bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shifts of forest species along an elevational gradient in Southeast France: climate change or stand maturation?
Authors: Bodin Jeanne , Badeau Vincent , Bruno Eric , Cluzeau Catherine , Moisselin Jean‐Marc , Walther Gian‐Reto , Dupouey Jean‐Luc
Published: August 2012

Aim

Recent vegetation changes in mountain areas are often explained by climate warming. However, effects of land‐use changes, such as recolonization of abandoned pastures by forest, are difficult to separate from those of climate change. Even within forest belts, changes in stand structure due to forest management and stand maturation could confound the climate signal. Here, we evaluate the direction and rate of plant species elevation shifts in mountain forests, considering the role of stand dynamics.

Location

Forests in the plains and mountains ofSoutheastFrance.

Methods

We compared floristic data from theFrenchNationalForestInventory collected in the 1980s and 1990s. They provided a large‐scale (30 985 plots) and representative sample of vegetation between 0 and 2500 m a.s.l. Species response curves along the elevation and exposure gradients were fitted with a logistic regression model. In order to assess the effect of changes in successional stages of the forest stands, we compared plant species shifts in the whole set of stands with those solely in closed stands.

Results

A total of 62 species shifted downward, whereas 113 shifted upward, resulting in a significant upward mean shift of 17.9 m. Upward shifting species were preferentially woody and heliophilous, suggesting a role for forest closure and maturation in the observed changes. Excluding all open forest stages from analyses, the upward trend became weaker (−3.0 m) and was not significant. Forests of the study area have undergone closure and maturation, more strongly at lower altitudes than at higher ones, producing an apparent shift of species.

Conclusions

In the mountain relief ofSoutheastFrance, changes in the successional stages of stands appear as the main cause of the apparent upslope movement of forest species. Since a similar trend of forest maturation exists in large areas throughoutEurope, forest dynamics should be better taken into account among the causes of vegetation changes before inferring any climate change effect.
Women's exposure to intimate partner violence and child malnutrition: findings from demographic and health surveys in Bangladesh
Authors: Ziaei Shirin , Naved Ruchira Tabassum , Ekström Eva‐Charlotte
Published: August 2012

Domestic violence, in particular intimate partner violence (IPV), has been recognized as a leading cause of mortality and morbidity among women of reproductive age. The effects of IPV against women on their children's health, especially their nutritional status has received less attention but needs to be evaluated to understand the comprehensive public health implications of IPV. The aim of current study was to investigate the association between women's exposure to IPV and their children's nutritional status, using data from the 2007 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS). Logistic regression models were used to estimate association between ever‐married women's lifetime exposure to physical and sexual violence by their spouses and nutritional status of their children under 5 years. Of 2042 women in the BDHS survey with at least one child under 5 years of age, 49.4% reported lifetime experience of physical partner violence while 18.4% reported experience of sexual partner violence. The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight in their children under 5 years was 44.3%, 18.4% and 42.0%, respectively. Women were more likely to have a stunted child if they had lifetime experience of physical IPV [odds ratio n = 2027 (OR)adj, 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.23–1.79] or had been exposed to sexual IPV (n = 2027 ORadj, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.02–1.61). The present findings contribute to growing body of evidence showing that IPV can also compromise children's growth, supporting the need to incorporate efforts to address IPV in child health and nutrition programmes and policies.
Efficacy of Jasminum grandiflorum L. leaf extract on dermal wound healing in rats
Authors: Chaturvedi Adya P , Kumar Mohan , Tripathi Yamini B
Published: August 2012

Wound healing is a fundamental response to tissue injury and natural products accelerate the healing process. Here, we have explored the efficacy of topical administration of an ointment, prepared by methanolic extract of Jasminum grandiflorum L. (Oleaceae) leaves, on cutaneous wound healing in rats. The topical application of the Jasminum ointment on full thickness excision wounds accelerated the healing process. Tissue growth and collagen synthesis were significantly higher determined by total hydroxyl proline, hexosamine, protein and DNA content. The response was concentration‐ and time‐dependent, when observed on days 4, 8 and 12 after wound creation. The rate of wound healing was faster as determined by wound contraction, tensile strength and other histopathological changes. In addition, this ointment also raised the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) with high GSH content and low lipid peroxidation products in wound tissue. Thus, it could be suggested that the ointment from the methanolic extract of J. grandiflorum leaf improves the rate of wound healing by enhancing the rate of collagen synthesis and also by improving the antioxidant status in the newly synthesised healing wound tissue.
Mobilizing Truth: Agenda Setting in a Transnational Social Movement
Authors: Rowen Jamie
Published: August 2012

This article provides a neoinstitutionalist account of how a transnational social movement (TSM) sets its agenda. A theoretical framework is presented to reveal how logics from the transnational and local organizational fields influence legal mobilization. To provide insight into how a TSM accommodates contradictory and competing logics within and between these fields, this article examines mobilization around a fact-finding commission, sometimes called a truth commission, to address the ongoing social and political divides in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). The findings, based on fieldwork conducted between 2009 and 2011, are used to develop the theoretical concept of a quasi-judicial medium, a legal body that, initially, will appeal to a variety of actors, but may be unable to adequately address existing divides. The conclusions point to further directions in the study of transnational legal mobilization, particularly the conditions under which the ambiguity of a movement strategy helps meet and/or moderate movement goals.
The potential for decentralized reclamation and reuse of household greywater in peri‐urban areas of Bangkok
Authors: Jiawkok Supattra , Ittisupornrat Suda , Charudacha Chittima , Nakajima Jun
Published: August 2012

A survey was conducted of 400 households in the peri‐urban area of Bangkok to investigate typical household water consumption, daily water use activities, public perception towards wastewater reuse and detergent consumption. Four categories of greywater, including cooking, dish washing, bathing and laundry washing wastewater, their properties and potential application for reuse were examined. Average water consumption was estimated to be 208 L/person/day. The wastewater was already reused in 42% of households, and that laundry wastewater was widely used for plant watering and floor washing. More than 80% of households accepted the use of treated greywater, while 50% of households did not accept the use of treated blackwater. Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD) and suspended solid (SS) were high in cooking, dish washing and laundry, and lower in bathing wastewater, while anionic surfactant were high in laundry and dish washing wastewater. The finding results clearly demonstrate the possibility of greywater reclamation and reuse in the area.
Effect of Different Drying Methods and Storage Time on the Retention of Bioactive Compounds and Antibacterial Activity of Wine Grape Pomace (Pinot Noir and Merlot)
Authors: Tseng Angela , Zhao Yanyun
Published: August 2012

Abstract:  The effects of different drying methods (40 °C conventional and vacuum oven, 25 °C ambient air and freeze dry) on the stability of two red wine grape (Pinot Noir, PN and Merlot, M) byproducts, pomace containing skins and seeds (P) and pomace containing skins only (S) were investigated. Freeze dried samples retained the highest bioactive compounds with total phenolic content (TPC) of 21.19–67.74 mg GAE/g d.m., anthocyanin content (ACY) of 0.35–0.76 mg Mal‐3‐glu/g d.m., DPPH antiradical scavenge activity (ARS) of 22.01–37.46 mg AAE/g d.m., and total flavanol content (TFC) of 30.16–106.61 mg CE/g d.m., followed with ambient air dried samples. All samples lost significant amount of bioactive compounds during 16 wk of storage at 15 ± 2 °C, in which ambient air and freeze dried samples had TPC reduction of 32–56% and 35–58%, respectively, but ARS in PN‐P and M‐P still remained more than 50 mg TE/g d.m. Overall, TPC, ARS, and TFC were higher in PN than in M, and higher in pomace than in skins, while reverse results were observed in ACY. Pomace extracts showed higher antibacterial efficiency against Listeria innocua ATCC 51142 than Escherichia coli ATCC 25922 with minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of 3%, 6%, 4%, and 9% against E. coli, and 2%, 7%, 3%, and 8% against L. innocua for PN‐P, PN‐S, M‐P, and M‐S samples, respectively. Dietary fiber content of samples was 57–63% of total dry matter. This study demonstrated that Pinot Noir and Merlot pomace are good sources of antioxidant dietary fibers and may be incorporated into various food products as a functional ingredient.

Practical Application:  Wine grape pomace (WGP), the byproduct of wine making, is a good source of polyphenols and dietary fibers and may be incorporated into various food products as a functional ingredient. This study reported the effect of four drying methods and storage at 15 ± 2 °C up to 4 months on the retention of polyphenols and antioxidant activity in two types of red WGP (with and without seeds). Antibacterial activity, dietary fiber content and the basic physicochemical properties of dried pomace powder were also reported. The information is essential for developing specific applications of the pomace.
Family‐Centered Practice in Florida: Family Court Actions and Perceptions
Authors: Falconer Mary Kay , Lederman Judge Cindy S. , Pecora Peter J. , Thompson Christine K. , DiLorenzo Paul
Published: August 2012

Family and dependency courts can become valuable partners in efforts to stem the tide of child maltreatment using a family‐centered strategy. Florida's response to a 2008 federal Child and Family Services Review included a commitment to implement family‐centered practice in child protection services and the courts that hear these cases. Evidence of this implementation was documented in a formative evaluation conducted in 2010 and 2011. Findings based on interviews with dependency judges, Children's Legal Services attorneys, and Guardian ad Litem volunteers provide useful insights on how these practices were perceived and implemented.
Intravenous iron in digestive diseases
Authors: GOMOLLÓN FERNANDO , GISBERT JAVIER P.
Published: August 2012

From a global perspective, poor nutrition is the most important cause of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. However, in developed countries gastrointestinal diseases are the most probable causes that should be taken into account in the differential diagnosis. Blood losses through mucosal ulceration, malabsorption, chronic inflammation, neoplasia, difficulties in intake of food, or a combination of these mechanisms can be found in various gastrointestinal diseases. Several iron compounds suitable for oral use are available, the most simple and most commonly used being iron salts such as iron sulfate or iron fumarate. However, oral iron is not always the best option. Intravenous (IV) iron has been shown to be effective in several observational and controlled studies. In cancer patients, oral iron has been shown to be effective in some studies, but IV iron has several advantages in this particular scenario: it is well tolerated, even in frail patients, and is quick to obtain a response, something rather convenient if prompt surgery is needed. IV iron is also widely used in chronic gastrointestinal blood loss caused by vascular malformations, a rather common scenario in patients on anticoagulant treatment. It is also relatively common in clinical gastroenterological practice to find anemia and iron deficiency in patients treated with nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory agents and/or antiplatelet drugs. IV iron is a useful and effective tool to treat iron deficiency in digestive diseases. Although we need more and larger trials to further define indications, protocols and follow‐up rules in different pathologies, the available guidelines for the management of iron deficiency and anemia inflammatory bowel disease patients are good practical guides.
Case of emphysematous cholecystitis in a patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus associated with schizophrenia
Authors: Ogawa Ayu , Shikata Kenichi , Uchida Haruhito Adam , Shinoura Susumu , Yokomichi Naosuke , Ogawa Daisuke , Sato‐Horiguchi Chicage , Yagi Takahito , Wada Jun , Makino Hirofumi
Published: August 2012

Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare, but life‐threatening, form of acute cholecystitis caused by gas‐forming organisms in the gallbladder. A 73‐year‐old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus complicated with neuropathy associated with schizophrenia was admitted to Okayama University Hospital, Okayama, Japan, because of a high fever and general malaise. On the fourth hospital day, despite normal liver function tests and little abdominal pain, his abdominal computed tomography showed huge gas formation in the gallbladder lumen along with a dilated gallbladder with a thickened wall, consistent with emphysematous cholecystitis. The patient underwent an emergency open cholecystectomy. Few abdominal symptoms appeared because of the hyposensitivity to pain caused by not only diabetic neuropathy, but also antipsychotic agents the patient was taking for schizophrenia. Emphysematous cholecystitis should be taken into consideration for the differential diagnosis of high fever in diabetic patients with schizophrenia, irrespective of the level of liver function tests and clinical symptoms.
‘Nice girls don't carry knives': Constructions of ambition in media coverage of Australia's first female prime minister
Authors: Hall Lauren J. , Donaghue Ngaire
Published: August 2012

Julia Gillard became the first female prime minister of Australia in 2010. This paper examines the various ways in which her success was constructed in the Australian print media in the days immediately following her elevation. In particular, we focus on how an issue that has long beset women aspiring to power and leadership – the so‐called ‘double bind’ in which aspiring women leaders must display high competence and ambition in traditionally masculine domains while maintaining sufficient femininity so as not to be disliked – was constructed in this high‐profile instance. We discuss the coverage in terms of its implications for the need to create an androgynized presentation of ambition, the continuing relevance of gender stereotypes, and the mixture of threat and opportunity provided to women taking positions on ‘the glass cliff’. These issues remain crucially important for women aspiring to power and leadership in contemporary western societies.
The relationship between childhood weight, dental caries and eating practices in children aged 4–8 years in Australia, 2004–2008
Authors: Hooley M. , Skouteris H. , Millar L.
Published: August 2012

What is already known about this subject?

Childhood obesity is a significant problem in Western and now also in developing countries.

Early development of dental caries in childhood is also a growing problem.

Significant interest in the relationship between dental caries and childhood obesity in recent years but the nature of the relationship has been contentious.

What this study adds?

This was the first study to investigate the nature of the relationship between dental caries and BMI in a large representative sample of Australian children.

The findings of this study contribute to the literature by suggesting that dietary interventions designed to reduce the incidence of dental caries may also reduce overweight and obesity in children.

Researchers and policy makers should consider the possibility that interventions designed to reduce children's consumption of fatty foods might inadvertently encourage the increased consumption of sweet foods, particularly in children who have curbed their fat intake.

Objectives

The association between overweight/obesity and dental caries in children is contentious with studies variously reporting positive or negative associations between the two conditions. Since 1995, Australia has experienced a rise in the prevalence of both conditions in its children. This study investigated the association between child weight, diet and dental problems in a nationally representative sample.

Method

Data from 4149 children (51.5% male) participating in the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC) were used. The LSAC is a longitudinal study collecting data from a large representative cohort of Australian children; data from the first three waves were included with children aged 4–5 years, 6–7 years, and 8–9 years. Multivariate cross‐sectional and prospective analyses were conducted to determine the relationships between child weight, diet and dental problems.

Results

Overweight/obesity was associated with sweet drink consumption and dental problems associated with consumption of fatty foods and sweet drinks. Underweight was associated with dental problems cross‐sectionally, but both underweight and overweight at age 6–7 years predicted dental problems at age 8–9 years.

Conclusions

Dental caries and body weight are influenced by diet. Overweight children may be consuming less fatty food but appear to be consuming more sweet drinks than normal‐weight children, which can lead to both increased weight and dental caries. Dietary interventions designed to reduce the development of dental caries may also reduce the development and maintenance of overweight.
Hispanic and black US children's paths to high adolescent obesity prevalence
Authors: Rendall M. S. , Weden M. M. , Fernandes M. , Vaynman I.
Published: August 2012

What is already known about this subject

The prevalence of child obesity in the U.S. is higher among Hispanic and black than white children.

Racial/ethnic disparities have widened with the development of the child‐obesity epidemic.

Obese minority children are at greater risk of being obese also as adults.

What this study adds

By 8th grade, Hispanic and black children are both 50% more likely to be obese than are non‐Hispanic white children.

High obesity emerges more strongly by Kindergarten age among Hispanic children than among black children.

Overweight and obese Hispanic and black children are less likely to return to normal weight levels than are overweight and obese white children.

Objective

The study aims to identify the ages contributing most to the development of higher obesity prevalence in the 8th grade (approximately age 14) among Hispanic and black children than among non‐Hispanic white children in the United States.

Methods

Using the nationally representative Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS‐K), a sample of 17 420 children in kindergarten in 1999, followed in 1st, 3rd, 5th and 8th grades through 2007, was analysed. First, ‘normal’, ‘overweight’ and ‘obese’ weight‐status categories in each grade were assigned from US Centers for Disease Control body mass index percentiles. Second, probabilities of being in each of the three weight‐status categories in kindergarten and of transitioning between categories after kindergarten were estimated by logistic regression. These probabilities were then used as parameters of a weight‐status trajectory simulation model from which a decomposition analysis was performed.

Results

Obesity prevalence in the 8th grade was equally high among Hispanic (25.0%, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 22.3, 27.8%) and black children (25.1%; 95% CI: 20.9, 29.6%) compared to white children (17.4%; 95% CI: 15.9, 19.0%). As much as 73% of the Hispanic–white 8th grade obesity disparity was generated by 3rd grade and 44% by kindergarten. In contrast, only 15% of the black–white obesity 8th grade disparity was generated by kindergarten, whereas 75% was generated between the 3rd and 8th grades and 53% between the 5th and 8th grades.

Conclusions

Although adolescent obesity is equally prevalent among Hispanic and black children, obesity emerges and is sustained earlier in Hispanic children. Diagnosis and prevention strategies should be designed accordingly.
Rab7 and Arl8 GTPases are Necessary for Lysosome Tubulation in Macrophages
Authors: Mrakovic Amra , Kay Jason G. , Furuya Wendy , Brumell John H. , Botelho Roberto J.
Published: August 2012

Lysosomes provide a niche for molecular digestion and are a convergence point for endocytic trafficking, phagosome maturation and autophagy. Typically, lysosomes are small, globular organelles that appear punctate under the fluorescence microscope. However, activating agents like phorbol esters transform macrophage lysosomes into tubular lysosomes (TLs), which have been implicated in retention of pinocytic uptake and phagosome maturation. Moreover, dendritic cells exposed to lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) convert their punctate class II major histocompatibility complex compartment, a lysosome‐related organelle, into a tubular network that is thought to be involved in antigen presentation. Other than a requirement for microtubules and kinesin, little is known about the molecular mechanisms that drive lysosome tubulation. Here, we show that macrophage cell lines readily form TLs after LPS exposure, with a requirement for the Rab7 GTPase and its effectors RILP (Rab7‐interacting lysosomal protein) and FYCO1 (coiled‐coil domain‐containing protein 1), which respectively modulate the dynein and kinesin microtubule motor proteins. We also show that Arl8B, a recently identified lysosomal GTPase, and its effector SKIP, are also important for TL biogenesis. Finally, we reveal that TLs are significantly more motile than punctate lysosomes within the same LPS‐treated cells. Therefore, we identify the first molecular regulators of lysosome tubulation and we show that TLs represent a more dynamic lysosome population.
Heat Transfer and Thermal Elastic Deformation Analysis on the Piston/Cylinder Interface of Axial Piston Machines
Authors: Pelosi Matteo , Ivantysynova Monika
Published: August 2012

The piston/cylinder interface of swash plate–type axial piston machines represents one of the most critical design elements for this type of pump and motor. Oscillating pressures and inertia forces acting on the piston lead to its micro-motion, which generates an oscillating fluid film with a dynamically changing pressure distribution. Operating under oscillating high load conditions, the fluid film between the piston and cylinder has simultaneously to bear the external load and to seal the high pressure regions of the machine. The fluid film interface physical behavior is characterized by an elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication regime. Additionally, the piston reciprocating motion causes fluid film viscous shear, which contributes to a significant heat generation. Therefore, to fully comprehend the piston/cylinder interface fluid film behavior, the influences of heat transfer to the solid boundaries and the consequent solid boundaries’ thermal elastic deformation cannot be neglected. In fact, the mechanical bodies’ complex temperature distribution represents the boundary for nonisothermal fluid film flow calculations. Furthermore, the solids-induced thermal elastic deformation directly affects the fluid film thickness. To analyze the piston/cylinder interface behavior, considering the fluid-structure interaction and thermal problems, the authors developed a fully coupled simulation model. The algorithm couples different numerical domains and techniques to consider all the described physical phenomena. In this paper, the authors present in detail the computational approach implemented to study the heat transfer and thermal elastic deformation phenomena. Simulation results for the piston/cylinder interface of an existing hydrostatic unit are discussed, considering different operating conditions and focusing on the influence of the thermal aspect. Model validation is provided, comparing fluid film boundary temperature distribution predictions with measurements taken on a special test bench.
Experimental Investigation of Lubricant Flow Properties Under Micro Oil Supply Condition
Authors: Qian Shanhua , Guo Dan , Liu Shuhai , Lu Xinchun
Published: August 2012

Lubricant flow properties of polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil have been experimentally investigated based on a ball-on-disc configuration under micro oil supply condition. The oil pool shape and central film thickness in the contact region were obtained using fluorescence microscopy and optical interferometry, respectively. It has been found that the relative length between the inlet meniscus and Hertzian center point in the oil pool to Hertzian radius was much larger than 1 in a smaller lubricant supply of 20 μl, and the corresponding contact region initially entered the elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) region and then became starved with the increasing speed. The variations of the relative film thickness as a function of starvation degree and the ratio of relative length to Hertzian radius were proposed to explain the obtained results. Besides, the fluorescence technique was used to directly observe the inlet meniscus position of the oil pool and helped to gain more understanding of the lubricant flow properties under micro oil supply condition.
Performance, Characterization and Design of Textured Surfaces
Authors: Podgornik B. , Sedlacek M.
Published: August 2012

In recent years the efforts to better control friction and wear have focused on surface-topography modification through surface texturing. Although a lot of effort, including experimental and analytical work, has been put into finding the optimal texturing parameters and design rules for reduced friction, optimization is still too often limited and based on a trial-and-error approach. Therefore, the aim of the present research work was to investigate the possibility of using kurtosis and skewness as the design parameters for selecting the optimal texturing pattern for contact surfaces operating under lubricated conditions. The results of this investigation performed on groove- and dimple-textured surfaces under low-load, low-sliding speed conditions confirmed the correlation between the kurtosis and skewness parameters and the coefficient of friction. For textured surfaces an increase in the kurtosis and a more negative skewness, obtained by reducing the cavity size, increasing the cavity depth and decreasing the texturing density, were found to yield a lower friction. Furthermore, kurtosis and skewness were recognized as suitable parameters for the optimization of textured surfaces.
A New Quasi-Static Cylindrical Roller Bearing Model to Accurately Consider Non-Hertzian Contact Pressure in Time Domain Simulations
Authors: Kabus Simon , Hansen Michael R. , Mouritsen Ole Ø.
Published: August 2012

The accuracy of the fatigue life calculations in rolling bearing simulations is highly dependent on the precision of the roller-raceway contact simulations. Several different methods exist to simulate these pressure distributions and in time domain bearing simulations, where many contacts need evaluation, the simple and time efficient methods are more popular, yielding erroneous life estimates. This paper presents a new six degree of freedom frictionless quasi-static time domain cylindrical roller bearing model that uses high precision elastic half-space theory to simulate the contact pressures. The potentially higher computational demand using the advanced contact calculations is addressed by preprocessing a series of contacts at different centerline approaches and roller tilt angles, which are used for interpolating contact results during time domain simulations. It is demonstrated that this new model allows for simulation of bearing misalignments, roller centrifugal forces, and flange contact induced roller tilt moments, and that the effect of these conditions is directly evaluated in a detailed fatigue life analysis. Finally, the stiffness of the bearing model is validated against existing experimental data with good correlation.
Control of Flow Separation Around Bluff Obstacles by Transverse Magnetic Field
Authors: Chatterjee Dipankar , Chatterjee Kanchan , Mondal Bittagopal
Published: August 2012

Electromagnetic fields may be used to control the flow separation during the flow of electrically conducting fluids around bluff obstacles. The steady separated flow around bluff bodies at low Reynolds numbers almost behaves as a creeping flow at a certain field strength. This phenomena, although already known, is exactly quantified through numerical simulation and the critical field strength of an externally applied magnetic field is obtained, for which the flow separation is completely suppressed. The flow of a viscous, incompressible, and electrically conducting fluid (preferably liquid metal or an electrolyte solution) at a Reynolds number range of 10–40 and at a low magnetic Reynolds number is considered in an unbounded medium subjected to uniform magnetic field strength along the transverse direction. Circular and square cross sections of the bluff obstacles are considered for simulation purposes. Fictitious confining boundaries are chosen on the lateral sides of the computational domain that makes the blockage ratio (the ratio of the cylinder size to the width of the domain) 5%. The two-dimensional numerical simulation is performed following a finite volume approach based on the semi-implicit method for pressure linked equations (SIMPLE) algorithm. The major contribution is the determination of the critical Hartmann number for the complete suppression of the flow separation around circular and square cylinders for the steady flow in the low Reynolds number laminar regime. The recirculation length and separation angle are computed to substantiate the findings. Additionally, the drag and skin friction coefficients are computed to show the aerodynamic response of the obstacles under imposed magnetic field conditions.
A numerical study of a method for measuring the effective in situ sound absorption coefficient
Authors: Kuipers Erwin R. , Wijnant Ysbrand H. , de Boer André
Published: August 2012

The accuracy of a method [Wijnant et al., Proc. of ISMA 31, Leuven, Belgium (2010), Vol. 31] for measurement of the effective area-averaged in situ sound absorption coefficient is investigated. Based on a local plane wave assumption, this method can be applied to sound fields for which a model is not available. Investigations were carried out by means of finite element simulations for a typical case. The results show that the method is a promising method for determining the effective area-averaged in situ sound absorption coefficient in complex sound fields.
Antibacterial Efficacy of Temperate Phage-Mediated Inhibition of Bacterial Group Motilities
Authors: Chung In-Young , Sim Nuri , Cho You-Hee
Published: August 2012

Phage therapy against bacterial pathogens has been resurrected as an alternative and supplementary anti-infective modality. Here, we observed that bacterial group motilities were impaired in
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
strain PA14 lysogens for some temperate siphophages; the PA14 lysogens for DMS3 and MP22 were impaired in swarming motility, whereas the PA14 lysogen for D3112 was impaired in twitching motility. The swarming and twitching motilities of PA14 were also affected in the presence of MP22 and D3112, respectively. The
in vitro
killing activities of D3112 and MP22 toward PA14 did not differ, and neither did their
in vivo
persistence in the absence of bacterial infections in mice as well as in flies. Nevertheless, administration of D3112, not MP22, significantly reduced the mortality and the bacterial burdens in murine peritonitis-sepsis and
Drosophila
systemic infection caused by PA14. Taken together, we suggest that a temperate phage-mediated twitching motility inhibition might be comparably effective to control the acute infections caused by
P. aeruginosa
.
Rapid Killing of Acinetobacter baumannii by Polymyxins Is Mediated by a Hydroxyl Radical Death Pathway
Authors: Sampson Timothy R. , Liu Xiang , Schroeder Max R. , Kraft Colleen S. , Burd Eileen M. , Weiss David S.
Published: August 2012

Acinetobacter baumannii
is an opportunistic pathogen that is a cause of clinically significant nosocomial infections. Increasingly, clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
are extensively resistant to numerous antibiotics, and the use of polymyxin antibiotics against these infections is often the final treatment option. Historically, the polymyxins have been thought to kill bacteria through membrane lysis. Here, we present an alternative mechanism based on data demonstrating that polymyxins induce rapid cell death through hydroxyl radical production. Supporting this notion, we found that inhibition of radical production delays the ability of polymyxins to kill
A. baumannii
. Notably, we demonstrate that this mechanism of killing occurs in multidrug-resistant clinical isolates of
A. baumannii
and that this response is not induced in a polymyxin-resistant isolate. This study is the first to demonstrate that polymyxins induce rapid killing of
A. baumannii
and other Gram-negatives through hydroxyl radical production. This significantly augments our understanding of the mechanism of polymyxin action, which is critical knowledge toward the development of adjunctive therapies, particularly given the increasing necessity for treatment with these antibiotics in the clinical setting.
Identification of Peptides Derived from the Human Antimicrobial Peptide LL-37 Active against Biofilms Formed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa Using a Library of Truncated Fragments
Authors: Nagant C. , Pitts B. , Nazmi K. , Vandenbranden M. , Bolscher J. G. , Stewart P. S. , Dehaye J.-P.
Published: August 2012

Persistent
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients and are linked to the formation of a biofilm. The development of new biofilm inhibition strategies is thus a major challenge. LL-37 is the only human antimicrobial peptide derived from cathelicidin. The effects on the
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 strain of synthetic truncated fragments of this peptide were compared with the effects of the original peptide. Fragments of LL-37 composed of 19 residues (LL-19, LL13-31, and LL7-25) inhibited biofilm formation. The strongest antibiofilm activity was observed with the peptides LL7-37 and LL-31, which decreased the percentage of biomass formation at a very low concentration. Some peptides were also active on the bacteria within an established biofilm. LL7-31, LL-31, and LL7-37 increased the uptake of propidium iodide (PI) by sessile bacteria. The peptide LL7-37 decreased the height of the biofilm and partly disrupted it. The peptides active within the biofilm had an infrared spectrum compatible with an α-helix. LL-37, but not the peptides LL7-31 and LL7-37, showed cellular toxicity by permeabilizing the eukaryotic plasma membrane (uptake of ethidium bromide and release of lactate dehydrogenase [LDH]). None of the tested peptides affected mitochondrial activity in eukaryotic cells. In conclusion, a 25-amino-acid peptide (LL7-31) displayed both strong antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities. The peptide was even active on cells within a preformed biofilm and had reduced toxicity toward eukaryotic cells. Our results also suggest the contribution of secondary structures (α-helix) to the activity of the peptides on biofilms.
Has the Emergence of Community-Associated Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Increased Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Use and Resistance?: a 10-Year Time Series Analysis
Authors: Wood Jameson B. , Smith Donald B. , Baker Errol H. , Brecher Stephen M. , Gupta Kalpana
Published: August 2012

There are an increasing number of indications for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use, including skin and soft tissue infections due to community-associated methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus
(CA-MRSA). Assessing the relationship between rates of use and antibiotic resistance is important for maintaining the expected efficacy of this drug for guideline-recommended conditions. Using interrupted time series analysis, we aimed to determine whether the 2005 emergence of CA-MRSA and recommendations of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole as the preferred therapy were associated with changes in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use and susceptibility rates. The data from all VA Boston Health Care System facilities, including 118,863 inpatient admissions, 6,272,661 outpatient clinic visits, and 10,138 isolates were collected over a 10-year period. There was a significant (
P
= 0.02) increase in trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prescriptions in the post-CA-MRSA period (1,605/year) compared to the pre-CA-MRSA period (1,538/year). Although the overall susceptibility of
Escherichia coli
and
Proteus
spp. to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole decreased over the study period, the rate of change in the pre- versus the post-CA-MRSA period was not significantly different. The changes in susceptibility rates of
S. aureus
to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and to methicillin were also not significantly different. The CA-MRSA period is associated with a significant increase in use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole but not with significant changes in the rates of susceptibilities among clinical isolates. There is also no evidence for selection of organisms with increased resistance to other antimicrobials in relation to increased trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use.
Human Cytomegalovirus Inhibitor AL18 Also Possesses Activity against Influenza A and B Viruses
Authors: Muratore Giulia , Mercorelli Beatrice , Goracci Laura , Cruciani Gabriele , Digard Paul , Palù Giorgio , Loregian Arianna
Published: August 2012

AL18, an inhibitor of human cytomegalovirus DNA polymerase, was serendipitously found to also block the interaction between the PB1 and PA polymerase subunits of influenza A virus. Furthermore, AL18 effectively inhibited influenza A virus polymerase activity and the overall replication of influenza A and B viruses. A molecular model to explain the binding of AL18 to both cytomegalovirus and influenza targets is proposed. Thus, AL18 represents an interesting lead for the development of new antivirals.
The Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli-Secreted Protein EspZ Inhibits Host Cell Apoptosis
Authors: Roxas Jennifer Lising , Wilbur John Scott , Zhang Xiangfeng , Martinez Giovanna , Vedantam Gayatri , Viswanathan V. K.
Published: August 2012

The diarrheagenic pathogen enteropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(EPEC) limits the death of infected enterocytes early in infection. A number of bacterial molecules and host signaling pathways contribute to the enhanced survival of EPEC-infected host cells. EspZ, a type III secreted effector protein that is unique to EPEC and related “attaching and effacing” (A/E) pathogens, plays a role in limiting host cell death, but the precise host signaling pathways responsible for this phenotype are not known. We hypothesized that EspZ contributes to the survival of infected intestinal epithelial cells by interfering with apoptosis. Consistent with previous studies, scanning electron microscopy analysis of intestinal epithelial cells infected with an EPEC
espZ
mutant (Δ
espZ
) showed increased levels of apoptotic and necrotic cells compared to cells infected with the isogenic parent strain. Correspondingly, higher levels of cytosolic cytochrome
c
and increased activation of caspases 9, 7, and 3 were observed for Δ
espZ
strain-infected cells compared to wild-type (WT) EPEC-infected cells. Finally,
espZ
-transfected epithelial cells were significantly protected from staurosporine-induced, but not tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α)/cycloheximide-induced, apoptosis. Thus, EspZ contributes to epithelial cell survival by mechanisms that include the inhibition of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The enhanced survival of infected enterocytes by molecules such as EspZ likely plays a key role in optimal colonization by A/E pathogens.
Schistosoma mansoni Infection Impairs Antimalaria Treatment and Immune Responses of Rhesus Macaques Infected with Mosquito-Borne Plasmodium coatneyi
Authors: Semenya Amma A. , Sullivan JoAnn S. , Barnwell John W. , Secor W. Evan
Published: August 2012

Malaria and schistosomiasis are the world's two most important parasitic infections in terms of distribution, morbidity, and mortality. In areas where
Plasmodium
and
Schistosoma
species are both endemic, coinfections are commonplace. Mouse models demonstrate that schistosomiasis worsens a malaria infection; however, just as mice and humans differ greatly, the murine-infecting
Plasmodium
species differ as much from those that infect humans. Research into human coinfections (
Schistosoma haematobium-Plasmodium falciparum
versus
Schistosoma mansoni-P. falciparum
) has produced conflicting results. The rhesus macaque model provides a helpful tool for understanding the role of
S. mansoni
on malaria parasitemia and antimalarial immune responses using
Plasmodium coatneyi
, a malaria species that closely resembles
P. falciparum
infection in humans. Eight rhesus macaques were exposed to
S. mansoni
cercariae. Eight weeks later, these animals plus 8 additional macaques were exposed to malaria either through bites of infected mosquitos or intravenous inoculation. When malaria infection was initiated from mosquito bites, coinfected animals displayed increased malaria parasitemia, decreased hematocrit levels, and suppressed malaria-specific antibody responses compared to those of malaria infection alone. However, macaques infected by intravenous inoculation with erythrocytic-stage parasites did not display these same differences in parasitemia, hematocrit, or antibody responses between the two groups. Use of the macaque model provides information that begins to unravel differences in pathological and immunological outcomes observed between humans with
P. falciparum
that are coinfected with
S. mansoni
or
S. haematobium
. Our results suggest that migration of malaria parasites through livers harboring schistosome eggs may alter host immune responses and infection outcomes.
Predictive variables of an emergency department quality and performance indicator: a 1-year prospective, observational, cohort study evaluating hospital and emergency census variables and emergency department time interval measurements
Authors: Casalino Enrique , Choquet Christophe , Bernard Julien , Debit Abigael , Doumenc Benoit , Berthoumieu Audrey , Wargon Mathias
Published: August 2012

Objective

Emergency department (ED) crowding impacts negatively on quality of care. The aim was to determine the association between ED quality and input, throughput and output-associated variables.

Methods

This 1-year, prospective, observational, cohort study determined the daily percentage of patients leaving the ED in <4 h (ED quality and performance indicator; EDQPI). According to the median EDQPI two groups were defined: best-days and bad-days. Hospital and ED variables and time interval metrics were evaluated as predictors.

Results

Data were obtained for 67 307 patients over 364 days. Differences were observed between the two groups in unadjusted analysis: number of daily visits, number of patients as a function of final disposition, number boarding in the ED, and time interval metrics including wait time to triage nurse and ED provider, time from ED admission to decision, time from decision to departure and length of stay (LOS) as a function of final disposition. Five variables remained significant predictors for bad-days in multivariate analysis: wait time to triage nurse (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.36 to 4.11; p=0.002), wait time to ED provider (OR 1.93; 95% CI 1.05 to 3.54; p=0.03), number of patients admitted to hospital (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.09 to 3.19; p=0.02), LOS of non-admitted patients (OR 9.5; 95% CI 5.17 to 17.48; p<0.000001) and LOS of patients admitted to hospital (OR 2.46; 95% CI 1.44 to 4.2; p=0.0009).

Conclusions

Throughput is the major determinant of EDQPI, notably time interval reflecting the work dynamics of medical and nursing teams and the efficacy of fast-track routes for low-complexity patients. Output also significantly impacted on EDQPI, particularly the capacity to reduce the LOS of admitted patients.
Socio-psycho-behavioural factors associated with male semen quality in China: results from 1346 healthy men in Chongqing
Authors: Li Ying , Li Yafei , Zhou Niya , Han Xue , Ma Mingfu , Li Lianbing , Cai Min , Cui Zhihong , Lin Hui , Zhou Ziyuan , Xiong Hongyan , Cao Jia
Published: August 2012

Background

Human semen quality in China has decreased in the last few decades. A previous study found that 61.1% of healthy males in Chongqing City in Southwest China had abnormal semen parameters values according to 1999 World Health Organization criteria.

Objective

This cross-sectional study explored the associations between socio-psycho-behavioural factors and semen quality in Chongqing City.

Methods

The study participants comprised 1346 eligible healthy men who were examined and researched in respect to 15 socio-psycho-behavioural factors.

Results

Men from a higher occupational class had better semen volume (β coefficient 1.18, p=0.034), while men who often wore underwear made from man-made fibres had a lower percentage of morphologically normal sperm (β coefficient 0.82, p=0.001). As regards psychological stress, men with less stress had an increased total sperm count and percentage of morphologically normal sperm (β coefficient 1.19 and 1.25 respectively, p=0.02 and 0.04 respectively). The other 12 factors examined in the study demonstrated no significant association with semen quality in Chongqing.

Conclusions

Semen quality can be impacted by socio-psycho-behavioural factors (occupational class, psychological stress and wearing man-made fibre underwear). A health programme that deals directly with psychological health and healthy lifestyle, and the implementation of policies that address social factors for men may play a part in the improvement of male reproductive health in China.