bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Influence of Elastic Modulus of Inlay Materials on Stress Distribution and Fracture of Premolars
Authors: Costa AKF , Xavier TA , Noritomi PY , Saavedra G , Borges ALS
Published: June 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence the width of the occlusal isthmus and inlay material had on the stress distribution, displacement, and fracture resistance of upper human premolars. For this in vitro test, 35 intact upper premolars (UPM) were selected and five were kept intact for the control group (group I). The remaining 30 were divided into two experimental groups (n=15) according to the width of isthmus: conservative (CP) and extensive preparation (EP), one third and more than two thirds of cuspal distance, respectively. Five teeth from each experimental group were left without restoration for negative controls (CPnc and EPnc), and the remaining 10 in each group were subdivided according to the inlay material (resin or ceramic): group CPr, CP + indirect resin; group CPc, CP + ceramic; group EPr, EP + indirect resin; and group EPc, EP + ceramic. The cemented inlays were loaded in a universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. The fractured specimens were analyzed with stereomicroscopy, and the values of the fracture resistance evaluated by analysis of variance and Tukey test. For the finite element analyses, an average UPM for each group was modeled in Rhinoceros CAD software and imported to Ansys 13.0. An average of 320,000 tetrahedral elements and 540,000 nodes for the seven models were performed using the same experimental simulation setup for each. The models were constrained on the base, and a displacement of 0.02 mm was applied to keep a linear behavior for the analysis. A von Mises stress and total displacement fields were used for the coherence test and the maximum principal stress fields were used for mechanical behavior comparisons. Group I (161.73 ± 22.94) showed a significantly higher mean value than the other experimental groups (EPc: 103.55 ± 15.84; CPc: 94.38 ± 12.35; CPr: 90.31 ± 6.10; EPr: 65.42 ± 10.15; CPnc: 65.46 ± 5.37; EPnc: 58.08 ± 9.62). The stress distribution was different in all of the groups. EPnc showed a higher concentration of tensile stress on the cervical region of the proximal box. CPc and EPc provided a lower tensile stress and a smaller cuspal displacement. Within the limits of this study, the configuration of the inlay preparation is a significant factor in the fracture resistance of premolars: the smaller the amount of remaining tooth, the lower the fracture resistance. In addition, the teeth restored with ceramic materials showed a higher fracture resistance than those restored with composite resin.
Microleakage of Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Restorations With Selective Enamel Etching
Authors: Ludlow SW , Farmer SN , Donaldson ME , Tantbirojn D , Versluis A
Published: June 2014

Aim

Bonding of resin-modified glass ionomers to enamel is an important quality, especially when saliva contamination is inevitable. This study evaluated if microleakage of a resin-modified glass ionomer improves with selective enamel etching, with or without saliva contamination.

Methods

Class V cavities with the occlusal margin in enamel and the gingival margin on the root were prepared in extracted human permanent teeth and filled with a resin-modified glass ionomer using an acidic primer according to the manufacturer's recommendation or with an additional selective enamel etching step. Preparations were contaminated with saliva before primer application or before restoration placement (n=10). Restored teeth were thermocycled between 5°C and 55°C for 1000 cycles, stained with basic fuchsin, and sectioned. Microleakage distance was measured and analyzed with analysis of variance followed by Duncan post hoc test at a significance level of 0.05.

Results

Enamel microleakage was highest when saliva contamination occurred before the placement of resin-modified glass ionomer. Microleakage distances were significantly reduced in the selective etching groups regardless of saliva contamination. However, selective etching of enamel increased microleakage in cementum. The increase in cementum leakage was significantly higher when saliva contamination occurred before restoration placement.

Conclusion

Selective etching reduces enamel microleakage of a resin-modified glass ionomer even with saliva contamination, but it may increase microleakage at the cementum. The severity of microleakage is affected by the timing of saliva contamination.
The effects of vortex like distributed electron in magnetized multi-ion dusty plasmas
Authors: Haider Md. , Ferdous Tahmina , Duha Syed
Published: June 2014

The nonlinear propagation of small but finite amplitude dust-ion-acoustic solitary waves in a magnetized, collisionless dusty plasma is investigated theoretically. It has been assumed that the electrons are trapped following the vortex-like distribution and that the negatively and positively charged ions are mobile with the presence of charge fluctuating stationary dusts, where ions mass provide the inertia and restoring forces are provided by the thermal pressure of hot electrons. A reductive perturbation method was employed to obtain a modified Korteweg-de Vries (mK-dV) equation for the first-order potential and a stationary solution is obtained. The effect of the presence of trapped electrons, negatively and positively charged ions and arbitrary charged dust grains are discussed.
Analytical sensitivity and reflected power through a D-shape optical fibre sensor
Authors: Ubeid M. , Shabat M.
Published: June 2014

In this paper, the reflection properties and sensitivity of a D-shape optical fibre sensor are investigated theoretically and numerically with the emphasis on the metal layer [gold (Au), silver (Ag), copper (Cu), and aluminum (Al)]. Maxwell’s equations are used to determine the electric and magnetic fields of the incident waves at each layer. Snell’s law is applied and the boundary conditions are imposed at each layer interface to calculate the reflected power and sensitivity of the sensor. In the numerical results, the mentioned power is computed and illustrated as a function of wavelength, angle of incidence, metal layer thickness and refractive index of the external medium when the metal layer changes. The variation of sensitivity with the wavelength of the incident radiations is also proposed for some of the given metals.
Erratum to Central European Journal of Engineering, Volume 4, Issue 1
Authors: Kumar M. , Srikanth N.
Published: June 2014

Paper by M. Ajay Kumar, N. V. Srikanth, et al. “An adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system controlled space cector pulse width modulation based HVDC light transmission system under AC fault conditions” in Volume 4, Issue 1, 27–38/March 2014 doi: 10.2478/s13531-013-0143-4 contains an error in the title. The correct title is presented below
Occurrence of Vibrio, Salmonella and Staphylococcus aureus in retail fresh fish, mussel and shrimp
Authors: Mus Tulay Elal , Cetinkaya Figen , Celik Umut
Published: June 2014

This study aimed to determine the presence of pathogenic Vibrio spp., S. aureus and Salmonella in 100 seafood samples purchased from retail outlets in Bursa city (Turkey). Of the samples examined including fish, mussel and shrimp, 67% were found to be contaminated with Vibrio. Presumed Vibrio spp. were identified by standard biochemical tests, and further confirmed by API 20E system. Identified Vibrio spp. were V. parahaemolyticus (28%), V. vulnificus (1%) and V. cholerae (1%), with the most prevalent being V. alginolyticus (37%). Six (6%) of the samples analysed were positive for S. aureus. However, no contamination of the samples with Salmonella was observed. Our results showed that seafood from retail outlets can be a likely vehicle for infections with Vibrio spp. and S. aureus.
PCR detection of Bartonella spp. in the dog
Authors: Konvalinová Jarmila , Svobodová Vlasta , Molinková Dobromila , Svoboda Miroslav
Published: June 2014

Our study aimed at using PCR to identify the incidence of Bartonella spp. in blood of dogs. Altogether 286 dogs of 92 breeds aged 3 month to 17 years were tested from October 2008 to December 2009. Healthy dogs as well as dogs with various clinical symptoms of disease were included in the group. Samples were tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for the presence of Bartonella spp. Following the DNA examination in 286 dogs by PCR and subsequent sequencing, two samples were identified as Bartonella henselae (0.7%). Other species of Bartonella were not found. It was the first time in the Czech Republic when incidence of Bartonella spp. was determined in dogs.
Which Instructional Practices Most Help First-Grade Students With and Without Mathematics Difficulties?
Authors: Morgan Paul L. , Farkas George , Maczuga Steve
Published: June 2014

We used population-based, longitudinal data to investigate the relation between mathematics instructional practices used by first-grade teachers in the United States and the mathematics achievement of their students. Factor analysis identified four types of instructional activities (i.e., teacher-directed, student-centered, manipulatives/calculators, movement/music) and eight types of specific skills taught (e.g., adding two-digit numbers). First-grade students were then classified into five groups on the basis of their fall and/or spring of kindergarten mathematics achievement—three groups with mathematics difficulties (MD) and two without MD. Regression analysis indicated that a higher percentage of MD students in the first-grade classrooms were associated with greater use by teachers of manipulatives/calculators and movement/music to teach mathematics. Yet follow-up analysis for each of the MD and non-MD groups indicated that only teacher-directed instruction was significantly associated with the achievement of students with MD (covariate-adjusted effect sizes [ESs] = .05–.07). The largest predicted effect for a specific instructional practice was for routine practice and drill. In contrast, for both groups of non-MD students, teacher-directed and student-centered instruction had approximately equal, statistically significant positive predicted effects (covariate-adjusted ESs = .03–.04). First-grade teachers in the United States may need to increase their use of teacher-directed instruction if they are to raise the mathematics achievement of students with MD.
Rights to Ecosystem Services
Authors: Davidson Marc D.
Published: June 2014

Ecosystem services are the benefits people obtain from ecosystems. Many of these services are provided outside the borders of the land where they are produced; this article investigates who is entitled to these non-excludable ecosystem services from two libertarian perspectives. Taking a right-libertarian perspective, it is concluded that the beneficiaries generally hold the right to use non-excludable ecosystem services and the right that landowners do not convert ecosystems; landowners are only at liberty to convert ecosystems if they appropriated their land before any beneficiary used the services and converted the ecosystems before or shortly after the beneficiaries started using the services. This means that the beneficiaries generally have the right to compensation payments by the landowners in the event of service losses, instead of the landowners having the right to payments for ecosystem services by the benefi-ciaries. Taking a left-libertarian perspective, it is concluded that people hold an equal per capita right to non-excludable ecosystem services. This right can be secured by the beneficiaries paying a central authority for the non-excludable ecosystem services they use, while the owners of the land on which the ecosystems are situated pay a central authority for the non-excludable ecosystem services lost as a result of their activities. The central authority distributes the returns to the community on an equal per capita basis.
The Homeotechnological Turn: Sloterdijk's Response to the Ecological Crisis
Authors: Van Der Hout Sanne
Published: June 2014

In this paper I critically reflect on the sustainability potential of biomimetic technologies by focusing on writings of the German philosopher Peter Sloterdijk. Although I agree with Sloterdijk that biomimetic technologies – or, as he calls them, ‘homeotechnologies’ – offer specific opportunities for a more peaceful co-existence of humans and nature, I will argue that his reflections are based on a series of problematic assumptions. I will conclude by arguing that the ‘homeotechnological turn’ can be effected only if it is developed within the context of a different ecological ethos from the technocentric ethos that currently dominates our attitude towards nature.
The Grass Snake and the Basilisk: From Pre-Christian Protective House God to the Antichrist
Authors: Lenders H.J. Rob , Janssen Ingo A.W.
Published: June 2014

The grass snake owes its far northern distribution in Europe to the production and hoarding of dung from stock breeding. Dung heaps appear to be perfect breeding sites that surpass 'natural' reproduction sites in quality. Here we point out that the grass snake's dependency on manure goes back to Neolithic times and that it had a reciprocal cultural effect. Moreover, the positive influence of humans on the species not only resulted from physical opportunities offered by agriculture, but also from the fact that grass snakes were considered to be chthonic deities not to be harmed. The conversion of Europe to Christianity, however, marked the turning of the cultural tide for the species. From being a divine creature originally, the grass snake evolved into the number one symbol of the Anti-Christ: the basilisk. In spite of the subsequent witch-hunt motivated by Christian belief, the overall historical human influence on the species was certainly not detrimental as regarded geographical distribution opportunities. This historical perspective on grass snake-human relationships adds to the discussion of whether nature conservation is better served by a strategy of land sparing or of land sharing. It also makes clear not only that co-dependency of species is a matter of mutual biophysical advantages but that metaphysical considerations may also play a role. In this case it leads to the conclusion that bringing back the grass snake into our direct everyday surroundings is both favourable to the grass snake and reinstates the species in our own cultural environment.
Climate Variability and Societal Dynamics in Pre-Colonial Southern African History (AD 900-1840): A Synthesis and Critique
Authors: Hannaford Matthew J. , Bigg Grant R. , Jones Julie M. , Phimister Ian , Staub Martial
Published: June 2014

The role of climate variability in pre-colonial southern African history is highly disputed. We here provide a synthesis and critique of climate-society discourses relating to two regionally-defining periods of state formation and disaggregation. The first period involves the eleventh-thirteenth century development of socio-political complexity and the rise of southern Africa's first state, Mapungubwe, followed by its collapse and the shift in regional power to Great Zimbabwe. The later period encompasses the early-nineteenth century difaqane/mfecane mass migrations, violence and ensuing state-building activity. To further our assessment, we consider the wider contentious issues of climate causation and determinism in a regional context, but dispute suggestions of paradigm shift towards simplistic environmental collapse. Nevertheless, we specifically point to ambiguities in palaeoclimate records, a narrative tendency toward monocausal explanations and a lack of integration among the literature as reasons for a sustained divergence in interpretation regarding the significance of climate. We move on to discuss the potential of integrative approaches to illuminate understanding of the complex interactions between past climate variability and human activity. In order to do so, we highlight interlinked concepts such as vulnerability and resilience as key for bridging the gap between the natural and social sciences. To conclude, we point to future climate-society priorities and ways forward in the form of research areas, data prospects and questions.
Book Reviews
Authors: Colten Craig E. , Melosi Martin V. , Griffin Carl J. , Morse Kathryn , Macdonald Neil , Ginn Franklin , Wolfe Mikael , Gowdy-Wygant Cecilia , Bocking Stephen , Simon Roger D.
Published: June 2014

Peter Coates, A History of Six Rivers (Craig E. Colten)
Ian Douglas, Cities: An Environmental History (Martin V. Melosi)
Scott Hess, William Wordsworth and the Ecology of Authorship (Carl J. Griffin)
Megan Kate Nelson, Ruin Nation (Kathryn Morse)
William C. Foster, Climate and Culture Change in North America AD 900-1600 (Neil Macdonald)
Annette Giesecke and Naomi Jacobs, eds., Earth Perfect? (Franklin Ginn)
Christopher Boyer (ed.), A Land Between Waters (Mikael Wolfe)
Nancy C. Unger, Beyond Nature's Housekeepers (Cecilia Gowdy-Wygant)
Sarah Johnson (compiler), Indigenous Knowledge (Stephen Bocking)
Brian Black and Michael Chiarappa, eds., Nature's Entrepôt (Roger D. Simon)
Everything You Do: Young Adult Fiction and Surveillance in an Age of Security
Authors: Mallan Kerry
Published: June 2014

Espionage, surveillance and clandestine operations by secret agencies and governments were something of an East–West obsession in the second half of the twentieth century, a fact reflected in literature and film. In the twenty-first century, concerns of the Cold War and the threat of Communism have been rearticulated in the wake of 9/11. Under the rubric of ‘terror’ attacks, the discourses of security and surveillance are now framed within an increasingly global context. As this article illustrates, surveillance fiction written for young people engages with the cultural and political tropes that reflect a new social order that is different from the Cold War era, with its emphasis on spies, counter espionage, brainwashing and psychological warfare. While these tropes are still evident in much recent literature, advances in technology have transformed the means of tracking, profiling and accumulating data on individuals’ daily activities. Little Brother, The Hunger Games and Article 5 reflect the complex relationship between the real and the imaginary in the world of surveillance and, as this paper discusses, raise moral and ethical issues that are important questions for young people in our age of security.
The Suffering of the Perpetrators: The Ethics of Traumatic German Historicity in Karen Bass's Young Adult World War II Novels
Authors: Wolf Doris
Published: June 2014

This paper examines two young adult novels, Run Like Jäger (2008) and Summer of Fire (2009), by Canadian writer Karen Bass, which centre on the experiences of so-called ordinary German teenagers in World War II. Although guilt and perpetration are themes addressed in these books, their focus is primarily on the ways in which Germans suffered at the hands of the Allied forces. These books thus participate in the increasingly widespread but still controversial subject of the suffering of the perpetrators. Bringing work in childhood studies to bear on contemporary representations of German wartime suffering in the public sphere, I explore how Bass's novels, through the liminal figure of the adolescent, participate in a culture of self-victimisation that downplays guilt rather than more ethically contextualises suffering within guilt. These historical narratives are framed by contemporary narratives which centre on troubled teen protagonists who need the stories of the past for their own individualisation in the present. In their evacuation of crucial historical contexts, both Run Like Jäger and Summer of Fire support optimistic and gendered narratives of individualism that ultimately refuse complicated understandings of adolescent agency in the past or present.
Antonio Robles’La Cenicienta: A ‘Cinderella’ Retelling Censored in Franco's Spain
Authors: Fernández-Lamarque María
Published: June 2014

This essay analyses La Cenicienta (1936), the version of ‘Cinderella’ by Antoniorrobles, pioneer of children's literature in Spain, written towards the beginning of the Civil War (1936–9). Following the triumph of the Nationalists, censorship under Franco prohibited Antoniorrobles’ work. Antoniorrobles’ ‘Cinderella’ contradicts the fundamental premises of the new regime concerning class, gender, religion and race within Spanish society. In a comparative analysis, this essay examines the symbols (dress, king, and cook) and the omissions (religion, race) that appear in the story and that represent resistance to Franco's ideology on a textual level. It also studies how the story deconstructs these elements, taking into account for the basis of comparison the canonical versions of Perrault and the Brothers Grimm, among others.
The Polls in the Independence Referendum: Much Disagreement, Little Light
Authors: Curtice John
Published: June 2014

Unsurprisingly, opinion polls of how people intend to vote in the referendum on 18 September have become a prominent feature of the referendum campaign. At first glance they have painted a picture of remarkable stability, albeit with some narrowing of the lead of the No side over Yes during the winter of 2014. However, different companies’ polls have consistently produced substantially different estimates of the level of support for Yes and No. Although there are also some important differences between the polls in the ways in which they are being conducted, there is no simple correspondence between the method used and tendency to produce a relatively high or low level of support for Yes. It is thus far from clear why different polls are producing different results, resulting in considerable uncertainty about the exact state of the referendum race.
Tall Tales: Understanding Religion and Scottish Independence
Authors: Rosie Michael
Published: June 2014

There are a number of tall tales about how religion shapes opinions on Scotland's constitutional future. This article outlines some of the more common of these, as well as claims of a recent ‘silent revolution’ amongst Scotland's Catholics. These are examined through the evidence of Scottish Social Attitudes Surveys. The article concludes that the apparent associations between religious group and support for independence in fact spring from differential experiences of secularisation. Far from demonstrating shifts in religious opinion, the evidence suggests that religious belonging now has little or no relevance to attitudes towards independence.
‘To see oursels as ithers see us’: Reflections on Scottish Independence from the United States
Authors: Hague Euan , Mackie Alan
Published: June 2014

The United States media have given rather little attention to the question of the Scottish referendum despite important economic, political and military links between the US and the UK/Scotland. For some in the US a ‘no’ vote would be greeted with relief given these ties: for others, a ‘yes’ vote would be acclaimed as an underdog escaping England's imperium, a narrative clearly echoing America's own founding story. This article explores commentary in the US press and media as well as reporting evidence from on-going interviews with the Scottish diaspora in the US. It concludes that there is as complex a picture of the 2014 referendum in the United States as there is in Scotland.
A (Personal) French View of the Referendum Debate
Authors: Dixon Keith
Published: June 2014

Historically, there has been a lack of a clear French vision of the multinational nature of the United Kingdom. A gradual shift towards a clearer understanding has been demonstrated by a well-informed and even-handed presentation of the referendum debate in the French media. This article examines the presentation of that debate, as well as Scotland's increasing familiarity in France's cultural imagination. In politics there has been neither much enthusiasm nor overt hostility to the referendum, although a lingering suspicion of nationalist movements, wherever they might be, means that many French are surprised to discover the broadly social-democratic, pro-European and ‘civic’ nature of Scotland's nationalism.
The Scottish Referendum: The View from Italy and Sardinia
Authors: Ruggiu Ilenia
Published: June 2014

Although there is little close understanding of Scotland's referendum in Italy, the fact of the referendum, and its result, are of great symbolic importance in current developments as to centre-region relations. Just as ‘devolution’ resonated in Italian politics in the 1990s, not least in the rise of the Lega Nord, so ‘independence’ has fuelled campaigns in a number of regions towards greater autonomy or outright secession. This article reviews the contemporary moves in various regions towards redefining (or breaking) their relationship with ‘Italy’, focussing particularly on the Sardinian case.
Cu Purification Using an Extraction Resin for Determination of Isotope Ratios by Multicollector ICP-MS
Authors: Makishima Akio
Published: June 2014

A new simple and quick method has been established for separation of Cu from solutions using an extraction chromatographic resin utilizing Aliquat® 336 (commercially available as TEVA™ resin) and Cu(I). This method involves the use of a one milliliter column containing 0.33 mL TEVA™ resin on 0.67 mL Amberchrom® CG-71C acrylic resin. Copper was adsorbed on the column by forming Cu(I) with 0.15% ascorbic acid in 0.05 mol·L−1 HBr, while other major elements except Zn showed no adsorption. After removal of the major elements (Na, Mg, Al, P, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co and Ni), Cu was recovered using 2 mol·L−1 HNO3. The recovery yield and total blank were 102% ± 2% and 0.25 ng, respectively. To evaluate the separation method, Cu isotope ratios were determined by a standard-sample-standard bracketing method using multicollector inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), with a repeatability of 0.04‰ and 0.25‰ (SD), for the standard solution and the solutions from low S (<0.1% S) silicate standards, respectively.
Influence of Heat Waves on Ischemic Heart Diseases in Germany
Authors: Zacharias Stefan , Koppe Christina , Mücke Hans-Guido
Published: June 2014

The impact of heat waves on ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality and morbidity in Germany during 2001–2010 is analyzed. Heat waves are defined as periods of at least three consecutive days with daily mean temperature above the 97.5th percentile of the temperature distribution. Daily excess mortality and morbidity rates are used. All calculations were performed separately for 19 regions to allow for the investigation of regional differences. The results show that IHD mortality during heat waves is significantly increased (+15.2% more deaths on heat wave days). In stark contrast, no heat wave influence on hospital admissions due to IHD could be observed. Regional differences in heat wave IHD mortality are present, with the strongest impact in Western Germany and weaker than average effects in the Southeastern and Northwestern regions. The increase in mortality during heat waves is generally stronger for females (+18.7%) than for males (+11.4%), and for chronic ischemic diseases (+18.4%) than for myocardial infarctions (+12.2%). Longer and more intense heat waves feature stronger effects on IHD mortality, while timing in season seems to be less important. Since climate change will most likely enhance the number and intensity of heat waves, the obtained results point to public adaptation strategies to reduce the future heat wave impact on mortality.
Potential Advantage of Multiple Alkali Metal Doped KNbO3 Single Crystals
Authors: Kimura Hideo , Zhao Hongyang , Tanahashi Rumi , Guo Lei , Jia Tingting , Yao Qiwen , Cheng Zhenxiang
Published: June 2014

Potassium niobate crystal KNbO3 (KN) is a well-known crystal for lead free piezoelectric or nonlinear optical applications. The KN crystal has been studied in both single crystal form and in thin film form which has resulted in many review articles being published. In order to exceed the KN crystal, it is important to study KN phase forming and doping effects on the K site. This article summarizes the authors’ study towards a multiple alkali metal doped KN crystal and related single crystals briefly from the viewpoint of crystal growth.
Endoscopic Color Doppler Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Gastric Varices Secondary to Left-Sided Portal Hypertension
Authors: Sato Takahiro , Yamazaki Katsu , Kimura Mutsuumi , Toyota Jouji , Karino Yoshiyasu
Published: June 2014

Gastric varices that arise secondary to the splenic vein occlusion can result in gastrointestinal hemorrhaging. Endoscopic color Doppler ultrasonography (ECDUS) was performed in 16 patients with gastric varices secondary to splenic vein occlusion. This study retrospectively evaluated the role of ECDUS in the diagnosis of gastric varices secondary to splenic vein occlusion. Thirteen patients had co-existing pancreatic diseases: 8 with chronic pancreatitis, 4 with cancer of the pancreatic body or tail and 1 with severe acute pancreatitis. Of the remaining 3 patients, 1 had myeloproliferative disease, 1 had advanced gastric cancer, and the third had splenic vein occlusion due to an obscure cause. The endoscopic findings of gastric varices were: variceal form (F) classified as enlarged tortuous (F2) in 12 cases and large, coil-shaped (F3) in 4 cases, and positive for erosion or red color sign of the variceal surface in 4 cases and negative in 12 cases. ECDUS color flow images of gastric variceal flow clearly depicted a round fundal region at the center, with varices expanding to the curvatura ventriculi major of the gastric body in all 16 cases. The velocities of F3 type gastric varices were significantly higher than those of the F2 type. The wall thickness of varices positive for erosion or red color sign was significantly less than the negative cases. I conclude that ECDUS color flow images of gastric variceal flow depicted specific findings of gastric varices secondary to splenic vein occlusion at the round fundal region at the center, with varices expanding to the curvatura ventriculi major of the gastric body.
Optimization of Ethanol Production from NaOH-Pretreated Solid State Fermented Sweet Sorghum Bagasse
Authors: Yu Menghui , Li Jihong , Chang Sandra , Du Ran , Li Shizhong , Zhang Lei , Fan Guifang , Yan Zhipei , Cui Ting , Cong Guangtao , Zhao Gang
Published: June 2014

Ethanol production from NaOH-Pretreated solid state fermented sweet sorghum bagasse with an engineered strain of Z. mobilis TSH-ZM-01 was optimized. Results showed that: (1) residual solid removal during ethanol fermentation was unnecessary and 24 h fermentation duration was optimal for ethanol production; (2) ethanol yield of 179.20 g/kg of solid state fermented sweet sorghum bagasse achieved under the optimized process conditions of cellulase loading of 0.04 g/g-glucan, xylanase loading of 0.01 g/g-xylan, liquid to solid ratio of 9:1 and pre-hydrolysis duration for 72 h.
Using Sit-Stand Workstations to Decrease Sedentary Time in Office Workers: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Dutta Nirjhar , Koepp Gabriel , Stovitz Steven , Levine James , Pereira Mark
Published: June 2014

Objective: This study was conducted to determine whether installation of sit-stand desks (SSDs) could lead to decreased sitting time during the workday among sedentary office workers. Methods: A randomized cross-over trial was conducted from January to April, 2012 at a business in Minneapolis. 28 (nine men, 26 full-time) sedentary office workers took part in a 4 week intervention period which included the use of SSDs to gradually replace 50% of sitting time with standing during the workday. Physical activity was the primary outcome. Mood, energy level, fatigue, appetite, dietary intake, and productivity were explored as secondary outcomes. Results: The intervention reduced sitting time at work by 21% (95% CI 18%–25%) and sedentary time by 4.8 min/work-hr (95% CI 4.1–5.4 min/work-hr). For a 40 h work-week, this translates into replacement of 8 h of sitting time with standing and sedentary time being reduced by 3.2 h. Activity level during non-work hours did not change. The intervention also increased overall sense of well-being, energy, decreased fatigue, had no impact on productivity, and reduced appetite and dietary intake. The workstations were popular with the participants. Conclusion: The SSD intervention was successful in increasing work-time activity level, without changing activity level during non-work hours.
Leptospira Contamination in Household and Environmental Water in Rural Communities in Southern Chile
Authors: Muñoz-Zanzi Claudia , Mason Meghan , Encina Carolina , Astroza Angel , Romero Alex
Published: June 2014

Leptospirosis is a zoonosis of global distribution that affects tropical and temperate areas. Under suitable conditions, Leptospira can survive in water and soil and contribute to human and animal infections. The objective of this study was to describe the presence of pathogenic Leptospira in peri-domestic water samples from rural households in southern Chile. Water samples, including puddles, containers, animal troughs, rivers, canals, and drinking water were collected from 236 households and tested for Leptospira using a PCR assay targeting the lipL32 gene. Evidence of Leptospira presence was detected in all sample types; overall, 13.5% (77/570) samples tested positive. A total of 10/22 (45.5%) open containers, 12/83 (14.5%) animal drinking sources, 9/47 (19.1%) human drinking sources, and 36/306 (19.3%) puddles tested positive. Lower income (OR = 4.35, p = 0.003), increased temperature (OR = 1.23, p < 0.001), and presence of dogs (OR = 15.9, p = 0.022) were positively associated with positive puddles. Increased number of rodent signs was associated with positive puddles in the household (OR = 3.22); however, only in the lower income households. There was no association between PCR positive rodents and puddles at the household level. Results revealed the ubiquity of Leptospira in the household environment and highlight the need to develop formal approaches for systematic monitoring.
Elucidating Polypharmacological Mechanisms of Polyphenols by Gene Module Profile Analysis
Authors: Li Bin , Xiong Min , Zhang Hong-Yu
Published: June 2014

Due to the diverse medicinal effects, polyphenols are among the most intensively studied natural products. However, it is a great challenge to elucidate the polypharmacological mechanisms of polyphenols. To address this challenge, we establish a method for identifying multiple targets of chemical agents through analyzing the module profiles of gene expression upon chemical treatments. By using FABIA algorithm, we have performed a biclustering analysis of gene expression profiles derived from Connectivity Map (cMap), and clustered the profiles into 49 gene modules. This allowed us to define a 49 dimensional binary vector to characterize the gene module profiles, by which we can compare the expression profiles for each pair of chemical agents with Tanimoto coefficient. For the agent pairs with similar gene expression profiles, we can predict the target of one agent from the other. Drug target enrichment analysis indicated that this method is efficient to predict the multiple targets of chemical agents. By using this method, we identify 148 targets for 20 polyphenols derived from cMap. A large part of the targets are validated by experimental observations. The results show that the medicinal effects of polyphenols are far beyond their well-known antioxidant activities. This method is also applicable to dissect the polypharmacology of other natural products.
A Novel Human TGF-β1 Fusion Protein in Combination with rhBMP-2 Increases Chondro-Osteogenic Differentiation of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Claros Silvia , Rico-Llanos Gustavo , Becerra José , Andrades José
Published: June 2014

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) is involved in processes related to the differentiation and maturation of osteoprogenitor cells into osteoblasts. Rat bone marrow (BM) cells were cultured in a collagen-gel containing 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) for 10 days in the presence of rhTGF (recombinant human TGF)-β1-F2, a fusion protein engineered to include a high-affinity collagen-binding decapeptide derived from von Willebrand factor. Subsequently, cells were moderately expanded in medium with 10% FBS for 4 days and treated with a short pulse of rhBMP (recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein)-2 for 4 h. During the last 2 days, dexamethasone and β-glycerophosphate were added to potentiate osteoinduction. Concomitant with an up-regulation of cell proliferation, DNA synthesis levels were determined. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to reveal the possible stemness of these cells. Osteogenic differentiation was evaluated in terms of alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralized matrix formation as well as by mRNA expression of osteogenic marker genes. Moreover, cells were placed inside diffusion chambers and implanted subcutaneously into the backs of adult rats for 4 weeks. Histological study provided evidence of cartilage and bone-like tissue formation. This experimental procedure is capable of selecting cell populations from BM that, in the presence of rhTGF-β1-F2 and rhBMP-2, achieve skeletogenic potential in vitro and in vivo.
Insights on Antioxidant Assays for Biological Samples Based on the Reduction of Copper Complexes—The Importance of Analytical Conditions
Authors: Marques Sara , Magalhães Luís , Tóth Ildikó , Segundo Marcela
Published: June 2014

Total antioxidant capacity assays are recognized as instrumental to establish antioxidant status of biological samples, however the varying experimental conditions result in conclusions that may not be transposable to other settings. After selection of the complexing agent, reagent addition order, buffer type and concentration, copper reducing assays were adapted to a high-throughput scheme and validated using model biological antioxidant compounds of ascorbic acid, Trolox (a soluble analogue of vitamin E), uric acid and glutathione. A critical comparison was made based on real samples including NIST-909c human serum certified sample, and five study samples. The validated method provided linear range up to 100 µM Trolox, (limit of detection 2.3 µM; limit of quantification 7.7 µM) with recovery results above 85% and precision <5%. The validated developed method with an increased sensitivity is a sound choice for assessment of TAC in serum samples.
Fetal Aneuploidy Detection by Cell-Free DNA Sequencing for Multiple Pregnancies and Quality Issues with Vanishing Twins
Authors: Grömminger Sebastian , Yagmur Erbil , Erkan Sanli , Nagy Sándor , Schöck Ulrike , Bonnet Joachim , Smerdka Patricia , Ehrich Mathias , Wegner Rolf-Dieter , Hofmann Wera , Stumm Markus
Published: June 2014

Non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) by random massively parallel sequencing of maternal plasma DNA for multiple pregnancies is a promising new option for prenatal care since conventional non-invasive screening for fetal trisomies 21, 18 and 13 has limitations and invasive diagnostic methods bear a higher risk for procedure related fetal losses in the case of multiple gestations compared to singletons. In this study, in a retrospective blinded analysis of stored twin samples, all 16 samples have been determined correctly, with four trisomy 21 positive and 12 trisomy negative samples. In the prospective part of the study, 40 blood samples from women with multiple pregnancies have been analyzed (two triplets and 38 twins), with two correctly identified trisomy 21 cases, confirmed by karyotyping. The remaining 38 samples, including the two triplet pregnancies, had trisomy negative results. However, NIPT is also prone to quality issues in case of multiple gestations: the minimum total amount of cell-free fetal DNA must be higher to reach a comparable sensitivity and vanishing twins may cause results that do not represent the genetics of the living sibling, as described in two case reports.
Retinoic Acid Signaling during Early Spinal Cord Development
Authors: Diez del Corral Ruth , Morales Aixa
Published: June 2014

Retinoic acid signaling is required at several steps during the development of the spinal cord, from the specification of generic properties to the final acquisition of neuronal subtype identities, including its role in trunk neural crest development. These functions are associated with the production of retinoic acid in specific tissues and are highly dependent on context. Here, we review the defects associated with retinoic acid signaling manipulations, mostly in chick and mouse models, trying to separate the different processes where retinoic acid signaling is involved and to highlight common features, such as its ability to promote transitions along the neuronal differentiation cascade.
Application of Tissue Microarray Technology to Stem Cell Research
Authors: La Spada Alberto , Rainoldi Barnaba , De Blasio Andrea , Biunno Ida
Published: June 2014

There is virtually an unlimited number of possible Tissue Microarray (TMA) applications in basic and clinical research and ultimately in diagnostics. However, to assess the functional importance of novel markers, researchers very often turn to cell line model systems. The appropriate choice of a cell line is often a difficult task, but the use of cell microarray (CMA) technology enables a quick screening of several markers in cells of different origins, mimicking a genomic-scale analysis. In order to improve the morphological evaluations of the CMA slides we harvested the cells by conventional trypsinization, mechanical scraping and cells grown on coverslips. We show that mechanical scraping is a good evaluation method since keeps the real morphology very similar to those grown on coverslips. Immunofluorescence images are of higher quality, facilitating the reading of the biomarker cellular and subcellular localization. Here, we describe CMA technology in stem cell research.
Preparative Separation of Alkaloids from Picrasma quassioides (D. Don) Benn. by Conventional and pH-Zone-Refining Countercurrent Chromatography
Authors: Zhang Qinghai , Shu Xikai , Jing Feng , Wang Xiao , Lin Changhu , Luo Aiqin
Published: June 2014

Two high-speed countercurrent chromatography (HSCCC) modes were compared by separation of major alkaloids from crude extract of Picrasma quassioides. The conventional HSCCC separation was performed with a two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether–ethyl acetate–methanol–water (5:5:4.5:5.5, v/v/v/v) with 200 mg loading. pH-Zone-refining CCC was performed with two-phase solvent system composed of petroleum ether–ethyl acetate–n-butanol–water (3:2:7:9, v/v/v/v) where triethylamine (10 mM) was added to the upper organic stationary phase and hydrochloric acid (5 mM) was added to the lower aqueous phase with 2 g loading. From 2 g of crude extract, 87 mg of 5-methoxycanthin-6-one (a), 38 mg of 1-methoxy-β-carboline (b), 134 mg of 1-ethyl-4,8-dimethoxy-β-carboline (c), 74 mg of 1-ethoxycarbonyl-β-carboline (d), 56 mg of 1-vinyl-4,8-dimethoxy-β-carboline (e) and 26 mg of 1-vinyl-4-dimethoxy-β-carboline (f) were obtained with purities of over 97.0%. The results indicated that pH-zone-refining CCC is an excellent separations tool at the multigram level.
Synthesis and Evaluation of 2,4-Disubstituted Quinazoline Derivatives with Potent Anti-Angiogenesis Activities
Authors: Yu Guangjin , Li Zeng , Tang Liang , Xiong Qiru
Published: June 2014

A series of 2,4-disubstituted quinazoline derivatives were designed and synthesized. The biological results showed that most of quinazoline derivatives exhibited potent antiproliferative activities against a panel of three tumor cell lines and a good inhibitory effect against the adhesion and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Among these compounds, 11d was the most potent agent, that also exhibited the highest anti-angiogenesis activities in the chick embryo chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay.
Molecular Identification of Isolated Fungi from Unopened Containers of Greek Yogurt by DNA Sequencing of Internal Transcribed Spacer Region
Authors: Sulaiman Irshad , Jacobs Emily , Simpson Steven , Kerdahi Khalil
Published: June 2014

In our previous study, we described the development of an internal transcribed spacer (ITS)1 sequencing method, and used this protocol in species-identification of isolated fungi collected from the manufacturing areas of a compounding company known to have caused the multistate fungal meningitis outbreak in the United States. In this follow-up study, we have analyzed the unopened vials of Greek yogurt from the recalled batch to determine the possible cause of microbial contamination in the product. A total of 15 unopened vials of Greek yogurt belonging to the recalled batch were examined for the detection of fungi in these samples known to cause foodborne illness following conventional microbiological protocols. Fungi were isolated from all of the 15 Greek yogurt samples analyzed. The isolated fungi were genetically typed by DNA sequencing of PCR-amplified ITS1 region of rRNA gene. Analysis of data confirmed all of the isolated fungal isolates from the Greek yogurt to be Rhizomucor variabilis. The generated ITS1 sequences matched 100% with the published sequences available in GenBank. In addition, these yogurt samples were also tested for the presence of five types of bacteria (Salmonella, Listeria, Staphylococcus, Bacillus and Escherichia coli) causing foodborne disease in humans, and found negative for all of them.
Correlation between the Serum Pepsinogen I Level and the Symptom Degree in Proton Pump Inhibitor-Users Administered with a Probiotic
Authors: Igarashi Muneki , Nagano Jun , Tsuda Ayumi , Suzuki Takayoshi , Koike Jun , Uchida Tetsufumi , Matsushima Masashi , Mine Tetsuya , Koga Yasuhiro
Published: June 2014

In patients with functional upper gastrointestinal disorders such as gastroesophageal reflux disease and functional dyspepsia, the presence of symptoms is thought to occur in the absence of any organic diseases and the mechanisms behind this remain unclear. We therefore examined the relationship between stomach-related biomarker levels and symptoms. Twenty-four outpatients who had taken proton-pump inhibitors every day were enrolled in this study. The subjects consumed yogurt containing 109 colony-forming units of Lactobacillus gasseri OLL2716 (LG21) every day for three months. They underwent four clinical examinations in total. Each examination consisted of answering a questionnaire with a frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD (FSSG), and included measurements of the serum gastrin, ghrelin, and pepsinogens I and II levels. As a result, the FSSG score and the PGI value showed a decrease and an increase, respectively, after LG21 treatment when analyzed without age adjustment. A multiple regression analysis with additional adjustments for gender and age revealed a strong association between the PGI value and the FSSG symptom scores. Therefore either the PGI level itself or the factors regulating the PGI level might be involved in the etiology of these symptoms.
Imaging Biomarkers or Biomarker Imaging?
Authors: Mitterhauser Markus , Wadsak Wolfgang
Published: June 2014

Since biomarker imaging is traditionally understood as imaging of molecular probes, we highly recommend to avoid any confusion with the previously defined term “imaging biomarkers” and, therefore, only use “molecular probe imaging (MPI)” in that context. Molecular probes (MPs) comprise all kinds of molecules administered to an organism which inherently carry a signalling moiety. This review highlights the basic concepts and differences of molecular probe imaging using specific biomarkers. In particular, PET radiopharmaceuticals are discussed in more detail. Specific radiochemical and radiopharmacological aspects as well as some legal issues are presented.