bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro evaluation of anti-infective activity of a Lactobacillus plantarum strain against Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis
Authors: Das Jugal Kishore , Mishra Debasmita , Ray Pratikshya , Tripathy Prangya , Beuria Tushar K , Singh Neera , Suar Mrutyunjay
Published: May 2013

Background

Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis infections are known to exhibit worldwide prevalence with increased morbidity and mortality. The conventional strategies like antibiotic therapy and vaccination have not only proved to be of sub-optimal efficacy but also led to the development of multidrug resistant strains of Salmonella. Antimicrobial activities of probiotics against various enteropathogens and other health promoting effects have assumed greater significance in recent years. The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of a Lactobacillus plantarum strain (KSBT 56, isolated from a traditional food product of India), in preventing Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis growth and pathogenicity in vitro.

Methods and results

The cell free culture supernatant (CFCS) of KSBT 56 strain notably inhibited the growth of Salmonella Enteritidis without affecting the growth of other gram-positive lactic acid bacteria. The isolated KSBT 56 strain produces lactic acid similar to other standard probiotic strains like Lactobacillus plantarum MTCC 1407. The free radical production by KSBT 56 strain was studied by using sodC mutant of S. Enteritidis, which exhibited reduced growth in the presence of CFCS of the KSBT 56 strain, indicating the inhibitory activity of free radicals on the growth of S. Enteritidis. Our results also showed a significant reduction in the biofilm forming ability of Salmonella Enteritidis in the presence of the KSBT 56 strain (2 log cfu/ml, p = 0.01). Further, the anti-infective characteristics of KSBT 56 strain was validated by gentamicin protection assay which revealed 80% reduction in the invasion of Salmonella Enteritidis to HCT-116 cell line (Salmonella Enteritidis and KSBT 56 in a 1:1 ratio) and delayed addition of Salmonella Enteritidis by 1 h. Similarly, the reduced adhesion of Salmonella to the HCT-116 cells was observed along with the down regulation of hilA gene of Salmonella Pathogenicity Island 1 (SPI1) indicating that they might have acted synergistically to decrease the invasion of the pathogen into the cell line.

Conclusions

KSBT 56 strain effectively inhibited the growth, invasion and the biofilm forming ability of Salmonella Enteritidis without inhibiting the growth of other Lactobacillus strains. Overall, our result suggested that KSBT 56 can be used as a potential probiotic strain with considerable beneficial effects on the host.
Robust estimation of primaries by sparse inversion via one-norm minimization
Authors: Lin Tim T. Y. , Herrmann Felix J.
Published: May 2013

A recently proposed method called estimation of primaries by sparse inversion (EPSI) avoids the need for adaptive subtraction of approximate multiple predictions by directly inverting for the multiple-free subsurface impulse response as a collection of band-limited spikes. Although it can be shown that the correct primary impulse response is obtained through the sparsest possible solution, the original EPSI algorithm was not designed to take advantage of this result, and instead it relies on a multitude of inversion parameters, such as the level of sparsity per gradient update. We proposed and tested a new algorithm, named robust EPSI, in which we make obtaining the sparsest solution an explicit goal. Our approach remains a gradient-based approach like the original algorithm, but it is derived from a new biconvex optimization framework based on an extended basis-pursuit denoising formulation. Furthermore, because it is based on a general framework, robust EPSI can recover the impulse response in transform domains, such as sparsifying curvelet-based representations, without changing the underlying algorithm. We discovered that the sparsity-minimizing objective of our formulation enabled it to operate successfully on a variety of synthetic and field marine data sets without excessive tweaking of inversion parameters. We also found that recovering the solution in alternate sparsity domains can significantly improve the quality of the directly estimated primaries, especially for weaker late-arrival events. In addition, we found that robust EPSI produces a more artifact-free impulse response compared to the original algorithm.
“The Gospel of World Harmony”; Or, Beethoven’s Transformation of Schiller’s “An Die Freude” Into World Music Literature
Authors: Höyng Peter
Published: May 2013

In Beethoven’s last symphony one encounters a prototype in which music serves as a powerful catalyst for literature. It is his music that transported Schiller’s poem “An die Freude” (“Ode to Joy”) beyond its temporal, linguistic, and geographic origin. If one dubs this phenomenon “world music literature,” it implies that three domains are essential for it: first, creating a literary text; second, setting the text to music; and third, having access to both and enabling the composition to circulate within large networks and groups around the globe. Within this context Schiller’s text and Beethoven’s musical setting of it are unique in that text and music thematize and joyfully celebrate the very notion of access as the liberating act of a unifying group identity. Höyng describes a performance of the choral work as documented in Kinshasa Symphony (2011), reading it as a prime example of access to and circulation of Beethoven’s monumental music, then outlines how Beethoven’s access to literature serves as a paradigm of gaining access within a network of friends and discovering the liberating force of literature.
Blindness, Invisibility, and the Negative Inheritance of World Literature
Authors: de Medeiros Paulo
Published: May 2013

World literature can be seen as one of Friedrich Nietzsche’s “good things,” a great idealization of the capacities of the human spirit and at the same time a fierce contest for power and dominance. In this contest the question of minor literature invariably surfaces in relation to issues of canonicity and to world literature in general. References to Gilles Deleuze and Félix Guattari’s work on Franz Kafka inevitably misread its revolutionary potential and become reductive. In the different European literatures, issues stemming from the aftermath of colonialism reveal the bankruptcy of the category of minor literature when one thinks about world literature. Several examples from lusophone writers and others point to the need to rethink the national categorization of literature. Instead of seeing some literatures as minor, Medeiros proposes seeing them as “eccentric,” questioning the division between center and periphery.
Negative Charge and Solvent Effects on Electronic Excited-State Hydrogen Bonding of 2′-Deoxycytidine 5′-Monophosphate (dCMP) in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhang Weiping
Published: May 2013

Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) was applied to study the influence of negative charge and solvent effects on the hydrogen-bonding dynamics of 2′-deoxycytidine 5′-monophosphate (dCMP) in electronically excited states. The intramolecular hydrogen bond O5–H2···O3 would be weakened with the strengthening of the hydration. Moreover, the greater the negative charge, the stronger the intramolecular hydrogen bond O5–H2···O3 is in [dCMP-H]−/2−–nH2O (n = 1, 2, 3) complexes. We concluded that the negative charge site of the phosphate would be the preferable site of hydration. In comparison with hydrogen-bonded [dCMP-H]−–nH2O (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) complexes, the excitation energies of complexes [dCMP-H]2−–nH2O (n = 0, 1, 2, 3) are lower except for individual excited states, that is to say, the increase of negative charge can make the related electronic spectra shift to red and hydrogen bonds strengthen. According to the results of calculated absorption spectra, the solvent effects by the polarizible continuum model (PCM) can lead to the electronic spectra blue shift.
A Facile Synthesis of Monodispersed Carbon-encapsulated Copper Nanoparticles with Excellent Oxidation Resistance from a Refluxing-derived Precursor
Authors: Meng Xiaopeng , Wen Jiqiu , Yao Yadong , Ding Yi , Gong Yichao , Zou Changwu , Yin Guangfu , Liao Xiaoming , Huang Zhongbing , Chen Xianchun
Published: May 2013

Carbon-encapsulated copper nanoparticles (CECNPs) are synthesized from a precursor derived easily through a refluxing method. The as-synthesized CECNPs are monodispersed with a uniform size distribution and obvious core–shell structure. The formation process of the CECNPs is investigated, and the possible mechanism is proposed. Furthermore, TG-DSC measurements, in conjunction with the corresponding XRD patterns, reveal that the as-synthesized CECNPs show excellent oxidation resistance to temperatures up to 900 °C.
Transformation of Gold(I)–cyclo[–Met–Met–] Complex Supramolecular Fibers into Aligned Gold Nanoparticles
Authors: Furutani Masahiro , Kudo Kazuaki
Published: May 2013

A cyclic dipeptide cyclo[–l-methionyl–l-methionyl–] and gold(I) cation were found to form a complex in a 1:2 ratio. Pouring a DMF solution of the complex into ethyl acetate afforded fibers with lengths of more than 20 µm and 100–400 nm in width, which consisted of fibrous nanostructures 50–100 nm in diameter. Treatment of this supramolecular fiber with catechol gave linearly aligned Au nanoparticles on the original fibers.
Organic Semiconductor Molecules with Nonaromatic Core of 1,4-Dithiin
Authors: Ito Hiroki , Watanabe Daichi , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Tsushima Noboru , Muraoka Hiroki , Ogawa Satoshi
Published: May 2013

Novel thiophene-condensed 1,4-dithiin derivatives having styryl or phenyl groups were synthesized, and their spectroscopic and electrochemical properties were investigated. Organic field-effect transistor (OFET) devices using these derivatives exhibited typical p-type FET characteristics, though the core units of both molecules were not aromatic compounds.
Relationships between algal food and gut and gonad conditions in the Mediterranean sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lam.)
Authors: MURILLO-NAVARRO R. , JIMENEZ-GUIRADO D.
Published: May 2013

A study was conducted on the population of Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck, 1816) in a Mediterranean infralittoral bottomof southern of Spain to characterize the relationships between the macroalgal food ingested and the gut and gonad conditions of individuals. Over a full annual cycle (November 2008 to October 2009) composition of the gut content was analyzed monthly and seasonally, the gastrointestinal (GII), repletion (RI) and gonadosomatic (gonad) (GI) indices were calculated, and the stage of gonad maturity of the population was assessed. The GII and RI were found to be strongly correlated, so only the RI was considered in the subsequent analysis. The prevalence of Phaeophyceae and local species of this macroalgal group in the gut content of the sea urchins throughout the year suggests that in conditions of abundant resources, with high levels of algal diversity and no effective limits on supply, brown algae are the main component of the natural diet of P. lividus. Comparison of the physiologicalindices and the algal fractions of gut content identified relationships throughout the year between RI, the stage of gonad maturity and GI. Specifically, these indices were found to be associated with the abundance of Rhodophyta ingested, although in different ways: GI was related to the consumption of fleshy (non-calcified) red algae and the RI, though less statistically significantly, to the consumption of calcified (articulate and encrusting).
Long-Term Water Quality Monitoring at an Industrial Site on the Northern Gulf of Aqaba, Red Sea
Authors: RASHEED M. , AL-TRABEEN K. , BADRAN M.
Published: May 2013

The present study focuses on seawater samples collected monthly, for 12 years (June 1998 to December 2010), within the framework of the sustainable monitoring program in front of the Industrial Complex (IC) Aqaba Jordan. In situ measurements of temperature, salinity, pH and dissolved oxygen have been recorded, for three different depths, at six different stations. Also, samples have been collected and analyzed for inorganic nutrients, fluoride and sulfate. The data collected, when compared with the offshore waters, showed the dominance of natural Aqaba seawater conditions for most variables throughout the year. Phosphate concentrations were slightly higher in some sampling events. This, however, did not exert any considerable effect on the environmental quality of the seawater, mainly because anthropogenic phosphate reaching the sea does with the help of the wind in very limited amounts and insoluble form. Also, phosphate is not the primary productivity limiting nutrient in the waters of theGulf of Aqaba.
First record of Aequorea globosa Eschscholtz, 1829 (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa) in the coast of Syria
Authors: MAMISH S. , DURUGHAM H. , SAID AL MASRI M.
Published: May 2013

The Indo-Pacific jellyfish Aequorea globosa Eschscholtz, 1829 was reported last year for the first time in the Mediterranean Sea from Iskenderun Bay (S. Turkey). This jellyfish was observed in the coast of Syria, on 8 January 2012, during a regular monthly sampling program.
Sabellidae (Annelida) from the Faro coastal lake (Messina, Ionian Sea), with the first record of the invasive species Branchiomma bairdi along the Italian coast
Authors: GIANGRANDE A. , COSENTINO A. , LO PRESTI C. , LICCIANO M.
Published: May 2013

In the present paper, morphological and ecological observations on 4 sabellid taxa, Branchiomma bairdi, B. luctuosum,Megalomma lanigera and Myxicola sp., collected from the coastal lake of Faro (Messina, Ionian Sea) (26-36 psu), are reported. Megalomma lanigera, Myxicola sp. and B. luctuosum were collected from the soft bottom in shallow water and B. bairdi from the hard bottom of an internal channel. The presence of the latter is remarkable, as there is no previous record of this species along the Italian coast, and it confirms the lake of Faro as a very favourable environment for the introduction of alien species, which has occurred frequently as a result of aquaculture. High intraspecific variation was observed for M. lanigera, whilst more extensive analysis is required to ascertain the taxonomic status of the Myxicola specimens, including a review of all Mediterranean data currently attributed to M. infundibulum.
Ecological mapping and data quality assessment for the needs of ecosystem-based marine spatial management: case study Greek Ionian Sea and the adjacent gulfs
Authors: ISSARIS Y. , KATSANEVAKIS S. , PANTAZI M. , VASSILOPOULOU V. , PANAYOTIDIS P. , KAVADAS S. , KOKKALI A. , SALOMIDI M. , FRANTZIS A. , PANOU A. , DAMALAS D. , KLAOUDATOS D.S. , SAKELLARIOU D. , DRAKOPOULOU P. , KYRIAKIDOU C. , MAINA I. , FRIC J. , SMITH C. , GIAKOUMI S. , KARRIS G.
Published: May 2013

Mapping of ecosystem components (natural and socioeconomic) is a prerequisite for ecosystem-based marine spatial management (EB-MSM). To initiate the process of EB-MSM in the Greek Ionian Sea and the adjacent gulfs, the main relevant ecosystem components were mapped based on existing spatial information and expert judgment. The natural components mapped included habitat types and species targeted for conservation, according to national and European legislation and international agreements. Main human activities/pressures related to fisheries, aquaculture, tourism, and industry were also mapped. In order to assess the quality of data used to map ecosystem components and therefore take into consideration the inherent uncertainty, an assessment of 5 semi-quantitative data indicators based on a pedigree matrix was conducted. Through this qualitative approach we gained information related to the sources, acquisition and verification procedures, statistical properties, and temporal & geographical correlation, along with the collection process quality of the ecosystem components under study. A substantial overlapping between ecological features and human activities was identified, confirming the need for a well-planned approach to marine space management, in order to mitigate conflicts for marine resources and conserve marine ecosystems and their associated goods and services.
Seaweeds of the Greek coasts. I. Phaeophyceae
Authors: TSIAMIS K. , PANAYOTIDIS P. , ECONOMOU-AMILLI A. , KATSAROS C.
Published: May 2013

An updated checklist of the brown seaweeds (Phaeophyceae) of Greece is provided, based on both literature records and new collections. The total number of species and infraspecific taxa currently accepted is 107. The occurrence of each taxon in the North Aegean, South Aegean and Ionian Seas is given. In addition, 17 taxa pending confirmation of their presence, 11 excludenda and 8 inquirenda are briefly discussed.
First record of Dipolydora blakei (Annelida: Spionidae) from Europe: Greece, Mediterranean Sea
Authors: RADASHEVSKY V. I. , SIMBOURA N.
Published: May 2013

The spionid polychaete Dipolydora blakei is identified from benthic samples collected in the Aegean Sea off Chalkis and the Ionian Sea off Kalamitsi, both on the coast of Greece. Adults of D. blakei are characterized by having the falcate spines of chaetiger 5 with a large lateral tooth and bristles on the convex side of a long and pointed main fang, awl-like spines in posterior notopodia, branchiae beginning from chaetiger 7 and a pygidium with two lateral lobes. This is the first report of the species from the Mediterranean Sea and European waters and the second record (after one from Brazil) outside its type locality in deep-water off New England in the north-west Atlantic Ocean. The morphology of the Greek specimens is described and illustrated and diagnostic characters of the species are discussed. The origin of these specimens in the coastal waters of Greece is uncertain and the species is considered as cryptogenic in the Mediterranean Sea. An identification key to Dipolydora species with bristle-topped falcate spines in chaetiger 5 known from the Mediterranean Sea and European waters is provided.
Heavy metals monitoring in mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis from the Apulian coasts (Southern Italy)
Authors: SPADA L. , ANNICCHIARICO C. , CARDELLICCHIO N. , GIANDOMENICO S. , DI LEO A.
Published: May 2013

Concentrations of six heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn) and one semi-metal (As) were determined in tissues of mussels Mytilus galloprovincialis collected along the Apulian coasts (Mediterranean sea). This project, performed in 2009, was targeted toward the assessment of levels and spatial distribution of metals in the environment in order to evaluate the coastal water quality using mussels as bioindicators and health risk for mussel consumers.The concentrations (mg/kg d.w.) of these metals ranged from 6.35 to 76.17 for arsenic (As), 0.38 to 2.54 for cadmium (Cd), 0.96 to 9.46 for chromium (Cr), 5.26 to 19.22 for copper (Cu), 0.10 to 0.81 for mercury (Hg), 25.00 to 110.51 for zinc (Zn) and from 0.37 to 3.25 for lead (Pb). These levels were lower than the permissible limits set by European Commission and FAO with the exception for Cr in three sampling stations. Evaluation of the risk associated to molluscs consumption for human health suggested that there is no evident risk for a moderate Mytilus g. consumer, however heavy metals concentrations must be monitored periodically and carefully with respect to the consumers health.
IMAS-Fish: Integrated MAnagement System to support the sustainability of Greek Fisheries resources. A multidisciplinary web-based database management system: implementation, capabilities, utilization and future prospects for fisheries stakeholde
Authors: KAVADAS S. , DAMALAS D. , GEORGAKARAKOS S. , MARAVELIAS C. , TSERPES G. , PAPACONSTANTINOU C. , BAZIGOS G.
Published: May 2013

This article describes in detail the “IMAS-Fish” web-based tool implementation technicalities and provides examples on how can it be used for scientific and management purposes setting new standards in fishery science. “IMAS-Fish” was developed to support the assessment of marine biological resources by: (i) homogenizing all the available datasets under a relational database, (ii) facilitating quality control and data entry, (iii) offering easy access to raw data, (iv) providing processed results through a series of classical and advanced fishery statistics algorithms, and (v) visualizing the results on maps using GIS  technology. Available datasets cover among others: Fishery independent experimental surveys data (locations, species, catch compositions, biological data); Commercial fishing activities (fishing gear, locations, catch compositions, discards); Market sampling data (species, biometry, maturity, ageing); Satellite derived ocean data (Sea surface temperature, Salinity, Wind speed, Chlorophyll-a concentrations, Photosynthetically active radiation); Oceanographic parameters (CTD measurements); Official national fishery statistics; Fishing fleet registry and VMS  data; Fishing ports inventory; Fishing legislation archive (national and EU); Bathymetry grids. Currently, the homogenized database holds a total of more than 100,000,000 records. The web-based application is accessible through an internet browser and can serve as a valuable tool for all involved stakeholders: fisheries scientists, state officials responsible for management, fishermen cooperatives, academics, students and NGOs.
Not All Repeat Customers Are the Same: Designing Effective Cross-Selling Promotion on the Basis of Attitudinal Loyalty and Habit
Authors: Liu-Thompkins Yuping , Tam Leona
Published: May 2013

Not all repeat purchases are created equal. They can be driven by both positive reaction toward a brand (i.e., attitudinal loyalty) and automaticity triggered by non-brand-related contextual cues (i.e., habit). Combining the loyalty literature with recent habit research, the authors suggest ways to distinguish the two drivers of repeat purchase and examine how they affect consumer response to cross-selling promotions. In Study 1, the authors propose a method to derive individual-level habit strength from consumer transaction records and demonstrate the influence of both attitudinal loyalty and habit on repeat purchase. Studies 2a and 2b then show that attitudinal loyalty facilitates cross-selling, whereas habit has the opposite effect. Finally, in Study 3, the authors suggest a specific promotional design that works better for habitual consumers than for those with attitudinal loyalty and demonstrate that ignoring these two underlying drivers can lead to unintended negative consequences on consumer behavior. This research adds to a richer understanding of repatronage and yields important managerial insights into more effective cross-selling to repeat customers.
Electrochemistry at the Edge of Reason: Chalcogen-Based Redox Systems in Biochemistry and Drug Design
Authors: Viswanathan Uma M. , Burkholz Torsten , Jacob Claus
Published: May 2013

In Biology, numerous cellular signalling and control networks are centred around redox active chalcogen species, such as the thiol group of cysteine, the sulfide of methionine and the selenol(ate) of the unusual amino acid selenocysteine. These amino acids form part of peptides, proteins and enzymes, which they endow with a distinct (i.e.chalcogen) redox activity. Compared to the biological redox chemistry of metal ions (e.g.iron, copper, manganese), the redox behaviour of such chalcogen-based systems is considerably more diverse, complex and difficult to study. Not surprisingly, there have been few interactions between electrochemists and biological chalcogen redox chemists in the past. Nonetheless, electrochemistry provides several interesting leads: Impedance measurements enable cell biologists to ‘watch cells grow’ in real time and in a continuous manner, which forms the basis for innovative drug profiling. Voltammetry can be used to monitor the formation of (oxygen and nitrogen based) reactive species at the level of individual macrophages without the need of elaborate staining techniques. At the same time, Cyclic Voltammetry provides access to the redox properties of various cysteine proteins and enzymes, and hence may assist in unravelling some of the remaining mysteries of the cellular thiolstat. And finally, electrochemical methods are extraordinarily powerful and useful in the characterization and ultimately also the design of redox-modulating natural products and drugs, including potential antioxidants and anticancer agents.
A Dynamic Database of Microarray-Characterized Cell Lines with Various Cytogenetic and Genomic Backgrounds
Authors: Tang Zhenya , Berlin Dorit S , Toji Lorraine , Toruner Gokce A , Beiswanger Christine , Kulkarni Shashikant , Martin Christa L , Emanuel Beverly S , Christman Michael , Gerry Norman P
Published: May 2013

The Human Genetic Cell Repository sponsored by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) contains more than 11,000 cell lines and DNA samples collected from numerous individuals. All of these cell lines and DNA samples are categorized into several collections representing a variety of disease states, chromosomal abnormalities, heritable diseases, distinct human populations, and apparently healthy individuals. Many of these cell lines have previously been studied with detailed conventional cytogenetic analyses, including G-banded karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. This work was conducted by investigators at submitting institutions and scientists at Coriell Institute for Medical Research, where the NIGMS Repository is hosted. Recently, approximately 900 cell lines, mostly chosen from the Chromosomal Aberrations and Heritable Diseases collections, have been further characterized in detail at the Coriell Institute using the Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 to detect copy number variations and copy number neutral loss of heterozygosity. A database containing detailed cytogenetic and genomic information for these cell lines has been constructed and is freely available through several sources, such as the NIGMS Repository website and the University of California at Santa Cruz Genome Browser. As additional cell lines are analyzed and subsequently added into it, the database will be maintained dynamically.
Resource Utilization for Observation-Status Stays at Children’s Hospitals
Authors: Fieldston Evan S. , Shah Samir S. , Hall Matthew , Hain Paul D. , Alpern Elizabeth R. , Del Beccaro Mark A. , Harding John , Macy Michelle L.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Observation status, in contrast to inpatient status, is a billing designation for hospital payment. Observation-status stays are presumed to be shorter and less resource-intensive, but utilization for pediatric observation-status stays has not been studied. The goal of this study was to describe resource utilization characteristics for patients in observation and inpatient status in a national cohort of hospitalized children in the Pediatric Health Information System.

METHODS:

This study was a retrospective cohort from 2010 of observation- and inpatient-status stays of ≤2 days; all children were admitted from the emergency department. Costs were analyzed and described. Comparison between costs adjusting for age, severity, and length of stay were conducted by using random-effect mixed models to account for clustering of patients within hospitals.

RESULTS:

Observation status was assigned to 67 230 (33.3%) discharges, but its use varied across hospitals (2%–45%). Observation-status stays had total median costs of $2559, including room costs and $678 excluding room costs. Twenty-five diagnoses accounted for 74% of stays in observation status, 4 of which were used for detailed analyses: asthma (n = 6352), viral gastroenteritis (n = 4043), bronchiolitis (n = 3537), and seizure (n = 3289). On average, after risk adjustment, observation-status stays cost $260 less than inpatient-status stays for these select 4 diagnoses. Large overlaps in costs were demonstrated for both types of stay.

CONCLUSIONS:

Variability in use of observation status with large overlap in costs and potential lower reimbursement compared with inpatient status calls into question the utility of segmenting patients according to billing status and highlights a financial risk for institutions with a high volume of pediatric patients in observation status.
Effect of Early Limited Formula on Duration and Exclusivity of Breastfeeding in At-Risk Infants: An RCT
Authors: Flaherman Valerie J. , Aby Janelle , Burgos Anthony E. , Lee Kathryn A. , Cabana Michael D. , Newman Thomas B.
Published: May 2013

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Recent public health efforts focus on reducing formula use for breastfed infants during the birth hospitalization. No previous randomized trials report the effects of brief early formula use. The objective of the study was to determine if small formula volumes before the onset of mature milk production might reduce formula use at 1 week and improve breastfeeding at 3 months for newborns at risk for breastfeeding problems.

METHODS:

We randomly assigned 40 exclusively breastfeeding term infants, 24 to 48 hours old, who had lost ≥5% birth weight to early limited formula (ELF) intervention (10 mL formula by syringe after each breastfeeding and discontinued when mature milk production began) or control (continued exclusive breastfeeding). Our outcomes were breastfeeding and formula use at 1 week and 1, 2, and 3 months.

RESULTS:

Among infants randomly assigned to ELF during the birth hospitalization, 2 (10%) of 20 used formula at 1 week of age, compared with 9 (47%) of 19 control infants assigned during the birth hospitalization to continue exclusive breastfeeding (P = .01). At 3 months, 15 (79%) of 19 infants assigned to ELF during the birth hospitalization were breastfeeding exclusively, compared with 8 (42%) of 19 controls (P = .02).

CONCLUSIONS:

Early limited formula may reduce longer-term formula use at 1 week and increase breastfeeding at 3 months for some infants. ELF may be a successful temporary coping strategy for mothers to support breastfeeding newborns with early weight loss. ELF has the potential for increasing rates of longer-term breastfeeding without supplementation based on findings from this RCT.
Is physical activity an Elixir?
Authors: Lacza Gyöngyvér , Radák Zsolt
Published: May 2013

Physical exercise has systemic effects, and it can regulate all the organs. The relative maximal aerobic oxygen uptake (VO2max) could have been important in the evolution of humans, since higher VO2maxmeant better hunting abilities for the Stone Age man. However, it appears that high level of VO2maxis also important today, in the 21th century to prevent cardiovascular diseases, cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. High level of VO2maxis not just preventive against a wide spectrum of diseases, but it associated with better function of many organs. Relevant data suggest that high level of VO2maxis a key factor in prevention of diseases and survival even at the modern civilized world. Orv. Hetil., 2013, 154, 764–768.
High Temperature Stability of Silver Based Porous Nanocomposites for Electrochemical Devices
Authors: Sarikaya Ayhan , Petrovsky Vladimir , Dogan Fatih
Published: May 2013

High temperature (>550°C) applications of silver based porous composites have been limited due to relatively low melting temperature (962°C) of Ag. Incorporation of oxide particles was demonstrated as an effective approach for stabilization of the porous Ag microstructures. This study aims developing an understanding based on the relationships between the properties of the incorporated YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia), the developed porous microstructures and the electrochemical response of their electrodes. Minimum degradation was observed with the composite microstructure based on comparable Ag and YSZ particle sizes. The results demonstrated that YSZ incorporation into Ag matrix can increase the stable application temperature to 800°C.
Stability and Performance of YSZ Infiltrated Platinum Electrodes for Sensors and Solid Oxide Cells
Authors: Buyukaksoy Aligul , Petrovsky Vladimir , Dogan Fatih
Published: May 2013

Limited electrochemical performance and microstructure instability are crucial problems in Platinum electrodes for solid state electrochemical devices. YSZ infiltration into porous YSZ skeleton is a prospective method to enhance the electrochemical performance and stabilize the microstructure. In this work, the effect of Pt skeleton microstructure on the electrochemical performance and stability of Pt-YSZ electrodes prepared by infiltration was investigated. The electrode polarization resistance of YSZ infiltrated Pt electrode sintered at 800 °C was 0.060 Ohm.cm2 per electrode at 800 °C without degradation during the operation time of 51 hours. Triple phase boundary enhancement by YSZ infiltration and YSZ infiltration into Pt skeleton with smaller particle size resulted in the suppression of the electrochemical process observed at 150 Hz.
Large Electrocaloric Effect from Electrical Field Induced Orientational Order-Disorder Transition in Nematic Liquid Crystals Possessing Large Dielectric Anisotropy
Authors: Qian Xiao-Shi , Lu S. G. , Li Xinyu , Gu Haiming , Chien L-C , Zhang Q. M.
Published: May 2013

Large electrocaloric (EC) effects in ferroelectric polymers and in ferroelectric ceramics have attracted great attention for new refrigeration development which is more environmental friendly and more efficient and thus could be an alternative to the existing vapor-compression refrigerators which consume large energy and release large amount of green house gas. However in the past, all EC effects investigations have been focused on solid state dielectrics. It is interesting to ask whether a large EC effect can also be realized in dielectric fluids. A dielectric fluid with large EC effect could lead to new design of cooling devices with simpler structures than these based on solid state EC materials, for example, they can be utilized as both the refrigerant and heat exchange fluid. Here we present that a large EC effect can be realized in the liquid crystal (LC) 5CB near it's nematic-isotropic (N-I) phase transition. The LC 5CB possesses a large dielectric anisotropy which can induce large polarization change from the isotropic phase to the nematic phase near the N-I transition. An isothermal entropy change of more than 23 Jkg-1K-1 was observed near 39 oC that is just above the N-I transition.
La participation des personnes utilisatrices aux exercices de planification et d'organisation des services de santé mentale au Québec
Authors: Clément Michèle , del Barrio Lourdes Rodriguez , Gagné Jean , Lévesque Annie
Published: May 2013

Cet article documente la manière dont s'est renouvelé et s'est transformé au fil du temps le projet de faire participer les usagers aux exercices de planification et d'organisation des services de santé mentale au Québec (Canada). Pour ce faire, les auteurs reviennent sur l'ensemble des documents ministériels qui ont traité de cette question et dégage, pour les principaux moment-clés, les principales modalités de participation des usagers.
Acesso à experiência em primeira pessoa na pesquisa em Saúde Mental
Authors: Leal Erotildes Maria , Serpa Junior Octavio Domont de
Published: May 2013

Este artigo apresenta e discute os desafios epistemológicos e metodológicos relacionados ao estudo empírico da experiência em primeira pessoa na pesquisa em Saúde Mental. Considerando-se o campo da pesquisa qualitativa em saúde examinam-se os princípios metodológicos da fenomenologia e da antropologia médica em uma perspectiva histórica e conceitual. São apresentados os principais conceitos operatórios do método fenomenológico aplicado à pesquisa empírica, bem como suas duas principais abordagens, a fenomenologia descritiva e psicológica/transcendental e a fenomenologia hermenêutica ou interpretativa. As contribuições da Antropologia Médica são trabalhadas sobretudo no que concerne à experiência de adoecimento e suas modalidades narrativas. Por fim, considerando-se a distinção entre experiência e narrativa, a partir dos referenciais teóricos da Fenomenologia e da Antropologia Médica, aprofunda-se o debate sobre o acesso à experiência em primeira pessoa.
Uso de antimicrobianos pela população da cidade de Jataí (GO), Brasil
Authors: Braoios Alexandre , Pereira Ana Cláudia Souza , Bizerra Adaís Alves , Policarpo Olmeny Ferreira , Soares Nayana Carvalho , Barbosa Adriano de Souza
Published: May 2013

Um dos fatores que contribui para a emergência de microrganismos multirresistentes é a utilização inadequada de antimicrobianos. Neste estudo foram visitados 192 domicílios para aplicação de um questionário a respeito dos hábitos de consumo de antimicrobianos de todos os moradores. Os dados revelaram que 6,8% dos participantes utilizaram antimicrobianos nos últimos meses. Os usuários eram predominantemente do sexo feminino, idade entre 20 e 59 anos e renda de 1 a 3 salário mínimos. Do total, 9,1% fizeram uso de antimicrobianos sem prescrição e 4,6% não concluíram o tratamento, alegando melhora dos sintomas ou devido aos efeitos colaterais. O motivo mais relatado para o tratamento foi infecção de orofaringe. Foi constatado também o uso de antimicrobianos de forma desnecessária, como para o tratamento de febre, gripe e alergia. Entre os entrevistados, 20,5% possuem o hábito de indicar antimicrobianos para familiares e amigos. Este trabalho foi conduzido antes da proibição legal da venda de antimicrobianos sem receita médica. Grande parte dos entrevistados desconhece os riscos da utilização inadequada e foi observado um percentual considerável de indivíduos que indicam estas drogas a outros. Com a implantação da lei que proíbe a venda sem prescrição é esperado que este problema seja minimizado.
Ampliando o diálogo entre trabalhadores e profissionais de pesquisa: alguns métodos de pesquisa-intervenção para o campo da Saúde do Trabalhador
Authors: Ramminger Tatiana , Athayde Milton Raimundo Cidreira de , Brito Jussara
Published: May 2013

O artigo discute alguns métodos que enfatizam formas coletivas e compartilhadas de análise das relações que se estabelecem no e com o trabalho, em relação sinérgica com a experiência dos protagonistas do trabalho. Pode-se caracterizá-los como métodos de pesquisa-intervenção que apresentam contribuições importantes para o campo da Saúde do Trabalhador, alguns dos quais desenvolvidos no âmbito da Psicologia do Trabalho. Métodos que tem como sua referência a "enquete operária" de Karl Marx, destacando-se as contribuições de algumas das Clínicas do Trabalho - considerando-se a presença de afinidades teórico-metodológicas e diferenças - como o Modelo Operário Italiano de luta pela saúde, a Ergonomia da Atividade e a Psicodinâmica do Trabalho. Em seguida, discute-se a proposta avançada pela Ergologia - o Dispositivo Dinâmico de Três Polos - e uma de suas configurações que vem sendo desenvolvida no Brasil, a Comunidade Ampliada de Pesquisa.
Letter from the Editor: Lamaze Method versus Philosophy
Authors: Humenick Sharron S.
Published: May 2013

Lamaze childbirth is no longer a method; rather, it is childbirth based on a philosophy that is articulate and incorporates many methods. A new Lamaze International position paper addresses teaching the Lamaze Philosophy.
Prenatal Depression, Violence, Substance Use, and Perception of Support in Pregnant Middle-Class Women
Authors: Anderson Cheryl , Roux Gayle , Pruitt Alicia
Published: May 2013

The purpose of this study was to explore the vulnerability for postpartum depression among financially, educationally, and socially advantaged middle-class women (n = 31). Twenty-nine percent reported prenatal depression, 13% reported intimate partner violence, and 22% reported concerns with partner relationships and support expectations after delivery. No illegal substances were reported; however, a past history of smoking and excessive use of caffeine was disclosed. Implications for practice focus on the need to screen and implement intervention programs for these social problems and to adopt measures as a universal standard of care for all women, regardless of demographic advantages.
Resource Column: Web Site Resources for High-Risk Families
Authors: Montgomery Kristen S.
Published: May 2013

The Internet serves as an excellent resource for childbirth educators in their search for information and education to share with high-risk families who are in need of support to help them cope with complicated pregnancies.
Fatigue management of the Midland Links, UK steel box girder decks
Authors: Hendy Chris R. , Chakrabarti Sibdas
Published: May 2013

The Midland Links motorway viaducts, carrying the M5 and M6 around Birmingham, UK have been subject to a regular programme of assessment, repair and strengthening since 1989, after corrosion problems, primarily due to chloride contamination, were first detected in 1979. A number of the longer spans comprise multiple steel and concrete composite box girders and some of these superstructures are supported by steel box girder cross-beams. Assessment showed areas of very high overstress in the web plate at the locations of internal bracings. These overstresses affected ultimate, serviceability and fatigue limit states and arose because of poor detailing of the cross-braces and stiffeners. Acoustic emission sensors were installed to determine if the predicted fatigue activity was actually occurring and elastic shell finite-element (FE) modelling was undertaken for an improved determination of stresses. Plastic redistribution was considered to demonstrate adequate ultimate limit state (ULS) performance and an analysis was undertaken with potential fatigue damage modelled to prove the structure would not collapse with such damage at the ULS. In situ strain monitoring was undertaken to calibrate the FE results, improve the predicted fatigue life and allow preparation of a long-term strategy for managing and monitoring fatigue activity using a damage tolerant approach.
Undrained behaviour of a non-homogeneous elastic medium: the influence of variations in the elastic shear modulus with depth
Authors: KATEBI A. , SELVADURAI A.P.S.
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the axisymmetric interior loading problem for an incompressible isotropic elastic half-space where the linear elastic shear modulus varies with depth. In particular, the non-homogeneity has an exponential variation either over the entire depth of the half-space, or over a finite depth beyond which it is constant. The mathematical formulation of the traction boundary value problem is developed through the application of integral transform techniques, and the numerical results obtained are compared with results derived from a computational procedure involving a finite-element approach.
Optimisation of loop ramp design for cloverleaf interchanges
Authors: Mansourkhaki Ali , Ghanad Hojat
Published: May 2013

In this paper a loop ramp for cloverleaf interchanges is geometrically designed by two methods. In the first design, the conventional spiral curves are used for the loop ramp while in the second approach, a methodology is proposed for designing the loop ramp with compound curves. These designs are then compared to each other using criteria which are weighted by the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). In addition, the ant colony optimisation in continuous domain is also utilised for finding the best solutions within all the possible designs of the loop ramp using compound curves. In order to confirm the accuracy of optimised solutions, their results are also compared to the best solutions of the AHP analysis method. Overall, the results demonstrate that the design of loop ramps for cloverleaf interchanges using the presented method generally offers outstanding savings in comparison to the traditional spiral design for loop ramps.
Antiretroviral therapy in primary HIV infection
Authors: Powderly William G
Published: May 2013

Evaluation of: SPARTAC Trial Investigators, Fidler S, Porter K
et al.
Short-course antiretroviral therapy in primary HIV infection.
N. Engl. J. Med.
368, 207–217 (2013).

The timing of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in patients who present with primary HIV infection is uncertain. This paper compared three strategies: ART for 48 weeks; ART for 12 weeks; or no therapy in 366 patients with primary HIV infection. They showed that 48 weeks of ART significantly reduced the risk of needing definitive therapy (after a median follow-up of 4.2 years). However, the median delay in needing to start definitive therapy (61 weeks) is not significantly greater than the amount of treatment given (48 weeks) to achieve this result, suggesting that the clinical benefit of immediate ART in primary HIV infection is not yet clear
Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of Xanthomonas campestris strains isolated from cabbage, kale and broccoli
Authors: Popovic Tatjana , Josic Dragana , Starovic Mira , Milovanovic P. , Dolovac N. , Postic D. , Stankovic S.
Published: May 2013

Thirty-six strains of Xanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc) isolated
from cabbage, kale and broccoli were identified according to their
pathogenicity, phenotypic and genotypic characterization. Pathogenicity was
confirmed by the injection method with a hypodermic syringe into the
mesophilic tissue of cabbage leaves. All strains were Gramnegative, aerobic,
catalase-positive, oxidase-negative, grew at 35?C, produced levan, H2S and
indole, did not reduce nitrate, hydrolyzed Tween 80, starch, gelatin and
esculin and did not show tolerance to 0.1 and 0.02% TTC. The strains produced
acid from d-arabinose, arginine, dulcitol, galactose, d-glucose, maltose,
mannose, sorbitol, sucrose and xylose. The genetic characterization was based
on the sequence analyses of 16S rDNA and ERIC and BOX PCR. Strains of
different pathovars were also used to compare PCR resulting patterns. BOX-PCR
of the strains from kale and broccoli, obtained using (GTG)5 primer, yielded
patterns with a high similarity level to pathovar reference strain Xcc. The
strains from cabbage yielded BOX and ERIC product patterns, distinguishing
them from the other tested strains and reference strains. 16S rDNA of the
representative strains was closely related to Xcc strain ATCC 33913. ERIC PCR
and BOX using (GTG)5 primer generated different Xcc patterns and were
effective in distinguishing strains from different plant hosts.
Tritrophic associations and taxonomic notes on Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphidiinae), a keystone aphid parasitoid in Iran
Authors: Rakhshani Ehsan , Starý Petr , Tomanovic Zeljko
Published: May 2013

An investigation of host associations, distribution and types of reproduction
(sexual, asexual) of Lysiphlebus fabarum (Marshall) across 20 provinces of
Iran during 2006-2011 was undertaken. The parasitoid was reared from three
groups of host aphids belonging to genera Aphis and Brachycaudus, and
occasional host aphid genera. Aphis craccivora Koch was the most frequent
host aphid for L. fabarum on various host plants, including economically
important crops. The field sex ratio generally favored females, but in some
cases, only thelytokous (uniparental) populations were found. In those cases,
the host was always an Aphis species. Specimens reared from Brachycaudus
aphids were all biparental, indicating the presence of a sibling biological
species. Overall analysis of diagnostic morphological characters in the
forewing indicated intra-specific variability in forewing marginal setae as
well as variations in length of the R1 vein.
A new cave diplopod of the genus Brachydesmus heller, 1858 from southwest Serbia (Diplopoda: Polydesmida: Polydesmidae)
Authors: Antic D.Z. , Curcic B.P.M. , Mitic B.M. , Tomic V.T. , Lucic L.R. , Dudic B.D. , Stojanovic D.Z. , Makarov S.E.
Published: May 2013

A new cave polydesmid, Brachydesmus sjenicae n. sp. is described from Ledena
Pecina Cave, in southwest Serbia. The new taxon belongs to the
vermosanus-group of species. Relationships with congeners are briefly
discussed. The distribution map and key is given for all currently known taxa
belonging to this group of species.