600 weld metal), RV Bottom Mounted Instrument (BMI) inner surface and J-weld. Especially, it is difficult to apply the technology to BMI because BMI inner surface is a very narrow space (inner diameter; approximately 10–15mm) and BMI J-weld configuration is a complicated 3-dimensional form.

On the occasion of actual application, we carry out the verification tests and check that a stress improvement was effective as one of PWSCC mitigations. And the compressive stress induced by the WJP was verified to continue to exist under actual plant operation conditions.

Thus, in addition to replacing the material with Alloy 690, converting the residual stress to compressive one can prevent the occurrence of PWSCC.
Comparison of Heat Input Methods in Welding Residual Stress Analysis
Authors: Dewees David J.
Published: July 2013

Welding residual stress simulation through finite element analysis is becoming increasingly common in fitness-for-service (FFS) assessments of pressurized equipment. The driving force for the residual stress is non-uniform thermal expansion and plastic strain due to drastic temperature gradients; with this in mind, proper heat transfer modeling is essential to meaningful mechanical predictions. The fundamental input to the heat transfer model is the welding arc power, which is commonly represented as an assigned triple Gaussian function (Goldak double ellipsoid model) or more simply, as a uniform temperature. These two methods are compared in detail, and conclusions drawn about the impact of the heat transfer modeling strategy on the predicted weld residual stress for two detailed cases. This evaluation finds particular significance when the welding power, or more particularly the welding energy per unit length, is used in an attempt to characterize a given weld.
Development on Predictive Maintenance Intelligent Management System of Static Equipments
Authors: Jia Guodong , Wang Hui , Li Xiang , Wang Weihua
Published: July 2013

The ability to forecast equipments failure is vital to reducing maintenance costs, operation downtime and safety hazards. In this paper, first, RBI application status in China is discussed. Through analyzing the existing condition of RBI technology on equipments, the necessary of dynamic risk management based on RBI is pointed out. After that, the development Status of RBI Software in China is put forward. Considering the shortcoming of these pieces of software, Static Equipment Predictive Maintenance Intelligent Management System is built by China Special Equipment Inspection & Research Institute (CSEI). The system integrates 8 core modules, including corrosion monitoring and management module, the remaining life evaluation calculation module, damage mode discrimination module, material upgrade management module, the analysis and prediction of erosion areas of the pipes module, risk analysis and dynamic updates module, safe operation of warning based on GIS module, the generation of the inspection scheme module. It provides timely the equipments operation condition information for the plant management departments, realizes the combination with plant management and condition monitoring. Finally, the scheme and the thoughts of the system are introduced in details. And the characteristics and functions of the proposed system have been demonstrated.
Practice of RBI in Refinery and Chemical Plants of China
Authors: Ma Xin , Xie Yi
Published: July 2013

An overview of Risk-based Inspection (RBI) practice in Refinery and Chemical Plants of China is presented in this paper, including methodology review and research, pilot project, comprehensive implementation, regulations and standards development. The interest for RBI in China resulted from a need for improved safety, cost control and more effective management of inspections. Since 2000, several inspection institutes and universities took the initiative and started working on research and development of an appropriate RBI implementation in China. Several researches and pilot projects during the last few years led to a progressive acceptance of the RBI technique in the country. The results of these projects are new improved regulations on pressure vessel and piping safety techniques, which have been formally approved. The regulations are accompanied by standards on pressure equipment damage mechanism identification and RBI implementation guidance, which are been preparing by CSEI, HGMRI and JSSEI. RBI studies for almost 300 process plant units have already been conducted in China. This paper also presents the RBI methodology and software ORBIT Onshore which has been used in a significant number of RBI studies in China.
Estimation of Low-Cycle Fatigue Life of Elbow Pipes Considering the Multi-Axial Stress Effect
Authors: Takahashi Koji , Matsuo Kazuya , Ando Kotoji , Urabe Yoshio
Published: July 2013

Elbow pipes are commonly used in the piping systems of power plants and chemical plants. The stress states at the elbow part are complex and quite different from those of the straight pipes. It is well known that the fatigue lives of metals under simple push-pull conditions can be successfully predicted by Manson’s universal slope method. However, the low-cycle fatigue lives of elbow pipes under combined cyclic bending and inner pressure cannot be predicted by this method, though the reasons for this have not been clarified. In this work, the low-cycle fatigue tests and finite element analysis of elbows under cyclic bending and inner pressures were carried out. The results showed that the multi-axial stress factor, which is a ratio of hoop stress and axial stress, at elbows is quite high. Considering the multi-axial stress factor, a revised Manson’s universal slope method is proposed in this paper. Using the proposed method, we were able to predict conservatively the low-cycle fatigue lives of elbows under combined cyclic bending and inner pressure.
Fatigue Performance of Stainless Steel in NPP Service Conditions
Authors: Solin Jussi , Reese Sven , Mayinger Wolfgang
Published: July 2013

Fatigue of Niobium stabilized austenitic stainless steel (X6CrNiNb1810 mod) is studied using specimens extracted from a solution annealed and quenched primary piping material sample. This paper reports and discusses new results complementing the data published in PVP2009 and 2011, where good long life performance was demonstrated and relevance of the new design curve in ASME III was questioned.

Effects of temperature and operational loading sequences are in focus here. A typical case with steady state operation between fatigue cycles was roughly simulated in periodically interrupted tests. An extension of fatigue life due to hardening during the holds in elevated temperature was demonstrated and here we show that the hardening effect is generic. It occurs also in isothermal conditions, where straining and holds are both at 325 °C, irrespective of the phase within a cycle, where the hold is introduced, and also for other austenitic steel grades.

Fatigue assessment based on standard fatigue data seems to underestimate fatigue performance of materials subjected to typical thermal transients in nuclear piping during operation.
Dynamics of the Type III Secretion System Activity of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli
Authors: Mills Erez , Baruch Kobi , Aviv Gili , Nitzan Mor , Rosenshine Ilan
Published: July 2013

Type III secretion systems (TTSSs) are employed by pathogens to translocate host cells with effector proteins, which are crucial for virulence. The dynamics of effector translocation, behavior of the translocating bacteria, translocation temporal order, and relative amounts of each of the translocated effectors are all poorly characterized. To address these issues, we developed a microscopy-based assay that tracks effector translocation. We used this assay alongside a previously described real-time population-based translocation assay, focusing mainly on enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) and partly comparing it to
Salmonella
. We found that the two pathogens exhibit different translocation behaviors: in EPEC, a subpopulation that formed microcolonies carried out most of the translocation activity, while
Salmonella
executed protein translocation as planktonic bacteria. We also noted variability in host cell susceptibility, with some cells highly resistant to translocation. We next extended the study to determine the translocation dynamics of twenty EPEC effectors and found that all exhibited distinct levels of translocation efficiency. Further, we mapped the global effects of key TTSS-related components on TTSS activity. Our results provide a comprehensive description of the dynamics of the TTSS activity of EPEC and new insights into the mechanisms that control the dynamics.

IMPORTANCE
EPEC and the closely related enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
(EHEC) represent a global public health problem. New strategies to combat EPEC and EHEC infections are needed, and development of such strategies requires better understanding of their virulence machinery. The TTSS is a critical virulence mechanism employed by these pathogens, and by others, including
Salmonella
. In this study, we aimed at elucidating new aspects of TTSS function. The results obtained provide a comprehensive description of the dynamics of TTSS activity of EPEC and new insights into the mechanisms that control these changes. This knowledge sets the stage for further analysis of the system and may accelerate the development of new ways to treat EPEC and EHEC infections. Further, the newly described microscopy-based assay can be readily adapted to study the dynamics of TTSS activity in other pathogens.
HIV criminal prosecutions and public health: an examination of the empirical research
Authors: O'Byrne Patrick , Bryan Alyssa , Roy Marie
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To review the extant literature on HIV criminal laws, and to determine the impact of these laws on public health practice.

Methods

The available research on this topic was obtained and reviewed.

Results

The extant literature addressed three main topics: people's awareness of HIV criminal laws; people's perceptions of HIV criminal laws; and the potential effects of HIV criminal laws on people's sexual, HIV-status disclosure and healthcare-seeking practices. Within these categories, the literature demonstrated a high level of awareness of HIV criminal laws, but a poor comprehension of these laws. For perceptions, on the whole, the quantitative research identified support for, while the qualitative literature indicated opposition to, these laws. Lastly, the behavioural effects of HIV criminal laws appear to be complex and non-linear.

Conclusions

A review of the extant literature from a public health perspective leads to the conclusion that HIV criminal laws undermine public health.
ON SYLOW NORMALIZERS OF FINITE GROUPS
Authors: KAZARIN L. S. , MARTÍNEZ-PASTOR A. , PÉREZ-RAMOS M. D.
Published: July 2013

The paper considers the influence of Sylow normalizers, i.e. normalizers of Sylow subgroups, on the structure of finite groups. In the universe of finite soluble groups it is known that classes of groups with nilpotent Hall subgroups for given sets of primes are exactly the subgroup-closed saturated formations satisfying the following property: a group belongs to the class if and only if its Sylow normalizers do so. The paper analyzes the extension of this research to the universe of all finite groups.
ORE EXTENSIONS OF 2-PRIMAL RINGS
Authors: NASR-ISFAHANI A. R.
Published: July 2013

Let R be a ring with an endomorphism α and an α-derivation δ. In this note we show that if R is (α, δ)-compatible then R is 2-primal if and only if the Ore extension R[x; α, δ] is 2-primal if and only if Niℓ(R) = Niℓ*(R; α, δ) if and only if Niℓ(R)[x; α, δ] = Niℓ*(R[x; α, δ]) if and only if every minimal (α, δ)-prime ideal of R is completely prime.
Substrate Integrated Waveguide Fed Cavity Backed Slot Antenna for Circularly Polarized Application
Authors: Zhang Xiao Hong , Luo Guo Qing , Dong Lin Xi
Published: July 2013

A novel planar low-profile cavity-backed slot antenna for circularly polarized applications is presented in this paper. The low-profile substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) cavity is constructed on a single PCB substrate with two metal layers on the top and the bottom surfaces and metallized via array through the substrate. The SIW cavity is fed by a SIW transmission line. The two orthogonal degenerate cavities resonanceTM110mode are successfully stimulated and separated. The circularly polarized radiation has been generated from the crossed-slot structure whose two arms’ lengths have slight difference Its gain is higher than 5.4 dBi, the peak cross-polarization level is lower than −22 dB, and the maximum axial ratio (AR) is about −1.5 dB. Compared with the previous presented low-profile cavity-backed slot antenna work, the spurious radiation from the proposed antenna’s feeding element is very low and it has less interference on the following circuits.
Effect of Folic Acid and VitaminB12on Pemetrexed Antifolate Chemotherapy in Nutrient Lung Cancer Cells
Authors: Yang Tsung-Ying , Chang Gee-Chen , Hsu Shih-Lan , Huang Yi-Rou , Chiu Ling-Yen , Sheu Gwo-Tarng
Published: July 2013

Pemetrexed (MTA) is a multitargeted antifolate drug approved for lung cancer therapy. Clinically, supplementation with high doses of folic acid (FA) and vitamin B12(VB12) lowers MTA cytotoxicities. An antagonistic effect of FA/VB12 on MTA efficacy has been proposed. However, patients who receive FA/VB12 show better tolerance to MTA with improved survival. The aims of this study are to investigate the modulation of FA and VB12 on MTA drug efficacy in human nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines. The sensitivities of cells, apoptosis, and MTA-regulated proteins were characterized to determine the possible effects of high doses of FA and VB12 on MTA efficacy. MTA has the lowest efficacy under 10% serum conditions. However, supplementation with FA and VB12 individually and additively reversed the insensitivity of NSCLC cells to MTA treatment with 10% serum. The enhanced sensitivities of cells following FA/VB12 treatment were correlated with increasing apoptosis and were specific to MTA but not to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Enhanced sensitivity was also associated with p21WAF1/Cip1expression level. Our results revealed no antagonistic effect of high doses of FA/VB12 on MTA efficacy in cancer cells grown in nutrient medium. Furthermore, these data may partially explain why supplementation of FA and VB12 resulted in better survival in MTA-treated patients.
Increasing the Radioiodine Dose Does Not Improve Cure Rates in Severe Graves' Hyperthyroidism: A Clinical Trial with Historical Control
Authors: Dora Jose Miguel , Escouto Machado Walter , Andrade Vânia A. , Scheffel Rafael Selbach , Maia Ana Luiza
Published: July 2013

Objective. It is generally accepted that higher doses of radioiodine (131I) improve cure rates in Graves’ disease (GD). In this trial we sought to evaluate whether very high131I doses increase the efficacy of treatment in severe GD.Design. Clinical trial with historical control. Patients with GD and a goiter ≥48 mL were eligible for the study. The patients in the contemporaneous intervention cohort were treated with 250 μCi of131I/mL thyroid tissue, corrected by 24-RAIU values (Group 1;n=15). A subgroup of patients with GD and a goiter ≥48 mL who were treated with 200 μCi of131I/mL/24-RAIU in a previously published randomized controlled trial served as a historical control group (Group 2;n=15). The primary outcome evaluated was the one-year cure rate.Results. There were no significant baseline differences regarding age, gender, body mass index, smoking status, pretreatment with methimazole, thyroid volume, or thyroid hormone levels of the two treatment groups. The cumulative 12-month cure rate for the patients in Group 1 was 66.6%, a figure similar to the 12-month cure rate observed in Group 2 (60.0%;P=0.99).Conclusions. Our results suggest that increasing the131I dose does not improve cure rates in severe GD. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.govNCT01039818.
Two additional new species of Sphaerodactylus (Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonoidea, Sphaerodactylidae) from the Honduran Bay Islands
Authors: MCCRANIE JAMES R. , HEDGES S. BLAIR
Published: July 2013

Recently, we described two new species of geckos of the genus Sphaerodactylus from the Bay Islands of Honduras. After further collections, and morphological and molecular analyses, we describe two additional species here. One of the new species belongs to the S. millepunctatus species group, which is centered in Middle America. The other new species belongs to the S. copei species group, which is centered in the Greater Antilles.
A new species of Phyllodactylus (Reptilia, Squamata, Gekkonoidea, Phyllodactylidae) from Isla de Guanaja in the Honduran Bay Islands
Authors: MCCRANIE JAMES R. , HEDGES S. BLAIR
Published: July 2013

Morphological and molecular analyses of the Phyllodactylus populations on the Honduran Bay Islands of Guanaja, Roatán, and Utila demonstrate that the Guanaja population is best treated as a species distinct from the two other island populations. Thus, P. palmeus is restricted in distribution to Roatán and Utila islands and the Cayos Cochinos and a new species name is provided for the Guanaja Island population of the P. palmeus species group.
The Black Flies (Diptera: Simuliidae) of Iran
Authors: KHAZENI ATEFEH , ADLER PETER H. , TELMADAREIIY ZAKIEH , OSHAGHI MOHAMMAD ALI , VATANDOOST HASAN , ABTAHI SEYED MOHAMMAD , LOTFI ABOLFAZL
Published: July 2013

Although Iran has a large geographic area encompassing 13 ecoregions, its simuliid fauna remains largely unexplored. To begin redressing this faunal gap, we reviewed literature records and coupled morphological and chromosomal identifications of material newly collected from 16 sites in Iran. Twenty-three nominal species are now recognized, including new country records for Simulium crassicaulum (Rubtsov) and Simulium alajense Rubtsov, and the southernmost world record for Simulium transcaspicum Enderlein. Multiple cytoforms of the Simulium aureum group, Simulium bezzii complex, and Simulium ornatum group were found.
A new species of Centris (Xanthemisia) Moure, 1945 from South America with a synopsis of the known species of the subgenus in Colombia (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Centridini)
Authors: VIVALLO FELIPE , VÉLEZ DANNY , FERNÁNDEZ FERNANDO
Published: July 2013

A synopsis of the species of Centris subgenus Xanthemisia Moure in Colombia is presented. The species identified are Centris ferruginea Lepeletier, C. lutea Friese and C. aureiventris, a new species from the Colombian Andes. Morphological characters of both sexes, distribution records and an identification key for the three species of the subgenus that occur in Colombia are provided.
Synonymic notes on Palaearctic and Oriental Scydmaenus (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Scydmaeninae)
Authors: JAŁOSZYŃSKI PAWEŁ
Published: July 2013

The last two years brought surprising descriptions and nomenclatural changes in the tribe Scydmaenini of the ant-like stone beetles. Makhan & Ezzatpanah (2011) established a new genus Roepnarainius, clearly based on a misinterpretation of morphological characters. Another curious taxonomic decision was the placement by Tronquet (2012) of Scydmaenus perrisi Reitter, 1882 as a junior synonym of S. hellwigii (Herbst, 1792). Illustrations in that article suggest that the material studied by Tronquet was misidentified, and a superficial similarity of aedeagi in two other common European species of Scydmaenus led to erroneous conclusions. These two cases are commented on and verified in the present paper.
Ovarian masses in children and adolescents in China: analysis of 203 cases
Authors: Liu Hongqian , Wang Xiangao , Lu Donghao , Liu Zhihong , Shi Gang
Published: July 2013

Objective

The true incidence of ovarian tumors in children is unknown. Few studies beyond case reports and case series have been published concerning pediatric ovarian tumors. Herein we review a large number of ovarian tumor cases.

Methods

The charts of 203 patients who presented with adnexal masses were reviewed.

Results

The patient’s ranged in age from 2 to 18 years (mean = 15.6 years), with 30 being premenarchal (14.8%). The incidence of ovarian tumor increases with age, especially in patients older than 14 years. The main complaint was abdominal pain or abdominal distension in 117 patients (57.7%). A high AFP level in a pre-pubic girl with an adnexal mass is indicative of a malignant ovarian tumor. The 214 adnexal masses (11 patients had bilateral cysts) consisted of benign tumorous oophoropathy (107 masses, 50.0%), borderline and malignant tumors (29 masses, 13.6%), and nontumorous oophoropathy (78 masses, 36.5%). Of the 136 neoplasia, germ cell tumors accounted for 71.5%. Surgical intervention was performed in 98.5% of cases. There were statistically decreased blood loss, surgery duration and days of hospitalization with the laparoscopic procedure when compared with open surgery.

Conclusions

Abdominal pain is the most common complaint in young patients with adnexal masses. AFP is the most useful diagnostic biomarker of ovarian tumors in young females. Laparoscopic resection of ovarian cysts is an alternative operation approach.
Technical Advance: Inhibition of neutrophil chemotaxis by colchicine is modulated through viscoelastic properties of subcellular compartments
Authors: Paschke Stephan , Weidner Astrid Franziska , Paust Tobias , Marti Othmar , Beil Michael , Ben-Chetrit Eldad
Published: July 2013

Colchicine is an efficient drug for the management of inflammatory diseases, such as gouty arthritis and familial Mediterranean fever. It affects neutrophil activity by interfering with the formation of microtubules. To test the hypothesis that therapeutic concentrations of colchicine modulate the mechanical properties of these cells, we applied a combination of biophysical techniques (optical stretching and microrheology) to analyze cellular deformability. The contribution of the subcellular compartments to the regulation of cell mechanics was determined by fitting a multicomponent model of cellular viscoelasticity to time-dependent deformation curves. Neutrophils were found to be less deformable in response to 10 ng/ml colchicine. The model-based analysis of cellular deformation revealed a decrease in cytoplasmatic elasticity and a substantial increase in both elasticity and viscosity of the cell membrane compartment in response to colchicine. These results correlate with a reduced number of cytoplasmatic microtubules and an increase in subcortical actin filaments. The latter finding was confirmed by microrheology and fluorescence microscopy. Neutrophil migration through small pores requiring substantial cellular deformations, but not through large pores, was significantly impaired by colchicine. These data demonstrate that colchicine determines mechanics of neutrophils and, thereby, motility in confined spaces, which is crucial during extravasation of neutrophils in response to inflammatory stimuli.
Cutting Edge: Retrobulbar Inflammation, Adipogenesis, and Acute Orbital Congestion in a Preclinical Female Mouse Model of Graves' Orbitopathy Induced by Thyrotropin Receptor Plasmid-in Vivo Electroporation
Authors: Moshkelgosha Sajad , So Po-Wah , Deasy Neil , Diaz-Cano Salvador , Banga J Paul
Published: July 2013

Graves' orbitopathy (GO) is a complication in Graves' disease (GD) but mechanistic insights into pathogenesis remain unresolved, hampered by lack of animal model. The TSH receptor (TSHR) and perhaps IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) are considered relevant antigens. We show that genetic immunization of human TSHR (hTSHR) A-subunit plasmid leads to extensive remodeling of orbital tissue, recapitulating GO. Female BALB/c mice immunized with hTSHR A-subunit or control plasmids by in vivo muscle electroporation were evaluated for orbital remodeling by histopathology and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Antibodies to TSHR and IGF-1R were present in animals challenged with hTSHR A-subunit plasmid, with predominantly TSH blocking antibodies and were profoundly hypothyroid. Orbital pathology was characterized by interstitial inflammation of extraocular muscles with CD3+ T cells, F4/80+ macrophages, and mast cells, accompanied by glycosaminoglycan deposition with resultant separation of individual muscle fibers. Some animals showed heterogeneity in orbital pathology with 1) large infiltrate surrounding the optic nerve or 2) extensive adipogenesis with expansion of retrobulbar adipose tissue. A striking finding that underpins the new model were the in vivo MRI scans of mouse orbital region that provided clear and quantifiable evidence of orbital muscle hypertrophy with protrusion (proptosis) of the eye. Additionally, eyelid manifestations of chemosis, including dilated and congested orbital blood vessels, were visually apparent. Immunization with control plasmids failed to show any orbital pathology. Overall, these findings support TSHR as the pathogenic antigen in GO. Development of a new preclinical model will facilitate molecular investigations on GO and evaluation of new therapeutic interventions.
One-pot Preparation of Homopropargylic N-Sulfonylamines Catalyzed by Zinc Powder
Authors: Wu Chao , Huang Wangyong , He Weimin , Xiang Jiannan
Published: July 2013

A new one-pot method for synthesis of homopropargylic N-sulfonylamines from aldehydes catalyzed by zinc powder is described. The procedure is lauded by its simplicity, good yields, and adaptability to a wide variety of aldehydes.