bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Dual loading miR-218
mimics and Temozolomide using AuCOOH@FA-CS drug delivery system: promising targeted
anti-tumor drug delivery system with sequential release functions
Authors: Fan Li , Yang Qian , Tan Jiali , Qiao Youbei , Wang Qiaofeng , He Jingya , Wu Hong , Zhang Yongsheng
Published: September 2015

Background

Dual loading drug delivery system with tumor targeting efficacy and
sequential release function provides a promising platform for anticancer drug
delivery. Herein, we established a novel AuCOOH@FACS nanogel system for
co-delivery miR-218 mimics (as bio-drug) and Temozolomide(as chemo-drug).

Methods

DLS and TEM were employed to determine the characteristics of
particles and nanogels. The cell viability was calculated for study synergistic
effect of both drugs coadministration and in nanogel forms. The amounts of Au
uptake were measured by ICP-MS in cell and tumors to quantify the targeting drug
delivery efficacy. Tumor weight and mice weight were investigated to study the
targeting antitumor efficacy of nanogel system.

Results

The results revealed that using AuCOOH@FACS nanogel as delivery
vehicles, drugs could be targeting delivery to tumor site, the intracellular
uptake is enhanced to a greater extent, and significant antitumor efficacy is fold
increase compared with free drug administration group, without noticeable system
cytotoxicity.

Conclusions

This system offers an efficient approach to cancer therapy and holds
significant potential to improve the treatment of cancer in the future.
The Third French Alzheimer Plan: analysis of the influence of a national public health initiative on scientific research productivity and impact
Authors: Haeffner-Cavaillon Nicole , Devos Patrick , Ledoux Sylvie , Ménard Joël
Published: September 2015

Introduction

The Third National Alzheimer Plan (2008–2012) was a major public health initiative in France that included €200 million of funding for research in Alzheimer disease and related disorders (AD). The aim of this study was to document trends in French academic output in AD following the implementation of the plan.

Methods

Academic output (i.e., number of original articles) and scientific impact (i.e., article citations) of French research in AD were obtained from the Web of Knowledge core collection database. Analyses compared the 5-year period immediately before (2004–2008) and after (2009–2013) initiation of the plan. Comparisons were made with stroke, Parkinson disease, AIDS, and diabetes in the 14 leading countries worldwide and regionally within France.

Results

Worldwide production of original scientific articles between the periods 2004–2008 and 2009–2013 increased by 39 %, and that for AD increased by 46 %. China showed the largest increase and Japan the smallest. The absolute increase in French output on AD (54.6 %) was larger than that for stroke, Parkinson disease, AIDS, or diabetes. Globally, France had the third largest relative increase in output in AD (1.7-fold), behind only India (2.5-fold) and China (1.9-fold). There was a relative 2.3-fold increase in the proportion of French AD articles in the top 1 % globally most cited, larger than that for French articles on stroke, Parkinson disease, AIDS, or diabetes. At the national level, university hospitals participated in nearly 50 % of French AD publications. Analyses by geographical area demonstrated marked heterogeneity. We observed a strong correlation between level of funding and volume of output (R2 = 0.70), but not between funding and article impact (proportion of top 10 % globally cited articles; correlation R2 = 0.03).

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of a specific positive impact of the funding provided by the Third National Alzheimer Plan in nearly doubling the global academic scientific output and increasing by 2.3-fold the top 1 % globally cited articles of France in AD research. Our bibliometric analyses provide objective and transparent information for policy makers on the relationship between research funding and academic output.
Verbal and non-verbal memory and hippocampal volumes in a memory clinic population
Authors: Bonner-Jackson Aaron , Mahmoud Shamseldeen , Miller Justin , Banks Sarah J
Published: September 2015

Introduction

Better characterization of the relationship between episodic memory and hippocampal volumes is crucial in early detection of neurodegenerative disease. We examined these relationships in a memory clinic population.

Methods

Participants (n = 226) underwent structural magnetic resonance imaging and tests of verbal (Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised, HVLT-R) and non-verbal (Brief Visuospatial Memory Test-Revised, BVMT-R) memory. Correlational analyses were performed, and analyses on clinical subgroups (i.e., amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, non-amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment, probable Alzheimer’s disease, intact memory) were conducted.

Results

Positive associations were identified between bilateral hippocampal volumes and both memory measures, and BVMT-R learning slope was more strongly positively associated with hippocampal volumes than HVLT-R learning slope. Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment (aMCI) participants showed specific positive associations between BVMT-R performance and hippocampal volumes bilaterally. Additionally, analyses of the aMCI group showed trend-level evidence of material-specific lateralization, such that retention of verbal information was positively associated with left hippocampal volume, whereas learning curve and retention of non-verbal information was positively associated with right hippocampal volume.

Conclusions

Findings support the link between episodic memory and hippocampal volumes in a memory clinic population. Non-verbal memory measures also may have higher diagnostic value, particularly in individuals at elevated risk for Alzheimer’s disease.
Random boundary condition for memory-efficient waveform inversion gradient computation
Authors: Shen Xukai , Clapp Robert G.
Published: September 2015

Three-dimensional waveform inversion is significantly constrained by modern computers’ memory size and hard disk access speed. The limitation arises during the gradient calculation steps, in which, in using conventional algorithms, at least one 4D wavefield volume needs to be saved for the calculation. Random boundary conditions (BCs) can be used to avoid the need for saving the 4D wavefield. However, the lower frequency data used in waveform inversion (WI) make the original random boundary designed for reverse time migration (RTM) less effective, leading to undesired artifacts in the gradient. Although increase in boundary size can mitigate this problem, the associated extracomputational cost decreases the computational advantage of the random boundary, particularly in 3D. To maintain the computational advantage of a random boundary region that has a similar size to the one used in RTM and yet still effectively scatter the incidental wavefield into the boundary region, we have proposed a new random boundary design for the low-frequency wave propagation used in WI. The proposed random boundary used larger, irregularly shaped zones of randomized velocities that were effective in introducing incoherency in wavefronts at a large range of wavelengths. The WI using the new random BC gave as good results as the one using absorbing BCs. We have determined the effectiveness of the proposed random boundary design using the finite-difference modeling and synthetic WI examples.
Numerical study of long-electrode electric resistivity tomography — Accuracy, sensitivity, and resolution
Authors: Ronczka Mathias , Rücker Carsten , Günther Thomas
Published: September 2015

Electric resistivity tomography (ERT) is a widespread technique used for geologic and hydrological subsurface characterization. The 3D application is limited to small scales due to the enormous effort required for field surveys. Long-electrode (LE)-ERT using steel-cased boreholes can overcome small-scale limitations and has recently gained significant attention. However, no systematic investigation concerning the performance of long electrodes has been performed. We have conducted synthetic studies of LE-ERT to understand its advantages and limitations. We have compared three different approaches of modeling long electrodes, placing particular emphasis on the complete electrode model, to determine which reflects the physical reality best and thus can be used as a benchmark. The conductive cell model led to comparable results but was numerically more expensive. An interesting alternative approach was the shunt electrode model, which does not require discretizing the lateral extension of the casing. Systematic sensitivity studies revealed that model resolution could be enhanced in the borehole depth range through the use of electrodes of different lengths or surface electrodes. Varying contact impedances along different sections of the borehole can change the electric field visibly and influence four-point measurements. Even if large electrode segments show reduced coupling, the influence on voltage measurements was below 4% for realistic contact impedances. We have proven the applicability of LE-ERT for imaging lateral saltwater movement through the simulation of simple scenarios in the context of saltwater intrusion. Our synthetic examples determined the advantage of long electrodes compared with simulations using surface electrodes. The 3D inversion of synthetic data sets revealed that the modeled anomalies could be imaged in most cases. Different models revealed limitations due to poor vertical resolution and supported the usage of casings with different lengths or in combination with surface electrodes to improve resolution.
Improved 1D inversions for sea ice thickness and conductivity from electromagnetic induction data: Inclusion of nonlinearities caused by passive bucking
Authors: Hunkeler Priska A. , Hendricks Stefan , Hoppmann Mario , Farquharson Colin G. , Kalscheuer Thomas , Grab Melchior , Kaufmann Manuela S. , Rabenstein Lasse , Gerdes Rüdiger
Published: September 2015

The porosity of sea ice is a fundamental physical parameter that governs the mechanical strength of sea ice and the mobility of gases and nutrients for biological processes and biogeochemical cycles in the sea ice layer. However, little is known about the spatial distribution of the sea ice porosity and its variability between different sea ice types; an efficient and nondestructive method to measure this property is currently missing. Sea ice porosity is linked to the bulk electrical conductivity of sea ice, a parameter routinely used to discriminate between sea ice and seawater by electromagnetic (EM) induction sensors. Here, we have evaluated the prospect of porosity retrieval of sea ice by means of bulk conductivity estimates using 1D multifrequency EM inversion schemes. We have focused on two inversion algorithms, a smoothness-constrained inversion and a Marquardt-Levenberg inversion, which we modified for the nonlinear signal bias caused by a passive bucking coil operated in such a highly conductive environment. Using synthetic modeling studies, 1D inversion algorithms and multiple frequencies, we found that we can resolve the sea ice conductivity within [Formula: see text]. Using standard assumptions for the conductivity-porosity relation of sea ice, we were able to estimate porosity with an uncertainty of [Formula: see text], which enables efficient and nondestructive surveys of the internal state of the sea ice cover.
THE HUMANITIES ECONOMY
Authors: Fricker Christophe , Senior Timothy J.
Published: September 2015

This guest column in Common Knowledge is one of three published under the heading “Economy and Humanity.” The authors argue that collaborative research projects carried out by scholars in the arts and humanities in cooperation with commercial enterprises represent an important step forward for both sectors. Such projects further academic research interests, in the process helping scholars to become effective social actors, and they help companies to better navigate commercial risks by advancing their understanding of the cultural conditions in which they operate. This nexus is what the authors call the “Humanities Economy,” and in this piece they propose ways in which it can be advanced and enhanced.
IMAGINING POSTNUCLEAR TIMES
Authors: Grausam Daniel
Published: September 2015

This essay compares “expert” attempts, commissioned by the US government, to imagine future nuclear risk with the attempt made by Lydia Millet in her novel Oh Pure and Radiant Heart (2005). During the Cold War, nuclear attack was conceptualized primarily as a matter of instantaneous, remainderless destruction—a destruction so total that it would annihilate any position from which it could be assessed or measured—and that conception has a lingering hold even now, a generation later. Recent attention has shifted, however, to the equally problematic issue of how to imagine the long-term, even posthuman risks posed by radioactive waste. Conventional models of risk and threat are inadequate to thinking through the problems of temporality raised by nuclear materials: those problems may well require the speculative resources of fiction if we are even to begin conceptualizing them. Millet's novel is read as an attempt to imagine these threats and problems and to conceive of how we might think our way beyond them.
Sex differences in gait utilization and energy metabolism during terrestrial locomotion in two varieties of chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) selected for different body size
Authors: Rose Kayleigh A. , Nudds Robert L. , Butler Patrick J. , Codd Jonathan R.
Published: September 2015

In leghorn chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) of standard breed (large) and bantam (small) varieties, artificial selection has led to females being permanently gravid and sexual selection has led to male-biased size dimorphism. Using respirometry, videography and morphological measurements, sex and variety differences in metabolic cost of locomotion, gait utilisation and maximum sustainable speed (Umax) were investigated during treadmill locomotion. Males were capable of greater Umax than females and used a grounded running gait at high speeds, which was only observed in a few bantam females and no standard breed females. Body mass accounted for variation in the incremental increase in metabolic power with speed between the varieties, but not the sexes. For the first time in an avian species, a greater mass-specific incremental cost of locomotion, and minimum measured cost of transport (CoTmin) were found in males than in females. Furthermore, in both varieties, the female CoTmin was lower than predicted from interspecific allometry. Even when compared at equivalent speeds (using Froude number), CoT decreased more rapidly in females than in males. These trends were common to both varieties despite a more upright limb in females than in males in the standard breed, and a lack of dimorphism in posture in the bantam variety. Females may possess compensatory adaptations for metabolic efficiency during gravidity (e.g. in muscle specialization/posture/kinematics). Furthermore, the elevated power at faster speeds in males may be linked to their muscle properties being suited to inter-male aggressive combat.
The lysosomal enzyme receptor protein (LERP) is not essential, but is implicated in lysosomal function inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Hasanagic Medina , van Meel Eline , Luan Shan , Aurora Rajeev , Kornfeld Stuart , Eissenberg Joel C.
Published: September 2015

The lysosomal enzyme receptor protein (LERP) of Drosophila melanogaster is the ortholog of the mammalian cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate (Man 6-P) receptor, which mediates trafficking of newly synthesized lysosomal acid hydrolases to lysosomes. However, flies lack the enzymes necessary to make the Man 6-P mark, and the amino acids implicated in Man 6-P binding by the mammalian receptor are not conserved in LERP. Thus, the function of LERP in sorting of lysosomal enzymes to lysosomes in Drosophila is unclear. Here, we analyze the consequence of LERP depletion in S2 cells and intact flies. RNAi-mediated knockdown of LERP in S2 cells had little or no effect on the cellular content or secretion of several lysosomal hydrolases. We generated a novel Lerp null mutation, LerpF6, which abolishes LERP protein expression. Lerp mutants have normal viability and fertility and display no overt phenotypes other than reduced body weight. Lerp mutant flies exhibit a 30–40% decrease in the level of several lysosomal hydrolases, and are hypersensitive to dietary chloroquine and starvation, consistent with impaired lysosome function. Loss of LERP also enhances an eye phenotype associated with defective autophagy. Our findings implicate Lerp in lysosome function and autophagy.
The khmer software package: enabling efficient nucleotide sequence analysis
Authors: Crusoe Michael R. , Alameldin Hussien F. , Awad Sherine , Boucher Elmar , Caldwell Adam , Cartwright Reed , Charbonneau Amanda , Constantinides Bede , Edvenson Greg , Fay Scott , Fenton Jacob , Fenzl Thomas , Fish Jordan , Garcia-Gutierrez Leonor , Garland Phillip , Gluck Jonathan , González Iván , Guermond Sarah , Guo Jiarong , Gupta Aditi , Herr Joshua R. , Howe Adina , Hyer Alex , Härpfer Andreas , Irber Luiz , Kidd Rhys , Lin David , Lippi Justin , Mansour Tamer , McA'Nulty Pamela , McDonald Eric , Mizzi Jessica , Murray Kevin D. , Nahum Joshua R. , Nanlohy Kaben , Nederbragt Alexander Johan , Ortiz-Zuazaga Humberto , Ory Jeramia , Pell Jason , Pepe-Ranney Charles , Russ Zachary N. , Schwarz Erich , Scott Camille , Seaman Josiah , Sievert Scott , Simpson Jared , Skennerton Connor T. , Spencer James , Srinivasan Ramakrishnan , Standage Daniel , Stapleton James A. , Steinman Susan R. , Stein Joe , Taylor Benjamin , Trimble Will , Wiencko Heather L. , Wright Michael , Wyss Brian , Zhang Qingpeng , zyme en , Brown C. Titus
Published: September 2015

The khmer package is a freely available software library for working efficiently with fixed length DNA words, or k-mers. khmer provides implementations of a probabilistic k-mer counting data structure, a compressible De Bruijn graph representation, De Bruijn graph partitioning, and digital normalization. khmer is implemented in C++ and Python, and is freely available under the BSD license at https://github.com/dib-lab/khmer/.
Ask a clearer question, get a better answer.
Authors: Henri Dominic , Morrell Lesley , Scott Graham
Published: September 2015

Many undergraduate students struggle to engage with higher order skills such as evaluation and synthesis in written assignments, either because they do not understand that these are the aim of written assessment or because these critical thinking skills require more effort than writing a descriptive essay. Here, we report that students who attended a freely available workshop, in which they were coached to pose a question in the title of their assignment and then use their essay to answer that question, obtained higher marks for their essay than those who did not attend. We demonstrate that this is not a result of latent academic ability amongst students who chose to attend our workshops and suggest this increase in marks was a result of greater engagement with ‘critical thinking’ skills, which are essential for upper 2:1 and 1stclass grades. The tutoring method we used holds two particular advantages: First, we allow students to pick their own topics of interest, which increases ownership of learning, which is associated with motivation and engagement in ‘difficult’ tasks. Second, this method integrates the development of ‘inquisitiveness’ and critical thinking into subject specific learning, which is thought to be more productive than trying to develop these skills in isolation.
Health Humanities
Authors: Nolan Peter
Published: September 2015

Paul Crawford, Brian Brown, Charley Baker, Victoria Tischler and Brian Abrams, Palgrave Macmillan, 208pp (epub) ISBN: 9781137282620
The ‘good governance’ of evidence in health policy
Authors: Hawkins Benjamin , Parkhurst Justin
Published: September 2015

Calls for evidence-based policy often fail to recognise the fundamentally political nature of policy making. Policy makers must identify, evaluate and utilise evidence to solve policy problems in the face of competing priorities and political agendas. Evidence should inform but cannot determine policy choices. This paper draws on theories of ‘good governance’ to develop a framework for analysing and evaluating processes of evidence-informed policy making. ‘Good governance’ requires the use of appropriate bodies of high-quality evidence to inform policy and promotes decision-making processes that are transparent, accountable and open to contestation by the populations they govern.
Detecting the use of evidence in a meta-policy
Authors: Castellani Tommaso , Valente Adriana , Cori Liliana , Bianchi Fabrizio
Published: September 2015

In this work a meta-policy on health promotion is analysed, through content analysis of documents and interviews to stakeholders, with the aim of understanding the use of evidence and the knowledge conversion process in a multi-actor policy trajectory. We study the different sources of evidence and their interaction. Among our results, we describe a process of document analysis and classification which leads to the definition of mediated use of research evidence. The analysis of the policy trajectory helps to identify when the use of evidence is driven by the local level, and to recognise ‘pivot’ individuals in the policy development.
Research translation strategies to improve the readability of workplace health promotion resources
Authors: Wallace Alison , Joss Nerida
Published: September 2015

Without deliberate and resourced translation, research evidence is unlikely to inform policy and practice. This paper describes the processes and practical solutions used to translate evaluation research findings to improve the readability of print materials in a large scale worksite health programme. It is argued that a knowledge brokering and translation role, clear planning, effective communications, strong senior leadership support and strategic alignment, and mechanisms to engage practitioners and research users are key factors required to help achieve policy and practice change directly based on research evidence.
Primerjava poznavanja otrokovih pravic med starši hospitaliziranih otrok in medicinskimi sestrami
Authors: Kovač Sonja , Ferjan Marko
Published: September 2015

Uvod: Pravice bolnih otrok imajo v modernih družbah status samostojnih pravic, ki jih je potrebno upoštevati in ustrezno varovati. Odvisne so od razvitosti družbe in zmogljivosti zdravstvenega sistema in bi jih morali poznati zdravstveni delavci, starši, skrbniki in otroci. Namen raziskave je bila primerjava poznavanja pravic otrok v bolnišnici med starši hospitaliziranih otrok in medicinskimi sestrami.

Metode: Uporabljena je bila neeksperimentalna metoda raziskovanja, podatki so bili zbrani z strukturiranim vprašalnikom na vzorcu staršev hospitaliziranih otrok (n = 49) in medicinskih sester (n = 60). Vprašalnik je bil predhodno testiran. Za analizo zbranih podatkov smo uporabili osnovno deskriptivno statistiko ter bivariatno analizo (test hi-kvadrat, t-test).

Rezultati: Raziskava pokaže statistično značilne razlike med starši in medicinskimi sestrami v stopnji seznanjenosti s pravicami bolnih otrok, ki temeljijo na Listini Evropskega združenja za pravice otrok v bolnišnicah (t = 5,828, p < 0,001).

Diskusija in zaključek: Poznavanje pravic otrok v bolnišnici je višje pri medicinskih sestrah kot pri starših hospitaliziranih otrok. Razlike so največje glede poznavanja načina komunikacije medicinskih sester s starši, glede razporeditve otrok na oddelke in ustvarjanja pogojev za igro ter izobraževanje v času bivanja v bolnišnici in glede pogojev sprejema v bolnišnico. Med obema skupinama ni razlik v oceni tega, v kolikšni meri se pravice otrok, ki temeljijo na Listini Evropskega združenja za pravice otrok v bolnišnicah, spoštujejo, obe skupini ocenjujeta, da je stopnja spoštovanja pravic dokaj visoka.
An Australian perspective on nurse education: a philosophical approach
Authors: Nicholls Daniel
Published: September 2015

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Mites and internal parasites associated with the common dung beetle Geotrupes (Anoplotrupes) stercorosus (Hartmann in Scriba, 1791) in Poland
Authors: Sulgostowska Teresa , Solarz Krzysztof , Madej Grażyna , Klimaszewski Krzysztof
Published: September 2015

Common dung beetles collected in the "Sobieski Forest" (eastern border of Warsaw suburbs) were examined for the occurrence and prevalence of infections or infestations with intestinal parasites and phoretic mites in relation to soil characteristics and quality of the forest habitat. Endoparasitic fauna was represented by gregarines Didymophyes paradoxa, microsporidians Plistophora geotrupina and cysticerkoids of 2 tapeworms - Ditestolepis diaphana and Staphylocystis furcate. Prevalence of these infections was higher for beetles collected from rich habitats. Acarofauna was represented by hypopodes of Sancassania geotruporum (Astigmatina, Acaridae) and the following taxa of mesostigmatic mites: Alliphis halleri, Macrocheles glaber, Parasitus coleoptratorum and unidentified juvenile Laelapidae representative. Mites were most abundant in June, July and September. They were only slightly more numerously found on dung beetles from the rich habitats. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling, MDS (2D stress = 0.13) revealed significant similarities in the distribution of mite taxa between poor and rich sites and among the investigated months (June, July and September).
Coexistence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. genospecies within Ixodes ricinus ticks from central and eastern Poland
Authors: Sytykiewicz Hubert , Karbowiak Grzegorz , Chorostowska-Wynimko Joanna , Szpechciński Adam , Supergan-Marwicz Marta , Horbowicz Marcin , Szwed Magdalena , Czerniewicz Paweł , Sprawka Iwona
Published: September 2015

The purpose of the study was to assess the prevalence and coinfection rates of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genotypes in Ixodes ricinus (L.) ticks sampled from diverse localities in central and eastern regions of Poland. In years 2009-2011, questing nymphs and adults of I. ricinus were collected using a flagging method at 18 localities representing distinct ecosystem types: urban green areas, suburban forests and rural woodlands. Molecular detection of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies was based on amplification of a fla gene using nested PCR technique, subsequent PCR-RFLP analysis and bidirectional sequencing. It was revealed that 45 samples (2.1%) harboured two different B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies, whereas triple infections with various spirochetes was found in 11 (0.5%) individuals. Generally, the highest average coinfection rates were evidenced in arachnids gathered at rural woodlands, intermediate at suburban forests, while the lowest were recorded at urban green areas. Overall, single spirochete infections were noted in 16.3% (n = 352/2,153) ticks. Importantly, it is the first report evidencing the occurrence of Borrelia miyamotoi (0.3%, n = 7/2153) in I. ricinus populations within central Poland. Circumstantial variability of B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in the common tick individuals sampled at various habitat types in central and eastern Poland was displayed. The coexistence of two or three different spirochete genospecies in single adult ticks, as well as the presence of B. miyamotoi were demonstrated. Therefore, further studies uncovering the co-circulation of the tested bacteria and other human pathogens in I. ricinus ticks are required.
Auto-infection by Echinostoma spp. cercariae in Helisoma anceps
Authors: Zimmermann Michael R. , Luth Kyle E. , Esch Gerald W.
Published: September 2015

Auto-infection is a life history strategy used by many parasitic organisms, including digenetic trematodes. The process of autoinfection most frequently involves the transfer of a life cycle stage of the parasite from one site to another inside the same host, usually accompanied by morphological transformation. Moreover, among trematodes, the stage being transferred may also move from one host to another in completing the life cycle, i.e., an indirect cycle. Echinostoma spp. parasites offer the opportunity to study auto-infection because they utilize gastropods as both first and second intermediate hosts. Rejection of a null model predicting independent infection of first and second intermediate larval stages coupled with the presence of rediae being the best predictor of metacercariae prevalence and intensity suggests that auto-infection by Echinostoma spp. cercariae is occurring in their molluscan hosts. Shell length was also found to be a significant predictor of metacercariae intensity in the snails hosts, but this is most likely attributed to larger snails being more commonly infected with Echinostoma spp. rediae as opposed to an increased likelihood of cercariae infection. Auto-infection as a life history strategy increases transmission success of the parasite, but may also have negative consequences for the parasite that necessitate auto-infection coupled with the release of cercariae to maximize transmission success and host survival.
Cardiopulmonary helminths in foxes from the Pyrenees
Authors: Garrido-Castañé Ignasi , Ortuño Anna , Marco Ignasi , Castellà Joaquim
Published: September 2015

The present survey was carried out to investigate the prevalence of cardiopulmonary helminths in red foxes in Pyrenees area and to evaluate the role of foxes in the eco-epidemiology of these nematodes. Hearts and entire respiratory tracts were obtained from 87 foxes from Vall d’Aran region, Pyrenees, Catalonia, north-eastern Spain. The cardiopulmonary tracts were dissected, flushed and examined for nematodes using sedimented flushing water. Of the 87 examined foxes, 53 (61%) were positive for cardiopulmonary helminths. The identified nematodes were Crenosoma vulpis (44.8%), Eucoleus aerophilus (29.9%) and Angiostrongylus vasorum (3.4%). Statistical differences were observed only on comparing age and C.vulpis prevalence, with young foxes being more infected than adults. The high prevalence of cardiopulmonary nematodes suggested that red foxes may play an important role in their transmission and maintenance in the studied area.
Production and preliminary evaluation of Trypanosoma evansi HSP70 for antibody detection in Equids
Authors: Kumar Jaideep , Chaudhury Ashok , Bera Bidhan C. , Kumar Ritesh , Kumar Rajender , Tatu Utpal , Yadav Suresh Chandra
Published: September 2015

The present immuno-diagnostic method using soluble antigens from whole cell lysate antigen for trypanosomosis have certain inherent problems like lack of standardized and reproducible antigens, as well as ethical issues due to in vivo production, that could be alleviated by in vitro production. In the present study we have identified heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) from T. evansi proteome. The nucleotide sequence of T. evansi HSP70 was 2116 bp, which encodes 690 amino acid residues. The phylogenetic analysis of T. evansi HSP70 showed that T. evansi occurred within Trypanosoma clade and is most closely related to T. brucei brucei and T. brucei gambiense, whereas T. congolense HSP70 laid in separate clade. The two partial HSP70 sequences (HSP-1 from N-terminal region and HSP-2 from C-terminal region) were expressed and evaluated as diagnostic antigens using experimentally infected equine serum samples. Both recombinant proteins detected antibody in immunoblot using serum samples from experimental infected donkeys with T. evansi. Recombinant HSP-2 showed comparable antibody response to Whole cell lysate (WCL) antigen in immunoblot and ELISA. The initial results indicated that HSP70 has potential to detect the T. evansi infection and needs further validation on large set of equine serum samples.
Malondialdehyde; Lipid peroxidation plasma biomarker correlated with hepatic fibrosis in human Schistosoma mansoni infection
Authors: Aziz Inas Abdel , Yacoub Mariam , Rashid Laila , Solieman Ahmad
Published: September 2015

Schistosomiasis is a debilitating parasitic disease, affects large number of host species. Currently affects 250-300 million people in tropic areas. Schistosoma pathogenic impact is hepatic periportal fibrosis; the parasite-induced inflammatory cellular activation promotes oxidative stress, resulting in lipid peroxidation (LPO), with subsequent increase in inflammatory mediators as malondialdehyde (MDA). This study was set up to reveal possible contribution of lipid peroxidation byproducts MDA in hepatic pathophysiology. Results displayed that MDA don’t tend to change in relation with either age, nor hepatic transaminases AST & ALT, while exhibited a significant increase in MDA levels in human schistosomiasis versus control group P<0.0001 (Mn. ± St.dev. 7.77 ± 3.59, 1.21 ± 0.28 nmol/ml) respectively. Moreover; MDA plasma levels in Schistosoma infected group correlated significantly with two hepatic fibrosis parameters; (a) ultrasonography graded periportal fibrosis P< 0.0001. Levels of MDA in hepatic fibrosis grades 0, I, II, III in Schistosoma infected group were (Mn. ± St.dev. 2.8 ± 0.64, 4.3 ± 1.2, 9.3 ± 1.6 and 10.8 ± 1.3 nmol/ml) respectively, (b) serum Hyaluronic acid (HA) P<0.0001 (spearman r = 0.77) as a reliable hepatic fibrosis marker. This implies a considerable role of LPO byproducts in schistosomiasis pathogenicity, and proposing malondialdehyde as a biomarker for schistosomiasis morbidity.
A new species of the feather mite genus Tyrannidectes Mironov, 2008 (Acariformes: Proctophyllodidae) from tapaculos (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae) in Chile
Authors: Mironov Sergey V. , González-Acuña Daniel A.
Published: September 2015

A new feather mite species, Tyrannidectes pteroptochi sp. n. (Astigmata: Proctophyllodidae: Pterodectinae), is described from the Moustached Turca Pteroptochos megapodius Kittlitz, 1830 (Passeriformes: Rhinocryptidae) in Chile. This is the first record of mites of the genus Tyrannidectes Mironov 2008 from this family of passerines. Tyrannidectes pteroptochi is clearly distinguished from all previously known Tyrannidectes species by having several unique features in females: whip-like hysteronotal macrosetae h2, hysteronotal setae h3 exceeding the length of the terminal appendages, and spiculiform pseudanal setae ps2 and ps3. A brief review of taxonomic works on the Tyrannidectes is provided.
Preparation and Characterization of Low Temperature Heat-Treated 45S5 Bioactive Glass-Ceramic Analogues
Authors: Xie Kailuo , Zhang Lei , Yang Xianyan , Wang Xiaoqing , Yang Guojing , Zhang Licheng , Shao Huifeng , He Yong , Fu Jianzhong , Gou Zhongru
Published: September 2015

The 45S5 Bioglassr and its sintered bioactive glass-ceramic (BGC) have been widely investigated as bone implants, mainly for its ability to bond to hard tissues. However, high temperature treatment is not enough to improve its poor mechanical properties, but compromise its biologically relevant performances. The innovative BGC compositions based on the thermally treated 45S5 Bioglassr were developed by decreasing the P2O5 quantity and adding B2O3 (0-6%) into the Na2O–2CaO–3SiO2- based bioactive glasses (BG). The thermally treated BGCs were fully characterized from the microstructural and mechanical points of view and compared to each other. Their bioactivity and bio-dissolutionwere established by means of in vitro soaking tests. The new B2O3-added 45S5 BG analogues, named NCS-xB, can be transformed to crystalline phase (Na2Ca2Si3O9)-based BGCs of high compactness and bioactivity at a relatively low temperature heat treatment (≤ 900ºC), since their bioactivity is preserved. Our experimental results suggest that the new 45S5 BGC analogues with optimized composition exhibit improved micro- structural and mechanical properties, and are beneficial for making specific products such as porous scaffolds or composites for bone defect repair.
Novel Highly Degradable Chloride Containing Bioactive Glasses
Authors: Chen Xiaojing , Karpukhina Natalia , Brauer Delia S. , Hill Robert G.
Published: September 2015

Addition of CaF2 to a silicate bioactive glass favours formation of fluorapatite, which is less soluble in acidic environment than hydroxyapatite. However, excess CaF2 in the glass is problematic, owing to the formation of crystalline calcium fluoride rather than fluorapatite on immersion. In this paper we investigate chloride as an alternative to fluoride in bioactive silicate glasses and in particular their bioactivity for the first time. Meltderived bioactive glasses based on SiO2-P2O5-CaO-CaCl2 with varying CaCl2 contents were synthesised and characterised by DSC. Chemical analysis of the chloride content was performed by using an ion selective electrode. Glass density was determined using Helium Pycnometry. The glass bioactivity was investigated in Tris buffer. Ion release measurements were carried out by using ICP-OES. The chemical analysis results indicated that the majority of the chloride is retained in the Q2 type silicate glasses during synthesis. Tg and glass density reduced with increasing CaCl2 content. Apatite-like phase formation was confirmed by FITR, XRD and 31P MAS-NMR. The results of the in vitro studies demonstrated that the chloride containing bioactive glasses are highly degradable and form apatite-like phase within three hours in Tris buffer and, therefore, are certainly suitable for use in remineralising toothpastes. The dissolution rate of the glass was found to increase with CaCl2 content. Faster dissolving bioactive glasses may be attractive for more resorbable bone grafts and scaffolds.
Effects of an eccentric training programme on hamstring strain injuries in women football players
Authors: del Ama Espinosa Gurutze , Pöyhönen Tapani , Aramendi José Francisco , Samaniego Juan Carlos , Emparanza Knörr José Ignacio , Kyröläinen Heikki
Published: September 2015

Study aim: to test the hypothesis that an eccentric training programme applied on women football players would reduce the hamstring injury rate by improving thigh muscle balance and, particularly, hamstring strength.

Material and methods: three football teams were recruited for this randomised controlled trial. They played in the first and second divisions in Spain. Players were randomised within clubs either to the intervention (eccentric exercises, n = 22) or control (control exercises, n = 21) groups, and randomisation was stratified according to previous history of thigh strains. The eccentric programme was divided into 3 phases, and each phase was composed of 7 weeks. Compliance level and all injuries were recorded throughout the season as well as training and game exposure times. Muscle strength and power of the lower extremities and flexibility of the hamstrings and lower back were measured before and after the intervention.

Results: the risk for sustaining a hamstring strain (RSHS) was reduced by 81%. However, differences were not significant due to the low number of subjects (relative risk 0.19; 95% coefficient interval 0.02–1.50). The strength of the hamstrings decreased in both groups (p < 0.05), whereas sprint time was improved only in the intervention group (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: the present findings suggest that a simple program of eccentric exercise could reduce RSHS.
Financial Participation In Poland In Comparison To Other EU Countries
Authors: Kozłowski Maciej
Published: September 2015

The success of the profound restructuring changes in the Polish economy depended mainly on the effectiveness of the reforms concerning the restructured properties in all sectors. This required a new approach to private property, determining the new role and place of employees in the process of changes and forming employee companies. Employee companies were formed as a result of direct privatization, so-called liquidation, when the equity of the enterprise is handed over for use with the right to the repurchase by the majority of employees of the established company (leasing). Prior to this privatization it was necessary to convince employees to purchase shares. One should keep in mind that this method turned out to be effective with respect to small and medium-sized enterprises, which didn't require the great financial outlays which were necessary for the privatization of larger companies. Initially it may be said that the conditions for implementing new solutions increasing the participation of employees in ownership, or their participation in other financial programs, are not very favourable. It is even possible to formulate the thesis that in Polish enterprises and amongst employees, peculiarly at the workshop level, there was an awareness barrier, which has made the process of further democratic changes rather difficult. Breaking this barrier can only take place after a certain time, when the employee as an owner begins to understand the economic significance of a dividend, picks up the habit of thinking in categories of an increase in goodwill, and realizes that this is transferred directly into an increase in the value of his or her assets.
The Essence Of The Emerging Markets’ Investment Risk. Comparative Analysis Of American And Central European Convertible Bond Issuers
Authors: Marszałek Jakub
Published: September 2015

This paper attempts to identify the determinants of credit ratings for debt instrument issuers in the so-called emerging markets. The study was conducted on the sample of convertible bonds issuers in 2001-2012, half of which originated from Central and Eastern Europe, while the rest were U.S. operators. The analysis is focused exclusively on pairs of bonds with the same rating given by the British Fitch agency, which specialises in analysing Central and East European markets. The conducted studies show that solvency risk, interpreted as indebtedness, financial leverage and current solvency, is a major difference between the two groups of bonds. Changes in indebtedness, i.e. in assets held by foreign investors, are apparently the reasons of higher requirements for issuers from the emerging markets.
Geometry of some twistor spaces of algebraic
dimension one
Authors: Honda Nobuhiro
Published: September 2015

It is shown that there exists a twistor space on the n-fold connected sum of complex projective
planes nCP2, whose algebraic dimension is one and whose general fiber of the algebraic reduction is birational
to an elliptic ruled surface or a K3 surface. The former kind of twistor spaces are constructed over nCP2
for any n ≥ 5, while the latter kind of example is constructed over 5CP2. Both of these seem to be the first
such example on nCP2. The algebraic reduction in these examples is induced by the anti-canonical system of
the twistor spaces. It is also shown that the former kind of twistor spaces contain a pair of non-normal Hopf
surfaces.
An advanced CFD model to study the effect of non-condensable gas on cavitation in positive displacement pumps
Authors: Iannetti Aldo , Stickland Matthew T. , Dempster William M.
Published: September 2015

An advanced transient CFD model of a positive displacement reciprocating pump was created to study its behavior and performance in cavitating condition during the inlet stroke. The “full” cavitation model developed by Singhal et al. was utilized, and a sensitivity analysis test on two air mass fraction amounts (1.5 and 15 parts per million) was carried out to study the influence of the dissolved air content in water on the cavitation phenomenon. The model was equipped with user defined functions to introduce the liquid compressibility, which stabilizes the simulation, and to handle the two-way coupling between the pressure field and the inlet valve lift history. Estimation of the performance is also presented in both cases.
Dynamical system analysis of unstable flow phenomena in centrifugal blower
Authors: Garcia David , Stickland Matthew , Liśkiewicz Grzegorz
Published: September 2015

Methods of dynamical system analysis were employed to analyze unsteady phenomena in a centrifugal blower. Pressure signals gathered at different control points were decomposed into their Principal Components (PCs) by means of Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). Certain number of PCs was considered in the analysis based on their statistical correlation. Projection of the original signal onto its PCs allowed to draw the phase trajectory that clearly separated non-stable blower working conditions from its regular operation.
Computational assessment of the influence of the overlap ratio on the power characteristics of a Classical Savonius wind turbine
Authors: Kacprzak Konrad , Sobczak Krzysztof
Published: September 2015

An influence of the overlap on the performance of the Classical Savonius wind turbine was investigated. Unsteady two-dimensional numerical simulations were carried out for a wide range of overlap ratios. For selected configurations computation quality was verified by comparison with three-dimensional simulations and the wind tunnel experimental data available in literature. A satisfactory agreement was achieved. Power characteristics were determined for all the investigated overlap ratios for selected tip speed ratios. Obtained results indicate that the maximum device performance is achieved for the buckets overlap ratio close to 0.
Time-frequency analysis of the Surge Onset in the Centrifugal Blower
Authors: Liskiewicz Grzegorz , Horodko Longin
Published: September 2015

Time frequency analysis of the surge onset was performed in the centrifugal blower. A pressure signal was registered at the blower inlet, outlet and three locations at the impeller shroud. The time-frequency scalograms were obtained by means of the Continuous Wavelet Transform (CWT). The blower was found to successively operate in four different conditions: stable working condition, inlet recirculation, transient phase and deep surge. Scalograms revealed different spectral structures of aforementioned phases and suggest possible ways of detecting the surge predecessors.
Crystallization modification of poly(lactide) by using nucleating agents and stereocomplexation
Authors: Jiang Long , Shen Tianfeng , Xu Pengwu , Zhao Xiyuan , Li Xiaojie , Dong Weifu , Ma Piming , Chen Mingqing
Published: September 2015

Poly(lactide), PLA, as one of the most promising biopolymers, has been receiving increasing attention in recent years because of its excellent performances in renewability, mechanical properties, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, its application is limited by its brittleness and low heat distortion temperatures (HDT). The low HDT mainly results from a low crystallization rate and lack of crystallinity after fast processing, e.g. injection molding. Consequently, considerable attention was paid, in recent years, to achieve fast(er) crystallization of PLA. In here, we briefly review the research progress in the crystallization modification of PLA notably by means of adding nucleating agents and stereocomplexation.
PGE distribution in the Chromite bearing mafic-ultramafic Kondapalli Layered Complex, Krishna district, Andhra Pradesh, India
Authors: Meshram Tushar M. , Nannaware Shraddha. B. , Nannaware B. , Bhatacharjee Shantanu , Waghmare Minakshi. M. , Rajakumar T.
Published: September 2015

The Kondapalli Layered Complex (KLC) is a dismembered mafic-ultramafic layered intrusion, mainly composed of gabbroic and anorthositic rocks with subordinate ultramafics and chromitite. Chromitite occurs as lenses, pods, bands and disseminations. Platinum group of minerals (PGMs) occur as inclusions within chromite and silicates. The study indicates an inhomogeneous distribution of PGMs and distinct dominance of IPGEs over the PPGEs. The average ΣPGE content of chromite of KLC varies from 64 ppb to 576 ppb with Pt ranging from 5 to 495 ppb, Pd 5 to 191 ppb, Ir 3 to 106 ppb, Ru 3 to 376 ppb and Rh 3 to 135 ppb. The PGMs identified in the KLC indicate primary deposition of the IPGE, preceding chromite, indicating its orthomagmatic nature. Most of the PGM grains are usually below 10 μm. The identified PGMs are Laurite (RuS2), irarsite (Ir, As, S), iridosmine (Os, Ir), undetermined Os-Ir sulphide and Ru-Os-Ir-Zn alloys. Chromite also contains inclusions of pentlandite, millerite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. Study indicating that the KLC have orthomagmatic origin for PGE which are dominated by IPGE group and formed under surpa-subduction zone peridotite setting.