bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emerging Techniques for Evaluation of the Hemodynamics of Intracranial Vascular Pathology
Authors: Chang Warren , Huang Melissa , Chien Aichi
Published: November 2014

Advances in imaging modalities have improved the assessment of intracranial hemodynamics using non-invasive techniques. This review examines new imaging modalities and clinical applications of currently available techniques, describes pathophysiology and future directions in hemodynamic analysis of intracranial stenoses, aneurysms and arteriovenous malformations and explores how hemodynamic analysis may have prognostic value in predicting clinical outcomes and assist in risk stratification. The advent of new technologies such as pseudocontinuous arterial spin labeling, accelerated magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) techniques, 4D digital subtraction angiography, and improvements in clinically available techniques such as phase-contrast MRA may change the landscape of vascular imaging and modify current clinical practice guidelines.
Intracranial Trigeminal Schwannoma
Authors: Agarwal Ajay
Published: November 2014

Intracranial trigeminal schwannomas are rare tumors. Patients usually present with symptoms of trigeminal nerve dysfunction, the most common symptom being facial pain. MRI is the imaging modality of choice and is usually diagnostic in the appropriate clinical setting. The thin T2-weighted CISS 3D axial sequence is important for proper assessment of the cisternal segment of the nerve. They are usually hypointense on T1, hyperintense on T2 with avid enhancement post gadolinium. CT scan is supplementary to MRI, particularly for tumors located in the skull base. Imaging plays a role in diagnosis and surgical planning. In this pictorial essay, we retrospectively reviewed imaging findings in nine patients with pathologically proven trigeminal schwannoma. Familiarity with the imaging findings of intracranial trigeminal schwannoma may help to diagnose this entity.
Evidence of Natural Selection Acting on a Polymorphic Hybrid Incompatibility Locus in Mimulus
Authors: Sweigart Andrea L , Flagel Lex E
Published: November 2014

As a common cause of reproductive isolation in diverse taxa, hybrid incompatibilities are fundamentally important to speciation. A key question is which evolutionary forces drive the initial substitutions within species that lead to hybrid dysfunction. Previously, we discovered a simple genetic incompatibility that causes nearly complete male sterility and partial female sterility in hybrids between the two closely related yellow monkeyflower species Mimulus guttatus and M. nasutus. In this report, we fine map the two major incompatibility loci—hybrid male sterility 1 (hms1) and hybrid male sterility 2 (hms2)—to small nuclear genomic regions (each <70 kb) that include strong candidate genes. With this improved genetic resolution, we also investigate the evolutionary dynamics of hms1 in a natural population of M. guttatus known to be polymorphic at this locus. Using classical genetic crosses and population genomics, we show that a 320-kb region containing the hms1 incompatibility allele has risen to intermediate frequency in this population by strong natural selection. This finding provides direct evidence that natural selection within plant species can lead to hybrid dysfunction between species.
Evaluation der Herzratenvariabilität als Narkosetiefenmonitoring beim Hund
Authors: Beyerbach M. , Voigt A. M. , Kästner S. B. R. , Bergfeld C.
Published: November 2014

Zielstellung: Evaluation der Herzratenvariabilität (HRV) als Indikator für autonome Aktivität für das Narkosetiefenmonitoring beim Hund während drei verschiedenen total intravenösen Anästhesieprotokollen, drei Narkosetiefen sowie vor und nach elektrischer nozizeptiver Stimulation. Material und Methoden: Die der randomisierten, experimentellen Studie mit komplettem Cross-over-Design zugrunde liegenden Daten wurden an sieben Beaglen (14,3 ± 1,7 kg) erhoben. Jeder Hund durchlief drei Anästhesieprotokolle: Propofol allein (Gruppe P) sowie Propofol in Kombination mit Dexmedetomidin (3 µg/kg/h, Gruppe PD) oder Remifentanil (18 µg/kg/h, Gruppe PR). Propofol wurde als “Target Controlled Infusion” (TCI) verabreicht. Drei Narkosetiefen (flach, mittel, tief) wurden über Propofol-Zielkonzentrationen im Blut definiert und tierindividuell angepasst (durchschnittlich 7, 9 und 11 µg/ml in Gruppe P bzw. 3, 5 und 7 µg/ml in Gruppe PD und PR). Während jeder Narkosetiefe wurde ein standardisierter nozizeptiver Reiz in Form supramaximaler elektrischer Stimulation (50 Hz, 50 V, 10 ms) medial am rechten Unterarm gesetzt. Das Elektrokardiogramm (EKG) wurde kontinuierlich bipolar abgeleitet und aufgezeichnet. In die statistische Auswertung gingen für jede Narkosetiefe die aus den EKG-Daten ermittelten RRIntervalle genau 2 Minuten vor und nach jeder Reizgabe ein. Mittels eines Analyseprogramms (Kubios HRV) für die HRV wurden neben den frequenzabhängigen HRV-Parametern Low Frequency (LF) und High Frequency (HF) die zeitabhängigen HRV-Parameter Standardabweichung des Mittelwerts der RR-Intervalle (SDNN) und die Quadratwurzel des Mittelwerts der Summe der quadrierten Differenzen zwischen aufeinander folgenden RR-Intervallen (RMSSD) ermittelt. Ergebnisse: Weder die RR-Intervalle noch die aus den RR-Intervallen abgeleiteten HRV-Parameter ermöglichten eine Differenzierung zwischen den über die Propofol-Zielkonzentrationen definierten Narkosetiefen, was gegen ihre Verwendbarkeit als klinisches Narkosetiefenmonitoring spricht. Nozizeption ließ sich allein durch die RR-Intervalle abbilden. Schlussfolgerung: Insgesamt zeigten sich die untersuchten HRVParameter für die Narkosetiefenbestimmung als wenig gewinnbringend.
Badanie zależności między indeksami giełdowymi a kursami walutowymi
Authors: Buszkowska Eliza
Published: November 2014

In the article I examine the influence of exchange rates on the Polish capital market in the periods before, after and during the last financial crisis. I also attempt to determine if currency rates characterised bigger or smaller volatility than the stock index in the periods considered. Finally, I turn to the question of whether there were regularities in the investigation of the volatility function of these instruments. Cointegration analysis was performed.
Wpływ nadmiernego zadłużenia zagranicznego na koniunkturę gospodarczą na przykładzie krajów Ameryki Łacińskiej
Authors: Krupa Marcin
Published: November 2014

The article examines excessive indebtedness at the country level. The study covers the years 1975–1995, during which this problem affected particularly medium-developed countries and the lack of its solution implied a threat of a global economic crisis. This was one of the most serious global economic crises and global debt crises to have occurred in the general history of finance, seriously destabilising economies and the political situation. The political sphere also to some extent conditioned the procedure for its solution.
Zróżnicowanie dostępności transportowej województw Polski
Authors: Musiał-Malagó Monika
Published: November 2014

The current level of transport infrastructure and its technical condition is a barrier to Poland’s further economic growth and modernisation, and also to the country’s full integration with the EU where transport policy is concerned. The underdevelopment of Poland’s transport infrastructure reduces the spatial accessibility of many urban centres and regions on the regional, domestic and European scale. My research on transport accessibility is based on taxonomic methods. The aim of this study was to identify the diversity of transport accessibility in Poland by voivodeship, using synthetic measures to rank each province. The study was based on statistical data for the end of 2012.
Relacja między strukturą dochodów własnych a wybranymi wskaźnikami kondycji finansowej gmin w województwie łódzkim
Authors: Kik Iwona
Published: November 2014

In this study I attempt to verify the connection between the structure of own-source revenues and the financial condition of municipalities measured by selected indicators. The purpose was to determine whether there exists a correlation between a diversified structure of municipalities’ own-source revenues and financial condition. The research was conducted in municipalities in the Łódzkie Voivodeship. The figures were derived from analyses of local governments’ realisation of budgets in the voivodeship and published by the Regional Accounting Chamber in Łódź. To eliminate the randomness of indicator values, the research covered a period of three years. All indicators used in this study were a mean calculated based on data from three years: 2010, 2011, 2012.
Wpływ zjawisk window dressing i kreatywnej księgowości na obraz sprawozdania finansowego przedsiębiorstwa
Authors: Wyrobek Joanna
Published: November 2014

The purpose of the paper is to present financial manipulation techniques that were popular in Poland in 2013. The paper is based on interviews with entrepreneurs and a review of previous papers on this subject. The paper also contains a review of selected new legal regulations in Poland intended to counteract and prevent certain types of fraud described in the paper.
Wykorzystanie metody bootstrapowej do badania zyskowności wybranych strategii inwestycyjnych na Giełdzie Papierów Wartościowych w Warszawie
Authors: Salamaga Marcin
Published: November 2014

The paper presents selected technical trading rules on the Polish stock market along with an estimate of the market’s profitability. Technical trading rules allow one to forecast changes to a stock price and identify buy and sell signals on Warsaw Stock Exchange. To do so, variable-length moving averages are applied to the main Polish stock indexes. To evaluate the economic effectiveness of the technical trading rules, t-statistics are used for testing the significance of the differences between average returns and the bootstrap techniques.
Złożoność organiczna jako nowe ujęcie złożoności systemów ekonomicznych
Authors: Wołoszyn Paweł
Published: November 2014

Economic and social systems belong to a wide class of complex systems, the subject of research in many areas of science. There are many approaches to the complexity of such systems, which differ in how they define and explain the sources of complex behaviour. As complexity is widespread in nature, it seems legitimate to seek a universal pattern repeated in all kinds of complex systems. This article presents a new concept of organic complexity, understood as a set of three attributes: asymmetry, multiplicity and interactivity of a system’s components. Systems with these characteristics will have the ability to develop complex structures or behaviours. The organic complexity approach can be useful in building models of complex economic and social systems.
Antibacterial, antioxidant activities and cytotoxicity of plants against Propionibacterium acnes
Authors: Sharma Richa , Lall Namrita
Published: November 2014

The use of plants to treat skin ailments has strong support in the current trend of drug discovery. Propionibacterium acnes, an anaerobic pathogen, plays an important role in the occurrence of acne. The present study was conducted to evaluate the antimicrobial and antioxidant activities against P. acnes and cytotoxic effects of 48 medicinal plants grown in South Africa. The broth dilution and DPPH radical scavenging methods were used to determine antibacterial and antioxidant activities, respectively. Cytotoxicity was determined on mouse melanocytes (B16-F10). The ethanolic bark extract of Acacia galpinii Burtt Davy. (Leguminosae) exhibited the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration of 62.5 μg/mL. Excellent antioxidant activity was shown by Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) R.Dahlgren (Leguminosae), Combretum apiculatum Sond. (Combretaceae), Harpephyllum caffrum Bernh. ex Krauss (Anacardiaceae) and Sclerocarya birrea Hochst. (Anacardiaceae), with 50% radical scavenging activity (EC50) at concentrations ranging from 1.6 μg/mL to 3.5 μg/mL. Greyia sutherlandii Hook. & Harv. (Greyiaceae) also exhibited good antioxidant activity with an EC50 value of 7.9±0.23 μg/mL. A. linearis, G. sutherlandii and S. birrea showed low toxicity with 50% viability of cells (EC50) at concentrations of 125.09±0.71 μg/mL, 107.85±1.53 μg/mL and 92.07±0.09 μg/mL, respectively. The extracts of A. linearis, G. sutherlandii and S. birrea showed good antibacterial and antioxidant activities and low toxicity. Therefore, these plants can be considered as possible anti-acne agents and warrant further investigation.
Early planting and hand sorting effectively controls seed-borne fungi in farm-retained bean seed
Authors: Dube Ernest , Sibiya Julia , Fanadzo Morris
Published: November 2014

Home-saved bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed can be hand-sorted to remove discoloured seed, thereby reducing the level of contamination by certain seed-borne fungi and improving seed germination. In this study, the effect of planting date on the infection and discolouration of bean seed by seed-borne fungi was investigated in order to improve the quality of hand-sorted, farm-retained bean seeds used by resource poor smallholder farmers. The germination quality and level of seed-borne fungi in hand-sorted first-generation bean seed harvested from an early-, mid- and late-summer season planted crop was therefore assessed. The highest percentage of discoloured seed (68%) was obtained from the mid-summer season planting. Non-discoloured seed from early- and late-season plantings had significantly (p<0.001) higher normal germination (82% and 77%, respectively) than that from the mid-season planting date (58%). Irrespective of planting date, unsorted seed and discoloured seed had higher levels of infection by Fusarium spp. and Phaeoisariopsis spp. than the non-discoloured seed. Removal of discoloured seed by hand sorting eliminated Rhizoctonia spp. from all seed lots. Farmers can eliminate this pathogen by simply removing discoloured seed. Non-discoloured seed from the early-planted crop had the lowest level of infection by Fusarium spp. and Phaeoisariopsis spp. The results indicate that planting date is an important consideration in improving the quality of hand-sorted farm-retained bean seed.
Microbial counts of food contact surfaces at schools depending on a feeding scheme
Authors: Nhlapo Nthabiseng , Lues Ryk J.F. , Groenewald Willem H.
Published: November 2014

The prominence of disease transmission between individuals in confined environments is a concern, particularly in the educational environment. With respect to school feeding schemes, food contact surfaces have been shown to be potential vehicles of foodborne pathogens. The aim of this study was to assess the cleanliness of the surfaces that come into contact with food that is provided to children through the National School Nutrition Programme in central South Africa. In each school under study, microbiological samples were collected from the preparation surface and the dominant hand and apron of the food handler. The samples were analysed for total viable counts, coliforms, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and yeasts and moulds. The criteria specified in the British Columbia Guide for Environmental Health Officers were used to evaluate the results. Total viable counts were high for all surfaces, with the majority of colonies being too numerous to count (over 100 colonies per plate). Counts of organisms were relatively low, with 20% of the surfaces producing unsatisfactory enumeration of S. aureus and E. coli and 30% unsatisfactory for coliforms. Yeast and mould produced 50% and 60% unsatisfactory counts from preparation surfaces and aprons, respectively. Statistically significant differences could not be established amongst microbial counts of the surfaces, which suggests cross-contamination may have occurred. Contamination may be attributed to foodstuffs and animals in the vicinity of the preparation area rather than to the food handlers, because hands had the lowest counts of enumerated organisms amongst the analysed surfaces.
Nelson Mandela’s defence: A psychological capital documentary analysis
Authors: Van Wyk Rene
Published: November 2014

This qualitative documentary analysis examines Nelson Mandela’s defence statement at the Rivonia Trial, Pretoria Supreme Court, on 20 April 1964. The defence document is analysed through the psychological capital lens, depicting themes that support the constructs of hope, efficacy, resilience and optimism. Psychological capital characteristics played a major role in the initial non-violent policies of negotiation. The inevitable establishment of Umkhonto we Sizwe followed, as a result of the increased restrictions and unwillingness of government to negotiate and collaborate. Mandela showed a determined spirit to unite the country. The discussion gives insight into Mandela’s authentic psychological capital leadership under difficult political and personal circumstances. Some implications are indicated in adopting Mandela’s psychological characteristics for personal reform.
Determining the feasibility of harvesting invasive alien plant species for energy
Authors: Mugido Worship , Blignaut James , Joubert Matthew , De Wet John , Knipe Andrew , Joubert Selmé , Cobbing Ben , Jansen James , Le Maitre David , Van der Vyfer Marius
Published: November 2014

Woody invasive alien plants (IAPs) are a threat to South Africa’s water resources, biodiversity and land productivity. The impacts of IAPs were the main reason for the South African government to embark on a natural resource management public works programme called Working for Water (WfW), which was aimed at controlling IAPs in a cost-effective yet labour-intensive way. At the same time, the high biomass of these species presents opportunities for synergies between the clearing of IAPs and the generation of biomass-based energy. The purpose of this study was to determine the cost of harvesting and extracting, chipping, and transporting the biomass, and also to determine the financial and economic feasibility of such an exercise from a commercial perspective. Sampling of the biomass was done at 31 representative sites within the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality, South Africa. The cost of the operation was carefully monitored, documented and reported at each stage, and compared to the cost of replacing the thermal coal currently used by industry within this municipality. The project proved to be financially viable, but only when the energy entrepreneur forms a partnership with the WfW programme, and then only under specific conditions. The project has, however, very high socio-economic returns with respect to a reduction in environmental externalities and job creation.
Factors affecting graduation and student dropout rates at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
Authors: Murray Mike
Published: November 2014

This paper aims to introduce into the literature a competing risks methodology that can be used to help identify some student-specific and/or institutional factors which may be influencing the type of outcome experienced by a student when they leave the university system. Focusing on the length of time that it takes students to graduate or drop out from their studies, this new methodology was applied to a database comprising all students enrolled for a degree at the University of KwaZulu-Natal between the years 2004 and 2012. Financial aid and residence-based accommodation were found to help students who will eventually graduate to do so quicker in terms of the number of credit points that they have to repeat. These same factors, however, also cause someone who will eventually be excluded on academic grounds to linger longer in the system. By focusing on the number of extra credit points that it takes to reach a particular exit point, this paper introduces into the literature a new measure whose use will help to overcome some of the more obvious problems that can occur when one uses calendar time to measure the length of time that it takes to reach a particular exit point.
Enterprise richness as an important characteristic of South African towns
Authors: Toerien Daan F. , Seaman Maitland T.
Published: November 2014

Towards the end of the 20th century there were almost 500 small towns of fewer than 50 000 persons in South Africa, accommodating about one tenth of the country’s population. Little was known or said in national debates about the future of these places. A decade later this situation had changed and many studies have been or are being undertaken on small towns. For instance, the South African Government recognised that to stem the continued migration from rural to urban areas, a different approach was needed to economic development in rural municipalities and a ‘Small Towns Regeneration Project’ was initiated. Concerns about a perceived decline of rural towns also stimulated a quest to develop or find methods and/or measures to monitor the well-being of towns. Elsewhere in the world, small and medium enterprise ‘observatories’ were established to study and report on all aspects of small and medium enterprises, an approach recently followed in South Africa. New ways are needed to improve our understanding of the enterprise dynamics of South African towns. In this contribution, we examine the potential utility of the enterprise richness (i.e. the number of enterprise types) of South African towns and show that enterprise richness has a strong and fully quantifiable relationship with the total number of enterprises in the towns. This contribution adds a new dimension to the capability to make predictions about the enterprise structures of South African towns.
Durham versus Durban: Quantifying productivity in astrophysics research
Authors: Hilton Matthew
Published: November 2014

Quantifying and rewarding research productivity is a contentious issue. In South Africa, there are at least two systems in wide use: peer assessment (as used by the National Research Foundation in providing researchers with individual ratings) and a simple publication count (used by the Department of Higher Education and Training to incentivise research output). At the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), the latter is used to grade the research performance of staff; however, this metric penalises those academics who work in large teams, as is increasingly common in astronomy. To test for correspondence between this metric and perceived research quality, I conducted a case study of the Extragalactic and Cosmology Group at Durham University in the UK, which is one of the leading astrophysics research groups in the world. I found that 44–74% of the permanent academic staff within this research group would not meet the research productivity target applied at UKZN in 2014. Given the disparity between this result and the esteem in which the research of the Durham group is held, I suggest that alternative methods of recognising and rewarding research output by funding agencies and universities should be explored, with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity.
Seismic performance of a bridge with tall piers
Authors: Kulkarni Rakhi , Adhikary Shrabony , Singh Yogendra , Sengupta Anirban
Published: November 2014

This paper presents the study of seismic performance evaluation of a proposed railway bridge with tall piers. The study is mainly focused on the central span of bridges having 100-m high piers. The primary aim of the study is to examine the applicability of the response reduction factors, R, given in seismic design codes, for bridges with tall piers. The bridge is designed with increasing values of response reduction factors and its performance is evaluated considering different detailing practices. Moment curvature behaviour and shear resistance of hollow reinforced concrete piers is also discussed. The effect of foundation flexibility on seismic performance of the bridge is explored by performing a sensitivity study with varying modulus of subgrade reaction of the founding soil. It is observed that the response reduction factors prescribed in the Indian code also yield satisfactory performance for tall bridges. In contrast to buildings, currently, displacement is not considered as a design criterion for bridges; however, in most of the cases considered in the present study, the bridges behaved elastically or nearly elastically, with excessive displacement at the top. Foundation–soil flexibility has a significant effect on the displacement of tall bridges, and results in a change of seismic performance level of the considered bridge, in some cases.
Experimental and numerical modeling of thermally-induced ratcheting displacement of geomembranes on slopes
Authors: Pasten C. , Santamarina J.C.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT: Exposed geomembranes are subjected to thermal cycles of relatively high amplitude. In the present study, the behavior of exposed geomembranes on inclined planes subjected to thermal cycles was investigated using experimental and numerical methods. Experimental results corroborated the emergence of thermally-driven displacement accumulation, or ratcheting, which was inversely proportional to the static factor of safety. The complementary numerical study considered the thermo-elastic membrane properties, constant temperature change amplitude, and an elastic-perfectly plastic constitutive model with a critical elastic threshold displacement for the membrane–soil interface. Results show that thermally-induced ratcheting displacements increased as the static factor of safety decreased, in agreement with experimental observations, and as the ratio between the unconstrained thermal elongation of the geomembrane and the critical elastic interface displacement increased.
Damage evaluation during installation of geosynthetics used in asphalt pavements
Authors: Gonzalez-Torre I. , Calzada-Perez M.A. , Vega-Zamanillo A. , Castro-Fresno D.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT: Geosynthetics are commonly used as anti-reflective cracking systems in asphalt pavements. The rehabilitation design methods use the characteristics of as-received geosynthetics as inputs. However, these materials undergo physical damage during their installation due to mechanical and thermal loads which currently are not taken into account in the design processes. These loads can produce a reduction in geosynthetic strength and therefore, it is necessary to know the secant modulus after installation in order to improve the pavement design incorporating these materials. The secant modulus of a material indicates its initial stiffness. This paper describes an experimental study of damage due to installation of five different geosynthetics using three different procedures: (i) mechanical damage induced in the laboratory considering the action of aggregates, (ii) in situ mechanical and thermal damage due to actual installation in a test section, and (iii) a new mechanical and thermal damage experimental test developed with the aim of reproducing the real installation conditions. The main results of the study indicate that the obtained secant modulus of the tested geosynthetics reduced after applying the three damage procedures, and the loss of properties differed depending on the type and constitutive material and on the applied damage procedure.
Long-term performance of EPDM geomembrane in El Boquerón reservoir
Authors: Noval A.M. , Blanco M. , Farcas F. , Aguiar E. , Castillo F. , Touze-Foltz N.
Published: November 2014

ABSTRACT: El Boquerón reservoir (Canary Islands, northern hemisphere) is waterproofed with an ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) geomembrane (GM). To evaluate the durability of EPDM GMs in hydraulic applications, the characteristics of the EPDM GM (resin and additives) installed in the El Boquerón reservoir were followed for over 21 years. The results of this study are presented herein and show that, based on measurements of specimens from the north and south slopes of the reservoir, the orientation of the GM influences its ageing, with the north slope in the coronation or crest area ageing the most rapidly. Over the years, the El Boquerón EPDM GM oxidised, which may be the main cause of crosslinking in the EPDM. In turn, crosslinking could be the mechanism behind some of changes observed in the EPDM GM characteristics over time. In addition, some of the mechanical characteristics of the EPDM GM were influenced by the additives in the formulation; in particular, the loss and oxidation of paraffinic oils. However, despite the age-induced evolution of the mechanical and physicochemical characteristics of the GM, the El Boquerón EPDM GM, after 21 years of exposure, still satisfies the minimum requirements established by French standards for virgin GMs.
Modelling the static liquefaction of sand with low-plasticity fines
Authors: RAHMAN M.M. , LO S.-C.R. , DAFALIAS Y.F.
Published: November 2014

There have been significant advances in understanding of the effect of fines content, fc, on the mechanical response of sand with fines. The concepts of equivalent granular void ratio, e*, and equivalent granular state parameter, ψ*, which were developed for sands with fines, can be used in lieu of e and ψ to provide a unifying framework for characterising the undrained response of sands with low-plasticity fines, irrespective of fc. In addition, a recently developed constitutive model was able to capture the influence of both density, using e, and stress states on the stress–strain responses of clean sand under drained or undrained shearing with one set of parameters. This was achieved by rendering dilatancy and peak-failure stress ratio functions of ψ. The present work combines these two powerful unifying propositions, and by merely substituting e* and ψ* for e and ψ into the equations of the aforementioned model for clean sands, obtains a constitutive model for sand with fines that can capture the influence of fc, irrespective of density and stress states. The model-specific parameters were obtained from a few drained tests at a single fines content. Undrained responses for a range of fc and densities, with particular emphasis on liquefaction behaviour, were then predicted. For flow behaviour, the predictions agree well with experimental observations over a wide spectrum of initial conditions. The quality of the predictions reduces for limited flow behaviour. For non-flow behaviour, significant deviations were observed.
A Three-Gene Assay for Monitoring Immune Quiescence in Kidney Transplantation
Authors: Roedder Silke , Li Li , Alonso Michael N. , Hsieh Szu-Chuan , Vu Minh Thien , Dai Hong , Sigdel Tara K. , Bostock Ian , Macedo Camila , Metes Diana , Zeevi Adrianna , Shapiro Ron , Salvatierra Oscar , Scandling John , Alberu Josefina , Engleman Edgar , Sarwal Minnie M.
Published: November 2014

Organ transplant recipients face life-long immunosuppression and consequently are at high risk of comorbidities. Occasionally, kidney transplant recipients develop a state of targeted immune quiescence (operational tolerance) against an HLA-mismatched graft, allowing them to withdraw all immunosuppression and retain stable graft function while resuming immune responses to third-party antigens. Methods to better understand and monitor this state of alloimmune quiescence by transcriptional profiling may reveal a gene signature that identifies patients for whom immunosuppression could be titrated to reduce patient and graft morbidities. Therefore, we investigated 571 unique peripheral blood samples from 348 HLA-mismatched renal transplant recipients and 101 nontransplant controls in a four-stage study including microarray, quantitative PCR, and flow cytometry analyses. We report a refined and highly validated (area under the curve, 0.95; 95% confidence interval, 0.92 to 0.97) peripheral blood three-gene assay (KLF6, BNC2, CYP1B1) to detect the state of operational tolerance by quantitative PCR. The frequency of predicted alloimmune quiescence in stable renal transplant patients receiving long-term immunosuppression (n=150) was 7.3% by the three-gene assay. Targeted cell sorting of peripheral blood from operationally tolerant patients showed a significant shift in the ratio of circulating monocyte-derived dendritic cells with significantly different expression of the genes constituting the three-gene assay. Our results suggest that incorporation of patient screening by specific cellular and gene expression assays may support the safety of drug minimization trials and protocols.
Emergent stability in a large, free‐flowing watershed
Authors: Moore Jonathan W. , Beakes Michael P. , Nesbitt Holly K. , Yeakel Justin D. , Patterson David A. , Thompson Lisa A. , Phillis Corey C. , Braun Douglas C. , Favaro Corinna , Scott David , Carr-Harris Charmaine , Atlas William I.
Published: November 2014

While it is widely recognized that financial stock portfolios can be stabilized through diverse investments, it is also possible that certain habitats can function as natural portfolios that stabilize ecosystem processes. Here we propose and examine the hypothesis that free‐flowing river networks act as such portfolios and confer stability through their integration of upstream geological, hydrological, and biological diversity. We compiled a spatially (142 sites) and temporally (1980–present) extensive data set on fisheries, water flows, and temperatures, from sites within one of the largest watersheds in the world that remains without dams on its mainstem, the Fraser River, British Columbia, Canada. We found that larger catchments had more stable fisheries catches, water flows, and water temperatures than smaller catchments. These data provide evidence that free‐flowing river networks function as hierarchically nested portfolios with stability as an emergent property. Thus, free‐flowing river networks can represent a natural system for buffering variation and extreme events.
Periodontitis and Glycemic Control in Diabetes: NHANES 2009 to 2012
Authors: Garcia Dina , Tarima Sergey , Okunseri Christopher
Published: November 2014

Background: This study examines the association between periodontitis, diabetes (DM), and glycemic control.

Methods: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data for 2009 to 2012 were analyzed. Periodontitis status of each participant was assessed using the full‐mouth periodontal examination protocol, classified using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology surveillance case definition for total periodontitis. Self‐reported DM status was defined as yes or no. Glycemic control was assessed using glycohemoglobin data at cutoff points of 7.0%, 7.5%, 8.0%, 8.5%, and 9.0%. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed, and all analyses were adjusted for the survey design.

Results: Overall, 7,042 adults ≥30 years old with complete data were included in the study. The mean glycohemoglobin levels for individuals with and without periodontitis were 5.9% and 5.6%, respectively, and increased to 7.4% and 7.0% for participants with DM. The majority of participants with and without periodontitis were aged 50 to 64 and 35 to 49 years (37.4% versus 44.5%), respectively. In the bivariate analysis, several demographic factors were significantly associated with having periodontitis, including self‐reported DM status and glycemic control. In the multivariate analysis, demographic factors, glycohemoglobin cutoff values of 8.0%, 8.5%, and 9.0%, and mean glycohemoglobin level remained significant, but self‐reported DM status was not.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that glycohemoglobin and demographic factors are significantly associated with periodontitis, but not self‐reported status.
Obstetric Knowledge, Attitude, and Behavior Concerning Periodontal Diseases and Treatment Needs in Pregnancy: Influencing Factors in France
Authors: Cohen Laura , Schaeffer Mickaël , Davideau Jean‐Luc , Tenenbaum Henri , Huck Olivier
Published: November 2014

Background: Many studies have shown that periodontal diseases are risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study is to assess the knowledge and clinical attitude of French obstetricians and/or gynecologists regarding periodontal diseases.

Methods: A cross‐sectional study was performed on randomly selected French obstetricians and/or gynecologists using a self‐administered, structured questionnaire during an annual French professional congress.

Results: The questionnaire was completed by 190 French obstetricians and/or gynecologists. Among respondents, 88% were aware of the inflammatory and infectious nature of periodontal diseases. Furthermore, 74.7% of respondents were conscious of its negative impact on pregnancy outcomes. Few obstetricians and/or gynecologists (26.3%) interviewed patients about oral health. Information on oral health was systematically provided to patients by 10.5% of the practitioners. However, 55.6% addressed this issue if they considered the patient at risk for pregnancy. Only 33.2% of practitioners systematically referred the patient to a dentist. Periodontal disease knowledge and consideration levels increased in more experienced practitioners with a private practice and a personal history of periodontal disease.

Conclusions: Periodontal knowledge of the French obstetricians and/or gynecologists surveyed seemed satisfyingly apparent and influenced by levels of professional experience and personal history. However, clinical behavior did not adequately correlate with this knowledge.
An Explorative Study to Develop a Predictive Model Based on Avascular Exposed Root Surface Area for Root Coverage After a Laterally Positioned Flap
Authors: Ozcelik Onur , Seydaoglu Gulsah , Haytac M. Cenk
Published: November 2014

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the reliability of the avascular exposed root surface area (AERSA) as a prognostic test for gingival recessions (GRs) and to compare the predictive value of the avascular root surface area calculation and Miller classification on the final root‐coverage outcomes.

Methods: Ninety‐one patients with 91 isolated single GRs (32 Miller Class I, 29 Miller Class II, and 30 Miller Class III defects) located at the upper and lower incisors and canines were treated with a laterally positioned flap. Clinical parameters were recorded and correlated with the achievement of complete root coverage (CRC) after 6 months.

Results: From all clinical parameters used, AERSA showed the highest sensitivity and specificity for predicting CRC. Receiver operating characteristic curves analyses revealed three acceptable cutoff points based on baseline AERSA for achieving CRC with higher sensitivity and specificity values compared to GR depth, GR width, and gingival thickness. Both univariate and multiple linear regression analyses reported that the models could explain the 86% of the mean root coverage with AERSA.

Conclusions: This prospective longitudinal study indicates that AERSA may be used to classify GR defects. The newly developed prognostic model may be used to predict the final root coverage outcomes.
Arthroscopy-Assisted Fixation of an Intra-Articular Medial Femoral Condyle (Hoffa) Fracture of the Knee
Authors: Say Ferhat , Kuyubaşı Numan
Published: November 2014

Case:

A thirty-one-year-old woman was diagnosed with a minimally displaced medial femoral condyle (Hoffa) fracture. Reduction and retrograde percutaneous screw fixation were performed under arthroscopic visualization. At three months postoperatively, she was able to walk without support, had no pain, and had full range of movement of the knee.

Conclusion:

In Hoffa fractures, arthroscopy-assisted fixation is an option for treatment. It is advantageous because it allows the ability to evaluate other intra-articular structures, decreases blood loss, shortens surgical time, decreases soft-tissue dissection, and facilitates a shorter postoperative rehabilitation period.
Rapid-Onset Diffuse Skeletal Fluorosis from Inhalant Abuse
Authors: Cohen Eric , Hsu Raymond Y. , Evangelista Peter , Aaron Roy , Rubin Lee E.
Published: November 2014

Case:

A thirty-year-old man presented with severely debilitating left hip pain and stiffness. Radiographs demonstrated diffuse osteosclerosis and heterotopic bone formation with near ankylosis of the left hip. The patient underwent successful joint-preserving surgery to restore hip range of motion. After disclosing a history of inhalant abuse, which was confirmed by elevated serum fluoride levels, he was diagnosed with diffuse skeletal fluorosis.

Conclusions:

To the best of our knowledge, we present the first reported case of diffuse skeletal fluorosis caused by inhalant abuse of 1,1-difluoroethane. Skeletal fluorosis is uncommon in the United States but is important to consider in the differential diagnosis when a patient presents with otherwise unexplained joint pain and osteosclerosis.
Early Postoperative Intratunnel Migration of an EndoButton After Anatomic Double-Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Akaoka Yusuke , Tensho Keiji , Shimodaira Hiroki , Aoki Tetsuhiro , Takanashi Seiji , Kato Hiroyuki , Saito Naoto
Published: November 2014

Case:

We report a rare case of early postoperative migration of an EndoButton following anatomic double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with use of the EndoButton for femoral fixation. Although secure fixation of the EndoButton was confirmed during the operation, one-week postoperative radiographs revealed an intratunnel displacement of the posterolateral EndoButton. We performed a reoperation and refixed the EndoButton to the surface of the femoral cortex; we also hooked and tied both ends of the sutures to make a knot in order to prevent remigration.

Conclusion:

Orthopaedic surgeons should be aware that EndoButton displacement and migration could arise at an early postoperative stage.
HIV testing and counselling in Estonian prisons, 2012 to 2013: aims, processes and impacts
Authors: Kivimets K , Uusküla A
Published: November 2014

Binary file ES_Abstracts_Final_ECDC.txt matches
Editoriale. L'anatra zoppa: DSM-5 e crepuscolo del diagnosticismo
Authors: Galli Pier Francesco
Published: November 2014

Vengono discussi criticamente alcuni aspetti della storia della psichiatria, in particolare per quanto riguarda il problema della diagnosi e la produzione dei DSM dell'American Psychiatric Association (l'ultimo, il DSM-5, è stato tradotto in italiano quest'anno). La crisi del "diagnosticismo", cioè di un'operazione di etichettatura diagnostica basata prevalentemente sull'aspetto descrittivo, inaugurata a partire dal DSM-III (1980), è diventata più evidente con la difficile gestazione del DSM-5 (2013) e le polemiche che ha suscitato. È stato soprattutto l'effetto alone, creato da una certa propaganda attorno ai DSM, ad avere avuto maggiori ripercussioni negative sullo stato della psichiatria. Vengono anche fatte alcune considerazioni sulla crisi dell'approccio psicodinamico e sul suo ruolo nella storia della psichiatria.
Tracce. Lo studio della psicoanalisi
Authors: Galli Pier Francesco
Published: November 2014

In occasione della seconda edizione italiana (tratta dalla 15a edizione, del 1983) del Trattato di psichiatria di Eugen Bleuler (1a ediz. orig.: 1916), l'Autrice ricorda alcuni aspetti della sua formazione in psichiatria avvenuta alla fine degli anni 1960 al Burghölzli di Zurigo (allora diretto da Manfred Bleuler, figlio di Eugen), dove si era recata per completare la sua formazione in psicoanalisi presso il "Seminario Psicoanalitico di Zurigo" (Psychoanalytisches Seminar Zürich [PSZ]) con Paul Parin e Fritz Morgenthaler. In particolare, vengono descritti alcuni aspetti della personalità di Manfred Bleuler e l'atmosfera delle riunioni tenute al mattino e da lui coordinate. Vengono fatte anche alcune considerazioni sulla fine di un periodo della storia della psichiatria e di un modo di intendere e praticare l'assistenza psichiatrica.
Zurigo 1968: il Burghölzli dei Bleuler. Un ricordo
Authors: Bolko Marianna
Published: November 2014

In occasione della seconda edizione italiana (tratta dalla 15a edizione, del 1983) del Trattato di psichiatria di Eugen Bleuler (1a ediz. orig.: 1916), l'Autrice ricorda alcuni aspetti della sua formazione in psichiatria avvenuta alla fine degli anni 1960 al Burghölzli di Zurigo (allora diretto da Manfred Bleuler, figlio di Eugen), dove si era recata per completare la sua formazione in psicoanalisi presso il "Seminario Psicoanalitico di Zurigo" (Psychoanalytisches Seminar Zürich [PSZ]) con Paul Parin e Fritz Morgenthaler. In particolare, vengono descritti alcuni aspetti della personalità di Manfred Bleuler e l'atmosfera delle riunioni tenute al mattino e da lui coordinate. Vengono fatte anche alcune considerazioni sulla fine di un periodo della storia della psichiatria e di un modo di intendere e praticare l'assistenza psichiatrica.
Antioxidant Potential of Plumieride against CCl4-Induced Peroxidative Damage in Rats
Authors: Singh Dharmendra , Arya Priya , Sharma Ashutosh , Aggarwal Ved , Dobhal Mahabeer , Gupta Radhey
Published: November 2014

In search of a new potent as an antioxidant from natural sources, plumieride—an iridoid isolated from the methanol extract of the bark of Plumeria bicolor (family Apocynaceae) was evaluated for its antioxidant potential against CCl4-induced peroxidative damage in liver of rats. The antioxidant potential was evaluated by using hepatic tissue for SOD (superoxide dismutase), CAT (catalase), GSH (reduced glutathione), GPx (glutathione peroxidase), GR (glutathione reductase) and LPO (lipid peroxidation) alongwith the concomitant blood serum for AST & ALT (aspartate and alanine transaminases), GGT (gamma glutamyl transpeptidase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), total bilirubin and total protein contents. All the biochemical parameters were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) altered by CCl4 (0.3 mL/kg body weight/twice a week, intra-peritoneally for 30 days). Simultaneously, oral treatment with plumieride (5, 10 and 20 mg/kg body weight/day for 30 days), restored all the parameters towards a normal level, remarkably. The histological findings of liver sections further corroborated the antioxidant potential of plumieride compared with standard drug-silymarin. In conclusion, plumieride consists of sugar molecules, which have alcoholic groups. Therefore, the alcoholic groups of sugar increase its antioxidant potential through intermolecular hydrogen bonding along with the thiol(SH) group of non-protein thiols and enzymes resulting in the restoration of the antioxidant system. Therefore, it might be considered a natural antioxidant against peroxidative damage in rats.
Genetic Programming for the Downscaling of Extreme Rainfall Events on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Pour Sahar , Harun Sobri , Shahid Shamsuddin
Published: November 2014

A genetic programming (GP)-based logistic regression method is proposed in the present study for the downscaling of extreme rainfall indices on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, which is considered one of the zones in Malaysia most vulnerable to climate change. A National Centre for Environmental Prediction reanalysis dataset at 42 grid points surrounding the study area was used to select the predictors. GP models were developed for the downscaling of three extreme rainfall indices: days with larger than or equal to the 90th percentile of rainfall during the north-east monsoon; consecutive wet days; and consecutive dry days in a year. Daily rainfall data for the time periods 1961–1990 and 1991–2000 were used for the calibration and validation of models, respectively. The results are compared with those obtained using the multilayer perceptron neural network (ANN) and linear regression-based statistical downscaling model (SDSM). It was found that models derived using GP can predict both annual and seasonal extreme rainfall indices more accurately compared to ANN and SDSM.