bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phase Diagram of the Al2O3–HfO2–Er2O3 System
Authors: Tyschenko Jana S. , Lakiza Sergij M. , Lopato Lydia M.
Published: September 2012

Phase diagram of the Al2O3–HfO2–Er2O3 system was constructed for the first time in the range of 1600°C–2800°C by methods of X‐ray analysis at ambient temperatures, petrography, DTA in H2 at temperatures to 2300°C, and electron microprobe X‐ray analysis and presented as isothermal sections at 1250°C and 1650°C, liquidus and solidus projections, melting diagram, schematic of the reactions proceeded during sample crystallization, three vertical sections. No ternary compounds and appreciable solid solution regions on the base of components or binary compounds were found in the ternary system. The structure of the bounding systems defines the phase equilibria in the ternary system.
Taphonomy of Hair—A Study of Postmortem Root Banding
Authors: Koch Sandra L. , Michaud Amy L. , Mikell Carmenza E.
Published: September 2012

Although it has been generally accepted within the forensic hair community that decompositional changes in the form of an identifiable banding pattern can occur in the root area of hairs after death, little detailed information with regard to this phenomenon is known (e.g., rates at which this occurs and conditions that cause this banding). Hairs were collected daily from bodies placed in water, an air‐conditioned environment, an enclosed vehicle, on the surface of the ground, and buried at the University of Tennessee Forensic Anthropology Center. The hairs were examined microscopically and the level of change documented for each environment. The onset of the banding was observed to have been delayed in water, air‐conditioning, and cold weather and was hastened by warm weather and within the vehicle. This study provides validation that decomposition does produce varying effects on hair at the proximal portion of a hair root, including a dark band.
Allele‐specific transcriptional activity of the variable number of tandem repeats in 5′ region of the DRD4 gene is stimulus specific in human neuronal cells
Authors: Paredes U. M. , Quinn J. P. , D'Souza U. M.
Published: September 2012

The dopamine receptor D4 (DRD4) gene includes several variable number of tandem repeat loci that have been suggested to modulate DRD4 gene expression patterns. Previous studies showed differential basal activity of the two most common variants of a tandem repeat (120 bp per repeat unit) located in the 5′ region adjacent to the DRD4 promoter in human cell lines. In this communication, we further characterized the ability of this polymorphic repeat to elicit tissue‐, allele‐ and stimuli‐specific transcriptional activity in vitro. The short and long variants of the DRD4 5′ tandem repeat were cloned into a luciferase reporter gene construct containing the SV40 promoter. The luciferase constructs were cotransfected with expression vectors of two ubiquitously expressed human transcription factors (TFs), CCCTC‐binding factor (CTCF) and upstream stimulatory factor 2 (USF2), into human cell lines and primary cultures of neonate rat cortex and luciferase activity measured. Overexpression with these TFs resulted in differential cell‐ and allele‐specific transcriptional activities of the luciferase constructs. The results of our experiments show that variants of this tandem repeat in the 5′ promoter of the DRD4 gene will direct differential reporter gene transcriptional activity in a cell‐type‐specific manner dependent on the signal pathways activated.
RNA interference to reveal roles of β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase gene during molting process in Locusta migratoria
Authors: Rong Shuo , Li Da‐Qi , Zhang Xue‐Yao , Li Sheng , Zhu Kun Yan , Guo Ya‐Ping , Ma En‐Bo , Zhang Jian‐Zhen
Published: September 2012

Abstract  β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidases are crucial enzymes involved in chitin degradation in insects. We identified a β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidase gene (LmNAG1) from Locusta migratoria. The full‐length complementary DNA (cDNA) of LmNAG1 consists of 2 667 nucleotides, including an open reading frame (ORF) of 1 845 nucleotides encoding 614 amino acid residues, and 233‐ and 589‐nucleotide non‐coding regions at the 5′‐ and 3′‐ends, respectively. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the cDNA‐deduced LmNAG1 protein with the enzymatically characterized β‐N‐acetylglucosaminidases in group I. Analyses of stage‐ and tissue‐dependent expression patterns of LmNAG1 were carried out by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our results showed that LmNAG1 transcript level in the integument was significantly high in the last 2 days of the fourth and fifth instar nymphs. LmNAG1 was highly expressed in foregut and hindgut. RNA interference of LmNAG1 resulted in an effective silence of the gene and a significantly reduced total LmNAG enzyme activity at 48 and 72 h after the injection of LmNAG1 double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA). As compared with the control nymphs injected with GFP dsRNA, 50% of the dsLmNAG1‐injected nymphs were not able to molt successfully and eventually died. Our results suggest that LmNAG1 plays an essential role in molting process of L. migratoria.
An H I shell-like structure associated with nova V458 Vulpeculae?
Authors: Roy Nirupam , Kantharia N. G. , Eyres S. P. S. , Anupama G.C. , Bode M. F. , Prabhu T. P. , O'Brien T. J.
Published: September 2012

We report the radio detection of a shell-like H i structure in proximity to, and probably associated with, the nova V458 Vul. High spectral resolution observation with the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope has made it possible to study the detailed kinematics of this broken and expanding shell. Unlike the diffuse Galactic H i emission, this is a single-velocity component emission with significant clumping at ∼0.5 arcmin scales. The observed narrow-line width of ∼5 km s−1 suggests that the shell consists of mostly cold gas. Assuming a distance of 13 kpc to the system, as quoted in the literature, the estimated H i mass of the nebula is about 25 M⊙. However, there are some indications that the system is closer than 13 kpc. If there is a physical association of the H i structure and the nova system, the asymmetric morphology and the off-centred stellar system indicate past strong interaction of the mass loss in the asymptotic giant branch phase with the surrounding interstellar medium. So far, this is the second example, after GK Per, of a large H i structure associated with a classical nova.
Maternal controlling feeding behaviours and child eating in preschool‐aged children
Authors: MOROSHKO Irina , BRENNAN Leah
Published: September 2012

Aim:  This paper explored the relationship between maternal controlling feeding behaviours and child eating and weight in preschool‐aged children.

Methods:  Ninety mothers of 2‐ to 5‐year‐old children (M = 3.48, SD = 0.84, 54.4% males) completed self‐report measures assessing maternal controlling feeding behaviours, child eating patterns and weight.

Results:  Univariate analyses indicated that child food neophobia was associated with authoritarian feeding (r= 0.29), pressure to eat (r= 0.28) and restriction (r= 0.34). Child food pickiness was associated with authoritarian feeding (r= 0.35). No association was found between maternal feeding strategies and child weight. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that authoritarian feeding, restriction and pressure to eat were significantly associated with the variance in child food neophobia (adjusted R2= 12.6%) and pickiness (adjusted R2= 12.0%).

Conclusions:  The findings suggest that maternal control in feeding is associated with undesirable eating patterns in preschool‐aged children. Interventions targeting reduction in maternal controlling feeding may promote desirable eating patterns in preschool‐aged children.
Management of adult overweight and obesity: Consultation characteristics and treatment approaches of private practice dietitians
Authors: Zinn Caryn , Schofield Grant , Hopkins Will G.
Published: September 2012

Aim:  There are currently no data on dietitians' consulting practices or client profiles relating to weight loss in New Zealand. The present study describes the approaches to adult weight loss treatment, the consultation characteristics and the overweight/obese adult client characteristics of private practice dietitians in New Zealand.

Methods:  Thirty‐seven dietitians (70% response rate) underwent a 25‐minute telephone interview in which they were asked structured questions relating to their consultancy practices with adult self‐paying weight loss clients. They subsequently provided anonymous weight loss and demographic data for such clients (n = 1367) over a one‐year period. Descriptive statistics were calculated and presented as frequency tables and figures.

Results:  A flexible, small‐changes approach was favoured most frequently over structured calorie/portion‐prescription for weight loss treatment. All dietitians promoted physical activity and the majority of them (87%) often or always integrated behaviour modification strategies into practice. Most of the dietitians offered services on a casual basis (89%); initial consultations were typically 60 minutes in duration, with follow‐ups, 30 minutes. Dietitians' clients were mainly female (80%), middle‐aged (45 years ± SD 7 years) and of New Zealand/European ethnicity (92%). Baseline client weight was 87 kg ± 8 kg for females and 107 kg ± 15 kg for males.

Conclusions:  Dietitians' practices aligned mostly with evidence‐based guidelines; however, the lack of long‐term client follow‐up needs to be addressed if dietitians are to provide a lead role in supporting best‐practice weight loss and maintenance treatment. The narrow client profile indicates that those with high health burden from poor lifestyle are less likely to engage private dietitian services.
A Comparative Study of Neuroprotective Effect of Single and Combined Blockade of AT1 Receptor and PARP-1 in Focal Cerebral Ischaemia in Rat
Authors: Singh Neetu , Sharma Gaurav , Singh Nilendra , Hanif Kashif
Published: September 2012

Background

Cerebral ischaemia results in enhanced expression of type 1 angiotensin receptor and oxidative stress. Free radicals due to oxidative stress lead to excessive DNA damage causing overactivation of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 resulting in neuronal death. Activation of both type 1 angiotensin receptors and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 following cerebral ischaemia takes place simultaneously, but until now, no study has explored the effect of combined blockade of both angiotensin type 1 angiotensin receptor and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 in cerebral ischaemia.

Aim

Our purpose was to compare the effect of single and combined treatment with angiotensin type 1 angiotensin receptor blocker, candesartan, and the poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 inhibitor, 1, 5 isoquinolinediol, on brain damage and oxidative stress in transient focal cerebral ischaemia in rats.

Method

Transient focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in Sprague-Dawley rats by an intraluminal technique for two-hours following 48 h of reperfusion. Candesartan (0·05 mg/kg) was administered just after initiation of ischaemia followed by a repeat administration at 24 h while 1, 5 isoquinolinediol (0·1 mg/kg) was given one-hour after of ischaemia. After 24 h of reperfusion, neurological deficit was evaluated in the different treatment groups. After 48 h of reperfusion, the rats were sacrificed and the brain was isolated. Ischaemic brain damage by 2,3,5 triphenyl tetrazolium chloride staining, oxidative stress markers, and levels of reactive oxygen species were determined biochemically.

Result

Single treatment with candesartan and 1, 5 isoquinolinediol significantly reduced neurological deficit, infarct, and oedema volume as compared to ischaemic control and different vehicle groups for each of the drugs. However, treatment with candesartan + 1, 5 isoquinolinediol offered greater reduction in neurological deficit, cerebral infarct volume, and oedema as compared to single-drug treatments. Furthermore, treatment with candesartan + 1, 5 isoquinolinediol significantly decreased oxidative stress as compared to single treatments with each drug.

Conclusion

The study suggests that blockade of either type 1 angiotensin receptor or poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 alone provides neuroprotection, but the better result was achieved when both type 1 angiotensin receptor and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 were blocked together by the combined use of their pharmacological inhibitor in transient cerebral ischaemia in rat.
Permian Peri‐glacial Deposits from Central Mongolia in Central Asian Orogenic Belt: A Possible Indicator of the Capitanian Cooling Event
Authors: Fujimoto Tatsuya , Otoh Shigeru , Orihashi Yuji , Hirata Takafumi , Yokoyama Takaomi D. , Shimojo Masanori , Kouchi Yoshikazu , Obara Hokuto , Ishizaki Yasuo , Tsukada Kazuhiro , Kurihara Toshiyuki , Nuramkhan Manchuk , Gonchigdorj Sersmaa
Published: September 2012

A dropstone‐bearing, Middle Permian to Early Triassic peri‐glacial sedimentary unit was first discovered from the Khangai–Khentei Belt in Mongolia, Central Asian Orogenic Belt. The unit, Urmegtei Formation, is assumed to cover the early Carboniferous Khangai–Khentei accretionary complex, and is an upward‐fining sequence, consisting of conglomerates, sandstones, and varved sandstone and mudstone beds with granite dropstones in ascending order. The formation was cut by a felsic dike, and was deformed and metamorphosed together with the felsic dike. An undeformed porphyritic granite batholith finally cut all the deformed and metamorphosed rocks. LA‐ICP‐MS, U–Pb zircon dating has revealed the following 206Pb/238U weighted mean igneous ages: (i) a granite dropstone in the Urmegtei Formation is 273 ± 5 Ma (Kungurian of Early Permian); (ii) the deformed felsic dike is 247 ± 4 Ma (Olenekian of Early Triassic); and (iii) the undeformed granite batholith is 218 ± 9 Ma (Carnian of Late Triassic). From these data, the age of sedimentation of the Urmegtei Formation is constrained between the Kungurian and the Olenekian (273–247 Ma), and the age of deformation and metamorphism is constrained between the Olenekian and the Carnian (247–218 Ma). In Permian and Triassic times, the global climate was in a warming trend from the Serpukhovian (early Late Carboniferous) to the Kungurian long and severe cool mode (328–271 Ma) to the Roadian to Bajocian (Middle Jurassic) warm mode (271–168 Ma), with an interruption with the Capitanian Kamura cooling event (266–260 Ma). The dropstone‐bearing strata of the Urmegtei Formation, together with the glacier‐related deposits in the Verkhoyansk, Kolyma, and Omolon areas of northeastern Siberia (said to be of Middle to Late Permian age), must be products of the Capitanian cooling event. Although further study is needed, the dropstone‐bearing strata we found can be explained in two ways: (i) the Urmegtei Formation is an autochthonous formation indicating a short‐term expansion of land glacier to the central part of Siberia in Capitanian age; or (ii) the Urmegtei Formation was deposited in or around a limited ice‐covered continent in northeast Siberia in the Capitanian and was displaced to the present position by the Carnian.
Aquatic macroinvertebrate community composition in tank‐bromeliads is determined by bromeliad species and its constrained characteristics
Authors: Marino Nicholas A. C. , Srivastava Diane S. , Farjalla Vinicius F.
Published: September 2012

Insect herbivore‐plant associations have been widely explored in the scientific literature over the past decades, but other insect‐plant associations have received little focus so far.

Tank‐bromeliads host a large number of invertebrate species and, even though previous studies showed a strong variation in community composition among tank‐bromeliad species, the reasons for this variation are still unclear.

In this study, we first examined whether different bromeliad species supports distinct and predictable community compositions and whether such variation was caused by (i) the bromeliad species itself, (ii) to its environment, and/or (iii) the covariance between both.

We found that different tank‐bromeliad species hosts distinct macroinvertebrate assemblages, but community composition was particularly less predictable in the smaller tank‐bromeliads. Aquatic macroinvertebrates were sorted along a gradient of environmental conditions presented by the set of tank‐bromeliad species examined, according to their functional and biological traits. The tank‐bromeliad species and the environmental conditions within its tanks were strongly related and equally important in structuring these communities.

These results suggest that associations between bromeliads and the fauna inhabiting its tanks are likely a result of the environmental characteristics particular to each bromeliad species.
Pulmonary hypertension associated with rheumatic diseases: baseline characteristics from the Korean registry
Authors: Jeon Chan Hong , Chai Ji‐Young , Seo Young‐Il , Jun Jae‐Bum , Koh Eun‐Mi , Lee Soo‐Kon
Published: September 2012

Objectives

The REgistry of Pulmonary Hypertension Associated with Rheumatic Disease (REOPARD) was established in Korea. The baseline data are described from the second year of the registry's operation.

Methods

Patients with a connective tissue disease (CTD) who met the modified definition of the WHO group I pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were enrolled. PAH was defined as a systolic pulmonary arterial pressure > 40 mmHg by echocardiography or mean pulmonary arterial pressure > 25 mmHg by right heart catheterization. Hemodynamic parameters and clinical data such as demographics, functional class, underlying disease, organ involvement, laboratory tests and current treatment were recorded.

Results

A total of 321 patients were enrolled during the 2‐year study period from 2008 to 2010. The mean age of the patients at registration was 51.9 years and 87.5% were female. Most patients were diagnosed by echocardiography and only 24 patients (7.5%) underwent cardiac catheterization. Exertional dyspnea was present in 63.6% of patients and 31.8% were New York Heart Association class III or IV. Among the patients, systemic lupus erythematosus accounted for 35.3%, systemic sclerosis 28.3%, rheumatoid arthritis 7.8%, overlap syndrome 9.0%, and mixed connective tissue disease 5.9%. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics, functional class, diffusing capacity and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide levels between the disease subgroups. Treatments consisted of calcium antagonists (57.0%), endothelin antagonists (32.7%), prostanoids (27.1%), phosphodiesterase‐5 inhibitors (14.3%) and combinations (37.4%).

Conclusion

Compared with previous studies, the results showed some differences: underlying diseases, functional status and treatments. This may be due to differences in ethnic background and diagnostic methods of our study.
Effective UK weight management services for adults
Authors: McCombie L. , Lean M. E. J. , Haslam D. ,   The Counterweight Research Group
Published: September 2012

A number of evidence‐based weight management interventions are now available with different models and serving different patient/client groups. While positive outcomes are a key to the decision‐making process, so too is the information around how these outcomes were achieved, in what population, how transferable the outcomes would be to the population a service would be aiming to cover and at what cost to the service provider and or the individual. This paper examines all the UK interventions with recent peer‐reviewed evidence of their effectiveness in ‘realistic’ settings and cost‐effectiveness, in the context of National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) and Scottish Intercollegiate Guideline Network (SIGN) guidelines. It concludes that the evidence‐based approaches allow intervention at different stages in the disease process of obesity, which are effective in different settings. Self‐referral to commercial agencies, by individuals with relatively low body mass index (BMI) and few medical complications, is a reasonable first step. For more severely obese individuals (e.g. BMI > 35 kg m−2) requiring more medically complicated care, evidence is largely lacking for these services, but the community‐based Counterweight Programme is effective and cost‐effective in maintaining weight loss >5 kg up to 2 years for 30–40% of attenders. For more complicated and resistant obesity, referral to a secondary care‐based service can generate short‐term weight loss, but 12‐month data are unavailable.
Hepatic stellate cells promote the differentiation of embryonic stem cell‐derived definitive endodermal cells into hepatic progenitor cells
Authors: Chan Kun‐Ming , Fu Yi‐Hsuan , Wu Ting‐Jung , Hsu Pao‐Yueh , Lee Wei‐Chen
Published: September 2012

Aim

Hepatic non‐parenchymal cells are well known to be capable of providing an important microenvironment and growth factors for hepatic regeneration, but their capacity for directing embryonic stem cells (ESC) toward hepatocytes remains to be assessed. Thus, this study aims to investigate the role of hepatic stellate cells (HSC), the major type of hepatic non‐parenchymal cells, in the differentiation of ESC as well as exploring the potentiality of ESC in regeneration medicine for cell‐based therapy.

Methods

A two‐step differentiation procedure that utilized the capability of HSC to regulate proliferation and differentiation of hepatocytes was used to develop an approach for directing the differentiation of ESC towards hepatic progenitor cells. Mouse ESC were cultivated in a serum‐free medium containing Activin A and fibroblast growth factor to generate definitive endodermal cells characterized by the CXCR4 cell‐surface marker. After 6–8 days in culture, approximately 60% of the differentiated cells expressed CXCR4, and more than 90% of the CXCR4 positive cells could be recovered by cell sorting. The purified CXCR4 positive cells were co‐cultured with mouse HSC as feeder cells in basal medium without additional hepatocyte growth factors. Differentiation was complete after 10–12 days of co‐culture, and hepatic progenitor cell markers such as α‐fetoprotein (afp) and albumin (alb) were detected in the terminally differentiated ESC.

Conclusion

These results show that HSC provide an appropriate microenvironment and pivotal growth factors for generation of hepatic progenitor cells from ESC‐derived definitive endodermal cells, and suggest that this approach possibly allows for hepatic differentiation of ESC imitating the process of hepatic regeneration.
A review of equine mucocutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Taylor S. , Haldorson G.
Published: September 2012

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) accounts for approximately 20% of all equine mucocutaneous (MC) tumours and continues to present a therapeutic challenge to practitioners. MostMC‐SCCare locally invasive and slow to metastasise, but metastasis to local lymph nodes is not uncommon. The most common location forMC‐SCCis the periorbital region, with the eyelid most commonly affected. Although only 13% ofMC‐SCCinvolves the external genitalia,MC‐SCCis the most common neoplasm of male genitalia. Equine caballus papillomavirus‐2 has recently been linked toMC‐SCCand may prove to be necessary for tumour development. Risk factors may include chronic exposure to ultraviolet light and chronic skin irritation. Horses developing genitalMC‐SCCtend to be older compared to those with periorbitalMC‐SCC. Histopathology is required for definitive diagnosis ofMC‐SCC, although horse phenotype and lesion location may suggestMC‐SCC. Several treatment modalities have been successful in eliminating or managingMC‐SCC, with surgical excision and intratumoural chemotherapy yielding the best results. Other treatment options including cryotherapy, hyperthermia, radiotherapy and photodynamic therapy are often used as adjunctive therapies. Early recognition of tumours and prompt intervention are associated with a positive outcome.
Perceptions of the unregistered healthcare worker's role in pre‐registration student nurses' clinical training
Authors: Hasson Felicity , McKenna Hugh P. , Keeney Sinead
Published: September 2012

Aim

To explore the unregistered healthcare worker's role and influence on student nurses' clinical learning experience.

Background

Across the developed world, the role of the unregistered worker is exceeding its traditional boundaries. Evidence suggests that this includes the day‐to‐day mentoring of pre‐registration student nurses. However, no research to date has explored reasons as to why this is occurring, what types of tasks are taught, and the consequence of this.

Design

A sequential exploratory mixed method research design was adopted.

Method

Reporting on the final qualitative phase of a mixed method sequential research study, semi‐structured interviews were undertaken with 59 unregistered healthcare workers across four hospitals in Northern Ireland. Transcriptions were analysed using a content analysis approach; all data were collected in 2010.

Results

Findings show the diversity of the unregistered healthcare workers' roles and confirm that they play a major part in the education of student nurses with regards to basic, clinical, and non‐clinical tasks, with and without the approval of registered staff. However, their involvement did not reflect their levels of expertise as evidenced by certified training. Their participation was justified based on mentor unavailability, their closeness to the student and the patient. While some did raise concerns, they recommended that these workers be formally involved in nurse education.

Conclusion

Mechanisms of workforce planning need to pay particular attention to the expanding role of unregistered healthcare workers as ‘role drift’ has the potential to alter patterns of work and affect current educational approaches impacting on the acquisition of clinical skills. Further research is recommended in this domain.
Retrospective Study of Extensive Heat‐Pressed Ceramic Veneers after 36 Months
Authors: Rinke Sven , Lange Katharina , Ziebolz Dirk
Published: September 2012

Statement of the Problem

The clinical performance of ceramic veneers is influenced by various clinical and material‐related factors.

Purpose

Retrospective evaluation of extensive anterior ceramic veneers in the upper and lower jaw 36 months after placement in a private practice.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐seven patients (21 female, 16 male) were restored with adhesively luted extensive ceramic veneers made from a heat‐pressed ceramic (Cergo, DeguDent, Hanau, Germany). One dentist restored a total of 130 teeth (maxilla N = 76, mandible N = 54). Adhesive cementation was performed with an etch‐and‐rinse adhesive (Optibond FL, Kerr Hawe, Karlsruhe, Germany) and a dual‐curing composite cement.

Results

After 36 months, the survival rate (in situ criteria) according to Kaplan–Meier was 95.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.88; 1). Reasons for failure were four ceramic fractures and one biological failure in five restored teeth. Of the restorations, 92.8% (95% CI: 0.86;1) were in service without any clinical intervention and rated successful after 36 months. Interventions were necessary in five cases (three recementations, two endodontic treatments). Clinical performance was not influenced by the veneer position (maxillar/mandibular, survival p = 0.3/success p = 0.4). Veneers with more than 50% of exposed dentin demonstrated a significantly increased risk (hazard ratio 10.6, p = 0.026) for a clinical intervention (recementation, endodontic treatment), whereas no effect on the survival rate could be detected (p = 0.17).

Conclusions

After 36 months of clinical service, extensive veneer restorations made of a pressable ceramic showed a comparable survival and success rate in the upper and lower jaw. Large areas of exposed dentin (>50%) were associated with lower success rates.

Clinical Significance

Mandibular ceramic veneers made using a heat‐pressed ceramic offer the same clinical reliability as do veneers on anterior maxillary teeth. Dentin exposure significantly affects the clinical performance of heat‐pressed ceramic veneers.
Microwave irradiation decreases ATP, increases free [Mg2+], and alters in vivo intracellular reactions in rat brain
Authors: Srivastava Shireesh , Kashiwaya Yoshihiro , Chen Xuesong , Geiger Jonathan D. , Pawlosky Robert , Veech Richard L.
Published: September 2012

Rapid inactivation of metabolism is essential for accurately determining the concentrations of metabolic intermediates in the in vivo state. We compared a broad spectrum of energetic intermediate metabolites and neurotransmitters in brains obtained by microwave irradiation to those obtained by freeze blowing, the most rapid method of extracting and freezing rat brain. The concentrations of many intermediates, cytosolic free NAD(P)+/NAD(P)H ratios, as well as neurotransmitters were not affected by the microwave procedure. However, the brain concentrations of ATP were about 30% lower, whereas those of ADP, AMP, and GDP were higher in the microwave‐irradiated compared with the freeze‐blown brains. In addition, the hydrolysis of approximately 1 μmol/g of ATP, a major in vivo Mg2+‐binding site, was related to approximately five‐fold increase in free [Mg2+] (0.53 ± 0.07 mM in freeze blown vs. 2.91 mM ± 0.48 mM in microwaved brains), as determined from the ratio [citrate]/[isocitrate]. Consequently, many intracellular properties, such as the phosphorylation potential and the ∆G' of ATP hydrolysis were significantly altered in microwaved tissue. The determinations of some glycolytic and TCA cycle metabolites, the phosphorylation potential, and the ∆G' of ATP hydrolysis do not represent the in vivo state when using microwave‐fixed brain tissue.
Both chronic treatments by epothilone D and fluoxetine increase the short‐term memory and differentially alter the mood status of STOP/MAP6 KO mice
Authors: Fournet Vincent , de Lavilléon Gaetan , Schweitzer Annie , Giros Bruno , Andrieux Annie , Martres Marie‐Pascale
Published: September 2012

Recent evidence underlines the crucial role of neuronal cytoskeleton in the pathophysiology of psychiatric diseases. In this line, the deletion of STOP/MAP6 (Stable Tubule Only Polypeptide), a microtubule‐stabilizing protein, triggers various neurotransmission and behavioral defects, suggesting that STOP knockout (KO) mice could be a relevant experimental model for schizoaffective symptoms. To establish the predictive validity of such a mouse line, in which the brain serotonergic tone is dramatically imbalanced, the effects of a chronic fluoxetine treatment on the mood status of STOP KO mice were characterized. Moreover, we determined the impact, on mood, of a chronic treatment by epothilone D, a taxol‐like microtubule‐stabilizing compound that has previously been shown to improve the synaptic plasticity deficits of STOP KO mice. We demonstrated that chronic fluoxetine was either antidepressive and anxiolytic, or pro‐depressive and anxiogenic, depending on the paradigm used to test treated mutant mice. Furthermore, control‐treated STOP KO mice exhibited paradoxical behaviors, compared with their clear‐cut basal mood status. Paradoxical fluoxetine effects and control‐treated STOP KO behaviors could be because of their hyper‐reactivity to acute and chronic stress. Interestingly, both epothilone D and fluoxetine chronic treatments improved the short‐term memory of STOP KO mice. Such treatments did not affect the serotonin and norepinephrine transporter densities in cerebral areas of mice. Altogether, these data demonstrated that STOP KO mice could represent a useful model to study the relationship between cytoskeleton, mood, and stress, and to test innovative mood treatments, such as microtubule‐stabilizing compounds.
How to assess tonsilloliths and styloid chain ossifications on cone beam computed tomography images
Authors: Centurion BS , Imada TSN , Pagin O , Capelozza ALA , Lauris JRP , Rubira‐Bullen IRF
Published: September 2012

Objective

The aim of this study was to establish an anatomical guideline in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images to discriminate soft‐tissue calcifications, specifically, tonsilloliths, and styloid chain ossification (SCO) in the multiplanar reconstruction screen of the i‐CAT Vision.

Materials and Methods

We analyzed 100 pairs of CBCT images and panoramic digital radiographies regarding the presence or absence of tonsilloliths and SCO. The intraobserver agreement varied from excellent to good. The statistical analyses included Mann–Whitney test, chi‐square test, Spearman test, Student's t‐test, and Wilcoxon test. The analyses were repeated without the guideline to verify its effectiveness.

Results

A total of 25 tonsilloliths were found in panoramic images while CBCT images revealed 60. Panoramic and CBCT images showed 42% and 63% of patients positive to SCO, respectively. We found a statistically significant difference when comparing the presence of tonsilloliths and SCO between panoramic and CBCT images (Wilcoxon test P < 0.05). The analyses without the guideline showed that the observer tended to diagnoses more false‐positive SCO.

Conclusion

Based on the results, we can suggest that CBCT images are more suitable to differentiate tonsilloliths and SCO than panoramic images. The guideline was more important to diagnosis SCO than tonsilloliths. SCO was misclassified in 34% without the guideline.
Genetic relationships and hybrid vigour in olive (Olea europaea L.) by microsatellites
Authors: Biton Iris , Shevtsov Sofia , Ostersetzer Oren , Mani Yair , Lavee Shimon , Avidan Benjamin , Ben‐Ari Giora
Published: September 2012

The olive (Olea europaea) is one of the most important oleaginous crops of the Mediterranean basin. Increased demand for olive oil creates a need for new olive varieties to help meet the requirements of the global market. However, olive breeding has been handicapped by such varied challenges as a prolonged juvenile period, agrotechnical problems and insufficient genetic knowledge. The use of DNA markers has the potential to overcome these problems and increase the effectiveness of classical breeding programmes. In this study, co‐dominant polymorphic simple sequence repeats (SSRs) were used as markers to analyse the genetic relationships between several local and other ‘non‐native’ olive cultivars. Cluster analysis revealed four major groups among the 15 cultivars examined in this study. Table and oil cultivars were clustered in different groups. However, the clusters did not differentiate between cultivars of different geographical origins. In addition, we used the data gathered to analyse genetic relationships to evaluate the effects of heterosis in agricultural traits. Genetic distances between cultivars were determined based on the SSR genotype data and were used for evaluating the possible effects of heterosis in various F1 populations. Interestingly, phenotypic data of F1 progenies from crosses between different cultivars indicated the potential effects of heterosis as expressed in several traits. Genetic distance between parents was significantly correlated to F1 performance for three traits: percentage of dry fruit weight, oil content and commercial oil production. Thus, crosses between olive cultivars exhibiting relatively extensive genetic distances one from the other are expected to result in better progeny performance in future Olea breeding programmes. Our study linked assessment of biodiversity of commercial olive cultivars with the application of this information in olive breeding programmes for selection of specific parents to generate superior new cultivars.
Implementing Provider‐based Sampling for the National Children's Study: Opportunities and Challenges
Authors: Belanger Kathleen , Buka Stephen , Cherry Debra C. , Dudley Donald J. , Elliott Michael R. , Hale Daniel E. , Hertz‐Picciotto Irva , Illuzzi Jessica L. , Paneth Nigel , Robbins James M. , Triche Elizabeth W. , Bracken Michael B.
Published: September 2012

Background:  The National Children's Study (NCS) was established as a national probability sample of births to prospectively study children's health starting from in utero to age 21. The primary sampling unit was 105 study locations (typically a county). The secondary sampling unit was the geographic unit (segment), but this was subsequently perceived to be an inefficient strategy.

Methods and Results:  This paper proposes that second‐stage sampling using prenatal care providers is an efficient and cost‐effective method for deriving a national probability sample of births in the US. It offers a rationale for provider‐based sampling and discusses a number of strategies for assembling a sampling frame of providers. Also presented are special challenges to provider‐based sampling pregnancies, including optimising key sample parameters, retaining geographic diversity, determining the types of providers to include in the sample frame, recruiting women who do not receive prenatal care, and using community engagement to enrol women. There will also be substantial operational challenges to sampling provider groups.

Conclusion:  We argue that probability sampling is mandatory to capture the full variation in exposure and outcomes expected in a national cohort study, to provide valid and generalisable risk estimates, and to accurately estimate policy (such as screening) benefits from associations reported in the NCS.
Monitoring Rotating Tool Wear Using Higher-Order Spectral Features
Authors: Barker R. W. , Klutke G. , Hinich M. J.
Published: September 2012

A framework for detecting incipient wear in rotating machinery is proposed. In this paper, statistical techniques that combine power spectrum estimates with higher-order spectrum (HOS) estimates for feature development are applied to discriminate and classify vibration signals from new and slightly used drill bits in a drill wear study. Results from experimental data obtained when drilling composite circuit cards reveal that the performance of a power spectrum-based tool wear monitoring system can be enhanced by complementing the power spectrum information with HOS information on the accelerometer signal. Evidence presented supports the proposition that a HOS approach provides better signal features to a pattern classifier which allows better decisions on the state of rotating tool wear.
Comparative Evaluation of Abrasive Liquid Jet Machining Systems
Authors: Hashish M.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a comparison between two types of abrasive liquid jet cutting systems: entrainment systems, which typically use abrasive-waterjets (AWJs) to perform the cutting; and systems that use directly pumped abrasive slurry jets (ASJs) to perform the cutting. The hardware features and the performance characteristics of the two types of systems are addressed. A simplified analysis indicates that at an abrasive-to-liquid ratio of 1:1, high-pressure directly pumped ASJs are twice as efficient as entrainment AWJs in transferring energy to the particles. Also, directly pumped ASJs are potentially over 20 times as dense with regard to kinetic power delivery to the workpiece. However, high-pressure entrainment AWJs can be more effective than low-pressure directly pumped ASJs.
The Effect of Beam Angle in Abrasive-Waterjet Machining
Authors: Hashish M.
Published: September 2012

In the machining of materials, abrasive-waterjets are typically applied at a 90 deg. angle to the surface of the workpiece. This paper presents results and observations on machining with abrasive-waterjets at angles other than 90 deg. Previous visualization studies of the cutting process in transparent materials have shown that there are optimal angles for maximum depth of cut and kerf depth uniformity. Here, observations on the effect of angle in machining applications such as turning, milling, linear cutting, and drilling are addressed. The effects of variations in both the impact angle and the rake angle are investigated. Results indicate that the volume removal rate is significantly affected by these angles and that the surface finish can be improved by angling the jet. However, shallow angle drilling of small holes in laminated or ceramic-coated materials requires further investigation.
Laser Grooving of Composite Materials With the Aid of a Water Jet
Authors: Chryssolouris G. , Sheng P. , Anastasia N.
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a method for reducing the thermal damage of composite materials during laser grooving. The method utilizes a water jet in tandem with the laser beam in an attempt to control the heat conducted into the workpiece. The paper presents a theoretical analysis for determining the relationships between groove depth and heat affected zone, and the laser and water jet operating parameters. The theoretical analysis accounts for the effect of the heat transfer due to the water jet. The predictions of the analysis are compared with experimental results whereby the heat-affected zone is reduced up to 70 percent by using a water jet. The paper includes experimental findings regarding the optimum operating point of the water jet for minimizing the heat-affected zone (HAZ) and maximizing the achievable groove depth.
Stress Analysis of a Plate Containing Two Elliptical Holes Subjected to Uniform Pressures and Tangential Stresses on Hole Boundaries
Authors: Ukadgaonker V. G. , Patil D. B.
Published: September 2012

In this paper an elastostatic problem of two unequal elliptical holes subjected to internal pressures and shears are solved using the Kolosoff-Muskhelishvili stress functions, and the Schwarz alternating method of successive relaxation for multiply connected regions. Various stress concentration factors are obtained by changing the sizes of the two holes, the center distances, and the stress ratios on the two holes.
The Stress of Combat
Authors: Singh Manpreet K.
Published: September 2012

Combat stress has persistent and reversible adverse effects on the brain.
T-Cell Responses before and after the Fifth Consecutive Acellular Pertussis Vaccination in 4-Year-Old Dutch Children
Authors: Schure Rose-Minke , Hendrikx Lotte H. , de Rond Lia G. H. , Öztürk Kemal , Sanders Elisabeth A. M. , Berbers Guy A. M. , Buisman Anne-Marie
Published: September 2012

Immunization with acellular pertussis vaccine (aP) induces higher specific antibody levels and fewer adverse reactions than does immunization with the whole-cell vaccine (wP). However, antibody levels in infants induced by both types of pertussis vaccines wane already after 1 year. Therefore, long-term T-cell responses upon vaccination might play a role in protection against pertussis. In a cross-sectional study (ISRCTN65428640), we investigated T-helper (Th) cell immune responses in wP- or aP-vaccinated children before and after an aP low-dose or high-dose preschool booster at 4 years of age in The Netherlands. T cells were stimulated with pertussis vaccine antigens. The numbers of gamma interferon-producing cells and Th1, Th2, Th17, and interleukin-10 (IL-10) cytokine concentrations were determined. In addition, pertussis-specific IgE levels were measured in plasma. Children being vaccinated with aP vaccinations at 2, 3, 4, and 11 months of age still showed higher pertussis-specific T-cell responses at 4 years of age than did wP-vaccinated children. These T-cell responses failed to show a typical increase in cytokine production after a fifth aP vaccination but remained high after a low-dose booster and seemed to decline even after a high-dose booster. Importantly, elevated IgE levels were induced after this booster vaccination. In contrast, wP-vaccinated children had only low prebooster T-cell responses, and these children showed a clear postbooster T-cell memory response even after a low-dose booster vaccine. Four high-dose aP vaccinations in infancy induce high T-cell responses still present even 3 years after vaccination and enhanced IgE responses after preschool booster vaccination. Therefore, studies of changes in vaccine dosage, timing of pertussis (booster) vaccinations, and the possible association with local side effects are necessary.
Protective Efficacy of a Toxoplasma gondii Rhoptry Protein 13 Plasmid DNA Vaccine in Mice
Authors: Wang Pei-Yuan , Yuan Zi-Guo , Petersen Eskild , Li Jie , Zhang Xiu-Xiang , Li Xiu-Zhen , Li Hao-Xin , Lv Zhi-Cheng , Cheng Tian , Ren Di , Yang Gui-Lian , Lin Rui-Qing , Zhu Xing-Quan
Published: September 2012

Toxoplasma gondiiis an obligate intracellular parasite infecting humans and other warm-blooded animals, resulting in serious public health problems and economic losses worldwide. Rhoptries are involved inT. gondiiinvasion and host cell interaction and have been implicated as important virulence factors. In the present study, a DNA vaccine expressing rhoptry protein 13 (ROP13) ofT. gondiiinserted into eukaryotic expression vector pVAX I was constructed, and the immune protection it induced in Kunming mice was evaluated. Kunming mice were immunized intramuscularly with pVAX-ROP13 and/or with interleukin-18 (IL-18). Then, we evaluated the immune response using a lymphoproliferative assay, cytokine and antibody measurements, and the survival times of mice challenged with the virulentT. gondiiRH strain (type I) and the cyst-forming PRU strain (type II). The results showed that pVAX-ROP13 alone or with pVAX/IL-18 induced a high level of specific anti-T. gondiiantibodies and specific lymphocyte proliferative responses. Coinjection of pVAX/IL-18 significantly increased the production of gamma interferon (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10. Further, challenge experiments showed that coimmunization of pVAX-ROP13 with pVAX/IL-18 significantly (P< 0.05) increased survival time (32.3 ± 2.7 days) compared with pVAX-ROP13 alone (24.9 ± 2.3 days). Immunized mice challenged withT. gondiicysts (strain PRU) had a significant reduction in the number of brain cysts, suggesting that ROP13 could trigger a strong humoral and cellular response againstT. gondiicyst infection and that it is a potential vaccine candidate against toxoplasmosis, which provided the foundation for further development of effective vaccines againstT. gondii.
Pseudo-Outbreak of Lecanicillium and Acremonium Species in Orthopedic Surgery Patients
Authors: Neal Carolyn O. S. , Deak Eszter , Chang Loretta S. , Gilmartin Heather , Gade Lalitha , Imanishi Maho , Price Connie , Brandt Mary E. , Chiller Tom , Balajee S. Arunmozhi
Published: September 2012

Acremonium
species cause a variety of human infections, while
Lecanicillium
species have not been reported as human pathogens. We describe a pseudo-outbreak involving both organisms, highlighting the role and limitations of molecular methods in the characterization of rare fungal isolates. Repeated isolation of these fungi from patient tissue samples raises concerns about exogenous contamination in the hospital environment.