bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Localization of ODAM, PCNA, and CK14 in regenerating junctional epithelium during orthodontic tooth movement in rats
Authors: Jue Seong-Suk , Kim Ji-Youn , Na Seung-Hoon , Jeon Kyung-Dal , Bang Hee-Joon , Park Jae Hyun , Shin Je-Won
Published: August 2013

Objective:

To identify the regenerating junctional epithelium (JE) during orthodontic tooth movement in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Closed-coil springs were used to create a 20 g mesial force to the maxillary first molars. On days 1, 3, 7, 10, and 14 after force application, histologic changes in JE were examined by immunohistochemistry using proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), odontogenic ameloblast-associated protein (ODAM), and cytokeratin 14 (CK14).

Results:

On day 1, JE was destroyed and lost attachment to the tooth surface. Cell division activity was rarely observed in JE, and ODAM localization was weakly detected in damaged JE. By day 3, regenerating JE had not fully recovered. High cell proliferation activity and CK14 expression started to appear in most basal cells of JE. ODAM expression was reduced and appeared in a small area. By day 7, JE had almost recovered. Cell proliferation activity was still observed in several basal cells of JE, and ODAM expression was detected among JE cells. CK14 was hardly observed in JE except in the basal cells. By days 10 and 14, regenerated JE appeared. ODAM, PCNA, and CK14 expression was similar to that of the control.

Conclusions:

Damaged JE might recover rapidly during orthodontic tooth movement because basal cells of the remaining JE, which show higher proliferation activity, are involved in JE regeneration. Reduced ODAM expression during proliferation of JE cells may increase again after JE regeneration is complete. Therefore, ODAM may be associated with the normal function of JE.
Analytical Design of Water-Free Production in Horizontal Wells Using Hodograph Method / Zastosowanie metody hodografu do określenia krytycznego wydatku poziomych otworów produkcyjnych
Authors: Qin Wenting , Wojtanowicz Andrew K. , White Christopher D.
Published: August 2013

Horizontal well has been widely used as a solution for oil reservoir with underlain strong water drive. The advantage of horizontal well over vertical well is to increase the reservoir contact and thereby enhance well productivity. Because of that, horizontal well can provide a very low pressure drawdown to avoid the water coning and still sustain a good productivity. However, the advantage of the large contact area with reservoir will soon become the disadvantage when the water breakthrough into the horizontal well. The water cut will increase rapidly due to the large contact area with reservoir and it may cause the productivity loss of the whole well. Therefore, keeping the horizontal well production rate under critical rate is crucial.

However, existing models of critical rate either oversimplify or misrepresent the nature of the WOC interface, resulting in misestimating the critical rate. In this paper, a new analytical model of critical rate is presented to provide accurate calculations on this subject for project design and performance predictions.

Unlike the conventional approach, in which the flow restriction due to the water crest shape has been neglected; including the distortions of oil-zone flow caused by the rising water crest, the new analytical model gives an accurate simultaneous determination of the critical rate, water crest shape and the pressure distribution in the oil zone by using hodograph method combined with conformal mapping. The accuracy of this model was confirmed by numerical simulations. The results show that neglecting the presence of water crest leads to up to 50 percent overestimation of critical rates.
Microscopic Analysis of Shear Bands Formation in Luna Limestone Under Quasistatic Triaxial Loading Conditions / Analiza mikroskopowa pasm ścinania próbek wapienia luna poddanych quasistatycznym trójosiowym obciążeniom
Authors: Cieślik Jerzy , Godyń Katarzyna
Published: August 2013

The article presents the results of microscopic analyses of shear bands of carbonate rocks subjected to triaxial compression. Strength tests were performed in axisymmetric loading conditions, at various confining pressures and strain rates. The layout and nature of phenomena occurring in shear bands at various strain rate loading conditions were analysed under the microscope on thin rock sections of damaged samples. The principal part of the study involves identification of damage types in shear bands, which mainly depend on the rock deformation rate and petrography. Also, quantitative analysis of particular types of damage in shear bands was performed and their dependence on the mechanical tests conditions. The last item discussed in this article is the quantitative analysis of the width of shear bands at various loading conditions.
Concept of Determination and Analysis of the Break-Even Point for a Mining Enterprise / Koncepcja obliczania wieloasortymentowego progu rentowności dla przedsiębiorstwa górniczego
Authors: Fuksa Dariusz
Published: August 2013

The paper presents a new concept of determination of the break-even point (BEP) for multi-assortment production enterprises. Against the background of the discussed methods for the analysis and assessment used so far in relation to the mining sector, the complexity of the problem of determination of the BEP in the event of multi-assortment production is brought to a closer focus. The paper also presents two author’s own methods for the calculation and for the practical application for the needs of management of a mine and of a group of mines (company, enterprise, holding) in present market conditions.
Numerical Simulation of Stress-Relief Effects of Protective Layer Extraction / Symulacja numeryczna skutków odprężenia warstwy zabezpieczającej w trakcie jej wybierania
Authors: Tian-Rang Jia , Zi-Min Zhang , Chun-An Tang , Yong-Jun Zhang
Published: August 2013

Field test and laboratory analog model test on the stress-relief effects of protective layer extraction are time-consuming and laborious. In this paper, on the basis of full consideration of rock heterogeinity and in combination with gas geology at Pingdingshan Mine 5, a numerical model was estalished with the gas-solid coupling rock failure process analysis system RFPA-Gas to simulate the stress variation law, roof and floor deformation, fracture evolution law, displacement in the protected seam, change in gas permeability and gas migration law during protective layer extraction. The simulation results repoduced stress variations in coal and rock strata, roof and floor deformation and fracture evolution process during protective layer extraction. The movement of rock strata were characterized by upper three zones and lower two zones: caving zone, fracture zone and bending subsidence zone in the vertical direction in the overlying strata; floor deformation and failure zone and elasto-plastic deformation zone in the vertical direction in the underlying strata. It showed that stress relief occurred in the protected seam, which led to vertical and horizontal displacements, significant increase in gas permeability, gas desorption and migration. Hence, the outburst threat in the protected seam was eliminated. Meanwhile, with comprehensive analysis of variaition of stress state, deformation characteristics and fracture distribution in coal seam and with consideration of changes in gas leakage rate, gas pressure and permeability, according to gas leakage rate, the floor strata of the protecive layer were divided into four leakage zones. They corresponded to four zones with different stress states and fracture development: original leakage zone - slow reducing leakage zone - dramatic increasing leakage zone- steady increasing leakage zone. This classification provides a clear direction for gas control in the protective layer. The simulation results are in good agreement with the stress-relief effects in field.
Theoretical Arguments for Creative Economy in Policy-Making of Governments and Practical Introduction to Creative Economy Research in Slovakia
Authors: Bajusová Dana , Špesová Mária , Žárska Elena
Published: August 2013

Creativity is a new paradigm of development, which connects society in its economic, cultural, technological and social aspects at the macro and also micro level. Creativity, knowledge and access to information are central points of this paradigm and are considered to be engines of economic growth in globalizing world (UNCTAD, 2008). The paper offers a theoretical review of the concept and its tools and approaches, which are connected to creative economy. The paper maps the current situation of supporting creative economy in Slovakia at all levels of government. By analysis of strategic documents at national, regional and local level, we found out that promotion of creative economy is reflected only in a minority of received documents. The direct support of the creative economy was found only in documents of two county seats and one autonomous region. Any concrete concept was not adopted for supporting creative industries at the national level. Slovakia is just at the beginning in finding out how such industries contribute to the economy.
Relational Formal Characterization of Rough Sets
Authors: Grabowski Adam
Published: August 2013

The notion of a rough set, developed by Pawlak [10], is an important tool to describe situation of incomplete or partially unknown information. In this article, which is essentially the continuation of [6], we try to give the characterization of approximation operators in terms of ordinary properties of underlying relations (some of them, as serial and mediate relations, were not available in the Mizar Mathematical Library). Here we drop the classical equivalence- and tolerance-based models of rough sets [12] trying to formalize some parts of [19] following also [18] in some sense (Propositions 1-8, Corr. 1 and 2; the complete description is available in the Mizar script). Our main problem was that informally, there is a direct correspondence between relations and underlying properties, in our approach however [7], which uses relational structures rather than relations, we had to switch between classical (based on pure set theory) and abstract (using the notion of a structure) parts of the Mizar Mathematical Library. Our next step will be translation of these properties into the pure language of Mizar attributes.
Isomorphisms of Direct Products of Finite Commutative Groups
Authors: Okazaki Hiroyuki , Yamazaki Hiroshi , Shidama Yasunari
Published: August 2013

We have been working on the formalization of groups. In [1], we encoded some theorems concerning the product of cyclic groups. In this article, we present the generalized formalization of [1]. First, we show that every finite commutative group which order is composite number is isomorphic to a direct product of finite commutative groups which orders are relatively prime. Next, we describe finite direct products of finite commutative groups
Completely preserved cockroaches of the family Mesoblattinidae from the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous Yixian Formation (Liaoning Province, NE China)
Authors: Wei Dandan , Ren Dong
Published: August 2013

Although cockroaches were the dominant insects in various Paleozoic and Mesozoic insect assemblages, their general morphology was extremely conservative. One of the most common of them, the Jurassic-Cretaceous family Mesoblattinidae, is described here for the first time on the basis of completely preserved specimens. Ninety-two specimens of Perlucipecta aurea gen. et sp. n. reveal details of head, mandible, male tergal glands and terminal hook; cercal, leg and antennal sensilla. Its congener, P. vrsanskyi is described from the same sediments of the Yixian Formation (Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous). The forewing venation variability of P. aurea, analysed for the first time in this family is nearly identical (CV = 6.23 %) with variability of two species of family Blattulidae that occur at the same locality (CV = 6.22 %; 5.72 %). The transitional nature of morphological characters represented by asymmetry between left and right wings (simple/branched forewing SC and hind wing M) in P. aurea documents the phylogenetic relation between the families Mesoblattinidae and Ectobiidae
BLACK ALDER DOMINATED FOREST VEGETATION IN THE WESTERN PART OF CENTRAL SLOVAKIA – SPECIES COMPOSITION AND ECOLOGY
Authors: Hrivnák Richard , Košťál Jaroslav , Slezák Michal , Petrášová Anna , Feszterová Melánia
Published: August 2013

In some regions of Slovakia, black alder forest vegetation has not been documented appropriately yet. This paper is the first vegetation study presenting the phytosociological data and measured environmental parameters from the western part of central Slovakia. The data set was classified by using a modified TWINSPAN algorithm, which allowed us to discern floristically and ecologically distinctive plant communities. They correspond to the associations Stellario nemorum-Alnetum glutinosae Lohmeyer 1957 (riparian alder vegetation on mesic to humid sites along small brooks) and Carici acutiformis-Alnetum glutinosae Scamoni 1935 (eutrophic black alder carr forests in the colline zone) with the variants of Ligustrum vulgare and Galium palustre. The community Carici elongatae-Alnetum glutinosae Schwickerath 1933 (mesotrophic to eutrophic alder carr vegetation growing on permanently waterlogged soils), documented only with two phytosociological relevés, was distinguished following expert knowledge. A floristic and ecological pattern of these associations is presented.

The major compositional gradients were interpreted based on Ellenberg’s indicator values and the values of environmental variables recorded during the field sampling in the growing season 2011. The principal component analysis revealed the importance of soil moisture, light availability, portion of open water and soil surface for species composition variability at the association level, whereas the variants of Carici acutiformis-Alnetum glutinosae were sorted along the acidity gradient.
Assessment of genotoxic potential of the insecticide Dichlorvos using cytogenetic assay
Authors: Nazam Nazia , Iqbal Lone Mohammad , Shaikh Sibhghatulla , Ahmad Waseem
Published: August 2013

The possible genotoxic activity of Dichlorvos (2,2-Dichlorovinyl-O,O-dimethyl phosphate/DDVP, CAS No. 62-73-7), an organophosphorus insecticide was investigated employing three cytogenetic end points, i.e. micronucleus (MN) assay, mitotic indices (MI) and chromosome abberation (CA) analysis in vivo. The assays were carried out in hematopoietic bone marrow cells of Mus musculus at concentrations of 10, 20 and 30% of LD50 for intraperitoneal (ip) administration, corresponding to 0.06, 0.08 and 0.13 mg/kg Bwt, respectively. The normal control group received single ip dose of distilled water (2 ml/100 g Bwt), while animals of the positive group were injected with cyclophosphamide, a model mutagen (40 mg/kg Bwt) under identical conditions. The animals were sacrificed 24, 48 and 72 hrs post treatment. Under the present experimental conditions, there was no evidence of significant increase of MN frequencies at any dose or sampling time in polychromatic (PCE) and normochromatic (NCE) erythrocytes. The PCE/NCE ratio was not notably affected; however, a slight depression in prolonged exposure (48, 72 hr) intervals and a slight increase at the 24 hr interval were observed. Cells with various structural chromosome aberrations were noted but no significant (p<0.05; Man-Whitney U-test) differences in the frequencies of CA or mitotic indices (p<0.05; X2 test) were observed between Dichlorvos treated groups and the normal control group at doses or time intervals used. The results of the present investigation reflects a negative in vivo genotoxic potential of Dichlorvos at sublethal doses in bone marrow cells. Further studies are underway to confirm the presence or absence of genotoxic activity since compounds negative in genotoxic evaluation are susceptible of being carcinogens triggering cancer by genotoxic or non-genotoxic mechanisms.
Lycopene supplementation prevents reactive oxygen species mediated apoptosis in Sertoli cells of adult albino rats exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Gunasekaran , Selvakumar Kandaswamy , Venkataraman Prabhu , Elumalai Perumal , Arunakaran Jagadeesan
Published: August 2013

Sertoli cell proliferation is attenuated before attaining puberty and the number is fixed in adult testes. Sertoli cells determine both testis size and daily sperm production by providing physical and metabolic support to spermatogenic cells. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) exposure disrupts functions of Sertoli cells causing infertility with decreased sperm count. On the other hand, lycopene is improving sperm count and motility by reducing oxidative stress in humans and animals. Hence we hypothesized that PCBs-induced infertility might be due to Sertoli cell apoptosis mediated by oxidative stress and lycopene might prevent PCBs-induced apoptosis by acting against oxidative stress. To test this hypothesis, animals were treated with vehicle control, lycopene, PCBs and PCBs + lycopene for 30 days. After the experimental period, the testes and cauda epididymidis were removed for isolation of Sertoli cells and sperm, respectively. We observed increased levels of oxidative stress markers (H2O2 and LPO) levels, increased expression of apoptotic molecules (caspase-8, Bad, Bid, Bax, cytochrome C and caspase-3), decreased anti-apoptotic (Bcl2) molecule and elevated apoptotic marker activity (caspase-3) in Sertoli cells of PCBs-exposed animals. These results were associated with decreased sperm count and motility in PCBs exposed animals. On the other hand, lycopene prevented the elevation of Sertoli cellular apoptotic parameters and prevented the reduction of sperm parameters (count and motility). The data confirmed that lycopene as an antioxidant scavenged reactive oxygen substances, prevented apoptosis, maintained normal function in Sertoli cells and helped to provide physical and metabolic support for sperm production, thereby treating infertility in men.
Applying WPD and SVD to Classification of EM Wave Induced by Partial Discharge in Power Transformer
Authors: Zhao Xu , Cheng Yong-Hong , Meng Yong-Peng , Danikas Michael G.
Published: August 2013

Partial discharge (PD) current is an impulse signal at nanosecond level, which can generate electromagnetic (EM) wave containing broadband frequency information. The frequency band of EM signal is from MHz up to GHz. Due to different PD patterns, impulse currents with different shapes induce different EM waves containing different frequency information. Therefore, using the features extracted from frequency domain of EM signals, the classification of PD patterns can be effectively got. It is good to use wavelet or wavelet packet decomposition to select features. However, if the decomposition level is too shallow to find enough effective features, it cannot group the EM signals to the right pattern. On the contrary, although it is easier to find features to distinguish the PD pattern if the decomposition level is deep, there will be a lot of redundancy variables and it is hard to select features among so many variables. In this paper, a method is presented, which selected features in the whole decomposition tree instead of selecting among the leaf node of the tree, because more potential features can be found in the whole tree. With the present method, it is possible not only to get enough features, but also to eliminate the redundancy variables effectively. In order to validate the method, large EM signals from four PD patterns in a power transformer are acquired as the training data and testing data for feature selection and classification, and three common classification methods are introduced to classify the PD patterns using the features selected by the method. Most of the classification results are satisfactory indicating that the proposed method is effective.
Random Binary Sequences in Telecommunications
Authors: Šajić Slavko , Maletić Nebojša , Todorović Branislav M. , Šunjevarić Milan
Published: August 2013

Realization of modern telecommunication systems is inconceivable without use of different binary sequences. In this paper, an overview of random binary sequences used in different telecommunication systems is given. Basic principles of pseudorandom, chaotic, and true random sequence generation are presented, as well as their application in telecommunications in respect to advantages and drawbacks of the same. Moreover, particular scheme for true random binary sequence generation is given, as well as results of randomness assessment obtained by NIST statistical test suite. Finally, short insight into importance of random binary sequence in secure communications is given.
Influence of Hydrological Situations on Benthic Organisms in a Small River in Saxony (Germany)
Authors: Kändler Matthias , Seidler Christina
Published: August 2013

This research was focused on the relationship between river discharge and organism drift. It was carried out for three years in a small heavily modified river in Saxony (Germany). The amount and species composition of drifting invertebrates were observed, depending on discharge and flow velocity. A station was installed where the flow velocity was continually measured and drifting organisms were caught with nets. An inventory of the aquatic community (benthic invertebrates) was taken to determine the species living in the river at the research station. The highest drift density measured was 578 organisms per m3 at a flow velocity of 0.90 m s-1, the mainly drifting organisms were Chironomidae. Different organisms groups started drifting at different flow velocities. Heavy impacts, such as dredging the river and flood waves, affected the aquatic ecosystems and severely changed the aquatic community regarding the number and the diversity. Some of the aquatic invertebrates such as the Anthothecata completely disappeared after dredging. It was found that many different terrestrial organisms were part of the drift. The typical family of soil biota Collembola represented the largest share.
Portable Light Pen 3D Vision Coordinate Measuring System- Probe Tip Center Calibration
Authors: Liu Shugui , Zhang Hongling , Dong Yinghua , Tang Shaliang , Jiang Zhenzhu
Published: August 2013

For different tasks, probe tip should be changed in the 3D vision coordinate measuring system and the accurate determination of probe tip center position is critical. A novel and simple approach for calibrating the probe tip center position of the light pen is presented in this paper. Hundreds of images of the light pen with different postures are collected while the probe tip is kept in firm contact with a reference conical hole. The probe tip position is determined by computing the rotation matrix and translation vector from the obtained images by using the least square fitting method. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. Its repeatability reaches 0.033 mm, 0.030 mm, and 0.043 mm in x, y, and z axes, respectively, and its convergence speed is satisfactory.
Parahippocampal corpora amylacea and neuronal lipofuscin in human aging
Authors: Bakić Mirjana , Jovanović Ivan , Ugrenović Slađana , Vasović Ljiljana , Krstić Miljan , Stefanović Natalija , Pavlović Miljana , Živković Vladimir
Published: August 2013

The aim of this research was to quantify the number of corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons in the parahippocampal region of the brain. Right parahippocampal gyrus specimens of 30 cadavers were used as material for histological and morphometric analyses. A combined Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid-Schiff technique was used for identification and quantification of corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons. Immunohistochemistry was performed using S100 polyclonal, neuron-specific enolase and glial fibrillary acidic protein monoclonal antibodies for differentiation of corpora amylacea and other spherical inclusions of the aging brain. Cluster analysis of obtained data showed the presence of three age groups (median age: I = 41.5, II = 68, III = 71.5). The second group was characterized by a significantly higher numerical density of subcortical corpora amylacea and number of lipofuscin-bearing neurons than other two groups. Values of the latter cited parameters in the third group were insignificantly higher than the first younger group. Linear regression showed that number of parahippocampal lipofuscin-bearing neurons significantly predicts numerical density of subcortical corpora amylacea. The above results suggest that more numerous parahippocampal region corpora amylacea and lipofuscin-bearing neurons in some older cases might represent signs of its’ neurons quantitatively-altered metabolism.
Irish Soldiers, Pensions and Imperial Migration during the Early Nineteenth Century
Authors: Miles William R.
Published: August 2013

During the Napoleonic Wars the British government implemented a pension scheme for discharged soldiers and after 1816 extended benefits to veterans who chose to remain in various colonies throughout the empire. The Chelsea Hospital kept colonial pension applicant information (most of whom were born in Great Britain and Ireland) within specific admission books, now housed in the UK National Archive. The first admission book covers the years 1817 to 1826 and in addition to detailing the service of individual soldiers, points to a particular method of imperial migration where some soldiers appeared to have employed the army to escape socio-economic conditions at home permanently while continuing their association with the British army and state once abroad. Four case-studies involving Irish soldiers are highlighted in order to demonstrate this point. The Irish soldiers are noteworthy because they are over-represented among those veterans who opted to remain in the colonies.
Response to Keith Lehrer: Thomas Reid on Common Sense and Morals
Authors: Kroeker Esther
Published: August 2013

This paper is a response to Keith Lehrer's ‘Reid on Common Sense and Morals.’ I start by defending the general claim that it is appropriate to call Reid a moral realist. I continue by discussing three aspects of Reid's account of moral ideas. First, our first moral conceptions are non-propositional mental states that are essential ingredients of moral perception. Our first moral conceptions are not gross, indistinct and egocentric but are uninformed mental states that might be about others. Second, moral perception functions like perception of aesthetic properties and of the mental states of other humans, and this kind of perception is both immediate and informed. Third, I discuss the role of moral feelings in moral motivation.
The Philosophy of Robert Forbes: A Scottish Scholastic Response to Cartesianism
Authors: Gellera Giovanni
Published: August 2013

In the second half of the seventeenth century, philosophy teaching in the Scottish universities gradually moved from scholasticism to Cartesianism. Robert Forbes, regent at Marischal College and King's College, Aberdeen, was a strenuous opponent of Descartes. The analysis of the philosophy of Forbes and of his teacher Patrick Gordon sheds light on the relationship between Scottish Reformed scholasticism and the reception of Descartes in Scotland.
Spatio-Temporal Data Construction
Authors: Le Hai
Published: August 2013

On the route to a spatio-temporal geoscience information system, an appropriate data model for geo-objects in space and time has been developed. In this model, geo-objects are represented as sequences of geometries and properties with continuous evolution in each time interval. Because geomodeling software systems usually model objects at specific time instances, we want to interpolate the geometry and properties from two models of an object with only geometrical constraints (no physical or mechanical constraints). This process is called spatio-temporal data construction or morphological interpolation of intermediate geometries. This paper is strictly related to shape morphing, shape deformation, cross-parameterization and compatible remeshing and is only concerned with geological surfaces. In this study, two main sub-solutions construct compatible meshes and find trajectories in which vertices of the mesh evolve. This research aims to find an algorithm to construct spatio-temporal data with some constraints from the geosciences, such as cutting surfaces by faulting or fracturing phenomena and evolving boundaries attached to other surfaces. Another goal of this research is the implementation of the algorithm in a software product, namely a gOcad plug-in. The four main procedures of the algorithm are cutting the surfaces, setting up constraints, partitioning and calculating the parameterizations and trajectories. The software has been tested to construct data for a salt dome and other surfaces in regard to the geological processes of faulting, deposition and erosion. The result of this research is an algorithm and software for the construction of spatio-temporal data.
Are Entrepreneur-Led Companies Better? Evidence from Publicly Traded U.S. Companies: 1998-2010
Authors: Shulman Joel
Published: August 2013

Do U.S. publicly-traded companies led by entrepreneurs perform better than nonentrepreneur-led U.S. public companies? Our data suggests they do. We analyze monthly stock returns of U.S. publicly traded companies over the time period 1998-2010 and find compelling evidence demonstrating that irrespective of market capitalization and time period, companies led by U.S. entrepreneurs provide better stock performance than several stock market indices primarily comprised of non-entrepreneur-led U.S. companies.
Single Layer Broadband Anti-Reflective Coatings for Plastic Substrates Produced by Full Wafer and Roll-to-Roll Step-and-Flash Nano-Imprint Lithography
Authors: Burghoorn Marieke , Roosen-Melsen Dorrit , De Riet Joris , Sabik Sami , Vroon Zeger , Yakimets Iryna , Buskens Pascal
Published: August 2013

Anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) are used to lower the reflection of light on the surface of a substrate. Here, we demonstrate that the two main drawbacks of moth eye-structured ARCs—i.e., the lack of suitable coating materials and a process for large area, high volume applications—can be largely eliminated, paving the way for cost-efficient and large-scale production of durable moth eye-structured ARCs on polymer substrates. We prepared moth eye coatings on polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate using wafer-by-wafer step-and-flash nano-imprint lithography (NIL). The reduction in reflection in the visible field achieved with these coatings was 3.5% and 4.0%, respectively. The adhesion of the coating to both substrates was good. The moth eye coating on PMMA demonstrated good performance in three prototypical accelerated ageing tests. The pencil hardness of the moth eye coatings on both substrates was <4B, which is less than required for most applications and needs further optimization. Additionally, we developed a roll-to-roll UV NIL pilot scale process and produced moth eye coatings on polyethylene terephthalate (PET) at line speeds up to two meters per minute. The resulting coatings showed a good replication of the moth eye structures and, consequently, a lowering in reflection of the coated PET of 3.0%.
Antitumor, Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Studies of Substituted Pyridylguanidines
Authors: Said Muhammad , Badshah Amin , Shah Naseer , Khan Hizbullah , Murtaza Ghulam , Vabre Boris , Zargarian Davit , Khan Muhammad
Published: August 2013

A series of N-pivaloyl-N′-(alkyl/aryl)-N′′-pyridylguanidine of general formula C4H9CONHC(NR1R2)NPy have been synthesized and characterized using elemental analysis, FT-IR, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, and in the case of compounds 7 and 11, by single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The synthesized guanidines were tested for antitumor activities against potato tumor, and showed excellent inhibition against Agrobacterium tumefaciens (AT10)-induced tumor. The antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of these new compounds against various bacterial and fungal strains were also investigated.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Total Isoflavones from Pueraria lobata on Cerebral Ischemia in Rats
Authors: Lim Dong , Lee Changho , Kim In-Ho , Kim Yun
Published: August 2013

Puerariae radix, the dried root of Pueraria lobata Ohwi, is one of earliest and most important edible crude herbs used for various medical purposes in Oriental medicine. The aim of the present study was to determine the anti-inflammatory effects of Total Isoflavones from P. lobata (TIPL), which contains the unique isoflavone puerarin, in ischemia in vivo models. Oral administration of TIPL (100 mg/kg) reduced the brain infarct volume and attenuated ischemia-induced cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) up-regulation at 2 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) in rats. Moreover, TIPL reduced activation of glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) and CD11b antibody (OX-42) at 7 days after MCAo in hippocampal CA1 region. These results show that TIPL can protect the brain from ischemic damage after MCAo. Regarding the immunohistochemical study, the effects of TIPL may be attributable to its anti-inflammatory properties by the inhibition of COX-2 expression, astrocyte expression, and microglia.
Influence of Nanoclay Dispersion Methods on the Mechanical Behavior of E-Glass/Epoxy Nanocomposites
Authors: Agubra Victor , Owuor Peter , Hosur Mahesh
Published: August 2013

Common dispersion methods such as ultrasonic sonication, planetary centrifugal mixing and magnetic dispersion have been used extensively to achieve moderate exfoliation of nanoparticles in polymer matrix. In this study, the effect of adding three roll milling to these three dispersion methods for nanoclay dispersion into epoxy matrix was investigated. A combination of each of these mixing methods with three roll milling showed varying results relative to the unmodified polymer laminate. A significant exfoliation of the nanoparticles in the polymer structure was obtained by dispersing the nanoclay combining three roll milling to magnetic and planetary centrifugal mixing methods. This exfoliation promoted a stronger interfacial bond between the matrix and the fiber, which increased the final properties of the E-glass/epoxy nanocomposite. However, a combination of ultrasound sonication and three roll milling on the other hand, resulted in poor clay exfoliation; the sonication process degraded the polymer network, which adversely affected the nanocomposite final properties relative to the unmodified E-glass/epoxy polymer.
Life Events and the Onset of Celiac Disease from a Patient’s Perspective
Authors: Ciacci Carolina , Siniscalchi Monica , Bucci Cristina , Zingone Fabiana , Morra Ivonne , Iovino Paola
Published: August 2013

Stressful events have been investigated in various immune-mediated diseases but not in celiac disease. Our aim was to examine the relationship of stressful events assessed by the standardized interview of Paykel with the diagnosis of celiac disease in comparison to patients, with a diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux disease used as the control group. Adults with celiac disease (n = 186) reported more frequent and more severe life events in the years prior to the diagnosis than control patients (n = 96) (67.2% vs. 37.5%, p < 0.001, mean Paykel score 11.5 vs. 13.4, p = 0.001, respectively). Findings were not significantly different between celiac disease and control patients for the time lapse between the event and the diagnosis (mean 5.5 vs. 5.7 months). Pregnancy was defined as a negative event by 20.3% of celiac women, but never by control women. Findings were confirmed when analyses were repeated in the subgroup of patients of both groups with diagnosis made within one year of onset of symptoms. Data indicate that, before diagnosis, the number of stressful events in celiac disease was more frequent although less severe than in the control group suggesting that life events may favor the clinical appearance of celiac disease or accelerate its diagnosis.
Influence of Strong Diurnal Variations in Sewage Quality on the Performance of Biological Denitrification in Small Community Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs)
Authors: Raboni Massimo , Torretta Vincenzo , Urbini Giordano
Published: August 2013

The great diurnal variation in the quality of wastewater of small communities is an obstacle to the efficient removal of high nitrogen with traditional activated sludge processes provided by pre-denitrification. To verify this problem, the authors developed a pilot plant, in which the domestic wastewater of community of 15,000 inhabitants was treated. The results demonstrate that average and peak nitrogen removal efficiencies of over 60% and 70%, respectively, are difficult to obtain because of the strong variations in the BOD5/NO3-N ratios and the unexpected abnormal accumulation of dissolved oxygen during denitrification when the BOD5 load is low. These phenomena cause inhibitory effects and BOD5 deficiency in the denitrification process. The results demonstrate the need for a more complex approach to designing and managing small wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) provided with denitrification than those usually adopted for medium- and large-size plants.
Recombinant Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhimurium as a Vaccine Vector for HIV-1 Gag
Authors: Chin'ombe Nyasha
Published: August 2013

The HIV/AIDS epidemic remains a global health problem, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. An effective HIV-1 vaccine is therefore badly required to mitigate this ever-expanding problem. Since HIV-1 infects its host through the mucosal surface, a vaccine for the virus needs to trigger mucosal as well as systemic immune responses. Oral, attenuated recombinant Salmonella vaccines offer this potential of delivering HIV-1 antigens to both the mucosal and systemic compartments of the immune system. So far, a number of pre-clinical studies have been performed, in which HIV-1 Gag, a highly conserved viral antigen possessing both T- and B-cell epitopes, was successfully delivered by recombinant Salmonella vaccines and, in most cases, induced HIV-specific immune responses. In this review, the potential use of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium as a live vaccine vector for HIV-1 Gag is explored.
Characterisation of tissue factor‐bearing extracellular vesicles with AFM: comparison of air‐tapping‐mode AFM and liquid Peak Force AFM
Authors: Hardij Julie , Cecchet Francesca , Berquand Alexandre , Gheldof Damien , Chatelain Christian , Mullier François , Chatelain Bernard , Dogné Jean‐Michel
Published: August 2013

Introduction

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are shed from cells and carry markers of the parent cells. Vesicles derived from cancer cells reach the bloodstream and locally influence important physiological processes. It has been previously shown that procoagulant vesicles are circulating in patients’ fluids. These EVs are therefore considered as promising biomarkers for the thrombotic risk. Because of their small size, classical methods such as flow cytometry suffer from limitation for their characterisation. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been proposed as a promising complementary method for the characterisation of EVs.

Objectives

The objectives of this study are: (a) to develop and validate AFM with specific antibodies (anti‐TF) and (b) to compare air and liquid modes for EVs’ size and number determination as potential biomarkers of the prothrombotic risk.

Methods

AFM multimode nanoscope III was used for air tapping mode (TM). AFM catalyst was used for liquid Peak Force Tapping (PFT) mode. Vesicles are generated according to Davila et al.'s protocol. Substrates are coated with various concentrations of antibodies, thanks to ethanolamine and glutaraldehyde.

Results

Vesicles were immobilised on antibody‐coated surfaces to select tissue factor (TF)‐positive vesicles. The size range of vesicles observed in liquid PFT mode is 6–10 times higher than in air mode. This corresponds to the data found in the literature.

Conclusion

We recommend liquid PFT mode to analyse vesicles on 5 µg/ml antibody‐coated substrates.
Intravenous Peramivir for Treatment of Influenza in Hospitalized Patients
Authors: Ison Michael G , Fraiz Joseph , Heller Barry , Jauregui Luis , Mills Graham , O'Riordan William , O'Neil Brian , Playford E Geoffrey , Rolf J Douglass , Sada-Diaz Eduardo , Elder Jenna , Collis Phil , Hernandez Jaime E , Sheridan William P
Published: August 2013

Background

Influenza causes over 200,000 hospitalizations a year in the United States, but few antiviral treatment studies have focused on patients hospitalized with influenza. This open-label, randomized study was initiated during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic to help assess the antiviral activity, safety and tolerability of 5–10 days treatment with two different dosing regimens of the intravenous neuraminidase inhibitor, peramivir, in hospitalized subjects with influenza.

Methods

Quantitative virology was done on nasopharyngeal swab specimens from subjects ≥6 years of age to measure change from baseline in tissue culture infective dose (primary end point) and quantitative viral RNA levels by real-time PCR. Clinical end points included time to clinical resolution, a composite end point of four vital signs and oxygen saturation.

Results

A total of 234 hospitalized patients were randomized to peramivir 300 mg twice daily or 600 mg once daily; 127 had laboratory confirmed influenza. In those with detectable virus at baseline, viral titres declined without differences between regimens. There were no significant differences in clinical or virological end points between treatment arms, and apparent differences were explained by baseline disease severity differences in the groups. Peramivir was generally safe and well tolerated for treated patients hospitalized with pandemic influenza with outcomes similar to those described in the literature.

Conclusions

This open-label trial of intravenous peramivir in subjects hospitalized predominantly with 2009 influenza A (H1N1) demonstrated that once- or twice-daily administration was associated with decreases in viral shedding and clinical improvement. ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00957996.
L'évaluation à 360° : le rôle du feedback par les pairs comme outil de développement des compétences comportementales des futurs managers
Authors: Bégin Lucie , Véniard Antoine
Published: August 2013

Pratique courante dans certaines grandes entreprises et pour les cadres de haut niveau, l’évaluation à 360? offre une perspective originale pour évaluer l’acquisition des compétences comportementales et relationnelles du personnel. Transposée dans le contexte d’une grande école de gestion française, cette pratique peut être utilisée à des fins pédagogiques, et plus largement à l’évaluation des soft skills, ces compétences essentielles au travail collaboratif.
Présence multi-sites d'un annonceur sur Internet : identification de catégories de sites web suivant la pertinence de leurs contenus
Authors: Agrebi Meriem
Published: August 2013

Cet article propose une typologie de sites web pour des annonceurs ayant choisi une présence multi-sites sur Internet. Nous considérons qu’un site web est un support de communication et que les éléments de contenu à offrir dépendent du type de site à promouvoir. A l’aide d’une étude auprès de 19 experts, nous identifions les frontières entre les sites e-commerce, sites institutionnels, sites de marque et sites informationnels. Les résultats montrent que les sites de marque partagent plusieurs éléments de contenu avec les autres types de sites étudiés.
L'organisation de la compassion en entreprise, un rôle managérial émergent
Authors: Teneau Gilles , Dufour Nicolas
Published: August 2013

Lors de crises en entreprise certains acteurs appelés toxic handlers (catalyseurs d’angoisse) émergent pour aider autrui dans la souffrance. Le rôle de cette recherche est de comprendre la manière dont les toxic handlers participent à la lutte contre la souffrance au travail ainsi que le positionnement de l’organisation quant à ces derniers. Ce rôle s’entrevoit au travers de la notion de compassion. Nous avons tenté de répondre à notre problématique en réalisant un modèle d’analyse de la compassion. Nous avons appliqué ce modèle sur plusieurs entreprises françaises de grande taille subissant des crises. Nos travaux ouvrent un champ de recherches et amènent des perspectives au regard du processus de résilience de compassion en entreprise.
Culture sourde et culture de consommation. La nécessité d'une approche pluridisciplinaire
Authors: Baillet Caroline
Published: August 2013

La culture sourde est à ce jour méconnue des chercheurs en Sciences de Gestion, or il apparaît au travers de cet article que plusieurs cadres conceptuels sont mobilisables pour la rapprocher de la notion de culture de consommation. Par ailleurs, pour comprendre comment une particularité biologique telle que la surdité peut être à l’origine d’une construction d’ordre culturel, le recours aux Sciences Humaines est fondamental.
Le savoir-rire en Chine
Authors: Steinmüller Hans
Published: August 2013

En Chine, le bon usage du sourire et du rire fait l’objet de manuels détaillés, de conférences et de cours, qui recommandent expressément de toujours prendre en compte la situation sociale où se produit le rire, son apprentissage ne pouvant se faire hors contexte. Le rire et le sourire créent des « communautés de connivence », que caractérise une compréhension implicite partagée de l’« incongruité » de certaines formes ou discours sociaux. J’aborde en particulier l’« incongruité » qui existe entre les codes officiels et les codes locaux, arguant qu’ils renvoient à des usages distincts et à des rires ou à des sourires différents. Le bon usage, l’arrière-plan historique et la situation sociale apportent des indices contextuels sur la signification du rire. Des ambiguïtés subsistent toujours mais, en se livrant dans l’action à une interprétation pragmatique, un acteur social compétent assure la continuité de la communication. Si cela vaut pour le langage en général, le rire, lui, accentue les ambiguïtés, et c’est cette particularité qui lui confère toute son efficacité sociale.
« Moi je viens de Mars, et toi ? »
Authors: Courant Stefan Le
Published: August 2013

La Goutte d’Or, à Paris, s’est constituée comme centralité immigrée et commerçante, faisant de ce quartier un lieu de rencontre et de coprésence d’une grande hétérogénéité urbaine. Par la sociabilité inclusive qu’il produit, le rire, omniprésent, participe de l’entrée en relation permettant à chacun de prendre part aux échanges qui s’instaurent. Se discutent alors la place et la légitimité de chacun à occuper les espaces publics pluralistes. L’humour, en permettant un usage apaisé et labile de stéréotypes multiples, participe à la recherche de la bonne distance dans la relation à autrui, et permet de renégocier en situation les catégories identitaires assignées à chacun.