bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermal Properties of Electrospun Polyacrylonitrile-Graf-Antarctic Krill Protein
Authors: Guo Jing , Mu Siyang , Liu Yuanfa , Zhang Yuyan , Zhang Sen
Published: July 2015

Antarctic krill proteins (AKP) were grafted onto polyacrylonitrile (PAN) to improve its hygroscopicity. AKP, extracted from Antarctic krill, was activated by maleic anhydride and then reacted with PAN in water to prepare PAN-graft-AKP (PAN-g-AKP). PAN-g-AKP was dissolved in N,N-dimethylformamide and the hydrophilic PAN-g-AKP nanofiber was prepared by electrospinning. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic results showed that the protein was grafted to PAN. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that PAN-g-AKP nanofibers had good morphology with a smooth surface. X-ray diffraction (XRD) curves showed that the crystallinity of PAN-g-AKP nanofibers decreased with increased AKP content. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses were also performed. The hygroscopicity of PAN-g-AKP fibers improved over PAN-based fibers based on water retention rate.
Melatonin Regulates Oxidative Stress Initiated by Freund’s Complete Adjuvant
Authors: Pohanka Miroslav , Ruttkay-Nedecký Branislav , Fusek Josef , Adam Vojtěch , Kizek René
Published: July 2015

Melatonin is a hormone with strong antioxidant properties. In this experiment, Freund’s complete adjuvant was used as a stressogenic substance given to laboratory outbred mice, whereas melatonin was investigated as a protectant against the stressogenic effect. Levels of low molecular weight antioxidants, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, and tumor necrosis factor α and activity of glutathione reductase were determined in blood from the animals. Surprisingly, melatonin was not involved in direct regulation of antioxidants, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances and tumor necrosis factor α. On the other hand, melatonin regulated glutathione reductase activity. We can conclude on regulation of metabolism caused by melatonin in the model. The effect was more important than the expected regulation of immunity and basal oxidative homeostasis.
Maxillectomy for Cementifying Osseous Dysplasia of the Maxilla: A Case Report
Authors: Akbulut Sevtap , Demir Mehmet Gökhan , Basak Kayhan , Paksoy Mustafa
Published: July 2015

Objectives: Osseous dysplasias are the most common subtype of fibro-osseous lesions of the maxillofacial bones. They are benign and often present as incidental asymptomatic lesions. Diagnosis can be made with clinical and radiographic examination. Case report: This article reports the case of a 47-year-old man with a huge cementifying osseous dysplasia of the maxilla that presented with secondary infection after teeth extraction and repair of oroantral fistula. A subtotal maxillectomy had to be done after conservative treatment failed to resolve the infection. Discussion/Conclusion: Biopsy, tooth extraction or surgical trauma to the affected bones of osseous dysplasia could easily lead to severe secondary infection, the treatment of which may be very difficult, and thus should be avoided if possible.
Cushing's syndrome: update on signs, symptoms and biochemical screening
Authors: Nieman Lynnette K
Published: July 2015

Endogenous pathologic hypercortisolism, or Cushing's syndrome, is associated with poor quality of life, morbidity, and increased mortality. Early diagnosis may mitigate against this natural history of the disorder. The clinical presentation of Cushing's syndrome varies, in part related to the extent and duration of cortisol excess. When hypercortisolism is severe, its signs and symptoms are unmistakable. However, most of the signs and symptoms of Cushing's syndrome are common in the general population (e.g., hypertension and weight gain) and not all are present in every patient. In addition to classical features of glucocorticoid excess, such as proximal muscle weakness and wide purple striae, patients may present with the associated comorbidities that are caused by hypercortisolism. These include cardiovascular disease, thromboembolic disease, psychiatric and cognitive deficits, and infections. As a result, internists and generalists must consider Cushing's syndrome as a cause, and endocrinologists should search for and treat these comorbidities. Recommended tests to screen for Cushing's syndrome include 1 mg dexamethasone suppression, urine free cortisol, and late night salivary cortisol. These may be slightly elevated in patients with physiologic hypercortisolism, which should be excluded, along with exogenous glucocorticoid use. Each screening test has caveats and the choice of tests should be individualized based on each patient's characteristics and lifestyle. The objective of this review is to update the readership on the clinical and biochemical features of Cushing's syndrome that are useful when evaluating patients for this diagnosis.
Whole Organism Genome Editing: Targeted Large DNA Insertion via ObLiGaRe Nonhomologous End-Joining in Vivo Capture
Authors: Yamamoto Yutaka , Bliss Jacob , Gerbi Susan A
Published: July 2015

Targeted gene insertion is a goal of genome editing and has been performed in cultured cells but only in a handful of whole organisms. The existing method to integrate foreign DNA using the homologous recombination pathway is inherently low efficiency, and many systems are refractory to this method. Several additional manipulations have been developed to gain greater efficiency by suppressing the competing dominant repair pathway of nonhomologous end-joining. However, this can be laborious and in practice limits the range of hosts where the method is applicable. Here, we use the preferred pathway of nonhomologous end-joining (used previously to create indels for gene inactivation) for precise integration of large DNA into the specified genomic target site of an intact animal. Our method uses site-specific cleavage, end-capture of cohesive ends, and obligate ligation-gated recombination. This approach is straight-forward and yields high efficiency without additional gene manipulations; therefore it is easily applicable to a much broader range of organisms. We demonstrate its application to the fungus fly Sciara coprophila where a transformation system has not existed before. We integrated a 6.5 kb transgene precisely at the desired genomic target site of Sciara using this method. This provides the foundation for future experiments to explore the unique genetic features of this organism. Similarly, the method described here will allow insertion of large pieces of DNA into a diverse group of organisms for studies of their genetic attributes.
Analysis of Germline Stem Cell Differentiation Following Loss of GLP-1 Notch Activity in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Fox Paul M , Schedl Tim
Published: July 2015

Stem cells generate the differentiated progeny cells of adult tissues. Stem cells in the Caenorhabditis elegans hermaphrodite germline are maintained within a proliferative zone of ∼230 cells, ∼20 cell diameters in length, through GLP-1 Notch signaling. The distal tip cell caps the germline and supplies GLP-1-activating ligand, and the distal-most germ cells that occupy this niche are likely self-renewing stem cells with active GLP-1 signaling. As germ cells are displaced from the niche, GLP-1 activity likely decreases, yet mitotically cycling germ cells are found throughout the proliferative zone prior to overt meiotic differentiation. Following loss of GLP-1 activity, it remains unclear whether stem cells undergo transit-amplifying (TA) divisions or more directly enter meiosis. To distinguish between these possibilities we employed a temperature-sensitive (ts) glp-1 mutant to manipulate GLP-1 activity. We characterized proliferative zone dynamics in glp-1(ts) mutants at permissive temperature and then analyzed the kinetics of meiotic entry of proliferative zone cells after loss of GLP-1. We found that entry of proliferative zone cells into meiosis following loss of GLP-1 activity is largely synchronous and independent of their distal-proximal position. Furthermore, the majority of cells complete only a single mitotic division before entering meiosis, independent of their distal-proximal position. We conclude that germ cells do not undergo TA divisions following loss of GLP-1 activity. We present a model for the dynamics of the proliferative zone that utilizes cell cycle rate and proliferative zone size and output and incorporates the more direct meiotic differentiation of germ cells following loss of GLP-1 activity.
MASCULINO DE 81 ANOS CON MUCOCELE APENDICULAR Cistoadenoma tubulovelloso de Apéndice
Authors: Zuwolinsky Elguera Raisa , Barrantes León Carlos
Published: July 2015

Se presenta caso de paciente masculino de 81 años, vecino de Cartago con antecedentes patológicos personales de colelitiasis e hipertensión prostática benigna, quien es referido al hospital Max Peralta Jiménez en marzo del 2014 por historia de dolor abdominal de larga data y con ultrasonido previo que determina la presencia de masa abdominal en fosa iliaca derecha. Es visto por el servicio de cirugía general del mismo hospital en donde se completan estudios diagnósticos y posteriormente es llevado a sala de operaciones con diagnóstico de mucocele apendicular, se realiza laparotomía exploratoria y colectomía derecha con ileo-transverso anastomosis. Los estudios histopatológicos posteriores confirman el diagnóstico de mucocele apendicular asociado a adenoma túbulo velloso muco-productor.
Conceptos básicos sobre obesidad sarcopénica en el adulto mayor
Authors: Zuñiga Rafael
Published: July 2015

La obesidad sarcopénica es una entidad clínica y fisiopatológica que implica discapacidad y riesgo de mortalidad. Su definición ha sidosujeto de consensopor “The European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People” (EWGSOP) y el “International Working Group on Sarcopenia” (IWGS). Gracias a los estudios realizados por Baumgartner y Janssen la estandarización del diagnóstico de sarcopenia ha sido determinada empleando el índice de masa apendicular en relación a talla( ASM/ht 2) y peso (ASM/Wt); basados en los análisis por densitometría dual por rayos X (DXA), e impedancia bioeléctrica (BIA). La obesidad se valora a través del índice de masa corporal y del porcentaje de grasa corporal. Metaanálisis recientes han estimado la incidencia de la obesidad sarcopénica entre el 2 y 20%. La obesidad sarcopénica se ha caracterizado por la resistencia a insulina e inflamación. El adipocito ha sido implicado en el mantenimiento de este proceso. Estudios han sugerido un abordaje e intervención basados en la composición corporal y el riesgo metabólico
Bilingual speaker identification: Chinese and English
Authors: Mok Peggy P.K. , Xu Robert Bo , Zuo Donghui
Published: July 2015

Very few studies have examined voice memory and speaker identification in bilingual contexts. This study investigated how well bilingual listeners could identify bilingual voices in different language conditions. 89 Cantonese-English and 89 Mandarin-English listeners participated in voice line-ups with Cantonese-English voices in the same-language and cross-language conditions. Results show that the overall identification accuracy was low. Cantonese-English listeners performed significantly better in the same-language than cross-language conditions, similar to previous findings based on monolingual subjects. However, there was no language effect for the Mandarin-English listeners, possibly due to their unfamiliarity with the languages concerned. Confidence ratings showed that all listeners were more confident in the same-language condition with their most familiar language, although the relationship between confident and accuracy was not reliable. The results suggest that some indexical information about speaker identity is language-dependent. Different articulatory settings may explain the better performance of Cantonese-English listeners in the same-language conditions.
Disfluencies in the speech of intoxicated speakers
Authors: Schiel Florian , Heinrich Christian
Published: July 2015

Our hypothesis is that speakers under the influence of alcohol produce more linguistic/phonetic errors because of the negative effect of ethanol on cognitive processes and speech motor control. We examined the speech of 150 German speakers of both genders with regard to rates of 6 types of disfluencies and 2 durational measures. The intoxication of speakers ranged from 0.050% to 0.175% blood alcohol concentration; other factors investigated are speaker gender and speaking style (read, spontaneous, command&control). We found that most rates of disfluencies as well as durations increase with intoxication – but not for command&control speech;
Genetics and Inheritance of Nontarget-Site Resistances to Atrazine and Mesotrione in a Waterhemp (Amaranthus tuberculatus) Population from Illinois
Authors: Huffman Janel , Hausman Nicholas E. , Hager Aaron G. , Riechers Dean E. , Tranel Patrick J.
Published: July 2015

A waterhemp population (McLean County resistant, MCR) from McLean County, Illinois is resistant to both mesotrione and atrazine by elevated rates of herbicide metabolism. Research was conducted to investigate the inheritance of these resistance traits. Resistant and sensitive plants were crossed to obtain reciprocal F1populations, which were then used to create pseudo-F2and backcross (to sensitive parent; BCS) populations. The various populations were evaluated with whole-plant herbicide efficacy studies in a greenhouse. The responses of the F1populations to both mesotrione and atrazine were intermediate when compared with parental populations. In the case of atrazine, BCSand F2populations segregated 1 : 1 and 1 : 3, respectively, for susceptibility (S) : resistance (R), at a dose that controlled the sensitive parent but not the F1or resistant parent. For mesotrione, variability was observed within the F1populations, suggesting that mesotrione resistance is multigenic and the resistant parents used in the cross were not homozygous at the resistance loci. Furthermore, at low mesotrione doses, more F2plants survived than expected on the basis of a single-gene trait, whereas at high doses, fewer F2plants survived than expected. Dry weight data confirmed the conclusions obtained from survival data. Specifically, atrazine responses segregated into two discrete classes (R and S) in both the F2and BCSpopulations, whereas mesotrione responses showed continuous distributions of phenotypes in F2and BCSpopulations. We conclude that metabolism-based atrazine resistance in MCR is conferred by a single major gene, whereas inheritance of mesotrione resistance in this population is complex.
Impact of Application Time and Clopyralid Rate on Strawberry Growth and Yield
Authors: Boyd Nathan S. , Dittmar Peter
Published: July 2015

Hard-seeded, broadleaf, winter annual weeds in strawberry plasticulture production in Florida emerge in the crop holes in the plastic mulch and reduce berry yield and quality. Clopyralid is registered for POST control of broadleaf weeds, but herbicide damage has been observed in commercial fields, and preliminary observations suggest that effects vary with time of application. To address this issue, an experiment was conducted in 2012 to 2013 and 2013 to 2014 to evaluate clopyralid rate (0, 140, 280, and 560 g ae ha−1) and application time on strawberry vegetative and reproductive growth. Clopyralid applications at 280 and 560 g ae ha−1on January 2 and 16, 2013 (yr 1) reduced leaf number per plant by 33 to 44% and increased the number of deformed leaves per plant compared with the nontreated control. This pattern was not observed in yr 2. In yr 1 and 2, two times the label rate of clopyralid (560 g ae ha−1) tended to reduce the total number of floral buds compared with the nontreated control by 12 to 17%. None of the herbicide rates or application times reduced the number of flowers per plant, marketable berries per plant, yield over time, or total yield. We conclude that clopyralid applications at the rates and application times tested in this study may cause leaf damage and may reduce leaf number in some situations but does not affect yield.
Long Noncoding RNA in Digestive Tract Cancers: Function, Mechanism, and Potential Biomarker
Authors: Zeng Shuo , Xiao Yu-Feng , Tang Bo , Hu Chang-Jiang , Xie Rei , Yang Shi-Ming , Li Bo-Sheng
Published: July 2015

Digestive tract cancers (DTCs) are a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Current therapeutic tools for advanced stage DTCs have limitations, and patients with early stage DTCs frequently have a missed diagnosis due to shortage of efficient biomarkers. Consequently, it is necessary to develop novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic targets for treatment of DTCs. In recent years, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs with >200 nucleotides, have been shown to be aberrantly expressed in DTCs and to have an important role in DTC development: the expression profiles of lncRNAs strongly correlated with poor survival of patients with DTCs, and lncRNAs acted as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in DTC progression. In this review, we summarized the functional lncRNAs and expounded on their regulatory mechanisms in DTCs.

Implications for Practice:

Digestive tract cancers (DTCs) are a leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It is necessary to exploit novel biomarkers for early diagnosis and novel therapeutic targets for treatment of DTCs. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), a class of noncoding RNAs with approximately 200 nucleotides to 100,000 bases, participate in the progression of a variety of diseases. This review summarizes functional lncRNAs, which were shown to serve as novel biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of DTCs and to act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes in DTC development. In addition, the potential mechanism of functional lncRNAs in DTCs is highlighted.
Next-Generation Sequencing and Immunohistochemistry as Future Gold Standard of ALK Testing in Lung Cancer?
Authors: Uguen Arnaud , Talagas Matthieu , Marcorelles Pascale , Guéguen Paul , Costa Sebastian , Andrieu-Key Sophie , De Braekeleer Marc
Published: July 2015

A recent study examined the use of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), immunohistochemistry (IHC), and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the detection of EML4-ALK rearrangement in lung cancer. This letter suggests that although NGS offers an opportunity to obtain additional data concerning the molecular mechanisms of cancer and to target oncogenic pathways, it should be considered a supplementary test associated with FISH and IHC combined ALK testing rather than as the new gold standard method.
Design method for the undrained capacity of skirted circular foundations under combined loading: effect of deformable soil plug
Authors: Vulpe C.
Published: July 2015

The response of skirted circular foundations with rough and smooth soil–skirt interface to combined loading is investigated. The shape and size of the failure envelopes of the skirted circular foundations under a practical range of embedment ratio, soil strength heterogeneity, soil–skirt interface and level of vertical mobilisation are compared to those of solid embedded circular foundations and skirted strip foundations. The results show that both the foundation geometry and soil plug inside the skirt compartment significantly influence the uniaxial capacity and the shape and size of the failure envelopes. Approximating expressions for solid embedded foundations do not capture the shifting eccentricity of the failure envelopes of the skirted circular foundations. A new approximating solution for describing the failure envelope as a function of embedment ratio, soil strength heterogeneity and soil–skirt interface is proposed. Scaling factors accounting for the decreasing uniaxial capacity of skirted foundations with smooth soil–skirt interface are also defined.
Heterogeneity in Economic Shocks and Household Spending
Authors: Devlin-Foltz Sebastian J. , Sabelhaus John
Published: July 2015

Large swings in aggregate household-sector spending, especially for big ticket items such as cars and housing, have been a dominant feature of the macroeconomic landscape in the past two decades. Income and wealth inequality increased over the same period, leading some to suggest the two phenomena are interconnected. Indeed, there is supporting evidence for the idea that heterogeneity in economic shocks and spending are connected, most notably in studies using local-area geography as the unit of analysis. The Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF) provides a household-level perspective on changes in wealth, income, and spending across different types of families. The SCF confirms that inequality is indeed increasing in recent decades, and the data provide support for the proposition that shocks to income and wealth are indeed related to large swings in spending across and within birth cohorts. However, the economic shocks associated with the Great Recession and changes in spending and debt to income ratios are widespread, and inconsistent with a narrow focus on the experiences and changes in behavior of particular (especially low- and modest-income) households.
The International Bank Lending Channel of Monetary Policy Rates and QE: Credit Supply, Reach-for-Yield, and Real Effects
Authors: Morais Bernardo , Peydro Jose-Luis , Ruiz Claudia
Published: July 2015

We identify the international credit channel of monetary policy by analyzing the universe of corporate loans in Mexico, matched with firm and bank balance-sheet data, and by exploiting foreign monetary policy shocks, given the large presence of European and U.S. banks in Mexico. We find that a softening of foreign monetary policy increases the supply of credit of foreign banks to Mexican firms. Each regional policy shock affects supply via their respective banks (for example, U.K. monetary policy affects credit supply in Mexico via U.K. banks), in turn implying strong real effects, with substantially larger elasticities from monetary rates than QE. Moreover, low foreign monetary policy rates and expansive QE increase disproportionally more the supply of credit to borrowers with higher ex ante loan rates—reach-for-yield—and with substantially higher ex post loan defaults, thus suggesting an international risk-taking channel of monetary policy. All in all, the results suggest that foreign QE increases risk-taking in emerging markets more than it improves the real outcomes of firms.
Nesfatin-1 and Vitamin D levels may be associated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure values and hearth rate in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Kir Sahin Figen , Baydur Sahin Serap , Mete Ural Ulku , Cumhur Cure Medine , Senturk Senol , Bayoglu Tekin Yesim , Balik Gulsah , Cure Erkan , Yuce Suleyman , Kirbas Aynur
Published: July 2015

Obesity, insulin resistance (IR), inflammation, and hyperandrogenism may lead to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and hypertension. Nesfatin-1 (N1) may be related to IR, obesity, and hypertension. Furthermore, a vitamin D (VD) deficiency is associated with hypertension and PCOS. We aimed to investigate N1 and VD levels in PCOS that have an effect on systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) and heart rate (HR).

This study included 54 patients with PCOS and 48 age-body mass index (BMI)-matched healthy controls. PCOS was diagnosed according to clinical practice guidelines. Ferriman-Gallwey scores (FGS) were calculated, while N1, VD, and other hormonal and biochemical parameters were measured for all subjects. Systolic and diastolic BP was measured as well. HR was calculated using an electrocardiogram.

The levels of N1 (p < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) (p = 0.036), homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p < 0.001), systolic (p < 0.001) and diastolic (p < 0.001) BP and HR (p < 0.001) in the PCOS group were significantly higher than in the control group. However, the VD levels of the PCOS group were lower than the control group (p = 0.004). N1 had a strong positive correlation with BMI, HOMA-IR, hs-CRP, luteinizing hormone, systolic and diastolic BP, and HR. VD levels were negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and luteinizing hormone.

Elevated N1 and decreased VD levels may be related to the presence of high-normal BP or hypertension in PCOS subjects.  N1 level may be associated with an increased BP due to its relation to inflammation and IR.
Lyme Borreliosis: Is there a preexisting (natural) variation in antimicrobial susceptibility among Borrelia burgdorferi strains?
Authors: Hodzic Emir
Published: July 2015

The development of antibiotics changed the world of medicine and has saved countless human and animal lives. Bacterial resistance/tolerance to antibiotics have spread silently across the world and has emerged as a major public health concern. The recent emergence of pan-resistant bacteria can overcome virtually any antibiotic and poses a major problem for their successful control. Selection for antibiotic resistance may take place where an antibiotic is present: in the skin, gut, and other tissues of humans and animals and in the environment. Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agents of Lyme borreliosis, evades host immunity and establishes persistent infections in its mammalian hosts. The persistent infection poses a challenge to the effective antibiotic treatment, as demonstrated in various animal models. An increasingly heterogeneous subpopulation of replicatively attenuated spirochetes arises following treatment, and these persistent antimicrobial tolerant/resistant spirochetes are non-cultivable. The non-cultivable spirochetes resurge in multiple tissues at 12 months after treatment, with B. burgdorferi-specific DNA copy levels nearly equivalent to those found in shame-treated experimental animals. These attenuated spirochetes remain viable, but divide slowly, thereby being tolerant to antibiotics. Despite the continued non-cultivable state, RNA transcription of multiple B. burgdorferi genes was detected in host tissues, spirochetes were acquired by xenodiagnostic ticks, and spirochetal forms could be visualized within ticks and mouse tissues. A number of host cytokines were up- or down-regulated in tissues of both shame- and antibiotic-treated mice in the absence of histopathology, indicating a lack of host response to the presence of antimicrobial tolerant/resistant spirochetes.
Critical Path to Tuberculosis Drug Regimens: Global collaboration to accelerate development of novel drug regimens and rapid drug susceptibility tests for tuberculosis
Authors: Hanna Debra , Schito Marco , Romero Klaus
Published: July 2015

The Critical Path to Tuberculosis Drug Regimens (CPTR) initiative aims to support the rational deployment of new tuberculosis (TB) therapies by speeding the development and impact of new and markedly improved drug regimens as well as rapid drug susceptibility tests. Co-founded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Critical Path Institute, and the TB Alliance in 2010, CPTR is a coalition comprising the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, product development sponsors, diagnostic companies, regulatory agencies, and civil society organizations which support and catalyze advances in regulatory science, the development of infrastructure, and other progress needed to accelerate the pace of development and introduction of novel regimens and rapid drug susceptibility tests. This manuscript summarizes the work of two subgroups within CPTR, the Regulatory Sciences and Rapid Drug Susceptibility Test consortia, and their efforts to drive innovation. These consortia are supported by a robust TB clinical data platform, which continues to evolve through contributions of contemporary TB clinical trial data sets as well as whole genome sequence level data from isolates across the globe. Examples of innovation are described and include a recently-qualified drug development tool and emerging programs to support the development of clinical trial simulation tools.
Alimentação de abelhas Apis mellifera L. (Africanizadas) no período de estiagem, no Semiárido Nordestino, Brasil
Authors: Pereira Daniel Santiago , Hernández Martin Lazcano , Andrade Anderson Bruno Anacleto de , Sousa José da Silva , Maracajá Patrício Borges
Published: July 2015

A Caatinga é caracterizada por apresentar-se verdejante durante o período de chuvas e esbranquiçada e sem folhas durante o período seco, em tese, possui vegetação que pode suprir as necessidades energética e proteica dos enxames de abelhas africanizadas (Apis mellifera L.). Isto é justificado pelo fato de se encontrar os extratos arbustivos, herbáceos e arbóreos durante todo o ano em algumas regiões onde a antropização não ocorreu. Além da antropização, os períodos cíclicos de seca extrema ainda proporcionam grandes perdas na atividade apícola, isto por que os apicultores não aplicam as técnicas mínimas necessárias para a mantença dos enxames de abelhas durante a entressafra na Caatinga. Outras informações, como as necessidades fisiológicas das abelhas também não são conhecidas pela maioria dos apicultores, resultando para a região nordeste, um baixo número de apicultores que fazem uso da alimentação artificial para reduzir as perdas de enxames nos apiários. Tendo em vista estes aspectos, foi realizado um levantamento bibliográfico com o intuito de obter informações de cunho científico sobre os aspectos nutricionais das abelhas e as alternativas para suplementação alimentar durante os períodos de seca no nordeste brasileiro.
Spinal Dural Arteriovenous Fistula Presenting as a Recurrent Nucleus Pulposus Herniation
Authors: Verma Kushagra , Fennessy Jacob , Huang Ronald , Jabbour Pascal , Rihn Jeffrey
Published: July 2015

Case:

Of the many potential causes of nerve compression that lead to radiculopathy, vascular etiologies remain among the most infrequent, with an estimated prevalence of only five to ten per million cases of radiculopathy. In this case report, we outline the clinical presentation, imaging, intraoperative findings, and pathologic findings for a fifty-four-year old patient with an intradural, extramedullary form of a spinal dural arteriovenous fistula at the L1-L2 level who presented only with axial back pain and radiculopathy. The radiologist and surgeon initially diagnosed the patient with a herniated nucleus pulposus. However, the intraoperative findings and angiogram were suggestive of an arteriovenous fistula. Methods to identify this rare entity are described for the orthopaedic spine community.

Conclusion:

The potential for a missed diagnosis is particularly important as many partial discectomy procedures are performed at small surgical centers with limited blood products available and no vascular surgeon on staff. For patients with preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that is suggestive of vascular malformations (T2 hyperintensity in the lower spinal cord and conus medullaris), we recommend that MR angiography be performed as a secondary diagnostic evaluation. MR angiography has a 95% positive predictive value for specifically diagnosing an arteriovenous fistula.
Atypical Femoral Fracture Despite Prophylactic Intramedullary Nailing
Authors: Schemitsch Christine E. , Kuzyk Paul , McKee Michael D.
Published: July 2015

Case:

A forty-three-year-old woman on bisphosphonate therapy sustained an atypical femoral fracture that was successfully treated with an intramedullary nail. After she developed radiographic and clinical signs of an impending stress fracture of the contralateral femur, prophylactic nailing was performed. However, seven months postoperatively, she sustained a spontaneous, complete fracture of the prophylactically nailed femur at the site of the lateral cortical stress lesion.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, progression of a bisphosphonate-associated stress lesion to a complete fracture months after initially successful prophylactic intramedullary nailing has not been previously reported. Implications regarding treatment and prognosis are discussed.
Treatment of an Acute Fracture of the Femoral Neck in a Young Female Adult with a Transfemoral Amputation
Authors: Freitas Anderson , Souto Diogo R.M. , da Silva Juliano F. , Dantas Bruno R. , de Paula Ana Patrícia
Published: July 2015

Introduction:

Fracture of the femoral neck in a young adult with an ipsilateral transfemoral amputation is uncommon, and there is no consensus regarding the best treatment.

Methods:

We present a unique case of a displaced right femoral neck fracture treated with closed reduction and percutaneous screw fixation in a twenty-eight-year-old woman with a preexisting ipsilateral transfemoral amputation.

Results:

We observed satisfactory healing of the fracture with a slight varus deformity and no radiographic signs of osteonecrosis at one year.

Conclusion:

In a young adult with a preexisting transfemoral amputation and an acute femoral neck fracture, reduction and fixation of the fracture may be a reasonable treatment option.
Propionibacterium acnes Infection in the Native Hip
Authors: Heckmann Nathanael , Sivasundaram Lakshmanan , Lieberman Jay R.
Published: July 2015

Case:

A sixty-five-year-old immunocompetent man with bilateral osteonecrosis of the hip and no prior surgical procedures or trauma was found to have a subacute Propionibacterium acnes infection of the femoral head. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of Propionibacterium acnes infection in a native hip in the orthopaedic literature.

Conclusion:

Diagnosing a subacute P. acnes infection can be challenging because of nonspecific clinical findings, normal laboratory values, and delayed growth of this organism on culture. Clinicians should maintain a high degree of suspicion as these infections are frequently missed.
Green Technology for the Removal of Chloro‐Organics from Pulp and Paper Mill Wastewater
Authors: Choudhary Ashutosh Kumar , Kumar Satish , Sharma Chhaya , Kumar Vivek
Published: July 2015

This study evaluates the treatment efficiency of a horizontal subsurface‐flow constructed wetland (HSSF‐CW) for the removal of chloro‐organic compounds from pulp and paper mill wastewater. The surface area of the HSSF‐CW unit was 5.25 m2 and was planted with Colocasia esculenta. The wastewater was characterized for different chloro‐organic compounds, that is, adsorbable organic halides (AOX), chlorophenolics, and chlorinated resin and fatty acids (cRFAs). Under a hydraulic retention time of 5.9 days, the average AOX, chlorophenolics, and cRFA removal from wastewater was 87, 87, and 93%, respectively. Some of the chlorophenolics were found to accumulate in the plant biomass and soil material. The mass balance studies show that a significant fraction of chlorophenolics and cRFA was degraded in the constructed wetland system. Modeling studies were carried out to estimate the first‐order area‐based removal rate constants (k) for chemical oxygen demand removal. The HSSF‐CW was found to be an effective treatment technology for the remediation of pulp and paper mill wastewater.
Process Performance of Secondary Effluent Granular Media Filtration with and without Preozonation
Authors: Merlo Rion , De Las Casas Carla , Henneman Seppi , Witzgall Robert , Yu William , Ramberg Steve , Parker Denny , Ohlinger Kurt
Published: July 2015

A 10‐month pilot study compared the performance of conventional granular media filtration (CGMF) with granular media filtration with preozonation (OGMF) to determine the effects of preozonation on filter performance. Filtration recoveries were lower for OGMF compared to CMGF when operated at a loading rate of 18.3 m/h. Operation at 18.3 m/h met turbidity requirements for California Department of Public Health Title 22 unrestricted reclaimed water requirements for both OGMF and CGMF. Preozonated secondary effluent at a transferred dose of 3 mg/L resulted in an increase in ultraviolet transmissivity (UVT) of approximately 6% and greater than 5‐log inactivation of male‐specific bacteriophage MS2. Wet weather flow events resulted in UVT decrease and a decline in MS2 inactivation to less than 3 log attributed to higher ozone demand in the secondary effluent. Preozonation increased N‐nitrosodimethlyamine (NDMA) concentration approximately 10 times, but subsequent filtration reduced levels to secondary effluent values. A net increase in NDMA was observed at times.
A Novel Biosorbent Lagenaria vulgaris Shell ‐ ZrO2 for the Removal of Textile Dye From Water
Authors: Petrović Milica M. , Radović Miljana D. , Kostić Miloš M. , Mitrović Jelena Z. , Bojić Danijela V. , Zarubica Aleksandra R. , Bojić Aleksandar Lj.
Published: July 2015

A new biosorbent, abbreviated as LVB‐ZrO2, was synthesized by chemically modifying Lagenaria vulgaris shell with ZrO2. The removal of textile dye RB19 from aqueous solution by LVB‐ZrO2 was studied. Characterization by SEM, FTIR and XRD confirmed the chemical modification of the biomaterial, which showed significant improvement of removal efficiency compared with unmodified Lagenaria vulgaris shell. LVB‐ZrO2 point of zero charge is 5.49. The biosorption process is highly pH dependent and the optimal pH is 2.0, at which complete dye removal was attained. The results are the best by a pseudo‐second order kinetic model. The optimal adsorbent dosage is 4 mg/dm3.The RB19 biosorption follows the Langmuir isotherm model (R2=0.9978), with the maximum sorption capacity of 75.12 mg/g. LVB‐ZrO2 is a mechanically stable, easy to synthesize, cost‐effective, biocompatible and environmentally‐friendly biosorbent with the high potential for the removal of RB19 from aqueous solution.
A Carbon‐Neutral Photosynthetic Microbial Fuel Cell Powered byMicrocystis aeruginosa
Authors: Ma Meirong , Cao Limin , Chen Li , Ying Xiaofang , Deng Zongwu
Published: July 2015

A photosynthetic microbial fuel cell (m‐PMFC) is developed for generating electricity by harnessing solar energy using Microcystis aeruginosa. In this m‐PMFC, commensal bacteria can consume the nutrients that Microcystis aeruginosa produces to generate electricity so that no net CO2 production occurs. A b‐MFC is constructed to confirm the role of commensal bacteria in electric generation. An s‐PMFC is constructed to confirm the contribution of Microcystis aeruginosa as substrates. The power outputs of m‐PMFCs exhibit no significant difference in terms of different inoculation amount of Microcystis aeruginosa or light/dark cycles. The power density of m‐PMFC exhibits similar response to bubbling of N2 and O2 as that of b‐MFC, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry analysis of m‐PMFC and b‐MFC. Scanning electron microscope images demonstrate that the biofilm of m‐PMFC consists mainly of commensal bacteria. These results suggest that commensal bacteria act as the main biocatalysts and Microcystis aeruginosa as the anode substrates in the m‐PMFC.
The examination of sensitivity to corrosion of nickel-titanium and stainless steel endodontic instruments in root canal irrigating solutions
Authors: Popovic Jelena , Radenkovic Goran , Gasic Jovanka , Zivkovic Slavoljub , Mitic Aleksandar , Nikolic Marija , Barac Radomir
Published: July 2015

The application of irrigating solutions is essential in chemomechanical
treatment of tooth root canal. However, chemical and electrochemical
aggressiveness of the solutions, which directly act on instruments, may
damage their surface. The aim of this study was to investigate the
sensitivity of the nickel-titanium (Ni-Ti) and stainless steel endodontic
files to corrosive action of the sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), chlorhexidine
gluconate (CHX) and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Testing of
sensitivity to corrosion of the instruments was performed by dynamic
potentiometric method. Measurements were made in 5.25% NaOCl, 0.2% CHX and
17% EDTA. Ni-Ti instruments immersed in 5.25% NaOCl showed the most intensive
corrosive changes and the lowest value of pitting potential of 1.1V.
Stainless steel instruments immersed in 5.25% NaOCl showed higher value of
pitting potential of 1.5V. Stainless steel instruments immersed in 0.2% CHX
showed lower corrosive surface changes and higher value of pitting potential
of 1.6V, whereas Ni-Ti instruments immersed in 0.2% CHX showed the pitting
potential of 1.9V. The corrosion was not observed in both types of
instruments after immersion in 17% EDTA. The use of 5.25% NaOCl and 0.2% CHX
may cause severe surface corrosion of Ni-Ti and stainless steel endodontic
files.
Green one-pot, four-component synthesis of spiro[indoline-3,4′-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazole] derivatives using amino-functionalized nanoporous silica SBA-15 under solvent-free conditions
Authors: Ziarani Ghodsi , Rahimifard Mahshid , Nouri Fatemeh , Badiei Alireza
Published: July 2015

Propylamine functionalized nanoporous silica (SBA-Pr-NH2) has been used as an
efficient heterogeneous solid basic nanoreactor in the synthesis of
6'-amino-1'H-spiro[indoline-3,4'-pyrano[2,3-c]pyrazol]-2-one derivatives 5
through one-pot, four component condensation of isatin derivatives 1,
activated methylene reagents 2, hydrazine hydrate 3 and ?-keto esters 4
under solvent free conditions at room temperature
A new zinc(II) supramolecular square: Synthesis, crystal structure, thermal behavior and luminescence
Authors: Wang Xiu-Yan , Zhao Zhong-Yu , Han Qian , Yu Miao , Kong De-Yu
Published: July 2015

A new square-shaped Zn(II) complex, namely, [Zn4(L)4(phen)4]?6H2O (1) (L =
2-hydroxynicotinate and phen = 1,10- phenanthroline), has been synthesized
under hydrothermal condition. The crystal of 1 belongs to triclinic, space
group P -1 with a = 10.773(2) ?, b = 12.641(3) ?, c = 13.573(3) ?, ? =
107.44(3)?, ? = 102.66(3)?, ? = 93.89(3)?, C72H56N12O18Zn4, Mr = 1638.77, V =
1702.8(6) ?3 , Z = 1, Dc = 1.598 g/cm3 , S = 1.045, ?(MoK?) = 1.475 mm-1 ,
F(000) = 836, R = 0.0472 and wR = 0.0919. In 1, four L ligands bridge four
Zn(II) atoms to form a square-shaped structure, where four phen ligands are
respectively located on four corners of the square. The ?-? stacking
interactions extend the adjacent squares into a 1D supramolecular chain. The
thermal behavior of 1 has been characterized. Moreover, its solid state
luminescence property has been studied at room temperature.
Electrocatalytic multicomponent assembling of aminouracils, aldehydes and malononitrile: An efficient approach to 7-amino-pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile derivatives
Authors: Kazemi-Rad Reyhaneh , Azizian Javad , Kefayati Hassan
Published: July 2015

Electrocatalytic multicomponent transformation of 6-aminouracils, aromatic
aldehydes and malononitrile in ethanol in an undivided cell in the presence
of potassium bromide as an electrolyte leads to 7-amino-pyrido[2,3-
d]pyrimidine-6-carbonitrile derivatives in short reaction times (8-20 min)
and good to high yields (70-86%).
Solid-solid synthesis, characterization and thermal decomposition of a homodinuclear cobalt(II) complex
Authors: Li Di , Zhong Guo-Qing , Wu Zhi-Xian
Published: July 2015

The homodinuclear cobalt(II) complex [Co2(dipic)2(H2O)5]?2H2O was synthesized
with pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (H2dipic) and cobalt(II) acetate as raw
materials by room temperature solid-solid reaction. The complex was
characterized by elemental analyses, single crystal X-ray diffraction, X-ray
powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV spectra, and
thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Its crystal structure
belongs to monoclinic system and space group P2(1)/c. There are two types of
the Co(II) ions, and they are all six-coordination, one Co(II) is coordinated
by four carboxyl O atoms and two pyridine N atoms from two dipic2- anions,
and another Co(II) is coordinated by five O atoms from five H2O molecules and
one bridged carboxyl O atom from the dipic2- anion. The possible pyrolysis
reactions in the thermal decomposition processes of the complex, the
experimental and calculated percentage mass loss are also given.
The Marriage of Sharon and Henry Sawbones: A Forensic Case Illustrating the Use of a Tax Return in a Litigation Advisory Services Context
Authors: Quirin Jeffrey J. , O'Bryan David
Published: July 2015

This case is designed for use in a forensic accounting curriculum at the undergraduate or graduate level. The case contains no allegations of fraud. Rather, it illustrates the subset of forensic accounting referred to as litigation advisory services and is based upon an actual case that was investigated by the lead author working as a litigation support consultant. The case utilizes the problem-based learning approach wherein students are put in the role of the forensic accountant and must request additional information from the instructor. Students must first review a personal income tax return to develop a list of financial documents that would serve as a discovery request when assisting a family law attorney and his divorcing client. Using the information obtained from their requests, students must then prepare an income exhibit and an asset/liability exhibit that will support the client's need for a division of the marital estate, spousal maintenance, and child support. The process of using a completed income tax return to reconstruct the couple's asset and income profile not only mirrors the real-world engagement, but also complements and reinforces any prior courses in taxation. Student feedback on the case was extremely positive across all dimensions. Students reported having a better understanding of the role of a forensic accountant in the litigation process and enhanced abilities in analyzing a personal income tax return.
How Does XBRL Affect the Cost of Equity Capital? Evidence from an Emerging Market
Authors: Chen Songsheng , Harris Ling , Li Wenying , Wu Donglin
Published: July 2015

Applying path analysis, we examine how eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in China affects the cost of equity capital. Using a one-group pre- and post-test design, we find that XBRL reduces the cost of equity capital and that XBRL strengthens the direct linkage of the inverse relationship between financial reporting quality and the cost of equity capital but not the indirect linkage via the mediation of information asymmetry. Our findings also show that XBRL adoption leads to a greater reduction in the cost of equity capital, when there is a high level of corporate governance. Our study contributes to research on XBRL and to practice by documenting how XBRL affects the cost of equity capital.
Dis-Incorporation of the American Business Model
Authors: Karlinsky Stewart S. , Burton Hughlene A.
Published: July 2015

The U.S. federal government raises most of its revenue from three sources: individual income tax, payroll tax, and corporate income tax. The corporate tax share of total federal revenue has declined dramatically over the last three decades, while tax from individual income has been consistent during the same period. There may be a number of reasons for the decrease in the contribution corporate income taxes make to federal revenues. One of those reasons may be that there has been a dramatic change in how businesses are being organized and operated in the United States. For many years, business entities could choose to operate as either a corporation or a partnership. However, currently, businesses can choose from a variety of entities in which to operate. This article will examine the changes in capital business formations and their impact on the federal revenue collected. In addition, the article will explore the tax policy implications of these new strategies.