bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Electron mobility enhancement in nanoscale silicon-on-insulator diffusion layers with high doping concentration of greater than 1 × 1018 cm−3 and silicon-on-insulator thickness of less than 10 nm
Authors: Kadotani Naotoshi , Takahashi Tsunaki , Ohashi Teruyuki , Oda Shunri , Uchida Ken
Published: August 2011

Electron mobility in nanoscale silicon-on-insulator (SOI) layers with a doping concentration ranging from 2 × 1017 cm−3 to 1 × 1019 cm−3 is thoroughly studied. We observe that electron mobility in highly doped nanoscale extremely thin SOI (ETSOI) layers with thicknesses ranging from 5 to 11 nm is greater than electron mobility in bulk Si with the same doping concentration. Since no dopant ion exists in the oxides above and below ETSOI, the absence of ions close to the ETSOI layers effectively reduces the number of Coulomb centers that scatter carriers in the ETSOI layers. We show that the ratio of SOI thickness to the average distance between donor ions is critically important to understand the mobility enhancement in nanoscale ETSOI. It is demonstrated that mobility enhancement can be universally described as a function of the ratio described above. The findings of our study are indispensable in designing aggressively scaled SOI metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors.
Effects of magnitude and direction of the biaxial compressive strain on the formation and migration of a vacancy in Ge by using density functional theory
Authors: Lee Joohwi , Duk Na Kwang , Lee Seung-Cheol , Hwang Cheol Seong , Choi Jung-Hae
Published: August 2011

The effects of the magnitude and direction of biaxial compressive strain on the formation and migration barrier of a neutral vacancy in germanium were studied using density functional theory. Bulk Ge cells with (100) and (111) planes under various in-plane biaxial compressive strains were investigated to model epitaxial Ge on Si1–xGex substrate. Biaxial compressive strain decreases the vacancy formation energy by 68% and 81% for the (100) and (111) supercells, respectively, when Ge is assumed to be epitaxially grown on Si. The biaxial compressive strain hardly affects the migration behavior of a vacancy in the (100) supercell. On the contrary, in the (111) supercell, the migration barrier energy shows anisotropic behavior; the migration along the perpendicular and virtually parallel directions with respect to the strain becomes distinctly more difficult and slightly easier, respectively. The effects of strain on the formation and migration of the vacancy were explained by the atomic relaxation around it and electron redistribution. By comparing the formation energy and migration barrier energy, vacancy formation was suggested to be dominant for vacancy-mediated diffusion in Ge.
Highly-enhanced reflow characteristics of sputter deposited Cu alloy thin films for large scale integrated interconnections
Authors: Onishi Takashi , Mizuno Masao , Yoshikawa Tetsuya , Munemasa Jun , Mizuno Masataka , Kihara Teruo , Araki Hideki , Shirai Yasuharu
Published: August 2011

An attempt to improve the reflow characteristics of sputtered Cu films was made by alloying the Cu with various elements. We selected Y, Sb, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy, In, Sn, Mg, and P for the alloys, and “the elasto-plastic deformation behavior at high temperature” and “the filling level of Cu into via holes” were estimated for Cu films containing each of these elements. From the results, it was found that adding a small amount of Sb or Dy to the sputtered Cu was remarkably effective in improve the reflow characteristics. The microstructure and imperfections in the Cu films before and after high-temperature high-pressure annealing were investigated by secondary ion micrographs and positron annihilation spectroscopy. The results imply that the embedding or deformation mechanism is different for the Cu-Sb alloy films compared to the Cu-Dy alloy films. We consider that the former is embedded by softening or deformation of the Cu matrix, which has a polycrystalline structure, and the latter is embedded by grain boundary sliding.
Deuterium permeation through carbon-coated tungsten during ion bombardment
Authors: Gasparyan Yu. , Mayer M. , Pisarev A. , Wiltner A. , Adelhelm C. , Koch F. , Rasinski M. , Roth J.
Published: August 2011

Deuterium permeation during ion bombardment through tungsten membranes coated by amorphous carbon films was investigated and compared with the permeation through bare tungsten. The membrane was bombarded by D3+ ions with energies of 200 and 1200 eV/D at a temperature of 873 K. The thickness of the amorphous carbon film was 120–170 nm. Detailed characterization of the carbon films were performed using AFM, NRA, RBS, FIB/SEM and XPS. The influence of the carbon films on permeation were strong for both ion energies, but different for each energy. In the case of 200 eV/D ions, the film was completely removed by the end of permeation due to intensive chemical sputtering, the lag time of permeation was much longer than for the bare membrane, and the permeation rate rose to a maximum value close to the bare membrane and then decreased to lower values. In the case of 1200 eV/D, the films were sputtered only very slowly, the lag time was much longer than in the case of the bare membrane but shorter than at 200 eV/D, and the permeation rate increased steadily up to several percents of the incident flux.
Structures of Exclusion from Enterprise Finance
Authors: Rouse Julia , Jayawarna Dilani
Published: August 2011

Business start-up is promoted to the labour-market disadvantaged internationally. This policy increasingly draws on the concept of social inclusion. In this paper we define ‘enterprise inclusion’ policy as situating the chance to start a viable business as a right and supporting the multiply disadvantaged to overcome strong barriers to enterprise. We draw on the resource-based view of entrepreneurship to argue that viable business ownership is contingent on access to resources. We explore how access to a primary business resource—start-up finance—relates to intersecting social disadvantages. We report a complex pattern of financial exclusion. Rather than supporting the concept of interconnecting yet separate social divisions, as argued under social inclusion theory, this supports a class-based interpretation of exclusion from enterprise finance. New research and policy agendas are outlined.
Competing Agendas in Public Procurement: An Empirical Analysis of Opportunities and Limits in the UK for SMEs
Authors: Pickernell David , Kay Adrian , Packham Gary , Miller Christopher
Published: August 2011

Government procurement policy in the UK is an uneasy mixture of different policy legacies, where the dominant objectives of cost-efficiency and value for money compete with alternatives which emphasise public procurement as central to innovation policy and/or a critical demand-side instrument in local and regional economic development. Quantitative analysis of which types of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) benefit, and how, from different levels of government as a customer is, however, rare in the UK (and indeed more widely across the EU). Utilising data from the Federation of Small Businesses 2008 biannual survey, we address this important task. Results reveal different patterns of procurement depending on the territorial scale of government, in terms of both the innovativeness of SMEs supported through public procurement as well as demand-side contributions to local and regional economic development, allowing us to judge future possible policy directions with regard to the use of public procurement.
Junín virus infection impairs stress-granule formation in Vero cells treated with arsenite via inhibition of eIF2α phosphorylation
Authors: Linero Florencia N. , Thomas María G. , Boccaccio Graciela L. , Scolaro Luis A.
Published: August 2011

Stress granules (SGs) are ephemeral cytoplasmic aggregates containing stalled translation preinitiation complexes involved in mRNA storage and triage during the cellular stress response. SG formation is triggered by the phosphorylation of the alpha subunit of eIF2 (eIF2α), which provokes a dramatic blockage of protein translation. Our results demonstrate that acute infection of Vero cells with the arenavirus Junín (JUNV), aetiological agent of Argentine haemorrhagic fever, does not induce the formation of SGs. Moreover, JUNV negatively modulates SG formation in infected cells stressed with arsenite, and this inhibition correlates with low levels of eIF2α phosphorylation. Transient expression of JUNV nucleoprotein (N) or the glycoprotein precursor (GPC), but not of the matrix protein (Z), inhibits SG formation in a similar manner, comparable to infectious virus. Expression of N and GPC also impaired eIF2α phosphorylation triggered by arsenite. A moderate inhibition of SG formation was also observed when DTT and thapsigargin were employed as stress inducers. In contrast, no inhibition was observed when infected cells were treated with hippuristanol, a translational inhibitor and inducer of SGs that bypasses the requirement for eIF2α phosphorylation. Finally, we analysed SG formation in persistently JUNV-infected cells, where N and GPC are virtually absent and truncated N products are expressed abundantly. We found that persistently infected cells show a quite normal response to arsenite, with SG formation comparable to that of uninfected cells. This suggests that the presence of GPC and/or N is crucial to control the stress response upon JUNV infection of Vero cells.
Cytokinins Mediate Resistance againstPseudomonas syringaein Tobacco through Increased Antimicrobial Phytoalexin Synthesis Independent of Salicylic Acid Signaling
Authors: Großkinsky Dominik K. , Naseem Muhammad , Abdelmohsen Usama Ramadan , Plickert Nicole , Engelke Thomas , Griebel Thomas , Zeier Jürgen , Novák Ondřej , Strnad Miroslav , Pfeifhofer Hartwig , van der Graaff Eric , Simon Uwe , Roitsch Thomas
Published: August 2011

Cytokinins are phytohormones that are involved in various regulatory processes throughout plant development, but they are also produced by pathogens and known to modulate plant immunity. A novel transgenic approach enabling autoregulated cytokinin synthesis in response to pathogen infection showed that cytokinins mediate enhanced resistance against the virulent hemibiotrophic pathogen Pseudomonas syringae pv tabaci. This was confirmed by two additional independent transgenic approaches to increase endogenous cytokinin production and by exogenous supply of adenine- and phenylurea-derived cytokinins. The cytokinin-mediated resistance strongly correlated with an increased level of bactericidal activities and up-regulated synthesis of the two major antimicrobial phytoalexins in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum), scopoletin and capsidiol. The key role of these phytoalexins in the underlying mechanism was functionally proven by the finding that scopoletin and capsidiol substitute in planta for the cytokinin signal: phytoalexin pretreatment increased resistance against P. syringae. In contrast to a cytokinin defense mechanism in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) based on salicylic acid-dependent transcriptional control, the cytokinin-mediated resistance in tobacco is essentially independent from salicylic acid and differs in pathogen specificity. It is also independent of jasmonate levels, reactive oxygen species, and high sugar resistance. The novel function of cytokinins in the primary defense response of solanaceous plant species is rather mediated through a high phytoalexin-pathogen ratio in the early phase of infection, which efficiently restricts pathogen growth. The implications of this mechanism for the coevolution of host plants and cytokinin-producing pathogens and the practical application in agriculture are discussed.
IL28B genetic variants and gender are associated with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus infection
Authors: Rao H.‐Y. , Sun D.‐G. , Jiang D. , Yang R.‐F. , Guo F. , Wang J.‐H. , Liu F. , Zhang H.‐Y. , Zhang H.‐H. , Du S.‐C. , Jin Q. , Qin H. , Lok A.‐S.‐F. , Wei L.
Published: August 2011

Summary.  Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) near the IL28B gene have been shown to be associated with response to treatment for chronic hepatitis C and also with spontaneous clearance of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We analysed the association between IL28B genetic variants and spontaneous clearance of HCV infection in 376 HCV‐infected Chinese paid plasma donors. Genotyping of eight SNPs near the IL28B region was performed by the iPLEX system (MassARRAY® SNP Genotyping; Sequenom) in all donors, and sequencing was performed on all 80 donors who cleared HCV and on 160 of 296 donors who did not clear HCV to validate the genotypes. Eighty (21.3%) donors spontaneously cleared HCV. Four SNPs were significantly associated with spontaneous HCV clearance: rs8099917 TT (vs GT), rs8105790 TT (vs CT), rs12980275 AA (vs AG) and rs10853728 CC (vs CG or GG) with OR (95% CI) 15.27 (2.07–112.50), 14.88 (2.02–109.72), 7.92 (1.88–33.32) and 2.32 (1.22–4.42) respectively. No association between the other four IL28B SNPs including rs12979860 and spontaneous HCV clearance was found. Women had a higher rate of spontaneous HCV clearance than men [56/213 (26.3%) vs 24/163 (14.6%), P = 0.007], and this was true even after stratification for IL28B genotypes with OR of 1.9–2.2 among those with favourable genotypes. Our results confirmed that IL28B polymorphism is associated with spontaneous clearance of HCV in Chinese subjects, but the SNPs that predict HCV clearance in Chinese subjects were different from those reported in Caucasians. Women were more likely to clear HCV infection regardless of IL28B genotypes.
Focusing homologous recombination: pilin antigenic variation in the pathogenic Neisseria
Authors: Cahoon Laty A. , Seifert H. Steven
Published: August 2011

Some pathogenic microbes utilize homologous recombination to generate antigenic variability in targets of immune surveillance. These specialized systems rely on the cellular recombination machinery to catalyse dedicated, high‐frequency reactions that provide extensive diversity in the genes encoding surface antigens. A description of the specific mechanisms that allow unusually high rates of recombination without deleterious effects on the genome in the well‐characterized pilin antigenic variation systems of Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Neisseria meningitidis is presented. We will also draw parallels to selected bacterial and eukaryotic antigenic variation systems, and suggest the most pressing unanswered questions related to understanding these important processes.
Localized Delaunay Refinement for Volumes
Authors: Dey Tamal K , Slatton Andrew G
Published: August 2011

Delaunay refinement, recognized as a versatile tool for meshing a variety of geometries, has the deficiency that it does not scale well with increasing mesh size. The bottleneck can be traced down to the memory usage of 3D Delaunay triangulations. Recently an approach has been suggested to tackle this problem for the specific case of smooth surfaces by subdividing the sample set in an octree and then refining each subset individually while ensuring termination and consistency. We extend this to localized refinement of volumes, which brings about some new challenges. We show how these challenges can be met with simple steps while retaining provable guarantees, and that our algorithm scales many folds better than a state‐of‐the‐art meshing tool provided by CGAL.
Coarse‐to‐Fine Combinatorial Matching for Dense Isometric Shape Correspondence
Authors: Sahillioǧlu Y. , Yemez Y.
Published: August 2011

We present a dense correspondence method for isometric shapes, which is accurate yet computationally efficient. We minimize the isometric distortion directly in the 3D Euclidean space, i.e., in the domain where isometry is originally defined, by using a coarse‐to‐fine sampling and combinatorial matching algorithm. Our method does not require any initialization and aims to find an accurate solution in the minimum‐distortion sense for perfectly isometric shapes. We demonstrate the performance of our method on various isometric (or nearly isometric) pairs of shapes.
Redundancy and Patterns of Household Finance
Authors: Morris Lydia D.
Published: August 2011

This paper examines the nature and implications of different patterns of income flow within households in the critical situation of redundancy for the male main earner. In a sample of forty households a number of different patterns of resource allocation were found, and may be divided into four general types: one based on female control, two on male control, and one on dual control.

A normative tendency to attach priority to items of collective household expenditure was detected, together with a division of labour which left the woman largely responsible for domestic affairs. I argue that given these circumstances, the lower the household income, the greater the need for unitary control, and the greater the likelihood that this control will be exercised by the woman.

The paper goes on to examine the implications of the different patterns of income flow for marital relations, outlining the way in which the renegotiation of personal and domestic needs will have implications for, and also be influenced by, the nature of the marital relationship, the degree of both spouses' involvement in extra-household networks, the characteristics of these networks, and the resources which they make available.
The Theory and Practice of Equal Opportunities Policies: Liberal and Radical Approaches
Authors: Jewson Nick , Mason David
Published: August 2011

This paper explores the conceptual confusions characteristic of the practice of equal opportunities policies the workplace. The differences between ‘liberal’ and ‘radical’ approaches to policy making are identified and described. It is argued that, while these are conceptually distiner from one another, in practice they are routinely confused and conflated. In particular the preferred procedures of the liberal approach are widely assumed to result in the preferred outcomes of the radical approach. It is suggested that these confusions are not merely the product of intellectual error but arise from misunderstandings and deceptions generated in the struggle for power between participants in the work process.
DO WE SEE APPLES AS EDIBLE?
Authors: NANAY BENCE
Published: August 2011

Do we (sometimes) perceive apples as edible? One could argue that it is just a manner of speaking to say so: we do not really see an object as edible, we see it as having certain shape, size and color and we only infer on the basis of these properties that it is. I argue that we do indeed see objects as edible, and do not just believe that they are. My argument proceeds in two steps. First, I point out that Susanna Siegel's influential argument in favor of the claim that we represent sortal properties perceptually does not work. Second, I argue that we can fix this argument if we replace the sortal property in question with the property of being edible, climbable or Q‐able in general.
Work–life Balance: Is it Now a Problem for Management?
Authors: Todd Patricia , Binns Jennifer
Published: August 2011

In Western Australia (WA) there is substantial interest by public sector management in work–life balance (WLB) as a strategy to address labour supply problems. This article considers whether the positioning of WLB as a problem for management provides the opportunity for change resulting in an improved quality of working life in the public sector. We report on the implementation of WLB policies in four WA public sector agencies and conclude that managers are ‘managing’ WLB in a limited way, and largely in an individualized manner, at a level that does not disrupt the usual way of organizing work and employment. For many managers, employees' requests to access WLB policies are perceived as being in conflict with operational goals. The findings highlight the inadequacy of much of the WLB discourse that obscures the tension between, on the one hand, the imperative for managers to implement WLB more effectively and, on the other, organizational practices and the broader social, political and economic context in which management and the organization are located.
Chronic olanzapine treatment decreases arachidonic acid turnover and prostaglandin E2 concentration in rat brain
Authors: Cheon Yewon , Park Jee‐Young , Modi Hiren R. , Kim Hyung‐Wook , Lee Ho‐Joo , Chang Lisa , Rao Jagadeesh S. , Rapoport Stanley I.
Published: August 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 364–376.

The atypical antipsychotic, olanzapine (OLZ), is used to treat bipolar disorder, but its therapeutic mechanism of action is not clear. Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n‐6) plays a critical role in brain signaling and an up‐regulated AA metabolic cascade was reported in postmortem brains from bipolar disorder patients. In this study, we tested whether, similar to the action of the mood stabilizers lithium, carbamazepine and valproate, chronic OLZ treatment would reduce AA turnover in rat brain. We administered OLZ (6 mg/kg/day) or vehicle i.p. to male rats once daily for 21 days. A washout group received 21 days of OLZ followed by vehicle on day 22. Two hours after the last injection, [1‐14C]AA was infused intravenously for 5 min, and timed arterial blood samples were taken. After the rat was killed at 5 min, its brain was microwaved, removed and analyzed. Chronic OLZ decreased plasma unesterified AA concentration, AA incorporation rates and AA turnover in brain phospholipids. These effects were absent after washout. Consistent with reduced AA turnover, OLZ decreased brain cyclooxygenase activity and the brain concentration of the proinflammatory AA‐derived metabolite, prostaglandin E2, In view of up‐regulated brain AA metabolic markers in bipolar disorder, the abilities of OLZ and the mood stabilizers to commonly decrease prostaglandin E2, and AA turnover in rat brain phospholipids, albeit by different mechanisms, may be related to their efficacy against the disease.
A novel flow cytometry‐based technique to measure adult neurogenesis in the brain
Authors: Spoelgen Robert , Meyer Annette , Moraru Anja , Kirsch Friederike , Vogt‐Eisele Angela , Plaas Christian , Pitzer Claudia , Schneider Armin
Published: August 2011

J. Neurochem. (2011) 119, 165–175.

The stimulation of neurogenesis is an exciting novel therapeutic option for diseases of the central nervous system, ranging from depression to neurodegeneration. One major bottleneck in screening approaches for neurogenesis‐inducing compounds is the very demanding in vivo quantification of newborn neurons based on stereological techniques. To effectively develop compounds in this area, novel fast and reliable techniques for quantification of in vivo neurogenesis are needed. In this study, we introduce a flow cytometry‐based method for quantifying newly generated neurons in the brain based on the counting of cell nuclei from dissected brain regions. Important steps involve density sedimentation of the cell nuclei, and staining for the proliferation marker bromodeoxy uridine and nuclear cell type markers such as NeuN. We demonstrate the ability of the technique to detect increased neurogenesis in the hippocampus of animals which underwent physical exercise and received fluoxetine treatment.
Modification of a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30, for the development of novel therapeutic agents
Authors: Nakagami Hironori , Nishikawa Tomoyuki , Tamura Nao , Maeda Akito , Hibino Hajime , Mochizuki Masayoshi , Shimosato Takashi , Moriya Toshinori , Morishita Ryuichi , Tamai Katsuto , Tomono Kazunori , Kaneda Yasufumi
Published: August 2011

We previously identified a novel angiogenic peptide, AG30, with antibacterial effects that could serve as a foundation molecule for the design of wound‐healing drugs. Toward clinical application, in this study we have developed a modified version of the AG30 peptide characterized by improved antibacterial and angiogenic action, thus establishing a lead compound for a feasibility study. Because AG30 has an α‐helix structure with a number of hydrophobic and cationic amino acids, we designed a modified AG30 peptide by replacing several of the amino acids. The replacement of cationic amino acids (yielding a new molecule, AG30/5C), but not hydrophobic amino acids, increased both the angiogenic and the antimicrobial properties of the peptide. AG30/5C was also effective against methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and antibiotic‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In a diabetic mouse wound‐healing model, the topical application of AG30/5C accelerated wound healing with increased angiogenesis and attenuated MRSA infection. To facilitate the eventual clinical investigation/application of these compounds, we developed a large‐scale procedure for the synthesis of AG30/5C that employed the conventional solution method and met Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines. In the evaluation of stability of this peptide in saline solution, RP‐HPLC analysis revealed that AG30/5C was fairly stable under 5°C for 12 months. Therefore, we propose the use of AG30/5C as a wound‐healing drug with antibacterial and angiogenic actions.
Indicators for high physical strain and overload in elite football players
Authors: Meister S. , Faude O. , Ammann T. , Schnittker R. , Meyer T.
Published: August 2011

Laboratory, psychological and performance parameters as possible indicators of physical strain and overload during highly demanding competition phases were evaluated in elite male football players. In two studies with the same objective, periods of high (HE: >270 min during 3 weeks before testing) and low (LE: <270 min) match exposure were compared over the course of an entire season. In study 1 (n=88 players of the first and second German leagues; age: 25.6±4.3 years; body mass index (BMI): 23.2±1.0 kg/m2), blood count, CK, urea, uric acid, CRP and ferritin were determined. In study 2, 19 players of the third German league and the highest under‐19 league (age: 19.7±2.8 years; BMI: 22.8±1.7 kg/m2) were screened for individual vertical jump height, maximal velocity and by the Recovery‐Stress‐Questionnaire for Athletes (REST‐Q Sport). The mean differences in exposure times were 180 min (study 1: quartiles: 105, 270 min) and 247 min (study 2: 180, 347 min), respectively. Significant differences were found neither in blood parameters (study 1; P>0.36) nor in physiological testing results or in REST‐Q scores (study 2; P>0.20). A 3‐week period of high match exposure in elite football players does not affect laboratory, psychometric and performance parameters.
Heart rate variability in prediction of individual adaptation to endurance training in recreational endurance runners
Authors: Vesterinen V. , Häkkinen K. , Hynynen E. , Mikkola J. , Hokka L. , Nummela A.
Published: August 2011

The aim of this study was to investigate whether nocturnal heart rate variability (HRV) can be used to predict changes in endurance performance during 28 weeks of endurance training. The training was divided into 14 weeks of basic training (BTP) and 14 weeks of intensive training periods (ITP). Endurance performance characteristics, nocturnal HRV, and serum hormone concentrations were measured before and after both training periods in 28 recreational endurance runners. During the study peak treadmill running speed (Vpeak) improved by 7.5±4.5%. No changes were observed in HRV indices after BTP, but after ITP, these indices increased significantly (HFP: 1.9%, P=0.026; TP: 1.7%, P=0.007). Significant correlations were observed between the change of Vpeak and HRV indices (TP: r=0.75, P<0.001; HFP: r=0.71, P<0.001; LFP: r=0.69, P=0.01) at baseline during ITP. In order to lead to significant changes in HRV among recreational endurance runners, it seems that moderate‐ and high‐intensity training are needed. This study showed that recreational endurance runners with a high HRV at baseline improved their endurance running performance after ITP more than runners with low baseline HRV.
Antibiotic effects on bacterial profile in osteonecrosis of the jaw
Authors: Ji X , Pushalkar S , Li Y , Glickman R , Fleisher K , Saxena D
Published: August 2011

Oral Diseases (2011) 18, 85–95

Objective:  Oral infection is considered to play a critical role in the pathogenesis of bisphosphonate‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), and antibiotic therapy has become a mainstay of BRONJ therapy. This study was aimed to investigate the effect of antibiotics on bacterial diversity in BRONJ tissues.

Materials and methods:  The bacterial profile from soft tissues associated with the BRONJ lesion was determined using 16S rRNA‐based denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing. Twenty BRONJ subjects classified as stage 0–2 were enrolled in this study, and patient groups were divided into an antibiotic cohort (n = 10) treated with systemic antibiotic and a non‐antibiotic cohort (n = 10) with no prior antibiotic therapy.

Results:  The DGGE fingerprints indicated no significant differences in bacterial diversity of BRONJ tissue samples. Patients on antibiotics had higher relative abundance of phylum Firmicutes with bacterial species, Streptococcus intermedius, Lactobacillus gasseri, Mogibacterium timidum, and Solobacterium moorei, whereas patients without antibiotics had greater amounts of Parvimonas micra and Streptococcus anginosus. Thirty percent of bacterial populations were uncultured (yet‐to be cultured) phylotypes.

Conclusion:  This study using limited sample size indicated that oral antibiotic therapy may have a limited efficacy on the bacterial population associated with BRONJ lesions.
Clinical Outcomes of an Osteotome Technique and Simultaneous Placement of Neoss Implants in the Posterior Maxilla
Authors: Volpe Stefano , Lanza Massimiliano , Verrocchi Damiano , Sennerby Lars
Published: August 2011

Background: Insufficient bone volume often hamper placement of dental implants in the posterior maxilla.

Purpose: The aim of the present clinical study was to evaluate retrospectively the clinical outcome of implant placement in the resorbed posterior maxilla using an osteotome technique without adding any grafting material.

Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with 5 to 9 mm of residual alveolar bone height in the posterior maxilla received twenty‐nine implants (Neoss Ltd., Harrogate, UK) using an osteotomy technique without bone grafts. Intraoral radiographs were taken before and after implant placement, at the time of loading and after 11 to 32 months of loading (mean 16.4 months), to evaluate bone formation below the sinus membrane and marginal bone loss. Implant stability measurements (OsstellTM, Gothenburg, Sweden) were performed after implant installation and at abutment connection 5 months later. All implants were installed with the prosthetic platform level with the bone crest.

Results: No implant was lost giving a survival rate of 100% after a mean follow‐up time of 16.4 months. The average vertical bone height was 7.2 ± 1.5 mm at placement and 10.0 ± 1.0 mm after 11 to 32 months. The average increase of 2.8 ± 1.1 mm was statistically significant. There was a statistically significant improvement in implant stability from 70.7 ± 9.2 implant stability quotient (ISQ) at placement to 76.7 ± 5.7 ISQ at abutment connection, 5 months later. The mean marginal bone loss amounted to 0.7 ± 0.3 mm after 11 to 32 months of loading.

Conclusion: It is concluded that the osteotome technique evaluated resulted in predictable intrasinus bone formation, firm implant stability, and good clinical outcomes as no implants were lost and minimal marginal bone loss was observed.
RAPID LARGE‐SCALE PURIFICATION OF BETULINIC ACID
Authors: DING KE , XIAO SISI , LU JINGJING , YUAN QIPENG
Published: August 2011

A rapid and efficient method for large‐scale purification of natural betulinic acid from Zizyphi Spinosi Semen was described. The procedure involved reflux extraction, preparative separation using low‐pressure reverse‐phase liquid chromatography and purification by crystallization. High purity (over 90%) and recovery of betulinic acid were obtained by preparative low‐pressure reverse‐phase liquid chromatography. Betulinic acid with the purity of over 99% was produced by crystallization. The method described was a useful tool in the preparative‐scale isolation of betulinic acid with low cost.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

The production of betulinic acid is easier and the yield and purity of betulinic acid produced this way are higher than before. This method can be used not only for experiment in the laboratory but also for industrial applications. The material – Zizyphi Spinosi Semen is a by‐product of wild jujube juice industry, so it is easy to get. High‐purity betulinic acid produced this way was sold to many companies at home and abroad. It is used as food additive and cosmetic material because of its insomnia and anxiety function. Reagents are common and inexpensive, some of them are reusable.
MICROWAVE‐ASSISTED DEHYDRATION FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPY SAMPLE PREPARATION IN THE STUDY OF THERMO‐SONICATED YOGURT
Authors: BERMÚDEZ‐AGUIRRE DANIELA , LYNCH‐HOLM VALERIE , BARBOSA‐CÁNOVAS GUSTAVO V.
Published: August 2011

In electron microscopy, considerable sample preparation time is required to make meaningful observations. The objective of this work was to study the microstructure of sonicated yogurt with three sample preparation techniques. The first sample preparation consisted of the conventional dehydration with organic solvents; technique number 2 consisted of freeze‐drying the samples. The third technique consisted of dehydration of samples with solvents assisted with the use of microwave (MW). Images showed that freeze‐drying is not a technique suitable for yogurt because of the low resolution. However, high‐resolution images were obtained with MW, showing very good homogenization of the components of the sonicated yogurt (fat globules, casein micelles and lactose crystals) and also MW shortened the time of sample preparation to 3 h compared with the conventional dehydration technique (5 days).

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Sample preparation for electron microscopy takes a considerable amount of time, and sometimes, shorter processing times are required for some specific applications that require high‐resolution images of the product quickly. Microwave energy has been used in the food industry for different applications, but this energy can also be used to considerably reduce the processing times during sample preparation for microscopy without affecting the original structure of the product while providing high‐quality images.
Transition Towards Sustainable Food Consumption and Production in a Resource Constrained World  Reflections on the Foresight Stakeholder Conference, 4–5 May 2011, Budapest, Hungary La transition vers une production et une consommation alimentaires durables dans un monde aux ressources limitées  Réflexions sur la Conférences des parties prenantes autour de l’exercice de prospective de SCAR, 4‐5 mai 2011, Budapest, Hongrie Übergang hin zu nachhaltigem Lebensmittelkonsum und nachhaltiger Lebensmittelproduktion in einer Welt mit begrenzten Ressourcen  Überlegungen zur Stakeholder‐Konferenz über aktuelle “Foresight”‐Studien, 4.‐5. Mai 2011, Budapest, Ungarn
Authors: Kovács Barna
Published: August 2011

summary

Transition Towards Sustainable Food Consumption and Production in a Resource Constrained World Reflections on the Foresight Stakeholder Conference, 4–5 May 2011, Budapest, Hungary

The SCAR Foresight Stakeholder Conference aimed to be the cornerstone of the Foresight process by identifying innovative solutions which would enable agri‐food systems to cope with a range of complex and interlinked challenges over the next 30–40 years. This article reflects the major views and themes emerging from the conference. Several transitional pathways towards more sustainable food consumption and production were identified and these might provide a basis for forward thinking in the development of public policies and industry strategies: (a) consider expected resource scarcities in long‐term research priority setting and take planetary boundaries seriously; (b) support trans‐disciplinary research to understand the complexity of agri‐food systems and enhance agro‐ecological and resilience research; (c) give consumer‐oriented research a higher priority in public funding; (d) take a cross‐sectoral approach and make public agricultural knowledge and innovation systems (AKIS) fit to cope with the new and interconnected challenges; (e) explore new means of policy coordination and consider the trade‐offs between different sectoral policies; and (f) take a long‐term view for both research policy and research priority setting and enable more efficient research spending by strengthening transnational program cooperation. Tackling long‐term European agri‐food system sustainability challenges will require increased investments in research and innovation.
Matricellular Proteins: New Molecular Targets To Prevent Heart Failure
Authors: Okamoto Hiroshi , Imanaka‐Yoshida Kyoko
Published: August 2011

Matricellular proteins are highly expressed in reparative responses to pressure and volume overload, ischemia, oxidative stress after myocardial injury, and modulate the inflammatory and fibrotic process in ventricular remodeling, which leads to cardiac dysfunction and eventually overt heart failure. Generally, matricellular proteins loosen strong adhesion of cardiomyocytes to extracellular matrix, which would help cells to move for rearrangement and allow inflammatory cells and capillary vessels to spread during tissue remodeling. Among matricellular proteins, osteopontin (OPN) and tenascin‐C (TN‐C) are de‐adhesion proteins and upregulate the expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinases. These matricellular proteins could be key molecules to diagnose cardiac remodeling and also might be targets for the prevention of adverse ventricular remodeling. This review provides an overview of the role of matricellular proteins such as OPN and TN‐C in cardiac function and remodeling, as determined by both in basic and in clinical studies.
Equine paranasal sinus disease: A long‐term study of 200 cases (1997–2009): Ancillary diagnostic findings and involvement of the various sinus compartments
Authors: DIXON P. M. , PARKIN T. D. , COLLINS N. , HAWKES C. , TOWNSEND N. , TREMAINE W. H. , FISHER G. , EALEY R. , BARAKZAI S. Z.
Published: August 2011

Reasons for performing study: There is a lack of objective information on the value of ancillary diagnostic techniques used to investigate equine sinus disease, and also on which sinus compartments are commonly affected in this disorder.

Objectives: To record the ancillary diagnostic findings used to investigate equine sinus disease and to document which compartments are affected.

Materials and methods: The clinical case records of 200 consecutive cases of sinus disease, including subacute (<2 months' duration) primary (n = 52); chronic (>2 months' duration) primary (n = 37); dental (n = 40); traumatic (n = 13); sinus cyst (n = 26); sinus neoplasia (n = 10); dental related oromaxillary fistula (n = 8); mycotic sinusitis (n = 7) and intra‐sinus progressive ethmoid haematoma (n = 7) were retrospectively examined.

Results: Nasal endoscopy showed exudate draining from the sino‐nasal ostia in 88% of cases and a sino‐nasal fistula was present in 15% of cases. Sinoscopy was performed in 79% of cases and was of great diagnostic value. More recently, 22% of cases had fenestration of the ventral conchal bulla performed to allow sinoscopy of the rostral sinus compartments. Radiography was performed in 97% of cases and showed intra‐sinus fluid lines to be common (69% prevalence) in subacute primary sinusitis. Radiographic dental apical changes were not specific to dental sinusitis, e.g. 29% of chronic primary sinusitis cases had radiographic dental changes. Scintigraphy was performed in 20% of cases and was helpful in identifying dental apical changes when radiography was inconclusive. Overall, the caudal maxillary (78% involvement) and rostral maxillary (61%) sinuses were most commonly affected, with the ventral conchal sinus (VCS) (54% involvement) and conchofrontal sinuses (48%) less so. The VCS showed the greatest tendency to contain inspissated pus (present in 46% of all affected VCS).

Conclusions: Nasal endoscopy, sinoscopy and skull radiography are of great value in diagnosing the presence and causes of equine sinus disease.
Equine paranasal sinus disease: A long‐term study of 200 cases (1997–2009): Treatments and long‐term results of treatments
Authors: DIXON P. M. , PARKIN T. D. , COLLINS N. , HAWKES C. , TOWNSEND N. , TREMAINE W. H. , FISHER G. , EALEY R. , BARAKZAI S. Z.
Published: August 2011

Reasons for performing study:There is limited objective information available on the treatment and the long‐term response to treatment of the different types of equine sinus disease.

Objectives:To document the treatments and long‐term response to these treatments in 200 cases of equine sinus disease (1997–2009).

Methods:The treatments of horses affected with subacute primary sinusitis (n = 52); chronic primary sinusitis (n = 37); dental sinusitis (n = 40); sinus cyst (n = 26); traumatic (n = 13); dental‐related oromaxillary fistula (n = 8); sinus neoplasia (n = 10); mycotic sinus disease (n = 7); and intrasinus progressive ethmoid haematoma (n = 7) and the long‐term response to these treatments were retrospectively reviewed.

Results:Treatments evolved throughout the study and latterly were as conservative as possible, including sinoscopic lavage and standing sinusotomy, with a maxillary sinusotomy approach preferred for the mainly mature horses treated in this study. Removal of intrasinus inspissated pus, including transendoscopically (by sinusotomy and via existing sinonasal fistulae), was the main treatment for chronic primary sinusitis and sinonasal fistulation was seldom performed latterly. Attempted oral extraction of infected cheek teeth, even if unsuccessful, facilitated subsequent dental repulsion, resulting in few post operative problems. Sinus cyst removal carried an excellent prognosis. Except for cases of sinus neoplasia (only 22% cured), an excellent long‐term response to treatment (91% fully cured, 7% partially cured) was obtained for all other types of sinus disease following a median of one treatment.

Conclusions:More conservative treatments, including removal of intrasinus inspissated pus by sinoscopy, pre‐existing sinonasal fistula or sinusotomy, are effective for chronic primary sinus disease. Standing sinusotomy, mainly using a small maxillary site, was suitable for most cases of sinus disease in mature horses.
AN ASYMPTOTICALLY DISTRIBUTION‐FREE MULTIPLE COMPARISON METHOD WITH APPLICATION TO THE PROBLEM OF n RANKINGS OF m OBJECTS
Authors: Rosenthal Irene , Ferguson Thomas S.
Published: August 2011

The statistic known as Hotelling's T2 is shown to be asymptotically distribution‐free and thus to provide a multi‐dimensional confidence ellipsoid for the joint population means which enables multiple comparisons of sample means to be made. If m objects are ranked in order by each of n judges, Friedman's test is usually used to test the hypothesis that the judges rank the objects at random. It is of interest, however, to enquire which of the objects are ranked significantly higher than others, in which case Hotelling's T2 may be used to provide asymptotically distribution‐free multiple comparisons.
AN ITEM ANALYSIS WHICH TAKES INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES INTO ACCOUNT
Authors: Rasch G.
Published: August 2011

An approach to item analysis is described by means of which the difficulty of an item and the ability of an individual may sometimes be assessed without reference to the norms provided by some population. The model employed in the analysis could also be used to study any situation in which a number of subjects perform a series of tasks having the same two alternative responses. Some particular uses of the model are discussed briefly.
TYPE II ERRORS AND THEIR DECISION BASIS
Authors: Rodger R. S.
Published: August 2011

Methods are given for testing linear statistical hypotheses about population means of a variate which is normally distributed in each population, with common variance. The view is adopted that error‐rates (or the expected proportions of decision errors) be prespecified for each decision to be made. This was the view that led to the invention of the R technique and methods for setting type II error‐rates for this technique are given here. Experiment‐based error‐rates control the probability of making one or more decision errors. Although not an essential part of the doctrine, the decision‐based error‐rate view leads naturally to a consideration of the probability distributions of r decision errors and such distributions are given in this paper.
THE THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS OF PRINCIPAL FACTOR ANALYSIS, CANONICAL FACTOR ANALYSIS, AND ALPHA FACTOR ANALYSIS
Authors: McDonald Roderick P.
Published: August 2011

It is shown that PFA, CFA and AFA are particular cases of a scale‐invariant factoring procedure based on variance ratios of certain weighted combinations of variables. Standard derivations in the literature are shown, in contrast, to have unsatisfactory features. It is suggested that the choice between PFA, CFA and AFA involves relatively independent choices of features of each, and that in most cases CFA is to be preferred.
TRANSFORMATION OF FACTOR MATRICES TO ACHIEVE CONGRUENCE
Authors: Evans Glen T.
Published: August 2011

The several problems which are included under the study of factorial similarity are discussed, and the available analytical techniques for rotation to congruence are classified. A new method for the transformation of two or more factor matrices to achieve maximum similarity between them is proposed. The possibility of postulating the same factor structure in different populations and comparing the means, variances, and intercorrelations of factor scores from the different populations is also discussed.
The dimensionality of tests and items
Authors: McDonald Roderick P.
Published: August 2011

An explication is offered for the notion of dimensionality both for tests and items. A set of n tests or of n binary items is unidimensional if and only if the tests or the items fit a common factor model, generally non‐linear, with one common factor, that is, one latent trait. Both test scores and item responses in general contain stable specific factors as well as errors of retest measurement. The two‐parameter normal ogive model can be obtained from a joint space which in general is of n + 1 dimensions. One of these is the latent trait continuum while the remaining n are dimensions of unique (specific and error) variation. If and only if the items fit the perfect scale the n + 1 dimensions collapse into one dimension. Proposals to regard coefficient alpha as a coefficient measuring homogeneity, internal consistency, or generalizability, do not appear to be well founded.
Combining independent estimators in research synthesis
Authors: Hedges Larry V.
Published: August 2011

Extensive research literatures in the social sciences have led some research reviewers to the use of quantitative methods for research synthesis. The methods used most frequently involve estimation of a standardized mean difference (Glass's effect size). Reviewers frequently wish to examine the relationship between study characteristics (experimental conditions) and effect size. This paper presents asymptotic theory for the analysis of linear models for effect sizes. These procedures can be used to obtain efficient estimates of effect size, fit linear models to effect size data and test model specification.